Harry Potter stared at the Hogwarts Express. A whole summer had passed without doing work. He sighed. This year, there was definitely going to be problems. Especially with Ginny. Harry still loved her, but it was too dangerous to be around her anymore. "It was too dangerous to be around anyone anymore", Harry thought miserably. Just then, the train blew its horn. Quickly, Mrs. Weasley gave all her children and Harry, and Hermione a hug, and shooed them onto the train. Harry, Hermione, and Ron were all looking for an empty cabinet when Harry saw a girl pass behind him without looking at Harry. "That's weird", Harry said. "What is?" Hermione asked as they all got into a compartment. "I don't mean to be bragging or anything, but that girl didn't even look at me", Harry said. " People usually look at me when they pass me, but she didn't." "Harry, I think you've been hanging around Mad-Eye Moody too long", Ron joked. "Don't even think of it, Harry. She probably just didn't recognize you, that's all", Hermione said. "Yeah, I guess you're right." Harry agreed. The train ride went smoothly. Hermione and Ron played Exploding Snap, and traded Wizarding Cards, and Hermione read a book, as was her custom. Soon, it was time to head to Hogwarts for the sorting ceremony. As the trio reached the hall, they sat in the Gryffindor table, next to Neville, Ginny, and Luna. The kids to be sorted came in, lead by Professor Magonnal. They all got sorted into different houses, but to Harry's disappointment, few to Gryffindor. Professor Magonall stood up, and got ready to make a speech. Harry suddenly remembered, with a sinking feeling, that Dumbledore was not alive anymore.

"Welcome back to a New Year at Hogwarts. I happy to see all of you came back in one piece. Please remember that Voldemort is gaining supporters as we speak! You must be on alert all the time, and if you happen to see anything suspicious, report it at once to myself, or any other teacher. Now, the Sorting of the Students is not only for First years, but for new students, as well. This year, we have a new student attending us. In a moment, she will be sorted into a house. I expect all of you to treat her with the up-most respect, as is Hogwarts custom. If anybody is caught making fun of her in ANY WAY, You will be severely punished. Miss Ingrid, please come in."

After Professor Magonnal finished her speech, it seemed like every single person in the hall wanted to talk about the new student. "Quiet!" said professor Magonnal, as the student came in. "hey, that the girl I was talking about on the train, the one that didn't recognize me."

Harry whispered to Ron and Hermione. "That's her? Geez, Harry. You better ask her out quickly, or I might ask her myself. Just kidding Hermione, I'd never do that." Ron joked as Hermione hit him warningly. The girl stepped forward confidently near the stool, then sat down, wearing neither a nervous smile, nor a disappointed frown. Magonnal stepped forward and, almost hesitantly, put the sorting hat on her head. "Hmm, difficult, very difficult. Just like your brother I see. Yes, yes, I know, no need to tell me twice." The sorting hat said. Magonal cleared her throat warningly. Everyone was amazed. This had never happened with the sorting hat, and a student. "Well, I guess, no, better yet…all right, I made up my mind, GRYFFINDOR!"

The hat yelled out, as the loud cheers and yells came from the Gryffindor table. Ingrid came and sat next to Ron, and across from Harry. "Hey, my name is Ingrid. It's a pleasure to meet you" Ingrid said, to Ron, Hermione and Harry as she shook their hand. Hermione had to elbow Harry to make him answer back. Harry was shocked that this girl was actually addressing him after she didn't recognize him on the train. "Either she doesn't know me, or she doesn't want to refer to me as 'the chosen one'." Harry thought as food appeared in front of them.

A while later, as the four of them were heading up to the common room, Harry finally found his voice to tell Ingrid about the castle, the rules, and the classes that seventh years attended. Ingrid happened to be in seventh year. "So, what made you come to Hogwarts?" Hermione asked as they waited for the stair to change direction. "Actually, Professor Magonnal sent me a letter asking to come to Hogwarts." Ingrid said. "Didn't your parent want you to come here, also?" Ron asked as the stair settled in one direction and the four started walking down a corridor. A shadow passed Ingrid's face as she said, "Actually, my parents were killed by voldemort." Harry stopped walking, Ron just stared at her, and Hermione gasped. "I'm sorry. I didn't know." Ron apologized. "That's okay." Ingrid said hesitantly. "It happened when I was a little girl."

They continued walking in silence until they reached the common room, when Hermione quietly said the password "Higgledy Puff". When they walked through the portrait Ingrid said, "look, guys, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you sad. It's a question people ask so many times, that I don't think about it." "It's okay, Ingrid, you didn't want to upset us. It's just everything Voldemort done affects us in a sad way, you probably wouldn't understand" Hermione said putting a hand on Ingrid's shoulder. Just then, a first year came up to Ingrid and said that she was to meet Professor Magonnal in her office in five minutes. Then, Ingrid suddenly became nervous and quickly said goodbye to the three and headed out the common room.