Penny's first day back was largely uneventful. Fortunately as a second year she no longer had to take Flying lessons, however it meant her main subjects had extra slots, including Potions with Professor Snape. He always wore a slightly smug expression when looking at Penny, as if he knew something she didn't. Penny had learnt to show as little reaction as possible, as her outbursts only seemed to amuse the dark Professor even more.

At lunch she had seen Hermione briefly, who grumbled about a new class called Divination where the Professor had predicted a death omen for Harry, and how she and Ron had argued over it.

'Even Professor McGonagall agreed with me in Transfiguration that Professor Trelawney is just being dramatic to try and impress gullible people. How can Ron be taken in so much by nonsense superstition! I already hate Divination, Arithmancy was far more interesting!'

'What do you mean? We've only had two periods, how can you have had three different lessons?' Penny asked puzzled. Hermione blushed and Penny felt guilt pouring off her as she stumbled a reply.

'Oh I ended up reading some of my Arithmancy notes whilst in Divination' Hermione said fiddling with a necklace chain around her neck, not looking Penny in the eye. 'I've got Care of Magical Creatures next, see you later!' And with that Hermione darted off, leaving Penny confused behind her. A few minutes later Draco and the other second year Slytherins headed past her. Draco nodded his head sullenly as he past.

'Persephone' He said. Penny gave him a look but didn't bother to correct him again.

A few hours later Penny heard about the commotion in Hagrid's first lesson. Malfoy had gotten injured by strange creature known as a Hippogriff. Penny had visited the hospital wing after dinner to spend time with Madam Pomfrey as she had done many times the year before. Malfoy kept groaning as if in agony, despite Madam Pomfrey's healing magic.

'You know he is faking it right?' Penny said in an undertone to the matron.

'Of course, but I can't prove it, wounds inflicted by magical creatures can have secondary problems that can't be healed by magic, only natural healing. It's very rare, but I can't prove it hasn't occurred this time.' The matron explained, casting a disapproving glance at Malfoy. Penny also glared at him.

By Wednesday evening Penny had had enough. Waiting until Madam Pomfrey was out of sight Penny rounded on Malfoy by his bedside, her wand poking him in the cheek.

'If you don't get your pathetic sorry arse out of here by tomorrow, I shall personally make sure you are stuck in here until New Year!' Penny growled threateningly. Malfoy glanced downwards at his cheek, and then at Penny's furious face. Slowly he nodded and Penny took her wand away.

The next morning Malfoy spoke to Madam Pomfrey and left the Hospital Wing with several bandages on his arm, walking like a survivor of some heroic event. Although this was still frustrating, at least she'd gotten him out the Wing, Penny thought.

The next few weeks were uneventful for Penny, she was excelling as usual in her lessons, spent a lot of time in the library, where Hermione was looking more and more tired as time went on. Her lessons in Defence Against the Dark Arts proved to be particularly enjoyable, with the shabby Professor Lupin allowing use of magic as well as theory. Penny had noticed he appeared to stare at her for a considerable amount of time during her first lesson but she was used to that by now. Most older witches and wizards seemed to do this. Instead of fear, however, Penny sensed curiosity, and oddly, sympathy in his emotions when he directed his attention to her. Why, she couldn't work out.

Halloween came around quickly where a massive feast was held. Penny spent most of the day with her Slytherin friends as Hermione was visiting Hogsmeade. In the evening she headed down to the feast with them, passing Crookshanks, Hermione's ugly cat that sat in the Entrance Hal appearing to be watching the students pass by with focussed attention. Once sat at the Slytherin table Penny waved to a smiling Hermione, a grim looking Harry and exchanging a loathing glance with Ron. The meal was delicious and Penny laughed at some of the stories her fellow Slytherins were telling. Afterwards they had all headed back to the Common Room, feet dragging tired. However they had barely settled when Professor Snape had come charging in ordering them all back to the Great Hall.

'What is going on Professor?' One Slytherin asked

'Don't question, just get to the Great Hall immediately, no de-tours or dawdling or you shall be very sorry indeed' Snape snapped, a look of venom in his eyes. Penny was surprised to feel deep resentment coming from him, as she usually couldn't detect his emotions. Meeting her eyes, Snape seemed to compose himself, and almost like a shutter coming down, Penny could no longer sense anything from him.

Once in the Hall Penny made a bee line for Hermione, who quickly answered her un-voiced question.

'Black attacked the portrait to our Common Room' Hermione said.

'How did he get in?' Penny gasped 'The Dementors are at every entrance, you can't fly in or Apparate'

'You can't?' Asked Ginny

'No, it's in Hogwarts: A History' Hermione replied tersely, as usual annoyed that no one else aside from Penny had read it. People discussed it in whispers late into the night, Penny listening intently until she fell asleep.

That night she dreamt of Crookshanks standing guard in the Entrance Hall, she meet his yellow eyes before he turned and walked out into the grounds. Following him, Penny looked into the moonlight night. Squinting she looked towards the forest where she could see a dark shape. As she stared she suddenly realised it was the silhouette of a man.

Penny woke with a start, her head resting on Hermione's shoulder. Groggily she rolled over and settled next to Hermione and fell back to sleep, forgetting her dream.