While looking up a few things on the site, I realized my idea for a story is not exactly original. But, if anyone is interested, I will keep adding chapters and we'll see how it goes. Thanks for the feedback! Sorry it took so long to add the next chapter.

Chapter 2: Someone New

Harry, Ron and Hermione had been quietly chatting as the sorting ceremony was taking place. They didn't know any of the new students and had been through several of these events already so it had become a bit boring. Hermione noticed Neville and the girl first. She stared at them and was only half listening to the conversation.
Ron cleared his throat, "Hermione, I just asked you a question..."
She didn't look at him, "Uh-huh..."
"Hermione, what hour do you have Arithmacy this year?"
"Okay, sure..." she still wasn't paying attention.
"Hermione, will you do all my homework?" Ron smiled at Harry.
"Yeah, whatever."
Finally, the two boys followed Hermione's gaze to see Neville and the girl.
"I wonder who that is..." Ron tried to see over the heads of the students around him.
Harry couldn't speak. He could only stare at her. She began to walk towards the front of the room and Harry's gaze followed her as she moved. Her shoulder length, light brown hair swayed slightly as she walked. As she came closer to Harry, her eyes caught his and she smiled. He smiled back, hoping he didn't look too goofy. He brushed the hair out of his eyes to get a better look, but she had gone past him to where McGonagall stood.
Prof. McGonagall smiled at Michelle, "Miss Larson? Good, I was beginning to worry that you weren't going to make it." Her voice lowered and a concerned look covered her face, "You didn't have any problems did you?"
"No, everything was okay. My flight was delayed that's all. It just put me behind schedule. I hope you don't mind, but I had to cheat a little and ride my broom here."
"I think we can forgive you this time..." she looked to the anxious faces before her. "Students...as you have already been told, Hogwarts has its first ever transfer student joining us this term. Miss Michelle Larson is from Deepak Academy in the United States. She is a 7th year student and in a few moments, we will place her in a house. We are looking forward to having her here with us and we hope you will all do your best to make her feel welcome." McGonagall motioned toward the stool next to her and Michelle sat down. McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on her head. Only Michelle could hear what the hat was saying. It debated for several seconds before calling out loud enough for all to hear. She had been placed in Gryffindor. The hat off her head, Michelle went towards the table filled with applauding students. She spotted Neville, who had made space for her beside him. Sitting down, several students around her said hello and introduced themselves. She glanced down the table and could see Harry looking her direction. Nervously, she turned back towards Neville.
Harry wasn't sure what had just happened. A second ago, Michelle had smiled at him. Now, when he looked at her she turned away. Surely she couldn't see his scar from there. He told himself she must just be anxious having come all the way from America. He wasn't sure he believed it, but he told himself anyway.

Dinner finished, the students headed to their dorms. Michelle paused at the door to grab her things. Neville had picked up one of her bags as he lead her to Gryffindor house. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were only a few steps behind them. Harry struggled to hear what Michelle was saying. Neville was asking her questions about her old school. Harry caught only bits and pieces of their conversation. He discovered Michelle had grown up not knowing who her parents are and had to sell her muggle car in order to pay for her plane ticket to England. Harry really wanted to talk to her. Almost everyone at Hogwarts had parents who were living; it would be nice to talk to someone who had grown up without as he had. They all paused as this year's prefect uttered the password they would need to enter the dorm. Neville leaned in and told Michelle it was important to remember this word, because other students were notorious for leaving one stranded outside the painting if you had forgotten.

Michelle could feel Harry looking at her the whole time they were going thru the school. She had to make herself not turn around. She tried concentrating on what Neville was telling her about Hogwarts. Neville apparently was friends with Harry. This could get complicated. She would have to be very careful. She couldn't get close to Harry. Once inside the dorm, Michelle took her things immediately upstairs. One of the other 7th year girls, Daphne, showed her which floor they were on and where her bed was in the room. She put her things away and lay down on the bed. Her head was aching from sleep deprevation. Coming here had meant leaving everything she knew and cared about. And, while everything for her was less than it was for most people, she still felt the loss acutely.

Harry watched as Michelle went upstairs. He caught up with Neville.
"Neville, how is she? Is she nice?" Harry tried to sound casual.
"Oh yeah, she seems really brilliant. She helped me try and find Trevor earlier..." he smiled widely as he spoke.
Harry had to smile back. He knew she had just scored major points with Neville. "Did she say much about herself?"
"A little...she answered my questions, but she didn't really say much on her own. She's from Illinois, which I guess is somewhere in the middle or something..."
"Did she ask any questions about the school, or the students..." Harry leaned in slightly as he spoke. What he really wanted to know was-- did she ask about me?
Neville shrugged, "Not really. She wanted to know where Dumbledore's office was because she has to check in with him first thing tomorrow." His brow furrowed as he concentrated. "Wait, she did ask me one thing about someone."
Harry's demeanor picked up, "Yeah...about who?"
"Ummm...oh yeah! She asked about Malfoy."
Harry's face dropped, "Malfoy..."
"Yeah, she wanted to know who the creepy looking guy was."

Harry smiled, maybe he'd have a chance with her after all.