Chapter one.
'If you take one single second you can see him. Just notice him there. Don't blink! Otherwise, you'll miss him. He's at the Gryffindor table. Yes, that's the boy. Yes, he's famous. But do you understand that you're not thinking of the right person? Do you even know him? I mean really know him. He's the boy with the black hair, yes; it's all untidy. Oh, you see his scar? Yes, that made him who he is now...or who you know him as. He's handsome in his way. It's refreshing to see he can look attractive without trying or wanting to.
Do you see that slight change in him? He looks uncomfortable. He's not talking to Ron or Hermione. Yes, Ron is cute, I agree. And yes, Hermione is Head Girl now. They're both together, and they didn't even need our help!
But back to Harry Potter. He's distracted by something or someone. Or maybe he just needs something or someone? I'm not too sure. Maybe it's that girl up there? There, with the sorting hat on. He's looking at her funny. She's very pretty.
You know who she is? I just realized that's Brooke Parkinson. Oh, come on you know! Daughter of Blake and Parthenia Parkinson, sister of Pansy. You're so forgetful, sometimes I forget who you are.
Back to the subject, could she be the one? She certainly will give him quite a story! After all, she's the one who has to do you-know-what for You-Know-Who. I think it will be so wonderful if we chose her instead of the red haired one. You forgot who I'm talking about again?! Ginny Weasley, of course!
Now our original plan is shot! Who shall we put our Virginia with? I'd like a nice story for her too; she deserves it, being a pawn for You-Know- Who in her first year. But with who? Someone interesting, different, and witty. Someone she wouldn't think twice about--that is how most romances happen. Like our match with that Romeo and Juliet, now that was such a beautiful match. It had all the elements. Oh goodness, now I'm getting off track!
What did you say? Draco Malfoy? Hmmm...you know, that's the smartest thing I've ever heard you suggest. He's such a mystery, that Draco. He doesn't like Weasley's, and Weasley's don't like Malfoy's. He hides a lot; he hides how much care he's capable of. Ginny's good at bringing out people, and our Draco has much to bring out. Right, Draco with Virginia. Now that's what I call a match. This will be so much fun. You can take care of Harry and Brooke and I'll take care of Ginny and Draco.
Ready? One...'
The fog in the enchanted ceiling turned a light purple, and a small split formed.
'Two...'
Two identical red swirls as small as the top of a ballpoint pen appeared in the split cloud.
'THREE!'
The faint swirls darted from the ceiling. On it's way, each of them split in half, forming four brilliant bright pink dots. Each dot slowed on it's way to its owner's heart.
'Well done! I think we can leave for now. Zeus is calling us back.'
***
Harry Potter looked from his plate full of roast beef, corn, mashed potato, and sausage to the sorting taking place. He'd wander in and out of his trances. This year will be so much different in so many ways; he just had a feeling. After all, the person he cares about the most is...he doesn't like to think about it. Hermione nudged his rib. Obviously he hadn't been paying attention to whatever she was saying, but he didn't care much.
The buttered corn became boring to look at so Harry's eyes sauntered back to the sorting. Just in time too--in his opinion. She was tall but not too tall, just right for a model, slim in the waist and rounded at the chest, her hair was gold-not blonde-gold with platinum white locks softly falling on the top. She had the look of being mature for her age and carried herself as if she were superior to everyone else around her. She didn't seem nervous as she pulled the speaking hat over her head, covering that fantastic hair. She didn't even look silly with the hat on, like most do. Harry would bet all his money that she'd be in Slytherin, he could tell just by looking at her.
In what seemed like ages, the frayed hat announced the young lady to her house; her home. "Gryffindor!" Harry would have smiled if he weren't a depressed teenager, mad at the world. He maybe even would have smirked if a particular, obnoxious Slytherin didn't steal his attention.
Pansy Parkinson jumped from her chair, causing it to noisily topple back, catching attention from those near by.
"HOW DARE THAT SENCELESS, GRIMEY HAT PUT MY SISTER IN GRYFFINDOR!" Pansy screamed over Gryffindor's hooting, cheers and even provocative whistling. She pointed a long finger at the hat; her blond hair fell around her milky face. She now had every human in the Hall's attention. "THIS IS AN OUTRAGE! ALL PARKINSON'S HAVE BEEN IN SLYTHERIN FOR THE PAST SIXTY YEARS. GET BACK TO THAT HAT, BROOKE! GO MAKE IT RECONSIDER, OR ELSE I WILL!!!"
Murmurs broke across the Great Hall "A Parkinson in Gryffindor?" Pavarti Patil questioned to Lavender Brown who had half a chicken leg in her mouth. "Well she's certainly not welcome! Can't she go back to her OWN kind?"
It was only natural that everyone was stunned. After all, Pansy Parkinson's ('little Miss. Make-fun-of-Gryffindors-because-Slytherins'-are- so-fucking-great') sister was in Gryffindor. Surly her sister is just as bitchy? Surly she hates Gryffindors' just as much? Surly the sorting hat made a terrible mistake? Puzzled looks came from the professors glancing in turn at Pansy then to the girl with the hat still placed on her head.
Only did this nonsense stop when Dumbledore stood. He didn't speak; he didn't have to. The mere gesture of standing was enough for the entire student body to shut their mouths.
Harry took pity on the girl, Brooke. He looked at her as she strode to his table and realized she was hardly shaken by this ordeal. 'She looks quite brave for a first year.' Harry recognized then thought; 'She actually looks quite gorgeous, for a first year...or for any year.' His thoughts have been uncontrolled for such a long time, he then reminded himself of the brilliant red head sitting next to him, holding his hand; Virginia Weasley.
Then something happened, it was so fast that he almost forgot about it. His heart felt like it was squeezing at the mere fact he stopped thinking of the new first year. 'Whatever.' Harry had been feeling strange things all summer, especially from his heart. But he tried not to think about it. Although, sometimes trying to not think about it only makes you think about it more, so then you'll freely think about it, which is what you didn't want to do in the first place. Very confusing.
Brooke took her seat, her head held high although as soon as her bottom hit the chair, every surrounding first year scooted away from her, as if she were contagious.
Hermione (being the fair way she was) stood and walked towards the first year, leaving Ron to pout.
Brooke saw the girl approach her, she didn't like her fake smile, or the way she held her hand out to her saying, "Hello, I'm Hermione Granger, Head Girl of Gryffindor House."
"Hello Granger," Brooke replied, eyes dancing. "I'm Brooke Parkinson. I'm here in my first year, although not by choice." Brooke let Hermione hold her hand out to her in gesture of a shake, never taking it. "I'm not and never will be Head Girl because they're all boring book worms who don't have anything to do with their lives." She smiled sweetly as the bushy haired girl's face turned red. Hermione fought to keep her mouth closed from saying something not-so-sweet to the blonde and turned on her heels.
Harry heard the exchange and found himself grinning stupidly. 'Maybe the sorting hat did make a mistake, she doesn't seem like a Gryffindor.'
Dinner ended at an agonizing slow rate for the secluded first year. The students piled from the Great Hall and Brooke joined the mass.
***
Draco was trying his best to ignore them all. Every one of them. Goyle had an uncontrollable burping problem and found it entertaining when he'd let one out into his pumpkin juice, sending splatters on the table and into the green peas close by. Crabbe was sent into a fit of loud, grotesque laughter, clutching his stomach at Goyle's gesture. His mouth was wide open and you could count all the cavities in his yellow teeth. His rotting breath was sent across the bowl of peas and to Draco's arrogant nose.
"Crabbe, control yourself before I die from lack of air." He didn't stop laughing though; it only gave him a re-boost of energy. Goyle burped into his cup again.
Draco shook his head and turned to Blaise Zabini, his closer friend. Blaze seemed to be immersed in conversation with Pansy Parkinson. Actually, after Pansy had screamed at her sister everyone was talking to her, asking her questions. Frankly, Draco couldn't have cared less. He knew about her sister, Brooke for a while; how could he not? Pansy is always going on about something and once in a while Draco would pay attention. He could just about hear her now:
"I can't believe the insanity of it all! Really, pure blooded, smart, sophisticated, and good-looking witches belong in Slytherin! There is no question about it."
Draco had to disagree. Sure, many girls in Slytherin were pretty; Pansy wasn't bad. But he had a strong feeling that a girl at the Gryffindor table was gorgeous. His eyes darted to a petite body, topped with vibrant red hair sitting at his enemy's table, holding his hand, no less. 'What does he have? A stupid ugly scar?' He paused. 'What do I care if she likes him? She doesn't provoke the slightest interest in me.' Draco wasn't so sure that was true, but he didn't need to think on it, his first dinner this year at Hogwarts was over.
The students piled out the massive, oak doors. Each scrabbling through the crowd, trying to flee past everyone in hopes to make it to their dorms sooner than the others. Draco found it childish to want to get out so badly. If he stood away from the mass and wait about two minutes, the walkway would be clear.
Crabbe was one of the idiots who liked to shove though. He thought of doing Draco a favor and grabbed onto his sleeve, tearing them through the crowd. In the middle of the way through, Draco made a harsh contact with the back of some girl's head. He stopped mid-way and Crabbe kept moving. The girl turned around and met eyes with Draco.
"So sorry." She didn't sound sorry, whoever she was. Draco was looking down, covering his nose with his hands.
"Fuck! It's bleeding." Draco didn't like blood, or pain for that matter. His eyes squinted as he pulled his hands away. There was bright red making a slick trail down his fingers.
"Here, sit down." The Hall was empty by now, so no one had to see Draco Malfoy in a weak spot, except for this girl. Draco looked up after he sat. It was that new Parkinson.
"Brooke, right?" Any other time he would have been pleased to meet her. She was pretty. But with blood leaking from his nostrils and feeling nauseous, it wasn't the opportune moment to work his charms.
"Yeah, Brooke." She reached to a clean napkin on the Hufflepuff table they were sitting at. She had about eight silver rings on each hand, black and gray bangles on her left wrist which made a tinkling noise every time she moved, and a funny looking black band around her right wrist.
Brooke wiped the blood from Draco's hand and told him to hold it to his nose, keeping his head tilted back.
"I'm Draco Malfoy and you're going to have to pay for the damage done to my nose."
"What 'damage'?" Brooke chortled. "There's no sign of damage, your nose is the same. I don't know about the rest of your face though." She was kidding, but Draco didn't like jokes like that.
"What? I'm perfect! I'm the one in Slytherin. It's the Gryffindors' that have all the faults." Draco made to give his all-famous smirk but found she already had a similar one spread across her face.
"Good luck with that nose, Draco. And don't worry about the blood, it will come in huge, long clots before it stops." Draco turned a shade of green and watched as Brooke flipped her hair over her shoulder and walked away.
When she exited the hall she realized she didn't know where to go to get to her room. She tuned around to ask her new Slytherin enemy but he had disappeared. Brooke sat hopelessly on a ledge of the stone wall to sort out her feelings. 'Why am I in Gryffindor? My parents are going to murder me. Why was I so rude to that Granger girl? It was the only person who put an effort to be kind to me, except for the very attractive Slytherin boy whom I had been rude to also.'
She wanted to leave right then and there, she just wanted to be back home by herself and not worry about this silly mistake, she wanted to cry. She was about to when a young voice called her name and she looked quickly up. An older boy, about seventeen or so walked slowly near her. He wore round glasses, which couldn't ever hide those great, piercing green eyes; he had on a Gryffindor cape and smiled sadly at her as if he knowing she was about to tear.
"Hello, little girl, do you need any help?" He gave her the feeling she should still be in diapers.
"Hello, big boy I do need help but first I'd like to clarify that I'm not five; I'm a first year but I happen to be fifteen."
Harry's face turned into a bemused stare. Brooke wasn't one to trust people.
"I'm quite tired so I don't feel like explaining my life story to you; I don't even know your name."
"Harry Potter."
He stated simply, but she knew he--himself wasn't as simple as he made it sound. She knew all about him, he was the 'boy-who-lived'. She heard all about how horribly wonderful he was in Hogwarts through her sister's annoying rambling and about his miracle stories with Voldemort. His name came up all the time at her father's house. How much he hated him, how much his life changed since the fall of the Dark Lord. But now, he has risen again. Now her father was jubilant.
"I know who you are, Harry Potter, your name's quite famous." Harry didn't want to hear that. All his life people knew him has 'Harry Potter-The Famous.' For once he just wanted to hear someone give him a normal response to his name. Harry waited to be plummeted with questions about his life but they never came. This was an improvement.
Harry decided to speak first. "I know who you are, Brooke Parkinson, your name reminds me of a very selfish girl in the Slytherin house."
Brooke didn't enjoy hearing snide remarks from this "Golden boy," even if it was true. However, she understood why he said it and let it slide, not only because she was a Gryffindor too, but also because he was deathly handsome. Harry watched as she turned a shade of pink and thought it was very cute looking but at the same time, prayed he didn't insult this beauty.
"All right, Mr. Potter, which way to the rooms?" Brooke desperately wanted to get to sleep even though it was still early.
"Well, Miss. Parkinson, you follow me." He gave her a wink and turned his back for her to follow. "You missed the tour that has a lot of important information so I'll just have to point out what you'll defiantly need to know." Harry yelled over his shoulder.
"That's fine, just make it fast; I'm in dire need of sleep." Brooke said as she tried to catch a look at Harry's bottom through the long, scarlet cloak.
"Why? Are you sick?" Harry stopped and turned with a concerned expression on his face. This surprised Brooke; she didn't know a boy she'd only just met could actually care about her already.
"No, not sick. I've had a bad day." Brooke bit her lip.
Harry found her irresistible when she looked shy like that. She didn't come off as a shy girl, or a girl that could have a bad day, but she's human. And she's pretty as hell. Harry didn't feel as depressed knowing she wasn't the happy girl he figured she was. He knew it was a horrible thought, but he just couldn't help it. 'Maybe she's just as mad at life as I am?'
"Oh, that's too bad for your first day at Hogwarts. When I came here, my first day was pure bliss." Harry felt horrible as soon as the words slipped. He tried to fix it so she could feel better, "But I was living in a hell hole, so anything to me was pure bliss after that."
Brooke's face lit up a bit and she gave as much of a smile as she could while still biting her bottom lip. Harry flicked his head to the right quickly, indicating to keep walking. He took large strides, like Brooke. Harry was impressed she was able to keep up without looking out of breath, unlike many other girls he knew. When they made it to the split between the Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, Gryffindor, and Slytherin halls, Harry stopped. He pointed down each hallway with his long, muscular arm indicating each house, to a very flustered Brooke.
"Don't worry," Harry smiled, "you'll remember where you're going soon enough."
Harry didn't realize Brooke wasn't confused about the halls; she could care less about it. She just couldn't figure out why Harry was being so kind towards her; she never felt so much better in such a short period of time. She wondered if it was specifically him that made her feel better or that if anyone else were as kind as he was she'd feel better just as much.
Brooke was toured all around the Gryffindor hallway, from the bathrooms down to the secret passages. When he brought her to a picture of a fat lady he told her this is where the tour ends.
"All of the Gryffindors are behind this painting now, it's the 'hang out' for us and our bedrooms." Harry explained, looking into such light brown eyes. He suddenly found himself looking all over her bright face. "You remind me of a-uh-um-a lion." Harry stated then turned a bright red at his foolish words.
Brooke raised an eyebrow, like she usually does; then let a warm smile creep to her face and laughed. Harry turned back to his normal shade of peach and laughed along with her. 'His laugh is beautiful,' Brooke thought, 'almost like a song, not obnoxious like a lot of other boys.' When the laughter died down, Harry tried to speak again without embarrassing himself too badly.
"You should have another go at making friends with Hermione. She's one of my best friends, so is Ron; you should talk to him too. Oh, and Ginny, my girl- um, my other friend." Harry almost blew his chances with this girl, but he just denied Ginny, didn't he like her?
"Maybe I will, 'have another go' at them." Brooke gave a smirk and tried to pull the painting open with her hands clenched against the frame but failed.
Harry chuckled and announced: "Lion heart." The fat lady said, "Nice to see you here again, Harry dear." and swung open allowing both teenagers to step inside.
'If you take one single second you can see him. Just notice him there. Don't blink! Otherwise, you'll miss him. He's at the Gryffindor table. Yes, that's the boy. Yes, he's famous. But do you understand that you're not thinking of the right person? Do you even know him? I mean really know him. He's the boy with the black hair, yes; it's all untidy. Oh, you see his scar? Yes, that made him who he is now...or who you know him as. He's handsome in his way. It's refreshing to see he can look attractive without trying or wanting to.
Do you see that slight change in him? He looks uncomfortable. He's not talking to Ron or Hermione. Yes, Ron is cute, I agree. And yes, Hermione is Head Girl now. They're both together, and they didn't even need our help!
But back to Harry Potter. He's distracted by something or someone. Or maybe he just needs something or someone? I'm not too sure. Maybe it's that girl up there? There, with the sorting hat on. He's looking at her funny. She's very pretty.
You know who she is? I just realized that's Brooke Parkinson. Oh, come on you know! Daughter of Blake and Parthenia Parkinson, sister of Pansy. You're so forgetful, sometimes I forget who you are.
Back to the subject, could she be the one? She certainly will give him quite a story! After all, she's the one who has to do you-know-what for You-Know-Who. I think it will be so wonderful if we chose her instead of the red haired one. You forgot who I'm talking about again?! Ginny Weasley, of course!
Now our original plan is shot! Who shall we put our Virginia with? I'd like a nice story for her too; she deserves it, being a pawn for You-Know- Who in her first year. But with who? Someone interesting, different, and witty. Someone she wouldn't think twice about--that is how most romances happen. Like our match with that Romeo and Juliet, now that was such a beautiful match. It had all the elements. Oh goodness, now I'm getting off track!
What did you say? Draco Malfoy? Hmmm...you know, that's the smartest thing I've ever heard you suggest. He's such a mystery, that Draco. He doesn't like Weasley's, and Weasley's don't like Malfoy's. He hides a lot; he hides how much care he's capable of. Ginny's good at bringing out people, and our Draco has much to bring out. Right, Draco with Virginia. Now that's what I call a match. This will be so much fun. You can take care of Harry and Brooke and I'll take care of Ginny and Draco.
Ready? One...'
The fog in the enchanted ceiling turned a light purple, and a small split formed.
'Two...'
Two identical red swirls as small as the top of a ballpoint pen appeared in the split cloud.
'THREE!'
The faint swirls darted from the ceiling. On it's way, each of them split in half, forming four brilliant bright pink dots. Each dot slowed on it's way to its owner's heart.
'Well done! I think we can leave for now. Zeus is calling us back.'
***
Harry Potter looked from his plate full of roast beef, corn, mashed potato, and sausage to the sorting taking place. He'd wander in and out of his trances. This year will be so much different in so many ways; he just had a feeling. After all, the person he cares about the most is...he doesn't like to think about it. Hermione nudged his rib. Obviously he hadn't been paying attention to whatever she was saying, but he didn't care much.
The buttered corn became boring to look at so Harry's eyes sauntered back to the sorting. Just in time too--in his opinion. She was tall but not too tall, just right for a model, slim in the waist and rounded at the chest, her hair was gold-not blonde-gold with platinum white locks softly falling on the top. She had the look of being mature for her age and carried herself as if she were superior to everyone else around her. She didn't seem nervous as she pulled the speaking hat over her head, covering that fantastic hair. She didn't even look silly with the hat on, like most do. Harry would bet all his money that she'd be in Slytherin, he could tell just by looking at her.
In what seemed like ages, the frayed hat announced the young lady to her house; her home. "Gryffindor!" Harry would have smiled if he weren't a depressed teenager, mad at the world. He maybe even would have smirked if a particular, obnoxious Slytherin didn't steal his attention.
Pansy Parkinson jumped from her chair, causing it to noisily topple back, catching attention from those near by.
"HOW DARE THAT SENCELESS, GRIMEY HAT PUT MY SISTER IN GRYFFINDOR!" Pansy screamed over Gryffindor's hooting, cheers and even provocative whistling. She pointed a long finger at the hat; her blond hair fell around her milky face. She now had every human in the Hall's attention. "THIS IS AN OUTRAGE! ALL PARKINSON'S HAVE BEEN IN SLYTHERIN FOR THE PAST SIXTY YEARS. GET BACK TO THAT HAT, BROOKE! GO MAKE IT RECONSIDER, OR ELSE I WILL!!!"
Murmurs broke across the Great Hall "A Parkinson in Gryffindor?" Pavarti Patil questioned to Lavender Brown who had half a chicken leg in her mouth. "Well she's certainly not welcome! Can't she go back to her OWN kind?"
It was only natural that everyone was stunned. After all, Pansy Parkinson's ('little Miss. Make-fun-of-Gryffindors-because-Slytherins'-are- so-fucking-great') sister was in Gryffindor. Surly her sister is just as bitchy? Surly she hates Gryffindors' just as much? Surly the sorting hat made a terrible mistake? Puzzled looks came from the professors glancing in turn at Pansy then to the girl with the hat still placed on her head.
Only did this nonsense stop when Dumbledore stood. He didn't speak; he didn't have to. The mere gesture of standing was enough for the entire student body to shut their mouths.
Harry took pity on the girl, Brooke. He looked at her as she strode to his table and realized she was hardly shaken by this ordeal. 'She looks quite brave for a first year.' Harry recognized then thought; 'She actually looks quite gorgeous, for a first year...or for any year.' His thoughts have been uncontrolled for such a long time, he then reminded himself of the brilliant red head sitting next to him, holding his hand; Virginia Weasley.
Then something happened, it was so fast that he almost forgot about it. His heart felt like it was squeezing at the mere fact he stopped thinking of the new first year. 'Whatever.' Harry had been feeling strange things all summer, especially from his heart. But he tried not to think about it. Although, sometimes trying to not think about it only makes you think about it more, so then you'll freely think about it, which is what you didn't want to do in the first place. Very confusing.
Brooke took her seat, her head held high although as soon as her bottom hit the chair, every surrounding first year scooted away from her, as if she were contagious.
Hermione (being the fair way she was) stood and walked towards the first year, leaving Ron to pout.
Brooke saw the girl approach her, she didn't like her fake smile, or the way she held her hand out to her saying, "Hello, I'm Hermione Granger, Head Girl of Gryffindor House."
"Hello Granger," Brooke replied, eyes dancing. "I'm Brooke Parkinson. I'm here in my first year, although not by choice." Brooke let Hermione hold her hand out to her in gesture of a shake, never taking it. "I'm not and never will be Head Girl because they're all boring book worms who don't have anything to do with their lives." She smiled sweetly as the bushy haired girl's face turned red. Hermione fought to keep her mouth closed from saying something not-so-sweet to the blonde and turned on her heels.
Harry heard the exchange and found himself grinning stupidly. 'Maybe the sorting hat did make a mistake, she doesn't seem like a Gryffindor.'
Dinner ended at an agonizing slow rate for the secluded first year. The students piled from the Great Hall and Brooke joined the mass.
***
Draco was trying his best to ignore them all. Every one of them. Goyle had an uncontrollable burping problem and found it entertaining when he'd let one out into his pumpkin juice, sending splatters on the table and into the green peas close by. Crabbe was sent into a fit of loud, grotesque laughter, clutching his stomach at Goyle's gesture. His mouth was wide open and you could count all the cavities in his yellow teeth. His rotting breath was sent across the bowl of peas and to Draco's arrogant nose.
"Crabbe, control yourself before I die from lack of air." He didn't stop laughing though; it only gave him a re-boost of energy. Goyle burped into his cup again.
Draco shook his head and turned to Blaise Zabini, his closer friend. Blaze seemed to be immersed in conversation with Pansy Parkinson. Actually, after Pansy had screamed at her sister everyone was talking to her, asking her questions. Frankly, Draco couldn't have cared less. He knew about her sister, Brooke for a while; how could he not? Pansy is always going on about something and once in a while Draco would pay attention. He could just about hear her now:
"I can't believe the insanity of it all! Really, pure blooded, smart, sophisticated, and good-looking witches belong in Slytherin! There is no question about it."
Draco had to disagree. Sure, many girls in Slytherin were pretty; Pansy wasn't bad. But he had a strong feeling that a girl at the Gryffindor table was gorgeous. His eyes darted to a petite body, topped with vibrant red hair sitting at his enemy's table, holding his hand, no less. 'What does he have? A stupid ugly scar?' He paused. 'What do I care if she likes him? She doesn't provoke the slightest interest in me.' Draco wasn't so sure that was true, but he didn't need to think on it, his first dinner this year at Hogwarts was over.
The students piled out the massive, oak doors. Each scrabbling through the crowd, trying to flee past everyone in hopes to make it to their dorms sooner than the others. Draco found it childish to want to get out so badly. If he stood away from the mass and wait about two minutes, the walkway would be clear.
Crabbe was one of the idiots who liked to shove though. He thought of doing Draco a favor and grabbed onto his sleeve, tearing them through the crowd. In the middle of the way through, Draco made a harsh contact with the back of some girl's head. He stopped mid-way and Crabbe kept moving. The girl turned around and met eyes with Draco.
"So sorry." She didn't sound sorry, whoever she was. Draco was looking down, covering his nose with his hands.
"Fuck! It's bleeding." Draco didn't like blood, or pain for that matter. His eyes squinted as he pulled his hands away. There was bright red making a slick trail down his fingers.
"Here, sit down." The Hall was empty by now, so no one had to see Draco Malfoy in a weak spot, except for this girl. Draco looked up after he sat. It was that new Parkinson.
"Brooke, right?" Any other time he would have been pleased to meet her. She was pretty. But with blood leaking from his nostrils and feeling nauseous, it wasn't the opportune moment to work his charms.
"Yeah, Brooke." She reached to a clean napkin on the Hufflepuff table they were sitting at. She had about eight silver rings on each hand, black and gray bangles on her left wrist which made a tinkling noise every time she moved, and a funny looking black band around her right wrist.
Brooke wiped the blood from Draco's hand and told him to hold it to his nose, keeping his head tilted back.
"I'm Draco Malfoy and you're going to have to pay for the damage done to my nose."
"What 'damage'?" Brooke chortled. "There's no sign of damage, your nose is the same. I don't know about the rest of your face though." She was kidding, but Draco didn't like jokes like that.
"What? I'm perfect! I'm the one in Slytherin. It's the Gryffindors' that have all the faults." Draco made to give his all-famous smirk but found she already had a similar one spread across her face.
"Good luck with that nose, Draco. And don't worry about the blood, it will come in huge, long clots before it stops." Draco turned a shade of green and watched as Brooke flipped her hair over her shoulder and walked away.
When she exited the hall she realized she didn't know where to go to get to her room. She tuned around to ask her new Slytherin enemy but he had disappeared. Brooke sat hopelessly on a ledge of the stone wall to sort out her feelings. 'Why am I in Gryffindor? My parents are going to murder me. Why was I so rude to that Granger girl? It was the only person who put an effort to be kind to me, except for the very attractive Slytherin boy whom I had been rude to also.'
She wanted to leave right then and there, she just wanted to be back home by herself and not worry about this silly mistake, she wanted to cry. She was about to when a young voice called her name and she looked quickly up. An older boy, about seventeen or so walked slowly near her. He wore round glasses, which couldn't ever hide those great, piercing green eyes; he had on a Gryffindor cape and smiled sadly at her as if he knowing she was about to tear.
"Hello, little girl, do you need any help?" He gave her the feeling she should still be in diapers.
"Hello, big boy I do need help but first I'd like to clarify that I'm not five; I'm a first year but I happen to be fifteen."
Harry's face turned into a bemused stare. Brooke wasn't one to trust people.
"I'm quite tired so I don't feel like explaining my life story to you; I don't even know your name."
"Harry Potter."
He stated simply, but she knew he--himself wasn't as simple as he made it sound. She knew all about him, he was the 'boy-who-lived'. She heard all about how horribly wonderful he was in Hogwarts through her sister's annoying rambling and about his miracle stories with Voldemort. His name came up all the time at her father's house. How much he hated him, how much his life changed since the fall of the Dark Lord. But now, he has risen again. Now her father was jubilant.
"I know who you are, Harry Potter, your name's quite famous." Harry didn't want to hear that. All his life people knew him has 'Harry Potter-The Famous.' For once he just wanted to hear someone give him a normal response to his name. Harry waited to be plummeted with questions about his life but they never came. This was an improvement.
Harry decided to speak first. "I know who you are, Brooke Parkinson, your name reminds me of a very selfish girl in the Slytherin house."
Brooke didn't enjoy hearing snide remarks from this "Golden boy," even if it was true. However, she understood why he said it and let it slide, not only because she was a Gryffindor too, but also because he was deathly handsome. Harry watched as she turned a shade of pink and thought it was very cute looking but at the same time, prayed he didn't insult this beauty.
"All right, Mr. Potter, which way to the rooms?" Brooke desperately wanted to get to sleep even though it was still early.
"Well, Miss. Parkinson, you follow me." He gave her a wink and turned his back for her to follow. "You missed the tour that has a lot of important information so I'll just have to point out what you'll defiantly need to know." Harry yelled over his shoulder.
"That's fine, just make it fast; I'm in dire need of sleep." Brooke said as she tried to catch a look at Harry's bottom through the long, scarlet cloak.
"Why? Are you sick?" Harry stopped and turned with a concerned expression on his face. This surprised Brooke; she didn't know a boy she'd only just met could actually care about her already.
"No, not sick. I've had a bad day." Brooke bit her lip.
Harry found her irresistible when she looked shy like that. She didn't come off as a shy girl, or a girl that could have a bad day, but she's human. And she's pretty as hell. Harry didn't feel as depressed knowing she wasn't the happy girl he figured she was. He knew it was a horrible thought, but he just couldn't help it. 'Maybe she's just as mad at life as I am?'
"Oh, that's too bad for your first day at Hogwarts. When I came here, my first day was pure bliss." Harry felt horrible as soon as the words slipped. He tried to fix it so she could feel better, "But I was living in a hell hole, so anything to me was pure bliss after that."
Brooke's face lit up a bit and she gave as much of a smile as she could while still biting her bottom lip. Harry flicked his head to the right quickly, indicating to keep walking. He took large strides, like Brooke. Harry was impressed she was able to keep up without looking out of breath, unlike many other girls he knew. When they made it to the split between the Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, Gryffindor, and Slytherin halls, Harry stopped. He pointed down each hallway with his long, muscular arm indicating each house, to a very flustered Brooke.
"Don't worry," Harry smiled, "you'll remember where you're going soon enough."
Harry didn't realize Brooke wasn't confused about the halls; she could care less about it. She just couldn't figure out why Harry was being so kind towards her; she never felt so much better in such a short period of time. She wondered if it was specifically him that made her feel better or that if anyone else were as kind as he was she'd feel better just as much.
Brooke was toured all around the Gryffindor hallway, from the bathrooms down to the secret passages. When he brought her to a picture of a fat lady he told her this is where the tour ends.
"All of the Gryffindors are behind this painting now, it's the 'hang out' for us and our bedrooms." Harry explained, looking into such light brown eyes. He suddenly found himself looking all over her bright face. "You remind me of a-uh-um-a lion." Harry stated then turned a bright red at his foolish words.
Brooke raised an eyebrow, like she usually does; then let a warm smile creep to her face and laughed. Harry turned back to his normal shade of peach and laughed along with her. 'His laugh is beautiful,' Brooke thought, 'almost like a song, not obnoxious like a lot of other boys.' When the laughter died down, Harry tried to speak again without embarrassing himself too badly.
"You should have another go at making friends with Hermione. She's one of my best friends, so is Ron; you should talk to him too. Oh, and Ginny, my girl- um, my other friend." Harry almost blew his chances with this girl, but he just denied Ginny, didn't he like her?
"Maybe I will, 'have another go' at them." Brooke gave a smirk and tried to pull the painting open with her hands clenched against the frame but failed.
Harry chuckled and announced: "Lion heart." The fat lady said, "Nice to see you here again, Harry dear." and swung open allowing both teenagers to step inside.