The whole welcome back routine was normal now. I loved how the first years just looked at everything in awe as they walked into the Great Hall. I remembered when I was like that. So cute and adorable.

While Dumbledore was speaking, I was too busy looking at Malfoy to pay any attention to what he was saying. He usually said the same stuff every year, anyway, so why bother hearing them again? I remembered what Malfoy said to me earlier. They were glued to my thoughts ever since the ride on the carriage.

What the hell was he talking about? I didn't remember starting any kind of relationship with him. Maybe a little friendship. Well, I wouldn't even call it that. We had more of a love-hate relationship. He helped me a lot over at his house during the summer, and that kiss...

Merlin. That stupid kiss. That stupid kiss that I actually liked.

I remembered it well. Last year, at the Yule Ball, that stupid woman, Rita Skeeter, slammed us into each other and somehow our lips met. And it was long enough for that bitch to get a picture for the front page. I bet all of his friends thought it was the biggest joke ever. Me and Draco Malfoy being a couple. A fucking couple. How lovely would that be?

As I continued to stare at Malfoy, Harry nudged me. "What?"

"See that lady in pink? She was at our hearing," he pointed out.

"She works for Fudge?" I added and Harry nodded.

Harry told me her name was Umbridge and she was going to be our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher and that Hagrid was no longer at Hogwarts. Great.

Umbridge stood up in front of Dumbledore and began to speak. "Thank you, Headmaster, for those kind words of welcome. And how lovely to see all your bright, happy faces, smiling up at me. I'm sure we're all going to be very good friends.

"The Ministry of Magic has always considered the education of young witches and wizards to be of vital importance. Although each headmaster has brought something new to this historic school, progress for the sake of progress must be discouraged.

"Let us preserve what must be preserved, perfect what can be perfected, and prune practices that ought to be prohibited." After she went back to her seat, we all applauded for some odd reason.

"Thank you, Professor Umbridge. That really was most illuminating." Dumbledore put on a smile for all of us.

"Illuminating? What a load of waffles," Ron commented.

"What's it mean?" I asked.

"It means that the Ministry's interfering at Hogwarts," Hermione replied.

I was so not ready for this year.

*******

As Harry and I entered the Gryffindor Common Room, everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at us. I was hoping for a welcome back from someone, but we got death glares instead. Looked like everyone read the article.

We were heading up to our dorms when Harry turned around. "Dean, Seamus. Good summer?"

"All right," Dean replied. "Better than Seamus', anyway."

Seamus slammed the newspaper down and stood up. "Me mam didn't want me to come back this year."

"Why not?" I asked.

"Let me see...uh, because of you two. The Daily Prophet's been saying a lot of things about you two and Dumbledore."

"What, your mum believes them?" Harry asked this time.

"Well, nobody was there the night Cedric died," he said.

"Oh, really? I'm pretty sure I was there. Harry was there as well. We watched him get hit with the Killing Curse and fly in the fucking air. I guess you should read the Prophet, then, like your stupid mother!"

"Don't you dare talk about my mother, you stupid bitch! At least mine is still alive!"

My blood was starting to boil. "You son of a--" I lunged at Seamus when Harry grabbed me and started pulling me back. "I'll have a go at anyone that calls us liars!"

"What's going on?" Ron asked when he came in.

"They're mad, is what's going on," Seamus replied. "Do you believe the rubbish they've come out with about You-Know-Who?"

"Yeah. I do. Does anyone else have a problem with Harry and Max?"

No one said anything.

I shoved Harry off of me and headed up the stairs.

"Don't you ever talk to my sister like that again," Harry warned Seamus. Then Harry and Ron followed me up the stairs. Harry grabbed my arm and gave me a concerned look. "You alright?"

I huffed a shaky sigh. "No. Seamus just pissed me off." I shook my head, looking down at the floor. "It's so easy for me to get angry now."

"I know, but look at me." I looked up at him. "Things will get better. You'll see."

I nodded and gave him a hug. Once he pulled away, Ron came up to me and gave me a hug. Harry went up to his room.

When Ron pulled away, he looked at me. "You sure you're okay?"

I nodded. "I'm fine."

"Good. I hate to see you unhappy."

I smiled a little. "I'll see you tomorrow. Goodnight, Ron."

"Goodnight, Max." Then he left me as I went into my room and sat on my bed.

And that was when it started again.

Those stupid voices came back and started messing with my head. That night was the worst. I had another dream. It was a hallway. I was on the ground. There was a door at the end of the hallway.

Maxine...

I started twitching in my sleep. I felt sweat all over my body. I woke up, gasping and panting. When I shot up from my bed, Hermione was there, looking at me worriedly.

"Max? Are you alright?"

I was still trying to figure out what the hell happened in that dream. But then again, I didn't want to remember.

I reluctantly nodded, huffing a long sigh. "Fine. Just fine." I plopped down and went back to sleep.