HELLO MY MINIONS! Sorry I just had 3 cups of coffee to stay up... Holidays are ending in 2 ½ weeks D: I'll update as much as possible though! I've made my decision about Draco! Will I tell you? Read on!

Severus POV:

Today is my last day of my peace. Tonight, the brats will come and my break will be over. My door was closed to soak in the quiet. Even McGonagall was stressed over the return. First Years were always difficult, but extremely easy to scare. Probably since they already were. I sat near the fire. We'd be doing the test to check for abuse soon after the coming of the students. Why, I'd never know. I mean, only Longbottom's idiotic enough not to tell anyone. Well...I never told anyone... I thought about that for awhile, but had to brush it aside. Pomfrey was calling me through the Floo.

"Severus, I've got the lists of who's doing who. Could you come and see?" she said, though not quite asking it.

"Sure, Poppy." I said, slightly exasperated. I hated being interrupted from thought. She moved out of the way so I could walk through.

Nothing was different from last year, though the walls were stocked with more potions then normal. Pomfrey, McGonagall, Dumbledore, and I would be doing the abuse checks. Dumbledore and I would be doing the males while the other two did the females. She handed over the list.

"Even if we find no one else has been abused, we know for certain someone's getting hurt." she said with a trace of sadness. She was right. The Triwizard Tournament was coming up. Part of the reason we were checking on the students was to make sure the other two schools didn't have a reason to file a report against us. If many were being abused and we knew nothing, it would certainly reduce our reputation as the best wizarding school in Europe. But who could possibly be abused?

"I know, Poppy." I said without my usual smirk. It was quite something to win this, but to make it out alive was nearly as amazing.

"Well, we mustn't worry what we can't change. Now, I need a batch of dreamless sleep potion before the students come, if it's possible," she said, trying to forget the events coming.

"Fine. I am the Potions Master, you know." I said, smirking. I'll forget until I have to remember.

"So where's the list?" I asked impatiently.

"Right...I think Albus took it. Sorry Severus, you'll have to be surprised," she said, with a smirk I had never seen on her.

"That's alright." I said. Poppy had helped me while I was at school here. She healed my bruises and never said a single word to anyone. I owed her more than I could ever give.

I exited the Infirmary, robes billowing behind. Imagine if all students could participate, I thought. Most First Years can't even brew a successful Forgetful Potion. (A/N: Who remembers this?) I personally thought the competition was cruel, almost. They were 17 years old, and dying at that age is just too early. As I walked down the dungeon stairs, I saw my door open. Who could possibly be here? I thought. As I entered the door, I realized it was just McGonagall.

"Can I help you?" I asked smoothly. She look a bit ruffled.

"Yes, you can." she said simply. I rolled my eyes but could see she really had something to say. I sat down to the chair opposite to her.

"Oh, I'm so desperately curious. What is it?" I said sarcastically. She smirked but her face turned serious.

"What do we plan to do if we do find an abused child?" she asked, worried.

"That seems all everyone's worried about. How likely is it that we will find someone?" I said.

"Very! If Longbottom was abused than think of who else could be!" McGonagall said, as if trying to convince me of something.

"I wouldn't call Longbottom's situation abuse-"

"Not abuse! Do you even know how his family got him to do accidental magic?" she asked incredulously.

"His situation is fine now." I said, attempting to ending the discussion.

"What if other students are abused right now! Come on, Severus, at least think about the idea!" I had obviously failed.

"Alright, let's say a student is abused. They go to another family member or another family that will treat them well. End of story." I said irritably.

"You know it's not that simple." she said lowly as she walked out. Maybe so, McGonagall, but I go by what I said before. No one's abused.

Harry POV:

"Did you here Neville was abused?" asked Ron. "I couldn't believe when I heard!"

"Really? You'd never expect it!" Hermione said, thoroughly surprised.

"Well if Hermione never knew, than how could any of us?" I teased. I was really just trying to get the topic off abused. She slapped my shoulder jokingly and I covered my wince. Ron laughed at us and we talked about Hogwarts. Our conversation was cut short when we heard our compartment door opened with a slam. A/N I've decided I'm going to do a Draco POV. Yes. I just did. Because I can. SEE?

DRACO POV:

I faked laughter at one of Parkinson's stupid jokes. She was so clingy and irritating... Seemed like so many were like that. I had always imagined Potter and I were friends. Why? No idea. Just thoughts. I opened the letter Father had given me at the station. It read:
Draco,

Since you decided to go against my orders to become Potter's ally, you continue what you have been doing. Go. Right now. I don't care where you are where you read this. I want you to go bully Potter. Understood? Good.

Father

"What are you reading?" asked Parkinson in her irritating voice.

"Nothing. Crabbe, Goyle. Come with me. Stay here Parkinson," I added when she attempted to stand. I sighed silently. He had done nothing wrong.

Their conversation was cut short when I slammed the door open. They looked the same. Potter seemed a bit... off. I could see it in his eyes. Something wasn't right. I forced myself to shake it off.

"Well, lookie here. A Potter, Weasel, and Mudblood. First and only party your going to, huh?" It hurt to call Granger Mudblood. I didn't believe in blood status. If only everyone thought that.

"Don't call them that. What's wrong, can't figure a name for me?" Potter said, standing with a slight shake. Why? I thought.

"I think your surname brings enough shame. Are you cheating on Granger with Weasel over here? Always knew you'd turn gay." I sneered. Why do I have to say these things? I could tell the first sentence hurt him. I wanted to apologize, but knew I never could.

"What, trying to make sure they're single?" he said smirking. "They'll still say no." Nice one, Potter.

"No, wouldn't want to take away the only love you'd have." I said, turning on my heel. "Crabbe, Goyle. Let's go."

I told them to go to the compartment and I'd be there in a second. I wanted to listen to them.

"He's a jerk, Hermione. Don't think about it." I heard Potter say. No I'm not Potter... I heard Weasley agreeing with him. That's probably what everyone thinks about me, I thought. I hated thinking that. As I made my way to my compartment, I thought about it. Maybe I could befriend Potter...but instead, for me. No. No that would never work. Father would find out and he wouldn't be very happy. I sighed and I walked into the compartment. I'm trapped.

Harry POV:

"What, trying to make sure they're single?" I retorted, smirking. "They'll still say no." Something in his eyes changed. Like...a laugh? No...I've gone mad...

"No, would't want to take away the only love you'd have." he said. "Crabbe, Goyle. Let's go." As he exited I could see something I hadn't before. He had a limp, but he was disguising it. Probably from Quidditch, I thought.

"He's a jerk, Hermione. Don't think about it." I said after seeing Ron trying to comfort her. Ron agreed with me. She finally dropped it right on time for the Hogwarts train to whistle once more.

"Home," I whispered under my breath. Unbeknownst to me, another person was saying the same exact thing.

Severus POV:

I had nearly finished the potion for Poppy. I heard the alarm in the dungeons, signaling the return of the Hogwarts train. Great, I thought. That's the end of it. I transferred the finished potion into small vials. I doubt these will come to use. It was a dreamless sleep potion after all. Not too much you can do with that. I looked at my clock and realized I should be at the Great Hall right now. I sighed as I said a spell and the potion vanished into the Infirmary.

I walked toward the Great Hall. I barely ate here, but it was mandatory today. I saw Minerva quicken her pace to walk with me.

"It's over..." she said. She was delighted to see the students, but clearly upset to be leaving her peace.

"Until next year." I said. The students would be here in minutes. We both walked up to the Staff Table.

"Severus! Minerva! We were discussing if we were going to have professors come to the Great Hall for all meals! Wouldn't that be great, Severus?" he said, looking at me with those twinkling blue eyes.

"No, not really." I said tersely. I wasn't too happy with him because of the "check – ups" we'd be doing. He decided to call it 'abuse checks' for reasons I hope I'd never know. They chatted about meaningless things until Minerva had to leave to get the First Years. All the other students were filing into the hall. Moody was sitting there, watching every student like a madman. I rolled my eyes and watched more subtly.

Harry POV:

Ron, Hermione and I sat down at the Gryffindor table, as usual. We met up with Seamus, Neville, Angelina, Katie, Ginny, Fred, George and Dean. We tried to stay away from the topics of summer, family, and obviously, abuse. Of course it just made it easier for me. We watched as the First Years got sorted. I remembered my sorting. If anyone knew about it...

"Fourth Year..." Hermione said thoughtfully. "We'd be in high school if we were muggles." she said. All the pure bloods that were eaves dropping stared at her.

She smiled and eagerly explained. I tuned her out and looked around at everyone. I saw Malfoy looking at me, but when our eyes met they quickly dropped.

"Harry...HARRY!" Hermione said. I had completely zoned out.

"Y-Yes?" I asked her.

"You looked completely zoned out there. You alright?"

"Yeah, Hermione. I'm fine." That seemed to always be my answer. Before we could say anything else, Dumbledore had made a loud noise with his wand.

"Students! Before you all eat the wonderful food about to appear in front of you, I have a few words to say. Earwax! Unicorns! Corn! A/N...er... Sorry couldn't think of what he'd say...

A huge amount of food appeared before us. I was careful on how much I'd eat – I'm not sure how to explain if I throw up... We all ate and laughed for as long as we could. Ron took 4 servings while I attempted to finish my first.

"Not hungry, Harry?" asked George.

"I'm sure Ron's having a nightmare." said Fred. Everyone looked at him. Before he could retort, Dumbledore had made the same banging noise.

"Just a few comments before we officially begin the school year. The Forbidden Forest is Forbidden, to the 1st Years. And others too." he said, smiling at the Twins. "Also, this year we will be hosting the Triwizard Tournament! For those of you who don't know, two other schools will be coming over. One student OVER 17 from each school will compete. The Goblet of Fire will choose who." There was a bit of mystery in his voice. "And, finally, due to recent events, we will be making sure all students are not being abused at their homes. Not to worry, this won't interrupt lessons. Now than, off to your dormitories!" he said happily.

I lay down on my bed, thinking. What am I going to do? I thought. Is there a spell to disguise it? I worried for hours until my eyes finally gave in and I went to sleep.

Mystery Person (not really) POV:

What if they found out? No. They couldn't. Uncle Sev thinks I'm not abused. He won't make me do it. Right?

Alright then. I really hated this chapter...tell me how to make it better? Thanks guys:) I really love the reviews that come in, they make me feel really happy =D Honestly, I've never been so happy. I can't tell you, or anyone really. But yesterday, 7/27/12, I found that dreams do come true.

-WriterAtTwilight