𝚈/𝚗 𝙿𝙾𝚅

𝖶𝖺𝗋𝗇𝗂𝗇𝗀! 𝖳𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗉𝗍𝖾𝗋 𝗆𝖾𝗇𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇𝗌 𝖽𝗋𝗂𝗇𝗄𝗂𝗇𝗀/𝖺𝗅𝖼𝗈𝗁𝗈𝗅 (𝗇𝗈𝗇𝖾 𝗂𝗌 𝖼𝗈𝗇𝗌𝗎𝗆𝖾𝖽)

☞ 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟕𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫, 𝟏𝟗𝟗𝟔

"Y/n!" A soft voice called for me, pulling me from my thoughts. Startled, I turned around and watched as coiled, flowing white hair bounced with each skip towards my direction. Luna Lovegood, the gem of innocence and positivity everyone should have in their lives. "Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt." She smiled softly as she fell into step with me.

"Interrupt?" I laughed. "There's nothing to interrupt, little Moon. I was walking alone back to my common room." I smile at the girl, deciding to guide us to the nearest courtyard so that we can speak for longer as my common room is not far from here.

"I was interrupting your inner thoughts, I could see them growing smaller in your eyes when I approached." Luna added as we both sat down beside the fountain. It's a wonderfully strange phenomenon that Luna always seemed to know things about yourself that you might not have noticed before. I hadn't realised how lost I was in my mind until Luna pointed it out.

My mind was drowning in thoughts about the Minister's actions. Something is not adding up... how can one man go from behaving all scatterbrained, nervous and jumpy to stoic, collected and wise by simply hitting his head? If that was possible, I would've taken a bat to Ron's head years ago!

Besides that, my friendships between the Slytherin boys and myself has slowly deteriorated. I speak now and then with Draco, Blaise and Theo. Mattheo however cannot seem to look me in the eye. Now Pansy has slithered her way back into their group, which is rather annoying.

What's further bugging my brain is how much time Astoria is spending with all of them. Draco, Blaise, Theo, Mattheo, Astoria and Pansy, the new Slytherin group that couldn't be more popular! How wonderful.

To summarise, everyone is acting strange. The Minister, the boys, especially Mattheo, and Astoria. In times like these, when you are reminded that both friends, popularity and 'fame' are not everlasting, make you far more appreciative of the friends that stayed before, during and after my moment of 'popularity'.

My head aches knowing I have another mystery to solve along with the odd books and the dark archway. I'm in desperate need of a distraction, and maybe a drink of fire whiskey, or two... or five.

"The Gryffindors are planning a Halloween party, they announced it this morning." Luna hummed, making me grin. Perfect. Turning to Luna with pure joy fired within me, I asked her for more information on the event. "Everyone is invited, however, you must dress up, or no entry." She added. "It starts at eight on Halloween night until three in the morning." Luna smiled.

I gasped when a brilliantly crafted idea sprung to mind. "Luna, I propose we dress up together!" The blonde mirrored my enthusiasm and agreed to the idea. After moments of shooting random ideas, I finally thought of the perfect costume. "I've got it! Let's dress as a sexy Angel and Devil!" I giggled at the thought.

Lune beamed as she clapped her hands together, then held them in front of her as her fingers interlock. "Splendid! Very fitting indeed." Luna winked as we continued to laugh over the idea. "But why must we dress sexy, Y/n?" Luna asked once her laughter died down.

"Because, my little moon, dressing up all sexy and cute on Halloween is true feminism!" The blond rolled her eyes at my dramatics, we soon waved our goodbyes, arranging to plan and potentially buy our Halloween costumes tomorrow.

Slowly descending into the cold depths of the dungeons, my mind returns to the moment with the Minister. It is as though I'm reliving the moment. "You must stop them, Y/n Snape. The key lies within him." Him. Him. Who is 'him'? Distracted, in the distance of my memory I could barely make out a group of figures hiding between bushes. Familiar figures.

My mind is pulled back to reality for the third time today, an increasingly common occurrence, as I approach the common room. As I enter the common room, I am consumed with nerves that took me back, way back, to when Parkinson's words and torments affected me the worst. The familiar anxious feeling I thought I managed to escape was only magnified by this uncomfortable feeling of dread that I may run into my old friends. As I stepped off the last stair, I noticed how each eye in the room was slowly turned to watch me.

In the centre of it all was Astoria and Pansy sitting rather close to Mattheo, Draco, Theo and Blaise. It's official, I have been replaced by Parkinson and her mimic. Astoria has begun to look less like herself each day, wearing more makeup, slathering on half a perfume bottle each morning, and purposely wearing her uniform to look unkept and looking like she dressed herself in the dark. There's nothing wrong with makeup or experimenting with your look, but that's not the Astoria I know and love, that's Pansy Parkinson 2.0.

I didn't want to seem jealous, despite the boiling rage and twisting nausea that fuelled my gut, so I left and headed up to my dormitory. Glancing at my fellow housemates, it was clear that I was not the only one who noticed my sudden replacement, as many people looked at me with worry and sorrow as I pushed through the crowd.

"Y/n." A deep voice called for me as I disappeared up the stairs. Looking behind me I saw Miles Bletchley following after me. I greeted him but didn't stop to talk as I was desperate to hide away under my soft bedding. As I reached my door in record time, Miles was quick to catch up before I could enter my room. "May I come in?" Miles smiled as I opened my bedroom door, returning his smile I allowed him to enter. Some company for a moment won't do me any harm.

Miles' eyes wandered around the room, looking from Astoria's messy half to my organised half. It's usually the other way around. "How can I help?" I ask Miles as I hang up my robe and remove my shoes, placing them neatly against the wall by the door.

"I thought you could use a friend." He smiled, sitting beside me on the bed. I grinned at him, stating that I had no idea he saw me as a friend. He chuckled at my bewildered statement. "Of course we are friends! Unless you'd rather not be." He toyed with me, a chilling grin flashing across his face.

"Of course!" I laughed. "Merlin knows that I could use new Slytherin friends." I added, making myself laugh even more, however, I forced myself to stop laughing when I saw the sad look on Miles' face. I questioned his look which made him sigh.

"It's just... everyone is concerned for you Y/n." Miles explains, leaving me baffled. Everyone? Who is everyone? I ask him and he just chuckles. "Everyone in Slytherin of course. Just because Riddle and his gang no longer bother to be around you that doesn't mean everyone else has forgotten about you. Sure, people were quick to judge you before and after you spike in popularity based on your looks, but now people genuinely like you for who you are. Who you hang out with won't change that, not even what you look like. They may be popular, but they are not liked. Slytherin love you."

Miles' words warmed my heart. I had no clue I meant that much to my housemates. Perhaps I've been taking them all for granted. All this time I thought they liked me for being pretty and hanging out with the popular group in the house. Although that may have been the case, to begin with, their minds changed and now I mean something more.

Perhaps fame and popularity can be forever, as long as you stay true to who you are.

"I had no idea..." I responded. "Thank you, Miles. Knowing I can rely upon my fellow housemates is a great comfort. I feel less... alone." I smiled, pulling the boy beside me into a hug. He chuckled as his arms wrapped around me, his arm embrace holding softly. I smelt a flush of coconut and mint as my teammate held me, the smell being foreign yet comforting.

We pulled away after a couple of seconds, and then Miles spoke. "It's quite alright. Perhaps I can introduce you to some of my friends. They may be a year younger but I'm sure you'll get along." Miles' face went red as he rubbed the nape of his neck. I happily agreed, then deciding to inform him of the party on Halloween, suggesting that it would be best for me to meet new people there when I have a bit of alcohol in my system to loosen up.

Miles agreed but soon left me alone in my dorm, as he needed to meet with said friends in the common room. Deciding it was late, I undressed into my pyjamas and climbed into bed. I could feel my spine slowly decompressing after being on my feet all day. A sigh of contentment slowly escaped my lips as I felt my body sink into the mattress.

While reminded about the Gryffindor party, I suddenly remembered a pressing matter I have yet to attend to. Harry. I have yet to speak with him about the Minster of Magic since we had been busy with school work, and with him befriending Slughorn while I slowly lost my friends. I shall try and find him tomorrow while with Luna.

As sleep began to consume me, I could hear the obnoxious laugh of Pugface growing louder until my door swung open. Frightened, I whip out my wand which was tucked under my pillow for safety. "Stupify!" I yell, narrowly missing the figure in my daze of sleep.

"What the fuck is wrong with you, Snape!?" The girl screeched, as she marched over towards me. Astoria held her back as I became more aware of the situation. Calm down, Y/n. She's not a threat... well not exactly.

"Sorry." I mumbled, before falling back into my bed, pulling the sheets closer to me as I faced away from the group. I could feel awkwardness radiating from the boys standing in the doorway waiting for the girls.

"I told you not to burst in here, Pans! I told you she can be like that." Astoria muttered, walking over to her wardrobe and grabbing a hot pink glittery dress that barely covered her behind. Strange.

"Whatever, 'Toria! I'm not gonna accommodate for that Blood Traitor just because she's scared of the dark." Pansy laughed as she raided Astoria's wardrobe. The pair disappeared for a moment into the bathroom before reemerging in their dresses with even more makeup somehow covering their face. "Don't wait up, Y/n. We are going to a party. Don't bother coming, you are not invited." Pansy sent me a fake smile before pushing past the boys into the corridor.

As I sat up confused, Astoria turned to look at me, a sorry look on her face. "Y/n, I would invite you if I could but-" before she could continue her insincere apology, I interrupted.

"Just fuck off, twat." I rolled back over in bed, listening to her saddened sigh and finally, their footsteps growing smaller with the click of the door.

No longer feeling the pull of sleep, I decided to wait half an hour before heading down to the common room with a good book in hand. With Mattheo throwing a party, it was bound to be deserted as it was barely nine.

Walking down the steps I was surprised to find almost everyone in the Slytherin house still here, especially the ones old enough to attend the party. Before I could get a word out, someone approached me.

"There she is, the Queen of our people." Adrian Pucey spoke in a mockingly posh tone. His grin spreading across his face as many people snickered at his joke. Pucey placed a hand on my shoulder before gesturing to the room. "I can tell you are confused out of your mind, Snape, so let me explain. We all decided to miss Riddle's party." I burst out laughing at the ridiculousness of the situation.

There's not a chance that was the case, it was deemed a privilege to attend those parties. "Yeah right, Pucey. Now, tell me the real reason... was everyone caught by Filtch?"

A girl stepped forward, I believe she was a fifth year. "It's true! No one wants to go. Not after the way they started treating you." She answered, a small smile accompanying her gentle voice.

"But why? Do you know something I don't?" I questioned the room, everyone shrugged or shook their heads.

"No one knows why they replaced you, and no one knows why Astoria has suddenly changed. But we have noticed their change in behaviour, and it doesn't sit right with us. Sure, Slytherins aren't known for their loyalty, however, we are loyal to our friends without a fault, no matter what they believe or what they do. What they did was wrong, very wrong. We've all noticed it." Another boy spoke up, from sixth year I believe. I should probably know their names...

"But why is this different? Why am I different?" I asked the room, which was now crowded with people. Many people began to smile while others chuckled amongst themselves, as though I said something ridiculous, or as if I was missing something very obvious.

"We don't know why you are different, but you make things better." Adrien smiled as smiles reached his side. "You have an aura about you that is unmatched by others, even in Hufflepuff." The boy added, looking around as many people agreed, some even cheering at his words. My eyes began to swell with tears of joy hearing their kind words.

"This time is different because you made the toughest men in our house go soft. You made them better, you made us all better." Miles added, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. "Our whole lives we've been expected to fit into the perfect, rotten, rich children of Slytherin standard set by our parents and fellow pupils of the other three houses. You've shown us there is another way to be, that we can be kind, and gentle, and befriend who we wish to befriend. You've shown us it is possible to have the best of both worlds, keeping your family's reputation while having the freedom to be yourself." Miles smiled, the grip on his shoulder tightened as he spoke with pride.

"You've inspired us all, Y/n Snape, from the first years to the seventh years, we all wish to share the morals and uphold the standards you set." The girl from before added, her hands folded neatly in front of her.

Many people began to cheer and shout out their thanks and gratitude for me. A new feeling blossomed in the room. A feeling I hadn't felt for a while. Dumbledore is right, even in the darkest of times, there will always be light. Despite Voldemort, the disappearances, the deaths, the attacks, the mysteries in Hogwarts, losing important friends, there is still light.

This is the light, we are the light. It is the hope we share for a better future, it lies within us. This need for a change, to break tradition and start their own path despite what their families may say, it is moments like these that bring us together and remind us that we have one another.

Someone began to play some music. As I glanced around the room, as people began to jump and dance the tunes, I was warmed by the sense of community that had got fire to the heart of Slytherin. Miles laughed with Adrien as they began to poke fun at the tears rolling down my cheeks.

Laughing them off, playfully hitting their arms, I notice something in the corner of my eye. A group, outcasted by their own house, watching from the side as everyone cheered and smiled their troubles away. Once adored, and now are forgotten nobodies, replaced by a once hated loner who cursed the hat for placing her in a house she felt she never belonged. Now here I am, feeling belonged.

My eyes reached his, mine radiating triumph and joy while he was emotionless pits of nothing. We continued to stare, my smile dropping from confusion, asking myself why does the boy who claimed he wanted me now seemed to despise me. Strange.

𝖠/𝗇: 𝖨 𝖠𝖬 𝖡𝖠𝖢𝖪!! 𝖳𝗁𝖺𝗇𝗄 𝗒𝗈𝗎 𝗍𝗈 𝖾𝗏𝖾𝗋𝗒𝗈𝗇𝖾 𝗐𝗁𝗈 𝗁𝖺𝗌 𝖻𝖾𝖾𝗇 𝗌𝗈 𝗌𝗎𝗉𝗉𝗈𝗋𝗍𝗂𝗏𝖾 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗉𝖺𝗍𝗂𝖾𝗇𝗍 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗉𝖺𝗌𝗍 𝖿𝖾𝗐 𝗆𝗈𝗇𝗍𝗁𝗌, 𝗒𝗈𝗎 𝖺𝗋𝖾 𝖺𝗅𝗅 𝗌𝗈 𝗄𝗂𝗇𝖽 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗌𝗐𝖾𝖾𝗍!!