Disclaimer: JK Rowling owns all of the Harry Potter things. All that I own is the two new Characters. Also, the plot is mine.

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3 Chapter Three-Hogwarts At Last



Sicily opened her eyes taking slow deep breaths. She had blinked to Hogsmeade as far as she knew; but she had only known its location approximately, from maps. Upon opening her eyes she saw that Gabby had apparated right next to her and was somewhat relieved, but not completely.

She stood at the end of the main street in Hogsmeade and was completely stunned by everything she saw. There was the Three Broomsticks, the post office, Wizard wear shops and all the usuals, which were, of course, highly unusual to Sicily. Everything was new. Every smell that met her nose, the smell of food and butterbeer from the Three broomsticks and even the occasional hag, every voice, all the clothes, the owls flying off from the post office, all of it. Every, single, last, thing was fascinating to Sicily. She was staring at the candy shop when Gabby was right by her side again.

Sicily had been so busy looking at everything she hadn't noticed Gabby step away for a minute. When they had blinked/apparated here, Sicily, had felt Gabby reading her mind ever so slightly. Now she was face to face with her again, she brought it up.

"So, you're a psychic?" she asked, as though commenting on the weather.

"As a matter of fact I am a very powerful one. Are you?"

"Yes…I suppose I am," she responded. "I felt you read my mind when we bl- apperated here."

"Bl-apperated?" Gabby asked somewhat amused by the strange word Sicily had come up with.

"Yeah," Sicily responded as though it were obvious. "Blinking plus apparating. It was easier than having to say both things," she said smiling shyly.

"I got it." Gabby smiled sweetly at Sicily. "Well, we should probably be getting on up to the castle…"

"Ok," Sicily hesitated, "But can we get something to eat first? I haven't eaten yet and all the excitement this morning has left me completely wiped."

"Of course. How about the Three Broomsticks?"

"Sure, I've never eaten out before let alone at a wizard place so, I up for anything…maybe."

Gabby laughed at the "maybe" then led Sicily over to the Three Broomsticks. Stepping inside they saw the usual collection of hags and other strange creatures. Gabby took Sicily to the bar and introduced her to Madame Rosmerta while ordering two butterbeers. Sicily looked around and noticed that there were several kids a few years younger than her and even a few her age or older. They were all wearing matching robes with a crest on the shoulder. Tapping Gabby on the shoulder she pointed at a few of them.

"Who are they?"

"Oh! Those are students at Hogwarts," Gabby said. "It must be a Hogsmeade weekend."

"They all go to Hogwarts?" Sicily asked as she started to follow Gabby to a table.

"Mmhm, they sure do."

Gabby led them to a small table in the corner by the fireplace. Sitting down she handed Sicily her butterbeer. Sicily was still looking around unsure of what to make of it all.

"All of these people are witches and wizards?" Sicily was stunned at the prospect of having something in common with so many people.

"Yes," Gabby said. "All of them. They are only a few of the students at Hogwarts. Third year students and older are allowed to visit Hogsmeade on certain weekends. You'll meet some of them when we get up to the school."

Sicily looked at Gabby with a slight smile and a look of shock on her face. She was getting more and more excited by this every minute. Turning around she took a sip of the delicious butterbeer as the door three people entered the Three Broomsticks.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Harry Potter entered the Three Broomsticks shortly followed by Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. They all took of their cloaks and looked around for a place to sit. Ron went and got three butterbeers while Harry and Hermione went to grab a table.

As they worked their way through the crowds, Hermione caught sight of Gabby and Sicily. She looked at the two of them curiously. Of course she didn't know either one of them but had noticed Gabby in the hallways at Hogwarts before. She wondered who the other girl was.

Sitting down she pointed Sicily out to Harry.

"Who's that?"

"I don't recognize her," Harry said as he leaned over to get a better look at her. "You think she's a witch?"

"Well obviously, Harry. What else would she be? It's not like she could be a muggle or anything." She said as she looked at him and then back at Sicily. "Well don't stare at her! She might notice."

Harry turned away somewhat reluctantly, and looked up as Ron approached.

"Here we go! Three butterbeers," said Ron brightly as he sat down at the table.

Harry took a swig of his butterbeer as Hermione turned her question on Ron.

"Ron, do you recognize that girl over there?"

"What? The one with that lady we've seen at Hogwarts a few times?"

"Yes," she responded, with a "that was obvious" tone.

"Never seen her. Why?"

"Well, she looks our age but she's not in wizard robes and I'm wondering what she's doing here."

"Looks to me like she's drinking butterbeer and having a pleasant conversation with that other lady," Ron said smirking at her.

Harry laughed at Ron, but stifled it when he noticed Hermione wasn't as amused.

"Look I'm just curious that's all," she said in a calm manner. "If she's not a student at Hogwarts I want to know where she's from. I find it interesting that a student age witch isn't in school right now, that's all."

Ron looked at her with slight disbelief.

"Come off it, Hermione. What do you care really?"

"I could understand being interested in what she's doing with the other lady," said Harry. "But what school she's from?"

"Really, what good is that?"

"Well, all right then," Hermione scowled. "If you must know, I have been inquiring about the lady she's with. Her name is Gabriela Giordahn, and she's an oracle of sorts. If that girl is with her she must be important or at least have known her for a while. I was just curious as to who she was since Gabriela knows Dumbledoor very well, and well… You get the point."

Ron and Harry looked at each other. They had to hand it to her. If she wanted to find something out, she always managed it. Just as Harry was about to suggest going over and introducing themselves, Gabby got up to leave, followed ever so shortly by Sicily.

The two worked their way to the door and out of it, into the pleasant November day outside. Harry, Ron and Hermione all looked at each other, then got up and followed suit. As they stepped outside, Hermione spotted Gabby and Sicily heading for Hogwarts. All three of them looked at each other.

"Should we follow them?" Asked Ron as he took another look to see if they had changed course.

"Well…" Hermione thought a bit. "If they are going to Hogwarts then we can always find out later."

"That's true," said Harry. "Should we do a little more shopping before heading back to the school, then?"

"Yes, I think we should."

Ron looked at the two of them and shrugged. He couldn't think of a better idea at the moment, and anyways, he was running low on candy.

After another hour of shopping and general goofing off, that took them to the joke shop, candy shop and even a look in the wizarding wear shop, Harry, Hermione, and Ron finally headed back to the castle.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Sicily and Gabby entered the school grounds and worked their way slowly up to the castle. Gabby was telling Sicily some fun facts about Hogwarts.

"It was founded over a thousand years ago, by four wizards. At first the wizards chose the students for the different houses by hand, but as the school grew and it became more difficult to chose, Godric Gryffindor bewitched his hat, thus creating the Sorting Hat."

At that point they reached the front doors and were nearly run over by Hagrid's pet boarhound, Fang. Gabby turned and stepped out of the way, guiding Sicily over, as well. Reaching down she pet Fang. Hagrid came running up shortly after.

"Down Fang! Some back here," he panted.

"It's fine, Hagrid. I'm glad he's so happy to see me," laughed Gabby.

"Alrigh' Gabby. How are yeh?"

"I'm fine. I trust your doing well?"

"Ar, well as always."

Sicily stood there trying not to stare at Hagrid. At first, she had been terrified and completely shocked by his massive stature, but it was slowly ebbing as she started to realize he was completely harmless (well, sort of). Gabby turned and put her arm around her shoulders bringing her forward.

"Hagrid, this is Sicily."

"It's nice to meet yeh, Sicily." Hagrid said as he took her hand and shook it, gently.

"Sicily, this is Hagrid. He's the gamekeeper here, and the keeper of keys."

"Uh…it's nice to meet you," Sicily said quietly.

Hagrid smiled. He could tell she was a little shocked by his height.

"Pleasure's all mine, I'm sure." Hagrid said, in as kind and gentle a voice as he could manage.

Fang was still standing there wagging his tail, and came over to smell, and then lick Sicily's hand. The sudden act from the dog startled Sicily into a looser mood. She jumped and then smiled, reaching down to pet him.

"I hafta keep going with my duties now." Hagrid said. "It was nice to meet yeh Sicily. Bye, Gabby."

And he strode off, Fang trailing behind him.

Sicily watched him go. Turning back towards Gabby she noticed a smile tilting the side of Gabby's mouth. She was about to ask her why she was smiling when Gabby answered her question.

"He does have a bit of a frightening appearance, doesn't he? But, he's one of the kindest men I know. A true kindred spirit."

Sicily stared at her, not sure of what to think of this sudden sharing of thoughts.

"He may have his odd obsession with terrifying creatures, but he always means well; and that's what matters." Gabby finished.

Noticing the thoughtful look on Sicily's face she smiled and took her by the arm to go inside.

"Come along," she said. "I bet Dumbledore is already waiting for us."

Sicily paused in her stride.

Gabby, noticing it, looked at Sicily. She had a shocked and somewhat unsure look on her face.

"What is it Sicily?"

"Um…it's…it's nothing. I just…"

"Yes?"

"That name sounds very familiar. It means something to me."

Gabby looked at her wondering if she should probe Sicily's mind just a little; just enough to see why Dumbledoor's name would mean anything to her. Looking at Sicily's face quickly return to a more normal expression, she decided against it.

"Oh well," Sicily said as they reached the door. "I have a bunch of those moments, but they hardly ever mean anything. It's jus-"

She never finished her sentence.

Gabby had opened the door and they now stood in the entrance hall to Hogwarts. Sicily stood, completely shocked by the size and wonder of it, looking around. The marble columns and stairs were gorgeous and so different from anything that she had seen growing up. The large staircase was spectacular to her.

Gabby gently pressed Sicily's mouth shut. Smiling she led her up the stairs. Sicily entertained herself with looking at all the walls and tapestries, the suits of armor, the windows, while walking along several corridors and up flights of stairs. At one point the Fat Friar and the Grey Lady came gliding through a wall just ahead of Sicily and Gabby. Sicily had screamed, startled. Gabby had calmly explained about the house ghosts and the Fat Friar had apologized several times (being the friendly and jolly ghost that he was, he hated having terrified her so.) Sicily had calmed down, and quickly came to like the two ghosts, especially the friar.

Soon they came to a halt in front of a statue of a gargoyle. Sicily looked around for a door or maybe even a person coming towards them, but all she saw was the empty hall and the statue. About to ask Gabby what they were doing, she heard her say "Cockroach cluster." This was obviously a password, because in the next second the statue came to life and jumped out of the way as the wall opened up behind it. Stepping through the wall and onto the moving spiral stairs, they made their way up to the great oak doors that were the entrance to Dumbledore's office. Gabby knocked twice before entering.

Sicily followed, filled with awe and completely silent. Dumbledore's office was a large round room filled with lots of odd-looking things. Spinning instruments sat all tables and pictures of sleeping witches and wizards hung along the wall. Looking closer at one of the pictures, Sicily realized they were past headmasters. Also in the room, was a grand, claw- footed desk. Behind it sat a man with white hair and a white beard, both long enough to tuck into his belt. He had a long crooked nose with half- moon spectacles on it. His blue eyes seemed to shine.

Seeing him Sicily stopped dead in her tracks.

"It's you."