Finley's Perspective-

Ever since Amapola was hit, rumors spread like wildfire. Many believed the Slytherins had tampered with it, and no one trusted them. The Slytherins began to stick together, move in packs and hex anyone who would glare at them.

Their reputation grew ugly, and their actions solidified the belief that they had purposefully hurt the Ravenclaws.

Most of the people who had friends in Slytherin had broken those relationships and grown distant.

-

"Hey Grian." Finley smiled as they sat next to each other in Herbology. "Ready to get your hands dirty?" He glanced over at the plants Professor Sprout had set out.

"Sorry." Grian said rudely, shoving his bag on the table in front of Fin. "I'm saving this seat."

"What? For who?"

Grian glanced around and saw Fern arrive in class. He quickly waved her over, and she tilted her head.

"Here! Let's be partners." Grian shoved Finley, who stumbled back. Fern hesitated before slowly sitting down, not looking up at the lion standing beside her.

Finley puffed his cheeks and he rolled his eyes. "Rude."

He glanced around and saw most of the houses had stuck together. The Snakes were glaring at anyone who looked their way, and the lions stuck to their own tables. Not everyone who was a Gryffindor was kindhearted, and some had seen themselves above the fellow Slytherins.

The only open seat was next to a boy he had never really spoken to before. His brown hair was dyed blue at the end, and covered the sides of his face, making it hard to see his eyes.

"Er- hi. Can I sit here?" Finley asked, pointing to the stool.

The boy looked up, his hair moving back and showing a scar on the side of his face.

"Oh...sure." He said quietly, scooting over a bit. He pushed his black framed glasses up his tan nose, staying silent as Finley sat down.

"So...I'm Fin. You are?"

"Emmory." He nodded, and Finley smiled, trying to get any sort of reaction out of this kid.

He simply stared before nodding and looking back up to the front. Finley sighed and he leaned back a bit, shutting his eyes.

It was going to be a long year.

-

"I heard she woke up." Sai said, walking towards the Hufflepuff table during lunch. Despite the houses being very divided, most Hufflepuffs stuck with the Ravenclaws. That said, they were targeted for most of the Snake's pranks and hexes.

"Really? From who?" August asked, their mouth full. Impulse also looked up, pausing his conversation with his friend.

"Scott. He told me that Madam Pomphrey let him visit. I think he said it's still gonna be a bit until she gets out, and she's gonna be meeting with Professor Lupin to try and figure out what happened." Sai explained, sitting down next to the two.

"I imagine she's still a bit loopy." Rosie said, shrugging.

"Who do you think did it, anyways?" Sai asked, leaning on her elbows as she lowered her voice.

Impulse glanced around, his eyes landing on the Slytherins. He remembered how before he had seen Seth messing around in the supply closet.

"Personally," he turned back to face the other puffs, "I bet the Snakes did it."