Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of her characters. They belong to JK Rowling.

Chapter 5: Encounters and Cryptic Chattering

Harry discovered that the rest of the summer just flew by. The hours morphed into days, which turned into weeks and before he knew it, school was about to begin.

The rest of the holidays were spent at the Burrow. Harry decided he was glad they have moved away from Grimmauld Place. The whole house seemed haunted by Sirius' memory. It was too depressing- to turn every corner, walk down every hallway and be confronted with painful memories of his godfather.

After his memorial service, Harry tried to forget and move on. He found he could not. Though the pain was becoming less, Harry still had that little gnawing feeling in the back of his mind, knowing that he was wrong to blame poor Sirius or himself, for his death.

Following the service, Sirius' Will was attended to. He had left the house to Dumbledore, his small fortune to Harry (which he found he didn't need) and surprisingly also, Buckbeak. Harry didn't know what he would do with a Hippogriff so he left him in Remus' care.

Leia had also come with them to the Weasley's house. Mrs Weasley asked Dumbledore for permission, seeing as the girl was feeling terribly lonely.

Her position seemed to remind Harry of himself. They both shared the need for companionship and both required permission to get it. She seemed to get along very well with the Weasley's, especially Ginny and Mr and Mrs Weasley. Arthur was very enthusiastic about South American muggles. He continuously asked her questions, which the daughter of the late Minister for Magic was more than willing to answer. The twins would always go out of their way to make her smile and laugh. When visting their store in Diagon Alley, they had loaded them prototype products, which Harry observed, amused her.

When they arrived at Platform Nine and Three Quarters, Harry looked fondly at the scarlet train that stood impressively before them. Glancing around, he saw none of his other fellow Gryffindors though he did see Michael Corner a Ravenclaw, who was looking nervously at Ginny .

Ginny was determinedly ignoring her former boyfriend, though Harry had noticed she had gone very red.

Harry turned to Ron, deciding to stop staring at the already squeamish Ginny.

"Good to be back, eh, Harry?" he asked.

Harry just smiled in reply. It was, or was it? The last time he had boarded the train, Sirius was there to see him off, in the form of his Animagus- a black shaggy dog. Harry banished these depressing thoughts and looked at his other best friend and Leia conversing animatedly. He was about to walk towards them when he was met with an unwelcome sight.

Leia looked around at the busy platform in awe. Her last school was a day school but she noticed Hogwarts must be considerably bigger. It looked like there were thousands of students attending the school. Hermione seemed to notice her astonishment.

"Was your last school this big?" The bushy haired girl asked curiously. Leia shook he head, causing her dark waves to sway.

"No, I don't believe it was even close."

Leia watched with curiosity as small boy ran past them in a hurry, obviously a first year.

"Nervous things aren't they?" Hermione observed, laughing.

Leia also laughed, "If they're nervous I'm a wreck!"

The two friends giggled. As they stooped to collect their trunks, Leia saw a tall boy with white-blonde hair and a pointy face approach Harry and Ron. Judging from the two boys' reaction to the arrival newcomer, Leia decided that he was no friend. Hermione noticed the scene and tensed. Leia turned to her questionably but her friend remained silent. Harry seemed to have said something that annoyed the other boy, which caused him to leave. Still a little confused, Leia placed her trunk on the train as Hermione had instructed and returned to Harry and Ron, her friend following suit.

She was about to inquire about the previous situation when a large, shrill whistle filled the air. Ginny, who had rejoined them, hurried them onto the train.

"Ron, Hermione and I have to go to the prefects carriage," she informed her. "Harry will accompany you to the other carriages. We'll be back soon."

The red head turned and beckoned the other two to follow her. They obeyed and left Harry and herself alone.

"We better go and get seats," said Harry quietly. She followed him through the train, ignoring all the curious stares and whispering that followed them. After what seemed like hours of walking they settled themselves in an empty carriage.

Harry put down his bag and pulled out some cards.

"Want to play?" he asked.

"Sure," she said smiling.

They were about to start when the door of their carriage opened and a round-faced boy entered the compartment.

"Hi Harry, have a good summer?" the boy asked.

Harry smiled in return.

"Neville, this is Leia. She's a sixth year transfer student from Peru." Harry replied, introducing her to the boy.

"Pleased to meet you Neville," said Leia and smiling at him. The boy called Neville looked at her shyly.

"Hi," he muttered quietly. He then continued mumbling something Leia couldn't quite pick up.

"Sorry? We didn't hear that Neville," Harry asked confused.

"Nothing...never mind, nothing at all," Neville answered still muttering. But Leia noticed he had gone very red.

The trio were enjoying themselves playing Exploding Snap when half an hour later Ron, Hermione and Ginny returned. All three greeted Neville and sat down to join them.

"I see you have met Leia, Neville?" Hermione asked.

"Yes, yes...I have," said Neville, going a little pink. Hermione looked at him weirdly, clearly confused, but started talking to Ginny.

"That Draco Malfoy," she complained to her. "He is a complete idiot. I had to take ten points off Slytherin because he wouldn't stop tormenting any first year muggleborns he came across. Did you hear what he said to that little boy Leia and I saw at the station?"

Leia turned her head to join in the conversation.

"Whose Draco Malfoy?" Leia asked interestingly.

Hermione opened her mouth to answer when the door to their compartment swung open. The newcomer was the blonde boy Leia had seen on the platform, accompanied by two bulky-looking guys that had very woolly expressions.

"So, mudblood," he taunted, eyeing Hermione. The others gave him looks of deep loathing at these words. Harry stood up, bviously ready for a fight. "About to tell her about me, eh?"

"I thought I told you to clear off, Malfoy!" Harry spat venomously.

"As a matter of fact," Hermione retorted, giving Harry a warning look. "I was about to tell her how you were the biggest prat I've ever met."

Malfoy just sneered at her then turned his head to look at Leia, who just stared defiantly back at him. He then continued in his cocky tone.

"So the rumours are true then, it's Colhen?" He asked.

Leia still didn't say anything but nodded curtly in confirmation. He said nothing, sneered at the rest of them and quickly left.

"He seemed pretty interested in you, Leia," Hermione said thinking. "That idiot must read the Daily Prophet."

"Well, he's the nastiest slime ball Slytherin you'll ever meet," said Ron darkly.

Leia, who was slightly shaken by the encounter, turned to him.

"People like Malfoy take their bloodlines very seriously," said Hermione explained stiffly. "They think only purebloods should be allowed into Hogwarts."

Leia looked disgusted. "That's nonsense."

The others agreed with her. The conversation, however, turned to more of a pleasant nature and before long the six friends laughed merrily through out the rest of the train trip, momentarily forgetting the encounter with the Slytherins.

After a while, Harry felt the train begin to slow down.

"We're almost there," informed the others. "We'd better change into our robes."

When they arrived at Hogsmeade Station, they all piled into a carriage. Harry looked at the Thestrals that were pulling their carriage. He was about to climb into the carriage when he heard a voice next to him.

"I hate seeing them," it murmured. Harry turned and was surprised to see Leia. She looked sadly at the fleshless beasts and climbed into the carriage. Harry was sure she didn't know he had heard her. He decided to make no indication of having to have had overhearing her thoughts and just climbed in after her.

The trip up to the castle was quicker then he had expected. It was beginning to pour with rain so they quickly ran up the stairs into the castle. When they arrived McGonagall was waiting for them.

"Good evening Professor McGonagall," said Hermione politely.

The woman nodded, greeting them. "Move along please," she said briskly to the arriving students and then turned to Leia.

"Ms Colhen, please come with me." Leia gave them a worried look but followed the Professor through Great Hall to join the first years.

"She's probably going to be Sorted," said Hermione to Harry and Ron. Both boys nodded and quickly sat at the Gryffindor table.

Leia was very nervous. She hadn't felt this nervous since June, when she received her OWL results. Hogwarts, though beautiful, felt very intimidating. She followed her friends through the rain and was met with an elderly woman she had seen during the summer.

"Ms Colhen, please come with me,"

Leia followed Professor McGonagall, as Hermione had called her, into the Great Hall. Leia looked amazed at the splendid sight before her. Thousands of candles were floating in the air and the four long tables were laid with glittering golden plates and goblets. Leia looked up and saw a stormy sky. She remembered reading in Hogwarts: A History that the ceiling was bewitched to look like the sky. She hadn't fully appreciated its beauty until she finally saw it.

Leia returned her attention to the Professor.

"Do you have all your school things?" the older woman inquired.

"Yes, mam," Leia replied. McGonagall nodded and led her into a small empty chamber of the hall.

"You will be Sorted into the appropriate House," she informed her. "I will leave you here."

Leia watched as the Professor grabbed a 3-legged stool and an old hat (Leia assumed was the Sorting Hat) and walked into the Great Hall. Turning back, she looked at her fellow new students in the chamber, she saw they were giving her curious looks. Leia supposed it was because she looked older than them. She was also considerably taller. As the Sorting Ceremony started, Leia looked into the Hall as the Hat began its song. When its finished Professor McGonagall read from a long scroll.

"Albery, Joanna." A small girl with blonde plaits toddled from the chamber into the dimly lit hall. Professor McGonagall placed the worn hat on her head and after a while it yelled, "Ravenclaw!"

McGonagall continued to read down the list until it was her turn. The hat had just finished Ken Zenon when the Professor read, "Colhen, Leia."

The soft, mumuring noise of the students in the hall stopped and there was a deafening silence. Still very nervous, Leia held her head high and walked into the Great Hall. She felt all eyes on her and a whispering began to break out. She continued to walk towards the Sorting Hat, feeling very much in the spotlight. She glanced through the students and found Harry, Ron and Hermione, who were smiling encouragingly at her. Feeling slightly more confident, Leia sat on the stool and McGonagall placed the hat on her head.

Hmmm, very difficult...very difficult indeed. Well, its not normal for me not to sort first years. You're a sixth year I see. Hmmm, very bright and intelligent. Good for Ravenclaw, but also very brave- Gryffindor qualities. Very difficult. Loyal, kind hearted but I see some ambition. How about Slytherin?

Leia was feeling very hot. Even though she was blinded by the hat she could still feel many eyes on her.

"Come one," she thought to herself. "Not Slytherin, not me. Please not me."

Not Slytherin? I've heard this request before. Well, a tragic few months it has been for you. Turbulent times coming, you'll survive, you must, it's part of the plan. Hmmm, interesting emotions here. I found something within, emotions you may not have realized yet or will for some time. Glad to see that, they will come. Things are starting to unfold, as they should. Important you are...

"What is it talking about?" Leia thought very confused. The hat, however, seemed to have ignored that last comment.

Well, it better be...

"Gryffindor!"

Leia took the Hat off very relieved and was glad to be able to see again. She walked over to the Gryffindor table, which was making a lot of noise. She spotted Harry, Ron and Hermione clapping loudly and went over to sit with them.

"Well done!" they all said.

Neville who was sitting opposite her also gave his congratulations. Leia smiled back at him gratefully causing him to go very red. Several people Leia had never met also came to congratulate her. As teh feast went on, Leia's eyes wandered around the Hall, some students were leaning over their tables to catch a glimpse of her, but she ignored them. She saw Draco Malfoy staring defiantly at her but she just ignored him and looked away.

After the feast ended, they walked up to the Gryffindor Common room. On the way, Leia looked at all the staircases and rooms, certain she will get lost. Hermione seemed to know what she was thinking.

"Don't worry," she reassured her. "You'll get used to it...eventually," Leia smiled at her. They walked for a while but they finally reached a portrait of a fat lady in a pink silk dress.

"Password?" she asked bored.

"Crumple-horned Snorknack," Hermione replied, though looking displeased by the choice of password. The portrait slid aside revealing a hole that led to a comfortable looking common room with squashy armchairs and a welcoming fire. Leia snorted at her friend's expression. "Luna's going to love this," muttered Ron- annoyed.

Leia couldn't be bothered asking who Luna was. She was too tired. All her nerves and excitement were taxing her body. Hermione showed her the girl's dormitory and introduced her to fellow sixth year students, Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil. They smiled politely but exchanged excited glances when Leia turned away.

Leia, however, sunk into the four-poster bed, said goodnight and fell into a deep sleep- momentarily forgetting the Sorting Hat's cryptic comments.

A/N Leia is finally at Hogwarts! I'm sure you are all confused about the Sorting Hat but that is a mystery for the moment. Please review.