~Prologue~

Walking into the Dark Forest with Melissa and Kayla, I realized that the air had gotten much cooler. I figured it was because autumn was here; I ignored the little siren going off in the back of my head telling me to turn around. It happened to be Halloween night, and my two best friends and I had been dared to venture into the Forest at midnight. Looking at my new glow-in-the-dark, water-squirting, confetti-throwing, noise-making watch (thank you, Weasley brothers) and saw the light blinking the time: 11:58. Shivers ran down my back as the adrenaline pumped through my body. I normally loved this feeling, but this time it was different, a sort of caution.

"Um, guys? I know I was kind of gung-ho about this whole thing, but maybe we should go back," I said.

"What, and prove to everyone that we're the wimps they say we are?" replied Melissa, ever so witty.

"I just don't think-"I was cut off by Kayla's scream.

Just as my watch beeped midnight, the dementors appeared. I closed my eyes, pulled out my wand, and thought of all my good memories; my first kiss, my first time on a broomstick, my first time at Hogsmeade, and, best of all, being appointed Prefect of my House.

"EXPECTO PATRONUM!"

And the silvery swan was cast from my wand.