A sharp whistle pierced through the air interrupting Danah's thoughts. Turning her head she walked towards the train. Hogwarts express. The train would take her on her first step towards her destiny. Carefully, so as not to make the raven on her shoulder lose balance, Danah began pulling her trunk towards the back of the train. Lost in her thoughts she didn't notice the boy walking towards her until the raven, Drannor, cackled. "Excuse me", the boy said squeezing past her. Drannor watched him go, glaring at the boy's back. The raven considered flying after the boy to get a better look at the train and the people to be encountered later. However, at that moment Danah turned off the aisle, into an empty room. Sighing she sat down and spoke to the raven, "He looked no older than me. Did you get anything from him?" Nothing but excitement and a little bit of wonder when he looked at us the bird answered telepathically. Ravens were known in the wizard world to be able to sense emotions and also magic strength, ability. The girl only knew of her bird's power to feel others emotions, she used them to her every advantage. She nodded and took out her black robes. As the train pulled cheerfully from the station she slipped into her robes and set the bird on a temporary perch. Drannor settled down for a nap when Danah pulled out her small black book. He knew she was going to spend the whole train ride trying to improve her vision, if it could be called that. Two years ago, when she had almost been killed in a magical battle, she had lost her eyesight, she was blind. His mistress did not know how she had lost her eyesight, she couldn't remember the battle, but he did. He, Drannor, had come to her at the bidding of the earth and helped her get along for a few months until she had discovered her second sight. It was not really a sight, when she had started out it was just different colors of black, gray, or white moving. Gradually the shapes had taken their true form, or at least they had taken on enough characteristics that she could almost see again during the day, but at night little was visible to her. That's where he came in, along with helping her with different colors, not that colors appealed to her much anymore. The raven also helped her read writings outside her little black book. Telepathically the raven would read words or passages she was unable to. He would tell her telepathically where to watch her step or when something, that was invisible to her even in the light, was ahead. Just like her sight was limited so was her telepathic ability. She could only "talk" to him when she was completely emotionless. It had been a lot easier when she was young because her only feeling was fear, but once that was conquered, she could "talk" to him. Danah was not aware of it but he too had limits. He could only "talk" to her for a total of fifteen minutes before having to rest for thirty or more. If he forced himself to exceed his time limit all his magical as well as non-magical abilities became stretched, sometimes his abilities would fad for long periods of time, after breaking his limit. This caused his thoughts to her to always be short and to the point. Although his duty was over he had chosen to stay with Danah because he felt fascinated by her and all she had accomplished. She intrigued him, and that's all that he believed needed to be said as to why he stayed with her. Knowing his mistress would read the book the whole train ride he settled down for a long nap. Danah looked at the book in front of her, Images of Egufer, and tried to concentrate on the story. Egufer was no ordinary book even by wizard standards. The pictures moved and seemed alive but beyond that the book its self was alive, stories in the book changed all the time, it seemed at will. Sometimes she was able to finish only a portion of the story before it would change to a new one. What was even more irritatingly marvelous about the book was that the same story never reappeared. This book has helped me so much Danah thought. For reasons unknown to her, she couldn't remember where she had found it. Pictures in the book changed color depth and size forcing her to exercise seeing details with her second sight. Words in the book changed fonts or texture depending on how she was reading it, by sight or touch. Today though, it didn't seem to be helping her. Perhaps I am just too anxious, she thought to herself but knew that wasn't the case. The sight hadn't improved in at least a week. Looking up she saw Drannor sleeping on his perch. He had helped her too, not only with her handicap but also helping her cope with the fact that she didn't know anything about her past. He had always been there, but had allowed her to grow into her own, letting her learn from experience. Drannor was her best friend and, even if she hadn't been able to talk to him and get an answer, she would always consider him a best friend. Although sometimes she wondered and felt like he was hiding something of great importance from her, but she never questioned his judgments. Danah had learned to trust him with her life. A soft knock came from the compartments door just as she was starting a new story because the one she was reading previously changed on her in the blink of an eye. Silently she cursed the book before the door opened. An old lady pushing a cart came into view. "Would you like anything from the cart, miss?" the elder asked "Yes, of course" Danah replied after recognizing several tasty looking wizard treats. She paid for her box and sat back down to enjoy them. While she was sucking down the juice she had purchased, Drannor awoke and flew over to her shoulder. Cackling, he nipped at her earring. "Alright already, impatient bird!" She scolded him while handing over his seeds and a piece of chocolate. She continued, "I have learned to deal with my disability and to trust your judgment, but you, sir must learn some patience or manners or something! Because I can't keep letting you do this. So it's up to you to be patient and respectful, at least at meal time." Through the whole lecture Drannor sat comfortably on her shoulder and ate his seeds, listening to the approaching footsteps. They seemed to be going from compartment to compartment, while stopping for a brief time at each one before continuing to the next. The steps sped right past by one room, though and went to the next, breaking the pattern. That in itself puzzled the bird. Humans confused and frustrated the bird but this was abnormal for even them. Suddenly there was a loud knock at the door, subsequently followed by the entrance of a dark haired boy with hazel eyes to match, walked in. "Hello, we were never introduced. I bumped into you in the hallway, remember?" he said taking a seat next her stash of sweets, across from her. "Yes, I remember. I'm Danah. Who would you be?" "Oh yes, how rude of me. My name is Cole McNeal", the boy replied sticking a handful of jellybeans into his mouth. Fighting back the urge to giggle she spoke to him, " Might I ask why you're in my compartment?" "Oh.well I wanted to introduce myself to you", he replied, shoveling more candy into his mouth. "And you supposed the easiest way to do this would be to take my food?" she grinned at him. Blushing he sat down the half-eaten licorice stick and grinned back sheepishly. A loud cackle interrupted the silence and Cole jumped, turning to see a blur of black fly by his head. The blur landed on Danah's shoulder. She looked over at the avian animal perched upon her shoulder and, seeing the glimmer in his eye, she sighed while handing him more seeds, which he accepted gratefully. Cole's mouth fell open as he saw that it was a raven of death black with silver eyes. "That's.that's a raven!" He stuttered in shock "Yes. He is", she answered not taking notice of Cole's look of awe and fear. "With silver eyes!" "I suppose he does." " Danah! You own a raven! And not just any raven. It has silver eyes! Ravens can't be trained and are never trusted especially ones with silver eyes.that's the mark of a raven with magic powers," he raged. At this Drannor looked up and glared at Cole with a strange intensity. Danah looked up and shook her head in disagreement "Drannor is not a pet, he is my friend. I didn't find him he found me when.." realizing what she was about to say she stopped. "But silver eyes would explain why he can."she stopped again and winced as Drannor gripped her shoulder hard. "He what?" Cole persisted "Nothing" she said firmly, ending the conversation, but noting to ask the raven about it, later when they were alone again. Shrugging, Cole grabbed some more candy and popped them one at a time into his mouth placing the information she had told him in his memory. He made a note to ask her later about Drannor. Seeing her eyes staring blankly at him, he decided to start up a new conversation. "What house do you want to be in?" "What house?" She repeated, puzzled "Yeah, what house Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Gryffindor, or Slytherin?" "Oh .ummm. What house do you want to be in?" "Well, most of my family has been in Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff, so I guess one of those. But you never know, I could be put in any, even Slytherin," he replied while examining a jellybean before popping it into his mouth. "But I don't think I will go to Slytherin because, well, I'm not like them .at all." "Not like them?" Danah asked, now curious about the houses of Hogwarts. "No, I'm not, they are usually cunning and clever with ripe brains and 'indifferent air' as my Grandmother used to say about them and everything they do," he said looking up at her with an almost bewildered expression. How could she not know anything about the best wizard school in Europe? It just didn't make any sense unless.yes of course that must be it. Non-magic people raised her. Based on this reasoning, Cole decided to inquire about her family as a change of subject since it was obvious she didn't know much about Hogwarts. Instead he ended up telling her all about his family, "My grandmother was a pureblood witch, but then she met my father's father, whom was a Muggle for several generations except for a great-uncle who wasn't talked about until he met my grandmother. Now my mother's family, on the other hand, was a half and half! I mean right down the middle her mum's side was Pureblood and her father's was Muggle since the beginning of time. My great-great-great grandfather was a." "Why do you talk about every one in the past, Cole?" Danah softly interrupted the story, already knowing the answer. He fidgeted in his seat and the answered hesitantly, "They are all dead.my grandfather on my father's side died and shortly after my grandparents on my mum's side were killed in a magic accident. A few years later my parents were both murdered and I started living .with my grandmother." here his voice faded off and she watched him intently, silently pushing him on. "My grandmother died last year.she was the only person who knew me and I didn't even really know her." he broke off again and Danah decided not to push it, so she handed Drannor more seeds and offered chocolate to Cole. He smiled up at her and then inquired, "What about you?" "I don't know anything about my family. I raised myself with Drannor's help." She shrugged as she spoke, picking at the remaining candy. There was a silence between the two. Neither looked up until a sudden sharp bell made all three jumped. Drannor shook his feathers in irritation that the bell had startled him and flew over to his perch to skulk. Cole laughed when he saw Drannor unnerved and then stood. "I had better go change into my robes. That bell means that we are close to the school." Danah nodded and watched him go, hoping she would be placed in the same house as this boy who had befriended her. After he left, she smiled a rare smile and began putting away her things. Glancing outside she noticed it had gotten dark, thus impairing her vision further. A few minutes later, another bell rang and a voice came overhead announcing that all passengers were to get off. Although worried about her stuff, she left it where it was and whistled to Drannor who fluttered to her shoulder as she walked by. "Do you think the house choice will affect how I work and what I learn?" Danah questioned the raven. Against his better judgment of how much time he had , he answered, No, the house just signifies where you will stay and who your friends are. "So if I am in the same house as Cole, but quicker to learn then him I won't have to worry about being held back because I am in a bad house?" Of course not, I mean the Headmaster may not be the best person in my book from when I knew him, but he would. "Wait. wait. you know the Headmaster?" she stopped walking to the dismay of those behind her, who thought she was a loony talking to herself, to ask. If a raven could have looked stricken and stifled, he would have to all eyes around. Luckily, he was not forced to explain himself because presently a voice called out over the students. "First years over here if you would, please," it was sharp and commanding so none dared argue when the owner of the voice lead them over to several boats and told them to get on with no more than five to a boat. The voice took a seat in its own boat and as soon as all the students were in, a hand waved making the boats floated forward. All looked around to see what was making the boat go except Danah, who had been told by Drannor magic was very strong around the boats and she had put the two together, and a few others who had been told about it by parents. A heavy mist covered what they assumed to be a lake, making seeing ahead very difficult. Quietly each boat erupted in a bustle of curious whispers, some filled with fear. While the students whispered among themselves, the school appeared in front of them. Danah was, at first, the only one to notice. She was left with a feeling of wonder, but before she was able to discern or question Drannor as to why, the others spotted it effectively breaking the spell. Her peers had the same reaction, minus the familiarity she had felt. They piled off the boats and onto the deck, most still in awe. The robed figure lead the way to a bronze-colored door that swung open at the children's approach. The figure melded into the shadows, disappearing without drawing the students' attention, though Drannor took notice and made silent note of it. A woman advanced on them and spoke, "I am Professor McGonagall and would like to welcome you to Hogwarts' School of Witchcraft and Wizardry on behalf of the staff. Now if you will follow me, we will proceed to the Great Hall for the Sorting Ceremony." suddenly she spotted Danah. Nodding briskly she hurried off leaving the students to follow in her wake, puzzled. When they arrived at the Great Hall, they didn't get a good look at it because they were behind a curtain, but they could hear voices on the other side. The professor reappeared and told them to approach the stool when their name was called and put the sorting hat on their head. It would sort them accordingly. She then disappeared and began calling names off a sheet of endless parchment. Danah heard Cole's name and watched him approach the stool, knowing he was going over everything in his head, and worrying he wouldn't make his grandmother proud. Cole carefully placed the worn hat on his head and was more than taken aback to hear it speak to him. "Hello.Cole is it? Yes.well, I see you have a history of wizards and Muggles. Good mixture if you ask me.Ah yes, I remember your name, your grandmother was a great..." "You.knew my grandmother?" "Why of course.I sorted her, she was in Gryffindor.you would do well there. or maybe you want to go to Ravenclaw? They could help you on your way." "Gryffindor? But all my relatives were in ." "Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff? Not so. Your grandmother and now you will be in GRYFFINDOR!" the hat shouted the name aloud and one of the tables cheered loudly. Cole walked over to it and the sorting continued. Danah heard her name called and as she walked out towards the stool, she felt Drannor leave her. Panic welled up in her and she fought it down long enough to yell to him, Drannor, please come back But the raven flew towards the magic ceiling and instead of answering her question, watched her go towards the old hat and put it on. From his perch on a gargoyle high in the rafters he watched her be sorted. When Drannor didn't answer, she felt betrayal at first. However, the following realization that he wanted her to do this alone changed her mind from hatred to concentration. No one must know she was blind. Danah walked confidently up to the hat and feeling slightly foolish she sat down and set the idem atop her head. At first she thought something had gone wrong but then she was shocked when she heard the hat talking to her.without vocally speaking a word. "Ah.the Headmaster told me about you.where to put you though? Hmmm.Ravenclaw would be appropriate seeing as how that's where your mother was, but then again your grandmother was in Gryffindor. You would do well in Hufflepuff, even without the background. In Gryffindor you could go so far and Ravenclaw would welcome your talents, with Hufflepuff your life would be easy.too easy perhaps.hmmm. where to put the blind one called Danah. Any requests?" When she kept her thoughts quite easily, thanks to years of training with Drannor, he continued, "Well if you have no requests I will have to put you in." he stopped, as if puzzled. The hall was getting slightly impatient; the hat hadn't taken this long to sort anyone since Harry Potter. Most of the students, and all the teachers knew what had happened do to the hat's long conversation with Harry Potter. Several seventh year students, who had known Harry and heard the story, Ginny Weasley and Colin Creevy included, shifted uncomfortably. "Maybe I should put you with the house of your father.after all he turned out to be great. maybe. yes, you will be in.SLYTHERIN!" Amidst all the cheering, four people aside from the hat noticed he had spoken his decision almost hesitantly. One of them was the dark figure that had lead the first years up the stairs. Several students also noticed that the new Slytherin stood on the stage for a minute before stepping towards her designated table. Fewer still, noticed the raven that had silently landed on her shoulder before she had walked towards the Slytherin table. Danah was warmly welcomed to the Slytherin table, it was always good to have another join your ranks. The sorting finished very quickly after Danah was sorted. The Headmaster stood up and began his yearly speech, but several students noticed the usual sparkle in his eyes wasn't as bright as usual. "Welcome to all students, new and old. As most of you know or will soon learn I am Professor Dumbledore. Last year we sent off some great wizards and witches." About half the room knew he meant Harry Potter and his group, along with his adversary, Draco Malfoy's group. "This year we will wish well to even more, as we send them off but for those who leave more will arrive." His eyes flickered slightly towards Danah and she held her breath, but he continued, "But we still have several months and for some several years before we get rid of you." Most gave a small laugh releasing the tension in the air. "Enjoy your year students and the feast!" The hungry students cheered as their plates filled with food. Danah began to pick at the food and listen closely to the conversations, not entirely sure what they were about. "Dumbledore was acting strange during the ceremony. Wonder why?" a fourth year asked, severing himself some chicken. "I heard that Harry Potter has a relative here, but no one is supposed to know," a sixth year whispered excitedly looking around "Oh, come on, you can't be serious now, Justin. Harry was an only child and that's that. Hello I'm Ginny Weasley," a seventh year girl said extending a hand to Danah who took it, more out of instinct than greeting. Suddenly everyone seemed to notice the girl who had taken so long to be sorted. She had been forgotten by most during Dumbledore's speech. The whole table turned towards Danah as she introduced herself to Ginny. Then watched Ginny go back to the Gryffindor table. When they had turned towards Danah most had noticed the raven on her shoulder she was absentmindedly feeding. Danah was then approached by the boy beside her. "Hello my name is Drake Mondar, you're one of the first years, right?" "Yes, my name is Danah. Are you a first year, too?" Looking frankly surprised, Drake nodded his head and slid into a seat by her. He had dirty blond hair (Drannor told her) but it wasn't ruggedly arranged like most dirty blondes are. It was slicked back, as if he wanted to put it in a ponytail, the thought made Danah start giggling at him. His faced paled and he began frantically feeling his face for a flaw, but she grabbed his hands to make him stop. Ripping his hands from her he glared at her and snapped "What?! Why are you laughing?" The look on his face was so fierce she shut her mouth and resumed picking at her food remembering she had no advantage in this place. Drannor snapped his beak at Drake, who became immediately aware of the raven. Keeping his composure he asked stiffly, "What's with the bird? Is he your familiar?" Danah started to answer Drake but Drannor interrupted her thoughts Go ahead and tell them I am your 'familiar'. We don't know whom to trust She nodded and told Drake about Drannor and he told her about his perfect Pureblood family until the deserts came out and Drake got up to move back down the table to his other friends. While she was eating her pudding, she began studying the professors and answering the people around her who bombarded her with enquires. Most of them were first years trying to get rid of any left over nerves and so she willingly answered the questions and those she couldn't Drannor was always there to tell her exactly what to say. "As I was saying my brother told me most of the classes will be a breeze and that luckily for us the only hard one, potions, the head of our house is the Potion's Master and he is always favoring us." Linsha Malfoy was saying. Danah listened to Linsha because after Drake had left she had befriended Danah. Danah had already listened for almost an hour as Linsha told every one about her family. She was a Pureblood with ties to all the old families. Her cousin was none other than Draco Malfoy who had himself a reputation in the Slytherin house. Everyone at the table seemed to know who this was but Danah had no idea and placed the name in her to find out box. "Lin, who are all the professors?" Danah asked during a pause. Linsha looked almost crushed that her new friend didn't know, but was happy to inform her, "Well in the middle is Dumbledore, which as you know, is the Headmaster. That's McGonagall, Transfiguration; then Sprout, Herbology; there's the Charm's teacher can't think of his name. ah bloody, you'll meet them all eventually but there's Snape he's our Head of the House and Potion's ." Linsha continued to talk but Danah was still going over the teachers she noticed an empty seat, before the perfects ushered them towards the dungeons. They were shown their dorms and Danah immediately fell asleep on her bed