A/N: To Be Determined.

Disclaimer: Grrr, I so hate this thing…same crap every time! Just read the 1st chapter disclaimer ok?

Credits: Everything is J.K. Rowling except Lucia and whoever else I make up, but I doubt I'm making up anyone else, who knows.

Thanks too: Junsui Chikyuu, Beyond-Artemis, Ellie, Slytherins Angelz, Hermione Double and Slytherin Vixen for reviewing.

Chapter 6

Hermione got out of bed to the squeals of Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil. Hermione glanced at them with tired eyes, for she had a rather uneasy sleep that night.

The two girls looked over at her, and giggled as they walked out of the room. Hermione shrugged, she didn't really care what was up with those two, she was too tired.

Today was Thursday, Hermione was rather relieved she had a free period to study today and she really wanted to finish some extra credit work in her Arithmancy class. She got dressed and went down into the Gryffindor common room, which was buzzing with Gryffindors heading towards the Great Hall for breakfast. Hermione spotted Ron and Harry waiting for her by the fireplace, she walked over to them.

"Finally, you slept a bit late didn't you." Ron said, glancing at Hermione's tired eyes.

Hermione yawned, "Had trouble sleeping. Shall we go to breakfast?"

The guys nodded and the three of them went to breakfast.

Dumbledore stood in front of his seat at the staff table and tapped his spoon on his goblet to silence everyone. Once he had they're attention he began to speak, "Just a few quick announcements before we begin breakfast," he began, "today Quidditch practice begins, so all those who wish to try out for their house teams and for those already on their house team please meet at the Quidditch field after lessons today. First years are not eligible to try out, sorry. Also, we have something special in store for you all this year."

A low buzzing began to fill the Great Hall as students talked amongst themselves asking if anyone else knew about this 'something special'.

Dumbledore raised his hand to maintain silence and he began speaking, "This will be discussed at a later date, now time to eat."

Everyone started moaning and whining.

"Just like Dumbledore to leave us in suspense like that." Ron said, shaking his head.

"Who cares about that when Quidditch is starting up again." Harry said with excitement.

"True." Ron said beginning to eat his porridge.

"We'll be unstoppable this year. Slytherin won't stand a chance against us, even though we don't have Fred and George anymore we still have you as Keeper Ron. Ginny says after last year of playing Quidditch she's had enough. If anything she'll be a Chaser." Harry replied.

Hermione's brows furrowed, "Harry, didn't you hear?"

Harry looked over at her, "Hear what?"

"I hear Slytherin found themselves and incredibly skilled Chaser."

Harry and Ron looked at her curiously, "Where did you hear that?" They both asked in unison.

"I overheard a few Slytherins talking in the library the other day. They said that 'she' is one of the best they've ever had'." Hermione said drinking some pumpkin juice.

Harry and Ron glanced at each other, "She?" They both said together in disbelief.

Hermione rolled her eyes, "Oh please like a girl Chaser isn't unheard of? Half the Gryffindor team was made up of girl Chasers at one point. Girls usually make better Chasers than boys anyhow."

"Who's the girl?" Harry asked dying to know the answer.

Hermione shrugged, "Don't know, they never said her name. They just spoke about how good she was and that she'll help lead Slytherin to victory this year and all that."

Ron sighed, "Of course they'll say that. They just want to win so badly, since they haven't in so long. I bet the girl whoever she is, isn't even as good as they say."

"She's now the only girl on the Slytherin team. I think Slytherin lost so many times before cause they couldn't realize that a female might actually help them win." Hermione replied with feminine pride.

Ron sighed, "Quidditch tryouts seem like an eternity away."

"Why's that?" asked Hermione.

"Cause I have double potions today with Snape. You know the class for all those falling behind." Ron said with a very unpleasant face.

Hermione frowned, "That's right I have Magic of the Minds class today."

Harry glanced at Hermione, "Yea, we all know how much you love that class Hermione," he said looking over at Draco who was talking with Crabbe and Goyle.

Hermione narrowed her eyes at Harry, "You know that's a complete lie."

Harry shrugged, "Only you would know Hermione."

She glared at him, "If you're still referring to the whole closet thing, STOP IT!"

Everyone at the Gryffindor table glanced at Hermione as well as a few people from Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Hermione hid her face behind her hand as she lowered her head.

"It was just a joke Hermione. Relax, we know nothing would ever go on between you and Malfoy." Harry said not expecting Hermione to get upset.

Hermione tilted her lowered head to the side so she could meet Harry's gaze, and forced a small smirk to her face, "Of course…nothing."

Breakfast finished quickly, Ron, Hermione and Harry had Care of Magical Creatures class first with the Slytherins as always.

The three of them arrived and shortly after that came more Gryffindors followed by Slytherins including Draco, Crabbe and Goyle. Hermione looked over at Draco as he walked to join the crowd, she quickly ignored him. Harry saw Lucia come over followed by a few Slytherin girls, Hermione saw Lucia look over at her with a blank stare. Hermione said 'hello' with a smile, Lucia nodded back lightly.

Just then Hagrid came out from behind his hut, to everyone's delight without boxes or crates or killer looking creatures.

" 'Lo class." He said with a smile.

"Hello, Hagrid." They all replied, well almost all of them (Slytherins said nothing.)

"Today, I got nothin' big for yeh. Jus' tha' Professor Dumbledore said tha' he would like yeh all ta write a repor' on any magical creature we 'ave studied over the pas' four years. 'Morrow we'll be goin' back at studyin' animals." Hagrid said sounding a bit disappointed that he wasn't going to teach today.

Parvati raised her hand.

"Yea, Parvati." Hagrid said.

"So what will we be doing today Hagrid?"

Hagrid shuffled his feet in the ground as he looked at all the students, "Nuttin' really. Walk around the grounds or summat like that. I have work to be gettin' too." Hagrid said as he then glanced at Harry, Ron and Hermione, "Can't stay with ye three today, 'morrow perhaps." He then dismissed the class and walked away.

As he vanished into the Forbidden Forest with Fang, a laugh came over from Pansy Parkinson, "For once Dumbledore did something smart and made that freak do something he's actually good at, instead of him staying here nearly killing us all with his freaky monsters." She said, all the other students had already left to walk the grounds together, only Draco, Crabbe, Goyle, Lucia and some of her groupies, Harry, Ron and Hermione were left standing together.

Harry, Ron and Hermione glared over at Pansy, "Too bad non of those monsters ever did us the favor of actually killing you Pansy." Hermione spat out, she hated when someone spoke ill of Hagrid.

Draco smirked at Hermione's comment, he couldn't agree with her more on that matter. But he quickly got rid of his smirk.

Pansy turned red, "Brave words for a mudblood."

Hermione narrowed her eyes in hatred for the obnoxious Slytherin, "Rather be what I am Pansy then be what you are."

Pansy sneered, "And that would be?"

Hermione smirked evilly at Pansy, "A pug-faced little tramp!"

Draco couldn't help himself, he let out a laugh he had been trying to hold back, as did Crabbe, Goyle, Ron and Harry. Lucia smirked, but her Slytherin friends were in defense of Pansy, they looked furious, as was Pansy.

Pansy heard Draco's laughter and everyone else's and frustrated tears came to her eyes, "Draco! Say something to her!"

Draco shrugged with a grin, "Why bother Parkinson? She was only stating the obvious." He said, hoping Pansy would finally get the clue that he hated her with a passion.

Pansy was enraged by Draco's comment, "Lucia!?" she said in a whiny tone.

Lucia shook her head, "You brought this to yourself Pansy."

Before she left she shouted, "I'll get you mudblood wait and see, I'll get you for this!"

Hermione rolled her eyes and dismissed Pansy's threat as nothing.

"You sure told her off." Ron said with a smile.

Everyone watched Pansy still running back to Hogwarts.

The remaining Slytherins looked at the three Gryffindors, Lucia's groupies looked furiously at Hermione, while Lucia looked at her with a smirk, "Didn't think you had it in you to say that Hermione." Lucia said still smirking.

Hermione grinned, "I've always had it in me."

"Lucia! How can you say that! How can you talk to…her!" One of the Slytherin girls said in surprise and loathing.

"Easy, I open my mouth and words come out." She replied casually not caring about what anyone of them thought.

Harry looked at Lucia with a smirk, then glanced at Draco "Why are you still here Malfoy?" Harry said noticing the presence of Draco, Crabbe and Goyle.

Draco shrugged, "Just enjoying the show Potter." He said as he glanced at Hermione and then walked away casually with Crabbe and Goyle following close behind him.

"See you in class later." Lucia said as she glanced at the three Gryffindors and turned and walked away. The girls followed her but not before shooting evil glances towards Hermione and hissing while they were at it.

"Pleasant aren't they?" Ron said sarcastically.

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Around two it was time for the last class of the day for everyone. Hermione and Harry headed to Magic of the Minds.

"Time to see Pansy's hideous face." Hermione said with a sigh.

Harry chuckled, "Still can't believe you said that to her 'Mione. That was brilliant."

Hermione grinned, "Yea, well she did ask for it you know."

They both laughed together and then walked into the class.

Harry took his seat next to Lucia, Hermione took her seat next to Draco noticing Pansy's evil glance at her, Pansy had been paired up with a Hufflepuff and she was not pleased at all and the fact that Hermione got paired with Draco pissed her off even more.

Hermione took her seat next to Draco, he only glanced at her when she had come in but after that he completely ignored her and that was fine with her cause it made her job easier of ignoring him.

Dumbledore then came into the class.

"Hello, Class." He said with a smile.

"Hello, Professor Dumbledore." They replied.

"Today, we won't be taking notes, or hearing any lectures from me. Today, I must first ask you all to take out your mind crystals." He began.

Everyone with extreme curiosity took out their mind crystals.

"Now, place them in front of you on your desks." He said as he then walked in front of his desk.

"What do you suppose is going to happen this time?" Harry whispered to Lucia.

Lucia didn't move her head or eyes, she merely bent her head down and in a low whisper she replied, "I have no idea. Now stop talking, we'll get in trouble."

Harry nodded, "Sorry."

"Shhh." She whispered.

Harry smirked, she's a lot like Hermione.

Dumbledore continued speaking, "Today I want to see the progress you have made with your partner. Today I want you all to quietly have a conversation with your partner. Talk about whatever you like, for if you have been interacting with your partner enough then perhaps your mind is becoming somewhat stimulated and your crystal will glow, depending on how far along your mind is the crystal will glow ranging from faintly to as bright as any star in the sky."

Hermione's face of curiosity fell to one of disbelief, as did Draco's.

Why does it feel like someone is planning this whole thing as an act of revenge or something? The Gods must hate me, they must, why else would I have to suffer through all of this? I'm so tired of Draco Malfoy, I want nothing more to do with him…its not fair!

Draco moved his eyes to look at Hermione who was looking rather upset.

Figures Dumbledore has to go and make us do this now. There is no justice in the universe. Not to mention the fact that I have to meet Granger later for our assignment. How can I ignore her, when I'm constantly being forced to do the total opposite? Father would be furious if he knew I was paired with a mudblood especially Granger of all people.

"Now depending on how far along you are will determine who is ready to move on to the next part of the process, we'll know within a few minutes who is ready. So…by all means talk…and to insure privacy," he clapped his hands and suddenly floating blue curtains surrounded each individual desk.

Harry and Lucia turned to face each other in their seats.

"This class gets stranger and stranger." Harry replied, poking at the floating curtains.

Lucia nodded, "It certainly does."

Harry sighed, suddenly an idea came to him. Lucia is in Slytherin so maybe she'll know who the amazing knew female Chaser is.

"Lucia?" He said.

"Yes, Harry?" She replied coolly.

"Do you know who's on your Quidditch team?"

Lucia raised a brow at him, "Do you really think I would tell the competition anything?"

Harry grinned, it was rather stupid of him to even think she would answer the question, "I figured you wouldn't. Its just that I heard from a very reliable source that your Quidditch team has a new Chaser this year. They say that she is one of the best they've ever had. I haven't the slightest idea who she could be though."

Lucia smirked, "You sound surprised that the Chaser is a girl."

Harry shrugged, "Hermione said the same thing. Its not like I'm prejudice towards girls in Quidditch or anything, its just that Slytherin seemed that way considering very few girls have ever been on their Quidditch team."

"Well that's understandable I suppose." She said glancing at Harry.

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Draco and Hermione still didn't look at each other.

"One of us has to talk, otherwise we won't know if we're ready for the next step." Hermione said with much difficulty. She didn't want to talk to Draco at all.

Draco nodded, "Like I care what some crystal does. Its this bloody crystal that got us in this blasted mess."

Hermione frowned, "What mess? You saying you would've preferred Pansy as a partner?" Hermione asked, knowing what Draco would say.

He glanced over at her for the first time since they were outside, a look of utter shock and disgust on his face, "Are you mad? I would rather be with Potter than Parkinson. That girl is insufferable." He said with a huff.

Hermione kept back an oncoming laugh.

"After what I heard you say to her during the argument her and I had, I can say I believe you." She replied.

He smirked, "Yea well, Parkinson was never a favorite of mine. Always smothering me, following me, laughing at everything I say even if it isn't funny, whenever I try to find a moments peace she's there. She figures she should and can of course because…" Draco then trailed off and looked down at his desk.

"What? What were you going to say?" Hermione asked curiously.

Draco shook his head lightly, "Nothing, forget it Granger."

"Another thing I don't understand?" She asked looking away from him.

He grinned, "Basically."

"Well…after we graduate you never have to see her again, that must make you happy." She said still not looking at him.

He was silent a moment, his face looking cold and distant, as if he was hiding a thousand and one secrets and they were all haunting him at the very same moment. He lowered his head slightly as he said, "That would make me happy, if it were only true. Parkinson is like a disease that you can't get rid of no matter what you do."

Hermione knew there was something he wasn't saying. Something that would be interesting news for her that was for sure.

"Well at least we won't have to see each other once we graduate." Hermione said, making herself enjoy the thought to the full extent though somewhere in the back of her mind she didn't.

Draco glanced at her, "One good thing to look forward too." He said, biting his tongue as he did so…almost as if that wasn't what he wanted to say but he couldn't stop himself from saying it, cause he knew that's what he had to say.

Hermione tried to find comfort in his words, but she found it difficult.

"So, What's it like?" She asked suddenly.

Draco's brows furrowed, "What, what is like?"

"Being Draco Malfoy. I might as well learn something about you while we're partners. Despite how much I do not want to be here." She said acting as normal as possible.

Draco nodded, "Feeling is mutual Granger," he began, "but being a Malfoy…is like being a puppet on a string."

Hermione's brow furrowed, "What do you mean?"

Draco nearly slipped. He couldn't explain further, "Let's just leave it at that."

Hermione was swamped with curiosity now, Draco would always tell her bits and pieces of stuff that would probably make so much sense if he would just explain everything he said.

Draco wanted to know why Hermione always asked personal questions, why couldn't she ask him, 'What's your favorite color?' or 'What's your favorite Quidditch team,' not all these other questions. She's always fishing for answers to things, especially with him, it annoyed him but then again it made him curious about her. Why was she always like that?

"Why do you always ask questions?" He asked flatly. As he glanced at her waiting for an answer.

Hermione was taken aback by the question simply because it was sincere, "I suppose, I like learning about things I know nothing about and quite frankly I know nothing about you. All I know is what I've seen for the past five years, but I know there's more to you then meets the eye, you made that very clear to me back in the closet." She said not realizing that she was blushing faintly, she also didn't notice how uncomfortable Draco got at the mention of the closet, almost as if he didn't want to remember it.

"Thanks for the answer." He replied dryly.

"Lucia and you present yourselves so differently and yet so the same, sometimes we can't think you're related cause of that." Hermione said not really thinking.

Draco raised a brow at her, "It wouldn't surprise me if Potter was asking Lucia the same personal questions your asking me."

Hermione grinned faintly, "Harry's not the type to pry about a persons personal life. He'll pry about Quidditch though."

"That doesn't surprise me."

"What do you think Dumbledore has planned for us this year? He said it was something special." Hermione asked.

Draco shrugged, "Don't know and quite honestly don't care."

Hermione frowned, "And why not?"

Draco sighed, "I don't know why. I just know that I don't care."

Hermione hated when Draco would act like that. Draco hated when she would ask annoying questions. Their minds were so alike and so very different. Each mind stimulating the other, by bringing about thoughts, feelings and emotions that they never really had before. It was all very new to them both.

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

Dumbledore was at his desk writing when he saw a glowing light through one of the curtains, then he saw a few more appear. He smiled, "It would seem like the students are making progress."

Just then Professor McGonagall walked in.

Dumbledore glanced at her through his half-moon spectacles, "Ah, Professor McGonagall…what is it?"

Professor McGonagall stopped in front of him, she then noticed the small balls of light coming through the curtains, "The class seems to be going well."

"Indeed it is Minerva. Much better than I would've hoped." He replied.

She nodded, "Hopefully they will do well with what they learn here and perhaps no Slytherin will abuse their powers once they get them."

"I hope so. Though considering what most of them have grown up surrounded by, its hard to say. Especially since Voldemort is back in power."

Professor McGonagall shuddered, "It is an awful thing. I fear already that the Malfoy children, Ms. Parkinson and a few other Slytherins will be lost to us once they leave here. Their families corruption of them over the years…I fear for them Albus. The return of You-Know-Who may mean the forfeit of their lives."

Dumbledore glanced up at the sorrowful looking McGonagall , "I believe that we should hope that they do what they wish not what their parents wish. Though I can't say that's an easy thing to do, they probably feel they'll be killed if they try to refuse the destiny their families have made for them. Yet I don't doubt that they also know serving Voldemort one day could mean being killed as well. It is a very sad thing indeed."

McGonagall shook her head, "Yes, well…strength be with them all. For those who wish it and need it." she said with sorrow lacing her voice, her worry and pity for the Slytherin students was evident.

"Absolutely. Now Professor, what did you wish to speak to me about?" Dumbledore asked calmly concealing his worry for the Slytherin students.

"The event coming up, the one you mentioned at breakfast…do you think it is wise to do?"

Dumbledores' brows furrowed in confusion, "Of course, it is perfectly safe under our supervision. I see no harm in it, we haven't done this event in nearly a century. Why not have it again?"

Professor McGonagall looked to protest but did not, "Very well Albus, if you think it is best. I just do not want this event to cause any animosity between the houses, even thought there is already animosity between Gryffindor and Slytherin."

"I understand your feelings Minerva. Everything will be fine. If something goes wrong we call it all off. Now you must excuse me for my students are beginning to lose focus due to their crystals glowing." Dumbledore said as he rose from his chair.

"Of course Albus." She said as she walked out of the classroom.

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Dumbledore then clapped his hands and the curtains vanished. Everyone looked around to see where they went. They then glanced over at Dumbledore.

"Most of you have your crystals glowing. For those who do not have crystals glowing you obviously need more time with your partners. Now I hope you all enjoyed your conversation, for now we're going to do a little more than that."

Everyone had curious faces on. Hermione glanced over at Harry, he merely shrugged.

Harry and Lucia had their crystals glowing, as did Draco and Hermione and about ten other groups in the class, only one other group didn't have their crystals glowing and that was Pansy and her partner.

"For those whose crystals are glowing the next step is for you to get a glimpse of the mind you have begun to connect with. You have all only scratched the surface that is why your crystals aren't glowing as brightly as possible. Once you do the second step you'll be that much closer to awakening your powers. The second step is called, 'The Mind Meld.'"

"Mind Meld? I think I read about that." Hermione said to herself aloud.

Draco glanced at her curiously, he leaned over to her and whispered, "What is a Mind Meld?"

Hermione glanced at him with a nervous look, but before she could say Dumbledore continued speaking and they both gave their attention to him, "The Mind Meld will be when you and your partner join minds for a brief moment and you get to know a little bit about their true selves and them you. For I'm sure none of you have opened up to your partners yet at all in any personal way. The 'Mind Meld' may change that, but this will awakening the feelings needed to gain your powers. This will take place not tomorrow, but soon…for it is best in this class not to rush things."

Harry, Hermione, Draco and Lucia were all thinking the very same thing, THEY GET TO SEE OUR MINDS!? WILL THEY SEE WHAT I DON'T WANT THEM TOO?

The four students were less than thrilled.

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A/N: Alright this chapter was very long. My eyes hurt from typing it. Alright anyway, in this chapter a lot happened. I gave you people more clues about what's going to be going on in future chapters, I gave you people a few hints about Pansy and Draco. I also gave you a few about Lucia. Are you getting the hints? Hope you are. Anyway please comment tell and let me know what you guys are thinking. Until next time this is Pannygirl signing off.

Next Chapter: Nerves about the 'Mind Meld' and the truth about the Mind Meld is known, Draco threatens Pansy and the mystery girl Chaser is revealed.