Small Steps, Big Changes
“AHHH!”
Hope lands on the floor beside her bed with a thud. Her heart is still semi-racing from being scared awake. “Pandora! What the hell?” She questions after opening her eyes from her very rare, peaceful sleep and seeing her roommate standing over her and simply staring with the same serene look on her face that never seems to leave.
“My apologies, I was going to wake you up but you looked so peaceful.” The blonde explains.
“So you decided to stare at me instead?” Hope exclaims with an annoyed glare.
“Is that not okay?” Upon seeing Pandora’s genuinely confused face Hope sighs.
“No, not typically.”
Pandora looks dejected. “I’m sorry.” She whispers, downcast.
Hope manages to get off of the floor and wipes off any dirt she may have picked up on her night clothes. “It’s alright, just try not to do it again?” Hope walks over to her trunk. “As beautiful as you are, I’d much rather gaze upon your beauty when I’m not half asleep and on the ground.” Hope turns around and winks at Pandora playfully who laughs quietly in response. “I shall keep that in mind, Hope. Now I will leave you to get ready while I wait downstairs for everyone. We usually walk together to breakfast.”
“You don’t have to wait for me, I can manage.”
“Nonsense, that’s what friends do. I just hope Reggie manages to wrestle Barty awake. He’s not much of a morning person. I remember, back in third year, no one woke him up and he was especially angry at us for that seeing as he was late for class and missed breakfast. So the next day I went to their dorm to try and get him up and he threw a pillow at Evan’s head and was mumbling profanities under his breath throughout breakfast. He had many wrackspurts around him that day.” Pandora narrates her story and Hope is reminded of her Uncle Kol seeing as he also hates being woken up. Every similarity she notes makes her miss home and regret her decision a little bit more. She quickly pushes down the feeling and Pandora leaves Hope to get ready. Hope chose to ignore the wrackspurt comment in favor of questioning it another day and pulled out her robes to begin her routine.
Hope adjusted her freshly enchanted robes, their dark green and silver trim reflecting her new house's emblematic pride. She ran her fingers over the Slytherin crest embroidered on the chest. It felt strange—a part of her still felt out of place in this world, in this house, but she reminded herself of Minnie’s proud, approving smile when the Sorting Hat announced her placement. With a deep breath, Hope tied her hair back and grabbed her wand, slipping it into the holster on her belt. She was ready—well, as ready as she could be.
When Hope finally made her way to the common room, she found the others waiting for her. Pandora was humming softly to herself, her hair glinting like spun gold in the dim green light of the dungeon. Regulus leaned casually against the wall, arms crossed, watching Evan and Barty bicker about who had eaten the last treacle tart the night before. Barty, looking half-asleep but still feisty, defended himself with exaggerated hand gestures, while Evan made dramatic accusations.
“Good morning,” Hope greeted them with a small smile.
Evan spun toward her, his expression instantly lighting up. “Hope! Save me! Barty is attempting to gaslight me into believing he didn’t eat the tart when I clearly saw him with it.”
Barty groaned and rubbed his temples. “For Merlin’s sake, Evan, I didn’t eat it. How could I have eaten it when I wasn’t even in the common room after the feast? I went straight to bed!”
“Not before stopping at the kitchen,” Evan shot back triumphantly, wagging a finger in accusation.
“I wasn’t even hungry —” Barty began but was swiftly cut off by Regulus.
“Enough, both of you,” he said in his usual calm but commanding tone. “Mikaelson, if you weren’t regretting joining us before, surely you are now.”
Hope smirked. “I’ll let you know after breakfast.”
Pandora grabbed Hope’s arm with an excited grin. “Speaking of breakfast, let’s go before all the good food is gone!” She practically dragged Hope toward the exit, the boys following close behind.
As they walked through the winding corridors of the castle, Hope found herself growing more comfortable with the group’s dynamics. Pandora’s dreamy demeanor and unwavering loyalty were comforting, while Evan and Barty’s constant banter provided entertainment. Regulus, though distant, intrigued her the most. He was sharp and observant, clearly holding himself back from opening up. Hope suspected he wasn’t nearly as cold as he pretended to be.
When they reached the Great Hall, the Marauders, as Minnie said they liked to be called, were already there, sitting at the Gryffindor table. James Potter’s laughter rang out as Sirius Black recounted a dramatic tale about dodging a Filch detention. Peter Pettigrew was hanging on Sirius’ every word, while Remus Lupin smiled faintly, clearly more focused on his toast and book. Hope eyed Lupin for a moment, feeling some type of connection to him that her wolf picked up on but she didn’t have time to dwell on it.
Hope felt James’ gaze the moment she entered. It wasn’t subtle—his eyes followed her every movement as she crossed the hall. He nudged Sirius, who glanced up, gave Hope a once-over, and then grinned mischievously at James.
“Oi, Potter,” Sirius said, loud enough for the Slytherins to hear. “Looks like you’ve finally found someone to distract you from your Lily obsession.”
James blushed furiously, shoving Sirius’ shoulder. “Shut it, Pads.”
Regulus tensed beside Hope, his jaw tightening. “Ignore them,” he muttered under his breath, leading the group to their usual spot at the Slytherin table.
But Hope couldn’t ignore the weight of James’ stare. She met his eyes for a fleeting moment, then quickly looked away, her heart hammering in her chest. No , she told herself. I don’t need anyone getting close to me like that. Not again.
As breakfast progressed, the Marauders’ antics grew louder. At one point, Sirius enchanted a piece of toast to float above Peter’s head, causing Peter to flail wildly as James and Sirius laughed uproariously. Hope tried not to watch, but her gaze kept flickering back to them, especially James. There was something magnetic about him—the messy hair, the confident grin, the way he lit up the room.
Regulus noticed. “Potter’s a prat,” he said quietly, not looking at her but somehow knowing where her attention was. “Don’t waste your time.”
“I’m not,” Hope replied quickly, though her voice sounded unconvincing even to herself.
Regulus glanced at her, his grey eyes narrowing slightly. “Good. Gryffindors and Slytherins don’t mix, Mikaelson. Especially not that one.” He seemed to have a personal grudge against Potter but Hope thought it best not to voice her observation. She would figure it out eventually though.
Hope didn’t respond, but Pandora spoke up with a dreamy smile. “I think opposites can make the most beautiful matches. Stars and darkness, fire and water… It’s all about balance.”
“Or disaster,” Regulus muttered, returning to his meal.
As breakfast ended and the students dispersed to their classes, Hope caught James glancing back at her one last time before exiting the hall with Sirius. She forced herself to focus on her friends and the day ahead, but a tiny voice in the back of her mind whispered that avoiding James Potter was going to be much harder than she thought.
Breakfast passed quickly, the chatter at the Slytherin table more subdued than at the others, though Pandora filled any silences with her usual whimsical musings. Hope appreciated it—it kept her from dwelling too much on how foreign everything felt.
— — — — — —
Looking over her schedule, Hope’s first class of the day was potions with Professor Slughorn, her Head of House. The class was also conveniently with the Gryffindors. She followed her new friends—bar Regulus and Barty who were sixth years—to the dungeons. Hope had read up on the subject quite a bit over her summer with Poppy teaching her the basic charms and potions that all the other years were taught so she was caught up in time. Minnie helped more with defensive spells and transfiguration. While researching, Hope noticed a lot of differences in magic between this world and her own. Her world didn’t have potions that could heal a person or replenish their blood. But it did have vampire blood which could heal almost any wound and there were also simple healing spells. Her kind of witch rarely relied on potions, choosing to focus on raw power instead. Although she might’ve spent hours on end preparing for the school year ahead, Hope couldn’t help but feel nervous that she might still be very behind the rest of the students in her year. But she also knew she had more defensive and offensive knowledge and power to level the entire school without blinking an eye, keeping her pride intact and making her feel an ounce better.
Poppy informed her that the first potion Slughorn would make them brew in their first class was the draught of living death. A potion that puts people into a deep sleep, mimicking death. He likes to start the year off with refreshers of previous years so Hope spent a lot of time making sure she knew everything.
Entering the classroom, the first thing she noticed was how the room was split down the middle with Gryffindors on the left and Slytherins on the right. She should’ve expected the divide but it was strikingly different to how things worked at the Salvatore School for the Young and Gifted. Sure they were divided by faction but the regular human classes were taken together and the rooms were never divided. Each faction got along as well as they could despite the centuries of war and hatred. But with the houses at Hogwarts, they seemed to take their placements very seriously. Even during breakfast, everyone was sitting at their own table. Was there an unspoken rule about friendships in other houses? She hoped not and made a mental note to ask Pandora about it later.
Suffice to say, Hope did not like the divide in Hogwarts. Minnie wanted her to make more friends this year and try to be a normal teenage girl. A normal, immortal tribrid yes, but still normal. Sure the “normal” here was staying within your own house but she is not going to spend the entire year with emotionally closed off Slytherins who either want to use her because of her connection to Professor Mcgonagall or just don’t care much for her because of her status in the wizarding world, which is nonexistent. Hope is determined to make some friends in other houses no matter what.
Hope takes a seat in the front row flanked by Evan on her right and Pandora on her left. Professor Slughorn’s voice cuts off any more of her inner-monologue.
“Ahh now that everyone is here, let's get started. Shall we?” He extends his arms in an overly enthusiastic way to match his tone. All Hope knows of Slughorn is that he loves making connections with students he knows has influence in the world. Basically, he loves collecting people while they’re young so that they’ll be more inclined to help him in the future so he very clearly shows his favorites. Hope does not want to be one of them.
Slughorn explains the potion they’ll be brewing today: the Draught of Living Death. His voice is rich and theatrical as he describes its properties, emphasizing how a single drop could induce a sleep so profound it mimics death itself.
“A potion of subtlety and precision,” he continues, “and one that separates the competent from the truly gifted.” He smiles broadly, scanning the room as though already imagining which students will impress him the most. His gaze lingers briefly on Hope, curiosity flickering across his face before he moves on.
“Now, I know this is advanced, but for a group as talented as this, I have no doubt you’ll rise to the challenge.”
Hope catches James Potter out of the corner of her eye, flashing a cocky grin at Sirius as though the challenge has been issued directly to him. Regulus’ words echo in her mind: Potter’s a prat.
Slughorn claps his hands, drawing her attention back to the front. “Ingredients are in the cupboard, instructions are on the board. Begin!”
— — — — — —
The room quickly fills with the sound of rustling robes, clinking glass, and the bubbling of cauldrons as students gather their supplies and begin their work. Hope moves swiftly and deliberately, taking stock of the ingredients for the potion. Her nerves simmer under the surface, but she forces herself to focus. She knows this potion backwards and forwards—she’s spent nights studying every step, every potential mistake.
Evan leans toward her as he chops up valerian root, his grin mischievous. “Think you’ll impress old Sluggy?”
Hope smirks faintly. “I’ll settle for not blowing anything up.”
Pandora, on her other side, hums dreamily. “I think potions are like painting. Everything must blend just right, or the entire thing falls apart.” She tosses her asphodel into her cauldron with a flourish, as though casting a spell.
Hope glances at the Gryffindor side of the room. James is leaning over his cauldron, his hair even messier than usual as he stirs the potion with an intensity that surprises her. She can hear Sirius whispering something to him, but James doesn’t seem to be paying attention. Instead, his hazel eyes flick briefly toward her, catching her gaze for a split second before darting back to his cauldron.
Her stomach twists uncomfortably, and she quickly turns back to her work. She doesn’t have time for distractions.
— — — — — —
Halfway through the lesson, the room is filled with a delicate haze of steam and the faint aroma of crushed herbs. Hope’s potion is a pale lilac, exactly the shade it’s meant to be at this stage. She feels a small surge of relief— so far, so good .
Slughorn is making his rounds, stopping at each student’s station to offer praise or constructive criticism. When he reaches Hope, he peers into her cauldron, his eyebrows raising slightly.
“Well, Miss Mikaelson, you’ve done your homework, haven’t you?” he says, his voice warm but tinged with curiosity. “Excellent consistency, and the color is spot-on for this stage. Very promising.”
Hope nods politely, her stomach knotting at the attention. She doesn’t want to stand out too much—not here, not yet.
As Slughorn moves on, Sirius’ voice cuts through the quiet hum of the classroom. “Oi, Jamie, yours looks more like swamp water than a potion.”
James rolls his eyes but doesn’t look up. “At least mine isn’t glowing green.”
Sirius cackles, unbothered, but James seems tense, his stirring a bit too vigorous.
Hope fights the urge to glance over again, instead focusing intently on her next steps: slicing the sopophorous bean with precision and extracting its juice. But as she crushes the bean under her silver dagger, a splash of liquid lands on the back of her hand, stinging sharply.
“Are you alright?” Pandora asks softly, concern flashing in her wide blue eyes.
Hope nods quickly, wiping her hand on her robe. “Just a splash. I’m fine.”
But before she can return to her work, a loud bang reverberates through the dungeon. Everyone freezes, heads whipping toward the source of the noise.
It’s James Potter’s cauldron, now spewing thick, acrid smoke. His potion, a murky black, bubbles furiously before overflowing onto the floor.
Slughorn hurries over, waving his wand to vanish the mess. “Oh dear, oh dear. Mr. Potter, I do hope you’re not planning to put anyone into a permanent sleep with that .”
The Gryffindors laugh, and Sirius claps James on the back, but James looks flustered, his cheeks turning a deep shade of red.
A random Slytherin seated a row behind Hope, snorts softly. “Pathetic,” he mutters under his breath, just loud enough for Hope to hear.
She doesn’t respond, but she feels an odd pang of something—sympathy?—as she watches James scratch the back of his neck, avoiding Slughorn’s gaze.
As the lesson winds down, Slughorn announces that they’ll be testing their potions next week, giving everyone time to perfect their technique. Hope packs up her supplies, stealing one last glance at James as he leaves the dungeon, his shoulders hunched slightly.
“Interesting,” Pandora murmurs as they walk out into the corridor.
“What is?” Hope asks.
“The way people try to hide how they’re feeling,” Pandora says dreamily. “It’s like a mask. But some are easier to see through than others.”
Hope doesn’t reply, but she can’t help wondering what mask James Potter is hiding behind—and why it bothers her so much.
— — — — — —
Their next class is transfiguration with Minnie and Hope can’t wait. She can actually use her wand in this class and Minnie has been training her all summer so Hope has no doubt she won’t make a fool out of herself and turn her hair pink on accident.
Hope walked into the Transfiguration classroom alongside Pandora and Evan, the three of them chatting softly. Despite the warmth of their conversation, Hope couldn’t shake the slight tension that lingered after Potions class. James Potter’s embarrassment had been palpable, and though she barely knew him, she couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of discomfort at seeing him so flustered. He seemed more the type who should be basked in sunlight and swimming in confidence not embarrassment and dreary clouds.
The classroom was filled with the familiar scent of parchment and wood polish. The desks were arranged in pairs, each with an assortment of small objects for today’s lesson. Professor McGonagall stood at the front, her stern expression and sharp green robes as commanding as ever. Hope had seen McGonagall's softer side during her private lessons, but the professor's no-nonsense demeanor in the classroom made it clear she didn’t tolerate any fooling around.
“Take your seats quickly, everyone,” McGonagall said, her voice crisp and authoritative. “We have much to cover today.”
Hope glanced around the room. The Gryffindors were already settling in, their chatter filling the air. The Marauders, of course, were sitting together, with James and Sirius taking the seats closest to the front, as if daring McGonagall to call them out. Peter and Remus were directly behind them. Lily Evans was a few rows back, sitting with Marlene McKinnon, while Dorcas Meadowes leaned over her desk to chat with them.
Pandora gave Hope a gentle nudge and motioned to a pair of seats near the middle of the room. Hope nodded and sat down, with Pandora beside her. Evan claimed the desk directly behind them, flashing Hope a grin as he dropped his books onto the table with a loud *thud*.
The room quieted as McGonagall stepped forward, her wand already in hand.
“Today, we will be revisiting vanishing spells,” she announced, her eyes sweeping over the students. “A fundamental skill, but one that requires both focus and precision. By the end of this class, I expect each of you to vanish the object on your desk entirely. If even a fragment remains, it will be considered incomplete.”
She waved her wand, and the objects on each desk glowed briefly. Hope looked down to see a small, slightly misshapen teacup sitting in front of her.
“Begin,” McGonagall instructed.
Hope drew her wand, exhaling slowly. She had practiced vanishing spells over the summer, though the concept still felt slightly unnatural to her. Back at the Salvatore School, they rarely used wands for anything—magic was channeled directly, instinctively. This was different, more precise, more methodical. She was tempted to use an invisique for the illusion of the spell in case she couldn’t get it and save her the embarrassment.
Pandora was already murmuring the incantation under her breath, her teacup shimmering faintly as it began to fade around the edges. Hope focused on her own cup, steadying her grip on her wand.
“Evanesco ,” she said firmly.
The teacup wobbled, flickered, and then vanished entirely, leaving a faint wisp of smoke in its place. Relief flooded her chest, followed by a small flicker of pride.
“Well done, Miss Mikaelson,” McGonagall’s voice cut through the quiet, and Hope looked up to see the professor standing nearby, her lips twitching into what might have been a smile. “It seems your summer studies paid off.”
Hope nodded, murmuring a quick “Thank you” before glancing at Pandora, who was still struggling with the handle of her teacup.
Behind her, Evan was muttering under his breath as he waved his wand, his teacup disappearing in chunks.
On the Gryffindor side of the room, things were far less orderly. Sirius had somehow managed to transform his teacup into a small, hopping frog, which was now leaping across the desk while Peter tried to catch it.
“Black!” McGonagall snapped, her sharp voice cutting through the room. “This is not Transfiguration Comedy Hour!”
“Just adding a bit of flair, Professor,” Sirius said with a grin, catching the frog in his hands and vanishing it with a flourish.
James, meanwhile, was watching Lily out of the corner of his eye, clearly more interested in her progress than his own. Hope caught him whispering something to Sirius, who smirked and elbowed him in the ribs.
“Eyes on your own work, Mr. Potter,” McGonagall said without even looking at him.
James turned bright red, muttering, “Yes, Professor,” as Sirius muffled a laugh behind his hand.
Hope’s attention was drawn to Lily Evans, who had just vanished her teacup with flawless precision. There was something undeniably commanding about Lily—her focus, her confidence, the way she seemed entirely unfazed by James’ obvious attempts to impress her.
“She’s brilliant, isn’t she?” Pandora said softly, following Hope’s gaze. “Lily, I mean.”
Hope nodded. “She seems like it.”
Pandora smiled dreamily. “She’s kind, too. She helped me with Arithmancy last year when I was hopelessly lost.”
“Miss Lovegood, I suggest you focus on your own teacup before offering commentary on others,” McGonagall interjected, though there was no real bite to her tone.
Pandora flushed slightly, turning back to her work.
As the lesson continued, Hope found herself glancing toward the Marauders more often than she meant to. There was an easy camaraderie between them, a sense of belonging that felt entirely foreign to her. She caught James’ eye at one point, and for a brief moment, he held her gaze before looking away, his ears tinged red.
“Strange, isn’t it?” Pandora murmured.
“What is?” Hope asked.
“The way some people are drawn to each other,” Pandora said, her tone light but thoughtful. “Like magnets, even when it doesn’t make sense.”
Hope didn’t respond, but she couldn’t help wondering if Pandora was right and why the girl always knew more than what she was letting on.
By the time the lesson ended, Hope’s teacup was gone without a trace, but so was her focus. As she packed up her things, she caught James glancing at her again, his expression unreadable.
Regulus’ words from earlier replayed in her mind: Gryffindors and Slytherins don’t mix.
And yet, Hope wasn’t entirely sure that was true. Lily Evans came to mind in her thought processes. She seems nice enough and the perfect option for a first friend outside of Slytherin. If she helped Pandora with Arithmancy then she doesn’t have a problem interacting with Slytherins so Hope has some faith that by the end of the day she’ll have made a new friend.
Thinking back, the tribrid feels like a weight off her shoulders. Back in her world, Hope’s biggest problems were fighting monsters and protecting her loved ones from thousand year old witches who wanted her powers. Which is a stark contrast to her only worry being whether or not she’ll make friends. Hope could definitely get used to this new normal if the weight of leaving her old life wasn’t so heavy on her heart.
— — — — — —
As the rest of the students dispersed from the Transfiguration classroom, Hope spotted Lily Evans lingering behind, carefully tucking her wand into her bag. It was rare for someone to catch Hope’s attention the way Lily had—there was a quiet confidence about her, paired with an undeniable intelligence that Hope couldn’t help but admire.
Taking a deep breath, Hope crossed the corridor, catching up to Lily just as she turned toward the staircases.
“Lily Evans, right?” Hope asked, keeping her tone casual but warm.
Lily glanced at her, raising an eyebrow. “That’s me. And you’re the new Slytherin.” Her tone wasn’t unfriendly, but it carried a hint of wariness.
“Hope Mikaelson,” she offered, extending her hand.
Lily hesitated for a moment before shaking it briefly. “I know who you are. You’ve stirred up quite the buzz already. New students in seventh year are practically unheard of.”
Hope smirked. “I do like making an entrance. It’s a family trait. Got a free period before lunch?”
“I do,” Lily said cautiously, her eyes narrowing slightly. “Why?”
“Well, I was hoping to talk. Maybe get to know you. You seem interesting.”
Lily blinked, clearly taken aback. “I’m interesting ?”
“Very,” Hope said earnestly. “And smart. I could use a friend like that. Besides, I’d rather spend my free time with someone who actually has a sense of humor instead of...well, you’ve met Evan, haven’t you?”
A small smile tugged at Lily’s lips, but she didn’t drop her guard entirely. “You realize you’re a Slytherin, right?”
“I’m aware, yes. I also realize that you’re a Gryffindor, but I don’t see why that should matter.”
Lily sighed, adjusting her bag on her shoulder. “It’s not just about the houses. There’s...a lot of history between Gryffindors and Slytherins. And most of it isn’t good.”
Hope tilted her head, her expression thoughtful. “Fair point. But you don’t strike me as someone who judges people based on their house. Or am I wrong?”
Lily paused, clearly considering this. “No, you’re not wrong. But you have to admit, most Slytherins don’t exactly make it easy to get along with them.”
Hope chuckled. “True. But I’m not most Slytherins. Walk with me, and I’ll prove it.”
Lily hesitated for a moment longer before finally nodding. “Alright, Mikaelson. You’ve got one free period to convince me.”
— — — — — —
As they strolled through the castle, Hope launched into an animated explanation of her old school.
“So, back at the Salvatore School, we weren’t divided by houses but by factions. Each faction represented a different supernatural group—witches, werewolves, and vampires.”
Lily’s eyes widened slightly. “That’s...unique. So you weren’t just with witches?”
“Nope. We had werewolves like me—” Hope stopped herself, hastily amending, “—I mean like some of the people I knew. And vampires, too. It was a bit chaotic at times, but we managed.”
“And you all got along?” Lily asked skeptically, picking up on Hope’s slip-up and wondering if she was like Remus and hiding it. Lily would have to ask him later if he could sniff out other wolves.
“Well, we tried. It wasn’t always sunshine and rainbows, but we had some great moments of unity. Like when the factions came together to take on an evil...headmaster.” Hope grinned, sidestepping the truth.
Lily let out a laugh, and Hope felt a surge of victory. “Sounds like you’ve had your fair share of adventure.”
“More than I’d like to admit,” Hope said with a shrug.
Lily was more than interested in the happenings at Hope’s old school. She couldn’t believe that those three magical beings could get along and she wouldn’t be Lily Evans if she didn’t get as much information as she could to satiate her curiosity.
“If there were vampires there, how did they get their blood? Surely the school wouldn’t allow them to feed on humans or other students?” Lily furrowed her brows, slightly turning to look at Hope as they walked side by side.
“No, they definitely did not allow that. The school was stocked up on blood bags filled with animal blood. Vampires may have a craving for human blood but they can survive just as well on animal blood. The only difference is that they’ll be a bit weaker. It’s like a human on a keto diet or something.” Hope explained.
The red head was deep in thought at the new knowledge. “Alright, but what about the werewolves? Where did they go to transform on full moons?”
“The school had a cellar underneath it that could contain all of them and the headmaster had a couple witches put up wards and protection spells for added strength.”
Lily’s first thought upon hearing about this school was that it would be perfect for Remus. He could be with his own kind as well as other wizards in a place where he didn’t have to hide or be ashamed of who he was. She would definitely be bringing this up to her werewolf friend later.
“But enough about me. What’s Hogwarts like for you? What’s your group dynamic?”
Lily sighed coming out of her thoughts, a fond smile playing on her lips. “It’s...a bit messy, honestly. You’ve met the Marauders, I assume?”
Hope nodded. “Hard to miss them. James Potter practically burned a hole through me with his staring earlier.”
Lily groaned, rolling her eyes. “Don’t get me started on James. He’s...relentless. He’s been asking me out since fourth year, and he just doesn’t seem to understand the meaning of the word ‘no.’”
“And yet, you don’t hate him,” Hope observed, raising an eyebrow.
“I don’t,” Lily admitted reluctantly. “He’s not a bad person. In fact, he’s loyal to a fault and has a good heart when he’s not being insufferable. But I can’t deal with the arrogance.”
“Fair,” Hope said with a smirk. “What about the others?”
“Remus is the calm, reasonable one. He’s brilliant, too—probably the smartest of the lot. I’m closest to him out of all of them.”
“And Black?”
Lily sighed. “Sirius is...complicated. He’s got this charm that makes everyone gravitate toward him, but he’s carrying a lot of baggage. His family disowned him, and there’s a lot of tension between him and his younger brother.”
Hope frowned. “Regulus?”
Lily nodded. “They’re complete opposites. Sirius sees Regulus as the perfect little soldier for their family, and Regulus sees Sirius as a traitor. It’s...a mess.”
Hope processed this, her mind drifting to Regulus’ guarded demeanor. “That explains a lot.”
“And Peter?” Hope asked.
“Peter’s the tagalong,” Lily said with a small laugh. “He’s not as...confident as the others, but he’s loyal and funny when he wants to be. They all care about him, even if he’s a bit out of place in their group sometimes. Him and Remus work especially well together, though.”
“Sounds like an interesting dynamic,” Hope said.
“It is,” Lily admitted. “And what about you? Do you actually get along with the Slytherins, or are you just putting up with them?”
Hope grinned. “Pandora’s great. Evan’s...entertaining. So is Barty. Regulus is a puzzle, but I think he’s worth figuring out. As for the rest...well, I’ll keep you updated.”
Lily chuckled. “You’re definitely not what I expected from a Slytherin.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” Hope said.
After their conversation, Hope felt a genuine connection with Lily. As they parted ways, Lily gave her a small smile. “Alright, Mikaelson. Consider us...friends. But don’t make me regret it.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Hope said with a wink.
— — — — — —
Hope met up with Pandora, Evan, Barty, and Regulus in a shaded corner of the grounds before lunch. She spotted them sitting on a low stone wall, clearly waiting for her.
Evan raised an eyebrow as she approached. “So, what was that about? You and Evans? Chatting it up like long-lost besties?”
Pandora tilted her head, her eyes dreamy but curious. “It’s not bad to make friends outside our house, but it’s... unexpected.”
Barty snorted. “Unexpected? It’s madness. She’s a Gryffindor, Hope. And not just any Gryffindor—LilyEvans. She’s practically their mascot for righteousness.”
Regulus, who had been silent until now, frowned. “They won’t trust you, you know. Gryffindors always think the worst of us. Even if you think she’s different, she’ll still side with her house in the end.”
Hope crossed her arms, her expression unyielding. “You guys are awfully judgmental for people accusing Gryffindors of being judgmental.”
“It’s not judgmental,” Evan said, his tone soft but firm. “It’s realistic. There’s history between our houses for a reason, Hope. You can’t ignore that.”
“Maybe not,” Hope conceded. “But I also don’t have to let it define me. Or her. She’s smart, funny, and doesn’t seem interested in the whole rivalry thing. Why shouldn’t I try to be her friend?”
Regulus stared at her for a moment, his expression unreadable. “Just don’t forget who you are. Or who she is. It’s not just because she’s a Gryffindor. Do you really think the Slytherins are going to let it slide that you’re friends with a muggleborn? They’ll turn on you.”
Hope rolled her eyes at him in fondness before smiling in amusement. “Aww, I didn’t think you cared, Reggie?” She put a hand over her heart. “I’m touched. Truly.” Barty and Evan snorted from beside her. “But I’ll be fine.”
Pandora smiled faintly. “I think it’s lovely, actually. Opposites can sometimes create the most perfect balance.”
Barty rolled his eyes. “Or chaos.”
Hope grinned, undeterred. “Chaos can be fun too.”
Despite their warnings, Hope felt confident in her choice. Making friends outside her house might not be easy, but if anyone was worth the effort, it was Lily Evans.