Willow was awake by six, her internal clock not changed in the slightest. No one else was awake yet, so she quietly slipped out of bed, leaving Achelous there.
Willow tiptoed down the staircase and found herself alone in the commons. The fireplace was bare, only ashes in the grate. There was a warm light streaming in through the windows, and Willow decided to stand there, as she was slightly cold from the night before.
As she gazed out the window, Willow realized just how beautiful the grounds were. The Quidditch field stood in all its glory, hoops rising high into the sky, flags billowing in the morning breeze. A few curious deer had wandered onto the vast grasslands between the school and the lake. The Forbidden Forest stood tall and dark, mysterious in every way, but not exactly scary from a distance. It stopped abruptly in a straight line, not daring to encroach any farther upon Hogwarts. Willow wondered what kinds of creatures would dwell there. She got one answer when a few dots began emerging from the treetops. When she squinted her eyes, Willow could make out horse-like creatures with wings. She marveled at how they seemed to play peekaboo, emerging from the canopy of the forest, flapping their wings a few times, snorting and whinnying at each other, then gliding back down as gracefully as a swan. It looked like fun. Willow, oddly enough, longed to join them.
"I thought I'd find you here," a voice said.
Willow whirled around to see Fred leaning against the spiral staircase, rather sleepy-looking.
"I've always been an early riser. Guess going to Hogwarts doesn't change that small detail."
"It won't change you completely, but it definitely affects the outcome of your teenage years."
Willow's lips twitched upwards. "I'm pretty hard to change."
"You're a bloody Gryffindor. Of course you are!"
"I'm super happy that I didn't get dumped in Slytherin. The hat tried to convince me that I'd do well there, but I'd say no every time."
"Really? Well, now that I think about it, the hat tried to pull that on George and I, too. It didn't take as long for the hat to recognize our opposition to that house as yours, though."
"It kept saying that I could go so far, that I had so much potential. But I don't think I would have taken a step into Slytherin before all my ambitions died."
"You don't seem their type to me. They're cunning and will trample anyone to get to their goal."
"That makes them very susceptible to surprise attacks, then, if they're so obsessed with reaching their goals."
Fred grinned. "It's a wonder it didn't place you in Ravenclaw, Willow. You're almost too smart for this house."
"Tell that to Hermione."
"She sure went all out, didn't she?"
"I think she passed that a long time ago."
There was a pause before Fred spoke again. "Do you want to do something before breakfast?"
"Like what?"
"Maybe break a few rules in the way of showing you around the castle."
Willow smiled. "That sounds like a perfect morning, don't you?"
Fred lead Willow out of the common room, then headed east and down to the third floor. He lead her north through long hallways until they passed the Great Hall.
"It's so quiet in the morning."
"That's because the Slytherins are sleeping in the dungeons."
Willow stifled her laughter as they passed the third floor bathrooms. Fred steered her left, and they arrived at a locked door.
"Alohamora."
The door unlocked itself, and Fred swung it open to reveal a long corridor. Willow gasped.
Knights in shining armour lined the walls, standing at ready position, their swords in front of their faces. Windows nearly as tall as the knights themselves divided each onto their own pedestal. Their dark dark armour glinted in the bright light, casting it all over the room.
"What are these?"
"They're supposed to be extra defense, in case the school ever needs it," Fred explained. "But I just see a chance to piss off Filch. Their armour gets a bit dull after sitting in here and collecting dust for so long."
Fred drew his wand and began casting spells on the knights. Willow watched in awe as they changed from black to pink.
"You're changing the colors?"
"Not only that, but they're going to get some fresh weapons, too."
Willow stood there, trying to contain her giggles, as Fred began changing all of the knights a different color, and transfiguring their swords into various flowers. When he finished, Willow burst out laughing.
"Filch is going to be out for your blood!"
"Wouldn't be the first time," Fred admitted. "Come on, I have one more thing to show you."
Fred lead Willow into a room adjacent to the armory. It was filled with dusty glass cases from floor to ceiling. Willow cast her gaze around the room, wondering why on Earth Fred would want to show her this.
"Look at this, Willow!" Fred beckoned.
Willow made her way to Fred, trying to peer through the dirty glass case he was standing by.
"What is it?"
"See for yourself."
Willow used her sleeve to rub off a bit of grime, then stared in wonder at all the trophies within.
"Look at all these names! The dates go back so far!"
"They're Quidditch awards, and I'm hoping to add my name to this case."
"Hopefully I can second that."
Fred smiled, then shifted his gaze to a mirror at the end of the hall.
"This room is unlocked at all times," Fred informed Willow. "If they knew all the passageways, they really shouldn't."
"Why?"
Fred walked over to the mirror and shoved it aside. Behind it was a doorway, completely hidden to anyone who didn't know where to look.
"You can get to the fourth floor corridor from here, and also from behind that painting," Fred explained, pointing to a man's portrait. "George and I have used it to escape Filch once or twice. You'll need to know of it if you're going to prank with us."
Willow blinked. "Thank you, Fred. I'm sure I'll need it."
"Don't mention it. Really, don't tell anyone about it."
"I won't," she promised.
Willow trailed behind Fred as he led the way up a small flight of steps. A painted glass mosaic depicting four witches and wizards spread multicolored light across the staircase. Willow halted in front of it, mesmerized.
"Who are they?" she breathed.
"The founders of Hogwarts," Fred explained. "You'll learn all about them in History of Magic."
Willow pried herself away from the masterpiece, running up the last few steps before arriving on the fourth floor. Fred slid a bookcase to the side and shut it behind them.
"This is the library?" Willow asked.
Bookcase upon bookcase towered high, every available inch of space filled by books. Several tables with lamps on them were scattered here and there. The reception desk was large, round, full of binders, and thankfully, void of the librarian. Fred tapped Willow's shoulder.
"You have to be very quiet," he breathed. "Mrs. Noris will be all over your case in seconds if you're not."
"Who's that?"
"Filch's beloved cat. Wouldn't I love to give her a good kick across the grounds..."
"Don't you dare!"
"Joking, only joking."
"Are you sure about that?"
"Not at all."
Willow feigned slapping Fred before they snuck into a nearby isle, then the next, then the next. They passed several ancient-looking books that were nearly in tatters. At the opposite end of the library, Fred stopped in front of a locked section of books.
"I wish I could grab one of those without attracting any attention," he lamented.
"Why? What happens if you try?"
"The book screams the moment you take it off the shelf."
"Oh. So I better not try to steal any from here?"
"I'm not going to tell you not to."
Willow smirked. "What if I succeed?"
"That would be impressive."
"Challenge accepted."
"Don't let Filch catch you, whatever you do!"
The two continued their sneaking around through the library. Willow saw a light-filled staircase leading up into the highest floors of the castle up ahead. She shot Fred a quizzical glance before climbing the several flights of stairs, reaching the top within a few minutes. Willow gasped when she emerged from the shadows of the tower.
"It's so...beautiful."
Willow stood atop the Astronomy Tower, gazing down on the entirety of Hogwarts. She could see everything now. Willow mentally created a map for herself, floor by floor, wing by wing. She was rather good with directions, and opportunities like this were what made her the best with them. Willow could create a mental picture in seconds if only she was allowed the extra time to absorb it into the depths of her mind.
"Fred, this is incredible!" she exclaimed.
"You should see it at night. You'll have to stay up until midnight every Wednesday to stare at the stars."
"That's going to be a bit difficult, but I've always managed well under little sleep."
"I hated it, too, until I realized that sleep was completely overrated."
Willow chuckled. "Hopefully it won't be too hard."
As they stared out into the fields, rising sun sparkling on the lake, Willow found herself settling into a peace that she had not felt in the longest of times. Her mind slowed, her heart rate dropped, and her breath came in slow, even tones.
Believe.
Willow frowned, confused.
Believe what?
Breath in your peace.
Willow opened her eyes, her head now racing with thoughts.
I thought you only talked to me in bigger, dire moments..
You are at peace.
Why won't you answer me?
"Willow? Are you alright?" Fred asked, jolting her from the mental conversation.
"No, the voice is back again," Willow admitted.
Fred's eyes widened. "What is it telling you?"
Close your eyes. Listen...
"I think it's trying to tell me to be at peace."
Fred's eyes sparkled, excitement and wonder alight within them.
"Maybe it's trying to help you transform again!"
See the beauty all around you. Listen to its call.
Willow obeyed. She zoned in on the high-pitched chirping of birds, the splashing of the fish in the lake, the neighing of the horse-creatures in the Forest. Willow found her heart pumping in rhythm with beat of the life surrounding her.
Feel your soul mingling with life. It calls for you...
Willow could see every last rabbit in its burrow, every grasshopper in the lawn below. She could sense the breeze, the patterns of the rolling hills, the movements of tiny creatures in the undergrowth. Everything was in tune with her.
You are the balance. You are the peace to this world. Fly, spread your wings and fly, dove, bringer of good news, bringer of peace.
Willow subconsciously knew that her feet were stepping up onto the edge of the Astronomy Tower's walls, but in reality, she wasn't in control of her motions. She barely managed to squeak a warning to a paranoid Fred.
"Don't...panic..." she choked out, her throat reminding her of wet cement.
"Why? What's going on?"
Fly, dove! Be free! Spread the peace!
Before she knew what was happening, Willow threw her arms out, tipped forward, and began diving head-first towards the ground below.
"Willow!" Fred cried.
Willow didn't fear the height, nor the rapid decent. A burning sensation spread across her body as she fell closer and closer to the ground. Her body shrank, forming hooked claws, skinny legs, and a curved beak. The breeze caught in her pure white feathers, and she was suddenly facing the sky, her wings propelling her upwards.
"Willow...you're flying!" Fred shouted from the tower.
Craning her neck to see, Willow saw Fred jumping around on the open deck, hooting and hollering in his joy. Willow found control of her wings and dove back towards him. She nearly crashed into the roof, but figured out how to catch the wind just in time to veer out of the way. Willow circled Fred's head in delight.
"You're a dove!" Fred rambled. "A dove! First a horse, now a dove! What's next?"
Willow twittered in laughter, then with a strong flap of her wings, shot up to the bright blue sky. The wind gently guided her towards the lake, so she went with it and glided towards it. She dipped a wing and allowed it to brush the surface, sending ripples out in all directions. Willow let out an exhilarated whistle before rocketing to the heavens once again. She began to get dizzy with exertion and decided to land before a random bystander would witness a dove falling out of the sky. Willow circled the Astronomy Tower a few times, then set herself down in front of Fred. With a bright flash, Willow was suddenly her normal, human self again.
"Woah, Willow!" Fred warned, catching her as she stumbled into him.
"Sorry!" Willow apologized quickly, righting herself. She panted slightly, her dark hair now wild and windblown.
"That was amazing!" Fred burst out. "You just went into some sort of trance, then fell off the ledge, and all of a sudden you're flying as a dove! How did you do it?"
"I don't know," Willow admitted sheepishly. "It's kind of beyond my control, like someone else is doing it for me."
"That voice in your head is creepy."
"It is and it isn't. The creepy part is it knows more about me than I know about myself, but the helpful part is showing me what I can do and doing it for me."
"Let's hope you don't do that in the middle of potions. Snape might take fifty points from Gryffindor for that!"
Willow grinned. "I'll see how far I can go before he gives me detention."
"Do you have any idea how bad detention with Snape is?"
"What do you think?"
"No, obviously, since you haven't any scars or bruises. I've heard some pretty morbid horror stories."
Willow smirked. "Maybe I'll be the one giving the scars and bruises."
Fred backed away in fake fear. "I didn't do anything, I swear!"
Willow breezily laughed and began walking down the stairs.
"Come on, before Filch traps us up here."
Fred lead the way once more down the tower, through the library, and down a couple flights of stairs. They had just made it past the Defense Against the Dark Arts office when Willow heard a small growl behind her. She slowly pivoted, staring Mrs. Norris directly in the eye.
"Damn that stupid cat!" Fred hissed.
The two dashed to the end of the hallway, where a tapestry hung. Fred lifted it, revealing a hidden staircase.
"Watch the steps, one of them vanishes!" he warned.
Willow barely touched each step as she scrambled up them. She found herself dashing madly through a hallway parallel to the lake, then up a few flights of stairs. Willow rounded a corner, dead set on the common room, when she nearly ran into someone.
"Blimey, Willow!" he exclaimed.
"George! Sorry, so sorry!" Willow panted.
"Where are you going in such a hurry?"
"Um..."
"George! You'll never believe what I did!" Fred announced, appearing at the top of the stairwell.
"Freddy! What did you do this time?"
"I left Filch quite the puzzle to figure out. His knights are no longer in shining armour, exactly."
George shook his head. "You replaced me with Willow already? Lord, that was fast. What a shame."
"Willow! What are you doing up so early?" Harry asked, materializing from behind the Fat Lady.
"Nothing that you won't hear of soon," Fred replied for her. "Come on, I'm going to wake up Lee."
The group headed back into the common room, Harry and Willow electing to remain on the main floor. Willow flopped on a squishy couch while Harry plopped into an armchair.
"Are you excited for classes, Harry?" Willow asked.
"Yes, I guess so," Harry replied. "I'm still worried about not reading the material before coming here."
"That's just Hermione for you," Willow reassured. "I'm certain that loads of first years are in the same position you are."
"And you aren't?"
"Oh no, I've learned maybe one charm from my grandparents. Normally, I'm a big reader, but I was too excited and nervous to read the textbooks."
Harry seemed to relax a bit more with that information settling his mind. The storm within his emerald green eyes calmed a bit, causing them to become even more beautiful.
"Your eyes are a wonderful shade of green, Harry," Willow complimented. Harry's cheeks reddened.
"Thanks. Everyone keeps telling me they're exactly like my mum's."
"I bet she was very beautiful, then."
Harry shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "What is it like, having parents?"
Willow paused for a moment, the pure question taking her aback. She bit her lip in thought before saying, "It's wonderful and horrible at the same time. Everyone's parents are different. Mine were amazing when I was little. They would always play with me, keep me away from danger, make sure I was doing well in school, helping me with sports...It was nice to have someone care about you so much that they would give anything to protect you."
"I guess I can relate a little, then, because my mother is the reason I have a scar and not a grave."
Willow glanced empathetically at Harry. "I wish you didn't have to live with your cousin and aunt and uncle. They sound awful, really."
Harry shrugged, being used to their cruelty. "What happened to your mother, anyway?"
Willow froze. Several memories flashed before her eyes: screaming, crying, begging, pleading, flashes of light, strangers, blood and fear everywhere. She blinked hard, trying to ignore it.
"I'd rather not say, but I'll tell you this: she's probably the most cruel, inconsiderate, and broken person in the entire world right now."
Harry sighed, sadness hiding beneath his features. "We've both lost our mothers, haven't we?"
"Yes, we have," Willow said. "But I can pretend to be your sister, at least. I mean, I've already had a few people ask me yesterday if I was your sister, since we have the same color eyes and hair."
Harry half-smiled. "I'd be a poor substitute for a brother, just a fair warning."
"Come on, Lee! Don't want to be late to your first day, do ya?" George said loudly, interrupting their conversation.
"This is coming from you two?" Lee grumbled.
Willow glanced at Harry. "If you ever need to talk about it, just ask. I'll try to open up."
Harry smiled, truly glad that he had someone who understood. "Thanks, Willow."
The twins, Lee, Harry, and Willow talked loudly in the common room as everyone began to wake. Within a half hour, most of the room was filled with excited, drowsy Gryffindors. Around 7:30, the procession began towards the Great Hall. Most of the teachers were already there, and the food had been served, unlike the day before. Willow happily munched on some fresh strawberries as Fred and George discussed a plan with Lee to get out of Charms class later. Ron, Hermione, and Neville joined her and Harry shortly.
"Look at all of this!" Neville marveled. "I've never seen so much food at once in my life!"
"You did yesterday, silly," Hermione said.
"Yes, but this time it's breakfast!"
They dug into the toasts, jams, fruits, potatoes, and various other fancy foods that Willow had never even heard of before. The Great Hall slowly filled up, students trickling into it in packs. Draco and his bodyguards were some of the first ones at the Slytherin table. He tried taunting the Gryffindors from across the room, but Willow successfully managed to keep her friends from retaliating.
"I hate him," Harry muttered. "He's such a blithering idiot."
"Then don't speak to him. He'll only keep going if you fuel the flames."
"Still, why must he be such a prat?" Ron grumbled. "There's no call for it."
"He's in Slytherin, that's why," Lee said, glaring at the Slytherin table. "The whole lot of them are like that."
"I haven't met a nice Slytherin yet," George added. "They sleep in the dungeons for a reason."
Willow frowned. "I've heard nothing but negative things about Slytherins. What have the Slytherins done to you all?"
"They're brutes on the Quidditch field," said Fred.
"Always knocking people off their brooms, never getting called for it."
"Bullying first years every chance they get-"
"Cheating on exams-"
"Sucking up to teachers to get good grades-"
"Getting in trouble and pinning it on other houses-"
"Oh," Willow breathed. "That does sound horrible." But the students are placed in that house because they value cunning and manipulating resources, after all, she thought.
"Yes, I'd stay away from them if I were you," George warned.
"Especially that Malfoy, he'll be the worst, I'm telling you."
Willow nodded, but deep down she felt as if there was something not entirely true about those statements. She had recently received a nasty shock when the twins informed her that Draco was a Malfoy, that he was to be avoided entirely, and he couldn't be trusted. But Draco wasn't all that bad if you asked Willow. He was probably suffering the same as the rest of them, attending boarding school for the first time ever to learn all about this magical world that they were forbidden to tell the Muggles about. She was still going to give him a chance.
"Oy, look, the mail's here!" Ron exclaimed.
Hundreds of owls surged in through the high windows in the Great Hall, creating quite the astonished gasp from first years. Willow simply grinned as Iris swooped down and landed perfectly on her outstretched arm. Malfoy yelled at his owl as it landed in his glass of juice, causing everyone to chortle under their breath.
"Having trouble with your owl there, Draco?" Willow called in a sing-song voice.
"Shut up! Bloody thing..." Draco muttered.
The Gryffindors tore into their letters, excited to see what they'd gotten. Neville smiled at a short congratulatory letter from his grandparents, the Weasley boys groaned, and Willow stared at her three pieces of mail, wondering which one to open first.
"You didn't get anything, Hermione? Harry?" Neville asked.
"No, my parents don't understand how to use owls yet," Hermione explained.
"My parents can't exactly send me letters, so..." Harry trailed off.
Neville's cheeks turned pink with embarrassment, and he quickly buried his face in breakfast foods again. Willow bit her lip as she stared at the two bits of possible doom in front of her.
"What's the matter, Willow?" Fred inquired.
"Oh, nothing," she lied, smoothly picking up the one addressed to her from Ginny. It congratulated her on getting into Gryffindor, then saying that Snuffles was sad without Achelous to be there with her. Willow got out a pencil (she carried one in her pocket at all times) and scribbled:
Thank you, Ginny! It's nice to hear from you. Things are going well here, and Fred and George are taking good care of Ron and I. I can't wait for you to see this school! It's amazing! Hope to see you soon!
Willow Guerrero
Folding up the letter for later, Willow set it aside and took the next piece of parchment from Iris's leg.
Willow,
I hope you're having a good time at Hogwarts! I've been very busy at the Ministry. Newt has all sorts of things he needs help with these days, and I always seem to get the biggest share of it. Anyways, congratulations on getting into Gryffindor! I know you'll do just fine in all of your classes. You're a smart little cookie! Mom hasn't paid any unwelcome visits, so all is good here. Say hello to all your friends for me! And don't let those twins persuade you into doing anything stupid! You don't want to get expelled your first year- wait until the last week of your seventh year.
Love, Dad
Willow felt herself smiling. It was always nice to hear from her dad, him being so busy and all. He had the best advice and knew just how to make her day.
"My mum and dad always send the best candies, don't they, Goyle?" Malfoy drawled from across the room, obviously trying to get attention. Willow rolled her eyes.
Harry cursed under his breath. "This already? It's not even past noon!"
"What have your parents sent you, Potter?" Malfoy sneered. "Oh wait, that's right! You don't have any!"
"Hey, Draco!" Willow shouted, Harry's cheeks flushing in anger. "I would tell you, 'You know where to stick it,' but seeing as you're too incompetent to remember anything else about the Boy-Who-Lived, I'm going to keep my mouth shut. I suggest you do the same."
Malfoy's nostrils flared. "You'll regret that, Guerrero!"
"No I won't," Willow mumbled as she sat down, high-fiving Harry. The twins and Lee gave her the thumbs up.
"Aren't you going to open up that last letter, Willow?" asked Hermione.
"I almost forgot!"
Willow slowly tore open the last one. It had no sender's name. Dreading what was inside, she painstakingly slide it out, unfolding it to find untidy, almost maniacal scrawl across a small piece of parchment:
We are most disappointed in you, insolent girl! A whole family of Slytherins and you tarnish our family's blood with Gryffindor. How dare you give in to your weak father's words, those traitorous beasts you call friends? You and your father will pay for this! I will never rest until you learn proper reality, and become who you truly are!
You escaped me once, Willow. You'll never get so lucky again.
Can't wait to see you. Mum.
Willow turned white as a ghost. She threw down the parchment as if it were fire licking her fingers. Willow began trembling all over, fear and anxiety ramping up.
"Willow, what's the matter?" Harry questioned.
The twins picked up the words she had cast away, gasping as they finished. Their faces were a mix of shock, anger, and motivation to find Willow's mum and give her a piece of their mind.
"What kind of mother is that woman?"
"Who does she think she is?"
"What's going on?" Hermione butted in.
"M-my mother's t-trying to scare me on the f-first day, and so far i-it's working," Willow stuttered.
Tears threatened to spill from Willow's eyes as her first year friends read the threat as well.
"Oh my God, Willow!" Hermione exclaimed. "I'm so sorry!"
"Don't worry, Willow," George said. "I'm sure your father is fine."
"We won't let anyone hurt you here. Hogwarts is the best protected school in the world, as far as I know."
"But what about when I go home?" Willow worried, her voice quaking.
"No one will be able to hurt you then, either," Fred promised. "Mum and dad would probably throw the entire Ministry of Magic at them before they came within fifty kilometers of you. They pretty much adopted you at this point, Willow."
"Yes, I wouldn't be surprised if Mum sews her a sweater for Christmas, too," George added.
The corner of Willow mouth twitched. "Your mother does that?"
"Sadly, yes, and it's bloody awful," Ron groaned. "I always get a maroon one. I hate maroon."
Willow brightened up a little at that. "I guess that makes me feel better. Thanks, guys."
Classes began in half an hour, so everyone dispersed, hoping they wouldn't get lost on the way to class. Fred and George offered to help Willow find Herbology, and she gladly accepted. They had rounded a corner for what felt like the thousandth time when they bumped into Draco.
"Draco, I'm so sorry," Willow burst out, brushing herself off. Draco simply glared.
"Blood traitor," he spat, then walked away.
"Jeez, what's with him today?" George wondered.
"I think he's mad Willow already won his own game this morning."
"That, and I stole his precious candy," Willow said slyly, holding up three boxes of Berti Bott's Every Flavored Beans.
"You're brilliant, Willow!"
The three enjoyed challenging each other to eat certain colored beans while walking to class. Willow accidentally ate a vomit flavored one, but surprisingly, it didn't bother her much. The twins scampered back into the castle after she arrived at the greenhouses.
"Oy, Willow!" Ron called. "Where have you been?"
Willow ran the rest of the way into the small, unique classroom. The glass walls were dripping with condensation, and there were no desks or even chairs. A few rows of rich soil laid empty in their raised platforms. Neville was acting super hyper, blabbering about how one of the only things he had been good at while living with his grandparents was taking care of their garden.
"Even Neville knows more than me," Harry whimpered. "I'm doomed."
"Cheer up, Harry," Willow said. "You'll learn quick. There's lots of Muggle-borns that don't have a clue."
"One could only hope."
A short, stout woman with graying hair appeared shortly. She introduced herself as Professor Sprout. The lesson began promptly, mainly an overview of products to assist in growth, handling, and extraction of plants. Hermione answered every question in a quick overview of the plants they'd be working with that month. Five total points were awarded to Gryffindor. The Hufflepuffs were nice enough, some even pairing up with the Gryffindors. Willow decided to work with Neville.
"How much do you know already?" Willow asked.
"Well...Loads, I guess, but I can't spontaneously come up with anything. I just know what the plant is and what to do with it when you place it in front of me."
"That's better than me. I don't have a clue about any of these magical plants."
Neville grinned. "Maybe I can teach you something for once."
The lesson commenced, and they began sowing their first seeds of a mysterious plant that Willow had already forgotten the name of. Professor Sprout awarded another five points to Gryffindor for Neville and Willow's "excellent work and green thumbs".
History of Magic put nearly everyone asleep. According to the older students, Professor Binns fell asleep, died in a fire, and came to teach as a ghost the next day. Willow thought that as terribly depressing, but she loved history and lectures, so she pretended to scribble down notes as she listened eagerly. Harry and Ron looked as though they were ready to explode they were so confused and lost. Hermione, as always, diligently scribbled down everything as fast as she could.
Charms was one of Willow's favorite classes. The teacher at his full height would barely reach Willow's hip. He had a pile of books that he always climbed up to take attendance and teach the lesson, once falling off on the first day when he called Harry's name. The class was full of surprises, marvels, and tricky pronunciations that had Dean and Seamus cursing at each other.
Transfiguration with McGonagall was a very sharp contrast to the other classes Willow had experienced so far. She gave them a short speech at the beginning of class, warning them how dangerous her class could be. Transfiguration was very complex and tricky, and it would take much time, effort, and attention in class to perform well. Willow happily scribbled down the difficult notes before getting paired up with Hermione to try and turn a match into a needle.
"This- is- very- difficult," Hermione puffed, failing several times to make anything happen to her match.
"Let me try!" Willow ordered excitedly.
Willow did all the fancy wand flicks, said all the correct words, and still nothing happened. The girls took a break after they worked for fifteen minutes and still had nothing.
"McGonagall was right, this is the toughest branch of magic so far," Willow noted.
"And frustrating beyond belief." Hermione slumped in her chair.
"One more try?" Willow urged, pushing the match towards her friend. Hermione sighed.
"Fine."
Hermione dejectedly flicked her wand, repeated the magic words, and watched wide-eyed as the match morphed into a metallic, pointy object. Professor McGonagall noticed right away and drew the attention of the class.
"Look here!" she announced. "Miss Granger has managed to transfigure her match!"
Everyone gazed at the match, wondering how on Earth Hermione managed to do that.
"Five points to Gryffindor for you tremendous work, Miss Granger," McGonagall said, smiling a tiny bit.
Willow copied the way Hermione had done hers, and was successful in producing a needle similar to Hermione's. Class ended shortly after. Harry and Ron practically ran out the door, furious that the know-it-all had succeeded again while they were miles behind her.
The rest of the week went by in a blur. Defense Against the Dark Arts with Quirrel was a joke. His room smelled awful, and Willow suspected something about his turban, but she couldn't put her finger on it. He stuttered in the middle of lessons and made it most difficult to learn. Even Hermione was slightly frustrated, which was saying a lot.
When Friday came, most of the first years had finally figured out their schedule and didn't get too lost anymore. Harry received his first letter of the year from Hagrid.
"Tea with Hagrid?" Willow read over his shoulder.
"Yes, you can come, if you'd like," Harry invited.
"I might. It depends on whether Snape decides to kill me today."
Iris flew in with a parcel from her father. Willow furrowed her brow in confusion.
"It's not even been a week since he last sent me a letter."
"What, is that abnormal for him?" Ron mumbled, his face full of porridge.
"Very."
Willow patted Iris quietly as she tore the top open and drew out a small piece of parchment with barely a few sentences on it:
Discovered something new about you. Keep transformations secret. Dangerous. Explain when next see me.
Dad
Willow clapped her hand over her mouth, shock the only readable emotion on her face.
"What does it say?" Harry inquired.
"He's never sent me something like this," Willow breathed, ignoring him.
"What?"
"My father is always very particular about writing in complete sentences. He never rushes a letter, especially one to me."
"What does that mean, then?" Fred butted in.
"It means my father is in trouble."
A silence settled over the table. Willow turned a ghostly shade of white, glimpses of the past flashing across her field of vision. What had happened? Her father had never gotten kidnapped before; he was too skilled and quick-witted, outmaneuvering most witches and wizards (or beasts) before they had a chance to pin him down. The keyword was most.
"The only person that's a match for him that I know of is-"
Willow paled even farther, if that was possible. She forgot how to produce sound for a moment.
"It's your mother, isn't it?" Hermione whispered.
"No, worse," Willow choked, her throat feeling as though a stone was lodged in it. "The people that corrupted my mother- her parents. He probably went looking for answers, but got caught snooping around and imprisoned. Only owls can get down into that cellar. I hope he's okay..."
"It might not be that at all, Willow," Fred suggested. "He might have been in a really big hurry for the Ministry and sent an owl as fast as he could."
"Yes, but still..."
Willow buried her face in her hands. "I need to stop psyching myself out. You're probably right, Fred. He's most likely fine, just stressed and has no extra time to send me a proper letter. This was pretty urgent, anyways."
"Um, what did it say, exactly?" George questioned.
"Oh, right. He discovered something about my transformations, but I have to keep it a secret. It's dangerous. Speaking of which," Willow lowered her voice, "I better not talk about this here."
"What transformations?" Hermione, Neville, and Harry whispered at the same time.
"I'll tell you later. For now, I can't have anyone else hearing. My dad wouldn't send this as a joke."
The Gryffindors finished their breakfast in silence, running off to their classes a half hour in advance. Willow followed her friends into the dungeons. The light vanished quickly, leaving them in almost complete darkness on the stairs. Braziers with lit torches guided them to their final class of the week, double potions with Slytherin.
"Why do we have to have it with Slytherin?" Ron grumbled. "Snape always favors them."
"Because we're Gryffindors, and we can take it, I guess," Neville replied uncertainly.
"Well, if anything gets too bad, just tell me who caused it and I'll hit them for you later," Willow offered.
"Willow! Violence does not solve problems!" Hermione scolded.
"It solved my bullying problem in Muggle school," Willow said.
"You punched a kid?" Harry blurted out.
Willow smirked. "Yeah, and no one ever messed with me again. Funny how that works. I wouldn't do it again, though, it kind of hurt my knuckles..."
Hermione scowled. "There's always a diplomatic solution."
"I'd already tried that with them, and it exploded in my face. They defiled my homework and nearly caused me to fail one of my classes. Some jerks need a good taste of reality before they realize they should leave you alone and figure out what to do with their pathetic life."
Hermione seemed to liven up a bit. "Well, considering it was your grade involved, I guess desperate measures were necessary..."
"Of course Hermione would relent at the slightest mention of grades," Ron said.
"And you wouldn't?"
"Look, if you need help with a bully, please let me at 'em," Willow interjected before an argument could break out. "I'm really good at pretending to be a sweet, diplomatic problem solver, then instantly showing my true colors by giving them some dark ones around their eye."
"Jeez, Willow, that's...scary," Harry said.
"Is anyone else getting the feeling that we should be careful around her?" Neville wondered aloud.
"Oh, Neville, there's where you're wrong. I have trouble hurting people that I care about. It physically hurt me to take care of the bullies that way, of course, but it emotionally hurt, too, because I didn't want to hurt them. I don't like taking that route of problem solving. Once you earn my loyalty, it's kind of hard to break it. I would run through all the walls of Hogwarts for you guys. I'm loyal to a fault, in a way."
"Yes, but don't let that reduce Gryffindor's points to rubble in class today," Hermione warned.
"I'll try not to. No promises."
"Willow! Don't you dare!"
The five found themselves in a dark, almost dingy classroom. A green glow illuminated the blinds drawn over the windows. A tall, dark man dressed in all black robes glowered at the students that entered his classroom. Neville instantly froze in fear.
"Don't be afraid, Neville," Willow whispered. "He's a professor. Snape can't, and won't, hurt you."
"He doesn't appear that way," Neville croaked.
Willow gently guided her friend to the corner of the room where several students were standing, expectantly staring at Snape with wide, petrified eyes. After a few minutes, when everyone had arrived, he began speaking in a slow, grumpy, almost sarcastic sort of monotone.
"You will be assigned a partner for the entire year whom you will sit next to and create potions with the rest of the term. I will hopefully find you a partner of similar competence."
Professor Snape began rattling off names from his list, each person called quickly seating themselves, fearing punishment. He stopped when he got to Harry's name, insulted him, and kept going until only Draco, his two goons, and Willow remained.
"You two seem of similar...ability level," Snape said to Crabbe and Goyle. "Please seat yourselves."
That left only Draco and Willow, who exchanged a glance of exasperation and dismay.
"You look like you can somewhat keep up with Mr. Malfoy, Miss Guerrero," Snape said. "Go find yourself an empty table."
Draco and Willow slumped into their desks but were soon barraged with notes from the blackboard. Snape began asking advanced questions to Harry, which annoyed Willow to no end, since Hermione was waving her hand like a lunatic.
"She obviously knows the answer, so why doesn't he call on her?" Willow breathed to Draco.
"Why doesn't the famous Potter know anything?" Draco shot back.
"Please don't make this any more difficult than it has to be," Willow groaned. "I don't want to dent your skull on the first day."
"You don't have the guts."
"At least I have more than you. If you haven't forgotten, Gryffindors value courage."
"And Slytherins don't?"
"Maybe others, but definitely not you."
Draco snorted. "Courage is useless. All it does is put on a show, then dies with the person that is able to summon it."
"You know nothing of courage, you privileged brat."
"Oh, so when have you drawn up a single ounce of courage, Willow?"
Willow shot him a sharp look. "When my mother tried to kidnap me this summer."
Draco's eyebrows flew up in shock. His facial features went slack, and he momentarily couldn't produce any sound.
"But you wouldn't know anything of family issues, would you, Draco? You live with two sane parents that give you everything you want. You've never had to raise a finger to be pampered, have you?"
Draco glared at her. "You don't know anything about me."
"You're right, I don't. But I do know that being a rich, pureblood elitist won't help you anywhere in life."
Draco whipped his head away from Willow. "Stop talking to me."
"I don't take orders from anyone that is stupid enough to believe that I am below them."
"So you're better than everyone else, is that it?"
Willow blinked. "No. And that's just sick. I can't believe someone like you would say that."
"What am I, then? What's so bad about me?"
"A lot, actually. But you have a lot good about you, too. I wish you would present that side of yourself instead of the you I'm seeing right now."
Draco stared at her, a strange mix of emotions in his eyes. Willow, normally an expert at reading these and picking them apart, couldn't decipher it.
"Today, you are making a simple potion to cure boils," Snape announced. "Work with your partner. I'll be around to make sure no one injures themselves too badly."
Snape swished his long cloak and swept about the room, a dark menace to most of the Gryffindors, who withered under his gaze. Willow gathered supplies for Draco as he got out his fancy cauldron.
"Now many pounds of dried nettle again?" Willow asked.
"I don't know, you're the one with the textbook."
Willow rolled her eyes and measured out an odd amount of nettles that the recipe called for, then counted out snake fangs. She purposely crushed them so that the juices would splatter on Draco's robes.
"Hey! Watch what you're doing!" he growled, brushing off his robes.
"Oops, sorry, did I ruin your perfect robes?"
"Traitor."
"Prick."
Malfoy vigorously brewed the potion as Willow prepared the horned slugs. Snape didn't spout off a few harsh words at them, so she assumed he was fairly impressed with their work.
"Why is he so mean to the Gryffindors?" Willow whispered, watching as Dean Thomas was smacked on the back of the head for teasing his partner with the slugs.
"Why are you so nosy?"
"Shut up. You know I'm not."
"Honestly, I don't know that," Draco sighed. Willow chucked the slugs into the cauldron, making sure it would splash on her partner.
"Will you stop that!" Malfoy fumed.
"No, I can't be bothered today," Willow said in a mockingly innocent voice.
"You are a bother every day. A pain in everyone's backside."
Snape suddenly appeared beside their cauldron. "Look here, you fools of first years. Seeing as many of you are too incompetent to understand simple brewing, I'd like you to observe how Mr. Malfoy here has perfectly brewed his horned slugs-"
A great hissing and sizzling broke out on the other side of the room. Green gas filled the air as Neville and Seamus backed away from their table, clutching their skin in pain. Their cauldron was a melted heap of mush, and their potion had spilled all over the floor, behaving like acid as it ate through everything, including people's shoes. The first years screamed and huddled into Willow and Draco's side of the class, where the fluid could not reach.
"Stupid Gryffindors!" Snape snarled, marching over to them. Willow noticed Neville's face was breaking out with painful-looking boils.
"I hope he's okay," Willow whispered.
"It doesn't matter if he is," Draco snickered. "He looks ridiculous! Look at him, he's doing an idiot's dance!"
The Slytherins began chortling, but the Gryffindors glared at Draco as if their eyes could burn holes through his robes. Willow angrily slapped him across the face while Snape wasn't paying attention.
"Hey!" Draco cried. "What was that for?"
"You have a long way to go if you think publicly making fun of other people's learning experiences is okay," Willow growled. "Especially when it's one of my friends."
Draco lowered his grey eyes from Willow's fiery ones. "Fine. I'm being silent now. But it's still-"
Willow silenced Draco with a sharp blow to the shoulder.
Snape sent the partners to the hospital wing while everyone else resumed brewing their potions. Willow and Draco stood in silence, finishing theirs way ahead of everyone else. Snape's expression improved to one of indifference when examining their final product. He displayed it for the rest of the class to see while Draco and Willow slouched in their chairs, ignoring each other.
When class ended, Willow headed back into the common room with Harry, Hermione, and Ron. Draco stormed in the other direction without a word.
"I'm sorry you have to be paired up with that jerk," Harry sympathized.
"Yes, even though he's rather good at potions," Hermione lamented.
"It's okay. I've already hit him twice, so he's under control."
"That's bloody awesome, Willow!" Ron exclaimed as Harry and Hermione stared at her.
"You did what?" Hermione said. "I thought we've already talked about this!"
"Hermione, pipe down!" Harry commanded. "It made an impression on the other Slytherins, so it worked, see?"
The four peeked at the Slytherins behind them. They glanced warily at Willow, their eyes darting away if she made eye contact. Willow smirked.
"See, you make a show of strength against a leader, and the empire crumbles within seconds," she proclaimed. "They all look up to Draco, being their elitist pureblood rich boy. He draws attention to himself naturally. If you show that you're not afraid of someone that usually gets away with bullying everyone, their followers shy away."
"You'd make a great Muggle military leader, Willow," Ron remarked.
"Maybe, but that's a whole different playing field."
The four ran up a few flights of stairs to the hospital wing, rejoined with Neville, and darted off to the Great Hall. There, they found their other friends at the Gryffindor table and began eating lunch. Willow downed a light salad before digging into some bread.
"I counted all five of you, so I'm assuming you survived potions?" George said.
"For the most part, yes," Ron sighed.
"Nearly didn't make it out. Neville got sent to the hospital wing," Harry informed.
"So, all and all, a typical day with our dark, brooding Professor Snape?" Fred summed up.
"Yes, minus Willow giving Malfoy a good beating," Ron agreed.
"You hit Malfoy already?" Lee skepticized, raising his eyebrows.
Willow blushed. "Twice, actually."
"Wicked!" the twins said in unison.
"How did you manage that? Snape was all over Malfoy!" Neville inquired.
"Professor Snape was too busy yelling at you guys to notice me telling off his favorite little prick," Willow explained.
"Wait, you have Malfoy as your partner?" George said.
"Unfortunately," Willow replied. "But he's good at potions, so that's not a problem, and I can insult him all day long without him being able to do a thing about it."
"What did he say to make you hit him?" Fred questioned.
"He got everyone to laugh at Neville, so I tried to be diplomatic for a moment after slapping him the first time, but he continued to be a foul idiot, so I punched him in the shoulder. The prick should have a wonderful bruise for the next few days."
Neville smiled. "It's nice to know that someone can stand up to him."
"I don't think the other Slytherins will be messing with me anymore, either. They seemed pretty sketchy with me after that."
"Perfect. Try to keep it that way, Willow. You can use that to your advantage when you prank them," Fred said.
"If you two get her in trouble-" Hermione started.
"It's okay, Hermione," Willow interrupted, giggling. "I dare them to try and catch me."
Willow climbed the tower, ascending higher and higher towards the incessant hooting above her head. She emerged into the Owlery, Iris landing on her head before she could even try to look for her. A large, burly figure approached her from the other side of the room.
"Hello there!" he cheerfully called. "Who are ya? I don't think of met ya before."
"I'm Willow," Willow said. "Are you Hagrid?"
"Yes, that woul' be me," Hagrid agreed. "Official Keeper o' the Keys and Grounds of Hogwarts. I'm the gamekeeper as well."
"Harry's told me wonderful things about you," Willow said, causing Hagrid to grin.
"Bless that boy. What brings ya up here?"
"Oh, I was checking on my owl."
"Iris, right? She's a beauty, that tawny. Very smart, too. Probably smarter 'an me."
Willow chuckled. "I've always had a knack for understanding animals better than humans."
"That makes two o' us. Do ya wanna help me treat these 'ere owls?"
"I would love to!"
Willow watched as Hagrid refilled the bowls built into the ground along the circumference of the Owlery, then took a bag of her own and dumped interesting-smelling kibbles into them. The owls dove onto them almost instantaneously.
"They really love these, don't they?" Willow said, watching as owls tussled and ruffed each other up over the food.
"They go crazy for this stuff. Have ya used owls b'fore comin' ter Hogwarts?"
"No, not really."
"I bet yer lovin' 'em now. The Muggle mail is terribly slow."
"It really is. I hated it so much."
"Well, I best be off ter take care o' me pumpkins. They have ter be nice and ready for Halloween, ya know."
"Good luck, Hagrid. It was wonderful to meet you."
Hagrid paused at the exit. "How would ya like ter meet a few o' me beasts that I keep 'ere? You seem like yer a good fit fer takin' care of 'em."
"That would be amazing, Hagrid. Let me know when you want me!"
"Will do. Bye, Willow."
Willow watched as Hagrid descended down the stairs, leaving her alone with the owls. She stroked Iris's back.
"Do you know how Dad's doing?"
Iris simply hooted softly in response. Willow sighed.
"I really hope he's okay..."