"My dad told me History of Magic was the most boring class at Hogwarts," Kylie grumbled as they left Herbology and headed for the History of Magic class. Herbology was definitely not her subject. Nor were any so far for that matter. She just didn't have the skill her brother had.

"Yes," Veronica said, "But there is a new teacher this year."

"What's that got to do with it?" Parker asked, "It's history. It's going to be boring either way. Why do we have to learn that stuff anyway? It's the past."

"We learn it so we do not make the same mistakes as past generations," Daniella said softly, "I think it sounds rather interesting."

"You would," Parker mumbled.

Veronica shot a "Shut Up," look at her and turned to Daniella. "I think it will be cool too," she said smiling. Daniella smiled back.

"I have to agree with Parker," Kylie said shrugging, "The past is the past."

"Thank you," Parker said smiling as they walked into the classroom. It was already almost full. The girls were forced to sit separately. Daniella and Veronica picked seats in the front by Annabel and Levinia, but decided to stay with the other girls until the teacher arrived. Parker and Kylie ended up in the back, right next to Parker's favorite people.

"Sunshine," Orion said smiling.

"I see you're in a better mood today, Black, but I'm sure I can fix that if you want."

Orion smirked. "Yes, I am and my day is only going to get better."

Parker raised her eyebrows. James smiled. "Don't worry, Keowen," he said softly, "The prank isn't on you, today."

"Let us emphasize the today," Shane said.

"But who knows about tomorrow," Jeff said grinning.

"Ooohh," Parker said, "I'm scared."

"Please don't be mean to us," Kylie said in a childish voice.

"Oh what ever will we do?" Parker asked, acting as though she was going to faint.

The boys scowled at her and Kylie, but then James smiled. "Nothing can ruin my good mood today, little sister and you'll find out why at lunch."

At that moment a side door to the room opened. Veronica and Daniella scrambled over to their seats. A short, thin woman of about thirty stepped out. She had light brown hair that fell loosely down her back and soft hazel eyes. She was smiling kindly.

"Hello class," she said, "My name is Tru Miller. You may call me Professor Miller of Professor M, whichever you like better." She smiled at the class and then took out a piece of parchment. "When I call you name, please say here."

She went through the list, smiling at each student. "Well," she said when she was done, "Let's get started shall we. I don't think we will be doing any actual work today." There were some excited whispers through the class.

Professor Miller smiled. "I am just going to tell you what to expect for the upcoming year. The first semester will deal with the history of England's magical population and a bit of interesting events in other countries, mainly America, Egypt and France," she continued, "And the second semester will deal with more recent events in our history, such as the First and Second War of He Who Must Not Be Named."

There were a few whispers through out the classroom. Veronica stared at them curiously. Who was He Who Must Not Be Named? she thought. She looked around and noticed that Parker, Daniella and Shane were looking confused as well.

"There will also be a project second semester," Professor Miller continued, shaking Veronica from her thoughts, "It will require you to make a family tree of sorts. We will trace back your ancestors to see if you are related to any famous witches or wizards."

Kylie snorted and Veronica looked at her curiously. Parker made to say something but Professor Miller seemed to know what she was going to ask. "Even Muggleborns generally have some witch or wizard in their ancestry if they go back far enough."

The bell rang, signaling the end of the period. Veronica got up and headed out the door with Daniella. Parker and Kylie were waiting outside.

"Lunch," Parker said grinning.

"Parker, don't tell me you didn't like History of Magic," Veronica said.

"It was okay," Parker said shrugging, "But I am glad it's lunch time. It's been a rough day."

"Rough, on me maybe," Kylie said, "And the rest of us, but not you. You've been good at every subject we've had. It's ridiculous. You didn't even grow up around magic."

"What can I say?" Parker said, "I'm just naturally talented."

Kylie groaned and Veronica laughed. "Well, next we have Defense Against the Dark Arts," Kylie said smiling, "Think you'll be good at that?"

"You know it."

"Oh no," Veronica said stopping and looking through her bag, "I knew I forgot something. I must have left my notebook back in the dormitory. I better go back and get it."

"Do you want us to come with you?" Kylie asked.

"No, go on ahead. I'll meet you there."

"Yes!" Parker said grinning, "I like you Nicci, but I'm starved."

Veronica laughed and started walking toward the dormitories. She found her notebook lying on her bed. Thank God, she thought. She grabbed it and headed down to the Great Hall.

As she walked her mind wandered to her mother. It was driving her insane about her mother's past. She had to know what happened. She was shaken from her thoughts when the stairs beneath her begin to move. She quickly grabbed the handrail and prayed for it to stop.

The second the stairs stopped moving Veronica practically ran down them. However, to her annoyance, she found herself in an unfamiliar corridor. She debated with herself on whether to go back up the stairs and decided against it. I'll take my chances here where I know I can't go falling a few stories, she thought.

She looked around the corridors and found herself shivering. It was freezing. I must be by the dungeons, she thought, as she began to walk. The paintings on the walls looked a lot less pleasant than ones in other parts of the castle and they were whispering among themselves. She was starting to get scared.

A banging noise sounded behind her. She jumped and began to walk faster. She turned to see if whatever it was that made the noise was behind her. Nothing. She turned the corner quickly and smacked into something hard, knocking her books everywhere.

"Lovely," Veronica said bending down and picking up the books.

"I'm sorry," a voice said picking up a book and handing it to her.

She stared at the boy in surprise. It was Tristian Malfoy. "That's alright," Veronica said staring at him curiously, "It was just a few books and no harm done."

"I didn't just mean that," Tristian said, "I meant about my dad yesterday. He gets carried away sometimes and I'm afraid he hates Gryffindors."

Veronica eyed him suspiciously. This is so strange, she thought. "It's alright. What about you?"

"What do you mean?" Tristian asked.

"Do you hate Gryffindors?"

Tristian laughed. "No, I don't," he said softly, "But my dad sure wishes I did."

Veronica stared at him. She wasn't sure whether or not to believe him. He seemed nice enough, but Kylie had already told her a lot of stories about the Malfoy family, none were particularly good.

"Are you going to the Great Hall?" Tristian asked, jolting her from her thoughts.

"Yes," Veronica said, "But I'm afraid I got lost."

Tristian smiled. "Hogwarts tends to do that to people. Come on, I'll show you the way."

Veronica nodded and fell into step with him as he walked. She turned to look at him. He doesn't seem so bad, she thought.

"So," Veronica said softly, "How come you don't hate Gryffindors?"

Tristian turned to look at her. "I don't know," he said shrugging, "I guess because I don't buy into the "Purebloods should rule the World" campaign my dad is selling. I mean, nobody really believes that stuff anymore."

"I bet you father isn't too pleased with that seeing as how he hates all non purebloods and all," Veronica said, but immediately wished she hadn't. "Sorry, I didn't mean that to sound rude."

Tristian just smiled. "Don't worry about it," he said, "After all, it's true. He can't stand that his only son isn't a Muggleborn hater. He is constantly going on about how I need to be more like a Malfoy. That's why he made me some new friends."

"Snape?" Veronica asked.

"Yes," Tristian said scowling, "Sorry about him too."

"That's alright," Veronica, said, "So is that why you hang out with them?"

"Yes. Father's orders."

"Why don't you just tell your father you don't want to hang out with them?" Veronica asked.

"Here we are," Tristian said. He pointed toward the open doors of the Great Hall. "Well, I better let you go in by yourself. Being seen with me would not go over too well with your Gryffindor friends." He gave her the famous Malfoy smirk, before turning and walking back down the corridor they had just come from.

Veronica watched his retreating back. What's up with him, she thought. For a minute there, he was a normal kid and then he turned back into that rude little jerk like his friends.

She sighed and walked into the Great Hall. She noticed her friends sitting in the middle of the table and went to take a seat by them.

"Hey, what happened?" Kylie asked as Veronica sat down.

"We were starting to worry."

"You were starting to worry," Parker said, "I knew Nicci could handle herself. So where were you?"

"I got lost on my way back," Veronica said, "Those wretched moving staircases."

"How'd you find your way back?" Kylie asked.

Veronica shrugged, "Just lucky I guess." She wasn't sure why she had lied to her friends. After all, she had nothing to hide, but then again, she also knew that talking with a Slytherin was not a good thing when you were a Gryffindor.

Parker eyed her suspiciously. "Really?" .

"Yep," Veronica said as she started piling food onto her plate. Kylie and Daniella did not seem to notice anything, but Parker clearly did. She had to change the subject. "So has your brother done anything yet?" As the words came out of her mouth, she got her answer.

There was shouting coming from the Slytherin table. Food was flying everywhere. It was though it had come alive. The Slytherins were ducking and trying to get out of the way, but it was no use. The food kept pelting them, wherever they tried to hide.

"Ovilda," Professor Weasley shouted. However, the food started pelting her too. She ducked and moved away quickly. It took the teachers a good fifteen minutes to fix the problem. By then, all of the Slytherins and teachers were covered in food and all of the other houses were laughing with hysterics. Sirius was smiling and wiping food off his face.

"How'd you like that?" Orion asked, grinning. He and the boys had moved over by the girls during all the chaos.

"Even you have to admit it was good, Keowen," James said grinning.

Parker shrugged. "Not bad."

Kylie was smiling. "Dad is going to know it was you," she said laughing.

James smiled. "That's probably true."

"But the question isn't did we do it," Shane said grinning, "It's can he prove it?"

"And the answer to that is no," Jeff said.

"Are you sure about that?" Veronica asked, "Because here comes Professor Malfoy."

The boys turned to look. Veronica could feel herself getting worried. He already hated her. All she needed was for him to think she was in on it with the boys.

"Black, Potter, Weasley," Professor Malfoy said coldly, "You wouldn't happen to know who is responsible for this?"

"Nope," James said smiling.

"Not a clue," Orion replied.

"No idea," Jeff said.

Professor Malfoy leaned in, his eyes glaring dangerously. "I know you had something to do with this. It is exactly something your fathers would have done. You may have gotten away with it this time, but I will catch you." He glared once more at the boys and then at the girls, before he turned on his heel and left.

"Somebody's in a bad mood," Orion said.

"Well, we have to go now," James said grinning.

"Enjoy the mashed potatoes," Shane said winking.

The boys smiled and left. "What is that supposed to mean?" Kylie asked. She stared curiously at Parker when she ducked under the table.

"Duck," Parker said.

"What..." Kylie began, but there was no time for her to finish.

The bowl of mashed potatoes in front of them exploded, sending it all over the girls. Everyone at the table began to laugh.

"I am going to kill them," Kylie said furiously, wiping a clump masked potatoes off her face.

"I tried to warn you."

"I can't believe that. Can't they ever just leave us alone? What did we do?" Veronica said angrily.

"Why don't you shut up!" Kylie yelled furiously at the laughing people.

"I told you they would get us back for Parker painting their room," Daniella said quietly, while wiping potatoes off herself.

"Oh and we are going to get them back for this," Veronica fumed.

"Bloody yes we are!" Parker said smiling. "Kylie, Dani, you in?"

"You know it," Kylie said grinning.

Parker turned her attention to Daniella and smiled. "Come on, you know you want to."

Daniella shifted uncomfortably. "I don't think..."

"Well, we know that," Parker said grinning, "And we are so glad you decided to join in."

"But I...I didn't, you can't, its not right, I..." Daniella stuttered.

"We'll have to plan it out later," Veronica said glancing at the clock, "We've got Defense Against the Dark Arts in ten minutes." She was so angry, she paid no attention to Daniella's objections and it seemed like Kylie and Parker didn't either. Veronica had made up her mind. She was going to get them back.

"Let's go," Kylie said grabbing her bag.

"So, what do you think about Defense Against the Dark Arts, Parker," Kylie asked as they walked through the crowded halls. "Think you'll like it better than History of Magic?"

Veronica listened for a while to their conversation. However, after a few minutes her mind began to wander. She glanced through the crowds trying to pick out people she knew.

She noticed Snape immediately, surrounded by a large group of Slytherins. He in the middle of the crowd, talking animatedly. Whatever it was, it must have pleased him because a smirk was permanently plastered on his face. She didn't recognize most of the people he was talking to. Must be older, she thought. Next to Snape was his friend, Crabbe, or bodyguard depending on how you looked at it.

Veronica let her eyes pass over the group. She stopped when she saw Tristian. He was standing on the edge leaning against the wall. A girl was talking to him. His eyes were closed and he seemed not to be paying any attention to her at all.

Tristian Malfoy was a strange boy, but for some reason, she couldn't help but wonder about him. He seemed so sad and yet, well, she wasn't sure what. One moment he was one person and the next he was someone entirely different.

She sighed and glanced back at her friends. Kylie and Parker were arguing good-naturedly. She looked back at Tristian. As she turned, he looked up at her. The girl looked over at her too. She blushed and turned around quickly.

"What are you blushing about?" Kylie asked, jolting her from her thoughts. Parker was looking suspicious again.

"I..." Veronica began. She breathed with relief when the door to the classroom opened. "We better go in," she continued as she walked inside. The other girls followed. Luckily, they found four seats together in the front. Veronica smiled as the boys took a seat in the back. At least we won't have to deal with them, she thought.

Professor Potter walked in moments later. He reminded Veronica greatly of James. He had jet-black hair, that looked as though it had never seen a comb and emerald green eyes that were sparkling happily, behind wire rimmed glasses.

"Hello class," Professor Potter said grinning. He took out a sheet of parchment and began reading off names.

When he finished, he looked up at the class. "Well, today we will be practicing the ever so useful and relatively simple Disarming Spell."

"Is it true you used that on He Who Must Not Be Named?" Annabel interrupted.

Who is this He Who Must Not Be Named guy? Veronica thought. That's the second time I've heard someone say that.

"Yes and no," Professor Potter said grinning, "And in this class we will be calling him by his proper name, which is Voldemort."

Veronica heard some gasps. He Who Must Not Be Named is Voldemort, she thought. But what's so great about him? She debated with herself about asking, but she was too embarrassed. Everyone else seemed to know who he was.

"Who's Voldemort?" Shane asked loudly from the back. Veronica smiled. Finally, Shane was making himself useful.

"Ah," Harry said sighing, "I'd forgotten that not everyone knows who Voldemort is." Several people shifted uncomfortably at the name. Veronica stared at them curiously. "Voldemort was the darkest wizard of all time. He had an extremely large grudge against all Muggleborns and Muggles. Well, really, he hated anyone who was not pure blooded. He went around and gathered a lot of followers, called Death Eaters. With his army, he killed and tortured thousands of non-purebloods as well as anyone who got in his way."

Death Eaters, Veronica thought. Hadn't Kylie mentioned something about Professor Malfoy being a former Death Eater? Makes since, seeing as how he hates Muggleborns too. Of course, he'd be in jail if he killed people, wouldn't he?

"And you stopped him, right Dad," James said smiling.

"Yes, I did with the help of several others. Voldemort had been after me since the day I was born. A prophecy said that I was the only one who could defeat him."

"So that's why you're so famous," Parker said.

Veronica glanced at her. "I got his card in one of my chocolate frogs," Parker whispered to her.

Professor Potter smiled. "Yes, I am the boy who lived and the man who defeated Lord Voldemort." The bell rang loudly. "Well, I guess Disarming Spells will be for later then."

Veronica got up slowly and grabbed her things. Wow, she thought. I can't believe Kylie's dad did all that.

"Transfiguration, here we come," Parker said as they left.

"Don't remind me," Kylie groaned, "Just another subject for me to suck at."

Parker laughed. "Very true, but it's another one for me to be good at."

"Well, Miss Conceited," Kylie said smirking, "I think you'd fit in better with my brother and his friends, with a head that big."

Parker scowled. "Never," she said, pretending to throw up, "They are such jerks."

Veronica smiled. "Yeah, being nice is overrated though, remember?" She and Kylie burst out laughing.

"What is so funny?" Parker asked as they entered the Transfiguration room.

Kylie and Veronica continued to laugh as they sat down. They didn't stop until the bell rang, which earned them several strange looks from the Hufflepuffs, who they had class with.

Professor Weasley entered moments later. She smiled pleasantly at the class, which was quite a difference from the expression she'd worn at the Sorting. Veronica decided she liked this expression much better. Then again, she also had a feeling that Professor Weasley was going to be a strict teacher. "Good afternoon, class."

"Good afternoon, Mum," Jeff shouted giving her a wave.

Professor Weasley held back a smile. "It is Professor Weasley in class, Jeffery," she said sternly. "Now, Transfiguration is a difficult class. We will begin with changing this match into a needle. It may seem simple, but don't let that fool you. This is one of the hardest branches of magic. You will use the matches on your desks. Please begin. I will take attendance as you work."

Veronica turned to look at her match. She scowled. This was not going to be fun. Thirty minutes into class, she was getting highly annoyed. Her match wasn't changing at all.

"Hey," Kylie said poking Veronica in the shoulder, "Look, I think I did it."

Veronica turned to look at her. Sure enough, her match looked like a needle. She glanced over to see Daniella still working. Her match hadn't changed either. She noticed Parker was staring off into space.

"Parker," Kylie said grinning and pointing at her new needle, "Look, I did it."

Parker smiled and picked up her match to show it was a needle as well. "Yeah, me too."

"Stop raining on my parade," Kylie said grinning, "I am finally good at something."

"Nice work Miss Potter and Miss Keowen," Professor Weasley said smiling as she walked by.

Veronica turned back to her match and glared at it. It remained a match the rest of the period. "That sucked," Veronica said as they left the room and headed back to their dormitories.

"I like it," Kylie said smiling.

"That's because your match actually changed," Veronica said.

"Don't worry, Nicci. Not many people's changed. Only Kylie, Parker, and Orion made needles. At least yours was somewhat pointy."

"Plus, you can't all be talented, like Kylie and myself," Parker said grinning.

Veronica swung at her playfully. Parker dodged it easily. "You're going to have to do better than that, Nicci. I've been in many fights and I've yet to lose a single one."

Veronica laughed at the thought of little Parker beating someone up. Then again, perhaps it wasn't that hard to believe.