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CRIMSON PHOENIX

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Audrey woke up to the gentle tapping on her door. She stretched and yawned, trying to shake sleep off her. Audrey got up and opened the door.

"Hey! Better get dressed breakfast is going to be served soon!" said a cheery Hermione who, Audrey was pleased to see was still in her pajamas also.

"Yeah sure…meet you downstairs?" said Audrey, yawning.

"Actually I have to run to McGonagall's office. She said she needed my cooperation with something…I don't know what. But Harry's your guide…he's SUPPOSED to wait for you…so he'll take you to the hall and the classes."

"Oh…" Audrey said.

"What, you don't like Harry? Because Ginny would gladly…" started Hermione.

"Oh, no I don't mind. Actually, quite the contrary…"

"Audrey…please…PLEASE…don't tell me you…LIKE him?"

Audrey blushed furiously.

"Audrey, take it from me, his best friend. Harry has MANY girls after him…and he tends to…well…ignore them. So unless you are Cho…I doubt you'll get his attention."

Audrey felt totally and completely destroyed.

"Somehow I knew that…who was I kidding?" Audrey sat on her bed and Hermione sat next to her.

" Don't take it personal or anything…I mean…Harry's gone through a lot of heartbreak…I think in a way…he shuns away love. I think in a weird way…he feels guilty for all that's happened."

"Ok…well…I better change…" Hermione nodded and left the room, leaving Audrey to her crushed illusions.

Audrey changed into her robes and went downstairs were Harry was sitting, waiting for her.

"Hey…" she said. Harry quickly turned around and smiled.

"Hi! Ready for your first day?" he asked, getting up.

"Ready as I'll ever be…should I take my books now or…"

"Leave them…later I'll show you a summoning charm…that way you won't have to carry them for so long."

"Thanks…" Audrey was staring at her hands.

"Audrey, Are you ok? You look kind of…sad…" said Harry, trying, desperately, to catch her eye.

"No, I'm ok…I guess maybe a little bit homesick…" Audrey lied.

"Well, can't say I know what that's like…this is my home." said Harry looking around the room, "Well, let's go, shall we?"

Audrey followed Harry out of the portrait hole and down the corridor leading to the Great Hall.