Chapter 1-The Beginning

Freya knew that the day was going to be awful when she woke up with a splitting headache from all the fire whisky she had the previous night. The all-night party was to celebrate all of her friends getting into the final year of Wizarding School without being killed or recruited into a dark army. She was surprised how time flew; all those six years had gone by in a flicker. She was surely going to miss the view from her dormitory once she finished her NEWT’s which given the circumstances would not be held that year according to her. She chugged down a potion, got dressed in colours of blue & bronze, the colours that brought her comfort and hurried down the Ravenclaw common room. The Ravenclaw tower stood deserted as many of them were yet to return for the starting of the year.

“I hope the first years are as excited as we were,” Freya said as she met Marlene McKinnon, a compatriot from Gryffindor. Marlene and she had been friends for as long as she could remember. Freya never understood the boisterous group of Gryffindor and their love for Quidditch. She had been pretty much been an introvert all her life with a few friends around her. When Marlene was sorted into Gryffindor, Freya could hardly believe it since Marlene was the brightest witch she knew. The differences between their houses had no effect on their long-standing friendship although Marlene these days often spent her time with her boyfriend, Sirius Black, whom Freya wanted nothing to do with. Freya’s disliking for Sirius came from the fact that he was a well-known playboy, a narcissistic person and also a bully. Freya never understood why Marlene of all people, who was supposed to be clever, chose to date him.

The Great Hall one of the homely places in Hogwarts was chilly these days. Freya felt as if a cover of protection had been stripped off ever since the threat of You-Know-Who. Walking into the Great Hall she looked at the Daily Prophet.”I don’t get why you read that useless paper which gives no insight on real issues” Marlene said as she walked off to hang out with ‘Marauders’ Gang’. She walked over to these so-called cool kids of the school, along with Lily Evans whom Freya liked but never had a proper conversation with. To say Lily was an all-rounder would be an understatement. She was bright, beautiful, kind and popular except with a gang of Slytherins whose opinion never mattered. Freya had never been popular with the Slytherins either because she was a half-blood, but they hated muggle borns more.

Michael Podmore, a guy she knew from Hufflepuff walked over with a grim face. She knew that she was about to hear some very bad new as Michael’s parents were Aurors in the Ministry of Magic. Freya Morgan had always dreamed of working in the Ministry of Magic, not as Aurors but as a member of Department of International affairs. Michael had always been kind to her when people had teased her for her geeky ways. “My parents have disappeared and the Ministry hasn’t been able to track them,” he said, his voice cracking up just as he delivered the bad news. “Don’t worry, I am sure they are alright after all they have been through much worse” Freya tried to console him. Dorcas Meadows, his girlfriend from Gryffindor came in with much worse words saying “The word on the street is that the Ministry’s infiltrated by his followers. Hogwarts is all that we have left now and that is because You-know-who is afraid of Dumbledore”. Dorcas was a strong, talented girl who cared deeply about Michael. Dorcas was one of the best in the transfiguration so much that even McGonagall was impressed by her.

All of them left the Great Hall, none feeling great about the events that would unfold in the coming days. The attacks of the death eaters had spread to the Muggle world. Their army was growing in numbers whereas those against You-Know-Who were scared to take a stand. Freya had always imagined herself travelling the world and writing a book based on her experiences. Now all she wondered was if she would get out of all this alive. Freya was scared that misfortune might befall her parents as well since they were criminals in the eyes of You Know Who.

Lost in her own thoughts, as she swept across the room she bumped into Regulus Black, Sirius’ younger brother who was said to be one of those pureblood maniacs, but Freya always felt that there was something good about him. “I am sorry I didn’t see you there,” she said. He just silently gathered his books and wandered away from her. Being a Half-Blood she knew that she was labelled a Muggle sympathizer and garnered a lot of hate from the Slytherins. She had always wondered what Regulus truly was like beneath the mask of isolation. He was smart, she had heard from her juniors. “Which side will he choose when his time comes? The victors of this battle are not due to the numbers, but because of each person’s choices,” she thought.

She headed towards the library, her place of solace. This was the one place she felt the most confident in. Every book except for the restricted section was read by her. Some in detail others not so much. Freya knew the Librarian Irma so well that she didn’t have to ask her for borrowing any of the materials. Time would flow like sand when Freya was in the library amongst the stories and experiences of a variety of wizards. Before she knew it, it was evening and had to attend the Sorting event. The Grand Hall seemed chilly, just barely holding the dark forces at bay. The Sorting Hat’s song seemed to be all about standing together in times of war, how we must be vigilant, stating that these are dark times and warned to keep our loved ones closer. “These are dark times, and in dark times friends become family, friends become enemies, but alas we can never know who is who?” left Freya searching for comfort. Freya held on to Lyla’s hand, and whispered “Don’t you think this year; the number of students has reduced? Is this another effect of this undeclared war? Doesn’t Dumbledore look worried to you? ”

“I haven’t gotten answers to all your questions, my love but know that we will find a way to make this better.” Lyla consoled Freya. Dumbledore’s speech was pretty much nonchalant, stating that the Forbidden Forest was off limits followed by general instructions. Dumbledore seemed to be in a hurry as if there was something he very much wanted to remember but could not. Lyla being the Prefect of House Ravenclaw invited all the newbies to the table with much pomp. Lyla Hawthorne, Freya would describe her as a stubborn, annoying but sweet, caring girlfriend of hers.

“The Head Boy and Girl for this academic year will be James Potter and Lily Evans from the house of Gryffindor. In these hard times may they lead the school with the decorum and dignity towards an era of peace.” Dumbledore announced. There was a loud cheer from all the houses except the Slytherins who really seemed not to care. He snapped his fingers and a grand meal lay in front of them.