Disclaimer:I don't own (wish I did)

Sorry for the wait.

italics Telepathic thoughts.


Chapter Seven.

Hogwarts was at its usual splendour for the start of term Feast, candles hung suspended in the air the sky above was cloudless the stars glittering. The students that filled the hall were as loud as ever as everyone welcomed each other back and caught up after the holidays.

The hall fell silent as McGonagall entered followed by the first years. They reached the dais and the sorting began.

Ron and Hermione watched the sorting with detachment they had, by now, seen so many of them and it did not seem the same without Harry with them.

As the sorting came to an end Dumbledore rose to his feet and was about to begin his start of term speech. When a loud crash echoed from the entrance hall, followed by the sound of voices.

"When you said it was going to hurt, I didn't think you meant that much!"

"Well I did warn you, it's your own fault if you didn't believe me."

"Brat!"

"Git!"

"I hate you!"

"Love you to, honey"

Inside the hall whispers were beginning to start as students speculated about the voices.

"Bet you it's the new defence teacher"

"Don't be an idiot there's two of them"

Hermione gaze was fixed on the door and frown growing on her face there was something familiar about the first voice she shook her head no she was just being stupid it would be far too much of a coincidence if it was...

The great hall's door slammed open the noise reverberating around the room and everyone's eyes were immediately drawn back to the door as two people entered the hall. A young man and a woman.

The woman was tallish with stark white hair, milk white skin and scarlet eyes. She was dressed in what appeared to be an entirely black uniform.

The man was dressed in the same black uniform and was glaring at the girl, who took that opportunity to stick her tongue out at him.

He was tall with jet black hair that hung to his shoulders, his skin was a tanned bronze and he seemed to be carrying a back-pack. As he turned towards the hall he rolled his eyes and brushed his hair out of his eyes, which were startling shades of emerald, revealing a lighting-bolt scar emblazoned on his forehead.

"Harry!"

Hermione's whisper reverberated through the hall.

The emerald eyed man turned his gaze on her and smiled.

"Hello, Hermione, long time no see."

Hermione was out of her seat before anyone else had registered what had been said, well except one twinkling old man at the head table.

Hermione flew down the isle between the house tables and hugged Harry tears flowing freely down her face. Ron rose from his seat to follow her but froze when a resounding SLAP rang through the hall.

Hermione had drawn back from Harry and now stood glaring at him. Harry stood frozen in shock.

Hermione had slapped him. He raised one hand and rubbed his cheek slightly with a grimace.

The silence that had once again consumed the hall was broken by muffled laughter coming from slightly behind Harry.

He drew aside turn towards his companion and glared.

"What exacting do you find so amusing about be being slapped miss knight"

"Why Mr Potter, I do believe I am insulted."

Hermione head move between the two as this interaction took place and a confused look flitted across her face.

Harry snorted.

"Yeah right, it would take a lot more than that to insult you and you know it."

Kari laughed out right at that.

Harry I think we had better stop as I think we're confusing them and you haven't introduced me ye. I might become insulted.

Harry snorted again and then turned to face the hall again.

"Hello..."

Harry took a deep breath and began a again glancing over his shoulder at Kari, who took a step forward and planted herself next to him, arms crossed.

Breath

Harry drew a deep breath and began again.

"Hi, if you don't remember me I'm Harry Potter"

Good, now keep breathing and introduce me.

"My companion you do not know, so may I present her this is Kari Knight, who has become a very dear friend."

Now who do you want to tell the whole story to.

"Could I please see Professor's Dumbledore, McGonagall and Snape, as well as Ron, Hermione and Ginny?"

Well done, now we just have to explain why your two years older than the rest of your year. That will be fun won't it?

Harry rolled his eyes. Kari was the undefeated queen of understatements.

TBC...