AUTHOR'S NOTE I'm REALLY sorry this took so long to post…I've been really busy but I know that's no excuse. Thanks for being so patient!

Thank You as always to Emica and Lauren…you guys know that I would be utterly lost without you!

DISCLAIMER Don't own JK Rowling's characters…you should all know this by now.

After a few silent days, John approached his younger daughter. "I've signed you up for a club," he said shortly.

Michelle's eyes lit up. "A club? What kind?"

"For magic children with one or both Muggle parents."

Her face fell. "A Muggle-born support group?"

"A club!" John snapped. "Diana's going with you." And he left the room.

Michelle glowered at where her father had just been. A Muggle-born support group. With Diana. Great.

Her bitterness toward her father and Diana grew by the day. Just by their demeanor, Michelle could tell that her being a Slytherin had greatly affected their opinion of her. It was frustrating and it made her incredibly angry.

Marie tried to get through to the girl, but Michelle shut her mother out too. She grew to be miserably at home. All too often her mind wandered back to Hogwarts, wondering what her friends were doing in the castle.

She couldn't wait to return.

*****

Diana led Michelle into a room full of witches and wizards-in-training. She soon saw other students she had met the previous year and Michelle was left by herself. It was becoming painfully obvious that Diana had been serious when she threatened to shun her sister. Michelle had hoped that Diana would talk to her at least while they were home.

Long rows of folding chairs had been set up in the middle of the room, although very few people were sitting. Michelle found an empty row and sat alone.

She couldn't imagine why her parents were making her go to this support group. They could call it a club all they wanted; it was a support group. And as long as none of her housemates found out, she was perfectly comfortable being half-and-half.

"Hello!"

Michelle looked up to see a slightly older boy next to her. "Hi."

"Mind if I sit next to you?" he asked, taking an empty chair as she shook her head. "What's your name?" he asked.

"Michelle. What's yours?"

"I'm Seamus Finnigan! Nice to meet you." Michelle smiled as she shook Seamus' hand.

"I'm half-and-half," Seamus explained. "Mum's a witch. Dad sure was surprised!" Michelle laughed. Seamus continued, "Are you half-and-half or Muggle-born?"

"Oh, I'm half-and-half. My dad's a wizard. A proud Gryffindor."

Seamus' face brightened. "I'm a Gryffindor! Second-year." He looked proud.

Michelle's heart sank. Of course he was in Gryffindor! She couldn't be friends with him now. Slytherins and Gryffindors didn't associate. Ever.

"You go to Hogwarts, I assume." Michelle nodded, miserably knowing what came next. "What's your house?"

"Uh…"

"Hello everyone!" A boisterous man just then had stood at the head of the group. "Welcome!"

Seamus and Michelle were unable to continue their conversation, which was fine with her. The longer she could avoid telling her new friend that she was a Slytherin, the better.

The meeting itself was hippie-ish, full of self-love, and boring. Various speakers lectured on the joys of the Muggle world and on loving yourself for who you are. Michelle was both elated and appalled when it was over – elated that she could leave, but appalled that the end of the meeting involved standing in a circle holding hands chanting, "Magic from Muggles forever!"

The large group broke into several smaller groups as students milled around waiting for rides. Seamus came up to Michelle again.

"Have a good holiday! I hope to see you back at school!"

"Yeah." Michelle nodded weakly.

Seamus turned to leave, then stopped. "You never told me what house you're in."

"Oh…" Michelle let her voice trail off. She didn't want to tell him! How could she? They seemed on their way to becoming fast friends and now she had to wreck all that!

Seamus was watching her expectantly. She had no choice. "I'm a first year…in Slytherin."

"Oh." A dark look flickered across Seamus' face, but faded away after only a moment. "See you at school!" He grinned and walked away.

She sat in silent contemplation the whole way home. That wasn't what she expected. He didn't care! She'd made a friend in Gryffindor! As unlikely as it seemed, part of her really wanted it to work. The Slytherin side of her was strangely quiet.

Preciousonee Yes, it is a tough life for Michelle…unfortunately, her troubles don't end anytime soon…

H'tari Hehe, I really enjoy writing Draco as an evil character. I'm glad you like it! And John is just…too proud for his own good I guess.