WINDSWEPT - Chapter Two

Harry opened his eyes with a start. Emerging from under the table was a girl wearing black skinny jeans and a bright orange top. In her light brown, wavy hair was a purple flower, to match the purple on her nails. As she crawled out from her hiding place, she gave Harry a look of bemused confusion. Harry stared at her for a second, and then replied.

"Er...no..sorry, I thought this was empty..." his words trailed off as he spotted the name of the book she was holding. "Dark Magic in the 15th Century?"

"Yes. It's a very informative read. You need to know what you're facing if you want to stand a chance."

Harry paused. He didn't particularly agree with her, but this girl didn't look like she thought he was crazy. She hadn't stared at his scar, or given him funny looks. In fact, he thought she looked quite...nice.

"Um...who are you?" He blurted out. He hadn't meant it to sound quite so accusatory, but she didn't look offended at his tone.

"Arianna Blake. I'm one of the new students here. I'm in Ravenclaw."

"Oh. Hi. I'm -"

"Harry, I know."

They shared a hopeless smile, and for the first time for a while Harry felt like he could laugh about this ordeal, about the way his fellow students, his teachers, everyone was treating him. He glanced at Arianna again. He suddenly noticed a mark on her collarbone. It looked like two parallel lines.

"What happened?" Harry asked, staring at the scar.

Arianna, who had been rummaging in her bag, suddenly froze. When she spoke her voice sounded quieter, her words carefully chosen.

"It was...a small accident. I'd rather not talk about it."

"Sorry."

"Don't be."

She smiled again and resumed her search.

"Found it!" she cried, the atmosphere in the room suddenly returning to normal. She took out a large paper bag, and from it pulled out a cauldron cake. She offered the bag to Harry. He peered inside and saw a large assortment of magical sweets.

"I had a lot of leftovers from yesterday!" she laughed. Harry pulled out a chocolate frog. He opened the packaging, and glanced at the card.

"Bathilda Bagshot...famous magical historian...blah blah blah..."

"Bathilda was an amazing historian. I really admire her work, especially her book on the Goblin Wars of 1719." Harry groaned.

"You're starting to sound like Hermione! Please tell me you don't actually listen in History of Magic?"

"Not much." she said, with a smile.

"Anyway, I should really be going..."

"See you around, Harry."

"And you."

And with that, he got up and left the compartment, his happiness having drove the pain from his scar away.

When he entered the compartment, Hermione and Ron stopped talking abruptly and looked at Harry.

"Harry! You've been ages!" Ron exclaimed nervously.

"Sorry...I got distracted..."

Ron merely looked curious, Hermione however gave a knowing smile and said,

"And how exactly did you get..ahem..distracted?"

"Er...I went into this compartment, thought it was empty, and there was this girl in it..." He stopped at the look on his friends' faces. "We were only talking!" he exclaimed.

Ron grinned.

"Today's the day Harry, remember?"

"Shut up." He said as Hermione laughed. Then there was a loud coughing noise that echoed through the train.

"Pupils? This is Professor McGonagall speaking. Collect your belongings and make your way out of the train. Meet your Head of House on the platform and wait until someone gives you another command. Professor Umbridge (there was a pause where McGonagall sounded like she was trying to avoid adding 'our wonderful Defence teacher') will lead us on to the site. Chop chop."

Harry scrambled to find his jacket and grabbed his wand. He hadn't thought of bringing anything else; unlike many girls and a few boys. He stood up, and made his way out of the train, stalled by the endless queue of pushing and shoving fifth years. Finally, he made it out onto the platform and walked over to join the rest of the Gryffindors with Ron and Hermione. Professor McGonagall checked their names off on the list and begun leading them down to the rocky cliffs they would be practising on. As they made their way down, Harry heard a snatch of a nearby conversation.

"Arianna?"

"Um...yes?"

"I would like to ask you if you will come to the Christmas Ball with me."

"Oh..."

"My father will pay for anything you require, of course. He is a prominent member in the Ministry."

"Prominent?"

"He's very close to Fudge, yes."

"Well, why don't you tell your father something from me. He's a lying bastard just like the rest of the Malfoys."

"Don't you dare speak about my family like that!"

"Oh, I dare Draco. Believe me."

Harry, Ron and Hermione had all ground to a halt, watching Draco Malfoy as he attempted to curse the girl.

"SERPENSORTIA!"

"PROTEGO!"

"Miss Blake?"

The girl turned around. Harry's heart leaped. It was Arianna! She had been sticking up for him, striking a blow against the Ministry. But as he glanced over his shoulder, he saw Umbridge, beaming at the two furious duellists.

"Detention Miss Blake, my office, tomorrow at seven o'clock." She said with a smile.

"But that's not fair! He tried to curse her! She was just protecting herself!" Harry cried, angrily. Arianna shot him a grateful smile.

"You could do with a few more detentions too Mr Potter."