"Don't forget to write!" Narsissa called after the twins as they made their way to the train.

"I won't, mother," Y/N replied, glancing back with a half-smile.

She and Draco found an empty compartment and settled in. The door slid shut with a quiet click, the train's steady hum filling the space around them.

"Father said the new DADA professor's a joke," Draco remarked, his voice dripping with disdain.

"All of our DADA professors have been jokes. No surprise there," Y/N agreed, leaning back in her seat.

"You're right on that. Last year, it was Lockhart—brainless and ugly," Draco continued, scrunching his nose.

"That, and he didn't actually teach us anything. All he did was flash his 'pearly whites' at Granger while she drooled over him," Y/N added with a smirk.

"God, she's insufferable," Draco spat. Just then, the door opened and Pansy stepped inside.

"Hello, Y/N. Hello, Draco," Pansy greeted, sliding into the seat next to Draco.

"Hello, Pansy," Draco replied, not bothering to look up.

"Hey, Pansy. How was your summer?" Y/N asked, glancing up from her book.

"It was fine. But, honestly, I can't wait to get back to Hogwarts. Ready for another year of ruining Gryffindors' lives," Pansy grinned, her eyes lighting up with mischief.

The door opened again, and Mattheo Riddle stepped in, his usual aloof expression masking the tension he always seemed to bring. Without waiting for an invitation, he slid into the seat next to Y/N, eyeing Draco briefly before focusing on her.

"Mind if I join?" Mattheo asked, already sitting down.

"Of course not," Y/N replied coolly, though her words were laced with a subtle challenge. She couldn't help but notice the slight shift in his posture when he sat next to her, as though he was trying to gauge her mood.

"Isn't it a bit crowded in here already?" Draco muttered, though it was clear that he didn't mind.

"Not for me," Mattheo shot back, smirking. "I'll make space."

Y/N rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress the faintest smirk. The train's rumbles seemed to mirror the undercurrent of tension between them.

"So, what do we think of this year's professors?" Mattheo asked, leaning back in his seat with a lazy grin.

"Same as always," Y/N replied. "I'm guessing another year of boredom."

"And we all know how we feel about Lockhart," Draco added, visibly grimacing at the memory.

Pansy snorted. "I think he was more interested in his reflection than us."

Just then, Crabbe and Goyle lumbered in, both of them squeezing through the door and plopping down next to each other.

"Are we ready for the chaos this year?" Crabbe asked, grinning with far too many teeth.

"I was born ready," Goyle agreed with a loud, almost comical, chuckle.

Y/N glanced over at Mattheo, catching his eyes for a split second before he turned his gaze back out the window.

—

The compartment was filled with a comfortable silence as the train chugged along, the rhythm of the tracks steady beneath them. Y/N, Draco, and Pansy were lounging, casually chatting about the new term, when Pansy suddenly broke the silence.

"So, where's Blaise and Theo?" she asked, glancing out the window.

Y/N shrugged. "Theo's probably with Astoria, his girlfriend," she replied, her tone dripping with mild annoyance. "And where Theo is, Blaise isn't far behind."

Draco smirked. "True. Those two are inseparable. Makes me sick."

"Not to mention the constant sappiness," Y/N added with a roll of her eyes. "But whatever, it's not like we need them anyway."

Pansy sighed dramatically. "I swear, it's like I'm surrounded by couples at every turn."

"You're not wrong," Draco agreed, leaning back with his arms folded across his chest. "But it doesn't bother me as long as they stay out of our way."

As the conversation lulled, a sudden jolt threw everyone off balance. The train shuddered violently, causing the compartment door to swing open and shut with an alarming bang.

Y/N shot to her feet, instinctively grabbing the edge of the seat for support. "What the hell was that?"

Another tremor rocked the train, this one sharper, accompanied by an eerie, unnatural screeching sound from outside. Pansy's face drained of color, her eyes wide with fear.

"Is something wrong with the tracks?" she asked, her voice shaky.

Draco's expression darkened as he glanced at the door. "Something's not right."

Y/n rolled her eyes "No fucking shit sherlock"

Just as the train screeched to another halt, the lights flickered, casting strange shadows around the compartment. A cold draft blew through, and Y/N felt a shiver run down her spine.

"What the bloody hell is going on?" Y/N muttered under her breath.

A thick, oppressive silence hung in the air as the train came to a complete stop. The unsettling sounds outside seemed to grow louder. Everyone exchanged tense glances, wondering what might be waiting just beyond the door.

Y/N felt it before she saw it—the temperature in the room dropped, and a sudden chill ran down her spine. She shivered, almost instinctively scooting closer to Mattheo for warmth, but then she realised it wasn't the cold from the air. It was him. The odd sensation slowly lifted as she snapped back to reality, but the chill lingered like an unwelcome guest.

"What in the bloody hell?" Mattheo muttered under his breath, his eyes narrowing at the door.

That's when Y/N saw it. A dark, hooded creature, its presence unmistakable, moving—or rather, floating—past their compartment door. And in that instant, Y/N felt something deep within her, an unshakable dread, as if she'd never feel light or warmth again.

After a few moments of silence, Draco broke the tension. "What the hell was that?"

Y/N didn't have the words, but she didn't need to. She could feel the coldness creeping deeper within her, and it was like her body instinctively understood what had just passed. Her throat tightened, and the dread in her chest grew.

"That... that was a Dementor," Y/N said quietly, almost as if she were speaking to herself. "One of the Ministry's creatures."

Mattheo gave her a sharp look. "They're probably here to check for Sirius Black," he said, his voice low and serious. "They've been searching for him everywhere. Might be why they've got one on the train—looking for anyone who might know where he is."

Draco scoffed. "As if we care about Black. Let them waste their time."

"But why here?" Pansy asked, her voice trembling. "We're on the bloody train, for Merlin's sake!"

Y/N shook her head, her lips tight. "Doesn't matter. They're here for a reason. And whatever it is... it's not good."

"We need to be ready," Mattheo added, his gaze intense. "They're up to something, and we're not being told."

—

The welcome feast was the same as always, a singing hat and new first years.

The Slytherin table was buzzing with energy as the group settled into their usual routine. Y/N casually tossed a teasing remark Draco's way. "So, when are you finally going to admit it, Draco? You and Pansy? It's blindingly obvious."

Pansy shot Draco a playful grin, clearly enjoying the attention. "Oh, don't pretend you're not. You're always glaring at me, Draco. It's adorable."

Draco scowled but said nothing, only to have Blaise pipe up with a sly smile. "Come on, we all know what's going on. Why deny it?"

Y/N laughed, nudging Draco. "He's just being stubborn, Pansy. We've all seen the way he looks at you. It's practically a romance story waiting to happen."

Draco turned crimson, clearly flustered, but before he could retaliate, the attention shifted. "Alright, alright, we're moving on to bigger things," Y/N said, eyes narrowing as she caught Mattheo glancing at her for a second too long.

"Wait a second. What's this I see?" asked Pansy, raising an eyebrow.

Mattheo froze. "Don't even start, Pansy."

Pansy was already leaning in, an innocent smile on her face. "Oh, Mattheo, I think I just caught you looking at Y/n."

Y/N felt a sudden wave of irritation and heat spread across her chest. "This is ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous," she muttered, her voice getting a bit louder than she intended. "We are not a thing."

Mattheo, just as quickly, shook his head. "No. Not happening. I don't know what you're all on about."

Pansy leaned back, crossing her arms with a teasing smile. "Oh, but the way you two keep glancing at each other? You're practically a couple already."

"I'll have none of it," Y/N shot back. "Get it straight, Pansy. Not a chance."

Mattheo gave a sigh of relief, but Pansy was relentless. "Alright, alright. But I'm definitely telling everyone about that little moment I just saw. Can't stop me now."

"Move on, will you?" Y/N groaned, changing the subject with quick precision. "Theo and Astoria are an actual thing, right?"

Theo, who had been mostly silent through all of this, perked up, happy for the diversion. "Yes. Unlike some people, I know how to keep things under control," he said with a grin, shooting a sly look at Draco.

Blaise chuckled. "Right, Astoria's way more mature than all this nonsense." He leaned back, looking thoroughly entertained. "But don't think we're done with you two just yet."

Y/N and Mattheo exchanged a glance, both of them sighing in unison. The teasing wasn't over, but for now, they could at least pretend it wasn't happening.

Y/N, slightly bored and leaning back in her seat, had overheard the gossip about Harry Potter fainting on the train. Her curiosity piqued, she decided to test the rumor for herself.

"Oi, Potter!" she called over her shoulder, her voice dripping with mock sweetness.

Harry whipped his head around, his green eyes wide with confusion.

"Is it true you fainted? Like, actually fainted?" Y/N asked, her tone almost gleeful.

Beside her, Blaise dramatically tossed himself backwards, throwing his hand over his forehead and sliding down the bench. "Oh! I just can't take it!" he mocked in a high-pitched voice. "A Dementor? How dreadful!"

The table burst into laughter, the Slytherins barely able to contain their amusement.

Harry's face turned pink as Ron scowled from beside him, clearly annoyed at their taunting.

"Imagine fainting because of a Dementor," Pansy wheezed, clutching her stomach. "Honestly, I thought Gryffindors were supposed to be brave?"

The insults started flying. Crabbe snickered loudly, "What a waste of space."

"Some hero," Goyle added, his voice thick with mockery. "What's next, Potter? Are you going to cry when a ghost haunts you?"

The Slytherin side of the hall continued to hurl barbed comments at the Gryffindor trio, unable to restrain their biting remarks.

Draco, looking smug, leaned toward Y/N and whispered, "Maybe he's not cut out for this after all. I mean, fainting? What kind of idiot does that?"

Y/N chuckled, her eyes glinting with amusement. "A Gryffindor, apparently."

Across the hall, Harry and Ron were both red-faced, trying to ignore the taunts as best they could. But it was no use. The laughter from the Slytherins was too loud, and the insults kept coming.

"Maybe someone should carry Potter around on a stretcher from now on," Y/N said with a sly grin, her eyes twinkling mischievously.

The table erupted in laughter once again, but Harry and Ron had had enough. Ron muttered something under his breath, and the two of them turned back to their own table, clearly trying to tune out the endless mockery.

But it wasn't going to stop anytime soon. Y/N and the rest of the Slytherins were only getting started.

—

Professor Snape stood at the front of the Potions classroom, his black cloak billowing dramatically as he surveyed the students, a calculating glint in his eyes.

"Today, you will work in pairs," he announced, his voice cutting through the tension. "And, of course, I will decide who works with whom."

The class fell silent, bracing for the inevitable drama of Snape's pairings. He began with a flourish, pointing at various students one by one.

"Goyle, with Crabbe," Snape said, his voice dripping with disdain. "Of course, I expect nothing less than a disaster from the pair of you."

Goyle and Crabbe exchanged blank looks, nodding dumbly.

"Pansy, with Blaise," he continued, voice indifferent, but there was a small smirk playing on his lips. "Let's hope you're actually useful this time, Pansy."

Pansy shot Blaise a smug look as they moved to gather their ingredients.

"And now," Snape paused, turning slowly to survey the room, clearly enjoying the suspense he was building. "Malfoy... Riddle," he said, eyes flicking to Y/N and Mattheo. "Together. Let's see how long it takes before you ruin the whole bloody thing."

The words hung in the air, heavy with the promise of conflict. Y/N and Mattheo locked eyes, the fury between them nearly sparking. She gritted her teeth, while he rolled his eyes, clearly already bored with the idea.

He continued to make pairs until everyone was done.

"Go on, then," Snape sneered, his lips curling with sadistic pleasure. "The rest of you get to work. Let's see if these two can manage to keep their egos in check long enough to brew a simple potion."

Immediately, Y/N sneered. "Perfect. You're the worst possible person for this."

Mattheo shot her a look, clearly not pleased. "Trust me, the feeling's mutual," he spat, slamming his ingredients onto the table. "Don't touch anything, Malfoy, I don't need your incompetence ruining this."

"You wish I'd help you," Y/N shot back, her eyes narrowing. "I'm not the one who can't brew a proper potion."

"Then why don't you take the lead, princess?" Mattheo mocked, crossing his arms. "Let's see how well you do when you don't have Daddy's help."

Y/N's lips curled into a snarl. "I'd be a better partner than you any day, Riddle."

The two barely even exchanged words after that, their insults coming quicker than their hands. Y/N chopped the ingredients with too much force, sending bits of herbs flying across the table. Mattheo barely made an effort to stop them, his own cuts more jagged than necessary.

As the potion began to simmer, a faint green smoke began to rise from the cauldron—dangerously close to boiling over. Y/N barely caught it in time, but Mattheo was too busy glaring at her to notice. She shoved him aside, her frustration boiling over.

"Pay attention for once, Mattheo!" she snapped, pushing him roughly away from the cauldron.

"Maybe if you weren't such a bloody mess, I wouldn't need to," he retorted, his face turning red with anger.

The cauldron let out a loud hiss as the potion began to bubble uncontrollably. In a panic, Y/N grabbed a nearby stirring rod to try and calm the brew, but it was too late—Mattheo knocked her arm as he reached for the bottle of powdered dragon liver, sending a huge splash of the potion onto both of them.

"Great job, Riddle," Y/N snarled, wiping some of the bubbling mixture off her robes. "Now look what you've done. We're both covered in it."

Mattheo, soaked in potion, shot her a venomous look. "Oh, I did this? What about you? You're the one who can't keep your hands to yourself."

Snape, who had been silently observing their chaos, finally sighed in frustration. "Malfoy, Riddle, I suggest you both clean up before I decide to mark you both for your... outstanding teamwork."

The whole class watched, some snickering, as Y/N and Mattheo scrambled to clean the mess they'd made. Neither one of them said another word to the other, the air still thick with disdain.

Walking alongside Pansy to Care of Magical Creatures, Y/N adjusted her bag strap, half-listening as Pansy rattled on about their latest gossip topic—Hagrid becoming a professor.

"I mean, really," Pansy scoffed, flipping her hair. "Can you believe it? A half-giant teaching us? What's next? House-elves giving lectures on etiquette?"

Y/N hummed in response. "It's not like he's the worst professor we've had. I'd take Hagrid over Lockhart any day."

Pansy rolled her eyes. "At least Lockhart was nice to look at."

Y/N snorted. "If you fancy the type to stare lovingly at their own reflection, sure."

As they neared the clearing where the lesson was being held, they caught Granger's insufferable voice.

"Well, if Hagrid's our teacher, then it's bound to be an interesting lesson."

Pansy immediately mimicked in a shrill voice, "It's bound to be interesting!"

The two burst into laughter, linking arms as they approached the group of waiting students.

Hagrid, standing before them, clapped his massive hands. "Now, now! Everyone, head this way—towards the forest."

"The forest?" Y/N muttered, exchanging a glance with Pansy.

"What the hell is he playing at?" Draco's voice rang out in clear irritation.

Hagrid paid him no mind. "Just gotta fetch 'im."

"How the hell do we open our books?" Draco seethed,

"You have to stroke the spine Draco" Pansy cooed, Y/n heard Granger say, "I think they're funny"

Draco crossed his arms, sneering."Oh yeah terribly funny" he paused snickering "Wait till my father hears we've got this oaf teaching us. God, this place has gone to the dogs."

Y/N's eyes flickered to Potter, whose back visibly stiffened.

Here we go.

"Draco," she muttered under her breath, a silent warning to keep his mouth shut.

Weasley, ever the predictable hothead, turned with a glare. "Shut up, Malfoy."

Around them, murmurs of anticipation spread—students eager for an argument.

Draco, never one to back down from an audience, stepped forward—before his entire face twisted in fear. His eyes went wide, and he pointed a trembling finger toward the trees.

"D-Dementor! Dementor!"

Gasps erupted as heads whipped around.

Harry spun instantly, instinctively grabbing his wand—only to see nothing. The moment he realised he'd been tricked,Harry startled, stumbled backward—straight into Y/N.

She staggered, shoving him off with a disgusted noise. "Watch it, Potter."

Harry turned even redder, righting himself as Ron scowled at the Slytherins' laughter.

Y/N smirked slightly, tilting her head.

Hagrid beamed as he led the class toward the clearing, where a magnificent creature stood waiting. A hippogriff, its powerful wings tucked neatly at its sides, its grey coat shimmering under the midday sun, and piercing yellow eyes surveying the students with sharp intelligence. Y/N had to admit—it was impressive.

"Right then, who wants to give 'im a go?" Hagrid asked enthusiastically.

Silence.

Y/N glanced around. No one moved. The Gryffindors looked hesitant, and most of the Slytherins looked outright disgusted at the idea of interacting with a creature that wasn't at least semi-lethal. But then, to her horror, Potter stepped forward.

Oh, hell.

She debated for half a second—she did actually want to try. Flying on a hippogriff would be thrilling, something far more exciting than the drivel they were usually stuck with in lessons. She took a step forward—then paused. If she went now, it would just be her and Potter, standing side by side like some ridiculous duo.

Absolutely not.

Without thinking, she took a sharp step back—only to trip over a hidden tree root, her foot catching so suddenly that she lost all balance. A startled gasp left her lips as she tumbled backward, bracing