Heidi awoke to the sounds of Hermione and Lavender arguing about shower rights. She sighed and rose from the bed to change into her Hogwarts school robes. Brushing her long hair, she applied some makeup and ran down the tower stairs, grabbing some books for her first day classes.

In the common room, Harry and Ron were waiting for the two girls expectantly. Heidi approached them, "I guess we have potions first thing this morning," she asked hoping that this wasn't true and her schedule was lying to her.

Harry crossed his arms, "I swear I won't take of any Snape's talk this year no matter how many detentions I earn," he muttered

"Did you guys even see the incantations we had to do this summer?" asked Ron "I'm not even sure that I can pass this year without Hermione."

"Oh Hermione will help you do more than pass an exam," Heidi said with a mischievous wink.

Harry inquired, "Well what about you Heidi? Any new guys on the scene that we should be aware of ?"

"Yeah because if there is we're going to have to approve him for you," said Ron cracking him knuckles. Heidi looked from one to the other with a fake smile plastered to her face. Merlin, if they knew I was warming up to the sight of Malfoy I'd be a dead woman she thought quietly.

"Oh I don't know guys, boys are just so blah!" she replied throwing her arms in the air.

"And besides you know as well as I do that I haven't received any offers in I don't know forever!" she tried to say coolly. "Harry you just concern yourself with Ginny and I'll find a way to bring myself out of single territory," she said jokingly.

Finally, Hermione came bustling down the stairs with a truckload of books in her hands.

"Do you need all those books for a few classes Hermione?" asked Harry eyebrows rising.

"You never know!" claimed Hermione who's excited head was hidden beneath the large pile of books in her hands.

Ron stepped forward. "I'll take some of tho-those books Hermione," he stuttered with a shrug of his shoulders as if it was nothing.

Harry and Heidi grinned openly at each other as Hermione and Ron walked together a few step ahead.

As they made their way down to the Great Hall there was a loud snap of film. Harry turned to look at Colin Creevery who was taking another picture of Harry and Heidi.

"Hey guys guess what?" said the mousy looking boy. "I have a job working for the school newspaper and I get to take all the pictures!" he said proudly.

"Merlin- now he'll be worse than ever," Harry whispered to Heidi.

Heidi smiled at Collin. It wasn't his fault that he had a talent. Sure it was annoying at some points but, she saw it as a way that Collin could fit in here. She knew how it felt to be lonely.

"That's amazing Collin," said Heidi. "You know, I'm extremely into journalism myself. I want to be a reporter after I finish up Hogwarts." She had a love for history and besides it would be nice to be telling the news instead of always being a part of it for once. Just as long as she didn't become another Rita Skeeter.

Colin looked at her sheepishly "Well you do have a nice speaking voice…and you are pretty enough….."

Heidi looked at Colin quizzically as Harry laughed and pulled her to the side, entering the Great Hall.

"You know when I said let's get you a boyfriend I didn't mean Collin," he said jokingly.

Heidi grinned and rolled her eyes. They sat down next to Neville Longbottom and a few other younger Gryffindors opening their potions books checking each others summer assignments.

"You know I'm not sure if I'll know if it's really right if Hermione doesn't stop snoging Ron and come back over here,." said Harry placing his quill down.

Heidi laughed. It was so good to be back at Hogwarts. She glanced around at the array of breakfast foods at the house tables. Heidi grabbed a nearby yellow apple and took a large bite.

Not long after, Hermione and a now winded Ron returned. Hermione plopped into the bench cheerfully while Ron gasped out for breath and dropped what looked like ten heavy books with a thud on the table.

"We went back to the dormitory to get a few more books," she said sitting next to Harry. Ron took his place next to Heidi and they continued with their potions homework.

"Heidi what classes do you have this year, maybe we'll be in all the same classes again," said Hermione looking down at Heidi's schedule.

Advanced Potions – Professor Snape

Advanced Defense against the Dark Arts – Professor Larkin

Honors Care for Magical Creatures – Professor Hagird

Advanced History of Magic – Binns

Standard Herbology – Professor Sprout

Advanced Transfiguration – Professor McGonagall

Advanced Charms – Professor Flitwick

Extra (small class): Divination- Trelawney, Journalism for Wizards – Professor Heinegg

"Well there is Herbology with me," said Ron "And we all have Potions, History of Magic and Defense together," he said handing the schedule to Harry.

"Let's see we have potions, charms, and defense against the dark arts together. Those are the only advanced classes I'm taking this year," said Harry. "Yeah and don't forget Hagrid's class! We have to support him!"

"Harry you know it wasn't even a question if I'd take that class," she smiled.

"Hang on," said Hermione looking at the schedule a second time. "You have Divination. I told you not to take that rubbish! That class is full of Slytherins!"

"I know," sighed Heidi. "But, if I wanted to take journalism then I had to find something else to fit into my schedule."

"Hermione is just bitter because she wasn't any good at it!" Lavender Brown laughed as she sat next to Heidi.

"Oh shut it Lavender," Hermione said before looking down at her potions book.

Minutes passed before Harry got up from the bench. "Well I think it's about time we got down to the dungeons."

As the Gryffindors descended down the castle stairs, Heidi could feel the temperature dropping drastically and she shivered underneath her school robes. Walking to the entrance of the potions master's room she caught the sight of the Slytherins approaching from the other end of the hallway.

Leading them was Pansy Parkison, the pug faced girl Heidi loved to hate and a few short steps behind walked Draco Malfoy who wore his traditional smirk on his lips. They strutted to the entrance and Malfoy- who never missed anything- noticed Heidi's starring and deepened his smirk raising an eyebrow at her.

Don't flatter yourself Malfoy she thought to herself angry. Entering the darkened room, she sat in front of the class determined not to fall for any more Slytherin tricks.

Professor Snape was unusually already in the class to greet them instead of his typical slam the door entrance he used every year on the first day. Heidi could hardly believe she passed the O.W.L exams in potions much less decided to take Snape's horrid class again.

"As this is the N.E.W.T. level Potions class," Snape said as he whipped around to address them. "And seeing as how you would not be here without having shown extraordinary skill in the art of potions-making..." Snape's eyes bore into Harry's and Heidi made every effort to not flinch at the look of ultimate loathing.

"I would hope that you will all display an equally extraordinary effort in your class this year."

Snape was as greasy as ever, both physically and in the manner with which he treated his students. Heidi slunk down as far as she could in her chair before Hermione poked her in the side. "Pay attention," she whispered through the side of her mouth, her eyes never leaving Snape's face.

"Now I will sort you into pairs instead of you bustling with your little friends and you'll together make a simple poison removing potion," he said flicking his wand. The board above started writing pairs down in white chalk. "You have twenty minutes –ready begin!"

There was a scramble for supplies and Heidi caught Hermione running to the cupboard but, Heidi stood to wait for her name.

Malfoy and Walsh the self writing chalk wrote.

Figures Snape would put me with him she thought. Heidi grabbed her worn out potions book to join the table Malfoy was sitting where the supplies were already brought.

"Right- so we'll begin by placing the fobberworm mucus into the cauldron after cutting each part into eight pieces and squeezing each one out," said Heidi determined not to look at him. Her heart was beating very fast and her palms were getting sweaty as she flipped though her potions book.

Draco opened his own brand new book and started chopping pieces. Strange he hadn't commented yet. His eyes lingered from the flobberworm's dead body to Walsh's own body where he traced her figure with his eyes and smirked to himself.

"Walsh may I ask how have you been doing these past few days," he asked leaning over to her, eyes sparkling.

"Malfoy please keep the concentration to the potions," was her reply. Was he asking me a non insulting question? After squeezing the flobberorm she turned and looked at him. Big mistake. Heidi was paralyzed by the grey eyes that sucked the air out of her body. Her face reddened like a Wealey's hair color and she turned back to her book.

"You're blushing," whispered Draco still looking at Heidi with fascination.

"It's rather cold in here if you haven't noticed," she said shortly trying to at the very least stop looking at him.

In a moments notice, Snape came over to their table and yelled, "Malfoy keep working and stop staring into space! You girl- why were you not telling him to pay attention? – to get more glory for Potter?" asked Snape snidely. "Five points from Gryffindor!"

Heidi stared at him open mouthed as Harry turned from where he was working with Pansy to give Snape a loathing look.

"What was that you pig!" said Heidi turning to look at Malfoy who was actually starting to laugh.

"Don't get so excited Walsh I didn't do anything – only sat here-"

"Well if I end up getting detention you better back me up then Draco!" Heidi said only half joking.

Heidi suddenly lost the feeling in her hands and put the knife covered in flobberworm mucus down. Her head was running a mile a minute. She looked at Draco who wore a shocked expression. Neither of them moved.

"Did you just call me Draco," asked Malfoy slowly. "You haven't done that since" –

"Attention students!" roared Snape. And attention was brought to Neville Longbottom who was on the floor with a cauldron dumped and a potion of flobberworm mucus everywhere.

"Class will be dismissed because an insolent boy has ruined the lesson," said Snape. Everyone ran from the class in order to escape Snape's fury, Heidi among them but, only for a different reason.

Grabbing her worn books, Heidi rose from her chair and tried to flee from the awkward situation with Malfoy. She didn't want him to know she thought he was breathtaking! Gryffindor's didn't like Slytherins it was an unwritten and holy law. She was too loyal to her friends to disobey.

As Heidi turned to walk around the wooden desk, someone caught her arm. Draco standing at about five feet eleven was grabbing hold of her arm forcing Heidi to in turn look up at him. Most of their classmates had left for their next class -even Snape and Neville who were now proceeding to the detention office for the proper punishment task from Flitch.

"Let me go Malfoy!" shouted Heidi trying to pry herself from his grasp.

"I have to ask you something," he said silkily his strong arms grasping her above the elbow. And then an unexpected and rare form of shyness escaped him.

"Do you- he gulped looking down- do you hate me Heidi?"

Heidi stopped struggling and looked at him. "No- I don't hate you- I don't hate anyone," she said stubbornly turning her head to one side. Why does he even care what I think about him? He's Draco Malfoy the Slytherin Prince and I'm Heidi Walsh a Gryffindor defender this won't work!

Draco looked down her face and plastered a small smile. She was a horrible at hiding her emotions and it was keen that she had at least pleasant feelings for him. He didn't want to let her go-not now- but, he remembered his next class and dropped his hands.

"I-I have to go I can't stay," Heidi mumbled feeling slightly dizzy. As she ran out of the classroom she left Malfoy alone with what he had just done. He ran his hands through his platinum blonde hair.

"I will be seeing you later – Heidi," he muttered softly.

"Wow Heidi you're really on point today," shouted Harry as he dueled Heidi in their defense against the dark arts class.

Heidi felt the need to put all her emotions out of what happened in potions today into this duel with Harry. As the other students dueled each other Heidi felt comforted that she was with someone who understood her. Should she tell Harry? No, she thought bitterly to herself, that would only equal trouble plus she had Divination next and most Slytherins were placed in there as an extra class. Perhaps after when she had a free period Harry might be able to lend a sympathetic ear….

Harry and Heidi were two alike. They possessed powerful magic, laughed at the same things and had a dark wizard chase after them to kill them. No one could escape bonding after that last one. Still there was never anything there, in love anyways. Heidi was a firm believer that if they were meant to be she would have figured it out a long time ago especially since they spent every waking day together with Ron and Hermione. But, Ron and Hermione were different – they always loved each other ….

During the following week, Heidi made every attempt possible to avoid Draco Malfoy. To acknowledge his handsomeness privately was one thing, but blushing in front of the enemy and calling them by their first name was another thing entirely. A Gryffindor pride simply could not handle it. Heidi wished it was only that... Making her way to the Divination tower, Heidi quickly realized she didn't have any friends in the bi-weekly class. She walked to a table in the corner and sat down.

"Is this seat taken?" a voice whispered from behind Heidi and she turned to see Malfoy standing there.

Heidi froze for a moment, but swiftly regained her control.

"Nope go on right ahead if you don't mind sitting with a psycho Gryffindor," Heidi answered, "Wouldn't you want to sit next to those lackeys of yours anyways?"

"Hah! You mean Crabbe and Goyle? They need to be passing their assigned classes never mind extras," Draco replied sitting in the seat beside her.

"Yeah they don't strike me as the intelligent type…must be the unibrows," Heidi said thoughtfully trying to make light of what happened in potions last week.

Draco laughed at this, "Yeah must be the unibrows," he agreed.

"So anyways why are you taking Divination you don't strike me as the type," Heidi asked.

"I don't know I just always kind of liked it. My father would bloody kill me if he knew I was taking it though," he replied.

"Yes the majority of Death Eaters don't really approve of that class," said Heidi sarcastically.

He looked depressed at the mention of his father and is so called occupation. He stared at the Division book and started to flip though the pages.

Heidi couldn't believe she was finding herself apologizing to a Malfoy. "Sorry, I shouldn't have said that- I had no right to talk about your father."

"No-no really Heidi its okay. He's a Death Eater and I have to accept it, but that does not mean I'm my father," he said sternly his eyes focusing on her reaction.

"Of course it doesn't," Heidi said with a smile as Professor Treawney walked into the room. Her mauve robes were swept gracefully behind her as she approached the front of the classroom. Her curly blonde hair that was graying slightly was pulled back into a bright pink bandana. She smiled happily as she peered out of her coke bottle spectacles.

"Crazy that woman is," Draco mumbled into Heidi's ear with his thick English accent.

"Yeah she's my idol!" Heidi whispered back jokingly. Draco rolled his eyes at her before taking out parchment to write notes on.

"In class you're reading tea leaves!" Professor Trewaney said excitedly passing out tea cups to everyone. "Oh hello Miss Walsh! Good to see you again my dear!" she greeted when she reached their table.

"Good to see you too Professor!" Heidi replied politely taking a tea cup from her.

"So what does mine say?" asked Draco peering over her shoulder to look at his cup.

"Uh-well it looks like you have a rose so that means you'll fall in love!" Heidi said smiling slightly as she read from the book.

Draco seemed to blush a little as she said this, but Heidi told herself that she was imagining things.

"How about mine?" Heidi asked.

"Well it looks like you have a cat so you'll be trying something you never tried before!" Draco said, "I'm getting better at this stuff."

"That you are Mr. Malfoy," Professor Trewaney said coming up from behind Heidi.

"So where are you headed off to now?" Malfoy asked as the class was dismissed.

"Care for Magical Creatures," she replied peering at her schedule.

"Maybe I could walk you?" he suggested his smirk coming out again.

Heidi raised an eyebrow curiously at him. "You know you're kind of pleasant when you're not around Slytherins," she said truthfully.

He shrugged and they continued down the hallway in awkward silence. She noticed Hermione and Harry motion for her as Heidi approached the grounds. Pansy was also waiting for Draco and she gave Heidi the dirtiest and evil look she had ever seen.

"What were you doing with Malfoy?" Harry asked suspiciously.

"We had Division together and he offered to walk me," said Heidi. Hermione and Harry exchanged glances.

"Heidi you know he's a bad guy – he probably works for you know who and is out to get us killed!" said Harry anger rising.

Okay so much for telling Harry how I feel…..

The door to Hagird's hut swung open as the semi giant walked in. Heidi loved the giant and the days when she and the trio would travel to his hut for a cup of hot tea. As she engaged herself in the lesson she was blind to the on goings in the background.

As Pansy complained to Draco abut her daily problems Draco was in a trance by the beautiful girl in front of him. Damn why was she so – so – heavenly. And why doesn't Pansy realize that I'm not her boyfriend nor will I ever be! He thought rolling his eyes and shifting his seat from Pansy.

Could he replay when he held her arms again or had her in conversation all to himself in Divination? Draco didn't know why but, he felt very protective of Heidi and very much wanted to her all to himself to ravish her like he claimed he would in potions. But, when would he ever get the chance? Is this just simple childhood romance?

Malfoy cursed the black haired boy sitting next to her. No wonder he protects her, she's too good, to caring, to be taken by someone else. Suddenly the thoughts of Harry and Heidi together made him feel sick to his stomach. He knew there was nothing there….yet. But, he sure as bloody hell wasn't going to wait around until there was.

Pansy on the other hand stopped chatting with herself to notice that Draco wasn't paying any attention and had his grey eyes fixed on that Walsh girl whose golden brown hair was gently blowing in the wind as she took notes on the oaf's latest creature.

"So you're the completion eh?" thought Parkison quietly. I'll have to keep an eye out for you she thought evilly.