Shout-out to dauntlessfamily, ALuckyStrikerNurse, and as always, to the amazing Lion's Wing and AmyRoxx123!

I don't own Harry Potter. Only whatever you don't recognize. Sorry for the bad grammar.

An insistent hooting awoke me the following morning. Groaning on my pillow, I turned to face the annoying bird perched cheerfully on my bedside.

"I thought I got rid of you," I hissed, my eye twitching. Caleb stared at me with wide, unblinking eyes, and hooted softly.

"No," I moaned, rolling over and covered my head with the pillow. He and I didn't see eye to eye much, but I had a soft spot for him. In fact, Caleb was more attached to Marie than me, so that actually explained his presence on the dormitory. This was a scheme of hers, possibly to annoy me, or to wake me up here in the castle like she did in the Orphanage.

I pushed out of bed and went directly to the bathroom. A shower later, I realized as I changed into the Hogwarts uniform that it was six on the morning: I still had two hours before classes began.

In the end, I decided to take a stroll around the Black Lake. As I walked down the moving stairs, many portraits shouted their greetings when others saluted or tipped their hats: little girls curtsied and women with outlandish dresses nodded, fanning their necks and holding themselves regally. I was no stranger to the various forms of greeting as I was used to getting their attention, more often than I wished despite their friendly manners. I wasn't sure who was the one who started it (I bet everything it was Colin Creepy) but rumors about my adventures with the trio spread, all down from when we fought a troll to when Harry fought the Dementors last year. Only but a few students did believe it, but the portraits knew better. Because I didn't ignore them like Hermione, Harry, and Ron did, I was soon on their sights, and asked (some demanded) for information. It actually worked both ways; they were the best source of information I've had during Riddle's time.

The sky was dreadfully grey, not a single cloud on sight, and the grounds were still damp. The castle looked like it'd barely survived through a storm, though it hadn't changed at all. Peering back, I hesitantly pulled out the two pieces of toast I had snatched from the Great Hall. Removing the napkin, I placed them on the grass and made sure they were at the edge of the lake, and took a few steps back as a long tentacle rose from the water. The Giant Squid groped at the grass before it finally found the food and took it with him into the water.

I watched as the water rippled, smiling, and went back to the castle, stretching my arms on the air with a sigh. By this time, the Great Hall had filled greatly, though all of them seemed gloomy, matching the weather. A few seats away, the Weasley twins and their friend, Lee Jordan, were talking loudly about sneaking themselves into the tournament. Each idea was just as ridiculous as the last one but they didn't seem deterred at all. Shaking my head, I served myself bacon with scrambled eggs.

Just as I started to pour pumpkin juice on a cup, I saw Marie approach.

"Hello," I said, not looking up from my task.

"Hi. How was your morning?"

I didn't take her bait. "Good. Thanks for the new alarm. It was very adorable by the way, though a bit loud."

"I knew you would appreciate it," she said, amused. It was then that I noticed the person standing behind her. "I found Dennis here talking to a door," Marie explained.

"I wouldn't blame him," I said, remembering my first week on the castle. "Hello."

"You're Anya Barton," said Dennis. He was quivering. I nodded, my lips twitching.

"Yes... I know I am."

"You're friend of Harry Potter."

"Yes, I'm aware."

"Are you two dating?" he asked, looking curious.

Not faced in the slightest, I lowered my fork and tossed it on the table. "What have you been saying this morning, Marie?" I asked, annoyed.

Her brows arched. "Nothing."

I rolled my eyes. "For God's sake, you need to stop saying that. We're not in St. Louise's anymore, whatever you say will be taken seriously."

"You never deny it!" she said defensively. I let out a breath.

"I don't deny it 'cause its not true. I am not dating Harry Potter. Now," I pointed the fork in Dennis' way, who'd been watching us, awestruck, "this conversation never happened. Understood?"

He nodded eagerly. "Yes, ma'am."

"Good. Get out of my sight."

Just as I expected, Marie plopped down beside Dennis a few seats away.

"Shouldn't she be sitting with her Housemates?" Harry asked as he sat across from me, Ron drawing a chair on his side. On my left, Hermione was holding our schedules and I waved my fingers on her face. Rolling her eyes, she handed my parchment first.

"Thanks," I sang, and looked down at today's classes. "I don't think she wants to. She's got Dennis," Harry looked over where they sat, obviously worried. "Don't worry, she doesn't like to gossip about the life of Harry Potter." Except for his non-existent love life.

"Hullo," said Neville, plopping down on my right.

"Today's not bad… outside all morning," said Ron, running down a finger on his schedule. "Herbology with the Hufflepuffs and Care of Magical Creatures… damn it, we're still with the Slytherins…"

"Double Divination this afternoon," Harry groaned. I snorted a laugh. I wondered for a moment if Trelawney would predict his death this year, or better yet, if she would keep trying to predict mine.

"You should have given it up like me, shouldn't you?" said Hermione briskly, buttering herself some toast. "Then you'd be doing something sensible like Arithmancy."

"You're eating again, I notice," said Ron, watching Hermione adding liberal amounts of jam to her toast too.

"I've decided there are better ways of making a stand about elf rights," said Hermione haughtily.

"Yeah… and you were hungry," said Ron, grinning.

There was a sudden rustling noise above us, and a hundred owls came soaring through the open windows carrying the morning mail. The owls circled the tables, looking for the people to whom their letters and packages were addressed. A large tawny owl soared down to Neville and deposited a parcel into his lap.

"Must have forgotten something," he sighed.

Herbology and Care of Magical Creatures flew by, and I was glad we were soon on the Great Hall. The temperature changed, becoming warmer even though there was not sign of the sun, and within minutes I was starting to feel dizzy. Professor Sprout had excused me from class before I could pass out, and on Hagrid's, I wasn't able to get a good showdown with Malfoy or actually get a hold on one of the Blast-Ended Skrewts.

Even right now, I was still leaning heavily on Neville's shoulder. I was sure I wasn't sick but the abrupt change on the air must have affected my system or something.

Neville meanwhile was looking at Hermione, hesitant. I didn't blame him: she was swallowing down every plate of food she grasped without a pause. "Uh, Hermione?" She waved her hand to let him know she was listening. "Are you alright?"

"Why shouldn't I?" she spat through a mouthful of mashed potato. Somehow, she managed to still look dignified.

"Er - is this the new stand on elf rights?" said Ron. "You're going to make yourself puke instead?"

"No. I just want to get to the library."

"What?" said Ron in disbelief. "Hermione - it's the first day back! We haven't even got homework yet!"

Hermione shrugged and continued to shovel down her food as though she had not eaten for days. Then she leapt to her feet, said, "See you at dinner!" and departed at high speed.

As we stared after her, I lifted my head and slurred, "Would it be strange to say that I found that hot?"

"Yes," the three boys chorused.

"Oh god, kill me now," I moaned, slamming my head down on the table.

"Don't do that," Neville scolded. He grabbed my forehead and lifted my head slightly, placing my Divination book under and let go gently.

"I'm seeing something, Neville," I muttered. "I'm seeing myself intoxicated by the incense."

He looked at the ceiling, coughing slightly. "Its not that bad..."

"Speak for yourself," I said bitterly, closing my eyes.

"Potter!" Trelawney barked.

"What?" he looked around, wiping at his chin.

"I was saying, my dear, that you were clearly born under the baleful influence of Saturn," said Professor Trelawney, a faint note of resentment in her voice at the fact that he had obviously not been hanging on her words.

"Born under - what, sorry?"

"Saturn, dear, the planet Saturn!" said Professor Trelawney, sounding definitely irritated that he wasn't riveted by this news. "I was saying that Saturn was surely in a position of power in the heavens at the moment of your birth… Your dark hair… your mean stature… tragic losses so young in life… I think I am right in saying, my dear, that you were born in midwinter?"

"No," said Harry, "I was born in July."

I shook my head, hiding back on my arms. Neville didn't bother to scold me, either.

Half an hour later, each of us had been given a complicated circular chart, and was attempting to fill in the position of the planets at our moment of birth.

"I've got Saturn and… the Sun? Is that even possible?" Neville wondered.

"Its Divination, Neville. Nothing that she -" I pointed at Trelawney "- says makes any sense at all. But if you want me to, I can't help you find what it means."

Neville nodded and I started to search the list of planets, doing some calculations before I gave him the absolute answer.

"Okay, Saturn, lets see... doubles as a symbol for lead. Philosophical alchemy explains lead is a component of transformation brought about from hardening, strengthening and staunch willpower. And as for the Sun... symbolic of the Self that is expressed outwardly - the self that shines openly to our friends, family, co-workers, etc. The sun position at our time of birth gives special illumination as to our characteristics. It's as if the sun shines upon our symbolic selves and makes us most visible to the world."

Neville blinked. "I didn't understood half of the things you just said," he said.

I looked at him suspiciously. It was quite obvious what it meant, but it was him who had to accept the fact that even the dumb book was telling him he wa much more than a scaredy cat.

Resigned, I began to read my own planet, which was a pair of Pluto's.

Pluto. Deep, dark, mysterious, unknown... Pluto manages a domain completely hidden from our common reality and physical sight. Yet, there is tremendous activity in the underworld. It's hustle and bustle is felt in the physical as all things (seen and unseen) are infinitely connected. Massive transition, renewal, or a significant change from one form to another. These drastic changes and metamorphosis' will take place over a long period of time, as this is the nature of the outer planetary orbit (transformation on a generational scale).

Drastic changes, transition... yes, I obviously could relate to that.

"Aaaaah," I heard Ron trying imitate Professor Trelawney's mystical whisper, "when two Neptunes appear in the sky, it is a sure sign that a midget in glasses is being born, Harry..."

Seamus and Dean, who were working nearby, sniggered loudly, though not loudly enough to mask the excited squeals of Lavender Brown - "Oh Professor, look! I think I've got an unexpected planet! Oooh, which one's that, Professor?"

"It is Uranus, my dear," Professor Trelawney said, peering down at the chart.

"Can I have a look at Uranus too, Lavender?" Ron said.

"Miserable old bat," said Ron bitterly as we joined the crowds descending the staircases back to the Great Hall and dinner. "That'll take all weekend, that will…"

"If only could you'd kept your mouth shut," I hissed, glaring at him.

"Lots of homework?" said Hermione brightly, catching up. "Professor Vector didn't give us any at all!"

"Well, bully for Professor Vector," said Ron moodily.

We reached the entrance hall, which was packed with people queuing for dinner. We had just joined the end of the line, when a loud voice rang out behind us.

"Weasley! Hey, Weasley!"

We turned around. Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle were standing there, each looking thoroughly pleased about something.

"What?" said Ron shortly.

"Your dad's in the paper, Weasley!" said Malfoy, brandishing a copy of the Daily Prophet and speaking very loudly, so that everyone in the packed entrance hall could hear.

"Listen to this!

FURTHER MISTAKES AT THE MINISTRY OF MAGIC

It seems as though the Ministry of Magic's troubles are not yet at an end, writes Rita Skeeter, Special Correspondent. Recently under fire for its poor crowd control at the Quidditch World Cup, and still unable to account for the disappearance of one of its witches, the Ministry was plunged into fresh embarrassment yesterday by the antics of Arnold Weasley, of the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office."

Malfoy looked up.

"Imagine them not even getting his name right, Weasley. It's almost as though he's a complete nonentity, isn't it?" he crowed. Everyone in the entrance hall was listening now. Malfoy straightened the paper with a flourish and read on:

Arnold Weasley, who was charged with possession of a flying car two years ago, was yesterday involved in a tussle with several Muggle law-keepers ("policemen") over a number of highly aggressive dustbins. Mr. Weasley appears to have rushed to the aid of "Mad-Eye" Moody, the aged ex-Auror who retired from the Ministry when no longer able to tell the difference between a handshake and attempted murder. Unsurprisingly, Mr. Weasley found, upon arrival at Mr. Moody's heavily guarded house, that Mr. Moody had once again raised a false alarm. Mr. Weasley was forced to modify several memories before he could escape from the policemen, but refused to answer Daily Prophet questions about why he had involved the Ministry in such an undignified and potentially embarrassing scene.

"And there's a picture, Weasley!" said Malfoy, flipping the paper over and holding it up. "A picture of your parents outside their house - if you can call it a house! Your mother could do with losing a bit of weight, couldn't she?"

Ron was shaking with fury. Everyone was staring at him.

"Get stuffed, Malfoy," Harry snarled. "C'mon, Ron…"

"Oh yeah, you were staying with them this summer, weren't you, Potter?" sneered Malfoy. "So tell me, is his mother really that porky, or is it just the picture?"

"You know your mother, Malfoy?" said Harry - both he and Hermione had grabbed the back of Ron's robes to stop him from launching himself at Malfoy - "that expression she's got, like she's got dung under her nose? Has she always looked like that, or was it just because you were with her?"

I pulled out my wand and silently waited for the outcome.

"Don't you dare insult my mother, Potter!"

"Keep your fat mouth shut, then," said Harry, turning away.

Big mistake.

Malfoy pulled out his wand, pointed it at Harry but was not quick enough - I was already cursing him before he could open his mouth. Both spells met - BANG! - and ricocheted to the walls. Several people screamed and I silently moved as it bounced back to us, except there was another BANG, and a roar that echoed through the entrance halls. It send chills down my back.

"OH NO YOU DON'T, LADDIE!"

I didn't turn around to look at Moody. The hand that wasn't holding my wand shook slightly as I looked at the ferret at the end of the marble staircase. I was sure it was Malfoy, the bastard who always stalked us whatever chance he had, and he was cowering as we all watched him, not moving to help him.

"Twenty points to Gryffindor," Moody grunted. I hadn't realized he had stopped at my side. "Good aim, Barton."

"Thanks, sir," I whispered. I hastily tucked my wand and took a step back. Neville - I was sure it was him, his hand was always warm - grasped my shoulder comfortingly.

Moody turned to Harry. "Did he get you?" he asked in a growl.

"No, missed."

"Thought so - LEAVE IT!"

"Leave - what?"

"Not you, HIM!" Moody growled, jerking his thumb over his shoulder at Crabbe, who had just frozen, about to pick up the white ferret. It seemed Moody's fake eye was more than an ornament, and actually could see out of the back of his head.

Moody started to limp toward Crabbe, Goyle, and the ferret, which gave a terrified squeak and took off, streaking toward the dungeons.

"I don't think so!" roared Moody, pointing his wand at the ferret again - it flew ten feet into the air, fell with a smack to the floor, and then bounced upward once more.

"I don't like people who attack when their opponent's back's turned," growled Moody as the ferret bounced higher and higher, squealing in pain. "Stinking, cowardly, scummy thing to do…"

The ferret flew through the air, its legs and tail flailing helplessly. "Never - do - that - again -" said Moody, speaking each word as the ferret hit the stone floor and bounced upward again.

"Professor Moody!" said a shocked voice.

Professor McGonagall was coming down the marble staircase with her arms full of books.

"Hello, Professor McGonagall," said Moody calmly, bouncing the ferret still higher.

"What - what are you doing?" said Professor McGonagall, her eyes following the bouncing ferret's progress through the air.

"Teaching," said Moody.

"Teach - Moody, is that a student?" shrieked Professor McGonagall, the books spilling out of her arms.

"Yep," said Moody.

"No!" cried Professor McGonagall, running down the stairs and pulling out her wand; a moment later, with a loud snapping noise, Draco Malfoy had reappeared, lying in a heap on the floor with his sleek blond hair all over his now brilliantly pink face. He got to his feet, wincing.

"Moody, we never use Transfiguration as a punishment!" said Professor McGonagall wealdy. "Surely Professor Dumbledore told you that?"

"He might've mentioned it, yeah," said Moody, looking like a sheepish ugly puppy, "but I thought a good sharp shock -"

"We give detentions, Moody! Or speak to the offender's Head of House!"

"I'll do that, then," said Moody, staring at Malfoy with great dislike.

Malfoy, whose pale eyes were still watering with pain and humiliation, looked malevolently up at Moody and muttered something in which the words "my father" were distinguishable.

"Oh yeah?" said Moody quietly, limping forward a few steps, the dull clunk of his wooden leg echoing around the hall. "Well, I know your father of old, boy… You tell him Moody's keeping a close eye on his son… you tell him that from me… Now, your Head of House'll be Snape, will it?"

"Yes," said Malfoy resentfully.

"Another old friend," growled Moody. "I've been looking forward to a chat with old Snape… Come on, you…"

And he seized Malfoy's upper arm and marched him off toward the dungeons.

Professor McGonagall stared anxiously after them for a few moments, then waved her wand at her fallen books, causing them to soar up into the air and back into her arms.

"Don't talk to me," Ron said quietly us as we sat down at the Gryffindor table a few minutes later, surrounded by excited talk on all sides about what had just happened.

"Why not?" said Hermione in surprise.

"Because I want to fix that in my memory forever," said Ron, his eyes closed and an uplifted expression on his face. "Draco Malfoy, the amazing bouncing ferret."

I looked at him in exasperation.