I sighed as I filled my trunk with my new books and cauldron. While I was looking forward to Hogwarts, I was extremely worried about leaving my mother behind. Ever since the end of the war and we could come out of hiding she has been reclusive and not talking a whole lot, throwing herself completely into work. I sat down on my queen sized four poster bed. That's it. I thought to myself as I pulled out my wand and began using magic to finish packing my bags. When I had finished I shrunk both my cases (yes I needed two, I have a lot of stuff!) and put them both into my handbag. Besides with no uniforms this year I was going to need a lot of clothes.

This year I would be going to Hogwarts to repeat my 7th year. I used to go to Beauxbatons until about halfway through first semester when my mother came home one day suddenly to go into hiding. But now the war is over and Voldemort is dead thanks to Harry Potter, so I can go back to school. But I can't go back to Beauxbatons in France! No I have to stay close to home in case there is an emergency with mother! I must stay in England, which is why I begged her to let me go to my father's old school, Hogwarts. I had always wanted to go to Hogwarts, that's where my father had gone, where Aunt MG (McGonagall) was a teacher (she wasn't really my aunt, it was just a joke that mother said because apparently Minerva is like mums older sister) and it's also where Dumbledoor used to be headmaster.

"Mistress Emlyn, Mistress Celestia would like to leave now," Our House-elf, Robby said

"Robby, I have told you many times to just call me Em!" I laughed kindly. I loved Robby, the way his big eyes would look at you so happily when you were happy.

"Sorry Mistr… I mean Em," He smiled back.

"Ill miss you Robby!" I said giving the tiny creature a big hug, "Take care of mother for me?" I asked

"Of course I will Mistress Em," He replied.

"Okay well I guess I will see you soon!" I said grabbing my bag,

"Best wishes Mistress Em," And with that there was a loud crack and he had disappeared. I took off then, going down the marble staircase to meet mother in the foyer.

"Ready to go hunny?" She said grabbing her bag.

"Yeap, all packed" I said excitedly.

"Alright, lets' go then," She said opening up the door to lead us outside where our car was waiting. Our Chauffer drove us to Kings Cross station where we got out and made our way to the platform. I gracefully stepped through the brick wall followed by my stunning mother. There were people bustling about everywhere. Little kids running around excitedly for their first year at school, and then there were big groups of people all together. I noticed one particular large group because Harry Potter was there. Great, I know nobody. I thought to myself wondering what to do. That's when someone bumped into me from behind. Annoyed I turned around to see red hair and big brown eyes.

"Oh I'm so sorry!" She exclaimed looking up to me.

"That's alright: I said smiling back.

"Hey I have never seen you around before, are you new?" She asked

"Yeah, I used to go to Beauxbatons" I replied. My mother coughed slightly and the girl looked at her.

"Hey you are Celestia Mandeville! Famous fashion designer!" The girl said breathlessly.

"Yes, yes. I hate to be rude dear but you girls must go! The train will leave soon!" Mother exclaimed giving me a big hug.

"Soyez bons, soyez sûr, je t'aime ma chérie (be good, be safe, I love you darling)" Mother said kissing my cheek.

"Prenez soin de vous mère, Je t'aime aussi (Look after yourself mother, I love you too)" I said back giving her one last big hug. I turned back around to the ginger staring at us shocked.

"Wow, you guys are French?" She asked

"Well Mother is, my father was English," I said walking to the train.

"What do you mean WAS?" She asked confused

"He's…. dead" I said sadly. Her face was a bit shocked but she looked at me like she was sorry.

"I'm really sorry about that, by the way my names Ginny" She said giving me a hug.

"My names Emlyn," I replied giving her a small smile.

"That's a pretty name," she said being polite.

"I like yours, it suits you" I said back. She was very pretty and quite small. We got on the train and I followed Ginny to a compartment. In this compartment was a group of people including the one and only Harry Potter.

"Hey babe, where did you go?" He said giving Ginny a kiss as she sat on his lap.

"Sorry I ran into this girl by accident, her names Emlyn" She said pointing at me.

"Hi!" Everyone chorused. I recognised a few of them like Ron and Hermione, but the rest I didn't know. Oh well, I'm sure I will find out later. That's when I heard familiar laugh coming from the hallway.

"Excuse me," I said to everyone and left the compartment. Standing there was my friend Harriet talking to a couple of boys.

"Harriet!" I exclaimed walking over.

"Emlyn!? EMMIE! Yay I have a friend!" She yelled giving me a big hug and kissing my cheek. I kissed hers back and grinned. Harriet had also lived in England, quite close to me actually, and we had grown up together. She went to Beauxbaton as well, but her mother had obviously changed her mind to sending her back there.

"Why didn't you tell me you were coming?" I questioned.

"Well I only found out a couple of days ago, and you and your mother only just got back from Italy so I wanted to surprise you!" she laughed. I heard a cough from behind her and looked around to see two guys, the first boy was dark skinned and had dark brown hair and brown eyes.

The other boy had grey/bluey eyes and messy blonde hair. He had tan skin and from what I could tell from his tight shirt, a very good body. He smirked at me with a little half smile and I swear my heart skipped a beat. I stared into those eyes for what felt like forever.

"Oh sorry, Emlyn this is Blaise Zabini…" She said pointing to the dark skinned boy, "… and this is Draco Malfoy," As soon as she said this my eyes narrowed at the blonde. I sort of hissed a little and dragged Harriet away.

"Why are you talking to them! Malfoy is the family that kidnapped my dad!" I hissed/whispered. Her eyes widened in fear.

"Im so sorry Emmie, I had no idea. But just so you know, Draco isn't like his father. He would have been put in jail with the other death eaters if he was involved," she reassured me. I gave her a look of 'yeah right' but shrugged it off. I wouldn't trust him.

"Problem ladies?" Blaise said coming over.

"Nope!" Harriet said happily.

"Yes." I said at the same time coldly.

"Someone's bitchy," Malfoy said laughing. I glared at him and Harriet shook her head at him and gave him a look. He sighed and his face dropped a little. He walked over and stood right in front of me. I took a little step back, not wanting to get too close to him but he just leant forward. Our eyes were staring again and he whispered so only I could hear.

"Look, I don't know what my family did to you, or who you are but you must know that while yes it was my FAMILY it doesn't mean I was involved. I am getting kind of sick of people hating me because of what my stupid father did. I am very sorry to whatever he did to you, but you cannot blame me, give me a chance to prove I am different?" he pleaded looking at me sadly. I couldn't help but feel sympathetic.

"I will give you one chance Malfoy." I replied icily. I actually hoped he could prove to me he was better than his family. Draco sighed and then pulled away, I saw Harriet watching nervously and I nodded my head one and gave her a weak smile. She gave me pleased look and turned back around to Blaise.

"Is there somewhere we can sit? I'm tired!" She complained.

"Yeah sure, we have seats in here," He said walking down the train a little and coming to a compartment. There were trunks in there and I looked around confused.

"Did you boys carry these onto the train?" I questioned, wondering who could be bothered.

"Yeah, how else are we going to get them on? Hang on, where are your girls trunks?" He asked looking around confused.

I put my bag down and pulled out the tiny trunks, making them go bigger when they came out.

"There," I smiled sweetly at the boys' shocked faces.

"Girls are too smart." Draco said slowly giving me another smile. We laughed at how true that was. We all sat down and just made small chatter. I was pretty bored so I pulled out my wand and began manipulating ribbons in the air. I then cast a quick spell quietly and Harriet's hair that had been out and messy was now, straight, sleek and in the middle of a French braid with the ribbon tying itself at the making a cute bow.

"Seriously Em, I thought we got you to stop that in 4th year!" She yelped when her hair started to get fixed.

"Hehe well im bored!" I whined loudly and sadly. I was really tired too and wanted to go to sleep. I yawned. I looked over at Draco with pleading eyes.

"Um no," He said realising what I wanted.

"Pleeeeeaaassseeeeee?" I begged giving him my puppy dog eyes.

"Fine, come here!" He said. I laid my head down on his stomach and put my legs up along the chair. I was quite comfortable and fell asleep almost instantly. I woke up to Draco shaking me. I moaned and snuggled further into his stomach not wanting to wake up yet.

"Come on Em, we are at Hogwarts!" Harriet shouted. I sprang up excitedly jumping off Draco who laughed at me. Everyone left their trunks on the train so I did too. I practically bounded off the train to look at the beauty of the castle.

"They have extended the train track, it used to just stop at Hogsmeade," Draco told me. I couldn't stop staring at the huge castle. It was beautiful, magnificent and powerful.

"Let's go eat, I'm starving," Draco said grabbing my hand and leading me to the castles front doors. I froze for a second, confused at the feelings. I said I couldn't trust Draco but when he grabbed my hand it went all warm and fuzzy. Could I be attracted to him? No. I shook that thought from my head and followed him to the Entrance Hall. I had come here in 4th year for the Triwizard Tournament. I could remember the Yule Ball when I had my first kiss. This place amazed me then and it amazed me now. The big Oak doors were wide open and people were going through. Near the entrance was McGonagall.

"Aunt MG!" I called running to her to give her a hug.

"Hello Emlyn," She said giving me a smile. "How are you?" She asked patting my hair.

"I'm good, and yourself?" I asked returning the smile.

"Yes I have been good, I am now Headmistress as you might know!" She said smiling happily. People said that I was the only person that brought out McGonagall's fun and kind side, while she was usually strict.

"Yes I know, we are all so proud of you!" I laughed.

"Thank-you, and how's your mother?" She asked in a hushed tone.

"Not so good, working overtime," I whispered back. Her face went full of concern.

"Okay, I will have to owl her later, anyway you need to stay here, to get sorted," She told me before rushing off.

"Harriet, we have to stay to get sorted." I said pulling a face.

"Oh okay, bye boys!" She said waving bye to Blaise and Draco who left to go to the Great Hall. Most of the people around us were first years but there was quite a few people varying from 2nd year to 7th year that were obviously moving to Hogwarts. Aunt MG came back out and welcomed us to Hogwarts. Then she led us in a line to the Great Hall. It was exactly the same as 3 years ago. There were four very long tables adorned with different house colours. Then there was the long teachers table with all these teachers seated waiting. In front of the teachers table was a big old wizard's hat on a stool. MG started to read out names of students, each person would put the hat on their head. The hat would call out a house. It was a weird sorting ceremony and I was nervous about what house I would be placed in. Finally I heard my name being called out.

"Mandeville, Emlyn" She called and I stepped up to the stool. It felt like my heart was in my throat and my brain was going a million miles per hour. I slipped the hat on my head, it was much too big and it slipped down to my eyes but immediately there was another presence in my head.

Ahh yes, Emlyn. I remember sorting your father back when he came to school. You are very much like your father. While you have your mother's beauty and elegance you also have your father's brain and valour. You have got a lot of courage and would be a good addition to Gryffindor, you are also very smart and would do well in Ravenclaw, you are loyal and trustworthy which would make you a Hufflepuff. Hmmm. A tough one you are. I think... you will achieve great things, yes that's why you will be in….

SLYTHERIN

That hat called out the last bit in a loud voice. Cheers erupted from the table on the left and I walked gracefully to the table. I sat down next to a smiling Draco. I smiled back and waited for Harriet to get sorted. She was in Slytherin too. Everyone was sorted and then food appeared on the table out of thin air. We began to eat, there were so many different types of food, but I just went with the basic salad and chicken. There was some pumpkin juice and all these amazing foods. Then it all disappeared and desert appeared. After we had finished it all disappeared again and then the room went quiet.

"Hope you all enjoyed your feast, welcome back to Hogwarts! This year there has been a change in sleeping arrangements. Instead of the dorm rooms being in Houses it has been sorted by year level. Now Prefects and Head boy and Girl, take all the year levels to their dorms. Goodnight" MG said dismissing everyone.

"7th years follow me please," Said Harry Potter. Figures he would be Head Boy. We followed him to the 7th floor, right down to the end of the corridor. There was a secret passage where we had to run our wands across the wall. It opened up to a staircase and then double doors. Harry and Hermione opened them up and we were entered into a huge common room, sections decorated with the different house colours. It felt like home. Harry and Hermione read out the dorms list. When mine was read out I ran up the stairs to the room. I was sharing with Harriet, Ginny and Hermione. Sounds good to me. I excitedly claimed the bed next to the window. It had green silk sheets and a black silk pillow. My trunks were already placed in the room. Harriet entered the room and plonked down on the bed next to me. Not long after Ginny and Hermione entered.

"Hello again," I said happily to them,

"Hey! We should probably get some rest, school starts tomorrow" Hermione said falling onto a bed. Her trunks were next to mine and as she reached for it her sleeve came up a little bit showing a scar.

MUDBLOOD.

It said in messy writing. We all carried our little reminders from that war I thought sadly as I slipped on my PJs and into bed.