Chapter 18

Once they were all back in the safety of Hogwarts, Dumbledore took them up to his office. He didn't say a word, leaving a feeling of great dread over the group. Once they reached his office they saw a young woman with auburn hair and deep brown eyes standing there. Dumbledore smiled at her.

"Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny I am pleased to present, Ariel Sky. She is the only one your age that can successfully do the Killing Curse. She is here to teach you all the Curse. She has been placed in Gryffindor."

They sat there, unable to say a word. Ariel laughed lightly.

"I do believe that you sprung this on them rather quickly, Professor," she said, her soft voice carrying a strength in it that did not seem should be there.

"You are quite right, Miss Sky. Quite right. I am having her teach you because of the war. You have to know. There is no saving you against it, but at least you'll be able to protect yourselves with it."

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Hermione said, stepping forward with her hand outstretched. Ariel took it and shook it.

"Thank you. It is a pleasure to meet you as well."

The others followed suit.

"She is to become your friend. That way when you five disappear it won't be suspicious. She is Ginny's grade. Now off you go before others begin to talk."

They left his office with Ariel right behind. They went to the Gryffindor Tower, giving her a tiny tour of the castle as they went.

"You are really lucky to have been here in Hogwarts the entire time," Ariel said.

"Where do you come from?" Harry asked her.

"America," she stated.

"Where in America?" Ginny asked.

"California. I use to attend the Academy of Extremely Gifted Witches and Wizards."

"That is the number one ranked school in America!" Hermione exclaimed.

"And Hogwarts is the number one ranked school in Europe," Ariel pointed out.

"Really?" Ron asked.

"Yes and really Ron don't you read?" Hermione reprimanded. Ron made a face at her, causing Ariel to laugh.

"Are you two dating?" She asked. Ron and Hermione spun around, nearly running into everyone else.

"Dating!" They asked at the same time.

"I shall take that as a no. Well, it just seemed. But never mind. What about you two?" Ariel changed the subject, looking at Harry and Ginny who were holding hands. Ginny and Harry blushed profusely.

"Yes. It's been a week," Ginny answered.

"You two are very cute," she said before leaning into them, "What about them?"

"They like each other they just don't know it yet," Harry responded.

"Oh I see. Well, perhaps the changing times will bring change within them," Ariel said before stepping back again. Harry gave Ginny a glance. She smile and suppressed a giggle.

They got the common room which was packed with angry students. The anger and yelling stopped when they saw the new arrival.

"Who is she?" One boy yelled.

"Hello. I am Ariel Sky from America. I am a foreign exchange student and have been Sorted into Gryffindor," she announced. Neville stepped forward, his face flushed.

"Welcome to Gryffindor. I'm Neville Longbottom," he said, bowing slightly. Ron started coughing to cover his laugh, but Hermione elbowed him in the stomach.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Neville," she said, curtseying in her school skirt. Her face was slightly pink. The group watched interestedly. The school year, in Hermione, Ron, Harry, and Ginny's opinions was really heating up.