Chapter Four:

The New Girls

Harry, Ron, and Hermione found an empty compartment and settled themselves in. Hermione hadn't really spoken to either of them; they figured she was angry because of the secret they shared. She sat next to the window, pouting slightly and staring out at the passing scenery. "What do suppose the new girls are going to be like?" Ron asked, "Being American and all."

Hermione snorted. "I don't know but I'll bet they're really talented witches. Dimthicone is supposed to be a very advanced school," Harry said. Hermione rolled her eyes. She turned as though to say something to them, but was interrupted when the food cart came by; Harry and Ron rushed to buy as many snacks as possible. Hermione sighed and focused her attention back on the outside.

Fred and George came bursting through the door to their compartment. All three looked up, becoming very alarmed. "What's wrong?" Hermione asked, concern filled her voice.

"The new girls, they're in the next compartment!" George cried. The trio looked at the twins in disbelief. "And, they're sisters!" Hermione rolled her eyes and sat back down.

"Not just sisters, twins!" Fred exclaimed. Harry and Ron burst out laughing. Fred and George left soon after to try and get a second look at the new girls.

*~*~*~*

All the frightened first years crowded the platform at Hogsmeade, making it hard for any of the other students to find their way to the horseless carriages that would take them up to the school. Hagrid, the school's groundskeeper and also teacher of the Care Of Magical Creatures class, herded them up and led them to the boats. Harry, Ron and Hermione boarded one carriage and were swiftly taken up to the castle. Their stuff was sent to their dormitory and they went to The Great Hall for dinner.

There wasn't the usual feeling of cheerfulness coming from all corners of the hall; Harry suspected it was because a majority of the students were still mourning the loss of Cedric Diggory, who died at the hands of Voldemort during the Tri-wizard Tournament the previous year. The first years were now crowding the front of the hall, waiting to be sorted. Harry spotted two girls standing toward the front of the pack whom looked too old to be first years, he assumed they were the new sixth years. They were very striking. One had short red and black hair while the other had long blonde hair, but there was no mistaking the fact that they were twins.

Harry felt himself unable to take his eyes off of the blonde one. He wasn't the only one who had fallen under their spell. Draco Malfoy couldn't remove his eyes from the redhead; only he let his feelings be known. He let out a loud whistle and smiled when she looked at him. Harry could only shake his head and roll his eyes.

Dumbledore cleared his throat and any talking died. "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts," He began, "This year is going to be very different from any previous years, we have hired more staff this year to patrol the grounds for the safety of you, the students." Harry took note of Professor Lupin who sat at the staff table. He smiled at Harry. Next to him were four other people Harry did not recognize, and standing behind the table were two people, a woman and a man. They looked a great deal like the new girls, so Harry guessed them to be their parents. They looked very serious and professional dressed in all black robes, studying each and every students face, as though trying to memorize them. The woman's glance stopped at Harry and she studied his face very intently, her eyes landing on his scar. She said something to the man and he too looked at Harry.

"So, other than the new additions to our staff, and restrictions," Dumbledore turned his gaze toward Harry and Ron as he said this, the familiar twinkle in his eye, "We should have a very fun and interesting school year a head of us. Let the sorting begin."

One by one each nervous first year was sorted and sent to sit at their house table, greeted with applause. The last two to be sorted were the new girls. "Jessica Pickering," called the tatty old wizard hat. The blonde stepped forward, hardly showing any fear and the hat was placed on her head. Her parents turned their attention from the rest of students to the sorting. After a few moments the hat bellowed, "Gryffindor!" Harry stood up with the rest of the table, clapping and cheering. Jessica took a seat next to him, and smiled. He smiled back, blushing furiously.

"Sara Pickering!" it was the other one's turn. The hat took only a few moments before placing her in Slytherin, Draco was extremely pleased. He pushed Crabbe over one seat to make room for Sara. She smiled at him and reached to shake his hand, but he kissed hers. She laughed.

"Let the feast begin," Dumbledore said and so it did. Everyone at the Gryffindor table was talking at once, asking Jessica questions about the famous school she had attended, her parents, and herself. Every time Neville Longbottom came to ask her something, he would stumble over his words and hurry back to his seat. Jessica seemed very comfortable with all the attention, and answered everyone's question. The only person not talking to her was Hermione. She's jealous, Harry thought. Hermione just glared at the new comer like she was invading something sacred. If looks could kill.