Characters' current ages: Shotaro Ueda & Darrien Alexanders- 16. Sandra Ueda (currently Nichols)- 15. Renee Nichols- 17. Lucius Malfoy- 19.

A light-skinned boy with ruffled black hair took a deep breath, lightly closing his thin green eyes and taking in the sounds around him. People exchanging greetings; first years chattering nervously as they were ushered inside; professors shouting instructions; girls giggling as they passed him… Then, finally, a familiar voice calling: "Hey Sho!" Opening his eyes, Shotaro turned casually with a widening grin. Another boy- this one with dazzling blue eyes, rust colored hair, and black glasses- jogged up to him, smiling as well. The Slytherin teenagers gripped each other's hands, immediately pulling one another in one-armed hugs. "Can you believe we're sixth years already?" Darrien Alexanders breathed dreamily.

"Well, considering we were fifth years last year and we graduated then came back, it's pretty believable," Shotaro responded with teasing in his tone. Darrien rolled his eyes pleasantly and strode off to the Slytherin table, his best friend trailing close behind.

"So how was your summer?" Darrien questioned conversationally. Shotaro plopped himself onto the bench over-dramatically.

"Freaking AMAZING," he declared. "I visited Renee's house like, five times," he began.

"Stuff has been getting real serious between you two, hasn't it?" Darrien commented. "I mean, you've been dating for over a month! That's a new record for you, man."

"Hey, you're in no place to compliment me about the length of my relationships, seeing as you've been with Lorraine since you two were fourth years," Shotaro countered. Blushing ever so slightly, Darrien absently glanced over at the Ravenclaw table where his blonde girlfriend sat.

"But considering your previous longest relationship lasted a week…"

Shotaro laughed almost spitefully. "Well anyway. So on the fifth visit, I dumped the chick."

Darrien choked on air. "You WHAT!" He groaned. "Shotaro… She's pretty. She's a Ravenclaw. She's nice to you. She's an older woman! And you DUMPED HER! Why can't you be okay with finding a serious love life?"

The playfulness seeped partially out of Shotaro's face. "No, it's not for the reason you think. I… met her sister."

Disgust washed over Darrien's face. "You can't mean Miriam, can you? One, you met her already. Two, she's awful."

"Of course I'm not talking about that Gryffin-whore!" He looked around frantically and lowered his voice. "They've got another sister. She's a year younger than us, and she's a… a Squib." Darrien stared at him blankly, though he was gradually catching onto his point. "I feel so bad for the girl, with that sucky family of hers. She's so sweet, but she's also feisty and has a wicked sense of humor… First thing she said to me was 'Renee told me about your rep. If you touch me, I'll smack you so hard you won't even remember your name.' But I grew on her real quick… Man, she's even more beautiful than Renee, I didn't think that's possible! I… Dude, I'm falling in love with her."

Silence. The two boys stared at each other, Shotaro's eyebrows furrowed and Darrien's raised. "You only saw her 5 times," Darrien muttered after a few tense seconds.

"Ever heard of love at first sight? Dar, this is it. I've just… never felt this way about anyone… I've never wanted anyone so badly!" He let out a fractional sigh. "I dunno, maybe I'm the type to want something just because I can't have it. I mean, I probably broke Renee's heart, and the only way to see her sister- Sandra's her name- is if I come and visit her… Although I did 'suggest' to Sandra that I'd come and see her over some break eventually… Still. Like that'll happen."

Darrien lightly chewed on his lip. "I can't imagine how Lucius would react to news of a pureblood falling for a Squib…"

These words stung like beestings; Shotaro had to resist the urge to grab Darrien by the neck. "Yeah, well dear old Lulu graduated. So I guess we're not going to concern ourselves with asking his ever-so-valuable opinion," he snapped. Darrien shrunk back a bit, fully aware that Shotaro never cared for Lucius Malfoy.

"I know, I know, sorry… And y'know, I guess I'm fine with this." A half smile formed on his lips. "I'll support you through-and-through." Shotaro couldn't help but grin at this; he happily gave Darrien a very light punch on the arm. "Those people that are so obsessed with blood status are idiots. I mean yes, I'm dating another pureblood, but because I love her. People like Lucius just could never understand the concept of loving someone for some reason other than their blood lineage…"

You couldn't be more right, Shotaro thought, silently reflecting back on when he had last seen Sandra. It had been a couple weeks ago, though it was so clear in Shotaro's mind that it might as well have been yesterday. This visit to the Nichols household was unlike the four prior ones, where he had come to spend time with his girlfriend: this one was to end their relationship, and see more of that secret sister of hers.

Sandra had been the one to open the door. "Oh, hello… Renee's in the shower, she'll be out in a few minutes," she indicated in an almost robotic tone. Shotaro nodded his thanks and followed her inside the massive house. They stood there in an awkward silence for a few moments, until Sandra sniffed deeply. She bowed her head so that her ringlets of shiny brown hair concealed her face, but not before Shotaro noticed her lip quiver and something like water trickle down her cheek. Shotaro's eyes widened in alarm.

"What's wrong, Sandy?"

"Please don't call me that…" Sandra's voice was uneven.

"Fine." Shotaro took a step forward, hesitantly reaching for her shoulder. "Why are you crying, Sandra?"

The girl shrugged, drawing in a shaky breath. "Dunno. Seemed like a fun activity."

"Sandra…"

"I honestly don't know. …Being around a stupid pureblood like you just made me start thinking about my blood status. My parents treat me well enough, all things considered, but to them I'm like… something that they've learned to live with, as opposed to wanting to live with, or loving. They don't ignore me or abuse me or anything, and I guess they care about me… But I'm not important to them." She snapped her gaze upward, tears flowing out of her puffy blue eyes. "Of course, a pureblood would have no idea what I'm talking about."

"Quit throwing that at me like it's such a sin! I hate having pure blood. People have so many expectations for me… It's not exactly fun, being marked as a blood traitor." Now facing Sandra, Shotaro stared dreamily into her face. "I don't give a crap about somebody's family tree. It's their looks and personality that I think matters." He used his index finger to wipe a tear off of Sandra's cheek. "And by those standards, your parents should be kissing your fine arse."

Sandra weakly slapped Shotaro across the face, though still hard enough to make him flinch. "You perverted little…" Sandra's hissed accusation trailed off. With a huffy sigh, she wiped her eyes on her arm. "Okay, I'm sorry… I have no idea what my problem is all of a sudden, I must be getting my monthly or something... You're really not that bad of a guy…" To her slight horror, Sandra found herself blushing. "Quite honestly, I-"

But Shotaro never heard the rest of the sentence, for the sound of footsteps- Renee's footsteps- sounded on the stairs, so Sandra cut herself off. "Look, I'm going to be letting your sister off- easily, don't worry- but… Well, I won't let this be the last time I see you. I'll be learning Apparation soon enough, and I've got this location memorized, so expect me to turn up around here at some point," Shotaro whispered hurriedly. Renee now joined them in the room, so he hastened to greet her, though not before catching a ghost of a hopeful smile on Sandra's lips. Yes… He'd certainly make sure he saw her again.