«Why none of you girls woke me up?!» you cried, rushing through the Great Hall when most of the people already joined their classes.

Perona, Ginrummy and Mikita were leaving indeed.

The pinkette huffed in her uniform.

«I tried! You almost punched me in the face, so I left you be.»

You groaned, jumping by the Slytherin table to grab something for your breakfast before running to your first class.

«Coffee! Coffee! Why is it all cold already??»

«Because you're late, that's why.» Ginrummy observed while you gave up and mixed some cold coffee with milk.

You gulped it down as fast as you could, and your eyes landed on the Goblet of Fire, standing on the pedestal in front of the teachers' table.

«Oh, yeah.» Mikita smiled, following your gaze «You missed the three Gryffindor's brats racing to it, this morning.»

The cup was abandoned on the messy table, and your group left the hall for your first lesson.

«You mean Ace, Sabo and Luffy, right?»

Mikita nodded.

«Has someone else put their name inside?»

Perona shrugged.

«Not that we have seen. But I'm positive a lot of Gryffindors will by the end of the day. You know how reckless they are.»

Ginrummy glared at you.

«You're not thinking about putting your name in, are you?»

«Absolutely not! So, what is our first class? I think I left my timetable in the dorm.»

The three girls rolled their eyes.

«Of course you did!»

The blond consulted her paper, speeding up on the stairs.

«We have Defence Against the Dark Arts... ugh, with Gryffindor.»

You slapped a hand on your forehead.

«Oh no... not Professor Akagami first thing on Monday morning!»

«Welcome back, squirts!» Akagami Shanks grinned when you stepped in the class «Yeah, you too little troublemaker and crew. Late on the first day, uh?»

You lowered your blushing face while your friends glared at you, but Shanks just chuckled.

«It's okay, take a seat girls. I was about to start.»

As always, all Slytherin students were on the left and all Gryffindor on the right. Now, it should be mentioned that the desks of the class could host three people each, and your friends were pretty fast in occupying the last one, leaving you standing alone, because obviously all the Slytherin ones were taken.

You glared at Perona, who sneered at you.

«What's the problem, Y/n? You can sit there.» the professor casually pointed to one spare place on the Gryffindor side.

Once again, all the eyes in the class were on you. You searched for a free spot among your mates, but there was none. For a second, your gaze crossed Killer's, who shrugged.

«Fine.» you grumbled through your teeth, dropping your bag next to Bartolomeo.

The green-haired guy in Gryffindor colours withdrew a little when you sat next to him.

I'm not happy about this either, ya know. Behind enemy lines.

«Hey, Y/n!»

Ace called from behind you, leaning onto his desk to reach your ear.

«Have you already put your name in the Goblet?»

Jeez, why is everyone so obsessed with it?

«No, and I'm not going to.» you hissed.

«Whaddaya mean you're not? C'mon, it's always more fun when you're involved!»

«You're talking like you've already been chosen.» Sabo commented, next to him.

Ace grinned.

«I'm going to be Gryffindor champion!»

«I don't think so.»

«Gryffindor and Slytherin, minus five points each.» Shanks lazily stated.

«What?!» you scoffed «I didn't do anything!»

«Yeah, like every time.»

You hated when your incredible misfortune was used against you.

«But it's true! Plus, there's two of them, why is the amount of points the same?!»

Shanks smiled.

«Because I'm the head professor of Gryffindor, so I obviously want them to win the House cup.»

Your jaw dropped.

«Well, you've got a damn courage to state it in front of us!» Kid barked, banging his fist on the desk.

The teacher frowned at him.

«Got problems, Eustass?»

«I do, professor.»

Wow, redheads really don't get along in this school.

«Minus five points for Slytherin.»

Most of the Gryffindors were now snickering.

Kid tensed up, but Killer grabbed his uniform, trying to restrain him.

«Just how can you do that-dabe?» Bartolomeo whispered, catching your attention.

«Do what?»

«Well, you started this.»

«I totally didn't!»

Shanks cleared his voice, regaining the silence in the room.

«Okay kids, enough messing around. Like I was saying before being interrupted,» (you rolled your eyes) «this year we have to focus on developing your Patronus.»

A wave of excitement spread through the students.

«I know the Ministry of Magic thinks it's not necessary anymore, since we're living a period of peace. But a Patronus is not only meant to protect you from Dementors. It can be used to deliver messages or guide people when they're away from you.»

Shanks jumped off his desk and grabbed his wand.

«Expecto Patronum!»

A silver deer sprang from the tip of his wand, galloping across the class. Some girls gasped in awe.

The glowing animal proceeded to the bottom of the room, hovering his horned head above Roronoa Zoro, who was quietly snoring on his desk.

«WAKE UP YOU GREENHEAD!» it suddenly shouted. Zoro jumped in the air and fell down his seat. A burst of laughter exploded all around, and the deer disappeared.

«As I was saying, important messages.» Shanks grinned «Anyway, this is a very powerful charm, not easy to master. It will take time and effort to learn. First, I want you to find a memory. It has to be a very happy memory, the best you got. Focus on that image and the feeling it bears.»

You prodded your lips out, thinking.

My best memory?

«I will give you ten minutes. Find something powerful! You can write it down if you want, sometimes it helps.»

Most of the students started to scribble something on their sheets.

You observed Slytherin side. As you imagined, some of your mates were having a hard time with that apparently simple task.

The three Vinsmoke brothers stared blankly at their papers, while Kid was grimacing at his. Killer and Heat seemed to be out of ideas as well.

«You should worry about yourself-dabe.» Bartolomeo snorted beside you.

You twisted your nose at his comment and glanced at his blank sheet.

«Same goes for you, Gryffindor.»

«I have plenty of good memories-dabe!» he smiled, tipping the quill on his temple «I just have to recall the best Quidditch moments of Luffy the Great.»

You blinked at his stupid point.

Quidditch? Of course!

«Bartolomeo, you're a genius!» you whispered back.

He looked confused at your change of demeanour.

«I am?»

«Sure! I'd kiss you, but Professor Shanks is looking this way.»

You were so focused on the new inspiration you didn't notice the red dust that covered his cheeks.

So, Quidditch. The first time you caught the golden snitch for Slytherin team during a match, securing the win for your House.

You were covered in mud, half beat and exhausted, but you threw your fist in the air, tightening the grip on the snitch as Usopp announced your victory against Ravenclaw.

Kid and Killer were the first ones to join you in the middle of the field. Before you could realize it, the redhead had lifted you on his shoulders. All the Slytherins on the bleachers were going crazy screaming your name.

Soon, the Vinsmoke brothers glided towards you, getting off their brooms with smiles on their faces. True smiles, for once.

Katakuri was the last of the team to join, but he proudly nodded at you, and you felt like your chest could burst in joy.

With laughter you couldn't restrain, you grabbed Kid's goggles and brought them on your head.

«Hey!» he barked when his red hair fell on his forehead, but he was too happy to actually get mad, and you knew that.

«Okay, time's up!» Shanks announced, clapping his hands.

He pulled out a little case from an old bag, placing it in the centre of his desk. The case trembled.

«Here we got a boggart. I enchanted it so it will turn into a Dementor no matter who's targeting. I don't know if any of you ever met an actual Dementor, but the sensation you'll get from this only vaguely resembles the original one. Who knows what's supposed to happen?»

Some hands rose, and the professor hinted at a Gryffindor girl.

«Margaret?»

«In front of a Dementor you will feel like every happiness in your life it's sucked away. You can also live your worst memory over and over. The more a person suffered, the more is susceptible and the Dementors will be attracted to them.»

«Very good. Five points to Gryffindor.»

«Everyone knows it.» Perona grumbled.

«When you face the fake Dementor, it'll feel shitty. I want you to focus on your best memory, point your wand and firmly pronounce the charm: "Expecto Patronum". If just a silver spurt comes out of your wand, I'll be satisfied.» Shanks grinned «Who wants to go first?»

«I'll go!» Ace shouted, jumping on his feet. Sabo cursed because he was not fast enough.

The Gryffindor marched in front of the desk, brandishing his wand.

«Here it comes.» Shanks said, and he opened the case with a click.

Black smoke flew out of it and the Dementor took form in the middle of the class. An icy sensation clotted in your chest, and the air suddenly froze.

Oh, shit.

Ace seemed to be the most affected, being the primary target. Surprisingly, he stepped back, swallowing.

«E-Expecto Patronum!»

Nothing happened.

«Not clear enough!» Shanks called «Someone else stepping in to help?»

He didn't have to repeat it, Sabo immediately joined his brother.

«Expecto Patronum!»

Some silvers sparks erupted from his wand and the Dementor pulled back a little before changing his target.

«Everyone is at stake now!» the professor announced «Be prepared! Repel it!»

The boggart headed towards Cavendish, but he was ready.

«Expecto Patronum!»

More silver sparks materialized.

The false Dementor started to bounce around, and the results were surprising. Some students who usually shone in class did a lot worse compared to ones who were normally just average.

Nothing happened when Nami and Killer tried to use the charm, but Perona and Leo managed to repel the boggart. The Vinsmoke trio laughed when Sanji quivered against it. Zoro tried to step in, but he did as bad as Ace, and Bartolomeo was the one who finally pushed the creature away from Gryffindor's side.

"The ones who suffered the most in their life are the most vulnerable" you recalled.

Cornered in the centre of the room, the boggart suddenly sensed something of great interest and, while till that moment it had just randomly wandered around (although Sanji seemed to be his favourite target), it pointed straight to Kid.

The redhead pulled out his wand to face it with a frown, but he paled when the creature got close. His hand sprang through his hair.

«Get out of my head!»

The Dementor just moved closer, getting bigger.

Shanks finally stood up, ready to intervene, but before he could do anything, you jumped out of your desk.

Once you entered the affected area, every good feeling dried out in your chest.

The snitch, the snitch, I got it! For once, I didn't fucked up! I didn't fucked up!

«Expecto Patronum!»

Silver flames poured out from your wand and the creature pulled back, hissing.

«Revoco!»

Shanks captured it with his charm, sending it back inside the case.

«Good job, everyone!» he smiled «Don't worry if you weren't able to do anything now, it's pretty normal. It doesn't depend on your skills as wizards or witches, it's more about your backstory. You need to put up with it first if you want to cast a good Patronus. Find a better memory, because rage won't work. I'll give thirty points to each House! Class is dismissed.»

Shanks' words couldn't actually cheer up Kid, or Ace or Sanji. They looked like someone beat them with a stick when they left the class.

You tried to cross Kid's gaze, but he refused to look at you, swiftly getting out of the room.

«That was pretty good, Y/n!» Perona said, reaching you at the exit «Though you were not its first target, I think your charm was the best one there.»

«Really?»

«I guess. What was the memory?»

«The first time I got the snitch in a match.»

She smiled.

«Simple and efficient.»

«Speaking of charms,» Ginrummy intervened «we better hurry, it's our next class with Ravenclaw.»

Mikita shrugged.

«Don't worry, we have the good Professor Donquixote. He never takes points out.»

«But he does light things on fire randomly.» you observed.

Your friends giggled, moving to the next class.