Miss Ginny: I'M BACK!!! with my WONDERFUL story --

Miss Mione: ahem!

Miss Ginny: AHHHHHHH Umbridge!!!!! ITS ALIVE!!!!!! runs off screaming

Miss Mione: anyway, on withOUR story! Sorry it took so long to update!

Miss Ginny: appears out of nowhere Its all HER fault! SHE just HAD to move to the other side of the world, and LEAVE ME here in the middle of nowhere! But i won't hold it against her.

Miss Mione: you're pushing it!

Miss Ginny: runs away screaming YOU'LL NEVER CATCH ME!!! OR MY CUTE LITTLE KITTY!!!! bwahahaha!!!!

Miss Mione: I wonder who gave her sugar.... probably Candy......(u probably don't know her unless u know us) any way here's the disclaimer, then the story. GIN!! GET BACK HERE!!

Miss Ginny: FINE!

Disclaimer: the only things we own are Arabella, her mom, and the story line. (basically, anything u other HP fanatics don't recognize)

'Speaking'

Arabella Black

Chapter One: Tears and Tirades

'Ari! Arabella! Arabella Christine Black! Get up this instant!'

Arabella groaned and rolled over to look at her clock. The teenager threw her covers back and travelled into the back of her mind to try and remember why in the world she was getting up so early this morning. It hit her, 'I'm going to Hogwarts!'

Harry Potter, the-boy-who-lived, stared sullenly out the taxi window. It was all his fault. Four people had died because of him, and maybe more that he didn't know about. Lily and James Potter had been his mum and dad until the evil Lord Voldemort had shamelessly murdered them. But when he turned his wand upon baby Harry, the curse had reversed turning Voldemort into a bodiless soul, and leaving Harry with his infamous lightning-bolt scar.

The other two deaths had been Cedric Diggery, a Hufflpuff who was two years his senior, and his godfather Sirius Black, a.k.a. Padfoot. Throughout the past year, Harry had finally ceased to blaming himself for Cedric's death. But because Sirius only died a couple months ago, Harry had not yet completely come out of depression.

Harry was knocked out of his thoughts by a tall, lanky, 16-year-old boy with shockingly bright red hair.

'Oi, Potter, get your lazy arse out of the car! We're going to miss the bloody train!'

'Language, Ron.'

'For God's sake Hermione, who are you, my mother?'

'Ahem,' Mrs Weasley stepped out of the muggle taxi.

'Sorry Mum,' said Ron Weasley as his ears turned a shade of red to match his hair.

Harry smiled to himself. Some things would never change. He climbed out of the taxi with his trunk and Hedwig in tow, and headed towards Platform 9 ¾.

Arabella looked at her ticket again to make sure it was correct-

Hogwarts Express

Platform 9 ¾

Kings Cross Station

11:00 AM

'Platform 9 ¾?' Arabella voiced her confusion.

Her mother heard her confusion, and called to Arabella, 'Just follow me! The train is on the other side of this wall!'

Sarah ran through the brick wall, and disappeared. Arabella at first thought she blinked, but then realized her mother was gone. She had disappeared through the wall! And Arabella was to follow her!

'What the heck,' Arabella thought. 'Worst that can happen is that I run into the wall.' She winced at the thought.

'Here goes nothing,' she thought to herself. Arabella approached the wall. She lent her hand against the bricks, expecting nothing to happen, but to her surprise, her hand did not touch the wall, but slipped right through it!

'Hurry up Ari, or you'll miss the train!' Sarah called to her daughter. Arabella gathered herself, and slowly side stepped through the wall.

On the train, Ginny Weasley dared to sneak a glance across the aisle at Harry Potter, the-boy-who-lived.

'Everyone thought I was over him. Even I did,' she thought to herself and frowned slightly. 'It's not like he fancies me anyway.'

At that moment, a dark haired girl slid the compartment door open, and was wearing sporty American clothes. She looked over to where Harry, Ron, and Hermione were sitting.

'Is anyone sitting here? There are no empty seats left anywhere else,' she spoke with a slight American twang in her voice.

Hermione smiled brightly, 'Sure. I'm Hermione Granger, this is Ron Weasley, and Harry Potter.' After Hermione had introduced Harry, Arabella stared for a split-second at the legendary boy in the same compartment as her.

'Arabella Black.' The four friends (including Ginny, who had not been introduced) looked at her blankly, wondering why there was a new student their age. 'I'm a transfer student from America. My mother and I recently moved here. Normally, Hogwarts wouldn't accept someone my age, but both my parents attended and were good friends with Dumbledore.'

'Ahhh,' they all responded with. Only Harry continued and spoke up. 'Who were your parents?'

Ginny saw Arabella look around, uncertainly.

'Sarah Pass and …..'

Hermione looked at her and Arabella repeated what she said first and went on.

'Sarah Pass and Sirius Black.'

Ginny saw Hermione's face pale. Ron for once was speechless, and Harry, well, Harry just looked shocked.

Arabella continued in a rush. 'I know everyone thinks he's a criminal, and I know the ministry wants him "dead", but he's my dad and I know he would never kill anyone!'

'No, no, it's not that. It's just-'

Harry cut off Hermione off, 'He was my dad's best friend and was my godfather,' Harry face had darkened greatly.

'What do you mean was?' Arabella's voice cracked.

The four friends looked at each other, not wanting to tell Arabella the truth of what happened last June.

Ginny spoke quietly from the corner by the window, her words surprised herself and everyone around her.

'Arabella, Sirius is gone. He died in June. He was killed by Bellatrix Lestrange.' Arabella gasped and hit the ground.

Arabella opened her eyes with four people standing over her.

'W-w-what happened?'

The girl with bushy brown hair Arabella recognized as Harriet- or was it Heather? -looked down at her sympathetically.

'You passed out.'

Arabella sat up. Harry was staring at his feet while the redhead- was it Ron? -was glaring daggers at the younger redhead who might have been crying, but Arabella couldn't tell.

Ron spoke to the girl with bushy hair through clenched teeth, 'Hermione,' that was it, Hermione, Arabella finally remembered, 'maybe you should talk to Ginny?' The question Ron asked was more of a demand.

Hermione looked angry as if to say, 'Why don't you,' but took Ginny by the arm anyway. 'Come on Gin.'

Hermione paused a moment before heading out the door. Then she retraced her steps a few and grabbed Ron by the arm saying, 'You're coming too Ronald,' and with that the three slid the compartment door open and shut.

Harry looked up at Arabella.

'You know, it was his own cousin that killed him,' Harry said calmly.

'What?!' Arabella swallowed. 'I never really knew he had family. I mean, I remember asking mom a lot about him when I was little, but she would always shrug my questions off.'

Harry continued, 'He risked a lot for me. And now I wish I could have saved him.'

Arabella began to cry (something she hadn't done in the last few years), 'I wish I had known him."

'Ginny?!' Ron screamed at his younger sister. 'WHAT-WERE-YOU-THINKING?!'

'I-I'm sorry Ron. It just sort of slipped out,' the younger girl replied quietly.

'Why?! Why did you have to bring it up?' Ron's tone hadn't lowered one decibel.

Ginny herself began to feel her face redden with anger, 'Ron! I did NOT "bring it up"! Harry did and you know it!'

Hermione stepped in, 'Ron, please!'

'Sorry, mum,' Ron grumbled sarcastically.

'And Ginny! Just ignore him!' Hermione turned her glare on Ginny, which made Ginny drop her eyes to her shoes.

Ron made it clear that he was going back into the compartment. He was gone before anyone could stop him.

Ginny, who hardly ever cried, had two silent tears slowly running down her face.

'Ginny, its all right. We both know Ron can be a prat,' Hermione put her hand on Ginny's shoulder and tried to comfort her best friend.

'He's getting a giant tarantula for Christmas.' Both girls cracked a smile, hugged, and walked back into the compartment.

By the time Ron, Ginny, and Hermione returned to the compartment, Harry had told Arabella everything he knew and remembered about Sirius. He had also shown her the wedding photograph Hagrid had given him five years ago.

Harry was fairly surprised at himself; he had just revealed things that he rarely ever said out loud. He hardly knew Arabella, yet he felt he could share just about anything with her. It was strange, but it felt right.

Ginny stepped forward, 'I'm really sorry that you had to find out about Sirius that way. It wasn't my place to say. I really didn't mean to say that. I don't usually say things of that type. I am usually the quiet one, unless I am around my siblings, then I am more talkative, especially around the twins and Ron. Other than that, I mostly just keep to my self. I am really sorry. I did not mean for this to happen. I should not have said anything. If anyone should of, it should have been Harry, not me. Certainly not me. I am just the 5th Year no one notices. I am really sorry. Would you like to start over? Oh, I'm talking too much aren't I?'

Ron snorted, 'Yes.'

Arabella smiled, 'Yes, I would.' She stuck out her hand and Ginny shook it.

'Arabella Black.'

'Ginny Weasley.' The girls shook hands.

Arabella grinned, 'And yes, you were talking too much!' Both giggled at this, but their laughter was short lived.

Malfoy and his two cronies entered the compartment like three dark thunderclouds. Everyone fell silent, and Arabella and Ginny wiped the smiles off their faces likity-spilt.

'Well, well, well, what have we here?'

Malfoy's voice had deepened even more over the summer and had developed into a menacing tone to match that of his captured father.

'Ar-'

'Ariana Pass,' Harry interrupted Arabella, who shot him a confused glance, which Harry conveniently did not reply to.

Malfoy narrowed his eyes and studied Arabella.

'You're American!'

'So what if I am?'

Harry realized for the first time that she did indeed have an American accent.

A wicked smile crept over Malfoy's face.

'Americans fall into the same class as Mudbloods here. Watch your back, Miss Black.'

He, Crabbe and Goyle left quickly to avoid being cursed (as they had been in their 4th and 5th years).

'Malfoy,' Arabella muttered in disgust.

'Git,' Harry and Ron whispered at same time.

Ginny glared daggers at the sliding door, but Hermione just looked puzzled.

'How do you know Malfoy?'

'Everybody knows Lucius.'

Ron looked at Arabella, 'Even across the Atlantic?'

'Yes. He and You-Know-Who's other followers terrorized over in there as well. Death Eaters haunt the entire world. My mother and I moved to the States to escape them, but I guess it's impossible.'

Harry too looked at Arabella, 'But how did he know who you were?'

'Dunno. I must look more like my dad that I figured. All I know is that if it isn't the Americans that are unwelcome here, it's me.' Arabella insisted on dropping the subject after that.

Ginny began rummaging through her trunk. 'C'mon. I expect we'll be reaching the castle soon. Ron, Hermione, we should probably go up front with the other prefects and let them know we didn't miss the train!'

'Oh my goodness!' Hermione gasped. She grabbed her robes and ran out of the compartment door. Ron picked up his robes and turned to Ginny, 'Should I tell them you're coming?'

'No, I'm coming with you now.' With that the brother and sister duo left the compartment.

Harry, however, still had one question, 'Ginny's a prefect?'

Ron, Hermione, and Ginny came back right before the Hogwarts Express reached Hogsmeade Station. The only reason they rejoined Harry and Arabella was to make sure Pig and Crookshanks would be carried off the train, as they had duties to attend to, which meant that Harry had to carry Pig and Hedwig, whereas Arabella struggled with Crookshanks and Aries, her prized black owl that had been her father's.

'We'll see you by the carriages! Wish me luck directing this lot!' Ginny yelled over the students heading towards the carriages.

Hermione brushed past Harry, 'At least she's not calling them midgets.'

Harry suppressed a smirk, and Arabella looked at him quizzically. She didn't know about "midgets" as Ron referred to them at the beginning of the past year.

'What did Hermione mean by that?' Arabella asked Harry as they stumbled under the weight of the animals.

'I'll tell you later.'

'Firs' years over here!' Harry looked up to see Hagrid, who was looking at Arabella. 'You best come with me, Miss Black.' Arabella looked up at the half-man, and then back at Harry about what he should do.

'Go ahead, and I'll take Crookshanks and Aries,' Harry said nicely, 'I'll see you at the Sorting.' He waved at Arabella as she walked after Hagrid. After that, Harry climbed into the nearest carriage, balancing four animal cages.

Ginny, Ron, and Hermione had already gone into the Great Hall. Harry stumbled in after them and sat down next to them

About ten minutes later, Professor McGonagall stepped out and placed the Sorting Hat on the old three-legged stool, where it began its song instantly.

Yet another year

Comes passing by,

And once again,

I shall sing my rhyme.

In the olden days

I used to warn

But then I was

Looked upon with scorn

I beg you, listen,

And listen well

To all the words,

My song will tell.

As before, we must unite and but our differences behind

if we're to win this awful fight

no matter ifi you're a slytherin:

ambitious and sly

or a cheery hufflepuff,

loyal to your kind.

wether you end up in Ravenclaw,

where the smartest are surely the best

Finally, if gryffindor,

where the bravest bodies rest,

Althougth i must divide you,

ineed tell you something important,

something you might call a clue

sepeated each houses' gifts will remain useless and unused

without the other three, the other group will be useless and abused

but if each house can work together,

there might be a solution yet.

Now students, listen to my words and do your best to save our world:

before we all die and forget.

Ginny leaned over to Hermione, 'Well, that was blunt.' Hermione looked about ready to respond, when Professor McGonagall stepped forward and called out: 'Amiel, Jacqueline,' who the Sorting Hat sorted into 'Hufflepuff'.

What seemed like eons later, the final eleven year old (Yardley, Lucus) was sorted into 'Gryffindor' and Professor Dumbledore stood up.

'Students, I know that you are all expecting the traditional beginning-of-year speech and you will receive it. But before I proceed, I would like all of you to welcome Arabella Black. Ms. Black is transferring here from Salem School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in Massachusetts, America.'

At this the majority of the Slytherins rolled their eyes, or made faces. If he saw this, Dumbledore gave no sign of it.

'Arabella, please come forward.'

Arabella collected herself and stepped away from the shadows with a pace that she hoped came across as confident. Arabella sat down on the stool and McGonagall then placed the hat on her raven-haired head.

'Ahhh…….'

Arabella jumped.

'I see you are a Black. One of the pure lines. But I see not the evil cunniness that is usually present in one. I see bravery and courage. But there is one small thing, but I think you will do well in………..'

'GRYFFINDOR!'

The entire house cheered, but none louder than Harry Potter. As he watched Arabella make her way to the table, it was like seeing Sirius again. Harry did not yet know how blinding this particular joy would be.

NO FLAMES! constructive critisism welcome!

Miss Ginny: well, you can flame the sorting song. well, the part that has the different font. i wrote that and i'm not particularly fond of it. but if you flame ANYTHING ELSE i will sic my cat on u.