When the train finally reached Hogwarts station I followed the group off the train, onto the "horseless" carriages. When we arrived at the castle we found Proffessor McGonagall  waiting by the door. It turned out that it had been me that she was waiting for.

I was to wait outside the Great Hall until the first years arrived so that I could be sorted with them even though I was going into sixth year.

Soon all eyes were on me as I stood with the first years, waiting to be sorted into my house, feeling extremely self-conscious because I was a head and shoulders above most of them. Waiting for my name to be called I looked out across the four student tables.

I spotted Draco almost instantly, his straw coloured hair contrasting against the shadows that fell across the Slytherin  table.

Suddenly he looked away from Goyle and started straight at me. I quickly looked away thinking of all the funny things we did together when we  were little.

It was only then that I realized that everyone, not only Draco was watching me

My name had been called. Proffessor McGonagall motioned slightly towards the sorting hat.

Slowly, I walked towards it, more nervous then I'd ever been at the sorting at my old schools. Shaking slightly, I put the Sorting Hat on my head and sat down on the stool…

Amidst hearty cheering and clapping I sat down at the Hufflepuff table. A cheery looking girl with pigtails gave me a hug and a sophisticated boy shook my hand in congratulations. Without another glance back at the Slytherin table, I tucked into my food, feeling great.

So, my year at Hogwarts began. The classes were challenging but not too difficult, I made friends with my fellow Hufflepuff's especially the two sixth years that had congratulated me, Hannah and Ernie. I didn't forget Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Neville or Luna either. I occasionally had joint lessons with Harry, Ron, Hermione and Neville. I sometimes spoke to them about my worries for my parents as they also had friends or family in the Order. I soon learned though, not to talk about it whilst Harry was there because as Hermione explained, it brought back bad memories for him about his Godfather's death.

One morning I rushed into the Great Hall for breakfast, late with a maddening craving for a croissant which I have loved ever since I can remember. To my annoyance there was scant food left on any of the tables, let alone my own.

I sighed in defeat and walked back towards the door, passing the Slytherin table as I did so. Out of the corner of my eye I spotted a plate in the middle of their table, with one lonely croissant sitting invitingly on it. Hoping that no one would notice as there was hardly anyone around, I whipped out my arm and grabbed the croissant, quickly shuffling away from the crime scene. I raised the croissant to my lips and was just about tot take a bite when a voice behind me drawled.

'Not stealing food from us are we, you Hufflepuff? Then again you are friends with Potter. Being a little git must be contagious.'

I whirled around, croissant in hand 'Oh how intimidating. This, coming from a guy who once said he'd run naked through the streets of Hogsmede if he didn't become the driver of the Knight Bus when he grows up' I said, keeping my voice pleasant.

 Draco suddenly reached out and dragged my away from the table, over to the wall where the few Slytherins left in the Hall couldn't hear.

'Bloody hell woman, keep your voice down!'.

I was on a role and felt liberated after embarrassing the school bully.

'It's true though' I said, teasing.

Draco smirked, 'Perhaps it is, but as I recall you went up to your mother one day and announced that you wanted to be a prostitute'.

I laughed, remembering how horrified I'd been that day when my mother had explained to me what I was actually saying. 'But only because you told me that it meant something else! And didn'tyou used to dress up in your mother's clothing and dance around the manor?!'

'Ok, ok you win!' he laughed. I noticed that he had a nice smile when he wasn't smirking or sneering.

'So you do remember me after all?' I grinned.

Then the bell sounded throughout the Great Hall. Not noticing that Draco had stepped away from me and stiffened, I went to give him a hug. Instead, he grabbed my arms and pushed me away, gave me a nasty look and went to join Crabbe and Goyle.

I stood there, hurt, but this time I understood, even if I didn't like it. He had become a typical Slytherin like his father. He wouldn't be caught dead talking and laughing with a Hufflepuff like they were friends, especially not if she was also friends with his Gryffindoor enemies. Such people were beneath him. He had snapped back to save his reputation and nothing could change him.