The rest of the week passed in a relative blur, the lessons that seemed to stick with Aster was Astronomy, mainly due to the long trek up the spiral staircase when all she wanted to do was curl up and go to sleep. The other lesson was Potions.
The bang of the door when Professor Snape stormed in, contrasted with the quiet baritone of his opening to the lesson gripped her attention. The fact he openly mocked Longbottom when he was blatantly ignoring what he was saying was amazing.
Despite clearly having the benefit of a magical education before attending Hogwarts, he clearly felt that he was above Potions. He only managed to get one out of three questions correct and that was the plant based one - something he'd already proven to be adept at earlier in Herbology.
Professor Snape didn't have them start the lesson straight into making anything. He instead spent the two hours going through every student's equipment and ingredients, taking time to verbally rip into any who had subpar cauldrons ("Tell me, Mr Weasley, are you so forlorn that you're the youngest son of your Clan that you wish to take everyone with you into a fiery death? No? Then why is your cauldron flaking?!"). Blunt knives were brought to attention ("Miss Brown, are you so dull witted that it has in fact leached on to your knives?"). And then Aster's favourite - "Mr Longbottom, I had hoped with your basic facts of plants you would know that these specimens can no longer be counted as such".
There were a few Slytherins who fell short off the mark too, of course, however instead of points taken and barbed words there was a direction on how to improve. Those who had passed inspection, namely Malfoy, Theodore and Aster with all their kit, merely got a nod of acknowledgement (with an added sneer to Aster) before moving on. Honestly, it was bloody fantastic seeing him in action.
In her letter to her grandfather and parents, she had included the name of her Head of House and Potions Master, which made one (her dad) scrabble into the frame and the other (her mum) saunter in.
She had closed the curtains around her bed as she clutched the frame to her, fumbling in the dark to see them. Her mum then proceeded to teach her the Silencing Charm to prevent her talking to be overheard by Pansy and Greengrass, followed by the Lumos charm so she could actually see what she was doing. It took her several times, especially the first one, but she managed eventually much to the pride of her parents.
When she asked them why they turned up, her mum rolled her eyes.
"This one," she hitched a thumb over at her dad, "wanted to make sure Sev hadn't disembowelled you." James nodded vigorously while staring at her through narrowed eyes to make sure she was unharmed.
"Who's Sev?" Aster cocked her head.
"The devil." James responded as Lily said "Your Professor Snape."
James gasped, "He is not hers in anyway!"
Lily pulled a face at him before turning to her daughter. "Is he treating you OK?" She asked, dreading that she would be told he had decided to take out his hatred of her father out on her. No matter that by the time of 1981 they had been on their way to at least being civil, even just for the sake of Lily.
Aster shrugged. "About as well as the other Slytherins." She tilted her head to the side, "although with more sneers. But a hell of a lot more better than Longbottom." She sniggered and with a malicious glee began to inform them of the lesson.
"Sounds like Sev." Lily fondly said, smirking at the image her daughter had painted of a lurking man enshrouded in black.
James frowned and looked at her, "You mean being a total git to anyone not you?" She snorted before nodding and tucked her hair behind an ear.
"Pretty much, yeah." She looked to Aster, "have you - have you told him about us? That you can talk to us I mean."
"No. Should I? Just didn't think it was his business." She shrugged, noticing how her mum's shoulders lost some of its tension.
"No, you don't need to. Just wanted to ask."
Aster shot her a look clearly conveying her disbelief, one that was an eery mirror image of the one her husband was also shooting her.
"Right. Well, was there any reason you shot here like the hounds of hell were on your tail?"
James sniffed and folded his arms, "I did not shoot into here. But if you don't want to talk to us that's fine." He pointed his nose in the air not noticing Aster's flinch until Lily smacked the back of his head and pointed at her downtrodden face.
Grimacing, he rubbed the back of his neck. "I didn't mean it like that, starlet." Deliberately using his nickname for her to get her to look at him. Smiling as she relaxed a little.
"Your dad was desperate for more information on Sev than was in your letter, love. That's all. I must admit I was curious too." She shrugged, "mainly though we wanted to know how your first week had gone.'
Aster sniffled a bit and proceeded to tell her parents all about it while idly scratching behind Binky's ears with her free hand which wasn't holding the frame.
They spent a good hour talking, before Aster kept yawning, which in turn made her dad do the same.
"Right, to sleep with you, my love. We're so proud of you. Sleep well." Lily told her, her dad echoing her words.
"Night. Send my love to Grandfather." Aster mumbled before sliding further into the covers and fell asleep, not realising that was the first time she had called him such out loud to her parents, making them smile affectionately at her.
Aster woke up on her first Saturday at Hogwarts unreasonably early. It was the weekend and she had still woken up before eight. The soft snores of her dorm mates fluttered through the bed curtains, and even Clacker was snuffling in his sleep. Binky however had stirred as she moved, languidly stretching as he headbutted her. She couldn't help but lay there, staring up at the ceiling as she thought back on her dream.
It started off as a bog standard dream, complete with physics defying qualities like slow motion running and Binky turning into a replica of the Cheshire Cat crossed with Aslan. It was only when she opened a curiously smokey door that things went wrong.
Stepping through the threshold she was immediately overwhelmed with the smell of decay and burnt flesh. Spinning around to leave, she found to her horror that the door had disappeared, leaving her to the inky blackness filled with screams and laughter.
Not knowing what to do she gave in to the childish urge to clamp her hands over her ears and began to run wildly about, whimpering when flashes of heat slashed at her.
She remembered the feeling of shattered glass raining on her as she fled aimlessly. She tripped and stumbled over unseen obstacles until she finally fell over to her knees.
She knelt there sobbing until a pale hand had extended to her, following the line of the arm she saw the Nameless crouched down. She slid her hand into his cold one and allowed him the pull her up, noticing that her dream turned nightmarescape had altered once more.
They stood beneath the bows of ancient trees with the moon shining silver down on them, fireflies dancing about them, though they never illuminated the face of her saviour.
You are troubled. He stated, his hands clasped in front of him in his billowing sleeves. She had the impression that he was frowning as he asked Why?
"I - I keep having nightmares." She mumbled, scuffing her feet on the grassy floor.
The Nameless hummed. They cannot harm you here. He raised an arm and gestured around them, Here you are safe. The Forest knows and accepts you.
Aster sighed, as she looked around them. "It's a shame I can't come here all the time." She murmured to herself.
You can. In mind, spirit and body. There are magicks that can be taught so that you can...escape. If needed.
Aster glanced up at him, "How can I learn? And where is here so that I could physically come here?"
Ask your Grandfather for aid. Or the Headmaster and the black haired dour teacher. They all three can teach you. And you can come here in any Forest. They will always you lead you here and bring you to me. He said, gliding over to her, and tilting her head up with an unseeable hand. You are stronger than you know, Aster. Do not doubt yourself. He ordered simply, as if it was an easy thing.
Aster bit her lip. "Do you - do you know what my nightmares mean? I always hear, feel and smell the same things. Glass breaking, screams, and high pitched laughter over the smell of crackling flames and ...rot."
The Nameless heaved his shoulders in an approximation of a sigh. It is...regrettable...that you must witness and experience these. But I cannot tell you what they mean. Just remember - they cannot harm you in your sleep.
"Doesn't mean they don't scare me the life out of me." Death made a silent snort - oh the irony.
Instead, he shrugged. It is understandable that they do. But to give them too much thought lends them power. And Aster, you are and have the power here. Don't let these snippets make you falter.
Aster nodded, wiping a tear away from the corner of her eye as she saw the figure drift closer to her again, smoothing her hair before he kissed her on the forehead as he was wont to do which, as usual, signalled her to wake up.
Deciding that there was no point staying in bed as sleep was a distant hope, she slid out of the covers and immersed herself into the bath, flicking bubbles out at Binky as he jumped and played with them, making her giggle. As she got out and dressed, she avoided the mirror and instead pulled her hair to cover the scar on her face that she knew was going to be an angry red, as it always was after her nightmares.
She made her way down to the common room, seeing that it was probably still too early for breakfast to be fully served, but the idea of a walk sounded too appealing to wait and read on one of the sofas.
She had only just reached the portrait hole when someone called "Wait!" to her.
Turning around she saw Theodore jogging to her, his hair fairly messy and his clothes crooked as if he had only just shoved them on.
"You alright?" He asked her, eyeing the dark circles under her eyes, the peek of red from her scar slipping out from under her hair, and the droop of her shoulders.
Aster gave a noncommittal shrug, "Didn't sleep well. What about you? Think this is the first time you've seemed to be...messy."
Theodore snorted, "You have your cat to thank for that. Woke up a handful of minutes away with a face full of fur. Figured he wanted me to find you."
Aster graced him with a ghost of a smile. "Well you best come with me to breakfast then." She nodded at the hallway outside.
They were silent as they walked the corridors to the Great Hall, Theodore's hands shoved into his pockets, gnawing on his lip before he sighed.
"I get nightmares." He blurted out, looking at his feet, making Aster flash her eyes to him, waiting for him to continue. "I, er, don't have the best relationship with my father. So, I know what it's like to have them and brush them off."
"What about your mum?" Aster asked quietly.
"She died. I was only eight." He shrugged.
"I'm sorry." She whispered, looking down at her feet too as they walked.
"Thanks. But, what I mean, is that, you can...talk to me. If you want. Even if its just telling me you had one and that's it." He offered, his shoulders raising to nearly meet his ears.
Aster smiled, "Thanks. You can too. Talk to me, I mean." Her smile turned down a bit, "both my parents are dead. I only have my Grandfather now. Even then, I've only known him this past summer."
Theodore frowned, "Then who raised you?" He asked before his face paled, "sorry! You don't need to tell me. That was rude. And private. And -"
Aster giggled at him, "You can chill, Theo. My mum's sister took me in. Can't really say what she did was raise me though." She drawled, smirking at him as they walked to their customary spots at the table.
It was silent for a few minutes as they pulled their meals together before Theo cleared his throat.
"Theo?"
"Huh?" Aster responded with a spoon of porridge halfway to her mouth.
"You called me Theo."
"Oh. I just, I figured if you and your dad don't get on, then Theo is different from his name." She shrugged before taking her mouthful and swallowing. "I can stop if you want."
He shook his head, "No! I - I like it. Thanks."
Aster beamed, "No worries. I'll think of something to tell the busybodies if they ask." The boy ducked his head before smiling at her with a whispered "Thanks."
They spent the next five minutes eating in silence before be thought of something.
"How'd you know my dad is called Theodore?"
Aster shrugged, "Looked it up in the library. Did with all our year. And, no offence, but your dad doesn't look like the type to shorten names. By the look of the photo I found anyway."
"You'd be right." Theo snorted before going back to nibbling his toast.
"Mr Nott, Miss Potter, a little early to be awake on the weekend, is it not?" A deep baritone came from behind Aster, making her tense before she turned around.
"Morning, Professor. Er, I've always been an early riser. Sir." Aster stammered, getting an eyebrow raised in her direction.
"Indeed. And you, Mr Nott? From your...appearance, I gather you do not also share this affliction."
Theo shook his head, "Not usually, sir. I just woke up randomly, for some reason." He shrugged, "went down to the common room, saw Aster figured that she'd want some company to breakfast."
With a thoughtful hum and a slight narrowing of the eyes he swept up to the High Table and sat down. The children were clearly withholding something, but he didn't get the feeling it was anything to overly worry about. He knew Nott was the quiet sort, more likely to rant about a book than he was to involve himself in misbehaviour. Potter as well seemed to be more prone to silence as opposed to the obnoxious displays her father engaged in. Still, he'd keep an eye. Even Lily could be swayed to be indiscreet at times.
"Thanks. For lying to him." Aster murmured, looking up at the professor from under her lashes.
"I didn't lie." Theo disagreed, before smirking, "merely left some things out and misdirected him into thinking I woke on my own volition." Aster rolled her eyes at him.
"Still, the gratitude remains." She retorted before going back to her breakfast and nursing her third cup of tea.
The Great Hall had slowly begun to fill up, although the Gryffindor table still remained the emptiest. Davis and Moon had come down a while ago and sequestered themselves in their own conversation, folding in Avery when he flopped down beside them.
Blaise quickly spotted them and slid into the spot by Aster, knicking a grape off her plate, making her flick his ear.
"You two are up far too early on a Saturday. Have you no shame?" He grumbled as he nitpicked over the options for his plate.
"We've been told." Aster and Theo said at the same time, making Blaise grimace.
"Gods, please don't let that keep happening. Its creepy. You're not even twins. Hell, you didn't even know each other this time last week!" He griped, piercing a piece of grilled tomato like it had done him a disservice.
"Clearly it was meant to be." Theo drawled as he drank from his goblet.
"It's annoying, is what it is. Four years I've known you Theo! At least let me attach myself to Aster like a limpet for a change." Blaise pouted.
"Oi! You're not attaching yourself to me. In any format." She shuddered at the image.
"Too late. I have inducted you into my circle. You're welcome." Blaise sniffed before continuing to make slow progress of his plate, watching as he saw Aster make a new cup of tea.
He turned to look at the boy in front of her. "How many cups has she already had?"
Theo smirked, "This would be her fourth, I think." At Blaise's raised eyebrows, "we've also been here for," he flipped to look at his watch, "forty five minutes."
"Four- you've been here for fourty five minutes and you're on your fourth tea?!" He sputtered, fork hanging in the air.
Aster scowled as she wrapped her hands around her mug and pulled it closer to her. "Problem?" She asked stiffly.
"Impressed. Don't think I've seen anyone drink as much tea as I have with you." He chuckled, "at least I know what to get you for Yule." He shook his head in amusement before going back to his breakfast.
Aster's heart stopped. Would they - were they actually going to get her something or was he just saying that?
Picking up on her uncertainty, Theo groaned. "Don't start with that, Blaise. We have three months before we have to do gifts. And I, for one, am dreading the thought that I'll be in constant range if the girls don't like the things I get them."
Blaise sniggered. "True. Greengrass especially wouldn't let you live it down." Looking to Aster he noticed her pale and shocked face with concern. Flicking his eyes to Theo he saw him shake his head and mouth 'later' to him. Shrugging internally he went back to eating his food, ignore all the noise around him.
Once he finished, he clapped his hands together. "Right then you two. You've dragged me out of bed. Now I'm dragging you outside. Come on." He ushered them.
"We didn't drag you here! We were here ages before you." Aster objected.
"And yet I am still awake unforgiveably early." He retorted, grasping her wrist and literally pulled her along into the early morning sunshine.
They walked down to the shore of the Black Lake, circling around the edge and nattered about nothing in particular.
They had sat down on a couple of boulders before Blaise braved the question he had been dying to ask.
"So then, Aster. Why'd you look like you were going to keel over at the thought of Yule gifts?" He asked, making Theo drop his head into his hands and mumble "as sly as a Gryffindor".
Aster darted her eyes to him, freezing up and opened her mouth to say something but only an incompressible string of noises came out.
"Come again?" Blaise chortled.
Aster sighed, bit her lip, and started fiddling with her hands and said to her lap, "I've...never had them."
At her words Theo's head snapped up to look at her with sympathy and understanding, making Blaise think on what that could mean. He knew that the other boy's home life was less than stellar. It actually fell far off from that point. And if he looked at her like that, then the odds were he had picked up, if not outwardly told, that Aster came from an abysmal home life herself.
Deciding to not bluntly ask and make her divulge information she wasn't ready to give, he neatly side stepped the words she didn't say, before loudly proclaiming, "Well! Then you're well overdue some stupendous things!"
Aster snapped her head up, seeing Theo smirking gently, and Blaise's superior look he was giving her as she stared up at them both owlishly.
"I have no idea what I'd get you guys." She said automatically.
Blaise waved a hand in dismissal, "Whatever you think we'd like, to be honest. The others except Draco tend to give standard peer gifts, like sweets and things. Draco has a bit more thought put into them. We don't expect anything." Blaise shrugged unconcerned as he was more than aware that he was soilt, he didn't want meaningless gifts, nor give them out. It was so tiring trying to keep track.
"Well I don't want to just get anything, and I'm not letting you get me something without retuning the gesture. I'm not letting that to be held over my head."
"I'm hurt, Aster. Shocked and hurt. How could you think I'd do such a thing?" He mockingly pouted.
Aster pursed her lips and rose an eyebrow. "Blaise, I may have only met you this week but even I can tell you keep track of stuff like this." She deadpanned, making Theo snort in agreement.
Blaise stared at her for a moment before shrugging. "I knew I liked you." He slung an arm around her shoulders again. "I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship, lady and lad."
They spent a few hours on the grass after that, talking about their classes and what they enjoyed. Aster learned that Blaise had enjoyed Herbology and how the plants were looked after here compared to other places and countries he had visited - a common occurrence in his childhood apparently. Theo loved Transfiguration and Potions for their theories and formulae to ensure the precise nature's of each subject was done correctly. Aster enjoyed Herbology simply due to its closeness to gardening, and Potions intrigued her although more the results than anything else. She was more entranced by Charms out of all the subjects. The sheer amount of them and uses astounded her.
The three of them began to develop a basis on what their interests were and basic backgrounds - Blaise was the most open about his due to his close bond with his mother, but even then he kept a whole host of things close to chest.
Aster learned that Theo had a love for chess as well as books, and Quidditch. Which they had to explain what it was. Blaise spoke of his home greenhouse which he helped to look after - and made Theo zone out as the other two swapped tips and advice for random flora. The boys in turn discovered that she was trying her hand at art, static for now until she felt she could try and tackle Wizarding animated art.
It was as they were heading in for lunch that Malfoy joined them, for once not with Crabbe and Goyle behind him.
"Where the hell have you three been?" He hissed at them, taking the seat beside Theo. "I've been left with the girls gossiping all day."
"Why didn't you go find Avery then?" Blaise suggested as he poured himself a goblet of pumpkin juice.
Malfoy pulled a face. "He went to talk to his sister and her bunch of twats. Like I was going to talk to them." He sneered, before checking a pitcher of juice to ensure it was orange and pouring him and Aster one, making her look at him confused. "What? You don't like pumpkin juice." He rolled his eyes before continuing his complaints about being left to his own devices.
"If it bothers you that much then just stay with us. Just don't be ponce." Theo offered, after glancing at Aster for affirmation.
"Ugh. I suppose." He slumped in his seat, poking at the food on his plate. "What're you doing after this, anyway?"
"No idea. The Wonder Twins here have apparently done nearly all their homework during the week so that'll likely be done tomorrow, maybe tonight. After lunch? May as well go back outside. Experience the sun as long as we can, as watered down as it is in Scotland."
The rest of lunch passed by in the similar vein as it did in the morning, although this time Aster was more quiet, only putting in her two cents every now and again, more than aware that she hadn't spoken to Malfoy properly. Feeling the hairs on the back of her neck stick up, she looked around the Hall, until she saw his dark gaze. He sat there, beside Professor McGonnagall, his fingers drumming on the top, the only sign that he was listening to her was his head tilted slightly in her direction. She didn't care what her mum said - he made her nervous.
He had been watching the girl the entire week, as bad as that sounded. He took note on how she would melt into the shadows and edges of the her group of peers, only interacting with Nott, Zabini and on occasion Parkinson. She had paid particular attention in his class and he had caught her trying to rein in amusement as he lambasted Longbottom and others. Her smirk was distinctly Potter, yet the sparkle of her eyes shouted Lily.
He was pleased to note that she had heeded his advice in the store and purchased a relatively stable cauldron. Her ingredient too were acceptable, although she would need to be taught on how to choose them better at some point. Unlike others in the class, she seemed relieved they didn't immediately turn to brewing but instead took copious notes, comparing his writing on the board to those in the books. On the second lesson - which was a review to ensure at least some of the dunderheads had been paying attention - he saw the margins of the book had annotations and steps crossed out and rewritten. He was...looking forward to see how she would tackle essays. He could already imagine the endless regurgitated drivel that Granger would hand in.
When he walked in that morning and saw her and Nott sitting at the table at an hour that any decent person would still be languishing in bed, he couldn't help feel suspicious. The bleary eyed appearance of the boy smacked of having an indecent awakening, and Potter's dark circles and pale face spoke of a restless night. Yet, when he observed them, after the obvious omissions Nott had rattled off, he saw how they seemed to be rather comfortable in each other's company. Even when Zabini trotted down and slumped into his seat by the girl there was no awkwardness, beyond a brief stiffening of the spine which soon melted away. And was that another cup of tea? Good grief, he hoped for her sake she didn't have low blood pressure.
So as he say by Minerva who brought up the attention of Potter, his eyes snapped to the girl in question again.
"Miss Potter seems to be settling in rather well." She mused, "Don't you agree, Severus?"
"Hm. She certainly seems to at least on the surface be finding her footings, that's for sure."
"I must admit, I was worried when she came into my class on Tuesday. She was rather quiet." Minerva fretted as she cut up the meat on her plate.
"A quiet Potter. Blessed days." Severus dryly retorted, swirling the contents of his goblet.
Minerva snorted, "Aye. I was worried she'd have more of her father in her."
Severus' lip curled in disgust. "Don't jinx this miracle, cat."
Albus chuckled at them. "You know, I think you both gossip more than anyone else in the staff."
Minerva sniffed after taking a bite. "It's not gossip, Albus. It's ensuring the happiness of a student."
Albus nodded sagely "Of course, Minerva. How remiss of me to suggest otherwise. I myself must admit that it was a relief that she had only made it once to Seveus' office." He chuckled.
Minerva put down her fork and sighed. "Perhaps I did speak too soon. What'd she do, Severus?"
Albus chuckled again - or was it the same one as before? - and replied, "Oh he thought she had flouted the school rules in having a crow instead of an owl."
Minerva frowned. "I thought she had a cat?"
Severus folded his lips into a line before gritting out. "She does. And a crow."
"Goodness! Why ever would she have a crow?"
"Ifan informed me before the term that she has two familiars - in fact the crow was her first. Apparently found and asked him to send a letter to you, Minerva." Albus responded while moving his peas on his plate to look like a smiley face.
Minerva put her utensils down. " That crow? I just thought that was a fluke!"
"Evidently not." Severus mumbled. "Anyway, someone had chased me down as it came flying into the common room. It was only once she was in my office that she told me that she had dispensation to not only have a crow instead of an owl, but also have two animals with her."
He was still annoyed at Albus. When he went to him he had adopted an unconvincing act of him forgetting to inform him. After all, they all thought she'd be under Minerva's charge and not his. Although when Severus then brought his suspicions and observations of the girl, Albus quickly lost that expression and into one of repressed anger. Not at him, thankfully - an angry Dumbledore was terrifying, but at those cretins, the Dursleys.
"Well, considering who she is, I suppose it was to be expected that she'd
have...more." Minerva admitted, before sighing. "I've also noticed that her heritage seems to be stronger with her than Lily." She frowned and ignored the way Severus clenched his hands. "I don't know what it is about her, to be honest. There's just an ethereal quality to her magic when she tried casting."
Albus hummed and ran a hand down his beard. "Filius said something similar. Said that she was the first of her year to grasp the idea of how the charm is supposed to work." He shifted in his chair as he flicked his gaze at the smiling girl in question. "He felt though that she was holding back. Perhaps she has her mother's skill."
Severus rolled his eyes and scoffed. "We all know a parent's skill has nothing on their own. If that was the case then I'd be a Gobstones prodigy."
Albus smiled. "That would be a sight to see, I agree." He nodded to the small group. "I see that she has already made friends. I was worried that she'd be left in the cold, as it were."
"Why? Because she's a Half Blood? Nott and Zabini care little for the politics - as careful as they are to not advertise it. Draco however is aware I am one myself, and is likely more - lenient - than he looks and thinks. I'm more astounded at Parkinson, in truth. Her parents are staunch supporters of Blood Purity, and she has never before shown thinking otherwise."
Minerva frowned at him. "You think she's playing Miss Potter?" She didn't bother to broach the subject of Mr Malfoy being more tolerant than his parents - she didn't want to engage in a philosophical debate with her younger colleague on her best day, let alone a Saturday lunch time.
Severus moved his head in a resemblance of a shrug. "It's possible. I think its more likely that she enjoys the idea of something - someone - new. A shiny toy for a spoilt little girl." He droned, taking a sip from his goblet.
"Well that's cheering. Thank you, Severus. Truly you are a beacon of hope and optimism." Minerva scoffed, making him inclined his head to her and smirked.
"I endeavour to please."
Albus chortled at their antics. "I've always enjoyed your acerbic wit, my boy." Severus rolled his eyes before he saw two of his students getting rather close, and curled his lip.
"If you'll excuse me, I have to remind two dunderheads that nobody here wishes to be voyeurs of theirs." He swept down, his robes billowing out as he passed the students, subconsciously taking note that Potter had tensed up at his approach before minutely relaxing when she could see him in her peripherals. Interesting. And another point against the Dursleys.
As he flayed the amorous couple in front of their peers, he couldn't help but wonder at how easy a Half Blood orphan could slip into the beginnings of a friendship when he himself had to claw his way to allies in the same House years ago. If he was wholly honest, he was jealous, but also relieved that hopefully she wouldn't face the same derision and isolation he himself experienced.
A/N: I enjoy writing James. And Dumbles.