Disclaimer: Only characters you don't recognize are mine, all others are J.K.R's. This goes for all chapters.
Journeys
The man looked down at his feet and sighed. 'Suppose I should go tell Dumbledore' the man thought harshly to himself. He stood up and walked to Albus Dumbledore's office, muttered the password, and walked in.
"You can go ahead and enroll Skys," said the man bitterly.
"You got the letter?" asked the headmaster. "And you of all people should not be so disappointed."
"Who said I was disappointed? Just weary, after all the girl and I are family."
"You implied it," said Dumbledore simply. "They'll be here in a few days. Would you like to meet her, of shall Hagrid at the lake?"
"Hagrid, she'll probably be like her mother, and the complete opposite of me," he said plainly. And with that the man spun around and left.
***
Harper walked silently next to her mother through the crowded London Street. Or rather, it wasn't a street, but an exclusive alley. Diagon Alley. They had every item, except for a few robes, and an owl. Harper had a wand, twelve inches, phoenix and hemlock: a powerful combination. She also had a cauldron, books, and money. Harper was surprised at the number of children shopping.
"Oh! This green robe should match your hair," said Mrs. Skys while shopping for robes. Harper had fiery red hair, with blue eyes. Mrs. Skys looked down at her list and muttered to herself, "now all that's left is to get an owl, buy a ticket, and get her on the Hogwarts Express."
"Mom, they ain't real. Witches, wizards, and elves aren't real," said Harper hopefully. She really didn't want to believe that every Halloween creature was real.
"Listen, they are, face it. I'm a witch, and your father descends from a long line of elves. Now don't forget I love you, and study hard, Harper! You've got four years to catch up on," Harper could see the tears welling up in her mother's eyes.
"I'll miss you, too, but I don't think I can handle this." Harper and Mrs. Skys walked into the pet shop. After much looking, Harper finally chose a tawny owl. She named him Frankie. Then in silence, they got in their car and drove to King's Cross.
When they got there, Harper asked, "where's platform 9 3/4?"
"Oh, just between platform nine and ten. I love you! Don't forget to send Frankie!" called Mrs. Skys just before Harper disappeared into the platform's wall.
In front of Harper, on the other side of the wall, a large train sat in front of Harper. Quietly she gave her things to a loader, and got in a compartment.
"Hullo there! Say, can we sit with you?" said a dark haired boy, with bright green eyes, and a scar down his forehead.
"Harper drew in her breath sharply, then said, "yeah, I guess so;" she said this in a curious American accent.
"Thanks," said a bushy-haired girl. The other boy, whom had hair as red as Harper, said nothing, and began to eat a chocolate frog.
"I'm Harry Potter, this is Hermoine Granger, and this is Ron Weasley."
"Oh! I'm Harper Skys."
"S-Skys? Oh! Hey, Harry, maybe you won't be so popular this year," said the red haired boy, Ron.
"What do you mean by that?" snapped Harper.
"What? You don't know?" asked Harper hesitantly, and shot a glance at Ron.
"I don't think either of us do," said Harry.
"She's half elf, and…" Ron's voice trailed off. "Never mind."
"What? What's so bad you can't say it?" asked Harper frantically.
"Yeah!" said Harry.
"It's better if we don't say. 'Sides, it won't come to pass for a few more years," stated Hermoine quickly, and she stuck her head in a textbook.
"Anyway, did you happen to get anymore cards this summer, Harry? I still haven't got Ptolemy. I don't think I'll ever get him," said Ron obviously trying to change the subject.
"Uh, no. I haven't got him either," answered Harry, a bit ticked that his best friends wouldn't tell him what was wrong with Harper.
"Oh, look! We're at Hogwarts, already!" exclaimed Hermoine joyfully, looking up from her book. The four rushed off the train, and hurried to the cold lake.
While the famous trio headed towards Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore met Harper. "Hullo, I am headmaster, Albus Dumbledore. You must by Harper Skys," he said knowingly.
"Y-yes," stuttered Harper.
"Well then, now that that's been established, we should get you sorted into your house. Unless, of course, you would rather be sorted with the first years," smiled the headmaster.
"Yes, I mean, I would rather not be sorted with the first years."
Dumbledore led Harper into the room where the sorting hat was kept. Hesitantly, Harper sat on a three-legged stool. Then Dumbledore set the hat gently on Harper's head.
Without hesitation the hat declared, "Gryffindor," then Dumbledore removed the hat and smile as Harper jumped off the stool.
Silently a dark figure frowned he had heard everything. Then he spun around and left, his cloak rustling.