Blinded

Seventeen-year-old Stacey Krynzel studied her reflection in her slightly cracked full-length mirror. For once, she almost liked what she saw; silky, rich chocolate shoulder-length hair, rather than the long tangle of mousy curls. She gazed into her dark, profound brown eyes, which no longer looked so large and out of place. She noticed her tall, slender frame that had filled out nicely during puberty. She didn't usually wear make-up, but today she had put a little on, because today was special. Today was to be the first day of her seventh year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. You see, Stacey was a witch, and a good one at that.

When Stacey wasn't at Hogwarts, she lived in a tiny, beat-up little apartment with her twenty-five year old Muggle sister, Angie, and her younger Muggle brothers, Adam, who was fifteen, and Mark, who was eleven. Their mother had walked out on them when Stacey was nine, and their father had committed suicide when Stacey was ten. Angie had basically raised Stacey and her brothers, even when their parents were still there. Stacey's parents had been rotten.

After Stacey's father died, Angie started working double shifts at the Muggle restaurant, McDonald's. The job had barely provided enough money for them to live on, but they had somehow managed. Stacey remembered the long, cold nights when she had finished all of the chores and lain awake in bed late into the evening, waiting for Angie to come home from her job.

Then, on Stacey's eleventh birthday, she received a letter that changed her life. It was an invitation to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! Stacey was a witch! She could do magic! It had been overwhelmingly exciting for little Stacey, who hadn't ever experienced anything more adventurous than schoolwork and chores. Somehow, Angie had scrimped, salvaged, and saved enough money to provide for Stacey's wand, trunk, robes, and schoolbooks, and, before she knew it, Stacey was at Hogwarts.

Stacey sighed. Maybe she liked what she saw in that mirror, but Ron Weasley, her longtime crush, would never notice her. In his eyes, she was just Stacey Krynzel, nothing special. She didn't even know if he knew her name. He was too wrapped up with stupid Lavender Brown. Lavender was the biggest ditz at Hogwarts, and Stacey just couldn't understand why Ron liked her so much.

Stacey bent down to lift her shabby, old trunk. She tugged it gently down the rickety old stairs that led to the minute kitchen. She gazed around her. The kitchen was small but very tidy. Angie worked so hard to keep this place going.

Angie was standing at the sink scrubbing dishes, a yellowed apron tied around her narrow waist, her auburn hair pulled back in a messy ponytail.

“Hey, sis,” said Stacey quietly, setting her trunk down on the worn floor.

Angie looked up. “Stace!” She whistled. “Looking good, girl. All ready for Hogwarts?”

Stacey smiled. She had no idea how such a stressed out, overworked human being could be so utterly cheerful. “Yeah, I'm all set. Where are the boys? I want to say good-bye before I Disapparate. I'm meeting Hermione at King's Cross at quarter till.” She had just turned seventeen and passed her Apparition test. She could do magic outside of school now, too.

Angie's expression fell a little. “You be careful. All that magical stuff scares me…Disapparating, and all that. It's so much…easier…just walking.”

Stacey grinned in exasperation. “I've told you before, Ang, Apparition is perfectly safe if you know what you're doing, and I -”

“You know what you're doing,” finished Angie for her. “I know, I know…” She shook herself. “Let me get your brothers.” She walked over to the aged staircase and hollered up it. “Boys! Get down here! Stacey's leaving!”

A moment later, there was a series of thump's, and Adam and Mark had arrived.

Stacey beamed at the sight of her two pesky little brothers - Adam, who had sprouted up to a whopping 6'1 over the past year, with his easy smile, messy brown hair, and dark eyes…he was quite a ladies man. And then there was Mark, with his angelic little face, cute smile, spiky auburn hair, and that adorable spray of freckles across his nose…in a couple of years, she would have to fend the girls off of him with a wand.

She embraced each of them in a hug, one at a time. Mark grimaced slightly when it was his turn to be hugged, but, remarkably, he held still. When she got to Angie, her sister dissolved into tears.

“It's okay, Angie…” said Stacey, knowing the ritual. Angie did this every year.

“I'm sorry, Stace,” sniffled Angie, blotting her tears away with her apron. “I always lose myself when I know I won't see you until Christmas.”

“I'll write you a lot, Ang, you know that,” said Stacey, hugging her sister tight.

Angie broke away from the hug quickly. “Use the regular way…don't use those school owls anymore. They scare me half to death, tapping away at the window like that…then all they want is food, which we're a little tight on, considering that Adam eats like twelve men…” She trailed off.

“I understand.” Stacey hugged everyone one last time. “I'll see you all in December!” she said softly. “Bye!” She grabbed her trunk, and with a loud pop! she was off to King's Cross Station.

Pop! Stacey swiftly apparated to a spot directly in front of a large, scarlet steam engine at King's Cross Station. She smiled softly at the familiar sight.

Good old Hogwarts Express. She thought, taking a minute to scan the atmosphere around her.

Students of all ages were mulling around everywhere, and even more students were coming in through the Platform 9 and three fourths entrance - the wall between Platforms 9 and 10.

Through the dense crowd, she managed to spot Hermione Granger, one of her best friends since fourth year, and pushed her way towards her, dragging her trunk behind her.

“Mione!” she hollered as she waved frantically at her friend. Hermione looked up from talking to her best friends, Harry Potter and (gulp) Ron Weasley. She spotted Stacey.

“STACE!” she screeched excitedly, running the ten feet to Stacey and embracing her in a gigantic hug, Ron and Harry trailing behind her.

“Herms, how are ya?” exclaimed Stacey over the din.

“I'm fine, I'm fine,” replied Hermione, flipping back her straightened hair. “Wow, you look great, Stacey. You've changed a lot since I saw you over vacation.”

“Right back at you. I love your hair,” countered Stacey excitedly, staring at the once-bushy hair. Hermione looked so pretty!

“Oh, thanks,” breathed Hermione. “I'm so glad you like it. Harry and Ron haven't even noticed it.”

“Probably because they're too busy staring at you,” teased Stacey.

“Ha,” said Hermione dryly, “I doubt it. Guys are so unobservant.” She looked up. “Here they come now.”

Stacey nearly melted when she saw Ron Weasley striding towards them, a smile playing on his gorgeous face. He had changed so much! His once boyish features were now well-defined…masculine. His chest had broadened and he now had a very lean, muscular figure. He was wearing baggy khaki cargos with a plain shirt that outlined his muscular torso, and Stacey had never seen anything so breathtaking.

"Mione -" he started as he and Harry arrived next to them. He stopped talking immediately as his eyes wandered over to Stacey. They widened in surprise.
"Who - wha- who're you?" he mumbled. Who the heck is that beautiful girl?
Stacey blushed furiously, suddenly extremely self-conscious.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Ron, this is Stacey Krynzel, you know...she's only been my friend since fourth year."
Ron blinked. "Oh...right."
Harry gave him a friendly shove. "Quit gogglin', mate...Lavender's coming."
"Hey there," purred Lavender Brown as she strolled up to Ron, her hips swaying back and forth. Her hands traveled up and down Ron's strong chest, her pouty pink lips finding his.
Stacey swallowed hard and turned away, biting her lip. So close, but yet so far. She thought he had almost...felt - something - too.
Harry must have seen the expression on Stacey's face, because he pushed Ron playfully.
"Get a room, you two. Besides, we've gotta board the train," he grinned.
Lavender frowned in dismay. She turned to Ron and smiled seductively. "Let's get a compartment for ourselves..." She grabbed his hand and led him onto the Hogwarts Express, away from Hermione, Harry, and Stacey.

Thanks for reviewing, guys…here's the next chapter.

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Stacey stared blankly out of the Prefect compartment window, watching the countryside fly by in a colorful blur. She felt utterly alone, surrounded by the snotty, braniac prefects who were completely excluding her. Harry and Hermione were sitting in the Head Boy and Girl compartment, and Ron had left the Prefect compartment long ago with Lavender. Stacey didn't even want to think about what they might be doing.

Sighing, Stacey made a mental decision to take a walk around the train...maybe she'd find Harry and Hermione...or even better, Ron by himself. She didn't know if she could bear to see him with Lavender. That girl was literally a witch.

Shivering slightly, she stood and gingerly weaved around the legs of prefects in the small compartment, occasionally murmuring "Excuse me", or "Sorry".

Finally out into the open hallway, Stacey cheered up a bit. She had to use the restroom, so she made her way to the back of the train, walking past compartment after compartment, glancing hopefully into each one for some sign of Ron. Some chattering first years...nope. An older boy reading a book...don't think so. A group of third year girls huddled around something that looked like a kitten...no. Then, finally, in the very last compartment, Stacey found what she had been searching for. Sort of.

Snuggled up in a seat by the window was Ron. The only trouble with this scenario was that he wasn't alone. Lavender Brown was curled up on his lap, her fingers entangled in his vibrant hair. His arms were wrapped possessively around her waist, and their faces were centimeters away from each other. Lavender was staring at Ron's face, almost expectantly, but Ron was gazing out the window, apparently lost in thought.

Stacey just stared longingly through the door, which was cracked open just enough for her to see what was going on inside. She watched in agony as Lavender's expression turned angry. She disentangled her fingers from his messy hair and tilted his face viciously towards her own.

He looked at her, somewhat confused.

"You're not paying attention to me. You're not being a very good boyfriend," she whined, those awful lips twisting themselves into a pout.

He frowned. "I am sitting with you, you know. And you know I wanted to sit with Harry and Herms."

She pouted even more, her eyes pleading. She pressed two fingers to his lips. "I don't care about them, baby, I care about you. And me. Together. And all you've done this whole time is stare out of that window." She ran a finger along his jawline, and he shuddered.

Shaking her hands away from his face, he closed his eyes in exasperation.

"Lav..." he whispered huskily in that exhilarating male voice that sent shivers along Stacey's spine, "I don't think that we should b-"

"Shhh..." whispered Lavender urgently. "Don't say that. I don't want that. C'mere...I want this." She covered his lips with her own. He moaned a little, trying to resist, but she turned the kiss up a level and pressed her lips more firmly to his.

Stacey watched in horror as Lavender parted her lips a little and groaned softly, her hands skimming up Ron's chest and into his gorgeous hair.

Stacey didn't even notice that she was crying. Heartbroken, tears streaming down her cheeks, she ran the rest of the way to the bathroom.

For some strange reason, Harry couldn't keep his eyes off of Hermione. They were glued to her face...those hazel eyes, those luscious, kissable lips, that beautiful, silky hair. Wait, what is wrong with me? This is Hermione...and I'm dating Ginny anyways...no, stop it, Harry...Hermione is your friend.

"-don't you think so, Harry?" Hermione was saying, staring at Harry's glazed-over, brilliant green eyes. God, those eyes are wonderful...I could stare at them all day long...Whoa, Hermione...get a grip!

Harry was jolted back into reality as he heard Hermione speak his name.

"Uh...yeah..." he mumbled, nervously flattening his disheveled, jet-black hair. Did she see me staring at her?

Hermione snorted. "You don't know what I said, do you?"

Harry grinned sheepishly. "Sorry, Mione, I have absolutely no idea..."

He's so cute when he's embarrassed...ahh...Hermione, you've done it again! Hermione shook herself.

"I was just saying that Ron should dump Lavender. Stacey has the absolute biggest crush ever on Ron, but he is too blinded by Lavender to see it. That girl isn't good for him. It's killing Stacey to see them together, and I do think that Ron likes Stacey, too...he just hasn't realized it yet. Stacey's so nice...I wish he would just quit being such an insensitive moron and see that, you know?"

"Yeah...she's...nice..." agreed Harry dreamily, unable to wrench his eyes away from his best friend's. Harry! Hermione is JUST YOUR FRIEND. What were those feelings he was having for her? He was dating Ginny, he loved her...Harry, what the hell is going on?

Suddenly, the compartment door flew open, and a short red-headed girl was standing, her petite outline illuminated by the light from the hallway.

"Harry!" she breathed, leaning over Hermione to greet her boyfriend with a kiss. A long one, too.

Hermione blinked. She had forgotten. Harry was dating Ginny. Hermione suddenly felt very ill.

When they had finally finished their kiss, Ginny made herself comfortable on Harry's lap, her head resting against his chest, his head buried in her thick, fiery hair.

"Good to see you again, Gin," mumbled Harry, one eye closed, the other eye resting on...Hermione?

"I think...I think I'll go now," said Hermione awkwardly, biting her lip. "N-nice seeing you, Ginny."

"Mmm, you too..." breathed Ginny, her eyelids fluttering, tilting her chin at Harry, begging silently for another kiss

He obliged, but his heart wasn't into it. He heard the compartment door slide shut. He wondered vaguely where Hermione was going.

In the aftermath of her tears, leaning against the cold tile wall in the restroom, Stacey realized how stupid she had been. If Ron doesn't like me, then so be it. I don't want him to feel forced into a relationship if he doesn't really like me. Besides, he still has Lavender. Good old Lavender.

Rubbing her eyes, she stood and splashed some cold water onto her face. She was in the process of reapplying the little make-up that had been washed away with her tears when she heard a tiny knock on the bathroom door.

“Hang on…I'm almost done,” she called out, hurriedly stroking a little mascara onto her eyelashes.

“Stace?” said a faint voice on the other side of the sliding door.

“Hermione?” she replied. “Herms, come in!” She pulled the door open.

Hermione Granger was standing in the doorway, looking slightly abashed.

“Hey Stacey,” she said in a small voice as she stepped into the small cubicle. She sat down on the hard bathroom floor and put her head in her hands.

Stacey immediately sensed that something wasn't right. “Mione…what is it? What's wrong?”

Hermione breathed a deep sigh, pushing a long, straight lock of hair behind her ear. “To be completely honest, Stacey…I don't know what's wrong.”

Stacey patted on some blush, then turned to Hermione. “I'm kind of having the same feeling.”

Hermione gave a small smile. “Let me guess. Lavender.”

Stacey never ceased to be surprised at how perceptive Hermione was. She sighed. “How'd you know?”

Hermione shrugged. “It's easy to see that you're completely head-over-heels, absolutely, totally in love with Ron.” But I'm not in love with Harry. No. He has Ginny.

Stacey's eyes widened in alarm. “Is it that obvious?”

Hermione grinned. “To everyone but him.”

Stacey's head drooped. “He has Lavender…don't blame him…why should he like me?” she said unconvincingly.

“Don't give me any of that crap,” retorted Hermione. “You're ten times better than Lavender will ever be.”

Stacey grinned weakly. “Thanks, Mione. I'm always really cheerful after I talk to you.”

Hermione shrugged. "Just being honest."

Stacey crossed her arms. "Now, tell me, what's wrong with you?"

There was a pause. "I...I really don't know, Stace."

"Don't expect me to believe that...you always know everything that's going on, Hermione."

Hermione bit her lip. "Okay...I think...I don't know, Stacey, I'm so confused. In the compartment back there, I was feeling really...different feelings towards Harry. My best friend."

Stacey cocked her head in thought. "But - I thought he was going out with Gi-"

"He is," interrupted Hermione. "That's the problem. And I don't think it was really...him...that I was attracted to. I think that I am desperate for a boyfriend, and I just jumped on the first guy I saw...Harry."

Stacey swallowed down a smile. "That makes sense. So go find a guy to let out those 'feelings' on." Harry and Hermione are so definitely meant for each other...they just don't want to see it.

Hermione smiled. "I think I'll do that."

Hermione opened the compartment door, and the two girls strode out into the hallway to find a compartment for themselves.

“Ahh, it's so nice to be back here,” said Ron Weasley, breathing in the fresh Hogwarts air as he stepped off of the Hogwarts Express.

“Thank god this is our last year…” sighed Lavender, glancing down at their intertwined fingers. “I don't know if I could bear another year here after this one. I want to get out of this place.”

Ginny, who was walking with Harry next to Ron and Lavender, rolled her eyes. She really didn't think very highly of Ron's girlfriend. “I love it here,” she said, “I'm glad I'll be here for two more years…I'm just sorry that I won't be with you guys at all next year.” She glanced up at Harry, his untidy jet-black hair falling on his face, his bright green eyes smiling at her.

He wrapped his arm around her shoulder. “It'll be okay. Let's enjoy this year while we've got the chance.” He kissed her forehead softly, pulling her closer to him. “Where are Hermione and Stacey?”

<><><><><><>

After the Sorting Ceremony, Hermione and Harry took their seats as Head Boy and Girl at the Head Table with the Professors.

“Have fun on the train?” Hermione asked him with a forced smile, trying to make conversation. Not that I care, really…he can have all the fun he wants with Ginny.

He looked at her, his head cocked one way, messy hair falling onto those magnificent eyes. “I guess…why?” He was clearly confused.

Hermione shrugged. “No reason.” He is so adorable…wait…stop it, Hermione! You don't like him in THAT way!

Harry raised one eyebrow. What? Is she…jealous?

He suspects something…you've got to stop doing this to yourself, Hermione!

Clink, clink, clink. Albus Dumbledore was hitting his wine glass with a spoon. All talking immediately ceased, and everyone, students and professors alike, stared at their Headmaster attentively.

“Welcome,” he began, “To another school year. I have a few announcements to make before we feast. First of all, I would like to congratulate our new Head Boy, Harry Potter, and our Head Girl, Hermione Granger.”

There was a turbulent applause for the new Head Boy and Girl from every table except the Slytherin table. Everyone knew that Pansy Parkinson and Draco Malfoy had been lusting for the Head jobs, and they had probably told everyone in Slytherin not to applaud for Harry and Hermione.

Harry shrugged at Hermione as if to say, “It doesn't matter.”

Hermione smiled evilly. Harry and I can take away points from Draco now!

Hermione gazed out into the crowd through the rest of Dumbledore's speech, looking for Ron and the others. Ahh…there they are.

Ron was sitting at the Gryffindor table, looking highly uncomfortable. Lavender was perched on his lap, her arms draped around his neck, whispering things in his ear.

Hermione nudged Harry and nodded her head towards Ron. Harry nearly busted out laughing when he saw Lavender, but then he looked further. Oh, god, poor Stacey!

Stacey Krynzel was sitting by Ginny, who was watching Dumbledore intently. Stacey had her eye on Ron, and she looked like a troll had just whacked her over the head with a club.

Hermione shook her head. Ron, you idiot. I don't know what Stacey sees in you. Can't you see what you're doing to her?

Ron sat in the Gryffindor Common Room, snuggled on a plush red sofa, staring at the glowing embers of the fire. His incredibly sexy girlfriend was at his side, but she wasn't the girl he was thinking of at the moment.

What's up with that Stacey chick? Why can't I get her off of my mind? He sneaked a sideways glance at Stacey, who was curled up on a little armchair to his left, completely engrossed in a book. She looks so...adorable.

He sighed and turned to Lavender.

"Let's go for a walk."

"Sure thing, baby...anything for you," she purred, pulling him down for a kiss. He couldn't help but notice how he was no longer enjoying her kisses.

Out on the Hogwarts grounds, which were dappled in milky moonlight, Ron and Lavender walked lazily by the silent shores of the murky lake.

"I love you, Ron," moaned Lavender. She stopped and, standing on tip-toe, tried to give him a passionate kiss.

Ron broke away, closing his eyes. "Sorry, Lavender." He took a deep breath. "We can't do this anymore."

She looked confused. But then again, when didn't Lavender Brown look confused?

"What do you mean?" she whispered.

Ron bit his lip. He hated breaking hearts. "I mean, I think we should end this relationship. Now. I like you and all, Lavender, but I feel like we're...drifting apart."

Lavender no longer looked upset. Now she was just plain furious.

"FINE!" she screamed, her voice echoing throughout the grounds. "FINE! WE'RE THROUGH! SEE HOW YOU DO WITHOUT ME, RON!"

She turned and fled back to the towering Hogwarts castle, her blonde hair streaming behind her.