Hi everyone. Many thanks to those who have reviewed, and many apologies for the lack of updates, but I've been ill, as have my family, and I've had college, birdies and a boyfriend to attend to.
Even more thanks to CloverWeave, Cosmic Angel, Polaris the Ice Queen, and Aki-Chan.
There may be a little romance in my fic, I'm not sure yet, I'm just making it up as I go along ^_~. As always, I'm open to suggestions! If you'd like to see a couple getting together, just e-mail me and let me know. The couples with the most votes get it! See! I'm bring you romance, humour, excitement and crazy story lines all in one go! I am planning on introducing four new female characters, and two male, if not more. If anybody would like more added, then send me a profile, and basic character description and I'll see if I can add you in. If you'd like to date Neville or Ron, just say so, your wish is my command. This applies throughout my fanfic, not just for the next chapter, so even if I'm on chapter 3,028,883, you can still send in something.
Here's wishing everybody a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May 2003 be the best yet!
~ Ice
Jan 01 2003
As always, speech is in "blah" and thought in 'blah'
*hint*review!*hint*
Right then, now onto the story…
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"GRYFFINDOR" the sorting hat boomed out. Catalina fidgeted next to Hermione.
"How long does this thing go on for? Not that I'd normally mind, but I'm starving" she whispered, fidgeting and trying to look inconspicuous in her bright blue robes.
"It shouldn't be much longer" she whispered back, then closed her mouth abruptly as Professor McGonagall aimed a disapproving glance in the direction of the Gryffindor table.
A sigh of relief came from beside Catalina as Wilson, Yolanda was sorted into Ravenclaw.
"Thank God that's over" said Ron looking expectantly at his plate. "I'm starved." However, no food appeared.
"House else are slow this evening aren't they?" commented Harry
"Maybe they've finally taken Hermione's advice and gone on strike" sniggered Ron, then both boys cried out in unison as each received a well aimed kick from under the table. Catalina grinned at Hermione.
"Where's the foooooooooood?" whined a rather spoilt, grumpy looking first-year.
"Hush" said Hermione disapprovingly as Professor Dumbledore rose to his feet.
"Before the feast begins, I'd like to welcome you all back to Hogwarts, and make a few announcements. Firstly, the Forbidden Forest, still, remains Forbidden. Mr Filch has asked me to remind all students that magic is not to be used in the corridors, and that Mrs Norris is Not to be used as a bludger." He paused for a moment, glancing over at the Slytherin quidditch team, who squirmed in their seats, and then continued, "I'd also like to introduce you to your Hogwarts' new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher" he motioned towards a fair headed figure sitting in the shadows at the end of the teacher's table. Catalina looked over for a second and did a double take.
"Jack" she squealed, jumping up. Hermione pulled her back down to her seat.
"People are staring!" she whispered furiously
"Oh….sorry…" Attention turned back to Dumbledore.
"This is Professor diCaprio" The new professor stood up, smiling at the students, many gasped and started whispering as the candlelight glinted off two shiny white fangs. Hermione stared in shocked silence.
"He's a…he's a…."
"He's gorgeous" cut in Parvati "I wonder how old he is"
"A little to old for her I think" muttered Catalina, as she started clapping enthusiastically. The other students followed students, and a few daring wolf-whistled.
"I think that's the warmest welcome anyone's had since Lockheart" Harry said, looking a little amused at the reaction of the Gryffindor girls. Dumbledore smiled and diCaprio sat down.
"And last, but not least" the wizard announced, "I'd like to welcome the first of several new students to Hogwarts. As some of you already know, this year, Hogwarts are taking exchange students from America. Miss Catalina Williams is the first of what we hope will be many more." He motioned for Catalina to stand. "Would you all give her a true Hogwarts welcome." Catalina looked around as both students and staff applauded, looking, for the first time since she arrived, a little nervous. She looked up at the teacher's table. The new professor caught her eye. He winked at her, and flashed her a stunning smile. She smiled back, feeling a little happier, and more sure of herself. She sat down as the clapping ceased. "And now" proclaimed Dumbledore "Let us eat."
Catalina's eyes lit up as the plates on the table filled. A dark haired boy, bearing a prefect's badge smiled at her from across the table and winked.
"So where are you from young Williams?" he smiled charmingly at her.
"America" she said smiling back, as she filled her plate. "And my name is Catalina. Not Young."
"Sorry. So what brings you to Hogwarts?" he inquired
"I'm an exchange student. Dumbledore told you that." The boy looked a little puzzled.
"But there aren't any magical schools in America."
"Who said I came from a magical school?"
"Where else could you have come from?"
"I don't think that's any of your business" Catalina said roughly, before turning to talk to Hermione, making a point of ignoring him. This was too many questions for her liking. 'I really have to go and check my story with Dumbledore.'
Elsewhere on the table, talk had turned to the new professor.
"See! I told you that they'd give us a vampire!" exclaimed Dean enthusiastically.
"Are you sure that's a good thing?" questioned Hermione, "you know what they say about vampires"
"No," cut in Catalina sharply, "I don't know what they say about vampires, why don't you tell us about vampires? I'm sure we're all dying to know."
Hermione looked a little surprised at the reaction of the young blonde,
"Vampires are dangerous, he could harm one of the students"
"Not all vampires are dangerous, this one isn't."
"How do you know? You know him, don't you?"
"Yes, I know him" she glanced at the other students, her gaze lingering on the dark haired prefect. "I'll explain to you later." she said quietly. "There are too many ears here." Hermione nodded
"Have you studied magic before?" she asked, changing the subject quickly.
"Not really, I went to a muggle high school."
"So what are you doing in Hogwarts?"
"I've come to study magic, silly." Catalina poked her tongue out at the brunette. "I've had some experience with magical creatures, more than I'd care to, and Defence Against The Dark Arts has always been my main concern. For the other subjects, I had extra coaching from the professors during the summer holidays. So I'm pretty up to date with everything."
"That's good" nodded Hermione. "If you ever need a hand with any of the work, we'll be happy to help you, won't we guys...." she paused, looking at Harry and Ron, both of whom were talking about quidditch, and gave both boys a sharp kick,
"Ow! What? Oh yeah, of course" Ron nodded enthusiastically, and smiled at the blonde. She smiled back at him, winking. At this, he blushed, and she giggled to herself, before yawning loudly. Dumbledore seemed to take this as his cue, and stood up.
"And now, before we leave, we shall sing the school song" he said, waving his wand, golden words trailing out of the end. All the students sang along enthusiastically.
Hermione glanced over at Catalina, who's eyes were sparkling, her voice rising above the rest. She thought for a moment, trying to figure out what the tune was from, then remembered, it was Rogue's Just Be Yourself. Rogue were a young, American pop group, just starting out in the world of music, but immensely popular in both the UK and US. But nobody knew who they really were, they went by the names Galaxia, Skye, Jasmine, Polaris and Infernia. They were an enigma. Others looked over, admiring her voice, wondering who was singing. Catalina smiled inside, singing her heart out. She was missing the singing most of all. She wondered when here friends would be back, wishing that they were there now. She looked over at Professor diCaprio, who was also singing quietly. She took a deep breath as the song ended, grinning at him. The students left the Great Hall, Catalina gave him a little wave and then followed Hermione out of the hall.
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As she followed Hermione up the stairs, she heard a cackling from behind her. She jumped out of the way, just in time to avoid a dung bomb hurled in their direction. Lavender squealed as the bomb hit her back, running up to the Gryffindor tower.
"Peeves!" shouted Harry. "Go and play with the Slytherins." He ducked quickly, but not fast enough, a dung bomb caught him on the temple and he moved backwards. Hermione pulled him and Ron up the stairs.
"Leave him alone, he'll get bored soon enough" she muttered. Catalina stepped forward.
"Peeves? Is that your name?"
"That's what they call me" he said, sticking his tongue out.
"I wonder why they do that. What's your real name?"
"Not telling, nuh uuh" he teased, crossing his legs and sitting in mid air.
"Okay then" she smiled at him, holding out her hand. "I'm Catalina." Peeves looked a little surprised at this, he'd always been yelled at by students. Nobody had ever tried talking to him. He reached forward and his hand went through hers. She grinned, ignoring the icy sensation. "I guess that will make do as a handshake then?"
He nodded then cackled, hearing a bellow of rage from behind him.
"PEEVES!!!"
"Uh oh, it's Filch" said Harry, who had been watching the show from a little way up the stairs. Catalina waved at Peeves, and then ran up to join them. Peeves zoomed off, after dropping the remainder of his bombs on an angry caretaker, cackling away to himself.
Catalina grinned at the trio, who looked more than a little shocked.
"I can't believe that you had an intelligent conversation with Peeves!" exclaimed Hermione. "He's terrible!"
"Have you ever tried talking to him?"
"No"
"Then you have nobody to blame but yourself" she said, sticking her tongue out. "Now c'mon, which way's bed?"
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