(Chapter 4 Edited February 3, 2007)

I have always known I was different. If it wasn't how I looked, it was how I acted, or how I dressed, how I spoke or how I ate. It was always the same thing: I was never good enough for anyone: friends, family, myself.

I was always the outsider. Even before the accident no one would talk to me. The other children always though that I thought I was too good for them. I didn't think that way, but my father and my grandparents did. The one person that loved me unconditionally in the world was my mother. And she too left me. I haven't had the easiest or greatest life in the world, but I do know that there are people living much worse lives than my own. I know I sound very selfish and conceited when I complain about my childhood, but sometimes I think if I had a better one I would have become a better person in the world and thus I would not have to settle for mediocrity and the family standards.

No one seemed to understand me. Not my family. Not my supposed friends. Not even the healers at St. Mungo's. My grandparents went as far as seeking muggle professional help to no avail—that was quite the stretch for them for they are pureblooded supremacists. See in the Wizarding world you have the Old Family Purebloods (with more than 10 generations of magical individuals), the New Purebloods (that have just 10 generations), the Purebloods that believe in the blood supremacy stuff, Half-Bloods with mixed parentage, and Muggleborns who are born in the non-magical community.

I personally think that the whole blood thing is ridiculous, but I won't dare speak against the views of my family. I have learned over the years that it is for my personal well being if I am only seen but NOT heard. It is much safer that way. I have not seen my uncle since the last time he spoke against the pureblood ways to my grandfather…and that was what like seemed to be years ago. I really do want to make a difference in the world, but I know I will be sorted into Slytherin like almost every other member of my family. Its not that I see Slytherin as evil, but I just think it will limit my full potential. My ambition is my downfall. I know I sounded ambitious as saying Slytherin will limit my potential which seems false because Slytherin is known for the networking that helps to put them ahead of the other houses when it comes to post-Hogwarts life. I think I may just blend into the background of the other students. I don't really need to get the best grades because of the supposed connections of my grandparents and the ones I will make in school. I guess I am cunning by using what resources I have to further myself.

Ambition is seen as a bad thing, but it is really in the eye of the beholder. Society's opinion can change on a whim. It doesn't matter what one's intentions are. It is the actions that matter. Even then not so much because what is wrong one minute is popular the next. Politically correctness doesn't matter because money solves all of the problems. A lot of the corruption in the Ministry of Magic is due to this. I wish I could do something, but I know that I can't. My status of being a Pureblood from a "dark'" family would have my notions immediately dismissed as personal gain. I want to change all of that but I do not think now is the time. As horrible as it sounds, something terrible must happen that will be caused or worsened by the views of the majority of the Pureblood families. I do not think it is important but I do want to change everything. A wave of brilliant and talented muggleborns and half-bloods need to graduate or enter the halls of Hogwarts soon to show the world how wrong they were/are.

The Wizarding World in Britain in particular is very old fashioned in its ways. While other nations of similar age such as France and Spain have adapted with time, the British Ministry has held fast to its ways. Older Wizarding nations such as Egypt, China, Japan, and Italy have at least made efforts. It has taken time for them, but many things in those nations are much better. Yes blood purity is important to them, but not in the same way as in Britain. They have realized through time that constant inbreeding is dangerous and that the introduction of new blood in necessary for the survival of the wizarding race. They understand that blood purity in royal lines is important, but have made multiple attempts to marry internationally to not only strengthen alliances, but also to diversify their gene pools.

I know no one would expect me to know any of this. I am really quite and shy, but you wouldn't think that when you meet me. I look very imposing, even as a first year. Over time I have gained the nickname of "Troll face." It is all because of that stupid accident. I don't even… Never mind its not even worth it No one will ever see me as being smart, so mind as well let them underestimate me because one day they won't know what is coming until it is too late! So I guess being a Slytherin wouldn't be too bad after all!

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When I was little I grew up in Scotland. I wasn't living in the Wizarding quarters though. Ironically enough in Scotland, it is seen as a sign of wealth and status of a family to live in a large estate amongst the muggles. This is this most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. They hate muggles and can't stand them, but they won't to live in the same areas as them to show off their status because they can. I really don't get it. Why would they want to do it? They only wizarding family I can think of that does it in England are the Black Family, but they live in London. Their urban mansion is tucked away in the city and they sold their land to make a fortune. It still makes no sense to me why they live in London amongst the muggles if they hate them so, but I guess my family would to if they could sell our country estates for as much as the Black's were able to.

I loved Scotland. The air always tasted so fresh and clean. All you could see for miles and miles were fields of green. The views were breath taking. (I know that sounds really sappy but these are my private thoughts and no one will see them so I can be honest with myself right?). I liked the peace and quiet of the area. Oddly enough there was another wizarding family that lived near by. They were not the type my grandparents would normally associate with, but they were Slytherins for a reason. You take what you can get, and it's better to associate with wizards than muggles. You never know when a friendship can come in handy. Life debts are nasty little buggers that can save your life. I guess that sometimes even the "darkest" people can set aside their differences with families of the Light. It was odd, they were very civil with each other, almost like real friends… but they weren't right?

It was the best time of my life. I had an awesome time, a "loving" family, and him. I was a year older, but we were the best of friends. Sort of like day and night, but that's beside the point. We were best friends, blood brothers. We stuck by each other through thick and thin. Our parents thought it was "cute." Our personalities were quite different; in a sense we completed each other. It was kind of off. We had this like twin telepathy thing going on for a while. It was fun to have someone around my age to be with for my closest cousins were at least seven years younger than me! We spent the days outdoors on my families pitch or causing mischief in his families library/ drawing room.

Then Death Eaters came. I guess I was very sheltered growing up. I never knew what was occurring throughout most of the British Isles. And then one day while I was out with my mother…they took my dad. I had never been so scared. My dad threw me into a closet. They didn't look for me; they just took my dad and Apparated away. When my mother came back she was hysterical. And then it was decided we had to leave. My grandparents had taken care of many of the things necessary for the move. We left so sudden I was unable to think straight. I wasn't even able to say goodbye. I never got to appreciate my last moments in Scotland.

We fled to Ireland, and I never saw him again. That's when I began to take my emotions on myself. My mother was very distraught as were my parents after the abduction of my father. My family remained neutral on the blood purity issue for political reasons. They wanted to be on the winning side as a true Slytherin family would do so. Staying away from the petty arguments is always more beneficial in the long run than having the risk of being overthrown in the near future. And that's how I ended up looking the way I do. I was ignored and shunned. They blamed it all on me. IT was not like I could stand up to grown wizards and do something, but never the less it was my fault he was gone. On my eleventh birthday I got my Hogwarts letter.

After the Death Eater attacks died down, my mom finally decided it was safe for me to attend Hogwarts. Days before I was set to leave for Hogwarts my mother had overdosed on dreamless sleep potions. In combination with muggle sleeping pills she had overdosed and currently is in the Long Term Intensive Ward with the Longbottoms, yes Alice and Frank Longbottom, two of the greatest wizards of their times along with James and Lily Potter, and Sirius Black. The five of them help great power within the Ministry despite their "low ranking jobs"…

Once again I was "the root" of all of the problems for the Flint Family. My grandparents made it their goal to make sure I would be groomed into a fine Slytherin that would make my parents proud, despite them thinking I was a shame to the Flint Family and the cause of my father's disappearance and my mothers overdose. And then it began.

My power of Air

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Okay people please review! I have modified Keeper's chapter slightly more to make Marcus seem more human in my opinion. I did give him more of a Slytherin personality, but I also added a little bit of Ravenclaw wisdom, Hufflepuff idealism, and Gryffindor rashness.

This I think is one of the more powerful of the four character intros that are to come. While each comes from "a decent home" they all have their secrets and aspirations that do not necessarily match with their families' ideals and values. I am trying to make the story seem to transition a lot smoother especially because some of the ideas Keeper put in later on in the story kind of make no contextual sense because there is no foundation to build them off of.

PLEASE REVIEW!!! I REALLY DO MEAN IT BECAUSE IT HELPS ME TO WRITE FASTER

-Griffin!