Chapter Two

When Lions Meet Snakes

When Harry stepped off the Knight Bus he found himself in a familiar place; there he was standing in front of the Leaky Cauldron. Alone. But not for too long this time. The old creaky building seemed nearly invisible to the muggle eye.

He turned to face the director Stan Shunpike and easily handed over a couple sickles and knuts.

"Thanks for riding the Knight Bus Harry, it's a pleasure to have you again. We hope to see you soooooooooon" The young directors voice trailed off as the Knight Bus headed off into the distance at an insanely fast pace. Harry collected his belongings and walked into the wizard pub.

He looked around for a few minutes until he recognized the two bright red-headed teenagers he was looking for.

"Weasleys," he muttered under his breath. Harry sighed as he continued towards the nearby table. "Hey guys. Long time no see." Harry smiled.

"Harry mate." Ron welcomed with a firm handshake. Next was Ginny who was also very happy to see Harry since the end of last year.

The trio had been great friends since the beginning of first year when Harry stuck with Ron instead of Draco Malfoy who ended up in Slytherin and was currently one of the trio's biggest rivals. Harry faintly remembered wanting to be friends with Hermione Granger on the Hogwarts Express. But then Hermione got put in Slytherin with her older sister Jo. Anyway – back to the Leaky Cauldron!

Ginny greeted Harry with a warm embrace. She let it linger on awkwardly, but Harry just snickered, knowing the effect he had on most Hogwarts girls.

Finally Ron nagged Ginny and broke up the uncomfortable moment.

"Well Harry, Gin, I'm gonna go and get us some butterbeer – want one?" Ron inquired looking at both Harry and Ginny.

"Alright then…" Harry replied handing him a couple silver sickles

"Nah, don't worry about it. Mum gave me a bit of money for today after I de-gnomed the garden and caught the two nifflers that got into our house." Ron said simply, declining the wizard money that Harry was holding out to him.

"Oh um…Okay. Thanks." Harry pocketed the sickles.

Okay Ginny! Don't screw this up. Play it cool. Ginny thought nervously to herself.

"So, Harry! How was your summer?" the redhead asked tentatively. "I mean – you know, with the Dursleys and all."

"Uh. What do you think Weasley? I spent the whole summer with the Dursleys and this is the first time I've gotten out of the house! I'm definitely not going back now!" He scowled.

Shit Ginny! Now you really pissed him off! You stupid prat! "Well where are you going to stay then? I'm sure it would be alright if you stayed with us…you know…only if you want to." Ginny said moving a hand closer to Harry's.

"Thanks for the offer Gin, but I've looked into it and I'll be staying here at the Leaky Cauldron." He said automatically pulling away from Ginny's gesture. There was a short awkward silence which followed that reaction. But it was fortunately cut off by Ron who walked up at the perfect moment holding three mugs full of butterbeer.

"Thanks little brother," Ginny smirked.

"Oh shut up Gin, we're only ten months apart." Ron retorted. "So Potter," Ron asked, quickly changing the conversation topic. "How was your summer?"

Harry merely rolled his eyes and nodded his head. "It was fine Ron."

The group continued talking about anything and everything while they slowly drank up all of their butterbeer. Soon after, Ron returned the empty mugs to the bartender behind the counter and gave him a few knuts as a tip. The fifteen year olds (with the exception of Ron who was fourteen) set off for Diagon Alley.

Hermione and Jo had already organized their day and decided to start their back-to-school shopping at Flourish and Blotts to pick up all of the necessary books.

Along the way, Hermione spotted Draco on the other side of the narrow street. She was about to point him out to Jo, but she had beat her to it.

"Draco, darling!" Jo called, skipping over to meet her fellow Slytherin. She gave him a quick peck on the cheek after greeting him.

"So it is true then Granger. You would kiss any guy that's within ten feet of you," Draco chuckled.

"Only within the age restriction as well," Jo smirked, kissing the blonde on the other cheek making him blush.

"Well then, what about you, 'Mione?" He teased, pointing to his cheek eagerly.

"In your dreams Malfoy," Hermione laughed, amused with Draco's antics. She dragged him into the rather large bookstore while reading the list of books that were required for their following year. Jo went off with Gina Perkin, another Slytherin who was in Jo's year so they could get their books.

Hermione was engrossed in a quite large Arithmancy book when she accidentally bumped into someone walking in the opposite direction.

"Oh Wow!" She exclaimed. "I'm terribly sorry, I should've been paying better attention. Let me get those for you." She said frantically as she began picking up the scattered books.

"Well, well, well. It looks as if all snakes aren't as cold and bitter as they seem." The voice commented. Hermione quickly recognized that voice. It made her cringe as she was getting off her knees.

"Uh…I – well, If I uh…knew it was y-you Potter, I…I wouldn't have been so bloody polite." Hermione finished strongly as she shoved the books roughly into the raven-haired boy's stomach. He hardly even blinked at the impact.

"Hey Potty. How about you and your Gryffindork friends stay out of our way? Hmm?" Draco sneered.

Thank Merlin that Draco's here to cover for me! Hermione thought, gratefully as she wiped her dusty hands on her jeans.

"I'll think about that Malfoy," Harry returned coolly.

All that Draco could do was glare at Harry as he and Ron carried on with their business.

"Draco, just leave the stupid gits alone, they're not worth our precious time and effort." Hermione coaxed, trying to calm him down s quickly and easily as possible.

"Your right. Let's go."

"Harry that was bloody brilliant! The way you pulled that one off on Granger. She couldn't even say anything half-decent! I-uh-well-you-hmm…me…umm…uh-er" Ron mocked playfully as he started laughing hysterically.

"Yeah…It was pretty great Ron."

Hermione's words repeated themselves clearly in Harry's mind a few times. She seemed like such a nice person. He just couldn't understand how it was even remotely possible that a girl like her could be put in a nasty house like Slytherin.

Oh well, he thought to himself. Nothing's been making much sense lately anyway.

A nearby shop window had distracted Ron during Harry's brief train of thought. He was apparently transfixed on one of the few items in the window of Quality Quidditch Supplies.

"L-look Harry! It's the newest broom. Shipped right from France! All of the French Quidditch teams have them. I've heard that they're bloody fast! Great for seekers, I imagine!" Ron explained, totally awestruck by the marvellous broom that was behind the window.

"La Turnayed..?" Harry butchered, attempting to pronounce the French words properly.

"Actually boys, it's La Tornade. Pay that fine piece of art some respect would ya?" Seamus Finnegan stated as he approached his fellow Gryffindors in front of the quaint shop.

"Seamus! How are ya mate?" Ron asked, obviously happy to see his good friend after so long. "It sure is a beauty, eh?" He said, returning his gaze to the fine broomstick.

"Ai, it definitely is. Although, I don't think she flies as well as a Firebolt. She's not as smooth, but fast as a speeding bullet!" Seamus informed matter-of-factly.

"Really?" Harry wondered out loud. "Because the Firebolt was – well is brilliant, but it's three years old."

"Well, Harry, there probably won't be another broom like the Firebolt for around another…five years or so. It takes a great deal of time to take that technology and make it better." Said Seamus.

"Oh…I see." Harry returned, obviously intrigued by the information Seamus was giving him. "But Ron, we really should be going now if we are going to get all of our stuff on that list before Christmas! Oh, and Seamus, your welcome to tag along if you wish."

"I would Harry, but me mum's waiting just outside the Apothecary."

"Alright then. See you later mate." Ron piped in as he and Harry left Quality Quidditch Supplies.

Hermione slowly sunk into her bed, exhausted from the events of the past day. She was relieved to finally feel the comfort of her warm bed. The thoughts of bumping into the Gryffindors raced through and occupied most of her mind.

It's getting awfully difficult to act the Slytherin part lately.

At that exact moment, Jo waltzed happily into the room accidentally knocking over her radio on the way.

"Oopsies." Was all Jo could say.

"Very graceful Josie," her sibling snickered. Jo's hands were full of bags from Diagon Alley but she carelessly plooped them onto the carpeted floor adding to the mess on her side of the room.

"Don't look for a sec now 'Mione."

"I don't think I would want to sis."

"Haha. Very funny." Jo said sarcastically as she changed into her silk pyjamas. Hermione rolled over and looked at her digital clock. 6:58. It read it brigt green lights.

"Hey Jos. It's only seven now. We haven't even had dinner yet…so why…"

"They're really comfy," Jo grinned. "You should try it sometime."

"You know Jo, most of your ideas are pure stupidity or sheer brilliance." Hermione joked.

"That's me," Jo smiled. "I'm gonna go make something to eat. If you come down now I'll make you some 'cause I'll be too lazy later.

"Uh…yeah sure. I'll be down in a minute." The younger brunette assured as she tied her hair up into a perfect bun. However annoying you can be, you're really awesome Josephine.