Title: Different

Disclaimer: Not mine, never mine... all belongs to JK Rowling

Note: Ok, this will be an OC story, but hopefully not a Mary Sue one... I also need a Beta Reader, so if anyone is interested, please e-mail me...

Prologue – Something new

Aranel Flammae entered the Great Hall of Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry with a frown on her face. She was 17 years old and had transferred from her old school to Hogwarts and was currently going in line with about thirty quivering first years. Professor McGonagall, the Transfiguration teacher, had explained her the house concept and had told her, that she needed to be sorted with those kids. Well, now she definitely knew, why she hated small children.

When she walked toward the small chair, on which an old, tattered hat lay, she noticed, that the hall seemed to have no real roof. Roquen, who had been staying at in the castle for a month already, had told her about the bewitched roof in one of his letters, but now that she saw it, she was truly impressed. It definitely looked wonderful.

Then she let her eyes wander to the Head Table, where all the teachers were already sitting. Aranel searched for Roquen, who she found talking quietly to a dark haired teacher.

'This must be Snape.' she thought, remembering Roquen's description of the Potions professor.

She definitely felt better with Roquen being here, too.

The Sorting took an eternity and Aranel slowly got pissed off, because every time a brat was sorted, the whole house community started to yell and cheer and right now Aranel just wanted her peace. The train ride to the school had been trying enough in her opinion.

Finally it was her turn to wear the Hat and she sat down on the way too small stool.

"Oh, that's interesting!" she suddenly heard, when the Hat was placed on her head.

"Really interesting. You seem to be in a foul mood today, aren't you? Anyway, where do you want to be?" the Hat asked.

'I don't care...' Aranel thought back. She really didn't.

"Okay, then I'll put you in SLYTHERIN!" the Hat shouted out loud and Aranel got up, walking to the Slytherin table, sitting down as far away from a first year as possible. When she looked up at the Head Table she noticed, that Roquen was looking at her, smiling. Aranel smiled back, closing her eyes, to show him, that she was tired.

Then the headmaster of Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore, got up and welcomed all to the new year at school. When he was sitting down again, the tables filled with food and drink.

Aranel had noticed already when she had entered the Great Hall, that she was being stared at. But she has just chosen to ignore everyone, because she certainly wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone.



Hermione Granger sat between her two best friends, Harry Potter and Ron Weasley, who where currently trying to eat and to speak at the same time. They were talking about that new girl – Aranel Flammae – that was now a Slytherin. Hermione, too, was curious where that girl came from and why she had come to Hogwarts, but she didn't like gossiping about people she didn't know. She generally didn't like gossiping at all, and found herself slightly annoyed by her two friends. Chewing on a piece of meat, she looked over at the Slytherin table, where Aranel sat, looking grumpy. She ignored Pansy Parkinson and Blaise Zabini, who clearly wanted to get her attention and focused said attention solely on the food. Draco Malfoy just sat there, looking smug and clearly amused by that scene.

After the dessert, Albus Dumbledore got up for the second time that evening and announced, "Please notice, that the Forbidden Forest is out of bounds for every student. I want all first years and other forgetful students to remember this little fact. Mr. Filch has further asked me to tell you, that magic on the corridors between class won't be tolerated. I also have to announce, that Professor Snape will have a new assistant this year. Roquen Flammae will be teaching some of Professor Snape's classes and will help him on some potions projects."

Roquen Flammae had gotten up and had looked at the students, when his name had been announced. Hermione thought, he looked pretty handsome and was confirmed by a deep sigh from Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil. Roquen Flammae had shoulder length brown hair and was pretty tall.

Hermione had noticed the last name the new Potions assistant shared with the new girl from Slytherin, but she chose not to mention that to the others. She also noticed, that Aranel looked less grumpy when Mr. Flammae had been mentioned and had actually smiled in the direction of the Head Table.

But her thoughts were then interrupted by all the students that got up. She suddenly remembered, that as a Head Girl she still had to lead the students in small groups to the Gryffindor common room.

"Please follow me!" she shouted and led a bunch of first, second and third years out of the Great Hall.