"I think it worked," Zabini said, and Rio nodded.
"We're all set. No one should be able to get in now, and even if they do, we'll know about it," Rio concluded, relieved.
"Yeah," Zabini agreed. The unspoken ice wall had melted between them – they weren't exactly friends, but at the same time, they seemed to have an unspoken agreement. It'll be easier to deal with the rest of them if we work together slightly, Rio thought. That being said, I probably can't count on him for any favours.
Suddenly, Rio remembered something he had seen in a spy movie once.
"Wait, Zabini, do you have any spare paper?"
The halfblood looked at him questioningly. "I have some spare scroll. Why?"
"Can I use some really quick? It'll help us know if someone's been in our room and evaded the Alarm charm."
Reverting back to his resting neutral face, Zabini reached for a stack of scrolls on his nightstand, and passed it to Rio, who ripped a small piece off the edge, folded it, and then placed in between the door and it's frame, near the bottom.
"Why are you doing that?"
"We'll need to reset it every time we come in and leave the room, but if someone manages to open the door and bypasses the alarm, the paper will fall out of this gap – if it's on the floor or missing, we'll know someone was here."
Zabini looked at him, understanding the idea, but still slightly weirded out.
"How did you come up with that?"
Rio blushed slightly. How am I going to explain this?
"It's a Muggle thing."
Before they climbed into bed, Zabini spoke.
"Ramson."
"Yeah?"
"You should know that I don't mind sitting with you and talking in public." Where's this going?
"But I'm only looking out for myself here. If being seen with you means less trouble for me, then I'll do it, and I'm not out to get you, but don't get it twisted – I'm here for myself, and myself alone."
"Glad we can agree on that," Rio said, cooly. Knew it, but I don't blame him.
That night, after Zabini had gone to sleep and Rio was sure of it, he got up again, holding his wand, and pointed to the door.
"Imperturbablus!" he whispered. This time, the rush of air was as strong as a small gust of wind, and Rio knew it had worked. That was the spell McGonagall had told him to use – it had taken a fair bit of practice, but it was a higher-level spell for a first-year, and he didn't want Zabini to know that he could use it.
As Rio climbed back into bed, he thought to himself.
Tomorrow, lessons start. I'll have to see Malfoy and his goons, and probably the rest of my year too. Ron and Harry.
Ron probably exploded in the Gryffindor common room after the Sorting, didn't he? I wonder if he thinks I'm 'evil' now. But I don't really care what Ron thinks.
However, I do wonder, Harry – what do you think of me now?
/
The next morning, both Zabini and Rio made sure to wait inside their dorms for as long as possible, and went over hexes together – there weren't many that first years could use without practice or guidance, but they learnt what they could – a trip jinx, and leg lock, and the disarming charm – although that was for second years, it couldn't hurt to try. Rio didn't divulge to Zabini that he knew a fair few more than those, not trying to raise any unnecessary questions or suspicions. Besides, he thought, I'm not going to use a trip or leg lock jinx – if it comes to it, I'm going straight for Expelliarmus.
At 8:30, they finally left their room and quickly made their way to the Great Hall for breakfast. As expected, Malfoy and his goons had assimilated themselves into the rest of the Slytherin body, right in the middle of all of the older years, also with 2 of the girls in his year. The other 3 girls were sitting down at the edge of the Slytherin table, away from the rest.
"His father's Lucius Malfoy," Zabini told Rio under his breath. "He's bought his way to high standing in the Wizarding Community. He's on the Board of Governors of Hogwarts too. That's why everyone else is pandering to him." That's not good.
When Malfoy saw them, he instantly sneered.
"Look who finally decided to show up," he said, mockingly. "A halfblood and a mudblood. Disgraces to Slytherin, the both of you."
Much to his chagrin, however, both Zabini and Rio ignored his taunts, and chose to sit down at the edge of the Slytherin table, with the other girls from their year, away from the annoying blonde boy, who continued to shout insults, and they continued to ignore him, starting their meal.
"Eat your fruits and vegetables." I don't want to, but fine, Rio thought, reluctantly adding some carrots to his plate – but he couldn't complain. The food was excellent, and it was endless – literally, endless, as the plates refilled themselves. I love magic.
"Ahem," one of the girls, with brown hair and eyes, coughed loudly and on purpose, trying to get their attention. Zabini and Rio looked up at her, cautious. What does she want?
"My name's Tracey Davis. What's your name?" the girl asked. She's … being friendly?
"I'm Blaise Zabini."
"I'm-"
"Rio Ramson. Everyone knows your name now," she laughed.
"Don't worry – my family are what Malfoy would call 'blood traitors'. We don't really care about all that." Hearing her words, Rio's heart soared. No way – there's people here that don't hate me?
"Thanks, Davis. That's actually reassuring," Rio replied politely, but also trying to sound friendly.
"Oh, you can just call me Tracey, Rio. You too, Blaise." she said dismissively. That's quite… friendly? Not very Slytherin-esque, is it?
Tracey nudged both of the girls sitting either side of her, while Zabini and Rio exchanged a look.
"I'm – I'm Charlotte Rosier," one of them said shyly, before ducking her head. The girl had dark brown hair and grey eyes. Rosier, Rio thought, that's one of the Sacred 28, like Zabini. Why's she talking to me? And why's she so shy?
The other girl, however, didn't speak – she continued to silently eat her food, not even sparing either of the boys a glance. She had blonde hair and blue eyes, with pale skin, a stark contrast to Rio's black hair and brown skin and eyes. She looks like a princess, Rio thought – and not just because of her appearance. She's sitting like royalty, and ignoring us like she's better than us.
"Daph, introduce yourself!"
Finally, 'Daph' looked up, casting a neutral look over both of them, before looking at Tracey, unimpressed.
"I told you, Tracey. I don't associate with halfbloods or muggleborns."
AN: Thanks for reading, everyone! Please remember to COLLECT and VOTE with POWER STONES for more chapters - I'll be releasing a BONUS chapter when we hit 10 Power Stones!