Who is Jasmine? Where the heck did she come from? Why is she here and what does she want with Harry? All will be revealed... (R&R)

Title: Trouble Minds and Desperate Times

Main Characters: Hermione, Harry, Ron, Draco (in later chapters), Jasmine, and a few others

Summary: There's a new girl at school, but is she friend or foe? And this time has Harry fallen a little too far in? Dumbledore is still with them and Ron & Hermione are hiding a secret.

Spoilers: Everything.

Other: Set in the 7th year. Dumbledore is still alive and Harry is forcing himself further and further into the ground. Will the new girl pull him out? Or will she step on his head! The first few chapters are quite short, but then they get longer.

Disclaimer: If you recognise it, it's because it isn't mine. I only own Jasmine and Salvius, and maybe one or two other characters.

Chapter 4

Switched Interest

Harry spent all the spare time he had in the hospital wing. He would take his books in there and do his homework, making up various excuses, such as the fact that he felt responsible for what happened. But, to be honest he liked to watch Jasmine. It was perfect. He could spend as much time as he wished staring at her beautiful face without any questioning. She always looked so peaceful, and it was such a change from all the sympathetic looks he got in the corridors, all the groups of girls that would turn up where he was, only to giggle and run away.

Also, Harry would have liked to be the first person she saw when she woke up.

On the third day, she woke up. It was an unusual time for her to wake up, as it was one of the rare occasions when Harry, Hermione and Ron were together. She opened her eyes, he long, inky eyelashes flickering. She smiled when she saw them, "hey"

"Hi, Jasmine, I want to apologise for what happened. I shouldn't have got involved; you would have been fine without me. And plus, you wouldn't be lying here," Harry said, he had been practising for ages.

"Harry, don't worry about it. I choose to take it for you. And at least you tried," she replied, shooting a look at Ron.

She rubbed her eyes. "I'll go get Madame Pomfrey and see if you can leave," Hermione told them.

"Thanks,"

There was an awkward silence until Hermione rushed back to say that she was free to go.

They all wondered down for the Friday feast in the Great Hall. This was Jasmine's first feast at Hogwart's and the three friends were taking great pleasure in explaining what goes on. They all sat down and tucked in to the roast beef. "So what made you become a model?" Hermione asked, with an edge that, luckily, only Ron and Harry picked up on.

"Money, it's boring and pointless," everyone gave her side looks and a few of the boys looked disappointed, "what I really want to be is an Auror!"

Something inside Harry squirmed. She wanted to be an Auror, just as he did.

Dumbledore stood up, "Will all the seventh years stay behind,"

"I wonder what we've done now," Harry said as the other years strode out the hall.

"Maybe it's about you and Malfoy," Ron replied.

Jasmine sighed. "Now, as you may or may not know, it is tradition for 7th years to have a Boxing Day Ball, as a sort of goodbye. You will have already attended one from the Tri- wizard tournament," Dumbledore told them.

Harry flinched at the memory and he felt almost every eye in the hall on him.

"Hogwarts has the Tri- wizard tournaments?" Jasmine whispered to Hermione.

"You may all go to your dormitories," Dumbledore said and everyone rose.

They all filed out of the hall.

"The Tri- wizard tournaments, well, urm…" Hermione stuttered, not sure what to say.

"It's ok," Harry said, slightly nervous, "I'll explain."

They walked through the portrait hole. "Two years ago Hogwarts held the Tri- wizard tournaments," Harry continued to explain about how he'd been chosen and how he was put into the Goblet of Fire. And he even explained how Diggory had died. It was worth it thought. Her face, fascinated by what he was saying. Her eyes watching his hand movements and lips intensely.

Finally when the story was over they went up to bed.

"I'm thinking of asking Jasmine," Ron said as he climbed into bed.

"Huh?"

"To the ball, you know, ask her to go with me."

Harry's chest tightened. "What about Nada?" he croaked.

"What? Oh her, nah, I'm over her."
"But, but, she really likes you. I don't think that Jasmine would…urm…well she…" Harry trailed off.

He couldn't help but feel guilty. If he did ask Jasmine out then he would be betraying Ron. This really wasn't fair. He would have to talk to Ron. But not now. Tomorrow maybe. He drifted off, while staging a conversation to Ron.

"Harry, Harry wake up!" Ron was shaking him quite violently.

"I'm up," Harry said, reaching for his glasses and Ron came into focus, "what's wrong?"

"Hermione's found something out; she's got something to tell you,"

"What s'up? Harry asked.

"This isn't funny, Harry," Hermione told him, "It's Jasmine."

"What's wrong is she okay?" Harry asked.

"She's fine. Just well. The thing is…" Hermione trailed off.

"Her dad's a death eater!" Ron said hurried, filing in Hermione's gap.

"And, we reckon she might be here on her dad's orders. Maybe, to ge-, for you"

"We think she might be some sort of Veela," Ron told Harry, with a touch of excitement that almost caused Harry to lash out.

Hermione frowned. "No, you reckon she's some type of Veela,"

"A death eater," Harry said, quietly, as if he was trying to get his head round it, "are you sure?"

"'Fraid so, Salvius Bailey is her father. I've read numerous books. There was even a picture."

"What's the time?" Harry asked.

"What? Oh, urm… it's six fifteen, why?" Hermione replied, startled.

"I'm going back to bed," he told them.

And before either of them could say anything, not that they were able to, he slumped off back up the stairs.

At least I won't have to worry about the ball.

Harry woke again at about eleven. As soon as he opened his eyes he felt the anger flood back. Getting out of bed, he pulled his clothes on. "Hey Jack, you seen Jasmine," Harry asked an unsuspecting 9th year.

"Have I!"

Harry's stare was hard and Jack shifted in his seat. "Oh yeah, she's on the field"

Harry stormed out without answering. He saw her sitting by the frozen lake, chucking stones into it. She heard his footsteps and turned round. "Hey! What's up?"

"Don't do that! I know all about your little plan!"

"Sorry?"

"You and your death eater father, plotting to kill me, you, you Veela!"

Jasmine's face changed. "HOW DARE YOU! You have no fucking idea! My supposed father, Salvius Bailey is a death eater. But he's also trying to kill me. He killed my mom. So, don't you come here accusing me of shit!"

She took a breath and looked up at him, "God, I liked you. I actually trusted you. Do you know what- no I guess you don't. Sorry if my dirty blood doesn't fit in with you and your posse."

And she walked off, she looked upset but there were no tears dripping down her face. "Jasmine, wait!"

"Not for you."

"Crap!" Harry swore kicking at the grass.

Why had he been so quick to judge? He'd really liked Jasmine. And he'd completely messed up. He couldn't believe how impatient he had been. Harry lay down on the frosty grass, unable to feel his feet.

"Harry, are you okay?"

Harry opened his eyes to see Hermione and Ron staring down at him. "Turns out she's not a death eater," he muttered.

"What? I looked through so many books! She must be, you know that I wouldn't tell you if I wasn't sure."

"Her father is Salvius Bailey. That same man killed her mother, and is also trying to kill her."

"Oh God Harry, I'm so sorry. No wonder she looked pissed."

"You saw her! Harry asked anxiously, "Was she okay? Did she say anything?"

"Well, we thought she was trying to kill you, so we weren't so keen on talking to her."

"But she seemed pretty upset," Ron added/.

"She liked you, you know."

"Huh?"

"She really liked you."

"Hermione I'm already down, why are you still kicking? We were friends."

"Boys!" Hermione said irritated, she fancied you Harry."

Harry sighed, "I was going to ask her to the ball."

"What! You knew I was going to ask her."

"That doesn't mean that you suddenly own her!" Harry snapped, "Anyway, it's not like it matters now."

"I, urr, better go find Nada," Ron said, rushing back up to the castle.

"Will you be okay? Hermione asked, turning to Harry.

Harry nodded.

"I'm going to go check on Jasmine. Just well… in case," Hermione said.

Hermione raced after Ron and into the dormitory.

Jasmine was rushing round the room, picking things off surfaces. "What are you doing?" Hermione asked.

"Packing," Jasmine replied, in a matter- of- fact tone.

"What? You're not leaving!"

"I'm sorry Herm, I really am. But, I guess I don't fit here," she laughed ironically, "I guess I don't fit in the heroic three."

"Jasmine, stop being stupid. You can sort this out. Harry feels awful about what's happened."

"Jesus! You just don't understand. You don't know what it's like to be judged entirely by your background, by your parenting."

"Are you taking the piss? I don't know prejudice? My parents are mudbloods. I bet you've never been called a mudblood."

"Better than death eater!"

"I'm sorry. I know I don't understand. But Harry does. Sirius died just like Ethan did. Please stay," Hermione whispered.

But Jasmine kept packing. "Fine, don't stay for me. At least stay for Harry."

"Stay for Harry!" Jasmine spat.

She picked up her case and walked over to the doorway. "Bye Hermione. I'm so sorry I couldn't stay for longer. I was very much looking forward to it."
And she gave a false smile and left.

Harry decided to get up from the grass and go back upstairs and start some serious apologies. He walked up the stairway when suddenly he spotted Jasmine, carrying a suitcase. "Jasmine! Jasmine!" he called out.

Jasmine looked down to see Harry. She stopped dead. Harry ran up to her. She stood there staring at him.

"Where are you going? You can't leave. Look I paniked.2

"Bye Harry," she replied icily.

She rushed down the stairs, not looking back. Harry rushed after her. "Look, at least explain to me your story."

"I have nothing to say to you."

They'd got to the bottom of the stairs and were going along the corridor. "Come in here," Harry said, pulling Jasmine into a classroom.

"What are you going to do? Kidnap me and send me to Azkaban?" Jasmine said to Harry, but sitting down all the same.

"Tell me, I want to understand."

Jasmine looked up at him, his face so sympathetic.

"Why did you not tell me?" Harry continued.

"I should have told you, I know. But it's not really the sort of thing you say. Oh, hi, I'm Jasmine, by the way my dad's a bloody lunatic who tries to kill me," Harry stifled a smile, "but you still had no right to outright accuse me."

"I know, I know, I was stupid."

"Yeah, you were," she half smiled at him, "I'll tell you, well, I'll try. You deserve to be told. Okay…" she looked around, not sure where to start.

"Salvius was always aggressive toward me. It was as if as soon as I was conceived he hated me. See this," she said, pointing to a scar on her cheek, "this is where he hit me. He used to wear this ring that had jagged edges. And this." She pointed to lots of long white scars along the insides of her fingers, "he forced my hand into a hot iron when he found out I'd… well, that doesn't matter," she was avoiding his eyes. "And this…" she pondered, holding her sleeve. Finally she lifted her sleeve, to reveal on her wrist; below her thumb was a scar of a small star. "I guess he was trying to copy Voldermort," she said, sweeping away his hair.

Harry shivered. Jasmine was still avoiding his eyes, but Harry was glad. "Then one night he came home, and mom told me to hide. So I hid. I was twelve and he came and, well, committed an Unforgivable Curse. I heard him coming to look for me, but I ran. When I got out the house I ran to my Godfather's house, Ethan. I always liked him, we had this bond. Salvius hated the man. I mean, really hated him, I have no idea how he became my godfather. I stayed at his until," she looked up at the ceiling, feeling her eyes grow hot, "a couple of months ago. Salvius found me. And, he tried to kill me, but Ethan got in his way, and he killed Ethan. So I . . . came here. Everyone told me it was a bad idea. I guess they were right. But I wanted to meet you Harry, warn you about Salvius. But then everything got messed up and . . . and."

Harry wasn't quite sure what to say. He continued to watch her intently. She was wringing out her hands. "I'll be off then," she said standing up.

"What? No, Jasmine please stay," Harry begged.

"Why? Why should I stay?"

"For me. Stay for me. Jasmine will you go to the ball with me?"

Jasmine stopped and turned. Her eyebrow raised. "Really?" she asked, this definitely wasn't what Harry had expected.

Harry nodded, nervously. She put down her bag. "I don't actually have anywhere to go. Yeah, okay I'll stay. And yeah, I'll go with you."

He walked forward and embraced her tightly. Her felt his chest tighten. "I better go unpack."

She walked out the classroom.

After a few minutes to realise what had just had happened. He started to jump and whoop around the classroom. After deciding that if anyone came in the room, he would look like the biggest prat possible, he went back up to the common room. He was warmly welcomed by Ron and Hermione, who congratulated him. "Nada said yes!" Ron told him.

Harry grinned, "Well done!"

"Hermione you got a date yet?" Ron asked, with a smug grin.

"I have actually," Hermione returned with the same amount of smugness, "Jamie Forsith from Ravenclaw."

"That tall black haired guy?" Harry asked with slight disbelief.

Hermione nodded. "Good on ya', Herm!" Jasmine said, walking up behind them, "he's incredibly cute, and a real gentlemen I've heard."

Harry frowned slightly. Jasmine seeing this said, in a mock serious tone, "well, you know cute in a average to disappointing way."

"We better go decide what to wear," Jasmine said to Hermione," you boys better go sort out your dress robe."

"You do realise the ball's not for another month at least," Ron said in slight disbelief.

"I know, but you don't want you robes creased."

"She has a point."

They wandered off to their dormitories.

"So, what happened?" Ron asked as soon as he and Harry were safely out of earshot.

"Just used some of the old Potter charm."
Ron raised and eyebrow. "Well, I asked to the ball and we chatted.

"Is that it?"

"What were you expecting?" "Anyway, what happened between you and Nada?"

"Well, I went up to her and asked her to the ball. And, well, she said yes."

"Oh"

A week later was Snape's first meeting of Jasmine. It was a potions lesson on Monday morning. "So, you're the famous Jasmine Bailey?" he said, patronisingly, "seems like we now have two celebrities in our midst, how lucky."

Malfoy sneered. "Hey! Mr and Mrs Potter!"

"Shut up Malfoy," Harry snapped.

"Don't worry, Harry, he's just jealous 'cos I turned him down and he's too ugly and slimy to get a real girlfriend," Jasmine said, with a malicious smile.

Malfoys's mouth opened and closed a few times, obviously speechless, but the effect made him look like a goldfish. "If Gold and Potter are done with their conversations, then we will go on," Snape hissed.

The lesson went a lot quicker than usual. Mainly due to Ron's re-enactments of Malfoys's fish impression. When they walked out the classroom at the end, Malfoy came up to Jasmine and whispered in her ear "did you forget what happened last time?"

She turned swiftly, "yeah, Harry punched you."

"I'll get you, you and your boyfriend."

Jasmine smiled and raised an eyebrow. If her eyes didn't hold such malice Harry would have felt turned on.

Malfoy walked off in a strop muttering things under his breathe.

"Harry, I need to talk to you," Jasmine said turning to him.

"Ur, sure, what's wrong?"

Please dear God don't let her have another date for the Ball.

"Not here," she told him, taking his hand, and rushing off toward the lake.

Harry couldn't ignore the knot he felt in his stomach as he held her hand. He longed to let go, he could feel his palms becoming clammy, but couldn't. He just couldn't let go. It was like a curse.

"Okay," she started, looking round her, "Salvius is back."

"Oh," Harry said, trying to look shocked, but considering the fact that Harry never knew Salvius had gone this was proving hard.

Jasmine frowned, "You need to understand significance of this. This is bad for both of us. If Salvius is back then Voldermort has such a larger chance of defeat. Salvius has connections. Large connections."

Oh, ok, thanks. Wait, did you just say Voldermort?"

"Y-e-a-h," Jasmine said, totally not getting what he ment.

"No, I mean instead of You- Know- Who."

"Fear of a name only increases fear of the thing itself."

Jasmine sounded so much like Hermione some times it scared him. Or Herm as she was now apparently called. Harry couldn't imagine Hermione with a nickname, it was so unlike Hermione. He could just see her saying "My parents gave me a perfectly good name, thank you."

Over the next couple of weeks Harry really started to notice things about Jasmine that he never did before. Like the way she was stressed about work she would tie her hair back, or how when she didn't agree she would raise an eyebrow.

He wanted to get her something special for Christmas but couldn't think what. So, one day he sneaked off to Palmolive's, Hogsmead's jewellers, and a necklace for her. He'd had the idea in a potions lesson, he would get them to make him a gold necklace with a lightening bolt and a star.

(Sorry, I know this chapter was long, but I had soooo much to put in. Tell me what you think. And don't worry I don't think any of the other chapters will be quite this long. Also if you want more then REVIEW ME!)