Dranex

CHAPTER ONE-Fire flash

"Hermione? Did you hear? There's a new student coming to Hogwarts," said my best friend, Harry Potter.

"Oh yeah! He's coming in from Adrentor Magic Academy," I said as I helped myself to some beef casserole.

It was dinnertime at Hogwarts. The Hall was buzzing with talk, laughter and the tinkling of forks and knives.

"Where is that?" asked my other best friend, Ronald Weasley.

Harry was sitting next to me and Ron was sitting across from us.

I frowned. "I don't know...I think somewhere in Wales or the northern part of England."

"Wow. It's going to be interesting to see how he dresses," Ron said, eagerly helping himself to a pork chop.

Harry and I looked at each other with raised eyebrows.

Ron caught us watching him with weird expressions on our faces. He cleared his throat.

"You know...his robes...if they're like ours or if he wears fur. Like in our fourth year when Durmstrang and Beauxbatons came here," he said, slowly.

"You scared me there mate! I thought you starting to worry about fashion," Harry said, laughing.

Ron blushed. The tips of his ears were turning pink.

"No...just curiosity," he said.

For some reason, I was getting a bad feeling about this new boy coming into Hogwarts. I couldn't explain it. This nagging feeling just kept hanging over me and it wasn't letting me forget it or to calm down.

Harry looked at me and put a hand on my shoulder. I hadn't realized I had gone into a stupor.

"You okay, Hermione?" he asked, concerned as he peered at me.

I jumped. "Huh? Oh yeah. I'm fine,"

"You sure? You seem awfully quiet,"

"Fine. I'm fine," I replied, forcing a grin.

Feeling satisfied Harry grinned back and then began talking to Ron about Quidditch.

I studied Harry. These new feelings kept rising in me toward him. I liked him as a best friend, but these new feelings were telling me that I liked him more than a best friend. I guess the three of us had grown closer, but for some reason, Harry and I grew slightly closer. Of course, I wouldn't tell Harry until I was absolutely sure that these were the feelings I was having and that he felt the same way. I didn't want to embarrass myself in front of him, or lose him altogether. I couldn't live with the fact that I lost him.

"When is this new kid supposed to arrive here?" Ron's voice interrupted my thoughts.

"Today, I think," Harry replied.

"Wow...I wonder if he's arriving on a ship or in a carriage drawn by Threstrals," Ron said, awed.

"We won't know because he's coming right into the Great Hall. Professor McGonagall is meeting him when he arrives," I said, taking a bite of the casserole.

"I wonder why we couldn't meet him like we met the schools for the tournament three years ago," Ron mused.

"Think about it...the entire Hogwarts school outside to greet one person? It was different back in our fourth year. We had a lot more students sharing our school," I said pointedly.

Ron nodded then went back to his pork chop.

About a half an hour into dinner, Professor Dumbledore arose from his seat behind the Head table. Immediately, the Hall quieted down. No one acted up whenever he spoke. He had this aura about him that no one dared to disrespect him.

"I have an announcement to make. I know most of you are aware that a new student will be sharing Hogwarts with you for a week. He is coming from Adrentor Magic Academy. I know you will be hospitable and welcoming," Professor Dumbledore said.

Just then, Filch entered the Great Hall and went over to Dumbledore. They leaned close and whispered something, and then Filch left.

"It appears that our guest has arrived," Dumbledore said smiling. "Professor McGonagall? Would you be so kind as to meet him outside?"

McGonagall nodded and got up from the Head table. She walked up the aisle between Hufflepuff and Slytherin's tables, disappearing through the double doors at the end.

I began picking at my food, my nagging feeling intensified.

Something wasn't sitting right with me. I took a deep breath before looking up. Maybe it was just paranoia.

Professor McGonagall was coming back into the Great Hall, followed by a gorgeous boy with dark, wavy black hair and blue eyes. I couldn't help but notice that all the girls were ogling him. He was dressed in black slacks, a white shirt with a V-neck, which was under a red vest and a red and white striped tie. His robe was black like ours, but with a red, white, and gold crest on it. He was smiling as he followed Professor McGonagall up the aisle. They reached the head table and Professor Dumbledore stood beside the boy and then they faced us.

"I would like you to meet Ian Peterson. He will be sharing our school for one week. I know that all of you will be kind and welcoming. Ian, please take a seat wherever you like," Professor Dumbledore said kindly to Ian.

Ian nodded and then began scanning the Hall. Every girl at the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff table scooted closer together to make room.

"Budge over!" Ron said.

Grudgingly, I scooted closer to Harry.

But to my secret relief, Ian began heading over toward the Ravenclaw table. All the girls were beaming and just practically falling over themselves trying to get Ian to notice them.

"Would you look at that?" Ron said, frowning at the girls.

"They're acting like he's a movie star or something," Harry said, laughing.

"Hermione? What do you think?" Ron asked, turning his eyes onto me.

I shrugged one shoulder. "Eh, he's all right,"

"That's it Hermione...contain your excitement," Harry joked, grinned.

"She still likes Vicky," Ron grinned.

I scowled at Ron. "He and I are just friends now. I told you two numb-nuts last month. Do you have a short attention span or something?"

"No! It's just that...Ooh, look! Now Ian's talking to a girl!" Ron said excitedly.

I looked at Harry exasperatedly. He just snorted and shook his head.

After dinner we all headed to the Gryffindor common room. Ron and Ginny were playing Wizards Chess by the fire place on the hearthrug, while Harry and I were sitting on chairs, just gazing at the fire. The warm crackling sound seemed to calm my nerves. I closed my eyes briefly, just enjoying the silence until Ginny and Ron got into an argument.

"You cheated!" Ginny said, angrily.

"No I didn't!" Ron protested.

"Yes you did!"

"No, I didn't!"

"Yes you did!"

"Prove it!"

I opened my eyes and looked over at them. Ginny's eyes were narrowed at Ron. I saw the familiar abashed expression on his face.

"You did...didn't you?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

Ron turned his eyes onto me.

"I can prove it by your expression. You've got that sheepish look on your face," I said before Ron could open his mouth.

Now, Ron looked even guiltier. Harry burst out laughing.

"You've just stuck your own foot in it, mate!"

Even Ginny was laughing now. Ron slowly broke into a grin.

"I guess I did...sorry, Gin," Ron apologized.

"It's okay. I'm going to bed. I'm pooped," Ginny said as she yawned and stretched before she stood up.

"Good night, Harry, Hermione, Ron,"

"Night Ginny!" we all said in unison.

Ginny disappeared into the direction of the girl's dorms.

Ron put away the chess game and he too, stood and stretched.

"I think I'm going to hit the sack as well. You coming, 'Arry?" he asked.

Harry shook his head. "In a few minutes. I'm just enjoying the warm fire right now."

Ron nodded and he headed off toward the boy's dorms.

Once the common room was quiet again, Harry turned to me.

"Are you sure everything is okay? You seem awfully quiet," he asked, peering at me.

I sighed. I was wondering if I should tell him about this nagging feeling I was having. I know he'd want to help.

But then again, I was stubborn. I grinned.

"Yeah...everything's fine. I was just enjoying the fire like you,"

Harry still eyed me suspiciously.

"I'm okay...trust me," I said.

Feeling satisfied he nodded.

"Good night, Hermione,"

"'Night, Harry,"

Harry stood up and headed off after Ron into the boy's dorms. I waited a minute before I headed off toward the girl's dorms.

I climbed into bed and pulled the covers up over me. I turned on my side and just stared into the darkness.

Why couldn't I shake this feeling? Why was it so intense about Ian? He's just a kid from another school. What's so weird about that? In our fourth year we had two schools sharing Hogwarts and they were all right. Why should this boy be different?

I didn't understand why I was feeling like this. Then, my different feelings toward Harry arose. I realized that I loved him. But I couldn't say anything just yet.

I shut my eyes and soon began to sleep.

The next morning, I woke up and yawned. I stretched and tossed off the covers. I swung my legs over the edge of the bed and stood up.

I pulled on my uniform and robe and headed downstairs to the Great Hall for breakfast.

I met Harry and Ron already at the table eating.

"Hey! Morning Hermione!" Harry said, brightly.

"Morning!" I said. "Where's Ian?"

"Sitting with the Ravenclaw's," Ron, said.

"You'd think the girl's would get sick of seeing him. It's like it's Christmas 24/7," Harry said frowning.

"He isn't even that good looking," I said. "They might think he's cute, but I bet he's a real stickler."

"Kind of like you, eh Hermione?" Ron said, grinning.

I bristled. "I may want my work perfect, Ron, but I don't think I bask in the glory of it,"

Harry and Ron looked at each other.

I glared at them. "Right?"

Again they didn't answer.

"Fine," I said, as I began helping myself to eggs, sausage and bacon and deliberately banged the silverware. "I get your point."

"Hermione..." Harry began but I cut him off.

"Could you please pass the toast?" I asked, stiffly.

Harry looked at me for a moment before he reached over and grabbed the plate. He handed me the toast plate. I took a few slices and began eating.

HARRY

Hermione ignored us for the rest of the morning when we went to classes.

I felt bad that we teased her and I felt overwhelmingly guilty. I pulled Ron aside as we were leaving Transfiguration class that afternoon.

"Why'd you open your big mouth?" I hissed at him as Hermione walked right passed us.

"What?" Ron asked, innocently.

"Why'd you open your mouth?" I repeated.

"I was just teasing! I didn't mean it," Ron said, looking slightly upset.

"Well, now Hermione's not talking to us because of your 'joke'. She has always been there for us when we needed her. She's never bailed out on us and we turn around and tease her over something stupid,"

Ron looked even more upset.

"I think we should apologize to her," I said, nodding toward Hermione who was now standing alone in the corridor leaning against the wall looking like she's burst into tears any moment.

"You're right," Ron said.

We turned to walk to Hermione, and when we reached her, I coughed appealingly before beginning to speak.

"Hermione...we have something to say to you," I said.

Hermione raised her eyes to mine. There were tears swelling in her honey brown eyes.

"What's wrong?" I asked, alarmed.

"I can't believe you two would say something like that! You don't care about my feelings at all!" Hermione sobbed.

Now I felt worse.

"Listen...we..." I began but she cut me off.

"I've helped you two through some tough times! And all you can do is say that I'm a perfectionist? Yeah I am, but a little bit of wanting to be organized never hurt anyone! And I'm sorry if I'm just too much of a perfectectionist!" Hermione said angrily as tears streamed down her cheek.

"Hermione..." I began again but again she cut me off.

"You say things like that all the time! But maybe you should think about the fact that I have limits! I thought you were better than that! I guess I was wrong!"

I grabbed her shoulders. "Hermione! We're sorry!"

She blinked. "What?"

"We're really sorry. We should have never said that," I apologized.

Ron nodded enthusiastically.

Hermione looked from Ron to me.

"Are you serious?" she asked, quietly.

"Definitely serious," I said, earnestly.

Again, Ron nodded.

Deciding to show her, I stepped closer and wrapped my arms around her, pulling her against me. I rested my chin on her shoulder.

HERMIONE.

Harry wrapped his arms around me and pulled me closer against him, our chins resting on one anothers shoulders. I closed my eyes, enjoying the touch.

I pressed my face into Harry's shoulder and embraced the gentle darkness.

"I'm really sorry. Please forgive me," Harry whispered.

"I forgive you," I whispered back.

After a few moments, we pulled apart and I turned to Ron.

"And I forgive you too," I said as I quickly gave him a hug.

He shyly hugged me back.

"Let's go to Care of Magical Creatures...shall we?" I asked, pulling back from Ron's embrace.

We headed out of the castle along with the Slytherin's and to our surprise, Ian.

We crowded around a paddock beside Hagrid's hut where there were red and white creatures, which resembled Huskies. They had red and white fur, ice blue eyes and acted like Huskies, but they breathed fire when scared.

"These are Wompvert's. They're friendly; jus' don' scare 'em," Hagrid said, proudly.

"Can we pet them?" Parvati asked.

"Sure yeh can!" Hagrid said.

We all leaned in and began petting the Wompvert's. The one I was petting licked my hand with a red tongue. I scratched him behind the ear. His hind leg began moving like it was vibrating.

"He likes yeh, 'Ermione!" Hagrid said, beaming.

I felt myself grinning.

I glanced over at Harry and Ron. Ron was oddly backing away from the paddock. I looked and saw one of the Wompvert's looking at Ron strangely.

"Erm, I don't think this one likes me," Ron said, in a high pitched voice.

"Tha's because he can smell yer fear," Hagrid said.

"If he stopped looking at me funny, I wouldn't be afraid," Ron replied.

Just then, I sensed someone behind me. Jumping, I turned around. Ian was standing there. My sudden motion must have scared the Wompvert, because I felt fire licking my hand. I cried out, and held my hand up . . . it was burned.