The Life of Portia Boyd

Chapter six, First day of a lifetime.

When the three girls left their dormitories on their first morning at Hogwarts, they went straight to the Great Hall. Portia was brushing her robes every step of the way. She couldn't stop feeling nervous; this was Hogwarts, the school she had wanted to attend since she was young. What if she ruined everything by not being good at magic? "No I mustn't think like that," Portia told herself. "I am in Ravenclaw, I am a student of Hogwarts School of witchcraft and wizardry, and I am going to be good at magic."

"I can't do this," said Sofia suddenly. "I mean I don't know anything about wizards or witches or magic."

"Sofia is always the voice of confidence," thought Portia sadly.

Katie smiled. "Sofia you are in a school for learning magic, I'm sure you'll pick something up. You can't be that stupid, you're in Ravenclaw for God's sake!"

Sofia frowned at Katie. "Oh yes, very funny, but what if I blow up a classroom or turn one of you into a toad or what.... What if I get expelled?"

"Well for one, I'm sure it's very hard to blow up a classroom; so if you do blow one up you should be proud," said Katie nearly laughing at Sofia.

"Two," continued Portia. "If you do turn one of us into a frog then maybe a handsome prince will kiss us. So I wouldn't be angry at you."

"And three only one person has been expelled from Hogwarts and that's because he did something terrible."

"What did he do?" asked Sofia nervously.

Katie shrugged. "I don't know Sofia, but whatever it was, it was terrible." There was a silence from the three of them. Portia wondered what the student had done. How far could a student go before they were expelled? Obviously quite far if only one person had been expelled from Hogwarts. The student must have done something really horrible. Perhaps murder? "No, don't be stupid Portia!" she told herself. "No child is capable of murder."

"So what do you think is for breakfast?" asked Sofia breaking the silence. Katie and Portia smiled.

"I don't know Sofia," said Portia. "I hope it's as good as the food last night."

"I agree. That meal last night was one of the best meals I have ever had," exclaimed Katie.

"Meal? I thought you had more than one Katie," joked Sofia. "From the amount of food you had last night, you probably had about ten meals."

Portia grinned at Katie; Sofia had got her own back. "I'd better watch you two," commented Portia. "If this joking carries on, you two will be at war with each other." As Portia released her words she realised she wanted to take them back. Katie moved her head to glance at Portia, letting a shadow cast over one side of her face.

"Please don't joke about war," said Katie before walking ahead of Portia and Sofia.

Portia looked down at the floor felling ashamed. "I shouldn't have said that."

"I'm sure you didn't mean it Portia," comforted Sofia. "Why did she get upset about that anyway?"

Portia glanced up to Sofia quickly. "Oh my goodness you don't know."

"Obviously," said Sofia. "Portia what is wrong? Is there something I should know?"

Before Portia could respond a loud voice echoed down the corridor. "Please remove that at once, that is not suitable for school."

Portia started to move quicker down the corridor with Sofia right behind her. The tapping of her feet on the floor quickened making a faster beat. Portia was curious to know who was shouting and who was being shouted at.

"I don't know how your parents allowed you to bring such a product to school." There was a silence. "Do they know you brought it?" asked the voice.

"No," mumbled Katie's voice. "I sneaked it out of my mum's room."

Portia turned the corner to see Katie and Professor McGonagall standing opposite each other. McGonagall had her arms folded across her chest and had a stern look on her face. Katie on the other hand had her hands behind her back and was looking up at McGonagall with a hint of fear.

"Well Miss... what is your name young lady?" asked Professor McGonagall.

"Katie Taylor, Professor," replied Katie quickly.

"Well Miss Taylor, I will be lenient on this occasion, but I do not want to see that makeup on your eyes again. Do you understand me?" Katie nodded.

"Further more I have also decided not to write to your mother about you sneaking her makeup from her, but if I see it again Miss Taylor I will write home." And with that McGonagall walked away from Katie. Katie just stood there with an ashamed face, trying to wipe the makeup off from her eyes.

Portia jogged up to Katie quickly and put an arm on her shoulder. "Are you alright?"

Katie looked at Portia and smiled slightly. Her eye paint had smudged around her eyes making them look sore. "Yeah I'm fine Portia. I didn't realise you couldn't wear makeup for school." She wiped her eyes again trying to make every bit of paint go away. "I knew I would get in to trouble some how, it always happens."

"Well if you hadn't put the makeup on, you wouldn't have," said Sofia.

Katie scowled at Sofia. "Like I said I didn't know you couldn't wear it."

Sofia narrowed her eyes dangerously. "You don't have to snap at me, I was just saying Katie that's all."

Portia looked helplessly between them both. "Look just leave it both of you, lets go down for breakfast or we'll be late for breakfast and our first lesson."

Katie sighed and smiled. Portia looked at Sofia who was biting her lip. "Yeah of course you're right Portia, we wouldn't want to miss anything or we'll look like fools."

Portia smiled proudly and lead the way to the Great Hall. Finally she had stopped the bickering between Sofia and Katie; she had never known two people to disagree with each other so much. Then a thought ran through Portia's mind, "what if they don't like each other?" Portia combed through her hair with her fingers while thinking. If that was true, what would happen to Portia's friendship with Katie and Sofia? Would it just vanish or would it remain strong?

Then Portia finally saw the doorway to the Great Hall. Without any hesitation she strode right in with Katie and Sofia by her side. The tables were full of students just like the night before. Except this time instead of just eating they were all reading books or pieces of paper. The three girls sat down at the Ravenclaw table and began to tuck into their breakfasts.

"Here are your time tables," squeaked a voice from behind Portia. She turned around expecting to find a tall man looking down at her, but instead she had to look down to see a small man holding pieces of paper. Portia had never seen a funnier looking man in her life. He was just as tall as the bench she was sitting on and his beard covered half of his face. "Is everything alright young lady?" he asked.

Portia managed a pleasant smile and replied, "Yes thank you." She took a timetable from him and placed it in front of her. Katie and Sofia did the same, except Sofia nearly spat out her food when she saw the man. She apologised and the man then introduced himself as Professor Flitwick, Charms teacher and head of Ravenclaw. When he walked away Sofia's face had turned a shade of red. "I really didn't mean to do it Portia, but I thought it was a giant ferret."

Portia's first lesson was History of Magic, which in all honestly was the most boring thing she had ever encountered. Their lesson was shared with the first year Hufflepuffs and they were taught by a teacher who didn't stop talking. His name was Professor Binns. Their lesson was spent taking notes on the most famous names, dates and events in history. As professor Binns droned on, Portia was amused to see Katie sleeping and Sofia playing noughts and crosses.

As they left the classroom Katie was complaining from back ache. "I can't believe some people can listen to him, I fell asleep about one minute into the lecture." Sofia was trying to rub the ink off her fingers; she wasn't used to quills yet. Portia had managed to copy some notes down from the lecture, but it wasn't much. All she had managed to write was 'the defeat of Grindel-something in the year 1945' and 'the outlaw of dragon breeding in 1709'.

They began to walk to their next lesson which was Transfiguration with Professor McGonagall. As they neared their classroom, Portia heard some shouting.

"- the most horrid person I have ever met!"

"- Oh my, is... Is that a tear?"

"- Shut up Potter, you nasty piece of scum."

"- I thought I was piece of turd before."

Portia rounded a corner to see James Potter and Lily Evans having an argument. Lily's face was bright red and there was green slime in her hair. James on the other hand was looking quite calm and quite clean. Sirius was located next to James and he was smiling. Why was he smiling? Was it to do with the slime in Lily's hair?

"- Evans stop moaning, it was just a joke..." but James was interrupted.

"Well I don't share your sense of humour Potter, now can you just get this stuff out of my hair?" asked Lily.

Portia looked at the crowd around them. They were either smiling or looking at Lily with sympathy. Then Portia felt a knock against her arm and saw Katie walking in front of her up to Lily. Portia followed with Sofia closely behind.

"Here Lily, I'll clean you up," said Katie. She whipped out her wand, made a jabbing motion and said, "Washo harre!"

Portia watched sparks come out of Katie's wand and make the slime on Lily's hair disappear. Lily then felt her hair with her hands and smiled. "Thank you, at least someone helped me." Lily frowned at the crowd around them. Portia looked down, but she realised she didn't even know what she could have done for her; she didn't know any spells like the one Katie had just performed.

"That's ok, I hate seeing people getting tormented, especially by purebloods," and then Katie sent a glare at James. "You must be James Potter."

"Why yes, I am," James smiled. "Am I famous already?"

Katie raised her eyebrows. "No not really, I've just met your parents that's all." She smiled suddenly. "I wonder what they would say about you tormenting girls."

James turned pale. Portia saw Sofia giving Katie a smile. Katie just walked back up to Portia and Sofia grinning. It looked like she had got away with threatening James.

Sirius on the other hand was looking angry. "James you aren't going to let her get away with that, are you? She just embarrassed you."

James looked at Sirius and smiled. "I'll get her back one day Sirius."

"That's not good enough," retorted Sirius. "She's going to think she's better than us soon and I for one..." but Sirius was interrupted.

"Alright class in you come," said Professor McGonagall looking out from the classroom door.

The crowd soon departed into the classroom. Portia, Sofia and Katie were last in, however they didn't need to worry about finding seats because nobody had sat down.

"I am going to seat you in alphabetical order, just so it's easier to remember your names." She paused. "Anthony Arch, can you sit there." She pointed to a seat in the far right. Anthony emerged from the crowd and sat where he was told to. Portia saw his face, it was pale and bright. He was looking a bit annoyed.

"Sirius Black, can you sit next to him please." Sirius walked from James to the desk next to Anthony, he was also looking annoyed. Then Portia was instructed to do the same. She smiled sadly at Katie and Sofia and made her way to sit next to Sirius. "Don't say anything to him Portia!" Portia commanded herself. "You'll embarrass your family." She looked at the crowd as one by one they were seated around the classroom. Portia had to smile when Sofia was sat next to James Potter and Katie was sat at the front, right under McGonagall's nose. Lily Evans had been seated next to Portia and she was looking happier than she did a few minutes before.

"Now today I'm going to go through your targets and aims for this year," began Professor McGonagall. "As you will hopefully know you will have exams at the end of this year in all of your subjects. In first year, if you do not pass just one of them, you will be asked to leave." Mutters filled the room, but they stopped when McGonagall put on a stern face. "So far, nobody has ever failed but some have come close and I don't want any of the first years to even come close to failing.

Your aims for this year will be simple transfiguration, but believe me learning it isn't easy. You will have to work and do your homework to the best of your ability and I will not except any excuses. If any homework tasks are not done or incomplete and if there is any misbehaviour in lessons then I will punish you with a detention." The threat was left hanging in the silence. "Now can you please get out your transfiguration text books please and turn to page three please."

As the class read through the aims of the book, McGonagall started to walk round the classroom like a hunter on the prowl. Portia saw Lily reading through the page quickly and Sirius reading through the page as slowly as possible. She then turned to look at her own book and began to read-

' This book is to help you through the first stage of Transfiguration. Before you can read further I must remind you to not copy out any of the pages for homework. It's cheating and also I've been told by a Professor at Hogwarts that if you do, you'll get a detention. ' Portia looked up to see Professor McGonagall smiling at class.

When everyone had stopped reading Professor McGonagall started showing basic techniques of Transfiguration. Portia watched with great interest, she was sure nothing was going to break her concentration until there was a small noise from her right hand side. At first she tried to ignore it, but by the fifth time she heard it she turned her head to look at Sirius. He was smiling at her and he had his wand under his desk. Portia gave him a confused look, before she heard the noise again. She looked down at Sirius's wand which had just sent out bubbles from it. Portia giggled quietly but it wasn't quiet enough.

"Miss. Boyd is something funny about Mr. Black?" asked McGonagall. The whole class turned to look at Portia and Sirius. James was grinning at Sirius, while the boy in front of Portia and Sirius was just smiling lightly at him and mouthed something which made Sirius grin. Sofia was looking at Portia with a puzzled expression, and so was Katie. Portia looked at Katie and was imagining what she was thinking. "Well Miss Boyd?"

"Actually she was laughing at me Professor," said Sirius looking unconcerned. "I was making her laugh by making noises from my wand." Portia looked at Sirius shocked. Why did he get himself in trouble?

Professor McGonagall looked like she was thinking along the same lines. "Well Mr. Black since you have voluntarily misbehaved in my lesson you will be the first, First year to get a detention." Portia was expecting Sirius to look angry or disappointed; however the expression on Sirius's face looked like he thought that Christmas had come early. Portia looked at the boy in front who was shaking his head at Sirius but smiling at the same time. "Well Mr. Black please see me after the lesson, oh and you too Miss. Boyd."

Portia looked at McGonagall shocked, but then realised she have to except her punishment for disrupting the lesson. She felt like she was back at home again. She thought Hogwarts wasn't going to be like home, she thought it would be like a heaven. However Portia knew she had done something wrong and whatever the punishment would be, she was going to take it... except if it was staying in a room with flies.

Professor McGonagall carried on demonstrating techniques for the rest of the lesson keeping an eye on Sirius and Portia. Sirius didn't really seem to mind, but he kept getting Portia's attention by smiling at her. Portia on the other hand was thinking, "He better not get me into trouble again!" When the lesson was over, the class had been instructed to produce homework about 'basic techniques' that had to be three inches long. When the classroom was clear of students (except for Katie and Sofia waiting outside the classroom) McGonagall looked to Sirius to begin her lecture.

"Now Mr. Black, I don't know what gave you the idea to disrupt my lesson, but let me make it clear it won't happen again. I thought you of all people would respect teachers and authority, however obviously I was wrong." She gave Sirius a long stern look before she continued. "Your detention will be on Friday night and I don't want to have to give you another one, is that clear?" She waited for Sirius to nod before, "very well you are dismissed Mr. Black."

Portia watched Sirius leave with a grin on his face. What was he grinning for? Portia turned to McGonagall who was writing a note down on some parchment. When she finished she looked up at Portia and sighed. "Miss Boyd, I have been teaching at Hogwarts for about six years now and you might say I have seen a lot of things happen in my lessons." She paused. "But today I saw something I have never seen before; do you know what that might be Miss. Boyd?"

"No Professor McGonagall," replied Portia. What was she going to say? Arrogance? Disruptive? Both, you're expelled?

"I saw bravery Miss. Boyd and do you know who I saw it from?"

"Sirius?" who else could she mean?

"Correct Miss. Boyd, but even though I admire him I have a piece of warning for you too. Do you know of the Black family?" when Portia nodded she continued. "How much do you know?"

"I know they are a very rich, powerful and respected family Professor, I know Sirius comes from them and I know they are pure-blooded." The last statement seemed to make McGonagall smile slightly.

"Yes Miss. Boyd, the Black family are pure-blooded and they are very powerful. Powerful in ways you couldn't ever imagine. The Blacks are not to be trusted Miss Boyd and even though Sirius obviously has Gryffindor potential in him I don't want you falling behind in class. The Blacks are power hungry Portia, all they care about is themselves and their respect." When McGonagall saw the confused look on Portia's face she decided to make things easier. "What I'm saying Portia is please don't be distracted by Sirius Black, if he is anything like his relatives then he'll drag you down, and you don't want that do you?"

"No Professor, I don't."

"Good now run along to your next lesson Miss Boyd or you'll be late."

But Portia didn't move. "What about my punishment?"

"What punishment?"

"I disrupted your lesson too, don't I get a punishment?"

"Do you want a punishment?"

"No but I..."

"Good now go to your next lesson Miss Boyd."

There was a hint in McGonagall's voice that made Portia realise she didn't need telling again. She picked up her bag and raced out of the door to find Katie and Sofia looking shocked when she arrived at their sides. Katie was wearing an I-told-you-so look and Sofia was just looking plain shocked. Portia smiled shyly and began to walk to their next lesson.

"So, didn't I tell you Portia?" asked Katie.

"I suppose in a way, yes, you did, sorry I should have listened," said Portia. "But I didn't do anything, he was making me laugh."

"Did you get a detention?" Asked Sofia.

"No, but I deserved it; I shouldn't of laughed at him."

"Well like McGonagall said, Portia," began Sofia. "He's probably doing it for attention."

Katie looked at Sofia with her eyebrows raised. "Sofia, McGonagall didn't mention anything about attention seeking."

"Well in that entire lecture I'm sure she meant Sirius is an attention seeker," replied Sofia flushing. Portia smiled and began to pick the pace.

"Come on we are going to be late, what do we have?"

"Charms with the..." Katie looked degusted. "Slytherin's!"

But the lesson with the Slytherin's wasn't as bad as Portia thought it would be. They spent the whole entire lesson talking about aims for the end of the year. They had the tiny Professor Flitwick for a teacher and for students they had a hard working bunch of Slytherin's, who weren't that many in quantity. Portia tried to keep her concentration directed on only the lesson. She didn't even notice the boy called Severus Snape looking at Sofia and Katie with disgust and anger.

But after the lesson had ended Portia witnessed Katie's temper.

"Hey you, why were you looking at me like that?" asked Katie quite calm.

Severus Snape was standing with a boy and a girl and some older students. He looked at Katie with mock confusion. "I have no idea what you're talking about," he stated.

"Every second you were looking at me and Sofia with disgust, I was wondering if you could explain what you find so... intriguing about us," for every word Katie spoke, her voice grew louder.

Snape sneered at Katie and looked at Sofia who was stood next to Portia. "I was wondering actually if a mudblood had a certain stench, obviously now I know one does."

Portia gasped; she knew what a mudblood meant. Mudblood was a term for someone with muggle parents, someone like Sofia. Snape had insulted Sofia and Portia was guessing that Sofia hadn't realised. However it was obvious that Katie had, because in about two seconds she whipped out her wand and glared at Snape. "You better watch your mouth!"

"Oh hush your mouth young girl," and within a second Katie had been hit with a bright light. She fell backwards on Portia's feet and looked up at her with surprise.

Portia looked at Katie with concern and pulled her up. "Are you okay?"

Katie eyes were flashing with anger. "Yes I'm fine, but I got hexed." She sent a look at the crowd of Slytherin's.

"Yes you did, by me," and from behind Snape, stepped out none other than Narcissa Black.

Narcissa hadn't changed much from when Portia saw her last. She still had blonde hair and her complexion was still very pale. Though she looked calm, not like before when she was arguing with Sirius; then she looked embarrassed. She was wearing Hogwarts robes and she had her hair tied back, this made her face look quite pointy. Portia didn't want Narcissa recognising her, what if she asked about Sofia? No, Portia had never been ashamed of Sofia before and she wasn't going to be ashamed now.

Narcissa looked from Katie to Portia. "Well, well, well, if it isn't Portia Boyd, how are you?" Narcissa smiled nastily at Portia.

Portia chose not to answer.

"Oh come on Portia talk to me, whats the matter?" her evil smile turned into a smirk. "Are you ashamed of your mudblood friend?"

"No!" said Portia quickly.

Narcissa's expression had changed very quickly, from a smirk to a glare. "Well what would I expect from an ugly piece of dirt like you?" spat Narcissa angrily, "I mean just look at you." She pointed to Portia's hair. "You're hair is a mess, you're face is spotty and warty and your robes are covered in dirt. You're not fit to be a pureblood!" and then the crowd of Slytherin's laughed.

Portia looked at her robes, where they that dirty? And what about her face, was it really spotty? Portia had never noticed these things before, but now Narcissa had pointed them out she realised they were there. Narcissa was right; she wasn't fit to be a pure-blood, she wasn't fit to be around anybody. Portia felt the tears in her eyes and turned and dashed down the corridor. She heard Katie and Sofia shouting after her, but she didn't stop; she couldn't face the truth.

Portia ran out of the school and onto the grounds. She looked around for somewhere to hide but all she could see was a hut. Portia walked up to it and peered inside, there seemed to be nobody in. She walked behind the hut away from the school and crouched down on her feet and sat on the floor. Was this where she could hide from everyone? Before she could answer her own question, Portia felt a tear drip down her face and on to her lap. She cried and rested her head on her knees. Her eyes started to droop and Portia fell into a light sleep.

"Ok, so are we ready to go?"

Portia's eyes slowly opened at the hearing of a voice. Yawning, she sat up and stretched, arching her back and pointing out her toes. As she did this she felt grass rubbing against her legs. Portia looked around to see the forbidden forest straight in front of her. Panicking, she stood up and started to back away, until she hit the hut behind her.

It was dark and Portia couldn't understand why she was here; she was supposed to be in her lessons. Then she gasped.

"What was that?"

Portia covered her mouth with her hand and backed into the shadows of the hut. She crouched down so she wasn't noticeable to anybody; she didn't want to be caught.

"It came from around here," said a familiar voice. Portia heard footsteps coming nearer to her position. She curled up more, making sure she couldn't catch the light. Luckily for her it was dark. Then she caught sight of some black hair coming from around the hut. Portia's eyes widened to see none other than Sirius Black. What was he doing here?

"Nothing's here," he pointed out. "It was just us hearing things."

"Are...are you sure?" asked a timid voice.

"Come see for yourself," shrugged Sirius. Portia then saw three other boys come around from the hut. One was James Potter, the other two were... Portia didn't recognise them.

James looked around and smiled slightly. "I knew it, nothing is here." He then looked at the other two boys who were still looking around with their eyes. "Nothing to worry about."

"So are we ready?" asked Sirius impatiently.

"Of course we are, right Lupin?" asked James confidently.

A boy with brown hair nodded while still looking around. Portia tried to get a closer look at him, but then resisted. The boy known as Lupin shifted his eyes to James and started to walk towards him slowly. "And if we get caught?"

"Caught?!" yelped the timid boy. "We'll get kicked out; I don't think this is such a good idea anymore."

"Well nobody is making you come," exclaimed Sirius. "Jesus you'd think we were dragging you along..." there was a sudden expression of thought on Sirius's face. "Who invited him to come?"

"I did," answered James. "Problem?"

"If he's going to shout in the forbidden forest then yes, I do have a problem."

"Well he won't, will you Pettigrew?"

Pettigrew shook his head quickly. "No I won't, I'm sorry, let's go!"

Portia smiled to herself, this Pettigrew was funny. She watched James and Sirius give each other glares and Lupin putting a hand on Pettigrew's shoulder. "You'll be fine," he said.

"Ok now does everyone know the plan?" asked Sirius.

"Yes," said Lupin. "We go into the forest and we come out."

"NO!" exclaimed Sirius, loudly. "I change into a fox, then we go into the forest and if any wolfs and such attack us then I'll be able to come out alive."

"So we go in and only you come out?" asked Lupin frowning.

"Exactly," grinned Sirius. "Ok, so here we go..."

Portia watched Sirius get out his wand and close his eyes. He pointed the wand to his forehead and said the words, "Saris Foxus!"

"No wait that's not right..." began Lupin, but it was too late. Sirius's face changed and his whole body shrunk into a small animal. Portia peered foreword to see a small sausage dog looking up at the boys. This wasn't good...

"You idiot Sirius," laughed James, "You're a dog!" Sirius started to jump up and down in a dog like fashion, trying to get attention.

"Yap, yap!" barked Sirius loudly.

"What was that?" said James grinning. Portia started to get up but stood on some crispy grass. Her head darted up to meet James's eyes. "What are you doing here?" he asked startled.

"Yap, yap!" barked Sirius again and started to move towards the forest.

Portia suddenly started to run from James, but he caught her arm. "No, I am not going to let you tell on us," he snapped. Portia's head turned to see Sirius running into the low branches of the forest.

"Sirius!" she yelled.

James looked behind him and dashed into the forest. "Lupin, watch her!" he shouted as he disappeared.

Portia glanced at Lupin and started to run again; she was not going to get caught again, but Lupin caught her arm like James did. Portia brought her left arm up and whacked it on Lupin's face. Lupin's head turned downwards towards the hut and his hand let go of Portia's arm. Portia took the opportunity and ran from around the hut, back up to the school. She wasn't going to tell, she wasn't going to get Sirius and James into trouble. But James and Sirius were in the Forbidden forest, they were already in trouble. Portia entered the school doors and found Professor Dumbledore standing in front of her. "Great..."

"Hello there," greeted Professor Dumbledore. "You haven't seen four young boys have you?"

"I must not tell, I must not tell..."

"Tell me what?" asked the old Professor smiling.

"Nothing... I mean." Portia must have been speaking aloud. She let her eyes drop to the floor. "Yes Professor, I have seen them."

"Jolly good, may I ask where?"

Portia gulped, "In the forbidden forest sir."

"As I thought, follow me Miss..." he stroked his beard smoothly. "What is your name?"

"Portia Boyd, sir."

"Oh Henry's daughter, yes I have been looking forward to meeting you Miss Boyd, but let us save our friendly conversation for after we find Mr. Black." Professor Dumbledore quickly cleaned his glasses and started to move in front of Portia. "I must ask your assistance Portia, I'm not really sure where they are."

"Oh, of course Professor." Portia started to walk back towards the forbidden, checking that Professor Dumbledore was still behind her all the way. Portia ran behind the hut and saw that the two boys, Lupin and Pettigrew had gone. This wasn't good...

"How brave of them to go help their friends," stated Professor Dumbledore. "Well let's go after them then." Portia widened her eyes and started to back away from the forest. No way was she going in there.

"I think you'll find the forest is forward Miss Boyd, not backward," said Dumbledore, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Do not be nervous, I won't let no harm come to you."

Portia nodded and walked towards the aging Professor. He lifted his wand in his long bony fingers and sent a flashing light up into the air. "Just in case," he said quietly. Portia looked at the forest and took at a deep breath; for whatever was in there it was not safe. Dumbledore took Portia's arm and led her into the forest, leaving the light from the school and hut behind.

It was a place Portia had never even dreamed of before. It was dark, but colour of the trees, ground and other living plants could be seen. The ground was soft, soft enough to nearly become a bog or a marsh. Maybe winter weather made it into one or both of these things. Moonlight couldn't get into this forest because of the branches covering the whole trees; the bark could only be seen near the bottom. It was very obvious that this forest was home to some deadly creatures. Portia dreaded to think of what they could be. She wanted to turn off her hearing, so she couldn't hear the frightful noises that froze her ears. "Professor, what lives in this forest?"

Professor Dumbledore looked down at Portia. "Werewolves, unicorns, centaurs. A lot of things live in this forest Portia, some more dangerous and evil than others." He turned his head up to examine the path ahead. "But hopefully our Gryffindor boys haven't had the fortune of meeting them." Portia nodded in agreement. She stayed close to the professor and walked with him; she wasn't silly enough to stray away.

Suddenly Portia heard a sound coming from the east of her position. She turned her head to look at rows of trees covering whatever was moving. She patted Dumbledore's arm. "Sir, something is moving over there." She pointed. Then she heard a voice at the back of her head... "It's rude to point."

"Is it rude to point to save your own life?" thought Portia. "I think not!"

Professor Dumbledore looked in the direction and closed his eyes. "You're quite right Portia, but there not coming towards us." Portia exhaled a breath of relief, but if the something wasn't coming towards them where was it going... the Gryffindor boys!

"Sir, I think it's going towards she boys," exclaimed Portia.

"Yes, exactly what I thought Portia, now stay close and let's follow the sound." Dumbledore lifted his wand and muttered some words, which made the trees lean sideways to make a path for them to follow. He led Portia down it making sure to keep her close by holding her fingers tightly.

Portia was looking everywhere with panic. She was worried about the boys; whatever was looking for them was going to bring trouble. She shook her head, trying to snap herself out of her worries and quickened her pace, trying not to trip on any stones that had embedded themselves in the ground. Suddenly Portia heard another noise, like small growling. Very much like a dog... of course Sirius! "Professor! Sirius changed himself into a dog; he might not know what he's doing."

"Young boys," sighed the professor. "Always trying to make themselves men."

Portia suddenly turned in front of Dumbledore and followed the sound of the growling. She ran, scratching her arms on branches and feeling the wind sting her eyes. She just knew she was close to them, and hopefully Dumbledore was behind her. Portia didn't look back; she didn't want to lose her way. Then she saw a boy in the distance, it was James Potter.

"Look we will just leave you to your... feast and we'll take our little dog too," she heard him say. "How's that for you?" Portia heard the panic tone in his voice.

"No, we'll decide when you leave our feast, your kind isn't welcome in this forest and we'll prove it once and for all," said an unknown voice. It sounded deep and angry. What had they done?

"We didn't mean to cause any harm," said James, trying to calm the person down. "We were just having an adventure that went wrong."

"DO WE CARE?!" boomed the voice.

Portia became as close as she could to the boys without being seen. Though she couldn't see who was shouting at them. "Dumbledore didn't mention anything about humans living in the forest," she thought.

Then suddenly Portia heard another growl and some barking. She peered around the tree in front of her to see Sirius in his dog form biting a... horse's leg? Could horses in the forbidden forest talk? Then a hand was on her shoulder. "Portia don't go forward anymore." It was Dumbledore.

James looked at Portia and gasped when his eyes met with the headmaster. He knew he was in trouble. Dumbledore stepped forward and looked in the direction of the horse. "You will leave these students alone now," he spoke calmly.

"Oh, you must be Dumbledore," replied the voice, obviously unconcerned who he was addressing. "I've heard you're supposed to be a great wizard, it's a shame if you can't look after your pupils as well as your knowledge." Portia heard a sneer. "These pupils are to stay with us; we are to create them a punishment for disrupting our feast."

"You will let these children go; I would hate to make you do it," Dumbledore smiled.

"You make me? Ha you're no match for me Dumbledore," snapped the voice confidently.

"As you wish." Portia watched Dumbledore point his wand at the challenger and send a bright light at him. The horse made a terrible cry and Portia covered her ears; she didn't want to hear violence. When she was confident the cry of pain had stopped she removed her ears and stepped out from the tree. Instead of seeing a horse or a man, she saw... both. Portia looked at the creature, which was laid on the floor whimpering. "What's that?" asked Portia.

"A centaur Portia, Centaurs don't like a human, which is why they got angry at your fellow students." Dumbledore looked around at the three boys and Sirius the dog. "Come, let us not over stay our welcome." He led the way out of the clearing and out into the school grounds. It was time for the punishments. "Now you four boys have been very foolish," started Dumbledore sternly. "You risked your lives and Miss Boyd's, just for your ten minutes of fun, which turned out to be ten minutes of torture. It's obvious you didn't set out to hurt anyone, and luckily nobody did get hurt." He looked down at Sirius who had his ears drooping. He smiled and picked him up. "You make a very cute dog Sirius Black, I'll have to inform your parents of this little episode and you will receive detention, but..." he paused. "You'll always have this first achievement of becoming a dog, even if it was by accident."

Portia smiled slightly and glanced to James, who was smiling too. It wouldn't have been thought that a few minutes ago they had all been in danger. Portia watched the adventure end as Professor McGonagall came out to give out the detentions and then she was being led by her head of house back to her common room. Awaiting her was Katie and Sofia. "Where have you been?" asked Sofia, wrapping her arms around Portia, giving her a hug. "We were both so worried."

"I have just had my first day at Hogwarts," said Portia laughing. "Been sleeping behind a hut, watching boys turned into dogs and watching a centaur get knocked down by our headmaster, just a normal day." When Portia saw the confused looks on Katie's and Sofia's faces and laughed louder. "Hey I'll tell you what happened."

END OF CHAPTER

Right, now the ones in red are the corrections and the ones in orange are the suggestions. Hope that is colourful enough for you!

~Prongs~