.:.:.:.:.

Dear Sirius,

How are you? I haven't heard from you in a while. I'm back at Hogwarts, of course, we arrived yesterday. Funny thing-- at the Sorting, we noticed someone missing: Hagrid. Any idea what he's up to? I haven't heard from him all summer. Another thing-- a girl with the last name Malfoy was sorted into Gryffindor yesterday... she couldn't be related to Draco, could she? Do you know if Lucius has a brother? Anyway, hope you're safe and well hidden-- where ever you are.

- Harry

P.S. Ron and Hermione say hello.

"Honestly, Harry," Hermione said, putting down the letter, "I'm sure Sirius has something better to do then have you bombard him with questions about Draco and his sist--" She stopped abruptly, having noticed Rose staring at them from across the Common Room. Upon realizing that the three fifth years were returning her gaze, she hastily looked away, then said something in low tones to the other first years she was with, and stood up.

"Oh, now you've done it," Ron muttered to Hermione, as Rose strode towards them.

"Don't be rude!" she hissed back, though inside, she was feeling much the same way.

"Hello," she said simply, as she reached them. "I'm Rose-- Rose Malfoy. I believe you've met my brother?"

Hermione's heart sank. "Why, yes... yes we have."

Rose, who had been glancing curiously at Harry's forehead, slowly swiveled to face Hermione.

"I'm Hermione Granger... welcome to Gryffindor, Rose," Hermione greeted her warmly.

"Why, thank you," she replied, as though more out of politeness then anything else.

Rose turned to face Ron, her upper lip curling ever so slightly at the state of his robes. Hermione felt a surge of anger at this behavior. She had no right to look at Ron that way...

"Ron Weasley," he said, his ears turning red in embarrassment; he had seen her looking him over.

Not paying much attention to Ron, she turned to face Harry.

"And I'm--" he began.

"Oh, I know who you are," Rose interrupted, grinning, "You're Harry Potter-- Draco's told me all about you."

Hermione and Ron looked at each other in horror, sniggering behind Harry's back.

.:.:.:.:.

"Oh, Draco's told me all about you!" Ron mimicked the next morning at breakfast, sending Hermione into hysterical fits of giggles. It seemed as though Malfoy's jealousy of Harry had reached an all time high, if he was talking about Harry over holiday.

"Oh, come off it, Ron," Harry snapped, "Or, I'll... I'll..." his eyes fell on the sausages on the table. "Or I'll shove a sausage up your nose."

Ron smirked. "Oh, Harry! Such a kidder!" he exclaimed in a high pitched, flirty voice, "I know all about you! My brother Draco said--" Ron's antics were cut short as he discovered a large piece of sausage was now lodged in his nostril.