"Back From Yule"

-YULE BREAK WAS FINALLY OVER. Right now, the students were all back at school, in the great hall.

Adhara sat down next to Pansy, looking around the hall. "How was Yule?"

Pansy looked at her with a sad smile. "Could've been better. Yours?"

"Fairly pleasant," mumbled the girl next to her, not noticing Pansy's look.

That night, Pansy frowned when she noticed Adhara being quiet. "What's wrong, Ara?"

Adhara, who was sitting down by the window that showed the black lake, looked at her. "Nothing. Why?"

"I don't like you being quiet," shrugged Pansy, sitting next to her. "So, say something."

"Say something?" repeated Adhara, unsure of what Pansy meant.

The girl next to her nodded. "Say something."

"Like what?"

"I dunno.. how about something you've never told anyone before?"

Adhara shook her head slightly with a small smile. "You'd listen to my shit?"

"I'd love to listen to your shit." Pansy said, letting out a small chuckle along with Adhara.

They stayed quiet for a few seconds, until Adhara said, "I don't hate everyone."

"How shocking." Pansy said in feign-surprise, smiling when Adhara let out another chuckle.

"No, really. Sometimes, I just wish I was.. enough. People say I've changed, but they never bothered to think why I did or what made me change."

Pansy opened her arms, motioning for a hug. She felt her heart beating faster when Adhara hugged her and put her head on her shoulder, while Pansy's arms held onto her tightly. "I noticed, but I knew you'd talk about it when you were ready."

The girl in her arms nodded, feeling slightly better. "Thank you. I really needed that."

"I'm always here to listen to your shit," said Pansy with a soft smile, while Adhara laughed.

The next day, Adhara took a shower and got changed into the school uniform.

Then, she walked out of the common room with Pansy, both of them talking on their way to the great hall.

"That is one weird dream." Adhara said when Pansy finished talking about a dream she had last night.

"I'm telling you, Ara! The cheese tasted like cake!"

"I'm sure that tasted absolutely wonderful." Adhara said sarcastically, her hands in the pockets of her pants.

"Yes, it did!" Pansy excitedly exclaimed, continuing to talk about it, while Adhara listened and shook her head fondly at her ridiculousness.

When they finally reached the great hall, Pansy finished talking, sitting down at the Slytherin table with Adhara.

"What class do we have first?" asked Blaise as he and Draco sat down next to them.

"Potions."

Blaise groaned, while Draco and his sister started talking. "How are you feeling?" asked Draco, starting to eat his breakfast.

Taking a sip of her coffee, Adhara shrugged. "Fine, of course." She said and looked around the hall, making eye contact with Hermione, who motioned to the courtyard.

Adhara, knowing what she meant, nodded. "I'll see you guys in class." She said and walked out of the hall, Hermione standing up from the Gryffindor table and following.

Hermione smiled into the kiss she and Adhara were sharing. "What class do you have first?" She asked when they pulled away.

"Potions, love. You?"

"History of Magic."

Adhara nodded, kissing her forehead. "Let me walk you to class." She said, giving her a hand to hold.

"You'll be late to your own class-" reminded Hermione, but was interrupted.

"Slughorn can wait."

Hermione nodded after a few seconds and held her hand, smiling when Adhara kissed the back of it.

"-Today, you will be making an antidote to common poisons." said Slughorn when Adhara walked in a few minutes late.

She wordlessly sat down next to Pansy, eyeing the Hufflepuffs in disdain.

The Hufflepuffs were the ones whom Adhara had been bullied by when the rumor of her cheating got out. Adhara reckoned it was because the Hufflepuffs were too loyal for their own good.

"Why're you late?" whispered Pansy as she flipped through her book.

"Walked Mia to class."

Pansy's eyes flashed hurt for a second, but it was gone as soon as it came. Plastering on a smile, she nodded. "Let's get this potion started."