Chapter 1. Hogwarts Express

I give my parents a slow wave from the train. Every year was the same, they would stand on the platform and my mother would shed a few tears knowing she wouldn't see me again until Christmas. I walk down the passage, looking for a compartment with enough room in it.
"Emilia, over here."
I'd know that voice anywhere. That's Pansy. We're not friends, well, I'm not friends with anyone really. But I know her and sitting with her and hers is better than sitting alone. She was telling me about her summer and how her mother had bought a whole load of clothes for her. Girls like Pansy want to be the centre of attention. They don't care if you are actually listening to them, so I would interject the occasional "oh really?" or "that's great" and she would be contented that I was listening to every word that was coming out of her mouth. Pansy started to pay more attention to making sure that Draco was hearing what an "amazing" summer she had, so I pulled out my transfiguration book and let myself get lost in some new spells, to give me a head start on the year.

I feel a cool hand placed on top of mine. I look up to see Draco standing over me, his hand firmly resting over mine.
"It's thoroughly irritating."
My brows knit and I realise that I had been drumming my fingers over the page as I read the instructions on a complicated incantation. I open my mouth to apologise but he is already out of the compartment, going to change into his robes. I take his lead and do the same.

I can't help but notice that my skirt has gotten shorter since last year. It used to just reach my knees and now it's almost halfway up my thighs. I really should have checked this before I packed, hey? As I make my way back to our compartment, I can't help but notice everyone is so happy to see each other. I slip back into the compartment and take my seat again. I can feel everyone looking at me. Pansy has this confused expression on her face.
"You look different."
Crabbe is still gaping at me;
"You look hot. You got hot over summer."
I feel the discomfort rising in my cheeks, so I launch myself into the textbook again.

I feel a sudden cold come over me and I look up to yell at whoever opened the window, when I notice everyone has the same cold look, I watch as the colour drains from their faces. I start to feel myself fill with sorrow and a deep aching pain. Screaming fills our ears and suddenly I see a silver light fill the train and leave. The screaming stops. Draco looks at us all, clearly shaken and takes some chocolate out of his trunk.
"Here, Dad said it makes you feel better after an encounter with the Dementors."
We all gratefully take the chocolate from him, we start eating, feeling it's warmth fill us from our heads to our toes. I stuck my head out and asked a passer-by who was the source of the screaming.
"It was Harry Potter, he just lost it when the Dementor went near him!"

We arrive at the station and start loading ourselves into our carriages. I follow Draco, Crabbe, Goyle, Blaise and Pansy into the closest carriage, watching as they shove people out of their ways. Out of the corner of my eye I see the Golden Trio giving us glares and probably making snide remarks about us.
"Emilia, what did you do over summer?"
I look at Draco blankly for a moment, this was most unexpected and it really put me on the backfoot.
"Ummm, well I worked in Mum and Dad's bakery for some pocket-money, mostly I just spent time with my horse. You know, nothing special."
I wasn't inclined to let anyone know anytime soon that my Dad is a muggle. My Grandparents own a horse stud and they gave me a horse when I was younger, I spend a lot of time riding him around the town. My family and I live in Godric's Hollow. We have a couple of stables under the house and two behind the bakery. My mum's family have owned that bakery for generations and they use horse and cart to make deliveries. Totally old school, I know, but everyone in town loves it. I notice Pansy is pulling a face.
"Horses are gross and they smell awful."
I just shrugged at her, I love the smell of my horse. He smells like home.

We all leave out suitcases in the entrance and make our way to the Slytherin table in the Great Hall. Pansy takes me by the arm and half drags me to our seats opposite Draco and the boys. I sigh inwardly at the extra attention she is showing me, life was easier when she was ignoring me. She starts talking at me, not to me, making snide comments about other girls, their hair, their weight, anything to boost her own ego. Pansy isn't a super attractive girl herself, but I wouldn't say she's ugly either. Maybe she has some self-esteem issues, but let's be real here, we all do.

Dumbledore makes his usual welcome back speech;
"Welcome! Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! Now, I'd like to say a few words before we all become too befuddled by our excellent feast. First, I'm pleased to welcome Professor R. J. Lupin, who's kindly consented to fill the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Good luck, Professor! As some of you may know, Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher for many years, has decided to retire in order to spend more time with his remaining limbs. Fortunately, I'm delighted to announce that his place will be taken by none other than our own Rubeus Hagrid!"
Draco lets the air hiss between his teeth,
"I can't believe they are letting that Oaf actually teach."
I turn my attention back to Dumbledore;
"Finally, on a more disquieting note, at the request of the Ministry of Magic, Hogwarts will, until further notice, play host to the dementors of Azkaban, until such a time as Sirius Black is captured. The dementors will be stationed at every entrance to the grounds. Now, whilst I've been assured that their presence will not disrupt our day-to-day activities... a word of caution, dementors are vicious creatures. They will not distinguish between the one they hunt, and the one who gets in their way. Therefore, I must warn each and every one of you to give them no reason to harm you. It is not in the nature of a dementor to be forgiving. But, you know, happiness can be found even in the darkest of times... if only one remembers to turn on the light."

As usual, the food is amazing. I look around and load my plate up.
"You shouldn't eat so much, you'll start to put on weight."
Pansy knocks my fork back onto my plate as I load some pumpkin pie into my mouth.
"Are you serious?"
She gives me her best knowing look, like I might explode out of my uniform any moment if I so much as look at some more pie.

The feast is over and we all make our way back to the common room. I sit on one of the leather couches near the fire, watching Draco impersonate Harry repeatedly for all and sundry. I pulled my wand out and conjured some tape over his mouth. A look of shock fell over his face and he finally honed in on me. I stood up off the couch and stretched.
"I'm off to bed."
I try to stifle a yawn as I climb the stairs to the girl's dorm. I change into some tracksuit pants and a tank top, brush my teeth and brush my hair into a ponytail. I crawl into bed with my Transfiguration book open in front of me.