Ladies and Gentlemen, I am back, yes, that is correct, Tara is back. I
decided to give myself a break for a little while in order to let myself
clear my head. Now, I have a few ideas for a few really good ideas for some
new fics.
You may get a sense of Dejavu (or however it is spelt) when you read this fic because I have tried uploading this fic before. But it has had a make over this time, an extensive make over, and now it is what it is now. I hope you like it.
This fic has seen a lot of trouble for me, why, because it has been a pain in the ass to write and even worse to get out there in the public. I wrote it last December after finishing reading all of the books. Then I realised how crap it was and put it aside on the shelf. I wrote another fic (Hero) and then Decided that I should give this one another try. I uploaded it, got no reviews, and then my computer died and I lost all of my chapters. So third time lucky.
Any who, this is a Harry/OC story with Ron/Hermione and Draco/Ginny on the side.
And people who have read my other fics will be glad to know that with this one, I used a spell checker (I don't trust beta's, I am a little Paranoid)
DISCLAIMER - I own none of the charters in this except for Vixen, she is mine, and the rest belong to Rowling.
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Chapter One
The bright oranges, blackening blacks and the soft twilight purples reflected off of the surfaces of the bright red steam engine as it puffed and hissed to a slow stop. In it's carriages, it held students, large quantities of students, all ready for the new school year. Nervous and excited first year students all sat still with anticipation, each dreading the countless minutes before they began their magical educations.
At the other end of the spectrum were the older, more mature Students, the seventh year students, each filled with an anticipation of a different kind. They all knew it would only be a matter or months, less than 12 to be exact, until they were out of the Hogwart's halls forever and into the wide wizarding world. Some wanted the time to go quickly, whereas others wanted the time to stretch out for as long a possible, because the wizarding world is a large, dangerous place.
This group of seventh years knew first hand what it felt like to be in danger. They had all lived through the second rise of the Dark Lord Voldemort. They had lived the last 6 years in fear, and was still living in that same, gut wrenching fear, because the dark lord was yet to be defeated. He had gone into hiding once again, and was gaining his strength, biding his time. No one, not even the ministry of magic's best investigators, knew when he would strike again.
The empty and quiet train station soon erupted into waves of shouts, chatter and giggles as the students left the Hogwarts express. Gryffindors, Ravenclaws, Hufflepuffs and Slytherins alike all joined the packs of students, pushing and shoving their way towards the horseless carriages or boats that took them to the castle.
Towards the end of the train, in one of the last carriages, a passenger stepped off of the train. Pausing a moment to take a deep breath of the fresh, clean air, 17-year-old Harry Potter looked around the gaggles of students, each in their own hurry to get to the castle.
He took in the sight before him. He could see the flickering orange flames of the candles in the windows of the castle that had just been lit, preparing for the arrival of the students. Harry felt calm here, he was finally home. Hogwarts would always be his home. The old, drafty, haunted castle would always be more of a home to him than his real home ever was, living with muggles who treated him badly. But then again, Harry realised, that any place away from the Dursley's would feel more like home to him.
But it was with great sadness that he entered his seventh and final year of school. It had gone so quickly. Harry smiled to himself, it only felt like yesterday that Hagrid had come to the tiny little shack on the rock, knocked the door off of it hinges, and announced that Harry was a wizard, That had been the one of the best days of Harry's life.
But he was 17 now; almost a legal wizard, and he knew that all good things had to come to an end at one point. The upside to this being his final year, however, was that when the year was over, he could legally move away from the horrid Dursleys, and live by himself somewhere. Making his own rules, and being his own person, in a place where no one would treat him any differently. He could finally live in a world where he would not be different because he wasn't different, a world where wizards were seen as normal people.
He sighed and tried in vain to flatten down his messy hair. People had said over the years that he had grown into his body, but he had never managed to outgrow the chronically messy mop of hair he had supposively inherited from his father. It always seemed to be in his eyes, or sitting up in the air like the wind had caught it. Never was it just neat and tidy.
But the rest of him was definitely more mature than it had been, even before the summer. He still seemed to be growing, He was taller now, still not as tall as Ron, but he was tall, a nice height, definitely not the shortest in his year level. He had a nice amount of muscle for some one his age. It was something that he got from all of the years of quidditch training and manual labour that the Durley's made him do on his school breaks. He looked healthy and mature, and that was all he really cared about.
His eyes were still exactly the same, and he was glad that they would never change. His bright green eyes that reminded every one of his mother. But recently, mainly over the last few years, there had been something else about his eyes, something strange. Harry had even noticed it in himself before any one had ever commented on it. Some days his eyes looked haunted, full of pain and sorrow. Everyone understood why though, because it is not easy being the boy who lived.
Harry had never asked for any of it, but it had all been given to him regardless, the pain, the sorrow, the loss, the responsibility and obligation. If Harry ever had the chance, he would give it all back in an instant. He never asked to be the boy who lived, he never asked to be every ones hero but he had gotten it all. His life was still filled with sorrow that a lot of people couldn't even begin to fathom. He had gone from a little boy, trapped in a world by the evil that was his uncle, to being a little boy who was being trapped in another world by the evil that was his arch nemesis, Lord Voldemort.
Harry had been forced to grow up quickly; he knew he had no choice but to grow up. And it seemed that even just days after he had been told he was a wizard, he had grown many times his age. Unexpected or unwanted responsibility can really change a person.
Harry was still felling the pain of his responsibility. Every time some one mentioned Voldemort, he felt it, every time that some one mentioned his parents, he felt it, and ever time, some mentioned any one else who had lost their life in the battle of good and evil, he felt the pain then to.
He had gotten word from Dumbledore and other members of the order of Phoenix that Voldemort had been gaining power again and was likely to make an attack some time that year. The obligation that Harry felt over the whole thing was almost killing him.
It was a lot for a 17 year old to take on board. For a while it had felt to him like he had the weight of all the wizards all around the world resting on his shoulders. He just wanted to be himself, to be Harry Potter, no ones hero. At some points, when the pressure got really bad, he even wanted to be back at 4 Privet Drive, in his little cupboard under the stairs.
But he knew he would not change his life for anything or anyone. He was Harry Potter, Wizard in training and the legendary boy who lived, and he would always be that, so there was no point dreaming of change. He had to embraced his destiny.
Harry had a feeling about this year. Wether it was a good feeling or a bad feeling, he was yet to work out, but he had a feeling that some thing big would happen to him that year, so he was approaching the year with a nervous anticipation, just like a lot of the other students. He would take each day as it came, he would accept what ever the world had to offer him, and he would just prepare, and some how anticipate, for both good and bad.
So, with one last steadying breath of fresh air, Harry stepped forward, and moved to join the messes of students on the short journey to the old castle.
"Hey, Potter, forgetting something?" Ron Weasley called from the doorway of the train. Harry turned back and smiled sheepishly at Ron, who was carrying both of their bags.
Ron had changed over the years also. Wether those changes were for the better, was yet to be determined. But there were a few things that Ron had taken into his stride. For the last few years, Ron had been the only Weasley at Hogwarts, the twins had left and Ginny had gone to stay with her brother Charlie, so she too could get some hands on training in caring for magical creatures. Transferring into the Romanian institute for the wizarding arts had been one of the most exciting things in her life, and she enjoyed it there. It was obvious to all the Weasley's that she had no intention of coming back, not for a while anyway.
Ron liked being the only Weasley at Hogwarts, because there was less competition for him. He didn't have to worry about outdoing the others; all he had to do was worry about staying out of trouble. That in itself was alot harder than people realised.
Ron had just finished a summer apprenticeship at Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes, and was returning to the school with pockets and trunk filled to the brim with jokes and untested merchandise. The twins had asked him to use some of them, to test them out and get back to them with the results. Ron had liked the idea of this, and the twins liked the way that he worked. They were even discussing the possibility of giving Ron a full time job after Hogwarts.
Ron was one of the tallest students in his grade. He towered over his mother and even over his father. He was the same size as Bill apparently (Harry hadn't seen Bill in a few years so he couldn't exactly compare the two siblings). The red in his hair had toned down a little bit, becoming an unusual and unique shade of brown with natural copper streaks. He had muscle also, just enough to make his size look natural.
"Don't worry mate, you know I would never forget about you" Harry replied, smiling at his best friend. Ron chuckled and shook his head.
"Not me you great prat, I don't care if you forget me, but your bag weighs a tonne" Ron smiled. Harry laughed and made his way back to the door, where together the two boys pushed and pulled the two large trunks through the narrow doorway, with very little success. .
"I am quite sure, that is you tried hard enough, there would be an easier way than this," a voice from behind them said. Harry and Ron both turned to behind them to shoot an annoyed look at Hermione Granger.
Hermione stood, leaning casually against the doorframe, her arms crossed against her chest. She wore her usual, 'I-know-better' look. Shaking her head at the boys, she tossed her hair over her shoulder. It was long and still messy, but now it seemed that her hair was messy in an endearing sort of way. It didn't look as frizzy as it had been, but the strands still layed around her face in a hap hazard way.
As you would suspect, Hermione had grown up to, but the number of people who really realised was low. She still hid behind her books and intelligence, and the others left her to it. But her stubborn determination had infact come to some good; she had been named this years Head Girl.
"Oh, Is that so is it, then, enlighten us, Miss Head Girl, how do you suppose we manage to get it out of here?" Ron asked. Hermione smirked.
"Turn the trunk on its side" She replied, Ron scratched his head and then realised she was right. Ron shot her an annoyed look. Hermione couldn't help but chuckle at him. She watched, keeping her laughter to a minimum as the boys grudgingly turned Harry's trunk on it side and moved it freely through the door, and then did the same with Ron's.
When they finally made it onto the platform, Ron and Hermione both took the time to take in their surroundings.
"It is really good to be back" Hermione smiled. Ron groaned.
"And of course you would say that, little miss head girl. You are glad to be back because you are the queen of this place this year, and Harry is the quidditch captain." Ron began.
"Well, you know. If you were to apply yourself than maybe you could get better marks, and if you were to get better marks, then maybe you could have been made a prefect this year" Hermione replied. Ron rolled his eyes at Hermione's predictability.
"Gee Hermione, we haven't even been back on the Hogwarts grounds for less than ten minutes, and you are already lecturing me about my marks, a least let me fail something first.and anyway, why would I want to be a prefect, as the twins used to say, being a prefect takes all of the fun out of life...they were not prefects, and they are doing well with their lives arnt they?" Ron smiled. Now Hermione rolled her eyes at Ron's predictability.
Harry walked beside them quietly, listening to Hermione and Ron's banter. This was another thing he missed about school when he was on holidays, his friends. The Dursley's wouldn't really let him out of the house so he didn't have friends there, and they wouldn't allow Harry to use the telephone to call them. Sure, they did allow Harry to spend two weeks at the burrow at the end of each summer (they liked to get rid of him early) but other than that correspondence with his friends was limited.
But now he was back with his friends at the place that he felt most comfortable, and he was looking forward to the many Dursley free months that were to come. No more waking up to Uncle Vernon banging on his door of a morning, no more cooking and cleaning and being treated like his aunts personal house elf, and finally, Harry would be able to eat, as much and when ever he wanted, with out Dudley reaching across the table and stealing his food.
Ron and Hermione were still arguing when he turned back to the conversation. It seemed that for the last 6 years, all Hermione and Ron did was fight. Harry had a theory that underneath it all there was something so much more than just arguing friends. Of course, when Harry told Ron that, he denied it profusely, but Harry had almost a six sense about his two best friends, there was something else between them, some thing they were either hiding really well, or were not to realise yet.
"You are insufferable" Hermione exclaimed slapping Ron on the shoulder softly. Ron was laughing at her, so Harry could only guess that he was back to his old tricks with her again. Harry chuckled at them and kept walking.
The platform was slowly beginning to empty as the students all flooded towards the horseless carriages and boats, which took the students to the school. Towards the front of the train, however, some students were still exiting the train.
Harry moved slowed down as a scared looking first year went scuttling across his path to catch up with Hagrid. Hagrid caught his eyes and smiled, Harry smiled back at the half giant. Harry had always felt a rare connection with Hargrid, they were so much alike with out really being anything like each other. They both knew what it was like to be stared at, but for different reasons. They both knew what it was like to be ignored by people, and even worshipped by some. They both knew the wrath for Draco Malfoy, and they both knew what it was like to be accused of being the Heir of Slytherin. Hagrid and Harry had both spent so much time alone in their lives, that he soon had come to consider Hagrid as a member of his family.
When Harry looked around again, he realised that Ron and Hermione were gone. He stood tall, to look over the heads of the other students, and saw them continuing towards the end of the platform. They hadn't realised that he had stopped and had kept moving through the crowd.
Harry began to weave his way through the slight thickness of the crowd in order to catch up with his friends. He zigged and zagged through the diminishing masses of people, gaining as much speed as possible.
Not watching where he was going, Harry didn't see the other person until it was to late. The remaining people erupted into laughter as Harry and the person he had just knocked over hit the platform hard. Harry looked up and blushed at the other students, and then looked down.
He was laying on top of the person he had knocked down, which made him blush more. The girl smiled up at him. Harry took a deep breath when he saw her smile; she had one of the nicest smiles that he had ever seen.
"Although this may be seen as a really nice way to begin a school year, do you think that maybe you could let me up now?" The girl asked. Harry blinked, letting her words sink in before he blushed again and began to move.
"I am sorry" Harry told her sincerely, holding out his hand. She accepted it graciously and brushed some of the dirt off of her clothing.
"That is ok, we all make mistakes" she smiled at him, that smile melted Harry's insides again. He smiled goofily back and then helped her pick up her things again. The girl smiled back at him and they both reached for the same item.
He had to say something more to her. He felt really bad for knocking her over, and he also had a strange need to get to know her. At that point, he knew nothing about her, just that she was beautiful, long, golden blonde hair was framing her face, and she had the most amazing grey eyes.
"I am really sorry again" he told her nervously, not really knowing what else to say, she smiled at him, Throwing her bag over her shoulder. Suddenly, her smiled disappeared.
"I should really go" The girl told Harry, who nodded sadly. It seemed like the opportunity to get to know her was slipping through his fingers very quickly.
"Will I see you around?" he asked, the girl shrugged and disappeared into the crowd.
"We go to school together don't we?" came her hurried reply. Harry smiled, and then moved to pick up his own things. Only then did he realise that Ron and Hermione were back. Ron had tears of mirth in his eyes; he had obviously laughed his ass off with the rest of them.
"Thanks, you are really helping Ron" Harry smiled.
"Hey, no problem" Ron replied, chuckling, Harry laughed to, he couldn't help it.
The crowd had begun to move again, and the girl was long gone. Harry stood on his toes and peered out over the moving sea of people, trying to catch a glimpse of the girl. She was beautiful. He wished he knew a little more than just that, a name, or even which house she was in.
"Do either of you know who she was?" He asked the others, both of them shook their heads.
"Maybe she is a new girl" Hermione shrugged, Ron shot her a 'duh' look.
"Oh Hermione, you are so smart, I don't think any one else could have worked out that if we have never seen her before she would be a new girl!" Ron shot sarcastically. Hermione gave him an evil eye, and was just about to reply, when she was cut off but a noise that none of the trio had missed over the holidays.
"Move out of my way Potter, you wouldn't want to be knocked over.oh wait, you already have been" Draco smirked. Harry sighed. Was Malfoy seriously going to start on him this early in the year, in front of the Head Girl no less?
"Just, don't start Malfoy" Harry replied. Draco smirked again, and Crabbe and Goyle, the brainless bodyguards, both sniggered.
"Why, scared of being humiliated?" he asked, Harry shrugged.
"I am just not daft enough to fight in front of the head girl" Harry replied. Draco smirked, and looked at the Head Girl badge on the front of Hermione's robes.
"I had heard that they made a mud blood the Head Girl," He drawled. Hermione had to hold back Ron so that he would not explode when Draco made the Mud blood comment.
"You are just jealous that you are not head boy" She replied. Draco practically snorted.
"I am quidditch captain, that is enough for me" Draco smiled cruelly in Harry's direction.
"And how many Firebolt 5000's did your father have to buy the team for you to get the honour Malfoy?" Harry asked his rival. Draco's blood was visibly boiling.
"Least I have a Firebolt 5000" Draco replied, "I am still not riding a plain old Firebolt"
"Pure talent doesn't need a flashy broom" Hermione replied. Draco smirked yet again.
"You wouldn't know pure talent if it hit you in the face Granger" he replied casually. Hermione smiled sugary-sweet at him.
"And you wouldn't know what is felt like to have a soul" she replied. Draco took a menacing step forward.
"Draco, lets just go, it is not worth it" Goyle told him, Draco took a step back and looked from Ron, to Harry and then finally landing on Hermione.
"You are right, She is not worth it" He replied, and then, with an over exaggerated turn, resulting in the billowing of his cloak, Draco and his cronies continued on their way.
"That was odd, Malfoy has never backed down from a fight before" Ron remarked as the three of them continued to the carriages.
"Maybe he has changed" Hermione said. The three looked at each other, trying desperately not to erupt into endless, hysterical laughter.
They failed miserably.
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I would really appreciate your input and feedback. Do you love it, do you hate it, do you want to murder and shish Kebab me? Tell me in your reviews.
My mum read this chapter and she said compared to some of my other work, it is really more matured. I would really appreciate it if you could give your opinion on that also.
BIG NOTE TO PEOPLE.
In my little break, I finished writing a few of my unfinished fics and even came up with some cool sequel ideas, so STIR CRAZY WILL BE FINISHED SOON. MALFOYS REVENGE (which may have a name change to Escape) WILL BE FINISHED. I am also writing a sequel/companion piece to ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME.
You may get a sense of Dejavu (or however it is spelt) when you read this fic because I have tried uploading this fic before. But it has had a make over this time, an extensive make over, and now it is what it is now. I hope you like it.
This fic has seen a lot of trouble for me, why, because it has been a pain in the ass to write and even worse to get out there in the public. I wrote it last December after finishing reading all of the books. Then I realised how crap it was and put it aside on the shelf. I wrote another fic (Hero) and then Decided that I should give this one another try. I uploaded it, got no reviews, and then my computer died and I lost all of my chapters. So third time lucky.
Any who, this is a Harry/OC story with Ron/Hermione and Draco/Ginny on the side.
And people who have read my other fics will be glad to know that with this one, I used a spell checker (I don't trust beta's, I am a little Paranoid)
DISCLAIMER - I own none of the charters in this except for Vixen, she is mine, and the rest belong to Rowling.
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Chapter One
The bright oranges, blackening blacks and the soft twilight purples reflected off of the surfaces of the bright red steam engine as it puffed and hissed to a slow stop. In it's carriages, it held students, large quantities of students, all ready for the new school year. Nervous and excited first year students all sat still with anticipation, each dreading the countless minutes before they began their magical educations.
At the other end of the spectrum were the older, more mature Students, the seventh year students, each filled with an anticipation of a different kind. They all knew it would only be a matter or months, less than 12 to be exact, until they were out of the Hogwart's halls forever and into the wide wizarding world. Some wanted the time to go quickly, whereas others wanted the time to stretch out for as long a possible, because the wizarding world is a large, dangerous place.
This group of seventh years knew first hand what it felt like to be in danger. They had all lived through the second rise of the Dark Lord Voldemort. They had lived the last 6 years in fear, and was still living in that same, gut wrenching fear, because the dark lord was yet to be defeated. He had gone into hiding once again, and was gaining his strength, biding his time. No one, not even the ministry of magic's best investigators, knew when he would strike again.
The empty and quiet train station soon erupted into waves of shouts, chatter and giggles as the students left the Hogwarts express. Gryffindors, Ravenclaws, Hufflepuffs and Slytherins alike all joined the packs of students, pushing and shoving their way towards the horseless carriages or boats that took them to the castle.
Towards the end of the train, in one of the last carriages, a passenger stepped off of the train. Pausing a moment to take a deep breath of the fresh, clean air, 17-year-old Harry Potter looked around the gaggles of students, each in their own hurry to get to the castle.
He took in the sight before him. He could see the flickering orange flames of the candles in the windows of the castle that had just been lit, preparing for the arrival of the students. Harry felt calm here, he was finally home. Hogwarts would always be his home. The old, drafty, haunted castle would always be more of a home to him than his real home ever was, living with muggles who treated him badly. But then again, Harry realised, that any place away from the Dursley's would feel more like home to him.
But it was with great sadness that he entered his seventh and final year of school. It had gone so quickly. Harry smiled to himself, it only felt like yesterday that Hagrid had come to the tiny little shack on the rock, knocked the door off of it hinges, and announced that Harry was a wizard, That had been the one of the best days of Harry's life.
But he was 17 now; almost a legal wizard, and he knew that all good things had to come to an end at one point. The upside to this being his final year, however, was that when the year was over, he could legally move away from the horrid Dursleys, and live by himself somewhere. Making his own rules, and being his own person, in a place where no one would treat him any differently. He could finally live in a world where he would not be different because he wasn't different, a world where wizards were seen as normal people.
He sighed and tried in vain to flatten down his messy hair. People had said over the years that he had grown into his body, but he had never managed to outgrow the chronically messy mop of hair he had supposively inherited from his father. It always seemed to be in his eyes, or sitting up in the air like the wind had caught it. Never was it just neat and tidy.
But the rest of him was definitely more mature than it had been, even before the summer. He still seemed to be growing, He was taller now, still not as tall as Ron, but he was tall, a nice height, definitely not the shortest in his year level. He had a nice amount of muscle for some one his age. It was something that he got from all of the years of quidditch training and manual labour that the Durley's made him do on his school breaks. He looked healthy and mature, and that was all he really cared about.
His eyes were still exactly the same, and he was glad that they would never change. His bright green eyes that reminded every one of his mother. But recently, mainly over the last few years, there had been something else about his eyes, something strange. Harry had even noticed it in himself before any one had ever commented on it. Some days his eyes looked haunted, full of pain and sorrow. Everyone understood why though, because it is not easy being the boy who lived.
Harry had never asked for any of it, but it had all been given to him regardless, the pain, the sorrow, the loss, the responsibility and obligation. If Harry ever had the chance, he would give it all back in an instant. He never asked to be the boy who lived, he never asked to be every ones hero but he had gotten it all. His life was still filled with sorrow that a lot of people couldn't even begin to fathom. He had gone from a little boy, trapped in a world by the evil that was his uncle, to being a little boy who was being trapped in another world by the evil that was his arch nemesis, Lord Voldemort.
Harry had been forced to grow up quickly; he knew he had no choice but to grow up. And it seemed that even just days after he had been told he was a wizard, he had grown many times his age. Unexpected or unwanted responsibility can really change a person.
Harry was still felling the pain of his responsibility. Every time some one mentioned Voldemort, he felt it, every time that some one mentioned his parents, he felt it, and ever time, some mentioned any one else who had lost their life in the battle of good and evil, he felt the pain then to.
He had gotten word from Dumbledore and other members of the order of Phoenix that Voldemort had been gaining power again and was likely to make an attack some time that year. The obligation that Harry felt over the whole thing was almost killing him.
It was a lot for a 17 year old to take on board. For a while it had felt to him like he had the weight of all the wizards all around the world resting on his shoulders. He just wanted to be himself, to be Harry Potter, no ones hero. At some points, when the pressure got really bad, he even wanted to be back at 4 Privet Drive, in his little cupboard under the stairs.
But he knew he would not change his life for anything or anyone. He was Harry Potter, Wizard in training and the legendary boy who lived, and he would always be that, so there was no point dreaming of change. He had to embraced his destiny.
Harry had a feeling about this year. Wether it was a good feeling or a bad feeling, he was yet to work out, but he had a feeling that some thing big would happen to him that year, so he was approaching the year with a nervous anticipation, just like a lot of the other students. He would take each day as it came, he would accept what ever the world had to offer him, and he would just prepare, and some how anticipate, for both good and bad.
So, with one last steadying breath of fresh air, Harry stepped forward, and moved to join the messes of students on the short journey to the old castle.
"Hey, Potter, forgetting something?" Ron Weasley called from the doorway of the train. Harry turned back and smiled sheepishly at Ron, who was carrying both of their bags.
Ron had changed over the years also. Wether those changes were for the better, was yet to be determined. But there were a few things that Ron had taken into his stride. For the last few years, Ron had been the only Weasley at Hogwarts, the twins had left and Ginny had gone to stay with her brother Charlie, so she too could get some hands on training in caring for magical creatures. Transferring into the Romanian institute for the wizarding arts had been one of the most exciting things in her life, and she enjoyed it there. It was obvious to all the Weasley's that she had no intention of coming back, not for a while anyway.
Ron liked being the only Weasley at Hogwarts, because there was less competition for him. He didn't have to worry about outdoing the others; all he had to do was worry about staying out of trouble. That in itself was alot harder than people realised.
Ron had just finished a summer apprenticeship at Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes, and was returning to the school with pockets and trunk filled to the brim with jokes and untested merchandise. The twins had asked him to use some of them, to test them out and get back to them with the results. Ron had liked the idea of this, and the twins liked the way that he worked. They were even discussing the possibility of giving Ron a full time job after Hogwarts.
Ron was one of the tallest students in his grade. He towered over his mother and even over his father. He was the same size as Bill apparently (Harry hadn't seen Bill in a few years so he couldn't exactly compare the two siblings). The red in his hair had toned down a little bit, becoming an unusual and unique shade of brown with natural copper streaks. He had muscle also, just enough to make his size look natural.
"Don't worry mate, you know I would never forget about you" Harry replied, smiling at his best friend. Ron chuckled and shook his head.
"Not me you great prat, I don't care if you forget me, but your bag weighs a tonne" Ron smiled. Harry laughed and made his way back to the door, where together the two boys pushed and pulled the two large trunks through the narrow doorway, with very little success. .
"I am quite sure, that is you tried hard enough, there would be an easier way than this," a voice from behind them said. Harry and Ron both turned to behind them to shoot an annoyed look at Hermione Granger.
Hermione stood, leaning casually against the doorframe, her arms crossed against her chest. She wore her usual, 'I-know-better' look. Shaking her head at the boys, she tossed her hair over her shoulder. It was long and still messy, but now it seemed that her hair was messy in an endearing sort of way. It didn't look as frizzy as it had been, but the strands still layed around her face in a hap hazard way.
As you would suspect, Hermione had grown up to, but the number of people who really realised was low. She still hid behind her books and intelligence, and the others left her to it. But her stubborn determination had infact come to some good; she had been named this years Head Girl.
"Oh, Is that so is it, then, enlighten us, Miss Head Girl, how do you suppose we manage to get it out of here?" Ron asked. Hermione smirked.
"Turn the trunk on its side" She replied, Ron scratched his head and then realised she was right. Ron shot her an annoyed look. Hermione couldn't help but chuckle at him. She watched, keeping her laughter to a minimum as the boys grudgingly turned Harry's trunk on it side and moved it freely through the door, and then did the same with Ron's.
When they finally made it onto the platform, Ron and Hermione both took the time to take in their surroundings.
"It is really good to be back" Hermione smiled. Ron groaned.
"And of course you would say that, little miss head girl. You are glad to be back because you are the queen of this place this year, and Harry is the quidditch captain." Ron began.
"Well, you know. If you were to apply yourself than maybe you could get better marks, and if you were to get better marks, then maybe you could have been made a prefect this year" Hermione replied. Ron rolled his eyes at Hermione's predictability.
"Gee Hermione, we haven't even been back on the Hogwarts grounds for less than ten minutes, and you are already lecturing me about my marks, a least let me fail something first.and anyway, why would I want to be a prefect, as the twins used to say, being a prefect takes all of the fun out of life...they were not prefects, and they are doing well with their lives arnt they?" Ron smiled. Now Hermione rolled her eyes at Ron's predictability.
Harry walked beside them quietly, listening to Hermione and Ron's banter. This was another thing he missed about school when he was on holidays, his friends. The Dursley's wouldn't really let him out of the house so he didn't have friends there, and they wouldn't allow Harry to use the telephone to call them. Sure, they did allow Harry to spend two weeks at the burrow at the end of each summer (they liked to get rid of him early) but other than that correspondence with his friends was limited.
But now he was back with his friends at the place that he felt most comfortable, and he was looking forward to the many Dursley free months that were to come. No more waking up to Uncle Vernon banging on his door of a morning, no more cooking and cleaning and being treated like his aunts personal house elf, and finally, Harry would be able to eat, as much and when ever he wanted, with out Dudley reaching across the table and stealing his food.
Ron and Hermione were still arguing when he turned back to the conversation. It seemed that for the last 6 years, all Hermione and Ron did was fight. Harry had a theory that underneath it all there was something so much more than just arguing friends. Of course, when Harry told Ron that, he denied it profusely, but Harry had almost a six sense about his two best friends, there was something else between them, some thing they were either hiding really well, or were not to realise yet.
"You are insufferable" Hermione exclaimed slapping Ron on the shoulder softly. Ron was laughing at her, so Harry could only guess that he was back to his old tricks with her again. Harry chuckled at them and kept walking.
The platform was slowly beginning to empty as the students all flooded towards the horseless carriages and boats, which took the students to the school. Towards the front of the train, however, some students were still exiting the train.
Harry moved slowed down as a scared looking first year went scuttling across his path to catch up with Hagrid. Hagrid caught his eyes and smiled, Harry smiled back at the half giant. Harry had always felt a rare connection with Hargrid, they were so much alike with out really being anything like each other. They both knew what it was like to be stared at, but for different reasons. They both knew what it was like to be ignored by people, and even worshipped by some. They both knew the wrath for Draco Malfoy, and they both knew what it was like to be accused of being the Heir of Slytherin. Hagrid and Harry had both spent so much time alone in their lives, that he soon had come to consider Hagrid as a member of his family.
When Harry looked around again, he realised that Ron and Hermione were gone. He stood tall, to look over the heads of the other students, and saw them continuing towards the end of the platform. They hadn't realised that he had stopped and had kept moving through the crowd.
Harry began to weave his way through the slight thickness of the crowd in order to catch up with his friends. He zigged and zagged through the diminishing masses of people, gaining as much speed as possible.
Not watching where he was going, Harry didn't see the other person until it was to late. The remaining people erupted into laughter as Harry and the person he had just knocked over hit the platform hard. Harry looked up and blushed at the other students, and then looked down.
He was laying on top of the person he had knocked down, which made him blush more. The girl smiled up at him. Harry took a deep breath when he saw her smile; she had one of the nicest smiles that he had ever seen.
"Although this may be seen as a really nice way to begin a school year, do you think that maybe you could let me up now?" The girl asked. Harry blinked, letting her words sink in before he blushed again and began to move.
"I am sorry" Harry told her sincerely, holding out his hand. She accepted it graciously and brushed some of the dirt off of her clothing.
"That is ok, we all make mistakes" she smiled at him, that smile melted Harry's insides again. He smiled goofily back and then helped her pick up her things again. The girl smiled back at him and they both reached for the same item.
He had to say something more to her. He felt really bad for knocking her over, and he also had a strange need to get to know her. At that point, he knew nothing about her, just that she was beautiful, long, golden blonde hair was framing her face, and she had the most amazing grey eyes.
"I am really sorry again" he told her nervously, not really knowing what else to say, she smiled at him, Throwing her bag over her shoulder. Suddenly, her smiled disappeared.
"I should really go" The girl told Harry, who nodded sadly. It seemed like the opportunity to get to know her was slipping through his fingers very quickly.
"Will I see you around?" he asked, the girl shrugged and disappeared into the crowd.
"We go to school together don't we?" came her hurried reply. Harry smiled, and then moved to pick up his own things. Only then did he realise that Ron and Hermione were back. Ron had tears of mirth in his eyes; he had obviously laughed his ass off with the rest of them.
"Thanks, you are really helping Ron" Harry smiled.
"Hey, no problem" Ron replied, chuckling, Harry laughed to, he couldn't help it.
The crowd had begun to move again, and the girl was long gone. Harry stood on his toes and peered out over the moving sea of people, trying to catch a glimpse of the girl. She was beautiful. He wished he knew a little more than just that, a name, or even which house she was in.
"Do either of you know who she was?" He asked the others, both of them shook their heads.
"Maybe she is a new girl" Hermione shrugged, Ron shot her a 'duh' look.
"Oh Hermione, you are so smart, I don't think any one else could have worked out that if we have never seen her before she would be a new girl!" Ron shot sarcastically. Hermione gave him an evil eye, and was just about to reply, when she was cut off but a noise that none of the trio had missed over the holidays.
"Move out of my way Potter, you wouldn't want to be knocked over.oh wait, you already have been" Draco smirked. Harry sighed. Was Malfoy seriously going to start on him this early in the year, in front of the Head Girl no less?
"Just, don't start Malfoy" Harry replied. Draco smirked again, and Crabbe and Goyle, the brainless bodyguards, both sniggered.
"Why, scared of being humiliated?" he asked, Harry shrugged.
"I am just not daft enough to fight in front of the head girl" Harry replied. Draco smirked, and looked at the Head Girl badge on the front of Hermione's robes.
"I had heard that they made a mud blood the Head Girl," He drawled. Hermione had to hold back Ron so that he would not explode when Draco made the Mud blood comment.
"You are just jealous that you are not head boy" She replied. Draco practically snorted.
"I am quidditch captain, that is enough for me" Draco smiled cruelly in Harry's direction.
"And how many Firebolt 5000's did your father have to buy the team for you to get the honour Malfoy?" Harry asked his rival. Draco's blood was visibly boiling.
"Least I have a Firebolt 5000" Draco replied, "I am still not riding a plain old Firebolt"
"Pure talent doesn't need a flashy broom" Hermione replied. Draco smirked yet again.
"You wouldn't know pure talent if it hit you in the face Granger" he replied casually. Hermione smiled sugary-sweet at him.
"And you wouldn't know what is felt like to have a soul" she replied. Draco took a menacing step forward.
"Draco, lets just go, it is not worth it" Goyle told him, Draco took a step back and looked from Ron, to Harry and then finally landing on Hermione.
"You are right, She is not worth it" He replied, and then, with an over exaggerated turn, resulting in the billowing of his cloak, Draco and his cronies continued on their way.
"That was odd, Malfoy has never backed down from a fight before" Ron remarked as the three of them continued to the carriages.
"Maybe he has changed" Hermione said. The three looked at each other, trying desperately not to erupt into endless, hysterical laughter.
They failed miserably.
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I would really appreciate your input and feedback. Do you love it, do you hate it, do you want to murder and shish Kebab me? Tell me in your reviews.
My mum read this chapter and she said compared to some of my other work, it is really more matured. I would really appreciate it if you could give your opinion on that also.
BIG NOTE TO PEOPLE.
In my little break, I finished writing a few of my unfinished fics and even came up with some cool sequel ideas, so STIR CRAZY WILL BE FINISHED SOON. MALFOYS REVENGE (which may have a name change to Escape) WILL BE FINISHED. I am also writing a sequel/companion piece to ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME.