Snapping back, the group realized that lunch had ended, and all the houses started to stand to go towards their classes. Being the beginning of the year, the fourth years could easily tell the first years from the rest of the crowd. Sevan, being the nice Hufflepuff they are, started towards a group of the small children before Jaron grabbed their robe and pulled them to their next class, Potions.
"Come on, you have to go defend yourself," Jaron spat in disgust, irritated just by the thought of any of his friends getting hurt. "But at least you'll be protected by Satan, that's good." Jaron flung the child towards Gabe and Emmanuel, going over to join up with Lliam for their Potions class. The Ravenclaw was kissing his two identical lovers goodbye, then headed off to his own class.
"Well," Sevan sighed, fixing their robe, "ready for some defense?" Gabe nodded as they carried their books to the next class, Emmanuel hurrying to catch up with the Hufflepuff's quick footsteps.
"I hate leaving Gred and Forge..." Emmanuel stuck out his lower lip, looking behind him to try and see their fiery locks in the bustle of students. He shook off his abandoning of his odd companions, and focussed on conversing with Sevan. "Wonder what we'll be doing today," he thought out loud.
"Probably something I'm not good at. Defense is hard. Just from knowing you, and you being a Ravenclaw, I wouldn't doubt that you would win in a duel any day." The blonde stared at their friend in adoration. They always admired how he was so great in all of their classes.
Emmanuel giggled, knowing all too well the nights spent revising his friend's essays and such. He was their go-to study buddy. "You're plenty decent at... This stuff, whatever big nose calls it. Whimsical is he, in a bad way. I think he's just glad I'm nothing like my babes."
"I think we're all glad about that..." They mumbled under their breath, shaking their head as if to clear their thoughts. "Seriously, though. I really admire you in Charms! If not for you, I would have failed that class before I even started it," Sevan sighed loudly as they reached the DADA classroom. "Oh no... I can smell my failure from here."
"It'll be fine," Emmanuel reassured and slammed his back onto the door to open it. Giving way to the crowded classroom. Children were literally bouncing off the walls, which must mean Mad-eye Moody isn't here yet. "Score!" he yelled excitedly, nearly tossing his books onto the three's shared desk. Yet he did not mingle with the other students. Over the years, the 'Tiara Squad' and their bond has grown tighter than the average families. The members don't have to branch out too much.
The other set their books down, reasonably more gentle than the former, and sat down on the given chairs. They attracted the normal attention towards themselves, the odd mix gaining the interest of others often. A group of friends from all houses was just... unheard of, frankly. Really, who heard of the nefarious Slytherins having friends outside of their own house? Adding on, a prestigious looking Hufflepuff and another who tends to look slightly monotonous or loopy or angry or all at the same time? A Ravenclaw, whose boisterousness and intelligence go neck and neck in vastness? And what's with that short Gryffindor that steals people's food?
They were a sight to behold, but they were tight-knit and would do anything for one another. Their bond was stronger than even the Golden Trio's. The Golden Trio had been through everything together, but everyone who knew the coterie would agree - they were like siblings separated at birth.
The door made a loud bang, instantly shutting up all of the students and making them sprint for their seats. "Oh my lord!" Emmanuel planted a hand firmly on his heart. He nearly jumped out of his skin.
Staggering inside was none other than Mad-eye Moody, the DADA professor for the time being in Hogwarts. His eye scoured the room, staring in intense denouncing disgust. "Filthy kids like you," he grumbled loudly, "should already be in your seats!"
"But the bell hasn't even rung yet," murmured a student from another corner of the room. Surely he was suicidal.
"THAT DOESN'T MATTER, MCCALLISTER! YOU MUST BEHAVE AS A RESPONSIBLE STUDENT, WHETHER THE BELL HAS RUNG OR NOT YOU BLOODY IDIOT!"
Everyone held their breath. "Starting early today, huh," Gabe whispered lightly. Both nodded in solemn agreement.
Not even half an hour later, a little over one fourth of the students were either beat, sent to Dumbledore, or teleported to God knows where. Sevan gripped Gabe's hand and Emmanuel's sleeve tightly. The latter only relished this luxuriating entertainment.
Moody glanced over in their direction, pausing a second before looking away with a sneer. The three let out the breaths they were holding, exhaling into the quiet of the room. They small group situated their quills and notepads, ready for their last class of the day to be over.
"Haaaaaaaah!" Sevan let out a loud sigh as their small group met up with the last two, fully putting together their Squad. "Why does he insist on giving so much homework?! I mean, yeah, I expect it from the man, but why can't he be unpredictable and just - you know, not give us homework?" Jaron was smirking as the shorter finished their rant, happy with the suffering of his friend. A loud clatter disrupted whatever Gabe was going to say, re-directing the Squad's attention down the hallway where, low and behold, Draco Malfoy was picking on a Hufflepuff First-Year. Sevan's face twisted into a frown, and they stomped, muttering angrily towards the other blonde.
"Draco Malfoy, you little ferret! Stop picking on her!" The older Hufflepuff cried out, standing defensively - arms crossed, white knuckles, and a touch of defiance added to the recipe with a heated stare - in front of the little girl. Gabe and Lliam came to stand on their left and right sides, with Jaron and Emmanuel came to stand behind Draco and his two lackeys - Crabbe and Goyle. This was their normal fighting stance, and everyone knew it too - with three in front and two in the back, especially with all of the houses benefits, they were a force to be reckoned with.
"Oh? And what are you going to do, stupid little Salamander?" Draco leered towards the shorter, meaning to intimidate and ultimately failing. Another thing about the Squad, around the school, they each had different names, for reasons unknown to even them. The names just... showed up one day, is all. Sevan was, respectively, Salamander, but they were also commonly referred to as 'The Queen'. Gabe was 'The Prince', and Jaron was coughs asshole the Master or 'The Knight'. Lliam was Subordinate (Sub for short) or 'The Jester'. Emmanuel was, of course, Satan, but he was also known as 'The King'.
Draco's comment only seemed to egg the group on as they each took a small step or two forward, though the only one to reach for their wand so far was Jaron. This was yet another fact about the group. Even though they would all take the unwavering consequences for each other, Jaron was usually the one to lean more towards the risk taking. Emmanuel sent a fearsome glare to the two behind the blonde Slytherin, making them run away with their tails so far between their legs you would think they were coming out the front end. Draco was the only one left of the three, and all five in the group could see the layer of sweat on the cowards face.
"You know what! She deserved it! The idiotic Hufflepuff," he spoke the word as if it were laced with poison, "crashed into me! She made me drop all of my books, and for that she needs to apologize!"
Sevan's skirt bunched as their fingers weaved through the soft fabric, knuckles turning white as they tried to stop themselves from outright murdering the boy for disrespecting their house. Just as they were about to unleash their fury, though, thumps rang throughout the hallway as four sets of footfalls reached everyone involved ear's. Right around the corner was the head of each house - Minerva McGonagall, Filius Flitwick, Severus Snape, and Pomona Sprout. No one doubted they were headed for the current group, and the five shuffled to look innocent (Jaron was the only one who really had to do anything - he just put his wand back in it's holder on his forearm). Draco was either suicidal or deaf, because he didn't move from his spot, snarling all the while. If the furious looks coming the group's way were any indication, someone was going to be in trouble.
The four teachers stopped outside of the circle, standing near their house students.
"Ahem," Emmanuel stepped forward, knowing he was the teacher's pet, the Squad's punishment wouldn't be overly excessive in severity. "We were simply intervening on this boy's mistreatment of this girl." He smiled widely. Good friends cover each other's asses.
Professor McGonagall knew all too well of Emmanuel's grades, his academic excellence, and his aptitude for good behavior. Though it was odd to see him confronting another student. She nodded at the boy.
Come to think of it, each one of the teachers in the group's presence knew of his achievements, and his dependence on correctness. They all trusted him deeply.
"I believe this will just have to be let go with a warning," Professor McGonagall chimed. Draco smirked wickedly at Emmanuel. He himself knowing of the high-strung boy's attachment to not failing. "Draco, don't let this happen again."
This time, Emmanuel grinned mockingly. He brushed past Draco, after thanking his teachers of course. The rest of The Squad following as they headed to cheer on Emmanuel in his Quidditch practice.