Chapter two: Gypsy girl?
Harry was running late. His Uncle Vernon, who had actually stopped the car long enough for Harry to get out with Hedwig and his trunk, had dropped him off in Diagon Ally. He was supposed to meet Ron and Hermione out side of Fortesque's Ice Cream Parlor and hour ago. He left his trunk and Hedwig in the Leaky Cauldron and set off down Diagon Ally.
It was a bright day but Harry noticed that people stood just a little close together and were talking a little quitter. He heard things like "You-Know- Who can't be back." "But Dumbledore is make preparations; He'll make it right!" So word had spread. At one point he even heard about Sirius. "Black was seen in England again. They say he's actually working against You-Know- Who!" This put Harry in a much better mood as he walked down the street.
"Hey, Harry!" Ron yelled from across the street. "Hey, Ron!" Harry called back as he began to cross over. However he wasn't paying attention to the girl running in the opposite direction. And with the pile of packages she was carrying, she didn't see Harry. They smacked into each other. Her packages went flying as she and Harry both fell to the ground. Harry landed on his backside; the girl landed on her hands and knees, and began to bleed from them.
"This is just the sort of thing I need!" said the girl with an odd accent. "Oh shut up!" she called over her shoulder to the boy laughing. "You should have been carrying some!"
"Err . . . Sorry," said Harry as he got up and began to wipe off dust and pick up packages.
"Oh it's not you fault. I should have been paying attention. Do you see my glasses?"
Harry picked up a pair of broken pink sunglasses. "You mean these?"
"Yes, Thanks! Reparo!" She said and mended her glasses, and her skinned knees with a quickly muttered "Adverto. Useful spell, and I'm a bit of a klutz so I know it pretty well. I'm Daisy by the way." She smiled at Harry and put on her glasses.
Harry looked at her for the first time. She was about 15 had long straight brown hair and was shorter that Harry. Her hair was tied back with a long scarf. She wore a peasant top that was in style at muggle shops but she had a scarf tied around he waist too. Her skirt was, short, and khaki colored. Her shoes were hemp sandals. And she wore a lot of silver jewelry.
"That's my little brother, Allen. Len, come carry some of your stuff."
The boy still laughing came over. He was about eleven, had dark red hair and bright blue eyes. "You should have seen your face Daze. And you knocked that poor guy flat on his butt!"
Daisy looked daggers at her brother, "Oh just take you stuff!" She took the pile of things Harry had recovered and gave it to Allen.
"Okay, I'll meet you back with mom and dad. I have to go pick up my robes," Daisy said as the younger boy situated the packages.
"Kay, see ya Daze. Try not to run anyone else over!" And with that he took off down the street.
"Sorry. Really I didn't mean to keep you." Daisy said as she smiles at Harry.
"Don't worry about. I was only going over to meet my friends." Harry gestured over to the ice cream parlor were Ron was waiting, trying to stifle a laugh. "Are you all right? You were bleeding."
"Yeah I'm fine, all healed." She showed him her hands as proof. "But I'd better go. See ya Harry!"
"Bye, wait, did I tell you my name?"
She just smiled and waved as she walked away.
"Cute girl." said Ron.
"Yeah, did she seem weird though?"
"Harry, are you cracking up? A cute girl runs into you and you automatically go to weird? You really need to chill out."
"Maybe Ron, But she knew my name."
"Doesn't everyone. Come one Hermione went ahead to Gringot's."
*************
Harry stayed in the Leaky Cauldron with Ron, Hermione, and the rest of the Weasleys that night. Harry didn't see any sign of Daisy again until he was at platform 9 and 3/4 the next day.
"Allen mind your sister." Harry heard when he sat by the window.
"Yes mum."
"And listen to your uncle, he doesn't need anymore stress, poor man."
"Yes mum," Allen answered.
Harry looked and saw Daisy and her brother Allen along with a woman who looked a lot like Daisy except she was older and had curly black hair.
"Don't worry mom," Daisy said smiling at her mother. "We'll be all right. Uncle will look after us. And Aunt Ro is only in Hogsmead if I have a bad attack."
"I know love I just worry, and with everything as it is . . ."
"Mom, dad is helping uncle, and so are lot of really good witches and wizard. Everything will be fine and you have to get back to helping too. Don't worry over much about the runt and me. We'll be fine." Daisy said all this to her mother and got on the train just as the whistle blew.
"I want both of you to write." Called the woman with curly black hair after children.
"Bye mum! And don't worry I'll take care of Daisy. I promise."
*
Harry, Ron, and Hermione stayed in their compartment on the train. Some of their classmates came to visit and Ginny and Neville stayed to have lunch. Hermione was proudly displaying her Prefect's Badge, while Harry and Ron each had one of their own, though not as prominent as hers.
Harry was so relieved when they were all made Prefects. And why shouldn't they be? They had each helped to safe the school and uphold the honor of Hogwarts a number of times. There were ten new Prefects every year, three from two houses and two from the other two houses. Harry couldn't remember who all of the new Prefects were but he knew Malfoy was one.
As if bidden by Harry's thoughts, Draco Malfoy himself appeared in the door of their car, flanked by Crabbe and Goyle.
"Ah Potty, and his pet weasel and mudblood," Malfoy sneered.
"What do you want Malfoy?" Harry said as Neville restrained Ron.
"I wanted to see if they really did make you Prefects. Gryffindor obviously made their selections based on pity," he said with a smirk.
"Excuse me," said a girl's voice in the hall. Crabbe and Goyle were blocking the way. "Pardon me," she tried again, but neither moved. "Oy! Fatheads! Move!" This startled them enough that they jumped and the girl was able to get by. She stuck her head in their compartment. It was the girl from yesterday, Daisy.
"I hope whoever's responsible for these two puts them back on their leashes," she said. She winked at Harry and left.
"Who was that?" Malfoy demanded. "And why was she wearing those ridiculous glasses?"
"What's the matter Malfoy? Upset someone called you on your idiot goons?" Ron said.
Malfoy glared at them but decided to make his overly dramatic exit at that point. He turned on his heel and left.
The Gryffindors no longer had to restrain their laughter.
*************************** When they got to Hogwarts, a familiar figure shadowed over the students. "First years this way." Called Hagrid. Harry heard him say to in much lower voice, "You come too Miss Daisy."
"Thanks, Hagrid. Have a good trip?" Daisy answered.
Hagrid smiled, "It was eventful. You taken up eves-droppin' Harry?"
Harry was startled as Hagrid turned to him and smiled.
"Just waiting to say 'Hi' Hagrid." Harry said blushing somewhat.
"I'm just teasin ya, Harry. But you better get to the carriages."
"Right. See ya Hagrid." Harry said but he looked to Daisy before he left. She was still wearing those pink sunglasses. She was also dressed in much the same fashion she had been in Diagon Ally.
"Harry, Do you know that girl?" Hermione asked.
"Not really. Why?" Harry answered.
"She's well, she a gypsy right?"
"I don't know. Why, what's it matter?"
"It doesn't." Hermione said, "I've just never met one before. Come one let's get sets going before the sorting starts."
Harry look towards the head table and saw Dumbledore looking toward the side door as Professor McGonagall led in the first years and one girl of about 15 years.
Professor Dumbledore stood and said "Now students, welcome back to Hogwarts. I know you've all had an eventful summer and I am confident you've been able to handle the situation we find ourselves in. But we can look to that as we must and for now we must start the new year. We have an unusual event this year, along with the first years a fifth year student is to be sorted." Dumbledore turned to Daisy and said "this is Daisy Dumbledore, she is my great niece and has recently returned the Britain with her family." He then turned to Professor McGonagall; "you may start with the Sorting."
Professor McGonagall stepped forward as Professor Dumbledore sat down amidst a flurry of whispers from student.
The Sorting Hat was brought out and sang as was its custom.
Once there was a void of learning.
Once there was a need for skill.
Once there was an empty field.
Once there was a place of hope.
On this field was founded a school,
A place of learning and skill.
On this now hallowed ground,
Hogwarts stands still.
The school is home to many,
And each their families need.
Some come along, young ones,
And what I say now head.
The founders four built this place
This is how new families formed.
They each would choose,
Now I give their homes as needed.
Hufflepuff is for the kind and loyal.
They know the meaning of struggle.
Gryffindor is filled with the brave,
Weather they be pure or Muggle.
In Ravenclaw is found
The pursuit of knowledge.
In Slytherin is found
The cunning folk.
So now you know a bit.
Now you've come to see.
Worry not! For I know
Where you need to be.
"Miss Dumbledore," McGonagall called after the hat was finished.
Daisy came forward and the whole hall fell silent. McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on Daisy's head. It fell slightly down her head but was stopped by her pink sunglasses.
"Gryffindor!" The hat shouted.
Daisy sighed and began to walk toward her new table, tripping slightly as she went.
Hermione moved down to make room for the new girl. "Hi, I'm Hermione Granger. This is Ron Weasley, and Harry Potter."
"Hello," Daisy said. She sat down to watch the rest of the sorting. Soon Professor McGonagall read the name "Allen Dumbledore."
"That's my brother." Daisy said as she saw the looks on everyone's faces. The Hat took a long time before it shouted, "Gryffindor."
Daisy clapped hard as Allen joined the other new first years at the end of the Gryffindor table.
When the rest of the first years were all sorted and the Hat taken away Professor Dumbledore rose.
"Hope he hurries. I'm starving!" Said Ron.
"Me too," said Daisy. "And he can really talk when he wants to."
Everyone who heard smiled at Daisy's comment.
"Before we begin the feast just a few reminders; students are forbidden to enter the forest surrounding the grounds. I would like to remind all students that magic is not allowed in the corridors. And I would further like to tell you all that despite what is happening in the wider world this is still a school and your education and safety are our highest priority. Now enjoy the feast!"
"So where's the new Defense against the Dark Arts teacher? I haven't heard anything about a new one," said Hermione looking at the teacher's table.
"Didn't you hear he couldn't get one?" Seamus said from a few seats over. "I heard my Mum talking about it this morning with some other parents."
"I'm sure Dumbledore got someone." Hermione replied. "Do you know anything Daisy?"
"Nope. I don't really get told much of any thing. I sort I have to find out on my own. Comes with being a younger sister." She smile at the others and went back to her dinner.
"Wait I thought Allen was your younger brother," said Harry.
"Oh he is," Daisy said, looking up again, "but I've got two older siblings, a half-brother and a half-sister."
"Half of what?" Said Ron.
"She means that one of their parents is different." Hermione answered.
"I know that!" Ron growled.
"Yeah. My mom's first husband was killed about twenty years ago. She remarried my dad a year later and I was born a few years after that."
The table was quite for a moment until Harry asked, "did Voldemort kill him?"
Everyone stared at Harry. He had jumped right to the worst possible scenario, and actually said it.
"Mom doesn't talk about it, I know the Dark Lord was involved but I don't know any details." And with that Daisy turned back to plate and didn't say anything else for some time.
Hermione felt kind of bad for Daisy. She was nice girl a little quite maybe but she just needed to be drawn out a bit. "So Daisy, where are you from anyway?"
"Oh nowhere really. My parents move around a lot and until I started school I went with them, Allen too," she said with a shrug. "For a while we were in the States, we spent two years in Canada, Montreal is a beautiful city, and we moved permanently back to Britain about four years ago. We still travel a lot I've been all over the world on shorter trips." She smiled and said, "It's a big place but there are a lot of really neat things out there."
Every one just kind of looked at her until Ron said, "Wow!"
"Yeah really," said Harry the only places he had ever been were the Dursley's, the Weasley's homes, Diagon Alley, and Hogwarts. "But if you were in Britain four years ago why didn't you come to Hogwarts then?"
"My mom wanted me to go to her old school," Daisy answered, "The Salem Witches Institute. But with all the trouble and stuff, my parents decided to move us here. After all there is no place safer than where ever Albus Dumbledore is!"
"Too right!" Said Dean from across the table.
Again, Daisy just smiled from behind her sunglasses.
Harry was still getting weird vibes about Daisy but he liked her and he could tell Hermione did too. It kind of bothered him that she never took of those sunglasses, but he didn't want to ask about them, especially since he had already asked awkward question of her once during the meal. He just smiled and said, "Well that explains your accent."
"What do you mean?" Daisy asked.
"Well, you sound rather American," Harry explained.
Daisy huffed, "I'm Scottish!"
After that no one else wanted to offend her, and Daisy didn't talk much.
All to soon the feast was over. As the house were getting ready to leave the Great Hall Harry caught sight of Cho across the room. She smiled and waved. Harry waved back and started blushing furiously.
"I think she likes you," said a voice in Harry's ear. He turned to see Daisy right behind him. "That girl, she likes you," Daisy repeated.
"N-no, were just friends," Harry stammered as he blushed slightly again.
"Ok Potter if you say so. But I went to an all girls' school, I know about these things." Daisy smiled and walked off towards Hermione.
"Weird girl." Said Ron. "Cute, but weird."
"Yeah . . ." replied Harry. "Come on lets get up to bed I'm tired." ****************
At Breakfast the next morning Hermione came down with Daisy. Harry noticed she was carrying a stack of papers. She had their schedules! Harry had forgotten all about them.
"Thanks," said Harry as he took the schedules from her.
"Sure, I'll be back in a second. Just need to finish giving these out." And with that Hermione made her way down the table and Daisy sat down to breakfast.
"You know we're gonna have no fun this year with Hermione the Prefect!" Said Ron.
"Oh, it won't be that bad, besides, she's not the only Prefect." said Harry smiling.
"All the more reason not to get caught," said Daisy. "Have I got classes with either of you?" she said leaning towards Ron and looking at his and Harry's schedules while showing them hers.
"Yeah, most of 'em." Harry answered. "Today we've all got Transfigurations, Care of Magical creatures, Defense against the Dark Arts, and . . . ick, Potions."
"Wait how can we have Defense Against the Dark Arts without a teacher?" said Ron. "Free period you reckon?"
"No," said Hermione as she sat with Harry across the table, "they found someone. He was just hired yesterday."
"Really, who?" said Daisy.
"Name's Blanc I think," she answered. "Yeah look at the schedule. It says Professor G. Blanc."
"Daisy are you all right?" Harry asked, "You look like you've gone all white."
"What? Oh yes I'm fine. Better get to class. Don't want to be late for my first class with McGonagall." And with Daisy got up and rushed from the Great Hall.
The morning went fast. Professor McGonagall told them all to prepare for a tough year and to keep their O.W.L.'s in mind.
Care of Magical Creatures was great.
Hagrid stared the lesson by saying this year they would be covering wide variety of creatures staring with Crups, page 8 of "Fantastic Beast and where to find them" by Newt Scamander (brought to the muggle world by JK Rowlings, Comic Relief UK, and Scholastic Inc.). The dogs were a nice change for the class.
At lunch Harry noticed Daisy wasn't talking and she still looked a little ill. "Are you sure your all right?" He asked.
"Harry's right you don't look well Daisy." Hermione was starting to worry about her new friend too. But before Daisy could answer a voice called, "Daze, Daze did you here who the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher is?" Allen called as he skid to a halt beside his sister's seat.
"Yeah, I have him next Len." She said in a quiet voice.
"Wow, then I've got 'im right after you. Can you believe he's really here? Uncle must have called him."
At this point Daisy lost her temper. "Of course Uncle called him who else would? Besides it not like his movements matter to anyone else!"
She got up and walked way before anyone could say anything.
"Geez, sisters." Allen said as he walked away.
"Now what was that about?" Asked Ron his sandwich nearly forgotten.
"I dunno, but that girl is different," said Harry.
****************************** As Harry, Ron and Hermione neared their classroom Hermione stopped the boys, "Listen!"
The door stood slightly ajar and they heard Daisy's angry voice. "First I'm pulled out of my school so uncle can baby-sit me, and Aunt Ro can watch me when ever I go to the village, which is the only place I can go, then Allen designates himself my 'protector,' and then you show up here! What am I suppose to think, Guy! {Pronounced Gee, French} I think nobody believes I can stand on my own two feet! I think nobody can treat me as normal fourteen-year-old!"
"You're not normal Daze." The reply came from a man's voice with a slight French accent. He sounded kind but was quite firm in his judgment. Daisy was not normal.
"I could be if you all would just back off! Two years Guy and not so much as a letter and all of a sudden you show up at my school, as teacher of all things! Aren't you the anti-teacher?"
"That was a long time ago Daisy. You had better calm down before . . ."
"I don't want to calm down!"
"Ok then, sit down. Class is going to start soon, and normal fourteen-year- olds don't argue with their teachers." Professor Blanc's voice, for that is who he was, stayed even and clam. For a moment it seemed Daisy was going to argue more but they heard her slam her book on desk and sit down.
"Hermione, what do you know about this girl?" Ron whispered.
"Not much, and not nearly as much as I thought."
Just to be safe, the trio waited a moment before going into the classroom.
When they finally did go in they saw Daisy sitting in the front of the class scowling at young man, maybe in his late teens, he couldn't be older that twenty. He was tall with black wavy hair and dark brown eyes. He smiled and said, "Come in sit down."
Daisy mumbled something that no one quite caught but Professor Blanc gave her look and she just looked back.
"Remind me not to make her mad," Ron whispered to Harry.
"Right, same here," Harry answered.
Hermione sat next to Daisy and the boys sat next her. As the rest of the class came in Hermione whispered, "He's cute!"
Daisy sighed. Harry tought she might crack a smile but was sure he was mistaken a second later.
When the class started the new teacher introduced himself. "Hello, as you know I am Professor Blanc. Just to tell you a little about myself, I went to Bauxbatons, graduated two years ago, and have been traveling throughout the wizarding world ever since. Until yesterday when I received and owl from Professor Dumbledore asking to come here." The young teacher beamed at his class, all of whom seem to really like him, except Daisy.
After he had taken role, Professor Blanc began his lesson. "Professor Dumbledore has asked me to cover different magical communities and what you might need to know to defend yourselves. Does anyone know anything about gypsies?"
To no one's surprise Hermione raised her hand. "Gypsies are communities of very powerful witches and wizards who traveled in caravans. They began to do this in the Middle Ages and were common in Europe until about fifty tears ago."
"Very good Miss Granger. Ten points to Gryffindor."
"Does anyone know what they're known for?" This time Hermione's hand wasn't alone. "Yes, Mr. Weasley."
"Well aren't gypsies really good with potions and divinations?"
"Yes, gypsies are known for their love potions, poisons, and divining abilities. Anyone else?" When no one volunteered Prof. Blanc took his class list and called, "Longbottom."
Neville a little shaken said, "Well my Grandmother used to tell me to behave or the gypsies will come and get me."
After thinking for a minute Professor Blanc said, "The idea of gypsies stealing children is common in both the wizarding and muggle worlds. Is there any truth in this myth?"
To Harry's surprise, Daisy raised her hand. "Miss Dumbledore." Called the professor.
"Yes." She said simply.
"Do you care to elaborate?"
"Aren't you the Professor?"
"Just tell the class what you know Daisy."
She shrugged and continued. "Well as muggles began to fear magic those with magic were persecuted, tortured, mutilated, killed, really horrific stuff, even kids, anyone with magic or even the suggestion of magic was vulnerable especially witch and wizard children in the care of muggle. Gypsies are generally good at divinations and there are almost always one or two true Sees in the bunch. The gypsies would rescue those for whom they See danger or a miserable life."
For the rest of the class they took notes on Gypsies and their histories and skills. Harry couldn't help wishing gypsies had come to take him away from the Dursley's. He also spent a lot of class looking a Daisy. She still didn't seem as happy as she had been, but she had calmed down.
When class was over Professor Blanc asked her to stay after a moment.
"Wait for me?" She asked.
"We'll be outside," answered Ron before either of the others could.
However outside the room they could still hear the conversation inside.
"Daze let me see your eyes."
"I'm fine Guy!"
"Let me see . . . You need to go to the hospital wing, soon."
"I'll go right after potions, . . . I promise. I don't want to be late for my first lesson!"
"It won't do you any good do pass out in the middle of it." She didn't say anything in response and he sighed. "Fine, you know what you can handle."
******************************* When they got to potions, Daisy joined Harry Ron and Hermione in the back of the class. All three kept watching her to see if she would pass out, each wondering why she might.
Professor Snape seemed to be in a particularly foul mood. He launched into a very hard lesson. By the end of class he had managed to take fifteen points from Gryffindor for no reason, ten of those from Harry.
Daisy asked Hermione to pass the willow root near the end of the class. Snape responded immediately by bellowing, "Ten more points from Gryffindor! There will be no chattering in this class and no favorites!"
"I can't believe him. He's a teacher. He should be fairer!" Daisy said ten minutes later as they were heading up the stairs from the dungeons.
"I don't thin that's a word," Hermione said thoughtfully.
"Hey at least I'm not the only one he hates!" Harry joked.
"And what was that about not having favorites! I was only there for one class and I could tell who his favorites were!" Daisy raged.
"Ah poor Potter and his little friend the weed," said a cold voice from behind. It was Draco Malfoy who until now had decided to leave the headmaster's niece alone. Now that he could see she wasn't invulnerable he decided to test her.
"Malfoy isn't?" Daisy said in a distracted way. "Shouldn't you be getting measured for your robes? Or scrubbing you arm so it's ready for a foul tattoo like your father?"
Malfoy smiled; "At least I know where my father is." And he walked past with that thin, smug smile on his face.
"I hate him!" Daisy said. She was fuming. "Where's the hospital wing?"
"We'll take you," said Hermione.
"Thanks, but I don't want to keep you all. Can you boys just take our books back to the Common room?" she asked
"OK, but are you sure you'll be all right?" asked Harry.
"I think we can walk a few flights of stairs." And Daisy did some thing she hadn't done all afternoon, smiled.
**********************
Back in the common room Harry and Ron were playing chess. Both were very distracted. Harry was wondering why Daisy smiling was so reassuring.
"Checkmate." Said Ron looking towards the door. "When are they coming back?"
"Dunno, whenever they get done. What you think, something's going on between Daisy and Blanc?" Harry wondered out loud.
"Probable an old friend. Hey he is kinda young, you think maybe an old boyfriend?"
Before Harry even had time to register the question, Allen Dumbledore came over. "Hey, you guys know where my sister is?" he asked.
"Hospital Wing," Ron said setting up the chess pieces again.
"Professor Blanc made her go," Harry added hoping the kid wouldn't worry. He didn't seem to.
"Thanks," he said and went back to his fellow first years.
"Hey maybe the kid could tell us about his sister? Or we could go wait for them at dinner." Ron suggested.
"Dinner," Harry said. He just realized how hungry he was.
*********************************** Harry and Ron came back from dinner full but alone. The girls weren't there. They did however find Hermione sitting in the common room when they came back.
"Hey," said Ron. "What happened to Daisy?"
"She's asleep, upstairs. Madam Pomfery gave her some potion and it seemed to really knock her out. She all right I think though."
Harry and Ron sat down in chairs across from Hermione. "Do you know what was wrong with her?" Harry asked.
"Not a clue. But she's fine now. Anyway we should get started studying Transfigurations."
Harry was running late. His Uncle Vernon, who had actually stopped the car long enough for Harry to get out with Hedwig and his trunk, had dropped him off in Diagon Ally. He was supposed to meet Ron and Hermione out side of Fortesque's Ice Cream Parlor and hour ago. He left his trunk and Hedwig in the Leaky Cauldron and set off down Diagon Ally.
It was a bright day but Harry noticed that people stood just a little close together and were talking a little quitter. He heard things like "You-Know- Who can't be back." "But Dumbledore is make preparations; He'll make it right!" So word had spread. At one point he even heard about Sirius. "Black was seen in England again. They say he's actually working against You-Know- Who!" This put Harry in a much better mood as he walked down the street.
"Hey, Harry!" Ron yelled from across the street. "Hey, Ron!" Harry called back as he began to cross over. However he wasn't paying attention to the girl running in the opposite direction. And with the pile of packages she was carrying, she didn't see Harry. They smacked into each other. Her packages went flying as she and Harry both fell to the ground. Harry landed on his backside; the girl landed on her hands and knees, and began to bleed from them.
"This is just the sort of thing I need!" said the girl with an odd accent. "Oh shut up!" she called over her shoulder to the boy laughing. "You should have been carrying some!"
"Err . . . Sorry," said Harry as he got up and began to wipe off dust and pick up packages.
"Oh it's not you fault. I should have been paying attention. Do you see my glasses?"
Harry picked up a pair of broken pink sunglasses. "You mean these?"
"Yes, Thanks! Reparo!" She said and mended her glasses, and her skinned knees with a quickly muttered "Adverto. Useful spell, and I'm a bit of a klutz so I know it pretty well. I'm Daisy by the way." She smiled at Harry and put on her glasses.
Harry looked at her for the first time. She was about 15 had long straight brown hair and was shorter that Harry. Her hair was tied back with a long scarf. She wore a peasant top that was in style at muggle shops but she had a scarf tied around he waist too. Her skirt was, short, and khaki colored. Her shoes were hemp sandals. And she wore a lot of silver jewelry.
"That's my little brother, Allen. Len, come carry some of your stuff."
The boy still laughing came over. He was about eleven, had dark red hair and bright blue eyes. "You should have seen your face Daze. And you knocked that poor guy flat on his butt!"
Daisy looked daggers at her brother, "Oh just take you stuff!" She took the pile of things Harry had recovered and gave it to Allen.
"Okay, I'll meet you back with mom and dad. I have to go pick up my robes," Daisy said as the younger boy situated the packages.
"Kay, see ya Daze. Try not to run anyone else over!" And with that he took off down the street.
"Sorry. Really I didn't mean to keep you." Daisy said as she smiles at Harry.
"Don't worry about. I was only going over to meet my friends." Harry gestured over to the ice cream parlor were Ron was waiting, trying to stifle a laugh. "Are you all right? You were bleeding."
"Yeah I'm fine, all healed." She showed him her hands as proof. "But I'd better go. See ya Harry!"
"Bye, wait, did I tell you my name?"
She just smiled and waved as she walked away.
"Cute girl." said Ron.
"Yeah, did she seem weird though?"
"Harry, are you cracking up? A cute girl runs into you and you automatically go to weird? You really need to chill out."
"Maybe Ron, But she knew my name."
"Doesn't everyone. Come one Hermione went ahead to Gringot's."
*************
Harry stayed in the Leaky Cauldron with Ron, Hermione, and the rest of the Weasleys that night. Harry didn't see any sign of Daisy again until he was at platform 9 and 3/4 the next day.
"Allen mind your sister." Harry heard when he sat by the window.
"Yes mum."
"And listen to your uncle, he doesn't need anymore stress, poor man."
"Yes mum," Allen answered.
Harry looked and saw Daisy and her brother Allen along with a woman who looked a lot like Daisy except she was older and had curly black hair.
"Don't worry mom," Daisy said smiling at her mother. "We'll be all right. Uncle will look after us. And Aunt Ro is only in Hogsmead if I have a bad attack."
"I know love I just worry, and with everything as it is . . ."
"Mom, dad is helping uncle, and so are lot of really good witches and wizard. Everything will be fine and you have to get back to helping too. Don't worry over much about the runt and me. We'll be fine." Daisy said all this to her mother and got on the train just as the whistle blew.
"I want both of you to write." Called the woman with curly black hair after children.
"Bye mum! And don't worry I'll take care of Daisy. I promise."
*
Harry, Ron, and Hermione stayed in their compartment on the train. Some of their classmates came to visit and Ginny and Neville stayed to have lunch. Hermione was proudly displaying her Prefect's Badge, while Harry and Ron each had one of their own, though not as prominent as hers.
Harry was so relieved when they were all made Prefects. And why shouldn't they be? They had each helped to safe the school and uphold the honor of Hogwarts a number of times. There were ten new Prefects every year, three from two houses and two from the other two houses. Harry couldn't remember who all of the new Prefects were but he knew Malfoy was one.
As if bidden by Harry's thoughts, Draco Malfoy himself appeared in the door of their car, flanked by Crabbe and Goyle.
"Ah Potty, and his pet weasel and mudblood," Malfoy sneered.
"What do you want Malfoy?" Harry said as Neville restrained Ron.
"I wanted to see if they really did make you Prefects. Gryffindor obviously made their selections based on pity," he said with a smirk.
"Excuse me," said a girl's voice in the hall. Crabbe and Goyle were blocking the way. "Pardon me," she tried again, but neither moved. "Oy! Fatheads! Move!" This startled them enough that they jumped and the girl was able to get by. She stuck her head in their compartment. It was the girl from yesterday, Daisy.
"I hope whoever's responsible for these two puts them back on their leashes," she said. She winked at Harry and left.
"Who was that?" Malfoy demanded. "And why was she wearing those ridiculous glasses?"
"What's the matter Malfoy? Upset someone called you on your idiot goons?" Ron said.
Malfoy glared at them but decided to make his overly dramatic exit at that point. He turned on his heel and left.
The Gryffindors no longer had to restrain their laughter.
*************************** When they got to Hogwarts, a familiar figure shadowed over the students. "First years this way." Called Hagrid. Harry heard him say to in much lower voice, "You come too Miss Daisy."
"Thanks, Hagrid. Have a good trip?" Daisy answered.
Hagrid smiled, "It was eventful. You taken up eves-droppin' Harry?"
Harry was startled as Hagrid turned to him and smiled.
"Just waiting to say 'Hi' Hagrid." Harry said blushing somewhat.
"I'm just teasin ya, Harry. But you better get to the carriages."
"Right. See ya Hagrid." Harry said but he looked to Daisy before he left. She was still wearing those pink sunglasses. She was also dressed in much the same fashion she had been in Diagon Ally.
"Harry, Do you know that girl?" Hermione asked.
"Not really. Why?" Harry answered.
"She's well, she a gypsy right?"
"I don't know. Why, what's it matter?"
"It doesn't." Hermione said, "I've just never met one before. Come one let's get sets going before the sorting starts."
Harry look towards the head table and saw Dumbledore looking toward the side door as Professor McGonagall led in the first years and one girl of about 15 years.
Professor Dumbledore stood and said "Now students, welcome back to Hogwarts. I know you've all had an eventful summer and I am confident you've been able to handle the situation we find ourselves in. But we can look to that as we must and for now we must start the new year. We have an unusual event this year, along with the first years a fifth year student is to be sorted." Dumbledore turned to Daisy and said "this is Daisy Dumbledore, she is my great niece and has recently returned the Britain with her family." He then turned to Professor McGonagall; "you may start with the Sorting."
Professor McGonagall stepped forward as Professor Dumbledore sat down amidst a flurry of whispers from student.
The Sorting Hat was brought out and sang as was its custom.
Once there was a void of learning.
Once there was a need for skill.
Once there was an empty field.
Once there was a place of hope.
On this field was founded a school,
A place of learning and skill.
On this now hallowed ground,
Hogwarts stands still.
The school is home to many,
And each their families need.
Some come along, young ones,
And what I say now head.
The founders four built this place
This is how new families formed.
They each would choose,
Now I give their homes as needed.
Hufflepuff is for the kind and loyal.
They know the meaning of struggle.
Gryffindor is filled with the brave,
Weather they be pure or Muggle.
In Ravenclaw is found
The pursuit of knowledge.
In Slytherin is found
The cunning folk.
So now you know a bit.
Now you've come to see.
Worry not! For I know
Where you need to be.
"Miss Dumbledore," McGonagall called after the hat was finished.
Daisy came forward and the whole hall fell silent. McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on Daisy's head. It fell slightly down her head but was stopped by her pink sunglasses.
"Gryffindor!" The hat shouted.
Daisy sighed and began to walk toward her new table, tripping slightly as she went.
Hermione moved down to make room for the new girl. "Hi, I'm Hermione Granger. This is Ron Weasley, and Harry Potter."
"Hello," Daisy said. She sat down to watch the rest of the sorting. Soon Professor McGonagall read the name "Allen Dumbledore."
"That's my brother." Daisy said as she saw the looks on everyone's faces. The Hat took a long time before it shouted, "Gryffindor."
Daisy clapped hard as Allen joined the other new first years at the end of the Gryffindor table.
When the rest of the first years were all sorted and the Hat taken away Professor Dumbledore rose.
"Hope he hurries. I'm starving!" Said Ron.
"Me too," said Daisy. "And he can really talk when he wants to."
Everyone who heard smiled at Daisy's comment.
"Before we begin the feast just a few reminders; students are forbidden to enter the forest surrounding the grounds. I would like to remind all students that magic is not allowed in the corridors. And I would further like to tell you all that despite what is happening in the wider world this is still a school and your education and safety are our highest priority. Now enjoy the feast!"
"So where's the new Defense against the Dark Arts teacher? I haven't heard anything about a new one," said Hermione looking at the teacher's table.
"Didn't you hear he couldn't get one?" Seamus said from a few seats over. "I heard my Mum talking about it this morning with some other parents."
"I'm sure Dumbledore got someone." Hermione replied. "Do you know anything Daisy?"
"Nope. I don't really get told much of any thing. I sort I have to find out on my own. Comes with being a younger sister." She smile at the others and went back to her dinner.
"Wait I thought Allen was your younger brother," said Harry.
"Oh he is," Daisy said, looking up again, "but I've got two older siblings, a half-brother and a half-sister."
"Half of what?" Said Ron.
"She means that one of their parents is different." Hermione answered.
"I know that!" Ron growled.
"Yeah. My mom's first husband was killed about twenty years ago. She remarried my dad a year later and I was born a few years after that."
The table was quite for a moment until Harry asked, "did Voldemort kill him?"
Everyone stared at Harry. He had jumped right to the worst possible scenario, and actually said it.
"Mom doesn't talk about it, I know the Dark Lord was involved but I don't know any details." And with that Daisy turned back to plate and didn't say anything else for some time.
Hermione felt kind of bad for Daisy. She was nice girl a little quite maybe but she just needed to be drawn out a bit. "So Daisy, where are you from anyway?"
"Oh nowhere really. My parents move around a lot and until I started school I went with them, Allen too," she said with a shrug. "For a while we were in the States, we spent two years in Canada, Montreal is a beautiful city, and we moved permanently back to Britain about four years ago. We still travel a lot I've been all over the world on shorter trips." She smiled and said, "It's a big place but there are a lot of really neat things out there."
Every one just kind of looked at her until Ron said, "Wow!"
"Yeah really," said Harry the only places he had ever been were the Dursley's, the Weasley's homes, Diagon Alley, and Hogwarts. "But if you were in Britain four years ago why didn't you come to Hogwarts then?"
"My mom wanted me to go to her old school," Daisy answered, "The Salem Witches Institute. But with all the trouble and stuff, my parents decided to move us here. After all there is no place safer than where ever Albus Dumbledore is!"
"Too right!" Said Dean from across the table.
Again, Daisy just smiled from behind her sunglasses.
Harry was still getting weird vibes about Daisy but he liked her and he could tell Hermione did too. It kind of bothered him that she never took of those sunglasses, but he didn't want to ask about them, especially since he had already asked awkward question of her once during the meal. He just smiled and said, "Well that explains your accent."
"What do you mean?" Daisy asked.
"Well, you sound rather American," Harry explained.
Daisy huffed, "I'm Scottish!"
After that no one else wanted to offend her, and Daisy didn't talk much.
All to soon the feast was over. As the house were getting ready to leave the Great Hall Harry caught sight of Cho across the room. She smiled and waved. Harry waved back and started blushing furiously.
"I think she likes you," said a voice in Harry's ear. He turned to see Daisy right behind him. "That girl, she likes you," Daisy repeated.
"N-no, were just friends," Harry stammered as he blushed slightly again.
"Ok Potter if you say so. But I went to an all girls' school, I know about these things." Daisy smiled and walked off towards Hermione.
"Weird girl." Said Ron. "Cute, but weird."
"Yeah . . ." replied Harry. "Come on lets get up to bed I'm tired." ****************
At Breakfast the next morning Hermione came down with Daisy. Harry noticed she was carrying a stack of papers. She had their schedules! Harry had forgotten all about them.
"Thanks," said Harry as he took the schedules from her.
"Sure, I'll be back in a second. Just need to finish giving these out." And with that Hermione made her way down the table and Daisy sat down to breakfast.
"You know we're gonna have no fun this year with Hermione the Prefect!" Said Ron.
"Oh, it won't be that bad, besides, she's not the only Prefect." said Harry smiling.
"All the more reason not to get caught," said Daisy. "Have I got classes with either of you?" she said leaning towards Ron and looking at his and Harry's schedules while showing them hers.
"Yeah, most of 'em." Harry answered. "Today we've all got Transfigurations, Care of Magical creatures, Defense against the Dark Arts, and . . . ick, Potions."
"Wait how can we have Defense Against the Dark Arts without a teacher?" said Ron. "Free period you reckon?"
"No," said Hermione as she sat with Harry across the table, "they found someone. He was just hired yesterday."
"Really, who?" said Daisy.
"Name's Blanc I think," she answered. "Yeah look at the schedule. It says Professor G. Blanc."
"Daisy are you all right?" Harry asked, "You look like you've gone all white."
"What? Oh yes I'm fine. Better get to class. Don't want to be late for my first class with McGonagall." And with Daisy got up and rushed from the Great Hall.
The morning went fast. Professor McGonagall told them all to prepare for a tough year and to keep their O.W.L.'s in mind.
Care of Magical Creatures was great.
Hagrid stared the lesson by saying this year they would be covering wide variety of creatures staring with Crups, page 8 of "Fantastic Beast and where to find them" by Newt Scamander (brought to the muggle world by JK Rowlings, Comic Relief UK, and Scholastic Inc.). The dogs were a nice change for the class.
At lunch Harry noticed Daisy wasn't talking and she still looked a little ill. "Are you sure your all right?" He asked.
"Harry's right you don't look well Daisy." Hermione was starting to worry about her new friend too. But before Daisy could answer a voice called, "Daze, Daze did you here who the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher is?" Allen called as he skid to a halt beside his sister's seat.
"Yeah, I have him next Len." She said in a quiet voice.
"Wow, then I've got 'im right after you. Can you believe he's really here? Uncle must have called him."
At this point Daisy lost her temper. "Of course Uncle called him who else would? Besides it not like his movements matter to anyone else!"
She got up and walked way before anyone could say anything.
"Geez, sisters." Allen said as he walked away.
"Now what was that about?" Asked Ron his sandwich nearly forgotten.
"I dunno, but that girl is different," said Harry.
****************************** As Harry, Ron and Hermione neared their classroom Hermione stopped the boys, "Listen!"
The door stood slightly ajar and they heard Daisy's angry voice. "First I'm pulled out of my school so uncle can baby-sit me, and Aunt Ro can watch me when ever I go to the village, which is the only place I can go, then Allen designates himself my 'protector,' and then you show up here! What am I suppose to think, Guy! {Pronounced Gee, French} I think nobody believes I can stand on my own two feet! I think nobody can treat me as normal fourteen-year-old!"
"You're not normal Daze." The reply came from a man's voice with a slight French accent. He sounded kind but was quite firm in his judgment. Daisy was not normal.
"I could be if you all would just back off! Two years Guy and not so much as a letter and all of a sudden you show up at my school, as teacher of all things! Aren't you the anti-teacher?"
"That was a long time ago Daisy. You had better calm down before . . ."
"I don't want to calm down!"
"Ok then, sit down. Class is going to start soon, and normal fourteen-year- olds don't argue with their teachers." Professor Blanc's voice, for that is who he was, stayed even and clam. For a moment it seemed Daisy was going to argue more but they heard her slam her book on desk and sit down.
"Hermione, what do you know about this girl?" Ron whispered.
"Not much, and not nearly as much as I thought."
Just to be safe, the trio waited a moment before going into the classroom.
When they finally did go in they saw Daisy sitting in the front of the class scowling at young man, maybe in his late teens, he couldn't be older that twenty. He was tall with black wavy hair and dark brown eyes. He smiled and said, "Come in sit down."
Daisy mumbled something that no one quite caught but Professor Blanc gave her look and she just looked back.
"Remind me not to make her mad," Ron whispered to Harry.
"Right, same here," Harry answered.
Hermione sat next to Daisy and the boys sat next her. As the rest of the class came in Hermione whispered, "He's cute!"
Daisy sighed. Harry tought she might crack a smile but was sure he was mistaken a second later.
When the class started the new teacher introduced himself. "Hello, as you know I am Professor Blanc. Just to tell you a little about myself, I went to Bauxbatons, graduated two years ago, and have been traveling throughout the wizarding world ever since. Until yesterday when I received and owl from Professor Dumbledore asking to come here." The young teacher beamed at his class, all of whom seem to really like him, except Daisy.
After he had taken role, Professor Blanc began his lesson. "Professor Dumbledore has asked me to cover different magical communities and what you might need to know to defend yourselves. Does anyone know anything about gypsies?"
To no one's surprise Hermione raised her hand. "Gypsies are communities of very powerful witches and wizards who traveled in caravans. They began to do this in the Middle Ages and were common in Europe until about fifty tears ago."
"Very good Miss Granger. Ten points to Gryffindor."
"Does anyone know what they're known for?" This time Hermione's hand wasn't alone. "Yes, Mr. Weasley."
"Well aren't gypsies really good with potions and divinations?"
"Yes, gypsies are known for their love potions, poisons, and divining abilities. Anyone else?" When no one volunteered Prof. Blanc took his class list and called, "Longbottom."
Neville a little shaken said, "Well my Grandmother used to tell me to behave or the gypsies will come and get me."
After thinking for a minute Professor Blanc said, "The idea of gypsies stealing children is common in both the wizarding and muggle worlds. Is there any truth in this myth?"
To Harry's surprise, Daisy raised her hand. "Miss Dumbledore." Called the professor.
"Yes." She said simply.
"Do you care to elaborate?"
"Aren't you the Professor?"
"Just tell the class what you know Daisy."
She shrugged and continued. "Well as muggles began to fear magic those with magic were persecuted, tortured, mutilated, killed, really horrific stuff, even kids, anyone with magic or even the suggestion of magic was vulnerable especially witch and wizard children in the care of muggle. Gypsies are generally good at divinations and there are almost always one or two true Sees in the bunch. The gypsies would rescue those for whom they See danger or a miserable life."
For the rest of the class they took notes on Gypsies and their histories and skills. Harry couldn't help wishing gypsies had come to take him away from the Dursley's. He also spent a lot of class looking a Daisy. She still didn't seem as happy as she had been, but she had calmed down.
When class was over Professor Blanc asked her to stay after a moment.
"Wait for me?" She asked.
"We'll be outside," answered Ron before either of the others could.
However outside the room they could still hear the conversation inside.
"Daze let me see your eyes."
"I'm fine Guy!"
"Let me see . . . You need to go to the hospital wing, soon."
"I'll go right after potions, . . . I promise. I don't want to be late for my first lesson!"
"It won't do you any good do pass out in the middle of it." She didn't say anything in response and he sighed. "Fine, you know what you can handle."
******************************* When they got to potions, Daisy joined Harry Ron and Hermione in the back of the class. All three kept watching her to see if she would pass out, each wondering why she might.
Professor Snape seemed to be in a particularly foul mood. He launched into a very hard lesson. By the end of class he had managed to take fifteen points from Gryffindor for no reason, ten of those from Harry.
Daisy asked Hermione to pass the willow root near the end of the class. Snape responded immediately by bellowing, "Ten more points from Gryffindor! There will be no chattering in this class and no favorites!"
"I can't believe him. He's a teacher. He should be fairer!" Daisy said ten minutes later as they were heading up the stairs from the dungeons.
"I don't thin that's a word," Hermione said thoughtfully.
"Hey at least I'm not the only one he hates!" Harry joked.
"And what was that about not having favorites! I was only there for one class and I could tell who his favorites were!" Daisy raged.
"Ah poor Potter and his little friend the weed," said a cold voice from behind. It was Draco Malfoy who until now had decided to leave the headmaster's niece alone. Now that he could see she wasn't invulnerable he decided to test her.
"Malfoy isn't?" Daisy said in a distracted way. "Shouldn't you be getting measured for your robes? Or scrubbing you arm so it's ready for a foul tattoo like your father?"
Malfoy smiled; "At least I know where my father is." And he walked past with that thin, smug smile on his face.
"I hate him!" Daisy said. She was fuming. "Where's the hospital wing?"
"We'll take you," said Hermione.
"Thanks, but I don't want to keep you all. Can you boys just take our books back to the Common room?" she asked
"OK, but are you sure you'll be all right?" asked Harry.
"I think we can walk a few flights of stairs." And Daisy did some thing she hadn't done all afternoon, smiled.
**********************
Back in the common room Harry and Ron were playing chess. Both were very distracted. Harry was wondering why Daisy smiling was so reassuring.
"Checkmate." Said Ron looking towards the door. "When are they coming back?"
"Dunno, whenever they get done. What you think, something's going on between Daisy and Blanc?" Harry wondered out loud.
"Probable an old friend. Hey he is kinda young, you think maybe an old boyfriend?"
Before Harry even had time to register the question, Allen Dumbledore came over. "Hey, you guys know where my sister is?" he asked.
"Hospital Wing," Ron said setting up the chess pieces again.
"Professor Blanc made her go," Harry added hoping the kid wouldn't worry. He didn't seem to.
"Thanks," he said and went back to his fellow first years.
"Hey maybe the kid could tell us about his sister? Or we could go wait for them at dinner." Ron suggested.
"Dinner," Harry said. He just realized how hungry he was.
*********************************** Harry and Ron came back from dinner full but alone. The girls weren't there. They did however find Hermione sitting in the common room when they came back.
"Hey," said Ron. "What happened to Daisy?"
"She's asleep, upstairs. Madam Pomfery gave her some potion and it seemed to really knock her out. She all right I think though."
Harry and Ron sat down in chairs across from Hermione. "Do you know what was wrong with her?" Harry asked.
"Not a clue. But she's fine now. Anyway we should get started studying Transfigurations."