Chapter 5: New News and Flying Free

"Hey Dianna, I heard that they're going to have a 5th year and up Christmas ball, if Malfoy asks you, are you gonna go?" grinned Hermione.

Dianna glared. "You know, maybe I will..." a look of horror appeared on her face. "Oh! But what will I wear? I don't have anything fancy enough for a Christmas dance!" Hermione and Ron snorted while Harry looked slightly concerned.

He patted her on the back. "Don't worry about it Dianna, I'll buy you whatever dress you want. There's a Hogsmead trip the Friday before Halloween. She hugged him in thanks and headed off to the common room with Ginny to get next classes books.

As they came towards the painting, they noticed a figure pacing in front, muttering "let her be alone," over and over again. It was Draco Malfoy! Ginny gasped in surprised causing him to look their way. Hiding his panic with a glare he stalked past them.

"What was that all about do you think?" Dianna whispered.

"Haven't a clue." They grabbed the books they books and headed off to their classes.

As everyone sat down for dinner, Malfoy walked up to the Gryffindor table, getting many glares and scowls thrown at him as he passed others at the table. He stopped next to Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Dianna.

"What do you want Malfoy?" Harry asked him coldly.

Glaring at him, he replied, "I'm wondering if I could speak to Dianna alone. Do you have a problem with that Potty?"

He stood up to retaliate at the same time Dianna raised her hand to him, predicting his move. "No it's alright Harry. Shall we step into the entrance hall Draco?"

Unused to being called by his first name it took awhile for him to answer. "Oh! Yes." They headed towards the door and this time, even more people watched." As odd as it was for a Slytherin to purposely approach the Gryffindor table it was even stranger to see Harry Potter's worst enemy walking calmly next to one of Harry's best friends! Many were watching Harry, whose icy glare stood out amongst smiling faces like a blood stain on a snow covered field.

"So what can I help you with Draco?" asked Dianna as soon as they left the Great Hall, even though she knew what he wanted to ask. It was quite obvious when he was taking deep breathes and only glancing at her instead of looking her straight in the eyes. He looked down at his polished shoes.

"As you probably know, there is going to be a Christmas ball this year for 5th years and up and well... I was wondering if you'd...if I could have the honor of going with you." Dianna watched as the color rose in his cheeks and she grinned.

'Well he earns a plus for the honor,' she thought to herself. "I'll go with you Draco. I warn you though, I'm a horrible dancer," she smiled once more.

He looked up at her with shining eyes. "That's ok! We don't have to dance if you don't want to." He blushed again then coughed. "Shall we go back inside the hall?" Dianna nodded and slipped her arm through his, making him jump and blush at the same time. A small, mischievous grin appeared on her face and was gone just as quickly as it had come.

The hall was full of clapping and Dianna wondered for a second if they had all been listening to their conversation, then she noticed they were all looking at the Head Table. She sat down in her seat next to Ron. "What going on?"

"They just announced the details of the Christmas ball!" squealed Ginny.

"Formal...," muttered Ron. Everyone ignored him.

"And we have a new student from Durmstrang," said Harry in a dreamy voice. "Her name is Sierra Riddle. She was just sorted into Slytherin.

"Sierra Riddle, huh. Has a nice ring to it I guess." All of a sudden Hermione's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Riddle! Harry her last name is Riddle!"

Ron and Harry's eyes widened as well. "You don't think it's just a coincidence do you?!"

"We'll go see Dumbledore right after dinner!" The rest of dinner was spent in a worried silence from Harry, Ron and Hermione while Dianna looked at them in confusion.

As soon as dinner was over they all ran towards Dumbledore's office. Luckily, Harry and Dianna already new the password, so no time wasn't wasted on that. At the top of the staircase the door was unlocked and Harry almost opened it, but Dianna stopped him and knocked, saying there was no reason to be rude.

"Come in." They all rushed in. The headmaster was sitting behind his desk smiling at them. "Ah, I've been waiting for you."

Immediately, Harry began asking questions. "Is Sierra Voldemort's daughter? Why did you let her into Hogwarts? Is she a spy?"

He chuckled. "Yes she is Lord Voldemort's daughter but you don't have to worry. She's nothing like her father. She ran away from her father and we picked her up." Harry began to ask more questions but Dumbledore interrupted him. "No more questions about Sierra, I believe you have some flying to do tonight, before it gets dark?"

"Oh yeah! I almost forgot about that," muttered Harry looking down at his shoes.

"Go on then." They left his office and headed out on to the Quidditch field.

Harry called his broom to them using Accio and gave it to Dianna. "First step is to put your hand over the broom and say "Up!" She did as she was told and the Firebolt flew into her hand. "Now hop onto it and pull up a little bit." She flew into the air and attempted to race a bird but it was much faster then her and she wasn't able to dodge the tree branches and had to stop. She turned and landed next to Harry.

"Not to shabby. Now all you need to learn is how to pick up speed and learn the keeper position."

Hermione looked around. "Perhaps tomorrow night guys, it's getting dark out. We spent more time then we thought in Professor Dumbledore's office." Everyone nodded their agreement and they begun to walk back towards the castle.

"You know Harry, I was just joking about trying out for Quidditch. I'm not a sport person."

Ron pushed her teasingly. "To bad Dianna, you're going to try out with me. I am NOT going to be the only one of us going."

When they got to the common room, it was empty but they weren't in the least bit tired, so they sat and talked for a couple hours. They decided it was time to go to bed when Ron fell asleep on his Exploding Snap deck and they detonated on him, singing his hair and blacking his face. It wasn't long before each of them were in bed and sleeping deeply.