The second day for Esme seems to be a good one.
She is excited at the idea of starting Potions with Professor Snape, and actually, in a way, she already knows him.
By name, by reputation for his sternness at school, and because her family has known the man since their school days at Hogwarts. Esme's mother is a great expert in Potions and has taught her a few tricks and special concoctions since childhood, attracting the attention of her curious daughter.
She dresses up, even though she doesn't like the skirt, and hides a small family knife under it (thanks to a sort of garter belt). A handle with silver and gold inserts, accompanied by glittering stones, grips a short, sharp blade that is well protected by a precious, pearlised cover.
The girl may consider herself unusual, but she is fine with it. Once she has also arranged her bag, she leaves her room and heads for the breakfast room, although she is not yet familiar with the corridors.

She finds some of her friends seated at the table and sits down cheerfully, greeting them and starting the first meal of the day.
«How can you swallow that amount of sugar?» murmurs a voice she heard the day before: from a blond boy, somewhat arrogant but certainly smarter than others at the table.
«Oh, blondie, you're so interested in me that you watch what I eat» he replies mockingly, as he eats another piece of chocolate muffin and looks at it annoyed. His face is furrowed with nausea at seeing spoonfuls and spoonfuls of sugar being poured into her hot tea.
«You're disgusting» she giggles. Draco sits down next to her and grabs a green apple, then takes a bite.
«But it's so bitter, how can you like that stuff!» she exclaims, sipping the drink, with an expression of disappointment.
«I have no sugar deficiency unlike a fairy here» Draco teases her, referring to her tiny stature. She raises an eyebrow and stifles a short sarcastic laugh: «I haven't heard jokes about my height since I was barely six years old, Malfoy.»
«So a few months ago, I suppose» he looks at her defiantly, bringing his arms across the table and looking at her with a wry smirk.
«Your jokes are as sad as that bitter apple» she replies simply, rolling her eyes and finding that boy incredibly annoying.
He hints a giggle and shakes his head, finding her irritating. Esme is always replying, getting in the middle of arguments, mumbling and sometimes even being rather spiteful.

«Anyway, fairy, you know where the classroom is, don't you?»
«Mhn... I have it written somewhere in my bag» she searches through her beloved black satchel for an agenda, until she is pulled up by the boy.
He watches her amused as she carefully searches through those pages and barely tilts her head, he finds her bizarre.
«Come on, let's go» he proposes authoritatively, putting his hands in his pockets, relaxed, and he invites her to follow him with a nod of his head.
«If you tell me what I have to do again, I'll rip your hair out one by one» she comments, glowering at him.
She gets up, however, so that she can reach the classroom as soon as possible: «You must tell me 'if you want, you can come with me', understood?»
She scolds him sternly and he hints a slightly smug smile, thinking it would be his classic response.
But he doesn't answer her, he would never give such satisfaction to someone as arrogant as her.
The Esme follows him, taking advantage of his "kindness", so she won't make a bad impression with Severus Snape arriving late for her first lesson.
Walking through the corridor he remains silent with his hands always hidden in his pockets while she continues to talk and make observations about the school, the walls, the pictures, the desks, everything.
«You talk too much» he snorts, shaking his head. She frowns, displeased by his obnoxious statement.
She pulls him by the back of his collar and slaps him on the head: «I talk all I want, Malfoy.»
The boy jerks and rubs his head, sighing: «What's wrong with you? You're so weird.»
Esme rolls her eyes - with a short sigh - and then they are in the classroom.

They enter and take their seats: Draco at his usual place in the third bench in the middle row while she takes the first on the side.
She doesn't feel like sitting next to him, both because it's really annoying and also because he's been there for four years, Esme wouldn't allow herself to take away his friend's seat.
A few more moments and they are all inside, including the professor.
Next to her sits a Slytherin girl she met at breakfast, who greets with a smile.
Maybe they will strike up a good friendship.

«Well, we have a newcomer in class today. Her name is Esme Smith and she is a new member of Slytherin house. Despite it being her first year at Hogwarts she is showing herself to be much more resourceful than many of the clueless people here» he says in his usual serious and almost singsong manner, with an impassive but disgusted expression, then pointing his gaze for a few brief moments at Ronald Weasley, who immediately bows his head in embarrassment.
«Since we are at one of the first classes I would like to change places, which you will hold until the end of the year. With your partner, you will have to present various projects and hopefully without doing any damage» he announces, walking slowly around the desks, still with that icy look «I want to start by asking the newcomer to sit next to one of the least mediocre students in my class and who is clearly a member of the Slytherins: Malfoy.»

She raises her eyebrows in disbelief that the strange boy could be good at any subject, but simply gets up and swaps places so she can stand next to him. Esme doesn't know if that's good, since according to Snape he's an excellent student, or bad considering his temper.
The professor finishes forming more pairs until everyone has moved, without complain.

«Don't worry, I can give you a lot of advice» the proud blondie whispers to her, he is confident in himself and his abilities.
Esme's face is on her own hand with her elbow on the desk, and she tries to hold back a mocking giggle at his statement: «Or I can give you some.»
The boy is a little taken aback by that answer and no one, especially a young girl, had ever dared to talk to him in that blunt manner. He is highly respected in his household because of his noble surname, and whenever someone speaks to him in a harsh or sarcastic tone, he always knows how to answer. As a matter of fact, almost all girls younger or the same age tend to have a soft spot for him, or if they don't it's because of their bad taste and the typical character of a filthy mudblood like Miss Granger.
According to Draco, girls like her are completely disrespectful, but Esme is different.
Hermione is a spunky girl who loves to follow the rules and be fair and strict in everything, whereas Esme seems to completely ignore any judgement or rules.

Definitely more sarcastic and playful than Granger, but less dumb and spoilt than Parkinson. A very singular girl.
The professor starts talking about the various techniques for preparing a potion and the different ingredients that must be respected in order to obtain a perfect concoction. It is known that when a root is not properly trimmed, you can have an undesirable effect.
He places a small knife and a few types of plant on each student's desk, beginning to illustrate the various types of cutting and inviting them to make the same gestures to learn those practices.
«Damn, it doesn't cut anything!» exclaimed Draco in a low voice, noticing the unsharp blade of the knife given by Snape.
«Wait, I'll do it» she murmurs, lifting her skirt and pulling out the small, handy dagger.
«Where on earth did you get that thing out of! For Merlin's beard, why do you have a knife under your skirt?» gasps the boy in disbelief, looking at her rather strangely. Carrying such a valuable dagger around? And why even have a weapon if you can have a wand?
«So I can chop off your fingers if you bother me in class» she replies sounding almost serious, holding back a giggle that makes Draco remain somewhat disquieted and stunned «Just kidding, idiot. It's from my family, I don't want losing it.»
He barely nods at that further response and lets her, though he still remains confused.
Malfoy cares so much for his family, in fact he is almost succubus to them, and has always looked for his father's approval by doing anything that would bring honour to their surname. That's why he doesn't say anything to her, maybe she also does certain things for her family. She is a pureblood and, according to McGonagall, of ancient origin, so they will have some particular tradition like all wizard families.

Esme starts to cut every root perfectly and then hands the knife to the boy: «Be careful, it is very sharp».
She smiles and lets him do his part of the work, looking almost cute as she gently offers him that blade.
«Thank you?» he asks still chuckling strangely and passes it back to her.
Snape begins to check the work, criticising the poor executions or giving slight compliments for the success of others.
«I see that every single piece has been carved to perfection with precise and deep marks» Snape comments in amazement, raising his eyebrows slightly and taking a twig from Draco and Esme's desk with two fingers.
«See? Credit to my blade» she whispers close to him.
«And to my incredible skill» Malfoy replies back, snatching a brief giggle from her.

The bell rings and after that long Potions lesson, the two leave the classroom, being stopped by the shrieking of a loud voice: Pansy Parkinson. «Draco! Did you hear what happened-» she approaches him with an over-exuberant and constructed manner, wanting to tell him some gossip until she freezes at the sight of Esme.
«What's the matter? Afraid I'll break your head?» she taunts her mockingly with a wry grin and Draco hides a laugh with the back of his hand.
These kinds of jokes are his favourite.
«I was wondering why an elegant Malfoy would stand next to an aggressive snake like you.»
«The snake queen, darling» she replies without flinching.
Pansy rolls her eyes and grabs Draco to take him away.
«Oh, good luck Malfoy!» laughs Esme.

'He's not so bad, I guess' she thinks walking to the next classroom, until she is stopped by her three new Gryffindor friends.

«Well, how desperate did he make you?» asked Ron, knowing how much of a pain in the ass Draco can be.
«Actually, it wasn't that bad, we worked well and that's enough.»
They exchange small talk and begin to get to know each other better, telling the newcomer a few stories from past years that make her laugh and listen interested.
«Where did you go to school before?» asks Harry curious.
«To a Muggle school. My home is in their world, my parents moved out years ago after having some accidents with magic... if I can say that. My family teaches me everything» she explains making the three stand in amazement.
There are students who don't know how to do simple spells, while she has proved to be very talented in just a few lessons.
«So you have Muggle friends?» asked Hermione curiously.
«Oh, yes! My best friend Allyson is a Muggle.» she points out, not ashamed to deal with those who are not wizards.
It is clear that she is a very tolerant person, open-minded and above all kind to any form of creature and human being. Only with those who respect her and treat her as they should, of course.

Continuing to talk, they slip into the classroom and follow the next lesson.
And then the one after that until lunch arrives.
Esme eats in the company of the Slytherins and talks joyfully, especially with Zabini, who is being rather nice, despite not being euphoric but quiet.
This day also goes peacefully and for now she feels welcomed there. She feels comforted by this, especially since it was a duty go to Hogwarts.
Of course she does not mind deepening her knowledge in magic, but she is aware that she is there for a specific purpose.
She knows that she has a lot to do and it is not just study and lessons, but something important that she must complete.

•·················•·················•

«Do you know when I have to start with personal lessons?» askes Esme in Dumbledore's study, wanting to ask more about her studies.«Professor Trelawney is waiting for you tomorrow. I am sorry that you cannot take part in the Divination class with the others but you will have teachings suited to your abilities.» Dumbledore reassures her, noticing however a slight disappointment in the young girl's face.
The headmaster is sorry to deny her that course but they cannot allow disasters and panic among the students.
Because of her special characteristics some things have been forbidden to her not only by her family but also by the teachers, who now have a great responsibility.
For Professor McGonagall, it seems risky to make her do Defence Against the Dark Arts, but not having her take that compulsory subject would arouse suspicion. They cannot afford to disrupt the school's ostensible peace.

Fortunately, she is fine with studying anything else, the important thing is to spend a few good years behind the desks, pretending that everything is normal and going grandly.