AN: Thanks for all of the wonderful reviews everyone! As a sign of my gratitude, here's the next chapter. Hope you guys like it. ^.^ Also please email me, I love getting emails and I sure would like to hear your suggestions and comments.

Warning: This chapter isn't exactly what I intended it to be so I expect some of you to hate this ( I have very low self confidence). I just want to say that if you do hate it, don't hesitate to flame me. I won't get mad.

Destiny

Chapter 2: Hogwarts Express/ Crushes?

Disclaimer: I don't own either HP or SM. They belong to their respective owners.

'thoughts'

"talking"

~ setting ~

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~ Platform 9 ¾ ~

"Hey Harry, had a good summer?" asked Ron, glancing at a boy with jet-black hair and bright green eyes behind black glasses.

"The usual. Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia still haven't forgiven me for the Ton-tongue Toffee incident last year although it was quite funny seeing Dudley jumping around the house, holding his bottom like an idiot," replied Harry as he turned to face the flame-red haired and brown-eyed boy.

The two snickered as they shoved their heavy trunks inside the train's baggage cart area. They were about to climb aboard the train heading to Hogwarts when a voice caught their attention.

"Umm, excuse me. Could you help me lift my trunk? Its very heavy." stated a silvery voice behind them.

The two turned around and shared the same reaction (speechlessness). In front of them was the most beautiful girl either of them had ever seen. She was about their age and had long golden hair tied in a high ponytail with a blue ribbon and sparkling silver-blue eyes. She was already wearing her school robe and cloak, besides her on the floor was a large black trunk decorated with silver stars and crescent moons. Her ruby red lips formed a shy smile.

Harry was the first to snap out of it and elbowed Ron on the ribs. "Sure," he said.

Together, both boys lifted the girl's trunk and shoved it inside the baggage cart.

"Thanks," said the girl and held out her hand. "My name's Serene, Serene Moon,"

"Ron Weasley," replied Ron as he took Serene's outstretched hand and shook it, his ears turning red.

"Harry Potter," replied Harry as he also shook Serene's hand.

"So you're the famous Harry Potter," stated Serene, smiling, "I heard a great deal about you from Professor McGonagall. It's a pleasure to meet you,"

"Thanks," said Harry, blushing a pale pink.

"Well I got to go now, see ya!" waved Serene as she climbed on board the train, disappearing from the boys' view.

"How does she know Professor McGonagall?" wondered Ron as he and Harry climbed on board.

"Dunno," shrugged Harry as the two walk forward, trying to find a vacant compartment.

~ Inside their Compartment ~

Ron and Harry were sitting next to each other, Ron was telling their friend, Hermoine Granger, a girl about their age with long bushy brown hair and chocolate brown eyes, about the new student (Serene). Harry was busy playing with his wand.

"Is she a first year?" asked Hermoine, stroking Crookshank's soft orange and white-striped fur.

"We don't know. We haven't had the chance to ask her," shrugged Ron.

Just then, the door of the compartment slide open to reveal Serene, the girl whom Ron and Harry met earlier.

"Sorry, I didn't know that this compartment's already occupied. Pardon me for my intrusion," apologized Serene and turned around to leave.

"Wait. You can sit here with us," called out Hermoine, patting the seat besides her.

"Thanks," said Serene and took the seat besides Hermoine. Holding out a hand towards Hermoine, she added, "My name's Serene Moon,"

"My name's Hermoine Granger," replied Hermoine and shook Serene's hand. "And this is…"

"We've already met," said Harry, putting away his wand in the inside pocket of his cloak.

"So you're the new student Ron has been talking about," stated Hermoine, glancing at Serene. "Are you a first year student?"

"Nope, I'm a fifth year transfer student," replied Serene.

"Just like us!" exclaimed Ron, grinning.

"Umm yes," said Serene as she, Harry and Hermoine sweatdropped.

Hermoine was about to ask her another question when the compartment's door suddenly slide open and a blonde-haired boy with icy blue eyes stepped inside followed by two other boys whom Serene thought looked like his bodyguards. Crookshank leaped from Hermoine's lap and into the ground, hissing at the three boys before them.

"Well, well, well, looks like you have another pal joining your little club Potter," sneered the blonde, noticing Serene.

"Get lost Malfoy," said Hermoine, giving the blonde boy a glare.

"Shut up Mudblood," sneered Malfoy.

Serene noticed Ron clenching his fists, a look of fury in his face.

"Why you….." said Ron, muttering words that shouldn't be said. (or written on a PG rating)

"Tsk, tsk Weasley," said Malfoy, smirking, "Watch your language. You wouldn't want to receive another Howler from your mom like you had three years ago now, would you?"

If possible, Ron's face turned even redder. He didn't say anything. Instead he shot Malfoy a glare.

Malfoy returned the favor and glared back at Ron.

After a few moments of silence, Serene decided to break the tension and cleared her throat. Standing up, she held out a hand and said, "Hello, my name's Serene Moon. Pleasure to meet you,"

"The pleasure is all mine. Name's Draco Malfoy," replied Draco and kissed Serene's hand.

Harry felt jealousy building inside him as he noticed Serene blushing lightly. (AN: Hehehe, maybe I should make this a love triangle ne? ^.~ )

Suddenly, the train began to slow down until it eventually stopped. Harry glanced at the window and saw that they had already arrived at their destination, Hogwarts.

"Hope you'll be in Slytherin, the best house there is at Hogwarts," said Draco, giving Serene a sly wink before he and the other two boys besides him (Crabbe and Goyle) left the compartment.

"Yeah right," snorted Hermoine, Ron and Harry.

Hermoine pick up Crookshank and said, "Let's go get our trunks,"

Serene, Ron and Harry nodded their heads in agreement and the five (including Crookshank) exit their compartment.

Just as Serene, who was the last to get off the train, stepped down the trains steps; a white-blue phoenix descended from the sky, tiny silver and rainbow sparkles trailing behind its tail forming a sort of rainbow, and perched itself on Serene's shoulder.

"What in blue blazes in that?!" exclaimed Ron, pointing a finger at the phoenix, his eyes round with awe and wonderment.

"Idiot, one can clearly tell it's a ice phoenix," muttered Hermoine, rolling her eyes at Ron's lack of common sense. (AN: Sorry Ron fans, I'm not saying that I don't like him. He's one of my faves too. I just couldn't help it ^.^ )

"Anyway, aren't they supposed to be extinct?" asked Hermoine, glancing at Serene.

"They're supposed to be. Yumori here's the very last of them," replied Serene, stroking the phoenix's silver-white beak.

"But why are they extinct? Okay, okay, nearly extinct," added Harry as Yumori snapped his beak at Harry.

"Ice phoenixes have more superior magic than regular phoenixes, the fire type I mean. In fact their magic is so advanced that if a person with bad intentions owns a ice phoenix, the effects could be catastrophic. Plus, if they're strong enough, they can resurrect a loved one from death. That's probably the reason why they're nearly extinct, people kept capturing them and making them resurrect a loved one even if they're weak which results in the ice phoenixes death" explained Serene, shuddering at the thought.

"Wow," stated Harry and Ron.

"Could they really do that?" asked Hermoine, a little frustrated because she didn't know that much about ice phoenixes.

"Yup," replied Serene, her tone serious.

 There was silence as the four began lifting down their trunks from the baggage cart onto a single trolley. After a while, Ron cleared his throat.

"I'm going to get us a stagecoach, wait for me right here," said Ron.

"I'll come with you," said Hermoine and followed Ron.

Harry and Serene watched as Ron and Hermoine walking towards the area where several stagecoaches stood, waiting for the students except the first years whom are taking the traditional route towards Hogwarts (sailing across the school's lake).

"Do you have a boyfriend?" blurted out Harry suddenly, surprising even himself.

"What?!" exclaimed a surprised Serene, turning to face Harry.

"I said, do you have a boyfriend," stammered Harry, blushing furiously at his own boldness.

"Umm..no I haven't," answered Serene, blushing as well.

Luckily, their conversation (if you call it one) was interrupted by Ron's shouting.

"SERENE! HARRY! GET OVER HERE! I FOUND US A VACANT STAGECOACH!"

"Does he have to shout that loud?" asked Serene as she and Harry walked towards Ron and Hermoine (who had covered her ears to prevent turning deaf when Ron shouted) with  Harry pushing the trolley supporting their trunks.

After shoving their trunks inside, the four got on the driverless and horseless stagecoach. Thus began their journey towards Hogwarts.

The trip was a bumpy one as they rode up the rocky path leading to Hogwarts. Harry couldn't help but blush as Serene kept brushing against him (AN: not like that you hentais!) due to the fact that they keep moving left and right. Finally, after passing through several bumps and potholes, they reached Hogwarts.

Professor McGonagall, a stern looking woman with black hair drawn into a tight bun stood there at the school's entrance door, waiting for the students (except for the first years whom are still crossing the lake) to arrive.

"Welcome students, I trust that you all had a pleasant ride," said Prof. McGonagall as several students; including Serene, Harry, Ron and Hermoine; stepped down from their stagecoaches and approached the professor, dragging their trunks behind them.

Prof. McGonagall then opened the entrance door and everyone went inside.

"This is going to be one interesting year," whispered Ron to Harry as they walked side by side behind Serene and Hermoine.

"Yeah….." replied Harry.

~ to be continued ~

~ Sakura ~ You'll have to wait next time! Next chapter, Serene gets sorted but to where? And we can see that Harry likes her but does she like Harry? Or maybe Draco…… Anyway, please r+r! Flames are accepted.