"I heard in Dumbledore's office today that a new exchange student will be joining our school soon" Neville thoughtfully said, while reaching for a drumstick across the table.

"Really? Did Dumbledore himself tell you that" Ron smirked.

Neville shook his head while taking a big bite out of the chicken leg, he wiped his mouth on the back of his sleeve. "Nah, a portrait told me, apparently she's exchanging from a school in North America, I can't remember the schools name exactly Ivory... Ivoremore?" Shrugging he went back to enjoying the drumstick.

Hermione rolled her eyes, "honestly, I swear I'm the only one who actually listens in class, or better yet retains information. It's pounced Ilvermorny"

Neville swallowed and nodded his head.

"What year is she joining" Ron asked while piling his plate up with mashed potatoes and gravy.

Hermione watched Ron with disgust.

"Our year! The portrait of old headmaster Nigellus told me, he said she was one of the top students at the school and when she joined there, all of the houses choose her to join them. That's only happened three times at the school." Neville said grinning

Ron chuckled "Wow Mione, for the first time I actually think you have some competition"

Hermione went ridged in her seat. Feeling everyone's eyes on her.

"Let's hope she's a looker" Ron joked. SMACK! Hermione proceeded to smack Ron up the side of the head.

Everyone laughed and Neville almost choked on his chicken and spluttered everywhere. Which in turn caused everyone to laugh again.

Harry remained quiet through the conversation exchange, his mind was elsewhere. Already the second day of the new year and he wished no more than to crawl up into a dark hiding place to escape the constant snickering and stares that surrounded him.

To make the situation worse if possible the toad of a woman who was at his trial earlier this year was taking over the new Defense of the Dark Arts class. Harry had never loathed someone so much, apart from Lord Voldemort of course. After Harry had appeared in front of the whole school clutching cold lifeless body of Cedric Diggory, crying and shouting of Lord Voldemort's return. The daily prophet had a field day naming him as mentally unstable and attention seeking.

"Are you okay Harry?" Hermione whispered to Harry.
'Yep, Fine" Harry snapped back, torn from his thoughts and not noticing the hurt look on Hermione's face.
Harry turned his attention back to his friends and feast trying to ignore the eyes that fell on him from all around the great hall.

Siting in the headmasters office, Amber waited nervously on an arm chair that faced the headmaster's desk. Dumbledore was sitting on the beautifully sculptured chair in front of her.

Dumbledore had a kind and gentle face, his half-moon glasses sat halfway down his nose. He wore a warm smile on as he greeted her.

"Amber Greylock, it's a pleasure to finally meet you again, though I have not seen you since you were a baby." Dumbledore held out his hand and shook Amber's hand firmly.

"Thank you Headmaster, Sir. It's an honor to be here."

"Alas I wish you were to join our school under better circumstances, however I'm most pleased you chose Hogwarts to continue your studies, after all your father studied here too."
There was a silence, Amber didn't know what to say from the mention of her father.

"Your father was a great man and a loyal friend I'm deeply saddened by his passing." Dumbledore sighed. "I want you to know that my door is always opened for you. Your father asked me to become your guardian, it was his last wish in his dying days." He said warmly, looking at her through his glasses.

I have no other family relations I am truly alone in this world.

The realization of this fact hit her suddenly and Amber held back tears and looked at her shoes.

Keep breathing, don't cry, don't cry or you won't be able to stop.

Talking about her father's death as it was still so raw and the thought of him gone felt like it was ripping her heart apart the deep sadness was lingering there.

Amber nodded.

"Would you like some muggle candy I am rather fond of?" Dumbledore handed Amber a lolly.

Amber glanced up and took a lolly from Dumbledore and popped it into her mouth. Instantly her face screwed up, she choked and swallowed it whole so she didn't have to endure the sour flavor.

Dumbledore chuckled, smiling from behind his desk at the young woman in front of him.

Amber had brilliant steel blue eyes, she stood at average height. Long blonde hair flowed straightened behind her, hanging from a pony tail. Her face was stunning, open and friendly. If Dumbledore wasn't certain of her birth parents and family history, he would have guessed that she was a Veela.

"Please go and get a good nights rest, Dobby will show you to your room, tomorrow you will be sorted in into a house and then be joining the fifth year students." Dumbledore smiled.

"Miss Greylock, please follow Dobby." Dobby appeared and grabbed Amber by the hand leading her, he was bouncing happily along.

Dumbledore watched Dobby lead Amber out of his office. He rubbed the back of his neck with one hand, deep in thought. Dumbledore hoped the young girl would be able to find her path in this world without longing for revenge of her father.

"This is it Miss Greylock, Your room" Dobby said excitedly as he opened the door to lead her inside. He grinned widely. "Would Miss Greylock like something more comfy, you let us know".

The room was neat and comfortable, a fire crackled in the corner and a big window on the wall with the view of what looked to be the lake. Amber liked the room, it felt warm and safe. Her trunk was already at the foot of her bed.

"Thank you Dobby, you can call me Amber" She smiled at the elf. "Dobby" Amber hesitated. "Would you be able to stay with me for a while please I don't feel like being alone right now if that's okay?"

"Of course Misses Amber" Dobby beamed.

Amber laughed and clapped while Dobby showed his dancing to her, she was very pleased he wanted to stay. After a while of playing exploding snap, Amber started to feel her eyes getting heavy and she slowly dragged herself to bed. Dobby pulled up the covers up when she fell asleep, he smiled and whispered good night.

Before he apparated Dobby preformed an elf spell it was light gold dust that fell over the sleeping girl, he wanted her to have a dreamless and peaceful sleep. He smiled again to himself for thinking he now had another friend just like his friend Harry Potter.

Amber woke in the morning with the sound of Dobby's voice "Misses Amber you must wake now." Dobby was so close to her, his long nose was almost touching hers.
"Err thanks Dobby" Amber replied craning her neck back away from Dobby. He had a wide grin and seemed to be so excited he was almost bouncing on his feet.

"Dobby has your robes ready for today, Mr Dumbledore said you must wear these plain black robes before you is picked into your house from the sorting hat" Dobby jumped off the bed.

Amber stretched and got out of bed and proceeded to the bathroom to start getting ready. Amber called out to Dobby from the bathroom.

"Dobby what's the sorting hat and where do I go to use it" Amber asked.

"Misses Amber gets to wear the hat in the great hall, the hat chooses what house you would be most fitted too. The hat is very smart" Dobby called back.

"Oh, okay so when do I go to the great hall Dobby?"
"Miss Amber comes with Dobby when she is ready, Amber will be sorted in front of whole school before breakfast feast" Dobby chirped.

"WHAT!" Amber screeched, she flung back the bathroom door and stormed out. "IN FRONT OF THE WHOLE SCHOOL." Amber gasped. She sat down on the end of the bed in shock, her face in her hands. Dobby looked worried. "Misses Amber, its o-okay" He stuttered, wondering how to make his new friend feel better.

"Its okay, all new students and ex-change students go through sorting on their own too, you will be okay" He handed her robes and took a bow, his long nose almost touching the floor. "Dobby will wait for you outside to escort you to the great hall" Dobby left the room.

The whole school is going to see me get sorted, so much for me not wanting to draw attention on the first day! Amber shook her head.

Ten minutes later, Amber anxiously exited her room. Dobby gestured her to follow. The walk through the castle was a blur as they walked closer and closer towards the great hall she could hear the low hum of chatter and laughter from the students inside.

Oh good not everyone is here yet, maybe if I sit at the back no one will notice me.
Amber slunk away to the nearest table at the back.

"Misses Amber sits near the front for sorting" Dobby said happily. Grudgingly she stood up walking with Dobby towards the front. Coming towards them was a teacher she had not met yet. The Professor looked smart and sharp. "Thank you Dobby that will be all"

Dobby bowed and smiled warmly towards Amber. "Good luck Misses Amber" he said as he turned and apparated with a pop.

"Good morning Miss Greylock, I am Professor McGonagall. She looked warmly at the girl in front of her and placed a hand on her shoulder "Don't worry Miss Greylock it is tradition that all new students, first years and transfers to get sorted in-front of the school" She smiled warmly. "Once you get chosen your robes will change color and your crest will be of the house you were chosen into. After that you may then join your houses table for breakfast." Professor McGonagall showed Amber her seat near the front of the hall. Amber sat down and watched the students as they entered the hall.

I hope I make some new friends soon, it's so hard when everyone's already known each other for five years. Amber thought to herself sadly.