Harry Potter and the Dream of Fate

*Chapter Seven*

Introductions and Makeovers

Morning came to Hogwarts and brought serenity to the grounds. Harry awoke in his four poster, and looked around. He was the first one up in his dormitory. He got out of bed, got dressed, and got going. He descended down the staircase to wake Persephone, this way he would have a chance to talk to her before she re-encountered Ron and Hermione.

He reached the landing and walked towards the couch, where he had last left her. She wasn't there. "Ok, that's typical," he thought out loud and went searching around the common room. He looked atop the chairs, under the chairs, on the floor, around tables, even up the fireplace. She was no where to be seen. "Oh no," Harry mumbled, "she could be anywhere," and he set off quickly to find her.

* * * * * * * * * *

Somewhere in the Ravenclaw Hallway, a group of first years crowded around something peculiar. "Is she dead?" Michelle, a Gryffindor, asked.

"No, just sleeping."

"Someone wake her up!" a pudgy curly-haired boy said.

"Well, well, well," a tall, platinum blonde-haired boy said, "What do we have here." All the first years spotted his 'Head Boy' badge and immediately scattered. He approached the figure. A pale faced, freckled girl sitting on the floor, her back up against the wall. She looked around his age, actually there was no way she could be anything more or less than a fifth year. Yet, he couldn't recognize her at all. "Hey you!" he said, and shook her by the shoulders. She woke up, yawning, and accidentally slapped him in the face. Once she came to the realization that there was someone in front of her, she stoop up fast and straightened herself up, though there wasn't much that could be helped. "Well, good morning," Draco said maliciously, "and who may you be?" She opened her mouth to respond, but he continued, "A round-trip ticket to a month's worth of detention, I'd say. Are you lost, filthy beggar?" He spat out the words to her, eyeing her clothes.

That was it. Her blood starting boiling and she clenched her fists. Color ran to her cheeks, and her eyes were lit with a fierce loathing in them. "You never, ever, talk to me like that!" she exploded.

"Oh, so you can speak?" he said wryly.

"Yes, well I wish you couldn't!" she said hotly, and pushed in down on the floor. She then walked off, she had no idea where she was going, but anywhere was better than here right now. As she walked, or marched on however, she kept on peering into the interesting classrooms. She was so interested in the classrooms and all of their mystery that she wasn't watching where she was going and ran right into someone. They were both knocked down by the impact. "Ouch," she said rubbing her elbow, "I wasn't paying attention, and I didn't know where I was headed so I hope your okay, I... " But her sentence trailed off as she found out who she had bumped into. "Harry?" she said, flabbergasted.

"Yup," he said getting up. "Where were you? Did you decide to take a morning stroll, maybe casually injure some unwilling passerby?"

"Oh, I'm so sorry," she replied, but for some reason she couldn't keep a straight face.

"What? What is it?" Harry said, hoping he didn't have something embarrassing on him.

"Nothing, nothing, it's just that you have a scar or something on your fore head, and it kinda throbs when you get angry," she said, and started giggling. "I'm sorry," she explained, "it's just that you were so serious and it's the funniest thing."

"Oh, really?" Harry objected, "Well, I guess it would be bloody hilarious seeing me get into loads of trouble because you got lost." But it didn't work, she was still laughing.

"See!" she gasped, "there it goes again! "

"Will you stop!" he said, but her laughing was contagious, and now he couldn't keep a straight expression. "OK, okay, you win," he said, "now let's got back to the common room, OK?"

* * * * * * * * * *

They all went down to breakfast, including Ron and Hermione. But the atmosphere was still a little tense. Hermione also looked strange. She had deep bags under her eyes, and she was irritable. Not to mention how distant she was with Persephone. Not even a smile, or a hello. Just complete ignoring.

"Are you feeling okay, Hermione?" Ron asked gently. "You look a bit ill."

"I didn't get a whole lot of sleep yesterday, no problem," she muttered.

"Are you sure?" Ron looked deeply concerned.

"Yes, Ron, now bugger off!" she said rudely, he just shrugged and walked up to pace with Harry. Persephone just kind of walked ahead.

When they got to the table, they saw Snape accompanied by Malfoy. Snape was talking quickly, but Malfoy was just waving his arms around, trying to make words out of shapes with his fingers. He caught sight of the group and his gaze fell solely on Persephone. He tapped Snape on the shoulder and he pointed straight at her. They both walked over.

"Excuse me, Mr. Potter, but would you please introduce me to your friend." He said this, glaring at Persephone.

"I'm Persephone Blair," she said holding out her hand, "your new student." Snape ignored her hand and just smiled.

"Well, Ms. Blair," he began, "are you responsible for this?" He pushed Malfoy to the front and put his hand on his shoulder. "Speak boy." Malfoy moved his mouth, and you could see the words, but you couldn't hear them.

"Oh, that's so sad, is he mute?" she said innocently.

"No, he is not mute!" he exclaimed rudely.

"Laryngitis? I hear it's very common this time of year." Snape didn't like jokes. He grabbed her arm and pushed her towards him.

"You listen to me, you maggot, this was caused by a spell. YOU put it on him, did you? DIDN'T YOU!" he bellowed, and the few students in the hall fell silent. Persephone, however, didn't even flinch.

"No you listen to me, Professor, unless you are on a very quick mission to lose your job, I suggest you unhand me right now." She said this quickly and effectively. He lessened his grip, "Now about this guy," she said wringing her arm free, "I don't know, but it wasn't me. I don't even have a wand or whatever yet, see?" She held her hands up.

Snape just glared at her, then to Malfoy. "So how do you suppose we handle this, Ms. Blair?" he spoke through gritted teeth.

"I guess we could send him to the nurse, isn't there a magical nurse or something?" she retorted smartly.

"The hospital wing," Hermione piped in.

"Yeah, there we go," Persephone continued, "send him to the hospital wing." Snape looked as if he had missed Christmas.

"To the hospital wing, Draco," he said and stalked off.

"What a weirdo," Persephone scoffed. "So who's up for breakfast?" A smile crept upon all of their faces.

* * * * * * * * * *

They had all lightened up since their encounter with Snape. Ron seemed to cool off about the other night and was actually impressed about how collected and severe Persephone was with Snape. ("Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee," she said happily.) Hermione wasn't angry, but she was still a bit distant. Harry was happy that Snape got a taste of his own medicine.

"OK, what first?" he asked Persephone on a small street in Diagon Alley.

"Clothes," she replied thoughtfully. They stopped in front of Madame Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, and Harry told Hermione to go in with Persephone.

"Harry, I don't think this is such a good idea," Hermione protested weakly.

"Hermione," Harry replied, "I know you don't like her, and she can get a bit out of hand, but she's not dangerous or anything."

"How do you know, Harry?" Hermione stated, "Did you see her with Snape? He let her walk all over him,"

"She struck a nerve, that's all," Harry implied, "he couldn't argue with her, but he hates her and she hates him and I'm begging you," Harry's eyes were pleading with her, "it just wouldn't make any sense if Ron or I went in. Listen, she's got to change and everything, and it just makes more sense if a girl goes. Can you do this for me, please Hermione?" Hermione opened her mouth to object, but the look in his eyes made her fail.

"Alright Harry," she said wearily, "but you owe me."

"I knew I could count on you!" he said and gave her a big hug. They walked back to Ron and Persephone, who were just standing there. Hermione signaled Persephone to follow her and they both walked into the shop. Harry and Ron waited outside on a bench.

"So now what?" Persephone asked Hermione brightly. Hermione was still distant though. Persephone caught on and her expression softened. "I'm sorry about yesterday, you were right, I shouldn't have gone off like that," she said gently, trying to sound as apologetic as possible. "It was my first day and I was a bit defensive you know, not that anything can excuse the way I acted but I was, as much as I hate to admit it, nervous." Hermione nodded and smiled.

"Okay, you're forgiven," Hermione said sincerely, "So, what size are you?" Persephone glanced down at the oversized clothes she was wearing.

"Not this," she said grinning.

After five different sets of solid black robes, Hermione and Persephone were laughing and talking and going on about as normal friends do. It was hard to believe that they had only formally met this morning. "Okay, this one looks like a keeper," Persephone said happily, "and I'm tired of playing dress up already." She grinned broadly. "What do you think?"

"It's nice," Hermione said thoughtfully, "but I think I liked the second one better, it was more you."

"Really?" Persephone sighed, "OK, then, second one it is."

They left the shop after about an hour, and found both Harry and Ron asleep on the bench.

"Aaaaaw! How cute!" Persephone squealed, "They both look so innocent!"

"Too bad we have to wake them up," Hermione said looking at Ron, "they look so peaceful,"

"Yeah, but waking them up is the best part," Persephone said, a malicious grin on her face. Hermione joined in that smile and they both raised their bags in unison.

"Don't even think about it," Harry said, eyes still closed.

"You're awake!" Persephone said, lowering her weapon.

"Yes," Harry said and opened his eyes.

"Me too," Ron replied, yawning. "How long have you two been in there?"

"Forty years, Rip Van Winkle," Persephone retorted. Hermione and Harry both smiled, but Ron seemed confused.

"Who's Rip Van Winkle?"

* * * * * * * * * *

They arrived back at Hogwarts around noon. Persephone had already changed into her school robes, ("I want to look nice!") and nice she did. She had even pulled her hair back into a messy bun, with a few strands loose, complimenting her features. If you had never met her, you would have thought she was a normal Hogwarts student. They were talking along their way to lunch, occasionally laughing, smiling always. But happiness is a double edged sword, with one part happiness comes two parts frustration. Their frustration was heading towards them in the form of Draco Malfoy.

"Well if it isn't Potter and his posse, and..." His eyes fell on the girl and his expression changed immediately. "And who may you be?" he said calmly to her.

"Persephone Blair," she said maliciously, "otherwise known as a round-trip ticket to detention." She smiled and held out her hand. His jaw practically hit the floor.

"Y-y-you?" he stammered, eyeing her closely.

"You? Strange name, I'd say. Well, goodbye, You, I have to be going, can't miss class you know!"

She was about to walk away but he stopped her.

"My name is Draco Malfoy," he said nonchalantly. "I can show you the right people to hang around with, the best of Hogwarts, instead of, Potter and his loser friends.."

"Draco Malfoy?" she cut in. "My gosh. That's worst than You, and thank you, but I don't need your brilliant guidance, you have already presented yourself as unworthy," she scoffed. Then she pushed him out of the way and walked out of sight. Malfoy then approached Harry.

"Looks like you've got another sheep to add to your herd," Malfoy spat.

"Get lost, Malfoy," Harry said, and head off after Persephone.

* * * * * * * * * *

She walked up the stairs, trying to remember how to get to the Common Room. After a couple of seconds she heard footsteps behind her and she stopped and faced them. The footsteps belonged to Harry. She smiled weakly. "Is everyone else in this school garbage?" she said too nicely.

"I'm sorry, he's a git, really," he tried to apologize, he really didn't know why though.

"I know that, but it's just that.." Her sentence trailed off.

"What is it?" Harry said, hoping she hadn't done something drastic.

"This morning," she began, "you know, when that poor excuse for a teacher confronted me about that kid's voice." Harry nodded. "I said I didn't do it." She stared blankly at the ground. "But I did do it."

"What?" Harry said, really confused. Just then another pair of footprints could be heard coming up the hallway. For some reason Harry's scar began to hurt, he looked back at Persephone. She was rubbing the back of her neck uneasily and he approached her. "Take out your wand," he whispered, and she held in strongly in front of her. Harry remembered them buying it. Ollivander had been even more strange than usual, saying things about power and ranting on about some sort of Sorcery and sorceresses. Persephone had gone through about 30 wands before she found hers, but the funny thing was that they all worked for her. Everyone of them had fit her perfectly to Harry, but for some reason Ollivander had not accepted any one of them. The one she held now was a dark mahogany wood with both unicorn hair and Phoenix feather. The only wand n the world to have a combination of both. Ollivander had been very careful to warn her as well, for it was also considered one of the most powerful wands in the world. It had to be powerful, it was massive.

"It's so heavy," she whispered, "it's only going to slow me down, I don't even know any spells,"

"Shh!" Harry whispered as he took out his wand himself. The footsteps grew closer and the pain more severe. Out of the corner of the hall appeared a man, tall and slender with neatly cut gray hair that was gelled back and held in a small ponytail. He had the shiniest shoes and a caring face. But the most appealing of all his features were his turquoise-diamond eyes that were kind, yet severe. They seemed to dig right into you, as marvelous as they were, it was a very uncomfortable feeling.

He approached them slowly, a smile on his face, and next to him Harry could feel Persephone relax and put her wand away. He wanted to tell her to put it back, but the man was already too close. "Hello," the man said in a cool, soothing voice, "I assure you, I am not a demon, you can put your wand away, sir."

He directed this comment to Harry, who was still frozen in place with his wand pointed straight out in front of him. His gut was telling him to keep it out, but for the sake of expulsion, he put it away.

"Hi," Persephone said, "Who are you?" The man gave a little chuckle to the honesty of her voice.

"Hello, dear," he said casually, "My name is Mr. Thomas Gage, but you will formally know me as Professor Gage, Teacher of Defense Against the Dark Arts." Persephone cracked a smile,

"Yes, I have you tomorrow," she said politely, "but you must excuse me and my friend, we're meeting someone and we're a bit late," she giggled a bit, "I'm sorry for the defense tactics, but we were exchanging scary stories, and you just walked down the hall and gave us a fright. See you in class, tomorrow, Professor!" She said that and took hold of Harry's wrist and began to push him the other way. The man waved at them good-bye and as they turned the corner and out of sight, she let him go and he seemed to come back to reality. "Are you crazy!" she hissed at him, "we could have got into a lot of trouble, why didn't you say anything!"

"I, uh, I don't know," Harry said shortly, shrugging his shoulders. She just gave him and exasperated sigh and they both headed back to the common room.

* * * * * * * * * *

Ron sat slouched on his four poster, staring into space with one thought in his mind. He had been thinking about the same thing for a very long time, ever since last year and all of the summer, and now it was all he could think about. He tried to shake it, he knew it was stupid and his mind should be on different things, but he was a fifteen year-old boy and the last person in the world that could control his mind was him. It was just so damn hard not to think about Hermione. He took out a little book from under his mattress that his sister, Ginny, had given to him over the summer. He thought it was a useless gift at the time, but now it seemed a vital part of him, and he just felt so much better after writing in it. He just prayed to Merlin that it wasn't more than it seemed.

It was old and tattered, just like everything else he owned. It was leather-bound, about the size of his hand, and it was thick. He had written in about 1/8 of it already, and surprisingly enough about 88% of that was all about Hermione. Okay, 89% with today's entry.

Hullo Mick,

As foolish as it sounds, he had given his book a name. He had no idea how he arrived at it, but now there was nothing else to call it. He continued:

The new student that was supposedly evil, isn't so bad after all, I guess. Of course, you can't be so sure considering we've only been around her one day. Hermione said that she had apologized about the night before and that she seemed to be okay.

I guess if Hermione likes her, she can't be all bad.

Persephone, the new girls name, stood up to Snape, and completely dished Malfoy today. And she ended up in Gryffindor, so maybe she can be strange and even mean, but I think evil would be pushing it. She's also brave and stuff, maybe she can be useful to us after all.

Okay, now after stalling for about 15 minutes, I would like to tell you what's really been bugging me, Mick. Mate, I must be crazy but here goes,

I think Hermione likes Harry.

He's my best friend, and I wish him the best, but that's a ridiculous thought right? I mean, there's no way Hermione could like Harry, and I don't mean friend like, I mean like, like. What am I saying? There are a million reasons on why Hermione could like Harry. He's famous, he's brave, he's nice, he's caring, he's rich, he's always winning things and he's so modest and bold. Modest and Bold Harry. He's stopped the dark lord, and he's always just so great. He's Harry Potter. Great Harry, great buddy, pal, every girl's dream. Every girl. Including Hermione.

Ron drew a deep breath and put his quill down. He ran his fingers through his hair and sighed, deep and long. He then rubbed his temples with his index fingers and picked up the quill again.

It's just that, she's always so worried about him, and concerned about what he thinks. And she always sits next to him, and helps him with his homework, and sure she helps me too, but she's always more patient with him. Not to mention, she sometimes even kisses him on the cheek and gives him great hugs, and yes, it's usually when he has just come out of the hospital wing or when he was in a life-threatening duel or if she hasn't seen him all summer, but that look, Mick, it's that look. Her face just lights up whenever he's around and it's just that.

What could she possibly see in me?

I'm just Harry's lackey. A friend to her yes, and I'm sure she cares, but she never looks at me that way. She never kissed my cheek, or gave me a hug just for the hell of it. So I'm not famous, rich, or all that bold and courageous. But I'm a good-looking guy? Aren't I Mick? Don't answer that.

I need to prove myself to her somehow, to make her gorgeous brown eyes glow on me for just a little, to see that sparkle on me, for a while. So how am I going to do that, Mick? I'll tell you how.

I'm going to do something drastic. Next time Malfoy calls her any name, I'm going to beat the crap out of him. I'm going to take her side, and not be so damn sarcastic all the time.

No, I can't do that.

She'll know something funny is up if I do that, won't she?

Alright then, I'll just have to get her attention some other way. I don't know how, but I will.

Thanks for the advice, Mick, I 'preciate it.

Ron

Just as he finished his entry, Harry walked into the room, and came over to the four-poster. Ron quickly shoved his book under his mattress put on a cheery face. It's not his fault. He repeated a million times in his head, because if he let himself believe that it was Harry's fault that Hermione didn't notice him, he was about to hex him into another world.