I'm tired of putting in disclaimers. This will be the last one. I don't own Harry Potter, or anything/one that someone else might recognize. I'm broke, and going after me for money or personal property will get you a broken down van that sucks gas like a sponge in water in the desert, and maybe some change on the floor that I somehow missed.

I've been trying to space correctly, and will be trying something new this chapter. Hopefully it will work. Sorry about the spacing problems before.

Also, I think I have the Dobby-speak down decently, but Hagrid is going to have normal speech in this story. I'm not even going to try his broken dialect.

As soon as Bethany and Dumbledore left the great hall, she turned to him and said, "Why don't you lead? I'm not too fond of taking orders. Well, I will do if they make sense, but all-in-all, don't like them."

"As you wish, Miss Frost. Tell me, how did you come to be here?"

"Let's just save it until we get to your office. Don't want the wrong people hearing anything. It's kind of a 'Sirius' matter."

"And perhaps a few more?"

"You could say that. Hey! What's with the gothic looking gargoyle?"

Professor Dumbledore smiled faintly. "That is the guardian to the entrance of my office. He will not move aside unless you know the password, or know how to bypass the password."

He waved his hand over the gargoyle's head, and watched as the stone statue jumped to the side. "Of course, all the teachers know the password, as do the head boy and head girl. The stairway lets me know when anyone is coming, so I'm not surprised. Also, no one can enter my office if I am not present."

"Thanks for the warning."

Dumbledore entered the stairway, and it started gliding up. Bethany raised her eyebrows and jumped on behind him.

"Cool! I've never seen a revolving escalator before! Nice bird statue-is it an eagle?"

Dumbledore smiled to himself. "No, that is a phoenix. Fascinating creatures. Capable of carrying immense weight, and their tears have healing abilities, but only when given freely. Their song is one of the most beautiful sounds in the world. They are also great judges of character."

Bethany raised her eyebrows at this. "Oh tay. I thought they were mythical creatures. You know, like Zeus, unicorns, and dragons."

They had reached the top of the staircase, and the headmaster open his door. Walking to the other side of his desk, he gestured to a beautiful red and gold bird. As you can see, phoenix are very real, as are unicorns and dragons."

Bethany, who had been staring at the bird who was intensely staring back, was startled to awareness at this. She looked at Dumbledore. "Dragons and unicorns are real? Come on! I can believe the bird-I watch National Geographic, and they are always finding new species or species that were thought to be extinct. But giant flying lizards and horses with horns are a bit much. What's next-the Loch Ness Monster?"

"Nessie is a water dragon, very rare indeed. And we have unicorns residing in the Forbidden Forest, along with centaurs."

"Centaurs-the half man-half horse thingies, right?" Bethany said skeptically.

"That is correct."

She opened and closed her mouth several times. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. James and Sirius had told her about the house elves, quiddich, and other various things that seemed too real to be true, but this was too much to comprehend. Lily was the one who taught her book-smarts, but never mentioned any of this. Bethany's knees started to wobble and she started sinking to the floor.

Dumbledore conjured a chair behind her to sink into. "I think this would be more comfortable then the floor, don't you?"

Bethany realized she was sitting on an extremely comfy chair. "Where'd this come from?"

Professor Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. He said one word- "Magic."

Dobby, who had changed his rags and was now wearing a tuxedo (at least, the shirt and jacket-he still wore a black sock and a bright purple sock with broomsticks on it), and several other house elves popped in near Bethany and started setting up their meal. An elaborate table with fine white linen, china, and silverware was set up in an instant. Several covered trays and pitchers appeared in the middle of the table.

"You's dinner is served. Will you's need anything else?"

"It looks great to me, Dobby. How about you, professor?"

Dumbledore looked impressed, and a bit put out. "Everything looks wonderful, Dobby. Even more elaborate that you usually bring just me."

Dobby had the decency to blush. "I is bringing a fine dinner for Miss Bethany and the headmaster. We don't want her to leave and think we is not liking her!"

Bethany was surprised at this. She had never had anyone go all out like this before for her. "Dobby, I won't leave because the food is bad, and anything that smells that good can't be bad. I'll leave when my job is done, because I won't have any reason to stay here."

Dobby smiled at the compliment. "I knows you not leaving soon. You can stay and eat good food and nice clean sheets and clothes."

Bethany smiled. "Thank you, Dobby. Now, which one is the hot chocolate?" she said, waving at the pitchers.

Dobby waved his hand, and a mug appeared at her plate, filled with steaming hot chocolate. "The one nearest to you is you drink. I make it special for you-lots of chocolate." he said, ducking his head shyly.

Dumbledore cleared his throat. "Thank you Dobby. That will be all for now."

Dobby bowed to them and popped out with the other elves, who had been looking at Bethany the entire time.

"Well!" Dumbledore said, clapping his hands together, and the covers disappeared. "Let's not let this fine food go to waste. We can talk after we dine."

Bethany served herself up something that looked like chicken with a lemon sauce. She also had some pasta, a couple rolls, and some green beans with slivered almonds. She felt like she had died and gone to heaven again, or wherever she went. And then came dessert. It was one of the most beautiful things she had ever seen-a quadruple layer chocolate cake with creamy frosting from out of this world. And it had white chocolate flowers on it! Joy! She hadn't thought she had room for another bite, until this came along. Bethany said a quiet thank you to Dobby and the rest of the house elves. How did they know that, next to air, chocolate was almost life or death to her?

When she and Dumbledore had their fill, the whole table disappeared. Her chair gently raised up and moved to in front of the headmaster's desk. She looked at Dumbledore and said, "Those elves definitely deserve a raise for that cake alone. I wonder if I can get the recipe?"

The professor had to laugh at this. He watched as Bethany's eyes grew large when the cake appeared on the table, and when she finally took a bit of her slice, he saw her glow slightly. He knew Dobby hit a soft spot with the chocolate cake. He wondered about the recipe himself. The chocolate seemed to almost melt in his mouth as soon as it hit his tongue. The elves had never served anything that elaborate before in his entire time as headmaster, professor, and student.

"I'm not sure. I can honestly say that I've never had the privilege of tasting that dessert before. You must have made quite an impression with Dobby."

"He's a nice little, uh, elf. Who wouldn't want to be friends with him? Especially if he can bake like that!"

"There are many who think that house elves, amongst others, are beneath them."

"That's just stupid. That's as stupid as someone thinking they are better then others because of the color of their skin. Or how much money they have. Or where they live. Or if they have expensive clothes."

"I agree with you. But that discussion will have to wait for another time. Tell me, how did you come to be here at Hogwarts?"

"It's kinda a long story"

"I think we can make the time."

"You really want the whole story, or an abridged version?"

"How about we start with the abridged version, with some elaborations."

"Ok. But there really isn't anything all that interesting to tell." Bethany looked at him closely. "How did you know that I wasn't one of Voldemort's thugs in the great hall?" she asked, sipping on her second mug of hot chocolate.

"To my knowledge, Voldemort cannot control the elements as of yet."

Bethany didn't notice the door behind her opening, and Professors Snape and McGonagall and Hagrid entering and standing behind her. She started explaining her story.

"Well, I was walking home from school and it was raining out. I got hit by lightening, and passed out or died-I can't decided which. When I woke up I was in this white place. Some voices started talking to me, and then they appeared next to me. The guys were kinda cute, and the lady was real pretty. Well, they started talking to me, and saying some weird stuff, and then a house appeared. I went through some training, and let me tell you how weird this whole magic business is. I mean, when David Copperfield was just starting out when I was a little kid, he came to my school and did a show and I was his helper and I messed it all up, but he didn't yell at me or anything so it was ok. But for magic to be really real, and all these magical creatures to be real and everything else-I just...I guess I'm still having a hard time swallowing it all. So anyway, Lily taught me book smarts, all the wand waving stuff, and how to control my temper a bit so the lightening doesn't go all wacky, and James and Sirius taught me how to have fun with magic. Although sometimes when I'm really sleepy or get startled, the lightening control gets away from me. I'm still learning control over it. Sirius told me what to say to you so you would know I was acting on his behalf. He told me he had you over at Grimmald Place and he took you to see the midnight showing of Bill and Ted at the theater. He also told me that he quoted that phrase enough that you would know that I got it from him. And now here we are."

Dumbledore sat behind his desk with his hands folded in front of him. He knew that Bethany was telling the truth, as he had Dobby slip a bit of veritaserum in her pitcher of hot chocolate. True, it seemed like she was holding some things back, but that was different then lying.

Severus Snape, however, thought the whole thing sounded ridiculous. "Headmaster, surely you do not..." was as far as he got to questioning the girl before he and the others next to him in the room had to hit the floor to escape the bolt of lightening coming from the teenager.

"Geez! Didn't you hear me saying something about not controlling myself when startled, mister I-sneak-up-on-people? And why do you keep doubting me? You know, James and Sirius told me what a creep you were, but I was gonna try to make my own judgment. I guess I didn't need to bother-they were right. By the way-are you really a vampire, or is that just something they made up?"

McGonagall and Hagrid were trying, and not so successfully, to hold in their laughter at this last bit after recovering from their shock. After all, it wasn't everyday they were almost hit by lightening.

Snape started sputtering indignantly.

"The child seems to be telling the truth, Severus." Professor Dumbledore mused. "Sirius and James would tell her something like that just to get a rise out of you. And to answer your question, Miss Frost, Professor Snape is not a vampire."

"No vampires? I figured there would be vampires if magic was real."

Dumbledore chuckled. "What I said was Professor Snape is not a vampire, contrary to the student's popular belief. There are vampires, just not here at Hogwarts."

"Oh. Well, I guess they were just teasing me again then." Bethany gave way to a large yawn. "Well, now that you know that I'm telling the truth, is it ok for me to go to bed? I've kinda had a long day, and that huge meal made me a bit tired."

"Of course. Professor McGonagall, would you please show Miss Frost to Gryffindor Tower and her dorm? I believe we could all use some rest after tonight's excitement."

"Of course, headmaster. Miss Frost, if you would follow me?" McGonagall walked to the door, stopping to make sure her new student was following.

Bethany slowly got up and wondered over to her new teacher. "Professor McGonagall, can I ask you a question? Do people really ride on broomsticks?"

Hagrid boomed out in laughter, causing Bethany to stare at him. "Of course they do. And Harry Potter is the best flyer there ever was! Not a single stunt he ever tried and didn't succeed. A bit of a risk taker, but he always ends up all right. You'll find that out soon enough, I reckon."

Professor Snape sneered at this. "Yes, except when the foolish child ends up in the hospital wing over a stupid stunt. His file is larger then anyone else's at Hogwarts."

"A bit reckless, huh? I can deal with reckless, as long as no one else gets hurt. Then it just ticks me off."

"Well, then you're going to be sorely disappointed with Mr. Potter. Trouble and hurt follows him wherever he goes, and usually his friends get hurt right along with him."

McGonagall said, "That's enough, Severus. I will not have you berating my Gryffindors. Please, come with me, Miss Frost." She proceeded to walk down the staircase.

"Guess that's my cue to go. Goodnight professors." Bethany hurried after McGonagall.

She finally caught up with her teacher at the main staircase. 'For an old lady, she sure moves quick!' though Bethany.

"This is the most direct route to Gryffindor tower. Mind the trick stairs, and watch out for the staircases-they move."

"What do you mean, they move? They seem pretty solid to me." questioned Bethany. And of course, that was when the staircase decided to move at the forth floor. "My God, does everything here have it's own mind? I figured the staircases would be alright, seeing how they're stone!"

"This is quite simple to remedy. Simply go to the next hallway, and use the other stairs."

"Yeah, right." Bethany mumbled. "Until these ones start up."

Professor McGonagall stopped, turned, and put her hand on Bethany's shoulder, hoping she wouldn't get shocked and please that the girl trusted her enough that she didn't. "I know that this can all be quite confusing, but it will get easier. Don't try to fight Hogwarts, learn about her. Be kind to her, and she will be kind to you."

Bethany raised her eyebrows at this, but said nothing. The professor made it sound like Hogwarts was alive, and that made it a bit creepy, thinking she was wandering around a living thing. But she figured she would just go with the flow on this.

They finally reached the seventh floor (with Bethany asking several times where the elevator was), and walked down the hall to a portrait of a large woman in an old fashioned pink dress. She was fanning herself with a hand held fan, and reading a book. The portrait noticed the professor and a new student approaching her and sat up straight.

"Good evening, Professor McGonagall. I see we have a straggler tonight. Does she know the password?" The woman in the picture turned and addressed Bethany. "If you don't have the password, you can't come in. That's the rules, no exceptions."

"But I just got here, and I don't know anybody yet, not really! How am I supposed to know the password?" Bethany said in a bit of a panic.

"Don't worry. The password is 'Dissendium.' I set it this morning." the professor smiled at her.

The lady moved her frame open, revealing a smallish passageway. McGonagall went beckoned Bethany to follow her, as she moved to enter the room. And what a room it was, when Bethany entered it. There were many comfy looking chairs and couches, along with a large inviting fireplace along the side wall. Several students were in there chatting to each other about their summer vacations, but it went silent as they saw who entered the room.

Harry stood up abruptly, knocking over the chess set that he was playing with Ron. This caused Ron to knock into his girlfriend, who had been reading ahead in her transfiguration book.

"Ron! What's wrong with...oh!" Hermione exclaimed, standing up and smoothing out her skirt.

Harry was fuming. How could the headmaster let this fraud in here? She must have told a very convincing lie, to still be here. He stalked over to his teacher.

"What's she doing in here?" he snarled.

"Mr. Potter, do not take that tone with me, unless you want a detention already. Miss Frost was sorted into Gryffindor, so she belongs here just as much as you do. Miss Granger, could you please show our new student to the seventh year dormitories? And in the morning, please show her around a bit so she doesn't get lost."

Hermione hurried over. "Of course, Professor McGonagall."

The professor nodded her head, looked sternly at Harry, and walked out of the common room. Harry glared at Bethany, went back to the table he and Ron were playing chess at, picked up his books and went up the stairwell to the boy's dormitory. The students that were still in the common room started whispering to each other. Ron grabbed his own books and walked over to Hermione and Bethany. Hermione introduced herself and Ron.

"I'm Hermione Granger, and this is my boyfriend Ron Weasley. You seem to already know Harry, although I don't know how or why he doesn't seem to like you. What's your name?"

"Bethany Frost. I usually answer to Bethany or Beth, but not Bethy. Where's the dorm? I think I've had enough of people staring at me for one night."

Hermione took in the girl's rumpled clothing and dark eyes. She pitied her, remembering how it was to be new at everything magical.

"Just a moment." She went and grabbed a large heavy-looking bag full of books and strange looking paper poking out the top, went to Ron and kissed him on the cheek goodnight. "Follow me." She started walking to the stairway and said, "Boys dorms are to the left, girls to the right. I won't be rooming with you, as I'm Head Girl this year, so there was an extra bed in the dorm anyway. We are at the very top of the stair case."

Bethany groaned at this. Why are there so many damn stairs here? She mumbled to herself, "I guess my legs are going to get in good shape walking up and down these steps all day long."

Hermione smiled. "You get used to it after a while. Wait until you have a full load of books with you. Here we are." she said, reaching the top of the stairs. "You can take the first bed to the left. That was my old bed. Do you have your robes and books?"

Bethany grimaced. "Uh, no. I guess I'm going to have to find a way to buy all that stuff soon. Where do I go to get those?"

"Oh, well, Professor Dumbledore will probably make arrangements for someone to take you to a few stores in Diagon Alley tomorrow. It's a good thing this term started on a weekend." Hermione looked at her shyly. "If you want, you could borrow a set of robes from me until you get your own. We're about the same height."

"That would be great. I was feeling a bit of out of place wearing normal clothes."

"Right then. I'll see you in the morning in the common room." Hermione beamed at her. She left Bethany sitting on her old bed, and went down the staircase. She felt sorry for the strangely accented girl. Hermione couldn't help but to wonder what the new girl was doing here, and how she arrived in such a fashion. It seemed she was thrown into this world blindly. However, a trip to the library was definitely in store tomorrow. Lightening was definitely not a normal means of travel, even in the wizarding world. She just hoped Harry would loosen up a bit on Bethany after a good night's sleep. The girl was going to need all the friends she could get.