I started on my homework an hour before dinner. After working for about ten minutes, I leaned back on the couch. I hate writing essays. I'd much rather make the potions than write about them. I closed my eyes; maybe just a little nap.

Next thing I knew, someone was poking my forehead, right between my eyes. I swatted at them, but it persisted. I finally opened my eyes. "Morning beautiful." I squinted up and grey eyes laughed down at me. "Get up Doshon."

"Malfoy, what are you doing in my dorm so early?" I shoved him away from me and sat up. It was much brighter than my dorm should have been.

He smiled, but it wasn't his usual sarcastic smile. It was genuine. "We're in the common room, and it's only 9:30 pm. You missed dinner so I brought you some biscuits." I dismissed them, I wasn't very hungry. "Oh, and I've got a bit of bad news." I looked up as he ran his fingers through his silvery hair. "Your father was there and he was looking for you." Immediately I jumped up, scattering my books and parchment, and looked for the quickest exit. "Snape said he'd hold him off as long as he could." I heard voices coming from the entry of the common room.

"Really Mister Doshon," Snape said. "I doubt she'll even be awake if she missed dinner." Draco sat on the couch and flipped one of my books open. I dove behind the couch so I wasn't visible to the other side of the room. "I told you, Mikhail," Snape's voice rang through the dungeon-like common room. "She must be asleep in her dorm."

I could practically hear my father getting more annoyed. "Well then, you are the head of her house. I am sure you can get in there."

Snape walked about halfway to the sixth year girl's dorms before catching sight of me. But before he could say anything, Draco spoke up. "Sir, I wouldn't suggest it. She was rather testy before going to bed, and I'm sure she wouldn't wake up in such a good mood."

Snape opened his mouth to say something, but my father cut him off. "So? I need to speak with Lizbeth." I jerked at the sound of my name, hitting my head on the back of the sofa. I groaned and stood. I made sure I had Draco and the couch between my father and I. "What's going on here?"

I scrambled for words. "I, er, uh dropped a-a sickle and it rolled under the couch?" He glared at me and I shrank back. "I fell asleep and missed dinner, so Dr-Malfoy woke me up and told me you were coming. I heard your voice and-and got scared so I hid."

"Lizbeth, you are so pathetic." He looked down is nose at me and narrowed his eyes. "You have gone soft."

My hands started shaking and I flexed them, trying to stop. Softly, I said, "That's not my name."

"What did you say?"

"My name is Ezie!"

He took only a few steps and was almost at my side. "As much as I hate to admit it, you are my child and I shall call you whatever I want!" Draco stood and moved to stand between my father and I. "Get out of my way, boy."

"Mikhail, I suggest you leave," Snape said, putting his hand on my shoulder. Chills ran down my spine. "Otherwise I will alert Dumbledore that you are threatening my students."

Father glared before saying, "I will speak to you soon, Lizbeth." He turned on his heel and left. After a few minutes of silence, I turned to the girl's dorm and went to bed.

The next morning, a yell and a pillow in my face woke me up. "Aaaahhhh!" Blaise Zabini was standing over me.

I shot up, hitting our heads together. "Gah, Zabini, what's your problem?"

She gave me a smug grin. "That was my impression of your howler yesterday morning. Pretty good, don't you think?"

"I think I'm going back to bed." I yanked the covers back over my head, only to have them ripped off. I didn't even look back to see who pulled them off before grabbing my pillow and hitting them. I heard a gasp, and then a stifled giggle. I rolled over to see who I hit. Blaise had pulled my covers off, but it wasn't her I hit. At some point, Snape had come in, presumably to discipline Blaise for being so loud. I'd hit him instead. "Professor, I'm so sorry! I didn't mea-" Before I finished, I got a face full of pillow.

I struggled to get up. "It's quite alright miss Doshon. I do believe we're even." I took a look at the clock and rolled my eyes. Classes started in an hour and a half. I could still be sleeping! "Your father has requested a meeting with you."

I jumped up, which was stupid because I was still sitting on my canopy bed. I fell back down and rubbed my head. "I see you Parkinson, laughing at me!" I rolled off the bed and returned my gaze to Snape. "I'm not talking to him."

Snape looked me over and raised an eyebrow. I was wearing a black spaghetti strap shirt and dark green guy boxers. I turned around and started looking through my dresser. "You have to go."

"No!"

I heard him sigh. "You'll miss transfiguration."

I turned my head halfway. "Fine, but you and Dumbledore have to be there. And he's not allowed to get within three feet of me!" I paused a few moments before saying, " And Malfoy has to go to."

"Draco Malfoy?"

"Yes!" I turned around, my shirt and skirt clutched in my hands. "I trust him, and if something happens, he won't be afraid to throw a spell or two."

He looked annoyed, but agreed. "I'll speak with him. Julian will be there as well." He paused. "The headmaster's office right after breakfast." With a swish of his robes, he left.

I got dressed and spent half an hour on my hair and make up. My black hair, which normally hung straight to my chin, now flared out just below my ears. I outlined my eyes in black and brushed some silver eye shadow on my eyelids. I glanced at my reflection and grinned devilishly.

I threw my black robe over my shoulders and walked out. Outside the Slytherin dungeons, a streak of red and green shot past. I reached out and grabbed them both by the back of their collars. "Well well, two little firsties; Kathryne and her little friend Stefany." They glanced at each other with big round eyes. "What did you do? Set a dung bomb off in Snape's office?" They looked at each other and started giggling. I took that as a yes. I let go of them. "Run!"

They both shot off and I watched them go, grinning. I remember when Draco and I had done that some years ago, though we had been stupid. We did it in the middle of the day and didn't bother to get the smell off our hands and clothes. We were caught and got a week of detention.

Enough daydreaming, breakfast was about to start. I frowned and walked into the Great Hall, heading straight for my usual seat next to Draco. I scowled upon seeing breakfast. It was my least favorite: scrambled eggs, orange juice, and plain toast. I gagged and grabbed a piece of toast. I stole some butter from Draco's plate and put it on the toast.

Buttered toast isn't too bad, but a little bit of cinnamon and sugar would have really helped. And the orange juice at Hogwarts was always too sour. Draco leaned over and stole my portion of eggs, and I in turn took his toast.

I took a bite and asked, "So, are you going with me to talk to my father?"

He nodded. "But I'm only there so he doesn't hurt you. I won't say a thing." He grinned. "And getting out of transfiguration was always a dream of mine."

I laughed. "You always look on the side benefiting you, don't you?" A bell rang somewhere, signifying the end of breakfast. "Show time." Draco and I walked out of the hall, towards the headmaster's office. Before the door opened, Draco gave me a reassuring hug.

It was the first time he'd ever hugged me when I wasn't upset. He let go and shrugged. "For good luck," was the only explanation he gave. The gargoyle statue in front of us moved aside, and we climbed our way up to the waiting adults.

As soon as we walked in, I regretted it. My father didn't look the least bit angry, unlike I suspected. Maybe I would get off today with no injuries. I almost laughed; that was unlikely. He may not look mad, but I knew he was ready to explode. It all seemed do very fake. Once I was in the room with the door closed, my father stood up, presumably to hug me or something of the sort. I took a step back, right into Draco, who placed a comforting hand on my shoulder.

"You're not allowed to touch me." I ran my fingers over my cheek that had been injured. It had healed, but left a pearl-like scar in it's place. "You're the reason for this. I don't need more scars."

He just glared at me and sat back down. I took a seat in the only remaining chair. Draco leaned against a bookcase, flipping through a rather old looking book.

"Why is that Malfoy boy here?" My father's question was filled with hostility.

Before I could answer, Snape said, "I asked him to come. Now, let's get to business. Headmaster, if you please."

Dumbledore adjusted his glasses. "Julian, how do you like Ravenclaw?" I hadn't even noticed my little brother in the seat next to me.

"I...I like it. Everyone's so smart." He glanced at Father. "Sorry."

Mikhail didn't say a word. Dumbledore spoke instead. "I see. Miss Doshon, just how did you get those scars on your face?"

I shifted uncomfortably. "Isn't it obvious? He did them both."

Dumbledore nodded and thought for a few moments. "Julian has been sorted fairly, he will not be moved." My father looked livid at these words. "And you, Mr. Doshon, will not be allowed in the Slytherin dungeons."