So, yeah, reposting this in the "correct format" as approved by the fan fiction people. Previously it had been posted and the whole thing was all four chapters, because I was relatively new to the whole "chapters" system.

Enjoy!

Oh, Sweet Hogwarts

As the many parents and guardians of students who were pushing and shoving to get on the train before it left, I quietly sat in my seat, where I always sit. A few girls would always come by, start to come in and then recognize me, leave, and never try to sit by me again.

I looked out the window to gaze at the crowded Platform 9 ¾ and would wonder what my parents would think of this. My ordinary muggle parents, my mom a lawyer, and my dad a real estate salesman. I got a kick out of that for the past two years.

The reflection in the window was one of an ordinary thirteen year old girl, with green eyes with yellow flecks, but with long sandy brown hair. Freckles dotted her face here and there, but not extremely often.

I was in my third year of Hogwarts, and in the same grade as Harry Potter. I knew his story, but I had only learned about it a few weeks before school started two years ago, and though I was impressed, I could not fully understand the significance of what he did, being raised in a regular home.

The train whistled and it was almost time to leave. After a few girls walked by, I noticed a frail-ish looking boy, with near white blonde hair, with two dim-witted sidekicks with him. Draco Malfoy, with his cronies, Crabbe and Goyle, standing there looking all high and mighty.

"Ah, is this fresh meat I smell?" Draco said.

"Actually, I'm a third year, and if you haven't noticed me yet, I suggest getting some glasses." I said, uninterested. Crabbe laughed a bit, and Malfoy elbowed him, hard. "You could get some like Harry Potter; I hear you're a big fan of him." This made me smile.

"You little! You're lucky you're a girl, or else!" He pointed towards Goyle, who cracked his knuckles, and acted as though I should be scared.

I rolled my eyes, and looked back out the window, placing my head on my wrist, and resting my elbow on the window. I saw a plump woman with red hair, running with the train with a rat in her hands. The train wasn't going that fast yet, so she disappeared out of view in a few seconds.

Then I saw a light blonde haired girl with a headband around her head that had what looked like it had fire pixie wings on it, walk by my seat.

"Luna! Come sit with me!" I called out. She turned slowly to look at me and smiled that spacey smile. Her clothes were simple, but colorful, and she wore a familiar set of earrings, that were bulky and looked a lot like a type of vegetable.

"Oh, sure! But can Neville sit here, too? I want to tell him about the Nargles." She asked, and Neville came in right behind her.

I saw a charm that looked very familiar around his neck, as he sat down next to Luna.

"I'd like to hear about the Nargles, too." I said. I liked to humor her, since no one really believed her stories. They were fun, though.

"I have an extra charm, if you want it." She said reaching into her bag. I took it and put it around my neck.

And she talked about Nargles, and other beasts, too, as the train raced on towards Hogwarts. It was dark, foggy, and rainy outside, but the train was nice and warm, as it bounced back and forth on the curves.

As Luna finished, and we put on our robes, putting up a curtain between all of us (a handy little charm Professor Flitwick had taught me) I realized I was quite bored. The trolley lady hadn't come by yet, so I decided to go look for her.

I walked outside, into the hallway, and wobbled a little bit, since I had been sitting for a while.

There was no one out in the hall, but I could hear the chattering of students about hoping Professor Snape had been sacked, or that they would get to join the Quidditch team this year. I liked watching Quidditch, but I never really wanted to play. As I thought about it, I walked by the seats that Draco and co. were sitting in.

Could this day get worse? It could.

"Oi, mudblood!" I clenched my teeth tightly together, and I stiffened up, which was strange, because I had been called that before by other Slytherins, but it never bothered me.

I decided to ignore him, but that could not be done. "Look at me, when I talk to you!" he yelled, following me out into the corridor as I walked away. I felt the sudden urge to smack him right where the sun doesn't shine.

"What?" I was about to yell, but got cut off by the sudden brakes of the train. It wasn't possible for us to be there yet. The train suddenly jerked, and I almost fell onto the ground. The lights turned off.

"What's going on?" Malfoy yelled, in an angry tone, but I could sense the fear in his voice. The lights came back on, and then turned off once more.

After yet another lurch, everything went suddenly chilly, and the windows grew frost, that covered the entire glass. I felt a strange sensation, like I would never see the sun shine again, or something like that. Then, down the corridor, I saw a large figure in a torn black cloak.

A dementor. They must have been searching for Sirius Black. It came straight for me, and then everything went black.

(When I opened my eyes I was dead as dust… JK!) When I woke up, I was back with Luna and Neville. Apparently they wondered if I was harmed when the train went crazy, and came looking for me.

We were nearing Hogwarts, and would most likely be there in a matter of a few minutes. We were back in the room of the train, but I heard three familiar voices, and one unfamiliar adult voice, in the room next to us.

"It's all right. It's chocolate." The adult said.

There was a short pause. "What was that thing…that came?" I knew that voice. It was Harry Potter.

"It was a dementor. One of the guards of Azkaban. It's gone now." It was the adult this time. "It was searching the train for Sirius Black. If you'll excuse me, I need to have a little word with the driver." I heard the door open, and then "Eat. You'll feel better."

And he walked past our room. I looked at him and I didn't recognize him. But I did see some familiar scratches on his face. I had seen it in a book from the restricted section of the library. Those were werewolf marks. He couldn't be though. But that wasn't proof enough that he was a werewolf. He might have just been attacked, that's all.

I heard Harry's voice again. "What happened to me?"

"Well, you went sort of rigid." Ron Weasley, the second youngest of the Weasley family. Second only to his little sister, Ginny, who started her first year at Hogwarts last year, and got into some big trouble, or so I heard. The whole Weasley family had bright red hair. Fred and George, in their fifth year were my favorites of the Weasley, but they played a bunch of pranks. "We thought maybe you were having a fit or something."

"And did either of you two… you know… pass out?" I guessed Hermione was with them as well.

"No. I felt weird, though. Like I'd never be cheerful again." Ron said.

"But someone was screaming." Harry inquired. "A woman."

"No one was screaming, Harry." Hermione told him.

And that was the end of the conversation.

In a few minutes, the train pulled up to the depot, with a large figure with a lamp, waiting for all the first years. Hagrid, the game keeper.

"I feel sorry for those first years." Neville said, since it was still pouring down, and they would have to ride in the boats. Luckily we got to ride in carriages, the carriages that magically pulled themselves. We got into one, and it pulled away. There was no one in it, so much for my bad luck. The way things were going today, I wouldn't be surprised if Draco and the rest were in this carriage.

"What else has your dad found out about those Merripholes?" I asked Luna. She had sent me a letter and a Quibbler over the summer with her owl.

"What are 'Merfoles'?" Neville asked, mispronouncing it.

"They're little creatures that take over your body by hypnotizing you with special trumpets, and they looked like small, skinny trolls." Luna said, in her dazed sort of way. "My dad left it to me now, actually. Since it's easier for them to take over teenagers, Hogwarts will be a primary place for them to settle in. I've almost perfected my caging spell too."

This conversation led to her talk about her father's newest article, entitled "Fudge, or Sludge?" It was talking about her father's newest theory, that the Minister was just a pawn for the Merripholes, and that his brain was turned to mud, or sludge.

Whether it was true or not, it kept me occupied as we traveled through Hogsmeade to get to Hogwarts. I saw Zonko's joke shop, that was lit up brightly, and merchandise could be seen in the shop windows, buzzing and shinning, begging to be bought, which made me excited, since I was going to be able to go there this year. When we reached Hogwarts, the students were running in, trying to beat the pouring rain.

Luna, Neville and me followed suit, and I shook myself dry when we entered through the large oak doors.

"Well, can't say I'm surprised to see you shake like a mongrel pup." I heard. I told myself not to look. To pretend not to hear. But I had jinxed myself in the carriage. Draco Malfoy was waiting to the left of the door, this time without Crabbe and Goyle. He was leaning against one of the Hourglasses that show the number of points for each House, his arms crossed and one foot bent with only his toes touching the ground. (Why was I noticing all of this?)

I gave him a scowl and growled at him like a dog, to show that I didn't care about his remark.

And I walked into the Great Hall without another glance. However, I heard him laugh. But not his usual, "I'm better than you, and I laugh at your lower-class or your stupidity" laugh. It was an amused laugh that was, dare I say, innocent.

A chill went down my spine.

I ignored it, though, and took a place by Neville. Luna was out in the Hall, looking for Merripholes, I guessed.

After all of the new students had been sorted into their new houses, Professor Flitwick and his choir sang with Musical Toads, and then Professor Dumbledore took the floor.

"Welcome, welcome to another year at Hogwarts!" he said, grinning. "Now, I'd like to say a few words before we become to, well, befuddled by our excellent feast. Firstly, I'm pleased to welcome Professor R. J. Lupin, who's kindly consented to fill the post of Defense against the Dark Arts teacher. Good luck, Professor." He continued, and gestured to his left, towards the man with the werewolf scratches on his face. As the people around me applauded, I joined them, but only out of respect for my new teacher. He stood up and bowed then sat back down.

Behind me and to my right I heard,

"Potter. Is it true you fainted?" Of course, it was Malfoy, but I thought, What? Harry fainted too? The Slytherin beside him mocked him by pretending to faint. "I mean, you actually fainted?"

"Shove off, Malfoy." I heard Ron say.

But why wasn't he making fun of me? I mean, he knew I fainted too, it happened right in front of him. It was all so confusing. Well, at the time.

Malfoy laughed, this time his usual, mocking one and Professor Dumbledore spoke again.

"However, our care of Magical Creatures teacher has decided to retire, in order to spend more time with his remaining limbs. Fortunately, I'm delighted to announce that his place will be taken by none other than our own Rubeus Hagrid." Another round of applause, and this time I gladly joined in. Professor McGonagall persuaded him to stand, and whilst doing so, he knocked the table, and made many glasses fall over, and I giggled. All of the glasses except Professor McGonagall's, which she held onto.

"And finally, on a more disquieting note, at the request of the Ministry of Magic, Hogwarts, will, until further notice, play host to the dementors of Azkaban, until such a time as Sirius Black is captured." I gulped. "The dementors will be stationed at every entrance to the grounds. Now whilst I've been assured that their presence will not disrupt our day-to-day activities, a word of caution. Dementors are vicious creatures." You can say that again. "They'll not distinguish between the one they hunt and the one that gets in their way. Therefore, I must warn each and every one of you, give them no reason to harm you." Yeah, because that worked so well. "It is not in the nature of a dementor to be forgiving. But you know happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light." During the last sentence, he blew out and candle at "darkest" and then lit it again at the end.

"Well, at least he brightened the mood up a bit at the end, a bit, eh?" I said to Neville, and nudged him a little.

He laughed and said, "Yeah, but that's no joke. That thing attacked you didn't it?"

"Well, I think so. I don't remember. But it's not going to keep me from eating." I said, as the food magically appeared onto the plates in front of us. I could swear I heard a few first years gasp in delight. As usual, the food was fantastic, and afterward, we headed towards the grand staircase, the stairs still moving about, as always. I saw the newest Gryffindor Prefect leading the first years towards the dormitories.

Seamus was the first to get to the doorway, with the fat lady singing. I slightly remember her trying to get the glass on her frame to break last year.

"Fortuna Major." Seamus said, and she silenced him with a few nonsensical noises.

And she returned to her harmony. I got to the door now, and Seamus said, "Here listen. She won't let me in."

Harry was in front of me, and said,

"Fortuna Major."

"No, no. Wait, wait." She said, insistently. "Watch this." She continued singing, but then, halfway screamed her tune. I flinched.

She continued, and then finally, she found a way to break the glass she held in her hand.

"Amazing. Just with my voice!" she said, and laughed a bit.

"Fortuna Major." Harry said once again, his anger seeming to peak.

"Yes, all right. Go in." She said indignantly, sound positively upset at losing her captive audience and she swung the door open, almost hitting Harry as she did.

"Thank you." Harry said, annoyed.

I laughed a bit as I walked past her. Dean walked in next to me, and I said,

"At least breaking it on the wall, she doesn't annoy us."

We both laughed as we filed in.

Seamus was having a similar conversation with Harry.

"She can't even sing." I heard Harry say, and Seamus agreed with him wholeheartedly. Meanwhile, Dean walked right through one of the ghosts in the common room, and got all disgusted, while the ghost continued gliding towards the door, unfazed. I laughed at him, and walked towards the couch.

Alice Grumman, a girl I befriended last year, came and sat next to me.

"Quite a show she put on, huh?" She asked me.

"Yeah. Hopefully, she'll stick with the wall trick." I told her. "Oh, I want to check something in the room. Be right back." I told her, and went up the stairs.

I went to the bed in my dormitory that I shared with Hermione, Alice, Lavender Brown, and Parvarti Patil, as it was always, since our first year. And as I went towards my four-post bed, with its red curtains, I saw it. My early birthday present, from my Aunt Lucy, who was a witch, and had also gone to Hogwarts.

It was an eagle, in a cage, with a note on it. I looked at the note. It read:

Who wants an owl these days? I got you something better. It's a she, and her name is Winry. She's been trained for three years. I wanted to get you a Phoenix, but well, you know. Those cost about three-thousand galleons. I hope you enjoy her.

Love, your Aunt Lucy

I almost squealed.

I mean an eagle! And it's trained like an owl. I didn't care that she couldn't afford to buy a phoenix! I went and opened the cage, once I had calmed down, of course (you can never be too careful), and it obediently went onto my arm.

I stopped myself from running down the stairs, and calmly opened the door. From the stairs I waved at Lavender, Hermione, and Alice, and they came up. I showed them Winry.

"An eagle!" Alice yelled. A few people who could see us from the common room looked up.

Seamus yelled, "Wow. Where'd you get that?"

"My Aunt got it for me for my birthday!" I yelled back excitedly, leaning over the edge of the wall.

"But I thought your birthday wasn't for a few weeks!" Lavender said.

"Yeah, but my Aunt has never been able to wait until the right day. Isn't it so cool?"

"Yes, but is it trained?" Hermione asked.

"Of course it's trained. My aunt said it would act as an owl and deliver my letters!" I said. Then, Winry hopped on my arm a little bit, and shuffled her wings.

"Oh, I'm going to put her up. She probably doesn't like being crowded." Well, that was to be expected, since it wasn't only Lavender, Hermione and Alice crowded around me. Dean, Seamus, Ron, Fred and George, Parvarti, and a couple of upperclassmen had come up to look. Harry I had seen walk into the boys' room.

I went back into the room, put Winry up, checked all my other stuff and changed. I went to bed, since it was a little late. And classes started early tomorrow.