Chapter One: Xion
I watched as droplets of ice fell quickly to the ground below. Snow had fallen for ten days straight so now all the sky had left to give us was ice. I hated the cold. In fact, in the winter, I rarely went outdoors, not that the non-insulated castle walls provided much warmth. I pushed my breakfast plate away. It didn't matter if I ate or not because here I was just another face among the crowd.
Hogwarts: A living hell. Sure, you'll hear some people swear by it but not me. I saw it as a land of oppression with no opportunity to do anything great. Still, it was better than the alternative, a small, rundown, and overcrowded orphanage on the boarder of the Scottish Highlands and Lowlands. If you compared Hogwarts with hell it was only fair to compare that place to rooming with the devil himself.
So caught up in my thoughts and the ice, I failed to notice the shadow nearing me. A warm hand placed itself on the back of my head, grabbing some hair so I couldn't move away. It slammed me down into the table. The crack silenced the rest of my house. They watched some confused but most glaring as I pushed myself up. The end of a gold and red scarf was all I was able to catch as my attacker exited the hall but that was all I needed. I only knew one Gryffindor who would pull a stunt like that. I ran after it. The whole hall was now hushed and several students followed after me. They stopped in the doorway to watch the bloodshed from a safe distance.
"Marcis" I growled. The cocky seventh year turned a very proud grin on his face. I didn't give him time to make some egotistical remark. I jabbed my fist into his stomach. As he bent over, I pulled back my elbow and let it slam into his face. He stumbled back, feeling his nose. His fingers had traces of the freshly drawn blood and, like a bull seeing red; it sent him into a rage.
"You are so dead, Romania," He ran at me but I stepped to the side with ease, sticking a leg out to trip him. As he fell, a chorus of laughter came from the doorway. One sharp look for Marci shut them up. He stood again and charged. Instead of avoiding him, I took a stance and stood my ground.
My orphanage was overcrowded so the way they dealt with bad behavior was fairly creative. If you misbehaved you were sent to live on the streets for at least a week most likely more. I tended to find my way into trouble one way or another so I spent more time on the streets then in the actual orphanage. I learned pretty quickly how to survive. Unfortunately for me, pure blood Cantabious Marcis's parents were worried about him going away from home so they spent countless pounds on only the best fighting instructors to insure their 'little ray of sunshine' would be safe. Needless to say, we would have been fighting for a while if it wasn't for the hand which pulled me off him by the scruff of my neck.
"What is with people grabbing me while my back is turned today?" I attempted to escape the grip of my capture but the stern hiss of a silence made me freeze. I knew that voice.
"And just what do you two think you're doing?" This voice belonged to the elderly lady dressed up in green who rushed to Marcis now that I was contained. He denied her help, stating he could do it himself as he stood.
"Sir Marcis, go back to your dormitory and a nurse will be sent to you at once. Once your wounds are tended to we will discuss your punishment." It was the monotone figure which held a firm grip on the back of my neck that addressed him now. Marcis began to argue but the woman pointed away and he obeyed. As he walked away, I noticed a small limp on his right side which hadn't existed before. I smiled knowing I was the cause of this ailment.
"Xion Dalous Romania,' I was let go when Marcis was out of sight, "How many times have we had this conversation? Why must you continue to pick fights with people of a higher social class then you?" I turned to face the two adults.
"I believe what Professor Snape is trying to say is you are aware of our no sparing outside of the classroom policy." McGonagall's voice sounded tired. I didn't blame her. She had given me this speech so many times; she had to be sick of it. They couldn't kick me out. Dumbledore would never allow that, he couldn't take the chance. What they could do was suspend me until further notice. Back to the orphanage, but still under Hogwarts rules. The Ministry along with Dumbledore would watch me even more than they already did just waiting for me to screw up again. I stood with my arms crossed and head down, waiting for my doom.
"As head of your house," Snape spoke, "I find it fit to make your punishment to aid Professor McGonagall during your free period for the rest of the school year."
"I have no argument with that," The lady professor nodded. My mouth dropped. The rest of the school year, it was only November. School didn't end until June, that was a whole seven months almost. I couldn't do that! Don't get me wrong, I like McGonagall immensely. She didn't push me to speak in her class and I did perfect on anything she gave me. What more could you ask for in a student-teacher relationship? However it was always McGonagall and Snape who caught me at my worst moments. I opened my mouth to fight back but Snape snapped first.
"Unless you would rather be sent away with no access to magic at all?" I winced at the thought and let out a long sigh as a form of agreement. I then turned and headed towards the hospital wing.
Another thing I hated about Hogwarts was the stereotypes. All Slytherins must be evil and all Gryffindor's mighty. Just as all Ravenclaws must be book nerds and all Hufflepuffs can be your best friend. It just wasn't always the case. I didn't start the fight, Marcis did when he attacked me. But who will the adults believe the rich "mighty" boy or the poor "evil" girl? The sorting hat doesn't make mistakes but it can overlook things. There is a fine line between being brave and being cocky and egotistical.
Three hours, twenty bruises, ten stitches, five gashes, one broken nose, and a bloody lip later, I was released and I was already late for my punishment.