A/N For this chapter, I had to change Cho Chang's character a bit, but it was for the sake of the story: I hope you'll see why...

Chapter 6

Dear Mother,

I am writing to, you after my first four weeks here at Hogwarts. To sum up my experience so far, I guess I could say it has been revitalising, frustrating and wonderfully independent. Running away from you was probably the best choice I ever made – you may think it is odd for me to write to say this, but I feel it is necessary: You have a daughter, and I feel obliged to include you in my life somehow, no matter how much you disdain me.

The night I left was lively, energetic and exciting, running through London on pure adrenaline, however, you must feel guilty somehow, surely, for the sound of your laughing at my accident pierces my dreams even to this day, twisting them into something worse than any nightmare. In spite of that, I know how dark and evil you truly are, and around here, surrounded by gossip, rumours and here-say, I can now guess why. You're a Death Eater: scum of the magical community, but why did you choose to conceal this from me? Because you're selfish, and have been training me for so long, forcing me to follow the path of life you had chosen, a path, had I known, I would have resisted fully. You wanted to use me to get back in he-who-must-not-be-named's inner circle. Acknowledging this makes me sick, but you have been like that for as long as I can remember, and I therefore know you can't help it, so I forgive you. The thought of you accepting this, and taking this in as the truth makes me laugh because I know it is an absurd thought, but I have to try.

You will be pleased to know I am one of the top in my year at Defence against the Dark Arts, or against Death Eaters. Your training in the Dark Arts themselves has helped me greatly, and I am only beaten by one person: Hermione Granger. I can imagine your face contorting with rage at the prospect of me learning to combat the dark arts, and for some reason, it is giving me pleasure, for it feels like some sort of small revenge against you. In view of that, I will now say this: Hermione Granger is a muggle, and she is beating me, and every other student, in every subject. Quite inspiring, don't you think? Anyway, she has impressed me so much, I am contemplating taking muggle studies now.

I also have several teachers whom I think have recognised me as your daughter, as wherever I go, suspicious eyes follow. This isn't a nice feeling, and although I have forgiven you for trying to make me a Death Eater, I want to know why you became a Death Eater in the first place: you can't have been motivated by money, so I can only guess that you wanted power.

I will be amazed if this letter hasn't been burnt as soon as you receive it, but I hope that you at least begin to read it.

From your ever faithful daughter, Tara.

P.S. The Sorting Hat tried to put me in Slytherin, but I don't want to follow in your footsteps, so I am now in Ravenclaw.

Tara smiled as she re-read the letter, thinking about Bellatrix's reaction to some of the news. She was already in the Owlery, so she tried to look for a suitable owl, a large one to make a long journey, as she was sure it would take a long time to find her Mother. She was walking round the circular room, her feet crunching on the small animal skeletons that blanketed the floor. However, all of the owls were miniscule, apart from a magnificent barn owl, completely white, which was sitting in the private section, meaning it belonged to someone. At that moment, she felt a rush of winter air as someone opened the door. She spun around to see a familiar face from King's Cross.

"Hello!" Harry said kindly, walking over to one of the owls. The large barn owl flew down to him and nibbled his hand affectionately. "This is Hedwig – my owl." Tara walked over to him and stroked the owl. "Were you about to send that letter?"

"Yeah, but I can't find a suitable owl! They're all too small," Tara replied truthfully, not making eye contact with Harry

"You can use Hedwig if you want – she's used to long journeys. Besides, I only need a small owl," Harry said, making Hedwig flutter over to Tara and land lazily on her shoulder.

"Thanks! That would be great!" Tara said happily – she was touched that this stranger was being so kind to her, something she had never really had. She attached her letter to Hedwig's foot, all the while blushing steadily. She knew she had to say something else. "I'm Tara, by the way – I think we have Herbology and Charms together?"

"Yeah! We do!" Harry said enthusiastically, sending his chosen owl away. Tara's heart fluttered as she realised she had been noticed. "I'm Harry Potter, by the way." Something inside her snapped as Tara realised this was the boy whom her Mother had wanted to spite for so long: he could hardly believe it.

"Um, I should get going," said Tara, starting towards the door. She was now looking at the floor, thinking something would happen to Harry if they made eye contact. As she reached the door, she walked into a tall, pretty girl, also from Ravenclaw, who had an air of shyness around her, although she seemed slightly arrogant.

"I'm so sorry!" Tara exclaimed. The other girl, whom she recognised as Cho Chang shook her head and swept past her to Harry, whom she immediately hugged. Tara felt crushed, and just wanted to get out, but for some reason, her feet remained rooted to the spot.

"Did you want something?" said Cho, breaking away from Harry.

"No – sorry, I'm going now," Tara said, turning scarlet at this embarrassment. As she walked out of the door, she heard Cho say "Some people: my Dad warned me a lot of witches and wizards are real freaks!" Tara felt very angry, and felt her wand grow hot with her rage. However, she managed to restrain herself, and to her relief, heard Harry say "Leave her alone: she's perfectly nice," making her smile dreamily...

A/N Tara: I can't believe I survived that!

Me: It wasn't that bad: I've been through much worse!

Harry: Cho's like that: review or she'll humiliate you too.

Cho: And I'll stop chapter 7 from coming unless I get 40 reviews - that's only 8 more! HIYAHHHH!