A New Friend or Foe

Chapter Four

Erica sighed as she stared blankly out of the train window, watching as the farmland flew by. The last few weeks had been very difficult and extremely confusing.

It had been extremely hard for the young girl to accept the fact that the hideous man, who had introduced himself as Timothy Riddle was actually her father, but even more so when he told her that she was really a witch and that he was the most powerful wizard in the world. Then he had told her that she was going to go to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and that she had a job to do there.

'There is a boy, m'dear...someone who has caused your beloved father much pain.'

Erica grimaced. Beloved? Trying to sound undaunted, the young girl asked, 'Oh, really? May I inquire as to who?'

A twisted smile forming on his thin, snakelike lips, her father replied, 'Why, his name is Harry Potter. You may hear many things about this young man whilst you are at school. He rid the world of...Lord Voldemort...and many people feel indebted to him...You will learn more of the Dark Lord at school as well. This boy, this Harry Potter...for reasons I must not discuss at the time being, he has caused me much strife. He is not as great as everyone thinks...you shall follow my directions and lure him to me throughout the school year...woo him, make him like you...then, ask him for a walk...I will tell you when the time is nigh...I will be waiting...I must...speak with him.'

Erica was skeptical. But his next sentence made everything change.

'He was the one who caused your mother's death.'

Not knowing that it was all a lie, not knowing that her father really wasn't Timothy Riddle, but Lord Voldemort himself, Erica vowed then and there that she would find this Harry Potter...

Erica jumped slightly as the compartment door slid open and three teenagers, her own age, she assumed, looked in curiously. "Do you mind?" asked the girl. She looked nice enough, what with her bushy brown hair and slightly large teeth. Erica smiled at her. Maybe she would make some friends while she was here. Then she remembered-she had a job to do, get revenge on Harry Potter. There would be no time for friends.

"Oh, no," she muttered, "it's fine."

The three teens entered the compartment and sat across from her. A red-head boy studied her. "I don't remember seeing you before. Are you new?"

"Oh yes," she said, staring at the third person in the trio. He had messy jet-black hair and the most stunning green eyes the young girl had ever seen. His only peculiarity was a thin, lightning shaped scar across his forehead. Erica smiled slightly; she couldn't help but think that he was cute. "I'm Erica Ri-Romaro." She quickly cut herself off and used her assumed name, for her father had said that Harry Potter might recognize her name and know who she was. The whole plan would then be down the drain, for he would assume that she was wanting to get revenge on him for killing her mother.

"I'm Hermione Granger," the bushy-headed girl said, brown eyes sparkling. "How old are you? You don't look like a first year."

"I'm sixteen. I'm starting sixth year...I just now got my powers of late."

"Fascinating," Hermione murmured.

"What?" asked Erica and the black-haired boy at the same time. Then they laughed slightly and Erica blushed.

"Well...I don't ever remember reading anything like it. Are they up to the level of a sixth year?"

"What? Oh, you mean my powers. Yes, my father has helped teach me how to use them very quickly."

"Really?" Hermione looked at her questioningly and Erica quickly changed the subject.

"And what are your names?" she asked the two boys.

"I'm Ron," said the red-head. "Ron Weasley.

"And I'm Harry. Harry Potter."

Erica's stomach did a triple flip. She had found him.

~Emachinescat ^..^