"Ron, stop that. STOP! That's not yours! RON!" Ginny tried desperately to grab her brother's wand as he zoomed pillows across the room. Hermione looked up from her book just long enough to flick the pillows back onto the bed with her wand and cast her boyfriend a disapproving look. Ginny grumbled something about slugs and continued packing her trunk. She was the last one needing to pack and the rest were waiting for her.
Harry sat on the floor next to Hermione and played with Arnold, Professor McGonagall had convinced him to return, if only to raise the moral of the other students. He loved Ginny, he knew he did, even if her had to leave to find the last of the horcruxes. They knew the diary had been destroyed in their second year and the ring in their 6th. Over the summer the trio had located Huffelpuff's cup and Gryffindor's sword in Tom Riddle's childhood haunts. Both had been destroyed by the Order but Harry had asked to keep their remains.
Hidden away deep in the basements of Grimwald place was the research the trio had done on their greatest enemy. They had uncovered a black family secret library in the basements that contained a vast selection of curse books of unimaginable evil. The books had led him to the horcruxes and to destroying him. They had learned to use and control their dark spells for use against them and revenge was reaching for them. Harry resisted the temptation to plow into the death eaters, for now at least. He wanted more time, more time with Ginny, Hermione, Ron and his other friends.
Ginny finished packing and the three carried their trunks downstairs. The worried looks on the faces of the adults made Harry's stomach roll. "let the Aurors fight your battles for now kids. Follow the rules, stay together, visit Hogsmead only on bright and clear days. Be vigilant and aware of your surroundings. I love you and I don't want any bad owls about you this year." Mrs. Weasly said through her sudden tears. Saying goodbye was hard for wizarding families now days. No one knew when they would see each other again. Each of the kids hugged the crying mother and said their reluctant goodbyes.
When they climbed into the long black ministry car they noticed Tonks sitting, she was writing a short note and tapping it occasionally with her wand. During the short ride she explained to them Arianna's story and that she would be with them when they reached Hogwarts. They cringed at the family's brutal murder and huddled a little closer. "take care of her and show her around. I'm sure she could use some new friends." Tonks said and smiled at the four brave teens. "oh, and don't surprise her. She's fast as a cat and she has a nasty body lock curse."
The four students ran through the wall at platform 9 and ¾ and made a b line for the train. They were running late and had no time to say much of a goodbye to Tonks. They waved to the young woman and she smiled to ease their worries. "If this girl is in so much danger why would they bring her to Hogwarts? I mean with Dumbeldore gone, no one trusts Hogwarts anymore." Ron asked and slipped his arm around Hermione's waist.
"Well there are plenty of other protections Hogwarts offers and our teachers are some of the most capable witches and wizards in Britain," Hermione started and leaned into her boyfriend.
"Or maybe she has no where left to go," Harry said quietly and leaned his head back in his seat. Ginny patted his arm and looked at him. His head was resting on the back of the seat and his eyes were closed. He seemed troubled lately and the tell tale signs of a stressed wizard were showing on him. A few grey hairs had sprouted on his hairline and his emerald green eyes seemed duller. His wand had even backfired a few times on him during simple spells. St. Mungos had given him some chocolate and told him to relax, Harry was beginning to doubt the hospital's remedy.
Not long into the ride Ginny had fallen asleep on Harry's chest and Ron and Hermione decided to take a walk to the prefect's car. Harry flicked his wand and summoned his house elf to the car as quietly as he could. "what does this dirty mud blood wizard want of poor Kreatcher today. Poor Kreatcher who would rather roast his hands then serve oh filthy Mr. Potter," the house elf groaned mournfully.
"Quietly," Harry stressed. "I need you to find someone on the train and tell me where she is." Kreatcher moaned and pouted at this demand.
"And who is this secret friend of my filthy master?"
"Arianna Flobbergill, She's new this year." Harry said and poked the house elf with his wand. "Go and do this and I'll leave you alone till tomorrow." Kreatcher grinned evilly and popped out of the car.
Arianna was curled up on the bench seat. Her long velvet robes were wrapped around her legs and she was almost asleep. Kreatcher's entrance pop was met with a scream and she was on her feet instantly, brandishing her wand. The house elf was magically pinned against the wall several feet above the ground where he squealed awfully. "Who are you here from? If you lie I'll know and you won't like it." Arianna pushed her robes back to reveal a dragon ivory knife. Kreatcher squirmed and yelped at his capture.
"Harry Potter, he wants to see you. Let poor Kreatcher be!" he howled and she released him. A long silvery strand left her wand tip and wrapped it's self around Kreatcher's neck like a leash..
"You will take me to him now," She said and grabbed her bag. The house elf led her into the aisle and began to walk. It wasn't long until they were standing in the entrance of Harry's box. The trembling house elf shuffled behind Ari and the silver lead vanished. Harry looked startled at the girl Kreatcher had brought him. "I do not appreciate you sending your defenseless house elf to frighten me on my first day of school. I would have preferred throwing you against the wall instead of him," Ari snarled and patted Kreatcher on the head.
Harry had never seen his rude house elf act this way. Kreatcher was standing meekly behind Arianna and allowing her to pat his head like a dog. Harry would most likely lose a finger attempting that. "What did you do to him? What spell did you use?" he stuttered and Ginny was stirring awake.
"Nothing, he's very well behaved," Ari said, confused at his reaction. Harry just shook his head in confusement.
"Tonks told us that you were knew and that we should meet you," Harry said and sat up a little straighter. He tried to appear collected but his racing heart was making that hard.
She had dark auburn hair that hung down past her hips in an intricate braid. Unlike Ginny's red hair that shone like a brilliant fire this girl looked like bright embers. Her grey eyes were nothing he had ever seen. They were piercing and impossible to stare into. Her waist was almost too slim to be considered healthy but he could tell she was to muscular to be called sickly. He pale skin was lightly freckled and a tiny set of stars could be seen burned into her collarbone.
Her clothes led to an air of wealth and mystery. The shirt and skirt she was wearing were obviously made just for her, as were her long velvet robes. Teenage witches found short hip length robes to be popular and stylish but apparently not Arianna. Her brown velvet robes hung to the top of her shoes and clasped at her neck with a large emerald. Every inch of her presence dripped with wealth. Even her iron wood wand was beautifully polished and shaped. Her posture and graceful walk led his imagination into extravagant balls and classy dinners.
"You know Tonks?" she lowered her wand and looked at Kreatcher for affirmation.
"Yes, he is close with the mistress Tonks." The house elf sputtered.
"That changes a lot," Ari said and sat down directly across from Harry and Ginny. She smiled and Harry noticed not a single brilliant white tooth was out of place. "So, you're the famous Harry Potter, the history books picture you quite differently," she crossed her legs regally and grinned again.
"Really? I'm in history books?" Harry never had thought of his life as history.
"Of course!" she exclaimed. "Kreatcher, would you please go back to my box and get my trunk and belongings." The house elf nodded and popped out of the cart.
"How did you get him to do that? He's usually the most vile and rude thing I've ever met" Asked Ginny, who had finally been shaken awake.
"Are you by any chance muggel-blooded?"
"I'm pure but Harry, his mother was muggel born. My dad loves muggels though"
"If a house elf is kept in a pureblood household for his entire life he adapts to the same dislikes as his masters. I'm pureblood without a single drop of muggel in me." Ari seemed to swell a bit with pride. "since I assume you haven't owned him for long I must remind him of his old masters." As she finished Kreatcher arrived with her things in tow and she tossed him a few bronze knuts. Pulling out a large leather bound book, Ari flipped through the pages and finding her page thrust the book into Harry's lap.
On page 354 there was a series of pictures of Harry battling various evils. The 14 year old boy in the book was ruggedly handsome and incredibly toned. His wand was emitting black flames as he battled a dragon from his broomstick. His black hair fluttered in the wind and he was lacking glasses. His lightning bolt scar took up most of his forehead and was accented with yellow and red. Ginny giggled as the animated drawing winked at her. "It looks nothing like you," she twittered and winked back at the drawing.
Harry poked her softly in the ribs and handed the book back to Ari. "They exaggerate a lot." He said and shook his head.
"So that's not what Lord Voldermort looks like?"Ginny asked, staring at the following page.
"No, nothing like him." Harry said grimly and pointed at the evil looking man or closely resembled a dark Merlin. "Not nearly evil enough," The drawing lacked the insane snake like eyes and cold posture the real villain possessed.
'No, it's nothing like him' ari thought to herself and her insides ran ice cold for a moment.
"Some girls at Morgan's were practically in love with you.. Saw you as some form of Adonis," Ari laughed a little at Ginny's frown and tossed her long braid over her shoulder. The laugh seemed odd coming from the strange girl who had been ready to blow Harry apart just a few moments ago. Harry blushed and kissed his girlfriends temple to reassure her.
"What is Morgan's?" Ginny asked, still frowning slightly.
"Morgan's School for wizardry. It's where I was at before we moved the England. I miss it, but I hear Hogwarts is a rather dashing castle." Arianna ran her manicured fingernails over the rich fabric of her cloak. "What…house are you in?" she asked, searching for the unfamiliar word.
"Gryffindor," they answered simultaneously. "Have they sorted you yet, what year are you in, where are you rooming?" Ginny asked excitedly.
"Yes, apparently I'm in Ravenclaw house. I'm in the 6th year class; they put me in a room with some Luna girl." Gwen loosened her braid and let her slightly kinked hair fall free around her shoulders. Loose from its braid, her hair made itself into a veil nearly to her knees. Ginny marveled at it's length for a moment before jumping on the subject.
"I'm a 6th year to, Luna's one of my best friends, I'm sure you'll love her. She's a little odd, but very nice." Ginny's excitement knocked Arnold from her shoulder but before he hit the ground both Harry and Arianna reached out from him. Ari's hands snatched the little creature out of the air before Harry even had his arm extended. Her reflexes were almost super human and Harry stared for a moment as she handed Ginny's pet back. No one had ever beaten him to a catch, he felt as though his seekers reflexes had failed him.
The train began to slow and Ari stood up to repack her things. Harry leaned down and told Kreatcher he was excused to the kitchens until breakfast. The house elf bowed stiffly to Harry under Ari's watching eyes and vanished. "My elves won't be here until later tonight, I gave them time to visit their families." Ari said absentmindedly. Ginny and Harry both exchanged looks at this statement but said nothing.
Hermione and Ari discussed "Hogwarts: a history," in the carriage ride up and while Hermione attempted to persuade Ari into wearing school robes to the feast the girl would hear nothing of it. "to class I will wear a uniform, to dinner I will not." Ari said simply and a piercing look ended the conversation. Ginny spent the ride up with her head on Harry's shoulder dreaming about personal house elves and velvet capes.
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A/N: the next chapter is short but I meant it that way. Flames welcome but fair warning, I shoot back.