Disclaimer: As I've said over and over, I don't own any HP characters.

A/N: Sorry but no there is no Chapter 5 yet. I have to admit that I was very disappointed with the way the last Chapter came out. I felt that I put to many personal aspects into the characters and forgot to embed their real personalities. So I have decided to make a revision and replace the old one with this version seeing as though I have seen what I have to fix up and change around. I hope you guys like this version much better because I sure do! Things are gonna make a little more sense since I made some slight adjustments in Ch. 3. Thanks for being such great reviewers!

Chapter 4: "Who's He?"

Ron munched on the consumables on his lunch plate looking at Hermione with uncertain eyes and Harry sitting adjacent to him was looking at her with the same if not more curiosity. Hermione glanced at both boys with a serious face and upon seeing they were pretty serious themselves softened her expression and let out a laugh that eased her friends. She placed her folded arms on the wooden table and took a deep breath as if she was going to tell such an intricate story that the others were sure was going to have to be explain multiple times before it was actually comprehended.

"Gosh you guys make it look as if it's impossible for me to have other friends than you!"

They noted, luckily, the sarcastic tone and weren't as shocked at the conclusion as if it wouldn't have been there. It was now that Harry noticed her eyes were wet with previous tears but the jubilant smile on her face led Harry to believe that they were tears of happiness. Geez what's up with this guy? Ron smirked, chewing rabbit like on a fry. He noticed Hermione's essence of relaxation and wasn't about to become solemn as Harry even though they were still anxious. Hermione moved a cumbersome hair from her face and then continued as to not disappoint them.

"When I was 6, Brian was my neighbor, not door to door but you know same area. His family had moved to England from Italy because his relatives and other family were deceased. Our families were best friends and we did everything together. So naturally, since we were both only children, we grew up like siblings. We were so close and he was so generous as a child. There was this one time at the park a few older kids were picking on me because of something so stupid I don't even remember and Brian came and stuck up for me and let those kids have it. He was the type of brother every little girl wants, the one that protects you and who gives you that last piece of chocolate cake that you've been eyeing since the beginning of the party,"

Ron looked at her with a mocking expression reading are you serious? Chuckling slightly he leaned in looked extremely interested and in a dramatic voice referred to the "chocolate cake" saying, "Wow did he do that too?"

Harry nudged Ron hard on the elbow and Hermione looked sternly back at him rubbing his elbow in slight pain and scowling at Harry.

"Ha ha ha, very funny Ron. I'm trying to sprinkle a little fairy dust here. Work with me!"

Hermione picked up a few fries on Ron's tray, soaked them in HIS dips, and ate them triumphantly while Ron stared at her in disbelief. Those were HIS fries!

"So as I was explaining! Two summers, before I went to Hogwarts, Brian and his family moved to the Americas and it saddened us but not so terribly that we couldn't bear to live with ourselves. Then as the winter of the next year commenced we received a letter telling us that,"

Hermione stopped and looked up so that her tears wouldn't fall and used a napkin to wipe those that did. Harry saw that it was still hard for her to except whatever happened and at the moment he wanted to be there for her and be "Brian" for her. He couldn't stand seeing her like this even if it was momentarily. Upon seeing her break like that made him feel like doom was coming because the last angel on earth had lost hope. Ron stopped grinning and fooling around thankfully realizing this wasn't something comical. After a short pause Hermione continued.

"We received a letter saying their family died in a terrible car accident, a head on collision."

Hermione was trembling slightly and then in a breaking voice, "When I saw these new students I though I was seeing a ghost and was really scared. I talked to him while we were in our last class together and he told me what really happened. He was at the magic academy when the accident occurred and was orphaned,"

Harry was completely dumbfounded. That story sounded so similar to his own. Has anyone else noticed? He rubbed his unique lighting scar on his forehead absent-mindedly and his mind was full with questions as to the purpose of Brian's presence here. Hermione wiped the last of her tears and sniffling slightly tried to cast a smile. Harry's emerald eyes gleamed with worry seeing her suffering or what had been suffering.

"So he has no one. I'm the only family he has left,"

And with that she concluded her story. Hermione was filled with thoughts of the past and was quite silent during the rest of the time at lunch. Sometimes she'd stop eating and stare apathetically at the food or the table, which frightened Harry seeming as though Ron was conversing with others students and what not. She seemed deep in thought and very melancholy. Harry himself was doing a lot of thinking. School had just begun and already things were so different and everything was happening so rapidly. Not to mention how much his friends had changed emotionally and their way of thinking was not as quick and rash. He'd never seen Hermione cry, not like that at least. If Ron had, which judging by his reaction he probably did, he didn't seem concerned about it. Well, that's Ron alright.

Ron stopped talking and turned over to Harry eyeing his watch intensively. He rose and patted Harry on the back.

"Afternoon classes are starting in 10 so I don't know about you but I'm gonna jet,"

Hermione woke from her daze and looked at her watch as well, blinking many times as if she wasn't sure she could trust her eyes.

"That's true. Come on let's go,"

But upon rising they (more Hermione) were greeted with a surprising encounter.

"Hi, Brian,"

Next to Hermione was a tall slender guy not too different from the others with light colored hair that seemed to be naturally bleached with the sunlight and genuine blue eyes that at first glance were appalling. He wore the custom Gryffindor outfit and was carrying a small pile of books under one arm. Hermione smiled up at him and turned to her friends to initiate an introduction. C'mon guys make him feel at home! She cleared her throat and pointed to the man next to her.

"Brian this is Harry and Ron, my best friends. Ron and Harry this is Brian,"

There was an uneasy air but Harry stuck out his hand and shook Brian's firmly as Ron gave him a slight tilt upward of his head to loosen up the tension. Hermione was glad to see that this was going better than she had planned. After all she wasn't sure if the boys worked well with jealously, if you could even call it that. She noticed Brian was shy to the situation and tried to cover up the silence that was to come. She pulled out her schedule as an indicator for the others to do the same so they could compare classes.

"Well, Harry and I have Astronomy since we're both heads. What about you Brian?"

"I have Astronomy as well,"

Ron made a face and then announced, "Arg! I have Defense Against the Dark Arts! Ah well, at least it's with Lupin,"

He sighed and then waved farewell to his friends as he jogged to the DADA class. The new trio sauntered up the long spiraling, stairway leading to the depths of the astronomy tower. Hermione was plotting in her head the conversation they would have on the way. Ok I'll ask him how things are and then talk about what's happened here in Hogwarts.

As they ascended the stairs Hermione looked over to Brian and then inquired, "So what's new with you?"

He looked over to her and then shrugged, "Not much. What about you guys though I mean this school is huge! What have you been up to?"

He grinned and Hermione was relieved to find that Brian was going to be just fine dealing with the adjustment.

"Well," she said straightening her posture as well as she could climbing the steps, "I've been accused of being a study bug and a bookworm,"

Brian looked at her still grinning seeing as though they'd changed so much since the last 9 years they'd seen each other. She laughed too and then averted the subject to her friends.

"Harry here has been the hero of the school's future more than twice, actually about 4 or more to be exact and is by far the best seeker of all time!"

She stole him a sly smile and winked at him enigmatically. Harry flushed slightly while Brian was pretty oblivious awing at him.

"Wicked you play Quidditch? I'm a seeker too! Well, back in my old school at least,"

Harry gave him a friendly smile as the resumed through the ancient wooden doors of the classroom, which was not listed as favorable.

That night, they did not see Ron but he had Neville deliver a message saying he was too tired and had stayed up as long as he could waiting for them but was bombarded with exhaustion. Hermione chuckled loudly at the statement and then dismissed him saying they weren't displeased. They stood presently in front of the Gryffindor common room where the day would end. Hermione sighed and rotated toward Brian who was going to enter.

"So you like it here so far?"

"Yup it's pretty neat,"

Her lips curled into a smile.

"Well, I hope everything turns out good for you but for now don't stress it because soon there's going to be a Quidditch match and then in December a Yule Ball which you don't want to miss!!!"

Hermione's face was gleaming as she gave Brain a friendly hug which surprisingly did not bother Harry as much as he thought it would have. Brian returned the hug and then concluded, "Quidditch is a definite yes and that Yule Ball sounds like fun,"

He gave a wave to Harry and told them goodnight as he disappeared past the fat lady portrait into the common room. Hermione let out a loud yawn and stretched her arms high above her head revealing a slight portion of her stomach, which caused Harry to look away abruptly. She combined the last of the yawn with a sigh and then proclaimed, "Phew what a day dontcha think?"

Harry looked back up at her and then replied with a wearied tone, "Sure was,"

She sent him a wicked smile, that of a real witch and then turned walking up to the Head's Dormitory. As she climbed the stairs she said to him, "So you going to the Ball,"

Harry was taken aback slightly and then as he walked up also responded, "I don't know I haven't really thought about it,"

He was going to ask Hermione but seeing as though the generous heart that had been granted to her would probably seek Brian that was out of the question. Hermione spun around and stared at Harry astonished.

"NO WAY! It's you're last year here and you're saying that it's a possibility that you won't attend!? You're not embarrassed about what happened—what was it—3 years ago with that girl!?"

She started to giggle hysterically and then added, "I'm sorry I'm a little preppy right now, too much excitement. But I do hope you decide otherwise because I'd hate for you to miss out,"

Hermione gave him a knowingly expression, the kind that parents show to back up the 'I told you so' speech. She walked down a few steps so she was level with Harry and then acclaimed, "Last one up is a rotten egg!"

She gave him a menacing grin and then dashed up the stairs with Harry at her heels. I'd go if the girl I'd ask would say yes.

~*End of Chapter 4*~

A/N: Wow I hoped you guys liked this revision I think it's a lot more realistic if not more entertaining. Please R/R cuz I'm luving 'em reviews!