Crossing Pathways: The Exchange Student Program

"Firs' years over here! Firs' years over here!" Ramona heard a gruff voice calling, and when she searched the crowd of students to find the source of it, she nearly fell over in shock. A very tall man- in fact, the largest man she had ever seen in her life- with long, black hair and a wild beard to match was standing at the edge of the lake, where a group of boats were docked. Though his face seemed friendly enough, she couldn't seem to shake a disturbing thought deep in the back of her mind. Once, she had once gone on vacation to visit Casey, who lived in Colorado, and they had gone up to Aspen to see the Maroon Bells- a beautiful lake high up in the Rockies-, and to hike in the area. While she had enjoyed the scenery, she and Casey had been quite certain that they had stolen a glance of a giant several hundred feet above them. Fortunately, he had not noticed them, and the giant disappeared into the forest. Ramona had forgotten all about the incident- right until that moment.

She looked over to Hermione quizzically.

"Oh, that's Hagrid," she explained calmly. "He's the Care of Magical Creatures teacher."

"And he's really great besides," Harry interjected, followed by Ron's addition of: "Just don't try his cooking."

"As I was saying," Hermione continued, obviously annoyed at the interruption, "He leads all the first years over the lake in those boats to Hogwarts, after which they're sorted. Professor Dumbledore said that all the exchange students are supposed go with them."

"All?" Ramona repeated. "You mean there's more than just me?"

"Oh, yes," Hermione replied. "I think there were four Hogwarts students this year who are studying abroad, so naturally there will be four foreign students coming here."

"Who left?" Ron asked.

"Well, I'm not really sure," Hermione admitted. "I only know about Gryffindors, and the only one this year is Erin O'Keefe."

"Who?" Harry asked.

"Oh, you know her! She's in our year after all! She's that girl, kind of stout, with short auburn hair? She's kind of quiet, always hanging around with Audrey Harrington?"

"Who?" Ron inquired, scowling.

"Honestly! Don't you boys pay any attention to anything at all? Audrey Harrington is the fifth fifth-year girl, and also the other fifth year prefect! Lavender is always with Parvati, and Erin hangs around with Audrey!" She rolled her eyes yet again (She seems to do that a lot, Ramona though to herself, half amused), and then glanced back over toward Hagrid and the students. "You'd better get on over there, or you'll miss your boat. We'll see on the other side!" Hermione smiled, trying to encourage Ramona.

"Thanks," Ramona replied, and started off.

"Good luck!" Ron called, followed by "Hope you get sorted into Gryffindor!" from Harry. They walked over to the line of coal-colored horseless carriages waiting for the veteran students. The smiling faces of Neville Longbottom, Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnegan, beckoned to the boys, and Harry and Ron climbed into the twelfth carriage in the line. Hermione, however, headed to the front of the line where the prefects were to ride. She quickly spotted who she was looking for- a thin, fifth-year girl of slightly-taller-than-average height who (other than for her school robes) looked as though she might very easily become lost in a crowd. She had straight, mousy-brown hair that hung just below her shoulders, and mild acne dotted her cheeks and forehead, but her light brown eyes, despite their look of initial shyness, were kind, and they looked as though they were filled with dreams, giving a glimpse into a vivid imagination.

"Hello, Audrey!" Hermione greeted warmly as she walked up to her.

"Oh, hi, Hermione," Audrey's quiet, yet clear Queen's-English accent replied, and she returned the smile. "How was your ride up?"

"Quite nice, indeed. Professor Dumbledore had me sit with Ramona Garcia, the exchange student from Rintorditos. We had a nice chat. She's really a lovely girl."

"Glad to hear it," Audrey responded. "Dumbledore assigned me Aimee Clark, that sixth year from Mapleridge- you know, in Canada-" Hermione nodded, and she continued "And I must say that she's an absolute prat! Wouldn't stop talking about how upset she was about "getting dumped into" Hogwarts. Guess she wanted to go to Durmstrang or something. Honestly, I can't believe that Erin is going to her school this year; I certainly hope that the rest of the students aren't as unpleasant as she!"

"I hope so, too. But then, knowing Erin, I'm certain that she'll find good people to keep company with. She certainly had good taste at Hogwarts!" Hermione added the last part with another one of her encouraging grins.

"Oh, gosh, thanks, Hermione," Audrey replied, blushing deeply. "You're always so nice to me, and I really appreciate it. It's going to be so hard this year; Erin's the only one I really know in our year. I mean, Lavender and Parvati are always off giggling together, and you're most often with Ron and Harry... well, I just don't know how I'm going to cope. And being prefect besides! I don't have the slightest idea why I got it. My marks aren't too great, I'm always just pushed into the background, unnoticed by most everyone, and I don't know that many students or anything. I was certain that Dean or Seamus-"

Hermione cut her off, surprised not only that the girl was putting herself down as much as she was, but also that she was even carrying on at all. Perhaps I've been as oblivious as the boys in not noticing Audrey, she thought. I never knew her to have any sort of personality. How wretched I am to have ignored her all this time! "Audrey, you are a prefect not only because you make excellent marks, but because Dumbledore and McGonagall and all the teachers know what a kind, wonderful person you are, and how you'll make an absolutely super prefect! Heaven knows we'll need them this year..." she added as an afterthought, a dark shadow crossing her face.

The girl looked back on Hermione, embarrassed from her string of compliments, completely at a loss for words. After a moment, however, she regained enough of her composure to ask, "D'you really think so?"

"Of course!" Hermione replied sincerely. "I wouldn't say it if it weren't true. You just need some confidence!"

"Yes, I suppose so. Erin is always telling me: 'you need to believe in yourself! You need to believe in yourself!'"

"And she's one-hundred percent right! I guess that's just something we'll work on this year, eh?" Hermione told her.

"Yeah. Oh, and Hermione?" Audrey added, back in her usual, timid voice. "Thanks for letting me talk. I, well, I don't do that a whole lot."

"Anytime, Audrey," she responded. "It's just not right to let your feelings bottle up inside you. You'll end up doing a lot of damage to yourself. And not even beginning to fathom all the dangers that this year may bring in the current era, we need to depend upon each other as much as possible," she added darkly. Brightening her tone, Hermione then said: "Now, come on, let's get into a carriage. I can't wait to see how the Sorting goes this year!"

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Several dozen students stood at the lake's shoreline, looking for empty seats in the mass of boats that lay waiting to carry them across. Ramona, as she knew no one, filled the first available seat she caught sight of, joining a blonde boy with large eyes and a girl with short, auburn curls. They did not seem to know each other; rather, the two stared off in different directions across the rippling surface of black water. Presently, a fourth student joined them. He appeared to be about Ramona's age, and was Asian. His narrow eyes shifted back and forth, whether in apprehension or curiosity she could not tell, and he was continually pushing his unruly locks out of them.

He must be another one of the exchange students! She thought with a bit of excitement, and in as friendly a voice as she could manage, she greeted: "Hi!"

Silence. By some unseen force, the boat pulled away from its docking on the shoreline.

Maybe I wasn't loud enough.

"Hi, there!" She repeated, glancing hopefully at all three.

Still there was no reply. Ramona's normally cheerful smile faltered a bit, but she refused to back down. "I'm Ramona! I'm an exchange student from Rintorditos- you know, in America- and I-"

"Now see here," the Asian boy cut her off in an annoyed tone, "Maybe we'd like to enjoy this ride in quiet, all right? Good." His English was surprisingly good- very British sounding- and Ramona mentally chastised herself for her stereotypical expectations.

Ramona shivered and pulled her robes- which now seemed far too thin- closer around her. She could not remember a time when she had been in an environment so damp and chilly before; not even her trips to Colorado had been so unpleasant, as she had journeyed in summertime. She stole a glance in the direction of the other passengers, but they appeared to be quite accustomed to the brisk air. Ramona leaned forward, grasping her knees, and tried to make herself comfortable. Her eyes scanned the horizon back and forth, but the wan light provided by the boat's lantern was hardly sufficient to illuminate the landscape, so she shut her eyes tightly, concentrating on happy and warm memories of her distant desert homeland.

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Whether she had closed her eyes for a moment or an hour Ramona did not know, but when they snapped open again, the boat was docked at the far end of the lake, in front of the looming stone castle. She turned to ask the Asian boy whether he knew what they were to do yet, but he was not in the boat. Neither were the other two children. Quickly she scanned the entire harbor, and found the other vessels were also empty.

How nice of them to let me know we arrived, she thought sarcastically. I sure hope that I never have to see those jerks again. She quickly jumped out of the boat and hurried over to the group of students, but halfway back she realized her wand had dropped out of her cloak, and thus it took her twice as long to catch up with the rest of the students. She heard the large man (Hagrid, was it?) say, "Here we are!" and watched him strike the large iron knocker in the center of a massive wooden door. It opened by some unseen force, and everyone piled into the corridor. Sixty-three pairs of wide blue and brown eyes met by the spectacle-framed gray ones of an elderly witch. Though actually quite tall, the burgundy-robed woman seemed diminished next to Hagrid's largeness. To Ramona, the woman reminded her a great deal like her Tià Cristina- stern, cool, and a bit old-fashioned- definitely not someone to upset.

"Hello. I am Professor McGonagall, the Transfiguration teacher here at Hogwarts, and allow me to be the first to officially welcome you to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." Ramona did not detect even the slightest wisp of a smile on the woman's face. "For most of you, this is the beginning of a seven-year studies process here, where you will be thoroughly prepared in many different subject areas, such that you will enter the adult wizarding communities with the abilities necessary." She went on to explain about the Sorting Ceremony and the House system.

"Now, I understand there are three students transferring from Durmstrang this year, as well as four exchange students for the term?" Ramona glanced over her shoulder and noticed several taller students scattered about the crowd of first years. "Fine then," the professor continued, "You will be sorted after the younger students." Addressing the rest of the youths, she concluded with: "Now please form a line and follow me."

Nerves beginning to twist her stomach into knots, Ramona found herself near the very end of the line. She padded down the hallway quietly, not speaking or even humming, which for her was very unusual, indeed. Suddenly, she drew her breath in sharply. "Wow," she whispered as she drank in the wonders of the Great Hall. Having never seen a bewitched ceiling before, the thick gray clouds illuminated by hundreds of floating candles above Ramona's head amazed her, and she could almost feel the chilling wind that caused them to whirl and swirl across the heavens. However, her attention was quickly drawn towards the students crowded around long tables, all chatting and chuckling amongst themselves, and she felt yet another pang of homesickness. What I would give to have Casey or Calvin here. We could--

"Ouch!" Ramona crashed head-on into the girl ahead of her in line, who cried out: "Watch where you're going, please!"

"Oh, gosh, I'm really sorry," Ramona apologized, her face burning with embarrassment.

"Oh, that's quite all right," the girl replied with a small smile, which Ramona returned graciously. "So I take it you're another exchange student, or are you here from Durmstrang?"

"No, no, I'm an exchange student. And you?"

"Same here. I hail from South Africa-- The Josharon School. You've probably never heard of it--it's very small, only about 200 students or so. Anyway, I'm Channing Biko, how about you?" She extended a chocolate-skinned hand, which Ramona grasped firmly.

"Ramona Garcia, tenth grade--er, that is, fifth year from Rintorditos Academy of Arizona, back in the United States."

"Yes, I guessed you might be a Yank. Pleasure to meet you."

"So what do you--"Ramona was bursting to ask Channing more questions, but she noticed the room had quieted. Professor McGonagall stood beside a wooden stool in front of the professors' table and spoke: "Let the sorting ceremony begin!" Then, to Channing and Ramona's great surprise, the hat started moving and a song came forth from beneath the tattered brim:

"The world is ever-changing

As are all the Hogwarts students

But in the midst of all this rearranging

This Old Sorting Hat remains prudent

I know the ways of times gone by

The school the Founders first created

And that is why they selected me

To ensure their values demonstrated:

Sweet Hufflepuff--be kind and jolly

Strive for goodness day-out-and-in

Fair Ravenclaw--avoid foolish folly

With wits sharper than blade or pin

Sly Slytherin--one needs ambition

Determination will win your prize

Brave Gryffindor--hold with tradition

Chivalry and boldness--no matter your size

And on this one all four agreed:

A day is never quite complete

(No matter what you think you need)

Without a sugary, tasty treat!"

The Hall broke into laughter and hearty applause. Ramona and Channing exchanged nonplussed looks: "What the heck was that all about?" Then Professor McGonagall began reading names from a long roll of parchment. From "Applegate, Logan" (Gryffindor) to "Young, Meredith" (Hufflepuff), Ramona and Channing watched the Sorting Hat assign all fifty-six ten and eleven year olds to one of the four different houses. Finally, it was their turn.

"We are extremely pleased this year to welcome several more individuals into our fine Hogwarts student body," the professor announced, and room broke into polite applause. "I trust each of you will do his or her best to make our newcomers feel properly welcome." Her firm gaze searched about the crowd, dwelling longest at the Slytherin table. "Now to proceed. Krum, Lacey, transferring 3^rd year from Durmstrang Institute, northeastern Europe." A wiry, sallow-skinned girl with curly dark hair took the hat.

"Gryffindor!"

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A few murmurs arose from the crowd. Ron and Harry exchanged incredulous looks. "Krum?!"

"Yes, she is related to Viktor--Lacey is his cousin," Hermione replied calmly.

"And you know that how?" Ron asked.

"Met her this summer," she replied matter of factly.

Audrey interjected: "Shh, I want to hear the rest of these!"

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"Ustin Sorokin, transferring 5^th year from Durmstrang Institute, northeastern Europe." A short, stocky boy with hair of no particular color walked to the stool.

"Hufflepuff!"

"Fayina Sorokin, transferring 2^nd year from Durmstrang Institute, northeastern Europe." Must be Ustin's sister or something, Ramona thought as a tiny girl with the same pale hair sat down.

"Hufflepuff!"

"Biko, Channing, visiting 6^th year from The Josharon School, South Africa."

Channing flashed Ramona a half-excited, half-nervous smile, and walked up to the stool. She placed the Sorting Hat upon her head gently. After several moments of hesitation, the hat spoke clearly: "Hufflepuff!" Smiling in relief that the moment was over, Channing promptly walked to the cheering table of Hufflepuff students.

Professor McGonagall continued: "Clark, Aimee, visiting 5^th year from Mapleridge Secondary School, Canada."

A girl of average height and build with bleached-blonde hair and a bored look on her face sauntered up to the stool. In very little time, the hat shouted: "Slytherin."

"Dyi, Chang Li, visiting 6^th year from The Confucian School of Classical Magic in Hong Kong." Ramona immediately recognized him to be the rude Asian teen from the boat ride across the lake.

Without any hesitation: "Slytherin!"

"Garcia, Ramona, visiting 5^th year from Rintorditos Academy, United States!" Forcing the butterflies in her stomach down, she managed the tiniest smile as she sat down on the stool and placed the hat carefully on her head. She listened anxiously to what it said:

Hmm, let's see... very resolute; quite intelligent; sense of humor; desire for nonconformity, quite unique...and what's this--a love of Muggle culture? Very unique, indeed. In that case-- "Better be Ravenclaw!"

Ramona smiled as she removed the hat and glanced around the crowd of students, but when her eyes met Harry, Ron, and Hermione's, a brief look of disappointment flashed across her face.

Oh, well, it'll be okay. I'll still find a way to hang out with them. Her cheerful demeanor returning, she softly spoke: "Ravenclaw, here I come!"

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The whole the room quieted as Professor Dumbledore began to speak, but at the Gryffindor table, Ron and Harry continued to whisper, despite several dark glances from Hermione.

"Really too bad about Ramona; I was hoping she'd be a Gryffindor," Harry spoke disappointedly.

"Yeah, me too," Ron agreed. "'Least Ravenclaw isn't too bad."

"So d'you see the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor?"

Ron replied, "No, I haven't noticed any new--wait, look there." He nudged Harry's arm. "See that witch sitting next to Snape? That must be her." He pointed to an olive-skinned woman wearing a cloak of navy blue whose hood only partially hid the short, dark curly hair that framed face. At first, a terrible thought crossed Harry's mind, but on a second glance he realized that there was no way she could be Rita Skeeter--the skin was too dark, the curls far too thin and bouncy; moreover, her face was pleasant, even though she wasn't actually smiling.

"If you two would both shut up," Hermione whispered fiercely, "You'd hear Dumbledore and realize he's about to introduce her!" So the boys did.

"As with every new year," Professor Dumbledore was saying, "Certain changes come, some of which are expected and others not, and in the case of our faculty this term, both are true. Therefore, allow me to introduce the newest member of the Hogwarts teaching staff, Ms. Lucy Cunningham." The Hogwarts student body broke into applause and scattered chatter as the witch Ron had pointed towards rose from her seat and waved politely to the students. Dumbledore waited for everyone to settle down before continuing. "Yes, Professor Cunningham, who has spent the past few years traveling abroad studying numerous fields, tells me she is quite excited to be settling down here at Hogwarts to take on the position of Potions Master. Or should I say, Potions Mistress?" he added with a bit of a chuckle.

The Hall was silent as a tomb as the students wordlessly looked at the professors' table, to each other, and back to the Professors. Then murmuring began to ripple across the tables.

"No. Way." Hermione enunciated each word airily between breaths--it was almost as though the wind had been knocked out of her.

"Oh, gosh, no," Audrey moaned.

"But that--that--that means that--" Ron tried to whisper, but couldn't keep from stuttering.

Harry could not speak at all--he felt a cold chill run up his spine.

Dumbledore seemed not to notice the odd behavior of the students, or he ignored it, for he spoke again. "Yes, due to the circumstances of the ever-changing world in which we now live, it has become necessary for Professor Cunningham to take on the role of Potions master, and likewise, the Defense Against the Dark Arts curriculum will be taught by none other than Professor Snape."