Boarding the train had become a hallmark event for any Hogwarts student, and Genevieve Evans was no exception. She and Lily boarded ten minutes before anyone else, since being early was basically on time, and if you were on time then you were running late. That's what their father had always taught them, anyway. Being punctual was a dying art, and she refused to be another casualty.

"I'll see you there, then," Lily said as they found their grounding at the entrance. Genevieve could feel the rumbling of the train below her feet, even as it waited idly. They'd made it a habit of Lily going off to find her Gryffindor friends, while Genevieve pretended to find the other Ravenclaws. The truth was, she often ended up sitting alone, but that was okay. She'd gotten used to the loneliness.

"Wait, let me see," Genevieve replied as she stood in front of her sister. Lily rolled her eyes, but smiled as Genevieve reached for her hair, playing with her part and adjusting her robes for her. "Beautiful. Go find your friends, and we'll catch up after the feast tonight."

Lily gave Genevieve a quick hug before bounding off to find her friends, leaving Genevieve standing alone in the corridor. She watched her sister disappear into the throng of students, feeling a mixture of pride and longing. It was always bittersweet to see Lily so excited and surrounded by friends, while she herself often felt like an outsider.

She never said anything about it, though. She didn't want to make Lily feel bad when it wasn't her fault. Besides, she wanted the best for her sister, and if that meant suffering in silence - then so be it.

With a sigh, Genevieve made her way down the corridor, peeking into compartments as she passed. Most were already filled with groups of chattering students, their laughter and animated conversations a stark contrast to the solitude she felt. She glanced up in time to see a figure in the distance, Orion Simmons.

Orion was dressed in a sharp suit and tie that made him stand out among the average attire everyone else wore. He seemed to be content showing off the fact he was Head Boy, while Genevieve had nearly forgotten she was Head Girl. It was something she had to remind herself of, since she felt like she didn't really deserve it. He was quite pleased with himself.

He was followed by his own sister, Ophelia, his twin. They had the same fine features, though her hair was more of a brown shade, like a chestnut, while his was coal black. They seemed to be arguing about something by the time Orion's gaze happened to meet hers in return, and Genevieve quickly looked away, somewhat embarrassed for staring.

Orion and Ophelia were well-known in their year, and their sibling dynamic often drew attention. They were certainly popular, though it wasn't always in a good way. Orion was known for his arrogance and hot-headed nature, while Ophelia was generally sweet but a little unstable.

Last year, Ophelia had attempted to take her own life at the school. It was a shock to all of them because that sort of thing just didn't happen, until it did. She remembered it had been right around the start of the year, and of course, it had become It the biggest piece of gossip in the school.

Her attempted suicide was a dark cloud that had hung over their year, affecting everyone, but none more than Orion. He had become even more guarded and quick-tempered, a sharp contrast to his usual self-assured demeanor.

She stopped as the twins came with in a few feet of her while passing. They both made a brief eye contact with her without saying much.

"Oh, um... Ophelia," Genevieve said gently. She wasn't sure why she was even bothering to make conversation, it wasn't like either of them actually wanted anything to do with her. "I hope you're doing okay. Better, at least."

Ophelia seemed to be a bit surprised, her expression shifting to a slight annoyance. She acted like she didn't even know who she was, and while they'd never really been friends, it still wasn't the reaction she was expecting.

"Oh. Yeah, I'm fine," Ophelia replied, shifting nervously as she glanced between her and Orion. "Thank you."

Genevieve felt a pang of awkwardness as she noticed Ophelia's discomfort. She forced a smile and nodded. "I'm glad to hear that. If you ever need anything, just let me know."

Orion's expression softened slightly, and he gave Genevieve a brief nod of acknowledgment. "Thanks, Genevieve. We appreciate it."

Feeling the conversation coming to an uncomfortable halt, Genevieve decided to make a quick exit. "Well, I'll see you both at the feast then," she said, trying to sound upbeat.

As she walked away, she couldn't shake the feeling of unease. She had only wanted to offer some support, but it seemed her gesture hadn't been entirely welcome. It was understandable, given the difficult year Ophelia had endured, but it still left Genevieve feeling unsettled.

Genevieve hurried to the bathroom, where she closed the door behind her. She didn't really need to use it, but she couldn't shake the feeling off needing an escape already. She sat down on the toilet, holding her hands in her face as she let out a trembling exhale.

She hated it. She hated everything.

But she had to be here, and she had to be her best or she was a failure. Sometimes she wished she could do what Ophelia had tried to do, but those were thoughts she couldn't feed into.

Lily needed her to be strong, even if Genevieve often thought she would be okay without her.

Genevieve knew she had to keep it together. Only a few more months of this and she would be free for the rest of her life, then she could move away to a place no one knew who she was. She could finally life in solitude the way she had always craved. She took a few deep breaths, trying to calm the storm of emotions swirling inside her. She had always been the strong one, the one who kept it together, but sometimes the pressure felt overwhelming. The weight of expectations, both from others and herself, often felt too heavy to bear.

She stood up and looked at herself in the mirror. Her reflection stared back at her, eyes filled with a mix of determination and weariness. She splashed some cold water on her face, hoping it would help clear her mind. "You can do this," she whispered to herself. "Just one more year."

With a final deep breath, she straightened her robes and left the bathroom.

She found a compartment near the end of the train. She knew this was starting to venture into Slytherin territory, but she didn't really care. They didn't scare her much. Well, some of them did, but for the most part she tended to ignore their existence, just as they did with her. The whole group of them were generally very self-absorbed.

She opened the door to see that there was one occupant - a boy that didn't take much effort to recognize. Severus Snape. He was a loner a lot like she was.

He turned to look toward her only momentarily, his eyes tearing away from the book in his lap. He was two years younger than her, in Lily's year, though he had matured significantly over the summer. He huffed with annoyance at the fact that someone else had disturbed his peace, but she said nothing to him as she sat down on the other end.

They seemed to be in agreement that they could ride in silence.

Genevieve settled into her seat, the compartment now filled with a heavy silence. She glanced out the window, watching the scenery blur by as the train gained speed. The quiet was a welcome respite from the noise and chaos of the rest of the train.

Severus, who had resumed his reading, seemed content to ignore her presence. She couldn't help but steal a few glances at him. There was something intriguing about him, a quiet intensity that made him stand out among the other students. Despite his often cold demeanor, she sensed a depth to him that others might not see.

After a while, the silence grew more comfortable, almost companionable. Genevieve found herself relaxing, the earlier tension from the encounter with Orion and Ophelia slowly ebbing away. She pulled out a book of her own and began to read, grateful for the peace and the unspoken understanding between them.

However, their peaceful ride was once again interrupted when the door slid open. Genevieve looked up in time to meet the eyes of Narcissa Black, a pureblood Slytherin girl who was also in Lily's year. Basically everyone she knew was because of her sister.

Narcissa's posture was perfect along with the rest of her, her blonde hair in waves around her face like a crown of gold. Her green eyes were soft but caunning, and at her side, Lucius Malfoy, who looked just as proper, seemed reluctant to be there. Everyone knew that they were basically bound together since first year due to some pureblood contract, but the last two years they'd been at each others sides constantly. It almost made Genevieve jealous, only because she wished she had someone like that - someone who cared about her in some way.

"Oh, I didn't realize this one was taken," Narcissa said with a tone that was level but calculated. Narcissa had a reputation for being manipulative, so Genevieve always kept that in her mind whenever she was around, but that didn't keep her from being polite. She thought that everyone in all houses deserved common courtesy, at least until given a reason otherwise. She didn't have friends, but at least she didn't have enemies anywhere.

"Let's go," Lucius muttered, his arm secure around hers.

"Let's not be rude, my dear. We can join the others," she quipped. "It's good for us to socialize occasionally."

Genevieve braced herself as Narcissa and Lucius stepped into the compartment. The air seemed to thicken with tension, and she couldn't help but feel a pang of discomfort. Narcissa's presence was always commanding, and the way she carried herself exuded an effortless grace that Genevieve couldn't help but envy.

Severus didn't look up from his book, but Genevieve noticed the slight stiffening of his shoulders. He clearly wasn't thrilled about the intrusion, either.

Narcissa took a seat gracefully, her eyes sweeping over the compartment before settling on Genevieve. "It's quite a surprise to see you here, Genevieve. I thought you usually sat with the other Ravenclaws."

Genevieve forced a polite smile. "I decided to try something different this time. Besides, it's nice to have some quiet before the chaos of the school year begins."

Narcissa's lips curved into a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Of course. Quiet can be quite... refreshing."

"What would you know about quiet? With your constant yapping-" Lucius remarked, his lips twitching into a faint smile.

Narcissa shot Lucius a sharp look, her smile faltering for just a moment. "Sometimes, Lucius, even your humor can be quite... trying."

Lucius shrugged nonchalantly, clearly unfazed by her reprimand. "Just keeping things lively, darling."

Genevieve felt the tension between them and decided to change the subject. "So, Narcissa, how was your summer?"

Narcissa's expression softened slightly as she shifted her attention back to Genevieve. "It was pleasant enough. We spent some time at our estate in France. The weather was delightful."

"Sounds lovely," Genevieve replied, genuinely interested. "I've always wanted to visit France."

"You should," Narcissa said, a hint of warmth in her tone. "It's a beautiful country. The culture, the food... it's quite an experience. Maybe I could show you next summer, we do love having guests."

Lucius snorted, but said nothing. He seemed to know better.

Genevieve was taken aback by Narcissa's offer. "That sounds amazing. I might take you up on that."

Narcissa's smile softened, becoming more genuine. "I hope you do. It's always nice to have good company."

Lucius, clearly losing interest in the conversation, glanced at his watch. "Well, we should get going. Still need to check in with a few people before we arrive."

Narcissa nodded in agreement and gave Genevieve a polite nod. "Enjoy the rest of your trip, Genevieve."

"You too," Genevieve replied, watching as the pair left the compartment. She felt a strange mix of emotions—relief at their departure, yet a slight sense of loneliness creeping in again. They weren't exactly the kind of people she would want as friends, but even some company was enough to feel the void.

Severus, who had remained silent throughout the exchange, finally spoke up. "You handled them well. I wouldn't take her up on that offer, though. It's probably her way of getting you alone so she can murder you."

Genevieve laughed, the tension easing from her shoulders. "You might be right about that. But who knows, maybe a trip to France wouldn't be so bad."

Severus smirked, his dark eyes glinting with amusement. "Only if you enjoy constant surveillance and subtle insults."

She shook her head, still smiling. "I'll keep that in mind. Thanks for the warning."

They settled into a more comfortable silence as the train continued its journey. Genevieve found herself occasionally glancing at Severus, intrigued by his mysterious nature. He wasn't the type to engage in idle chatter, but his presence was oddly comforting.

Once again, her mind drifted back to a few minutes ago. She thought about how close Narcissa and Lucius were, and there was only one person that she could imagine herself being with in that way. Fucking Orion Simmons. She couldn't get him out of her mind, it was giving her a headache.

Maybe Lily was right. Maybe she was wasting time - maybe she needed to make some kind of move eventually, or she was going to miss her shot all together. Their last year was going to slip by fast, she had to at least try if she ever had any chance of getting to know him. The other part of her was nervous. She was constantly torn between yearning for love, while the other part of her feared what would happen if she let anyone get close.

"I have to go check in on someone," Genevieve said suddenly, breaking the silence that had once again fallen over them. "I'll see you later, Severus."

Severus only shrugged, but that was about as much acknowledgement she was going to get from him.

Genevieve made her way through the narrow corridors of the train, her thoughts still on Orion Simmons. The more she thought about him, the more it became clear that she needed to do something about it, or she'd regret it forever. With their last year slipping away quickly, there wasn't much time left.

She reached the Ravenclaw compartment, her heart pounding. There he was, sitting with a few friends, his easy laughter filling the small space. Summoning her courage, she knocked on the door frame, catching his attention.

"Hey, I was just wondering if... I could join you guys," she said awkwardly. She didn't want to pull him aside individually, but even talking to him in a group would be better than nothing. She didn't know why it was so difficult for her to speak to him. They were in the same class, the same status as Heads of House, but it felt like they were worlds apart.

She didn't often hang out in groups. She could see the confused glances from the other members.

He looked up, surprise flickering across his face before he smiled warmly. "Of course, Genevieve. Come on in," he said, gesturing to the empty seat next to him.

She slid into the seat, feeling the curious gazes of his friends on her. It wasn't often that she ventured out of her usual solitary routine. Orion's presence, however, was enough to make her push past her comfort zone.

"Oh, Genevieve. I meant to inform you that we have a dinner party this Friday," Orion told her, his voice measured and his posture perfect as he sat in the seat across from her. "All of the Heads of Houses are going to be there. It's some sort of exclusive awards thing."

Genevieve raised an eyebrow, surprised. How come he was always the first to know about these things? "A dinner party? Already? We've haven't even had time to get into the swing of things."

Though really, she had a feeling this year was going to be no different than the last six. She just had a fancy title and a new status, but it was the same school and the same people. Hogwarts really wasn't that hard to understand, even with all of its quirks.

Orion gave a small, knowing smile. "I know, but I suppose it's tradition. They want to honor the new Heads and Prefects, I guess. A bit of a welcome and an acknowledgment of our responsibilities."

Genevieve sighed, a soft breath of air brushing against her lip. She hated events like this. It meant yet another event where she would have to be perfectly poised and composed, when in reality she felt so awkward and out of place. She usually had to mentally prepare herself ahead of time to appear presentable, so she was glad he was telling her now.

"Great," she said with a roll of her eyes. "Any idea what the dress code is?"

"Formal," Orion replied, his eyes scanning her face. "Even so, I'm sure you'll find a way to make it... pleasant."

Genevieve couldn't help but chuckle at his attempt to be encouraging. "Thanks, I'll do my best," she said, feeling a mix of dread and excitement about the upcoming dinner.

"Don't worry too much about it," Orion continued, leaning in slightly. "It's just another event. Plus, it'll be a good opportunity for us to discuss some of our plans for the year."

"Plans?" Genevieve said as she crossed her arms. "My only plan is to survive this year. I only accepted the Head of House position to add it to my resume."

Orion laughed, a genuine sound that made Genevieve relax a little. It was rare to hear him like that, it was a sound she liked, though it didn't happen very often. He seemed amused as he added, "well, I think a lot of us feel that way. But hey, if we're going to do this, we might as well make the most of it, right?"

Genevieve shrugged, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Maybe. I have enough on my mind, and I just don't want to get overwhelmed."

Orion nodded thoughtfully, "I understand. But we've got this - and besides, when you start feeling down just remember, it only gets worse."

Genevieve couldn't help but laugh at his dark humor. "Wow, thanks for that uplifting thought," she said, shaking her head. "But seriously, I appreciate it. It helps knowing I'm not alone in this."

Orion smiled slightly. "Anytime. If you ever need to talk, you know where to find me."