AN: I was asked why Holly isn't in the Ravenclaw's girl's dorm. She is. But there were more female claws then they'd prepared for, so the dorm wasn't big enough for all of them, which means the girls were split into two groups. I thought it was clear but… Eh.

The next morning dawned bright and early with Penelope hammering on the door to the First year girls Dorm the second, as I will always call it.

"Wake up kids, it's time for Flitwick's welcome speech!" She shouted as we all tumbled out of bed.

I grumbled about damned early birds as I pushed myself to my feet and stumbled into the bathroom. Five minutes later, I was heading downstairs where I was immediately hit by a small ballistic missile. I looked down and was unsurprised by the sight of Holly clinging to me. I chuckled and rubbed her head.

"And good morning to you Holly," I said with a grin on my face, noticing out of the corner of my eye Kyara dragging herself down the stairs with her face on the carpet.

Holly let go of me and took a step back, blushing slightly.

"Ah, it's always a delight to see new friendships start," said Flitwick in his squeaky voice.

The diminutive teacher was stood on a podium so he was at head height with us.

"Miss Malfoy, it has been brought to my attention that you have a Dense Core, correct?" He asked.

I nodded, playing with the ring distractedly. "That's right sir."

"I see, I shall inform the rest of your teachers," Said Flitwick, "I assume that you are aware of the problems you may experience until you get accustomed to your magic?"

I nodded. A side effect of having a dense core was having problems the exact opposite of most new Magicals. Most 11 year olds when they first start learning have problems with underpowering their spells. Those with a Dense Core tended to overpower their spells, which could be quite dangerous, I would know, I've watched enough anime to know that overpowering techniques would cause a big f*ing explosion or work but be super strong.

"Excellent, I trust that you will be careful?"

I nodded again.

"Yes sir."

Flitwick nodded.

"Excellent."

He turned back to the room at large as the rest of the house began to trickle in.

"Is everyone here?" Asked Flitwick as the last few stragglers jogged down the stairs, "Excellent. Now, as you were informed last night, our Common Room doesn't have a password, instead you have to answer a riddle. If you can't answer, you will need to wait for someone else to come along. It is meant to keep our minds sharp, so don't be caught off guard. Now, as I'm sure you noticed on your way up, the castle is prone to changing, however, I do have some enchanted maps that will help you find your way around if you wish. They aren't perfect I'm afraid, but it's better than nothing. Now, onto something a little more serious. I strongly suggest that all First Years drop by to see Madam Pomphrey, especially the Muggleborn's. You will need to get boosters for any vaccinations you require, understand?"

The first years all nodded, except for John who just sorta shrugged like he always does.

"Excellent. I hold meetings with individual students once a month in my office, the schedule for which is on the notice board, but if you have any problems, my door is always open to you. With that, the only things left for me to do is hand you your timetable and wish you a good year at Hogwarts, thank you."

He stepped down from the podium as the Prefects stepped forwards with a sheaf of papers each that turned out to be our timetables and we were let go for breakfast, luckily I was informed before I used it as toilet paper…

"There, look."

"Where?"

"Next to the midget with the Purplish hair."

"You mean that little girl?"

"Did you see her face?"

"Did you see her scar?"

So what if I was short?! I just hadn't hit my growth spurt yet! And my hair was close enough to black to be called black even if it wasn't…

I scowled at the whispers, messing with my ring, extremely tempted to use it and try out some of its built in spells on the idiots. Fortunately, it didn't seem that Holly noticed. The girl seemed to be much happier today for some reason, although why I'm not exactly sure. Still, it was nice to see her smiling, so I put the idiots out of my mind and decided to just enjoy my first day at Hogwarts.

The maps provided by Flitwick quickly proved to be worth their weight in gold as they allowed us to get to class in a reasonable amount of time and without getting lost, something which the other Houses unfortunately lacked. I made a point of obtaining a few maps for Daphne, Tracey and Blaise after they complained about getting lost to me, earning me a few points from Flitwick in the process for being a good friend. The classes were pretty much as I expected honestly, so I won't bother describing them, like, the only differences were the ones that had to exist, like Holly and Blaise being chicks, and me, Kyara and John existing. The only real difference was in the first Transfiguration lesson of the term when McGonagall set us to transfiguring matches. My first attempt proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that having a Dense Core was going to be a pain when I accidentally turned my whole desk into a giant needle instead of my matchstick, I had to refrain from making a dick joke. Fortunately, Flitwick had already informed McGonagall about my issue and so she just clicked her tongue, turned the desk back and suggested that I try meditation to get my magic under control.

After that particular class, which, along with Charms, was shared with the Snecks, Dray Dray tried to accost Holly and I, but a quick use of a hidden passage and a shifting staircase meant that we were on our way to our next lesson, leaving the twit in the dust on our way to our next lesson, that just so happened to be Potions with the Hufflepuff's.

The lesson started out exactly as expected, with Snape taking the register, before giving his spiel

"You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion making," he began. He spoke in barely more than a whisper, but they caught every word — like Professor McGonagall, Snape had the gift of keeping a class silent without effort. "As there is little foolish wand-waving here, many of you will hardly believe this is magic. I don't expect you will really understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through human veins, bewitching the mind, ensnaring the senses… I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, and even stopper death… if you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach."

His eyes swept the room, momentarily lingering on Holly and I, before moving on.

"Miss Bones," said Snape suddenly. "What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"

The red headed Hufflepuff jumped at the sudden question.

"Err, I think it's the Draught of Living Death?" she said.

"Are you asking me or telling me?" Snapped Snape.

"The Draught of Living Death sir," said Susan.

"Correct," said Snape, "Miss Potter, where would you look if I told you to find me a bezoar?"

Holly jumped slightly at being addressed directly.

"T-the stomach of a g-goat s-sir," she said looking terrified.

"Correct," said Snape, "And one more I think. Miss Malfoy, what is the difference between Monkshood and Wolfsbane?"

"Nothing sir, they are the same plant," I answered.

"Correct again," said Snape, looking pleased, "It seems that you are not all Dunderheads. Well, why aren't you writing this all down?"

There was a flurry of activity as those who hadn't been taking notes hurried to do so, before Snape, sorry, make that Professor Snape, began the lesson. And by that I mean actually taught us, not just put the recipe on the board and had us go from there. My respect my brother's Godfather shot up a few notches by the end of the lesson.

As an added bonus, as we didn't have Neville in our class, no cauldrons were melted and everyone got out of the lesson without being hurt, other than a few minor burns that came with working with hot materials and open fires. Oddly enough Ron was really good in this version of the world… Huh…

The next day, Holly received a letter from Hagrid via Hedwig, who she had still received from said half Giant inviting her tea and, after blasting me with the most adorable pair of puppy dog eyes I'd ever seen, managed to drag me along with her, I dragged Kyara, who in turn dragged John, as well as Daphne, Tracey and Blaise, who we ran into on our way out.

"She could be a deadly weapon with those eyes," muttered Blaise as we followed Holly down towards Hagrid's hut, "Although, I have to say, it's nice to see her so happy."

Happy was an understatement. I'm not entirely sure what was going on her Girls Dorm, but every day, Holly seemed more and more happy and just a bit more confident. Oh she was still shy and didn't volunteer anything in lessons, but she spoke more and was becoming more outgoing with our housemates and the 'Neutral Three' as Blaise, Daphne and Tracey were known, Kyara and John also had a bit of a title, they were the 'Melting water.' Mostly because John seemed to have two modes, Ice king and human. Kyara had it slightly different, she had what we called her 'Murder Mode' and her normal mode, so melting water, a bit in-between.

It didn't take long to reach Hagrid's hut and Holly knocked on the door. Almost immediately, a frantic scrabbling could be heard from inside, along with several booming barks. Holly paled and practically teleported behind me, peeking out as Hagrid's voice rang out.

"Back, Fang, back!"

The door opened, revealing Hagrid's big, hairy face appeared in the crack.

"Hang on," he said. "Back, Fang."

He let us in, struggling to keep a hold on the collar of an enormous black boarhound, which Holy was eyeing wearily as she kept me between her and it. It was probably a good thing that Eva was off somewhere since the lion cub was growing up quickly and was now about the size of Fang and was likely about ten times more dangerous. There was only one room inside. Hams and pheasants were hanging from the ceiling, a copper kettle was boiling on the open fire, and in the corner stood a massive bed with a patchwork quilt over it.

"What the f*ck are they doing here?" Demanded a very familiar voice from the table.

"I could ask you the same thing Fisher," said Daphne coolly.

Jay Fisher… My arch nemesis, or at least my rival… We had met when I was 6, as my possible betrothed, I ended up flirting with his mother for about five minutes before they left angrily. See at the time I had kept the fact I was into chicks a secret from Dad and Drakey, Mum knew but couldn't do anything about it… Needless to say I learned first-hand the pain of a crucio fuelled by rage… Ow.

"Shut it you Slimy snake!" Snapped Fisher, "I don't have to tell you anything! Why don't you go back to kissing that slut's ass?!"

SMACK!

Jay recoiled, a red handprint on his cheek as the rest of us stared in shock. While the idiot getting slapped wasn't that surprising, it wasn't Daphne that had done it. It was Holly.

"I think you should leave Jay," said Hagrid, looking disappointed.

"But…"

"Now."

I stared at Hagrid as Ron stormed out, not sure what to make of Hagrid's response.

"I'm sorry about that Daphne," said the Half Giant after we had all introduced ourselves and he invited us all to sit down.

"I'll admit I'm a little surprised," I said as Hagrid bustled around, making tea, "No offence, but I was expecting to take Jay's side." It was a bit surprising for people that I called him Jay and not Fisher, but we had a connection, as in I kicked him in the dick whenever we met, so I figured it was fine.

Hagrid chuckled as he placed a gigantic mug in front of each of us.

"None taken Virgo," he said, "I understand why you'd think that, but the truth is I prefer to get to know people as individuals, not base my opinion on house or family name. It was your mother who taught me that Holly."

Holly looked up at the big man in surprise.

"Plus, I knew Daphne and Tracey's parents when they were at school. They were good people, still are, not really sure about Kyara really since her parents didn't really do much that I can think of, but still."

The two girls nodded and smiled at Hagrid, Kyara nodding with her patented "Murder Grin" as she liked to call it.

"I see, well, I'm sorry for my assumption," I said.

"Ah, think nothing of it," said Hagrid with a smile.

Unfortunately, open mind aside, Hagrid's cooking was the same as it was depicted in the books, which I quite liked because I had eaten things like it before I'd died, but he did have some interesting stories about all our parents and Tracey who loved animals, was having a good time fussing over Fang, who was happily drooling on her lap. I also noticed the Prophet cutting on the Gringotts break in, but I didn't mention it as to avoid ruining the jovial atmosphere as Hagrid was telling a story of a prank Tracey and Daphne's mums had played on Dad, Kyara pointing out facts that her own Mum had told her and John just kinda watching with a teeny tiny smirk and a few glances at Kyara.

The next day, Holly and I went to the Hospital Wing as Flitwick has suggested for a check-up. After giving me a quick scan and a few booster potions, Poppy declared me perfectly healthy and sent me on my way after giving me back my shirt, and the bandage I wore over my gut to hide a really ugly bruise that I had gotten in the womb or something, since it had been there when I was born. Apparently Diagnostic spells worked better if they didn't have to get through clothing, who knew?

Anyway, I stepped back out of the curtained off area Madam Pomphrey was using to give the check-ups as Holly was called in. I was about to start reading one of the chapters we had been assigned for homework, when Madam Pomphrey gave a startled gasp. Without thinking, I leaped to my feet and darted around the curtains, only to freeze at what I saw. Holly was sat on the bed with her back to the entrance, her shirt off. She was still wearing a vest, but that didn't do much to hide the mass of scars that covered her back, one of which was still fresh… Looks like the scars stayed for ages… It made my blood boil.

"Merlin's beard," whispered Madam Pomphrey, her eyes wide, "Who did this?"

"I can guess," I hissed, my eyes narrowing, "Her family."

"Is that true Miss Potter?" Asked Pomphrey, apparently too shaken to scold me.

Holly glanced back at me, before looking away and nodding with shame in her eyes, it was like she thought her family were right about her… But what did they say? What did they do?

"I see," said Madam Pomphrey, looking angry, "Well, I shall be taking this to Professor Dumbledore once we are done here. Rest assured Miss Potter, I will make sure that you will not be going back to those...people again. Miss Malfoy, do you mind stepping back outside?"

I nodded and went to leave.

"Wait…"

I paused and looked back. Holly was looking at me with pleading eyes.

"Don't go."

I glanced at Madam Pomphrey, who sighed and nodded.

"Alright, if Miss Potter doesn't mind, you can stay."

I nodded and sat next to Holly on the bed as Madam Pomphrey finished her examination. By the end of the scans, the Nurse looked ready to kill someone, which I had half a mind to do myself, but instead disappeared for a few moments, returning with a tub of cream.

"Here, this should help with the scarring," she said, "I'm afraid they're too old for me to heal them completely, but this should help reduce them. Apply it every night before bed and let it dry."

"Thank you," said Holly, taking the tub.

"No trouble at all Miss Potter," said Madam Pomphrey, "Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go and talk to the Headmaster."

She marched out of the Hospital Wing. I was tempted to get her to call the DMLE instead, but since Dumbledore hadn't done anything too bad yet, I decided to leave it be. Besides, Holly was looking at me like she expected me to run away.

"What's that look for?" I asked.

Holly flinched.

"W-well, I thought…"

She trailed off and looked away.

"What, you thought that because your home life is... fucking shitty I guess, I wouldn't be your friend anymore?" I asked, "Do you really think so badly of me?"

I put a hand on her chin and tilted her head up so I could meet her eyes, she looked so adorable when I looked her in the eyes with my two coloured ones.

"You're my friend Holly," I said, "I'd even go so far as to say you're my best friend. It'll take more than a few scars to change that."

Holly looked up at me for a second, before she suddenly lunged forwards and hugged me. I hugged her back, rubbing her back as she started crying into my chest, and my breasts. WHAT?! I'M A HORMONAL 11 YEAR OLD THAT USED TO BE A HORMONAL 14 YEAR OLD BEFORE I DIED OK!?

"Thank you Virgo," she said, "You're my best friend too."

AN: Hi guys! So we have a new character! I had to ask my friend, the one that helped with John, for a name 'cause I couldn't pick one! And ah… Anything else…? No I don't think so… Oh yeah! I'm gonna give John a nickname! The same as my friend's actually! So I'm going to try and set up a poll for what you think it's going to be! You don't get to pick, I just want to know what you think.