Charms class was relatively easy. Georgie Hawkins had made sure to her daughter had known how to perform different spells by the age of ten. Though it was considered illegal by the Ministry of Magic to use magic outside of a wizarding school, an authority had allowed a special circumstance for Mrs Hawkins to teach Iliana and eleven other budding witches and wizards, due to the fact Georgie had been a professor at Hogwarts until becoming pregnant with her daughter.
Thankfully, the Slytherins had been paired up with the Ravenclaws for Charms. Iliana was certain she couldn't have dealt with staring at Harry Potter's face for an hour, or else she'd go 'round the bend. She sighed, and threw her quill and parchment into the bottom of her bag. There was fifteen minutes before the start of next class; she hurried out of the classroom and onto the grounds. Shimmering waters reflected the sunshine as she headed to the Black Lake. A few stolen moments of peace and quiet were all Iliana wanted. She dropped her bag onto the grass and sat beside it. Ripples spread toward the shore from the middle of the lake; she pulled out her want, running her fingers along the smooth wood. She'd used her mother's wand until she'd turned eleven and then purchased her own in Diagon Alley. There, she'd witnessed loads of other young witches and wizards buying the supplies they would need for school. Iliana had asked her mother why she wasn't going to Hogwarts, like the rest. To this day, she still could not recall ever having received a direct answer. The closest she'd gotten to one was "The Ministry says I can teach you at home."
She sighed, replaced her wand, and picked up a rock nearby. After examining it for a moment, she quickly tossed it into the lake.
"Something the matter?"
She glanced up. "Oh. Hi."
"Hello. What's the matter?"
"Nothing."
"As much of a lie that I can plainly see that is, I'll wait until you want to tell me."
He sat down beside her, and they stared across the great expanse of water in silence. She wasn't used to having a companion in any shape or form; the rest of her House was too into Malfoy or themselves to care much about anybody else. But this boy had taken an interest in how she felt, what she was thinking, and was waiting for her to tell him. It was odd.
"I kind of hate being here."
"I'm sorry?"
"I haven't been away from home this long. Ever. I miss it. I miss my mum being around all the time, being the one who taught me everything. My dad who always managed to make every day amazing before I even got out of bed. Being away from what I know is… it isn't exactly fun."
"I understand. I was the same way my first year, even though I had my brother with me."
"Oh."
"Believe me: It gets easier eventually."
"That's good to know." She fell quiet for a few minutes. "I'm Iliana."
"Fred."
"Well, Fred, it was nice to meet you, but I've got a class to go to."
"How did your father make your days amazing from the start?" he called after her as she started toward the hut at the edge of the forest; she stopped and faced him.
"He used to leave me little notes on my bedside table, with inspiring words or a riddle or clues to a scavenger hunt he'd made up for me. Why?"
He shrugged. "Just curious."
When Fred didn't respond further, Iliana strode briskly across the grounds to Care of Magical Creatures. The rest of the Slytherin House was already huddled together, away from the Gryffindors. Malfoy looked up at she approached and, as per usual, sneered.
"Talking to a Weasel, eh? What, are you a blood traitor, too?"
"I think she's just really desperate for a friend," laughed Pansy Parkinson cruelly, giving Malfoy what was to be a winning smile.
"If that's the case, she can't afford to be picky!"
Iliana's voice was calm and cool, no trace of anger detectable, when she retorted, "You know what I think?"
"I didn't realise you could think. You're worse than a Mudblood!"
Before even she knew what was happening, her wand was out and aimed directly at Malfoy's face. He'd gone cross-eyed trying to keep the tip in his sight. Iliana opened her mouth, but just then, a giant mass of a man with a bushy beard and even bushier hair stepped out of the hut.
"Alrigh', alrigh'. Break it up. Put away the wand, Miss…"
"Hawkins."
"Alrigh'. Well, Miss Hawkins, put your wand away and step away from Malfoy."
Draco looked smug as she slipped her wand back into her pocket. The class followed Hagrid into the Forbidden Forest; Iliana noticed Malfoy's pale eyes would hardly stop flitting around in their sockets. She suppressed a grin and tuned in to what the professor was talking about.
It happened so fast. One minute, Malfoy was on his feet between Crabbe and Goyle. Next, he was on the ground clutching his arm, yelling pathetically, "It's killed me!" and moaning. Class was cut short; Iliana waited until everyone had left before walking slowly toward the hippogriff. She bowed and held her breath, but she needn't have worried for the magnificent beast bowed back. She ran a hand over the feathers. Though she knew Buckbeak probably couldn't understand what she was saying, she began talking to him.
Footsteps crashed through the trees, but, before she could turn around, she heard Hagrid's voice:
"Oi! Wha' are yeh doin' here?"
"Um, I was visiting with Buckbeak."
"Well, yeh're missin' yer next class."
"It's just Divination."
"Why were yeh tryin' ter hex Malfoy?"
"Because he's a git."
Hagrid laughed. "Well, o' course he is! He's a Malfoy! They're all a bunch of Dark Arts lovers. But I never said that."
"I heard nothing." She paused. "I really liked today's lesson. Buckbeak was amazing."
"Even though he attacked Malfoy?"
"Especially because he attacked Malfoy. He deserved it."
"Thanks. But I reckon Malfoy's father won't see it that way."
"Well, he can piss off. Oh, er, sorry."
"Quite alrigh'. Well, yeh better get off to the castle. It isn't safe ter be wanderin' the grounds after dark."
She nodded, gave Buckbeak one final pat, and then headed for the castle. Once in the common room, she pulled out a piece of parchment and her quill. She hadn't written to her mother since she'd arrived at Hogwarts.
Mum (and Dad!)
Things are going alright here at school, though I'd much rather still be at home. I've still got no friends, but I don't mind. I really don't. Although… well, I guess I do have one friend. His name is Fred. I met him today. He's alright so far… He actually listened to me when I told him I was homesick – which I am. I miss you two. I miss Maggie. (Speaking of, would you please pass on a letter to her, for me? Thank you!)
There's a kid here who's a total prat! He's worse than the Muggle bullies. It's apparent that he hates anyone who isn't in Slytherin. But it's alright. Let's just say he got his comeuppance today! It made my entire year.
Before you ask – yes, I'm being safe and following the rules here. I already know of that Black character on the loose. The professors (including the Headmaster) have all assured us that he's nowhere near here, so please don't worry!
She hesitated. Should she tell them of Harry Potter? She shook her head and finished,
I'd better go. Dinner.
Love, Iliana.