A/N: Ashley arrives at Hogwarts, Hermione's perceptive as usual and a friend of the gang's returns

A/N: Ashley arrives at Hogwarts, Hermione's perceptive as usual and a friend of the gang's returns.

Arrival

Ashley waited in a chamber off the Great Hall, Dumbledore had decided that she would make her appearance at the Gryffindor table once everyone had started eating. She didn't understand why he was taking such trouble to have her go unnoticed, after all they'd had a werewolf teaching a few years back according to Draco, she wasn't even scary. The only thing that set her apart from others was her silver eyes and her hair. She had waistlength hair, usually the same colour as Draco's but it tended to reflect her emotions by changing colour slightly. It was probably just that some of the first years had never experienced magic before and might react rather strongly to her hair suddenly changing colour in front of them. Her thoughts were interrupted as the door opened and the head of Gryffindor house, Professor McGonagall entered. Ashley brushed her now purple hair back nervously and walked towards the waiting professor.

There's no need to be nervous Ashley' Professor McGonagall soothed We don't usually bite here at Hogwarts'

Usually?' Ashley raised her eyebrow Thats comforting'

Dont worry, you'll be fine'

Sometimes I really wish that I could have normal hair, it gets a bit annoying being so easy to read sometimes' Ashley commented dryly as she followed the Professor over to the Gryffindor table, trying not to notice the stares she was getting. She looked over at the Slytherins and saw Draco smile reassuringly at her and her nervousness began to fade. She heard the whispers at the sight of the deep purple of hair faiding slightly and tried to smile.

She looked over to see McGonagall talking to a boy with black hair and glasses.

Harry, this is Ashley, Ashley this is Harry' McGongagall said motioning for her to sit next to him then walking away. She realised then that this must be the fabled Harry Potter, the Boy who Lived, and the one person that Draco talked the most about. She sat down next to him trying hard not to stare at the person she had heard so much about.

Hi' she said

Hi, welcome to the famous Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry' he said dryly As you know I'm Harry, next to me is Ron Weasley and then Hermione Granger' he said pointing to a tall redhead and a brown haired girl who seemed to be arguing furiously. Across is Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas, next to them would be Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil. The two redheads down the end are Fred and George Weasley they're Rons brothers. Whatever you do, don't eat anything they give you.'

Oy Harry' Fred yelled Don't go spreading stuff about us around'

Yeah, don't listen to Harry Ashley, we're innocent' Trying George said smiling innocently

I can't see that' she commented sarcastically her hair returning to its normal white blonde

You know you sound like Draco Malfoy' Harry said and pointed at the Slytherin table Thats him over there'

She smiled slyly, obviously Harry was going to tell her to stay away from him or some crap like that, well he was in for a shock Thats not such a surprise really' she said I've only known him for, oh, fifteen years'

Your kidding me?' Ron butted in You know Malfoy, you poor thing'

Ashley had to laugh at the look on Ron's face Not only do I know him, but he's also my best friend'

Your friends with that creep?' Ron exclaimed

Yes I am, and I'd really appreiate it if you didn't call him a creep when I'm around' She said as her hair began to turn a deep black. Gryffindors were supposed to be noble and brave but Ron certainly wasn't living up to the noble part.

Uh, um sorry' Ron stuttered, just then recognition flashed in Hermiones eyes.

Your hair!' she exclaimed It changes colour with your moods! But doesn't that mean-'

I'd really appreciate if you didn't go yelling it out for everyone to hear, I don't want to be called a freak' Ashley snapped

Sorry, but its something that people aren't going to help noticing' Hermione replied There aren't many people who have hair that changes colour around here'

And how many people here are going to know why it changes colour?' Ashley asked Apart from you, Draco and the teachers I'd say that the chance of anyone knowing is very little'

Its not going to take long before people start asking you questions about it though' Hermione replied

I'll deal with that when it happens' Ashley said Right now I just want to try and enjoy being at Hogwarts ok?'

Alright' Hermione sighed and turned back to her dinner

Umm, not meaning to interrupt your fascinating conversation which seems to have absolutely no point what so ever' Ron said But what are you going on about?'

Don't worry Ron, Hermione was just commenting on my gorgeous hair' Ashley joked

Alright...girl stuff' Ron said

So Ashley' Harry said turning around from where he was talking to the twins How do you know Malfoy anyway?'

My mother went to school with Draco's, they were best friends until my mum found out about Lucius Malfoy being a DeathEater.' Ashley started, deciding that she could trust these people It sort of ruined the whole friendship thing with Narcissa, I was forbidden to see or talk to Draco but that didn't stop us, then when Lucius found out that my parents knew about the whole DeathEater thing he sent out some of his followers to find them, I was supposed to be staying at my Aunts place, Draco owled me to tell me what was happening so I went back, I was just in time to see my parents being killed by some of Lucius Mafoys friends who were DeathEaters. Something inside my cracked and somehow I killed the DeathEaters, I had no idea how I did it at the time, I only found out about a month ago. Thats what the whole hair thing is about, its some sort of power thing. Voldemort sent out people to find me and kill me. Draco's been my friend all through that and didn't stop even though some of the things Lucius did to him to try and find out where I was were pretty awful I would have gone crazy or killed myself if it hadn't been for him, so you see why I'm a bit defensive of him.'

Harry stared at her for a few seconds once she finished speaking I'm sorry about your parents and I can see why you like Malfoy so much, I wish I could say that I'll change my feelings towards Draco but I can't, you're going to have to live with the fact that Malfoy and I aren't exactly the best of friends'

Give him a chance Harry, he's not that bad on the inside'

I've known him for about five years and so far he hasn't given so much as the slightest hint of him being good.'

We have to go now you two' Hermione interrupted, and they left the Great Hall in silence talking only when Hermione told everyone ther password for the Gryffindor tower. Just before she entered her room Ashley turned to Harry.

He didn't ask to be Lucius Malfoy's son. Think about what I said Harry, and please try to see.

_____________________________________________________________

Did you like? Please review!