Black [1]

Chapter 61

"Working hard is important," Harry explains in a loud voice as we go around, correcting wand movements and grips, or even pronouncing spells right, "but there's something that matters even more: Believing in yourself. Think of it this way. Every great wizard in history has started out... as nothing more than what we are now: students. If they can do it, why not us?"

"Expelliarmus!" Neville shouts, disarming Parvati Patil, and it grabs everyone's attention with a gasp, the wand nearly plonking on Padma's head as it falls back to the ground.

"Fantastic, Neville," I smile, squeezing his shoulder supportively as people come over, gushing and fawning over him. We all know he's been struggling with that spell for a long time, and it's sweet how nice everyone is being. "Well done!"

It's been a week, and over the week Aiden's always encouraging me to smile, to laugh, or to even get angry. And that's when I realised... I don't need to hide everything from him. I used to be so worried I wouldn't make friends, and now I'm forgetting I have them.

Sometimes I still go back to blocking my mind, going expressionless, but it's especially hard when I'm with my friends. After all, why wouldn't I be happy around the twins? Aiden makes me smile, cheers me up, and he's always there for me. Taylor, Madison and Kal are always kind and accepting, even if they don't understand what's going on with me.

Hermione understands to a level, knowing about my visions if not anything else. Ron and I have gotten surprisingly close over the last month and our Quidditch practices, and then there's Harry, who's practically my brother. Sometimes I forget how lucky I am, and that's another thing to smile about.

I catch Snape giving me looks at meals, sometimes. I think he's checking on me, which is still an odd notion to get used to, considering it was only early last year that he was cold and bitter to me because of my father. I might be similar to Sirius, but at the same time, I appreciate Snape for what he does.

There are still the things I don't agree with, like his favouritism and how he's generally prejudiced around all Gryffindors, but I understand that there are reasons for it and that I don't understand everything. Besides, it doesn't erase all the good things he's done.

Once the class is finished, Harry, Hermione, Ron and I stand up front. "So that's it for this lesson," Harry tells them proudly. "Now, we' re not gonna be meeting again until after the holidays–" Resulting in downcast looks from everyone, "So just keep practicing on your own as best you can. And well done, everyone. Great, great work." Cheering and clapping from everyone before they grab their bags from the side.

"How are they supposed to practice on their own if magic is banned at home?" I lean in and mumble to him while everyone starts heading out of the door.

"I don't know. Just keep their hopes up," he replies, plastering a smile on his face. But soon it becomes a real smile as he watches Cho walk over to the mirror on the side, photos (including one of Cedric) and newspaper clippings stuck there. The Order of the Phoenix photo is there, too, Harry and I deciding to have put it up to rise people's spirits, that we're not the only ones who fought this war, and some are still fighting. "What do I talk about?" Harry hisses to me and Hermione.

I shrug, voice empty. "Bold of you to assume I know anything about dating." Besides, everyone I love dies, so there's no point of loving voluntarily. I shove the thought to the back of my mind. "We'll see you later. Get 'em, tiger."

I go over and grab my things, checking the map to make sure Filch or any of the 'Inquisitorial Squad' are outside. Aiden comes to join me, offering a smile. "I'd say that went extremely well. Do you want to head out to the Great Lake or back to the common room?"