"Ughhh..." Lydia groaned.

"Hurry." I snapped.

I was dressed in my rumpled robes already; she groggily followed, seemingly only half awake. Draco was waiting, the boys in the same state as Lydia.

"Vanice, what about Filch?" Asked Draco, concern lining his voice.

"All we have to do is be careful, and if that doesn't work I'm sure Snape will pardon us." I replied confidently, striding out of the common room and into the pitch black hallways.

"Lumos!" Whispered Draco,

A chorus of cries of anguish erupted from the portraits:

"Put that light out you nimbsy!" Yelled one.

"Draco put it out!" I whispered.

"Why?" He replied, confused.

"Because if Filch doesn't spot us from that light, the portraits boycotting you will."

"Nox." I could hear the irritation in his voice.

Hoping my good sense of direction would pay off, I carefully felt along the walls. Luckily, I could see fairly well in the dark, which worked to my advantage around the stairs. I knew we had reached our destination when I saw a light ahead; the trophy room was always lit. As we entered I could tell their patience was wearing thin.

Archidia tapped her foot, while resting her head on Snape's shoulder. However as we approached Archidia greeted us with a smile.

"So?" said Snape, wasting no time.

Both Draco and I launched into the story of our break, with the occasional input from Lydia.

"Potter and the other two Gryffindorks (Snape smiled at the nickname) have been sticking their noses into our business as well." I commented

"Yes, I reckon they know just as much as us!" chimed in Draco

"And our parents won't tell us anything either." I continued a little poutily. Archidia was frowning.

"How did those little brats find out?" she muttered angrily, however Snape wrapped his arm around her, relaxing her a bit.

"It's not time to worry yet. The children are the least of our worries; I shall take care of... Potter."

We nodded and we turned to leave, Archidia grabbed my arm and whispered

"Keep your parents out of this; you hear anything you come to us."

I nodded in reply and we all headed to our common room.

.

~•~•NEAR THE END OF WINTER~•~•

.

I awoke a few days later; the morning of the Gryffindor and Slytherin match. It was much too early for my liking but to my dismay I was unable to capture anymore rest. I unhappily sulked into the common room which I expected to find deserted. Though to my surprise I could just spot a flaxen slicked back head peeking out from above the couches

"Hello Draco." I said, plopping down next to him.

Under his dreary eyes were lines indicating he too lacked proper sleep. With a yawn he stretched, then placed his head in my lap.

"Hello Vanice." He replied leisurely.

I raised my legs so he would sit up and quickly changed spots, using his lap as a pillow.

"Hey!" He jumped up "That's not how it works."

"Hey Dracey-"

Pansy stopped short when she saw me. I groaned openly.

"Hi...again." I rolled my eyes, and started contemplating writing a letter to mother and father.

She sat down so the chair groaned under her newfound weight

"Dracey did you hear Snape's coaching the Quidditch match today?" she continued on with her sickly sweet and crooked smile glued to her face.

I sat up.

"Really?" I forgot my disgust for a moment and remembered what Snape has said about 'taking care of Potter'.

Her façade melted away as her concentration shifted to me

"Yes." She spat.

My bracelet changed before I realized, making the word ANGER float in white letters, as the back turned a blackish grey.

I swelled, ready to defend the Crypton name, when Draco interjected

"Er… Pansy maybe you should go…Vanice is my good friend..."

By now the rest of the Snakes had filed into the common room in varying stages of fatigue.

She stood up made a small 'hmph' noise in the back of her throat before spinning around; despite her departure I didn't like her attitude.

Standing up abruptly, I grabbed the first object I found; Draco's Charms textbook and threw it. It struck her right in the back of the head, which is precisely where I aimed.

"PANSY RAMSEY" I shouted.

She held the back of her head and gave her a poisonous look as the common room, even Draco erupted in laughter.

"Ohhh…I'm going to get you Crypton!" she threatened.

She stalked away without further confrontation, but as I turned around, ready to go to breakfast and wallow in my victory, I was surprised to see Felix's smug expression close to my face. Draco immediately hopped up from the couch to my side.

"A play on her name; that was quite clever of you, Vanice." He commented.

"Um…Sure." I responded awkwardly

He opened his mouth but the door opened as Snape hastily entered, forcing his way through the crowd that had accumulated.

"Rower!" he snapped, he seemed to consider scolding him, but at the last moment decided against it. "Get out of here. Vanice describe your flying skills."

I shrugged.

"I'm average I suppose."

"She's just being modest she's a pretty good Keeper." Added Draco.

"Perfect. Come with me; you're playing today."

"Bu- What?"

"Miles Bletchley is injured and can't play."

"But I'm just a first year..."

"So is Potter, if McGonagall can bend the rules so can we." He replied with an angry smirk.

.

~•~•LATER THAT DAY~•~•

.

The cold morning air that hinted at ending winter stung my nose as the wind whipped my emerald robes around me.

"Vanice you'll do totally great!" Lydia squealed, waving the green flag around my face.

"Kick Gryffindor butt." Crabbe chuckled.

"Good luck Vanice." Draco mumbled, before pulling the boys and Lydia to the stands.

I shifted uncertainly but smiled at all four of them as I made my way to the rest of the team.

"Oh dear. Oh dear. Why me. Why me." I whispered to myself as they all smiled at me.

"Vanice, trust us, you'll do fine." Marcus said, patting my back.

Soon, the game had commenced and I was a nervous wreck on my broom, but surprisingly was doing fine.

I watched the Quaffle bounce from the scarlet and emerald dots around the field.

With every missed catch the Chasers made, I felt a twinge of guilt go through me as if I was letting

Salazar Slytherin himself down. But with each save I made, I felt as pride surge through my veins as my house cheered me on; the rush was amazing.

The score was tied and Potter floated uselessly above, searching the sky for that gold ball of victory. He kept stealing glances at Hermione and Ron, then back at me, as if surprised there was another first year.

I'd seen a glimmer a few times but nothing else.

Suddenly both Seekers went into a dive into the ground getting closer and closer, and then I felt bone shaking, mind rattling ache spread through my body as metal made contact with bone.

"Bludger Foul!"

Pure agony tortured me, my vision becoming fuzzy around the edges. Finally my mind went numb as sleep took over, my broom carrying be down…down…

.

~•~•AT THE HOSPITAL WING~•~•

.

I awoke, feeling heavily sedated and sandpaper like bandages covering my jaw area and various other parts. It smelled like medicine and cleaning supplies, along with chocolate and candy.

"She's like…awake!" I heard Lydia cry.

"Yes I am.."

I tried to sit up but sleep threatened to overcome me. I turned my head to find a red rose in a vase standing out over all the white of the hospital wing besides boxes of chocolate. I felt a coolness on my forehead, and saw Draco had placed a washcloth there.

"Um…Lydia put the rose there."

"I totally didn't!"

"Whatever." She leaned in to me. "He's been so worried all two days you've been here."

"Two days!?" I exclaimed, making the mistake of trying to sit up too quickly.

I became dizzy and fell back down, groaning.

"Uh, like, yeah. The match was like about to end and the stupid Weasley's sent a Bludger to our Seeker and I like guess someone tried to intercept and it flew like so off course and hit your head and it was just total chaos! It's a riot!" Lydia rambled, happy to be able to explain.

"So where are Crabbe and Goyle?" I hastily changed the subject, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

"It's dinner time. You know they'd never miss that... Speaking of which I'm totally starved. I'll bring you back something." We watched her skip away, closing the door behind her.

"Vanice?"

"Hm?"

"Um… I'm glad you're okay." This time I was even more sure I saw a light blush spread from cheek to cheek.

"Vanice, I heard you woke up! Are you alright?"

Archidia had busted through the door, waving her hands around.

"Just peachy thanks." I chuckled.

Draco put his arm gingerly around my waist and helped me sit up, making me smile and blush a bit. Gratefully, I locked my well arm around his neck and settled myself against the pillow, looking at Archidia.

"The nerve of the Weasley's! Severus is still arguing with that old McGonagall, oh, she just keeps defending them!"

"I don't think I want to be Keeper for a while." I mumbled, wincing as I patted the side of my head.

"Oh that's dandy with me, I don't want you hurt again." She went on, pacing back and forth. "Someone is going to get a furious letter from your parents Vanice, you just wait..."

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•

I like this chapter. I really do(: I had help from a really good friend of mine with writing it. ALSO the 'Pansy Ramsey' thing was an insult from my school, to clean any confusion. Where did all my reviewers and PMers go? I had a handful before! Don't be afraid to talk to me!(:

•Q.O.C...

-What would you have done if you were there when Vanice was hit?

So thanks for reading, R&R, F&F and Never Tickle A Sleeping Dragon!