Sixth Year Samantha

Chapter Three: Surprises, Surprises

* * *

It was a nice September day, but not entirely nice. He was in Herbology now, dosing off. Professor Sprout was mouthing off about a flower that was only poisonous towards llamas and found in the southern tip of Peru. Like many other students, he still pondered why Lucius Malfoy was the new D.A.D.A. teacher. Harry wondered how he had escaped from Azkaban, and why Dumbledore would hire a man who had tried to kill him and his friends.

After about thirty more minutes of dosing of boredom, class ended. Harry then met up with Ron and Hermione in the Great Hall for lunch. Irritated and confused, he finally had to express his troubling thoughts.

"WHY THE HELL IS LUCIUS TEACHING D.A.D.A. THIS YEAR? He and his Death Eater blokes tried to kill us!"

"Harry, please, calm down. I'm sure Dumbledore has his reasons. He might have even bailed Lucius out himself. Just trust Dumbledore. He knows what he is doing," Hermione said, as she picked up a large red book.

"Well, what if Harry is right, Hermione? What if Dumbledore has flipped his lid, or maybe some kind of spell is on him?" said Ron, while picking up his fork.

"Ron, DUMBLEDORE IS COMPLETELY SANE! HE HASN'T FLIPPED HIS LID! Dumbledore has his reasons, and if he wants to hire or bail Lucius out of Azkaban, he can perfectly well do so. Now, can we please drop the topic?" said Hermione, irritated.

"But, wha--?" Harry was cut off in the middle of his sentence.

"Drop the subject, Harry," Hermione said adamantly.

Harry dropped the subject, but he was still furious about how Hermione approached the subject. He had thought that she would agree with him, but no, she took Dumbledore's side. As he began to eat, he glanced over at the Slytherin table and, and noticed something awkward. Draco was holding hands with a girl, but not just any girl. It was Samantha. Harry's first thoughts were - how did Draco get a girl? He had to tell Ron and Hermione.

"Hey, guys look at the Slytherin table," he said breathlessly.

They glanced over at the Slytherin table and Hermione was the first to speak.

"Oh, you didn't know yet? Samantha and Draco are together. It's all over school. No one can stop talking about it. They were holding hands throughout History of Magic today. It was quite disturbing," said Hermione casually.

"Pfft! I give it two days," said Ron uncaringly, while digging into his peas. "Eventually, she'll see what a pig he is."

"Yeah, I agree," said Harry, still staring at them.

* * *

After his last class of the day, Potions, Harry had to stay for a detention. He had talked back to Snape after he had made an offensive comment about his godfather's death. It all started when Harry was trying to brew a potion when he added something that wasn't supposed to be in the brew. This caused an explosion of smelly green gas and green goop to be strewn across the room.

"I thought that you would be able to see this happening in your dreams, Mr. Potter, since you have the talent to do so," Snape said, sneering maliciously while recording Harry's project as a fail in his grade book.

"Well, you seem to be good at closing your mind, Professor. But tell me, how do you know anything in that closed mind of yours?" Harry retorted. He was referring to his Occlumency lessons with Snape last year, and to how he had penetrated Snape's mind. This had pissed Snape off.

"DETENTION MR. POTTER!" Snape had roared back.

So here he was now, cleaning the Potions classroom the muggle way - with a broom, a mop, and a dustpan. It was 8:40 pm when he left the potions classroom and started heading up the dungeon stairs. He was just about to turn the corner when he heard two voices.

"How the bloody hell did you get out of Azkaban?" the first voice asked, fiercely. "Why did Dumbledore give you a job?"

"Why the hell should I tell you, Severus?" the second voice said, walking away. Harry then realized who the two voices were, and moved forward to listen more closely.

"DON'T YOU DARE WALK AWAY FROM ME, LUCIUS!" Snape grabbed Lucius's shoulder and jerked him back, then shoved him against the dungeon wall.

Frightened of what Snape might do to him, Lucius began to talk.

"Fine. Here's the story. Dumbledore bailed me out. He said he needed a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. I was all for it, anything to get out of Azkaban. But then, I asked him why he wanted me, a Death Eater to teach at Hogwarts. And he told me that if I taught at Hogwarts, I would get my good name, money, and life back. I couldn't refuse. What would Draco do without his father and how would Narcissa manage all of our money herself? Then he made me quit from being a Death Eater. He said that I could give the Ministry critical information leading to Voldemort's arrest. At first, I wasn't so sure if I should leave Voldemort, he might get furious at me for leaving and try to come after me. But then Dumbledore went on saying that I couldn't be harmed within the walls of Hogwarts. So Dumbledore cleared everything out with the newspapers and media saying that it was all a mistake and that I had nothing to do with this summer. Happy Snapey?" said Lucius crossing his arms. He started to walk away again.

"I'M NOT FINISHED WITH YOU!" Snape yelled and thrust Lucius at the wall again. "AND WHAT ABOUT POTTER AND HIS FRIENDS?"

"Dumbledore made me swear not to harm them in any way. It was part of the agreement. Now if you wil) excuse me, I'd like to go get some sleep for the night," Lucius said, beginning to walk away. A few seconds later, he turned around and called to Snape. "And you better be passing my son in that class of yours, Snapey," Lucius's cackling voice died away as he vanished out of sight.

Harry was still stunned at the conversation that he had just heard. He was at the bend of the stairway when Snape came into view. He glanced at Harry as he walked to the dungeons, and Harry hurried along to the common room. He was surprised that Snape cared about him, and had brought his name up in such an awkward conversation.

* * *

(Samantha's perspective)

After finishing dinner, Draco and I set out for the Slytherin common room. That's when the stares came rolling in. There were many whispers, too, as we walked. It was my second day here, and to think, I already had a boyfriend! Knowing I had most of my goals completed made me feel very satisfied. We were at the foot of the marble staircase when Neville Longbottom randomly came running up to me panting.

"Sa--, Sama-- Samantha. Thanks for letting me borrow your quill in Herbology today," Neville panted some more. "I really appr----"

WHAM!

He was knocked to the floor, and he slid about five or eight feet .Shocked to see pathetic Neville on the ground like this, I looked around to see who cast the purple flash of light. It was Draco.

"SO YOU THOUGHT YOU COULD HIT ON MY GIRL WHEN I WASN'T LOOKING, DID YOU?" said Draco walking heatedly up to Neville.

"No, I wasn't! I swear! I was just trying to-- to retu--" Neville tried to explain.

"SHUT YOUR DAMN MOUTH! I DIDN'T ASK FOR AN EXPLANATION, DID I? RELASHIO!" Draco screamed in fury. Neville's) robes began to ignite on fire, and he started running around looking extremely frightened. Draco uncaringly began yelling insults at him and laughing.

"Expelliarmus," I said tiredly after this had gone on for two more minutes. Draco's wand flew towards my direction and I easily caught it with my right hand. Even though this whole situation was amusing, I was feeling sorry for the dumb ars). It did look like Draco would kill him.

"WHAT THE BLOODY HELL WAS THAT ALL ABOUT?" Draco said shaking his head confusingly, looking at his wand in my hand.

Neville, with his hands over his face, realized Draco had stopped tormenting him. Neville picked up his own wand hastily ready to hit Draco with a spell, but he was too slow.

"Expelliarmus!" I said calmly, as Neville's wand flew into my hand. Neville looked frightened again and unsure of what to do next.

I walked up to him. "Thanks for returning it Neville," I said softly.

He placed my quill in my left hand and I placed his wand in his hand. Neville took one glance at me, then another frightened glance at Draco. Draco shot Neville a malevolent grin, and he took off running. He tripped foolishly, then got back up and started running again; his robes were still smoking from the Relashio spell.

Unaware of the spectacle we had created, I looked around at all the faces that were staring. The Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff students in the hallway were looking at as in disgust and whispered amongst them selves. The Slytherins on the other hand were laughing and sneering. We then resumed our walk up? the Grand staircase to the common room. It seemed like everyone rushed to his or her dormitories at this time to beat the curfew. There was silence between us, and then Draco was the first one to speak.

"So, Quidditch season is starting up," Draco calmly began as we walked down to the dungeons. "You should come to our games, sometime. I'm the Seeker for the team, and I'm sure this year, we're going to be pretty good."

"Oh. Maybe," I said, feeling sort of happy and unsure. My main priorities were my grades, and I wasn't so sure if I had time to go see a game.

We finally reached the coziness of the common room, and Draco gave me a small kiss as we proceeded to our dormitories. When I entered the girls' dormitory, everyone was well awake and alive with chatter. They didn't seem to notice me come in, which I was happy about. I walked to the furthest end of the room where my bed was. I had to think this night, so I remained awake until every light and voice died down. I wondered when I would hear from my father. It was too early in the year; I knew I would have to wait a couple of more weeks. The tranquility of the dormitory was frightening. Usually there would be a few girls up gossiping about boys and pointless things. I began to dose off, but I heard two voices.

"So were you there, tonight? Did you see it all?" A girl with a high-pitched voice called to someone.

"YEAH! IT WAS SO FUNNY AND ROMANTIC! You could see Draco's muscles bulging in his forceful rage. It was so wonderful!" The other girl said infatuatedly.

"Yeah. That was stupid of Longbottom trying to hit on Samantha. What an idiot!" The other girl, whom I identified as Pansy called out.

Draco barely had muscles and Neville was not trying to hit on me. They seriously needed to get their facts straight.

"That Samantha Fill is lucky to have Draco. I wish I was her."

"Yeah, me too," Pansy said sleepily.

The voices stopped talking. This conversation interested me. Why would anyone want to be me? My life is as hard and miserable as it is. But Pansy and the other girl were right about one thing in their conversation: I was lucky to have Draco.

* * *

Harry woke up, got dressed, went to the Great hall for breakfast, and then hurried along to DADA. He wondered what would happen today, as he took his usual seat next to Ron and Hermione in the back. He saw Draco and Samantha a few seats in front of him, sitting next to each other.

"Okay class, today we will be learning learning the Patronum spell." Lucius scribbled on the board. "PA-TRO-NUS! Now, can anyone tell me, what is the first thing you should do in a dementor attack?"

Pansy raised her hand.

"Yes, Miss Parkinson, please tell the class what is the first thing to do in a dementor attack."

"Check your breath. Because if the dementor kisses you, you'd at least want your breath to smell good. Right, Professor?" Pansy said comically, and the whole class started laughing.

Hermione's hand then shot in the air. "Excuse me, Luci- erm Professor, aren't we a little too, well, uh, not advanced enough to learn a complicated spell like the Patronus? I heard that only the most advanced wizards can conjure one properly. And besides, where will you get a dementor for us to practice with?"

"Seventy-five points from Gryffindor for Ms. Granger's discourteous interruption! Wait until you are called on before you start mouthing off about something," Lucius said callously, while shaking his head disapprovingly.

"But, Professor Malfoy! You can't take that many at a time! We only have One-hundred-sixty-five points!" Seamus Finnigan cried, getting out of his chair and standing up.

"Well, now you have seventy. Twenty points from Gryffindor! I dare you to keep going, as we can get to negative points, if you'd like that, Mr. Finnigan."

A miserable grimace was strewn crossed Seamus's face as he sat down. All of the Gryffindors had the same miserable look. Finally, when everything died down and when Lucuis began demonstrating to the class the proper way to hold your wand for the Patronus, Harry's mind began to wander. He began to stare at Draco and Samantha. Samantha was intently listening to Lucius's lecture, while Draco was passing a note to Crabbe and Goyle. He stared at Samantha for a little while longer, and Harry's scar began to tingle a little. He stared a little longer until Hermione elbowed him in the ribs. He stopped for a few minutes to listen to the lecture, and then looked back up at them.

"Mr. Potter?" Lucius called to Harry. "Mr. Potter?"

Harry did not look up, as he wasn't paying attention. Hermione elbowed him harder in the ribs, and Harry finally became aware of Lucius calling him.

"Yes, Professor Malfoy?" Harry said attentively.

"Can you come up to the front of the room and demonstrate the proper way to conjure a Patronus, or are you too busy staring at Miss Fill to do so?" Professor Malfoy said smirking slyly.

The whole class, including Draco cackled. Samantha blushed.

"Better keep your eyes to yourself, Potty," Draco laughed maliciously.

Mr. Malfoy then strode to the window and opened it. Extreme cold began to fill the classroom, as a light breeze swooped in. Books and papers were flying off desks, while one dementor began its way into the classroom. Lucius shut the window behind it.

Harry walked up to the front of the class. He was no longer afraid of dementors.

"Expecto Patronum!" he yelled, as a Patronus of a white stag emitted from his wand and pushed the dementor away. The dementor was trying to kiss Harry, but the force of the Patronus propelled it away.

"Very good, Mr Potter, although I do think Miss Fill can do much better. Miss Fill, can you please come to the front of the room and show Mr Potter how it's done?" Mr. Malfoy decreed.

Surprised, Samantha walked to the front of the class and prepared for conjuring the Patronus. She was wary about the dementor. She came within ten feet of it and stopped there. She stood there, frozen from fear as the dementor came closer and closer. Her mouth gaped open with a blank expression, as the dementor came closer.

"Expecto Patronum!" she said softly through fear. But the dementor came closer and closer; the Patronus had not worked. The dementor reached out to her and prepared for the kiss. The class watched, extremely horrified, as their classmate's happiness was being sucked away by the savage dementor. Samantha's face displayed a horrified look. Pansy was happily holding on to Draco's arm, gazing at him lovingly. Draco, on the other hand...

"Professor! Professor Malfoy! Do something! She might die!" shouted a terrified Neville.

"I can't save her! Even I can't conjure a Patronus! Potter? Potter, do something!" Lucius yelled, while glancing at the scene. Harry was too shocked at what was happening to move.

"Someone go fetch Dumbledore!" Parvati shrieked.

"No! It'll be too late before he gets here!" a Hufflepuff shouted.

"Harry! You save her!" Hermione yelled, while getting out of her seat. "You can conjure a Patronus! Harry, snap out of it! Harry?"

"Expecto Patronum!" Harry finally roared. The white stag pushed the dementor out the window, which Lucius was holding open. Lucius then slammed the window shut, and Samantha dropped to the floor on her knees gasping for breath.

"Are you all right, Miss Fill? Do you need to visit the Hospital Wing?" Lucius asked, as he helped her off the floor.

"No, I'm fine," she said while brushing the dirt from the floor off her robes.

"Are you sure?" Professor Malfoy asked, studying her.

"Yes, I'm fi-,"

The window flew open, and again the cold and breeze began to rush through the classroom; the dementor was back. It started to make its way towards Samantha and Harry raised his wand, but Samantha's wand was already raised.

"EXPECTO PATRONUM!" she screamed, as a raven came out of her wand. It was a very powerful Patronus; it hit the dementor and forcefully sent it out the window. Lucius rushed to the window and muttered a charm.

"See, I told you Mr Potter. Miss Fill can conjure a better Patronus than you." Lucius said wryly.

Hermione's hand shot in the air again. "Professor, don't you think it would be fitting if you rewarded Harry and Samantha with house points?" All of the Gryffindors and Slytherins responded to this question with cheerful murmurs.

"Okay, fine. Fifty points to Slytherin! Five points to Gryffindor! Class dismissed!" Lucius said irritated.

The Gryffindors filed out of the classroom miserably, with gloomy looks on their faces, while the Slytherins filed out cheerfully: after all, they had the most House points.

* * *

(Samantha's perspective)

"That was brilliant! Bloody brilliant! You put Potter's Patronus to shame! But I don't understand why you froze up like that in front of everyone. Why did you let Potty save you if you could conjure a Patronus yourself?" said Draco amused, as he and I walked to the Great Hall for lunch.

"Well, I don't understand why Pansy Parkinson was clutching your arm just a few seconds ago, while you were leaving the Defense Against the Dark Arts class."

"Oh, that," Draco said as he paused and scratched his forehead. "She hasn't quite gotten over the fact that we split up over the summer. I decided that I was better off being alone; I didn't want a girlfriend at the time. My father was in Azkaban, and it was tough on my whole family. So I decided to dump her, and ever since last summer she has been trying to get back together with me. She hasn't understood the fact that I just want to be friends. She's being quite annoying lately."

"Oh, well you don't need Pansy anyway. Her face resembles that of a Pug's," I laughed.

We were now heading to the Great Hall, which seemed to have a cheerful atmosphere about it, with the Ravenclaws, Hufflepuffs, and Slytherins all engaged in joyous conversation. But at the Gryffindor table, there was a cloud of unhappiness and fury hovering above it. Draco, his crew, and I ate our meals, then speedily rushed off to Care of Magical Creatures.

While the class impatiently awaited Hagrid to emerge from his cabin, I glanced around at the beautiful autumn day. Leaves of all colors and sizes were strewn about the ground, and it was hard to believe that I had been at Hogwarts for only a month. I heard someone's inept footsteps behind me, and then the owner of the footsteps stumbled.

"Hey, Samantha! Can I borrow one of your quills? I forgot mine and I haven't done Professor Hagrid's essay! And I---" Neville paused in the middle of his sentence, then glanced at Draco. Too frightened to say anymore, he backed away and sprinted to where Dean and Seamus where standing, copying each other's essays.

"Good. It's about time that ruddy, little git learned to respect his superiors," said Draco, eyeing Neville who glanced back at Draco, then quickly fixed his eyes on his parchment.

"Yeah," I said agreeing and feeling sorry for Neville at the same time. "Isn't he a pureblood? Why does he associate with mudbloods?"

"Don't ask me. He is just as bad as Weasley. It's a damn shame when Pureblood wizards choose to associate with Muggles and Half-bloods," said Draco shaking his head, irritable. "A damn shame."

Hagrid finally emerged from his cabin, his footsteps thundering as he came their way.

"Good afternoon, 'vry one. I expect yeh all 'ave completed the essay I assigned last month on the Nogtails? Please, come up 'an hand 'em teh me," Hagrid said, rubbing his hands together excitedly. When he saw that only Hermione, Draco, Crabbe, Goyle, Pansy, and I turned in the essay, he began to speak.

"Any one else 'ave their essays?"

"Well, obviously no," Malfoy sniggered and rolled his eyes.

"Malfoy, I'm surprised to see that yeh even bothered doing the essay. Yeh didn't copy, did yeh?" Hagrid studied Malfoy closely.

"Of course not!" said Draco surprised. "Me, a cheater? Now that's funnier than how much money Weasley's got!"

The Slytherins cackled cruelly. Draco had copied my essay and so had his goons. I watched happily as Ron's face turned red and Hermione patted his shoulder.

"That's enough, Malfoy," said Hagrid angrily. "Since yeh all 'ave failed to finish yer essays, you'll all will just have teh take today's class to do so. I will award five points each teh the students who have finished the essay. And to all of those who failed teh finish the essay, you will receive an extra essay that will be handed in next class!"

Since Draco, Crabbe, Goyle and I had finished the essay, we sat on the grass poking fun at how we put our House into a four hundred fifty-point lead ahead of Gryffindor. Potter and his gang were sitting ten feet away from us. Pansy Parkinson was sitting with another Slytherin girl, who were both eying Draco infatuatedly. We were chatting happily when Weasley came marching up to us, angrily. Hermione tried to restrain him, but failed.

"So, you think you're so tough and powerful now that you've got a girlfriend, do you Malfoy?" said Ron, clenching his fists and breathing hard. He shoved Draco hard on the chest. .

"Whoa! Watch it there, Weaselbee. You ever hear of the phrase 'you break it: you buy it'? If you break this," Draco pointed to himself while sneering, "you obviously can't afford it."

"WHY YOU FUCKING, LITTLE GI--"

"Oof!" Malfoy gasped, as he fell to the floor. Ron had slugged him in the face.

"DRACO!" Pansy shrieked. She ran over to aid him. "Stupid Weasley! Look what you've done!" Tears were streaming from her eyes as she grasped Draco's arm.

"Get off of me, Pansy!" roared Draco pulling himself off the ground. He shoved Pansy aside. "So you want to fight, Weasley?" he said while drawing his wand out of his robes.

"We don't need wands for this, Malfoy!" Ron yelled, and threw his wand on the grass.

"Ron - Stop --- Please! You could get expelled!" Hermione screamed, as she tried to hold Ron back, while Harry tried to help too.

"He's not worth it, Ron!"

"Somebody go and fetch Hagrid!" shrieked Parvati. There was a circle of worried Gryffindors and eager Slytherins watching.

Ron broke free of Harry and Hermione's grip, and threw a punch, aiming for the left side of Malfoy's face, but missed. This time, Draco took a swing and nailed Ron straight on the lip. Dark red blood was streaming down Ron's face and onto his robes. Ron grew furious and threw a punch so hard; it knocked Malfoy to the ground. The punch had hit Malfoy in the stomach, and he was on his knees gasping for breath. Pansy gasped and dashed towards Malfoy once more.

"Draco! Draco, are you okay? Does it hurt? OH! Weasley should be expelled for this!"

"Get away from me, Pansy!" Draco pushed her away. He wiped blood from a cut above his eyebrow.

"WHO STARTED IT?" said Hagrid, who finally arrived. He was furious.

"It was Malfoy who started it, Professor!" Seamus chimed in. "He threw the first punch! I saw him!"

"Are you fucking blind, Finniga)? It was that damned Weasley! He attacked Draco and choked him!" Blaise added. "He's dangerous! He should be expelled immediately!" Blaise pointed his finger at Ron.

Hagrid went to assist Ron. "Watch yer language, Zabini. Twenty points from Slytherin!" Hagrid whispered in Ron's ear. "Sorry about this Ron, but I'm going teh have teh take some House points away fer this. That'll be five points from Gryffindor for this incident!"

"What?" Pansy cried. "That's not fair! Blaise curses and we get more points taken away! Wait until my father hears about this! You'll be fired! Just like you should have been three years ago!"

Draco - who was now on his feet, sneakily reached for his wand in the pocket of his robes. He pointed it at Weasley's wand on the ground, and then muttered Waddiwasi!"

All of the Slytherins cackled maliciously, while glaring at Ron's wand that had just shot up his nose. The Gryffindors watched in horror as Ron pulled is wand out of his already bloody nose.

"ENOUGH! THAT'LL BE THIRTY POINTS FROM SLYTHERIN!" roared Hagrid. "Hermione, and Harry, please assist Ron to the Hospital Wing. And Miss Fill, assist Mr Malfoy to the wing, too."

Pansy shot me a look of jealousy as I helped her ex-boyfriend up. He leaned on my shoulder, and started muttering insults about Potter and Weasley. It was a long walk to the Hospital Wing; at least, it seemed like one to me. We were just about to approach the door when Draco stopped leaning on my shoulder and stood up.

"I'm going to fucking sue you for this, Weasley. You'll be so poor, you and your pitiful fucks of a family will be forced to live in a cave and get dinner from a trash bin! I swear it. Just wait until my father hears about this. You'll be sent home faster than you can say Mudblood," He glanced at Ron, and then Hermione.

We shoved them out of our way and entered before them.

-

It was about five in the evening, and I was still sitting in the Hospital wing with Draco. I wasn't the only one with him, though. Crabbe, Goyle and Professor Malfoy were there, too.

"Do you want us to go after Weasley for you, Malfoy?" Crabbe's deep voice questioned.

"No Crabbe," Lucius began. "I'll handle this."

"What are you going to do, Daddy?" asked Draco happily. He was hoisting himself up from the small bed with white linens. "Are you going to sue them? Tell the Daily Prophet? Break Mr. Weasley's neck?"

"NO!" said Mr. Malfoy abruptly. All of us stared at him surprised. "I mean, we'll let Dumbledore handle this."

"WHAT? LET DUMBLEDORE HANDLE THIS? BUT YOU TOLD ME YOURSELF THAT DUMBLEDORE IS A SMELLY, OLD GIT WHO CAN BARELY REMEMBER WHAT HIS FIRST NAME IS, OR RUN A DAMN SCHOOL!"

"Now, now, Draco," Lucius glanced around the room, afraid that Dumbledore was in the room. He was shaking and frightened. "I have never said that. Dumbledore is a fine wizard who knows what he is doing. I'm sure he will handle Weasley in his own way."

"WHAT? SO YOU AREN'T GOING TO DO ANYTH -- EVER SINCE YOU WENT TO AZKABAN, YOU'VE CHANGED! YOU'RE NOT THE SAME PERSON!" Draco raged, and slammed his fist on the bed as hard as he could.

"Err, I should go. I have an extra credit assignment to do today in Care of Magical Creatures. I will see you later," I said, while backing out of the argument that was starting to develop into something bigger.

It was getting dark. The chilly night air was nipping at my cheeks, as I walked down the stone steps to get to Hagrid's hut. I saw Dean Thomas, Seamus Finnigan, and Neville Longbottom heading down the stone steps ahead of me. Seamus and Dean glared at me and whispered. Then Neville with his cheery and idiotic attitude approached me.

Neville looked around. When he saw that Draco wasn't near, he spoke to me.

"Hello Samantha. How are you tonight? Are you going to Hagrid's for the extra credi---?"

"NEVILLE!" Seamus hissed. "Hurry up!"

"Er, I have to go," he glanced at me, and started to catch up to Dean and Seamus.

Alas, I finally reached Hagrid's hut. I was not alone. Many students were there; at least sixteen. The extra credit Hagrid had assigned us was a fairly easy one; at least to me it was. Our job was to work in groups of four to observe the characteristics of a Knarl. Knarls were small, spiky creatures that resembled a hedgehog. They did quite funny things when we observed them. My group consisted of Luna, Blaise, and Seamus. We were an okay group, once you got past the fact that Blaise and Seamus quarrelled constantly. The group who could write the best report on the Knarls would receive extra credit and House points. There was no competition; at least I thought so. Granger was not here, probably looking after Weasley.

Time flew past and before I knew it, the class had ended. There was an option to earn more House points if you stayed to clean up after the Knarls, so I decided to stay, to put Slytherin in an even bigger lead. Most students had cleared out and there were only four of us remaining: Dean, Neville, Potter and I. The job ahead of us was a time consuming one. Most of the Knarls had left Hagrid's garden a mess, leaving splattered pumpkins, and other squished vegetables strewn about the garden. Everyone was extremely lucky and grateful that I knew a few cleaning spells and charms. If I hadn't, we would all be cleaning the garden the Muggle way.

"Okay, since yeh all did a lovely job, I will award yeh all with five points each. Now hurry along, it's getting late!" said Hagrid, while petting his large black dog and shutting his cabin door.

Neville and Dean had run merrily to the castle, happy that they had received points for Gryffindor. Their happy footsteps could be heard from a distance while they ran to their common rooms. I began to advance towards my own common room. I didn't want the Prefects to take away points from Slytherin, so I walked briskly. The night air made the moist grass spread chills through the night. The moon was shining, but it wasn't a full moon, but perhaps a quarter moon. On my way to the castle, I glanced up and gasped in slight surprise when I realized that I wasn't even close to it. Nervously, I sped up.

Suddenly I heard footsteps behind me. I wasn't sure who's (whose) they were, but they were advancing towards me. Maybe it was Potter. He was the only one apart from me, who was outside the castle at this late hour. I kept walking at a constant pace, letting the footsteps catch up. Indeed, it was Potter, but I did not turn around. Instead, I waited for the footsteps to come closer... closer... and closer... Then and there, a wonderful thought struck my mind. Now was the perfect time to do it. It was the perfect time to kill Harry Potter! Father would be so proud of me for finally committing the deed he had sent me to do at Hogwarts in the first place. With Harry Potter dead, I could finally return home and go into hiding with father. He was close now. Oh, so close.

"Hey, your name is Samantha, right? I'm Harry Potter. Thanks for helping us all ear---"

"AVADA KEDAVRA!"

"What the---?"

"Damn it!" I murmered to myself. The bright green light had missed him.

"AVADA KEDAV----"

"WINGARDIUM LEVIOSA!" roared Potter. This was stupid of him. Who the hell had taught him Defense Against the Dark Arts? I jumped and grabbed on to my wand that was beginning to levitate into the air. I rose about three feet from the ground before I finally got control of my wand. Why didn't he use an Unforgivable curse? I had just attempted one on him! Didn't he get the hint that I was trying to KILL him. Dumb arse!

"AVADA KEDAVR---"

"REDUCTO!" Potter screamed. The curse hit me in the face and pinned me against a tree. I had no idea that the duel had brought us so close to the lake. Potter ran quickly towards me. I tried to get my wand that was lying close to my left hand. I thought for sure that I was going to die. Potter was going to kill me. I sat on the cold grass beneath the tree with Potter pointing his wand at my heart.

"Why the FUCK did you try to kill me?" he demanded angrily.

"Fuck? Why, that is such a foul, little word for a goody-goody like yourself," I said sarcastically.

"Why the FUCK did you try to kill me?" he repeated, even louder while clutching his scar.

"Go ahead, kill me. It's not like I have anything to live for," I beckoned him, while my eyes narrowed. After all, I didn't; my life sucked.

"Tell me why you attacked me and I will spare your life," he said, as he gripped the wand tighter. Then I realized who was saying these words. The hero - Harry Potter - who did nothing but good.

I grabbed his wand and pushed it away. "You? Kill me? Liar."

"I'M SERIOUS!" He pushed his wand closer to my heart. I was starting to think that he would actually kill me. I glanced at the sky. The many stars in it were bright.

The moon that was halfway immersed in the clouds shone brightly now. An awkward silence filled the autumn air. I stared at him. What the hell was he waiting for? Then something weird sprang into him... It was awfully strange. Too strange. Then I noticed that he had magnificent green eyes. They were amazing, and they seemed to be coming closer, and closer. I noticed my eyes coming getting closer to his as well. My eyes weren't the only things coming closer to him, but my lips were too. Finally, my lips met his and stayed there for quite a while. A few minutes passed before I came to my senses. What the FUCK was I doing? Snogging Potter? I got up quickly and pushed him against the tree with my wand pointed at his throat. I was angry. I raised my wand ready to use an Unforgivable curse, but then I saw the confused and terrified look on his face and decided not to cast it. I had let my emotions get the best of me for a moment, and I promised myself that it would never happen again. I took off hastily to my dormitory, never looking back at Potter. I felt like I had forgotten something, but I couldn't tell. Too many thoughts were running through my head.

* * *

After carefully dodging Filch, Harry pranced through the Gryffindor common portrait hole with delight. He was trying to make it to his dormitory without being seen when he caught Ron and Hermione's worried glances.

"Oh, Harry! Where were you? What took you so long? Why are your robes ripped? Where did you get those scratches? Were you attacked?" said Hermione, who was squeezing the breath out of Harry with a hug.

"Yeah Harry, we thought something terrible had happened. Well, actually, Hermione did. To be honest, I thought man-eating penguins had erased your memory, and then you joined a Russian circus as the Bearded Lady. Obviously, we were wrong. Didn't you say you were going to Hagrid's for extra credit?" said Ron, studying Harry.

"Nothing happened to me. I was just... attacked..." said Harry dreamily as he sank onto the common room couch.

"ATTACKED? ATTACKED? BY WHO? WE SHOULD REPORT THIS TO DUMBLEDORE IMMEDIATELY!" cried Hermione, looking at Ron frantically.

"Harry, for a lad that's just been attacked, you seem pretty happy," said Ron, rubbing a bruise on his arm from the fight that had occurred earlier.

"Harry, please tell us who attacked you, so that we can tell Dumbledore immediately," said Hermione, looking anxious.

"It was Samantha... Samantha Fill. Yes, it was her. She attacked me," said Harry, studying a tear in his shirt.

"I KNEW SHE WAS DANGEROUS! I knew it! I just knew it! It's always the silent ones!" Hermione raged on. "Now it makes sense to me. Harry, you said that your scar hurt when you first saw her on the train that day, right?"

"Yeeeaaaahhhhh," said Harry dreamily, still fiddling with the tear in his shirt.

"Did it hurt when she attacked you, too?" said Hermione, concerned.

"Kind of. But, not really. If it did, I don't think I noticed it," said Harry, stretching his arms and laying on the couch.

"I think she is tied to Voldermort some how. Maybe a relative, maybe a friend, but I don't think as a daughter," said Hermione conclusively. "Harry, tell us everything that happened tonight."

Harry sat up from the couch and began to tell the story. "Well, we had finished the extra credit assignment at Hagrid's. I stayed with a couple of others to clean up Hagrid's garden for a few House points. She knew a good spell to clean up messes, and that saved us a lot of extra time. She left ahead of me and I decided to thank her for helping us all back at Hagrid's. When I approached her and said a few words, she attacked me. She attempted an Unforgivable curse on me, but it wasn't successful---"

"UHHNGHHH!" Hermione gasped, when she heard about the Unforgivable curse part.

"And then I had her pinned against a tree..." said Harry vaguely.

"And, what next? Go on!" said Ron, extremely interested in the story.

"What happened, Harry? You are starting to talk vaguely again," said Hermione.

"And then I kissed her..." said Harry, while sinking down onto the couch happily.

"WICKED! YOU KISSED VOLDEMORT'S DAUGHTER! WAS IT GREAT? GOOD JOB, HARRY!" Ron said, leaping from his seat

"Ron! Quiet down! You don't want other people to hear us! Harry! You could have been killed!" said Hermione. She had been standing and now took a rest in a nearby chair.

"Go on Harry, what happened next?" asked Ron excitedly.

"Well, she pinned me against the tree. She could have killed me then, but she didn't for some reason. I could tell she was holding back when she was dueling me. I've seen her in Defense Against the Dark Arts. She is a better dueler. But I wonder why she held back," said Harry, fiddling with something in his hands dreamily.

"Harry, what's that in your hands?" said Hermione curiously. She leaned over to take a look.

"Oh, this? She left it when she ran off. It's her wan---"

"Unnhhhhhhn!" Hermione winced and practically jumped out of her seat. "Harry, return that to her. After all, if she's tied to Voldemort, that could be really dangero---"

"I'M CONNECTED TO VOLDEMORT, TOO. DOES THAT MAKE ME DANGEROUS?" retorted Harry angrily.

"Well, no I didn't mean it that way. I mean---"

"EXACTLY!" said Harry angrily. He flung himself on the couch once more.

"So, Harry, was she a good kisser?" said Ron, apparently oblivious to the minor disagreement that had just occurred.

"Look, Harry, what I'm trying to say is that it's best not to talk to or even go near her. You never know what she could do next. She might kill you next time. Harry, please promise us that you will never go near her again. Please?" said Hermione. She grabbed Harry's hand.

"Okay, then. I promise," replied Harry.

"So, was she a good kisser?" said Ron grinning.

"Yes, she was," said Harry dreamily.

"Boys!" said Hermione, rolling her eyes and making her way to the girl's dormitory.