The Call of the Siren

Chapter 1

Harry

Harry Potter sat on the edge of his bed at the Burrow. His friend, Ron Weasley, had invited him and their other friend, Hermione Granger, to stay the last part of the summer with them. School would start up the next day, and today was the day they boarded the Hogwarts Express to return to the castle. The three friends were anxiously awaiting their departure and return to Hogwarts to start their sixth year together.

Harry thought over his years at Hogwarts. There had been so many ups and downs, but he definitely considered Hogwarts his home. At school, Harry had found the first real family he could remember. He knew his parents loved him from what he'd been told by so many others, he just couldn't remember them.

There was no doubt in Harry's mind about the Dursleys not loving him. He'd suffered emotional turmoil and ridicule at their hands for eleven years before he'd found out he was a wizard and went to Hogwarts. As far as Harry was concerned, The Weasleys, Hermione, and Dumbledore were his family.

Harry's thoughts were interrupted as a knock sounded on the door. "Who is it?" Harry asked.

"It's Hermione," said a girl's voice. "Mrs. Weasley says breakfast will be ready in five minutes. And you'd better tell Ronald to get up!" Why Hermione had to be so energetic this early in the morning was beyond Harry. Running his fingers through his famously untidy black hair, Harry got off the bed and walked over to shake Ron awake.

"Bloody hell, Harry! It can't be morning yet," said Ron as he yawned sleepily. Ron tried to pull the covers back over his mop of red hair and turn over, but Harry was persistent.

"C'mon, Ron. Your Mum wants us to come to breakfast in five minutes. Now get up." Ron was definitely not a morning person.

"Brilliant," Ron muttered as he grudgingly threw back the covers. Harry grinned as Ron got out of bed and then headed off to the bathroom. As Harry descended the stairs, the smell of sausages, eggs, toast, and brewing coffee greeted his nostrils as he took his place at the table next to Hermione.

"It smells delicious, Mrs. Weasley," said Harry politely as she set a plate in front of him.

"Thank you, dear," smiled Molly Weasley as she fussed over Harry. "Now, tuck in. Ronald Weasley!" called Molly as she noticed that Ron wasn't down yet. "Get down here now!"

"I'm coming, I'm coming!" Ron muttered as he tromped down the steps.

Breakfast was a noisy and happy affair with the Weasleys. Excited chatter and much laughter were heard all around as plans were being made for their departure to King's Cross. Ron and his sister Ginny were the only two Weasley children who still attended Hogwarts, Ginny being a year behind Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

After the meal was finished and the Burrow was quickly tidied by Molly, the young people scurried around making last minute checks to be sure hey had everything. Harry's trunk was already sitting with the rest of the trunks by the door, so all he had to carry from Ron's room was Hedwig's cage. The snowy owl sat patiently in her cage, aloofly taking in the bustling scene before her. They would be riding in a Muggle cab to King's Cross station, and Molly Weasley was no looking forward to that. The last time they'd ridden with a Muggle cabbie, he'd given them all dirty looks because of the amount of luggage and the animals they were bringing with them.

Dressed in Muggle clothing, the strange group left the Burrow, an assortment of animals and trunks accompanying them. Arthur Weasley hailed a cab, and everyone piled in, much to the shock and horror of the driver. "King's Cross, please," Arthur Weasley requested.

"Y-yes Sir," said the cabbie, trying not to gawk.

Everyone was piled in the cab like sardines, and the ride was bumpy and miserable. They were all thankful to have arrived in one piece when they exited the cab, and the driver breathed an obvious sigh of relief as he saw the backside of these strange passengers.

"Alright you lot, stick together. We don't want to be late for the train," Molly instructed.

Everyone dutifully followed her inside the station and headed off to Platform nine and three-quarters, talking excitedly and animatedly. For once, they were a little early, and everyone made it onto the train with little drama after walking through the magical barrier. Molly hugged and kissed her children goodbye and made a fuss over Harry. "Now, you be sure and look after yourself, Harry dear," she instructed as she tried to straighten his hair.

"I will, Mrs. Weasley," Harry reassured Ron's mother as he endured her fussing. "Try not to worry."

"Molly, we've got to leave," said Arthur, pulling on his wife's arm. "The train will be leaving in a moment."

"Alright, Arthur, I'm coming!" Molly said, a bit of panic in her voice. "Do you lot have everything?"

"Yes, Mum," Ron sighed in frustration.

"Molly!" Arthur yelled.

Molly threw everyone a last kiss and then trailed along behind her husband as they hurriedly exited the train. Once the adults were gone, the three young people found a compartment together and settled in for the long ride.

"Ron and I have Prefect Duty in a while, Harry. We'll come back as soon as we can," said Hermione as she smoothed down her bushy brown hair.

"Right," said Harry. I'll just wait here and save your seats."

Right at 11:00, the train began to move, and the long journey back to school began. Before long, Ron and Hermione excused themselves to fulfill the duties assigned to them as Prefects. Harry was content to remain where he was, and he stretched out on the seat and was soon fast asleep.

When Harry awoke, the sun was getting lower in the clear blue sky, so he knew he'd slept quite a long time. Looking around, he saw that Ron and Hermione had returned to the compartment.

"Have a good sleep, Mate," asked Ron as he grinned at Harry.

Harry nodded. "Guess I was more tired than I thought," he said rather sheepishly. "I'm starving!"

"We picked some things off the cart," said Hermione. "There's plenty left."

Harry rummaged through the pile of things Ron and Hermione had bought and settled on some chocolate frogs. As he ate, he thought about what this year at Hogwarts would bring. Harry hoped that this year would pass with relatively no trouble. Last year hadn't been a particularly good one, especially with his grief and guilt over Sirius' death so close to the surface of his emotions. Dolores Umbridge had made last year at Hogwarts miserable for all of them, and Snape's Occlumency lessons had been a disaster. Harry's thoughts were interrupted as Hermione addressed him.

"Harry, are you listening?" she asked in frustration.

"Oh, yeah, sorry Hermione," Harry apologized sheepishly. "I'm listening."

"Well, as I was saying. Did you know there's going to be an American at Hogwarts this year?" Hermione had overheard some of the students talking while she was on Prefect Duty.

"No, I didn't know," said Harry. "Do you know anything about him?

"Actually, it's a girl," said Hermione. "All I know is her name is Carrie something-or-other, and she's from Illinois someplace."

"Bloody hell!" said Ron.

"Put your eyes back in your head, Ronald, and pick your jaw off the floor," scolded Hermione. "You haven't even met her yet."

"But, a real American," gushed Ron.

"She's a student just like the rest of us," said Hermione with authority. "And it's our job to make sure she feels at home."

"Yes, Ma'am," said Ron.

Harry grinned as he listened to his two friends go at each other. Harry was surprised at the news. As far as he knew, only a few, if any, Americans had ever attended Hogwarts. Perhaps Dumbledore was working with an American school in starting an exchange program or an outreach of some sort. "That'll be an interesting change," Harry finally added his opinion into the conversation. "Do you know what year she's in?"

"Sixth, I think," said Hermione.

"Bloody hell! She knows everything," muttered Ron, referring to Hermione.

Harry laughed and quietly munched on a chocolate frog. The rest of the journey went by quickly, and the familiar sight of Hogsmeade Station greeted the weary travelers as the train Hogwarts Express came to a stop.

As the three friends got off the train, they waved to Hagrid, who was there collecting the first years. Everyone else piled into the carriages to be taken to the castle where the Sorting Hat Ceremony and the beginning of the year feast awaited them.

"Well, I wonder where the American is," whispered Ron to his friends as he looked around.

"Perhaps she came early," suggested Harry. "After all, there's a lot to straighten out when someone travels from overseas."

"I'm sure Dumbledore set up a safe place for them to Apparate to," said Hermione.

They continued talking about what the new student might be like as their carriage took them to Hogwarts. Harry felt his excitement well up inside him as the castle came into view. It certainly was a sight to see, especially in the dimming light of day. It looked even more beautiful in the moonlight.

Piling out of the carriage, the three friends made leisurely made their way to the castle. They knew that their pets and trunks would be taken care of, so they went straight to the Great Hall and found their seats at the Gryffindor table.

As Harry and his friends sat down, happy, excited chatter greeted Harry's ears, and he couldn't help but smile. He was home once again! This was truly where he belonged; there was no doubt about that.

Immediately, everyone became quiet as Professor Albus Dumbledore took the podium. "It is my pleasure to welcome everyone back to Hogwarts and to wish everyone a wonderful year of education and learning. Before we commence with the Sorting Ceremony, I would like to introduce to you a new students who is part of an exchange program that Hogwarts will be involved in. She is a sixth year student from America—Illinois, in fact. Her name is Carrietta Stafford, and she has been sorted into Gryffindor House. Let's give her a warn Hogwarts welcome, and please make her feel at home."

Everyone began clapping politely as a short, slight girl with long blond hair and blue eyes stood. She gave everyone a little wave as she smiled shyly and blushed. Harry noticed how dwarfed she looked next to everyone else as she sat back down. She looked friendly enough, and Harry thought to himself that she was indeed pretty.

Looking over at Ron, Harry noticed that he was blushing scarlet and trying not to make eye contact with the new girl. Harry had a feeling that his best friend was going to develop a major crush on the girl.

The Sorting Hat Ceremony began, and as usual, Harry was enthralled as he watched all the first years being sorted into their respective houses. When a new Gryffindor was called out, he applauded enthusiastically along with the others, smiling his welcome as each new first year Gryffindor took his or her seat. Harry remembered his own sorting, hoping and praying to whatever deity that would listen to not be sorted into Slytherin House. Draco Malfoy was a Slytherin, and he and Harry were archenemies.

When the sorting was completed, Dumbledore took the podium again, his voice booming out. "Let the feat begin! Tuck in, everyone!" And with that, food appeared on the tables and on the golden plates. Immediately, Harry began eating, savoring every bite of the delicious food. He looked over at Ron, who was still flushed and flustered.

"Well, why don't you introduce yourself to her, Mate?" whispered Harry as he leaned over toward Ron.

"Bloody hell! I can't do that, Harry. She'll think I'm a nutter," Ron piped up, his voice rising nearly an octave.

"If she's as nice as she looks, she'll welcome it. As Dumbledore said, we need to make her feel at home. And she is a Gryffindor, after all," Harry replied calmly.

"Then why don't YOU introduce yourself to her," shot back Ron.

"I will when I get a chance," said Harry. "Looks like Hermione's already beat us to it." Both boys looked toward the American girl and saw that she and Hermione were deeply engaged in conversation.

"Leave it to Hermione to start things off," said Ron as he stuffed a big bite of potatoes into his mouth.

Laughing, Harry continued to eat until he couldn't possibly take another bite. Some of the students began to yawn, and Harry felt his own exhaustion catching up with him. The feast always made him feel full and tired, and it never took him long to fall asleep on the first night back at the castle.

As the meal drew to a close, Dumbledore wished everyone a restful night and dismissed the students, instructing them to go to their rooms and get a good night's sleep. Classes would resume in the morning, and everyone needed to be well rested for the first full day back in session. Harry excused himself from the table, saying goodnight to everyone. As he started for the exit to the Great Hall, he bumped into something, startling him out of his wits.

"Oh, excuse me. I'm so sorry. I really need to watch where I'm going," said a distinct American voice. Harry looked down and saw the new girl, Carrietta, smiling shyly up at him. "How rude of me!" The girl flushed slightly as she apologized.

"No problem, er, I'm sorry. I forgot your name," said Harry, feeling a flush creep up his own cheeks.

"It's Carrietta Stafford. But, you can call me Carrie. Everyone does," she said as she extended her hand. "It's nice to meet you."

"Oh, sorry. Harry Potter," he replied, smiling self consciously. Harry extended his hand, and the two shook in salutation. "I hope you enjoy attending Hogwarts."

"Thanks Harry," smiled Carrie. "Say, you wouldn't happen to be the same Harry Potter that Vol—Voldemort tried to kill, would you?" Carrie's mouth formed a surprised "o" as she realized she'd asked such a bold question. "Oh, Merlin's beard! I'm sorry, Harry. You must think me awfully rude and uncouth," she looked down at her shoes.

"No, it's alright, Carrie. Yes, I'm the one. Don't worry about it. I get strange looks all the time," said Harry, shrugging his shoulders.

"I'm really sorry, Harry. I mean, for what you've gone through and losing your parents and all. It sounds horrible," she said softly, compassion evident in her voice. Carrie shuddered as she thought about what her life would be like without her family.

"It happened when I was only a baby," said Harry. "I don't remember them."

"Still, it's a horrible thing, especially if you didn't' know them," Carrie continued. "I miss my family already, and I've only been here a few days."

There was something about Carrie that put Harry at ease right away. He loved listening to her smooth, gentle voice. Hearing her speak, he felt as if waves of relaxation and calming were washing over him. What was it about that voice that made him feel this way? He felt as if he could just sit and listen to her all day.

"Tell me about you family," said Harry. "I'm sure you must miss them dreadfully, being so far away from home."

Carrie nodded emphatically. "I do. I haven't spent long bouts of time away from them like this before. It's a change. Well, my mother, Lisa, is a Healer at St. Mungo's Hospital of Springfield, and my father, Gerald, is a Transfiguration Professor at my previous school, the Springfield Academy. My Grandfather, Timothy, was an Auror, but he retired some years ago when the stress of the job was getting to him. In his younger days, he was on one of our top American Quidditch teams as a seeker. Bea, that's my grandmother, is a singer. Both Grandma and I are singers, in fact. I'm an only child, so I've been a bit spoiled," she laughed. "Oh goodness! This must sound so boring to you."

"No, not at all," said Harry. "Your family sounds really nice."

"Oh, they are. I'm really lucky to have them," said Carrie, smiling nostalgically.

"And you're a singer, you say? I thought you might be. I mean, from listening to you speak, you sound like you have a trained voice," Harry felt the heat rise to his face once again. Potter, you're an idiot, Harry chided himself.

Carrie, however, didn't seem to notice his nervousness or embarrassment. "Yeah, I've been a singer for as long as I can remember," she said. "It's in my blood since Grandma also sings. She trained me up for as long as she could, and then my family found another teacher for me. It looks like I'll also be taking music lessons at Hogwarts, too."

"I'd like to hear you sing sometime, Carrie. I'm sure you must have a lovely voice," said Harry. He normally didn't dish out compliments so readily, but there was something about Carrie that made Harry feel that he could be truthful with her. He definitely wanted to get to know her better.

"I'd like that," said Carrie softly as she smiled up at him.

Just then, Ron and Hermione came running up to Harry, at first not seeing Carrie. "Harry, come on! It's getting late!" said Hermione. Noticing Carrie, she apologized, "Oh, sorry, Carrie. Do you want to come back to Gryffindor with us?"

"Sure, that would be great," said Carrie. "I've been here a few days, but I'm still learning my way around. I got lost the minute I got here," Carrie laughed.

"Bloody hell," Ron mumbled under his breath as he began blushing three shades of red. He glanced quickly at Carrie, who was smiling at all of them.

Hermione shot Ron a disgusted look, and emitted a long suffering sigh. "Ronald Weasley, this is Carrietta—Carrie—Stafford. Carrie, Ron Weasley,' Hermione quickly introduced her friend to the American girl.

"Nice to meet you, Ron," said Carrie, extending her hand in a friendly manner. "What year in school are you?"

"S-Sixth," Ron mumbled, looking down at the floor.

"We're all sixth years," said Hermione.

"Oh, that's great!" exclaimed Carrie. "We'll have most of our classes together then. I'm glad of that. I could definitely use some friends in my classes, especially on the first day. I'm a bit nervous."

"You'll do just fine, Carrie, "said Hermione. "We'll help you all we can, right boys?"

"Of course," replied Harry while Ron just nodded mutely.

Covering her mouth as she felt a huge yawn coming on, Carrie apologized profusely. "I'm sorry, you guys. I'm still not quite used to the time change between here and the States yet. And the amount of food I ate at that feast is making me feel sluggish. I definitely hear my bed calling my name," she laughed.

"I think it's time we all turn in," Hermione suggested as they began walking toward Gryffindor Tower. Harry gave the password to the Fat Lady, and all four of them climbed in through the portrait hole, the door closing behind them as they stepped inside the common room.

"Goodnight everyone," said Carrie as she waved to the other three and began climbing the stairs to the girls' dormitory. "It was nice meeting all of you."

"G'night, Carrie," called Harry, and Ron.

"Sleep well," called Hermione.