Slytherin Lover

Third Year: A Few Words

You walk into the Great Hall and look around you with a smile on your face. You've spent the last two years at Hogwarts, and you couldn't have been happier. Last year was quite different and sometimes even terrifying, but you were sure that nothing unexpected was going to happen this year, or else Dumbledore wouldn't have let all the students get back here again.

You walk towards the Hufflepuff table, with Susan and Ernie walking behind you. You sit down, and the smile is still not able to leave your face. You make eye contact with someone from the Gryffindor table. Seamus is his name. He smiles at you, and you smile back, yet when your eyes travel around the room, you notice Draco staring at you, and he's giving you a nasty look. Your smile immediately disappears, and you hate it. You hate the fact that one person can ruin your mood so quickly.
"What's going on, Blanche ?"
You look away from the Slytherin table and now look at your best friends.
"Nothing", you smile weakly.
"Remember what we said about Malfoy. Don't let him get to you."
They are right. You shouldn't let him get to you.

Before the sorting ceremony starts for the new students, professor Dumbledore says a few words, something he always does. You notice that the Defense Against The Dark Arts teacher is different once again.
"Another Dark Arts teacher ?" Ernie asks.
"I'm happy about that. Don't tell me you don't know what professor Lockheart did last year", you say, looking at Ernie.
"I'm happy that Lockheart is gone too", Susan says. "Yet I don't know why he is sent away."
You stare at your friends, unable to believe that you haven't told them about Lockheart.
"You both really don't know ?"
They shake their heads. You immediately explain to them what happened with professor Lockheart last year. That he was a coward. A fraud. That he wanted to run away from the basilisk in the Chamber and that he tried to erase your memories, but that he erased his own memories instead, by accident.
"I can't believe you didn't tell us that, Blanche", Susan says. You smile innocently, but immediately start paying attention to professor McGonagall as the sorting ceremony starts. You don't pay much attention to most of the new students, but there is one student in particular that you are interested in.
"Edward Lightwood."
You watch as Edward takes place on the stool and the hat is being placed on his head.
"That's also a Lightwood. Is he family of yours ?" Ernie asks. You don't answer him until you know what house Edward is in.
"Hufflepuff !" You hear the hat scream. You smile and clap as Edward walks over to you at the Hufflepuff table. He takes his place next to you and gives you a hug.
"I was hoping I'd get sorted in the same house as you", Edward says, smiling brightly.
"Who's this, Blanche ?" Susan now asks. You look at Edward, then at your friends.
"This is my little brother, Edward", you say, smiling brightly as well.
"Now I see it. You two have the exact same smile", Ernie says.
"And the same nose", Susan laughs. Your smile is again planted on your face and you look back at your brother.
"Weren't you nervous ? When you sat there on that chair ?" You ask him. He shakes his head.
"I've heard stories from you, Blanche. I know you were nervous, but I knew what was going to happen, so I didn't have to be nervous anymore", he says with a smile. You give him one last hug before the feast appears and you all start eating. Your little brother is looking his eyes out. He's heard your stories about Hogwarts for two years, yes, but he had never seen something like this with his own eyes.
"If you don't mind me asking-", Ernie suddenly starts. You stop eating and look at him now.
"Your parents are both muggles, right ?"
You nod.
"I see you find it strange that my brother is also a wizard", you laugh quietly. You notice Ernie's cheeks getting slightly red.
"I must say, I didn't think he'd be a wizard too, since both our parents are muggles, but I was very happy when he got his Hogwarts letter a few weeks ago. And so was he", you explain. You watch your brother and notice that he eats everything that he sees. You again laugh quietly, and continue to eat your dinner.

Once everyone's finished, Dumbledore says something more. He warns every student about the Dementors and about Sirius Black.
"Dementors are vicious creatures. They will not distinguish between the one they hunt, or the one who gets in their way. Therefore I must warn each and everyone of you to give them no reason to harm you. It is not in the nature of a Dementor to be forgiving", were some of his words.

"Great. There's not ever going to be a silent year at Hogwarts, is there ?" You ask.
"As long as we won't get in the way of the Dementors, nothing will happen", Susan explains. You nod, and so does your little brother.

After the feast, every student returns to their dorms. You and Susan talk for a little while, but Edward and Ernie went to bed immediately.
"I saw the way Seamus was looking at you tonight", Susan starts. Your cheeks get slightly red.
"What ?"
"Oh, don't deny it, Blanche ! You caught him looking at you too !"
You laugh quietly.
"Oh, shut your mouth, Susan. I barely know him."
Even though it's dark in your room, you can see Susan smirking at you.
"Just go to sleep already", you tease her.
"Fine. But something is going to happen between you and him", she says right before she falls asleep, and so do you.