And finally another chapter! Well at least it didn't take as long as the last one! I might even get the story finished some time this millennium, who knows. Ok so here goes...

I'd been out of the hospital now for just over two weeks, I had recovered nicely and all was well. I was so glad to get back to normality it was unbelievable, being stuck in the hospital wing for so long was, for me anyway, my idea of hell. It didn't help matters when Madam Pomfrey decided after Ron's little outburst I was no longer allowed more than one visitor at a time.

"Trouble." She had said quite harshly. "Every time. Especially you lot. Well no more. This is a hospital wing for Merlin sake and shall be treated as one. One person around the bed at a time and that is final, and be thankful for that young lady otherwise I could quite easily make it none, now get some rest or you'll never get better and I shall never be rid of you."

Charming huh?

My parents had been worried sick and had sent me a letter nearly every day since the little incident. I did feel guilty that I couldn't tell them what really happened that night but instead stuck to the story that someone spiked my drink as a joke and no harm was done. All my symptoms had all but vanished, my skin normal colour, my body deflated back to its normal size and the best part was I no longer smelt like a week old un-flushed toilet. I had also vowed never in my life would I ever put a single drop of Fred and George's ingenious concoctions to my lips again- Ever!

I had settled back into school and my lessons well and behaved myself as best I could, however there was a small problem that really was starting to get right on my nerves and that was the Slytherin's, well Pansy Parkinson to be exact.

I had been good so far and just ignored her but, I could feel her starting to push the wrong buttons and I knew if she kept on, a caught me on a bad day, like today for instants then she was going to get what was coming to her. It was only a few days away until we went home for the Christmas holidays and I was hoping I could last until then, but something at the back of my mind was telling me otherwise.

I sat down at the Ravenclaw table at lunch time next to Jake Spencer, an extremely smart and intelligent friend of mine who was helping me with my stupid Arithmancy home work. I hated Arithmancy and really had no clue as to why my mother had insisted I take it at N.E.W.T level. She knew it wasn't my strongest subject and she knew how much I struggled with it at O.W.E.L.S and it was even harder now. I found it very boring, extremely complicated and it made my head go all fuzzy and hurt after each lesson. That was why I had a lot of Ravenclaw friends because they were know it alls and good at most subjects (and they were nice of course), especially Jake who was top of the class at Arithmancy and was only too willing to help out poor little old me.

"There is no way in a million years I'm ever gonna pass this bloody class." I sighed and slumped my head into my hand. "I'm doomed."

"Seriously Anna, it's not that hard once you get the hang of it, you'll do fine."

"It's easy for you to say Jake, you're top of the class. You find all this mumbo jumbo number rubbish simple, I don't, I hate it and I can't do it, ahrrr. It's all my mother fault Jake, you know that don't you. Why in the name of Merlin she insisted on this of all subjects is beyond me, she knows I suck at it." I said gloomily while stuffing a giant roast potato into my mouth.

Jake chuckled "Don't worry my little friend that's where I come in. You willpass Arithmancy if it's the last you do, I will make sure of it."

I tried to smile at him in thanks but my mouth was far too full.

"Look." I said once I'd gulped my food down "Fancy doing this a bit later on? We could go outside by the lake for a little while, I could do with some fresh air and it might make me concentrate a bit more. Plus Harry and Ron are there having a snowball fight!" I said with a huge smile feeling a little excitedly.

"In other words you've had enough Arithmancy for one day?"

"No, I just need a little break that's all. We can pick up from where we left off after lunch…come on Jake, come join in the fun, pleeeease."

Jake grinned "Sure why not."

I gave a high pitched squeal, closed my books and stuffed them quickly into my bag. Still feeling a little peckish I decided to fill my pockets with the giant roasters and eat them on the way to the lake.

We left the nice warmth of the castle and stepped out onto the chilly snow covered grounds. Hogwarts was a beautiful place all year round, however, in the winter frost and snow it was more amazing than ever. Everything looked so much more pretty and picture perfect, it was just amazing. We spotted Harry and Ron and a load of other students all having a snowball fight by the half frozen lake. I smiled a huge smile and squealed with excitement, I was like a child on Christmas morning, I loved the snow, I thought it was fantastic and I couldn't wait to go join in the fun. I grabbed hold of Jake's robes and tugged gently at them "Come on quickly."

"Hermione." I shouted over to her while holding a giant snowball in my hand.

She turned to face me with a smile as I lobbed it at her with as much power as I could muster; Hitting her square in the face she screamed loudly, wiped away the snow then looked at me evilly.

"You are so going to pay for that Anna."

"Ha, you gotta catch me first Hermione." I shouted as I ran towards the one person who would risk life and limb to protect me. "George help, Hermione's after me...and look she's got an army too."

George looked at me and smiled "Don't worry Anna you're safe with me." He said shielding me from view. "Oi Fred." He called over to his brother and indicated with his head in Hermione's direction. "Gather the troops, it's an ambush."

I giggled hysterically as Hermione, Ron, Harry and Dean, along with a few others all gunned for me.

"Get out the way George and we'll spare you, it's Anna we want." Shouted Harry.

George stood tall. "If you want Anna, then you gotta go through me first Harry."

Fred came to our aid along with Ginny, Jake, Shamus, Neville and Luna.

"And through us too." Said Fred.

Harry looked at his little gang, shrugged then charged. "GET EM."

And with that we all had the biggest and best snowball fight in the history of snowball fights.

After we had finished we all collapsed on the cold, wet, snow absolutely exhausted. I remembered the roast potatoes that I had stuffed into my pocket. I had eaten most of them on the way down to the lake but had one left so decided I had burned up enough energy that I would eat the last one and once again I stuffed it in my mouth and chewed it frantically.

That's when it all went drastically wrong.

"Oh would you look at that Leila." Came the obnoxious voice of Parkinson from somewhere beside me "Not only does it smell like a pig it eats like one too, how vulgar De'lore."

I rolled my eyes and glanced at my friends. "Go away Parkinson." I said quite calmly and I turned to face her and the large group of Slytherin's.

Her dippy friend Leila Digsby butted in. "And not forgetting she looks like a pig too Pansy."

"Ha, ha, ha, ha." They all snickered.

"Oh you're right Leila and fat as a pig too."

I felt my body tense and my lips pressed firmly together. She really was pushing my patients.

While I knew I would get some stick about my recent hospitalisation, and while I had laughed along with most of it, Parkinson was really, really starting to piss me off.

We all got to our feet, ready for whatever may happen next . George stood beside me his hand firmly gripping his wand.

"Ignore it Anna." Harry urged quietly, throwing them dirty looks. "They're really not worth it."

"No one was asking you Potter, so why don't you keep your filthy nose out." Malfoy appeared from out of no where looking livid.

Harry and Malfoy stared hatefully at each other, each one just waiting for an excuse to hex the other.

"I told you once to go away Parkinson and now I'm warning you. Get lost." I said trying my best to stay as calm as possible.

"Ooohh, I'm shaking in my boots piggy."

Oh boy, that did it. She really was so going to pay this time. "Say that again Parkinson and see what happens."

My wand hand ready to strike the moment she opened her mouth.

She stepped back slightly. "Or what De'lore, you'll do what, oink me to death?

I laughed in her face. "Oh you think you're so funny don't you Parkinson? Well lets see how funny you think this is then pug face."

Within an instant my wand was pointed at her, and before she even had time to speak or block my spell my wand erupted with a bright pink light and the spell hit her square in the chest with deadly accuracy.

There were roars of laughter as people saw what I had actually done. Where Parkinson had once stood now stood a small fat pug dog. I smiled very pleased and totally shocked with my work.

"What have you done?" Leila shouted hysterical. "Change her back De'lore, now."

I stepped forward still giggling. "Um no, I don't think I will thanks."

"I'm warning you De'lore change her back."

"Oh but she looks so much better like this." I said trying to keep a straight face as I leaned down and picked up the little pooch. "Oh bless she almost looks cute." Parkinson the pug struggled in my grip and tried to snap at my fingers. "Notice how I said almost. Now be nice Parkinson or I'll throw you into the lake and feed you to the giant squid."

The Slytherin's were all going mad, shouting and swearing in outrage and threatening to hex my friends if I didn't put her back to normal. Only problem was I didn't have a clue how to reverse the damn spell!

So I had to ensure they wouldn't touch my friends and so I did something that maybe was pushing it a little too far, but hay who really cared anyway, it was only Parkinson after all.

"I don't think you lot will be hexing anyone." I said as I moved towards the icy water's edge and held Parkinson over the half frozen lake. "Not unless you don't care much for your friend's well being that is."

"You wouldn't dare." Spat Malfoy glaring at me through truely evil eyes.

"Try me Malfoy." I spat back and matched his look. "Now, be good little Slytherin's and lower your wands."

My friends could hardly stand from laughing so much. Hermione however was a little calmer and did look slightly alarmed that I had Parkinson the Pug dangling over the water. "Anna, where did you learn to do that? It's human transfiguration and we are not taught it until year seven." She whispered trying to fight the urge to smile in spite of herself.

"My brother Corwen." I whispered back. "It was his best subject. He's amaising at it and quite often turns me into skunk."

"A skunk?" She asked a little taken a back. "Why a skunk?"

I shrugged. "I dunno he say's it suits me! Anyway he taught me how to do it but only problem is i don't know how to turn her back, we didn't get that far."

Hermione's eyes widened slightly before the look of deep thought crept over her face and I knew she was racking her brain, trying desperately to recall any information she had ever read on human transfiguration.

Meanwhile Malfoy had decided to take charge of the situation. "Change her back De'lore." He warned clearly not amused. "Now."

"Oh I'm sorry Malfoy but I really don't think that is an option at the moment, you see, I quite like Pansy the way she is, I mean just look at her, with her little squishy face and all. I have to say it's quite an improvement if you ask me." I smiled widely.

Only to my shock so did Malfoy, and all the other Slytherin's.

And as their smirks got deeper mine soon faded when two other people joined our little party.

Snape and McGonagall.

Oh bugger!

"And what in the name of..." McGonagall gasped when she saw the small dog in my hand dangling over the lake.

I smiled stiffly and gave a nervous chuckle. Slowly I moved my hand away from the water and brought my hand and the pug close to my chest and stroked it lovingly while Parkinson tried to snap at my fingers.

"Oh nice doggy." I said trying hard to distract from the fact that seconds ago I had tried to kill it!

"I-I-Is that?" She pointed to the small fat dog I now held in my arms . "Is that a-a student miss De'lore?"

"Um, I, well um. I-it's kind of a funny story, I um, well it,it…ok yes. Yes, it's a student. It's Pansy Parkinson to be precise." I smiled nervously.

McGonagall gasped again and placed her hand to her chest.

"Yes but professor." Came George to my rescue "Parkinson deserved it. She's been bullying Anna for two weeks and she's been a right pain in the arse. Hasn't she Fred?"

"Yes she has, and she had what was coming if you asked me. Anyway I agree with Anna it's a huge improvement."

"Then I'm sure Mr. Weasley you can explain that to Miss Parkinson's parents." Hissed Snape livid. " I'm sure they will totally understand why their daughter has been turned into a small, fat pug dog." He turned to McGonagall who stood there speechless.

Snape cleared his throat in an attempt to get McGonagall's attention "Oh y-yes." She said still a little dazed. "Um well I-I'm, words fail me Miss De'lore. I can by no means condone what you have done and you shall be punished accordingly but however I have to say Miss De'lore your human transfiguration is is absolutely outstanding."

I smiled widely "Thank you professor." I said genuinely pleased with myself.

It was all a little too much for Snape however as he butted in his overly larger than average nose once more. "Outstanding or not Menervra." He spat. "Now is hardly the time to be congratulating a student on there transfiguration ability. Especially when they do not deserve it. Now if you do not dish out an appropriate punishment then I will."

McGonagall shot Snape a look that even sent shivers down my spine "I am quite capable professor Snape, to deal with my own students as I see fit and I DO not need any assistance from you, is that quite clear?."

Her eyes fiercely fixed upon Snape for a few seconds before she rounded upon me.

"Now, I merely stated that someone of Miss De'lore's age has mastered human transfiguration perfectly especially as we haven't covered it yet. " She took the dog out of my hands and placed it on the floor. "However, just because you have a brother who excels in transfiguration De'lore does not mean he is your teacher, especially when, might I add, you are under age and should not be learning magic outside of Hogwarts." She pointed her wand at Parkinson and unfortunatly reversed the spell.

Parkinson once again stood before us.

Looking flustered, her hair dishevelled, she scowled at me fuming. "You just wait De'lore, when my parents hear about this they will have you expelled."

I looked at her not really bothered by her words, I knew her parents stood no chance of having me expelled as my parents were just as 'powerful' as her's if not slightly more so. However my parents would not be best pleased with me turning one of the Parkinson's into a dog and I would no doubt be getting punished when I went home for Christmas and more than likely my parents would apologise profusely on my behalf . So the only person I had to worry about getting me expelled was Snape and as McGonagall would never let Snape expel one of her students, it was McGonagall I had to work on.

So I burst into tears.

"I-I'm so sorry professor." I said through fake sobs "B-but I-I really couldn't take anymore."

I heard Snape mutter something under his breath while George put a loving arm around me. "There, there Anna. See Professor McGonagall, see what Parkinson's bullying has done. You should be ashamed of yourself Parkinson, totally ashamed, espesially after what she went through a few weeks ago. Any ideas Parkinson as to who in fact spiked Anna's drink in the first place?"

McGonagall looked at Parkinson questionally "Well Miss Parkinson."

Parkinson looked like she was about to explode. "I Know absolutley nothing about it. How dare you even imply it Weasley."

"It's true Professor." Malfoy Interjected with a sneer. "Pansy had nothing to do with it, if you want to find out who did it you should look a little closer to home Weasley." He looked coldly at me.

Oh crap, I forgot that Malfoy saw me take that stuff!

So I cried even harder.

McGonagall said nothing for a while before she pulled out her wand and magiced me a hanky "Here wipe your eyes; we'll go to my office and discus this further. Parkinson, I suggest you and your friends be on your way too I'm sure professor Snape will accommodate any grievances that you may have, come De'lore."

I 'dried' my eyes and blew my nose and gave pug face Parkinson a discreet smirk as I walked passed her while Parkinson glared right back at me.

"This isn't over De'lore just wait till my parents hear about this." She whispered just loud enough for me to hear.

"And just wait until my parents hear how much of a bully you are and how you're bullying drove me to do it in the first place. If I get punished for this Parkinson then so do you. See you around." With that I continued to sob into my hanky and slowly followed McGonagall back to the castle.

x x x x x x

Draco Malfoy's fists clenched tightly as he stood a few doors down from McGonagall's office, hidden out of sight waiting for De'lore to reapear and make her way back to her common room. He couldn't believe what had gone on today. He was totally and utterly outraged by the whole situation. Who did she think she was? Carrying on in that manner. Really she should be totally ashamed of herself.

He couldn't believe how much anger he felt at that moment in time. He wanted nothing more than to hex everyone and everything that crossed his path and wouldn't rest untill he had inflicted some serious pain upon someone and it didn't matter who, though preferably one of those Weasel twins would be ideal.

He heard the door to McGonagall's office open and out came De'lore. "Thanks Professor." She called.

" Straight back to the common room and no detours Anna ok."

Draco breathed in deeply and then slowly released it trying to calm himself slightly as he heard her footsteps approaching before he stepped out from where he stood. "De'lore." He spat like venom.

She jumped slightly and gave a low moan. "Merlin's beard...Malfoy. And what can I do for you?"

He could feel his features tense and sneered at her with deadly rage. "Do you even need to ask De'lore?"

She rolled her eyes, huffed, ignored him then walked straight passed him without so much as a second glance.

This only enraged him even more "Don't walk away from me De'lore. I'm warning you."

She stopped in her tracks and turned to face him clearly not happy. "What Malfoy? What do you want? Seriously I've had about as much as I can take today, don't make it worse."

"Worse, worse! Do you have any idea what you did today De'lore?"

"Actually Malfoy I do as it was in fact me who did it."

"And?" he demanded.

"And what?"

"And did those fake tears of yours work De'lore? Is all forgiven? You are a disgrace plain and simple you should be ashamed."

She frowned at him "Oh shut up you complete prat. Do you really think I give a damn about Pansy Bloody Parkinson?"

Draco shook his head with a hint of confusion. "Parkinson? Who said anything about Parkinson?"

De'lore scowled clearly not understanding what he was talking about.

His sneer was firmly back in place and his hands were once again curled into tight fists.

"W-what are you even blabbing on about now Malfoy? I've just had to sit through an hour long lecture with McGonagall and I really don't need you adding to my already befuddled brain thank you very much. Now either say what you gotta say of bugger off and leave me alone."

He said nothing while glaring coldly at her.

"Oh whatever Malfoy." She said clearly irritated.

"You're a disgrace De'lore did you know that? Acting like that in front of everyone. Making me look like fool, just who do you think you are?"

"Making you look like a fool." She frowned at him looking slightly baffled. "What...how did my turning Parkinson in to a dog make you look like a fool. Look Malfoy you are making no sense what so ever so if you don't mind." She went to walk off once more.

"And I told you I wasn't talking about Blood Pansy. I couldn't give a Damn about Pansy."

"Then what exactly are you bloody well talking about Malfoy?" She raised her voice now to match his, her anger started to surface too.

Draco walked slowly towards her. He could feel his features still hard and tense and he sneered with pure loathing as he spat out each and every word with repulsion. "I'm talking about Weasley."

She was silent for a moment and look deep in thought. "Huh? Ron? W-what has Ron got to do with it?"

Draco mentally rolled his eyes "Not him, I'm taking about the other Weasel. The one who you were all over like a bad case of dragon pox."

"...George?"

"Whoever."

"Whats George got to do with it? He didn't do anything either. It was me Malfoy, me who stupidly let Parkinson get the better of me, it's between me and her, not you not Ron and not George. Now if you don't mind I have things to do." And with that she turned and started walking again.

"You should be ashamed De'lore, you're supposed to be respected but instead you're nothing more than some common little harlot." He hissed nastily wanting nothing more than to seriously hurt her with every word he spat. "Well the two of you deserve one another, both pathetic and useless and a total disgrace to the wizarding world."

De'lore stopped in her tracks and stood still for a moment before turning to face him. He was expecting her to to be angry, to be full of rage and ready to blow her top, but insted to his dissapointment her face was calm and almost soft looking. She breathed in slowly, gave him a half smile and simply said "I didn't think jealousy was becoming of a Malfoy...go back to your common room before you make an even bigger fool out of yourself."

And with that she was on her way yet again.

Malfoy stood ridged on the spot, jaw still clenched tight and fists still curled into little balls. This was far from over and the two of them would pay, he wasn't sure when but one day and one day soon Anna De'lore would get what was coming...he, Draco Malfoy would make sure of it.