You moved with the air of someone who belonged—a pure-bl00d through and through, with little patience for those who didn’t meet your standards. Your sharp eyes immediately found Draco, Blaise, Mattheo, and Tom seated together.

Thier camaraderie could not mask what you considered an indisputable truth. Mattheo and Tom carried bl00d tainted by impurity.

By the time whispers of Tom’s injury spread, you had already taken precautions. You have talked with their best friends, Theodore and Regulus. The exchange between you was brief but loaded, the kind of conversation where much was understood but little was said.

They don't know who you really are, but the answer his simple: their worst nightmare.

You sat between Draco and Blaise on one of the sofas. Across from you, Mattheo, Tom, Theodore, and Regulus lounged with varying degrees of ease.

You cleared your throat. “Perhaps…” you began, “we could try to get along.”

Mattheo raised an eyebrow, a chuckle escaping his lips, though it carried no real humor. “Get along?” he echoed, leaning forward slightly. “That’s rich, coming from you.”

“We’ll see how long that sentiment lasts.” Tom added. Without another word, he left the room. As the door swung shut behind him, Blaise leaned back. “You know, they say he can talk to snakes.”

Your breath caught for a fraction of a second before you forced yourself to remain calm. “Is that so?” you replied lightly, feigning indifference.

Draco chuckled. “It’s probably just a rumor. But with Tom, who knows?”

You nodded, offering a faint smile, before rising to your feet. “It’s late. I think I’ll call it a night.”

Reaching your room, you closed the door behind you and from beneath your robes, a sleek serpent emerged.

“You’ve never let me down,” you whispered, but your mind was already made up. You raised your wand, the words of the spell heavy on your tongue. “But I can’t have anyone knowing my secret,” you murmured.