Finally! The next chapter! I am sorry it took so long. School and everything. I love you my darling reviewers! Please do continue to review! I thank you!

Now, to the chapter!...

Questions and Worries

A dull ache came from the rear of her head and her head pounded painfully. Her eyes slowly fluttered open. As her vision corrected itself she found that she was in a too-white room. White high walls rose up on the opposite side to meet the dark-wood ceiling. There were several white beds with white sheets and pillows that lined the other wall. She groaned. There was only one place she could think of that would be decorated in such a horrible fashion. The hospital. Though, it did not seem all that much like any hospital she had ever been in.

She hated hospitals. Actually, she thought that they made her even more sick. She blinked rapidly as the world in front of her started to move on its own. She moaned and closed her eyes, resting a hand on her head. This is just wonderful! I have no clue where I am at and why I am here. Did I get in an accident at sometime? No, that can't be right...

Then it hit her. Her wonderful attempt to get herself in the castle... then her even more brilliant attempt of getting out of it. The chase, the people and their weird clothes they wore, and the weird rooms. Oy! I really screwed up this time.

"How are you feeling, Miss..." She jumped and sat up. She backed away from the person, her head pounding even more. An old man sat at her bedside. A long, silver beard hung down from his face and two blue twinkling eyes looked at her. He, for some reason, wore a very pleasant smile. "Now, don't worry. You are fine here. Allow me to introduce myself, I am Headmaster Dumbledore," he held out a hand to her.

She slowly eyed the man's face then his extended hand. Not moving any closer, she reached out her hand into his. His smile widened, "what is your name?" His eyes were gentle and showed no signs of anger. "Courtney Simmons."

Dumbledore nodded his head, "I see. Now, may I ask you a few more questions, Miss Simmons?"

This is odd... why isn't he angry with me? Or, maybe, he is but he is just waiting for the right moment. She thought it rather odd that the old man would not be yelling at her and punishing her for breaking into the castle. Then again, she was not sure exactly where she was. She might not be in that castle anymore. Maybe the man from the castle just looked incredibly like this man. But how many people in England had beards that long?

"Sure, I don't see why not." Of course, she really was not up to answering any questions but it was better than being sent to prison just yet.

"Wonderful. Could you tell me where you are from?" he suddenly took on a serious look. She knew he meant business. He was there to interrogate her.

"I am from..." she contemplated whether she should tell the man the truth. What would he do? Probably send me back, that's what.

He interrupted her thoughts, "I am just curious, Miss Simmons. This is not a test." He smiled at her again.

She vaguely wondered if he knew how to read minds. She laughed at herself mentally. There was no possible way he could do that... heh... that is like saying he knew magic. "I am from America. The southern part of Illinois, actually." Her eyes widened. How could she have just given that much information away! She had not meant to give him that much leeway. Now he really knew where to send her!

"Ah, American are you? Well, that brings me to my next question. Why are you here in England?"

She shifted a little uneasily. Her dirty-white shoelaces seemed to be extra interesting at the moment. This is just peachy! Why did I have to come here of all places? I could have been free, but no! I had to come up with the stupid idea that someone might help me here. Idiot! The old man cleared his throat. She glanced up to find that his face had hardened. She, again, had the sickening feeling that he had somehow penetrated into her mind and already knew the answer.

"I ran away, sir. But please don't send me back, I really don't want to go back! I could work here... for free, and no one would even know I existed! Honestly, sir, I-"

He raised a hand in front of her face. She became immediately quiet. "You ran away? I suppose you think you had a reason to." She snorted at his statement. He gave a small chuckle. "However, I don't suppose you would be able to share that little bit with me, would you?"

She sat up straight and crossed her arms over her chest. "I have a reason that I left, yes. I am unable to discuss it with you, though."

Dumbledore nodded, "as I expected. Is there any reason that you came to Hog-...this place? Why did you not go to some other place?"

She eyed the man before opening her mouth. "This place," she gestured to the room, "isn't this Hogwarts?"

"Why, yes it is. Have you heard of Hogwarts before, Miss Simmons?"

"I heard some people talking about a place called Hogwarts at a train station. I've heard my parents talking about it before. I don't know much about it."

Dumbledore looked at the girl. She had heard from some people at the train station? No doubt they were wizards. Her parents must be wizards as well if they have talked about Hogwarts. He shifted in his seat. He looked at the opposite wall as he pulled at his long beard. He tried to picture past students that looked similar to her. He shook his head. Too many faces swept into his mind, some more reliable then others. He had had many years at Hogwarts, consisting of many students. It was impossible to figure it out by his memory... A thought clicked in his mind. His blue eyes landed on the girl once more. My memory, maybe, but what about...

"Why were your parents talking about Hogwarts? Do you have any idea?" He continued to ask her questions.

She shrugged before adding, "they had received a letter for me and it started a fight. I don't know. They would not allow me to read it."

His blue eyes searched the young face. She had received a letter from Hogwarts? Perhaps she had gotten a letter from a different wizarding school, but Hogwarts had come into the discussion.

"Are you able to tell me who your parents are?"

"Peter and Mary Simmons, sir."

He nodded thoughtfully. The names did not register anything in his mind. Infact, though he was old, he was certain that he had never heard of them before. A look in his memory book would tell him whether he was right in believing that they had never attended Hogwarts, or if they had.

"Now child, have you ever heard of a wizarding school?"

She bit her bottom lip as she concentrated on the question. She shook her head after a moment. "I have heard of wizards in books and movies. I do not think I have ever heard of a wizard going to school. Besides, they are just make-believe."

A wide, pleasant smile spread across his face at her words. How many times had he heard that inside the walls of Hogwarts? It was certainly a first. His eyes twinkled as he leaned forward, motioning her to come closer. She slowly leaned towards the old man. "My dear," he whispered, "this is a wizard school."

He chuckled as her eyes widened in disbelief. Her small mouth hung open, gawking at the man. There was a pause before she tilted her head and her eyes narrowed. "I might be young but don't think that I am stupid, and gullible."

He watched as she leaned back, her arms crossed over her chest again. Her face no longer looked young and innocent. Had he lost her trust... had he ever had it? "I do not lie to you, Miss Simmons. I will show you." With that he pulled out his wand from his robes. With a wave of the wooden stick and a few words a purple light hoovered by the bed. Within seconds a vase of yellow flowers appeared at the foot of the bed.

"Holy..." she gasped, examining the flowers. She caught herself with a sheepish grin.

The old man picked up the vase and smelled the beautiful flowers. He flashed a small smile at her. "Magic, Miss Simmons, is what we teach here at Hogwarts. The students here are unique. More so, perhaps, than any person you know. There are Wizard schools in America." He set the vase down on the side table. Adjusting the flowers a little, he turned to her again. "I am, however, still curious as to why you did not stay in America. Or did Europe just appeal to your tastes?"

Her hazel eyes still watched the yellow flowers as she talked to the man. They held her attention like a magnet. They almost seemed to have a glowing touch to them. "My parents had spoken of a relative that lives in Europe. I don't have any other relatives in the States, so I thought maybe I would come and live here after my parents-" She jumped, catching herself. She was in such a daze that she almost told him. He had been watching her expectantly as she spoke. His face fell as she stopped and turned to look at him.

"Ah... a relative? Perhaps there is something I can do to assist you in finding this relation of yours," he placed a worn hand on top of her comfortingly. He looked from her face to what seemed the floor in front of him. A few incoherent words were mumbled.

She removed her hand from his. His head snapped up to look at her. His hand lingered in the air before he drew it to himself. His eyes no longer had the joyful gleam to them. They seemed to be engulfed in something dark and troubling. His face looked even more worn then before. He nodded to himself. "You are more than welcome to stay here child. I will do all I can to help you in your search."

Courtneyrelaxed a bit. "You mean I can learn magic like the rest of the students?"

He stood silently and nodded to her. His face did not lighten when she smiled up at him. "I will have a staff member purchase your things that you will need. When you feel that you are well enough, Madam Pomfrey will escort you to the Great Hall. You will be sorted into a house. That house will be like your family for the remainder of your stay. Until then, do get some rest. That nasty knot on your head is healing nicely but no doubt you will have a bruise."

Without another word the old man retreated through the large wooden doors. They clicked behind him quietly, leaving her alone in the large room. She sighed and laid down. She would need to rest, she was certainly not ready to get up yet. Pulling the blanket closer and snuggling up to the fluffy pillow she closed her eyes. It was almost too comfortable. "That's to be expected," she mumbled sarcastically to herself. After several days of sleeping at any place that was available, and usually very uncomfortable, the dramatic change would be awkward.

Dumbledore opened the doors of the Great Hall. He put a smile on as the entire hall stopped their noisy chatter and turned towards him. His calm presence seemed to wear off on the students as he walked past them toward the Head Table. Many of the staff looked at him with apprehension. Questions filled their gaze. He, however, did not hold their gaze as he sat in his usual seat.

Opening his arms, a cheery smile present, he said, "let the feast continue."

The feast did continue but the topic of discussion was focused on the black figure. Several were already making up rather unbelievable stories of what they had glimpsed of the "creature".

"I saw fangs! They had to be at least three inches in length!"

"Do you suppose that it was a vampire? Maybe it's a ghoul, or werewolf that transforms when it wants."

"It had a tail, I saw it! It was bushy and brown."

"I heard that one of the teachers got beat up by the beast!"

Severus had dismissed himself from the feast before the old man had returned. No doubt he was resting, or examining his new bruise. It was, of course, nothing a simple healing potion could not handle.

The feast ended soon enough. The students followed the prefects to the dormitories to get their beds. Many of the students were still chattering about the great chase that had occurred hours before. All of them looked rather exhausted and worn, their stomachs all full. Dumbledore smiled as they filed out.

"Albus, what are we going to do with the girl?" Professor McGonagall, transfigurations teacher and head of house for Gryffindor, asked leaning towards the older man.

"It has been taken care of. She will stay at Hogwart and learn with the other students. It is best that she stays. I will be sending her family a letter to inform them of her whereabouts." He looked at the confused and anxious faces. "Do not worry yourselves," he added with a smile.

The staff only nodded and walked away to their rooms. Though a smile was in its usual place, Albus Dumbledore was worried himself. What was he going to do with the child?

She has to stay, he thought to himself. The image passed through his mind again. Yes, he concluded, she would stay at Hogwarts. She was safe within the walls.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I am really sorry it took soooo long. It is the end of the year and teachers try to shove as many assignments in the student's face before handing them an exam... I have had this done (believe it or not) I just did not have time to post it. Yeah, I've been that busy! I loves you all! Thank you for the reviews! You make me incredibly happy! Oh and for a side note- - Her last name is from one of my favorite singers - Gene Simmons!