Professor Sharp's monotone lecture was making my eyelids close more often than I would have liked. Occasionally, Grace would nudge me, so I could stay awake, and hopefully, focused. However, I knew that focusing on potions would not happen as long as Sebastian was in the same classroom.

Grace Pinch-Smedley was one of my roommates this year. She was one of the more nicer Slytherin girls, and after learning a bit about her, and helping her retrieve her grandfather's heirloom, we became closer. It was comforting, knowing there was another friend here in the class with me, since both Natty and Poppy chose to take an advanced beast class.

It was just my luck to have my former best friend, who I yelled at back at the library last night, be in the same morning class with me. Sebastian sat at the other brewing table, next to Ominis and Samantha Dale, a Ravenclaw girl. I didn't know Samantha all that well, other than the fact that she was very chatty no matter what hour of the day it was.

"You're making it too obvious," Grace cut my thought process off, making me lean over with my arms folded on the edge of the table, resting my head there.

I groaned in frustration, before putting my head down, wanting for everything to just pause for at least five minutes.

"I can't focus on brewing a focus potion, especially when I'm not focused!" I complained, as Grace giggled.

"No, that's not what a I meant. I meant you are looking at Sebastian's table like like you're trying to cast Petrificus Totalus."

I turned my head to the side while still sitting in the same position, eyeing Grace in a sleepy manner, "I am not."

"You haven't once asked to cover for you while sneaking out of the common room with Sebastian, what is going on between you two?"

I didn't want to talk about it. Grace knew about our late night adventures last year, and there was a couple of times when I asked her to lie on my behalf, in case my absence is noticed by the faculty. But it made me uneasy to simply lie to Grace.

"Remember when I mentioned that Sebastian didn't send me owl posts for the rest of the summer? I think I'm finally mad about it."

"I think there's more to that," Grace tilted her head to the side, quill in her hand, "You aren't sleeping well. I noticed you are absent from your bed most of the nights."

"Nightmares, per usual," I responded lightheartedly, but Grace furrowed her brows at me.

"You're a very complicated person, Lily."

Tell me about it.

At last, the dreadful hour of brewing a focus potion came to an end. I closed my books, ready to head out with Grace before a familiar voice stopped me in my tracks.

"Uhm - Lily? Do you have a moment?" 

Amit Thakkar approached me just when I was about to exit.

" Oh, hey Amit," I let out a small smile, still feeling pretty exhausted. "I hope your summer went well?"

"It was rather interesting, actually!"

His enthusiasm would be the death of me at such an early hour.

"I'll see you in Professor Hecat's classroom," Grace tapped my shoulder, before leaving me behind with a Amit.

"Uhm, that's great!" I tried to be just as enthusiastic, but it wasn't working well for me. There was simply too much going on in my mind at the moment.

"I got to learn so much more about the stars and the art of astronomy," Amit carried on, "I actually got a brand new telescope I was hoping to test out in a couple of days, when the moon is out and the stars are shining. Would you care to join me?"

I've done a fair share of star gazing of my own last year, and even though I found stars to be beautiful, I wasn't all that intrigued with how complicated the star gazing process could be. But Amit did help me out once with interpreting Gobbledegook, and the least I could do is test out his new telescope with him.

"Sure, I'd love to help," I nodded.

"Really?! That's great! I'm super excited! I shall send you an owl of where to meet me in a couple of days, so be on a look out for it!"

I felt like I was, once again, the new fifth-year. Always eager to help everyone around me.

Amit hurried out of the classroom, and I followed. To my surprise, Sebastian was right outside the doors, arms crossed, watching us leave.

I didn't say anything, just locked my eyes with him for a brief moment. He looked off, as if he was bothered by something. I had to force myself to look away and continue walking over to the Defense Against The Dark Arts tower. Even with my back turned to him, I could feel his eyes on me, watching me.

"Today, we will learn how to defend ourselves from a Boggart, a non-being creature that resembles what you fear the most."

Professor Hecat's footsteps echoed down the classroom, as we all lined up to face an old wardrobe. Grace and I stayed in the middle of the line, not wanting to be the first ones to try, but also curious what other students fear. Sebastian was behind us.

"The charm used in defense against a Boggart, Riddikulus, is casted when facing whatever it is that you fear the most, and the creature turns into a humorous form to the caster. This charm essentially cuts a Boggart's ability to terrorize you. Let us try it out, then."

One by one, each student watched the wardrobe open, turning into whatever the students feared most: spiders, Centaurs, even tightly closed up spaces.

When it was Grace's turn, the wardrobe opened, with a massive wave of water heading her way.

"Riddikulus!"

As her wand flickered in her hand, the giant wave turned into a small puddle, with a tiny frog hopping around it.

"Very good, Ms. Smedley!" Professor Hecat nodded, motioning for me to step forward. "Remember, this charm is used to humiliate the appearance of a Boggart."

I nodded, understanding the task at hand. It was supposed to be easy. I watched students go through their worst fears, turning them into something funny and appealing. I got this.

When the wardrobe's door creaked open, my eyes widened at the sight of a dragon. And not just any dragon.

Ranrok.

I stood there, frozen in place, unable to move my hand and use my wand to cast the charm. The dragon stared into my eyes, and flashes of the battle passed before me. Tears began to form in my eyes, blurring my vision. I felt myself transform back to where the battle took place. Back to where Professor Fig died.

"Riddikulus!"

Sebastian's wand pointed towards Ranrok dragon behind me, turning the dragon into a chicken. Everyone in the room fell silent for a moment, before Professor Hecat could bring our attention back:

"Alright, that's enough for today's lesson. Mr. Sallow, I appreciate the help, but allow me to handle it next time."

Sebastian stepped back, his eyes still on my frozen figure as I felt tears run down my cheeks, almost burning. I blinked twice before wiping them away.

"Ms. Woods - ..."

"Excuse me."

I turned around, leaving the classroom.