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Chapter 10:- First Day

Riddle hadn't done Hogwarts justice or rather her own imagination hadn't done it justice as she had never dreamed that such a place could exist. As they dutifully followed the prefects to their first class, she felt as if her head was turning full circle at every moment. There was so much to see, so much to explore, Hogwarts was...magnificent, she supposed the word summed it up nicely enough, but even then she wasn't sure it truly caught everything that Hogwarts seemed to be.

There were more staircases than she cared to count that seemed to move on their own accord. Narrow, rickety ones, along with sweeping and twisting ones. Students appeared to be everywhere, heading in either direction like a flowing river as they went about their own class schedules.

Holly was certain it would take her a lifetime to fully learn all the secrets of her new home, a lifetime she didn't have.

"So are you really not looking forward to any particular class?"

The question caught her by surprise, turning slightly she could see that Malfoy was walking side by side with her and she hadn't even noticed. To distracted by the beauty of Hogwarts. Buckle up and pay attention. It was a sloppy error on her part.

"I'm looking forward to classes, but I can't say I am looking forward to one subject over the other," she answered, noting that he matched her pace when she shifted it ever so slightly.

"Not even flying?" he pressed.

"I can't say I have given flying that much thought."

"Not given flying much thought?" he repeated, his eyes wide in surprise almost as if she had said the most scandalise thing possible, "Flying means being able to play Quidditch, I personally can't wait until tryouts, and being able to show the other houses how it's actually played."

"Quidditch, that's the sport with seven players that Pucey and Rosier were talking about right?"

He opened his mouth but quickly shut it. Content in just staring at her, in what Holly could only interpret as horror. Scratch the last scandalise thing you've just said, that comment was far worse, she silently thought.

"You don't know about Quidditch?"

"I only know a little. It was briefly mentioned in a book I was reading over the summer, but it didn't go into much detail about the rules of the game."

Malfoy opened his mouth again in surprise, only this time he forgot himself for just a moment longer before he gained control of himself and closed it quickly.

"You will have to forgive Draco, the idea of someone not knowing what Quidditch really is is rather scandalise in his eyes," Daphne laughed as she joined Holly on the left.

Holly nodded in acceptance, uncertain whether she should explain further as to why she didn't know or leave the statement as it was. It was surely obvious to everyone why she wouldn't know things, and while she was unashamed of growing up with muggles, she had a feeling that people would be more than happy to use it against her.

She supposed though it would only be polite to reciprocate in the conversation of some kind.

"Are you looking forward to Magical Theory?"

"Professor Doge is renowned for his contribution to the study of Magical Theory. His works are well known throughout the Empire," Malfoy answered.

"Though I am most looking forward to Evocation and being taught by the Headmaster," Malfoy added, "Of course, you have had some experience of that yourself, Black."

Holly heard the unasked question. The first of many she had no doubt. She was uncertain though what to make of the boy who was asking or why he had even started a conversation with her.

"The Headmaster is a good teacher, much like Pucey mentioned at breakfast he expects hard work and effort and won't accept anything less than your very best," she answered, avoiding going into too much detail about the lessons they had shared. She hoped it was a neutral answer, despite not knowing really what to make of Riddle the last thing she needed was someone to feel she was disrespectful about him.

Daphne gave her a small smile as they entered the Magical Theory classroom together, almost as if she was saying I know you aren't a hundred percent honest with that answer.

Choosing to ignore it Holly focused on taking her seat next to the girl grateful at the very least that it was two to a desk and that she wouldn't have to socialise with others. She doubted the Professor would take kindly to first years not paying attention.

Holly noted that Ravenclaw students were also piling into the room.

"Some classes we are just on our own, others we share with the first years of the other houses. It frees the Professor's schedules up," Daphne whispered as they pulled their textbook, ink, parchment and quills out of their bag.

"You are just full of useful information," Holly replied.

"It pays to be well informed," Daphne answered, just as the Professor started to call names.

Holly wasn't certain what to expect from Magical Theory, Riddle had covered some ground within the subject but had never delved too deep into it. But for one thing she could say for definite Professor Doge was not what she had been expecting. The Wizard was of medium height with white hair and a pock-marked face.

"What makes a great Wizard or Witch?"

The question caught the first years by surprise, but Professor Doge seemed undeterred by their stunned silence. In fact, the wizard just continued to stare at them from the front of the room, never once blinking.

"Anyone?" he asked, glancing around the classroom for any sign that someone was going to answer, "Okay how about you?" he continued, pointing to a blonde hair Ravenclaw boy.

"How well they do something," he answered tentatively.

"That could be said about everyone Mr...?"

"Goldstein."

"Well Mr Goldstein it was a good attempt, but I can tell you that it takes more than that to make a great wizard or witch."

The Professor nodded once before turning back to the whole class, "Anyone else willing to have a guess?"

Several hands slowly rose.

"Yes, Miss?"

"Patil," the girl answered before continuing to answer, "talent."

"No."

She quickly pointed to the next student with a raised hand, "Mr?"

"Malfoy," Malfoy answered smoothly, "Strength."

"Definitely not!" the Professor snapped, "We often confuse strength with powerful and greatness. But one does not have to be strong to be great. In fact, I have found it is often the most humble of us that are the greatest."

The Professor stepped forward, down between the rows of first years.

"Miss?"

"Greengrass," Daphne answered, "Skill."

"No." His tone was gentler. "Though a critical attribute and one we expect from all witches and wizards. Willingness to use magic is not the same as the ability to use magic."

Holly felt a tingling at the top of her spine. What would she say if he asked her? Surely all the possible answers had been offered already. She drew in a quiet breath and let it out slowly. He wouldn't ask her anyway surely. She was the unimportant girl...

"Miss Black?"

"Control."

The Professor met her eyes with his own grey-blue ones. They were cold, but she couldn't see any disgust in them as he looked at her.

"No," he sighed and moved to the front of the room. Holly stared at the wooden table before her.

Professor Doge stopped in front of the desk and crossed his arms. He looked around the room again.

"Many attributes make up a witch or wizard. But the most important quality of a witch or wizard is knowledge," he paused, and then looked at each of the students who had spoken in turn. "Without it their strength is useless, you have nothing to be skilled at or talented in, despite your best intentions."

The Professor's eyes flickered towards Holly.

"But Professor, how can one be great if you don't have power? Surely in a duel the weaker of the two would always lose," Parkinson voiced.

"I won't deny that being powerful gives you an advantage over an opponent that is magically weaker than you certainly, but if that opponent has more knowledge at using magic I can guarantee that they will have the higher chance of winning."

Professor Doge looked at all of them and laughed, "I can see that you doubt my words. All of you have performed accidental magic at least on one occasion as you grew up. But for the purpose of this example shall we use Miss Black as our case study."

As one, the class let out a breath. Holly mentally winced as everyone turned to look at her. Meeting the Professor's gaze, she looked for clues as to why he had decided to use her as an example but found no indicator. Instead, she mentally counted to calm herself as ensure no emotion crossed her face as the rest of the first years stared at her.

"As I am certain we are all aware Miss Black performed a powerful piece of magic over the summer rather publically which is why I have chosen to use her as an example," Professor Doge began, "she produced a shield powerful enough to allow her to pass through magical flames unscathed. One would assume this show of magic would indicate that Miss Black is potentially powerful, correct?"

The class stayed silent, all intent to watch her. Holly wished they wouldn't, but instead focused her attention on the Professor.

"Now Miss Black if I asked you to reproduce that shield now would you be able to do so?"

"No," she answered honestly.

"Why not?" Professor Doge asked though Holly couldn't hear any disappointment in his tone, he had fully been expecting that answer.

"I don't have the knowledge to do so."

The Professor smiled at her, "No you don't, and I wouldn't expect any first year to have the knowledge to do so before lessons have begun. Accidental magic acting on your desires to live no doubt incited your magic to shield you from the flames. Now, Miss Black, does this performance of magic make you a great witch?"

She blinked in surprise. That wasn't a question she had been expecting, but as soon as she turned it over in her mind, she could see the point that Professor Doge was trying to make.

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because it wasn't conscious. It wasn't controlled."

Professor Doge smiled wildly, "Five points to Slytherin. I apologise, Miss Black, it was not my intent to single you out of the class however your unique circumstances only add weight to my point."

He turned to face the rest of the class before continuing, "We can use any example of accidental magic, a three-year-old conjuring a toy that has been taken away from them or vanishing something that upsets or scares them. Powerful but uncontrolled. It is the knowledge of how to control them that is what makes them great."

"Hogwarts has one of the largest and most comprehensive stores of knowledge in the Empire," Professor Doge continued, "During the years that you spend here that knowledge will be given to you. Depending on you as individuals will determine on how much knowledge is gleaned. If you pay attention, listen to what your Professors tell you and make use of the resources here such as the extensive library you will excel. You will gain knowledge of the spells, the skill to cast a spell correctly, to manipulate it to your will consciously. To shape and mould it and control it, that is skill and those are the components that make a wizard or witch great."

"However," his tone darkened. "If you do not pay attention or take advantage of the centuries of knowledge gathered by your predecessors you will shame only yourselves. The years ahead will not be easy," he warned. "You must be dedicated and disciplined if you are going to reach your full potential. Whether that potential is to be great depends on you."

The atmosphere in the room had changed to a new kind of tension. The first years were so quiet that Holly could swear she could hear their hearts beating.

Holly wasn't sure what she had actually been expecting from Magical Theory, but it definitely hadn't been this.

"Welcome all to Magical Theory, I am certain many of you are expecting this class to be a class that just involves discussions about different concepts of magic, and while there will certainly be many debates in the days to come, there will be a practical element to this class," he finally greeted.

"It is my job to ensure you have a full understanding of the components to successfully cast spells and use magic, while also forming the foundation of spell creation you will later need should you meet the passing criteria."

"I will not only be teaching you the theory of magic but also the techniques used to control magic and successfully cast spells but also to help you hone your skills so you too can be counted amongst the greatest witches and wizards of the Empire."

"We will touch on subjects such as Arithmancy and Ancient Runes which will give you a basic understanding before those subjects become available to you as electives in your third year should you show an interest and a knack for it. I will happily recommend any student for those courses should you prove to have the skills and are willing to work hard. Now, would you all turn to chapter one of your text books and we will begin."


Magic was more complicated than simply waving a wand and saying a word.

There was structure, formula, knowledge, intent, will, visualisation and of course magic.

Magic was instinctive, it came to her call, but directing where it went after took more than just pointing her wand. Especially if she wanted to do more than blowing things up. Which in turn proved Professor Doge's point even more to her, she needed the knowledge of the spells to do more than blow things up.

She had quickly learnt that early on with her lessons with Riddle, but as the Slytherin first years walked out of Magical Theory, she couldn't help but wonder how many of her classmates had realised that. Had they who had grown up surrounded by magic rather than fearing it, understood the principles that their Professor had been trying to ingrain into them or had they taken for granted the ability to be able to wield magic and expected it to come naturally to them.

From the mutterings and groaning of a few them, she couldn't help but think that some of them had, in fact, thought that.

Willingness to use magic is not the same as the ability to use it.

"Well, that was more interesting than I thought it was going to be," Daphne stated as they once again walked side by side.

"Not disappointed then?"

"Not at all, Professor Doge is remarkable. His latest work was only published a month ago, which was a rather fascinating piece about Lithomancy."

"Lithomancy?"

"Crystal magic. Crystals can be used to a small degree as a focus just like a wand, but Professor Doge's study has proven you can actually store magic in a crystal to use at a later date, you just need to activate it."

"I can see why that would be useful."

"Not to mention profitable," a voice added from behind.

Holly turned to see Zabini and Nott walking behind them. She hadn't spoken to either of them before and knew very little about them other than their names. Other than speaking to each other and Pucey at breakfast she hadn't seen either interact with anyone.

Daphne laughed, "Trust you to think of profit. But you are right it would be a profitable venture, provided you are capable of doing it. Lithomancy delectate work from what I have read, push too much magic in it too quickly, and it shatters."

"Which is why they haven't become popular to use instead of wands," Zabini answered, before turning to look at her, "We haven't been introduced, Blaise Zabini." The dark haired wizard with the even darker eyes certainly seemed to have a presence to him.

His lips turned ever so slightly into a smile, "and my friend is Theodore Nott."

"Holly Black, though I am sure you already knew that."

"It does not hurt to be polite," he nodded in agreement a small smile crossing his lips.

"We have Transfiguration next," Daphne said, as they followed behind their other chaperone of the day.

"Are you looking forward to Transfiguration?" Holly asked.

"The idea is quite fascinating really, changing something into something else, but from my understanding, it is also extremely changeling," Daphne answered.

"Not to mention that Professor McGonagall is extremely strict, or at least that's what the older years have claimed," Zabini added.

Transfiguration was indeed challenging.

Sitting in groups of four, Zabini and Nott joined them on a table towards the middle of the classroom.

The door shut precisely when the bell rang to signal the beginning to the class. Professor McGonagall was standing at the front of the room, watching them quietly.

Professor McGonagall was strict and intelligent and knew how to capture the class's attention. Turning her desk into a pig and back again resulting in one or two gasps of awe and eagerness in her fellow classmates.

Holly's mind raced with the endless possibilities that Transfiguration offered to her and couldn't wait to get started.

"Welcome to Transfiguration," Professor McGonagall welcomed though her tone was anything but welcoming, "Transfiguration is some of the most complex and dangerous magic you will learn at Hogwarts. I demand that all of you work hard and apply yourself to it. There will be no fooling around in this class, and if you do so you will leave this class, and you will not come back. You have all been warned."

They listened intently as Professor McGonagall started with the basic theory components of Transformation, which added an extra element to the formula of Knowledge, Will, Intent, Visualisation, and Magic that Professor Doge had mentioned.

She then proceeded to spend the rest of the lesson teaching them to turn matchsticks into needles. It was a far cry from turning furniture into animals something they all quickly learned was a far off achievement. They struggled enough with the matchstick.

Holly was aware of the casting of her classmates but tuned them out as she focused on her own matchstick that seemed to be lying on her desk almost mockingly.

She had already successfully cast spells, but they had been more Charms inclined than changing something into something else.

A matchstick and a needle were of a similar size and bodyweight which matched the first part of the Transfiguration formula.

Knowledge was the second part of the formula; Professor McGonagall had given them the incantation to use and had them practice it several times along with the correct wand movement.

Will, Intent, Visualisation and Magic were the final parts.

The magic answered her summons with the casting of the spell and correct wand movement, she could feel and almost gentle vibration running along her arm as she cast the spell.

She had to visualise the needle firmly in her mind as she cast the spell, she had to intend for her magic to change the matchstick into a needle and then she had to will it to happen.

But in truth one also had to understand the difference between intent and will. Something Holly wasn't sure everyone did if the failed attempts and sighs of frustration were anything to go by.

The intent was the objective, the aim. The needle was the goal. Will was the desire to affect that change. Holly needed to visualise the needle in her mind as she cast the spell and willed the magic to life and transform the matchstick into a needle.

Breaking it down it seemed natural, except every time she went to cast the spell her mind lazily argued what was the point of a needle, what did it have to offer her that would be useful or practical in any way.

It was frustrating.

Riddle had warned that magic was about will and visualisation, but he had never really touched on the subject of what you needed to do if your mind refused to cooperate.

Professor McGonagall was quick to point out that the castor had to visualise and will for the change to happen, but clearly that was what she was struggling with the most.

The caster needed the desire to affect the change, believe it was possible, and then using magic force the object to bend to their will and perception of reality. If she couldn't keep the image in her mind then how was she ever going to change anything into well...anything?

"I can actually feel you resisting. You need to stop over thinking," Daphne said as she worked on her own needle.

"Isn't that we are supposed to be doing, though. Visualising the image in our mind and willing it to happen?" Holly asked, looking at the girl who it seemed was having some moderate success with her matchstick by changing it at least silver.

"Yes, but just visualise the needle, don't over think the needle. You just need to picture it in your mind, cast the spell at the same time and will the transformation to happen."

"How can I be over thinking about a needle?"

"Do you just see a needle in your mind?" Zabini asked, focusing his attention on his own matchstick and half listening to her and Daphne.

"No, I think of a needle, and then I believe that a matchstick is more practical as it can be used to light a fire which is a source of heat as well as a way to cook food," Holly said.

"And that is you over thinking. We aren't analysing the uses of a needle or a matchstick. We are just holding the image of a needle in our mind. You may want the magic to work, but you are holding yourself back because you are over thinking. Does it really matter which is more practical?"

Holly paused, she wanted the magic to work, and she knew she was capable of making the magic work. She had proof of that with the spells Riddle had taught her that she had successfully cast. But was it now not working because like they said she was over thinking a needle. Was she instead of feeling like a witch still thinking about the practical uses of an object that would have been crucial to survival in the Warren. A needle would have only been useful to a few.

"Try again Holly," Daphne urged.

She did. For the rest of the lesson, she practised until she was certain she would be able to perform the wand movement in her sleep.


It was with a sigh of relief that Holly left the Transfiguration classroom when the bell rang. She couldn't help but feel frustrated with her own poor performance.

"It was only our first lesson," Daphne said as they walked into the Great Hall for lunch.

Holly wasn't sure whether she was attempting to be reassuring or putting it in perspective for her. If she was honest, it didn't exactly sound reassuring.

"I know," she replied as they sat down at the Slytherin table. Already she could see other students helping themselves to the food.

"And you weren't the only one, all of the class have the task for homework," Daphne continued, as she helped herself to a sandwich.

While Daphne's comment was correct, the whole class had been set the task of turning a matchstick into a needle for homework as very few had been successful in class.

"I know," Holly answered as she added fruit to her plate.

"Good, so you can stop the self-pity, I do hate people who wallow."

Holly laughed, "How foolish of me to forget your needs must be met at all times."

Daphne smirked ever so slightly, "That's the spirit. Though on a more serious note," she lowered her voice ever so slightly so only Holly could hear. Though over the chattering noise in the Great Hall Holly was certain that wouldn't be a problem.

"You need to stop thinking muggle. We can light fires with a spell, we don't need a matchstick. In truth, neither a needle nor a matchstick is useful to us, they are simply objects."

"You don't seem offended by the idea that I am thinking muggle," Holly answered between a bite of her sandwich.

"I don't give them a thought. You have lived your whole life thinking you are one; it will take time to rethink how you see the world. Like cutting off your right hand and being told to use your wand in your left. Instinctively you are going to try and use the hand that is no longer there."

Daphne continued "While I may give you the time and benefit to adjust Holly because I feel you are interesting and have potential others won't. You need to learn quickly."

It was another warning.

She could hear it as clear as day.

She couldn't help but wonder why Daphne was investing the time to be friends with her or give her warnings. On a surface level, she had nothing she could offer. Nothing that would gain Daphne the advantage that being friends with someone like Parkinson would, but then she couldn't say she was understood why people were interested in her. Even Malfoy had attempted to talk to her before Magical Theory and had looked somewhat disappointed that he was unable to join them at the table.

Speak of the Devil, and he shall appear.

"McGonagall is evil, not only do we have to practise turning a matchstick into a needle, but we have to write about each step of the Transfiguration formula and which step we had the most trouble on," Malfoy declared as he took a seat next to her. "And it's only our first day!"

"I think we need to get used to it, I have a feeling it will only get worse," Daphne stated.

"We need to be on top of our game to reach the high ranks of the League table. Of course, if you don't feel up to it Draco, I am certain the Professors will go easy on you," Zabini added with a soft laugh.

"Don't be absurd, a Malfoy is always at the top of his game," Malfoy sniffed.

"Of course we won't have a problem our parents ensured we had the best tutors we could have before coming to Hogwarts," Parkinson sneered, "Others aren't so lucky."

Holly could see the pointed look Parkinson threw her way but chose to ignore it. There was nothing she could say, and it wasn't a lie. She hadn't had the tutors to teach her before Hogwarts, other than the nine weeks with Riddle she hadn't had any prior magical training.

"And yet those teachers couldn't help you in Transfiguration," Daphne murmured.

Inwardly Holly smiled, she hadn't said it nastily, only said it as a matter of fact, but it threw Parkinson's previous comment back in her face causing the girl to open her mouth wide in surprise.

Parkinson is used to getting her own way, she isn't used to someone calling her out on her comments.

It was a quick assumption, but one Holly was certain she was right about. Parkinson was going to be one of the people Daphne had subtly warned her about. Her comments at breakfast and now were clearly showing she had taken a dislike to her, and Holly could only assume it was because of her connection with the muggle world.

"I wasn't the only one. From what I could see Black was equally unsuccessful," Parkinson snapped back.

Turning everyone's attention back to her.

Doesn't like the idea that someone is better than her, will happily point out others flaws but hates her own being pointed out. Prefers to be the centre of attention if it's proper attention and will quickly throw someone else under the axe for amusement so long as it isn't her.

Holly shrugged, "I didn't see the need for a needle."

It wasn't saying she was incapable of performing the spell just that she had no desire for a needle and that was why it hadn't worked.

Daphne gave her a small reassuring smile before continuing to eat the rest of her lunch. No one else said anything as they ate in silence.


Charms was by far more pleasant than Transfiguration had been, at least in Holly's opinion.

After lunch, they followed behind a prefect towards their Charms classroom and had settled down in groups of three. This class they shared with the Hufflepuff first years.

Taking a seat next to Daphne and Zabini, Holly couldn't help but see that Professor Flitwick and Professor McGonagall were exact opposites. Where Professor McGonagall had been stern Professor Flitwick was small and chipper he began calling the register as he stood on a pile of books. There were no warnings of dangerous magic and the Professor discussed in some detail about the theory of magic and spell casting.

Holly found that the lessons Riddle had given her helped considerably with Charms.

Will and Visualization were key elements along with correct wand movements and spell pronunciation.

They spent the lesson learning and perfecting the 'Repairing Charm', using various broken objects that Flitwick seemed to keep solely for the purpose of the lesson.

In his words "Accidents do happen, so it is essential to know how to mend our errors,"

Certain materials were easier than others Holly found, and even though she had successfully repaired a broken glass jar cracks had still been visible, where both Daphne and Zabini had managed to fix theirs without any cracks at all.

Herbology was their last lesson of the day.

They traipsed down the steps of the entrance hall where they were met by a dumpy little witch with rosy cheeks. Holly enjoyed the fact that she was outside in the fresh air as Professor Sprout led them down to the Greenhouses.

Before allowing them to enter she briefly explained the safety precautions they would need to follow before entering the Greenhouse and leaving.

Professor Sprout ushered them into Greenhouse 1 where she set them to examine three different samples of the same plant. The difference being the soil they were growing in. She further explained then that the soil properties and growing conditions impacted the plant's growth, magical properties and parts.

Holly was uncertain whether she would ever develop a love for the subject, but she couldn't deny that it was interesting, and how the care for the plants that they were learning now would have an impact in other disciplines such as Potions.

Holly was sure she would never look at a plant in the same way again.


It was far more subdued dirtier group of first years that entered the Slytherin common room after Herbology. The excitement and energy that had driven them through the day had slowly dwindled into a tiredness that came with a full day of learning and concentration.

While the students whose parents had been able to afford private tutors were used to a structured day of learning, Hogwarts was vastly different. Holly was certain it would take them a few days to settle into the pace of the school and the expectations set on them.

Using the free period, they had before dinner they cleaned up and set about starting their homework.

She was more than grateful though for the free time they had before dinner, though it was more time for them to study than anything else.

Holly, Daphne, Zabini and Nott gathered around one of the study tables to start on the homework they had already been assigned. The others slowly joined them after they finished cleaning up.

Holly opted to start her Magical Theory homework first preferring to leave Transfiguration to last.

As they worked, the conversation rose between them, more relaxed within the Slytherin Common Room they began asking questions about their homes and families. Like Holly had previously presumed while it was clear that most of them knew each other or of each other, there had been a formality between them that hadn't allowed them to become more than acquaintances.

"So you grew up in the Warren?" Malfoy asked.

Holly looked up in surprise meeting his grey eyes with her own. He was studying her with interest as he waited for her to answer. She knew the questions would come eventually, but even though she had been expecting it, she was still caught by surprise when it was finally voiced.

All of the faces turned toward Holly. She finished the sentence she was writing, conscious of their attention.

"For two years," she answered.

"Who did you live with?"

"I was on my own," she said with a shrug.

"That's awful!" Davis exclaimed.

Holly looked at the girl she hadn't spoken to her before despite that they shared a dorm together.

"I survived." She shrugged.

"How? Were you a thief?" Parkinson sneered.

Holly could see the others tensed at the question.

"I didn't work for the Underworld if that is what you are asking. Not everyone who lives in the Warren does," she answered with a small laugh.

The others seemed to relax a little. Parkinson glanced around at them and then scowled.

"But you stole things, didn't you?"

Holly didn't see the point of denying it; they would only assume she was lying if she did. She wouldn't tell them the extent of her thievery.

"Yes, the food was hard to come by so I stole food and money," she admitted, meeting Parkinson's stare with her own defiant one. "But only when I was starving."

Parkinson's eyes brightened in triumph, "So you are a thief."

"Leave it alone Pansy, she was living on her own and hungry, I am sure you would steal, too, if you had nothing to eat," Daphne snapped.

Holly noted the others turned to frown at Parkinson, but she tossed her head dismissively, then leant toward Holly and fixed her with a cold stare.

"Have you ever killed anyone?" She challenged.

Holly returned Parkinson's stare and felt her anger growing. She could see the whole group had tensed at the question, enough so that you could almost cut it with a knife.

"Pansy!" Malfoy warned.

She smirked ever so slightly before answering as sweetly as she was possibly able to make her voice sound, ensuring that a warning was there without actually wording a threat of any kind.

"Ms Skeeter had a full disclosure to my past Parkinson; I know she wrote in detail that I spent time in the Pit and survived. And I am sure you are aware of what happens in the Pit."

Silence fell over them for several minutes, and Holly had no intention of breaking it. She had no intention of discussing her life any further. Instead, she was content in ignoring Parkinson and the others as much as she possibly could she continued writing her essay as if the entire thing hadn't happened.

She had expected the curiosity from everyone. She was a novelty, an outsider. She had been raised, technically, alongside the people that many of them were raised to believe as their inferiors. They would be curious because the idea of her was as strange as the fact it had actually happened. Her discovery was under unusual circumstances, the fact she had been a guest of the headmaster for the last nine weeks added to her unique situation.


After dinner, Holly retreated to the dormitory rather than staying in the Common Room with the other first years. Unused to being with other people all day she desperately wanted to take a time out and relish in a few moments of solitude.

That and it was probably best if she put distance between Parkinson and herself.

The girl irritated her. Reminding Holly all too well as to why she avoided groups of children in the Warren. Everyone wanted to be the leader of the pack, and some did it by uniting others against one individual.

She knew Parkinson would see her retreat as a victory for her, but Holly didn't care. Not enough to do something about it.

Holly would leave the girl alone so long as Parkinson left her alone.