Author's Note: So usually I say that I don't own Harry Potter or anything else of J.K Rowling's. However, we're going to be doing things a bit differently today. You see, besides not owning that stuff, I also do not own the character Levina Snowpetal. That lovely honor belongs to the author Are you calling me crazy. If you haven't checked out her series After all these years, I honestly suggest checking it out. But more on that later. :) I still only own Alex and the plot points you don't recognize. But I can proudly say that I also own the new OC you are about to meet. Hooray for new characters! :D

Chapter 6 And Who Are You Supposed To Be?

Alex, Harry, Ron, and Hermione got on the train with Fred, George, and Ginny. Alex and Harry started walking when they stopped and found the other two watching them with worry.

"Come on," said Alex gesturing for them to follow, "Before all the little people take the good spots!"

"Um," said Ron, "We have to go to the Prefect Compartment…"

"But we'll come and see you after we finish patrolling," added Hermione quickly.

Alex and Harry nodded and continued on with Ginny, while Fred and George went to find Lee Jordan. When they found a compartment, Alex ran to the window and opened it, leaning out. The train began to pull away and Orion went running after the train, barking loudly. Many heads poked out and laughed at the dog as Alex waved eagerly. Once the platform ended, the dog stopped and barked as the train turned around the corner. Sighing, Alex closed the window and sat on the chair. She was finally going back.

The door opened and Neville came in followed by a girl Alex had never met before. She was a little shorter than Ginny with messy blonde hair and misty blue eyes. She was looking around like she didn't exactly know where she was.

"Hi Neville!" Harry said, "What's that you've got there?"

Alex looked at her housemate Neville Longbottom. Whenever she saw him, she thought he looked exactly like his father. Alex noticed Neville had lost some weight over the summer and looked more built like his father used to be. Neville was a very nice boy, but not the best student. He tried hard but he just never managed to make it all the way. However, the subject Neville was amazing at was Herbology. In his hands was a weird cactus plant with boils all over it.

"It's a Mimbulus Mimbiltonia!" Neville said eagerly, "I got it for my birthday this summer."

He began to talk about it but Alex tuned him out while she began sketching. As much as she liked Neville and all, his talk about Herbology never failed to bore her. Finally, sensing that everyone was drifting off, Ginny cut in.

"Oh, I'm sorry everyone! I've been so rude to Luna. Luna Lovegood, this is Harry Potter and Alex Ratcliff. They're friends of mine as well as my older brother, Ron. And you already met Neville. Luna's in Ravenclaw, but my year."

Alex jerked out of her trance and saw the girl looking at her and Harry intently. She also noticed Luna was reading a magazine called The Quibbler…upside-down. Alex glanced sideways at Harry, who was trying to keep all signs of being creeped out off his face.

"Nice to meet you," said Alex kindly, "Do you like Ravenclaw?"

"Yes," she said, her voice light and airy, "It's a great house."

Luna turned back to her magazine and Alex gave Harry a raised eyebrow look. He just shrugged and pulled out a Quidditch magazine Ron had lent him. Harry was a Seeker on the Gryffindor team, the youngest Seeker in a century to be exact. Alex thought he was amazing when he played. She also had a passion for Quidditch, but there was never a spot for her to play on. This year, however, there would be. Wood, captain for the first three years of her Hogwarts career, had graduated and now they needed a Keeper. Alex would have preferred being a Chaser or Beater, but she would take anything just to play. As Alex looked up for a moment, her stomach dropped.

"Hey Luna," she asked, trying to keep her voice casual, "Do you mind if I see that for a minute?"

Luna nodded eagerly and handed Alex the magazine. She nudged Harry in the ribs and pointed to the front page.

"What?" he whispered, "Fudge's dealings with goblins?"

"No, look!" she breathed. There was a short headline that read, "The True Identity of Sirius Black: Mass Murderer or Famous Rock Star?"

Harry's brow furrowed and Alex opened to the page and read the article in a soft voice.

"Who is the real Sirius Black? Is he a crazy psychopath or a misunderstood rocker? Recent news has led us to believe the latter. In fact, Sirius Black may not even be his real name, but a stage name. His real name is, in fact, Stubby Boardman. According to a source who wishes to remain nameless, "The night of the killings, Stubby was with me, having a romantic candlelit dinner." This source also continued, saying, "Stubby would never kill those people, his songs were all about peace and love!" This is not the only protest for Fudge to stop his searching for Black. Rumors have been flying that Black is actually an innocent man. Let us all hope that Fudge will stop his dealings with goblins and listen to the people for a change."

Alex looked at Harry, who was in total shock. Alex tried not to burst out laughing. Her father, a rocker! This lady was obviously off her rocker! Luna was looking at her with interest and she leaned over to them.

"Can you believe it?" Luna said in her airy voice, "I hope this gets Fudge to stop looking for him, this is hard fact!"

"Oh…yeah," said Alex, trying to act normal about it, "Definitely."

"Do you think he's innocent?"

"Yes!" said Alex quickly and kicked herself mentally as the next question came.

"Really? What makes you think so? You sound so sure, did you read something that had really good evidence?" Luna asked, her voice really starting to annoy Alex.

Thankfully, the compartment door opened and Ron and Hermione came in, putting an end to the conversation. Ron looked furious and Hermione was shaking with rage.

"What's up guys?" Harry asked quickly, glad for something to get off the subject of his godfather.

"You'll never guess who got Slytherin Prefect!" Hermione snapped, "Those two idiotic, cruel, stupid-"

The door opened again and Draco entered, flanked by his lackeys Crabbe and Goyle. Hanging on his arm was Pansy Parkinson, a pug-faced Slytherin girl who practically kissed the ground Draco walked on. Both Draco and Parkinson were wearing badges and Alex dropped her sketch book in horror.

"You?" she gasped. She actually meant Parkinson but it didn't matter.

"Surprised, aren't you?" Parkinson asked with a laugh, "Yes, I was so happy when I found out my Dracey got it as well. Now we can patrol together after hours."

Draco put on a good act, but when he looked at Alex, she could tell he was totally revolted about what she was insinuating.

"Wow Parkinson," Alex said, shaking her head, "You really are infatuated. What did you do? Have your father owl to make sure you got in with your little obsession just so you could have the evening hours to go find a broom cupboard? Yeah, that's not creepy in the least!"

Everyone laughed, except for the Slytherins. But Draco's mouth twitched in a smile for a split second, his eyes dancing with merriment. Parkinson pulled out her wand, but Alex had hers out before the other girl even touched it.

"Alex!" said Hermione, "Don't fight her now, at least wait until we get to school for Merlin's sake!"

"Out…NOW!" Alex shouted, jabbing her wand towards Parkinson threateningly, "Or I'll make sure you can't snog for the entire year!"

Parkinson sniffed haughtily and said, "Come on, Dracey, let's leave these uncivilized fools before we catch anything they have."

"You're one to talk!" Ginny muttered furiously and Parkinson wiped around, but Draco held her back.

"Come on, Pansy," he said, like one does someone who is unstable, "We'll get them later."

She stared at Ginny for a few seconds before letting Draco lead her out. As they were leaving, Draco threw her an eye-roll and a wink. She smirked as she picked up her sketch book. Hermione asked Neville about his plant so Neville went on another long-winded explanation.

"And I read that if you stick a pin in one of the boils," he was saying, "You can get the juice out, which is great in healing potions."

Alex looked up in time to see Neville moving a needle towards a large boil. She grabbed her bag and hid it under the seat just in time as she and the whole compartment were sprayed with a green, thick substance. Alex wiped the stuff off her face and saw Neville had gotten the full blast, his whole face covered.

"Um…I see this is a bad time."

They all looked up and saw a very pretty Asian girl looking around. Alex recognized her as Cho Chang, the Ravenclaw Seeker. Harry had a crush on her last year and, judging by the red showing through the green juice, he still did. Cho smiled sweetly and closed the compartment door. Alex stood up, pulled out her wand, and gave it a flick. The entire compartment was clean and juice free, leaving the occupants to give Alex a grateful smile. She turned to Harry with a sad look.

"If she had stayed a little longer, you could've talked now."

Harry shrugged and watched as a game of Exploding Snap started. Ginny's face was unreadable, but Alex knew she probably didn't mind Cho leaving. Soon, the train slowed to a stop and everyone began gathering their belongings. They got off the train and Alex was surprised not to hear the familiar booming voice, but a totally different one.

"First years, come over here now! Move along, move along!"

Alex went on the tips of her toes and saw a woman with medium brown hair leading the first year students to the boats. Wondering where Hagrid was, she and her friend went to the carriages. Alex smiled at the thestral pulling the cart and waved, the creature nodding its head.

"It is good to see you again," the thestral said solemnly, "The world has changed much since you first rode with us."

"Yeah, it really has," Alex said with a sigh and turned to find Harry staring at her. "What's up?"

"I had no idea they pulled the carts," said Harry, "What are they?"

"Thestrals," said Alex, "Only those who've seen death can see them."

"Don't worry," Luna said suddenly, causing both of them to jump, "I can see them too. You're all just as sane as I am."

"Thanks Luna," said Alex and continued in an undertone to Harry, "That's real comforting."

Harry laughed as they got into the carriage and rode up to the castle. Once they reached the Great Hall, Alex smiled happily. This was her favorite room in the whole castle because of its ceiling. It was enchanted to look like the sky outside, giving it the open-air feeling without worry of rain or cold.

Luna went to the Ravenclaw table while Ginny waved to a group of her friends and left. The four found their normal spot and looked up at the staff table. As Alex's grey eyes scanned the group, a bright pink blob caught her eye. She looked towards it and raised her eyebrows.

"Wow," said Ron, also seeing the woman, "That's a lot of pink on one woman."

"Are you kidding me?" said Alex with a laugh, "She looks like a Valentine's Day card threw up on her!"

"Hey, that's the lady from my hearing!" said Harry, looking up as well.

"Whose side was she on?" Ron asked and Hermione threw him a look.

"Fudge's," said Harry with a frown.

"Guess that means she won't be favoring you this year, Harry," said Alex with a sad smile, "So she's the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."

Just then, Professor McGonagall came in and the first years were sorted. Alex never paid much attention to the Sorting, unless she knew the people. Finally, it ended and Dumbledore stood up to give his speech, the entire hall falling silent.

"Welcome back to all!" said Dumbledore cheerfully, "I would like to first start off by introducing our new teachers this year."

"Teachers?" whispered Alex, "As in plural?" But Hermione shushed her quickly and Alex turned her attention back to the Headmaster.

"Our gamekeeper and Care of Magical Creatures teacher, Hagrid, is taking some time off for personal reasons," Dumbledore was saying, "So we are pleased to have his replacement, Professor Grubbly-Plank."

Everyone clapped politely as the professor stood up, but Alex was worried. Personal reasons? Was Hagrid sick or hurt? She saw her friends had identical looks of worry and horror on their faces.

"And I would like to introduce our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Umbridge, who has so kindly left her job at the Ministry to teach here at our school."

Once again, the hall filled with polite applause and Professor Umbridge rose to her feet and waved like a queen does to her subjects.

"Now, just a few more…" Dumbledore stopped and Alex, as well as many others, looked around. Why had he stopped? Then Alex heard it, someone clearing their throat to get someone's attention.

"Hem, hem!"

It seemed that Professor Umbridge had not taken her seat and wished to give a speech. Dumbledore smiled and sat down, looking interested as the smaller professor walked to the front of the table. All around the hall, people were whispering. No new teacher had every made a speech and certainly no one had interrupted Dumbledore before. It was sort of an understanding that he ran the Welcome Back feast and unless he delegated his power to someone else, no one else spoke.

Alex hadn't gotten a good view of her until now; she probably only came up to Alex's shoulders, but was twice Alex's width. Her face looked like someone had taken a frying pan and whacked her face to make it flat, her fingers were round like sausages, and her eyes were small and beady. But it was her smile that was the worse. It was sickly sweet without any real, genuine sweetness behind it. This Umbridge woman was observing them all with a little too much eagerness and condescension. Alex didn't like the look of her at all.

"Thank you, Headmaster," she said in a high-girly voice that Alex always hated, "Well, it is wonderful to be back here at Hogwarts. And look at all these little faces smiling up at me!"

Alex's eyebrows rose as she looked around. No one was smiling; they all looked affronted at being talked to like first graders.

"Hem, hem!" she cleared her throat again and continued in a more business-like tone, "The Ministry has always supported the teaching of magic to our younger population. After all, they are the future of our world. Hogwarts is one of the oldest schools in Europe, as well as the most successful in producing great wizards. We at the Ministry believe it is due to the great teaching staff and leadership."

At this, she gestured to the staff table and they all nodded to the smaller, pink woman. Alex noticed Professor McGonagall was looking at Professor Umbridge like one would something they weren't quite sure about. The Gryffindor Head of House turned and gave Professor Sprout a look.

"Each Headmaster has brought something new to the running of this fine establishment, yet still keeping the old traditions. Traditions are a very important part of our history because they keep it alive, but change can be good as well. We must prune the branches of education that are no longer practical and let those branches of change and new beginnings be brought into the sunlight where they can nurture and grow."

She smiled and took her seat. Dumbledore started the clapping, causing the students to wake up and begin the applause. Alex noticed the teachers would clap once or twice and stop, causing her to frown. What was Professor Umbridge trying to get at? She looked at Hermione, who was frowning as well. They didn't even listen to Dumbledore talk about the rules and regulations of Hogwarts (like they followed them anyway), but Alex tuned in when she heard him mention Quidditch.

"Quidditch try-outs will be held whenever your House captains decide a date. Now, let us enjoy the feast!"

Food appeared and Alex began piling it on. As she ate, she saw that Hermione had barely touched anything.

"You all right there, Hermione?" she asked, "You haven't eaten anything."

"I'm just thinking about what Umbridge was talking about," said Hermione, deep in thought.

"You actually listened?" said Ron as he swallowed his food with difficulty, "All I heard was pruning. Don't tell me she wants people to prune the Whomping Willow!"

"No Ronald," said Alex slowly, like talking to a six year old, "She said, "We must prune the branches of education that are no longer practical and let those branches of change and new beginnings be brought into the sunlight where they can nurture and grow." It's a metaphor."

"You remembered all that?" Ron asked indignantly, but stopped when Hermione glared at him.

"So what does it mean then? What are the branches of education that aren't practical anymore?" Harry asked as he ate his potatoes.

"I don't know," said Hermione darkly, "But what she's getting at is the Ministry is interfering at Hogwarts and there's nothing we can do about it."

Dinner was silent until the desserts were cleared. Hermione and Ron had to show the first years where to go so Harry and Alex went on ahead of them. As Alex was leaving the Great Hall, she turned to ask Harry which way to go when she collided with something.

"Oof!" gasped Alex as the air was knocked out of her. Harry managed to catch her and kept her upright. Looking around, Alex saw a girl lying on the ground. She had long dark brown hair that was all in her face from the fall. As the girl pushed her hair away from her face, Alex saw a pair of dark brown eyes looking up at her. There was a flash of anger but it was gone in a split second.

"I'm so sorry!" said Alex, gathering her footing before holding out her hand to the girl, "Are you all right?"

"Yeah...yeah, I'm fine," said the girl, shaking her head and fiddling with the necklace around her neck. Alex only caught sight of a turquoise stone before it was hidden underneath the girl's shirt. Alex helped her up and gave her an apologetic smile.

"I should watch where I'm going, huh?" she said in a light tone.

"It's fine, really. I'm unharmed, no broken bones," the girl said, holding her arms out and looking down with a grin, "Thanks for your concern though, Alex."

"Um...I'm sorry, but do I know you?" she asked. Alex was sure she hadn't met this girl before.

"No, but I've seen you around before. It's also kinda not hard to know your name, especially after last year and all," replied the girl, "I'm Levina Snowpetal."

"Oh, well it's nice to finally meet you," said Alex with a genuine smile.

"Sorry to break up the meeting," interrupted Harry, "But we're blocking the door."

"I take it that's our cue to shut up and go our separate ways," Levina said with a grin, "I'll see you two around!"

Alex waved as Levina ran off to join her group of friends. She then quickly took off up the stairs with Harry and only stopped when they got to the seventh floor.

"She seemed really nice," said Alex as they walked at a slower pace, "And did you see her necklace? I wonder where she got it; it was so pretty!"

"I didn't really notice," Harry mumbled, blushing slightly. Alex took notice of this and laughed, elbowing him playfully in the ribs.

"Somebody's gotta crush!" she cried gleefully, "Whatever happened to Miss Chang, hmm?"

"I don't have a crush on Levina!" said Harry quickly, "I just think she's pretty. I mean, I think you're pretty but I don't have a crush on you. That'd just be awkward...like if I had a crush on my sister. Can't a guy appreciate beauty anymore?"

"Whatever you say, lover-boy," smirked Alex while Harry just rolled his eyes in a joking manner.

When they reached the common room, they said good-night and Alex ran up the stairs to call her favorite bed. When she entered, she ran to the bed farthest from the door and put her stuff on it. She also put Hermione's things on the other bed.

As Alex unpacked, she heard the door creak open and unsure footsteps behind her. She turned and saw a girl standing awkwardly in the door frame.

"Can I help you?" Alex asked with a friendly smile.

"Yeah, I'm supposed to be rooming here. I'm Stevie, Stevie Jackson." She was a little shorter than Alex with long, dirty blonde hair and green eyes. Alex also noticed she had an American accent.

"Nice to meet you Stevie, I'm Alex Ratcliff." She held out her hand and they shook. "Take whatever bed you want, it doesn't matter to me."

"Thanks." Stevie took the bed on the other side of Alex and began unpacking her belongings.

"So…where in America are you from?" Alex asked as she set up her band posters on her headboard.

"San Diego, California," Stevie said, "I just moved this summer actually. My dad got a job offer here and he couldn't say no. His company is stationed in London as well as all over America. My parents are Muggles."

"You're a long way from home," said Alex with a sad smile, "I bet you miss the sun, huh?"

"Yeah, I really do…" she sighed but put on a smile, "But hey, I'm in England for God's sake! I'll finally have a sexy accent!"

Alex laughed and the door opened. Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown practically tackled Alex to the ground with hugs as they asked all kinds of questions about her summer. Finally, she was released when Hermione entered.

"Let a girl breathe for the love of Merlin!" said Hermione with a laugh. She saw Stevie standing there, watching them and smiled. "Hello! I'm Hermione Granger, this is Parvati Patil, and Lavender Brown. Are you rooming with us?"

"Yeah, I'm Stevie Jackson," she said with a wave.

"Oh my Merlin!" shouted Lavender, "You're from America? Tell…me…EVERYTHING!"

"Um…like what?"

"Like about all the hot guys over there!" Parvati said eagerly.

"Please ignore them," said Alex as Stevie looked embarrassed about all the attention, "Their minds contain only one thing: guys."

"We can't help it if we're guy crazy," said Parvati with a laugh, "There's so many to choose from!"

"Except Slytherins," said Hermione, "They're all too wrapped up in themselves to care what the other Houses do."

"I don't know, Hermione," said Lavender mysteriously, "Alex here has been spending some alone time with a certain Mr. Malfoy…"

"Oh yes," said Alex sarcastically but smiling, "Because I just love snogging guys in the Potions dungeons. It's soooooooo romantic!"

The girls laughed and began getting ready for bed, while briefing Stevie on the life of a Hogwarts girl.

"Hey, the air isn't filled with tension," said Hermione suddenly, looking around, "Where's Maggie?"

Maggie was their other roommate who wanted to be in Slytherin but was sorted as a Gryffindor. She hated the House and was always fighting with the other girls, particularly Alex who wouldn't put up with her whining like everyone else did.

"Didn't you hear?" Lavender asked, "She left! Her parents complained to Dumbledore and got her moved to Slytherin."

"Well it's about time!" said Alex with a sigh of relief, "How long has she been complaining about being with us?"

Finally, everyone climbed into bed. As Alex lay there, listening to her friend's rhythmic breathing, she hoped this year would turn out better than the last four.

Author's Note: Let's give Stevie Jackson a warm welcome, shall we? What do you all think of her? She has a small part at first but as the series continues, she becomes more prominent. Any thoughts or opinions? I'm really excited about her and am dying to know what you all think.

Before I thank my reviewers, I want to make a suggestion to you all. After reviewing my chapter, because you know you want to, go up to the "Search" button at the top of the page and type in the words "After all these years" and click "Find Story". After narrowing it down to Harry Potter stories, click on the link to After all these years: Book 1 and begin reading. Why am I suggesting this? Because that is the series of books that Levina Snowpetal is in! It's a really amazing series that's Draco/OC so if you like Draco Malfoy, you're going to love this. And if you read up to the fifth book, you might just find a little surprise in some of the chapters. So go forth and check it out! Oh, and please review her chapters because that's only polite you know. :)

Thank you to everyone who reviewed last chapter, put me in their favorites, and put me on alert. I have the best fans in the entire world and I am so grateful for your support. Keep up the amazing work! :D