A/N: Thanks for the reviews everyone they mean so much! Especially today to Zrii. The detail of your comments made me smile as well as have a good think about Alyssa as a character.

So a few answers to your questions: Yes, I'm so glad you picked up on the prejudice in the books. We all know that the sorting hat gives everyone a choice so why can't that mean that people not truly belonging to Slytherin can be too scared to not choose their family's house. We're not all Sirius Black you see. Some poor eleven-year-old's lives would have been hell if they had been sorted elsewhere.

Next note: Her mother is alive. I really hope that's clear. It's her father that was killed in the war. Much like Draco, her Mother always put Alyssa before Voldemort and I won't give much else away as you will meet her later on. Also, I felt Blackthorne sounded like a suitable ancient pureblood family name.

I'm having a lot of fun with Daphne Greeengrass. Because she wasn't mentioned much in the books I feel that I can take her character wherever I want, which is so much fun.

The smoking is what I feel another symbol of defiance towards her father. In layman's terms a 'fuck you' to him. He and any pureblood hierarchy would be disgusted by the habit so she chooses to pursue it.

I wouldn't say she's testy with Blaise… but I see where you're going with it. She tends to be a little erratic with her moods towards others. We must remember that before this year she was a complete outcast and a loner so she hasn't had that much practice at this constant conversation and involvement with her peers.

That was so much fun! I hope I shed a bit of light on your questions! Keep those comments coming as I can totally imagine there will be more questions!

On to the next chapter! Let's go let's go!

That Sunday I woke up to find my memory partially blank, the spaces gradually filling as the raging hangover wore on. On remembering what I'd revealed the group I wanted to chuck myself from Gryffindor tower. I chose instead to try and smother myself with my own pillow for a few minutes. Once that fit was over I remained in bed, the curtains around the four poster closed and ate my weight in chocolate.

I'd definitely had better days.

Eventually, the curtains were pulled, revealing an almost tentative Daphne Greengrass, she smiled softly at the chocolate wrappers.

"I've only just left the bathroom," she said, face pale. The poor thing must have been vomiting for the better part of the day.

"I only just held it all down."

"Better that you left when you did." I tensed, waiting for her to bring it up. Instead though she switched topics completely. "I think I'm ready to try some food now. You want to see if we can get something fried and greasy from the kitchens?"

"Merlin, yes." I didn't know whether it was the thought of greasy food or her not pushing me that caused my sudden enthusiasm.

We ate in the Common Room with the rest of the group and my slip up was never mentioned. I began to think that the whole thing was an alcohol induced hallucination before meeting Draco's knowing gaze.

They just didn't feel the need to mention it, and for that I was inhumanly grateful.

"Is that last quote referenced?" I asked without looking up from my proof-reading.

"Of course it is! What do you take me for, a Gryffindor?"

I rolled my eyes. Finishing up the last few lines of this charms assignment was no easy task. Both myself and Michael Corner seemed to be perfectionists which in one way was fantastic as it meant a definite O for both of us, the downside: it meant hours in the library going over each other's work.

I began to respect him as a student. I never thought wizards or witches who took Quidditch as seriously as Corner actually cared about grades. Never doubt a Ravenclaw I found out during our few weeks as partners. He was easy-going though, unlike some of his housemates I'd come to know over the years, he was quick to smile and laugh. I began to grow accustomed to him and his dimples over the last month or so.

"How was your weekend?" He asked as we finally cleared up our parchment and quills.

"Quite good actually," I answered. "Ended up getting sloshed in the Three Broomsticks. You?"

He gave me a slightly exasperated look. I got it quite a lot when I gave him an answer he wasn't expecting. "Aright, I guess. It's always good to get out of the castle."

"I used to not think so… but now, I'm coming around to liking Hogsmeade."

"You'll be going next time then?" His tone of voice had changed to something a little heavier. I glanced up at his expression but he seemed to have his eyes trained on rolling the parchment up in his hand.

"I'd guess so. Daphne seems to get her way no matter what anyone else seems to say about it."

"You could always prove your freedom and tag along with me," he finally met my gaze. His right dimple appearing along with a crooked smile. "Only if you wanted to, that is."

"Why not?" I returned it with a grin of my own. "Now that this assignments finished who else is going to correct your grammar?"

"That was one time Blackthorne," he chuckled, when we stood he took the books out of my hands.

"I need those –" I started to protest.

"I know, that's why I'm walking to the dungeons."

It seemed a bit silly to me as he would then have to climb the entire castle to get back to the Ravenclaw tower, but it was nice to have some company on the walk down. When he eventually handed me back my books he gave me a slow smile before turning back the way he came.

It was only then that I thought I missed something.

Corner's behaviour twisted and turned in my thoughts all through dinner, I couldn't help but watch him from my side of the table as I pushed the food around my plate.

"I didn't see you this evening Alyssa," Daphne snapped my thoughts to the group around me. Theo and Blaise were muttering about something, their dark chuckles making me certain I didn't want to know the topic. Draco was held his usual indifference façade – he'd made good on his promise to stop watching me when around the group… not that I was disappointed and even if I was I refused to dwell on why that would possibly bother me.

"I was in the library with Michael," I answered, shrugging but it caused the two girls in my company to sit up straighter.

"Again?" Theo had been multi-tasking it seemed, keeping up a conversation with Blaise as well as listening in to ours. He often did this, I noticed when Daphne was around. I noticed Pansy's brown eyes widen with the idea of new gossip and hid my grimace. "Aren't you finished that blasted essay yet? You know you can't aim any higher than an Outstanding."

I shot him a glare before answering. "We just finished it actually and there's no need to be jealous Nott."

"Jealous? Of that Quaffle head? No offence." He added hastily to Blaise.

"Now that you mention it…" On impulse I decided that a male perspective was needed in this situation. "He was acting a bit strange this evening."

"Strange how?" Blaise asked, finally turning to direct his whole attention on us. Even Draco glanced up from his mashed potatoes.

"Well, he carried my books for me back to the dungeons. That's odd, right? Seeing as his common room is up seven flights of stairs?"

There was a millisecond of silence before –

"Oh. Holy. Shit." Daphne's tone seemed to jump an octave on each word.

"Typical." Pansy muttered only just audibly. Blaise chuckled and Draco returned to his dinner. Theo simply smirked.

"What?" Their varied reactions weren't enlightening me as I first thought.

"Don't you get it?" Pansy rolled her eyes as she popped a carrot into her mouth. "The sexy Ravenclaw is attracted to you. Congratulations."

"Oh…" I cast my mind back to our previous conversations, this time with Pansy's theory mixed in. Pretty soon numerous details added up to strengthen the idea. A smile here, a flirtatious comment there. The final pieces clicked into place and my eyes widened. "So that's why he asked me to the next Hogsmeade trip."

"He what?" Daphne was close to shattering glass at this point.

I was about to answer when two Hufflepuffs entered the hall. I quickly gathered my things and stood up, my gaze not wavering from the girl's frames even as I said goodbye to the group.

"Thanks for cluing me in. I'll see you all later." I quickened my pace to catch Hannah Abbot just as she sat down. I was pretty sure the girl next to her was Susan Bones, another 'eighth year'.

"Hi… Hannah," I wasn't sure if first names were appropriate. We hadn't really said much in the last few weeks so it was still a little awkward.

"Alyssa." Her tone still had the slight lilt of distrust.

My eyes dropped to suddenly search through my shoulder bag. "I noticed you were missing for potions last Friday and realising you're the only Hufflepuff there I took Slughorn's notes for you."

Without the eye contact words became easier until I found them and handed them to her. The girl seemed… quite frankly shocked. As if an act of thoughtfulness was impossible from someone like myself. That was the precise reason why I did it in the first place.

She took the notes and scanned them briefly. "Thanks."

"No problem. Are you feeling any better?" Alright, I know I was laying it on thick, but it wasn't as if there was a text book on how to approach these sort of situations.

"It was just the flu."

"Right…" Now all I needed was exit so I could throw myself out the nearest window. I was about to turn when she spoke again.

"Have you had dinner yet?"

It was my turn to appear shocked. "Um… no." Not technically a lie, I didn't physically eat anything with the others.

"Do you want to sit with us then?"

Bingo.

"That'd be great." Ignoring the slightly appalled gazes and quite a few scowls I sat next to Hannah, Susan taking place on her other side. There was a momentary silence as I adjusted my robes, eyes downcast as to not meet any other gazes.

"So how was your weekend?" Hannah asked as she began to help herself to some honeyed roast pork.

Despite my whole situation I couldn't prevent the small chuckle that escaped my lips. "How much do you know about self-filling Fire whiskey glasses?"

I retreated to my dorm after dinner, having a sudden craving to read for a few hours. Over the years reading was something I did to pass the time. Being a social outcast there wasn't much else to do besides homework. It was strange how nice it felt to be alone. Don't get me wrong, I would never trade what I had currently to go back to being a loner. But it was difficult to break the habit of being surrounded by the quiet twenty-four seven.

"That's it. Spill it." One loud crash of the door flying open and my moments peace vanished. Well, it was nice for the forty-five minutes it lasted.

Closing my book with a sigh I rubbed my tired eyes. "Look, I wasn't expecting or encouraging it. Corner just asked me to go with him. It was an off-hand question to go to Hogsmeade with him. I wouldn't even be surprised if he didn't mean it."

"Not him," Daphne's tone was past exasperation. "Though you will fill me in on that later. I'm talking about eating dinner at the Hufflepuff table. I let the other time pass to a momentary lapse of sanity, or that perhaps you were going to explain it to me in your own time –"

"What Daphne means," Theo's voice surprisingly spoke up. I opened my eyes to find that the rest of the group had filed in behind her. "Is what the hell is with the Huffle-hugging?"

"This is the girl's dorms," was my only reply as Blaise took it upon himself to lie down beside me, pulling my pillow beneath his head and making himself right at home… on my bed.

"We've got two prefects with us," Blaise scoffed. "Who's going to say anything?"

"You're avoiding the question," Pansy added dryly and making her way to her own bed. I watched Daphne do the same and – surprise, surprise – Theo leant against one of her bed-posts. Warily I watched the final member of the group scan the room. His grey eyes resting on my desk before crossing the room to it. Pale fingers rested on the stray parchment and books lying there and I couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking. More than likely noticing the similarities between his own room and mine. The lack of personal items and paraphernalia that made a space truly belong to someone.

"Well?" Daphne snapped my attention back to her and I fought down a blush. I prayed I hadn't been staring too long.

"I –" I attempted to find the words to explain but quickly drew a complete blank. "You wouldn't understand."

"Try us." Draco's voice was final. If there was anything that I learned about being in their presence it's that when Malfoy used that tone. He wasn't going to let it go.

I sighed again, a little more heatedly this time, trying to gather my thoughts so I wouldn't mess this up. "Times have changed, war has changed… everything. The way I perceive things, the way I accept things. I don't blame the members of our house for not fighting in the final battle. Hell, I wasn't even in the country. I don't believe anyone our age should be expected to fight and maybe kill members of their families, even if we didn't believe in their cause. But… the fact remains… every other house did, at least some of them anyway and though I don't think we owe them an apology… I think we owe them something."

"Like what?" Blaise's voice was soft, his eyes far away as he listened to me.

"An explanation? An affirmation that we are not our parents or our parent's parents. The Slytherin's who didn't believe in Voldemort's ideals should make it known. We're not all dark witches and wizards in this house."

"We shouldn't have to prove ourselves to them," Pansy replied. Her voice was heated. "Let them think whatever they want!"

"I'm not saying that you have to prove yourself, Pansy. None of you do. It's just the way I feel. I don't want to be seen as my father's daughter. No by anyone. Not a Slytherin or a Gryffindor. So I'm trying to build some bridges, stop cutting myself off from the rest of the school."

"But we don't just 'hang out' with other houses," Theo argued.

"Who says?" To that he had no answer. "Is there a rule somewhere that says that all Slytherin's are cunning and ruthless and hate all other houses? Maybe I'm more than what the house claims. Maybe I'm brave and smart and loyal too? And if I even hold one of those qualities than at least I have something in common with someone other than a Slytherin." No one spoke for a while, I hoped it was because they were letting me words sink in. No one had left the room yet which was positive.

"As I said," I lowered my voice once more. I'd gain volume throughout my speech. "I don't expect you to feel the same way. You don't have to 'Huffle-hug' with me. But for now… maybe accept that I might eat the odd lunch at another table and still accept me afterwards?"

It wasn't until that moment that I realised how badly I wanted them to agree. I'd grown so accustomed to their presence in my life that I dreaded the mere thought of them leaving me. Whatever acquaintance I'd began with Hannah was nothing compared to what I saw in Daphne and even at times Blaise and Pansy. I wanted them to accept me, to be their – dare I admit the word – friend.

That thought scared me.

"So…" Daphne cleared her throat after the most painful pause. "What's it like?"

My eyes widened and I couldn't contain my smile at her. The weight in my chest fell and I wanted to laugh.

Theo did just that. "It's not a different world at the Hufflepuff table Daph," he chuckled. "It's not like everything's bathed in golden light and rainbows emit from their arses." His gaze cut to me after a moment of consideration. "Right, Blackthorne?"

"No," I couldn't help chuckling in return. "It was… nice though."

"Nice how?" Blaise asked, releasing the tension further within the room.

"Well, they prefer treacle tarte over there so there was an insane amount of chocolate left after first helpings."

By the expression on Theo's face I may as well of said that rainbows extended from their arses.

"You were talking to that girl, Bones right?" Pansy asked, her tone was thoughtful but guarded. I nodded. "The one with the red hair."

Somehow seeing the girl's trail of thought I answered. "I asked, it's natural. I thought she charmed it to get that shade too."

And suddenly Pansy Parkinson was impressed. By a Hufflepuff no less.

The conversation changed pretty soon after that and it grew late enough for Slughorn's evening rounds. The others stood to move the conversation back to the common room, quickly leaving myself and Draco to follow them out. I remained still as Malfoy made no move to leave my desk chair.

I stared a little warily at him, the fires warm light throwing shadows on his angular features. He seemed deep in thought but spoke when I moved to follow the rest of the group out.

"Quidditch trials are tomorrow," he turned to hold my gaze.

"Blaise mentioned it," I replied, nodding.

"With the amount of want-to-be players I'm going to be pretty strung out."

I began to realise where this conversation was heading. Not that I was going to clue him in to that fact. "The woes of being Captain I guess."

His gaze narrowed and I watched his frame stiffen, I tried not to enjoy it too much. "I was wondering if…"

"If…?" I failed. I was enjoying it too much.

He finished his request through a frustrated exhalation of breath. "If you weren't busy trying to charm the entire student body would you want to head to the roof with me?"

I watched his tense position for another moment before moving towards him, reaching across his lap and ignoring his startled expression I opened he far draw to my desk. Pulling out my box of Bensen and Hedges before holding them out to him.

He stared at my face before giving the box a brief scowl. I frowned in return, my confusion plainly written on my face.

"I thought you wanted –"

"That wasn't what I asked." He cut me off, suddenly refusing to meet my gaze. He had turned to march out the door when realisation dawned and before I knew it I was speaking.

"I don't know when you'll be finished, what time will I meet you?" My voice was a bit weak but I knew he heard me.

"Come to the pitch around five," he answered with his back to me. "We'll walk up from there."

And with that he left me trying to wrap my head around the occurrences of the day, causing me to think that perhaps I'd been dreaming entire twenty-four hours.

a/n: Sorry it's a bit shorter than usual and if you think it was a little boring the chapter, bt I did need a bit of a linking chapter before the real excitement begins!

Keep those reviews coming! They are an inspiration!

BC