"There look."

"Where?"

"Next to the tall kid with red hair."

"Wearing the glasses?"

"Did you see his face?"

"Did you see his scar?"

Whispers followed Harry everywhere, since we woke up this morning and I have to admit it was getting annoying. People would line up outside of classrooms, many standing on tiptoes to get a better look at him. There were even a few who would double back to pass him in the corridor again, staring.

It made things harder than they should be, you know like getting to classes, not getting lost, Walking in general.

There were a hundred and forty-two staircases at Hogwarts: wide, sweeping ones; narrow, rickety ones; some that led somewhere different on a Friday; some with a vanishing step halfway up that you had to remember to jump, Neville kept getting stuck in it and we would have to pull him out. Then there were doors that wouldn't open unless you asked politely, I never had a problem with these, or tickled them in exactly the right place, and doors that weren't really doors at all, but we're wall just pretending. As you may guess it was very hard to remember where anything was, because it all seemed to move around a lot. The people in portraits could visit each other and I once caught one of the suits of armor walking.

The ghosts didn't help, either. It was always a nasty shock when one of them glided suddenly through a door you were trying to open. Nearly Headless Nick was always happy to point new Gryffindors in the right direction, but Peeve the Poltergeist was worth two locked doors and a trick staircase if you met him when you were late for class. He would drop wastepaper baskets on your head, pull rugs from under your feet, pelt you with bits of chalk, or sneak up behind you, invisible, grab your nose, and screech "GOT YOUR CONK!"

Though when he would pull these things on me I would compliment the simplicity of them and give him tips for next time, soon we had a bit of a partnership going. I help him come up with new ways to terrorise the students, and he makes sure to try each and everyone of them out on Buttercup and Draco before proceeding to the rest of the Hogwarts population.

However, even worse that Peeves , was the caretaker Argus Filch. Harry and Ron managed to get on the wrong side of him on their very first morning, unfortunately I came looking for them and got caught in the collateral damage. It turned out the boys had tried to go through a door that happened to lead to the out-of-bounds corridor and wouldn't believe them when they told him they were lost. He insisted they were trying to break in on purpose, and was in the midst of threatening to lock them in the dungeons. I tried to help but he just blew up at me too and, Thankfully, Professor Quirrell came to our rescue as he was passing.

I made sure to thank him numerous times and found that we get along quite well. Though he still stutters through every word I was now his top favorite student. And being favored student meant I could sleep the class away.

Filch owns a cat called Mrs. Norris, a scrawny, dust-colored creature with bulging, lamp like eyes just like Filch's. She patrolled the corridors alone. Break a rule in front of her, put just one toe out of line, and she'd wisk off for Filch, who'd appear, wheezing, two seconds later. Filch knew the secret passageways of the school better than anyone (except perhaps the Weasley twins.) and could pop up as suddenly as any of the ghosts. The students all hated him , and it was my, I mean their, dearest ambition to give Mrs. Norris a good and well deserved kick.

And that was without the classes themselves , once you manage to find them of course. there was a lot more to magic, I soon found out, than just waving your wand around and knowing what words to say.

Every Wednesday at midnight we would have to look up at the night sky to know the names of different stars and the movements of planets, I slept through most of that. Three times a week we would all go out to the greenhouses behind the castle for Herbology, with a dumpy little witch called Professor Sprout, where we would learn how to take care of all the strange plants and fungi, and find out what they are used for. This quickly became Neville's favorite class, which was good because I had no idea what I was doing and it was the only class so far I couldn't sleep in.

Easily the most boring class was History of magic, which was the only one taught by a ghost. Professor Binns had been very old indeed when he had fallen asleep in front of the staff room fire and got up next morning to teach, leaving his body behind him. Binns droned on and on while everyone scribbled down names and dates, and got Emeric the Evil and Uric the Oddball mixed up. I slept through that whole class every time, snoring softly and drooling on my paper, but unfortunately with my freaky half asleep full awareness thing I unintentionally memorized every long drone out word, and soon became the source of study material for everyone in class who missed any notes.

Let's just say I was not happy about constantly being woken up through the most boring class ever!

Professor Flitwick, the Charms teacher, was a tiny little wizard who had to stand on a pile of books to see over his desk. At the start of our first class he took role call, and when he reached Harry's name he gave an excited squeak. I happened to like charms, probably because of all the things you could do with just a single spell, with Transfiguration one spell does one thing, same with Defence Against The Dark Arts; but not in Charms you could not only create a light show or send things flying through the air, would could tickle someone into submission or even make it so they can't move. However I only know this because I read ahead, we haven't even started the basics yet.

Speaking of Transfiguration, Professor McGonagall was again different. She was most definitely not the teacher to cross. Strict and clever, she gave us all a good talking too the moment we sat down in her class.

"Transfiguration is some of the most complex and dangerous magic you will learn at Hogwarts," she said, "Anyone messing around in my class will leave and not come back. You have been warned."

Then she changed her desk into a pig and back again. We were all so impressed none of us could wait to get started, but soon realized we weren't going to be changing furnisher into animal for a long time. Finding this out I quickly lost any interest in our taking of, might I say complex, notes and lay my head back down on the desk. About halfway through these complicated notes she got irritated at me for sleeping in her class and, not very gently, woke me up. She had asked me to recite the last three paragraphs of notes back to here to prove I was indeed understanding the lesson, when I did just that with a lazy yawn and half lidded eyes, she reluctantly gave me five points for exceptional memory and handed out matches so we could practice changing them into needles. By the end of the lesson only Hermione Granger had made any difference to her match, she showed the class how she had made it all silver and pointy and gave Hermione a rare smile.

It would take another two months before she would finally give up on keeping me awake though class, this is because for all the tests she gave out I aced and she just loved to call on my sleeping form just for the sake of forcing me to prove to her I was paying attention, little did I know this would last the whole year.

So just to irritate her, without actually getting on her bad side because I have a lot of respect for this lady, I once asked... "Your name is Minerva McGonagall, that's just soo long and it could almost be another tongue twister. I could just stick with Professor M; or what about M&M ... oh I know I'll just call you Minnie that's much simpler," I said casually one day just before class started.

She rolled her eyes at the first two, but seemed to freeze at the last. She took a breather and I could have sworn I got a small look of admiration in her eyes, as if I was an old memory.

"You Blacks! It must be genetic, your father used to call me that as well." I smiled sheepishly but unfortunately didn't have time to ask anymore questions as class began. This however gave me an idea. I took out a small blue book full of nothing but blank pages that i had gotten on a whim when Harry and I were buying parchment and deside this would from now on be titled "Things I know about my family."

I wrote about how according to my mother's letter he looks alot like me, so I pretty much described myself for the looks department. I added in how Hagrid had unintentionally revealed that he was a wizard gone bad, and now I added in the fact that he called Professor McGonagall the oh so wonderful Minnie, and how also according to Hagrid my Father and Harry's dad were the best of friend once apon a time. So far I have absolutely nothing on my mother other than I inherited her odd sleeping patterns, and so I assumed the dark circles under my eyes were hers as well.

The class everyone had been looking forward to was Defence Against The Dark Arts, but Quirrell's lesson turned out to be a bit of a joke. His classroom smelled strongly of garlic, which everyone says is to ward off a vampire he'd met in Romania and was afraid would be coming back to get him one of these days. His turban, he told the class, had been given to him by an African Prince as a thank-you for getting rid of a troublesome zombie, but most of the students weren't sure whether to believe that story or not. For one thing Seamus, ever in need for cool stories, asked eagerly how he had fought off the zombie, Quirrell went pink and started talking about the weather; for another, we had noticed that a funny smell hung around the turban, and the Weasley twins insisted that it was stuffed full of garlic as well, so that Quirrell was protected wherever he went.

Harry and I were quite relieved to find out that the two of us weren't miles behind everyone else. Loads of people had come from Muggle families and , for example Dean, hadn't had any idea that they were witches and wizards for the longest time.

There was so much to learn that even people who did know like Ron, and believe it or not Draco, didn't have much of a head start.

Friday came I was in the most happy sarcastic mood yet, so when Harry and Ron finally made it to the Great Hall for breakfast without getting lost, I laughed and cheered and even made a banner for them. Dean did all the art on it, I had no idea how good he was but that boy has skill. I was happy to see that Fred and George found it funny enough to send bits of confetti from their wands, and smoke bombs that nearly forced us to evacuate the Great Hall.

Once we got all the smoke cleared, and a good scolding from Professor McGonagall ("if you are in such a good mood this morning I expect you'll remain awake through your classes today Miss Black."), we all sat down for breakfast and began to discuss our schedule for today.

"What have we got today?" Harry asked Ron as he poured way too much sugar onto his porridge.

"Double Potions with the Slytherins," he said "Snape's the head of Slytherin House. They say he always favors them... we'll be able to see if it's true."

"And there goes my good mood," I said irritated " Double potions with Draco Malfoy," I muttered under my breath. But in truth, my good mood still prevailed, just got dampened a bit.

"Wish McGonagall favored us," Harry said. Professor Mcgonagall was the head of Gryffindor House, but it hadn't stopped her from giving us a huge pile of homework yesterday.

"I'm sure good ol' Minnie does favor us, she's just not as public about it as Snape is." I said trying to restore my good mood before it went out completely.

Just then the mail arrived. I had gotten used to this by now, but it had given Harry and I quite the shock the first morning. When hundreds of Owls had suddenly streamed into the Great Hall during breakfast, circling the tables until they saw their owners, and dropping letters and packages onto their laps. I'm still not quite sure how they get into the Great Hall, but magic is a funny thing so I don't question it.

Hedwig, Harry's owl, hadn't brought anything yet. She would sometimes fly in and nibble on Harry ear or steal a bit of toast before going off to sleep in the owlery with the other school owls. This time however, she fluttered down between the marmalade and sugar bowl and dropped what looked like a note onto My brothers plate. Harry tore it open at once and I jumped over the table, since it was to long to walk around, to stand on the other side by Harry so I could see what it was. Unfortunately this resulted in the splattering of breakfast on the bottom few inches of my robe, i simply decided to brush it off later.

Looking at the Note i realized that, with that messy handwriting, it had to be from our favorite gamekeeper Hagrid.

Dear Harry, (and Zulie if she's there )

I know you get friday afternoons off, so would you like to come and have a cup of tea with me around three? I want to hear all about your first week. Send us an answer back with Hedwig

 -Hagrid

Harry borrowed Rom's quill, scribbled 'Yes, please, see you later' on the back of the note, and sent Hedwig off with it.

My good mood once again restored by the idea that if all goes to hell i have a trip to Hagrid's to look forward to. Good thing because all i know about Professor Snape was what i saw of him at the Head Table and so far it wasn't good.

Potions lessons took place down in the dungeons. It was colder here then up in the main castle, and would have been quite creepy enough without the pickled animals floating around in glass jars all around the walls.

Snape, like Flitwick, started the class by taking the roll call. He seemed to sneer at my name, but once he got to Harry's he paused.

"Ah, yes" he said softly, "Harry Potter. Our new ... celebrity... "

Draco Malfoy and his friends Crabbe and Goyle sniggered behind their hands, Snape casually not noticing. Snape finished calling the names and looked at the class. His eyes were black like Hagrid's, but without any of Hagrid's warmth. They were cold and empty and made you think of dark tunnels. One couldn't help but wonder what happened to him to get him that way, or was this just his nature state of mind.

"You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potions-making," he began. He spoke in barely more than a whisper, but even with my head down i still caught every word... like Professor McGonagall, Snape had the gift of keeping a class silent without effort. " As there is little foolish wand-waving here, many of you will hardly believe this is magic. I don't expect you will understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through the human veins, bewitching the mind, ensnaring the senses... i can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even stopper death... if you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads as i usually have to teach."

More silence followed this little speech, my soft snoring stopped as well, not wishing to disturb the serious air more than i already did by trying to nap. Let me give a quick example of how truly aware i am like this; even with my head down i could somehow see Harry and Ron exchange looks with raised eyebrows. Hermione Granger was on the edge of her seat and looked desperate to start proving that she was not a dunderhead.

"Potter!" snapped Snape suddenly," What would i get if i added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"

Harry furrowed his eyebrows and looked over at an equally clueless Ron. Hermione's hand shot into the air.

"I don't know, sir." said Harry

Snape's lip curled into a sneer.

"Tut, tut... Fame clearly isn't everything." he said continuing to ignore Hermione's hand. "Let's try again. Potter, where would you look if i told you to find me a bezoar?"

Hey i know the answer to this one, but apparently Harry didn't. Hermione stretched her hand even farther into the air. Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle were shaking with laughter at this point.

"I don't know, sir."

"Thought you wouldn't open a book before coming, eh Potter?" I knew for a fact that Harry had indeed looked through the book back at the Dursley's, but Harry was never good at remembering anything he deemed boring.

Snape continued ignoring Hermione's quivering hand.

"What's the difference, Potter, between monkshood and wolfsbane?"

At this Hermione stood up, her hand stretching towards the dungeon ceiling.

"I don't know," Harry said quietly "I think Hermione does, though, why don't you ask her?"

A few people laughed; Harry caught Seamus's eye, and i could easily tell that he winked. Snape, however, was not pleased.

"Sit down!" he snapped at Hermione, and as said girl dejectedly took her seat, her silhouette no longer hid my sleeping form. Snape of course noticed this and began to silently seeth, "Black!"

he shouted out irritated.

i lifted my head as i felt everyone's eyes on me, most worried, some amused. "Mmm" was my answer to his shout.

"If you seem so comfortable as to sleep through my lesson why don't you answer the questions Mr. Potter couldn't," venom dripping from every word. Wow sounds like he has a grudge against me already, i only met him like 5 minutes ago.

"Er... sure, " i shrugged and sat myself up in the chair leaning back in it with my feet on the table and my arms behind my head. "that first one, Asphodel and wormwood i believe, make some sort of sleeping thing so strong it's easily mistaken for death. A bezoar is take from the stomach of a goat," a round of discussed Ewww's went around the room "i think it had something to due with poison but i don't remember the exact words. though that last one i have no clue, i thought they were the same thing." i said smirking at the irked expression on his face, that's what he gets for picking on my brother.

He seemed to growl, "It is properly called the Draught of Living Death. you would be good to remember that. A bezoar will save you from most poisons," the way he said most i had a feeling ment he knew exactly which ones were the exception. "And as for monkshood and wolfsbane, they are the same plant, which goes by the name of aconite. Well why aren't you all copying that down.?"

There was a sudden rummaging for quills and parchment. Over the noise Snape said, "And a point will be taken from Gryffindor for your cheek."

Things didn't improve for us Gryffindors as the Potions lesson continued. Snape put us all in pairs and set us to mixing up a simple potion to cure boils. He swept around in his long black cloak, watching each of us weigh dried nettles and crush snake fangs, criticizing almost everyone except Malfoy, whom he seemed to like. He didn't criticize me yet because i made sure Not to make that mistake just to irritate him, but by his sneer you could tell he was watching like a hawk for even the slightest mess up. He was just telling everyone to look at the perfect way Malfoy had stewed his horned slugs when clouds of acid green smoke and a loud hissing filled the dungeon. It was only then i realized i had been so caught up in showing off to Snape i forgot to watch what Neville, who was paired with Seamus and me with Dean, was doing.

Neville had somehow managed to melt Seamus's cauldron into a twisted blob, and their potion was seeping across the stone floor, burning holes in peoples shoes. Within seconds, the whole class was standing on their stools while Neville, who had been drenched in the potion when the cauldron collapsed, moaned in pain as angry red boils sprang up all over his arms and legs.

"Idiot boy!" snarled Snape, clearing the spilled potion away with one wave of his wand, "I suppose you added the porcupine quills before taking the cauldron off the fire?" he then rounded on both me and Harry "Potter... Black... why didn't you tell him not to add the quills? Thought he would make you look good if he got it wrong, did you? That's another point from Gryffindor." he glared at the two of us "Just like your Fathers, don't care about anyone as long as you look good. selfish, arrogant, and know-it-alls"

It was so unfair that Harry was about to protest when Ron kicked him from behind their cauldron. "Don't push it," he muttered"I've heard Snape can turn very nasty." this shut Harry up but it was too late for me.

"Just a moment let me get something..." and out of my robe i pulled out the blue book i began using earlier this week "... I've been writing all the things i know about my family down in here. Arrogant you say, know-it-all? yes i do believe i recall Ollivander saying something about a craving for spotlight yes... alright" i quickly wrote this down and i could tell Snape was about to snap at me when Neville whimpered as boils started to pop up on his nose.

"Take him up to the Hospital wing, and get out of my class Black!" he growled. as out from under his nose i quickly bottled some of my own potion to hopefully give to Neville once we get him the the Hospital wing. I glared at him and slung Neville over my shoulder, Seamus walking alongside of us carrying our bags , and hauled my clumsy friend out of the dungeons. The entire class gawking at the fact i could carry this boy over my shoulder.

It was a good thing i came too because neither of the boys knew the way to the hospital wing. When you have a brother who gets beat up constantly you tend to like to know where the medical area is. That's also how i ended up with the strength to carry Neville, i have had to carry Harry multiple times. when we got there Madam Pomfrey rushed over to us and set Neville down on one of the beds. Neville, who was still groaning in pain, by now had Boils covering his head to toe. I was glad The Hospital wing was only on the first floor because if it took any longer to get him there i don't know what i would have done because he looks like he's ready to pop any minute now.

Madam Pomfrey went searching through her stories before letting out a small squeak, "Oh dear, it's so early in the year i must not have stocked up on anti-boil potion." that's when i remembered that i had brought along my own.

i quickly fished it out of my pocket and handed it to her, "Here you are, i made sure to follow the direction perfectly so it should work... or i hope it does."

"Well not much choice but to try it out" Madam Pomfrey said almost instantly. "Here drink up."

As Neville did as told i asked her a question, "I would have thought you use it as a cream instead of drinking it?"

"Normally yes" she answered monitoring my boiled friend closely as the red angry looking things that had tried to consume him slowly began to fade,"but with how fast they were spreading and how it's not simply contained to one part of the body this is more efficient."she explained looking back at Neville. "Though you will be feeling a bit queasy for the next couple of hours you should be fine." i let out a sigh of relief.

"It's alright i've got it from here Seamus... you should go back before Snape docks anymore points from us."

"Are you sure Zulie? to be honest i don't even want to go back" he said

"I know you don't, but i've been kicked out so i can't go back. and i'll need someone i trust to keep an eye on Harry." i placed a hand on his shoulder, "you saw how Snape was out to get him, he's my brother Seamus. please sence i can't do so myself."

He took one last glance at a now happily sighing Neville, "playing the guilt card, Zulie that's low." he shook his head but gave in "fine i'll go back, make sure to pick up any extra homework and keep an eye on Harry. Dean is going to need a partner now anyway" and with that he walked out the door and made his way back to the dungeons. but just before he disappeared from sight he looked over his shoulder at me and added "Oh and Zulie... don't believe a word Snape said, you're not selfish at all, maybe a bit arrogant sometimes but you do care about others." and with that he was gone.

"He's right you know" i heard from behind me. i spun around to see Neville trying to sit back up. "Don't blame yourself, it was my own fault"

i looked at him, "I know it is" i said and he stared at me in shock., "It's completely your fault... However i promised your Gran i would prevent you from doing such things. Now I'm gonna have to write an apology letter or something." i ranted.

"oh," he didn't know what else to say,

However than i got serious."But one thing Snape said was true" i began, "i was too busy showing off to Irritate him for insulting my brother that i didn't pay any attention to what you were doing, i knew something was going to go wrong i just forgot about it." i said

Neville began turning a interesting shade of green, probably the uneasiness Madam Pomfrey talked about .

"Neville, lay down. maybe if you don't push yourself we can get you out of here in time for lunch." i informed him as he nodded and lay back down.

And true to my word, i sent the rest of what would have been my potions class talking to Neville and by the time lunch came around we were walking back to the Great Hall with minimal amount of sickness. we were in the middle of talking with Dean and Seamus about how the rest of the class went, good news no one else made them same mistake Neville had the entire lesson, when i got a look at the time.

I saw that it was about ten till three and realized my mistake. "Hey guys, i've got to go meet up with Harry over at Hagrids. i'll be late if this keeps up" and then without looking back i rushed out of the hall and onto the Hogwarts ground quickly locating Hagrid's hut.

I went and knocked on the door. i heard loud booming barks from inside. Hagrid's lived in a small wooden house on the edge of the forbidden forest. A crossbow and a pair of galoshes were outside the front door.

"Hang on, Back, Fang... back." Hagrid's big hairy face appeared in the doorway as he ushered me inside. He held back onto the collar of an enormous black boarhound. There was only one room, hams and pheasants were hanging from the ceiling. A copper kettle was boiling on the open fire, in the corner stood a massive bed with a patchwork quilt over it. "Make yerself at home, Zulie."

"Harry not here yet?" i asked curiously.

"Nope but i expect he will soon." and with that he let go of Fang, who bounded over to me and started licking at my face. I laughed and got him to calm down so I could pet him as he slobbered all over my robes. Oh well, I could just wash them later. Fang was clearly not as fierce as he seems. "Fang likes yeh."

"Well that's good," i smiled "because i like him too"

It was then that the boys showed up, and Fang drifted from me over to Ron, who Harry brought with him.

"This is Ron." Harry introduced his red haired friend. Hagrid was pouring boiling hot water into a large tea pot and putting what looked like rock cakes onto a plate.

"Another Weasley, eh?" said Hagrid glancing at Ron's freckles " I spent half my life chasin' yer twin brothers away from the forest."

I gently declined the rock cakes, since i have never been a fan of them, but Harry and Ron accepted and it soon turned out to be so hard that it nearly chipped their teeth when they tried to bite into them. I sat back and watched as Harry and Ron told Hagrid all about our first week of lessons.

All three of us were delighted to hear Hagrid call Filch "that old git."

"An' as fer that cat, Mrs. Norris, I'd like ter introduce her to Fang sometime D'yeh know, every time i got up ter the school, she follows me everywhere? Can't get rid of her... Filch puts her up to it."

Harry told Hagrid about Snape's lesson. Hagrid, like Ron, told Harry not to worry about it, that Snape liked hardly any student's...

"But he seemed to really hate me." Harry stressed

"Rubbish!" said Hagrid "Why should he.?"

Yet i couldn't help but notice that Hagrid couldn't quite meet Harry's eyes.

"Hagrid, he really does seem to hate Harry and I.." i trailed off

"Ya, Snape even kicked Zulie out of class." Ron piped up before i could finish

"No, He did what?" Hagrid turned his eyes to me.

"He kicked me out of class." i shrugged it off "i mean i was a bit sassy but still that was a bit extreme."

"Our Azul Black... sassy?" he said not believing me "Yer the sweetest girl i ever met, always sayin' please and thank-you. "

"He was picking on Harry, and then Neville. he even poked fun at Harry's dad... mine too but that's understandable from what i've heard so far."

Apparently having enough of this conversation topic Hagrid turned back to Ron, "How's yer brother Charlie, I liked him a lot... good with animals."

Ron told Hagrid all about Charlie's work with dragons. In the meantime Harry picked up a copy of The Daily Prophet . from what I could read from here it said GRINGOTTS BREAK-IN LATEST.

I didn't know Gringotts had been broken into. I thought Hagrid said that it was impossible to rob the place. Safest place there was, except for Hogwarts.

"Hagrid" Harry said, "that Gringotts break-in happened on my birthday! It might've been happening while we were there!" when Hagrid couldn't meet Harry's eyes I look a look at the article,

The vault that was searched had infact been emptied earlier that same day.

Hadn't Hagrid emptied vault seven hundred and thirteen, if you could call grabbing a grubby little package emptying. Could that have been what the thieves were looking for?

Soon enough it was dinner time and I trouped the boys back up to the castle for dinner. Plopping myself down next to Seamus, who would be the best person to keep me from thinking about the Gringotts break in, I dished up some food and set to work on McGonagall's Transfiguration homework.