AN: Remember Mr Rushes in New York? I explain how he can see Harry in this installment... and I would love comments as to what you think of that explaination!

ooo

Her breakfast had been cleared away and Dawn had propped her elbows on the table and laid her face in her hands. She was bone tired. All her travelling in the last few days had her wiped and whatever surge of adrenaline had been taking her through was gone now, evaporated into thin air.

Harry was beside her, leaning back into the seat, as much as a ghost is able to lean anyway, with his eyes closed. She'd noticed in the last few days that whenever she was asleep, or dozing like now, he often imitated her, she'd have to ask him why, it was strange. Which was why neither of them saw the elderly wizard appear in the fireplace or, after a gesture from Tom, walk their way.

"May I join you for a moment?"

Dawn jerked out of her doze.

"Huh?"

He seemed to take that as acceptance because he took the seat opposite without further ado. Without glancing at him, she could see Harry's eyes widen and his lips mouthed one word.

"I hope I'm not intruding?" he gently inquired.

"No, not at all," she said quickly, then added, though Harry had pretty much spelled it out for her, "who are you?"

He nodded, eyes twinkling.

"Yes, yes of course. Constant vigilance, as a friend of mine always says." He held out a pale hand. "Albus Dumbledore, at your service."

Dawn shook his hand, taking in his attire with a sweep of her eyes. He reminded her of a butterfly with the bright colours and the shiny buttons of his robes.

"Dawn Summers." He nodded and Dawn suddenly felt that it was for show, he knew who she was, had probably come here because he'd known she was here. She glanced over her shoulder at the bar counter and found Tom in the act of turning away. She glared at him before turning back to the wizard before her.

"A most apt conclusion, Miss Summers," he said, a small smile on his face, "however I was informed of your arrival long before Tom sent his owl."

Dawn just leaned back in her seat, crossing her arms and scowling at him.

"I have friends in International Travel who informed me of your arrival yesterday. The unaccompanied travel of a minor across international boundaries is a serious offence," he told her sternly. "Especially when said minor has tampered with official documents."

Dawn blushed.

"What's it to do with you, anyway? You're just a teacher!" Too late she realised her mistake. Dumbledore raised his eyebrows at her remarks.

"And how does an American muggle-born know the schooling system in a country she has never been to before? I did not think my fame had spread that far," he said, mockingly. Dawn just stared at him in shock, unable to think of a reasonable excuse. Harry stayed silent beside her, too aware of the penetrating eyes of his old Headmaster.

"You must be wondering why, though, a simple school teacher like myself, would be interested in such visitors, like yourself?" She nodded, dumb. "A great and terrible accident took away one of my students not too long ago," Dawn fought not to even glance at Harry, "and I suppose you could say I'm seeking his replacement." His gaze, if possible, turned even more penetrating. "You know of what I speak?"

Dawn mouthed wordlessly for a few seconds before she regained motor function.

"Can you see him?" she whispered. Dumbledore shook his head regretfully.

"Indeed, I do not have that gift," he answered. "A select few, maybe two, three people in the world, besides yourself, will be able to see him."

"How? I mean… I know why I can see him… But those other? How can they?" In her mind she was picturing Mr Rushes speaking directly to Harry back in the wand store.

"There used be a legend among Muggles that the seventh son of any man will be a wizard. Among wizards there is a legend that the seventh son of any man will be a Seer. There has only been one documented case. Mostly the seventh son is no different than any of his brothers. No noticeably better or worse in talent." He smiled at her. "Like I said, it is but a legend."

Dawn was silent for a few minutes. When she spoke again, she kept her eyes firmly on the table.

"So, what now?"

"I have taken responsibility for you, from the International Travel Department, and so you will attend Hogwarts where we will converse more on what is expected of you."

"And if I disagree?" She wouldn't of course, but she was curious. His eyes lost their twinkle and Dumbledore looked every inch his age.

"Then you will be deported back to America and the Wizarding World will lose any hope they have of surviving the coming war."

She should have remembered what happened the curious cat in the tale and kept her mouth shut.

"Dumbledore!" The moment was, thankfully, lost at the interruption by the four students who had left only a few minutes ago. They had returned laden with coats and bags, ready for their journey back to Hogwarts. The red-haired boy led them over to the table.

"Mr Weasley!" Dumbledore exclaimed, as though he hadn't expected to see them. "Good to see you! All better I hope?"

Ron nodded, blushing.

"Miss Weasley, Miss Granger." He nodded to the two girls before turning his gaze to the dark-haired boy trying to hide at the back. "Mr Longbottom, good to see you all ready to return to school. And looking so happy about it!" He laughed. He gestured to Dawn across from him.
"Allow me to introduce Miss Dawn Summers, Miss Summers will be joining us at Hogwarts for the foreseeable future. No," he held up a quelling hand, "no questions for Miss Summers just yet, I will explain all soon enough." He stood. "Now, I'm sure you realise there is a car waiting outside for you. Miss Summers will just gather her things and will join you outside. I myself have business to take care of with Tom, if you'll excuse me."

He swept them aside cutting off any questions they may have and left them alone together.
Dawn opened her mouth to speak but saved from having to do so by Ginny's interruption.

"Come on, get your things out to the car. Ron, will you take my bag, I'll help Dawn." She shoved her bag into Ron's arms and nudged them towards the door, none too gently. They left, Ron grumbling all the way. Ginny smiled at Dawn then. "Sorry about that, but when they start asking questions there's no stopping them and you looked a bit overwhelmed."

Dawn grinned back.

"Thanks, am…" Dumbledore hadn't specified her first name and Dawn had learned from her last mistake.

"I'm Ginny," she said, leading the way to the stairs. They got Dawn's bag and came back down, where Dawn stopped by the counter to pay. Ginny waited patently by the door as Tom approached.

"Ah, Miss Summers, checking out?" He said with a smile. Dawn glared at him, still not happy that he'd snitched on her. She nodded pulling out some cash. He stopped her with a gesture. "Professor Dumbledore paid your check. Also," he reached under the counter and pulled out a pouch which clinked merrily when he set it on the counter, "the money you asked to be changed for you." Dawn looked at him puzzled.

"Wha-"

"Professor Dumbledore said he'd see you at the school," he cut in with a warning look. It was a password, Dawn was sure of that. If only someone had told her what it was a password for she might understand better. But she accepted the money pouch without further question and put it into her bag as Tom nodded encouragingly at her.

"Thanks, and bye!" He waved her out the door.

Ginny took her bag off her outside the door and put it carefully into the open trunk. Then, smiling opened the car door and went into the dim interior ahead of her. The car must have been bigger than a normal one, Dawn supposed, because even with Ron in the front passenger seat, there was plenty of room for the four others in the back.

The ride to the station was quiet. The Hogwarts students were quiet because, being curious about the new student they wanted to ask questions, but having promised Dumbledore they'd leave her alone, they couldn't ask them. Dawn was quiet because she was worried. Harry was sitting in the small space between the two front seats and even for a ghost, Dawn though, he looked pale. He was staring between the students in front of him and the boy beside him and Dawn could almost feel him willing them to see him.

It almost seemed to be working in Ron's case. He kept glancing over his shoulder just after Harry had looked at him, as if feeling the unnatural stare.

Added to that Dawn wasn't sure a wizard car driving through Muggle London counted as the Wizarding World and Willow was more than likely still looking for her. The only thing she could think was that at least they probably thought she was still in America.

When they had gotten to the train station and were preparing to go through the barrier Harry finally snapped out of it long enough to remember to place his hand on the back of her neck. Dawn sighed in relief, she'd been unable to remind him herself and had been worried what would happen when she came to going through the barrier. She was so relieved she even forgot to shiver at the cold. She was so used to it anyway it was starting to make no difference to her.

The platform beyond the barrier was eerily quiet after the bustle of the Muggle station and the students boarded the train quickly filling up one carriage together. Dawn took one of the window seats with Hermione opposite and Ginny beside her. Ron sat down beside Hermione with a faint blush. Neville, though sat as close to the door as he could and still be in the same carriage. Dawn saw Hermione throw Neville a worried glance as the train took off.