Chapter Text
One.
1994: Y/N's Fourth Year At Hogwarts
I had been in the library trying to finish my potions essay before lesson, when I realised that I was in there much longer than I had thought. I looked up at the ancient clock on the wall of the enormous library, and noticed that I had precisely a single minute to get to my potions class.
Luckily for me, the classroom was only two rooms away, so getting there on time wouldn't be an issue. That was, of course, if there were no obstacles in my path.
I packed my belongings back into my satchel as quickly as I could, and left the books I had been using out on the library desk - there was no time to put them way. I darted out of the library, and down the hall: the potions classroom was visible, and only a few steps away. My sense of surroundings had completely vanished as my goal was in sight.
I was about to step foot inside the classroom, only seconds away from being late, when someone shoved me, hard, out of the way.
"Move it, Hufflepuff." The platinum blonde hair made it obvious that it was, no other, than Draco Malfoy.
He didn't bat an eyelid at his arrogant actions and, instead, charged to his seat at the back of the classroom. Professor Snape, the potions teacher, ignored the fact that Malfoy was a splitting second late, but completely focussed on my late arrival by mere milliseconds after him.
It was inevitable that, being a Slytherin, Malfoy would get away with turning up late. If he never showed up at all, he wouldn't be punished for it. Snape favoured the Slytherins so clearly and it was sickening. Of course, it was expected seeing as he was the Slytherin head of house, but Professor Sprout (the Hufflepuff head of house) never let Hufflepuffs get away without punishments, nor did Professor McGonagall (head of Gryffindor house), or Professor Flitwick (head of Ravenclaw house). Snape's actions were out of line, and they always had been since I started at Hogwarts in my first year, but for some reason, the headmaster (Professor Dumbledore) insisted on keeping him as a teacher.
The only thing more sickening than Snape and his favouritism towards the Slytherin's, was Malfoy. I didn't know a single person, who wasn't in Slytherin, that actually liked the boy. He would parade around the school with (what my friend and I liked to call his sidekicks) Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle. The two were much bulkier than Malfoy, and I liked to think that the only reason he kept them around was in case of the need of protection. Malfoy was like many of the boys in Hogwarts, rather skinny and fairly short. I reckoned if anyone tried to duel, or non-magically fight Malfoy, it wouldn't take much for him to be beaten. But, at least Malfoy had some friends (if you can call them that). I, on the other hand, had minimal friends.
I sauntered over to my seat next Robyn Taylor, next to the table of Slytherins consisting of Malfoy. Robyn was a petite girl, like myself, but had a head full of blonde hair unlike my y/h/c hair. She was my only friend at Hogwarts. Being in Hufflepuff brought an embarrassing reputation of weakness, so other houses rarely associated themselves with us. People always made comments about how they would 'rather jump of the Astronomy Tower, than be in Hufflepuff'. The house really wasn't as bad as people made it out to be. Hufflepuffs are loyal, and hard working, and I bet that they could have even given the Ravenclaw's a run for their money.
However, even within the Hufflepuff house, it was hard to make friends. I always thought back to my first year at Hogwarts, and how I believed I had been sorted into the wrong house. I was much more brave than other Hufflepuff's, and often thought I should have been sorted into Gryffindor. I came with a sense of fire, and would often make my views heard. But, that could also point me in the direction of Slytherin, which I was glad I wasn't put in. Then, there was the fact that I was quite intelligent, and always had my head stuffed into a book, reading new information. That could have put me into Ravenclaw. So, what was so specific about me that put me into Hufflepuff? I could only assume that my sense of loyalty had overridden my intelligence, my bravery, and my need to be heard.
Being so outspoken didn't really help the matter of not having many friends. Mine and Robyn's beds sat next to each other in our dorm. The other girls, who occupied the remaining beds, were nice, but nothing more than acquaintances. They would speak when spoken to, but would often try to avoid Robyn and I, because we weren't like the rest of them. I knew of other members of our house, but I couldn't know enough to ever become friends with one of them. They were all mostly much more reserved than Robyn and I, and I felt looked down on by them whenever I channelled my inner Gryffindor.
Robyn and I were best friends, and we had been since the first day, of our first year, at Hogwarts, when I met her in one of the compartments on the Hogwarts express. Ever since, we had shared most of our classes together, and never left each others' sides, unless, of course, we had work to do.
And, unlike me, Robyn had already finished her potions essay, three days before it was due, explaining why I turned up late, alone. It wasn't like me to be behind on work, but with all the work Professor McGonagall was setting for Transfiguration class, and the same from Professor Flitwick from Charms class, and not to mention the pointless work set for Divination class (to try and predict something from the crystal ball), I was struggling to keep up with all the work.
As I sat down, Robyn gave me a sympathetic look, hiding it behind her blonde braids, as she knew the consequences for being a mere minute late. She had done the same only a week earlier, after her Quidditch practice had ran over, and she was relying on the hour before the lesson to complete the essay.
"Miss Y/S/N. What would be the reasoning behind your fowl punctuality?" Professor Snape was practically staring through my soul as he questioned me.
"I was in the library, Professor. I lost track of time. Sorry." I shifted my eyes from him the moment I finished my sentence, and looked down at my desk.
His eyes followed my line of vision, and when they fell upon my potions essay, his eyes didn't give a look of disappointment, but rather a look of expectancy. It was as if he could hear my cursing thoughts as I tried to conceal the fact that I was late, because I was finishing his essay.
"I think you mean that you were late to my lesson, because you were finishing off the essay due today, Y/S/N." I could feel his eyes burning into the back of my head as I kept my focus on the desk.
There was a chorus of "oooh"'s across the classroom as students awaited hearing my punishment.
"Well, Y/S/N, it appears you will have company, in detention. Mr Weasley, here, has failed to even present an essay at all." A faint snigger could be heard from the table of Slytherins. "Though, I did expect better from you Miss Y/S/N. Your grades are not completely awful, and I thought you may not want to tarnish that record. But, then again, nothing surprises me these days from students. Disappointment has become regular from Hogwarts students."
The way he implied that Hogwarts was a failing school showed the true Slytherin in him. He sounded almost exactly like Malfoy, who liked to make his opinion that 'this place has gone to the dogs' very well heard in the corridors. And, speaking of Malfoy...
"Nice one, Weaselbee." He scoffed from the table next to me. I looked over, to scowl at him, but in response all I received were two raised eyebrows as if to say 'what are you looking at?'.
"Enough, Malfoy. Don't think I didn't notice you're late arrival for the fourth time this year, already. You, too, will be joining Miss Y/S/N and Mr Weasley in detention." As Snape's words left his mouth, Malfoy sulked back down into his chair.
As much as I was dreading detention, I couldn't help but feel glad that Malfoy had received what had been coming to him for a while. Perhaps, Snape didn't favour all Slytherins after all! I didn't blame him, though. Malfoy really was a right fowl git. If anyone could get under my skin, it was him.
After he had finished assigning punishments, Snape continued with the lesson. Today, we were learning how to brew a Shrinking Solution. Although, I wasn't really listening to most of the ingredients, and was more invested in my conversation with Robyn, who I hadn't seen since a month before the return to Hogwarts.
"Y/N, did you hear about the Quidditch World Cup?" Robyn asked in a whisper, her blue eyes filled with concern.
"How could I not? It's all over the front page of the Daily Prophet." I replied, attempting to conceal my moving lips with my y/h/c hair. I failed at the task, however, as I felt the painful thud of a book hit the back of my head, and a 'Quiet, Y/S/N' from Professor Snape.
Once Snape had reached the other side of the classroom, we continued our conversation.
"I heard that Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and the Weasley's were there. I hope they're alright after the incident." Robyn continued.
"Well, considering Ron Weasley is turning up to Snape's lesson, without his finished essay, I'd say there's not much bothering him." I pointed out as we both looked in Ron Weasley's direction.
He appeared to be in a trance as he sat with furrowed brows staring at the blank parchment on his desk. His red hair was tussled, clearly, as a result of receiving his detention. Usually, in lessons that we had with the Gryffindors, he would be accompanied by his friends (Harry Potter and Hermione Granger), but because he was doing so bad in the class, Snape was making him take extra lessons, so he had nobody to talk to.
"Yeah, nothing seems to be the matter. Same old Weasley. Doesn't know what's going on." We both let out a small laugh at the obliviousness of Ron Weasley.
The end of the potions lesson was approaching as Professor Snape dismissed the majority of the class. Meanwhile, Malfoy, Weasley and I remained in the classroom, with Robyn giving me a helpless smile as she left. The three of us stood at separate desks, looking helpless as we waited for our orders from Snape.
"Clean up this mess, and quick. You will be expected in the Great Hall in an hour for an announcement. However, don't let that distract you from tidying. I want this room spotless for this afternoon's classes." And with his instructions, he exited the classroom, swaying his cloak around as he turned the corner.
Cleaning up the potions room with two people who appeared completely incompetent, what could go wrong?