(( This is my very first Harry Potter story, and the first story that I have up on the internet, period. So...please read and review so I know what I'm doind right and wrong. Thanks!))

Chapter 1: Old Memories

Impenetrable darkness slowly faded into vision as fourteen year old Exonya Idriss opened her eyes. The sight of her familiar disheveled room greeted her as she slowly rose, the sound of her blaring alarm clock meeting her ears. Half asleep, she reached through the darkness to slam a hand upon the top of the screaming clock. By mere luck, she managed to hit the snooze button and mercifully, the clock ceased its infernal wailing.

Yawning, she moved her gaze over to find the blocky numbers of the alarm clock. The glowing red digits blinked at her...five 'o clock AM. She turned her gaze away and shook her head, her body falling back down to rest against her soft bed again before she could even think about it. God. Why does school have to start so early? No sooner had her head hit the pillow than she heard her mother's voice, calling her from downstairs. Exonya sighed, reluctant to leave the security of her covers. The voice of her mother was more annoying than the wailing of the alarm clock. She almost wished that she hadn't shut the damn thing off. Then it came again.

"Exonya Ranae Idriss! If you don't get down here in the next ten minutes, you're going to miss the bus!"

Exonya sighed, lifting herself out of bed. She rubbed her temple and called back to her mother, her voice stuffy and soft with sleep.

"Fine mother ! I'm coming ! You don't have to scream at me !"

†

I shot upward, my skin slick with sweat. I was breathing hard and hot tears were trickling down my face. Trembling, I passed my gaze over my current surroundings. There were rows and rows of four poster beds, most of their canopies closed and their occupants sound asleep. There was one in which the silk crimson cloth was wide open, the bed neatly made and completely empty. I knew who the usual occupant of this particular bed was...Hermione Granger.

Finally convinced that what was around me was real, I laid back down in my bed, not bothering, as I hadn't the night before, to draw together the canopy of my bed. At the moment, there was too much on my mind as I stared up at the crimson cloth above my head. I had another nightmare. Sure, they were peaceful enough, but I still considered the foul dreams nightmares. They were of my late mother and coming more and more frequently. I hated them with a passion. They never failed to inspire a reaction in my emotions.

As I stared up at the ceiling of my bed, my mind raced; the visions of the dream still fresh in my mind. Soon, I came to the realization that sleep wouldn't come, and lifted myself out of bed. Moving the covers aside, I stood, stepping free of their restraining grip. Walking over to my bedside table, I flipped on a small lamp and stared ahead as my reflection appeared in a mirror before me.

I hated the way that I looked, with dull brown hair that was slightly disheveled from sleep and a pale, freckled face pocked with pimples. The only thing about my face that I liked was my bright green eyes, which were now squinting back at me. Sighing and reaching down to the table, I picked up my glasses and slipped them over my eyes. The face in the mirror was even clearer now, to my distress, and I turned away, flipping the light off as I did.

Sighing, I walked away, wiping the wet tears out of my eyes as I moved towards the stairway. Even more than I hated my face, I hated my body. My skin was pale and freckled...not as much as my face, but freckled all the same, and I was chubby...more than chubby. I'm fat...fat and ugly, I thought miserably to myself as I descended the stairs. In all of my fourteen years, I had never had a boyfriend and no guys had ever shown interest in me. To most of them, I was just the fat girl who never spoke during class. I hated this distinction, but never said a word about it. I was deathly afraid of rejection and didn't speak to many people.

I barely noticed as I made my way across the common room to come to rest at a couch in front of the fireplace. The fire, was always kept roaring; it greeted me pleasantly as I sank down into the crimson velvet of the soft couch. I pulled my knees to my chest, staring blankly into the bright flames, which leaped and danced as if they didn't have a care in the world. I wished that my life was like that, but after the death of my mother, something broke inside. I lived at a foster home until my summons to Hogwarts came on my eleventh birthday. When I finally got to the school, I was amazed. I had always wished something like it existed somewhere, but people kept telling me to keep my head out of the clouds and concentrate on my work, but I couldn't. I had spent three full years at the school and no more than a handful of students in the entire school even knew or acknowledged my existence...and one of those broke me out of my thoughts now.

"Can't sleep either?" I moved my gaze over. Hermione Granger sat at the other end of the couch, her legs curled at her side. The other girl's hair was as neat (if you could really call Hermione's hair neat) and her clothing was unwrinkled. I doubted if Hermione had slept at all that night. I turned to gaze demurely into the fire, thoughts of my mother still fresh in my mind. I couldn't tell Hermione the truth. I didn't want any of my fellow Gryffindors thinking any less of me than they already do. I turned back to Hermione.

"I just have a lot on my mind. What's your excuse? I thought that you of all people would relish the beginning of the term."

Hermione gave a little chuckle, glancing at the fire just as I had, though she was silent for a little longer, and the small chuckle that had produced a grin in the girl, faded. Finally, she turned back, tears threatening to overcome her chocolate colored orbs. "Have you ever loved someone, but you were with someone else, and you didn't want to hurt him?"

I thought on her words, my own head spinning. Love. The word echoed through my mind almost every day, but I never dreamed of ever feeling that way about someone one day. I wasn't attractive enough for anyone to really care for. I stared down at the floor, my thoughts as thick as molasses in my mind. I shook my head slowly, looking back up at the other girl. "I really wish I could say so, but no...I-I-I've never really even had a boyfriend in my life."

As Hermione listened, I thought that I detected a hint of sympathy in her chocolate brown gaze, but it was only a flicker and it was gone after I blinked. Hermione bit her lip, turning back; her gaze found the roaring fire once again. "I'm not sure what I'm feeling...I love someone, though I'm not sure that he feels exactly the same way about me. Even if he did, I couldn't pursue a relationship. Technically, I'm dating Draco, and I really don't want to hurt him." Practically everyone in Hogwarts knew that Hermione Granger was dating Draco Malfoy, the platinum blonde haired bully from Slytherin. Towards the end of last year, Draco liked nothing more than making Hermione's life a living hell, but lately, he had been able to look past her "mudblood" heritage to his true feelings.

I really couldn't relate with Hermione's predicament, but I knew how to give advice. I gazed at Hermione, as if gauging her, and maybe I was. I spoke, my voice low and even; I didn't want her to reject my words. "Why don't you talk to Draco? I'm sure that it would hurt him a lot more to know that you aren't happy with being with him; probably even more angry that you believe you'd be happier with someone else. Its not fair to Draco to keep him believing that you are committed to him and unfair to you to be with someone whom you don't really love."

Hermione nodded, still not looking at me. She closed her eyes, leaning back in the couch. Her body sank into the soft velvet, and, for a long time, her eyes remained closed. After a full five minutes, she opened her eyes again and looked at me. As she did, there was a little happiness in her eyes, and tears were no longer visible. She spoke, her voice soft. "Thank you for talking with me. You know...It's hard to find someone to just listen to you, and even harder to find someone to tell you what to do when you don't know what to do," She tilted her head to the side now, "I've noticed you around before, but I don't know your name. I'm Hermione Granger."

I smiled softly, turning my gaze from her face to the floor. I looked up. "I know your name...in fact, I know most of the Gryffindor's names', though I doubt that anyone save the prefects and the head girl and boy know mine. I'm Exonya...Exonya Idriss."

"I like your name." At present, Hermione stood, fixing her gaze on me once more. "You've made me feel a lot better, Exonya. I think that I may be able to get some sleep now. Fancy coming with me? I'd say we could both get a little sleep."

I knew that I still wouldn't be able to sleep. I may have aided Hermione with her problem, but I still hadn't resolved mine. I still couldn't think of anything but my mother and how I hated myself so. I shook my head, my brown tresses waving with the movement. "No, I'm not really tired at the moment. I think I'll stay down here a little longer. Thanks for asking though."

Hermione frowned a bit, looking at me as if she didn't want to leave me out here by myself, but soon, she smiled and nodded. "Okay. Don't stay up too long. I know how much worrying about one thing can take a toll on you, especially if you don't sleep." She turned and disappeared upstairs. I stared at the darkness leading toward the dormitory for a little while, then I sank back into the couch, fresh tears creeping down my face. I didn't think that my life would ever get better.

†

"All attempts at separating them have failed, Lucius. I think that we should bring the boy here to face you himself."

Lucius Malfoy was seated in the corner, enshrouded in darkness. Only half of his face and his steely gray eyes were visible through the darkness, glancing up at the one speaking now. His eyes were momentarily filled with anger towards the man, a short, stately wizard with balding red hair and a strange glint always present in his pale blue gaze.

"That 'boy' is my son, Finney...don't refer to him in such a dismissive tone." Lucius snarled, causing Mallow Finney to cringe back from the angry words, as if each one were a drop of venom. Soon, however, Lucius' tone calmed slightly, and his anger towards Finney faded. "No. I don't want him to know that I'm behind his separation from the mudblood. I know a way to accomplish it without me getting involved directly. Go back to the school...find this girl...manipulate her thoughts. Get her to trust you."

He waved his wand in the air. A thin silver glow flowed from the tip. With a wicked grin on his pale face, he scribbled a name in the air, the light coming from the tip of it to form elegant letters in front of him.

...Exonya Ranae Idriss...

†

Draco Malfoy hadn't had a very good morning. No one had bothered to awaken him on time this morning, so he had been late for Transfiguration, which had gotten him detention with Professor McGonagall. He cursed his luck - if it had been Snape's class, then he would have gotten off easily, not even a slap on the wrist.

Now he was walking back from class and he had much on his mind. Usually he would have walked to class with Hermione, but as he has awoken late, he was on his way to their meeting spot to see if his girlfriend was there. He slowed down as he left the castle. The bright sunlight reflecting off of the still lake nearly blinded him, and he had to pause for a bit to adjust his eyes.

His eyes scanned the open courtyard, and finally, his eyes found the familiar face of Hermione. As soon as he laid his steely gray orbs upon her face, all of his worries seemed to float away. She was so graceful and beautiful. Finally, he realized that she was talking to someone. His eyes darted to the other girl.

She wasn't very tall, and was a bit fat. Her school robes proved that she was in Gryffindor with Hermione. His eyes traveled to her face. She wasn't especially attractive, with a round, pale face and not a very clear complexion. The thing about her that she noticed the most were her bright green eyes, which were now peering over at him through thin glasses.

Draco blushed violently as the girl noticed him staring at her and he jerked his eyes away, returning to the face of his girlfriend. Apparently, the girl hadn't told Hermione that he had been there for a while, because Hermione was just now noticing him. A large grin came upon her face and she motioned him over, her books balanced in one arm. Draco grinned back and made his way through the throng of people towards Hermione.

Finally close to her, he swept her up in his arms, knocking her books to the ground and pressing his lips to hers in a passionate kiss, ignoring the girl, who was now looking at him with a slight smirk on her face. Hermione giggled into his mouth and pulled away, pushing her hands on his chest. "Not now...Draco. I want to introduce you to someone."

As soon as they were apart a bit, her hand traveled up to play with the platinum locks of his hair and the other hand went over to intertwine with his. Dislodging her hand from his hair, she turned back to the girl. Draco saw that she looked a little uncomfortable, like she was about to bolt at any moment. Hermione smiled and nodded to the girl.

"Draco...this is Exonya Idriss. Exonya, this is my boyfriend...Draco Malfoy."

"Well met." Exonya greeted Malfoy softly, nodding her head a bit. Draco thought he could see a bit of a blush in her pale cheeks, but he wasn't sure. Oh well...is shouldn't matter to me. Even if I wasn't with Hermione; I wouldn't give someone like her a second glance.

Draco nodded curtly back to Exonya, then pulled his hand out of Hermione's, wrapping his arms around her waist. He leaned over and kissed her neck. Then with a slight shriek from Hermione, he raised her up off the ground and slung her over his shoulder, with her laughing about it the entire time. "Draco Malfoy! Put me down...now!"

Draco did, wrapping his hand in hers. Draco nodded again formally to Exonya. "Well, Miss Idriss, if you'll excuse me, I think I'll steal your friend away for a bit."

Exonya nodded, then grabbed Hermione's arm, pulling her closer and whispering something into her ear. Hermione's happy grin faded suddenly and she nodded grimly, then she turned and Exonya let her arm go. She pulled at Draco's hand.

"Let's go Draco." Her voice was soft, and he couldn't detect any happiness at all. He glanced at Exonya and noticed that she held a similar expression. He frowned a bit but followed Hermione.

†

After my encounter with Draco and Hermione, I made my way back up to the Gryffindor common room, and ran into none other than Harry Potter. He came walking down the stairway as I was coming in. We both had a lot on out minds and he didn't notice me until we crashed into each other. I fell backwards and he offered a hand to help me up. I took it gratefully and brushed off my robes. I wasn't mad at Harry. I knew that the sixteen year old had a lot on his mind. Harry was a little distracted, but he smiled to me.

"Are you okay, Exonya?" His voice held genuine concern, but I could tell that he had other things on his mind, other things that were bothering him.

I nodded lightly, a little surprised that he knew my name, but then again, Harry had been the nicest guy that I knew, and when I thought about it, it wasn't that surprising at all. I didn't have time to think about this, however, for Harry wasn't finished. "Have you seen Ron or Hermione anywhere? Ron was gone when I woke up and I haven't seen Hermione all day."

I tilted my head to the side, then nodded, motion the way that I had just come. "Yeah...I saw her outside a few minutes ago with Draco."

Harry's eyes widened lightly, and his face colored a bit. I couldn't tell if he was blushing or if it was red with anger. Everyone knew that Harry had fancied Hermione...everyone but Hermione of course. She probably did when they were younger, and on some level, she probably still did, but when Harry never asked her out, Hermione took up Draco's offer, which caught her by surprise, and Harry even more. For a while after Hermione and Draco started going out, Harry waited. At first he was protective of his long time friend. He thought that Draco had some scheme lined up and the relationship wouldn't last very long, but when it showed signs of lasting longer than anyone thought it would, Harry accepted the fact and took up Cho Chang's offer. The two had been going out ever since. Everyone knew that Harry still liked Hermione a little bit, but Cho made him happy all the same.

Now he nodded a bit and turned around, and I turned around to. We backed away from each other. "Thanks Exonya." Then he turned and ran the way I had come. After a slight chuckle, I turned back around and made my way to the Fat Lady portrait that concealed the entrance to the Gryffindor wing of Hogwarts. I stopped at the portrait. The fat lady glanced down at me and sniffed, her prissy voice probably bit louder than she had intended.

"Password please."

I laughed lightly. Her voice sounded so funny...I answered the fat lady without hesitation.

"Buttermuffins."

The portrait swung open with a screech and the hole to the Gryffindor commons was revealed. I crawled inside and the picture slammed shut again. Sighing, I considered sitting in front of the fire again, but Fred and George Weasley were sitting with Seamus Finnigan and Neville Longbottom, showing off a few off new products for their future joke shop. There was a strange popping a fizzling going on and I wasn't exactly sure that I really wanted to know what the twins were testing out today. So, stepping over a younger girl, I made my way up towards the dormitory.

Surprisingly, there was no one upstairs as I made my way over to the bed; sighing lightly, I plopped myself onto the bed, gazing about in the dark when a voice sounded from behind me.

"Exonya Idriss?"

I immediately jumped up and whipped around, my wand instantly in my hand. I backed away. There was a man enshrouded in darkness beside my bed. He wasn't very tall, with a grey tweed suit and a vicious glint in pale blue eyes.

"This is the girl's dormitory!" I nearly shouted the words, my wand poised in the air. For some reason, I was too alarmed that there was a male in the girl's dormitory to let the fact sink in that the particular male in question wasn't a student at all, but a full grown man.

"Put your wand down, Exonya! I have a proposition for you." The man's voice was sincere, but I wasn't about to trust a total stranger who just snuck into my bedroom one night.

"Who are you?" I kept my wand up and ready in case the man tried anything.

He sighed lightly, lifting his hands in submission. "Mallow Finney. I've come to make you a proposition. I know how you feel about yourself and how you long for someone who will care for you."

As the man started listing off my deepest thoughts, I lowered the wand, more and more unsure about myself. "How did you know all of that?"

"I have my ways..." He sounded slightly exasperated. "...as I was saying, Miss Idriss. I think that my colleague and I can solve your problems...make you someone worth remembering...someone that everyone would want to be around."

I nearly dropped my wand. I have always wished that I could be remembered as someone other than 'that fat girl', and maybe that would come true today. In my weakness, I gave in. "How?"

"Just with a little magic." He pulled a wand out from under his robes. It was black and a little crooked at the end, but vicious red sparks fountained from the tip of it.

As soon as I saw the sparks, I took a step backwards, my wand raised once again. Mallow frowned, his face looking disgusted. His voice though, was low and even as he took a step away from me, lowering his wand. "Do you want this or not?"

"There are so many questions that I should be asking you!" I fumed "Will it hurt? What are you going to do? Why me? Do I have to pay you back?"

He sighed, lifting his wand and looking at it closely for a second before returning his steely blue gaze back to me. There was an almost genial smile on his face now. "I knew that you would have questions...I wouldn't expect anything less. All I ask right now is that you trust me."

I gazed steadily at him. I didn't want to trust him, and deep down I knew that I shouldn't, but my desire to be like everyone else was just too great. My body sagged as I lowered my wand and slowly nodded. "Okay."

"Excellent. You won't regret your cooperation, Miss Idriss." He took a step forward. I didn't want to see the malicious grin upon his face, so I kept my eyes lowered.

I felt a slight wave of air as the man raised his want over my head, then my skin tingled as sparks rained down over my entire body. Suddenly, I nearly gasped as my entire body became freezing cold, as if I had just plunged into an icy lake. Everything went numb, and I knew that I would fall if Mallow's magic wasn't holding me in the air. Then, mercifully, my mind slipped into that sublime oblivion called unconsciousness.