An: sorry about the wait but exams are just finishing - my last is tomorrow so i thought its about time i post this chapter. :D hope you like it.

Chapter 11 – a new friendship in a new world

"Ok today we are dealin' with a new creature today, now as ya see their over in that pen. Now anyone know what they are?" Asked Hagrid.

Everyone turned their heads and looked at the new creatures Hagrid had brought. They were large Cats similar to the muggle version of a loins except they had bright green eyes, their paws were black and they had no manes.

Hermione's hand shot up in the air.

"Hermione?"

"Catrosis. Their cat like creatures, similar to the muggle lion; except they are more furious and dislike human contact."

"Hermione, yer correct but these Catrosis are more tame and don't really mind human contact. However still be careful around them." The fact that Hagrid said they were to be careful set off the warning bells in the student's heads. The two creatures stood proudly the make had what appeared to be a goatee, distinguishing if form its female counter part.

"Now who would like to come closer and see what they think of ya?"

Everyone mentally took a step back. As always Harry Hermione and Ron went to raise their hands as not to offend Hagrid. However Katherine had beaten them to it.

"Ok Katherine, be careful so that you don't scare 'em."

"Yep." She quickly stepped closer to the pen. At first the Catrosis stepped back, but seeing her eyes they came forward and allowed her to pat their heads, they began to make a sound similar to a purr. Hagrid couldn't be more pleased.

However every time another student was brave enough to attempt to go closer to these huge animals that were easily the size of a small car; would begin to hiss and spit and move away from the approaching students.

For the rest of the class, the students learnt about the animals that rested 7 metres away from them; where only Hagrid and Katherine could get close to the animals, which really didn't worry the rest of the students.

They day had come to a quiet end, classes finished for the day with Newt Levels Transfiguration, which most Gryffindors had managed to receive adequate marks to qualify for. Today they were practicing transfiguring items where size was not an issue. The task set before most students was to transfigure a teapot into a chair, which proved to be more difficult then it sounded. However in the end all students had some resemblance of a chair. Neville Longbottom's chair had glass legs, which was defiantly better then what would have occurred last year.

However the day was over and night had fallen, the students completely their homework in the common room, and where now snuggled in their beds except for one it appeared.

Out in the darkness a 16 year old girl cold be heard crying, leaning against the pen, which held Hagrid's newest subjects for his classes.

Katherine missed her family and friends her new life was fantastic she was having a great time, but it was all still so new. For all the other students in her year they had already had five years experience with the magical world at least. But she was new and had so many things still to learn about Hogwarts and the people here.

Hermione had slipped out of the Gryffindor common room, following her familiar in search of her new room mate. Quickly making her way out of the entrance hall and into the grounds narrowly avoiding an encounter with Peeves. She followed her cat down towards the site of their care of magical creatures' class.

"Katherine what's wrong?"

"Nothing really, its just well....every thing is all different here."

"Yeah I know what you mean, my first year I missed everybody back home. My friends and family however I met Ron and Harry and everything got a bit better."

"Thanks."

"You know the magical world isn't so bad we have all sorts of things here... ummm like Quidditch have you heard about that yet."

"Heard the word got no idea what it is about however."

"Ok, the boys would be better to explain it to you. It's a game that is played on broomsticks in the air. Both Ron and Harry play on the Gryffindor team."

"That sound like fun, do you think I can learn?"

"Sure why not, I mean I bet Harry and Ron would love to teach you. They would be on their brooms all the time."

"Well when you find something you enjoy why would you want to stop?"

"I agree, but Quidditch always seems to take them away from their studies. I know they could get better marks if they tried harder."

"Umm... yeah...well..."

"Katherine I have a question for you how did you get out here?"

"Ok I found a passage way from the common room which leads directly into the grounds, one night when I was looking for Charlotte."

"I don't think Fred and George have found that one yet."

A large grey wolf with white paws descended out of the forest and lay down next to Katherine. Hermione quickly got up and backed away shocked at the behaviour of the animal.

"Ah Katherine I would get up if I was you, why aren't you moving?"

"Oh Hermione don't be afraid I know this wolf, this is Celesta. I met her on my first night here."

"Despite that how do you know she won't attack you?"

"I don't know. I have always had this thing... it's like a connection with animals... geez I am not explaining this well, I sound like a freak. Oh well I did my best and therefore I hope you don't hold it against me. Umm sorry I will stop babbling now."

Hermione and Katherine sat on the grass, talking like that for the better part of the night; each telling the other about their family and friends and life outside of Hogwarts.

TBC

Review Responses:

Auntarctic: TBC – stands for 'to be continued' :D

Gryffindorchick() – I am glad u found this story as now I have another reviewer to help me improve it. Oh and yes I also thought it was about time someone brought Snape down from his high horse. (It was my favorite part as well)

cardiff bluebird – sorry about the delay in the chapter I am overjoyed to hear u like this story so much. Sadly exams are just finishing for me and so I have not been able to get this out as quickly as I possibly can. Also as I said in my last review since I have just recently acquired a beta chapters will take a little bit longer to come out but I promise they will be out at least once a week unless something drastic happens to me. (p.s just thought you would like to know this is a trilogy so I don't plan on giving up on this story – there is a lot more to come :P)

House cup Tally: (don't forget which house when you review)

Gryffindor: 20 points

Ravenclaw: 0 points

Slytherin: 0 points

Hufflepuff: 0 points