Second Year,
Houses Don't Define Us.

Friday's last lesson dragged History of Magic, had to be the most boring class in the school, for one their Professor was a Ghost. On some level, Professor Binns knew that his students weren't interested, but it was a core class, for everyone in the school.

While the lesson was boring, with many students falling asleep. Phoebe on the other hand used the lesson to read through her grammy's journal, knowing that she could easily brush up on history in the library. Laura was leaning on her arm, her eyes falling heavy, she nudged her lightly to wake her up.

"What?" she looked around, "is it over?"

"No, you were drolling on me," she whispered

"Oh I'm sorry, how long's left?"

"About ten minutes,"

Ten long minutes indeed, Rhea had fallen asleep on one of the twins, she believe it was George, and he appeared to be falling asleep too. Phoebe tried her best to spot subtle differences in them, but it was difficult as she didn't know them well enough, to distinguish them through their personalities. Rhea always knew who was who.

Professor Binns dismissed the class and they couldn't have rushed out faster even if they wanted to. Phoebe made sure she had carefully placed the journal in her bag, two boys barged passed her knocking her books on the ground, her eyes narrowed as she scowled at the Pucey and Higgs she clenched her wand in her hand.

"Pullus," she cast quietly, both Slytherins turned into Chickens, they flapped their wings running around in circles.

"I saw that," Rhea said, she sighed pocketing her wand, " it serves them right,"

"They got under my skin, it won't happen again,"

"I don't know how Laura could ever be friends with them,"

"I think she's only friends with Higgs isn't she?" Phoebe believed

"Even being friends with one of them is bad enough," Rhea mutter, "you still coming tonight?"

"Yes, I'm just going to get my things,"

"Okay, I'll see you there,"

Phoebe hurried to her dormitory, hoping to be in and out of the common room. Though immediately she was stopped by two first years, one spoke with a Scottish accent, questioning where they might find Professor Flitwick as he wasn't in the office.

She quickly explained that he could still be in the Great Hall, as many of the students and teachers were heading for their dinner. Hoping to have no more distractions she hurried to her room, hiding her Grammy's journal in her trunk under all her clothes. The last thing she needed was Amelia's visions falling into the wrong hands.

"Phoebe," she turned to see Penelope resting against the door frame, "You're staying in Gryffindor Tower aren't you,"

"Yes, I'm going now, I just needed my bag,"

"Could you give this to Ethan, please," she handed her a note, a flowery scent came from the letter, "when he's not with Oliver or Percy if it's not too much trouble,"

"Of course, I will,"

***

Phoebe never expected the common room to be packed with people, she sat with Rhea while she chatted with her two friends Angelina and Alicia. For the first few minutes, she was a fly on the wall, if she slipped into the dorm rooms, nobody would notice. Sensing her boredom someone came to her side sitting with the girls.

"How are you enjoying all the red?" Ethan asked her,

"It has a warm feeling, all the blues can sometimes feel cold, before I forget, Penny gave me this," he took it, excusing himself to read it by the fireplace away from everyone, she watched as his mouth curled up into a smile.

"Pheebs," she turned to Rhea,

"Hmm"

"Alicia was talking to you,"

"I'm sorry, what did you say?" she said tucking her hair behind her ear.

"I asked if you like quidditch,"

"I don't mind watching, but it's not for me"

"Well, what do you like doing?" Angelina asked, she pursed her lips, the answer wasn't one they'd find fun. 

"Reading," she knew they were waiting for another answer, a better answer, "I like painting,"

"Yes, she's done lots of great paintings, did you bring your book?" Rhea asked, she shook her head, "oh well, it's okay, we have paper if you wanted to draw something,"

"I'm good Ri, actually, I'm going to head upstairs to change"

She excused herself from the girls questioning why Laura never came. She would have someone to talk to sitting with Rhea and her friends made her see just how different they were. As she sat on her sister's bed, she smiled at the picture frame on her bedside table.

A family picture, their father kissing her mother's cheek, Ethan using a strand of his sister's hair as a moustache. Her younger sisters Hope and Larissa, squeezing the life out of their cousin Max, her little brothers shoving each other to be centre shot. Then her and Rhea, mocking their younger brothers together.

"I miss that you know," Rhea spoke, "you and me, having fun together,"

"We still have fun," she mumbled

"Not like we used to, our houses don't define us,"

"What do you mean?"

"Not all Gryffindors are brave, last year that was this girl, can't remember her name, but she was scared of animals, like petrified. A lot of people think Hufflepuffs are pushovers, do you think Laura's a pushover,"

"She definitely isn't,"

"Exactly, I suppose not all Slytherins are mean, mum and uncle Reg aren't, and Ravenclaws don't always have to be goody-goodies, you can be reckless you know," Rhea picked up the photo, pointing at them, "I saw a little of that girl today,"

"Don't be silly,"

"I mean it, I miss that girl, I miss my sister, you might be the more sensible one, but I know deep down my partner in mischief is in there somewhere,"