I sat up suddenly in my bed and let out a strangled sob. The other girls were still fast asleep and I didn't want my nightmare to wake them. I layed down once more and tried to fall asleep again, but I couldn't. I finally got out of bed when my wand began to buzz under my pillow. It was a nifty little charm I had read up on long before school started. Great substitute for the muggle alarm clock. I rushed to the bathroom so I could have it all to myself. I only had minutes to erase the remnants of my tears from my face; I didn't want my dorm mates to see I had been crying. They were very nice, but I didn't want to look weak in front of them on the first day. Besides, I needed my space to get ready in the morning. After a lightning-fast shower and changing into my uniform robes, I charmed my hair to dry it nicely, so it didn't air dry and turn into a frizzy mess.I hurriedly brushed my teeth and said goodbye to Hermione, who had just gotten up, and darted out the door. I wanted to make sure I knew where all my classes were beforehand, but I needed my schedule from the great hall for that. Walking around to my classes would leave me no time for breakfast, so I had prepared myself. I reached into my bag for the apple I had snatched from dinner the previous night, but in doing so, I wasn't looking where I was going. This led to me colliding right into another body, causing the both of us to topple onto the floor in a heap of human flesh. Unfortunately, we toppled in my direction and I ended up on the bottom of said heap.

"Hey! Watch where you're go— Mona, is that you? Are you alright?"

I shoved my hair out of my face to see Wood staring apologetically down at me. I inwardly died of embarrassment when I realized the position we were in, and a few seconds later he matched my reaction on the outside. Taking advantage of his apparent embarrassment I turned the tables on him.

"Happy to see me Wood?"

"I swear it's not because of this, just sometimes in the morni… wait. I'm not even ha…"

His face went from impossibly red to an even brighter red when he realized I had tricked him. I let out a gleeful laugh and smiled at him. All I could think about was how good he looked right then.

"I really am sorry Oliver, I was just on my way to the great hall to get my schedule and I was trying t—"

"No, no, it's perfectly ok! I was a little distracted too..."

"Oh, ok then. I guess we should get going? I'd like to scout out my classrooms before school starts"

"Nice! That's a great idea, I wouldn't have thought to do that my first year."

I smiled again and nodded my goodbye. As I walked away Oliver yelled to me.

"Hey! Er… Mona? I'd say I know my way around pretty well, I could walk you to the great hall and … maybe show you around after?"

I felt adrenaline rush through my veins at the preposition and I couldn't help but smile a little bit.

"Okay! I mean, er, sure I guess… sir.."

We both laughed and I leaned against the wall to watch him catch up to me. As we walked, he began to fill me in on the different ways we could earn points for our house. I was already bursting at the seams with house pride and we were both determined not to lose the house cup for this year. Oliver told me that Slytherin had been on a winning streak the past few years and I wasn't about to let that continue.

"Obviously, we can win points by doing well in class and participating when the teachers ask questions, but there's also things like the quidditch cup that can help houses win. Have you considered trying out for quidditch? It's a great thing to be involved in. I'm on the team, well I'm the captain actually, and I've talked to you about some of the other members I'm sure."

"I'm not really cut out for quidditch, but I love watching it."

"So you'll come see our games then?"

"Why, did you want me to?"

"You have to support your house of course!"

"Right… of course."

"You could also come to some of the practices? Meet the team? You already know Katie."

"I would love to Wood."

We had arrived at the great hall and it still amazed me to look up and be able to see the sky: a blue sky with scattered puffy clouds. It looked like a painting. I saw Oliver watching me from the corner of my eye. I could tell it was going to be a good day.

I picked up my schedule and went to find Oliver, who was grabbing muffins and shoving them ferociously into a side pocket on his bag. He wordlessly offered me a muffin, since he had one in his mouth, and I accepted it with a giggle. He grabbed some more muffins and we On our way out, I caught a glimpse of the famous Harry Potter again. A boy sitting next to him with bright red hair was sloppily eating his breakfast with table mannerisms so ghastly that I wanted to vomit just looking at him. Who eats chicken for breakfast anyways?

I quickly walked away from the boy, who was clearly a Weasley. My parents had told me all about that family. I felt bad for their lack of money, but from what I heard they weren't the type of people that the Fritillary family associates with. My family would freak if I befriended a Weasley. I caught sight of Draco at the Slytherin table and I waved at him, my face beaming. He looked slightly queasy when he saw me, I hoped he was feeling okay...

Oliver showed me where I would be having my flight, potions, and double charms classes and then walked me back to the quidditch fields for flying class. He seemed excited that I was learning how to fly. He kept mumbling about broom rides and meadows…

"Well, this is my stop. Thanks so much for walking me around Oliver. I guess I'll see you in the common room later?"

"It's a date."

"Bye."

"Bye Mona."

"Bye Wood!"

"Goodbye Mona!"