Hey, I'm back! Finally. Sorry it took so long. I was away for the weekend, had to go to Baltimore with my parents.

Thanks to my sole reviewers, TheLostGirl and Nikki-Yugowashi! I'm so glad you liked it. BTW, puppy eyes don't work on me. Praise does! And I emailed you. What more do you want?

And thanks to Shivani! The one person to put me on their favorites list. Hint, hint!

From Chapter 1: Diagonally Bisected

Now, let me warn you, when I get mad, really mad, things change about my appearance. My hair grows, turns blood red, my eyes glow, and my fingernails and canines get longer.

Draco noticed these changes and backed away. Wise choice.

"What are you?" he repeated.

"Didn't you ever study vampires in DADA?"

"You're half vampire?"

Chapter 2:

"No, I just said that to wig you out."

"What?" Draco's eyebrows drew together and a puzzled look came on his face.

"Forget it," I waved my hand impatiently. At that moment the train stopped. "Let's go," I said, changing back to normal now that my temper had gone down.

"You-you-how?" Draco stuttered.

I leaned over and kissed him, just to make him shut up.

"Ugh! Mackenzie! Why'd you do that?" he complained, wiping his mouth on his robe sleeve.

"It was the only way to get you to shut up," I replied flippantly. "And, hey, even if you didn't shut up, you're back to normal."

"Uh, thanks. I think."

"Oh, shove off. Do we go in the carriages?"

"Yeah, here's one." We clambered aboard, and the carriage took off for Hogwarts.

When I reached the Great Hall, Professor McGonagall was waving at me to come over to her and the first years. I turned to Draco first, and made him promise he would be my friend no matter what house I was in.

"…even Gryffindor, Draco. Even Gryffindor."

"Fine. I promise you Mackenzie, I'll be your friend no matter what house you get sorted into. Even if it is Gryffindor. Happy?"

"Very. See you."

I ran over to Professor McGonagall, and she took me into a room off the side of the Great Hall. There was a hat sitting on a stool. I sat on the stool, and Professor McGonagall placed the hat on my head.

It was weird, just sitting there, waiting for something to happen. Then I heard a voice in my ear.

"Ms. O'Conall. You're extremely hard to place. Even more so than Potter was. You've qualities all the founders liked in their students. Which is your choice?"

*Tell me about each of the houses and their founders.*

"Very well. Godric Gryffindor prized bravery and courage. You have those in spades. Helga Hufflepuff prized hard work. Another of your better traits. Rowena Ravenclaw preferred cleverness and smarts. You have those as well. Salazar Slytherin claimed those of great ambition. You want to become something very badly, don't you?"

*I don't see how wanting to become normal has any bearing on what house I go into!* I snapped.

"But it's more than just that, isn't it?"

*Oh, Good God, put me in Gryffindor! Just so you can get out of my head.*

"Gryffindor!" the hat cried.

"Finally. I had a lovely conversation with the hat, Professor."

"Probably the same as everyone else, dear."

"It talks to everyone?" I was incredulous.

"Yes, oh, look at the time. We must get you to a seat and the Sorting to begin."

I found a seat near Harry, Ron, and Hermione, and looked around for Draco. He was staring at me, a hurt expression on his face. He mouthed the words 'library, 9 p.m.' at me, and I nodded.

"What was that all about?" Hermione asked.

"Nothing. Shh. The Sortings' about to start."

"Tell me later?"

"Sure."

We watched all the first years get Sorted, and then Dumbledore stood up to make announcements.

"If you have not already noticed, we have an exchange student from the United States of America. Her name is Mackenzie O'Conall, and she has been sorted into Gryffindor house. I trust you will all make her feel welcome here.

Mr. Filch, our janitor, has informed me that some 150 items have been added to the list of forbidden items. The whole list is visible in his office, if anyone would like to see it.

Also, first years, and some older students, please note the Forbidden Forest is forbidden, hence the name, and the Astronomy Tower will be locked except on the nights of the Astronomy classes. Those are on your timetable, which you will be getting at breakfast tomorrow. That's all folks! Commence mange!"

"So, what was that all about?" Hermione asked again.

"Draco wants me to meet him in the library later so we can talk. Could you show me where it is?"

"Yeah, I was planning on stopping by anyway to take out a book on Charms."

"Thanks, Hermione," I said, and turned my attention to the food before me.

Before everyone left for the dormitories, Professor Dumbledore announced the names of the new 5th year prefects, and the Head Boy and Girl.

"For the Gryffindor house, Miss Hermione Granger! For the Hufflepuff house, Mr. Justin Flich-Fletchey! For the Ravenclaw house, Miss Aleya Moon! And for the Slytherin house, Mr. Draco Malfoy! Now it gives me great pleasure to announce the Head Boy and Girl! From the esteemed house of Ravenclaw, Mr. James McGauveron! And from the house of Gryffindor, Miss Alicia Spinnet!"

Everyone cheered for the new head boy and girl. Alicia and James were well liked by everyone who wasn't a Slytherin, so ¾ of the room was making loud noise in celebration.

Alicia rounded on Hermione with congratulations. "It's so wonderful, right? Just think, in charge of everyone for three years and a chance at head girl! Oh, I would lead the first years up myself, but I've got a meeting with Dumbledore and James, so if you wouldn't mind…"

"Not at all, 'Licia."

Hermione stood up and called, "Gryffindor first years! This way, follow me!"

They gathered around her, as did I, and she led us out of the Great Hall. We went up the staircase on our left, down that corridor, and up another flight of stairs to an empty hall. We looked up, and saw staircases spiraling up for what appeared to be around three stories.

"This is the most direct route to the common room," Hermione said. "As we pass floors, I'll inform you of the classes held on them. Everyone ready?"

We crossed the hall and began climbing again, while the first years gawked at the pictures on the walls.

Reaching a landing, Hermione stopped us. "This floor houses the hospital wing, and the history of magic and transfiguration classrooms. History of magic is taught by Professor Binns, and transfiguration by Professor McGonagall."

She began climbing again, and like obedient puppies, we followed.

"This floor has the library, charms and some elective classrooms. Charms is taught by Professor Flitwick, and you don't have to worry about the other teachers until your third year."

We didn't stop on the last landing. Instead, Hermione pointed out classes as we walked down the hall.

At the very end of the hall was a portrait.

"This portrait is the entrance to the Gryffindor common room. You need the password to get in, and it's changed every few weeks or so. The new password is going to be posted on the notice board in the common room. Be sure to check the board every day before going down to breakfast."

She turned to the portrait of the Fat Lady, who asked, "Password?"

"Brooklyn," stated Hermione clearly.

I smirked. 'Way to make me feel welcome.'

We entered the common room, and Hermione pointed out where the girls and boys dormitories were, and explained the rules. Once the first years had gone upstairs, she turned to me.

"We have about…" she checked her watch, "fifteen minutes until 9:00. And we have to be back in the common room by 9:45, 10:00 at the latest. That's when Filch starts his rounds."

"Okay, then I guess we should get unpacking, or something to pass the time, huh?"

"It's up to you, Mackenzie."

"Please, call me Mac. Only my momma calls me Mackenzie."

"Sure, Mac."

"Let's go unpack or something. I can't stay still for very long."

We went up the dormitory stairs, and stopped in front of the door that had a brass plaque on it reading '5th Year Girls'. Hermione pushed it open, and the two girls already inside stopped chattering as we walked in.

I stared at the room. With a wooden floor, and gold walls with scarlet trim, this room was…cheery. There were four four-postered beds with scarlet hangings (drapes) and gold bedclothes (sheets, pillowcases, etc.). My trunk was at the end of one of the beds, and my books were piled on top of the dresser next to it.

One of the girls stepped forward and introduced herself. "Hi, I'm Lavender Brown, this is Parvarti Patil, and you must be Mackenzie. Is it okay if I call you Kenzie?"

I nodded slowly. This girl was what we called a prep back home. And I had to spend three years with her?

"It's nice to meet you both." I crossed the room to my bed, and began to unpack my trunk, only answering direct questions or talking when absolutely necessary.

After some time had passed, I asked Hermione what time it was.

"Merlin! It's five to!" she cried. "Let's go."

We rushed out of the common room, slamming to portrait behind us. As we ran down the hall, the Fat Lady cried, "You bruised my frame! Be gentler next time!"

We ignored her.

Finished, finally. And sorry about the mistakes. This time everything is fixed. Hopefully. I need a beta, to remind me of mistakes, so that I don't have to keep replacing chapters. Anyone interested?

Mysticpixie