Chapter 3 First Test ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~ Their first night back at Hogwarts was a good one. They missed the comfort of the warm common room, the softness of their beds, and the privacy of their dorms. It was nothing like home. Alli had longed to be back at the school, so had the rest of the gang. They considered this their true home, where they could be themselves without worrying about the thoughts of others. The only thing they had to worry about was breaking the school rules. The little gang of six had a habit of breaking the rules. Ever since their first year they had broken a multitude of rules, losing their number of House points, but somehow they always seemed to win the House Cup. It never ceased to surprise them each time they won. This was one more reason for Malfoy to harass the group. "Rise and shine sleepy head," Ashlyn said opening the covers of my canopy bed. "It's breakfast time." Their first breakfast of the year always seemed to be the best, most likely because they just went months without having a homemade breakfast, or not one like Hogwarts cooked. "Morning already," Alli groaned crawling out of bed. "I call shower first!" She jumped out of bed, grabbed some clothes, and sprinted to the bathroom before anyone could object. "I get it next," Alli heard Ashlyn call as she turned on the hot water. The hot water felt good on Alli's sore muscles. The train ride over made her muscles extremely stiff. "Alli, are you trying to drown yourself?" Cristina called obviously annoyed. "Chill out babes, I'm almost done," Alli called as she wrapped a towel around her hair. "Who's next?" Ashlyn pushed Alli aside then slammed the door behind her. "Hoy, she is grumpy isn't she? Sorry, Cristina." "I heard that Alli!" called Ashlyn. This gave both Alli and Cristina a fit of giggles. Once Alli got control of her giggles she performed the quick drying spell on her hair. She styled her hair then looked around. "Where's Hermione?" she asked Cristina. "She's already gone down to breakfast with Harry," she replied not looking up from her trunk. She was looking for her shoes. "Oh, Ron said he'll meet you down in the Great Hall." "Thanks, I'll wait for y'all though," she replied plopping down on her bed. I wonder what my schedule will be like, she thought as she waited. Finally Ashlyn got out of the shower and Cristina got in. She wouldn't take too long, she never did. "Is everybody ready?" Alli asked as Cristina finished braiding her hair. "Si, I'm famished," Cristina replied. "Sure," said Ashlyn stepping out of the dorm. They went downstairs into the Great Hall and found Harry, Hermione, and Ron looking over their schedules. "What does this year look like?" Ashlyn asked plopping down next to Hermione. "Potions with Slytherin first, then Care of Magical Creatures, also with Slytherin, then Herbology with Hufflepuff, and Alli and I have Arithmacy and you all have Divinations. Sounds fun doesn't it," she said gloomily. Alli's stomach took a jolt each time Hermione mentioned the name Slytherin. "Why do we always end up with Slytherin for Potions and Care of Magical Creatures?" She asked. "Remember what happened two years ago?" The memory was all too clear for all of them. Malfoy had made their classes a living hell for the past four years, their two classes with Slytherin will be just another year for them. "How can I forget," replied Harry. "Speaking of Buckbeak," Ron piped in, "Have you heard from Sirius lately?" "Not yet," Harry replied. "But I'm expecting a letter real soon." Just as he set that a swarm of owls flew into the Great Hall. Alli caught sight of her snowy owl, Diricawl. Diricawl carried a nice big brown package from her home. "Bloody hell!" she heard Ron say. "What's the matter?" I asked looking at him. "Pig landed in my cereal," he said picking the small owl out of his bowl. They all laughed. "What did you parents send you Alli?" Ashlyn asked, as Alli tore the paper off the package. "My new book," she said. "I left it at home." She picked up her hard cover book titled The Two Princesses of Bamarre and opened it up. "Well, we better get going to class," Hermione said. She didn't like to be late. But saying that they had Potions with Professor Snape she was right. As all six of them traveled down to the dungeon not one word was said. Harry and Hermione walked hand-in-hand, as so did Alli and Ron. Alli was getting nervous and Ron could sense it. She was terrified of seeing Malfoy, but having two classes with him was simply unbearable. It comforted her to know that Ron was by side the whole time. "Why Potions?" Ashlyn asked as they took their last flight of stairs down to the dungeon. "I know, I know," was all everyone else could say. They dreaded their first class, but still they trudged on. Finally they got to class and into their seats just before the ball rang. Ron sat next to Alli, Harry sat next to Hermione, and Ashlyn sat next to Cristina just like they had the year before. Snape walked in, his hair as greasy as ever, and eyed Alli and Ron suspiciously. The couple didn't really like the look he was giving them. "Just for today we are going to change things around a bit," Snape said his eyes never left the couple. "Beck, move next to Malfoy," Alli as scared to death now, "Patil, move next to Weasley." Alli eyed Ron a look of terror was on her tan, petite face. His face didn't seem share her fear he looked almost happy. That worried her, she new Padma Patil was pretty but she thought Ron was more than that. But she had other things to worry about, Malfoy. Malfoy had a wide smile on his face. He seemed to be enjoying this. This did not help the way Alli was feeling. As she passed Harry and Hermione' s desk they shot her a worried glance. Is Snape out to get me or something? she asked herself. "Can we get a move on Beck?" Snape snapped making her jump and step up her pace. She took her seat next to Malfoy. "For Miss Beck's lack of consideration ten points from Gryffindor." This made Alli feel even worse. Not to mention Ron looked nice and smug with his new table partner. As Snape went on with his lesson Alli couldn't keep her eyes off of Ron. She was on the verge of tears she was so mad at him. Just as she was thinking of how to deal with Ron later a hand slipped under the table and onto her knee. It was Malfoy' s hand. She shuddered and held back a scream. She didn't want to risk loosing any more points for Gryffindor. She glanced over at Malfoy. He had a smug look on his face. She pushed his hand away, but that didn't work. His hand only drifted further up her thigh. She didn't know how long she could last. Finally the bell rang and she jumped out of her chair, grabbed her books, and ran out of the classroom. She was crying, she was mad at Ron for hurting her like he did, and she was scared for her life. Ashlyn, Cristina, and Hermione ran after her, leaving Harry with Ron. "Alli, wait up!" Hermione called. "What's the matter?" "R-Ron," was all the short Keeper could say. "What did he do?" Ashlyn asked. "D-didn't he l-look nice and s-smug next to Padma," Alli said between the sobs. "And t-then Malfoy." She could say no more, she as crying too hard. "It's okay, Alli, it's okay," Hermione said rocking Alli. "Now Alli," said Cristina, "what did Malfoy do?" "He.he.violated me, he felt me up," Alli said, then continued to sob. "Oh Alli," said Hermione. "We'll go talk to Hagrid to see if we can skip class today, he won't mind." "Th-thanks," was all Alli could say. Their first time together in months Alli's and Ron' s relationship already had had a bump in the road. Their first test and they didn't survive.