A/N- Thanks for the reviewers. Welcome to all the new readers! Please review at the end. Comments and suggestions are always welcome...
Disclaimer: Still own no nothing
Chapter 6: The Term Begins
"Over there!"
"Where?"
"The pretty one next to Harry Potter..."
"Can you see her?" "
She's standing over there, look!"
Leia spent her first day at Hogwarts followed by whispers and pointing. Every where she walked there were always students gawping at her, asking her questions or just tailing her for no particular reason.
Leia supposed it was because they had read the Daily Prophet. When in the Order headquarters, she had read the article about her father.
Since his death, Leia had been featured in newspaper in South America, placed on the cover of almost every magazine and been photographed by almost every journalist in the entire continent. Since she was the sole survivor of the Minister's family, she had been treated as if she were delicate or a target. Leia supposed that all of Britain knew about her as well.
She hated this attention. It wasn't like she was a celebrity or had discovered a new potion for stopping hair loss. She was famous for the worst imaginable thing. She was famous because her family was killed.
Leia ignored them. She was polite but it also required a lot of energy to force herself not to shout or throw things around. During the last few months, she had a glimpse of what life was like for Harry Potter. Life of anonymity was over.
Walking with Harry, Ron and Hermione to Transfiguration class, she pretended to be oblivious to all the attention.
Harry, however, knew exactly how she felt. He was totally sympathetic towards their new friend.
"Just ignore them," he whispered to her. Leia said nothing and nodded. "Are we late?" she asked, changing the subject.
"On time," answered Hermione after checking her watch. At that moment, a very bright light blinded Leia.
"What?" she muttered, but she had some idea to what it was. When regaining her vision, she saw a small, mousy looking boy standing in front of her carrying what looked like a muggle camera.
"Um, hello?" Leia said confused.
"Colin!" said Harry, obviously annoyed. "Can't you see we're trying to get to class?"
He cast the younger boy a very angry look. However, Colin was not alone. A group of fifth year students were standing behind casting the group very excited looks.
"Oh, honestly!" bristled Hermione. "This has gone too far. Move along or I'll deduct house points." As she said this is, she readjusted the prefect badge on her robes. Ron also did the same.
When they finally got away from the crowd and reached the classroom, Professor McGonagall was sitting at her desk waiting for them.
"Thank you for joining us," she said sarcastically. "How very nice of you."
"Sorry Professor, we were...ah, held up," said Hermione casting Leia a significant look. Leia said nothing but arranged her face to form a sort of non-verbal apology. McGonagall remained silent but seemed to except the excuse.
"Take your seats but do not be late for my class again," she said in a final tone.
They took their seats at the back of the classroom. Mainly, so Leia would not be the centre of attention. The rest of the class went smoothly. Apart from the occasional glances from the other students, Leia found she was enjoying herself.
Her first week at Hogwarts was drawing to a close. She found her classes very easy and her Professors were extremely pleased with her work. She did well at her old school but the work at Hogwarts was different and more demanding. At dinner on the Friday night, the of them sat down to eat.
"Oh no," he moaned. "We have another one!"
Leia have him a very confused look.
"What Ron is trying to say," explained Harry almost laughing. "Is that you are an almost carbon copy of Hermione."
Leia tried to appear modest. "Oh, I'm not nearly as good as her," she said blushing.
Hermione laughed. "No, Leia- you're very good."
Leia laughed as well but stopped when she noticed Dumbledore stand up to address the school.
"My dear students, you may have observed the absence of our new Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor but you will continue with free study until the position is filled. There was a problem with the appointment of the position but I assure you we are attending to the issue. "
The hall broke out into whisperings.
"You may have also noticed the arrival of our new 6th year Gryffindor..." The whisperings increased in intensity.
"But I ask of you not to bother her as she has a lot on her plate," he glanced very briefly at her. Several students looked at her, causing her cheeks to feel warm.
With this news, the Hall broke out into noise. Dumbledore, however, clapped his hands loudly to capture everyone's attention.
"Please! Here me out first, then you may discuss with you're fellow students," he paused. "They are here for you're protection only. Not for information on any of the events happening outside the castle." He cast a look to their table. "You may see them occasionally but they will not disrupt any classes unless necessary. You are required to continue on with your work per normal. Thankyou, that is all. You may return to your dormitories."
Harry, Ron, Hermione and Leia left with the rest of the school.
"Looks like they've finally caught on. Voldemort has returned," said Harry bitterly.
Ron grimaced at the name.
"For heaven's sake Ron," said Hermione. "But why would they bother to waste Aurors by placing them at the school? Shouldn't they be out there searching for him?"
Harry and Ron shrugged.
"Maybe it's for someone's protection," Leia suggested quietly, but she was looking steadily at Harry. Three of them looked at her nonplussed.
"Well," she continued slowly. "We all know Harry Potter is supposed to be You-know-who's, oh alright, Voldemort's number one target, maybe the Ministry feel that they would protect him and other students as a form of an apology for not believing him?"
"I don't want an apology," said Harry hotly. "I just want..."
"We know Harry," Hermione said soothingly. "But maybe Leia is right, maybe it is to protect someone. It probably is you, Harry."
Harry said nothing. He hadn't told them about the Prophecy yet but tonight was not the right time. The last thing he needed was a group of Aurors, teachers as well as his friends tailing him everywhere.
"Let's just go to bed," suggested Ron. He yawned widely signalling them all to go up to their dormitories. Leia said goodnight and went to bed.
In the morning, she woke and went to breakfast early. When Harry, Ron and Hermione arrived, Hedwig came with the post. Hermione opened up the Daily Prophet.
"Oh no," she cried.
"What?" they asked concerned.
"Leia," she whispered. "You've been mentioned. And so have you, Harry."
"What, how come?" Harry asked.
Hermione read on. "It says, talks about Leia being the sole survivor, something about the South American fires, the boy-who-lived, oh... it mentions Ron and I and... WHAT?!"
The three of them jumped in shock. Hermione looked at Leia.
"Leia, have you sold the Daily Prophet rights to exclusive photographs of you and us?"
"What? No!" Leia responded aghast.
"It says here; Leia Colhen, daughter of the late South American Minister for Magic Carlos Colhen, has just recently sold the rights to all pictures of herself and her friends, including Harry Potter, the boy-who-lived and sole witness to the rise..."
Leia simply stared, stunned.
"And look, there's a picture of us." Said Ron. Leia looked and saw that they were on the platform and were boarding the train. Ron and Hermione were walking to the prefects' carriage and Harry and her were walking up the other end. Harry had just picked up her bag.
"Why would they say that?" Leia asked.
"I don't know, but I'll bet my broomstick that it was to get closer to you and Harry," said Ron firmly. Leia thought that was ridiculous. Why on earth would someone want to get closer to the both of them at the same time?
Hermione looked impressed. "You know Ron, you are smarter than you look." Ron was about to retort when she cut across him. "There is probably someone inside the Daily Prophet that wants to keep close tabs on Leia and Harry. They know something we don't," she said thoughtfully.
"Who wrote the article?" asked Harry. "Was it Ri...?"
Hermione shook her head. "No, not Rita Skeeter. Someone called Kennald. Sounds like a new recruit. I think that he was just given information and was told to write about it."
The rest of them finished their breakfast in silence. They were about to go to class when the door of the Great Hall swung open and group of strange looking wizards and witches entered.
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