"Marine?"

"OMG! Pansy?"

Second term had started and ended so quickly. As for the break, Marine Riddle thought it lasted for a decade. So many things had happened that she just couldn't imagine them fit in a three-month time span. Now, here she sat, on a chair in the Slytherin table, listening to the choir as they sang numerous songs that sounded more like bad omens than a sunny, 'welcome back' tune. She thought about what happened on the Hogwarts Express with Harry, Ron, Hermione and a certain Professor Lupin for a moment then, was interrupted by Pansy Parkinson's excited voice.

"So, tell me," she said eagerly. "What happened?"

"What happened where?" asked Marine, although she knew what Pansy was talking about.

"End-of-term break, the train, everything!" Pansy replied, squirming impatiently on her seat.

"I thought I already told you—"

"You didn't tell me everything!"

"I'll tell you as soon as we get to the common room."

"Well, okay...Omigosh, Millicent!"

Marine laughed as Pansy scuttled off towards Millicent Bulstrode. Then, she resumed contemplating. She remembered it felt so cold. It felt so lonely and sad. She remembered the feeling she got gazing out the window.

"Boo!"

Marine whipped her head around and saw Draco Malfoy standing there, as handsome and dignified as he had been the last time she saw him.

"Hello, Marine," he smiled, sitting down on the now empty chair beside her.

"You scared me half to death!" she growled. She was about to push Malfoy off his chair, when the headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, stood up to speak.

"Welcome," said Dumbledore. "to another year at Hogwarts!"

Everyone cheered and clapped, even Malfoy, although he whispered to Marine, "Old git."

"As you will all be aware after their search of the Hogwarts Express," Dumbledore continued. "our school is presently playing host to some of the dementors of Azkaban, who are here on Ministry of Magic business..."

Marine watched as Malfoy turned to the Gryffindor table.

"That reminds me," he said, loud enough to be heard by the Gryffindors over Dumbledore's announcement. They turned their heads to face Malfoy. "Is it true that Potter fainted in the train?"

Few of the Slytherins, including Marine, laughed as they saw Harry's face turn beet red.

"Back off, Malfoy," said Ron Weasley, who's face was turning as red as his hair in anger. Malfoy smirked and turned back to his meal.

"Why did you save him?" asked Malfoy, rather kindly.

"I don't know," answered Marine, absent-mindedly nibbling the edge of her knife. "I just did."

"Oh well," sighed Malfoy. "Another possible Potter death stopped by Marine Riddle."

"...And I would like to award," Marine resumed listening to Dumbledore. "Marine Riddle thirty House Points, for successfully executing a difficult Patronus, therefore saving a schoolmate's life."

The Slytherin table cheered.

"Well, at least I got us some points," shrugged Marine.

The next morning proved to be a difficult one for Marine. Pansy Parkinson constantly bombarded Marine with questions about her little slumber party with Malfoy, the dementor and so much more. Then, she found out that half of her classes on Mondays were with Hufflepuff, and that meant facing Cedric Diggory's third-year fan club for twelve agonizing hours.

"Don't worry," Millicent Bulstrode reassured her. "You can use your powers to deflect them." Marine gave her a weak smile. The truth was, Millicent always gave lousy advice, and even though Marine is a Magid, she only knows how to deflect powerful magic, not a crowd of jealous schoolgirls. The hall was starting to empty as people headed off to their first lesson.

"C'mon, let's go," said Marine, grabbing her bag.

"Can't you wait?" hissed Millicent, hurriedly chomping down her toast. They both ran up the steps at full speed, intent on arriving on time for their first lesson. By the time they got to the classroom, Professor McGonagall was already explaining to the class how to turn a cactus into a porcupine.

"Ah, Miss Riddle and Miss Bulstrode, late for their first lesson," she said coldly.

"Thanks a lot, Millicent," muttered Marine, as McGonagall ushered them to their seats. Sure enough, they both sat behind a pair of Hufflepuff girls, who both kept on glaring at Marine whenever McGonagall turned around.

Marine always thought Transfiguration is an interesting branch of magic, compared to History of Magic. She dozed off halfway through the class, her head rested on Malfoy's shoulder.

"Marine, wake up," said Malfoy, gently prodding her head with his wand.

"Huh? W-what?" Marine looked around the room. Only old Professor Binns was left in the room, lazily floating in and out through the chalkboard.

"Good! You're awake," smiled Malfoy, helping Marine up to her feet.

"What's our next class?" asked Marine, still dazed from her nap. Malfoy smirked and pointed out the window to the hut beside the Forbidden Forest.