"Oi! First years! Yer not supposed to be here! " A rough voice came, followed by its owner, a man who had shaggy hair flopped on either side of his head and an unpleasant expression, his limp evident as he tried to run towards them. He looked thrilled to have caught someone breaking the rules.

" We -we got lost and -" Daphne tried but got cut off.

" I don't care, come along, we're going to your house professor, " He squinted his eyes to read off their robes, " Ahh, Slytherin? Let's see what Professor Snape has to say of you shall we? " He said, pushing the two girls ahead.

" First day and we're in trouble. Well, yay." Ila drowsed and Daphne nodded, huddling close to her.

As they reached the dungeons, Filch, as they learnt knocked Professor Snape's door.

" Who is it?" Came a bored drawl from the inside, then shuffling of clothes and whipping away the glass.

A tall man opened the door, pale as the moon itself. He had a constant sneer on his face, like Ila's mother had said.

'If you make these faces your face will stay like this forever bacha '. She'd warn him when she whined or cried as a child.

" Oh? Ms Black? Ms Greengrass? Filch. " He deadpanned, staring at the man next to them.

" I found them on the third floor corridor." Filch said eagerly and Snape's eyes snapped to the girls.

" You did hear Professor Dumbledore's warning didn't you, how can you disobey a rule on the first day? " Snape said, his voice gave no indication of anger, rather boredom and disinterest.

" We, we got lost professor, we have transfiguration class and -"

" Filch, your job is not to catch first years when they lose their paths but guide them. " Snape cut in, staring at the man who cowered slightly, " You may go girls. And if I remember correctly, Adrian did ask you all to meet him at 7 am this morning so you wouldn't get lost. I see you disobeyed him too. "

" Well, that's my fault professor, I was late and -" Ila went silent under Snape's long drawn glare.

" Regardless Ms Black. Your tardiness is not my issue. I shall not be so forgiving next time onwards. " He said, slamming the classroom door shut in their faces.

" Come along you buggers. " Filch said moodily, as if he was expecting more and was disappointed.

" Well, that was a close save. " Ila mumbled and Daphne agreed, " Yes. We need to inspect this place well. So that we don't get lost again. Exploring after lunch? We have an hour. "

As they finally reached the transfiguration classroom, they heard another sound.

" Oh we're going to be so late! " The two boys panted as Harry and Ron dashed their way to the door.

" You got late too? " Harry asked Ila awkwardly while Ron stood away.

" Yes, we got lost. " She answered.

" We did too! " Ron answered, then blushed, " I mean, we got lost as well. Let's go? " He said, walking in.

" Hope she doesn't see us. " Ron mumbled and then saw a cat on the desk.
"This is ridiculous. She's not coming. The cat's got more sense than to wait around like this."

Ila cringed as she and Daphne sat back, in front of Theo Nott.

" What's done so far? " She turned around to ask the silent boy, who simply held up his parchment.

The next moment, Ila could hear Professor McGonagall scolding the two boys for lateness and their attitude towards a professor.

" Ahh Ms Black, Ms Greengrass, mind telling us why you are late? Sitting in the back of the class doesn't mean I don't see you. "

" Well I -" Daphne sighed, " Professor we got lost, then Filch found us where we weren't supposed to be, took us to Professor Snape who told us to be more mindful of time and then we were escorted here. " She answered in a resigned tone, having said the same to everyone she met.

McGonagall's eyes softened, before she stared at them with her usual sternness, " And I advise you the same Ms Greengrass, Ms Black. Time is of the essence, which is why you both have an extra job today after class. " She said, as she supervised the work of the others.

As they sat back down, keeping their heads low, Ila imagined the first letter she'd be sending her mother.

But the time passed by quick. While Ila and Daphne did try and sneak out with the crowd, they heard McGonagall call on them, " Wait girls. I have a task for you. "

They walked towards the teacher's desk, head bown low.

" I want you both to come to my office today evening, I have some essays I want to collect and mark for the holiday homework and I need someone to do the sorting and totalling. "

" Is this detention professor? Because we swear we'll be on time -" Daphne pleaded.

" It's not. I simply need your help -"

" Professor, forgive me for this, but I saw that you simply chastised the two boys and we're the ones doing work when we came in at the same time, rather Ronald in fact insulted you blatantly. Why are we being punished? Is this not playing favourites with houses? " Ila said, clenching her hands tight, her fingers were white from fisting the robes.

McGonagall stared at the girl, then smiled.  " You are just like your uncle. Bold." She said, " You two may go. I simply wanted to test something. " She said.

As the girls walked out, they heard, " Oh and Ila, do meet me at the office later. We need to discuss your father. I believe, it's a, " She sighed, taking off her spectacles, " It's a sensitive topic. " She finished the conversation there, sending them both out.

" Who is it? Why are they being so secretive. Just tell me who my dad is! " Ila huffed while Daphne stood by, pursing her lips.

Which is when it dawned on Ila, " You know, don't you? " She stared at the girl,
" You know who my father is. Who is it? Tell me! " Ila yelled, startling her peers.

" I -" " Daphne! " She was cut off my Millicent calling her over, " Do you want to be late to potions too? Come along! "

" This doesn't end here. You will tell me. " Ila said, walking away as Daphne stood close by.

" Oh how do I tell you Ila... I don't actually know who it is... I just know who brought you to my home. " She sniffed, wiping tears away.

⏟

As Ila entered the potions classroom, she located Hermione, shuffling over to her.

" Hi, " She said, Hermione smiled at her for a moment, then went back to staring at her book.

" So.. You're not talking to me too? " Ila asked, dejected as she made to stand up.

" What, no. " Hermione said, though she didn't look surprised, " I don't really care you're in Slytherin Ila. We're friends. That's all that matters. " Then she sighed, " And one of the only people who'll speak to me. " She mumbled.

But before Ila could discern what her friend meant by it, Snape walked in, his cloak swishing at his back.

" There will be no foolish wand waving or silly incantations in this class," he began in his silky, menacing tone, his dark eyes scanning the room. "As such, I don't expect many of you to appreciate the subtle science and exact art that is potion-making. " He drawled.

But Ila couldn't pay attention to what he said, her mind was still running rampant with McGonagall's foreboding words and Daphne's lies. She couldn't make sense of why so many people were lying to her. Hiding from her.

" Ms Black? " Snape called and Ila looked up startled.

" Y-yes Professor? " She answered, then realised her throat was dry, ahe wet her lips, " I am ready. " She said, hoping that it was appropriate for what he was about to shoot.

" Ms Black, what would you get if you cut off two billywing feathers instead of one in a forgetfulness potion? " He asked.

Hermione's hand shot up next to her.

" Professor, " She said carefully, " I am not aware, but, " She chewed on her bottom lip, " I am eager to learn it in the lesson. "

Her words had silent gasps in the room, while Hermione's hand went down, though she felt a bit disappointed at not being able to answer.

" Flattery will get you nowhere Ms Black. As far as your history goes, " He shook his head, " Neither of you are capable of knowledge. I suppose, Mr Nott! " He called as the lanky boy looked up.

" I want you to supervise her work. Make sure she... " He trailed off, while the class laughed softly, trying to avoid Snape's ire.

Ila was about to retort when she felt a cool hand on her own, she looked up to see Theodore, who held a finger to his lips.

" If you say anything else he'll cut off house points. So be quiet. Not everything needs to be retaliated with. " He groused, shifting his stool to their table.

This was going to be harder than she thought.

⏟

Okay peeps... Soo now. We know Daphne does know something.

But what?

And so does Snape apparently. But who is right? Who's wrong?

Anyways, tell me how it was and please do vote if you liked it.

Much love ♥