Disclaimer: No, I do not own Harry Potter. I sometimes wish I did, though, because owning Harry Potter would be fun! But I am obviously not having fun because J.K. Rowling owns Harry Potter... Lucky!


I awoke to the sound of people moving around in my new room. I frowned, wondering why they were moving around when it was still so dark outside. Just as I was about to doze off again, someone snaked a hand into the darkness and pulled back the curtain of my four-poster, revealing a dimly lit room.

Get up now, or you'll miss breakfast! A cruel voice shrieked at me.

I said groggily, throwing the covers off me, I'm up, I'm up! I pulled on my school robes, which, much to my disgust, had more green on them. I pulled my hair back and looked around for something to hold it. I grimaced, finding only a green hair tie.

By the time I was ready, I had to run to make it to the Great Hall in time for breakfast. On my way out of the Common Room, I almost ran into Severus.

I thought you weren't coming or something, he said, looking at me curiously.

Oh, hi Sev, I said, out of breath. I looked at his strange expression. Do you mind if I call you that?

No, I guess not.

Come on! I said, grabbing his arm, we're going to be late!

******

We made it just as the tables filled up with food. I looked over at the Gryffindor table and waved at James, Sirius, and Peter. Remus was still nowhere to be found. I frowned slightly, wondering what had happened to him. A quick movement caught my eye. I looked over at the Ravenclaw table to find Delrei waving furiously at me. I laughed and waved back.

We found seats near the middle of the table. My mouth was watering at the site of all the delicious food. I was starting to help myself to all that I could reach when there was a great fluttering overhead.

That's... the owl... post, Sev said in-between mouthfuls.

Suddenly, an owl swooped down right in front of me. I mused, stroking his feathers. Task was Aurora's flammulated owl that our parents had bought her for her 10th birthday. I took the letter that was tied around his leg. Two pieces of parchment fell out, one from Aurora and one from my parents. I quickly opened the letter from Aurora first.

Dear Dalene,
I heard that you made it to Hogwarts OK, which is a really good thing to hear, considering how things are at home. Mom and Dad had a falling out... I think Mom will explain everything in her letter to you... I am so jealous of you! I wish I could come to Hogwarts with you because everything is so crazy at home. Well, I will be able to leave next year. I miss you so much already! Well, I probably am taking up too much of your time already. Don't forget to give Task a little treat. You know how he is.

Love,
Aurora

I opened my mother's letter next.

Dear Dalene,
As you may have heard from Aurora, your father and I had an argument and he has left us. I do not know where he has gone or if he will ever come back, but I want to make one thing clear: do not go looking for him!! I just got a letter from the Ministry of Magic yesterday saying that he was on He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's side all along. I am so afraid that he will come back... I have taken Aurora into hiding with me. Task knows the way.

Love,
Rose Andrews

I felt my mouth drop open. Dad? Our own father, a Death Eater?! I couldn't believe it. Tears welled up in my eyes. I tore away from the Great Hall, nearly running into Remus as he was coming in to eat breakfast.

he said softly, what's wrong?

I sniveled.

Are you sure? His face was full of concern.

I shook my head. I can't tell you here. Tell James and Sirius and Peter to meet me in the library after dinner.

Remus nodded. Will you be OK? I shrugged, too shocked for words.

*********

I looked at my schedule that had been passed out this morning at breakfast. I said to myself, History of Magic is first. Walking briskly, I started towards my first class. I stood just outside the doorway, my heart beating fiercely. I frowned, wondering why I was so nervous.

A familiar voice called after me. I stopped and turned around.

Hey, Sev. First class of the day. I smiled weakly.

Why did you run out like that at breakfast? Sev asked curiously.

I can't tell you. I'm sorry. My eyes were threatening to fill up with tears again.

He sounded a little disappointed. Class is about to start... I looked at him curiously. He seemed at a loss for words. Sev continued, let's go find some seats.

*****

One hour later, the History of Magic class finally let out. After the initial shock of seeing a ghost teaching the class, it got very boring.

I mused, looking at my schedule, I made my way slowly to the classroom that Transfiguration was being held in. I opened the door, looking around for a seat. Severus quickly waved and motioned for me to have a seat next to him.

This is going to be fun! I exclaimed, looking up at the teacher and recognizing her immediately as Professor McGonagall. Once she had given her speech about what the class was about, she instructed us to start by turning a beetle into a button.

I picked up my beetle that I had successfully changed into a button and brought it up to the Professor. She smiled slightly, I could tell that she didn't really like Slytherins but was trying to make an exception. After all, I was one of the first students done in the classroom. Well done, Dalene.

I smiled back and took my seat next to Severus, watching him try to transform his beetle. I said, grabbing on to his arm to make him stop flailing his wand around uselessly. It's more like this, I continued, taking my wand and raising it slightly above his beetle and brought it down in a graceful tap.

he muttered, blushing slightly.

*****

The day continued on slowly, and I was wondering when the next time would be before I saw James and the others. I made my way back to the dungeons where Potions were taught.

Oh, good! Sev said as we left the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, looking greatly relieved. I looked curiously at him.

I'm good at Potions, he explained. My father taught me... He stopped when he saw a look of sadness upon my face. I'm sorry, he said, although he didn't sound too much like he meant it.

No, it's all right. You can't be sorry for what you didn't know. I gave a small smile. Severus looked at me expectantly, almost ordering me to tell him what happened, but I just brushed it off and stepped inside the Potions classroom.

The room was cavernous but dark, lit only by a few torches on the walls. I shivered and looked closely at the brackets holding up the torches, which seemed to have some sort of odd design on them. I leaned over and stared at them, transfixed. I had this weird sense of falling and gripped onto the wall which had some cold, wet substance running down it.

A familiar voice called out, waking me up from my stupor. I turned around to see James and Remus looking at me anxiously. I had forgotten that we were sharing a double period with Gryffindor today.

I replied. They were still looking worried.

Remus started, you were acting...

James finished.

What do you mean? I frowned.

You were staring at it and you weren't paying attention and you kind of fell over... It was weird. They were still staring at me. Obviously Remus had told his friends that there was something wrong and I was very upset.

Yeah, but there was some sort of weird pattern on it, look, I said, turning towards the torch. It's right here- I stopped talking, shocked. The weird, rune-looking patterns had disappeared. That's weird, I muttered.

Are you sure you're feeling all right? Remus asked timidly. What happened to your hands? I quickly glanced down at my hands. They seemed to be covered in some sort of dark, sticky substance. It looked strangely like blood...

The door to the classroom was thrown open as the Professor entered. Remus and James hurriedly sat down next to Sirius and Peter.

I am Professor Lezgarth. As you can tell, he said, motioning around the room, this is the Potions classroom. There will be little wand waving in here, and as it is a hard class, I do not expect most of you to pass. He walked around the students. Professor Lezgarth continued, stopping beside me and Severus, it seems that some of you may have the potential to do well... He smirked slightly and walked back up to the front of the room. Today we will be making a simple potion to cure boils. He waved his wand and the ingredients appeared on the board.

I looked over at my friends from Gryffindor, all of whom seemed somewhat perplexed except for Remus, who was actually doing quite well, as if he had studied the book before coming to class.

said Sev, you can start crushing the snake fangs.

*****

By the end of class, Severus and I had created the perfect potion. Well done, Ms. Andrews and Mr. Snape, he said, a slight smile spreading across his oddly squashed features.

Remus said, coming over to the table I had shared with Sev, we are sharing a class with Ravenclaw next. I can tell her to meet us in the library, if you want...

I just nodded. Around seven.

Get away from us, you Gryffindor, Severus came up to where Remus and I were talking, sneering.

Remus looked only slightly annoyed, but he left anyway, saying We'll be there.

*****

The sky was clear and bright as we made our way down to the Qudditch field where the flying lessons were being held. A short woman with slightly gray hair and golden eyes greeted us.

I'm Madam Hooch, and you are here to learn how to fly, she said, looking as though she didn't like Slytherins too much. All we have to use are Clean Sweeps and Shooting Stars. If you don't like what we have, too bad. OK, everyone to a broom, mount on my whistle...

Everyone hurried around to find a broom. I ended up next to the shrill-voiced girl who woke me up this morning. I put my hand over the broom. I commanded. I had to try several times before it did what I asked.

You are to go up then come straight down, understood? Good. Madam Hooch continued. Three... two... one... A shrill whistle sounded and we kicked off from the ground.

I was soaring up higher and higher, the wind in my face. I loved the feeling. I looked around and noticed that most of the Slytherins were pretty good at flying, at least the ones that came from wealthy families, like Lucius Malfoy, who was trying to impress some of the other Slytherins by doing loops and dives on his broom.

I remembered Madam Hooch's words and pointed the broom down and went into a steep dive, landing a little harder than I meant to. I trudged back into the school with the rest of my House.

I looked down at my schedule and sighed. One hour left until dinner. I made my way down to the dungeons and plunked down at a table in the corner. Taking out a quill and a piece of parchment, I started on my homework. I couldn't believe that it was the first day and we already had homework for three classes!

*****

After dinner, I left the Great Hall and headed up the staircase towards the library. Out of nowhere, a red and black blur rushed at me. I tried to back up, but it was too late. I had the wind knocked out of me as I was thrown back against the wall.

Oh, no! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to do that! The girl said, pushing her red hair out of her green eyes.

It's OK. I said, reaching down to pick up my stuff.

I'm Lily Evans, the girl said, reaching her hand out for me to shake.

I'm Dalene Andrews, I replied. What happened? I asked, realizing that she had been crying.

It's nothing, Lily said in a small voice. That Malfoy guy called me a m-mudblood.

That ass! I yelled, startling her. He has no right to say that! I stood up suddenly and marched off into the library. I was looking around for Malfoy and paying no attention to where I was walking so I almost ran into Peter.

We were looking for you, Peter squeaked in a relieved voice. I followed him to where the rest of my friends were.

What happened to you? Sirius asked. You looked pissed.

You know that Lily Evans girl? I asked him. All the Gryffindors nodded. That ass Malfoy just called her a mudblood.

James cried, outraged. He has no right! She wouldn't do anything to him!

Where is he? I want to teach him a lesson, Sirius asked, his voice full of hatred. James nodded vigorously.

I just saw him leaving to go to the dungeons, Peter squeaked.

C'mon, lets go. James ordered. We all followed him at a run out of the library and down the long corridor, just catching him at the bottom of the stairs.

James roared.

Lucius looked up. he sneered.

How dare you call her that!

Call who what? Lucius said in a mock innocent voice.

You know full well what I'm talking about! Don't give me that innocent crap! James and Srius made their way down to where Malfoy and some other Slytherins were standing. Lily had come up behind us, watching the fight that was taking place below.

Are you OK? Remus and I asked her. She nodded slightly and kept staring at what was going on below us.

Oh, no! Peter cried. Professor McGonagall is coming! And sure enough, Professor McGonagall was making her way through the students that had gathered to watch the fight.

What is going on here? She demanded, looking between the fighting Slytherins and Gryffindors. None of them could speak as they were all to angry to say anything, so she looked up at us, her face showing the tiniest trace of confusion and wonder at what she saw: A Ravenclaw, a Slytherin, and three Gryffindors standing beside each other like good friends, which of course, we were.

Malfoy called Lily a mudblood and then James and Sirius got made and told him what he did was wrong and it went from there, I explained.

Is this true, Ms. Evans? McGonagall asked. Lily nodded meekly. I see, the professor continued. Wrong as it is to call a Muggle-born names, fighting is not allowed in Hogwarts. I will be seeing you Mr. Potter, Mr. Black, and Mr. Malfoy, in detention. I expect to see you three in my office at eight.

James and Sirius, who were both sporting black eyes and swollen lips, glared at Lucius, who was looking just as bad. Sirius swore under his breath as Lucius smirked and walked off.

I can't believe you guys just got a detention! Remus exclaimed. It's only the second day.

Too bad that's only what Lucius got as well, Sirius growled. I would have loved to see him expelled.

Yeah, I think we all would, James agreed as he gently dabbed at cut on his lip. Whoa, Sirius, you're bleeding pretty bad. I think you should go see the nurse.

There was a soft drip-drip-drip noise as blood fell from a large cut on his mouth and pooled at his feet.

What did he do to you? Delrei demanded.

Sirius shook his head. I'm not sure. I can't go to the nurse. I haven't heard what happened to Dalene. He added stubbornly.

We'll come with you so we can all hear, Peter suggested. Lily made to leave, but I grabbed her robes. C'mon. You're a part of this, too.

*****

We had found the hospital wing without too much trouble, and I had told them the story about my dad.

Delrei whispered. I'm so sorry, Dalene!

Peter and Lily looked scared. What if he comes after you?

If he does, we are all here to protect you, James said. Sirius nodded in agreement and put an arm around me in attempt to give me a hug without dripping blood on me.

Madam Pomfrey looked at Sirius and declared that it was a simple spell that opened a large cut wherever it was directed. She pulled out a potion and gave it to him, healing the cut instantly. Then he was given some water and lead over to a sink to rinse his mouth out.

What was that whole light thing about? Remus asked as we left the hospital wing.

I don't know. There was a pattern there and then it just disappeared, I replied. Now you all probably think I'm crazy, right?

Remus said thoughtfully. I read somewhere that Hogwarts had many secret passageways that are sometimes concealed by bookshelves and fake walls...

Sirius said, wiping his mouth on his sleeve, you read way too much.

*****

10 minutes later, after we had convinced everyone in our group, we were making our way down to the Potions classroom to look at the light more carefully.

This is a bad idea, guys, this is a really bad idea! Peter said said nervously. What if we get caught?

I shrugged. I'm in his house. I'll just tell him that we forgot some stuff down here or something.

But I didn't have Potions today, Delrei remarked worriedly. What if he suspects something?

Don't worry, Lily said boldly. We'll cover for you.

The dungeon was empty as we pushed open the door with a thud. I said, feeling bolder, it was over here somewhere... I walked slowly over to the table that I was sitting at with Severus. Yeah! It was this one!

James and Sirius rushed over. Are you sure? They inquired.

Yes, I'm sure! I snapped. They were being so stupid!

Remus said, checking his watch. You guys have to be in detention in fifteen minutes.

Damn detention, Sirius muttered. James nodded wholeheartedly.

Well, what are we waiting for? Lily asked, coming up behind us. Let's do something about the light!

Everyone stared at Remus, expecting an answer. I have an idea, but I'm not sure it it'll work...

It doesn't matter! Delrei exclaimed. We don't have much time!

Remus reached up and removed the torch from it's bracket. Nothing happened. Sighing, he put it back and started pacing to think.

Peter cried. It's moving! Just as he finished his statement, the wall slid from one side to the other with a loud grinding noise. Soon, with our eyes popping out of our heads and our jaws wide open, we were staring down a long, dark, and narrow passage way.

Was the only intelligent thing we managed to say.

Remus looked down at his watch again. We have ten minutes you guys, he warned.

Let's go! Cried James as he ran down the passageway.

How can he even see down there? Sirius asked as he squinted, trying to watch his friend.

Beats me, said Peter.

*****

We all stood just outside another door at the very end of the corridor, trying to catch our breath. James reached out and tugged uselessly at the door.

he mumbled miserably.

Lily said, moving forward and taking out her wand. The door swung open. James looked at her in awe.

I cautiously stepped into the dark room. As soon as I had set foot in there, all the lights flickered to life. I quickly scanned the room for anyone else. Seeing that it was empty, I took a closer look around. A fireplace stood in the middle of the room, surrounded by mismatched furniture. A small desk stood in each corner. There were a few paintings on the walls of the founders of Hogwarts.

I breathed. This room is awesome! We can meet here and not be bothered about being from different houses! The others nodded their agreement.

Um, do you know what time it is now? Delrei asked Remus.

You guys only have three minutes to get out of here and be in McGonagall's office before you're late.

James and Sirius looked at each other, and bolted out of the room.

We should go too, Peter squeaked, or we will be in serious trouble!

*****

We had just closed up the passageway and were starting to leave when a voice stopped us cold in our tracks.

Well, well, well, what have we here?


A/N - Thank you to FroggyW9, rosethorn83, darkmarkgrl, and Taskemus for reviewing! ^_^ Yay to my beta reader, Taskemus!