"How strange is it that after all of that, we're strangers again."

-Anon

"We were just friends that spoke like lovers. And that seemed to be enough for two teenagers who were scared to love one another."

-K.A.T.

Chapter 1

It's a peculiar thing, entering into the first day of one's last year in any chapter of life. It is especially so when considering adolescence. One is not quite old enough to be considered an adult, yet they have surely left the childhood of their past behind, inevitably creating an 'in between' moment. The time between what is known and the ever-after of life. Thus, making the 'last first day' bittersweet.

Lina Cooper distractedly thought about this as she stepped onto the platform of the Hogsmeade Train Station to start her 7th year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Luckily, she had her two best friends, Natty and Poppy, in tow with her. They climbed into the carriage that would take them up to Hogwarts castle. Natty and Poppy continued to talk about their summer adventures, reviewing anything that had been left out of their letters. Lina listened in contentment while staring out the window at the setting sun over the lake.

Once arriving, they filed out of the carriage and into the grand front doors of the castle. Lina was elated to be back at Hogwarts. Ever since she started at the wizarding school, the muggle world that she had been raised in held very little appeal to her. She heaved a sigh of relief knowing that for the next 8 months she wouldn't have to worry about embroidery, dance lessons, and a nagging, social-climbing mother. Many of her days had been structured around useless lessons of piano, singing, and how to keep a muggle household. Her skin had practically itched at not being able to use her magic to take care of the most simple daily tasks. Her parents loved her in the best way they could, but they rarely made room for the witch in her. At Hogwarts, she could spread her wings, metaphorically speaking.

The entrance was crowded with students shuffling about, trying to enter the Great Hall in an orderly fashion for dinner and the welcoming and sorting hat ceremony. They followed the rest, and Natty bid farewell to them, leaving to go sit with her Gryffindor classmates at her table. Poppy and Lina took their seats towards the back at their Hufflepuff section and waited patiently for the ceremony to begin. Lina observed the room, seeing familiar faces and new ones. There were plenty of new first years this time around. Her eyes fell upon the Slytherin table and immediately recognized Ominis. She made a mental note to herself to track him down to say hi after the dinner. It also hadn't been lost on her that another Slytherin boy was missing from the banquet table. She blinked the thought away and turned her attention to her own table, continuing to catch up with fellow Hufflepuffs.

After a time the headmaster approached the podium at the front of the hall. He made his usual opening speech. "...and one last thing for all of the students to keep in mind. I am happy to announce that The Triwizard Tournament will be taking place at Hogwarts this year. We will be expecting Triwizard candidates from all over the world to arrive sometime in the next month. I hope you will all give them a warm welcome and make them feel at home. On the subject of candidates, for those who may not know, those looking to submit their name into the Goblet of Fire may do so here in the hall next month. All candidates must be at the age of 17 at the time to enter. So, with that being said, let us move on to the sorting!"

The hall was buzzing with energy about the tournament announcement. This would be Lina's first experience with the tournament, and she'd be lying if she said she wasn't a bit excited to see the champions compete against each other. She was already 17, approaching her 18th in October. She wondered what it would be like if she was chosen as a Champion…sounded exhausting and incredibly stressful. No, she had had enough adventure on that level to last her a while from 5th year. She was perfectly content to watch others compete while just trying to get through her final year.

"So, what do you think?" Poppy's voice brought her back to earth.

"Think about what?"

"About the tournament? Are you going to put your name in the Goblet? I wonder if they'll have a challenge about magical creatures, that would definitely be interesting." Poppy inquired as she took a bite off of a roll. Lina shook her head.

"No, I don't think so. Not really my thing."

"What do you mean 'not your thing?!'" After everything that happened in 5th year, how could you not submit your name?!" Poppy eyed her with an incredulous look. After the dust had settled at the end of 5th year, Lina had told Poppy and Natty everything, though they had guessed most parts since they were involved at one point or another. Lina shot her a slightly pleading look, and Poppy shrugged her shoulders.

"Okay, okay, fine. I won't press you to put your name in…but I don't think I can stop anyone else from doing it for you," she giggled quietly. Lina shot her a faux annoyed look and nudged her. Both girls laughed and directed their attention back up to the front.

The sorting hat sang its song and the first years lined up for their sorting. Lina began to shift in her seat uncomfortably. She knew she should have used the lavatory as soon as she got off the train, but things were moving so fast, and she was excited to get to the ceremony. Lina turned to Poppy, "I am going to die if I don't go use the lavatory."

Poppy laughed at her, "Well, you better get up and go now while everyone is watching the sorting hat." Lina grimaced but knew Poppy was right. If one of the professors caught her in the hall instead of the ceremony, she would most certainly be in trouble. She sighed and stood from the bench, and as sneakily as she could, she exited through the doors.

After, in the ladies chamber, she stared at herself in the mirror thinking back to her first year at Hogwarts. She no longer looked like the 5th year she had started as. Some things were the same, like her dark auburn hair and the beauty mark under her left eye, but many things were different. Her lips fuller, her face slimmer, and a glimmer of something in those green eyes that said she had already lived one life. Brown eyes filled her mind then, and she had to shake the image out of her head. She washed her hands and hurried out of the bathroom. While turning the corner, she ran right into someone's chest. Stumbling back, she had to look up to see who she needed to apologize to.

"I am so sorry, I was just-" she stopped. Her blood ran a little cold, and her stomach dropped. Looking down at her was Sebastian Sallow. Except this was not Seb from fith year. Much like her, he had also changed. In place of a boy was clearly a young man coming into his age. He had grown into his round face and now had a more prominent jawline. He was obviously taller and much broader than she had remembered seeing last semester. The quirk of his brows implied an even larger ego now, and there was an amused smirk on his face. He had acquired a scar above his right brow. There was still plenty that was familiar to her though. His face still bore the same freckles, and his brown hair was still tousled in the way she used to tease him for. She stared at him, frozen in place, not sure what to do. This was the first time they'd interacted in more than a year.

After the events of 5th year, something had changed in Sebastian. He became distant, opting to ignore her instead of addressing anything that had happened. Anything that they had gone through and the fact that she was the one who prevented him from being sent to Azkaban. Lina had tried to foster their friendship, but the more she pushed, the more he turned in on himself. After one last effort to salvage the friendship that ended poorly, they left for summer holiday without a word to each other. She kept in touch with Ominis and the others, but not Seb. He had obviously made his decision, and her pride refused to let her reach out. Another year at Hogwarts began, and Lina spent more time with Poppy and Natty, putting in effort to relationships that were fulfilling. Sebastian and Ominis were still good friends, and Lina often spent time with Ominis studying, but neither one of them brought up the subject of Sebastian. It didn't seem necessary anymore. He had gone his way, and she had reluctantly gone hers. She knew he had been excelling in his classes, doing side research about curse breaking, on the side as well as other extra-curriculars. He'd become quite the rake if the gossip was true. One of the few times Ominis brought Sebastian up was to complain that Sebastian got himself caught with a girl after curfew and how now he couldn't help with a project they were doing for potions since he was in detention. Lina had only stared at her work, trying not to care. Now, here they were, after all this time. They both stood there for a moment, not saying anything at all.

"No worries," Sebastian said quickly and casually. "I should have been watching where I was going." He rounded her and began walking down the hall the opposite way he came. Lina was watching him go, her heart racing. Frozen. It was like if he turned the corner at the end of the hall, she would surely never see him again. Without thinking, she reached out an inviting hand one last time.

"How was your summer?" she blurted out after him. She didn't know what else to say; it was what came out. She twiddled the bottom of her uniform vest nervously. Sebastian stopped, took a beat, and turned towards her. His gaze was hard as he approached.

"How was my summer?" His eyes narrowed a bit like that would help him hear better.

"Y-yeah." Lina stammered a bit. "Mine was really well. London was really hot this year. I actually got to go visit Poppy and her grandma. She's been doing a lot of conservation work for the nifflers and other magical creatures, and I got to help, and it was a lot of fun actually!" She didn't know why she was rambling. Maybe if she kept the conversation going, they could stay in this moment. He would stay. Sebastian chewed on the inside of his cheek and chuckled to himself.

"Let me tell you about my summer. Oh, it's a great one. You'll wanna hear this." He said, sarcasm dripping from his voice. "Yeah, I spent most of it at St. Mungo's with my sister who still barely speaks to me. I worked for lodging at The Three Broomsticks, thanks to Sirona," he continued while getting close to her. "I had an investigator from the ministry come to interview me about my uncle's death. Apparently, if they find enough cause they are going to reopen the case since some of them don't believe it was an accident." He held her gaze. "But we both know that it was an accident … right, Lina? Other than that I spent the summer alone and researching." Sebastian cocked his head at her, he was close enough now that she could almost feel his breath. "That was my summer. So happy yours went well." He looked her up and down. "Look great by the way." He went to turn, but another voice halted him.

"Mr. Sallow, I have come to expect this sort of behavior from you, but I am disappointed to see that you have roped Ms. Cooper into your mischief as well." Professor Weasley strode towards them. Sebastian rolled his eyes and stepped back from Lina, smirking at the professor. Lina's face was on fire from the confrontation and now this.

"Oh, you know, just taking a nice evening stroll, professor. Seventh years are entitled to this privilege now, aren't we?" His eyebrows slightly raised at the last words. Professor Weasley did not skip a beat.

"Be that as it may Mr. Sallow, we are all supposed to be in the Great Hall to give a proper welcome to our first years. Not," she side eyed Lina, "conversing in the corridor."

Sebastian raised his hands in placation. "Alright, yeah, you got me. I was on the way to the library but Lina here, well, she was on her way back from the bathroom. Isn't that right, Lina?" He slightly tilted his head towards her. Lina looked between the two of them and nodded softly. Professor Weasley gave Sebastian an incredulous look.

"I would really like to believe you Mr. Sallow, but we have been here more times than this." The comment stirred something in Lina, adding fuel to her growing fire. Professor Weasley continued with a sigh, "I am going to have to give the both of you detention, and deduct 10 points from each of your respective houses. Now, Sebastian please escort Ms. Cooper back to the ceremony and no detours. Honestly, on your first night back?" Professor Weasley looked at him with a soft, almost matronly smile. Lina stared, mouth agape at her but slowly, reluctantly started to follow Sebastian back to the Great Hall.

They walked in tense and awkward silence, the night air calming her flushed cheeks. Lina glanced up at Sebastian and noticed his jaw was clenched tightly. She quickly looked away, staring at her feet as they walked. Then, she heard a soft chuckle from him.

"That…could have been a lot worse."

"I beg your pardon? I do not see how that could have been any worse." She stared at him in shock.

"Sure it could have." Sebastian said casually. "It could have been Professor Sharp, and he carries a spray bottle." He winked at her. He actually winked at her. Lina was fuming by this point.

"Well, I just hope whatever you were planning was worth it," she clipped.

Sebastian shrugged his shoulders and looked at her, "It was."

They arrived at the doors to the Great Hall. Lina could hear the cheering as students were being placed. Just before Sebastian reached to open the door, she grabbed his elbow gently.

"I'm really sorry you had a rotten summer, truly."

Sebastian glanced down at her hand and up to her eyes. Searching for what, she didn't know. His face softened a bit."Thanks," he said quickly and slipped through the door, leaving Lina again to wonder what the hell just happened.