Brielle was absolutely itching to open her letter. At lunch she'd almost decided to open it but she accidentally caught everyone's eye when she spilled her pumpkin juice while trying to tear off the seal.

Hermione had been watching her for a while now, as if she suspected something. Brielle ate quickly and quietly after this, so she might catch some time before class to read the letter. As she was leaving she was stopped by Hermione, apparently she had some more questions.

"I checked with some other people in your year and none of them could tell me anything about you. So I hope I don't sound rude but could I ask you a few things about you?"

"Uh, sure. Maybe later, though, I've got to be…somewhere." Shoot. Hermione was eyeing her suspiciously.

"Okay, first question. When did you meet George?"

"Uh…his store, Wizard Wheezes right? About a week before school, I think."

"Only once?"

"Well yeah, his store is new."

"Then why would he be so interested in you?"

"I don't know! Why don't you ask him?"

"I did but he just said that it wouldn't be right for him to tell."

Brielle's face went ghost white, 'How could he know?' Because, stupid, you went in there with your mother's face! Lily's face and eyes!

"I, uh, I have to leave for my next class, uh, Potions and all that great stuff. So, er, bye."

Brielle ran down the corridor, robe floating like a streamer behind her. The letter was forgotten and lay at Hermione's feet.

Brielle slid into her seat just before class started, the other students glared at her, she'd almost cost them points. She sighed, at least Potions wasn't that bad of a class. Brielle seemed to have inherited her parents Potions skills. Though, she is not a prodigy, it may have easily gotten her an Exceeds Expectations on her O.W.L.'s. The best bit was that she got to spend time with her father.

Severus Snape walked slowly by the tables, checking for signs of screw-ups or over-dones. One of the more tolerable Gryffindors was Prague. She never spoke, keeping quietly to herself in the corner of the room. He often wondered why she was in Gryffindor, but chalked it up to her having hidden intent; like all Gryffindors seemed to. He stepped into view of her cauldron and, surprise, it looked just fine. The girl quietly added Conqueror's Root and stirred slowly three times. It turned a pale green and let off the sent of sherry. Brielle sighed and grabbed her flask, filled and corked it, and set it by her books.

"I do believe you are the first one done here, Prauge," Snape drawled slowly.

"So it seems Professor."

"And I also believe that all magic is prohibited between students, yes?"

Brielle looked at him, oddly, "Sir?"

"Your hair," he pointed out, "it happens to be oddly orange at the moment."

Brielle gasped, pulling her hair in front of her, eyes widening when she found it to be true.

"I…I…"

"Hand over your potion and go see Madam Pomfrey."

"Yes sir," Brielle gathered her things and headed out, only distracting the other students when the dungeon doors slammed shut.

Brielle made up a totally believable—to anyone not experienced in Muggle contraptions—lie that Madam Pomfrey bought with exceedingly kind words.

"Now dear, go lie down until next class. Those fumes can be horribly toxic for a young girl such as yourself."

"Yes ma'am. But I think I'll be fine."

"No, no dear. Stay still for a while and that nausea will dispel after a bit."

"Yes ma'am," Brielle flashed a winning smile that would melt ice.

As Madam Promfrey left, she pulled out her Transfiguration book and opened it to the latest chapter. She had a test and barely studied.

Brielle was able to leave the Hospital Wing early enough to be the first one to class. She then took the opportunity to reach in her pocket to make sure the letter was there.

"Oh Gods…"

Brielle almost fainted. Her heart pumped and her hands went clammy. How could she have lost it?

She breathed, trying to calm down. A hand touched her shoulder. Brielle whirled around to see Caitlin Thumwell with an envelope in her hand.

"A girl gave me this to give to you," she explained, and walked away.

'Strange,' she thought, 'doesn't even stop to say goodbye. Who would be writing to me anyway?'

Brielle opened the note.

'I have your letter. I think there are some things you need to explain.

-Hermione'

'Oh dear God,' Brielle slid into her chair, 'What does she know?'

AN: Really sorry it took so long, but please, bear with me. Softball has taken my arm out of commission for a while, I'll write when I can.