AN: Sorry it's taken me so long to post this update; I know I always hate it when a story I'm enjoying gets left for a while. I will be trying to post on a more regular basis again now. I was dealing with some personal issues which have resolved themselves. Thanks for your patience.

Chapter 5:

It was an excited trio of first years who exited the Hogwarts Express and moved over to the shouts of Hagrid as he called the all the first year students over to him. The part giant smiled down at Harry and Gabrielle and they grinned up at him while Neville gaped at the largest man he'd ever seen. "Alrigh' Harry? Gabrielle?"

"Ya, Hagrid. We're good." Harry replied as he reached down to take the hand of Gabby.

"Good. Good." Hagrid then surveyed the 40 or so 11 year olds surrounding him. "Are all the first years here? Good, then off we go."

Together the group of new students had to jog to keep pace with the large man's long strides as he strode up the path and led them to the lake where a group of boats were clustered together.

At Hagrid's instruction that there should be no more than four to a boat Harry, Gabrielle and Neville were joined by a small girl with blonde hair pulled back into pig tails. "Hi, I'm Hannah Abbott." The girl said once they were all settled in their boat.

"Hi, I'm Harry and these are Gabrielle and Neville." Hannah nodded slightly before her eyes jolted up to look at Harry's scar; thankfully for him she didn't comment further.

"It's nice to meet you." Hannah told the three friends before she lapsed into silence. They were evidently all very nervous about what was to come. Just as Gabrielle was about to break the silence a voice boomed from the front of the boats where Hagrid had one to himself, Harry doubted the boat would have been able to hold more than the gamekeeper.

"If yeh look up as we pass round this bend yeh'll get yer first glimpse o' Hogwarts." As one all the first years followed the half giant's advice and looked up towards the cliff in front of them on which they could make out a large castle.

"Wow," Harry breathed as he reached down to grip Gabrielle's hand and felt her squeeze his in return. He could feel her awe, which matched his own, at the sight before them.

Finally the boats connected with the land and all the first years climbed out. As they started to walk up the path to the castle Harry noticed Ron Weasley, the annoying redheaded boy from the train, trying to move in next to him while staring at Gabrielle. Subtly he moved both himself and his Veela mate so that they were walking in between Neville and Hannah. Making eye contact with Neville he then nodded towards the boy he was desperate to avoid and saw realization hit the eyes of the Longbottom Heir. Neville nodded and continued to walk closely towards Harry's side, preventing the redhead from moving between them.

Finally they made it to the castle doors and Hagrid knocked on them. When they swung open Harry saw a tall and harsh looking woman standing on the other side of them; his first thought upon looking at her was that this was a woman he wouldn't want to cross.

"The firs' years Professor McGonagall." Hagrid intoned and Harry felt a wave of excitement rush through him.

Gabrielle noted the emotions running through her bondmate at the sight of this woman and shot him a questioning glance. Bringing his lips almost to her ears Harry whispered to his Gabby when he felt her questions bubbling under the surface. "Remus told me that Professor taught my parents; she might be able to tell me stories about them."

Gabrielle smiled, knowing how much that would mean to Harry. A distinct cough disrupted the couple's short exchange and glancing up Gabrielle could see it had come from the source of their discussion whose lips had tightened and had them in her sharp glare. However Gabrielle couldn't help but notice a slight upturn in the Professor's mouth as well.

"Now then, please follow me." Professor McGonagall had a Scottish brogue and a direct attitude as she spoke and then led the first years into a room off the Entrance Hall.

Harry and Gabrielle paid rapt attention as the Professor told them that their house would be like their family whilst they were at Hogwarts; they immediately knew that they needed to be in the same house no matter what, to not be would be unthinkable.

Gabrielle had not yet told Harry about her family's visit with Dumbledore and what he had said in that meeting. She didn't think it would be good to tell him about it while there were other ears nearby which could eavesdrop.

"How do we make sure we are in the same house?" Harry asked Gabrielle. "Do you know how we get sorted?"

"No idea. But I'm sure it will work out." Gabrielle answered as she felt Harry's worry. She wanted to try to calm her mate and so reached out to touch his worry and mentally stroked it slightly; having no idea whether it would work or even what she was really doing. However she slowly felt Harry relax next to her and shock took over her emotional state. Making a note to ask her mother about what she had just done she tried to continue to reassure Harry. "Remember nothing they do will be able to really separate us; we belong together."

Harry smiled as he wrapped his Gabby in his arms hugging her to him and sighed contently. He knew that she was right and as long as they were together he knew he would be fine.

"Look at this; it's just adorable." A sneering voice interrupted their moment and they dropped their arms from each other but continued to stand close. "The Harry Potter has gotten himself a Veela whore."

Harry's eyes shot up and zeroed in on the source of the offensive comment. It was a boy with blonde hair that was slicked back against his head and a pointed face. Before Harry could respond with an angry outburst he was shocked to see Gabrielle smiling at the offending individual. "I don't know who you are but in France we are taught to respect our superiors not insult them."

The boy who insulted them frowned and retorted back. "Superior? What are you talking about? He's just an orphan loser and you're just his Veela whore. I am the heir of the Noble House of Malfoy."

Harry who by this point had caught on to what Gabrielle was doing just smiled back while she answered for the both of them. "He is Heir Potter, Presumptive Head of the Noble and Ancient House of Potter and I am a daughter of La Familie Delacour, one of the founding families of the French Ministry." It wasn't missed on anyone listening that Gabrielle had emphasized the 'ancient' part of Harry's family title. "By comparison to our two families the Malfoy line is new and far less influential in both the British and French magical societies."

The Malfoy heir simply sputtered in indignation while Harry and Gabrielle turned away and smirked to each other. They saw Neville smiling at them as he patted each of them on the shoulder. Taking in the rest of the first years they saw many were nodding and smiling at them while a few looked confused as to what had just happened and several, including Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley were frowning at them and shaking their heads.

Before anyone could react any further however Professor McGonagall had returned and led them into the Great Hall where all the first years looked around in amazement. There were four long tables that ran the length of the hall and a fifth at the end of the room which sat horizontally across the hall and held a number of adults whom Harry presumed were the teachers. He felt a nudge from Gabrielle next to him and looked up to see the ceiling looked as though it opened up to the night sky.

As the first years came to a stop just short of the staff table, Harry noticed that every head at all the tables were focused on a hat sitting on a stool in front of the gathered first years. Slowly the brim of the hat opened and it began to sing a song which detailed the attributes of the four houses and that they were sorted by the wearing the hat.

As they listened to the song Harry and Gabrielle felt very relieved. All they would have to do was demand the hat place them in the same house. As Professor McGonagall began to call the names of first years Harry and Gabrielle watched their classmates be sorted. Hannah Abbott was the first to be sorted and she went in to Hufflepuff.

After a few people were sorted Professor McGonagall called out, "Delacour, Gabrielle."

Gabrielle moved up towards the front of the hall and before turning to sit on the stool facing the assembled students her eyes made contact with the Headmaster who was sitting directly behind the stool; he gave her a subtle wink and his eyes took on their customary twinkle.

Knowing that she wouldn't be separated from Harry reassured her and she made contact with the pair of green eyes that had become the center of her world just before the old worn hat dropped over her eyes.

'Ah, this is very interesting.' Said the voice of the hat in Gabrielle's mind. 'It has been quite some time since I sorted a Veela or one with Veela heritage and I have never sorted one who has already claimed her mate.'

'Don't separate us. Please.' Gabrielle begged the hat as she felt it sorting through her mind despite her inherent Veela occlumency shields. 'Please put me somewhere where you can put Harry.'

'That's not how this works my dear. You will go where you belong and Mr. Potter will go where he belongs but it seems to me that you will belong together so do not fear.' Gabrielle felt herself relax slightly with the hat's reassurance.

'Now then. You have bravery and loyalty both in equal parts that will serve you well in what's to come. You also have a cunning and desire to be someone important in your own right, yes that is obvious too. But ultimately it will be your intelligence which will provide you with those things. Yes I think for you the choice is obvious.'

Harry watched as his Gabby moved up to the stool when her name was called and felt his nervousness peak. He knew that wherever she ended up was where he needed to be so he was nervous to know where she would be sorted.

After feeling her shock and anxiety when the hat was first placed on her head he then felt her calm slightly and finally detected an eager anticipation as the hat sat on her head for longer than anyone else prior to her had taken.

Finally Harry felt her excitement as the hat announced loudly to the rest of the hall. "Ravenclaw!"

Harry cheered with the Ravenclaw table as Gabby moved to sit with them and she smiled at him before pointing to the seat next to her and he nodded back to her.

Harry watched as more first years were sorted. Hermione Granger went into Gryffindor and Harry was thrilled that she wasn't going to be with Gabby and hopefully him in Ravenclaw but when Neville joined Gryffindor as well he felt slightly sad that his new friend wouldn't be in Ravenclaw with them and would have to endure Hermione and he suspected Ronald as well. He would have to warn him about the two of them when he got a chance. Draco Malfoy, the blonde boy who Gabrielle had made a fool of before they entered the Great Hall, ended up with his two large friends in Slytherin and Harry knew that he definitely didn't want to be there.

Finally after a pair of twins with the surname Patil had been sorted, one into Gryffindor and the other into Ravenclaw, Professor McGonagall called out his name. Suddenly the buzz of noise in the hall faded away and as Harry stepped up he could feel people craning their necks to get a look at him. He wished they'd stop and treat him as though he were just another first year.

Just like with Gabrielle, Harry noticed the Headmaster wink at him prior to sitting down on the stool and feeling the hat drop onto his head.

'Ah, there you are Mr. Potter. I was waiting for you; young Gabrielle was insistent that you be placed with her in Ravenclaw.' He heard the voice of the hat say in his head.

'Yes please. Just put me in Ravenclaw with my Gabby.' Harry told the hat.

'Like I told your mate that isn't how this works. You will each go where you belong whether that is together or not.'

Harry began to think very loudly, 'Ravenclaw, Ravenclaw, Ravenclaw.'

He felt the hat chuckle slightly as it began to sort through your thoughts. 'You definitely have bravery, oh my yes. There is much bravery in you. You are loyal to those who are loyal to you but that isn't your strongest trait. You have a thirst to prove yourself, no doubt about that. Oh my yes. With you in Slytherin and your mate in Ravenclaw there is nothing you would not accomplish. And you do have intelligence that is true.'

Harry continued his silent chants of 'Ravenclaw, Ravenclaw, Ravenclaw.'

The hat sighed before saying. 'Well, if you insist. The right place for your probably is with your mate anyway.'

Gabrielle cheered louder than anyone when the hat shouted out, "Ravenclaw!" From its perch on top of Harry's head. She watched as her mate slid from the stool and felt his relief slam into him.

As he slid into the seat beside her he slipped his hand into hers and squeezed. She gave him a delighted smile and turned to watch the rest of the first years be sorted.

Harry and Gabrielle both noticed Professor Dumbledore sitting at the middle of the staff table turn to the small man sitting on his left and whisper in his ear before the small man nodded, his eyes flickering to meet Harry and Gabrielle before they turned back to the first year currently under the sorting hat (a Dean Thomas who ended up joining the Gryffindor table).

Harry gave a relieved sigh when Ronald Weasley was sorted into Gryffindor. "At least we won't have to put up with being in the same house as him or his bushy haired friend." He whispered to Gabrielle as they watched the redhead join said girl at the Gryffindor table.

"True," Gabby responded. "But we should probably tell Neville about them so he's warned they aren't the best people to make friends with." Harry nodded even as he watched Neville slide further down the bench from Ronald, likely due to Harry's earlier subtle warning against him.

Turning away from the Gryffindor table and back to their fellow first year classmates in Ravenclaw the couple tuned into the current discussion. A boy sitting opposite Harry was speaking in a squeaky voice. "I can't wait to start classes; my mom has always said that I'm going to be great at charms. Apparently when I was younger all my accidental magic manifested itself as fancy charm work."

"That's cool." An Asian girl who was sitting a few seats down said; she was obviously a year or two older than the first years. "Professor Flitwick is a great teacher; always excited to teach new and interesting spells. He's also a great Head of House for Ravenclaw; if you ever need any help go see him." The first years all nodded and smiled at this; Harry was eager to speak to the charms master about the possibility of learning more about his mother. "I'm Cho Chang by the way and I'm a second year." She then turned and started speaking to some students sitting around her who were evidently her second year friends.

Over the course of the meal Harry learned that aside from himself and Gabrielle there were 9 other Ravenclaw first years, making them the largest first year class that year. The boy who had been talking about being good in Charms was named Kevin Entwhistle and he was definitely the most vocal of them all. As he was sitting listening to Kevin ask a fifth year prefect sitting beside another first year, Mandy Brocklehurst, who had introduced herself to the first years as Penelope Clearwater about all the other teachers, Harry felt Gabby nudge his side.

Turning to look at her to see what she wanted, Harry saw his Veela mate was looking up at the staff table and at one of its occupants in particular. He had long, greasy looking black hair, a hooked nose and he was glaring right at Harry.

After a moment locked in a staring contest the man turned back to his plate of food and Harry turned to Gabrielle. "What's his problem?"

"I don't know but he obviously has something against you."

Harry nodded thoughtfully before he turned towards the conversation at the table. "Penelope, who is the teacher with black hair and a hooked nose?"

The prefect frowned and then answered him softly. "He's Professor Snape. He's the head of Slytherin House and the potions master; he's not very friendly and not a great teacher but knows potions like no one else."

"Thanks." Harry told her before silently wondering to himself what the potions master could possibly have against him for Harry knew that the glare which had been targeted on him was not just that of a grumpy teacher at any student. He knew the glare well; it was the same one his Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon had whenever they looked at him, as though his existence was to blame for all their problems.

Sensing her mate's negative emotions Gabrielle drew him into a conversation she struck up with another first year Ravenclaw sitting across from her who seemed very friendly named Lisa Turpin.

Harry very quickly engaged in the conversation he had been brought into knowing the reasoning why Gabrielle had distracted him from his thoughts growing darker. Eventually their conversation turned to books which they had read besides the class text books.

When asked about her favourite fiction book Lisa blushed bright red and looked away from Harry. "What is it?" He asked.

"N-Nothing." The evidently embarrassed girl responded. "What's your favourite?"

"Mine is a book I just bought recently at Flourish and Blotts called The Two Wizards' Flight but you're avoiding the question about what your favourite is." Harry responded.

"Oh I haven't read that one yet." Was the only response he got from Lisa.

Turning to Gabrielle he knew she could feel is questioning and confusion and he knew she had an idea of what might be embarrassing the girl across from them.

Finally Gabrielle took pity on Harry and question Lisa. "Are your favourite books the ones about Harry?"

Now Harry was blushing almost as much as Lisa was as she nodded shyly. "There just so good."

"There are books about me?!" Harry exclaimed.

"Ya, they are really good." Mandy Brocklehurst joined in the conversation, "Harry Potter and the Maze of Creatures, Harry Potter and the Secret Potion and Harry Potter and the Hippogriff's Flight. There are others too."

Harry was still blushing as all the other Ravenclaw first years confirmed that they had read them except Su Li who was muggleborn; he found out that even his Gabby had enjoyed them. By the time Professor Dumbledore was standing again to make his start of term announcements Lisa had agreed to lend Harry the Harry Potter books she had brought with her from home.

"Now that we have all had time to sate our appetite and thirst I welcome you back to another year at Hogwarts." There was applause as the Headmaster said this and he smiled until it died down. "First years please note that the forest is called the Forbidden Forest for a reason, so please do not enter it. In addition our caretaker Mr. Filch has asked me to remind you that magic is not to be used in the corridors and that the full list of banned items can be viewed in his office should you wish to peruse it." At this Dumbledore's eyes twinkled fiercely and a soft chuckle let loose from his lips.

"It gives me great pleasure to welcome back to the castle our former muggle studies professor who took last year off to learn about his new post in the field, Professor Quirrell who will be taking on the post of Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor." At these words from Dumbledore, a man wearing a purple turban stood. Upon looking at Professor Quirrell, Harry got a slight twinge in his scar. Looking beside the timid looking Professor Quirrell, he saw that Professor Snape's gaze was just moving off of him as the twinging in his scar faded.

Harry attention turned back to Professor Dumbledore as he began speaking again but he made a note to mention the occurrence to Gabrielle when they next had a moment alone. "Finally I would like to say that the third floor corridor on the right hand side is forbidden to all those who do not wish to die a painful death. Thank you." As Dumbledore was sitting back down, the hall buzzed with voices wondering about the Headmaster's final statement. Harry and Gabrielle were as intrigued by anyone but chose to remain quiet and just listen to the buzz of conversation.

Finally the Great Hall began to empty out and Penelope Clearwater gathered the first year Ravenclaws around her and David Boot, Terry Boot another Ravenclaw first year's older brother, and the other fifth year prefect to show them the way up to Ravenclaw Tower.

Just as the group of 11 first years and 2 fifth years were getting ready to leave the hall they were intercepted by the small teacher that Harry and Gabrielle had seen Professor Dumbledore whispering to during the sorting. "Excuse me Miss Clearwater, Mr. Boot, I require a word with Mr. Potter and Miss Delacour. I will bring them up to the tower when I am done speaking to them." The small man said in a high pitched and friendly voice.

"Of course Professor Flitwick," Penelope said as she ushered Harry and Gabrielle towards the charms master.

Harry and Gabrielle exchanged looks but moved to follow their head of house without comment. After a moment of walking in silence Professor Flitwick spoke. "Neither of you are in any trouble; the headmaster just wanted a word with you about your special circumstance."

Gabrielle nodded, she had figured that was what this would be about but Harry frowned. "The headmaster knows about our bond?" He asked Professor Flitwick and was surprised when it was Gabrielle who answered.

"Yes he does. He came to see me and my parents two days after we met; it was important for him to know so that we could be sure that we got to spend time together. I was going to tell you when we had a chance to be alone." Gabrielle told her mate who nodded.

"How did he know about it before he visited you?" Harry asked.

"Apparently Remus went to see him and told him about it." Gabrielle said and Harry simply nodded again, resolving internally that he would ask Remus why he had felt the need to speak the Headmaster of Hogwarts about it so soon after Gabby had claimed him.

He was happy that he would now be allowed to spend as much time with her as possible and if they had to tell Dumbledore about it for that to be the case then he figured he should be happy the headmaster had been told.

After walking in silence for another few minutes Harry realized he had the perfect opportunity to ask Professor Flitwick what he wanted to know. "Professor, I was talking to Remus Lupin about who might be able to tell me about my parents and he said you taught them and that my mother was even working with you towards her charms mastery."

Professor Flitwick nodded. "Yes that is all true; I knew Lily and James well. Your mother better obviously, she was very gifted in charms but I did teach your father for seven years and spent time with him after his time at Hogwarts as well."

Harry smiled, happy to be talking with someone who knew his parents well. "I don't know much about them; my Aunt and Uncle don't really like to talk about them see. I was wondering if you could tell me some stories about them?" He asked nervously.

They were just coming up to a stone gargoyle and Professor Flitwick paused momentarily as he turned to regard Harry. After a moment of silence the little charms master smiled. "Yes, I believe I could do that for you my boy. Why don't we have tea together on the weekend and I can tell you some stories." He then glanced at Gabrielle who was holding Harry's hand and smiling sweetly. "Miss Delacour may of course join us if you wish." Harry smiled and nodded eagerly, ecstatic that he was going to get to hear about his parents from one of their professors who was also going to be teaching him.

The three were now right in front of the stone gargoyle and Harry was surprised when Professor Flitwick turned towards it and spoke in his high voice. "Chocolate Frog." He was even more surprised when the gargoyle slid to the side revealing a moving staircase.

Together Harry and Gabrielle followed Professor Flitwick up the stone staircase and to a heavy door on which the professor knocked. A calm voice came from within and said, "Come in." As the door swung open.

AN: So Gabrielle put Malfoy in his place and they got sorted into Ravenclaw and met more characters many of whom will become important parts of this story.

In the next chapter we see their conversation with Dumbledore and more. I promise it won't be nearly as long of a wait. As always alerts, favourites and reviews are appreciated. Thanks for reading!