Well here we go with remake number three. I've changed some things again, done some major stuff and some little stuff but anyways, I'd like to thank Weasley-Gurl, Ziegod Lizski, Gypsy Malfoy, Crimson Angel and Ginger for their reviews, it means a lot. (Especially the energetic ones! ^.^) I know I was a bad girl in the last chapter and forgot my disclaimer * slaps forehead * bad girl…

Disclaimer: (as if you weren't expecting it) I don't own Harry Potter, wish I did but I don't. It's okay I'll live. I do however own the plot and the unfamiliar characters.

Alley Kat Productions would like to present chapter two of Irish Heartbeat: Arrival at Hogwarts

On September first, the day after the run-in with Malfoy and his enchanting cousin, Sydney, the Weasleys, as well as the rest of the Hogwarts population, were heading off to school. Mrs. Weasley stood there teary-eyed and smiling at her children. Only four left. Almost half her children were gone and this year two more would be spending their last year at Hogwarts.

"Alright everybody, have a good year. Don't forget to owl your old mother every now and then."

"That's going to be a bit difficult seeing that we don't have an old mother, but we'll try." Fred smiled as he hugged his mother, then he disappeared through the barrier at Platform Nine and Three Quarters to the Hogwarts Express. Each Weasley child gave their mother a hug and boarded the train. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley stood there waving as the train sped away.

"Oh Arthur, I can't believe that this will be Fred and George's last year. I'm losing two more…" Tears began to fall down her cheeks.

"Come on Molly, you're not losing anybody. They're still ours. They'll always be there." He smiled and planted a kiss on her forehead. He took her hand and led her away from the station. On board the train Ron and Ginny had gone off in search of Harry and Hermione. The twins had met up with Lee Jordan, a long time friend and partner in crime.

Meanwhile a still slightly peeved Malfoy paced the compartment where Grabbe, Goyle and Sydney sat.

"Draco, I'm sorry alright, I didn't know who it was, he offered to help me when I asked. Stop pacing. I didn't mean to upset you." Sydney said as she curled up on the seat, her large white and black kitten jumping into her lap.

"You could have asked me. You know I despise the Weasleys."

"I couldn't find you or the shopkeeper, I asked for help and he helped me. I don't see what your problem is." She stared out the window. Draco sat back down and thought as Sydney sang to herself, something she did when she was either blissfully happy or upset.

Sydney had always been there for him, she probably knew him better than he did. Growing up a Malfoy was hell, and they both knew it. His father was so cruel and his mother didn't ever seem to care. But there was always that one week of heaven when he went to spend the week with Sydney in Ireland during the summer. Sydney's mother was his mother's sister, so he so they never had the same view of life that the Malfoys did. Draco's Uncle Jake had been killed in an accident just after their second child, Serenity, was born, that year there was no happy trip to Ireland. He'd never seen Sydney and Aunt Sam so sad, and neither is still the same. Draco had tried to stay as long as possible with them, but his father insisted that he come home with the rest of them. Then again, his father never did like it when he went to Ireland every summer. He believed Sydney to be too much of an influence on Draco. Draco supposed he had his mother to thank for that week in heaven each year, she insisted that he spend some time with her family too. After Jake's accident Aunt Sam became somewhat ill, but she recovered. This past summer just as Sydney was about to enter her last year of school, her mother became sick again, and with Sydney going off the school there wasn't anyone to take care of Serenity, who's only three, so they moved to London. A hand waved in front of Draco's face causing him to wake up from his memories.

"We're going off to find something to do boss." Crabbe informed Draco in his low voice.

"Yeah this is boring." Goyle added in.

"Whatever." They both shrugged as they walked out. Sydney stood up and set the kitten down.

"I'm going for a walk." She slid open the door and into the hallway, kitten in tow. Draco sat in the sun and brooded, an Irish trait he learned from her.

She'd hoped to find then end of the train and get some fresh air, but her little companion had other plans. A small toad sat in the frame of a door. The playful kitten eyed it maliciously. The toad saw the kitten and took off down the hall. The kitten shot off behind it right through Sydney's legs.

"Oh no! Mage come back here!" She began to run down the hall after the two. With a chance of safety the toad took a sharp right into a compartment and Mage followed in. The door closed as Sydney came down the hall. "Oh great. Mage! Here love, come on. Where'd they go?" Inside the compartment the toad cowered behind the feet of a familiar redhead.

"Well Trevor, escaped again?" George Weasley picked up the toad just as Mage took a swipe at him.

"And I see you've brought a friend." Fred leaned over to pick up Mage. "And who might you be?" He said looking at the tags. "Magestic eh? Creative name. Somebody must be looking for-" A knock came at the door. "you…" He finished.

"Come in." Lee Jordan piped up from the corner. The door slid open to reveal Sydney in her light blue jeans and faded yellow t-shirt. Fred and George gaped at her. She stood there with a look of slight exasperation on her face. Then a nervous look crossed her face.

"Did a black and white kitten come in here?" She said quickly, wanting to get out of there.

"Yeah. I'm Fred, this is my twin George. That's Lee Jordan." Lee waved from the back. "You new?"

"Yes, I'm Sydney." She said as she took the kitten from Fred. "Thanks for finding her." Fred recognized the accent.

"You wouldn't happen to be the girl from the bookstore yesterday, would you?" Fred asked suddenly. She nodded. "Well then, sorry for the trouble, with Malfoy."

"It's ok." She gave a weak smile. "Thanks again for finding Mage." She turned and left.

"Well she doesn't seem to much like Malfoy, now does she?" George said as he stared at Fred.

"Nah, way too timid." Lee agreed.

"Could be fun to prank." George's face lightened.

"Could be." Lee agreed again. "Fred?"

"Yeah sure."

"Whoa, where'd that come from."

"I just think we should give her some time before we start picking on her."

"Looks like Fred's got a new fancy." George teased.

"Maybe." Fred grinned.

Sydney continued her way to the end of the train, after sending Mage back to the room where Draco was. After what felt like a hour she finally found the end of the train. She opened the door to receive a blast of fresh late-summer air. It made her miss Ireland. She looked down at the silver ring on her left hand. The Celtic runes of past, present, future, love and trust were engraved in the thin band. A sole tear escaped down her cheek landing on the ring.

"Da…" She whispered (A/N: Da is Irish for Dad). It was the last gift she ever received from her father, who was a smith. He specialized in jewelry. Around her neck lay the silver locket given to her by her mother. Inside the heart shape was a mysterious lady she had never known. Her mother said it was a family heirloom so she wore it. She kept it partly because the lady reminded her of herself. Suddnely the door behind her opened. A girl with vibrant red hair stepped out, then stepped back. Her look of exasperation changed to surprise.

"Sorry, I didn't know anybody was out here. Usually I'm the only one who comes out here." The girl's azure eyes sparkled in the sunshine.

"Oh it's okay, I was just getting some fresh air."

"You wouldn't happen to be the girl from the bookstore yesterday would you? Malfoy's cousin?"

"Aye."

"Hi, I'm Ginny."

"Sydney." She smiled.

"Are you from Ireland?"

"Aye. It's a nice day isn't it?"

"Yeah." Ginny glanced out over the passing landscape.

"I should go change into my school robes. It was nice to meet you Ginny." She smiled again and stepped back into the train.

Several minutes later the Hogwarts Express arrived at Hogsmead Station. All of the students took up the ritual of the horseless carriages, except for the first years you had the traditional ride across the lake. Sydney wished she could ride with the first years to get the full experience of the school but she followed behind Draco with Mage under her arm and her carry-on bag in her other hand. Ginny saw Sydney and waved, Sydney returned the gesture with a small wave.

"Another Weasley." Draco spat. "You have a thing for muggle lovers?"

"My father was a muggle." She whispered sharply in a rare spurt of anger. The two climbed into a carriage along with some girl named Pansy, who Sydney didn't know. All she knew is that Draco really wasn't enjoying her company.

"Who were you waving to?" Fred asked his little sister.

"Sydney, remember her from yesterday?"

"Oh yeah…You getting to know her?"

"Not really, I met her on the train."

"Cool." Fred grinned again.

Soon the students arrived at the school. They all climbed the steps and entered the castle. Sydney stood next to Draco in awe of the entrance. Suddenly she heard her name.

"Spelling! Sydney Spelling." A tall lady with black hair was calling her name.

"That's Professor McGonagall, head of the Griffindor house. You'd better answer her." Draco explained.

"Over here!" Sydney called. McGonagall turned her head and came over.

"Good day to you Miss Spelling. I'm Professor Minerva McGonagall. You'll have to come with me for a minute. We need to talk about your situation. Please follow me." Sydney nodded and Draco shrugged. Sydney followed as Professor McGonagall lead her up a short staircase then to a door.

"Please step into my office." Sydney did. McGonagall sat behind her desk and motioned for Sydney to sit down. Sydney took a seat as McGonagall adjusted her glasses. "First of all, welcome to Hogwarts. I'm the transfiguration teacher here. At the moment Hogwarts is a little full, so instead of a normal dorm with other students you'll be placed in one of the Head Girl rooms. Though you won't be a Head Girl."

"Yes professor." Sydney smiled to herself. She like to be by herself. Professor McGonagall stood up.

"Well we should head down to the banquet, you'll need to be sorted." Sydney followed Professor McGonagall back down the stairs and into a large hall. Next they entered the Great Hall through a side door. Inside Sydney was amazed once again. The gigantic room was filled with students at tables, all waiting silently as a line of what Sydney assumed were first were being sorted by the Sorting Hat. Professor McGonagall took a seat up at the teachers table and pulled out a seat next to her for Sydney. "We'll wait until the first years are done then we will get you sorted." Professor McGonagall whispered. So they sat.

The Sorting Hat kept yelling out houses as the line got shorter and shorter. Finally there was nobody left in the line. Then a tall man sitting next to Professor McGonagall stood up.

"Welcome everybody to Hogwarts. Those of you who are here for the first time, we look forward to your many years to come here. Our seventh years who will be spending their last year we hope you have kept the memories of your Hogwarts career. I would also like to welcome back Professor Lupin, who decided to spend another year here at Hogwarts. I'm sure most of you remember. Now with that said we will let the feast begin!" A loud cheer rang through the hall. Professor McGonagall cleared her throat loudly.

"Professor Dumbledore, is there something you are forgetting?" She looked rather impatient.

"Ah yes. I'm sorry students but the feast will be postponed a few minutes longer." A groan echoed the cheer. "Yes I know but this year we have a treat. Not only will our new first years be joining us but a new seventh year." He turned and smiled at Sydney. "Miss Spelling will you please follow me." Professor Dumbledore and Sydney both stood up and descended to where the Sorting Hat still sat. "I would like everybody to welcome Miss Sydney Spelling to our school this year. She is a transfer student from Ireland. Please make her feel at home." The hall clapped and quieted as Sydney sat down on the stool and Professor Dumbledore placed the Sorting Hat on top of her head. The hat came down over her eyes and ears. A voice that was not her own filled her head.

Hello my dear. Just sit and relax, I'm the Sorting Hat. The voice disappeared again. Sydney could feel it's presence in her mind. Well let's see here. You have the heart of a Hufflepuff, but the mind of a Ravenclaw. Let's see here you could do well in…

"GRIFFINDOR!" The Hat shouted. Sydney removed the Hat to hear a loud cheer coming from the Griffindor tables. Gently she stood up and placed the hat back down on the stool. She looked up at Professor Dumbledore who smiled.

"When you reach the common room a portrait of a young girl will be on the east wall. That is where your room will be. You may make up a password of your own and give it to her. She knows you're coming." With that he turned around and headed back to the teachers table. Sydney began to walk towards the Griffindor table. She looked over at Draco who scowled. She saw Fred waving to her and pointing to an empty seat next to him. She sighed and figured why not, same house. She made her way to the seat. Then magically the food appeared in front of them. The hall filled with noise as everyone began to eat.

"Thanks." Sydney smiled lightly.

"Hey no problem, just helping a fellow Griffindor." Fred flashed a smile.

"Welcome to Griffindor Sydney." Ginny smiled as well. "I suppose I could introduce everybody. My brother Ron." Ginny gestured towards Ron who sat across from Ginny and was currently stuffing himself with the food in front of them. He managed to swallow.

"Hi there." He smiled, his blue eyes twinkling in the candles. Sydney couldn't help but smile.

"Harry Potter." Ginny continued. Harry sat next to Ron.

"Hello." He half blushed.

"Hermione Granger." Hermione looked up from her book.

"Very nice to meet you." Hermione smiled as well.

"Nice to meet you both." Sydney kept an even tone.

"And you've already met Fred and George."

"Hey there Sydney." George said in a cheery voice.

"Hello again." Sydney smiled as the group engaged in conversation around her.

After a very filling and delicious meal the Hogwarts population headed towards their respective dorms. Sydney walked just behind Ginny, Harry, Hermione and Ron. They reached the portrait of the Fat Lady. Hermione, a new prefect made her way to the front.

"The password is Quidditch." The portrait behind her swung open. Some Griffindors settled into the large chairs of the common room while others headed to their dorms. Sydney noticed the picture on the east wall and walked over to it. A young girl in a flower field filled the painting.

"Ah, you must be the new girl." She smiled in a childish way. "I'm Melody. What shall we use for a password?"

"I'm not sure. What's you're favorite flower?" Sydney asked. "It's Sydney."

"You mean I get to pick? I never get to pick. Let me think. My favorite flowers are Forget-Me-Nots. So we can use that?"

"If that's you're favorite flower, then yes." Melody smiled.

"Forget-Me-Nots! I like that password!" She jumped up and down. Sydney smiled.

"Forget-Me-Nots, g'night Melody."

"Nighty night, Miss Sydney." The portrait swung open and Sydney climbed the short flight of stairs to a door. She opened the door and stepped in. Mage greeted her at the door. "Hello Mage." She picked up the kitten and began to explore the room. To the right she foung a huge bathroom with a ten-foot bathtub and a separate glass shower. At the end of the mohogany king-size canopy bed was her trunk. Her clothes had already been put away in the large amoire and her dresses were hung in the closet. In the middle of the room was a small couch and coffee table. She set Mage down and changed into her nightclothes which she found very easily. A small noise behind her caused her to turn around. She looked at the vanity table. A house elf in a pink pillow case was putting her brushes and what-nots on the table. "Hello there." Sydney said in a sweet voice so not to scare the elf.

"Oh Mistress! I'm sorry I thought I would be done by the time you got here! I'm almost done!" The little house elf squeaked.

"No, no please let me take care of it. I'm Sydney." She smiled.

"My name is Mopsy. I'm in charge of your room Miss Sydney."

"Well, I didn't know that." Sydney sat down on the stool. "Nice to meet you."

"If there is anything that you need please tell me." She gave a small lopsided grin. Just then Mage hopped up to Sydney's lap. Mopsy squeaked and jumped back.

"Don't be scared she won't hurt you. Come on you can pet her." Mopsy looked terrified. "Come now." Still terrified Mopsy stepped closer with an outstretched hand. She reached for the kitten's head and carefully pet Mage, who in return licked her. "There see she likes you. You two can commandeer our room together." Mopsy smiled.

"She'll be my company, I don't get much company."

"Well you're welcome here anytime." Sydney took her brush and began to brush her long auburn hair.

"Thank you Miss. I must go now. Is there anything I can do for you?"

"Actually yes," Mopsy waited, excited. "Can I have a pot of tea for when I wake up? On the table would be nice."

"Yes ma'am it'll be there bright and early, never gets cold neither!"

"Thank you Mopsy." Sydney smiled. The little house elf hopped down to the floor and out a back door. Sydney laughed to herself. After putting her hair into a braid she took Mage and climbed into the bed. Within minutes the whole room was quiet. A single candle burned on the vanity table.