Disclamer: I own Harry Potter! MWAHAHAHAHAHA… okay I didn't fool you. Damn.

A/N: sorry for the long wait! I had serious writer's block --;;

Onto the story!

Chapter Four:

Back for 7th Year

Harry woke up from the brilliant shine of the golden sun in his eyes. The night before, it had been raining, so the rain water trickled down the windows.

It was the day to go back to Hogwarts. Frankly, Harry was thankful to be leaving North Thorn Village. He had been fairly bored the past week, with the girls shopping and everything. He had done the same thing everyday. Wake up, eat breakfast, do homework, eat lunch, play some quiddich (though he NEVER got bored of that), dinner, then sleep.

He noticed that Ron was still asleep, after he heard the snores from the other side of the room. He whispered a "Pack!" and his clothes silently packed themselves.

He grabbed Hedwig's cage and he levitated his luggage downstairs. While he was going down the stairs, he saw Ginny, Samantha, Fred, George, Bill, Charlie, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley down there. Ace was also down there as well.

"Hey guys-" Harry started. Hedwig's cage slipped out of his hands, with Hedwig in it, as it started descending from the air down onto the stairs. Hedwig hooted loudly, but Samantha caught the cage before it hit the ground.

"Phew… thanks," Harry said, when he reached the bottom of the stairs.

"No problem." Samantha replied, handing the cage back to Harry.

Then, he wondered why he didn't apparate in the first place.

"Oh well…" Harry said, shrugging it off.

"Ron's not awake yet?" Hermione asked.

"Nope," Harry replied.

"We already had breakfast; you can eat if you want." Ace said.

Harry took the offer and sat down to eat breakfast. Twenty minutes later, Ron came down with his stuff.

"Why didn't you wake me up?" Ron asked.

"You looked so peaceful sleeping, that it would've been terrible to wake you up!" Harry joked. Ron didn't pay attention, for the French toast grabbed it.

"Hurry up, Ron, we have to leave now." Hermione said.

"Alright, alright, hold on…" Ron said, as he chugged down his pumpkin juice.

"Meet us in the Foyer," Hermione said.

After Ron finally came, they made sure that everyone was there, and apparated to the King's Cross Station. (But Ginny and Mrs. Weasley had to use Floo Powder.)

"Everyone here? Okay, now let's get to Platform 9 ¾!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed. People heard and started staring at her like she was crazy, but went on with their lives. They headed towards Platforms 9 and 10.

"This is like Salem… only it was an airport, not a train station…" Samantha observed.

As they approached Platforms 9 and 10, they saw Seamus Finnigan, a fellow Gryffindor pass through the wall.

"Okay, Hermione and Ginny will go first, and then Harry and Ron. Samantha can go next with- Ace." Mrs. Weasley said.

They all agreed as Hermione and Ginny ran through the brick wall. Harry and Ron followed, and then Samantha and Ace.

"Oh… so this is what the Hogwarts express looks like!" exclaimed Samantha. The blood red train had misty white smoke puffing out, as it blew its horn. Samantha and Ace quickly boarded the train.

As the train started moving, Samantha and Ace looked into compartments to find her friends.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't Sparrow again." Malfoy said, approaching the two girls with his 'bodyguards' Crabbe and Goyle.

"Back off, baldy." Ace replied coolly.

"Shut up, little birdy Sparrow," Malfoy retorted.

"You're the one who's going to shut up here-" Ace started, ready to punch the lights out of Malfoy.

"Ace… stop…he's a jerk, he's not even worth beating up," Samantha said.

"What's wrong, Harper? Afraid you'll get into trouble on your first day at Hogwarts?" Malfoy asked. "You're as pathetic as her."

Samantha, after hearing that lost control. "I take what I said back. He's worth fighting. He probably can't defend himself ANYWAY!" Samantha said, right hooking his left cheek.

"Holy shi-" Malfoy said, clutching his left cheek. Crabbe and Goyle rushed up and stared down at Ace and Samantha in loathe. "You'll pay for-for this!"

"By what, telling your father?" Ace asked.

"Sparrow…! Come on, Crabbe, Goyle." Malfoy said, walking away with a very badly bruised cheek.

"Well… that was interesting…" Samantha said, completely changing her mood and attitude, and continued searching for the rest of her friends.

Ace stared at her, and wondered how she changed her mood so fast. She shrugged and continued looking as well.

"Ace! Samantha! Over here!" Ron exclaimed.

They both jerked their heads over to their right and saw Ron waving. They ran over towards the compartment.

"What took you guys so long?" Harry asked.

"Ran into trouble." Samantha replied.

"Malfoy?" Ginny asked.

"How'd you guess," Ace replied sarcastically.

"Want some?" Ginny asked to Samantha and Ace, showing the supply of candies they had. They both gladly took them.

"Cauldron cakes here are so much better than in Salem… the ones in Salem taste like tasteless bread," Samantha noted. "But Salem has the best chocolate."

"Nah, I bet you Honeydukes is better," Harry replied.

"Oh, really? Where is Honeydukes?" Samantha asked.

"It's in Hogsmeade," Hermione explained.

"Well… I'll have to see for myself!" Samantha exclaimed. "But I bet you that Salem's is better. 10 Galleons?"

"You're on," Harry and Ron said simultaneously.

"You guys…" Hermione said, rolling her eyes.

Harry and Ron both shook Samantha's hand to close the deal. Samantha smirked. She knew that Honeydukes couldn't be better than Salem. She just knew.

"So which house do you want to be in?" Hermione asked.

"Eh… probably Gryffindor or Ravenclaw." Ace said. "I couldn't be in Hufflepuff, and I really don't want to be in Slytherin."

"I want to be in Gryffindor, but will probably be put in Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw." Samantha said grumpily.

"Why?" Hermione asked

"Because at Salem, the sorting glove-" Samantha started.

"Glove?" Ron asked.

"Yes, glove. Well the glove sorted me into a house that had the clever ones in it, but almost put me into the one with the loyal ones. Those are the qualities of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw, right?" Samantha said.

"Hmm… I guess you're right," Ron said.

There was a long silence, until a girl burst through the compartment door. She had long, golden hair with golden eyes.

"Umm… seeing that you guys have a big compartment, can I share with you?" she asked. She was about their age, but they wondered why they never saw them before.

"Sure," Harry replied.

"Oh, but can I bring a few friends? This compartment looks like it could fit eleven people." she said.

"Uh… yeah, I guess." Ron answered.

"Thanks," she said. She called out to them, and they all came.

Her friends were color coded. One had blue hair and blue eyes with glasses, and was wearing a black and grey plaid skirt and a black vest. She wore black stockings and black shoes. Next to her was a girl with white hair and grey eyes, and she was wearing a silver shirt and low cut blue jeans with boots. Next to her was a girl with green hair and green eyes who was wearing a pink sweater and blue running shorts. Next to her was a girl with red hair and red eyes and she was wearing a red shirt and black jeans.

"I-tha-she-alley-devil mute girl!" Ron stuttered, as he pointed to the girl with red hair and red eyes.

"Ron! It's rude to point. Stop." Hermione hissed.

"What are you talking about?" asked the girl with red hair, with a questioning look.

"But-but-" Ron started.

"Stop!" Hermione hissed again.

"Sorry for not introducing ourselves. My name's Amber Copperstone." Said the golden haired girl, sticking out a hand.

"Allison Jones," said the blue haired girl.

"Esmerelda Dawson." Said the green headed one.

"Summer Park," added the red head.

"Lily Reeves." Said the white haired teen.

"Er- nice to meet you," Ron said. "How old are you?"

"17," answered Summer.

"Oh…."

"We're coming from California. It's in America." Esmerelda explained.

"Cool… I'm from America too. Salem." Samantha said.

"I've heard of there. It's where that world famous chocolate is made, right?" Lily asked.

Samantha nodded. She smirked at Harry and Ron.

"Do you play quiddich?" asked Ron to the girls.

"Well, we played Quadpot in America, but we learned how to play quiddich." Amber said. "Lily and I want to try out for the team.

"Ginny, Ace and I do too," Samantha said.

"That's nice," Allison said with a smile.

They were soon engaged in a conversation about quiddich and quadpot, and talked merrily for the rest of the ride.

As dark fell, they changed into their robes, with a remaining seven minutes left until they reached the station.

They heard the train blow its whistle, and the students poured out of the train.

"First 'ears, over 'ere!" Harry heard the familiar voice of the gamekeeper of Hogwarts.

"Hey Hagrid," Harry said, walking over to him.

"'ello 'arry!" he replied cheerfully.

"Hello Hagrid!" Hermione, Ginny and Ron said.

"'ello Ron, Ginny and 'ermione!" Hagrid replied. When he saw the group of unfamiliar girls, he gave them a questioning look.

"Oh, this is Ace, Samantha, Summer, Amber, Lily, Esmerelda, and Allison." Hermione said.

"Oh, you must be der exchange students Dumbledore must 'ave been talkin' about!" Hagrid said. "Welcome to 'ogwarts. You'll be coming with the first years for your sorting."

"Bye guys," Ace said.

"See you in the Hall," Ron replied.

The rest of them boarded the carriages with the Thestrals pulling them. When they reached the castle, the quickly went into the Great Hall and sat at their tables.

The grand, oak doors opened with Professor McGonagall leading the first years, with the girls in the back.

When they reached the sorting hat, Professor McGonagall walked up next to it. The hat, which was still before, burst out into a song:

I'm not a normal hat you see,

For your house at Hogwarts shall be sorted by me,

Step right up, if you please,

And see which house lies in thee,

Perhaps you'll be in Gryffindor,

Where the chivalrous and brave ones soar,

Or maybe Ravenclaw's your home,

Where the ones who are clever are not alone,

Hufflepuff could be your place,

Where you shall always see a loyal face,

Or maybe Slytherin's for you,

Where the cunning go, that's quite true,

So step right up, I'm quite spiffy

Don't be shy,

I'll sort you in a jiffy.

A boom of applause was heard soon after it finished, and Professor McGonagall cleared her throat.

"We shall sort the first years first. Applebee, Robert!"

A small brown faced boy stood up to the hat and the hat instantly shouted, "Ravenclaw!"

The sorting went on and on, until they heard,

"Copperstone, Amber!"

Amber stepped up to the hat and jammed it on her head.

Hmmm…the hat said softly. Seems as if you have many Ravenclaw qualities… very clever. But you are a brave one, the bravest of your friends. Hmm… Interesting…But I choose: GRYFFINDOR!

Amber sighed in relief as she ran to the Gryffindor table and sat next to Ron.

"Dawson, Esmerelda!"

Esmerelda placed the hat on her head and heard the hat speak. Hmmm… you're a clever one. Yet very sneaky and savvy. I choose…Ravenclaw!

Esmerelda, who was disappointed not to be with her friends but happy to end up in Ravenclaw walked over to the Ravenclaw table and sat down with her fellow Ravenclaws.

"Harper, Samantha!"

Samantha walked up to the hat and put it on. Well, well. Looks like another Harper. I COULD put you in Slytherin like I did with your 'real' parents…-Samantha flinched at the thought of her parents-but you're not like them. So different. You're more like a…Gryffindor!

Samantha breathed after holding her breath through out his little speech and sat next to Hermione.

"Jones, Allison!"

Allison walked up to the hat and put it on neatly.

Ahh… another clever one. Very clever indeed, quite the strategist. I should put you in… Ravenclaw!

Allison, who was happy with her result walked to the Ravenclaw table and sat next to Esmerelda.

"Park, Summer!"

Summer emotionlessly stepped up to the hat and put it on.

Well… you're different. You're a bit angsty, and you have a very bad temper-I don't need reminding, Summer thought.-Therefore, I shall put you in…Slytherin!

Summer grimaced inside, but looked excited on the outside. Malfoy looked at her up and down, while she slapped him for it.

"Hey!" Malfoy yelled.

"Next time, you're-" Summer thought. Wait, she could use this to her advantage. "Next time, you have to get to know me before that!" she said with a wink. God she felt stupid. Malfoy grinned, as Summer grinned weakly, and when she turned away scowled.

I'm going to have a bad year…Amber's going to pay for this…

"Reeves, Lily!"

Lily went to the hat slowly and put it on.

It seems that you have quite a mysterious past. Your parents died, but no one knows who killed them. You are a strong, brave person, but your past is vague. I shall put you in… Gryffindor!

Lily smiled and sat next to Samantha.

"Sparrow, Accalia!"

Ace, being the last one, stepped up to the hat.

Well, well. Sparrows are usually placed in Ravenclaw… but you're not like them. You have dark past, and a rough life, yet you're still here, alive today. - What's that supposed to mean? Ace asked.- You are very brave and headstrong. Gryffindor!

Ace sighed in relief, and she sat next to Ron at the Gryffindor table.

Dumbledore stood up after the hall was quiet. "Tuck in!" he exclaimed. Delicious food popped up on the plates and the students began eating.

"Finally!" Ron exclaimed, taking helpings of everything. Hermione rolled her eyes.

Dinner was a lively one, and after everyone finished (including the dessert), Dumbledore stood up.

"First things first. I would like to announce that the new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor is Professor Kristen Cammerston!" he announced. A middle aged woman stood up and bowed, while the students politely clapped. She had a black robe on and her black hair with white hairs streaking down was pulled up tightly in a bun. Her face was sharp, and her eyes stone cold.

"Also… To the first years. The forest is forbidden to everyone in this school. Mr. Filch wanted me to note that students must not perform magic in the halls. One last announcement: Quiddich tryouts are this Wednesday, and anyone who would like to tryout for the team, contact your house captain. The captains are: Slytherin: Draco Malfoy. Hufflepuff: Justin Finch-Fletchey. Ravenclaw:Terry Boot. Gryffindor: Ronald Weasley. If you have any questions, ask them. Thank you, prefects, lead your students to their proper towers."

Ron stared in bewilderment. "I'm quiddich captain?"

"Congratulations, mate!" Harry said.

"But-but I thought it was going to be you!" Ron protested.

"Well, I guess not!" Harry replied.

Ron grinned as he followed the sixth years to the Gryffindor tower along with everyone else.

"Hermione… don't you have to go to the Head Girl's tower?" Ron inquired.

"I requested that I could sleep in the Girl's Dorms in the Gryffindor Tower because you know that Malfoy is the Head Boy, and you know we all hate him…" Hermione explained.

"Really?" Harry asked.

"You two are so thick…" Hermione said, shaking their heads.

"Tell me about it," Ginny and Samantha said in unison.

"Hey!" Harry and Ron exclaimed. The girls laughed as they hurried on upstairs.

The prefects showed which dorm was which and the Gryffindors piled into their dorms.

Hope you liked it… Please Review!!

-roseangel-