[A/N:

to tar heels superstar: thank you for the review. I'd like to say, that you're correct in what you thought, but that would make things all to easy, besides, they're not учфсен glory seekers...

to miss quirky bookworm: right you are... as for Hermione and her questions... well... I just think that they were really insensitive and annoying, so I decided she should stop... glad you like it..

And now, on with the story....

]

Chapter Eleven.

~Diagon Alley: New Acquaintances. Part Two.~

/flashback/

- Of course. Not a word. Now, who was that you were talking to?

For a second Harry paused and then it dawned him:

- Oh, you mean the red heads. It's god that you reminded me. You know, there is something fishy about them... I just can' put my finger on what it is...

Hermione chuckled:

- Harry, you're being paranoid. Simple as that. And in case, there is this saying - keep your friends close, but your enemies closer. Let's go, introduce me to them.

And with that they returned to the twins, who were getting really worried.

/end of flashback/

Harry plastered a sweet smile onto his face, while Hermione simply looked polite. She offered her hand to the red haired girl:

- Hello, I'm sorry we had to go away like that, but there was something we had to discuss in private. I hope you understand. I am Hermione Granger, this is my friend, Harry. And you are?

She looked expectantly at the girl, who wasfidgeting slightly and shooting distressed glances at her twin, who was too busy staring at Harry to even notice. Then the girl raised her chin defiantly:

- I am Ginny Weasley, that idiot is my twin, Ronald. Nice to meet you.

Hermione raised an eyebrow:

- Wow... I can see that pretty well looking at your brother. I'm sorry, but we do not need attention seeking cronies...

Ginny grit her teeth:

- I'm sorry about him, sometimes he makes an ass out of himself, please, he didn't mean to offend... I'll talk to him about it...

Hermione knew that there was nothing else to object to:

- Ok, then. Say, what do you know about the Houses of Hogwarts?

As innocent as the question sounded, it was double edged, for she wanted to see how Ginny's mind worked. "I just hope I'm wrong... If they are just trying to get Harry under... wait a minute...." - Hermione tried to keep her face expression under control, but even though she was just 11, being the heiress of Ravenclaw, meant that her mind was more mature, than that of a normal 11 year old kid... - "So, we know that Dumbledore has been stealing Harry's money. So logically, he'd want to somehow keep tabs on him... yes, this would explain this... let's see how she answers..." With that miss Granger concentrated on the red head in front of her, hoping that she could find her answer easilly.

Ginny meanwhile remembered what her mother told her and Ron and spoke:

- Well, I don't really know myself, but mother said that our family has been in Griffindor for generations, Ravenclaw is for the really clever people, Hufflepuff is for the loyal and there is Slitherin. - at that the girl shuddered with hidden disgust - you-know-who and all other bad wizards went there...

Hermione smiled tightly:

- Thank you, Ginny. It was very nice to meet you, but our chaperone is waiting for us, so see at school. Bye.

With that grabbed Harry's hand and they were off.

Harry, who in his turn spent the time getting to know Ron, was not pleased with Hermione dragging him off again. As soon as the girl stopped the mad dash, he frowned:

- Hermione, what was that all about?

The girl gaped at him as if he lost his mind:

- No way.... Harry, didn't you notice the way he was staring at you? Trust me, we don't want anything in common with them...

- Hermione, you don't have to point out the obvious, but have you heard a saying 'Keep your friends close and your enemies closer'?

The girl blushed heavily:

- God, I am such an idiot! Of course! How didn't I think about it?

- It's ok. Did you explain our rush?

- Yeah. I said professor Snape was waiting for us.

At the sound of that name Harry groaned:

- Well, I guess we'd better be quick, we only have two hours and a half...

With every shop they visited, they cursed Snape more and more, because they had no idea what to expect and wile Harry could understand the man's reasoning, Hermione was simply livid, after all she was denied essential knowledge.

Another imporant meeting happened when they were at Madam Malkin's robe shop. Hermione was busy trying on a robe, so Harry loitered around the shop. He was simply watching other customers, when his gaze caught sight of a boy with silver eyes and platinum blond hair. The boy had a certain air about him that instantly told Harry, that he was from an important family. Also for some unknown reason Harry felt like he should know the boy, like he reminded Harry of someone.

While Harry stard at the boy, the object of the scrutiny noticed the attention and grasped he chance that presented itself. He came up to the slightly dazed Potter:

- Hi there, you're also going to Hogwarts?

Harry almost jumped at the sound of the boy's voice so close to him. He mentally slapped himself: "Get a grip, Potter! You can't be so unfocused! He got so close and you didn't even notice..." On the outside, however, he smiled:

- Yes, I am. I suppose you too?

The boy chuckled:

- Way to state the obvious. I am Draco Malfoy, by the way.

With those words the blond stuck out his hand with a friendly expression on his handsome face. Harry thought for a second and then his smile was replaced by a more natural one:

- Harry Potter. Nice to meet you, Draco.

Draco returned the smile and shook Harry's hand: "Merlin, never felt so nervous before... Ok, first contact done, now the more difficult part..."

- So, House do you think you'll be sorted into?

Harry bit his lip nervously. He remembered the goblin's point of view and then Hermione's retelling of what Ginny said, so he optioned for the safer way:

- I don't really know.

When the blond didn't notice his uneasiness and went on talking, Harry relaxed and listened to the speech:

- Well, that's to be expected, no one really knows. But my entire family has been in Slytherin, so I'm aiming there as well.

Draco knew that it was risky to say that this soon, but he had a feeling that honesty would do better. Harry, who was a bit surprised by how easily Draco admitted his desire to be a Slytherin, decided to read the books about Hogwarts he and Hermione bought.

He was about to say something else, when Hermione finally went out of the fitting room and walked up to them, her new robes and some other clothes already packed:

- Harry? I'm done.

Then she noticed the blond beside her friend and smiled, extending her hand:

- Oh, hello, didn't see you here. I'm Hermion Granger, Harry's friend. Nice to meet you.

Draco studied the girl in front of him. He's never heard the name Granger, so he assumed that she was muggleborn. His first impulse was to snap at her, but then his father's warning came to mind and he also did his best Malfoy smile:

- Draco Malfoy. Charmed. If I may ask, are you two alone here?

Harry shrugged:

- Not exactly. We are to meet with our chaperone, professor Snape, at Ollivander's in an hour. Would you know where that is?

The blond nodded easily:

- Sure, as it happens, I'm meeting my parents there as well. We can go together, if you want.

Hermione, who was not the most trusting person by nature, had to admit, that she was impressed with the blond boy. His manners and speaking habits, as well as gestures, told her, that the boy was from a respected family, therefore someone, whose friendship could come in handy later:

- It would be appreciated, Draco.

Harry glanced at Hermione: "Well, I guess now I have two friends... God, it sure feels nice, having people who care for you..."

And so the trio made their way to Ollivander's, the oldest shop in Diagon Alley, where another surprise waited for them.

[A/N: And that's it for today, people. Please, review!!! Reading your opinions on this really helps me update faster.... so, please...]