Emma was late for transfiguration. She had left one of her books in her room and she had to go back to get it. That was when she thought she saw Harry turn into a panther. It must have been her imagination. Wizards can't turn into animals...Can they? Her blood sugar must be off or something. Yeah. That's what it was. Well, she hoped anyway.

At breakfast, everyone was talking about the Daily Prophet. The theories of what really happened were quite entertaining. Longbottom claimed, quite loudly, that it was pure rubbish and that the Daily Prophet wasn't fit for the bottom of an owl cage. A bloke by the name of Dean reminded him that he kept a scrapbook of every article that was ever written about him. The two started to have a death-staring contest as everyone in ear shot had themselves a good laugh.

Mark was sure it was down played and that there was, in fact, an epic battle. Emma guessed there was a little hero worship going on there. His version of what really happened was much more riveting than what was in the paper. She really enjoyed watching him tell it, or was it that she really liked watching him? Once or twice, Gabby might have mentioned that she needed to stop drooling. She didn't care. He was really cute.

She was in such a hurry to get down to breakfast, so that she could get a seat next to him, that she forgot one of her books in her room. Pursa offered to go with her, but she told her go on ahead. She had just started to head down the stairs to the girl's dorms when she saw Harry transform. Now that she had time to think about it, she was sure that it was her imagination. She couldn't believe she actually fainted. Now she was late for class.

As she turned the corner, she ran into a wall of seventh year Slytherins. She fell on her bum, hard, and her books went everywhere. It would have been nice if one of them would have offered to help her up. By the look of them, though, that wasn't going to be an option.

"Hey, watch where you're going, you stupid little twit!"

"Then don't stand in the middle of the hall next time, you git!" Emma huffed out as she started to collect her scattered books. She had been told about the Slytherin attitude towards Gryffindors. A carrot top by the name of Ron had told her last night. "They think they own the school. It's our job to remind the wankers that they don't." What he didn't tell her was what to do when one of them yanked you up by your hair. Because, let me tell ya, that hurts like hell. The prat had her held up so high that she was standing on the tips of her toes to keep from having her hair ripped out by the roots.

"Did you guys hear what this little mudblood just said to me?" Draco asked, as he motioned for Crabbe and Goyle to come over. Both laughed as they saw the girl with the changing hair struggling to get free.

"Hey, get off!" Emma decided to take a chance and kicked at his shin with one of her feet, but missed. She saw two big brutes surround her, laughing all the while. She was then thrown against a wall. The white haired boy pulled his wand and leveled it at her head. Emma swallowed hard. She was deep in it this time. This wasn't the first time she was outnumbered. No, at the orphanage it was an everyday thing. The only difference was that there were usually witnesses, so it never got too out of pocket. As far as she could, see they were alone. The other difference was that the bullies at the orphanage didn't have wands.

"I think she needs to be taught a lesson. What say you, Crabbe?" He cracked his knuckles in agreement.

"Well said. And you, Goyle?" That one just laughed at her. Emma's eyes quickly moved from one to the other, and then to the last one. The look of panic on her face made them laugh at her all the more. Think, girl, think...Wand...I've got a bloody wand too! Emma quickly reached into her robe and pulled out her wand, but before she could aim it, her arm was twisted up behind her back. She would have cried out in pain if she wasn't already accustomed to it. She had the prats at the orphanage to thank for that. She felt her wand being ripped from her hand and heard it snap.

"Oops, that was clumsy of you, Crabbe. Now the poor little mudblood is without a wand."

"She probably doesn't know any spells to begin with."

"She looks like she going to cry."

"Are you going to cry, mudblood?" Their taunts kept coming at her, one after another. Emma wasn't a crier. Crying never solved anything. It didn't make the pain go away, or give you back your dignity. No! She wouldn't give them that satisfaction. The three of them were so busy laughing at her expense that a gap opened up for her to run through. Emma didn't hesitate. She ducked down so that she just missed getting grabbed by one of them, and ran as fast as she could, but her legs suddenly locked together, causing her to fall on her face. Then she felt an unseen force lift her upside down. As she dangled there she saw the three of them lazily stroll over to her. Emma screamed out for help but no sound came out of her mouth.

"Unlike Granger, we know when to use a silencing charm, you filthy little mudblood." The three Slytherin's then proceeded to pushing Emma from one to the other in some sick game of catch. All the blood was rushing to her head and all the spinning was making her nauseous. It was then that the necklace that Harry gave her fell from around her neck and onto the floor. She cursed herself for not thinking of it sooner. He told her that it would keep arseholes like these three from messing with her. She was fairly sure that he told her a word to use. For the life of her she couldn't remember what it was at this moment. Help me! Will someone please help me! Her silent prayer was answered a lot sooner than she thought it would be.

For what seemed like hours, but was more like half a minute. Daphne watched as Draco and his knuckle daggers tormented the little Metamorphmagus. Her first survival instinct told her to walk away. Better to be an observer, than a victim. She had no connection to this girl. There was nothing to be gained by stopping this before it took a dark turn. With those three, it was just a matter of time before that became a reality. It wasn't like it her sister that they were doing this to. Then the image of her little sister flashed in her mind. It was followed closely by Tracy, the only one in this school that came close to being called a friend. Her face was the next to appear and she put herself in the girl's place. Wouldn't she want someone to come to her aid? No, she was too smart to go wandering the halls alone.

The last face for her to see was that of Ginny Weasley. The guilt that she had buried deep inside her for six years came bubbling to the surface. It was so strong that she wanted to vomit. She was doing it again: looking the other way and not taking a stand. She was a Slytherin for a reason. She had no delusions of grandeur. She knew herself well enough to know that she wasn't a brave person. The question was, however, could she live with herself if she did nothing? Think, Daphne, think! There has to be something that you can do! A calm fury washed over her and she made her decision. At long last, Daphne Greengrass was picking a side.

"Honestly! Just when I think that you three can't bring the name of Slytherin lower, you go bathe in the foulest muck you can find." A blond seventh year was marching over to the three boys. The two bigger prats stopped immediately, but Draco just sneered at her.

"Mind your own business, Greengrass. This is none of your concern."

"Hanging out with this lot has actually made you more obtuse, instead of making them acute. How the three of you made it into Slytherin is beyond me. Attacking a student out in the open like this? You should have been put in Gryffindor. No, I'm giving you too much credit. They have more common sense than that. And a first year, no less." Daphne ranted as she used the counter curse to free Emma. She knew that she had to play this carefully. If she let on that she was helping a muggle born for anything other than House status reasons, she would end up trading places with the poor girl. She was helping her up when she saw the necklace on the floor. The crest of the House of Potter was shining brightly.

"Nobody care what happens to some stupid orphaned mudblood." Daphne rolled her eyes as she picked up the necklace. She turned to face the three of them. She looked at them with disgust as she put herself between them and Emma.

"I hate to repeat myself but, seriously, how did the three of you get into Slytherin? Every time you three do something like this, Slytherin is more and more alienated. If the war comes to these halls Slytherin will stand alone. And another thing, has it escaped you limited attention, that this girl in less than a day has aligned herself with a Noble Lord?" She displayed it for them to see. All three visibly paled.

"Shite!" Crabbe and Goyle yelled in unison, while Draco quickly recovered and gave his usual sneer. He didn't like being talked to in this manner. A year ago she wouldn't dare speak to him in such a manner. Unfortunately, much had changed in that year. With his father's incarceration, the name Malfoy had lost its former power. In the past, just the mention of his father would make even grown Wizards cower before him. He had been stripped of his Noble status and his Family Vault was confiscated by Lord Black. It was only due to the man's charity that Malfoy Manor and his Trust Vault remained. Due to reckless past spending, hardly any of his gold was left. He no longer had any house elves to boss around, either.

His mother hadn't been seen since just after the Ministry incident. Not that he interacted with her much to begin with. Father had always said that her usefulness to him ended when she gave birth to him. She wasn't allowed any say in his upbringing, as his father took full control of that. In time, he came to view her just as his father did.

"Nice going there, little one. You've impressed a Noble Lord. You may survive this year after all. However, in the future I suggest better judgment. It is never wise to wander the halls of this castle alone." Daphne placed the necklace around her neck so that it was displayed nicely for all to see.

"Thank you."

"When you tell Lord Potter of this, please try to stress that not all Slytherins are like this lot." She stressed the tell part and Emma got the meaning immediately.

"These sods broke my wand." Emma said as she gave her most evil snarl at them. Daphne looked over her shoulder at them in disgust.

"Oops"

"Bugger! Are you three really that daft? Honestly, what are you, 5?"

"Careful, Greengrass. Your losing that polished charm of yours."

"Yeah, you'll be talking like a Weasley in no time."

"As if your opinion even matters, Crabbe. I'll make sure that this one gets to her class. You three leg it to DADA before you bring more sham to Slytherin."

"Piss off, Greengrass! I don't take orders from you." With that Draco stormed off, with Crabbe and Goyle at his heels. Daphne let out a breath. That was too close. It could have easily gone a different way. She played the disgusted Heiress well, but she knew that it was only a matter of time until Malfoy would have done something. At the same time, she felt exhilarated. She had never done something so bold in her life. Perhaps she had a little Gryffindor in her after all. One thing was for sure: she was done with sitting in the spectator stands. It was time for her to join the game.

"Thank you." Emma said after she was sure that the boys were out of earshot. Daphne gave her a soft smile, then she waved her wand and Emma's broken wand flew into her hand. She shook her head and mumbled something under her breath. With another wave of her wand, the broken one knitted itself back together. Her mouth dropped at the ease that the flaxen haired Slytherin performed the wordless spells.

"Here you go. Give it a try." Daphne said as she handed Emma's wand back to her. Emma gave it a go and a few portraits shook but nothing more. Daphne looked dejected. She was sure that it should have worked. Then it occurred to her that if they took the wand from her it probably doesn't recognize her as its master anymore.

"Sorry, you'll probably going to have to get that replaced."

"It's okay, it didn't work all that well to begin with."

"Where did you buy it?"

"I was abandoned at an orphanage. It's what was given to me. Not that there was much to chose from, to begin with." Daphne let out a frustrated breath. She felt that no matter how hard she tried she was always going to be running to catch up with everyone else.

"How do they expect you to become competent witches with castaway's wands and hand-me-down books? The last one to use that could have been completely mental. You could end up blowing off all your hair."

"What? You don't think I could pull off that look?" Emma joked. Daphne looked at her with a blank stare before the corners of her mouth curved up and her eyes softened. Then at the same time they both broke into a laughing fit.

"Just how much do you know about the world you just stepped into?"

"Emma. My name's Emma." She offered the Slytherin an open hand. Daphne took Emma's hand into her own and gave it a healthy shake.

"Daphne Greengrass at you service."

"To answer your question, Daphne, only what's been told to me or what I've heard through conversation. Why?"

"Rule #1: know your environment, or do you just jump in murky water head first?" Emma gave her a firm nod. "Go to the library tonight after supper and find me. I'll get you all the books that you need to read. Don't bother with Hogwarts: a History, its long winded and will suck the life right out of you. Rule #2, we're in the middle of a war. Never, I repeat, never go anywhere alone. Rule #3, this is you first line of defense. Wear it always." Daphne ended pointing at her necklace.

They walked in silence as Emma was escorted to her Charms class. The whole time, something was gnawing at the back of her mind. It wasn't until that had gotten to the door of her class that she was able to pluck up the courage to ask her.

"Not that I'm complaining or anything, but, why are you helping me?" Daphne stopped dead in her tracks. For a second Emma thought she had crossed a line and made her mad. She didn't expect Daphne to look down at her with pride. She was even smiling at her. She rubbed the top of Emma's head teasingly.

"There might be some Slytherin in you after all." Then her face turned serious and she knelt down so that they were eye level. "Redemption."

"Redemption?"

"Yes, redemption, Emma. I'm not really sure just why I'm telling you this. Maybe I want at least one person to know I'm not the cold-hearted bitch everyone seems to think I am. You see, a few years ago, another first year was in trouble, no one seemed to notice but me. Not her brothers, not the Professors, no one. The thing that I regret the most was that I did nothing. I told no one. She suffered when she didn't have to. All because we were in different houses and I wasn't strong enough to go against the stupid house rivalry. I was a coward."

"Well, I think your brilliant, and you were brave today, so, thank you."

"Don't let it get around. I have a rep to protect." Emma made the motion that she was zipping her lips shut, which made Daphne laugh again. She stood up and opened the door to the charms classroom.

"Ah, this must be my missing Gryffindor?"

"I am sorry for her late arrival, Professor."

"It's no problem what so ever. It's a big castle, and I swear those moving staircases mess with you on purpose. Emma, please take a seat."

"Thank you again. You're a lifesaver, Daphne." Emma said with a smile and then took a seat that Mark was obviously saving for her. When she was settled, Mark leaned in and whispered. "What happened to you?"

"I don't want to talk about it." Emma whispered back.

"But..."

"No! Not here, not now. Just let it go." Emma hissed at him. He had the common sense to drop it, which she was very thankful for. The exchange did not escape the attention of Lily and Daphne.

"Oh. And ten points to Slytherin, for helping a girl who was in need. It's nice to see not everyone holds old rivalrys in such high regards." Lily warmly told Daphne.

"Well, we girls have to stick together or we leave the Wizarding World in the hands of the men. And that can only end in tears." This made the female population of the class burst out laughing. Mark crossed his arms across his chest and huffed out. Emma looked back at Daphne just in time to see her give a quick wink at her.

"No truer... words... have... ever been spoken. Another ten points...to Slytherin." Lily managed to get out between laughs. Daphne gave a cheeky nod and turned to leave. At the door, she stopped and turned back around.

"Professor Potter."

"Yes, Daphne?"

"I saw you down by the lake this morning. I was wondering if it would be alright if I could join you tomorrow."

"I would love it. There is entirely too much testosterone down there as is." This wrought another round of laughter from the girls. Mark glared at Emma for finding it so funny. She answered him with a raspberry.

"Emma" The said girl snapped around to look at Professor Potter. By the look on her face, she must have thought she was in trouble for giving Mark the raspberry.

"Yes Ma'am!"

"I think you would benefit from that as well. In fact, anyone is welcome to come down. It's never too early to learn how to properly protect ones self. The training also helps you focus your magic better." Emma got a broad smile on her face, with thoughts of payback dancing in her mind.

"You know, you're kind of scary when you smile like that."

"And don't you forget it." Emma said with a pointed finger and raised brows. Again the class broke out laughing. Daphne took this as her cue to leave.

Due to the massive shakedown that was happening at the Ministry and the many battles that resulted in it, Gringotts was swarming with witches and wizards that were there to claim their new vaults. Correction, it was a bloody madhouse. The lines were all the way out to the main entrance.

"What's going on here?" Ginny asked a middle aged witch. The woman looked at her like she was insane.

"Are you daft girl? We're collecting our new vault, that's what. About time the Ministry did something right. Those bastards took my poor Samuel last winter. The only good Death Eater is a dead one in my book. They don't like it when they get Unforgivables thrown at them, now do they. Spoils of war. You just got to love those spoils of war. Oh dammit all to hell, I just lost my place in line. You want to know more, buy a copy of the Daily Prophet." With that she butted her way back into line.

Ginny's mouth was hanging open in shock. That was until she looked at Harry and saw that sly grin of his. That git knew this was going to happen. She narrowed her eyes at him.

"What?" Harry asked as innocently as he could. Ginny wasn't buying it for a second. She crossed her arms and raised a brow. When she didn't get an answer, she added a steady foot tap to emphasize her point.

"See, I can do that too." Harry was mimicked her to a t, but instead of having pursed lips, he opted of a broad smile. Ginny rolled her eyes, then turned around and stormed off.

"Fine...don't tell me...sniff...If you don't trust me...sniff...I would have told you...sniff...if you want to keep secrets...sniff..." Ginny faked wiping a tear away, all the while trying not to laugh. Now, it was Harry that was rolling his eyes. She was so adorable when she tried to guilt him like that.

"Do you really thing that's going to work? My mum wields guilt like a ninja." Ginny spun around and glared at him. She didn't know what the hell a bloody ninja was, probably one of those muggle things again, but she was sure he was trying to take the Mickey out of her again.

"Fine! Bite me then, ya git."

"Well if you insist." Harry said as he advanced on Ginny, with a gleam in his eyes. Ginny held up her hand to halt him. Then she waved a finger back and forth.

"Not so fast, big boy. We're here for a reason, remember?"

"Can't we do both?"

"You just a randy little bugger ain't ya?"

"What can I say? I'm gifted" Ginny crossed her arms over her chest and shifted her weight to one hip. "Okay, let's get you out from under grandpa time's boot."

"This looks like it's going to take awhile." Ginny motioned to the long lines before them. Harry chuckled at that, and then he wrapped his arm around her neck and whispered into her ear. "That's if you play by the rules."

"And if we played by the rules, we wouldn't be here right now." She said smiling as she leaned into him. Does he have to smell so good? She tilted her head to the side and offered him a clean shot at her neck. He parted his lips and slid them softly across her sensitive flesh, from her collar bone to her earlobe. He sucked it into his mouth, and didn't release it until a soft moan escaped her lips.

"I'll make a Marauder out of you yet." He whispered in her ear. Ginny's eyes shot open and she spun around to face him. His patronus, what he called his godfather, and the way he was able to find her so fast. There were too many quiescence's to be her imagination. He was connected to the map somehow. The Marauders still exist, and he's one of them.

"What did you just say?" She knows of them. How does she know of them? Now is not the time for this conversation.

"I'll explain later. Duncan!" A second latter a regal looking house elf popped next to Harry. Unlike other house elves that she had ever seen, this one was dressed in an elegant suit. Instead of being hunched over with a bowed head, he stood proud with his head held high.

"Master Harry, how may I be of service to you?" He doesn't even sound like any house elf I've ever seen.

"One of these days, I'm going to get you to call me just Harry."

"That will be right after Master Black takes the vow of chastity your mother's been pushing for." Harry laughed hard at that and the elf's mouth gave the slightest hint of a smile, though Ginny thought she might have imagined it.

"Good one, Duncan. I would like you to inform Griphook that Lord Potter is in need of his assistance."

"As you wish Master- Just Harry." Duncan gave a bow and popped away, but not before giving Ginny a slight wink.

"You should have seen him six months ago. Man, I never thought I would ever get that stick out. I think it was sideways at one point in time." Ginny just looked at him with her mouth hanging open. She had never met someone like him in her life. He was beyond explanation. Every time she thought she had him figured out, he went and threw a wild bludger into the mix. Then there was the fact that whenever she was close to him, she had no control over her more primal side. It was almost like she- Oh Balls! She would have to speak with Professor McGonagall about this. It had something to do with the Animagus form she was working on, she was sure of it. This would defiantly complicate things. In frustration she threw her hands up into the air.

"Who the bloody hell are you?"