-1- Christmas -1st years-

Regina grabbed her robes with white knuckles as she descended the last few steps towards the Great Hall, her face completely devoid of emotion just like mother had told her too but her heart jumping madly inside of her chest every time she felt any kind of movement at the corners of her vision. Hogwarts armors kept saluting and chanting messily as she walked down the aisle, pieces of mistletoe seeming to fall and appear whenever they thought appropriate and as she swallowed nervously one more time she thought about mother once again, and daddy and the proud letter she had received from him when she had been admitted on Ravenclaw, the house's colors shinning proudly on her tie when she had written the letter informing both of her parents about the outcome of her Selection.

Mother had never replied. Not until Christmas had been close enough to inform her that she was planning on being abroad during the festivities. And so she would be staying at the castle on her first year.

Which it didn't bother her, Regina thought while clutching her robes tightly and stared at the ajar door that separated her from the other ones that were also spending Christmas there. No, didn't bother her at all.

"Remember Regina, you are not there to mingle. Unless you hear a good-enough surname that is. Be proper and never speak too much or too loud. I will be expecting a report of your acquaintances by the end of the festivities"

She took a deep breath, schooling her features even more and standing as tall as she was, fingers leaving her robes and ironing them in one swift motion before tucking some errand tresses back to their place behind her ear. Make connections, she thought while worrying her bottom lip, learn and make mother proud.

Just as she was about to take the last step, right hand carefully touching the edge of her inner pocket where her wand rested peacefully, a scream that seemed like "Watch out!" and a compact body collided with her. The last thing she saw before she fell -to the delight of the armors positioned at both sides of the door considering the rusty laughter they emitted- was a pair of green eyes and the gold and red colors that could only point to a Gryffindor student.

"What do you think you are doing?" She screamed and chastised herself on the spot for it; a lady never lost her nerves, ever. Her right hand had grabbed her wand out of instinct and she could feel the warmth of magic cursing through it, warming her fingers, as she remained on the floor, slightly dazed due to the hit.

"Jeeze, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I didn't see you." A pale hand appeared in front of her eyes and Regina let out her breath, slowly easing her grasp on her wand and standing up with a contrite expression, rage and embarrassment overriding her scare.

"I'm sorr…" The voice said only to cut itself as Regina finally looked at the one who was talking, her own eyes hardening as she saw no other but Emma Swan, her slouched shoulders seeming to broad under her gaze as she stood just tall enough to gain an inch over Regina. Something she deeply hated. Emma, seeming to sense her sudden discomfort, smirked, blonde tresses casting shadows at her face as she bounced on the balls of her feet.

She wasn't dressed with the uniform, Regina realized; the only thing she seemed to keep was the jumper with her house crest and colors. Her other clothes were certainly muggle-like -a looking worn-out trousers and a pair of snickers that certainly seemed that they had seen better days- and nothing like the stuffy dress Regina was sure she would be wearing in that moment if it hadn't been for her mother's sudden travel. Proffering a sneer she had been practicing enough in front of her mirror, Regina tightened her jaw, mentally preparing herself for the blows the other girl was going to throw at her.

Usually, Ravenclaws and Gryffindors didn't have any problems aside for the normal competitiveness the two houses sported. Emma and Regina, however, were certainly one of a kind and the very same day they both had been admitted they already knew enough of each other to know that they were going to teach the other a lesson.

And even though they didn't share a lot of class hours together they were already known in the castle by the first years like themselves.

The blonde girl seemed to have thought the same as Regina since, sinking her hands on her back pockets, looked at the other girl with a gleam on her pupils the brunette did her best not to stare at.

"How is that you are here Regina? I thought you would already be at your home, far away from this place."

Sniffing and raising her chin defiantly Regina run her tongue over her teeth, regaining her composure as she walked past the other eleven-year old. She even didn't bother to even hid her smirk when she heard the intake of breath from the blonde as her shoulder collided with her.

"What I do here is none of your business" She said with one final look at the muggle-born. "You would probably use that head of yours to study instead of gossiping. I have heard that you still need help transforming the needle back into a match."

Gritting her teeth together Emma saw Regina's back as she walked off, the same rusty armor that had laughed before laughing quietly again at her as she growled inwardly, whole body in tension and ears deep red in embarrassment.

She truly hated Regina Mills, Emma decided, truly and deeply hated her.