All For Her

Silent.

Raven was silent as she prepared for the day. Her face ached, feeling the backlash of her Uncle's wrath the night before. She didn't eat one of the chocolate frogs. She figured that she deserved to feel a little bit of pain to serve as a reminder of her mistakes. Christopher didn't have frogs, but she did. And he had to be in pain.

The rest of her friends were sleeping soundly, oblivious to the inter turmoil that Raven faced. She longed to speak to them — to forget about her Uncle's cruelty and live. But she couldn't forget Christopher's gaze, the terrified black eyes were burned into her memory. She had did that. It was her fault that Uncle Nicholas had been summoned to Hogwarts. If she had just bit her tongue and walked away, none of this would have happened.

Why had she fought Malfoy over Granger being called a slur — one that Raven was fairly certain she heard quite often? It just didn't make sense to Raven. One second, she was fine. And the next, Malfoy was blood and bruised by her hands. She could barely control herself, could barely see past her anger.

She didn't understand. Why?

What was so great about Hermione Granger that Raven couldn't stop herself from defending her honor as if she were the air in her lungs? She wasn't. Hermione Granger didn't mean anything to Raven. All she did was curse her Uncle that day. And now, it was if she were living inside of Raven veins — settling against her skin like a piece that she hadn't even known was missing.

She couldn't handle it.

Hermione was nothing.

Hermione was everything.

Raven's mind couldn't be made up. It didn't matter now. After all, Raven could no longer speak to her if she wished to prevent another lesson from happening. She would break if she were punished again. She had to stay away from Hermione — even if a part of her hated it. Her wants and feelings did not matter. She had to protect Christopher. She had to protect Katherine. She can't have them getting hurt because of her mistakes.

Not again.

And so, with a heavy heart, she knew that she would have to place a front once more. She couldn't afford to make another mistake. She had to ignore Melanie, the muggborn, and Natasha, the blood traitor, for her cousins safety and theirs. It was better this way, she told herself. For everyone involved.

She hadn't realized when she left the room and travel down to the common room. All she knew was that her feet were moving in slow motion. She could hear the sound of her heartbeat as if it were beating beside her ears. She prevailed, trying not to let anything stop her. She couldn't afford to think and stop.

"Ray—Ray!"

Oh.

Oh no.

Raven forced herself to face forward, ignoring the boy. He was on the list of the people she had to ignore. He was a blood traitor after all, despite being apart of the sacred 29.

"Ray—Ray?" He called out to her, but she didn't stop even though she could hear his stumbling footsteps as he hurried down the stairs. "Wait up! Raven, wait!"

She balled her hands into a fist and pushed open the common room barrel and ran as soon as she stepped foot in the kitchen. She couldn't talk to him. Why can't he see that she couldn't talk to him? She sprinted down the hallway, hearing the distant sound of her name being called. But she pushed forward with blurry vision.

She hadn't known how long she ran, or when she could no longer hear his voice. All she knew was that her heart couldn't stop aching — yearning for her to turn back and apologize to him. But she couldn't. She couldn't. This wasn't fair. She was finally finding her footing in Hogwarts. And now, it was ripped out from under her before she could even enjoy it. It wasn't fair.

Suddenly, she was stopped, bumping into someone tall. She stumbled back until she fell, wincing at the spike of pain that traveled up her spine.

"Oh. I'm sorry, Young Miss. Rosier." A voice spoke, husk as if he were way older than he appeared to be. "Are you alright?"

Raven's eyes traveled up the man's robe and felt her eyes widened at the white beard that rested on the man's chin. Of all the people she bumped into, it had to the Headmaster?

"Headmaster." Raven breath, eyes widened and filled with panic. She quickly stood, not even attempting to dust herself off as she straight up, looking like a solider getting ready for war. "I— I am so sorry, sir! Forgive me. I.. I did not mean any disrespect."

"Haha." He chuckled, a soft smile rested against his lips, trying to provide the girl with some comfort, but all it did was send chills down Raven's spine. It looked more knowing than Raven liked as if the man knew all of her secrets before she did. "It quite alright, Miss. Rosier. Accidents happen. We try to prevent them with all our might, but sometimes it is just fate."

"I..umm.." Raven trailed off, trying not to squirm at the intensity in his eyes. She cleared her throat, "Yes, sir. You're absolutely right."

"I've been looking for you." Dumbledore spoke calmly, his eyes trailing Raven's features with a look that she couldn't recognize.

Raven paused, furrowing her eyebrows. "You have?"

"To discuss your punishment." Dumbledore nodded. "I'm sure your uncle informed you, hasn't he?"

"Uhh, yes sir." Raven stammered, feeling as if her body was burning under his gaze. "Of course, sir."

"Good, so you know that you must spend detention every night for two months with your godfather." Dumbledore gave the girl a knowing smile. "Excuse me, Professor Snape."

Raven bit her tongue.

"I was informed." Raven lied through her teeth, sending the man a perfect practice smile.

"Splendid!" He exclaimed excitedly in the empty hallway, his voice echoing on the walls. Raven flinched at the sudden loudness. "Unfortunately, you must also spend detention with me. I can't have the students thinking that we are showing favoritism now, can I?"

"Yes, sir." Raven nodded, trying to hide the fear behind her eyes. Her Uncle had a strong dislike towards the Headmaster. They all knew that, but he had agreed to him serving her detention? Was this another lesson he wanted her to learn?

"You're awfully polite, Miss Rosier." Dumbledore chimed, humorously. "Do not be afraid. I don't bite."

"Of course not, sir." Raven shook her head, hating that she had to look up at the man. Her hands were shaking more and more with every second she spent under his gaze.

"You'll be spending detention with me every weekend after dinner." He explained, a smile on his lips. "Friday, Saturday, and Sunday."

"Thank you, sir." Raven bowed her head like she was taught. "I am humbled by your mercy."

"That's an odd choice of words, Miss. Rosier." Dumbledore didn't look quite confused, it was as if he knew why she was choosing her words. As if he could see right through her. He sent the girl a smile before he spoke again. "No matter. I have one more thing for you. A letter from your aunt."

"I thought we receive our mail during lunch?" Raven furrowed her eyebrows. She barely received any mail from her guardians since she arrived in Hogwarts. She knew the two would rather be caught dead than send a letter to a Hufflepuff.

"This is a special case." He nodded before he pulled a letter out from his robs. "She said it was urgent."

"Oh." Raven carefully grabbed it from the man and held it in her unworthy hands. She examined the letter for a moment, seeing her Aunt Eleanor's perfect cursive hand writing with Raven's name. She brushed her thumb against it before she glanced back up at the Headmaster and sent him a perfect smile. Not enjoying the way his gaze hadn't left her for a second. "Well, thank you for your kindness. Have a nice day, Headmaster."

"You as well, Miss Rosier." He didn't smile this time. He just starred at her. His voice was low, dry as he sent her away. Raven felt her smile tighten before she pushed past the man, ignoring his burning gaze on her back as she walked down the hall. Raven fought the urge the run the longer it went on.

His gaze — for some reason — reminded her of her Uncles. The way it gripped onto her and refused to let her go until she saw what he wanted her to see. It was a look that had always made her breathless — as if the air had been kicked out of her lungs — and feel shameful. The only times he had ever looked at Raven like that were when she failed him. And she never liked to fail the man who had given her a home. His dark black eyes burned into her, as if he could see all of her secrets.

The thought kept her up at night on the bad days — settling against her skin like an ache that wouldn't go away. It usually took root after her usual ritual of saying her parent's victims names. And made it self known just as she closed her eyes.

It was a painful reminder that perhaps, he truly knew every single thing Raven had thought of, good or bad.

Just like now with the way Dumbledore's gaze hadn't left her back until she turned the corner, leaning against the wall as she tried to find her breathing. Her heart was racing out of her chest. She wasn't outright scared of the man, but something about him just rubbed her the wrong way. It was as if she knew him from somewhere. Like he was someone she was supposed to know, but forgot about.

(Unfortunately, the body never forgets.)

She took a moment to calm herself down before she opened the letter.

My sweet child,

I apologize for the urgency and the abrupt letter that you are receiving in the early morning. But I hope my words bring you joy. The gods have shined on our family at last. May the good faith stay with us. I have excellent news! Because of the little.. squabble between you and the Malfoy heir, our two families have come to a compromise.

You and Draco shall marry.

The ball is still in the air, but for now, as of this moment in time, you and Draco are betrothed to one another. Despite your presence amongst the Hufflepuffs. Thankfully, the Malfoy family was able to over look that disgraceful fact. After all, they wanted to settle the feud you and Draco created between our family.

Raven, you need to understand. You finally will be able to make up for the disgusting disappointment you made yourself out to be in our family. Draco will be able to provide you a shield. A barrier between the families. You will no longer be Rotten Rosier. Or the disgraced amongst us. You'll be able to get rid of those Hufflepuff scum. He will protect you and help you learn where we have failed.

You need to proceed with caution from here on out, Raven. We cannot afford anymore incidents. The Malfoy's nor your Uncle will be pleased to hear you talking with Mudbloods anymore. I've done the best I could to smooth things over and make them forget your misgivings, but I can only do so much. In order for them to forget, you need to surround yourself with the Slytherins. By this point, your cousins and Draco have been informed of your new status. They will see to it that everyone follows their rules and are now ensured to care for you.

Please do not fail our family again. I cannot handle another one of your embarrassment. Fulfill what is asked of you.

Other than that, how have you managed to keep yourself busy during your time at Hogwarts? I'm sure you're studying most of the time to achieve high marks like Katherine. It would be a shame if you were to be spending your time gossiping amongst the Hufflepuffs. After all, it's quite unladylike. Who knows who could hear your words? Their ears everywhere. Even in the most unlikely of places.

Do not disappoint us again, Raven. Understand the importance of this letter. You will not receive another one.

Do not get too dirty in Quidditch,

Aunt Eleanor.

Raven smacked her head back against the wall, shutting her eyes tightly as soon as she finished the letter. She couldn't believe it. Her and Dray we're betrothed to one another. She wasn't even 13 yet. Or at least, she didn't know. She doesn't even know her own birthday.

She knew this day was coming, but she wasn't prepared for it to be this soon. She was supposed to have years to choose and beg and hope. But the choice was out of her hands. She was already the heir to the Rosier name and now, her and Draco will have to share that burden. Did this mean that she had to give up the Rosier name? That she couldn't build up her house from scratch. She knew that the Malfoy's wouldn't allow Draco to take her last name.

They would forbade it.

And it wouldn't be fair, she knew that. She was supposed to rebuild her house, and yet, that choice was taken from her. She had hoped to get a husband that had siblings so his house could live on, while hers.. was getting rebuild by her children. She was supposed to be the monarch. The heir to her home.

And it was taken from her as if it meant nothing.

As if it wasn't the reason she was still breathing.

It wasn't fair. It wasn't fair. It wasn't fair. Nothing was fair anymore. She was so happy yesterday. How could everything change so fast? And to make matters worse, her aunt Eleanor knew about her joining the Quidditch team. And yet, that was the most surprising of all. She hadn't gotten upset like Raven assumed she would. Instead she simply wished for her not to get too dirty, which wasn't unlike her. But still, that was all she had to say? Nothing more?

Perhaps she was planning to punish her during Yule break.

At least, Raven would be prepared by then.

She didn't know how long she stayed there, alone in the hall with a clutched letter. But she came to at the sound of chatter filling the halls. She glanced around the corner and saw the empty hall, crowded as students were making their way to their classes. Raven quickly shoved the letter into her robe pocket and walked into the crowd with her head held high. She couldn't afford to be anything less than perfect.

For a moment, she nearly paused when her fingers brushed against a bag before she remembered what was inside. The Chocolate Frogs. The ones that were supposed to heal Raven in the absences of Madame Pomfrey. Unlike her peers, Raven hated sweets. The taste of them always left a bitter after taste in her mouth. The same couldn't be said for Christopher. He loved sweets.

She could hear the whispers as she walked past her fellow students as they began to stare at her. She knew that her cheek still had a bruise and her lip was swollen from her Uncle's mercy. And it seemed that the rest of the school could see it too. She kept her head held high, trying to ignore the noise. She couldn't afford for them to see past her defense.

No. She was a Rosier.

She was supposed to be perfect.

The feeling of a hand interlacing with her own caused her to flinch harshly, turning toward the culprit before her eyes widened at the sight of his white hair. "Looks like we're betrothals."

"Dray." Raven breathed. She had thought that she wouldn't have to see him until later when everything settled in her mind. This was too soon, and his hand felt too clammy and sweating and just wrong.

All she wanted was for him to let go.

She nearly pulled her hand away from his touch before she caught herself. She wasn't allowed to do anymore. At least, not with him. He was her betrothal now, so he could do with her as he pleased.

"Good morning to you too, Rotten—" Draco paused in his words before he cleared his throat sending her a guilty smile. "Raven."

"It's okay." Raven replied. "You can still say it."

A part of her longed for him to say her cursed nickname. Just so she could pretend that everything was back to normal. As normal as her life was at least.

"No." He gave her hand a squeeze. A hard, unfamiliar one that caused her to clench her jaw at the feeling. It did everything but sooth her pain. "You're my betrothal now. My mother always taught me to treat them with respect."

"Your mother is too kind." Raven fought the urge to squirm as she sent the boy a perfect smile, keeping her tone soft and even just like she was taught to do so.

"They're basic manners, Raven." Draco voiced, his voice was almost as quiet as a whisper. 

"Still, send her my thanks, will you?" Raven said, hoping that the boy would. She needed to thank her for raising her son to be kind to his betrothal unlike many of the boys she used to know. She heard enough rumors to know that many girls were being treated as breeding grounds instead of human beings. Raven had always prepared herself for the same treatment. At least, now she would be treated kinder than most. Raven bit her inner lip for a moment before she glanced over at Draco, seeing the small outline of a bruise on his chin. Seems like she wasn't the only one who couldn't be fully healed. "Dray?"

"Mhmm?" He hummed, swinging their mindlessly hands between the two of them. Raven didn't know if she liked the feeling or hated it, but by the way her arm kept being pulled forward by the force of his swing, she was growing to hate it.

"I'm sorry for hurting you." Raven apologized. She didn't want to start their new relationship or betrothal status on the wrong foot. "It wasn't my intention for it to go so far."

"Yeah, well, you did it for Granger, didn't you?" Malfoy questioned before he furrowed his eyebrows, glancing over at Raven. She stiffened under his accusatory gaze. "Actually, what's the deal with you two? Don't tell me your friends with that mudblood?"

Raven clenched her jaw at the slur.

"Of course not." She gritted out, forcing a perfect smile onto her lips.

"It seems like you are." Draco announced before he leaned closer to her, whispering under his breath. "And I can't have my betrothal being friends with mudbloods."

"I'm not friends with her!" Raven tried not to exclaim, but she knew she failed when her voice sounded more high pitched than usual.

He narrowed his eyes at her. "You better not be."

Raven yanked her hand away from him in such an unladylike way that she knew Aunt Eleanor would have smacked her right then and there at the sight. But she pushed on. 

"I'm not afraid of you, Malfoy. You can't do anything worse than what my uncle has already done." Raven kept her voice even, calm. She might be upset, but she wouldn't dare speak to Draco in a way that wasn't deemed perfect in her Aunt's eyes. "Let me guess, you tell the whole school and bring shame to the two of us?"

"I could." Draco replied.

Raven nodded. "You won't."

"And why is that?" Draco questioned, furrowing his eyebrows as the two walked.

"Because despite what you want everyone to believe, I know you, Dray." And it was true. Raven knew Dray, her best friend. He was kind and compassionate. He was smart, always trying to out shine others. Despite what everyone else believed, he always pushed himself. And he had a heart, unlike their families. "I know that you would rather die than let any one of your friends get a whipping because of you."

"I'm not weak." Draco denied.

"I never said you were." Raven said, a part of her hated that he associated such a Gryffindor trait with weakness when he was anything but.

The two continued their walk to class in silent. Raven could make the outline of their classroom door. Just a few more feet and they would be outside. Raven could finally be done with this awkward conversation. Her knuckles brushed against Draco's, causing her to cross her arms over her chest. She knew that it wasn't ladylike to do so, but she wouldn't be able to handle it if he tried to hold her hand again, especially with his clammy hands.

"...so, you're on the Hufflepuff team?" Draco broke the silence. Raven spared the boy a glance, seeing him look more like a kicked dog than his usual cocky self.

"And you're on the Slytherin team. Looks like we're finishing each others sentences already." Raven joked, hoping to cause the boy to lift a smile onto his lips, but all he did was sigh. Raven kept quiet for a few moments before the two stopped in front of the classroom door. She glanced over at the boy, and spoke in a soft, perfect voice. "Did your dad actually buy your way in?"

"I told him not to. I had practiced all summer, but I wasn't enough." Draco uttered. His voice was quiet, weak. "It's pathetic, I know."

"It's cunning." Raven corrected, causing the boys lips to tug up ever so slightly. She knew he just needed one more pushed to feel better. After all, the boy was easy for Raven to read. "You know.. we are betrothals now, which means we could help each other."

"You'd help me?"  He questioned, his eyes widened in disbelief. "After everything?"

"I have to, don't I?" Raven stiffened, straightening her already straight posture. "We're betrothals."

"Right." Draco sent the girl a tight smile. After a moment of silence, his eyes flashed over with something and just as he opened his mouth to speak, "Umm.."

The door opened wide, startling the two of them.

"Mr. Malfoy. Miss. Rosier." Professor McGonagall greeted the two of them before she pushed the door fully open and gestured for them to enter the classroom. "Find your seats."

Raven did not need to be told twice.

She immediately walked into the classroom, wincing at the sight of it being filled. How long had she been in the hallway? Her gaze stopped at Granger's locking eyes with her gentle brown, and just as she moved to it between her and Weasley, a hand caught her wrist.

"Sit with us at lunch?" Draco asked, but Raven knew that she didn't have any other choice. She could feel the burning gaze of the class on the two of them as she sent the boy a perfect smile.

"Sure." Raven said.

Draco smiled before he leaned in and gave her a quick peck on the cheek, his lips lingering for a moment. Raven tensed, biting her tongue to stop herself from gagging outright. The feeling of his lips was not at all the way she imagined. They were dry, rough against her pale skin. She thought she would feel nerves inside of her stomach, twisting and turning in excitement. But all she felt was nausea.

As if his touch disgusted her beyond belief.

Or perhaps, the intentions behind it.

The label he now placed on her back — his property — to the entire class. In that single moment, it was as if Raven had been stripped of all she ever was and all she ever wanted to be. He pulled away, sending the girl a shy smile as his cheeks held a blazing red against them. He moved past her and walked over to his desk, leaving Raven frozen there for everyone to see.

Raven could hear the whispers as she began to walked back to her desk with her head down. She knew that Aunt Eleanor would have cursed her in that moment, but she found herself not caring. She didn't belong to Aunt Eleanor anymore. Draco made sure of that.

"Bloody hell.."

"Malfoy kissed Rotten Rosier's cheek."

"Since when were they together?"

"Rotten Rosier and Malfoy?"

"Alright, calm down, class." Professor McGonagall announced to the entire class, causing them to quiet down until the whispers no longer existed. Raven sat down between the two Gryffindors and kept her gaze on the board. "We need to get started."

Just as Hermione opened her mouth to speak, Sophia beat her to it, shifting in her seat as she faced the girl. She called out her name in a hushed whisper,  "Raven!"

Raven clenched her jaw before she turned to her friend, sparing her a glance. Technically, she could talk to Sophia. It wasn't like she were talking to a blood traitor. "Mhmm?"

"You and Malfoy?" Sophia questioned in a hushed tone before she furrowed her eyebrows. "I thought you fancied Wea—"

"I don't fancy him!" Raven glared at her.

Sophia nodded, "Not anymore!"

Raven smacked her lips, turning back to the head of the class to ignore the girl. Sophia smirked triumphantly, knowing that she had time to ask Raven after class about her and Malfoy. The Rosier ignored the burning gaze of her kindhearted friend as she watched her. She couldn't dare look at her. She was a muggleborn.

"Raven?" Hermione questioned. Raven fought the urge to glance her way, wanting nothing more than to stare into her eyes all day. "What was that? Why did Malfoy kiss your cheek?"

"You and Malfoy are dating?" Ronald chimed in, completely shocked by the display that just happened.

Raven remained quiet, not sparing them a glance, pretending as if she hadn't heard them. The two exchanged a glance at her silence.

"Hello, Raven?" Hermione placed a careful hand onto her arm. Raven could feel the warmth under her robes. She nearly leaned into it, but stopped herself, shrugging the girl off. Hermione paid no mind to the action, figuring that the girl just didn't want to be touch. She wasn't one to push boundaries with her friends.

"Rosier?" Ronald questioned, but Raven kept her gaze forward. After a moment of silence, Ron leaned backwards in his seat before whispering under his breath to Hermione. "I think she's ignoring us, Hermione."

The bushy brown haired girl furrowed her eyebrows at the boys words before she leaned up in her seat, burning her gaze into the side of Raven's face. The Rosier bit her tongue at the action, fighting the sudden heat that threatened to travel up her neck and against her cheeks. Raven figured it was a delayed reaction to Draco's kiss, but she couldn't dare get flustered now. Not when Hermione was looking at her. People would get the wrong idea.

"Why are you ignoring us?" Hermione pursed her lips before she whispered sharply. "Raven?"

Raven burned her gaze into Professor McGonagall, not hearing a single word the woman was saying. Her knee was bouncing under the table. She pretend to scribble down notes. But if anyone were to ask what she wrote in that moment, she wouldn't be able to answer.

"If ignoring us means you get a point then, I refuse to give it to you." Hermione remarked quietly, crossing her arms over her chest with a huff. Raven paid the girl no mind as she scribbled. The bushy brown haired girl sighed, turning a few pages of her own quill until it landed on a single page. Raven spared a glance at the quill and seen their points. Hermione had 7 so far, while Raven only had 1. And now, Hermione quickly placed a point down on Raven's side. "Okay, fine! You got the point! There? Are you going to talk to us now?"

At her tone, Raven instinctively locked eyes with the girl — feeling herself getting lured in by the gentle brown eyes that shined brighter in the morning. Raven felt the world disappear around them, the longer she took in Hermione. The way the girls bushy brown hair — breathtakingly pretty — had rested calmly against her shoulders, despite the lack of calm in her curls. They were tangled beyond belief, but Raven couldn't care less. The sight was still beautiful to Raven. And it probably will be for the rest of her life.

Hermione reached her hand out, carefully placing it onto Raven's own. The Rosier girl found herself wanting the girl to interlace their fingers. Her touch was soft, gentle as were her hands. It was unlike anything Raven had ever felt before. They were smooth against her ridged skin. "Raven?"

The Rosier girl opened her mouth to speak to the girl since she arrived, but out of the corner of her eyes, she could see Draco's gaze locked onto the two of them. Raven spared the boy a glance, ignoring the Gryffindor beside him. His gaze was narrowed, not in anger, but in suspicion and suddenly, Raven remembered where she was and what she was supposed to be doing. She pulled her hand away from Hermione as if she had been burned before turning to the front of the class once more, ignoring the girl.

Hermione sighed.

"Maybe she's having a bad day, Hermione." Ronald chimed in, trying to find an excuse for her behavior. There was no reason he would be trying to come to her aid. The blood traitor hated her. "Her father was here yesterday."

"He's not my father." Raven gritted out, speaking for the first time. Even though she knew she shouldn't be talking to Ronald, it wasn't as worse as talking to Hermione.

"So, you can talk." Hermione scoffed, hoping Raven would take the taunt. After a moment of silence, she snapped, slamming her hand on the table. "Don't ignore me again!"

Raven turned to her and fought the urge to smile at the sight of her pursed lips. She couldn't help but think that anger Hermione was quite cute. Adorable, in fact.

"Ms. Granger!" Professor McGonagall exclaimed. Raven spared a glance at the woman and realized that the entire class was looking at them. The Rosier bit her tongue, shifting in her seat.

Hermione's ears burned, as if a paintbrush gently pressed against her ears and tried to color them. The red tone settled against her skin carefully, beautifully. "My apologies, Professor."

"Now, can I have your attention please? Right." Professor McGonagall spoke. She moved past her desk and over to the bird that sat on its post as it waited for the lesson to continue. "Now, today we will be transforming animals into water goblets. Like so."

"One, two, three." Professor McGonagall carefully aimed her wand at the bird, moving it up and down as she counted before she said the spell. "Vera Verto."

In an instant, the bird changed into a cup. Raven's eyes widened in wonder at the sight. Her godfather had taught her a few basic spells just to control her magic. But this was the first time she had seen a creature turn into an object. She spared a glance over at Hermione and felt her heart warm up at the sparkle in her eyes as she watched the scene.

She only had one thought in her mind as she took in the girl, Cute.

"Now, it's your turn. Who would like to go first?" Professor McGonagall walked down the steps by her desk as her eyes trailed over the sea of students until they settled on the red haired boy beside her. She smiled at the teen before she walked up to him. "Ah, Mr. Weasley. One, two, three. Vera Verto."

Ronald nodded excitedly, eager to try out the spell. The class watched as the boy cleared his throat before moving his wand up and down three times as he counted in his head. Raven glanced at the tip of his wand, the bandages that surrounded the poor wood as it barely held together. She couldn't help but pity the boy at the sight.

"Vera Verto." Ronald repeated the spell, turning his mouse into a cup. Or rather, a fur cup with a tail. Raven smiled sympathetically, while the rest of the class — minus Hermione — laughed at the boys failed spell.

"That wand needs replacing, Mr. Weasley." Professor McGonagall stated, pointing at Ronald's wand. Raven bit her lip to stop herself from speaking out of turn, knowing that she would cause more harm than good. And yet, she couldn't stop the annoyance that filled her at the Professors words. It was common knowledge that the Weasley family was poor.

Hermione raised her hand immediately — as if to take the attention off of Ronald. Raven felt her stomach churn at the look in her eyes when they scanned Ron before she turned to the Professor.

"Yes, Miss Granger?" The woman turned to Hermione.

"Professor, I was wondering if you could tell us about.." Hermione hesitated for a moment as if she knew she was approaching a touch subject. Raven furrowed her eyebrows. "The Chamber of Secrets."

The class remained quiet, eagerly awaiting the teachers response. Raven couldn't help but agree that she, too, was curious. Professor McGonagall inhaled deeply, looking more exhausted than Raven had ever seen her look before.

"Very well." The woman glanced around the class as she began to walk around. "Well, you all know, of course that Hogwarts was founded over a thousand years ago by the four greatest witches and wizards of the age. Godrick Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, and Salazar Slytherin."

Salazar Slytherin?

The same Salazar that Raven used to pray to every single day at home?

"Now, three of the founders coexisted quite harmoniously." Professor McGonagall explained to the class before she shook her head. "One did not."

"Three guesses who." Ronald mumbled over to the two girls, sending a cheeky grin to Hermione, who, in turn, looked down with a gentle blush as she bit her lip to stop the smile that threaded to overtake her lips. Raven clenched her jaw at the pretty sight, feeling the same churn in her stomach again.

"Salazar Slytherin wished to be more selective about the students admitted to Hogwarts." Professor McGonagall continued, retelling the tale that many knew. Raven spared a glance at Hermione, seeing the girl shift in her seat at her words. Raven didn't hesitate to brush her pinky against her palm, not sparing the girl a glance. Hermione turned to Raven, shocked that the girl who had been ignoring her before was trying to offer her comfort. "He believed magical learning should be kept within all—magic families. In other words, purebloods. Unable to way the others, he decided to leave the school."

Raven ignored her betrothals burning gaze on her back as he glanced over at Hermione, sending the muggleborn a glare. Thankfully, their hands were hidden by Raven's back. Though, Hermione hadn't taken Raven's hand in her own, only interlocked their pinkies as if she knew that Raven could barely handle her touch today.

"Now, according to legend, Slytherin had built a hidden chamber in this castle known as the Chamber of Secrets." Professor McGonagall carried on. Her voice even. And yet, the look on her eyes — to Raven, at least — looked more worried than anything as she spoke to the students. "Well, shortly before departing, he sealed it. Until that time when his own true heir returned to the school. The heir alone would be able to open the Chamber and unleash the horror within and by so doing purge the school of all those who in Slytherin's view were unworthy to study magic."

Just as the woman turned around and walked back to her desk, putting the conversation to rest, a girls voice, one that Raven could recognize anywhere spoke up for the first time. "Muggle-borns."

Melanie.

Sweet, kind Melanie — who was born a muggle.

Raven inhaled deeply, shutting her eyes at her words, ignoring the ache in her chest. She gulped down the growing fear that began to brew as she shared a look with Sophia, who in turn glanced back at their — at her — muggle born friend.

"Watch out, mudbloods." Draco spat, causing Raven to clench her jaw. "Rosier's gonna unleash the Chamber on your kind."

Ron turned to Draco, a glare in his eyes. "Watch your mouth, Malfoy."

"Scared of the truth, Weasle?" Draco taunted, laughing along side his friends. Raven turned her gaze to Hermione, who was already looking at her. She sent the girl a sympathetic smile, hoping to convey her apologies. Hermione sent the girl a tight smile in return before she moved her hand away from Raven.

Raven bit her tongue, trying to stop herself from reaching out and grabbing it again.

She hadn't wanted the girl to move away.

"Enough, Mr. Malfoy. I will not have that kind of language in my class!" Professor McGonagall scolded the boy, who rolled his eyes at the woman. "Miss. Rosier can't possibly be the heir to the Chamber of Secrets. Naturally, the school has been searched many times. No such chamber has been found."

"Professor?" Hermione called out. "What exactly does legend tell us lies within the Chamber?"

"The chamber is said to be home to something that only the Heir of Slytherin can control." Professor spoke in a quiet, but calm voice. "It is said to be the home.."

"Of a monster."

✦✦✦✦✦✦

Weird.

Raven had been acting weird since she had gotten called to Dumbledore's office a week ago. Melanie hadn't ever seen her so quiet, besides her first few days at Hogwarts. She had been refusing to talk to any of them or acknowledging them, especially Melanie. It hurt, of course, since they were friends, but that didn't stop her from worrying.

Natasha wanted to scold her more than anything. But thankfully, Melanie talked her out of it. She didn't want to cause the girl any unnecessary trouble just because she didn't feel like talking — to Melanie. It didn't mean she was being.. traditional again. She was just having a hard time.

Nothing more. Nothing less.

It didn't matter that she was being more tense anytime Melanie brushed against her. Well, tenser than she usually was. Or that whenever Melanie tried to ask for her to teach her how to do that origami bird again, she didn't even look her way, acting as if she were merely invisible. Or that she started to avoid them all together, sitting down at the Slytherin table and laugh along side them as if they hadn't been bullying her since she became a Hufflepuff.

Melanie tried not to take it to heart when she saw Pansy and Raven exchange a smile — as if the pureblooded girl hadn't been calling her slurs. Or whenever Draco kissed her cheek in class.

She tried to give her the benefit of the doubt.

Like she always did.

"Umm.. Melanie?" Raven called out to her. The muggleborn girl stiffened before sending her a tight smile. She didn't want to seem rude, but the girl had called her a mudblood a few weeks prior. Melanie had done her research and figured out what the word meant after that day.

"Hey.." Melanie replied. "Did you need something?"

Raven paused beside her, glancing down at the ground as if it were more appealing than the muggleborn girl next to her. She stayed quiet for a few moments, seemingly conflicted. Melanie watched as the girl opened her mouth to speak before shutting it.

She felt a wave of pity overtake her.

"Are you.. alright?" Melanie asked. She hesitated to touch the girl, afraid that she called her that slur again — Mudblood.

Raven spared a glance at the girl before she moved her hands in front of her, revealing a small black flower. It wasn't like anything Melanie had ever seen before. She knew the wizarding world had different flowers than the muggle world. But she'd never seen one that looked quite like this.

The dark black flower had specks of yellow peaking out, trailing across the leaves as if to shine brighter in the darkness than it ever would in the light. The stem didn't have thorns, not that Melanie could see. She glanced over at Raven's hand, seeing the small little cuts on her fingers. She softened her gaze at the sight. Despite the word she said, Melanie couldn't stop herself from caring for the pureblood. She might not have said a word to her after what had happened, but that didn't mean she was terrible.

"What happened—" Melanie nearly reached out, but stopped herself. Raven winced at the action before she turned away from the girl, pushing the flower towards the muggleborn.

"Here." Raven said. Melanie furrowed her eyebrows, confused by her sudden kindness. She had thought the girl hated her.

"For me?" Melanie questioned.

"Mhmm." Raven replied, pulling her hand back as if she had been burned once Melanie took ahold of the flower. She probably felt disgusted by their fingers brushing against each other.

(Raven didn't deserve to touch such a kind heart person like Melanie. Not after what she said.)

Melanie asked. "What for?"

"For calling you a.." Raven stopped, halting her words. Melanie turned to the girl, eyes widening at what the flower meant. Was this.. an apology? From a pureblood? "You're not.. filthy. And I'm sorry for saying that you were."

"It's fine—"

"No, it's not!" Raven exclaimed, raising her voice ever so slightly. Melanie watched as the girls eyes widened at her tone before she straightened her posture. "Sorry.. I just.. my family.. they don't.. They're very.. traditional. I know that's no excuse but.. I'm sorry."

Melanie smiled, a kind gentle one.

"I forgive you." Melanie bumped their shoulders together. Raven tensed at the contact for a moment before she relaxed, glancing over at Melanie.

"You do?" Raven asked in a small, weak voice.

"Of course." Melanie traced the flower in her hand, brushing against the stem. She could feel the place where the thorns were supposed to grown, but they weren't there anymore as if they had been cut off. She glanced over at Raven's cut fingers. "We're mates after all."

"We are?" Raven questioned, disbelief by her words. "Even after.."

"I know a good person when I see one." Melanie said. She brought the flower to her nose, sniffing its beautiful scent. "Besides, it's the hufflepuff way after all. To forgive, isn't it?"

Raven had given her such a smile that Melanie had to take a moment to breathe at the sight of it. It was the first time she had ever seen the girls teeth, a grin so wide that it looked unfamiliar on her lips.

It was a memory Melanie swore she would never forget because.. how could something so evil, smile so brightly? It didn't make sense. But now, as she glanced over at her friend who hadn't even spared her a glance for an entire week, she knew something must be wrong. She was sitting at the Slytherin table and not beside Cedric like she usually did.

Draco had his arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer to him as if the two hadn't fought a week ago. Her brother — cousin — was on her other side, carefully placing more food onto her plate without her realizing. Pansy was in front of the girl, smiling so wide that Melanie thought her lips probably ached from staying up for so long. In fact, Melanie had never seen the girl smile like that before. Ever. It was always a sly smirk or a small grin. Not one with teeth and mouth opened as wide as the eyes can see. Daphne was on the other side of Pansy, right side in front of Draco, rolling her eyes at something someone had said with a similar but soft grin. Her food left untouched in front of her.

Melanie felt her gaze shift to the other side of Pansy, watching as Theodore Nott laughed at something Raven's brother — cousin — had said. He was leaning into him before he smacked his hand against the table earning a flinch from the Draco, Christopher, and Raven. The girl turned to him with narrowed eyes, but all he did was wink at her. Melanie watched as she rolled her eyes before turning back to Pansy with a small careful smile on her face.

Blaise was beside Pansy, leaning into her ever so slightly. Melanie watched as the boy carefully placed more food onto her plate — just as Christopher did to Raven a few moments ago. She wanted to roll her eyes at the sight. The boys had given them their leftovers instead of eating them themselves. She hoped that Raven wouldn't have any setbacks with the extra food she was receiving.

Melanie couldn't help but think that the group before her was different now that Raven had joined them. Sure, they usually laughed and talked amongst themselves as if they were the only voice that had any value in Hogwarts, but they were relaxed now. Truly relaxed, and carefree with a worry in the world. It was as if Raven could pull that out of them.

And they, her.

At least, to Melanie's eyes.

Melanie prided herself on knowing everyone's names, even those who bully her. It was hard to kick her father's habit — one that he had developed in the hospital after her mom had been admitted. He liked knowing everyone's names, felt at ease with himself at the sight of some of them because he knew why they were there and what they were going to do. He never had to worry. And Melanie gained that habit too, after her mom died.

She never liked going out anywhere without knowing where, why, and who they were going with. Just like now she never liked meeting anyone new without knowing their names. A part of her did it out of politeness, but the other did it out of need. She wouldn't allow herself to be surprised again. Never again.

Which was why she couldn't help but be shocked at the sight before her, and she wasn't the only one.

"I can't believe she's sitting with them." Natasha scoffed out loud, glaring daggers at Raven, who hadn't even spared the Hufflepuff table a glance since she sat down. Veronica and Sophia followed her gaze, shifting in their seat to eye their Hufflepuff friend.

"Me either." Sophia agreed. She turned back to Natasha, whispering under her breath as if her words were a secret unknown to anyone else besides the four of them. "Didn't they used to bully her?"

Sophia mumbled something under her breath, too quiet for Melanie to be able to make out. "It is not cute to fancy your bullies."

"They still do." A voice beside Veronica responded. Melanie and the girls turned to the boy and his grey eyes locked with her brown ones, sending chills down her spine at the anger inside of them for a moment.

"Cedric.." Veronica spoke up, carefully.

He turned to the amber girl beside him. "Yeah?"

"Sorry, it's just the first time you ever really talked to us without Raven being present." Veronica stammered, her cheeks darkening the longer she spoke. "Well, besides during the hufflepuff meetings."

"The ones that Raven is not invited to." Sophia grumbled.

"You know why." Natasha gave her a knowing look. But that didn't stop the girl from sighing, glancing down at her plate as she began to pick at her food. Melanie felt a tug of pity swim through her. She couldn't help but feel bad for her friend, knowing that she, too, felt guilty for not informing Raven of their meetings.

"I know. I know, but I feel guilty." Sophia pushed her beans to the side, looking as if she lost her appetite. "I know we're doing it for a good cause, but still. It feels wrong to hold a meeting without her. She's a hufflepuff too."

"Don't worry." Cedric leaned forward so that the girl could glance over at him and actually, see him instead of just hear him. Melanie felt her heart warm up under his gentle smile. "After winter break, she'll join in on the meetings too."

"You'll think she'll like the surprise?" Melanie felt herself ask. Despite the fact that Raven wasn't sitting with them, she hoped she liked the surprise they had planned.

Cedric glanced over at her, his smile alone made a calmness rush through her. "I hope so."

And she found herself believing his words.

"Me too." Sophia mumbled.

Veronica said, mouth full from eating. "Me three."

"She better." Natasha scoffed.

"Natasha!" Melanie turned to her, eyes furrowing at her words. She knew that the blonde haired girl was mad at Raven for sitting with the Slytherins and ignoring them, but she didn't think she was this upset. She had to understand that Raven was going through something, right?

That's why she's ignoring them — Melanie — because she was going through something. Not because she wanted to, right?

"What?" Natasha glanced around the table at the accusing gaze of her friends. She narrowed her eyes at them before raising her voice ever so slightly. Though, not enough for everyone to hear, but just the group in front of her. "We're putting all our time and energy on her surprise, but she's ignoring us!"

"She's not ignoring us.." Melanie mumbled.

Natasha pointed at Raven. "Look where she's sitting!"

"That doesn't mean anything." Melanie argued — in a small, weak voice, but still tried to defend her friend who had given her a flower a year ago and apologized for her behavior.

"Doesn't it?" Natasha exclaimed before she sighed, pinching her nose. After taking a deep breath, she turned to the girl, softening her voice as she placed her hand over hers. "Mel, she hasn't spoken to you this entire week. She barely speaks to the rest of us."

"Maybe she's just going through something." Melanie replied — small, unsure. But still, she didn't want to give up.

"I hope that's the case. I really do. But to me," Natasha squeezed her hand before she turned her gaze over to Raven at the Slytherin table. The red haired girl had her hand politely over her lips as she shared a giggle with Pansy. Draco still had his arm around her shoulder. "She looks just fine."

"I heard that Draco's her betrothal." Veronica said suddenly, causing all four of them, including Cedric, to turn their gaze to her. "Figures, he is her cousin after all."

"You got to be pulling my leg!" Cedric exclaimed. Despite the chuckle that left his lips, Melanie couldn't help but think it sounded forced against her ears — as if to stop himself from screaming.

"Malfoy?" Sophia questioned. "I thought that she just fancied him. Especially after he kissed her cheek in class."

"He kissed her cheek?!" Veronica exclaimed.

"Yeah!" Sophia nodded before she pointed at Melanie. "Mels was there! She saw it."

"They're cousins!" Melanie ignored the girl, cringing. She carefully pushed her plate away from her.

"Is that why she's sitting over there?" Natasha asked out loud — her gaze not straying far from Raven.

"Could be." Cedric answered, his gaze now on his best friend who — to him — looked tense under Malfoy's hold as if the boy was pushing all the wrong buttons. "Where did you hear this?"

"Pansy was talking about it this morning in the bathroom." Veronica replied after she swallowed down her food. For a moment, Melanie envied her love for food, considering after what she just found out, she lost her appetite.

"Are you certain?" Cedric questioned, turning to her.

(He couldn't believe that Raven would be with Malfoy, not with the way she kept shifting uncomfortable under his touch. He knew when she was relaxed. He had seen it first hand multiple times. And sitting down with the Slytherins, he knew for certain that she wasn't. Not with the way her posture kept straightening even tightener than before. Or the way her lips were tight as if a puppet were pulling on her strings and forcing that perfect smile to rest on them and not the gentle, small, genuine grin he knew and loved.)

"When am I ever not?" Veronica scoffed as if she were offended by his words. She glanced around the table to check if any unwanted ears were listening before she leaned in, whispering to the group. "I overheard her telling Daphne and the other Slytherins. They were saying how having Draco and Raven together was the only way to fix their house conflict from last week."

"Oh.. god." Sophia gasped quietly. Cedric remained silent — speechless, his gaze burning into the side of Raven's face as if he were trying to force her to look at him.

(Her brother.)

"Poor Raven." Melanie sighed. Her stomach churned with guilt. She knew that the wizarding world had traditional families, but she didn't realize it was that bad. It reminded her too much of medieval times, where kings would marry off their daughters and sons to solve conflicts between kingdoms.

"What do you mean poor Raven?" Natasha scoffed. She rolled her eyes, shaking her head before she took a bite out of her sandwich. Everyone looked at her, waiting for her to continue. She quickly swallowed before she turned to them. "She could just deny being with him. It's not that hard. She has a say in who she's marrying. That's what my parents told me at least."

"True." Sophia hummed.

"Merlin, I forgot about that." Veronica smacked her forehead.

"Wait, so you're saying.." Melanie cringed before she turned to Natasha. "Raven wanted to marry Draco? Her cousin? En serio?"

If that were true then that would just be.. ew.

"It's not taboo here, Melanie." Veronica spoke up, her mouth full once again. "That's how they keep the pureblood lines, ya know, pure."

"By marrying their cousins?" Melanie questioned.

"Sometimes they're brother or sister." Natasha explained. Melanie fought the urge to gag. "Depends on the circumstances."

"You're joking?" Melanie exclaimed. "Tell me you're joking."

"Nope." Cedric spoke up before he pointed toward's Theodore Nott, who was laughing loudly at the table. "Notts Mother and father are siblings."

"Ew. Ew. Ew." Melanie nearly gagged. "That's just wrong."

"Not to them." Cedric shrugged as if it weren't a big deal. Melanie couldn't believe her eyes at the sight. All of her friends didn't bat an eyes to what the boy just told them as if it were a common occurrence amongst them. Just as she opened her mouth to say something, anything, to argue about how wrong and unethical it was, someone spoke first.

"She's looking over here." Sophia said, whispering as if she didn't want them to actually hear her. Melanie followed her gaze and felt her gaze lock with Ravens, and for the first time in a week, the girl did not look away at the sight of her.

"What do we do?" Melanie questioned, not attempting to tear her gaze away from Raven — afraid that when she looked back, she'll be gone as if she were never there in the first place.

"Ignore her back." Natasha scoffed.

Melanie gritted her teeth, forcing her gaze forward to Raven. "Natasha!"

"Fine." Natasha sighed. "Just wave at her."

"Do you think she'll wave back?" Melanie whispered under her breath — hopeful. Maybe she'd finally acknowledge her.

"Yeah, do you?" Sophia questioned out loud too. Veronica didn't speak. She just continued to eat her lunch as if it were her last meal.

"Why are you guys asking for my advice if you already know what's going to happen?" Natasha groaned.

"What's gonna happen?" Veronica asked, lifting her spoon to her mouth.

"She won't wave back." Natasha replied without hesitation. Melanie felt her jaw clench.

"She will." Melanie stated — as if everything in her truly believed she would wave back.

"Try it then." Natasha sighed. Melanie wanted to turn and glare at her, but she didn't. Instead, she lifted her hand up, and waved at Raven. The red haired girl paused for a moment, and Melanie saw as she balled her hand into fist before putting it under the table as if to stop herself from returning the gesture. And soon, she turned away from her, back to Pansy and Daphne and left Melanie waving to no one like an idiot.

"She didn't wave back." Melanie said — shocked, in a small quiet voice. Her hand was still up.

"I told you so." Natasha said softly, as if trying to spare any more of Melanie's feelings. She glanced over at the girls still raised hand and reached out and put it down for her. "Put your hand down."

"Why didn't she wave back?" Melanie asked. Her voice trembled for a moment before she cleared her throat regaining her composure. She wasn't going to cry over something so pointless. She wasn't a crybaby. It didn't even hurt that much.

(It did.)

"Because she chose her side." Natasha sighed, reaching out and squeezing the same hand that Melanie used to wave to Raven. Her voice was still soft, kind. Melanie watched as Natasha's gaze shifted over her shoulder with narrow eyes. "And now, she's running away. Classic Rosier."

Melanie turned, following the girls gaze and watched the back of Raven's hair as she walked away and out of the Great Hall. It looked as if she were running away from something — or someone. Melanie felt her gaze shift over to the boy — her best friend — and watched as he furrowed his eyebrows in concern at the sight of her departure. He moved to stand up as if to catch up to her before he stopped himself — catching the sight of a light brown bushed girl following after her.

"Don't be rude, Natasha!" Sophia's voice brought Melanie back to the present, causing her to turn to her friends.

"It's the truth!" Natasha exclaimed. "She's running away like she always does."

"She's not running away." Melanie said in a whisper, knowing that the blonde girl wasn't exactly wrong.

Raven had her fair share of trouble adjusting into Hufflepuff during her first year and had ran away a few times after relapsing as Natasha liked to call it. She didn't outright call Melanie any names or slurs anymore, but there were moments, especially after Yule break, where Raven would avoid her touch — and only, her touch. Natasha had called her out for it and Raven just ran away and didn't say anything back. It had only been after she had caught Raven sleeping in the common room that Melanie talked some sense into Natasha and allowed the girl back into their shared room.

Though, the girls noticed — and discussed it amongst themselves — that Raven was different after she came back this year. She was quieter, distant, especially during the first month. But now, something had changed in her and she was being brought out of her shell.

Melanie had wanted it to stay that way.

And yet, she was sitting with the Slytherins — the same ones who bullied the two of them. One of whom she had seen kiss her cheek in class a week ago.

"Why are you so hard on her?" Sophia questioned, narrowing her eyes at Natasha. She glanced around the table before leaning forward and whispered under her breath. "Maybe she's meeting someone?"

"Like who?" Natasha rolled her eyes, but still whispered right back.

"Like.." Veronica thought for a moment, tapping her chin before she snapped her fingers and pointed at Natasha. "Granger!"

"Granger?" The blonde questioned — taken aback by her choice.

(Cedric chocked on his food.)

"Yeah, look, she's not here anymore." Veronica gestured over to the Gryffindor table, specifically to the empty seat beside Potter and Weasley. "I reckon Raven chased after her. Or Granger chased after Raven. Either way, one of them chased after the other."

"Okay, sure." Natasha shook her head, not believing Veronica for a moment. "I don't think she was here to begin with, but whatever helps you sleep at night, Ronnie."

"She was here!" Veronica exclaimed.

"Yeah." Sophia spoke up. "I saw her."

"I don't think Raven and Hermione ever talked before." Melanie whispered under her breath, but none of her friends heard her. They were still arguing amongst themselves about Hermione being in the great hall or not. Though, Melanie couldn't help but wonder if they were friends. They hadn't talked to each other even after Raven sat beside her in class.

"Raven and Granger aren't even friends." Natasha stated — furthering her argument.

"How would you know?" Sophia questioned.

Natasha narrowed her eyes. "Because I know Raven."

"She sit beside Hermione in Transfigurations class." Melanie chimed in, causing Natasha's burning gaze to meet hers. "Maybe they are friends?"

"She did save her from being crushed in Lockhart's class." Veronica replied, causing Sophia to smack her shoulder happily.

"I remember that!" The dark red haired girl exclaimed.

"She did that for Ron Weasley." Natasha corrected.

"She said that she didn't fancy him." Sophia replied, sharing a glance with Veronica who nodded in agreement.

"And you two believed her?" Natasha raised her eyebrow. "I mean look at what she did for him."

"You're right." Sophia nodded, furrowing her eyebrows as if her whole world shifted.

"Are we really that gullible?" Veronica mumbled under her breath.

"Unfortunately." Natasha stared before she glanced between them. "No wonder you two were sorted into Hufflepuff."

"I take that as a compliment, thank you very much." Sophia smiled — a teasing one.

"It was one." Natasha returned the smile.

Sophia questioned. "Really?"

"No." Natasha replied, causing the girl to frown. The blonde laughed before she placed her hand over her mouth politely. "See, gullible."

"Okay, fine. I see your point." Sophia huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. She glanced over at Veronica who had continued to eat without a worry to her mind. The red haired girl sighed before she corrected herself. "We see your point."

"Merlin, who knew a Hufflepuff could be so mean?" Melanie mumbled under her breath, but the girls all heard her loud and clear.

"Hey!" Natasha exclaimed, but the damage was already done. The girls laughed, loudly at the blondes burning ears. After a few moments, she joined them and they laughed as one — almost, at least. Raven was still missing and so was her small but genuine giggle.

Without it, they all felt.. incomplete.

Like they would if any of them were missing.

"So, what do we do about Raven?" Melanie questioned.

"We wait. Maybe she'll come to us." Natasha softened her voice as she spoke to the girl.

"You think so?" Melanie asked — eyes filled with Hope, one that Natasha herself didn't want to break.

"I hope so."

✦✦✦✦✦✦

"Raven, wait!"

"Go away, Granger!" Raven didn't stop walking away from the muggleborn. She didn't even spare the girl a glance.

"Oh, now you're talking to me?" Hermione didn't stop either, chasing after her. Raven began to speed up to our run the girl, but Hermione grabbed her by her wrist and pulled her towards her, halting the purebloods motions.

"Why are you acting like this?" Raven questioned, not wanting to pull her hand away from the girls gentle touch. The two hadn't even been friends for that long. In fact, they weren't friends no matter how much Raven wanted them to be. She had no idea why Hermione was acting so.. childish.

"Why am I acting like this?!" Hermione exclaimed to Raven with a blazing look in her brown eyes. "You've been ignoring us— ignoring me, for this entire week!"

Raven furrowed her eyebrows. "How is that relevant?"

"How is that—?" Hermione scoffed before she let go of Raven wrist — Raven tried not to reach for her hand — and pointed angrily at Raven causing the girl to flinch unconsciously at the motion. "We're friends!"

"We're not friends!" Raven argued because they weren't. They couldn't be.

Hermione paused, "But you said—"

"I never said anything." Raven stated, fighting the urge to cross her arms over her chest. That would only make her appear unladylike. "You did!"

Hermione's flinched as if she had been burned by Raven — and the Rosier's heart ached at the sight of her glistening eyes. Raven shifted on her feet, clenching her jaw as she forced herself to keep eye contact with her gentle brown eyes. It wasn't hard to see Hermione's tear filled eyes. It wasn't.

"I told you, Granger, that I don't care for you." Raven looked away, the sight before her had been too much to bear after all when Hermione's lip trembled ever so slightly. She whispered, her own voice shaky despite her cruel words. "I can't care for someone like you."

"Someone like me?" Hermione spoke softly as if she couldn't believe that Raven would say such a thing. "A mudblood."

Raven remained quiet for a moment before she forced her gaze back to Hermione and looked her in the eyes as a quiet, timid voice spoke through her. "..Yes."

"Well, that's one way to get a point." Hermione chuckled humorlessly as she swiped away a tear that had slipped past her defense. Raven nearly brought her hand out to brush it away, but she forced it back, keeping it balled at her side.

"Are you still on about that?" Raven gritted out. She had to do this. Uncle Nicholas had only wanted what was best for her. And associating with muggle borns, even the ones she thinks are.. brilliant and pretty and wonderful, is wrong.

"Of course." Hermione shrugged before her gaze hardened. "I told you I would prove you wrong, didn't I?"

Raven fought the urge to groan. "Why did I agree to do this again?"

"Because I'm pretty persuasive." Hermione spoke with a sly smirk twitching up onto her lips. It was a sight that Raven was slowly growing to enjoying seeing on the muggleborns face.

"You're pretty alright." Raven mumbled under her breath, looking down at her shoes.

Hermione furrowed her eyebrows, leaning in ever so slightly. "What was that?"

"I said, you're pretty stubborn." Raven ignored the way her ears began to burn. Hermione raised an eyebrow at the sight.

"I am not!" The muggleborn exclaimed, almost playfully — as if Raven's previous words had never been spoken aloud.

"Look, Granger, need I remind you why we did the challenge in the first place?" Raven looked down at the girl, narrowing her eyes to try to seem intimidating and scare the muggle born off, but all the girl did was purse her lips and crossed her arms over her chest. "I'm evil, just like my parents. The sooner you see that the better."

"Then, say it." Hermione urged. Raven froze, stunned by the girls words. "Go on. Say it. Your cousin doesn't seem to have a problem saying it."

"No.. I—" Raven's voice trailed off. Raven never wanted to say the word again. She knew that if she did it, if she said it — deep down — she would be exactly like her Uncle. Or worse, her parents. She couldn't bear the thought of even being remotely like them.

"What? You can't?" Hermione questioned, urging the girl to say it. Raven remained quiet, biting her tongue at the way Hermione's voice broke ever so slightly. "Why not? You had no problem agreeing! Besides, I thought you said you were evil?"

Raven exhaled shakingly, trying to fight her own lump in her throat before she spoke again, "Goodbye, Granger."

She didn't know why this was so hard. Hermione meant nothing to her. She was nothing. So, why couldn't Raven just let her go? She had let go of her friends. Of Cedric. And yeah, it hurt. It was a terrible pain that spread through her every single time she glanced over at the Hufflepuff table and seen them all laughing and smiling without her as if they never needed her in the first place.

But Hermione..

It ached.

Everywhere.

She couldn't stand the thought of letting her go. She searched for her in halls, found her gaze in the Great Hall, called out to her in her dreams. She even sketched her more and more with each fleeting glimpse she saw of her throughout the week. Her sketch book had long since lost its old contents, the chains, and the wounds from her nightmares, replaced with the soft and kind grin of a muggleborn.  

"No! You don't get to say when this conversation is over." Hermione chased after her as Raven swallowed the lump in her throat. "Not when you looked like you were about to start crying in there!"

"I have no idea what you're talking about.." Raven inhaled deeply, biting her tongue to halt the tears that threatened to slip past her defense.

"Yes, you do!" Hermione trailed after her before she finally caught up and began to walk beside her. Raven could feel the burning gaze of the girl on the side of her face. "You look like you're about to start crying now."

"Just leave me alone, Granger!" Raven's voice broke.

"No!" Hermione grabbed her arm once more, halting her. Her voice was soft, filled with concern. "Why are you being so stubborn?"

"I'm stubborn?" Raven chuckled dryly, sounding so unlike her usual perfect giggles. "Merlin, you think with that big brain of yours that you'd actually be smart."

Hermione flinched at her words.

And Raven hated herself for causing it.

"You don't mean that." The bushy brown haired girl replied in a quiet voice.

"I do." Raven replied. She didn't. "Now, leave me alone."

Raven began to walk away again, or at least, tried to if it wasn't for Hermione grabbing onto her wrist once again and pulling her back. "Blimey, Raven, I get that you're scared, but that doesn't give you the right to be mean."

"Scared?" Raven breathed before she turned to face the muggleborn. "I'm terrified, Granger."

She could barely breath anymore. It wasn't fair. All she wanted was to talk to her friends and laugh along side Cedric again. But she just.. numb and mean. Why was she so mean? She never wanted that. It wasn't her. She hated it so much.

"You don't have to be." Hermione spoke in a soft calm voice. Her hands trailed up Raven's arms, causing the girl to nearly shiver in response before they settled on her shoulders. "Harry, Ron, and I are trying to figure this out. We can fix this!"

"I can't even talk to my bloody friends!" Raven snapped, crying out as she shrugged Hermione's hands off of her shoulders. She couldn't deal with this. She couldn't deal with her. This was too much. Anyone could catch them if she wasn't careful. Draco could catch them.

"What do you mean?" Hermione questioned before her tone turned sharp. Raven pinched her nose, trying to calm the fear in her bones. "You were just with them? Your friends, Pansy and Draco and the others."

"Nothing. Nevermind." Raven shook her head before she waved off the muggleborn as she walked away. "Just leave me alone."

"No!" Hermione argued, trailing after her. Raven wanted to curse her for her kindness. She didn't want to be near the girl. Not when so much could happen. She had finally decided to let her go, but she wouldn't budge. She stuck to Raven like glue and refused to let her go. "You swore to me that we wouldn't be those kinds of friends who act like we're fine. I won't let you lie to yourself or to me."

"I'm not lying." Raven gritted. She was, and it was so pathetic that Hermione could see it too.

"Yes, you are!" Hermione grabbed her wrist again, halting her. But instead of pulling her towards her, Hermione walked around to Raven's front and grabbed her shoulders. "Just.. talk to me. Alright? I can listen. I'm a good listener."

"No, you're not." Raven narrowed her eyes at the girl before she quoted her words."You're a know it all."

"And how did I became a know it all? By listening." Hermione commented before a teasing smirked tugged up onto her lips, "You should try it sometimes."

Raven bit her lip, trying to contain the smile that threatened to escape at the sight of the girls smirk. The sight alone was so.. mesmerizing. Raven couldn't find it in herself to look away. She wanted to burn it into her sketchbook. "You're not going to let this go, are you?"

"Nope. Like you said, I'm stubborn." Hermione said cheekily. After a moment, Hermione spoke in a soft and kind voice. One that Raven felt unworthy of. "So.. what's going on?"

"Nothing." Raven whispered.

Hermione urged. "Raven."

"I'm fine." Raven sent the girl the same practiced perfect smile that was beat into her. But all she did was give her a knowing look as if she could see past the smile that made her bleed more times than she could count.

"If you were fine, you would be sitting with your friends." Hermione stated as she gestured over to the direction of the Great Hall.

"I was sitting with them." Raven denied — her own voice sounding weak to her ears as if she couldn't find it in herself to argue.

"If those are your friends then, you have terrible judgment." Hermione crossed her hands over her chest as she raised an eyebrow at Raven. The red haired girl looked away, biting her lip.

"I don't have terrible judgment." She mumbled under her breathed.

"They bully you, Raven!" Hermione exclaimed, causing Raven to flinch at the loudness of her voice. Her eyes widened at the reaction before quickly sighed, keeping her voice low. "I'm sorry.. I just.. I heard them call you Rotten Rosier more times than I can count."

"You have hearing problems." Raven blurted out. It wasn't her best defense, but it was the only one she could think of.

"I have perfect hearing actually." Hermione smiled at the girl.

"Then, you're just delusional." Raven hummed, nodding as she agreed with her own words.

"I witness them calling you that, Raven!" Hermione whispered, sharply, keeping her voice low as to not spook Raven again. "But I never did anything about it because.."

"Of my last name?" Raven chuckled weakly, sending the girl a tight smile. "You're not the only one."

"I know. Merlin, I know, and I'm sorry." Hermione couldn't picture a more heartbreaking sight than the forced smile that Raven gave her to try and reassure her. It caused her own heart to ache at the sight, filling her with pity. How could she think that this girl was evil? "Because I know you now. You're kind, and good, and you're nothing like your parents."

Raven scoffed. "That's such a Gryffindor answer."

"What do you mean?" Hermione furrowed her eyebrows, taken aback by Raven's reaction.

"You don't know me, Granger. Not really." Raven replied, pursing her lips.

"I do—" Hermione began to argue.

"No, you don't! Just like I don't know you." Raven interrupted, cutting her off with her sharp tongue. "But sure, say that I'm kind and good and nothing like my parents because I'm a Hufflepuff, right? I have to be those things to be one, don't I?"

"You're right.." Hermione sighed — defeated. "I don't know you."

"Finally, you're starting to see some sense." Raven bit her inner lip to try and calm the ache in her heart at the defeat in the muggleborns eyes. Had she finally given up on Raven?

"But I do know that the hat saw something good in you for you to be a Hufflepuff." Hermione chimed in with a soft voice, stern as she spoke. A tone that held no room for arguments. "Just like it saw bravery in me."

"You're wrong."

"I'm never wrong."

"That's ego talking."

"Could be.." Hermione giggled before a gentle smile rest on her lips. "Or you could just have faith and trust me?"

"I can't." Raven breathed. But she wanted to. Oh, how she wanted to believe Hermione's every word.

"That's okay." Hermione's gentle smile softened, as did her gaze. "I have till the end of the year to convince you."

"If I even listen." Raven mumbled.

Hermione argued. "You will."

"That's presumptuous of you." Raven felt a small tug of her lips as a smile attempted to form onto her face. But she pushed the feeling down, knowing that it would look more unfamiliar and wrong than right. She didn't want to burden Hermione with the sight.

"Or I can see into the future." Hermione teased.

Raven tilted her head ever so slightly like a lost puppy, "Can you?"

"No." Hermione shook her head before a smirk carefully climbed up her lips. "But, I'll make you listen."

"And how will you do that?" Raven questioned, her tone sounding almost playful. Which shouldn't happen because she had barely met Hermione and it took over a year for her to be comfort around Cedric. How could the girl already be past her defensives like they were nothing? 

"By annoying you every single day if I have to." Hermione hummed.

"Blimey, Granger, you make me want to say the slur." Raven groaned before she began to walk again, hearing Hermione's careful footsteps beside her, matching her pace as one.

"Then, say it." Hermione glanced over at Raven, burning her gaze into the side of her head. Raven remained silent, she would not dare utter the word. "Exactly. That's what I thought."

"How do you know I wasn't going to say it?" Raven scoffed, and for the first time in a long time, she didn't feel scared to do so. At least, not around Hermione. It almost felt safe. "What if I did, huh? What would you do then? Give up, perhaps?"

"Who said I was giving up?" Hermione had cheeky grin on her face. "You're not going to scare me off that easily, Rosier."

Good.

She hadn't wanted to.

"Whatever." Raven nearly rolled her eyes, but caught herself. That was unladylike, and Raven could only go so far. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get to practice."

"I'll join you." Hermione said excitedly. Raven's heart felt warm at her words. Though, her face have nothing away, beside the small twitch in her eyebrow.

"Ugh," Raven groaned dramatically, not trying to seem too happy that Hermione was joining her. She couldn't let the girl know that she enjoyed her presence. "You're like a leech that won't quit."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"You shouldn't, Leech." Raven narrowed her eyes playfully at the muggleborn, who giggled in turn.

"Did I just get upgraded to a nickname beside's Granger?" She questioned, a smile rested on her face.

"What? No!" Raven tried to deny it, but the girl couldn't stop the warmth in her chest at the way Hermione's smile settled gentle across her face. As if the sight alone placed a calmness over Raven — one that she didn't know if she had the heart to give up. "Leech is an insult!"

"I need to come up with one for you." Hermione placed a hand on her chin, tapping it as she thought. Raven bit her tongue to stop the unladylike giggle that threatened to leave her lips. "Mhmm, how about.. ummm.."

"Ray—Ray!" A distant voice that Raven knew all too well — and missed more than anything. "Wait for me."

"You might want to step aside." Raven told the girl, halting her thought process.

Hermione furrowed her eyebrows. "Why?"

"Just do it." Raven gestured over to the other end of the hall, and Hermione followed her after a bit of hesitation. And she was standing a few steps away, Raven braced herself. "Three. Two. One."

And almost immediately after she got to one, Cedric jumped onto Raven. If she hadn't heard his voice earlier, she wouldn't have been able to stop the two of them from falling. Though, if Hermione hadn't stopped her, she wouldn't have even talked to the boy.

"How many times do I have to tell you not to jump on me?" Raven groaned.

Cedric smiled. "I'm deaf, Ray—Ray."

"And yet, you can hear me perfectly fine." Raven gently, carefully shoved the boy off of her, before sending him a glare as she fixed her robes.

"Someone's feeling sassy today." Cedric raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms over his chest.

"I am not sassy!" Raven denied.

Hermione stepped forward. "You kind of are."

"Granger!" Raven turned to her.

"So, it's back to Granger now?" Hermione raised an eyebrow, a fake frown settled against her lips. Raven narrowed her eyes at the girl.

"It's not, Leech!" Raven huffed, turning away from her.

"Ray—Ray, who's your friend?" Cedric questioned, stepping beside Raven as he looked down at the bushy brown haired girl. 

"She's not my friend." Raven replied, her voice still holding a slight playful tone to it. "She's a leech that doesn't know when to bugger off."

"Hermione Granger." The Muggleborn put her hand out for Cedric to shake. "I'm Raven's leech."

"Cedric Diggory." Cedric took it with a smile, one that was too bright for anyone. "And I think we'll be great friends."

"R.. Right back at you." A soft blush settled against the girls cheeks, bringing out her freckles.  Raven let her eyes linger on the sight for a moment more, getting pulled in by the beauty of it all before she narrowed her eyes at Cedric, who still hadn't let go of her hand.

"Let's go, Leech." Raven grabbed Hermione's wrist and pulled her away from Cedric. "You said you wanted to watch me practice."

"What—" Hermione's eyes widened at Raven's action, confused by the sudden departure. She glanced over at the girl, but she refused to make eye contact with her as she dragged her away from Cedric and his charming smile.

"Ray—Ray?!" Cedric exclaimed.

Raven turned back to the boy, sending him a glare. "Take the long route, Diggory!"

He smirked at the sight as if he could see right through her — or rather, knew something she didn't — before he cupped his hands over his mouth and shouted out for her to hear. "You better not start ignoring me again!"

And soon, the two second years turned the corner and away from Cedric. And yet, that still didn't stop Raven. No. She needed to get Hermione far away from the boy if it was the last thing she'd do. She understood that Cedric was charming, at least to the other girls around Hogwarts. But he wasn't allowed to be charming around Hermione.

Anyone but her.

Literally anyone.

The thought of Hermione getting sucked into Cedric's charm didn't sit right with Raven and caused her stomach to churn so violently that she had to pull the girl away. She didn't want to risk her falling for him.

"Don't." Raven spoke, already knowing what the girl was going to say despite the fact that Raven still hadn't stopped.

"You're ignoring Cedric?" Hermione questioned as if she couldn't believe her own words.

"He's being overdramatic." Raven didn't quite tell the truth, but she didn't outright lie either. She found a good in between. A part of her didn't want to lie to Hermione. "He can't go a day without me talking to him."

"You're best friends."

"We're just friends."

"That's not what everyone else says."

"Good thing I stopped caring about everyone's opinions about my life a long time ago." Raven stopped them, turning to the girl. "Now, anymore questions, or are you finally gonna bugger off?"

"What's wrong?" Hermione asked, blurted. Raven paused for a moment, stunned by her question.

"Nothings wrong." Raven glanced away from the girl, not being able to handle the concern look in her gentle brown eyes. "I'm fine."

"I still don't believe you."

"I still don't care."

"Raven." Hermione pleaded.

"It's nothing you can help with, Granger." Raven sighed before she sent the girl a pitiful smile. One that she knew was filled with pain. "Alright? Now, can you drop it?"

"You know that you can talk to me about it." Hermione spoke cautiously as if Raven were a stray cat that she were trying to tame. "Whatever it is."

Raven shook her head. "I'd rather not."

"Why not?" Hermione questioned.

"I already know what you'd say. Or do." Raven began to explain. "You're a Gryffindor and they tend to play the hero. Well, guess what, I don't need one."

"Do you want one?"

"What?" Raven paused. Her heart ached at the girls words. No one had ever asked her that before. She knew she was fine on her own. She knew she took care of herself and dealt with her own punishments. And yet, did she want a hero? Did she even deserve one? She never allowed a thought like that to cross her mind. She couldn't have one. Not with her last name being Rosier.

"You said that you didn't need one, but.." Hermione trailed off, nervously as she shifted on her feet to avoid to girls intense gaze. "Do you want one? Cause I can be your hero. We're friends after all."

"You'd be my hero?" Raven asked in a quiet voice.

"Of course." Hermione replied without hesitation before she shrugged. "Why wouldn't I?"

"Because I'm Raven Mara Rosier." Raven responded robotically, numbly. "Evil Incarnate."

"Your middle name is Mara?" Hermione asked before she smiled. The sound of her voice knocking her out of thought and back to the present. "Mine is Jean."

"Jean?" Raven furrowed her eyebrows. "That's weird."

"Hey!" Hermione smacked the girls shoulder, earring a giggle from the red haired girl. One that sounded happy, carefree. "Don't be mean to your hero."

"You're not my hero!" Raven giggled.

"Too late, I already took the position." Hermione posed, placing her hands on her hips before she put on her best hero voice. "Now, what seems to be the trouble?"

"A Leech named Hermione Jean Granger who doesn't know when to bugger off." Raven teased the girl.

"Maybe she's just trying to help you." Hermione pursed her lips, still keeping her hero voice as she talked about herself.

"Maybe I don't want her help." Raven replied before she paused, hesitating for a moment. "And just.. want to forget for a bit, is that so much ask?"

"No." Hermione softened her voice. "That's never too much to ask."

"Thank you, Miss Hero."

"Call me Wonder Woman."

"Wonder Woman?" Raven questioned, "That's an interesting name."

"You don't know who Wonder Woman is?" Hermione's eyes widened as she took in the sight of Raven's confused expression.

Raven smiled, a genuine soft one that settled against her lips as if it always had a home in Hermione presence. "Should I?"

"Merlin, I got a lot to teach you."