CHAPTER 1

I sat in the back of the classroom, doodling on my paper. Class held no interest anymore. Well, to be honest, it never had, but the fact that my best friend was gone meant that there wasn't anything at all to look forward to about school. The seat next to me stood empty, reminding me of my loneliness. I drew pictures of a snitch and broomsticks, my dog, a snowflake -

"Miss Stormcrowe! I asked you a question!"

I snapped out of my trance. I looked up, startled, at Mr Gaudet at the front of the classroom.

"Uh… sorry. I didn't catch it," I slurred.

He snorted. "Well, obviously. Would anyone else care to answer for Miss Stormcrowe?" Jenna's hand, of course, flew into the air. "Miss Drysdale?"

"A snapdragon disguises itself as a harmless garden flower, but is distinguishable from the actual plant by a set of almost undetectable fangs that protrude from its petal-like lips."

I choked back snicker at her textbook answer and returned to my artwork.

"Thank you, Jenna. Miss Stormcrowe," said Mr Gaudet.

I looked up slowly with my best look of disdain. "Yes?"

"I expect a 6 page essay on the properties of snapdragon venom in biological warfare, its antidotes, and its potential for medical purposes by Monday."

I groaned, but the chimes rang, preventing me from protesting against his unjust punishment. I had Quidditch practice right after classes today and a game on Saturday. I had planned to spend Saturday partying after our certain victory and then Sunday recuperating from the party, but it looked like my celebrations would have to be cut back.

I sighed and gathered my books and pens, then stuffed them into my bag. I slung the strap over my shoulder as I walked out and trudged my way to the dining hall for lunch. As I walked down the staircase, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned to find Scott smiling at me. I smiled back as best I could. "Hey."

"Hey you. What's the matter? You look like you lost your b-" he stopped dead and the smile vanished. "Oh God, Aje. I'm sorry. I didn't… I forgot-"

"Never mind," I said, and pulled his arm so he would stop blocking the traffic. "It's ok. I did lose my best friend, remember?" He looked sheepish and I forced a laugh. "Oh get over it. You always pull Weasleys."

We walked to one of the tables in our house section and sat down with my other friends Chris and Ryan. They looked at me with obvious pity and I groaned. "Stop it! Seriously!" They glanced at each other and at Scott - he shrugged.

"What's on the menu today?" he asked, and Ryan handed him a paper. "Hmm… I'll have… a burger and fries today," he said. The food materialized on his plate and he dug in heartily.

I looked at the menu. "Chicken fingers," I stated. Immediately I was comforted by the warm smell of my delicious lunch. As I ate, I glanced around at some of the other tables. I laughed inwardly at the first years, who were all still enthralled by their ability to order the food to their plates.

When I was finished, I grabbed my bag and got up. "I'm going to the library before 4th, guys. I'll see you at supper." The boys nodded and I headed away. I brooded as I walked to the library. I loved the guys, but it just wasn't the same without Gwyn. You can't share the same jokes and secrets with boys. They wouldn't get it.

It took me a while to get to the 5th floor because I was still full from lunch, but I refused to use the Floo powder to get around the school anymore. I had had a regrettable accident in my first year which I had never gotten over.

When I finally got to the library, I headed to the creature section, only to find all the books on snapdragons had been borrowed already. I shrugged and headed to my dorm room. Maybe I could scam an essay off of Jenna. She had no doubt written one at some point.

I climbed the stairs again to the 8th floor and walked the halls until I came to a large window that seemed to overlook the fields behind the school. I glanced to my sides to make sure no one from another house was around, and stepped through the pane. I still couldn't get over how much I loved that feeling; like you were stepping through a cold, refreshing waterfall - without getting wet. I trudged through Glacier lounge and up the stairs on the left to the door of my room.

I threw my bag on the floor next to my bed, and fell on the bed face first. I sighed into my pillow, and turned to look at the bed beside mine. I had shared the room with Gwyn for 5 years. Now it was made, the dresser beside it empty and plain, the posters on that side had all been taken down and there was no snow falling on her bedspread.

I bit my lip and turned away. I missed her so much. It was like having a piece of me cut off and mailed far away, never to return. Screw 4th and 5th periods, I thought. I have to go to Quidditch though.

I reached over to my bedside table and grabbed the little vial of silver liquid. I sat up and uncorked the bottle, then let a drop fall on the bedspread. As the snow began to fall, I laid back down. After setting the alarm beside me with a flick of my wand, I soon fell into a light, fitful sleep. I hadn't truly slept since Gwyn left. It was weird being so alone.

I woke up a while later, but not to my alarm as I had expected. Instead, I was scared out of my mind by my cat, Logan. He jumped on my stomach and I screamed, which sent him scurrying into a corner behind a trunk. I laughed and looked at his little black face hidden in the corner.

"Aww, Logan. I'm sorry sweetie. Come here. Here kitty," I pleaded to him, dangling my fingers in the air. He inched out slowly and I giggled at him. Then, like a flash of black fur lightning through the air, he was on my stomach again. I ran my thumb gently over his nose and ears, and he purred contentedly. I was just getting sleepy again, when my alarm went off - startling me and sending Logan back into the corner angrily.

"Oh, you big pussy," I laughed, and then got up and went over to my dresser. I pulled out the silver and light blue jersey and threw it over my head. "I've got to go to practice, Logan," I said, peering into the corner. "See ya later." I grabbed my Firebolt from on top of the trunk and headed to the lounge.

A few people were in the couches, talking, and Jenna was reading on the floor. No sign of the boys. As I was about to step through the window that looked into the hallway, Jenna called my name. I turned around slowly. "What?"

"You weren't in Herbology today."

"And?"

"Well, you missed quite a bit."

"Were you a dear and copied it down for me?"

She hesitated. "Well… yes… but that's the last time Adrien!" she protested.

"Sure. Thanks, Jen. But I gotta jet. Practice," I said and smiled thinly as I stepped through the 'glass'. I could always rely on Jenna to take my notes for me. I just hoped I wouldn't run into Mr MacDougall on my way out of the school. I almost never missed Transfiguration - it was my favourite class - and I knew I'd regret facing him after I had skipped it. He was such a cool old dude.

I reached the Quidditch pitch and smiled at my team-mates who were standing and waiting impatiently for me. I sauntered up casually to them and grinned nonchalantly. "Well, fancy meeting you here," I drawled. Their frowns cracked and they were soon laughing with me. We were the closest team in the school, and could never stay mad at each other. "Where's Caroline?" I asked. Our captain was never late.

Ryan smiled. "She's warming up."

I laughed and we all headed to the center of the field. Sure enough, Caroline was circling up above on her broomstick, practicing evasions and attacks. She was the best Chaser in the school and it wasn't just natural ability. She practiced non-stop.

"Stormcrowe! You've finally arrived!" she yelled, and swooped down to field level. She hopped off her broom and scowled at me. "You're late."

"Only by two minutes," I whined. She smiled and hopped back on her broom. "You let the balls loose, Aje. Here we go guys. Let's have a good practice. We have to beat Nuage tomorrow. That'll put us in a tie for first with Chaleur."

"We know, we know," muttered Zach as he took off from the ground.

We laughed and I walked over to the trunk. I opened it carefully and pulled out the big, red ball. "Quaffle!" I yelled and threw it up. Caroline grabbed it. "Bludgers!" Zach readied his bat and hit the Bludgers far into the sky when I let them loose. "Snitch!" Sam steadied his broom and took off after the little ball immediately.

The Glacier Quidditch team was made up of 6 really good friends of mine, and me. First, there was Caroline; Captain and Chaser. The other two Chasers were Phil (a huge, dumb-jock type) and Sara (absolutely hilarious and very sarcastic). I was a Beater along with Zach; a short, but muscley guy who was always brooding about something. Our Keeper was Ryan, one of my really good friends, and Sam was our Seeker. He was Asian and an absurdly awesome broom handler. In my humble opinion, there wasn't a better Quidditch team in the world.

We practiced for a solid 2 hours and were all absolutely exhausted by the time it was time to head in for supper. I put the balls back in the trunk with little difficulty and locked it in the team dressing room. Ryan, Caroline and I laughed and joked on our way into the school and the whole team found a table to eat at together. It was a pre-game ritual to eat our supper and following breakfast as a team. And we had yet to lose, so why change what was working?

We sat laughing and eating, joking about how easy the game would be the next day. I was startled out of my chortling by a sharp tap on my shoulder. I turned to find Principal Rousseau standing next to me, with Mr MacDougall behind her.

"Would you please join us in the hallway, Miss Stormcrowe?" she said. I nodded and stood, ignoring the chorus of "ooohs" from my team-mates. What now? I thought, and traced my memory for any kind of rule breaking I could have committed. They wouldn't punish me for skipping class, would they? That had to be it. I hadn't done anything else worth discussion… had I? I gathered my wits and was fully prepared to defend my position when we stepped out in the hallway, but Ms Rousseau beat me to it.

"Miss Stormcrowe, I have something very important to discuss with you. I thought Mr MacDougall would appreciate partaking in the conversation - as he is your house leader."

"Ok, ok. I know what this is about," I interrupted.

Ms Rousseau looked surprised. "You do?"

"Yeah, and I just want to apologize for missing class, but I'm having trouble adjusting to the fact that Gwyn-"

"Yes, yes. Miss Braddock's transfer. That's what I wanted to talk to you about," continued Rousseau. Then she realized what I had said. "You missed class? When?"

Mr MacDougall chuckled from behind her. "It's alright, Adrien. I understand," he said in his thick Scottish accent. "I had Mr Anderson copy the notes for you. Yeh didn't miss too much."

I sighed and thanked him. What a great teacher. I just hoped Scott had gotten all the notes… he fell asleep last class.

"Anyway, Miss Stormcrowe, about the topic at hand," stated Rousseau. I raised an eyebrow to encourage her. "We have a new student who arrived this evening and was sorted into the Glacier house. As your room is the only one with an opening, the student naturally was paired with you."

I groaned. Even being alone was way better than having to deal with a new kid. No doubt it would be some whiny, snotty little princess who I would never get along with. Or worse, someone like Jenna Drysdale. Ugh.

"However," continued Rousseau, interrupting my thoughts, "there is a slight difficulty. Though your room holds the only empty bed in the Glacier house, I'm afraid we may be setting a bad precedent by having the new student room with you."

I frowned. What was wrong with me?

"You see," explained Mr MacDougall. "The new student… well, he's a boy. 'is name's James Prescott."

I was at full attention. A new boy? My mind raced with all of the important questions that I was sure the two teachers standing in front of me wouldn't be able to answer.

"So, naturally, we are concerned with the risen situation."

I nodded, not listening. Was he hot? Was he my age? Did he like classic rock?

"Miss Stormcrowe, pay attention please."

I snapped to.

"We have decided to allow the arrangement to go on a trial run. One week should decide whether or not you and your new roommate are… compatible. Understand?"

I nodded.

"Any questions? Concerns?"

I knew Rousseau was grasping at straws now, trying to find some reason to keep us from rooming together. I just shook my head.

"Alright. Mr Prescott has just been shown to your room and I expect you will be a most courteous, respectful and mature representative of Trudeau's, Miss Stormcrowe."

"Of course."

Ms Rousseau looked me up and down with a stern eye. "Behave yourself," she said.

I smiled. That, however, did not seem to reassure her, and she walked away with a sever frown on her sharp features. I turned to Mr MacDougall. "Sorry again," I said sheepishly.

He smiled kindly and placed a hand on my shoulder as we walked to the Glacier wing. "I understand, Adrien. And I know how yeh feel, believe it or not. It'll hurt for some time, to be sure, but you'll come to terms with it and begin to accept it. Trust me."

I smiled at him gratefully. "Thanks, Mr MacD."

He patted my back as he turned and headed towards his office on the 2nd floor. "After some time you'll heal. But you'll always be friends, you can count on tha'."

I nodded and continued my climb to the 8th floor. I was filled with a warm, fuzzy feeling as I reached the window. I gave a slight nod to Sam - who always finished supper first and retreated to the fireside to study his playbook - and walked up the stairs to my dorm room. With a deep breath, I pushed open the door.

There, on Gwyn's bed, sat a boy holding my cat. He looked up and smiled.

"I like your cat," he said. I smiled back and walked into the room.

"His name's Logan," I said, sitting on my bed.

"As in, Wolverine?"

"Yes! Exactly! I'm so glad someone else here knows the X-Men," I said, laughing. I could definitely get along with this guy.

"My name's James. Prescott," he said awkwardly, and held out his hand.

"Adrien Stormcrowe," I replied, shaking his hand. We sat there in an awkward silence for a few seconds, and I found myself studying his features. He had dark brown, shaggy hair, a square jaw, a sincere smile with nice white teeth, and the most startling blue eyes I had ever seen. From what I could tell so far, he had a nice body too. His t-shirt hugged his arms and chest slightly. I also noticed his firm handshake. I was pondering what else on him was firm, when he broke the silence.

"So… what year are you in?"

"6th. You?"

"Same."

"Cool."

Silence.

"Do you have any pets?" I asked.

"Yeah, my owl Axl and-"

"Your owl is named Axl!"

"Yeah, why?"

"No way! Mine is Slash!"

"Really? That's awesome!"

We immediately knew we'd be great roommates and rattled on about ourselves. I found our that he had moved to Canada from Chicago, he had a pet rat named Sabertooth, he had played Keeper for his Quidditch team, his old school was called "Capone's" and that he loved classic rock.

When I looked over at my clock and saw it was 12:30, it registered that I had a game the next day.

"I really need my beauty sleep before a game," I said and he nodded.

"Understandable. I'll let you get to bed then."

"I'll give you a tour of the school on Sunday, ok?"

"Deal."

We drew our bed curtains to change into our pyjamas. That was a little awkward, but we managed to do it without laughing, and said goodnight.

As I lay contentedly in my bed, I remembered what Mr MacDougall had said to me. I still missed Gwyn so much it hurt, but my new roommate would sure help me recuperate fast.

That night I slept well for the first time since Gwyn had left, and I fell asleep dreaming of Guns N' Roses, Quidditch and snow.