"Azazel! Get back here!" I heard Calla's voice shout down the hall. I smiled deviously to myself, knowing that my part of the plan was approaching quickly. The first weeks of class had gone by quickly and I had had no troubles keeping up with the homework and continuing my favorite pastime of causing trouble. I was very good at time management.

"Give me back my wand!" Calla yelled again. I tensed my legs and gripped my own wand tighter. I could hear their footsteps pounding on the floor as they sprinted down the corridor towards my hiding space. I was crouched behind one of the many statues in Hogwarts, waiting for the unsuspecting Azazel to run past.

Finally, they skidded around the corner, a smile on Az's face as he held onto Calla's wand teasingly. Without any hesitation, I jumped out and tackled him to the ground. Calla's wand skidded out of his hand as we both went sprawling. I laughed as I pinned him down and pointed my own wand at him in a mock threatening gesture.

His mouth curved into a playful smile as he said, "I see I have been deceived."

I laughed in triumph. Something was alluring about his gentlemanly personality. But, I always loved it when he let go a little. When he would be playful and carefree. It was a rare thing, but at the same time it was given in the perfect amounts.

I finally allowed him to stand, and as I waited for him to get to his feet, I stretched my back, determined to keep my eyes anywhere but on him. I had come to realize something different about my feelings for Az this year. Over the summer my feelings had shifted from friend to the desire for something more.

"What no apology?" Cala grumbled in a fake anger. Az chuckled lowly before responding.

"Nope."

"You're lucky I don't tackle you myself," Calla said pointing her wand, which she had retrieved, at him. I smiled broadly at the thought. Calla was short, but I had no doubt that the little spit-fire could easily take him out. Calla was fierce when she wanted to be.

The thought of Calla tackling Azazel did not bother me as much as the thought of Daniella doing it did. Calla and Az were like brother and sister, but even after six years of knowing Daniella, I still could not gauge her feelings.

"So," Azazel began with a mocking tone, "if you two are finished, could we finally go to the Great Hall and eat?"

Calla smiled broadly, her eyes lighting up. I nodded and we all started down the corridor. We weren't too far from the Great Hall, and I soon began hearing the growing sounds of voices talking over each other. It sounded as if dinner had just begun.

As if sensing our closeness to food, my stomach growled loudly. Loud enough to be heard outside of my body. Az raised his eye brows questioningly, and Calla broke out laughing. My face flushed in embarrassment, but trying to pass it off, I shoved Calla playfully in the shoulder, throwing her off balance. She continued to giggle, but it soon died off as we entered the Great Hall.

The aroma of food hit me hard and caused my mouth to water. The main courses were still on the tables so we quickly made our way to an open spot at the Slytherin table and sat down.

If someone had asked me what I ate, I don't think I honestly could have answered them. The second the food touched my plate I had engulfed it without even tasting a bite. But, nonetheless, I was soon satisfied and passed on the desserts that soon appeared. Calla on the other hand, scooped some pudding onto her plate along with some treacle tart. Even Az tentatively slid some sweets onto his plate. Content with what I had eaten, I leaned back and scanned my eyes around the Great Hall. Something suspicious caught my eye.

A fifth year Ravenclaw, I recalled her name being Ophelia, scooted into the hall nervously. Her eyes glanced nervously from side to side and I could visibly see her hands trembling. She shuffled to the Gryffindor table, which shocked me, and began conversing with Rachel Johnson, another fifth year. She talked frantically, waving her hands a little bit before Rachel calmed her down. But, I didn't care if the little brat was all worked up, I cared why she became so flustered in the first place. She might not be as brave as Gryffindors, but something that would scare her is definitely interesting to me.

Ophelia continued talking, calmer and quieter this time, but I noticed a third person had joined the conversation. Annalissa leaned in curiously and furrowed her brow. I had to crane my neck to the side to see clearly, but she definitely seemed intrigued at Ophelia's words. She started to talk, but I was snapped out of my snooping right after she began.

"Azel, what are you doing?" Az said, looking at me weirdly. I turned my head to look at him.

"Spying," I said quickly, eager to return to my previous action. But, as I turned to look back at the Gryffindor table, Annalisa wasn't there. It only took a quick scan of the Hall to spot her following Ophelia out the doors. Immediately, a desire rose up in my mind, and I knew I had to follow them. I had to know what they were up to.

"Be right back," I said to Calla and Azazel. Before they could respond, I was up out of my seat and heading towards the doors, my long strides moving me across the distance with good speed. I did not look back at the Slytherin table for I honestly did not want to see Azazel and Calla's questioning looks.

The doors swung open easily, and as I slipped out into the Entrance Hall I noticed a lone figure peering around the corner of the corridor, her Ravenclaw scarf twitching nervously in her hands. Without making a sound, I crept up behind Ophelia. I didn't speak until I was directly behind her.

"Where did she go?" I asked menacingly.

The fifth year Ravenclaw spun towards me, her eyes wide. As soon as she realized who it was, her fearful expression hardened into that of frustration and disgust.

"Why would I tell-," she began to reply, but I cut her off by grabbing her by the collar of her robes. She was shorter than I was, so when I pulled up, her feet began to leave the ground. Only her toes remained brushing the floor beneath her.

"I'm not really giving you a choice," I said, my eyes glaring down at her, "now, let's try this again. Where did Annalissa go. And while you're at it, why don't you tell me what happened to you before you came to the Great Hall."

Her nose scrunched, and a look of defiance flashed in her eyes, but as I tightened my grip on her robes, it disappeared. She sighed something unintelligible. In response, I pulled her over to the wall and leaned my weight into her, keeping her in place.

"I didn't catch that," I taunted, "would you like to try again?"

"Fine!" she huffed, her face red. I finally let her go, and as she steadied herself, she took large heaving breaths. I did not rush her, but instead crossed my arms and shifted my body into my left leg.

"I was leaving potions class a little late," she began, "by time I packed all my ingredients and cauldron away, everyone was gone. I quickly hurried out, not wanting to be in the dungeons longer than I had to. But, as soon as I stepped out of the classroom, this odor hit me. I almost gagged. Then I started to hear shuffling sounds coming from down the hall, deeper in the dungeons. I bolted and didn't slow down until I got to the Great Hall."

"And that's where Annalissa went? To investigate like the stupid Gryffindor she is?" I said, connecting the pieces in my head.

"She's not stupid!"

"So I will takes that as a yes," I sneered at her.

"Why do you even care?" she shot back at me. I paused, unable to explain my curiosity to her. Instead, I played it safe.

"And why would that be any of your business?"

Not giving her the chance to respond, I shoved her once against the wall and headed in the direction of the dungeons. My head was spinning with the possibilities, but mostly I kept coming back to one topic.

Why did I care?

I had no concern for Annalissa, but yet I felt the need to follow her. Curiosity was definitely a factor, but there was more to it than that. A chance to corner her? Perhaps, but not quite.

Footsteps broke me out of my daze, and I quickly slipped behind a suit of armor. Barely peeking out, someone streaked past my hiding place, a cat close on their heels.

Filch.

I waited until I was sure he was gone before slipping out from the niche in the walk and continuing on my way. I was close enough to the dungeons to feel the cold draft that was normally present underground.

I continued to move quickly, keeping my ears open for not only Annalissa, but also the mysterious noises Ophelia had heard. I tried to push my nerves down, attempting to convince myself of how foolish her story was, and that I was acting silly for getting so worked up over it.

Suddenly, a noise caught my attention. The sound of feet hitting the cold stone floor echoed through the damp air and I immediately slowed down. Stealthily, I snuck to the nearest door and peered inside, trying to see but not be seen.

The room was extremely large, with multiple work tables and a professor's desk. Probably an old potions room. Inside, her back turned to me, was Annalissa. She walked between the row of tables towards the professor's desk, momentarily unaware of my presence. She did not try to conceal herself in any way, so each of her footsteps rang through the silent air. Even her breathing seemed loud. Using her moment of distraction, I slipped into the room and stood in front of the large door. Not directly in front, but to exit she would have to go through me.

Finally, she seemed to realize the room was of no importance and turned to leave. Her shocked expression upon seeing me caused my mouth to twist into a devious grin. But her moment of surprise did not last long, and soon her eyes had shifted to glaring at me. Her gaze burned with deep hatred and I also allowed my eyes to form into the glare I was used to wearing in Annalissa's presence.

"What are you doing down here?" Annalissa snarled. I laughed, the light sound echoing through the caverns.

"Isn't it obvious? I'm here to make your life miserable."

I whipped out my wand as quickly as I was able to, and shot a curse in her direction. But, no matter how fast I was, Annalissa still managed to deflect the curse with her own wand, which she was somehow able to pull out of her robes fast enough to deflect my spell. Instead of hitting its mark, the curse flew into one of the work tables, sending it flying into another of the tables.

Just as fast as she deflected, Annalissa retaliated, sending a jinx in my direction. It was through sheer luck that I sidestepped out of the way and missed her spell. I could feel the force of the spell sear my skin as it passed my face.

"Stupefy!" I shouted, pointing my wand directly at her chest. Even at our close range, her speed was unmatched. My spell was sent flying in another direction and this time when she sent a spell back at me, I was unable to dodge.

"Expelliarmus!" she yelled, and my wand went flying out of my hand against my will. I lost track of it in the dark room, only lit by a few torches, and instead of scrambling to find it, I launched myself at Annalissa.

She did not expect the move and I was soon on top of her pinning her to the ground. She squirmed and I almost lost my hold, but my larger size made it easier to subdue her on the ground. I had locked on of her arms in my grasp, keeping it down on the ground, when a piercing pain struck my cheek. My vision darkened, and I was barely able to see her other arm drawing back to hit me again. She did not hesitate to do so, and I was sent sprawling onto the cold floor, my head banging into the concrete.

For a moment I lost track on where I was. my thoughts swam in pointless circles, and I could only take in minuscule details. A shuffling noise sounded near my head and I looked up to see a blurry Annalissa standing above me. She glared down at my prone figure, and I was sure she was going to kick me, but then she turned her attention elsewhere. My confusion increased when a foul odor began to fill my nostrils. I began to cough, the smell overpowering. Yet, despite how horrible the smell was, it cleared my mind a little and allowed me to sit up with great difficulty.

It was as if I was seeing but not comprehending. A large form loomed in the door way, barely fitting through the frame. Confusion was first and foremost in my mind, and as I looked to Annalissa, her face was an expression of pure and utter terror.

Finally, something in my brain slid into place, as if the last piece of the puzzle connected into place, and I was able to understand what I saw. But, I wasn't sure I believed it.

A Mountain Troll, about ten feet tall, squeezed through the door way, blocking the only exit from the room. I tried to scramble to my feet, but moving so quickly made the world tip underneath me. I fell back down, narrowly avoiding hitting my head again. The troll grunted angrily and used one of its large hands to send a table flying across the room. I was scooting backwards as fast as I could, sure that it would do the same to me if given the chance, when I felt a tugging sensation on my robes. Looking up, I was shocked to see Annalissa dragging me as quickly as she was able to, and I attempted to help as much as possible. The troll noticed the movement and then focused its attention on us. And as it locked eyes with us, I could not help the squeak of terror that escaped my lips.

Annalissa finally let me go when we were safely behind the desk, but it was too late, the troll had already noticed us, and seemed quite determined to dispose of any nuisances.

Roaring loudly, it charged towards us, not bothering to walk in between the tables, and instead sent them sliding in random directions. Annalissa sprung out from behind the desk and sent a silent curse towards the troll. It hit it right in the face, but the troll seemed largely unaffected. In fact, the spell seemed to only make the troll angrier.

I slid myself to the side of the desk, so as to see better what was going on, and what I saw scared me as much as it awed me. Annalissa weaved around the troll dodging tables and its lumbering fists. She would constantly send a jinx at it, attempting to hit the troll in a vulnerable location, but the troll was moving and made it nearly impossible for her to hit her mark.

It was as a particularly bright spell lit up the room that I saw it. My wand was just a few tables away. I could reach it if I simply slid across the floor about twenty feet. So close, yet a nearly impossible distance for my current state. Yet, I had to try.

Mustering any strength I had, I pushed my self up from the floor, using the desk as support and stumbled my way across the floor. I was almost half way there when the troll turned its beady eyes onto me.

I was petrified in place, unable to move in fear of angering it more, but it was too late. With a frustrated grunt he lumbered towards me, his beefy hands balled into fists. I tried to run, but instead the floor came up to meet me. I fell straight into my stomach, once again feeling the hard impact of the stone.

Annalissa darted forward, hoping to distract the troll, but it saw her coming. With one swipe of its hand, the troll sent her flying over two tables where she disappeared and did not get back up.

I was hoping it would be stupid and forget about me, but this troll seemed to be smarter than the rest of its kind. It turned its attention back to on my vulnerable figure and brought its foot up to step on crush me beneath its bulky toes. Adrenaline pumped through my veins and I desperately clawed myself out from under its looming form. With a force that felt like the whole school shook, the troll slammed its foot into the ground, causing tiny cracks to appear in the floor.

I was just mere inches from my wand when a rough hand grabbed me from behind. I screamed and lounged forward, grabbing my wand by its last few inches. The troll lifted me into the air and for the first time, the true stench of it hit me. I became woozy from its odor, but forced myself to focus. It's face was in front of me, if I could just lift my wand.

But, with little strength, I could not muster the energy to preform a spell. Instead, I jabbed my arm forward, plunging my wand straight into the troll's eye. It bellowed in pain and dropped me to the ground. But, I had underestimated the size of the fall and landed hard onto my leg. With a distinct crack, my left leg bent wrong and I knew immediately that it was broken. I also screamed, clutching my leg in pain. I knew it was over. There was no way I could fight my way out, especially with a broken leg. I was going to die there in that cold dungeon.

The troll seemed to sense my weakness and was preparing to deliver the blow when a blinding spell hit it straight in the back. I was in shock as the troll turned and focused its attention on the person that had just entered the dungeon.

Even in the face of danger, Az was suave. He flicked his wand quickly, hitting the troll in its bad eye once more. He did not hesitate when the troll charged him, but instead pointed his wand at the table closest to him and sent it flying into the air. It hit the troll with such a force, even I could feel the crack of its skull against the wood. Its large form crumpled to the ground with a limpness that could only be achieved from being unconscious. Despite that, Az lifted his wand once more and brought another table down upon its head. Only after that did he turn his attention to me.

"I had to be sure," he said, gesturing to the second table. I smiled slightly at him, but it felt more like a grimace. Immediately his face turned to an expression of concern and he raced over to me.

"Oh Azel," he said upon seeing my leg.

"Can you help me up?" I asked him.

He looked shocked for a moment, but obliged. I kept all my weight off my left leg, and instead balanced on my right and used his shoulder for support. Overcome by emotion, I buried myself into his chest in a comforting hug. He was surprised for only seconds, but soon he wrapped his arms around me too. He had saved my life, and I was still in a daze at the whole situation, but being in his arms made me feel safe, as if nothing would ever be able to harm me while he was around. I never liked to feel weak or need help, but for Az I made an exception.

After what seemed like forever, McGonagall's voice cut through my thoughts, ending our moment.

"What on earth happened here?!"