Chapter 2: Crossing Paths
"Hermione Dear it's time to go." Said Mrs. Weasley shaking Hermione lightly.
"I'm up." Replied Hermione rubbing her eyes and getting out of bed slowly to get dressed.
"Breakfast is downstairs Dear." Said Mrs. Weasley going out the door.
"Thank you Mrs. Weasley." Replied Hermione through a yawn.
"It's nothing Dear." Said Mrs. Weasley leaving.
"Does that woman ever sleep?" Asked Hermione to no one in particular.
"No." Grunted Ginny.
Hermione had to stifle her laugh as she carried her trunk down the hallway and stairs of the quiet house.
Liz woke up to a ringing coming from her phone.
"Hello?" She asked rolling out of Matt's arms and sitting up.
"Hey mom what's up?" asked Liz yawning and getting up to go to the bathroom.
"Just wondering how it's all going." Said Liz's mother excitedly.
"Mom I just woke up I'll let you know after Uncle Albus and we all have breakfast. I have to go though. Love you bye." Said Liz hanging up the phone and starting the shower.
"Your mother I'm guessing by your tone." Said Matt walking in scratching his head.
"Yes and your shower is read so I will see you down stairs." Said Liz slapping his butt and walking out to her room.
"I'm going to get you back for that." Said Matt smiling as he heard the door close behind her.
Olivia was up and had finished her shower. She was sitting at the vanity doing her hair when Liz walked in.
"So what'd you two do last night?" asked Olivia smiling in the mirror at her sister.
"Liv you know nothing happened so I don't know why you insist on bating me." Said Liz rolling her eyes and grabbing a towel from the shelf.
"Come on Liz, Matt and you have been together for quite a long time. Can you honestly tell me you two have never done it?" asked Olivia raising a highly arched eyebrow at her older sister.
"Not that it's any of your business but no we haven't. Kissing, cuddling, and that kind of stuff yes but sexual stuff no." Said Liz walking into the bathroom and turning on the shower.
"Draco, wake up we're here." Snarled Lucius.
"Sorry Father I must have fallen asleep." Said Draco yawning and sitting up straight now.
"Alright Draco you know what your Family as well as the Dark Lord expects of you so do not fail." Said Lucius as his son exited the black town car and entered the train station.
"Hermione would you like me to go with you?" Asked Mr. Weasley as Hermione exited the ministry car.
"Oh no Mr. Weasley. Thank you for everything though." Answered Hermione as she got a trolley and Mr. Weasley put her trunk on it.
"Well then, have a good term then." Said Mr. Weasley with a smile as he got back into the car and Hermione made her way towards the Hogwarts track nine and three quarters.
Hermione looked around to make sure no muggles were looking and ran through the barrier. When she made it through her trunk was taken by two elves and she noticed the train only had one box car attached to it. She walked onto the small step up and entered into the large compartment.
"Wow." Said Hermione as she looked around the large room which was nothing like the compartments she usually sat in on the way to Hogwarts.
There was a lit fireplace, miniature library, two couches in black leather, and a small dining area on the side of the room.
"It's quite lovely." Hermione said putting her purse and Crookshanks down on the dining room table.
"It would be even more lovely if they didn't allow Mudbloods to contaminate it." Came a cool voice from behind.
"Ugh. They made you Head Boy? How'd you manage that?" Asked Hermione in utter disgust as she turned to face him.
"I'd ask you the same question but since I know the answer there's no need to." Said Malfoy rolling his eyes.
"Why, because I'm so much smarter than you?" Replied Hermione boldly.
"You're nothing but a mudblood so I wouldn't expect you to understand tradition but I'll talk slowly for you. Dumbledore won't be around forever so watch your back mudblood." Hissed Draco through gritted teeth.
"If anyone should watch their back it's you Malfoy." Said Hermione coming nose to nose with him.
"Oh good you two have started talking." Said Professor Mcgonagall entering the room.
"Good morning Professor." Said Hermione turning to the Head of her house.
"Good morning Miss Granger and Mr. Malfoy. Now lets get down to business. We have extended an invitation to one of our foreign schools from America. They have graciously sent three of their best students who will be attending this year. Now here's the situation, they have sent over their Head Boy and Girl which means, you all may have to adjust by sharing equal duties as well as responsibilities." Said Mcgonagall waiting for their reactions.
"So we don't get full responsibility or title?" asked Hermione disbelievingly.
"Correct. All will be shared. You'll be meeting them tonight as a matter of fact and I expect you both to be welcoming and on your best behavior." Said Mcgonagall sternly.
"But Professor does this mean we'll also be sharing our dormitories as well?" asked Draco hoping not.
"Yes Mr. Malfoy, you all will show our guests courtesy and respect because you represent Hoqwarts and its students. If that is all I have some rules and regulations for you." Said Mcgonagall tapping her wand on the coffee table having three large folders come up.
"Liz are you done yet? It's almost eight." Yelled Olivia into the bathroom.
"Yes, I'll be down in two minutes." Said Elizabeth coming out of the bathroom pulling on a top as she went to look in her suitcase for shoes.
While Liz pulled out shoes Olivia went back down stair where Matt was sitting in an awaiting booth.
"She comin down?" asked Matt smiling at Olivia's frustrated ness.
"No, probably too busy looking in a mirror." Said Olivia plopping down beside him pouting.
"Is that an insult I here coming from one of my favorite nieces?" Asked a very tall, long white bearded older man.
"Uncle Albus!" Gushed Olivia jumping up and hugging the man.
"Hello Olivia how are you?" Asked Dumbledore warmly to the young lady.
"I thought I heard a familiar voice." Said Liz coming down the stairs.
"Aahh Elizabeth you look absolutely lovely my Dear." Said Dumbledore as she walked into his arms for a bear like hug.
"And who would this young man be?" Asked Dumbledore referring to Matt who was standing waiting to be introduced.
"Oh I'm sorry Uncle Albus. Matthew Anderson please meet my uncle as well as Headmaster of Hogwarts, Professor Albus Dumbledore, and Professor Dumbledore this is Head Boy Matthew Anderson." Beamed Liz as the two shook hands.
"It is an honor to meet you sir." Said Matt with a slight bow.
"Well it is an honor to meet someone of your stature as well. Elizabeth speaks of you very highly as does my brother." Smiled Dumbledore at the young mans respect and manners.
"Alright you two." Said Liz ushering them to sit down.
"I take it that the trip went quite smoothly then." Said Dumbledore as they all sat and Madame Rosemerta brought some food and a pitcher of Butterbeer over.
"Thank you." Said all four kindly.
"Well I guess I should tell you all what exactly you will be doing at Hogwarts this year." Said Dumbledore with a touch of excitement to his tone.
"Why so excited?" Asked Olivia looking at her uncle curiously.
"I know on your side of the world you don't hear as much about ours but I have quite a few things to fill you in on before you hear about Hogwarts." Said Dumbledore as he began the story of Harry Potter and what had happened within the school in previous years.
"Now Mr. Malfoy just because you are Head Boy does not mean you may abuse rules or get around them." Said Professor Mcgonagall looking quite serious.
"I would never Professor." Said Draco snidely.
"Yes well that applies to you as well Miss Granger. Now I believe we are done here unless you have anymore questions you need answered." Said Mcgonagall looking to both students.
"No Professor." Answered both students in unison.
"Good well you will see Headmaster Dumbledore when you arrive as well as meet the Head Boy and Girl from the American school. I dare say you will all get along quite well I think." Said Mcgonagall right before she exited and disappeared.
"Can you believe this?" Asked Hermione testily.
"I can't believe I'm going to agree with you mudblood, but this unfair." Said Draco wincing at the thought of agreement.
"Yes well I have some reading to do. It looks like we have more rules than the students do." Said Hermione getting up and walking off.
"So Uncle Albus what does this Harry Potter look like anyway?" Asked Olivia quite intrigued by this young mans life story.
"I have a picture with me, just a moment." Said Dumbledore going into his inside cloak pocket and pulled out a small four by six photo.
"Here you are." Said Dumbledore passing the photo to Olivia.
"He is quite handsome isn't he?" Smiled Olivia as she passed the photo to Liz.
"Yes although I feel badly for what he's been through." Said Liz giving the photo back to her sister.
"Is he single?" Asked Olivia to no one in particular.
Olivia felt a sharp kick from under the table.
"I was just curious." Said Olivia rubbing her shin.
"It's alright my Dear. I do not know if Mr. Potter is seeing anyone at the moment." Smiled Dumbledore at his nieces boldness.
"Well Uncle Albus what does he have to do with us?" Asked Liz knowing her uncle had something quite important up his sleeve.
"Well as you know, my very perceptive niece, I am one of those among The Order of the Phoenix as well are Hermione Granger, Harry Potter, and Ronald Weasley. The problem is although they are very gifted and brave there are things you can do from pure talent and gifted history that they can not. I feel you will all do better together in working against Lord Voldemort than them on their own. Now there will be obstacles that I know in my heart and mind you all will do well together." Said Dumbledore looking somewhat concerned but trying to hide it as not to cause anxiety among the three young people in his presence.
"Uncle Albus suppose they want nothing to do with us. I mean we are barging in on their last year as well as their way of life." Said Liz getting slightly nervous at the thought of feeling threatened.
"Elizabeth I am sure with your personality, Olivia's boldness, and Matthew's sheer size and magical abilities you all will do nicely." Smiled Dumbledore at his niece's insecurities.
"Oh Uncle Albus you compliment us way too much." Giggled Olivia.
"I have so many reasons to. Now onto rules and regulations." Said Dumbledore taking out his wand and tapping the table once with three large folders appearing.
"Wow, this is thick." Said Olivia flipping through it.
"Yes well there are quite a few of them aren't there?" Chuckled Dumbledore.
"Where will we be living Sir, if you don't mind?" Asked Matt speaking up for the first time since they sat down.
"Well you will be put up with Mr. Malfoy, Elizabeth with Miss Granger, and Olivia with Miss Weasley. I hope that's alright." Said Dumbledore kindly to Matt.
"Now this Mr. Malfoy and Miss Granger what are they like? Asked Liz curiously.
"You'll be meeting them tonight so you can tell me. Well I must be going but remember to read those rules and regulations. I will see you again this evening." Said Dumbledore standing.
"Yes Uncle Albus or should I say Professor Dumbledore?" Said Liz as they all stood after him.
"Oh yes my Dear." Said Dumbledore hugging them both and Apparating away.
"Well I guess we'd better pack again." Said Matt as he sat back down and poured another glass of Butterbeer.
"You mean you'd better pack, I'm already done." Smiled Liz nudging his shoulder.
"How do you do it?" Asked Matt shaking his head.
"Magic." Laughed Liz.
"Well I can't come until tomorrow so I don't need to pack." Said Olivia sitting back with a wide smile across her face.
"Well be sure you don't get into any trouble before then." Said Liz eyeing her sister knowingly.
"Oh come on, you don't think I would do that on the first day do you? Although it depends entirely on those around me." Smirked Olivia.
"Alright, well Matt and I will be leaving in an hour so behave. I swear I'll have Fawke keeping tabs on you." Said Liz rolling her eyes at her sister.
"Hey this Butterbeer stuff is pretty good." Said Olivia ignoring her sister's last comment.
"Kinda makes you feel warm." Said Matt looking at the amber colored liquid.
"Ok you two. Liv I will see you tomorrow and Matt get up there and pack." Said Liz as she got up and made her way up the stairs.
"Always movin." Said Matt with a smile and getting up.
"I wonder how much longer it will take to get there." Said Hermione grabbing a drink from a small snack cart.
"Hopefully soon so I can uncontaminated myself." Snapped Draco.
"Oh Piss off Malfoy! I'm not taking anymore rubbish from you." Said Hermione looking angrily at him.
"Bugger off mudblood." Said Draco turning to ignore her.
Just before Hermione could argue back about his fowl mouth the whistle on the train blew signaling they were arriving. When they exited onto the platform they found a carriage awaiting them.
"Move mudblood."Said Draco pushing Hermione to the side as he walked towards the carriage.
"Fowl mouthed and no manners. How absolutely embarrassing for you." Said Hermione glaring at him as she followed.
"I save my manners for people not mudbloods." Scoffed Draco.
"Lets get one thing straight, don't call me mudblood or I will deduct points for fowl language." Said Hermione authoritively.
"I'd like to see you try." Sneered Draco with his eyes turning a dark grey now.
"Watch your mouth and I won't have to." Said Hermione stepping ahead of Draco and into the carriage.
"I think you're going to regret talking to me that way mudblood." Draco thought to himself.
"What a sinister thought." Liz said to herself as she and Matt made their way through the tall gates of Hogwarts.
"What'd you hear in someone's thought?" Asked Matt curious as to what Liz had heard.
"Something quite evil, although I have no idea what exactly something means that they said." Liz replied trying to figure out what mudblood was.
"Well what was it?" asked Matt pulling his sunglasses up so he could show his interest.
"They thought "mudblood", do you have any idea what that means?" Asked Liz taking off her sunglasses as well and looking up at him.
"I've heard my grandfather use it. I think it means people who aren't pureblood but in the most crude and vile way possible." Said Matt shaking his head at the undeserved word.
"Do you think that'll matter here?" Asked Liz.
"Well if it's the Head Boy or Girl who thought it than it just might. I don't think we have anything to worry about though because, well, we're purebloods, even though that shouldn't matter." Said Matt with a sigh.
"It's sad that they can't look past their blood." Said liz shaking her head a little disappointed.
"Yes, well things are much older here and the past is not something to reckon with." Said Matt as they made their way up stairs towards the giant stone Gargoyle that guarded Dumbledore's office.
"Bert and Botts Ear Wax Jelly Bean." Spoke Liz as the Gargoyle jumped aside.
"Do I look ok?" Asked Liz self consciously.
"You look great as always." Laughed Matt at her insecurities as he knocked on the huge oak door.
"Come in." Came a kind voice.
"Yeah ok." Laughed Liz putting her sunglasses in her purse.
"Ah early as always." Smiled Dumbledore as the two walked in laughing.
"It is better to be early for when you're late you're asked to wait." Said Liz in a silly high pitched voice.
"How is your Aunt Lunesta?" Asked Dumbledore smiling at Liz's impression.
"She is opinionated as always." Said Liz as she made her way towards Fawkes and stroked his lovely feathers.
Before Dumbledore could answer there came another knock at the door.
"Ah right on time. Please com in." Spoke Dumbledore in the same kind voice.
The door opened and in walked a tall, muscular, blonde, and grey eyed boy or should we say young man.
"Oh Mr. Malfoy how good to see you again." Said Dumbledore as Malfoy made a slight bow.
Next came a long wavy hair, Chestnut eyed, five-six girl about Liz's age.
"Miss Granger welcome back. Now that we're all here I believe introductions are in order. Miss Hermione Granger this is my niece Miss Elizabeth Dumbledore. Elizabeth this is Hermione." Smiled Dumbledore as the two girls walked towards one another.
"I'm honored to meet you. Professor Dumbledore has told me so much about you." Said Liz brightly as she extended her hand.
"Um…Hi." Said Hermione somewhat taken aback.
"Matthew Anderson, Mr. Draco Malfoy." Said Dumbledore directing Matt to Draco.
"Nice to meet you." Said Matt putting his hand out to Draco who was reluctant to take it.
"Like wise." Said Draco unconvincingly.
Matt could tell he and Draco would bump heads more than once through the course of the year.
Liz could feel the tension and quickly turned to Draco.
"Hi I'm Elizabeth Dumbledore, pleased to make your acquaintance." Smiled Liz kindly.
Before Draco stood a five foot seven, Long brown hair, Jade green eyed, perfectly proportioned girl.
"My pleasure." Said Draco bowing and kissing the girls delicately smooth hand.
Matt stiffened at the sight of Draco Malfoy making a move on the girl he saw as his own.
"Matt." Hissed Liz gesturing towards Hermione as she pulled her hand away.
"Matthew Anderson, please to meet you." Smiled Matt as he extended his hand to an in awe Hermione.
Hermione stared at the tall good looking young man who was shaking her hand.
"Yes, nice to meet you too." She said blushing scarlet red.
"Well this is wonderful that you all are getting along. I shall escort you to your rooms which are quite lovely if I do say so myself." Said Dumbledore with a smile from ear to ear.
They all obediently followed looking at each other curiously.
"I wonder if Matthew and Elizabeth are going together." Thought Hermione to herself.
Liz just smiled and shook her head in amusement.
Draco looked at Liz quite interested in the new witch. He didn't care for Matt very much but found that her smile captivated him.
"So Hermione how did you do on your N.E.W.T.S.?" Asked Liz finding the silence akward.
"I did alright." Said Hermione modestly.
"We haven't gotten ours yet but I'm hoping I did well." Smiled Liz trying to get to know her with little luck.
"Were yours tough too?" Asked Hermione trying to also be kind.
"Well as tough as can be expected. The one that really drove me crazy was that Ancient Runes one." Laughed Liz.
"Oh I know. I swear they give you the questions that you never even thought of." Replied Hermione beginning to relax and enjoy the new girls personality.
"Tell me about it." Said Liz rolling her eyes as they came upon a huge portrait of all of them.
"Password please." Spoke the painted figure of Hermione.
"New Beginnings." Spoke Dumbledore.
"Thank you." Said the portrait opening into a large common room.
"Well this is your common room as you can see. Everything is here you may need. The girl's staircase is on the right while boy's is on the left. You may create your own passwords together and dinner will be served in the great hall at seven. Miss Granger and Mr. Malfoy I would like you to give our two new guests a tour if you wouldn't mind. Well see you all at dinner." Said Dumbledore before he made his way out of the portrait hole.
"Well shall we go on the tour now or sit a while?" Asked Liz seeing Matt's blank stare.