Chapter Text
Right around the gang’s first year, the tides were turning.
Hogwarts used to be extremely divided between the houses, in a Lysistrata-esque rivalry that was almost worse, because it was four types of people in one place, divided by fundamental personality traits.
But when they entered their first years, the new Headmaster Raymond J. Holt took charge, and no one knew his story. But one thing was made known. No more prejudice. Not because of house placement, or blood status, or family wealth, or sexual orientation, or even more muggle-typical prejudices like gender or race. He made it clear that severe actions would be taken if these lines were crossed. It’s hard to get rid of entrenched hatred overnight, but Headmaster Holt was persistent.
And by the time the gang entered their fourth year, huge strides were taken. Houses now commingled and sat together instead of divided across four long tables. The Slytherin/Gryffindor rivalry was rarely more than playful banter, and muggleborns felt safer on school grounds.
But in this new place of acceptance, a playful rivalry between a half-blooded Gryffindor and a muggleborn Ravenclaw grows. Will it blossom into love, or will they both deny their feelings?