Disclaimer: J. K. Rowling owns all the Harry Potter characters, although I created Julianne Michaelson along with the creative efforts of a friend.

Chapter 1: Grey-Blue Eyes

Julianne Michaelson walked onto Platform 9 and 3/4 with her trunk, and her owl, Achilles and smiled. She stopped to think to herself as she shifted the weight of her guitar case. 'Finally, back home,' she thought as she realized people were coming through the barrier to the platform and she had to get out of the way. She grinned as she realized it was Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley who appeared next to her.

"Hey Julianne," said Hermione as she walked towards the burgundy train. "Harry, help me with these trunks, would you?" she asked politely as Harry walked forward to help Hermione with the baggage. "How was your summer?" She asked Juli once they had loaded the trunks and stepped into the compartment.

"Boring, as usual," Juli replied, helping herself up into their compartment. "The people at the orphanage don't know the meaning of ventilation." Juli laughed and put her guitar case on the compartment shelf. "You don't mind me sitting with you, do you?" she said and smiled. Hermione shrugged and Juli sat down next to Harry.

"What about you three?" she asked as she opened the Chocolate Frog she had just bought off the trolley. "Did you guys do anything interesting over the summer?"

"I went to the States to visit some relatives," said Hermione. "I had loads of fun in New York, but they all talk so funny," she giggled. "Sometimes it's hard to understand them, when they talk like this," she added, attempting an American accent. Juli giggled with her as they ate more of their chocolates and candies.

"What about you two, then?" Juli asked, in between a bubble of Drooble's bubble gum. "Anything come to mind?" she added with a toying grin.

"Fred and George have been helping to train me for this year's Quidditch season," Ron said casually, gnawing on a Licorice Wand. "They even said they might get me a broom for my birthday, since they've made loads of money," he said. "If I don't screw up this season," he added, obviously thinking about his mistakes his first year on the team.

"Sounds like you had loads of fun this summer, flying around on your broomstick," Juli laughed nervously. "I bet Quidditch is loads of fun to play."

"What, you don't play Quidditch?" Ron asked, shocked as he dropped the box of jelly beans he was holding.

Juli laughed. "No, I've never had the chance to practice. What with being at a Muggle orphanage whenever I would have the time to learn," Juli stopped for a second. "Wait a second," she said with a smile. "You and Harry could teach me," she grinned at the look on Ron's face. "I'm sure you're both brilliant teachers, right Harry?" She looked up at Harry, who was looking at a small, dirty-looking square mirror. She gave a confused look to Hermione and Ron who just shrugged.

"Something wrong, Harry?" Hermione said softly, and Juli gave her a look as if she was about to ask the same thing.

"No, No," he answered. "I'm just ..." he paused as if he was having problems trying to find the right word to say. "Just sad." He looked up at Juli, who gave him a supportive, yet sympathetic look. "I've had a rough summer, is all." He looked at Juli with his vibrant green eyes for a moment before lowering them and took a deep breath, as if trying to keep from crying.

"A close friend of his died just before term ended," whispered Hermione. She looked as if she was about to cry herself. "We miss him too."

Juli was quiet for a minute before she spoke. "Was he your brother, Harry?" She asked slowly, fighting back her own tears. She remembered all too well her own brother's death; how Kevin had died 6 years earlier, just two months before she got her Hogwarts letter.

"Yeah, kind of," Harry said after a few moments of silence. "He was my godfather, my dad's best friend."

"Oh, God, Harry," she said softly, and as she took Harry's hand, Ron shifted uncomfortably in his seat. She saw Hermione look at Ron and nod towards the door; Juli made a mental note to thank her later for it. Ron and Hermione got up and left the compartment silently. "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to ..." Juli staggered, trying not to cry.

"No, Juli, its okay," As tears rolled down her cheeks he gave her a hug. "It was only just before summer holiday, I haven't had a whole lot of time to get over it," he said, swallowing the growing lump in his throat. He had this beautiful girl in his arms, and he wasn't about to show any vulnerability.

"I know how you feel," she said, pulling away from him slowly even though she didn't want to ever let go.

Harry felt a sudden burst of anger. How come everyone always said that? "No, Juli, I don't think you know how I feel. I was going to get away from the Dursley's, and get to know the man who was best friends with my father." He scooted away. "I don't think you know how I feel."

Juli felt a tear roll down her cheek as Harry spoke; as they did she wiped them away. "My older brother Kevin died almost two months before I got my Hogwarts letter. He was my best friend; the only real friend I ever had at the orphanage. I miss him loads, too." She smiled meekly and met Harry's eyes before deciding she'd done enough crying for one day. "So, yes, I think I do know how you feel, Harry," she added, a little cynically.

Harry gave Juli a blank stare, as if trying to comprehend what she had said. "Look, Juli, I'm sorry," he said slowly. "I just--"

"Yes, I know Harry," she said matter-of-factly. "I think everyone goes through the same thing after someone close to them passes on. It's hard. At least I've had time to move on." She sighed. "Oh, look at me," she said, sniffling as she tucked her hair neatly behind her ears, after realizing her mascara was running.

"I am," replied Harry reassuringly, as he looked into her deep grey-blue eyes and wiped the tear from her cheek. "And you're beautiful."