The night was perfectly clear when the Hogwarts Express pulled into Hogmeade station. Ginny, Ron, Hermione and Neville strolled to the awaiting carriages. Harry, who had hung back to make sure Raven wasn't left on her own, had been lost in the swarm of students. By the time the crowd had cleared the only free seats were with a couple of strange-looking second years. Draco Malfoy saw who Harry would be sharing a carriage up to the school with and let out a snort of laughter. Harry couldn't think of anything to say, but looking at Raven for inspiration, saw that she was simply presenting her middle finger to him. It seemed a good enough retort for nowand the pair climbed into the carriage, sat back in their seats and enjoyed a comfortable silence during the ride up to school.
In the entrance hall, Harry's instinct was to make a bee-line for his best friends, but unfortunately was headed off by Malfoy.
"Got yourself a new girlfriend Potter? No surprise you and Chang didn't work out, she's far too good-looking for someone with a disfigurement like yours." Behind him Crabbe and Goyle chuckled, and Pansy Parkinson was giggling.
"Shut up you insufferable arrogant gobshite. Oh, sorry, that sneer and the attitude that you are the centre of the universecan mean only one thing. Malfoy scum."
"Yeah, and my father…"
"Your father can't touch me unless I was heavily drugged and didn't have the power of movement. If he even breathes on me I'll rip his throat out."
The shocked expression on Malfoy's face faded into a grin which showed a hint of recognition, "Oh, I know who you are. I'll be seeing you in Slytherin." With the final statement he turned around and strutted off towards his house table. Just as he was about to pass through the doorway his head turned towards the Gryffindors again, "By the way, don't get to close to the girl with the big teeth and frizzy hair, I don't think you'll find the little Mudblood acceptable company. I can smell the stench from here, I'd hate to think what it's like close up."
Hermione, Ron and Harry looked questioningly at each other. As they were about to ask about the scene they were ushered into the Great Hall by a harassed looking Professor McGonagall. Spotting Raven she headed over and stood next to her, all the while shooing the students who were staring at the new girl into the hall.
"Ah, Gabriella, there you are! You have to wait out here until the first years arrive, you need to be sorted."
"But Min… Professor, haven't I...?" McGonagall glared for a moment, her lips pursing,
"No, Circumstances may have changed."
The sound of dozens of footsteps on the stone steps leading to the castle doors caused McGonagall to disappear into the Great Hall carrying a stool and a shabby old hat. Raven looked around glumly, suddenly alone amongst a crowd of gawping 11 year olds. 'What am I doing back here?' she thought to herself, vaguely considering fleeing the castle, but before she could put her plan into action a stern McGonagall reappeared.
"When you enter the hall, line up along the front. When your name is called, sit on the stool, put the hat on your head and you will be informed of which house best suits you. While you are here at Hogwarts your house is like your family. Good work will be rewarded with housepoints, misdemeanours will be punished with loss of points. Please follow me."
The nervous crowd entered the hall, and every head turned. A few gasps of surprise escaped people's lips. Expecting to see petrified first years and seeing instead a person two feet taller than everyone else with pink hair and piercings caused a low rumble of urgent chatter.Dumblebore stood, his face stern, but his eyes betraying his amusement.
"Settle down everyone. As you have undoubtably noticed there is a new arrival who is not in first year. She has taken a couple of years out of education after passing the equivalent of her OWLs in America, with flying colour I might add. She will be entering directly into 6th year and I hope you will all make her feel welcome, regardless of house differences. Would you please stepforward to be sorted Miss Black."
Raven met Dumbledore's eyes and walked forward with her head held high, long hair swinging behind her. She sat on the stool and placed the tattered hat onto her head, sure of the answer it was going to give.
"My, my! I remember you. Quite a little stir you caused. Yes I agree that Slytherin was the best choice then, but there is something different about you know, something that can contol your Slytherin side. You're not afraid of the world any more, and you have a strong desire to really help people, and your life experience sees that you always give impartial advice… Hmmm…. Suppose I'd better make you a….
GRYFFINDOR!"
Harry, Ron and Hermione broke into a stunned round of applause, Malfoy's words in the entrance hall had made them sure that there was some sort of connection to Voldemort. As they moved up to allow Raven to sit and finally move out of the spotlight, they caught a glimpse of Malfoy's shocked face over at the Slytherin table where he was whispering to Crabbe and Goyle. The names of the new intake were now being called for their sorting. The numbers at the tables slowly grew, until the last nervous first year took his seat at the Hufflepuff table. Dumbledore stood, his twinkling eyes surveying the room.
"Just a quick word before the feast begins, some of you will remember Professor Lupin and I do hope that you will not allow his lycanthropy to cloud your judgement of a very fine teacher. With that said… tuck in!"
The empty golden plates filled magically with every type of food imaginable. Ron reached greedily for the chicken drumsticks, shoved one in his mouth and filled his plate with a bit of everything. Harry and Hermoine rolled their eyes at him, before helping themselves to the food in a more civilised way. The whole table was however, avoiding a plate of extremel rare steak. Hermione grimaced as Raven reached over and pulled the plate towards her with a grin on her face. Devouring the steak greedily and mopping up the blood with a bread roll a look of satisfaction spread over her face. Only when the plate was completely clean did she help herself to roast potatoes and vegetables. After about 15 more minutes the main course dishes disappeared and the golden plates were once again sparkling. Raven leaned back in her chair, hands on her stomach,
"I must congratulate the House Elf who cooked that steak, absolutely perfect. Now where's dessert?"
As if on cue, the plate refilled themselves with a vast array of desserts and Raven, apprently oblivious to the stares she was receiving chose a large piece of chocolate fudge cake and covered in in fresh whipped cream. The Gryffindor table suddenly regained their appetite and went back to their meals.
Once again the golden plates cleared and idle chatter filled the hall for a few minutes until Dumbledore rose from his seat and silence reappeared.
"To the new students… welcome to Hogwarts. To those returning, welcome back. Just a few start of term notices before you all retire. Will first years, and some of the older students, please note that the Dark Forest is out of bounds to students, unless accompanied by a teacher. The village of Hogsmeade is also out of bounds for those below 3rd year and those older students without consent forms. Mr Filch would like me to inform you all that the list of banned items now includes anything purchased from 'Weasley's Wizard Wheezes'. The full list of items can be found on a notice board next to the Caretaker's office. Quiddich team tryouts will take place during the second week of term, see you common room notice boards for details. Finally, due to recent events, the Ministry of Magic has offered to help in the running of extra Defense Against the Dark Arts classes for those in 5th year and above, if they wish to attend. The material covered will be non-examinable and those who take the classes will not have any advantage over those who do not in their exams. Signup lists will appear at the end of the week. With that I bid you all goodnight."
The wizened old wizard sat down, and the older students took this as their cue to retreat to their common rooms. Harry, Ron and Hermione stood up, and leaving Harry behind, the two prefects hurried off to show the first years the way to Gryffindor Tower.
"Hey Raven, you coming or not? Don't want you to get lost." Raven almost let it slip that she knew the way perfectly, but bit back the comment and stood, following Harry out of the hall. "So what NEWTs are you doing?"
"Umm.., Defense Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, Charms, Muggle Studies, Potions and Divination."
"Cool, you'll probably be in four of my lessons then. I don't take Muggle studies or Divination. I do Care of Magical Creatures and Herbology."
Raven faked a look of curiosity as a walking suit of armour strolled by. "Cool." Harry was now unsure whether the comment was relating to the conversation or the suit of armour.
"So, do you play Quiddich?" He said, casually changing the subject.
"I was seeker for my house team, but I'm not allowed to play any more."
Harry felt suddenly threatened, but was relieved when she was eliminated from the competition to be Gryffindor seeker. "How come?"
"Bad… er let's just say injury during my 3rd year. It's dangerous for me to play."
Harry remembered how it had been the tear before when he had been banned from playing Quiddich, and suddenly felt guilty for being glad his housemate couldn't play. "That's gotta suck. I was banned from playing last year by that evil cow Umbridge. Hopefully I'll be back on the team this year. Must be awful to know that you can't play again."
"Not for you, because if I was allowed I'd kick your arse off the team." Raven stuck her tongue out at Harry, and revealed another piercing. Harry nervously felt the need to change the subject again.
"Do they hurt?"
"What, the piercings?" Harry nodded, "Nah, not really. I've had worse pain. It's kind of a good type of pain. The tatts hurt more. Worst bit is the itchiness while they're healing."
"Bit weird, Lavender and Parvarti always get told off for wearing earrings, but you don't get a word about yours."
Raven grinned, "Well, they wouldn't want to turn away the best student in her school simply because of a few bits of metal. Plus normal ear piercings won't heal over in 3 hours."
"Hermione isn't going to like the competition. Smart and drop dead gorgeous. She's going to have a hissy fit." In his embarrassment he almost forgot to stop at the portrait hole which led to Gryffindor tower, and Raven almost forgot to act like she was following Harry. Harry spun around a little too quickly and lost his balance. Grabbing onto Raven for support, he heard the ripping of robes and felt his head hit the ground, and a weight on his stomach.
"Ahem! Black, Potter! What are you doing?"
Raven sprung to her feet, "Nothing Professor McGonagall. We kinda… fell over each other." She offered out a hand to help Harry onto his feet.
"I was just coming to check that you had found your way to the tower, but it looks like you had no problem. Do make sure to wear different robes tomorrow Miss Black."
Harry rubbed the back of his head where it had struck the floor. He looked at Raven who was straightening her ahir and checking her jewellery was screwed in.
"Sorry about your robes, I'm being so clumsy today."
Raven waved her hand at him dismissively, "No worries, easily fixed." She pulled out her wand, waved it over herself and muttered something. A faint glow surrounded her and her robes were as good as new. "See, no damage done, how's your head?"
"I've done worse, even when I'm not playing Quiddich."
Raven smiled, "Should we go in then?"
Harry said the password, and led the way through to the Gryffindor common room. Adopting the tone of voice the prefects had been using with the first years he began to give Raven a tour of the tower. Only Ron, Hermione, Neville and Ginny were still downstairs to witness the strange sight. Over summer, Harry had become more and more withdrawn, mostly due to the death of his Godfather, but also because of the prophecy that condemned him to either be murdered, or a murderer.
"He seems so happy, let's just hope it lasts. He looks more like the Harry I know."
"Maybe then we'll be able to tell him."
"No Ron, he's not ready to know yet. He still hopes Sirius is coming back. I don't want to upset his world any more at the moment."
Ron and Hermione's conversation was brought to an abrupt end by Raven's arrival over the back of one of the comfy chairs.
"Well, that's the entire tower, apart from the girl's dorm and the bathroom. Oh, does everyone always go to bed this early?"
"Think everyone's tired from the journey and the food. It's nearly midnight anyway, and we have lessons in the morning."
"What? Already? Damn, stupid September 1st rule. Suppose I'd better try sleep then. Shame really, I'm just waking up."
The few conscious Gryffindors traipsed their way towards the dormitories and their awaiting beds.