Hello everyone! And yes, it's back. Before we get into the fanfic, I would like to apologize to anyone who has read this previously, to , and to Midii. You see, this was up some years ago, and, due to my distinct lack of internet (rage), the first chapter was published an number of times(go me) and I didn't have time to fix the error on the extremely limited access that I got, so I had to remove the whole thing. SORRY! But here it is again, and I have internet now, so fresh chapters should be up regularly, and no screw-ups shall conceivably occur! W00! I did not intentionally screw it up, and so, to the 3 people that read this previously, I'm sorry for the repetitiveness. But I'll get past the first two chapters this time!

Chapter One

The Great Hall was unusually full that afternoon, when all four houses had gathered to watch the famous Sorting Hat carry out his duty.

"There seems to be a lot more students this year," remarked Hermoine to Harry and Ron thoughtfully. "There must be over a hundred waiting to be sorted."

"Well, Hermoine, I recall it being a lot fuller when Durmstrang and Beaux Batons were here." Ron quipped playfully. "Or do you not remember? Too busy hanging off of Krumm, I suppose." Harry noticed the tinge of guilty jealousy in Ron's voice. He was next to positive that Ron had begun to grow feelings for the girl whom Ron once called a "nightmare". Hermoine smacked him viciously upside the head.

"Oh shut up! You're just envious that Krumm didn't sign your-"

"Shh!" Harry cut Hermoine off and elbowed Ron in the gut before he could protest. Dumbledore was about to speak.

During the preliminary speech intended almost exclusively for the first years, Harry tried to keep Ron and Hermoine from tearing each other to bits underneath the tables.

"Look, you two," Harry whispered. "School hasn't even begun and both of you are acting like Dementors. At least try to act civilized until classes start." That way, the teachers can deal with you. Harry finished the thought introspectively. Ron stuck his tongue out and Hermoine glared back, and both settled in to watch the sorting. Why do I get the feeling this is going to be another crazy year? Harry thought and followed suit.

The sorting was as interesting as it was every year, and there were, true to Hermoine's guess, over one hundred and fifty new students. Most of which landed in Ravenclaw house. Slytherin, as usual, got the fewest amount of first years, but each one of them looked snobby and cruel.

"And now for one last piece of business." McGonagal's clear voice carried easily across the buzzing chambers. "Everyone, we have a special case with us this evening. We have a new fifth year student among us. Midori, would you come up please?"

A young girl Harry had noticed in passing earlier got up from the staff table and crept down the stairs to where the Sorting Hat and Mrs. McGonagal stood waiting.

The old witch motioned for Midori to stand close by. The girl did as bidden, and Harry saw, as well as all others, the color of Midori's hair as it was struck by starlight from the false ceiling. It was as red as blood.

"Ms. Midori is here from overseas. She is a fifth year magic student, as well as many of you here." she glanced hard at Hermoine, Ron and Harry for an instant. "She had been attending Durmstrang school of magic, when the headmaster set fire to the building at the expense of the lives of some of the students. Such a tragedy has likely not spread around to many of you yet, but this horrific turn of events has kept myself, Dumbledore, and those from the Ministry of Magic at full attention for a few days. To those of you living outside of the wizarding world, this may come as a shock."

Hermoine had gone ice-pale. Ron was slack-jawed, a shard of pure disbelief in either eye. The hall began to buzz free from the stunned carcass it had fallen into. Harry watched Midori as she lowered her light eyes to the floor, hair falling lightly into her face. McGonagal placed a protective arm around the young witch's shoulders and called loudly for silence. The hall quieted to attention.

"Since Midori was orphaned in the months directly following her birth, she is a ward of the Ministry. Therefore, it is my obligation, as well as my pleasure to admit Midori into Hogwarts, School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

Polite yet listless applause ticked coldly from the students. Hermoine's eyes were welling up with tears of fear and dread. Wordlessly, Harry placed a hand on hers and let her squeeze.

Dumbledore shook Midori's hand and rose to speak. "What Minerva- I mean Mrs. McGonagal did not mention is the details on such an attack. I am sure you are each mightily concerned about your own welfare and those of the friends you have made during the games last year, as well as those of other magic folk. I regret to say that the attacks are suspected to be the work of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, but no hard evidence has been discovered as yet. It is too soon to tell. The casualties are indeed slight, as far as we know. The deaths of only three students are known for positive at this point, although I cannot reveal their names as I am unsure of them. Suffice to say for the moment that those who participated in the Goblet of Fire games are likely too cunning of wizards to befall a demise of that nature. Now, Mrs. McGonagal, let us welcome the new student, shall we?"

The old witch nodded energetically and bid Midori sit down on the Sorting Hat stool.

"Like any other new student, Midori must be sorted into her kin house." the Sorting Hat was placed on the head of bloody red. The Hat instantly came alive and wiggled purposefully. "Now then," the Hat mumbled into Midori's private ear. "Let's see... got everything all up here... right, right. Smart cookie, you are."

"Thank you." Midori whispered from under the bulky hat.

"Brought up by muggles then... but a great deal of talent, make no mistake. Ambition, plenty of that... and oh my... Right. SLYTHERIN!"

Ron wiggled unhappily. "Slytherin? A girl like that is Slytherin? I'd say she looks far more like a Griffindor to me, wouldn't you say so Harry?"

The room was applauding politely up to the Slytherin side where most people were cheering loudly and standing as Midori was directed to the Slytherin table. Harry clapped quietly. "I dunno, Ron. She could be like Fleur."

Ron was about to defend the young French wench when Hermoine interrupted.

"Did you see her hair, Harry? You can tell just by that she's a Slytherin."

Ron glared indignantly. "Oh it does not Hermione! I have red hair, in case you didn't notice!"

"But not like hers! You just think she should be in Griffindor because she's pretty!"

"That's insane! And why are you being so testy?"

Harry again cut in as mediator. "Will you two please keep it down? Dumbledore will kick you both out." Both quieted instantly. Harry watched as Midori sat down next to Malfoy. "If Draco hasn't picked her mind and turned her against us too much by Herbology, then maybe we can talk to her."