Anything from the Harry Potter books belong to JK Rowling, who rocks.
Ron Harry and Hermione quickly scuttled off the train, listening to the familiar voice.

"Firs' yers! Firs years this way!" The three waved to their massive friend, grinning.

"Hey Hagrid! How's your brother?" Yelled Harry, sending Hermione into a fit of giggles.

"Alright there Harry? Grawpy's doin' jus' fine. Have a nice little area set up for him." Hagrid called back, as the terrified faces of the first years gathered around him, "See yeh at the Feast then." As the Thestral pulled carriages arrived. Climbing in, they waited for Ginny, but Neville Longbottom got in instead. So they just rode in a pleasant silence, until Neville broke it.

"I saw your sister Ron. Looks like she's made a friend."

"Yeah? Who?" Harry and Hermione exchanged a look. Ron was far too protective of his sister. The incident at the Ministry of Magic had proven Ginny more the capable of defending herself.

But trying telling that to Ron.

"I don't know, just a new girl. She looked to be our age with black hair, she was pretty. Ginny was laughing about something she said while they were getting into the carriage with Lavender and Parvati." With that, they fell back into silent. Never, in their six years at Hogwarts, had there been a transfer student. But they didn't have much time to brood, as it was only minutes later that they arrived at the castle, and all the older students, cool and breathless from the sharp September air, hurried into the warmth of the Great Hall.

As the Golden Trio took their places at the Gryffindor table in anticipation of the Sorting and subsequent feast, Hermione's eyes found Ginny, who sitting next to a girl Hermione had never seen before. Tossing back rather unruly black locks, her grey eyes suddenly were peering right into Hermione's.

Caught staring, Hermione felt her cheeks automatically heat up. But the girl just said something to Ginny. Ginny burst out laughing, and then signaled Hermione to come over and sit with them.

So Hermione did.

"Hello, I'm Hermione Granger." Hermione said, shaking hands with the stranger.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Gabby."

"That short for Gabrielle?" Gabby nodded happily.

"Yep. I was named after the arch angel Gabriel." Hermione laughed. She thought it was a pretty name.

"Your parents are religious then?"

"No! But it's a tradition in my Mum's family that we have Christian names. Though I heard Mum's brother broke that tradition with his son."

"Oh, is that why you're here? You've come to stay with family?" Gabby began to laugh, hard.

"No! My Grandparents died and Uncle died almost fifteen years ago, and the cousin got sent to his Mum's relatives. Nah, we're here because Mum got offered a job and we needed a fresh start."

"Your Mum's the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher?"

"Yep! That's her next to Snape." Hermione looked up to see a woman, almost identical to Gabby, chatting with Professor Flitwick. Though her face was decidedly less aristocratic, and her eyes were Hazel, the new face at the staff table had the same hair, skin, and beautiful hourglass figure as her daughter.

At that moment, the doors opened and Professor McGonagall came in leading the long line of first years. All conversations stopped as the school sorting hat began its annual tune.

"I really have to give the first years their props." Gabby whispered to Hermione as the hat finished singing, and the first first year was called to the hat, "I couldn't just stand there in front of everybody, waiting for the hat to belt out a name."

"Spotlight not appealing to you then?" Hermione whispered back, a smile playing on her lips.

"Yeah, you could say that." Gabby answered, then smiled, causing Hermione to nearly fall out of her seat.

"You okay Hermione?" Gabby asked. Hermione nodded, but an uneasy feeling filled her stomach, especially when she met Ginny's eyes. They clearly said, "You see it too." Hermione couldn't stop herself from asking, "Gabby, what's your last name?"

"Stanfield, why?"

"Oh just curious is all." Gabby just shrugged then turned back to the Sorting. Hermione shook her head, Of course she's not related to Harry! He would know of any relations on his father's side! So, Hermione turned back to the feast, but an uneasy feeling still in her gut. Then Gabby turned to her.

"Of course it got changed it when Dad adopted me." At this, an uneasy look passed between Hermione and Ginny. But Ginny was the one who asked the question.

"What was your original last name?"

"Potter."


Note from the Chica: Muhahahahahaha! EVIL CLIFF HANGER! Don't worry, the next chapter shall be here tomorrow. Until then, REVIEW!