Chapter 2: Erasing the emotions that only drift aimlessly.

A/N: This story does slightly interlace with my last story, but just a tiny bit…anyways, still not sure about this story, but here's chapter 2.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter

Keeping secrets isn't always an easy task. In fact it grows harder and harder with each passing day. And when it's keeping a friendship a secret the task seems to grow even harder. For Crystal, keeping the secret that she was friends with the Golden trio, was the hardest thing she could possibly do. It left her with a sense of betrayal when she was forced to sit at the Slytherin table every day. It also left a bitter taste in classes when she saw and heard the ridicule dished out from Draco to her new found friends. Being put in a different place out of normal comfort zones seemed to open her eyes and bring in new thoughts and ideas on the people she valued. Crystal started to feel confused and feel as if every time Draco insulted Harry, Ron, or Hermione a part of her got insulted as well. But she knew there was nothing she could do.

It took a lengthy letter alone just to explain to her father what happened. He listened to her and accepted her being in Gryffindor, but he would not tolerate any nonsense or wind of her being near the Golden Trio. In fact, he went to such lengths as to give her a list of whom she could befriend and who she couldn't. The thought of that list alone made her have strong urges to break something. She remained calm though and reminded herself to follow that at the right times. But when she was in the common room she could do as she pleased. No one here was going to rat her out.

"Hermione still making those…" Harry paused in attempt to think of the right words as Crystal took a seat next to him "Hats for spew?"

"Yes, I thought the rants were a bit overboard so I thought I'd take my thoughts elsewhere." Crystal shrugged and looked around "Where's Ron?" She asked feeling odd that she was alone with Harry, the only person in this group of friends she was ever alone with was Hermione, but that was because she shared a room with her. It's not that she didn't trust Harry, she just found it odd and something she wasn't used too.

"He'll be back, just went up the dorm to look for another quill." Harry smiled warmly to his friend, actually enjoying for once that he would be alone with her, even if it was for a bit.

"Still haven't finished that essay for Snape?" Crystal eyed the papers in front of Harry disapprovingly. She didn't like the fact that Ron and Harry always waited till the last minute. She could understand that they were practicing for Quidditch, but it still made her nervous and made her worry for them.

Harry waved his arm in the air, letting her know to drop the topic. He had already gotten a speech earlier from Hermione since she refused to help him. "More importantly how was dinner with Malfoy." Harry sneered and narrowed his eyes as Malfoy's named slipped through his lips.

Crystal smiled as well as she could. She hated the enmity between the two, but she understood why they were the way they were. "It wasn't just with Draco, Theo was there too." Crystal pointed out while casually grabbing Harry's essay. "Same as always I suppose."

Harry watched her as her lip twitched. He knew it meant it was a bother to her. Her lip always twitched when she was annoyed with something. She didn't show a lot of emotions, but there were little cues, like that, that let him know she did feel something. "I still don't see how you do it. Sit with them that is and manage to be pleasant" He said while closing his book and setting it on the table.

"I never said I was pleasant. There's a difference Harry." She looked up at him letting her blue eyes meet with the emerald green eyes before looking back down at the essay "You put moonstones here, it's not moonstones that causes the reaction rather its heartstone." Crystal furrowed her brow and reached for a quill.

Harry gladly handed her a quill "Right, I knew that." He said before shaking his head "Anyways, that didn't answer my question."

"Acting Harry" Crystal went on as if there were no interruptions. "I just twist my words to make them appropriate."

Harry raised an eyebrow "Like how you do to me? I wonder about you sometimes." He teased with a smile.

"What that I'm acting around you?" She questioned as she leaned back in the chair taking one last sweep on the essay. "I could be, who knows anymore." Crystal shrugged.

"I think, once I hear you laugh I'll know you're a real person and not some pureblood-" Harry started but was cut off.

"Sorry it took me a while" Ron said popping up next to Harry "Oh hey Crystal." He smiled noticing Crystal right away.

"Hello Ron" Crystal responded in a pleasant voice.

"Mind looking over my paper than too?" Ron questioned without giving her time to think though, for he had already thrust his essay at her.

Crystal didn't respond at all. She continued reading the papers and letting her mind wonder. What could Harry possibly mean by 'once I hear you laugh'. She had laughed plenty of times hadn't she? She did in America. She remembers that much, but when was the last time she let happiness fill her heart and escape through her lips? It had to have been in America. But what made here at Hogwarts any different? Was it this chained feeling that kept her by the rules? Was it the secret life she was living to keep everyone happy and safe?

She had to know. She had to prove that she was someone. She didn't need people telling her what to do. Why should she live a life in secret? What had she done wrong in the first place to be banished from her household and thrown into a world of tears?

"I'm going to eat breakfast with you guys tomorrow." Crystal nodded saying it more to herself then to them.

Both boys were taken aback. They figured she was still going over the papers, but what she said shocked them. They both had already accepted they had to be friends in secret. It saved a lot of ridicule, pain, tears, and duels to be honest.

"Why?" Harry finally spoke after his thoughts calmed down a bit.

"I'm a human, you're a human, and we are both of magical blood, so I don't see a problem." Crystal quickly stood up making her mind up as the papers all flew to the floor.

"Problem is my family is blood traitors." Ron stated plainly. He didn't want to disappoint Crystal but he didn't want to start anything either.

"And I'm wanted by Vold-" Harry started but Ron cut him off.

"He-who-must-not-be-named" Ron said loudly through gritted teeth.

"Get over it Ron" Harry threw a sharp glance at Ron and then got up to put a hand on Crystal shoulder. "You do what you think is right." He stated with concern in his voice, but knew if she decided this it must have meant something.

"I'm not…" She looked thoughtfully at Harry's arm before nodding "Yeah, I think its right. We can leave earlier and maybe they won't notice me at the Gryffindor table." And with that Crystal turned and went back up to the dorm. She was excited to be able to sit with her friends for once and not be forced into something. She couldn't wait until the morning. She went to bed early and woke up early, ready to start the day.

Surprisingly breakfast went better than she thought it would.

"Do you see them Hermione?" Crystal questioned while clinging onto the door, not ready to go into the great hall until she was sure she could sit down.

"No, I don't see them anywhere. Harry and Ron already found a seat farther up the table, come on!" Hermione smiled and waved Crystal forward. Gladly Crystal followed Hermione to the table with a smile filling her face. She felt it was one of the first times she had smiled this broadly in a while.

"Good, I'm going to enjoy my bagel just this once" Crystal said happily as they continued to walk forward.

"Hopefully it won't be your last." Hermione said as she sat down next to Ron, leaving Crystal to sit next to Harry.

"Morning" Crystal smiled to the boys who looked exhausted.

"Morning" They grumbled in response.

"You guys stayed up late finishing your essay didn't you?" Hermione scolded as she piled some eggs onto her plate. Both boys looked at her with a guilty grin. "You didn't help them did you Crystal?"

"Of course not, I went to bed remember?" Crystal lied knowing full well she did help them, but she had no problem lying just this once as she put cream cheese on her bagel.

Harry gave her a smile, letting her know he appreciated it. He didn't feel like getting a lecture from Hermione, not this morning at least. "Crystal refused to, we just talked is all." Harry promised Hermione.

"Which is why I am here" Crystal motioned to the table, meaning that's why she's here at the Gryffindor table. "I hope it to be a normal breakfast with normal people." She nodded as she took a couple bites out of her bagel.

"Normal as normal gets we are." Harry laughed all the while his eyes on Crystal. Crystal smiled but still didn't form a laugh.

"Anyways" Crystal carried her smile on her face "Hermione did you finish the D.A.D.A. paper for chapter three?" Harry tried not to sigh, but he knew this was Crystal but deep down some where she had a playful personality hidden from what he couldn't figure out.

"It's just dreadful" Hermione narrowed her eyes and started to whisper "She's not teaching." Crystal was about to respond, but she felt a harsh arm on her shoulder and fell short.

"What are you doing Crystal?" She recognized right way her brother's harsh voice. Slowly she turned around seeing just him standing there and nearby at the Slytherin table was his friends.

"I am eating breakfast, that's what you do in the morning you see." Crystal answered calmly knowing full well that this wasn't going to go over well at all.

"No, not that" Theodore growled at her lack of emotion and choice of words "You are sitting with them." He pointed rudely to the trio.

"Correction, I am sitting at the table, not with them. They just happen to be here." Crystal said in another plain voice before going back to her food.

"I highly doubt that" He shook his head growing more and more annoyed.

"Doubt all you want" Crystal shrugged.

"You leave me no choice." Theodore ignored his sister's protest and grabbed her by the arm and pulled her over to the Slytherin table. "Sit" He ordered his temper finally growing thin. Crystal didn't protest, but rather did what she was told and sat down right next to Draco.

"Nice of you to join us" Draco smiled and actually meant it. He was determined to get her to open up. To get her to be back to how she used to be, but he would be damned if it would be St. Potter first.

"Ah yes, I thought so too. You should be honored that I am here in your presence." Crystal said while she stared in a bored state at her plate.

"Crystal just so you know I am telling dad about this." Theodore sighed as he sat down sandwiching her in.

"Go ahead, but I did nothing wrong. I didn't see you when I got in for breakfast so I simply sat and ate my bagel. Nothing more, if it's a crime to eat I'll go anorexic." A normal person would have sounded worked up, but Crystal merely sounded bored. This only bothered Draco.

"I'll talk with her, come on Crissy." Draco stood up and waited for Crystal to do the same. She didn't respond at first. She was still staring at her plate as if it was evil. Draco knew deep down she was fuming and wishes she would express that even if it's just for a second. But she didn't. She finally got up with a blank look on her face and followed Draco to an empty classroom where he proceeded to grab Crystal by the arm and sit her in a chair. He stood leaning up against the nearest desk and stared at her waiting for a reaction that he knew wouldn't come. Finally he sighed. "Crissy, you have your chance to prove you are a Nott, to prove you belong in the family!" Draco reached out and grabbed her arm. He felt it slight twitch under his touch, but he ignored it.

"I shouldn't have to prove I am a part of the family." She whispered staring at his hand that was still grabbing her arm.

"You shouldn't but you do. Now's your chance you shouldn't blow it!" Draco looked at her with concern.

"I am not you Draco, you were always loved." Crystal ripped her arm away from his touch.

"That's not true! You were loved too." Draco said defensively, though he himself didn't believe it. The most love he ever saw her get as a child was from his own mother that adored Crystal to death.

"You don't need to lie." She said in a bitter voice as she stood up. "I want a life of my own. If I can't fit in with the purebloods, then maybe I can fit in elsewhere." She shrugged as she held her back to Draco. He put his hand out wanting to reach for her but thought better of it.

"Anyone but them…" Draco pleaded, he hated them. They were always in the right and no matter what Draco did was never good enough. Hermione got all the good grade. Harry was always saving the day and Ron was just…poor. There's so many other people she could be-friend but it would be them. The ones that make him look bad in front of his friend. Or past friend, he couldn't seem to get through to her.

"There's nothing wrong with them. They are a lot nicer then you lot." She scowled and turned around with her arms crossed. She glared at Draco, letting him know she meant it.

"Are they really worth getting tortured over?" He finally did reach out and pull her close to him.

"I won't get tortured, I'll be fine." She said simply with a smile that didn't meet her eyes.

Draco sighed and pulled her into a hug "You don't believe that do you?" he questioned as he grabbed her head and pulled it to his chest.

She let out a growl and pushed him away. "Just because we were close when we were children, doesn't mean we are now. I don't need you" She poked him hard in the chest "Telling me what to do." Crystal gave one last glare before stomping out of the classroom to head to class.

This conversation sat in Crystal's mind all day. She couldn't help but wonder what was right and what was wrong. Should she really blow off her family and close friends for these new friends that she found? Because she knew deep inside if she continued to associate with Harry, Ron, and Hermione she would find herself alone without a place to call home, although she wouldn't really call what she has now a home more or less a place to live.

Again and again she kept forcing herself to focus on her potion which to her wasn't going very well. She couldn't concentrate on the potion and her thoughts. It was all so over whelming. If she was still in America with all her friends she wouldn't doubt any of her actions. No one could stop her there. And here she not only had Theo breathing down her neck but she had Draco.

Finally class was over and she could take her thoughts elsewhere, or so she thought.

"Miss Nott" She dropped her book that she was packing away at the cold drawl of Professor Snape. She knew she didn't do anything wrong, she checked and double checked her essay and her potion wasn't that dreadful. Actually hers was a lot better than Draco's, seeing as Draco kept glancing at her instead of working on the potion itself.

"We'll see you later" Harry whispered politely to Crystal as he Hermione and Ron turned to leave, leaving just Professor Snape and Crystal in the room.

"Yes, Professor Snape." She picked up her book and found herself in front of the potion master wearing her best fake smile. To be honest, she did actually like Snape a lot. She found him very likeable and a great teacher despite whatever one else seemed to say. It could have been that she was an excellent potion brewer herself, or that she seemed to find something oddly familiar with the potion master that drew her to want do good in his class.

"Your potion wasn't as good as it usually is" Crystal watched as Professor Snape stared at her searching for something "Everything alright?" He question in an awkward tone. He obviously wasn't used to asking students this sort of thing. Crystal couldn't help but wonder what was up.

"No, Professor" She answered as respectfully as she could. "I just found Essences of Breath a hard potion to brew." Crystal lied she didn't find it hard at all. She just didn't know how to explain her predicament.

He narrowed his eyes at her in disbelief "A skilled student such as yourself should not find a elementary level potion such as this one difficult." He responded in attempt to pull something out. She didn't say anything so he went on farther "What school did you transfer from? Rose Academy was it?"

"Yes, Professor" Crystal answered not bothering to hire the puzzlement within her voice.

Professor Snape sat there for a moment taking this girl in. School had started several weeks ago, it was no October and for a transfer student she had surpassed everyone in her grade. He was actually a little upset that she was not in his house, rather Gryffindor. Of course it wasn't just her grades he was noticing. It was her attitude and the way she held herself. She didn't seem like the rest of the Nott's, no she was nothing like her brother Theodore. In some ways, she was like her mother, but something was off. Something that felt so familiar and he wanted to know what that was.

"I see" He finally said still looking at her. She didn't break the gaze at all. "I'm sure you will fit in just fine" Crystal blinked for a bit at Professor Snape's words. This had nothing to do with anything they were talking about. Finally she gave a bow.

"Thank you Professor" She smiled still letting the bewilderment wash over her as she walked out of the classroom.

"What did Professor Snape want?" Harry questioned as he threw himself off the wall, scaring Crystal at once.

"You didn't have to wait, Harry." She said quickly gaining her composure.

"It's what friends are for." Harry smiled warmly.

"Friends?" She questioned as she began walking with Harry.

Harry let out a small laugh "Yeah, friends" He said reassuringly as he put an arm around her shoulder.

"I shouldn't be friends with you though." She sighed and looked down at her feet.

"Why because you are a pureblood?" Harry turned his head down to try and peek at her face.

"I know I don't really see the logic in it either." Crystal shrugged "Although I suppose I can bend the rules, just a bit." She smirked devilishly. "But it's not as easy as it sounds…Draco will be watching me."

"Let him, I hope it drives him mad that you a perfectly good pureblood are friends with me, Ron, and Hermione." Harry returned the smirk.

"I'm not a perfectly pureblood. I'm not sure what I am." Crystal made a face but quickly shook it off.

"Hey listen" Harry said quickly trying to fill the silence that was forming between them. "You should come to Qudditch practice tonight! Since you know, Ron and I made the team…" Harry asked timidly.

Crystal was taken aback. It was a very kind gesture on Harry's part. She knew that much, but she wasn't sure of how to respond. She of course wanted to go, it sounded like fun, but is it right for her to say yes? She wasn't sure. She let a silence fill between them as they continued to walk to the great hall.

The silence only heightened Harry's nervousness. He was asking her as a friend, but she was so different from anyone else he had met. She had deep dark secrets, he could tell that, but he could also tell that these secrets were suppressing her true feelings. That right there, those hidden feelings is what kept him curious and kept him around her. She was a big mystery and he wanted to solve her. So as this silence fell among them he couldn't help but wonder what was going through her complex mind. He finally couldn't take it anymore. He spoke up.

"Did you not have Quidditch at your school? I bet not, I'm not sure what America is like." Harry rubbed his hand through his hair as he spoke.

Crystal blinked at him "Of course we had Quidditch."

"I suppose you don't like it then, Hermione doesn't." He sighed feeling a bit upset, but understanding it's not always a girl thing to want to watch Quidditch.

"No, I think I'd like to watch you guys play." Crystal nodded reassuringly as she began to part ways. They had made it to the great hall and she knew better not to push her luck a second time. She had to sit with her Slyhterin friends and there was no doubt about that…if you could even call them friends.

"I'll see you later then." Harry said as he walked his separate ways as well.

Crystal couldn't help but smile. She felt like she was fitting in with people in her home country. Even if her family and childhood friends couldn't see it that way, she was happy and to her that's all that matters. Her smile didn't even fade as she took her usual seat next to Draco and Theodore.

"Well you sure are chipper about something." Theodore noted as she sat down.

"She was talking with Potter" Draco spat as his eyes followed Harry.

"I was letting him know that it is not okay for us to be friends." Crystal lied hating herself for doing so, but she knew if she wanted to be friends with Harry she had to spin a web.

"Earlier you didn't want that, why the change of heart?" Draco questioned with skeptical eyes as he pulled them away from Harry and focused them on Crystal.

"Simple, I have" She thought for a moment, if she didn't have her new Gryffindor friends did she really have Draco, Theodore, and the other Slyhterins? That was something laughable, though no laugh found its way to her lips. "I have you guys." Crystal said with no emotions as she turned to the dinner food before her and took her pick. She felt Draco shift beside her. She knew he didn't buy her lies. He never did. He knew of her secrets, he knew what she was hiding, why wouldn't he? That's what best friends are for. Even if he couldn't really call her that anymore he kept hoping she would remember something of their friendship.

He doubted it though, whether or not she would remember or grow to care for him as a friend. Truth be told he loved her company. It was much better than Pansy's who didn't care what he had to say as long as he was giving her attention. He had missed her terribly but Crystal would never realize that. And if Crystal did notice that, she didn't seem to care for some odd reason. Whatever happened to her in America really shaped her for the worst. Deep down inside he knew she was someone special, someone worth being Draco Malfoy's best friend at the most.

Draco knew the best he could do is try to understand her now and give her some freedom. Though he wasn't going to lie, having her here during meals was his little string of hope. He hoped that maybe somehow it would remind her of what their friendship was. That's wishful thinking though this was probably another battle he would lose to St. Potter.

"I'm done eating, can I go?" Crystal snapped Draco out of his thoughts. He hadn't been in the conversation at all. He was too busy thinking and now he missed precious time.

"Where are you going?" Theodore immediately asked his sister.

"Back to my dorm I think." Crystal stood up not letting the boys have another say. "Bye" She happily waved to Draco and Theodore, then to Crabbe and Goyle who were on the opposite side, not saying much.

"Wait!" Draco quickly got up as well and grabbed Crystal by the arm. "Friday, can we hang out?" He questioned hoping that if he asked her rather than forced her she would give it a thought.

"Friday?" Crystal questioned looking a bit stunned "I'm sorry Draco I have a date with Harry" She responded in the most impersonal manner ever. It was like she didn't even care.

"What?" Draco snarled at her. He couldn't believe her! He thought maybe she would listen that she couldn't hang out with Potter. He was being nice enough, or so he thought.

"You should have seen your face." Crystal let her lips play into a playful smirk "It was a joke darling."

Draco looked livid, Crystal was proud of herself for a moment before she realized she showed emotions. That was the last thing she wanted, she wanted to keep the purebloods away from her. She wanted time to find herself and she couldn't do that with them breathing down her neck.

"I didn't find it funny, Crystal." Draco said with a slight glare, though he was happy. That was a good sign. A tease, even if it was a low blow, was better than nothing.

"Funny, I did" Crystal shrugged.

"I don't see you laughing" Draco retorted finally letting go of her arm.

"Meh" And with that she flipped her hair and headed not for the Gryffindor common room, but rather the Quidditch pitch, where she waited for Harry.