Chapter 3 :

The carriage came to a halt and the students got off. Harry helped Hannibal offering her a hand. She took it gratefully. All the other students were already making their way in the school.

- Come on, let's go! - said Hermione leading the way.

- Hey, Harry!

They all turned around to see a very, very large man with bushy black hair and beard.

- Hagrid! – Harry said running to him and hugging him.

Ron and Hermione followed him and embraced the man as well. They looked more than happy to see Hagrid. Hannibal made her way quietly to them.

- Oh, Hagrid, we've missed you so much through the summer. – said Hermione while letting go and looked him in the eyes.

Hagrid laughed and took a good look at all of them. Hannibal was feeling a little bit awkward and was looking to the ground. Hermione immediately noticed and introduced her friend.

- Hagrid, this is my friend Hannibal.

Hannibal and Hagrid shook hands.

- It's a pleasure to meet you. – she said honestly.

- The pleasure is all mine, young lady.

- Guys, can we hurry up? I don't want to risk the food to perish before we get there.

- Ronald, you're not the most important, you know ? – said Hermione.

- Yeah, but the food is.

Hermione groaned. Hannibal shook her head as Harry just smiled at his friends' never dying appetite and they started walking toward the castle.

Once they made inside Hermione turned to her friend.

- Um, Hannibal, I don't want to ditch you, but Ron and I have some prefect duties to attend to and I may not be able to escort you to the Headmasters' office.

- Don't worry, Hermione. I'll take her to him. – Harry said almost immediately.

- Yeah, Hermione. No need to worry I'll be fine. – Hannibal gave her friend a quick but reassuring smile.

Hermione nodded and left with Ron while Harry and Hannibal took off to Dumbledore's office. A comfortable silence fell upon them as they walked down the corridors. However, it didn't last long.

- So, what made you decide to transfer from Dior to Hogwarts?

-Well, it was my parents decision actually. Usually they don't ask about my opinion when it comes to decisions. Even if they include me. But I think I already start to like it here. As long as I'm not in Slytherin that is. – the last part she mumbled to herself, hoping Harry didn't hear her.

But he did. And was a little confused. Sure only pureblooded were sorted there and most of the students who weren't there don't want to be anyway. But he couldn't help but wander why. Hannibal didn't want to meet his gaze so she just stared down.

- Have your parents attended here ? – He asked all of a sudden.

"What kind of question is that?" Hannibal thought, although she already knew the answer. She just didn't expect from him to ask.

- Yeah. – her voice was a little above the whisper. She still didn't want to meet his eyes.

- So which house they've been ? – he asked like he was just curious. But Hannibal could see through it. She took a deep breath and looked at him.

- Slytherin.

Harry stopped himself for a moment before continuing to walk again. Could it be? That only proved his suspicions. Could she really be a child of Deatheaters? These questions were crossing Harry's mind. And like Hannibal could read them, she stopped, turned to face him and his emerald eyes locked with her grey ones.

- I know exactly what you're thinking right now, Harry. – he looked amused – And I'm more than disappointed to tell you that you're right. – she finished and looked down once again, feeling ashamed.

Shame was not the only thing she was feeling though. She also felt fear, fear of what his reaction may be. Would he push her away or accept her for who she is. For and unexplainable reason she didn't wanted to loose him.

Harry was still a little shocked. How could it be? She looked nothing like a child of a deatheater she acted like none too. Two options were taking a fight it Harry's mind. Right now he could just turn around and walk away from her, never speak to her again or to be near her for that matter. She could be a spy. But the other, the stronger one it seemed, was to stay and to know her better. He had known her for like 24 hours and just couldn't judge her yet.

Hannibal was getting fed up with his silence and decided to speak.

- Look, Harry. I understand if you don't want to be near me anymore, talk to me or even to see me. "Okay, is she some sort of a telepath???" Don't worry I'm used to such treatment and I want you to know that I hold nothing against you for that because if I were you I'll act just the same. But before you go you must know that I'm nothing like them. I've never been and never will. I just have the misfortune to be born by them.

And with that she turned around and started walking. She didn't know exactly where to but she just kept going on until she felt a gentle grip on her wrist stopping her in her tracks. He made her turn around and look at him. She had a hurt expression on her face and Harry cursed himself for bringing up the question in the first place. He just couldn't stand her looking like that.

- I… I'm sorry. I didn't mean it that way. Of course I want to see you and talk to you. If Hermione trusts you there is no reason for me not to. I'm sorry, I was just a little surprised by this. You don't look nothing like them. – Harry explained still holding her hand.

A sly smile appeared on Hannibal's face and he embraced him in a hug.

- Thank you ! – she managed to say burying her face in his neck.

- You're welcome. – he said and they broke apart. – Come on!

They continued to walk to the Headmaster's office, the smile never leaving Hannibal's face.

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A/N : Okay, guys this was the 3rd chapter (go figure). I know it's a little bit short but I'll make it up to you. And I want to know what you're thinking. R&R people and I'll give you a cookie … maybe