The Untold Reborn

Chapter-6 : Secrets and Rivalries

Aurelia was settling into life as a Slytherin, though it wasn't easy. The Slytherin common room, hidden behind a stone wall and lit by eerie green light from the depths of the lake, had an unmistakable charm that she couldn't deny. It felt secretive and powerful, yet a part of her still felt uneasy. It wasn't about the house itself—it was about some of her housemates, particularly Draco Malfoy.

Draco hadn't let her forget about her brother Harry Potter, and it irritated her to no end. Aurelia wasn't particularly close to Harry yet, but seeing how Draco constantly sneered and plotted against him made her blood boil. It didn't help that some of her fellow first years seemed to idolize him.

In her first week, Aurelia got to know the other Slytherin first years. They were an interesting bunch. Among them there was Elise Burke, a petite girl with long, straight black hair and a confident demeanor. Elise had a noticeable interest in Draco Malfoy, and her gaze often lingered on him with a mix of admiration and longing. Thorne Yaxley, a tall, lean boy with sharp features and a tendency to keep to himself. Thorne was reserved but observant. Cameron Selwyn, a boy with tousled brown hair and a friendly smile. Cameron was easygoing and quick to make friends. Piper Flint, a girl with a sharp wit and an adventurous spirit. She was always ready with a joke or a mischievous plan.

And then there was Pansy Parkinson, a student in Draco Malfoy's year, who Aurelia quickly marked as annoying and realised had an unbearable crush on Draco Malfoy, similar to Elise, but worse. She also realised that Pansy has a knack for targetting others in the same fashion as Draco did, as she saw the older girl bullying Elise at every chance she got, due to their shared crush on Draco. 

Pansy's infatuation with Draco was obvious to anyone who paid attention. She would constantly go on about him, describing his "perfect" blonde hair and how he was "destined to be great." It grated on Aurelia's nerves. During one of their shared free periods in the common room, Pansy was in the middle of another rant.

"Draco is just so talented, don't you think?" Pansy gushed, twirling a lock of her dark hair around her finger. "I mean, did you see how he got onto the Quidditch team? He's a natural."

Aurelia nearly snorted but held it back. Draco Malfoy's "natural" talent? More like he'd bought his way onto the team with those new Nimbus 2001 brooms. She leaned back in her chair, not hiding her disdain. "Yeah, sure. Natural talent. If buying the entire team the best brooms counts."

Pansy shot her a sharp look. "You're just jealous because he's brilliant, and you... well, you're just... Harry Potter's sister."

Aurelia's lips thinned. She didn't care to respond to Pansy. Instead, she turned her attention to the letter in her hand, a response from her adoptive parents. The familiar handwriting of her mother, Margaret, gave her a sense of comfort.

"Dear Aurelia,

We miss you so much already. The house feels quieter without you here. Edward and I are so proud of you, no matter what house you've been sorted into. Don't forget that. Keep making friends and learning as much as you can.

P.S. Grandma sends her love, too. She says don't forget to eat properly and sleep well.

With all our love,
Mum and Dad."

Aurelia smiled softly at the letter. She was grateful for their constant support. She quickly penned a response, telling them about her first week at Hogwarts, although she conveniently left out the more stressful bits about Draco and the tension with Harry.

A few days later, in the middle of another argument with Draco, things boiled over. It happened in the courtyard after lunch, with several students milling around. Draco was talking to Crabbe and Goyle when Aurelia walked by with Piper.