We arrived at King's Cross at 10:34 and the train left at 10:45. We were all hurrying to get to the platform. Of course I'd heard all about the magic barrier, but a part of me hopes the barrier wouldn't work.

None of this was supposed to happen. I didn't mean to stay with the Potters and I certainly hadn't meant to like them.

Also if the barrier closed then Albus would run into a wall.

Unfortunately as the other Wotters who were attending Hogwarts went through the wall it became clear the barrier was not malfunctioning and we were going to be able to get through.

"Your turn." Lily said. I ran straight at the wall and passed through it with ease. Lily followed, then Ginny.

"You better hurry up or you'll not get a compartment." Mr. Potter, it didn't feel right to call him Harry, although he had told me I could.

All the Wotters, plus me, hurried to get on the train and load our trunks. We waved to the parents and then went to look for a compartment.

Dom, Lucy, and Freddie went to the Prefect's compartment and Albus went off to Merlin knows where, Lily went to find her friends and Rose and I stood there awkwardly. James kissed me on the cheek, then left and Rose and I rolled our eyes.

"C'mon, lets find a compartment."

So that was easier said than done. Most of them were full to the brim.

I saw a compartment with only one boy in it. "Over her Rose." I called her over.

I opened the door and the blonde haired boy looked up.

"Do you mind if we sit here? Everywhere else is full." I said.

He looked confused. Rose appeared behind me. Her smile dropped when she saw the boy.

"Attie, we can find somewhere else." She tugged on my arm. What was their deals?

"Everywhere else is full. Do you mind?" I asked, not waiting for his answer.

"Sure." He muttered. Rose stood for a second then sat down next to me.

"I'm Atria and this is Rose." I said after a few awkward moments of silence.

"Right." He looked at Rose. "I'm Scorpius."

"Right." She looked at me with dread.

"Are you new?" He asked me.

"Yep, I'm staying with Rose's cousins." I said.

"I'm sorry." He said, the corner of his mouth turning up. She huffed indignantly and was no doubt about to say some nasty comment about his family.

"Oh come on, don't be childish. So you're a Malfoy and a Weasley and I'm staying with the Potters. Get over it. Both of you." I said sternly. They both looked down. The Scorpius looked up.

His eyes were a beautiful grey and he was definitely cute. And a pureblood, so my mother would approve. Yet I really didn't care.

"How did you know I was a Malfoy?" He asked.

"Blonde hair, grey eyes, rivalry with Wotters. Who else?" I shrugged. And I had met his grandfather who talked about what a disappointment his son and grandson were.

We sat in an uncomfortable silence for a few minutes.

"So… tell me about Hogwarts." I said to no one in particular. Rose and Scorpius looked at each other for a moment.

"Well," Scorpius started off, "My favorite subject is Charms."

"Mine as well." Rose cut in. She looked shocked that they agreed on something. "Professor Divet is wonderful." She muttered.

"Yea, he is." Scorpius nodded. "And Potions is great." This time Rose made a face and shook her head.

"Definitely Arithmancy." Rose countered Scorpius and he made a face.

"What about Care of Magical Creatures? Your mum said a friend taught that." I told Rose.

"Yea, Hagrid's great." She smiled. "But I'm not taking it this year."

"Me either. It doesn't have a lot of practical uses." Scorpius said.

"So what classes are you taking? I still have to sign up for all my classes. I'll probably have to do some tests to figure out placement. That's what your mum said." I shrugged. I was an excellent witch and a master at making potions.

"I'm taking Charms, Arithmancy, Transfiguration, Potions, Divination, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Herbology, Astronomy, and History of Magic." Scorpius shrugged. Damn, that sounded like a lot.

"Same except for I'm not taking Divination. I'm taking Ancient Runes." Rose smiled. Over the past few weeks I had discovered that Rose found boring things very interesting.

"DADA, Charms, Transfiguration, Astronomy, History of Magic, Herbology, and Potions are core classes that you have to take. Muggle Studies, Divination, Arithmancy, Ancient Runes, and Care of Magical Creatures are elective classes that you can take after second year. Sixth year we can drop classes that we don't want to take N.E.W.T's in." Scorpius explained.

"In sixth year we can take apparition classes and alchemy." Rose continued. There should be a book for all this.

"So what should I take?" I asked.

Scorpius shrugged. "Depends on what you want to do."

"In fifth year we get counseling by McGonagall. She'll go through what is it you like to do and find some job that fits." Rose said. "A bunch of my cousins have been through it."

"All fifty of them." Scorpius said snidely. Rose glared at him and he winced. "Sorry, habit." He muttered looking down at his hands. Rose rolled her eyes.

"Well, I want to take Care of Magical Creatures." I said. Scorpius raised his eyebrows and Rose shrugged as if to say "your funeral". "It'll be fun. I like animals."

This continued for a half an hour until I had to go to the bathroom. Rose and Scorpius looked alarmed when I told them I would be leaving them in the compartment on their own for a few minutes.

Rose was not happy with Atria. How could she leave her alone with Malfoy. He wasn't saying anything and the whole thing was so awkward. He stared at his hands, his blonde hair falling into his eyes.

He was sort of attractive. This is, if you liked the pretty boy look. He was well dressed and his hair had been neatly combed to the side and his face beautiful, almost angelic.

"So," Rose said slowly. He glanced up. His eyes. Add that to list of his body parts that were gorgeous.

"You don't like potions?"

She started in surprised. He remembered?

"Well, I'm pretty good at the theory of it all but doing it is a bit more difficult. There's so many things to keep track of. Spir clockwise, add this, add that, mash it up a bit. I always seem to lose a step." She flushed. Should she really be telling her enemy about her weaknesses.

"Maybe you need a better partner." He said.

"What do you mean?"

"Someone who keeps track of all the steps instead of expecting you to do all the work." He flashed her a quickly grin. Add perfect teeth to that list.

She was about to respond when the compartment door opened. Only it wasn't Atria it was Al.

"Malfoy." Albus acknowledged with a head nod.

"Potter."

Rose looked between them. There had been words and pranks exchanged in the past.

"Did you need something?" Rose asked, a blush creeping into her fair cheeks. It clashed with her bright red hair.

"Just saying hello." Al sat down. Rose glared at him. He ignored her. "So… why are you sitting together?" He asked bluntly. Rose gasped.

"Albus!" She screeched.

"What? It's just a question." He muttered.

"Yea, a rude one."

Scorpius grinned at the interaction. Rose wasn't… completely horrid.

"It's okay." He said. Al smirked at Rose. "So you're a seeker." Scorpius commented.

"You're a chaser." Al responded.

Okay they haven't killed each other yet, Rose thought. This is good.

"So Quidditch." Rose said. "I wonder if Atria plays." She mused.

"Well, we only have a beater spot open." Al smirked. But Rose noticed that he did think Atria would be in Gryffindor. Rose wasn't so sure.

He could see her being in any of the houses except for Hufflepuff. She could be nice but she was also sarcastic and witty, fitting more into Ravenclaw or Slytherin, and she was extremely loyal and focused, which could be attributed to Gryffindor.

"Slytherin has to get a seeker, keeper, and a chaser." Scorpis scowled, upset that their team was taking such a dent this year.

"Wait, I thought you could try out for anything?" Rose questioned. "You know, so that if you're better than someone on the team you could take their place."

"Well, yea but -" Al started.

"But that rarely ever happens. I mean there is this thing called loyalty. A person would have to be really good to usurp someone from their position. Or the person is really awful." Scorpius finished. Al nodded vigorously.

"Yea, I mean we'd have to see the person every day if we booted them. It would be awful. Slytherins can be vengeful."

"Besides most of Gryffindor House in Wotters and we're all excellent at Quidditch." Al said, running his hand through his hair. He looked at Rose. "Even if not all of us play."

Scorpius looked surprised. "You play?" Rose shrugged.

"I'll play in the family tournaments but that's about it. I don't have enough time to play for school. Besides I'm a keeper and Charlie is excellent, Gryffindor never needed a keeper."

"Yea, your keeper is steller." Scorpius agreed grudgingly. "Made some bloody good stops at the tournament last year."

"Now all we need is a great beater." Al smiled. Rose didn't think they even realized they were talking in a civilized manner.

"Why do I get the feeling Attie would love to pelt bludgers at your head in practice." Rose said slyly. Al glowered at her. "Anyways, she might be in Ravenclaw." Albus still didn't look happy at the thought of her getting placed into the "smart-witch" house.

"You don't like her?" Scorpius asked.

Al snorted. "Why don't you try sharing a bathroom with her? Besides she's just so… so-"

"Perfect?" Rose laughed.

"Ah, no." Al glared at her.

The compartment door slid open.

"Speak of the devil." Al muttered.

Atria looked at him scathingly.

"Where have you been?" Rose asked, ignoring the glares.

"I was in the loo, then I bumped into some guy and we got chatting." Atria shrugged.

"Ooh, was he hot?" Rose asked, flushing when Al and Scorpius gave her a look.

"Yea, I think his name was Dimitri. Yea, Dimitri." She nodded. Rose gasped and Al rolled his eyes.

"Oh my Merlin, Dimitri is a sixth year Ravenclaw prefect and a beater for their Quidditch team. Talk about a reason to play Quidditch." Rose fanned herself dramatically. "What did he want?" She started to interrogate Atria.

"Well, he said he liked my hair," Atria responded. Albus gagged and Scorpius nodded in agreement.

Her hair did look gorgeous. The usually black locks were now pink with some strips of yellow and orange making her look like a sunset on a summer day.

"He asked me who I was and I explained." Atria continued. "And then he said he hoped I'm in Ravenclaw."

"Do you play Quidditch?" Scorpius asked. Atria looked confused by the sudden subject change.

"A little." She sounded embarrassed.

Al looked at her with excitement for the first time. "Beater?" He asked hopefully.

"No, seeker."

Al's eyes narrowed and Rose chuckled. "Well if you're in Gryffindor you won't being playing Quidditch." Atria looked at Scorpius and Rose in confusion.

"Al is the Gryffindor seeker and one of the best players in the school." Rose explained. Albus smirked and ran his hands through his hair. "James is on the team as well. Chaser. Freddie is a beater for Slytherin. Dom also plays for Gryffindor as a beater."

"Maybe I'll be in Ravenclaw." Atria giggled and Rose joined her and the boys rolled their eyes.

During the Sorting I sat with Rose, Albus, and James at the Gryffindor table. Professor McGonagall was going to get me after the feast and I would be privately sorted into a house.

I wasn't sure which house I wanted. I suppose it didn't really matter since I had friends in every house other than Hufflepuff and I was sure I wouldn't be sorted there.

The feast was grand and Albus ate like a starving man. How was he still so skinny? He ate like this at every meal, even at home. James started interrogating me about Quidditch and he told me that there was no seeker better than Albus. Of course, now I had to try out, just to beat Albus.

I was surprised, on the train, that Albus actually liked Scorpius. They had talked for the rest of the ride. I had thought about Dimitri and talked about him with Rose. I saw him at the Ravenclaw table and he caught me looked at him.

He smiled at me. Not smirked, but actually smiled. Rose nudged me and looked at my hair. It was now completely pink. I blushed and turned away, changing my hair to a safe electric blue.

Of course, I forgot we were in the middle of a hall full of people. Whispers started around me and my face turned redder. Then McGonagall started talked and everyone got quiet.

I zoned out during the speech, thinking about how this would all play out. No one could find out who I was, most of all Rose or James. Knowing that my mother was a death eater and my grandmother had been the most prolific killers of all time aside from the Dark Lord himself.

I probably shouldn't ever let my hair go natural, I thought. Too much of a give away. The thick black waves paired with my black eyes and pale skin cover an angular face would be look too much like my grandmother.

All the death eaters I had met said I was her spitting image. That did not make me feel particularly good at the moment, knowing that any day could be my last if someone discovered me.

Williams. What a boring, forgetful name. Not like Lestrange. Williams sounded calm and peaceful. Lestrange sounded… well, deranged.

"Attie, you should go with McGonagall." Rose whispered as we started to exit the Great Hall. I nodded and went to where the old professor was waiting for me.

"Ms. Williams, this way. We'll need to discuss a few things, of course. What classes you'll be taking, what house you'll be in." She said stiffly. We arrived in front of a statue of a large bird. Then suddenly the bird turned and stairs appeared. I love magic.

"Would you like some tea?" She asked as we entered her large office. There were moving pictures on the wall and a phoenix bird sitting on a post.

"Oh, no thank you."

McGonagall had me sit on the red couch and then placed the hat on my head.

"Slytherin!" It cried immediately. My shoulders sunk and I was disappointed. The headmistress looked at bit surprised but quickly moved on.

"Now onto what classes you'll be taking, You will have to take Charms, Transfiguration, Herbology, Potions, History of Magic, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Astronomy." She told me. "Now, under normal circumstances a fourth year would be allowed to take two elective classes but seeing as how you've not had any schooling-"

"Please, I want to take electives." I interrupted. "If I do poorly I can drop a class but I want to try. And I was homeschooled so I have had some schooling." I pleaded with her.

"What electives would you be interested in studying?" She asked hesitantly.

"Care of Magical Creature and Ancient Runes."

She pressed her lips together.

"Alright. We'll do a month trial period and if you have anything less than a Acceptable in a class, I shall have to pull you out of Ancient Runes."

I guess she figured that Care of Magical Creatures wouldn't be too much work.

"Okay. So where is the Slytherin Common room?" I asked, standing up and inching toward the exit.

"The dungeons." She smiled grimly. "I'll have a prefect show you the way."

When we exited there was a tall boy standing there with black robes with the Slytherin insignia on them.

He had dirty blonde hair and he looked fit.

"Mr. Riley, could you escort Ms. Williams to your common room?" McGonagall asked in a tone that said he didn't actually have a choice. He smiled and nodded.

"Of course. Right this way." He offers me his arm.

"Lead on." I took his arm. "Oh my trunks-"

"Will be waiting in your dormitory, I'm sure. So does Williams come with a first name?" He grinned.

"Atria. You?"

"Mason Riley. I'm also the Slytherin Quidditch Captain. Sixth year." He was cute.

"I'm thinking about trying out for Quidditch. I'm a seeker." I told him. Hogwarts was beautiful, I noticed on our way to the dungeon.

"Really? You should come out. We need a seeker. Have you played before?" He asked, not more business than flirty.

"Yep." I nodded. "I'm a fourth year though. Is that too late?"

He shook his head. "Nah, the young kids are all immature. Makes it difficult to practice when you have a bunch of pre-teens trying to show off." He winked at me.

"So are you a pureblood?" I asked. He blanched and stuttered. "Sorry, that was forward." I blushed.

"Ah, no halfblood. I have a little bit of everything." He shrugged. "You?"

"Ah, pretty much yea." I admitted. That was the first thing one did when you talked with death eaters. You all spoke about how superior you were because your blood was cleaner and purer.

And my mother had been the worst. Her mother being Bellatrix Lestrange and I had always figured it was a tossup who my father was. Either Tom Riddle of Rodolphus Lestrange. I wasn't sure if my mother had figured it out, but my first clue was that I could speak to snakes. A rare gift that Riddle had passed to Harry Potter and possibly his granddaughter.

I realized that Mason was talked to me and nodded like I had been paying attention the whole time.

"You're not into the pureblood mania, are you?" He turned to face me suddenly. "Cause no one here really does that."

I chuckled. "I'm living with the Potters." That was all the explaination needed.

"Really? So you know Freddie?"

"Yea, last week he asked me to marry him." I laughed. Mason also laughed, clearly knowing Freddie's sense of humor.

"So here we are." We stopped in front of a stone wall. "Toaster Strudels." He said and the stones started to realign forming a passageway.

The Slytherin common room was dark with light reflecting from the lake and dancing on the walls. The furniture was green and black and you could see fish and other manner of sea creatures through the glass.

Was the common room under the lake? I wondered. That's so creepy.

"Attie!" Freddie jumped off the couch. "You're in Slytherin!" He shouted excitedly. A few students glanced at us.

"Shush." I hit his arm playfully.

"Hope Riley was taking good care of you?" Freddie looked at Mason who was still standing next to me. Mason blushed.

"Yes, he was."

"This is brilliant! James is going to be so jealous. He was sure you would be in Gryffindor." Freddie laughed. "Hey Amanda." He called over to one of the girls who were on the couch. The blonde got up and walked over to us.

"Atria this is Amanda Fort. She's a fourth year, as well."

"Hi, lovely to meet you." She extended her hand to me. "You're going to love it. We got lucky with the girls in our dorm. There's actually only 7 of us in our year and they're all pretty chill." I guess she seemed nice enough. Her smile was really bright.

"Thanks. I'm sure it'll be awesome." I replied.

"So Atria, you said you were thinking about trying out for Quidditch," Mason cut in.

Amanda shrieked. "Oh me too! You're not going out for keeper are you?" Her smiled dropped slightly.

I laughed. "No, seeker."

"So far I know of two other people going out for keeper and only one going out for seeker."

"Who's the one?"

"Drew Brightly." Mason and Freddie said together. "He tries out every year and even when we had a seeker and always gets cut. He's a sixth year. Last year no one else tried out so we had to pick him after our other seeker and captain graduated," Mason explained.

"So you don't want him on the team?" I asked. Hadn't Scorpius and Albus been talking about team loyalty and whatnot?

"He's got a horrible attitude. Thinks he knows everything and isn't that great of a seeker." Freddie muttered. "You have to try out and beat him." Freddie grabbed me suddenly and his nose pressed against my as he looked into my eyes.

"Sure." I squeaked.

PLEASE REVIEW! -Alex