Author's Note

I do not own Harry Potter, all characters belong to the talented J.K Rowling.

So to begin with, I'd like to tell you guys about my plans for this story. The plan is for this to be a Harry/OC story. I want them to gradually fall in love. I don't want it to be the usually lets go to the Yule ball as friends and then realize oh we actually like each other. I personally think that plot has been overused and it gets really boring reading the same type of story. This one will have little things that change the way that Harry and Laurel look at each other, and yes they will go to the ball together, but knowing that it will be their first date kinda thing. I was thinking of maybe adding a soul bond, but I don't know yet, maybe if I can think of some interesting ways that they can use it for, maybe Laurel gets Harry's ability to talk to snakes and Harry gets some talents of Laurels which you will find out about in time.

Like I said, there will be changes. Also this story will defiantly not be about an OC character that just steals Ron's and Hermione's lines. But you probably already figured that one out. I love Harry Potter and want to do this story proud and I hope you guys like it. Reviews are welcomed as well as any ideas you have or thoughts towards the story. As long as you respect the story and myself, negative comments are welcome, but please be nice. You aren't here to judge. We're all here because we love Harry Potter!

I also forgot this story is starting from book four. I just find that by the time you get through the first three books in a fanfic it gets kinda boring. There's nothing you can really change in the first three that will change the story that much. Maybe Harry is believed about Sirius being innocent. I couldn't really think of any reason to include them. Maybe if I finish this story I might go back and write the story on the first three.

Here goes! I hope you enjoy. Please review and let me know what you think.

~Briane94

Chapter 1

The Perfect Dress

Dear Harry,

How are you? I hope your family wasn't as bad as they were last summer. It must be dreadfully hard to try and finish all your assignments and such while having to take on the responsibilities of a house elf. If you'd like to come over for a week or so before going to the Weasley's, Mom doesn't mind. She even encourages you to come over so that you can get your assignments finished on time, so you won't do them at Ron's. I can just see the two of you saying you'll do it later and having to stay up all night after the feast to finish it all. It's up to you though, if you'd like I can come pick you up Monday. Does 1 o'clock sound alright? Let me know.

I'm doing fine as well; it's been great here at home. Mom isn't here a lot, she's always working, but I don't mind. I've finished all my assignments (not before Hermione though) and I'm going through the textbooks for the fourth year. It looks pretty hard compared to last year, but the potions textbook looks really exciting. I'm also staying at Hermione's for a couple of days. I'm meeting her today at the Leaky Cauldron. It's going to be so much fun! Did you notice that you need dress robes this year? We'll be going shopping to find ours. I wonder why we'll need them. But I guess we'll find out soon enough.

I'm so excited for the Quidditch World Cup! I can't wait. Mom got Hermione and I tickets as well! Right next to you and the Weasleys, in the top box. It's going to be great. Mom also wrote to Mr. Weasley and asked if it was alright if we came along with you, so we'll be staying at the Burrow as well. I know that neither I nor Hermione are big fans of Quidditch, but still its a once in a lifetime chance to see it.

Well, its almost time for me to leave. I hope you can come over next week!

Love,

Laurel

P.S. Have you heard from Padfoot? I hope he's OK as well. Send him my regards.

~O~~~~~~~O~~~~~~~O~

Smiling to herself, Laurel sent the letter off with her mother's owl Apollo, a beautiful red owl with brilliant orange wings. With a hoot, the owl took flight and exited the house from the open living room window.

Looking at the time, Laurel swore mentally and quickly dashed upstairs through the main foyer and turned right towards her wing of the house to get changed. She was so going to be late. Why did her house have to have so many stairs? It wasn't really what you considered a house, more like a mansion, but because of the ancestral magic throughout the house from thousands of years of wizards and witches, the house had many charms and enchantments that deterred anyone, not of Flamel blood. Most ancient and noble houses were the same, it was a tradition to live and grow up in the ancestral house.

Almost out of breath from the workout, Laurel quickly changed into the clothes she had laid out, light blue jeans paired with a blue blouse with lace on the short sleeves and cream colored flats. Going to her mirror she quickly brushed her hair and looked at herself in the mirror.

Her usual face was reflected; golden blonde hair that fell to her shoulders in soft waves, light blue eyes and lightly tanned skin from spending more time in the sun than she usually did at Hogwarts. With a last quick assessment, she deemed herself ready, grabbed her handbag, and went down to the fireplace in the formal living room. Checking that her wand was in fact in her wand holster (just in case, you never know when you might need it) and that she had her shrunken bag safely in her pocket, she grabbed a handful of Floo powder and stepped into the fireplace.

"The Leaky Cauldron," she said as the green flames erupted from the fire, sending her spinning around until she landed on solid ground once again. Grimacing at the soot on her shirt, she reached out to grab her wand before a familiar voice said "Scourgify."

"Hermione!" Laurel shouted as she hugged her best friend. "I hope I'm not late, I did try to get here on time but it took longer than I thought to write to Harry, and then I just started thinking about the fourth year and what it's going to be like."

"I only just got here myself, I lost track of time while rereading my charms assignment. I can't believe I almost missed an error on my paper," Hermione stated while frowning at the thought of a mistake. Laurel looked at her friend. Her hair was longer, and like Laurel, she had a slight tan from being outside more. Hermione looked great. She had gotten taller, and now that her front teeth were smaller, she really showed off her smile.

"At least you noticed it before you handed it in," Laurel replied while trying to hide a smile at her friend's antics. "Are you excited? We have to find our dresses first, and then I'm thinking shoes and jewelry, then lastly Madam Cheri's beauty salon for hair products and pins."

"As long as we can stop at the bookshop on the way out. How long do you think all this should take? I told my mom to pick us up around four."

"That's fine. The dresses shouldn't take too long to find at Twilfitt and Tattings. You'll see."

As they walked they chattered about random things, how Hermione's studying was going, what they'd be doing at her house for the next couple of days. Laurel was really curious to see what a muggle house looked like and what her family did for fun. Hermione has also just gotten back from a camping trip in the forest of Dean and was trying to explain how Muggles chose to sleep in "medieval huts" for fun.

"Here it is." she gestured at the formal looking dress shop. Upon entering they were greeted by a witch in formal robes.

"Hello, my name is Victoria and I'll be assisting you today," The woman smiled at Laurel and Hermione while herding them further into the store.

"Hi, I'm Laurel and this is Hermione. We're looking for dress robes," Laurel said as Hermione nodded at her name.

"Hogwarts I take it. We've had a few students already come in throughout the week needing dress robes. You've come to the right place. Now have you both been here before?"

"I have," Laurel said.

"I haven't," Hermione said. "Why?"

"That's alright dear; it's easy enough to understand. We do things differently here. It's quicker than your normal dress shopping. We found it took ages for customers, especially witches, to find the right dress. So the owner, Madam Bella, developed an ingenious way for customers to find the right robes. You notice that we don't have racks of dresses and robes all around the shop."

"Yes, where are the clothes?" Hermione asked, noticing this for the first time.

"It's because once you step into the dressing room, you can tell the mirror what you want, it will give you choices, and show you what you'll look like in each one. Then we can find the ones you like and you can try them on in person to see if you like the fabric and fit. It takes less time, and it's more fun," Victoria finished. She laughed a bubbly giggle and led them both into different dressing rooms. Laurel stepped inside as the deep purple curtain closed automatically.

"Just give me a shout when you've found something you like and you'll grab it for you."

Laurel looked around. The room was pretty nice, it had been redone since the last time she'd been here. The room was painted a soft cream, and lights were attached to the full-length mirror. A plush chair was seated at the corner of the room along with a table and fresh glass of water.

Laurel called out to Hermione. "Let me know when you've found something and I'll come and see it."

"Same to you", was her reply.

Looking back at the mirror, she stepped in front of it and watched as her image looked back at her. "Now dearie, what are we after today?" an older woman's voice said. "With that lovely golden hair, you should go for blue tones, a darker royal blue or a light baby blue."

"Mmm, I think I might try light blue."

As she watched, the mirror swirled and came to a rest with her wearing a light blue dress, long sleeved with lace trim on the edges of the dress.

"No, maybe something less mature, and silver in the dress." Again the mirror swirled and rested with another dress, this time a lighter blue, almost white, with a silver pattern around the bottom of the skirt. It was closer to what she was looking for, but it still wasn't right.

"You're getting closer, but it's just missing something." The mirror swirled again, and she saw the dress that she knew was the one that she was going to wear. The dress was light blue and silver in color, sleeveless, with a high neckline. The top was sheer at her chest but in a nonrevealing way, with a lighter blue and silver pattern that reminded Laurel of a frozen river covered in snow. A silk ribbon was wrapped around the top of her waist, separating the top part of the dress from the flowing skirt. It was the one. Not too simple, but not so complex that it took away from her appearance.

"Gorgeous!" The mirror exclaimed. "You knew what you were looking for from the start. I think this might be a record for me." Giving herself a once over again, Laurel smiled, her eyes glittering in the light. It really was lovely, the perfect color that matched her eyes.

Walking back into the shop, Victoria was at her side in an instant.

"Did you find one that you'd like to try on?"

"Yes please, this one," Laurel replied as she walked back into the dressing room with the assistant.

"Oh it's perfect. Great colors on you. Just one moment and I'll grab it for you."

Deciding to see how Hermione was going, Laurel went back outside.

"Hermione?" Laurel shouted, "Have you found anything?"

"Maybe. But I don't know, I think it's too pink", was her reply.

Pink wasn't a color that Laurel associated with Hermione because she didn't wear it a lot. But maybe a dress that was bright and new was something that Hermione needed this year. Something that said 'I'm not just about books and study.'

Brushing the curtain aside, Laurel walked into Hermione's room. Looking at the mirror, Laurel was stunned. Hermione looked beautiful. The mirror had even put her hair into a half up half down style with curls going over her shoulder. The dress was made from a pink silk, with a v-shaped neckline, that ruffled down from a pale pink into a deeper, almost purple color. Separating the top from the skirt was a silk sash the color of deep purple. The see through sleeves ruffled out lightly onto her shoulders, completing the dress.

"Oh my god. Hermione! This dress is beautiful. You have to try it on!"

"Are you sure it's not too pink?" Hermione frowned, unsure.

"No, it's perfect. You're allowed to dress up like a girl every once in a while."

"I know, but it just doesn't feel like me. It feels like I stand out too much."

"You can stand out for once Hermione; you don't have to hide behind a book all the time. I'm not saying you have to be like the girl in the mirror every day, but how many times are you doing to go to a ball with your best friends?" Laurel asked kindly.

"Thanks. You're right. I'll ask to try it on."

They both walked out of the dressing room just as Victoria came over with a garment bag.

"Laurel, this is for you. Once you try the dress on, it will automatically fit your frame perfectly. No need to waste time measuring and figuring out sizes," she said while hanging the garment up in her dressing room.

"Now, Hermione. Have you found something you'd like to try on?" Walking over before they could answer, she looked at the mirror and gushed, "It's lovely, you girls really can pick them. I'll grab it for you right away."

"Would you like to put them on together?"

"Yes. Just wait for me," Hermione replied as Laurel went and got changed. Closing the curtain, Laurel walked over to the white garment bag and unzipped it. Falling out almost like a waterfall, was the dress.

Laying her hand on the fabric, she could feel how soft and light the dress was. Quickly changing, she got into the dress. Unable to do up the little silver buttons that ran all the way down her back, she waited for the telltale sound of Victoria coming back and asked for her help. Once she was done Victoria helped Hermione into her dress and they both came out.

"You look great!" They both exclaimed at the same time.

Giggling, they bought both dresses. They would be delivered in about three weeks or so once they were ordered from the store. After that, the girls headed off to find matching shoes and jewelry. Laurel ended up with simple silver diamond earrings and silver strappy shoes with a small heel while Hermione bought light pink heels and pink diamond earrings in the shape of flowers.

With one quick stop (for Hermione at least it was quick, for Laurel a long trip) to the bookstore and four books later they were ready to be picked up.

"You've never been to a Muggle house before, have you?" Hermione asked as they waited outside the Leaky Cauldron for Hermione's father.

"No, you're the first. What's that thing again that your dad will be driving? A bus?"

"No Laurel, it's called a car", Hermione laughed. "You're going to have so much fun at my place. I'll show you how we inferior Muggles cook and we can even watch a movie tonight."

"Ah yes, a car. I remember it now. An automobile", Laurel said factually.

"Yes, but we don't call it an automobile, car is fine." Hermione grinned. "There's my mom, come on." Following Hermione to a silver car pulling into a parking lane, Laurel stood unsure as to how to get into the car. Sighing, Hermione showed her how to open the door and put on the weird strap that was apparently for protection.

"Hello Mrs. Granger, thanks for picking us up," Laurel said.

"Laurel, lovely to see you again. It's no problem. William is at our practice working, so it'll just be us three until he gets home tonight around six. Hermione dear, did you want to help Laurel put her things in the back?"

"Oh, it's fine. I've got my bag shrunk in my pocket. All I have to do is tap it with my want to unshrink it."

"Wow, really? We need to invest in one of those for Hermione. With a number of books she has, it's impossible for her to take them all to school."

"Mum," Hermione groaned in annoyance.

"You know you can buy them, or even charm them yourself once you're at school. But once I get back home I'll send it with Apollo," Laurel promised.

"Really?" Hermione asked.

"Sure, I already have my trunk charmed with the same charms for school. So I don't need it. And once we get to school I'll show you the spells, and you can bring some bags and charm them yourself." Laurel made a mental note to bring her mother's charm book that had the spells in them.

"I wish I'd thought of this years ago. Can you imagine all the books I would bring? The extra material for our assignments. And you can use them too," Hermione exclaimed as Laurel and Mrs. Granger looked at each other through the mirror.

The drive to the Granger's was enjoyable. Laurel and Hermione chatted away while her mom made the occasional comment. In no time at all, they were pulling up into a long driveway. Looking through the window, Laurel saw what appeared to be a very nice house, or so she thought by Muggle standards. She didn't really have anything to compare it to. It was a two-story white brick house, with huge windows throughout. Roses were planted all along the front porch, with a water bath sat in the middle of the garden. There weren't any gnomes in sight. Odd. No fairies or anything. They would have loved the roses and garden.

Not needing help to open her door this time, Laurel jumped out once the car stopped moving and grabbed her shopping bags as Hermione and her mother got out. Hermione led her to the room where she was staying, while her mother left to get dinner ready.

"So this is where you'll be staying, I hope it's alright. Mum washed the sheets today so everything is clean," Hermione said opening the door to a spare room. It was nice. The room was pale blue, with cream curtains and a silver comforter. A wooden dresser sat to the side with a mirror on top.

"It's great! Much nicer than sharing a room with you and Ginny at the Weasleys. Not that I mind. It's fun, like a sleepover. But sometimes I feel like such a burden. Mrs. Weasley is lovely but..." Not able to finish, Laurel stopped talking, not wanting to sound rude.

"I know. I feel that way too. Which is why it's great that you're staying over this time. Oh, and the bathrooms are just over there. You and I have to share, but that shouldn't be an issue after sharing at Hogwarts for three years."

Just as they were walking back downstairs, a high pitched voice started whinging throughout the house.

"Eeeep." Laurel squeaked and tripped down the last two steps. "What the bloody hell was that?" she groaned from the floor. Looking not at all concerned, Hermione burst into laughter, so hard that she started crying.

"I'm so sorry Laurel. I forgot to mention that. It's the telephone. When someone's trying to call you it makes that noise. It's similar to a firecall," Hermione said through her laughter. Huffing at Hermione, Laurel got up with as much dignity as she could as she glared at Hermione in mock annoyance.

"You finished yet?" Laurel asked with her hands on her hips as Hermione wiped her eyes.

"Just about. It was just too funny. If only Ron and Harry had been here to see it."

Later on that night, Laurel and Hermione stayed up watching a new movie, an animation Hermione had said, called the "Lion King". Laurel found it to be rather enjoyable and made Hermione swear that she wouldn't tell anyone that she had cried when Mufasa was killed. By the end of the night, Laurel was exhausted from all the new information that was swirling around in her head. Witches and wizards were raised to believe that they were superior to muggles. That muggles were primitive and unintelligent. But just from spending time with Hermione's family for one night, Laurel was amazed at the things they had accomplished. It really was amazing. Her mother had never really taken her out into the muggle world, and she'd never taken up Muggle Studies because she hadn't really been bothered with it. But now she was rethinking a lot of things. Wizards had no idea what Muggles were capable of. It was sad really, how her kind thought they were so above it that they didn't even educate themselves. And even sadder, Laurel didn't bother to educate herself either. With a tired sigh, Laurel sunk deeper into the pillow and fell asleep. Ready for tomorrow.

Author Note

The first chapter done! I hope there aren't many spelling mistakes. I personally cannot stand rereading my writing. I feel like to me it's horrible and the style it too childish and lacks detail and fluidity. So this first chapter is about setting the scene on Laurel's role within the group. Laurel and Hermione are best friends. In a way better than Harry and Ron, since they both like to study and get their homework done in time.
I also feel like I've dumbed down Laurel and her knowledge of the wizarding world, but I thought about it, and Ron's dad loved muggle stuff, so Ron probably had a little bit more knowledge them most wizards about muggles but Ron still couldn't figure out how to use a telephone or send mail. So even though it looks like Laurel is kinda ditzy about the muggle world, it's just because it's her first time in a muggle house.
Please review and let me know what you think; ideas and suggestions are welcome.