OCTOBER 1991
History of Magic had never been one of Calista's strongest subjects. She was of the belief that what happened in the past should stay in the past. Professor Binns seemed to be under a different impression.
She had spent the last three days in bed, her head throbbing and coughs shaking her small body. On day three she had finally agreed to pay Madam Pomfrey a visit, and now she was as good as new.
Only the headache stuck, but that was surely courtesy of the historic dates that Professor Binns rattled down like there was no tomorrow. His ghost form floated above the ground and shimmered in a light blue.
When the lesson finally came to an end, she sighed and looked down at her notes, which were just as messy as her mind. Dates were scribbled down all over the page, but she couldn't make out what happened when and why. Ink was smeared over some words, and she had trouble making out what was once written.
"Are you done packing up?" Scarlet asked her, gesturing towards the door. "We've got Charms next and I don't want to be late."
"Just go ahead. I have a question for Binns. I'll be right after you," she replied and stuffed her book inside her bag before making her way to the front of the classroom.
"Miss Solace, what are you still doing here?" Professor Binns asked me when I stepped in front of his desk.
"I have a question, sir. If you don't mind me asking, would you be able to give me a summary of the last couple lessons?" Calista didn't know why she was nervous. Maybe it was because she was talking to a ghost. That was one of the strangest things she had done in the past days. "You see, I've been sick, a bad cold, and–"
"Why don't you ask one of your classmates if they give you their notes?" The Professor interrupted her. "How about, let's see, Malfoy back there won't mind sharing his notes. Ask him."
The last thing the young witch wanted to do was ask Malfoy for help. But she just nodded, murmured a quick thanks and turned around to leave the classroom. Her eyes fell on Draco, who was standing in the doorway, deep in conversation with Crabbe and Goyle.
When she was almost in front of him, his grey eyes found her and his nose scrunched up slightly.
Calista gathered all her courage and straightened her back. She would've never spoken to him if it wasn't for Professor Binns whose gaze she could still feel on her. She cleared her throat, and once again Draco's eyes found her.
"Draco, you wouldn't mind sharing your notes from the last couple lessons, would you? Professor Bin–"
"What?" His voice sounded cold.
Calista just looked at him in question.
"What makes you think you could speak to me?" He clarified and laughter broke out of his friends.
She could feel her cheeks heat and embarrassment flooded her. That was exactly why she hadn't wanted to ask him. She felt stupid for feeling pressured to do it only because a teacher advised her to do so.
"Leave her alone, Malfoy," chimed a voice in. Hermione Granger was standing next to her and looked at Draco with a stare that would've made Calista shrink.
"Of course. This doesn't surprise me. Teaming up with the mudblood, blood traitor?" Draco snarled.
Calista felt a sudden urge to defend the girl who had helped her. "I'm surprised that the word team is even in your vocabulary, Malfoy." With that, she turned towards Hermione and gestured for her to follow.
Only when they put enough distance between themselves and the three Slytherin boys, did they stop walking. Hermione looked at her with concern. "Are you alright?"
"That's what I should ask you. You know, after he called you a–" She stopped, not able to bring the word over her lips. "Thank you for your help back there. I really appreciate it. My name is Calista. Calista Solace."
The curly-haired girl extended her hand towards Calista and shook it in greeting. "I'm Hermione Granger." She already knew Hermione's name, but didn't mention it. "I overheard you asking Malfoy for his notes. If you want, you can have mine."
Calista's eyes widened in surprise. A small smile spread over her face. "I would love to. My notes are really no use."
The brunette seemed to think for a second before her face lit up. "You know, if you want to, you can join Neville and me in the library. We are going to study together for History of Magic. I don't want to fall behind, and Neville is really nice as well. He won't mind you being there."
Hermione didn't have to ask twice. She had just found herself a new friend.
————————
"When did the Gargoyle Strike take place?" Asked Hermione and looked at her classmates expectantly.
Calista didn't know the answer. Still, she thought that guessing was better than saying nothing. "1950?"
"1911," the girl corrected her. Calista wasn't good with dates. Practical magic was what she saw a purpose in. Sadly, she had to pass History of Magic.
"I thought it was in 1890," muttered Neville under his breath.
Hermione still caught it and shot him a glance before she groaned. "Alright, you two. How about you both look over my notes again, and we meet up again tomorrow. Same place, same time."
The three of them gathered their books and notes and were already on their way out when suddenly two boys their age stepped in their way. One of them had red, ruffled hair and almost tripped over his own feet when the brunette to his side pulled him to a stop. Calista didn't remember what the gingers name was, but the brown-haired boy with the round glasses was undoubtedly Harry Potter.
"Harry, Ron, I didn't expect to see you here," Hermione said before gesturing towards Calista. "This is Calista. She's also a first year and probably the nicest Slytherin I have met yet. She hates Malfoy just as much as we do, so I think we'll get along great."
The young Slytherin lifted her hand in greeting and offered a small smile. Of course, how could she have forgotten? The ginger boy was a Weasley. Ron offered her a smile in return and when her eyes landed on Harry, she could've sworn that she saw a pinkish color spread over his cheeks.
"It's nice to finally meet you. I've heard lots about you," she said, directing her words towards Harry.
He ruffled his hair and took a small step closer to her. She could now also make out the lightning shaped scar on his forehead. "Nice to meet you, Calista." His cheeks were still a bit reddened, but the young girl didn't make much of it.
Calista had forgotten all about her earlier encounter with Draco and had instead gained four new friends. As she went with them to the Great Hall for dinner, the girl was oblivious of the stormy eyes that followed her. And little did she know that they would never leave her.
A/N:
I decided to write the flashbacks in third person. I'm aware that some of you might not like the switch in narration, but I like it better this way.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy today's chapter :)
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The 101 of Working With Your Enemy
Fanfiction"I hate you, Draco. I've hated you ever since you decided that you were too good for me. You and I are never going to work out. Not as friends, not even as acquaintances, and for sure not as something more." Calista Solace was sure of three things: ...
