Disclaimer: I do not in any way own Harry Potter. JK Rowling came up with that magnificent story and this is just one of my takes on what she created.

Chapter 1 New Acquaintances

The Great Hall illuminated under candle light as students started to file in; catching up with old friends on their summer events. First years nervously huddled in large group at the front of the Hall slightly soaked from their boat ride to Hogwarts. In the gaggle of first years one girl looked very out of place; by no means was she an 11 year old child, which quickly caught the attention of most of the students there. Among talks of Quiditch and summer fun were whispers about why there was a 16 year old girl among a bunch of 11 year olds. The girl on the other hand didn't seem to care about the attention focused on her; her ocean blue eyes scanned the crowd, awaiting someone to come up and ask her why she was there. Saddelly no opportunity arose before Dumbledor stood up focusing all the students attention on him.

"Now you all may have a few thoughts wondering through your head as to why this fine young witch," pointing to the girl amongst the first years," that is clearly not a first year is gathered with them. A fine explanation if there ever was one. This is Clara Terrany. She is in her 6th year at Salem Academy in America, and she has so kindly accepted my offer to be an exchange student at Hogwarts. I do hope that all of you will show her the great hospitality that Hogwarts is known for. And just one more announcement. I am pleased to welcome back Proffesor Slughorn who will be taking up his old position as potions master, and Proffesor Snape will become your new Defense Agaist the Dark Arts teacher. With that let the sorting begin."

Series of horrified whispers filled the Great Hall, Harry Potter's horrified, "No!" was heard by everyone, but ignored by Proffesor Snape, and the rest of the staff for that matter. Cheers erupted from Slytherin table; Snape was resisting the urge to bow just to acknowledge to everyone, especially Harry his final conquest of getting the job he pined over and so sorely thought he deserved for years. Proffesor McGonagall quieted the Hall as she started the Sorting Ceremony.

"Clara Terrany, please put on the Sorting Hat, we will sort you first since you have seniority," Professor McGonagall announced pointing towards a hat on a stool.

Clara slowly walked towards the stool utterly confused at why she was being told to put on an old hat. As Clara moved into the light everyone could see how brilliantly her golden hair fell in layered whisps around her face, radiating her smooth pale complexion, and ocean blue eyes. Reaching for the hat, Clara brushed hair out of her eyes, and sat on the stool looking utterly calm and not at all worried about what was about to happen, but inside she scared that she would be in a house she wouldn't want to be in. Swallowing her fears she slipped the hat on her head, jumping slightly when a voice popped into her head.

"Let's see new to Hogwarts I see. Well you are much older than I am used to but let's see you'd be good in GRYFFINDOR," the hat said screaming the last part so the whole hall could hear.

Clara joyfully got up and walked toward the Gryffindor table; she was waved over by an anxious bushy haired girl.

"Hey Clara, I'm Hermione Granger and this is Ron Weasley, and Harry Potter," she said pointing to the two boys sitting on opposite sides of her.

They both greeted her, and went back to watching the ceremony, while Hermione questioned her about life in America.

"Well we don't really have different houses, just dorms. Are classes are just a mix of students not patucular dorms per class. But the feast isn't as glorious as this one," Clara answered as food appeared on the table, "I'm starving."

Harry looked over as Clara popped a roll into her mouth; he smiled at her a warm friendly smile. For some reason she seemed familiar to him, although he couldn't place it, she seemed to be someone he met before.

"Is this your first time in London," Harry inquired.
"Actually yes. Suprising though, my mom used to live here when she was a girl and even went to Hogwarts," she answered.

"Wow, so why didn't you come her as a first year? Usually kids go where their parents go," Ron asked.

"Well I guess it was because I lived in America. I'm guessing that schools recruit wizards and witches that live close to the school." Clara's words came out quickly as she grabbed a chicken leg.

The four of them got into deep conversation as they ate; Hermione talking about academics and gloating about finally finding someone else that cares about classes as much as her. Clara was coaxed by her to go into this long speal about her favorite subjects and how she was top of her class back in Salem, till finally their conversation altered to boys. Harry and Ron said something in the way of "girls" before going into a deep conversation about Quiditch, which was not long joined by Clara expressing her opinions of the European teams.

Finally the feast came to an end with Dumbledor's usual speech and everyone started to clear out. Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Clara made their way up to the Gryffindor common room still in deep conversation. Clara gapped as they came to the portrait of the Fat Lady, who asked for the password, Hermione said "turnsprout" and the portrait swung open.

"Cool door," Clara stated half impressed; half amused.

Hermione led her to the stairs to the girls dorm. They bid their goodbye's to the boy's and disappeared up the stairs.

Harry lay awake in his bed, so many thoughts crossed his mind. He was dreading going to sleep; he knew what awaited him in his dreams. It was the same dream he had since the incident at the Department of Mysteries: he saw the Sirius disappear behind the veil. Harry tried to get to him but he couldn't get past, he would scream for Sirius to come back but he never did. Then Voldemort would appear laughing crazily, behind lay a piles of corpses bearing the faces of his friends and family, along with so many other people. A voice echoed in his mind," All of them are dead because of you. They could have been spared but you didn't help them. You couldn't and now you cant even help yourself." Then all of the corpses would come to life walking towards him screaming things like, "Harry why didn't you save us. You could of but you didn't. Why did you let us down." By then Harry would wake up screaming dripping in a pool of his own sweat.

Tonight he wasn't in such a hurry to experience that, so he let his mind wonder about the new girl. His initial thoughts about her still hadn't changed, she looked so familiar, but in no way could be. This thought confused him but he let it go, and pulled out the old album Sirius had given him; it had become a big comfort to him after his dreams that he had been regularly looking at it. His eyes scanned the pages, tears surfaced in them whenever he looked at his parents or Sirius, which was soon turned in to feelings of hate towards the person who caused and had always caused Harry's pain: Voldemort.