AN: Here's the second chapter! Things will start to make sense in this one; I hope you enjoy. Disclaimer still applies!

Chapter 1The new girl

Harry, Ron, and Hermione were sitting at the table in 12 Grimmauld Place, in the kitchen more specifically. They were just sitting there talking, and Ginny walked in and joined them. They had been having a rather enjoyable time, but that didn't last long.

One moment, they were discussing the new school year, the next; a girl fell into a sobbing heap. Harry and Ron just started, Hermione screamed, and Ginny gasped. It wasn't every day you had a girl collapse in front of you after all. Hermione looked at the other hesitantly, and standing up, started to walk over to the girl. She was about halfway there, when Tonks apparated out of thin air right in front of her. She let out a squeal, and stumbled backwards.

Tonks looked at the girl, cursed, and then looked at Hermione and then back to the others.

"Watch her but don't touch her!" She said, and then sprinted out of the kitchen, yelling loudly for Dumbledore and starting of Mrs. Black's yelling.

Hermione looked down at the girl and the walked back to her seat.

"Who do you think she is?" Ron asked, glancing at her uncertainly.

"If I knew, I'd tell you," Hermione snapped.

"I think she's a muggle," Harry said, staring at her.

"What?!" Ron yelled, then lowered his voice at a look from Ginny and Hermione. "Sorry," he muttered, before continuing. "How do you know? And why would they bring a muggle here?"

"I don't know, but I know she is a muggle. She would be upset but she would know me at least, and talk. Everyone does, no matter what the occasion. Besides, look how she's dressed. She can't be from around here, she's not wearing anything we would wear," Harry explained, still staring at her mildly surprised before turning back to look at the others, shrugging.

"She may be a muggle, but what's she doing here?" Ginny asked, piping up for the first time. "We don't even know her name."

"It's Rose," a small voice said from the floor and they all started, looking over at the girl. She had sat up, and she had her knees pressed up against her chest, forehead on her knees.

"Are you okay?" Ginny started to ask, but was interrupted by the entrance of Dumbledore, Snape, and Tonks.

Tonks said something quietly to Dumbledore and his eyes widened as he walked over to the girl. He bent down to her eye level and smiled at her.

"How are you Rose?" He asked, evidently hearing that part of the conversation, or maybe he already knew that. It was a mystery to Harry and the others. They still didn't know what the heck was going on or who Rose really was and what she was doing here.

Harry made a slight coughing noise and Snape looked over at them. Glaring, he said to them, "Get out of here. This is none of your business."

When they didn't move right away, he glared at them again and pointed at the door. "That's the way out, now go!"

Sighing heavily, the foursome walked slowly out of the room. Harry was the last one out, and took one last glance at the girl before Snape slammed the door in his face. He glared at the door for a moment, then turned and followed the others to the stairs. As he reached the top of the stairs, he noticed the others were already talking to the Weasley twins. He walked over quickly and listened to the conversation.

"Her name is Rose, but that's all I know. I didn't get a good look at her, did any of you?" That was Ginny, looking at the others.

"No, I only saw the same as you." Harry and Ron said together.

"I saw her eyes. They were blue I think. She looks to be about my height or maybe shorter, and she had dark brown hair." Hermione said quietly, ignoring the stares she got. "What? I was two feet away from her! If I didn't see something, that would be weird," she said, looking at them.

"Well, she has to be important if they wanted to get to her. I wonder where she lives?" George said, thoughtful.

"That's true. Maybe she's a spy of some sort in another country!" Ron said excitedly.

"Idiot!" The twins said together. Hermione clucked her tongue and said irritably, "I doubt she's even the same age as us. She's probably younger, and that alone makes your theory sound stupid." Hermione shook her head at him, and Ron's ears turned a bright pink color, as did his face.

"Well, what's your theory then?" Ron started to ask, but they heard the kitchen door open, and Tonks came hurrying up. She seemed out of breath as she stopped next to them.

"Harry, we need you to come down to the kitchen," Tonks said, breathlessly, and she grabbed Harry's arm and started pulling him to the kitchen.

"Come on!" She said, tugging harder. Harry gave a confused glance back at the group, but shrugged and followed Tonks.

"If Harry can go why can't we?" Ron called down after them, but Tonks either didn't hear, or, more likely, didn't care.

As they burst into the kitchen, Harry looked around confused. Snape was sitting in a chair, staring at the fire in complete shock. Dumbledore was sitting by the girl, talking to her softly. The girl, Rose, was sitting in a chair, bruised and bleeding, staring at Snape.

Tonks said to the three-some, "Here he is," and pushed Harry towards Dumbledore. Snape lifted his head and gave Harry a look he had never given Harry before. It wasn't the normal loathsome look; it was more of a confused and surprised look.

Harry walked over to Dumbledore and asked him in a low voice. "What's going on, Professor? What do you need me for?"

Dumbledore smiled at him, and then motioned to a seat. "You might want to sit down for this Harry." He waited while Harry sat down, then handed him a letter. Rose had been watching Harry, but now had averted her gaze to the floor, confusion in her eyes.

Harry was surprised at all these people. First, there was the fact of bringing a supposed muggle into the house. Then, they had brought him here to read some letter that wasn't even his. Last, everyone looked surprised and confused. What was going on around here?

Dumbledore broke into his thoughts at that moment. "You need to read the letter Harry. Everything will make sense then."

Harry looked up at him, then around to Tonks, Snape, and finally rested on Rose, who was determinedly not looking at him. Sighing, he opened the piece of paper and started to read:

Dear Rose...

AN: Okay, this wasn't the longest chapter, but it was longer than the prologue. Next chapter you get to read the letter, and a whole heck of a lot will make sense. Thanks to all who've read this. Please R&R! Thanks everyone!