Hagrid was concerned when he met one Willow Rosenberg. Most people were shocked by his stature, but when Snape dropped her off she gave him soft 'hi, nice to meet you' and then proceeded to stare at nothing.

Hagrid became even more concerned when he took her to Diagon Alley for her school supplies. Most people would have shied away from the goblins at Gringotts, she barely seemed to notice them. After withdrawing enough of the Council's money for supplies she barely seemed to acknowledge they were getting things for her, but let Hagrid do the choosing.

In Hagrid's opinion she was too still as Madam Malkin fixed her robe, her focus seemed to be elsewhere as though her body were merely a shell and she was just residing in it. She was polite enough to everyone, but distant.

Hagrid thought for sure Mr. Ollivander would get a good response from her or that the wand choosing would spark something. Actually it was rather disappointing. Mr. Ollivander regarded her for a moment, than thought a moment, before handing her a wand. It gave off the correct sparks and her wand had chosen her. It was ten and a half inches, Willow with a unicorn hair core.

Hagrid asked her if she'd like to get an animal to which she replied that the council hadn't authorized such a purchase and that she had bought a kitty with her from America.

Hagrid then asked her if she'd like to stop for a bit of food. When her response was negative he returned her to Dumbledore's office and hurried off to relieve Professor Grubbly-Plank from substituting his class.

At the end of the diner feast for that evening, right before dessert, Professor Dumbledore rose to his feet. When everyone had quieted he let them know of their newest classmate, "Before we begin to indulge ourselves by ending our meal sweetly I have a few announcements to make. We will soon be hosting a transfer student from America. Her name is Willow Rosenberg and though she processes a talent for magic she has only just been introduced to our world. I trust each and every one of you will be understanding of this and make her feel welcome. She will be receding in the Gryffindor," A cheer rose from the Gryffindor table.

Professor Dumbledore waited for the applause to die down before he continued, "She will be staying in the fifth year's dormitory, but will be exempt from earning or losing points. Also at the very end of our feast I would appreciate it if Fred and George Weasley would make an appearance in my office. Thank you, you may resume."

As soon as he finished the serving plates filled with treats. The two Weasley boys who had been mentioned dug right in.

"Do you think he's caught us at something?" George asked.

"Whatever it is, we'll talk our way out of it." Fred responded.

Nervously the twin Weasleys stood in front of Professor Dumbledore's desk.

"...and we weren't the ones who convinced Moaning Myrtle to flood the girl's bathroom, so you see we've no reason to be here." Fred concluded.

Dumbledore smiled his eyes twinkling, "Well that's very good, but I didn't ask you here to confess everything you didn't do. As you two know the grounds better than anyone save a few fifth years and the staff it was suggested that you two be given the honor of giving Ms. Rosenberg the grand tour."

The boys eyed each other, fake nervous grins plastered to their faces. George was the first to recover, "We'd be honored."

"When does she arrive?" Fred asked.

"She's already here. Ms. Rosenberg, your escorts are ready to show you the grounds."

From behind a chair by the fire, one the two boys had assumed empty the sounds of a book closing could be heard. A moment later Willow stood beside the chair.

"Hello. Nice to meet you..." her voice trailed off into a questioning look.

"He's Fred," said George pointing.

"And he's George," said Fred pointing.

She nodded.

"Now that you've all met I trust you two can turn Ms. Rosenberg over to Hermione Granger when you get to the common room. And by the way thank you again for your non-confession. I now know not to blame Miss Bright from Ravenclaw for upsetting Myrtle, though she seemed ready to take detention for the act," Dumbledore told them as they led Willow from his office.

"And this is the Owlery," Fred introduced the circular room they were standing in.

Willow looked quietly around the drafty room the owls were perched in before asking, "And you send messages by them?"

"Of course." George answered.

"How?"

"Well you write out your letter on a bit of parchment. Give it to the owl and he delivers it," Fred informed her. At that moment a snow colored owl floated down to perch itself on George, "Hello Hedwig, don't worry, of course I've got a treat for you."

He reached under his robe and pulled out some treats which Hedwig happily took with a hoot of thanks.

"That's Hedwig," Fred explained as he also gave the owl a treat, "Some of the owls belong to students. Hedwig belongs to a fellow Gryffindor, Harry Potter. You'll meet him later. Now if you want to send a letter you should use a school owl, they're usually perched over there."

As Fred pointed out the school owls a mouse sized owl decided to land on his finger. It hooted a greeting.

"Hello Pigwideon, you want a treat too?"

At being given a treat the small owl started hooting happily and flying crazily around them.

"He's so funny, what did you call him?" Willow asked delighted, the distance in her voice gone for the first time since she arrived.

"Pigwideon, but we call him Pig for short." Fred answered.

"He belongs to our brother Ron. He's in Gryffindor too, and he's a friend of Harry and Hermione." George informed her.

She gave a delighted laugh at the bird's antics then followed the boys out of the Owlery.

"I don't understand it," George told Fred as they watched Willow follow Hermione to the Fifth year's dormitory, "she came out of it in the owlery, but was right back to being gone the moment we left."

"Strange, wonder why she's so down. She's got a pretty laugh though. Do you think they wanted us to show her around because she almost looks like a Weasley? To maybe start a rumor and keep the questions about her controlled?" Fred replied.

"Does it really matter?"

"Suppose not, want to work on that project we started last night?"

"Certainly."