Chapter 1: New Girl

~September 1~

I glanced down at my letter once more. Sure enough, it said "Platform 9 ¾". My eyebrows furrowed and I looked up again, checking and rechecking the signs of King's Cross Train Station. Platform 7, 8, 9…10. No 9 3/4, just 9… and 10. I rolled my eyes and placed a hand on my hip.

Lousy Brits, I thought, can't even get a platform number right!

I let out a frustrated sigh and leaned against my buggy, sticking my fingers in the cage to pet my owl. He was black with small white feathers around his piercing, red eyes. Despite his intimidating appearance, Hex was perfectly harmless… most of the time.

"What now, Hex?" I asked the bird, absentmindedly. A chuckle came from behind me, immediately putting me on edge. I hadn't known I was being watched. The laugh hadn't sound too friendly and I didn't trust it. I turned around slowly until I was looking up into the grey eyes of a blond boy. He was smirking at me. "What do you want?" I asked in a slightly bitter tone.

"Well, firstly, you seemed a bit lost," he replied. "And, second, you're in my way." He raised an eyebrow as he examined my appearance. I was wearing a black top with fishnet sleeves, tattered dark wash jeans, and black combat boots. My light brown, curly hair, dyed black in the back with a blue striped feather in my hair, was lazily draped over my shoulder. My nails were black and silver and I had a spoon handle ring on my right, middle finger. My make up was simple, the only thing on my face that truly stood out were the three Henna teardrop tattoos on the outer edge of my right eye. "Yes, you are definitely American," he mused with another low chuckle.

"And you are definitely British," I replied, referring to his accent. I studied his appearance as well. He wore dark jeans, a pair of black sneakers, and a black t-shirt. His style complimented his pale, nearly albino skin well. I had to admit to myself that he was, without a doubt, the most beautiful boy I had ever seen.

"Yes, but around here, you're the weird one," he told me.

"Whatever," I was beginning to get annoyed. "Are you going to help me or not?" he contemplated this for a moment.

"Will that mean you getting out of my way?" he asked. I rolled my eyes, refusing to answer. "Where are you headed?"

"Platform 9 ¾," I told him, handing him my letter from Dumbledore. He looked at me with an amused expression. "But it clearly doesn't exist. I've looked and looked. Nothing." I complained. He burst into laughter.

"You?" he gasped in between fits. I gave him and angry glare. "You're a wizard? You're so tiny and average, though! I was positive you were just another stupid muggle." He laughed at me more. He was really asking to be punched.

Get a hold of yourself, Imogen, my conscience ordered, but it was too late. After checking to makes sure no one was watching, I ripped my wand out of my boot and pressed the tip to his throat. He immediately stopped laughing and threw his hands up in surrender.

"Yes, I am a wizard," I hissed at him. "Now, where's the freaking platform?" he took the hand that I was holding my wand with and lowered it.

"Fine, follow me," He said and made his way around my cart. I pushed my buggy close behind him, half tempted to run over his heels just to tick him off. He came to a stopped in front of a giant, brick column. "Ladies, first." He gestured to the column.

"Excuse me?" I raised an eyebrow. He snorted.

"Just go. It's magic," he whisper the last part.

"Oh…" I mumbled. The blond boy rolled his eyes.

"Are you going or not? You're wasting my time here," he huffed.

"Alright, alright don't get your knickers in a twist," I mocked him in my awful, fake British accent. Then, I checked to make sure no one was looking, and charged straight through the wall. After a quick second, I appeared on a platform, surrounded by kids and their parents. This made me even more homesick. I blinked away the threatening tears.

It wasn't like I had anything, or anyone, to go home to anyway. My parents are dead, killed by a dragon they were attempting to 'tame' in a wizard circus. The dragon, though professionally trained, was spooked when a boy leapt into the arena, attempting to show off for his girlfriend. The dragon went crazy, killing my parents and severely injuring the boy, who in my opinion deserved to die. My twin brother, Eddie, overdosed on painkillers and antidepressants a year later. He died, as well. The just left me, the freaky cutter girl who everyone hates, if not fears. The witch that was disowned by her muggle godparents. I don't cut anymore, though. That was two years ago. Therapy fixed that, but it would never fully fix me.

"You had better board the train," a voice said, pulling me from my sad thoughts. I whipped around to see the blond, once again, watching me. "It's about to leave." I nodded and he started walking away, towards the back of the train. I grabbed my purse and smaller travelling bags and a train worker to my cart.

"Hey, wait!" I called chasing after him. He didn't stop, but he slowed down so I could catch up. "Can I sit with you? You are the only person I've met so far. I don't want to look like some loser that sits alone." I admitted.

"Why should I allow you to sit with me? I don't even like you," he gave me an annoyed look and I returned a fierce glare.

"Then I shall rephrase," I told him. I stood on the tips of my toes, to try and look him in the eyes. He was at least a foot taller than me, but I didn't care. "I don't know anybody else, so I'm sitting with you. Deal with it, pretty boy." I smirked at his astonished expression. He was clearly not used to being spoken to like this, especially by a girl.

Without another word, he boarded the train, gesturing for me to follow him. He led me to an already occupied compartment. Inside was a dark skinned boy who was already in his school uniform, and a dark haired girl with pug-like features and a seemingly permanent scowl on her face. The blond opened the door and I stepped in.

"I see you've made a little friend, Draco," The boy said to the blond- Draco. "I'm Blaise Zabini." He spoke in a deep voice. "And who might you be?"

"Imogen Ruinae," I said with the same confidence I had used around Draco. He took my hand and kissed my knuckles tenderly. I held back a blush.

"Why are you here?" The pug girl sneered, staring me up and down. I gave her a glare.

"Down girl," Blaise said playfully. "This is Pansy. She isn't a people person."

"Well, hello, Pansy," I said in a mock-sweet voice. I could already tell already that I didn't like this one. She gave me a bigger scowl and I smiled at her. "And if you have to ask why I'm here, then you're as stupid as you look. I thought Hogwarts was a school for smart witches and wizards?"

"I like this one," Blaise snickered. "She is definitely Slytherin material." I smirked, taking it as a compliment, and sat down beside Draco, across from Blaise.

"Is that your house?" I asked them, looking over to Draco, who had said nothing in the past few minutes. He was staring blankly out the window.

"What's it to you?" Pansy growled.

"Yes, it is," Blaise said, ignoring Pansy's rudeness. "Who else have you met so far, other than Draco?"

"Nobody actually," I replied honestly.

"How did you meet Draco?" Pansy interrogated. It was obvious Pansy- 'Pugsy' as I have now decided to call her- was in to Draco. So obvious, it was entertaining.

"Well, we were bored, waiting for the train and all, so we made out in a dark corner for a while," I said, deciding to mess with her. Pugsy's face was turning blood red, Draco snapped his head around and stared at me incredulously, and Blaise was about to fall out of his seat he was laughing so hard. I grinned triumphantly.

"Good one, Imogen," Blaise beamed at me. "Now, how did you really meet our friend?"

"I was lost and he helped my find the train," I shrugged.

"How sweet of you, Drake," Blaise teased.

"She was in my way," He grumbled back. I snorted.

"Sure she was."

"Anyway, I had to help. She held a wand to my throat!" Draco defended. "The batty witch would've hexed me into next week. Or worse…" I snorted.

What a drama queen, I thought.

"Yeah, and you whimpered like a sad little puppy," I cried, laughing with Blaise. "And just so you know, I don't need my wand to hex your balls off." I warned him.

"Is that so?" he challenged with a smirk.

"Don't test me, Blondie," I warned again. The last time a boy annoyed me, he ended up hanging from his toes, naked in the girls' bathroom. It was definitely a YouTube moment. Draco scooted closer to me, leaving a jealous Pansy to scowl even more.

"Or, what?" he whispered in my ear, sending chills down my spine. Before I could respond, the compartment became cold and dark. I shivered, watching as the drink-bottle in Pansy's hand turned to solid ice. I rubbed my arms in attempt to keep warm.

"What the h-" I tried to ask, but Draco clamped his hand over my mouth.

Before I could protest, a dark, shadowy figure appeared outside the compartment door. The world began to feel darker and sadder, like all hope was gone from the world. The figure turned and faced our door, its boney fingers stretched out to grab the door handle. I slid away from the door as much as I could, until I felt something solid against my back. I was up against Draco. He tensed up, and I wasn't sure whether I made him uncomfortable or if he was just as scared as I was. He released my mouth and wrapped an arm around my waist, instinctively I assumed, just as the door began to open. The shadow hovered above the floor and slipped into the room, moving towards us, moving towards me.

I gripped Draco's hand tightly, desperate to cling to something. The figure was right in my face now, staring me down. Behind it a new figured appeared. It was a human figure with long, frizzy, blond hair and a short, slender body.

"Ecspecto Patronum," said the girl in a high pitched and dazed voice. Light burst into the room and a rabbit-shaped Patronus raced around the room. The shadowy figure backed away and darted from the compartment faster than I could blink. The room lit up again and the heat returned to my body.

"Are you alright?" said the girl in the doorway. She had light blue eyes, red lips, and strange fruit-looking earrings dangling from her ears. She watched me carefully, not acknowledging the other three people in the compartment.

"Yeah," I managed. "I'm fine."

"Then why are you practically in Draco's lap?" Pansy sneered, glaring at our interlocked hands. Draco had been squeezing my hand just as tight as I was holding his. I felt a strange electric jolt between us, the power that emanated from between our hands. He was studying our hands curiously. I pulled my hand away quickly and removed his hand from my waist. I scooted as far away from him as I could.

"I'm Luna," the blond girl said with a sweet smile.

"I am Im-" I started, but she finished for me.

"You are Imogen Ruinae," she said. My eyebrows rose. "The Nargles told me," she leaned in and whispered.

"What are Nargles?" I asked, intrigued to learn more. She merely giggled.

"I shall tell you some other time," she promised. "But now we must change into our uniforms. We will be arriving in a couple of hours and the lines for the changing stalls can get rather long." I grabbed my carry-on bag that had my uniform in it, and turn to Luna. I took her outstretched hand and she led me away from the compartment, away from a confused Draco, an amused Blaise and an annoyed Pugsy. "Why were you with the Slytherins?" she asked curiously.

"They seem nice enough, aside from Pugs- Pansy. They're also the first people I met," I said. "Luna what house are you in?"

"I've been placed in Ravenclaw," she informed me. I silently hoped I would be in her house, so I would have a friend. "Are you being sorted tonight? I have never seen you before."

"Yes, this is my first year at Hogwarts. How many houses are there?"

"There are four houses. Ravenclaw: For the intelligent, Slytherin: For the cunning- they're all purebloods-, then there is Gryffindor: for the fearless. Lastly, there is Hufflepuff: for the… others."

So basically, I thought, Hufflepuff is not the house you want to be in. They're useless.

"Ah, here we are," she said. "These are the changing stalls. You can take that one." She pointed to one of the stalls. I nodded and slipped behind the curtain.

"I opened my bag and undressed. I pulled on my fishnet tights and put on my white button up shirt. I pulled a grey skirt out of my bag and slipped into it. It only went mid-thigh and it hugged my body tightly, but it was much more preferable than those frilly skirts other girls were wearing. I stepped back into my black combat boots. I saw no reason why I couldn't where my boots; the letter only said 'blacks shoes required'. Satisfied with my appearance, I put my other clothes in my carry-on bag, and exited the change stall. Luna was waiting for my, now dressed in her own uniform: a white blouse, pleated grey skirt, Ravenclaw tie, black leggings, and a pair of red tennis shoes.

"Aren't you supposed to wear black shoes?" I raised an eyebrow at her.

"I suppose, but the Nargles stole them, so I must wear these until I find them." I gestured to her sneakers. I nodded and she led me through the train once more.

We came past the sweets cart when someone called Luna's name. We turned to see a dark haired boy with green eyes running toward us. Luna smiled and wrapped her arms around him. He spun her around happily then let her go.

"Imogen, this is Harry Potter," Luna said. "He is one of my closest friends." I shook his hand.

"Pleasure to meet you," Harry said politely.

"Likewise," I smiled.

"I rescued her from Malfoy," Luna said. Harry's face went serious, almost dark, and her began to turn red.

"Did he hurt you?" he asked, concerned.

"What? Why would Draco hurt me?" My eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"He's a Slytherin. It's the only thing they're good at," he replied bitterly. "Come on then, I'll introduce you to Hermione and Ron." He smiled wide, making me smile as well. Luna gave me and Harry a quick hug goodbye, and skipped off to her own compartment. Harry led me off to his own compartment. "So how did Luna find you?"

"I'm not sure exactly. One minute, there's a Dementor attacking us, and the next, she's conjuring a Patronus Charm to save us."

"Dementors," Harry said quietly. "Nasty, little buggers." He grumbled.

"Okay, well that's all I know. I don't know how she found me, but she did."

"Luna has a gift when it comes to danger. She's a brilliant witch," he mused thoughtfully.

"She is very sweet," I agreed. Just then, we came to a bickering couple. The girl had curly, brown hair, and the boy was tall and had fiery red hair. The ginger was stuffing his face with candy.

"Ronald, honestly. You're going to get so fat that your broom will snap from your weight!" she girl exclaimed. The redhead, Ronald, grumbled a response, but his mouth was so full that I couldn't make it out.

"Hermione, Ron," Harry interjected. They turned abruptly. "This is Imogen." He gestured to me. I waved awkwardly as the ginger, Ron, stared at my body. The brunette, Hermione, stepped forward with a big smile.

"Hermione Granger," She greeted with a firm handshake. "That's Ron Weasley." She rolled her eyes, pointing to the redhead. I held out my hand to Ron, but instead, he pulled me into a big hug. I giggled, amused by his audacity.

"I see I've already made a friend," I smiled, pulling back.

"Just making sure you feel welcome," he mumbled, trying to swallow, his mouth still full of sweets. I smirked.

"Not the Slytherin Smirk," I heard the girl, Hermione, say under her breath. She obviously thought I wouldn't hear her. I let it slide as I wasn't offended by it. I didn't think being Slytherin would be a bad thing.

"Luna told me she saved her from Malfoy," Harry informed. Ron and Hermione gave an expression of disgust.

"That stupid ferret," Hermione hissed. "He hasn't harmed you, has he?" I rolled my eyes and flew my hands in the air.

"Why do you people keep asking me that? Draco is completely harmless," I assured them. They just looked at me and shook their heads.

"Just me careful, Mo," Ron warned.

"Mo?" I asked, tilting my head. He nodded and swallowed some of the candy in his mouth.

"That is what I've decided to call you," he said with a grin. I smiled back, enjoying the sound of my new nickname.

"Alright, I like that… as long as I can call you Ginger sometimes," I said with a smirk. He swallowed the rest of the contents in his mouth and smiled widely at me, chocolate was all over his teeth. I laughed and point to his teeth. He turned red when he realized what I was laughing at, and licked his teeth clean.

"Deal," he said. "Just call me Ginger Boy!"

"You got it," I giggled. "I should get back to my own compartment. I'll see you all later?" They nodded. I turned and left the compartment.

"Bye, Mo!" Ron shouts, peeking out of the compartment door.

"Bye, Ginger Boy," I called back, earning a chocolate-free smile. I walked off, heading to my own compartment. On my way back, I received a few winks and wolf whistles from guy, while the girls gave me evil glares. I snickered. I was just coming upon my own compartment when I heard my name being brought up in the Slytherins' conversation.

"That Imogen girl better watch her back," Pansy-Pug growled. "One more sarcastic remark and I'll hex her into next week." I rolled my eyes. She was clearly all talk.

"I thought she was pretty hot," Blaise added. "Don't you agree, Draco?"

Draco didn't respond.

"Why would he be attracted her when he has me, right Drakey?" Pansy sounded as if she was pouting. I snorted.

Drakey? I thought, couldn't she think of anything better?

"Don't call me that, Parkinson," Draco grumbled, irritated. "Ugh! Get off me!" He shouted. A small thud sounded from the room. I could picture Draco shoving the pug off his lap. I laughed inwardly at the image in my mind.

"I like calling you Drakey," Pansy insisted. "I think it's cute."

"Just back off, Pansy. Can't you take a hint?" Blaise interjected.

"No, you love me, don't you, Drakey?" She pouted again. I chose that moment to make my appearance.

"Yeah, don't you love her, Drakey?" I said in the same pouty voice as Pansy. They all whipped their heads around to look at me. Just to annoy Pansy, I had struck the sexiest pose I could, without looking like a total slut. Blaise smirked as he checked me out, Draco was stunned into silence as his gaze travel up and down my legs, and Pansy was turning blood red again as she watched the two boys gawk at me. She stood and started to take the seat next to Draco. His facial expression turned into one of disgust, and slight distress, as he watched her try to join him, so I quickly apparated into the seat beside him.

"I believe this is my seat, Pugsy," I said before she could sit on my lap. She jumped and turned around.

"What the… How did you…?" she looked at the doorway, then back at me. I grinned mischievously.

"Thanks," Draco whispered so only I could hear, as Pansy took her seat beside Blaise. I shrugged.

"I owed you one," I whispered back.

The rest of the train ride was filled with an awkward silence until Draco stood to leave. He had said something about going to some sort of special compartment to meet up with one of the professors from the school. Pansy sat in silence, glaring at me as Blaise and I exchanged childhood stories and laughed together. I, of course, left out the part of my family members' tragic deaths. We eventually ran out of things to say and Blaise began to read some sort of book about magi while I put in my headphones and listened to my IPod.

Draco had not returned when we arrived at the platform that led to the school. I shrugged it off and reached up to grab my bags I had brought on the train with me. I got the first two down with ease, but the last one, my purse, was so far back that I couldn't reach. Blaise and Parkinson were already gone, so I was left alone with no assistance. I jumped, trying to take hold of the bag. My hand grazed the handle, but I couldn't get a good grip on it. I let out a loud sigh and crossed my arms, trying to figure out how to get it. I could use magic, but unfortunately, I had put my wand in my purse after threatening Draco, and my magic has never been perfect without it. I could only successfully apparate without a wand; the rest was just too tricky for me. Without warning, a body pressed against my back and a hand snaked around my waist. I froze in shock from the sudden contact, and watched as a pale hand reached up and retrieved my purse for me. I turned and stared into the eyes of Draco Malfoy. He raised an eyebrow and handed my back to me.

"Thanks," I mumbled, taking the bag. He shrugged and reached up for his own bags. As he did, his shirt lifted, revealing his abs. I couldn't help but staring at them.

"Like what you see, Ruinae?" He teased with a smirk.

"I don't know what you talking about," I replied, perhaps too quickly. He chuckled.

"Liar," he teased and winked at me. I blushed fiercely, making him laugh harder.

"Whatever," I mumbled. I headed for the door, ready to leave.

"Wait," his voice stopped me. I turned at leaned against to door. "How did you do that? How did you apparate? Only extremely powerful wizards can do that." I smiled.

"It's one of my many talents," I told him. "Now, lead the way, because I have no idea where I'm going." I admitted with a sheepish smile. He nodded and led my out of the train and onto the platform.

It was already dark, very dark. Oh, how I hated the dark. I had been terrified of it since the day I turned seven. My childhood best friend Maya had come to my house for a sleepover to celebrate my birthday. We were camping out in my backyard, eating candy and giggling at each other's jokes. We had just gone to sleep when Maya let out a loud scream. There was a figure, wearing a skull mask and cloaked in black and long blond-white hair, in the tent with us. He held out his wand and shouted two words that I would never forget as long as I lived: 'Avada Kedavra'. He killed my best friend. Then, he dragged me out of the tent and into the woods behind my house, wand still in hand. We reached a clearing in the center of the woods and he threw me to the ground. He pointed his wand at me and muttered something I had never been able to make out. Then, the world went black…

I shook my head, clearing my thoughts and followed behind Draco as closely as I could without him noticing. We walked along a trail until we reached a pile of bags and a carriage being pulled by a strange looking creature. I put my bags in the pile and walked over to the animal. I held my hand out to it and ran my hand across its side.

"Thestrals," Draco called them. "Such hideous creatures."

"They're beautiful," I defended the creature. He simply rolled his eyes and boarded the empty carriage.

"Come on, then," He said. "Unless you wish to walk to Hogwarts?" he raised an eyebrow. I hurriedly climbed onto the carriage and sat across from him. I avoided his gaze the entire ride, watching the forest carefully, to the castle.

"What year are you in?" I asked him after a while, finally looking at him.

"Seventh," he said in a bored tone.

"Me, too," I said. "At least, I think I am. In America I would be in my tenth year, since they start teaching wizards how to control their powers earlier back home. So I'll only be in Hogwarts for the last two years." His head tilted. He seemed intrigued by what I had said. I went on to tell him about the last wizardry school I had been in. He listened intently as I talked.

The carriage came to a halt in front of the castle. It was so unexpected that I fell with a squeal and landed flat on my butt. Draco laughed loudly, nearly falling on the ground himself as he was laughing so hard.

"Bit clumsy, are we?" He mocked, still chuckling. I growled and gave him the angriest look I could manage.

"Don't just sit there," I ordered. "Help a girl up, will you?" he stopped laughing and stood up. Taking my hands, he pulled me up. The power of the pull was so strong that I ended up pressed against his chest, our hands still intertwined.

At that moment, the world seemed to freeze as I looked into his eyes, mesmerized by the infinite shades of grey and blue. His expression softened as one of his hands wrapped around my waist. I let out a low gasp as he pressed my body closer to his. His gaze left my eyes as he glanced down at my lips. I realized at that moment how much I wanted him, wanted to kiss him, kiss him until my lips bled. Our faces were inches apart, his breath so sweet that it made me dizzy. I blinked several times, assuming this wasn't real, but sure enough, he was still there, his body pressed against mine. He leaned in closer, our lips not a hair's width apart.

"You wish," Draco whispered, his breath hitting my face again. He let go of me and jumped down from the carriage. He stalked toward the door and into the Great Hall.

"What the heck just happened?" I squeaked, thinking aloud. I slowly got down off the carriage and made my way to the Great Hall, still frazzled by what had just happened. I would definitely be getting him back for that. As I stepped into the large dining hall, all eyes turned to me. Everyone stared. All the first years had been sorted and the feast had already begun. Needless to say, I stuck out like a sore thumb.

"Ah, Miss Ruinae," A tall, old wizard with a long white beard called from an enchanted podium at the front of the room. "It seems you just missed the sorting. No matter, come and we'll sort you quickly. I nodded and walked forward to join him. I assumed that this man was none other than Professor Dumbledore: the one who had sent me my Hogwarts letter. As I walked by the tables of students, I heard several whispered comments that I'm sure I wasn't meant to hear:

"What is she wearing?"

"Are those real tattoos?"

"I bet she was with Malfoy. She looks like the kind of girl he'd chase after."

"Is that the American?"

"She definitely belongs in Slytherin."

I ignored them all and joined Dumbledore beside the podium. He gestured to the stool in front of me, and I sat on it, crossing my arms and crossing one leg over the other. An older woman in a black cloak came forward with a ratty, brown hat. She stood behind me and placed the hat on my head.

I looked around to the other students. The first to catch my eyes was Luna. She was watching intently, giving me a nod as if to say 'good luck'. Next I saw Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Ron was stuffing his face while Harry and Hermione stared at the hat, waiting for it to sort me. Last to catch my eye was Blaise and Draco. Blaise winked at me, making me grin and wink back playfully, and Draco watched with an unreadable expression.

"Quite a curious case you are," the Hat said. "You have the knowledge of a Ravenclaw, the slyness of a Slytherin, and you're as fearless as a Gryffindor. You are loyal and brave. I have only seen one witch as brilliant as you," it mused. "Either house will suit you all."

"Just pick already," I grumbled.

"Ah, she's impatient, as well!" It stated. Some students laughed, but I merely rolled my eyes. "Very well Miss Ruinae, I know where you will do best. Imogen Ruinae, your house will be-"

(A/N)

**Well? What do you think? I hope Draco wasn't too OOC. I tried to make him snotty, but i'm not sure if i got him right, yet. this is post-war(Deathly Hallows) and it will be more based on the movies. I can't wait to continue writing and post Chapter 2, which is almost done. Next chapter also explains how Dumbledore is in the story.

** Which house do you think our little 'Mo' will be in?

**Don't forget to review (: i live off your input, and will not continue writing if i feel my story isn't being read. So if you like it, let me know!

**Each Chapter will have a song[or song lyrics] that inspired it, and it should relate to the chapter.

~ICanHearThemToo~