A/N: SOSOSOSO sorry for the incredibly late update…we've been so busy! But we promise to update so much sooner from now on!

Chapter Two: The First Confrontations

The three animagus's playfully jumped around with each other, unaware of the icy cold gray eyes watching from nearby, and the piercing green watching them from several stories above.

Draco found the sight quite interesting and he inched further ahead. He was particularly interesting in the snow leopard. It had light pink pads on the bottom of its paws. Surely not a normal trait for just any snow leopard to have?

The tiger suddenly turned to Draco, its eyes, he swore narrowed dangerously and he saw a shine of sharp teeth. Scared for either his life, or his brand new robes, he ran for the castle. Not even bothering to turn around and see if the beast was following.

The tiger turned to the others, and in an instant they were gone, just as fast as they had appeared.

Mmmmmmmmm

The next morning Victoria woke up early, before the even sun had risen on the horizon. She went to the common room, summoned a candle, and began to read a book she had brought along with her, "A spell, A kiss, A love" It was a racy romance with a witch who fell in love with a wizard, living as a muggle.

Quietly she turned the page and heard footsteps coming up from behind her. She knew it wasn't Chris because he slept in, Other than that, she really didn't care who it was.

"Well well, the new girl doesn't need her beauty sleep, does she? No early morning primping for first classes?" A cold drawl came from behind her in her ear.

Jumping, she lost grip of the book and it slid off the chair and onto the floor with a soft thump. She turned her head and found herself face to face with the blonde haired boy from the train.

"The 'New girl' Isn't all that high maintenance…and really doesn't care what others think of how she looks!" She replied, bending over the side of the chair to retrieve the book.

"Does she now? Well…I like that attitude…" He said with a grin. "The name's Draco…Draco Malfoy." He said holding out his hand.

"Victoria….Victoria Dyasear." She replied, slipping her hand into his. His touch was warm, yet still sent tingles up her spine. They increased when he brought her hand to his lips and kissed the back of her hand.

"Pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Dyasear."

Victoria stared at him. He was certainly being quite the gentleman. Far from the bastard she had a glimpse of on the train.

"Would you like me to show you around the castle and grounds maybe a little later after breakfast?" He asked her.

"Sure, that would be nice. Its such a big place…my old school in America wasn't NEARLY as big as this one!"

"Its really not that big once you get used to it…just watch out for Filch, the caretaker, his cat, Mrs. Norris, and Peeves, the poltergeist…And if you're going to sneak out, best make sure you don't get caught. Punishments are hell!"

Victoria had to just smile. She could sneak around no problem, she was after all the trouble-maker and party-go-er! "I think I have good enough sneaking abilities to not get caught, Malfoy…"

"Is that so? Well…why don't you PROOVE it and sneak out now? Before hours, before breakfast, right now, with me." He said challengingly.

"Ok, you're on. Lets go." She replied with a mad twinkle in her eye.

"Seriously?" Draco asked, his eyes widening. He honestly hadn't expected her to say yes…most girls wouldn't have the nerve.

"Don't look surprised…I'm not a complete good-girl." She said with a slight laugh.

"Could have fooled me…you don't look like one to break rules often…"

"Looks can be deceiving Malfoy…" She said with a wink then walked calmly, leisurely and confidently out into the corridor. He stayed there looking at where she disappeared in shock. This girl had DEFFINATLY caught his attention. His sights where on her…and he usually got what he wanted. Grinning, and deciding he would have her eventually, he got up and followed.

Mmmmmmmm

Harry stood by the windowsill in the common room, looking out over the great lake. In one hand a firewhiskey that another student smuggled him for a few spare galleons. In the other hand…was a photograph. In it were the smiling faces of Sirius, his mom, and his dad. Emotion clogged his throat when he glanced at it once more and he took another gulp of the drink. He never was a big drinker…some nights…he just need SOMETHING!

He thought of all that had been ripped from him just because of Voldemort. He took another sip.

Not only that, but Ron was being distant as ever, always busying himself with Hermione, and Ginny…well Ginny tried but she was leading a whole different life.

He heard soft footsteps approaching him but didn't bother looking up. For one- He was pretty much close to drunk and didn't feel like socializing, and two- he was so far in the shadows off to the side, he doubted whether anyone could see him anyways.

He heard the person, whoever it was, settle themselves on the couch. Considering the soft manner they did so, he assumed it was a girl. Great. The last thing he needed right now…

He shrank deeper into the shadows and heard the sound of a quill on parchment. It would start then stop. Then start again as if she was finding it hard to say what she wanted to say. Then there was a sniff. A small sob.

Oh dear Merlin! The girl was having an emotional break down! He was not going to stand here like an idiot, this girl obviously needed to be alone. He emerged from the shadows and saw the scared looking new girl looking back at him with wide eyes. Silently, he walked right passed her and started up the stair case. All he wanted was to be alone.

Or was it? Wasn't that why he had come down there in the first place? Because he was TIRED of being alone? Stopping, he slowly turned and stood right in front of her. She looked up from her tear-stained parchment.

"Are you Okay?" He asked her. Immediately she could tell he had been drinking, his speech was already slurring…and judging from the still not even half-empty container of fire-whiskey he didn't drink much. Drinkers couldn't drink that little…and have an effect already.

"Yeah…I'm…fine…" She managed to say. Then she wipped the tears embarrassed with the back of her hand and stood up in front of him. She hastily grabbed the bottle from him and looked him sternly in the eyes.

"I think you've have enough to drink, Mr. Potter…" She said quietly tossing the bottle into the fire. It hissed and sparked up immediately, consuming the alcohol, and staining the bottle black.

"Hey! I wasn't done with that!" Harry burst out angrily. This was not what he wanted right now. He didn't want another Hermione on his case.

"I think you were! Now go on up to bed. I'll be here all night, I can't sleep. If you so much as peek your head out of your dormitory door, I'll have to have you binded in your bed with a full body binder! Hear me?"

His eyes grew wide…This girl was intimidating! "Whatever" He scowled and marched off into his room. She didn't see him for the rest of the night.

Mmmmm

Chris and Victoria sat at the end of the Slytherin house table during breakfast.

"And WHY didn't you sleep well last night?" He asked her raising an eyebrow. "You should have gotten some sleep Vic, its our first day of classes!"

"I know but still…I just couldn't sleep." Victoria took a chance to glance in Draco's direction. He was in some conversation with another boy. He looked quite bored…that is until he looked over and grinned at Victoria. She smiled back then turned her attention back to Chris.

"What are you acting so weird about lately?" He glanced at Draco's direction then gave a sigh and leaned back "Of course…honestly Victoria, I thought you would actually MEET someone before setting your sights on someone! He could be a…a…follower of you-know-who! And he really doesn't seem like a good guy."

"What do you care?" She asked heatedly, her cheeks flushing, and her eyes flashing dangerously.

"I CARE because you're my best friend. That's why!" He retorted back.

"God Chris, I'm not a child anymore, I'm 16…and I'm going to do what I please!" She yelled throwing her napkin down and getting up, walking swiftly from the table.

Taryn barely noticed the outburst, as she was in a interestingly deep conversation at the Gryffindor table…..

A/N: review? Please? We've been up all night to get this up…and reviews would be nice!