Trying | Hogwarts OC student

chapter 28

The morning sun peeked through the thick curtains of the Slytherin dormitory, casting a muted glow on the stone walls. Alistair woke up feeling a mix of exhaustion and anticipation. The weight of the previous day's detention with Snape still clung to him, but the promise of seeing Lila later kept him going.

He dragged himself out of bed, quickly getting dressed in his school robes. As he made his way to the Great Hall for breakfast, he could feel the eyes of his fellow Slytherins on him. Their whispers followed him like shadows, but he ignored them, focusing on the letter Lila had sent.

Entering the Great Hall, he scanned the room for a familiar face but found none. Taking a seat at the far end of the Slytherin table, he picked at his food, his appetite barely present. The noise of the hall faded into the background as he reread Lila's note, the words a small comfort amid the chaos of his life at Hogwarts.

Potions was his first class of the day, and Alistair steeled himself for another round of Snape's relentless criticism. He sat at the back, hoping to avoid drawing attention. As Snape droned on about the properties of various ingredients, Alistair's mind drifted to thoughts of the Shrieking Shack and Lila's warm smile.

"Montrose!" Snape's voice cut through his daydream. "Perhaps you'd like to share with the class why powdered bicorn horn must be added slowly?"

Alistair's cheeks flushed as he stammered out a response. "I-it prevents the potion from becoming too volatile."

Snape's eyes narrowed, but he gave a curt nod. "Correct. For once, you're paying attention."

The rest of the class passed in a blur of notes and stirring, with Alistair managing to stay under the radar. When the bell rang, he hurried out of the dungeon, grateful to escape Snape's scrutiny.

Between classes, Alistair made his way to the owlery. The drafty tower was a refuge from the prying eyes of his housemates. He pulled out a piece of parchment and began to write, his heart racing as he thought of their next meeting.

Dear Lila,

I can't wait to see you tonight. Meet me at the Shrieking Shack after dinner. I need to talk to you about everything that's been going on. You're the only thing keeping me sane right now.

Yours,

Alistair

He attached the letter to Nimbus and watched as the owl flew off into the sky. Sighing, he leaned against the stone wall, hoping the hours would pass quickly.

The rest of the day was a blur of classes and homework. In Defense Against the Dark Arts, he struggled to focus on the lesson, his mind constantly wandering. His classmates seemed distant, their conversations a mere hum in the background. He couldn't wait for the evening to come.

Finally, dinner time arrived. Alistair ate quickly, barely tasting the food. The anticipation of seeing Lila made his heart race. He slipped out of the Great Hall before dessert, making his way to the secret passage that led to Hogsmeade.

The village was quiet as he approached the Shrieking Shack. The dilapidated building loomed ahead, its eerie silhouette a familiar sight. Alistair's heart pounded as he saw a figure waiting in the shadows. Lila stepped forward, her eyes lighting up when she saw him.

"Alistair," she greeted, her voice a soothing balm to his frayed nerves.

"Lila," he breathed, pulling her into a tight embrace. "I've missed you."

They found a spot inside the shack, away from prying eyes. Sitting close together, they talked about their days, their voices hushed. Alistair poured out his frustrations about Snape and the Slytherins, his anger simmering beneath the surface.

"He's always on my back," Alistair fumed. "I can't do anything without him breathing down my neck."

Lila listened patiently, her hand resting on his arm. "You're stronger than you think, Alistair. Don't let him get to you."

Her words calmed him, and for a moment, the world outside ceased to exist. They sat in comfortable silence, the warmth of her presence a stark contrast to the cold stone walls of Hogwarts.

As the evening wore on, Alistair knew they had to part ways. Reluctantly, he stood, pulling Lila into a final embrace. "Thank you," he whispered. "For everything."

"Always," she replied, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek. "Stay safe."

Alistair watched her disappear into the night before making his way back to the castle. The whispers and stares from his housemates no longer bothered him as much. He had Lila, and that made all the difference.

Back in his dormitory, Alistair lay in bed, replaying the evening's events in his mind. Despite the challenges he faced, the moments with Lila gave him strength. He drifted off to sleep with a smile on his face, ready to face whatever tomorrow would bring.

Alistair awoke the next day to the dull murmur of his housemates getting ready. He dressed quickly, still feeling the warmth of the previous night's encounter with Lila. As he stepped out of his dormitory, however, he was met with cold glares and whispered comments from his fellow Slytherins.

Ignoring them, Alistair made his way to the Great Hall for breakfast. He barely ate, the tension in the air making it difficult to relax. The first class of the day was Potions, and as he walked into the dungeon, he could feel Snape's eyes on him.

"Montrose," Snape called out, stopping Alistair in his tracks. "A word."

Alistair approached Snape, his jaw clenched. "Yes, Professor?"

Snape's gaze was piercing, his voice low. "I've heard rumors about your recent activities. I suggest you refrain from any more nocturnal adventures, or you'll find yourself in more trouble than you can handle."

Alistair's temper flared. "It's none of your business what I do in my own time."

Snape's eyes narrowed. "When your actions reflect poorly on Slytherin House, it becomes my business."

Alistair took a step closer, his voice rising. "You don't know anything about me, or what I've been through."

Snape's expression darkened. "And you think you can defy me without consequences? Your recklessness endangers the security of Hogwarts."

Alistair's breathing was heavy, his chest heaving with anger. "I don't care about your consequences," he retorted bitterly. "All I care about is getting through this year without you breathing down my neck."

Snape's eyes flashed with fury. "You're treading on very thin ice, Montrose. I suggest you watch your step."

With a final glare, Snape turned sharply and swept out of the dungeon, leaving Alistair seething with anger and frustration. He knew he had just escalated his troubles with Snape, but a part of him felt liberated by standing up for himself.

As the day wore on, Alistair's anger simmered just below the surface. He went through the motions of his classes, barely able to concentrate. When the final bell rang, he hurried to the owlery, eager to send another letter to Lila.

Dear Lila,

Today was rough. Snape is getting worse, and the Slytherins are making my life hell. Seeing you is the only thing keeping me sane. Can we meet again soon?

Yours,

Alistair

He sent the letter with Nimbus and watched the owl disappear into the sky. The thought of seeing Lila again gave him a glimmer of hope amid the chaos.