"Lia! Merlin save me ... What are you doing?" Tracey yelled in exasperation, as she watched her friend, who was still sitting placidly on her chair, flicking between the pages of a worn-out book with her index finger. She shook her head. "Have you even looked at the time?" She pulled her up by tugging hard on the girl's arm. "We're going to be late for our first flying class!"

"Oh." Lia's eyes widened, and the book thudded to the floor. "I forgot." Then she grinned apologetically at Tracey. "Have you seen the library here though? It's amazing. I almost wanted to borrow everything!"

Tracey scoffed. "Books aren't as good as flying. And if you don't hurry the hell up, we'll never even learn how to mount a broom."

In the brief week and a half since the sorting, Lia had surprisingly been having a much better time in Slytherin than she had anticipated. The heavens had finally answered her pleas, and had not damned her with even more bad luck.

Mercifully, she was not in a room with Parkinson and her equally fugly and bigoted friend, Millicent Bulstrode. Thank goodness. Or perhaps thank the teachers. They probably realised that if the two of them were put together, Pansy might end up buried in a coffin, the whole dorm might burn down … or worse Parkinson might run and complain to that vile father of hers.

No, they were all spared from that disaster.

Her roommates comprised of Tracey Davis, a pert girl who had deceivingly innocent chocolate brown eyes; Daphne Greengrass, who although pleasant in private, was a bit of a people pleaser, and was always trying to win the approval of the 'Hag-inson and Mope-foy posse'; Caroline Summers, who seemed way too kind and bubbly to be in Slytherin; and Selene Blackwater, a reserved pureblood girl who enjoyed books and mostly kept to herself.

The girls were alright. Better than alright. They were nice enough, even though she was sure that everyone there had a sly side simmering beneath the surface. They were Slytherins after all. Perhaps, it was why they had all gotten along so marvellously. Well mostly … there had been a few arguments, and Greengrass was sometimes excruciatingly painful to watch as she followed 'Pansy the pansy' everywhere. But everyone had their faults.

Lia and Tracey ran out of the castle, sprinting and panting for breath. They arrived at the grounds mere seconds before Madam Hooch appeared. She noted that their teacher had the most bizarre yellow eyes. They weren't a scorching gold like hers, but rather, a lighter shade, whilst sharp and piercing like a hawk's.

Lia moved closer to the Gryffindors, and poked Harry on his shoulder. Her brother spun around and smiled widely when he saw her. Even though they no longer lived in the same house, she was sure to leave time for him, Hermione and Ron. At first, she had felt a bit awkward, guilty even, as if she had betrayed him and his friends by getting herself sorted into Slytherin. Then she'd laughed at how irrational and foolish she was being. Harry was her brother. He knew that it wasn't her fault she was in that house. And even if he did blame her. Well, who cared what he though anyway? Besides, Sytherin was actually satisfactory.

Satisfactory if you didn't count certain people. She groaned at the sight of the familiar blond hair. Why was it that every time she saw Mopefoy, she just wanted to throw up?

"Well then, what are you lot all waiting for?" Madam Hooch's barking voice startled Lia. "Come on. Everyone stand by a broomstick. Hurry up. We don't have all day now."

Lia's broom looked very volatile.

It was scruffy and there were curious indents all around it, as if someone's long nails had dug scratches into the wood - bits of wood sticking around everywhere, and she thought that she saw a cockroach hiding beneath a particularly angular twig. She was about to steal Harry's broomstick but saw that his didn't look much better.

"I want you to stick out your right hand over your broom," called Madam Hooch at the front, "and say firmly, 'Up!"

"Up!" They said in unison. Lia was delighted to find that her broom had indeed flown up into her hand immediately. As had Harry's. She was disappointed to see that blondie's had as well.

That stupid smug smirk was back on his stupid smug face again.

Madam Hooch then proceeded to show them how to mount their brooms correctly, in order to avoid sliding off the end. She went and walked up and down the rows correcting their grips. Lia smiled when she reached Malfoy and chastised him for holding it wrong.

"You haven't been doing it right for years," Hooch said.

"When does he ever do anything right?" Lia muttered. It turned out to be much louder than she expected and she heard some Gryffindors snicker. Malfoy, apparently having heard (that was a wonder in itself, Malfoy's hearing was usually awful), glared at her.

"Now, as soon as I blow my whistle, you need to kick off from the ground, hard," said Madam Hooch. "Be careful to keep your brooms steady, only rise a few feet, and then come straight back down. You can do this by leaning forward slightly. Okay, everyone ready? On my whistle - three - two -"

Neville, who was white-faced, had risen up into the air, even before Hooch's lips could form into the shape of the word 'one'. Lia grimaced. The silly boy had pushed off too early, and he didn't seem to be able to control himself or his broomstick. The class was silent as they watched Neville rise higher and higher.

All the while, Madam Hooch was screaming, "Come back, boy!"

Neville certainly looked like he wanted to put his feet on solid ground again, he was close to tears, but the broom did not want to cooperate. She watched as Neville's grip on the handle grew looser and weaker.

"He's probably shaking too much to have a firm hold," Lia thought. "And his palms must be sweating too." She realised what was going to happen, just as Neville's eyes grew enormously and he slipped, plummeting to the ground.

Next minute, Hooch was bent over Neville, examining his wrist with concern. "Broken," she murmured. Lia felt very sorry for Neville, he looked almost beside himself with pain and embarrassment at the spectacle he and his unruly broomstick had caused.

Lia remembered what she had once been able to do. How Dudley's friend, Pier's broken arm had seemingly mended under touch. Mended until it was as good as new ... better than new.

"Professor! Let me," she interjected. Before anyone else could react, she was already by Neville's side, her spry fingers gently stoking the tear-streaked boy's wrist. She imagined warmth in her brain, and two pieces of cloth stitching back together again. To everyone's amazement, the odd angle at which Neville's bone sat, seemed to correct itself and slide back into perfect alignment. The purple bruising faded away into creamy coloured skin.

Satisfied with her work, and the fact that Neville was no longer in obvious pain (he was turning his wrist around, his jaw hanging open in astonishment), she stood up to meet the awe-struck expressions of her teacher and peers.

"Why … Miss Potter. That … that was," Hooch seemed shocked beyond words. "Incredible."

"It was just some simple healing," Lia flushed under the unwanted attention and looked down at the floor.

"But without your wand! And no incantation! How? What spell did you possibly use? Episkey? But that needs to be said aloud and it's only for minor breaks. Goodness, your sort of skill takes years of practise. Years I say. And even then, it is so rare to meet a witch with that ability." She smiled, astounded. "My dear, you must consider a role in St Mungo's Hospital when you're older."

Lia held back a laugh. She couldn't really imagine herself as a nurse or a doctor, and had a ridiculous vision of herself feeding soup to an old man, whilst dressed in a short skirt and apron. No, that wouldn't do.

"Twenty points to Slytherin!" Tracey clapped her hands together at that. "And I think I'll be having a word to your other teachers. They should be delighted to know that we have such a talented student in our midst."

Lia's eyes drifted back to Neville. "Thank you for your kind words, Madam Hooch. But, I still think it would be best if Neville was taken to the hospital wing. I'm not really sure what I just did. Or if there's any … damage? I wouldn't want him to get … I don't know … arthritis or something."

Hooch nodded, even though she looked confused at what arthritis was. "A thoughtful idea. Now, class, wait here why I take Mr Longbottom to the hospital wing. None of you are to move! You leave those brooms where they are or you'll be out of Hogwarts before you can say 'Quidditch'. Come on, dear."

As soon as they were out of hearing range, Malfoy laughed. A high, piercing, sour laugh. "Did you see his face, the great lump?"

Some of the other Slytherins joined in on the laughter. They were namely Crabbe, Goyle and Hag-inson. It was sort of ironic. Lia wasn't sure if those three were even smart enough to tell the head of a broomstick from the tail. They surely would have fallen off too had it happened to them. She imagined Pansy's leg breaking and smiled despite herself.

"Shut up, Malfoy," snapped Parvati Patil.

"Ooh, sticking up for Longbottom?" said Pansy the pansy. "Never thought you'd like fat little crybabies, Parvati."

"Who are you calling fat, Haginson? I wonder? Is that your stomach or did you swallow a beach ball?" Lia snapped.

Pansy opened her mouth, probably to spurt out another dumb retort of hers, when Mopefoy suddenly said, "Look!". He flung himself forward and snatched something out of the grass. "It's that stupid thing Longbottom's gran sent him."

Lia saw the Remembrall glittering in the sun as he held it up. She thought back to the content look on Neville's face when he had opened the package this morning. It was obvious that no matter how harsh his grandmother was, they loved each other. He would want that ball back.

"Give that here, Malfoy," said Harry quietly. There was a silence as heads turned around to watch the scene. Lia sighed internally. There was Harry again. Standing up for those who couldn't do it themselves. So brave. So noble. And now that he was in it, she would doubtlessly have to step in to protect her fool of a brother and stop him from getting hexed by Mopefoy, or worse.

Malfoy's face warped into a smile. The expression did not suit him at all. He looked like one of those deranged, twisted psychos. In fact, he actually reminded her a bit of Norman Bates from the muggle movie 'Pyscho'. She had seen it once when she'd been sleepless at night and had sneaked downstairs to watch the television. It had just happened to be playing, and since she was only ten at the time, she'd been freaked out, which had certainly not helped her insomnia.

"I think I'll leave it somewhere for Longbottom to find," he said cruelly. "Let's see … how about … up a tree?"

"Malfoy," Lia hissed. "Give it here. Now."

Blondie scowled. He was always scowling and glaring. One of these days, the wind was going to blow the wrong way, and his pretty face wouldn't be so pretty anymore. Wait … she hadn't actually thought of Mopefoy's face as 'pretty' had she? What was wrong with her? Was she going blind?

"I don't think so Potter," he smirked.

"I'm warning you Mal Mal. Hand the ball over. You don't want a broken bone like Neville. Do you?"

"Are you threatening me, Pottie?" he scoffed. "As if you could ever harm me. That trick with the 'healing'? I bet you Neville's wrist wasn't even broken in the first place. I wouldn't even be surprised if you were a squib."

"Well. That was rude. if you're so sure Malfoy. Give me your wrist. And let's see if I'm really a squib. Shall we?"

Malfoy and Lia had an intense glaring match. It was like they were waiting to see who would break first so that they'd have an excuse to try and kill the other. Luckily, Harry's voice broke the tension. Lia's fingers had been itching to wrap themselves around Malfoy's neck.

"Give it here!" Harry yelled, lunging forward to try to snatch it off Malfoy's grimy hands.

But as fast as lightning, the slimy git leapt onto his broomstick and glided up into the sky. Lia was disheartened to have to reluctantly admit that the arrogant idiot was actually not half-bad at flying. At least he wasn't as stupid as she had thought. He knew which end of the broom was which.

He came to a stop and hovered level with the topmost branches of an oak, and called, "Mr and Miss Potter. Do you want the ball? Come and get it, then!"

Harry, Harry who never thought things through, immediately ran and grabbed his broom.

"No!" shouted Hermione. "Harry, you can't! Madam Hooch told us not to move. Didn't you hear her? You'll get us all into trouble and you'll get yourself expelled."

However, Harry, blinded by his honour and hot-headedness, simply ignored Hermione's logical words. Lia thought she could almost see steam blowing out of his ears. She swore. Her stupid brother was actually going to try to fly! What in seven hells was he going to do if he fell? What if he got caught? He'd never even flown before! And it was obvious that Malfoy had learnt, probably from his sneak of a father.

Well, now Harry was just about forcing her to get up there too. She weighed up the options in her head. Would she rather be expelled with Harry, or stay at Hogwarts and be separated? Actually, would she rather die herself, or let Harry die? Would she rather prove Malfoy wrong, or be a good student and stay on the ground like all her other peers?

If it had been anyone else up there, even Ron or Tracey, who were now good friends of hers, Lia wouldn't have risked herself. But of course, it had to be Harry. And in her mind, Harry came first.

Lia followed behind Harry, grabbing her own broom, just as her brother had mounted and kicked hard, to rise and soar into the air. She cursed again. There wasn't enough time to plan what to do if they fell. She could vaguely remember a movement charm she'd read, 'Aresto momentum', which should be able to slow down their speed if they fell. But she'd never had the chance to test it out yet, and she couldn't remember if the words were right.

She looked at Malfoy. At that height, they probably wouldn't die if they fell, maybe if they were unlucky enough to break their neck, but it would be painful, and Lia didn't want to get injured before she had even spent two weeks at Hogwarts.

Hating and internally screaming at her sibling, she gripped hard onto the handle, and flew up as well.

Flying had an immediate and unexpected effect on her. The fear in her stomach vanished, even though this had to be one of her illogical decisions, and it was replaced with shock and exhilaration when she realised that she was actually hovering in the air! And she wasn't close to dying yet! It was even better when she spotted the shock on Malfoy's face. He'd learn not to underestimate them next time.

She flew up to Harry, who was grinning too. Even though it was childish, Lia couldn't help but high-five him.

"You're an idiot," she said truthfully to her brother.

Down below, there were some screams and gasps. Ron and Tracey had given an admiring whoop. Lia reminded herself to be nicer to those two later. Maybe buy them a gift.

"Give it here, Malfoy," Harry called out.

"Or we'll knock you off that broom," Lia said. "In case it escaped your notice, it's two against one. Well two against a half. You don't really count as one."

"Oh, you will huh," sneered Malfoy. He was trying to look tough, but she could see the worry and fear in his eyes. He was such a bloody coward.

Lia exchanged a look with Harry, and they both nodded. Malfoy looked even more scared.

Somehow, the two of them had communicated silently to each other, and they both knew what to do. Lia leaned forward and grasped the broom tightly in both hands, and shot toward Mopefoy like a sharp arrow fired from a bow, whilst Harry followed from the other side. Malfoy was only able to just get out of the way in time. A few hands were clapping below. Served him right for being such a bully.

"Oooooh, is poor little Mal Mal scared?" she taunted.

"No Crabbe and Goyle up here to save your neck," Harry called.

Malfoy seemed to have thought of that too. "Well if you two are so brave, catch it if you can, then!" he shouted, and threw the glass ball high into the air and streaked back toward the ground.

Lia watched the ball fly up into the sky and drop down from gravity. Harry followed and shot into a very steep dive, as he raced for the ball. She was a bit afraid to see what would happen next, so she chose to instead tail after Malfoy. She was hungry for some revenge. Before he could reach the ground, Lia crashed her broom into him and the two of them fell into a heap on the grass. Lia hadn't meant to have collapsed herself as well - she'd just been looking to hit Malfoy, leave a nice bruise on his bleached skin.

"Get off me!" he yelled, incensed.

"I'm trying! Stop wriggling so much! Are you a bloody worm or something?"

Malfoy leaped up and dusted himself off. He set his furious gaze on Lia. "And what are you? Do you have mad cow disease? I swear to god."

"No Malfoy. I'm a human being," she paused. "The real question is what species are you?" She ran a hand through her hair, she'd messed it up flying, and she could feel the tangles between her fingers. "Earth is crowded. Go home."

"Why can't you just leave me alone!" he spluttered out. "You're always here sticking your hideous face in everything. Do you have a crush on me or something? Want to get me on the ground? You should have just asked. Not crashed here like some crazy dog with rabies."

It was Lia's turn to splutter now. "Why … you … you arrogant slimeball!" She growled, the sound low in her throat.

"Tell me," she said. "Is your ass jealous of the amount of shit that just came out of your mouth?"

Her eyes narrowed into slits as she continued ranting. "You just think everything's about you huh? Well, for your bloody information the world does NOT resolve around the Malfoys, and I was trying to freaking knock your head off of your shoulders! Not straddle you! You're absolutely disgusting! I'm eleven! And you're a bloody bad influence! God save me. I'm going to knock your teeth out!"

Harry had reached her now. She was briefly pleased to see that he had managed to catch the Remembrall. At least, it wasn't all for nothing. She calmed down as he put a hand on her shoulders. She saw the warning in his eyes. It wouldn't do well for her to go and thump Malfoy already. She'd best wait until they were in private, and she could make him pay without all these … witnesses.

"HARRY POTTER!"

The voice was so loud and reverberating, that some students even gave a little jolt. Lia swallowed nervously as she saw Professor McGonagall approaching. She was a strict teacher. Even in the short time Lia had been at Hogwarts, she already knew that.

"Keep calm," she whispered rapidly to Harry. "Don't be afraid to lie. Just tell her Malfoy threatened to jinx you or that the Remembrall was Neville's family heirloom or something. Don't look at me like that. Okay? I don't have time to think of a good excuse. Just … don't get your arse kicked out." Her eyes were pleading.

"I'll try my best," Harry gave her a tiny salute, as he walked off with McGonagall, who was sprouting phrases like "Never in all my time … how dare you … broken neck," and more.

Lia almost flung herself at Malfoy again, at the sight of his smug expression. Tracey, who knew her too well, hung firmly onto her arm, and she stayed rooted to the spot, only able to glare at the blonde halfwit.

If Harry was expelled for his actions, he'd be dead before he could cry to daddy.