Trish and Ginny changed into their robes, then let the boys have the compartment to change. As the train slowed to a stop, they left the train and headed towards the carriages. Trish stopped short seeing what was pulling the carriages.

"Please tell me that some one else can see that?" Trish pointed.

"I can," Harry said stepping up. "They're thestrals, they can only be seen when you've witness the death of another. I saw a student, some what a friend of mine, murdered by Voldermort, towards the end of my forth year."

"Goodness," Trish breathed.

"They won't hurt you," Harry said as Hermione stepped up next to him.

"We rode them our forth year to the ministry of magic," Hermione said. "I can't see them but it was strange flying in air, not seeing what I was riding." They were then loaded up into the carriages and Trish watched out the window as Hogworts appeared. It still looked the same, and that was a little bit of a comfort. She knew who the headmaster was, Albus Dumbledore, in fact he was in class with her, but would he remember her? Hopefully not, but she also looked different, even though she had the same name.

They were going through the halls up the stairs to the great hall. Harry, Ron, Ginny and Hermione walked with Trish, and left with an apology as she stood behind the first years. She was taller than they were and many looked at her with curious faces.

"Are you new to Hogworts?" A young girl asked.

"Yes," Trish nodded. "I transferred here, from America." The young girl was going to say something else when teacher entered with a stool and a tall pointed hat. The sorting Hat! Surely it couldn't be the same one? But deep down Trish knew it was and felt a small tremor of fear go through her. As it did when she went to school, the hat opened its mouth to sing, though not a tune Trish had heard before.

Though rumbled brown
and I tilt to the side,
I'd laugh myself silly
even with all my pride,
For I am more than
a plain hat you see,
and no one is better
to sort you than me.

The hat continued on with a song telling of each house, and though it was revised, Trish remembered it just the same. Gryffindor for the courages and brave, Hufflepuff who are loyal and patient, Ravenclaw for the learners and book smart kind, and then Slytherin who always do what they can do get on top of things. The professor McGonagall started calling names forward. Trish silently groaned realizing they were going through all the first years first. Perchance they had forgotten about her. Instead she stood there, listening to all the names, called, committing faces to memory. Now she was the only one standing there and she looked around a little nervous.

"McHoney, Trisha," McGonagall called. Trish stepped forward, seeing all eyes on her. She didn't look at anyone at the head table knowing Albus would be there. Sitting on the stool, McGonagall gave Trish a warm smile before placing the hat on her head.

"Well, well, this is something I would not have expected in all my years," The sorting hat spoke in a small voice in her ear. "You really shouldn't be here, though you came with a new face. You have changed and I'm not sure if you should go to the same house. Plenty of reason now for you to go to Slytherin."

"Please let me go back to my house," Trish whispered.

"But I am not sure if you no longer fit in there," The sorting hat said. "Not for what you came here for."

'But doesn't that require bravery? And Courage?' Trish thought.

"Still very thoughtful, very well, I have decided that you shall be in GRYFFINDOR!" The hat bellowed. Heaving a sigh of relief, Trish waited still McGonagall took the hat off and ran over to the Gryffindor table. Hermione and the group was waving for Trish to join them.

"That took so long," Harry said. "I thought that was going to happen to me my first year."

"I think it was longer then the time you wore it Harry," Ron said.

"It was questioning me," Trish found herself saying. "I think I was actually arguing with the hat." Looking towards the head table, Trish saw who Albus was immediately. She was awed with how well he looked. Hagrid was there then a few seats down she saw a face from the grocery store.

"Who is that?" Trish asked pointing to the Potions Master.

"Severus Snape," Ginny said.

"Potions Master," Ron continued. "Gives everyone in Gryffindor a hard time. He's the head of Slytherin."

"Well better expect an extra hard time friends," Trish said and saw he was staring straight at her. "I met him once at the grocer and wasn't too friendly with him. Hope I don't loose us too many house points."

"How did you know about the house points?" Hermione asked.

"I," Whoops, another blunder. "My school in America had the same thing, houses and each got awarded points. I assumed it was the same here."

"Oh, I was hoping you read Hogworts, A History," Hermione said looking a bit glum.

"I'd love to see one actually," Trish tore her eyes away from the Potions Master.

"Great, I'll grab a copy for you at the library," Hermione brightened up.

"Welcome new years," Albus had stood up now. "A general reminder the forest on ground is forbidden to all pupils. Quidditch trails will be held the second week of term. Anyone who wants to play see Madam Hooch." Albus gestured over to a witch with short hair who stood up.
"Now lets get on with the feast," Albus sat down and food appeared on the plates before them. Hermione pointed out who the head of the other houses were, as well as their own, to Trish while the boys stuffed their mouths.

"Are you going to try out for Quidditch?" Ron asked around a mouthful of food.

"Ron swallow, please," Hermione made a face.

"What do you need?" Trish asked.

"A chaser, a beater," Harry swallowed before he spoke. "Maybe a new keeper," Ron elbowed Harry on this, while he laughed. "Just a chaser and beater," Harry concluded.

"Sure, I'll give it a shot, I haven't played in a long time," Trish said, secretly pleased.

"It's time to go. I've got to tell the prefects the password, which is cocoa butter." Hermione hurried off and the other got up, the plates magically cleaned themselves off.

"You can walk with us, we'll show you where the common room is," Ginny offered.

"That would be great," Trish smiled at them, sincerely hoping that nothing would happen to them. Let them be the one's I protect, and who am I suppose to protect, Albert never told me.

"Miss McHoney!" She turned at the voice, recognizing it before she heard it.

"Professor Snape," Trish replied.

"Come with me please," he turned expecting her to follow. Saying she'd meet them in the common room, she followed him to Headmaster Dumbledore's office.

"Hershey bar," Professor Snape said to the Gargoyle. In turn the gargoyle moved aside showing some stairs that started moving up. "I'll be waiting her for you." Trish took one last glance at him and climbed onto the steps. At the top the door stood open and Albus was seated at his desk.

"Close the door behind you," Albus motioned. Trish did so and took a seat he offered. "I have spoken with Albert and told me about why you are here, but you cannot give me any details." Albus held up a hand to stop Trish from talking. "Instead what I am doing is making sure you will be up to meet expectations for a seventh year, drink this." Trish drank the potion she was handed and years of knowledge, new information since she died entered her mind. A pounding built and Trish grabbed her head thinking it was going to explode, then the pain started to subside.

"I'm sorry about the pain, but that is a lot of information to take in at once," Albus said. "So how do you find things here at Hogworts, the students?"

"Very nice, and friendly." Trish answered.

"I imagine you have a story that you will tell the other students about your past?"

"Yeah, no way I can tell then what really happened, I don't think they could take it," Trish smiled at the insanity of the thought. "Why do you know about us?"

"I guess you could say I've stared death in the face and told him that I wouldn't leave until Voldermort was done for." Albus answered.

"And what happens after?" Trish wondered.

"That I don't know," Albus got up. "You have classes tomorrow so you should get to bed. I hope you enjoy your stay." Trish excited and found Snape leaning against the wall a bored look on his face.

"Any longer and I would have left you to wander the halls alone," he snapped.

"Why didn't you then?" Trish snapped back. Professor Snape turned at once almost making Trish run into him.

"Don't take that tone with me," He growled. "I don't know what those schools in America are like, but attitude like that will not be condoned here. Twenty points from Gryffindor." He turned on his heal his robes flowing behind him. Trish sighed and shook her head, following him mutely. He left her at the portrait of the lady in the pink dress and Trish stared at the picture before saying the password.

"Cocoa butter," Trish said and stepped inside as the portrait opened. Many of the students were still in the common room, and Trish paused for a moment.

"Trish," Ginny called. "There you are, come here, I think I know where your room is." Trish followed Ginny to the seventh floor and found her room easily. She was one of the few students who didn't have an animal. She was sharing the room with two others but had yet to meet them.

"Do you want to go to bed or come back down stairs, the guys will be eager to know what Dumbledore wanted," Ginny sat down on Trish's bed.

"Just to welcome me here," Trish said. "I think I might just go to sleep."

"Then I'll see you in the morning," Ginny nodded and left Trish in the room. First thing she ran her hands over the bed spread, the post, committing it all to memory. In a way, it hurt to be back, all the old memories of her past life, what she never got to do coming to surface. Wiping the tears away, Trish crawled into bed and laid there, waiting for sleep.

As the sun creeped into the room, Trish groaned and pushed the covers away. Finding that was letting more light in, she opened her eyes and saw that her two room mates were already up.

"Morning," A dark haired girl greeted. "I'm Jodi."

"My name is Pamela." The other a brunet introduced. Trish introduced herself and got dressed going down to the breakfast hall. Ginny was sitting with different people today, and Harry, Ron and Hermione were sitting together talking. Ron saw Trish and waved at her to join them and went over to sit down.

"Morning did you sleep well?" Hermione asked.

"It was different," Trish answered getting some food. She still had to eat nourish the undead body she supposed.

"We got Potions this morning, how about you?" Harry asked.

"The same," Trish rolled her eyes. "By the way can we go into the negatives for house points?"

"I don't think so?" Ron said.

"Yes it does, they've just established this year they will go into the negatives" Hermione said.

"Great," Trish groaned. "Snape deducted twenty points last night."

"Already, doesn't that man ever give up?" Harry groaned.

"I don't think I had a teacher as bad as him," Trish mumbled. "If we needed an undercover agent, he'd be the perfect candidate." The trio exchanged looks which Trish noticed but didn't say anything. Owls flew in and started to drop the post on the tables. Trish missed the Daily Prophet which spilled her pumpkin juice and then another owl with a letter dropped it in Trish's lap. Tossing the soggy paper under the table Trish opened the letter which contained a letter and two post it's. But the words on them vanished.

"What the?" Trish commented.

"What's wrong?" Ron asked.

"Her newspaper got soaked, Ron didn't you see that?" Harry said.

"No it's the letter," Hermione interrupted.

"There were words but they disappeared," Trish turned the paper this way and that but no words were seen.

"I think special ink was used on that so only the intended person can read what's on them," Hermione said. "I've heard of a spell that was used between the ministry before it's secret got out."

"Guess I'll read it later," Trish put it away and continued to eat. Feeling that she had to know what was on the letter, Trish excused herself early and left. Going to her room, she pulled out the letter and started to read.

Trish,
I hope you're doing well at Hogworts. This is to tell you who you are currently to be watching but no one else, under any circumstances. Harry Potter, he's an essential, if he's lost, all is lost. Later this week there will be an accident, read the post its.
Albert

The two post it's were for the Quidditch field, same time she would be there for practice. Sighing she tucked the notes away and realized that she was late for potions. Great, just more of what she needed. Running down the hall, Trish ran through Peeves, who went screaming down the hall a student was loose and into potions, stopping with her back at the door. Everyone turned their head and Professor Snape, glared at her.

"Miss McHoney, you're late," He snarled.

"I'm sorry I…"

"Thirty points from Gryffindor and detention, tonight at eight," Professor Snape bellowed making Trish gasp. "Now take a seat before I take more points." Trish found the only empty table was up front, where no one else was sitting.

"Now, to repel a jarvey, add the following ingredients." Trish wrote everything down and then followed the other students to collect what they would need. Sitting back down, Trish carefully put everything in order and did as Professor Snape instructed. He was walking around the class, ridiculing a few Gryffindor's and watching the class in general. Trish watched as the potion cooled to a slight yellow the way it was suppose to and breathed a sigh. She still excelled in potions.

"Put a sample in a vial and bring it up to me" Trish filled her vial and went up to turn hers in. Professor Snape took it and reminded her that she had detention that evening.

"Wouldn't miss it for the world," Trish replied getting a cool look from the professor. Think you're so great well think again, I got more years on you than you know, Trish though as she cleaned up the rest of her potion. When lunch came around, Trish was there before her friends and sat down to wait for them.

"Hey Trish, you okay from Snape's class?" Harry said as he came in with Ron.

"Yeah, guy has got more balls than brains, I'd say," Ron and Harry looked at Trish for a moment then laughed sitting down next to her. "Where's Hermione?"

"Library, I swear she'd make that her room if she could," Ron answered. 

"Well I think I'll pay her a visit, I want to read Hogworts, A History anyway," Trish said and left to the library. To her delight, Hermione had a copy waiting for her.

The evening classes passes quickly and after dinner it was time for detention. Trish excused herself getting pity looks from everyone, and made her way to the dungeons. Professor Snape was already there waiting for her.

"Go get a pail of water and sponge," He said, not looking at her. "You will scrub the floor until I deem it clean enough for you to stop." Fuming Trish got the water and supplies then returned to clean. First she took off her robes and draped them on a desk, leaving her in her skirt and plain shirt. Her tie felt like it was becoming too tight as she worked and loosened it until she finally took it off and threw it on her robes. Sweat was evident on her face and she wearily wiped it away getting soap in her hair.

"I'll have to ask you to stop if you continue to strip, Miss McHoney," Snape said in a bored tone.

"It's hot in here, but don't worry I'm keeping the rest of my clothes on," Trish said. Her knuckles were sore as well as her knee's which were soaked. It seemed like hours but Snape finally called Trish to get up and stop cleaning.

"I think that will be enough to," He paused mid-sentence and Trish turned to give him a weird look. He was looking at a mirror on his desk which was facing her. Turning to look in the mirror, Trish saw a face that she had not seen in too long of a time, her real face. She gasped and put the mirror down, but the potions master had already seen it.

"Who are you?" Curiosity, as well as fear and anger was evident in his voice.

"It's nothing you need to worry about," Trish was unsure how to proceed from her. There was nothing that crossed her mind about this happening. "What was that."

"Mirror of truth," Snape said turning it back over. He looked at himself for a moment, then turned it on Trish again, this time standing next to her. She flinched away from her image and saw for a second the professor himself looked the same.

"Please stop, I can't tell you who I am," Trish pleaded.

"I'll have to take you to Dumbledore," Snape grabbed her arm.

"He already knows who I am and why I am here," Trish said pulling her arm back. Snape kept a good grip on her arm and Trish felt some pain, as she twisted away. She slipped on the wet floor and a resounding snap followed. Hitting the floor Trish sat there for a moment and lifted her left hand. The wrist was hanging loosely, broken.

"Goodness, girl," Snape rushed over and took a look at her wrist. "I need to take you to the Madam Pomfrey."

"No, just put it in a splint, it'll be fine," Trish said, cradling her arm to her chest as she got up.

"None sense I insist," Snape didn't want to brake her other hand and lifted her in his arms. Trish was surprised and decided not to fight, she didn't want to tumble down a flight of stairs. The pain wasn't worth it nor was explaining how she recovered from a broken neck.

"I can walk, I'll go," Trish said.

"Fine, but no resisting," Snape said putting her down. She followed him quietly and let Madam Pomfrey heal her wrist. To both of their insistence, Trish also stayed in the infirmary till classes the next day.

Severus Snape watched the girl's eye grow drowsy as Madam Pomfrey gave her a sleeping draught. Heading back to the dungeons, Severus went into his private library and pulled out his research books. Like Hermione, he loved to read and absorb knowledge, but he would let hell freeze over first before he'd let anyone know.

Now back to the question he wanted answers to. Why did Trish McHoney have a different appearance than her true appearance and what was she hiding? Several idea's were in his head about the appearance. She could be cursed, a glamour wouldn't have lasted this long, or she could be a spy. So lost in his books that he didn't hear anyone coming up behind him, until they spoke.

"Professor Snape?" Jumping nearly out of his skin, he turned to see, of all people, Harry Potter there. He still hasn't forgiven the boy for looking into his pensive, and probably telling all his friends how his father had humiliated him.

"What do you want, Potter?" Severus nearly growled.

"I just wanted to know where Trish was?"

"In the infirmary, she broke her wrist," Severus turned away indicating that Harry could leave now. Just a breath of a moment, he stood then turned leaving Severus to his books. Pouring over volume after thick volume, he came no closer as to deciphering the reason for the appearance change, other than a curse, but there was too many of those to consider going through. Dawn was starting to edge on the horizon, but Severus didn't see that being in the dungeons. It wasn't until the quiet shuffling of his class for the day, first years, that Severus noticed the time. Groaning, he got up and peaked out into the classroom. Not the first time, he wished he could lighten his attitude and tell them to have the day off, but. He couldn't let them think he'd gone soft. Steeling himself, he stepped out not too ready for the day.

Sitting up with a start, Trish looked around until she realized where she was. Only the second day of school and Trish already had detention and had a broken wrist. Definitely not like the old days. She used to be a honor student, was a prefect, thought she didn't make Head Girl. Dawn was starting to show and Trish pushed back the covers intending on getting up.

"Get back in bed, Miss McHoney," Madam Pomfrey came bustling in.

"But I'm better see," Trish flexed her wrist.

"Impossible, that takes at least twelve hours to…" But she trailed off feeling Trish wrist. It was fully healed.

Further down the corridors, Harry and the trio were eating breakfast. Ron had his plate full shoving food in his mouth, while Harry tried to be a little more civil seeing as how Hermione was next to him and kept shooting glances at Ron.

"Then he scowls at me that Trish is in the infirmary because her wrist is broken." Harry shook his head disbelieving what Snape told him.

"Ff uu as me, ee obly id id issef," Ron mumbled.

"Ron please don't speak with your mouth full," Hermione covers her face. Ron swallowed and tried again.

"I said, if you ask me, he probably did it himself," Ron said more slowly.

"I don't think he would do something like that," Hermione said. "Not on purpose and not to a student."

"Well, we can ask her when we see her," Harry sighed. The owl came in at that moment to deliver the mail, dropping it beside many of the plates of the students. Harry grabbed Trish's mail and saved her paper for her. That owl seemed to want to do her paper's in.

"Trish has got another letter," Harry said. The envelope was open and Harry was peeking in.

"Harry that's not yours," Hermione scolded.

"I'll look then," Ron grabbed the envelope and pulled out the paper, which was blank to them. "Aww it's blank. What does she have that's so secret?"

"Stuff that is none of our business," Hermione took the letter from Ron and stuffed it back in the envelope.

"I'll give it to her," Harry said taking the letter. Finishing breakfast, the trio broke up, as Hermione going to her class and Harry and Ron going to theirs. They had history of magic, where most of the students were trying to stay awake. Most, including Ron were failing. Harry sneaked out claiming bathroom break and went inside the restroom, hiding in one of the stalls. As much as it was wrong, like Ron, Harry was very curious as to what Trish was getting that was so secret. Casting a spell he learned out side of school, it was a revealing spell, word came out on the letter.

Trish,
Cancel the post it's on the Quidditch field, what is Quidditch anyway? Here's a new one, later tonight.
Albert

Picking up the post it, Harry casted the same spell and words slowly came into view.

Joseph Deemus

Outside Hogwort Gates

ETD – 10:12

The date below was for that day. Frowning, Harry took the spell off and stuffed the letters back into the envelope. He didn't know who Joseph was, or what EDT stood for, but he was going to be there that evening to see what was going to happen. Stashing the envelope in his pocket Harry ran back to class and sat through the last five minutes, not really listening.

After much arguing with Madam Pomfrey, Trish was let out in time to enjoy lunch. Rushing to the hall, she found Ron stuffing his face, and Harry next to him doing the same.

"Hi guys, where's Hermione?" Trish asked. Both guys jumped then smiled as best as they could with their mouths full.

"How was detention," Ron asked after swallowing. "Though Professor Snape done you in since we didn't see you."

"Nah I just had an accident," Trish said. He had me scrubbing the floor when I hurt my wrist, but its fine now. And I am starving I missed breakfast." Trish started reaching for food when Hermione came in. "Hi Hermione."

"Hi Trish," Hermione greeted. "Did Harry give you your mail?"

"Oh yes, here you go," Harry handed the letters over.

"Thanks," Trish took the letters and put them in her pocket. "Most likely I'll have to read them later."

"Can I ask you a question?" Ron spoke.

"You just did," Trish answered. Ron's eyebrows went up in his hair, then he laughed.

"Oh, well I was curious as to why those are so private? Ow!" Ron got a smack from Hermione. "Well I was just curious!"

"That's okay, it's just private stuff," Trish scanned her brain trying to figure out something that would satisfy them. She could see that Harry and Hermione were curious too. "They're, just private, that's all." Trish finished lamely not thinking of a good excuse.

"Oh," Ron looked disappointed.

"Sorry guys," Trish shrugged. They gave her a private moment and Trish pulled out the letter scanning it and the post it. Giving a sigh, she stuck them in her pocket and gave a smile for her friends when they asked her what was wrong.

"Nothing," Trish gave them a smile. She had a hard time paying attention in her classes and she was thankful that she didn't have Professor Snape that day. She saw him in the halls and he gave her distrustful looks, but no words passed between them. Ten at night was past curfew. How was she suppose to get out there, with out getting caught? Nine thirty that evening, Trish sat in the common room while Harry and Ron played wizard's chest.

"Knight to E4," Ron said. The knight moved over taking out Harry's pawn.

"You beat me again," Harry laughed.

"Not yet, but give me two more moves," Ron grinned.

"You're really good at that," Trish leaned over.

"Yeah this is one thing I can even beat Hermione at," Ron poked fun at Hermione who only stuck her tongue out at him.

"I'll be right back, I think I left a notebook of mine by the dinner hall," Trish got up.

"Just be quick, and I didn't see you go," Hermione said not taking her eye from the book. Trish gave her a grateful smile and left through the portrait. Sneaking out, she edge to the gates and hid in some bushes. It wasn't too long of a wait until a boy, Joseph she assumed came walking out. He was wearing blue, a Ravenclaw.

"Nice night isn't it?" Trish asked popping up next to him. The boy jumped around pulling his wand out.

"Who are you?" He asked. "No one else is suppose to be out here!"

"Oh sorry," Trish reached an arm out and casually touched his shoulder leading down his arm. It made a flash only she could see and she knew this was Joseph. "I'll leave you alone then." Making her way back to the gate, she stayed behind it and stood watch.

"So good that you can make it," A man behind Joseph said.

"Master Malfoy," Joseph dropped to his knee's

"Master Lucius," He sneered. "Did you get what I wanted the password to the Gryffindor common room?"

"I tried master, I did…"

"Crucio!" Joseph fell in pain, twitching and Trish shrunk back further behind the gate arches.

"I'm going to get him." Trish turned, eyes wide but she didn't see anything.

"Harry?" Trish looked around then Harry was next to her covering her with a cloak. "What are you doing here?"

"I followed you out," Harry said. "But I have to stop him from hurting him."

"No, he'll kill you," Trish pushed Harry back from stepping out.

"Avada Kedavra!" A flash of green light flashed then the sound of a body falling hit the ground. Trish chanced a peek around and saw that Lucius was gone, and a lone spirit was standing there looking lost.

"Harry please, you have to go back inside," Trish turned back to Harry. "I'll be there soon, please."

"No I'm not leaving you out here alone," Harry said. With a sigh, Trish looked to where Joseph's spirit stood. He wasn't going anywhere.

"Then let me go out there real quick, I just want to see if he's really dead," Trish said. "You stay here that way, if anyone comes, you can get help, you know Hogworts better than I do." That seemed to get Harry to agree. Walking out, she knelt at the body and started to talk.

"You didn't feel any pain did you?"

"No, as soon as he said those words," Joseph hesitated. "Am I really dead?"

"Yes, and it's time for you to go," Trish said still kneeling.

"Can you tell my mom that I love her?"

"I'll see what I can do," Trish said, trying not to let him get to her. A light started to shine, only Joseph and her could see it. "Be seeing you." Then he was gone. Standing, Trish turned and bumped into some one invisible.

"Harry!" Trish scolded.

"Sorry," Harry pulled off the cloak. "Just wanted to make sure you were okay. Did you know that he was going to die?" Trish's head shot up.

"What?"

"I read your letter, using a revealing spell," Harry said. "Why didn't you try and save him."

"Because I couldn't, not with out the possibility of many others getting hurt," Trish said sadly. "You don't think I had something to do with this, do you?"

"No it's just very confusing," Harry said. "What did you get about the Quidditch fields?"

"Nothing, Harry you can't read my mail," Trish was frustrated. Her undercover was as covered as she was hoping it would be." It's safer for you if you just forget about it okay? Maybe I can tell you later, just not now, okay?" Harry nodded and helped Trish get back inside with out being seen by Filch. Almost to the common room, they found Professor Snape walking towards the dungeons. He paused in stride and looked at where Harry and Trish were currently at. Narrowing his eyes, he glared then turned walking further down the hall. Back in the common room, Harry told Trish good night and went to tell Dumbledore about Joseph's body outside. She sat there looking at the fire place, wondering what she was going to do about Harry and Professor Snape. If she told Albert, they might get a death sentence, but Harry couldn't die other wise Voldermort would triumph. Deciding not to tell him, Trish would just have to deal with it on her own and hope she could take care of it.