The twins and I made our way off the train and onto the platform. We met their friend Lee Jordan and we all headed towards the carriages. Unlike Fred and George, Lee didn't seem to be very fond of me. It couldn't be helped; I was in their rival house after all. He was nice enough though. When we arrived at the carriages I stopped and stared.

The large winged horse was in front of the carriage again. It wasn't what you would think of when imagining a winged horse. Its face was expressionless and dragon like with sparkling eyes and sharps fangs. It had a bony body and instead of a regular feathered pair it had vast leathery wings, like those of a bat. On its head it held a long black mane that matched the color of its tail. It was an eerie creature but I couldn't look away.

"You okay?" George asked getting my attention off the creature. He was looking over at me with an anxious expression.

"Yeah…"

"Oh look it's the wannabe with her Gryffindor buddies" Pansy sneered as she walked towards me. Behind her were Draco, Crabbe, Goyle and Millicent. George made a face.

"Hey" I said to the Slytherin boys, ignoring her. Draco looked upset as he saw me standing with the three Gryffindors. He made a face too. I was about to ask him what was wrong when the creature made a sound. I turned back to the skeleton figure and couldn't help but gaze at it; and it stared back. It was sinister yet somehow beautiful in its own way…

"What are you doing?" I looked over at the voice to see Draco wearing the same worried look as George. Pansy wasn't happy. "What are you staring at?"

"The… carriage. I just think they're pretty." I turned back to the creature. It was still looking at me. I had been able to see them since the first year but no one else had told me they could too. Still every time I saw them I was pulled into a sort of trance and I couldn't look away

"Maybe you should go get your head checked" Pansy scorned. Everyone stared like they agreed but were too nice to say so

"Alright everyone, hurry along, into carriages" Percy, the twins' older brother, yelled.

"Come on, let's go" George said coming to stand next to me.

"Alright. See you in the Great Hall" I said to Draco as I got on. The twins didn't say much of anything else on the ride there. We crossed the gate into Hogwarts and saw Dementors standing on either side of it.

"Those things creep me out" Lee said looking out at the creatures

"They creep everyone out" Fred said looking out too. George however was still staring at me, probably worried at why I had been acting so strange when I saw the winged horses.

Either way, we made it safely passed the Dementors and into the Entrance Hall. I said goodbye to the Gryffindors and headed to my own table. It wasn't long before Draco arrived and sat next to me. He made a face, probably still annoyed I had chosen to be with the twins over him. I smiled in return and looked to the front, where the sorting was about to start. Like last year, we watched as little first years joined their different houses. Everyone seemed pleased with where they were placed in their new house.

Daphne's sister Astoria joined us at the Slytherin table. She was cute and I was glad she had been sorted here. I had met her a few times before on some visits to the Greengrass Manor and had learned enough to know that she was really hoping for Slytherin. Astoria didn't talk much but in Slytherin the only people who did only seemed to make snide remarks. We welcomed her and once the sorting was over, everyone settled down. Professor Flitwick carried the ancient hat out of the room and from the corner of my eye I saw Harry and Hermione sneak into the Hall.

"Maybe Potter was hiding from the Dementors" Draco sneered as people around us laughed. Apparently Harry had some trouble with the Dementor in the train and had fainted for a short time. And Draco, of course, was taking advantage of this as much as he could. Now he had something to make Harry truly embarrassed

In the front, Professor Dumbledore began his yearly speech. He warned us of the Dementors; as if we didn't already know to stay away from them. I turned to Draco who was staring at our Headmaster, irritated. He was still angry with Professor Dumbledore over his father's dismissal from the Board of Governors. Personally I thought his dismissal was Mr. Malfoy's own fault but I wouldn't mention that to Draco. The truth was I liked our Headmaster. He was kind and cared for his students.

This year we also had a few new members to the Hogwarts staff. Since two professors had left our school last year we got two more replacements. Our new Care of Magical Creatures professor was announced to be Hagrid, our gamekeeper. He looked very happy to be given the opportunity and there were many cheers from him; none cheered louder than the Gryffindors.

"No wonder" Draco grumbled next to me. "Only an idiot like him would give us a book that wanted to eat us"

"Just give him a chance; maybe it won't be so bad." He gave me a dubious look before turning back to the Headmaster.

For Defense Against the Dark Arts we got a brand new member, Professor Lupin. There was slight applause but it wasn't much. Draco didn't seem fond of our new professor and neither did Professor Snape. He watched Professor Lupin with a look that could only be described as pure hatred. I had only seen him give that look to one other person, Harry.

"Let the feast begin!"

It was a fun feast. Much like years before we sat and talked and ate. Draco mocked Harry. Pansy and I gave each other death glares. Crabbe and Goyle ate more food than I thought possible. It was simple and nice. Soon enough we made our way to the dungeon where we sat around once more in the common room. After a while Daphne and I went up to our room to play with Lev and left the rest of them downstairs. She sat down with my puppy while I went to get a brush for his fur

"So I see you brought Draco's necklace with you" Daphne mentioned looking at the chain hanging from my neck. I smiled as I pulled out the red gem from under my robes.

"Yeah I thought it was really nice and I loved it" I told her as I made my way back to my bed where she was playing with Lev. He seemed to be even more fond of her now than he had been last year. I handed her the brush curious to see if Lev would let her brush his hair. To my surprise he did

"It suits you" Daphne said with a grin, copying the words Draco had said to me. I had, of course, told her what we talked about at the party and she was not surprised to hear he put so much thought into a present for me. "I still can't believe you can't tell"

"Tell what? Why do you keep saying that?" I asked a little annoyed but she simply gave me an impish look and turned back to my puppy. Ever since my birthday party Daphne had been saying how surprised she was I hadn't noticed. How funny it was that I couldn't see it. I had no idea what she meant but she never bothered to tell me when I asked. Draco had seemed to notice her say this too and was even more annoyed by her comments than I was. I wonder why he's acting like that…

"So like I was saying," Pansy nearly screamed as she and Millicent walked into the room. "She does not belong in Slytherin. Might as well just kick her out now." She then turned to us and did her best fake embarrassed expression. She was as good an actress as she was sweet, which was not at all. "Oh I am so sorry. I had no idea you would be here. I was talking about someone else of course. No need to worry."

"So, like I was saying," Daphne said trying to ignore Pansy. "I just think it's wonderful that Draco gave you so many nice things. You know because he cares about you so much and all. He really does, doesn't he? Well it's no wonder since you two have known each other for so long." I got the feeling she was purposely emphasizing certain words to anger Pansy. It was working.

"Oh please," Pansy replied, "like I care about that. He probably just gave you the first old dirty thing he could find in his attic."

"Are you saying he cared enough to give me a family heirloom?" I tried to keep a serious face but her expression was priceless. I could tell it angered her that I had outsmarted, which was something not many people were able to do.

"You know, in some cultures that would mean you were married." Daphne said matter-of-factly as she continued to brush Lev's fur. I couldn't tell which of them looked happier

"Oh and by the way," I said turning to Pansy again, "you mean his cellar. Draco's house doesn't have an attic." It bothered her that I knew this; that much I could tell. However, I still didn't understand why it bothered her so much that I was his friend. Maybe she just wished she knew him as well as I did. Still, it was funny to use it against her. While normally I at least pretended to be nice but Pansy had pushed me one too many times. Therefore it was no longer my fault that I purposely upset her; it was her own.

After a few more snide comments to each other we all became tired and decided to head for bed. I drifted off to the thought of what this new year might bring. With all the new classes and students there was bound to be some excitement. Hopefully nothing bad would happen this year…