Chapter 1: Back to Hogwarts

"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I hope everyone has had a splendid summer. We are looking at another great year at Hogwarts. Quiditch tryouts will be scheduled by the captains of each team. Captains if you would please let the head of houses know ahead of time when you plan on having try outs that will be helpful. Now, let the feast begin!" said Professor Dumbledore after the new first years were sorted into their houses. The traditional beginning of the year feast appeared just then.

"Hey Nessie, how was your summer?" said a voice from nearby. I looked around and saw it was Hermy, my cousin Harry's friend.

"Hey Hermy, it was ok, I got a new broom. How was yours?"

"Mine was ok," she said, "What kind of broom is it? Does…" Her words were lost because at that moment I caught sight of Draco Malfoy and the memory of the beginning of the summer came back to me.

"Hey Nessa, what happened to your shoulder?" called Draco from the far side of the Wolphane Manor main hall way.

"Leave me alone," I said trying to get away from him as fast as I could. I wasn't quick enough. He grabbed my wrist and pinned me against the wall.

"Let me go Draco, I have things to do," I said struggling to get free of his grip. Despite my struggling he didn't loosen his grip. "Draco…" He kissed me, ending my demanding to be let go.

He smiled and waved when he caught me staring. I blushed and quickly looked away.

"Who were you just staring at?" Harry said gently nudging my right arm and looking in the same direction I was just staring at.

"No one. How was your summer Harry?" I said changing the subject quickly. My cousin looked at me curiously and took a sip of his pumpkin juice.

"It was ok, seriously who were you staring at?" he said determinedly.

"It was seriously no one," I said finishing my chocolate pudding. "I'm done I'm going to go get some fresh air," I said getting up. I gave Harry a hug and headed out of the Great Hall.

I was just starting to head outside when someone grabbed my wrist stopping me in mid step. I turned my head just to find Draco's face just inches from mine. I yanked my hand out of his and walked away without finding out what he wanted.

I went to bed later that night thinking about the events that had taken place over the summer. I fell asleep that way.

"Wake up Nessie! Vanessa wake up!" yelled Hermione. "Time for breakfast," she said grinning as I sat up in bed.

"So you dream about Draco huh?" she asked as I pulled my shoes on.

"What do you mean?" I asked confused and alarmed.

"You were talking in your sleep. You kept saying 'Draco' over and over again," she said smiling.

"Don't tell Harry please," I pleaded.

"No problem, don't worry about it Nessie," she replied with a kind smile. I rubbed my scarred arm and put on the locket that belonged to my mother, who had been put in Azkaban when I was seven years old for killing my younger sister.

"Let's head down to breakfast already," I said walking out of the room.

When we got down to the great hall Draco was sitting at the Slytherin table surrounded by his friends. I followed Hermione to a seat at the Gryffindor table avoiding his eyes.

"Morning Nessie, Hermione," said Harry. I smiled at him and in a daze started to nibble on a piece of toast.

A few minutes later a great grey owl flew down to me and dropped a letter on my plate. She picked it up, opened it and started to read it.

Dear Nessa,

Is something bothering you? You're not acting like yourself. What came over you last night? Can you please not avoid me? I want to know what I did to you to deserve this treatment. Please. I love you.

Draco

"Who is it from?" Ron asked from across the table.

"No one important…just my sister Cecilia," I lied.

"I'm heading off to class now," I said giving Harry a kiss on the cheek and headed out of the great hall.

"How come he won't just leave me alone and pretend that what happened over the summer never really happened. He's right I am avoiding him…" I thought walking in a daze towards my first class of the day, Potions.