My name is Emmeline Ophelia Wood. You might have heard of my oldest brother, Oliver Wood. Gryffindor, Quidditch player, 7th year at Hogwarts. Or my twin brother, Owen Wood, Ravenclaw, who, like me, is in 3rd year. He is currently fighting with Hermione Granger for top grades in our year. Perhaps you've heard of my father, Elias Wood, who heads Wood Inc. Broom Co. (not a joke). Or my mother, Ophelia Wood, nee Rosier. She was beautiful, smart and talented. People say I look like her, and I suppose I do. We have the same long, dark hair, pale, freckled complexion and bright green eyes. Unfortunately, her own twin, Evan, killed her during the War. Owen and I were only two days old. No one knows why he spared us, but we have always been able to see the Thestrals at Hogwarts.

When I was sorted into Slytherin it was the scandal of a lifetime in my family. My father wasn't sure what to think, Oliver was furious and Owen was just glad it wasn't him. Dad tried to be supportive, but I could see in his eyes that he was worried he did something wrong. I knew that I just took more after my mother's family, which wasn't a bad thing if you took all the pure blood prejudice out of it. They were smart and resourceful. They were just misguided. Something I wasn't, not that I could tell my housemates that. Most Slytherins were purists, including everyone in my year.

Third year was going to be different. We found out at the end of our second year that our father was seriously dating someone. Mid-July we found out it was Amelia Zabini. Her son, Blaise, was in my house and my year. That was something I wasn't expecting. But I refused to rock the boat. If Amelia made my father happy, I would deal with Blaise. Oliver wasn't so accepting. In fact, he didn't speak to dad again. And now we were going back to Hogwarts.

"Emmeline," Blaise called from the bottom of the stairs. "We are leaving soon."

I stared at the back of his head, confused. "I'm right here."

He whirled around, startled. "How did you get there?"

I narrowed my eyes at him. "I have been sitting here for the last two hours waiting on you guys."

"Oh. We are ready."

I nodded my head, grabbed my trunk and followed him into the kitchen.

Dad and Amelia decided to apperate us one at a time to Platform 9 3/4. Oliver and Owen went first, leaving Blaise and I alone for the first time since our parents started dating.

"When do you think he'll propose?" Blaise asked nonchalantly.

My eyes widened. "I'm not sure."

"He will though, right?"

I shrugged. "He hasn't spoken to me about it."

"They're talking about us moving in here at Christmas." I nodded. I had overheard that too. "So, we are probably going to be related."

Again, I shrugged. "Maybe."

"Aren't you worried?" He taunted. I shot him an unimpressed look. "More of me around means more Theo around."

My heart quickened and I held my breath, hoping Blaise didn't notice. He did.

He laughed. "What, you don't want Theo around?"

"Not particularly," I sneered.

Theodore Nott was the bane of my existence. At first we had gotten along great. He was smart, funny and sarcastic. He was also the most handsome boy I had ever seen. Unfortunately, even though he was still the most handsome boy I had ever seen, he was also a jerk. As soon as Marcus Flint found out I was Oliver's sister he marked me as a threat to his team, which turned most of the house against me, including Theodore. Things had calmed down since then and I made some friends, but Theodore still teased me relentlessly. Blaise and I were never really close, but he never snubbed me for being a Wood, even now.

"He's thrilled," Blaise went on gleefully. "You know he spends Christmas day with us, right? Oh, and I've been trying to convince Mother to let us have a New Years Eve party. Doesn't that sound like fun?"

Typical Blaise. Luckily, Dad arrived just then to take me to the platform.

"Have a good year, Emmy," he said, kissing my head.

"Thanks, Dad." I hugged him. "I love you. Bye Amelia, I'll see you at Christmas."

My father's beaming face was enough to let me know I had finally done something right.

Once I boarded the train I found an empty compartment and settled in, enjoying the silence. Naturally, it was too good to be true.

"Hey Emmeline, mind if we join you?" Blaise asked rhetorically as he, Draco Malfoy, Adrian Pucey, Graham Montague and, of course, Theodore Nott filed in.

"Wood," Pucey greeted. "How was your summer?"

I smiled at him. "It was alright. How about yours? Did you end up going to Spain?" Usually I didn't engage in small talk with anyone, but Pucey was one of my favorite people.

"I did," he grinned. "It's more beautiful than they say."

My eyes clouded over dreamily. Travelling was my dream. "Lucky."

He ducked his head. "Next time I'll take you with me," he whispered.

"Oi!" Blaise yelled. "Cut it out, Pucey." Everyone in the compartment stared at him. "Quit hitting on my maybe stepsister."

"Whoa," Montague chuckled. "That's new."

I shrugged. "They're talking about it."

Pucey whistled. "One more brother I have to dodge."

I stopped a snort just in time. Looking away from Adrian, I accidentally locked eyes with Theodore. His deep blue eyes were almost hidden behind his curly brown hair. They were swimming with emotions I couldn't read. I quickly looked back at Graham who was imitating my brother.

"And then Wood went crying to Madam Hooch. Jeez, I can't stand that wimp."

I didn't flinch at the insults. It was true. By Slytherin standards, Oliver was a wimp. I learned the rules of survival pretty quick in the dungeons.

"So, Theodore," Malfoy drawled. "What did you do all summer?"

The boy in question rose his head to look at us and shrugged. "I read mostly. Father and I spent some time in the country."

They nodded. Even though my family wasn't poor, we only owned one house. In Slytherin that made you drop to the bottom wrung. Theodore liked to remind me about that.

"If you're mother married Wood's father is she going to keep the townhouse? Or will Villa in Italy?" See?

Blaise didn't respond, knowing that he would be insulting my father either way.

"Tell me, Nott," I started, fed up with his attitude. "How many properties did you father have to sell off after losing your family's business?"

"Ouch," Pucey hissed. "Low blow."

I knew it was. "Keep my family out of your mouth Nott. I'm sick of having to hear your scratchy voice all the time."

His face contorted in anger. "You need to learn to shut your mouth, Wood."

"You first," I growled.

"Wait," Montague broke in. "I just insulted Oliver and you didn't say anything."

"That's quidditch," I said. Rule number 7: Quidditch is always separate matters. "Nott was insulting my father."

I felt Pucey shift beside me. He settled his arm over my shoulder, blocking Nott from my view. "Let's just enjoy the rest of the ride."

I could tell they didn't like the jab I threw at Theodore, but they respected that I knew when to stand up and when to keep my mouth shut. I made myself comfortable in Adrian's embrace and stared out the window for most of the ride.

"Jeez, Pucey," Malfoy sneered sarcastically. "Why don't you just ask her out?"

Adrian smirked at him, then turned his gaze slightly. Somehow, I knew he was looking at Theodore. "Good idea. Emmeline, want to go to Hogsmeade with me first chance?"

I wasn't sure if he was serious, or just pissing the others off. "Sure," I said, smiling up at him.

I jumped and swiveled around when the compartment door violently slammed shut. I noticed Blaise and Draco exchanging a glance and Theodore was nowhere to be found.