You Only Live Once

CHAPTER 20

Astronomy was the only subject that made Mira feel like she actually belonged at Hogwarts. While she often felt like a fish out of water in Transfiguration or Charms, where her wand seemed to have a mind of its own, Astronomy was different. It was logical, vast, and beautiful. Studying the stars didn't feel like work; it felt like coming home. Professor Stella absolutely adored her, mostly because Mira was the only student aside from Regulus Black who didn't spend the entire lesson yawning or trying to sneak a nap behind their star charts. When Astronomy was the final class on her schedule, Mira always left the tower with a genuine sense of accomplishment.

"Excellent work, Miss Potter" Professor Stella beamed as Mira identified the latest constellation with perfect accuracy. "That is another ten points for Slytherin"

A few Ravenclaws in the front row scowled at the mention of points, but Mira didn't care. As soon as the class was dismissed, she, Theo, and Regulus gathered their things and headed down the winding stairs. They were on a mission to find Barty, Evan, and Pandora, who had spent their afternoon trapped in the dusty boredom of History of Magic.

The moment the two groups collided in the corridor, Pandora skipped toward Mira and immediately interlinked their arms. The two girls naturally drifted a few paces ahead of the boys, whispering and sharing the latest bits of school gossip. Behind them, Regulus shook his head with a look of practiced disdain. He liked to pretend that he was far too dignified to care about who was dating whom or who had gotten a detention in the greenhouses, but everyone knew he was usually the first person to have the full story.

"I have an idea" Evan announced suddenly, stopping in the middle of the hall so everyone had to pay attention to him. "Let's have a game night. We've done nothing but walk these halls like ghosts for the past few weeks. No Quidditch matches, no parties, nothing. We're supposed to be friends, so let's actually do something fun"

"I'm in" Barty said, giving Evan a supportive grin that made Regulus roll his eyes.

"As if you'd ever say no to him" Regulus muttered. He looked like he was allergic to the very idea of a group bonding session, but after a moment, he let out a dramatic, heavy sigh. "Fine. I'll be there"

"Yes! Let's do it" Mira cried, clapping her hands together in excitement. She looked over at Theo, who seemed much more hesitant. He was staring off at a tapestry, looking like he was weighing the pros and cons of social interaction. Mira gave him a sharp, warning look, and he finally closed his eyes and nodded.

"Ooh, can I bring Xeno?" Pandora asked, her eyes lighting up.

"Yes" Mira answered before anyone else could find a reason to object.

Once Pandora had hurried off toward the Ravenclaw tower to find her boyfriend, Regulus turned to Mira with an expression of pure disbelief. "Have you actually seen the man?" he asked, trailing after her as she started walking again.

"He's not that bad looking" Mira said, squinting her eyes as if trying to recall his face.

Barty and Evan both turned to look at Theo, who was watching Mira with one eyebrow raised in suspicion. Mira ignored them entirely, focusing her attention on Regulus. "Look, Reg... you never know how things will play out. He might be... permanent" she said, widening her eyes and staring directly at him to make sure he understood the weight of her hint.

"Oh, hell no" Regulus exclaimed, his face turning pale as he realized what Mira was insinuating about Pandora and the eccentric Ravenclaw.

The game night began in the Slytherin common room. Mira couldn't deny that Xenophilius Lovegood was a bit strange—he talked about creatures no one had ever heard of and wore colors that didn't quite match—but seeing how happy he made Pandora made the rest of the group try a little harder to be welcoming. Eventually, the awkwardness faded into the background.