As promised, here is the next update :]

This one is All At Once by The Fray.

Enjoy!

~epicconfusion

"Expecto Patronum," she said following Harry's lead. A shaggy-looking dog burst from her wand and sprinted in the opposite direction. Dementors had boarded the Hogwarts Express.

"We should be okay. So should everyone else if we have two patronuses patroling the trains. As soon as everyone else sees them too, they'll be casting theirs," Harry said in a low voice. Alisha pulled him in and slid the door shut. They scooted back to the wall where the window was on the floor. They sat there, Alisha gripping his arm, Harry shivering. Alisha raised her body temperature and scooted closer to him to try and keep him warm.

"Alisha?" Harry asked for her attention.

"Yes," she whispered.

"How can you not be cold when there are dementors everywhere? In fact, you're getting warmer," he questioned.

"I'm the Elemental. Extreme temperatures don't bother me. When I'm hot, I mix water and cool air and can lower my body temperature. I can heat myself when it's cold," she replied. Harry nodded and wrapped an arm around her. Dispite what she just said, shivers ran down her spine and her body broke out in goosebumps. An anxiety began to overwhelm her as it bubbled up in her throat. She couldn't tell if it was because of Harry's touch or if the patronuses weren't doing their job. Just then, the wall that they leaned on began to grow cold. Alisha looked up at Harry questioningly as it grew colder. She pulled out her wand and muttered the same incantation she had said before. Another dog burst through and instantly turned towards the window. Alisha's eyes grew wide and she pulled Harry down as she used the air to pull the window down. Instantly, the temperature dropped to freezing temperatures. Alisha increased her bodily temperature before she sent the dog out the window to the dementor.

"Go get 'em, boy!" she shouted. Once again, she used her wind power to roll the window back up. She panted for a few seconds. That was a lot of excitement for a few moments. She then began to calm down and realize her position. Much more awkward than before. She was on top of Harry. His arm was still wrapped around her shoulders with a tighter grip than before. Her head rested neatly inbetween the crook in his shoulder and chest. Their legs were jumbled together in a creative mess. She blushed lightly and pulled herself up to sit in her previous position. Harry followed suit, his arm releasing the grip on her shoulders.

"Thanks," he said. The temperature was now rising which was comforting. The lights were still out and the train hadn't moved an inch. They sat there for a few minutes, waiting for someone or something. The lights were starting to come back on, starting at the front of the train. They could see them spreading down the line. The lights then came on in their compartment. Alisha rubbed her eyes, attempting to adjust to her new surroundings. Voices could be heard through the halls of the train. They were opening up compartment doors, checking to see if everything was alright, then moving on to the next. Their compartment door flew open and in walked a rather annoyed-looking blonde haired boy. His eyes were sharp and crystal clear blue. He had very defined features. His eyes locked on Harry's and a smirk graced his face.

"Didn't faint this time, Potter, eh?" he taunted. His arms moved to cross over his chest.

"No, thanks. Everythings fine, Malfoy. You can leave us now," Harry replied curtly. A bigger smirk came across the blonde boy's face.

"Oh, and who's this? Got yourself a little girlfriend now, have you?" he said.

"So what, he told you to leave. You're annoying me and that's not a good thing. Get out," Alisha interjected. The blonde boy then stepped closer to Alisha. He bent down and gazed straight into her eyes. Blue met blue and she could feel herself getting more agitated by the second. He stood up and turned his back on the two.

"What ever you say, Hinston," the blonde boy said cooly. Alisha's eyes widened. How did he know her name? He left and slid the compartment door with a loud slam. She could feel Harry's shock radiating off of him as well as his deep stare.

"How does he know yo-?"

"-Your guess is as good as mine," she said. The two sat there on the floor in silence for several moments. The train had picked up movement again. The sky was dark and not a single star could be found. It was getting late. She was hungry, tired, and still shocked from the recent events. She looked up at Harry only to meet his gaze.

"Does this kind of stuff happen to you a lot?" she questioned. Neither of them blinked. He sighed before replying.

"Yeah, it does," he said heavily. They kept their eyes locked until the compartment door flew open again.

"Oh, thank goodness you're alright!" Hermione exclaimed as she walked in, "We were so worried about you two!"

"You were?" Alisha asked, slightly surprised.

"Why yes, of course! Why wouldn't we be? I mean, you do know why they were on the train, don't you?" Hermione replied. Harry and Alisha looked at eachother. Both seemed lost for an answer.

"Would you mind telling us why they were on the train?" Harry asked.

"Think Harry! There's only been the biggest breakout in Azkaban history just over a month ago! I told you that, remember?" Ron said taking a seat to their right. Hermione sat across from him.

"Oh, right. I forgot," Harry said absentmindedly, "But why would they be looking on the train for prisoners?"

"Harry, I don't think they were looking for prisoners. It's beginning. Voldemort is starting now that his big secret is out. He's building an army," Hermione said. Alisha furrowed her brows. What was she getting into?

"Back up," she said, "You mean, there's gunna be a war. A legit war."

"Yes, Alisha. No offense, but why else would you be here?" Ron said. Alisha looked down. Sure, she had been told numerous times of what she was to do in Europe, but it never really dawned on her that this was war. The other side isn't going to just give in and back down when they get tired and worn. It was a battle. She had been so focused on school and her budding social life that she had forgotten her true purpose for being in England. She wasn't there for school, love, friends, life. She was there as a weapon. She was a machine. She drew her legs into her stomach and rested her head on her knees. Never before in her life had she felt so stupid and used. It was for the greater good that she was here. But shouldn't she have a choice?

"Alisha, are you- are you alright?" Hermione asked. Alisha jerked her head up quickly and inhaled sharply.

"Yeah- yeah, I'm- I'm fine," she said. Her heart sank. She was feeling very anxious to get to Hogwarts just so that she could get away for a while.

"Could you guys give us a minute?" Harry asked suddenly. Hermione shifted.

"Yeah, sure. We have to finish our rounds anyway. We just wanted to check up on you guys," Hermione said. With that, the two left the compartment. Alisha put her head back down on her knees. She didn't want to look up. The moment she did, she knew she would break down and that couldn't happen. She couldn't let Harry see her weak. She was supposed to be his body guard, his protector. So far, he had done most of the work.

"I'd probably die without you, you know," he said suddenly. Alisha looked up, confusion etched upon her face. Her eyes searched for his, but he never looked her way. His eyes were glossy as they stared right out in front of him. "I mean, you just saved me from that dementor and now, who knows what's going to happen," he continued. He turned his head towards hers and they drank in each other for some time. Her blue orbs filled his emerald and they examined each feature on each other's faces. She turned away, slightly embarrassed.

"I wouldn't have known that there were dementors if you hadn't cast your patronus," she said meekly.

"Well, they're popular around here," he said. Alisha smiled. The more she talked with Harry, the more she enjoyed his company. She gave a small grin and exhaled deeply through her nose.

"I just never- It never really occurred to me that this was... reality," she said, "How could you have put up with this for so many years?"

"It's all I've ever known. Voldemort has been a part of me and will be until..." he said.

"Until what?" she inquired. There was a moment of silence before the light bulb in her head switched on. "The prophecy," she finished.

"Yeah," he replied. Silence fell between the two as the train began to slow down. They were finally getting closer to Hogwarts. Excited voices carried through the hallway. Alisha sighed. Maybe she wasn't fit for this job. Either that, or she knew that her life was going to be the job. She would loose any sort of social interaction. She didn't know if she was going to be taking the same classes as the students. She didn't know if she was going to be with Harry, Ron, Ginny, or Hermione at all. Disappointment and doubt flooded her mind. She wasn't prepared to loose her life, socially or physically. She was only sixteen-

The train jolted to a stop. Harry stood immediately and made his way to the compartment door. Alisha stood to follow him. He slid the door open and they mixed into the crowd. They took the nearest exit and Harry stopped. He looked around until a great, booming voice could be heard throughout the entire platform.

"Firs' years!" it rang, "All firs' years gather 'round now!" Harry grinned while Alisha cocked her head to the side. He immediately took off in the direction of the voice. Alisha jumped to follow him. She kept in close pace with him, not wanting to loose him in the crowd. They waded through people until they stopped before a man who was much larger than anyone she had ever seen. He continued to yell until he noticed Harry standing beside him. He held up a rather large lantern and was bundled up in many layers of clothing. He had long, grizzly hair that rested on his shoulders alongside a tough beard. He smiled upon recognizing them.

"'Arry! It's so good ter see yea!" he exclaimed. Harry broke out, smiling madly. This was the first time he had really smiled since she met him.

"You too, Hagrid!" he replied.

"Hey, er, who's this behin' yea?" he asked, peering behind Harry with the lantern. Harry turned around and grabbed hold of Alisha's arm to pull her forward.

"This is Alisha. She's a new student. Alisha, this is Hagrid, the grounds keeper," said Harry. Alisha smiled and extended a hand.

"It's nice to meet you Hagrid!" she said. Hagrid took her hand into his large one and shook it gently.

"It be my pleasure, Alisha," he said, "Now, I think Professor Dumbledore tol' me to send yea on th' boats wit' me, but I think yea can get away wit' sneakin' on the carriages with 'Arry here." Alisha smiled broadly. She wouldn't want to travel with a bunch of strangers, let alone a bunch of young strangers.

"Think I could?" she asked. Hagrid winked at her and she laughed. She looked over at Harry who was smiling brightly at her. He looked so much happier than she had seen him and it made her much happier. The two bid their good-byes to Hagrid and Harry led them towards a woodsy area where the carriages were to be. There were a few people still waiting for a carriage and only a few more carriages left. Alisha and Harry hopped on to a carriage with a few others. Some had robes with a yellow patch, the others with a blue patch. They seemed to be around their age, and they instantly struck up conversation.

"Bilmey, Harry! It's gunna be a tough quittich season this year, wouldn't you say?" said one boy with a blue patch on. He had sandy blonde hair with very defined features. Definately easy on the eyes.

"Yeah, I'll say. I hear Cho's the Ravenclaw captain this year," said another with dark brown hair. Harry only nodded. Alisha scooted closer to Harry and leaned over to whisper something to him when another interrupted them.

"Oye! Who's this girl here?" another boy said, "Got yourself a girl, Potter?" Harry ignored them and leaned in closer to try and hear what Alisha was about to say.

"Harry, who are these people?" she whispered. Harry turned to reply.

"Just some 7th years. Some from Ravenclaw, some from Hufflepuff," he said. Alisha nodded and faced the group.

"Hi! My names Alisha Hinston!" she said energeticly. All of them introduced themselves in return. There were 6 of them, so she couldn't quite remember all of their names. 4 of them were 7th years, 2 were 6th years.

"What year are you, Alisha?" a 7th year Ravenclaw, Veronica, asked.

"Well, that's an awfully good question. I'm sixteen, so whatever that means," Alisha responded.

"You're a 6th year then," the boy with brown hair, Eric, said. After formalities were exchanged, the group was mostly silent for the ride. Alisha wanted to ask them about this Ravenclaw and Huffle-what stuff was about, but she didn't want to be made a fool. She sat there calmly, her hands folded neatly on her lap as the carriage bounced through the road. Many night critters scurried through the trees. The sky was still dark. The stars were being protected by the veil of clouds that coated the atmosphere. The trees soon began to thin out. The road was smoothing out and they reached a large clearing. Out of the darkness rose a great castle illuminated with bright lights. Alisha's jaw dropped. This was a monstrosity!

"What do you think, Alisha?" Harry asked in a low voice.

"I'm so gonna get lost here," she replied. Harry laughed and leaned back into his seat. The path began to wind up to the castle. Alisha's eyes never departed from the sight. It was so beautiful, and it was now her home.