Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction using characters from the Harry Potter world, which is trademarked by J. K. Rowling. I neither own the characters, nor the world of Harry Potter. Many of the characters are of my own creation, along with some of the plot lines and the writing is all my own, although J. K. Rowling's story line is often borrowed as a timeline for the story. I am grateful to J. K. Rowling for her wonderful books about Hogwarts, for without them my story would not exist.

Summary: Death is inevitable, or so it would seem. Everyone thinks they understand the rules of magic pretty well at Hogwarts, but a dangerous secret from its founders has been hidden in its great halls, wielding the power to destroy everything, or save it. The future we know will never be the same as two mysterious students enter Hogwarts and change the course of everything.

Rose Holmes carries a secret she holds very close as she is sorted into Slytherin, trying to understand the vast pain of her past. She quickly befriends Amber North, a muggle born with untold talents who is sorted into Gryffindor, and feels like a long lost sister. This unconventional bond is exactly the thing that will change Hogwarts' course forever as the two girls get entangled in a quest they can't back down from.

Meanwhile, Rose develops a close connection with Draco, uncovering his true nature. Amber joins Fred and George in their mischievous adventures as feelings start to develop. Personal secrets are revealed. Cover ups from the past are discovered. Identities change. Romance blossoms. Mystery unfolds. And inevitably...Death comes to Hogwarts.

CHAPTER ONE

A Simple Truth

"Don't worry, this won't hurt a bit," the old man said gently to the young girl who was sitting across from him, absolutely petrified. Literally.

She had been immobilized by a mere word from him—like magic. All she could move were her eyes, and thankfully, her mouth.

"I trusted you. What are you doing?" she demanded, fear seeping into every muscle.

He ignored her question. The old wizard was busy leaning over a stone basin that was filled with something that shone like silver. He was pouring different bottles into it and waving his wand over the basin, muttering spells under his breath.

She could sense that the old man had strong power within him. It was only recently that she had been informed that she, too, possessed magic. She hadn't expected to believe it, but the reality of sorcery in this world was becoming all too real to her.

Her eyes darted around the dark, cluttered room. It was a storage closet of some kind. She almost flinched when she heard a train whistle blast in the distance.

"Please, you have to let me go," she begged, her voice shaking. She blinked her eyes, trying to see past her blurry tears and the messy strands of blonde hair that hung over her eyes.

"I know this is frightening, but it's for your own protection," the old wizard said sincerely. "You've had a hard life, I know. I'm going to fix that."

"How did you—"

"The last thing I want is for history to repeat itself," the old man said.

He had a calm voice that a part of her wanted to trust. But the rest of her screamed in protest to whatever he was planning to do to her.

"Please!" she pleaded, tears streaming from her eyes. "I'm not supposed to be here!"

This isn't what was supposed to happen! When she got her Hogwarts acceptance letter, it was her ticket to freedom. Her life was supposed to change...to get better.

The silvery liquid in the basin started to turn grey like a stormy sky, and then it became swallowed up by a blackness that was darker than the night. The old man dipped his wand into the liquid, and when he pulled it out, a shiny, black stream of fluid followed it.

"Now, just relax," he said as he moved toward her. "This will keep you safe."

She screamed at her body to move, but it wouldn't. He reached an arm toward her, and she panicked. "No, don't —"

The old man touched the tip of his wand to her head, and she felt an intense cold as the black liquid passed through her skull. Her vision went dark, just like the liquid, and her mind went blank. Suddenly, her mind was overcome with images, noise, and thoughts that overwhelmed her. She felt dizzy and couldn't tell reality apart from insanity.

"Drink this," the old man said as he held a vile up to her lips and forced it into her mouth and she coughed it down.

Everything started to sway, and the sound of his voice began to fade.

"Good. When you wake, everything will be all right," he cooed.

Darkness swarmed the girl's vision and her eyes drooped shut.

The old man leaned down to her ear and whispered, "Oh, and welcome to Hogwarts." He stood and took a step back, gazing gently at the vulnerable girl. She had a lot of potential. She might even be very useful one day. But until then...

"Obliviate!"

. . . . . .

Goosebumps tingled up Amber's spine and she trembled slightly as her head became dizzy.

Something feels wrong.

Amber shook her head, and the strange feeling faded away. She must have been more nervous than she thought.

She turned her gaze back to the simple, red brick that stood before her between platforms 9 and 10—this crumbling wall of clay and shale that somehow hid magic behind its plain guise.

"It's real," Amber muttered as she stood frozen in front of the wall. "This is it."

She could hardly believe it. It was not that long ago that an owl, of all things, had delivered a letter to her, alerting her to the fact that she was a wizard, and inviting her to learn at a magical school called Hogwarts. It felt like a dream she had yet to wake up from.

At first she had thought it was a trick. It wouldn't have been the first. But she desperately wanted for it to be true. And she couldn't deny that she had always felt a bit...odd. People were inexplicably drawn to her. Was that her supposed magic, or was that attention perhaps a curse instead? It was still hard to believe that she really had magic. But thinking back, Amber had caught herself doing several odd things as a child.

There was that one time at recess when the school bully was beating on a kid half his size. Amber yelled at him stop, but he wouldn't, and then out of nowhere a rock clocked him in the face—as if no one had even lifted a finger. There was also that time when Amber had fallen out of a cherry tree, and she swore she floated for but a second before hitting the ground. Sure, every kid imagines they have super powers. Every kid wishes they had the ability to do things beyond their control. But no kid actually finds out they really have magic...right?

Amber stared at the red, brick wall, still wondering in the back of her mind if it was all really true. She had seen the magical world with her own eyes at Diagon Alley, of course. But was that all just a dream, too?

She shook her head, trying to rid herself of all her doubts. It didn't work.

Would she get along with other wizards her age? Were they nicer than muggles? Would they accept her oddness? Or would they smile at her because she had a pretty face, and then gossip about her when her back was turned? Or...were they perhaps odd as well?

Amber looked around, hoping for some kind of reassuring signal. A glowing sign held by flying birds pointing the way to the truth would be a nice start. Anything that couldn't be explained away by her reservations.

A voice shouted her name, and Amber woke from her daze, turning to see her mother and father pushing their way through the crowd with her packed possessions in hand.

"Amber, darling, why'd you run ahead like that?" her mother asked with a concerned laugh as she caught up with Amber. Her mother had long auburn hair, much like her own, with an almost regal element to her look. Growing up, Amber had always thought her mother could have been an empress from another land. She certainly had the confidence, compassion, and sharp command for it.

Amber returned her awestruck gaze to the brick wall. "I just wanted to see it," Amber said. "I wanted to see if it was real." She titled her head to the side as an amused curiosity tugged at her lips.

"Well, there's only one way to find out," replied her mother.

Finally, Amber's father caught up with the two of them, dragging along her belongings. He had short, wavy, black hair, a mischievous smile, and innocent eyes that Amber had always found great comfort in.

"I believe you'll be needing this," he chuckled as he passed Amber her suitcase and a small bird cage with a blanket draped over it so as not to draw attention.

"Right; guess I got a little carried away." Amber giggled with embarrassment, shuffling her heels on the concrete.

"Completely understandable, darling," her mother said, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "We are both so very proud of you, and we know this is an incredible opportunity."

Amber surprised her mother as she pulled her into a tight hug, which was warmly returned.

"Now that's just unfair," her father remarked, feigning jealousy.

Amber giggled, trying not to cry, and reached an arm out to her father, pulling him into the hug.

After the family said their goodbyes and good wishes, Amber's mother urged her on.

"Are you sure you can't come with me?" Amber asked quietly.

Her father looked at the wall nervously, then covered it up with a smile as he looked to her. "This is your journey, and you need to start it bravely on your own."

Amber nodded sadly and turned once again to face the intimidating wall. She grabbed her things and slowly approached the brick until she stood merely two inches away from it, breathing nervously. She hoped she wasn't late. She hoped this was the right place. She hoped she wasn't dreaming. She hoped this wasn't a dirty trick or delusion. She hoped the magic was real.

She reached her hand out, slowly, and watched as it fell through the seemingly solid wall, and a grin spread over her face as excitement leapt into her heart. She turned back to look at her parents once more, who ushered her on with their approval, and she gave a small wave before stepping through the wall.

Amber emerged onto a large platform where a train stood before her, blowing its whistle. Everyone else seemed to be mostly boarded already, families standing on the platform, waving to the children who had their heads sticking out of the train windows. Amber wondered if her parents could have come with her after all, but neither of them were wizards, and this was all so new to them.

The train blew its whistle again and Amber snapped out of her daze and quickly dragged her things to the train as she, too, hopped aboard. This was going to be an amazing adventure; she could feel it.

She stepped into a long, train hallway with doors lining the left. I suppose I should find a seat somewhere, she thought as she approached the door to one of the train cars. She set her belongings down to free her hands, and slid the door open.

Suddenly, a toad leapt through the small opening she had made, startling her, and almost throwing her backwards.

A voice from within the train car called out, "Trevor!" and a small, chubby boy stumbled out after the toad, knocking into Amber and forcing both of them to the ground in a mangled heap of embarrassment. Meanwhile, the toad hopped away in its getaway.

"Oh, I'm so s-sorry!" the boy stammered as he tried to untangle himself from Amber. "I was trying to catch my toad."

"No, I'm sorry," Amber retorted, "It's my fault for opening the door."

"Oh, it's not y-your fault," replied the boy as he grabbed Amber's arm and helped her to her feet. "These things tend to happen to me."

Suddenly the boy realized he was still holding her arm, and his cheeks blushed pink as he pulled away quickly.

"S-sorry," he stammered.

Amber smiled and held out her hand. "Amber North, nice to meet you."

"Oh!" The awkwardness dissolved from his face as he smiled. He grabbed her hand and said, "I'm Neville. Neville Longbottom."

Amber smiled at him and opened her mouth to respond, but became distracted as she noticed two identical redheads leaning against a wall behind Neville. One was laughing, having witnessed her crash. But the other was staring straight at her. She must have looked silly when she fell down. But strangely, his gaze was less judgmental, and more...curious. He looked away and Amber shook her head.

"Um—right. I'm still sorry about your toad, Neville. I'll help you find him," she said.

"Thanks. I think he hopped off this way."

Neville started wandering off down the hallway and Amber took a final glance at the redhead before turning to follow Neville in the opposite direction.

Ahead was a girl with curly and very bushy, brown hair.

"Excuse me," Neville called out, "have you seen my toad, Trevor?"

The girl turned around and replied very curtly, "No, I'm afraid I haven't, but I can ask around."

"Thanks," replied Neville as he moved on in his search for his toad.

Ahead, they both noticed some train cars with the doors opening and closing as children moved around in the train.

"We'd better go check to see if he went in any of those," Neville pointed out.

"All right," said Amber. "I'll search down this end of the train and you can search the other. We'll meet up at the end."

Neville nodded and they parted like two people on a mission as they began to poke their heads into train compartments, asking its inhabitants if they'd seen a renegade toad hopping around anywhere. Unfortunately, neither of them were having very much luck. But luck was about to change.

. . . . . .

The girl's eyes opened and there she was in front of the Hogwarts express that she had read about during her research of the wizard world. She must have been nervous, because she was a bit foggy on how she had gotten there. Just a moment ago she had been...what had she been doing?

That's right, her father had dropped her off and had to leave right away to catch his train back to the airport. So this was it. The beginning of a new life. And she couldn't wait to leave behind the one she'd left.

She carried her luggage to the train, avoiding the crowds at all costs, and she boarded. She walked the long halls of the train until she found an empty compartment far out of the way of others.

She placed her luggage in the rafters, and removed the leather satchel from her shoulder, placing it on the seat beside her. She began to unpack her books, trying to decide which one she wanted to read on the train ride. She had some of her favorite novels, which would help calm her anxiety. But she also wanted to read the books that she had gotten on magic so she could prepare herself for the new world she was stepping in to.

Some loud talking came from the hall, and the girl turned around to see that her compartment door was still cracked open a bit. She reached to close it when a blur of green leapt through the opening!

She reflexively caught the startling creature from the air, and saw that it was a toad, of all things, that sat in her hand. The poor creature seemed frightened, and she sat down and placed the toad in her lap, so it didn't feel threatened or trapped. She wondered where it had come from...

. . . . . .

Amber asked all the people she ran into in the hall if they'd seen a toad, as well as many students already seated in compartments. But no luck. Amber neared the back of the train when she sensed something...strange. Her eyes were drawn to a compartment that had the door slightly ajar, where a quiet voice was talking within. She walked up to the door and slid it open further. Inside, she saw none other than the infamous toad sitting on someone's lap.

"You found him!" Amber cried excitedly as she rushed into the train car.

Amber looked up at the student that had found Trevor. She was a girl her age holding a book. Had she been reading to the frog?

The nervous looking girl had a long, heart-shaped face with blonde hair that curled around her cheeks and fell past her shoulders. She had light, ivory skin, with a sharp nose and a slightly pointed chin. But she seemed to have wise eyes: almond shaped with a grayish-blue coloring. And she was the only student in this compartment.

Strange for her to be alone, so far from everyone else, Amber thought.

"Is this your toad?" the girl inquired softly as she lifted Trevor into her hands and held him out toward Amber like an offering.

"Trevor," Neville cried with relief as he poked his head into the compartment. "It's my toad, actually," he said as he stepped toward her and took the toad into his hands. "Thanks for finding him, Amber," he said, turning to face her as his cheeks flushed pink.

"No problem," she replied.

"Well, I'd better get him back to my compartment before he escapes again. See you around?" Neville asked as he began to back out of the compartment.

"Definitely," Amber replied.

Neville smiled and exited the compartment, and Amber turned back to the blonde girl, who glanced around awkwardly, picking at her fingernails.

"Thanks for finding my friend's toad. I'm Amber."

"It was nothing, really. He found me," the blonde girl said quickly, falling silent again.

It might be hard to get this girl to talk, Amber thought.

"Well thank you anyway..." Amber said.

The blonde girl looked around nervously again, avoiding eye contact at all costs.

Okay, so maybe it'll be really hard to get her to talk.

"What's your name?" Amber asked.

"Emily," the girl replied, making a strange face as she said it.

"Emily," Amber said thoughtfully. For some reason that didn't seem right to her. "Pretty."

"Actually, I never liked the name much. Seems so...I don't know, superficial. Emily is a pretty and boring name for a pretty and average girl..." She chuckled sadly. "I guess I just don't think the name has ever fit me all that well."

Amber smiled, a bit surprised, but also glad that the girl had opened up. She definitely seemed smart, and there was something intriguing about her. And there was something else interesting about this girl that Amber couldn't identify…

Wanting the conversation to continue, Amber sat down and gazed out the window. "You're right. Emily doesn't suit you… What else would you go by if you could choose?"

The blonde girl's eyes lit up. She, too, noticed something special about this stranger next to her. Her eyes squinted as she smiled at Amber. "Well...I've always wanted to go by my middle name...Rose."

"Rose. That's lovely." Amber smiled. That sounded much better to her.

Rose smiled shyly. "It feels more like it's mine." She looked to Amber curiously. "Does yours?"

"My name?" Amber paused for a moment. "Yes, I think it does. I always liked my name. Amber North. Has a nice ring to it."

"Amber it is then. It's nice to meet you."

"It's lovely to meet you too, Rose."

Both girls just stared at one another, smiling, as they realized simultaneously that they had perhaps just discovered a great friend in one another. They could both feel a sort of itch of the great adventures that lay ahead.

A great jolt jostled the girls slightly as the train began to move. They both stood up and stared out the window as they watched the station walls start to zip by and slip away.

"Is this your first time?" Amber asked Rose as they both stared out the window with a mix of excitement and terror.

"It is," Rose replied awkwardly. "Yours, too?"

Amber nodded anxiously. "Yep."

The two girls glanced at one another. And they knew. Neither one of them had to be afraid. No matter what new experiences lay ahead, they had a new friend to do it all with.

And so much more lay ahead than they knew. Adventure, love, and magic, yes...but also danger, which lurked inevitably in their futures.

But for now, all these girls could think was: thank God it isn't a dream. And it wasn't a trick. It wasn't some made up story. It wasn't an impossible wish. It was a simple truth that every child grows up believing in, but never gets to see.

Magic.