BLOOD BOUND

PROLOGUE

For the life of him Harry had to often remind himself of the many trials and tribulations that had led them all to this day and time. He may have prayed to be freed from the Dursley's however he had never honestly and truly allowed himself the freedom of believing that could be a reality for one single solitary moment. That is to say until Hagrid's frame burst down the door to the ridiculous shack in the middle of nowhere Uncle Vernon had seemed a little too content to whisk them away too.

Shaking his head at the memory in a rather dismissive manner he was once again reminded of other threads that for one reason or another had all converged on this moment in time. Sighing his mind was once again drawn towards the past where he was once again at 'The Sorting Ceremony' asking to be placed anywhere but in Slytherin. He remembered the relief that flooded him as he was placed with Gryffindor.

Once again he tried to study but he knew it was in vain when his eyes found themselves drawn towards the end of the table. Towards two girls who by all accounts shouldn't even be sitting at the same table let alone indulging in idle chit chatter. Yes a Slytherin and a Gryffindor why it was unnatural to say the least. Although he had to admire them for their determination to remain as close friends as they had been before being placed into their houses.

Ashley Skyee had been born into high powered wizarding family. Not that that was terribly surprising when you took into consideration that that background pertained to most of the Slytherin populous. But unlike most she wasn't overly snobbish. No she had her moments but nothing a little correction from her dearest friend couldn't cure which brought his eyes towards the other female.

Callie Sage who was known by those closest to her as "Bex" had been born into a muggle family. Much the same a Hermione and like her had wormed her way into the collective heart of their make-shift gang. Sighing he couldn't help but think about the way in which Ron had nearly lost his mind when the basilisk had petrified her along with Hermione. Not that he came out unscathed mind you...not with Hermione on a table beside her.

Sighing he wondered if Ron understood that the line between friendship and attraction was nearly as blurred as the line that had separated Ashley from Draco. A sigh that quickly became a groan as a fist collided with the back of his head.

"Earth to Harry!" Hermione waved gathering his attention as she slid gingerly into the spot he had saved for her.

"Eh."

"Right let me guess," she sighed breathing deeply. "Your mind wandered away from you again." she speculated watching the soft tell tale blush creep across his cheeks. "I knew it." she said dismissively.

Shaking his head softly he allowed a singular hand the freedom of rubbing away the softly swelling bump at the base of his skull marveling at the way in which their group seemed to be breaking off into couples. First it was Hermione and Himself, then came Ashley and Draco though he wouldn't really say the were friends but they definitely weren't enemies and lastly came Ron and Callie. Now the question remained would Ron ever get the courage to ask her out before he lost her. Sighing knowing Ron that prospect wasn't likely. Hell had a better chance of freezing over before he admitted it.

Eying Hermione he noticed that her eyes were drawn towards Ron who was preoccupied by studding the aforementioned female. Yes life after Voldemort was proving to be rather interesting indeed.