The rest of my summer flew by in a blur. A blur of games of wizards chess, exploding snap and showing Sirius my powers. I had to give in to the man at some point, he was beginning to border on a beggar. Harry's trial went well thankfully, and he was going to Hogwarts with the rest of us. We spent hours upon hours trying to figure out who would do this to him, and nothing was making any sense. 

I currently was on platform 9 3/4, standing around waiting for the Weasleys to say goodbye to their parents. I knew my parents were dropping of my brother and sisters soon too, so I kept my eye open for them. "Ali!" I heard behind me, and smiled seeing my brother running up to me with my parents and the twins behind them. The twins immediately walked over to Fred and George, and the four of them were instantly in their own little world. I rolled my eyes and shook my head before turning to my brother.

"Miss me?" I asked raising my arms open to hug my brother. "Not at all" Damian said causing me to punch him in the arm. I turned away from him to quickly hug my mother and father, my mother having a hard time letting me go. 

"Did you enjoy the rest of your summer sweetheart?" My mother asked me, keeping an arm firmly around me. I nodded and kissed her on the cheek before moving to stand in front of my parents. My father seemed like something was bothering him, but I didn't have time to question it as the horn was blaring on the train signaling us to board.

"Be careful this year Ali" My father whispered in my ear, giving me a worried glance as he pulled me into a tight hug. I nodded to him before pulling away and hugging my mother, who of course was crying like every other year. This year would be different for her though, the twins would be graduating and I don't know if she was going to be able to watch Andi and Aurora go off on their own without having a panic attack. 

I found a compartment with Harry, Ron and Hermione. I waved to my parents out the window one more time before slinking back onto the bench beside Harry. It didn't take long on the train before Ron fell asleep, and Hermione had her face deep into whatever book she was reading. Leaving Harry and I to entertain ourselves.

"Think we are going to make it through the year without someone trying to kill us?" I asked him trying to break the awkward silence. Harry looked over at me and raised an eyebrow, I just smiled sheepishly and shrugged my shoulders. Harry couldn't help it and started laughing while running a hand through his dark raven hair.

"Well they wont  be able to kill you. Me however, That's an every year type of thing" Harry said looking past me out the window to watch the raindrops roll down the window of our compartment.  I felt bad Harry had to go through this every year, like Voldemort's sole purpose every year was to try and kill him. But no not this year, I wouldn't let anything happen to him. I have these new amazing powers, I might as well do some good with them.

"I wont let anyone touch you this year Harry" I said reaching over and taking his hand in mine. Harry's face flushed red before squeezing my hand in his. "You really are a good friend Ali" He said with a smile. He looked away to the compartment as Neville had came inside to say something to him. That gave me the chance to turn my head and frown. I didn't just want to be your friend Harry, Why couldn't he just see that?

Some five hours later and night had fell and we were pulling into Hogsmeade station. I kicked Ron awake and followed Harry out of the compartment, something behind me catching onto my robes. I yanked them hard but hearing a snicker I realized why they weren't moving. Draco had his foot on the bottom of my robes preventing me from  going anywhere.

"See you got rid of that blonde in your hair Ali, Wasn't really your color anyway" Draco said pulling on a strand on my brown hair between his fingers. I swatted his hand away and tried once more to pull my robe from his dirt shoe. 

"Just leave me alone Malfoy" I mumbled pushing on his chest. But Draco seemed to have grown more muscles over the summer and didn't move and inch. Draco saw my struggle and started barking with laughter. "Back to last names now are with Soloria? After everything we went through together?" Draco said with a whisper as he reached over to brush his finger down my cheek. 

I went to swat his hand away once more but Harry beat me to it. "Leave her alone Malfoy" Harry growled at Draco.  "Malfoy you and I both know I could make you do whatever I want, you really want to test me?" i growled letting my hand slip from my robe to take a step closer to Draco. Draco's eyes widened with realization, he must have forgotten about what I could do to him, and what I have done to him in the past. 

He stepped off my robe before walking past us, but not before mumbling so only I could hear. "I miss you" I swear Draco was the weirdest kid I have ever met in my life. 

I rolled my eyes and turned back to Harry, grabbed his arm and dragged him behind me so we wouldn't be left on the train we it departed once again. "Thanks for that" I told Harry as we walked the pathway to the carriages that were taking us to the castle. "You didn't really need my protection Ali, I don't think you ever will" Harry said with a shrug. I opened my mouth to rebuttal but was in shock at what I saw pulling the carriages. 

Harry must have seen them too because he stood with his mouth open looking at the strange beast. It was all black, resembled a skeleton with piercing red eyes. I reached my hand out to touch it, and it nuzzled itself into my hand. What are you? I wondered in my head. The beast took a step closer and rested it's head on my shoulder. Harry I could see was beyond freaked out at what he was witnessing, couldn't say I blame him.

I'm a thestral. You have seen death my child. I can smell the greatness on you, you are the wielder of the  gift. My eyes widened at what I was hearing from this mystical beast. I was able to tame dragons, and make animals do what I want, but never have they communicated with me before. I pet the thestral on it's head before climbing into the empty carriage with Harry, a look of pure confusion etched upon my face.

When we got to the feast it appeared we were the last two to enter the great hall. Students were chatting, all of them waiting for the sorting to start. Harry and I took the seats across from Ron and Hermione quickly knowing the sorting would be starting any moment. "Where have you two been?" Hermione asked as she set her book to the side. "Malfoy" Harry responded for both of us and it seemed like a suitable answer, but Harry gave me a look like he knew something was wrong after our encounter with the thestral.

What it said still gave me chills, I am the wielder of the gift? I felt like I would have to speak to Professor Trelawney for answers on this one as much as disliked her. 

The sorting took longer than expected, both Ron and i were both falling asleep over ourselves even though Ron slept the entire train ride. When the sorting was over Dumbledore gave his normal speeches about the rules for the year, as well as Quiditch try out information which got me excited. I was so happy to be able to play this year especially since last year's fiasco prevented me from trying out. 

But when we thought we were all going to start eating, a woman wearing so much pink stepped up to the podium. I couldn't help the gag that emitted from my throat , I already didn't like her just by seeing the smug look on her face. "That woman was at my hearing" Harry mumbled to the three of us. I frowned and turned to listen to what she had to say.

She spouted off  some speech about perfecting education and the ministry and other things that simply didn't sit right with me. When she sat down I could see the looks of disdain on everyone's face for this woman who was going to be our new DADA teacher. "Well this will be a lovely year" I mumbled sarcastically and started piling food onto my plate.

"Ali! psst!" I heard from down the table and I looked to see Fred and George trying to get my attention. I raised my eyebrows waiting for them to continue. They just kept shifting their eyes from me to my hand to Professor Umbidge who was picking lint off of her bright pink sweater. "Oh no! Not to a teacher!" Hermione interrupted when they saw what they were trying to get me to do.

They wanted me to use my powers against her, and I couldn't lie and say that I didn't think about it. "Ali, you cant!" Hermione said as she saw the look in my eye, the one that told her I wanted to do this. Oh to hell with it! I just looked over to the goblet in front of her and soon enough it had spilled all over her clothing. She screeched loudly causing the great hall to look over at her.

Snape who was sitting beside her was looking directly at me as if he knew I was the one behind it. I just smiled innocently and shrugged my shoulders. He narrowed his eyes for a second before he gave me an almost unnoticeable nod, as if he actually approved of something. I wasn't supposed to use my powers against other people, but the great thing was nobody could tell if it was me or not. And just by looking at this woman I knew this wouldn't be the only time I would need to use them this year...