I waved at my parents through the train's window until I couldn't see them. I sat back down and opened the book I had been carrying. It was a muggle book. I lived in the Muggle World and to be more specific, Harry Potter's next door neighbor. We grew up together not knowing we were wizard and witch or that he was the Chosen One. My father's a muggle and my mom a pureblood witch. Funny how she managed to marry a muggle. She told me that her parents threatened her to disown her if she married my dad and they did. And they did because Gabriella Samuels is now happily married to David Hemingway.
"There you are!" A familiar voice yelled out opening the compartment door. It was none other than my neighbor and best friend.
"Hello Harry." I got up hugging him. "Where are the others?"
"Prefect duty. They'll be back later."
I nodded and sat back down and Harry across from me. "So how was your summer, I mean after I left."
"Nothing really happened. Julian came back from Romania, he told us about the dragons and his work there and oh he met this lovely girl but she wasn't able to come with him. We're inviting her over for Christmas. Let's just hope she's sane."
Harry laughed and I did the same until someone opened the compartment door. "Marianne!" Hermione engulfed me in a tight hug and I returned it. She then pulled away to let me hug Ron too.
We caught up on our summer and the guys discussed about Quidditch. As much as I wanted to enter in their conversation Hermione held me back with her questions.
"So...did anything happen between you and Ron?"
I noticed her blushing and she answered quickly. "No. Why would something happen?"
This denial was frustrating. She thought we didn't know about her feelings towards Ron and his feelings towards her as well. I shook my head in frustration and let the subject go since it wasn't going anywhere.
We were almost there and something felt weird. Usually, Malfoy would come and make a snide remark and after arguing a bit he's leave. However, he didn't stop by this time. I didn't even know why I wanted him to come. I shook it off and went to change with Hermione.
The train came to a stop as we started to get off of it. "Harry, you coming?" I asked seeing that he didn't make an attempt to get off the train.
"Yeah, you guys go ahead. I'll catch up with you later." He answered with a small smile.
I nodded and went to the carriages with the others.
"Hermione, I have a feeling this year's going to be different." I said while gazing at the castle.
"Good different or bad different?"
"I'm not sure...maybe a little bit of both. Don't worry it's just how I feel about this year." I gave her a reassuring smile.
"But, you always seem to be right about it."
"Let's just hope I'm wrong and that everything's going to be fine." Then I chuckled. "Oh come on Hermione, not everything I predict happens. I don't have powers or anything."
"Maybe you do." She whispered to herself, but I heard it and ignored it. It was silly if you ask me. I doubt I have any kind of power other than being a witch.
During the feast, I noticed that Harry still hadn't come. My eyes went to the Slytherin table and searched for the platinum blond haired boy, but he wasn't there either. I started to get suspicious. These two must have gotten into a fight again.
Just as that thought came, Harry entered the Great Hall and approached the Gryffindor table. He had a bruise on his eye and I winced seeing it. "What happened?"
"Nothing." I followed his gaze and saw he was looking at Malfoy who was glaring back at him then it turned to a smirk.
"Let it go, Harry. He's not worth it." I tapped his shoulder lightly before turning back to my dinner.
I couldn't help but glance at the blond haired boy and noticed how he had changed. He had become even paler than before and always had a frown or a cold look during the whole dinner. He didn't even laugh or smirk either.
"Marianne?" I turned to Harry. "I've got something to tell you, let's go to the common room." I nodded and quickly got up.
"Aren't Hermione and Ron coming?" I asked. It seemed something important by the tone of his voice. The others should know about this.
"They already know. Come on."
I shrugged and followed him to the Gryffindor common room. He whispered the password and we entered. No one was there yet, the dinner wasn't even over.
We sat down on the couch and stared at the fireplace for a while. "Are you going to tell me?"
He snapped out of what he was thinking and said "Yes...Let me start off by saying. The Weasleys finally opened their shop-"
"Oh Merlin's beard! Really? I wish I could have visited if someone-" I grabbed a pillow and hit him with it. "Had told me."
"You could always come during Christmas, you know?" I rolled my eyes knowing he was right.
"Anyway. I saw Malfoy...and I followed him. He went to Borgin and Burkes." He stopped then continued. "I don't know what he was looking for. I just know that it has to do with a closet. I'm telling you there's something behind it." He stopped yet again to hear what I had to say.
"I'm not sure it means anything Harry." I paused then something clicked. "You don't think he's...a Death Eater, do you?" I whispered the last part. You don't know who might be eavesdropping or hearing us.
"That's exactly what I was thinking and he's planning something."
"I doubt that. He can't be one of them, he's too young. There has to be some rule about it-"
"Maybe Voldemort's getting as many followers as he can, especially within the walls of Hogwarts."
Now that made sense, but something was telling me that Malfoy's not a Death Eater or was I just denying it because I didn't want him to be? Again with the second thoughts on him, I shook it off.
"People might be coming. I suggest we stop talking about this." I said after a long silence.
Harry nodded and we engaged into another topic as slowly people entered the common room.
