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"WE'RE BACK!"

The words hung in the air, filled with a mixture of relief, excitement, and a little disbelief. Esmie twirled on the spot, her laughter carrying through the cool autumn breeze as she marvelled at the newly rebuilt Hogwarts castle. The sun cast long, golden beams over the ancient stone, illuminating the repaired turrets and the gleaming windows, now restored after the devastation from the final battle. Esmie's face lit up with joy, and for a moment, it felt as if no time had passed since their first year, when they had arrived wide-eyed and eager, staring up at the towering castle with pure awe.

Enzo watched her from a few feet away, his arms crossed but a fond smile playing on his lips. The sight of her spinning and laughing, free from the weight of the world, brought him back to that first day when they had met on the train, both of them nervous yet thrilled. Esmie's excitement had always been contagious, and it was no different now.

Danielle stood beside Enzo, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips as she observed her friend. "Same Esmie, just a different year," Danielle remarked softly, her eyes glinting with amusement.

"Yeah," Enzo agreed, his gaze never leaving Esmie as she finally stopped spinning and gazed up at the castle in wonder. "Still feels like that first day, doesn't it?"

Danielle nodded, though her gaze shifted for a moment, scanning the familiar grounds with a quieter appreciation. "It does, but everything's changed now. You can feel it in the air."

Their conversation was interrupted by Draco's unmistakable drawl from behind them. "If she squeals one more time, I swear I'll knock her out."

Enzo's easy expression hardened instantly as he turned to face Draco, eyes narrowing. "Touch her, and I'll kill you," he said, his voice dark and dangerous, not bothering to hide the seriousness of the threat.

Draco raised an eyebrow, clearly unfazed, but before he could respond, Danielle smoothly intervened, stepping between the two boys with a calm, measured tone. "Relax, Draco. We're all just happy to be back." Her voice was soft but firm, a gentle reminder that their petty squabbles didn't belong in this moment of reunion.

Draco huffed but relented, muttering something under his breath. Enzo didn't look away, though, his protective stance remaining until Danielle nudged him lightly with her elbow. "Come on, Enzo. Let's enjoy the moment, yeah?"

Enzo finally nodded, relaxing slightly as Danielle's presence eased the tension. Nearby, Josie had been watching the whole exchange with her arms crossed, shaking her head at the boys' theatrics. She sighed dramatically and walked over to join Esmie, who had wandered toward one of the freshly hung portraits lining the castle walls.

Esmie's eyes were fixed on the portrait of Severus Snape, his dark, brooding figure forever etched into the stone of the castle. For a moment, the joy from earlier seemed to drain away from her face, replaced with a quiet, contemplative sadness. She stood frozen, staring at the portrait as if it held some deep, personal meaning.

Enzo noticed the shift immediately, his protective instinct flaring again. He crossed the distance between them in a few strides, placing a gentle hand on her back. "Mie," he whispered, leaning in so only she could hear. "Are you okay?"

Esmie didn't answer right away. Her gaze remained on the portrait, her expression distant. When she finally spoke, her voice was a soft, fragile whisper. "If only they knew the truth."

Enzo furrowed his brow in confusion, about to ask her what she meant, but before he could, a familiar voice interrupted.

"I asked for his portrait to be placed here," Harry said, appearing behind them. His voice was calm but firm, and there was an odd mixture of pride and solemnity in his tone.

Esmie flinched slightly at the sound of his voice, turning to face him with a hard expression. "Why?" she demanded, her voice tinged with anger.

Harry didn't flinch. "Because he was a hero, Esmie. He deserves to be remembered for what he did."

"A hero?" Esmie's voice cracked as disbelief and anger collided. "He was no hero! I can't believe you—"

"Miss Grisky," Professor McGonagall's voice cut through the rising tension as she approached the group, her sharp eyes taking in the scene. Her voice was steady, yet there was a softness in it, a kind of understanding. "That's enough."

Esmie, feeling the weight of McGonagall's presence, exhaled shakily and composed herself, nodding in silent acknowledgment.

McGonagall looked at the group before her, her expression softening as her gaze swept over the familiar faces. "It's good to see you all," she said warmly, her voice carrying a note of fondness that hadn't been there during their earlier years.

"It's good to see you too, Professor," Esmie replied, though her voice was still thick with emotion. Enzo squeezed her hand gently, grounding her as they stood together.

McGonagall continued, her tone returning to its usual formal timbre. "Given the unique circumstances, and the fact that many of your classmates have chosen not to return, we've made adjustments for those of you continuing into your eighth year. There are only fourteen of you, so your classes will be held alongside the seventh years. Miss Grisky," she said, addressing Esmie, "I imagine you'll want to continue sharing a dorm with Mr. Berkshire and Mr. Riddle?"

Danielle glanced at Esmie, barely hiding her amusement as Esmie's cheeks flushed a bright red. The implication of McGonagall's words was clear: they knew Esmie had been sneaking into Enzo's dorm over the years. Enzo, too, couldn't help but stifle a chuckle, though his affection for Esmie was evident in the way he squeezed her hand.

"Uh—thank you, Professor," Esmie stammered, clearly embarrassed.

McGonagall smiled slightly, but her tone remained professional. "As for the rest of you," she continued, "the dorm assignments are as follows: Theo and Draco in one dorm. Blaise and Levi Fisher in another, and Ron and Harry in another. Pansy and Hermione, in another room, Danielle, Josie, and Delilah in the final room. Your dorms and common rooms are all located in the same section of the castle. Curfew is still in effect, but you are free to visit Hogsmeade as you please. House uniforms must still be worn in all classes. Any questions, come and see me. Now, the feast is about to begin, so please find your seats."

With that, McGonagall left them, her robes sweeping dramatically as she walked away. Esmie, still pink from embarrassment, quickly headed into the Great Hall. Enzo followed closely behind, his hand never leaving hers as they made their way to the Slytherin table.

"You okay, Angel?" Enzo asked, his voice gentle as he slid into the seat next to her. He could sense the storm of emotions running through her.

Esmie nodded, though her mind seemed elsewhere. Her eyes drifted to where Mattheo sat, chatting animatedly with a girl Esmie hadn't seen before. She furrowed her brow in curiosity. "Looks like Mattheo's found himself a new girl," she murmured.

Enzo glanced over and smiled knowingly. "Genevieve Hart. Rosie's little sister. She's in Elsie's year."

Esmie's eyebrow shot up. "Genevieve? I met her at Mattheo's trial. Wait, how do you know her?"

Enzo smirked. "I met her last year while you were away from school," he said, his tone casual, but the moment he said it, he noticed the way Esmie tensed, her face clouded with something he recognised all too well.

He quickly grinned, leaning in closer to her. "Hey, you don't have to be jealous of her, my love."

Esmie immediately shot him a glare, though there was a playful glint in her eyes. "I'm not jealous!" she protested, though the teasing smile on his face made her roll her eyes. "Seriously, I'm just curious about how Mattheo knows her."

"From what I've heard, they met at a Slytherin party last year," Enzo replied with a shrug.

Esmie gasped dramatically, her eyes widening in mock outrage. "You had parties while I was gone? Really?"

Enzo chuckled at her reaction. "That's what you're focusing on?"

Esmie shrugged. "Well, yeah! I missed out on the fun!"

"Trust me, school sucked while you were away," Enzo said more seriously, his tone softening. "The Carrows were awful to everyone. Those parties were just a way for us to cope."

Esmie's expression shifted, her teasing tone giving way to understanding. "I get that," she said quietly, squeezing his hand.

Just then, Mattheo appeared at their table with Genevieve by his side. Esmie, who had been chatting with Elsie and Josie, looked up and smiled warmly at the new arrivals.

"Hi, I'm Esmeralda, but everyone calls me Esmie. I think we met at Mattheo's trial a few months ago," Esmie greeted, her voice friendly and welcoming.

Genevieve returned the smile, her eyes lighting up with recognition. "Genevieve. It's lovely to see you again, Esmie," she replied, her tone just as warm. There was something calming about Genevieve's presence that put Esmie at ease, even in a room filled with such familiar faces.

With a playful grin, Genevieve gestured toward the tall, dark-haired boy standing beside her. He had sharp features, and there was a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. "And this is my friend, Levi Fisher."

Levi stepped forward, flashing a grin that showed just a hint of teasing. He tilted his head, acting as though he hadn't understood a word of the introductions. Then, in a deliberately thick, exaggerated accent, he said, "Sorry, no English." He gave a small, apologetic shrug as if he couldn't quite grasp the conversation, his eyes twinkling with humour.

Esmie blinked, momentarily thrown off. She opened her mouth to respond but paused when she caught the barely contained smile on Genevieve's face. Realising Levi was pulling a prank, Esmie's lips quirked up in amusement. "Right," she said, playing along with exaggerated politeness. "Well, it's lovely to meet you... I think?"

Genevieve chuckled under her breath, watching as Levi's grin widened, the faux confusion dropping from his face as he turned back to Esmie. "I'm just messing with you," Levi said smoothly, his accent disappearing as quickly as it had appeared. "I speak English just fine. It's nice to meet you, Esmie," he added, extending a hand toward her, his smile playful.

Esmie laughed and shook his hand, rolling her eyes. "You had me for a second there," she admitted, shaking her head. "You're trouble, aren't you?"

"You have no idea," Levi replied with a wink before stepping aside to let the others join the table.

Moments later, Danielle arrived, her usual confident demeanour slipping just a bit when she noticed Levi. He was still grinning, his dark eyes bright with amusement as he turned toward her.

"And you must be Danielle," Levi said, his voice shifting to a softer, more genuine tone as he took in her appearance. For a brief moment, there was no teasing, no joke — just a simple statement that held a trace of admiration in his voice.

Dani raised an eyebrow, slightly caught off guard by the way his gaze lingered on her. She extended her hand toward him, feeling an odd flutter in her chest that surprised her. "That's right," she responded coolly, though the hint of a smile played on her lips.

Levi took her hand, his grip firm but not overpowering, his smile softening. "Pleasure to meet you," he said, the playful edge returning to his voice, though there was something more in the way his eyes flickered over her.

Danielle found herself holding onto his gaze for just a second longer than usual. She wasn't the type to get flustered, but there was something undeniably magnetic about him. As she let go of his hand, she felt a tiny, unexpected flutter of attraction that left her momentarily unsure of herself.

"So," Danielle started, attempting to regain her usual composure, "you're friends with Genevieve?"

"Yeah, we've known each other for ages," Levi replied, still watching her with that same intensity. "She's the best, honestly."

Genevieve, clearly noticing the exchange, smirked and nudged Levi with her elbow. "Don't get too charming now," she teased lightly.

Dani, amused by the banter between the two, smirked as well, feeling the tension ease. "I think I can handle it," she remarked, her confidence creeping back into her voice, but as she sat down at the table, she couldn't help but glance at Levi once more, wondering if she'd just met someone who might stir up more than just a fleeting crush.

As the rest of the group joined the table — Theo, Elsie, Josie, Draco, Blaise, Ginny, Hermione, and Pansy — the familiar faces settled into conversation. The air around them filled with laughter and the warmth of long-standing friendships, yet, despite the bustle, Danielle found her attention wandering back to Levi. And every time she did, she found him glancing her way too, the playful spark in his eyes never far behind.

"Ron, Delilah, and Harry aren't joining us?" Esmie asked, her eyes scanning the Slytherin table where the trio usually sat. Her gaze lingered on Hermione, who seemed preoccupied as she absentmindedly pushed her food around on her plate.

Hermione shrugged, her brow furrowing. "They're sitting over at the Gryffindor table, I think." She glanced toward the opposite end of the Great Hall, where Ron, Harry, and Delilah were huddled together, deep in conversation.

Esmie bit her lip, her curiosity piqued. "Is everything okay between you and Ron?" she asked cautiously, picking up on the tension that had been building between them.

Hermione sighed, her shoulders slumping. "We broke up."

Esmie blinked in surprise. "You broke up? What happened?"

Hermione shrugged, her voice calm but with a touch of sadness. "We just realised we're better off as friends. It wasn't working the way we thought it would."

Esmie nodded slowly, digesting the news. She had always seen Ron and Hermione as an inseparable pair, but perhaps things weren't always what they seemed on the surface. "I didn't expect that," she admitted softly, glancing around the lively hall. The familiar sounds of students returning for the new term filled the air, a comforting constant despite the changes in their lives.

Elsie, sitting quietly beside her, chimed in to change the subject. "I wonder who's going to be the new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor."

"Whoever it is, I hope they can avoid the curse," Esmie teased, smirking as she leaned back in her seat.

Genevieve, who was sitting close to Mattheo, looked intrigued. "You really believe that job is cursed?"

Esmie nodded. "No one's lasted more than a year in that position. It's hard not to believe at this point."

Danielle, who had been silently listening, added thoughtfully, "But wouldn't the curse be lifted now that Voldemort's gone?" Her dark eyes drifted to Mattheo, who had been unusually quiet, his gaze distant.

Esmie turned to Mattheo as well, her tone softening. "What do you think, Matty?"

Mattheo, pulled from his thoughts, raised his head and met Esmie's eyes. His voice was quiet but firm. "He's gone. Dani and I, we're free." Though his words were simple, they carried a heavy weight, one that everyone at the table could feel.

Genevieve reached for his hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze, while Esmie watched the tender moment between them. Despite everything, their group had grown closer than ever, each of them finding solace in the bond they shared.

Levi, sensing the somber tone, leaned forward with a grin. "Alright, serious question," he began, his voice dripping with mischief. "Who here thinks Percy Weasley is going to last more than a month as the new professor?"

Esmie raised an eyebrow, suppressing a laugh. "Levi!"

Levi, ever the joker, leaned back with a wide grin. "I'm serious. Ten Galleons says he doesn't make it past October."

Enzo, sitting next to Esmie with his attention mostly on her, finally spoke up, his tone casual but amused. "You're really doubting him that much?"

Levi shrugged dramatically. "Percy's a Ministry man. I doubt he's ready to deal with this lot," he said, gesturing vaguely at the rowdy crowd in the Great Hall. "Besides, the position's cursed, remember?"

Danielle smirked. "I'll bet thirty Galleons he doesn't even last that long. I'd give him until Halloween."

Levi leaned forward again, locking eyes with Esmie. "Alright, Esmie, you in? How long do you think Percy's going to last?"

Esmie grinned. "I'll take your bet. Twenty Galleons says he makes it to Christmas."

Levi's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Christmas? Now that is optimism."

Enzo chuckled softly, leaning slightly closer to Esmie. "You're betting on Percy outlasting a curse? Brave move."

Esmie smirked, her eyes meeting Enzo's. "Someone has to believe in him."

Levi, not one to let the teasing go, grinned widely. "Alright, deal, but when Percy comes running out of the castle screaming, just remember I called it."

Levi, though new to the group, fit in as if he had always been part of it. His quick wit and easygoing nature made him an instant favourite, seamlessly blending with the dynamics of the group.

Hermione, who had been observing quietly, leaned in toward Esmie. "How's Harry been?" she asked, her voice barely audible over the lively chatter.

Esmie's smile faltered slightly as she glanced over at the Gryffindor table, where Harry sat, his eyes distant. "I haven't talked to him much since we've been back. Is he okay?"

Hermione hesitated. "He's better, but... he still won't talk about Maddison."

At the mention of Maddison, a heavy silence fell over the table. Josie, sitting beside Draco, lowered her head, blinking back tears. "I still can't believe she's gone," she whispered, her voice trembling.

Esmie's heart tightened at her friend's words. Maddison's death had shaken them all, but Josie had been hit hardest. She and Maddison had rekindled their friendship only recently, and the loss still felt raw, especially for Josie.

Draco, noticing Josie's distress, wrapped a comforting arm around her shoulders, pressing a soft kiss to her temple. It was a quiet, intimate gesture, but one that spoke volumes.

"What happened to Maddison?" Genevieve asked gently, her voice cutting through the silence.

Elsie responded softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Her parents were Death Eaters who defected. Voldemort killed them all."

At the mention of Voldemort's name, Mattheo visibly flinched, his body tensing. Esmie saw it immediately, and so did Genevieve, who squeezed his hand tighter, offering him silent support. The tension in Mattheo's shoulders eased slightly under her touch, but the shadow of his past remained heavy.

Levi, never one to let a somber mood linger, dramatically leaned back in his chair, his voice loud enough to break the quiet. "Alright, enough with the deep, emotional moments. We need a party! We've survived another year at Hogwarts, after all."

Esmie chuckled, her mood lifting. "A party?"

Levi grinned, ever the instigator. "Yes, I think a party could be lots of fun, and besides, I've got a reputation as the undefeated dance-off champion to uphold."

Danielle raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Undefeated? In your own mind, maybe."

Levi gasped in mock horror. "How dare you question my title?"

Enzo, who had been quietly watching Esmie, finally spoke up, his voice tinged with amusement. "I think someone's going to knock you off that throne soon, Levi."

Levi placed a hand on his heart in exaggerated shock. "Enzo! Not you too! Is there no loyalty left?"

The table erupted into laughter, the weight of their earlier conversation lifting as Levi's antics pulled them back into light-hearted banter. Even Mattheo seemed more at ease, his smirk returning as Levi continued to play the fool.

As Esmie looked around at her friends, laughter bubbling around them, she felt a sense of peace settle over her. Despite everything they had been through, despite the losses and the challenges ahead, they were still here, still together. And somehow, that was enough.

As the feast began and the chatter around the hall grew louder, Esmie glanced around the table at her friends—Enzo, Mattheo, Danielle, Josie, Draco, Hermione, Genevieve, Elsie, Levi and the others, and smiled before she shifted her focus to Enzo, who was beside her, absentmindedly playing with the ring he had given her before she'd left for Bill Weasley's wedding. The familiar feel of his fingers tracing the band was comforting, grounding her in the present moment.

"I'm really glad you're still wearing this," Enzo said softly, his voice filled with affection as he ran his thumb over the ring.

"Of course I am," Esmie replied, smiling up at him. "I love it. Why would I ever take it off?"

Enzo's eyes softened, his lips curving into a gentle smile as he lifted her hand to his lips, kissing the back of it. "I don't know. I guess I'm just lucky that you still want me around."

Esmie laughed softly, shaking her head. "You're all I need." Her words were sincere, and they hung in the air between them, adding a layer of quiet intimacy that made Enzo's heart swell.

As the conversation lulled, Esmie turned her attention to the front of the Great Hall, where the sorting ceremony had just begun. The nervous first years stood in line, their eyes wide with a mixture of awe and fear as they waited to be sorted into their houses. Watching them reminded Esmie of her own first year, and she smiled to herself, feeling a rush of nostalgia.

"Are you planning on tutoring the first years again this year?" Enzo asked, leaning closer to her as the Sorting Hat droned on.

"Of course, Sweets," Esmie nodded, her voice steady, but her mind wandered to Axel. The memory of him weighed heavy on her heart. He had died during the Battle of Hogwarts, and the ache of his absence lingered like a shadow she couldn't shake. Her gaze dropped to her hands, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the edge of her napkin. A flicker of sadness darkened her eyes as she thought of the life Axel would never get to live. It had been stolen from him, ripped away before he ever had the chance to fully embrace it.

Enzo, ever perceptive, noticed the change in her mood. He leaned over and kissed her cheek, his lips lingering for just a moment longer than usual. "You okay?" he asked softly, concern lacing his voice.

Esmie blushed slightly, nodding as she smiled at him. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just thinking about Axel."

Enzo didn't say anything, but he gave her hand a gentle squeeze, offering silent support. Across the table, Danielle watched the interaction, and though she didn't say anything, her eyes conveyed empathy.

The dinner carried on, and as the plates began to clear, Esmie and Enzo made their way back to their shared dorm room. Their hands were linked as they walked through the corridors, Esmie swinging their arms playfully as they chatted about their day.

"I still can't believe I get to share a dorm with you for the whole year," Enzo said, his voice filled with wonder as he wrapped his arms around her from behind, pulling her into a warm hug. Esmie giggled, leaning into his embrace as he kissed the side of her head.

"I think I'm the lucky one," she teased, glancing up at him with a playful smile. "Hey, is Mattheo still with Genevieve?"

"Uh, yeah, I think so. Why?" Enzo asked, narrowing his eyes suspiciously as he watched Esmie's mischievous expression.

Esmie grinned, that unmistakable sparkle of mischief dancing in her eyes. "Oh, no reason..."

Enzo raised an eyebrow, folding his arms as he watched her walk over to her suitcase and start rummaging through it. "That smile makes me nervous. What are you planning, Mie?"

Esmie continued digging through her things until she pulled out a small container with a triumphant grin. She held it up, showing it to Enzo, who immediately burst into laughter.

"Glitter?" he asked, incredulous. "What exactly are you planning to do with that?"

Esmie's grin widened as she started setting up a contraption near Mattheo's bed, carefully placing the glitter in position. "You'll see."

Once she had everything in place, she climbed onto her bed, acting as if nothing had happened. She opened her book, her expression innocent, though the glint in her eyes gave her away. Enzo joined her on the bed, wrapping an arm around her waist and kissing her cheek.

"You do realise Mattheo is going to be furious when he finds out, right?" Enzo asked, amusement dancing in his voice.

Esmie scrunched up her nose and nodded, her smile never faltering. "Totally worth it."

As the two of them lay together, Enzo played with her hair, running his fingers through the soft strands as Esmie pretended to read. Their peaceful moment was interrupted by the creak of the door opening. Mattheo walked into the room, looking tired but otherwise unaware of the trap Esmie had laid for him.

"Hi, Matty," Esmie called out sweetly, her eyes barely lifting from her book.

Mattheo glanced at her, suspicion flickering in his eyes. "Hi, Emmy," he said warily, as if sensing something was off. He walked over to his bed, and the moment he sat down, glitter rained down from above, covering him in a sparkling cloud.

Mattheo froze, his eyes narrowing as he slowly turned to look at Esmie, who was struggling to hold back her laughter. "Oh, you're so going down for that, Grisky."

Esmie squealed with delight, jumping off the bed and darting out of the room before Mattheo could get his hands on her. "Catch me if you can, Riddle!" she called over her shoulder as she sprinted down the hallway.

Mattheo, still covered in glitter, bolted after her. "Get back here, Grisky!" he shouted, his voice filled with mock fury as he gave chase.

Danielle, who had been watching from her doorway, smirked and shook her head. "You're never going to catch her, Matt," she called after him, her voice filled with amusement.

Enzo chuckled as he watched his two friends tear down the hallway like children. He followed at a more leisurely pace, his long strides carrying him toward the nearby broom cupboard. Slipping inside, he waited patiently, knowing Esmie would come running by any second. Sure enough, moments later, Esmie sprinted past, her laughter echoing in the corridor. With quick reflexes, Enzo grabbed her, pulling her into the cupboard and covering her mouth to muffle her surprised squeal.

"Promise to be good and not make a sound if I remove my hand?" Enzo whispered, his body pressed against hers in the small, confined space. His voice was teasing, but his closeness sent a thrill through Esmie.

Esmie nodded, her wide eyes filled with excitement as she gulped. When Enzo finally removed his hand, she turned to face him, her breathing shallow. "Why'd you pull me into the cupboard?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Enzo smirked, his fingers brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "Because, Esmeralda, we needed to find somewhere to hide from Mattheo."

Esmie opened her mouth to respond, but before she could say anything, Enzo kissed her, his lips claiming hers in a rough, passionate kiss that left her breathless. His hands slid down to her waist, pulling her closer as he deepened the kiss, their bodies pressed tightly together in the narrow space.

Suddenly, the door to the broom cupboard swung open, and Mattheo stood there, covered in glitter and glaring at them. "Seriously?" he groaned, scrunching his nose in disgust. "In the cupboard?"

"Hi, Matty," Esmie said with a grin, her cheeks flushed as she tried to suppress her laughter.

"Don't 'hi Matty' me," Mattheo snapped, his glare softening slightly. "I'm covered in glitter because of you!"

"I'll clean it up, I promise," Esmie replied, trying her best to look apologetic.

"You better," Mattheo muttered, though his lips twitched in what looked like the beginnings of a smile. "I'm so getting you back for this, Grisky."

As Mattheo walked away, Enzo and Esmie stepped out of the cupboard, still laughing. Enzo placed his hands on Esmie's cheeks, kissing her forehead softly. "Come on, Mie, let's go clean up before Mattheo decides to murder you in your sleep."

Esmie grinned and followed him back to the dorm, but as they passed the spot where Snape's old office had once stood, she paused. Letting go of Enzo's hand, she stepped inside the room, her eyes scanning the empty space where so many memories lingered.

"Mie, are you alright?" Enzo asked gently, stepping in after her. He could see the sadness in her eyes, the unspoken pain that still haunted her.

Esmie turned to him, tears welling up in her eyes. "I wish Harry hadn't convinced them to put that painting of Snape up. I know he means well, but it just... it feels wrong."

"Do you want me to talk to him? Maybe ask him to take it down?" Enzo offered, his voice soft.

Esmie shook her head, leaning into his chest as he wrapped his arms around her. "No. I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings. It's just... hard to see him like that. After everything."

"It doesn't make you a bad person to feel that way," Enzo whispered, kissing the top of her head. "Come on, let's head back."

They walked back to the dorm, where they found Mattheo still trying to clean the last bits of glitter from his bed. Esmie sighed, grabbing her wand and helping him clean up the mess she had made.

"It'll do for tonight," Mattheo said, eyeing his bed with resignation.

Esmie grinned, shrugging. "I would say I'm sorry, but..."

"You're not," Mattheo finished, smirking. "I know."

Enzo chuckled from his bed, shaking his head. "It's going to be a long year, isn't it?"

Mattheo and Esmie exchanged a mischievous look before nodding in unison. Enzo groaned dramatically, realising he was stuck sharing a dorm with the two troublemakers for the rest of the year.

Danielle, who had been quietly observing the entire exchange, smiled to herself. "You're all doomed," she said, her voice filled with amusement.

Enzo shot her a playful glare. "Thanks for the vote of confidence, Dani."

Danielle smirked, leaning back on her bed as she watched the group settle in for the night. Despite the chaos, there was an undeniable warmth in the air—an unspoken understanding that, no matter what, they would face this year together.

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Realistically, they wouldn't have been allowed to share a dorm room but for the sake of this story they are.

Enjoy! Xo

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