┏ ೋღ : 𝐇𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐂. ೋღ ┓

𝖈𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 𝖙𝖜𝖔;
𝔦𝔫𝔱𝔢𝔯𝔫𝔞𝔩, 𝔡𝔢𝔰𝔦𝔯𝔢, 𝔰𝔲𝔠𝔠𝔢𝔰𝔰

┗━━ ೋღ : ©-fictophilic : ೋღ ━━━┛

"𝕸S. (L/N), a word please," Professor McGonagall called out to you when you were on the way to the Great Hall as the Sorting Ceremony was about to be held. Hermione Granger, a Gryffindor girl in your year, stood idly beside McGonagall.

"I'll see you inside," you muttered to Luna and Kyra before they walked into the Great Hall, you three having already changed into your uniform and robe.

Letting out an uneasy breath, you trudged towards McGonagall. Following behind her, your steps fell align with Hermione's as McGonagall leads you to her office.

"Wait here for a moment, Ms. (L/n), while I talk to Ms. Granger about her schedule," Professor McGonagall instructed. You silently nodded, watching them walk into her office and close the door behind them.

A few minutes passed, the empty halls leaving you alone with your rambling mind and fleeting thoughts. You mindlessly played with your rings as your mind racked up several ideas as to why McGonagall might need to talk to you.

'Did I forget to sign up for electives?'

'Am I being held back?'

'Do I have to redo my second year?'

'Is it about what happened on the train?'

'Am I in trouble?'

'Is it my parents?'

'God, what if my parents find out.'

The office door then opened, snapping you out of your anxious thoughts. Hermione stepped out, sending you a polite smile that surprisingly eased your nerves. Instead, it filled your body with a different kind of nervousness — the kind where you panic over the state of your appearance. "Professor McGonagall says you can go in now."

Softly smiling, you squeeze past her and enter the office. You gently shut the door and walk towards McGonagall, who stood in front of her desk with a stern gaze and her arms crossed.

"We've received an owl from the Ministry about the use of your magic outside of school," McGonagall explained. You involuntarily held your breath and fidgeted with the rings on your fingers. "Specifically, your use of magic on the train ride here."

"Professor, I can explain—"

"There's no need, Ms. (L/n)," Professor McGonagall cut you off swiftly, her tone holding no evident anger or disappointment. "It seems your parents already covered for you using your magic over the summer. As for the train ride, Professor Dumbledore and I will vouch for you as we received an owl from Professor Lupin about dementors on the train, which shouldn't have been there in the first place. It was an act of self-defense, and we have several witnesses."

Confusion as to who 'Professor Lupin' was came quickly then left just as fast, instead being replaced with a sense of relief.

"Instead, Professor Dumbledore has asked to move you to a more advanced Charms class, seeing as you were able to produce a Patronus Charm in your third year. You'll be taking Charms at a fifth-year level if you wish to do so. You should be aware that means also taking O.W.L.s for Charms," McGonagall offered while you gaped in surprise. 

'My parents would probably want me to. It's good for my future,' you thought.

"Uhm, yeah. I'll do it," you accepted nervously, hoping your parents' constant nagging about you studying curriculums ahead during the summer would help you in the class.

"Great, I'll inform Professor Flitwick. You'll have to switch some of your classes around and possibly transfer out of some though. Will that be alright?" McGonagall inquired, smiling as you nodded. "Casting the Patronus Charm at your age is an extraordinary feat. You should be very proud of yourself."

An accomplished grin graced your face, the words feeding into your ego.

"You'll be given your new schedule after the feast. Come along now, I'll be escorting you and Ms. Granger to the Great Hall," McGonagall stated, urging you out the door.

Exiting her office, you spot Hermione waiting just outside the door. McGonagall closed the door before leading you and Hermione down to the Great Hall.

You opened the large Great Hall door just a sliver, allowing just enough room for someone to squeeze in. You offered Hermione to go first before following behind her.

It seemed that you had missed the Sorting Ceremony, Professor Flitwick's Frog Choir was instead singing and performing at the front of the hall.

Quietly and quickly walking to the Ravenclaw table, you spot Luna and Kyra sitting somewhat in the middle as Kyra leaned back to whisper with Rowan Webb, a fifth-year Hufflepuff boy in Cedric Diggory's friend group and the person you had known mutually through Kyra.

The said boy was seated next to him, eyes watching the performance before glancing at you and smiling as he leaned forward to make it easier for you to pass. 

Muttering apologies as you squeeze by students, you wedge between Kyra and Cho Chang to sit down. Seeing you sit down next to her, Kyra stopped talking with Rowan and whispered to you, "So what was that about?"

"Did you perhaps get in trouble for what happened on the train?" Luna asked quietly, whispering from her spot across the table.

"What happened on the train?" Rowan joined in with a hushed voice to not disrupt the choir.

"She cast the Patronus Charm," Cedric conveyed, joining the huddle of whispering students.

"You cast the Patronus Charm?" Cho questioned, intrigued at how a third-year was able to cast an advanced spell.

"She did. I was there," Luna confirmed thoughtfully, maintaining a quiet voice.

"As was I. Sort of," agreed Cedric. "I saw you cast it on the other side of the compartment door."

"No way. That was you?" Cho inquired, her quiet tone holding a hint of surprise. "I saw the Patronus run by my compartment. Those two girls running after it must've been you and Luna."

"Yeah, that was us," you sighed, rubbing a hand over your embarrassed face.

"Well, did you get in trouble?" nagged Kyra, her gaze drilling into your skull.

"No, in fact, I'll be moved up two years in Charms," you answered, turning smugly to Kyra. "I'll be taking fifth-year Charms now."

"Dude, no way!" Kyra whisper-yelled, a grin breaking out onto her face. "Congrats!"

"Yeah, what'd I tell ya? Greatest person ever born right here," you boasted, dusting your shoulder off for dramatics.

"Congratulations," whispered Luna, cheering as she did little jazz hands with a smile.

"That's cool! Congratulations," Cho voiced quietly with a smile.

"Guess you'll be having Charms with me and Ced, huh?" Rowan inquired.

"Yeah, but I won't know anyone there. Everyone's two years above me," you quietly groaned, nerves twisting in your stomach.

"You'll know us," Cedric contributed, giving you a sweet smile. "Just stick with us, okay? You'll be fine."

You nodded with a tight-lipped smile as the choir had finished singing and the hall burst into applause.

You honestly didn't know if it'd be fine. You didn't even know if you'd be able to talk to Rowan and Cedric without Kyra there as a middle ground.

Dumbledore had walked up to the front, raising his hands to silence the noise. "Welcome! Welcome to another year at Hogwarts. Now, I'd like to say a few words before we all become too befuddled by our excellent feast. First, I'm pleased to welcome Professor R.J. Lupin, who's kindly consented to fill the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Good luck, Professor."

Dumbledore motioned to a man, who stood up and bowed while everyone clapped for the new professor.

"As to our second new appointment, well, I am sorry to tell you that Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher has decided to retire in order to spend more time with his remaining limbs. Fortunately, I'm delighted to announce that his place will be taken by none other than our own Rubeus Hagrid."

Dumbledore motioned to the half-giant as everyone clapped for him. McGonagall elbowed the large man, who looked surprised before standing up. He accidentally hit the table and knocked everything on it over with a crash and a clang. 

People chuckled, continuing to clap for the gamekeeper. Some people were uneasy about the idea while others cheered loudly, even a few celebratory whistles here and there.

"Finally, on a more disquieting note, at the request of the Ministry of Magic, Hogwarts will, until further notice, play host to the Dementors of Azkaban until such a time as Sirius Black is captured."

Everyone glanced around, muttering to each other wearily. A shiver was sent down your spine, remembering the creepy, faceless creatures and their haunting noises. 

"The dementors will be stationed at every entrance to the grounds. Now whilst I've been assured that their presence will not disrupt our day-to-day activities, a word of caution: dementors are vicious creatures. They will not distinguish between the one they hunt and the one who gets in their way. Therefore, I must warn each and every one of you to give them no reason to harm you. It is not in the nature of a dementor to be forgiving."

Well, that's not very reassuring, at all.

"But you know, happiness can be found even in the darkest of times if one only remembers to turn on the light."

After unpacking all your stuff in your dorm room, you glanced around the dormitory feeling content.

You had changed clothes in the bathroom once you had arrived to the dormitories, dawning regular flannel pants and an oversized tee instead of your Ravenclaw uniform and robe.

Your bed was between Luna and Kyra's. On the left of Kyra's bed was Cho's followed by Marietta's.

Under your bed were four small shelves, two on each side. On one shelf on the left, it had textbooks needed for each class; the other had all your notebooks for notetaking, each subject having its own notebook.

On the shelves on the right, one had been filled with novels you had packed; the last shelf just had a bunch of random things such as little muggle toys, pictures of family and friends, and extra office supplies like sticky tabs and highlighters. There was also your Walkman and your collection of cassettes on that shelf — music that you had gotten from your uncle who was a muggle.

"Hey, Luna, Ky," you called out, scanning the assortment of books in your possession as you took them out and spread them across the surface of your bed. "Have you seen my old Charms notebook from last year? I can't find it."

"When'd you last see it?" Cho chimed in helpfully.

"The train," you replied, thinking back to the train ride. "I had it when I went to get Luna and when the whole dementor thing happened."

"Perhaps you dropped it?" Luna guessed, hanging the muggle fairy lights you had gotten her for her birthday last year.

"Damn. I really need it." You cursed yourself for being inattentive.

"Why'd you need it anyway?" Kyra inquired, looking at your notebooks. The only Charms notebooks in your possession right now are the one from your first year and a new one for this year. "It just had notes from last year."

"I wanted to review. I don't want to show up to Charms tomorrow and have everyone think I shouldn't have been transferred there in the first place," you explained, putting the notebooks back on the shelf neatly.

The knock on the door caught you off guard until Marietta went to open it. On the other side was the Ravenclaw Head Girl holding a sheet of parchment paper. "This is for (Y/n). Professor McGonagall requested I deliver it."

"Oh, thank you," you responded, walking forward and gently taking the paper that she offered. The Head Girl smiled before walking away and Marietta closed the door, going over to flop onto her bed.

"Is that your new schedule?" Luna inquired, fixing up her bedsheets.

"Mhm," you hummed, skimming over the schedule. It was relatively the same except Charms was moved in place of Muggle Studies and Divination was moved in place of Charms.

Kyra mentally compared yours and her schedule as she looked at the paper. "Well, we still have... most of the other core classes and Care of Magical Creatures together. It's just Divination, Charms, and Transfiguration that we don't have together."

"Great. So I'm alone in Divination and Transfiguration too?" You sighed, folding up the piece of paper and placing it on one of your shelves under your bed. Nothing against Rowan and Cedric. It's just that you weren't particularly close with them.

"Look on the bright side, this could your chance to stop being a back-of-the-class loner and make other friends!" Kyra exclaimed, grabbing your hands as she started dancing like a mom who wanted to cheer up her kid.

"No."

"Socialize!"

"No."

"You need more friends!" Kyra whined. "Listen, it's not that I don't love being your best friend, but I don't want you growing up to be a hermit."

"I have Luna," you defended.

"Luna's a year below us. She won't have any classes with us until maybe next year," Kyra said, sending you a look. "And that's a hard maybe."

"I have... Cho and Marietta...?" You trailed off as you weren't even sure. You glanced behind Kyra's head to look at the two older girls who lay on Marietta's bed. "I don't know. Are we friends? Do you even consider us friends?"

"Of course!" Cho beamed while Marietta shrugged, boredom apparent on her face as she sketched something in her notebook.

"They're a year ahead and you don't have any classes with them," Kyra pointed out and released your hands from her grasp. You pouted, walking backward until the back of your knees hit the bed, allowing yourself to fall back onto the soft, blue bed sheets. "Oh, come on, (Y/n)!"

"Mmm, I'll think about it," you murmured tiredly.

"And come up with an answer tomorrow morning?" Kyra asked hopefully.

"And come up with an answer... next year," you said, closing your eyes.

"Oh, come on," groaned Kyra, eyeing you as you lay still on the foot of your bed with your eyes closed.

After a few moments of you not saying anything, Marietta asked, "Did she fall asleep?"

In response, you started loudly snoring and muttered things as if you were in a cartoon.

Snore.

"Ky..."

Snore.

"Sucks ass..."

Snore.

"Will she..."

Snore.

"Ever be as..."

Snore.

"Amazing as moi...?"

Snore.

Kyra laughed at your antics, slamming a pillow into your face. "Oh, shut up!"

Luna smiled at the scene, giggling as your eyes shot wide open. Laughing, you quickly reach above your head and grab one of your pillows, shoving it in the girl's face.

"Fight! Fight! Fight!" Marietta chanted, her boredom seemingly cured.

Kyra glanced at Marietta before grabbing another pillow and launching it into Marietta's face. Cho gasped, covering her mouth to prevent her amused giggles from escaping.

"Oh, you think it's funny? I'll show you funny," Marietta challenged, smacking Cho upside the head with the pillow that was thrown by Kyra.

Now there was a full-on war going on in the dorm.

The next morning, you were nervous and clung to Kyra's and Luna's sides. Your first class of the day of Divination, and you knew no one there.

"No please, don't leave me," you whined and adjusted your bag around your shoulder, grasping the hem of Kyra's sleeve. "Don't let me suffer."

"We're all suffering, my love," Kyra cooed sweetly, wrapping an arm around your shoulder before shoving you away and walking in the direction of her class. "Now it's time for your fair share."

You pouted while Luna giggled. She gently grasped your hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze and then letting go. "You'll be alright. Ginny's told me Ron, Harry, and Hermione also have Divination."

"Thanks, Luna, but I've never talked to them," you sighed as she walked with you to the Divination classroom.

It was true. You had never even spoken a word to Harry Potter or Ron Weasley. You and Hermione knew of each other since you two always unofficially competed for top of the class. Still, you weren't anything more or less than classmates with her.

Striding down the hall, you passed by many familiar faces, yet never stopped to say hi or even bother to smile at them as you doubted they even noticed you. You weren't friends with them, or even ever talked to them without Luna or Kyra around. Besides, they had other friends accompanying them. It'd be awkward.

There was Cho and Marietta. Despite labeling them as friends, you didn't exactly feel close to them. At most, they're your roommates and acquaintances.

There was Ginny Weasley and her little friend group. You two knew each other with Luna being friends with both of you. You two were friendly, but never talked to each other when Luna wasn't around.

Then there was Cedric and Rowan with their older Hufflepuff friend group. You weren't friends with them, you didn't even bother talking to them without Kyra around.

And then there was the Slytherin group of third-years. You were far from friends with them. You practically ignored their existence and you doubted they even knew of yours.

"Maybe you could start," Luna suggested, stopping in front of the Divination classroom. "I'll see you later at lunch." And with that, she walked down the hall in the direction of her classroom.

Groaning, you thought, 'The things I do for success.'

Upon entering the room, you noticed that it was relatively empty, only a few students scattered throughout the room as the class had yet to start.

Climbing up the steps of the elevated platforms, you sit down at one of the round tables on the second platform from