Hi everyone! A new chapter awaits for you all to read. I decided it would be fun if I could intertwine my other fanfic Disturbingly Loving (hint, hint you should totally read it just saying) to this new one I'm writing. I hope that this story meets to your expectations, unlike Disturbingly Loving (that I wrote at like what... 15?) I've grown a lot and want to explore writing as I am now at 22. This story is proving to be more fun than I thought so please, give this story a go! It might prove to having you enjoying characters that didn't even exist before with characters from the book that weren't properly explored. I find the Black family very interesting indeed, so give a review if you would like! It's great encouragement!

"Come oooonnnn" Orion pleaded, poking Alphard "Just tell me already!"

"No."

"You've kept quiet about it for weeks though!"

"I don't care." Alphard replied, getting irked by his cousin. All he wanted to do was read his god-damn book, but no, Orion had to ruin it with his persistent line of questions by following him nonstop. He had been at it for weeks now. Cygnus and Druella left him alone after what happened in front of the Great Hall after about two weeks but Orion would just not let it go. He acted like a curious child by demanding answers from him no matter what he said or did to get him to leave him be. This line of questioning would go on while he awoke, ate his meals, during his breaks, during the evening hours reading. It was like being followed by a broken record!

"But everyone wants to know about what you pulled! One minute you're giving me a damn lecture on 'her coming to you' and then the next thing I know you pull a stunt like that! Make up your damn mind already!" Orion yelled in frustration.

"For once, Orion, can't you just drop it? This is my private business that I want to deal with alone!" He said, stressing the 'alone' part quite clearly to get his nosey cousin to get a damn clue.

"I'll leave you alone if you tell me what you 'mimed' to her." attempting to strike a deal.

"No."

"Ugh!" Orion yelled dramatically, flopping onto his bed next to him. "You're like a damn bloody iron wall! Don't you ever give!"

"I would be a disastrous 'iron wall' if I couldn't protect what was other other side, Orion." Alphard replied cooly as he turned the page of his book.

"Who said anything about a crappy wall? I'm just saying your' walls' ought to have bridges for people to cross, that's all…" Orion complained.

It was then Alphard snapped his book shut, rubbing his his forehead to calm the raging headache that was already brewing.

"I'm going get some fresh air…" He said slowly as he got up, abandoning his book on the base of his bed.

Orion got up with Alphard, intending to go with him but Alphard halted his actions.

"Alone, Orion." Alphard snapped.

Orion crossed his arms in defiance but sighed, clearly seeing he wasn't going to win this battle.

"Fine. I'll see you at dinner then." He bit out.

"See you at dinner." Alpahrd promised as he shut the door of the boys dormitory, walking as far away as possible from his cousin or any other prying eyes and out to the fields to clear his head.

He wondered if this sort of unwanted attention was what Odette faced everyday. Orion complains about his 'walls' but Odette's must be something fierce to behold. If anything her 'wall' is rather a fortress, impenetrable by any normal human. Alphard could hear whispers from every direction about him, they weren't even trying to hide it at this point. The great Alphard, the 'all seeing eye' of the House of Black, had fallen under the spell of a Ravenclaw witch. One of which not one single person knew about. It was the perfect stage setting for rumors to to take flight like a flock of birds.

The way he acted toward her was perceived as a love confession and now he was paying the price. He had to re-group his thoughts at this point. He did not regret his actions for reaching out to the witch. On the contrary, it filled him with deep happiness knowing he was able to communicate to her. And even though she did not open her mouth to speak her smile was the single most beautiful prize he could ever hold dear. However, his stunt was viewed by others as impulsive and rather ridiculous. He couldn't afford his fellow peers making light of him, especially for the future. His family had high enough standards for him and the rest of the young generation of Black's, screwing up like this would only mean it could hurt him in the future with establishing power in his chosen career and-

It was then Alphard stopped in his tracks and scowled, pinching the bridge of his nose out of habit when he was cross.

He was doing it again, thinking of his acursed family name. Old habits die hard and he was raised into believing every move dictated the Black's future. He had to remind himself to cease these thoughts and allow himself more freedom. He was in school, he could afford to be more loose!

Yeah, easier said than done when the shackles remained on his feet.

Alphard sighed in frustration to himself, the accumulated stress was really getting to him now. At this point he was not quiet out of the castle. He was situated in walking down the open hallway that surrounded the inner courtyard of the school which during the kinder seasons acted more like a garden for anyone to admire freely. He quickly eyed the scenery, taking in the fall flowers and the trees, only to stop when he saw that Odette was there. She was sitting on the stone wall that protected one of the trees, apparently listening to quite a few excited first year Gryffindor girls. 'Oh to be young' he thought as he gazed upon them with a small amount of jealousy. Though just as he was about to continue on out of the castle he felt eyes upon him.

Odette had caught sight of him, staring at him with surprise. Though the look of surprise was quickly replaced with a smile and stood up, causing the other Gryffindor girls to turn their heads to the Slytherin. She tapped both her eyes grandly and pointed to him.

'I see you.' she conveyed.

A smile graced Alphard's features. Any gesture she graced him with made him smile. Ever since that fateful day at the Great Hall he had become dedicated in his desire to be able to convey more to her. Alphard wished to speak through a language that only she and him could communicate in, safe from any ears, safe from the outside world.

So he bowed to her as he did before weeks back causing the first years to giggle and chatter amongst themselves excited. When he raised his head he gestured to her, then the scenery, then with both hands raised them and extended them outward to her slowly.

'Why are you here?' me motioned.

Odette looked very pleased by his level of communication, laughing heartily. He could only smile at the thought of how easy it was for her to talk to the wizard this way.

"What did he say?" One of the girls tugged on Odette's shirt, eager to hear her answer. This caused the Ravenclaw to smile and turn her head to the girl.

"He has asked why I'm here." She replied softly. The young girl squealed in delight and turned to her friends to convey what she was told while Odette turned back to Alphard. She gestured to herself, then to the courtyard, then to the excited female first years.

'I am here for them' she signaled back. The Slytherin chuckled a little at her reply.

The other girls turned to themselves, talking even louder than before, more than happy to see with front row seats this wonderful interaction. Although Alphard did not mind at first it it was just those young girls he quickly become more agitated as he could see students gathering to the courtyard like bee's to honey, wanting to see what the commotion was all about. He sighed in frustration, he could not get one free moment with her no matter what he did. Alphard did not wish to cause Odette more problems than he already did weeks back. Taking this as a sign that he should leave he bowed slightly to her in respect and turned to walk away.

But Odette moved toward him, causing him to stop his movements entirely to watch her. She took two steps forward and gestured to him, then to the end of the hallway. Then, clasping her hands together, she shook her head in protest

'Please, do not go away.' she silently begged him.

Alphard eyed her carefully, mouth agape slightly in shock. Then he took a quick look to the large amount of students that had already gathered, waiting for more with excited eyes and ears. She shook her clasped hands yet again, pleading once more to him.

How could he ignore her and her silent plead he thought. The Wizard slowly turned back fully to face Odette and bravely walked out to the courtyard and over to her, ignoring the collective gasps from students as he stopped just a foot away from her. The prompted the first year girls to scurry away in half excitement but also to give them privacy. They still chatted, eyes glued to the two and decided to join the many other students who were surrounding them.

"You finally came to me…" She said breathlessly. Alphard could almost feel an electric shock travel all the way from his head to his toes as he savored how she spoke every syllable in that sentence. His mouth was dry, but opened them to speak in return.

"You pleaded me to stay…" He said, slowly, taking in every detail of her face.

They stood there, looking at each other in silence. Although they said nothing, the time they shared together like this made the world melt away for a moment. Everything bled away like watercolor, and for Alphard the only thing that remained clear as day was her.

"You are very good at miming." Odette complimented, breaking the silence. "Are you yourself a dancer and just forgot to mention it to me?" She asked, half joking, half curious.

"No, I'm just a very avid reader." He replied in earnest.

"Oh, so you learned through books? I'm surprised this castle has such knowledge of Ballet here…" Odette said, eyes widened.

Alphard laughed.

"I did not find such knowledge here in our library. I had done searching on it on my own." He wasn't lying. After receiving that muggle book from his brother he researched through small bookshops to find the right place to order more on the subject of Ballet. It was hard work, considering that the Wizard community had little to do with anything on the subject at all. Thankfully enough, through the stacks of fairy tales there were and few technical pamphlets and a small text book on ballet terminology, he was able to have them all delivered to him and read them as much he could.

"So you did all that work…" She said, as if talking to herself. "To speak with me? Why?" She eyed him with a hint of suspicion. Alphard lowered his gaze in embarrassment at the look of her eyes.

"I did not know how to approach you, I was afraid." The Wizard admitted slowly.

Odette blinked, taking in the words completely shocked.

"Afraid…" She said in a sense of wonder. "What exactly did you fear?"

"I feared being a burden to you. It is obvious you receive unwarranted attention, I did not want to be another set of eyes that made you uncomfortable…"

Odette lowered her gaze, twiddling her fingers together nervously.

"You did all this for a stranger…" She almost whispered.

"You may find it odd, even ludicrous of me to say to you. However, whenever I see you I do not see a stranger, I feel at ease in your presence." Alphard said to her, confidence blooming in his voice. "I hope it is not entirely one sided, this feeling…"

Odette turned away from him, blushing slightly at his words.

"You may have hope." She answered softly. "You have already shown me such large amounts of kindness, it would be unfair of me if I did not feel the same to you…"

"If you will allow me…" Alphard took one step forward, determined to close the gap between them a little more. "I would love to have the chance to get to know you more." He said almost ln a low whisper, trying his hardest not look around him and remember that there is a growing number of people just watching them. Odette returned her gaze to him and her face softened at his offer of friendship.

"You can come see me whenever you please, I too would love to get to know you more. Besides, it would be a nice change over the regular people who visit me." The Ravenclaw said with a bright, cheery smile.

Alphard eyed her with amusement.

"You're speaking of the little ones who flock to your side?" He asked.

"I am not approached by anyone in our year, yet the younger ones seem to be braver, so they try to talk to me often. I find them quiet adorable really…" She admitted with a small smile as she eyed them from afar. Odette then looked to him, smiling. "I take that back, everyone in our year avoids me but you."

"I think they don't approach you because they feel intimidated." Alphard shuffled a bit as she eyed him skeptically. "Not to say you come off cold, rather your beauty makes them believe you are to be give the highest respect."

"You find me pretty?" She almost snorted in laughter. Alphard could only lower his eyes down to his feet as he shuffled slightly.

"It would be the greatest of lies if I told you I did not find you pretty." Odette abruptly turned a bright shade of red. The Wizard could not help but feel particularly proud upon knowing he caused that adorable face to make such a reaction feasible.

"Y-you give off an air yourself you know. As if you are a king no less!" Alphard smiled brightly to her at the comment.

"A king you say?" He asked. "You jest, I much rather fit the role of a prince."

"A prince? Why would you say that?"

"Because a prince has no real power. I do not hold any real right to my family name until my father passes. Until then I am just an extension of my fathers will. To be forced to do my family's bidding till their puppet strings break…" Alphard suddenly went silent. He realized the joke got dark way too quickly. In a sense, he was dumping his frustrations on the witch and a flash of shame graced his features. Such a heavy topic should not be discussed with someone you don't really know. Yet his walls were bare, no one in his own family could make him talk yet Odette broke the barriers without so much as uttering a single word.

"Is your family special in some way?" Odette asked, curious.

"…My family name is old." Alphard slowly admitted, face darkening. "Others around me expect to see that extension of power as a result. That is why I did not dare approach you, I thought it would only cause you harm, so forgive me if I came off as indifferent towards you earlier." Alphard lowered his head in an apology, hands clutched into fists. But two gentle hands reached for his. Her fingers intertwined with his till they were connected. The wizard looked to her, too shocked to say a thing, completely distracted by the warmth and the touch of her soft skin.

"If that is the case then do not tell me your family name. I don't want to know." Odette suddenly said, gazing to the Slytherin. "I will only call you by your first name and you will call me by mine. I will treat you as you treat me…" The witch was about to let go of him but Alphard without thinking clutched them tightly in defiance, to feel this warmth for just a little bit longer. He almost thought she would try to pull away from him. He was selfish and did not want to apologize for it this once. The wizard wanted to hold her hand for as long as she would allow, he wanted to monopolize this very moment for himself, to be linked, to be close, to be-

But he heard collective gasps and very loud talking. His delicate world he shared with Odette had shattered in that one instant and then a rush of realization hit him harder than a nimbus 2000 on maximum speed. He was talking to her all too close, holding her hand for far too long, and there was a large crowd of students watching their exchange in an open court yard. Odette seemed to have realized the same thing, eyes wandering left and right in worry.

"Your words are as kind as you are, Odette. I would be honored to be in your company." He slowly let go of her hands despite his mind screaming in protest. "I caused you trouble again I'm afraid." He lowered his head again in apology.

"You worry to much over me, you caused me no harm! So please, do not lower your head to me again. Such a handsome face should stand more proud." She said with a shy smile.

Handsome… she called him handsome! The Slytherin Looked to her slightly bewildered but clearly very happy to have received such a compliment.

"If you are not busy later, would you like to eat together during lunch?" He suddenly blurted out. Alphard right then wanted to smack himself, there he goes again, awkwardly asking her out to lunch like some bumbling idiot confessing to his first crush. why oh why was he not gifted better at conversation?!

"Oh!" Odette said in surprise. "Oh please forgive me, I had already made plans with the first year girls I was talking to earlier."

Alphard slouched a bit in defeat, ready to stick his head under the ground and remain there for being so foolish. Of course she had plans, any person would give the other more time to plan out a time slot for them to be free and meet up but nooooo he had to be a moron! However Odette placed a hand on his shoulders in reassurance.

"But tomorrow, I am free tomorrow for sure! Would that work for you?" She asked, clearly fretting that she rejected his invitation so quickly.

Alphard then burst out laughing. They were more alike than he thought! She too was as nervous and shy as he was at this interaction.

"And you say I worry too much…" He said as he took her hand and placed them back. "Tomorrow would be fine. We could meet at the Great Hall at noon." Odette nodded to this fervently.

"Yes, noon sounds perfect then!" She said with a bright smile.

"Then I will see you then, but for now I will say my goodbyes. Please, give my regards to the first years for I've stolen you from them for far too long." He said as he eyed them apologetically, still patiently waiting for the Ravenclaw.

"See you later then!" She said with a wave good-bye. Alphard returned the wave before completely turning away from her and walking past the large body of students who parted ways to let him pass by.

Just as he was walking away though he could not help but notice a bright blonde haired Gryffindor running past him at full speed catching up with a Tom Riddle who looked reluctant yet accepting of her presence as she began to speak to him. This made Alphard almost pinch himself. Riddle near a girl? That was new…

After a few lessons of Herbology, Ancient Runes and Potions Alphard found his way to the Great Hall ready to eat a well deserved dinner. He was famished and it was all his own fault. The wizard was so elated in seeing Odette that he all but forgot to eat lunch before his next classes. Now he was paying the price with a stomach that was so empty he was surprised he could even stand straight. As he turned toward his table he saw his family all there waiting for him, even his sister Walburga was there to grace their presence.

Walburga? Here with us? That could only mean someone was in trouble. Alphard sighed, it was probably him. He just wanted to eat his meal in peace, can't he catch a break today?Alphard finally reached them though before he had the good judgement to run away at full speed. He accepted his fate while closing his eyes, taking a seat next to Cygnus while nodding to everyone else in greeting.

"Evening everyone, I trust you weren't waiting that long for me."

"You have explaining to do, Brother." Walburga said, eyes scrutinizing.

"And just what have I done now, Walburga?" Alphard asked dryly, taking his napkin from the table and placing it on his lap.

"Flirting with a pretty witch without even knowing first her family name? Have you no shame, Alphard?" She accused.

Alphard pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration, he knew this was bound to happen but not this soon.

"Walburga…" He warned, eyeing his sister seriously.

"No, I will not have you "Walburga" me. How dare you thwart all of mother and fathers efforts into preparing you for our family by going around throwing yourself at some woman no one here even knows!"

"You have no right to interfere with whom I decide to 'throw' myself to, Sister." He snapped. "You will not see me responding in kind words if you push this subject further."

But Walburga took the challenge, black eyes aflame that her brother knew all to well, she would be anything but quiet.

"You are a Black, Alphard. You are to be the prime example of our family and you ought to act like it. Do you really think shutting me up with be the end of this? No one will accept her, Alphard, especially me. You could have any respectable witch tied around your little finger. Any witch would be lucky to share your name yet here you are giving yourself at some cheap, unworthy dirty-"

"Enough!" His voice boomed. This promptly caused the Slytherin table, and a few of the Ravenclaw students at the next table to turn around to look at Alphard in shock. Walburga was completely taken aback by his brothers outburst.

"If you dare even utter such unkind words about Odette to me you will see yourself cursed." He hissed the last words as if they were poison. "I warn you, do not cross me. I am more than powerful enough to take you down a peg, sister. Do you understand? Or does my wand need to convince you?" He threatened. Walburga was going to protest but no words came out of her mouth, too shocked by Alphard's complete change in character.

"Alphard." Cygnus said, gripping shoulder warningly. "Not here." He said, eyeing the crowd. Alphard continued to stare his sister down, not even breaking eye contact as he lowered his body back down to his seat, adjusting his vest.

"This isn't the end of this, Alphard…" Walburga warned him with a deathly glare before she got up from her seat. "I'm going to sit with my friends for dinner tonight, I fear I soured the mood." She then wished Orion and Druella goodnight before she departed down the table swiftly to sit with her chatty Slytherin girlfriends, not once daring to look back to her family.

After long moment of awkward silence Orion eyed Alphard weary as he stabbed a piece of chicken onto his plate, clearly seething.

"Alphard…" Orion called out softly.

"What." He replied icily. Orion almost winced at the reply. When Alphard was cold he was the ice king himself. Between Cygnus who had a laid back attitude, Alphard looked as if he always carried a heavy burden. He was not to be the one to run the House of Black like his older brother was, he was not like Cygnus who carried more responsibilities. Yet Alphard was always the one who looked the most troubled. Perhaps he had always known, but Orion somewhat always knew that Alphard hated their family name. He would always see him looking at their family tapestry with clear unfathomable hatred. How did it come to this? He wondered. When did his Cousin come to hate so much, that he locked himself away from him and the rest of the ones that loved and cared for him. Though for whatever reason he seemed to have found a girl that could make him happy. See a side of him that for a long time Orion thought didn't even exist.

"…Walburga may hate the idea of this, but I don't… so don't think you're alone." Orion said slowly, waiting for his cousins reaction.

And it was just then, that little glimmer of hope showed that Alphard felt relief by his words. However, that glint was only but a moment, for a cloud of suspicion and confusion smothered that hope all too quickly. Orion wanted to reach out more but he knew he wouldn't reach it no matter how hard he tried. No matter what he could possibly say to him he knew Alphard would find a way to doubt him.

"I've agreed to dine with her in the Great Hall tomorrow at noon, you will not be seeing me eat at my table." Alphard suddenly announced to them dully, taking a bite of his chicken and chewing slowly.

It took a moment for the three Black's to catch up with what Alphard had just dropped like a bomb on them. When they did catch up though though it was met with Orion's mouth agape followed by Cygnus almost spitting out his drink and Druella to even provide a facial expression other than a blank face, shock!

"So… some progress then? Well done Alphy." Druella said in a clear approving tone. Orion nodded with his sister.

"Just be careful, Alphard." Cygnus warned.

"Or what, Cyggy?" Alphard groaned to his brother by nickname. "Don't tell me you still think of her as some sort of monster in disguise still?"

"No, Alphard. I've watched her enough to know she is indeed no such thing. It's just once you drag her into your world she will face many obstacles. Obstacles like our sister… I just want you to be careful for her sake…" Cygnus explained himself.

Alphard lowered his gaze, realizing he judged his brother too quickly.

"I'm sorry Cygnus, I was too harsh…"He then sighed. "No, actually I owe you all an apology. I've been under stress over this for a while. I took out my anger and frustration out on you all and I'm sorry… it was childish of me."

Druella and Orion eyed each other then to their cousin in sympathy.

"Don't worry about it, we should have left you alone about it to begin with." Orion admitted.

"Besides anyone would be under that kind of stress regardless." Druella added.

"We're always on your side, just know you don't have to keep it all in." Cygnus added.

Alphard smiled to his two cousins and brother, but his face turned to scowling again under the reminder there was still his sister to deal with.

"Walburga though…"

"What about Walburga?" Cygnus said.

"She's bound to tell Mom and Dad soon… I don't know how they'll take it."

The group fell silent at the thought. Pollux and Irma Black were one of the most prideful of the Black family. A trait that was easily passed onto Walburga no less. No doubt his sister would not share good thoughts of Odette to them both and most likely they will tell him to break off such a friendship immediately.

"Grandfather wouldn't though!" Orion suddenly said, breaking the silence. "If anyone in the family is willing to listen to you it would be him."

"You are his favorite." Cygnus added. "It wouldn't hurt for you to speak to him first, maybe he can talk sense into Mom and Dad before they decide to pass judgement."

"At least until they meet her for themselves." Druella added.

"Right… well if thats the case I better eat quick and try to get in contact with him tonight." Alphard added. "Walburga would probably send a letter so I think I can beat her."

"Use the fireplace then. You remember that spell you can use to talk through the ashes right?" Orion asked, Alphard nodded. "Good, do that then." He said with a grin.

And with that the group returned to their meal in relative peace.

Meanwhile Odette found herself in quite an odd situation. One minute she was eating alone, the next thing she knew some girl waltzed over to the opposite side of the table and sat down with her tray in front of her. She had blonde hair, crystal blue eyes and face stuffed with what looked like mashed potatoes. She looked to be a little shorter than the Ravenclaw and also had taken note that the stranger was a Gryffindor no less. She chewed her food happily, smiling to Odette in an almost kid like manner. She suddenly stuck her hand out to her to shake.

"Hi there I'm Juliet! Nice to meet you!" She said cheerily.

"…American?" Odette blurted out in confusion as she shook the hand dumbfounded.

"Yup! The only one here apparently. I saw you sitting here alone for the past few weeks and thought it was odd, so, I decided to sit with you instead!" She explained as she took a bite of some salad. "Ooooh they did a good job on these leaves tonight!" She complimented to no on in particular. Odette guessed she was referring to the house elves.

"It's very kind of you to sit with me? Oh, where are my manners I'm Odette." She said, frazzled a bit.

"Pleasure to meet you Odette and don't mention it. It's nice to talk to a girl for once." She said, sighing dramatically. "My closest friends are all boys you know, a girls gotta have an outlet man. Girlfriends to talk with you know?" She clarified, Odette could not help but nod to this complaint in agreement.

"I agree, men can be great friends but they don't always know how to relate to the ongoing's of how we women suffer day to day." She replied.

"Exactly! So I thought we could be best friends!" She said excitingly. Odette almost did a double take at this proposition. Was this girls head on screwed right?

"…Just like that? You don't even know me." She said in slight disbelief.

"I'm known to have a great judge of character you see. Intuition of sorts." The Blonde confidently replied as she patted her chest proud. "And I can tell you are sweet, I think we can be great friends!"

"Well, when you say it like that it's hard to find it unbelievable…" Odette said in wonder. What an odd girl this one is… "You say you have only male friends? What are they like?" The Ravenclaw asked, attempting to start a conversation. Odette knew she wasn't the best at keeping up with conversations and much rather was interested in keeping her thoughts to herself. However, she was curious by this newly formed friendship and was dedicated to try to explore this girl's personality before trying to flee entirely.

"Well, there's Chekov, Robin and finally Tom!" She numbered off. "Chekov's from Russia and he's a Hufflepuff, Robin's from Germany and a Ravenclaw like you and finally there's Tom. He's British like everyone else but he's a Slytherin."

"Wow, you have friends from all over the place huh?" Odette whistled. "I wish I was like that, though people don't find me approachable apparently. I'm shy really…" She admitted. Odette could not understand for the life of her why she was dumping this on someone she just met about ten minutes ago but hey, she proclaimed to be 'best friends' with her now. As they say, do as the Romans do and wing it?

"That's okay, being shy means you're great on one on one conversations anyway and we need people like that in the world." She said as she wolfed down more potatoes. "You're a lot like Tom that way, he's verrryyyy shy. So shy that he tries to pretend to be all dark and brooding to get people away from him." The Gryffindor said while cracking up.

"Does it work?" Odette said smiling with one eyebrow raised.

"Well, not on me if thats what you're wondering." Juliet replied wiggling her brows. "He doesn't convince me at all!"

"That's probably for the best then. A good friend can always see through their other friend's attempt at hiding something." Odette replied wisely.

"…I don't know why people think you're unapproachable, you seem perfectly normal to me." Juliet said, squinting her eyes suspiciously.

"Honestly you have no idea how much of a compliment that means to me…" Odette said in relief with a big smile. Juliet simply laughed.

"Really? Well if thats the case I'll call you average more often!" Odette laughed with her.

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah!" Juliet paused to look at her dish. "You eat food very averagely you know." Odette burst out laughing again. "And the way you laugh? Adequate." Odette tried to cover her mouth but it was proving useless as the Gryffindor continued on with her joking. This caused quite a commotion with her table, who were keen on listening as to what was just so funny. In fact her laughter could be heard all the way to the Slytherin table.

Alphard paused from eating to look up to see Odette. He relaxed upon seeing her laughing so normally with what looked to be a new friend….

wait a minute.

Alphard squinted, eyeing the blonde closely.

Isn't that the same girl that was with Riddle easier today? He thought to himself. The Slytherin turned slightly to see Tom who was no more than a few students down from where he was. What Alphard saw from the other Slytherin though proved to be quiet a surprise to him. He saw as Tom Riddle gaze to the Gryffindor and for the briefest of moments his whole character completely changed. He was practically unrecognizable to Alphard. He looked content, dare he say happy upon seeing the Gryffindor as she laughed merrily. But the Dark Wizard then proceeded to roll his eyes and turn back to his meal, trying to ignore her completely. But Alphard saw it all, and it completely blew him away. He expected many things from Tom Riddle, but to look kindly to a woman as if he was in love? Never. Alphard abruptly turned to Orion, poking him for his attention.

"Orion, I couldn't help but notice earlier that some blonde Gryffindor has been hanging with Riddle as of late. Do you know anything of this?" Orion paused from eating, eyes lighting up at the question.

"Ah, yes, I do know what you're talking about actually! Her names Juliet De La Lune. She's a transfer, American, hangs with the other two transfer students that arrived from being displaced from the Muggle War going on."

"Doesn't De La Lune mean 'of the moon'?" Cygnus asked aloud, attempting to round up his limited French in his mind.

"Alien?" Druella betted questionably.

"Werewolf." Orion betted undoubtably.

"Never mind that!" Alphard interrupted. "Why does she spend time with Riddle?" He asked, completely confused.

"Beats me but I'll tell you this she is something else! The girl is nothing like I've ever seen before let me tell you. I don't know how to explain it but she has this weird way of getting you to let your guard down and getting you to talk about anything and I do mean ANYTHING. It's quite scary actually, not even Tom can avoid it. She's very kind though, very loud, very open, no different from any other Gryffindor really if you think about it." Orion rambled. "I'm honestly more surprised Riddle even allows her to be near him at all. But he seems to be interested in her, though again, I can't know as to why." Alphard scratched his head to this new information, thinking deeply.

Cygnus eyed Riddle from afar, turning back to the group.

"Should we be worried? You all know how I feel about him…"

Alphard eyed his brother carefully. Cygnus has this particular gift of reading 'aura's' if you will. Something about 'clouds that surround the body in colors' was the best his brother could describe. Whether or not it was a magical ability it was beyond any of their comprehension. Regardless, he had not been wrong about anyone he predicted about yet. Any time Cygnus had thought someone was dangerous it was true, any time he believed someone was in love he was right, any time he proclaimed someone was lying it was proved true. It was amazing what this ability of his could do, there was practically no limit to how useful that gift was to everyone in the Black family that's for sure.

So when Cygnus saw Tom for the first time at a Slytherin mixer he became sick, like he was about to puke. When he and Orion got him away from Riddle he remembered how he grabbed Orion, how he looked at him in the eyes with complete fear. Only uttering the words "Red, a thick cloud of red that consumes everything around you…" was enough to send shivers down his spine for weeks.

"Can you see hers, Cyggy?" Alphard replied lowly. Cygnus looked to the girl carefully, only for a surprised look to grace his face.

"Blue… she's… she's Blue." Cygnus then looked confused. "How can that be? There should be Red mixed in as well if she's always with him as you claimed Orion…" He said as he looked to his cousin in confusion.

"Perhaps this girl can't be effected by him? Maybe that would explain their friendship." Druella offered in guess.

"I don't believe it, anything Tom comes in contact with always gets eaten or distorts their own color. I've never seen this before. She's always with him?" He asked Orion again for confirmation. His cousin nodded to him.

"Yeah, almost everyday. I'm almost surprised at how close they are as of late."

"Extraordinary…" Cygnus said in wonder. Alphard twiddled his fingers a bit before tugging on his brothers sleeve.

"Cygnus." Alphard began. "If you don't mind me asking… could you-"

"White." He interrupted, smirking at his younger brother.

"What?"

"Odette's color… it's white, an almost blinding white. It shines the way the sun peaks through the clouds almost, I've never seen such a color before." Cygnus said as he continued to look over in deep thought.

"Oh? She's quite the opposite from you then Cousin of mine." Druella said in an almost smirk. Alphard huffed at that.

Black, of all the colors, his own cloud was black like his own name, that it looked like a storm cloud hanging above him as if it was about to rain. When Cygnus told him this at first he thought he was joking since he was always the one to be called a 'brood" about everything. When he wasn't Orion and Druella made fun of him for it for months on end, calling him "sunny" or blaming him for whenever it rained. Orion's color was yellow, Druella's apparently was violet and Walburga's for some reason was halloween orange. What Cygnus's color was though was a total mystery for him, for he can never see it. Not even in his own reflection.

"Ha Ha Ha, I get it we're practically yin and yang don't rub it in." He said to Druella sarcastically.

"I think it's romantic that the beautiful white princess would dare to love the dark prince of the night~" Druella almost sang in a gag like manner.

"L-love?" Alphard bit out. "Don't be ridiculous woman, we've only just met!" He said, a small blush creeping on his face.

"Now, now, Dru." Cygnus said with a smile. "Don't tease my brother too much now. That's my job, remember?"

"Fine, fine have it your way then." She said with a sigh.

Back at the Ravenclaw table Odette was attempted to balance a spoon on her nose with Juliet who was also struggling herself to apply said instrument on. Apparently they agreed to whoever could balance the longest wins all.

"Aha!" Odette yelled triumphantly, succeeding in getting the spoon to remain on her nose.

"Right behind you!" Juliet said with smirk as she let go of the spoon as it suspended perfectly. "I ain't going down without a fight!"

The Ravenclaw students were a little amazed by this scene. They thought Odette to be this graceful princess of sorts yet here she was balancing a spoon on her nose looking pretty determined to win. Though they looked to the Gryffindor and understood that this particular interaction could only be achieved by one witch alone and it was that De La Lune girl. Rumors had spread far and wide of her antics, especially of the one being so bold as to consider Tom Riddle to be her friend no less. Many had claimed her to be slightly insane, others too friendly for nature to allow. The girl simply did not know of any boundaries so it was no surprise really that the girl decided to make friends now with the new mysterious witch of Hogwarts.

Suddenly a 'clanking' noise could be heard. Juliet looked at her spoon in horror as it landed the table, then to Odette who smiled triumphantly as she took the spoon off her and raised it like a sword in battle.

"I win!" She said with joy. Juliet grabbed her spoon and pointed it towards Odette in frustration.

"Best two out of three!" She yelled, not giving up.

"Pay up." Odette said with a pleased smile as Juliet sighed in defeat, rummaging through her pockets.

The Ravenclaws were surprised. Did they really bet money on this? Who would have thought The pretty witch gambled…

Juliet pulled out three cauldron cakes and handed it to Odette very sadly.

Or not…

"And those were my last ones too…" The Gryffindor said in anguish, about ready to cry. Odette took one from her, leaving Juliet with the other two.

"You can have the other two, I only wanted one anyway." Odette said as she unwrapped the cauldron cake.

"What!? No, no, no, you won so you get to take them!" Juliet protested.

"Nonsense. If I won then I get to do with them as I please and I want you to have them." She said with a smile. "As if I would let my best friend not be without a sweet." She said sincerely. This caused the Gryffindor to tear up, reaching across the table to hug the Ravenclaw abruptly. Naturally this caused many to gasp in surprise.

"You really are an angel!" She yelled in delight. The Ravenclaw simply laughed, patting her new friends back appreciatively. When she let go Juliet proceeded to unwrap a cauldron cake but frowned.

"Darn, they forgot to provide me with a cauldron stirrer." She cursed under her breath. Odette paused from stirring her cake to observe that what she claimed was true.

"Thats too bad. No worries though, I got you covered." Said Odette as she stuck her hand out and waved her pointer finger around the cauldron cake. Soon enough the mixture of the cauldron cake began to churn, mixing the ingredients fully.

"Wow, what amazing magic you possess!" Juliet said, completely delighted.

"You think so?" Odette asked as she continued with her task. " I mean I'm just stirring you know…"

"No not that!" Juliet waved off dismisivly. "Very few Witches or Wizards can do it, wandless magic that is…" Juliet said pointing to her hand. "You didn't even use an incantation!"

"Well I never had a wand before so it's obvious to use my hands." Odette said as she then took a bite of her cauldron cake. This news brought the Gryffindor to lean in close to her with eyes wide as saucers.

"Wait a minute, you don't have a wand!?" She repeated in disbelief, the Ravenclaw nodded. "Why not?! Didn't you ever get one at Olivanders when you were eleven like the rest of us?"

"I was taken abruptly from school when I realized I was to continue with my dance career. I never had a chance to go to Olivander's to get one. Besides, no muggle would understand why I would carry a 'stick' around for no reason so learning wandless magic was pretty much the way to go for me." Odette explained, a bit worried why Juliet was looking to her as if she grew a second head.

"B-b-but to learn without a wand, that must have been so difficult for you!"

"Not really, it was very easy." Odette replied, really confused.

"Easy!? Are you some kind of genius? You're a genius aren't you!" The Gryffindor demanded to know.

"Far from it, I have average grades like most everyone here."

"Then you've been given an incredible gift." Juliet whistled. "The only person I know who can do wandless magic or silent incantations is professor Dumbledore over there and he's… well… ancient." She said, gesturing to the bearded professor speaking with Professor Slughorn.

"Really? I thought it was common…" Odette said in disbelief as she turned to look to Dumbledore.

"Yeah, as common as those who speak parseltongue." Juliet said sarcastically.

"That would explain why everyone jumped in surprise when I helped that poor boy who almost tripped then…" Odette said to herself, she then turned back to Juliet. "Is it really that rare? Wandless magic?"

"I wouldn't call it 'rare' per say, rather you need to be a very dedicated witch or wizard to do it. It takes many years of training, at least that's what I heard." The Gryffindor explained. "Silent incantation is the same, many years of training. Auror's are trained to do that so they have an upper hand when they battle dark wizards… you do know what Auror is right?"

"Yes I've heard of them, they're highly-trained specialist officers right?"

"Bingo. Anyway, guys like that are trained in silent incantations but only the best of the best can be considered for positions like that." Juliet concluded.

"Wow…"

"I know, right? I wanna be an Auror one day so maybe you can give me a few tricks on how to do that next time, yes?" She asked.

Odette simply nodded.

"Great then! In return I'll shower you with Cauldron cakes!" The witch said in bliss.

"I've never been a teacher before… but I'll do my best…" Odette shyly replied.

"You're giving me that shy look again, you worry to much man." Juliet said with a grin.

"Sorry."

"Quit saying sorry."

"Sorr-" Odette quickly covered her mouth, catching herself.

"Now you're getting it!" She said with a hearty laugh. Juliet proceeded to bite into her cauldron cake with great gusto while Odette watched her eat. Again, she could not help but be bewildered by the Gryffindor's presence. She was such an odd ball but was so lovable you could not help but get pulled into her shenanigans. Odette suddenly felt a wave of gratefulness at that moment. She thought for sure she would not make any friends yet here she was, talking to a witch she knew for little under an hour but already treats her as if they've been friends for years. Maybe this was what she needed, a friend who could help her become less shy and become someone who can stand as tall as the witch before her could. That maybe, with time, she too could be more confident in her own skin. Surging with hope, she looked to Juliet who at this point had made a royal mess of her cake and also of her face which was now littered with chocolate stains across her mouth and cheeks.

"Perhaps this year won't be so bad after all…" Odettte whispered to herself with a small smile.

"What was that?" Juliet asked, muffled with her mouth full of cake.

Odette only laughed.

Wow, that was the longest I've written for a chapter... ever. Why haven't I done this sooner?! Nevermind my ramblings, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Again, give a review, it's really great reading from all you lovely people who decided to stumble upon this and read all the way up to now. To my old friends/reviewers, hi! I didn't die from finals and now it's summer break so yay! To anyone new, hi! I'm embrenn as you know and welcome to the club!

Till next time guys, thanks for reading!