Disclaimer: The wonderful world created by J.K. Rowling does not belong to
me (unfortunately), but some original characters (the ones you don't
recognize) do belong to me.
The Exchange Student
~*~*~*~*~
Harry Potter and his friends were also getting on the Hogwarts Express.
"Let's find an empty compartment," suggested Ginny.
Starting at the front of the train, they strode all the way to the end, but no such luck. All the compartments were full, except for one that held only one passenger.
She was a young woman about their age. The girl was curled up next to the window. Raven-black hair blanketed her face and cascaded down her back in a shimmering fall.
Harry entered silently, followed close by Hermione, Ron, and Ginny.
"Who do you reckon she is?" inquired Ron.
"She's too young to be a professor," observed Hermione. "She must be an exchange student."
"Exchange student?" repeated Harry, looking puzzled. "We don't get exchange students at Hogwarts, do we?"
"Actually, we do," piped up Ginny. "Just you and Ron are hardly ever at the Sorting Ceremony, so you never notice.
"Most of them are younger students," added Hermione.
She reached into her pocket and pulled out two miniscule books. She muttered something, tapped them, and they grew suddenly.
"Wizards and Other Folk," read Ron skeptically. "A Complex and Thorough Guide to Ancient Artifacts? 'Mione, what's this?"
"Well, with the Alliance Act, and everything, I just thought-" began Hermione.
"Alliance Act?" Ron reiterated blankly.
Hermione made a sound of disgust. "Honestly, what can I do that'll convince you two to read?"
"Probably nothing," replied Ron, shrugging. "But what's the Alliance Act?"
"Now that the entire wizarding community knows about Voldemort's return, Fudge has been more apt to listen to Professor Dumbledore. Professor Dumbledore suggested that Fudge should send convoys to non-witches and wizards, so he agreed. Unfortunately, Voldemort already bought the giants as allies. Luckily, there's still a host of creatures we can ask for help. But, we don't know how many of them will agree. After all, the wizarding community has shunned them for so long, and history cannot be undone."
Harry's mind flew back to a letter Lupin had sent him during the summer.
Dear Harry,
I'm sorry we cannot come get you this summer-and I'm not sure if you would agree to stay at his house after June, anyway. I am going to be away on urgent business, as are Moody, Tonks, and everybody else.
Please ask your uncle and aunt to take you to Platform 9 ¾, and if they don't agree, write Molly. We will set up a portkey for you, and it will be sent A.S.A.P*.
Write to me if you have any problems, ever.
Sincerely, Remus Lupin
"'I am going to be away on urgent business,'" quoted Harry. "Do you think he's going to contact other werewolves?"
"Perhaps," responded Hermione. "That's what I think too, so I'm going to read the section about werewolves first."
She looked at Harry suddenly, concern in her eyes.
"You haven't been sleeping well, have you?" she asked softly.
Harry shrugged.
"Get some sleep," she commanded.
He turned to Ron, who simply nodded. Harry didn't have the heart to argue.
He lay on the seat across from the girl, and found himself drifting off instantly.
~*~*~*~*~
Harry opened his eyes and started in surprise. He was floating, slightly above the seat of the train. The girl still slept; Ginny was dozing; Ron was not in the compartment; and Hermione read on, oblivious to the fact that Harry was levitating.
He felt himself drift to the window. Like mist, he slipped under the micrometer thick cracks. Harry was outside, and rising.
Rising.
Rising.
Rising, still.
A feeling of ecstasy filled him, leaving no room for surprise, concern, or fear. He gazed at the train. Smaller and smaller it became, until it looked like a mere worm. Then it was gone.
He turned his eyes upward. The moon loomed above. So that was where he was going.
A key hovered in front of the moon. It was made of polished gray marble mottled with blue, green, and dark gray. Several turquoise stones studded it. The key glimmered with the graceful radiance of the moon.
He knew it was his-although how he knew, he had no idea.
Harry reached for it, but it was so far, and-
~*~*~*~*~
"Wake, up, Harry," Hermione hissed.
His eyes snapped open. "What is it?"
"We're here. We're at Hogwarts."
Harry stared out the window, and at the giant castle.
Golden specs of light dotted it welcomingly, overriding the parts that were left in shadow. Pride consumed him at the sight of the castle, but a strange feeling of sadness struck him as well.
"Should we wake her?" Ginny asked uncertainly.
"I suppose," replied Hermione. Hesitantly, she shook the girl just once.
Instantly the girl was on her feet, wide-awake. Her sapphire eyes were like the crystalline depths of a sun-kissed swimming pool. Currently, her fair, perfectly sculpted face was flushed.
"We've reached Hogwarts," Hermione spoke, her tone friendly.
The girl turned to Hermione, her sapphire eyes crackling with fire fueled by emotion-the only fire capable of burning water.
'Perhaps she doesn't speak English,' thought Hermione. 'I'll try French,'
"Nous sommes arrivés à Hogwarts," she said.
The girl smiled. "Thank you. Merci."
Her accent was American, with a little bit of something else mixed in- certainly not French, though.
It seemed as though she was going to introduce herself, when a familiar voice called, "Firs' years an' exchange students this way!"
"Alrigh' Harry?" Hagrid asked quietly.
For a moment, Harry didn't know how to reply.
No, everything was definitely not all right. He had just lost his godfather-the closest thing he had to a parent-and found out about a prophecy that said he had only a one-in-two chance of surviving-either he went, or Voldemort did.
"Yeah," Harry finally responded, sighing. "I'll be okay."
'I've been keeping secrets from everyone recently,' Harry thought bitterly. 'Might as well also lie to Hagrid. '
Sighing again, he followed Ginny into the thestral-drawn carriage.
"Harry, is everything okay?" Hermione questioned.
Harry nodded.
"We're your friends," Ron said softly. "You don't have to keep anything from us."
"Just thinking about.June," Harry choked out.
Once he set foot inside the castle, Harry felt his spirits rise. He was at Hogwarts again! There were still ten months until he went back to the Dursleys!
Students swarmed the Great Hall like bees. The hall was abuzz with chatter and merry peals of laughter.
The ceiling showed a clear sky of a deep violet-black hue. Diamond-like stars twinkled, accentuating the silver iridescence of the moon. Harry was reminded sharply of his dream. Somehow, the mere memory of it flooded him with warmth, as though he had just drank butterbeer.
The Sorting Hat was then brought in to begin the Sorting Ceremony.
"As some of you may know," Professor Dumbledore began, "This year we have some older exchange students. We would like you to welcome them as you would any other new student."
The Sorting Ceremony commenced with Ackerley, Archibald who was made a Ravenclaw. The small chestnut-haired boy trotted over to his brother, Stewart Ackerley.
Harry didn't pay much attention, but clapped politely with the other Gryffindors-except when there were older students being sorted.
"Bellarman, Matthew, Fifth year," called Professor McGonagall.
The tall blonde boy strode forward bravely. "Hufflepuff!" shouted the hat.
The next exchange student was Duarte, Angela, sixth year. The Sorting Hat put her in Gryffindor.
Angela Duarte slid into the next to Ginny.
Harry hardly paid attention until McGonagall called, "Mathur, Preity, sixth year."
The girl from the train strode forward bravely, and sat on the stool. Daintily, the hat was placed on her head. For what seemed like eons, everything was silent. Everybody in the Great Hall watched the Preity's face for the slightest hint to what the hat was saying, but her face was carefully blank and serene, and her eyes were shut.
"Gryffindor!" the hat announced finally.
The Gryffindors applauded loudly as the pretty girl sauntered to their table. She took the empty seat next to Harry.
"Hi," Hermione said. "Remember us?"
"Oui," replied Preity warmly. "Bien sûr."
"Your name is Pretty?" asked Dean.
She laughed. "Actually, it is pronounced 'Pree-thee.'"
"I'm Hermione. This is Ron, Harry, Ginny, Neville, Dean, and that's Seamus."
"Hi," Preity said, gazing around at all of them.
Something at Preity's neck glinted in the candlelight.
"What's that?" Ron asked, gesturing at the pendant.
The pendant was a silver cross with a loop at the top. Near the base, there a circle was engraved with a star in it.
"That's the ankh, isn't it?" interrupted Hermione. Preity nodded.
"Ankh?" said Ron, raising his eyebrows. "What's that?"
"The symbol of the Elysium," replied Hermione promptly. "It is also known as the original cross. The ankh symbolizes physical and eternal life; in fact, 'ankh' means life in the Ancient Egyptian language. It was believed that anyone who possessed it would be blessed with immortality.
"And the five-pointed star," she continued, "is the Witch's Pentagram, if I'm not mistaken."
"You aren't," assured Preity.
Before any of them could ask what a pentagram is, Hermione began to explain.
"The five-points of the pentagram represent air, earth, fire, water, and spirit. It is used more by Muggle Wiccans and Muggles of the Witch religion."
"Why do you have that on your ankh?" questioned Ginny.
"It's a symbol of protection for us," Preity responded, a little guardedly. "It's just a religious thing."
"So, what school did you come from?" inquired Hermione.
"The Arch-Druid School of Witchcraft and Wizardry," replied Preity promptly.
"The sister school of Hogwarts," remarked Hermione. "Yeah," Preity said.
"So you're American?" asked Ron. "Your name doesn't sound American."
"Actually, I'm Indian," she explained. "But I live in America."
Preity turned to Hermione. "This is should interest you."
She held out a copy of the Evening Prophet and pointed to a story.
"' Circle of Schools,'" read Hermione. 'Headmaster Albus Dumbledore of the renowned Hogwarts recently had a meeting with Headmistress Amelia Huntington of its recognized American sister school, Arch-Druid. Just this afternoon, they publicized plans to create a "Circle of Schools." Dumbledore declared, "Any school can join, but if they don't, they will not be regarded as our enemies." To this, Huntington added, "However, any schools that withdraw or refuse our invitation will be our enemies." They announced that only a few school would specifically be invited, but as Dumbledore said, any school can join. This program will begin during the term that has started today.'"
"How did you get today's Evening Prophet already?" questioned Seamus.
Preity just smiled mysteriously.
Hermione looked at Preity out of the corner of her eye. There was something Preity was hiding, and Hermione would find out what it was. After all, she didn't have anything else to do this entire school year.
~*~*~*~*~
*A.S.A.P = As Soon As Possible
A/N:
~*Muhjse apko bohut Pyar*~
The Exchange Student
~*~*~*~*~
Harry Potter and his friends were also getting on the Hogwarts Express.
"Let's find an empty compartment," suggested Ginny.
Starting at the front of the train, they strode all the way to the end, but no such luck. All the compartments were full, except for one that held only one passenger.
She was a young woman about their age. The girl was curled up next to the window. Raven-black hair blanketed her face and cascaded down her back in a shimmering fall.
Harry entered silently, followed close by Hermione, Ron, and Ginny.
"Who do you reckon she is?" inquired Ron.
"She's too young to be a professor," observed Hermione. "She must be an exchange student."
"Exchange student?" repeated Harry, looking puzzled. "We don't get exchange students at Hogwarts, do we?"
"Actually, we do," piped up Ginny. "Just you and Ron are hardly ever at the Sorting Ceremony, so you never notice.
"Most of them are younger students," added Hermione.
She reached into her pocket and pulled out two miniscule books. She muttered something, tapped them, and they grew suddenly.
"Wizards and Other Folk," read Ron skeptically. "A Complex and Thorough Guide to Ancient Artifacts? 'Mione, what's this?"
"Well, with the Alliance Act, and everything, I just thought-" began Hermione.
"Alliance Act?" Ron reiterated blankly.
Hermione made a sound of disgust. "Honestly, what can I do that'll convince you two to read?"
"Probably nothing," replied Ron, shrugging. "But what's the Alliance Act?"
"Now that the entire wizarding community knows about Voldemort's return, Fudge has been more apt to listen to Professor Dumbledore. Professor Dumbledore suggested that Fudge should send convoys to non-witches and wizards, so he agreed. Unfortunately, Voldemort already bought the giants as allies. Luckily, there's still a host of creatures we can ask for help. But, we don't know how many of them will agree. After all, the wizarding community has shunned them for so long, and history cannot be undone."
Harry's mind flew back to a letter Lupin had sent him during the summer.
Dear Harry,
I'm sorry we cannot come get you this summer-and I'm not sure if you would agree to stay at his house after June, anyway. I am going to be away on urgent business, as are Moody, Tonks, and everybody else.
Please ask your uncle and aunt to take you to Platform 9 ¾, and if they don't agree, write Molly. We will set up a portkey for you, and it will be sent A.S.A.P*.
Write to me if you have any problems, ever.
Sincerely, Remus Lupin
"'I am going to be away on urgent business,'" quoted Harry. "Do you think he's going to contact other werewolves?"
"Perhaps," responded Hermione. "That's what I think too, so I'm going to read the section about werewolves first."
She looked at Harry suddenly, concern in her eyes.
"You haven't been sleeping well, have you?" she asked softly.
Harry shrugged.
"Get some sleep," she commanded.
He turned to Ron, who simply nodded. Harry didn't have the heart to argue.
He lay on the seat across from the girl, and found himself drifting off instantly.
~*~*~*~*~
Harry opened his eyes and started in surprise. He was floating, slightly above the seat of the train. The girl still slept; Ginny was dozing; Ron was not in the compartment; and Hermione read on, oblivious to the fact that Harry was levitating.
He felt himself drift to the window. Like mist, he slipped under the micrometer thick cracks. Harry was outside, and rising.
Rising.
Rising.
Rising, still.
A feeling of ecstasy filled him, leaving no room for surprise, concern, or fear. He gazed at the train. Smaller and smaller it became, until it looked like a mere worm. Then it was gone.
He turned his eyes upward. The moon loomed above. So that was where he was going.
A key hovered in front of the moon. It was made of polished gray marble mottled with blue, green, and dark gray. Several turquoise stones studded it. The key glimmered with the graceful radiance of the moon.
He knew it was his-although how he knew, he had no idea.
Harry reached for it, but it was so far, and-
~*~*~*~*~
"Wake, up, Harry," Hermione hissed.
His eyes snapped open. "What is it?"
"We're here. We're at Hogwarts."
Harry stared out the window, and at the giant castle.
Golden specs of light dotted it welcomingly, overriding the parts that were left in shadow. Pride consumed him at the sight of the castle, but a strange feeling of sadness struck him as well.
"Should we wake her?" Ginny asked uncertainly.
"I suppose," replied Hermione. Hesitantly, she shook the girl just once.
Instantly the girl was on her feet, wide-awake. Her sapphire eyes were like the crystalline depths of a sun-kissed swimming pool. Currently, her fair, perfectly sculpted face was flushed.
"We've reached Hogwarts," Hermione spoke, her tone friendly.
The girl turned to Hermione, her sapphire eyes crackling with fire fueled by emotion-the only fire capable of burning water.
'Perhaps she doesn't speak English,' thought Hermione. 'I'll try French,'
"Nous sommes arrivés à Hogwarts," she said.
The girl smiled. "Thank you. Merci."
Her accent was American, with a little bit of something else mixed in- certainly not French, though.
It seemed as though she was going to introduce herself, when a familiar voice called, "Firs' years an' exchange students this way!"
"Alrigh' Harry?" Hagrid asked quietly.
For a moment, Harry didn't know how to reply.
No, everything was definitely not all right. He had just lost his godfather-the closest thing he had to a parent-and found out about a prophecy that said he had only a one-in-two chance of surviving-either he went, or Voldemort did.
"Yeah," Harry finally responded, sighing. "I'll be okay."
'I've been keeping secrets from everyone recently,' Harry thought bitterly. 'Might as well also lie to Hagrid. '
Sighing again, he followed Ginny into the thestral-drawn carriage.
"Harry, is everything okay?" Hermione questioned.
Harry nodded.
"We're your friends," Ron said softly. "You don't have to keep anything from us."
"Just thinking about.June," Harry choked out.
Once he set foot inside the castle, Harry felt his spirits rise. He was at Hogwarts again! There were still ten months until he went back to the Dursleys!
Students swarmed the Great Hall like bees. The hall was abuzz with chatter and merry peals of laughter.
The ceiling showed a clear sky of a deep violet-black hue. Diamond-like stars twinkled, accentuating the silver iridescence of the moon. Harry was reminded sharply of his dream. Somehow, the mere memory of it flooded him with warmth, as though he had just drank butterbeer.
The Sorting Hat was then brought in to begin the Sorting Ceremony.
"As some of you may know," Professor Dumbledore began, "This year we have some older exchange students. We would like you to welcome them as you would any other new student."
The Sorting Ceremony commenced with Ackerley, Archibald who was made a Ravenclaw. The small chestnut-haired boy trotted over to his brother, Stewart Ackerley.
Harry didn't pay much attention, but clapped politely with the other Gryffindors-except when there were older students being sorted.
"Bellarman, Matthew, Fifth year," called Professor McGonagall.
The tall blonde boy strode forward bravely. "Hufflepuff!" shouted the hat.
The next exchange student was Duarte, Angela, sixth year. The Sorting Hat put her in Gryffindor.
Angela Duarte slid into the next to Ginny.
Harry hardly paid attention until McGonagall called, "Mathur, Preity, sixth year."
The girl from the train strode forward bravely, and sat on the stool. Daintily, the hat was placed on her head. For what seemed like eons, everything was silent. Everybody in the Great Hall watched the Preity's face for the slightest hint to what the hat was saying, but her face was carefully blank and serene, and her eyes were shut.
"Gryffindor!" the hat announced finally.
The Gryffindors applauded loudly as the pretty girl sauntered to their table. She took the empty seat next to Harry.
"Hi," Hermione said. "Remember us?"
"Oui," replied Preity warmly. "Bien sûr."
"Your name is Pretty?" asked Dean.
She laughed. "Actually, it is pronounced 'Pree-thee.'"
"I'm Hermione. This is Ron, Harry, Ginny, Neville, Dean, and that's Seamus."
"Hi," Preity said, gazing around at all of them.
Something at Preity's neck glinted in the candlelight.
"What's that?" Ron asked, gesturing at the pendant.
The pendant was a silver cross with a loop at the top. Near the base, there a circle was engraved with a star in it.
"That's the ankh, isn't it?" interrupted Hermione. Preity nodded.
"Ankh?" said Ron, raising his eyebrows. "What's that?"
"The symbol of the Elysium," replied Hermione promptly. "It is also known as the original cross. The ankh symbolizes physical and eternal life; in fact, 'ankh' means life in the Ancient Egyptian language. It was believed that anyone who possessed it would be blessed with immortality.
"And the five-pointed star," she continued, "is the Witch's Pentagram, if I'm not mistaken."
"You aren't," assured Preity.
Before any of them could ask what a pentagram is, Hermione began to explain.
"The five-points of the pentagram represent air, earth, fire, water, and spirit. It is used more by Muggle Wiccans and Muggles of the Witch religion."
"Why do you have that on your ankh?" questioned Ginny.
"It's a symbol of protection for us," Preity responded, a little guardedly. "It's just a religious thing."
"So, what school did you come from?" inquired Hermione.
"The Arch-Druid School of Witchcraft and Wizardry," replied Preity promptly.
"The sister school of Hogwarts," remarked Hermione. "Yeah," Preity said.
"So you're American?" asked Ron. "Your name doesn't sound American."
"Actually, I'm Indian," she explained. "But I live in America."
Preity turned to Hermione. "This is should interest you."
She held out a copy of the Evening Prophet and pointed to a story.
"' Circle of Schools,'" read Hermione. 'Headmaster Albus Dumbledore of the renowned Hogwarts recently had a meeting with Headmistress Amelia Huntington of its recognized American sister school, Arch-Druid. Just this afternoon, they publicized plans to create a "Circle of Schools." Dumbledore declared, "Any school can join, but if they don't, they will not be regarded as our enemies." To this, Huntington added, "However, any schools that withdraw or refuse our invitation will be our enemies." They announced that only a few school would specifically be invited, but as Dumbledore said, any school can join. This program will begin during the term that has started today.'"
"How did you get today's Evening Prophet already?" questioned Seamus.
Preity just smiled mysteriously.
Hermione looked at Preity out of the corner of her eye. There was something Preity was hiding, and Hermione would find out what it was. After all, she didn't have anything else to do this entire school year.
~*~*~*~*~
*A.S.A.P = As Soon As Possible
A/N:
~*Muhjse apko bohut Pyar*~