Hogwarts Best Kept Secret

Hogwarts Best Kept Secret

I'm tired of rumors starting

I'm sick of being followed

I'm tired of people lying

Saying what they want about me

Why can't they back up off me

Why can't they let me live

I'm gonna do it my way

Take this for just what it is

-"Rumors" Lindsay Lohan

I know they talk about me. I find their notes on the floor. They have all heard about me, but none of them truly knows me. They can know about me, but they can never know me. I was sorted into Gryffindor when I started coming here five years ago, the year Harry Potter came. I have seen him on his nightly excursions, but I'm pretty sure they haven't seen me. When I do see him he is usually with the Weasley boy and the bushy haired Granger girl. Dumbledore has told me that when Harry goes out like this he is going out to save the school and the wizarding world. He has been going out a lot more often this year. He spends most of his time in the astronomy tower and the room of requirement. I'm not really sure what he does because I leave him to his thoughts. I am the eyes and the ears of the school at night. I see the couples as they sneak off to the closet and all of the various other places they go to make out and all of the other activities they are involved in.

Dumbledore made me a prefect this year so that I can take the night patrols and the other prefects can get their rest. Since Gryffindor already has two prefects, he made me an all-house prefect. This only means that I can't be partial to any house. Since I don't interact with the other students, I write down what the student was doing and how many points should be deducted from the student's house.

Dumbledore has specifically asked that I not deduct points from the houses every time I see Harry, Draco Malfoy, Hannah Abbott, and Cho Chang. The four of them have cultural lessons every Tuesday and Thursday. Dumbledore explained to me that those four would be going on a cultural exchange during the next school year, and he wants them to be well acquainted with the way things are done in the countries they are going to. They were instructed not to tell any of their friends or fellow classmates about the exchange so that it would be a complete surprise. Dumbledore asked me if I would like to go on the exchange as well, and I have agreed to go. He said that there is a place that is just perfect for me in the States. He also told me that I would begin attending culture classes with the other four students.

* * *

Hollis made her way to the classroom where she would take cultural lessons. She knew that she would be going to someplace in the States called Alaska. Dumbledore had told her this, but it didn't put her at ease until he told her that it was usually dark for a few months out of the year. The only drawback is that without the sun, it becomes very cold.

Hollis was the first one to arrive, so she took a seat and waited for the rest of her classmates to arrive. Harry was the next to arrive and he looked at Hollis as if she was a new student and he wasn't sure how to act. Hollis felt that this was understandable considering the fact that there was almost no chance that he could have seen her around school.

"Hello, I'm Harry. Harry Potter. What's your name?"

"Hello Harry. I'm Hollis. Hollis Taylor. I'm going to Alaska next year. Where are you going?"

Harry was surprised that she hadn't acted differently when Hollis had learned his name, but he tried not to show it.

"I'm headed to Australia."

As Harry got a better look at her, he noticed that she had black hair with silver streaks and her eyes were a very beautiful but rare shade of amethyst. The last things that he noticed were the Hogwarts crest and the prefects badge on her robes. He didn't have time to see anything else because class was starting and he had to take his seat.

"Good evening students, or should I say good morning." Said Professor Richardson as he entered in his usual humorous manner.

Harry had liked Professor Richardson since the first class he had attended. Everyone liked Professor Richardson for his unusual sense of humor. He also had his own style of dress that seemed to change with his mood. Sometimes he wore clothes from other cultures and countries, but this evening he was wearing a set of robes that were a rich velvety purple.

"I would like to introduce and welcome to our class Hollis Taylor. Hollis will be attending the Pôle Nord School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in North Pole, Alaska."

Hollis gave a small smile and wave in recognition and went back to putting her desk in order.

* * *

"Hollis! Hollis! Hey Hollis! Wait up!" Harry yelled as he ran down the corridor after her.

As Harry caught up to her, Hollis stopped abruptly and gave him a chance to catch his breath.

"How . . . how do you move so fast?" Harry panted.

"I'm just used to it, I guess. Did you want something?" Hollis asked calmly.

"I wanted to talk to you. Where are you going?"

"To my dorm. Aren't you going to Gryffindor Tower?"

"Eventually. I was wondering whether we could get to know each other a little better. I feel like I don't even know who you are."

"Why would you say that?"

"I just don't think that I've ever seen you around school."

Harry wouldn't have heard what she said next if he hadn't been standing right next to her.

"That's because you haven't." she said quietly.

Harry wasn't sure how to react to this. He had thought that he knew everyone in school. How could he have not known this one girl who seemed so much more important than every other girl?

Hollis started walking again and left Harry standing there lost in his thoughts.