Trapped.


A Fanfic by Jou-chan.





Disclaimers: J. K. Rowling is a genius and I quail in her all-mighty power. *bows*





Notes: Wow, I can't believe how much praise I got for that first chapter! *sniffles* Thanks, you guys, that was sooooooo cool!! You're totally awesome and I officially love you all! You guys are like my brothers from another mother! ^-^;;; Hehe.



Also, thank you so much for your suggestions! I love reading them, so keep them coming! You guys are so cool! *huggles*


Please don't forget to review! I really, *really* like reviews. ^-^;;





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The first week of school went by rather fast, for all of them. They had hoped that maybe they wouldn't get too much homework, but they were rudely awakened as the professors piled it on. Supposedly it was just to get your feet wet; get a taste of things to come. Other students thought differently. Dean Thomas swore that it was a conspiracy.


"They're all against us, you know. We knew Snape was, but it's really all of them. They're trying to kill us off before Christmas break." He said one afternoon, as he walked with Harry, Ron, and Hermione to Potions.


Hermione scoffed. "Really, that's absolute nonsense."


Dean grinned. "Yeah, but it sounds cool." He replied.


Ron and Harry laughed, and even Hermione cracked a smile.


The Potions room was cold and musky, due to the fact that it was down in the dungeons. No one every really liked it, except for maybe the other Slytherins.


Harry, Ron, and Hermione all got seats near the back, and Dean sat just next to them with Seamus Finnigan and Neville Longbottom. Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil sat just in front of them, talking in hushed voices as they glanced back towards Ron repeatedly.


Curious, Seamus leaned forward. "Hey, you guys fancy Ron or something?" He asked.


Ron went slightly pink. "Hey, Seamus, leave me outta this, will ya?"


Harry grinned, and Hermione shook her head, opening up her Potions book.


Parvati shook her head impatiently. "No way, you mean you guys haven't heard?" She asked, obviously shocked.


Harry raised an eyebrow. "Heard what?"


Lavender and Parvati exchanged grave looks. "Well…"


"I don't suppose Prof. Trelawny has seen his death…" Hermione murmured, and Harry and Ron grinned.


"Maybe she's given up on you, then." Ron teased lightly, nudging Harry.


Harry shook his head, smiling. "I could only dream."


Lavender glanced across the room, towards the Slytherins. "No no, it's not that either."


"Then what is it?" Dean asked, getting impatient.


"That new girl, Kiare something or other, said.."


But Parvati was cut off as Snape swept into the room, looking as mean and greasy as always. "Welcome to another wonderful year." He sneered, and his cold gaze met Harry's for a moment before he looked back around.


Harry frowned. Despite last year, it looked as though his hatred for Harry had only grown even more.


As Snape started the role call, Dean leaned forward, whispering to Parvati. But they obviously didn't go unnoticed for long. "Mr. Thomas, sit back in your seat. You can gossip with your little girlfriend after my class is over."


Dean sat back, trying not to scowl at him, while Parvati blushed slightly.


Across the room, Crabbe and Goyle sniggered, but Malfoy scowled slightly, and muttered something to them, most likely telling them to shut up.


Kiare smirked, tossing her dark, shiny hair over her shoulder as she got her things out, preparing herself for when class would start.


Soon enough, it did. Snape started by reading and explaining each of the ingredients that they would be using that year, walking around the room and eyeing every student --except for most of the Slytherins-- suspiciously as they quickly scribble down what he said. His notes seemed to last forever, but they did end, only to make way for a pop quiz.


Ron scowled, getting out a new sheet of parchment. "Slave driver.." He muttered, loud enough for Harry and Hermione to hear him.


Harry sighed, silently agreeing with him. Hermione glanced at him but kept quiet.


As always, the pop quiz was difficult. Most everyone groaned when it came to handing them back in. Snape looked pleased that just about everyone failed. He skimmed through the papers, every once in a while making a smart comment about the students' very wrong answer.

Especially Harry's. But that was to be expected, though it still was quite unfair.


Snape paused, holding up two pieces of parchment as he studied them. "Well well well… Granger, seems like you've got some competition in Miss Lyren." He said, smirking coldly at the Gryffindor girl.


Kiare brushed the hair out of her eyes coolly, although most of the students turned their heads towards her.


Snape glanced at her. "Where did you transfer from?" He asked, putting the quizzes on his desk in a neat pile.


"I was home schooled, sir." She replied indifferently.


Snape's eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of recognition in them. "I see." He turned back to the board and began writing on it, and began speaking again, about a particular potion they would be creating in the next class. There was a rush to get out more parchment and ink, though Snape seemed not to notice.


Harry stared at his back speculatively, his curiosity getting the better of him. He glanced over to Kiare, who was copying down the procedures quickly, absorbed in her work. He couldn't help but wonder about her… it seemed everyone knew of her… Snape, Malfoy, even Neville. And then Parvati had started to say something about her but alas, he still hadn't heard the rest of it.


But by the end of the class, he was dying to know.




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Later that night, Ron, Hermione, and Harry all sat in the Gryffindor common room, finishing up with their homework and talking about a variety of different subjects. Eventually, Kiare Lyren was one of them.


"I don't like her." Hermione muttered.


Ron grinned. "Is that maybe because she's just as smart as you are?" He asked slyly.


She scowled. "Of course not. I just don't like her."


Harry ran a hand through his messy black hair, ruffling it as he leaned back in his seat. "What I want to know is why everybody else seems to know all about her." He voiced, setting his quill down.


Hermione shrugged. "I'm sure half of its all rumors."


Ron nodded. "Yeah, you know how Lavender and Parvati are."


Harry paused. "Well, Malfoy knew who she was. I think Snape did, too." He pointed out.


Ron snapped his finger. "That's right, and she and Neville definitely knew each other back on the train."


Hermione rubbed her forehead. "Who knows. I'm sure we'll hear all sorts of variations of it soon enough." She muttered, almost sounding spiteful.


The portrait slid open and Neville walked in, looking upset. He was very pale, and almost looked as though he were on the verge of an emotional breakdown.


Hermione looked concerned. "Neville, are you alright?" She asked delicately.


He dropped into a plushy chair near them, staring at the floor. "I hate Kiare."