Changing Sides

Disclaimer: Do not own. (:

Chapter 11: Miss Miranda Wesley

It was after the feast and the sorting ceremony and all the student's were in their dormitories. Well, almost all of the students. The rules were that no student is to leave their house at night. Technically, Harry, Ron and Hermione were in the Common Room.

"What's it called again?" Ron asked.

"A Fidelius Charm," Hermione said.

"And what's it do again?" Ron asked.

Hermione put her head in her hands. "Do you ever pay attention?" She asked. "Never mind."

"I think a Fidelius Charm hides a secret within something or someone and only the caster can choose when the person inflicted can reveal their secret," Harry explained.

"Very good," Hermione said.

"You sound like McGonagall," Ron pointed out.

"So, anyway, I think You-Know-Who could've cast this spell on you while you were at Malfoy's to prevent you from telling anyone anything that happened," Hermione explained.

"But that wouldn't make any sense," Ron said. "You've told us loads of things that happened while you were there."

"This is where my theory can be disproved," Hermione said.

"Tell us something Harry, tell us something that happened," Ron demanded.

"Well, for one thing, I was returning a book to Malfoy's room and I fell into his bookshelf which led me into a dark tunnel and that's where I overheard Malfoy telling Voldemort that he had me trusting him," Harry explained. "Then I went back up the bookshelf when I heard Mal–. What?"

Hermione had held up her hand. "Tell a different story," she said.

"Mr. Malfoy brought me down to a dueling room and that's where I learned my wandless magic and then Draco Malfoy dueled me and I ended up unconscious for a long time. Maybe one or two weeks," Harry said.

"Alright, tell another," Ron said yawning.

"Well, this one was more recent. Malfoy came to me and told me that his father wanted to speak to me and he brought me to this room and when I got in the room, Mr. Malfoy wasn't there, instead it was... wasssss... zzzzzz..." Harry said. "That's it! I know what I can't tell you!"

"What is it?" Ron asked.

"Well, he obviously can't tell us, so let's figure it out," Hermione said.

"Can we figure it out tomorrow?" Ron asked yawning again.

"Yeah, that's a better idea," Harry said standing up. "G'night."

"Good night Harry. Good night Ron," Hermione said kissing Ron.

Hermione went up the stairs and to the right to the girls' dormitories and Harry and Ron went to the left into theirs.

None of them noticed the small shadow of a person slip from the Common Room up the stairs to the Dormitories.

In the morning, Harry was waiting in the Common Room for Ron.

"Ron! Stop being lazy! We're going to miss breakfast!" Harry called.

There was no answer.

"Ron!" Harry called again.

Ginny came down the stairs into the Common Room.

"Breakfast will be over by the time he gets up," Ginny remarked.

Harry laughed. "Want to walk with me?" Harry asked.

"Sure," Ginny said smiling and they left the Common Room.

The got down to the Great Hall and as soon as Harry and Ginny entered the Great Hall, it became almost dead quiet. Everyone was staring at them.

"What are they staring at?" Ginny whispered to Harry.

"Dunno, let's just go and sit down," Harry whispered back and began to walk forward. "Come on Ginny." He grabbed her forearm and pulled her with him even though she was whispering something about not wanted people looking at her. "Can we sit here?" Harry asked Hermione.

"Sure," Hermione replied.

By now, most people had turned back to their eggs and bacon and began eating and subtly talking about Harry and Ginny.

"Did we miss a memo?" Harry asked.

"Take a look at this," Neville said handing Harry a copy of the Daily Prophet.

"Oh Merlin," Ginny said leaning over Harry's shoulder reading the paper.

Potter Confirms Allegiance to You-Know-Who

By: Rita Skeeter

Daily Prophet reporter, Rita Skeeter went undercover to investigate the latest rumors about Harry Potter's allegiance with You-Know-Who. While undercover, Skeeter, using a Quick Quotes Quill took notes on things she overheard Harry Potter say. Harry Potter said, "Yes, I am working with Voldemort to take down the Ministry of Magic," to none other than his ally and partner Ginny Weasley. Harry Potter also states that when he began working with You-Know-Who, "It was scary at first, I thought I was going to die." Rita Skeeter also reports that You-Know-Who gave Harry Potter some sort of charm necklace that has unknowable powers. It is best to steer clear of Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley for where their true allegiances lie are unknown.

"This is unbelievable!" Ginny said. "How could she write this?"

"She said she was undercover," Neville stated.

"Do you believe her that we're conspiring with Voldemort?" Ginny asked.

"No, never!" Neville replied.

Ron came into the Great Hall and sat down next to Harry and across from Hermione and Neville.

"How come you didn't wait for me?" Ron asked.

"You took too long," Ginny said.

"Here, read this," Harry said shoving the newspaper in front of Ron.

Ron read it and then looked at Harry and Ginny.

"This is rubbish, where does that woman get her false information?" Ron asked.

"At least there's no picture," Hermione said hopefully.

"Undercover?" Ron asked scanning the article. "Maybe she was that Romildy girl who came in asking Harry to come and sit with them because she wanted to spy on him."

"No, Romilda Vane has gone to Hogwarts for the past three years, it would have to be a student that is brand new this year," Hermione said.

"Was anyone sorted into our year who just came here?" Harry asked.

"Now that you mention it, there was a really tall girl who got sorted yesterday. There's no way that she was a first year. It's possible that she was a fifth year. Or even a fourth year like me," Ginny said.

"Which house was she sorted into?" Hermione asked.

"I would think you'd know. You do seem to know everything," Ginny said. "But, I don't know what house, but I remember her name. It's... It was... Got it! It was Miranda. Miranda Wesley. I only remembered that because I thought Wesley sounded like Weasley."

"Do you remember what she looked like?" Hermione asked.

"She was tall, taller than me. Brown hair, kind of like Hermione's, about to her shoulders and she was tan," Ginny said.

"Tan?" Hermione repeated.

"You know, like you've gone to the beach or something. Like me, I'm not tan. No offense but you're not tan. Harry's not tan. Ron is so far from tan. Neville, sorry, you're not tan either," Ginny said. "But this girl was tan."

McGonagall came and handed out schedules.

"Double Potions, Double Defense?" Harry said as if he wasn't sure. "Have any of you ever had any double defense against the dark arts classes?" he asked.

They all shook their heads.

"I have that too," Ron said.

"Me too," Hermione agreed.

"I don't," Neville said. "I have herbology instead."

"If anyone wanted to know, I have Defense Against the Dark Arts first and then I have Transfiguration and Divination," Ginny stated.

"That's the worst," Harry commented.

"I know, I wish I was in your class," Ginny said. "Well, I mean you guys, your classes."

Neville looked at Ginny with a look that meant "nice save" and she shot him back a look that said "you better stop or I'll put a bat bogey hex on you."

"Back to the new girl," Harry said. "Are you sure she's a fifth year?"

"Well, that would be a good year to be in if you were undercover looking for information on Harry Potter," Ginny said.

"Harry Potter?" someone said from behind them.

Hermione and Neville looked up and Harry, Ginny and Ron turned around.

A girl was standing there looking rather embarrassed. "I'm sorry," she said and started to walk away.

"No," Harry said. "It's alright."

"What are you doing?" Ginny whispered. "That's the girl!"

"Look at her tie. It's red and gold. She's a Gryffindor," Harry explained. Harry turned back to the girl who was standing there. "I'm Harry Potter. And you are?"

"Harry Potter?! I've always wanted to meet you. I'm from the states across the Atlantic Ocean, if you know where that is. I've heard so much about you," she said shaking his hand vigorously. "Oh, I'm Miranda. Miranda Wesley."

"This is Ginny Weasley, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, and Neville Longbottom," Harry said gesturing to each of his friends.

Suddenly, someone pushed Miranda and she landed right on top of Harry, which pushed Ginny to the side.

"Watch it Mudblood!" Malfoy said as he pushed the girl.

"Malfoy," Hermione said.

"What, Mudblood?" Malfoy asked and turned around. He looked at the girl he pushed and then Hermione.

"I'm right here," Hermione said still sitting down. "I'm glad you got to meet the acquaintance of Miranda Wesley, Gryffindor. Transfer from the United States."

Malfoy stood there oddly embarrassed.

"Hi, I'm Miranda," Miranda said extending her hand.

"Malfoy. Draco Malfoy," Malfoy said. "Slytherin," he added before stalking off red in the face.

"Here why don't you sit and eat something?" Harry asked and gave Miranda a slight nudge off of him and she took Ginny's spot leaving Ginny disappointed and farther away from Harry.

"What's a mudblood?" Miranda asked.

"It's not a nice word," Hermione said.

"Is it because I have brown hair?" Miranda asked. "I seemed to think he directed it at you since you responded to him but he thought I was you so he said it to me."

"No, not brown hair. It's quite a foul word for someone who has muggle parents," Hermione explained. She had used to get quite upset over it but she had gotten used to it over time, because it happened many times.

"Oh. My mom is a witch and my dad is a wizard. My whole family has been magical," Miranda said.

"That's called pureblood," Hermione said. "That's what Malfoy is."

"The blonde boy? You call him by his last name?" Miranda asked.

"He calls us by our last names. We're not really friends," Hermione said.

"More like enemies," Ron remarked.

Everyone laughed except for Miranda.

"So let's see your schedule," Harry said.

"My what?" Miranda asked.

"Ah, Miss Wesley, here you are. I was looking for you. Oh, good to see you've made friends. Potter? Be careful of him, he's a rule breaker and a trouble maker. Well, here's your schedule," Professor McGonagall said.

"Thank you Mrs..." Miranda said.

"Professor McGonagall," Professor McGonagall corrected. "No matter, you will learn in due time."

"It might be a little different here," Harry said.

"I noticed," Miranda said.

"Your accent is different," Harry commented.

"My accent!? Your accent!" Miranda remarked. "I don't have an accent. You do."

"I think you're mistaken," Harry said taking her schedule. "Double Potions. Double Defense. Just like us."

"We should be heading out," Hermione said standing up as their plates disappeared.

Everyone got up and headed out of the Great Hall and headed to their classes. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Miranda all went the same way down to the dungeons for potions and Ginny went off to Defense Against the Dark Arts and Neville to his favorite and best subject, Herbology.

When the four Gryffindors got down to the dungeons, everyone was crowded outside of the door.

"Snape, late?" Ron asked. "That's like asking for... Snape to smile!"

"Do you compare everything to Snape?" Miranda asked.

"He's the Potions Master, Professor Snape. It would be best if you called everyone here Professor rather than Snape," Hermione remarked.

Miranda nodded.

Then the door to the dungeons swung open and all of the students piled inside and took seats at desks in pairs. Hermione was with Ron and Harry was with Miranda. Malfoy was next to Pansy Parkinson. He loathed her but she loved him. It was like a love-hate relationship, if they had a relationship.

The door slammed behind them and then when they all turned around, Professor Snape was standing in front of the class dressed in his usual all black and his black hair greased back as usual as well.

"Welcome back to Potions," Snape said in his monotonous voice. "I see we have Slytherin, my house, and Gryffindor here. Where is Longbottom?"

"He's taking Advanced Herbology," Hermione stated.

"That was a rhetorical question, Miss Granger. Five points from Gryffindor for calling out," Snape said. "Now where was I? Ah, yes."

"Points?" Miranda whispered to Harry.

"Each house has points, or so we call it. You earn points in quidditch and in triumphs. Breaking rules will have you lose points. At the end of the year the house with the most points wins the House Cup," Harry explained.

"It's kind of like a system we had back in the states," Miranda said. "Only we had—."

"Excuse me!" Snape bellowed. "You there, next to Potter. What is your name?"

"Miranda Wesley," Miranda said.

"Sir," Harry whispered.

"Sir," Miranda added.

Snape's eyes darted to Harry's then back the Miranda's. "Tell me why you feel it necessary to talk while I am talking," he demanded.

Miranda didn't say anything.

"No answer?" Snape asked. "Five points for talking."

"No, don't take points from me," Miranda said.

"It's not a big deal," Harry whispered to her.

"Fine. Earn them back. Tell me Miss Wesley, what animal is a bezoar taken from?" Snape asked.

"A goat, sir," Miranda answered.

Snape raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"What is the name of the potion that enables the drinker to transform into another person?" Snape asked.

"Polyjuice potion?" Miranda answered as if she knew these answers since she knew to walk.

Harry, Ron and Hermione exchanged glances.

Snape saw this and eyed Harry curiously. "Correct," he said.

"Miss Wesley, what is the key ingredient in a polyjuice potion?" Snape asked.

"That's a very broad question, sir. That potion takes a long time to make but you do need some hair from the person you want to transform into," Miranda said. "Sir."

"I'm surprised that you know so much. Where did you say that you came from?" Snape asked.

"That United States, sir," Miranda replied.

"Now, you are well informed in potions, I do see. So one more question, if you know the answer, I will return the five points I took and give you another five. But if you get it wrong I will take away fifty, is this okay?" Snape asked.

Miranda nodded. "Yes, sir."

"Miss Wesley, the study of the mind is called what?" Snape asked.

Miranda's mouth opened a little bit and she looked at Harry.

"That's not related to potions," Hermione said.

"Silence or I will take another five points Miss Granger!" Snape said. He turned back to Miranda. "Well, do you have an answer?"

Miranda looked at Harry and then looked at Malfoy on her left. He was shooting her a glaring look. Still looking at Malfoy, "Occlumency, sir," was Miranda's reply.

Harry sighed with relief. "Good job," he whispered.

"Were you afraid that I wasn't going to get it?" Miranda asked Harry.

"Well, if you didn't we would have been in the negatives, no one has started in the negatives this early," Harry said.

"Miss Wesley, as I said I will award you ten points. Five, I am returning and five that you earned," Snape said. He turned his back on the class and with a flick of his wand the chalkboard flipped over and instructions were written on the back. "Essence of murlap, you have one hour. Begin."

Students immediately began making their potions stirring them and adding things.

Miranda and Harry were talking about how much Miranda knew about everything and Hermione and Ron were discussing their suspicions about Miranda and Malfoy and Crabbe were discussing their surprise at the new girl for knowing everything when one of the potions exploded.

Miranda and Harry turned to their left to see Malfoy covered in pink liquid from is exploded potion.

"Does he lose points for that?" Miranda asked laughing.

"He should but he won't since he is in Slytherin and Snape is head of Slytherin," Harry said.

Malfoy looked at Harry and Miranda laughing. He cleaned himself and the mess up with a charm and started over.

"I'll be right back," Miranda said to Harry after Snape called the fifteen minutes left mark. "Need some help?"

Malfoy looked up. "I don't need any help from you Mudblood," he said.

"One, I'm not... that word and you shouldn't say it. Two, I'm what Hermione Granger calls a pureblood, I don't know if that's a bad word or not but I am. Three, your potion should be turning purple and yours is still brown. It is supposed to go from brown to grey to brown to blue to green to red to yellow to blue again to lavender and to purple which is where it should be now," Miranda said.

"Oh," Malfoy said.

"What was the last thing you added?" Miranda asked.

"The Red Bingle Berries," Malfoy said.

Miranda looked at the board. "That was the first thing. You're lucky I'm here. If you take the red bingle berries and add them and then take a blue bingle berry and smash it with the back of the knife and then smash another red one and mix them together, you get a purple colored juice. Put that in your potion," Miranda said.

Malfoy did as he was told.

"Stir it two times counterclockwise and then clockwise," Miranda said.

"It says to turn it counterclockwise only," Malfoy pointed out.

"Well, then you'd be here until you were fifty," Miranda said. "Just do it."

Malfoy stirred his potion and it turned purple. The same shade as Miranda's potion.

"How did you do that?" Malfoy asked.

Miranda shrugged and went back to her potion.

"That was nice of you to help Malfoy," Harry said.

"He was going to get a bad grade," Miranda said.

"I wouldn't have helped him. He's Malfoy to me," Harry said.

"Time is up!" Snape called. "Bring your vials up to my desk and then clean up."

Everyone took a vial and filled their potion with it. They labeled it Essence of Murlap and then put their names on them and put them on Snape's desk.

Miranda waved her wand and her potion area was immediately cleaned.

"Non verbal?" Harry asked.

"It's the way I was taught but I can do it verbally too," Miranda said and with a wave of her wand cleaned Harry's area. She waved her wand in the opposite direction and cleaned up Malfoy's area as well.

He looked at her questioningly and then put his books in his bag. A quill fell out of his bag and rolled to Miranda's feet. She picked it up and brought it over to him.

"Can anyone tell me what Essence of Murlap is used for?" Snape asked.

Malfoy looked down putting his books away.

"It's used for healing," Miranda whispered to Malfoy. "Say it."

"Healing?" Malfoy said loudly.

"Correct Mr. Malfoy, fifteen points to Slytherin," Snape said. He looked to Miranda but she wasn't looking at him.

"Thanks Wesley," Malfoy said.

"No problem Malfoy," Miranda said and turned around.

Malfoy grabbed her arm. "Wait," he said.

"Yes?" she asked.

"Call me Draco," Malfoy said.

"Fine, call me Miranda," Miranda said.

"Fair enough," Malfoy commented as Snape dismissed the class.

A/N: Hope you liked. Miranda is my character, I made her up. I would like to announce that my computer crashed and now I have no internet. I was going to try and maybe borrow one of my siblings' computers, just to put chapters up. I hope I can update soon. Thanks for reading!

–Elizabeth