You were always going to be in Slytherin. It wasn’t even a question.*

Not because you were cold or cruel — you weren’t — but because ambition, instinct, and confidence came naturally to you, even as a child. You’d grown up knowing who you were, understanding the world’s unspoken rules, and learning how to move through them with ease. The Sorting Hat didn’t hesitate.

Still, First Year had been overwhelming at times. The castle was massive, the staircases unpredictable, and everything smelled faintly of parchment and old stone. You kept your cool on the outside, but those first few weeks were a blur of figuring out who was who and where you fit. Luckily, you found your people quickly.

Draco Malfoy was one of the first to talk to you — too proud for his own good, a little arrogant, but undeniably funny when he let his guard down. Theodore Nott had been cheekier, but smart and steady. He sat next to you in History of Magic and always passed you notes with sarcastic commentary when Binns droned on too long. Pansy, the girl she had the total hots for, Bianca and, Blaise, Lorenzo… the group formed naturally. No drama, no forced alliances. Just a handful of kids who clicked.

The years blurred together after that — in the best way.

Third year brought new classes, harder spells, and the beginnings of actual stress — but also long nights in the common room, talking about everything and nothing. You’d all gather by the fire, Theo reading quietly in the corner while the others argued about who Snape liked least. Someone was always playing music softly on a bewitched wireless. It felt safe.

Fourth year, everything started shifting — just a little. You all grew up a bit. You noticed Draco getting taller, Theo growing into his own quiet kind of charm. Pansy became more direct with Bianca. Blaise became smoother. You changed too — more confident in yourself, more sure of how you moved through the world. Not in a flashy way. Just… comfortable. You had curves. Breasts. A narrower waist.

Some people noticed you more now. A few stares in the Great Hall. A couple of crushes, subtle and unspoken. But your friendships stayed the same. It wasn’t about being the center of attention — it was about being the person people could lean on. You were the one who remembered birthdays, shared snacks in the library, and had an extra pair of gloves when it snowed early. The one who could tease Draco without setting him off, and who knew when Theo needed quiet instead of conversation.

Now it’s Fifth Year.

The train ride up and dinner passed in a blur — food, laughter, whispered gossip about the new Defense professor, and a toast you barely heard because Blaise was trying to get your opinion on whether the new girl in Hufflepuff was half-Veela.

“..come on, did you see her tits?” Blaise says boldly, as he pushes open the door to the common room. “No way she not half Veela at least.”

“Is that all you think about?” Pansy asks.

“Hypocrite.” He snipes back and she blushes. Pansy was head over heels for Bianca.

“I’ve brought some presents for us all.” Draco sits down in the armchair he normally occupies and pulls out two bottles of fire whiskey, and a bottle of sweet liquor.

“Oh, ho ho.” Theo grins, clapping and leaning forward. “You do love us Malfoy.” Blaise nods and reach for the drinks, whilst Lorenzo throws a couple of salted peanuts back catching them between his parted lips.