I was curious as to what was making Malfoy so nervous around me. I had heard that he was always cool and calm. Ron avoided me for the rest of the day, which was fine with me. What Harry said at lunch was somewhat unsettling for both of us. Harry also seemed to be avoiding me, or maybe it was all in imagination. I had potions that afternoon with all the sixth year Gryffindors and Slytherins. I was nervous about that class because I had heard some pretty bad things about the teacher, and it was with Malfoy and his friends. I walked into the chilly dungeons to find everyone there already. "Ah, Miss James, pleasure you could finally join us," said an icy, sarcastic voice from the front of the room. "Hmm, where shall you sit? I know, you can sit right in front with Mr. Malfoy." I groaned. I did not want to see him every Tuesday and Friday for the whole term. I just knew he would be a horrible partner. "Hey Kerry. Lucky you, you get to work with the top student in his class." "Really? I thought Hermione was the top student." "Well she isn't here, is she." "Yes, but you have competition anyway. I was top student at my school, too." "Settle down class. Today we'll be making simple Pepperup Potions. The infirmary is running very low and will need more. I cannot make as much as Madame Pomfrey needs so you will be doing it. I hope you all can provide a satisfactory potion, as you will be supplying the whole school." I was somewhat annoyed with the assignment. Pepperup Potions were very basic magic. Almost everyone looked as if they felt the same except one pudgy Gryffindor boy who had introduced himself as Neville Longbottom. We spent the rest of the class making the potions. The professor, Snape, seemed like quite a bully. He took every chance he could to take points off of Gryffindor's, but always praised the Slytherins. Malfoy told me that was because he was head of Slytherin house. Snape watched me like a hawk, looking for any mistakes so he could take points off. I was glad when that class was finally finished and even happier that Malfoy didn't feel like talking. Next I had History of Magic with the ghost Professor Binns. Today we were studying the Salem Witch Hunt. I think everyone knew about it, but Professor Binns wanted to go over it again because I was there and my ancestors had played a large part in it. He opened the class by being as enthusiastic as he could be, "Class, today we are very lucky to have an American witch with us. Miss Kerry James' family was one of the first to make the trip over to the colonies. Maybe she would tell us about her family history." I was stuck telling the whole class of people I had just met the day before all about my family history. I left out a lot of the boring details, like how my great-great-great aunt wasn't allowed to use the village well because she was believed to worship Satan. I told the classic love story of my mother's cousin's aunt's 4th cousin and a Puritan's son. I think I almost made someone cry when I told about how they had both been burned at the stake. My relative hadn't even saved herself with magic because her lover was to die. Everyone looked so sad that I could tell I did my job right. I think that was the most interesting History of Magic class they had ever had. At dinner I had quite a few questions to answer. "Was that story true?" "Of course it was true, you idiot. Where did they meet?" "That was the best History of Magic class ever!" "I think Professor Binns was crying." "He can't cry, he's dead!" "Ok everyone calm down! The story in History of Magic was based on true events. You have all heard it and I am not going to tell it again. You need to sit down and eat!" I was surprised at my own outburst. Everyone was sitting quietly looking down at their plates. All the other houses were looking at our table. I started to blush. "You really told them off." I looked over to see who was talking. It was Harry, I started to blush even redder. "Well, it was getting to be annoying. The story was true, but I exaggerated a little." "That was obvious, how else would you know exactly what they looked like?" "Have you seen Ron? He's been avoiding me all day." "No, he's been avoiding me too." "You deserve it. You caused all of it. Where did you ever come up with the idea that either one of us liked the other?" "It's kind of obvious he likes you." "It is not. You saw how he treated me." "He says the same things about Hermione and their best friends." "That's different though." "Is it?" and he left. He was annoying sometimes too. I thought the whole school was having the annoy Kerry week. Everyone got on my nerves, and I still didn't have any female friends. The only girls who talked to me were Lavender and Parvati, and I didn't even like them. I finished my dinner and decide that I had better go talk to Ron or to Harry so he would tell Ron what I said. I walked up to the tower and went through the portrait of the fat lady. I saw Ron playing chess with his sister, Ginny. I remembered that she was supposed to be going out with Draco. I sat down on her side of the chessboard and said hi. "I think I'll leave now," said Ginny. "Hey" I said. "Hey" he replied. "I hope you haven't taken that thing at lunch seriously," I said. "Oh, that. I haven't." "You should really be out getting to know more people than just Harry and me. You're getting the reputation that Hermione had. Lavender told me that because of Hermione, other girls weren't allowed to go near me and Harry. I think she was mainly talking about Harry, 'cause Harry has had girls all over him since Hermione left, but I haven't." "Oh, you worry too much. You have the hot new girl begging you to forgive her and let her try to be your friend." "When you put it that way." "Hey, what you two talking about. Did you kiss and make-up?" "Shut up Harry," said Ron. "I haven't gotten a kiss yet, but we did make-up." "Good. You two are perfect for each other." Ron threw a pillow at him. I was laughing and so was Harry. He said as if I was the only one who could hear, "See he really likes you. He's defending you from the big bad Harry monster." He threw the pillow back at Ron. "This means war Potter!" Ron shouted jokingly and tackled Harry. Harry was still shouting things like, "He's even fighting me for you!" But Ron had him in a headlock so I could barely hear him. Everyone was gathered around laughing, until McGonagall came in. "What is going on in here?!" "Nothing Professor" Harry and Ron said innocently. "It doesn't look like nothing, but if you are sure that nothing is wrong, I would like to announce the next Hogsmeade weekend." Everyone was cheering, but I was confused. I didn't know what a Hogsmeade weekend was. Once McGonagall left Harry explained to me. "Every month we get to go into the wizard village Hogsmeade. There are a bunch of cool stores there." "Great that will be fun. I can refill my supply of sweets" "Then you came to the right place. Honeydukes is the best." "Look at the time. I'll see you at breakfast" "Yeah, see you." I was excited about the Hogsmeade weekend and overall very happy. I had two pretty good friends and a lot of people who I didn't know but could eventually be my friends. I still wanted to meet Ron's sister. I would tell him in the morning to introduce us. I walked in to the dorm and saw Lavender and Parvati talking to each other. I hoped they wouldn't want to talk to me. I really had a lot of thinking to do. "You're finally here! Tell us everything," squealed Parvati. "Everything about what?" "You have two of the cutest boys in school after you and one of their red haired companions." "What are you talking about?" "You know, Harry, Ron, and Draco. They are all completely into you." "Them, no way. Draco maybe, but he has a girlfriend." "Not anymore. Ginny Weasley just got and owl from him. He broke up with her." "Well, fine, but Harry is still in love with Hermione and Ron still can't decide if we are even friends." "Oh, he's decided and Harry has gotten over her." "Then why do you care that those three supposedly like me." "Not just those three. My Seamus has been looking at you a lot. If he wasn't so nice he would probably dump me if he had any chance with you." "That doesn't mean I have anything to do with it. I have no say in whether guys like me or not. Goodnight girls" and I went to sleep.