Prejudices are the chains forged by ignorance to keep men apart

-Countess of Blessington

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"so, you're not sitting with your new little Mudblood friend are you Emery?" Carrow was taunting.

"do not call her that." I said through clenched teeth.

He sneered at me "why? is someone embarrassed about their new little Mudblood friends? Embarrassed no other Slytherin will sit with you in that class?" Out of the corner of my eye I could see people stop eating to listen in.

"you forget your place Carrow. Pureblood you may be but my fortune my title and place is higher than yours. I've made my stance on blood clear I don't care about your name, title or wealth. When I turn eighteen, I will toss my hag of an aunt out on the streets and I can pull whatever wealth your family sits upon right out from under them." Everyone had turned to listen to our conversation." I'll make it very simple for all of you, friends and those listening if you don't like my stance on blood and purity that's fine. I will not be swayed bullied or disregarded. If I catch you taunting my new friend well, none of us are in Slytherin by mistake I'll say that."

With that said I looked to my friends and around the Slytherin table to see if I was understood. At that I grabbed my bag and strode over to Gryffindor table I saw people watching me as I made my way up to Lily Evans and her friends. She looked surprised to see me as dinner had just started, and I told her I'd meet her after. Gryffindors looked at me from all around the table, not bothering to pretend to be busy or act like they weren't listening.

Lily's friends looked at me in distrust and looked to Lily for guidance. She greeted me with a smile, and I did my best to smile back and appear friendly "is it alright if I sit?" she didn't hesitate to scoot over, and her friends did too but slower. I sat down and the Gryffindors to my left had picked up their plates and moved all the way down to the table. It seems prejudice is not only a Slytherin trait.

I could feel everyone watching still Lily must have sensed this too. "so, did you finish up that potions paper and did you find your necklace ever?"

I shook my head in response "I finished the paper, I'm not sure how well it turned out my tutor was sick, and Regulus couldn't help me out. I talked to Slughorn but, no one has turned in my necklace yet." I smiled sadly, her friends weren't sure what to make of us I'm sure. I know one is Mary she's shy, the other is Elizabeth… no Marlene, yes that's Marlene. She's on the Quidditch team very outgoing, and popular with the boys.

It was Mary who surprised me by speaking though "you could try a tracing spell? Even though you don't have it, it does belong to you and if it's a strong enough connection it should work."

Her ears turned slightly pink and she squirmed in her seat as I looked her thoughtfully. "really? I didn't know I could do a spell without the locket with me?"

Marlene laughed at this "aren't you supposed to know all the spells and secret stuff none of us have even heard of yet?"

I was going to answer her when they all stopped laughing and stared behind me, I turned in my seat and Ava and Rosaline stood there. "may we sit?" I smiled and pat the spots to my left.

I knew Narcissa couldn't come, she would be my friend but, her family was too strict. I didn't blame her I know what the Black family was capable of. It was awkward for a bit but by the end we found ourselves laughing so hard tears began to spill down our faces. My stomach was beginning to hurt so much I thought it would never stop.

I was sure everyone was staring at us but, I could care less. Marlene and Rosaline were talking about boys while Ava and Mary were probably exchanging some new random information not useless nor useful at the moment.

Lily and myself were discussing James Potter though, I didn't think she'd talk to me about this honestly, we aren't best friends. "I don't understand James and I know this is awkward to be talking with you but, you aren't in Gryffindor and I was hoping for an outside opinion."

Taking one last gulp of juice and wiping my mouth "I know very little of James honestly, however he does seem to have a certain amount of maturity perhaps, if you sat him down and explained to him your dislike of his jokes and cruelness he might listen. We are reasonable young women, and should you desire to be with James" I held my hand up for her to let me finish "and if he desires to be with you, he will stop this nonsense and clean his act up. If not, you at least were the mature one, I can't say whether he truly cares for you, but if you speak with him you should receive your answer."

She didn't look convinced but, hopefully this helped her. She brightened up "you're right I'm just going to have to speak with him, I'm sorry I know this seems personal but, I just can't get an unbiased response from anyone."

I waved her off "it's no big deal, I don't blame you, guys can be… confusing and weird." She nodded in agreement.

We bid each other goodnight and headed down to the dungeons. As I washed my face, I realized I forgot to ask Mary about that spell, hopefully I'd get a chance tomorrow.

It was Friday night, so all the girl's emerald curtains were thrown back and were giggling when I came in.

Ava was braiding Rosaline's hair "okay, so you're telling me Lucius's hair is naturally silver?" Ava asked skeptically. Narcissa nodded "I guess so? It's a family thing, I hope our children have it." She said dreamily. Rosaline and ava made faces at each other that conveyed their disgust.

"oh, please as if you two don't get all bubbly at the thought of Regulus or William." I taunted in their direction Ava just turned red, she had the hugest crush on Regulus and honestly, I felt they'd be a good fit. They both get lost in conversation with each other in charms and nothing we do breaks them from this spell. They had curly dark brown hair, and although her eyes were brown, they were beautifully matched I'd say.

Rosaline loved William Zabini but, he felt she was too friendly with boys. What did he expect though, he never asked her out and only flirted with her, a woman is not obligated to anyone but herself.

Rosaline challenged my taunting though she came over to my bed though and pulled my hair loose from where it was being held back by a clip. "what about our dazzling Emery, who makes you giggle?" she poked my side teasingly. I jumped in response "no one has caught my eye just yet." I replied sadly, the truth was no one had caught my attention, sure, there was plenty of attractive guys in Slytherin just none held my attention.

Rosaline's voice took on a dark whisper "does someone perhaps wish for someone a little more… red and gold?" she asked mischievously

"Ha! No, I just haven't met anyone at all neither here or there." I couldn't conceal the blush that spread across my cheeks.

Ava screamed and came over to the bed "Who? Who is it!? " I shook my head, they mistook my blush for confirmation.

"no, I blushed because I wished there was someone that did hold my attention…" my voice was barely above a whisper.

They all just smiled at me in encouragement, Narcissa said brightly "Hey! You are one of the most beautiful girls in Slytherin. No, in Hogwarts, some would kill for your hourglass figure, your eyes, hair and fire. You are incredibly bold and that is beautiful. Practically all the boys in Slytherin want a chance to snog or hell even brush their hand against yours!" She had made her way over to my bed and sat with us three, Ava and Ros nodded in agreement with her.

I smiled at them and we all hugged, I often wondered if I was just broke. Maybe after my parents I just can't bring myself to love. What girl doesn't have crushes? I mean I had one a few years ago on Nik but, I realized after my parent's death that it was because of people like him my parents were dead.

Shaking myself from those thoughts, I changed the topic. "so, you guys will be there when we defeat Ravenclaw tomorrow correct?"

They all laughed in response "as if we're going to miss it!"

We all returned to our beds and settled in, I needed rest if I was going to beat Ravenclaw tomorrow.

"alright, I'm going to spare you all that dribble of a captain's speech Carrow is always giving us. Since he is currently late as hell right now, let me just say we are going to go out there and we're going to beat those Ravenclaws with the books they have shoved in their faces so often!" the team cheered and laughed at this, I had no idea where Carrow was but, I found Gregory Aldertre just in time to take his place, I hope he shows up. He's one of the best chasers I've ever seen and with me looking for the snitch I don't think I can direct the team.

"alright men let's go out there and win." I walked out leading my team onto the field. The announcer was Charles Weasley, he was a likeable guy.

"And for Slytherin's captain we have Emery Dietrich filling in for Carrow who is MIA. Let's hope this will cos- not cost Slytherin" he coughed in the mic to cover up his joke, we'll win we don't need Nott. I could hear him announcing our teammates we all waved in response, then he moved onto Ravenclaw.

I turned to the team "they think we're weak without Carrow, let's go show them Slytherin's need no one." We lined up the pitch.

I went out to shake his hand and the captain was Micah Bulstrode, an arsch if you ask me. the coach told us to shake hands and he wanted a clean game. I knew Micah was a self-entitled guy, I 've heard of him dating muggleborn girls convincing them to do things they don't want to do, then spreading rumors about them. He's been known to steal other Ravenclaw's papers and turn them in as his own, a real shit person.

Bulstrode marched up to me, looked me over from head to toe and asked sarcastically "you're the captain? You're a girl." He yelled back to his teammates about an easy win. He went out to shake my hand I looked at him as though he were a bug I might have stepped on, then I looked down at his hand and scrunched up my nose. I walked away from him without shaking his hand, I heard the crowd boo slightly at this and went to mount my broom.

"Oh, come on that was a something! Coach you didn't catch Slytherin!?"

I planned on being nice but Bulstrode pushed my instant hate button. I turned back to my team "no mercy" they all smiled in response.

The whistle blew, and I felt a rush of air and I was in the air. The bludgers were already flying in all different directions.

Slytherin has got the Quaffle! Nott is making his way towards the post and he made it… yay Slytherin."

I yelled praise to Nott, a Bludger headed right towards me and Regulus smacked it right in time, he smiled at me "you're doing good." And he disappeared in the fray.

"alright, black nice save for the captain, let's see and she's shouting out orders what could they be? Oh! Ravenclaw has the Quaffle Draces is heading up to the post and it's intercepted by William Zabini! Come on Ravenclaw we can- I mean you can do it."

"Black! Lestrange! Spread out, they rely on you being together! Zabini cover Nott!"

So far so good, we were up by twenty-four all I had to do was keep an eye on the snitch. I scanned the area below me and above me avoiding Ravenclaws seeker. I thought I saw it by the Gryffindor section and sped over there. I looked all around them while they all just stared at me, dammit where is that sni- I was cutoff by the announcement and gasps from the crowds.

"Black is down, I repeat he is going down!"

I turned around and I saw a figure falling from the sky, no one was around to catch him.

"REGULUS!" I shouted and flew my broom in his direction I don't think I'll catch him. He was too close, but I kept my broom in his direction, we were a foot apart if I didn't pull up soon, I'd crash with him. I extended my hand felt his touch and pulled up at the last second. Cheers from the crowd told me I got him.

"that was a bold move on Dietrich's part but, that was some great teammate ship!"

I let him off on the ground, I went side to side with Lestrange. "what happened?" he smacked a bludger right at Draces "Bulstrode rode right next to him and Connor did too trapping Reg then Draces hit a bludger right at him they moved but, Regulus didn't in time." I nodded and moved away to go find the snitch.

I did a round around the stands, Slytherin cheering when I went by and some others cheering too. It seemed that move from Ravenclaw cost them some fans. It was when I was passing Gryffindor that something moved in the corner of my eye. I turned and saw it, the same time Ravenclaw saw it too, it wasn't above or below it was right behind Bulstrode. My smile was venomous, vengeance was meant to be, if it wasn't, he wouldn't be in my line of fire. I shot for it, and my team knew I saw it they were clearing a path for me.

"Aaand it looks like Dietrich is out for blood, folks this isn't going to end well."

I collided right with Bulstrode I felt white pain, as we collided but, received a satisfying crack from his body. I heard the crowd and announcer but, it made no sense to me the snitch was right in my grasp. Ravenclaw and I barely missed each other, and the crowd was silent.

I waved my hand in the air and cheers erupted, I flew to the ground and made a clear path to Regulus who was with the fellow Slytherin waiting. I shook his hand and he pulled me close "knew you had it in you." I handed him the hand with the snitch and we raised them together. Do not mess with my team, even more don't mess with my friends. My friends said they were going to go set up the party and ran ahead of everyone.

Everyone was cheering, and some familiar Gryffindor faces came up to me. A flash of red and Lily hugged me, "you did great!" it was only then I realized my shoulder was killing me. I probably broke something colliding with Bulstrode. Lily pulled away and a few others came to congratulate me, we made our way to the castle. Everyone was cheering and yelling in joy, I noticed Lily was almost alone, she had her girl friend's but, Potter wasn't following. He probably can't cheer for us because he's part of an opposing team.

As Lily and her friends waved goodbye and more congratulations, someone had slipped their hand into mine. I looked quickly to see who linked our hands, it was just Regulus.

"what are yo-"

he cut me off "wait with me please?" I looked at him and noticed he looked very nervous which was unlike him. I squeezed his hand in response, the crowd hardly noticed we weren't with them, there was plenty of teammates to go around. I was about to ask him what the deal was when Sirius black came out from behind a statue with his other friends behind. Sirius wasted no time in embracing Regulus, our hands fell apart and James I saw was looking between us. We all turned to give them a moment, of course Sirius would be concerned about Regulus. Despite their differences they were brothers. James cleared his throat as Peter just looked around nervously, "so, that was a clean match huh?"

I rolled my eyes "It was meant to be but, he doubted my capabilities because I'm a woman. It got even uglier when he knocked my best friend off his broom." James shook his head in agreement, I looked around for Remus but, he either left or he wasn't there to begin with. I frowned, James noticed this "looking for anyone in particular Dietrich?" he smiled wickedly.

"no." I said too quickly, truth was I'm not sure why it mattered. He didn't look convinced and continued to smile that arrogant smile. I shook my head at him and winced in pain, James took it upon himself to grab my shoulder. "it looks either bruised or broken, you should probably go see the nurse." I mumbled something in agreement

By this time Regulus and Sirius made their way over to us, Sirius for all his arrogance and swagger I realized deeply cared for Regulus. He gave me a hug and peck on the cheek thanking me for going after Regulus like I did. I smiled, and they headed for Gryffindor tower, Regulus and I made our way to the dungeons.

We walked most of the way in silence until Regulus spoke "Sirius says you should be captain." I looked at him in horror and grabbed my chest. "Sirius? Sirius Black paid me a… a Slytherin a compliment." He pushed me and we opened up the doors to the dungeon, it was a party in full swing.

I didn't celebrate, I didn't care for crowds to be honest, they exhausted me mentally. Of course, I had to thank my friends for the party and make a round around the room to gloat and accept their praise. However, I went over to Regulus who like myself didn't care for crowds but, he draped himself over one of the chairs in the common room and laid his head back. He didn't hide away like I did though he was okay as long as he wasn't in the middle of everything. Ava was sitting a one seat down and kept sneaking glances at him, I smiled and grabbed her arm on my way to Regulus.

She tried to protest but, I wasn't hearing it, plus my shoulder was killing me and I needed to have it looked at. "Reg could you keep Ava company for me, I think I messed up my shoulder during the match. I'm going to the nurse I'll be quick" he looked skeptical and opened his mouth to protest. I swooped in though "please it's too much, I need to breathe." He nodded his head and ava looked between us, jealousy forming. I hugged her "I told him I'm getting mentally tired don't worry."

The journey to the nurses was agony, it was as if with every step my arm grew heavier and the pain turned from a dull ache to white hot pain. The pain was too much, but I held back any tears it would be disgraceful if I couldn't take a little bump or bruise. Not a lot of girls make the Quidditch team and I can't afford to give them any reason to question my ability to take it. I had another stretch of hallway and an entire staircase to climb before I reached the infirmary. I find it highly convenient a majority of the classes and essentials were located in the upper levels more accessible to the other houses just not Slytherin.

I had reached the middle of the hall and I felt like I wasn't alone, I thought I had heard footsteps but, they fell silent as soon as I did. There was no one in the hallway when I lit up my wand, I pressed on but kept checking behind me to see if someone was there.

When I reached the infirmary, the nurse wasn't at her desk she was behind a curtain, there was quite a few people behind the curtain too. "do something Dumbledore!" some voice whispered urgently. I didn't notice before but, there was moans of pain coming from behind the curtain, I inched forward to see who was behind the it.

"I'm afraid we can only make Remus comfortable until this Thursday." Was Remus sick? The nurse came out from behind the curtain and jumped when she saw me. "Miss Dietrich! What are you doing here?" I grabbed my shoulder and ignored the glances of the headmaster and four young boys. "I think I broke or fractured my shoulder in the match. Dumbledore had whispered a few parting words for the friends and walked over to me.

Dumbledore and I hadn't spoken since my parent's death so, this was a surprise to me. "Miss Dietrich, I'm afraid I must ask of you to keep whatever you've heard to yourself tonight." I would never go and tell anyone's secrets, god knows I have so many. The nurse was waving her wand around my arm and I could feel joints moving, my head snapped back in pain. I coughed it back and put on a strong face "unfortunately, other than my misfortune of breaking a bone and my inability to tolerate pain, I haven't the faintest idea as to what you're talking about headmaster." His smile reached his eyes and he bid me goodnight, the nurse after an excruciating hour and a half told me I should stay the night.

I wasn't stupid I knew something was wrong with Remus and I knew the marauders were behind that curtain with him. So, I winced through the pain and kindly refused the offer. "thank you but, I think I'd feel better resting in my own bed." With that said I left and didn't look back.