We each served detention differently. Henry and John had to re-patch the roof. Rema helped out, but ended up polishing the trophies under Mr. Filch's watchful eyes. It didn't bother me much, but Rema hated it. She wanted to use magic, but Argus refused. I was used to doing much harder work. Cissy and Jean walked in late and ended up having to stay behind longer. I noticed Mrs. Norris slightly odd behavior but didn't comment on it. Rema and I left Jean Cissy to serve their time and made our way to our dormitories.

"I can't believe he wouldn't let us use magic. What nerve!" Rema continued complaining.

"Well, it could have been worse."

"How?"

"Erm…," I was quickly cut off by Severus Snape. He was patrolling the hallways.

"What are you two doing of your dormitories out of hours?" He asked curiously.

"Detention," I responded simply. I figured it best to keep my answers short and to the point.

"I see."

Rema grabbed hold of my arm and began pulling me away. "We'll be on our way. Good night." She said to Severus walking away, and pulling me away.

I could feel his cold stare watching us walk down the dark hallway. I was surprised he didn't take points away, or give us another detention. I guess Rema didn't give him the chance. We eventually departed and I headed towards the Gryffindor common room. None of us had been able to get a hold of Draco, so we assumed he didn't want to associate with us anymore. I felt a little hurt, but didn't fret about it.

I lay down and pulled the covers over myself. I help my wand in my hand and wondered how much longer it would take for me to be able to cast a perfect spell. I look at my small nightstand and saw an empty glass resting peacefully. I took a deep breath and waved my wand saying 'wingardium leviosa'. I had been reading and practicing it, but nothing had been happening. At first nothing happened. I tried once more, this time the cup flew across the room and shattered against the brick wall.

"What the," one of girls began shouting.

I quickly pulled the covers over my head and pretended to be asleep. Once everyone sounded to be asleep I placed my wand where the glass cup used to be and closed my eyes to sleep. The next morning I woke up too late for breakfast, and was barely in time for class. I yelled at Cissy for not waking me, she just shrugged her shoulders and didn't say a word.

Later that week Rema gave us all a piece of paper telling us where the location of an abandoned classroom was. I wasn't sure how to feel when I read the pinup notice that Gryffindor's and Slytherin's would be having broom flying lessons together. I listened into most people's conversations' about Quidditch and the upcoming flying lessons. Jean was always talking about how often she flew around in the friendly skies. Rema, John, and Henry did their best to convince me that I'd do fine and that it would be the best experience of my life. Cissy didn't talk about her flying much, she said she had one bad experience and never brought it up again. I overheard Draco bragging his experiences in flying, and began to look forward to the experience.

One morning the mail came through, as always, only this time was different. I got a letter. At first I thought it was a fluke, but the owl made sure that I had gotten it. Cissy eventually paid him off and yelled at me to pay her back the change. I unconsciously paid her the change and undid the black seal. A folded piece of paper came out, and a beautiful golden pin in the shape of a small rose. I unfolded the paper and did my best to read the scribbles.

Marina,

Glade you made it into Hogwarts. I heard you made it into Gryffindor, congratulations! Hope you get this, and hope you manage to reply. Until later, bye.

Sincerely,

The name was so badly scribbled that I couldn't make out what it was. I gave up on it eventually. I fastened the pin onto my cloak and folded the paper again. Obviously this person knew me, so I might as well be respectful. I placed the letter in my bag and decided I'd try to read it again later. I went on with my breakfast and decided to keep it to myself-for the time being.

I noticed that a boy got a small round glass object filled with white smoke that turned Scarlett in his hands. Draco came and grabbed it. McGonagall managed to keep them from fighting. I chuckled slightly to myself and glanced up to see Draco staring at me. It only lasted for a split second and he took off.

I took off early and decided I'd head into the grounds early. I made my way out of the Great Hall and made my way down the hallways. I was quickly pulled aside and forced into a narrower and darker hallway. At first I thought it was someone's idea of a joke, but I found myself looking into the faces of Crabbe, Goyle, and Draco.

"I hear you've been asking about me," Draco said.

"So?" I responded. I wasn't aiming for a battle. I just wanted to know who my friends were.

"What do you want Gryffindor?"

"I don't understand what difference it makes if I'm in Gryffindor and you're in Slytherin, big deal!"

"It is a big deal. Oh, you wouldn't understand," he said bitterly.

"Ok," I paused then continued", does this mean we're no longer friends?" I wanted an official answer; even though the question did sound kind of idiotic.

He paused for a few seconds. "Would I have to be friends with Cissy?"

"No," I replied. It was the truth. I couldn't control how other people felt about each other.

"Fine," he replied harshly", but only on a trail basis."

"Okay," I said and began walking away. I turned to look back at the trio", see ya' around."

I made my way to the grounds. I was the first one there. Madame Hooch arrived after all the other students did. I took my place between two broomsticks lying in the grass. I looked up at the sky and knew this was the best day to start flying. Madame Hooch had yellow hawk like eyes that looked highly intimidating.

"Well, what are you waiting for? Everyone stand by a broomstick. Come on, hurry up." Something about her reminded me of Miss Fingles. It could have been her intimidating eyes or her amazing ability to demand things. "Stick your right hand over your broom and say up!" She shouted from the head of the line.

I nervously stuck my hand over my broom. It looked old and dying. I watched a few of the others shout up and wait for their brooms to rise off the ground. I looked back down at my broom and concentrated hard. I knew if I couldn't this broom up then it would mean that truly was a mistake. I closed my eyes and muttered the word up under my breath. The broom shot up into my hand. I closed my hand around it and held it there. I assumed that it didn't make a difference if you shouted at it, or if you just simply wanted it to come to you.

Madame Hooch taught us how to mount our brooms properly. I was expecting a lot of criticism. Instead, she only corrected my hand placements and left it at that. I was surprised that the others, who had been flying for years, needed lots of correcting.

"Now, when I blow my whistle, you kick off from the ground hard. Keep your broom steady, rise a few feet, and then come straight back down by leaning forward slightly. On my whistle-three-two-"

Before she could finish, the boy who had received the small round glass orb, had already kicked off the ground. She yelled at him to get back down. However, he lost control and was forced around wildly. Until, finally, he crashed into a wall and ended up being face down in the grass. Madame Hooch came to his aid and helped him up. I was quickly comforted by the image of her helping him.

"None of you is to move while I take this boy to the Hospital Wing! You leave those brooms where they are or you'll be out of Hogwarts before you could say 'Quidditch'. Come on, dear."

Once they were out of earshot I heard Draco laughing. I turned to look at the remaining students.

"Did you see his face, the great lump?" The rest of his house joined in.

"Shut up, Malfoy," a girl snapped at them.

"Ooh, sticking up for Longbottom?" Pansy responded", never thought you'd like fat little crybabies, Parvati."

"Look," Draco piped in," it's the stupid thing Longbottom's gran sent him."

"Give that here Malfoy," I heard Harry say quietly.

Everyone around them suddenly went silent.

"I think I'll leave it somewhere for Longbottom to find-how about-up a tree?"

"Give it here!" Harry demanded.

Draco got his broom and flew off. He appeared to have talent at flying. He shouted down to Harry", Come and get it Potter!"

Harry got on his broom and ignored his friend's warning. He took off. He also had a talent for flying. It made me wonder how I'd do at it. There was a mixed reaction from the other students. I turned and looked toward the forest. I was used to watching others fight. All that really mattered was the beginning and the end. Everything else always gets filled in. I caught a glimpse of two eyes staring at me. They were black with a white light in the center; they remained in the Forbidden Forest. I watched the eyes disappear and become lost to the forest's darkness.

"Harry Potter!" I heard the familiar voice of McGonagall. "Never-in all my time in Hogwarts," she said trying to find the right words to say. "-How dare you-you might have broken your neck."

"It wasn't his fault professor," a girl began but was cut off.

"Be quiet Miss Patil."

"But Malfoy," she tried again.

"That's enough, Mr. Weasly. Potter, follow me, now."

Harry took of with McGonagall. I watched them leave then turned to look back at everyone else. Draco and his friends acted as if they had been triumphant in some challenging task. I looked back at the thick trees waiting to see the eyes again, but they never came back. I lightly touched the tattoo on my arm. I decided tonight was the night, I was going to have to ask Cissy what it meant-if it meant anything at all.