Disclaimer: I don't own anything except Bridget

Bridget stepped off the train onto the grassy slope that led up to a dark silhouette of a castle-Hogwarts castle. She could see the contours and turrets clearly against the midnight blue sky dusted with glittering silver stars. It was as though someone had cut the castle out of the sky. She gasped as she realized that they were standing in front of a group of horseless carriages. They looked old and dusty, and just stood there waiting for students, but what really amazed her was that where a horse should have been, there was still a harness, sitting on thin air. She saw Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny disappear into one, and not wanting to further impose herself upon them, chose an empty one. She was surprised to find that the carriage was actually quite clean, and surprisingly warm. Suddenly the carriages started the accent up to the castle, and Bridget scooted along the seat to the window so that she could see the castle better. Bridget wondered whether or not she would get along at Hogwarts, but then anything was better than her house. She began to nervously stroke Charley, which was a habit of hers, and thought back to when she had found out she was coming to Hogwarts.

Bridget ran out of the house and down the road, headed for the stables. As usual, she was mad at her mother, and wanted to get out of the house. She was unawhere of a tawny barn owl following her. Out of breath, she slowed to a walk and noticed the owl flying above her. She saw it had a letter tied to its foot, and wondered if it could possibly be for her. Of course not, she chided herself. Who on earth would write to me? But the owl swooped down and extended its foot out. Hardly daring to breath, Bridget fumbled to untie the letter. When she saw the seal, her breath caught in her throat. The seal was a badger, an eagle, a lion, and a snake all entwined around the letter H-the Hogwarts seal! Her mother couldn't stop this letter from coming, although she'd delayed the process for four years. She ripped the envelope open, being careful not to crack the seal, and with trembling hands unfolded the letter. It read:

To miss Bridget Fawcutt, We have found you to be a witch, and would like you to come to Howarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry next term.

Bridget's heart stood still-leave her house! She couldn't believe it!

Under ordinary circumstances, you would have received this letter four years ago, but we were unable to contact you, as your house was unpalatable.
However, we fell that you would be capable of catching up to your class, if you put in a lot of extra work in the coming term. Pleas respond as soon as possible.

Sincerely, Professor M. Magonagle

Bridget gasped. She would have to respond before her mother could stop her from going. She saw that the owl had not left and quickly scribbled a note saying she would be there the coming school year. She dug out the list of school supplies, and began checking off the things she already had, such as a wand, and some of the schoolbooks.

Although underage witches were not allowed to do magic, her mother, not wanting her to go to Hogwarts, got permission to homeschool her from the ministry, and promptly forgot she was supposed to teach Bridget anything. This didn't stop Bridget from learning magic however, and Bridget had spent much of her time up in her room learning magic.

Bridget grinned at the memory and realized that the carriages were slowing down and coming to a halt. She took a deep breath and stepped out. She wondered where she should go. She had heard that first years got sorted, so she probably should have gone with the man yelling for the first years to follow him. She followed the other students up the stone steps to the grand wooden castle doors. Inside she found herself in a magnificent hall, lined with moving portraits and suits of armor. She saw an older witch with her dark hair up in a tight bun snapping at students to move along. Bridget made her way over to her and ventured catuasly "Excuse me, but I'm Bridget Fawcutt, and"

"Ah, yes. You'll have to get sorted-follow me"

The professor led her down a corridor to her right where she met up with a group of nervous first years with a huge man towering over them.

"Thank you Hagrid-I'll take them from here"

The large man with wild, jet-black hair made his way to the door without difficulty for as he walked, the students separated to let him through giving him fearful glances.

"I am professor Magonagle, and I teach transfiguration at this school" The woman said briskly in a no-noncense tone that told Bridget just how much she would put up with misbehaviors.

"Follow me-I will take you to get sorted" and with that she marched off down the hall.

The students exchanged nervous glances, and followed her down the old but gleaming hall.

Professor Magonagle turned right and into a huge hall where all the students were sitting at house tables and talking.

"Now, when I call your name, come forward and put this on your head" Magonagle told them gesturing to an old, beat up hat.

"Smith"

A small girl with long blond hair stumbled forward and put the hat on her head. It was so large, she couldn't see over the brim. After only a few moments, the house shouted out Ravenclaw! The girl almost ran to the table decorated in silver and blue that was filling the hall with applause.

Several others went, then Magonagle called out

"Fawcutt, Bridget"

Bridget could feel her palms break out in cold sweat as she stepped forward to take the hat. She set it on her head, and it fell to cover her eyes. She was startled when a voice in her ear said

"Ah, interesting. Plenty of brains-you could do well in Ravenclaw. But also lots of ambition-Slitheren would suite you as well"

Bridget caught her breath. Pleas not Slythern-I couldn't stand ending up there. Anywhere but Slythern.

"You're a hard worker" the voice continued, "You could go in Hufflepuff. But I think where you really belong is in"

"GRIFFINDORE!"

The table in red and gold erupted in cheers, and Bridget gratefully took off the hat and made her way across the hall to the table.

She paused, wondering where to sit. There were so many people, and she didn't want to be near anyone. She wished there was an unoccupied corner where she could sit unnoticed. Then she heard a voice shouting "Bridget, Bridget!"

She looked around to see Ginny Weasily waving madly to her-what choice did she have? Nowhere else would be any better. She quickly pushed her way over to her and sat down next to her, telling herself that tomorrow she could just stay away from people.

She didn't worry about Ginny wanting to find her-she knew from experience that Ginny wouldn't want to talk to her once she was back with her friends.

"The sorting hat took a really long time sorting you" Ginny informed her

"I was hoping it would put you here-best house you know"

Bridget realized that Charley-who had been following her the whole time-had edged his way onto Ginny's shoulder. He must really like her Bridget thought. He doesn't usually like strangers.

"er. sorry about Charley" she began.

"no no, it's O.K., I like him"

Bridget smiled-just slightly. She liked people who liked animal-that didn't mean she trusted them, but they were usually O.K. if Charley liked them. It was too bad that she couldn't get to know Ginny.

An hour later, Bridget followed Ginny up to the Griffindore common room and up the staircase to the dormitories. Ginny pointed to the door labeled "Fifth Years" and said

"I reckon you're to sleep in there"

After thanking Ginny for showing her, Bridget pushed the door open and saw four four-poster beads. The one at the end had her trunk at the bottom of it. Bridget wondered what Ginny could possibly want with her, and what she wanted in return. She guessed it was just some kind of practical joke that Ginny was being nice to her-it wouldn't be the first time that had happened to her. She decided that she wanted nothing to do with it and that tommorow she would pretend she didn't know who Ginny was- that usually worked.

She walked sleepily over to the bed, ready to sink into the covers without even taking off her cloths, but when she pulled back the curtain, she saw something that made her gasp

A scrap of parchment, with a note written on it in glowing green ink reading:

Watch your step at Hogwarts Fawcutt. We have plans for you. You are a disgrace to an otherwise honorable family.

At the bottom of the note was what made Bridget gasp. It was the sign that the Voldemort and his followers put on there letters to someone they had marked. A horrible skeleton with an ugly serpent protruding from it's mouth- the dark mark

A/N: Pleeeeeease review! This is my first fan fic and I would appreciate any comments you have!