Chapter 9

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters

Jackie sighed, as the carriages took them back to their home. For some reason Canada had never had such a big effect on her as Hogwarts did. And this was her last year too. And another thing kept bugging her. Was Draco hiding something important from her? On her other side was Heather, whose mind wandered to the weird man on the train, as she looked out the window. Now there was a man...a true one, but something was different and she couldn't place her finger on it just yet. Nehal was unusually quite too, Danielle who was watching her, saw the raven haired girl feel something from inside her pocket, and a troublesome expression on her face. Looking around the carriage once more, Danielle noted that the ride had been too quiet...something was wrong...terribly wrong...

When the four girls arrived at Hogwarts they sat at the Gryffindor table.

Danielle said, "I hope Diego's sorted into Gryffindor."

"Omg that would be so awesome!" agreed Jackie

Danielle and Jackie both sighed.

Nehal and Heather who were sitting beside each other rolled their eyes.

Nehal nudged Heather. "Looks, like that guy is the new Dada teacher!"

"Yay!" cheered Heather

Jackie said, "Hope he's better then Mr. K."

Dumbledore then stepped up to the microphone. "Yo what up Hogwarts! Let's raise this roof! Make some noise!"

All the students cheered.

"Professor McGonagall bring in da 1st years and our new exchange students. Holla!"

"Eeeeeee its Diego!" squealed Jackie

"And he is looking fine!" added Danielle

"Jamie's looking fine too!" said Nehal looking at Jamie who was only a few seats away from her.

Once all the first years had been sorted Professor McGonagall called out for Gary Giggles. (Yes he was the burglar from chapter 7)

Many students laughed at his name.

"Respect!" McGonagall gritted through her teeth. She was not in the mood to hand out detentions, especially on the first day back.

Gary put on the sorting hat.

"Ravenclaw!" announced the hat

The Ravenclaws clapped and cheered.

Riley stood up and patted Gary on the back.

Shivers ran down Nehal's spine when she saw that Riley was sitting right behind her.

"Diego Luna."

The sorting hat was placed on Diego's head.

Under the Gryffindor table Danielle and Jackie had their fingers crossed.

"Gryffindor!"

All the Gryffindors cheered. Diego sat beside Danielle.

Danielle smiled at him. "Welcome to Hogwarts."

Diego replied, "Glad to be here."

Dumbledore said, "Now let's fucking eat!"

The girls all dug in and ate. The welcoming ceremony had been grand, as teachers tried to get the students minds of the dangers ahead. Nehal sat quietly, the incident of her family's behavior was quite odd, and she wished Arrow had not bitten her father, because she had not wanted to let go of him either. At that moment she knew that was probably the last time she would see them, and missed her mom already. The owls suddenly swooped down, and the tension could be felt in the air, but every owl carried sweets to its owner. Delight filled each table, as the sweets were opened, and laughter broke in once again. Arrow circled the hall, looking for its owner, when she saw Nehal watching her. She dove, and dropped the letter she had been holding in her talons, and took off for the sky once more.

At the Slytherin table Ian was furious at the fact that Diego got sorted into Gryffindor.

Ian said, "I mean Hufflepuff would have suited him better. Just look at that guy flirting with our women!"

Sean laughed at his friend. "Actually he seems to be more interested in your girlfriend Smith not like nothing's wrong with your girlfriend Malfoy…"

"The point is!" exclaimed Ian. "If he makes or tries to make a move on my girlfriend I'll hex him good!"

"Crucio's a good one." suggested Draco. "Torture him first then beat the shit out of him, while he's weak, that's my strategy."

"I'll keep that in mind Malfoy."

"You do that."

After the feast was over, Dumbledore spoke again. "Now would the head boy and head girl stand up!"

Nehal and Jamie both stood up.

Jackie, Heather and Danielle's jaws dropped.

Nehal knew they were staring at her but she just ignored it and stared at the teachers as they clapped for her and Jamie.

However, the Slytherins were giving Nehal and Jamie dirty looks. They were mad at Dumbledore for picking two Gryffindors.

"And now y'all get some frickin' shut eye! Goodnight y'all!" said Dumbledore

Nehal stared at the letter, and opened it slowly, reading its contents, her face hard to read. Her less than happy occasion of becoming Head Girl had vanished when she realized, her friends were mad at the prospect of it being her and not Danielle. The letter did not help, and made things more confusing. Its contents said:

Miss Pradhan, please come see me in my office after the ceremony. I have some important things to discuss with you. Make sure no one follows however, and do not tell anyone of this meeting. After this, you may go to your Heads Room, where you will find all your belongings.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

Head of Gryffindor House

Nehal folded the letter, and as the prefects led the first years to their respective houses, Nehal slipped, unnoticed by the crowd save Jamie Bell, and Draco Malfoy. Making sure no one followed her; Nehal put the delusional charm on herself, and with a knock, entered the room, undoing the charm, in process.

Professor McGonagall nodded to a chair, which Nehal sat in. "Miss Pradhan," she paused, and swallowed. Taking a deep breath, the Head of House continued softly," Shortly after your family reached their hiding place, they were attacked by two dozen Death Eaters. Obviously outnumbered, they fought bravely to the end, and it was quite a short notice, and the Aurors could not get there in time. They did recover a few possessions however, which are now your responsibility. " She took out a small velvet pouch, a note; put a cage on the table, and something wrapped in paper. She took out a necklace out of the pouch. "This is the Pradhan heirloom, and is extremely powerful. It reflects your emotions, and helps in other ways in which you will discover. The note goes into detail, of their last words to you.

Nehal looked at it, still sealed with the Pradhan coat of arms. Fingering it, she looked up to see the cage which held the Pradhan family's pride and honor. A hawk perched elegantly, its opal eyes calmly watching her. She soon discovered that it was somehow connected to the necklace.

She slipped the necklace over her head, and the opal suddenly changed to Zircon, (its almost Aqua in color) exactly the colour of the hawks'. "Shadow Fire." Nehal whispered softly, taking the bird out of its cage. She turned to Cooper, the house elf. "Cooper, you are free..." She said softly.

"No Missus!" Cooper squeaked "Me serve miss for eternity, me will. To kitchen for now." and he vanished, still wearing the Pradhan outfit.

"What's in there?" Nehal looked at the big rectangles, and removing the covers, saw the only pictures that survived the attack. Pictures of the three Pradhans, with frames made by Manali. A tiny broche fell out of one of them. The Pradhans' Coat of arms.

With Shadow Fire perched on her shoulder, the note safely in her pocket, along with the pictures, and the broche pinned on her shirt; Nehal managed a small smile and walked slowly out of the room. The news still sinking in... somehow she made her way to the Heads Room.

Nehal saw Jamie talking to a Hufflepuff prefect. "Jamie! Jamie!"

Jamie looked to see who was calling his name. When he saw it was Nehal his eyes lit up and he grinned. He quickly bid goodbye to the Hufflepuff prefect leaving him with final instructions. He looked at Nehal. "Ready to go see our room?"

Nehal smirked. "I'm always ready Jamie Bell."

Jamie took hold of Nehal's hand.

They walked towards their room and came face to face with a portrait of a lion.

"Password?" asked the grumpy lion. (Ahaha)

"Hogwarts is cool." said Jamie and Nehal in unison.

The portrait swung open and they entered.

"Wow this is so nice." commented Nehal

"I know." replied Jamie. "Hey cool couch." Jamie ran to the couch and lay down on it. "Now this is nice."

Nehal gave him a weak smile.

"So where did you go?"

"I uh…went to talk to my friends about this head girl situation." lied Nehal putting on a happy act for her boyfriend. "Let's just say, they weren't exactly delighted!" Nehal said looking at her hands.

"Explain…" Jamie sat across from her.

"They think that I won't be able to spend much time with them and that I'll have to be a role model and everything…"

"Take one step at a time with them and they'll come around!" advised Jamie

"I hope your right. Anyways, let's take a look at this place and then go to that stupid mandatory meeting!" Nehal and Jamie left on their separate ways.

Nehal's room was decorated in red and gold, a king sized bed and she had her own bathroom.

The next day…

Nehal woke up that morning with a huge smile on her face. She went to the great hall and sat beside Danielle. "Good morning!"

"Morning." The three girls mumbled back.

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Ron noticed that Harry wasn't eating his breakfast. "Hey Harry what are you looking at?"

Harry replied, "That new exchange student Gary Giggles, he is good looking!"

Ron rolled his eyes. "Maybe we should explain to him the rules of the school."

"What do you mean Ron?"

"I mean how the whole popularity thing works…"

"Yeah, yeah that sounds good." Harry tapped Gary on the shoulder. "HI! I'm Harry Potter!"

Gary scoffed, "Yeah I know who you are, I mean who doesn't!"

"That is so true. In the name that all is holy would you look at Jackie Allan's pink flip-flops?"

Ron replied, "Of course the four most popular girls in Hogwarts have to sit together."

"Who are they?" asked Gary

"Their teen royalty." answered Harry. "If Hogwarts was US weekly they would always be on the cover."

Ron said, "That one with the ponytail is Jackie Allan. She is one of the dumbest girls you will ever meet."

Harry said, "One time in Transfiguration she asked me how to spell orange."

Gary laughed.

"She can't say no to shopping and is the innocent one in the group."

"The one sitting across from her is Danielle Mcleod." replied Ron. "Danielle's a star, she always looks good."

"All the boys excluding me because I'm gay have a crush on her. But of course she has her eyes on only one man Ian Smith her boyfriend of almost 2 years. "

"She's also really smart and is always competing with Hermione for the top grades. That tall one is Nehal Pradhan. I kissed her last year!"

"She's totally rich and beautiful. Her complexion is flawless. However she doesn't trust people easily and is very protective of her friends."

"Doesn't take crap from teachers either, maybe that's why she was made Head girl…"

"And the girl sitting across from Nehal is Heather Reid."

"Heather Reid knows everyone's business, everything about everyone."

"That's why her hair is so big. It's full of secrets."

"She's also a player. She cheated on Neville last year. But she is the jokester in the group, and she gets hyper on almost anything."

"Hmm." Gary said staring at the four girls. "Interesting."

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Nehal stretched her arms out. "I had the most wonderful sleep last night and the most wonderful shower this morning!"

"Way to rub in our faces Nehal!" said Danielle angrily. She looked at Jackie and Heather. "I'll see you guys in potions."

"Danie I'm sorry."

But Danielle chose not to answer Nehal and she departed from the great hall.

"I can't believe your head girl!" sneered Hermione who sounded very jealous.

Nehal glared at Hermione. "I can't believe you're still a bitch!"

Many of the Gryffindor students laughed at this.

"So." Nehal looked at Jackie and Heather. "Are you two cool with me being head girl?"

Heather glared at Nehal while Jackie seemed to be fascinated with straitening out her robes.

Heather said, "You do realize that Danielle was hoping to be head girl this year!"

"I know." sighed Nehal. "But it was Dumbledore's decision. I can't really do much about it you know?"

Jackie said, "Come on Heather let's go find Danielle."

Nehal just sat there stunned. Maybe she should talk to Dumbledore but then again she secretly always wanted to be head girl. She sighed. "What am I going to do?"

Her new buddy Shadow Fire blinked at her as if he was trying to show his support to Nehal.

Potions class was odd, as the girls weren't talking or sitting together. Jamie was sitting with Nehal, but they hadn't gotten used to the idea of going out yet, and public displays of affection seemed going too far. Jamie looked across the room at Danielle who was snogging Ian, not noticing Heather making puking faces behind her back, and Jackie stuff her fist in her mouth, trying hard not to laugh.Jamie hated seeing the girls fight constantly, and somehow it always involved Nehal. He sighed and intertwined his fingers with hers, under the table. He glanced at Nehal who ironically seemed to be smiling, while looking at the ceiling, feeling something around her neck.

Jamie thought, "Why is Nehal smiling?" He shrugged his shoulders. "At least she's happy".

Suddenly Nehal sat up straight and looked around for the first time noticing where she was, and where the sudden chill came from. She felt warm arms going round her, and looked up to see Jamie, and not one of her friends.

Professor Snape then spoke. "This year potions will be very advanced! It will require skill, technique and patience. Now for homework I want you to write an essay about an advanced potion used on magical flying creatures." He paused. "Turn to page 394." (Like in the movie!)

"Our books only go to page 390!" said Harry

"Page 394!"

"I can't sir!"

Snape got really close to Harry and whispered to his face. "Page 394!"

Everyone else turned to page 394 except Harry the rebel. (LOL!)

"No!" yelled Harry

"Three…hundred…and…ninety…four…" said Professor Snape threatingly. He turned on his heel and glided over to his desk.

Nehal pulled out some parchment and started working on her essay and occasionally talk to Jamie. A couple times she looked back at her friends. When ever she did she saw them whispering and starring at her, and then looking away.

"One by one they'll come around." said Jamie

Nehal then glanced over at the Slytherins and noticed Draco staring at her.

Draco mouthed, "What's going on?"

Nehal just shook her head. She decided her best bet was to sit beside one of her friends in Dada class. She slumped on her current headrest (which by the way is Jamie's chest) and asked idly, "What are we supposed to do?"

Jamie pointed to the page which said How To Make The Delusional Potion" With his free hand.

"I'll go get the ingredients." Nehal got up quickly, and out of his embrace, the cold wrapping her once more, heading towards the front of the class.

Professor Snape turned to her and said in a low voice," You know...talons of a hawk are very useful for potions."

"I guess I'll never run out then!" Nehal answered dryly. When she got to the cupboard, unfortunately for her, Draco Malfoy was there.

"Oh look who we have here! Head Girl! So Nehal can we talk normally or do I have to start bowing every time you pass by?" Draco asked amused.

"WE have NEVER talked NORMALLY!" Nehal pointed out. "But sure, that bowing sounds great!" She said brightly.

Jackie, who looked up at that moment, saw Draco bow to Nehal, seeing a small smile creep up the other girls face. What was Draco doing, talking to Nehal? Jackie wondered.

"So are you going to tell me what's wrong or do I have to pry it out of you?" asked Draco

Nehal suddenly stiffened. So that's why he was talking to her. "I have nothing to say to you, Malfoy!" Nehal spat out Draco's last name, like it was poison. She turned to leave, when he grabbed her, dragging her back. "Let go of my arm!" Her eyes were stony.

"Talk!" Draco said calmly, but his patience was being tested. When she shook her head fiercely, he dragged her to Professor Snape's office at the back. Once the door was closed, and locked, there was nothing but silence. Draco was standing by the door, and Nehal was sitting by the table.

"I am sorry!" She said softly her eyes on the floor. "I know I owe you an explanation, but so much has happened, I don't think I can sum it all up in Potions class alone." She looked up as she saw Draco move until he was right in front of her. She got up, and looked him right him. "Maybe another time." She made to leave, when he stopped her.

"Nehal look up!" When she didn't, he thrusted her head up to look at him. "Close your eyes!" he whispered. Nehal obeyed this time, squeezing her eye lids shut, so the last drops of tears rolled down her cheeks. Draco grabbed her, pulling her in for a hug, as she finally let go, and cried out every painful memory she could find. Her eyelashes had little droplets in them, when she opened her eyes. He tightened his hold, and she could hear his heart beating loudly in her ear.

"Thank you." The Head Girl whispered hoarsely. She couldn't hide from him. Draco knew her too well. The bell rang loudly, startling them both.

"Ready for reality?" Draco said softly. Drying her eyes, she nodded. He gripped her hands and led them out to their next class. Before the door closed though, Nehal heard something like a war cry, as she saw a blur of fire. Smiling slightly, she thought, "Shadow Fire, I think I'll be okay..."

Professor Snape said, "The essay is due tomorrow for Gryffindors and it will be due for the Slytherins on Friday!"

All the Gryffindors groaned.

"Snape is being so unreasonable." Danielle whispered to Jackie and Heather as they left the classroom.

Jackie flipped her ponytail. "I know!"

Heather looked at her timetable. "Yay! We have Dada class now! Come on we have to get front seats!" Heather ran down the hall like she was the road runner. (Ahaha)

Danielle looked at Jackie. "What's with her?"

Jackie shrugged her shoulders.

Heather ran all the way to Dada but the door was locked and it was all dark inside. By the time Heather caught her breath everyone else was there and getting bored waiting.

"Oh move over!" yelled Hermione. "Alohomora!" (Like in the first movie)

The door swung open and Hermione ran forward to the front.

"Oh no you don't!" said Heather. She tackled Hermione and got to the front seats first.

Jackie went to sit beside Heather.

Nehal sat down behind them and noticed there was an empty seat beside her.

Danielle looked around, most of the seats were being filled and she really didn't want to sit with Seamus or Dean so she sat next to Nehal.

Nehal smiled at Danielle.

Jamie who sat beside Nehal whispered, "One by one they'll come around."

However the only person who seemed to be missing was the teacher.

"CRAPSTICKS!" said Heather

There wasn't even a desk or anything just a coffee table at the front. Everyone was talking really loudly or throwing paper airplanes at each other. Only the four girls were being quiet which was extremely awkward.

Danielle was just about to give Nehal a piece of her mind when the coffee table started rumbling.

"Uh…" said Nehal

The lid burst off the top of the table and the teacher sat up in it. He was breathing REALLY loudly. "Hi."

"Come here often?" asked Heather

"All the time." said the teacher.

"One by one they'll come around." whispered Jamie

"SHUT UP!" yelled Draco

Everyone in the class looked at Draco afraid.

"Yeah shut up!" Jackie said getting the tension off Draco.

The teacher said, "Appear!" He flicked his wand and the desks and chairs appeared. "My name is Mr. Von Gooshy. I will be your teacher for this year."

"That's hot!" commented Heather. (Paris Hilton style)

"Thank you. And your name is?"

"Heather Reid."

"That's a nice name."

"I know!"

Jackie gave Heather a weird look.

Nehal looked at Danielle. "I'm sorry."

Danielle sighed. "It's alright. I'm just in a really bad mood today and I should be happy for you and instead I'm being a bad friend."

"Danielle you will never be a bad friend." Nehal hugged her and both the girls smiled.

Danielle said, "But if you ever need help with Head girl stuff I would love to help!"

"Okay, I'll keep that in mind."

Danielle turned to look at Ian. She blew him a kiss.

Nehal rolled her eyes.

"AHEM!" said Mr. Von Gooshy. He was wearing black leather pants, a black shirt and a bright blue jacket. He had clear brown eyes, long wavy brown hair and really pale skin. "Where did you leave off last year?"

Heather put her hand up first but Hermione stood up in her chair and started waving her hand.

"Uh…you." Mr. Von Gooshy pointed at Hermione.

Heather said, "No!"

"Chapter…um…vampires!" said Hermione

Mr. Von Gooshy did the shifty eye thing. "Uh, let's skip that and go to…giants!"

"Excuse me sir!" said Nehal. "Can we turn the lights on…or open the windows?"

They had all been sitting in the dark and he didn't seem to mind. Mr. Von Gooshy went to the table and lit a candle. "Is this okay?"

"Er…how about no!" said Danielle. "I can't see what I'm reading!"

Mr. Von Gooshy lit another candle. "This is how I work best."

Jackie whispered to Heather. "I work best when I'm with Draco."

Heather laughed.

Jackie looked at Draco and smiled at him.

Draco smirked.

Mr. Von Gooshy started to write notes on the board. (Let's just say there's a chalk board in the room) "Giants are very big! But what else do we really know about them?"

Harry raised his hand.

"Yes Mr. Potter?"

Harry replied, "Hagrid is my best friend. I can talk to him about anything. We really open up to each other."

There was silence.

Ron whispered to Harry. "I thought I was your best friend."

"You are." Harry whispered back. "But I can't tell the whole class that Hagrid is my lover."

But unfortunately the class did hear what they were talking about.

The Slytherins burst out laughing and Nehal and Danielle sniggered.

Jackie felt sorry for Harry so she didn't laugh.

Heather just stared at the teacher.

"Pay attention class!" said Mr. Von Gooshy. "Anything else about giants?"

"I heard that they eat people's brains for breakfast." said Neville.

Heather glared at Neville. "They do not!"

"Do too!"

By this time the whole class was fighting with each other.

"Class! Pay attention!" cried Mr. Von Gooshy

But nobody did, Heather was arguing with Neville, Nehal, Jamie and Danielle were talking about Mr. Von Gooshy's clothes and Jackie was doodling on her piece of parchment.

Ring! The bell rang. Everyone immediately left the classroom except Heather who noticed that Mr. Von Gooshy looked really sad. (Aww)

Heather walked over to him. "I'm sorry we didn't get to finish the lesson Professor…"

But before she could finish Mr. Von Gooshy interrupted her. "You're the one that started this mess. Detention, 7:30 tonight! Be here!"

"Yes sir." Heather met up with her friends.

"So what was that all about?" asked Jackie

"I have detention!"

"Wow on the first day!" said Nehal. "That's got to be some sort of record. High-five!"

Heather gave Nehal a high-five. "Oh well! I'm sure he's a nice teacher."

Danielle said, "Let's hope so."

The four friends laughed joyfully. It looks like things were back to normal.

Jackie waved to someone who Danielle, Heather and Nehal didn't notice because they were now doing impressions of Mr. Von Gooshy. "Hi Luna!"

Luna looked up surprised that someone would say hi to her in the hallway. "Uh, hi Jackie."

Yepp, things were defiantly back to normal.

A/N: See, I made it up to you guys. Please review, and if you have any questions about this chapter feel free to ask.

Rosepetal05 – Yes there will be drama between Jamie and Nehal later on and thanks for the compliment.

Softshadows – Thanks for your support!