Chapter 2

At long last, the Hogwarts Express finally came to a stop. Before rising from my seat, I decided to take a look out the window. There were a small group of buildings all connected to each other, each made out of brick. Hanging from one of them was a wooden sign, with the words "Hogsmeade Station" written in a deep green.

"Are you coming?" Hermione asked, as she grabbed her trunk off the rack. I nodded, also grabbing my trunk and following her into the corridor of the train.

There were many students exiting at various sections throughout the train, I decided to follow the people I had met today, just for the security of knowing I was going in the right direction. Once off the train I had the opportunity to appreciate Hogwarts from a distance. I had seen pictures of Hogwarts before I talked my parents into letting me come here, but they didn't do it justice. It wasn't even the castle itself, but the wildlife that surrounded it. The way the moon hit the lake and the wall of trees was fascinating and gave this place a bewitching effect. Unlike the platform which was obnoxiously crowded with students, owls and cats, bustling from place to place. The rain was pouring down harder than it had been the entire train ride, lucky me.

"Firs' years this way!" called a gruff voice. Harry, Ron and Hermione all turned around at once, I followed their gaze and saw a very large man wearing a moleskin coat, and holding a lantern. From the looks of it, he had to be part giant. I wasn't surprised, at Beauxbaton's my headmistress was a giant. Madame Maxime would of towered over this man if she were here.

"All right, you three?" The man yelled over the crowd. The three of them waved in acknowledgement but didn't go to greet him. The crowd didn't really give them an option, we were constantly being pushed down the road with the rest of the students.

"Who was that?" I asked, hoping they could hear me.

"Hagrid, he's our friend." Harry replied.

I didn't ask any further questions, instead I concentrated on walking, without stepping on other peoples feet. We reached the end of the platform and continued onto a muddy road, which dampened my spirits even more than the rain had. My spirits weren't dampened for long though, ahead I saw at least one hundred stage coaches waiting to be boarded.

"Should I have gone with the first years?" I asked suddenly. I had heard that man Hagrid calling for the first years but didn't think anything of it. The three of them gave me a bewildered look, as if they didn't even have a guess on what I should do.

"Erm, I don't think so, you aren't technically a first year. When we get to Hogwarts we will get McGonagall, she will know what to do." Hermione answered.

We climbed into one of the carriages, which started moving the moment we closed the door. The carriage had a strange smell to it, almost like mildew. The smell was refreshing to me, as weird as that sounds. I was tired of how clean and flowery Bauxbaton's smelled. It was nice to smell more natural things, even if they were off setting.

No one talked during the ride, and I didn't know how to start a conversation, especially with people I had just met. Instead, I looked out the window, hoping to find other interesting things about this place that I haven't read about. The carriage was moving towards a magnificent gate, which had stone columns on both sides and were topped by winged boars. The beauty of it was destroyed by the hooded Dementors guarding the gates. They didn't bother anyone, but they didn't have to, their presence was enough to bother anybody. I watched them until the carriage was far enough that they were out of sight. The carriage came to a halt in front of Hogwarts, and each of us climbed out.

"You fainted, Potter?" A voice came from the darkness. A slender boy with silver hair, grey eyes and a pale complexion came smirking from a nearby carriage. His pointed features seemed to make his smirk even more pronounced. He elbowed between Hermione and I to block Harry's way to the castle.

"Shove off, Malfoy," Ron grumbled, clenching his jaw.

"Aw, did the scary Dementor frighten you too, Weasley?" the one called Malfoy mocked.

"Is there a problem?" A familiar voice said mildly. Professor Lupin walked up, holding his hands in front of his body. Malfoy gave Professor Lupin a once over, curling his lips at the sight of his patchwork robes. He must of decided to leave it alone, because he turned and headed up the stairs into the castle, without another word.

"My wasn't he... friendly," I mumbled.

"Just ignore him, we do," Harry shrugged leading us up the stairs as well. The front doors were absolutely giant, and made out of oak it seemed like. Walking through them, we entered the Entrance Hall, which was also magnificent, I had a feeling I was going to find every room in this castle wonderous. The walls were lit by flaming torches, there were moving pictures (of course we had those at Beauxbatons) stationed nicely, and a grand staircase leading to everywhere.

"Potter! Granger!" I feminine voice called. A tall, older woman with emerald green robes and black pinned back hair was hurrying across the hall. She had stern eyes that were framed by square spectacles, and thin lips that made her look grumpy.

"Professor McGonagall," Harry smiled for the first time since before the Dementor attack on the train.

"W-who are you?" She asked, looking in my direction.

"I'm Raina Delacour, I transferred from Beauxbatons."

"Oh right, a very rare thing, transfers," she said looking me up and down. "Okay, you need to head over to the first years, I'm sorry but the hat must sort you. Weasley can walk you over there." She gestured with her hand.

"Bu-" Ron started.

"No buts Weasley, off you go." She shooed him, herding Harry and Hermione off down a corridor without another word.

"What was that about?" I asked, as Ron showed me where I was to wait.

"Who knows around here," he sighed. "Well I better get into the great hall before the sorting starts, good luck." He smiled and headed into the great hall. Once he left I realized that I was surrounded by eleven year olds who were giving me strange looks. Great, everyone is going to think I'm eleven.

"Hello everyone, and welcome to Hogwarts," A squeaky voiced goblin walked up holding a stool and a piece of folded up fabric. He also wore green robes, but where McGonagall had black hair, his was shockingly white. "I'm Professor Flitwick, If you would follow me, we can get you sorted into your houses," he grinned, and waddled through the nearby doorway.

As we followed him, I instantly looked up, knowing that Hogwarts enchanted ceiling was one of the wonders worth seeing. I read that it mirrors the night sky, and it must be right because the ceiling was pouring, but the water never made it to the ground. The bundle of fabric in Professor Flitwicks hands turned out to be the sorting hat. He sat the stool with the hat on top, in front of the entire school. This was just great.

As he started calling names I knew mine would be there soon, my last name started with a D.

"Raina Delacour!" Flitwick called. I moved through the group of eleven year olds and planted myself on the stool. As he placed the sorting hat on my head I instantly heard it speak.

Hmm... You aren't a first year... I haven't had a transfer student in over fifty years. It whispered in my ears. I didn't respond to it, I didn't think you were supposed to in this situation. Well lets see.. maybe Ravenclaw with the other bookworms, or Slytherin with your heritage, or even Gryffindor, I sense bravery in you. I could think of nothing else but the fact that I wanted to be in Gryffindor with the trio. I wasn't good with meeting people and I didn't want to have to start over again.

"Gryffindor!" The sorting hat yelled for the entire Hall to hear. The table to the left cheered while the other three merely clapped. I grinned, either the hat had heard my thoughts or I was very lucky. I stood up, set the hat back on the stool and made my over to the empty seat next to Ron. He gave me a high five, congratulating me along with the other Gryffindors around me.

"Welcome to the family mate," A red head smiled and gave a little wink. "I'm Fred, and this is George. We're Ron's older brothers." He said, pointing out his twin brother beside him.

"Thanks, it's nice to meet the both of you," I said awkwardly. It was hard coming from a school where everyone was formal and polite to one where everyone acted like themselves. Meanwhile, Harry and Hermione rushed into the hall, quickly coming to sit across from Ron and I.

"What did McGonagall want?" Ron asked.

Before Harry could reply, Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster at this school stood up. The entire room became silent and turned their attention to the older gentleman. It was the first thing that had reminded me of Beauxbaton's, but in a positive way. Everyone here respected this man the way we all respected Madame Maxime.

"Welcome!" Dumbledore beamed. "Another year at Hogwarts has come! I want to take a moment to say a few things to you all, as it is very serious. As you are probably aware by now, Hogwarts is playing host to some of the Dementors of Azkaban, who are here on business from the Ministry of Magic. They will be stationed at every entrance, so I ask all of you to be wary. It is not in the nature of the Dementor to be forgiving, so please give them no reason to harm you." He said seriously. An ominous aura filled the room as every student took this information in.

"The good news, I'm pleased to welcome two more teachers. First is Professor Lupin, filling the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher." A quiet applause went across the room, I joined in and Professor Lupin took a bow from his seat at the table.

"The second teacher is none other than our very own, Rubeus Hagrid. Taking over the Care of Magical Creatures class in addition to the duties he already has." I started to clap, and then was startled by three loud screams.

"It all makes sense now, no wonder we had to buy a biting book!" Ron screamed, pounding the table with his fist. They continued clapping until they were the last to do so. I looked up at Hagrid who was grinning ear to ear, with tears in his beetle like eyes.

"Let the feast begin!" Dumbledore commanded, sitting back in his seat. Every plate and goblet on the table filled with food and drink. Harry, Ron and Hermione instantly started filling their plates, Ron was even using his hands. In fact, everyone around started helping themselves, some more polite than others.

"What are you waiting for?" Hermione asked, taking a scoop of mashed potatoes and putting it on her plate.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Thing's are so different here, it's just going to take some getting used to, that's all." I put a little bit of everything on my plate. "Why is there only one fork and one spoon?" I asked.

"Should there be more?" Ron furrowed his brow, talking through a mouthful of food.

"Logically no, but at Beauxbaton's there were three for each, all having a different use." I shrugged. "It's stupid I know, I hated it but it turned into a habit."

"Beauxbaton's sounds terrible," Harry smirked.

"It would be heaven mate, it's an all girl school." Ron smiled, getting lost in thought.

"Meaning you would never go there," I laughed, taking a drink from my goblet. Ron sighed and nodded in sad agreement.

"I want to talk to Hagrid, he must be so excited about becoming a teacher," Hermione changed the subject.

"Me too, the feast is almost over we can see him before we head to the common room." Harry said after swallowing his mouthful.

After the desserts melted from the plates and the juice left the goblets, Dumbledore took another stand. He excused everyone from their seats with one last farewell, and sat back down to converse with McGonagall.

"Raina we'll meet you in the common room, we have to talk to Hagrid real quick," Hermione said quickly as she stood up with Harry and Ron.

"Ok, see you later." I called.

"We will show you where the common room is, you can never count on those three," Either Fred or George joked.

"Thanks, of course I could just follow the long line of Gryffindors in front of us," I pointed towards the whole of the Gryffindor students walking towards the large main door.

"Righteo," they said together heading towards the rest of the Gryffindors.

As we headed up the staircase the twins started rambling about all the pranks they have pulled whilst in Hogwarts. I laughed as each story became funnier than the last, they seemed like great people. Harry, Ron and Hermione caught up to us about four floors up. By then I had decided being a Gryffindor sucked, having to walk seven floors several times a day was going to be torture. Once we finally reached the top another red head came stumbling through.

"Coming through!" he called, as he moved through the crowd. "The new password is Fortuna Major!"

Everyone walked through the portraits hole and into the common room. The circular room was filled with squishy armchairs, tables and a fireplace. If I had to describe it in one word it would be 'homey'. To the left was a giant bulletin board that seemed to have advertisements, missing posters, school notices, etc.

"See you guys in the morning," Hermione said.

"Night," They boys called back.

I followed Hermione up the staircase to the girls dormitory. Inside the dormitory were several beds, some of them had been taken, but the majority were still empty. I found the bed with my trunk in front of it and sat down. Hermione said goodnight and seemed to fall asleep soon after. I took my time looking out the window and thinking about my family. I missed my sisters more than anything, sure Fleur was a bitch sometimes but she was wonderful and so was Gabrielle. I finally laid down in bed closed my eyes. There was no way I was showing up to my first class exhausted tomorrow, especially if I had to climb all the way down that god forsaken staircase.

A/N: Yay chapter 2 up! I know the first few chapters are a bit boring but i promise things will change, the trio and Raina need to become friends before the big plot comes up so give it a few chapters :) Thank you!