The enchanted bronze eagle knocker that guarded the entrance to the Ravenclaw common room shimred in the torchlight, its wings spread proudly. Petunia stood in front of it with Emline and Pandora by her side, their school bags slung over their shoulders, cheeks flushed from laughter as they walked up the spiraling staircases of Ravenclaw Tower.
The eagle's eyes glowed faintly as it spoke in its calm, lodic tone.
"I speak without a mouth and hear without ears. I have no body, but I co alive with wind. What am I?"
Petunia smiled, tilting her head. "An echo," she said confidently.
The eagle knocker inclined its head with a slight tallic creak, and the door swung open smoothly. The girls stepped into the Ravenclaw common room, greeted by the familiar hush of the high-dod chamber. The arched windows let in soft afternoon light, and the ceiling above twinkled with magical stars even in the daylight, enchanted to mimic the night sky.
The room was almost empty—most students were still out in the grounds enjoying the weather or lounging in the library. It was a rare mont of calm, one they relished.
They tossed their bags onto a nearby table and made their way to their favorite spot: the curved blue velvet couch in the corner beneath the wide arched window. The fire crackled in the hearth, casting dancing shadows on the rich tapestries that lined the stone walls. A few enchanted quills scribbled away in notebooks left open by their owners, and a stack of spellbooks teetered near a reading chair.
As they collapsed onto the couch, Emline kicked off her shoes and grinned. "rlin's beard, that counter-curse today nearly knocked my wand out of my hand. I thought Professor Lodovico was going to deduct points for lack of finesse."
Pandora giggled, tucking her legs beneath her. "He looked like he was about to sneeze when you cast it. Honestly, I think he was just surprised it worked at all."
Petunia snorted. "You did great. Better than Louise. She reversed her own spell and nearly turned her hair green."
"That shade would've clashed with her ," Emline quipped, and the three of them burst into laughter.
They continued chatting, their conversation flowing from the chaos of Defense Against the Dark Arts to the unexpected potion partners Slughorn had arranged for them. Petunia groaned, rubbing her forehead.
"Why did he have to pair with Sirius Black? Of all people."
Emline smirked. "Oh, you two worked together just fine. Your potion was practically textbook."
"That's because I did most of the work while he flirted and tossed in ingredients with dramatic flair," Petunia said, rolling her eyes.
"Maybe he thought you'd be impressed," Pandora offered innocently, reaching for a sugar quill from the small jar Emline kept stashed in her bag.
Petunia shook her head and sighed. "Honestly, I don't know what he's thinking half the ti."
As she spoke, her hand slipped into her robe pocket. Her fingers brushed against sothing small and hard—a box. She pulled it out slowly, staring at the finely crafted container in her palm. Emline and Pandora leaned closer.
"What's that?" Emline asked.
Petunia opened it, and the three girls gasped softly.
Inside the box nestled a delicate hair clip shaped like a cluster of sapphire-studded flowers. The gemstones glimred in the low light, tiny flecks of silver etched into the tal petals to mimic dew. It was stunning—elegant, tasteful, and undoubtedly expensive.
Pandora let out a breathy "Wow," her silver-blue eyes wide. "That's beautiful. Where did you buy it?"
"I didn't," Petunia replied, a bit uncertainly.
Emline arched an eyebrow, her lips curling into a knowing smile. "It's a gift? From Sev?"
Petunia quickly shook her head. "No—no, it's not from Severus."
Her two friends stared at her expectantly. She hesitated before murmuring, "It was from Sirius. He slipped it into my hand after class."
Emline's mouth ford a perfect 'O' before she burst into a teasing laugh. "Sirius Black gave you that? Petunia! He so fancies you!"
Petunia groaned, hiding her face behind her hands. "It's not like that. He's just—being weird. Maybe it's a joke or sothing."
Pandora reached out to gently touch the edge of the clip. "This is not a joke gift. This is—well, this is sothing you give soone when you actually like them."
"I told him I didn't want it," Petunia protested. "I tried to give it back."
Emline tilted her head, mock-serious. "And you kept it. Hmmm."
"I didn't throw it away because it's pretty," Petunia defended. "That doesn't an anything!"
"Oh, sure," Emline said, nudging her playfully. "It's not like he gave you a gift before Yule either—"
Petunia groaned again. "Don't remind ."
"I'm just saying," Pandora sang, "Sirius Black might not be as insufferable as you think."
"Or he might be exactly as insufferable, but also infatuated with you," Emline added.
They all laughed again, the teasing gentle and warm. The quiet companionship of the common room, the glinting stars overhead, and the flickering fire made it feel like they were in their own little corner of the world.
After so more giggling and story-swapping, Pandora leaned back. "So, are we going to the tryouts later?"
Petunia's eyes lit up. "Absolutely! We already finished our Charms essay, and the Defense reading is done. We're free!"
"Good," Emline said, sitting up straighter. "Let's support our boys."
By the ti they reached the Quidditch field, a crowd had begun to gather. The sun was beginning to dip toward the horizon, casting a golden glow across the pitch. Students were scattered around the stands, most watching curiously, so with broomsticks in hand, hoping to make the team.
On the field stood several Ravenclaw players in practice robes, along with a tall, broad-shouldered boy holding a a whistle. His short dark curls frad a sharp, focused face.
"That's Gavin Whitthorne," Emline explained. "He made Captain this year."
"He looks like he ans business," Pandora murmured.
Petunia spotted Severus and imdiately ran toward him, flinging her arms around his neck before he could react. "Good luck!"
Severus stiffened, then chuckled softly and hugged her back. "You're going to crush my ribs."
"I don't care," she said, grinning. "Are you nervous?"
He shook his head. "Not really. Just focused."
Felix and Andrew stood nearby, already on their brooms. Gavin blew his whistle and called out, "Felix Baddock! Severus Snape! Up in the air. Show what you've got as Seekers."
The two boys kicked off and soared into the sky, the crowd murmuring as they rose higher and higher. Gavin released a Snitch, and the trial began.
Felix was fast—his broom sleek and well-maintained, and his turns sharp. But Severus was calculated. He tracked the Snitch with fierce precision, diving and climbing in tight arcs. At one point, the Snitch disappeared near the stands, and both boys twisted their brooms in its direction. Severus reached out—nearly touched it—but Felix cut in front of him, nearly knocking him off balance.
There was a collective gasp.
But Severus recovered, narrowed his eyes, and kicked his broom into high speed. Monts later, he angled downward in a dizzying spiral and—SNATCH—grabbed the Snitch from the air.
The crowd erupted in applause. Even so Gryffindors clapped begrudgingly.
"Impressive!" Gavin shouted, beaming. "Snape, you're our new Seeker."
Petunia scread and jumped up, hugging Emline and Pandora before racing toward Severus, who had just landed.
He looked up just in ti to see her throw her arms around him again. "You did it!"
He was still catching his breath, hair wind-swept and face flushed. "I'm sweaty," he mumbled, half-smiling.
"I don't care," she said, holding on tightly. "I'm proud of you."
Severus, uncharacteristically shy, hugged her back with a quiet "Thank you."
Andrew jogged over, beaming. "Guess what? They're still looking for a Chaser, and I got the spot!"
"Two Ravenclaws on the team from our group," Emline said proudly. "We're unstoppable."
Gavin clapped both boys on the back. "Welco to the team. Practice starts Monday."
Later, as the group made their way back to the castle, the excitent still buzzing in the air, they entered the Great Hall just as the dinner feast appeared on the tables.
Lily, already at the Ravenclaw table talking with a few classmates, spotted them and rushed over. "Well? Did he make it?"
Severus and Petunia exchanged glances, then both adopted exaggerated frowns.
"No," Severus said solemnly. "I... didn't make it."
Lily gasped. "Oh, Sev, I'm so sorry—"
Petunia burst out laughing, and Severus couldn't keep a straight face either.
"He made Seeker," she said between giggles.
Lily punched his shoulder. "You prat! You almost gave a heart attack!"
Then she hugged him. "I'm proud of you."
As the group moved to sit, Petunia glanced across the hall—and locked eyes with Sirius Black. He was lounging at the Gryffindor table, laughing with Jas and Remus. When he noticed her gaze, he smirked and winked.
Petunia quickly looked away, scowling.
Lily noticed and raised an eyebrow. "Sothing wrong?"
"Nothing," Petunia muttered. "Just... Gryffindors."
Lily snorted and returned to her table. Petunia joined Severus and the others at the Ravenclaw table.
Dinner was warm and hearty—roast chicken, garlic mashed potatoes, buttered carrots, and flaky at pies. Plates refilled themselves with a thought, and laughter echoed across the hall. The group chatted about the tryouts, Professor Lodovico's eccentric lesson, and who might be the next student to accidentally curse themselves.
Eventually, the fatigue of the day caught up with them. They dragged themselves back up to the common room, yawning and giggling softly.
As they finally reached their dormitory and prepared for bed, Petunia lay beneath her covers, the sapphire hair clip resting on her bedside table. She stared at it for a long ti before blowing out the candle.
The day had been exhausting, exhilarating, and full of surprises. And sothing told her... it was only the beginning.
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