Lavinia

After a night of forced bonding with my new Slytherin roommates I was kind of looking forward to classes. I've had a private tutor my whole life so the idea of being in a classroom with a teacher and other kids is kind of interesting to me, even though I'd rather be home. I wake up way before the other girls in the room do and I stretch my body out like a cat before taking a shower. I brush my teeth and dry my hair, falling easily into my usual routine.

At home Dad and I use to wake up before everyone else in the house. We would have breakfast together and we'd talk about all kinds of things. He would teach me about Potions and every so often he would allow me to use his wand to do a simple spell or two. I would tell him all my thoughts about things and I'd ask him heaps of questions about life and the way things worked. He never talked to me like I was a baby then and he would actually listen to me no matter how stupid I sounded. That was the only time I was ever really alone with him. The only time I had him to myself and I didn't have to share him with anyone... I miss it already.

I carefully put on my school uniform and my silver and green tie gets knotted around my neck perfectly, just like Mom showed me how last week. I tie my hair up in a high pony tail and tie a dark green ribbon in a bow to finish my hair style. I take my time checking to make sure my knee socks are even and that my skirt is straight. My black shoes are shinny and my shirt is tucked in... everything appears to be in place. I put on my vest and smooth out the crinkles... Perfect. I study myself in the mirror and comb through my bangs once more before leaving the room to go get my bag.

A few of the girls are up and moving when I enter and they all stop to say good morning and to give me empty compliments that don't really mean anything. Last night I barely spoke as we were forced to get to know each other. We were sitting in a circle on the floor and had to answer questions about each other. They all already knew who I was and constantly asked when I would introduce them to Gavin or Cassius. That thought makes me roll my eyes as I pack my bag with parchment, quills, and ink. I take my wand out of it's little holding box and run my fingers over the expensive, smooth wood. Mom took me to Diagon Alley two weeks ago to buy it. I'll finally be able to use it for real now.

I carefully place it in the pocket in my bag made specially for that purpose and snap everything closed. "Hey, Lavinia." Serena smiles at me when I look back and I return it awkwardly. "We're going down to eat. Do you want to come with us?" I don't get much of a chance to answer because she grabs my arm and interwines it with her own. "Let's go girls."

I smile tightly at her and the other girls as they begin talking excitedly around me. I'm not very good at this. As we move down the hallway I try to enter their conversations but I fail miserably until finally one of the blonde girls at my side addresses me.

"Did you go on a holiday this summer?" she asks and then they all look at me eagerly, waiting for my answer. It's strange that they care so much about my life.

"Oh, um, well... we went to France for Gavin's birthday." I say quietly and they all look at each other with happy looks in thier eyes. Like I was a prize to be owned.

"That's swell." Serena says. She's the official leader I can tell already. She's taller then the rest of us and looks like she's fourteen instead of twelve. I find myself comparing our looks and feeling very unattractive. She has dark beautiful skin and shiny black hair that falls in glossy curls around her shoulders and her eyes are this strange yellow color, almost like a cat. "Daddy took me and Stacie to the Bahama's. He says it was for a holiday but I know it was because he wanted to get away from my step mom. They're getting divorced of course."

We reach the double doors to the Great Hall and I shyly reply. "I'm sorry." Is all I can say because I really don't know the proper thing to say when someone tells you something like that.

She waves a hand and laughs. "Don't be. They're both miserable with each other. She's Daddy's fifth wife so I'm not really surprised."

"Oh," is all I manage to say because I'm socially handicapped and can't think of anything else. As we enter the hall and walk towards our table something small and puffy runs in front of us and our little group of girls stop and look down.

I nearly groan when I see Twyla looking up to me with food stuck in her teeth. "Livie." Livie, I hate that. "I saved you a spot." She was sorted into Hufflepuff last night and I'm sure that it's because of her loyalty. She will be extremely loyal in that she will annoy me until we graduate.

My heart starts to beat as all the girls in the click stare at me with weird looks on their faces. "Oh, um, I--"

"She's sitting with us. So move aside, midget." Serena says with a sigh as she pushes her and walks us by.

I look over my shoulder and see Twyla staring at me with this sad looking expression on her face. She's looking at me like I just killed her cat. I look away from her because I feel bad and as I take my seat at the Slytherin table my conscience gets the better of me. I'll apologize to her later. I grab some toast and start nibbling on it as the girls around start to gossip amongst themselves and after a few moments I take out my schedule to review it for the tenth time.

"My parents think Harry potter is totally overated but I think he'll make a great teacher." One girl, I think her name is Fiona, says. I don't even bother looking at her. I'm too busy trying to memorize where my classes are. "I mean, he's done a lot of great things and he is pretty cute for an old guy."

She gets violently shushed and when I look up every one is staring at me. "What?" I ask stupidly. Self consciously I bring a hand up to my face to make sure there isn't anything on it.

"What do you think about Harry Potter being our new Professor?" They all sit forward and wait for my answer. Serena leans closer as well. "I mean, given the history he has with your mom and dad and all."

All that I know about Harry Potter is what I've read in the paper, which wasn't much because my Dad doesn't let us read it much. Mom and Dad don't like to talk about him so I really don't know what history they're talking about. I shrug my shoulders and look back down at my schedule to try to get out of answering the question.

"Is it true that he was engaged to your mom?"

"I don't know." I say uncomfortably.

"Well, is it true that Harry Potter kidnapped your mom and tried to get her to leave your dad?"

"I don't know..." My voice becomes softer and softer as the avalanch of questions keeps coming.

"My Father says that Harry Potter cursed your Dad so badly that he was never the same after that."

I hate this. I inhale deeply and am saved from saying 'I don't know' again when the large windows open and owls swoop into the hall. Suddenly I'm relieved as they deliver letters and packages of forgotten things to the kids in the room. I spot my Dad's eagle owl, Artimas, and I watch as she swoops down and regally stands in front of Cassius. I didn't even notice him across the hall. He pauses a second before taking the letters attached to the proud bird's leg and Artimas flies off without needing a treat. I watch my brother closely has he hesitates before opening one of the letters. His sharp eyes scan the page and his brow furrows. When he's finished ready he inhales deeply and scrunches it up in his hands before looking up and finding me staring at him.

He stands up and makes a motion with his head so I'll follow him. I say a quick goodbye to the girls and grab my bag to follow him out. When I finally catch up I find him leaning against one of the stone walls with his jaw set and his eyes cold. He looks so much like Dad sometimes that it's scary.

"You told them I got in a fight." he says accusingly.

The question catches me off guard and I blink a few times before responding. "I'm sorry... I didn't mean to."

"Right, Whatever." he says and then he waves his hand. "Anyways, This is for you." He hands me a green envelope with my name perfectly written across the front. I take it from him and run my fingers over the Malfoy seal. "It's from Mom." He hands me another one. "And give this one to Gavin. I'm sure you'll see him before I do. If that idiot wakes up for classes today I'll be surprised." he says as he stares out the window.

I watch his profile as he runs a hand through his hair. It's slick and smooth like Dad's is but after he runs his fingers through it like that he never combs it down so it's always standing up every which way.

"Cassius." I say getting his attention at whatever he was staring at. He raises an eyebrow and I shift my feet nervously. "I really am sorry. I didn't mean to get you in trouble."

He watches me for a moment and then his coldness melts. He lets a smile tilt his lips and he puts his hands in his pockets. "It's alright. This is my first strike so I have a few more before he takes my broom away." I nod my head and he stands up straight. "So what class do you have first?"

I remember my schedule and think for a moment before I answer. "Um, I have Defense against the Dark Arts."

Something strange flickers in his eyes and his jaw sets again. "Listen, if that Potter guy..." he trails off and I can see something working behind his eyes. "If that Potter guy bothers you then just let me know. Alright?"

I nod my head. I wish I knew what was going on. He lets a smile tilt his lips and he shuffles up my bangs. I pull back sharply and smack his hand as he laughs. "have a good one little sister." He says before walking off.

I watch him go and huffily fix my bangs again. When they're set I turn around to go back into the Great Hall but I stop myself. I could go and sit by those annoying girls... or I could just go to class and wait for it to start. I choose the later and start making my way towards the Defense classroom. When I get there the hallway is deserted and the door is locked so I take a seat on the cold floor and rest my back against the stone wall. Across from me the paintings are talking about what kind of paint is better, Acrylic or Oil and I don't find it remotely interesting so I take the small green envelope out of my bag.

I smile down at my Mom's handwriting before breaking the seal and taking the letter out. Cassius and Gavin had warned me about Mom's first day pick me up letters but I think it's comforting so I read it slowly to savor it.

Lavinia,

I hope you have a great first day at school, sweetheart. Just be yourself and I'm sure everyone will love you as much as we do. Your father wants me to remind you beware of the false step on the third floor and to avoid Peeves at all costs, especially when he's by water. He also would like me to write that you are eleven and Byron Flint is sixteen but I would like to add that any boy would be crazy not think you were pretty, so that's the end of that. Just relax, have fun, and learn, that's what school is all about.

I know you're going to love it there.

I love you,

Mom

I read it again before flipping to the second page and smirking at the picture that Evelyn drew for me. It's a crude crayon drawing of me standing by a giant red blob that my mom had labled as the Hogwarts train. With a sigh I put it back in my bag and rest my head against the wall behind me. It's going to be a long year. I hear footsteps down the hall so I stand quickly and make sure my skirt is perfect before looking up. Professor Potter is making his way towards me. He has a handful of folders and he's digging into his bag for something so he hasn't noticed me standing by the door. He retrieves a ring of keys and singles out a small brass one and he's shifting his folders when he sees me standing there.

His hair is all messy and his scar is visiable on his pale forehead making him seem young and.... something else I can't put my finger on. I notice that his eyes are the same color green as his robes and his face is covered in stubble of dark hair like he hasn't shaved in a couple days. He looks so sad and worn and I find myself wanting to ask him what's wrong...but I refuse to do that. He looks back down as he goes to the door and puts the key in the lock. He pauses before he opens it and he flicks a glance to me one last time. It's uncomfortable so I look away. The bell rings and I jump.

"You look like your mother." Is all he says before he pops the door open and steps inside.

That was weird. I hesitate a moment before following him in and taking a seat in the desk farthest away from him. The class soon fills up with students and the Slytherin girls I was avoiding find me first and station themselves around me. I take out my parchment, quill, and ink well. Placing them carefully in front of me and smoothing them out. Serena moves her chair and it makes my quill move. I glare down for a moment before straightening it and putting it in place. I'm ready.

"Alright class." Everyone looks up to Professor Potter as he itches his face and stares down at a sheet of paper. "I want you all to stand off to the side and I'll point to your assigned seat." I slouch a little when I look at my perfectly placed writing utensils and with a huff I put them back in my bag and go against the wall with the others. "When I call your name I want you sit down where I point. This way you can make friends with folks from other houses... helps get rid of that whole inter house rivalry thing..." he says and then he taps his wand against the paper. "Marie Albright."

A timid girl with glasses raises her hand and he points at the desk in the back. More seats fill up as he calls out names and I watch nervously as the spaces around me empty. What if I'm the last one? He doesn't go in alphabetical order or any pattern I can pick out so I start chewing on my lip as two seats remain. The boy beside me gets seated in the middle and I slowly start to blush as everyone stares at me standing there by myself. Professor Potter taps the desk right in front of his own at the very front of the room.

"Lavinia Malfoy."

This is terrible. Quickly I make my way and sit down as he towers over me. He doesn't look at me the rest of the class and I take careful notes on everything he says. When the bell rings I basically run out of the room to get away from him. And that weird tension that I feel.

X

Gavin

I crack my eyes open and yawn as the sun peaks in through my curtains. This bed isn't as comfortable as my one at home but it's sufficient. I stick my arm out to my side table and grope around for a few seconds before finally finding the clock and bringing it close to my sleep fogged eyes.

"Holy Fuck."

I jump up and drop the clock on the ground. I hear it break but I don't pay attention as I run to my trunk and pull out my uniform. The once neatly packed trunk is now a mess but I don't bother with it. I throw on my shirt and pants as I run to the bathroom to brush my teeth. Everything is empty, everyone is already in class... those bastards left me. When I get back into the bedroom I put on my shoes with out socks and I throw the tie around my neck with out knotting it up. I don't have time for that and I grab my satchel as I fly out of the room, pulling my vest over my head as I run.

I ignore all the ghosts and paintings I pass who scold me for being late and I slide in front of the classroom door, tucking in my shirt. I take a deep breath and run my fingers through my hair to tame it a little. Mom is always on me to comb it but she doesn't understand that it has a life of it's own and will always wing out no matter how hard I try to keep it down. Cassius and Dad have the smooth sleek hair, it's her fault mine's like this really, if we want to blame someone. I open the door quietly and sneak into the back as the ancient Professor gives his first day speech. I carefully sit down, sending a harsh glare to my roommates as Slughorn turns around and looks directly at me. I smile.

"How kind of you to grace you with your presence today, Mr. Malfoy."

"Well, I am a people pleaser." I say with a smirk as the kids around me laugh.

His eyes twinkle and a smile twitches on his lips but he becomes serious again. "Why were you late?"

"I got lost." I say innocently, folding my hands on my desk.

"You've been coming to this classroom since you were eleven. I highly doubt you got lost." he says as the buttons on his red waist coat strain against his large belly.

I try to become serious. "Well, you see, it's a big place here and I get confused sometimes."

He shakes his head and waves a finger at me. "I always said you were a trouble maker, Gavin Malfoy." he says with a chuckle as he smiles at me. "It's the first day so I'll let it slide, but next time you might want to do up your tie to make your story more convincible next time."

"Of course, sir." I say as I do my tie with a smirk on my face. Sometimes it's good to have a famous dad. My Slug club membership has gotten me out of a few tough situations.

Slughorn turns around and starts lecturing again as I take out my supplies. As I light the fire under my cauldron I send a pointed look to my partner. "Why didn't you wake me up?" I ask Kip in a dangerous voice meant to scare him. He's been my potions partner since we were first years.

He looks at me with wide eyes. "The last time I woke you up you hexed the hell out of me." he says as he looks up at the list of ingredients.

"That was two years ago and it was only a couple scratches." I say defensively.

He looks horrified. "I still have the scars."

"You're a wussy."

"And you're a spoiled brat."

"And you have to go to the supply closet and get the ingredients."

"And you're... wait, what?"

"The only reason you pass this class is because of me, now go."

He grumbles something under his breath as he gets up to get the stuff. He should know that's his job here. He gets the supplies and I do everything else. I am good at potions... Even better then Cassius, and that's saying something. We make a simple sleeping potion for practice and class is over quickly. As I'm packing my things up I feel someone looking at me and I lift my head up and smirk at the pretty Ravenclaw girl who blushes and turns away. I think I just found my new girl friend. She walks pass me and gives me a shy smile and I follow her out, intending to talk to her but as soon as I reach the busy hallway a fruity sent assaults my nostrils and I roll my eyes as Daniella takes my arm.

"Where have you been, Gav? I didn't see you at breakfast."

I don't want to answer her so I shrug my shoulders and start walking. I missed my first class and was fifteen minutes late for my second so I plan on getting to transfiguration on time. "Gavin. Hey, Gavin."

I turn around and see Lavinia make her way through the crowd. In her hands is a green envelope and I smirk. Mom's pick me up letter. When she gets close enough she hands it to me and flicks a nervous glance to the leach by my side.

"Cassius said to give this to you."

"Did Evie draw me a picture this year again?" I ask amused as I put the letter in my pocket.

Lavinia picks a piece of lint off her shirt and looks at it in disgust before flicking it on the ground. She is so o.c.d. "I don't know if she drew you one." she answers.

"Of course she did." I say arrogantly. "I am her favorite." she rolls her eyes and walks away. I watch her with a smirk on my face as her red pony tail bounces down the hall. It's strange seeing her at school.

Thankfully Daniella is a year older then me so I don't have to see her in any of my classes and I ditch her before walking into transfiguration. The class is as boring as expected and when the bell rings I let a smile come to my face. It's now my favorite period of the day...lunch. When I get to the Great Hall I take my usual seat and fill up my plate. Since I didn't have breakfast I'm starving and as I'm drinking my pumpkin juice I look across the table from me and smirk at Lucy Zabini. She was my first real girlfriend, mom never liked that though. I don't know why. When she sees me looking at her she hides the book she was reading under the table and I raise an eyebrow. That's strange.

"What are you reading there, Luce?"

I had expected her to tease me or say something funny like she usually did, but instead she glared at me coldly. I was kind of taken aback by it so I asked her what her deal was. She took the book from under the table and threw it me.

"Your parents are murderers." she said harshly before leaving.

It lands on my plate and everyone stops to watch her storm out. "What the fuck?" I say under my breath. I pick up the book that's laying on top of my food and my eyes narrow. It's white, with bold black writing. It's that stupid book. Everyone is watching me so I hold it up to show them what it is.

"This book," I start as I take out my wand and light it on fire. "Is bull shit." It fizzles away and suddenly I've lost my appetite. I leave the Hall then and walk outside, praying that no one followed me.

I put my hands in my pockets as I go out on the grounds and head towards the lake. That book isn't bullshit. In fact I know it's true because of a conversation I heard my parents have before we left for school. Cassius and my sisters had been out side riding the horses. I'm not all that into animals. In fact, if it wasn't for the house elves my poor horse Jasper would probably be dead. I was walking barefoot down the cold hallways in the Manor, throwing a quaffle up and down trying to decide whether I wanted to eat or take a nap. I heard my father's voice coming from his study. He sounded angry so I followed it. The door was cracked open when I approached so I looked inside and saw my Mom sitting in a chair by the fire. She was playing with her wedding ring and looked uncomfortable.

"Have you read this yet?" He asked, walking into my line of vision and placing a book on the table in front of her. She nodded her head. I could only see his back but her face was clearly visiable to me. "How did she know?"

He didn't answer so he said it more sharply. "How did she know those things, Ginevra?"

Mom finally looked up to him and took a deep breath before answering. "It was.... it was when I was with them, you know, for those couple of months in that cabin. I was messed up and you had locked me in that room again so I just told her everything while I was there." She had looked down at her lap and I furrowed my brow. "I was upset."

"I imagine you were." he said coldly.

"She promised she wouldn't tell anyone... she swore she would keep it a secret." she said desperately, looking up at him again.

"She obviously lied to you."

My mom's whole body slouched and she leaned against the back of her chair and nodded her head. "I'm sorry, Draco."

There was a moments pause and then my dad sighed. "You shouldn't be sorry." he said in a softer voice. He sat down heavily on the chair across from her and put his head in his hands. Then he looked to her. "I wasn't that bad to you, was I?"

She didn't answer. She just turned her head and looked into the flames of the fire. I left then, feeling uncomfortable and bad for spying on them like that. I know that book has some truth to it, but I don't care. I don't want to read it, I don't want to see my parents in a different light. I like the way things are, I like my life. I don't want anything to change just because some bitch wrote a book about all of my Dad's mistakes. Cassius would probably be upset and Lavinia would probably cry. But not me. I trust my parents and I trust them now.

I lean against a tree by the edge of the lake and stare out at the water. My mom's face that day was sad, that's the way she looks when she has bad days. Those are the times that she's quiet and stuck in her own thoughts. Once when I was younger I found her crying in the library. She was heavily pregnant with my youngest sister, Evelyn, and she was quietly crying away on the window seat. She didn't even know I was in the room until I touched her shoulder.

"Mom?" I had said worriedly. I didn't like seeing her cry. It didn't seem right.

She placed her hand on her heart and sucked in a breath. "Goodness, Gavin. Don't sneak up on me like that."

"You're crying." I told her uncomfortably. Like she just noticed that she was doing it she quickly turned away and wiped her eyes. "What's wrong?"

She shook her head and smiled at me. "Nothing, I'm just having a bad day." she answered as she wiped the last remaining tear away. A bad day. That's what she always said when she was upset.

I was nine at the time so I really didn't know how I should comfort my pregnant, crying mother so I said the only thing that made sense to me. "I'll clean my room today if you want." I thought that would make her happy.

She laughed a little and kissed my forehead. I had been in the habit of wiping her kisses off because I thought I was such a big kid, but that time I didn't. She then hugged me and I closed my eyes, taking in her flowery smell. After a few moments I felt wetness on my shoulder and I knew she was crying again so I rubbed her back, like she did to me when I was upset.

"Do you want me to go get Dad?" He usually fixed things. He could fix this.

She pulled back, shook her head, and made me sit beside her. She took a moment to collect herself and then she put her hand on top of mine. "Did you know that one of your Uncles was a Dragon trainer?"

"But Dad doesn't have any brothers." I said confused.

"But I do." she said softly in this weird voice. She looked away from me and out the window. "I had six brothers." I felt stupid then. We never saw or talked about her side of the family so I had totally forgotten that she had them. "Two of them even opened a joke shop. They were really good inventors."

My heart skipped. A joke shop sounded cool. "Can we go there?" I asked eagerly and I knew I said something wrong because that sad look was back again.

"It's not open anymore."

From there she went on to tell me about all of her siblings and stories from when she was a kid. To this day that was the most I ever heard her speak about them and when she was finished I asked another stupid question.

"Where are Uncle Charlie and Uncle George?" She kept on using the past tense when talking about them and saying, 'before they were gone'.

"They're dead." was all she said and that was the end of it. Footsteps filtered to us from the hallway and she looked to me again. "Listen, baby, let's not tell your Father about what we talked about. He doesn't have any brothers or sisters like us, so it would probably make him sad." I agreed then and never said a word.

When Dad entered the room she stood up and went to him, giving him a soft kiss on the lips. When he pulled back he asked her what was wrong and she shook her head with a smile.

"Your daughter has been kicking me all day." she said, placing his hand on her stomach. They shared a smile and that weird mood that she was in was gone. I never told my Dad about it and she never brought her brothers up to me again.

I follow the progress of a bird flying over the trees before taking out the letter in my pocket. I always complain and say I don't like them, but I actually do. I carefully break the Malfoy seal and start scanning the letter.

Gavin,

You can not get into fights on the first day of school, you can't get into fights ever. I know that that boy bugs you but you and Cassius have to learn to ignore it and keep your tempers in check. I know--

I don't get to finish the rest because someone says my name and I turn to find Daniella walking down the path. I roll my eyes and turn around, stuffing the letter back in my pocket. "Class is about ready to start." she pouts at me and touches my arm. Now is the moment. I calmly remove my arm from her needy hands.

"Listen, Dani." I say, trying to sound sad. "I don't think this is working out. Perhaps it would be best if we split up."

Her eyes widen and her face blushes. "What?" she snaps meanly.

"We should date other people." I start walking away but she grabs my arm.

"You can't break up with me."

"Yes, I can." I say, my niceness slipping. "And I think I am, so see you later."

"You don't mean that."

"I obviously do." I snap. All patience gone. "If I didn't mean it I wouldn't have said it."

I start walking away again with my hands in my pockets and when I get close to the school she grabs me and pushes me against the wall. "You can not break up with me, Gavin Malfoy." she says before kissing me hard on the mouth.

I protest at first and then I give in. Because for as annoying as she is she does kiss pretty well. Her body rubs up against mine and when I feel her fingers skim my belt buckle I smirk. Perhaps I'll keep her around a while longer.

X

Cassius

"In 1724 the Windable Warlock League was formed to help witches and wizards who were being persecuted in the muggle communities at the time, in 1725 the leader of that group..."

I place my chin in my hand as Professor Binns drones on. It's the first day of class and he's already dived into where we left off last year. I know he's a ghost but doesn't he have some sympathy for us?

"Cass." I turn to my side and raise an eyebrow at Sid as he smirks at me. "Watch this."

He takes a rubber band from his pocket and bunches up a piece of paper. Forming a slingshot with his fingers, he flings his the paper right through Binns head. The ghost pauses for a moment before talking again like nothing happened. I hide a laugh under my hand and the rest of the class giggles.

"Let's ditch this class." Sid whispers. "Binns won't know either way."

I glance at Byron from the corner of my eyes. Of course he's writing in his journal again. I never know what he's doing. "I can't. My dad has already threatened me once this year. I'm sure if he found out I've been cutting classes he'll transfer me to Durmstraung."

Sid cringes. He knows my dad. He knows his threats aren't hallow. "That place is like a military academy."

"It's not so bad." We both look at Byron. I didn't even know he was listening. "The do have fur on their uniforms."

I snort but know not to laugh. He's probably being serious. The bell finally rings after the longest History of Magic class in my life and I can't get out of there fast enough. I quickly pack up my things and glance at Byron as he carefully places his journal in his bag. The bag that he got last year for Christmas from my Grandparents. It's weird that they give him gifts when they don't even acknowledge me, their own Grandson, whenever I see them. If I think about it too much it makes me feel bad so I ignore it and leave the room.

My friends and I make small talk as we walk down the crowded hallways with our bags slung over our shoulders. When I was sorted into Gryffindor Dad said that our ancestors were probably rolling in their graves. He meant it to be a joke but when I told him a Greengrass... Sid's Mother is Astoria Greengrass... and a Flint were also sorted in, I think he had a mild heart attack. Suddenly my eyes catch a head of perfect black hair and I stop as I watch Samantha Flint approach us. She really is too pretty for her own good.

"Mom told me to give this to you." She reaches into her bag and takes out a ebony colored wand. Byron takes it with out saying anything and puts it in his pocket. "She also said she's going to start putting a sticking charm on your hand if you leave it laying around again.

"Seriously? You forgot your wand at home?" Sid asks in a disbelieving voice. "We go to a Magic school. That's our most important tool." He sounds horrified but I can't bring myself to say anything.

I'm usually really confident and collected when it comes to people but whenever I'm around her I turn into this stuttering idiot. It's actually quite embarrassing. "We don't even need them on the first day." Byron says, like that was an excuse.

"Right, well, I'll see you guys later." Samantha smiles at me and I can feel my stomach knot.

"Goodbye." I say quickly just so I can talk to her. I wish I was funny. If I was funny I could make her laugh. She waves at me before turning around and walking the opposite way. I watch her walk, I like it when she walks, and I shake my head to get rid of the bad thoughts in my head.

She's kind of indifferent towards me. All the Weasley kids hate us and she's really good friends with all of them. She's not mean, but she's not overly nice either. I actually have no reason to like her but I do. I watch her walk off with a weight on my chest until someone nudges me.

"I don't understand why you were so angry that I told your sister she's pretty when you drool all over mine."

Horribly offended I turn to Byron and scoff as we begin walking towards our common room. "I don't drool." I say defensively.

"No, he doesn't." Sid says and I smile at him for the backup. "He more like salivates." I go to punch him in the arm but he moves too quickly so I settle with just glaring at him. I already realize I'm a fool when it comes to her. I don't need them pointing it out.

We turn a corner and I stumble back when I run into something hard and solid. "Damnit." The small voice cusses and I look down and see some girl picking up the books she just spilled. I bend down to help but when the girl looks up I groan.

"Oh, it's you." I say, standing back up.

Rose Weasley scowls at me. They're everywhere. "Now I have to go take a shower since you touched me, you dirty death eater trash."

She's lovely. I roll my eyes. "Like having to touch your flea infested body is a bloody picnic."

She almost hisses at me. She's actually the worst of the bunch. She looks all young and innocent but she really is foul. "Blow me." she says, running into my shoulder and stomping by me.

"You don't have a dick." Sid points out as she makes her way down the hall.

She glares at him over her shoulder. "Neither do you!"

I snort and we all turn away from her, intending to go and relax before supper. "That was a pretty good come back." Sid says as we crawl through the portrait hole.

"Only because she's a forty year old male pervert stuck in a little girl's body." I say.

We plop down on the comfy couches and I put my feet up on the table in front of us. Today has been tiring. I rub my eyes and sigh as I stare out the window. The weather is perfect for flying. I decide not to go down to dinner and I ask Byron to grab me something on the way back. The dorms are practically empty when meal time starts so I go up to my room to retrieve my broom. I take off my vest and tie and change my shoes and shirt before walking down the stairs and heading outdoors.

I love flying. Mom was actually the first person to teach me how but it was Dad who taught me how to be good at it. He wasn't constantly worrying about me getting hurt or something being too dangerous for me to try. I liked that he didn't baby me or put cushioning charms on the ground. He said flying was one of his favorite things to do because he was able to be someone else. If he flew high enough, if he went far enough, if he got fast enough then he could lose control. He told me that the need to have total control was a Malfoy Men family curse… so it was good to give it up to the sky every once in a while.

The pitch is totally empty when I reach it and I take a moment to just admire it before taking the small golden practice snitch out of my pocket. I had gotten it for my birthday two years ago and it really has helped me train. I turn it and watch as the wings pop out and take flight. It hovers for a moment before zooming off out of my sight. I take my time putting my riding gloves on. Now is the perfect time to fly. Soon the Quidditch season will start up and the pitch will be crowded every night. I mount my broom and inhale the fresh air before kicking off the ground and going higher into the sky.

I don't know how vigorous the try outs will be this year. It all depends on the captain of our house team and whether or not they hate my dad. Last year a guy close to the Weasley family was captain and he worked me so hard the first day of try outs that I nearly collapsed of exhaustion and I broke my hand when he 'accidentally' hit a bludger at me. I always have to prove myself with those people. Sometimes it sucks being a Malfoy. You either love us or hate us, there is no middle ground. I flick my neck to get my hair out of my eyes and scan the perimeter of the stands, looking out for the small golden ball.

I smile to myself when I see it glittering by a hoop and I take off. As my hand closes around the small snitch another flier catches my attention. I turn the snitch off, putting it in my pocket again as my concentration fully goes to the other broom in the sky. When I realize who it is I cuss to myself and fly towards the ground. This just ruined my peaceful time. I hate Harry Potter. I hate what he's done to my family. I still remember him taking my Dad away twice. I still remember him sending us to a foster family until Grandma convinced the social workers to give us to her. I still remember a lot of things.

I land on the ground with a thud and take off my gloves, stuffing them in my back pocket. I angrily throw the broom over my shoulder and begin heading back towards the castle with an annoyed frown on my face. He calls my name and I stop with out turning around.

"Cassius, I think you dropped this." I clench my jaw before turning around reluctantly. He looks a lot older and scruffier then I remember and in his hands is my small practice snitch. It must have fallen out of my pocket.

"Thanks." I say tensely, snatching it away from him and turning around again.

"You're a pretty good flier, Cass." Harry Potter says and I turn on him then, suddenly angry.

"Don't call me that. You don't get to call me that. You don't even know me."

He eyes me up and down. I can see contempt in his eyes. "I see you are your father's son after all." he says with a slight edge to his voice.

I stand up a little straighter, trying to look proud. "Who else would I be?" I ask sarcastically. Trying to sound smart aliky like Gavin.

Something strange passes in his eyes then and I have no idea what it is so I ignore it. He shakes it off and a hard glare graces his features. I know why he's here and not still in the Auror department. He's been annoying my Dad for years and finally Dad got him suspended for drinking on the job and trying to assault a government official... him. It wasn't in the papers and it was kept quiet as part of the deal but I overheard Mom and Dad talking about it late one night when he thought we all were asleep. He shouldn't be here. He shouldn't be around kids... or me.

"I'll see you in class." he says coldly. His voice different from before and I watch him walk past me towards the school.

I follow not too long after and debate whether it would be worth it to go to the Great Hall and catch the end of dinner but I decide against it. Instead I go back to Gryffindor tower and take the steps to my dorm room two at a time. I find a quill and some parchment before sitting down on my bed. I hesitate the briefest moment before starting my letter.

Dad,

You won't believe who our new Professor is...

I know my Father will be pissed... I wonder what he'll do. I put the quill back to the paper and continue to write.