Dreams

by LittleReporterGirl

When Snape is asked to escort Casper to get her school things, the two end up forming an unlikely friendship, induced by the fact that Casper learns more about him through a series of dreams she doesn't understand. They both must learn to trust or else...

1. Book 1

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters. If I did, Severus Snape would so be mine! lolz

Chapter 1

It was past lunchtime when I awoke, shivering as if a ghost had passed through me. It was completely dark in my room; save for the red blinking numbers on my alarm clock that claimed the time was nearing 3:00 in the afternoon. I had been having a dream, though I couldn't quite recall what it was about. I was not afraid, just a little creeped out.

I drug myself out of bed and pushed back the solid black curtains that covered my windows, blocking all hope sunlight. I squinted in the bright summer sunshine and looked down from my second-story bedroom window. My cousin's car was still in the driveway, so I knew they weren't gone yet. I was about to shut the curtains when I saw something move out of the corner of my eye…it almost looked like an owl, but when I looked again I saw nothing. I shrugged my shoulders and walked downstairs.

My cousin, Anthony, sat on the couch in the living room with his wife, Amy, beside him. They were both watching TV, but looked up when I traipsed down the stairs, still wearing the clothes I had slept in, my black shorts and a black T-shirt.

"What's up, Casper?" Anthony asked, smiling slightly, before turning back to the TV.

"You're up early, aren't you Bat Girl?" Said Amy with a grin. I detested her nickname for me, though, as a technicality she was right. Just because I detested sunlight and wore black didn't mean I had to be called Bat Girl, though. Sometimes it seemed better than my actual name, Casper Addams. Sometimes people would make fun of me, calling me Ghost Girl, because of "Casper the friendly Ghost" from the TV show, a fact made worse by my eyes which were an abnormal color of bright, almost iridescent, silver. My silver eyes contrasted greatly with my jet-black hair, which I kept long enough to reach midway down my back. I suppose boys would have thought I was cute, had it not been for the fact that I was the shortest one in my class, which was even more alarming when you added the fact that I was also the skinniest.

I wasn't skinny for lack of trying not to be. Anthony and Amy didn't have very much money so we didn't have a lot of food. I'd been living with them since I was a baby, but I was well aware of the fact that my biological parents had died when I was very young. It didn't really matter to me. I had no memory of them.

"Hey Casper, will you go and get the mail?" Anthony said without looking up from the TV screen. I nodded and then made my way to the hallway where the mail had already been deposited through the mail slot.

I bent down to pick up the mail when I saw that the top envelope had my name on it. Ms. Casper Addams It read in very formal slanted handwriting. I frowned as I picked it up. Who would be writing to an 11-year-old girl? I walked back into the living room and handed the other mail to Anthony.

"What've you got, Casper?" Amy asked me.

"A letter. It has my name on it," I said, sitting down in a chair. Both she and Anthony walked over curiously as I broke the wax seal on the back. Anthony and Amy exchanged worried glances when they saw the seal but they were completely silent as they read over my shoulder.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL

Of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore

(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock,

Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. Of Wizards)

Dear Ms. Addams,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.

Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Minerva McGonagall,

Deputy Headmistress

I looked up at Anthony and Amy who still looked anxious and would not meet my gaze. I stared back at the letter.

"What is this, some sort of joke?" I asked hollowly, though on the inside I had a feeling it was not.

"Casper…it's not a joke. Your mother was a witch and your dad…your dad was a wizard," Anthony said to me.

"We didn't tell you because we weren't sure if that world even knew you still existed after what happened to them. We hoped that they wouldn't bother you with all that…that nonsense," Amy said painfully.

"The sort of nonsense that got my Aunt Mary killed," Anthony said furiously. Aunt Mary was my mother, obviously.

"You…I…" I was at a loss for words. How could they have not told me! My mind was spinning. Witches, wizards, magic? All the sorts of things I had always assumed were false…like Kris Cringle or the Easter bunny. Of course I had always been a dreamer. I liked to imagine the possibility of things. The letter seemed so easy to believe…like I didn't really have a choice to believe it. Strange, that one of the main things that ran through my mind was the possibility that magic could cause the dreams I have. The dreams that I sometimes can't remember. The dreams that wake me up in the middle of the night and don't let me fall back asleep for fear of them.

I picked up the second piece of paper and scanned the listed items. Various assortments of books, and other objects such as wands and cauldrons that I didn't even know where to begin to look for them. Anthony and Amy also read the list discreetly over my shoulder.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL

Of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

UNIFORM

First-year students will require:

1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)

2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear

3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)

4. One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)

Please note that all pupils' clothes should carry name tags

COURSE BOOKS

All students should have a copy of each of the following:

The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) By Miranda Goshawk

A history of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot

Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling

A beginners guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch

One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore

Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find them by Newt Scamander

The Dark Forces: A Guide in Self-protection by Quentin Trimble

OTHER EQUIPMENT

1 wand

1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)

1 set glass or crystal phials

1 telescope

1 set brass scales

Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad

PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS

At the bottom of that page, in the same slanted handwriting that had written the name on my envelope, but in a red ink, was an added note:

Ms. Addams,

Someone will come to escort you to purchase your school things on August 1st.

Minerva McGonagall

Minerva McGonagall,

Deputy Headmistress

Chapter 2

I waited for August 1st like a younger child waits for Christmas morning on the eve before. I tried to keep my mind off of it, which I have always been successful at doing before with any other excitement. When August 1st finally came I awoke at 8:00 in the morning and went downstairs dressed in my favorite black jeans and a long-sleeved, but thin black shirt that would protect my highly sensitive skin from the sunlight.

I wasted the day away, watching TV, playing video games, and listening to music. Anthony and Amy were anxious and she spent the day in the kitchen cooking whereas Anthony sat with me and watched TV. By the time 8:00pm had come around no witch or wizard had appeared. I'd been up for 12 hours and I was getting pretty tired.

"I'm going to walk to the gas station and get an energy drink. They obviously forgot about me," I said to Anthony who merely shrugged and continued to watch TV.

I stepped out into the warm night air and walked to the gas station which was less than a block away. I bought an energy drink and walked back towards my house as slowly as possible. I sipped my energy drink and looked up at the stars. The night was clear and beautiful, but the whining of the cicadas and the crickets penetrated my calm and I became agitated. This happens to me often, becoming agitated, because I don't have a lot of patience. I try, but I always end up getting really annoyed at something or someone.

I pushed open the front door with my foot and froze when I saw that my cousins were not alone in the house. A greasy-haired, pale-faced, man wearing ominous black robes was sitting in my favorite chair. Anthony and Amy were sitting side by side on the couch, looking rather scared, but trying to be polite. The man turned slightly to face me and his dark eyes glittered coldly as he assessed me.

"You must be Casper Addams," He said in a low voice, "I am Professor Severus Snape. I am here to escort you to purchase your school supplies."

The tone of his voice sounded as if he'd rather be trapped in a pit of hissing cockroaches instead of taking me to buy my stuff. I would have loved to retort that I didn't need his assistance, but alas, I did for I did not know where I could find the things on my list.

"Pleased to meet you, Professor," I said coolly, crossing my arms and leaning back against the doorframe.

"We were expecting you sometime earlier today," Amy said in a tight voice that suggested she was trying to be polite.

"Forgive me, but I prefer the nighttime," Snape said carelessly.

"That's me as well," I said with a small smile. There was a plate of strawberries on the table in front of Amy.

"Want one, Casper?" She asked, offering me the plate.

"You know I'm allergic," I said coolly, taking a sip of my energy drink.

"Oh, right, I thought that was raspberries," Amy replied and I rolled my eyes.

"We should be going. It may take us a while to reach our destination," Snape said to me. I nodded my head and straightened up. I drained the last of my energy drink and tossed it at the trashcan. It bounced off the wall and went in. Snape walked out the door and I turned to Anthony and Amy.

"I'll see ya when I see ya," I said finally, and then I followed Snape outside.

He was waiting for me in the driveway and I frowned.

"How are we getting to…wherever we're going?" I asked him.

"We are going to Diagon Alley and we're flying, of course," He said to me.

"Flying?" I asked blankly.

"Yes, on a broomstick. You're not scared, are you?" He asked, smirking slightly.

"Scared? Of what? Falling?" I said with a scoff, "Hell no, I'm not scared."

"Good," He said. He pulled a wand out of his robes and waved it in the air. Within seconds a broomstick appeared and he mounted it.

"I'm assuming you don't know how to fly so you'll have to hang on to me," He said coarsely. I shrugged my shoulders before getting awkwardly on the broomstick. I wrapped my arms around his waist as we began to ascend. His smirk was not lost on me, but I chose not to retaliate.

It took us almost half an hour to reach a stopping point and by then I was glad I had worn the long sleeve shirt. It had been much cooler in the sky than it was on the ground. We had stopped outside of a place called the Leaky Cauldron. Even in the dark it was shabby and tattered compared to the surrounding buildings.

"Er, Professor?" I began.

"It is a portal into the world of witches and wizards. I detest the very thought of using this way, but it is the simplest way," He said with a sigh.

"Oh."

I followed Snape through the door of the pub. The interior was cloudy and smoky. Very few people were inside, but those that were there were chattering continuously about someone named Harry Potter. I assumed he was some sort of celebrity that I didn't know about and I noticed that Snape didn't seem to like him very much. We had almost made it to the back door when a man appeared in front of us. He was twitching a lot and it was beginning to annoy me.

"D-Dumbledore's got you r-running errands, eh, S-Severus?" The man stuttered. Snape cut his eyes at me and then at the man.

"Dumbledore asked me personally to assist Casper Addams to retrieve her school supplies. Casper this is Professor Quirrel, he's a teacher at Hogwarts…Defense Against the Dark Arts," Snape said coldly.

"Mm. D-did you h-hear the n-news? H-Harry P-P-Potter? H-here?" Quirrel asked Snape. He was ignoring me and that was something I had grown accustomed to, as I got older. Most people ignored me, unless they were making some snide comment about my silver eyes.

"Yes. Potter. Well, we must be off. Things to do," Snape said, grabbing my hand and practically dragging me away from the stuttering Professor. We went through the back door and come out in a small, walled courtyard full of weeds. I snatched my hand away from Snape.

"Don't like him, do you?" I remarked coolly, nodding back towards the door as I massaged my jolted wrist.

"It's not important. Pay attention," He said, pulling out his wand again. He walked over to the brick wall and pointed.

"That one there. Three up, two across," He said showing me how to find it. He tapped the brick three times with his wand and I watched in mute fascination as the wall quivered and the bricks began to move out of the way. A small hole appeared and then grew wider until we were facing an archway that led onto a cobbled street that twisted and turned as far as I could see. There were so many stores that I couldn't count them and they all had lights shining brightly, inside and out.

"This is Diagon Alley. Come. We must go and retrieve your money," Snape said to me. I followed him down the cobbled street, which was anything but abandoned, despite the late hour. Witches and wizards in robes of various colors still went in and out of stores, chatting merrily about some sort of sport and broomsticks.

"What money?" I asked, hurrying to catch up with Snape.

"According to Professor Dumbledore your mother left you a small amount of money in a Gringotts vault. It was set up before you were born, specially for the money you would need for school supplies, and it has since gained interest," He said to me. I didn't know what Gringotts was, but I despised having to ask questions so I kept silent. I also wished he would slow down so I could get a better look at everything.

We finally reached a large white building that towered over the others. It had the words "Gringotts Bank" printed across in gold letters. That answered my unasked question. Gringotts was a bank. Snape's black robes billowed behind him as we made our way swiftly up the stairs. We passed through two sets of doors and came into what would have looked like a normal bank, only it was a lot larger and there weren't people behind the counters…there were weird scabby-looking creatures.

"Goblins," Snape said to me, by way of explanation. I didn't respond, as fascinated as I was. We walked over to the counter where a free goblin waited to help us.

"We wish to make a withdrawal from vault 667," Snape said to the goblin in a lazy voice.

"Ah. Are you Casper Addams?" The goblin asked, peering at me through his wire-frame glasses.

"Yeah," I said with a shrug.

"And do you have your key?" The goblin inquired. I looked to Snape.

"Don't worry. Dumbledore gave it to me," He assured me.

"Who's worried," I mumbled in response. He reached into his pockets and pulled out a small silver key, which he laid on the desk.

"Very well, then. Follow me, please," The goblin said, coming out from behind the counter.

We followed the goblin down another marble passageway at the end of which there was a cart that sat upon tracks. The goblin opened the door to the cart and ushered us inside. As soon as we were all seated the cart went forward with such an amazing speed that I was thrown against the back of the cart. It didn't take long for the cart to come to a stop and by then my head was spinning. The goblin led us out beside a small door in the wall and used the small silver key to unlock it.

The door swung open to reveal a fair amount of gold, silver, and bronze coins that weren't like any I had ever seen before. I'd never had much money before, just the little bit I would get from helping the neighbors by cleaning their houses or babysitting their kids.

"The golden ones are called Galleons and they are of greatest value. 17 of the silver Sickles make one Galleon. The smallest bronze ones are Knuts and they're of littlest value. 29 Knuts to a Sickle," Snape explained as he helped me gather a bunch of the money into a bag. After we got the money the Goblin took us in the cart back to the entrance of the bank and we left. I had the list of things I needed in my hand and I had the money as well. Snape didn't look particularly interested in helping me and I supposed I could figure it out on my own.

"If you would like, I can go on my own," I offered quietly. He surveyed me quietly for a moment.

"Are you sure?" He asked me.

"Yes," I said, nodding my head, "I'd rather figure it out on my own."

"Very well. I'll meet you outside of Ollivander's to get your wand in a few hours. It's not my job to give you rules or limitations, but I suggest you stay away from Knockturn Alley if you want to live to see Hogwarts," Snape said before walking away.

Chapter 3

Of course the very first thing I wanted to do was check out the 'forbidden' Knockturn Alley, but I figured I'd get some of my things first to build the suspense. I enjoyed walking around in the dark, looking at the various shops and checking my list for items I would need. Flourish and Blotts was the first store I entered and it was a bookstore. I was always a very literature-oriented person so when I saw Flourish and Blotts I walked in immediately.

I browsed the shelves that were stacked all the way to the ceiling. As I found the books on my school list I took them off the shelf and hung onto them until I was finished looking at all the various titles and authors. Even the artwork on the covers enthralled me.

After purchasing my schoolbooks I made my way to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions in order to get my school uniform. I never had to wear a school uniform before and wasn't looking forward to looking like everyone else. I didn't like to blend in. Madam Malkin, the owner of the shop, was a short, smiling woman who ushered me inside.

"Hogwarts, my dear?" She asked with a kind smile. I nodded my head in confirmation.

"I thought so. Come along," She said. Madam Malkin led me over to a stool that I was to stand upon while she measured me.

"You know who was in my shop earlier today? Harry Potter!" She said as she pinned the robes to the correct length.

"Who's Harry Potter?" I asked finally, not at all liking not knowing who he was.

"You don't know who Harry Potter is? Blimey! Well let me tell you- Harry Potter is the only person ever to have face He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named and survived! When he was barely a year old Harry Potter's parents were killed by You-Know-Who and when he turned on Harry and tried to use the killing curse, the curse was reflected back and destroyed You-Know-Who, leaving poor Harry with nothing but a scar," Madam Malkin explained. None of this made any sense to me at all. I didn't know who You-Know-Who was and I felt like it would be stupid to ask.

"There you are, my dear," Madam Malkin said as she finished up with my robes.

"Thank you," I said as I hopped down from the footstool.

The last place I went was the cauldron shop to get my cauldron before going to get my wand. The man inside smiled and nodded to me.

"Hogwarts, right? First year?" He asked me.

"Yes," I replied warily.

"I know just what you need," He said, walking over to a stack of cauldrons. I noticed three boys standing in the back of the shop, checking their lists. I couldn't help but overhear their conversation.

"Look at this rubbish! The Potions teacher must be mad," One of them exclaimed.

"Blimey! I'm surprised Professor Snape's not got us boiling up death potions yet," Said the other. So Snape was the Potions teacher. He'd never said what he'd taught. At that moment the wizard reappeared with my cauldron, interrupting my thoughts.

"Here you are," He said, handing it to me. I dumped my books and other things into the cauldron to make it easier to carry.

As I was on my way out I remembered Knockturn Alley, the place I wasn't supposed to go. I had always been one to defy the rules, mostly from an overload of curiosity on my own behalf. If someone told me not to mix bleach with ammonia I would do it anyway, just to see what would happen (I'd spent a few days in the hospital and we'd had to vacate our house for a while and stay in a hotel.)

It was easy enough to find the sign that said Knockturn Alley. I looked down that way and didn't really like what I saw. It was almost pitch black dark except for the candles that lit a few ominous-looking shops. I took a few wary steps down there; decided I didn't like the smell, and retreated back to Diagon Alley.

I made my way to Ollivander's, the wand shop, and found Snape waiting for me outside the shop.

"Have you gotten everything?" He asked lazily.

"Everything but my wand," I answered, nodding to the shop behind him.

"Very well. Come along," He said, walking inside. The paint on the outside was peeling and the building looked old. As I walked inside I caught a glimpse of a sign on the outside that said 'Ollivander's: Makers of fine wands since 382 B.C.'

The man on the inside of the shop looked like he'd been there since 382 B.C. as well. He was an elderly wizard with pale eyes, sitting in a chair. He looked up when we entered and smiled at me.

"There is a face I remember. You must be Mary Adam's daughter. I remember her wand quite well. Eleven inches and made of willow. A very fine wand indeed," Said Ollivander.

"You remember my mother? What about my father?" I asked eagerly. Snape looked meaningfully at Ollivander, who shook his head.

"I never knew your father. It is possible he got his wand from another maker. Ah, but enough of the past. You are here to get your very first wand, aren't you? Let's see what I have here…" Ollivander said, walking over to the shelves where thousands of thin boxes were stacked. I got the sense that he was lying about not knowing my father, but I didn't know why he would. He picked up a long tape measurer with strange silver markings.

"Which is your wand arm?" He asked me.

"I've always been left-handed," I said with a shrug. Ollivander nodded and began to measure my arm. When he was finished he pulled a few boxes off the shelf.

"Try this," He said, handing me a wand, "Beech wood and dragon heartstring. 11 inches. Nice and flexible. Give it a wave."

I waved the wand, but nothing happened. How disappointing. I tried three more wands before we found the right wand. It was nine inches long and made out of ebony with a unicorn hair core. As soon as he handed it to me I knew it was the right wand. A tingling warmth spread through my fingers and when I waved it, green sparks shot out the end. Ollivander laughed delightedly.

"The wand always finds the right witch or wizard," He said, pleased with himself. I paid 7 Galleons for my wand before Snape and I left the shop.

"We still have some time if you would like to look for an owl or something," Snape said, looking at his watch. I nodded my head and we made our way to Magical Menagerie where there were dozens of owls flying around, along with a few cats which were prowling around the floor. I looked at the owls, thinking it would be useful to have one of them to carry mail back and forth, but while I was looking at the owls a dark tabby cat came and began to rub on my legs. Every time I would look down at him or toed him out of the way he would meow loudly.

"You're very vocal, aren't you?" I said, finally picking him up. He meowed again and began to purr.

"His name is Gabriel," Said a witch behind the counter, "He showed up a few weeks ago with a note in his mouth. It said his name was Gabriel and he needed someone to take care of him."

"Oh, so you can carry notes, huh?" I said to the cat. He looked at me with his bright blue eyes and meowed loudly.

I purchased the cat and some food and a carrier for him. I also spent a little extra money and bought him a fancy red collar. When we entered the Leaky Cauldron on our way back to the 'Muggle world' as Snape called it, he pulled out his wand, waved it over all my purchases, and everything disappeared, even Gabriel in his carrier.

"I sent them to your house so we don't have to worry about carrying them on the broom," He explained to me.

"Oh."

"Ah, before I forget," He said, rummaging through his pockets. He handed me what appeared to be a train ticket.

"This is your ticket for the Hogwart's express. It is my understanding that you must walk through the wall between Platforms 9 and 10 in order to reach it," Snape continued.

As soon as we were in the air I began to feel drowsy. I'd been awake all day and all night, running on pure adrenaline, and now I wanted nothing more than to crawl into my bed and go to sleep. The night air was still relatively cool, making me even more tired. Finally, I gave up on trying to stay awake, and I leaned my head against Snape's back and fell asleep.

I awoke as we were descending in front of my house. Snape turned his head slightly to look at me.

"Nice to see you're finally awake," He commented dryly. I didn't feel fit to make a response so I said nothing. As we landed I saw my things were waiting on the doorstep in the shadows. I hurried forward and picked up my things. I'd opened the door and remembered to thank Snape, but when I turned around he was gone- vanished into thin air.

Amy and Anthony were already asleep when I walked inside. I drug all of my stuff- the cauldron with the other stuff inside of it, and Gabriel in his cage, upstairs to my room. I left the cauldron sitting in the middle of the floor and I let Gabriel out of his cage. He meowed and took a look around the room before jumping up onto my bed, curling up, and falling asleep. Before doing the same thing I marked September 1st on my calendar and taped the ticket next to the date so I would not forget it.

Chapter 4

September 1st didn't come fast enough for me. Every morning I woke up to check my calendar, hoping that today was the day, but when I saw that it wasn't I still didn't feel too bad. I spent most of my time reading my school books. I memorized a few spells and wrist movements, but didn't dare try them out. It was made very clear to me that we were not allowed to do magic outside of school. Still, I practiced the wand movements using a stick I'd found in the backyard that was the same length as my wand. I read my entire Potions textbook in one night and began to memorize a few simple potions, as well.

Gabriel was accepted as a member of the family and, though I fed him the food I'd bought, Amy liked to sneak him saucers of milk whenever she could. Finally August 31st came and I spent the entire day packing all of my things into a trunk. Gabriel observed my movements from the safe haven of my bed. After I finished packing I made my way downstairs where Amy and Anthony were sitting in the kitchen, eating lunch.

"I need a ride to King's cross station tomorrow. My train leaves at 11:00am," I said anxiously. Anthony grumbled something I couldn't hear, but Amy smiled kindly.

"Of course we'll give you a ride, Casper," She said reassuringly. I grinned and swiped a piece of toast off of her plate.

"Thanks Amy," I said as I bit the toast.

I was up most of the night, unable to sleep, and when I finally did close my eyes it was nearing 4:00am. I awoke a few hours later to the sound of Amy knocking on my bedroom door.

"Wake up, Casper, or you're going to be late!" She called before traipsing back downstairs. I was on my feet in an instant, accidentally knocking poor Gabriel to the floor from where he'd been sleeping beside me.

"Sorry, Gabriel," I said as I dressed in my everyday clothes. I didn't think it would be a good idea to go to the train station dressed in my Hogwart's robes. He watched with unblinking eyes and when I was finished he went to stand beside the cat carrier, as if he knew what was coming. He meowed loudly. I opened the door to the carrier and he walked in, making himself comfortable on the old blanket I had put in there.

At 10:00 I drug my trunk full of stuff downstairs along with Gabriel's carrier. By 10:30 Amy and I were at the train station.

"Anthony is really sorry he couldn't come and see you off, Casper. They called him into work early this morning," she said softly as we walked into the station. I shrugged my shoulders carelessly. Who needs Anthony when I'm going to a school of magic!

Truthfully, I was a little nervous about trying to get onto Platform 9 ¾. Snape had said to simply walk at the wall between Platforms 9 and 10 and I would be brought through by magic…but what if it didn't work? I'd just crash into the wall and people would stare at me. I hated when people stared at me!

With Amy's help, I got my trunk and Gabriel in his carrier onto one of the trolleys. I said farewell to Amy, promised to write as often as I could, and then she left. I faced the wall between Platform's 9 and 10 and I took a deep breath. Here goes nothing, I thought, and took off in a run. I closed my eyes and braced myself for the impact…but none came! I opened my eyes and saw that I had come out on the other side of the barrier. A scarlet steam engine sat before me in all its glory. The words "Hogwarts Express" was painted on a sign above it.

A crowd of young witches and wizards surrounded the train. They were all chattering loudly and many different-colored cats were wandering around their masters feet. Gabriel meowed and pawed at the door of his cage.

"Not yet, Gabriel, I wouldn't want you to get stepped on," I said to him. As if to prove my point a cat somewhere let out a terrible yowl as someone stepped on its tail. Gabriel retreated to the back of his cage.

I couldn't help but notice I was the shortest, out of all the kids I could see, which gave me a very depressed feeling. With no one's help I got the cat carrier and my trunk onto the train and drug them all the way to the back to an empty compartment. I slid the door closed and let Gabriel out of his carrier. He walked around, sniffing and exploring various places, and then he leapt on top of my trunk and pawed at the lid. Curious I opened it and he pawed at my wand. I took the wand out and ran my fingers over the smooth, black wood.

"D'you reckon it's be okay to do magic on the train? Seeing as it is part of the school?" I asked the cat, who meowed loudly in what I hoped was a 'yes'. I thought for a moment, considering the simple spells I'd memorized, and decided on levitation. I focused on the trunk and Gabriel leapt out of the way.

"Wingardium Leviosa," I said clearly, giving my wand a flick. I was more than surprised when the trunk actually lifted itself into the air. In fact I was so surprised I almost dropped it. I did it a few more times before the train started to move forward.

It wasn't long after departure that there was a knock on my compartment door. A girl with brown, puffy hair, and a round-faced boy who looked rather nervous stood outside.

"Could we sit with you? All the other compartments are taken," said the girl.

"Uh…sure," I said, sliding over to make room as they drug in their trunks. The puffy haired girl eyed my wand.

"Have you been doing magic?" She asked me. I nodded my head in confirmation.

"Are you any good? I've tried a few simple spells myself and they've all worked," She said. I raised my wand and pointed it at my trunk.

"Wingardium Leviosa," I said clearly and the trunk became airborne once more. I laid it back down a few feet closer to me.

"That's amazing!" Said the round-faced boy, eyes full of wonder.

"It's no big deal," I said with a shrug.

"My name's Hermione, by the way, Hermione Granger, and this is Neville Longbottom," Said the puffy-haired girl.

"My name's Casper Addams. Pleased to meet you," I said politely.

"You have a beautiful cat, Casper," Hermione said to me, stroking Gabriel's head as he climbed into her lap and began to purr.

"Thanks. His name is Gabriel," I replied.

"Oh no! I don't believe it! I've lost my toad, Trevor," Neville exclaimed, searching his robes. We commenced to search the compartment, but didn't find the toad.

"I'll go have a look around the train. Maybe someone has seen him," Hermione said promptly, standing up. The boy named Neville followed her out.

Finally alone again I stretched out across the seat and closed my eyes, hoping to get a bit of rest. I was awakened a very short time later by the sound of something outside of the compartment I was in. A pudgy witch opened the door and smiled at me. She had a trolley full of various sweets and goodies I had never heard of before.

"Anything off the trolley?" she asked, still smiling.

"Er…I don't know. I've never had any wizard candy before," I said skeptically.

"I'd recommend some of the Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans," Said a voice from behind the witch. I looked to see two, red-haired twin boys standing in the corridor.

"The Chocolate Frogs are a riot, too," Added the other twin who had not spoken.

"But if you'd like something a little more drab…"

"…then try a few Cauldron Cakes-"

"-or Pumpkin Pasties," He continued. I got a few of everything they recommended and paid the witch with a few Sickles.

"Thanks," I said to the twins as the trolley moved along.

"No problem. My name's Fred Weasley-" Said the first twin.

"-and I'm George. The smarter of the two," said the other with a grin.

"My name's Casper. Er, would you like a Cauldron Cake?" I offered them each one. They both accepted them gratefully.

"Thanks," They said simultaneously.

"So, What are Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans?" I asked, glancing down at the small package in my hand.

"Like what you'd call Jelly Beans in the Muggle World," Said George.

"-only with more flavors," Added Fred.

"I even got a booger-flavored one once," George said as if this was something to be proud of.

"Ew. How d'you even know what boogers taste like?" I asked, wrinkling my nose. They were both at a loss for words. I opened the package and tried one of the jelly beans.

"Blech! Spinach!" I said as I swallowed. The twins laughed at my facial expressions.

"Well, best be moving on," Said Fred.

"More 1st years to trick," George said cheerfully. Despite the fact that I'd been tricked into tasting spinach I thought the twins were hilarious.

I made my way back into my compartment and slid the door shut behind me. Gabriel was still sitting contently on the seat, grooming himself. I opened one of the Chocolate Frogs next and was surprised when the chocolate frog leapt out of the package. Gabriel let out a meow and grabbed the frog with his paws, after which he devoured it. I looked in the remainder of the package and saw there was a collectible card in it. I got the druidess Cliodna. I wasn't particularly interested in the card, but was eager to try another frog and soon found that they were my favorite out of all the candy I had tasted.

Chapter 5

Hermione returned a short while later to inform me that we were nearly there. We both changed into our Hogwart's robes before she hurried off again, still looking for Neville's toad. As soon as she left I heard a faint croaking sound and looked behind my trunk, expecting to find a Chocolate Frog I had missed, but it was actually Neville's toad.

"There you are you little bugger! You've had them looking everywhere for you, ya know?" I said to the toad. I cut my eyes at Gabriel who didn't look particularly interested in eating anything after his adventure with the Chocolate Frogs. I set the toad down beside me on the seat and decided to wait for Neville, rather than go looking for him.

As the train pulled to a stop both Hermione and Neville returned to get their things. Neville spotted his toad immediately.

"You found Trevor!" The boy exclaimed, grabbing his toad.

"Yeah. I think he was asleep behind my trunk," I said with a shrug.

"Thanks," Neville said, putting him in his pocket. Suddenly a voice rang throughout the train: "We will be reaching Hogwarts in five minutes' time. Please leave your luggage on the train, it will be taken to the school separately."

I looked at Gabriel who was already standing at the door of his cage as if he knew what was coming.

"I guess that includes you, buddy," I said with a sigh. I opened the door of the cage and Gabriel walked in casually, turned a few times, and then lay down calmly in the back of the cage.

"Sure is smart, isn't he? Almost like he knew what was said," Hermione remarked.

"Mm-hmm," Was all I said.

A few minutes later we made our way out into the corridor where everyone else was pushing to get out of the train. I found myself pushed into one of the Weasley twins but I didn't know which one because I could no longer tell them apart. He smiled at me.

"Hope it's not too cold out there," He said cheerfully.

"Isn't it always?" Said the other twin who was behind him.

"At least there's the feast to look forward to," the first one replied.

Suddenly I found myself out on the platform, shivering in the cool night air. It was pretty dark, but a lantern eventually came, shining over the heads of the students.

"Firs' years! Firs' years over here!" Called a loud, booming voice. I followed the crowd of my peers to where a giant of a man stood, holding a lantern. Most of his face was covered with a thick beard and he had to have been almost 8 feet tall! We followed the giant down a steep, narrow path that was rather slippery. No one said much of anything until he shouted out, "Yeh'll get yer firs' sight o' Hogwarts in a sec, jus' round this bend here!"

I heard the entire crowd go "Ooooh!" and a moment later I saw why. We had come out at the edge of what appeared to be a great, vast, black lake. On the other side sat an enormous castle atop a large mountain. It had a lot of turrets and towers and its windows sparkled beneath the starry sky.

"No more'n four to a boat," The giant called, pointing to a fleet of little boats sitting in the water by the shore. I found myself in a boat with a pale-faced boy with blonde hair. He smirked at me as he climbed in beside me.

"My name's Draco. Draco Malfoy," He said, extending a hand for me to shake.

"I'm Casper Addams," I said, shaking his hand tentatively.

"Are you muggle-blood or pure-blood?" He asked suddenly.

"huh?"

"Was your mom and dad a witch and a wizard?" He asked impatiently.

"Oh. Yeah. So I heard…they died when I was young, though, and I was raised by my Muggle cousin," I said awkwardly.

"Ah, well, at least you're still pure blood. You'll make a good witch, no doubt," Draco said vaguely. The boats moved forward of their own accord across the water which was smooth as glass. I let my fingers trail in the water.

"I wouldn't do that, if I were you," Draco advised, "There's a giant squid down there apparently."

I drew back my fingers and leaned over, hoping to see the squid, but I couldn't see anything.

We went through a long, dark tunnel, which apparently lead underneath the castle. We stopped when we reached a sort of underground harbor where we climbed out onto rocks and pebbles. I made my way away from Draco and away from the others. I followed in the back of the line as the giant led us up a passageway into the rock, coming out onto smooth, damp grass in the shadow of the castle. We all walked up a flight of huge stone steps and crowded around a large, oak door.

"Everyone here? You there, still got yer toad?" the giant asked, speaking to Neville of course. He raised his gigantic fist and knocked three times on the door.

The door swung open, revealing a tall, black-haired witch who wore emerald green robes. She had a very stern face and didn't look very friendly.

"The fir' years, Professor McGonagall," Said the giant to the witch. I vaguely wondered what class she taught.

"Thank you Hagrid. I will take them from here," Said the Professor. The door swung open even wider to reveal an entrance hall big enough to fit an entire house. I looked upwards, but could see no visible ceiling. A magnificent marble staircase led to the upper floors in front of us.

We followed Professor McGonagall across the stone floor and into a small, empty chamber off the hall. We all crowded around her to hear what she had to say.

"Welcome to Hogwarts. The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend free time in your house common room.

"The Four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while nay rule-breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points will be awarded the house cup, a great honor. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours.

The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting. I shall return when we are ready for you. Please wait quietly," Said Professor McGonagall. She left us there and the murmur of voices began. I was left in my own quietness to muse over her speech. I wasn't particularly fond of rules and I didn't give a crap about awards, so I felt bad for whatever house received me. I wasn't going to try and stay out of trouble, but I would try not to get caught, for the sake of my house.

There was the sound of whooshing air and a few people screamed. I whirled around just in time to see about 20 pearly-white ghosts float through the back wall. They seemed to be arguing, not paying any attention at all to the first years.

"Forgive and forget, I say, we ought to give him a second chance-" One of them was saying.

"My dear Friar, haven't we given Peeves all the chances he deserves? He gives us all a bad name and you know, he's not really even a ghost- I say, what are you all doing here?" One said, finally noticing us.

"New students!" Exclaimed the Friar, "About to be sorted, I suppose? Hope to see you in Hufflepuff! My old house you know?"

"Move along now," Said Professor McGonagall's sharp voice, "The Sorting Ceremony is about to begin."

One by one the ghosts floated away, back through the wall.

"Now form a line and follow me," She said to us.

I followed the others into the Great Hall. It was lit by thousands and thousands of candles which floated in midair over four tables where the other students sat. The tables were covered with empty goblets and plates which glittered in the candle light. At the top of the hall was another long table where the teachers sat. Professor McGonagall had us all lined up at the head of the room with our backs to the teachers, facing the hundreds of students. I turned my head slightly and saw Snape, sitting at the table next to Professor Quirrel. He caught my eye and a trace of a small crossed his face. At that moment I heard Hermione's voice saying something about the ceiling being bewitched to look like the sky, so I looked up. Sure enough the ceiling was dark blue and dotted with thousands of stars.

I looked down in time to see Professor McGonagall place a pointed hat on top of a stool in front of us. It looked extremely ragged. It startled me suddenly, when the brim of the hat opened up and began to sing!

"Oh you may not think I'm pretty,

But don't judge on what you see,

I'll eat myself if you can find

A smarter hat than me.

You can keep your bowlers black,

Your top hats sleek and tall,

For I am the Hogwarts Sorting Hat

And I can cap them all.

There's nothing hidden in your head

The Sorting Hat can't see,

So try me on and I will tell you

Where you ought to be.

You might belong in Gryffindor

Where dwell the brave at heart,

Their daring, nerve, and chivalry

Set Gryffindors apart;

You might belong in Hufflepuff,

Where they are just and loyal,

Those patient Hufflepuffs are true

And unafraid of toil;

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,

If you've a ready mind,

Where those of wit and learning,

Will always find their kind;

Or perhaps in Slytherin

You'll make your real friends,

Those cunning folk use any means

To achieve their ends.

So put me on! Don't be afraid!

And don't get in a flap!

You're in safe hands (though I have none)

For I'm a thinking cap!"

The whole hall burst into applause when the hat completed its song. Admittedly I was impressed that a hat could come up with rhymes like that. The hat bowed to each of the four tables and then became quite still. Professor McGonagall stepped forward, holding a long roll of parchment.

"When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit down on the stool to be sorted. Abbott, Hannah!" Professor McGonagall said. The first girl walked forward anxiously and tried on the hat. There was a moments pause before the hat shouted "HUFFLEPUFF!" and the girl went to join the table.

Chapter 6

I waited for my turn, wondering what house I would be in. I was definitely brave (in fact I couldn't think of a single thing I was afraid of), so perhaps Gryffindor. Then again I was smart enough to be in Ravenclaw. The hat had claimed those in Hufflepuff were just and loyal. I'd never thought of myself as particularly loyal because I'd never had anyone to be loyal to. Perhaps I belonged in Slytherin? Cunning meant skillful or sly. I was definitely sly, especially when it came to disobeying rules.

"Addams, Casper!" My name was called very loudly. I walked forward quite calmly and sat on the stood. The hat was placed on my head and promptly fell down over my eyes so I couldn't see anything.

"Well now…this is very curious," said a small voice in my ear. It was the voice of the Sorting Hat.

"What's curious?" I asked inside my mind.

"You very well could go into either of the houses. You've thought it through, haven't you? And in barely three minutes time since the sorting began. You are smart…and cunning as well. You like to break rules to find out why they were made in the first place. You break them for the sake of breaking them. Do you have any preference to your house? Ravenclaw? Or perhaps Slytherin?" The voice asked quietly.

"Whatever you pick is fine with me. Wouldn't want to make your job too easy," I replied inside my mind, and I smiled.

"Very well, cunning one, I chose…SLYTHERIN!" The hat exclaimed. McGonagall lifted the hat from my eyes and as I made my way to the table farthest away I looked to the teacher's table and saw Snape was clapping loudly. He and the wizard with a long beard who must have been Dumbledore, exchanged meaningful glances. Snape turned suddenly and caught my eye as I sat down. He smiled at me and I smiled back as the other Slytherins clapped me on my shoulder, congratulating me.

I studied the designs on the edge of the plate, not wanting to look up or say anything. The hall fell silent a while later and I realized that Harry Potter's name had been called. I glanced up. No doubt about it- Snape was staring at the boy in pure loathing. When he was pronounced a Gryffindor the applause was deafening. I watched as he hurried over to his table. I immediately spotted the Weasley twins who were clapping him on the back. So they were in Gryffindor, too? Pity. Hermione and Neville were also sorted into Gryffindor house.

After the sorting was complete Dumbledore got to his feet. He smiled at everyone with his arms open wide.

"Welcome! Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you," Dumbledore said, sitting back down. A lot of people were clapping and cheering. I wasn't one of them. Personally I thought that Dumbledore was a bit of a nut and a lot of my fellow Slytherins seemed to share this assessment. I noticed with a start that the table was covered with food and the sounds of people chattering merrily as they took their own portions, filled the room.

I was never one for eating a whole lot, but even I couldn't stop myself from devouring a large portion of steak, potatoes, and carrots. Miraculously I found room for more food when the dinner disappeared and was replaced with desserts. I took an apple pie and some ice cream and afterwards felt like I was going to puke. I'd never been truly hungry living with Anthony and Amy, but we didn't have enough money for a lot of exquisite things. Most of the time we'd simply have hamburgers and french-fries or just sandwiches when things were scarce. I lay my head down on the table, not really listening to the conversations of my fellow Slytherins. I looked up a few times to see Snape and Quirrel deep in a conversation that neither of them looked very happy to be in.

Finally when the food disappeared Dumbledore stood up again and everyone in the hall fell silent. I listened, even though I didn't want to listen.

"Ahem- Just a few more words now that we are all fed and watered. I have a few start-of-term notices to give you. First years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well," Dumbledore said. I was pretty sure I saw him glance at the Weasley twins. I began to pay attention, wondering what rules I could break.

"I have also been asked by Mr. Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors. Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madam Hooch.

"And finally, I must tell you that this year, the third-floor corridor, on the right-hand side, is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death," Dumbledore said somberly. I suppressed a laugh at his serious tone and immediately decided that was one of the first things I wanted to check out.

"And now, before we go to bed, let us sing the school song!" cried Dumbledore. He gave his wand a flick and a long golden ribbon flew out the end and shaped itself into words.

"Everyone pick your favorite tune," Said Dumbledore, "And off we go!"

The entire school burst out in song at different tunes and volumes and tempos so that it gave me a headache. I refused to sing and sat there the entire time, picking at the fingernails on my right hand. I did get a laugh, however, when the last ones to finish singing were the Weasley twins who sang to the tune of a slow funeral march.

"Ah, music," Said Dumbledore, wiping his eyes, "A magic beyond all we do here! And now, bedtime. Off you trot!"

"First years, follow the prefects," People began to say throughout the hall. Prefects were law-abiders who had the ability to dwell out punishments on troublemakers. Most of the time my brain would scream 'avoid' but I followed a black-haired boy who had a Prefect badge pinned to his chest.

He led us down into the dungeons to a blank, damp slab of stone wall. We all looked slightly puzzled.

"Behind here lies the hidden door to the Slytherin common room. The password changes every now and again, but if you forget the password or forget the location of the hidden door then you'd bloody be well-prepared to wait out here until someone comes to let you in. The password for now is Salazar," said the Prefect. The stone door slid open and I followed the others into the common room. It was a low, underground room with rough stone walls and a ceiling where green lamps were hanging on chains. A fire was crackling merrily in an elaborative carved fireplace and a few of the older students already sat in high-backed chairs.

The Prefect directed us to the girl's dormitories to the left of the fireplace which were opposite the boys' on the left. Too tired to do anything else I made my way into the dormitories. My trunk lay at the foot of a bed and Gabriel's cage was sitting on the trunk. I let him out immediately and he looked up at me, purring contentedly. It was close to freezing in here and I pulled the curtains shut around my bed. I changed into the same nightclothes I wore at home, which were my black shorts and a black T-shirt, and I crawled into bed. To my great delight there was thick, silver blanket to cover up with and I immediately felt warmer. Gabriel curled up next to my head on the pillow after sniffing around a bit and we both fell asleep, wondering what the next day might hold in store.

Chapter 7

My first week at Hogwarts was a difficult one. I managed to get lost on the way to breakfast the first day and on the second day I'd overslept. I was blatantly annoyed with the 100 and some odd number of stair cases that changed constantly. I ended up following Draco and his friends Crabbe and Goyle, to almost all of my classes until I had my schedule memorized.

The very first class I ever had was with Professor McGonagall. As it turns out she taught Transfiguration and was a sucker for lectures. Fortunately for me I had long ago learned to tune things out when I didn't want to hear them. I barely glanced up when she turned her desk into a pig.

"Today I will expect you all to attempt to transfigure matchsticks into needles," She said as she handed out matches, "I don't expect any of you to succeed."

I concentrated really hard on the match, envisioning it as a needle, and I gave it a good poke with my wand. To my surprise and delight it quivered for a moment before turning into a small, silver needle. Professor McGonagall couldn't believe it and I had to repeat the trick three more times before she believed I wasn't cheating. Everyone in my class was impressed. After that class I had History of Magic, which was taught by a ghost. He was a boring ghost, to make matters worse, and his voice droned on and on about some stupid stuff that happened years ago. His name was Professor Binns and I scribbled down notes from everything that he said and I felt almost certain that I'd be able to ace any exam he dared give us. After History of Magic I had Defense Against the Dark Arts, which was the class most Slytherins were looking forward to, but it turned out to be absolutely ridiculous. Quirrel was a bit of an idiot who didn't really do anything but talk and after a while his stuttering annoyed me and I tuned him out. Who cared about some stupid vampire in Romania anyway?

We had Herbology three times a week where we learned about the different magical plants. I paid close attention to those plants that we'd be using in Potions. We also had Astronomy every Tuesday night and we had to learn the names of stars and star patterns as well as the movement of planets. I didn't see much of Professor Snape, but I was told that he was head of Slytherin house, which explained why he was so delighted when the sorting hat put me there.

Finally, on Friday, I saw that we had our first Potions class and it was with the Gryffindors. In fact we had double Potions and then we got the rest of the day off. Pretty cool. I sat at the breakfast table with the rest of my house, but I didn't eat anything. I never cared too much for breakfast, even when I stayed with Anthony and Amy, but that was because I usually slept through it. I didn't even lift my head when I heard the mail arriving. It had scared me my first day when about a thousand owls swooped in through the open windows and started dropping parcels into peoples laps. Draco was always receiving sweets and other things from one of his father's exquisite, sleek-looking owls.

After the mail arrived and everyone was finished eating I went with the other Slytherins down to the dungeons. I saw Hermione and Neville in the hallway and smiled weakly at them. They smiled faintly back before lowering their eyes. Slytherins and Gryffindors were natural enemies, which pretty much sucked for me. The Potions classroom was in the dungeons, not far from our hidden common room.

I sat down at a desk in the front of the room as the other Slytherins followed me inside. Snape wasn't in there when we entered. I took a sweeping glance across the room and spied Harry Potter, sitting beside Hermione and a red-haired boy who had to be related to the Weasley twins. There was a faint murmuring of conversation amongst the Gryffindors and amongst the Slytherins. I put my head down on my desk until I heard the back door open and I turned my head to see Snape sweeping into the room, his black cloak billowing out behind him. The room fell silent as he made his way to the front of the room and I couldn't help but smile as he passed me.

Snape pulled out a roll of parchment and began to call roll. His eyes flicked to me when he said my name and he smirked slightly before continuing. He paused again at Harry Potter's name.

"Ah, yes, Harry Potter. Our new- celebrity," He said softly. Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle all sniggered behind their hands. Snape finished calling names and looked up at the class. His black eyes glittered coldly in the faint light of the dungeon.

"You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion-making," He began in a voice that was barely more than a whisper, but everyone heard it because no one dared speak. It reminded me a bit of McGonagall's class.

"As there is little foolish wand-waving here, many of you will hardly believe this is magic. I don't expect you will really understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through human veins, bewitching the mind, ensnaring the senses…I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even stopper death- if you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach," Snape said. I shuddered slightly, but smiled. A large silence met his speech.

"Potter!" Snape said quite suddenly, making me jump slightly, "What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"

Harry looked bewildered, but Hermione's head shot into the air. Snape ignored her. Inside my head I recalled the chapter from my Potions book- The Draught of Living Death.

"I don't know, sir," Said Harry quietly. He probably didn't read his Potions book at all, then!

"Tut, tut- clearly, fame isn't everything," Snape said with a sneer, "Let's try again, Potter, where would you look if I told you to find me a bezoar?"

I remembered that immediately, too, because I'd always wondered how a stone got into a goat's stomach after reading that chapter.

"I don't know, sir," Potter said meekly. Draco was shaking with silent laughter.

"Thought you wouldn't open a book before coming, eh, Potter?" Snape asked him. Harry was forcing himself to stare right back at Snape. Snape was still ignoring Hermione, whose hand was waving so far up in the air I would not have been surprised if it disconnected itself and flew away.

"What is the difference, Potter, between monkshood and wolfsbane?" Snape asked him. Hermione stood up, her hand still raised. I scanned my memory for the answer. I was pretty sure they were the same thing.

"I don't know," said Harry quietly, "I think Hermione does, though, why don't you try her?"

I gaped at him for even daring to think of talking back like that. A few of the other students sniggered.

"Sit down," Snape snapped at Hermione furiously, "For you information, Potter, asphodel and wormwood make a sleeping potion so powerful it is know as the Draught of Living Death. A bezoar is a stone taken from the stomach of a goat and it will save you from most poisons. As for monkshood and wolfsbane they are the same plant, which also goes by the name of aconite. Well? Why aren't you all copying that down?"

I dipped my quill in ink and quickly scribbled down what I'd already known.

"And a point will be taken from Gryffindor House for your cheek, Potter," Snape said over the sound of rummaging for quills and parchment.

Snape split us all into pairs to work on a simple Potion, but there wasn't enough for everyone in the class to have a partner. Snape was one the verge of making Neville work by himself when I spoke up.

"I'll work by myself, Professor," I said quietly, moving away from the Gryffindor boy, Seamus, with whom I'd originally been paired. Snape surveyed me for a moment and then nodded shortly. Neville grinned at me as he made his way to Seamus' work table.

I checked the instructions in my copy of Magical Drafts and Potions before beginning to weigh dried nettles and carefully crush snake fangs. I halfway listened as Snape swept around the room, criticizing almost everyone. He didn't stop at my cauldron once, so I supposed that I wasn't doing bad. I had just dumped horned slugs into my potion when a loud hissing sound filled the dungeon and clouds of green smoke filled the air. Neville had managed to melt Seamus' cauldron. I leapt quickly onto my stool, avoiding the potion as it spread across the stone floor. I was about to say something furious when I saw the boils springing up all over Neville's arms and legs. Snape cleared away the potion with a simple spell I immediately memorized, before he rounded on Neville.

"Idiot boy! I suppose you added the porcupine quills before taking the cauldron off the fire?" snarled Snape. Neville whimpered, frightened.

"Take him to the hospital wing," He spat at Seamus before turning on Harry Potter.

"You- Potter- why didn't you tell him not to add the quills? Thought he'd make you look good if he got it wrong, did you? That's another point you've lost for Gryffindor," Snape said to them. This was clearly unfair, but it wasn't my place to say anything. Snape could take all the points from Gryffindor that he wanted.

Chapter 8

At the end of class everyone marched out, leaving their Potions behind to be scored. I dawdled by the stairs for a moment before Snape noticed me.

"You need something, Casper?" He asked lazily.

"No. I was wondering if you needed any help cleaning this stuff up?" I offered quietly. Since I don't have anything better to do, I added silently inside my head.

"Are you being a suck-up or do you really not have anything better to do?" He asked with a slight smirk.

"I really don't have anything better to do," I said truthfully, and a little amazed that he'd guessed my thoughts so correctly.

"Very well. You can clear the potion away after I grade it," He said to me, "Do you know the spell?"

"It was Evanesco wasn't it?" I asked, recalling the spell he'd used to clear away Neville's mess.

"Correct," He said with a nod.

We worked in silence except for every time he finished a potion I would say Evanescoand make the potion disappear. When he got to mine he stopped and smiled wryly.

"Looks like you got it right the first time, Casper. Full marks," He said to me. I smiled, feeling very pleased with myself.

"Are you doing this well in all your other classes?" He asked casually.

"I had to turn a match into a needle fifty times before McGonagall believed I wasn't cheating," I said with a sigh.

"You got it on your first try?" He asked, impressed, "Seems you have a natural talent for magic."

I shrugged my shoulders.

"By the way- why haven't you got anything better to do on a Friday afternoon than help clean out cauldrons?" Snape asked me.

"No homework," I replied with another shrug.

"No friends?"

"I'm not a sociable person," I responded, "But I may go have a look around the grounds when I finish here."

"Go on, then. I'm almost finished anyway," He encouraged me. I grabbed my bag and slung it over my shoulder. I paused on my way out the door.

"Is there really a giant squid in the lake?" I asked with a frown, recalling what Draco had said to me.

"Yes, and other more dangerous things as well. Be careful if you're going out there," He warned me. Danger is my middle name, I thought gleefully as I hurried out of the castle.

I wandered around the castle grounds, enjoying the feel of the soft, green grass. I walked along the lake, looking for any sign of the giant squid, but I didn't see it. Finally I went back up to the castle and I made my way to the library which I had not yet had a chance to visit.

I lingered there for a few hours and I saw Hermione again. She was sitting in the very back of the library, reading a very large book.

"Hello, Hermione," I said, pausing at her table. I had three large books of spells in my arms and I set them down on the table.

"Oh, Hello Casper. That was a really nice things you did for Neville in Potions class earlier," She said, looking up at me.

"I like to work on my own," I said with a shrug, "And I knew Snape wouldn't give me grief about it."

"Yes, I have heard that he favors the Slytherins," She said in a tone that sounded as if she disapproved. I shrugged my shoulders again and I took a seat across from her.

"So, what are you reading?" I asked, changing the subject.

"Oh I'm reading a fascinating book. I'm trying to learn how to light waterproof fires," she said, thumbing through the book.

"Oh. I only know how to do regular fire. I found it in one of my books. The incantation is Incendio," I said quietly, "Perhaps if you put a repelling charm on it then it would repel the water?"

"Oh that's a brilliant idea, Casper! I can't believe I never thought of that. I simply must go try it out. See you later, then?" She said as she gathered her books.

"Sure," I said as she hurried out the door.

I thumbed through one of the books of spells until I saw something that caught my interest. I book marked the page, checked out all three books, and hurried back to the Slytherin common room. I spent the rest of the afternoon reading in the corner, not daring to try out the one spell I had found, leaving only once to go and eat dinner. I stayed in the common room until it was empty at about midnight. Gabriel was curled up in front of the fire, watching me unblinkingly and purring. I pulled out my wand and checked the book again in the place I had book marked it.

I tapped myself on the head with my wand and felt something cold trickling down my back. According to the book, this is how a Disillusionment Charm was supposed to feel. I looked down at myself and sure enough I was invisible. I checked my reflection in the mirror to make sure I was fully invisible. I was. I also had a feeling that Gabriel could see through my charm because his eyes still followed me. When I made my way to the hidden door Gabriel tried to follow me.

"No, Gabriel, you can't follow me," I hissed at him. He acted as if he hadn't heard and I had no choice but to allow him to follow me.

I remembered the forbidden corridor on the third floor and I tiptoed my way there. I walked quietly with Gabriel following close behind me. When we came to the locked door he wouldn't go anywhere near it. He kept a safe distance away with his ears pressed flat against his head.

"Scaredy cat," I whispered to him. I pointed my wand at the lock and whispered alohomora and the lock slid open with a click. Very quietly I peeked my head through the door and saw what had made Gabriel so nervous. A large, three-headed dog was curled up on the floor with its eyes half-closed. One of the heads looked up when the door opened but quickly put its head back down. I guess dogs couldn't see through Disillusionment charms like cats could. Still, I didn't feel like waiting around just in case and I quickly shut and locked the door back. Gabriel stood up and followed me out of the room.

I wandered around the castle until early in the morning, then I retreated to the Slytherin common room, removed my Disillusionment charm, and went to sleep. After that night, late night exploring became a part of my routine. I still went to my classes and did all my school work, but by night I was the invisible rule-breaker. I went into almost every classroom, even the teachers lounge where Professor McGonagall and Professor Sprout were having tea late one evening.

On Thursday morning I saw a notice on the bulletin board that had probably been up there for a lot longer than I'd realized. The notice said that we would be having flying lessons that afternoon with the Gryffindors. My heart leapt- flying would reveal to me a whole new world of possibilities for my nighttime exploring!

My morning classes passed in a blur of excitement for me and the other first years. They all talked about flying and Draco bragged about playing Quidditch. He explained to me that Quidditch was a sport played on brooms and told me about the different positions and things. Finally, after lunch, we all made our way down to the grounds for our first flying lesson.

Chapter 9

When the Gryffindors finally arrived the teacher, Madam Hooch, told us to stand on the left side of our broomsticks. She didn't seem like such a bad teacher. She had short gray hair and yellow eyes that reminded me of Gabriel. A lot of the brooms were pretty shabby looking, but mine was okay. The black paint on the handle was chipped in places and the twigs were pretty frayed, but it wasn't so bad.

"Stick your right hand over your broom, and say 'up!'" Madam Hooch commanded. Everyone shouted up at the same time, except for me. I watched as a lot of people's broomsticks flew up into their hands and a lot of peoples did not. Hermione's had simply rolled over on the ground and I grinned at her.

"Broomsticks can smell fear, Hermione," I said jokingly. She rolled her eyes and tried again. This time it came up.

"Up," I said quietly. My broomstick floated up slowly as if it had better things to do than jump into my hand. Great, I got the lazy broomstick, I thought to myself.

Madam Hooch walked around, checking our grips. She stopped at Draco who was beside me.

"You're holding it wrong. Your hands should be here and here," She said, indicting to points on the handle.

"I've been flying for years," He protested.

"Well then you've been doing it wrong for years," She retorted and everyone laughed, except a few Slytherins.

"Now, when I blow my whistle, you kick off from the ground, hard," said Madam Hooch, "Keep your brooms steady, rise a few feet, and the come straight back down by leaning forward slightly. On my whistle- three- two-"

Neville kicked off hard before the whistle had even touched her lips. He was rising straight up, until he reached 20 feet. Finally, he looked down, turned white as a sheet, and fell off sideways. He hit the ground with a loud WHAM that reverberated in my head. Everyone rushed towards him and I looked up. His broomstick was still rising and starting to drift towards the forest. I pulled out my wand, pointed it, and said Accio. The broomstick came straight back into my hand. I turned around in time to see Madam Hooch escorting Neville to the hospital wing.

As soon as they were gone Draco burst into laughter.

"Did you see his face, the great lump?" He asked with a smirk. The other Slytherins joined in his laughter. I tossed Neville's broomstick onto the ground and sat down with my back to the whole thing. I only turned around when I heard Potter and Draco fighting. Draco had picked up Neville's remembrall off the ground and was on his broomstick, going to put it in a tree or something. Potter went after him. I watched them flying and was impressed with both their skills. I wanted to try out flying, but didn't figure it'd be worth getting caught, which did happen to Potter. Professor McGonagall had seen him from her window and she quickly escorted him back up to the castle.

Madam Hooch returned a few minutes later and commenced with our flying lessons. It felt good to finally be in the air, even if I was only allowed to hover for a moment before touching back down to the ground. I watched as Madam Hooch stowed the broomsticks in the broom shed and then led us all back up to the castle.

I was impatient all throughout dinner and as I waited for the others to go to sleep. I read my books until past midnight when Draco and his goons finally went to bed. As soon as they were gone I cast my Disillusionment charm and left the common room. Gabriel was still following me closely, but I hardly noticed him anymore.

Gabriel ran around in the soft grass while I made my way to the broom shed. The door was locked, of course, but that didn't stop me.

"Alohomora," I whispered and then slipped inside. There were a lot of fair-looking broomsticks that I could have stolen, but I wanted to use the one I had ridden earlier that day. I didn't bother locking the door behind me as I went out into the open air. I mounted my broomstick and rose into the air.

With no Madam Hooch telling me what to do, I soared into the sky, higher and higher, until I was in a cloud. I got a little soaked so I flew lower by leaning forward slightly. I flew around, getting used to the feel of the broomstick. The wind felt good on my face and I was utterly enjoying myself. Gabriel was stretched out in the grass somewhere way below me and I could barely see him. I flew over the lake, peering down into the water and letting my feet trail in it a few times.

I was leaning forward on my broomstick, peering down into the water, when I thought I caught a glimpse of the squid. A flash of silver. Just as quickly as I had seen it, it was gone.

"Hello, Casper," Said a soft voice. It startled me so much that I fell off my broomstick and into the freezing cold water. My brain and my body were completely numb for almost a full minute before I pushed my way to the surface, gasping for breath. I crawled out of the water like a half-drowned rat. I quickly found my wand and lifted my Disillusionment charm, enjoying the warmth of the spell trickling down my back as I became visible. I looked around, still shivering, to see who had called my name. It was Snape and he was smirking at me.

"I didn't mean to scare you," He said to me, still smirking.

"I wasn't scared!" I said defensively, "You just startled me."

"Right…"

"Er, I'm not in trouble, am I?" I asked sheepishly.

"hmm…no, I think not. Everyone needs a little quiet time. …but be forewarned, Casper, I will not say anything on your behalf if anyone else catches you. You will be punished," He said coolly, "…so you'd better not get caught."

"Yes, sir," I said meekly.

"So, what were you doing? Trying to see the squid?" He asked, fighting back a smile.

"Yes sir. I thought I glimpsed it, but it was gone so quickly I couldn't be sure," I said with a shrug. I noticed for the first time the mud and grass that covered the front of my robes from where I had climbed out of the lake. I waved my wand over my robes and muttered Scourgify a simple cleaning spell I had found in a book.

"Nice Disillusionment charm, by the way. A lot of full-grown wizards could not accomplish that," Snape said casually.

"Thanks," I muttered, looking away.

"Out of curiosity, where else have you explored?"

I figured it wouldn't hurt to tell him so I ticked off a list of places. When I got to the third-floor corridor he stopped me.

"You saw the dog?" He asked, surprised.

"Yeah," I said with a shrug.

"You haven't told anyone else, have you?" He inquired sharply.

"No one except you. I don't talk to a lot of people."

"haven't you wondered what it was doing there?"

"Not really. I suppose it's guarding something. I really don't care."

He looked at me strangely, making me feel slightly uncomfortable.

"I should probably get to bed," I said awkwardly, averting his gaze.

"Of course. Don't forget your broomstick," He said, nodding to where the broom was still floating above the lake.

"Right. Accio Broomstick," I said, pointing my wand. The broomstick shot across the lake towards me. I reapplied my Disillusionment charm before heading across the field to the broom shed. I looked back across the field as I locked the shed behind me and saw that Snape was still standing where I had left him, staring across the water, deep in thought.

Chapter 10

By the end of October I had pretty much forgotten about the three-headed dog. I still went out for a fly every night, but I rarely saw Snape, except from a distance. Our teachers had started giving us homework so when I wasn't out flying or exploring I was doing my homework. I rarely had time to sleep, but that was fine with me because the nightmares had returned. The nightmares I could never remember when I woke up.

One morning in Charms class Professor Flitwick said that we'd be making objects fly. Of course I had already mastered this so when he announced this I let out a groan and put my head down on the desk. The other Slytherins were all excited and pulled out their wands as Flitwick handed out feathers. Feathers, I thought to myself, I can already lift a full trunk!

They started immediately with cries of Wingardium Leviosa filling the room. I opened one eye and looked around. Not one single person had managed to make their feather fly. I had limited the amount of magic I used around other people so I wouldn't stand out any more than the others. Flitwick didn't know I had mastered levitation so of course he walked over and prodded me with the tip of his wand.

"Come on, Casper, head up. Give it a try, it's really not that hard," He encouraged. With a sigh I lifted my head and my wand.

"Wingardium Leviosa," I said with a flick of my wand. The feather leapt into the air and followed my wand tip as I traced patterns in the air.

"Incredible! You've done this before!" Professor Flitwick exclaimed.

"A few times. I can lift other things, too," I said quietly. I pointed my wand at Draco's textbook and caused it to zoom around the air. My fellow Slytherins applauded and whooped loudly. Next, I lifted a piece of chalk off the chalkboard and wrote: My name is Casper Addams across the chalkboard.

"Ooh! 10 points to Slytherin for extraordinary masterful skills of levitation," Said Flitwick, "I'd like to see the rest of you try just as hard as Ms. Addams."

After that day I was the prodigy of Slytherin house. People asked me constantly to demonstrate this or that or to teach them some spell or another. Draco approached me late one evening asking me to teach him the Leg-Locker Curse, but I told him it was late and I was going to bed, though he made me promise to teach him some other time.

Halloween, my favorite night of the year, dawned with the smell of pumpkins hanging in the corridors. My first class of the day was Transfiguration and McGonagall told us there was going to be a Halloween feast that night. The rest of my classes went quickly and by that afternoon even I was hungry. I walked down to the feast with my fellow Slytherins, but I overheard one of the Gryffindor girls saying that Hermione had locked herself in the girls bathroom and was crying. For a brief moment I considered going down to console her, but when the doors to the Great Hall opened I completely forgot.

Thousands of black bats were swooping down around the tables and there had to have been hundreds of jack-o-lanterns in place of the regular candles. As soon as we sat down the golden plates appeared full of food. I lobbed a spoonful of mashed potatoes onto my plate and was reaching for the ham when the doors to the hall burst open. It was Professor Quirrel and the image on his face was one of pure terror. He sprinted up to the teachers table with his turban askew and he slumped against the table, panting.

"Troll- in the dungeon- thought you ought to know," He gasped, then slumped to the floor in a dead faint. What a loser I thought to myself as an out roar broke out from the students. Professor Dumbledore shot off a few purple firecrackers from the end of his wand before the hall fell silent.

"Prefects lead your houses back to the dormitories immediately," Dumbledore commanded. In the midst of the students hurrying to follow the prefects I cast my Disillusionment charm quickly and started to follow the teachers into the dungeons. How many chances would I get to see a live troll, anyway? but then I remembered Hermione in the bathroom and cursed silently. How many of those Gryffindors would risk their necks to save her? I turned away from the dungeons and hurried up to the girls bathroom.

By the time I got there Harry Potter and Ron Weasley were already there, trying to save Hermione from the troll. I pressed myself against the back wall, avoiding being hit by the club. Ron Weasley pulled out his wand and aimed it at the troll.

"Wingardium Leviosa!" He cried. The club flew out of the troll's hand, rose high into the air, and then came down on its head with a sickening crunch. The troll swayed and then fell flat on its face with a thud that shook the whole dungeon. They all stood staring at it for a moment.

"Is it- dead?" Hermione asked timidly.

"I don't think so," Harry answered, "I think it's just been knocked out."

He bent down and pulled his wand out of the troll's nose. I had missed that part, apparently.

"Urgh- troll boogers," He said, wiping it clean. We all looked up when we heard the sound of footsteps running towards the bathroom. The door opened and in walked McGonagall, Snape, and Quirrel. I pressed myself even further into the corner. Snape's eyes flicked to me immediately but he didn't say anything.

"What on Earth were you thinking of?" Said Professor McGonagall coldly to Ron, Harry, and Hermione, "You're lucky you weren't killed. Why aren't you in your dormitory?"

"Please, Professor McGonagall- they were looking for me," Said Hermione.

"Miss Granger!"

"I went looking for the troll because I- I thought I could deal with it on my own- you know, because I've read all about them," Hermione lied. Stupid, I thought to myself, Even I wouldn't be stupid enough to try that. I probably could've thought of a better lie.

"If they hadn't found me, I'd be dead now. Harry stuck his wand up its nose and Ron knocked it out with its own club. They didn't have time to come and fetch anyone. It was about to finish me off when they arrived," Hermione said quietly. Surprisingly, McGonagall believed them.

"Well- in that case…" Said McGonagall staring at the three Gryffindors, "Miss Granger, you foolish girl, how could you think of tackling a mountain troll on your own?"

Hermione hung her head in shame.

"Miss Granger, five points will be taken from Gryffindor for this. I'm very disappointed in you. If you're not hurt at all, you'd better get off to Gryffindor tower. Students are finishing the feast in their houses," McGonagall said. Hermione left and McGonagall turned to Ron and Harry.

"Well, I still say you were lucky, but not many first years could have taken on a full-grown mountain troll. You each win Gryffindor five points. Professor Dumbledore will be informed of this. You may go."

Ron and Harry left. McGonagall and Quirrel pulled out their wands and I watched as they lifted the troll and left the room. As soon as they were gone Snape turned and snagged me by the arm. He tapped me on the head with his wand and I felt myself become visible.

"Enjoying the show?" He asked coolly.

"Er…yeah," I said sheepishly.

"So, the Granger girl lied?"

"Obviously," I replied, wondering how he knew.

"And you- did you help them at all?" He asked.

"No. They didn't even know I was here."

"Are you hurt at all?"

"No sir."

"In that case, five points to Slytherin…for not getting yourself crushed to death."

"Thank you, sir," I said quietly. My stomach chose that moment to growl loudly and I blushed.

"Better get to the common room before there isn't any food left," He said to me. He tapped me over the head with his wand and I became invisible once more. I left the room without saying anything else.

The common room was packed and noisy and no one noticed me come in or become visible once more. I quietly got a plate and took it into the dormitory. I sat on my bed where Gabriel was curled up. I gave him a piece of ham and he meowed loudly. The dormitory was empty and while I ate I told Gabriel about what had happened, though I wasn't sure whether or not he understood. Gabriel circled me for a minute, meowing continuously.

"I'm fine. No worries," I assured him. He surveyed me for a moment before laying back down to finish his ham.

Chapter 11

November came quickly and with it came the cold. Every night I went out to fly I would return half-frozen and had to sit near the fire for half an hour before I could go to sleep without risking pneumonia. There was a buzz of excited chatter as all the students seemed to be talking about the upcoming Quidditch match. It was Gryffindor versus Slytherin and somehow Harry Potter was going to play for the Gryffindor team, even though first years weren't supposed to play. I asked Snape about it and his face was livid when he told me Dumbledore had bent the rules.

Snape wasn't the only one irked about it. Draco was practically beside himself with fury when he tried to explain it to me.

"Not only is it not fair that Potter gets to play, but he's a Seeker! And everyone knows that the best seeker is a small one, so of course they'll have a good team. Not to mention he's got the world's best racing broom- A Nimbus 2000!" He complained.

"I think I liked it better when you were begging me to teach you the Leg-Locker Curse," I said with a sigh, relaxing on the couch in front of the fire.

"Oh yeah! Are you going to teach me? You promised!" He said excitedly.

"Not now, Draco. I, er, promised Snape I would do something," I lied quickly. I scampered out of the common room before he could ask me something else. I made my way out to the courtyard where it was near freezing. I pulled my cloak closer, hoping for a bit of warmth, when I saw Hermione, Ron, and Harry standing a little ways away with their backs to a blue fire that was in a jam jar.

"Nice fire, Hermione. How'd you get it blue?" I asked curiously, approaching them. Hermione smiled at me, but Harry and Ron looked away. She was on the verge of telling me when all three of them looked past my shoulder and saw Snape limping across the courtyard. I slipped away quietly, not wanting to anger him, and also wondering why he was limping. I watched as they blocked the fire from view, but Snape came over to them anyway.

"What's that you've got there, Potter?" Snape demanded. It was a book and Harry showed it to him.

"Library books are not to be taken outside the school," Snape said, "Give it to me. Five points from Gryffindor."

"He's just made that rule up," I heard Harry mutter angrily as Snape limped away with his book, "Wonder what's wrong with his leg?"

"Dunno, but I hope it's really hurting him," said Ron bitterly. I frowned to myself and made my way back up to the castle.

I wasn't planning on going out that night, but at about 2:00 in the morning I awoke from a vivid dream that I could barely remember. Something to do with fire… I was covered with cold sweat and as soon as I opened my eyes the dream started to slip away. I knew I wouldn't be able to get back to sleep so I got up, got dressed, and left the castle.

I flew around for a little while on my broomstick, but I was freezing to death so I started to descend. That's when I spotted Snape limping down to the lake. I landed quickly and made myself visible to him.

"You're out a little later than usual, Casper," He remarked when I landed.

"Well, I wasn't planning on coming out, but I…woke up and couldn't get back to sleep," I said quickly. I didn't want to tell him I'd had a nightmare.

"I see…"

"uh, how's your leg? I noticed you're limping," I said, nodding to his left leg. He glanced down at his leg.

"Filch bandaged it. I'm fine," He replied.

"Well he's done a horrible job of it. You should let me…"

Before he could protest I aimed my wand and said Ferula. Bandages shot out the end of my wand and wound around his leg neatly. He looked surprised.

"Nifty bit of magic," He remarked. I shrugged my shoulders and looked away.

"Professor Flitwick tells me you've mastered levitation and McGonagall made the point of telling me that even Ms. Granger didn't manage to transfigure her matchstick on the first try," Snape said to me.

"It's not difficult, for me," I muttered, still looking away, "But I don't like to draw attention to myself."

"Of course not. So, are you going to watch the Quidditch match tomorrow?" He asked.

"I don't know. There are still a lot of things in the wizarding world I don't know about and Quidditch is one of them, despite Draco's efforts to teach me," I replied with a sigh.

"All you have to do is ask if you don't understand something, Casper," He said.

"I hate having to ask. I feel stupid," I retorted.

"The only stupid thing is not asking because then you'll never know,"He replied.

"Alright then, tell me who 'He-Who-Must-not-Be-Named' is. I've heard a billion people say that and it means absolutely nothing to me," I said, recalling the day in Madam Malkin's.

"Ah. You know the Potter boy's story?" Snape asked softly.

"Yes."

"Well, He-Who-Must-not-Be-Named, was the most powerful, dark wizard of all time. He was pure evil and he wanted nothing but to gain power and he stopped at nothing to achieve it," He began. That stirred something in my memory…the song of the Sorting Hat. Those cunning folk use any means To achieve their ends.

"He was in Slytherin, right?" I asked quickly.

"Yes. Some say he was a direct descendant of Salazar Slytherin himself," Snape replied, "I think that The Dark Lord was always evil, but some say that there was a time when he was not. Dumbledore would know. Either way, when The Dark Lord left Hogwarts he began to gather followers called Death Eaters. He sent them to do his dirty work. When The Dark Lord was defeated by Potter the Death Eaters were rounded up by the Ministry of Magic and put into the wizard's prison, Azkaban."

"Did he die?" I asked with a frown.

"Some say that he did. I am uncertain. It is possible that he lingers on somewhere…powerless…alone…"

I felt something like a twinge of pity and Snape looked up suddenly.

"I shouldn't be telling you these things. You should go on to bed," He said strictly.

"Very well," I said with a sigh. I reapplied my Disillusionment charm and walked back up towards the castle.

I didn't sleep much that night, but when the morning came, clear and cold, I felt very awake. I went to the Great Hall with my classmates and ate breakfast. Toast and warm sausages. Most everyone was wishing the Quidditch players good luck. The Captain of our team, Marcus Flint, was encouraging his team to eat while simultaneously verbally bashing the Gryffindors. Draco joined in the verbal bashing, taking time out of his meal to actually go over to the Gryffindor table and make some snide comments.

I considered going to watch the match and Draco was practically begging me to go, but in the end I decided to stay in the castle and work on my essay for Defense Against the Dark Arts. When I finished that I thought about going to the library, but then the librarian might have gone to see the match. I lay back on the couch, thinking how wonderfully warm it was inside the common room. The light was dim and I could feel my eyelids growing heavy. The next thing I knew I was asleep and the dream started again…

I could see someone standing with their back to me. Someone wearing long, black robes and a turban. It had to be Professor Quirrel. He started to speak, suddenly.

"There's only a few more…If I could only just find out how to get past that dog, master," Quirrel said, and for once he wasn't stuttering.

"Find a way…ask the giant…" Hissed a voice that chilled my blood. I looked around, but didn't see anyone other than Quirrel.

"He won't just tell me…I have to come up with a plan. Something to trick him into telling me…" Quirrel mused.

"Does he not go to the pub very evening? I hear he has a liking for ale," Hissed the voice, "…and for dragons."

"Brilliant, master, of course! Dragons!"

Chapter 12

I awoke with a start as the hidden stone door opened and in poured all of Slytherin house, looking depressed and irritated.

"We lost," Draco said miserable, sinking down on to the couch beside me.

"Damn. That's a shame," I said, trying to clear my head. The dream still stood out vividly, but I couldn't make any sense of it. Had it been only a dream?

"Yeah. Potter lost control of his broomstick midway through the game and he nearly got thrown off. It was hilarious! You should've seen the look on his face! Then he almost swallowed the snitch," Draco said, snickering.

"Hm. I'm going to the library. See you later, Draco," I said, standing up.

I was still a little shaken from my dream and the memory didn't show any signs of fading. I think I preferred it when I couldn't remember. I walked up the stairs leading out of the dungeon. I jumped slightly when I passed Quirrel in the hallway. He was muttering to himself, but his stutter was back.

"If o-only S-s-snape's cloak hadn't c-caught f-fire," He was mumbling. I paused for a moment and as soon as he was gone I turned and went back into the dungeons. I found Snape in the Potions classroom, sitting at his desk. He appeared very deep in thought. He looked up when I entered.

"I heard your cloak caught on fire at the Quidditch match so I figured I'd come and see what happened," I explained, sitting down on the top of one of the desks.

"I don't know what happened. I was watching the match when I looked down and saw blue flames coming from my cloak. How did you hear about it?" He asked me.

"Quirrel was muttering something about it," I said with a shrug. Blue flames? I had seen blue fire just yesterday…

Snape frowned again and he seemed distracted.

"Was there anything else you needed, Casper?" He asked. For a moment I considered telling him about the dream I'd had, but in the end I decided not to. He seemed busy.

"Nope. Not at all. See you later," I said, leaving the room.

I went to the library after that and saw just the person I'd been looking for- Hermione Granger.

"Hello Hermione," I said coolly, sitting down across from her. She looked up at me and smiled faintly.

"Hi, Casper," She said.

"So- why'd you light Snape's cloak on fire?" I asked, getting straight to the point. Her smile faded.

"How d'you know it was me?" She asked.

"Blue flames, Hermione. Only you know how to do that," I replied.

"Oh…well, alright, maybe I did, but only because he was…well he was jinxing Harry's broomstick," She said quietly.

"What? Are you sure?" I asked with a frown.

"Well it certainly seemed that way…and as soon as I did Harry was able to get back on his broomstick. You know as well as I do that you have to keep eye contact when performing a jinx and Snape wasn't blinking," She said.

"Alright. I'm not sure if I believe you, but I suppose it doesn't matter to me either way."

Over the next couple of weeks my bad dreams stopped and I was able to concentrate more on my classes before the holidays. The weather had turned even colder with the coming of December, especially down in the dungeons. Our dormitories were near freezing and I had taken to wrapping myself in the blanket and falling asleep in front of the fire in the common room. I didn't even consider sneaking out of the castle, especially when it started to snow. We woke up one morning to find the grounds covered with snow and almost everyone bundled up and went outside for a snowball fight. I stayed in the common room by myself, flipping through a book I had checked out of the library. Suddenly the door opened and Snape walked in.

"I'm making a list of the students staying at Hogwarts for the holidays. Where is everybody?" He asked me.

"Outside having a snowball fight with Ravenclaw," I replied, closing my book.

"Oh. Are you staying at Hogwarts over the holidays?" he asked me.

"Yeah, I guess," I said with a shrug. He wrote my name down on the list and then left. When he was gone I decided to go up to the owlery and send a letter to Anthony and Amy. I had written them a few times before and only Amy wrote back to me. I was under the impression Anthony didn't approve of me being a witch. I got out a piece of parchment and a quill and scribbled a letter to Amy.

Amy,

How are you? How is Anthony? I'm staying at Hogwarts for the Holidays. I hope you don't mind. I've been pretty busy with my classes and with the Homework I've been assigned. I'm pretty good at all of my classes, especially Potions. In Charms class we learned how to make objects fly. It's too bad we're not allowed to use magic outside of school or else it'd be pretty handy when we have to clean up the house.

You can send a message back by this owl. Tell Anthony I said Merry Christmas.

Love,

Casper

Gabriel was following me up to the owlery when he stopped and stiffened slightly. A moment later the caretaker, Mr. Filch, and his old cat Ms. Norris, came down the staircase.

"What're you doing? Why aren't you outside, tracking snow into the castle with your filthy little friends?" Filch said, glowering.

"I'm going to send a letter and they're not my friends," I retorted coolly. Gabriel and Ms. Norris were circling each other, sniffing and meowing loudly. Finally Gabriel relaxed and continued his way upstairs. Ms. Norris simply ignored him and continued off with Filch.

I opened the door to the owlery and a few dozen owls swooped down around me. There was one in particular that I had used before. He was small and sleek-looking. He ruffled his black feathers and landed on my shoulder when I opened the door. A few of the other owls commenced to swoop down at Gabriel and he hid underneath a table. I sent the letter and then went outside to have a snowball fight with my fellow Slytherins.

I was just about the only Slytherin staying over the holidays. All the first years were gone, even Draco. There were three or four older kids staying that I didn't know. Hermione had gone home to her muggle parents, even though I hadn't spoken to her since she lit Snape's cloak on fire. I pretty much had the common room to myself and spent most of my time practicing spells.

Christmas morning dawned early. I was the only one in the dormitory and there was a small pile of presents at the foot of my bed. There was a box from Anthony which contained some money and a bottle of fingernail polish. There was also a present from Amy, which was a black sweater that looked very warm. Finally, there was an unmarked present. I opened it slowly and found it was a book called Curses and Counter-curses by Vindictus Viridian. There was no note along with it.

There was a huge Christmas feast held down in the Great Hall. I'd never seen so much food in one place before. One hundred turkeys, mountains of potatoes, peas, gravy, cranberry sauce, and much more. All around the room people pulled apart wizard crackers that exploded and had all sorts of things inside them, including several live mice that would probably end up being dinner for the various cats around Hogwarts. I sat by myself, feeling abnormally lonely, and ate my food in silence.

I retreated to the Slytherin common room after lunch and started to read my book. I book marked a few pages of spells that I would try out later and as the day grew later I skipped dinner and went straight to bed.

Chapter 13

When the holidays were over Hogwarts was full and loud once more with the return of all the students. Draco went around bragging about his Christmas presents and returned to bugging me about teaching him the leg-locker curse. My nightmares returned again and this time I couldn't remember them. I tried not to dwell on them too much, but when they would wake me up I could never get back to sleep. In the end I couldn't get to sleep at all for fear of having those dreams. I would stay awake for hours. Sometimes I would sit in front of the fire, reading, or I would go out and fly until the sun came up.

A few days before the second Quidditch match between Hufflepuff and Gryffindor, I finally agreed to teach Draco the Leg-locker curse.

"Alright, the incantation is Locomotor Mortis, got it?" I asked as he aimed his wand at me across the nearly empty common room.

"Got it. Locomotor Mortis," He said, waving his wand. My legs snapped together and I fell over. I swore loudly as I struggled to my feet, performed the counter-curse, and collapsed into a nearby chair.

"Excellent!" Draco exclaimed, "I can't wait to try it out on someone else…"

Draco headed out of the common room and, curious, I followed him. Crabbe and Goyle followed him as well.

He went towards the library and outside of the library he passed Neville Longbottom.

"Locomotor Mortis," Draco said, waving his wand. Neville's legs sprang together and Draco laughed loudly as Neville fell over. Neville struggled to his feet and bunny hopped away.

"Look at that fat lump," Draco said to Crabbe and Goyle. I slipped away quietly back towards the common room as Draco began to gloat.

The next day Draco had pretty much forgotten his petty accomplishment as he spread around some interesting news.

"Hey, Casper, are you going to the Quidditch match tomorrow?" Draco demanded at breakfast that morning.

"I don't know, why?" I asked, alarmed at being spoken to at breakfast. No one ever spoke to me during breakfast.

"Well, Snape's going to be refereeing. There's no way Gryffindor can win," he said brightly. I glanced up at the Head table where Snape sat with the other teachers. He looked a little bit happier than usual.

"Cool. Maybe I will go," I said to Draco. He grinned and then went off to pester someone else.

That night I could fall asleep so once everyone had gone to bed I left the castle and broke into the broom shed. Instead of using my regular broom I grabbed Harry Potter's Nimbus 2000, eager to try it out. As I soared above the lake I thought, No wonder he's beat us in the first game. This broom is amazing! I happened to glance down and see a cloaked figure walking across the field. It was Snape, of course, but he wasn't walking towards the lake, he was walking in the opposite direction. I followed him, silent and invisible. Where is he going? I wondered to myself.

"If you must know, Casper, I'm going to the Quidditch field," He said, turning around. I gaped at him.

"There is no way you know I am here!" I protested.

"Ah, but I do know you're there."

"How did you know?"

"I can't tell you that. Are you going to follow me?"

"Probably."

"then at least make yourself visible so I don't feel like I'm talking to thin air."

Talking to thin air…that reminded me of my dream of Quirrel talking out loud. Dragons, he had said, what had he meant about dragons?

"Are you still there, Casper?" Snape asked, interrupting my thoughts.

"Oh, yeah. Sorry, I was thinking about something," I said quietly. I tapped myself on the head with my wand and then flew down, landing spectacularly in front of him.

"That's Potter's broomstick," Snape said, surprised.

"Well, yeah, it's a little bit better than the one I usually ride," I said with a shrug. He continued walking towards the field and I walked beside him, silent as a shadow. I noticed him observing me out of the corner of his eye.

"You haven't been sleeping at all, have you?" He asked lazily. I shook my head.

"Why not?" He asked. I hesitated. Should I tell him about my dream? It seems pretty stupid, though…but I couldn't come up with a better lie…

"Probably it's best if you don't lie," He said smoothly. I jumped, startled.

"You can read minds, can't you?" I demanded. It wasn't the first time I had suspected that, but he simply smiled at me.

"I just have an uncanny knack of guessing what people are thinking. Are you going to tell me what is keeping you from sleeping?" He asked.

"Just a stupid nightmare," I muttered, looking away.

"About what?"

"I have no idea. That's the problem. It wakes me up and for a moment or two I'm petrified which is saying a lot because I don't get scared easily, but I can never remember the dream afterwards," I said bitterly.

"So, you haven't slept because you're scared of…being scared?"

"Pretty much, yeah."

"Hmm."

He didn't say anything else until we reached the Quidditch field.

"So, are you really refereeing tomorrow?" I asked him, looking around the empty field.

"Yes," he replied simply.

"Why'd you come here tonight?"

"A change of scenery, I suppose," He said with a shrug.

"It's cold. I hope the weather gets warmer soon," I said with a sigh.

"It will. When it gets warmer you can sometimes see the giant squid resting in the shallows," He told me.

"Really? Well, in that case I hope summer hurries up."

Chapter 14

The next morning after breakfast I followed the Slytherins down to the Quidditch field. It was Gryffindor versus Hufflepuff and we were all cheering for Hufflepuff. It wasn't until the players were already in the sky that I noticed Dumbledore was in the stands. Apparently this was unusual because Draco was complaining loudly about it.

"Of course he'd come to this particular match! Make sure no one cheats. I'll just have to take matters into my own hands," Draco grumbled. I watched as he and his goonies made their way to the Gryffindor stands.

I watched the Quidditch match drowsily, and I kept drifting off. I had actually fallen asleep when I heard a deafening roar of boos from the Slytherins and cheers from the Gryffindors. Harry Potter had caught the snitch. The game was over. I watched as Harry Potter landed and Dumbledore walked out on the field. Snape landed behind them, tight-lipped and white-faced. He spat on the ground as Potter walked off the field.

I skipped supper that night, since I was feeling so tired, and went to the dormitory. I lay down on the bed for a full minute before I fell asleep. A dream started right after that…

It was Quirrel again, in a shadowy clearing, but this time he wasn't alone. Snape was with him.

"…d-don't know why you wanted t-t-to meet here of all p-places Severus…" Quirrel stammered.

"Oh, I thought we'd keep this private," said Snape icily, "Students aren't supposed to know about the Sorcerer's stone after all."

Quirrel mumbled something indistinct and Snape cut him off.

"Have you found out how to get past that beast of Hagrid's yet?"

"b-b-but Severus, I-"

"You don't want me as your enemy, Quirrel," Snape said, taking a step towards him.

"I-I don't know what you-"

"You know perfectly well what I mean."

An owl hooted loudly and I thought I heard someone. I missed a bit of the conversation.

"Very well," Snape said, cutting off whatever Quirrel was saying, "We'll have another little chat soon, when you've had time to think things over and decided where your loyalties lie."

I awoke with a start. The night was still early, maybe midnight. This dream didn't scare me, merely made me curious. I lay my head back down on the pillow and closed my eyes, thinking about what I'd heard.

"What the hell is a Sorcerer's Stone?" I muttered to myself before falling back asleep.

Over the next few days every time I saw Quirrel he looked paler and more nervous than usual. Snape also seemed tired and distracted. I wanted to ask him about the Sorcerer's Stone, but the only time I saw him was during Potions class and I wasn't going to ask him then. Finally I saw him out one night when I was flying. I landed immediately when I saw him by the lake.

"I need to ask you something," I said quickly. He jumped slightly and I realized I had startled him.

"You didn't know I was here, this time, did you?" I asked smugly.

"I wasn't paying attention. What do you want to ask me, Casper?" He asked shortly. I was surprised. His temper was close to the surface.

"Temper! Alright, I want to know- what is a Sorcerer's Stone?" I inquired. He looked up, frowning.

"What? Where-…Who told you about it?" He demanded.

"No one. I just…heard it in passing. What is it?" I asked.

"Students aren't supposed to know…I'm not sure I should tell you…" He murmured.

"I won't tell anyone," I promised.

"If you tell anyone what I'm about to tell you I'll throw you off the Astronomy tower and make it look like an accident," He threatened.

"Fine! Just tell me," I said eagerly.

"It is a legendary stone that can turn any metal into pure gold. It can also produce the Elixir of Life, that makes whoever drinks it immortal," He said to me.

"Ah, that's what the three-headed dog is guarding," I said.

"I didn't say that."

"Of course not."

"Are you going to tell me who told you about the Stone?" He demanded.

"no. Like I said, I just heard it in passing," I said with a shrug.

"Right. Well I hope your curiosity has been satisfied. And I wasn't joking about the Astronomy tower, either," He threatened, "Though I suppose I could just poison you."

"Stop threatening me, I'm not gonna tell anybody. Besides, I'm not stupid enough to drink anything you give me, Potions master," I replied defiantly. He looked as if he was going to smile, but thought better of it.

"Run along to bed and don't ask anymore suspicious questions. You have been sleeping, haven't you?" He asked me.

"Yes sir."

"Good. Exams are only a few weeks away and you need to be alert."

Chapter 15

The exams did come quickly and they were stressful even for me. The hot weather had finally come and it was sweltering hot inside the classrooms where we had our exams. For McGonagall we had to turn a mouse into a snuffbox. I did this efficiently, turning a plain white mouse into a blue and silver snuffbox. For Flitwick I had to make a pineapple tap-dance across as desk. Not hard, either. In Potions I had to make a Forgetfulness potion, which Snape told me after class I had gotten completely correct.

I had a little trouble with my written exams. I wasn't sure I got all 12 uses for dragon's blood correct because every time I thought about dragons I was reminded of my nightmares. I had to think for quite a while before I remembered the cures for a werewolf bite as well.

My nightmares had stopped as well and the end of the year was drawing closer. I was finally able to sleep well and had even stopped my nighttime wanderings. It was late one night or perhaps early one morning that I awoke to a spasm pain in my head. I was confused at first, but when I sat up and looked around the pain was gone. Perhaps it was just my imagination, I thought drowsily. I lay back down and went to sleep.

When I awoke and went down to breakfast the school was in an uproar. Students were talking wildly about something that had happened last night. I got one of the Weasley twins to sit still long enough to tell me. Professor Quirrel had tried to steal the Sorcerer's Stone last night, which was apparently hidden under the school (I already knew that, though) and he was working under orders from He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named and Harry Potter defeated him again.

"Potter's in the hospital wing," Fred said to me, "There's no telling when he'll be up for visitors but everyone has been taking him cards and candy. Dumbledore is sitting by his bedside, waiting for him to wake up."

"What time did all this happen?" I asked faintly.

"Sometime last night or early this morning," He replied with a shrug, then went off to talk to someone else. Sometime last night or early this morning…That's when I had awakened. Creepy. Definitely something I wasn't going to tell anyone.

I went down to the dungeons and found Snape sitting in the Potions classroom.

"You knew about Quirrel, didn't you?" I asked before he could say anything.

"To an extent," he replied faintly. He looked pale and tired.

"Are you alright?" I asked, frowning slightly.

"Fine. I just need some sleep, that's all," He assured me.

"Draco's said that Slytherin won the house cup. That's a cheerful thought," I said casually.

"Right. We'll see how that goes."

The end-of-year feast came more quickly that I would have liked. Potter was let out of the hospital wing to attend the feast and everyone fell quiet and stared at him when he entered. The Great Hall was decorated with the Slytherin colors of silver and green. A huge banner showing the Slytherin serpent covered the wall behind the High Table and Snape was smiling slightly. Seeing the banners made me feel slightly proud.

"Another year gone!" said Dumbledore cheerfully, "And I must trouble you with an old man's wheezing waffle before we sink our teeth into our delicious feast. What a year it has been! Hopefully your heads are all a little fuller than they were…you have the whole summer ahead to get them nice and empty before next year starts…

"Now, as I understand it, the house cup here needs awarding, and the points stand thus: In fourth place, Gryffindor, with 312 points; in thirds, Hufflepuff, with 352 points; Ravenclaw has 426 and Slytherin, 472."

I joined in my fellow Slytherin's cheering and stomping. Draco clanged him goblet against the table.

"Yes, yes, well done, Slytherin," said Dumbledore, "However, recent events must be taken into account. Ahem, I have a few last-minute points to dish out. Let me see. Yes…First- to Mr. Ronald Weasley…for the best played game of chess Hogwarts has seen in many years, I award Gryffindor house fifty points. Second- to Miss Hermione Granger…for the cool use of logic in the face of fire, I award Gryffindor house fifty points. Third- to Mr. Harry Potter…for pure nerve and outstanding courage, I award Gryfindor house sixty points."

The roar from their table was deafening. Gryffindor and Slytherin were now tied for first place. Draco looked like he was about to puke. Dumbledore raised his hand for silence.

"There are all kinds of courage. It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to your enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends. I therefore award ten points to Mr. Neville Longbottom. Which means we need a little change of decoration," Dumbledore said. He clapped his hands and the green and silver banners turned to scarlet and gold. The huge snake vanished and a Gryffindor lion took its place. I watched Snape shake hands with McGonagall, smiling as if he'd rather be force-fed rat poison. I smiled sadly before turning to the feast that had appeared on the plates in front of us.

The next day our exam results came back. I scored highest out of all the first years in Potions and in Charms. I'd done well enough in everything else. The next thing I knew trunks were packed, and we were on our way home on the Hogwarts express. Everyone changed back into Muggle clothing as we passed through the villages. I put on my jeans and my black T-shirt, knowing I was going to miss the feel of the robes.

I said farewell to a lot of the people I had met during the school year before going through the barrier between Platform 9 ¾ and the Muggle world. Amy was standing there, waiting for me, but something looked different about her. At first I thought she'd just gained a bit of weight and then I realized…

"You're pregnant!" I exclaimed, eyes wide.

"Yeah. Anthony didn't want me to tell you via a letter, he wanted to wait for you to get home," She said with a small smile, "He's really excited, though."

"Wow! A baby…how far along are you?" I asked her.

"Just 3 months. The doctor says he'll be born in December," She said, smiling.

"Cool. Where is Anthony?" I asked, looking around.

"He's at work," She said, rolling her eyes, "They're inventing some sort of new shoe at the factory that his boss thinks is going to make them all rich."

"Another one, huh?"

Anthony was always talking about how they were working on a shoe that was going to make them all rich and famous.

"Yep. Come on, Casper, let's go home," Amy said, leading me towards the car. I followed her. Now life would finally go back to normal…