"Another fun day of potions." Michael said sarcastically at breakfast the next morning.

"I'll say, I mean, another two hours of Snape snapping at us." Terry replied.

"And berating us."

"Calling us dunderheads."

"Such fun."

The pair's ranting about Snape was interrupted by mail. To my surprise Uric arrived carrying a letter. Padma looked at me suspiciously.

"You didn't get Detention again?" She asked, her eyes accusing.

"No. Not that I know of." I replied, as I opened the letter and began to read.

Sarah.

Ron gave me the idea to just write you letters when I want to talk to you, like Hagrid did. It should be more reliable than just trying to find you before meals or in the halls. I need to talk to you. Would before dinner in the courtyard work? Just write me a letter back with Uric.

Harry.

I looked across the hall at the Gryffindor table and saw Harry looking at me. He looked tired, but quite insistent. In return I gave him a confused look, then flipped the parchment over.

Harry.

Sure, meet you after potions.

Sarah.

"Who wrote?" Lisa asked.

"Harry, he say's he wants to talk to me about something." I replied, before taking another bite of bacon.

"Is this about his secret?" Anthony asked curiously.

I turned to him with an unsure look. "No Idea." Then shrugged.

The rest of breakfast passed then we all split

"Well, we best get going, need to be prepared for potions." Padma explained as she stood up, Mandy and Morag following suit, then leaving the hall.

"I have no desire to study for potions." Michael said in a annoyed tone, Terry nodded in agreement.

"He'll just yell at us anyways. He hates all the student's not in Slytherin." He agreed.

"Well, except for her." Michael replied, as both boys gave me a knowing look.

In response I just sighed, and shook my head. "Ignoring me is not the same as liking me." I disagreed.

"Sure." Michael replied, sounding like he didn't believe that one bit.

"Whatever you say." Terry agreed, as both boys stood up.

"Well, where off. See you three for torture time."

The pair departed, leaving only me, Lisa, and Anthony at the table. Anthony just shook his head and grinned.

"Those two."

"There quite the duo." Lisa agreed. "What to study in the library?"

"Sure, anything to make sure Snape still seems me as his favorite." I joked.

The three of us then made our way to the library, found a corner, and began to rigorously prepare for potions. After last week I wasn't as nervous as before, but I still didn't know if last week was a anomaly, or if Snape was planning to ignore me for the majority of class.

After a few hours of studying, then a tense lunch, we made our way down to the dungeons. Like last week it remained my least favorite part of the castle It seemed everyone was in a nervous mood, even the usual cheerful Michael and Terry, which the dungeons only served to accelerate. We arrived at the closed classroom door then waited anxiously.

After a couple of minutes the Hufflepuff's arrived all looking about a nervous as we did, well most of them did. Again Zacharias Smith was glaring at me, when I noticed he turned to Justin Finch-Fletchley and whispered something, Justin for his part just shook his head and sighed.

"Enough of this Zacharias." I head Justin reply, seemingly tired of whatever Zacharias was saying, causing Zacharias to glare at me with even more annoyance.

"Is he glaring at you again?" Anthony whispered in my ear.

"Yes." I replied as we both looked over at the boy in confusion.

"You think he likes you?" Lisa asked. I looked at her as she grinned. Anthony just shaking his head and smirking.

"How does looking at me with, at best, annoyance mean he likes me?" I asked, rolling my eyes.

"Well you know, people can sometimes have trouble expressing themselves." She replied, I gave her a pointed look, then looked back at Smith. Who was now whispering with Ernest Macmillan, who seemed to have the same reaction as Justin.

"No." I finally replied, as she gave a chuckle.

"Still, it's odd. You never spoken to him, have you?" Anthony asked, stroking his chin thoughtfully.

"Never, and he's been looking at me like that for a while now." I replied then sighed. "I don't know what I did.

Anthony again looked at the boy thoughtfully, while Lisa just looked annoyed.

"Just ignore him." She said firmly.

"I have been."

Before either of us could say anything else the doors to the potion classroom opened and everyone flocked inside, taking the same seats as we had the first class. Like last week, Snape strode in, his black robes flowing behind him. Everyone was deathly silent as we waited for the him to speak.

"You have been at Hogwarts for almost two weeks now. During which only a small minority of you showed any promise..." He turned to me as he said that, causing me a mix of excitement that I supposedly promise, and embarrassment as everyone was now looking at me, Smith with even more anger than before.

"...I expect the rest of you to improve significantly." He continued again facing the class as a whole. "This week we will be brewing a sleeping drought. I expect better performance this week. However before we begin, let's review" He said the last part with a sneer.

Snape went over last weeks lesson, going over what had been done right, and mostly what had been done wrong. He pulled up examples from last week, and would ask whoever's potion it was what they did wrong, condescending all the way.

"This vile belonged to Mr. Boot, and Mr. Corner." Snape said. Holding up a vile of dark green liquid. "Tell me, what did you two do wrong?" He asked the pair disdainfully.

They looked back at him, half annoyed, half worried. "We put in to much Snake Feng's...Sir." Michael replied, clearly not meaning the last past.

"Hmph." Snape sneered, then pulled out another vile. "And this." He said holding up a brown vile and looking over at the Hufflepuff's. "Was Miss. Bones and Abbot's. What did you do wrong?" He asked, causing the girls to shudder in there seats.

"We...accidently added only one porcupine quill." Susan eventually answered. Causing the potions master to sneer again, before turning back to the whole class.

"As you can see, there was no one issue, unless you count the ability to read simple instructions. I would hate to waste half of class again next week on simple, foolish, mistakes like there are. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes Professor." The entire class replied.

"I do hope so. Now the instructions to the Sleeping Drought are on page nine. I do hope for better results."

The rest of class was a repeat of last week. Me, and this time Anthony, were mostly ignored as we worked, while the rest of class was berated and snapped at. However Snape wasn't my main concern.

Zacharias Smith was still, every chance he got, glaring at me. I was confused, what did I do to cause someone I had never even spoken to, to glare at me so often. Still, he could only glare so much when Snape was...

"Smith! Only two drops of Flobberworm Mucus are needed!" He said suddenly. Causing the boy to turn away from me. At least for a moment.

Snape snapped at Smith two more times, finally taking five points from him for "failure to concentrate, after which he looked more furious than I'd ever seen him, he gave me one last glare then focused on his potion for the rest of class.

Finally the period ended and we where dismissed. We began making our way up from the dungeons. Everyone was in a sour mood, least of which Terry and Michael, who's rant from earlier today was continued tenfold.

"I can't believe that man. No warning, no positive reinforcement, just constant criticism." Michael said, clenching his hands together in fury.

"I know, then he has the Gall to bark orders at us, in the middle of making the potion. It's like he want's us to mess up." Terry replied equally as upset.

"Calm down guys. Nothing you can do." Padma said, trying to calm to furious pair.

"I'm sorry, it's just...he's such a git." Michael replied. Giving a small, defeated sigh.

"Oh I know, you should hear what Parvati say's about him. The Gryffindor's loathe him, even more than we do." She assured them, causing the pair to look at her uncertainly.

"Are you sure, I mean, me and Michael are sure not fond of him." Terry replied with a small smirk.

"Let me put it to you this way. The Gryffindor's have to deal with everything we do, and having to deal with Snape treating the Slytherin's like they can do no wrong. His double standard is significant." Padma replied certainly.

"Well, we have to deal with double standards to." Michael said, turning to me.

"Yeah, he does have his favorites." Terry added. Both boys looked at me grinning.

"I didn't know ignoring me for the majority of class constituents liking me." I replied, Padma gave me a curious look.

"Yes. But the fact that he hates your brother, which Parvati says as well, really does make him mostly avoiding you..."

"Odd." I finished for her, and she nodded.

"Yes odd." Padma replied.

We reached to top of the stairs, back out of the dark dungeons. We had about an hour before dinner, and I remembered my promise to meet Harry.

"Well, I better go see what my dear brother wants." I told the group.

"Of course, we'll see you at dinner." Anthony replied.

I made my way to the courtyard, and found Harry and Ron sitting on one of the many rock benches scattered throughout. Harry was reading some sort of book on Quidditch, and Ron was following closely along.

"Hey Harry, Ron." I said as I walked over to the pair, causing Harry to jump a little. "Sorry." I added.

"It's fine Sarah, just didn't notice you. Just was reading up on my new...duties." Harry replied making sure no one else knew what he was talking about, then marking his page and putting the book back into his bag.

"Of course. Like I said, I hope you do well." I said encouragingly.

"Isn't it great. My best friend on the team, seeker no less." Ron said the last part in a whisper. Clearly they were serious about keeping this a secret.

"As long as you catch the snitch one hundred and fifty one." I replied cheekily. Harry just rolled his eyes. While Ron just shook his head.

"Whatever you say Sarah." Harry replied.

"Now, what did you want to talk about?" I asked curiously. Harry and Ron gave each other serious looks.

"It's a long story. So last night, Malfoy challenged me to a wizard's duel." Harry began.

"You didn't accept, did you?" I replied, remembering Anthony mentioning his great Uncle getting into one. The pair's look was all I needed to know. I facepalmed, and shook my head. "Harry." I said warningly.

"I couldn't back down. Besides, he didn't show up anyway." Harry defended. I then gave him a sigh.

"Were you out past curfew?" I asked.

"...Yes."

"You could have gotten caught, or hurt, or..."

"Please. We already heard it from Hermione. We don't need you to turn into another bossy know-it-all." Ron said, I just shook my head.

"Whatever, go on."

"So me and Ron went to the trophy room with Hermione and Neville..."

"Why where Hermione and Neville with you?"

"Hermione followed and tried to stop us. Neville had gotten back late from the hospital wing and couldn't remember the password. When we left the...password taker was gone" Ron explained, clearly trying to keep the Gryffindor common room's location a secret.

"Okay. So poor Neville was already stuck in the hall, Hermione was trying to stop you, and you all got stuck outside of your common room." I confirmed.

"Yes." Ron replied, looking a little sheepish after I laid it all out.

"Then?"

"Hermione and Neville followed us because Neville was scared..."

"Poor boy." I replied, remembering him from the train. How scared he was at the prospect of losing his toad, and now being stuck in the corridors after hours.

"And Hermione so she could blame us if we were caught." Harry explained.

"And what about Draco? Did he show up?" I asked curiously.

"It was a trick, he had tipped off Filch." Ron explained.

I frowned. "He didn't catch you, did he?" I asked.

"I'm getting there. So we ran from Filch, and into empty classroom. But it wasn't an empty classroom...we went into the third floor corridor."

I was silent and stared at the two in horror. The corridor that Dumbledore had said meant certain death, the corridor that was strictly off limits. And these two had gone there in the first two weeks.

"You idiot." I said, causing the pair to jump back in apparent shock. I took a deep breath trying to collect myself. "What was in there?" I asked. Harry hesitated, but I gave him a demanding look.

"A Cerberus" He finally responded.

Again I was in shock. I looked at the pair, whom now where fidgeting nervously. I began to pace a few steps trying to calm down, and took a few deep breaths.

"Why did you tell me this?" I asked after collecting myself.

"Because the dog was guarding something. It was on top of a trap door." Harry explained.

"And?"

"Remember that package from Gringotts. That has to be where it is."

"What does that have to do with us?" I asked, doing everything in my power to not freak out at both of them.

"I mean...it's just interesting. I thought you should know." Harry replied nervously.

I took a few more deep breaths, paced a few more steps, and muttered to myself about there stupidity.

"Come on Sarah, it was a adventure. Don't be like Hermione, don't be a bossy know-it-all" Ron eventually said. I looked at him seriously.

"Why did Hermione try and stop you?" I asked seriously.

"Because she's a bossy, know-it-all." Ron answered immediately.

"And she didn't want to lose Gryffindor any points." Harry added, and I again sighed.

"Now why would I be upset with you?" I asked, and the pair looked at each other nervously. "Because my twin brother, almost got his head bitten off by a three headed dog, the second week of school." I scolded them, both seemed to shrink. Harry looked guilty, while Ron looked nervous.

"I'm sorry Sarah." Harry replied. And I just shuddered at what could have happened to him.

"Harry, I know you're a Gryffindor. But, please don't get yourself killed. If I lost you..." I said disturbed by the thought.

"...Okay. I understand." Harry told me understandingly and I gave him a nod.

"Good. I'm sorry for yelling, but when you do stupid things. I can't help it." I replied, giving a small smile.

"You always were the smarter one." Harry said grinning.

"Well, I'm going to go walk off my nerves before dinner." I said shaking my head one last time.

"Okay, by the way, how did Snape treat you today?" Harry asked.

"The same as last time, practically avoids me." I replied, which caused Harry to frown.

"He hates me though...I just don't get it."

"Neither do I."

I walked the castle corridors alone, trying to calm down after Harry almost got himself killed last night. Part of me knew he was like this, a Gryffindor, always accepting any challenge. Sometimes going head first to quickly. But still, he could have been killed.

"Why Harry?" I whispered to myself.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't little Miss Perfect." A unfamiliar voice knocked me out of my thoughts and I looked around. Zacharias Smith was leaning against the wall. Glaring at me with pure annoyance.

"Um...are you talking to me?" I asked worriedly.

"Who else would I be talking to Potter." He said with venom. I looked at the boy in total confusion. What was his deal?

"Can I help you?" I asked worriedly. Smith just rolled his eyes.

"You could help the entire school by dropping this act of yours." He said, confirming my suspicions. He did not like me.

"Act?"

"First in potions. Making a fool out of me and the rest of my house, then your little stunt on the broom, thinking you were so great. Then again today, Snape not once criticizing you, all because your brother stopped you-know-who. And you think you're anything more than the rest of us." Smith ranted.

"I don't think that." I replied, desperate to defuse the situation.

"Of course you'd say that. Everything think's I'm crazy, that you're just a nice little book reader. But I know better. You think your better than everyone." He accused, and I just stared at the boy lost.

"Excuse me?" I replied, starting to get angry in turn.

"You don't know how long I've tried getting you alone. To get you to see, not everyone buys your act, thinks your perfect." He said, now pointing at me.

I just looked at the boy with a shocked expression. I didn't think I was better than anyone, that I was perfect, yet here this stuck up boy was. Mad at his own performance, and blaming it on me. Eventually I just shook my head and shrugged.

"Think whatever you want, still, not my fault that you were more focused on glaring at me, than focusing on your potion." I replied, Smith just looked more furious.

"Why you. One of these day's, I'll show everyone what you truly are." He snapped back. I was done with the boys accusations and ramblings.

"Whatever." I replied, then began to head down the corridor away from him.

"I'm not done yet!" The boy yelled at me, I just rolled my eyes.

"I am." I replied. Smith gave a criticizing groan, as I made my way to the great hall for dinner.

I was upset, not just about some random Hufflepuff having his own personal vendetta against me, but Harry and his actions still bothered, and worried me. Clearing my feelings were showing as I sat down.

"What's wrong?" Lisa asked me worriedly. Anthony also gave me a concerned look, while everyone else was listening to Michael, and Terry's impressions of Snape.

"Well Harry felt like being a stupid Gryffindor last night." I began, causing Anthony to just nod in understanding.

"That's usually how they act. Head first." He replied.

"That's not all." I continued. "I finally got the reasonings for Smith's glaring." I finished, as Lisa and Anthony looked at each other worriedly.

"What happened?" Lisa asked.

"He confronted me in the corridor. Started ranting about how I thought I was better than everyone, how I was a showoff, basically how he didn't like me one bit." I said, causing both Lisa and Anthony to frown, and give me confused looks.

"How are you a showoff?" Anthony asked in total confusion.

"You don't even answer questions unless he asks you directly." Lisa added. And I just shook my head.

"I don't know. His whole rant made very little sense." I replied, we all took quick glances at the Hufflepuff table, which was next to ours. And sure enough Smith was glaring at me, and whispering to his housemates who all looked quite annoyed.

"So what you're basically saying is." Anthony began as we turned back to our table. "Smith is jealous of you." Anthony said, and I shrugged.

"I guess so." I replied. Lisa gave a small chuckle.

"And what is your plan to deal with him? Anthony asked.

"Ignore him." I replied, Anthony nodded, while Lisa smirked.

"I mean, it could still be some deep seeded feelings. Going to be hard to ignore if that's the case." Lisa teased, causing me to flick her arm in annoyance.

"Ow."

"Bad Lisa." Anthony said smirking.

The next week passed without much incident. I ignored Smith for the most part, and seeing as I was always flanked by either Lisa, Anthony, or Harry. He didn't dare come after me again, thought the way he looked at me, I could tell he still thought the same way.

It wasn't until breakfast next Wednesday that anything of significance happened.

"Mail's here." Padma said excitedly. Most of our year had been getting mail from home at least once a week. But I, other than Hagrid, detention, and the occasional Harry letter. I hadn't gotten anything. Not that I expected the Dursley's to mail me or Harry anything.

So it was to my surprise when a long thing package that drew everyone attention, landed right in front of Harry, along with a note. I knew at once that this must be his Quidditch broom. When everyone saw it land near him, they turned to me.

"Why did your brother get a broomstick?" Michael asked me, a small hint of jealously in his voice.

"What type is it?" Terry added, both peering over trying to get a good view of the package.

"I have no idea." I replied, both Anthony and Lisa gave me knowing looks.

"Is that his secret?" Lisa whispered in my ear, and I just shrugged.

"I told you, you'll figure out at some point." I replied nonchalantly. .

"Why the secrecy? Who sent him it?" Anthony asked, at that I just shrugged.

"I have no idea who sent him a broom." I answered honestly. "As for the secrecy well...It's still a secret." I replied. Causing Anthony to frown.

"I'll figure it out sooner or later." He said, and I nodded.

"Yes you will. Sooner than you think." I replied smirking. Before anyone else could say anything I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned and saw the curious eyes of Cho.

"Hey Cho." I said. She looked at me questioningly.

"Why's your brother got a broom?" She asked.

"No idea." I replied, thought the way she was looking at me said she didn't believe me.

"If you say so." She replied, giving me a few pats on the back before whispering in my ear. "I'll make sure not to make a total fool out of him when we play." She smirked, and I nodded.

"I'm sure you will."

I looked over and saw that Harry had read the note first, and now he and Ron were both scurrying out of the hall. I stood up, and looked at my housemates.

"I'm going to go see what he got. If I can tell you I will, but if Harry want's to keep this between us, well, you'll have to wait." I explained, and everyone gave me a pleading, yet understanding look.

"At least tell us what type it is? Terry begged.

"I'll see what he can do." I called over my shoulder as I left the hall.

I found Harry and Ron making there way to the entrance hall stairs. I rushed to catch up to them.

"Hey Harry." I said, causing the pair to jump again. "Sorry, I really should work on that." I added.

"It's fine, just trying to get back to the common room." Harry replied eagerly.

"What type?" I asked simply. Harry grinned

"Nimbus 2000." He answered, and even I felt a twinge of jealously.

"The best on the market. Really?" I asked in shock.

"Yeah, just...I know your friends must be curious. But don't tell them." He said warningly.

"Yeah, Wood really wants him as a secret weapon." Ron added. And I just nodded.

"Fine, but they all know it's a broomstick. The shape of the package." I explained.

"Don't tell them about my new..." Harry began, nervously looking around.

"Duties." I finished for him.

"Yeah."

"Well, I'll leave you to it." I said, as they approached the stairs. But before I left, I noticed Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle. The latter two blocking the stairway. Draco snatched the package from Harry and felt it.

"That's a broomstick," Draco began, before throwing it back to Harry. Spite and jealousy clearly visible on his face. "You'll be in for it this time, Potter, first years aren't allowed them." He continued in a spiteful manner.

"It's not any old broomstick," Ron said, not able to stop himself. "it's a Nimbus Two Thousand. What did you say you've got at home, Malfoy, a Comet Two Sixty?" Ron grinned at Harry, while Draco sneered. "Comets look flashy, but they're not in the same league as the Nimbus."

"What would you know about it, Weasley, you couldn't afford half the handle," Draco snapped back. "I suppose you and your brothers have to save up twig by twig."

I watched nervously as the boys went back and forth. Thankfully Professor Flitwick appeared and stepped in.

"Not arguing, I hope, boys?" He asked them.

"Potter's been sent a broomstick, Professor," Draco said quickly.

"Yes, yes, that's right. Professor McGonagall told me all about the special circumstances, Mr. Potter. And what model is it?" Professor Flitwick asked Harry, beaming at him the whole time.

"A Nimbus Two Thousand, it is, And it's really thanks to Malfoy here that I've got it," Harry replied. The whole time trying not to laugh at Draco, who looked confused and furious.

Harry and Ron then bolted upstairs. while Professor Flitwick, sensing the danger of a fight had passed, continued on his way. Hermione then quickly scurried by us looking annoyed, mumbling something about rule breakers shouldn't get rewarded. Finally leaving just me, and the trio of Slytherins

"How'd he get a broom? I sure as hell didn't help him?" Draco asked me in rage.

"I have no idea." I replied, eager to keep another student from hating my guts.

"Hmph, they didn't even give the best Potter a broom." Draco eventually replied after calming down.

I stared at the boy. He had just called me the best Potter. I didn't know whether to feel insulted for Harry's sake, or pleased that someone thought I was better than Harry, the boy who lived.

Before I could reply, Draco gave me a small grin, then he stormed off. Crabbe and Goyle following closely behind.

Day's turned into weeks, and before I knew it we'd been at Hogwarts for two months. It felt much more like home than the Dursley's had ever been, but still, I had my struggles.

My worst class, by far, had been Transfiguration. I just couldn't seem to get it, the strict wand movements, the intense note taking, and the complexity of the topic was downright confounding to me. No matter how many notes I was taking, or the homework I did, I just couldn't seem to get it, and it was infuriating.

The only other class that I did not like was History of Magic, not because the subject was hard, but the class it self was boring. Professor Binn's only knew one way to teach, to monologue in a monotone voice for the entire class, and expect us to take notes. It was horrid, made worse by the fact that if Binn's wasn't so boring, the class could have been quite interesting.

My favorite classes were Charm's and Defense. Charm's I adored for it's creativity and, unlike in Transfiguration, you could really put your own spin on the spells. Professor Flitwick also had become one of my favorite Professors, whose style of teaching had really taken the class to another level.

Defense on the other hand wasn't nearly as much about the class, It was basic reading and note taking for the most part, it was about the Professor.

Quirrell must have really appreciated our talk during detention because now he was treating me far kinder than everyone else. While everyone else he seemed scared or nervous of, whenever I asked a question, or got a answer right on one, he was sure to give me encouraging words, he'd even given me points a few times.

Then there was potions.

Potion's was...odd. Snape treated me better than anyone in the class. But that was because he spent most of the time avoiding me like the plague. The only time he ever spoke to me was when he asked question's, and even then is was more polite than anyone else in the room. Still I enjoyed the subject, and Snape tirade against Zacharias Smith made it all worth while.

Smith had become Snape favorite target. Calling him out during class, barking orders at him at the most inopportune moment's, taking away point's from Hufflepuff from him at the slightest infraction. It made me appreciate Snape. Not that I would ever tell Harry, whom hated the Professor with a passion.

Speaking of Harry, he was now practicing three nights a week for Quidditch, whose first game was coming up in November. I had to admit I was slightly jealous that Harry had a broom and I didn't. However I was more so nervous at watching Harry play. I'd heard how long and dangerous Quidditch could be.

Halloween finally arrived, the smell of baking pumpkins filled the corridors. In charm's Professor Flitwick finally allowed us to make object's fly. The final class of the day was Defense. Professor Quirrell was looking more nervous than usual.

"What's with him?" Anthony asked curiously.

"He look's sick." Lisa added.

"No idea." I replied, though I was determined to figure out what was upsetting my favorite Professor.

After class I stayed behind, a practice which my housemates had gotten used to, and approached Professor Quirrell desk.

"Sir?" I asked, and he nearly jumped. "Sorry sir." I replied.

"No N...need to a...apologize Miss P...Potter. What c...can I d...do for y...you?" He asked giving me a warm smile.

"I was just making sure you're okay. You look...Ill."

"Ha, I...I'm f...fine my" He replied, and I nodded.

"If you say so sir. Just remember if you need anything." I said, and he gave me a nod.

"Don't w...worry a...about me Miss P...Potter. Now R...run along to t...the feast" He assured me, and I nodded.

"If you say so sir." I replied.

I made my way to the great hall. When I arrived I stared at the sight before me in awe. Thousands of live bats. Some on the ceiling and walls, others in large groups hovering over head. Pumpkins where scattered everywhere, and when the feast began. Gold plates appeared just like at the start of term banquet.

I began to dig into the mashed potatoes as everyone began to speak. Padma looked at me worriedly.

"Sarah?" She asked, worry evident in her voice.

"Yeah." I replied.

"Do you know what happened to Hermione?" She asked, and I I shook my head.

"What wrong with her?" I asked.

"Parvati told me she's been crying in the girls bathroom all day. And I don't see her at the Gryffindor table." She replied, sure enough when I looked there was no sign of Hermione.

"What happened?" I asked.

"No idea. I just thought Harry might have told you something." Padma explained.

"Sorry. Like I said, I haven't heard anything." I replied sorrowfully. Padma gave me a small nod, then went back to talking with Mandy and Morag.

"Poor girl. I wonder what happened." Lisa said. I nodded.

"Yeah, even if she can be bossy, she doesn't deserve to miss this." Anthony added. Motioning to the spectacle around us.

Before anyone could say anything else, Professor Quirrell burst into the room. His Turban off center, and his face etched with fear. He made his way up to the high table, and slouched against the chair in apparent shock. He then turned to Dumbledore and spoke.

"Troll — in the dungeons — thought you ought to know." He said before feinting.

There was chaos, I was terrified as me and Lisa grabbed each other in fear and began to scream. What were we going to do? How did it get in? I'm to young to die?

Only Professor Dumbledore setting off purple firecrackers made me, and most of the hall stop screaming in fear. We all turned to him in fear and worry.

"Prefects, lead your Houses back to the dormitories immediately!" Dumbledore ordered.

Penelope found us quickly and looked at us sternly.

"Stay close first years. Follow me and everything will be all right." She said the last part comforting, then led us from the hall.

The journey back to the common room was terrifying. Every shadow could be a troll, it could be around every corner, so I was thankful when we got back to the Common room's entrance.

"Who has hands but can never clap?" The knocker asked.

"A Clock." Penelope answered urgently. The door opened and we all rushed into the common room.

Soon enough, everybody was present. The prefect's announced we would finish the feast from the common room. And a buffet appeared of food. After getting plates, me Lisa, and Anthony gathered in a corner of the common room. The topic of discussion was obvious.

"How did a troll get in?" Lisa asked, a mix of terror and confusion in her voice.

"No idea. Trolls are large and muscular, but have the brains of a toddler." Anthony replied thoughtfully. We all looked at each other nervously.

"You think someone had to have..." I implied and Anthony nodded.

"Have to, without help it couldn't have even gotten through the front door.

"Who would let the troll into the castle?" Lisa asked startled.

"No idea." Anthony replied. I just shuddered.

"Whoever it was, either has a very sick sense of humor, or is a very twisted individual." I replied looking out the window at the grounds. Thankful that this ordeal was over.