Fifth Year,
I Like a Challenge.

Louisa sat at the Hufflepuff table awaiting for the sorting ceremony to begin. She hadn't given her sister's house much thought, only hoping that where ever she ended up, she made good friends. People who would understand her, treat her like family.

She smiled at Penelope Clearwater, her long-time good friend, she turned around smiling at Ethan Burke and Percy Weasley. She smiled too proudly at Oliver he returned her smile, flipping her off, she huffed turning back around.

Professor McGonagall walked through the hall, Katherine and their cousin Aurora walked together, and while her sister smiled her cousin looked petrified. She recognised Ethan's younger cousins, two boys both evidently excitedly.

"I'm hoping they aren't with us," Laura muttered eyeing her cousins, "they're nightmares," Louisa chuckled as McGonagall read out their names.

The first few first years were sorted into Gryffindor, James Potter's son, sorted into Gryffindor too. She smiled at the boy, knowing full well Oliver would gloat about having a famous Quidditch Player's son in their house.

She couldn't help but notice a boy, almost tripped her sister, he would be in Slytherin for sure. She bit the inside of her lip, waiting as the hat sat on her head, Aurora watched her nervously awaiting the girls house.

"RAVENCLAW!" Katherine jumped down sitting beside Ethan's cousin, Phoebe Black.

"Aurora Fawley," she silently waited for her house to be announced, she had realised a pattern out of her family. There was her, two cousins and a sister.

Jessica her older cousin, a Gryffindor. She was a Hufflepuff. Katherine, her sister now a Ravenclaw. That only left...

"SLYTHERIN!"

She smiled at her as she made her way slowly towards the Slytherin table. Katherine appeared as though she'd cry, she smiled at her sister. She couldn't understand it, there hadn't been a Slytherin in her family ever. She supposed there is always a first but Aurora? No.

Ethan's two cousins, ended up being separated, one in Gryffindor and the other in Slytherin. She knew they were kind understanding people, she hoped that his cousin could offer Aurora some comfort. Maybe they'll find comfort and friendship in each other.

***

The next morning, Louisa woke early to meet Aurora outside of the dungeons. She couldn't imagine how horrible it must have been in there alone. She smiled as she walked out, dressed in her green robes and tie. Her face lit up hurrying towards her, hugging her tightly.

"How was your first night?" she asked, Aurora turned to the boy waiting for her, gesturing for him to walk over.

"This is Hadrian, we talked throughout the night mostly,"

"I already sort of know you don't I?" he asked Louisa smiled at him.

"That Malfoy's a real jerk, he's so full of himself," she said, Hadrian agreed with her.

"Well if you know anything about his family it isn't surprising," she said, Aurora smirked feeling a little better believing it was just how he acted.

"I must get to class, I'm glad you had a good first night," Aurora hugged her before hurrying with Hadrian to the Great Hall.

Her lesson was Transfiguration, she waited outside of the classroom arriving there a little earlier than planned. She heard Penny and Ethan, as she was about to speak she averted her gaze when he leaned down to kiss her.

"Oh Lou, I didn't know you were there,"

"Why's that a problem?" she questioned.

"It's not I just don't want to give you the wrong impression,"

"And what impression would that be," she pressed "We're friends aren't we?" he nodded.

As McGonagall arrived on time, she allowed everyone in she intended on sitting with Percy. Only as she walked to his desk, a hand grabbed her pulling her into the seat next to them. She scowled as Oliver smirked at her.

"What do you want?"

"It so bad to sit next to me," rolled her eyes at him, he leaned in close to her, "I saw your face when saw them," she turned him he flicked his eyes over to Ethan and Penelope, holding hands under the table.

"It's no big deal we broke up mutually,"

"Was it mutual or do you say that to make yourself feel better,"

"Mr Wood, Miss Parker, am I interrupting you?" Louisa shook her head, as McGonagall turned back around.

"Ethan did like you," Oliver whispered "he didn't want to hurt you, he just couldn't help his feelings,"

"I don't blame him, I'd rather him be with someone he's into even if that isn't me, Penny and I couldn't be more different,"

"That may be but if I had to choose between you two, I'd pick you, after all, I like a challenge," her eyes widened, not for a second believing the words that fell from his mouth.

"Are you flirting with me?"

"Don't flatter yourself, I'm just saying, don't compare yourself to her, it'll ruin your friendship,"

"Since when do you give me advice?"

"I could give you a million pieces of advice, but you've never liked my style," she suppressed the smile threatening to crawl on her face.

Something about him was different, he spoke to her differently, offered her comfort in his own way. Comfortably sat with her in class, she could question him on his motives or let it slide for now. Only if he acted strangely on the Quidditch pitch would she question him.

If he played differently then, she knew something was wrong. Until then she'd let the little things slide, whatever game he was playing with her, she'd be ready to make her move.