𝐇𝐎𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝟎𝟎𝟖

𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞, 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠

『••✎••』

"I can't take this anymore!" Inaya exclaimed, marching up to Ron and Kiana who sat on a bench in the courtyards, books spread on their laps and furiously writing their late Potions essays, paying her no mind.

Hermione, on the other hand, looked up as she placed a bookmark back in her copy of 'Spellman's Syllabary' which Inaya could have sworn was on the reading list for Ancient Runes which Hermione wasn't taking. The thought made her pause for a second before she felt her irritation wash over her.

"Those two," She spat, "Are the most aggravating people to have to endure while trying to write a stupid stupid essay on how to go about transfiguring a teapot into a tortoise!"

"Arguing again?" Hermione sighed.

"Worse...they were completely silent," She ticked off one finger, "Sat on opposite ends of the benches," second finger, "And made me walk between them for the past 20 minutes sharing information to write and not only that but! If I didn't say their messages word for word both of them made. Me. Go. Back!" Inaya furiously waved her three fingers in all three of their faces.

Hermione pouted, opening her arms for a hug Inaya graciously accepted. Letting Inaya sink into her arms, Hermione closed her eyes for a second, opening them again to see a red-faced Harry and Estrella storming towards them. "Oh speak of the devils," She groaned.

"Nope! No, I am leaving!" Inaya shook her head, grabbed her bag and raced off, escaping the gloomy cloud the pair brought with them.

Once reaching them, without even a greeting, Estrella huffed indignantly giving Harry a smug glance before turning back to their friends. "Slytherin is holding tryouts for a chaser position tonight as, unfortunately, Jacob Moore has had an 'accident' and therefore can't play indefinitely. Could one of you three," Estrella paused emphasising she did not want Harry anywhere near her, "Please accompany me to Professor Snape's office so I can put my name forward?"

"By accident you mean he's been banned right? For being caught with another girl in Quidditch stands?" Ron laughed.

Estrella stared at him confused, "Oh? Really? Why would something like that get him banned?"

Ron gave her a look before making eye contact with the rest, "You have a lot to learn young one," He sighed, standing up and shoving his things in his bag.

"Walk with me and I'll teach you a little thing called the quaffles and the hoops." Ron made a theatrical movement with his hands before resting them on Estrella's shoulders and guiding the giggling witch away.

"Ron don't poison her mind with that nonsense!" Hermione called after him, rolling her eyes once he waved her off.

Hermione turned her attention to Harry, her eyes narrowing into slits before pointing at Ron's previous space next to Kiana for him to sit. "Now," She jerked her head in the direction of her arm.

Harry sat down, plopping his bag at his feet and letting Kiana use the excess of his robes to cover her bare thighs that had goosebumps littering them. "Yes, Hermione," He stared up at her, an eyebrow slightly raised in expectation.

"Don't 'yes' me, what has gotten into you!" Hermione threw her hands up in the air. "You and Estrella haven't spoken in 3 days and do you know what that does to us," She gestured between herself and Kiana. "It makes us have to walk on eggshells around all of you!"

Kiana paused re-reading her essay to look up at Hermione with her brows furrowed. "It's a muggle phrase, it means we have to be cautious around them because they'll kick off." A look of recognition crossed Kiana's face.

"Well, I'm not going to talk to her if she won't talk to me." Harry crossed his arms.

"But she's your friend." Hermione pleaded, "You have to accept that fact whether you agree with her or not."

"I can't Hermione, how can I say 'Yeah Ella I wish you didn't have a dad either' when that's one of the only things I've wanted since...forever!" Harry exclaimed.

"You don't have to say that because your dad isn't Ella's dad Harry," Kiana sighed, "You're dad may be a good one but Ella's dad is the opposite. He expects so much of her that she just can't live up to it. Try to think what it would be like living like you're a disappointment...constantly." Kiana chose her words carefully trying to make Harry think.

"Or, not being able to say how you feel because you know you'll be ignored," Hermione interjected, catching Kiana's drift.

"Imagine having to smile and play pretend when you know deep down inside you'd give anything to get away from there. It's like living with-"

"The Dursleys," Harry clocked, Kiana's words sounding all too familiar. "It's like having my Uncle for a dad but with the way he treats me."

"And you've said so many times how you wouldn't wish that on anyone...even Malfoy." Hermione sat down next to her best friend, whispering that last part.

"I've been an idiot." He placed his head in his hands. The two girls shared a look over him, Kiana mouthing "Boys," with an eye roll.

"You both have," Hermione stated. "Estrella can never know what it's like to be in your shoes so she doesn't see it as importantly as you would."

"I'm still not saying a word to her!" Harry stated, quickly recovering from his revelation and looking between his two friends.

Kiana scoffed, using her spare parchment to wack him on the back of the head, "Have. You. Learn. Nothing!"

"Hey!" Harry cradled his head. "I can't talk to her because it's like talking to a brick wall! And even if I was wrong to get annoyed, I'm not the only bad guy here."

"Well..." Kiana stretched out the syllable.

"Ki," Harry whined, "I already feel bad enough!"

Kiana pouted, throwing an arm over her best friend's shoulder and hugging him. "Don't worry about it too much Harry, Estrella will come around, she can't ignore you forever."

『••✎••』

"Can you even play...Quidditch?" Snape drawled, looking Estrella up and down, pausing to mark homework.

The two friends had made it to Snape's office, Estrella bright-faced with embarrassment as Ron lightly explained the multitude of things a boy and a girl could be doing...alone...in the Quidditch stands.

"How can people even kiss for that long?" Estrella gasped.

"I mean, snogging takes practice Ella, the same way Hogwarts wasn't built in a day."

Knocking twice they waited for a pregnant pause before the door to Snape's office flung open and a biting tone telling them to "Stop dawdling like toads and get in."

Tentatively making their way to Snape's desk, Estrella asked for the Quidditch try-outs sheet without making eye contact, only looking up when Snape made no move to get the sheet and asked her the question.

"M-me?" She pointed to herself. Again Snape stayed as still as stone. "Yes Professor, I was on my house team last year at Castelobruxo, and a key player too!"

Snape, raised an eyebrow, returning his quill to his ink pot and leaned forward with a calculating gaze, "Tell me, what points do you gain shooting in the 3 hoops?"

"10 points for each one," Estrella answered.

"And what does the capture of the Golden Snitch gain for the team?"

The young witch felt her hands getting progressively sweatier, "an extra 150 points and signals the end of the game."

Snape slowly stood up, resting his hands on the table, "Name me three fouls."

"Cobbing, Flacking and...um...." Snape leaned closer, and Estrella leaned back. "Snitchnip!"

"And since you claim to be a key chaser, what is the difference between a Straight Ball and a Knuckle Ball?"

"Well-" Estrella voiced cracked, "A knuckleball kind of spirals," She made a circle with her forefingers, "Into the goal whereas a Straight Ball goes straight in... the clue is in the name." Her chuckle quickly faded away into nothing as she withered under Snapes' glare.

"Yes," He sat back down, opening the drawer to his left and pulling out the sign-up sheet. "I guess it is. Sign it and get out, and Mr Weasley? Put. That. Down." Ron, startled by the mention of his name, dropped the jar of fish eyes he was examining in disgust, scrambled to catch it and placed it back on the shelf.

Meanwhile, Estrella, noticing she had no quill, stole Snapes' and scribbled her name down before rushing out of the classroom with Ron hot on her heels not stopping until they returned to the courtyard. "That man," She paused, slumping on the floor at Hermione and Kiana's feet. "Is petrifying."

"Yeah, he is worse than the Basilisk." Ron snorted, throwing an arm over his eye to block the sunlight. Sitting up he looked around, "Where'd Harry go?"

"Owlery," Kiana pointed in the direction the boy went. "Hedwig hasn't been around for a couple of days and Harry is worried."

"Oh no! Do you think she's okay?" Estrella pouted.

"Hmmm I don't know, why don't you ask him?" Kiana stood up, holding her hand out for Estrella and started to pull her in the direction of Defence Against the Dark Arts.

Hermione snorted, "Yeah and while you're at it, try making amends."

『••✎••』

Upon entering the Defence classroom, the group noticed Professor Lupin was nowhere to be seen. They split off into pairs, Hermione with Kiana and on the 2 person desk next to them sat Estrella and Isabella, the desk in front of the Slytherin girls was left free for Ron and, when he decided to arrive, Harry to sit.

"Maybe he's gone to grab some further reading materials for us?" Hermione leaned forward slightly to see everyone roll their eyes at her comment.

"Don't even get me started on further reading." Isabella groaned, plopping her head on her folded arms.

"Maybe if you used it, you would get the E that you complain about never getting."

"Ouch Hermione, low blow." Isabella sat up with a pout.

"Yeah Hermione not all of us can be mega-mind like you," Harry's voice sounded out over their heads and the group turned, all calling his name as though they hadn't seen him in years. Estrella, on the other hand, stayed silent.

"Awh did you all miss me that much." Harry teased, sitting down next to Ron with a grin.

"Yes of course how could we survive without our great Harry Potter," Kiana placed the back of her hand on her forehead and swayed dramatically making the group laugh.

Their laughter was quickly cut short as the door to the classroom slammed open, a gust of dark robes flashing down the left side of the room. Snape entered, waving his wand to close all the window covers to darken the room and made his way to the front, pulling on a string to drop down a white projector sheet.

After a beat of silence, he turned to the class, "Turn to page 394."

The group looked at each other in confusion before opening their textbooks and flicking through the pages. As Snape's heels clicked slowly down the middle of the desks, Harry scooted closer, "Excuse me, sir, where's Professor Lupin?"

Snape, with pursed lips, looked down at Harry, his eyes visibly calculating, "That's not your concern is it Potter?" He huffed carrying on down the aisle. "Suffice it to say, your professor finds himself incapable of teaching at present." He reached the lectern at the back of the classroom the projector to his left, tapping it with his wand to get it up and running.

"Turn to page 394."

Ron aimlessly flickered through the pages, resting his head on his raised arm, which irked Snape. The Professor pointed his wand to the book, the pages flickering until they reached 394. Ron sat up in shock, making the others lean to get a look at his page too, "Werewolves!"

"But sir," Hermione started. "We just started learning about red caps and hinky punks. We're not meant to start nocturnal beasts for weeks-"

"Quiet!" Snape cut her off, stretching the syllables. "Now, which one of you can start by telling me the difference between an animagus and a werewolf?" Snape sauntered down to the front of the classroom, standing in front of the projector screen, showing photos from Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphics and carvings found in stone depicting the change from man to beast.

Hermione's hand shot up in response which Snape ignored. "No one? How disappointing."

"Please sir," Hermione started and the class could already feel the irritation waving off of Snape. "An animagus is a wizard who elects to turn into an animal, a werewolf has no choice. With each full moon, when he transforms, he no longer remembers who he is. He'd kill his best friend if he crossed his path." The young witch tapered off.

"Did you also know," Estrella spoke up, her excitement growing, "A werewolf only responds to a call of its kind-"

Estrella was cut off by Malfoy mimicking a howl, turning to his friends to laugh.

"Thank you, Mr Malfoy," Snape drawled. "That's the second time you have spoken out of turn Miss Granger, are you incapable of restraining yourself or do you take pride in being an insufferable know-it-all?" Hermione's cheeks flushed red with embarrassment and Estrella's jaw dropped open in shock.

"As for you Miss Consuelas, we do not require a duplicate in this classroom, and unless I call your name I want you seen and not heard do you understand me?" Snape kept his eyes trained on the young witch, missing the flying paper bird over his head that landed on Harry's open book. He locked eyes with Malfoy who was smirking at him.

"Yes, Professor." She replied through clenched teeth.

The young witch closed her fist in anger and Snape raised an eyebrow taunting her to reply. Instead, Estrella challenged him with a glare. "Five points from Gryffindor, Two from Slytherin."

"And as an antidote to your ignorance, and on my desk by Monday morning...two rolls of parchment on the werewolf, with emphasis on recognising it." Snape stretched every syllable of the last two words

"But sir, it's Quidditch on Saturday." Harry protested.

Snape rested his hands on Harry's desk, leaning in close. "Then I suggest you take extra care Mr Potter, loss of a limb will not excuse you." He went silent, Harry's eyes catching on a charmed folded bird hovering over his greasy hair.

"Page 394."

As Snape continued with the lesson, Harry unravelled the paper Malfoy had kindly gifted him, to see a motion line drawing of himself on the Quidditch pitch being hit on the head with a bludger and electrocuted by a thundercloud.

"Funny," Harry whispered, passing it to Ron who snorted and passed it around.

『••✎••』

"Hey Consuelas!"

Estrella carried on walking, her body aching from each stretch of muscle making the trek to the Gryffindor common room feel like eternity. I should just not go She thought to herself, fantasising about her bathtub and warm bed. What she would give to just sink into-

"Estrella!" A tug on her arm dragged her out of her reality, turning to face Marcus Flint. "Are you deaf?"

"No just tired, you worked me to the bone." She seethed, forcefully pulling her arm out of his grip.

"Good, only way I know I got the best out of you...and since you were the most adequate of the sorry lot that turned up," Marcus waved behind him, rolling his eyes. "I...regret to inform you that you are now a Slytherin chaser....yay." He cheered lamely, very clearly disappointed.

Estrella was stunned.

"M-me?" She pointed to herself as realisation washed over her. "Oh, my Merlin.OH MY MERLIN- sorry! Thank you, Marcus, thank you! I will not let you down." She flung her arms around his waist, her newfound energy helping her dart off in the direction of the Gryffindor tower.

"Yeah yeah," Marcus rolled his eyes. "It's only because of that Firebolt! Bloody hell I need one."

As she reached the portrait of The Fat Lady, Estrella paused, bending down with one finger in the air. "Ca..." She wheezed, "Ca...put Draconis."

"In you go dear," The Fat Lady side-eyed the young witch, letting the door fling open. Estrella thanked her, trudging into the Gryffindor common room and leaving a muddy footprint in her wake. "No manners, they keep getting worse as the years go on." The Fat Lady huffed, swinging the door shut.

As she entered the common room, her eyes scanned around until they landed on Hermione's hair. The gang were occupying the three sofas in front of the fire. Rushing over, Estrella stood proudly in the centre, broom in the air, and yelled "Guess who is the new Slytherin Chaser!"

"No way!" Isabella screeched, jumping up to hug her.

"You're going to smash it El!" Kiana squeezed her next, Inaya coming behind and jabbering an excited mess.

"Thank you guys, thank you!" Estrella smiled widely, turning around expecting Harry however, Harry didn't even stand up. Estrella's smile faded at the sight of him sitting down, awkwardly turning to the rest of them and thanking them again.

Hermione noted this and sighed, "Guys I think we need to give these two some space."

It was as if they could suddenly feel the tension between them too and quickly agreeing Kiana invited Isabella and Inaya up to her and Hermione's dorm.

"What about me?" Ron protested, raising his arms as he watched the girls rush up the staircase.

Kiana paused next to him with a mock thoughtful look on her face, "You've got Scabbers to keep you company....or you could watch from up top?" The witch winked before rushing to join the girls at the top.

Once they had all left, Estrella tentatively took a seat on the far end of the couch Harry was on.

"Congratulations-"

"I'm sorry-"

They both stopped mid-sentence, blushing and looking away from each other.

"You go first," Harry started, clearing his throat.

"I'm sorry for being insensitive parents but I honestly was not trying to hurt you or say anything horrible about yours. My Father and I don't see eye to eye, and the way he shows his 'love' to me is not right.."

"It's confusing because," Estrella paused, scooting closer to Harry as though she was telling him a world-changing secret. That and she was aware Ron was watching from above. "Because I don't know whether I love my Father because he is so or if I love him out of fear of disappointment. When I am away from him is the best time of my life because I don't constantly feel like I have to be 'perfect', and I feel so guilty but it's true. I haven't laughed around my Father since I was probably a kid and that's not even the worst of it,"

"I just wish I was enough for him as I am." Estrella turned to Harry with a pleading look in her watery eyes. "It's because I am never and will never be enough, is why I wish he wasn't around. Because then I can breathe."

Harry stayed silent for a few moments.

"I understand, you just want to fit into the life you have been given even though you wish for something that you know you will never have." Harry raked a hand through his hair and he thought carefully over his next words.

"My parents are dead..."

"I-I know," Estrella nodded, confused as to where he was headed. 

"So I will never know what it's like to feel angry at my Dad for telling me to go to my room or feel embarrassed when my Mum tries to kiss me on the cheek at thirteen. I can't begin to express how jealous I am of you, Ron, Hermione, Kiana, Inaya, Isabella," Harry ticked off all his friends finger by finger. "Because you all have a family I can only dream of."

"So when you say you wish you didn't have a Dad, it pisses me off because I will never get one and you sound like you don't appreciate what you have. I know now, that it's very different for you and the things you do go through and have been through are not okay, but still, your Father cares enough to put all his effort into making his pride and joy the best she can be, in his eyes."

"To me, it sounds like your Father eats sleeps and breathes your success and your stability and you don't seem to care for that at all."

Estrella's mind started to race upon hearing Harry's perspective.

"Again the way he goes about it is horrid but do you see where I'm coming from? I don't think you wish you didn't have a Dad, if you lost him tonight you would still mourn and grieve as though you lost a limb. You are Estrella and you, are smart, fierce, passionate, loyal, and ambitious and that's is partly due to you but also to your parents who taught you to strive for these things at a young age. You just need to find the strength to stand up for what you want."

"I see what you mean, really I do...I have been molded into who I am out of fear and I don't know anything different. I don't want it to be different. I just want it to be okay."

"And you deserve that, but I think it could help if you were just a little more grateful...maybe that gratitude can help you find a happy medium...or something."

"Maybe," Estrella gazed into the fire for a little while before turning back to the raven-haired boy. "And if you opened your eyes to see that you do have a family that loves and cares for you, you'll be able to see past the ideal you have in your head?"

"Families aren't just a mum, dad and kids with a pet on the side. Families can look like anything and your family Harry is in us! Your friends, because you get annoyed when we stop you from running off to the pitch any change you get, and you get embarrassed when we tease you about your cheeks," Estrella pinched at them quickly before Harry slapped her hands off jokingly. "And we want to keep you safe and happy."

"I know that it's just...who do I have when you're off with your people?"

"Harry you are 'our people'," Ron's voice rang out from above them. "Mate you like a brother to me."

"Thanks, Ron," Harry smiled.

"And you're welcome around whenever you want," Ron made his way down to the couple, his voice echoing the spiral staircase, "You can share my room if you ever want to get away from the Dursleys. I mean it might be tricky if they keep putting bars on your windows."

"They put what in your windows?!" Estrella yelped. "What are they? Azkaban guards?"

"Worse, family from the pits of hell."

"Point is, we're always here for you Harry. You don't ever have to doubt that."

Harry felt his heart swell in his chest, getting up from the couch he brought Ron into a hug. "You're the best Ron."

"Hey hey hey, what did we miss? I want a hug!" Inaya complained seeing the two boys. Harry and Ron both pulled away before racing up to her and sandwiching the Ravenclaw from both sides.

"Happy now?" Harry laughed.

"Very." Inaya smiled, wrapping her arms around them. "Best boys."

Isabella made a beeline towards Estrella, pulling her into a hug as well. "Did you say everything you wanted to? And did you apologise?"

"Yes and yes." Estrella hummed.

"So everything's good now?"

Estrella's eyes met Harry's over Isabella's shoulder, her eyes lightening up at the sight of him. He gave her a wink that made her blush.

"Everything is perfect."

not them being a familyyyy, literally GIVE ME NEOW!!

also just as a PSA...you girl has 4 exams coming up so maybe the chapter's are gonna be slower but don't worry! i will still be around and writing.

next chapter is something serious too so my wholeeee badussy gonna be tapping in to get. it. done!

thank you for reading this chapter and please don't forget to vote and comment! 

all the love, t x