FLASHBACK

"Now place one hand on my waist."

"What?" Ron's face looked distraught.

I snorted, trying to hold in a laugh as someone whistled at Ron's current situation with Professor McGonagall.

It was the year of the Triwizard Tournament, so each house's head Professor was teaching their students how to dance. I cringed at the thought of my Father teaching all the Slytherin students how to dance.

I smirked at the thought of half of them dancing. They would probably all pull each other's hair out by the middle of the first song. Especially with my Father's dancing instruction. But I can't imagine it'd be going any better than this class was going right now.

"1-2-3. 1-2-3." Professor McGonagall started practically dragging Ron across the dance floor. His face resembled that of during first year when he accidentally made himself puke slugs.

Fred, George, and I had come in last minute, so we were all standing off to the side of the large hall all the Gryffindor students were gathered in. Thankfully, McGonagall had gotten use to our lack of punctuality that she didn't even try scolding us for being late once again.

That, or she realized this dance lesson was going to be a huge joke.

"You're never going to let him forget this, are you?" Harry whispered to Fred and George.

"Never." They replied simultaneously.

Fred and George started swaying back in forth as Fred grabbed my hand and twirled me around playfully.

"Everybody come together. Boys, on your feet!"

All the boys were very reluctant to even join Ron and McGonagall on the dance floor. Neville eventually was the first boy to stand up. I never doubted why he was sorted into Gryffindor.

Fred pulled me into the middle of the floor with him and kept dancing like McGonagall taught. Or, I think that's what he was trying to do. In all honesty, whatever he was doing just felt like skipping and spinning across the tile floor at light speed.

I think we enjoyed that lesson the most out of anyone else.

PRESENT

I'd be lying if I said that I was excited for the first day of school.

The excitement of everyone being back had died when I had to wake up at god-forsaken hours of the morning to get ready for class.

Thankfully, Defense Against the Dark Arts was the last class of the day. I was mentally preparing myself to deal with that pink-lady whose name I forgot. I think I actually tried blocking her out of my mind.

Oh, and even more perfect, she came up with a seating chart!

I walked to her desk to glance at the chart. Everly Smith. Seated next to Seamus Finnigan.

Obviously this lady did not want to live. Since first year, everyone knew that pairing us together was a tremendous mistake.

But when I got to my seat, that wasn't even what I was worried about.

"I made sure to make my hair extra frizzy today just for you." I said to Malfoy, whose seat was directly behind mine.

At first, I was hopeful that there was a mutual hate for this class between us. But not even that could unify us.

"Oh great. With your hair magic, while you're at it, could you not turn mine pink?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about, Malfoy."

He turned to his partner whose name I didn't even know. Malfoy's henchman. That was my name for him.

"Mudbloods. They all are ditzy and simple-minded."

I scoffed to myself at Malfoy as Seamus took a seat next to me. I honestly don't remember what else happened during that class. That was enough to spiral me down into my own little world of comebacks and insults. Alot of them along the lines of: If my dad knew you said that, you wouldn't want to step foot in the Slytherin tower.

"Everly! Everly, hello?"

A voice brought me out of my mind after DADA. A familiar voice.

"Hi, Fred." I said, heading towards Hagrid's hut.

"So, you selling with me?" He asked, hands full of magic tricks and treats.

"I am not partaking in your foolish play this year, Weasley. I have alot on my plate." I laughed at his attempt to recruit me.

"You'll regret it when I'm a millionaire off of it."

"But you won't forget me, will you?" I winked at him.

"I'll keep you on my charitable donations list." He remarked before heading in his own direction.

It still hasn't clicked why my dad thinks the Weasleys are a threat. Besides Hermione, they're the only family that has been there for me despite barely knowing me. Harry Potter has his own plate of problems, so, although we're friends, we're moreso mutual friends. And I surely wouldn't be going to him for moral support.

Maybe that's it. Since Severus thinks he can't support me emotionally, he's afraid I'll open up to someone who can't know our secret.

I speculated, trying to think as Snape thought, as I started gathering food for the Magical creatures.

Since Hagrid was gone, I was in charge of after school care for a few of the dragons and other creatures he had left behind.

As I headed out the door, I saw Harry approaching Hagrid's hut.

"Hey, Ever, is Hagrid back yet?" He asked, his hair ruffled from the stormy wind.

"Not yet. And I'm not sure when he will be."

He ran his fingers through his hair and I noticed the freshly made scars on his hand. But I didn't want to ask him what it was from, since it might be personal. And we all have our secrets.

"I heard about your hearing."

"I think the whole school did." He looked to his feet.

"You're not alone." I smiled at him. "Trust me. People you don't even know are supporting you."

"I know about the Order." He practically whispered to me.

I raised my eyebrows. "The Order?"

"Of the Phoenix?"

I shook my head, still not ringing a bell.

"Sorry. I thought you were implying—.. Well, nevermind. Thank you for the encouragement, Everly." Harry Potter said, before heading towards the forest.

The Order of the Phoenix? Supporting Harry Potter? And I had a sneaky suspicion that my Dad had something to do with it.