No one had seen any sign of Serena until dinner. She walked into the Great Hall by herself, and sat at the end of Gryffindor table alone. Harry saw her sitting alone and decided to join her.
"How was your walk?" He asked as he sat across from her.
"Good, I found my way back to all of our classrooms." She told him.
"You didn't get stuck in any trick steps or on the changing staircases?"
"No, the paintings on the walls warned me about them, and they even warned me about Peeves. I haven't had the pleasure of meeting him yet."
"Trust me; you don't want to meet Peeves. He's such a pest."
"Harry, can you tell me why it is that Draco hates Gryffindors so much?" Serena asked catching Malfoy's gaze from across the room.
"Well, you see, err, his dad's a Death Eater, you know one of Voldemort' follower's. Death Eaters, like Voldemort, hate muggles and anything that has to do with them. So I guess following in his father's shadow Draco hates Gryffindors because our house consists mostly of muggle-borns. Also, for the past five years Gryffindor house has had the house cup and the Quidditch cup. We took it from Slytherin house, so they all hate us for that." Harry explained. "He's quite competitive really."
"So he prizes the fact that he's a pureblood and he hates to lose?"
"Yeah that about sums it up."
"Well, think I'm crazy if you want, but I'll bet he's really a great guy, but he wants his father's approval, so he acts the way he thinks he has to." Serena said to Harry.
"Or maybe he's just an ass."
For the first time that day, Harry made Serena smile. That made Harry feel more comfortable around her. Now he knew that she was human after all.
"So, err, you were in the Quidditch shop back in Diagon Alley right?" Harry asked timidly.
"Oh right, I saw you and Ron there." She said remembering.
"Oh so you did notice our existence?" Harry said.
"Sorry about that, I have a tendency to appear unapproachable. I hate too much attention. You know how it is."
"You're normal, look at me I have this bloody scar! Everywhere I go there's someone gawking at my head and praising me. I hate it!" Harry said fiercely as he continuously speared the pork chop in his plate. "You didn't look at my forehead when we met, thanks."
"I figured it would bother you…so, you play quidditch?" she asked.
"Yup, Seeker, what about you?" Harry said puffing out his chest with pride.
"I've never played. I really want to though. I've practiced, but I doubt I'm as good as you…I don't think I'll ever be that good. You know I hear things, I hear you're amazing on a broomstick!" Serena said. "I just learned how to fly on a broomstick, so I don't think I'm a good flier at all."
"Well Ron and I are going to hold try outs for the team, you should come. Then we'll see if you're any good, ok?" Harry said to her. "Besides, I'm kind of hoping we'll be able to find someone who can 'match my talent'. I want to try Chasing this year. I didn't get to play in the quidditch league for the last two years; I'm the only one remaining from the original team."
"Sounds like fun. Maybe I'll be there." Serena said.
They talked about all kinds of things during dinner. They spoke more about quidditch, and the events Hogwarts holds, and past experiences Harry had at Hogwarts over the last five years.
"Wait 'til next month. The Halloween feast and dance are gonna be the most fun. I think Dumbledore enjoys dancing. Let's see there's Halloween, Christmas and Valentine's Day. They're all going to be good fun, but Halloween and Christmas are gonna be the best!" Harry said, as he took a sip from his goblet.
"Do you have to dress fancy for all of these dances?" Serena asked.
"Well, for Halloween you're supposed to wear a costume of some sort. You have to wear dress robes to the other ones."
"So I have to dress up on Halloween?"
"Why are you lingering on Halloween? Is it a bad day for you or something?" Harry asked raising an eyebrow.
"Not really, but on Halloween I'll be sixteen." She said quietly.
"Cool, you're a Halloween witch? That's neat!" Harry, excitement filling his voice.
"Oh I'm special alright." Serena said sarcastically.
"Well I'm gonna keep it in mind. I'll remember, you'll see." Harry said.
"Right, whatever. I don't care; my birthday hasn't exactly been great for the last fifteen years…I don't expect this one to be any different." She said to Harry. "Especially since it's on Halloween."
"I always remember my friends' birthdays!"
"You know, its ok Harry. I'm not going to hate you if you forget." She said again. "I'm used to it."
The golden plates cleared and dinner was over. Harry walked back to Gryffindor Tower with Serena. They talked the whole way there. He asked her tons of questions about Canada and her old school. He was finally getting to know the mystery girl from Diagon Alley. Once they got to the portrait of the Fat Lady, Harry spoke the password, and the Fat Lady swung forward allowing them passage to the common room. Harry led Serena in, and they sat on a sofa next to the fireplace. Harry couldn't believe how much Serena knew, and the kinds of spells she could cast, she never ceased to amaze him.
"Well, Mr Potter, we'd better get some sleep. We have Defence Against the Dark Arts, Charms and Double Potions on Monday!" Serena said, stretching as she stood up.
"Yeah you should watch out for Professor Snape. He's known to get under your skin, and he favours his house, Slytherin…he loves to take points from Gryffindor for no reason at all." Harry warned her.
"I'll try to remember that." Serena said as they arrived to the top of the stairs to the dormitories. "Well, it was nice talking to you. Good night Potter." She said imitating Malfoy.
"Good night Serena." Harry chuckled as they each went into their dormitories.
Monday morning started with a bang…literally. Ron was making a tower of exploding snap cards in the boy's dormitory, it was three feet high and it finally exploded. Harry jumped out of bed and landed on the floor, face first. He was dreaming a great dream, but now, he had no idea what it was about. Ron looked up at Harry, his face was singed, and he shrugged. Ron got up and headed to the loo to clean the burn marks off of his face. Harry quickly threw on his school uniform and his robes, and headed down to the common room.
"Harry what's your hurry?" Said Ron as Harry rushed down the stairs. "Class doesn't start for another half an hour."
Harry slowed down once he had reached the bottom of the stairwell. He quickly strode through the common room and out the portrait hole, leaving Ron behind. Harry walked straight to the Great Hall for breakfast. The reality of his behaviour was that he couldn't wait to see Serena again. He enjoyed her company, he simply had to talk to her again He hasn't felt this way about a girl since his fourth year (Cho Chang). He dated her for a little while, his first girlfriend; they eventually broke up because Harry didn't feel he was ready for a serious relationship. Although he cared very much for her, he couldn't help the way he felt.
Harry finally reached the Great Hall. He looked around and saw Hermione sitting at Gryffindor table.
"Hey Harry! Good Morning!" she said, Harry smiled and began to walk to her.
"Good morning, Potter. Have you no manners?" Said a cold drawling voice behind Harry. "You walk right by without saying a word, it's rather rude."
Harry turned around to see Serena leaning against the railing of the staircase. She had a sneer on her face, and she began to walk toward Harry. She reminded Harry of Malfoy, she was talking like him, walking like him, and she had his favourite facial expression down pat. She was really scaring Harry.
"Umm, good morning Serena. I didn't see you there." Harry said with a nervous smile. "Care to join Hermione and me for breakfast?"
"I don't know Harry. I get the feeling your little girlfriend doesn't like me." Serena said looking at Hermione.
"She simply sees you as competition. She's not used to it. Really you can't blame her either. You're very smart, and you're magic is very well developed. You haven't had trouble with anything yet." Harry said as they walked to the table together.
Hermione rolled her eyes when they sat down with her. Harry ignored it, as did Serena. Harry and Serena each had a golden bowl appear in front of them, and they filled them with porridge. Serena put a ton of sugar in hers, and she began to eat it. Harry watched her eat as he too ate. Hermione noticed this and muttered something under her breath that sounded like "Boys!"
"Is something the matter Hermione?" Serena asked.
"Oh good the mails here!" Hermione said, as the rustle of wings grew louder.
Several owls flew into the Hall. Many of them dropped packages and envelopes in front of their owners. A copy of the Daily Prophet, the newspaper of the wizarding world, plopped onto the table in front of Hermione. A large package fell in front of Serena, the bird that brought the package wasn't exactly small, nor was it an owl. The bird had magnificent plumage, and a certain kind of warmth came from it. When it opened its beak, it sang a beautiful song…but it sounded like music not a bird singing.
"A phoenix? Your post bird is a Phoenix?" Hermione said.
Serena stroked the beautiful golden feathers of the bird, and nodded to Hermione. Serena offered her goblet to the bird, which drank deeply, sang its beautiful melody once more, and took to the air. Hermione and Harry watched the phoenix fly away as Serena opened her parcel.
"Oh, how stupid of me! I forgot my textbook for Defence Against the Dark Arts at home. Good thing Mystère brought it for me today."
"Mystère? Fitting name for it." Said a drawling voice behind them. "Really Valmont, are you desperate for attention? You need the most expensive and strange things imaginable to get attention?"
"I don't believe it's her who craves the attention, Malfoy. Why do you constantly bother us Gryffindors when you hate us so much? If you want our attention, why don't you try saying hello?" Hermione said to Malfoy.
Malfoy sneered and faked a laugh.
"Want your attention? If I wanted your attention Granger, it wouldn't be to talk. I can think of other things a mudblood whore could do with her mouth for her pure blooded superiors." Malfoy said and the Slytherin's who were with him laughed.
Harry clenched his fists to prevent himself from hitting Malfoy. Hermione shook with rage; everyone was looking at Serena to see what she would do. She wasn't looking at any of them. But something about the way she was sitting there doing nothing indicated that she was furious.
"Oh, I'm sorry Valmont, did I anger you somehow? You're not a dirty mudblood lover are you? Why would you of all people in the wizarding world be friends with this kind of filth?" Malfoy continued as Serena exhaled heavily.
She finally turned around but she kept her eyes down.
"That's right Valmont. That's the way to act in front of your superior. Perhaps you should teach that," he pointed at Hermione, "the proper manners to have in my presence."
"Perhaps you, Malfoy, should learn the proper manners to have in my presence. For the son of an aristocrat you don't act very respectful in front of those who could kick your ass with the blink of an eye." Serena said. "I think you should bow and apologize."
"I think not!" Malfoy protested.
Serena raised her head and stared into Malfoy's steely blue-grey eyes. Her eyes were no longer the strange, icy, blue colour they usually were; they were on fire. They shone a scarlet colour and Malfoy backed away a bit as she stood up. She walked slowly towards Malfoy, who was backing away into the Entrance Hall; his group of Slytherin's dispersed as she came closer to him. Harry and Hermione followed them into the Entrance Hall. Finally Malfoy came to a wall and he couldn't back away any farther. He would have tried to run away but she was to near to him. She stopped walking directly in front of him, leaving hardly any space between them at all. He continued to look into her eyes, she blinked once and they had returned to normal. Fear and panic began to fill Malfoy's eyes.
Serena raised her hand slowly to his face. He winced expecting her to hit him. Instead, she gently touched him, and he opened his eyes as she caressed his face. He began to relax a little, still not knowing what she would do. She ran her fingers through his hair, and let it rest on his chest. She could feel his heart beginning to beat rapidly with her every touch. She slowly drew her face closer to his, and she could feel his heart racing even quicker than before.
"I know your desire, and if you ever think you can make it with me Mr Malfoy, you'd better smarten up." She whispered in his ear. "Now I suggest you apologize to Hermione, or you will deeply regret insulting her in front of me."
"What could you possibly do to me Valmont? You don't have any power over me." Malfoy murmured to her.
"I know you fear becoming a ferret, now don't you? I could always tell everyone that your father sent for you. We all know that he will soon enough."
Draco's eyes grew wide with fear. How did she know?
"Honestly, your sixteen years old, how hard is it to say you're sorry?" Serena said with a malicious sneer on her face.
"I- I- I'm sorry Hermione." Draco stuttered.
Serena pulled away from him and patted his chest.
"That's a good little ferret. Have a good day Mr Malfoy. And do try to keep your eyes away from my ass would you?" Serena said as she Harry and Hermione returned to the great Hall.
Malfoy stood in the Entrance Hall still stunned by what had just happened. After a few moments he returned to the Great Hall and sat down at the Slytherin table. He tried his hardest to avoid the looks he was getting from the Gryffindors.
"Aw, poor Malfoy, life's a bitch." Serena said. "Like I told you anything he throws at me gets thrown back ten times worse…"
"Yeah clearly you can handle yourself…what did you say to him anyway?" Harry asked.
"Oh, nothing really. I just know what he's thinking, that's all." Serena said.
After that Harry and Hermione were at a loss for words. Who would know what to say…Serena made Draco Malfoy apologize to Hermione Granger! It was probably the first time in his life that he had apologized for anything. And to a muggle-born none-the-less… If his father ever found out he would probably turn Malfoy into a toad or something.
Serena finished her breakfast and walked out of the Hall back to Gryffindor tower.
"Wow, I guess Malfoy's not gonna be talking to me around her again." Hermione said.
"Maybe we should go get our things for class Hermione." Harry said as he stood up to go to Gryffindor Tower.
Hermione followed Harry she didn't speak much at all. Despite the attitude Hermione had been giving Serena…Serena still defended Hermione. Hermione didn't understand it at all. When Harry and Hermione entered the common room they saw Serena sitting at a table talking with Ron. They were playing Wizard Chess, and it appeared that Serena was winning. No one ever beat Ron at chess, but Serena was winning.
"Hey Harry! Serena said you're going to hold Quidditch try-outs. When's this going to happen?" Ron asked.
"I haven't decided yet Ron. But it'll be soon. We need a team, and a team needs practice, lots of practice. Six out of the seven players are going to be new right? So if we plan to beat Slytherin, we'll need tons of practice." Harry rambled.
"Well, Oliver, whenever you decide upon this, you should put a notice up on the board huh?" Ron said.
"Hey, I'm not Oliver…I don't want to win the Quidditch Cup that badly…but it would be nice…and I don't doubt my fellow Gryffindors…we'll do fine." Harry said.
"I think that if you want a head start you should aim to have try-outs next week." Serena said. "Malfoy's planning his try-outs for the week after."
"I'm not going to ask how you know that, but next week sounds great." Hermione said, not knowing that Serena had some psychic ability.
"I think I already have an idea as to who should be on the team. And just so you know, I don't really want to be the captain either." Harry said.
"But you have to be Harry. You're the only one from the original team left! I know you weren't allowed to play in the Quidditch League since our third year, but still you're the only remaining player from when we were in first year!" Ron said.
"Well we'll see what happens at try-outs ok Ron?" Harry shrugged.
"If Harry doesn't want to be the captain then he should be the one to appoint the captain right? It's Harry's decision isn't it?" Serena said. "But until then, I think we should head down to Defence Against the Dark Arts now."
"Thanks for, err, defending me earlier Serena…" Hermione said as they all walked to their first class of the day. "I wouldn't have expected you of all people to do that for me. And I'm sorry for acting the way I have lately. It's just that I'm so used to being the only girl that they hang out with. I guess I'm a bit jealous."
"It's alright Hermione. If I were you I would probably be a bit acting that way myself. Not to sound arrogant or anything though. But I mean I've never had the kind of attention you've had from these guys. I would have given anything for friends like them back home." Serena said. "I'm a lot like you Hermione. My studies came before everything; I shut the world out of my life. I had some friends, but none of them were like Harry or Ron."
"You make it sound like you've known them all your life." Hermione said raising and eyebrow.
"I spent most of last night talking to Harry. He told me a lot about you and Ron. He told me about your little adventures here, and all the times when you guys worked together to get each other out of trouble. You guys have a pretty strong friendship you know."
"Oh I see…I suppose I should have been friendlier toward you huh?" Hermione said feeling a bit embarrassed.
Serena laughed. "It's alright. Don't worry about it. I may not be a patient person, but when it comes to people, I know I need to give some time."
"So we can try to be friends now then?" Hermione said as she felt her face grow to be even redder.
"Of course we can."