☞ Friday, 22th of September, 1996

Cold winds began blowing through the Scottish valleys, making the students of Hogwarts feel its harsh sting. Hippogriffs and Unicorns had now migrated further into the forbidden forest to escape the harsher weather. Despite the sudden drop in temperature, many Hogwarts pupils still spent their free time outside.

Astoria and I sat under a willow tree near the Black Lake. Fortunately, the canopy of low-hanging leaves sheltered us from most of the stinging breeze. Huddled under a blanket, we laughed the afternoon away, catching up on the weeks we'd missed, minus certain moments.

I had opted out of sharing mine and the trio's discoveries, and the smell that seemed to be following me ever since I smelt the Amormentia. Astoria is the most trustworthy person, however, I thought it best not to tell my best friend about my recent encounters as the trio wouldn't appreciate me telling Astoria about the Half-Blood Prince or the DADA starting back up.

Speaking of the rebellious, no longer secretive, club, the first gathering is this evening, in the Room of Requirements. My mind is bursting with anticipation, amping myself up to teach my fellow classmates. I've had restless nights toying with the idea of making a fool of myself in front of my friends and the younger ones. Harry, Ron and Hermione have done spectacularly to keep my confidence up.

"I can't wait for summer." Astoria sighed as another cool breeze swept over us, making goosebumps prick our skin. "Laying under the warm sun, wearing cute outfits, swimming in the black lake, studying under the blue sky." She sighed dramatically once more and placed her head on my shoulder.

I chuckled at the girl as I turned the page of my astronomy book. "I agree, the warmth will be welcomed. Although I don't mind the snow." I smiled, remembering the breathtaking views when the Scottish valley was blanketed in a thick layer of snow.

"I could live without it." Astoria shrugged with a laugh as she sat up. Her laughter quickly grew quiet, making me raise a brow. I notice how her eyes trailed after something in the distance, a small frown playing on her lips.

Confused I follow after her sight, noticing a group of boys slowly moving towards us. The infamous Slytherin quartet. Malfoy, Nott, Zabini and Riddle. The boys have become a normality in my life, however seeing Astoria's frown and uncomfortable demeanour, I neglected greeting the group with a smile for now. My mind raced back to the argument Astoria and Mattheo had in the courtyard, suddenly feeling uneasy too.

"I need to go... study. Are you joining me?" Astoria abruptly stood up and dusted away any dirt or crispy leaves that had clung to her clothes. My eyes quickly glanced between the fast-approaching group and my fleeting friend, as my fingers trailed along the hem of my sleeve.

"No, thank you. I'd like to spend a few more minutes in the fresh air." I smiled with a tiled head. Astoria nodded and swiftly disappeared behind the leaves of the willow tree. Moments later new company appeared, pushing their way through the greenery and taking a seat around me.

"Why are you out in the cold." Mattheo smiled as he took a seat beside me, the very spot Astoria once occupied. Malfoy, Zabini and Nott formed a semi-circle around the two of us.

Malfoy cupped his hands, blowing into them before quickly rubbing them together. "I'm going to get hyperthermia faster than you could say Lumos." He grumbled as he huddled into himself.

"Merlin, Malfoy, it's not that cold." I laughed at the blond, before turning back to Mattheo. "I was enjoying the peace with Astoria whilst reading a book." I answered with a smile as my eyes looked deeply into his hazel eyes.

"Astronomy?" He muttered as he slipped the book out from the palms of my hands. "I was unaware you liked the subject." He smiled as he flipped through my book.

"I find it rather fascinating." I shrugged as I pulled my blanket closer to me. After a moment of inspecting my book, Mattheo handed my belonging back to me with a smile.

"As do I." Mattheo muttered as his eyes trailed over my face before looking deep into my eyes. The sensation of tightness gripping my thumping heart stole my breath. My eyes trailed from his sharp jawline to his rosy cheeks and soft lips.

"Okay, that's more than enough flirting." Blaise yelled out, breaking my gaze from the boy beside me as the cold kiss of air filled my lungs.

"What?" I huffed out as Mattheo slapped the boy with a glare. I glance at Malfoy and Nott, only to see them both grinning while glancing between Mattheo and I. Strange.

"Oh, nothing... nothing." Zabini smirked as he winked at Mattheo. Nott burst out in a teary laughter. "May we go inside? I doubt Draco will be able to survive another moment in this weather."

We turn our gaze to the boy in question, only to find the poor blond shivering with chattering teeth. Malfoy's legs were pulled to his chest and his arms wrapped around his knees. "I-I'm f-fine." He stuttered out.

I rolled my eyes as the stubborn pureblood. I placed my hand on the trunk of the tree and pushed myself onto my feet. After wiping away any dirt or leaves, I reached my hand out for Malfoy to take. "Come."

After a moment, Malfoy's shaking hand took mine and I pulled him to his feet. "Focillo." I muttered, creating a breeze of gentle warmth radiating from the tip of my wand.

"Thank you!" Malfoy beamed as he embraced the warmth like an old friend. After a moment Nott pushed the boy out of the way to get his share of the warmth. "Bastard!" Malfoy yelled at Nott as they fought for the heat.

"Enough!" Mattheo spoke up after watching the two boys slap each other like two kittens fighting over catnip. "Let's head inside, leave Y/n to her peace and quiet." He smiled apologetically at me and began to profusely apologise for their childish behaviour.

"It's alright, Mattheo." I giggled quietly, laughing away his concern. "I'm used to them by now. Besides, I'd love to accompany you all back to the common room." Mattheo beamed at my words and gladly accepted my offer.

Together we wandered down the halls of Hogwarts, laughing away the fleeting moments. Slowly, the five of us approached the stairs leading down into the dungeons, when a certain raven-haired Gryffindor approached us.

"Y/n." He called out for me as I laughed at something silly Nott had said. My laugh faded as I turned to look for the one who called out my name. I noticed him in a moment and smiled brightly.

"Hello, Harry." I stood still as he cautiously stepped towards me and the Slytherin boys. Harry and Mattheo exchanged glares as Zabini, Malfoy and Nott stared at Harry with a guarded posture.

"It's time... to study." Harry looked intensely into my eyes, subtly hinting that it was time for the first DA meeting of this year. Nervousness flooded my veins, bringing a cold shudder to erupt down my spine.

"Yes. O-Of course!" I turned back to the group stood behind me with a small smile. Each boy was glaring daggers into the Gryffindor. If looks could murder, their eyes would be yelling Avada Kedavra. "I'll see you all later." I spoke softly, forcing their eyes to tear away from Harry. Their gaze softened as they looked at me.

"Alright." Mattheo smiled with a sigh as we walked away. Malfoy and Zabini sent me small smiles as they followed after Mattheo, while Nott gave me a small wave and also followed them.

"Let's go." I turned back to Harry with a smirk, once I was confident the Slytherins had gone. We headed towards the long-awaited room of requirements in mostly silence. Until Harry spoke up.

"Why were you talking to Riddle?" He asked, his words coming out slow, almost cautious. I turned my head to look at the boy beside me, however he was facing forward.

"Well... we've become... friends?" I answered with a waver in my voice, as though I sounded unsure. Would I consider him a friend? To some degree, I suppose he is a friend. Does he consider me a friend? Merlin knows.

I forget sometimes, that the only reason those boys hang around me is because they need something. The moment I tell them what they require, chances are I'll never hear from them again. My heart aches when I'm reminded of that sobering fact. They do not consider me a friend, let alone an equal.

Sometimes though, their smiles seem genuine. Their laughter erupts from their stomachs, and their toothy grins stretch wider than I've ever seen. Sometimes, our banter, our conversations, and our interactions, do feel genuine. As though we were friends.

"Friends?" Harry asked confused. I nodded, still unsure on how to label my strange connection with the group. Acquaintances doesn't seem... right. To call us friends, feels strange.

"I suppose, something along those lines." I muttered to the boy. "It's hard to tell what they consider me as. Friend? Foe? I couldn't say." Harry nodded at my words as we continued up the stairs, once more walking in silence.

After a while, Harry spoke up. "What would you consider them?" He asked slowly. His question had me thinking. I do consider them friends. But how would Harry react, I know they aren't particularly fond of one another, but they've been good company.

"I suppose they are friends to me. They are rather fun to be around if you look past their cold demeanour. They were there for me when Astoria had been ignoring me for the best part of a month." I smiled with gratitude, remembering how, although it wasn't intentional in their end, they helped distract me from the sadness I felt whenever I missed my best friend.

"Wait what? Astoria has been ignoring you?" Harry spoke with shock. His eyes furrowed in confusion and concern as his mouth sat agape. I nodded, confirming what he had heard. Evidently, the raven-haired boy couldn't believe what he had been hearing, he and everyone in Hogwarts knew Astoria and I were inseparable. Two bowtruckles on a branch my father would call us.

"Have I not told you? I apologise. But yes, she had been ignoring me. However, we have sorted things out now." I smiled at the boy as we turned the last corner, the all too familiar blank wall in our sight. As we approached the wall, silently a grand door emerged from the bricks.

The door opened for us, as though it was welcoming us home. "There you are!" A sweet voice called out to us. Suddenly I was embraced in a hug from none other than Hermione Granger herself.

"Hello, Mione." I smiled at the bushy-haired girl. "Hello, trouble one, and trouble two." I smirked at the two looming ginger twins. They stood off to the side, standing tall with their arms crossed and smirks plastered on their faces.

"Evening, Miss Snape." Fred's smirk grew as the pair approached me. "Heard you've become quite popular with a certain group of Slytherins." He winked as the pair came to a stop before me.

"Ah, yes. And we've heard you've tried out for the quidditch team." George added, sharing his brother's mischievous smirk. "And I've heard you made the team." He continued as he tilted his head to the side.

"Looks like all those summers playing over ours has finally paid off, Princess." Fred placed a hand on my shoulder and squeezed it. "Can't wait to pelt a blugder at your face!" He let out a hearty laugh. Mrs Weasleys never allowed real bludgers when we would play out on the field, so I have no doubt Fred truly meant what he said.

"Merlin, thanks." I rolled my eyes with a smirk. George and Fred began to laugh and continue to throw friendly jabs my way about Quidditch.

"You better not be replacing us with your fancy new rich pure-blooded mates." George finally moved on from the quidditch talk, as he nudged me in the ribs.

"Replace you? The Weasley's? The Fred and George? Please! You pair are irreplaceable." I beamed at the two boys, who shared satisfied looks with one another, before standing with the group that had begun to form in the centre of the room.

Harry pulled me away to stand before everyone, along with Ron and Hermione. "Evening everyone! Welcome back to the DA!" Everyone cheered excitedly, the tension of anticipation swallowed the air. "This year, I've asked one of my closest friends and a former member of the DA to teach us new spells, ones even I have yet to learn. Please welcome Y/n Snape." Harry announced my new position in the group, and the way he spoke reminded me of a teacher. I was which was welcomed back with happy cheers and warm smiles.

After the celebratory welcome had passed, I took a moment to clear my throat, and I began to speak. "Thank you everyone. I wish to welcome back everyone who attended our meetings last year and welcome all those who are new to the group. Today I wish to start with improving the protection spell, protego." Many people raised a brow as they whispered to each other.

"I understand most of you know how to perform the charm. However, there are more powerful versions of Protego that will protect you from more powerful and life-threatening spells. Protego Maxima is the charm I'd like you all you practice today, each spell is harder to perform as they are more powerful." People nodded along and listened intently as I spoke, making a smile form on my face as I continued.

"If you are able to perfect Protego Maxima this evening, you are more than welcome to begin practice on Protego Totalum. The most powerful yet difficult protection charm. This charm will protect you from all spells, unfortunately, however, they cannot shield you from the harm of unforgivable curses, so remember that." The class looked rather anxious to begin, determined to perfect the charms I've chosen for today.

"Once you are ready, you may begin!" As I spoke, the dummies depicting dark wizards sprung to life, and people got into their positions, ready to practice.