Slytherin secrets.

A day at Hogwarts.

NOT RELATED TO THE BOOKS OR MOVIES

The morning sun filtered through the tall windows of the Great Hall, casting warm rays on the long tables filled with students. As I took my seat at the Slytherin table, I couldn't help but smile at the buzz of excitement in the air. The start of a new day always carried with it a sense of potential, a chance for fresh beginnings and unexpected encounters. I probably should've stopped doing more research on these secrets in Slytherin, so I just decided to maybe bond with Blaise today since he'd officially been my friend and not to mention the fact that I had no one else to be with.

"Ready for another thrilling day at Hogwarts?" Blaise asked, sliding into the seat across from me.

I rolled my eyes but couldn't suppress a smile. "Thrilling? More like torturous, especially with Professor Snape in Potions."

He chuckled, pouring himself a glass of pumpkin juice. "True, but we can always spice things up with a little friendly competition."

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What do you have in mind?"

"Let's see who can brew the best potion today. Loser buys the winner a Butterbeer at Hogsmeade this weekend." He leaned forward, his eyes glinting with mischief.

"Deal," I replied, feeling a rush of excitement at the challenge. "But I warn you, I won't go easy on you."

Blaise grinned. "Bring it on."

After breakfast, we made our way to the dungeons for Potions class. The air was thick with the smell of herbs and the occasional plume of smoke from cauldrons bubbling over. Snape stood at the front, his gaze scanning the room like a hawk, ready to swoop down on any student who dared to falter.

As we settled into our seats, Blaise leaned over. "Remember, focus is key. If we mess up, he'll make us clean all the cauldrons"

I nodded, trying to suppress a shiver at the thought. "I'd rather face a blast-ended skrewt than deal with that."

"Agreed," he whispered back, a hint of laughter in his eyes. "But if we work together, we can pull this off."

The class commenced, and we carefully followed Snape's instructions, measuring and mixing ingredients with precision. I could feel Blaise's presence beside me, calm and focused. He had a knack for Potions, and it was reassuring to have him there, guiding me when I stumbled.

"Make sure to add the powdered dragon liver slowly," he reminded me, his tone steady. "If you dump it in too fast, it'll turn to sludge."

I followed his advice, and we continued working in sync, our cauldron bubbling contentedly as we moved through the steps. With each moment, the tension of the classroom faded, replaced by a shared sense of purpose.

"Look, it's actually working!" I exclaimed, grinning at the vibrant color of our potion.

Blaise chuckled, his eyes sparkling with approval. "Told you we'd make a great team."

Just as the bell rang, signaling the end of class, Snape's voice cut through the air. "You may think you've succeeded, but don't let your guard down. I expect a full report on your potion by the end of the week."

I exchanged a glance with Blaise, who sighed dramatically. "Of course. No rest for the wicked, I suppose." 

After class, we headed outside to the courtyard, where the sunbathed everything in golden light. The sounds of laughter and chatter surrounded us, and I felt a sense of relief wash over me. Hogwarts was alive with energy, and it invigorated my spirit.

"Fancy a walk?" Blaise suggested, gesturing towards the expansive grounds.

"Definitely. I need to stretch my legs after being cooped up in the dungeons," I replied, falling into step beside him.

As we strolled through the lush grass, I noticed the vibrant colors of autumn beginning to appear in the trees. The leaves danced in the wind, and for a moment, everything felt perfect. We talked about our classes, our plans for the upcoming Hogsmeade trip, and the latest gossip circulating through the school.

"Did you hear about the rumor regarding Gryffindor's new captain?" Blaise asked, a smirk creeping onto his face.

I shook my head, intrigued. "What happened?"

"They say he's been practicing in secret, trying to beat Slytherin this year. But honestly, do they think they stand a chance?" His laughter was contagious, and I found myself joining in.

"Not a chance! We've got the best team this year," I declared, feeling a surge of house pride.

Blaise grinned, leaning against a nearby tree. "Exactly. And with you cheering us on, how could we lose?"

I rolled my eyes playfully. "Just don't blame me if you lose the next match. I can't work miracles."

As we continued to walk, I noticed how comfortable I felt around him. It was as if the tension and uncertainty that came with being in Slytherin melted away, replaced by laughter and shared experiences. I was grateful for Blaise's friendship; it felt genuine, a stark contrast to the treacherous alliances often formed in our house. 

Eventually, we found ourselves near the Black Lake, the water glimmering under the sun. A few first years were throwing stones into the water, their laughter echoing across the shore.

"Let's join them," I suggested, pointing to a flat rock near the edge.

Blaise raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure you want to show your skills at skipping stones? I might just have to show you up."

"Oh, you're on!" I grinned, eager to prove my worth.

We took turns picking up smooth stones, each of us trying to outdo the other. Blaise was surprisingly good, sending his stones skipping across the water with ease. But I managed to impress him with a particularly well-thrown rock that bounced four times before sinking.

"Not bad, Y/N. You've got some skills," he admitted, feigning reluctance to acknowledge my victory.

"Thanks! Just wait until the next round," I challenged, picking up another stone.

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, I felt a sense of contentment wash over me. This was what Hogwarts was meant to be—friendships forged through laughter and shared experiences, moments that reminded me why I'd been choose for Slytherin.

With the day winding down, Blaise and I made our way back toward the castle, the cool evening air swirling around us. I felt a sense of belonging I hadn't experienced before, a glimmer of hope that maybe I could find my place in Slytherin after all.

"Thanks for today, Blaise," I said as we reached the entrance. "I really had fun."

He smiled, his expression warm. "Anytime, Y/N. Let's do it again soon."

As I headed into the castle, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of a deeper friendship. With every shared moment, I was carving out my own space in Slytherin, one filled with loyalty and laughter—an alliance built on trust rather than treachery.

And maybe, just maybe, I was starting to understand that friendship could be one of the strongest forms of ambition in its own right.