Regrets

Like any other day, Xing and Aella accompanied each other to the dining hall, choosing to sit with each other today. As they waited for Dion to arrive, each took their choice of food from the selection presented in front of them.

"Are you finish with potion homework, Aella?"

Aella sleepily nodded as she chewed on her food. Worried written on Xing's face, she patted Aella on the shoulder for comfort. "Finish your food, lean on me to rest for a bit. You worked hard yesterday."

"You're the best, Xing."

"Good morn--or good night? She's sleeping already." Dion strides in, stopping as he notice the sleeping Aella.

"Shhh...she stayed up last night for her potions homework." He nodded, sitting down cautiously to not disturb her.

"Must have been a tough night." Dion yawns out.

Xing raised her eyebrows, "You stayed up too?"

"Of course. Why? You didn't?"

"I finished it after dinner."

"Lucky you. I can barely feel my hands this morning."

Xing took a glass and pour him some tea, "Warm it up then. Drink some tea, it'll help wake you up."

He chuckle at her gesture, "Going at it again, Forest? Taking care of us since first year."

Xing stay silent for a while before letting out a shrug, "...I wanted siblings."

As they enjoy the comforting silence of the early morning, it soon ended as the rest came piling in. Aella groaned as the noises of the Great Hall interrupted her rest. Tiredly, she sit up from leaning against Xing before holding on to a warm cup of tea.

"Thank you," she mumbled out.

"Seems like you're always sleeping, Atherton."

"Oh shut, Auclair. Look at the eye bags under your eyes!"

As the two continuing to exchange snarky comments, Xing notice the slight rumble of the dining hall and the quiet sound of flapping wings. Looking up to the windows, a flock of owls came flying into the Great Hall.

"It's the post."

The trio look at up as countless owls fly into the hall, dropping off packages for students, some stopping by at the tables to swoop up food as a payment for their service. Two owls, a snowy and eagle owl headed towards them before landing next to Aella and Dion.

"Good morning, Morana," Aella cooed as she pet the snowy owl's fur. "Mother sent something for me?"

On the other hand, Dion patted his owl, Vulcan before opening the letter the owl had brought. "Reckon you'll get anything this year?"

"Not sure...be careful, Dion!"

Abruptly, an owl wearing a purple cape swooped down dropping a long package that barely missed Dion had he not manage to dodge in time. "Bloody hell, Forest. Who sent you this?" He yelled out, looking at the package laying on the floor.

"The Quidditch Heaver Council."

Dion rolled his eyes, "Obviously. There's a massive emblem of it here." He then pick up the package before setting in on to the table, gathering those attention around them.

Aella who was shocked about having to witness an accident almost happen stood up to scan through the package. "Open it, Xing."

Xing runs her hands through the course paper packaging outside, "Why are you both more excited than me? You've seen this before."

Aella rolls her eyes, "Well excuse us missy, it's not everyday that we see the Quidditch Heaver Council and their equipment."

Carefully, Xing took her time to untie the string to the duo's dismay. "Don't hold your breathe, you'll die before I can unwrap the paper."

"Then hurry up, Forest."

"Sorry, you both are a scary couple."

"We are not!"

"Just hurry up, Forest!"

"Why are you here, Wood?"

With the new face, Xing notices how every eyes are now settled on her and the packaging. Following their screams, Xing starts to tug on to the strings before unwrapping the paper. Once again, she felt two figures approach the table, standing directly behind her. Letting out a heated breathe, she pick up the broom to examine the model.

Upon seeing the model, the Great Hall seemingly bursted in excitement. "Blimey, isn't that the Nimbus Two Thousand?!"

Xing's eyes move from the the end of the broom to the top to look at the model. Underneath it, was her name engraved in italics.

Nimbus

2000

Xing Forest

"Bloody hell, even your name is on it!" Ron squeezed in, not caring if he's being surrounded by Slytherins.

Contrary to the excitement around her, Xing calmly laid the broom down, simply going back to her food. Soon the crowd was force to separate due to staff intervention. Some groaned in dissapointed, while most went back to their spots, obviously upset at not being able to see the rest of the package's content.

"I'll be leaving now, going to put away the broom before anything else happens." Without waiting for their answers, Xing turn around and headed back to her room.

Carefully tucking the broom into her trunk, Xing sat on her bed staring at the half-opened package next to her. Now within her private room, Xing took out the rest of the items which included the official robes for graduated students, allowed to participate in school but not professionally, several pairs of gloves, and appropriate footwear similar looking to hiking boots. Finally, she took out a medicinal chest which included slots for potions and herbs that she will need in emergency situations.

Spending some time to unpack the package's contents, Xing finally walked down and walk to class, arriving moments before the professor. As she took out her books for transfiguration, Aella leaned in from next to her to mutter out an apology.

"No worries but starting next year, I'm not doing that again."

Aella sadly agreed, while Dion who was listening in nodded as well. "But you both can join me though." With that comment, all three of them were all content and classes proceeded smoothly.

***

"Now, little Malfoy, mind telling me why you were so grumpy these days?"

"It's nothing."

They were currently the only people in the Slytherin common room except for the few portraits talking among themselves.

"If you don't want to answer, let me guess then," Xing sit up straighter on the couch, "Is it the time I was late from the trip from London to Hogwarts? Or the time with Crabbe and Goyle...No, it's about the boy from Gryffindor innit?"

Hearing no response, she continued, "Is it the incident on the train, Draco?" Xing then remembers about the time she step in to mediate the situation between Draco, Harry and Ron. Things would have gotten heated considering how tense they all look.

Draco tried to maintain an unaffected expression but it turned ugly as soon as he heard her guess. "No it's not!"

"So it is? Were you offended because of them?"

This made Draco even angrier, "Stop mentioning them! They don't matter to me, those bloodtr--" Before he can finish his sentence, Xing quickly cover his mouth with her hands, almost hugging him.

"We don't speak like that here, Draco."

Feeling frustrated at being unable to express himself, Draco pushed Xing away. She pulled away but still kept a close distance. "I'm sorry for not checking up on you these past days"

"I d-don't care."

"Even if you don't care, it was wrong of me, accept my apology, Draco... little dragon?" Xing look down to see Draco sitting next to her, body as tense as ever. She chuckled at the sight before loosing the tension in her arms, falling into the cushion underneath her. "This reminds me of when we were younger."

Hearing those words, Draco unintentionally relax into her embrace. Right, they have hug each other through thunderstorms whenever Xing slept over at the Malfoy Manor. During that time, Xing had a special name that she would only use for Draco whenever they were alone as a way to comfort him. Draco flushed at the thought.

"What would you like me to do to make it up to you?"

Draco contemplated for a bit before leaving her embrace, "The Nimbus Two Thousand. I want to test it out."

"Of course but before that, we must make sure to keep the portrait silent of this."

"Forest!"

"Oh hush, be grateful that the Bloody Baron didn't witness it...I'm sorry, alright!"

Draco then spent the better half of morning the next day trying to convince the portraits, "You bloody portraits! Nothing happened between us!"

"Of course, nothing ever happened between the Malfoy heir and Forest heir," one of the portraits reassured in a sarcastic manner.

"Right, I heard that they were very close even in their childhood, Lady Brighton."

"Stop gossiping, it's very inelegant of you, Lady Weinser," Lady Brighton stepped up closer to the frame as she glance at Draco. "Greetings, Malfoy heir."

"Good morning, how are you doing on this fine morning," a familiar voice step in. Draco visibly let out a heavy sigh as he no longer have to be alone in battling these portraits.

"It's been awhile, Forest. Quite a few years hasn't it to see you at such an age."

Xing only smile, "Of course, Lady Brighton... please have pity on the Malfoy heir, and prevent such gossips from spreading."

At the mention of himself, Draco almost flinch at the stare of the portraits. "I shall keep that in mind, Forest."

With a quick bow, Xing quickly pull Draco away from the wall of portraits and away from the common room. "Were you really having an argument with the portraits?"

Draco blushed at the wording, but decided to play ignorant. "Are you heading down for breakfast?"

Xing nodded, "Let's head down together."

***

As the final class ended, Xing walked silently from her Arithmancy class back to the Dining Hall. Along the way, she greeted those she knew passing along the way.

"Good evening, Sir Nick!"

The ghost who was floating pass the students stop at the sight of Xing, "Ah, Xing dear, good evening. I was wondering which Slytherin was in the wrong mind to be calling out for me! As I got closer, it was you, dear."

"I'm glad I'm a memorable Slytherin to you."

The ghost laughed out at her comment, "After all these years, you are still one of those who I find interesting."

Laughing at his comment, they continue to talk as they walk to the dining hall.

"The Potter lad, he might become the youngest Gryffindor seeker if he tries."

Xing let out a knowing smile, going unnoticed by the ghost. "Oh? He's a first year though? They aren't allowed to join the team until their second"

Sir Nick clicked his tongue in excitement, "Of course, he'll just have to wait another year but I see potential in him."

"Seems like he inherited that from his father." She wonders how long will this secret be kept until its out.

"Ah, young James Potter was a powerhouse when it came to Quidditch but not seriousness in his earlier years here" This made Xing laugh out.

"The other houses are going to face some challenge with him being on the team."

"Isn't that what makes Quidditch fun? By having competition, you have the motivation to improve. You should convince some students to join the Quidditch Heaver Council."

Xing sigh at the thought, "I tried, Sir Nick but no one wants to join. They become excited at the equipments but when I give them a head start, its either they chicken out or Peeves scare them off!"

Sir Nick stayed silent for a bit, staring at Xing's figure as he floats next to her, "...That is why that cat should not be allowed in dining halls."

"That's its only way of entertainment, like your hobby of scaring the poor first years."

Turning abruptly around, the ghost subconsciously squint his eyes at retaliation, "Forest, you did not just say that."

Xing widen her eyes at the sudden change of tone before realizing her mistake. "Apologies, Sir Nick. Don't take offense, I won't do it again. I have to go, see you soon!" Xing sprinted through the now empty halls as a fierce yell could be heard from behind. "You just did, Forest!"

Xing laughed out as she kept a constant pace before descending as she came closer to the dining hall. This time, she directly headed straight to the Gryffindor table, turning a blind eye in the stares she was getting as the only green uniform amidst an ocean of red. Quickly, the Weasley twins spotted her. "Joining us today, Xing?"

Xing briefly smile at the Gryffindors she knew as she walk by, stopping behind the seated twins and Lee Jordan. "If you would allow, yes."

"We always have space for our favorite snake!"

Xing feel an irk rising up in her face, "Is that a backhanded comment I just heard, Weasley?"

"He meant that you're our favorite Slytherin, Xing," George explained, tugging Xing down to sit next to him.

"Why is it that every time I speak, I get an insult while George's get a compliment?"

"Hello, Lee, it's been awhile." Xing greeted him. Though they remain in the same year group, they take different electives and when they are in the same class, it was hard to interact with each other.

"Xing! Been a while, missed our talk about Quidditch."

"Harry, Ron, good evening."

"Gu'd e'ning," Ron greeted from behind a wall of food. Xing scrunched her face at the gesture. "Ron, take your time on chewing." This made him flush as he turn around and hazardly try to swallow his food.

"Good evening, Xing." Xing look over at the green-eyed boy sitting next to Ron. "Good evening Harry, congrats on you making the team," she whispered, preventing other people knowing the shocking news.

"Thank you." Over the course of these past days, they have gotten more comfortable with each other, to the both's relief.

"Harry's the youngest seeker in a century at Hogwarts," Ron excitedly whisper.

"How did you get the position, I didn't realize that first years can join try outs. Wood was about to tell me but he was pulled away by his friends." Harry flushed in embarrassment at her question so Ron took over to explain to Xing. He then briefly summarized of the incident of Neville and how it had escalated.

"...you guys have such an interesting time in classes." Xing spoke out, still somewhat speechless. "You'll make a fine seeker Harry, don't worry too much."

"Thank you," Harry thanked her, practically glowing at her reassurance.

"You met Wood yet?"

Harry nodded, head turning to steal a glance at the fifth year boy, "Professor McGonagall introduced us after the flying class ended. He seems very invested in Quidditch."

From beside him, Ron turned to look at him weirdly, "Blimey, mate, it's you who's weird. Everyone in the wizarding world loves Quidditch! Everyone is invested in it."

Harry awkwardly smile at being called weird, "Right, sorry."

"You don't need to apologize. Did you play sports when you were attending school back home? Football, basketball?"

"No, not really, I didn't have time for sports."

"No worries, I'm sure you'll adapt into Quidditch just fine." Harry let out a smile before going back to his food.

"Football? Didn't we hear something similar during muggle studies, George?"

"I think we did, Fred. Isn't it a common sport involving a ball?"

"One ball? What fun could that be!" Ron pipped in. "Clearly Quidditch is much better!"

Dean Thomas who was talking with his friends, perk up at the mention of football but soon became agitated at Ron's comment. "Weasley, football is clearly better at Quidditch!"

"Blimey, what have I just started," Xing breathe out as she watched the two very passionates raved about their favorite sport.

"Nothing too crazy," Fred calm commented.

"Nothing too crazy," Xing muttered out, still speechless at the high level of energy the Gryffindor has.

"I think we've traumatized her again, George."

"I think so too, Fred. It's going to take a while for her to snap out of it."

However, she was rudely awoken by the sound of footsteps coming their way, one that was oddly familiar. Since she was sitting next to George and Fred who seems to cover her figure, the person didn't notice.

"Having your last meal here, Potter? When are you boarding the train to go back?" She sighs, it'll be a long time before she'll get some peace this year.