A/N: A big thank you to my three reviewers: Sunna ~ Thanks, chick, coming from you that means a lot; crimsn ~ I'm *sooo* glad you liked it!; Dragon Girl Revlis ~ Thank you so much, and I still absolutely *love* your name! :) So I guess I'll keep posting for you three, since apparently you're the only ones who read. Lol. But that's okay. I'd have kept writing anyway, like crimsn said. My friend (who is w/o the internet, aw) would hurt me if I didn't! :D So thanks again, and to the rest of you readers, please review as well as reading; that's *one* reason I post! Thanks a ton!
~*~ Love, Snow White ~*~
Chapter 4 ~ Boys
Tiera sighed as she stepped onto the sidewalk where the others awaited her. "That was interesting, but floo powder is definitely *not* my favorite way to travel."
Harry laughed as he protectively put an arm around her. "You get used to it. At least, I hope."
She laughed, but stopped abruptly when she took in her surroundings. "Whoa."
"Welcome to Diagon Alley, KJ," George said with his usual grin.
They decided to split up and get what they needed before going back to the rooms they'd gotten at the Leaky Cauldron. It was the last day of summer vacation, so they'd thought it easier to just stay in London. Tiera was scared silly, especially when she, Harry, and Ron walked into Madam Malkin's, their first stop.
"Ouch!"
"Did you just pinch yourself?" Ron asked as Fred and George walked in, laughing.
She blushed. "I just . . . wanted to be sure this all wasn't a dream. It's wild."
Fred grinned. "Wait 'til you see Hogsmeade."
"I can't wait. I can't wait to see Hogwarts, either," she said, eyes sparkling. "I wanna just go to the platform! That's gonna be fun. But what I *really* wanna do . . ." She trailed off, sighing.
"What?" asked all 4 boys curiously.
She giggled. "I *really* wanna see quidditch."
"Really?" Harry asked, eyes wide. The others were thinking the same, but couldn't ask for their jaws being on the floor.
"What's so surprising about that? I've been absolutely fascinated by it since the first--well, since I first heard of it."
"KJ, where did *you* hear about quidditch?" Ron asked suspiciously.
Before she had time to panic, Harry said, "I wouldn't bother asking, Ron. She knows about a load more than quidditch."
Tiera smirked when the other boys kept gaping at her. "What?"
"It's just . . . Well, Kay, it isn't every day you meet a girl who's beautiful, smart, *and* likes quidditch," Fred said, making Tiera blush.
The rest of the day passed rather uneventfully until they went to the Magical Menagerie. Tiera was curious about the animals, so after they were finished with their school shopping, they started off toward the store. The moment they stepped in, the place became hectic. As Tiera looked around in wonder, a witch came running up behind the counter from the back.
"Young lady, I'm afraid you're going to have to leave. You're setting the place in an absolute uproar!"
She sent the witch an apologetic look and backed out with the others who were, quite frankly, shocked. When they got outside they crossed the street to Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor. They sat down to their ice cream after talking to Florean himself for a moment. All was quiet as everyone but Ron sat eating. Ron was scowling, and Tiera had a suspicion that he was worried about his other best friend; Hermione hadn't even been mentioned in Ron's presence since Tiera had been there. Harry had told her that they didn't dare say a word for fear that he'd have a fit.
Suddenly, Ron's face brightened and he jumped up and started to run. They all turned to see Hermione grinning. She and Ron met with tremendous force, hugging, and it seemed neither wanted to let go.
Finally, Ron stood at arm's length and, blushing, said, "Hi Hermione."
Tiera had to hold her breath to keep from snickering, and matters weren't helped when Hermione looked away shyly. "Hi Ron."
Tiera looked at Fred, who was turning bright red as he held his breath as well. Their eyes met and they could hold back their laughter no longer; George and Harry joined them quickly. Ron and Hermione seemed to notice the four teenagers sitting at the table for the first time and Ron turned the color of his hair as Hermione became as red as her tan would allow.
"Well. It's nice to see you too," Hermione said indignantly.
Harry, regaining his composure, stood up to give her a hug. "Hello Hermione. I want you to meet someone." He turned to Tiera and helped her stand. Still holding her hand, even at Hermione's raised eyebrow, he said, "This is my sister, KJ."
"Your sister?" She looked shocked.
Tiera smiled. "Well, sort of. We know we're family, but we're not sure how, so we just call each other brother and sister. It's nice to meet you Hermione."
They shook hands as Hermione, still puzzled, said distantly, "Pleasure. Don't I know you?"
"Um . . . You might know me as 'Tiera' . . ."
"Yes, that's it! You sing 'Precious Mirage!'"
"You know it?"
"Of course I know it! Everyone knows it!"
"Oh . . ."
It was Tiera's turn to blush and George laughed. "C'mon now, Hermione, you're embarrassing her!"
"Seriously, it's really nice to meet you," Tiera said, shooting a glare at George. "Ron's been sulking since . . . Well, he's always sulked. And it'll be nice to have another girl here--me and Ginny are way outnumbered."
Hermione laughed and she and Tiera began to talk. The boys looked at each other and rolled their eyes as the girl chattered on about the dullest things--clothes, shopping, and then (gasp!) the subject of *boys* came up. It was going to be a long night.
"Mione, I thought you weren't interested in all that girly stuff," Ron said, looking bored.
She glared at him, then turned around with a small, "Hmph."
"Well, every girl is a *little* interested Ron. Come on, Hermione, let's go finish this conversation in the Leaky Cauldron," Tiera said, taking Hermione by the arm.
The girls walked away silently as the boys stared at them. They were halfway to the pub when they came across Ginny Weasley walking that way by herself.
"Ginny!" Hermione shouted with a smile.
The small redhead turned and grinned. She walked the few steps over to them and hugged her older friend.
"Gin, we were just headed back. The boys were being stupid again," Tiera informed her with a smile.
"When aren't they?"
The three of them laughed and again began walking toward the Leaky Cauldron. They spent the night isolating themselves from all boys. They didn't talk to them, talk about them, or even think about them. Okay, so the latter two were done, but it was still a girls' night in.
The next morning they went to King's Cross and Tiera finally got to see what she'd been waiting so anxiously for.
"Platform 9 and 3 Quarters here I come," she said, smiling. She, Ginny, and Hermione giggled, mostly at Tiera's silly enthusiasm for everything.
The boys just shook their heads, though they couldn't help but smile. Tiera watched in amazement as George and Mr. Weasley fell through the barrier. (Mr. Weasley had, once again, decided that they should go in pairs as there were so many of them.) Ginny and Hermione were next; Tiera said she wasn't sure she could handle it yet. Mrs. Weasley sent her an encouraging look, but she shook her head, declining once more. Harry and Ron took the barrier at a run and Tiera looked around at who was left; she, Mrs. Weasley, and . . . Fred.
"You two best be off now. Go on, you're going to miss the express," Mrs. Weasley chided.
Tiera took a deep breath, looking at Fred with concern. He smiled and took her hand, then they pushed their trolleys to the division between platforms nine and ten. Casually leaning against the barrier, watching each other (Tiera holding her breath in anticipation and Fred smiling at her), they fell through to Platform 9 3/4. At once, Tiera began to giggle. Witches and wizards and their children that were passing by stopped a moment to stare at her.
They heard Mrs. Weasley come onto the platform and turned to wish her goodbye. She hugged Tiera as tightly as Harry, Fred, and her other children. They bid Mr. Weasley goodbye also, then made their way onto the train. In the midst of all of the Hogwarts students, Harry and the Weasleys lost Tiera. She finally gave up and found an empty compartment to sit in.
She'd been staring out of the window for about five minutes when the door slid open, then shut again. She looked up to see a boy about Harry's age, or maybe slightly older, sitting in front of her. He had silver-blonde hair and gray eyes like steel. Tiera could only think of one word to describe him: beautiful.
The power of her gaze drew his attention and he looked up to meet her eye. She could almost see the gears of his brain whirling faster than ever, trying to place her anywhere in his memory. The corners of her mouth drew up and she found herself smirking at him.
"No, you don't know me. I'm not sure if I'm muggle-born; I don't remember my parents," she turned back to the window, but only for a moment. Then she looked at him again as he gaped at her. "Yeah, I'm American. I'm here visiting my brother."
"What--Who-- . . ."
Tiera stood and walked to the door of the compartment. She was halfway out when she turned and said, "Well it was nice chatting with you, Draco, but I really should find a few people now. Bye."
Then she slid the door shut and stepped out into the hallway once more. She found Fred and George in their own compartment talking and laughing as they ate a strange assortment of candy. Smiling, she stood and watched in plain view in the doorway, unnoticed.
After swallowing a handful of various Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans, Fred grimaced. Then he said, "Kay better be in Gryffindor."
George grinned. "So you can keep an eye on her?"
"Well you don't want her to get caught off snogging somewhere, do you? And we have to keep her away from that git, Malfoy."
"C'mon Fred, who would she be off snogging besides you? Anyway, she doesn't even know anyone else."
"Yeah, but have you seen the looks these prats have been sending her? One of 'em will surely have at least asked by the end of the night. Though I don't blame them, that's for sure."
"Well it's nice to know you think so highly of me Fred," Tiera said.
Before they could pry their jaws from the ground she stalked back to the compartment she'd been in previously. Draco Malfoy was sitting in the same place, but two boys she could only assume to be Crabbe and Goyle were in the seat she'd claimed earlier.
Draco sent her a look of surprise. She gave him a small smile in return.
"Um . . . Would you . . . mind . . . if I, uh, sat with you?" she asked, biting her lip.
Instead of the witty insult she expected from him, he shook his head in reply. She sat next to him before he could change his mind.
"So who are you?" he asked, as if he'd been contemplating the inquiry.
She smirked. "Good question. I'm really not sure to be honest."
"Well do you have a name, you know, something people call you to get your attention?" he asked with a half-smile.
Smiling back, she said, "No. They just go, 'Hey you!' or 'Woman!'"
They laughed and Draco said, "No, really. You know my name, I think I have a right to know yours."
"Well, I always thought my name was Tiera Kay-Jordan McKenzie. But apparently the only real part of that is Kay. I don't know my real first and last names."
There was a pause. Then Draco put on a friendly smirk. "I think I like 'Woman' better."
Laughing, they realized that the train was slowing down, so they stood and began to gather their things.
"Well, Woman, it was nice to meet you."
"Well, Man, the pleasure was all mine."
"I wouldn't be so sure of that," he said, eyeing her.
Tiera laughed. "Shut up, Draco!"
She rode in a carriage with Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle to Hogwarts. As they neared, she squirmed with anticipation. Draco watched, smirking, but said nothing and so the trip was silent.
When they arrived, Draco introduced her to Professor Snape who sneered and promptly took her to what seemed to be the entrance to Professor Dumbledore's office. Snape turned to Draco.
"Mr. Malfoy, you're going to be late for the feast."
Draco didn't seem to be fazed in the least by the older man's glum expression.
"Actually, Professor, I thought she might accompany me," he said, looking at her questioningly.
She couldn't help but smile; how could anyone think the boy standing beside her was evil?
"Of course, Draco."
He grinned at her, though Professor Snape's frown became a scowl.
"Fine. But you'll have to wait outside."
"Of course, Professor," Draco said with a wink to Tiera.
She grinned at him as the professor muttered soemthing towards the stone gargoyle which swiftly revealed a moving spiral staircase. Snape gestured to her to follow so she sent Draco a wave and shy smile before taking a step toward the staircase. He caught her hand, though, and pulled her back so she was standing right up next to him.
After a moment's pause, he whispered, "Good luck, Woman."
She smiled and kissed his cheek. "Thanks, Man."
Then she rushed to catch up with Professor Snape, not taking a glance back at the blonde boy she'd just left.
Snape left Tiera wide-eyed, sitting in Professor Dumbledore's office. It was just as she'd imagined and more. Among the many amazing sights she saw Fawkes, the phoenix. Smiling, she walked up to the magnificent bird. She was reaching up to stroke its feathers when the door opened and an old man with half-moon spectacles and an extremely long gray beard stepped in. He gestured to Tiera to take a seat as he sat behind a large desk.
"I wondered when I'd be seeing you, Miss McKenzie."
Tiera couldn't help but laugh; she'd had a Harry Potter movie flashback when he said that. He smiled at her.
"I assume you are aware of everything about Hogwarts?"
"Yeah . . ."
"Then I suppose I'll get to what I'm sure you're most curious about: why you're here."
He paused and Tiera nodded vigorously.
"Well I think your mother should be the one to answer that question--at least, the beginning of it."
"My mother? But . . ." She trailed off, frowning.
"Before she passed on, your mother, Daireann, wrote about your people and about you. It would probably be best if you read her words yourself," Professor Dumbledore said, already searching for the documents.
"Ah," he said, pulling a few rolls of parchment from his desk. He handed them to her with a small smile.
She read them three times before everything sunk in. She was a princess? And a . . .
"A siren? But sirens aren't real . . . And . . ."
"Ah, but they are. Rather, *you* are. I'm afraid, my dear, that the island of Atlantis has vanished, and its inhabitants with it."
"Oh . . . Well . . . I guess it answers a lot of questions. But I still don't understand why I'm here. And what did she mean? I can't be a . . . a *princess*."
"I can only say that it seems you were needed here, Etain. And you're not a princess."
At her puzzled look he added, "You're a queen, and the last of your family line."
For a minute, Tiera could only open and close her mouth. Then she said, "Shouldn't you be at the feast?"
He smiled again. "The first years have been a bit . . . delayed. We aren't missing a thing."
He paused. "As you've already realized, you are not a witch. We thought it best if you observed for a while, though, and let you get used to the magical world--as well as it to you."
She smiled, and the Headmaster continued. "You'll be following the year you choose, though your age puts you in 6th year. You may also choose your house, or be sorted, if you like."
Tiera grinned; she'd always wanted to be sorted by the old hat. "Could I, um . . .?"
Professor Dumbledore smiled and stood up, holding an ancient, mistreated hat. He handed it to her and she placed it on her head, the rim reaching past her nose; she let out a giggle.
"Hm . . . Interesting . . . Well, your majesty, I'd have to say . . . GRY--uh, HUFF--no . . . SLY--RAV--no . . . Uh . . . GRYFF--THERIN--DOR! Uh . . . That can't be right . . . My apologies, Highness, but I just can't sort you."
Tiera took off the Sorting Hat after a moment's silence. She looked up at the Headmaster worriedly.
He chuckled. "Well in all my years at Hogwarts, this has never happened. Don't worry Miss McKenzie, nothing's wrong with you. But it seems you'll have to choose a house after all."
Tiera frowned; she'd been afraid of that. "Well . . . I . . . . um . . ."
She sighed. She should be in Gryffindor with Harry, Hermione, and the Weasleys. But Fred . . . Well, Fred was in Gryffindor. Could she handle being with him so often?
Then again, Draco was in Slytherin, and he had befriended her. He was one of the people she actually really trusted, though it seemed very odd that she should feel that way.
Draco and Harry, though, were practically mortal enemies. Gryffindor and Slytherin, too, just didn't mix.
So maybe she should be in Ravenclaw? Or even Hufflepuff? She made friends easily, and they were neutral houses.
"I--I think . . ." she stammered. "Would, um . . . Would you think any less of me if I chose Slytherin?"
"Of course not. But is there any . . . special reason?"
"Oh, well . . . I have a friend there . . . and I'd kinda like to have some space, especially around--well, someone in Gryffindor."
"That's perfectly understandable, Miss McKenzie. Which year would you prefer?"
"Fifth please."
"Of course. I believe it's far past time to go to the Great Hall. You may run along now. Oh, and why don't we keep your, erm, secret, a secret for now, shall we?"
"Definitely."
"Good girl."
As she stood to leave, Dumbledore added, "Say hello to Mr. Malfoy for me, won't you?"
Tiera stared at him for a second, but nodded and made her way back to the hall where she'd left Draco standing.
She wasn't sure he'd still be there, but he was, glare and all. His face brightened at the sight of her.
"I almost thought you were going to stand me up."
She smirked as he walked towards her, offering his arm and leading the way to the Great Hall.
"Stand up *the* Draco Malfoy? Are you crazy?"
They laughed and Draco slid his hand down her arm and to her hand.
"So what was that about?"
"I just . . . you know, had to get sorted and stuff."
"Oh. So which house are you? And you never told me what year you're in, either."
"I'll be a fifth year Slytherin. I got to choose which house, actually, cause the hat didn't know where to put me," Tiera said, smiling.
"Well, Woman," he said, smriking. "I guess that puts you in all my classes. just watch out for the Gryffindors, especially Potty and the Weasel. They--"
She stopped walking and he stopped talking. He gazed at her, somewhat confused.
"I know you don't really like them, but could you please not call them that? Please?"
Draco stared down into those concerned green eyes. In turn, his steel gray eyes softened.
"All right. I'm sorry."
Normally, he'd have pressed on, most likely starting a fight, but Tiera was the first real friend he'd had . . . well, ever. So he let the conversation slide and squeezed the small hand that was in his.
They were at the doors to the Great Hall. Tiera took a deep breath and she and Draco entered, still holding hands. As he led her to the Slytherin table, the Hall went silent. She snuck a glance at the Gryffindors; they only looked confused--except for Fred and Ron, who were turning red as they glared at Draco. Fred stood, but was quickly pulled back into his seat.
She turned her attention back to the Slytherins. The boys were all grinning and hooting, and the girls were trying to ignore them. Tiera only received one glare of contempt, from a pug-nosed girl who, as soon as they sat down, got as close to Draco as possible.
He glared at the girl. "Pansy. Space."
She pouted, but turned away after shooting one last death-glare at Tiera.
"Sorry, uh . . . What's your name again, Woman?"
Laughing, she said, "Tiera Kay-Jordan McKenzie."
"O-okay," he said slowly, but with a half-smile. "I'll just call you McKenzie if that's all right."
"Yeah. It's all good."
~*~
A/N: Okay, I know I keep adding to Chapter 4, but I promise the next post will be Chapter 5, okay? I'll even try to post all of it at once! Anyways, thanks for coming this far with me, and I hope you enjoy! Oh, and I know Draco's being a little OOC, but you've gotta remember, she's treating him like a normal person, and plus, she's a siren. You know what that means. I'm not trying to make her a Mary-Sue, it's just that she is what she is. Sowy if that bugs you! Muah! Until the end of this chappie (lol) farewell!!!
~*~ Love, Snow White ~*~