Midnights (OC)

1 - New Year

The beginning of a new year always carried an air of excitement, especially when infused with magic. For Emery Burke, a fresh term at Hogwarts had promised the acquisition of new spells, charms, and potions, the forging of new friendships, and the cultivation of relationships with peers. However, for Emery, a new year had been an opportunity to make decisions that might not always have been the wisest—after all, she hadn't been sorted into Ravenclaw without reason.

"I hope this year's DADA professor isn't as dreadful as that insufferable Umbridge," Avery remarked, shifting in her seat.

"Tell me about it! The woman was completely unhinged. I still can't believe she used that wretched pen on the 'Chosen One' Potter," Blaise replied as he took a seat across from Avery and next to Theo. Having just entered the train compartment, he had caught wind of Avery's grievances about the previous Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.

Beside Blaise, Theo looked up, spotting Emery entering with Blaise. "Emery! How was your summer?" Theo inquired, his eyes fixed on her.

Emery sat next to Avery, smiling as she draped her arm around her friend's shoulders. "Honestly, too long. I missed you guys a lot."

Avery smiled, leaning into the embrace. "I didn't get nearly enough letters from you," she pouted.

"That's because there was practically nothing to write about," Emery laughed. "My parents were swamped the entire break, so I spent most of it home alone."

"I wish I could have visited, but my place is so far away from everyone," Avery lamented.

"You guys act like Floo Powder doesn't exist," Theo chimed in, rolling his eyes at the duo's dramatics.

"And Ireland isn't even that far from London. You act like you're living in America or something," Blaise added.

Before anyone could respond, Draco entered the compartment in a sharp black suit. His gaze swept over the group with a faint glare until it softened upon landing on Emery. She noticed the change, but Draco quickly snapped out of his trance, taking a seat across from her and Avery. The boys delved into conversation about their summer breaks, and Avery whispered to Emery, "Does he always have to make such a dramatic entrance?"

Chuckling, Emery glanced back at Draco, observing the maturity etched into his features. Each year had brought subtle changes, and his current attire had accentuated his charm. While she had always found him attractive, now, in that suit, she couldn't help but think he looked downright handsome. Avery nudged her, questioning if she was even listening, snapping Emery back to reality.

-

"Emery!" echoed a voice in the crowded Ravenclaw common room. The Sorting Ceremony had concluded, and students mingled, chatting, and celebrating.

Looking over her shoulder, Emery saw Isla approaching. With a grin, she stood up to embrace her Ravenclaw friend. Though Isla was a Ravenclaw, she had been one of Emery's closest friends. She had been the first person Emery met at Hogwarts during her first year, just before the others. They had been inseparable ever since. After a brief conversation, Isla excused herself. As Emery sat back down, Blaise interjected into his conversation with Theo, "You still hung out with that Ravenclaw? Slytherins and Ravenclaws didn't exactly mix."

"She was one of my best friends, Blaise. But I wouldn't expect you to understand the concept of friendship, would I?" Emery retorted, earning laughter from the group. Draco, however, seemed to be eyeing her, his gaze unwavering. He turned his head slightly and raised his eyebrow half an inch while smirking. Emery nervously looked away and focused back on the group's current conversation, feeling her cheeks warm up.