The Start of Something New - September 1991

"They are so cute and so friendly! But I can see how people could mistreat them easily" I frown. "I don't understand people who can take advantage of other people or beings" I sigh.

I smiled at her, happy at what she had said. "I know," I replied. " they such genal creatures but people take advantage of them because they can." I was happy that could help Dobby in the small ways I did. I shook my head and turned to conversation away from house elves while we waited for lunch. "Do you have any pets?"

"Yes I have a cat named Athena. She is a dark brown tabby. I have had her for almost a year now. She was a present from my parents on my eleventh birthday." I smile. "You will have to meet her! She loves anyone who will give her attention. So do you have a pet?"

I nodded, "We have a eagle owl." I quickly thought of a name. Father disproved of any name Draco and I thought of so we never did name her. "Her name's Bubo." I decided to use her species as her name. "Next time we get mail, you'll see her.i can't wait to meet your cat! She sounds so sweet!"

"Ooohh I heard that they are very majestic birds! I bet she is gorgeous" I smile. "My parents have a barn owl that they use to send letters to us. Owls are such graceful birds, except the Weasley's owl. My sister recieved quite a few letters from her friends that Errol delivered. To be honest, the amount of times that bird has flown into a window, I am surprised he is still alive." While talking, Pots had brought over two bowls of beef stew and two thick pieces of bread. "Thank you. Pots! It looks and smells delicious!" I say smiling to the little elf.

"Oh it does!" I smiled over at Pots, "Thank you so much." Pots bowed low and left us to eat. I took a bit."It tastes good too." I told Cassie with a smile."Thank you for showing me the kitchens."

"Mmmmm..." Was all that came out of my mouth when I ate some. Swallowing, I smile at Juniper "you are very welcome!" I took another bite. "This stew is the best I have ever had!"

"It really is." I agreed. I took a bit of bread, fresh from the ovens. "This bread is so warm and soft." I said once I had swallowed the mouthful.

"I could die happily right now" I sigh, consummed by the wonderful flavours.

"Me too!" I couldn't wait to show this to Draco. We hadn't be able to hang out, just us, much since we started here. This could be our secret hidaway. I smiled at the throught.

I swallow another bite. "So how do you like your dorms? What is the Slytherin common room like?"

"It's nice." I said politely, knowing that's what Father and Draco would want me to say. It wasn't entirely a lie, I did like it but not necessarily all the people. Some were quite mean. I didn't want to say more so I took a bite and swallowed. "What about Hufflepuff?" I asked. I felt bad that it was all I was going to say, but I really didn't want to go into detail.

"Just nice? I was hoping for more details.... You know, is it a warm comfortable area? Or more cold, as in sparse furniture and decoration?" I smile playfully at her, not letting her get away with being vague again. I figured this was a safe topic.

I took a shaky breath and another bite. I wasn't sure what I was so nervous about, giving more details. Once I swallowed it spoke, "Umm...it's a bit cool, being in the dungans. We usually always have a fire going and the future is comfortable." I hoped this would be enough for her. "What about your common room?"

I could see I wasn't going to get more details out of her right now. "Well the my common room is not far from the kithens, therefore we are also in the dungeons. We also keep our fire going all the time to keep out the chill. Our common room is decorated in yellow tones with black accents, and we have magical windows that will show us the grounds, as we can't actually see it from being underground. It has a very homey feel, which I like." I say smiling. Then I rip a piece of bread, butter it lightly and dip it into my stew.