AN: I'm really sorry about taking forever to post this chapter! I've had it done for quite some time, but then I took my time sending it to my beta, Jen. But I am proud to say that I started to revise the earlier chapters. This chapter is my favorite so far, and I'm anxious to see if it really is as good as I think. So let me know! Okay? Thanks!

Disclaimer: I only own Laurali, Danielle, Professor O'Connell, and the plot. The song included is "Music," by Erick Sermon.

To the Reviewers and any other readers:

The main thing that I wanted to say was that I love (sarcasm) that readers have reviewed saying that this story is just like all of the other stories that I have an American girl coming to Hogwarts, and that this is just very much un-original. Well, I can honestly say that I don't know what those other stories are about because I don't read them, and that I hope that by the end of my story, I can prove you wrong, that this isn't such an unoriginal idea.

This is also my first story, ever. I'm not a strong English student, or science for that matter, but that's a different topic. Anyways, so I started writing this story for 2 things. The first was after reading so many great fanfics, I decided to give it a try on my own. The second was to improve my grammar and writing techniques.

Doodlepie: I just have to say that you make me want to write even more as soon as I update! I feel really touched, I guess you can say that you seem to enjoy this story so much. So thank you for enjoying my story as much as you do and thanks for reviewing!

This chapter is really beginning the school year between Harry, Laur, Ron, Hermione and all the other kids at Hogwarts. I know, I know, it took a while, but what I really wanted those first chapters to do was introduce you to Laurali, get to know her a little bit, introduce a deeper plot and kick off the school year.

I just have to say that JOHNNY DEPP IS GORGEOUS! Anyone see Finding Neverland? Yeah, I stared at him the entire time. :)

Wow, after all of that, I think that we can start the chapter!

From Chapter 17:

"I think I'm gonna like it here," Laur said, taking over one of the plump, comfortable red couches in front of the fire. There was other students around her, just looking at her, like, 'where did she come from?' But they never said a thing, for Laurali just decided to plop out of the couch she was on, and sit in front of the fire, sighing deeply. She was wondering how she and Harry had seen Professor O'Connell before, since the only place that they've been together was Diagon Alley, and that's not where she knew that face from.

QUESTION TO BE ANSWERED: Would you like to make a summary of the past 10 chapters like I did earlier in the story? Let me know and I'll decide based on your answers.

: Would you like to make a summary of the past 10 chapters like I did earlier in the story? Let me know and I'll decide based on your answers
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Chapter 18: A Workout and a Tour

It was about ten O'clock when Harry joined Laur on the floor in front of the fireplace after playing chess with Ron for an hour.

"Hey Laur," he said, startling her.

"Oh, hi Harry, what's up?" she replied.

"Nothing really. Y'know its like 10, you've been sitting here for over an hour."

"Oh, really? I didn't notice; I was just thinking."

"'Bout what?"

"That new Professor O'Connell. I can't help but think that I know him from somewhere."

"That's odd, but I kept thinking the same thing. Maybe Hermione's right, perhaps we saw him in Diagon Alley this summer."

"No," Laur said firmly. "I'm certain that I know him from somewhere else. Not by just meeting him in the streets, but like I truly know him, or, at least, knew him."

"I don't know what to tell you, Laur," Harry said softly.

"You don't have to say anything. Just well, could you do something for me? To help me relax a tad?" she asked softly.

"Of course, anything for you."

"Just hold me," she said, almost nervously.

Harry didn't reply; he just put his arm around her and held her.

"Are you sure that there's nothing else bothering you?"

"I'm just worried about the next few days. Y'know, meeting other kids, the teachers, the classes, just all of it. Well that, and that I cant get rid of the feeling that I know O'Connell from somewhere, and that everyone I meet thinks that my Dad is a wizard and lived here once. I just don't like all of this mystery and confusion. It's beginning to stress me out."

"We'll figure it all out," Harry said reassuringly, and Laur laid her head on his shoulder.

"I hope so."

The next day was a Sunday, and Laur woke up early, despite not having gone to sleep until midnight. She wanted to get all of her stress and frustration out, so she did what she always did. She dressed in workout clothes, put on jazz sneakers, grabbed a mat and her CD player and went for a walk.

Of course, she still didn't know her way around the castle, but she didn't care. She walked out of Gryffindor tower, but was sure to stay on the same floor as the Gryffindor Tower entrance with the picture of the Fat Lady. So she kept walking until she found an unused classroom nearby that would be great for what she would use it for. There wasn't many desks or other furniture in the room so she just magically moved all of the furniture to the back of the room in a corner.

Laur put her CD player on a desk that was on the far side of the classroom, and started to play the music. The first track was a soft, relaxing tune, perfect for her usual Yoga and Pilates routine.

Next, she unrolled her mat down on the floor, took off her shoes and started her workout. Midway, she realized that she would need a Medicine ball, and she transfigured a spare book into one.

Now, she actually started her routine. She loved these two exercise programs, so-to-speak, because they helped her relieve stress, clear the mind, and of course, warm up her muscles.

Laur had been gone for about an hour when Hermione woke and found Laurali missing. She wasn't worried until after she had taken a shower, dressed and went down to the Common room. Few people were already up and just lazing on the sofas, but Laur wasn't one of them. Starting to worry, Hermione went up the boys' staircase and into the room that the 5th year boys shared. Noticing Harry almost immediately, Hermione roughly woke him up from a sound sleep.

"What is it?"

"I can't find Laurali," Hermione said urgently.

"What?" Harry said, bolting upright and throwing the sheets and blankets off of him. Luckily for Hermione, Harry was wearing pants, and didn't have to be embarrassed by an almost naked Harry.

Laurali wanted to get tension and frustration out, and the Pilates and yoga excercises were not doing that, so then she put another Cd with fast, dancing songs. These were songs that she had routines for and others that she knew would make fabulous dances with choreography. She picked a fast song that she had a routine for and started dancing.

She had just done a running split combo when she noticed that she had an audience watching her. It was the cute blonde kid from her dream during her nap on the Hogwarts Express train.

"Well, where did you look?" Harry asked, putting on a shirt and robe, and then shoes. Ron got up as well and started to rummage through Harry's trunk.

"Well, just my dorm and the common room, but she doesn't know her way around the castle. She wouldn't have left the tower, would she?"

"Yeah, she would," Ron said, holding none other than the Maurader's Map. "She's in a classroom on this floor."

"What could she be doing?" Hermione asked.

"I don't know, but Malfoy's walking towards her."

"What! Let's go!" Harry bellowed.

"You're a good dancer," he said walking towards her.

"Thanks, how long have you been watching me?" she asked embarrassed.

"Not long, I heard the music and wanted to see where it was coming from," he said.

"And what did you find?" she asked.

"A beautiful girl dancing," he said grinning.

"And what do you think that I'm gonna do now?" Laur said, smiling none the less.

"Well, first, I'm gonna say, 'good morning, I'm Draco Malfoy,' and then you'll introduce yourself and shake my hand," he said, holding out his hand.

Laur smiled and said, "I'm Laurali," and then she shook his hand.

"Well, its been lovely talking to you Laurali, but I must leave," he said and walked out of the door.

Laur was confused to what had just happened. This was the guy that Hermione, Harry and Ron had warned her about, and he was very nice, and more than a little charming. But before she was able to be too confused, Harry, Ron, and Hermione had just run into the classroom.

"Laur, what are you doing here?" harry asked.

"Well, I worked out, cleared my mind, relaxed and I was even able to dance. How I do it, I will never know," she said, grinning.

"Laur, its only 7 am. Why are you doing all of that here? And why now?" Hermione asked motioning to the room.

"Well, to answer your first question, I woke up, and I knew that I wouldn't be able to go back to sleep so I came here to get my mind off things and workout at the same time. And besides, its Sunday, we don't have classes today."

"So what exactly were you doing?" Ron asked, looking at all of the different things that were around Laur.

"Well, I warmed up by doing simple Pilates and Yoga exercises, and then I kicked it up a notch with dancing some of my old routines. It's one of the only ways that I relax, besides sitting in front of a fire. And I relieved any tension and frustration I had," Laur said, sitting on the ball with her back straight and feet on the floor.

"That's all great Laur," Harry said. " But why was Malfoy here?"

"He said that he heard the music and came to check it out," Laur said. She was met with silence.

"Wait," Laur said after a moment, "how did you know that he was here, and where I was?"

"Ron, let me see the map," Harry said, after closing the door. Ron handed over a piece of old, folded up parchment. Harry then put the tip of his wand on it and said, " I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."

Instantly, lines started to appear and then Harry handed Laur the piece of paper.

"By this," Harry said. "It's a map of Hogwarts."

"And it shows where everyone is," Hermione added.

"But who are Messrs. Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs?" Laur asked after looking at the front again.

"They are, or were, the Maurauders."

"Or more importantly, Harry's dad and his friends."

"This is great. So, how about my tour?" Laur asked, " we have the map and we'd be able to see if anyone is nearby, right?"

"Right, but its like 7:30 in the morning, and I haven't eaten yet!" Ron said.

"Okay, so go down and eat, I'll bring this stuff back up to the tower and take a quick shower, and then, oh wait, I don't know my way to the Great Hall," Laur said.

"I'll go back with you Laur," Harry said. "I'm not that hungry yet."

"Okay, thanks. So we'll meet you down there," she said to Hermione and Ron.

"Great, let's go Hermione!" Ron said, dragging Hermione with him out of the door. Laur and Harry picked up all of things that Laur had brought with her and went back to the tower.

A half-hour later, Harry and Laur left to meet Hermione and Ron down in the Great Hall. It took Laur only a minute of hesitation before going onto the staircase, less time than the night before. When Harry asked her why she was so frightened of the staircase, she claimed that she wasn't too fond of the idea that it could move while she was trying to get onto it, and therefore, her falling.

When Harry and Laur got to the Great Hall, it was about a quarter full, the rest opting to sleep in. They sat down to see Hermione looking rather disgusted. Ron just kept shoveling food into his mouth, like he hadn't eaten in days.

Harry just sat down next to Ron and took some eggs and bacon, and started to eat. Hermione was already done eating because she had been down there for over a half-hour, waiting for Harry and Laur.

"Ron, do you think that you could be a tad less, er, gross?" Laur asked after observing him for a moment, sitting next to Harry.

He, in response just gave her a glare and continued eating. Laur shrugged at Hermione as if to say, 'sorry, I tried', and then grabbed a bagel and some bacon.

"So, are you going to do that workout often?" Hermione asked Laur as Harry and Ron started talking about Quidditch.

"I hope so, I'll probably do it every Sunday morning, and other days after classes if there's time," Laur said after taking a bite of her bagel. Then she perked up, and asked excitedly, "Hermione, you wanna do the workout with me? It could be fun!"

"Well, I've never done that stuff before," Hermione said.

"I haven't been doing it long either, just a few weeks. It's not hard to learn, I can teach it to you!"

"Well in that case, I'm in," Hermione said, smiling. "Hey, maybe you can teach me how to dance while we're at it."

"Yeah! This is gonna be so much fun!" Laur was in a state of euphoria, she'd have some one to dance with again! And this was a great opportunity to become better friends with Hermione. "Okay, but we're gonna have to find a place where we could leave our stuff so we don't have to bring it with us all of the time."

"I know the perfect place, I'll show you when the boys aren't around," Hermione said smiling.

"Perfect," Laur said and continued eating her breakfast.

"Okay, so Ron, can I have my tour now or do you need to eat another huge meal?" Laur asked sarcastically after all four of them had eaten a thorough breakfast.

"If we must, we must," Ron said and Laur laughed out loud.

"I swear, this girl must be mental or something," Ron quietly said to Harry, but not quiet enough.

"Yeah, I love you too Ron. No it's just that when you said that, I was reminded of my old favorite movie," Laur said, still laughing.

"What movie is that Laur?" Hermione asked as they were walking out of the Great Hall.

"Mary Poppins."

"Ahh," Hermione said, "Good movie. That was one of my favorites, too."

"Okay, so this is The Great Hall Laur, where we all join together to eat," Harry said, starting the tour. "And if you continue on your left, you'll notice two doors…"

In about an hour and a half, Laur was given a full tour of Hogwarts. Hermione pointed out the trick steps on the staircases, and all of the girls' bathrooms, and told her to be careful not to use the toilet on the 2nd floor, for that one was the home of Moaning Myrtle. She was an annoying, insecure witch who died in the bathroom.

For the rest of the day, Laur and Hermione spent the day together talking about classes, and moving into their dorm. Laur thought that it needed a "touch of home".

"I mean, c'mon, we're gonna be here all year long, right? Why not make it seem a bit personal and fun?" Laur said, trying to convince Hermione to stop reading their schoolbooks.

"Fine, but later we're gonna start to make a schedule so we can study," Hermione said.

"Hermione, we haven't even gotten our class schedules yet, we can wait for that later," Laur said reasonably.

"Oh, whatever, lets go to our dorm."

"Allons-y!" Laur said, leading the way upstairs.

Ron, Harry, and the other guys from their dorm, Seamus, Dean and Neville decided to take advantage of the nice weather and play Quidditch. Laur had the pleasure of meeting Dean and Seamus after her tour of the castle.

"It looks f-a-b-o-l-o-u-s," Laur said, singing, as she admired the girls' dorm.

"I must admit, it does look very nice," Hermione said looking around. They had added candles, posters, and pictures of their families and friends all around the room to make it seem more personal. Half way through their work, Lavender and Pravati joined Hermione and Laur, claiming that they too were thinking of changing the room. Then, they all unpacked their clothes in their closets, and bureaus. Laur brought out her muggle CD player and they blared her mixed CD.

"So how is it that we can use that?" Lavender asked Laur pointing to the CD player.

"Well, once I realized that I wouldn't be able to use electricity or batteries here, I grabbed my best friend Danielle with me to go to our Diagon Alley, I guess you could call it. I asked one of the shopkeepers there to help me make it so that I could use my stereo here. There was no way that I would be able to live without my music. "

"That was a great idea!" Pravati exclaimed. "Why didn't we think of that?" she asked, turning to Lavender.

"I don't know," Lavender said. "Maybe we could get a TV up here too!"

"I asked about that," Laur interrupted. "The guy at the shop thought that it would be a miracle if the CD player worked. He thinks that the wiring of the TV is much more difficult than a CD player, or something. But Hermione, maybe the prefects could plan a movie day or something. Y'know, we could have a muggle day or something!"

"That's a great idea!" Hermione said. "I'll bring it up at the next meeting, but I don't think that the Slytherin's are gonna like it."

"Oh, screw them. They wouldn't have to participate," Lavender said.

"This year is going to be awesome," Pravati said. "It's good that you're here Laur,"

"So who are we listening to?" Hermione asked.

"Well, this is a mix of artists, but right now, we're listening to Eric Sermon, 'Music'," Laur explained.

"I like it," Hermione said, smiling.

"I'm glad." Then Laur started singing,

"Just like music
Music is the soul of the man
Music makes a happy day
And music makes the clouds go by baby
Your music keeps my tears inside my eyes
(Just like music)"

The four girls continued listening to music, and talking, until their bodies alerted them that it was dinnertime. Their stomachs started growling, they decided to head down to the Great Hall for dinner.

Hermione and Laur sat with Harry and Ron, while Lavender and Pravati sat with Seamus and Dean.

Laur couldn't help but glancing over to the Slytherin table, casually, she hoped, looking for Draco.

Then, all of a sudden, she turned to Harry. "Harry," she whispered, poking him in the side, "I think I know where I know him from!"

Harry turned to Laur very quickly.

"Wait, what?" he asked, confused.

"I think I know how I know O'Connell," Laur repeated. "And some other information as well."

AN: Wow! I think that this is my longest chapter yet. I almost put half of chapter 19 in here as well, but then that came to be 15 pages on Word and I felt that that was way too long. Wow. Well, of course there was a long AN, but it was just something that I really wanted to say. I am happy to say that I really enjoyed writing this chapter! Well, I've also been in a great mood lately, we don't know why, I guess I just am. Anyways, thanks for reading and don't forget to review! Remember, constructive criticism is great, just no flames s'il vous plait! If I get encouraged enough, maybe you can expect chapter 19 up sooner than usual!

Wow! I think that this is my longest chapter yet. I almost put half of chapter 19 in here as well, but then that came to be 15 pages on Word and I felt that that was way too long. Wow. Well, of course there was a long AN, but it was just something that I really wanted to say. I am happy to say that I really enjoyed writing this chapter! Well, I've also been in a mood lately, we don't know why, I guess I just am. Anyways, thanks for reading and don't forget to review! Remember, constructive criticism is great, just no flames s'il vous plait! If I get encouraged enough, maybe you can expect chapter 19 up sooner than usual!

Thanks! Lauren