Hey everyone!!! This is my new story... hope you guys like it! Please read/review!! I like constructive criticism :D!

Disclaimer: Aw hell you know I didn't make up these characters! I'm flattered that you would think so... but sadly they are JK's. All the characters that you do not recognize and of course the plot are all creations of my mind...

On with the show!

Mastering the Heart. Chapter 1.

Ginny boarded the Hogwarts Express after a very stressful morning. She was sad to see the summer go and she knew she would miss her family terribly but she was also excited to start her sixth year at Hogwarts. She made her way through the hall to find an empty compartment and to her luck most were already full with laughing students. Eventually she found one all the way at the end of the train, however, at least it was empty and she could have the whole place to herself. Ginny placed her belongings neatly inside and plopped herself on the chair. She propped her legs up on the opposite seat and took out her book that she had just started reading. After a few pages, she put away her book out of pure frustration and stared out the window.

'This year is going to be different Ginny. No more crushes, no more silly hopes, and definitely no more tagging along with the Golden Trio! This year I'm going to be me and do my own thing and not care if it clashes with the usual me!'

Throughout most of her Hogwarts school years, Ginny was always a mere shadow of her brothers and their friends. She was just the youngest Weasley, the baby sister of the dragon expert, Gringotts extraordinaire, ministry suck up, comedians, and sidekick. She was known as the girl who looked up to Hermione Granger, the smartest girl in the school, and as the secret admirer of Harry Potter, the boy-who-lived. She didn't have that many friends in her own year and she was too shy to even make any, which explained why she drifted towards her brothers friends as a comfort zone.

All that was going to change. She had made a promise to herself that her sixth year would be different. It would be free from all the painful reminders of her past. Although it would be difficult for her to give up Harry, she realized he never liked her to begin with and would most likely never show his feelings for her. She was more of a sister to him in his eyes. She was going to make new friends, do well in her classes, and make new goals for her future.

Ginny felt the train begin to move and closed her eyes.

'My new life is about to begin.'

She opened her eyes slowly and drank in the sunlight that was coming through her window. She opened the window slightly to let in some of the fresh autumn air. Her quiet reflections were interrupted by a soft yet persistent knock on the door of her compartment.

'Ugh... what now... can't I be left alone?' groaned Ginny

Nevertheless, Ginny opened the door and was greeted by a blond haired girl, looking very much distressed.

"Hey my names Jasy, mind if I join you? Everywhere else is full and my stuff is weighing me down!" said the girl breathlessly in an American accent.

"Uh...Sure... come on in... make yourself at home..." stammered Ginny

"Thanks...you don't know how hard it's been for me. I'm new here and not everyone is willing to let the new girl join them. It's really nice of you to let me share your place with you!"

"Oh it's no problem at all. I'm by myself here anyway. I'm Ginny by the way. What year are you in?"

"I'm supposed to be starting my sixth year."

"Oh that's great! Me too! Where did you come from before Hogwarts?"

"I'm from New York. I attended the Academy for Witches and Wizards there."

"Wow New York! That's really cool. I heard that school is one of the best out there."

"Yeah it is. I'm sad to leave it but my dad found work in London, and we all had to move with him. Of course I'm really excited to start at a new school. I can't wait to be sorted. I've read all about Hogwarts from the books my dad has given me. It's amazing.. I hope I get into a good house... which one are you in?"

She didn't know why she felt so comfortable with this new girl. She was usually extremely shy around people like her. People who talked with no worries. It looked like one of her new goals were already being set in motion, she was making a new friend.

"Gryffindor" replied Ginny silently.

Jasy looked at Ginny with sudden interest at this response.

"Why the sad face?"

"It's nothing. I'm just glad someone's here to talk to. I don't have that many friends."

"Well I don't see why! You're a sweetheart! You let me in your compartment without a single moment's hesitation. I don't have that many friends here either. We could be friends if you wanted us to be?"

"I'm really shy when it comes to conversations. It's not easy for me to open up. But I'd love to be friends with you. It would be really cool if you ended up in Gryffindor with me."

"Yeah... it could be loads of fun."

Jasy began to place her things in the compartment and was already changing into her school robes. Ginny looked at the girl carefully. Compared to her long, straight, red hair, short height, and brown eyes, Jasy had hair that was short and layered to frame her face. It was blonde and highlighted with browns and natural colors and was fanned out to look like spikes. She was about 5 foot 7 inches with hazel eyes that seemed to change with the color of the light. She wore baggy jeans and a shirt that said 'You don't know me, you just wish you did' underneath her black school robes. Jasy also wore many black bracelets on her wrists as well as a necklace with the Celtic cross for well being, hanging from her neck. She had her ears pierced 5 times, two on each of her lobes and one by her cartilage. Her earrings were tiny hoops made of different colors that complimented the colors in her shirt which were a light blue and black. All in all she was very different from all of the girls at Hogwarts that Ginny had ever seen.

Jasy seated herself opposite Ginny and smiled at her to show rows of perfectly white teeth.

"So, now that that's taken care of, I'm starving!" exclaimed Jasy.

Just then, as if on cue, the lunch trolley lady popped in her head.

"Anything off the trolley dears?"

"Uh... yeah, I'll take some of the chocolate frogs and that sandwich over there looks amazing, oh! And some of those jelly beans...and of course some of those and those and those!" said Jasy.

Ginny's eyes grew round at the accumulating amount of food that started to grow around Jasy.

"What.... I said I was hungry", laughed Jasy when she saw Ginny's expression.

Ginny smiled back and made a few purchases from the trolley as well. She was happy that she actually had some spending money this year, she had worked all summer at Diagon Alley at the ice cream shop and had made a nice amount of money for herself; enough to buy new robes, a new familiar, and new books for school with still a large amount left over. Because her job was taking up most of her time in the summer, Ginny hadn't seen much of Harry, which she thought was a good thing no matter how much it hurt. It would help her ignore him once they started up school again.

The girls busied themselves with eating for over a good hour.

"So... what's... your favorite.... color?" said Jasy through her mouthfuls.

"Oh I really like green and blue. But I guess red is nice too," responded Ginny.

"Yeah, I like blue a lot and black is another fav."

"That's cool, so what house do you think you'll be in?" asked Ginny with hope in her eyes.

"Well I don't know, it could be anything really. But from what I've heard, Hufflepuff is the house that doesn't really win at anything, Ravenclaw is almost as good as Gryffindor, and Gryffindor is the definite best. I'm forgetting one...oh right Slytherin, yeah there is no way I'm going in there, apparently a lot of bad shit goes on in there."

"Yeah," giggled Ginny, "don't let Hufflepuff hear you when you say they loose a lot, and definitely don't let Slytherin hear you said they suck."

"Oh I could care less what people think and if they bother me I'll hex them into oblivion." Smiled Jasy sweetly.

Ginny laughed in return. She was getting to know this girl better and better and she liked that they were getting along so well. By the time they were done eating, not one chocolate frog hopped and not one goodie was left uneaten. They both patted their stomachs simultaneously and giggled when they noticed they were doing the same thing.

"Gin, you should put on your robes I think the train is slowing down."

Ginny looked out the window and saw that the sky had indeed turned dark and the train also slowing down. She got up and took her robes out of her trunk and put them on. She petted her new familiar, a snowy white owl with specks of black on its feathers. It hooted gratefully when it received a treat.

"Oh that is such a cute familiar! What's its name?"

"It's a her, her name is Aurora."

"Very nice! I especially love the color." Smiled Jasy warmly.

Just then the train stopped all together and the girls got up and left the train. Ginny saw the well-known site of Hogsmeade and saw Hagrid rounding up the first years. She waved gaily at him, which he returned with a big "HELLO GINNY WHOSE YOUR NEW FRIEND?!"

Although this embarrassed Ginny a bit, Jasy was fascinated by the height of the man. "Oh this is Jasy, she's new here!" she shouted back.

"WELCOME TO HOGWARTS MY DEAR!" Ginny gladly told her all about Hagrid which made Jasy stare at him in awed silence.

"Come on," Ginny chuckled, "we need to get a carriage, and you'll get your first real glimpse of Hogwarts."

The girls made their way to what seemed like an empty carriage, but when they opened the doors they saw Draco Malfoy inside.

"And what may I ask are you doing here, Weasley."

Ginny took a deep breath when she saw Dra..Malfoy. He had changed so much over the summer. He didn't have that super gelled look anymore and his hair was long but not too long as to shout out rock star. Years of Quidditch training had made him into a built teenager of seventeen.

"Uh...sorry...uh...we were...uh...just looking for a carriage." Finished Ginny lamely.

Jasy noticed the transaction between the two and immediately saw Ginny's face turn scarlet when she laid eyes on Draco. Instinctively Jasy said, "And we were just about to go!"

"You better! And take your stupid bracelets with you," snarled Malfoy.

Jasy grabbed Ginny's arm and dragged her to the next available carriage.

Ginny gulped and sighed when they entered the carriage.

"What was that? Who is he? And why was he being a total jerk?"

"Oh that's Malfoy. He's in Slytherin. A no good bully that loves to bother Potter and my brother Ron and especially 'Mione. He struts around the place like he owns it and everyone knows his father used to be in league with good ol' Voldie. But after he was defeated last year, his father was put into Azkaban, our wizard prison. Now he is just pissed at the world because his plans of being all world dominating were crushed."

"Right. So he is a spoiled little brat whose daddy isn't home so he thinks he can do whatever the fuck he wants? I swear if he does anything to you, he's dead."

"Thanks that helps a lot," smiled Ginny gratefully.

Jasy smiled at Ginny and hugged her, "Anything for a friend."

The rest of the ride to the castle was filled with questions on family and friends.

"Well I have a total of six brothers. The oldest, works at Gringotts, his name's Bill. Then there's Charlie, he works with dragons in Romania, and then Percy who now works at the Ministry, and then there are the two twins, Fred and George, who always play pranks and own a joke shop in Hogsmeade, and then Ron, who is Harry Potter's best friend."

"Wow that's a lot of siblings, I only have one, his name is Gregor, he is a top mediwizard. Wait did you say Harry Potter? He goes here...I didn't think he went to Hogwarts..."

"Yeah Potter's a good friend of mine. I used to hang out a lot with him and my brother and their friend Hermione Granger, but this year I promised myself to detach myself from them, cause this is their last year here."

"Oh cool. Yeah I hope you don't think I'm acting all goo goo eyes for Potter. I'm not like most of his fans, I just find his story fascinating."

"Yeah," sighed Ginny, "its tough being his friend and having all these girls swarm up to him."

"You have the hotts for him don't you?" smiled Jasy knowingly.

"You're the one who said it, not me..." and with that Ginny spent the last five minutes of the ride staring out of the window.

~*~*

Draco leaned back in his seat when he saw his two friends jog up to the carriage.

'When did Ginny get so hot? Her hair, her face, her body. My god someone must of hit her with the pretty stick. Thank god I was able to keep my cool before. And who the hell is her friend? I've never seen her around before... what right does she have to talk back at me. Does she know who I am?? I guess I'll have to teach her a lesson before the year is up. And that Weasley girl, damn is she hot...'

With that last thought, Crabbe and Goyle made their way into the carriage and they began their ascent up to Hogwarts.

~*~*

Jasy opened the carriage door and got out and waited for Ginny to do the same. They made their way up to the castle steps with Ginny lost in her thoughts and Jasy staring up at the magnificent building. It had many windows which were all lit up with a nice warm glow. The towers were uncountable and the walls were lined with ivy. It looked like a very cheerful place and the gardens nearby, as well as the lake, added a natural beauty to it.

The two friends parted at the great hall when Professor McGonagall signaled for Jasy to join her and the first years.

"Good luck Jas!"

"Thanks Gin, see ya in a few."

Ginny made her way into the great hall and immediately felt at home. She took a seat at the Gryffindor table and was soon joined by none other then Harry, Hermione, and Ron.

"Hey guys.." said Ginny.

"Hey where were you Gin. We missed you on the train," said Harry.

"You...you...did?" stammered Ginny, hope igniting in her heart once again.

"Yeah, you couldn't find us?" answered Hermione.

"Uh...the compartments were all really full so I made my way to the back."

"Oh, we thought you were avoiding us, we haven't seen you all summer either," sighed Ron, "Am I losing my baby sister?"

"O shut up Ron, I had a job, you know that perfectly well."

"Right," said Ron somewhat sheepishly, "I forgot."

"Yeah it's pretty easy to forget about me.." muttered Ginny.

Just then the first years and one happy looking sixth year made their way into the Great Hall. Ginny waved at Jasy who smiled and waved back. She then stopped at the front of the hall along with the first years and waited for Professor McGonagall to place the sorting hat on the stool.

"This, my dears, is the sorting hat. Do not try to hide your true feelings from it, for it will sort you into the proper house. It is here to decide what is best for you according to the will of your mind and the strength of your heart. So when I call out your name, please make your way up to this stool, place that hat on your head, and await the answer."

"Sixth year, Jasy Oleander!"

The hall suddenly broke out into hushed whispers...what a sixth year? Where did she come from? Who is she? I wonder where she'll get into.

Jasy was aware that many whispers where floating through the room. She summoned all her courage to go up to the stool and was red in the face by the time she faced the crowd. All of a sudden she heard a little voice inside her head, but knew it was the hat speaking to her.

"So...Jasy is it...hmm very interesting. You have a stout heart, you are kind, yet also cunning and you make friends well... seems as if you have qualities for all four houses... quite unusual... Well...what is your hearts desire...where would you like to be placed? It is your choice after all..."

"Gryffindor wouldn't be too bad, Mr. Hat Thing. I have a new friend there, but Ravenclaw isn't bad either. I just don't know!"

"Well, Ravenclaw would not suit you as best as Gryffindor could. Then I've made my decision..."

"GRYFFINDOR!!!"

'YES! WOOT!' thought Jasy.

The Gryffindor table hooted and shouted with glee. They clapped their hands loudly when Jasy took a seat next to Ginny.

"I knew you could do it! This is going to be a fun year after all." Stated Ginny while she laughed with Jasy.

"It's just a relief I got into the house I wanted to be in. The hat said I was good for all of them, that it was my choice."

"It's pure destiny then." Giggled Ginny.

Harry and Ron and Hermione where staring at the new comer and amazed at Ginny. This was the first time she was actually speaking with other people other then them. It was quite unnerving.

"Oh guys sorry, this is Jasy, we met on the train." Said Ginny somewhat shyly.

"Hey." Said the dream team.

"Hi!" said Jasy enthusiastically. "You must be Ron, you look like your sister, you must be Hermione, the brain, and you must be Harry Potter, the scar says all."

"Pretty good! So where are you from?" asked Hermione.

"New York City. We just recently moved here, since my dad got a job at the Ministry here." Replied Jasy.

"Wow cool New York City, must be fun there..." stated Ron with obvious interest.

"Yeah it is. The village is awesome and there is always so much to do there."

Harry was silent through out the whole conversation. He just smiled and nodded at all the right places to show that he wasn't feigning interest. His emotions were at a high the moment he saw Ginny. She was completely different from the girl he knew years before. Her hair was nice and straight and curled at the ends and reached a little below her waist. Her eyes were a warm chocolate brown, and her teeth glistened. She had obtained all the right curves over the summer and fit into her uniform well. Her attitude was different as well. She was very talkative with everyone around her and smiled and laughed at all the jokes. She didn't know how provocative she really was and she had an air of honest innocence around her. Everyone was genuinely interested in her and hung on to her every word. Harry didn't know what to think the moment he saw her, but his first thought was how wonderfully sexy this little girl had become into a woman.

Then when Jasy sat down, he noticed how beautiful she was and he found himself comparing the two. He shook his head, trying to get them out of his head. They were both having a good time and he could see that they were on the verge of being best friends. He didn't know what to do. He knew Ginny had the hots for him ever since she laid eyes on him. He was just never interested in her...that is...until now. But he was also interested in Jasy. He had to choose. He knew that if he chose Jasy, he would hurt Ginny and that was the last thing he wanted to do, even though she was doing a nice job avoiding him. He knew it was too soon to tell what he was feeling at the moment so he tried to get back into the conversation.

"So therefore I love potions. It's such a thrilling art to brew the imaginable." Finished Jasy.

"That's great that you think so... but you won't think that after you've met Hogwarts resident potions master, Snape. He's and evil git and loves to get us Gryffindors in trouble." Sighed Ron. "Even so, Gin's the best in potions in the whole Weasley family."

Ginny visibly blushed at this. It was the first real compliment that she had received in regards to her academic skills.

"Thanks...you're too kind..."

"I'm beginning to wonder what Ginny's not good at," smiled Jasy.

"Oh believe me, there's a lot I'm not good at." Replied Ginny.

"That's not true Ginny. You do whatever you set your mind to and that's what I like the most about you." Said Harry.

Ginny was dumbfounded.

'Did Harry just say he liked me even if he was just defending me? What is going on?'

"Uh... thanks Harry." Whispered Ginny.

Jasy was following the last words between the two and smiled to herself. At least Gin is getting some more of that confidence.

Just then, all conversation ceased when Professor Dumbledore stood up to address the students and teachers.

"My dear students. Another year! Another year for grades, tests, homework, Quiddtich and more! Let this be a good year filled with friendship and kindness. Now without further adieu, let the feast begin!"

The plates were filled with enormous amounts of food and all anyone could do was eat. Jasy grabbed one of everything in site and began to chow down. Ginny did the same and piled her plate high. Everyone was enjoying their meal and were all eating as if it was their last. Conversation continued but sparingly as everyone was too busy stuffing their faces.

Ginny shifted her attention to the Slytherin tables against the walls. Her eyes strayed over Draco as they watched him eat and joke with his friends. As if feeling that he was being watched, Draco turned and gazed right back at Ginny. His eyes showed no emotion but his lips curved into a small smile. He winked at her and continued his conversation with his friends. Ginny had to smile back of course. How couldn't she? He was somehow different, even though he was still as mean as ever.

Finally towards the end the second course, the deserts replaced the now clean plates. Jasy had never seen so many types of deserts and once again selected a little of each. Ginny went straight to the chocolate covered strawberries. They were her absolute favorite. Too bad they didn't have them dipped in milk chocolate with white chocolate drizzle. But chocolate covered strawberries were chocolate covered strawberries.

Harry watched Ginny eat her favorite desert. Every feast would have chocolate covered strawberries included in the desert and at every feast Ginny would devour at least ten of them. He had never thought of it before, but now that he was seeing the new Ginny, he saw the way her soft lips covered the strawberry and her teeth gently tearing up the soft flesh of the fruit, the way she savored each bite, and the way she licked her lips with her pink tongue afterwards. He wanted to feel those lips on his and taste her sweet mouth. It was amazing how the act of eating strawberries made him want to take a cold shower.

He was not the only one who was watching Ginny eat the strawberries. Draco was fascinated by the simple act and it was hard for him to quell his rising emotions. The smile he had given her was entirely out of the blue, but when she had smiled back he was shocked and yet excited at the same time. Why did he think it was important she smile back? Why was he happy when she did? 'This is going to be a very trying year,' thought Draco.

Harry and Draco's thoughts were quickly interrupted by Professor Dumbledore.

"And now that we have all been fed and watered, it is time for a good nights rest and classes in the morning!"

With that, the students left the dining hall and made their way to their houses. Ginny was showing Jasy the way to Gryffindor tower and talking about all the secret passageways and things that one had to look out for, like the invisible step. Just as Ginny was about to explain to Jasy that the invisible step was always the fifth to the top most stair, Jasy's foot got caught in said step.

"Oh god... you were just about to tell me about this weren't you?" moaned Jasy.

"Yeah, how'd you know? Well that doesn't matter right now, what matters is getting you out of there."

Before Ginny could do anything about it though, Harry took hold of Jasy's arms and gently pulled her out of her prison.

"Thanks Harry," gulped Jasy, "I guess I still have a lot of learning to do."

"Don't mention it. Those stairs always give everyone trouble no matter how much you know about this castle. Believe me I know." Harry gave the girls both a quick smile and continued up the stairs.

Ginny knew she shouldn't be feeling jealous. After all, Harry just helped Jasy out of the step, it was nothing more. And besides, she was going to stop liking Harry. Just because he had defended her at dinner didn't mean he actually liked her. He still saw her as Ron's baby sister. Right? Ginny threw her thoughts of Harry away and continued to walk up with Jasy, telling her of more neutral things, like classes.

Jasy was only half listening to what Ginny was talking about. Granted secret passage ways and classes were interesting enough; she couldn't help but think about Harry. Why did he help her when Ginny could've done just as well? What was that look in his eyes? A battle between emotions? She had so many unanswered questions about everything that was happening and it was her first day at Hogwarts. It seemed as if this was going to be one hell of a year.

Eventually, the group made their way to the portrait of the Fat Lady. Hermione, as head girl, strode up to the door and stated the password, "fizzle foot". The students filed into the common room and started to make their way up to their respective dorms.

"Well Jasy, welcome to Gryffindor Tower." Stated Ginny with a big smile on her face.

"Wow! This is so cool!" exclaimed Jasy.

"I knew you would like it. Here, let's go to our dorms, our stuff has already been brought up."

"Ok. Good night everyone! Nice to meet you!"

"Good night!" chorused Ron, Hermione, and Harry.

Ginny and Jasy made their way up the stairs and stopped at the door that said 'Sixth Year, Girls.' They made their way to their beds and began to get ready for bed. They both put on their pajamas and where about to crawl into bed, when the rest of their roommates walked in.

"Hey guys. This is Jasy; she's from New York and the new girl here at Gryffindor Tower."

"Hey Jasy. Nice to meet ya. My name's Sarah, but you can call my Lucci, everyone does." Lucci got ready for bed and began to climb into her four poster. "Sorry gals, but I need some sleep, I stayed up all night on my computer at home and I'm beat. Night!"

"Night."

"Hey Jasy, I'm Nicole, but everyone knows me as Nikki, so just call me that."

"My name's Sarah too, but you can call me Morga, cause it gets way to confusing with two Sarahs in a room. Well it was nice talking to ya, I'm going to bed, and I'll see ya in the morning!"

"Night, and nice to meet you too." Said Jasy. She was getting confused with all these new names. Luckily there was only one roommate left.

"What's your name?"

"I'm Kerin. You can just call me Kerin," and she giggled at her own joke, "Welcome to Gryffindor."

"Thanks. Well it was really nice meeting you. I'll see you all in the morning. Night Ginny, thanks for everything hun."

"Night... Jasy. See ya at... breakfast." Yawned Ginny.

Jasy went to her bed and quickly fell asleep with thoughts of her day, her new friendship with Ginny, and of course Harry.

With most of the girls already breathing softly, Ginny laid her head down on her pillow and was contemplating her first day back. It had gone surprisingly well. She was already confused about Harry, but it couldn't be helped. As she snuggled deeper into her covers, she smiled at herself and was happy to have met such a great friend like Jasy. Her last thought before she drifted off to sleep was of Draco and the look he had given her.