Daphne Greengrass finished her packing and closed her trunk. She took a great breath and let it out slowly, as if she were centering herself. She had been anticipating the end of the summer holidays with a mixture of excitement and nervousness. In a few short hours, she was going to try to begin making friends with Harry Potter.

She had not spoken to him since that night the previous year when he was still in the hospital. Well, she had tried on the train, but the Weasley boy had made it difficult.

Daphne had spent most of her summer trying to figure out the best way to approach Harry again. Tracey Davis, her best friend had visited late in July, and tried to help Daphne think of the best way to strike up conversations with the boy. The problem was all of Tracey's ideas either started or ended with Daphne grabbing Harry and snogging him until they passed out.

Daphne, while unopposed to the idea of snogging the Boy, felt it might not be the best way to start a friendship, much less anything else.

Daphne had begun to wonder if Harry would even still be willing to get to know the Slytherin girl anymore. After all, there had been two months since they'd last spoken, and Daphne had neglected to ask if she could write him during the holiday.

She had sought advice from her parents at the start of the holiday. Daphne had felt that her parents' opinion was important. She remembered approaching her mother one afternoon a week after she'd come home.

"Mum, I need some advice." She had said, her voice shaking with nerves.

Her mother was a very striking woman, slim and beautiful, with very dark hair, and sparkling blue eyes. She had a classic figure with a slender hourglass shape, and she was rarely seen without some kind of smile on her gentle face.

"Of course." her mother gave one of Daphne's favorite smiles. It was small, the corners of her mouth turning up towards her bright sparkling eyes. It was the knowing smile. The smile her mother got when she already knew what it was she was about to hear.

"It's about a boy." Daphne continued. Her mother simply continued to smile. "I like him, but I don't really know him. I've only talked to him one time. But, I just…"

"Think he's rather special?" Her mother asked.

Daphne nodded, her cheeks reddening. Her mother gave a soft laugh, reaching out to take her eldest daughter's hands.

"I had thought this would happen last year." Mrs. Greengrass said encouragingly. "May I ask the name of this boy?"

Daphne looked pensive, wondering what the reaction might be before answering, feeling that honesty was the best course of action.

"It's…Harry….Harry Potter."

The smile on her mother's face seem to evaporate. Daphne wondered if she had made a mistake in confiding in her mother now. Mrs. Greengrass gave Daphne's hands a squeeze.

"When did this happen?" She asked.

"Well, that's why I came to you. It actually hasn't happened."

Daphne's mother cocked her head to one side as she looked at her daughter. Daphne sighed, but pushed forward.

"I started having these feelings sometime in third year. All during this year, I've really wanted to talk to him, and actually managed it, though it wasn't under ideal circumstances. However, I asked him if we might make an effort this coming year again. The thing is, I'm not sure how to …"

"Get started?" Her mother asked, the knowing smile returning to her beautiful face.

Daphne nodded. Neither woman said anything for a long time. Daphne found it difficult to look her mother in the eye, and tried to find anything to focus on, the whole time feeling her mother's eyes on her.

"Why Potter? It isn't because of who he is, is it?"

"Yes." Daphne said, nodding slowly.

"Oh, Daphne. I must say that I believed you to be more practical than that. I never imagined that you would fall for the fairytale hero."

What?" Daphne looked surprised. "No. I like Harry for who he is, not who everyone else thinks he is. He's different from what I expected. He's nothing like the stories. He's quiet, for the most part, and he hates all the attention he gets. I mean he really hates it. There's something very special about him, and I'm not saying it's written in the stars or anything, but I'd like to see if at the very least we might be good friends."

"But you're hoping for more, aren't you?" Mrs. Greengrass smiled her knowing smile a little bigger, her eyes sparkling brilliantly. Daphne felt her face burning and was sure her cheeks were glowing. Yet, she could not stop herself from nodding.

"Well then, you must remember that there is no hurry. Take your time and allow things to develop naturally. You may find as you get to know him that he might not be what you think he is, and then again, it could be better than you ever hoped for." Mrs. Greengrass said.

"Also, remember that nothing else matters except what the two of you feel. Don't let yourself be swayed by other people's opinions. In the end, the only thing that matters is your feelings for him, and his for you. Understand?"

Daphne nodded a relieved smile on her face. Her mother then went on to give her a few ideas in how best to start a conversation with the target of her affections. They spent the rest of the afternoon together, until her father arrived home.

It was a bit of a surprise when her father came to see her later that evening.

"Your mother tells me that you've become rather interested in a young man at your school." He said wryly. Daphne felt her cheeks burning as her face colored. She had thought her conversation with her mother had been private, but apparently she thought it fit to inform her father of their daughter's love life.

"You can wipe that frightened look off your face, young lady. I'm not here to tell you to forget it, or to lock you in a tower. I've come because I'm concerned for your choice. While I think that a match between you and Potter is good, I am worried about the timing, and what fate has in store for the young man."

"You're talking about what happened before school let out, aren't you? The Final Task?" Daphne asked. Her father nodded, and Daphne felt a heavy weight settle on her stomach.

"The boy does have something of a reputation for attracting trouble, and before you get defensive, I happen to know that he is not always the cause of it. But you can't deny that he and his friends do seem to get into spots of trouble. My concern is as your father. Your mother and I do not wish to see you getting hurt."

"I can take care of myself, and I am smart enough to avoid trouble if I can help it." Daphne smiled.

"I'm sure you can. Just remember to be careful, and keep your eyes and ears open. You never know when you might stumble upon a valuable piece of information that could help you later on."

Daphne had been very surprised at her father's blessing. Jonathan Greengrass was a man who very rarely smiled. Daphne could only remember a dozen or so times that her father had smiled. It wasn't that he was a stern man, in fact, he could be downright immature sometimes. He was warm and caring, and tender with her and her sister, and a very devoted husband as well. Daphne wondered if it was his job that had made him so stony. He never spoke about his job, and all Daphne seemed to be sure of was that he worked within the Ministry, along with some other old families. She often overheard conversations her parents had, and had sussed out that her father worked in law, though she was unsure exactly what he did.

A few weeks before school started up again, Daphne had overheard another discussion between her parents, which gave her pause, as it had to do with the very boy she was planning to befriend in the coming year.

"…Before a full court." Her father was saying, quite agitated. "If Dumbledore hadn't shown up with the squib, he would have been chucked out for sure. Fudge wasn't even going to allow him to speak. It was like the Black affair all over again."

"So you believe his story then?" Her mother asked softly. Daphne could hear the tremble in her voice.

"After today, I think I have little doubt left. The problem is that there e no other signs to back up the story, and Fudge won't investigate. In fact, he's convinced Dumbledore is trying to mount a coup, and take over."

"How can he think that? Dumbledore keeps refusing the position, he wants nothing to do with running the government. He even seems happier now that he's out of the Wizengamont."

"I actually heard him say he doesn't care what they do, so long as they don't take him off the chocolate frog cards."

Daphne heard her father snort, and desperately wanted to see if he was smiling, but remained hidden just outside the door.

"Should we be more concerned about Daphne with everything that's going on? Should we tell her it's for the best that she avoid the boy?" Her mother asked, her voice dropping.

"No." Her father said swiftly. "I won't be the one to take away her happiness. She has the right to seek it out with whomever she feels she wants."

"But he's going to be targeted by Fudge and his spy."

"Indeed. Maybe Daphne can help him avoid confrontations with the new Defense Teacher."

Daphne slipped back to her bedroom after that. That conversation had plagued her mind for the remainder of the summer. She knew without a doubt that what Dumbledore had said to them at the end of term was true. Harry had indeed witnessed the return of Lord Voldemort. On top of that, The Minister of Magic was either too afraid, or too stupid to believe it, and was therefore ignoring it, choosing to believe the Great Headmaster was planning on overthrowing the government.

She also thought long and hard about what her father had said about there being a new Defense teacher, who was also a spy for the Minister. A spy who's primary target was going to be Harry.

It was a pretty well known fact that Harry Potter had something of a temper, and if provoked he could land himself in real trouble with the Ministry, especially as they had already set their sights on him. So perhaps that was her way in. She could start a conversation by warning him that he try to keep his temper in check this year, and let him know what she had heard.

And that's what she had decided. As soon as the train got underway that morning, she was going to find him, and warn him. Then, she would hope that they would be able to start up a conversation, and see how things went.

"Are you ready?" Her mother asked as she came downstairs to join her sister and parents.

"I think so." Daphne tried to smile, but the butterflies dancing in her stomach made it difficult.

"Then let's be off."

And with that, Clan Greengrass began it's journey to King's Cross Station for the beginning of the new school term.

Harry Potter stood staring at the backs of his best friends as they began making their way forward through the mass of students towards the front of the train where the other Prefects were having their start of school meeting. This would be the first time he'd have to ride the train without either of them. Sighing sullenly, he turned to see if Ginny, Ron's sister would like to find a cabin, only to se her joining a group of fourth years in their compartment.

Harry groaned inwardly. It felt like the beginning of the new term was starting to reflect the beginning of his summer holiday, and he didn't like that at all. Dragging his trunk behind him, Harry set off to find a compartment, or someone willing to allow him to join them. Harry started regretting the fact that he didn't have more friends. He wondered if it was all his fault though. Sure, he'd never had any friends before Hogwarts because Dudley had threatened and even beat up a few people who got close to Harry. But once he got to Hogwarts, why hadn't he tried to make more friends after Ron and Hermione. He'd sort of made friends with the other Weasleys. But that was really due to the fact that they were Ron's family. He spent summers with them, so it was hard not to get to know them a bit. Fred and George were really hard not to like on their own.

But what about outside the Weasley's, or even Gryffindor. Sure, he knew most everyone in his class on sight, but he wasn't even friendly with most of them.

"Damn it Sirius." Harry thought. It was his godfather who'd planted that little seed in his mind about a week before school started. They'd taken a large bag of ferrets up to feed Buckbeak, who Harry thought looked a bit depressed at being chained up in an attic, unable to spread his wings and take to the air whenever he wanted. A look, Harry noted, that seemed to be mirrored on his godfather's face.

"So tell me, have you heard anything from that lovely young girl who came to see you in the hospital wing?" Sirius asked without any preamble.

"Huh?" Harry looked bewildered at the question.

"Have your written her at all during the summer?"

Harry's mind had to work a bit hard to figure out what Sirius was talking about, and then it all clicked. The girl who had come to visit him the night before he was released. The very pretty Slytherin girl with the dark brown hair and the dazzling brown eyes. Daphne Greengrass.

"No. I never spoke to her after that night. Well, she did come se me on the train, but I think Ron scared her off."

"Shame." Sirius said meaningfully.

"What do you mean?" Harry asked curiously.

"Harry, how many friends do you have outside of Ron and Hermione? Real friends I mean, not people you say hello to once in a while."

Harry thought about it for a long time. When a few minutes passed in silence, Sirius nodded, smiling sadly.

"That's what I thought. Have you ever thought about trying to make new friends, or including other people in your little circle?"

"I guess not."

"There is nothing wrong with having close friends, Harry. Ron and Hermione have been at your side for as long as you've known them. You trust them, and I know how important you value trusting someone. I also know how you feel about people wanting to be your friend because of who you are, and perhaps that's part of why you keep people at a distance, but I don't think that particular young lady wants to be your friend because of your fame. I think she has taken the time to look at the real Harry Potter."

"I don't know. She's a Slytherin, and they've never been 'kind', if you take my meaning." Harry shrugged.

"They aren't all like that. Slytherin is a very tight knit group of individuals. They are for the most part made up entirely of pureblood families who all think the same way that Salazar Slytherin thought. They pass that on to their children, who emulate what they've been taught, some of them quite passionately."

"Malfoy." Harry said bitterly.

"Exactly. But you can't base your judgment of them based on Malfoy and his lot. Look at me. I came from one of the most well known dark families ever known. If you did not know me, but knew of my families reputation, would you lump me in with them as being a dark muggle hater?"

Harry didn't know how to answer that. He simply could not picture his godfather being like a Death Eater and torturing muggles because he felt they were beneath him. He guessed that was the point to Sirius' question.

"I don't really know how to answer that."

"Good." Sirius smiled. "That was the point. You can't base your attitude towards an entire group based on individuals. What I'm trying to tell you is that you owe it to yourself to try and make more friends, even if they come from Slytherin house."

"You're telling me to get to know Daphne Greengrass." Harry smiled.

"That I am. She may be just like Malfoy, or, she could be the most special person you've ever met."

Harry had promised he would take his godfather's advice this year, and try to get to know more people around him. His first opportunity came as he ran into Neville Longbottom, looking rather awkward, as he too was trying to find an empty compartment.

"Hey Neville." Harry smiled politely at his fellow Gryffindor.

"Oh, Hi Harry. How was your summer?"

"Dismal. Yours?"

"Not too bad." Neville shrugged.

"Any luck on finding a compartment?" Harry asked.

"So far, everywhere is full up."

"Well, come on, I'm sure we can find someone willing to share.

The two boys lumbered further towards the back of the train not finding anywhere they could squeeze into until the very last compartment, where a small girl sat reading a magazine. She was thin, with very long dirty blond hair, and a rather dreamy expression on her face. She looked almost startled when Harry opened the door and asked if they might join her.

Harry and Neville heaved their trunks into the overhead rack and sat down to find the strange girl staring at them. She had a necklace made of butterbeer corks and large earrings that looked to Harry like radishes. Her wand was tucked behind her ear for safe keeping.

Neither boy could speak under the girls gaze, and they kept shooting glances back to one another.

Finally, the girl spoke, with a very pleasant, almost dream like voice.

"You're Harry Potter."

"Uh, yeah." Harry stammered.

"And you're Neville Longbottom." She said, not even moving her head to regard Neville, who nonetheless looked very embarrassed. "Eloise Midgeon thinks you're dreamy." the girl said matter-of-factly.

Harry couldn't help himself and snorted. Neville looked sharply at Harry who had turned his sudden fit of laughter into coughing. Eloise Midgeon was not a very pretty girl. She had a terrible acne problem, and was very tall for her age. Only one other girl in their year could be said to be more unfortunate looking and that was Millicent Bulstrode of Slytherin.

Harry finally managed to get himself under control and asked the girl her name.

"I'm Luna Lovegood. I'm in Ravenclaw."

"How do you know Eloise likes Neville?" Harry asked. Neville glared at Harry for pushing the topic.

"I overheard her and Mandy Brocklehurst talking last year. Eloise wanted to ask Neville to the Yule Ball, and I told her that he was going with Ginny Weasley. She's a friend of mine."

"Really? I don't think I'd ever heard your name before, but then again, I don't know any of Ginny's friends." Harry said.

"Ginny really enjoyed the Yule Ball with Neville, although Padma Patil did not have a good time at all."

Harry felt himself going red now. He knew that Ron had been Padma's date, and it was mostly due to him asking for Parvati's help. This made him feel worse as he'd not been a very good date that night. Harry decided right then that he should apologize to Parvati the first chance he got.

Before he could ask anymore of Luna, she had hidden herself behind her magazine again. Shrugging, Harry turned to Neville, who still looked quite humiliated.

"Promise not to mention that to anyone." Neville asked in a hoarse whisper.

"Why? There are girls who like you. That's nothing to be ashamed of, Neville."

"I don't want her to be embarrassed, and if Malfoy ever heard about it…"

"That's damn noble of you, Nev. You have my word, I won't say anything. What you do over the summer?"

"Worked in my greenhouse mostly." Neville smiled. "I saw that you had an exciting holiday. Why did you use magic in front of muggles?"

Harry's mirth melted away. "How did you know about it?"

"My Gran told me about it. She saw an article in the Daily Prophet. What happened?"

Harry couldn't fault Neville his curiosity. Had there roles been shifted, Harry imagined he would be quite keen to know why Neville had broken the statute of secrecy.

"I only did it to save my cousin from Dementors. I don't know why they were there, but there were two of them. If I hadn't, my cousin would have had his souls sucked out."

"I thought it had to be something like that. I couldn't think of any reason why you would break the law. It just didn't seem right to me."

Harry smiled, his mood lightening again.

"Where is Hermione?" Neville asked, a hint of embarrassment in his voice that puzzled Harry a bit. "And, uh…Ron?" Neville added quickly.

"They both made Prefect. They're up with the other Prefects. I imagine if they can, they'll be back sometime, I suppose."

"Oh." Neville said averting his eyes.

"You like her."

Both boys turned to face the girl, who they'd all but forgotten about.

"What?" Harry asked disbelievingly.

"He likes Hermione Granger. He stares at her all the time when she's not looking."

Harry turned to stare at Neville who became very interested in his shoes at the moment, his face becoming a vivid shade of red. Harry had never any idea that Neville might fancy his best friend. In fact, Harry had been more than sure that Ron had fancied Hermione, even if she herself was unaware of it. But Neville…

Harry began to wonder what other secrets Neville kept. He was a very shy person, to be sure, and had a serious lack of self confidence, which led to him becoming the target for bullies. He was quite forgetful, and always had difficulty in remembering the password to the Gryffindor common room every year.

But Neville was a very loyal person. In their first year, Neville had stood against Harry, Hermione and Ron when he felt they were causing Gryffindor trouble. He'd also supported Harry all during the last year even when Ron had believed him a liar and cheater. Neville had never wavered in his support of his fellow Gryffindors.

Neville was a good person, Harry thought, and Hermione could do far worse. However, Harry realized in that moment, that it was none of his business, and knew that he should not say anything.

Thankfully, at that moment, the compartment door opened, and Harry's thoughts on Hermione and Neville were shoved quite forcefully from his mind as he set his eyes on a very pretty girl with silky dark brown hair/

"Hello, Harry."