A Secret Kept.

Potions was the first class of Harper's day. She had it with the rest the Gryffindors, and the Slytherins. Professor Snape's classroom was in the dungeon. It was dark in there, and it was colder there than in other part of the castle. Harper had met very few other students other than the famous trio. Now, with potions, Harper would get a chance to meet other students and other houses…

"Hey look at what the rat brought in, another Weasley!" shouted Draco Malfoy.

"Not everyone with red hair is a Weasley. I'm a Skys," replied Harper defiantly. A wave of gasps and whispers swept over the class. Snape looked on with a sour look.

"A Skys? Man, that must be worse than being a Weasley and a mudblood combined. And with that prophecy of you being-----" Ron and Hermoine exchanged worried glances as Malfoy said this.

"Enough, Mister Malfoy!" snarled Snape. "Leave her alone," Malfoy was quite dumbfounded by this. Snape had never yelled at him before.

"B-b-but," Malfoy began.

"But nothing! Now, begin copying the notes on the board."

"What was that all about?" asked Ron. Harry was thinking the exact same thing.

"Why was he protecting a Gryffindor? He was so protective," said Hermoine.

Harper sat in silence for the rest of the class. At last Snape released the two houses with a snarl. Next was transfiguration with Professor McGonagall.

While they were walking down the hall, Harper brought up the sensitive subject.

"What's wrong with being a Skys?" she asked.

"Nothing! Nothing. You're half elf, and elves tend to look down on witches, wizards, and anybody else they consider lower than themselves. They consider themselves royalty," answered Hermoine. Harper felt that for some reason Hermoine wasn't telling her the complete truth.

"Professor Snape cut Malfoy off when he was about to say something. I thought he favored Slytherins."

"The Prophecy doesn't matter," said Hermoine.

"Or so we hope," whispered Ron. Hermoine shot him a deadly glance.

***

While Harper was talking with Professor McGonagall about catching up on the past four years, Harry stole a quiet moment with Hermoine and Ron.

"Why do I get the felling you guys are keeping something from me?" asked Harry.

"Hermoine… we gotta tell him the bloody truth!" begged Ron.

"No! We can't! I mean it might not happen," Hermoine nearly screamed.

"Percy says-'every prophecy should be considered. It is more likely than not that it shall happen.' 'Sides Harry's our friend more than she is."

"I know, but---"

"You guys I'm still here," interrupted Harry.

"---we should consult a book, or Dumbledore," finished Hermoine. "Now both of you, shush! She's comin' back."

"She says I can take extra classes on some weekends if I want. Hey, Ron, what's wrong?" Ron was on the verge of tears for fear of not telling Harry the secret.

"Nothing," he said defensively. "Now, come, if I'm late for Professor Flitwick" class again, he'll give me detention with Flinch."