Chapter I: New Friends

Harry Potter, along with his two friends, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, excitingly sat down in their train compartment heading to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for their 6th year.

"Excuse me. May I sit with you guys? Everywhere else is full," they heard an unfamiliar voice say. They looked up and saw a girl with auburn hair, green eyes, short, but beautiful.

"Sure," Harry replied. Ron couldn't take his eyes off the girl.

"So, what's your name?" Hermione asked.

"Nikki Keller," the girl said.

"Where are you from?" Harry inquired. "The States. Namely Denver, Colorado."

"Cool. I want to go to the States one day," Hermione told Nikki

"I've only been gone for a few days and I miss it lots." She sighed, "So, what are your names?"

"I'm Ron. This is Harry and this is Hermione," Ron told her, his eyes never leaving her face.

"Pleased to meet you all. You guys seem like decent people, so I'm glad I found you." *So am I* thought Ron. ************************************************************************ At the other end of the train, Draco Malfoy was talking to his two friends/bodyguards, Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle, though widely known as Crabbe and Goyle. They had been discussing their summers. Suddenly, Draco stopped talking as he watched a girl go by.

"Hey you!" Draco yelled. The girl stopped and looked at Draco coldly.

"What do you want?"

"Who are you?"

"That's for me to know, and you to find out," the girl said, turning and walking away. Draco stared at her.

"Whoa," he said to himself.

"Is she a first year?" Crabbe asked Draco.

"She's pretty tall and looks kinds old to be a first year," commented Goyle.

"I hope she's a 6th year and in Slytherin," Draco said.

"She looks like a 6th year," Crabbe replied. Goyle sat down. The girl was his cousin, Lita, from the States. He was hoping that they wouldn't find out they were related. That would really screw things up. ************************************************************************ Arriving at Hogwarts, the first years, along with 5 other students, including Nikki in front and Lita in the back, walked in a line to the sorting hat.

"Keller, Nikki," Professor McGonnagal screeched. Nikki was extremely nervous. Trembling, she walked up and McGonnagal placed the sorting hat on her head.

"I think I will place you in..." the sorting hat said, making her even more nervous. She wished that the stupid hat would just sort her already. She hated the anticipation. Ron was looking at Nikki with hope in his eyes.

"Gryffindor!" the hat yelled. The Gryffindors, especially Ron, cheered and clapped loudly. Professor McGonnagal cleared her throat and the din died down.

"Goyle, Lita," cried McGonnagal.

"I need to tell you something, Draco," Goyle said cautiously. Draco turned to him.

"Are you guys related?" inquired Draco, angrily.

"Yes, she's my cousin. Well, 2nd cousin on my father's side."

"Why didn't you tell me this?"

"I didn't know what you'd think," he said, avoiding Draco's eyes.

"Slytherin," the sorting hat yelled. The Slytherins, except for Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle, cheered.

"What year is she going to be in?" Draco asked, still furious.

"6th,"

"Well, at least maybe this year I can play someone to keep Pansy away from me," Draco commented under his breath.

"Malfoy, Denise," McGonnagal said. Draco immediately looked up at a blond- haired, grayish-eyed girl who was walking towards the professor.

"Malfoy?" Draco was confused. He didn't know he had a relative.

"Slytherin," it shouted before it touched Denise's head.

******After Dinner******

Lita was staring at the fire in the Slytherin common room. Draco walked over to her and sat down.

"Umm.could we talk for a minute?" Draco asked.

"Why?"

"I'd like to be your friend, if you could just give me a chance." Draco said, avoiding Lita's stare.

"I'm usually a loner, but since you're friends with my cousin, I'll give ya one chance," Lita said in her Yankee accent, making Draco smile. *Activate plan A.* he said mentally. "And let me warn ya, if you hurt me in ANY way, you're gonna regret it, Draco, got it?" Draco gulped and nodded. He grinned. "Yes ma'am," ************************************************************************ In the Gryffindor common room, Ron and Nikki were sitting on the couch in front of the fire. It was late and all the other Gryfinndors had already gone to bed. Ron, seeing his chance, slid across the couch to Nikki.

"I'd like to ask you a question, Nikki," Ron said.

"Okay,"

"Would you like to.well, I would like to.jeez, this is harder than I thought. " Ron stammered.

"Yes,"

"Yes? You'll go out with me?"

"Of course I will!" she said. Ron smiled and gave her a hug. Nikki wrapped her arms around Ron and Ron laid his head on hers. They were the happiest Gryfinndors in the castle. Nothing could bring them down.

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"So, where'd you go before you came to Hogwarts?" Draco asked Lita. They were up late into the night chatting.

"I used to live in the States, I went to a private witchcraft school there,"

"Cool,"

"It wasn't all that great. Really, I was a bit of a loner in the States. Not one person liked me for who I was, except one girl." Lita admitted.

"I'm assuming a lot of people knew you were a witch then?" asked Draco. Lita nodded. "My ex-best friend told many Muggles that I was a witch,"

"Why?"

"We were mad at each other for some stupid reason, but went too far with it."

"Was your ex-best friend a Muggle?" Lita shook her head no.

"She was part witch."

"So why didn't you tell them she was a witch?" sympathized Draco.

"I was going to, but she moved. She did it so they would criticize her. When she left, I was criticized every chance they had. That's why I was transferred here,"

"Who is your ex-best friend?" "You probably wouldn't know her. She's probably still in the States."

"Come on. Tell me," he pleaded.

"Her name is Nikki Keller.  I haven't seen her in five years. I'm glad, too. If I do see her again, I'm gonna get her," Lita said coldly.

"Lita, I think there's a Nikki Keller at this school. She's new here, too. She's in Gryffindor," Draco told Lita. She glared into the fire.

"She was the first person that was called to the sorting hat. Didn't you hear her name being called?"

Lita stared at Draco. "I'm half deaf. I can't hear out of my right ear. I didn't hear when McGonnagal called her," she explained .

 "Oh,"

"Didn't you wonder why I sit on the left side of a person?" Lita asked, making Draco ponder for a moment. He looked and in fact, Lita was sitting on his left side right now.

"I guess I never noticed it,"

"Don't worry. It's not a big deal anyway. There's a bunch of things I never notice," Lita sighed. Draco saw his chance and turned to her. He grinned at her.

"Lita... I know we don't know each other very much, but I think that you're the most fascinating person in the world. I would love it if you would go out with me…you know, as a girlfriend?" Lita smiled.

"Yes,".

*I knew it!* Draco thought. He grinned from ear to ear as he felt a heaviness being lifted from his body. He felt like he was floating on air. They parted and Draco gave Lita a small unexpected, kiss on her forehead. Lita smiled at Draco.

"Is that all?" she asked.

"All of what?" Draco was puzzled.

"In the States, you don't just kiss a girl on the forehead. You do it like this!" She leaned over and kissed him squarely on the lips. It caught him by surprise, but he was enjoying it immensely.

***********************************************************************

In the Gryfinndor common room, Harry and Hermione came downstairs to see Nikki and Ron curled up on the couch in front of the dead fire. Ron's arm was draped over Nikki and they were both smiling.

"Do you think what I think?" Hermione asked Harry.

"Let's wake them up. We still have get breakfast and get to classes. We don't have time to waste." Harry said. Together, they shook the two awake. Slowly, they opened up their eyes and blinked at their friends.

"I personally would like to congratulate you two. You make such a cute couple," Hermione told them. Harry nodded in agreement.

"Thanks," Ron and Nikki said at the same time, smiling. Ron wrapped his arm around Nikki.  The two started in on their lovey-dovey talk

"Okay, you guys are making me sick, I'm gonna go find Harry," Hermione said, then left.

****************************After Classes******************************

Lita walked to the Slytherin common room and saw Draco talking with Crabbe and Goyle. Draco looked up at Lita and smiled.

"Hey," he said with a smile plastered on his face.

"Hi,"

"Sit down," he said, making room between him and Goyle so Lita could sit down. Lita sat down and Crabbe continued to talk. Goyle started eating some cakes.

"Is eating all you ever do?" Lita asked. Goyle stopped eating.

"Me?"

"Uh, I don't think that there is a big troll behind you eating, so, yes, you!"

"He's always eating something," Draco whispered in Lita's ear. Lita nodded in agreement. "What?" Goyle asked, dropping a cake in his lap.

"Nothing Greggory," Lita said. She whispered something in Draco's ear and they got up to leave.

 "I'm sure that we will find it in the library." Draco said in fake voice, winking at Lita. "I'm sure we will, Draco!" Lita replied. The couple walked off to another secluded part of the common room. Immediately, they started making out furiously.

"I love you," Draco snuck in between kisses.

"I love you more,"

"I love you the most,"

Draco had his arm around Lita and she had her head resting on his shoulder as they went back into the common room.

"Are you guys..." Crabbe started to ask, but was interrupted by Goyle.

"Going out?" Goyle finished, sounding astounded.

"Goyle, now don't get any ideas or anything." squeaked Draco. To everybody's surprise, Goyle got up and sucker punched Draco.

"What was that for?" Draco asked, blood pouring out of his nose.

"I never said you guys could go out," Lita stood up in front of Goyle.

"You don't have to. We're old enough to make our own decisions, Greggory," she said, "You should be ashamed of yourself. We maybe related, but it's a distant relationship. You ever touch Draco again, I will personally take my wand and shove it so far up your pompous ass, you will never be able to get it out. I've done it before and I will do it again. Understand?"

"I don't care what I did, I want you to stay away from my cousin," Goyle under his breath. He left the room, slamming the door in the process.

"Oh yeah? You never were useful for anything, you big fat tub of lard," Draco yelled as the door to the dormitory slammed. Crabbe looked up at Draco.

"So, is it just the two of us now?"

"No Crabbe. We may have lost Goyle, but we will never lose Lita."

"It wouldn't be the same...just the two of us," Crabbe told him.

"I know what you mean," Draco said, looking up at the entrance to the girls' dormitories. "You two, off to bed," a voice said behind them said. They turned to see Snape. "Go on now, you shouldn't be up this late!"

************************************************************************

The next day at breakfast, Draco saw Lita sitting beside Denise. He walked over to them. She and Denise looked at Draco.

"Hey Lita," he said, smiling.

"Hi Draco," said Lita, looking back at Denise.

"I noticed you didn't sit by me and Crabbe today,"

"I noticed that too. It's time I start to interact with other Slytherins and not just you or Crabbe,"

"What about the other one?" Denise asked.

"I'm mad at him. Draco, you shouldn't have just let him punch you. You could've turned him into a frog or something," Lita told him.

"I'm sorry Lita, but I didn't think you'd like me if I did that,"

"Draco... I've known Greggory all my life. I know how he gets. I wouldn't hate you if you did something back!"

"Would you not be ignoring me if I had done something?" Draco asked her. Lita looked at Draco. His nose was swollen and purple from the hit. She felt a pang of guilt in her stomach, but ignored it. "I told you. I'm talking to other Slytherins. I'm not ignoring you!" "Okay, do you mind if I sit here then?" Lita looked at Denise.

"Not at all," Denise said, smiling.

"Lita?" "Of course I don't mind," Lita said, her anger melting away. It was hard to be mad at Draco for too long. Draco smiled and sat down beside Lita.

"I can't believe you're my brother, Draco! No one ever told me I had a brother," Denise told him "Well, no one ever told me I had a sister."

"Yeah, I guess that's true," Denise said. Draco held Lita's hand under the table. They looked at each other and smiled. Suddenly, the owls started flying in and a letter dropped down for Draco and one for Lita and one for Denise. Draco's letter was from his father.

Draco,

Your mother and I never told you that you had a sister in fear that you might go out looking for her. Since she's moved back from the States, I guess I better tell you now...she's moving in with us!

Father

Draco smiled. "Denise, I got a letter from Father. He says you're moving in with us," "Cool!" Denise exclaimed.

"Well, since we're done, we should go walk around," Lita said, looking at Draco and Denise for a reply.

"Sure," they both said.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After lunch, Lita, Draco, Crabbe, Denise, Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Nikki stayed in the Great Hall, Nikki looked over at the Slytherin table and saw Lita and stopped talking. Her eyes narrowed.

 "Nikki, sweetie, what's wrong?" Ron asked.

"Nothing," Lita noticed her and walked over to the table.

"So…we meet again." Lita coldly stated.

"I guess so!" Nikki replied, her eyes down. "What brings you to Hogwarts?"

"I'm here because of you,"

"Me? I didn't do anything!"

"You're a liar, and you know it! You always have been!" Lita yelled.

"So, what if I am?" a calm Nikki asked.

"I don't even know why you ever became my best friend," spat Lita.

"We never agreed on anything anyway. You always got me in trouble, so I guess it's better that way!"

"That's one thing we agree on!"

"Let me make one thing clear though. If I ever see you around my friends or boyfriend, you're gonna regret it," Nikki acidly replied.

"As it is with you." They glared at each other and left the hall in different directions. Draco, Crabbe, and Denise got up and followed Lita. Harry, Ron, and Hermione got up after Nikki.

The trio caught up to Nikki, who was crying in the hallway. "Nikki, what happened between you and Lita that made you become ex- friends?" Ron asked with care.

"Ron, honey, Lita and I were not like you and Harry. She always got me in trouble and she would go out with a guy that I had went out with and all this other crap," Nikki told Ron with tears in her eyes.

"That's so wrong!" Ron felt so bad for her. He held her close to him and let her cry on his shoulder.

 ************************************************************************

"What happened in there? Was that Nikki?" Draco asked.

"Yes, it was. The wench! Draco, Nikki and I were always like you and Harry. We never got along. Supposedly I always got her in trouble. She did that on her own and supposedly every guy that I went out with, she had gone out with before me and all this other crap. It was a total mess and now we're not friends," Lita explained.

"We went our own ways. We have our own very different ambitions. We're totally opposite!"

"What's your ambition?" Denise asked her. Draco and Denise looked at Lita, waiting for a response.

"Me? I want to become the most famous singer of this world. I wanna be married to a psychiatrist so I can talk to him whenever I have a problem,"

"Isn't that what you need to do anyway?"

"I guess you're right Draco,"

"Course, I'm always right," Draco said, giving Lita a kiss on her forehead. He started to walk away.

"Where you going?" Lita asked.

"Quidditch game. It's against Gryffindor," Draco said with a sly smile on his face. "Cool!" She ran over to Draco's side and he put his arm around her. Denise followed them out of the tower and into the stands where the Quidditch game was about to begin.