All For Her

"I'm so bored."

"Shhh, Veronica!" Natasha glared at the girl who collapsed over her books. "Just keep studying."

"But we've been studying for hours." Veronica groaned. Raven sighed, feeling a little guilty for forcing her friends to do this even though they did owe her one. They were currently in the common room studying since Professor Pomona Sprout released the students after an incident with one of the plants.

And since it was Double Herbology, they had way more free time to do whatever they wanted. Raven had planned to use this time to study for Professor McGonagall class in a little bit, but Natasha had other ideas.

"We promised Raven that we would study with her guys." Natasha stated, giving each of the girls a look.

Herbology was the only class they all had with each other. Though, they are a little chaotic together. They still manage to finish their work by the end of class—mostly with Natasha forcing Sophia and Veronica, but still it gets done.

"You can stop if you want." Raven stated, flipping to the next page as she continued reading.

Veronica sat up. "Really?"

"No!" Natasha exclaimed.

"Worth a shot." Veronica sighed, sitting back in her seat. Melanie giggled under her breath while Sophia began snoring once more.

"She fell asleep again?" Natasha mumbled. Melanie hummed, nodding as she answered Natasha's question.

"You know she stays up late." Veronica chimed in as she looked at the sleeping red head who had a little bit of droll trailing down her lips.

"Till midnight." Raven mumbled. A burn went through her as she glanced at the sleeping girl, who looked at peace even in her dreams. Raven couldn't help the strike of green that grew in her stomach, twisting around as it made its home there the longer she looked. How could she find sleep so easily when it takes Raven the latest of hours tossing and turning to finally sleep?

Natasha give Veronica a look. "And you don't?"

"Of course not. I love my beauty sleep." Veronica shrugged her hair over her shoulder, a smile rested on her face as if she were posing. "It takes effort to look this fabulous."

Raven bit her tongue to stop the growing imperfect smile from spreading across her face. It was becoming harder and harder with each passing day to not smile around her friends. It was as if someone was trying to take over Raven's body and force a grin out of her.

"Well, I think you look beautiful every day." Melanie chimed in with a soft and shy voice. Raven glanced up from her book, turning to the muggleborn girl. "Even in your pajamas."

Veronica practically cooed as a gentle smile lifted upon her lips from Melanie's words. Raven couldn't blame her. Sometimes Melanie just says the most adorable things sometimes that you couldn't help but grin. Everyone knew that she was an innocent and loving person whose heart was made of gold, at least to anyone with eyes.

"You're just so precious!" Veronica reached out, grabbing Melanie who was sitting on the other side of her and side hugged her. Melanie didn't fight against the action instead, leaning into Veronica as if she missed the feeling of someone else's touch whether it was platonic or not. Veronica turned to Natasha with narrow eyes. "See, I understand why Melanie is in Hufflepuff, but why are you, Natasha?"

Natasha narrowed her eyes right back at her, even going as far as to lean forward against the table. "I could ask you the same question, Miss I can't keep a secret to save my life."

"You take that back!" Veronica exclaimed loudly in the library, which caused everyone to immediately go silent as her voice echoed. They all waited to see if the librarian would tell them to be quiet or kick them out. Raven hoped for the former since she still wanted to study. After a few more moments of silence, except Sophia stirring awake, Veronica spoke again in a whisper. "I can keep a secret."

All five girls went silence once more as the group looked at Veronica as if to say 'are you sure about that?'

"Really?" Veronica questioned.

"You were the first one to tell me about the Henry and Stephanie drama." Sophia spoke up, her voice sounding slightly husky from her nap. "I didn't even get to hear it from Steph and we're friends!"

"You weren't exactly complaining when I was telling you." Veronica folded her arms over her chest as she rolled her eyes.

Sophia yawned as she sat up. "I'm just saying."

"Besides, everyone knew! It's not my fault you just heard it from me first." Veronica argued.

"Okay, what about the Tyler and Julia drama?" Natasha questioned. Raven winced at the reminder of their relationship. Tyler Avery was apart of the sacred 29 blood families. When the news came out that he had been seeing a halfblood witch who came from a blood traitor family during her first year at hogwarts.. she could still hear the screams from his basement when her Uncle went to pay the boy and his family a visit a few weeks after her whipping last summer.

Long story short, Tyler pretended as if he didn't know Julia when they returned back this year. But Veronica hadn't known the consequences of her loose lips and what Tyler went through last summer because of them.

"I didn't know that their relationship was a secret!" Veronica argued before she shrugged as if it wasn't a big deal. "Why kiss in a classroom if they were trying to hide it?"

"Was it empty?" Melanie asked.

"Yes, but I don't see how that's relevant—" Veronica stopped. Her eyes flashed over as if she finally understood what they had been trying to say this whole time. "Oh."

"Yeah." Raven nodded, sending the girl a weak smile that barely tugged up the side of her face.

"You know that he's still not talking to her, right?" Natasha stated.

"Yeah. I know!" Veronica exclaimed. Raven felt her eyes soften at the guilt in her voice. Veronica placed her hand over her eyes as she shook her head before sighing. "Oh my god, does everyone think I'm a bitch?"

"Ehhh.. bitch is a strong word." Melanie winced.

Veronica turned to Sophia, taking her hands off of her head as she locked eyes with her. "Sophia."

"Yup." The dark red haired girl hummed, not wanting to lie to her friend.

"I'm an arse." Veronica smacked her forehead against the table in shame before she wrapped her arms around her head as she mumbled under her breath. "No wonder why people don't want to talk to me."

"They just don't know you." Raven blurted out.

Veronica lifted her head, her glistening eyes locked with Raven. "What?"

"All they see is someone who likes gossiping about everyone's drama, but who doesn't? This is Hogwarts! We hear about people shagging every other day." Raven explained, not liking how she could see the growing tears in Veronica's eyes. "Besides, they don't know the Veronica who will watch scary movies with her friends, but is terrified of them. Or the Veronica who will keep a secret if asked because even if it seems like you have loose lips, we all known that you would rather die than betray our trust."

"And don't blame yourself for what happened with Julia and Tyler!" Raven stammered, feeling the way her heart began to beat out of her chest as she spoke more and more. She didn't want to even think about Tyler. His screams haunted her enough. "They were bound to get caught eventually. Plus, you didn't even know he would get—"

Raven stopped herself from saying another word. This was too close to home for Raven and if she accidentally let out what Tyler went through, they would see the same out of Raven and worry about her more then she ever wanted them to. She bit her tongue, balling her hand into a fist as she tried to find the right words, especially with all the eyes on her now.

"It was an accident." She settled for. "You didn't know that Tyler was gonna pretend that nothing happened between them."

More like, that his father whipped him so badly for weeks on end that Tyler was too traumatize to talk to her again out of fear.

"We know you, Ronnie. And we trust you." Raven glanced around the girls as they nodded in agreement before her eyes settled on Veronica once more. "I trust you."

"Raven, you're going to make me cry." Veronica's voice broke before she began fanning herself as if to prevent tears from falling down her cheeks.

"Are they happy tears?" Raven questioned, recalling her and Cedric's conversation from last night. Raven felt an almost imperfect smile grace her face. "I just learned what those are!"

"Yeah." Veronica sniffled. "They're happy tears."

"Alright, now that this cry fest is over, can we please go back to studying now?" Natasha grumbled. "I have a test in potions next period."

"Such a buzz kill." Raven mumbled.

Natasha turned to her. "Rosie, I swear to god—"

Thankfully, Natasha didn't actually do anything to Raven as the five of them got to work. Veronica seemed to be in a much better mood. She even relaxed as if she felt truly reassured about her place in the friend group. That she wasn't just some person that they get their information from. But someone that they enjoyed being around.

And it was the truth.

Raven truly enjoyed being around each and every one of her friends, despite their different personalities. She would cherish their friendship for the rest of her life because she knew that it wouldn't last forever. Not with their blood status. If they had been pure bloods, then maybe they could have been lifelong friends. But she knew better than that.

Even if they were pure,—like Natasha— they would still be considered blood traitors for being friends with muggle borns. She knew that if Aunt Eleanor or Uncle Nicholas payed a visit to the school then she'd be in real trouble for associating herself with her friends—with Melanie.

So for now, she'd enjoy it.

Before it ends.

She'd enjoy the way they laughed and joked as they packed up their bags. Each and every one of them had written a little message on Sophia's arm, whether it was a smily face or a star for when she woke up.

(Raven drew a tiny stag with a little bird sitting on top of it.)

She'd enjoy the shared glances between them as Sophia woke up and didn't seem to notice the drawings on her arm. She'd miss the way Veronica would wrap her arm around with hers as she dragged her to class with a smile so wide plastered across her face. She would miss the way Natasha would groan as she jogged to keep up with them, while Melanie and Sophia snickered to themselves as they watched her struggle. Though, everyone could see the tiny smile across her lips.

But most of all, she'd miss them.

"Ronnie!" Natasha scolded the girl, while Raven blushed at the feeling of lips touching her cheek.

"I love you, Rae!" Veronica giggled at Raven's speechless expression. She reached out, patting her cheek playfully. "I could just squeeze—"

"Enough!" Natasha grabbed her arm and pulled her away. Raven couldn't help but be grateful, it was a little too overwhelming and new for Raven to wrap her head around.

She couldn't even remember the last time someone had did that. Or was it the first?

"I— It's fine." Raven cleared her throat, trying to ignore the burning of her cheeks.

"Awww, Raven's turning red!" Sophia chimed in. Raven turned to her, feeling the burning intensify.

"I am not!" Raven exclaimed.

"You so are!" Veronica laughed.

"Come on, Ronnie." Natasha grabbed her arm, dragging her away from the girls. "We got to get to class. I'm not going to be late because of you."

"But Tasha—"

"I don't want to hear it."

"You're no fun." Veronica pouted before she turned to the three girls that were standing beside their classroom. She waved at them with a smile. "Bye girls! See you later."

"Bye!" Raven and Sophia shouted after them. Though, Raven's was much quieter.

"Good luck with your test, Tasha!" Melanie chimed in. "See you later!"

"Are you girls going to come in?"

"Ahhh!" Sophia screamed while Melanie and Raven flinched at the woman's presence. Raven felt her back instinctively straighten up at the woman's presence. "Oh my lord. Where did you come from?"

"This is my classroom, Ms. Sherman." Professor McGonagall stated with a raised eyebrow. "Now, wouldn't the better question be: where have you three been?"

"In the library." Sophia answered.

Professor McGonagall turned to Raven, who hasn't said a word since she arrived—afraid to speak out of turn. "Is this true, Ms. Rosier?"

Raven straightens up as she was addressed, forcing her eyes to lock with the Professor just as she was taught. "Yes, Ma'am."

Professor McGonagall's eyes began to burn into Raven soul. She felt as if the teacher could see right through her. As if she knew every secret she were trying to hide. Raven hadn't forgotten their last conversation and how she made herself look like a fool. She had given too much away, something that her Uncle would whip her for.

"I don't see what the big deal is." Sophia said, interrupting their staring contest causing the Professor to turn to her. Raven exhaled quietly once the eyes were off of her. "Class hasn't even started yet."

"Class started over 30 minutes ago."

"Oh."

Oh, indeed. If Raven wasn't punished before, then she would be now. Not only was she late for class, but she caused others to be late as well since she wanted to study. She should have just did it alone. Why did she agree?

"Professor McGonagall, it was all my idea." Raven stammered; her hands shaking. "I was the one who forced Melanie and Sophia to study with me. If anyone is at fault, then it's me."

"You were studying in the library?" Professor McGonagall questioned. "That's why you were late?"

"Yes, ma'am." Raven nodded as she fought the urge to mess with her hands. Aunt Eleanor had punished her enough for that. "We had free time since—"

"Professor Sprout let you out early." Professor McGonagall finished. "Yes, I am aware."

She continued to lock eyes with Raven as the red haired girl clenched her jaw, fighting the urge to look away from the woman. She was scared that the Professor could see the fear inside of her eyes. Aunt Eleanor hates when she could see it, which had always made Raven gain more bruises because she couldn't hide it better.

And who knows what Professor McGonagall would do to her if it showed?

"Alright." The teacher hummed before she opened the classroom further, allowing the three girls to enter. "I believe you. Now, come in. You'll be receiving new table partners today."

Raven didn't hesitate to obey the teachers orders as she entered, almost like muscle memory. She knew the consequences of disobeying and she would rather have her wrist clear instead of bruised. She could worry about her new table partner when she knows who it is. It's not like they'd even like her. She'll just have to sit in silence and probably do all the work.

It's fine. It's nothing she wasn't used to doing already in the classes that she had alone.

"Ms. Sherman, you're sitting with Mr. Doyle and Mr. Crabb in the front row." Professor McGonagall pointed at the two boys. Sophia groaned before she made her way over to them. "Hopefully, that'll bring the talking down to a minimum."

"Of course it was those two." Sophia mumbled as she walked past Raven. "Just my luck."

"Ms. Gutierrez, you are sitting with Ms. Parkinson and Ms. Greengrass." Professor McGonagall pointed at the two girls who were sitting near the middle of the class. Melanie stiffened from beside her while Raven felt her eyes widened. Daphne hadn't acknowledged the muggle born while Pansy grew a sinister smile on her face as she waved to the girl who grew smaller at the action. "Well, go on."

Professor McGonagall gently pushed her forward as whispers grew around the classroom. Raven couldn't stop her eyes from narrowing as she continued to hold her gaze at Pansy, while Melanie walked up the steps to her desk with shaky legs until she sat down at the end of the desk.

"Ms. Rosier." Raven tensed up as she was addressed before she turned to the Professor, wondering where she'd get placed. "You are with Ms. Granger and Mr. Weasley."

Raven's heart stopped.

"Excuse me?" Raven blurted.

"I said you'll be sitting with Ms. Granger and Mr. Weasley." Professor raised an eyebrow as she looked down at Raven, her gaze burning into Raven's own. "Is that going to be a problem?"

If Uncle Nicholas found out...

"No, Ma'am." Raven sent the teacher a tight lip smile before she walked over to her desk, feeling eyes burning into her. She clenched her jaw, keeping her head up high trying to seem as if she wasn't affected. As if she weren't terrified beyond belief at the moment.

And it seemed like everyone bought it.

Well, mostly everyone.

Draco's eyes burned into her own. She could see his fear clear as day as if it were mirroring her own. She glanced to the person beside him and felt her eyes widening even more. She didn't know who's situation was worse. Raven's or Draco?

Because sitting right beside him was..

Harry Bloody Potter

And him alone.

                                    ✦✦✦✦✦✦

Whispers.

As soon as Raven sat down, the two Gryffindor students began whispering amongst themselves. Whether it was about the assignment that they were given or about something else, she didn't know. She didn't want to eavesdrop on their conversation and give them another reason to hate her. It was bad enough that her old friends do—as well as the whole school—but for some reason, she didn't think she could handle it if they said something to her.

Perhaps, she had gotten used to the few weeks of peace that followed her around the Hufflepuffs nowadays. They don't give her looks anymore. Nor do they comment. If anything, it almost feels as if they welcomed her. Like she was one of them, but that's absurd. Right?

Besides, she more worried about Draco.

It didn't take a genius to know that he was screwed. At least to the sacred 28 pureblood families, excluding the Diggorys. Especially with the amount of times Raven, Christopher, and Katherine had overheard Uncle Nicholas and Aunt Eleanor discuss about the Dark Lords inevitable return. Or rather, how much they respect He Who Shall Not Be Named. Honestly, it would have been better if he sat down beside a muggle born than Harry Potter.

A muggle born did not kill the dark lord himself. And the look in Draco's eyes knew it too. If his father finds out or their uncle, then..

No. There wasn't a possibility of Draco getting whipped. Not with Aunt Narcissa still living in the house. Even Raven could see that the woman would never let anything happen to her son. She loved him too much to bare.

But that wouldn't stop his father.

Even so, it might give him some time to repent and explain what happened to avoid the whipping. It would be more than what Raven had gotten at least. She had been dragged as soon as she entered the house, not being able to drop her stuff inside of her room. Instead, her uncle tossed her into the basement and threw her things in the corner.

And the pain was torture, terrible, and just downright awful—

"Look, Daph." Pansy's voice broke through her head. Despite her concern for Draco, she hadn't once moved her gaze from Melanie. "We have some dirt on our desk."

Melanie flinched. Raven's hand balled up into a fist to try and calm the ever growing anger that seemed to rise at the tears that built up in Melanie's eyes.

"Ignore her, Pans." Daphne chimed in, looking at the muggle born up and down. "She's knows her place."

"I don't know." Pansy hummed, a smirk rising onto her face. "Maybe the filth needs a reminder."

Raven clenched her jaw as she shot daggers into the back of Pansy's head, hoping the girl would get the hint and just shut up. She couldn't make a scene, not when she was late to class. Nor with the amount of eyes on her already. She was already sitting beside a blood traitor and a muggle born and she went willingly. If she defended Melanie, then they'd think that she was a blood traitor.

And that would get to her Aunt and Uncle.

"L— L— Listen, I'm just trying to do the work." Melanie stuttered, gulping when she saw Pansy inching closer to her before sniffing as if to smell her. Pansy cringed before she backed up.

"You even smell disgusting." Pansy gagged.

Daphne laughed, "You're just realizing that now? I could already smell her from here."

Raven felt her anger grow more and more and more with each passing second that they spoke to Melanie. If they didn't stop soon, she'd do something that she'd regret. And it's not like she didn't understand why they were acting this way. It's all they ever knew, all they were ever shown. Hell, even Aunt Eleanor taught them all to be mean to muggle borns or of those less than the sacred 29.

Raven even acted like that growing up—after her first whipping. She would mumble things under her breath when she passed by them in the Alley. They were easy to spot just look for the ones who look at the place in wonder as if it was the first time they've been there. Or the ones who look unsure about things. Witches hold their heads up high, muggles do not.

She stopped when she was 10 after her Godfather revealed that he had been taking them to muggle London every summer. He explained that the people they would pass on the street were muggles. Raven, Christopher, and Katherine learned really quick that they weren't so much different than them. Because that iron box that goes really fast on the muggle roads was so scary that Raven didn't think she could ever get on them.

Not in the way muggles can. Oh, and the moving pictures that last two hours—a movie— was absolutely brilliant. Raven couldn't believe a muggle had invented it when she first realized what they were and saw one. She really respected muggles after that, but they were still not the same in her eyes.

Not until she saw Melanie's blood bleed the same color as hers.

"Rosier." Wesley called out.

"What?" Raven snapped, not once letting her gaze leave Melanie and her old friends.

"See. I told you." Ronald whispered poorly to Hermione. Raven could hear every word as if it were being whispered to her. "Like father like daughter."

A loud smack was heard from beside Raven.

"Ow! Hermione!" Ronald cried out, rubbing his shoulder. "What was that for?"

"You know exactly what that was for!" Hermione exclaimed, not even trying to keep her voice quiet as she spoke to the red haired boy.

Raven payed them no mind, toning them out of her brain as his words echoed inside.

"Like father like daughter."

Of course that's what everyone thinks. And yet, why does it hurt so much? Raven clenched her jaw, trying to stop her chin from wobbling at one little comment. It's no big deal. She was used to it. So, why can't she brush it off? She tightened her grip around her fist, trying to hide the way her hand began to shake.

"Sorry." Raven mumbled. The whispering beside her stopped as soon as she spoke. She could feel the burning gazes of their two eyes on the side of her face. Granger's more than his.

Ronald shuffled forward. "What did you say?"

"I'm sorry." Raven said a little louder.

Ronald sat up in his seat, fixing his posture as he puffed out his chest with pride as if Raven's apology was everything he needed to go on with life. Like it was the best thing on the planet to him. "It wasn't that hard now, was it?"

Raven didn't know if it was the way he said it like he had been proud of getting an apology out of her as if she were incapable of such a thing. Or if it was the smug look on his face. Or maybe, it was the way he talked to her as if she were beneath him.

(Or if it was the way she could see Pansy twirling Melanie's hair as her friend tried to push her away without causing a scene.)

But she just snapped.

"You know what screw you." Raven glared at the red haired boy. "You're an arse and I'm not going to let you talk to me that way."

Ronald scoffed. "Excuse me?"

"Yeah, excuse you." Raven corrected. Her eyes were narrowed she glared at him. Hermione leaned back in her seat with wide eyes, glancing between the two of them as they spoke. "I understand if Potter would talk to me like that. I deserve it. My parents were the reason his were killed. Heck, Granger could spit in my face and I'd let her. But you? I've done nothing to you. My parents did nothing to you. And yet, you're still treating me as if I'm below you. As if your life holds more value than mine."

Ronald remained silent with a clenched jaw as Raven continued to speak. He hadn't once looked away as she spoke, hearing the words and letting them sink in instead of ignoring them for once. Maybe it was the anger in her voice. Or the guilt, but for some reason, he wanted to listen.

(Or it could be the glare that was coming from Hermione. He'll never know.)

"Well guess what, Weasley? If it ever came down to having to save you or myself, I would always choose me. I guess I'm selfish like that. Like you said, like father like daughter, huh?" Raven repeated his words causing him to flinch, while Hermione shut her eyes with a sigh. Neither of them had realized that she heard him.

Raven almost immediately felt her hand go to her mouth. The anger that had been growing fizzle out with every word she directed at the red haired boy. Her eyes widened as if she couldn't believe her own words. Why would she say that? Oh god. This was bad. She shouldn't have said something like that, especially not to her table partner.

She was just so mad at what Pansy was doing to Melanie that she lost her cool. Raven turned back to her friend, clenching her jaw as she tried to ignore the slight shake in her fingertips when she returned her hands back into her lap. Her thumb was digging not her index finger. She tried to ignored the burning gaze of Hermione on the side of her face as she continued to look at Melanie.

"Professor McGonagall, may I used the bathroom?" Pansy raised her hand, a fake smile on her face as she addressed the teacher. From the way she was sitting, it was obvious that she didn't want Melanie touching her since she moved way closer to Daphne. She was acting as if the muggle born had some sort of disease.

"Make it fast, Ms. Parkinson." Professor McGonagall sighed.

"Will do, Ma'am." Pansy sent Professor McGonagall a smile before she stood up from her desk. Raven watched her every move, waiting for the moment she say or do something to Melanie. "I need to wash my hands to get some of the filth off of them."

Pansy moved past Melanie, making her way to the stairs before she turned back to the girl, a smirk on her face. "Isn't that right—"

Raven couldn't hear the slur. She had been too far to catch it since Pansy whispered it under her breathe, but she recognized the mouth movements. She'd know them anywhere.

"Mudblood." Pansy had whispered to Melanie with a fucking smile on her face. Then, she turned around and walked out of the classroom, skipping as if nothing happened. As if she hadn't caused Melanie to flinch back so harshly that it looked as if she had been burned. As if she hadn't caused the tears in her eyes. As if—

That's it.

She raised her hand.

"Yes, Ms. Rosier?"

"May I go to the bathroom?"

✦✦✦✦✦✦

Normal.

Pansy Parkinson's day had started out normal, calm. She woke up in the morning, took a shower, got dressed. She even ate a little bit during breakfast without feeling nauseous and that was rare. Then, she had went to class and talked to her friends for a little bit. Overall, she felt great. It felt as if this day would truly be one of a kind.

A special, happy day. One that was rare nowadays with all that was going on amongst the pure blood families. All the classes, the cut back on food, even the whippings. Pansy hadn't had the misfortune of getting one yet, thankfully. Though, she was friends with a few people who have and could tell how truly awful they were.

It was as if they came back as a shell of who they once were. Pansy could remember how happy Raven used to be. How big her smile used to shine, glowing even brighter than the sun itself and then, it all changed when she had her first whipping. Pansy never had gotten the details, but she knew that the pure blood girl had made a mistake.

And when they met again during the ball, she wasn't the Raven she knew.

"Vennie!" Pansy exclaimed, smiling brightly at the girl as she skipped towards her—Daphne on her tail like always. "Where have you been?"

"Pansy." Raven greeted. Her voice sounding monotone as if she was going through the motions and lines from a script. "Nice to see you again."

"Uhh, okay?" Pansy giggled before she looked her up and down and saw her posture. It was as straight as a board. "When did you get so proper? What are you a— umm.. what's it called again?"

"A madam." Daphne chimed in.

"Yeah!" Pansy nodded excitingly before she turned back to Raven, attempting to joke. "Are you a madam now?"

Raven didn't even smile.

"Vennie?" It was Daphne who noticed the change first. She was always the more observant of the two of them. "What happened?"

"Nothing." Raven inhaled deeply before showing them a tight smile. "I'm fine."

"Raven." Pansy stepped forward with a soft voice, placing her hands on Raven's shoulder causing the girl to flinch harshly at her touch. Pansy pulled her hand away as if she had burned Raven.

"I— I'm sorry, Pans." Raven reached out for Pansy. Her voice cracking as she did so. "I didn't mean to!"

Pansy could see it now with the red haired girl so close to her. The bags under Raven's eyes that were covered by makeup. The way her eyes had lost its sparkle as if something had snatched it away. Her shoulders had a small tremble to them as if they were in dull, aching pain. And her posture..

God, it was as looked as stiff as a board.

"Raven," Pansy intertwined their hands as Daphne moved to Pansy's side, not trying to make Raven overwhelmed with touch, but also not trying to make her think that she didn't care either. "What happened—"

"Oh, Raven!" Eleanor Flint sung as she called out for her niece. Raven pulled her hand away from Pansy as if she had been burned before she turned to her Aunt. "There you are, dear. Pansy, Daphne, you two are looking absolutely stunning tonight. Your future betrothed will be so lucky to have someone as beautiful either of you by their side."

Pansy didn't even have to look at Daphne to know that the girl also felt a shiver go down her spine at the woman's comment. She hadn't even thought about finding a betrothal. She had only just turned 9!

"Thank you, Madam Flint." Pansy bowed her head in a show of respect.

Daphne followed her lead. "You're so kind."

"You're very welcome girls." Eleanor smiled, a strained smile that looked more fake than genuine, but no one called her out on it. "Now, Raven, we need to go and meet some guest, dear. Say goodbye to your friends."

"Goodbye, Miss Parkinson." Raven bowed to Pansy before doing the same to Daphne, her eyes looked to be vacant as if no one were behind them. "Goodbye, Miss Greengrass."

Eleanor smirked with something close to pride, but not quite. Though, she placed her hand on Raven's back as she guided her over to the guest. Pansy and Daphne could see the way Raven's hand began to shake at the action and the small wince that left her lips.

The two girls watched as they walked away, not understanding how their best friend could be so different after 2 months.

"Have you heard?" Pansy broke out of her thoughts as she glanced over towards Theodore and Draco gossiping. Though from their tones, they sounded and looked so.. sad. They looked as if they were upset with whatever they were talking about. As if nothing could bring up their moods because the topic was so bad, and painful that it hurt them more than anything.

"Yeah." Draco nodded.

Theodore sighed. "I can't believe it."

"Well, it's the truth." Draco said quietly. He exhaled as if he were pained. "I heard my father talking about it with Uncle Nicholas."

"What did they say?" Theodore asked.

"They were laughing." Draco gritted his teeth. Daphne and Pansy shared a look. "As if getting whipped is such a bloody joke."

"Who got whipped?" Pansy spoke up, walking over to the two boys. Theodore and Draco shared a look before Draco nodded over Pansy's shoulder.

The two girls turned around and felt their heart stop at the person they saw in front of them. It was Raven talking to a group of adults with Madam Flint's hand on her back as if she were trying to straighten her posture.

"Raven?" Daphne broke the silence as Pansy gasped quickly, placing her hand over her mouth in shock.

"No." Pansy mumbled. "No way. She's only a few months younger us."

Pansy felt her eyes getting watery at the sight of Raven's hand shaking at her side. She turned to Draco, whose gaze hadn't left Raven's all night. She could see the concern in his eyes for his cousin. Even if the two don't talk as much since Draco hangs out more with Christopher than Raven, it was obvious that they cared for one another.

"Please tell me you're lying." Pansy said.

"I wish I was." Draco sighed. "Raven got her first whipping last month."

And the silent message was loud and clear.

If she could get whipped, so could they.

Pansy remembered that day like it was yesterday. The painful reality check that she and her friends experienced truly woke them up to the harsh sides of being a pure blood. Ever since that day, Pansy knew that she could no longer act as if she had an opinion. She could only speak when spoken to. She could only stand with a board like posture and eat very little portions of food because "no man likes a woman with a gut."

That phrase was so simple, yet so affective for the rest of her life. Madam Flint had said it to Raven during one of their lessons and it managed to travel to her ears instead. That's why she skipped dinner. She didn't want to eat too much and grow a gut. And it wasn't because of her wanting a man. No, it was because she knew that if Madam Flint seen it.. then it would be hell.

She wasn't obvious to the way the woman treated Raven and Katherine as if they were her personal punching bags. And yet, she knew that if she came back with a gut, she'd be added to the list whether she was family or not. Her mom and dad would allow Madam Eleanor to do as she pleased if it meant that she would get rid of her gut and Pansy did not want that, so she skipped meals.

It wasn't that hard. And plus, it's not like Raven or Katherine didn't do it. She saw them—more like she saw Raven—playing with their food and eating very little. At first, she was concerned with how Raven couldn't eat, but then she realized that it wasn't her problem. Coming back to Hogwarts reminded her of that.

Raven was a Hufflepuff, while Pansy was a Slytherin. They could no longer be best friends, no matter how much Pansy wanted. Not that she did.

(She missed her so much.)

But Raven made her choice and Pansy's parents explained to her—more like threatened—that she needed to stay away from Raven or else she'd end up bring down the entire family image by being her friend. The once honored child turned into a disgrace who got sorted into Hufflepuff.

And so, she stopped talking to her. She even obeyed her parents orders by creating false rumors about Raven, reminding her old best friend of her place amongst them.

"You need to do this, Pansy." Her mother stated, her voice leaving no room for an argument. "That badger needs to understand her place in this world."

"But mom, she's my friend—"

"She's nothing but a disgrace." Her father snapped as his eyes darkened when he looked down at his child. "Don't make me repeat myself, child!"

Pansy flinched at her dad's tone, shutting her eyes tightly. She braced herself for the sharp pain against her cheek. Waiting for her father to strike her down. After a few moments of silence, she felt a hand squeeze her shoulder.

"Open your eyes, darling." Her father said softly. Pansy could feel the way he rub his thumb comfortingly in his squeeze. Pansy inhaled before she opened her eyes, locking them with her fathers. "Listen my love, you have to do this, alright?"

"I just don't understand, father. Tomorrow is the first day." Pansy said quietly. "How could she already be sorted—"

"You know, you're not too old for a whipping, Pansy." Her father interrupted her as he squeezed her shoulder tighter causing her to wince in pain from the force. "Now, do you understand what you must do?"

"Yes, father."

Pansy never did figure out how her father knew before even Raven herself. But she spent the entire next day hoping, but when they called out Raven's name for Hufflepuff, she knew what she had to do.

Pansy whispered the name Rotten Rosier under her breath as Raven pasted by and started the chain that still follows a year later. God, how she hated that name. Raven was anything but rotten. She was kind, caring in a way that Pansy never deserved. And it sucks because not only did Pansy loose her friend, but so did everyone else.

None of their families wanted them to associate with Raven. They encouraged them to bully her, mess with her, and even harm her. Of course, many of them chose to ignore her. But others, like Draco, Theodore, and Pansy bully Raven and mess with her. It was the only time that they could talk without anyone questioning them. It was the only time she could talk to her and to get her to talk back. 

Pansy knows she got lucky last blood ball since none of her family had been paying attention to her. They hadn't seen how she went up to Raven and talked to her as if they were old friends. Who knows what would have happened if they found out? As much as Pansy loves and misses Raven, she doesn't want to get whipped for talking to her. She'd seen the effects it had on others.

Pansy would much rather be talking to Raven instead of being rude and mean to her, but she knew what would happen if the new got to her parents of her mistake. They'd give her a whipping for sure and then, she'd turn into the empty shell of who she was. She'd wonder around Hogwarts with an achy back and scars to remember for the rest of her life.

She was a coward.

She knew that.

Pansy was bullying a poor muggle born girl because she was jealous of her friendship with Raven. She seen the two of them talking in the hallways surrounded with her group of friends. And she wished she were the one beside her. Not any of them.

She was the one who was supposed to have her arm wrapped around hers as they walked down the hallway. Not Veronica or whatever her name was. She was supposed to be the one who helped Raven carry her books because she knows that the girl would never ask for help even if she had a wand pointed at her. She was supposed to be the one helping Raven eat, and remind her of all the good things in life. The little things.

She was supposed to be the one that Raven ranted to about Quidditch tryouts this Friday. Not that light brown haired boy. Her!

(She totally wasn't overhearing a conversation between Cedric and Raven as they talked about joining the team because she wanted to at least be near Raven even if they can't talk.)

She was supposed to be making her laugh and smile again. It was her job. But she can't. And she hates herself for it.

She was her best friend.

But maybe that's the problem, isn't it? They're not best friends anymore. And it's all her fault.

"Oi, Parkinson." Pansy flinched at the voice, not expecting Raven to follow after her. The two of them hadn't talked since the blood ball. A memory that Pansy had been holding close to her heart for months.

"Rotten Rosier." Pansy said instinctively. She couldn't be caught being nice to Raven. If anyone saw, then it would somehow get back to her parents and Pansy cannot deal with that right now. She just needs to make it through another year. And another. And another. Until she graduated and took over her family's house. Then, and only then, she could finally talk to Raven whenever she wanted.

"It's just us, Pansy." Raven said softly, a whisper as she gestured over to the bathroom. Pansy still didn't relax. Anyone could be listening. "No one else is in the bathroom. Well, besides Moaning Myrtle."

The ghost hadn't made herself known since Pansy walked into the bathroom. If anything, she was trying to remain hidden away from Pansy's eyes. She wasn't the only one. Moaning Myrtle did that with all the Slytherin girls. She didn't speak to them and made herself scarce when they came into the bathroom. 

"Why did you follow me?" Pansy spoke up, breaking the silence, avoiding Raven's eyes. The red haired girl remained in her spot. "I know how you are about classes."

Pansy made the mistake of glancing over at Raven, feeling the heat on her neck trail up to her cheeks at the sight of Raven's shocked sapphire eyes as if she were shocked that the girl could remember such a fact. It wasn't hard to remember. Raven was always the first one in class and the last one to leave. She never got up to use the bathroom, never asked for a break, never asked for extra credit.

And most of all, she was never ever late.

"My favor." Raven replied, clearing her throat. Her shocked expression settled back into a perfect one. Merlin, how Pansy despised that look on Raven's face. It had been years since she seen her smile. Pansy missed it, more than she would ever admit.

"Oh." Pansy paused. A part of her was disappointed that Raven hadn't followed her into the bathroom simply because she wanted to talk to her without all the watchful ears. Pansy turned back to the mirror to hide the disappointment in her eyes. "So, you decided then?"

"Yeah." Raven exhaled and Pansy knew the girl — really knew her — to know that she was trying to stall a little bit longer before she said her next words. "Can you.. lay off of Melanie? Leave her alone?"

Pansy's eyes darted over to Raven — wide in disbelief. The red haired girl's ears were burning at her own words. And Pansy's stomach churned at the sight.

"That's your favor?" Pansy couldn't stop her words from sounding sharp if she tried. "For me to stop telling Melanie the truth?"

Raven furrowed her eyebrows. "And what truth is that?"

"Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about." Pansy rolled her eyes. Out of all of the purebloods, Raven knew exactly what she was talking about. Her parents were one of the main people who believed in their blood purity. "She's a mudblood, Raven. She's filthy—"

"She's not filthy!" Raven snapped, cutting Pansy off before she could finish. Silence settled inside of the bathroom at the red haired girls words. Pansy scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest before she raised her eyebrow at the girl.

"Careful, Raven, it almost sounds like you.." Pansy didn't want to say it. "Care for her."

"Well, I don't." Raven denied with a clenched jaw. Her eyes narrowed ever so slightly before they turned back to being perfect. "I just know something about basic wizard dignity."

"And I don't?" Pansy couldn't stop the way her heart ached at her words. Is that what Raven thought of her?

"No! That's not— Whatever! Just.." Raven sighed before she looked away from Pansy as if the sight of her was too much for the girl. "If you ever cared about me in all of our years of friendship, you'll do this."

Pansy shifted the weight on her feet, hating how quiet and weak her voice sounded. "And if I don't?"

"Then.." Raven paused for a moment before she looked up and met Pansy's gaze with a hard look. One that Pansy had never seen on her before. "I guess we were never friends in the first place."

And not waiting a single moment more to hear Pansy's reply, Raven left without sparing the girl a glance.