When him and Vanessa entered the compartment a boy with fiery red hair was quick to ask, 'Hey Harry! Who's the girl?' Making Vanessa's cheeks turn a light shade of pink.

'Ronald! That's so impolite!' said a girl with bushy brown hair.

'Well Ron,'Harry laughed 'this is Vanessa Mallory...she's Matt's step-sister.'

'Oh...'was all Ron could manage to say.

'Well nice to meet you Vanessa, Hermione Granger...and that over there is Ron-ald- Weasley.' she snickered pointing at Ron, who in turn shot Hermione a nasty look.

'Hi' Vanessa said shyly and took a seat next to Hermione. The four fifth years began to talk. Hermione rambled on to Vanessa about spells she'd already memorized for fifth year while Harry and Ron talked about Quidditch, until someone opened their compartment door.

'Any room? I need a-' but the boy stopped when he saw who was sitting in the compartment.

'Ew...it's you three. Nevermin-' he started to say, till his eyes stopped on Vanessa.

'And who are you?' the blonde boy asked, leaning up against the compartment door frame.

'Get lost Malfoy. She's not interested.' Harry barked

'What's the matter Potter? Jealous?' he looked back at Vanessa, 'By the way, I'm Draco Malfoy and...you are?'

'Ummm Vanessa Mallory...'

'Oh right. Your Matt's new step-sister right?'

'Yeah. His Dad and my Mom got married at the beginning of the summer.'

'Hmm. What's your mother's name?' Draco asked

'Angela Conners.' Vanessa mumbled

'Well I've never heard of that witch before-'

'Oh no. Neither of my parents are witches...or...umm..wizards.'

'Ew!' Draco cried, 'You-You pathetic, dirty ...MUDBLOOD! Don't ever speak to me again!' and with that he stormed off, leaving Vanessa extremely confused, yet slightly relieved.

'Don't worry about him.' Hermione said 'My parents are muggles too. It's not that uncommon anymore. Just people like Malfoy have a problem accepting it.' she continued

'Muggle?' the raven-haired girl questioned, tipping her head to one side indicating that she was confused.

'It means people with non-magic powers.' Harry laughed

'Oh.' Vanessa smiled

For rest of the ride the four teen talked about the up coming year, the summer and smiled and laughed non-stop.

Finally the train came to a screeching stop and the sound of feet shuffling and chatter filled the hallway. Both now changed into their Hogwarts robes, Hermione grabbed Vanessa's hand and pulled her out the compartment door.

People pushed, shoved, shuffled, bumped, laughed while Vanessa tightened her grip on Hermione's hand as they approached a group of students wearing green and black robes. Hermione luckily slipped through the group but Vanessa lost her grip on Hermione's hand, causing her to slam into someone.

'Watch where you're going mudblood!' Malfoy sneered

'You really think insulting me make you better than me? Well for your information Malfoy it doesn't.' Vanessa shot back, making sure to look Malfoy right in the eye.

'Ohh.' fellow students who had stopped to watch added.

Vanessa quickly walked off but Malfoy quickly caught up to her and pushed Vanessa against an compartment door with such force that Vanessa let out a slight whimper. In a harsh whisper Malfoy said, 'Don't you ever speak to me like that again, or you will learn quickly how to respect me... and others who are above you.'

With that he left out a nearby door. Vanessa stood there for a moment then left out the same door.

When Vanessa got outside the door, she immediately saw Harry waiting for her.

'Where'd Hermione and Ron go?' she wondering

Once again Harry already knew what she was wondering and said, 'Ron and Hermione have prefects duty and have to take care of the first years; y'know, make sure the giant squid doesn't get them.' Harry saw the look on Vanessa's face then quickly added 'you can come up to the castle with me.'

Vanessa smiled and continued talking to Harry.

By the time the two of them reached the castle the two teens had realized they both had a lot in common. Just like Vanessa, Harry had been raised in the muggle world with is Aunt and Uncle-who Harry constantly reminded how extremely unpleasant they were-when his parents were killed by a Dark Wizard named Voldemort . Harry had informed Vanessa of the four houses at Hogwarts which were: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin.

When everyone reached the school Vanessa stepped out of the carriage she had rode up in. While admiring the castle she failed to notice a fresh patch of mud and slipped in it.

'Ah!' the brunette screamed as she fell straight onto her back., 'Great' she mumbled from the ground.

'Great.' she muttered from the ground.

So she heard Harry snicker as he stepped over her and onto the Hogwarts grounds.

'Are you gonna help me up or what? Vanessa asked from the muddy ground.

'Of course I will.' Harry smiled pulled her up, only when he did Vanessa's face ended up being so close to Harry's that she could feel his breath on her cheek and at last Vanessa noticed Harry's brilliant green eyes

'Um..oh..no..' Vanessa mumbled, moving away from Harry noticing the mud all over her robes and began trying to brush it off. Which seemed to only be making it worse.

'Oh let me help you.' Harry said, by saying a quick incantation the mud vanished instantly.

'I'll have to remember that one.' Vanessa laughed.

'Now.' he said, 'You are ready for dinner.' Harry quickly grabbed her hand and led her inside.