Disclaimers: Anything or anyone you don't recognise belongs to me, especially Eltala Riddle, and Lily Snape

Disclaimers: Anything or anyone you don't recognise belongs to me, especially Eltala Riddle, and Lily Snape. Everything else belongs to J K Rowlings. I haven't, and I won't make any money out of this!

Please R/R if you want me to continue!!! Even if you don't!

A gifted Student - Chapter Two

Harry woke up very early the next morning, about five am. His first thought was to go back to sleep, but when he remembered the importance of the day, and was quite prepared to be up at this early hour. His Aunt, he could hear, was already awake, downstairs cooking. Hedwig had come in during the night and was standing by his bed, with a hurriedly written letter. The writing was neat as usual.

Dear Harry,

I hope this reaches you in time. I cannot help you. I have just recently obtained an Apparition licence!

'Apparition?' Harry thought to himself. 'She's barely fifth year, how'd she manage that?"

And of course that means I won't be going on the train. I'm meeting Ron in Hogsmeade. I do hope you can make it, but if you don't turn up I will explain to the teachers. Have you tried asking Ron? I suppose you have, and even so, I guess it's too late… Have you heard? I received a letter from Ron, and his brother Percy told him that there's a new student at Hogwarts! Fifth year. She (I think it's a she) had been tutored at an orphanage, in Albania. I wonder if she moved because of the return of You Know Who? Do you think she'd speak English? She'll need some looking after. Got to go, hope to see you later,

Love

Hermione Granger

'Albania?' Harry wondered whether it had been the same girl. There hadn't been any other transfer students, in all the years that Harry had spent in Hogswarts, so the idea of two fifth year girls, both from Orphanages, being transferred, to Hogswarts, was very strange. After all, the girl did sound foreign. Perhaps that was an Albanian accent.

Harry was ready in record time, and in the end, had to wait for Eltala to arrive. He had his trunk packed and everything was ready. His aunt had even written a note "on the condition that he stay at that ruddy school, as much as possible"

The note read

I give permission for Harry Potter to do whatever students his age are allowed to do. He is also to stay at school for Christmas. Can he stay for summer? If so he is allowed for that too.

Petunia Dursley

Eltala turned up slightly early, seemingly glad that Harry was ready. Petunia asked her in, but Eltala insisted that they be on their way. With that she glanced over at Harry, saw he was holding his trunk, grabbed his other hand and put her hand in her pocket. Harry just had time to see a shocked expression on his Aunt's face, when the Vortex opened, and the pair appeared in a crowded street.

Harry recognised the place as Hogsmeade. Eltala gasped at the sight of so many people. Harry guessed that in Albania, if that truly was where she was from, was not so crowded.

"Harry!" Harry turned around at once, hearing his name called, and saw his two friends, Hermione and Ron. Harry led Eltala over to the bench where his friends were waiting.

"Ron, Hermione, I'd like you to meet Eltala. She's new in our year."

"Are you the transfer from Albania?" Hermione gasped.

"Yes, I am. What house are you three in? I'm not sure for me. That big man, what's his name, Hagrid, isn't it? Well, he told me I'd be sorted by a hat, when I got there."

"We're all in Gryffindor, maybe you'll be too!" exclaimed Hermione.

Eltala seemed nervous. "Yeah, maybe. Maybe not. Back at the Orphanage, they seemed to think I'd be put in Slytherin. 'Cause of my family."

Ron had been gazing at her, but this mention of family woke him up. "Family? What's your surname, anyway?"

"Riddle." Harry guessed that she was hoping that Ron wouldn't know the name, but he did.

"RIDDLE?!? Some relation to a Tom Riddle, by any chance?" Ron looked worried. He glanced at Harry, with a look that so clearly meant 'You'd accept help from a relation of Him?'

"Yes." Eltala looked down at the ground. "He was my father." She look up, and saw Ron and Hermione's disgusted look. "It wasn't my fault. Truly, believe me. I don't want to be like he turned out to be. I'm glad that Harry did what he did to my father." Eltala sighed softly, and turned and walked away.

"Well. Where did you pick her up, Harry?" Ron looked pleased with himself, but Hermione looked a little upset.

"She helped me to get here. You could have at least given her a chance. It's not her fault you know. Anyway, forget her, I'm just glad I could be here. Let's all walk up to school. It's got to be about time for the sorting."