You're Joking Right?

The common room was clean, tidy, sophisticated, as they should be representing the house of Slytherin. The latest batch of the green 1st Years had all been busy gazing at the incredible architecture and the windows that peered into the black lake that lay above. Their Head of House, Professor Riddle, had made his way to the top of the stairs as he introduced himself and set the basic boundaries.

"I am your Head of House, your acting guardian, and your superior. However, do not expect me to coddle, comfort, or give you any emotional response. I am simply your watcher, and the one to take responsibility over you. Slytherin house, is not a house of weakness. Whatever you do here in the common room or the dorm, is near none of my business so long as it doesn't affect the house. But outside, where anyone can see you, I expect you to hold yourself high and mannerly."

"That being said. First years, you have a few rules to follow as the newest, and latest of this house. Never walk the halls alone. Hogwarts may seem like a magical place, fair and incredible, but should you break this rule, I will not take responsibility for what could happen. Under no circumstances should a first year Slytherin walk alone, always have a witness." Professor Riddle warned before explained a few more small rules, like 4th year and below are to stay clear of the forbidden forest, don't swim in the black lake, no riding brooms indoors, no inviting people of other houses inside, and a rather chilling statement of, what happens in Slytherin house, stays in Slytherin house. Then, he sent us off to our rooms.

Making their way up the stairs, Elouise couldn't help but notice the eyes. Specifically, the eyes of the older students. Purebloods, rich and cocky they stood as they narrowed their eyes at the new fresh meat. Their piercing eyes and proper manners, no smiles, no welcome, just like snakes watching prey.

The dorm Elouise had chosen with Pansy was large, circular almost with 3 canopy beds for the taking. As soon as Pansy sat down on the bed she liked, her name was etched into the front stone by magic, set in stone. The second girl introduced herself as Aldora Rucefel. The name wasn't ringing a bell, perhaps a muggle. Pansy, unlike Draco, who could tolerate muggles, hated them. She used the slur of Mudblood more than any of their circle. However, Aldora, while her name didn't seem like a wizarding one, she wore custom robes and to Pansy, must be a pureblood from somewhere else like Elouise. While Elouise didn't know of a Rucefel from the states, if it meant Pansy was getting along with her, she wouldn't comment further and greeted the girl.

Her father had warned her when she put her things away, to place spells on her chest and drawers in case others may want to snoop. Elouise had wanted to believe her housemates weren't so terrible, but she takes precautions as her father insisted. It didn't matter if Pansy was a friend or not, she knew from her father's discretions, friends can change, it was best to be safe than sorry.

Sleeping was peaceful, it was so dark and quiet besides Pansy and one other unpacking. No talking, no getting to know each other sleepover, just getting ready for bed.

...

Morning came; Elouise was up early as usual. Punctuality was expected of her after all. Pansy and Aldora were still asleep, but Elouise wanted to explore a bit, find her way to the Great Hall. Dressed, she went down to the common room, quiet and cold. Out the window, she saw something swish by. Curious, Elouise walked over, staring out into the water for something to happen, then she saw it. out in the distance, something was moving. The giant squid? mermaids?

Never mind, it was gone now. She wanted to leave before anyone could get up, walking to the exit, the stone rose to reveal the door opening for her. Peeking out into the hallway of the dungeons, it was even colder out there than in the common room. Nevertheless, she took a step out into the hall and prepared to leave.

"Up early I see." Professor Riddle spoke up behind her, causing Elouise to jump in surprise.

"Professor-! erm... Professor Riddle, Good morning." Elouise bowed her head in respect as she greeted her head of house.

"Breaking my rules already?" His eyes narrowed at her as the door leading out closed behind him.

"Walking alone?" "A first year, walking alone." He corrected her. "I'm not alone though." Elouise countered.

"And who exactly are you with?" He looked around sarcastically.

"... You're here, aren't you?" She tried her luck, and luckily for her, because it was too early for him to be bothered, he just sighed and let it go.

"Don't try this again. First years are easy targets, especially when they're alone. Hogwarts may have a reputation for being so great as having some of the strongest Wizards like Dumbledore, but this place isn't exactly a paradise. You can get cornered just for the color of your tie, remember that."

Elouise nodded as Riddle left down the hall. Quickly, she followed after him. "Great Hall?"

...

Professor Riddle took Elouise to the Great Hall, giving some advice of directions in the maze of halls leading all over. She didn't need the advice, her father had already shoved the map of Hogwarts in her head so she wouldn't get lost, but she didn't want to stop him. The Great Hall was empty, as expected, but the longer time went by, slowly, more early risers showed up, mostly from Slytherin or Ravenclaw. Draco arrived with Crabbe and Goyle.

The feast wonders died down since the grand opening feast, offering more tame meals. She had no idea what Kipper was, though, Draco helped with that, discreetly showing her in a way not so obvious of the older students. American she was, Kipper was not much of a regular item on the menu.

The more students began to fill the Great Hall, the more she began to question something. Everyone sat at their designated tables, sounds completely harmless, perhaps traditional. But it bothered her, no one talked to someone from another house, and the few that did, about 2 or 3 she could see, were still separated. It felt like segregation.

"Are we not allowed to sit at other tables?" Elouise looked over to Draco. His eyes narrowed, pursing his lips as he thought about it. "I don't think there's a rule against it, but you'd likely stick out like a sore thumb wherever you sit if not at your own table." Draco sipped from his goblet.

"But there's no rule for sitting." Elouise wanted to confirm as Draco sighed. "I don't believe there is. If you want a clearer answer, ask a professor." He suggested. The idea really planted in her head, perhaps she would.

The doors opened again, Elouise saw Harry walking in with a darker boy at his side. Woozy and tired, his arm around the other kid's shoulders as he was led to sit down. When his eyes opened, the stunning green peeked up to meet hers. It felt so sudden, like his tiredness was healed as his face shifted awake. Harry waved at her excitedly through the gaps of students between them.

To avoid him, Elouise turned back to Draco as the spoke of his new roommates, Blaise and some other guy, Theo? Draco didn't have much information since Theo was always with someone else. Blaise, he knew him somewhat from earlier parties his father occasionally hosted.

...

Outside the Great Hall, Elouise still saw it, the invisible wall between houses, social circles with only 1 color, as if it was illegal to be mixed together. It was hard not to notice... She's never seen anyone of one house talk to another unless there was confrontation like a squabble, or something like between the Weasley twins and their brother, Ron who wore a yellow tie instead of the red his brothers boasted about. Though to be fair, they were related.

Elouise' father was always against things like this, always reminding her about racism, blood supremacy and how one's upbrings don't immediately tell you what kind of person they are. He'd always hated it, and he made sure Elouise got that message as well at an early age when she had started to compare muggles to the wizarding world. That day, she got the lecture of a lifetime.

Seeing the situation like this, all the divide, her ambition led her to mentally declare her goals for Hogwarts. She'd improve, interhouse unity, no matter how cringe it sounded.

...

Charms class, Professor Flitwick was said to once be a profound Duelist, now a professor and head of house in Hogwarts teaching new generations. Sharing a class with Hufflepuff, they practiced a simple levitation charm on a feather, that of which she got first try. She'd already practiced such spell back home anyways. 

"Perfect! Well done to Slytherin for raising their feather first, 5 points."

She gave a bit of guidance to Draco before she saw a pair Hufflepuff students having trouble as well.

Against the social standards, if none of their housemates were going to help him, she would. Elouise walked up to the 2 boys. "You have to sound out the 'o' when you say Leviosa, and you, try to tip your wand a bit more when you cast." Ignoring the stares of the green and yellow, the chubby boy, nothing else to lose, tried her advice, silently cheering as the feather flickered up before falling again.

"It lifted this time!" The chubby seemed more excited. The other boy, the Weasley she heard of, looked away, embarrassed of the attention she was attracting to his direction. If only to be rid of her, he tried her advice on his pronunciation and was surprised to find the feather shooting up. Hesitantly, he turned to thank the girl but found her back in her seat by a blond.

""5 points to Slytherin, for helping one in need." Professor Flitwick proclaimed, if someone wasn't looking at Elouise before, they definitely were now.

"What was that?" He whispered to her, "My first step to my grand plan." Elouise replied no more after that.

...

Transfiguration. They shared the class with Ravenclaw. Elouise saw the girl from the station, bushy hair and an advanced book peeking from her bag. Some Ravenclaw students came in late, Elouise shook her head at their lack of punctuality before remembering that Hogwarts was like a maze to those who don't already know the halls. It's the first day, she supposes they have an excuse.

However, the cat on the table thought otherwise. The 2 students who came in late were finding seats and voicing how glad they were the Professor wasn't there yet. But just as they sat down, the cat jumped and transformed into a woman. The woman from before who introduced the houses. And she made it quite clear early that day, she did not like tardiness, though she let them have a pass, it was obvious that it was a one-time thing. The next time they were late, she said they'd get a strike. 3 strikes, detention. For the first class, they had to transform a match into a needle. Hermione had been the first to succeed, Elouise tied second with another Slytherin.

Astronomy, they shared with Hufflepuff to whom she was glad to see Neville and Ron again. They didn't talk much, too preoccupied with looking at the view in the tower.

History of magic was nice. They were joined by Ravenclaw again, she was able to sit near Hermione who she tried to talk to. Easier than expected, considering the girl wasn't very popular in her own house for being a know-it-all. They got along quickly, with Hermione happily talking spell theory and facts Elouise already knew but acted like she didn't.

DADA, she was ecstatic to be in the class where Professor Riddle taught. Though, they didn't learn any new spells, spent most the class speaking of the warnings and cautions of using magic recklessly or for bad. Potter was there though, and while he and Draco thought they were being discreet, the Professor called out on them making faces at each other.

Herbology, she shared with Hufflepuff, automatically one of her favorites. Her professor, Professor Sprout was gentle and attentive. Neville and Ron were there too, so finally, they were able to converse properly during some moments during class and any extra time. The problem was when Draco wanted to be dumb and stick his finger into the mouth of a mandrake. Luckily, no one caught him other than Elouise who nagged him all the way to their next class.

Potions, she was met with the Potions Professor, Professor Slughorn. Her father had warned her about his bias to anyone with a title and name to them. He was the type to pay more attention to kids who had a future rather than students who did not seem to have such guaranteed success. One such student he called out, Harry Potter, they were sharing a class with Gryffindor. Unfortunately... this meant she had to endure Potter staring at her most the time when he should have been paying attention.

...

Flying class, Elouise had lifted her broom on command with Draco. Slytherin was joined with Gryffindor, much to Elouise' dismay as she looked away from the evident eyes of one Harry Potter. Professor Hooch had been excited for Harry, slipping small comments about how his father had been such a proficient chaser when he was at Hogwarts, and telling from Harry's eyes, he was determined to uphold such title.

It was also evident that Draco loathed Harry, going as far to block his view of Elouise to keep them apart.

Flying, she thought, was going to be fun, but a Gryffindor student was unfortunate enough to have gotten a rather wild broom and was zoomed off till he fell off, plummeting to the ground before rolling from pain. Professor Hooch had to take the poor lad to the hospital wing for treatment.

Before she left, she had one rule, no flying while she steps out. But as soon as she was out of view, Harry trotted over passing Draco as he greeted Elouise with a radiant smile.
"Elouise! Hello!" Draco did not like that and stepped between the 2. "It's Rosewaters to you, Potter!" he spat.

"Draco, calm down." Elouise put her hand on his shoulder, but he shrugged her off. "Yeah, listen to your babysitter." Potter provoked.

"Why you-!" Draco acted rashly, pulling out his wand and pointing it to Potter's head, dropping his broom in the process, but Harry only raised a brow to the blond as Elouise took out her wand too. Draco was about to make his first move, Elouise prepared to stop him.

"How about a race instead? This is flying after all." Potter challenged; Draco lowered his wand slightly, glancing to the broom he had dropped.

"Professor Hooch said no-" "Done." Draco interrupted Elouise and sneered at Potter. A shake of the hands, and it was ready.

They became crowded, the students ready for the drama of Malfoy vs Potter. "Touch the top of that tree and back here." Potter pointed to a tall tree in the distance, Draco nodded, returning his wand to its holster before picking up his broom.

Potter side stepped and mounted his broom beside Draco.

"Both of you, stop this!" Elouise was pushed back by some Gryffindors, watching as a darker boy in red stood in front to call go.

"Ready!" He began

"Let me through!" Elouise tried to get back front.

"Set!"

"Draco don't you dare-!"

"GO!"

Not a second later, Draco and Potter were off, zooming for the tree as Elouise cursed under her breath, stomping to the other boy.

"What do you think you're doing!" She complained as another Gryffindor split them apart. Frustrated, she scoffed and walked away towards Pansy to watch the race. What could she do now, they already went off, might as well watch.

Harry made it to the tree first, his speed was nothing to laugh at. Hitting the tip of the tallest branch before swerving to head back. Suddenly, he felt something fall from his pocket and looked down. It wasn't visible from where Elouise was, but Harry had decided it was something important and forgot about the race, instead flying down to grab it.

While Draco was flying over back to the rest of the students, Harry was flying straight down to the ground, hand outstretched. Everyone watched in horror as Harry neared the ground, their hands on theirs mouth as the suspense hit. Harry grabbed the item before pulling up at the last second. Draco had won the match, but harry had everyone in shock as he flew back, his heart on his chest held something as he landed back near the class.

All gathered around, wanting to see what it was that Potter almost risked everything for to catch and lose the race. In his hand, was a snitch. It wasn't activated, seemed to not even have the functions to work anymore. Why risk himself for it, why did he even have it in the first place. Something like that should have stayed home, or back in his dorm.

"Harry Potter!" we all flinched as Professor McGonagall stormed over and took Harry away, likely to get him in trouble and lecture the boy.

"He's done for. He won't be allowed to ride a broom again after this." Some of the Gryffindor kids whispered as Madam Hooch came back to tell them all off.

Little did anyone know, that by next morning, Harry didn't have his flying privileges revoked, instead, he was apparently upgraded to being the only first year on the Quidditch team! Having impressed McGonagall, he was approved and defended. Of course, a few points were taken off for insubordination, but Gryffindor gained a new seeker, so did they really lose?

Draco was angry throughout the day when word and praises of Harry Potter started to flood the halls. The Youngest Seeker, Prodigy Flyer, Gryffindor Golden Boy. All the Gryffindor kids would boast about was how Harry Potter was their lucky charm.

Later that day, Elouise had been wandering the halls with her strange roommate, her name was Aldora apparently? A Muggle-born witch, they had decided to keep that fact to themselves though to avoid the older years. While walking though, they heard a ruckus, specifically, she heard Draco and Harry's voices from down the hall.

Rushing down, Aldora beside her, they found the reason. A duel. But more than that, it was One-sided with Draco angrily sending out spell after spell as Harry defended himself with a weaker Hufflepuff behind him.

"Expelliarmus!" Elouise used her own wand on Draco who stared at her shocked. "Draco Lucius Malfoy!"

... Few minutes ago ...

Draco had been seething, as if he didn't loathe Harry enough, that Potter boy was mentioned at least once from every Gryffindor from Gryffindor tower. Storming down the hall, he had split from his Slytherin companions in the hope he would calm down on his own.

But running down the hall was a smaller Hufflepuff, red hair and hand me down robes casted to change its colors to match the yellow for his house. Crossing the corner, he ran into Draco causing them both to tumble down.

It was like the last string in his self-restraint, Draco jumped up, wand in hand as the young boy gathered himself. Looking up, all he saw was Malfoy, angry and wand pointed at his head.

"Let me guess, red hair, hand me down robes. You must be a Weasley." He spoke the name as if it was a rotten piece of meat. "You may be dressed like one of those badgers, but you're still just like one of them, perhaps lesser." Malfoy sneered as he prepared a spell.

"Expelliarmus!" a familiar voice sounded sending Draco's wand out of his grasp. Their heads snapped to Harry Potter running towards them, pushing Draco back and standing protectively in front of the young Weasley, hand outstretched as if to hide the ginger with his robes.

"Potter." Draco spat distastefully, circling the messy haired boy to where his wand fell.

"Attacking innocent Hufflepuffs now?" Harry raised a brow, his wand aimed to Draco, not to fire another spell, he wasn't about to be accused of harming a snake so early in the year.

"Hah, truly Gryffindor Golden Boy." Draco took back his wand, dusting it off before pointing it back to Harry. "How courageous of you." Surely, Harry was doing the right thing. But it was doing the right think, being so good and chivalrous that ticked Draco off when Harry was also trying to take Elouise, his sister in all but blood, away from him.

"Flipendo!" Draco casted along with others. Harry in the meanwhile could only defend, diverting or countering the spells fired until someone else would come or Draco left fuming. But the longer it went on, the more he felt it weigh he might actually have to start fighting back.

"Expelliarmus!" Harry snapped his head to see her, Elouise, in all her glory. "Draco Lucius Malfoy!" She was angry, as pissed as his mother when Sirius taught Harry his first curse word.

While Draco stammered back, Elouise closed the distance. "What were you thinking!" Elouise' glare struck sharper than a dagger.

"I, I was just teaching him a lesson!" Draco defended, a wrong battle. "A lesson?" she pushed him against the wall, an angry look on her face. "How about I give you a lesson then." She punched him and watched as he fell the floor. "Elle!" He cried out, holding the side of his face in pain.

"It's stereotype Slytherins like you that are the reason why Slytherin has such a bad reputation! I don't care if you're my godbrother Draco, if I see you pull this stuff again I outa-" Elouise stopped when she saw the pure fear in his eyes.

She had to take a breath, calm herself as she crouched down before him. "Draco." She spoke more softly, any sense of anger she once had in her voice was gone. His lips quivered, not used to being on the receiving end of her anger like that.

"Why do you keep defending them... They're not of our house, not our friends, they have nothing to do with us. A blood traitor, and a mud-" "Silencio." Elouise casted on him, keeping him from uttering that dreadful slur. Taking a moment, Elouise gather her words and looked him in the eyes.

"You asked me my plan, why I was helping kids from other houses. I want to raise Inter house unity, Slytherin is cut off especially from the others. Innocent snakes are being targeted for the fault of the older Slytherins who are also being influenced by bad behavior such as this. You absolutely, cannot, act like a child, even if you are one. If not for representing Slytherin, then because of your father. Always remember Draco, you don't just represent Slytherin, you represent the Ancient and Noble House of Malfoy, and that's a heavy burden to carry, but you do have to carry it."

She helped him stand up. "People will watch you, are watching you, people learn who you are by what you do. Will you be another stuck up pompous racist blood purist? Or will you be Draco." She turned away, arms crossing. "Starting now, you need to right your wrongs. If you don't do so, and you know what you need to do, within the end of the day... I'll consider you as just another one of them."

A chance, redemption. Draco looked at Harry and the redhead he was about to curse. Sucking in his breath, letting his pride aside, if just for a little. Ignoring his wand on the floor, he approached slowly. "Sorry." Draco uttered to Harry, who looked smug. Done, he swerved around Potter and glanced to the Weasley, somehow it was easier to face him than Potter. "I'm... Sorry. I shouldn't have raised a wand against you like that. You were not at fault, I was." Draco bowed his head, a Malfoy, bowing his head apologetically, to a blood traitor.

"... I can't forgive you." Draco flinched; his head didn't raise. He couldn't face him... "So... you have to make up for it. A simple sorry won't make do!" Draco snapped his head up, looking as the ginger seemed unsure of himself. "Ron." He introduced, his hand outstretched. "... Draco." They shook on it.

Elouise came from behind, taking Draco by his arm, cringing when she saw the bruise she made was starting to form on his face. "Come on. Let's get you to the infirmary." 

"What about me?" Harry peeped, she only stared at him blankly. "You're not hurt though. I don't care."

"But I want to be pampered by you too!" he gestured to Draco currently with Elouise' arm around his shoulder.

"Draco's my godbrother." Elouise stated as Potter shrugged and accepted defeat.

"Fine fine, but don't I deserve a reward for defending this poor guy?" Potter slung his arm around the Hufflepuff who honestly, just wanted this drama over with.

"Fine, what do you want." "A date." Elouise and Draco froze, before all hell broke loose.

"Merlin no! Absolutely not! I don't accept!" Draco screeched, Elouise was still processing the request, meanwhile Harry was smug against Draco being so protective.

While Draco and Potter were arguing, Elouise was still processing what was just asked of her.

"You're Joking, right?"