Hogwarts glistened in the distance. Its many windows of the many towers and floors were lit, welcoming the school year that lay ahead. And as Danica looked out over the lake that shimmered black with the moonlight, little boats were rowing up to the castle for the Sorting which she would partake in after every first year.

She tugged on Harry's sleeve and leaned in close to whisper in his ear,

"That girl behind me has been staring at the back of your head for the past five minutes." He inclined his head, looked from the corner of his eye and saw Cho Chang blushing and intentionally distracting herself away from his gaze. He suppressed a smile. "She's pretty. Go get 'em, tiger." She winked at him and hurried up ahead to walk side by side with Neville Longbottom who stuttered every time she came near him.

"It's funny," Hermione said from beside Harry.

"What?" He asked, looking at her and stiffling a chuckle as the wind caught a curly lock of her hair and flurried it into her eyes.

"How she looks so unfriendly on the outside but completely amiable," Hermione scoffed.

"I'm sure if you get to know her- No, I'm not just saying this because of her looks." Ron said as Hermione raised her eyebrow at him. Harry laughed and threw his arms around their shoulders before they all climbed up onto the top of a coach to be driven away to the school, saying in a low and excited voice,

"We're home."

Harry, Ron and Hermione joined Fred and George at the Gryffindor table who were chattering excitedly. Seamus nudged Ron in the ribs and nodded in Danica's direction as she waited in the back of the nervous first years, tapping her foot almost impatiently.

"And who is our foreign beauty?" Hermione rolled her eyes after Seamus asked this, giving up on trying to comprehend the minds of males.

"She is Danica Lorenzo from a foreign European school she can't tell us the name of," Ron whispered in an admirable tone. Seamus and Dean studied her and they're eyes lit in approval for they were tiresome of all the average looking girls they encountered year after year at Hogwarts.

"With a bad attitude," Harry added. Hermione nodded vigorously to prove her point. The twins chuckled. They took a keen interest in her after she spent hours trying out all their practical jokes without a single complaint.

The sorting began and the anxious first years, one by one, made their way up to the front of the Great Hall to be welcomed into their houses. Four new Gryffindors joined their table. Something caught Harry's eye as he angrily ignored all the whispering and non-discret glances thrown to him. A young little boy with untidy brown hair stuck out his foot and tripped a Slytherin that was going to join Malfoy's table. The entire table of Gryffindor roared with laughter and welcomed their newcomer proudly, barely visible from the sea of bodies hiding him from view. Even Danica turned around and gave a chuckle. Then her attention went back to professor McGonagall as she called her name. A quiet rumble of conversations started up as they clearly realized this girl was not a first year. Dumbledore got up, his eyes glistening as he looked at Danica.

"I am proud to introduce Danica Lorenzo who has transferred from a distant wizarding school as she has been relocated. Let's give her a Hogwarts welcome as she finishes up her remaining three years of training with us. She belongs to this school as much as you all do so please let's make her feel welcome. Danica dear, be sure to try the treacle tart," he announced in his majestic tone. The Hall gave a curious applause as all eyes settled upon the girl with the gorgeous eyes, the choppy hair and the model looks as she sat on the stool.

Harry saw her fingernail tapping nervously against her leg as she put on a brave face. The Hat settled onto her hair. And there was silence. The crowd murmured in hushed voices as the Hat did not speak. Is it possible that the Hat refuses to sort her because it was against tradition? Fred and George were mouthing a prayer with their fingers crossed. The silence stretched and Danica glanced up, clenching her teeth.

"Very difficult…This girl is one of the few I've seen with all the qualities crammed into her head. I can feel it-" The Hat finally spoke and the entire hall sucked in a breath and held it, afraid to let it out. "radiating from her very mind." Dumbledore raised an eyebrow and kept his piercing gaze on her. Danica started to grow impatient as her brow furrowed together. Harry was sure the entire Hall was as anxious as she. Harry urged the Hat on with his mind and like the magic word, the Hat roared in a loud voice that made several people jump in their seats,

"GRYFFINDOR!"

The table let out cries and applause louder than the Hat. The other tables looked slightly disappointed, frowns on their faces. Gryffindor had a habit of taking the very best. Danica shook out her hair, a grin on her face as she walked down to the table. Fred scooted over so she could sit between the twins. Many people at the table got up and reached over to the table to shake her hand or congratulate her. She replied with the same sweet smile and the batting of her long, black eyelashes. Once everyone got back in their seats, Dumbledore said his closing comments, something completely random like 'Knome Kingdom' and opened his arms as the gold platters and cups filled for the feast.

Danica glanced up from the enormous array of food and at Harry, saying with a dazzling smile,

"I'm having fun already."

Harry, Ron and Hermione were off to the first class of the day, Charms. They took off down the stairs with a surge of Gryffindors on their way to class. Danica was nowhere in sight.

"Where is our rock star?" asked Harry with a slightly mocking tone. Hermione rolled her eyes in impatience as she separated from Ron's side to let a sixth year Ravenclaw pass who looked flustered like she just rolled out of bed.

"She said she could find class on her own," Hermione said with a hint of boredom.

"I doubt that, Hermione. Why didn't you wait for her?" Ron asked. Not only did he ask because he took a fancy to her but also because it was the kind thing for Hermione to do. Danica didn't know the castle as well as they did. It was easy to get lost.

"She said she could handle it so I didn't question it. She wants to be treated as one of us, she needs to act it." The finality in her tone made it clear any further discussion of Danica was over. Harry and Ron only shrugged as they pushed the door to Professor Flitwick's classroom open. Danica was still nowhere in sight.

About halfway during the lesson Harry made a book levitate across the room but stop to land upon Seamus' head. Ron made another book fly across the room, causing Professor Flitwick to duck. The class was in a fit of giggles and bad moods as they tried to re-cap what they learned last year. Right when Flitwick was about to call the quits Danica opened the doors. She shook the choppy hair out of her eyes; today she was sporting red tips to match her Gryffindor robes, and smiled apologetically at the professor. As he was about to give her a lecture about punctuality he stopped as that smile warmed his heart.

"I have a note. I was with Dumbledore, sir." She gestured for him to take the small piece of parchment in her hand with a nice smile on her face. He shook his head with a slight tinge of pink in his cheeks and said,

"That's okay, dear. Just put your books down, grab your wand and join us."

She did as told and walked to the center of the room which had been cleared for her. The Ravenclaw group watched her intently as she withdrew her wand, a very lengthy one with the end black as it retreated into a white. "I'm sure you've been taught to Summon, correct?" Danica gave a nod. "Summon that globe to you," Professor Flitwick announced, a grin spreading across his small face. The class almost gasped. The globe he was talking about was very large and made of glass with the black structures magically placed on it so it enlarged with the touch of a fingertip or moved aside with a brush.

Danica's expression seemed almost bored. She held her wand out, pointing at the globe on the far side of the room. Hermione looked ready to laugh if Danica failed. But Harry doubted it.

"Accio Globe," she said in a soft tone. And almost instantly, in a straight and fluid path, it came to her. The crowd around her broke into applause. But then she did something unexpected. She moved her wand. The teens gasped as the globe plummeted to the ground. Everyone was tensing, ready to cringe at the sound of broken glass. Professor was already turning a sickly green. She pointed at it again and only with the slight movement of her lips, it vanished and reappeared as stemmed rose in her hand just a mere second before it crashed into the floor. In a swift and fluttering motion she threw it into the air and sent it back to its place where it landed safely and unharmed on the shelf. With the flick of her wrist, it turned back into a gleaming glass globe.

She turned back to Professor Flitwick and gave one of her smiles.

"How did I do?" she asked. Her fellow Gryffindor's applauded once more and she could hear Neville mutter "Amazing!" under his breath. Harry even caught himself clapping. For a moment, he almost thought she really didn't intentionally do that. But Danica winked at him and he grew a little angry at her crave for attention. Hermione just glowered at her. Finally she had some true competition.

"That was impressive Summoning, Banishing and Transfiguration, my dear. Excellent. Professor McGonagall will be excited to hear of this," he said with a bright smile on his face. And because of Danica's demonstration, with just a quick 'take her example to study from' they left without a single homework assignment.

"She's not so bad," Ron said to Hermione as they headed to Hagrid's. She just rolled her eyes and said in a vicious tone,

"She just wants attention. Let's go, we're going to be late." Harry shrugged to Ron and they headed off to see what kind of creature Hagrid wanted them to care for. They wouldn't be surprised if this lot of creatures either tried to kill them or bored them to death.

Harry was very fond of Hagrid. But he wasn't fond of having to share class with the Slytherins. Draco threw some usual smart remarks at Harry and Ron as they passed. Ron opened his mouth to reply, her ears a bright red.

"I'd watch it Malfoy. Shame if that face of yours got pounded on by a girl again," Danica said with a smirk as she walked by, Seamus and Dean flanking her sides. Gryffindor let out a chuckle and the Slytherin's threw nasty looks to her. She simply ignored them and leaned against a tree trunk, deep in conversation with Seamus as she shook the hair out of her eyes, smiling. A twinge appeared in his stomach as she saw her flirting with Seamus. He knew she was just playing. But Seamus was helpless. There were pretty girls at Hogwarts but even Harry had to admit it, Danica was gorgeous. Ron glared jealously at Seamus. Hermione looked as if she was about to puke. Harry only shook his head. This girl was going to be nothing but trouble. Hermione and he both knew it. If only Ron could see clearly, too.

Life in the Gryffindor common room was becoming routine. Everyone was dying to learn more about Danica. Everyone wanted to be her friend. Everyone wanted every minute of every waking day with her. But against some people's wishes she spent most of her time with the twins. They were always laughing and joking in the corner. They were quite a sight, those three. The beautiful Danica always surronded by the Weasley twins. She even set off a Dungbomb in Filch's office so the twins could run for it. They had a new partner in crime.

Hermione only disliked her more.

"Member of the Order! What a load of rubbish," she said as Danica passed them in the hall on their way to Potions. It was remotely funny at how she was supposed to be protecting Harry but at the same time they don't even speak much.

"I just can't believe she's taken pleasure in hanging with my brothers." Ron was rather upset at how much attention she paid to the twins. Hermione rolled her eyes and led the way into the damp, dark dungeons to meet Snape.

His face was contorted in a grimace as Danica threw him a dazzling smile.

"Good day," she said as she took her seat between Neville and Harry. The musty smell of the dungeon didn't seem to bother her. Nor did Snape's disapproving expression.

"It looks as if we have another celebrity in our midst," Snape said, darting his eyes to Harry with the same loathsome look. Harry couldn't remember a single day where Snape lessened his mood or attitude towards him. It was always the same. "Who can tell me what the three ingredients of the Confusing & Befuddlement Draught?" The room was silent and unmoving except for the hand of Hermione wiggling in the air. Snape sighed heavily and began pacing along the rows of desks. "Anyone besides Ms. Granger?"

Danica raised her hand. Snape snapped his greasy head towards her and gave a malicious grin. "Ms. Lorenzo, if you please."

She smiled again, shaking the bangs out of her eyes and said in a confident voice, "Sneezewhort, scurvy-grass and lovage." Snape stopped in mid-way of stepping. For once, he seemed lost for words. His eyes travelled over to Hermione who timidly put her hand down.

"Finally someone you can keep Ms. Granger from being an insufferable know-it-all. You might want to keep your little nose buried in those books, Ms. Granger if you don't want Danica to catch up," he said with an expression as greasy as his black hair. Hermione blushed a scarlet and looked down into her empty cauldron.

Danica, who was never really good at potions to begin with, was proud of knowing the answer. But once she saw Hermione's face droop and a small tear threatning to free itself of her eye, Danica said to Snape in a harsh tone,

"Well that was rather uncalled for, Professor Snape."

Snape turned on his heels and narrowed his black eyes at Danica. All the happiness of having somebody to beat Hermione drained from his chalky white face.

"I asked for no comment, Ms. Lorenzo. You would do best in my class if you hold your tongue, girl." His mouth twitched in anger as Danica only scowled.

"I don't need your permission to express my opinion." The room grew into a silence full of tension. The Slytherins held in snickers for they were waiting for Snape to destroy her, tear her into pieces and send her away with her tail between her legs like everyone else. The Gryffindors were all throwing warning glances at Danica, begging her to stop. Neville went pale.

"You need my permission for everything. Now I suggest you get to work before I take twenty points from Gryffindor," He snarled. Neville flinched and with his elbow, knocked over a bottle of liquid that began to dissolve into the stone floor. Snape rolled his eyes. "Twenty points from Danica's house for Neville being a clumsy oaf."

"Excuse me? You have no right to speak to him like that!" Danica's slammed her fist onto the table and stared Snape right in the eyes. Nobody spoke. Nobody moved. Only Snape's aggravated breathing could be heard escaping his mouth. "Now, Professor Snape, I expect you to treat Neville as an equal to your prized Slytherin students. He doesn't deserve your cold criticism."

"Thirty points from Gryffindor," Snape growled in a low voice, not taking his eyes off of Danica. She smiled, cruelly and determined. Everyone started groaning and urging for Danica to stop. Harry nudged her but she shook him off.

"And Hermione doesn't deserve to be nagged for being smart," she added.

"Forty points from Gryffindor," Snape continued.

"You. Don't. Scare. Me." Danica leaned over her desk so her face was close to Snape's. Her fists were clenched, her eyes narrowed at Snape with viciousness.

"Fifty points from Gryffindor!" Snape bellowed.

"Danica, stop!" Seamus shouted across the room. The others joined him.

"Leave her be, Mr. Finnigan. If she wants attention, she'll get it. Detention." Snape smiled a victorious smile, thinking he finally won. Every single person in that room would've shut up and refrained from talking for the entire period. But not Danica.

"Make it two."

"She's bloody mad!" Ron loudly whispered to Harry who could only stare at her. Not even he could've had the gall to do that.

Snape's impatience was long gone and he dangerously stepped closer to Danica. She looked up at him, her brave expression still clear as the sky across her face. "Make it a whole week. Now get out of my classroom before I let your-" Snape whispered in a low tone so that only Harry could hear. "werewolf know how you are behaving."

Harry saw Danica go rigid. Her mouth turned down into a frown. But her eyes did not lost the fire that burned within them. She grabbed her bag, slide a forearm across the table, knocking everything into her cauldron and headed for the door, her shoulder brushing Snape's sleeve as she passed.

"Don't forget your detentions, Ms. Lorenzo," Snape called as she opened the dungeon door, fresh air seeping into the room for only a second.

"Don't forget to wash your hair, Professor Snape."And with that she slammed the door shut and left.