Amelia's first week was brutal.
Each day she had a test that would take the whole day. To add to her long days were homework assignments. She wasn't exempt from the courses they had each day. That meant she had to pick up the slack in her own time. Daphne helped with the new lessons they had during the week, which was highly appreciated by Amelia, but it didn't help with the fact that she was dead tired.
What it also caused was that she didn't have the time to find and speak with Hermione. Amelia was running from one part of the castle to the other to take the tests, or any stray lessons she managed to follow. She was rather proud of the fact she managed to stay awake. But Daphne's prodding in the side did help in that regard.
She also finally met Daphne's friend. A shy Slytherin born to Muggle parents. It's mostly the reason why he was on his own. He was also the cause as to why Daphne was alone most of the time. Their friendship lost Daphne the ability to make many other friends. But the three were happy enough, spending time in the common room together as they did homework or relaxed.
Today, Saturday, was the day Amelia would search for her favorite person: Hermione Granger.
Daphne watched as Amelia was smiling to herself, skipping around the room to head off in search of Granger. "You know, I think she means more to you than you let on, Amelia."
"What do you mean?" Amelia asked with a humming voice, pulling a shirt over her head while stuffing her backpack. Her friend raised her eyebrow, unsure whether she was lying or not. But Amelia didn't know what she meant. She was quite clear and never lied to Daphne.
"Ah, that's the way it is," Daphne smiled while stretching in her bed. The girl was beautiful in her own right, Amelia had to admit. Her figure was well-developed, while her hair gave her a charm not many had. "Nothing, Amelia. Tell Granger I said hi."
"Sure thing," Amelia replied easily enough. Yet she was not sure what Daphne was implying. But there's another time and place for such questions. Finding Granger was her first priority.
Amelia went off, exited the Slytherin dungeon, and went toward Gryffindor tower. The weekend came with many students trying to catch up. She saw several of them through the windows in the courtyard, playing a game or just sitting together. It was also then she noticed that Slytherin didn't mingle much with the other houses. There were a few here and there, but very few in number.
One thing she never saw was a Gryffindor and a Slytherin student together, though. Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw students could be seen with a Slytherin at times, but that was it. Apparently, the two houses didn't get along. That made her quite a bit worried as she was now on her way to the heart of Gryffindor. In her Slytherin robes. Perhaps not the best choice.
She raced up the grand staircase, switching a few of the rotating stairs to get to the higher floors. As she did, she passed the many portraits, said good morning to a few who greeted her. But overall, she there wasn't much interest with her single focus on her mind.
Her breath quickened slightly as she finally reached the entrance. The Fat Lady drank a glass of wine when Amelia approached the portrait. She had no intention of entering, just waiting to see who came out, and asking whether the portrait knew where Hermione was. Yet she wasn't prepared to be facing an irritated portrait, almost giving a scolding look.
"You shouldn't be here, Slytherin. Begone!"
Geez, talk about a friendly greeting, Amelia thought.
"I just-"
"No, nothing. You have no business here. Slyther back to your cold dungeon!"
"If I could just-"
"Are you deaf?" The Fat Lady asked irritably, seemingly getting more annoyed by the minute. To be honest, the feeling was becoming mutual. "I said begone!"
"Come on! Let me speak, Madame!" Amelia said irritably. "First off, you are rude. And I just want to ask where Hermione Granger is. I'd like to talk to her."
"Why?" The Fat Lady asked with a sharp stern voice. "Going to insult her because of who she is?"
"W-what? Why would I insult my sister?"
"Sister?" That seemed to make the portrait confused. "You?"
"Amelia? What are you doing here?" Hermione's voice suddenly came from behind her.
It made Amelia smile, turning around to see her standing there, several books under her arms. Amelia turned sharply away from the portrait. She's rather done with that woman too. Her arms were soon around Hermione, who blinked confusedly, her arms straining to keep the books aloft.
"I missed you!"
"Oh, hng, me too, Amelia," Hermione said with a strained voice. "Not to break up this merry hug, but these books are heavy!"
Amelia chuckled, helping her by taking several from her. "Sorry, I was looking for you. But the portrait is quite rude and didn't let me ask where you were."
"I heard that!"
Amelia ignored her, seeing as Hermione rolled her eyes. "What did you expect, Amelia? Slytherin and Gryffindor houses don't mingle well," Hermione muttered with a sigh. "Let me put these books away, we can talk somewhere else, okay?"
"Sure, I'll wait next to the entrance."
Hermione muttered something softly at the portrait and disappeared inside. The Fat Lady had her steely, stern gaze on her the entire time. Yet Amelia didn't want to discuss or argue with the high-pitched voice of the overweight woman. It didn't take long before her peaceful wait to be interrupted though.
"Why the bloody hell are you here!?"
Amelia turned her gaze to the duo of Harry and Ron, their gazes seemed filled with surprise at the sight of her. She wondered how idiotic they are. Is it truly such a strange and inconceivable thought that she would visit Hermione?
"Waiting for Hermione," Amelia answered.
"Right, here to do something, eh?" Ron's voice turned defensive, making Amelia sigh deeply. Really, did he forget she grew up with her? "You know how awful Slytherin has been to everyone in Gryffindor? I am sure you're here to torment us-"
"Ronald, how dare you!"
The group turned their sights toward Hermione who stared with a deadly gaze at the redhead. Amelia smirked in response. He has done it now. Harry, carefully and slowly, stepped away from Ron, trying to disappear from Hermione's gaze.
Harry is smart, Amelia noted to herself. Ron, on the other hand... Brave but not the smartest around. But she was glad to see he is protective of Hermione. That's positive at the very least.
"Hermione, you saw her! She's with them!"
"That's-" Hermione was about to retort, but Amelia could see flurries of moments coming from behind her. Various other students from Gryffindor, seemingly being drawn to the noise, came toward the group. Amelia stood at the side, in between Hermione and Ron who faced one another.
"What's happening here!?" one shouted above the rest. Amelia could see a hastily put on badge that read prefect. Finally, someone that could sort this out, Amelia thought.
"She is!" Ron said, pointing straight at Amelia. It made her turn with shock at Ron, surprise covering her face. What did she do?
"What?! I-"
"Slytherin? What's she doing here?" Another asked, eyes trained with suspicion. One other girl nodded as if already knowing who's the source of the ruckus. Amelia watched as slowly but surely more Gryffindors came to Ron's 'help', seemingly convinced by whatever notion he tried to convey.
"Don't you have somewhere to be, Black?" one spat at her. "We don't need your ideology here."
"But-" Amelia tried to speak, yet the crowd didn't wish to hear it.
Even the prefect was lost, trying to control his housemates. Amelia pressed herself against the wall while Hermione was being swallowed up, trying to reason with the fiery Gryffindors. Yet her voice was drowned in the voices that called out for her to leave. Amelia had no choice but to flee before being surrounded.
"Get back to your fellow snakes!" one shouted while another yelled, "Black Witch."
Amelia felt tears prick her eyes as she ran away from the rowdy crowd. Each word play felt like a stab to her. It felt so painful to hear, as if they deemed her evil because of the colors she wore. She ran as far as she could go, passing the portraits with moving ones. They seemed a bit concerned about her, yet she didn't linger around them.
There were also a few that didn't move showing the founders and some other important people. But she ran until she found an empty classroom, sitting down in the corner as she closed the door behind her. She remained there until she felt she'd calmed down and no longer had to cry.
It was then her vision became clearer so she could see where she ended up. Before she saw much of the classroom, she saw a ghost sitting on a bench with a book opened. Yet the female ghost wasn't reading as she looked straight at her.
"It wasn't very wise to go to the Tower," the ghost said, closing her book as she rested her hands on the leather cover. "Your prefect should have told you."
"I didn't think it would be that bad..." Amelia sniffled, her legs pushed against her chest, arms around them with her head tucked away.
"Yes, well, it's been at its worst the last few years," the ghost floated through the bench towards her. "I heard you are Miss Granger's adopted sister. Is that true?"
"Yes, I am."
"I see. Dry your tears, young lady," the ghost said, a gentle tone which made Amelia look up. "Don't dwell on the words said, but the actions. What did Hermione do while you were ridiculed?"
"Uhm, she was trying to help me..."
"That's all you need to know. In any case, you may wish to inform Professor McGonagall. This isn't how students should behave."
The ghost gave a brief polite nod before drifting away through the walls. Amelia was left alone again, wrestling with what to do. It made her wonder what Hermione is doing. She won't go to the professor. What use will that bring other than stoke the flames of pathetic grudges?
Amelia stayed for the better part of the day in the room. Not really wishing to show herself outside. She heard the muffled voices outside the wooden door. It made her wonder whether Hermione is looking for her.
Amelia sighed. She should not hide. It's unlike herself after all. Amelia sucked in a sharp breath, standing back up. She peeked out of the door first, checking for any Gryffindors. It's the last thing she wished for.
It seemed the corridor was empty, so she made her way back to the dungeon. She'll try another time to speak with Hermione. The ghost was right. Hermione cared, and that's what she found most important. That's why she didn't hold it against her like her housemates. Knowing that already made her feel better.
"Appreciation," Amelia muttered, and the door to her common room opened. Her entrance made a few look up; many did not look for long, turning back to their own activities. A sigh left her again. What a day.
She passed all the Slytherins, going straight for her and Daphne's room. Her friend was working when she entered, sitting at one of the desks with parchments all around her. The redhead did look up when Amelia entered, frowning slightly as Amelia silently walked to her bed.
"What happened?"
"Gryffindor."
"Oh... I should have warned you."
Daphne made her way over and sat next to Amelia, who buried her face in her cushion, body deflating over the mattress. "Even, ehm, Granger?"
"No..."
"Ah. Well, the rest of those buggers don't matter. Who cares about them, right?" Daphne tried, stroking the back of the girl. "Just try again. But maybe not meet her at the Tower. Go to the library instead. Granger is there all the time."
"Right."
"Chin up, Black. Life sucks, so don't make it suck any harder by whatever you're thinking," Daphne told the girl, sighing as she stood up again.
"What a bunch of fools..."
"Yup."
"I'm glad you're here, Daphne."
"Sure thing, Amelia."