Disclaimer: Everything that you know already is thanks to JK Rowling---only the new stuff is mine!

Characters:

Rachel Ferguson: Protagonist. Half-Blood by father's side.

Paul Lupin: "antagonist"—fullblood by Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks—neither Metamorphagus nor Werewolf by stroke of fate. Lupin was more accepted by parents after the fall of Voldemort and taught DADA until his son entered school. Paul's younger brother Romulus is a Second Year Gryfinndor.

Sirius Wealsey: Son of Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour (met and fell in love at Gringotts Bank)—inherited Weasley Hair, obviously fullblood

Angelina Garretson—best friend of Rachel,  Beater on Gryfinndor Quidditch team, fullblood

Jackie Klume—best friend of Rachel, half-blood on mothers side

Cathleen Zoolie—friend of Rachel, muggle-born.

Tom Wood: Quidditch team Captain—Son of the very young Oliver Wood and, oddly enough, Penelope Clearwater, who disliked Percy after the events during Harry's 6th year.

Lovegood girl: much younger sister of Luna Lovegood. Father remains editor of the Quibbler.

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Chapter One

A New Year, a New Life

Rachel stared out the window as she watched the landscape steadily change while the day passed beside her. She was on the Hogwarts Express, bound for the school that her magical ancestors had been attending since its founding. Her robes were clean and new, her wand polished, and her schoolbooks carefully stowed away in her trunk.

It had been 10 years since that fateful day when the boy-who-lived himself, Harry Potter, had defeated the Evil Lord Voldemort (none feared to say his name anymore), sadly ending in Harry's own  death. The entire wizarding world had mourned, even the Death Eaters, understandable seeing as the ones who survived would be forever banished to Azkaban.

Suddenly the door to her compartment swung open.

"Dun dun nuh!" announced an all-too chipper voice. "I have arrived!"

Angelina Garretson, one of Rachel's best friends from Hogwarts, bounded into the compartment swinging her trunk, broomstick, and very unhappy ginger cat along with her.

"You'll never guess what's happened Rachel dear, never!" Angelina exclaimed merrily.

"You've finally learned to be subtle?" Rachel remarked.

Eyes slightly narrower than before, Angelina continued, "I've been made Beater! Tom Wood's just told me! I can't believe it! When I fell off my broom last year at practice I never thought they'd still consider!"

Remembering the all too sad (and yet hilarious) incident in question, Rachel suppressed a giggle and hugged her friend. Their 6th year at Hogwarts was bound to be the best ever!! If she only knew what was going on in the next compartment….

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"Shut up you great prat, and pass me a chocolate frog!" said a dark haired boy from behind his Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them  textbook.

"But Paul you've been," a great shudder shook the speaker, "studying the whole train ride!" A look of disgust crossed this freckly face as he pitched over the candy.

A grunt escaped from behind the book and two blue eyes became visible.

"Well Sirius, what else is there to do?" Paul munched.

"Check out girls of course! Honestly mate, you should get out more."

Paul Lupin shook his head and with a quick swish of his wand sent his beloved book safely atop the shelves. "Let's get on with it then."

Fully approving of the surprised look on his friend Sirius Weasley's face, Paul led the way down the train. He had already convinced himself that this was the year to go for it—to actually start a conversation with……..a girl. And not just any girl…..

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