DISCLAIMERS: see previous chapters for the full story

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CHAPTER 3

We quickly found ourselves standing in front of a compartment near the back of the train. Harry knocked quickly three times before opening the door.

"To ensure I don't walk in on anything," he told me with a half humored, half exasperated smile.

In the compartment sat two other people, a rather pretty bushy-haired brunette who looked like someone I know but I couldn't quite put my finger on who, and a pale and freckled red head. I didn't even need to be told they were a couple; they radiated love so much that I didn't even have to put down my shields to sense it. The red head was the first to speak up.

"What took you so bloody long Harry? Did you forget what the bathroom looks like?"

The girl now spoke.

"Rooooonnnn! Leave Harry alone."

So the boy's name is Ron.

"Jeez, you are always sticking up for Harry. Do you like him better than me now? I don't think I could possibly stand the rejection!"

"Ron, stop it you know I love you."

"I love you more."

Oh good lord, shoot me now.

"No, I love you more."

They continued to go back and forward like that while I attempted to refrain from getting sick. Harry looked at me and rolled his eyes as to say "Look what I have to put up with." I smiled back at him showing some sympathy for him. Finally he cleared his throat and they stopped.

"I want to introduce you to someone."

He sort of motioned toward me.

"This is Joz. Joz this is Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger."

Granger... that name... it sounds so familiar.

Ron stuck out his hand as he spoke again.

"Nice to meet you Joz. That's a cool name. Where's it come from?"

"Well it stands for..."

"...Jocelyn, Jocelyn Sierra Azure."

I looked at Hermione.

How did she know that? Wait a minute Hermione, Hermione... as in...

"Herms?"

"Josie?"

"Oh my God!"

She shot up and wrapped me in a bone crushing hug as I did the same. From there the questions exploded.

"How are you doing?"

"What are you doing here?"

"Me! How about you?"

"Why didn't you tell me you were at Hogwarts?"

We were interrupted by a couple of very confused boys.

"We don't mean to break up the reunion but..."

"...would anyone mind explaining what is going on here?"

We both laughed and then explained about how we were friends in a muggle primary school because both my aunt and her parents work in dentistry together and how we had been unbelievably close.

"So," Hermione asked "What happened?"

"Well being where we lived I got two letters, one from Hogwarts and one from Durmstrang. Unfortunately my mom and dad had other plans and sent me to The International Witch and Wizarding Academy in the United States for a couple years. After that I needed to be closer to home, but with all the controversy surrounding Hogwarts at the time, you know the Ministry breech, we thought it would be better if I went to Durmstrang. Things didn't really work out there so I decided to transfer here for my last year. And I am pretty sure that was a good choice."

Herms beamed at me and gave me another, gentler hug.

"Well we are so glad you are here."

At that moment, two more people joined our group in the compartment.

Whoa there! It's a regular party compartment.

"'Allo there! You must be Joz!" one of the people said to me.

She was a short girl, a bit younger I assumed, bearing a striking red resemblance to Ron.

"Are you related?" I inquired.

"Unfortunately," they said together.

Harry once again spoke up.

"You should see them! There is a whole Weasley clan. Bill, Charlie, Percy..."

"...the git..." was a comment from Ron and everyone present agreed before Harry continued.

"...Fred and George, twins, of course Ron, and Ginny here."

"So it's you with all those boys?"

"Yep."

"Know the feeling, I have four brothers myself."

We will get along just fine.

I turned in the direction of the other boy who had entered with Ginny. He seemed to automatically know I was looking at him because he spoke up.

"Hello there. I'm N... N... Neville, Neville Longbottom."

Aw, he's blushing, and stuttering!

"Well Neville, I am Joz, though I am pretty sure you must have picked that up by now, but formal introductions are always nice."

We chatted a bit about this and that, classes and such. Turns out Herms is a bloody genius as always, while Ron excels in chess, Neville is a Herbology master, Ginny is quite good in Potions, and Harry's DADA skills are unmatched, go figure. During the conversation Ginny turned to me.

"What's your favorite class?"

"Probably Transfiguration."

"Why is that?"

"Let's just say that the whole idea of changing appearance comes a bit easy to me."

"What do you mean?"

Well there goes that secret.

"Watch."

I screwed up my nose and focused.

Hmm... how about long red hair, purple eyes, pale skin freckles, button nose.

When I was done, I could have easily passed as a Weasley. Ginny was the first to speak up.

"Whoa, you are like Tonks, and you could be my sister! Wicked!"

"So you are a metamorphmagus?"

That was Herms.

"Yep and empathic. And sometimes when I feel a certain way, my image changes to look the part. Weird isn't it?"

No one knew what to say. I think it was a bit of an information overload. We sat in silence for a minute. Then to everyone's surprise, Neville actually spoke up.

"That's really neat Joz."

From that comment on, the awkward silence was gone. We chatted until it was time to change into robes. That was when I noticed everyone in the car was a Gryffindor. That got me to start thinking about the sorting I had to go through. I was glad I was allowed to participate in a separate, private ceremony before the feast. I was a bit nervous about the whole thing. I also had no clue as to who this McGonagall lady I was supposed to see was. I decided to ask Hermione as we got off the trains

"Herms?"

"Yea?"

"Well I am supposed to go see a Professor McGonagall to be sorted before the ceremony, but I don't have a clue who she is."

"No worries! I'll go with you."

"Thanks."

We boarded the carriages to take us to the castle. As others talked I watched out a small window at the scenery passing before us. Before I knew it someone was telling me to get out and I was walking into the castle. I followed Herms and we found the Professor. She was quite nice and told me to follow her up a hidden staircase into what I soon learned to be was the Headmaster's office. Albus Dumbledore was sitting there in all his glory and a twinkle in his eye. I smiled unsurely.

"Please Ms. Azure won't you have a seat? Lemon drop?"

I took the seat but refused the candy.

"Now we should be done quite shortly, as I understand Ms. Granger is waiting for you?"

"Correct sir."

"Ok then. Let us begin."

He grabbed what was a rather ragged hat and placed it about my head. To my shock the thing started talking... in my head!

"Hello there Ms. Azure. My, my. Isn't this interesting. Empathic and a metamorphmagus. Powerful... and very wise... quite possibly way beyond your years. There is only one thing I can do with you... "

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Cliffhanger!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

R/R por favor...