Yeah, I'm going to post the first two chapters at the same time so that people are more likely to read it.

Enjoy yourselves!

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

Chapter 2: Defense Against the Dark Arts

The first few days of class passed quickly. I became instant friends with my fellow Slytherins. Another first year, Ava, followed me everywhere. I was both delighted and sometimes annoyed that she seemed to think that I could do no wrong. She would side with me on the littlest spats. From the best Quidditch team to the fact that waffles were better than pancakes, she agreed with me.

It still did not matter how many friends I had, there was two people that I hadn't talked to since we all walked timidly into the Great Hall.

Lucky for me, Slytherin had Defense Against the Dark Arts and Potions with Gryffindor. I would not be able to talk to either of them in Potions because of Professor Snape's watchful eye, but DADA was perfect. Professor Lotis had an obsession with the houses cooperating together. She thought that it was the key to success at Hogwarts. She lectured for the first few days about how when she was in school, houses fighting held her back. It was a load of hippogriff crap, but we dealt with it because we didn't have to start taking notes yet.

We all had to work with a member of the opposite house for the entire year. This meant sitting with them as well. Today was our first real day of Defense, seeing as the other days were about introducing first years to the school.

I had walked in and sat in the back of the classroom. I pulled my book from my bag and started to read over the day's lesson once more. I was delighted when one of the twins soon sat down beside me. I recognized him as Fred.

"Hello Fred," I said.

"Mia, how did you know that it was me? Even mom has trouble telling us apart," he said.

I told him about my freckle theory and he laughed.

"You are the only person besides us to notice that," he said bewildered.

"I picked up on that when you introduced yourselves," I laughed.

He looked down at his desk for a minute then back up at me. His smile had faded, "Do we have to be enemies? I know that we have the whole 'Slytherin and Gryffindor' thing against us, but I really like you," he said.

I stared at him a second. I couldn't help the grin that broke across my face, "I think that we will be great friends," I said.

He smiled back.

Professor Lotis walked in and tapped her wand on her desk to get our attention.

"Okay class, time to begin…"

Later that night I sat in the common room with the other first years and a few second years. I was curled up in a chair by the constantly burning fire. Emerald had met me at the door and was lying at my feet. I was reading a Daily Prophet for any interesting news.

Giant Runs Ramped in Austria

I scanned stories, slightly bored, and was dimly aware of the conversation around me until my input was asked for.

"So Mia, what do you think about the seating arrangements in Defense?" asked Melody Stratford.

I took a second, acting as if I was still looking at the paper to think over my answer. If I told them that I didn't mind it, I was not true to my green and silver heritage. I would start my seven years at Hogwarts out as a social outcast. I had been taught by my parents that social standing is everything. Everyone else can make or break you.

"It is the dumbest thing that I have ever heard. I hope that I can make it through the year sitting beside that idiot," I said. I flipped the page and scanned the next set of stories.

Wizard in India is Attacked by Enchanted Lamp

"You looked like you were getting along today," said Melody. I could sense a rivalry coming on.

"Looks can be deceiving, now can't they?" I asked, looking up, "I think that it would be better if the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher thought that her little plan was working, don't you? I can tolerate almost anything for the sake of my grade."

She looked taken back for a second before shrugging and I went back to the paper.

Witch in Canada is Charged for Using Magic on Innocent Muggles for Fun

I rolled my eyes, annoyed at the paper, and got up. Silencing a dog is not harmful. Emerald jumped up after me.

"I am going to bed," I announced and headed further into the dungeons.

A chorus of "Goodnight," followed me.

I thought as I changed into my pajamas and climbed into bed. I couldn't see how Fred and I were going to be able to be friends. My house would disown me if I got close to him. Maybe we could come up with something. I would have to ask him without being to nice tomorrow.

With that thought I fell to sleep.

Defense was on Tuesdays and double on Thursdays. I was walking into the classroom on Thursday. I was immediately greeted with a grinning Fred. On instinct, I smiled back.

Melody was looking at me with an expression close to smug across her face. The corners of my mouth dropped as I let my bag fall beside my desk as I sat down in my chair with a little more force than necessary.

"What's the matter?" asked Fred. His brow scrunched together in concerned and placed his hand on my shoulder.

I shrugged him off, "It is of no concern to you, Weasley," I sneered.

The professor came in and started class.

A few minutes into the lecture, a wrinkled piece of parchment was thrust at me.

What is wrong? I thought that you wanted to be friends?

What would I tell him? I could tell him the truth. I can't be your friend because peer pressure has gotten to me. I took a glance to the front of the room where Melody and Ava were passing a similar note across the aisle.

Fred noticed my look and took the paper back. He scribbled on it in his terrible hand writing and pushed it back.

Is it because of them?

I took in a deep breath and wrote.

Yes. I'm sorry.

His brow furrowed again and he thought for a minute before replying.

I don't care, and you shouldn't either.

He gave me a disapproving look as I read it.

Are you telling me that the rest of your house won't make you miserable if they found out that you were my friend? Have you even told George?

I slid the paper back.

We had forgotten that we were in class. Our discussion was interrupted by having to cast spells. We were already split into pairs, so that was no time wasted. We cast simple spells at each other. We were a room full of kids yelling Stupefy.

All of us being new at magic, no one could control it enough to actually make anybody unconscious. There were a few here and there getting light headed, but none actually passing out.

Right before we sat back down, Jordan Lee fell to the floor. It was not so much that the spell that had been cast worked, but the fact that he tripped over a chair and landed with a thud.

"I think that is enough for the day class. You can put your wands away and take out your quills. We are going to go over appropriate places to use this spell and in what situations it could be useful," the professor said.

After a few seconds of shaking off the after affects of stupefy, Fred took up the written conversation as if it hadn't been stopped.

You have a point. I tried to convince George. He told me that it was a bad idea. I would like for my Hogwarts experience to be a pleasant one.

I looked up to see him smiling.

Fine. What do you propose we do?

The paper sat in the space between us. I couldn't think of anything that would work, nothing that wasn't worth a detention or two at least. He tapped his quill against his chin in thought. As his brilliant idea hit him, he wrote it down.

We send letters.

I looked at it confused. Quill in hand. Parchment being wrote on. Messages being passed. Wasn't this what we were doing now?

Won't that only work in this class?

He glanced at the note and cocked his head to the side. He looked at me oddly. It hit him soon.

No. Not only in here, like sending owls. We can say whatever we want to say and no one has to know.

I thought about what he said. The more I thought, the more I liked it. It was a good idea. As a matter of fact, it was brilliant.

That is a great idea. I love it.

I gave him the note back.

I am glad that you like it.

I put the note up for now because of my fear of getting caught.

When we left the class, Fred decided to have a little fun.

"See you later, Malfoy," he spat.

"Whatever, Weasel," I sneered.

He looked at me for a second in mock outrage. I managed to catch the amusement on his face though. 'Good one,' he mouthed.

That night as I was climbing into bed, I received my first letter.

Dear Mia,

I was sitting at the table in the common room up here and decided to test out our idea. Of course if this particular piece of parchment was supposed to be for Transfiguration homework. If I don't get it finished, I am blaming you. Or maybe I will blame a gnome. Not sure which one McGonagall will respond better to yet. About the letters, if you were just humoring me in class, I get it. Just promise me that you aren't going to show it to all of your friends and make fun of me. I would have to do something very horrible back. I hope to hear from you soon… or you know… in class. Anyways, see you later.

Your Friend,

Fred

I read the letter over and over. We were going to do this. We were going to send letters so that people wouldn't know we were friends. I could find a million flaws in this plan. Gaps that would come back to bite us in the end. I couldn't make myself care though.

I flattened the parchment out and then folded it three times into a rectangle. I went to my trunk and put it into the bottom corner and covered it with books and robes.

A/N: I hope you enjoyed it.

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