A Twisted Candle chapter Three
Harry got off the Hogwarts express and followed the other students into the school. "I am NOT here to learn magic, remember! So what excuse do I give them for coming to this school?" Candle hissed to Harry. "Whatever you do, don't say you're muggle. You're visiting from a different school because you're considering transferring to Hogwarts. That's your excuse." Harry said. "How long will that work? I won't be visiting for an entire year, will I? Visitors probably only stay a week or something like that." Candle complained. "We'll think of something!" Harry whispered urgently. "Meanwhile, you have to try the 'hat'." Harry said. "And straighten you're robe! We're only lucky they let you in so quickly without warning. My godfather got you in after asking them to let you in on such short notice." Harry hissed. Candle threw him an annoyed look. "Rosenburg, Candle!" a voice called. Candle felt confused and Harry roughly pushed her forward. There she stood in front of a four-legged stool and a hat that seemed to be talking. "Hurry up now!" said the hat. Candle looked shocked. "W-What do I do?" Candle stuttered. Professor McGonagall gave her a confused look. "Well try me on of course!" exclaimed the hat. Candle stumbled forward and sat comfortably on the stool. The hat was placed gently on her head. There was a deafening silence.

'Alright, first question.' A voice in Candle's head rang and she almost fell off the stool in surprise. She was overcome with a strange feeling. 'Hmm?' she asked the voice.

'Now, no lying because I can tell when you are lying, I'm not stupid. I just want to hear it from your mouth, er, head. Which spell would you cast upon yourself? Is it:
the ability to fly
invisibility

transfiguration

ultimate power

'Excuse me?' 'Which one?' 'Er...I guess the ability to fly.' 'Next question, Which one would you take for a pet? Is it:

an eagle

a lion

a snake

a badger

'A snake! They're so slimy and-' 'Next question! What would you use to fly? Is it:

a broom

a magic carpet

a hippogriff

a dragon

' A dragon? Or magic carpet? A dragon I suppose.' 'What type of environment do you enjoy? Is it:

land

water

air

space

' Ooo, I like water with it's beauty and I like space with all it's glorious stars! I like water!'
"Hmm." "Slyther-no-! Gryffindor!" yelled the hat. A wave of relief went over Malfoy when he heard she wasn't joining their house. Candle smiled and ran over to the Gryffindor table and sat between Harry and Hermione. The table clapped loudly. Candle caught a glimpse of Malfoy at his table. He appeared to be flirting with a girl. "Pansy." Muttered Hermione. Candle felt an unfamiliar feeling wash over her. But the weird thing was, she found herself smirking. Just then, Malfoy caught her looking their way, and made an ugly face. Candle felt the unfamiliar feeling turn into fury. 'How dare he mock me! I will not stand for that. After all, it is a free world, and I can look at anyone I please!' But Professor Dumbledore interrupted her thoughts by saying, "Everyone, quiet down now. We have some things to announce! First, this spring we shall have another ball. You all remember the Yule Ball from last year, some of you. This ball is a costume ball and is in celebration of Hogwarts 300th Anniversary!" There was a roar of applause and then Dumbledore signaled for silence and continued on. "Also, the ball will not be held at Hogwarts, but during a school field trip to take place this year. All students who are fourth years or older are eligible to go on the school field trip this winter but may invite one younger student with them, to Palace Rosier." There were loud screams and people looked shocked. Harry and Candle, both confused, looked over at Ron and Hermione. Ron was shocked at first and suddenly a dreamy smile came on his face. Hermione on the other hand, had just fainted. "Third, there will be a muggle school play, Sleeping Beauty, premiering on Valentines Day. Auditions are to be held in October." People made no applause but they were not displeased. They were just confused. "Sleeping what?" Ron asked like the idea was from mars. Hermione gave an exasperated sigh. "Sleeping Beauty! Honestly, Ron! You really need to take Muggle Studies!" Hermione said. "Lastly, I would like to introduce you to your new Dark Arts teacher!" Dumbledore announced with a smile playing to his lips. Everyone looked gloomy. Every teacher they ever had for Dark Arts left. "Wonder how long this one'll last." Whispered a Gryffindor to another student she sat with. "Everyone, please welcome Sirius Black!" everyone turned to the ex- criminal in shock and then started an applause. As usual Professor Snape was looking fowl, he had always wanted the Dark Arts job and to make it worse one of his old school enemies, the one who almost got him killed, had stole his job! "So let us enjoy the marvelous feast we have before of us!" And with that, he sat back down and started talking to the other teachers. The students immediately dug in! The rest of the night was a bit of a blur, until Candle suddenly remembered why she was there. She moved to meet Harry, when the staircase that she was on moved! Candle was so scared that she just held onto the railing for dear life. She was extremely shaky afterwards, and just followed the rest of the new students to their dormitories, without saying a word to anyone.

Candle couldn't sleep that night. She sat at the window, looking out into the starry night, until she heard a noise outside in the hall. She crept stealthily past the rest of the beds and slid past the slightly open doorway. Candle looked to see what it was she'd heard, but there was nothing to be seen. Shaken and wary, Candle quietly got into bed, for feeling cold suddenly. She went to sleep, unaware of a figure standing just outside the window, looking in on her. In her sleep, Candle could see her parents running toward her, smiles on their faces. Candle ran to them, calling out their names. But then a tall figure, in a black robe, blocked her path. The figure wasn't facing Candle, but her parents. Candle looked at her parents, the smiles on their faces gone. She felt sick to her stomach, and tried to call out to them, but she couldn't speak. Then all she could see was a green light, and she knew they were dead! Candle started crying and then she heard laughing. The next thing she saw was a green light, only pointing in her direction. Candle woke up screaming and crying. Hermione was at her side, looking very worried, "Are you all right?! No, of course you aren't! Oh, what's the matter, Candle?!" She said shakily. But Candle wasn't listening. She couldn't speak, couldn't move, or even breathe. Then, without warning, everything went black, and Candle felt very cold.

Harry hurried to the hospital wing. He was thinking about how this could've happened to Candle, and why, when he ran straight into Malfoy. "Whoa! Watch it, Potter! Where are you off to in such a hurry? Going to see your new mugblood girlfriend?" he sniggered. Harry just wanted to zap that smirk off Malfoy's face, but he had more important things to think about than stooping to Malfoy's level. But just before he got to the hospital entrance, he heard Malfoy yelp in surprise as an owl dropped a note into his hands. Malfoy read the note, and gave another yelp, though this one was a little higher. Harry would have thought it funny, if he hadn't had a very bad feeling in his gut. 'Why should I help him? It's probably nothing.' Harry thought, and continued on his way to Candle's bedside.

Two weeks passed, and Candle was back on track and in the library. The second day she was back, she spotted Malfoy sitting at a desk, reading intently. Candle decided that it was now or never. She strolled quietly and tentatively to where he was, and tapped him on the shoulder lightly. To her extreme surprise, he jumped about a foot high, yelling, "Gaaah!" He then recovered, and that lazy, but haughty look resumed his features. He stood straighter and looked her over, with as much hate and disgust as if smelling something foul. "What? Are you 'following' me now? Go somewhere you're wanted, you dirty muggle!" Malfoy moved to go away, but something tugged at Candle's mind, and she blocked his way. Malfoy sneered, "NOW what? I thought I told-." But Candle interrupted him. "Tell me something, 'Draco'. That is your first name, isn't?" not letting him answer, laughing, she continued in a rush, "Why is it that you don't like me? Is it because I'm friends with Harry and the others? Or is this the way you greet all the people who you feel are competition?" she raised an eyebrow, waiting. Malfoy cackled at that, "Competition? You? Hah! That's a laugh. I bet the only thing you can do to hurt me is slap me! And I'd still crush you like the pathetic muggle you are if you did so! So why don't you just get out of my way." He then roughly pushed past Candle, nearly knocking her into a close shelf. Candle had half the mind to turn right around and punch Malfoy, but then she remembered the magic thing. That he could protect himself better than any bully she'd ever come up against before in her 'muggle' life. Feeling shy, and very small and alone, Candle slowly made her way back to the Gryffindor common room. But she had no idea that Malfoy had turned around, and was watching her, as she went through the doorway.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione looked at the clock. It was nine-thirty in the morning and Candle was late! "There's not enough room left for her to sit with us!' Hermione whispered to them. They looked at the door and saw no sign of Candle still. After another five minutes, suddenly the door swung open and Candle fell in. Her books and papers were scattered on the floor. She panted in exhaustion and looked very, er....rushed. "How nice of you to join us, miss....Rosenburg. Since this is your first day here and you have transferred from another school I will let you off this time. But you are expected to arrive on time like the other students. Now, will you please take the empty seat next to Mr. Wood." Professor McGonagall instructed coldly. Blushing with embarrassment, Candle stumbled over to her seat. She turned to the boy next to her and smiled. "My name's Candle. What's yours?" she asked. Oliver Wood blushed madly and managed to stutter out his name. Candle smiled warmly and then turned back to the lesson. "As I was saying...." Professor McGonagall continued. The rest of the lesson was interesting. For some reason Professor Dumbledore had asked Professor McGonagall to teach them how to transform into an animal. Though it seemed unwise as many students could get away with things like roaming on school grounds at night like James Potter and his friends once had. After Transfiguration, Candle walked to her first History of Magic class. Candle found the class very exciting since she knew nothing of magic and it was like being told a fairytale.

With gloom in the air Candle knew her next class was obviously not going to go well. "What's bad about this class?" Candle asked sitting down. But before Harry, Ron, or Hermione could answer the bell rang and the fowl looking man from the other night entered. "Professor Snape." Muttered Ron. Snape threw Candle an annoyed look. "A new student from another school?" he said in disgust. "Welcome to Potions...." Snape said to the class but his eyes were mercilessly upon Candle. "Tell me, what would I have if I mixed dragon blood with Phoenix blood?' he asked. Hermione raised her hand earnestly but Snape smirked. "Miss Rosenburg." He called upon her, even though she hadn't raised her hand. "Dynamic-" "I did not ask for your help Miss Granger!" Snape snapped at Hermione who blushed with embarrassment. Candle flinched, thinking 'Hey! What gives him the right to yell at her when she knew the answer? Ohhh...!' Professor Snape asked her again, "Miss Rosenburg, what would I have if I mixed-" But Candle said, rather hotly, "I believe that 'Hermione' has the proper answer, 'and' she had her hand up when I obviously did not. I've also heard that you seem to be bias toward the Slytherin house, and the last time I checked, 'Professor', that isn't permitted." She added, staring at Professor Snape, a slight mischievous sparkle in her big, green eyes. For a minute, the class seemed to be holding their breath. Then Professor Snape sneered, "Detention!" But before he turned around, Candle proposed, "I'm not going to detention." Professor Snape whirled around, grinding his teeth, "Care to repeat that, 'Miss' Rosenburg?" This time, Candle stood up, her chair screeching as it was pushed back, "I said, 'I'm not going to detention." Professor Snape's eyes bore into Candle like lightning bolts, as he said, "Since you don't care much for detention, Rosenburg, then maybe 'this' will satisfy you. Fifty points from Gryffindor!" Everyone gasped, giving furious looks at Candle, who calmly, and rather annoyingly said, "If you haven't noticed, it is no use taking away those points because I can 'easily' earn them back, if not 'twice' that much." She rolled her eyes for emphasis.

Malfoy spread out three pieces of scrunched up paper on the library table. Usually he would be at lunch with Crabbe and Goyle. But lately....Malfoy looked down at the three pieces of paper each having a message on it....written in blood! "You're next!" "I will kill you!" "There's no escape!" Malfoy couldn't even look at the notes! He went pale. Despite what even Potter thought, Malfoy's parents were not Death Eaters. Suddenly the seat next to him pulled back a little and someone sat down. "What do YOU want?" Malfoy hissed. "I can sit in a library can't I?!" Candle said. Malfoy didn't reply. "What are you doing?" she asked. Malfoy immediately snatched up the notes. "Nothing!" he spat. But her reaction was not what he would expect when she just smiled. "Your trying to research criminals wanted for murders of purebloods." She said. Malfoy was shocked. "How did you know?! Are you sending me these messages?!" he spat. "I've been watching you everyday. Quite unusual for a Slytherin to be alone." Candle defended herself mildly. Malfoy swallowed hard. He was being overcome with a strange sensation! He actually wanted to treat this girl NICELY! "Be gone, Muggle!" he shouted angrily. "Leave me in peace! My business is none of your concern!" he added in disgust. Candle merely smiled gently and stood up. She turned to walk away. "Wait." Malfoy heard her whisper. Before he could ask she made eye contact with him and set a book down in front of him. He looked at the book, which was titled 'Fair Play and Criminals'. Candle turned and left a very confused Malfoy behind. Slowly, he opened the book. He then looked back at her retreating figure and just stared.

"Get ready for Care of Magical Creatures!" Ron said sarcastically. Harry stifled a laugh. "I'm sorry but my schedule says I have Elementology." Candle said in confusion. "Me too!" Ginny said appearing out of nowhere. "I was afraid I was the ONLY Gryffindor going!" Ginny said in relief. Harry, Ron, and Hermione looked shocked. "You're...not....going with....us...." Hermione said remorsefully as she swallowed the information. Candle looked disappointed. "I guess so." She muttered. Ron grabbed her schedule. "Unlucky! You get the Slytherins for this class as well! Have fun you two!" Ron said patting her on the shoulder. Candle walked into her classroom. Candle looked around and to her 'joy' saw Malfoy. She looked around the full classroom, and saw that there were two seats on either side of Malfoy. Candle groaned inwardly and slowly walked over to Malfoy, who was sitting alone. "This is a surprise. Why are you by yourself?" Candle asked. Malfoy glared at her. "Because my friend's got sick." He snorted. Candle sat down next to him and in the next moment Pansy sat down on his other side. The girl immediately began flirting with Malfoy and once again Candle felt that unfamiliar feeling wash over her. The day continued on with Defense against Dark Arts again with Slytherin. It was quite a fun class especially with Sirius teaching. After that came Herbology with Hufflepuff. And the days continued on in this order.