Chapter 3

I'm rather disappointed at the lack of reviews I've been getting. It sort of makes me want to stop writing this. If people are reading, and not reviewing, could you please review? It only has to be one word, if you want. Just a good, or fine, or awful. Just so as I know what you think.

Harry's Sister: Thank you. And you're welcome. I hate it, when you read a story that isn't finished, and then have to check back continually because the author doesn't email you.

MP: Thanks! That's so nice.

Amergin Martin: I will, but I might become discouraged, so I shan't be writing as fast.

MusicalHermione: Thank you. I'm glad you will.

"Gryffindor!" Gwynny grinned happily, and ran over to the Gryffindor table. She listened, without interest to Professor McGonagall call out some more names. Her ears perked up, though, when she heard her call out,

"Weasley, Britannia," She watched with interest as Adrienne's outgoing twin walked over to the hat.

"HUFFLEPUFF!" She grinned, That's the perfect place for her. She thought happily, then,

"Weasley, Gabrielle," The blonde-haired, deep blue-eyed girl walked over to the Hat, and everyone, all the boys anyway, sat up with interest. Gwynny rolled her eyes. Honestly, just because Aunt Fluer has Veela blood in her, and so does Gabrielle. She thought in disgust.

"GRYFFINDOR!" Gwynny smiled slightly. She'd never been particularly close to her ditzy cousin, but at least she knew someone in her year, in Gryffindor. Eventually the last person,

("Zabini, Dana,") was sorted,

("SLYTHERIN!"), and the feast began. Gwynny ate slowly, the exact opposite of the rest of her family (Mum and Dad excluded), who were acting as though they hadn't eaten in months. Even the dignified Danniella was stuffing her face. She still managed to finish before them though, mainly due to the fact that she didn't eat as much, and didn't go back for seconds, thirds or even fourths, in the case of her brother, Gina and Mere. There was a fourth year boy sitting next to her, and he kept looking her way. She could feel the curiosity emanating off him in waves.

"Yes?" She enquired quietly, blushing magenta as she did so. The boy flushed as well.

"Excuse me for staring." He apologized, "It's just, you're Gwyneth Potter, right?"

"Gwynny." She corrected, "And yes, I am."

"I'm Dan Longbottom." He introduced himself. "So, your mum's Ginny Weasley, the one who disappeared?"

"Uh huh." Where's all this going? She wondered.

"So you're also a Weasley?"

"Yup."

"Uh, excuse my saying so, but don't most Weasleys eat alot? I'm not saying any of you are fat," He added hurriedly, "But all the Weasleys I've met eat alot, very quickly." Gwynny blushed. How very ironic that but trying not to draw attention to myself, I inadvertently have. She thought dryly.

"Yeah, well, I guess I wasn't very hungry." She lied. Unlike her brother and sister, she was an accomplished liar, and knew, sometimes you needed to lie, not only to get yourself out of trouble, sometimes fatal trouble, but to preserve other people's lives as well.

"Oh." Dan said, grinning uneasily, Weasleys were, after all, known for their awful tempers. Gwynny ducked her head, so she wouldn't have to meet anyone's curious stares. As soon as Professor Dumbledore had finished his speech, looking at Ron, Mere and Gina pointedly the whole time, she got up, and left. She went straight to the bathroom on the second floor, and sat down in one of the cubicles.

"I don't know how I'm going to last through seven years of this." She whispered.

"Seven years? Pah! I'd give anything to leave in seven years." A dismal voice said.

"Who's there?" She asked, frightened.

"Just me," The voice said again, and a ghost appeared. She was a gloomy-faced girl, with large glasses, and spots on her chin. Gwynny pushed her own glasses up self-consciously. "Moaning Myrtle, the most boring ghost in all of Hogwarts. No one cares about me." She ended with a pathetic sob. Gwynny smiled, if she became friends with Moaning Myrtle, at she'd have one person she could talk to…about anything bad, anyway.

"A real ghost, wow." She said, making her voice breathy, and full of awe. "I've never seen a ghost before." Moaning Myrtle regarded her suspiciously.

"But what about Sir Nick, and Peeves, surely you've seen them." Gwynny at once realised her mistake,

"Oh, sure, I've seen them." She said, dismissing them with a wave of her hand, "But Peeves is a Poltergeist, he doesn't count, and Sir Nick wouldn't talk to me. You're the first one who has." She ended with a pitiful sniff, remembering the old adage, Misery Loves Company. And, indeed, Moaning Myrtle's eyes lit up,

"Oh you poor thing." She cooed, "Tell me all about it."

"Please, would you tell me about you first?" Gwynny asked in a shy way, "You're so much more interesting. What was Hogwarts like when you were a student?" Myrtle was quite eager to talk about herself, and it was two and a half hours later that Gwynny finally managed to get away. Although, Gwynny thought, as she walked along, It's not as though she wasn't helpful. I highly doubt some of those spells are in our textbooks, if they have such interesting results. She continued walking, and ended up bumping into a 14-year-old girl with long blond hair, and big dark eyes. She was wearing Slytherin robes. Desmona Malfoy. Gwynny thought in terror. Malfoy's lip curled.

"Well well well. What have we here." She said coldly. "Hmm, I'd say you were a slimy Weasley, but I know you're a Potter by the eyes. Still, you have Weasley blood in you. What are you doing roaming the halls so late, you worthless weaslette?"

"N-nothing." Gwynny stammered. Malfoy raised one perfectly plucked eyebrow.

"Nothing? Really? Now why is it I don't believe you? I know!" She smacked her hand to her forehead, "Potters and Weasleys are always up to something. Your parents, uncles, aunts, siblings and cousins are proof enough of that." Gwynny could feel the hostility and hatred rolling off her in waves, and flinched. "Whatsa matter? You scared?" Malfoy sneered.

"N-no." Gwynny stuttered.

"You should be. Little girls shouldn't wander the halls at night." She walked closer, and Gwynny backed up against the wall.

"Hey!" A voice shouted. Malfoy growled, and moved away. Gwynny groaned when she saw who was running towards them. It was Mum!

"Yes, Professor Potter?" Malfoy inquired coldly, sneering at Gwynny's mum.

"Miss Malfoy, what are you doing out so late?" Her mum asked coolly.

"Just telling Potter she shouldn't be out, roaming the halls at this time of night. Something might… happen." Malfoy said smoothly, smirking at Gwynny. Her mother's eyes narrowed.

"Potter? Which Potter?"

"Your youngest, Professor." Malfoy said sweetly.

"Gwynny?" Her mum said sharply. Gwynny moved forward.

"Hello, Professor." She said icily, communicating that now wasn't the time!

"Miss Potter." Her mum said. "Thank you, Miss Malfoy, for looking out for another student. I'll be sure to mention it to Your Head of House, and the Headmaster. You may go now." Malfoy swept off, muttering,

"This isn't over, weaslette." To Gwynny as she did so. Gwynny watched her walk away, the burning feeling in the pit of her stomach vanishing as she left. Unfortunately, it was replaced by the iciness of her mother's anger, and the sick, clamminess of her concern. Also, there was a very faint whiff of warm love, but it was hard to sense in all the other emotions. This made Gwynny angry for some reason.

"Are you ok, Gwynny?" Her mum asked.

"I'm fine, Mum." Gwynny said, brushing off her mother's concern.

"Are you sure? Miss Malfoy didn't hurt you did she?" She asked anxiously.

"Mother! I'm fine! I can take care of myself." She stormed off, leaving her mum standing in the hall, staring after her helplessly.

~Preview of Chapter 4~

Kati stood there, shivering in the cold wind that had suddenly blown up.

"Where's Hagrid?" One Slytherin girl whispered.

"Probably off getting drunk, the great oaf." Desmona sneered. Kati turned around, eyes flashing, only to have them widen in delight at the two men who were walking towards them.

"Mr. Dog Star, Uncle Moony!" She exclaimed. Everyone turned around, to see two of the most famous men in the Wizarding World, Sirius Black and Remus Lupin.