Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot… And Kira!

A/N: At the end this time!

New Neighbor

Chapter 14

Kira's first week of Hogwarts had been fabulous, and she was ecstatic with wonder over all the new things she would get to learn over the course of a year. Almost all of her classes were with Neville, which she was very thankful for. Her teachers all seemed nice, though a few seemed very distant whenever they had to address her. Kira figured it was because of her abnormal appearance.

She especially enjoyed Charms, though Neville didn't seem to take pleasure in it, especially when his Gran called him up to model the correct use of a Vulticulus Charm, which is an easy, temporary way of altering your appearance. When a peculiarly long nose appeared on his face, Neville stomped back to his seat beside Kira bright red, even though the spell only lasted for a mere thirty seconds. His Gran didn't seem to notice his discomfort.

A particularly greasy teacher, Professor Snape, gave the impression that he didn't like Gryffindors very much. However, he seemed to favor Kira. When she raised her hand, he called on her, even though Hermione Granger's hand had been up much longer, waving like mad. The treatment she received got her a few dirty looks from a few Slytherins, but Kira was too thrilled about attending Hogwarts to care.

She liked Arithmacy and Defense Against the Dark Art the best, although many of her fellow Gryffindors seemed a bit cold towards the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher and Kira wondered why. Professor Desdemona didn't seem all that bad. Sure, she ran into a desk when she tried to grab a book from the shelf, but someone couldn't help if they needed glasses, right? After class, she asked Hermione why everyone treated the professor the way they did. Hermione's answer seemed strained.

"Well, last years teacher, Professor Tonks, was severely-- injured, and can't teach anymore. Everyone rather favored her greatly…"

Kira was about to ask how she was injured, but Ron came up behind her to ask about the essay they had to write for Charms. Hermione's attention quickly shifted.

As for Harry, she'd been avoiding him, though he didn't seem to be making any effort to talk to her either. He always seemed to dart out of a room whenever a large group entered, especially when the group consisted of young, giggling girls. It pained Kira to see him evading her, but part of her was thankful. As long as he didn't want to chat, she didn't have to engage in a confrontation.

The homework was more than she was used to, but for the first time in her life, she couldn't wait to start her studies. Learning about simple and complex charms and spells, as well as strange exotic animals she'd never heard of before, fascinated her.

Now, on Friday night, as Kira battled competitively with Ron in a game of Wizard's Chess, she felt more content than she had in a long time.

"Your turn," Kira said smugly as her knight violently destroyed Ron's rook. Ron frowned, his brow deeply furrowed.

"Come now," Hermione complained condescendingly from the lounge chair where she was reading a book, "you two have been at it for an hour! Can't we simply call a truce?"

"Shh," Ron muttered irritably, "I have to concentrate."

Kira watched Hermione roll her eyes and resume her reading. As she waited for Ron to make his move, she observed the Gryffindor common room.

Neville was reluctantly working with Dean on a project for Potions. He'd complained for an hour about how unfair Professor Snape was, before finally sitting down grudgingly and doing the work. Kira turned to see Parvati and Lavender emerge from the girls' dormitories, whispering and giggling. She watched Parvati send Dean a suggestive wink as she exited the common room with her friend. Kira recently discovered the two were a couple, after they were found snogging in a closet by McGonagall and given detention.

Seamus was seated beside her on the couch, reading a magazine. For this Kira was thankful for, because if his attention wasn't drawn to the literature, it most likely would be on her. It wasn't that Kira disliked the attention she received from Seamus over the past week, it just made her feel a little uncomfortable. She wasn't used to getting attention from guys, but it was nice nonetheless. Seamus always seemed to be there to open the classroom door for her, and he often sat with her and Neville during meals. It was good to have someone to talk to, and he wasn't all that bad looking, either.

"Kira?"

The blonde turned to see Ron waiting expectantly, his eyes inscrutable.

Kira bit her lip, studying the chess board. After a moment's hesitation, she moved her queen to the right. Her purple eyes moved upwards to analyze Ron's expression. He frowned the faintest of frowns, and Kira smiled to herself.

"Looks like she's got you in a spot, mate," Seamus said, placing his magazine down on the coffee table. He flashed Kira a smile. She blushed in return and turned back to the game.

She heard footsteps and looked up to see someone descending the stairs of the boys dormitory. Upon further inspection, she saw it was none other than Harry.

His emerald orbs connected with hers, and she felt her blood quicken. She tore her gaze away and tried with all her might to focus on the chess game.

"Hello Harry, finally decided to join us?" said Hermione, setting her book down.

Harry didn't answer for a moment, then slowly approached the armchair next to Hermione and sat down. Kira didn't fail to notice that the chosen armchair was furthest from herself as possible.

"No need to check for any ruddy first years, Harry. They've all got class about now," Seamus said, studying Harry.

"Uh, yes I know."

Silence followed. Kira was dying to ask why he seemed to avoid not just her, but almost everyone. Was he frightened of crowds or something? Was he a recluse? Even though Kira wanted to voice her inquiries, she didn't dare speak to him, afraid of an uncomfortable confrontation. The reality of their past and their present circumstances was still too fresh. Kira wondered however, why everyone in the room, Neville, Hermione, Ron, and others accepted Harry's lack of social life. Maybe he'd always been like that and she had never noticed?

'I'll have to ask Neville about it,' she resolved.

An annoyed redhead drew her from her thoughts.

"Kira, it's your turn again. Not spacing out, are we?"

"No, no, Ron," Kira stuttered. She felt Harry's gaze, "I was just strategizing, I s'pose. Wondering how I'm going to whip your arse, that's all."

Ron seemed surprised at first, then grinned. Seamus laughed.

"Alright, then. Make your move already!" Ron replied in a challenging sort of way.

"You're one to talk, Ron. Honestly, you practically spend all day deciding how you'll make your move," Hermione chided. Ron rolled his eyes.

Kira bit her lip in concentration once again as she examined the chess board. The playing slat was covered with bits of rubble from the violent obliteration of certain chess pieces.

Suddenly her face lit up and she tried to hide her smile. With one move of her king, she announced, "checkmate!"

Ron's jaw dropped in horror.

"Alright, mate!" Seamus laughed, clapping his hands. Kira smirked at Ron, whose expression hadn't changed.

"But-- how did you-- what--"

Kira heard Hermione snicker from behind her book.

"No use chap," Seamus stated, "she got you." Then he snaked his arm around Kira's waist, still laughing. Kira stiffened and felt her cheeks grow hot. She glanced at Harry. He was staring at Seamus, his eyes unreadable.

"Uh, I've got to get a snack," Kira mumbled, wiggling away from Seamus.

"Huh? Right now?" asked Seamus, confused.

"Uh, yes. Right now. Uh, heh heh, didn't eat much at supper, you know…" Kira rubbed her stomach, imitating her hunger.

"Oh, well I'll come with," Seamus said, standing up.

"Oh, uh, no! That's quite alright. I know the way to the kitchens. Neville told me."

Seamus opened his mouth to protest but Kira quickly silenced him.

"No, you stay here. Uh, Ron needs a new chess opponent," she told him. He raised an eyebrow. He'd told her that he detested Wizard's chess only an hour earlier.

Avoiding everyone's quizzical stares, especially Neville's, Kira swiftly fled the common room.

'Why did you do that, Kira?! He likes you!' Kira scolded herself once she ran down a few corridors to evade confronting a fellow Gryffindor.

Kira didn't know why she reacted the way she did. She just-- did. Maybe it was because of the look on Harry's face. He was simply looking at Seamus! After all they'd been through, wouldn't it seem plausible that he would be looking at her, to see if she was comfortable with Seamus' advances?

'You're ranting, so shut up. Why does Harry need to be "watching out" for you? You don't need a damn body guard!'

Trying to keep thoughts of Harry from entering her mind, she struggled to focus on Seamus.

'Yes, Seamus is good looking. He's certainly sweet, and genuine as well. So don't push him away!'

Kira sighed as she continued down the empty corridor. Last time she checked, it was almost curfew, meaning she had better head back soon. Kira turned around and headed back the way she had come.

XXXXXXXXXX

As Seamus' arm encircled Kira's petite waist, Harry tightened his hold on the armchair. Jealousy shot through him like a rocket, and it took all his self-control not to leap across the room at Seamus.

He was immensely pleased when Kira pulled away from him and made an abrupt exit. He watched Seamus' disappointed expression when she left, and he immediately felt shame.

'Seamus fancies her, and she doesn't belong to you. Lay off and let her be happy.'

'But if she was happy, why did she leave Seamus like she did?'

'It doesn't matter. She's not yours!'

'But--'

His best friend pulled him from his thoughts.

"Harry, are you going to play or not?" Ron asked, indicating the newly arranged chess board. Seamus had left the room.

"Uh, yeah. Sure, Ron," he answered, sliding into the seat Kira had previously occupied.

"You know, Harry," said Hermione as she dog-eared the page of the book she'd been reading and set it in her lap, "you can't stay cooped up in your dormitory forever."

"Yeah, Harry," Ron cut in, "despite how everyone reacts mate, you should try to return your life to normal."

"Normal?" Harry exclaimed, feeling his anger rise, "how can everything be 'normal?!' I would've thought you two, above most, would understand that my life isn't damn normal! Sirius is dead and the first and second years treat me like some bloody saint! It'll never be bloody normal!!"

Harry stood up and ignoring his friends stares, stormed out of the common room.

XXXXXXXXXX

'Have I seen that statue before?' Kira wondered and she turned another corner, 'surely I would've arrived back by now.'

Kira bit her lip and furrowed her brow, staring at a door to her left.

"Did I go through that one earlier?" she questioned allowed, "Ah well, another one couldn't hurt."

She twisted the knob and pushed. But instead of seeing the familiar moving stairwells, she found herself in a large, dome-shaped room. The walls were lined with glass cases, filled with golden and silver statues, large and small alike.

'A trophy room?'

She stepped towards the first glass container and studied the glittering figures within. The first object was a diamond shaped medal, engraved with the words, "Hal Viener, Potions Award, 1st place achievement."

Kira's eyes moved along the shelves, skimming over the names and awards. For some peculiar reason, her purple orbs rested on a large trophy, in the shape of a broom stick. The golden broom model was mounted on a small wooden block. Engraved on a metal plate were the words, "Tanya Chay, Quidditch Champion, Seeker, Slytherin."

"An old friend of the family, you know," said an frosty voice. Kira jumped and spun around.

Looming over her was the boy who pushed her onto the ground at Diagon Alley! He smirked at her, his pale eyes unreadable. Kira glared at him.

"Leave me alone!" she spat, turning towards the door.

"Oh come now, let's not be immature about this," he said casually.

Kira twirled around, fury apparent in her eyes.

"How dare you follow me around!"

"Follow you around?" he asked, putting his hands up as a gesture of innocence, "my dear, we merely happened to stumble into the trophy room at the same time. Where's the harm in that?"

Kira didn't answer. She just continued to glare.

"Well, since you're here, I should like to introduce myself. Draco Malfoy. Pleased to make your acquaintance." He held out his hand.

Hesitantly, Kira took it, but pulled away at once when she felt an icy sting. Draco smirked. She glared in return.

"And as I was saying before you so rudely interrupted my thoughts," he continued, motioning towards the shelves, "Tanya Chay was an old family friend."

"And why should I care?" Kira inquired suspiciously, studying him.

"Well, since you seemed so intent on staring at the trophy, I thought you might like to know."

Kira rolled her eyes. Draco didn't seem to notice.

"Of course, she wasn't Tanya Chay for long after my parents met her. She was married. And what was his name?" Draco rubbed his chin, "Ah yes. She married a man named Allan Venatici. Have you heard of him?" he asked, staring intently at Kira.

"Uh, no," Kira said immediately, wanting to leave. This Draco Malfoy frightened her. However, she felt somewhere in the back of her mind that she'd heard that name somewhere…

Draco didn't answer for a second, just watched her.

"Oh well, didn't expect you to. I never met the couple, you know. They died, in the most unfortunate of… accidents."

Kira didn't answer, for she had no clue of what he was trying to get at.

"Well, Draco Malfoy," she spat, "You can sit here and talk to yourself about Tanya what's-her-name all you like. But I, for one, am leaving. Goodbye." She turned and exited through the nearest door.

Draco didn't say anything, just stared at the trophy. Then he smirked, laughed quietly to himself, and said, "you'll understand soon, Kira Venatici. Very soon." Still smirking, he silently left the room.

A/N: YAY!!!!!!! I DID IT!!!!! Lol, not all on my own, but hey, it's FINALLY posted!!!

Oooo, and thank you thank you THANK YOU to all who responded to my "Author's Note" thing! I'm going to do Review Responses this time, but this won't be a regular thing!

Makotochi: Lol, well it seems almost everyone wants Kira and Harry to hook up RIGHT NOW, huh? That might come, hint hint, but I'm not giving away anything! Thanks so much for your review!

AAuksharmony: Omg! I have to tell you, that your review helped me out more than any of the others! Your ideas were awesome so thank you thank you thank you! I actually had planned to include things about Kira's birthparents, and I'm still working on it. There was some stuff about them in this chappy though, did you catch it? And EW no! Harry and Kira are not related! Lol, yes I can tell you that right now. That would add spice, but nope, I'm not going that way, hehe. Anyway, thank you SO much! Hope you enjoyed the chapter!

harry's marauder chick: Well, I was going to email you for more suggestions, lol. But as you probably saw, your whole email address didn't show up on the review. Oh well. About the Ron and Hermione idea… Hmm, could work! Lol, guess you'll have to keep reading! Thanks again.

Stryder: You want Kira and Harry to hook up? Well, s'pose you'll have to wait and see huh? Lol, thanks for the review!

JeanMarie: Whoa, you scared me there for a sec. Dumbledore was hitting on you? Lol, I laughed when I read your review which of course caused everyone in the room to swarm around me to see what I was laughing at. Figures. Anyhow, about your pairing ideas. Hehe, sorry, not giving anything away at this point! Thanks bunches!

Hutti: Hmm, definitely a possibility… hint hint. Lol, thanks for the review!

Meg: Hey girl, how's it going? Lol, so you like the story? Well I FINALLY finished the chapter! Lol! And yes, I agree, it needs more conflicts. Well, if I can get Linz to communicate with the outside world more often, maybe that can happen! Hehe, miss u! Thanks for reading!

So anyway, I'm really grateful to all those who reviewed with some ideas. It really helped a lot. Kudos to my editor, Digladior0124!

I expect to have the next chapter up soon, because I have a loose idea of how it's going to go. But sorry, can't make any promises!

Thanks again! Please review!