A/N: Sorry it took me so long to write more. School and all makes it harder. Umm, I want to apologize that all the thoughts in the last chapter were not in italics…I thought they would transfer. From now on, they will be placed in little asterisks: *. That way, you know when someone is thinking and no one will bother me. To answer the question of how her grandparents are related, they are her adopted mother's parents. I didn't make that very clear. They are mixed bloodline, but because Guenevere was adopted, she is a "Pureblood". Well, here is more of my story, please enjoy.
I forgot the Disclaimer before, so: Anything you don't recognize as HP is mine…all mine!! ::laughs evilly:: Also, there will be a lot of references to Phantom of the Opera, which is, sadly, not mine at all. Well, that's all folks! Enjoy the rest of my tale!
CHAPTER 2: Summer Woes and the New Student
Harry sat impatiently at the foot of Ron's bed. "WHY does she always take so long to get these things?!" Ron sighed, "I don't know. My sister always takes forever to do things too."
Hermione burst into the room, making them both jump. "Well, you two look bored."
Ron frowned.
"What took you so long?"
Hermione shook her head. "You know, if you keep acting so ungrateful, I won't do you any more favors!"
"Oh come off it, Hermione. We were just joking…no offense meant."
Hermione threw the book onto the bed. "Now IF you don't mind, Ginny wanted to talk with me. You two can do your homework ALONE!" She stomped out.
"Geez…what's gotten into her?" Ron asked, bewildered.
Harry snorted. "Mood changes. It's a female thing…"
They both groaned and picked the heavy book up.
"Everything You Could Ever Want to Know About Fae by Simeon Kigam." Ron looked at Harry. "Or not." Harry laughed.
Ron frowned. "Whose idea was it to start a whole segment about Fae during Care of Magical Creatures class?"
Harry smiled, "Who else?"
Ron scowled. "Yeah well…you'd think Hagrid would make us learn about something more interesting than a bunch of stupid, flying pixies."
Suddenly Hermione stepped back in. The boys ignored the fact she had probably been there the entire time, listening in. "Actually, not all Fae are that size and have greater intelligence."
"Well we can tell you've read this thoroughly."
"Doesn't she always?"
"Be quiet and listen…you see, I think you two could get into this part of the class. There are some very interesting things to learn about the Fae culture, and that is one resource."
"Great…I always wanted more research over the summer holidays."
Hermione frowned. "Well if you didn't save it for the last week, this wouldn't happen!!"
Harry laughed.
"And I suppose you did this all in…say…the first week??" Ron commented.
Hermione smiled with an air of superiority. "Of course."
Both boys snorted and buried themselves in the book.
"Well…I'm going now so…"
They didn't respond.
Hermione was at a loss for words and left the room.
Hermione rarely ran out of things to say. But the past few weeks the boys were drifting farther and farther apart from her. She assumed it was just adolescence kicking in. But they wouldn't mention anything so she didn't really know. Aside from Ginny, she didn't have many friends. In fact, aside from Harry and the Weasley family, she didn't have any real friends. She found herself getting extremely lonely when Ginny was busy, and was finding it harder and harder to bury herself in her books. She wanted contact. Human contact. Someone she could get close too. Someone who had a lot in common with her. "It's got to be someone right in front of my face!!" she said aloud. And that was when the owl flew in front of her and she nearly fell down the steps.
"Pig!! What do you--"
The little owl flapped in front of her, dangling a note and hooting wildly.
"What…for me?"
The owl hooted affirmatively.
"Um…ok."
She grabbed the note and untied it. Pig flew upstairs and she unfurled the parchment.
Dear Hermione Granger,
I know you don't know me, but Mr. Arthur Weasley said I should become pen pals with you.
He said you were one of the nicest young witches at Hogwarts. So, I wrote. My name is Guenevere Smith. But once I get to Hogwarts, it'll be Guenevere Donahue. (I was adopted) I am 13 years old and will be coming into third year. I'm living with my grandparent's if you want to send me a letter. My grandmother says not to write a long first letter. So then, I will ask you only a few things; is it true you're friends with Harry Potter? I live in America, and I've just learned a lot of magic, I still am, but I know about his defeating You-Know-Who and all. Neat. And Arthur Weasley told me all about his family. They seem to be very nice people. Well, I should go. Write back ASAP!
Guenevere Rose Smith (a.k.a. Donahue.)
Hermione grinned and ran back upstairs. This was JUST what she had been waiting for.
~~~
August 31st
Dark figures stood in a circle. One tall figure with red, glowing eyes prowled in the center, evil creeping everywhere he had once stood. He was talking, but words were not heard. He seemed to be scheming. He beckoned to a figure that was not a part of the circle. The figure also had a cloak, but did not seem to be one of the others. That figure, in turn, beckoned to another, shorter figure who entered slowly and sadly. The short figure was holding something wrapped in a blanket…something tiny and delicate. The figure offered the little bundle to the one with the red eyes, and as the it did, its hood fell back. Its head snapped in the direction of the observer…it was Guenevere.
Guenevere sat up in bed, sweating madly. Another strange nightmare. She hadn't had one since her parents had died. Why another one suddenly? And who were the figures? Why was she there and what was in that little bundle? But the more she thought about it, the more the dream slipped from her memory…a distant thought until all was forgotten. She regretted not writing it down, but decided it was for the best.
*After all, * she thought, *I can't always remember my dreams!!! *
She walked carefully across the attic, which was now her bedroom, and gathered her things in her new trunk. Arthur Weasley had been so kind as to take her grandparents and herself to Diagon Alley, where they bought all the school supplies. She especially loved her wand, though: Dragon heartstrings, Willow, 13 inches. She was happy that Dumbledore would let her come to Hogwarts. It was the safest place for a witch to be during these times. The Dark Lord was rising again in power, and everyone seemed to send their children to Hogwarts these days. Dumbledore said that he'd tell the other students she was a transfer. It wasn't a lie; she was transferring. She had just never been to any magic school before. She shrugged and changed into black slacks and a red bellbottom-sleeved top. This was her favorite outfit, and she intended to wear it to Hogwarts. Excitement pulsed through her veins as she ran downstairs towards the car…but she couldn't shake the feeling she was being watched. As she left the loft, a shadow crossed the room and followed her downstairs…
~ ~ ~
Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny were standing by the train, talking.
"Do you think she's nice?"
"Of course she is! The Donahue family was some of the nicest wizards and witches around!" Ron spoke in a hushed tone.
"My dad says You-Know-Who came and killed her parents off. Poor girl."
"She'll have a lot in common with you, Harry."
"Yeah, I guess so. But she knew her parents longer. I suspect it'll be harder to lose people you've known longer."
Ginny sighed. "So um, 'Mione, why are we waiting here again?"
Hermione grinned. "Because I said we'd meet her here. That way she's not all alone her first day."
Harry grinned. "That was very nice of you, Hermione."
Hermione blushed.
As they stood, Guenevere was inching slowly towards the group.
*Is this them?* She was very careful not to interrupt. Then she tapped Ron on the shoulder and he jumped and nearly fell.
"Whoa!" He turned quickly as though he was about to reprimand someone, but then stopped when he saw her. "Oh, hi."
Guenevere smiled at Ron.
"You must be Guenevere. I'm Hermione Granger."
"And I'm Ron Weasley."
"Sorry to frighten you, Ron."
"Naw, no harm done."
"I'm Ginny Weasley. His sister."
"Hello Ginny."
"And I'm Harry Potter."
He braced himself for the typical rush of fandom. But instead, she just smiled and extended her hand. "Guenevere Donahue. Very pleased to meet you."
They all looked at one another, bewildered.
"Well um…let's get onto the train so we don't get left behind," Said Ginny quickly.
~ ~ ~
Guenevere shyly sat by the window in their compartment, (although it was unlike her to be so shy.) She let the friends talk about other things she was still new to: Quidditch, teachers and the gamekeeper at Hogwarts—
*Hagrid…what an intriguing name!* --but still it seemed that she was an outsider. Hermione noticed this and began to bring her into the conversation.
"So Guenevere, what house do you hope to get into?"
Gwen beamed. "Hopefully Gryffindor or Ravenclaw. My mother was in Gryffindor. And please, call me Gwen."
"Oh, that's good," Said Harry, relief clearly on his face.
Hermione nodded, "Gryffindor is certainly the most popular of the four, although Ravenclaw is good too."
Ron grinned while throwing a side-glance at Harry, "Yeah…their Seeker is really nice too."
While Gwen looked away, Harry stuck his tongue out at Ron. Hermione giggled.
"So you three are all in Gryffindor, right?"
"Yep. Hope you get in too…then we could hang out more often." Hermione pin-pointed.
"Yeah," Said Ron rather quietly.
They sat in silence for a few minutes. The witch with the lunch cart came by a few seconds later. Guenevere, who had only had a few wizard treats before, was fascinated.
"Are these any good?" She asked, pointing to Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans.
"Yeah, if you make sure you know what you're about to eat." Ron commented
Gwen laughed and came back into the compartment. The witch rolled away and the door shut lightly behind her. As she sat down and Hermione opened her mouth to speak, the compartment door opened again. There stood Draco Malfoy—surprisingly—alone.
"Well, if it isn't Potty, the Weasels, and Mudblood Granger…came back for fifth year after all?"
They scowled at him.
"Hello, Malfoy," He threw a sideways glance at Harry and turned to face Guenevere.
"Well, hello. I don't recall meeting you before."
Guenevere could sense the others were on less than friendly terms with this boy, but she had been raised to always be polite. You never know if the person could help you someday. "We haven't. I just transferred. Third year. Guenevere Donahue." She outstretched a hand and Hermione frowned.
"Draco. Draco Malfoy…and you certainly may call me Draco."
Ron rolled his eyes.
"Two seconds in the room and he develops a crush on her." Harry muttered.
Guenevere blushed.
"You know, these aren't the best of people to hang around with…you'd make much better friends from my house…Slytherin."
Guenevere smiled, but Hermione could see it was false. "I think they are quite nice, so I don't know about that, but thank you for offering anyway."
Draco, though disappointed, smiled for a brief second. He turned to the others again.
"Well, why couldn't you be that nice when we first met, Potter? Guenevere still has a chance for being friends with me. As for you…" He shrugged.
Ron and Ginny rolled their eyes again.
Harry growled, "Well, if you would change your act, we might consider being friends with you."
Hermione glared at Draco.
"However, you don't seem to want to do that any day soon, so I guess we aren't."
Draco sneered, "I guess not. I'll see you later, Miss Donahue."
Without looking at the others, he smiled at Guenevere and left the room.
Hermione shuddered. "WHY in the world were you being so civil to him? You didn't have to do that!"
Guenevere frowned. "It was how I was raised. I didn't want him to think I liked him; I was just trying to be nice. After all, he might be able to help me someday."
"Yeah, help you to the Death Eaters maybe. Good luck being friends with him!"
Ginny shook her head. "Don't bother. He'd dump you as soon as someone more interesting came along."
"Did I say I wanted to be friends with him? He dissed you guys, so no way!"
They all laughed as they headed for Hogwarts, glad that a new friendship had been tested and firmly established. But outside the window, near the outer compartment door, a dark shape still lingered, then faded into another room…
A/N: That's all I have time for, thanks to everyone for their comments! Hope you like it so far. I'm sorry this chapter was a little rushed. I'm also sorry they are only around six pages long instead of HP length…I'm trying though!! Lolz… Talk to you all Later! PS: I'm not giving anything away about Gwen at Hogwarts!! You'll have to read to find out!