DISCLAIMER: All the characters you see here that are in any of the Harry Potter books belong to JK Rowling and I am not her. I am simply taking them out to play.

Summary: Mallory Crabbe, younger sister of Vincent Crabbe, is in her sixth year at Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. With her brother gone the school is hers to rule. Her only problem is a group of four, fifth year Gryffindor boys who like to pick fights with her only true friend Severus Snape. Or so she thinks. Find out what happens as Mallory's world gets rocked and she finally realizes who her true friends and family are.

Chapter 1: Hogwarts Express

Mallory Crabbe sat silently in the compartment of the scarlet steam engine train, her nose buried deep in a book, as usual. She was alone and that was the way she wanted it, though it was far from quiet. She could hear shouts of laughter from outside the train as her fellow Hogwarts bound classmates greeted one another after a long summer. This was coupled with worried parent's shouts and upset younger sibling's whines that weren't old enough to come to Hogwarts just yet. She tried to block all of this out as she read. Her parents had dropped her off at the station and left almost immediately. They despised being around muggles, she knew that, but that didn't mean it didn't make her a little angry that her parents did not even hug her goodbye. But what was she expecting? They weren't exactly the most loving of parents anyone could hope for. Far from it actually; sometimes Mallory wondered if her parents liked her let alone loved her.

The compartment door slid open derailing her train of thought. She looked up from the book she wasn't really reading spitefully.

"Are these seats taken?" Asked a small timid-looking girl in the door way.

"Yes!" Mallory spat angrily, "and if you don't go away right now I'll hex you into next week!" She made to pull out her wand and the girl let out a faint squeal before closing the compartment door promptly.

Mallory was preserving this compartment for her friends- if you could call them that- whenever they decided to show up. Even if she wasn't, she would never allow anyone but a fellow Slytherin to sit anywhere near her and that girl did not look like a Slytherin and she certainly did not act like one. She glanced back down at her book only to be interrupted by the compartment door opening again. This time she did pull out her wand and looked up, ready to curse whoever darkened her doorstep. She relaxed however at the familiar face of none other then Robert Avery, someone she was waiting for.

"You're lucky I looked up before I cursed you," she said maliciously.

"More like you're lucky," he shot back, "you know I'd beat you at a duel any day."

"In your dreams," she replied half smiling. She returned to her book while Robert pulled his trunk into the room and threw it into the luggage rack.

"How was your summer then?" He asked plunking down in a seat across from her.

"Fine," she said dully, "yours?"

"As best as can be expected," she looked up and realized he was staring at her.

"What?" She asked.

"Nothing," he looked away as she returned to her book. "Where is everyone else?" He asked after a moment.

"I don't know," she replied, "I thought they would be with you."

"No, I haven't seen anyone but-" he was interrupted by the compartment door opening again. This time it was Severus Snape on the other side. She actually smiled when she saw him. He was one of the only reasons her summer wasn't entirely unbearable.

"Avery," he said curtly. Avery nodded and Snape turned and pulled his trunk into the compartment also stowing it on the luggage rack. They had never really gotten along, Avery and Snape, even though they shared a dorm room.

"Mallory," he said with a faint smile.

"Severus," she replied. He sat down next to her.

"How was your summer?"

She knew he was only asking because this was the question one asked on September 1st. Every year, it didn't matter if you wanted to know the answer or not, everyone asked how everyone else's summer went. For someone who never seemed to conform to what others wanted, Mallory often wondered why he continued to ask every year. The train's last whistle blew and they felt it begin to move.

"Fine," she said with the same dullness she had when answering Robert. He knew perfectly well how her summer was. They had owled each other quite often. "How was yours?" He simply shrugged but did not reply.

"How's your brother?" Avery asked to fill in the silent moment left by Severus. Mallory looked up at him. She nearly forgot he was sitting there.

"He's doing well," she replied vaguely. She was saved from having to explain further by the compartment door opening to produce her dorm mate Darcy Dolohov, followed closely by Bellatrix Black.

"Oi!" Avery shot out of his seat as though it were one fire, "let me help you!" He walked over and pulled Darcy's trunk into the room. Mallory had to smile. She always knew Avery fancied Darcy.

"Move Snape!" Darcy ordered Snape to move over so she could sit next to Mallory. Snape obliged without saying a word, but giving Darcy a very malevolent look. Darcy settled down in between them.

"Have a good summer Darcy?" Avery asked sitting down next to Bellatrix who was sitting in his original seat after stowing her own trunk.

Darcy surveyed Avery for a moment, "fine," she responded simply, "where is Sophia?" No one answered, they didn't seem to know.

Bellatrix sighed loudly. "Last I saw, she was snogging Rookwood."

All eyes turned to her.

"Rookwood?" Darcy repeated. "When did that happen?"

"Do I look like I know or care?" Bellatrix shouted angrily, "I am simply telling you what I saw." The door slid open again much to Mallory's relief. She grimaced however when she saw a tall boy with dark black hair and dark eyes in the doorway.

"What do you want Black?" Avery barked.
"Nothing to do with you," Regulus shot back but entered the compartment anyway.

"Can't find any of your own friends to bother little cousin?" taunted Bellatrix.

"No, I thought I would torture you with my presence first," he turned his back on Bellatrix and smiled at Mallory. "I simply came here to say hello," he smiled a dazzling grin at her. She sneered at him in return.

"Sod off," she replied. It was no secret that Regulus had a giant crush on Mallory. She had known for years, but he was never this forward with her. That was probably because her stupid oaf of an older brother finally left Hogwarts the previous year.

"You heard her," Darcy said pulling out her wand, "sod off." He raised both of his hands in surrender and backed toward the door.

"I don't want a fight," he said once at the door.

"Then go away!" Snape spat. He pulled his wand out also.

"I thought you lot would be a bit nicer to me this year," he said.

"You were gravely mistaken," said Bellatrix.

"You have until the count of three to get out of here or every one of us is going to curse you," said Avery through clenched teeth.

"I'm going," said Regulus at the same time Darcy counted.

"One," he opened the door and slipped out, but not before winking at Mallory.

"I hate that little prat!" She shouted.

"He is too much like his brother," said Darcy.

"Don't you dare mention that blood traitor in my presence!" Bellatrix shouted as she jumped from her seat. She stared menacingly at Darcy before stalking from the compartment and slamming the door so hard a pane of glass fell to the floor and shattered. Avery fixed it easily and everyone stared at each other in silence.

"Is it just me," said Darcy slowly, "or is Bella being a bit more moody today?"

"She seems normal to me," said Mallory, "maybe you're just not used to being around her."

They all shrugged. The compartment door opened again and Mallory wondered who it could possibly be this time. Her question was answered when she looked up and saw a messy-haired, pink cheeked, girl. She didn't say a word to anyone she just tugged on her trunk.

"Avery help her!" commanded Darcy. Avery got up and took over getting Sophia's trunk into the compartment. Sophia sat down in Bellatrix's seat and let out a deep sigh.

"Where's Rookwood?" Darcy teased after a moment of surveying her. Sophia looked up at her sharply.

"I don't know what you're talking about," she said calmly.

"Bella saw you," Mallory informed her other dorm mate.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Sophia repeated without as much as a hint of lying on her face. She always was good at it. "Where is Bella?"

"Don't change the subject," Darcy snapped.

"I'm not," Sophia glared at Darcy, "I was simply asking where Bella is."

"Where have you been then?" Darcy asked ignoring Sophia's question. Mallory suddenly felt uncomfortable. She looked over at Snape and Avery. Both were looking between the girls with questionable looks on their faces. They could obviously sense the danger also.

"I was visiting," said Sophia not missing a beat.

"Who with?" Darcy countered.

"I do not have to explain myself to you, Darcy Dolohov!" Sophia shot back. "You are not my mother."

"Lucky me," Darcy sneered. In a flash Sophia pulled out her wand and so did Snape and Avery.

"Put that away," Snape said sternly.

"You take that back!" Sophia was now looking murderous. Everyone knew her family was a very touchy subject.

Darcy simply sneered. "I will not," she replied, folding her arms across her chest defiantly.

"Put it away," repeated Snape. "Or I will take it from you."

"Just try," she snapped at him.

"Don't tempt me." His eyes flashed dangerously. Everyone in the compartment knew that Snape was the most skilled of any of them, as much as they hated to admit it. Even though Mallory was a year older, she was no match for him. He knew more dark arts then any of them and he wasn't afraid to use it as he demonstrated countless times against Potter and Black. Sophia lowered her wand and replaced it in a pocket of her robe. She glared at Darcy until Mallory stood and made her way to the door.

"Where are you going?" Snape inquired.

"The bathroom," she responded, "perhaps you've heard of it." She left, closing the door behind her and made her way to the end of the train where the loo was. When she opened the door, she heard giggling, something she despised about girls, and knew there were probably no other Slytherins inside. She didn't really have to use the toilet she just wanted to get out of that compartment. It had been nearly 3 months since she had to endure the tension that surrounded a group of Slytherins and she wasn't used to it just yet. It always took a few days to readjust. She stepped inside and made her way to the small sinks. She stopped however when she saw who else was in the room. She nearly made to turn around but decided that would be a very un-Slytherin thing to do so she walked over defiantly. Two pairs of eyes stared at her as she turned the sink on and began to wash her hands.

"Hi Mallory," said a voice hesitantly. It was none other than Lily Evans.

"Evans," Mallory replied icily. She turned the water off and used a towel to dry her hands. Both girls stared at her. Lily seemed to have pain in her eyes, Emily Hart looked angry.

"What? Can't address me?" Emily shouted irritably. Mallory simply pretended not to hear her as she turned around to leave. She knew this would completely unnerve her. The door to the loo opened suddenly and Mallory came face to face with Bellatrix Black. Great, she thought to herself, Bella's already in a bad mood. Black's eyes widened and her face twisted into a purely evil smile as she looked from Evans to Hart.

"Well, well, well," she said in a nasty tone while rubbing her hands together. "What do we have here?"

"Come on Bella," Mallory muttered, "let's just go."

"Go?" Bellatrix gave her a bewildered look, "I just got here." She pushed past Mallory and walked toward Evans and Hart. Both of whom regarded her with equal amounts of hatred in their eyes. "It seems we have a blood-traitor" she nodded at Emily "and her faithful mud-blood all alone." Bellatrix looked back at Mallory, "What ever shall we do?" Mallory rolled her eyes.

"I'm leaving," she replied turning around once again.

"You are not!" Bellatrix shouted, fire shooting through her dark eyes. Again, the door opened and this time it was Alice Brown. Mallory hid her gratefulness well and glared at the Head Girl.

"What's going on in here?" Alice demanded staring around the now much too crowed room.

"Nothing," Bellatrix replied sweetly and went into a stall. Alice stared at Mallory who stared right back. What was Bellatrix playing at? She always proclaimed to hate Alice Brown and there she was cowering in a stall?

"What's going on in here?" Alice repeated herself. Mallory stared back at her, her arms pulled across her chest defiantly.

"Nothing that concerns you Brown," she finally spat.

"You will watch your tone Crabbe," Alice reprimanded, "or you will find yourself in detention."

"Detention?" Mallory mocked horror, "I'm really scared now." Then she shoved roughly past Alice and left the loo. She was absolutely fuming by the time she returned to the compartment. Who did Alice think she was threatening Mallory like that? The stupid – filthy – blood traitor had absolutely no right to say her name let alone threaten her. She opened the door abruptly, stomped across the room, and threw herself into the seat next to Darcy by the window.

"What's with you?" Darcy demanded.

"None of your business!" Mallory spat back, picking her book up off the floor and burying her nose in it. For the rest of the trip no one said a word to her and she was grateful.

It was a windy cool night when Mallory finally stepped off the Hogwarts Express and onto the Platform. As much as she hated to admit it, she felt much more at home at Hogwarts then she did at her own house. She slowly made her way to the threstal drawn carriages and climbed in the closest one. Soon the door opened and Snape, Avery and Sophia piled in. The carriage took off.

"Where's Darcy?" Mallory asked.

"Since when do you care?" Snape returned.

"Are you trying to pick a fight with me Snape? Do you want me to curse you right now?" Mallory only called Severus, Snape, when she was truly angry. He sensed this as his moment to back off.

"No," he replied with a bit of annoyance, "she was with Bellatrix on the platform last I saw." The carriages stopped a few minutes later and they piled out. It was a clear night out and the stars were shining brightly in the sky. They looked so much clearer away from any muggle cities that used electricity - or whatever they called it – which made the stars less visible.

"Stop staring at the sky," Sophia whispered harshly, "you look like a stupid muggle." Mallory's thoughts immediately returned to the earth as Sophia pulled her towards the castle leaving Snape and Avery behind. Mallory scowled as she followed her friend up the stairs and into the castle, weaving in and out of the younger students.

Once inside the Great Hall they walked straight to the Slytherin table and sat down. She at least felt a little more comfortable here then on the train. She groaned as Regulus Black bounded over and took a seat right next to Mallory. Were her friends setting her up for this? Why hadn't they come quicker?

"Mallory," Regulus smiled.

"I have told you a million times Black," she shouted, "If you must address me call me Crabbe! The next time you call me by my first name I will hex you into next week!" His smile brightened more.

"It doesn't suite you," he replied.

"Get away from me!" She wanted desperately to pull out her wand and hex him into oblivion right then but she knew there were far too many teachers watching. How she wished she had done it when she had the chance on the train.

"Hey Snivellus!" That was Mallory's clue that Snape had entered the hall. She looked up to see him stalking toward her positively glowering. "Take a bath today?" James Potter's voice carried over the hall as he taunted.

"Can't have," shouted Sirius Black, "his hair is entirely too greasy!" Regulus let out a low growl as he glared at his older brother.

"What's it been a month then?" taunted Potter.

"More like a year!" Then they both dissolved into fits of laughter along with several other people in the hall.

"You just wait," said Severus in a murderous tone, "just wait." He sat down across from Mallory then looked abruptly up at Regulus.

"I thought I told you to go away!" He shouted, pulling out his wand. Regulus glared at Snape for a moment, regarded his wand, then rose from the table and found a seat further down. Mallory looked at Snape appreciatively. At that moment Bellatrix and Darcy sat down at the table. Darcy sat next to Mallory where Regulus had been and Bellatrix across from her, both had horrible smiles on their faces.

"Where were you?" Snape asked moodily while staring at Darcy. Avery and Sophia both looked down the table at Bellatrix and Darcy.

"None of your business," snapped Darcy.

"Bellatrix," said Rodolphus Lestrange as he took a seat next to her.

"Rodolphus," she replied in a clam tone. Mallory glanced at Snape, but he shrugged his shoulders. Bellatrix rarely called anyone by their first name. Why on earth was he sitting with them? Then Evan Rosier walked over and sat on the other side of Snape.

"Rosier," Mallory said while regarding him for a moment. He had grown a few inches over the summer, finally filing into his body. He had gotten a bit of a tan as well. While Mallory had never considered him ugly, he was never cute. But today, seeing him for the first time in a few months, she would have to say that he looked good.

"Mallory," he replied, his voice was deeper then she remembered. He had always called her Mallory. He had been friends with her older brother for years.

"How was your summer?" She asked.

"Fine," that was everyone's response. Virtually no one in Slytherin had anything other then a 'fine' summer. "Yours?"

"Same," the doors to the Great Hall opened and Mallory turned her gaze to watch Professor McGonagall walk in holding a stool in one hand and the sorting hat in the other, followed by a long line of timid looking first years. Mallory wondered, with a smirk, how many would end up in Slytherin this year.

"Fresh meat," said Bellatrix excitedly as she observed them. Mallory never paid attention during the sorting ceremony. As soon as professor McGonagall set the hat on the stool she turned to Darcy.

"Where were you earlier with Bella?" She whispered in Darcy's ear. Darcy gave her a wicked smile.

"Teaching Alice Brown a lesson," she whispered. Mallory glanced at her quizzically.

"What do you mean?" No one else in the hall seemed to notice their quiet conversation.

"Well Bella told me how you were interrupted while having some fun with Evans and Hart and I couldn't allow Brown to insult you and not pay for it." Mallory smiled wickedly too.

"What did you do?" Malloy asked but before Darcy could answer there was a loud shout of cheers from the Ravenclaw table.

"I'll tell you later," Darcy said quietly in Mallory's ear.

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Preview of Chapter 2:

"You are the densest person I have ever met, including my brother." He regarded her for a moment with a confused look on his face. "I only sent you to the dormitories to get you away from me. I knew Snape wasn't-" she was interrupted again and felt her face grown warm with rage. Was she ever going to be able to finish one conversation without someone interrupting her?

"Hey Crabbe, where's your boyfriend?" James Potter's voice filled the hall. She turned on him in a flash and threw him an evil glare.

"Where's yours?" she retorted

"What is that supposed to mean?" He stomped down the last few steps and stood in front of her.

"The boy who never leaves your side. What's his name? Pettigrew? Aren't you two dating?" Potter's eyes narrowed.

"I don't like what you're insinuating," he said through clenched teeth.