Hello everyone! Hope everyone is doing well. Here's chapter nine for you guys :) This chapter is a little bit shorter, but I think you guys might like the second half of it. I seriously had the best time writing this chapter and hope you guys do too! Please please let me know what you think and leave a review!

I do not own the Harry Potter series and all characters are the property of JK Rowling with the exception of my own OCs

Chapter 9

The next morning Triss rolled out of bed and groaned at seeing the light beaming through the curtains. She was up quite late the previous night, being fooled by Malfoy and then dreaming of 3-headed dogs. Now she just wanted to lay in bed and sleep, but Hermione wouldn't allow it. She had some dark circles under eyes at the late-night rendezvous, but that didn't stop her from saying "You can't lay in bed all day. That's what you get for going out at night."

Triss only glared and slowly got dressed, yawning as she made her way down to the great hall for breakfast where the boys were waiting for her.

Their breakfast got interrupted by Malfoy who had walked into the great hall with a cheerful smirk at hoping the Gryffindors had been caught in the Trophy room. Triss couldn't suppress her smile at Malfoys grin falling off his face at the sight of them eating their breakfast. Triss made eye contact with the pale-haired boy and gave him a cheeky smirk and a wave that he rolled his eyes to.

Although the previous night had be terrifying to say the least, Triss, Harry and Ron thought it had been an excellent adventure, and they were quite keen to have another one. In the meantime, Harry filled Ron in about the package that seemed to have been moved from Gringotts to Hogwarts, and they spent a lot of time wondering what could possibly need such heavy protection.

"I knew it! I was thinking about it last and it made the most sense. Hagrid did say it was important Hogwarts business," Triss said in between bites of egg.

"It's either really valuable or really dangerous," said Ron.

"Or both," said Harry.

But as all they knew for sure about the mysterious object was that it was about two inches long, they didn't have much chance of guessing what it was without further clues.

Neither Neville nor Hermione showed the slightest interest in what lay underneath the dog and the trapdoor. All Neville cared about was never going near the dog again.

Hermione was now refusing to speak to Triss, Harry and Ron, but she was such a bossy know-it-all that they saw this as an added bonus. Triss was hoping the nighttime adventure would bring her out of her twisted shell, but no such luck.

At breakfast a week later, owls flooded into the Great Hall as usual and Gawain dropped a package and letter in front of Triss. She knew what the book-shaped package was. After Harry had made the Quidditch team, she mailed her father, asking him to send her a Quidditch book she had home so she could help Harry learn the sport. Just as she was about to open the letter, her attention was caught at once by a long, thin package carried by six large screech owls. Triss was just as interested as everyone else to see what was in this large parcel and was amazed when the owls soared down and dropped it right in front of Harry, knocking his bacon to the floor. They had hardly fluttered out of the way when another owl dropped a letter on top of the parcel.

Harry ripped open the letter first, his face lighting up at the contents. He showed it to Triss and Ron, and it said:

DO NOT OPEN THE PARCEL AT THE TABLE.

It contains your new Nimbus Two Thousand, but I don't want everybody knowing you've got a broomstick or they'll all want one. Oliver Wood will meet you tonight on the Quidditch field at seven o'clock for your first training session.

Professor M. McGonagall

Triss's face smile must've match Harry's. A Nimbus Two Thousand was one of the fasted brooms in the world! She had longingly gazed at it all summer and dreamed of soaring the skies on it.

"A Nimbus Two Thousand!" Ron moaned enviously. "I've never even touched one."

"That broom makes mine back at home look like a pile of useless twigs. Harry that broom is going to help you win us the cup!" She said.

Harry smiled and nodded at the thought of it all.

Triss packed up her unopened mail and they left the hall quickly, wanting to unwrap the broomstick in private before their first class, but halfway across the entrance hall they found the way upstairs barred by Crabbe and Goyle. Malfoy seized the package from Harry and felt it.

"Hey that's not yours!" Triss said trying to grab the broom back from the boy.

"That's a broomstick," he said, throwing it back to Harry with a mixture of jealousy and spite on his face. "You'll be in for it this time, Potter, first years aren't allowed them."

Ron and Triss couldn't resist it.

"It's not any old broomstick," he said, "it's a Nimbus Two Thousand. What did you say you've got at home, Malfoy, a Comet Two Sixty?" Ron grinned at Harry.

"Comets look flashy, but they're not in the same league as the Nimbus. Guess the Malfoy family isn't made of gold like I thought." Triss added.

"What would you know about it, Weasley, you couldn't afford half the handle," Malfoy snapped back. "I suppose you and your brothers have to save up twig by twig. And you Selwyn, a pathetic girl like you couldn't fly this broom if she tried."

Before Ron and Triss could retort, Professor Flitwick appeared at Malfoy's elbow.

"Not arguing, I hope, boys. And girl?" he squeaked.

"Potter's been sent a broomstick, Professor," said Malfoy quickly.

"Yes, yes, that's right," said Professor Flitwick, beaming at Harry. "Professor McGonagall told me all about the special circumstances, Potter. And what model is it?"

Triss thought she could die then and there at the look on Malfoy's face.

"A Nimbus Two Thousand, sir," said Harry, who seemed to be fighting the same urge as her, not to laugh at the look of horror on Malfoy's face. "And it's really thanks to Malfoy here that I've got it," he added.

Triss, Harry, and Ron headed upstairs, smothering their laughter at Malfoy's obvious rage and confusion.

"Did you see the look on his face?! Harry that was brilliant!" Triss said in between giggles.

"Well, it's true," Harry chortled as they reached the top of the marble staircase, "If he hadn't stolen Neville's Remembrall I wouldn't be on the team. . . ."

"So I suppose you think that's a reward for breaking rules?" came an angry voice from just behind them. Hermione was stomping up the stairs, looking disapprovingly at the package in Harry's hand.

"I thought you weren't speaking to us?" said Harry.

"Yes, don't stop now," said Ron, "it's doing us so much good."

Hermione marched away with her nose in the air. Triss only looked at the girl with pity.

The trio spent the rest of the day talking animatedly about the broom stick in all of their lessons. After they were done, they rushed through dinner and then rushed upstairs to the boys' dormitory to unwrap the Nimbus Two Thousand at last.

"Wow," Ron sighed, as the broomstick rolled onto Harry's bedspread.

"It's even better in person," Triss said lovingly. The broom really was gorgeous. It was sleek and shiny, with a mahogany handle, it had a long tail of neat, straight twigs and Nimbus Two Thousand written in gold near the top.

Soon seven o'clock drew near and Harry made his way to practice. Triss and Ron wished him luck and then Triss used this opportunity to catch up on homework in the common room. Ron had gone off mentioning meeting up with his brothers about something, so she pulled out her transfiguration textbook and got to work on writing an essay that was due soon.

Transfiguration had proved to be her worst subject so far. She excelled at charms and she was quite good at potions, but Transfiguration was something she was plain awful at. McGonagall seemed to take pity on her each class and always huffed with exasperation at each mishap she caused during lessons.

Night drew near and Triss was nowhere close to finishing her assignment. She rubbed her head at the frustration the subject caused her. Luckily, she was interrupted by the arrival of Harry from his first practice with the Captain, Oliver Wood.

Harry looked tired but he had a big smile on his face, so Triss assumed he loved his first lesson.

"How did it go?" She asked putting her down her parchment and quill.

"Brilliant. Wood showed me the balls and how the game works. I think I understand it pretty well now."

"That's awesome Harry. I'm so glad it went well." Harry took a seat next to her on the couch in front if the fireplace and they started talking more about Quidditch and how it's played. Triss answered all the questions Harry asked her and was more than happy to tell him everything she knew.

"Oh! I almost forgot. I wrote my dad and asked him to send me this book I had back at home," She pulled out a rather large book that was called Quidditch: The Best Players and the Best Games.

"It's all about some of the best Quidditch players around the world and it has a whole section on seekers, famous games they played, and some really good techniques and tips. I thought you might like it," She said handing it him.

"This is perfect! Thanks Triss," Harry said grateful for the extra help. "Oh, there's a letter here" Harry handed her a letter with her name on it in her father's handwriting. She completely forgot to read it after the Nimbus got delivered this morning.

"That'll be from dad," She said tearing the letter open.

Dear Bean,

Hello darling! Glad to hear things are well at school! I'm doing fine here at home. Still miss you troublemakers. I had the Weasley's over for the dinner yesterday and Mr. Weasley insisted on making tea with a muggle kettle that he was toying with. Suffice it to say, I now have hot water burns on my hands and a dancing kettle wandering the property somewhere. Ginny said she spotted it by the pond in our back garden but I've yet to catch it. I'll have to add that to my job description. Mathalus Selwyn: Catcher of dark wizards and dancing muggle tea kettles.

Triss laughed quite loudly what her dad said. Mr. Weasley was always experimenting on muggle inventions and they had a tendency to go astray.

I'm glad you finally wrote your uncle! I'm sure he was happy to hear from you. As to what he said about the Potter's… It's true! I knew them back when were in school and we stayed close friends as we got older. I was going to surprise you at Christmas, but your Uncle Remus beat me to the punch. Harry's parents were great people and I miss them very much. Your mother was quite fond of Harry's mother, Lily. They were both pregnant with the pair of you at the same time, and they made James and I crazy with their mood swings. The Potter's were great people and Lily even helped me when your mother died in raising you. I would've been lost without Molly and the Potter's there to guide me. Enclosed is something I think you and Harry will find very interesting. Send my best to Harry and Ron, and tell your brother I would love a letter from him eventually!

Love you Little Bean,

Dad

Triss opened the envelope and picked up a photo that was inside. It was of two babies, one with blonde hair the other with black hair. The blonde one on the left was giggling at something, and the blacked haired one on the right was smiling and holding a stuffed dragon. Triss flipped the photo over and it read:

Trissella and Harry, January 1981

Triss gasped. That was her and Harry! They knew each other already!

Triss spun around to face Harry, who was paging through the Quidditch book, and thrust the photograph at him.

"Harry! Remember the last letter my uncle sent? He said my dad knew your parents and, well, according to my dad they were all good friends and I guess so were we. Harry that's us!" She pointed at the two babies.

Harry looked stunned at first and then a smile slowly grew on his face.

"That's… That's me? And that's really you?" He asked taking the picture in his hand. He flipped it over and read what was in the back.

"Did your mum take this?" He asked her.

"No. My mum died just a few months after I was born. Actually, just before you were born now that I think of it. You were born on July 31st, right?" She asked him. He nodded his head yes.

"So, my mum didn't take this and that's not my dad's handwriting either. Harry, I think your mum took this," She said smiling. Harry didn't know what to say. He just kept looking at the photo of the two of them. Triss could barely wrap her head around it. Her and Harry had been together before and they didn't even know it. The fact that they still became friends was amazing!
"Harry it's practically like fate that we met on the train."

"It really is. You know… I knew absolutely nothing about my parents growing up." Harry then went on to tell her about what it was really like growing up on Privet drive. Up until now she only knew that he lived with muggles and that they weren't very kind. She had no idea that he knew nothing about his own parents and that his living relatives treated him so poorly.

After it was done, she reached out and gave him a tight hug which he returned.

"So, all this time you really knew nothing about your parents?"

"Nope, I don't even know what they look like or what they sounded like or how they were back when they were in school."

Triss's heart broke at that. She couldn't imagine not having the photos of her mum or having her dad to tell her stories about their years together. Every time she heard a new story it always made Triss feel closer to her in some way. She could imagine that was how Harry currently felt.

"Well according to my father, they were good people," She showed him the letter her dad had sent, along with the photo and Harry read it. A sad smile came on his face at the mention of his parents and she put her arm around his shoulder in comfort.

"Thanks for this Triss," He said to her, handing back the letter.

"You know, if you want, maybe you could stay with me for the Holidays? Summer too. I can imagine you wouldn't want to go back to the muggles and there's plenty of space at my house or even the Weasley's house too. Ron parents and my dad would be happy to have you. Ron lives 5 minutes away so we could all hang out and I could show you where we play Quidditch in Ron's back garden." Harry's face lit up at this.

"That sounds perfect," He said smiling brightly.

Triss started to yawn and decided it was time to pack up her things. Harry had a look on his face that said he wanted to ask her something but then just smiled and thanked her for the book.

"What do you plan on doing with that photo?" He asked her.

"Oh, I think I might frame it? That would be nice right? It's proof that the two of us were meant to be friends. Plus, I'm significantly cuter than you were as a baby so I must keep this close to by to remind you if you ever act like a jerk," She said with a smirk.

Harry laughed and replied, "Fair enough. I wonder if there's a way to make a copy if it."

"I think so? I'll ask Finn about it tomorrow."

Harry nodded his head and made his way to the spiral staircase that went to the boy's dormitory and Triss did the same except to the girl's.

"Night Triss"
"Goodnight Harry. See you tomorrow."

Triss climbed the spiral staircase to the first-year dorm, and then she eventually made her way under the covers of her scarlet bed.

She lay awake for a few moments thinking about the picture she had of her and Harry. She still couldn't believe that all these later, they had found each other again and didn't even know it. Soon she drifted off to sleep and her dreams began:

She dreamt that she was in the back garden of Selwyn Manor. Her father rarely took her and her brother there, only visiting the Selwyn cemetery each year to visit their mother's grave which was located on the vast property, so she was quite curious as to why she was there at all. She walked around the hedges and there, in the middle of the yard, was a long picnic table, laden with food and various faces around it. The table seemed to have a warm and inviting glow and she walked forward, and everyone greeted her with big smiles on their faces.

There were people that she knew such as all of the Weasley's (Bill and Charlie too), her dad, Finnick, her uncle Remus, and Harry — then there were people she didn't know. Sitting next to Harry were two people who looked to be around her dad's age. The man looked very much like Harry, with his messy hair and round glasses — the other one was a woman with a beautiful shade of red hair and kind, green eyes. She didn't know why but somehow; she knew these were Harry's parents. There was another man she had never seen before, sitting next to her Uncle Remus and he had a handsome face and dark black hair. At the end of the table was someone she had only ever seen in pictures, her mother. She had mousy brown hair that matched her uncles, but her sapphire eyes were an identical match for Triss's own.

Triss sat down next to her mum and Harry and everyone began digging into a feast of food that was in front of them. Everyone was laughing at a prank Finnick and the twins had played on Percy and Triss laughed with them. She tried to say something, but every time she did, the words got lost on her tongue. She simply sat there and smiled and laughed with the family and friends who surrounded her. All too soon Harry took her hand and whispered to her, "It's time to go."

She desperately wanted to stay with her mum and family, and she wanted to tell him that, but her legs took on a mind of their own and she walked hand in hand with Harry out of the garden. She turned around to take one more look, but just as she glanced at the sight of everyone that she held dear — she woke up.

Slowly the dream drifted from her memories like all dreams did, but she couldn't shake the feeling of both happiness and sadness at the distant memory that echoed in her brain.

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