Their first gig as pros was scheduled on October the third in Rome, the European Open. Isabella grew up in Vienna with her travel-writer parents and her too-stuck-up-to-be-true brother Antonio. She was very eager to return to the home front and win her first pro title. Everyone who understood Latin dance was betting on the Leone-Corelli tandem, hands down.

On September the third, everyone also heard that their fave tandem was withdrawing from the sport before they even got to debut pro. It was written in the trade papers that the female half of Leone-Corelli decided to attend boarding school.

********

The boarding school was a magic school named Hogwarts. Isabella Corelli, newly sorted into Gryffindor, walked with wariness out of the chamber where she'd just had a spooky tour into a dirty, smelly hat. Professor McGonagall had told her to wait.

Now what? She was beginning to get ticked off. They drag her out of her dancing for this run-down place? People wore black coat thingies. They had no glamour, style or personality.

Isabella gave word to Ariana Sprigg before the old woman died that she would continue her magic learning. A witch born from Muggle parents, Isabella did not find out she could do hocus-pocus until they moved from Vienna to London when she was 10. In London she met Ariana Sprigg who taught her how to handle the weirdo stuff. With Ariana gone, Hogwarts was the last alternative. She was better off in hogwarts than pro without schooling of any kind, decided her parents.

It was the promise to Ariana that made Isabella quit dancing. Simple as that. She was a witch. She was gonna have to deal with that first.

Isabella looked around her with nose wrinkled. If no one tells me what to do in like a minute, I'm gonna scream, run back to London, find Mario and compete in Rome. Sod on Ariana. I'm not gonna rot in this run-down Camelot, no way. They don't even have a proper floor for dancing anywhere.

A bright pink blur darted past Isabella. It wavered for a moment, and then turned quickly back around, one hand carefully holding a matching pink hat steady on its head. Curly brown hair tumbled out from underneath this, and a friendly grin appeared on its face.

The girl was still rather short and skinny for her age, but her unavoidable presence made up for that.

"You look lost." She said simply, tilting her head. Grey eyes studied the stranger's face, from the wrinkled nose to the wary countenance about her.

"I'm Yvette Monclere." She held out a freckled hand, bare skin an odd colour next to the bright pink. She'd left her mitten in her pocket. "Are you a new student, or just visiting?"

Bright pink. Rushing. Colour. Energy.

Isabella liked those. She liked people with flair and the knack to draw attention. She smiled and extended her graceful dancer's hand to shake the curly-haired girl's hand.

"Hello, Yvette," she said. "My name is Isabella Rosanna Parel Corelli, but friends call me Izzy. I have just transferred in and sorted to Gryffindor. How do you do? I am a bit lost in looking for someone to help me find my way to the dorm."

Yvette's grin grew even wider. "Well then, Izzy, it looks like you've found someone to show you where it is. I'm a Gryffindor, too."

She looked around once, merely to check if there were any other wandering Gryffs about. Nope. "I'm going to be late to HoM, but any excuse is better than suffering through it."

She started walking, then turned slightly to make sure the other girl was keeping up. "You're going to love our room. I've decorated it-" She winked, "very nicely."

In fact, if Isabella asked anyone in Gryffindor, she'd hear about the bright pink wall next to the fourth year's beds that was essentially 'Yvette's.' "In fact, I'm sure you can even come to HoM with me once we get you settled in."

"HoM?" Isabella repeated. "What's that?"

"Anyway, thank god I found you, then," she said with relief, tossing honey-coloured hair over one shoulder and looking around assessingly. People here needed more colour, as in. "I bet the room's just peachy-keen, Yvette, if my instincts about you are right."

"Colourful. I like colourful. My dresses are always colourful when I dance." Isabella mused. "So, there's probably a lot more pink around there?"

Yvette just laughed. "Quiberon Quafflepunchers." She said with another wicked grin, automatically assuming the other girl wasn't a Muggle.

"So you Dance? Good. We need some volunteers for the Cheer-Leading Squad" The voice came from behind them.

Arcadia Fudge has been 'busy' in one of the classrooms, skipping a class and had noticed the new girl but was beaten to her by Yvette

"I'm Arcadia Fudge. Daughter of the Ministry of Magic, and Head Cheer Leader... And you are?"

Standing beside Arcadia Pantalaimon looked Izzy up and down. Then gave Yvette a 'warning' look

Isabella looked at the blonde and nodded. Now, this girl was different from Yvette. Arcadia seemed to know she was pretty and was flaunting it.

"I'm Isabella Rosanna Parel Corelli," she repeated. "People call me Izz or Izzy, though." She smiled carefully, glancing at the wolf. "Pleased to meet you, Arcadia."

"Yes I dance. I was about to turn pro in Latin Dance Sports, but something came up and I ended up at Hogwarts. I've never been on a cheerleading team before, though."

When the Slytherin appeared, however, the French girl seemed to be trying not to roll her eyes. Sometimes, just sometimes, Arcadia could be too much.

Trying not to break out laughing, Yvette bit her lower lip, hard. "I've heard cheerleading is nothing like dancing." She said innocently.

"Professional Dance? how... Interesting" From the tone it was somewhat obvious Arcadia was not too pleased by this, not being a particularly good dancer herself, she was not happy with people having better skills than her.

"Still. We only allow Pretty girls on the team, You'll do"

Pantalaimon looked back and just after two Hufflepuff girls came around the corner, saw them standing there and quickly changed direction back the way they came.

"And have you been sorted yet Isabella?" she asked.

*******

Niamh had moved very slowly towards the stool, not a hint of hesitation, stepping with footfalls that were silent through her shoes. And she put on the hat.

It was meant to talk to her, wasn't it?

"I don't need to," whispered the leathery voice in her head.

"Ravenclaw," she whispered back, although, suddenly, she knew that she was not meant for Ravenclaw.

"No," said the hat, "not Ravenclaw. Because of what you've accepted."

"Oh," she said, and that was that.

The hat announced, with little ceremony, that Niamh Donnegal was in "Gryffindor" house. She stood and thanked Dumbledore, and asked for her timetable, and perhaps could someone show her to her next lesson?

Dumbledore smiled at the Sorting Hat's decision. "Well, that is an excellent placing. Gryffindor...yes. Now let's get you to your class. Please if you would come with me."

He guided Niamh gently towards the door. Returning to the Great Hall he was somewhat surprised to see scattered piles of snow though most had now disappeared.

"How unusual.... snow at this time of year. Indoors as well. Still....we are in the highlands. Might need someone to check the roof for leaks perhaps."

Dumbledore called the 6th Year Prefect Jon Sinclair who was there assisting with the situation over to him. "Ah Mr. Sinclair. May I introduce Miss Niamh Donnegal, who is just joining Gryffindor."

He turned to Niamh; "This is Jonathan Sinclair one of our senior prefects for Gryffindor House."

Jonathan said hello to the blind girl in his soft Scottish accent. He was feeling a little subdued of late with his friend Shinrei's long illness.

"Mr. Sinclair, can you escort her to Professor Binns class and make sure she has the password to Gryffindor. Miss Hawkwood can look after both she and Miss Corelli, our other new Gryffindor from there. Make sure they settle in."

Jonathan nodded, "Oh...yes, Headmaster you have a visitor. I think he's not from around here. One of Mahou Amberstone's people I think...if you take my meaning."

Dumbledore didn't look surprised, "Yes that will be Uiliam Sparkstone. I didn't expect him quite so soon but no matter. Perhaps you will deliver a message to Miss Amberstone. I believe she has a free period after History of Magic. If she would like to come to my office, she can have some time with her friend there."

Then leaving Niamh with Jonathan he went off in search of Uiliam.

Jon turned to Niamh, "One of my friends lost his eyesight for a time last year and so I am used to acting as a guide, unless you have a companion, that is?"

"A companion?" asked Niamh, not starting at the question, simply looking ahead expressionless. "Do you mean a familiar, of some kind? I have a hawk. But once I know a place I can usually find my way around."

"Jonathan, was it?" she asked but what she said next... pride wouldn't allow for any different: "All you need to do is talk a little as you walk there. No 'guidance' is necessary." She kept her arms by her side. Hopefully the strange boy wouldn't try and actually steer her.

"Yes, it's Jonathan Sinclair." Jon felt a bit shy, "Yes, I did mean a familiar but if you don't use one that's fine. The only thing is sometimes the staircases and corridors change. I mean they are pretty stable but every now and then they'll catch us out. Anyway, I'll just a chat a wee bit as we walk then."

Jon proceeded to do this. Not overly but when they got to stairs or corners he gave fair warning and while he didn't try to guide Niamh he kept at the sort of distance to ensure if she did lose her footing he'd be at hand.

As they reached the classroom, Jon ushered her in and went and had a word with the ghostly Professor while Niamh found her seat.

He also spoke to Nimue Hawkwood advising her that Niamh didn't need a guide as such but could Nimue take her to the Gryffindor dormitory between classes so that she could unpack and settle in.

His final task was to have a quick word with Mahou Amberstone.

"Miss Amberstone, Professor Dumbledore has asked me to convey an invitation for you to join him and Uiliam Sparkstone in his office when this class finishes."

Mahou didn't think she could smile any wider than before.. but she was proved very wrong by Jon's news. Mahou clasped her hands together with a small yelp of glee. Jumping out of her seat, she threw her slim arms around Jon for but a moment, then, blushing horridly, she quickly dropped back.

"Oh! I.. I be.. er.. sorry," she stammered, curtsying to the boy before her. Her face was redder than the Gryffindor emblem on her robes. "Th-Thank ye, sir.. I.. really!" She grinned up at him again, her face full of such happiness, one wouldn't have thought it possible. "Now I *ken* this class is going ta take longer." She laughed and curtsied once more, sitting back in her seat.

********

Ali and Hailey walked rapidly toward class. With the pleasant reminder from Marvo, Ali quickly took her wand out of her bag and whispered softly, "Absolvo arefacio." Hailey and Ali articles of clothing became instantly dry, however, they were both chilly from the experience "Note to self," Ali muttered, "learn a dry and warming spell," As she pulled her cloak closer to her body.

Hailey was amazingly silent. After the excitement had died down, she began to realise two things: that, with a different spell, she could have blow up the Great Hall, and that she managed an incredibly complicated spell...completely by accident. Both were quite worrisome, and she didn't feel like her usual talkative self as the three of them made their way to history.

With neither of the girls in a very happy mood, the trek to the History class was horrendously quiet, the muffled squeak of shoes and murmuring from the classrooms the only sound accompanying them. Even the gentle smile of the amused Marvo was unable to cheer them up. Crestfallen, they reached the classroom, readily awaiting there seemingly doomed fate.

They slunk to their seats, not meeting the eyes of anyone in the room. The day definitely wasn't starting on the right foot.

Kat had sat in HoM. It was one of those subjects she could just not get into. She stared out of the window for most of it, worrying about seeker moves, and whether she was right to be seeker for the entire school.

She was most relieved when the bell rang. She looked across at Marvo and the two girls that he had come in with. "So, how are you two settling in then? What have you got next? Are you doing Runes or have you got a free period?"

Kat, of course knew who the two of them were. As house prefect she could hardly do otherwise, but she had not spared much time to talk to them.

"It's duelling this afternoon too. Should be fun to watch Professor Smyth again. He seems quite adept at avoiding Snape's traps!"

"Umm...we've got a free period." Hailey's face brightened at the thought of duelling. She loved the action, opposed to the tedious lectures of most of her other classes. The two of them blended into the background as more students arrived content just to listen.

History of Magic made Nathaniel's head ache. He was always glad when it was done with. Gathering up his books, he was en route to the door when he overheard Kat discussing duelling.

"Heavens save me, that class is going to kill me." he commented mildly to Kat in passing, about two seconds before Stalks by Night ran in front of his feet.

Nathaniel tried to stop midstep, and save the pile of books that teetered in his arms. He succeeded .... just. The kitten leapt up onto Kat's desk and looked at her smugly, purring.

Kat looked up at Nathaniel and nodded. "I know!"

She lowered her voice a little. "I have no idea how he can go on like that year after year after year... and how Jacob ever enjoys it I really don't know!"

"At least Duelling this afternoon should be more fun. I need some fresh air before I start studying in my free period," she exclaimed.

Sarah had also spent most of the HoM class thinking about Quidditch moves and the team. She'd was by Kat's desk and been ready to help catch Nathaniel's books but it wasn't needed.

"Yeah, I'd like to see a real wizard's duel one day or even the sort we do. Pity I'm not allowed. I mean I want to work on setting up the music club and but that will be held after classes so that people doing afternoon options can take part as well."

"Anyone else fancy a walk?" Kat looked round to see if anyone was interested.

"You mean I'm not the only one who gets mercilessly beaten every lesson?" Nathaniel treated Kat to a quick smile. "A walk sounds good to me. If you don't mind my company, that is."

Kat gave him a cheeky grin. "I'm good at most things, but HoM... No chance! And I'd love some company." She looked around again to see if anyone else was coming.

"I've got Runes so I'll will take a miss on the walk." said Sarah to Kat with a smile.

"I also want to have a word with the dynamic duo if I can." she meant Hailey and Ali, "I heard a rumour they were talking about a drama club or something earlier and you know much I've decried the lack of real culture around here.."

She'd put on a fair imitation of Professor Sinistra for this last part as she was well known for considering Hogwarts the back of beyond culturally and making her views known.

Marvo Smiled at Kat, "I'll see you later. Things to do. I might pop along to watch the duelling"

He gave Kat a kiss on the cheek (making sure Nathaniel saw) and went to speak to Professor Bins.

Kat nodded, and turned back to Nathaniel. "Guess it looks like just us two," she said to him with a cheeky grin and a wink.

"We'll see you later then, Sarah." She said also waved goodbye to Ali and Hailey as she headed for the door.

When Kat asked them if they wanted to go outside, Ali yearned to leave the stuffiness of the castle. Comfortable with talking to her fellow Ravenclaws, Ali replied to Kat, "We'll catch up with you two in a minute, we need to talk to Binns about our...tardiness." Ali gulped, and turned to Hailey and said softly, "You don't mind if we go outside, do you?"

"Bye..." said Sarah to Kat and Nathaniel. She had been a bit unnerved by Kat's winking at Nathaniel and their going off together but she tried to throw it off.

She didn't want to be the sort of girl that was a limpet mine and she trusted that when Nathaniel wanted to spend time with her, he would. She looked around...she didn't think she should tag along with Dylan an Niki because they were just rebuilding their friendship and Nimue?

"Nimue, you heading for Runes?" Nimue looked at little down in the dumps herself but nodded. "Hey what's wrong? Nothing wrong with you know who?" asked Sarah brightly.

Nimue shook her head, "No all is fine. It's just well ...elves...I couldn't do anything right with that friend of Mahou's this morning. I was polite as anything but he just didn't take to me at all."

Sarah giggled a little, "Well, those sort of men - human or otherwise or so busy loving themselves they only notice people who give them adoration. You're one of the kindest and sweetest natured people I know Nimmers. Come on lets grab some boys to walk with....perk us up huh."

She looked over at Marvo. "No point asking him. He has exactly the same schedule as Kat."

She looked at Piotr, Raphael and Jacob... "Ancient Runes...come on guys I've barely memorised my own timetable .....any of you off to decipher the mystery of the ancients."

Nimue blushed slightly at Sarah's boldness. "I'd better see what Niamh wants to do. If she wants to see Gryffindor now will you make my apologies to Professor Kacirk and explain my I'll be late?"

Sarah nodded that she would indeed do this.

Nimue Hawkwood made her way over to where Niamh Donnegal was seated.

"Niamh Donnegal? I am Nimue Hawkwood the Fourth Year Prefect for Gryffindor House. Welcome to Hogwarts. Jonathan Sinclair suggested you might like to be taken up to Gryffindor so you can settle into the dorm before luncheon."

The other girl responded coolly. "Hello, Nimue. Yes, I'd like to go up to my room, for a little while at least, to get my bearings." She stood and moved towards the doorway of the classroom, stepping neatly around the desks, until she stood at the doorway. Her eyes were closed, and she spoke in the direction of Nimue: "but I'm afraid that we both should go to our next lesson, which I believe is Runes," she said to Nimue. "No need to apologise to the Professor," she added.

She'd been over the other side of the room during the conversation between Nimue and the other girl. As soon as she'd said it to Nimue, Niamh wondered if it was impolite to have heard.

"That's fine. I look forward to Runes very much and would hate to be late. Language isn't a strong skill of mine and I want to improve."

She smiled, being used to Mahou's hearing in the dorm. "You'll have plenty of time to settle in after Runes. There's about half-hour break and then lunch. Unless you are taking Duelling for an option then you'll have a free period in the afternoon. We often study in the library as it's easier in there with regard to reference books."

She suddenly wondered how Niamh read. Being an avid reader she couldn't imagine being without access to books. However, she didn't want to pry - she was sure the girl had some form of arrangements.

"Shall we go then, it's this way..."

********

Raphael had drifted off during HoM into a vague daze. His mind kept slipping, all over the place, the dull ache in his shoulders a mirror of the dull ache of the words that the professor was saying. Raphael was sure that some of it was meant to go in... some meant to go out... but in HoM no one paid attention.

He didn't even notice when it ended and the bell rang. He had leaning on the desk with a shard of paper.

He'd drawn something, during the lesson. That was odd. In black ink – a waterfall. But the water looked like it was made of out...

He smiled at Jacob, and his memory slipped - was Jacob in Runes? Who was in his next lesson?

Sarah!

Raphael promptly attached himself to her, manoeuvring his bag so it was on the table. That way the weight wasn't on his shoulders. "Runes?" he asked Sarah wearily.

"Yep Runes. That shoulder is still bugging you isn't it. I remember Nimue had some herbal thing she told me she used to help out a friend's damaged shoulder last year. Might help huh?"

Jacob swallowed a few times. For some reason, he found that his throat had become unusually dry. Pale green eyes studied a paper left forgotten on Raphael's desk- a picture drawn of a waterfall. He pulled his blonde eyebrows together as he studied it, which caused his glasses to slip. It was...the waterfall didn't have water, instead it had...

Concern was written all over his face as he stood up slowly. He used two fingers to push his glasses farther onto the bridge of his nose. "Sarah?" He said softly, "I have Ancient Runes as well. Raphael... perhaps you should see Madame Pomfrey?"

He made a mental note to speak with the other boy after or during lunch.

Raphael looked at her blankly for a second before his mind caught up. "Hu -yeah, cool. If she wouldn't mind. That'd be brilliant... might help me concentrate."

Had Sarah noticed his problems? He hoped not. His shoulder wasn't that bad. And she didn't deserve to worry about things that were so trivial... he tried to smile, but then staggered a little as his bag cut into his shoulder.

He blinked and tried to correct it. But, keeping his eyes closed for a second, he asked Sarah in a breathless voice - "could we get going?"

**********

Hailey shook her head, and they turned and walked back into the classroom. Professor Binns, without even asking why they were late, gave them each a one-scroll essay to do on controlling weather (ironically enough).

As they left, Hailey snapped her fingers and said, "Oh, I just remembered! Someone told me that Sarah might be interested in starting a drama club." She grinned. "Strength in numbers. We should talk to her at lunch."

Ali was happy, and she patted her book bag where the theatre book lay. "This is wonderful! If enough people respond to our idea that kindly, then maybe we should ask if we can do it." They soon spotted

Kat and Nathaniel and rushed to reach them. "Hi," the girls chorused.