Prologue
She had entered unnoticed after the first year sorting. The girl listened to the new Headmistress start her beginning of the year speech. McGonagall expressed her sorrow about Dumbledore's loss but it fell on deaf ears, the consensus of the student's was- Do not bring it up, just act as if it didn't happen. One day, the pensive girl hoped the school could celebrate his life rather than mourn Dumbledore's death. She certainly did, but she observed that the air weighed heavily with denial. The Headmistress also reminded the students the basics: off-limits Forbidden Forests… etc. McGonagall pressed her hands together for a last word before the feast, "Limitations live only in our minds. But if we use our imaginations, our possibilities become limitless." With a short clap, steaming morsels of a variety of tastes appeared at the student's disposal.
The unknown girl let herself gaze over the room at the bustling of students greeting each other, talking over their food. Everyone seemed so genuine in his or her embraces and welcoming smiles but she felt no warmth from them. After all of last year's events, it was bittersweet salutations. She was a stranger in already set cliques, she noted, probably more bonded since the end of the war that took place over the summer.
The Great Hall was almost overwhelming to the petite girl, never had she seen such a magnificent place. She looked at the four grand tables and picked one at random to dine. She sat at the end oddly with many pairs of eyes taking turns leering her way. She slowly stuck out a hand, not bringing her eyes from her golden plate, shyness apparent, to reach for a roll that lay on top of a mountain of yeast. The sudden contact of flesh made her redraw and quickly shoot a look of disdain across the table.
He did not mind her hateful look. Actually, he marveled in it. He saw her unusual lilac eyes framed by her think fringe of lashes. They oddly comforted him as if saying, "Please be my friend. I'm scared." Her eyes softened as she watched him pick up the roll she had been trying to obtain and offer it to her, as you would a bone to a skittish puppy. She slowly took the bread from his hand and charily took a bite. He gave her a small smile and behind her roll, he swore she smiled too.