☞ 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲, 11𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫, 1996

Astoria has been rather absent lately, and I'm fearing for her health. She never seems to be in the dorm when I awake, and she's never in the dorm when I fall asleep. I doubt she's attended breakfast and lunch in several days, and the only meal I've seen her attend is dinner occasionally.

The most truly worrisome thing I've noticed is that Astoria has been skipping classes. The two of us have always adored our classes, craving to learn more about the magical world. Of course, some subjects we loved far more than others, but we'd never miss out on any of them if it can be helped. Not forgetting that she and I have practically lived in the library since first year, and these days, if I'm not with Hermione or the Slytherin boys, I'm on my own in the library.

I've had far more conversations with Draco bloody Malfoy and Theodore fucking Nott than my very own best friend. She has worried me greatly. I fear I had done something to hurt her. That she was avoiding me on purpose. Or that someone else had hurt her, and she was running from them. If that was the case, why couldn't she talk to me?

Carefully stirring the Thunderbrew Potion we were instructed to brew by Professor Slughorn, I couldn't help but glance over at Astoria's empty seat with worry. Around me, the boys engaged in conversations which I drowned out. "Y/n?" I quickly glance up at the mention of my name. A quick glance around the group I noticed all their eyes locked on something beside me.

I turned towards whatever they were looking at and saw Hermione, my Gryffindor wife. "Hello, 'Mione." I smile, without much effort in trying to hide my feelings. Ever since first year, I could fool everyone by putting on an act and wearing a phoney smile, everyone apart from Hermione. As effortlessly as she reads books, the girl could always read every feeling I felt no matter how hard I tried to hide them.

"Is everything alright?" Hermione's eyes flicker between mine as she stares worriedly at me. She must've been extremely worried for me, for her to approach a table full of Slytherins. I quietly nodded my head, not particularly wanting to talk about the sea-full of things swimming in my mind.

The Gryffindor sighed heavily and walked away. As I turned back to my cauldron and continued to add ingredients to my potion I noticed someone placing their cauldron beside me. Hermione. My heart warms at the gesture, knowing very well that she'd rather not sit at a table full of boys who've belittled her since first year, yet she is, for me. "Hermione, you don't have to." I spoke softly with a small yet genuine smile on my lips.

"Nonsense! Besides I feel like we never talk besides when we hang out in the library... even then we don't do much talking." Hermione laughed to herself and continued to stir her potion.

I looked around at the group and noticed that they were now silent and looking between us. Their faces were equally as shocked as I felt about her courage to sit beside the people she hates the very most in this school, all for a friend, but that was the beauty of Hermione Granger.

Soon the group went back to work and continued conversing, as did me and Hermione. As we were planning our next study session together in the library, Nott suddenly spoke up rather loudly. "You're making no sense, Draco!" The boy huffed as Hermione and I looked over in shock.

"It's not my fault you're a fucking idiot and don't know how to brew a simple bloody potion!" Malfoy snapped back while rolling his eyes. Watching the two boys bicker back and forth had me almost wheezing. I had a great struggle trying to prevent myself from bursting into laughter.

"Cut it out." Mattheo spoke lowly with a commanding tone, shutting the two boys up instantly. That didn't prevent them from glaring at each other. "Don't embarrass yourselves in front of Y/n's friend." He reminded the two Slytherins about our guest at our table, ensuring they wouldn't start fighting again.

After a moment of silence, Hermione surprised me again by speaking up and addressing Theodore Nott. "What is it you need help with?" Her tone was gentle with a hint of hesitation. Nott's eyes snapped to the girl, also taken aback by her offering to help.

"U-um... I just don't understand step four..." He spoke, in complete contrast to how he spoke to Malfoy moments ago. Hermione encouraged him to explain more. "It says to... 'Stir the potion semi-hexagonally'. What the fuck does that even mean?" Nott huffed again in annoyance as he slammed the potion book down on the table.

"Well semi-hexagonally is a type of stirring pattern. Semi means half, and hex means six. Meaning you must stir only one side of your cauldron in a semi-circular shape six times." Hermione explains to the boy who's listening very intently and nodding as she explains. I smile at the simple interaction. Never would I have ever imagined that Hermione Granger and Theodore Nott would ever have a civilised conversation.

"Like this?" Nott began to stir just as Hermione instructed. Hermione beamed at the boy who looked rather proud of himself. "Thank you, Granger." He smiled at her, most definitely the first time he had ever smiled at a Gryffindor. They are definitely on the right track to becoming civil.

The lesson flew by smoothly and I bid goodbye to Hermione and made my way to the library. "May we join you?" I heard a soft yet deep voice behind me. Confused I turn around and see Mattheo and his friends.

"Of course." I smiled and continued walking towards the library as the group followed after me. As we entered the library I saw Madame Pince sitting at her usual desk reading a book. "Good morning, Madame Pince." I smiled at the older woman.

"Oh, Y/n, dear! How wonderful it is to see you again." She smiled at me as I quickly walked towards her desk.

"Likewise. Have any new books arrived?" I ask Pince as I lean against her rather tall desk by my elbows on the wooden surface. Papers and ink pots scattered the desk in a disorderly fashion, just the same as it's always been.

"There is indeed, dreary. In fact, there is some here! Saved them just for you." She winked at me with a toothy grin and she pulled out two brand new, untouched leather-bound books. One navy blue and one dark green. The navy blue was a book on offensive spells and tactical ways to use them in battle, and the green one was a new potion book.

The mere smell of the fresh pages made my heart skip a beat as I giddily took a seat at a table, soon followed by the boys who I forgot had accompanied me for a moment. Immediately I immersed myself in the books, turning page after page and tuning the boys out.

"Snape would agree!" I hear Malfoy say out of the blue, his tone sounding rather defensive. Immediately my brows furrowed as I peeled my eyes away from the words on the pages to look at the blond opposite me.

"What now?" I asked the group rather confused as I hadn't been paying attention to what they were saying. Malfoy turned to me and rested his elbows on the table.

"That Mattheo is the best seeker!" Malfoy spoke with pride about his friend, something that I found rather sweet.

"No mate. Snape would obviously think Harry is the best seeker since they are practically dating." Blaise spoke with amusement from beside me, clearly taking the piss out of me. I rolled my eyes at his words as I felt Mattheo tense on the other side of me. Strange.

I laughed at his words. "There is no universe where Harry is the best seeker! I've beaten him at quidditch every summer!" I laughed, recalling all the years I'd visit the Weasley's for a day or two during summer breaks. "And me and Harry are not dating. He's much like a brother to me." My tone turned serious towards the end as I glared at Zabini. In defence, he raised his hands in the air and pushed his chair away from me, making me laugh at his childish actions.

"You play Quidditch?" Nott perked up and leaned in closer after lazily leaning back in his chair the entire time we've been here. I nodded at his question as his eyes widened with delight. "What position do you play?"

"Chaser mainly, but sometimes seeker when Harry is getting too cocky." I snickered as the boys joined in on my laughter, Malfoy laughing the loudest.

"Where do you play then? I've never seen you on the pitch in school." Nott spoke up again once the laughter died down. I smiled at the question, basking in this non-hostile conversation I'm sharing with the least likely of company.

"Well next to the Weasley's home, there's this massive field that goes on further than the eye can see. And since first year I'd stay over there for a couple of days every summer, and we'd play quidditch nonstop. Bill and Charlie were always chasers, and so was Ron, the twins were beaters of course and Ginny and I would take turns being a seeker or a chaser and Harry was always a seeker. Mr Weasley was happily always a keeper. Although he claims to hate quidditch, Percy was also a keeper, however, I'd like to think he secretly enjoys playing." I smile and laugh a little as I ramble on to the group of Slytherins around me. Not once did they scoff, not once did they sneer at the mention of the Weasleys, they didn't even tell me to shut up.

Once I noticed I had rambled on, I apologised for talking on and on about something I am sure they didn't want to hear. "Don't apologise, Y/n." Mattheo smiled at me with that same look in his eyes from a week ago. Oh, those eyes will be the death of me. "Why don't you try out for the team?" His voice was kind and soft, the sweet sound making me forget we weren't alone.

"I'm not sure... there's so much going on plus women are never allowed on the team and- didn't you all quit the team? I overheard Pucey complaining about it a few days ago in the common room?" I cut myself off mid-sentence as I recalled the words that left their fellow quidditch teammate a few nights ago. When I first heard his cries, I couldn't believe it. Playing quidditch was these boys' entire personality! Perhaps that was a bit of an exaggeration, but that's beside the point! You'd have to be blind not to see the love these Slytherins had for the sport.

"Well, we did-" Malfoy began, but he was quickly silenced when someone cut him off. Mattheo Riddle, whose eyes never left mine, spoke up.

"No, we didn't. Adrian is just stirring the shit as usual." Mattheo smiled as I nodded in understanding. "If you'd like to play then we can hold tryouts this weekend." I beamed at his words.

"Really?" He nodded as my smile widened. "Thank you, Mattheo!" Around me, the boys looked as confused as ever watching the interaction unfold before them. Until realisation hit each one of them like a bludger as they saw the look in their friend's eye. The look he only gave the girl in front of him. The look only the girl in front of him couldn't distinguish.