The next day, Draco was shocked to see that Harry and Ron were still there. He had to rub his eyes twice just to make sure he wasn't hallucinating.

Harry didn't seem to care much and was much keener on filling Ron and me in on a package that Hagrid apparently picked up when they went to Diagon Alley for school supplies.

"It's either really valuable or really dangerous," Ron assumed.

"Or both," Harry assessed.

I roll my eyes at their superb detective skills. Although I couldn't lie when I say that I wanted to know what was in the package as well.

Hermione was now refusing to speak to Harry and Ron, as well. Although the boys didn't seem in care. All they cared about now was thinking of a way of getting back at Draco.

↤|🌊|↦

A few weeks later, the mail came as it did every Tuesday during breakfast, as the owls went into the Great Hall, everyone's attention was drawn to the thin, brown package carried by six large screech owls and Hedwig. Harry, Ron, and I were all interested to see who the package was for.

Much to our surprise, it fell in front of Harry. All the owls fluttered away other than Hedwig, who stayed long enough for me to give her some of my toast.

Harry opened the latter attached the parcel and showed it to Ron and I, DO NOT OPEN THE PARCEL AT THE TABLE. It contains your new Nimbus Two Thousand, but I don't want everybody knowing you've got a broomstick or they'll all want one. Oliver Wood will meet you tonight on the Quidditch field at seven o'clock for your first training session.

"A Nimbus Two Thousand!" Ron moaned enviously before lowering his voice. "I've never even touched one."

We all scurried out of the Great Hall and ran to the Gryffindor common room, wanting to open the package before our first class. But before we could make it, we were stopped by Draco and his guards. Crabbe took the package out of Harry's hands and handed it to Draco before we could object.

"That's a broomstick," Draco enviously stated, throwing it back to Harry with a mixture of hatred and spite on his face. "You'll be in for it this time, Potter, first years aren't allowed them."

"It's not any old broomstick," Ron bragged, 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 and I. "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."

Before Ron or I could answer, Professor Flitwick appeared at Draco's elbow.

"Not arguing, I hope, boys?" he squeaked, trying to gain authority although we were all taller than him already and could easily take him down.

"Potters been sent a broomstick, Professor," said Draco quickly.

"Yes, yes, that's right," said Professor Flitwick, beaming at Harry.

"Professor McGonagall told me all about the special circumstances, Potter. And what model is it?"

"A Nimbus Two Thousand, sir," Harry smiled, fighting not to laugh at the look of horror on Draco's face. "And it's really thanks to Malfoy here that I've got it," he added.

The look on Draco's face at that point was priceless and I wish I could have taken a photo. Ron, Harry, and I quickly ran up the stairs at that point, not able to contain our laughter at Draco's rage.

"Well, it's true," Harry chortled as we reached the top of the marble staircase, "If he hadn't stolen Neville's Remembrall I wouldn't be on the team. . . ."

"So I suppose you think that's a reward for breaking rules?" Hermione stomped up the stairs behind us, looking disapprovingly at the package in Harry's hand.

"I thought you weren't speaking to us?" said Harry in a snarky manner.

"Yes, don't stop now," said Ron, "it's doing us so much good."

I glower at him. Hermione marched away with her nose in the air before we could say anything else.

↤|🌊|↦

The two months had gone by in a flash. I was top in some of my classes, they all happened to be my favorites, with Hermione besting me in the other's, much to her annoyance. I had visited Dumbledore and Hagrid a couple of times for tea, to discuss my week. And pretty much was just getting into the regular cycle of things.

It was Halloween morning, my birthday, and I woke up to the delicious smell of pumpkin wafting through the corridors. I always loved Halloween, it was like a themed birthday that was full of fun and adventure.

Harry and the Weasley's had all come up to my room and woke me up by singing Happy Birthday, the twins singing their own offbeat version, making it funnier than it already was. Then I was given my gifts from the Weasleys, Hagrid, and Dumbledore: books and candy. I could tell Harry felt bad for not knowing it was my birthday until this morning when Ron told him, but I assured him he shouldn't feel bad.

And to make things better in Charms class, Professor Flitwick announced that he thought they were ready to start making objects fly. Professor Flitwick put us in pairs, I was paired with Hermione, who seemed like she would rather be with Patty Patil. She deliberately ignored me for most of the lesson, only speaking when she had to.

"Now, don't forget that nice wrist movement we've been practicing!" squeaked Professor Flitwick, perched on top of his pile of books, as usual, to maintain his height. "Swish and flick, remember, swish and flick. And saying the magic words properly is very important, too — never forget Wizard Baruffio, who said 's' instead of 'f' and found himself on the floor with a buffalo on his chest."

Hermione immediately recited the spell and made the feather levitate. I mimicked her movements and recited the spell with the same effect.

Ron didn't seem to be reciting the spell correctly, and just as I turned to help him, Hermione had already gotten up to snap at him. "You're saying it wrong! It's Wing-gar-dium Levi-o-sa, make the 'gar' nice and long."

"You do it, then, if you're so clever," Ron snarled at her.

Hermione rolled up the sleeves of her gown, and flicked her wand, and said, "Wingardium Leviosa!"

The feather rose off the desk and hovered about four feet above their heads.

"Oh, well done!" cried Professor Flitwick, clapping, hobbling over us. "Everyone see here, Miss Granger's done it!"

Ron was very upset and quickly shunned her away. By the end of the class, he had pulled Harry and me out of the class. "It's no wonder no one can stand her," I looked at him with a frown as I pushed myself through the corridor, "she's a nightmare, honestly."

Before I could defend Hermione, someone bumped into me, knocking me off my balance. Thankfully someone caught me before I hit the ground. I was turning to thank them but, I noticed Hermione's tear-stained face running to the girl's lavatory.

I turned to get out of the person's arms, so I could run after her, and realized that it was the Slytherin boy from the start of the year, with the golden hair. I look at him with a glower, "You."

He scoffs with that annoying smile, "You're welcome. You almost split your head open, on that one."

I  cross my arms, "I didn't need your help."

He nods his head, doubtfully, "Whatever you say, princess. I'm Scamander", he holds out his hand for me to shake, "Newt Scamander the Second."

I wonder if he is the descendant of Newt Scamander. He had to be.

I look at the hand before taking it in my own and shaking it. Once our hands touched I was immediately taken over by a wave of security and warmth. I bit my lip, "Ella Ambrosio."

"Ella", he said trying the name out before shaking his head, "I think I will call you Ambrosio, catchier don't you agree, princess"

"Don't call me Ambrosio or princess," I tell him in defiance although I honestly do like the nickname, "My name is Ella. Just Ella." I spin on the heels of my feet before grabbing Harry and Ron so we can go to our next class.

I hear Newt's voice in the background, "Whatever you say, princess."

I didn't see Hermione in our other classes or in the afternoon once school was over. Before the Halloween feast, I overheard Parvati Patil telling Lavender that Hermione was crying in the girls' bathroom and wanted to be left alone.

I had been ignoring Ron and Harry, after what they said to Hermione, but after I heard that, I wouldn't be shocked if I never spoke to them again. I could barely look at their guilty expressions before I got up muttering, "I am going to talk to her."

I walked to the bathroom that I knew she would be in and opened the door. It wasn't hard to find Hermione, I just followed the sniffling noise until I ran into a girl in the bathroom stall.

I knocked on the stall, "Hermione."

I hear Hermione's shaky voice through the door, "Go away."

I knock again, this time more determined, "Hermione, let me in."

"No, why should I. So you can go and talk about me more with your friends?"

I sigh before looking down at my nails ashamed. Yes, Hermione did ignore me, but it was my fault because I forgot our plans, and after I didn't really try to get back in her good graces, "I'm sorry. If you would like to know, I have been ignoring the boys ever since they said that about you...But it still doesn't change the fact that I was a bad friend. I should have tried harder, and I'm sorry I didn't...but I am here now, and I would really like to be your friend again-If you'll have me, that is."

I hear Hermione's sniffles lessen before she opens the stall door. She still manages to hold her determined look before saying, "Promise you won't ditch me again?"

I nod with a smile, "Swear."

She smiles and we both hug each other, happy to be friends again. Just as we were about to leave, I smelled this horrible stench.

I looked up and was met with a terrifying sight. It was twelve feet tall, with dull, granite gray skin and a great lumpy body like a boulder with a small bald head perched on top like a coconut. It had short legs thick as tree trunks with flat, horny feet. It was holding a huge wooden club, which dragged along the floor because its arms were so long.

Hermione, who hadn't seen it yet, was still animatedly talking about everything I had missed while I was with the boys. Once she stopped I knew she had seen it too.

The creature growled and Hermione and I both screamed at the top of our lungs. We made a run for the nearest stall, before locking ourselves inside and cowering into a ball for protection.

The troll swiped its club across the stalls breaking the top half and leaving Hermione and me in a pile of wood planks.

Hermione and I both stayed close to each other, trying to find a place to hide. I heard Harry's voice, "Hermione! Ella! Stay down!"

We both froze on the ground as the creature used his club again, trying to hit us.

I couldn't hear what else the Harry and Ron were saying over the creatures groans.

Once I finally looked up I saw that Harry and Ron were trying to distract the creature by throwing things at it. I tapped Hermione's shoulder and she nodded at me before we both crawled under the sinks, in order to escape.

The creature which I now realize is a troll stopped when it noticed us and brought its weapon down at us. I pushed Hermione out of the way and tried to dodge his attack, but he had already brought the club down on my foot before I could stop him.

I cried out at the pain, of my foot breaking. Hermione quickly got up and helped me wrap my arm around her, so I could try to hobble away.

I couldn't even turn to look at what Harry and Ron were doing to distract the troll. The three steps I managed to take however were too much and I fell to the ground, not being able to bear the pain.

I turned to the troll, which appeared to have Harry's wand up his nose, and gasped, looking at Harry wildly swinging around on its club. Ron pulled out his own wand guarding me before shouting, "Wingardium Leviosa!"

The club flew out of the troll's hand, suddenly, rose high, high up into the air, with Harry still hanging from it. Ron looked scared since he didn't know how to safely put Harry down.

The troll began making its way towards us, growling in fury. Hermione and Ron were trying to help me crawl back when I noticed one of the toilets was broken. I try to ignore the pain, looking at the water spewing from the broken pipe and immediately setting into action. Without hesitating, I brought my hand up and quickly moved the water over the unsuspecting trolls head. I hastily tried to shake the stream of water into a ball-like shape before freezing it into a ball of ice causing it to fall hard on its crown. It swayed in its spot before falling flat on its face, with a thud that made the whole room tremble.

Harry got to his feet, shaky and out of breath, looking at me in awe.

Ron was standing there with his wand still raised, staring at the unconscious troll, "Oi! Why couldn't you have done that before?"

Hermione spoke second, "Wow, I believed you when you said you could control water...but seeing it in person was awesome."

Harry nods his head. I simply smile, knowing that if I speak, I will begin screaming in agony. So instead I simply muffle my pain with a small whimper before the tears begin streaming down my face.

Hermione, Ron, and Harry, who had seemingly forgotten about my injury after my little stunt, all ran towards me in worry.

A sudden slamming and loud footsteps made me look up. Professor McGonagall had come bursting into the room, followed by Snape and Quirrell, who looked like he could pass out.

Snape, noticed my tears and the way Hermione was sitting by my foot before the others, and quickly ran over. He scooped me up in his arms and picked me up. I quickly buried my face in his neck, bawling in pain, "Foolish girl."

Snape quietly brought me over to the nurse. Although Snape may seem mean and cruel, I would trust him with my life and know that he would protect it with his own.