The storm had blown itself out by the following morning, though the ceiling in the Great Hall was still gloomy; heavy clouds of pewter gray swirled overhead as Neville and I tried to eat.

Professor McGonagall came to give us our schedules as usual and asked me to give the 'Golden Trio' theirs.

In the morning I had reflected a lot about if we were really friends. Did they even considered me as one? Or was I an acquaintance or annoyance to them?

Either way, I almost tripped over Neville because these thoughts continued plaguing me.

The trio of friends arrived.

"Annie, where were you? I didn't see you this morning in our dormitory nor the library."

The Hogwarts library was a place I call my sanctuary. How stupid of me for not remembering it.

"I took a walk," I shrugged. But Neville was looking at me worriedly. Damn, that boy knew me too well for my good.

"Today's not bad...outside all morning," Ron said, who was running his finger down the Monday column of his schedule. "Herbology with the Hufflepuffs and Care of Magical Creatures...damn it, we're still with the Slytherins..."

"Double Divination this afternoon," Harry groaned, looking down. Divination was our least favorite subject, apart from Potions. Professor Trelawney kept predicting Harry's (and occasionally, mine) death, which he found extremely annoying.

"You should have given it up like me, shouldn't you?" Hermione said briskly, buttering herself some toast. "Then you'd be doing something sensible like Arithmancy."

"You're eating again, I notice," Ron said, watching Hermione adding liberal amounts of jam to her toast too.

"I've decided there are better ways of making a stand about elf rights," Hermione said haughtily. Oh, no. What did I do?

"Yeah...and you were hungry," Ron said, grinning.

There was a sudden rustling noise above us, and a hundred owls came soaring through the open windows carrying the morning mail. The owls circled the tables, looking for the people to whom their letters and packages were addressed. A large tawny owl soared down to Neville and deposited a parcel into his lap.

"Must have forgotten something," he sighed.

To my surprise, an old brown old deposited an envelope on my lap.

Curious about it, I looked at the remittent and –

I snorted.

"Who's it?" Neville asked. In his hands were two thick books that his gran sent him.

"From my cousin, Dora," I looked inside and instead of a letter, I found a photo.

I looked at it and nearly chocked on my juice.

It was a black and white Wizarding photograph. But it was more the fact that there were two kids smiling at the camera. They were identical and wearing their Hogwarts robes with the Gryffindor crest on them. And the girl looked exactly like me, except her eyes were gray, her hair black, and that my hair had cleared a lot over this summer, making it look brown.

"Dear Anne,

I found this on my mum's old memory chest (don't you ever mention me if mum discovers it) and I think you deserve to have it. As I know that you too know whom they are, I hope you don't lose it: is the only one I found were they weren't wearing scowls at the camera or at each other.

Luv from your favorite cousin,

Tonks."

What would I do without Tonks?

After a very interesting Herbology class were Seamus kept asking about pus, and a Care of Magical Creatures class with angry exploding bugs, we once again found ourselves on the Great Hall.

But instead of eating, I stared openmouthed at Hermione, whom was eating so fast like me when I first arrived at Hogwarts.

"Um… Hermione?" Neville asked shyly. Hermione continued eating but waved her hand to let us know she was listening.

"Er - is this the new stand on elf rights?" Ron asked. "You're going to make yourself puke instead?"

"No," said Hermione, with as much dignity as she could muster with her mouth bulging with sprouts. "I just want to get to the library."

"What?" said Ron in disbelief. "Hermione - it's the first day back! We haven't even got homework yet!"

Hermione shrugged and continued to shovel down her food as though she had not eaten for days. Then she leapt to her feet, said, "See you at dinner!" and departed at high speed.

"Oh, this isn't going to end well," I sighed sadly.

When the bell rang to signal the start of afternoon lessons, we set off for North Tower where, at the top of a tightly spiraling staircase, a silver stepladder led to a circular trapdoor in the ceiling, and the room where Professor Trelawney lived.

The familiar sweet perfume spreading from the fire met our nostrils as we emerged at the top of the stepladder. As ever, the curtains were all closed; the circular room was bathed in a dim reddish light cast by the many lamps, which were all draped with scarves and shawls.

Instead of seating with Harry and Ron, I decided to be next to Neville on the table behind theirs. He was surprised to say the least.

"Good day," said the misty voice of Professor Trelawney right behind Harry, making him jump.

A very thin woman with enormous glasses that made her eyes appear far too large for her face, Professor Trelawney was peering down at Harry with the tragic expression she always wore whenever she saw him. The usual large amount of beads, chains, and bangles glittered upon her person in the firelight.

"You are preoccupied, my dear," she said mournfully to Harry. "My inner eye sees past your brave face to the troubled soul within. And I regret to say that your worries are not baseless. I see difficult times ahead for you, alas… most difficult… I fear the thing you dread will indeed come to pass… and perhaps sooner than you think…"

Her voice dropped almost to a whisper. Ron rolled his eyes at Harry, who looked stonily back. Professor Trelawney swept past them and seated herself in a large winged armchair before the fire, facing the class. Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil, who deeply admired Professor Trelawney, were sitting on poufs very close to her.

Neville and I shared a look. Nodding at each other, we drew back our chairs.

"My dears, it is time for us to consider the stars," Trelawney said. "The movements of the planets and the mysterious portents they reveal only to those who understand the steps of the celestial dance. Human destiny may be deciphered by the planetary rays, which intermingle..."

And the Professor continued talking on and on about how much influence the planets have in our lives.

"A clear expression of this is the day we were born," she ranted. "Like Mr. Potter there!" she pointed at Harry. "He was born under the baleful influence of Saturn."

But Harry didn't paid her attention.

"Harry!" Ron muttered.

"What?" he asked.

Harry looked around; the whole class was staring at him. He sat up straight; looked like he almost dozed off.

"I was saying, my dear, that you were clearly born under the baleful influence of Saturn," said Professor Trelawney, a faint note of resentment in her voice at the fact that he had obviously not been hanging on her words.

"Born under - what, sorry?" said Harry.

"Saturn, dear, the planet Saturn!" said Professor Trelawney, sounding definitely irritated that he wasn't riveted by this news. "I was saying that Saturn was surely in a position of power in the heavens at the moment of your birth… Your dark hair… your mean stature… tragic losses so young in life… I think I am right in saying, my dear, that you were born in midwinter?"

"No," said Harry, "I was born in July."

I literally face palmed here.

Half an hour later, each of us had been given a complicated circular chart, and was attempting to fill in the position of the planets at our moment of birth.

"I've got Saturn and… the Sun? Is that even possible?" Neville wondered.

"Well, everything can happen," I shrugged. "So, I've found Mercury and – Pluto, isn't it?"

"What do you think those both mean?"

"Um, let's see…" I put a finger on the book. "Okay, I found yours. Not by appearance but by your personal descriptions. Saturn means that you have lost much in your life but you had been able to endure the pain…" Neville's eyes widened. "And look at that, there really is the Sun! It means that you are courageous –" he snorted. "No, let me finish. Both planets together means that while you may have dark moments, your courage will always stand out, more definitely when there seems to be no hope."

"Are you sure you are talking about me?" Neville pointed at himself incredulously. "I have no courage at all! Malfoy and his goons always bully me!"

I looked at him sternly.

"Neville, you shouldn't think so low about yourself. This means something even if the teacher is nuts. Maybe not now, but I think you will be more than just a backstage actor in this drama."

But he didn't look convinced.

Sighing at my failed attempt of cheering, I started looking for my description.

Mercury. Wisdom and knowledge ruled first. The knowledge will always be by your side in the moment of doubt. You give much into other people's lives without asking anything in exchange. Kindness is meant to be your weapon, yet your brains will prevail long enough. Your greatest flaw is that you care too much.

Pluto. The lone planet. Not known properly by its original name, it has been qualified as another type of satellite. The time always fast up when you think everything is going to be the same. Silence has been prominently your course of action, thought you watch calculatedly for the moment of action.

Together. They are equals in desperate times of change. While you search for the truth, time will be against your desperate race of knowledge. Expect dread coming in your way, until silence reigns over the faith in your heart.

I frowned. This class really made my head ache when something like a future- thingy happens.

"Aaaaah," I heard Ron trying imitate Professor Trelawney's mystical whisper, "when two Neptunes appear in the sky, it is a sure sign that a midget in glasses is being born, Harry..."

Seamus and Dean, who were working nearby, sniggered loudly, though not loudly enough to mask the excited squeals of Lavender Brown - "Oh Professor, look! I think I've got an unexpected planet! Oooh, which one's that, Professor?"

"It is Uranus, my dear," Professor Trelawney said, peering down at the chart.

"Can I have a look at Uranus too, Lavender?" Ron said.

All the class waved their heads frantically at him, meaning Ron to shut up. But Professor Trelawney already was looking murderously at him. In the end, she gave us a lot of homework.

"A detailed analysis of the way the planetary movements in the coming month will affect you, with reference to your personal chart," she snapped, sounding much more like Professor McGonagall than her usual airy-fairy self. "I want it ready to hand in next Monday, and no excuses!"

"Miserable old bat," said Ron bitterly as we joined the crowds descending the staircases back to the Great Hall and dinner. "That'll take all weekend, that will…"

"Actually, its awfully easy, Ron," I said to him, he glared at me. Neville chuckled.

"Lots of homework?" said Hermione brightly, catching up with us. "Professor Vector didn't give us any at all!"

"Well, bully for Professor Vector," said Ron moodily.

We reached the entrance hall, which was packed with people queuing for dinner. we had just joined the end of the line, when a loud voice rang out behind us.

"Weasley! Hey, Weasley!"

We turned around. Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle were standing there, each looking thoroughly pleased about something.

"What?" said Ron shortly.

"Your dad's in the paper, Weasley!" said Malfoy, brandishing a copy of the Daily Prophet and speaking very loudly, so that everyone in the packed entrance hall could hear.

"Listen to this!

FURTHER MISTAKES AT THE MINISTRY OF MAGIC

It seems as though the Ministry of Magic's troubles are not yet at an end, writes Rita Skeeter, Special Correspondent. Recently under fire for its poor crowd control at the Quidditch World Cup, and still unable to account for the disappearance of one of its witches, the Ministry was plunged into fresh embarrassment yesterday by the antics of Arnold Weasley, of the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office."

Malfoy looked up.

"Imagine them not even getting his name right, Weasley. It's almost as though he's a complete nonentity, isn't it?" he crowed. Everyone in the entrance hall was listening now. Malfoy straightened the paper with a flourish and read on:

Arnold Weasley, who was charged with possession of a flying car two years ago, was yesterday involved in a tussle with several Muggle law-keepers ("policemen") over a number of highly aggressive dustbins. Mr. Weasley appears to have rushed to the aid of "Mad-Eye" Moody, the aged ex-Auror who retired from the Ministry when no longer able to tell the difference between a handshake and attempted murder. Unsurprisingly, Mr. Weasley found, upon arrival at Mr. Moody's heavily guarded house, that Mr. Moody had once again raised a false alarm. Mr. Weasley was forced to modify several memories before he could escape from the policemen, but refused to answer Daily Prophet questions about why he had involved the Ministry in such an undignified and potentially embarrassing scene.

"And there's a picture, Weasley!" said Malfoy, flipping the paper over and holding it up. "A picture of your parents outside their house - if you can call it a house! Your mother could do with losing a bit of weight, couldn't she?"

Ron was shaking with fury. Everyone was staring at him.

"Get stuffed, Malfoy," said Harry. "C'mon, Ron…"

"Oh yeah, you were staying with them this summer, weren't you, Potter?" sneered Malfoy. "So tell me, is his mother really that porky, or is it just the picture?"

"You know your mother, Malfoy?" said Harry - both he and Hermione had grabbed the back of Ron's robes to stop him from launching himself at Malfoy. Neville looked nervously to each side of us. Students were looking at the conversation with interest.

"That expression she's got, like she's got dung under her nose? Has she always looked like that, or was it just because you were with her?"

Malfoy's pale face went slightly pink.

"Don't you dare insult my mother, Potter."

"Keep your fat mouth shut, then," said Harry, turning away.

I was going to do the same but in the corner of my eye I saw Malfoy pointing his wand – I quickly pulled out my wand –

"Protego!" I yelled.

BANG!

The spell ricocheted to the other wall. Several people screamed and another loud bang echoed with a roar that nearly scared the hell out of me.

"OH NO YOU DON'T, LADDIE!"

I spun around. Professor Moody was limping down the marble staircase. His wand was out and it was pointing right at a pure white ferret, which was shivering on the stone-flagged floor, exactly where Malfoy had been standing.

There was a terrified silence in the entrance hall. Nobody but Moody was moving a muscle. Moody turned to look at Harry — at least, his normal eye was looking at Harry; the other one was pointing into the back of his head. The crystal eye turned to me, his normal one looked at the ferret.

"Nice timing, Barton," he growled.

They looked surprised at me. In fact, Harry and Ron were gaping, Hermione was looking between Moody and the ferret with shock, and Neville somehow maintained a calm expression, but his eyes darted through all the scene.

I nodded at Professor Moody.

"LEAVE IT!" Moody shouted suddenly. Half the students jumped.

"Leave - what?" Harry said, bewildered.

"Not you - him!" Moody growled, jerking his thumb over his shoulder at Crabbe, who had just frozen, about to pick up the white ferret. It seemed that Moody's rolling eye was magical and could see out of the back of his head.

Moody started to limp toward Crabbe, Goyle, and the ferret, which gave a terrified squeak and took off, streaking toward the dungeons.

"I don't think so!" roared Moody, pointing his wand at the ferret again - it flew ten feet into the air, fell with a smack to the floor, and then bounced upward once more.

"I don't like people who attack when their opponent's back's turned," growled Moody as the ferret bounced higher and higher, squealing in pain.

"Stinking, cowardly, scummy thing to do…"

The ferret flew through the air, its legs and tail flailing helplessly. "Never - do - that - again -" said Moody, speaking each word as the ferret hit the stone floor and bounced upward again.

"Professor Moody!" said a shocked voice.

Professor McGonagall was coming down the marble staircase with her arms full of books.

"Hello, Professor McGonagall," said Moody calmly, bouncing the ferret still higher.

"What - what are you doing?" said Professor McGonagall, her eyes following the bouncing ferret's progress through the air.

"Teaching," said Moody.

"Teach - Moody, is that a student?" shrieked Professor McGonagall, the books spilling out of her arms.

"Yep," said Moody.

"No!" cried Professor McGonagall, running down the stairs and pulling out her wand; a moment later, with a loud snapping noise, Draco Malfoy had reappeared, lying in a heap on the floor with his sleek blond hair all over his now brilliantly pink face. He got to his feet, wincing.

"Moody, we never use Transfiguration as a punishment!" said Professor McGonagall wealdy. "Surely Professor Dumbledore told you that?"

"He might've mentioned it, yeah," said Moody, looking like a sheepish ugly puppy, "but I thought a good sharp shock -"

"We give detentions, Moody! Or speak to the offender's Head of House!"

"I'll do that, then," said Moody, staring at Malfoy with great dislike.

Malfoy, whose pale eyes were still watering with pain and humiliation, looked malevolently up at Moody and muttered something in which the words "my father" were distinguishable.

"Oh yeah?" said Moody quietly, limping forward a few steps, the dull clunk of his wooden leg echoing around the hall. "Well, I know your father of old, boy… You tell him Moody's keeping a close eye on his son… you tell him that from me… Now, your Head of House'll be Snape, will it?"

"Yes," said Malfoy resentfully.

"Another old friend," growled Moody. "I've been looking forward to a chat with old Snape… Come on, you…"

And he seized Malfoy's upper arm and marched him off toward the dungeons.

Professor McGonagall stared anxiously after them for a few moments, then waved her wand at her fallen books, causing them to soar up into the air and back into her arms.

"Don't talk to me," Ron said quietly us as we sat down at the Gryffindor table a few minutes later, surrounded by excited talk on all sides about what had just happened.

"Why not?" said Hermione in surprise.

"Because I want to fix that in my memory forever," said Ron, his eyes closed and an uplifted expression on his face. "Draco Malfoy, the amazing bouncing ferret."