Chapter One.
It was around ten forty five that morning. The first day of school. Another year at Hogwarts. Harry's final year. He could remember it like yesterday, Hagrid telling him he was a wizard. It had all seemed like a dream come true. During his wizardry years, though, he had come to realize, it was'nt all that it was cut out to be. At least for Harry Potter, the boy who lived.
It seemed to Harry that trouble always followed him or him trouble. Either way he was always in danger and having to get out of impossible situations. Every year there was at least two things trying to kill him or get to him. It was either Draco Malfoy or some one else. Harry wished that one year, at least his last year, he would not be the one people were after. He wished he was not the one Lord Voldemort wanted for at least one year.
Harry listened to the sounds of people on the train run ways. He heard the familiar voice of an old friend. He walked towards the red head. Ron turned and smiled at him. He strolled forward and held out his hand. "Hello Harry." Ron said in a cheerful voice. "Its been a long summer." They shook hands. Normally they spent the summer together. This year Harry spent it with his Godfather.
"That it has." Harry said and pulled his hand away. He looked at his watch. It was nearly time for the train to leave. "We better get going. Where are Ginny and your parents?" Harry asked, looking around. Usually the Weasley's all waited while all their children went through. Now only two were going to Hogwarts, he suspected they must have thought Ron could handle getting through on his own. Of course he could, he had been going through it for seven years now.
"They went on through with Ginny and Hermione. They're going to save us seats." Ron said and walked back to his cart. "Well, we better get going." He said and turned it around. "You can go first." Ron said and nodded towards the pillar that was the gate way to platform nine and three-quarters.
"Thanks." Harry said and pushed his cart forward a little. He checked all around to make sure no one was watching and ran towards the pillar. He remembered the first time he had done this. He thought for sure he was going to run into the wall.
Harry went straight through to the other side. He pushed his cart forward and to the side. He looked around and waited for Ron to come through. Ron came out of the wall and smiled. Smoke and steam was every where. "Don't you just love the smell of smoke in the morning."
Harry smiled too. "Yes, it gets me every time." He said and they pushed their carts forward looking through the windows of the train searching for Ginny and Hermione. They soon found them waving quickly to get their attention.
After getting their things loaded and tucked away safely they now sat in their cabin talking. Harry did'nt feel like talking, He was tired. Sirius and he had stayed up all night talking. Sirius finally had been cleared of all charges. To Harry's surprise he moved in with him towards the end of the summer. It seemed as if Sirius had been keeping something from him. He acted like he was bursting to tell him, but did'nt want to say yet.
"Harry, did you like Fred's birthday gift?" Ron asked and smiled.
How could Harry forget it. Harry had answered all there questions about Muggle things. They had given him a pair of fluffy dice and a card that said 'For your Firebolt'. "Yes I loved it." Harry said and smiled.
Hermione and Ginny were having their own conversation. It seemed they were very interested about something. Ron looked at them for a moment before finally asking. "So what is it you two are so caught up in?"
Harry looked at both of them, he was interested too. They turned away from each other and looked at the two of them in turn. "You have'nt heard?" Hermione asked and smiled as if she was pleased to know, what ever it was, before them.
"No." Harry said and propped his arm up on the window seal. "Heard what?"
Ginny took over. "Well, there is supposed to be a new girl. She is in your year I believe. I think she is an exchange student or something from America. I heard she was in the back of the train with the new DADA teacher."
"Since when did you become so interested with gossip?" Ron asked and folded his arms. He clearly did'nt understand girls.
"I have always been interested in gossip. I just do not tell it to you because your a boy and my brother." Ginny said and smiled. "Well, I think I'll go see if Mark is some where near." Ginny and Mark, another Gryffindor, had been dating since last year. "Maybe he would like to go meet the new girl." Ginny left the cabin.
Hermione smiled and stood up. "Do you two want to go meet the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher?" She asked them.
"Sure." Ron said and stood up. "Come on Harry lets go help Hermione get in good with the next teacher." He joked and Hermione hit his shoulder. Although they did'nt try to hide it any more, every one knew they were going out.
"Ok." Harry said and stood up. He wanted to know who the new teacher was too. Every year they got a new one. The job was said to be cursed.
The three of them walked to the back of the train. Ron knocked on the door and then walked in. Harry followed and stopped in his tracks at the man sitting on one side of the train. "Sirius!" He yelled and stepped forward. "You are the new teacher?"
"Yep." Sirius said and stood up. He walked forward and gave Harry a short hug.
Harry smiled and scanned the room. There was a girl sitting by the window. She wore black pants, a black jacket, and a white shirt. She had long smooth curly-wavy, yet tamed red hair. She sat with her legs crossed and her arm propped on the window. Her hand was on her head and she was starring out the window. She seemed either sad or thinking of something.
Ron and Sirius were talking. They finished and Sirius stepped forward in front of the girl. "Every one I would like you to meet Cathren West." He said and she turned her head to look at them.
Her eyes were the brightest green Harry had ever seen. The feeling you got when you looked at her was that she was strong and well brought up. Like she would never back down from a challenge or fight.
"Cathren this is Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger." Sirius finished the introduction and sat down.
Cathren stood up and walked forward. She held out her hand for them to shake. Harry was the first to shake her hand. "So your the famous Harry Potter, pleasure to meet you." She said in a happy tone and she took on a more cheerful look. "I believe I speak for most of America when I say, thank you for your work against Lord Voldemort."
Harry did'nt know what to say. He did'nt know people in America knew about him or Lord Voldemort. He wondered if they called Voldemort, He Who Must Not Be Named or You Know Who. He really did'nt consider it a job either, more like a curse.
"You are welcome. But, you have to thank my friends here too. They helped quite allot." Harry said and smiled.
"Thank you." Cathren said and nodded.
"Are there many schools of witchcraft and wizardry in America?" Hermione asked her. That was Hermione for you.
"Four all together." Cathren said and moved back to her seat. "The one I go to is in Tennessee. It is called Night Owl."
"Well if it is not the Potter fans." A mocking voice from behind called. Every one not facing the door turned to see a tall blond boy leaning against the wall.
"What do you want Malfoy?" Ron asked in a tone of despise. It was common knowledge that the Malfoys and Weasleys did not get along.
"I came to meet the new girl. Of course I already knew about the new teacher." Draco said and strolled forward. He reached down and took Cathren's hand. He raised it up to kiss it. Cathren pulled her hand away.
Cathren smiled an amused smile. "I don't even know your name." Cathren said and Draco stood up straight.
He took on a proud pose. Harry almost laughed out loud. He was trying to impress the girl. "My name is Draco Malfoy." He said and stuck out his hand. He expected her to put her's in his.
"That is a nice name." She said and looked at his hand. "You must be the rich Malfoys?" Cathren asked and looked interested.
"I see our reputation proceeds us." Draco said.
"No not really, but now I know you are a proud person, there for you must be a Slytherin." Cathren said and looked at Harry. She smiled and looked back at Draco. "My name is Cathren West and I do not like Slytherins."
Draco turned and stormed out of the cabin. Harry felt like asking if any one thought he was mad.
All three friends sat down and began a conversation with Cathren. After a while Hermione decided it was time for them to change into their school robes. "Are you going to change?" Hermione asked when she realized Cathren was'nt standing up.
"I don't know what house I am in yet." Cathren said and smiled. "See you all at school."
Harry sat at the Gryffindor table with his friends. The first years one by one were sorted. Professor McGonagall stood by the stool and closed the parchment. She then looked down at the last student standing. "Cathren West." She said and lifted the Sorting Hat.
Cathren walked up the steps and sat on the stool, still in her pants and jacket. Professor McGonagall placed the hat on her head. It seemed like forever. Then the hat shouted out, "Gryffindor!"
A loud cheer erupted from every table but Slytherin. Cathren stood up and pulled her wand out. She waved it over her head and her clothes changed into her school uniform. There was a cheer and she walked to the Gryffindor table and sat down. Professor Dumbledore stood and looked around. He gave the order and food appeared on the table. The feast began.
After the feast Harry, Hermione, and Ron walked down the hall to the Common Room. Professor McGonagall turned the corner and stopped. Harry knew, it had begun, he was in trouble. McGonagall always made that face when he was in trouble.
"Mr. Potter, follow me." She said and walked passed him. She stopped then waited.
Harry looked at his friends and shrugged. He then turned and followed McGonagall. "What is it Professor?" Harry asked as they headed towards the statue that led to Professor Dumbledore's office.
"The Headmaster wishes to see you." She said and stood in front of the statue. "Pickled Peppermint." The statue began to move and she stepped a side.
Harry knew this route all to well. He stepped on the moving stair case and road it up to the top. When it finally came to a stop he stepped off and walked to the door that led to Dumbledore's office. He knocked on the door and waited. He heard some one say come in and the door opened by itself. Harry stepped in and shut the door behind him.
Dumbledor smiled and put a book back on a shelf. "Hello Harry." He said in a cheerful voice. He walked down the steps to his desk.
"Is something wrong Professor?" Harry asked and stepped forward towards the desk. Out of the corner of his eye he saw some one coming down the steps. He looked over and saw Cathren.
"Harry," Dumbledore said and Harry looked back at him. Dumbledore smiled an amused smile. He then motioned towards Cathren. "I would like you to meet my Grandniece."
* * *
Chapter two
At first Harry did'nt know what to say. He did'nt know Dumbledore had a niece or what ever relation she was to him. With out thinking however a question flew out of his mouth. "A what?" Harry asked and looked back at Cathren. She was standing at the bottom of the steps with her hand on the railing.
"I had a sister, who had a daughter, who had a son, who had Cathren." Dumbledore chuckled and sat down in his chair. "Hardly any one knows I had a sister. She moved to America when she was young and I lost contact with her over the years." He explained looking from Harry to Cathren. "Harry, I called you here to give you a job for the week. Will you be so kind as to show Cathren around the school? But, please do not tell any one, I would'nt want the students or some of the teachers, who do not know, to go easy on her or think I am going easy on her."
Harry thought for a moment. He did'nt know why he was thinking about it. A chance to spend a week with a pretty girl was hard to pass up. But, why him? Of course, everything had to do with him. "Sure." Harry finally said and smiled. "Is that all Professor?"
"That is all Harry." Dumbledore said and nodded. "Cathren go on to your Common Room and get settled in. Harry you know the way." Dumbledore went to work on something on his desk.
Cathren walked over to him. She seemed happier than on the train. "Shall we go?" She asked in an amused manner.
"Yeah," Harry said and they walked side by side to the door. Harry opened it and they stepped out. "So why have you come to Hogwarts?" Harry asked interested on why she would leave her family and her friends.
Cathren's demeanor changed. She went from cheerful to relaxed then angry or sad. Either one it made her look like she could take you out with a single glance. "My parents were in an accident. I am here to live with the only living relative I have." She said and looked at him. "This is a lovely castle." Harry nodded. "Don't feel sorry for me. It happens."
"I know." Harry said and nodded again. "Do you have a castle for a school?" Harry asked and looked forwards down the hall.
"No not really. It is big enough to be a castle. Its more of an extremely huge prep school with a football field as a Quiditch field. Please tell me you have a team here." She said and seemed happy again.
"As a matter of fact we do. I am the Capitan for Gryffindor, do you play?" Harry asked wondering if she did. She seemed muscled enough for it.
"I play, some years I am beater and others I am chaser." Cathren said and smiled. "I hope there is an opening?" She asked intently.
Harry thought for a moment. "There is an opening as a beater." He said and smiled. "Ron is the other beater. He has come up with the strangest way to try out, though. It all started when Malfoy challenged him to a chicken run with a wall. He said that is how we can tell who will be a beater. You can't be afraid of being hit or hitting something so, play chicken with a wall. It also helps determine your reaction time and flight skill. We do it for fun sometimes, though."
"I'll have to try it." Cathren admitted and looked at a picture on the wall. "I love how bright and cheerful this place is." She commented.
At that moment they rounded the corner just as Professor Snape did. He came to a stop and sneered at Harry. Harry just stood calm. He had come to realize Snape would never take it easy on him. He had gotten used to him. Now what ever he said went in one ear and out the other, some times.
"What are you out and about for Potter?" Snape asked and stared at him for a while. He then turned to Cathren. "If I were you Miss West I would not befriend this boy, he has a nack for getting in trouble."
"I will see what I can do, Professor." Cathren said and looked up at Snape with a smirk.
"Why are you two in the halls at this time any way?" Snape asked, his glare returning to Harry.
"We were just coming back from Professor Dumbledore's office." Harry said and looked at Cathren. "He wanted me to show Cathren to the Common Room."
Snape sneered a final time then looked at them in turn. "Be off with you then." He said and stormed away.
"Grumpy man, that Professor Snape." She said and smiled.
Harry smiled to. "Yep, worst in class." He said and they headed up the steps.
"When will try outs be for Quiditch?" Cathren asked as they headed towards the Fat Lady portrait.
"In a week I think." Harry said and walked to the portrait. "Gob-stopper." The portrait opened and they stepped inside.
*
During the week Harry showed Cathren around the school and to all her classes. She and Hermione became very close. They became good study buddies. Harry and Ron though kept to themselves. It felt strange to let some one else into there circle that had held so strong for so many years. Hermione and Cathren were always running to the library when they were free. It was time for try outs. It seemed Slythren picked the same days to do try outs for their team. Harry was deciding weather to reschedule or not. He hovered in the air thinking about things.
Harry looked around the Quiditch field. There were people flying around every where. Harry decided it was the day for try outs. He flew down to the waiting two people. They were trying out for beater. Cathren and a second year named Brandon were standing side by side.
"Well?" Ron asked and propped up on his broom. "What are we going to do?" He looked at Harry then at the two try outs. They were talking about something.
"We will have try outs today. Malfoy will just have to get over it." Harry said and looked at the two of them. "Follow us." They walked to the middle of the field and faced the wall. "Who ever is the last to turn away from the wall in the safest maneuver or best maneuver, plus beating away the Bludger, gets the position."
"Why don't you give them a bigger challenge Potter?" Draco asked as he walked forward. "Why don't you race each of them against me?" He propped up on his broom and looked Harry in the eye. "Scared I'll hurt your new recruiters?"
"This is none of your business, Malfoy?" Ron said and stepped forward. "Why don't you tend to your own team, there going to need it this year."
"Was I talking to you Weasley?" Draco asked and turned back to Harry. "Well? Are you scared?" He asked and smiled his smile.
"I'm not scared. It is up to them though." Harry said and looked at the two. "Do you want to?" He asked them.
Brandon was the first to speak. "I'll do it." He said and stepped forward. "Let me go first."
"There." Draco said and smiled. "Let the boy go first."
Harry disregarded the word boy and nodded. It was by his own choice that he was doing this. Harry had to admit, though, Draco was a good flier.
Brandon and Draco stood side by side and mounted their brooms. Ron gave the signal and they took off flying at the wall. Draco hit the Bludger first, aiming it at Brandon. Brandon hit it away, but when he turned he did'nt have time to turn his handle, he hit the wall. Draco, laughing, pulled away.
Harry, Ron and Cathren ran forward and knelt by Brandon. "Are you ok?" They asked him. Brandon stood up and looked at them.
"I am, I'll be going to the hospital now. My arm hurts." He said and walked forward.
"Do you want us to come with you?" Ron asked and walked with him.
"No." He said shortly and angrily. "I'm fine." He then walked off with out looking back.
Draco still hovering in the air on his broom flew forward. "Guess that leaves you." He said and looked at Cathren. "Scared?"
Harry looked at Cathren. She was angry about Draco tricking that boy. She stormed to the starting point. "Not in the least." She said in a cool manner. She mounted her broom and flicked her braid to the back. "Are you?" She began to hover in the air.
Ron gave the signal and they shot towards the wall. Draco got the Bludger first. He hit it towards Cathren, trying to pull the same trick. She hit it back at Draco, hitting him and knocking him off his broom. At the same time moving to stand on her handle, with one hand still clinging on. She forced her broom up and vertical on the wall. She flew up the wall and upside down. She spun in the air and flew back to the ground.
Harry and Ron both ran forward. "Your in!" Ron said and smiled. "That was cool. Who taught you to fly like that?"
"My father." Cathren said and smiled.
"You fly good." Ron said and looked at Harry. "Oh great here we go." Ron muttered as Draco made it over towards them.
Draco glared at Cathren. He dropped his broom and lunged forward. A big arm stuck out in front of him and shoved him back. "What were you about to do?" Sirius asked and looked at Draco. "Not about to attack a girl were you?"
"No sir." Draco said and stepped back. Crabbe and Goyle were coming along about that time. "I was going to shake her hand." He lied and smiled.
"Thats not what it looked like from up there." Sirius said and looked at him closely. He had been on his broom watching and supervising the whole time. "Run along." He said and Draco turned.
Harry, before they walked off, could have sworn Draco said. "I'll get her back."
"Well, how are you today Harry?" Sirius asked and smiled.
"Good." Harry said and smiled back.
"Is this your new beater?" Sirius asked them and looked at Cathren.
"You bet." Ron said and nudged Harry.
"I am? You mean it?" She asked and smiled. It looked like she was going to lung forward and hug them both.
Harry smiled. "Of course we mean it." He said and looked at his watch. "Its about time we get to the hall. Lunch, I'm starving."
"Bye, Sirius." Ron and Harry said at the same time and walked out of the Quiditch stadium.
During lunch Cathren sat by Hermione. They were discussing books. They both stood up and grabbed there things. "Where are you two going?" Ron asked and smiled.
"To the library to look things up." Hermione said and she and Cathren walked away.
"Oh great, Hermione found her twin." Ron said and turned to Harry. "So what do you think of the new girl?"
Harry smiled and sat his spoon down. "She is a good flier and pretty smart. I think she is friendly." Harry said and leaned on the table. "I thought I heard Malfoy say he was going to get her back when he was walking off. I wounder what he is going to do?"
"I don't know, but she strikes me as the type that can handle herself." Ron said and took a sip of his drink. "There is something funny about her though. Do you notice how she seems so... I don't know... different from every one?"
"No not really. After all she is an American and we live here. She is different in a way." Harry said and shoved his plate forward. Ron did the same and they stood up. They walked out of the Great Hall and into the hall way. "What do you mean?"
"I don't know. Just something... different." He said and they stepped out side.
*
Harry sat in potions class taking notes. Snape was being his usual bring hell to all Gryffindors self. Snape finally sat in his chair and looked at them. "Potter, help Miss West gather the ingredients out of the closet." Harry stood up and walked with Cathren to the closet. As they passed Draco, Harry noticed he had a devious grin on his face. He wondered why.
Cathren reached up and pulled the closet open. There was a loud gasp and a couple of screams as a hooded figure stepped out of the closet and rose its head. Even Snape backed off a little at seeing Voldemort come out of a closet. He looked around then focused on Cathren. He made his way towards her. Harry saw her face light with fear. Voldemort stopped and reached out a hand.
Why would Lord Voldemort hide in a closet? It was'nt Voldemort. But, what? Then it hit him. A boggart. Harry reached for his wand and stepped forward. Then Voldemort turned to him. It did'nt change because they were both scared of the same thing. "Riddikulus" Harry yelled and the boggart popped away. Cathren looked at him for a moment. She still had the look of terror on her face.
Cathren turned and walked quickly out of the room. Harry turned to Professor Snape. He was standing up looking as if wondering what to do. Harry then looked at Malfoy. He was smiling and talking to Crabbe and Goyle. He had put a boggart in the closet to scare her. It had worked. But, why would she be that afraid of Voldemort?
Snape looked at them all and in a heavy voice said. "Class dismissed." Every one walked out of the class room quietly.
Harry met Ron and Hermione out side. They were waiting on him. "What was that all about?" Ron asked as they walked down the hall.
"I think Malfoy put a boggart in the closet." Harry said and ran his fingers through his hair. He could'nt get the look of fear on her face out of his head. "He was smiling before she opened the door."
"How did he get a boggart?" Hermione asked and looked at them. "I mean they are pretty hard to get."
"Maybe he stunned one or something." Ron said and looked at her. "Can you do that?"
"I think so." Hermione nodded.
Harry stopped and looked at them. "What I want to know is... why is she afraid of Voldemort?" Harry asked and looked out the window. Then he looked back at them.
"Harry, there are plenty of people afraid of him. Especially now that he is back. Maybe she is not afraid of anything else." Hermione said and looked at him closely. "Come on we will be late for class."
Harry and his friends walked to there next class talking together. They entered the class room for Defense Against the Dark Arts. Harry saw Cathren talking about something with Sirius he was nodding. He wrote something down on a peace of paper and she took it. Then she headed for the door. She walked passed him and looked in his eyes for a moment, the fear was gone replaced by anger.
Every one was seated and Sirius stood in the front of the room. "I am going to read you something from a book. It is a sort of poem. It is a prophecy of sorts. Your job, to figure out the meaning." He opened the book and looked at all of them. "Her holy light will engulf them whole, setting free there wicked souls. Showing them there long lost past, all the evil that has passed, all the wrong that they have done, until all is finally done, leaving only light, moon and sun. Of course that is only a passage from a very long poem."
The room was quite. Hermione was righting it down and then she looked up. "What is it called, Professor?" She asked and he smiled.
"The Keeper of Light." Sirius said and shut the book. He looked at Harry for a long moment.
* * *
It was around ten forty five that morning. The first day of school. Another year at Hogwarts. Harry's final year. He could remember it like yesterday, Hagrid telling him he was a wizard. It had all seemed like a dream come true. During his wizardry years, though, he had come to realize, it was'nt all that it was cut out to be. At least for Harry Potter, the boy who lived.
It seemed to Harry that trouble always followed him or him trouble. Either way he was always in danger and having to get out of impossible situations. Every year there was at least two things trying to kill him or get to him. It was either Draco Malfoy or some one else. Harry wished that one year, at least his last year, he would not be the one people were after. He wished he was not the one Lord Voldemort wanted for at least one year.
Harry listened to the sounds of people on the train run ways. He heard the familiar voice of an old friend. He walked towards the red head. Ron turned and smiled at him. He strolled forward and held out his hand. "Hello Harry." Ron said in a cheerful voice. "Its been a long summer." They shook hands. Normally they spent the summer together. This year Harry spent it with his Godfather.
"That it has." Harry said and pulled his hand away. He looked at his watch. It was nearly time for the train to leave. "We better get going. Where are Ginny and your parents?" Harry asked, looking around. Usually the Weasley's all waited while all their children went through. Now only two were going to Hogwarts, he suspected they must have thought Ron could handle getting through on his own. Of course he could, he had been going through it for seven years now.
"They went on through with Ginny and Hermione. They're going to save us seats." Ron said and walked back to his cart. "Well, we better get going." He said and turned it around. "You can go first." Ron said and nodded towards the pillar that was the gate way to platform nine and three-quarters.
"Thanks." Harry said and pushed his cart forward a little. He checked all around to make sure no one was watching and ran towards the pillar. He remembered the first time he had done this. He thought for sure he was going to run into the wall.
Harry went straight through to the other side. He pushed his cart forward and to the side. He looked around and waited for Ron to come through. Ron came out of the wall and smiled. Smoke and steam was every where. "Don't you just love the smell of smoke in the morning."
Harry smiled too. "Yes, it gets me every time." He said and they pushed their carts forward looking through the windows of the train searching for Ginny and Hermione. They soon found them waving quickly to get their attention.
After getting their things loaded and tucked away safely they now sat in their cabin talking. Harry did'nt feel like talking, He was tired. Sirius and he had stayed up all night talking. Sirius finally had been cleared of all charges. To Harry's surprise he moved in with him towards the end of the summer. It seemed as if Sirius had been keeping something from him. He acted like he was bursting to tell him, but did'nt want to say yet.
"Harry, did you like Fred's birthday gift?" Ron asked and smiled.
How could Harry forget it. Harry had answered all there questions about Muggle things. They had given him a pair of fluffy dice and a card that said 'For your Firebolt'. "Yes I loved it." Harry said and smiled.
Hermione and Ginny were having their own conversation. It seemed they were very interested about something. Ron looked at them for a moment before finally asking. "So what is it you two are so caught up in?"
Harry looked at both of them, he was interested too. They turned away from each other and looked at the two of them in turn. "You have'nt heard?" Hermione asked and smiled as if she was pleased to know, what ever it was, before them.
"No." Harry said and propped his arm up on the window seal. "Heard what?"
Ginny took over. "Well, there is supposed to be a new girl. She is in your year I believe. I think she is an exchange student or something from America. I heard she was in the back of the train with the new DADA teacher."
"Since when did you become so interested with gossip?" Ron asked and folded his arms. He clearly did'nt understand girls.
"I have always been interested in gossip. I just do not tell it to you because your a boy and my brother." Ginny said and smiled. "Well, I think I'll go see if Mark is some where near." Ginny and Mark, another Gryffindor, had been dating since last year. "Maybe he would like to go meet the new girl." Ginny left the cabin.
Hermione smiled and stood up. "Do you two want to go meet the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher?" She asked them.
"Sure." Ron said and stood up. "Come on Harry lets go help Hermione get in good with the next teacher." He joked and Hermione hit his shoulder. Although they did'nt try to hide it any more, every one knew they were going out.
"Ok." Harry said and stood up. He wanted to know who the new teacher was too. Every year they got a new one. The job was said to be cursed.
The three of them walked to the back of the train. Ron knocked on the door and then walked in. Harry followed and stopped in his tracks at the man sitting on one side of the train. "Sirius!" He yelled and stepped forward. "You are the new teacher?"
"Yep." Sirius said and stood up. He walked forward and gave Harry a short hug.
Harry smiled and scanned the room. There was a girl sitting by the window. She wore black pants, a black jacket, and a white shirt. She had long smooth curly-wavy, yet tamed red hair. She sat with her legs crossed and her arm propped on the window. Her hand was on her head and she was starring out the window. She seemed either sad or thinking of something.
Ron and Sirius were talking. They finished and Sirius stepped forward in front of the girl. "Every one I would like you to meet Cathren West." He said and she turned her head to look at them.
Her eyes were the brightest green Harry had ever seen. The feeling you got when you looked at her was that she was strong and well brought up. Like she would never back down from a challenge or fight.
"Cathren this is Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger." Sirius finished the introduction and sat down.
Cathren stood up and walked forward. She held out her hand for them to shake. Harry was the first to shake her hand. "So your the famous Harry Potter, pleasure to meet you." She said in a happy tone and she took on a more cheerful look. "I believe I speak for most of America when I say, thank you for your work against Lord Voldemort."
Harry did'nt know what to say. He did'nt know people in America knew about him or Lord Voldemort. He wondered if they called Voldemort, He Who Must Not Be Named or You Know Who. He really did'nt consider it a job either, more like a curse.
"You are welcome. But, you have to thank my friends here too. They helped quite allot." Harry said and smiled.
"Thank you." Cathren said and nodded.
"Are there many schools of witchcraft and wizardry in America?" Hermione asked her. That was Hermione for you.
"Four all together." Cathren said and moved back to her seat. "The one I go to is in Tennessee. It is called Night Owl."
"Well if it is not the Potter fans." A mocking voice from behind called. Every one not facing the door turned to see a tall blond boy leaning against the wall.
"What do you want Malfoy?" Ron asked in a tone of despise. It was common knowledge that the Malfoys and Weasleys did not get along.
"I came to meet the new girl. Of course I already knew about the new teacher." Draco said and strolled forward. He reached down and took Cathren's hand. He raised it up to kiss it. Cathren pulled her hand away.
Cathren smiled an amused smile. "I don't even know your name." Cathren said and Draco stood up straight.
He took on a proud pose. Harry almost laughed out loud. He was trying to impress the girl. "My name is Draco Malfoy." He said and stuck out his hand. He expected her to put her's in his.
"That is a nice name." She said and looked at his hand. "You must be the rich Malfoys?" Cathren asked and looked interested.
"I see our reputation proceeds us." Draco said.
"No not really, but now I know you are a proud person, there for you must be a Slytherin." Cathren said and looked at Harry. She smiled and looked back at Draco. "My name is Cathren West and I do not like Slytherins."
Draco turned and stormed out of the cabin. Harry felt like asking if any one thought he was mad.
All three friends sat down and began a conversation with Cathren. After a while Hermione decided it was time for them to change into their school robes. "Are you going to change?" Hermione asked when she realized Cathren was'nt standing up.
"I don't know what house I am in yet." Cathren said and smiled. "See you all at school."
Harry sat at the Gryffindor table with his friends. The first years one by one were sorted. Professor McGonagall stood by the stool and closed the parchment. She then looked down at the last student standing. "Cathren West." She said and lifted the Sorting Hat.
Cathren walked up the steps and sat on the stool, still in her pants and jacket. Professor McGonagall placed the hat on her head. It seemed like forever. Then the hat shouted out, "Gryffindor!"
A loud cheer erupted from every table but Slytherin. Cathren stood up and pulled her wand out. She waved it over her head and her clothes changed into her school uniform. There was a cheer and she walked to the Gryffindor table and sat down. Professor Dumbledore stood and looked around. He gave the order and food appeared on the table. The feast began.
After the feast Harry, Hermione, and Ron walked down the hall to the Common Room. Professor McGonagall turned the corner and stopped. Harry knew, it had begun, he was in trouble. McGonagall always made that face when he was in trouble.
"Mr. Potter, follow me." She said and walked passed him. She stopped then waited.
Harry looked at his friends and shrugged. He then turned and followed McGonagall. "What is it Professor?" Harry asked as they headed towards the statue that led to Professor Dumbledore's office.
"The Headmaster wishes to see you." She said and stood in front of the statue. "Pickled Peppermint." The statue began to move and she stepped a side.
Harry knew this route all to well. He stepped on the moving stair case and road it up to the top. When it finally came to a stop he stepped off and walked to the door that led to Dumbledore's office. He knocked on the door and waited. He heard some one say come in and the door opened by itself. Harry stepped in and shut the door behind him.
Dumbledor smiled and put a book back on a shelf. "Hello Harry." He said in a cheerful voice. He walked down the steps to his desk.
"Is something wrong Professor?" Harry asked and stepped forward towards the desk. Out of the corner of his eye he saw some one coming down the steps. He looked over and saw Cathren.
"Harry," Dumbledore said and Harry looked back at him. Dumbledore smiled an amused smile. He then motioned towards Cathren. "I would like you to meet my Grandniece."
* * *
Chapter two
At first Harry did'nt know what to say. He did'nt know Dumbledore had a niece or what ever relation she was to him. With out thinking however a question flew out of his mouth. "A what?" Harry asked and looked back at Cathren. She was standing at the bottom of the steps with her hand on the railing.
"I had a sister, who had a daughter, who had a son, who had Cathren." Dumbledore chuckled and sat down in his chair. "Hardly any one knows I had a sister. She moved to America when she was young and I lost contact with her over the years." He explained looking from Harry to Cathren. "Harry, I called you here to give you a job for the week. Will you be so kind as to show Cathren around the school? But, please do not tell any one, I would'nt want the students or some of the teachers, who do not know, to go easy on her or think I am going easy on her."
Harry thought for a moment. He did'nt know why he was thinking about it. A chance to spend a week with a pretty girl was hard to pass up. But, why him? Of course, everything had to do with him. "Sure." Harry finally said and smiled. "Is that all Professor?"
"That is all Harry." Dumbledore said and nodded. "Cathren go on to your Common Room and get settled in. Harry you know the way." Dumbledore went to work on something on his desk.
Cathren walked over to him. She seemed happier than on the train. "Shall we go?" She asked in an amused manner.
"Yeah," Harry said and they walked side by side to the door. Harry opened it and they stepped out. "So why have you come to Hogwarts?" Harry asked interested on why she would leave her family and her friends.
Cathren's demeanor changed. She went from cheerful to relaxed then angry or sad. Either one it made her look like she could take you out with a single glance. "My parents were in an accident. I am here to live with the only living relative I have." She said and looked at him. "This is a lovely castle." Harry nodded. "Don't feel sorry for me. It happens."
"I know." Harry said and nodded again. "Do you have a castle for a school?" Harry asked and looked forwards down the hall.
"No not really. It is big enough to be a castle. Its more of an extremely huge prep school with a football field as a Quiditch field. Please tell me you have a team here." She said and seemed happy again.
"As a matter of fact we do. I am the Capitan for Gryffindor, do you play?" Harry asked wondering if she did. She seemed muscled enough for it.
"I play, some years I am beater and others I am chaser." Cathren said and smiled. "I hope there is an opening?" She asked intently.
Harry thought for a moment. "There is an opening as a beater." He said and smiled. "Ron is the other beater. He has come up with the strangest way to try out, though. It all started when Malfoy challenged him to a chicken run with a wall. He said that is how we can tell who will be a beater. You can't be afraid of being hit or hitting something so, play chicken with a wall. It also helps determine your reaction time and flight skill. We do it for fun sometimes, though."
"I'll have to try it." Cathren admitted and looked at a picture on the wall. "I love how bright and cheerful this place is." She commented.
At that moment they rounded the corner just as Professor Snape did. He came to a stop and sneered at Harry. Harry just stood calm. He had come to realize Snape would never take it easy on him. He had gotten used to him. Now what ever he said went in one ear and out the other, some times.
"What are you out and about for Potter?" Snape asked and stared at him for a while. He then turned to Cathren. "If I were you Miss West I would not befriend this boy, he has a nack for getting in trouble."
"I will see what I can do, Professor." Cathren said and looked up at Snape with a smirk.
"Why are you two in the halls at this time any way?" Snape asked, his glare returning to Harry.
"We were just coming back from Professor Dumbledore's office." Harry said and looked at Cathren. "He wanted me to show Cathren to the Common Room."
Snape sneered a final time then looked at them in turn. "Be off with you then." He said and stormed away.
"Grumpy man, that Professor Snape." She said and smiled.
Harry smiled to. "Yep, worst in class." He said and they headed up the steps.
"When will try outs be for Quiditch?" Cathren asked as they headed towards the Fat Lady portrait.
"In a week I think." Harry said and walked to the portrait. "Gob-stopper." The portrait opened and they stepped inside.
*
During the week Harry showed Cathren around the school and to all her classes. She and Hermione became very close. They became good study buddies. Harry and Ron though kept to themselves. It felt strange to let some one else into there circle that had held so strong for so many years. Hermione and Cathren were always running to the library when they were free. It was time for try outs. It seemed Slythren picked the same days to do try outs for their team. Harry was deciding weather to reschedule or not. He hovered in the air thinking about things.
Harry looked around the Quiditch field. There were people flying around every where. Harry decided it was the day for try outs. He flew down to the waiting two people. They were trying out for beater. Cathren and a second year named Brandon were standing side by side.
"Well?" Ron asked and propped up on his broom. "What are we going to do?" He looked at Harry then at the two try outs. They were talking about something.
"We will have try outs today. Malfoy will just have to get over it." Harry said and looked at the two of them. "Follow us." They walked to the middle of the field and faced the wall. "Who ever is the last to turn away from the wall in the safest maneuver or best maneuver, plus beating away the Bludger, gets the position."
"Why don't you give them a bigger challenge Potter?" Draco asked as he walked forward. "Why don't you race each of them against me?" He propped up on his broom and looked Harry in the eye. "Scared I'll hurt your new recruiters?"
"This is none of your business, Malfoy?" Ron said and stepped forward. "Why don't you tend to your own team, there going to need it this year."
"Was I talking to you Weasley?" Draco asked and turned back to Harry. "Well? Are you scared?" He asked and smiled his smile.
"I'm not scared. It is up to them though." Harry said and looked at the two. "Do you want to?" He asked them.
Brandon was the first to speak. "I'll do it." He said and stepped forward. "Let me go first."
"There." Draco said and smiled. "Let the boy go first."
Harry disregarded the word boy and nodded. It was by his own choice that he was doing this. Harry had to admit, though, Draco was a good flier.
Brandon and Draco stood side by side and mounted their brooms. Ron gave the signal and they took off flying at the wall. Draco hit the Bludger first, aiming it at Brandon. Brandon hit it away, but when he turned he did'nt have time to turn his handle, he hit the wall. Draco, laughing, pulled away.
Harry, Ron and Cathren ran forward and knelt by Brandon. "Are you ok?" They asked him. Brandon stood up and looked at them.
"I am, I'll be going to the hospital now. My arm hurts." He said and walked forward.
"Do you want us to come with you?" Ron asked and walked with him.
"No." He said shortly and angrily. "I'm fine." He then walked off with out looking back.
Draco still hovering in the air on his broom flew forward. "Guess that leaves you." He said and looked at Cathren. "Scared?"
Harry looked at Cathren. She was angry about Draco tricking that boy. She stormed to the starting point. "Not in the least." She said in a cool manner. She mounted her broom and flicked her braid to the back. "Are you?" She began to hover in the air.
Ron gave the signal and they shot towards the wall. Draco got the Bludger first. He hit it towards Cathren, trying to pull the same trick. She hit it back at Draco, hitting him and knocking him off his broom. At the same time moving to stand on her handle, with one hand still clinging on. She forced her broom up and vertical on the wall. She flew up the wall and upside down. She spun in the air and flew back to the ground.
Harry and Ron both ran forward. "Your in!" Ron said and smiled. "That was cool. Who taught you to fly like that?"
"My father." Cathren said and smiled.
"You fly good." Ron said and looked at Harry. "Oh great here we go." Ron muttered as Draco made it over towards them.
Draco glared at Cathren. He dropped his broom and lunged forward. A big arm stuck out in front of him and shoved him back. "What were you about to do?" Sirius asked and looked at Draco. "Not about to attack a girl were you?"
"No sir." Draco said and stepped back. Crabbe and Goyle were coming along about that time. "I was going to shake her hand." He lied and smiled.
"Thats not what it looked like from up there." Sirius said and looked at him closely. He had been on his broom watching and supervising the whole time. "Run along." He said and Draco turned.
Harry, before they walked off, could have sworn Draco said. "I'll get her back."
"Well, how are you today Harry?" Sirius asked and smiled.
"Good." Harry said and smiled back.
"Is this your new beater?" Sirius asked them and looked at Cathren.
"You bet." Ron said and nudged Harry.
"I am? You mean it?" She asked and smiled. It looked like she was going to lung forward and hug them both.
Harry smiled. "Of course we mean it." He said and looked at his watch. "Its about time we get to the hall. Lunch, I'm starving."
"Bye, Sirius." Ron and Harry said at the same time and walked out of the Quiditch stadium.
During lunch Cathren sat by Hermione. They were discussing books. They both stood up and grabbed there things. "Where are you two going?" Ron asked and smiled.
"To the library to look things up." Hermione said and she and Cathren walked away.
"Oh great, Hermione found her twin." Ron said and turned to Harry. "So what do you think of the new girl?"
Harry smiled and sat his spoon down. "She is a good flier and pretty smart. I think she is friendly." Harry said and leaned on the table. "I thought I heard Malfoy say he was going to get her back when he was walking off. I wounder what he is going to do?"
"I don't know, but she strikes me as the type that can handle herself." Ron said and took a sip of his drink. "There is something funny about her though. Do you notice how she seems so... I don't know... different from every one?"
"No not really. After all she is an American and we live here. She is different in a way." Harry said and shoved his plate forward. Ron did the same and they stood up. They walked out of the Great Hall and into the hall way. "What do you mean?"
"I don't know. Just something... different." He said and they stepped out side.
*
Harry sat in potions class taking notes. Snape was being his usual bring hell to all Gryffindors self. Snape finally sat in his chair and looked at them. "Potter, help Miss West gather the ingredients out of the closet." Harry stood up and walked with Cathren to the closet. As they passed Draco, Harry noticed he had a devious grin on his face. He wondered why.
Cathren reached up and pulled the closet open. There was a loud gasp and a couple of screams as a hooded figure stepped out of the closet and rose its head. Even Snape backed off a little at seeing Voldemort come out of a closet. He looked around then focused on Cathren. He made his way towards her. Harry saw her face light with fear. Voldemort stopped and reached out a hand.
Why would Lord Voldemort hide in a closet? It was'nt Voldemort. But, what? Then it hit him. A boggart. Harry reached for his wand and stepped forward. Then Voldemort turned to him. It did'nt change because they were both scared of the same thing. "Riddikulus" Harry yelled and the boggart popped away. Cathren looked at him for a moment. She still had the look of terror on her face.
Cathren turned and walked quickly out of the room. Harry turned to Professor Snape. He was standing up looking as if wondering what to do. Harry then looked at Malfoy. He was smiling and talking to Crabbe and Goyle. He had put a boggart in the closet to scare her. It had worked. But, why would she be that afraid of Voldemort?
Snape looked at them all and in a heavy voice said. "Class dismissed." Every one walked out of the class room quietly.
Harry met Ron and Hermione out side. They were waiting on him. "What was that all about?" Ron asked as they walked down the hall.
"I think Malfoy put a boggart in the closet." Harry said and ran his fingers through his hair. He could'nt get the look of fear on her face out of his head. "He was smiling before she opened the door."
"How did he get a boggart?" Hermione asked and looked at them. "I mean they are pretty hard to get."
"Maybe he stunned one or something." Ron said and looked at her. "Can you do that?"
"I think so." Hermione nodded.
Harry stopped and looked at them. "What I want to know is... why is she afraid of Voldemort?" Harry asked and looked out the window. Then he looked back at them.
"Harry, there are plenty of people afraid of him. Especially now that he is back. Maybe she is not afraid of anything else." Hermione said and looked at him closely. "Come on we will be late for class."
Harry and his friends walked to there next class talking together. They entered the class room for Defense Against the Dark Arts. Harry saw Cathren talking about something with Sirius he was nodding. He wrote something down on a peace of paper and she took it. Then she headed for the door. She walked passed him and looked in his eyes for a moment, the fear was gone replaced by anger.
Every one was seated and Sirius stood in the front of the room. "I am going to read you something from a book. It is a sort of poem. It is a prophecy of sorts. Your job, to figure out the meaning." He opened the book and looked at all of them. "Her holy light will engulf them whole, setting free there wicked souls. Showing them there long lost past, all the evil that has passed, all the wrong that they have done, until all is finally done, leaving only light, moon and sun. Of course that is only a passage from a very long poem."
The room was quite. Hermione was righting it down and then she looked up. "What is it called, Professor?" She asked and he smiled.
"The Keeper of Light." Sirius said and shut the book. He looked at Harry for a long moment.
* * *