Hello everyone! I realize I didn't do an author's note for the last chapter so here you go! This chapter will be in Briar's point of view. VERY important note, make sure you review with ideas because if you guess what will happen…Well, nothing will happen, but you can feel great about yourself for being creative? The first excerpt of this chapter is just something I read online that was a theory on how magic began and I thought it was cool so I added some of my thoughts and went with it. Anyway, onward my fellow HP fans!

Briar POV

The origins of magic have been a complex discussion since the beginning of time. For centuries, the source of magic has been questioned over and over again as many try to get to the bottom of where it all started. There are many that believe magic just simply existed, but there are others that believe magic came from special forces within nature and magic was a gift to those that completed good deeds that helped nature and its creatures thrive.

With this thought in mind, many believe that the only way to become close to those forces is to become one's purest form; one with nature. Some theorize that being an Animagus is one's purest form, yet all Animagi that participated in a study were unsuccessful in experiencing the rare magic in question. While this does not confirm nor deny a wizard or witch's magical strength based on their Animagus form, the study was inconclusive in proving the Animagus within them was the source of an increase in strength due to their emotional state.

Many centuries ago, there were tales of witches and wizards that were able to utilize power from their emotions. However, as with all magic, there is a danger of overstepping the line between light and dark. While there are no witches or wizards known that have this ability, it doesn't stop me from wondering if they do exist. If a witch or wizard is able to harness their emotional powers, they may one day be able to…

I go to turn the page even though I know the rest is torn out. I fold the pages back up and stuff them back into my school bag and huff out a sigh of frustration. The pages were a gift left to me by my mother in her will after her and my father were murdered at the hands of Voldemort. They suffered a fate worse than death from what Dumbledore told me. He still refuses to tell me what actually happened, but I know that these pages have something to do with their murder. I have been trying to figure out what my powers have to do with me being able to help stop Voldemort, but without the rest of the pages…

"Oh no, is her Royal Highness stressed? You're stressed, aren't you? You're doing that thing with your forehead where it scrunches up to look like a new born Hippogriff's ass." Grace sits down across from me at the Slytherin table. Well, sit wouldn't be the best word to use as she is practically vibrating where she sits. I neatly fold my hands on the table and look at her with an inquisitive look as I try to theorize what's wrong with her in my head. Finally, coming to a conclusion with a purse of my lips, I open my mouth and start to list my conclusions.

"First of all, I'm going to stay away from asking how you know what a new born Hippogriff's ass looks like. Second of all, again with the titles? Really? Do I look anything like royalty to you? Lastly, what the bloody hell did you drink this morning that has you buzzing so much? You could glow in the dark brighter than a Hinkypunk with all the energy you're producing from your vibrations." Grace lets out a chuckle and waves her hand at me in a dismissive way before leaning forward towards me as more students file into the Great Hall.

"Briar, you know my father works with magical creatures. Let's just say last summer was very educational about the miracle of Hippogriffs. As for the royalty, you have a thing for a certain Prince here at Hogwarts so it's only a matter of time before you're dubbed the Princess of Slytherin. Don't deny it, your eyes have been glancing back and forth at him since the second you sat down." I blush and look down at the table and think about the meetings I've been having with Draco for the past two weeks. Almost every day, he has come to surprise me in the Room of Requirement to let out his thoughts and frustrations. I'm sure he is only comfortable letting his deepest thoughts out because he thinks my Animagus isn't real. If he knew it was me he was confiding in…I shiver and tune back in as she continues. "And I drank a lot of Pumpkin Juice, but I put a little something extra in it so I can stay awake for Umbridge's class. Well, saying it's a class is a joke because we both know the only thing that woman is teaching is how to handle pain in her pink torture room. Have you seen how many cats are in that room?" Grace stops speaking to widen her eyes at me dramatically before whispering "So many eyes" at me.

I let out a laugh and shake my head at her foolishness. Without her, I probably would have died from a stress induced heart attack after this past year. My smile slips a little as I think about Cedric. He was only two years older than me. That could just as easily be me within the next year if I don't start to harness my powers. My sessions with Dumbledore haven't been as successful as I would hope.

Grace places her hand on my still folded hands and gives me a sympathetic smile as her hazel eyes bear into my soul.

"It's okay to miss him. He was a great guy in the time you got to know him. Be grateful you got to know him even if it was only for a few months before he died." I think to all the time we could have had if my mother hadn't kept me away from him. She always said there was a time and place, but that it wasn't time to meet him. She was always a mysterious woman.

My mother was Helena Turner who married Cedric's father, Amos, right after school and had Ced. When Ced was almost two, she fell pregnant with me and decided she loved my father more than Amos and left him. She still tried to be a part of Cedric's life, but Amos didn't want her around as much after she chose to marry Ben, my father. Ben Griffin was a very famous Auror and quickly made allies in the highest ranks of the Ministry with his personality. I'm sure that is what lead to him becoming a target for the Dark Lord.

"Look at the two sad little faces. Sadness is not welcomed in Slytherin, little girls. If you're going to have a heart to heart, go over to the Gryffindor table. I'm sure they'll welcome an orphan and a blood traitor with open arms." Pansy bloody Parkinson. I could feel my magic crackling under my skin like electricity waiting to be unleashed. I kept my head facing forward so her smirking face wouldn't get the satisfaction of seeing my anger starting to slowly build.

"I'm sorry, did you mean to speak to us? Last I checked, you only speak to proper assholes who care more about your daddy's money than you." I know it was a low blow to say she was only attractive to Slytherin pureblood families for her money, but she made an indirect insult about my family. I could almost feel her smirk fall from her face.

"Why you little bitch! At least I have a family! You're nothing but an orphaned charity case because your brother was probably too incompetent to defend himself. That's what happened, huh? He wasn't killed by the Dark Lord, was he? He was killed by his own stupidity!"

A collective gasp seemed to be heard around the Great Hall as the entire room joined in a mutual hush to hear what I would say next. I could feel a pair of blue eyes on the side of my face as I felt my eyes flash quickly, but I know he saw it. He was too observant for his own good. I placed my hands on the table and slowly stood to face her smirk that had made its way back onto her ugly, pug face. I take a deep breath and try to control my anger, but I know my response was going to feel like knives going into her stomach.

I wish I had a knife right now…

Once I have control of myself, I push the words through my lips with a low and harsh tone that would make even the Dark Lord jealous.

"Don't you ever let my brother's name fall from your disgusting lips ever again, you poor excuse of a witch. I may be an orphan, but at least I'm not a soul sucking whore that only has money to make her attractive. I'm sure a Dementor would have fun with you since you're already an empty shell, but please, test me again and we can see just how long you'd last against one very quickly. It would be an absolute pleasure to watch one suck out the very miniscule amount of happiness you have in your body until you go completely mad." I stand still with my shoulders very tense while she looks at me in horror. I can sense the pride coming off of most of the room as many have been at the mercy of Parkinson over the years, but I feel disgust with myself for stooping to her level. I shove past her and make sure my shoulder hits her hard. She stumbles out of the way and I stalk towards Dumbledore's office with purpose.

It's about time someone gives me the answers I deserve.