Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of it's characters. The events of this story does not parallel that of the Harry Potter series.

Note: The first two chapters are different from the original on my site. I decided to change a couple of things. I hope you like this chapter, personally I do not think it is as good as the first chapter, nor as long. :) Well actually, it might be. Lol. Enjoy the chapter. I'll try and update, but its going to take me a long time, so I don't want to bring up any hopes. Please read and review!

Chapter 2: The Girl with the Golden Hair

Harry rushed downstairs from Aunt Petunia's sudden call.

What does she want this time? Harry thought it to himself.

Harry thought it was probably was to fix something her dope of a son, Dudley, had broken. Anything he sat or stood on, would eventually break, and as Aunt Petunia would say, by accident. Even though Dudley had taking up boxing, he was still larger than ever. And that diet the doctor had recommended seemed not to have changed him either.

Its probably his genetics, Harry joked to himself Diddykins is hopeless.

As Harry reached to the bottom of the staircase, to his surprise, saw that golden haired girl standing nervously next to Aunt Petunia. Harry was surprised that someone had actually visited their house who wasn't one of the Dursley's relatives or one of Dudley's friends. Harry started in awe at the girl.

"Well come on now, boy!" Aunt Petunia shouted. "We haven't got all day!"

Harry was still looking blankly at the girl. He walked over to Aunt Petunia, trying very hard now not to look at the girl, who now was staring at Harry.

"Harry, this is -" Aunt Petunia looked quite embarrased "what did you say your name was dear?"

"P-Persephone Bode" replied the girl.

Harry remembred this name somewhere before. It seemed so familiar but Harry was still searching his memory to find out where he had heard it before. But before he could do so, Aunt Petunia's voice interrupted him.

"Yes, Persophone Bode, shes new in the neighbourhood and our new neighbour." Aunt Petunia gave Harry a dark look. "Now she is needs to feel more welcome and I am asking you to show her around the house and the neighbourhood. I trust that you will not say or do anything strange."

Harry caught the nervous laugh from her as she smiled at Persephone, but understood that she meant what she said. After all, from everything that has happened the past year, she definately meant what she said.

"..And shes around you age, so I presume there will not be a problem in making conversation."
Harry nodded politely but was a little nervous of talking to a muggle because he hadn't in such a long time.

"So you too wait here, -would you like some tea dear?" Aunt Petunia asked sweetly.
"Er-yes please - thankyou." replied the girl, who was still staring inquisitively at Harry.

Aunt Petunia didn't bother asking Harry if he wanted. But that was not a problem for him, since he knew even if there is a guest in the house, she would not forget to treat him as usual. Bitterly.

Stop it, stop staring at me. As he caught the girl still staring at him. Harry was still thinking about her name when he realised there was nothing but absolute silence filling the room after Aunt Petunia left. No one was speaking and there was an almost awkward silence between them. Say something Harry, say something, think.. think.. But before he could think of something to say, the golden haired girl started to speak.

"Nice-nice house you have here." she said.
Harry could see her desperate attempt to start a conversation.
"Er-yeah, I suppose."

He looked at the living room, his eyes moving over the whole room he was sitting in. Uncle Vernon had not allowed him to come into this room unless, ofcourse, he was serving something to guests. But now, he, Harry, was sitting in the same room he wasn't allowed in. The room looked very nicely lit, with beige and maroon striped curtains, cream-coloured walls, and wooden floor. The furniture was not antique, not did it look completely modern. Three sofas were distributed evenly on the rug that was placed on the floor. There was a glass cabinet with trinkets and ornaments Aunt Petunia had collected. She had placed some more around the room. The room actually did look quite beautiful, but Harry remembered he poeple living in it.

"So .. what school do you go to?" the girl asked Harry.

Harry couldn't tell her that he went to Hogwarts. His Aunt and Uncle forbid it. And what was he supposed to say, "Oh, I go to Hogwarts, you probably haven't heard it, its a school for witches and wizards. We study magic there, oh yes, I'm a wizard." He could only tell her the school his Aunt and Uncle had invented and used for his strange disappearance and behaviour.

"Uh. I don't really go to a normal school." Harry replied dully "It's an institution for kids with m-me-"

Harry couldn't say it. Each time when his Aunt or Uncle mentioned it, he could bear it. But sating that he needed psychological help with his own mouth, was something Harry could not bear. But he remembered that Aunt Petunia had warned him before and he knew he could afford to be kicked out by Uncle Vernon again.

"-mental problems." Harry finished with disappointment.
"Oh .. I .." she said softly "I d-didn't know. I'm sorry."

Harry looked at the expression on her face. She actually felt sorry for him. Harry had never seen how Persephone had looked like, but now he could see clearly. She had light skin, with sun kissed rosey cheeks. Her eyes were unusual as they were beautiful, eyes that Harry had never seen before. They were sparkling ocean green, but there was an unmistakable hint of icy pale blue patches. It was almost as if someone had taken two shimmering colours and froze them into one solid. She was wearing a white summer dress, with peachy coloured flowers splattered over the material. She MUST be a Veela. Harry realized that what he just thought, would be exactly something Ron would say. He smiled for a moment but realized that the girl was blushing as she had seen him in deep thought. Harry noticed he had not replied.

"Oh-erm- you don't have to be sorry," Harry said with a smile "Its quite alright."
Persephone smiled too.
"So -um, your parents- how come they don't live with you?" she asked "N-no, they-they passed away when I was a child." Harry replied quickly.
"Oh..I'm-" she said, trying to hide her pity. "I'm sorry.. I'm asking all the wrong questions."
Harry just smiled.
"Its alright, you didn't know. So- what school do you go to?" he said quickly trying to avoid the subject of his parents' death.
"Oh, I used to go to Glenoak's School for Girls..but -" she looked away "I am being homeschooled by my parents now."
"May I ask why?"
"Because, I was teased at school by alot of girls because of the way my eyes looked." she said with a sigh.
"Oh.." Harry smiled "I know how its like to feel different."
Persephone simply smiled at Harry.

Aunt Petunia had just walked into the room with tea and biscuits.

"Here you go dear, help yourself to some biscuits." Aunt Petunia said sweetly "Harry, after she finishes, I would like for you to show her around the house. Dudley, your uncle and I, have an appointment with the doctor, so I'd like you to act proper infront of our guest."

As she left, Harry looked at her coldy.

"She isn't very nice to you, is she?" whispered Persephone.
"Oh no, she i-is alright" Harry lied.
"Well she has a strange way of showing it" Persephone said with a grin.
Harry looked shocked and thought that someone actually thought Aunt Petunia was rude, other than himself. Persephone caught his reaction.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I shouldn't be speaking like this to you about your Aunt" she said embarrased "Its rude. I'm sorry."
"No, its not really." Harry said with a chuckle. "Its quite true actually. I lied."
Persephone laughed.

Harry and Persephone chatted until it was time for Harry to show her around the house. As surprised as he was for Aunt Petunia to actually allow him to walk in the house with a stranger, he was glad that he could. Some of the things Harry showed Persephone in his house, were surprising to him, since he hadn't been in every room of the house. He went to the nearest room.

"This is the kitchen. As you can see, theres nothing special about it." said Harry "Well except for the fact that is amazingly clean and spotless. Aunt Petunia is quite the neat freak."
"I can see that." she said with a laugh.
They walked upstairs and walked into a beautifully lighted room.
"This is my Aunt and Uncle's room, I think." said Harry, spotting Aunt Petunia's dressing table. "Yes, its definately their bedroom."
"Next stop, Diddykin world" said Harry with a laugh.
"Diddykin?" asked Persephone confused.
"Oh thats what Aunt Petunia calls him." said Harry with a smirk. "I like to torment him with it as much I can."

Dudley's room was large and quite a mess. There were toys everywhere. Almost every single action figure that Dudley had was broken. There were toy trains, various sports balls, sweets and some clothes on the floor. On the walls, were some certificates, medals and trophes Dudley had won from his Boxing championships. This caught Persephone's eye.

"He is a boxer?" she asked.
"Yeah, and can you believe he still looks like that?" Harry said with a chuckle.

They soon left his room and reached the smallest room in the house. They had finally reached Harry's room.

"And this is my room, its a little messy," Harry said "But its the only place I actually feel home."
"You've got an owl!" exclaimed Persephone quickly, ignoring everything else in the room.
"Oh..yeah, her name is Hedwig."
"I've always wanted an owl, but my parents think its just too much to handle."
"I've had Hewig for about 4 years." Harry said almost bragging. "I knew the first time I saw her, I knew that was the pet I wanted. Ha-"
"What?" asked Persephone.
"Oh..I er-," replied Harry in anxiety. He had almost told Persephone about Hagrid "I was going to say, have you seen an owl before?"

Harry managed to cover that with a fake excuse, but Persephone was too busy to care. She was overwelmed by the beautiful white owl sitting in it's cage.

"Yes, on television, but never a real one. Shes really pretty. Can I touch her?"
"Oh yeah, sure, let me get her out first."

Harry took Hedwig out of her cage and perched her on his arm. Persephone looked absolutely amazed at the sight of Hedwig. She reached out and moved her hand through Hedwig's feathers. Harry looked quite shocked at Hedwig's response to this. She didn't hoot, but just remained silent.

"Wow, shes never done that before." said Harry "Done what?" "Shes never, well you know, been so tame with -er .. people she hasn't met before."
"Strangers?" Persephone asked "Uh. Yeah I suppose." Harry said sheepishly

"You know Harry, you don't have to hide it." said Persephone firmly "Its alright if you don't trust me, I mean, heck, you just met me, right?"
"Hide what?" Harry asked confused "Your secret Harry." said Persephone looking directly at Harry. "I know about your abilities."
"What are you talking about?" he felt like he knew what she was talking about, but how could she.
"Its okay, don't worry. You can trust me." she said whispering "I know that you're a wizard, Harry."