Disclaimer:  I do not own anything remotely resembling Harry Potter.  I do own Kerenza and her family though as well as people/places that are not part of the HP universe.

Shadowface:  The first question is answered in this part and the second one will be answered in the next chapter :P

Everyone should go read Shadowface's stories!  Especially Ophiuchus.

Chapter 3

            The day had finally arrived to go to school and I was not happy.  I didn't want to dress in wizard or Muggle clothing and I certainly had no desire to be on a train for a few hours with a bunch of humans.  The book that Erebus had given me told the history of the vampires and their relationship with Dark Elves, High Elves, humans, and the other races.  Sitting on the train that would take me to Hogwarts I began to read, hoping that no one would disturb me.  I was wearing the same robe I had worn to Diagon Alley.  I would have preferred much more to wear my normal clothing but my father told me no.  It wasn't long before someone walked in, the train hadn't even left yet and I was already being disturbed.  Narrowing my eyes I looked up to see who was there.  A red headed boy greeted my eyes.  He was poorly dressed, his fiery red hair was askew, and his face was freckled.

            "Do you mind if I sit here?  The others are full." He said softly.  I ignored him going back to my book.  I didn't care if he stayed or went; it wasn't any of my concern.  He sat down at looked over at me, "I'm Ron Weasley." He said with a welcoming smile.

            I raised an eyebrow and looked at him from over my book, "DeNan." I replied as the train started off, not giving him my first name.

            "As in the Dark Elf family DeNan?" He asked, paling, if that was possible with his already pale skin.  I didn't reply, "You don't look like a Dark Elf.  Do you have pointy ears?"

            I sighed, "I'm not going to honor that with an answer.  Now why don't you leave me alone." I stated coldly.

            Soon after I spoke the door slid open and black haired boy in clothes more then two sizes too big for him walked in.  He sat down quietly and the red head looked over at him, "Hi, I'm Ron Weasley." He said with a smile.

            "Harry Potter." He replied.

            I stopped reading at his name; he was the one I was supposed to keep an eye on, "Do you actually have the scar?" Weasley asked excitedly.  Harry showed him and Weasley looked in awe.

            Harry looked over at me, "Hi." He said with a small smile.

            I closed my book, laying it my lap.  It was written in the Elvin tongue so neither of them would be able to read it, "Hello." I replied.

            "I'm Harry, what's your name?"

            I sighed, "Kerenza DeNan." I said, giving him the benefit of knowing my first name.

            At that moment fate decided to play a cruel trick on me, one Draco Malfoy opened the door.  With him were two goons.  I hoped that I would have the chance to speak with him before seeing him again, as he had already seen me in my true form.  It didn't look like I would get that chance.  He looked over at me and recognition flashed in his eyes.

            "What's a lovely lady like yourself doing with someone as low as this?" He asked, referring to Weasley.

            I smiled at him, "I was minding my own business when he came in and disturbed me." I replied, "He has been most rude, Harry on the other hand has been quite polite." I said, smiling at Harry.

            Harry smiled back slightly, waiting to see what was going to happen.  Draco looked over at Harry, "You'll find that some wizarding families are better to know then others." He said with a smile, "I can help you." He said offering him his hand, "I'm Draco Malfoy."

            "You're family is nothing but a bunch of Death Eaters." Weasley ground out angrily.

            Draco looked at him, still offering his hand to Harry, "You must be a Weasley." He said, looking him over, "All red heads, hand-me-down robes.  I bet you just want to get close to Harry for his fame and fortune."

            Harry looked at the proffered hand for a moment and took it, "It's a pleasure to meet you." He said with a smile.

            Draco smiled and looked at me, "And who might you be?" He said, flashing me a charming smile.

            I laughed softly to myself, "Kerenza DeNan." I replied, offering him my hand.

            He took it and kissed my knuckles, making no sign that we had met before, "A pleasure." He said before looking over at Weasley, "What are you still doing here?" He asked the red head.

            "I was here first." He said angrily.

            I narrowed my eyes, "No, I was.  Now leave." I ordered coldly.

            "I don't have to." He said, sounding like a child.

            Without another word I pulled out my wand, "Get out or I will curse you." I said icily, eyes narrowed, "I do not like you Weasley.  You're too curious for your own good and want to know everyone's secrets.  Now leave."

            He scampered away, leaving the compartment in a hurry.  Draco looked at my wand with interest, "Your wand is beautiful." He said with a smile.

            "Thank you, it was made by a Dark Elf and holds the blood of an ancient vampire." I said with pride, "Olivander didn't want to give it to me either even though that was the one that chose me." Harry was quiet, "Well Harry, what do you think of the Wizarding world so far?  From what I understand you were with…Muggles...for the past eleven years."

            "So far I like it a lot better.  But…" He trailed off.  I waited patiently for him to continue, "There are so many politics here, so many things I don't understand."

            I smiled, "Draco and I can help you Harry.  Him more so then I.  What would you like to know?"

            "Is it true that Slytherin is evil?" He asked softly.

            Draco looked appalled and I held up a hand, telling him not to speak, "No.  Slytherin is not 'evil' but not 'good' either.  Usually they are darker.  Being dark doesn't make them evil.  Does Draco appear 'evil' to you?  He will most likely end up in Slytherin, as will I." I paused, "More then likely, since you are the 'savior of the wizarding world' they want you to be in Gryffindor, they want you to believe that all Slytherin are evil.  The world is not black and white." I smiled, "If it was true that every Slytherin was evil then there would be a lot of evil people.  To tell the truth there are a lot of 'evil' people in the other houses as well." I smiled at him reassuringly, "Slytherin is for the ambitious, Gryffindor, the brave, the loyal go to Hufflepuff and those who favor intelligence over all else go to Ravenclaw.  Whatever house you end up in I wish you luck Harry.  Don't let other people's opinions sway you."

            "Thanks Kerenza." He said, looking a little sheepish.

            I laughed, "Of course.  Sorry if I ranted a little bit, hum…closed minded people bother me." I said, barely catching my slip up in time.  I had almost essentially stated that I didn't like humans.

            Draco looked at me for a moment, "Kerenza, may I speak with you for a moment?" He asked, stepping outside the compartment.

            "Please excuse me Harry; I'll be back in a moment." I said, walking out with Draco.

            "You are the Kerenza I met down Knockturn Alley, you're a Dark Elf." He whispered so only I could hear.

            "Yes, I am.  I trust that you will keep my secret Draco; this does not need to be getting out." I said icily.

            "No need to get so upset Kerenza.  I will keep your secret.  I had never intended on telling anyone.  You just need to mind your words, you almost slipped up there." He said with a smile.

            I sighed, "I know.  Someone's bound to find out that I'm an elf sooner or later though."

            "Your ears are showing." He said, adjusting my hair for me.

            "Thank you Draco, let's go back inside." I said, going back into the compartment, "Harry, can you keep a secret?" I asked, I would reveal to him that I was an elf if he could keep it to himself.

            He nodded, "Yes.  I swear that whatever you tell me I'll keep to myself." I smiled and tucked my hair behind my ears.  He blinked in surprise, "You have pointy ears."

            "Yes, I do, that would be because I'm an elf.  Now no one can know, it wouldn't be good for people to know my heritage." I said, covering my ears back up, "We're magical beings and as such people would become too curious for their own good.  I don't need that."

            "I can understand that.  I don't like all the attention everyone's been giving me just because I'm 'The-Boy-Who-Lived'.  It's annoying." Soon after he had spoken the door slid open and the Muggle girl I had seen in the bookshop stood here.

            "Hello, have any of you seen a toad?" She asked.

            I looked over at her quickly and for a moment she looked at me oddly, "No, we have not seen one of those slimy creatures." I said with disgust.

            She looked over at me, "Well, if you see one a boy named Neville lost his." She said then looked at Harry, "You must be Harry Potter, I've read all about you." With that she began rambling, if it hadn't been for Draco I'm sure she would have gone on forever.

            "Why don't you go look for that toad." Draco said, it wasn't a question, more of a command.

            She glared at him before turning on her heals and walking away, "Thanks Draco." Harry said, rolling his eyes, "She was driving me mad."

            He smiled, "Yes, I was about to curse her to get her to go away."

            "Now that isn't very lady like Kerenza." Draco scolded causing me to laugh.

            I smiled, "Yes I was raised as a lady but every lady needs some…unladylike time."

            Draco smiled, "I can understand that." He said before noticing the time, "We need to change into our school robes."

Now, click the button and tell me what you think!  If you want to guess what house Harry or anyone else will be in please do :P