Hogwarts students slid into their seats just as Professor McGonagall usually began class. Instead, she was standing at her desk, speaking to an unfamiliar young woman.

"Harry, who's that?" Hermione Granger asked of her good friend Harry Potter.

"I'm not sure," Harry turned to their other close friend, Ron Weasley, "Do you know Ron?"

The red haired boy shook his head, "No mate, afraid not."

The professor patted the girl's back, and with a smile, she dismissed her, pointing to an empty seat next to Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown.

"Okay class, it is quite a pleasure to see you all back!" Professor McGonagall's usually tight lips found their way into a smile, "Today, we will immediately begin our lessons, starting with page seventy one," she paused as the students retrieved their books, "Now, students, I'm going to divide you into groups, then explain your project," McGonagall pushed her glasses up and began to read off names, "I am trying to diverse the groups. Group one is Parvati, Blaise, and Millicent, group two is Seamus, Lavender and Gregory, group three is Draco, Harry, and our new student, Dahlia," the professor glanced at the girl and began again.

Hermione scrunched her nose, thinking deeply, until she heard her name, "Hermione, Vincent, and Pansy," Hermione rolled her eyes and sighed, "Now, you have two weeks to complete this assignment. Your task is on page seventy one. If anyone has any questions, please ask me. You may now move into your groups and divide the work over the next twenty minutes."

Students bustled about as Dahlia sat between Draco Malfoy and Harry.

Harry found himself captivated by the new beauty. Unfortunately, so did Draco. She skimmed the boys, raised a sculpted eyebrow and said, "Shall we get started?"

"Yes," Harry nodded his head, "Well, first, I'm Harry Potter," he noticed her eyes widen a bit.

"I'm Draco Malfoy," Draco introduced, continuing to stare at her.

"I'm Dahlia," she introduced, and then noticed their expectant looks, "What?" She asked innocently, "Let's start."

The three began to read quietly; Dahlia finished first and waited for the others.

"Obviously, we need to meet at some other time to discuss this," Dahlia closed the book and crossed her long legs, "I'll get started on the research, and we can meet later or something."

The professor stood up, "Class, you know your task. You're dismissed," the pupils gathered their belongings and left in packs. Harry turned to say something to Dahlia, but she was not in the classroom anymore.

Lunchtime arrived and Harry was thoughtfully eating until Hermione waved her hand in front of his face, "Harry? Are you alright? You haven't seemed yourself today," she looked concerned, and Harry shook himself out of his trance.

"Yes, I suppose. But that Dahlia girl is just really…….uh," Harry racked his brain for the proper word.

"Odd?" Hermione offered.

"Well, yes, but not in a bad way, I presume she is new?"

"Of course," Hermione nodded, "but that's about all anyone I have talked to knows about her. Besides that she's in Slytherin," Hermione pointed to the rival table, where she was eating in the midst of the back-to-term excitement.

"She looks sort of familiar," Ron concluded.

Harry stared at Dahlia and agreed with Ron, "She does actually," Harry went back to eating.

Hermione nudged Harry with her foot under the table, "She's coming this way Harry."

Harry choked on his pumpkin juice, and Ron smacked him on the back a few times and offered him some water. He took a long swig, coughed, cleared his throat, and caught Dahlia's eyes.

"Hello Harry," for the first time, a sweet smile played Dahlia's cerise pink lips, "I talked to Draco, and we decided to work a bit after Hogsmeade tonight and a little tomorrow; if you're available of course."

He glanced at Hermione and Ron, who nodded, "Yes, of course."

"Great, how about after Hogsmeade we meet in the library until ten or so, unless you three have plans already," she motioned towards the trio.

"No, we don't have any plans," Hermione answered for Harry, "I'm Hermione Granger and that's Ron Weasley."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, I'm Dahlia," she shook their hands and sighed at their expectant looks, "Why does everyone loom at me like that when I introduce myself?" Dahlia shook her head, "Anyway, see you later Harry," she waved and exited the Dining Hall.

"What's her last name?" Hermione whispered.

"She never said," Harry shrugged his shoulders.