Hello again everyone! Yes I know it took me forever, but then again, it usually does. Hey, I'm a busy person! Thankfully for ya'll my beta reader: Caty, is so quick in sending me back chapters or this would have been postponed another week! (I'm going on vacation again.) But sorry for taking so long! Oh, you may or may not have noticed I changed my screen name…. Well I did, but this is still VipyGirl831!

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Zzz-Don't fall asleep yet! The next chapter has finally arrived!  

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sk8reagle - Funny you ask…. Ginny comes in this chapter.

jea_sou – Harry's actually got a falcon in this story, but all the same, he could be in Ravenclaw, or Hufflepuff, or Slytherin, or Gryffindor…… hehe….. Don't worry about Harry and Draco becoming friends, it might happen…might not…. Not saying anything now!

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And, as always thanks to Caty, my beta!

            He quickly walked over to 'Hermione', who at the moment was rubbing her temples, eyes closed, and muttering to herself about why she 'put up with this shit.'

            "Here, I'll help you with that." He grabbed the trunk, lifted it with little difficultly, looked up, and immediately dropped it again.

            "Bloody hell."

Chapter 8!!!!!!!!

Harry awoke to a dull throbbing in his right hand. It suddenly developed into an ache, then a sharp twinge so strong he was rolling around in his bed, holding his hand in

pain. As quickly as it had started, it was over.

            He sat up rapidly, alarmed by the sudden departure of the excruciating pain. After a few moments he jumped out of bed, blaming the pain on writer cramp from the 4 essays he had to write last night for Snape's class…. 

            But… in the back of his mind, there was that small seed of doubt, a forbidding thought, that really that wasn't the reason at all.

            "HERMIONE GRANGER! YOU'RE GOING TO BE LATE!" A voiced screamed from downstairs.

            With a start she was awake. She swore under her breath, throwing her pillow at the bloody alarm clock, which, bizarrely, hadn't gone off. 

            Or she just hadn't heard it.

            She dismissed the thought, and quickly threw on her clothes she had laid out the night before. She tied her hair into a messy bun, and shoved the last few of her books into her trunk. After locking it tightly shut, and giving it a heave toward the door, she remembered just how heavy it really was.

            "DADDY!" She called.

            Footsteps

            "Yes Mini?" He asked as he opened the door.

            She gave her best effort at a puppy dog -face, "Daddy will you carry my trunk to the car?" She paused, "Please?"

            "Of course I will Mini!"

            He headed toward the trunk, picked it up, and immediately dropped it again, "Mini? What exactly do you have in here?"

            Hermione giggled, "Oh just my school stuff." He gave her a disbelieving look, "And a few books for light reading…" A few dozen anyway

            "Right…" He trailed off, lifting the trunk once again. Grunting under the weight, he walked as quickly as he could, out of the room.

            "See, if you were a wizard things would be easier for everyone!" She yelled after him.

            A grunt answered her.

            Smiling slightly, she slung her Firebolt carrying case of her shoulder, and headed down behind her dad.

            Dressed in muggle clothing, Harry headed towards the Great Hall for breakfast. As far as he knew, he would be taking a portkey to Platform 9 ¾ so he could "mingle" with the other students. After taking the train back to Hogwarts, he would travel with the 1st years across the lake, and then would be sorted as a 6th year.

            It would undoubtedly be interesting

            He had already made the proper arrangements with the staff so he would be called by his alias. He had a felling that they weren't happy about it, especially Professor Dumbledore and Snape, but hey, you can't please everyone.

            Harry had learned that long ago.

            Everything would work out perfectly for him.

            The butterflies in his stomach told an entirely different story.

(A/N Now the POV is going to switch back and forth a lot for a while… so bare with me…)

            Hermione sighed, watching her dad load her trunk and owl cage onto the trolley. Giving her mom and dad hugs and kisses, she was once again at the start of another year at Hogwarts.

            She was once again reminded how nervous she always got.

            He was once again reminded how much he disliked, no hated portkey travel. He very much hoped that no one saw him make his grand entrance to Platform 9 ¾.

            It didn't seem that anyone had.

            He decided upon wondering around the station until the train was just about to leave.

            Who knew? Maybe he would meet someone he could sit with.

            After going through the barrier to Platform 9 ¾, she was once again reminded how easy it was to spot the Weasley family.

            "Hermione!" She internally groaned.

            "Hello Ron." She replied as he ran up to her, giving her a quick peck on the lips as an afterthought. "How was your summer?"

           
            "It was fine." He frowned, "But it would have been better if you had been there. Why couldn't you come?" His voice had an aggravated tinge to it, and Hermione didn't like it at all.

            Fighting the urge to roll her eyes she said, "I already explained in my letter Ron."

            "I know that, but couldn't you have taken a little time to come see me? I am your boyfriend after all. You seem to be forgetting that." He made sure place extra emphasis on the word 'boyfriend.'

            "Yes Ron, I know that." She sighed.

            "Why do you keep sighing? Do you have a problem with me reminding you that you should spend a little time with me? You do want to keep this relationship together, don't you?" His tone was almost threatening.

            Hermione was spared from answering, "Hey Gin!" She smiled at the girl approaching, a real smile.

            "Hermi!" They exchanged hugs, "I missed you this summer!"

            "Oh I miss you tons Gin? But how was your summer? You stayed at the Burrow didn't you?"

            "Yeah, everyone was there, even Bill and Charlie. We played Quidditch all the time." She winked at Hermione, "I think its time we finally beat Slytherin."

            "Did Ron practice?" Hermione asked, lowering her voice. Merlin knows he needed it.

            Ginny frowned, "Oh, you know how he is…"

            "Um…excuse me Virginia. I believe I was talking to Hermione."

            Ginny rolled her eyes, "Sorry Ronald, I was just saying hi to Hermi."

            "Well, you've said hi, so bye."

            Ginny growled, "I don't think it's your place to tell me when to leave Ronald."

            "Well, I do. And it's my opinion that matters."

            Ginny clenched her fists tight. Ron noticed, "What are you going to do Ginny? Hit me? You couldn't hurt a flobberworm."  He chuckled, "You're getting on my nerves. Why don't you just leave already?"

            "Fine! Bye Hermi." Ginny stormed off, and once Ron turned to her once again, "So, where were we?"

            As Harry wandered around the station, he passed quite a few interesting characters. He exchanged greetings with Draco Malfoy, and saw enough giggling girls to last him a lifetime… well, maybe not a lifetime… but there were still too many to count.

            "Bloody jack-ass brother. Who does he bloody think he is…" Harry grinned and "accidentally" brushed shoulders with the muttering red-haired girl.

            She broke off her mumblings, "Oh, I am so sorry…"

            "It's alright." He gave her his most charming smile, "You do know though, that talking to yourself is the first sign of madness."

            The girl gulped, seemingly still in shock from his smile, "A-and what's the 2nd?"

            "Hearing voices."

            The girl giggled annoyingly, ouch strike one, "And how would you know all this?"

            He smiled, "Oh see, I've experienced all of the signs."

            "I'll be sure to come to you when I hit the 2nd phase of madness then." She stuck out her hand, "I'm Ginny Weasley."

            "James Evans." He replied, giving her a suave kiss on the top of her hand.

            She blushed

            "It was a pleasure meeting you Ginny. Maybe I'll see you around." He gave her another grin, and walked away.

            "Y-yeah…" She watched him leave, "Damn, I sure hope so anyway."

            Harry smiled to himself as he left Ginny Weasley. She was noticeably pretty, although she had an annoying giggle, but he had always liked redheads. Brunettes would always be his favorite though. Hopefully all the girls at this school would be that easy to fall for his charm.

            "Ron! Please come help me put my trunk on the train. It's too heavy for me to lift alone!"  His attention was now focused toward the girl and 'Ron.'

            "Well that's your own damn fault Hermione!" Where have I heard that name before? "If you hadn't put so many bloody books in there, it wouldn't be." 'Ron' turned back to his conversation with another boy, and they walked onto the train.

            That's right; Draco Malfoy had talked about this couple. He grinned; this situation was just calling to him.

            He quickly walked over to 'Hermione', who at the moment was rubbing her temples, eyes closed, and muttering to herself about why she 'put up with this shit.'

            "Here, I'll help you with that." He grabbed the trunk, lifted it with little difficultly, looked up, and immediately dropped it again.

            "Bloody hell."

            "Bloody hell." Her voice rang out with his. Vaguely, she wondered why he was so surprised, but it didn't matter, nothing mattered. Not Ron, not the train that was blowing its whistle to leave, not Ginny, who was calling to her, and not the other Hogwarts students who were bustling all around them. The only thing that mattered was looking into his emerald orbs.

            For the first time in her life, Hermione Granger didn't know what was going on.

            This was insane

            Completely utterly insane

            For the first time in his life, Harry Potter didn't know what to say.

            When faced with the most beautiful of girls he always had a witty remark to make them blush or laugh, but now…. Well now he didn't. Not that this girl wasn't gorgeous, but he wasn't looking at what he would normally look at on a female's body, hell he wasn't even looking at her full face.

 Just her damn eyes

He didn't know how long he had locked eyes with hers, but suddenly, he thankfully regained his composure, and cleared his throat. He had to regain whatever dignity he had left with this girl.  

"Oh…er…sorry." He fought the blush creeping to his cheeks.

She however, was blushing full force, "Oh, I'm so sorry… It's just…."

"You reminded me of someone." They both spoke at once.

"Er…yeah…. I'll just put your trunk up." Stupid, stupid! Couldn't you think of anything better to say Potter?

"Thanks…"

"It was no problem. Really." He attempted a grin, but it wasn't sincere.

"Right….. Well, I s-suppose I'll be seeing you around." She sounded slightly dazed.

"Yeah…" He watched her walk onto the train, and shortly followed her.

Damn

            Hermione's heart didn't even begin to slow down until she reached her 'usual' compartment with Ron.

Oh right, him

            He was in there of course, laughing about something with Justin Fitch-Fletchley. It took them a while to notice her presence.

            "What took you so bloody long?" Ron scolded.

            She glared at him, "Well since I had no help from you, someone else helped me out. He was a perfect gentleman." Not that you really even talked to him.  

            "He?" Ron stood, "Need I remind you that you're dating me?"

            "No Ron, you don't! But that doesn't mean I can't talk to other guys!" She was beginning to get frustrated, like she did every time she talked to him.

            "You're right, you can talk to Justin." He gestured to Justin, who smiled at her.

            "I can talk to whoever I bloody want Ronald Weasley, and you or anyone else isn't going to tell me otherwise." She sat back down, satisfied with herself.

            What a great start to the year.

            How stupid can I get?

            First he just stares at 'Hermione' for who knows how long, then he stumbles all over his words, and then he doesn't even introduce himself!

            I am such an idiot!

            Shaking his head, he randomly picked a compartment, having no one to sit with.

            "And so then, Weasley trips over his own two feet!" The boy and girl both burst out laughing.

            It was a while before it died off and they spotted Harry.

            "Who are you?" The boy asked a sneer on his face.

            Harry smirked, "I, am James Evans."

            "What house are you in?" The sneer didn't leave his face.

            "None actually."

            "You're a first year?" The girl spoke up astonished.

            Harry sighed. How many times am I going to have to explain this? "No I'm just starting Hogwarts now." He paused, "As a 6th year."

            "Oh, well that's wonderful." The boy said, not looking like he meant it at all, "I'm Neville Longbottom and this is Blaise Zabini. We're in Slytherin."

            "Nice last name Longbottom." Neville sneered, "And why should I care what house you're in?"

            "Because…" The boy's sneer increased, if possible, "Slytherin is the best house. No mudbloods dirtying up the air. It produces the finest and most powerful wizards."

            "And I care about this because…?"

            "Because you're in the presence of two of the best Slytherins at Hogwarts."

            "And?"

            "And you would make a good Slytherin too." Blaise spoke.

            "Thank you for finally bringing up a worthy point." She blushed, "I thought I was going to have to listen to Longbottom ramble on. 'Because we're the best house…" He mimicked him.

            Neville gave a half growl and Blaise giggled, "Well, I don't think you'd make a good Slytherin at all."

            "Why is that Longbottom?"

            "Because you're too… annoying."

            "And you're not?"

            "Point taken. Fine we'll see just what house you get into. I bet you're a Gryffindor."

            "Fair enough. I'll see you then." Harry smirked, and walked out of the compartment.

            "You're just jealous he's so hot." He heard Blaise's voice from inside the compartment. Harry grinned.

            Where to next?

            "Listen Hermione we're going to the sweets cart. If you want anything come with us."

            Hermione's voice was strained, "No thanks Ron. I'm perfectly fine here. Go ahead." But the two boys had already left. "Finally…." The compartment door closed. Harry headed for it, determined to have an actual conversation with this girl.

            "He is such a prat! Why do I put up with his bullshit?"  Her head was in her hands, and her voice was barely over a whisper.

            He finally got a good view of her. She was absolutely gorgeous.

            "A question you've asked yourself whenever I've been near you." He paused, "Which equals a grand total of two." He smiled, "Something tells me you've asked yourself more than that today." 

            "That's for sure." He finally got a view of her face, flawless like the rest of her body except for a large scar running down her right cheek.

            "He's your boyfriend?"

            She smiled sadly, "Yes."

            "Why? I'm willing to bet any other boy in this school would love to be your boyfriend," She blushed. "So why that idiot?"

            She sighed, "Well Ron and I have been friends since our first year." She frowned, "But it wasn't at the beginning of the year. He would always make fun of me for being a bookworm, and one time, on Halloween, it just got to be too much and I ran into the girl's lavatory to cry and feel sorry for myself." She smiled sadly again, and for some reason Harry wanted to punch this Ron Weasley multiple times, very hard. "That was probably one of the biggest mistakes of my life. You see a troll had been let lose and it found its way to the girl's lavatory. It saw me of course and started smashing everything in sight, I suppose I'm lucky it didn't smash me, but before all the Professors came to rescue me, one of the pieces of one of the sinks slashed me across the face. That's how I go this." She pointed to the scar. She then blushed, "I can't believe I just told you all that! I don't even know your name."

            "James Evans."

            "I'm…"

            "Hermione Granger. I know."

            She looked at him strangely, "Okay then. I'm really sorry for rattling on like that, it's just…" She paused, "I'm unusually comfortable talking to you."

            "It's fine. I enjoyed hearing your story believe it or not. And, I think I have a way to get rid of that scar."

            She looked at him skeptically, "That's impossible. Professor Dumbledore got experts to come in a take a look at it after the incident, and they made it clear that if they used any type of magic, it would just make the damage worse. The scratch happened to be close to a…. well never mind all the technical stuff. The point is, is that you can't make this scratch go away without effecting other things." She shrugged. "Its okay, it doesn't bother me very much."

            "But, if I could, would you let me?"

            "What if you mess up?"

            "I won't."

            "You're awfully confident about that."

            He came over and sat down next to her, "Let me try."

            She bit her bottom lip, seemingly deep in thought, "Have you done this before?"

            He smiled, "A few times."

            "Okay. Go ahead."

            "It might hurt a little." He placed one hand on her face, they both pulled back instantly. 'Must be a result of the magical energy.' He placed his hand on her face again. This time the shock was barely noticeable. Taking his other hand he placed it just above the scar, "Ready?"

            "I suppose."

            They both closed their eyes, for entirely different reasons, and then Harry began to lightly trace his finger over her scar. Hermione winced slightly at first, and then relaxed.

            It took about a minute, "Done."

            Hermione traced a finger over where her scar had once been, "H-how, I mean…"

            Harry smiled, "Magic."

            "Thanks, I…. I really appreciate it. I don't know how you did it though…" She looked at him strangely.

            "I'm…different I guess."  He shrugged.

            She smiled, "That much I figured."

            Harry stood, "I should go now. Your boyfriend will be getting back soon, and I doubt he would like me in here."

            She frowned, "No. Thanks again James."

            "Anytime, Hermione."

            He left. There was a smile on both of their faces.

(A/N: Thanks for all the wonderful reviews! I REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY love getting them! * Hint hint. * You might be wondering why I placed Neville in Slytherin. Well, Neville character is really a mystery in the books, we're slowly finding more and more about him. I think that Neville has the potential to be a really great wizard, and I ALSO think that a lot of anger is inside of him. (Wouldn't there be a lot of anger in you if your parents were tortured and taken away?) So lets just say that this anger surfaced when Neville tried on the sorting hat. Wouldn't that be a good reason for him to be in Slytherin? Then Neville would have to adapt and be mean like the rest of the Slytherins. Hey, its just an idea… Neville will most likely play a prominent character in this story, but then again he might not….. you'll just have to see! Sorry for boring ya'll with all that!

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