The exhaustion from the train ride was kicking in. It didn't help either that I was full from the delicious feast. Dumbledore was intriguing the students in the hall, with a small story about a boy who once attended Hogwarts, Tom Riddle. Of course, everyone apart from myself, turned to their friends with wide eyes and gaping mouths. After being dismissed by Dumbledore, we all made our way to our common rooms. I heard Hermione and Harry discussing the new Potions teacher, and honestly, I wasn't fully paying attention.

"Here we go again, Hermione's excitement taking over as she talks about school." Ron whispered in my ear, before rolling his eyes.

I stifled a giggle as Hermione overheard him and whacked him on the arm. Ron suppressed a groan as we arrived on the seventh floor, standing before a portrait of a lady who dressed in ridiculous pink ruffles.

"Hippogriff's." Hermione spoke clearly, before the portrait swung open and we were allowed to enter. We all crouched through the archway, before walking into a small gathering room, which reminded me of a study and living room mixed into one. Armchairs, coffee tables and sofa's circled the room, as trophies from Gryffindor's previous wins in Quidditch were displayed in glassed cabinets. A few students Ron, Hermione and Harry recognised were crowding the fireplace, as the trio walked over and hugged their friends.

I stepped away, figuring they wanted a moment to catch up with their friends, before darting for the spiral stairs, hoping to find my trunk in the dormitories, which held my parchment and quills, to write to my family. When I read 'Sixth Year Girls Dormitories' I pushed open the door slowly, before walking inside, finding Mary in her cage on a red, four-poster bed.

"Hey girl," I smiled at her, brushing her delicate fur with my fingers. I gave her a treat before grabbing parchment and one of my quills. I began writing to my family, on the wooden desk next to my bed;

Dear dad and Kim,

Just arrived at Hogwarts. I hope everyone is alright. I quite like it here, and have already made a few friends. The grounds are quite nice, but it might take a while to get around the gigantic school. Once you arrive back from your honeymoon, I'd like to know everything that happened, so owl back. Send Kevin and Charlie my love. Also, after Mary arrives with the letter, please keep her home until morning, I wouldn't forgive myself if something happened to her on the journey home at night. Just writing to say a final good-bye, and to let you know that all is well. Enjoy your honeymoon. I'll speak to you soon.

Love,

Alex

I hope they wont question me about my friends; I have no clue how to tell them about Harry. My family didn't know that Harry was a wizard. They had no clue, even if his name was well-known in the ministry; but they don't need my word to find out, I'm guessing from the magnificent things that Harry has done, it would even be crystal clear for a blind man to figure it out. I'm sure they'll find out sooner than later. I rolled the parchment with a band of elastic.

After I let Mary out from her cage, I taped the letter on her foot, before gently guiding her out the window, as I watched her soar through the dark clouds. I admired how the soft glow of the moon sharpened the outline of her wings, when a throat was cleared behind me.

I twirled around to find Hermione, holding neatly folded Gryffindor robes and a schedule in her palm. "So this is where you ran off to. Harry was getting worried when we realised you were missing. Our head of house, Professor McGonagall, wanted me to give you these." She weakly smiled, placing the robes and paper on the foot of my bed.

"Thank you." I smiled, walking over to my bed and placing the robes in my open trunk. I picked up the schedule, and scanned over my lessons; they were similar to my studies back in Salem, I'm only praying that they'll be just as easy. Hermione sat on another bed, the one I presumed was hers, and stared into space. "Is everything ok, Hermione? With you and Ron? I sensed tension."

She released an unsteady laugh. "Me and Ron? Nothing at all. Why do you ask?" She asked, stiffly.

I shrugged. "I'm sorry, I wasn't intending to strike a nerve." I apologised, hoarsely. It was only after the words left my mouth, that I realised how rude I sounded. I was about to stutter an apology, when Hermione cut me off.

"No, no you didn't." She pushed back her fluffed curls, only for them to bounce back, looking as though they weren't bothered with in the first place; not once did she look at me as she spoke. "I'm just tired, that is all."

She backed out of the room. "Hermione. Can you tell Harry and Ron that I'm going to bed? I'm extremely tired." I bit my lip. She looked over her shoulder, gave me a smile, before leaving the room, closing the door, gently. I strolled through the room, picked up my pyjama's before entering the bathroom, falling asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow minutes later.

(**)

Breakfast the next morning went alright. My stomach somehow managed to be satisfied with yesterday's dinner, so I barely touched anything apart from a piece of toast. "Me and Alex have Potions this morning." I looked up when hearing my name, to watch Hermione excitingly go over her schedule with Ron and Harry.

"We have free periods." Ron grinned, bobbing his head over to Harry.

Hermione shook her head, a look of displease on her face. "You don't come to school to mess around, Ronald. As Alex and I will be learning, you and Harry will be mocking first years in the corridors." She rolled her eyes, taking a sip from her water goblet. "Are you coming Alex?" Hermione stood, holding a stack of heavy books in her hands.

"Um, alright." I joined her, giving a fare well smile to Harry and Ron before I followed a bouncing Hermione out the room. I followed her through many halls, before we stopped outside a closed door, along with a few other students from different houses that were taking Potions; now I wasn't so curious to why Harry and Ron weren't tempted to tag along—not a lot of students were outside the classroom. Maybe eight. Nine.

"Mudblood." A sour voice greeted behind us. Hermione's face fell before she whirled around to give the venomous voice a glare. I turned my head also, to find a bleach-blonde boy in Slytherin robes smirking at us, with a brunette clutching at his arm. "Who do we have here?" He looked my way. I cleared my throat, feeling uncomfortable under his gaze; the memory of meeting Dudley Dursley flashed in my mind.

"Alex Russo." I said, in an empty tone. I knew that if Hermione didn't get along with this boy, then I surely wouldn't. His grey eyes darkened, as he stepped forward, leaving his air-headed girl behind, as he stuck out a pale hand.

"Draco Malfoy." He smirked.

So this was the Draco Malfoy, they were talking about on the train. "Pleasure." I gave a nod, acting as though I hadn't noticed his out-stretched hand. I heard Hermione snort, while a disappointed frown was on Draco's face. He cleared his throat, rejoining the scowling girl, pretending that our small meeting didn't happen.

A jumpy Professor Slughorn danced around the corner. He opened the door, gesturing for us students to enter first. Hermione was first to run through the classroom, as I was the last, feeling Slughorn follow behind. "Excuse me, miss?" He called in a strained voice. Heavy fingers jabbed my shoulder before I turned to smile at him.

"Yes, sir?" I politely responded.

"Merlin's beard." He gasped, staring at my face as though I was some peculiar spell he had discovered. "Miss Russo, the new transfer, am I wrong?"

"You are correct." I said, my eyes narrowing in a curious manner.

"Daughter of Janette Evans?" He asked, his eyes brightening with each nod I responded with. "Everyone get out their books and pick a partner!" Slughorn instructed across the room, before turning back. "My oh my. Your mother was something special in deed! One of my favourite students, back in my times of teaching, along with Lily Evans, no relation of course." He beamed.

"You knew my mother?" I breathed, feeling a smile stretch on my face.

"Of course. Bright girl, exceptionally mannered, marvellous Quidditch player. She sure had a reputation in these halls, Miss Russo." He jollied.

"Sir, I thought she attended Salem." Well, at least that's what I was told; but from the look on his face, I was by all odds, wrong. I felt silly around this professor, although he was constantly smiling, he made me feel like I had no clue about my mother, whom I thought I knew rather well, before she passed away, last year.

"No, definitely a Hogwarts student. I would know, she was in my club." For a moment his smile vanished, only to reappear moments later.

"Club?" I raised an eyebrow, trying to hide the giggle that tickled my throat; but I kept my face rigid. He nodded, the square academic cap jumping on his head.

"We'll discuss this some other time, if you're curious to know how your mother spent her years in this school?" He was in mid-step, before shooting me a raised eyebrow.

"Of course!" I almost yelled; I had no clue she was educated here. Kim had told me she went to Salem, one of the reasons why I was fascinated to be taught there. Merlin, when Kim comes back, a few nasty owl's will be sent her way.

"What did Slughorn want?" Hermione walked over.

"Oh, nothing. Just wanted to welcome me to Hogwarts." I smiled, not sure why I didn't tell her the truth. It's not like my mother would have an affect on her.

"Ok. Partner?" She asked, handing me a book.

"Thanks." I said, as we both followed the other students over to a certain desk where Slughorn was lecturing about potions in steaming cauldron's. As Slughorn drabbled on, I saw a few Slytherin's drowse off in the corner of the group, as others were mindlessly flipping through their potions books, acting as though they were interested, but actually not giving a care. It was only Hermione who answered Slughorn's difficult questions, and the expression of admiration and delight didn't leave his face once at Hermione's incredible knowledge.

I was surprised when Harry entered the room, dragging a defeated Ron behind him. Slughorn turned at their entrance, and his eyes twinkled once he saw Harry Potter step into his class; Hermione wasn't lying when she said that most teacher's adored him—yet again, who am I to criticize, I was just as happy to see Harry as Slughorn was.

"Ah, Harry, my boy, decided to join Potions this year, have you? I see you've brought someone with you." Slughorn said, smiling.

"Ron Weasley, sir," Ron said. I could sense Lavender's shoulders perk after she heard Ron speak. "Actually, I'm awful at Potions, maybe I should leave-" Ron shot for the door, but Harry held out an arm to stop him.

"Nonsense, get out your books, boys." Slughorn smiled, turning back to stir the violet potion in the rounded cauldron. He glanced over his shoulder as Harry spoke.

"Actually sir, we don't have our books." Harry explained, sheepishly.

"No matter. Help yourselves to the cupboards." Slughorn offered, turning back to the other part of the class. "Now this morning, I've prepared some concoctions. May anyone tell me what these might be?"

To no one's surprise, Hermione's hand shot up into the air, faster than the words had left Slughorn's mouth. "Ah yes, miss Granger."

Hermione walked towards the potions. "This one, here.."

As Hermione went on, I couldn't help but notice Harry and Ron having trouble at the back of the class. They were, from what my eyes could show me, wrestling over a certain book that both of them wanted. Ron walked away smugly with the book in his hands as a thwarted Harry chose another and joined us.

I heard Hermione lastly point. "The most powerful love potion in the world. Supposedly, it smells differently to every person according to what attracts them. But, of course, it doesn't create real love; in fact, the potion is only short-living and eventually wears off. It only causes infatuation or obsession, which makes it the most dangerous potion in our generation." She finished, her nose sinking deeper into the colourful smoke, obviously loosing herself in the smell. A few snickers from the Slytherin's snapped her back, as she hung her head, positioning herself back at my side.

A few of the girls lured closer to the potion, their eyes dazzled and hungry, before Slughorn placed the lid on top of the cauldron, as they scattered back into the crowd. "Very well." Coughed Slughorn.

Our assignment was to brew a Liquid Luck, a task that I dreaded completely, but I found myself at ease as Hermione, Ron and Harry shared a table with me. I opened up the book, and rested it beside my empty cauldron before confusedly staring at the ingredients. I started by attempting to cut a Sopophorous bean, which I had proven was in deed a difficulty to cut, as it stumbled all over my cutting board, dodging my knife whenever I'd swipe to cut it.

It seems as though I wasn't the only student who couldn't complete the task without difficulty, as Sopophorous beans were flying everywhere around the room and Hermione's usual tangled knots were sticking out in every direction, looking more of a lion's mane than a head of hair. She was glaring over at Harry, who had successfully cut the bean in half, and was squeezing the juice inside it into his cauldron.

It ended as Harry being the only student to complete the assignment. Slughorn held Harry's potion in his hand, showing it off to us remaining sweaty, miserable students; he demanded for an applaud to congratulate Harry on his success. I seemed to be the only one that put effort into my cheering, as a spiteful Hermione looked deeply irritated beside me; I could tell that she wasn't used to the spotlight being taken off her when it comes to classes. Harry's reward was that he got to keep the Liquid Luck. Now that would cause some drama, I'm sure of it..

(**)

After that, Hermione spent my first week at Hogwarts, by not bothering much with any of us. She'd fly ahead in the halls, sometimes even dodge the sight of Harry as much as she could. Harry and I were sitting on a courtyard bench, when Hermione walked out on to the courtyard with Luna Lovegood, but as soon as she saw Harry, she turned her heel and walked back inside the castle.

I saw Harry's look of hurt once Hermione had disappeared; Hermione was taking it a little too far now. "Don't worry, Harry. Her mood is only temporary. She'll be back to normal soon." I warmly smiled. That could be a lie; Harry has known Hermione for six years, I've only known her for a couple of days—for all that I know, Hermione might not ever drop the grudge.

He sighed, looking back at me. "I hope so. It's just Potions." He said, not thinking of it as a big deal. I nodded, glancing behind my shoulder as the feeling of someone approaching poked me. Professor Slughorn had taken third years down to Hogsmeade today, and was making his way through the courtyard.

Please don't see me, please don't see me.. I begged in my mind, covering my face with my hands.

"What are you doing?" Harry laughed, trying to peal my hands away.

"Harry, no, hide!" I hissed. Harry chuckled, yet I could tell he was confused.

"Ah, Harry, my boy!" That warm voice greeted, as Slughorn stood over us. I didn't mind Professor Slughorn, but his interest in my mother was a bigger problem than I thought; I think I'd call it more of a obsession. I had already walked into two of his conversations about her, and the more I see him, the less I know of my family.

"Hello sir. How are you?" Harry smiled, not looking bothered by Slughorn's interruption. I, however, wanted him to leave as quickly as he had walked over.

"Very well, very well. I just bought a few more ingredients for a potion we'll be covering next week—ah, Miss. Russo, how are you?" He happily asked.

I gave Harry an exhausted look, before faking a smile up at Slughorn. "Good, thank you sir." I managed to reply as politely as I could.

He seemed to buy it, as his smile grew wider. "I was searching for you two, earlier this morning. I have a question to ask the both of you.." he trailed off, shooting Harry and I an individual smiles before continuing. "Every once in a while, I hold a gathering. A small club, in other words. I pick a few special students to join. Would you two like to join?"

"I'd consider it an honour, sir," Harry replied, giving a small smile. Harry and Slughorn both turned towards me, both with raised eyebrows.

"How about you, Miss. Russo?" Slughorn asked.

I stretched my hands out onto the table, thinking how to say no in the nicest words possible. Harry placed his hand over mine, answering for me. "She'd be delighted sir. Can't you tell that she's speechless?"

"Oh! Lovely! I'll see you both soon! Look out for my owl!" Slughorn grinned, as I faked a smile. When he bounced back into the castle, I ganged up on Harry.

"Harry, I'd much appreciate it if you didn't answer for me. I was about to say no." I huffed.

"I know, but I wanted him to leave as soon as possible. I have something to tell you." He started off slowly, looking unsure.

"Well, what is it?" I asked calmly, growing worried.

He looked up at me through his lashes. "There's a reason why I wanted to meet you out here today, alone. I've been wanting to tell you something for quite some time now, actually.. " he said with a small smile. I felt my chest squeeze. Was he going to say what I think he's going to say?

"Alex…"

And I'm going to leave it there! :P Sorry if it was a boring chapter! I am uninspired and have writer's block! And homework is such a pain! Stupid teachers! Haha. Hope you enjoyed the chapter anyways! Thanks for reading!