The Dark Side ((Dana and Jasmine))

[jaspar]

Entering the magical world and leaving behind the life you had lead before wasn't easy, even for the ever-optimistic young Colin Jaspar. Colin was always looking out for a new adventure aournd every corner, and he had never really sulked and moped about having left the muggle world, for everything in this new world he had discovered he was part of was exciting and unexpected. Today, however, he had made a startling discovery. Not everything was all fine and wonderful in this world, the truth was, it was not fine at all. Colin still couldn't understand exactly what was going on, but after the second kidnap of a student from Hogwarts, he had to wonder. Everybody was going around looking scared and everywhere he went he could see heads bent and the low sound of people whispering to each other. It suddenly seemed as if the school had divided itself into two groups, each supporting their own side and beliefs.

Colin had not yet been subjected to any abuse or prejudice from the pureblood fanatics at Hogwarts. He had not really thought about it much, the only thing he knew was that most of the Slytherins were a nasty bunch and to stay away of them because of their prejudice, and he did so, sticking with the people from the other three houses he knew and not giving much thought to the matter. But know, after the second kidnap, he knew something huge was happening, and that he needed to know what it was as it affected the whole world he was living in. Who was You-Know-Who? And why did everybody fear him so much?

He had sought answers to his many questions by a visit to the library. He had attained a number of books on the subject, and had yet to start reading them, though he would have much preferred for someone to give him the information, but he had not known who to ask and also feared that he might be ridiculed as he knew so little about everything. So here he was now, in the common room with The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts open in his lap, and the other two history books on the table beside him, trying to fathom this mystery by reading through the first few pages of the book which he was finding tedious and given to rather long-winded descriptions of people and places that didn't answer his questions.

[dana]

Dana shook her head as she entered the Student Lounge. The school was almost divided into two – oh, you couldn’t notice it at first glance, but there was tension in almost all students. Julie’s kidnapping had stressed the professors as well as students – especially older students and people were gathering into groups with their friends and were rather suspicious.
Dana seemed to be one of the more laid-back person at the school right now – maybe because she had never been really touched by Voldemort’s actions, as she originally lived in France, so she wasn’t really afraid of him either.

As Dana had been so absorbed in her thought as she moved forwards, she almost ran into a first year, who was sitting on a couch. “Sorry, you weren’t hurt right?” Dana had grabbing hold of the couch’s armrest, to regain her balance and smiling at the first year. A Gryffindor Dana noticed. A little frown appeared on Dana’s forehead as she noticed the book he had been reading - The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts. Were the first years already scared of Voldemort as well?
Dana haltered for a moment – maybe she could talk with the first year and explain things a little, as he had already moved onto trying to research the books, which were just a lot of useless talk, as Dana knew.

“You looking for something?” Dana asked nodding towards the history books, “Maybe I can make your life a bit more easier, as I’m not that bad in History of Magic. Or are you influenced by Voldemort’s kidnapping as well?” Dana asked rolling her eyes as a near-by student jumped at the name and hurried off, sending an angry glare towards Dana. What was there to be afraid in a name? It’s not like it would call Voldemort to school, when someone said his name. Shrugging the though off Dana smiled at the first year, waiting for his answer, as Dana reached out her hand: “I’m Dana Coran by the way.”<br>

[anderson]

It was still a cold day and Jasmine was stuck in the library. Many books were pilled all around her and one book lay on the table before her. It was a slightly dusted book, and worn out by age, but still a great reading material. The book was on famous witches and wizards in the wizarding world. After going to Hogwarts for only four years she still had a little more learning to do. Even know she did not come from a pureblood back ground but still knew a lot on the dark lord. Almost all her books were consisted of dark arts, potions, and magical creatures. Some of her most prized books were her novels she brought to Hogwarts. Lana sometimes sent some books through owl but not all the time. Especially now since she was quite sick. Jasmine did not know why she went home to care for Lana. Chad said he got it covered and that she needed to stay at Hogwarts. It only seemed as if her brother was the only person who knew her truly, well next to Vanessa Nicholson. But the two haven’t been with each other for an every long time. Maybe it was the fact that Jasmine was always studying and never had to time to be with friends. It was only next year when everything became harder and she still had much too learning. She had some ideas in what she wanted to be after her Hogwarts years. There was always working in the ministry or being and Aurror. If she wanted to be an Aurror she had to concentrate more on the dark arts. But that did not seem to be her passion. It was music which she wanted to work in but never told anyone but Vanessa.

Closing the book she looked at her piles and wondered which ones to take. There were so many good books to read and so little time. Biting her lower lip she looked at each and every book. Picking out four she put away the rest and walked up to Madame Prince to check the books out. The old women starred at her and smiled and handed the books back. Jasmine did not say a word but smiled and walked out of the library slipping the books into her shoulder bag. Zipping up the zipper she continued her way to the student lounge. Thoughts seem to pour through her head on the past couple months. There was the kid napping of Ginny Weasley, but she had been found and was safe back at home. But there was supposedly another kid napping. Mia had told her about the out burst in Arithmancy and how Harry Potter ran out of the class room demanding to see Dumbledore about another kip napping of Julie Rosewood. Jasmine did not know the girl that well but she was in her own house and just a year before her. She seemed like a nice girl and did not understand what the dark lord and his allies wanted with her.

Entering the student lounge she found only a couple people inside. Some students were in large groups talking and others were playing wizard chess. Seeing a good friend Jasmine walked over towards her and smiled. "Hey Dana...." she said but saw a young boy who had a couple books with him but seemed to not understand. Jasmine knew that looked and loved to help younger students who needed it. Looking from Dana to the boy she smiled warmly. "Hi I am Jasmine you seemed to be a little confused need out help. Two Ravenclaws could help answer all your questions." Jasmine said looking at one of the books the boy had on the table. Picking up one she noticed it was about the dark side to the wizarding world. One thing that Jasmine knew very well and could help this first year with any questions he had.

[jaspar]

An older student bumped into Colin who had now turned to the back of the book to read its index, and he looked up at her a little startled and watched her take a look at the books he had with him. She offered kindly to help him if he was looking for something in particular and Colin made an exasperated gesture with his hands and pointed at the books. He then shook the hand she offered him and said, "Hi Dana, I'm Colin Jaspar, thank you, and who wasn't?" he answered when she asked him if he had been affected by the kidnappings at Hogwarts. Who's name had she just said and what did he have to do with the kidnappings… that was a good place to start. He had many questions so he would just go from there.

Colin opened his mouth to ask the question aloud when another girl walked up and again offered to help. Had he been that obvious or was it just that odd to see a first year with History textbooks that they both surmised correctly that he wasn't just studying or just reading? "Hey Jasmine," he said, "I'm Colin Jaspar and I'm sure you can." He did know that Ravenclaws were supposed to be the most intelligent people in the school. However he didn't think he needed someone exceptionally clever to answer his questions – just someone who knew the magical world a lot better than he did. Between them he was sure he would manage to feel less out of place as soon as I they explained exactly what was going on around him. "Well, I'm Muggle-born, and that of course has to do with why I know so little about everything. But why is everybody so scared right now? And why has one of the students at the school been kidnapped? And who is that wizard you just said is responsible for the kidnappings? Is he who everyone calls You-Know-Who?" he asked, having heard that name been said more frequently than any other these days. He paused for breath and realised how many questions had just come out of his mouth.

[dana]

Dana smiled at Colin and sat down: “Everybody are influenced by the kidnapping, but I guess it was a bad choice of words. I meant that I hope you aren’t influenced to the point, where you draw your wand at the slightest aggravation.”<br>Dana explained her thought glancing up as Jasmine came closer and smiled at the other girl: “Hullo, Jasmine. Haven’t seen you around for quite a while.”<br>
Dana listened as Colin almost shot out questions and held up her hand: “Hold on and give us a chance to answer first!”<br>Dana sighed and pulled her leg under her, as she scowled lightly: “And first of all, call You-Know-Who by his right name – his name is Voldemort. He himself calls himself Lord Voldemort, but in my opinion he doesn’t deserve that title.”<br>
Dana bit her lip, thinking of how to explain this best, so the first year wouldn’t get lost during the explanation: “About 17 years ago Voldemort was the biggest fear in the magical world, especially in Britain. Do you know anything about muggle histry? If you do, then I guess Voldemort was a lot like Hitler. He believed that only pure-blooded wizards and witches deserve to live, so he murdered and tortured all muggle-borns and half-bloods and even pure-bloods who didn’t believe in the same cause he did. Ironical about is, hat Voldemort himself was half-blood – at least that’s what my grand-mother told me. He did so terrible acts, that people got so scared of him and his followers, that they stopped using his real name, as if the name could hurt them.”<br>
Dana nodded towards the somewhat angry, somewhat scared glares that were being sent her way and how people moved a bit farther from her: “And people are still scared of it as you can see. If you didn’t notice, then they jumped every time I said Voldemort.” As if to prove Dana’s point, the students jumped again and two girls left the student lounge hurriedly.

“Can I borrow your book for a sec?” Dana asked standing up and moving to sixth year student, who had one of the latest books of Defence Against Dark Arts on the table next to him, “Thanks.”<br>Thumbing through the book, Dana found the picture she had been looking for and showed it to Colin: “You know him, right? The team captain and seeker of Gryffindor in quidditch and your housemate. Harry James Potter.” Dana grinned, as the picture of Harry blushed and hid behind the edge of the picture, “He is all over the latest DADA books, because he stopped Voldemort, when he was a toddler. Potter-kid, or the-boy-who-lived or the-boy-who-just-didn’t-know-how-to-die or whatever you want to call him is the only person, who has ever survived the killing curse. I don’t know how or why, so that you’d have to ask Dumbeldore – he might know something. Or maybe Jasmine knows something more.”

Dana returned the book to the guy she had borrowed it from and continued: “Voldemort lost all his powers but he survived somehow and he’s been after Harry’s life for years – I don’t know the details, but there are enough rumors of what has happened even here at school during the years Potter has studied here. And now he’s back at almost full power, so people are getting scared again. My best guess is that Voldemort had Julie kid-napped, because I think she and Harry Potter were close.”<br>
Dana fell silent and stared into the fire, thinking of all she had said. In a way it scared Dana as well, but not that deeply as it affected some others. Maybe because Dana’s whole family was French or because she had never been touched by Voldemort actions herself, nor was her family. Shaking the thought off Dana looked at Colin and Jasmine: “I hope it gave you some background, but I don’t really remember your questions anymore. So perhaps Jasmine could answer them or add to what I told.”<br>

[anderson]

The young boy instructed him self as Collin Jaspar and Jasmine smiled at him and sat down in a chair next to Dana. Crossing one leg over the other she listened to Dana's expiation. Nodding her head as her friend seemed to answer all his questions. Tighten her long hair from its pony tail she smiled and wondered how she can add on. Her mind raced with ideas and she smiled. Good thing she had a couple of NEWT.s books with her right now. Unzipping her shoulder bag she took out all of the books and handed two to Dana. "I just came from the library. I thought these books would seem fun to read. Remember we are entering our NEWT.s year very soon." Jasmine told Dana with a smile and rested her hand on two books that lay on her lap.

Looking from the covers of the books to Collin she smiled. "Well Collin Dana pretty much said everything about the dark lord. I can not even put myself to say his name. Even know I am a half blood I am a little scared of him. I read so much about him and heard from other wizarding families. Let’s just say that nothing good happen seventeen years ago." Jasmine said with a serious look on her face. Her mind than wondered to the next kid napping of Julie Rosewood. Two kid napping in one year. But did that dark lord want with her? But of course Jasmine wanted the Ravenclaw to be okay and not dead. Taking a deep breathe she tired to answer the young’s boys questions, "Everyone is so scared because who must not be named killed so many people in the past. If I am correct he is a direct decedent to Salazar Slytherin, the founder of Slytherin house." she said trying to wonder what else to say. The books did not give enough desperation of the dark lords past but she had to infer about him.

Taking a deep breathe she continue on, "After disco riving the 'Chamber of secrets' he set a monster out to all the mudbloods in the school. The Chamber of Secrets is a legendary secret room constructed by Salazar Slytherin to house a monster which would finish his "noble work." This noble work would be accomplished when his true heir would open the Chamber and release the monster which lived within to rid the school of non-pureblood students. Just in my first year Ginny Weasley had been taken down into it. I do not know what creature lays there but after she was saved the killings had ended. But he left Hogwarts and than became a wizard who everyone was scared of. One night he went to the Potters house and killed Harry's parents and him. But something stopped him that night and he fled into hiding almost dead." Jasmine said trying to smile but couldn’t. It was hard to talk about the dark lords past and to remember how many people he killed. The lives of innocents were taken away by one man who was angry with the world. "I hope that answers your questions. If you have more just asked, Dana and I are here to help."

((I hope that this post is okay. I tired not to have Jasmine know so much on voldemorts past.))

[jaspar]

Dana explained what she meant by affected, and Colin shook his head no, but then that was because he did not fully realise the enormity of what was going on and had no idea what he had to be armed against. He waited for Jasmine and Dana to finish greeting each other, wondering what on earth NEWTs were and almost asking and then remembering he had already asked quite a lot of questions so it was best to just wait. He listened to Dana intently as she told him about Lord Voldemort, and why so many people feared speaking his name. Colin himself hadn't understood the sudden fear in everyone's eyes when he was mentioned, but things were beginning to make sense now. People were giving Dana the strangest glances like she was an odd person when they heard her using his name, and Colin thought that his crimes must have been unbelievably evil and immoral for people to be so scared by the mention of his name that they were actually leaving the room.

Colin nodded as he had instantly recognised the blushing Harry in the picture. So that was why a lot of people also talked about him. "Wow!" he exclaimed when he heard that the boy had been the saviour of the magical world even though he had just been a baby. He turned to Jasmine when Dana finished her long story, his face still looking a little surprised at all he was learning about this part of the magical world that he had been completely unaware of. "OK, thank you Dana and Jasmine, but I still have other things I want now. Was Salazar Slytherin a bad man? And how did one man become so strong that he made everybody so scared of him? Didn’t we try and fight him somehow? Oh and…" Colin hesitated before asking his last question. He wasn't completely sure he wanted to now the answer. "From all what you said, am I to understand that he's getting stronger by the minute and that we don’t really have a way to defend ourselves against him?" Colin shivered involuntarily. What if the answer was yes? What about all the muggles he knew… he pushed the horrible thought away and waited for them to answer. It was too scary to think about.

[dana]

“Tell me about it. We still have the O.W.L.’s as well at the end of this year. Looked up some info for Potions yesterday – I’m not doing that great in the subject,” Dana answered to Jasmine with a roll of her eyes. She might have been a Ravenclaw, but that didn’t mean she liked the tests nor were looking forward to them, “And I’m a half-blood too actually – I’m not trying to brave by saying his name. I was just thought that tbhere is nothing to be afirad in it and my grand-parents say it freely, so I guess I just got used to it.”<br>
Dana listened as Jasmine talked about Voldemort some more and frowned thoughtfully and Jasmine: “Didn’t Voldemort and his Death Eaters usually leave some kind of a symbol up when they killed someone? I think they did but I don’t remember what it was, do you?”<br>Dana looked at Colin again and explained: “Voldemort’s followers call themselves Death Eaters.”<br>
Dana let out a giggle as Colin asked if Salazar Slytherin was a bad man: “Who is a bad man? Already that can be debated upon. But Salazar Slytherin founded hte Slytherin house, so his strongest personality traits are the most common for SLytehrins. He was sly, cunning, manipulative, rather bright, prideful – these words could be used about practically every Slytherin right now as well. And you can’t say that all Slytherins are bad. I was almost sent to Slytherin as well and two Slytherins are practically like a brother and sister to me as well as they are my best friends.”<br>
“Protection against Voldemort,” Dana sighed and turned to look out of the window. It was a hard question – Dana recalled all the things she knew Voldemort had commited and had to suppress a shudder at all the horrors.
“Voldemort is just a man – a very powerful man with a lot of followers, but just a man, so ha can be taken out or he’ll die of old age one day. But for protection – that’s why we study Defence Against Dark Arts so thoroughly, people move in groups. Most people – like us for example – don’t matter to the Death Eaters right now, so that might help us. The Ministry and Aurors are there. Maybe Harry Potter and the Golden Trio of Gryffindor – Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley – will play an important part. And of course there is Dumbeldore – supposedly Voldemort has always been afraid of our head-master, who is one of the strongest wizards in the world.”<br>
Dana felt a chill coming over her still – it was a dark topic they were discussing and it frightened Dana as well, although she didn’t let the fear take over her. “There is so many of us, so I refuse to think off the chance, that Voldemort might ever get his wish,” Dana’s voice held sudden confidence as she spoke, “I just refuse to believe. I don’t say that defeating him will be easy, but I’m sure it will happen.”<br>

[anderson]

"Potions huh? Well I could help you in that subject. It quite easy and fun when you get the hang of it. You could help me with my Transfiguration." Jasmine said with a smile and opened the book up and turning the dusty page. Her hazel eyes were glued on the page looking for the answer to Dana question. "Well I think there is something called "The Dark Mark". Which is a skull with a serpent protruding from its mouth like a tongue, burned into his or her left inner forearm by the “Dark Lord”; when they had killed, Death Eaters would send the same sign into the air, comprised of emerald stars blazing in a haze of greenish smoke, causing terror when it was seen? That is the only symbol I am aware of at the moment." Jasmine said turning the page and not taking her eyes off that book. She was quite interested in the information inside.

Not taking her eyes off the book, Jasmine listened to Dana's explanation about Salazar Slytherin. She pretty much gave his whole personality traits, which did not seem so great. "Well Collin just a short summary of what Dana said is that Salazar Slytherin had the beliefs of pure bloods, which was that anybody who was a mix, like muggle borns and half bloods, were considered dirt and unvaluable. Personally I do not understand because everyone should be able to discover the wonders of the magical world. Its quite interesting and I can’t wait until I learn more." Jasmine said finally taking her eyes off the book and smiling at Collin. Dana was doing a great job of answering his questions, all Jasmine had to do was add a few of her own details. She really did not mind Dana taking lead and being so confident in saying the dark lord’s name. Jasmine looked up to people like that and thought they were quite brave.

But than Collin asked the question on defending on self’s against such a powerful wizard. Her eyes grew with sadness and confusion on how she would answer this question. Listening to what Dana had to say she nodded, "Collin you have to understand that there isn’t always a way to keep safe. The dark lord is too powerful for the ordinary wizard or witch, that only Dumbledore can protect himself. Before the dark lords down fall their was a group of witches and wizards who Dumbledore gathered together to fight against the dark lord. It was called the Order of the Phoenix and they tried their best to protect us. But it always didn’t work and many people died. Also when you get older you can start thinking of career paths. One that seems to interest some people is being an Aurror. An Aurror is a witch or wizard who help fight against the dark lord and his allies. It takes a long time to get the right training and you have to be able to sacrifice yourself to save innocents." Jasmine said looking at Dana and nodding her head. To come to think of it the wizarding world wasn’t a happy place.

[jaspar]

Death Eaters… Colin shuddered when he heard that name. What kind of people were they? What had driven them to following this evil Voldemort? What did they want and why did they think killing people was no problem if it was a means to achieving their ends? Dana's words about Slytherin also opened up his mind to a new possibility… there might be evil wizards and witches in all of the houses, not only in Slytherin. The confidence in Dana's tone as she told him about the people who were working to save the magical world was somewhat comforting to him. He wondered how strong their side was, and what exactly living in a world of war would mean. He couldn’t believe all this had been going on and he had no knowledge of it whatsoever. Jasmine didn’t seem as confident as Dana, but she did confirm that there were people called "Aurors" who were fighting against Voldemort and trying to defeat him.

Colin still wanted to know one last thing - it was about the recent events at Hogwarts. What did Voldemort want with Julie Rosewood? And what had he wanted with Ginny Weasley? "Thank you, you've cleared up most of the clutter in my head, but there is one thing I don’t think I can understand yet. Why has Voldemort kidnapped that sixth year?" he asked scratching his chin, something he usually did when he was confused.

[dana]

Dana let out a low chuckle at Colin’s question, even though the situation itself wasn’t humorous.
“Why Julie was kidnapped? Think you could ask an easier question like where did the treasures of Teutonic order go? Or how to make a sorcerers stone to gain immortality? When will the sun go out? Does God exist?” Dana let out a breath and rubbed her face for a moment, “I honestly don’t know, Colin. I can’t see inside Voldemort’s head – which I’m really grateful for – and I don’t see how it could help him in any way. I just don’t know.” Dana added the last part with a bit of a grimace – it was never easy for a Ravenclaw to admit they didn’t know and not rush to look the information up from somewhere.

Dana frowned thoughtfully thinking back to what Jasmine had said: “I don’t know. I’m a half-blood, as my mother ran away with a muggle, even though before that I have centuries of pure-blooded history behind me. But my point is that I understand why wizards keep such a low profile. I see how many problems it could cause – magic can’t cure cancer, we can’t put a stop to world-hunger and anything like that, but I understand why we hid from muggles. As for half-bloods and muggle-borns, they should naturally be accepted as every other wizard and witch. Which does make me think by the way – why are there some muggle-born witches? How and from where do they get their magical potential? I’m just curious from a theoretical point of view.”<br>
Dana sighed and pulling her legs under him, leaned her chin on her knees, while looking into the fire: “The best you to live is to do what you feel is right, Colin. Has always bee, still is and probably always will be like that. And to not take pointless and absolutely stupid risks. There is absolutely no other piece of advice I can offer you about how to stay safe, Colin.”<br>

[jaspar]

Colin smiled a little at Dana’s answer to his question. It was rather a stupid thing to ask… but he did want to know who exactly was in danger. “You’re right, I was just wondering why she of all people, what use could she be to him? I suppose only time will tell then,” he said with a sigh. He wondered how he had thought the magical world was such an ideal place - and almost laughe out loud at how naive he had been ini his beliefs about magic. The problems in this world were even darker than those in the muggle world. Voldemort seemed to be evil incarnated. The muggle world had its problems, but this one seemed to make the other ones seem much smaller somehow. It might mean the end of both.

"Well, it might have something to do with genes, I suppose we all have genes and they're either dominant or recessive and so different people from different generation have the talent and others don’t. But I'm talking from a muggle point of view; there might be a completely different magical reason. It's an interesting question," said Colin. "Yes Dana, I don’t think there is anything else I can do I suppose. Thanks for answering all my questions, I've learnt so much today," he said. "Must be interesting for you to be a half-blood, you're part of each world at the same time and you kind of know about both enough information, I knew nothing about our world at all. How did your parents meet? And when did your mother tell your mother tell your father she was a witch?" asked Colin, his curiosity making him forget his questions might be private things Dana didn’t want to talk about to someone she had just met.

[dana]

Dana smiled at Colin and tilted her head curiously: “I’m glad I could help. Genes? I’ve heard a little about them and at a very basic level I know what they are supposed to be or do or whatever, but I’d really like to learn more about them. Do you know something more about them or could you perhaps guide me towards someone else who I could annoy to death with all my questions?”

Listening to Colin’s questions Dana smiled softly. Her past didn’t move her, as she couldn’t imagine her life differently, so she always answered with truthfully. Besides, Dana liked Colin – he seemed like a nice person: “I am a half-blood but I have been brought up in a pure-blooded family so from my mother’s side of the family I can trace my family-tree back to the 13th century, so I know much more about the wizarding world. Only enough to get by at the muggle world – I have driver license for example, but I don’t know a lot of things. Even though I think about going to a muggle university after Hogwarts to study business or public relations – both subjects would be handy as I’ll have to take over the book-stores my grand-parents own one day.”<br>
Dana fell silent for a moment to recall everything Colin had asked, before she started answering the questions: “Well, my parents had met during summer at the beach. I’m not sure how father found out mom was a witch, but he hadn’t minded. So my mother ran away with him, when she was 18 – just out of Hogwarts. Had me 9 months later and my mother died at birth as no help could reach them in time. Father, who was a muggle military officer, died 5 years later at duty at some muggle place. Kuiveit? Or something like that the place was called, so all my life I’ve been raised by my grand-parents. I don’t know much about my parents, as it’s painful for my grand-parents to talk about them.” Actually Dana’s grand-parents were rather like real parents for Dana. She had never known her biological parents so she didn’t miss them either. Dana called her biological parents father and mother rather officially, but for Meredith and Julien she sometimes used mom or dad.

“I don’t know my biological parents, so I don’t miss them either,” Dana told Colin, hoping that the younger boy wouldn’t say he was sorry over something Dana herself wasn’t sorry for, “My grand-parents have done a fantastic job being parents for me. I’ve had everything a child needs and more.” Dana reached up sand started braiding her hair as she stared off into the fire not really seeing it. It was rather the pictures of her grand-parents and the people she considered family flashing through her mind.
“So I can say I’ve been raised as a complete pure-blood. So I’m rather curious. What does it feel like to get a Hogwarts letter when you are a muggle-born and hear about such kind of a thing for the first time?” Dana asked rather curiously. That kind of question had always interested her, glancing at Jasmine Dana smiled:, “And what did you think, Jasmine. You are a half-blood right? How did you and your parents react to the letter?”<br>

[jaspar]

"No, I'm not really into science and anything to do with genetics really. I just guess that magic is probably a resilient gene; I mean it really is incredible how I could be a wizard when none of my parents or even my grandparents was magical. The way magic must have travelled down generations and generations till it finally got to me and actually worked is a proof of that I guess," said Colin. He smiled as he listened to the story of how Dana's parents had met and fallen in love; it was quite romantic though the ending was quite tragic. But Dana didn’t sound sad at all. In fact it seemed to Colin she was a really friendly and fun-loving girl, and rather outgoing. Some people grew up with both their parents and turned out to be really obnoxious, and would probably have never offered to help a younger student had they been in the same position as Dana was now.

Colin laughed at the memory of when they first got the news and told Dana of the events that had happened not so long ago. "Well I thought it was just one of my friends playing a trick on me or something but my parents exchanged knowing looks and got all emotional. My mum even cried though I never know why she did that till now. They sat me down and talked to me about how they had always known I was different in some way, you now I’d be playing around and things would move without me touching them and one time this girl tried to bite me and she was the one who ended up crying for some reason. I’d always put it down to coincidence but they never forgot those incidents and when the letter came they were much readier to believe it than I was really. Then a man from the Ministry came over and took me to buy my stuff and I had to believe it, I saw Diagon Alley and the Leaky Cauldron and everything. A whole new world," said Colin musingly. He had certainly learned many new things about this world, and he didn’t know how he felt about all he had learnt today. He wondered if he would have been happier not knowing the answers to his questions, but changed his mind an instant after he had the thought. He could never have lived oblivious his whole life. And what way of living was that? Wasn't it better to confront reality rather than think how the image of the world he had had in his head had suddenly been shattered? Yup, it was good he had finally gotten an answer to all those questions in his head.

Colin looked at his watch and stood up hurriedly. "I better get to bed; it's really late for me to be still up. Thanks a lot Dana," he said with a smile. "And you too Jasmine," he said and picked up his books than walked quickly out of the room and made his way to his dormitory.