Disclaimer: All publicly recognisable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

She almost didn't notice it when she woke up the next morning, but there it was on top of her pillow. Iliana glanced around the dormitory, but the other girls were still sleeping. She shrugged, stuffing the slip of parchment into the pocket of her robes; after dressing quickly, she made the journey to the Great Hall. Only a few students sat at the tables. Most chose to sleep in on Saturdays. There, at the Gryffindor table, were Fred and his brothers, along with Harry and a girl by whom Iliana knew only as Granger. Iliana dropped her gaze once they all looked up at her, and found a seat with the handful of Slytherins who had elected to wake up before lunch. Conversations floated around her, but she remained silent as she grabbed a piece of a toast and bacon.

"Is it really true you're friends with the Weasleys?"

Iliana barely glanced up at a freshly-arrived Pansy Parkinson "So what if I am?"

"They're blood-traitors!"

"They're perfectly acceptable human beings. In fact, you should take a page from their book."

Before the other could reply, she rose to her feet and left the Great Hall. The corridors were barren – save for Peeves. Once the poltergeist caught sight of her, he zoomed to bob in front of her, an evil grin on his round face.

"Hello, Peeves. May I pass by?"

"Shan't let you through if you don't do something for me!"

"Peeves, if you don't move, I'll be forced to tell the Bloody Baron you're up to your tricks again."

At this, Peeves made a quick exit, cursing and making obscene gestures the entire way. Iliana turned toward the person and smiled inwardly. He was wearing a Head Boy badge and impeccable robes. No guessing was necessary in order to figure out to which family he belonged: the Weasleys. His hair gave it away, though he definitely looked less unkempt than the rest did.

"Thank you."

He looked almost surprised. "You're welcome. Where are you going? Ypou shouldn't be wandering the castle!"

"I'm going to Hagrid's."

"Alone?"

"Yes. Do you really think Sirius Black is going to break into Hogwarts at the risk of the Dementors catching him, to kill an innocent student who's walking across the school grounds?"

"I'd feel better if you weren't risking your neck to visit the caretaker."

"He's also a professor. And I'm going," she declared firmly, and a flicker of annoyance flashed through his eyes.

"Fine. I'll take you."

"Very well."

The trek to the hut on the edge of the forest was silent but for their footsteps and the wind through the trees. The Weasley boy kept looking around as if expecting to see the escaped prisoner coming at them. She cleared her throat quietly.

"So why'd you come, too? I mean, it's broad daylight. You don't really think Black would be daft enough to attack during the day, do you?"

"Well, considering half the castle is still asleep, and he most likely knows it, it wouldn't be hard to attack a student who's alone, even during the day."

"Oh. Well…thanks."

"Not a problem at all."

He gave a curt nod once they'd stopped outside the door of Hagrid's hut and turned back toward the school. She raised a fist to knock on the door; Hagrid gave her a half-exasperated, half-amused smile as he ushered her inside, muttering about how "Yeh shouldn'a risked it, Black could be anywhere!" Fang drooled on her robes while Hagrid poured mugs of tea and set out a plate of rock cakes. They'd only begun talking when another knock sounded from the door. When the mass of man moved, behind him a red-haired, freckled boy; a girl with big, bushy, brown hair; and the Boy Who Lived himself, Harry Potter.

"What's she doing here?" the boy muttered in an undertone to Harry; Hagrid didn't seem to notice this.

Harry shrugged, and they all sat around the table. The girl gave Iliana a timid smile, which was returned almost instantly. Their conversations flowed between them, but Iliana noticed the Weasley boy intentionally left her out of anything he said. Finally, Iliana interrupted him while he was talking about his trip to Egypt over the holidays.

"Is there any reason as to why you're pretending I don't exist? I know you see me here."

He couldn't pretend she hadn't spoken. "I'm sorry, but I don't speak to people like you."

"People like me? What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means you're just like Malfoy. Pureblood, look down upon blood-traitors and Mudbloods alike, think you're so great with your gold and status. I bet you're thrilled with being in Slytherin."

"Ron! She ain't the enemy!"

"It's fine, Hagrid, really," she muttered, rolling her eyes and rising to her feet.

"No, it ruddy well i'nt. Yeh sit down! Yeh say yeh hate Malfoy, Ron? Well, yeh're not a sight better with the way yeh're treating Iliana."

"Sorry," mumbled Ron; his cheeks flamed a deep ruby, but his eyes said contrary to his words.

"If you must know, Ron, I hate Malfoy. My House isn't my biggest accomplishment. My mum's a so-called Mudblood, and my father's half-and-half. I've no extra gold that would put myself on the same level as Malfoy. And I don't give a damn if you're a blood-traitor, as long as you're a decent person to me." She stood up again. "I'm going to the castle."

In front of the fireplace in the common room sat Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle. She sighed and retrieved her bag from the dormitory. There was a small group in a far corner of the common room; she pulled up a chair to a table, grabbed out the Transfiguration homework and began answering the questions. It had only been ten minutes before she glanced up at a cluster of first years as they entered the room. Though they were quiet, she could easily tell they'd fallen silent at the three formidable figures hulking before the fire. She sighed again, gathering up her books and bag, and left the room. The librarian was hawkish, and the library less welcoming than where she'd left, but at least here, Iliana didn't have to struggle to ignore the condescending remarks from Malfoy and his cronies.

Exhaling deeply, she sank into a chair and started, once again, on the homework. She'd finished Transfiguration and the essay for Potions, by the time she became aware of a presence behind her. She slowly set her quill down onto her parchment and reached for her wand; she whirled around. The tip came within inches of the boy's nose. He looked shocked – and slightly terrified – at the sudden threat to his face.

"Oh, it's you."

"Blimey, Iliana, that wasn't exactly what I was expecting as a greeting."

"Sorry, Fred. Next time, please don't sneak up on me like that. How did you know I was here?"

"Simple. Malfoy's in the Slytherin common room, and I figured any person in their right mind would be far from him. I also heard you had homework, so…here you are, and here I am."

Madam Pince swooped past with a dark scowl on her face. The two fell silent until she'd passed. Iliana smiled.

"I'd better get started on my Divination, I reckon."

"Yea, I've got Potions to do," muttered Fred, grimacing. "Snape's a right pain sometimes."

"I don't have problems out of him."

"You're Slytherin, so of course not."

They became quiet again, with only the scratching of quills on parchment to break up the silence. Fred tapped his pinkie against the table to get her attention; she glanced over. He beckoned with his eyes toward the corner of his homework.

Do you have permission to go to Hogsmeade?

Yes, I was a good girl this summer.

He grinned. Want to go with me?

She hesitated, biting her lip. She hadn't exactly been planning on actually going. He must have sensed her doubt, for he scrawled quickly,

Or we can go some other time. That's fine, too.

Can I get back to you on that? I promise to have an answer by the day of.

Of course.

At that, Fred stood up, put his quill and parchment into his bag, and walked away with a small wink. Iliana blushed after he'd disappeared from sight. She stared down at her Divination homework but quickly realised she wasn't able to concentrate. She left the library. The students who'd woken up late were now heading to the Great Hall for lunch. Iliana instead walked up to the Owlery to send off another letter to her mum and dad. No, they'd ask too many probing questions about Fred, as parents normally did. She sat against the wall on a clean square of the floor and began writing.

Maggie –

I miss you so much! I'm sorry that we're not together any more. I wish I'd never been sent to a private boarding school. Oh, well, I reckon. I've only made one friend so far – and it's a boy! The girls (at least in my dormitory) are all the ones we used to make fun of – the one who think they're better than others. You know the type. (Amanda Walker would look like an angel compared to some of these girls.)

Anyway. I just wanted to let you know I miss you and can't wait for holidays so I can see you again!

Give your mum my best!

Love, your friend always,

Iliana.

She sent the letter off with one of the school owls, making sure that her parents would be the ones receiving it; they would then pass it on through the Muggle post. She leaned on the edge of the window and watched the owl disappear in the sky. A sudden rustling noise at the door had her spinning around to face the newcomer: It was Granger.

"Oh, er, hello!"

Iliana noticed that, though the girl tried to appear calm, her voice shook ever so slightly.

"Hello. Aren't you the girl from Hagrid's cabin?"

"Yes. Hermione."

"I'm Iliana."

Hermione crossed the room to tie a scroll of parchment to a barn owl's leg. When she turned back around from releasing the bird, she cleared her throat.

"Er, did you mean what you said at Hagrid's?"

"About not being the typical Slytherin? Yea, I did."

"That's good. Malfoy's a foul git."

"Believe me, I know. At least you lot can get away from him. I'm stuck with him and Parkinson."

"Poor you."

"Tell me about it. What was with Ron today?"

"Oh. That. I was wondering if that would come up. Don't mind Ron. Please don't. Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson have just teased him so mercilessly for so long, he tends to dismiss all Slytherins rather harshly. If it makes you feel better, he felt really sorry once you left."

"I suppose some guilt is better than none." Iliana shoved her hand into the pocket of her robe and felt a small piece of parchment scratch her finger. She pulled it out and unfolded it. "Oh! I'd forgotten about this!"

"What is it?"

"I don't know. I found it on my pillow this morning."

You have a beautiful smile.

Share it more often.

-Me.

"Well, that's certainly strange. Any idea who it could be from?"

"No. Boys aren't allowed in the girls' dormitories, and besides, none of the boys even notice my existence."

Hermione pursed her lips in thought. "I can ask around to see how notes could travel from one House dormitory to another overnight, if you'd like. Oh, no! I've got to go. I promised Harry and Ron I'd help them with their work. Bye, Iliana! It was wonderful meeting you!"

"Sure. Er, bye, Hermione."

Iliana gazed out the window down at the grounds. She could see two flashes of bright red sitting by the Black Lake; she knew it was Fred and his twin brother. She smiled slightly before heading back to the main part of the castle.

::

The voices were strange, yet comforting, familiar. There was another female voice – Georgie, her mum! But wait… her baby eyes only saw blurry, fuzzy shapes, but she could see she was now cradled against a strong shoulder. The voice didn't belong to David. No. There was her mum's voice again, speaking in hushed tones to the other woman,

"Of course we will. She'll be safe. I promise."

2115 words for one chapter! I think that's pretty good (:

Now, I'm super-tired, so I'm going to bed. (: Thank you for your time.