Hello, folks! I just wanted to again apologize about taking forever and a day to post. I am happy with it. I will hopefully get more posted by Saturday! Enjoy!

After we went into the tower, which I thought was a tad overwhelming; I walk up to the dorm with Minnie. She introduces me to Lavender Brown, Parvati Patil, Ginny Weasley, and some other girl. I really didn't enjoy anyone, but Ginny. She is a total sweetheart and I had already gotten closer with her after the train ride. I had to take Transfiguration, Charms, Potions, History of Magic, DADA, Astronomy, Herbology, and flying lessons. I have to take stupid flying lessons because I didn't learn it yet. I also get two additional subjects, so I chose Care of Magical Creatures and Study of Ancient Runes. However my time at Hogwarts was not starting pleasant. Minnie, Harry, and Ron were too busy to worry about me adjusting. They keep talking about some guy who escaped prison. It just makes my head spin.

The other people I thought I had become friends with were all too busy as well. Fred and George were off pranking people. Fred also won't look at me anymore, which is turning out to have hurt me worse than I thought it would. He was the first boy to look at me, so it makes since for me to like him more than I thought, plus I only knew him for a few days. Neville, Ginny, and this girl Luna have all slowly started becoming my friend, but I decided it's best to protect myself, just like I did at home. I added minimally to conversation and kept to myself. Dad and Bumble Bee decided to make my Walkman magically powered and it doesn't run out of power.

The first day of school was horrfic. Minnie and Harry seemed to simply forget about me. I think that hurts worse than anything else. They seemed to look over me. On the first day of school, we had Car of Magical Creatures and Draco managed to get himself hurt. I missed what happened because I snuck off to see the threstals. No one noticed anyway. I feel better petting them and being around them. After the excitement in class, all the people in third year and up were talking about Saturday. Everyone escaped the school for this place called Hogsmeade on Saturday and Dad said I should go and I did. Needless to say, it sucked.

Gaia and I walked down with Neville and we stuck like glue as he showed me around. I decided to wear my black floral print thigh length dress, black knee high socks, my biker boots, mom's fedora, and my leather jacket. I stuck out like a sore thumb, but Neville didn't care. Neville, or Nevs as I like to call him, likes to ask about America, which I love talking about. I feel myself slowly opening up to him as we walk to a place called The Three Broomsticks. As we walk in, I run into someone and hear something spill. I turn to apologize and come face to face with the girl that has been staring at me the most, Pansy Parkinson. She glares at me in such distain every time I catch her.

She sneers at me as I try to stammer out an apology. She looks me up and down, "You spilt this on my favortie shoes! Let us make it even, hm? You always wear that hat. So it must be important." She plucks moms hat off my head and sets it in a flame that quickly turns to ash. I look from the hat to her a few times and just fell in front of it. My hands tremble as I tried to piece it together. The whole place was deathly still, except Gaia's growling, but she won't attack until I tell her to. I look up at Pansy. She just wickedly smiles at me. I look one last time at mom's hat and just scream while releasing all my anger. Everyone is pushed away from me even Gaia does. I feel Neville and Gaia's presence. He picks me up while whispering, "Come on Alice, we need to leave before you hurt someone." He picks me up as I sob uncontrollably and I hear Pansy yell, "She tried to kill me! Did everyone see that?" Then I hear someone yell back, "You destroyed something that was her mom's! What the bloody hell is wrong with you Parkinson!"

I block the noise out as Neville carries me to the Gryffindor tower. Neville sets me down outside of the Fat Lady's Portrait and took my hands, "Alice I can't carry you up to your dorm. Can you-". I interrupt him, "I can't be alone Neville. Not right now, please." He nods and picks me up, while taking me to his dorm room. I feel him nod and I sense Ginny and Luna walking with him. He lays me down and I hear my Walkman playing Hey Jude. I silently cry some more as Luna strokes my hair till I fall asleep.

As I am getting woken up, I hear Luna, Ginny, and Nevs voices saying something about dinner. We all walk out and Neville gets a few cat calls, that he tells them to shut it really quickly. I hear Oliver Wood saying something too, which is weird because I haven't said much to him. I lean into Neville and hold Luna's hand as we walk to the Great Hall with all the other people in the common room following us. They must have realized the time as well. As soon as we come to the doors, I stop, letting everyone else in. I catch Oliver staring at me and he sends me a reassuring smile. I look down as I start hyperventilating. Ginny grabs my face and looks at me, "Alice Lillian Snape, get a hold of yourself! You are an amazing, brave, beautiful person! Screw everyone else in there. We are going to eat dinner then go back to Neville's dorm, well not Luna. She has to go to the Ravenclaw tower, but you are not alone."

I look teary eyed at my three friends and pull them into a tight hug. We resume our earlier positions of me leaning on Nevs, holding Luna's hand, and Ginny and Gaia marching in with a look that said I dare you say something to her. We sat at our normal sits and made room for Luna. I ate as much as I could and I felt all the eyes on us. Luna starting talking about her fathers paper and we all started to relax. The four of us realized we had made a group that no one could break. We all ate fairly quickly and got up to leave before anyone else did. Luna grabbed me and we started dancing to Tiny Dancer, which was playing out of my earphones. They made me forget everyone else, even though you couldn't hear any talking. After parting with Luna, the rest of my group and Gaia walked up to Neville's dorm room and we had a sleepover. I went asleep that night feeling complete.

The next morning Ron almost punched Neville because Ginny was lying with us, but she hexed him with a Bat-Boogey before he could. I stayed in the room while Ginny and Neville got ready. Ginny was going to switch once she was finished. The boys in the room were very awkward with me to say the least. Seamus, Dean, and Ron kept shooting nasty looks at me, while Harry looked sympathetic. I put my earphones around my next and listened to Rooster by Alice in Chains. Nevs was finished and I grabbed his hand, while leaving the tension filled room. Ginny had just came out of the girls dorm as she said, "Oh I can stay with him now Alice. I'll hex Ron if he comes near him." She smiled brightly at us. I turned around and looked at Neville. I pulled him into a hug, "Thank you so much Nevs. You are amazing." I got on my tip toes and kissed his cheek. There were a lot of audile gasps. Some from my t-shirt rides up and some from Neville getting a kiss on the cheek by a girl in his pj's.

After that scene, I ran into the dorm and grabbed my running clothes. I noticed Minnie and the other three looked concerned, but no one said anything as I grabbed a pair of tight workout pants and a cropped queen tank top. I wanted to take Gaia out for a run after breakfast. I quickly put my hair up and grabbed my friends. Luna was waiting outside the great hall for us and everyone noticed us again. The places we had sat yesterday were empty, except Oliver was standing near them looking at me and smiling. As we walked up, I said, "Hello Mr. Wood, what's up?"

He strangely looked up and I giggled, "It means what are you doing." He smirked at me then asked, "I was wondering if I could sit with you all." I looked at me other friends and I watched Gaia walk up to him. She wanted to be petted and he complied, so he is ok in Gaia's book, which is good in mine. Luna spoke up, "Of course Oliver, you may sit with us." Neville, Ginny, and Oliver spent breakfast explaining Quidditch to Luna and myself. I felt I finally understood it. I kept catching Oliver look at me and I started wondering why. My thoughts were broken by Gaia whimpering. I turn to her to say we were about to leave, but I turn around and see a livid Draco and a guilty Pansy. I look at Pansy. I feel my body start to shake, so I turn to Draco. I look up at him, "Can I help you two with something? If not, she needs to stop breathing my oxygen."

For the second time this morning, I hear audile gasps and notice both Slytherins look shocked that I said something snarky. Draco nudged Pansy, who started talking, "I have come to give you a peace offering. I bought you a new hat." She produces a new fedora, which I know someone would have had to go to the muggle world to get. I look up at her confused, "Is this supposed to be a joke? I do not know where you got that or if you made something look like that, but that was my late mother's hat. If you are trying to be nice, then you should have thought about that before taking something that seemed important to me and destroying it. My mom wore that hat all the time. Her father gave it to her and his father gave it to him. It cannot just be replaced, you cruel little girl. Excuse me; I must take Gaia for a run."

I had decided to stop yelling at her because she looked like she might cry and Gaia looked ready to attack. I called for Gaia in Greek and she came after snapping at Pansy, but she just looked at Draco curiously. As I walked outside, I heard someone following. I quickly put on Gaia's leash and let her take the lead. She is quite anger, which means we start running fast. She knows my limits and doesn't surpass them. After thirty minutes of ignoring the prickling sensation I would get meaning people were watching, Gaia and I raced to the lake and sat down. I laughed as Gaia lay down exhausted and I hear multiple feet run up behind me. I close my eyes and calm my breath. Gaia nudges my fingers and I open my eyes to seven pairs of eyes surrounding me. I see Nevs, Professor Forrest, Oliver, Ginny, Luna, Dad, and Draco looking at me worriedly. I look around and finally roll my eyes while sitting up. I hear Whitney Houston playing and Gaia is jumping around wanting to do our post run dance. I look at everyone, "No judging and I will talk to all of you in a minute." I restart the song and start singing and jumping around with Gaia. I know we look like fools, but I just don't care anymore. I hear smacks and three groans from behind me.

After Gaia and I dance, I turn back around and sit down again. Dad looks at me, "Will you like to tell me what happened in there?" I shrugged and groan as Gaia tries to sit in my lap. I hear Neville start explaining in a calm and collected voice what had happened yesterday. I can feel my Dad's rage and he looks at Draco, "Why was she trying to give her a new one?"

Draco looked at Dad and sighed, "Since mother told me to make sure nothing happens to Alice, I got her a new one, but I wanted Parkinson to give it to her because it was her mistake. I was not at The Three Broomsticks when it all happened, but I felt the power surge and saw Longbottom carrying Alice out. I went in and asked what happened. Potter told me everything that happened and I kind of lost it on Parkinson. I wrote mother and she immediately went onto London and found a new one that looked similar to the old one. Potter, Granger, and Weasley told me what it looked like. I wish I had just given it to her. Maybe Alice wouldn't have blown up and yelled."

Dad and Professor Forrest exchanged a worried glance and Dad said, "Draco that was very kind of you. Thank you for trying." I smiled up at Draco and nodded my thanks. Dad turned to all the other students and asked them to escort me back into the school along with Draco. We all walked back in and Draco took back out the hat. He looked at me and smirked, "I was wondering if you would still want it. I meant it for you and no one else." I grabbed him and hugged him, which he awkwardly stood there and allowed me to hug him. I whispered, "Thank you," and kissed his cheek. The rest of my friends and Gaia walked with me back to the Gryffindor tower, so I could shower, and then we were all going to do some homework. When we walk in, people stare and start talking about me.

My friends go wash Gaia as I take a shower. I change into a lacy, black leotard from when I danced in SC, a dark green pleated tea length skirt, black tights, and my biker boots. I also grab my yellow cardigan and throw my hair in a top bun. I grab my bag and walk down to a clean Gaia. I notice Seamus and Dean gawking at me in my pretty outfit. I grab and hold Luna's hand as we all walk to the library. The rest of the night and week pass routinely. I get up run with Gaia before the sun is up, eat something, class, see my dad, and hang out with my friends. Nothing happened till Thursday.

I had no first period on Thursdays, so I hung around the library reading. As I was reading I hear someone clear their throat and see Professor Forest eyes. I put down my The Monster Book of Monster and said, "Well just fancy running into you here at the library. What can I do you for Professor Forest?" He smirked and I think he blushed, "Well, Miss Snape I was coming into grab a book and saw you here and was wondering why you were here?" I smile and looked at his face, 'He really is handsome.' I snickered at my own thoughts and looked back at my book to save my place. I hear some sniff and look at the Professor intently. I cough and ask, "Did you just sniff the air dude? Anyway I am in here because I have no first period today. What about you?"

Professor Forest looked at the ground when he realized that his strange sniffing was caught, but looked back at me. He made a strange noise that sounded like a grunt-laugh, and then sat down with me. I waited for him to talk, but he took out a book himself and started reading. So I took back out my book and started it back up. As I was reading, I realized Gaia had moved from my side to the Professor and he smiled at my dog while scratching behind her ear. He looked back up at me, "I believe Gaia may like me more than you, my dear. What a shame really. So you want to learn about the monsters in that book, eh?"

I looked at him strangely because the question came out really defensive. I gingerly put my book back down and then swallowed. I didn't believe anyone the beings in this book were evil. I thought they were misunderstood and I got how that felt. I looked up and the Professor with a look of determination in my eyes, "I will have you know Professor Lupin, that none of these beings are evil. They are simply misunderstood. I would like to eventually work towards freeing some of these beings from their shackles. I get what it means to be misunderstood and hated from something beyond your control. I would never judge anyone because of what or who they are. Do you judge beings before you know them Professor?"

The professor looked at me with admiration and quietly said, "People three times your age are still not even as wise as you are dear. Which is your favorite?"

I smiled up at him as I realized we had not talked much. I realized I had been staring after I notice Professor Forest's face growing bright. I chuckle, "Oh, sorry for staring. I would say I believe werewolves." I notice him take a sharp breath in and look up to check on him, but his face is eagerly waiting for more. I clear my throat, "Mom had a good friend who was a werewolf. She wanted to help him and she was working on a potion to try and cure it. She said her mother's trust fund is what kept her from needing a job, well and dad's money he sent. She was teaching me how to test it and I think she wanted me to take over for her. She explained wolfs bane potion and I don't understand why no wizard hospital has some on hand at all times. I mean for the werewolves that are wizards. They totally should. They fascinate me also because I love real wolves and they have similar tendencies. It's an interesting idea for a job option. To either becoming a potions master or a Magizoologist."

I looked up and noticed his magnificent eyes are misty. Before I can even think about what I am doing, I stand up and grab his face. I look into his tear-filled eyes and ask quietly, "You are the friend. I can tell by your reaction. You were her best friend. She always wanted to contact you because she wanted us to meet. Well I guess she got what she wanted." I sat back down and I realize he is staring at me. I cock my eyebrow up and he smirks.

He says quietly, "You really are the perfect blend of your parents and you are correct. Please do not tell anyone. Do you mind if I bring Gaia to stay at my class with me? The complanionship is healthy and makes the furry guy happy." I nod and smile at him. Gaia comes up, gives me a kiss, and then follows the professor. I hear the bell, which indicates that I need to head to Transfiguration. I walk for towards the classroom and block out everything else. I feel someone grab my hand and I look up to see Neville trying to talk to me. I looked at him and said, "Can you please rewind and press play again?"

He smiled his goofy, enduring smile, "I asked if you had figured out the book for Care of Magical Creatures. The thing nearly bit my hand off earlier." I started laughing and he took hold of me, so I wouldn't fall. He walked us to our sits and I finally stopped laughing. I looked at him slyly, "You have to stroke it Neville, like an animal. Why didn't you ask me earlier?" before he could answer, Professor McGonagall walked in and we paid attention to class. After Transfiguration, we went to Dad's class, which has quickly become my favorite. He noticed immediately that my mom had been teaching me and I was already quite advanced in the subject. He was not happy that I paired with Neville and helped him slowly get better.

As Neville and I left potions, I smiled at dad and he smirked back. At lunch, my friends and I were sitting at the table and I noticed that Professor Forest was not there. I ignored this and had a great lunch, as always. Neville and I said goodbye to Luna, Ginny, and Oliver as we separated. We walked into the classroom and Professor Lupin told us all that we were having a practical class. Neville gulped really loud and I grabbed his hand trying to calm him. He took some deep breaths and smiled shyly at me. We didn't catch the interaction between Peeves and Professor Forest, but it must have been funny. We went into the staffroom and father left quickly, but squeezed my shoulder as he passed.

At the doorway he turned on his heel and said, "Possibly no one's warned you, Lupin, but this class contains Neville Longbottom. I would advise you not to entrust him with anything difficult. Not unless Miss Snape is hissing instructions in his ear." Neville and I went scarlet. Professor Forest had raised his eyebrows. "I was hoping that Neville would assist me with the demonstration," he said, "and I am sure he will perform it admirably." Neville's face went, if possible, even redder. Snape's lip curled, but he left, shutting the door with a snap.

"Now, then," said Professor Forest, beckoning the class toward the end of the room, where there was nothing but an old wardrobe where the teachers kept their spare robes. As Professor Forest went to stand next to it, the wardrobe gave a violent jerk, banging off the wall. "Nothing to worry about," said Professor Forest calmly said. "There's a boggart in there." Most people seemed to feel that this was something to worry about. Neville gave Professor a look of pure confusion with a dash of terror. "Boggarts like dark, enclosed spaces," said Professor. "Wardrobes, the gap beneath beds, the cupboards under sinks — I've even met one that had lodged itself in a grandfather clock. This one moved in yesterday afternoon, and I asked the headmaster if the staff would leave it to give my third years some practice. "So, the first question we must ask ourselves is what a boggart is?" Hermione and I put up her hand. Professor pointed to me. "They are shape-shifters," she said. "They can take the shape of whatever they think will make us totally freak."

"Couldn't have put it better myself," said Professor. "So the boggart sitting in the darkness within has not yet assumed a form. He does not yet know what will frighten the person on the other side of the door. Nobody know what a boggart looks like when he is alone, but when I let him out, he will immediately become whatever each of us most fears. This means," said Professor Lupin, choosing to ignore Neville's small sputter of terror, "that we have a huge advantage over the boggart before we begin. Have you spotted it, Harry?"

Professor was asking Harry something, but I was too focused on Neville. The next part sounded important, so I paid closer attention as I scooted closer to Nevs. I grabbed his hand and he squeezed it. "The charm that repels a boggart is simple, yet it requires force of mind. You see, the thing that really finishes a boggart is laughter. What you need to do is force it to assume a shape that you find amusing. We will practice the charm without wands first. After me, Please . . . riddikulus!"

"Riddikulus!" said the class together.

"Good," said Professor Lupin. "Very good. But that was the easy part, I'm afraid. You see, the word alone is not enough. And this is where you come in, Neville." The wardrobe shook again and Nevs took some courage from me as he stepped forward. He was at least trying to be brave. "Right, Neville," said Professor Lupin. "First things first: what would you say is the thing that frightens you most in the world?" Neville looked like he was concentrating really hard and looked back at my smiling face. I had backed up because he needed to do this himself. He finally nodded and said in heartbreaking voice, "Bellatrix Lestrange." Professor looked shocked and no one talked. Finally Professor Forest got his voice and cleared his throat. "Bellatrix Lestrange . . . hmmm . . . Neville, I believe you live with your grandmother?"

"Er — yes," said Neville nervously. "But — I don't want the boggart to turn into her either."

"No, no, you misunderstand me," said Professor Lupin, now smiling. "I wonder, could you tell us what sort of clothes your grandmother usually wears?" Neville looked startled, but said, "Well . . . always the same hat. A tall one with a stuffed vulture on top. And a long dress . . . green, normally . . . and sometimes a fox-fur scarf."

"And a handbag?" prompted Professor Lupin.

"A big red one," said Neville.

"Right then," said Professor Lupin. "Can you picture those clothes very clearly, Neville? Can you see them in your mind's eye?"

"Yes," said Neville uncertainly, plainly wondering what was coming next. "When the boggart bursts out of this wardrobe, Neville, and sees you, it will assume the form of Bellatrix Lestrange," said Lupin. "And you will raise your wand — thus — and cry 'Riddikulus' — and concentrate hard on your grandmother's clothes. If all goes well, Boggart Bellatrix will be forced into that vulture-topped hat, and that green dress, with that big red handbag." There was a great shout of laughter. The wardrobe wobbled more violently. "If Neville is successful, the boggart is likely to shift his attention to someone else. So everyone think of what you are most afraid of."

I looked down and thought of my mom dying in front of me. I realized that I am most afraid of ever having to live through that. I think to myself, 'Maybe it will change.' Professor Forest opened the doors and outburst a women in all black, with crazy hair, and she started cackling. "R — r — Riddikulus!" squeaked Neville. There was a noise like a whip crack. Bellatrix stumbled; she was wearing a long, lace-trimmed dress and a towering hat topped with a moth-eaten vulture, and she was swinging a huge crimson handbag. A few more people went and some were funny. Minnie and Ron were in front of me and I lost track of what they were afraid of.

Ron pushed me forward and the boggart turned into my mother. Everyone got quiet and she stepped forward, "It was all your fault Alice. You could not help me. You are worthless." As she said the last word, she was in her bathing suit and her eyes rolled back. She started shaking and I ran to her. I kept screaming for someone to help. Where was the old man? Why was no one helping her? Finally, she stopped shaking, but whispered, "I gave up everything for you and you took it for granted." Nevs grabbed me and held me close as I screamed for my mom. I kept apologizing to mom as Professor threw the boggart back in the wardrobe and I heard my dad try to get my attention. I just clung to Nevs and kept screaming. Nevs picked me up and I heard everyone whispering about me. I pushed on Nevs as he tried to take me out, "Put me down, Neville, please."

He quickly did and I ran. I heard people calling my name, but I kept running and running. I ran into the forbidden forest and finally after running for a few hours, judging by the sun, I fell down. I felt Gaia run up and I fell into her fur as I sob some more. I fell asleep in the safety between the tree and Gaia. I dreamed awful dreams all about what the boggart said, except mid-way through my mom having her seizure, she would turn into dad and he would say the last line. I felt myself being carried and look up into Professor's forest eyes. He stops and places my head into his hands. He checks over me for any health issues and finally sighs. He guiltily stares at me, "Alice I am so sorry. I did not even think that that would be your biggest fear. Please forgive me, dear. We have all been so worried about you. All of your friends are waiting at the edge of the forest. Do you want me to carry you?"

I nod and he easily lifts me as I snuggle into him. it takes us an hour to walk back to edge of the forest. He sets me down so my friends, that are charging us, can do their own inspection with my dad. I silently let them do their once over, then walk toward the castle with Gaia at my side. She is all I need right now and I hear Professor Forest say, "Severus, she hasn't dealt with the death of her mother. She might slip into a depression, just watch her. I will do so in my class with her for you." I feel the tears fall silently and I just want it to end. There is a hole that I thought I filled, but it has just gotten deeper and now I am no longer sure if I can pull myself out of it. I walk into the common room after whispering the password to the Fat lady. You could hear a pin drop it becomes so quiet.

I glance over and see my whole grade, Fred, and George staring at me. Some of them look shocked and some have tears in their eyes. I quietly walk up to the dorm and dig in my trunk until I find my mom's old nightgown and my razor. I go into the shower and Gaia guards the door. I look at razor trying to decide if I really needed to do it again. When I was younger, I was bullied really bad and discovered cutting as an outlet for the pain. Mom had found out and promised me that I would stop. I quickly made the rash decision to cut myself on my arm. I whimper as the hot water mixes with the cut, but the hole in my heart is slowly being covered by this pain. I wash the rest of my body and grab the razor, so I can hide it. I summon some bandage for my arm and pick up the dirty clothes. I walk into the room ignore the looks that my wrist are getting. Ginny and Luna came to climb in my bed with Gaia. I don't tell them not to. I hold both of their hands and cry some more. I fall into a deep, dreamless sleep.