Today was the first day.

Evana and I had stayed up past midnight playing Scrabble. I would probably regret that; my chances of falling asleep in the middle of a lesson were pretty high. But we both had had a lot of fun and became fast friends. Raina had worked her magic. Through Scrabble.

As we made our way to the Great Hall, the smell of eggs and bacon and syrup and so many other foods drifted through my nose, instantly giving me a big appetite.

Evana and I had picked a seat at the far end of the Gryffindor table, rather than the center, where everyone was fawning over the Great Harry Potter.

I have nothing against Harry, no. He wasn't the Great Harry Potter. I only saw a boy, about my age, looking like all he wanted to do was to curl up in bed and stay there. I sighed in sympathy to him, secretly glad that it was not me there.

I finished quickly, so I waited for Evana, who was wolfing down pancakes. I drummed my fingers against the table. McGonagall was handing out schedules for the week; I tapped my foot in anticipation of what the week would bring.

Kirrilee Lilium Destrate

Monday ~ 9:00-10:00; Potions (with Slytherin)_10:10-11:00;Charms_1:00-2:00; Defense Against the Dark Arts_2:00-3:00; Herbology

Tuesday ~ 9:00-10:00; Charms_10:10-11:00;Defense Against the Dark Arts_1:00-2:00; Herbology_2:00-3:00; Transfiguration

Wednesday ~ 9:00-10:00; Potions (with Slytherin)_10:10-11:00;Herbology (with Hufflepuff)_1:00-2:00; History of Magic_2:00-3:00; Charms_12:00-1:00;Astronomy

Thursday ~ 9:00-10:00; Charms_10:10-11:00;Defense Against the Dark Arts_1:00-3:00; Double Transfiguration

Friday ~ 9:00-11:00; Double Potions (with Slytherin)_1:00-2:00; Transfiguration_2:00-3:00; History of Magic

Lunch - 11:00-1:00

Breakfast - 8:00-9:00

Dinner - 6:00-8:00

The schedule was very...thorough. Well, when someone like the Head of our House makes the schedules, you can expect them to be that way. The first class I had was Potions with the Slytherins.

What my mind pictured the meeting of Gryffindors and Slytherins in one class was nothing compared to the disaster that took place in the Potions Lab.

Evana and I were the first ones there. A sixth year had taken pity on us and warned us about the monstrosity that was Severus Snape. From what the female Hufflepuff had said, I wished that Horace Slughorn, the former potions master, hadn't retired. And Remus had told me he was terrible. Who discriminates students just to win their favor?

Speaking of Remus, he had sent me a letter in the morning post. It had slipped my mind until my train of thought had brought it back to me.

I discreetly brought it out of my bag and laid it on my desk to open after completing the instructions.

The class wasn't really that hard, but Snape picked on Potter right at the beginning, asking him questions that a muggle-raised wizard couldn't possibly know! I didn't know two of them, even after studying my father's old books.

I rushed to complete my potion, acing it because of my natural talent, and opened the letter from Remus.

Dear Kir,

I wanted to wait before writing to you. I assume your life has been very busy preparing to go to Hogwarts. How is it there? If my memory isn't failing me, this is your first day? Well, I have some advice for you: (replaced the period with a colon)

Watch out for Snape.

Stay distanced from Peeves.

Don't talk to that Malfoy boy

I rolled my eyes. After Malfoy, there were at least half a dozen more people and creatures to either stay away from, or be wary of. Of course, Remus started each warning with a different phrase to keep my thoughts away from that possibility.

Still, I couldn't stop that warm feeling in my heart, that someone actually cared enough about me to even give me unnecessary warnings; it was amazing.

I continued reading, skipping the list of terrible people, except for Filch, for whom I sincerely appreciated the words of caution.

I don't really know much Latin, just spells, so I will take your word for it; Lilium is really a beautiful name.

I recently read Cursed after receiving your letter and you are right. It is an amazing book. You have good taste; I should ask you for more suggestions!

Meeting on your birthday sounds great, I hope to earn a lot of your trust by then.

These are my answers to your questions.

1 - March 10, 1960

2 - Definitely Hogsmeade. I simply can't wait for your 3rd year, when you finally get to go there!

3 - I should be asking you! I think I will... Hmm. I would suggest reading Lunar Doom. It sounds terrible, but it really is good. I read it on a dare and absolutely fell in love with it. The book may be too complicated for your age, but I think you can stomach it.

4 - Of course I went to Hogwarts! However could you think of an atrocity like that? I was a Gryffindor and proud of it. Have you heard of the Marauders? I was the brains of the group.

I was a Prefect, yes, but James Potter was Head Boy.

Speaking of that, do you know Harry Potter? He might be feeling a little crowded with all the "Boy Who Lived" business. I just want you to make him feel comfortable. If that's alright with you; I don't want to overload you. You do have classes of your own. I expect you to study hard; I will accept absolutely no slacking!

5 - Remus, please. In my Hogwarts years, I was called Moony by my closest friends, for apparent reasons. I suppose "Rem" is alright, but don't overuse it. It gets annoying quickly.

These are your questions:

1 - First and foremost, what books do you think I should read?

2 - What is your favorite class, so far?

3 - Did you listen to my warnings? You better.

4 - Did you make any friends?

And for the final question, here's a little treat;

I hear you like riddles, so take a seat.

Riddle me this, tell me soon,

What creature dreams of reaching the moon?

You might not know, for it is rare

for you to know, so don't pull out your hair!

But you are lucky, so here's another clue.

This animal is common, and produces a type of food.

If it is a problem, you can easily forfeit.

But I know you won't so are you ready? Get set!

I hope you are having fun!

With love, Remus

I let out a soft chuckle. Remus was just like a parent to me. I sucked in a sharp breath. Parent. That word was foreign to me. A wave of nausea rippled through me, just because of that word. I knew I was going to have a shadow phase seconds before it happened.

Another wave of nausea arrived and overtook me. I felt myself hit the ground, not aware of anything else. My mind filled with thoughts; terrible thoughts of that night. I wanted to scream,

'No!'

But I had no control over my body. The pain, both mental and physical was worse than ever before.

Stop it!

I hear voices but nothing intelligible. Why were they being weird? Or was that me?

Snap out of it! You're fine!

"Kirrilee, what happened to you?"

"Ms. Destrate, sit up in your chair this instant!"

Then more mumbling. I felt myself get picked up, but that was all I could figure out before I lost consciousness completely.

So. I have made a decision. I'm going to abort this story. I'm not getting any reviews to this story, and that's breaking my confidence. With reviews, I know what people like and don't like about stories and I receive feedback, whether constructive or blunt. If I don't know the opinions of this, what's the point in writing without being read? I will write until the end of Kirrilee's first year, unless something comes up in my personal life, then I won't. Don't worry; I won't leave any loose ends, but the plot will be considerably smaller and less detailed. Bare with me, and please review.