A/N: I do not own any of these characters except for Brianna.
Brianna Natale sighed and tried to concentrate on her potions review. She was so tired of studying whether or not aconite and willow feathers would explode or whether it would make a potion that would revive someone, even if they were an inch from death. She couldn't take much more. Brushing her long auburn hair out of her hazel eyes, she stood up from her seat in the library and went off in search of her friends.
Brianna had come to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry five years ago. At first, she had been nervous and scared, not knowing exactly what to expect. She was of magical descent and had known she was a witch all her life, but didn't know what Hogwarts would hold in store for her.
Much to her shock and surprise, she had nothing but happiness at Hogwarts. Not that sadness and sorrow didn't sometimes accompany the pleasure that filled her life, but the majority of her stay had enlightened her. For Brianna had the best friends a girl could ever hope for. Ron Weasley could make her laugh without even trying and would stand there dumbfounded when Brianna laughed heartily at a comment he had made, which had originally not intended to be funny. Hermione Granger was as smart as smart could be and didn't hesitate to help Brianna if she was ever in a fix, which was happening more often than before. And then there was Harry Potter, the cute boy whom shared Brianna's every laugh, tear and joy. He and Brianna were indeed the best of friends and it was known throughout the school that they were inseparable. When the group found out about the Philosopher Stone in their first year and Harry faced his enemy in the dungeons, deep below the school, Brianna was there, cheering him on from the sidelines. Although she was seriously wounded, that didn't stop her from mentally helping Harry maintain strength. During their second year when the mystery of the Chamber of Secrets and Tom Riddle was unravelled, Brianna was there with Harry when he faced Riddle in the Chamber. When the Azkaban guards, the Dementors tortured Harry with their mind powers in their third year, Brianna was there to help him beat them. And just last year, Brianna was Harry's strength for the big tournament that was happening within Hogwart's school walls. Yes, indeed, it was known securely that the group could not be broken up for long. Yet someone was still trying.
Draco Malfoy was Harry Potter's worst enemy and every teacher's nightmare. He was pompous, arrogant and narcissistic, only believing that people saw him in their presence. He had it out for Harry ever since they first met; and had it bad for Brianna since the first word she ever spoke to him. He thought she was gorgeous with her long hair and sparkling eyes that lit up when she laughed. He was determined to have her by his side by the end of the fifth year; by will or not.
Brianna found Hermione just outside the library and together they walked down the hall to the Gryffindor Tower entrance. After spouting off the password to the Fat Lady, they climbed through the portrait hole and into the Gryffindor Common Room where Harry and Ron sat, playing a game of Wizard Chess. Brianna sat down beside Harry on the arm of the chair and he looked up at her with a smile that Hermione and Ron read very well. Smiling at each other knowingly, Hermione sat down beside Ron and started whispering to him. They laughed together, staring giddily at Harry and Brianna. Confused, Brianna glanced at Harry.
"What's so funny? Do I have stupid written on my forehead and no one's bothered to tell me?" she asked him, touching her forehead slightly. Harry shook his head quickly, indicating that he didn't want to discuss whatever Hermione and Ron were laughing about. Brianna knew that she couldn't push Harry to talk about something he didn't feel needed discussing so she began telling him under her breath where to place the chess pieces. Everyone knew that Harry was horrible at chess, especially compared to Ron.
The rest of the afternoon flew by and before the group knew it, it was dinnertime. "I'm starved!" cried Ron, closing up the chessboard in a hurry.
"You're always hungry," muttered Hermione, almost grumpily. All afternoon she had been trying to avert Ron's attention to her and Brianna could only suspect one reason. For a few years now, Harry and Brianna had been talking about what it would be like if Ron and Hermione got together.
"I think they'd make a great couple!" Harry claimed one evening. "They always can finish each other's sentences."
"While they're arguing," Brianna finished for him. "I know; we've all heard it enough."
"But they do argue enough to be a couple," Harry reminded her and even Brianna couldn't argue with him there.
As the four of them passed through the portrait hole on their way to the Great Hall, they passed Professor Severus Snape, the Potions teacher. He sneered at them, always unhappy to see them, and hurried on his way. Brianna felt Harry go tense next to her. He and Professor Snape always managed to get on each other's nerves and it was known that Snape hated Harry's father for reasons that best be left alone. Brianna didn't see why he bothered to take out his anger on Harry, but she usually kept her mouth quiet around Snape. He gave her an eerily strange feeling whenever he so much as glanced in her direction.
Dinner was incredible, as it always was at Hogwarts. With Christmas just around the corner, Brianna's mind was reeling. What to get everyone? The upcoming trip to the wizarding village of Hogsmeade was approaching rapidly and Brianna figured that would be the best time to buy for everyone. But she was also facing a dilemma about where to spend the holidays. Her parents, both very successful, owning a family corporation, were back at home and usually very busy for the holidays. But the past two years, Brianna had managed to make it home to spend Christmas with her and her two siblings, Mark and Stacey. In past years, someone had always stayed at the school for the holidays with Harry, seeing as his only living relatives weren't the type of people you would want to spend the holidays with (nor any other time, for that matter). But this year, both Ron and Hermione were going home for Christmas and Brianna didn't want Harry to be all alone for the holidays. She considered asking him to go home with her to her family, but she knew he would politely decline, not wanting to be a burden on anyone. And she longed for some alone time with her best friend, to talk further about matters concerning two of their friends.
"Earth to Brianna! Come in, Brianna!" Ron's brother Fred's voice drifted into Brianna's brain and it sent waves to the rest of her body, telling her to respond to what he was saying. Looking up she tried to immerse herself in the conversation by laughing quietly. Fred's twin brother, George, looked at her in amazement.
"Even when she's daydreaming, she can still pitch in a few ideas," he said kiddingly. "You've got yourself a real winner here, Harry!" He winked at him and Harry bowed his head, his face going red. Brianna shook her own head, not sure whether to laugh or lash out at the twins. Deciding against the latter part of the argument, she was saved by Ron's outburst of anger as Malfoy appeared behind Harry's chair. Ron, who was seated across from Harry, stared angrily.
"What do you want?"
Draco smiled his smug smile and Brianna turned around to face him. She wanted nothing more than to punch him smack in the jaw, but knew that if she did, she would have the entire Head Table of teachers on her case in a matter of moments. "I'm just seeing how my dear schoolmates are doing," Malfoy sneered, his eyes on Brianna. "Am I not allowed?"
"No." Hermione's voice was clear and direct. Malfoy backed off slightly, obviously recalling the incident a few years back when Hermione slapped him clear across his smug face. He back away from the table slowly, the Gryffindor group watching him slink. Ron growled as soon as Malfoy was out of sight.
"I hate that guy!" he muttered under his breath, grabbing a handful of food and stuffing it in his mouth. "He's so rude!"
Hermione shot a disgusted look at Ron and looked as if she wanted to comment, but thought better of it and kept any further words to herself. Brianna turned around to face her friends again and glanced sideways to share a look with Harry. He, of all people, knew all too well what Malfoy was capable of. And he also knew how much Brianna wanted to avoid him.
The weeks flew by and before the Hogwart's students knew what had happened, exams were upon them. Brianna came out of her last exam, not entirely sure how she had done, but not exactly caring either. Last week, she had sent an owl to her parents, telling them that she was staying at school for Christmas and she had received one back this very morning, her parents explaining that they felt it was best, too, as they were going to be fairly busy over the break and felt they wouldn't be able to spend any time with her. "You'll come home as soon as your father and I get a break from work," her mother wrote in her sloppy scrawl. Brianna scoffed. In other words, possibly by summertime, she would be allowed back home.
The Christmas holidays started with a bang for Harry and Brianna. Brianna, growing up in Canada, loved the snow. And Hogwarts hosted plenty of it for the winter months. After everyone had left for the holidays, there were very few students left, 14in total. Professor Dumbledore had once again decided since the number of students left was so low, to have them join the teachers at the Head Table for the Christmas Feast. The morning of the day before the Feast, however, Brianna and Harry said goodbye to Ron and Hermione.
"Promise me you'll write and send an owl every day," Hermione whispered in Brianna's ear as she hugged her tightly. Brianna promised, trying to stop the tears from coursing down her cheeks. She tried to ignore the boys' scoffs and laughter.
"You'd think they were never going to see each other again!" snorted Ron, watching the two girls part.
"You never know!" Hermione cried. "Any time you say goodbye to someone could be the last time. I'm not being morbid, but it's a fact."
"You sound like Professor Trelawney," Ron commented and received an extremely nasty look from Hermione. Waving goodbye, the pair hurried down the steps of the school, leaving Harry and Brianna standing alone in the threshold of Hogwarts.
Brianna Natale sighed and tried to concentrate on her potions review. She was so tired of studying whether or not aconite and willow feathers would explode or whether it would make a potion that would revive someone, even if they were an inch from death. She couldn't take much more. Brushing her long auburn hair out of her hazel eyes, she stood up from her seat in the library and went off in search of her friends.
Brianna had come to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry five years ago. At first, she had been nervous and scared, not knowing exactly what to expect. She was of magical descent and had known she was a witch all her life, but didn't know what Hogwarts would hold in store for her.
Much to her shock and surprise, she had nothing but happiness at Hogwarts. Not that sadness and sorrow didn't sometimes accompany the pleasure that filled her life, but the majority of her stay had enlightened her. For Brianna had the best friends a girl could ever hope for. Ron Weasley could make her laugh without even trying and would stand there dumbfounded when Brianna laughed heartily at a comment he had made, which had originally not intended to be funny. Hermione Granger was as smart as smart could be and didn't hesitate to help Brianna if she was ever in a fix, which was happening more often than before. And then there was Harry Potter, the cute boy whom shared Brianna's every laugh, tear and joy. He and Brianna were indeed the best of friends and it was known throughout the school that they were inseparable. When the group found out about the Philosopher Stone in their first year and Harry faced his enemy in the dungeons, deep below the school, Brianna was there, cheering him on from the sidelines. Although she was seriously wounded, that didn't stop her from mentally helping Harry maintain strength. During their second year when the mystery of the Chamber of Secrets and Tom Riddle was unravelled, Brianna was there with Harry when he faced Riddle in the Chamber. When the Azkaban guards, the Dementors tortured Harry with their mind powers in their third year, Brianna was there to help him beat them. And just last year, Brianna was Harry's strength for the big tournament that was happening within Hogwart's school walls. Yes, indeed, it was known securely that the group could not be broken up for long. Yet someone was still trying.
Draco Malfoy was Harry Potter's worst enemy and every teacher's nightmare. He was pompous, arrogant and narcissistic, only believing that people saw him in their presence. He had it out for Harry ever since they first met; and had it bad for Brianna since the first word she ever spoke to him. He thought she was gorgeous with her long hair and sparkling eyes that lit up when she laughed. He was determined to have her by his side by the end of the fifth year; by will or not.
Brianna found Hermione just outside the library and together they walked down the hall to the Gryffindor Tower entrance. After spouting off the password to the Fat Lady, they climbed through the portrait hole and into the Gryffindor Common Room where Harry and Ron sat, playing a game of Wizard Chess. Brianna sat down beside Harry on the arm of the chair and he looked up at her with a smile that Hermione and Ron read very well. Smiling at each other knowingly, Hermione sat down beside Ron and started whispering to him. They laughed together, staring giddily at Harry and Brianna. Confused, Brianna glanced at Harry.
"What's so funny? Do I have stupid written on my forehead and no one's bothered to tell me?" she asked him, touching her forehead slightly. Harry shook his head quickly, indicating that he didn't want to discuss whatever Hermione and Ron were laughing about. Brianna knew that she couldn't push Harry to talk about something he didn't feel needed discussing so she began telling him under her breath where to place the chess pieces. Everyone knew that Harry was horrible at chess, especially compared to Ron.
The rest of the afternoon flew by and before the group knew it, it was dinnertime. "I'm starved!" cried Ron, closing up the chessboard in a hurry.
"You're always hungry," muttered Hermione, almost grumpily. All afternoon she had been trying to avert Ron's attention to her and Brianna could only suspect one reason. For a few years now, Harry and Brianna had been talking about what it would be like if Ron and Hermione got together.
"I think they'd make a great couple!" Harry claimed one evening. "They always can finish each other's sentences."
"While they're arguing," Brianna finished for him. "I know; we've all heard it enough."
"But they do argue enough to be a couple," Harry reminded her and even Brianna couldn't argue with him there.
As the four of them passed through the portrait hole on their way to the Great Hall, they passed Professor Severus Snape, the Potions teacher. He sneered at them, always unhappy to see them, and hurried on his way. Brianna felt Harry go tense next to her. He and Professor Snape always managed to get on each other's nerves and it was known that Snape hated Harry's father for reasons that best be left alone. Brianna didn't see why he bothered to take out his anger on Harry, but she usually kept her mouth quiet around Snape. He gave her an eerily strange feeling whenever he so much as glanced in her direction.
Dinner was incredible, as it always was at Hogwarts. With Christmas just around the corner, Brianna's mind was reeling. What to get everyone? The upcoming trip to the wizarding village of Hogsmeade was approaching rapidly and Brianna figured that would be the best time to buy for everyone. But she was also facing a dilemma about where to spend the holidays. Her parents, both very successful, owning a family corporation, were back at home and usually very busy for the holidays. But the past two years, Brianna had managed to make it home to spend Christmas with her and her two siblings, Mark and Stacey. In past years, someone had always stayed at the school for the holidays with Harry, seeing as his only living relatives weren't the type of people you would want to spend the holidays with (nor any other time, for that matter). But this year, both Ron and Hermione were going home for Christmas and Brianna didn't want Harry to be all alone for the holidays. She considered asking him to go home with her to her family, but she knew he would politely decline, not wanting to be a burden on anyone. And she longed for some alone time with her best friend, to talk further about matters concerning two of their friends.
"Earth to Brianna! Come in, Brianna!" Ron's brother Fred's voice drifted into Brianna's brain and it sent waves to the rest of her body, telling her to respond to what he was saying. Looking up she tried to immerse herself in the conversation by laughing quietly. Fred's twin brother, George, looked at her in amazement.
"Even when she's daydreaming, she can still pitch in a few ideas," he said kiddingly. "You've got yourself a real winner here, Harry!" He winked at him and Harry bowed his head, his face going red. Brianna shook her own head, not sure whether to laugh or lash out at the twins. Deciding against the latter part of the argument, she was saved by Ron's outburst of anger as Malfoy appeared behind Harry's chair. Ron, who was seated across from Harry, stared angrily.
"What do you want?"
Draco smiled his smug smile and Brianna turned around to face him. She wanted nothing more than to punch him smack in the jaw, but knew that if she did, she would have the entire Head Table of teachers on her case in a matter of moments. "I'm just seeing how my dear schoolmates are doing," Malfoy sneered, his eyes on Brianna. "Am I not allowed?"
"No." Hermione's voice was clear and direct. Malfoy backed off slightly, obviously recalling the incident a few years back when Hermione slapped him clear across his smug face. He back away from the table slowly, the Gryffindor group watching him slink. Ron growled as soon as Malfoy was out of sight.
"I hate that guy!" he muttered under his breath, grabbing a handful of food and stuffing it in his mouth. "He's so rude!"
Hermione shot a disgusted look at Ron and looked as if she wanted to comment, but thought better of it and kept any further words to herself. Brianna turned around to face her friends again and glanced sideways to share a look with Harry. He, of all people, knew all too well what Malfoy was capable of. And he also knew how much Brianna wanted to avoid him.
The weeks flew by and before the Hogwart's students knew what had happened, exams were upon them. Brianna came out of her last exam, not entirely sure how she had done, but not exactly caring either. Last week, she had sent an owl to her parents, telling them that she was staying at school for Christmas and she had received one back this very morning, her parents explaining that they felt it was best, too, as they were going to be fairly busy over the break and felt they wouldn't be able to spend any time with her. "You'll come home as soon as your father and I get a break from work," her mother wrote in her sloppy scrawl. Brianna scoffed. In other words, possibly by summertime, she would be allowed back home.
The Christmas holidays started with a bang for Harry and Brianna. Brianna, growing up in Canada, loved the snow. And Hogwarts hosted plenty of it for the winter months. After everyone had left for the holidays, there were very few students left, 14in total. Professor Dumbledore had once again decided since the number of students left was so low, to have them join the teachers at the Head Table for the Christmas Feast. The morning of the day before the Feast, however, Brianna and Harry said goodbye to Ron and Hermione.
"Promise me you'll write and send an owl every day," Hermione whispered in Brianna's ear as she hugged her tightly. Brianna promised, trying to stop the tears from coursing down her cheeks. She tried to ignore the boys' scoffs and laughter.
"You'd think they were never going to see each other again!" snorted Ron, watching the two girls part.
"You never know!" Hermione cried. "Any time you say goodbye to someone could be the last time. I'm not being morbid, but it's a fact."
"You sound like Professor Trelawney," Ron commented and received an extremely nasty look from Hermione. Waving goodbye, the pair hurried down the steps of the school, leaving Harry and Brianna standing alone in the threshold of Hogwarts.