Lucius motioned to a seat aside Severus, and I walked towards him. "Good morning," I smiled at the men, who all nodded towards me. "Good morning, Alya," responded Snape as I sat. We all turned our attention to the long haired blonde sitting before us.

"Alya, Severus comes bearing news," he said, nodding his head towards the stern man. "Hmm, yes. I will come at the time of your Christmas party with the rest of your assigned professors. We will examine your progress. I assume you are... Up to standards, miss Gaunt?" I stared at the stern man for a few minutes, before both grown ups started to speak.

"Draco has all her winter break work, Mister Malfoy. I shall take my leave," the dark haired man got up and left as soon as possible. I didn't even get the chance to ask about Filius.

"Alya, your potions set is in the morning room. Draco will give you your work, and I'll come by later to re-examine you. Both of you are dismissed."

I looked at Draco and we both walked downstairs to the morning room, near the veranda. The house was silent, and only a few tapping of feet were able to be heard, coming from the elves who were cleaning rooms nearby.

I stood before my potion set, notes open, ready for Draco to give me instructions. He cleared his throat. "Alright, the first potion is the Forgetfulness Potion..."

•••

"That's all?" Draco nodded. "What else did you want? You made five potions already!" He retorted while I filled a flask with my last potion to send to Professor Snape. "I just thought there'd be more. I practiced the Herbicide Potion, and you're telling me you haven't made it yet," I sealed the flask and disposed of the rest of the potion.

Draco sighed and rolled his eyes, going on about our next subject. This same pattern continued for another two days.

It was finally Christmas Eve. I spent the morning helping Godmother decorate the foyer and ball room with ornaments while the elves cooked. Draco was nowhere to be seen with Godfather until noon, when we started to get ready before the guests arrived.

I dressed with matching colors with Draco. My dress was white with red trimmings, along with my black maryjanes and white socks. Draco, on the other hand, wore a white dress shirt with a red bowtie and black pants.

First arrived Godfather's brother, with his wife and two children. After an hour, then arrived the professors. And Filius. I immediately hugged him once he stepped foot inside. He picked me up by my waist and spun me around.

"Alya! I missed you!~" he exclaimed. I laid my arms around his neck for a while longer, feeling his warmth, and taking in his scent that I always loved. "I missed you more," I replied. After a little while, we were dismissed from the ballroom, and all the children headed up to the morning room.

"So? How's it really been for you?" asked Filius as he sat on a love seat. Draco sat aside him, while his cousins talked among themselves. "It's amazing! Godfather Lucius and Godmother Narcissa are so kind and loving! Draco is really nice, too-" "Pfft, Draco? Nice?!" One of his cousins laughed at me.

His name was Julian Malfoy. He was sitting aside his sister, Lillian. "Draco is such a git," Lillian added, crossing her arms. "Maybe to you two. He just doesn't like you," I answered rapidly. "Preach, Alya," Draco grinned and turned to the duo, "I'm mean to you because you two always get on my bloody nerves."

Needless to say, the three of them started to argue. I turned to Filius. "How have you really been? How is it for you at Hogwarts?" He smiled and answered, "Well, it's not what you'd think. I sleep during the day, and Snape gives me lessons during the night. I sometimes sneak around the halls during the day."

I listened intently at all the stories he had to tell of the students, and of one named Harry Potter and his legend. He told me how he befriended him and his friends, Ron and Hermione, but how annoying they truly were.

"I prefer you over them a million times more, Alya." "Ugh, that Potter! He's a useless weasel who befriends mudbloods and stupid redheads. I suggest you both stay away from that trio," Draco said with disgust, breaking the argument he had with his cousins.

"Well, truly, he's been a nuisance ever since we met. Always asking me about Snape, and all." I nodded at Filius' words, leaning my head in his shoulder.

"Ugh, I can't believe he's in the Quidditch team. He's such a brat, using him being famous to go on and join his house's team in first year..." Draco went on a rant.

Soon later, Narcissa popped her head inside the morning room, gaining everyone's attention. "Please children, come to the ballroom. Alya and Filius' tests will begin now." She smiled at me and left soon.

"Nervous?" Asked Filius as we walked hand in hand across the halls. "A little. And you?" "Petrified," he laughed. I loved living like this; not taking in all the darkness the Perelman household brung upon us. Filius was full of joy and happiness, and I felt a little more open to meeting new people.

Filius started first with his tests. He was standing behind a desk, where he made three potions for, well, Potions class, then name some things for Herbology, a few spells for Charms, transfigure a feather into a worm, an oral presentation for History of Magic, and another one for Defense Agaisnt The Dark Arts.

As far as I could see, he didn't make any major mistakes. Then, I was called to do everything myself. Of course, I completed my exams with effort. Everything was different than Filius', not wanting to be unfair. The last test I had to do was Defense Agaisnt The Dark Arts, however, professor Quirrel just stared at me the entire time, not saying much as I exposed my presentation.

We all had lunch afterwards, when professor Dumbledore announced that we had done excellent, and that we could begin our studies in early January. I smiled at Filius, who sat across from me, and then at Draco, who sat at my right.

"Miss Gaunt, I see you have an eye for medicinal plants. Have you thought of specializing in healing?" Madam Sprout asked, taking a bite of her food. "Oh, well, no, not really..." "She is very well gifted in Potion making," Snape commented. "Professors, please," started Dumbledore, looking at the three of us.

"The children seem to take upon their parents. They are all drawn to the Dark Arts." We looked at each other. It felt to me, as if he meant it as a bad thing. I could see Draco grin, and Lucius began to speak.

I thought about what Madam Sprout had said through out the whole night. I loved DADA, but I knew I had a keen for reverse potions and healing factors. But, what did I really want?

Filius and I hugged for a while before he left after lunch. "See you in January," he whispered in my ear, tucking a stray piece of my brown hair away. "See you," I said back. Before leaving, Filius turned to Draco and shook his hand. "Malfoy, I'll trust you'll keep her safe." "Of course, Flint." I smiled as they looked intensely into each other's eyes before the tallest left.