Chapter 3: Jealousy

" I don't like her," Hermione said after meeting Liana a week before school started. She was unpacking in Ginny's room. The summer break had gone great since Liana arrived because she helped around a lot and was easy to talk to for everyone, except for Hermione. When they met, Liana was just as nice to her as she was to everyone else she met. Harry didn't understand what was not to like.

 "She's too nice and sweet to everyone. And I wish she would hide that hideous gem; it's like she's showing it off all the time," Hermione added. "It's not like she can wear a turtleneck all the time you know," Harry said in her defense. "and what's wrong with being nice, hope it rubs off on you. You seemed so cold when you talked to her" Harry said when Hermione gave him a look of rage. "I am nice," she said.

"I think you jealous of her," Harry said. "The first time you saw her, you seemed to like her, but when you saw her gem, you grew cold. Is it because she's an Enchantress or is it because she was able to catch up to us in 6 months after she has been going to a Muggle school most of her life." Harry said challenging Hermione. "I'm not jealous of her at all. She's so, preppy. That's what American girls call someone whom is stuck up." Hermione said after seeing the look of confusion at the new word. "She's not stuck up and you are jealous of her, just admit it, I won't think anything less of you." Harry said trying to get Hermione to admit.

"Get out," she said with any icy tone. "Fine!" Harry shouted, "but you're going to have to get used to her. She's gonna be with us all year and she knows about Sirius. Your going to have to learn how to respect and trust her." And with that, Harry left the room. "I don't have to trust her," Hermione said under her breath.

"What was all that about?" Ron asked as Harry left Ginny's room and was going downstairs. "Sorry, I listened in"

"Hermione doesn't like Liana because Hermione is jealous of her," Harry responded. "Not Hermione. Why? Is it because she's an Enchantress?" asked Ron.

"No" Harry replied. "It's because Hermione thinks Liana is a threat to her being just as smart or smarter than her."

"Uh oh," Ron said, "Well, at least it will be an interesting year."

"Where's Liana anyway?" Harry asked. "She's outside with Fred and George showing them a new spell on how to get rid of the gnomes all at the same time," Ron replied.

"No, you have to flick your wand downwards," Liana explained to Fred and George, "Here, let me show you" and she took Fred's hand and flicked the wand downward not knowing that Fred was blushing hard as she touched his hand.

"Hey Liana!" Harry shouted from the door to the backyard, "Can you come here for a minute?"

"Sure!" She shouted back, "Just practice what I told you and I'll be right back, ok?" she said to Fred and George and ran back to the house. "What is it?" She asked Harry. "Well, what do you think about Hermione?"

"Well, I think she's really nice, but when she my gem, she looked a little less homely to me. I know this sounds conceited but, I think she's jealous of me." She said to Harry blushing a little. "Is she jealous of me?"

"Yeah I think so, I talked to her while she was unpacking and she doesn't like you much, well, that's what she said, but I think she's jealous of how smart you are and that you are an Enchantress," Harry answered. " Well, tell her she has nothing to be jealous about. I'm not here to compete with her. I'm her to protect you and now your friends and also to learn. That's all; please tell her I'm no threat. I'm no smarter than most other people." She said. "I'll try to convince her, but it will take some time.

"Harry," came a voice at the top of the stairs, "Can you come her and help me?" asked Hermione. "Sure," Harry replied, "I'll see you later then," He said to Liana.

"What do you need help with?" Harry asked as he climbed up the stairs. "I don't need your help," Hermione said icily, "I know you were talking about me," She said in a lowered voice until Liana had gone out the door to help Fred and George. "What was she saying about me?" she asked. "I asked her what she thought about you and she said that she wants you to know that she's no threat to you and you shouldn't have to think of her as one. I know your jealous of her, but c'mon, give her some credit. She's just trying to fit in." Harry responded.

"She's really just trying to fit in?" Hermione said a little less defensively and more compassionately. "Yes," Harry said, " I think she just wants to be friends with you; you're the only other girl her age and she wants to be able to talk to you. She wants to be your friend."

"Well, I guess I owe her an apology," She said sadly, "I'm sorry about the way I acted. I shouldn't have been so hard on her. She probably feels the same way I felt when I first went to Hogwarts, but worse. What was I thinking?" She said scolding herself. "Don't be so hard on yourself," Harry said comfortingly, "I understand"

"I'm going to go and finish unpacking," Hermione finally said after a pause, "Yeah, I'll go finish unpack, see you at dinner." And with that, she left Harry at the top of the stairs.

A little later, Liana was now watching from inside as Fred and George de-gnomed the garden. She still felt alone even though she was surrounded by new friends, but she still felt nervous of everyone and felt as though she wasn't doing enough to repay the Weasley's for letting her stay. "Liana?" Hermione said as she entered the kitchen," can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Sure, what do you want to talk about?" She asked. " I just wanted to say I'm sorry for the way I acted when we first met. I guess I was a little jealous of you it was foolish of me." Hermione explained. "There is no need to apologize. I understand how you must feel. I guess you felt like I was intruding on your territory and I'm sorry if I made you feel that way." Liana said. "Well, I guess we should start over," Hermione said. "I would like that" Liana complied.

"Hey," Harry said as he entered the kitchen w/ Ron. "What are you guys talking about?"

"We were just talking about how Liana is going to be a great new member of our little group. Where's Ginny? I haven't seen her or Mrs. Weasley since after lunch." Hermione said. "Oh, mom and Ginny went to the market," Ron answered. "So, since your brothers are outside," Liana said in a lowered voice, "Harry, your scar didn't hurt since you left school did it? I have to know to make sure we're safe."

"I haven't had any headaches all summer," Harry replied, " You don't think Voldemort is going to start attacks soon do you?" Ron said to everyone's amazement. "Wow Ron," Harry said. "Well, He's back and Dumbledore said it's just a name. I'm not scared to say it anymore. I just haven't said it around everyone else or they'd think I was crazy," said Ron.

"No," Liana said answering his questions, "He's just gained power and is still weak, if he's smart, he'd wait a few months at least to get organized and to contact his allies. We have at least until Christmas, but after that, I'm not sure."

"We're back!" came a call from the living room. "Come help me with the groceries!"

"We're coming!" Hermione called from the kitchen. "C'mon Liana" and with that, the girls left and Harry and Ron went upstairs to Ron's room. "Well, at least their not fighting anymore," Ron said. "They were never fighting," Harry said, "They just had a misunderstanding." "Whatever," Ron said.

"Well," Mrs. Weasley said, "I see your getting along. Hope you all aren't crowded in Ginny's room."

"We're just fine Mrs. Weasley," Liana said, "Come on Ginny, I want to show you something"

"Um, OK," Ginny replied.

"I'll help you Mrs. Weasley," Hermione said. "Thanks Hermione," Ginny said.

"Lovely girl isn't she?" Mrs. Weasley said. "Yes, I guess. I still don't know her that well," Hermione said. "Well, You have all year and she seems to like you all," Mrs. Weasley.