Chapter 8

The Journal

Harry reached Charms in a rush; he had run all the way from Gryffindor Tower. After going there to retrieve his books for his classes, he soon found himself sitting in one of the chairs deep in thought.

He was thinking of Jenna, Quidditch, and any other thoughts that entered his head.

When Harry realized that he was going to be late for Charms he had been feeling guilty about Ginny. He didn't know why he felt guilty, but he felt like his being friends with Jenna was betraying Ginny since he had broken up with her. Last year he had said that he couldn't be with any girl because of what Voldemort might do to them. Not that he was with Jenna, but he still felt guilty.

He sat down next to Jenna hoping no one noticed how late he was. Jenna was wearing her hair in a ponytail. A loose strand of red hair fell in front of her eyes and she brushed it away.

It was then that Harry got a closer look at her hair and realized that she had a different color kind of red than he was used to.

Ginny's hair was completely red all over, like an orange flame, wild and spectacular like Ron's and the rest of her family's. But Jenna's hair was different from her's. It was a softer red, easier on the eyes, tame and beautiful like no color he had seen before.

Harry looked at her again and realized that she had started writing something in what looked like a notebook. Harry tried to see what it was, but without even looking up she turned what she was writing away from him, protecting the precious journal from his curious eyes.

"What is that?" Harry whispered to Jenna.

"None of your business" she replied.

Harry didn't pay attention to the lesson at all during the entire class; instead he went over the millions of possibilities of what Jenna could have written in that book she was holding.

Was it about him? Was it about her mysterious past? Or was it just a diary where she wrote down her spare thoughts?

Harry thought about asking her again after class to see if she would tell him what she was writing once they were alone.

Unfortunately, once the class ended Jenna immediately sped off to the Gryffindor tower to gather her books for Care of Magical Creatures.

Disappointed that he had not been able to question Jenna about the mysterious journal, Harry walked slowly back to the Gryffindor common room.

On his way he saw Jenna walk by him. She was walking too fast for Harry to talk to her. He walked up to portrait of the fat lady and said the password. The portrait swung open to allow him in.

He walked inside and ran into Ginny.

"Sorry" they both said at the same time. They looked at each other to see if either one of them had changed over the summer. Harry had grown a few more inches and he looked older. Ginny's hair had grown and was almost as long as Jenna's but otherwise looked the same as Harry had remembered her.

"I guess our running into each other was inevitable," Ginny said nervously.

Harry nodded suddenly feeling guilty again and not knowing why.

Ginny took a deep breath and waited a few seconds before she let it out.

"So" she said just loud enough so Harry could hear, "Why did you come back this year, not that I'm not happy that you did but I just thought you were leaving?" Harry wanted to tell her the truth, but he couldn't.

"It's a long story," he said.

"Oh, well I don't have time right now, but maybe we can talk about it later when I have more time," Ginny said hopefully.

"Sure" Harry said. Ginny smiled and walked out of the room.

When she was gone, Harry looked over to one of the tables. On it was the same journal that Jenna had been writing in during class. Harry wondered whether he should read it or not.

What if Jenna found out? What if she had written something and Harry read it and afterwards wished he hadn't?

Harry's curiosity got the best of him and he picked up the journal. Jenna had put a spell on it to lock it, but it was easy to break. Harry began to read,

Dear Diary,

My name is Jenna. Unfortunately I left my old diary at home and had to start a new one. Here are a few things you should know about me, I have red hair and blue eyes that I got from my mom. I look sort of like my dad when he was younger but I look most like mom, I am an only child, and I have just started going to school at Hogwarts. I have spent my whole life learning magic at home, but I am very excited to be attending such a great school. Even in the short time I have been here, I have already met Hogwarts most famous student, Harry Potter. He is very nice and I would like to consider us friends, but I'm not sure if I can just yet. I have told him a few of my many secrets, unfortunately I cannot tell him my most important secrets like the fact that-

Harry suddenly stopped reading when he heard someone clearing his or her throat. He looked up slowly to see who it was. Standing near the entrance was Jenna. Busted!

He tried to read her eyes to see what she was thinking, but they showed no emotion. He was to scared to try aLegilimency because he knew that she would feel him doing it. Shecontinued looking at him with a stone cold expression. Harry immediately felt a pang of regret that he ever opened Jenna's diary.

After a few minutes of deafening silence, Jenna walked over and grabbed the journal from him shutting it so he couldn't read anymore.

"What did you read?" she demanded.

"I just -" Harry said.

"I don't want excuses" Jenna said harshly, "I want an answer."

"Okay, I read up to you saying that you haven't told me any of your important secrets, but nothing else. I promise it will never happen again," Harry said quickly.

Jenna looked like she relaxed a little hearing that he hadn't read anything important that he didn't already know, but Harry could still see the coldness in her eyes.

"Never again?" she asked.

"Never again."

"One more chance" Jenna said, "That's it, if this happens again I don't think I could forgive."

"Okay" Harry said feeling a little relieved; at least she was giving him a chance.

Jenna smiled which surprised Harry. He would definitely have to get used to her strange behaviors.

"I guess I can't blame you" she said, "I wouldn't expect you to just trust anyone that you meet."

"It's not that, but sometimes my curiosity gets the best of me," Harry said wondering if she was still mad at him.

"I probably would have done the same thing" she said, "But it is crucial that nobody finds out my secrets, okay?"

Harry nodded and then asked, "You said that you would like to consider us friends, is that still true?"

Jenna sighed, "I really don't know now Harry, it will be a while before I do know, I need to think it over."

"Okay, I swear I will make it up to you" Harry said hoping desperately that he could keep this promise.

"Okay, just promise to keep out of my private stuff" Jenna said.

"I promise, I don't even want to know anymore" Harry said realizing how fake he sounded.

"Well" Jenna said as if reading his mind, "Just in case I am going to make sure that this journal never leaves my sight and I will have to use a different spell to lock it."

Harry had expected this, "Okay" he said.

"Okay, see you later" Jenna said as she turned and left.

Harry sat in the chair thinking; maybe he should just let it rest. Although the temptation was strong, there was no telling what Jenna would do if Harry invaded her privacy again. What if-, Harry's thoughts were interrupted when Ron walked into the room.

"I'm going to see Hagrid, do you want to come?" he asked.

That was it; he could ask Hagrid about Jenna! Harry couldn't believe he had forgotten his plan to ask Hagrid what he knew. The plan was perfect; he wouldn't be going through her personal belongings and he would still get the information he wanted.

Harry got so excited about his new plan he forgot that Ron was there until he heard Ron say, "Harry do you want to come or not?"

Darn! He couldn't talk to Hagrid about Jenna with Ron there.

"No thanks I'm busy now, maybe some other time" he said.

"Okay" Ron said and turned to leave.

"Wait" Harry said remembering what the time was; "He has a class right now; Jenna just left for it."

"I know" Ron said with a grin.

Once Ron had gone it took Harry a few minutes to realize what Ron had said. What was Ron trying to do? Harry thought with rage, Was he trying to get close to Jenna? But Jenna was his-; Harry stopped himself as he realized what he was thinking. Somehow he had subconsciously labeled Jenna as his.

"No" Harry said out loud as if it would help, "No girls; especially not ones like Jenna."