POV ADA MARROW

When I walked down the steps into the Greenhouse for my herbology class, I saw Professor Garlick. Passing out cotton balls, seeing my classmates firmly shove the puffs in their ears. Then she handed Lenora a squash for her Auntie then I saw her absolutely light up when she saw me.
"Oh you're the new Fifth year!" She offered me the Cotton and faced the class, "Class please welcome the newest Rose to our Garden!" I could see Sebastian staring at us, his fingers tangled while his thumbs twiddled. His brows raised at the mention of me being a new Rose. He noticed my look to him and he chuckled.
"Please take a seat at the planter next to Mr. Sallow and be sure to stuff your ears with those cotton balls!" I nodded and sat at my stool next to Sebastian.
"Well I'd say she's spot on with that description." Sebastian murmured to me, before I put the cotton balls into my ears. I felt my face flush,
"I am most definitely not a Rose." I stated, I may have been slightly embarrassed by the introduction.
"Well you're red like one." Sebastian chuckled as I felt my face heat up more. I smacked his arm and he feigned being hurt. I saw professor Garlick go onto her podium, asking anyone who hasn't put in their cotton balls. I stuffed the fibers into my ears now hearing everything muffled.
I followed her instructions and when I pulled my Mandrake out I felt the cries rattle through me, my ears reverberating the sound. Mine was much louder then the rest as everyone struggled to replant their own. I quickly shoved the ugly thing back into its new pot covering it with its dirt. A shuddering sigh left my lips as I patted the dirt down.
"I think my ears are bleeding." I whined to Sebastian.
"I'll say you must have gotten a more mature one." He looked at me and to the pot, then I saw professor Garlick walk over.
"I am so sorry Ada dear, I must have given you a Mature one by mistake." She held the pot to her.
"It's quite alright professor, though my ears are still throbbing." I joked a bit to lighten the mood, Professor Garlick could help but smile at me.
"Well, why don't you get away from the mandrakes for a bit and I'll have someone show you the Chinese Chomping Cabbages."
"I can-" Sebastian was cut off by Leander raising his hand eagerly.
"I'll do it!" He was already standing and walking around to us.
"Thank you Leander, such a sweetheart. Please go show her how to care for them."
"Yes Ma'am." He said, motioning a hand for me to go on ahead of him, I only nodded and walked with him silently up the stairs and once we were at the second floor he stopped us.
"Hey, listen I'm sorry about what happened in the Clock Tower. I was a bit peeved that day, I was hoping we could start over. I'm Leander Prewett," his hand rested on his chest, "It's a pleasure to meet you officially Ada."
I raised a brow to him, "Ah well, apology accepted Leander." I walked past him towards the outer bridge exit.
"I also have to say you were brilliant fighting against Sebastian, you absolutely slaughtered him." He was walking beside me now across the bridge, I only hummed and nodded letting him talk.
"Now see Gryffindors fight with honor unlike Slytherins, though I suppose Hufflepuffs do as well."
"Well Leander, Sebastian does have a point. People will do anything for survival and people with something to lose won't follow an honor code," I looked at him, his pale face a bit flush now, almost matching his red hair. He was just a bit taller than Sebastian, "but thank you I suppose for the compliment." His hand rubbed over his long neck, looking a bit bashful. He had gotten so irate with Sebastian telling him this but flustered with me.
I almost rolled my eyes, continuing to walk down the steps to the rows of the cabbages and that training dummy in the back for them to chew at. He showed me how to safely remove them from their dirt, and how to hold them firmly. Then tossed one onto the floor seeing it wiggle and move then latch onto the training dummy to chew at it.
"Dittany is nice and all for potions but this is more my type of plant. Something that can help you in a fight. I mean imagine if that wasn't a Dummy."
"I was already imagining it, Leander, they seem rather useful." I glanced up to him, he was getting flustered again.
"Right, right. I wasn't saying you can't hold yourself in a fight you definitely can... You're not someone to be trifled with," His shoulders sort of straightened looking off to the side.
"Listen... I know I was angry that day in the clock Tower but I was serious. Those two are trouble." His voice was just a bit quieter now, leaning in towards me so no one would over hear us. I could only raise a brow at him.
"Well thank you for the warning Leander but I think I'm aware enough to make judgments on those I wish to associate with." I stated, getting a bit annoyed with him.
"I didn't mean it like that." He fumbled the words, "I, you're right. I'm sure you make good calls on who to associate with. I shouldn't overstep." He shoved his hands into his pockets, standing there silently.
"I'll meet you back in class, take your time." Then he turned from me and hurried back up the stairs to the top floor.

POV SEBASTIAN SALLOW

After Leander had butted in and returned without Ada, I couldn't help but feel annoyed. Seeing his cheeks a bit flushed as he sat back down. What the hell had he said to her. I would have waited for her to ask but Sharp did not appreciate lateness and Ada had to speak with professor Garlick. So I walked with Ominis to our Potions class, fuming a bit.
"Do you have any idea why Leanders' face was flaming red after he came back from escorting Ada to the other greenhouse?" I asked him, he heard all too many people talking around him.
"It's probably because the Moonmind has a crush on her." Ominis stated oh so casually. I gaped at him.
"Where did you hear that from?"
"He asked her out right in front of me when she was dragging me off to a secret herbology corridor." His face was still a bit annoyed, "She even left me in the green house after she got that damn leaf for Duncan."
"A leaf for Duncan and why did she drag you along?" I asked him, probing.
"Because she was talking to me when he asked and she didn't have a clue about what sorts of plants were down there. She would have been caught in Devils Snare."
"So much for taking your own advice." I spit out at him, he just shrugged me off.
"Well you're not listening to it either so why should I?"
"I shall take that point into consideration." I murmured, "So what did she say when he asked her?"
"She said nothing, just said goodbye to him and dragged me off. I'm sure he probably thought something indecent was going on." Ominis mused.
"You're absolutely terrible." I groaned, "I hope you didn't say that to her."
"I did and she apologized to me. I learned more about her supposed family as well from that conversation." I looked at him.
"What did she say?"
"I'm guessing she was abandoned by them because she hadn't known about them until Ministry workers told her and that she had a Brother in Durmstrang called Nox Marrow. Apparently her family are Dark Wizards. "He was keeping his voice low so others couldn't hear our conversation. I'm not surprised, they treated Ominis like an outcast for being a Gaunt. How terrible it would be to be outcasted by the other students if they learned she was from a Dark Wizard family.
As we walked in Professor Sharp directed us to our assigned seats and I was placed next to Garreth.
"I swear Garreth if you ruin my uniform with another one of your concoctions I'll strangle you with my own hands." I murmured to him.
"Oh calm down Sallow, I won't be exploding my cauldron any time soon." he rolled his eyes at me, already working on something. I scooted my chair a bit farther away from him. Then I saw Ada walk in with her potion books Sharp pointing her to sit with Ominis. Damn. I would love to be sitting with the two of them.
"Rule of sitting with Mr. Gaunt, Miss. Marrow. You have to make sure he stays focused on completing his potions and help him with his measurements. I'd like for him to pass this year." I saw Ominis turn a bright red.
"Of course Sir, I'll happily help Ominis." She smiled brightly at the Professor and Sharp nodded, limping away to his desk. Going on about how to brew Wiggenweld potions. This was something I had brewed many other times, so I knew the receipt from heart. Though I couldn't help watching Ada as she spoke softly to Ominis, helping him by setting out his bottles for him.
It made me smile a bit. She was awfully kind and I wanted her to join our group. Now I was sure of it, she'd have to meet Anne and I would most definitely show her the Undercroft.
"How is your potion Mr. Sallow?" I jumped, starting to stir the concoction again. Professor Sharp had startled me.
"Well I believe it's just fine Sir." He studied it.
"Yes, very good." he nodded and walked off towards Ominis and Ada, I could overhear him praising her potion making skills, Wiggenweld wasn't an easy first potion to make but hers was almost flawless. Then he had her walk off with him to his desk to give her a list of supplies she'd need from his office. I got up and walked over to Ominis, hearing him wine in dismay.
"My Wiggenweld is utter rubbish... I'd rather replace it with one from J. Pippens." I patted his back.
"It's okay Ominis, you're doing very well for someone who can't see what they're doing." I stated, looking it over. The green was a bit off color. I wouldn't want to drink that anytime soon. Ada caught my eye as she stopped to introduce herself to Amit. She had Astronomy with him apparently.
"I'm thinking of introducing her to Anne." I said to him, his head turned looking towards me.
"What? Why?" Ominis asked, surprised.
"She's kind and quite loyal... I'll tell you in our dorms later tonight what happened." I saw her get stopped by Garreth. Talking with him before she entered Professor Sharps' office, then walked back out slipping him a damn Fwooper Feather. Garreth had convinced her to steal from a Professors potion supply stock. My mouth was gapping and I started to fume, walking past her to go straight to Garreth.
"I can not believe you had her steal from Professor Sharp." I hissed at him, glaring.
"He's not going to notice one feather missing Sebastian calm down." He added the feather and it started to bubble up. I shielded myself with my robe as the cauldron exploded right in his face. Causing fireworks and sparks to fly everywhere. I had to pat out a fire that was set on my sleeve.
"Damnit Garreth, really?! Can't you do this in your free time?" His chest up to his face was covered in a thick gray soot. He blinked a bit surprised.
"Well that didn't go as expected..." he murmured, writing down notes.
"Fifty points from Gryffindor Mr. Weasley and I will be speaking to your Aunt about this." Professor Sharp called out across from the room at him, "And his accomplice will also be reprimanded as well." I could see his eyes land on Ada then, she grimaced and approached him, holding her hands in front of herself as she looked down. She was being scolded by sharp but then praised again for her potion making skills.
"You're dead Weasley." Garreth gaped at him in shock, trying to clean the soot off his face, "You better apologize to her for getting her in trouble."
"I was planning to Sallow, no need for threats." Sharp dismissed the class and Garreth managed to stop her before she left. Apologizing. She sort of chuckled seeing his appearance.
"Well your potion certainly made the class more interesting. Don't worry about me getting in trouble. I smoothed it over with the professor, however I am not taking from him again." Garreth nodded, still trying to clean his face off. It was all mostly gone but his handkerchief was just smearing the remnants on his face.
Then my jaw dropped seeing her pull out her own from her pocket. Cleaning his cheek off for him. His face was more red as she did that. Oh I was smearing him into the ground later... Wait, wait. Why was I jealous? Of Weasley of all people.
"Ada, Ada please you don't have to clean my cheek. I can just go to the restroom and wash it off." She sort of pouted at him and sighed. "Fine, I just didn't want you going around looking like you stuck your face into an ashy fireplace." That pout made my hand tighten into a fist, then I felt Ominis hand on my shoulder.
"Ready? I'd like to get dinner before going back to our dorms."
"Y-Yeah." I loosened my hand, grabbing my books walking with him to go to the great hall.
"So what made you want to introduce her to Anne?" He questioned me, he pulled his wand out to lead him.
"We snuck into the restricted section-"
"Sebastian you didn't! Not again."
"We got caught and I was going to take the fall at the mention of going to professor Black she came out of hiding and told Miss. Scribner that she had coerced me to show her the Restricted section, that she should be the one punished."
"She took the fall for you?" Ominis questioned, his voice soft and surprised.
"Yeah... We both got Detention this weekend however, a lighter punishment sense Scribner thought I was trying to impress Ada. Instead of my usual activities."
"What were you two doing there because I know you wouldn't take a girl to the restricted section for a fun time." Ominis voice was flat if not a bit unamused.
"I... I can't say. She made me promise not to tell anyone." I glanced at him as Ominis as he shook his head.
"You're both so alike it's frustrating. Both so comically loyal and trouble makers... Just promise me you won't do anything stupid." I could do that.
"I promise not to do anything stupid." As we sat down in the great hall to eat, I saw her walk in with Garreth, talking with him. Then they parted as she walked to the Hufflepuff table. Will I tell Ominis about that jealousy? No won't speak to him about that.
"Weasley got her in trouble in class today."
"Yes, I heard Professor Sharp scolding her and his cauldron exploding from my table." Ominis started eating some sort of stew from a bowl.
"I told him to apologize to her and when he did she started helping him clean his face." I couldn't help that sound of jealousy slip through.
"Do not tell me you're jealous.. Sebastian, you've just met this girl."
"She's too friendly with other guys." I murmured to him, "they're going to get the wrong idea."
"No, she is unapologetically kind. Sebastian there's a difference."
"I'm kind but I don't go around cleaning girls' faces with my own handkerchief." I countered.
"No, you have selfish kindness. That's the clear difference between the two of you. She's kind to be kind, you're kind to gain something in return." He spoke so boldly to me. My eyes went wide.
"I'm not Selfish." I was offended by his words. Shocked even.
"Yes you are." he sighed, sipping his stew again.
"Am not!" I was a bit louder now. Some others looked at us at the table. Ominis snorted and shook his head at me, he wasn't even going to respond.
"Ugh, I'll see you in the dorms." I got up, skipping dinner for the evening.

POV ADA MARROW

After dinner I had waited out on the Summoners court stand for the person who invited me to a game. My eyes wandered off along the side of the castle then to the wooded areas then over the far walls when I heard a throat clear. Looking back I saw Leander walking up the steps.
"Oh Leander, you're the one I'm playing against?" I asked him.
"Yes I am." His hands were clasped behind his back, "Are you ready for our match?" I nodded, smiling at him, he was much more pleasant when he wasn't angry.
"You first Leander." I said, letting him take the first round, to be honest he was rather easy to beat at this as well, he chuckled a bit when he lost the match.
"Well, it seems you got lucky."
"Oh, Leander don't be a sore loser, I won fair and square." I stated, watching him laugh under his breath.
"Alright, alright, you won fairly... I'll tell the others you're good."
"Others?" I tilted my head looking up at him.
"Yes, we're a bit of a club. They asked me to challenge you to see if you'd a challenge or not for them or not. So you may get more letters asking for more matches."
"Oh alright, sounds fun." He nodded to me then rocked a bit on his feet.
"Listen, I was wondering if you'd like to go to Hogsmeade with me this weekend. As a date." My brows raised a bit surprised.
"Oh, Leander, I don't know about that. I mean I have detention all weekend so I wouldn't be able to go with you anyway." I was trying to get out of it.
"Well what about next weekend?" He looked so hopeful.
"Well... I..."
"Please, just one date." Something about the way he smiled made me give in.
"Well if it's just the one..." I murmured, he grinned at me.
"You won't regret it, I'll tell you which day next week." Then he waved to me, walking off. I am far too nice…
I sighed walking off the stand to the lawn and started walking to the entrance to retire for the night, just as I stepped in a letter apperated in front of me, fluttering down to the floor. I picked it up and opened it.

'Ada,

Meet me in the Dark Arts corridor tomorrow evening. I'd like to show you something and teach you a useful spell.

-Sebastian Sallow'

Well I at least have something to look forward to tomorrow.