A/N: So here are a few things that I lamely forgot to include a while ago. This story was written and planned out with my bff. It has been so much fun plotting things! She keeps me on track with typing the story out, and all that fun stuff.

And secondly, I'd like to thank my Beta-er, is that the right term? Anyways, thank you so much to SamanthaMalfoy23

Onto the story! Allons-y!

Chapter 7: Welcome to Being Different

Shyla stood in the girls' bathroom with the other Slytherin girls. As girls typically do, they were primping. Shyla's hair was still wet from her bath. The last thing she wanted was for her hair to be wavy on her first day of classes. She looked at a girl who appeared to be straightening her hair with her wand. "Can you teach me how to do that?" Shyla asked, holding out her own wand.

The girl laughed, "You're a first year, we wouldn't want you setting your hair on fire. But, since you're a Slytherin, and I refuse to let any girl in my house walk around not looking her best, I will do it for you."

Shyla smiled, "I'm Shyla."

"Tracy." The girl smiled back as she straightened Shyla's hair. Tracy's hair was blonde with one long purple streak. "I'm a sixth year, by the way."

"Did you hear about the girl who's family came to Hogwarts, demanding she be resorted?" An older girl squealed. "That would be sooo embarrassing!"

Shyla's face flushed and she looked away.

"I heard it was someone in our house," another girl added laughed, "News travels fast in Slytherin. If we don't hear the rumor first, we start it." She looked over Shyla's hair and smiled, "All finished!"

"Thanks!" Shyla smiled softly. She was having a hard time understanding why people didn't like Slytherins. So far, any she had met had been nothing but nice to her.

Once she was ready for classes, Shyla looked at her schedule. Potions with Professor Malfoy was first. Shyla walked with Lydia and Savannah to class.

"So Shy', you have to tell us, why were you sent to see McGonagall last night?" Savannah pried.

"Oh! Do tell!" Lydia pleaded.

Shyla rolled her eyes at the girls, "My stupid grandmother... She had this huge freakout, saying that I ruined her family by being sorted into Slytherin."

Lydia laughed, "So you're the one they've been talking about."

"Yeah... but please don't go spreading it around. I don't need to be known as the girl with the crazy grandmum," Shyla requested casually, trying not to show pain in her voice.

"Sure," Savannah teased, "we wouldn't want that spread around either. If it was, we couldn't be seen with you."

Shyla caught Eva's eye as they walked into Potions. She was sitting next to Keelee on the right side of the room, towards the back. As their eyes met, Eva turned away and pretended they hadn't seen each other. Shyla was sure it involved a certain rumor that was circulating Hogwarts, giving the reaction her fellow Slytherin gave.

Shyla sat in a seat next to a Slytherin boy. She recognized him as Alden Davis from the sorting, the night before. His eyes were cold and disconnected from the dark classroom they sat in.

"I am Professor Malfoy," the tall blond announced as he entered the classroom, his robe sweeping behind him. His hair was shaggy, but swept out of his face. "I will be your potions professor. I expect that all students will respect my rules and will finish their work in a timely fashion." His eyes flitted around the room and stopped on his daughter. "Evangeline, pass these out for me." He handed her a stack of papers with the class syllabus printed.

Eva glared at him in protest. "I'd rather not," she snapped as he walked back towards the front of the class.

He stopped and turned towards her. "You will do as you are told. Five points from Slytherin."

Shyla sighed with the other Slytherins. She was his daughter... wasn't that against the rules or something? To remove points from your daughter's house? Never-the-less, he did without second guessing himself.

Shyla looked to the side of the classroom where the Gryffindors were seated together. Ali was sitting next to Thomas and a girl she didn't recognize. Ali looked uncomfortable when she noticed Shyla looking at her.

Shyla sighed and tore a small piece of her parchment off. With her quill she quickly wrote, "Black lake, Friday, at midnight. We're going to feed the Giant Squid. Bring any Weasley that will come. ~Shyla." She tucked the note in her bag for safe keeping until after class.

Malfoy gave his spiel about the usefulness of potions and how they are needed in any line of work. Truth serums, antidotes, cleansing solutions, draughts for sleeping and confusing, elixirs. The list hardly used potions, so Shyla naturally had very little knowledge in that department. She did, however, read a potions book one winter, when it was far too cold to venture outdoors and she was forced into absolute boredom. This book also had notes written by her mother in it.

Malfoy, noticing Shyla's inattentiveness, decided to see exactly how different this girl was from his former classmate. "Miss Granger, can you tell me what sorts of potions would include the need for leeches?"

Shyla's head shot up and she thought back to that winter. She was 9 years old. Her mother was at the Ministry for work in the Office of Misinformation. Shyla was frustrated because she was supposed to go with Ali and her family to the mountains for a Christmas tree, but when Shyla awoke with a cough, Hermione refused to allow her daughter out of the flat they lived in. After crying and making a mess of the house in anger, she was officially bored. Determined to destroy her mother's books, which Shyla believed Hermione loved more than her, Shyla picked up a potions book. It was written in. All over the place was Hermione's handwriting. This intrigued Shyla, she felt the urge to examine her mother's writing, to see the penmanship of the so-called genius. That was when she accidentally began reading, and realizing if she wanted to have a Christmas at all, she shouldn't destroy her mum's belongings, she read the entire book.

"Miss Granger?" Malfoy repeated.

Shyla nodded, coming out of her memory. "Polyjuice potion, I believe." Although, she thought there was something else that was mentioned along side it, but couldn't remember.

Malfoy stared. Maybe Shyla was more like Hermione than either of the Granger girls liked to admit. "And are there any specific rules that go along with the potion?" He decided to use Shyla as an example, and really hoped to give her ten points, to make up for his own daughter's lack of cooperation.

Shyla scrunched her face in concentration. "Um..." she closed her eyes and pictured her mum's handwriting filling the pages. There was one note that was larger than the rest and stood out. "It's not a good idea to attempt to become a cat..." That was all she could remember.

The other students laughed. A smirk formed on Malfoy's face. "Ten points to Slytherin," he said with satisfaction in his voice. Once he quieted down the class he continued. "Following the directions in making potions is very important. If you add too much of an ingredient to something as simple as a Pepperup potion, instead of curing a common cold, you can kill the person who ingests the potion. I warn you now, if you have any issues following directions, I suggest you find somewhere else to be." This, however, was a loaded statement. Seeing as potions was a required class at Hogwarts, if a student couldn't pass, they wouldn't graduate. No matter how skilled they were in other departments.

After class was over, Shyla slung her book bag onto her shoulder and walked to Ali. She slipped the piece of parchment into Ali's hand and continued walking. Outside the classroom, Eva cornered Shyla."Look, I heard about your visit to McGonagall's office," Eva started. "I just wanted to say, I'm glad you stayed in Slytherin... Because otherwise I would have to hate you."

Shyla smiled, "Thanks, Eva." As Eva and Keelee started to walk away, Shyla pulled out her schedule. How was she ever going to remember where anything is?

"Walk with us," Eva demanded of Shyla.

"Oh... Okay!" Shyla said catching up to the girls. She looked behind her to see that Savannah and Lydia were engrossed in their own conversation and likely didn't notice her absence.

Mondays and Wednesdays the Slytherins had Potions, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, and Flying Lessons. Tuesdays and Thursdays, they attended Herbology, History of Magic. Fridays were reserved for Astronomy and Charms.

As the girls sat themselves together in Defense Against the Dark Arts, also commonly called DADA, they set their eyes on what appeared to be their professor. Standing at the front of the room was a tall, slender man in his mid-twenties. His soft brown hair was hanging in his eyes as he focused on a came from the boys in the room. They seemed confused and rather annoyed. Finally one boy became brave enough to say something. "Um... Professor... can we start class now?"

The Professor looked up. The girls in the class all let out a soft sigh as his eyes set on the class. One eye was a brilliant green with flecks of silver, and the other... His other eye was deep blue, and seemed to capture the souls of those who dared looked deep enough. He smiled. A few squeals were heard amongst the students. His pearly white teeth, perfectly straight. Then he spoke. "Oh, sorry, class. I seemed to have become distracted by the novel I was reading." His voice was soft and fluid. Was there anything not perfect about this man?

"I am Professor Medina, and I will be teaching you..." He waved his wand over the white board, allowing words to appear. "Defense Against the Dark Arts!" He finished proudly. He flashed a smile at a Ravenclaw girl in the front row. Her face flushed pink and she smiled back softly.

Professor Medina went on to explain what the students would learn in DADA. He told them about the need to protect yourself when you happen upon sticky situations, and informed them they would learn about werewolves and even Voldemort. Now that the war had been over for around 12 years, the wizarding community was no longer terrified to speak Voldemort's name. "Now, before we end class, are there any questions you have for me?"

The boys rolled their eyes as 15 feminine hands shot into the air. Medina called on a blonde Ravenclaw girl.

"What house were you in?" she asked eagerly.

Medina smiled and responded with, "I was in Hufflepuff during my school years."

He then turned toward the Slytherin girls. "The young miss... ?" he said, pointing to Shyla.

She never expected he would call on her. "Shyla Granger," she introduced herself quickly. "I was curious... Will we be learning about the great war in here?"

He smiled at her, "Well, Miss Granger, we will be covering a small portion, but I do believe Professor Binns will teach more in History of Magic." He turned to the rest of the class and threw his arms in the air. "Class dismissed!"

The students flitted out of the classroom and the Slytherins made their way to Transfigurations. The classroom was bright and welcoming. Professor Ralonius was standing at the front, patiently waiting for her students to be seated. The class period went by smoothly between the Slytherins and Ravenclaws. Shyla learned quickly that there was an unspoken truce between the two houses. Ravenclaws were often disgruntled at the rule breaking that was overlooked in the Gryffindor house, and Slytherins found the Ravenclaws to behave in their proper place. It was a little strange however, to be in a class with the head of the Hufflepuff house, with no Hufflepuffs. But, Ralonius was a kind woman, and treated all of her students the same.

As they left the classroom on the third floor, Eva linked arms with Shyla and Keelee. "Lunch time, ladies!" she announced.

"Lunch already?" Shyla asked, surprised. She looked at a portrait of a grandfather clock in the hall. It was charmed to keep consistent time. The painting struck noon and released a loud chime. Shyla watched as a wizard from another portrait walked into the painting of the clock with wand in hand. The mysterious wizard pointed his wand at the clock and cast a spell, sending pieces of the grandfather clock shooting into other portraits. The other witches and wizards that resided in them hollered at and scolded the trouble making wizard.

Shyla giggled at her new found amusement. Eva and Keelee paid no heed to the happenings of portraits though.

Lunch in the Great Hall was loud and busy as students discussed classes, Quidditch try-outs, and stories about their summer holiday. As Shyla served herself a ham and cheese sandwich, with chips, she turned to Eva. "So, Eva, why does your dad only call you Evangeline?"

Eva set down her fork from eating a helping of cheesy potato casserole. She rolled her eyes. "That's all he has ever called me... When I was 5, he came to teach at Hogwarts, leaving my mum and I alone with my Grandmum Malfoy in Malfoy Manor. He still acts as if I am that five year old girl, even though we saw him every summer and holiday break."

Keelee handled a piece of pizza carefully as she entered the conversation. "Doesn't he miss your mum?"

Eva shrugged, "She never missed him either. Honestly, they are the worst married couple ever... They don't even fight. They just... ignore each others' existence." She turned to Shyla this time. "What about your mum, does she date?"

Shyla laughed and shook her head, "Merlin, no! My mum was so preoccupied with raising me, and work, that she hardly went out. And I think she's still in love with my dad. She still gets really sad when she has to talk about him."

"I still don't think your father is a Weasley," Keelee rolled her eyes at her classmate. "Then what do you suggest?"

"We come up with a list of all the possibilities, of who it could be. And see who you are most like," Keelee responded confidently.

"Whatever... I'm still trying to be on my cousins' good side. Questioning our relations won't make it any better," Shyla scoffed.

"When you're ready, we'll be here," Keelee said, nodding to Eva.

Eva nodded as well. "Anything to clear you of a Weasley name."After lunch, the girls left the castle and headed to the grounds for Flying lessons. Shyla was excited for this class, seeing as she had experience on a broom already.

The students were met by a short man with dark skin and wild hair. He smiled brightly at the Slytherin and Gryffindor houses. "My name is Professor Lee Jordan. Along with the flying teacher, I oversee the Quidditch games. First years, you can try out for the teams if you like, but it is rare for one to get on. The legendary Harry Potter was a few years below me, and he was skilled enough to become a Seeker at your age." He stopped and stared at the two redheads standing next to the other Gryffindors. "Are you two Weasleys?" he asked.

Ali and Thomas both grinned. "I'm Ali, Fred and Katie are my parents, and this is Thomas, his parents are George and Alicia."

"Blimey! They were all amazing Quidditch players. You two must be destined! Your fathers were good friends of mine in school," Jordan explained. He turned back to the rest of the class. The Slytherins already appeared bored. "Now! I want you to place your hand over your broom. Like so." He held his hand out flat over his broom which was set on the ground. "You will then shout 'up' until the broom leaps into your hand." He demonstrated by shouting, "Up!" and the broom immediately secured itself to his hand. "Your turn, now."

The students eagerly shouted, "Up!" at their brooms.

Shyla was able to secure her broom in the third try. She looked around, proud that she was the first one able to accomplish the task.

"Well done! Your name?" Jordan said to Shyla.

"Shyla Granger." She replied.

"Any relation to Hermione Granger?" He asked.

"She's my mum," Shyla explained.

"Well, I can see you must get your broom handling skills from your father. Your mother was never very good." He laughed.

Shyla laughed with him. "My father was Ron Weasley."

Jordan laughed harder, "Nope, I lied, Miss Granger. Your father wasn't very good either, you must be one of a kind!"

Shyla smirked and looked to her classmates. Keelee had her hand out in front of her face, allowing the sunlight to catch her green sparkle nail polish and glisten in the light.

"Miss Devode!" Jordan called out, "At least TRY to call your broom! I know your father, and he will be the least bit happy if I have to owl him!"

Keelee glared at Professor Jordan and sharply stuck her hand out over her broom. She weekly said, "Up." and when it did not respond she rolled her eyes and went back to examining her nails.

Ali and Thomas both had their brooms in hand and were talking Quidditch with each other.

Eva was struggling to get her broom into her hand. "Up! Up... Up!" she continuously shouted as the broom rolled itself on the ground.

"Keep trying, Miss Malfoy! You're bound to get it soon!" Jordan encouraged.

When the entire class had brooms in hand, including Keelee, which took removal of house points for not participating and bribing to earn back double at the end of the class if she just paid attention, Professor Jordan had the students mount the brooms. He inspected each of the student's posture as they waited. "Good, Miss Granger, and the Weasleys of course!" He turned to Eva with a slight frown, "Try it like this, with you back arched a little more. No... no... too much..."

Eva glared at Shyla as she heard a giggle escape her lips. "Shut up, Granger!"

Shyla burst into giggles now, "I swear! It was just a hiccup!"

Eva left Shyla's side, and stood on the other side of Keelee.

"Eva!" Shyla cried out, "I'm sorry! Come back!"

"Ladies, save it for after class," Jordan warned. He looked at Keelee admiringly, "Have you ridden a broom before?"

Keelee shrugged, "No. But I watch a lot of Quidditch. You know, there are some really gorgeous Quidditch players..."

Jordan blinked a few times, "Well, can't say I have ever noticed." He went on to discuss the importance of knowing how to fly and the basics of Quidditch.

Shyla noticed a Gryffindor boy that was over fascinated by all of this. As Jordan explained a few aspects to some students, she approached him. "What is it? Never seen a broom before?" she teased.

He laughed, "I've seen brooms, but they were only ever used for cleaning. I never dreamed they could make you fly!" He was average height with black curly hair and dark brown eyes.

Shyla smirked, "What are you? A Muggle-born?"

He stammered a bit, "If you mean non-magical parents, then yes." He flushed and hung his head down. Ali and Thomas were quickly at the boy's side.

"Ignore her, Marco." Ali glared, speaking as if the words were mud that left a horrible taste in her mouth, "She's new to being a Slytherin."

Shyla lunged toward Ali, grabbing her cousin's robes. "You're supposed to be my best friend!"

"Not if you're going to be a true Slytherin!" Ali shouted back, pulling at Shyla's hair.

Both girls were screaming now, and easily got Jordan's attention. "Hey! Knock it off! Both of you, detention after dinner today!"

"Great!" Shyla scoffed, attempting to fix her hair.

Ali's face was flushed and her robes were a mess.

Jordan reluctantly gave Keelee double the house points she lost at the end of class. "Miss Devode, please don't make me bribe you everyday. It won't work."

Keelee smirked and left with Eva and Shyla. "Merlin! I thought you were going to kill that Weasley girl!"

Shyla grumbled, "I'm so angry with all of them treating me like I mean nothing!"

Eva laughed lightly. Her laugh sounded like a tinkling of bells. "Ready to prove you're not a Weasley?"

Shyla glared, "Piss off, Eva! Just because you don't think I'm a Weasley, doesn't mean I'm not!" Shyla left her friends' sides and headed towards the Slytherin common room.

She was greeted at the portrait by her Head of House.

"Miss Granger, I have been informed that you have received detention on the first day," Malfoy addressed.

Shyla blushed and nodded, "Sorry, Professor. I just got so angry!"

Malfoy protested with himself before asking, "Would you like to talk?"

Shyla nodded.

A/N: Here it is! I have now posted the Weasley's family tree on my profile. Enjoy! See everyone in a few days! Oh, and thank you to everyone who has reviewed!