y/n at hogwarts

Chapter 5 - Both sides now

The Christmas period at Hogwarts still amazed Y/N. Mistletoes that appeared suddenly on top of lovers who weren't sure what to do next, the more joyful atmosphere and easier classes with no nerve-wracking tests cheered the girl. Festive decor all around the school also played a big part in the whole atmosphere change. By the time the winter break arrived, Y/N was the happiest she had been in a long time, laughing at even the smallest things. Due to the Triwizard Tournament, Dumbledore decided to let students on the break slightly earlier than usual. "I'll see you at the Yule Ball," Y/N said as a farewell to Hermione who was one of the last to leave the train station. "You never told me who is your date," Hermione said with a smile. "Do you even have a date?" She questioned the girl. "I do but it's a surprise," Y/N replied with a mischievous grin. "Whose yours?" She asked Hermione. "Mine's a surprise as well," The girl said quickly with a big blush. Y/N knew who her date actually was but didn't bother to bully Hermione who was still red as she walked away from her.

The darker side of winter break was yet to arrive. Y/N dreaded going back home, or well rather to her parent's house, as the girl considered the building more like a prison. Even though it had been three years since she last stepped foot there, coming up with an excuse to stay at Hogwarts or someone's place for school breaks. It was nothing different from what it had been the years before, a feeling of sadness and anger filling her almost instantly as Y/N neared the gates. The girl stood in front of the entrance, one hand holding her umbrella, as it always rained around the house, the other grasping her big suitcase. The dark door creaked open and she looked down. The family's house elf, Walter, glanced at the girl with his big eyes and a bony face. "Hello miss Y/N, lovely to have you back," The elf greeted Y/N with a high-pitched voice and bowed to her. "Good evening, Walter, you don't have to carry that," She began saying to the elf but he was already dragging her suitcase upstairs. "Miss Y/N must not do it herself, Walter will do it," Walter replied, his face contorting as it carried the big suitcase. Y/N examined him sadly and thanked the elf. The girl stepped into the house slowly. The stony and gloomy corridors welcomed her. Unlike the Weasley's home where Y/N was a frequent guest, her house was cold and a dark atmosphere filled the air, the complete opposite of the Weasley's house.

In an instant, her mother appeared in front of her. She had her usual stern expression as her mother held her head high. "Mother," Y/N said politely and straightened her posture. "We need to have a serious conversation with you," Her mother greeted her with a strict tone and turned around walking to the living room. "God, what a warm welcome," Y/N commented sarcastically to herself and sighed as she followed her mother. Her father was sitting on his standard green velvet armchair in the living room with a whiskey glass in his hand. He turned his head towards her daughter and said monotonously, "Sit down." She sat down and crossed her arms over her knees. "We heard that you have taken a liking towards the Weasley family," Her father commented and pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. "They're pureblood," Y/N tried to resonate back with a serious tone. "That doesn't matter if they have turned their backs on their own blood. What's more concerning is one of them works in the Muggles department-" Y/N's mother stated, her voice getting angrier with every word. "So? That doesn't mean-" The girl defended, her voice going tense. Her mother cut her daughter off immediately, "Don't speak up against your own mother!" Y/N clenched her jaw shut and darted her gaze away from her mother. 

"Y/N, we want to protect you and give you the best qualities a child could ask for. Either way..." Her father sighed and continued, putting his glasses back on, "The Dark Lord is expecting more forces to come forth for his resurrection." Her father began as Y/N felt her heart drop, eyes widening. "You're not suggesting that I-" The girl muttered under her breath, voice slightly cracking. "It would be a huge honour to our family, considering we have relatives who betrayed us-" The man went on but Y/N couldn't focus on the words that left his mouth anymore. "The Malfoys have already agreed for their son to-" Her father continued on.

The mention of Draco brought Y/N down a hidden memory lane. "Draco!" Y/N yelled happily as she saw Lucius and the boy enter their living room. "Run along, Draco." Lucius urged him with his cane and then shook hands with Y/N's father. "You can't catch me!" The girl said, poking the boy with her finger and then running to their backyard, into the hedge maze. Y/N sat quietly, waiting until Draco found her. "Boo!" Draco jumped from one of the hedge's passageways, touching Y/N who sprinted after the boy in an instant. The pair sat on the swing set, feet dangling off the ground. Draco was searching through his pockets as Y/N watched her dress which was slightly muddy from the running and hiding. "Happy late birthday, Y/N," Draco said, grabbing her attention. It was a dainty bracelet with a golden star in the middle. "I managed to get it for you. I know it's much but-" Draco's sentence was stopped mid-way as he was grabbed in a tight, loving hug. "That's the best gift I have received!" Y/N exclaimed, trying to put it on her wrist. "Wait, let me help." The boy said, closing the bracelet around her arm. "Thank you, Draco." The girl added with a smile. 

Y/n and Draco sat on the ground, the girl was picking the green grass as the boy eyed her. "What if I don't get sorted into Slytherin?" Y/N questioned quietly, her first year at Hogwarts dawning upon her. "I'm certain you will get sorted there. Your parents were sorted to Slytherin's as well," Draco replied with a small grin. "You're right. I will miss you a lot. If I can I will absolutely come visit you." Y/N added, now looking at the boy as well. Their eye contact was quiet, almost shy. "I'll look forward to that." The boy replied, sighing. "Oh! I can send you owls! My parents bought me a black owl. I named it Stella," Y/N remembered, her voice full of excitement. 

"We are very disappointed in you." Y/N's mother stated as the girl sat in their living room, eyes full of tears. "Ravenclaw! Out of any houses you got chosen into Ravenclaw." Her mother added, sighing. "Do you know how it affects our reputation?" She questioned Y/N, grabbing her shoulders. "Yes, mother. I know, I'm sorry." Her small voice said shakily. "At least, she isn't a Gryffindor student." Her father spoke, barging into the mother-daughter conversation. "Get yourself together, we are going to visit the Malfoy family." The man said and stood up. "Draco?" Y/N asked the boy in the kitchen where they were forced to go. "I won't speak to you." The boy replied, coldly. "Why?" The girl was taken aback by the response. "You're a Ravenclaw. How could you do this?" Draco exclaimed, face full of rage. "It was the Sorting Hat-" Y/N tried to explain, tears threatening to fall. "I don't want to see you, leave," Draco added, not even looking at Y/N. 

"Are you even listening to us?" Y/N's mother yelled to her as she came back to reality. The girl looked her mother dead in the eyes, fury evident on her face. "Quite frankly, I wasn't-" Y/N replied casually, not caring anymore. At her words, Y/N's mother's hand came in contact with her face, feeling a sudden sting on her cheek. "How dare you talk back to me! To your room, instantly!" Her mother screamed, Y/N already rushing out of the room, and upstairs to her room. Tears spilt as soon as she entered her room. The room she hadn't visited in a long time. It felt like time had stopped. Everything was placed just like she left it three years ago, with some childish toys lying around the floor. "Miss Y/N?" Walter's voice echoed behind her door. "Yes, Walter, come in." The girl allowed with a shaky voice, trying to wipe her tears away. "I bought some tissues," The elf said, handing her the box gently. "Thank you," Y/N said quietly, taking a tissue. Her try to dry the tears failed. The elf eyed the girl with sad eyes, trying to come up with a solution. "Miss Y/N has always been treating Walter with the utmost respect. Walter values that... a lot," The elf began, giving another tissue to Y/N who took it immediately. "Walter will protect Miss Y/N until the end of his life," Walter added, seeing her tears subsiding. Y/N saw the blueish-coloured mark on Walter's leg. "Did they do this?" She questioned, pointing at the bruise. "Oh no! Walter fell on the stairs on the way to the basement." Walter explained, voice happy. Y/N knew the elf was lying to her as she sighed. 

The same night, Y/N chose to not bother with her parents' behaviour anymore. "I'm sorry Walter that I stayed for such a short amount of time. I'll come again," Y/N excused herself. "Oh no, it's alright Miss Y/N. Walter is always happy to see you." The elf replied, walking next to the girl, and stopping at the door. "Goodbye, Miss Y/N," Walter said with a small smile and closed the door after her. Y/N knew the place she was going. Her actual home with her actual family waiting for her no matter the time of the day. "The Burrow," Y/N mumbled and threw the Floo Powder on the ground before her, praying that she would appear in the right place. The Burrow was still in full lights even though it was almost midnight. With two knocks, the door already opened, Molly Weasley emerged from the living room. "Oh dear. Is it your..." Molly trailed off, realising the dried tears under Y/N's eyes. "Come here, dear." The woman said, pulling the girl into the warm and welcoming house and hugging her tightly. "It's alright now."