A/N: Thanks to my reviewer zigra. I like receiving reviews but am disappointed that I'm not getting as many as I hoped. Thank you anyway, zigra. I'm just a bit confused by the phrase "What a self-command for heroine."

Can you please explain, be it in a PM or otherwise?

Also, sorry about the title but I haven't got a single idea what to call it.

A VERY HAPPY SUMMER AND RETURN TO HOGWARTS

Since returning home for the summer holidays, Fern had never felt happier. She had made many new friends, received good grades on her exams and, quite frankly, couldn't wait to start again in September.

She was also quite excited about joining the school band, so Simon arranged for her music teacher to increase the number of lessons she took in preparation for it.

As July drew to a close, Fern's birthday drew nearer, though she could never have anticipated the wonderful gifts she would be presented with.

She had a few parcels from her friends, one of which scared the living daylights out of her. It was off the Weasley twins and she nearly hit the ceiling when she opened an unnamed can, rather dubiously, and a big pink plastic snake went flying across the room. In spite of the shock, it certainly woke her up that morning and she couldn't help but laugh.

From the remaining Weasleys, she had received a book about the different species of dragon (clearly off the mad dragon fan Charlie.) From Mr and Mrs Weasley she got a box of home-made goodies, including peanut brittle, vanilla fudge and cauldron cakes and, rather shocked as she was, Fern got a letter off Ginny Weasley. This was what could only be called a fan letter so Fern was wary but the girl was sweet to say the things she said.

Maxine's parcel was both very small and very thin but Fern was ever-so pleased when she found out what it was. It was two tickets to attend the Appleby Arrows' next Quidditch match, which Maxine and her family would be attending. One ticket, clearly, was for Fern; the other for Simon.

Heidi sent her a few new charms for her bracelet, including a wand, for passing charms and transfiguration in her exams, a cauldron for potions and a telescope for her favourite subject, astronomy.

Whilst on the topic of astronomy, Cho sent her a complete atlas of the universe, which Fern had loved. With this large book, she would certainly never fail the class.

Dora had bought her a necklace, her name adorned in cursive gold, along with a simple, but pretty, gold bracelet to match (though this time with no name.)

Neville, knowing she liked to read, sent her the complete works of Jane Austen, which Fern was looking forward to reading at Hogwarts in her free time.

Professor McGonagall had sent her a strange-looking spherical object on a long gold chain. Simon told her that this was a time-turner and then explained the uses, such as going back in time to correct a mistake (though there was only so far a person could go back), returning to the past to change the results of an unfortunate event, such as an unnecessary death.

There were many uses of the time-turner, which would make their ways known to Fern in the fullness of time. And, while most people would use such a device to cheat, Fern hated it in other people, so would never commit such an act herself.

Hagrid had also sent her something. Rock cakes. He was a very nice man, granted, but he wasn't the best chef.

As she bit into one, albeit she only took a nibble, she pulled one of her back teeth out. Still, it saved the dentist the job of pulling it and it was, at least, a baby tooth; one that had been very stubborn as it had been loose for about six months, yet refused to cooperate.

And last, but most certainly not least, came the presents off Simon. She had honestly never had so many presents in her life. Simon, generous as he was, had presented her with more than Dudley had ever had in one sitting and they were so much more meaningful.

Of course, the best present of all was waiting in one of the fields.

Potter Manor, just in itself, was huge, but the grounds were twice as big. Built on many acres of land, every field served a different purpose.

The Potters had always been a family who valued hard-work. 'If you work for rewards, you appreciate them more,' was a motto passed down through the generations.

There were fields for all purposes. There were apple orchards; a field with a windmill and, in the same field, was a large wheat crop. There was even a vineyard, producing the best wine in Wizarding Britain (of course, it was controlled with magic to withstand the horrific weather.)

There were fields for grazing cows, sheep; some fields with pens for pigs and chickens and three with sturdy wooden fences.

There was also a barn which was home to a number of horses, one of which was new and Fern hadn't seen before.

Simon, with his hands over her eyes, slowly took her out to the barn. "No peeking," he teased, though he doubted she ever would.

He left her for a minute or two and soon she could hear the familiar tapping of metal on concrete. "Open your eyes," he said with a smiling voice.

And she did. In front of her stood a beautiful black shire horse, so much larger than the others on the grounds. Pepper and Naomi were only small ponies and, compared to them, he was nearly twice as big.

"He's beautiful, Simon," Fern smiled and made her way towards the equine creature, careful not to scare him by being excitable. She reached out a gentle hand to stroke his mane and he relaxed into the contact.

"He's your main birthday present and I know you'll look after him, though I must say it was a bit of a job trying to hide him. That's why I had to keep you out of the barn."

"Oh, Simon, you know I'd never go anywhere you told me not to, unless I really had to."

Smiling, he held out a riding hat and she took it without hesitation and ran back to the Manor to change into her jodhpurs and riding boots (another present she had opened half an hour before.)

Once she returned, he gave her a leg up and taught her the basics of riding a horse.

"What's his name, Simon?" she asked, leaning out of the saddle to hug the creature.

"Up to you, sweetheart," he replied.

"Jet," she spoke, without hesitation. "He's completely black, save for his hooves, but he's gorgeous."

Later that day, after a short ride, and feeling a little saddle sore, the pair went into Diagon Alley to get the items required for her second year at Hogwarts, though there was hardly anything needed, save for The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 2.

That was the first stop, needing only a few sickles for paying, before going into Madam Malkin's to get some new clothes made for the school year. She had grown a bit, but it wasn't very noticeable, so there was no need for new school robes.

Simon went off to browse while Fern was being measured for her new clothes.

As she entered, Fern took note of the blond boy stood upon the stool. She was sure he wasn't at Hogwarts last year; she'd have remembered that posture of self-importance.

"Hello. Hogwarts too?" he asked, not really bothered.

"Yes. Well, I actually came to have some more clothes made for Hogwarts," she replied, pleasantly.

"Oh, what house are you in?" he asked in such a tone that if she dared say anything other than Slytherin, he'd simply dismiss her like dragon dung on his shoe.

Instead, Fern said with unusual confidence, "Hufflepuff."

The boy scoffed. "Then you're clearly nothing more than a goody-goody and not worth my time."

Oh, if only he knew who she was; he'd certainly have time for her then.

"Excuse me, but Hufflepuff is no house to be sneered at. We value loyalty, hard work and fair play and, if I might say, there have been many wonderful witches and wizards who have made their name in the world who came from Hufflepuff," she defended, though her typical soft tone did not diminish into a menacing one.

"Oh, yeah? Name three," he challenged, smirking.

"Well..." She had to think about it, but this boy certainly didn't want to give her any time.

"See," he sneered, clearly believing himself to be right. "You're all a bunch of losers and I'd be surprised if Hufflepuff had ever won anything at Hogwarts."

"I've thought of three," Fern suggested, though doubted it would help.

"Oh, go on then. I've got to hear this!" This boy was so rude and arrogant, worse even than Dudley.

"Well, there's Bridget Wenlock, for a start. She was an arithmancer who discovered the magical properties of the number seven," she quoted, remembering what she'd read on a chocolate frog card. "And we've had two wonderful Ministers. Artemisia Lufkin, who was the first female Minister and then Grogan Stump after her in 1811."

"Yes, but they weren't the best, were they. It's not like they did anything really special like Merlin who was a Slytherin."

Fern was fed up of this boy and his self-righteous nature, so she just kept her mouth shut. She was glad when Madam Malkin came out to tend to her.

"Hello, Lady Fernanda," she greeted. "What is it this time? Do you need a new uniform?"

"No, thank you, Madam Malkin. It's just a few new clothes for casual wear." Saying that, Fern's casual wear wasn't really casual like her classmates who would be wearing jumpers and jeans; her wardrobe consisted of bloomers and bonnets.

"Lady Fernanda, did she say?" The boy had started up again. "You're actually Fernanda Potter, the Girl-Who-Lived?"

"Yes," was her reply.

"I'm sorry for what I said," he commented, though his apology was meaningless. "Why don't we start on a clean slate? We can be best friends."

Fern didn't need to think about this offer. "No, thank you."

She had always believed people deserved second chances, but that was in normal circumstances when she was just a normal girl. But this boy, having insulted her, her fellow Hufflepuffs and every Badger before her, suddenly thought it was alright to try and make amends just because he found out she was rich and famous.

"Nor am I a pureblood," she stated, before he asked. Hopefully he wouldn't bother her now, but he didn't care.

"Oh, what does that matter? You have a place in society, unlike some people. Blood traitors, mudblood-lovers; all bad eggs."

And there he went again; insulting everyone she loved. Fern, never a girl wanting to start a fight, just ignored him while she was being fitted. Unfortunately, his boasting was really getting on her wick and all she could hear in her ear was 'Brag, brag, brag.'

In all honesty, she was glad to be out of there when she finally got out but she couldn't leave without saying thank you and goodbye to Madam Malkin and paid her a tip just like last year.

Simon was waiting for her outside and, shrinking her bag of clothes to put in his pocket, led her to Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour. Together they shared a large chocolate sundae with profiteroles and what looked like a whole bottle of chocolate sauce.

Three weeks, later, Maxine and her family arrived at the Manor and all of them went to watch the Appleby Arrows' playing at Home. They were playing against their rivals, the Wimbourne Wasps, and, as soon as she saw that same boy from Madam Malkin's, her face fell into her hands, especially when the Arrows lost 180 to 20. Then again, the Wasps pulled a fast one and it was no wonder the brat from Diagon Alley supported them. Like his Quidditch team, he was most likely a cheater himself.

Maxine was outraged at the result and was shouting at the referee, "Are you blind?"

That night hadn't been a very good one, at least not for the Arrows fans.

The following week, the train left from King's Cross Station and, it hurt to say goodbye to Simon again, but she was so pleased to be back with all the other people she loved.

A/N: Well, there's another chapter done. My sincerest apologies if it isn't to everyone's liking but reviews are hard to come by. I like reviews; they give me inspiration to write more.

FOR VOLDEMORT'S SAKE, REVIEW!

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