Disclaimer: I do NOT own anything from the world of Harry Potter. Obviously. And no, I did not write the portion of the Sorting Hat's song featured in this chapter... the credit also goes to Jo Rowling. :)


Before the alarm could even go off at 9am the following morning, Diana was rolling out of the warmth of her bed.

The first day of senior year. Today would be the last first day of Hogwarts she would ever have. After this year, she would (hopefully) be moving out, getting a job, and living the life of a full-fledged adult. Diana still had no idea what she wanted to do with her life when it came to working, though, and felt a twinge of anxiety as she showered.

Right off the bat, her mother knew she wanted to pursue her love of archaeology. Margaret Stevens taught at Oxford University, and traveled (when time permitted) to excavation sites around the world. Diana's father had also known right away that he wanted to protect the wizarding world, and became an auror with flying colors. Their ease with pursuing and loving their careers was intimidating, and daunting to follow.

So far, throughout her school career, nothing had jumped out to Diana as "her calling". She was exemplary at herbology, charms, and had a knack for Defense Against the Dark Arts. If you were to add that all together with a dash of potions and transfigurations, Diana would already be set for pursuing a career as an auror, or at least part of the Magical Law Enforcement division. But, transfigurations was never her strong suit, and potions she was only fair at, too. She spent most of her free time daydreaming and off in her own world; Diana found it very difficult to focus and concentrate enough to pull off transfiguring. As for potions, not only was she horrible when it came to mathematics (thus measuring any form of anything), but Snape intimidated her to no end. The anxiety she felt whenever his beady black eyes fell on her in class was enough to make her quit the subject for good.

History of Magic was also a no-go, despite her love of history that her mother had passed on. Though, having a ghost as a teacher was hardly inspiring for any school subject, in her opinion. Divinations was laughably a joke, even though Diana believed in a handful of things such as psychics and visions. Astronomy she was decent at, too, but Ancient Runes flew completely and utterly over her head. As for Care of Magical Creatures, she loved it dearly... but she would never dream of working hand-in-hand with a blast-ended skrewt for a living.

Her best friend, Elizabeth Sanders, always teased how Diana should just open a bookshop and be done with it. Even though the idea was both appealing and right up her alley, she didn't give it too much thought. Both of her parents had distinguished, well-paying jobs that they poured their hearts into. Opening a silly shop didn't seem good enough in the slightest when compared to them.

With her mind a flurry of confusing, stressful thoughts, Diana dried her shoulder length blond hair and applied her usual mascara and blush. Laid out on her mahogany desk was her outfit for the day, which consisted of well-worn jeans and a new Ace of Base band t-shirt - a going away gift from her mother. Rubeus attacked the black shoelaces as Diana laced up her Doc Martens, and she promptly grabbed the feline to put in his carrier.

Growling threateningly, Rubeus laid his ears flat on his head in anger. He would get over it as soon as they were on the Hogwarts Express.

Stumbling down the stairs with his carrier, Diana took a deep whiff of her mother's cooking. Scrambled eggs, bacon, and a slice of toasted bread with strawberry jam was set out on the table.

Margaret Stevens swept her blond hair into a ponytail as her daughter sat down for breakfast. "Does Rubeus need tuna for the train ride?" she asked, already opening a can of the fish. From his cage, Rubeus let out a deep meow. "I'll take that as a yes..."

"Thanks, mum." Shoving a heaping forkful of eggs into her mouth, Diana chewed thoughtfully. "Where's dad?" she asked, noticing the table was only set for herself. "Did he get called in early?"

"No, he's giving the chimney a quick clean." Margaret smoothed the hair out of Diana's face, cupping her cheek in a motherly way. "My little girl is going off to her senior year. I can't believe it!"

A blush colored Diana's cheeks at her mother's affection. "Me neither," she mumbled. "I'm a bit nervous, honestly."

Margaret's hand seemed to stiffen, and Diana immediately regretted her words. "Darling, are you sure you want to go?" her mother asked, frowning deeply. "Your father and I completely understand if you don't want to attend this term-"

"Mom, I'm only nervous for senior year!" Diana swallowed another mouthful of breakfast, washing it down with a swig of orange juice. Her stomach knotted. "I told you both in June that I wasn't backing out this term. Just because Cedric-"

Her mother held a hand up to stop Diana. Margaret Steven's face paled considerably at the mere mention of a certain Hogwarts student. "Don't bring that up. Otherwise, I won't be able to say goodbye. I don't trust that damned school one bit anymore..."

Diana said nothing. Of course her mother felt that way. Even kids with full blown magical families had little to no faith in the once safest school in all of Britain. After the death of a student, a student that was no less rumored to have been murdered by You-Know-Who, the wizarding world was in turmoil. The idea of sending their innocent children to such a school for months on end terrified parents, young and old. It was only after Diana's father had sworn his full-blown faith in Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, that her mother finally allowed the idea of her attending the following term. Many in Diana's House, Hufflepuff, were not as lucky. A good handful of seniors would be home-schooled this year, thankfully excluding her best friend and fellow dorm-mate, Elizabeth Sanders.

Before mother or daughter could say another word on the matter, Diana's father entered the kitchen. A fresh bag of floo powder dangled from his hand. "We can either take the freshly cleaned chimney," he said, giving a pleased look to his daughter, "or apparate. The floo has a few extra steps, as usual, but we'll make it on time to Kings Cross either way."

Diana's mother eyed Jacob's wand. "You know I always give in to apparating this time of year. It's the quickest way to get to and back from London."

"Right you are." Diana's father grinned widely, tossing the canvas bag of powder onto the kitchen table. Running a hand through his dark brunette hair, he eyed Rubeus in his carrier. "Ready to leave soon? Train leaves in twenty-five minutes."

"Don't rush her," Margaret scolded, nibbling a piece of toast and marmalade. "Our little girl, leaving for school again…"

Diana's father scooped her mother into a tight embrace. She rested her head against his shoulder, and he patted her back comfortingly. "She'll be back in a couple months, love," he murmured, kissing her temple. "The holidays are just around the corner."

Feeling like she was intruding on a private moment, Diana gobbled down the last bits of breakfast. Quietly, she grabbed Rubeus and crept out to the living room, cooing softly at her cat as he whined. Every year, her mother always had separation anxiety… but it was even worse this year. She was like a mother cat trying to protect her kitten.

"Remember, if the time should come when you have to make a choice between what is right and what is easy, remember what happened to a boy who was good, and kind, and brave, because he strayed across the path of Lord Voldemort. Remember Cedric-"

"Di!" Her father's exclamation brought Diana out of her reverie. "You ready, love?"

She nodded dumbly. Margaret held tightly onto one end of Diana's school trunk, the other gripping her husband's hand. Clutching Rubeus close, Diana raised her hand in unison with her father's wand, and both father and daughter turned on the spot. Still not used to the sensation of apparating, Diana held her breath as she was squeezed tightly through what felt like a narrow tube. Rubeus howled indignantly at the sensation, but the feeling soon subsided as Diana landed hard on solid ground. The alley was vacant only for a moment, and then her mother and father popped into view. Shaken, her mother stumbled a step or two, breathing heavily as she got her bearings again.

Diana and her father exchanged a grin as she calmed herself. Together, the three made their way across the street to the busy Kings Cross train station in London. No matter the hour, the station was hustling and bustling like it was the end of the world. It was the perfect location for a secret platform to be, because no one ever paid any mind to the strangers around them.

The barrier between platforms nine and ten loomed ahead, and a familiar mixture of bliss and anxiety filled Diana. As if sensing her thoughts, Diana's father gave her a brief squeeze on the shoulder.

"Off we go," he mumbled, holding his wife close. Diana's mother smiled a little. She had always enjoyed this part of the journey, and together Diana's parents ran at the platform arm in arm, disappearing to the other side.

"Ready for another year, Ruby?" she muttered, earning a disgruntled sigh from her cat. He was ready to get out of his cage, that much she was sure of.

In no time, Diana was standing alongside her parents on platform 9 ¾. The scarlet steam engine let out a billow of hot, white steam, a piercing whistle echoing along the platform. There was ten minutes until its departure, and families big and small were saying their final goodbyes. More than usual, Diana noticed the anxious looks sent over shoulders, and noticed copies of the Daily Prophet clutched in the hands of mothers and fathers. The paper was full of propaganda lately, sporting titles supporting Dumbledore's incompetence to perform his role as headmaster. Diana grimaced at the very sight of them.

Glancing up at her father, Diana saw him pulling a similar face. "Hogwarts is one of the safest places you can be, no matter what the Prophet says," he reassured her. "Albus Dumbledore is no crackpot."

"You don't have to tell me, dad." Diana held her trunk and carrier tightly, knuckles almost white from the strong grip. The butterflies were back in her belly. "I trust Dumbledore, and Harry Potter, too."

It was utterly ironic that at that moment, a familiar mess of jet black hair accidentally bumped into her as a large group moved past the Stevens. Piercing, green, tired eyes met her own as Harry Potter muttered a quick apology to her.

Diana's father let out a low whistle. "He looks like hell." His wife elbowed him harshly in the ribs, and he recovered quickly. "Poor bloke seems to have rotten luck, doesn't he?" he asked, forcing a laugh.

Diana couldn't laugh, though. She had seen first-hand Harry's face when he had come back, clutching Cedric's dead body in one hand, the sparkling silver trophy in the other. That image would never leave her, for that she was sure. "You can't tease about that," she mumbled, watching as a group of flaming red-heads and Harry Potter huddled together for their goodbyes. The Weasley clan was almost always attached to his hip, it seemed.

Before her father could respond, there was a sudden squeal to their left. Expecting the worst, Diana set her things down and braced herself as a body came hurdling her direction, promptly colliding with her. A flurry of thick, curly, brunette hair engulfed Diana's face, and she nearly choked on it as her best friend hugged her close. Managing to release her arms from the death-grip of a hug, Diana held Elizabeth back just as tightly. Both girls let out a ramble of "I love you"'s and "I missed you"'s, clutching each other close.

Through tearful goodbyes on both of their parent's parts, the two young Hufflepuff's managed to not suffocate from their parent's bone-crushing hug. Their mothers, both equally blubbering, were having a difficult time sending their daughter's off again to school. Even their dad's seemed a bit more glassy eyed than usual.

The scarlet engine whistled. Quickly, with one more wave goodbye, Diana and Elizabeth clambered aboard the Hogwarts Express just in the nick of time. The train lurched to life as soon as they were inside.

In jeans and a blue jumper, Elizabeth adjusted the glasses on her face, her brown eyes flashing towards Diana's green ones. "Glad to know my parents weren't the only ones being paranoid," she commented, glancing inside the compartment to her left. It was full of what appeared to be second-years, so they continued their journey down the narrow hallway. "Hopefully, they'll relax now that the train's left…"

After clambering by two more train cars, the Hufflepuff seventh years finally found an empty compartment to themselves. Both witches managed to shove their trunks in the overhead luggage holders; Diana opened the carrier, and Rubeus scuttled out.

He stretched out on the seat, and languidly curled into a ball in the corner. Elizabeth's black and white cat, Penny, did a similar stretch. She hopped onto the cushion beside Rubeus, and promptly fell asleep next to him.

"He hates most humans and animals, but loves Penny," Diana marveled. "My cat really is strange."

"No stranger than his owner," Elizabeth quipped, sending a wink Diana's way.

The two old friends grinned at each other, and quickly lapsed into a comfortable conversation about one another's summers. Though they had owled each other throughout the vacation, there was still things to catch up on. The first couple of hours were spent gossiping, and then moved on to more juicy topics.

"So you and Miles Sybrian are finally done?" Diana questioned. Elizabeth and Miles had been in an on-again, off-again relationship since fourth year. She had a hard time keeping up with their current relationship status.

Elizabeth nodded, stroking Penny's fur. The cat had migrated back to her owner's warm lap. "Definitely done," Elizabeth confirmed, voice tense with anger. "I can't take his flippant, go-with-the-flow attitude anymore. It's our senior year, for Merlin's sake! He can't just party his way through life and expect to end up on top."

"That's what you get for dating a Slytherin," Diana sang, rummaging through her purse. The copy of Blood Meridian was already dog-eared in two places as she opened to where she had left off. "No offense, of course," she added hastily, sensing the irritation coming from her friend.

Elizabeth clenched her jaw. "I know, okay? I just thought I could change him…."

In all honestly, Diana wasn't in any place to give advice on the matter. She had never in her life had a serious relationship with a boy, unless you counted her cat (which no one did). Even boyfriend-wise, she had two exes: one had lasted all of two weeks in third year, and last year for three months with a know-it-all Ravenclaw senior named Josh Cutter. Neither had exactly been life-changing, and all she had done was snog Josh a few times, and a tiny peck here and there in third year from Timothy Anderson.

Sure, Elizabeth was with a troll of a man who didn't treat her how she deserved, but she also didn't treat him very well, either. It seemed like both were in it just for physical comfort, nothing more. Or, at least that's the picture Elizabeth painted it to be.

Just as Elizabeth was about to say something, their compartment door slid open unannounced. Rubeus and Penny both leapt to their feet at the intrusion, letting out matching howls of disdain.

Two tall, red-haired boys slipped into the compartment, arms laden with boxes, bits of parchment, and an old quill. It didn't take long to recognize the infamous Weasley twins, what with their identical faces and identical grins.

"Hello, fellow Hogwarts students!" one of the twins cheered, sitting down beside Diana with a bounce. A roll of parchment fell, unraveling a foot or two. Names and addresses were scrawled in messy handwriting down the paper. He quickly gathered it up, shooting his twin a grin.

The other Weasley settled beside Elizabeth, opening one of the numerous boxes he held. Inside were what appeared to be wrapped candies in various colours. "What year are you two beautiful ladies in?" the Gryffindor questioned, waggling his eyebrows.

Elizabeth shot him a look that was a mixture of revulsion and confusion. "We've been in the same Defense class since first year, you twit."

The boy that sat beside Diana laughed as his twin turned a rather brilliant shade of red. "Hufflepuff seniors? Well, we have a delight for you ladies. And I'm not talking about my dear brother, Fred."

The red-faced Fred Weasley made a quick recovery, brandishing the box of sweets for the two girls to see. "Ever dream of getting out of History of Magic early because you can't stand the drone of Professor Bins a second longer? And-"

"-do you ever daydream of lounging by the lake instead of staring at Snape's greasy hair? Or-"

"-do you need to sleep off a hangover after a rowdy House party?"

"Well, we've got the perfect cure!" the twins said in unison.

Elizabeth and Diana exchanged incredulous, albeit amused, looks. This whole bit was obviously rehearsed.

"This here is our Skiving Snackbox," Fred explained, holding one of the wrapped candies up for all to see. Written in small black letters was 'Nosebleed Nougat'. The name alone was terrifying in the hands of a Weasley twin.

"We have a wide assortment of treats to get you out of any class: guaranteed!" Taking one of the candies, George tore back the wrapper. One end of the candy was an absurd looking purple, the other a deep red. "This here is our most popular, the Nosebleed Nougat. Just take a bite of the red end-" he ate the entire portion of red. Within seconds, his nose began spurting blood like he had just broken it. "-and presto! You have a one-way ticket out of Snivellus's classroom!"

Diana jumped back from the blood-flow, face aghast. "George! Are you okay? Here, let me-"

Fred held his hand up to stop her from grabbing her wand. "Now, now, Ms….?"

"That's besides the point right now," Diana snapped. Truly worried for the boy sitting next to her, she grabbed her ratty old jacket and shoved it under his nose. It was soon turning slick with blood.

Fred ignored her worry. "Don't waste your beautiful garment on this baboon, Ms….?"

"Diana bloody Stevens!" she cried, still trying to staunch the flow of blood. The coppery smell made her stomach twist in on itself.

Even with his nose a gushing fountain of gore, George Weasley grinned widely. "Care to be astounded, Ms. Stevens?" he asked, a light stain of red on his teeth. Before she could reply, George shoved the remaining purple end of the candy into his mouth. Within seconds of swallowing, his nosebleed stopped instantly.

Elizabeth gaped, eyes bulging behind her glasses. "What the bloody hell are you two trying to sell us? Our own death?"

"Hardly," the twins replied together.

"We have Puking Pastilles," said George, motioning to the green wrapped candy. "You'll toss up everything, but once you eat the orange end, you're cured!"

Fred nodded back to the box in his lap. "There's also Fainting Fancies, and Fever Fudge. Our Skiving Snackboxes are all you need to get out of lessons, social gatherings, and awkward dates!"

"They're still in the testing stages, but so far, no one's had any serious side effects!" George motioned to the quill and parchment in his lap. "Care to write down your information so you can have a box sent directly to you? We're handing out free samples, if you want to give them a go first."

"Give them a go?" Elizabeth scoffed, looking truly scandalized. "No offense, boys, but we don't trust any of your concoctions. Plus, it's senior year - we can't just skip classes willy nilly with N.E.W.T.s coming up!"

"You sound an awful lot like Granger," pointed out George, earning a stifled laugh of agreement from his twin. "Now, what about you, Diana? Wouldn't you like to try a piece of Fever Fudge-"

"She certainly would not!" Elizabeth stood angrily from her seat, motioning for the Gryffindors to vacate the compartment. "Now, shove off-"

"Actually... "

All heads swiveled in the direction of Diana. She was still holding onto her bloody jacket, staring at it in what looked almost like awe. Unlike Elizabeth, Diana was admittedly impressed with their display. She couldn't deny that an excuse to get out of Professor Binns class would come in handy, or an excuse to not attend another quidditch victory party, should their house win a match. Such events always bored her to no end.

Ignoring the shocked look from her best friend, Diana sent the twins a shy grin. "I wouldn't mind a few samples," she confessed. She peered into the box on Fred's lap. "One of each, maybe?"

The Weasley's broke out into matching face-splitting grins. "Take two samples of each!" Fred exclaimed, kindly handing over the contraband. "And let us know what happens. We want all the feedback we can get on these babies," he said, patting the box affectionately.

"Sorry about the jacket, by the way. Give it here." George grabbed her bloodied garment and cast a quick cleaning charm. It looked good as new, and he handed it back with a smile. "Maybe even test one out when we're around in class," he added, his brown eyes twinkling in her direction. "Wouldn't mind seeing them in action on someone outside of Gryffindor."

"Who are the only nutters crazy enough to take them," muttered Elizabeth, flopping back into her seat. Crossing her arms across her chest, she promptly ignored the twins and Diana as the red-heads explained how each "snack" worked, and which end to eat first.

Before long, Diana's purse was full of the candies, along with a couple of dungbombs (which she had only used once on pompous-Ravenclaw Josh), and a Ton-Tongue Toffee for good measure. Diana marveled at their creativity and ingenuity for creating so many things. Thanking her profusely again, the twins soon departed the compartment, much to Elizabeth's relief.

"I hope you're not stupid enough to really try those," Elizabeth said, pulling out her dress robes to change. "Those twins are always up to no good."

"Which is half the fun," countered Diana.

In 5th year, Elizabeth knew without a doubt she wanted to become a healer. Since then, she had taken to pouring over her school-books and fretting about top-grades, sometimes falling asleep in the common room at one of the desks, drooling over her books and parchment. There was no room - especially this year - for slacking off. She was striving for a position at St. Mungo's, and to nab a spot in their beginner's program wouldn't be easy.

Half the classes Diana was taking probably wouldn't amount to anything. A skipped class here and there, particularly History of Magic, would be a comfort.

As the two girls changed into their school robes, it didn't take long to see the soft lights of Hogsmeade outside their window. The train slowed, let out a shrill whistle, and came to a complete stop. Against their liking, both Penny and Rubeus were unceremoniously put back in their carriers. The felines were left behind with their luggage so the house elves could whisk them away to their dorm.

Apprehension hung in the air among the older students as they made their way to the line of horseless carriages. Excitement was palpable, but the grim faces as some students looked towards the silhouette of Hogwarts was unmistakable. Last term, after the Triwizard Tournament, things were different. Everyone could feel it.

Elizabeth and Diana left their carriage and entered the familiar stone walls of their school. The comfort Diana felt while being here still seeped past her skin, and she smiled widely upon entering the Great Hall. The beginning of term feast was a tad boring, what with the sorting, which seemed to take forever nowadays. The promise of roast chicken and mash made her not mind so much, though.

"Our table seems to have dwindled in number," Elizabeth muttered in her ear. "Christina Waters wasn't allowed to come back."

Diana felt her heart squeeze a bit in her chest. "Same with April Reed and her younger brother. She owled me over break to tell me."

The Great Hall was settling down just as McGonagall came into view, a long line of scared looking first years following in her wake. At the staff table, Professor Grubbly-Plank took a seat at the far end of the table. Was Hagrid, the gamekeeper and current Care of Magical Creatures professor, gone as well? The idea didn't sit quite right with Diana.

The buzzing and chattering of voices slowly quieted. Like every year previous, Professor McGonagall sat a rickety three-legged stool on the raised platform in front of the staff table. The Sorting Hat, a heavily patched and fraying thing, was placed atop. A rip near the hat's brim gaped open like a mouth, and many a first year jumped in fright. Diana held back a snicker as the Sorting Hat broke into song.

But, this was no usual song. As the Hat sang of the founders, the eventual depart of Salazar Slytherin, and the sorting of students…

Oh, know the perils, read the signs,

The warning history shows,

For our Hogwarts is in danger

From external, deadly foes

And we must unite inside her

Or we'll crumble from within

I have told you, I have warned you…

Let the sorting now begin.

The hat stilled. A smattering of broken applause broke out among the tables, but Diana couldn't will herself to clap. A chill dripped down her spine at the ominous warning. In her mind, she pictured Cedric Diggory's smiling, handsome face, and soon it turned lifeless and cold, his body held in Harry Potter's grip on the quidditch pitch. Shaken, Diana took a wavering breath. A cool hand reached over and grasped hers tightly. Glancing at Elizabeth, she had noticeably paled as well.

The sorting seemed to go slower than usual. Soft whispered conversations were taking place all around her, many of the older students caught up trying to understand the Hat's song. Had the Sorting Hat ever given a warning before, perhaps during the first war? Diana quelled this train of thought, however. It didn't do well to dwell on it now.

Dumbledore's soothing voice announced the beginning of dinner. Food sprang to life on all of the golden platters, and the Hall became loud and raucous once more. As Diana ladled pumpkin soup into her bowl, Elizabeth was still staring at the staff table.

"That is one ghastly cardigan," she quipped, eyes trained on a woman sitting to Dumbledore's right. A bright pink cardigan was all Diana could focus on at first. The woman was stout and portly, curly brown hair poking out from an equally pink headband. She reminded Diana of her old manager, Dave, only her aura was not warm. She seemed fake and cold, judging by her expression.

"Is that the only color she knows?" Diana asked, smothering a laugh. "Must be our new Defense teacher."

Elizabeth nibbled on a bit of broccoli, still eyeing their new professor. "Wonder if she'll last the whole year. Merlin knows that job is as cursed as that cardigan she's wearing."


"Did you see McGonagall's face? I don't think I've ever seen her that angry! I didn't know it was possible…"

Diana, who had been adjusting the patchwork quilt on her four-poster, grimaced. "None of the professors seemed too happy," she replied. "That woman doesn't settle right with me one bit. I wonder how lessons with her will be?"

"Not good, no doubt." From the circular doorway across the room, fellow dorm-mate Samantha Hess appeared. She sighed heavily, untying her black and yellow tie from around her neck, putting her messy black hair into a ponytail. "My dad warned me about her," she explained, rummaging through her trunk. "Said she's the Senior Undersecretary to Fudge, and on the Wizengamot."

This information made Diana bristle. "In other words, the Ministry is keeping a close eye on Hogwarts. Great."

Elizabeth shrugged on her bathrobe, making for the loo and one of her before-bed showers. "As long as as she doesn't talk to me like I'm a kindergartner like in her speech, I don't care. We should at least give her a chance, seeing as how we're stuck with her either way." She closed the door behind her, and the pounding of water from the shower echoed in the small dorm.

Changing into pajamas, both Diana and Samantha went to setting up the areas around their beds. Samantha smoothed a poster of the Weird Sisters neatly into place above her bed, placing her wireless radio on the nightstand along with a knick-knack or two.

Samantha was definitely the most out-going when it came to her roommates. She was a chaser on the Hufflepuff quidditch team, had her fair share of friends throughout the houses, and was also a star pupil in the eyes of Filius Flitwick. Her charm work was off the charts amazing, and in her spare time she enjoyed creating little spells here and there. She was dating Andrew Newell from Ravenclaw, and had been since third year. She was sweet and meant well, but sometimes she had so much on her plate with classes, sports, and Andrew, that she became a space cadet, too.

Diana placed her two new books on her nightstand along with a framed picture of her and her parents. It had been taken summer after fourth year while they were vacationing in Norway; Diana sandwiched between her mother and father. Diana had taken after her mother when it came to their short, petite stature and golden blond hair. But, she had her father's sage green eyes, heart-shaped smile, and button-nose, as he so fondly called it. Just looking at the picture made her smile.

Above her own bed, she smoothed out a poster. It was a painting by a muggle artist, Maxfield Parrish. It normally hung above her dresser back in Trowbridge, but she always brought it along to Hogwarts. It made the dorm seem a bit more like home.

Curled up on the patchwork quilt, Rubeus mewed softly as Diana changed into pajamas and crawled under the covers. She propped open Blood Meridian on her lap. Reading a chapter always helped her go to sleep.

Elizabeth cast a drying spell on her hair as she too got into bed. Samantha already had the curtains drawn, and a muffled snore escaped the confines. "I wonder if Andrew knows his dear Hufflepuff can snore like an ogre," Elizabeth teased.

"After four years together, I'd hope he does." Diana dog-eared a page, and put her book away. Sensing sleep was near, Rubeus sauntered up the bed and curled into a ball near her head, purring. Penny barely even budged as Elizabeth said goodnight, drawing the golden curtains around her bed.

Before sleep took her, Diana's eyes drifted to the small bag of different-colored candies she had set next to her books. Having seen Dolores Umbridge, she had a feeling a Puking Pastille or two may come in handy this year.


Author's Note: Thanks for reading, everyone! Feel free to drop a review if you'd like! :) I'm off to Disneyland next week, so no updates until after... And if you're from the USA, happy early Thanksgiving!

-Hope