AUTHOR’S NOTE: Hmm...what’s it been? FOUR MONTHS? It says on FF.Net that my last update for this was 6-8-03....well, that’s better than some people’s updates I suppose. But I was mainly trying to finish my other story Links to the Past, then decided that I needed to get the next chapter out for this story...so here it is. Enjoy! (hope it’s worth the wait ^^’)

Disclaimer: Did you honestly believe that I was actually gifted with the intelligence to write Harry Potter? Are you insane?! It all belongs to the wonderfully talented J.K. Rowling!

*~*~*

Enigmatic Ordinance

By: Angel: da Newsies fan

Chapter 2: Eerie Experiences

Hermione, not really noticing Harry's state, pushed gently past him and smiled.

"Hello there. Do you mind if we sit in here? All of the other compartments are full."

The girl blinked furiously, then smiled and nodded, not saying a word.

Hermione's smile broadened.

"Great!" she said, plopping down beside the mysterious girl.

"By the way," she started, turning to her left and sticking out her hand, "I'm Hermione, Hermione Granger. What's your name?"

The girl smiled a little and took Hermione's hand.

"I'm Emma Creevy." she said shortly.

"Nice to meet you, Emma. This is Ron Weasley." she said, pointing toward an unsuspecting Ron, who quickly looked over and half smiled, "and that's Harry Potter." she said, pointing to a dumbstruck-looking Harry, who was still standing.

Her forehead scrunched with concern.

"Harry? Are you alright? You look all hot and bothered. Are you getting sick?" asked a concerned Hermione, causing Ron, who was beside him, to look as well.

"Hey mate, you alright?" Ron asked, shaking Harry a little.

Harry, shaken out of his revere, blinked quickly, shook his head and sat down. He quickly looked around the compartment; Hermione and Ron were both looking at him with immense concern. Emma, however, was avoiding eye contact and biting her lip.

Harry's brow furrowed with slight confusion before Ron shook him out of his thoughts once more.

"Oh, yeah, I'm fine, just thinking about something is all."

Hermione's eyebrow shot up.

"Harry, please what's going on with you? That's the second time today you've spaced out. Are you sure everything's alright?"

Harry gulped and nodded.

"Everything's fine, Hermione. Don't worry about me."

Both Hermione and Ron had been being overly obsessive with him ever since last year's incident at the Triwizard Tournament.

Couldn’t they tell that he was fine and that his spacing had nothing to do with Cedric’s death in the least? Although, the memories still haunted him...

Whether they knew or not, Harry wasn't sure. He was glad, however, when the attention was shifted away from himself once more.

"So, Emma, I've never seen you on here before, you're not a first year, right?" asked Hermione.

Harry heard Emma chuckle at this and looked up.

"No, I'm not a first year. I'm a fifth year."

The Trio looked a tad taken aback...she was in fifth year? Well that was a little odd; they were in fifth year and had never seen her before in their lives...Although, her name did sound a little familiar...

"Really?" stated Hermione, "What house?"

Emma looked around at them nervously.

"Uh, Gryffindor."

Now the Trio was fully taken aback...

"Wait a second," Hermione began again, "you're a fifth year in Gryffindor and we, who are also fifth year Gryffindor, don't know you?"

"Aw, c'mon, Hermione, give her a break. Maybe we've just never noticed her before, I mean, she does have certain shyness to her. Maybe she likes to keep to herself. Besides, you don't have to know everyone, 'Mione. There are a lot of Gryffindor fifth years I'm sure we've never met. Just leave her alone." defended Ron, who looked rather annoyed.

Hermione's eyes narrowed as she glared at Ron momentarily then turned her attention to a book she'd pulled from her bag.

"Don't worry 'bout her, Emma, she enjoys acting like a 'know-it-all' all the time. Anyway, it's nice to meet you."

Emma smiled nervously at Ron and nodded.

The remainder of the train ride was, for the most part, uneventful. Malfoy had come to bother them a few times, and to brag about his Prefects badge, but it was the same insults and taunts as usual.

Although, he had been a tad nicer to Hermione though, as nice as a Malfoy can be, that is. He'd finally ceased in calling her "Mudblood" and now merely called her "Granger" so there was some improvement there. Hermione, however, failed to notice this due to the fact that she usually ignored him.

Harry had spent this train ride thinking. Thinking about his usual terrible summer, about his upcoming classes, and about, well, at the risk of sounding cheesy, Emma. There was just something about her that was alluring and mysterious. Something he couldn't put his finger on.

By the time the train had reached Hogwarts, Hermione had gotten more than half way through her book and Ron had managed to engage Harry in a Quidditch conversation.

"No Harry, Louis McGregor is even close to being as great a Chaser as Mike Magayhe." said Ron, who was gesticulating widely in exasperation.

"C'mon Ron, have you ever even watched McGregor play?! If you're saying Magayhe's better then you obviously haven't. No one plays the Quaffle like McGregor." Harry countered.

"Please, Harry, don't even go there. That's blasphemy against all Quidditch players, that is!"

Harry was about to spout off at Ron when the train pulled to a stop.

"C'mon you two, " started Hermione, gathering her things, "Let's go and find Hagrid."

Both boys sighed and rose to their feet.

While retrieving his books, Harry suddenly remembered Emma. He turned toward her and saw her still seated staring out of the window. He furrowed his brow and gulped.

"Emma, it's, um, time for everyone to get off the train now. We're here." he said nervously.

Emma snapped her head in Harry's direction.

"Oh, yes, I know. I just prefer to wait until everyone clears a bit before I try to leave. But, um, thank you, Harry." she said, smiling shyly at him.

Harry reddened a bit and tore his eyes from her to look down the corridor outside the compartment.

"It looks as if everyone's pretty much cleared off. You could try and leave now if you want."

Emma looked a bit startled but smiled and stood to begin gathering her things.

She reached down onto the bench she had previously been seated at and picked up her black book bag. She unzipped it a little and started hauling a few of her books in.

"Harry," said Hermione's annoyed voice,"C'mon."

Harry turned toward his two friends and then looked back at Emma, who was still gathering her things. Ron saw his hesitance and walked over to him. He grabbed his arm and began gently pulling him toward the compartment's door.

"G'bye, Emma. We'll see you inside." said Ron, smiling cordially.

Emma looked over at him and smiled back.

"Alright then, see you." she said shortly, before returning to her packing.

"C'mon, mate, let's go. There's something I need to talk to you about." Ron whispered to Harry.

This got Harry interested in Ron and Hermione again, so he pulled his arm from Ron's grasp and followed them both out of the door.

"Harry, are you alright?" asked Ron once they'd stepped off the train.

Harry looked over at Ron's concerned face and half smiled.

"I'm fine, Ron. Why wouldn't I be?"

Hermione and Ron exchanged a look then both returned their attention to Harry and rose an eyebrow.

"Harry, you were practically non-existent today. You kept on spacing out and everything, especially when we talked to Emma." stated Ron in a worried voice.

"I'm not sure I trust that Emma girl. There's something fishy about this whole situation and I'm going to find out what it is." huffed Hermione.

Ron rolled his eyes while Harry pretended to listen.

"Hermione, there's nothing wrong with Emma. So we've never met her before, big deal! There are tons of people we don't know. Hogwarts is pretty big, we aren't expected to know every person. So just drop it 'Mione. Focus on something worth it." defended Ron in an annoyed voice.

Hermione huffed again and pursed her lips.

"There's nothing wrong with you, mate, there's something wrong with her." Ron whispered to Harry, who faked a laugh.

Hermione had a point, as usual. Why was it that they'd never seen Emma? Sure she was shy, but she was in their year and in Gryffindor. How much weirder could it get then that?

*~*~*

When they arrived, everyone immediately congregated in the Great Hall for the start-of-the-year feast.

"Hey, Emma!" cried some overly excited girl's voice.

Harry swiveled quickly and spotted two little third year girls jumping up and down.

*sigh*

He was becoming obsessed. He just couldn't stop thinking about her...But why couldn't he? It made no sense. Usually when you think about someone as much as Harry was thinking about Emma, it meant that you most likely had romantic feelings for them. Now, Harry was no idiot, he was fully aware of his feelings for Emma. The odd thing was that he'd just met her. So why was he feeling this way?

*sigh*

"Granger," called the cool voice of one Draco Malfoy, "We've got a Prefects meeting. McGonagall ordered me to come and retrieve you. So let's get going then, shall we?"

Harry and Ron scowled at the bleached-blonde ferret. Hermione merely rose from the Gryffindor table, bid Harry and Ron goodbye and followed Malfoy out of the Great Hall.

Harry furrowed his brow and turned to face Ron.

"Is it just me, or was Malfoy actually civil for once?" he said to his redheaded friend.

Ron merely scowled and shook his head.

"There's no way anything associated with a Malfoy is civil. He's up to something." Ron responded suspiciously.

Harry nodded his head in agreement.

"I think you may be right."

After the Sorting, putting twenty-six more Gryffindors into Hogwarts, Professor McGonagall rose from her chair and called everyone's attention.

"Everyone, can I have your attention please!" she called, "Will all Prefects please direct themselves to my office for a meeting. Immediately, if you will."

That said, McGonagall stepped away from the teacher's table and walked swiftly from the hall. Once she'd made her exit, Dumbledore rose from his chair to make his annual speech.

"One year has passed, and another has begun. Some enemies have fallen, while others have risen. Either way, we all must learn to move on. This year is to be unlike any other before it, as most usually happen to be. So as this new year commences, I will ask all of you to use extreme caution as there are things that have happened that were beyond anyone's control. I would also like to remind you that the Forbidden Forest is still forbidden, as its name suggests, and would like to introduce to you your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Ms. Jasmyn Black."

At this, Harry's head shot up. Black? Could this woman possibly be related to Sirius in some way, shape or form? Speaking of Sirius, what was going on with him? Harry hadn't heard from him in practically a month.

Harry shook his head. He just needed to relax. Professor Black probably had no connection to his godfather whatsoever.

Harry sighed, he needed to get out more.

"...And so, with out further adieu, let the feast, begin." concluded Dumbledore, sitting himself back in his chair.

All at once, platters upon platters of food appeared, some full of roasted chicken, others with fish filets and millions of other great entrees. But Harry found that he was unusually uncomfortable, he felt as if someone was watching him. Harry's eyes began to wonder around the hall, searching for whoever was looking at him. He scanned the Slyherin table first, thinking it was most likely just Malfoy trying to irritate him, completely forgetting he wasn't even there; but no one from Slytherin was even looking in their table's general direction.

*Why would someone from Slytherin be staring at me anyway?* he asked himself.

He shook his head and proceeded to scan the room once more, his gaze carrying him to the Hufflepuff table; again no one.

This was weird; Harry didn't like it when he had unexplained feelings. He sighed once more and shifted his eyes toward the teacher's table. There was Dumbledore chatting away with Professor Black, while to the left Professor Snape wore his usual scowl. To the right of Dumbledore was Professor McGonagall's empty seat, and one more chair over sat tiny Professor Flitwick chatting enthusiastically with Professor Sprout.

Harry now turned his attention back to the Gryffindor table, and Ron, who had, at some point, begun a conversation.

"--Ya know what I mean, Harry?" he asked, looking pointedly at him.

Harry, being caught on the spot, quickly nodded.

"Yes, Ron. Of course."

Ron nodded his head sternly and happily returned to his golden plate full of food. Harry breathed a sigh of relief; that had been close. It wasn't as if Harry didn't want to tell his best friend anything, it's just that Ron would totally blow it out of proportion, connecting Harry's "feelings" to Voldemort...it was always the worst case scenario. But oh well, it's not like this was a problem; what harm can come from someone merely staring at you?

Harry shook his head slightly, ridding his mind of his admirer as he turned his gaze to the feast. He ate happily and with out interruption for a good ten minutes...then he felt it again, that odd prickling sensation. This time, however, he decided to continue eating as he looked, trying to catch the one he was looking for off guard.

He slowly scanned each House table, looking for any signs. So far there were still none at the Slytherin and Hufflepuff tables, nor the Ravenclaw. Harry sighed silently and scanned his own table. There was Lee Jordan talking quietly with Fred and George about something...there was clumsy old Neville chowing down happily on his meal...There was Lavender and Parvati talking animatedly about something and looking over toward the Slytherin table...There was Emma Creevy staring at him...there--was... HOLD ON. Emma was the one staring at him? He looked up at her so quickly he'd caught her again before she realized, flushed red and turned toward some girl beside her. Hmm...interesting. This was definitely a new development, and a quick one at that...Why had she been staring at him? How come--

"HARRY POTTER, COME BACK TO EARTH, PLEASE!" Harry heard as slightly pale hands were also waved before him.

Harry started and looked at the redheaded boy beside him.

"What?" he said, genuinely confused.

Ron rolled his eyes and heaved an exasperated sigh.

"I was just saying that we should go and find Hermione." he stated in annoyance.

Harry looked at him quizzically.

"What for? She's in a meeting, remember? A Prefects meeting."

Ron rolled his eyes.

"I know, Harry but she's with ferret face, remember?"

"So? If he tries anything, Hermione'll hex him into next Tuesday. Don't worry, Ron, Hermione can take care of herself."

"Harry," started Ron exasperatedly, "Haven't you noticed how weird Malfoy's been acting lately?"

Harry furrowed his brow and turned toward Ron.

"Weird? How do you mean?"

“Well, he hasn’t been calling her names as much. No more ‘Mudblood’ or anything, just ’Granger‘. Haven't you noticed? I don't even think 'Mione has."

"What are you suggesting, Ron? That by some odd twist of fate Malfoy actually has a 'thing' for her?" Harry asked with disbelief.

"Well I dunno, Harry, but you know it could be true."

Harry shook his head.

"Ron, you're insane. There's no way Malfoy has any feelings toward Hermione besides contempt. Just don't worry about it, I'm sure it's nothing." replied Harry.

Ron sighed and said no more on the topic for the remainder of the feast.

"Prefects, I will ask now that you lead your fellow house members up stairs. Good night all." said Professor Dumbledore, who walked out the door behind the teacher's table.

Harry and Ron looked at their Headmaster in puzzlement. Each of them then stole a glance around the room; there were the Hufflepuff Prefects, Hannah Abbot and Ernie McMillan; the Ravenclaw Prefects, Jade Hemmingway and Gregory Smith; there was the other Slytherin Prefect, Pansy "Pug-Face" Parkinson...but where was Malfoy? Harry furrowed his brow and looked for the other Gryffindor Prefect, Dean Thomas; sure enough, there he was rounding up the new Gryffindor first years, but there was no sign of Hermione. Something weird was definitely going on.

Ron apparently didn't want to think anymore about it, because he said nothing to Harry. Harry, in turn, also said nothing. Both boys rose from their table and walked over to where Dean was looking rather stressed. He saw Harry and Ron and smiled with relief.

"Oh thank goodness, where's Hermione? Tell her I really need her help, now!"

Harry looked around quickly; still no sign of her or Malfoy.

"We figured she was with you." stated Ron. "She was at your meeting, right?"

Dean looked taken aback.

"Hermione Granger? Miss something academically related? Are you sure you're her friends?" he said with a laugh. "Of course she was there, she and Malfoy arrived at the same time."

Harry raised his eyebrow. Was it possible that she still with Malfoy? Just as this thought crossed Harry's mind, a flustered Hermione waltzed quickly through the door.

"Oh Dean, I'm so sorry! I was held up after the meeting." Dean merely waved his hand saying it was nothing.

Hermione sighed and pushed some of her hair from her face.

"C'mon, let's get everyone upstairs...oh I'm so sorry..."

*~*~*

Soon, all first years were snug within their beds, as well as a few of the older students. So the majority of the fifth years decided to congregate within the common room.

"Hiya, Harry." greeted Neville who was waving like mad.

"Hey, Neville. How was your summer?" Harry greeted kindly.

Neville smiled ear-to-ear and sighed contently.

"It was wonderful, Harry. I spent it all on an internship at Herb's Herbs...That man is a wonderful Herbologist. Have you ever heard of him Harry? Have you?"

Harry shook his head and smiled slightly.

"No, Neville, I can't say I have. But I'm glad you had a great summer...I'll see you later, eh?"

With out waiting for an answer, Harry walked away from Neville and strolled across the room toward the portrait hole, ready to go and take a stroll around the castle. He was about to push it open when he over heard a familiar voice. He looked to his left and spotted a group of girls chatting away like mad; among them was Emma, who looked slightly uncomfortable amidst the group, but was listening none the less. Suddenly, Lavender Brown turned toward Emma and started talking with her.

"Em, you remember in third year when someone started that rumor about a relationship between Snape and McGonagall? You remember that right, because you told me, who told Parvati, who told Ginny, who was over heard by Hermione, who told Ron and Harry..."

Harry raised an eyebrow; he didn't remember any rumor like that, nor did he remember Emma...but why, oh why, did her name sound so familiar?

Harry shrugged it off, deciding to tell Ron and Hermione the next morning. With one last glance toward Emma, who had now noticed him, he climbed out of the portrait hole and stepped out into the hall.

"Harry? Where are you going?" said Hermione's surprised voice.

Harry swiveled around, facing Hermione's direction.

"You shouldn't be wandering around alone. Get back inside, I don't want to take points from my own house." she said sternly, pointing at the portrait hole behind him.

Harry followed her finger and looked at the Fat Lady's picture then back at Hermione.

"Hermione. I was just looking for you." he covered badly.

The Gryffindor Prefect raised an eyebrow.

"Well you've found me, now get back inside."

Harry crossed his arms defiantly.

"Just because you're a Prefect, doesn't mean you should wander around alone either."

Hermione opened her mouth to speak, but was interrupted by a cold voice.

"She isn't alone, Potter. I'm her hall buddy." Malfoy smirked as he waltzed up to the two friends.

Hermione rolled her eyes in exasperation and turned to look at him.

"I thought you said you were checking the side corridors." she said, placing her hands on her hips.

Malfoy's smirk widened as he folded his arms and leaned up against the wall behind him.

"All clear." he said simply, before looking back at Harry, who was glaring at him.

"Now, now, what do we have here? An ickle Gryffindor out of bed at this hour? And in the halls, none the less. Good thing Granger caught you before you wandered off." he taunted, smirking widely.

Harry's frown deepened and his hatred rose.

"Piss off, ferret boy." he responded, fists clenched in rage.

"Tsk, tsk, Potter. Watch your mouth, I'm a Prefect, remember?"

Hermione sighed exasperatedly at their bantering.

"Shut it both of you. Harry, get back inside, Malfoy, let's finish our rounds. I'll see you in ten minutes, Harry. C'mon, Malfoy." she said briskly, continuing her walk down the hall.

Malfoy only shrugged and followed a little behind her.

About ten minutes back in the common room, Hermione still hadn't showed. Harry, deciding to call it a night, slowly rose from his spot on one of the plush red couches.

Reaching the stairs, he began to climb the staircase up to the boy’s dorm, hearing faint footsteps behind him.

"G'night Ems! See you tomorrow morning!" shouted what sounded like Parvati Patil.

Harry turned enough to see Emma standing on the girl's staircase waving to her friends. Slowly he turned and resumed his climbing until he made it to the door to his dorm.

Harry quietly opened the door and slipped in, suddenly feeling more tired then he had been. He sluggishly walked to his bed and, with out even changing into hid pajamas, fell onto his bed and was out like a light.

*~*~*

Harry opened his eyes...why was floating in blackness?...why was he floating? Did people usually float?

All of a sudden, something began to materialize before him. Harry squinted to try and make out what it was. Slowly, very slowly, the image became clearer, clear enough for Harry to make out that it was a face. Harry furrowed his brow, unsure of whom to even expect. Wait it was a little clearer there...looked kinda like a girl, okay a little more...she had long, brown hair...extremely blue eyes...wait a second, he knew those eyes...where did he know them from?

Realization dawned on him as the person's image was fully materialized; it was her...the literal girl of his dreams...Emma. Wait, she was saying something, what was she saying?

"Harry you...trust..."

Huh? 'Harry you trust'? What was that supposed to mean.? Oh there, she's speaking again.

"...mustn't....me"

Harry raised an eyebrow. So he had a 'Harry you trust' and a 'mustn't me'...okay, usually he didn't play word games in his dreams, but...

Alright, so what could this possibly mean? Okay, put 'em together...

'Harry you trust mustn't me'.... Oh! 'Harry, you mustn't trust me'!

Wait, 'Harry, you mustn't trust me'? Whoa, that doesn't sound good.

~ END OF CHAPTER 2 ~

*~*~*

Well, what didja think? PLEASE review, I really want your feedback on this story.

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(ok, that was stupid, but really, I DO wanna know what you think and why you’re thinking it! PLEASE REVIEW!)

STORYLINE © Angel: da Newsies fan

CHARACTER © J.K. Rowling