:Foreword:

Disclaimer: Nope, nope I don't own Hogwarts, Dumbledore, McGonagall or any other J.K. Rowling creation you notice in this fic. However, what isn't included in the oh-so-riveting Harry Potter series is my property, as of last chapter ;)

Reviews: I'm writing this before it's fan fictionally possible for any reviews to appear, so I can't thank you for them yet. But still, I know since you're already this far that you obviously have reviewed already. If not, 'How dare you?!' ;)

Chapter Two

For the Worst, Steam Rises

"I think there's nothing quite like the first day of school to depress a normally perky person such as myself. Nothing like having to go back to all that homework torture, exam anxiety, and Care of Magical Creatures scares…" I mused on the first day back upon entering the Great Hall.

"Perky? You?" Jacqueline asked, feigning bewilderment, "I wouldn't have ever characterized you as that…I mean, I thought your random acts of dancing and utterly off-topic song lyrics were just a side-affect of your unusual complex."

I rolled my eyes, still laughing, as I have never been good at my poker face. "Yes, I do like to partake in the arbitrary song and occasional dance."

We all shared a laugh as we settled ourselves at the Gryffindor House Table. Already the Great Hall was loud, full of "I haven't seen you in ages! Wow!" 's and "Do let's talk during break!" 's. Plenty of my friends were saying the same things to me, too, mainly because I had taken a most dramatic change during the summer.

The last time most people from Hogwarts had seen me, I had rather large features, short, stubby legs, and a most unsatisfactory complexion--red, red skin all over (except on my legs where they were white). Now when I peer at my reflection, I see an image of a nicely proportioned face, legs that had grown several inches taller in the short span of a summer, and a bit of a red-tinted, mainly brown-colored skin all over--I tanned for a change.

I still think my eyes are huge, my skin too, well, it looks as though it can't decide whether or not to be white or red, and my feet too big, anyways. Jacqueline now has gotten to scratching her talons into my back just like Hannah does whenever I complain about my appearance , but I think that's only because they feel obliged as friends to try to boost my self-esteem.

All of that complaining thanks to a certain old neighbor of mine who shall remain nameless in an effort to stop whatever loud and un-necessary cursing that might result if I utter such a horrific name…

I came to Fourth Year at Hogwarts as a new person, inside and out. I had blown up quite a few times before my Fourth Year, but now I'm more touchy because I absolutely hate it when people make such a fuss over growing a few inches, so you can imagine how I feel now, after growing a foot and a half during the summer. Whenever someone says to me, "Wow, Marie, I can hardly recognize you!" I become irritated and my replies are usually cold and quick, even when it was Hannah that said that to me.

Purely great timing that Will Stretchbury and his friends, Timothy, Caleb, and Evan, preceded my entrance to the Great Hall.

"Hey, Highland! That you?" Will called, an amused expression he tried to replace with one of confusion on his face, "Bloody hell, I thought you had fallen again so hard that you had that stupid Muggle plastic surgery!"

Oooh, he knew how to rile me up good!

I turned slowly, attempting with much difficulty to stay calm and show I wasn't upset. I know I've got to practice concealing my expressions!

"Why ever would I consider doing that, Stretchbury, when they messed up so obviously on your face subsequent to your oh-so-intelligent idea to, what was it again? Oh, yes, pick a fight with the Whomping Willow?"

Okay, okay, that wasn't the best come-back as I was, in fact, putting down the Muggle plastic sergeants, too, but it was the best I could come up with on the spot.

"Ooh, my little Sphinx grew her claws out this summer! Among other things…"

"Too bad you can't grow out your body parts, Stretchbury, or else you might just have a reason for your self-inflated head!" I shouted, as Professor McGonagall came to break up the loud bickering that was disturbing breakfast.

"Oh, really, you two! Will, can you ever leave these girls alone?" McGonagall shook her head, "Marie! Are you able to shut your mouth suitably for once? What an example for the First Years…"

Fact is, Will won't leave Jacqueline and me alone--Hannah excluded because she's normally too sweet to tease or retaliate. Ever since the Second Year, when Jacqueline got the last position on the Gryffindor Quidditch team over him. Plus that and we are the only girls who are brave, or foolish, enough to hit him back.

"And Marie," Professor McGonagall continued, "just last night you were assigned detention! You go challenging havoc again?"

"Oh, well, honestly, Professor, 'havoc' is a bit of strong word for me, isn't it?" Will interrupted, pretending to look hurt and aghast.

"With the trouble you've been brewing as though it were Galleon-Gaining Potions, Stretchbury, I think 'havoc' is a bit of an understatement." McGonagall stated truthfully, looking over him sharply, with a tint of distaste.

This really was the time for a triumphant smile to appear on my face, and I didn't let it disappear until I sat down to eat again, having been dismissed by Professor McGonagall to eat before classes began, and temporarily ignored by Will.

Jacqueline was right; it was going to be a trivial letter to write to my parents tonight, "Dear Mum and Dad, I'm lucky Professor McGonagall didn't assign me any more detentions than I received last night, in punishment for writing on someone's head, this morning--I got in another brawl with Will that wouldn't exactly do anybody proper proud. Love from your best, Marie."

Yes, I think I'd have to tweak it a trifle.

"Oh, I'd say this is the best schedule we've gotten so far!" decided Hannah, peering over the parchment Professor McGonagall handed her.

"Hannah, you'd say 'ex' over and over again is somebody told you to…" Jacqueline muttered, looking over her own agenda.

"You two buggers have Care of Magical Creatures after Herbology, too?" I interrupted while trying to sneak a peak at their schedules before they replied.

"I do!" Erika interjected playfully, "And so does Sarah, and Zach, and Felicia, and--why, perhaps all over the Fourth Year Gryffindors have the same schedule?"

"Imagine that," Zach piped up as he settled into the table. "Hey! Where are you two going? I just arrived! Already broke the fast?"

Erika and Sarah, who had just stood up and began walking toward the Great Hall doors, laughed, not being able to resist the come-back trap Zach so foolishly fell into.

"That's just it, Zach," Sarah began, "You arrived."

Zach's jaw dropped, and Hannah took the opportunity to stuff a piece of toast into it, saying that he'd better hurry up with breakfast or he'd be late to Ancient Runes.

"Such a proper little lollipop!" Zach proclaimed, swinging an arm around Hannah, who smiled proudly up at him, enjoying the attention she was receiving.

"'Insert comment on how the pair of them are a perfect couple here,'" I challenged, sighing as I watched the two of them head out into the corridor for their first class of the school year.

"Come to think of it, I don't ever remember imagining what Hannah's possible love interest would be," Jacqueline spilled slowly, in the process of reviewing.

"Same here. He'd be someone she'd respect, and who respects her, because Hannah, tiny hiccough she is, won't stand for someone who doesn't."

"Yeah," Jacqueline laughed, agreeing, as we followed behind Hannah and Zach, "I'd like to see the stupid git who tries to buy her an engagement ring instead of making one out of floss."

"Are you mocking the friendship ring I made her?"

"Yep."

No further conversation occurred, as we were both occupied and quite winded with sprinting; me to her, her from me.

I had no problem with the work on the first day of school--in the Muggle world. Usually we went around playing name games, and the homework was to simply sign this and that and return that by the end of the week.

But not at Hogwarts, oh no! Parents and/or Guardians were given papers to sign during the summer instead, and since we already knew each other's names, the students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry are lucky to start real schoolwork on the first day!

So homework tonight consisted of stating as much as you know about Goblin Rebellions, connecting each flower listed to it's mythological counterpart, writing a two-roll parchment essay on the personality the Zodiac gives you, reviewing safety equipment and precautions necessary prior to handling Class XXXX creatures, and preparing for a "Pop Quiz" on Summoning Charms.

Since First Year when all three of us thought we wouldn't have enough time to complete our homework at night, Jacqueline, Hannah and I have been accustomed to sitting under the tree by the lake during lunch and doing as much homework as possible, while chatting about recent gossip and eating at appropriate intervals so as to not bother another in the midst of an epiphany. We preferred a particular tree over the rest in the row lining the lake, as it offered a suitable view of the sedated lake and murmuring castle, and referred to it as "our spot;" the place where we'd meet whenever lost, separated, or in need of a private area. Mostly we didn't have to worry about others taking our spot, as students have been warned about "the wrath of the Jackal."

"Yes, beware of the evil Jackal…" I said aloud in the common room that night, sitting on a couch, with my knees to my chin, and finishing up my Divination homework.

"Oh, there she goes again! The broken wand that mysteriously spits out strange sparks all over!" Jacqueline laughed.

"Oy! Crickey! I've spotted it!" I continued, morphing into an Australian character with a rather patchy accent and habit to exaggerate with the hands, "The mystifying and ever frightful Jackal, in her true domain! Watch as she devours her prey, the extremely agile Transfiguration homework assignment! Oy, look! Seems she's spotted her own target, could it be another victim of her power? Crickey! Is it right behind me? Oy! She's gearing up for a mighty pounce! There she goes, springing from her scarlet and gold patterned perch and--OY! She's…caught…her…victim…Watch…as it…struggles…Each cry coming out…slower…slower…until"

"Oh! And the time when Gracie chased the sparks from your wand and ended up with one ridiculously large ear?" Sarah suggested enthusiastically, looking over to me.

Jacqueline, remembering, agreed. "Yeah, Professor Flitwick had some time trying only reduce that ear instead of her whole head, the silly kitten!"

"The, er, apple doesn't prance far away from the, er, pear tree…" Hannah attempted.

"Oh, that was bloody brilliant, Hannah! What a completely original line that was!" I huffed sarcastically.

"All right, all right! Can we just get back to homework now?" pleaded Hannah, who had given up trying to rile me.

"Going to try out for the Quidditch team this year, Shpinxies?" a silky voice called over to the Fourth Year Gryffindor girls, who were sitting underneath their tree by the lake. "Because, you know, I'm the Captain…"

"Oh, shall we start flipping our hair fashionably and giggle like we've the hysterics, Shpinxies?" I rolled my eyes, yelling back to the boy.

Will ignored my comment and came closer to Jacqueline, saying, "Practice begins on Tuesday, Jacqueline, five until dinner. We've lost two Chasers and a spare Keeper; our try-out are this Saturday."

He looked imploringly at me, knowing that, despite the fact that I'm quite a chimp when it comes to the ground, I'm rather graceful in the air. He, er, caught me flying one night after lights out--unless you're on a team, you're not allowed to fly a broom at school, and certainly not after hours.

"You know my broom is only a Nimbus 2007!" I cried, "That thing is nothing compared to the Syltherin's Nimbus 2009's!"

"That model isn't supposed to be on shelves until next year--they could get in trouble for riding them before January 1st." Hannah reasoned, "They'll be stuck on their 'old' Nimbus 2005's until then."

Will raised his eyebrows at Hannah, startled that she knew so much about the laws and equipment of a sport she so thoroughly opposed.

"Wull, I'm not certain when we verse them, but it's usually some time in November unless they loose out to Ravenclaw in October. But never you mind, you're perfectly skilled in the air, no matter which broom you ride. Although that one time back in Second year…Ha! That wasn't the Snitch you were chasing there, girl…" Sarah reminisced.

"Well, excuse me if a little fluttering, flying object that just so happened to be a dragonfly resembles a Snitch too much!" I yelled, jumping up suddenly, quite tired of listening to yet another conversation turning deadly for my reputation--whatever was left of it.

"That's why you're not a Seeker," muttered Hannah.

"Well, Sphinxies, Sarah," Will nodded to each, "I believe it is about time to head to our next class, the evil day. Hope you had a nice lunch…"

With that, he got up and headed over to his own group of friends, walking slowly up to the castle and occasionally glancing back a the girls.

"He's such a sweet boy, that Will! I just can't imagine why you two fight so much!" Hannah burst suddenly on the way back to class.

"He's just sweet when he's around you. Who can stand fighting in your presence, Hannah?" Jacqueline offered truthfully.

If Hannah could have and would have, I think that quiet noise she made just then was a scowl, but I shrugged it off; Hannah? Scowling?

"Well, anyways, he seems sweeter than usual," Jacqueline admitted with a sort of sideways grin. "Think he's soft on Marie?"

"You know as well as I do that if Will was soft on anybody, it would be Erika. Have you ever seen her chest?" I bit.

"Hard not to, it's practically the focal point of her body!" Zach smirked.

"Shove off, you randy prat!" I yelled happily, pushing off to the side to resume our conversation. "As I was saying…If he does fancy a girl, he's sure to show it. I mean, you remember how he courted Sarah last year? Never let her breathe, he didn't!"

"We hope, at least, that someone as, how shall I put it? Facially pleasing as he is would sport a bit more pride and honor--that is, if he's got enough room for it…"

"Jacqueline, he's got so much pride, there isn't enough space for what he prides himself on!" I shrieked, laughing at my own joke.

"Ah! Haha! Marie, you wicked little witch!" Hannah yelled.

"Or if it's actually hiding out in his pants, it must be pretty tiny…"I continued.

"Oh, will you just shut it!" Hannah shouted jovially.

"And loose the audience?" I waved sideways with my hands at all of the staring students climbing the staircase to Transfiguration with us. I laughed, never seriously caring what they thought. I don't know why. Really.

As the door magically opened to allow entrance to Professor McGonagall's class, our faces of merriment fled. It seemed as though we were tardy, because every other student that was attended this class with us was already seated and taking notes on what was flashing magically on the chalkboard at the front of the class.

Professor McGonagall peered at us over the rim of her glasses, her chin raised as if looking us over disapprovingly. Which she probably was.

"I take it we should begin transfiguring students into maps and pocket watches soon," she offered lackadaisically.

"Sorry, ma'am, you know only the most important would separate us from this fundamental class," I muttered to my friends jokingly, "If it ever happens again, feel free to suspend us--I'm sure that'll settle us straight."

"Now, class," McGonagall almost yelled from the front of the room, to make sure that we were silent and paying attention. "We begin transfiguring inanimate objects into living, breathing ones today. This task is no simple one. A clear and focused mind is required, so that means that Tim, you will have to exit the class at this time to further prevent disruptions subsequent to your mere presence."

Amanda Skei and Karla Sptitz, the two Ravenclaw kiss-ups, giggled appreciatively at McGonagall's joke, as Tim hung his head, feigning shame and tears but without the raw talent of a believable actor.

I took Divination because I thought it sounded neat; I've always been interested in astronomy. Hannah attended because she thought "the stars were pretty," and Jacqueline tagged along, not wanting to be left out.

When we arrived at the bottom of the staircase leading to the classroom, honestly even Jacqueline was excited. Was it a shock when we entered! The room was stuffy and the air was think with candle-lit aromas, so much so that Hannah nearly fainted as she walked through the door for the first time. The lack of necessary oxygen was compensated by the arrangement of oddly-shaped lumps of furniture--bean bags--and the ability to talk amongst ourselves during class.

Professor Gormlay, the instructor holding five years experience teaching Divination at Hogwarts, emerged suddenly in a puff of pink, swirly smoke at the front of the classroom, as always clad in twilight blue robes that winked from all over and a matching bandana wrapped around her head.

Turn Off the Light by Nelly Furtado

it's getting so lonely inside this bed
don't know if i should lick my wounds or say woe is me instead
and there's an aching inside my head
it's telling me i'm better off alone
but after midnight morning will come
and the day will see if you will get some

chorus:
they say that girl ya know she act too tough tough tough
well it's till' i turn off the light, turn off the light
they say that girl you know she act so rough rough rough
well it's till' i turn off the light, turn off the light
and i say follow me follow me follow me down down down down till' you see all my dreams
not everything in this magical world is quite what it seems

i looked above the other day
cuz i think i'm good and ready for a change
i live my life by the moon
if it's high play it low, if it's harvest go slow and if it's full, then go
but after midnight morning will come
and the day will see if you're gonna get some

c h o r u s

i'm searching for things that i just cannot see
why don't you don't you don't you come and be with me
i pretend to be cool with me, want to believe
that i can do it on my own without my heart on my sleeve
i'm running, i'm running, catch up with me life
where is the love that i'm looking to find
it's all in me, can't you see, i can see, why can't you see it's all in me

c h o r u s

where is your logic
who do you need
where can you turn in your delicate time of need
follow me down, follow me down down down,
i do not need i do not need nobody
where is your logic
who do you need
where can you turn in your delicate time of need