Chapter 4-Platform Nine and Three Quarters
"Well there's the train," Ivy said to her daughter trying not to tear up.
"Ivy she's going to be fine, maybe we should go before the train leaves" Stuart said putting his arm around his wife.
"Please don't cry mother, I'm not crying" Alana said wiping a tear away.
"Write to me every week or I'll make a surprise visit to Hogwarts" Ivy said hugging her daughter.
"I will mother, I love you" Alana said as her mom walked away.
"Your mother will be fine. You're going to blow Hogwarts away," Stuart said as Alana started to tear up herself.
"Write as soon as you get there" he added and gave her a tight hug.
"Bye" Alana said watching her parents walk away.
"This is harder than I thought," she thought realizing the train doesn't come for another half hour.
Ten minutes later, "Hey there's Alana, she looks sad" Ron said as him, Harry, Hermonine walked up to the train.
"I saw her parents earlier" Hermonine said.
"She's leaving her home, and feels alone" Harry said knowing the same feeling.
"Steven didn't show up," Alana said looking around.
"Look behind you" Steven said appearing.
"I know you would come" Alana said giving him a huge hug. "
You would think I would miss seeing my sister off," Steven said faking innocence.
Alana laughed and said "No of course not".
"Who's that guy?" Ron said looking at the interaction between Alana and Steven.
"A big smile came on her face" Hermonine said.
"Yea" Harry said. "Could be her boyfriend" Ron said grinning at Harry.
"He looks too old for her" Harry said trying not to be jealous.
"I need you to do me a favor," Steven said. "
Sure, name it" Alana said.
Steven took out a box from his bag and said "I need you to keep this for a while, don't open it. It's has to do with some Xander and me are investigating"
"Alright, I won't let it out of my sight" Alana said putting the box in her bag quickly.
"I knew I could count on you" Steven said giving her another hug as a whistle blew.
"It looks like I should find a seat," Alana said trying to keep her composure as Harry, Ron, and Hermonine walked towards her.
"Hey you guys, this is my brother Steven" Alana said.
"Hi" Steven said with a smile.
"You should get going" Steven said.
"I'll visit you as much as I can, little sis" he said and gave her a final hug.
"You better I love you Steven" Alana said and walked away with Harry, Ron and Hermonine.
"What does your brother do?" Neville asked as they sat down.
"He's an auror," Alana said as she looked out the window.
"What do you do on the first day?" Alana asked trying to change the subject.
"Well since this is technically your first year, you'll be salted in. We get introduced to new professors and get announcements on the upcoming year. Then classes start the next day," Hermonine said.
"I see" Alana said as she glanced at Harry.
"Do you play Quidditch?" Ron asked.
"I'm no good at it, I used to be a cheerleader for my school team" Alana said.
"What's a cheerleader?" Ginny asked.
"You just cheer for your school team by dancing and chanting, muggles do it but we use magic in the cheers. You don't have cheerleading in Hogwarts?" Alana asked.
"No" Harry said amused by her reaction.
"Can we make up new clubs?" Alana asked.
"I don't know if they have time to vote on that," Hermonine said.
"Why? It's fun," Alana said defensively.
"You can give it a try," Harry said trying to be the mediator.
I'm going to find that tea cart," Alana said as the train jerked and she fell on top of Harry. Harry caught her by holding his hands on her waist.
"I'm sorry" Alana said trying to hide the fact she was blushing.
"I'm sorry" Harry said as Alana walked away. Both realized that they were attracted to each other.
Chapter 5-Arrival at Hogwarts
"Alana wake up" Ginny said as Alana looked out the window.
"Wow" Alana said looking at Hogwarts.
"Students change into your school robes, first years leave the train first please," the conductor said.
"I guess that's me," Alana said getting up and fixing her skirt.
"Don't be nervous" Hermonine said trying to make up for her comment from before. Alana gave a weak smile and walked out.
"I hope she gets into Gryffindor, it seems like it's natural for her to be there," Hermonine said.
"First year's follow me," Hargid said as Alana felt silly walking with 11 year olds.
"You'll probably be last since there isn't a lot this year" Hagrid whispered to Alana as they boarded a boat.
"Hope the food is good" Ron said as they sat down.
"Where's Ms. Umbridge?" Harry said really not looking forward to seeing her again.
"Who cares" Seamus said as the first years entered the great hall.
"There are less first years this year" Ginny said. Hagrid and Alana walked in as Hagrid gave a nod to professor Dumbledore.
"This is insane" Alana thought as she looked at the ceiling.
"There's Alana" Ron said to Harry who was watching her walk with the first years.
"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts" Professor Dumbledore said. "I have a few pleasant announcements, please welcome back Professor Lupin as your defense against the dark arts teacher," he said happily. Most of the great hall cheered, especially Harry.
"Professor Umbridge has taken an extended leave of absence," Dumbledore said.
"She got fired" Alana whispered but most of Gryffindor heard it and laughed. Professor McGonagall shot Alana an annoyed look. Alana politely smiled.
"In another week the professors and myself will be open to any new clubs students would like to form" Dumbledore said as he sat down.
"Let the sorting begin" Professor McGonagall said as Alana gulped as she read through the first years.
A few minutes later, "We have a new transfer student from America, Alana Deerr step forward please" Professor McGonagall said.
Alana took a deep break and sat on the stool.
"We have a little celebrity here, not shallow like one, not shallow at all," The sorting hat said. "
Well thank you" Alana said shakily.
"Strong that's for sure, Brave, Loyal, you have all the qualities of a Gryffindor!" The sorting hat yelled as Harry and the group cheered. Alana smiled at stepped off the stool as McGonagall smiled at her.
"Alana come here," Hermonine yelled as Alana tried to figure out where to go.
"I knew you were going to be in Gryffindor" Harry said touching her shoulder.
"I happy I'm here too" Alana said smiling.
"Let the feast begin" Professor Dumbledore said as he wave his hand and pizza, Buffalo wings, and fries appeared on the tables.
"All American food" Alana said as she realized what Dumbledore was trying to do. She smiled at him as he nodded.
"Ms. Deerr, welcome to Gryffindor" Professor McGonagall said.
"Thank you" Alana said feeling guilty about earlier.
"How are your parents dear?" McGonagall asked.
"They're fine, how do you know them?" Alana asked.
"Your mother did a semester abroad when she was training to be a healer. See you at advance transfiguration tomorrow" McGonagall said and walked back to the teacher's table.
"McGonagall is head of the Gryffindor house," Harry said to Alana.
"And I totally messed up" Alana said.
"No, you didn't she is always like that. She means well. She shows interest in you" Harry said.
"Who's the weird looking man with the black hair" Alana asked.
"Who?" Harry answered. Alana pointed at professor Snape.
"He's no one," Harry said angrily.
"Snape is the potion's teacher" Ron said simply.
"Ok" Alana said noticing Harry's reaction to him.
"Lupin is a popular teacher," Alana said trying to change the subject.
"He's the best," Hermonine said.
"When do we get out schedule's? Alana asked noticing Pansy staring at her.
"Tomorrow morning at breakfast" Ron said.
"What is she looking at?" Alana said.
"She always does that," Hermonine said looking at the Slytherin table.
Alana smiled at waved at Pansy. Pansy narrowed her eyes and looked away. "Anyways" Alana said laughing as Justin Finch Fletchley walked towards the Gryffindor table.
"Shh" he said quietly walking behind Alana.
"American woman, mama let me be" Justin said trying to sing.
"No way! Justin" Alana said turning around giving him a huge hug.
"Don't come hanging around my door" Alana sang.
"I don't want to your shadow no more" Justin sang back.
Harry and the rest of the Gryffindor looked confused.
"How do you guys know each other?" Ron asked.
"Justin was in America last Easter, and the summer before that." Alana said.
"Student exchange program during vacation" Justin said.
"How are you?" Alana asked.
"Good, how about you?" Justin answered.
"Not bad, I should tell Becky you're here," Alana said with a grin as Justin blushed.
"We're only friends" Justin said.
"Whatever you say, I can't believe there isn't some sort of dance club. I want to start one" Alana said.
"If your going to do it I'll help, put my name down. I have to get to my dorm" Justin said giving her a hug.
"See you tomorrow" Alana said sitting back down.
"I forgot Justin went to school here," Alana said.
"I never seen him like that" Ginny said.
"He was in the cheerleading squad well when he was there, he and my friend Becky back home like each other" Alana said noticing Harry staring at professor Snape.
"How about the other professors?" Alana asked.
"Professor Flitwick teaches charms. He's very sweet. Professor Sinistra teaches astronomy that's rather interesting. Professor Binns is the only ghost teacher. He teaches history of magic," Hermonine said.
"One of the most boring classes" Seamus said as Alana laughed
. "Professor Sprout, teaches herbology" Harry said trying to get into the conversation."
"Who's that?" Alana said looking at Professor Trelawney.
"Professor Trelawney, sort of a nut. She teaches Divination" Ginny said.
"Is she related to Cassandra Trelawney?" Alana asked.
"Yes" Harry said looking at Alana's amazement.
"So she must be a really good Seer" Alana said.
"You'll see for yourself," Harry said as dinner was ending.
"She's horrible?" Alana said walking up to the Gryffindor tower with Harry.
"That's not even the word for it" Harry said with a grin as they walked to the large painting of the Fat Lady.
"Password" the painting asked.
"Pumpkin juice" Harry said as the door opened.
"Nice" Alana said looking at the common room.
"This is the common room well as you can see" Harry said as Alana laughed.
Hedwig flew into the as Harry extended his hand. "And this is Hedwig, well my owl as you can see" Harry said laughing.
"She's beautiful," Alana said kneeling as Hedwig stood on Harry's left arm. "Bowen is coming in a few days," Alana said referring to her owl.
"The girl's dormitories is on the left, boys on the right," Hermonine said as her and Ron led the first years.
"Hermonine and Ron and prefects, they don't act like it" Alana said. "How are prefects supposed to act" Harry said as they sat down.
"The ones in my school were so horrible, they bossed people around, were corrupt, nobody really respected them" Alana said.
"Well some prefects here do that. Watch out for Malfoy and Perkinson" Harry said leaning back.
"Oh you got to be kidding me! I feel bad for their house" Alana said as her and Harry started laughing. Harry realized how much he was starting to like Alana's laugh.
"I'm sorry" Alana said laughing so much she was in tears.
"Don't be" Harry said.
"Your cheering up, good" Alana said hitting his right shoulder.
"I didn't mean to be so quiet before, people in Slytherin just pissed me off" Harry said quietly.
"Snape and Malfoy?" Alana asked.
"Malfoy blames me for his father being in Azkaban prison" Harry said.
"Why?" Alana thought to herself.
"Snape did something last semester and now we're both pissed at each other," Harry said looking at Alana.
Alana simply nodded and continued listening.
"No questions? No prying?" Harry thought surprised at Alana's reaction.
"Well my brother taught me that you don't have to like everybody. There's no law that says that. And everyone has their own way of handling the way a person can treat you." Alana said brushing some hair from her face.
"You can say that again" Harry replied.
"My aunt Tracy and me, we despised each other. She doesn't like my mom either. I try not to do anything drastic for my grandmother's sake. My father and I butt heads also" Alana said looking down.
"But you must missed your family" Harry said noticing Alana tearing up.
"I'm dealing with it, just as your dealing with the jerks of Slytherin" Alana said.
"You guys classes start tomorrow" Hermonine said walking to the girl's dormitory.
"She's right, goodnight Harry" Alana said with a smile.
"Goodnight Alana" Harry said as walked to his room.