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𝖈𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 𝖙𝖜𝖊𝖓𝖙𝖞-𝖋𝖔𝖚𝖗:
𝔎𝔶𝔯𝔞 𝔰𝔢𝔢𝔰 𝔞𝔩𝔩

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𝓐S YOU MOUNTED YOUR BROOMSTICK, the crisp afternoon air filled your lungs while you hovered above the pitch. You glanced around at your teammates, all in various stages of preparing for practice. Isaac and Cho were already high above, circling the pitch in laps with some of the others.

Soon, Kyra approached you on her broom with a quaffle in her hand. "Tossing drills?"

"Yeah," you agreed.

Kyra tossed the quaffle lightly in her hands, her eyes sparkling with determination. "Alright, first one to drop it loses," she challenged playfully, a competitive edge to her tone.

Without another word, she zoomed upward, darting toward the far end of the pitch. You grinned, taking a firm grip on your broomstick as you shot after her, the wind tugging at your hair and robes.

Slowing down slightly, Kyra's broom hovered as she turned back toward you. She held the quaffle at her side, teasingly tossing it back and forth between her hands. "Ready?"

You nodded, steadying yourself as you prepared for her pass. Kyra launched the quaffle toward you with a precise throw, and you caught it cleanly. Without hesitation, you launched it back to her, both of you moving through the air in sync as you continued the tossing drill.

"You know, something sorta maybe happened," you spoke up in the midst of the drill, catching the quaffle in your hands.

With her curiosity piqued as she effortlessly caught the quaffle mid-air, Kyra raised a brow. "Oh?" she inquired, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "Something sorta maybe happened? That sounds suspiciously vague."

Grinning, you tossed the quaffle back to her with a little extra force. "Well, I didn't know how else to start," you admitted, shrugging slightly as your broom hovered in place. "It's about Lorenzo."

"Lorenzo Berkshire?" Kyra asked, passing the quaffle back to you. Her expression shifted slightly, her teasing demeanor increasing. As she caught the quaffle again, her eyes were sharp as she studied your face. "What happened?"

"We ran into each other by the Grand Staircase again... and we talked again. It wasn't anything big, but..." Your voice trailed off as you caught the quaffle once more.

Kyra flew closer, her brow furrowing slightly as she watched you. "And?" She questioned. "What's the 'maybe' part?"

You hesitated, spinning the quaffle in your hands as you thought. "I don't know. He asked me to go to Hogsmeade with him and his friends... again, technically, since Pansy also asked me a few times. "

"Oh Rowena, I told you!" She exclaimed in excitement, shaking her head knowingly. "Berkshire totally fancies you, because that sounds like more than just a casual invite!"

You shrugged and the quaffle to her again. "No, it's just a group thing. He even said you could come too..."

Giving you a knowing look, Kyra rolled her eyes as she expertly caught the quaffle. "A group thing? Really, (Y/n)? Come on, we both know that that Slytherin group doesn't just go around asking people to join them at Hogsmeade. He must be desperate too if he'd invite me just to get you to go."

A slight flush crept up your face, but you laughed softly, trying to brush it off. "Well, Pansy's been asking me for a while too, so maybe it's more about her."

"Uh huh," Kyra said, her voice dripping with playful skepticism. She tossed the quaffle back to you, but hovered closer, her eyes narrowing mischievously. "Pansy may have asked, but Lorenzo's the one who really wants you there. You should go."

"I don't know," you muttered, catching the quaffle with a frown. "What if it's just awkward? I've never really hung out with them much. I mean, Enzo and Pansy are nice, I guess, but it's just... I don't know..."

An expression of internal struggle passed over Kyra's face before she swallowed thickly and offered, "He said I could go too, right? Would it make you feel better if I went with you?"

As you looked at Kyra, her expression was sincere as she hovered on her broomstick, waiting for your answer. The wind tugged at both of your robes as the quaffle spun lazily in your hands. The thought of having her with you at Hogsmeade — someone you were comfortable with — was reassuring, but you knew how uncomfortable it would be for her to be around the boy who petrified her.

"I could never ask you to go," you admitted, a soft smile tugging at your lips. Your mind then drifted to the Slytherins you'd be going with, and aside from Mattheo and possibly Draco, you thought it'd be fun to hang out with them. 

Kyra's brow furrowed slightly at your words as she gave you a thoughtful look. "You wouldn't be asking," she countered, her voice soft but firm. "I'd be offering. I know it's... weird, given everything, but if it means you feel better, I can manage."

You felt a warmth spread through you at her words. Kyra had always been loyal, even when it came to things that made her uncomfortable. Still, you knew how difficult being around Mattheo could be for her.

"I appreciate it, really," you said, catching the quaffle and holding it still in your lap. "But maybe it won't be so bad. Pansy and Lorenzo seem pretty chill, and... if things get weird, I can always leave."

Her eyes lingered on you for a moment longer before shrugging with a grin. "Alright, if you say so, but if it gets too uncomfortable or nerve-wracking, just remember that you can always find me."

"Deal," you chuckled, catching the quaffle mid-air once more.

With the afternoon sunlight bathing the Quidditch pitch in a golden glow, the two of you fell back into the rhythm of the drill, your thoughts momentarily free of the uncertainties surrounding Lorenzo and the upcoming Hogsmeade trip.

The early morning sun filtered through the canopy of trees in the forest, casting long shadows across the grassy clearing. The air was cool and crisp, filled with the sounds of rustling leaves and distant birdcalls. 

With the groups' textbooks cracked open and spread across the ground, the chatter of the group filled your surroundings. Isaac was flipping through his book lazily, occasionally muttering about the creatures they were supposed to learn about today. Rhys sat beside him, folding a piece of parchment from his notebook into a paper airplane.

"Do we even really need to know about flobberworms?" Isaac grumbled, turning another page with little interest. "They're practically useless."

"Except as compost," Alana pointed out with a small smile.

"Or bait for fishing, if you're into that sort of thing," Kyra added, grinning.

Rhys chuckled softly, adjusting a wing on his paper airplane before tossing it lightly into the air. It spiraled lazily for a few moments before crashing into the side of Lewis' head. "Nice landing," Lewis deadpanned before chuckling and throwing the paper airplane at Rhys.

With a mix of amusement and exasperation, Jamie glanced over to them. "You're going to fail if you don't start focusing."

Leaning back against the tree, Rhys grinned. "Nah, I've got you guys to keep me from failing."

"You're gonna fail," Kyra repeated with a shrug, earning a look of offense from Rhys.

"Okay, you are one of the only people not allowed to say that," Rhys laughed, shaking his head in disbelief. His tone was playful, but you could tell he wasn't going to let Kyra's teasing slide that easily. "I could probably get higher marks than you."

"I'd like to see you try," she shot back, her voice filled with mock confidence. There was a mischievous glint in her eyes as she added, "I'm getting a better mark than you on our next assignment. Just you wait."

Yeah, right," Rhys replied, his tone dripping with playful sarcasm.

With a dramatic flair, she spread her arms as if making a grand proclamation. "I see all," Kyra declared in an exaggerated voice, causing you and the others to stifle a laugh. "And I see me getting a better mark than you."

Alana chuckled, shaking her head and patting Kyra on their shoulder. "Sure, Ky. Whatever helps you sleep at night."

Glancing around your surroundings in the midst of the group's laughter, your eyes locked with Lorenzo's. He gave you a friendly smile and a wave while you returned the favor, your mind briefly reminding you that you had decided to accept his invitation to go to Hogsmeade with him and his friends.

The chilly winter wind swept through the cobblestone streets as you walked alongside the Slytherin group, pulling your jacket tighter around your shoulders. The bustling village was alive with students darting between shops, the scent of warm butterbeer wafting from the Three Broomsticks nearby.

As you walked alongside Lorenzo, with the rest of the group in front of you, you kept mostly to yourself, your eyes scanning the windows of the shops as they passed by. Out of the six of them, you were only really comfortable talking to Theodore — though that was only really during the secret tutoring sessions — while Lorenzo and Pansy were treading the line between comfortable talking and strangers, though Lorenzo had been easier to talk to lately.

You had your hands tucked into your pockets, listening as Draco and Blaise talked while Pansy interjected with the occasional sarcastic comment.

Mattheo glanced at you from over his shoulder, a sly smirk hiding his disdain for your company. "You're awfully quiet, Stiff. Enjoying our company, or are you regretting your life choices?"

You blinked, caught off guard by the sudden attention before Pansy shoved Mattheo. "Don't bother her, Riddle. Don't think I forgot what you did."

In response, Mattheo rolled his eyes and raised his hands in surrender.

Draco shot you a grin. "Don't worry, we won't bite. Much."

Pansy rolled her eyes, pulling her scarf tighter around her neck. "Ignore them, they're always like this. What do you usually do in Hogsmeade, (Y/n)? Surely there's more to it than keeping your nose in a book."

You felt your face heat up a little at her comment, though her tone wasn't unkind — just teasing. "Uhm, I usually go to Honeydukes or visit the bookstore with my friends..."

"Ah, a true Ravenclaw," Theodore remarked with a small grin, giving you a knowing look that Blaise noticed. "Let me guess, you've read every book in that store already?"

You chuckled softly, shaking your head. "Not quite, but I'm working on it."

"Why don't we head to Honeydukes first?" Blaise suggested, gazing over at the bustling sweets shop. "I've been wanting to get something anyway."

The group agreed, and soon you found yourself walking toward the brightly lit Honeydukes, the vibrant colors of the sweets displayed in the window calling out to students passing by. The warmth from inside hit you immediately as you stepped in, a stark contrast to the winter chill outside.

Lorenzo stayed close by, his presence a quiet comfort amidst the slightly chaotic energy of Honeydukes. "What's your favorite?" He asked, gesturing toward the rows of sweets lining the walls.

"Probably Wizochoc," you told him with a small smile. "But Fizzing Whizzbees are a close second."

Lorenzo grinned. "Good choices. I'm partial to Drooble's Gum myself."

As the group dispersed, browsing the sweets, you found yourself wandering toward the back of the shop, where the quieter corner of more obscure candies was located. Lorenzo trailed after you, though he seemed content just to be near you without pushing for conversation.

Pansy, meanwhile, was already filling a small bag with Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, casting a glance back at Mattheo, who was eyeing the Acid Pops with a mix of curiosity and suspicion. "If you try one of those, I'm not dragging you to the Hospital Wing," she warned, causing a smirk to tug at his lips.

As you selected a few sweets to add to your basket, Lorenzo leaned closer and quietly asked, "Having a good time so far?"

"It's nice," you admitted with a nod. "A bit different from what I'm used to, but... it's not bad."

Lorenzo's smile widened, his expression softening. "Good. I was hoping you'd enjoy it."

Before you could respond, Draco's voice rang out from the front. "Oi, Enzo! Get your hands off the Droobles and let's go already!"

Lorenzo shook his head with a laugh, grabbing a few more sweets before nodding toward you. "Come on, we'd better catch up."

As you made your way back toward the group, Pansy caught your eye and gave you a sly smile, her gaze flicking between you and Lorenzo as if she'd noticed something. You averted your eyes, pretending not to notice her gaze and your eyes landed on Theodore. 

His eyes lingered on Lorenzo, noticing how he stood closely next to you. A slight twitch appeared for a brief moment in Theodore's brow before he glanced up to lock eyes with you. When your eyes narrowed in questioning, Theodore simply gave you a lopsided grin and looked away.

You walked toward the counter, ready to pay for your things, but after you had placed everything on the countertop, Pansy shoved Mattheo towards you. "Now, go pay for her things. It's the least you could do."

Mattheo stumbled slightly before regaining his balance, shooting Pansy an irritated glare. "I didn't agree to this," he muttered under his breath. He stepped up to the counter beside you, pulling out a handful of coins from his pocket.

"Seriously?" You questioned, raising a brow as you instinctively went to stop him. "You don't have to—"

"Let him," Pansy interrupted with a smirk, crossing her arms and leaning against the counter. "Consider it penance for all the times he's been a complete prat."

Handing over the money to the shopkeeper, Mattheo sighed dramatically. "This doesn't mean I like you," he muttered, his voice low enough for only you to hear.

You shot him a look of disbelief, unsure if you should be thankful or annoyed. You whispered lowly, only enough for him to hear, "You're such a charmer, Riddle."

"Don't I know it," Mattheo replied, stepping back and shrugging as if it were no big deal. He glanced toward Pansy. "Happy now?"

"Ecstatic," Pansy deadpanned before turning to you with a wink. "You're welcome."

You shook your head with a small smile, grabbing your bag of sweets. "Thanks, I guess..."

"Pepper Imps are better, just sayin'," Mattheo commented, but you subtly rolled your eyes in response while the group filed out of Honeydukes.

The group regrouped outside, the brisk wind biting at your skin once again. "Where to next?" Blaise inquired, glancing around at the different shops. 

"How about Madam Puddifoot's?" Pansy asked, adjusting her scarf as she rubbed her hands together for warmth.

Instinctively, your face pulled into a scowl at the sight of the crowded tea shop filled with students laughing and hanging out in couples. Mattheo, standing beside you, let out a scoff. "No way."

"What? Not feeling like looking at all the happy couples?" Draco laughed, clearly amused by how you and Mattheo were practically wearing the same expression of irritation.

Your scowl deepened as you exchanged a glance with Mattheo, who seemed equally unimpressed by the thought of lingering around in such a lovey-dovey environment. The last thing you wanted was to watch couples fawn over each other — and it seemed that it was the only thing that you and Mattheo could agree on.

"What about Three Broomsticks then?" Lorenzo chimed in.

The group agreed, and you found yourself walking once again toward the lively pub. Lorenzo lingered close to your side while Mattheo and Blaise bantered back and forth about which sweets were better, continuing their playful argument from earlier.

As you approached the Three Broomsticks, Theodore shot you a sidelong glance. "So, what's your take? Glacial Snow Flakes or Exploding Bonbons?"

You grinned at the question. "Exploding Bonbons, no question."

Blaise's eyebrows knitted slightly at your answer. "Did not expect that answer."

Clearing your throat slightly, you explained, "Well, uhm, Exploding Bonbons are like Pop Rocks, but better."

"What are Pop Rocks?" Draco questioned, his voice tinged with slight disbelief.

Suddenly realizing you were surrounded by pureblood supremacists, you muttered nervously, "Not important, actually..."

Passing by the window of the bookshop, Tomes and Scrolls, you and Theodore instinctively stopped to gaze through the glass, trying to see if anything caught either of your guys' attention. The rest of the group stopped, noticing how you and Theodore paused in your tracks.

Lorenzo glanced back at you and Theodore, noticing your sudden stop in front of Tomes and Scrolls. With a curious tilt of his head, he stepped closer to where you stood, peering through the window as well. "See anything you like?" He asked, his voice soft but teasing.

Smiling faintly, your eyes scanned the shelves inside through the window glass. "Maybe... The bookstore always has something worth checking out."

Theodore's eyes lingered on the rows of books, his fingers twitching slightly as if itching to pick one up. "Wouldn't mind going in for a quick look," he muttered, more to himself than anyone else.

Groaning in mock frustration, Pansy chuckled, "We've got two bookworms now. Great. How about the rest of us stay out here and let the two of you have your nerd moment?"

Mattheo, who had been watching the interaction from the back, huffed dramatically. "A bookstore? Really? We're in Hogsmeade, and you two want to hide away with a bunch of dusty old