"Defense Against the Dark Arts."

Professor's Elgar voice was nothing above a whisper and yet it resonated through the whole classroom and through all our minds. Immediately, my daydream of napping on the sunny Hogwarts lawn with a Sugar Quill in my mouth was wiped away with the seriousness that penetrated this Professor's solemn voice.

"Let us waste no more words."

Several eyebrows rose at this statement, from Gryffindors and Slytherins alike. He'd barely spoken.

"Revealing Charms."

"There are two distinct types. Does anyone care to share the two types?"

I know one, I thought. Homenum revelio…and the other? Think. I read this over the summer. What was it?

"Homenum revelio and Specialis revelio", Lily said smartly.

"Five points to Gryffindor."

"And the most common derivation of homenum revelio?", the Professor asked.

When nobody spoke, James Potter threw out casually, "The Homonculous Charm, sir."

"Excellent, another five for Gryffindor. Now, we have an hour. In this time, we shall master both of these charms. Wands out."

It proved to be exceedingly difficult and only James, Sirius, Remus, Dorcas, Lily, and Severus were not assigned practicing as homework.

"In addition, you are to write four rolls of parchment for our next lesson. We will cover nonverbal spells-"

"Nonverbal spells?" Amanda Faith's look of skepticism had changed to one of complete disbelief. "Sir, aren't those only practiced after N.E.W.T level?"

"We will practice them next week", he replied simply. "You are excused."

We trooped out in silence and the silence remained between the five of us until we were safely in the Great Hall.

"Well, if no one else is going to say it- I will. What a balmy old bat! Where did Dumbledore manage to dig up that old fossil?" Marlene exclaimed, shaking her head.

"I'm going to fail", I said, worried. "I can't even do verbal spells."

"It'll be okay. I'm sure he's just making it sound harder than it is," Alice said kindly.

"Wait a moment. Excuse me! Fanged Frisbees, banned!" Lily called out to a scowling Slytherin second-year who had been trying hard to hide it under his tiny arm.

She held her hand out when Nott, who had been walking past with Yaxley and Alecto Carrow, suddenly noticed us.

"Hey, Rowle, why are you handing it over?"

"She's a prefect," the little boy named Rowle answered sullenly.

Nott smirked. "She's also a Mudblood."

Rowle's face changed from one of grudging respect to complete condescension.

"Then I don't have to listen to her," he said knowingly.

"Right," Nott said.

"Look here," Lily began calmly despite her anger, "that's not what matters-"

"How would you know?" Yaxley retorted. "What would a Mudblood know about pureblood honor?"

"Pureblood honor, don't give me that scum." Sirius was coming towards us with the other three boys. Sirius was smirking, but his eyes were tight. "Don't tell me you still believe in that, Yaxley? Don't you know it's just Mummy's way of making you feel special? Particularly because you lack anything else of honour."

Carrow laughed and said, "No one was as disgraced as you were when your own parents cursed you over the sum-"

"No one likes hearing a filthy pig talk," James snapped, his tone becoming dangerous very rapidly.

"Enough," I said, finally snapping myself. I didn't want to fight with Slytherins, or taunt them. Not even Nott, who had cursed me with the Cruciatus Curse in our third year. I just wanted to ignore the Slytherins and to be ignored by them. To prevent a fight, I stepped in front of Sirius, James, and the others, and held my hand out. "This all over a Fanged Frisbee? Just hand it over. It's illegal, for everyone."

Nott grinned when I stepped forward. "Well, well, look who it is," he drawled. "We have a special connection, you and I. I mastered my Curse on you, didn't I? Be proud. You were the first, but not the last, Mudblood."

Dorcas hissed behind me.

I tried my best to ignore Nott, but shamefully, I failed to meet his eyes due to my fear. Memories of the terrible pain ripping into my skin replayed in my mind.

"You leave her alone," Sirius warned, stepping up close behind me. I felt safer with Sirius closer to me, but Nott's terrible grin stayed fixed on his face. Trying not to shudder, I just kept my hand out and my eyes down. The complete lack of pride in my actions seemed to calm the situation down. Reluctantly and finally, Rowle handed it over. "Thanks", I said quietly and handed it to Lily.

Everyone separated then, the Gryffindors one way and the Slytherins another.

"God, they're vile," I heard Marlene saying to Sirius, who vehemently agreed.

But Nott grabbed my arm, yanking me back. He looked down at me and said coldly, "You would like to believe it was just over a Fanged Frisbee, wouldn't you, Mudblood?" He released me before anyone could notice, and left to join the Slytherins.

Heart thundering, I slowly joined them at the table and sat down.

I jerked back when someone tapped me on the shoulder.

With wide eyes, I looked up at Marlene, who was also looking back at me with wide eyes.

"Um… pass the pepper?" she said hesitantly.

"Right," I said, and did so without looking at her.

She turned to me again but I rose from my seat and said, "I'm going to the library. Have a book to turn in."

Turning my back on the others, I left quickly, trying to stop myself from thinking too hard. Because if I looked, really looked at reality, the truth was that Yaxley had come back last year from a trial without repercussion. Mary Macdonald wasn't the same anymore, but Yaxley strutted about the castle as though nothing had changed, even though he was the one who had hurt Mary. This meant that the idea of blood status setting a hierarchy was already an undeniable reality. And it was not hard to see that the combination of pure-blood aristocracy with the constant use of Dark Magic by certain pure-blood Slytherins led down a very dark road. The most disgusting feeling arose within me as I thought back to Rowle saying, "Then I don't have to listen to her" with such certainty. If Rowle represented future generations, then if I ever had children, the world that they would have to live in would be incredibly cruel. But even now, I had to admit to myself that the fear I was feeling was not merely of a dark future because the truth was that it was already our reality. I remembered that moment when I had returned from school this past summer. When I saw my dear father, despite thinking of his virtues, that ugly word had arisen in my mind as well- Muggle.


"Everything all right?" Marlene asked, looking at me over her Transfiguration textbook. I had rejoined the others in the common room.

I nodded. "Yeah, I just had to return a book to the library. It was overdue, and you know how Madam Pince gets when you return her books late."

Marlene still didn't seem entirely convinced, but I turned away from her to Lily, who was staring hard at the fishbowl in front of her and muttering under her breath.

"What's she doing?" I asked Dorcas, who was reading her Astronomy book.

"Transfiguring the fish to turn into a lily petal for a little while," she answered simply, as if that were a simple task.

"Why?"

"She's going to give to Professor Slughorn to thank him for inviting her to his all-exclusive Slug Club," Marlene explained. She rolled her eyes.

"Oh," I said, my nose wrinkling in slight distaste. Professor Slughorn was a very intelligent man, but played favorites far too much to be a likable Professor to me. He had been one of those teachers who had been incredibly disappointed at my lack of charm and intellect after having my siblings as students.

I watched as the small goldfish slowly became wrapped in a flower that appeared out of thin air. It swallowed the goldfish all together and then with a pop- a single lily petal floated to the surface.

"Good one," Dorcas said appreciatively.

Lily smiled and flopped back on the chair. "I want a girls' night out," she said. "It's been too long since we did anything fun."

"Am I hearing right?" Dorcas teased. "Lily doesn't want to study?"

"She doesn't need to," Marlene said irritably, as she was always slightly annoyed when studying. "She's already perfect."

"I am not," Lily replied, and funnily enough, she was offended by being called "perfect". "But it's just… We've all been so stuffed up and we need to let it out."

"We'll figure something out," Alice said. "This is Hogwarts. There's no shortage of adventures."

"Yeah," I agreed. "Let's think of what we want to do and as soon as midterms are over, let's do it."

"Why the hell would you use newt eyes there!?" Marlene shouted in frustration and we all quieted down, but Lily and Dorcas exchanged amused smiles.

"All right," I said, standing up again. "I'm going down to the pitch to practice since try-outs are tomorrow."

"It's nearly dark," Alice said, looking out the window as dusk settled upon the top of the hills.

I shrugged. "Dusk is a good time to practice for someone who wants to be a Seeker. It trains your vision."

"Be careful. Poppy will be infuriated if you call on her so soon," Alice said.

"Nah, she loves me. She just pretends to be mad," I said. I grabbed Jamie's old broomstick and headed down to the pitch.

I didn't hear Dorcas comment as I left, "You know, sometimes Ray sounds scarily like James Potter."

Lily scoffed. "She could never. Ray's too humble and too kind to be anything like Potter."

"What did James do to you that you despise him already?" Dorcas asked.

"He called her attractive," Marlene chortled. "For Lily, that's an insult, you see."

Dorcas snickered. Lily glared at Dorcas.

"I think it was the way he said it," Alice offered.

"Yes, exactly! Thank you, Alice," Lily said. "At least you understand, even if these two dunderheads don't!"

"Tsk, tsk, Lily, if you get mad at being called attractive, how will we get over the tragedy of being called a dunderhead?" Marlene said dramatically.

"Oh please, I'm sure you'll find a way to live, Mrs. Black," Lily said snarkily.

Dorcas and Alice burst out laughing.

Marlene looked indignant for a moment, but then relaxed and said in a voice that suggested that she was mildly impressed by the possibility, "You know what? I'll take that."


Raylynx's POV

When I got down to the pitch, I realized there were already two people practicing together- Sirius and James. They were amazing to watch, diving and twirling and twisting with a fantastic display of athleticism. When Sirius managed to throw the Quaffle past James and into the middle hoop, he howled gleefully and punched his feet into the air.

I hesitated, wondering if I could ask for a quarter or so of the field. No, I don't want to bother them. I began to walk away. The Forest, though off-limits, was also a good place to practice maneuvering. By flying through the tree tops, a Seeker's reflexes were very much tested.

"Hey, wait!"

I turned to see James fly towards me, followed shortly by Sirius. James jumped off his broom quite gracefully, before it had even stopped and Sirius landed in a long, fast skid, digging a shallow trench in the grass field.

"Were you going to practice?" James asked me, his eyes gleaming brightly from the exercise.

I replied, "No, its fine. I can practice somewhere else."

"No, no, we're almost done," James reassured me. "Or hey, you want to practice with us for a bit?"

I saw Sirius shoot James a look.

"Come on," James beckoned, sensing my hesitation. "It's no secret that you're good. Sirius and I could use a bit of competition. It gets dead boring with just the two of us. It's just too easy for me."

Sirius snorted, unimpressed by James' self-flattery.

"We could play two on one; you and Sirius against me. It'll be fun," James said, trying to persuade me.

I started to nod, when Sirius cut in.

"It's sundown already, mate. We should go," Sirius said impassively. I felt a tinge of frustration.

"Oh, right," James agreed ruefully. "All right, well, maybe next time, then. The pitch is all yours!"

The two of them cleared off.

I finally released the Snitch I'd nicked from the cupboard and closed my eyes, counting to ten. Opening them, I immediately assumed a position high in the air- searching, searching… And there it was, skimming the ground. I dove and caught it within thirty seconds. I practiced this over and over again and I was about to release it yet again when a single figure approached on the pitch. To my shock, it was Audrey Zena, from Slytherin's team. He saw me at the same time and his eyes widened.

"Get out of here!" he shouted frantically. "The whole team's coming!"

I did not need telling twice.

Not even bothering to dismount, I pocketed the Snitch and quickly flew over the spectator stands away from the pitch, away from the Castle. I headed towards the Forest, landing lightly on the top of an oak tree. This tree was unfamiliar to me. I peered around and in the rising light of the moon I could see that I had unintentionally gone further into the Forest then I ever had before.

I meant to mount my broom and leave again, but the end of the broomstick caught in a branch I could barely see in the darkness. It twisted my wrist and with a cry of pain, I dropped my broomstick and it went tumbling down into the Forest.

I moaned internally but drew out my wand and ducked down into the tree to look for it.

"Lumos." My wand tip flared and I was about halfway down the tree when I spotted the broomstick, a few yards away from the trunk of the tree I was in now. I started to slid down when a loud, long howl broke the stillness of the Forest. I froze. What was that unearthly sound? I swallowed hard and waited. Seconds passed, then minutes. The light of a full moon high above filtered down through the trees, illuminating the Forest. Nothing stirred in my field of vision. All seemed safe.

"Nox," I whispered. The light went out and I ventured a jump from the tree to the ground. As I slipped down, the branches crackles and then I landed with a soft thud onto the forest floor.

All right, let's just get the broomstick and get out. Nothing's going to happen. Stop being a coward. Finding my courage, I hurriedly raced over to the broomstick but then, as I reached for it, the eeriest feeling came over me. Goosebumps rose on my arm. The air had suddenly become bone-chillingly cold and behind me, there was the heavy, frantic sound of panting...

I turned very slowly.

Standing between two trees, not fifty yards away, was what could only be some sort-of enormous, savage wolf. Its huge body shook with menacing energy. Its haunting yellow eyes were fixed right on me. I panicked. I opened my mouth to scream but nothing came out. My feet wouldn't move. In fact, my whole body felt like it was Petrified.

The wolf started towards me savagely, loping in a hound-like manner, and covering ground very fast.

Adrenaline kicked in and my body worked faster than my mind and tried to run, but I tripped over my broomstick and fell to the ground. "Ah!" My wrist cracked and pain shot up my arm. But the sensation of pain felt mild compared to the sheer fear and panic drumming through my veins when I realized that the creature was now mere feet away from me. I could hear its breath, heavy and ragged despite the animal's limber build. The creature's build was such that it was both bony, almost as though starved, but also massive in frame, giving the impression of an unnatural creature. That was what frightened me about the creature. It's eyes were such a disorientating and piercing tone of yellow, and it's eerie gait was far more awkward than a natural wolf's and yet, unmistakably more powerful than a normal wolf's.

But I didn't have any time to ponder anything else about the creature other than it's frightful appearance. Suddenly, the creature leapt for me, growling. I barely had enough wits to throw myself sideways, barely avoiding its massive claws and razor-sharp teeth. I rolled on the ground, and scrambled to get back onto my feet, but the wolf was already rearing above me. I meant to raise my hand, but the wolf out a piercing howl that shredded my ears and I covered both my ears with my hands. The howling stopped and my mind whispered: So this is it.

The wolf's hind paws dug into the ground and then, it pounced.

I am going to die.

I grasped my wand as tightly as I could despite my damaged wrist but it was too late. By the time I made to lift my wand, the creature's claws were an inch from my neck. I closed my eyes tightly. Please, let it be quick! Mum, Dad, I'm so sorry.

SLAM! A rush of wind passed over my face as the force of two sizable animals colliding impacted mere inches away from me.

My eyes flew open and to my utter disbelief, I saw a large stag ram into the wolf with his massive antlers and drive him to the ground. The entire ground shook with the force of their two animals colliding into the ground.

The wolf collapsed to the ground, shuddering. I raised my wand, aiming at the wolf. But then, it let out a piteous moan that curled up into sorrowful whimper. Despite the icy fear still coursing through my veins, I couldn't help but feel deep pity for this creature stir within me. Its eyes opened tiredly to show a most wearisome soul. But then, the wolf sniffed the air, and it was like my scent woke him up again. Those eyes turned again and zeroed in on me. In doing do, they lit up again, as though inflamed with hunger, and the wolf leapt lithely to his feet. I gripped my wand, and ignored the jolt of pain affecting my wrist and arm.

Suddenly, a low whimper from beside me caught my attention. I gasped, startled, and directed my wand at the noise. But curiously, it was a dog beside me. It was huge, black, and bearlike. The dog barked and immediately ducked from my wand. Behind me, I heard the sound of the stag ramming into the wolf again.

The dog beckoned to me with its shaggy head as if to say "follow me". I hesitated but when it came forward and gently latched onto my sleeve with its sharp canine teeth, I had no choice but to follow it. The wolf whimpered again, softly, as if dying. It howled, and it sounded as though it were in agony.

"No, don't!" I heard myself shout, even while I was being dragged through the forest by this strange bearlike dog. "Don't hurt it! It doesn't mean it! It doesn't mean to-!" My head clearly wasn't on straight and I had no idea what I was shouting but now that I felt I was out of immediate danger, the pity I felt for that wolf creature overwhelmed me.

The dog barked again and I looked ahead- She? He? No, unmistakably a he- He had led me out to the outskirts of the forest. I could see the Quidditch Pitch and the castle turrets high in the sky, its windows sparkling alongside the star-filled heavens. Upon seeing safety, a sense of relief flooded through me. The downside was that my mind allowed itself to register pain again. Pain, not only from my wrist and arm, but my entire left side, suddenly flooded my body. I moaned and gripped my side. The shaggy black dog looked up at me with bright, curious eyes.

"Merlin. Doggy, I… almost died," I said hoarsely.

The pain was so sudden it was dizzying. A bright spot entered my vision, and then grew brighter and bigger, until it had claimed my consciousness.


The first semi-conscious sensation was of discomfort. Why is there such piercing sunlight in my eyes? I shifted my head to try to avoid it.

"Ray!" That voice... It was so familiar. Lily?

I opened my eyes.

I recognized the tapestry and the ceiling. I was in my own bed.

"Ray, are you all right?" Alice's voice sounded out.

I tried to sit up. Soreness shot through my left arm and side like a dull knife. I gritted my teeth and settled back as comfortably as I could. I looked to see all four of my friends gathered on either side of me.

"What happened?" Dorcas asked.

At the same time Marlene blurted out, "Sirius brought you back. He said you were near the Forbidden Forest. And James came up a little later and brought back your broomstick. Were you flying over the forest again?"

"Yeah", I said, trying to gather my bearings and remember what had happened to my last night. "I was in the Forbidden Forest, training for try-outs. I must've… fell…" But even as those words left my mouth, memories came flooding back to me. There had been a strange wolf-like creature, a stag, and a dog. How odd. Those aren't creatures one would expect in the Forbidden Forest.

"Try-outs start in three hours, if you can do it," Lily said gently.

"Sure I can," I mumbled through clenched teeth, feeling the tightness in my wrist especially. I needed my wrist to function for try-outs. There was nothing for it. "Well Dorcas," I said, "if you want to whip me up a Numbing Potion in an hour, I'll do your Arithmancy essay for you."

"Nope," Dorcas said. "Maybe if you do my Transfiguration essay."

"You're really going to take advantage of me when I'm like this?" I asked her.

"You are the one asking for a favor. I'm just trying to help," Dorcas said innocently.

I rolled my eyes. "Fine. Defense Against the Dark Arts."

"History of Magic."

"Deal."

"Agreed," Dorcas confirmed, and she got up to begin brewing the potion.

"What do the Muggles say?" Marlene commented as she watched me and Dorcas. "One's person pain is another's pleasure?"