Chapter 2

Dahlia

"So what are you guys going to do?" Hermione took a drink of her butterbeer.

"Are you kidding? None of us can join the Ministry until we go BACK to school! Bloody hell Hermione, this is ridiculous. I think with all the work we had to do, we should be exempt from the final year." Ron chugged the rest of his butterbeer down.

" Maybe, but we still haven't taken our NEWTS. Thats what allows us to get our jobs. You need it for any Ministry job. Unless you want a job like your brother that is. Besides, we don't know all of the information for the NEWTS so we may need to attend a year to make sure."

"You really don't mind going back to school do you Hermione?" Harry laughed."I like to learn," she replied. Ron rolled his eyes and Harry laughed again. "So are you guys going."

"I don't really want to work in the joke shop with George. It's fun and all, but he can't hear me very well. And he is still continuing on with that Holy ear joke. It isn't really that funny anymore."

"He does it to ignore the pain." Harry frowned. "And Hermione, I don't think I have a choice. I've been wanting to be an Auror since the Triwizard Tournament when I met Mad-Eye."

"So it's settled." Hermione picked up her glass. "To Wyvernsigh?"

"To Wyvernsigh!" Harry and Ron toasted.

Dahlia sat at the bar, glancing around the room. There was a big guy sitting across the bar from her. She turned her head toward the windows. A couple and their child were all seated and laughing happily. She remembered her father and mother. Her mother was beautiful. Dahlia had recieved most of her traits. Long, smooth, dark hair, long eylashes, dark gray eyes. Her father, however, did not pass any physical traits, but she had special talents that few others had. Dahlia sighed. She never saw her father much. He had been murdered. She continued to scan the room. At the far end her eyes stopped. Three people, about her age, were girl had brown hair. She was average size. She dressed casually and muggle-like. She wasn't ugly, but was not anywhere near as beautiful as Dahlia. Dahlia prided herself with her looks. One of the guys had dark red hair. He didn't look too pleased about what they were toasting about. The last person at the table had a face and a scar she knew all too well. It was a face and a scar everyone knew too well. She rose, tipped the bartender a few sickles and glided across the room.

Harry looked at his friends. Hi s two best friends in the world. Hermione was ready to return to school, but Ron was pouting about it. How could these two very different people be meant for each other?

"Excuse me?" Harry looked up. A girl with dark hair and dark eyes stood in front of him. She was beautiful. "Sorry to interrupt, but I couldn't help but notice. Are you really him? Are you really Harry Potter?" Her eyes were wide with wonder. He looked over at Ron and Hermione. Ron sat staring at her, his mouth wide open and gaping. Hermione was looking her over. She shrugged and turned back to Ron, noticing his gaping expression. Harry could tell she was getting uncomforable.

"Yes, my name is Harry. This is Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger."

"Hi." Ron said.

"Nice to meet you." Hermione said to her.

"Hi."

The girl giggled. "Hi, I'm Dahlia Grâce."

"Hi."

"So, what was the celebratory toast about?" Dahlia asked. She looked at Ron. "You didn't look to happy about it."

"Ron doesn't want to go back to school." Hermione took another drink and glared at Dahlia.

"Are you still attending Hogwarts?"

"No," Harry said. " We have to attend Wyvernsigh University to make up for the year we missed."

"Oh, that is where I am going! Maybe we'll share classes!"

"We have our class schedules already, we just have to confirm them."

"Can I see?" Harry handed her his list. "We have Potions together. How about you Ron?" Ron fumbled with the paper. As he handed it to her, she brushed him with her fingertips. Ron went pink. "I think we have Potions together too." Dahlia smiled. Hermione turned red. "What about you Hermione?"

"I don't have to take Potions, but I do need to take Debate and Ministry Law."

"Oh, I'm taking Debate too. Maybe we'll have the same class!" Dahlia smiled sweetly. Hermione just glared. "Are you good at Potions Ron?" she said, turning her attention away from Hermione.

"I'm ok I guess."

Dahlia batted her eyelashes at him. "You are so modest. I think that's cute."

Harry's eyes grew wide. He looked at Hermione. Hermione was watching.

"Well...umm..."

"OH MY GOD! RON! THERE'S A SPIDER BY YOUR DRINK!"

Ron flew out of his seat, knocking it over. Dahlia's face looked shocked. Ron looked at Hermione, a panicked expression on his face. "WHERE?"

"It's gone now," Hermione said.