Disaster! The bludger was hitting all of its prey, the snitch was being especially evasive, Slytherin wasn't letting the quaffle out of their grips, and the players were everywhere - some even in the hospital. "Gryffindor! Gryffindor!" Gryffindors were losing thus far, but the crowds didn't stop cheering them on. It was still too early for the Quidditch games to start, but - somehow - James Potter had convinced the headmaster to start early. After much agreement from the Slythering team - who were sure they'd pummel the Gryffindors - it was decided to let them play early. "Slytherin! Slytherin! Slytherin!" Haven stared into the stadium, holding her ear muffs firmly to her ears in an attempt to block out the hoots, hollers, and screams of everyone around. Thus far, her efforts seemed to be in vain.

"Slytherin scores again!"

Screams.

Boos.

Clapping.

Stomping in anger.

"Just catch the snitch already!"

"Slytherin sucks!"

"Go Gryffindor!"

"Keep it up Slytherin!"

The noise was dizzying. The smells were nauseating. Haven's wide, pastel green eyes couldn't tell one person's blurry form from another as all they all whizzed past on their brooms, chasing each other around. She was sure James and Sirius were out there, somewhere - she just couldn't figure out where. Alice elbowed Haven repeatedly whilst screaming something that blurred into the general noise of everything else and Lily, on her other side, gripped her shoulder tight and screamed out names accompanied by what sounded like words of encouragement. "Score for Gryffindor!" Haven peered around at the intense cheering, holding her ear muffs tighter to her ears, nearly making them go numb. She could feel her stomach churning. The only thing she wanted to do was go back to her room and read. She never liked Quidditch and that didn't change just because Lily asked her to come. Haven peered over at Lily who was screaming so loud that Haven feared for her own ears. "Gryffindor scores again! Bringing them ten points behind Slytherin!" She felt faint. Her ears were ringing loudly. Slamming her lids shut over her pastel green eyes, Haven attempted to narrow her senses, focusing so she didn't faint or vomit. When Lily had initially offered to bring Haven to the early match, she - at first - had declined, not wanting to deal with the crowd. It was only the day before the match that James Potter had asked if she'd be there to cheer him on. Unable to say no to him, Haven assured him she'd be accompanying Lily. Little did she know that also meant sharing a row with Alice Prewitt, Remus Lupin, Peter Pettigrew, and Hailey Gavins and her Marauder Fan Club. Haven was trying so hard to ignore everything that she didn't even realize when Bookworm and Lily traded places. Apparently, Haven had done an excellent job in blocking her senses because the strong scent of werewolf didn't hit her until Bookworm touched her. He had wrapped a protective arm around Haven, tugging her back a step. Eyes snapping open, Haven nearly whirled her head so fast towards him she almost gave herself whiplash.

"You don't look like you're doing so well." He was quiet and almost sounded genuinely concerned.

"Neither do you." She snapped with a pastel glare. After realizing how rude she sounded, Haven's face heated with embarrassment and she quickly mumbled an apology under her breath.

"Let's get out of here." Nodding eagerly, Haven allowed him to hold her hand as they weaved through the crowd and made their way out of the stadium. Once they had gotten through the crowds their hands separated and they walked in silence back to the school building. It wasn't until they were both inside the common room that he sprung a surprise question on her. "You have a crush on James, right?" She swore her heart just stopped. Eyes wide, face red as a cherry, mouth hung, Haven couldn't find words. Bookworm stared her dead in the eyes, facing her, now. "Whatever 'white knight in shining armor' image you have of him is a false image. Don't get me wrong; he has his admirable qualities, but he isn't worth the heart break you will suffer." A little shocked - well, a lot shocked - Haven could only stare at him in silence. "Just figured I'd break it to you, now, before you got in too deep and got yourself hurt because of him." Remus turned and began walking towards the boys rooms. Fists clenched tight, Haven huffed, yelling after him.

"He is a good man!" Remus didn't respond. Angry, now, Haven stormed out of the common room and down the hall, not wanting to be in the same area as the Bookworm at that moment. Not walking quick enough, Haven broke out into a jog - which led to a dead run, long blonde hair flowing wildly out behind her. She wasn't even sure where she was going. In fact, she wasn't even sure why it had upset her so much in the first place. Finally slowing to a walk at a flight of stairs, huffing and attempting to catch her breath, she peered through a window on a far wall. "What am I doing?" She murmured to herself. Brushing some bangs out of her face, she moved out of the way of some students making their way up the stairs.

"-still can't even believe that."

"Well, it was just stupid!"

"Hey, what did you get on your potions quiz?"

"Oh gosh! I failed. What about you?"

"Same here."

"Wasn't it so hard, though! Professor Slughorn really shouldn't be in charge of potions."

"What about-"

The conversation grew quieter until they were out of Haven's ear shot. She thought about the quiz Slughorn had given to all of his classes. It was easy enough for even the majority of first years to complete it and pass. Shaking her head, she slowly took the stairs down, unsure of where she wanted to go, now. Haven spent about an hour just wandering the halls, attempting - and failing - not to linger on what Remus said. Was it really called for? Who was he to try to tell her James wasn't a good person. Remus was his best friend, for Merlin's sake! Her fists tightened in frustration again. She wanted nothing more than to give Remus a piece of her mind. A hard slap on her back snapped her out of her thoughts.

"Earth to Haven!" James shouted, waving a hand in her face. She paused a moment, glancing around her surroundings. There was a chorus of laughter from the Marauder Fan Club and Lily and her friends, as well as chuckles coming from Sirius and Peter. "You totally missed out on the big victory." Haven muttered an apology, blowing more hair out of her face. "Lils told us you snuck off with Moony." The grin on his face and he way he said 'snuck off' made Haven think his version of sneaking off included finding a broom closet. But, past that: Lils?

"I was feeling sick, so we left." Haven glared at him.

"I bet." He nudged her with an elbow and winked suggestively.

"You're a pervert, Potter. She's far too innocent for such a thing and we don't you dementing her any!" Lily stepped between James and Haven and glared at him. Sirius came up on Haven's other side, hooking an arm around her waist.

"Besides-" he cooed. "Moony can't have her. She's mine." Haven reddened.

"W-what!" Yanking away in surprise, Haven whirled on her heels to face the entire group. She could see the glares on the fan girls' faces. "I don't remember agreeing to this, yet!"

"Yet? Then consider this as me asking you out." Sirius didn't seem put off in the least by her reaction. Everyone, though - James included - looked shocked by his statement. Lily immediately jumped down his throat.

"She does not want to go out with you! Not when you've slept with half of the school!" Sirius stared at Lily blankly a moment.

"Are you Haven?" Lily protested to his point. "No, I didn't think so, either."

"B-but you hardly know me." Haven fiddled with the hem of her skirt, eyes focused heavily on the floor. A grin spread on Sirius' face.

"That wasn't a no, though, right?"

"That was a no!" Lily roared.

"I mean...I don't know a whole lot about you, either. But, we still have the date and we sit at the same table during meals. We could always plan time to hang out, too." She was nervous. No one had ever asked her out before. It was true that Haven only had eyes for James, but it wasn't like she had any real chance with him. Besides, what was the harm in attempting to get a little closer to the group in order to get closer to James? She only had the remainder of that year and the next to get close enough before the Marauders left Hogwarts and never returned. Haven suddenly hated being a year younger than them. She stared at her feet, a bit of depression sinking in at the thought. Lily continued roaring protests at Haven and Sirius getting together. Apparently, she'd rather have Remus and Haven get together. Shrugging innocently at Lily's protests, Haven offered Sirius and James a shy smile. James had a soft smile on his face that Haven had never seen before. She guessed that it was because the 'eternal bachelor' of the Marauders was trying to get with someone exclusively and said someone didn't immediately say no. The innocent smile growing into a grin, Haven peered over the crowd. "Congratulations on the victory!" Drawing on all of her courage, Haven moved quickly over to James and Sirius and gave them both kisses on the cheek before turning on her heels and gliding quickly down the hall. She didn't care to stick around for their reactions, Haven was content enough with just the action itself.


"No, over here! C'mon!" So much noise.

"I thought I saw it over here." So much screaming and yelling.

"Try not to get separated from your groups!" This almost felt like de ja vu.

Before snow tried blanketing the grounds, Professor Slughorn got special permission from Headmaster Dumbledor to gather all of the fifth, sixth, and seventh years from every house, pair them up, and send them on a wild goose hunt. Right this moment it was just Slytherins and Gryffindors, but earlier that morning the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs were paired up. All three years were together in the dark forest, which meant James, Sirius, the Plum, and the Bookworm were running around somewhere. She wasn't looking forward to any encounters with them.

"Can you at least pretend you're paying attention?" An annoyed voice snapped from right beside her. Jumping and whirling her head to peer over, her green hues met his blacks. They weren't just any black eyes, either; black like his hair and his robes, black like they could suck what little sunlight was tried seeping through the thick trees straight out. The sun almost didn't seem to exist. Haven could feel her heart pounding hard in her chest and held her breath. "What?" He glared.

"Um...w-what?" She said breathlessly. His glare intensified. She felt like she was going to turn to ice under his cold glare. The boy turned on his heels and began to walk off - clearly he didn't like repeating himself. Feeling very uneasy, watching his robes billow out from behind him, Haven followed him. He was supposed to be her partner. Everyone had been put into groups of six to hunt for a group of specific plants that they'd have to make a potion out of later for an exam. It was supposed to be done before winter break. But, after everyone was partnered up, only Haven and this creepy boy remained. By some sheer amount of bad luck, Haven became the partner of the creepiest guy at Hogwarts - maybe even the world. "My name is Haven..." She stated suddenly. The boy didn't respond. She couldn't decide if he didn't hear her or he was just ignoring her. Haven assumed the latter. Pastel green hues glanced about the area, the ground crunched under the weight of their shoes, animals in the distance of some sort made noises. Haven, for whatever idiotic reason, felt like redoubling her efforts. "I'm fifteen, born in London - of course -, mixed blood, naturally blonde, five and a half feet tall, one hundred and ten pounds." Still no response. "My bust size is B36." He remained quiet. Not like she really expected anyone to have an answer to any of that. Although, she couldn't figure out where the courage was coming from to keep talking. They both continued walking in silence for a while before she started up again. "I really like the green and silver house colors. They...uh...Really bring out the color in your eyes." What a great attempt at conversation. Of course, it's not like it was exactly easy since he was making no conversation in return. She couldn't even figure out his name. "So, where are we going?" Nothing. "What's your name?" Silence. Somehow still not deterred, Haven continued asking questions and making idle conversation - pretty much with herself - until she couldn't think of anything more to say.

It wasn't until her feet started hurting that she felt like they had been making their way through the dark forest forever. "There's a spot near the Black Lake where Fanged Geranium grows in abundance. Going any further this way would be pointless." Huffing, she slowed her walk some. "I know because me and Lily go there a lot to pick it."

"Do you ever stop talking?" Finally, a response. Of course, she thought, it would only be when the great Lily Evans was mentioned.

"Do you and Lily have history or something?" Again, silence - and she thought Remus was a hard one to crack. After mulling it over in her head a few times, Haven's eyes lit up. "Oh Merlin's beard! You're the one who called Lily a mudblood!" Before she even knew what happened, the boy had her backed up roughly into a tree. He had hold of her upper arms, pushing her into the tree. His glare seemed colder than before.

"Stop...talking..." He growled. Haven's arms hurt. Haven's back hurt. She could feel the bark of the tree digging into her flesh through her robes. Panic swelled up through her.

"Well, it's not like you're doing any talking..." Her voice was shaky and uncertain.

"I don't care for socializing with dimwits." He let go of her arms and turned away to keep walking. She could feel the sting of his grip still lingering on her arms.

"Well, I can see why she doesn't like you anymore. It's clearly not just the mudblood comment!" Haven regretted making the comment before it even left her lips. The boy had her by the throat, suddenly, slamming her back against the tree. He didn't even get a word out before she quickly shouted. "If you do anything to me I'll scream!" A twisted smirk spread on his lips.

"Like I'd give you the chance to scream."

"Is that a threat?"

"I don't need to threaten." His voice had gone as cold as his glare.

"You don't deserve Lily's forgiveness." Haven mentally kicked herself. She should have stopped speaking long ago. She should have stopped while she was ahead - long before she pissed him off. Normally, she would have just remained silent. So, why? Why did she have the nerve to speak up, now? The Marauders came to mind. The boy's fist drove a hole in the tree right next to her head with wandless magic. Haven's eyes went large and her mouth hung open. She could feel the strain of the muscles in her throat like she tried to scream, but no noise left her mouth. Panic swelled anew. Her heart stopped. The hand around her throat tightened, threatening to cut off her air supply. The boy leaned in closer to her, his lips brushing against her ear as he whispered.

"Keep talking." He didn't need to tell her what would happen if she did. She could imagine it. Tears stung at Haven's eyes, her knees shaking. Haven clawed at the tree she was being pressed into. There was a warm wetness all down her back, a burning in her throat, and a stinging on her arms. She wanted to be back in the safe confines of her room. Her bright eyes darted about. Surely, someone would save her. Lily always managed to show up just in the nick of time. Haven realized, though, they were too far away from everyone else. Too far out of the area every student was supposed to stay in. No one would find them here. No one would rescue Haven. Lily wouldn't show up. If Haven were to be killed right there she would die alone and it could be months before someone found her body - that is, if the creatures of the forest didn't get to her first. She attempted another scream, but nothing came out. Still, that tightening and flexing of her muscles, but no noise was released. Wandless magic, she thought. He had to have been using wandless magic to silence her. Haven trembled, tears flowing down her cheeks. She could feel his grip tighten more, officially cutting off her air - not like she was breathing right, anyways, at this point. She felt like such an idiot. The biggest idiot in the world. Apologize, Haven thought to herself, just apologize. But, that would be pointless. Why would someone so cruel accept her apology? Especially when she had been such a bitch to him, first. Still, she tried to work her mouth, but no sound came out. "I despise people like you. Always so full of yourselves." He stated. Brow furrowing, almost contemplation crossing his face, he moved his lips like he was about to say something else before getting interrupted. A hex whizzed past his head, putting a hole in a tree not far from the two of them, catching both of their attention.

"Severus Tobias Snape, You release her or the next one won't miss!" It was Lily. Not just Lily, either. The Marauders, all wands pointed at Severus, were standing directly behind her. Lily's face was as red as her hair, fury splashed across her face. She took a couple of threatening strides forward, sticks and leaves and grass crunching under her feet. Still, Severus didn't look phased.

"Come to save the day with your pack of boyfriends, have you?" Venom in every word. Lily threw another hex at the boy, which he deflected with ease. Slowly, he unhanded Haven - who crashed to the ground coughing and gasping for air - and walked away without another word. The five looked like they were ready to chase him down and beat the living hell out of him, but they all raced to Haven's side, sitting her up. Lily was on one side of her, a hand gently on Haven's back and another hooked around her arm.

"Haven, you're bleeding." Lily looked pale as she assessed the damage. Haven, trying to hold herself together, took a look at herself, shrugging her robe off. Her shirt was covered with blood and her arms bruised where he had gripped her. Apparently she had been pressed so hard into the tree the bark sliced up her back. Her whole body hurt, she could still barely breathe, and she couldn't stop crying nor shaking. "Quick, get the professor!" Lily grabbed whoever was closest to her - Remus - and shoved him. Remus turned without question to retrieve Slughorn.

"No!" Haven screamed. Everyone froze, a little startled. She was happy to have found her voice again.

"Haven! You just got attacked by another student. We have to tell the professor and get you to the nurse immediately." A whole new realization crossed Haven's mind. She couldn't go to the nurse. They would find out about her accelerated healing and know she was not human. Yanking her robes back on, wincing as she did so, Haven protested. The Marauders attempted reasoning with her about it. Remus stated the gravity of the situation with Lily backing him up, Sirius and James went off about her safety and 'Snivelus' being a jerk, and Peter just sat in silence. Haven shoved herself off the ground, stumbling a bit as she started walking.

"It's fine." She sniffed. Lily shared looks with everyone else and followed closely.

"Haven, please-"

"No!" Haven shrieked. "I said it's fine."

"It's not fine!" Lily screamed, getting red faced again. "You could have been killed!"

"I wasn't."

"You could have been!"

"But, I wasn't." Haven shrugged.

"You would have been if we didn't come looking for you." Lily moved to grip Haven by the arm, but stopped herself, remembering the damage already done.

"But, you did." Haven suddenly stopped, peering around at the group. "Wait, you came looking for me?"

"Yes!" Lily's hands balled into angry fists. "Slughorn said you and Severus still hadn't returned, yet and as soon as I realized you were alone with him I came looking for you."

"Naturally, we followed her." James added. Haven stared in shocked silence for a moment before shaking her head and wiping furiously at her face.

"I'm fine." She stated before continuing to walk.

"You don't look fine." Lily protested. "For Merlin's sake, you have a bruise on your throat, Haven!" Haven's hand immediately went to her throat. Even barely touching it made it sting and she could feel the swelling. Pausing, she glanced around before pulling Sirius' scarf off his shoulders and began to wrap it around her throat loosely. When Sirius started to protest, she shot him a glare.

"You said you were my boyfriend, right?" He fell silent - more in shock, probably, than any other reason. "It's cold. Boyfriends are supposed to offer their girlfriends their scarfs when it's cold out. You don't want me getting sick, do you?" The whole group almost looked defeated.

"He is not your boyfriend and this isn't something you can just hide!"

"It was my fault." Haven faked a shy smile and began walking away again.

"No, it wasn't, Haven!" Lily flailed in anger. Haven only shrugged.

"I egged him on and said some things I shouldn't have. I'm not saying what he did was okay..." Haven glanced down at her still-shaking hands before continuing. "But, I'd rather not let this get out of hand. In fact, I think I'll apologize." At that, Lily flipped.

"Apologize! For what!? He attacked you!" She was yelling at the top of her lungs.

"If I had been quiet he wouldn't have. I'd rather not be on the receiving end of that, again, so I'll apologize and then avoid him." Lily fumbled over words, unable to voice anything at all at this point.

"If you tell a Professor that you're worried he'll do this again they'll take action." Remus looked at her, a worried expression on his face. Haven stopped walking once again and turned to face the worried five. For the first time, Haven realized Lily's hand was covered in blood. That had been the hand she touched Haven's back with. Not wanting to look directly at Lily, Haven stared off to the side, instead.

"Look, I get it, okay? But, for personal reasons I'd rather just keep what happened here a secret. I don't expect you to understand nor be okay with it. But, please, just accept that for what reason I'd rather keep this to myself." Lily and the Marauders looked defeated. All six of them stood there in awkward silence for a moment. Haven could hear some birds off in the distance, a bit of chatter of students a ways away, and the solemn sound of the black lake even further off. Allowing all of her senses to not be so focused for only a bit, Haven could smell the slight burning of the tree that was left behind from the thick wood being hit with magic, the threatening cracks and sparks that cackled in the air from magic being used recently, the tang of blood in the air, the grass and leaves, and even the students off in the distance. Haven could even tell that Lily was still wearing that perfume - cinnamon, sandalwood, lemon, and leather. Despite the blood and cackling of magic, however, it almost seemed peaceful. She wouldn't have minded reading a book or two here. With one last glance at Lily and the Marauders, Haven turned on her heels. "I'm going back to the common room." With that, she glided off.


Preview of Chapter 4:

A loud 'thud' coming from a broom closet startled Haven out of her thoughts. Peering around for a moment to note that no other students were around, Haven inched closer to the door. Surely, it was a couple of students doing something they shouldn't be doing...

...Twisting the knob slowly, pausing only a moment for mental preparation, she shoved the door open. It didn't swing all the way open like she anticipated it would; instead, it hit a foot. She caught sight of the muscles in the boy's arms and back and legs as he held himself above the girl in the closet with him. Almost immediately, he twisted out from between the girl's slender legs, grabbing cloaks to cover both of their naked forms, glistening with sweat.

Haven's breath caught in her throat once his inky black eyes met her pastel greens. All of the color drained from her face. In fact, it drained from Lily's, too..."H-haven!"