Walking back into Hex Hall, wasn't what I expected. It wasn't at all what I had wanted last year. Mom had talked me out of the Removal. I guess using my powers for good, was better. Even though I was a dark witch, no, a demon, I could pull it off. Also, I still had to come here because I was sentenced here a year ago until I turned eighteen.

Another thing I didn't expect, was seeing Archer Cross walk in before me. The one guy who had given me some of the worst trouble I had ever had to deal with. Archer saw me and grinned. No matter how much I had hated him, I couldn't help and admit how cute he looked in the Hecate issued uniforms.

Mom and I finished unpacking a few hours later and when she had to leave, I wasn't as emotional as last year. I actually couldn't wait for her to leave so I wouldn't hurt her. I knew it wouldn't be hard or easy, but I didn't want to take chances. Mom seemed mad at me that I kept trying to push her out my door.

Jenna was back and her things were already unpacked. What was weird, was the room had obviously been enlarged and the beds had changed into bunk beds, and another dresser, desk and bookshelf had been added I couldn't believe that we now had three people in our tiny room. They both had already unpacked and left, and I enjoyed the silence. I pulled off my Hecate blue blazer and fell on my bed. I was so tired and I fell asleep within five minutes.

I woke up to the sound of Ms. Casnoff telling everyone to go to dinner. I groggily walked over and grabbed my blazer and walked down the stairs. I tripped over people as I tried to figure out why we were all standing outside the dining hall. Suddenly, everyone hurried into the hall. I realized the random mismatched chairs and tables had been replaced with two long tables than ran down almost the entire room. Very Harry Potterish.

I sat down at one of the tables and Jenna turned around in front of me. "Sophie!" She hugged me and looked me up and down. "You've gotten prettier." She said, one eyebrow shot up as if she thought I had a secret. I had been using a beauty spell to make my freckles not so pronounced and I had grown out my hair, which was past my chest now.

"Well, thank you." I said in a mock british accent. "How've you been?"

"Really good, actually. The Council sent me back here, they don't want me 'running loose'. I don't mind. It's kinda nice." Now it was my turn for my eyebrows to shoot up. "I mean, it's better than being not here. It's a lot safer. Or at least, it's harder for me to get in trouble."

I wasn't ready to explain my story, how I didn't got through the removal. Thankfully, Jenna didn't say anything. I was about to say something when Archer slid into the bench across from me and a tall brunette sat in front of him. She was stunning. My curly, chest length hair now seemed ugly compared to her waist length, naturally highlighted hair.

"Thank you all for returning to Hecate Hall. We hope you had a wonderful break and refreshed for the upcoming semester." Ms. Casnoff's loud voice sounded like she was talking into a megaphone. "We have a few new students. And I hope you can welcome them all. Now, we can eat!"

Loud giggles and 'yum' circled the room. I dug into the vat of gooey macaroni and cheese. I piled fruit salad and scrambled eggs high. I sipped my fizzy punch, and it sent warm shocks down my body. Archer sat looking at the girl next to him. He leaned over and whispered something in her ear and she laughed.

"Sophie, did you go through the removal?" Jenna's voice was hushed and her eyes darted from Archer to me.

I groaned softly. "No, Jenna. I didn't. My mom talked me out of it. And I decided that I wasn't going to hurt people with my powers, I would help them."

"But you're a," Jenna lowered her voice to barely audible. "demon. You're not a white witch, Sophie."

"I know." I didn't want to discuss it with her right then and there.

"'kay." She went back to her food and I felt bad.

After dinner, Jenna followed me to our room. After painting her nails, we had to scramble to get ready for bed. When I came back, the girl who Archer was talking to, was sitting on the extra bed. Her black checked pants matched perfectly with her Hecate issued blue tank top. Her long hair hung around her like a veil. I was instantly jealous of how it was in loose, brown curls.

"Hey," I sat on my bed, trying not to hit my head on the top bunk. "Hi, I'm Alex." She smiled. "I'm one of the new kids."

I smiled back. "I'm Sophie. This is my second year."

"How old are you?" She was struggling to find something to talk about.

"Seventeen, you?"

"Seventeen. But I'll be eighteen in a month. I have to stay for both semesters though."

I nodded and suddenly the lights went out. I heard her climb under the covers. I copied her and quickly fell asleep.

I'm not super excited about the beginning. I've already edited it a dozen times and I'm working on it again. Please review so I know how to fix it! Thanks!