The days go by and Esme feels more and more at ease at Hogwarts, despite having a lot to do with her schoolwork and extracurricular activities. But everything is going well: classes are going well and she is proving to be a more than capable student, while what she studies by herself or with the help of a few teachers is going well too.
Moreover, her friendship with different students in the school makes the passing of time more enjoyable.
Of course meeting Parkinson or some blabbermouth is never a pleasure, but Esme knows very well how to be respected.
She was even about to crush the head of one of Pansy's friends inside the toilet when she overheard them talking very badly about Ginny Weasley, giving her horrible words.
In fact, it was the Gryffindor girl who stopped her.
As kind and nice as aggressive and harsh: a paradox.

The month of October is upon her and she begins to hear various chatters from all over Hogwarts.
«Why is everyone excited about this October 30th?» she asks to Blaise and other Slytherins.
«How do you not know! Students are arriving from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang for the Triwizard Tournament.» Zabini points out, later remembering that the girl came in late and therefore couldn't hear the headmaster's words when he announced that event.
«But didn't everyone die during the tournament? Why restore it?» she asks as she, as usual, takes one sweet after another into her mouth.
«They say they put restrictions to make it safer, I guess.» the friend continues to speak, shrugging his shoulders as he doesn't know much about that particular event and how it will take place «I just heard that there will be a dance for students from fourth year up. Maybe I could invite a pretty girl from one of the two schools.»
«I love dancing, but I'd rather go alone.» Esme says, remembering various parties at her Muggle school, where she enjoyed going with friends and passing the time with music and a couple of drinks.
«But how! Wouldn't you want to go with a handsome boy from Durmstrang? Or maybe a charming french one? There are also so many guys here who do nothing but look at you» he is incredulous at her words, finding them strange since most of the girls there are tearing their hair over a handsome guy «Besides, Esme, haven't you heard the rumours? A player on the Slytherin Quidditch team is apparently interested in you.»

After that last statement, Blaise elbows the girl to make her turn around, noticing a tall, proud boy flashing her a beaming smile.
The young woman wrinkles the face in a disapproving grimace and turns around, shaking her head: «Absolutely not.»
«Of course hanging out with boys from other houses wouldn't be the best, but even some Gryffindor and Ravenclaw seniors have been watching you since you arrived.» her friend murmurs again, somehow trying to push her on having fun with someone, but she laughs.
Esme doesn't need anyone to have fun even if it's normal that someone has noticed her: such deep irises are not seen so often.
«I'll have to gouge out some eyes» she jokes and Blaise sighs exasperated but quite amused.
The two are forming a very affectionate bond, and he turns to be a kind and nice friend.

«Well, what are you talking about here?» the blond Malfoy approaches them, slightly late for breakfast, and sits down next to Blaise and takes a fruit to eat.
«That Esme doesn't want a boyfriend» Zabini teases her, receiving a light pinch on the arm.
«She doesn't want one or no one wants to get her?» asks Draco mockingly, looking at her with those icy eyes .
Damn he's got some nerve!
She raises her eyebrows and hints a sarcastic laugh.
«Better not to be considered by anyone than Pansy Parkinson.»
She brings two fingers to her throat and shows her disgust at the irritating, empty-headed girl.
The joke makes Zabini laugh as Draco sighs rolling his eyes.
«You always have something to say, don't you?»
«And you always have to criticize something, don't you?» she replies back, crossing her arms over the chest and looking at him.
«Are you criticising me?» he turns to her and also crosses his strong arms.
«Afraid of being criticised, Malfoy? Feeling hurt?» she replies to him with a mock air of displeasure, holding back a teasing laugh.
Meanwhile, the others watch them, enjoying that scene since it is rare for someone to reply to Draco Malfoy; and it is equally rare for him to enjoy bickering with someone without erupting into anger.
«You're really annoying, you know?» he tells her, raising just an eyebrow and getting up from the table «Come on fairy, we have potions.»
He brings the hands into his pockets and signals her to get up.
«If I'm getting up now it's because I want to get up» she points out arrogantly, placing herself next to the boy .
He gives her a half glance and laughs again: «Ah, you're so weird».

The two often tease each other but no one has ever dared to do anything irritating to the other or threaten each other, at least so far.
Draco hates anyone who talks back to him, he thinks no one should allow themselves to even mention his name or just accidentally bump into him.
Whereas Esme makes anyone who annoys her regret it, thanks to her harsh manner.
Although she is much appreciated by almost everyone unlike Malfoy, because every criticism and argument she makes are for a good reason. A sort of Robin Hood of the Slytherins. In fact, she has defended Longbottom and lent support to some younger Hufflepuffs. Not to mention how furious she gets when someone dares to judge her: you'd better run very far away.
Maybe it's because of her strong personality that Malfoy has never opened up untolerant arguments with her, knowing she would start an fight.
Professor Snape feels some sympathy for her, so Draco thinks it is not convenient to push her away.

During Potions class Esme and Draco work together earnestly, creating concoctions and being careful not to do any damage. Today Snape explains the Polyjuice Potion and the two, who don't want to get a bad grade, try to be as careful as possible even if they sometimes joke together.
«I thought you were much more clueless, fairy» Malfoy tells her, pointing out how she is keeping up with the other students.
«And I thought you were dumber than you are» she replies without looking at him but observing the cauldron in front of them.
Draco raises his eyebrows in annoyance and leaves a pinch on her arm accompanied by a quiet laugh.
«Ouch!» she lets out a small scream that immediately makes Snape turn towards the girl:
«Miss, what was that sound?»
«She can't contain her voice when she's scalded against the cauldron» Draco speaks without giving her a chance to answer, which makes her sigh and turn around towards him.

The professor with his usual arrogant attitude turns away from them and she glares at Draco.
«I swear to you-» once again he interrupts her and pinches her again, but more lightly: «If you told him we were bickering he'd stick us in detention.»
She snorts silently and returns her focus to the potion so she ignores him.
Draco gets a good laugh at her manner, in a way it reminds of himself.
All the other potions lessons go on, between them finishing their tasks with excellence but at the same time exchanging both jokes and dirty looks.

«So guys, who can tell me about the most commonly used cores?» asks Professor Filius Flitwick to the class.
As usual Esme, who is proving to be the best at everything, raises her hand and answers confidently anticipating the others: «Unicorn Hair, Dragon's Heart and Phoenix Feathers».
«And which would be the hardest to convert to Dark-» the professor is about to formulate a further question when he is interrupted by Esme: «Unicorn Hair, Professor. They are the most difficult to convert for the Dark Arts and they are also considered the most loyal to their owners.»
«Miss Smith, excellent as always!» he exclaims, smiling enthusiastically as she flashes a smug, satisfied grin at a pair of angry Ravenclaws.
The subject seems like a piece of cake for her and she manages to accomplish any task in the easiest way possible.
Esme can cast a multitude of spells, even in ancient and unpronounceable languages, although this is a little secret she cannot reveal. She was born to do great magic and has been
practising it since she was a child, without the fear of making a mistake.
In fact, all her skill comes from the naturalness with which she learned magic, having experienced it in her everyday life.

«Be sure Esme, never forget your wand and to pronounce the right spell or you will arouse too much curiosity.» her father repeated to her several times throughout the summer, knowing that his daughter would go to that institute. Everyone has their tricks but sometimes they should not be used.

The day goes on between classes and evening falls. She walks down to the Slytherin common room and wants to relax and maybe talk to someone, as she loves being in company.
Besides being a good student, she is also very sociable and friendly (when not fighting with her, of course).
She notices a few guys by the fireplace and decides to approach, wearing a friendly smile.
«Good evening guys, are lessons going well?»
«Yes, although I was about to fall asleep during Herbology.» snorts that grumpy Vincent Crabbe, leaning close to the window.
«You almost look like you don't feel tired during class.» Blaise comments, laughing.
«I've only been here a short time, it's all new to me. In a few weeks I'll start to get bored too» she admits with an amused giggle.
As with any student, the excitement of the early days will end for her too.
«I was wondering where you went to school» asks Malfoy curiously, not knowing much about her life and wanting to know which school prepared her so well to be such a good student.
«Oh, at a Muggle school» she replies simply shrugging «I've always studied magic at home.»

Draco shows a disgusted grin and looks at her in a completely different way than usual, not with a mocking and playful expression, but with a truly horrified one.
«What is it Malfoy? Spit it out.»
«What normal family would send their pureblood daughter to a school for dirty Muggles?» he asks in a superior tone of voice «I think only a family of blood traitors.»
Esme glares at him with her piercing stare, feeling a strong anger bubbling up inside her.
She realises that this boy is not only haughty but also an extremist pureblood, with lousy and meaningless ideals. He doesn't know why her family lives among Muggles, knows nothing about her and he dares to judge.
«I think that of ancient and noble origins you really have nothing if you've had anything to do with those people.» he continues reluctantly, silencing the others who sense Esme's tense nerves.
He hints a short giggle and barely shakes his head: «Since when does a true Slytherin have such a mediocre life?»
Well, now she has truly lost her patience.
She immediately pulls out her beloved little knife attached firmly to her leg and after elbowing Malfoy hard in the gut and making him bend slightly, she clutches her blonde hair in one hand and points the short blade at his throat.

«At least this Slytherin will be able to continue with her mediocre life while you, if you don't shut your filthy mouth, Malfoy, will soon be finished being an asshole.»
He is about to reach for his wand when Esme grabs his wrist firmly and squeezes it: «Try it and I'll gut you like a fucking beast.»
The other boys gasp and take a step back, remaining completely silent and noticing that the people in the Common Room have also become petrified. She abruptly breaks away from him and elbows him hard in the neck, then he moans in pain.
«And don't go crying to daddy or mommy that only makes me want to kill you even more» she says seriously, in a rough but low voice. She turns her back on him and walks towards her dormitory, proud to have shut him up.
No one can talk like that about who they are and who they love, they don't let anyone.
«But how dare she? She who socialises with Muggles to treat a noble like this! I'm going to make that little fucking bastard pay!» he bellowed through clenched teeth.
A Malfoy always holds his surname high and doesn't let any blood traitor treat him like that.
«I'd be a little scared if I were you» Blaise confesses, raising his hands as if in surrender, but then being glowered at by Draco.
«No, Blaise, she''ll regret treating me like this, I swear on my family name» he murmurs sighing deeply, serious.
Now a ruckus is going to break out.

Draco never accepts that kind of behaviour.
She will pay for it and he is already planning something.