12

1975, 12 November.

Herbology, it was an interesting subject. Polaris didn't mind it at all. It was a class the Slytherins shared with the Hufflepuffs. It was easy to get along with them, better than sitting in a class full of Gryffindors who just glare at you instead of paying attention.

Though not all the Slytherins took a liking to the Huffpuffs, calling them things like 'duffs' the house where the leftovers go. Though there was something that the Hufflepuffs had in common with the Slytherins that the Slytherins respected. They took care of their own. They were a house known for loyalty, and loyal they were. They might not know your name or your face, but see that yellow on their uniform, they'll help you out.

Hufflepuffs stick together, just as Slytherins stick together. So seeing Slytherins arguing with Hufflepuffs wasn't at all surprising, with one person starting, another comes to back them up, then another from the other house, going on and on with a petty argument of whose right.

"I told you that's wrong! I'm starting to think you're just making it up, refusing to believe I'm correct, and your senile if you think I'm going to back down."

Hearing that, he snorted, turning his head to see the new argument of the day. The arguments weren't drastic if you were to compare them to ones with Gryffindors.

They only had Herbology four times a week. Today was Wednesday, the 12th, their second class of herbology. Unfortunately, today was the day they would be having a 'double' herbology lesson. However, at separate times, there was now the class having yet to begin, as they waiting for their professor and then there was later, after lunch, another hour-long class.

He usually had a set of people he sat with within each class, sometimes mixing it up, going with the flow. Like today he was sat beside Erwin Robbe, a pureblood Hufflepuff who happens to be exceedingly good at Herbology. Usually, he sat with another Slytherin, who Polaris had befriended. Her name was Talia Noel. Though today she wasn't on his right, she was sitting on a different row with another girl in their House.

Erwin was a funny fellow, a rather relaxing and chilled person, though there were times he could get nervous. He was an interesting bloke. Then again, the reason he sat with him today was to have him as a partner for their herbology project. Their professor had told them they would be discussing it today. Other than himself, Erwin was at the top of the class in Herbology. What better than having the two top students of the class in a group- a guaranteed Outstanding.

The chattering of the class stopped as the door was opened, revealing their professor, Professor Mullein. The man stood tall at the door, his robes flowing in the air as he strode towards his desk, a book under his arm, "Good morning Hufflepuff and Slytherins! A pleasant morning it is, is it not?"

"Morning, professor, I have a question. Are we allowed to choose our partners for the project assignment?" a Hufflepuff asked, leaning forward and waiting for an answer.

"No, no. Not at all. That will be chosen at random! Any other questions? I did mention you could ask all your questions in this class, didn't I?" the man spoke. He sat on the edge of his cluttered desk. There were a few whispers and groans at that prospect. They couldn't choose their partners.

Most of the class had sat with people who they had wished to partner with, but it seemed it was all in vain. Polaris himself was upset. He rather chooses than have it be selected for him. Who was to say he wouldn't get someone who wouldn't try? Perhaps it would be for the best. He could just do it himself, though it would be more work than needed.

A Slytherin raised their hand. It was Corvus. "Yes, Mr Avery?"

"Right, Professor, how many will be in a group?" Corvus asked, "Yes, good question. I was planning on two a group, but there seems to be an odd number, so I have decided there will be three in a group."

Three…

Their professor continued to answer all the questions everyone may have, answering them to his best ability. So far, he knew there were to be three in a group. The names would be selected at random, using his hat. There was a wide board that was floating at the side of his professor's desk. Once the groups had been chosen, their names would appear on the board boxed together.

Most of them were already stood at the board, with Professor Mullein allowing it. All trying to see who they had been partnered up with. The project was to be due within two weeks. Therefore the due date was to be before the 26th of November. This was just the start of these projects. There were still other classes that had spoken about projects, but some of them were closer to the Christmas break, to be done before the break.

This project seemed simple enough. It was Autumn. Therefore the project had to do with plants that grew in the Autumn. They were to choose a plant for their project. Why did they choose this plant, where does this plant grow, and what is this plant used for? What properties does this plant contain? Why does this plant grow in the Autumn? If you could use this plant for anything, anything at all, whether for a cure, a potion drink, or a healing property, what would you choose? And why? Explain how you would make it and how long would it take to make it? Who would be the target of it? It went on and on and on.

Black, Polaris.

There it was, his name. He glanced under it to see his partners.

Bones, Amelia.

Ah, her. He hadn't talked to her much at all, mostly small chit chat if they saw each other in the halls, neither friends nor enemies. He was grateful to her for letting him borrow the book.

He heard a hum at his side and turned meeting familiar eyes, blue ones. "It seems we now share a particular service of working together. A pleasant surprise this is, Polaris, Polaris Black." A glint of amusement in her eyes as she spoke. His lips twitched, as he forced a smile away.

"Hm, pleasant it is. I suppose this time it'll cost you for my service. Amelia, Amelia Bones." He said in mirth, a smirk playing on lips. Her eyes narrowed, "Oh? And what is this cost, Scion Black?"

"Which means nothing. It'll cost you nothing." He repeated the very thing she had told him those months ago. She stared at him for a few seconds before laughing, "I see what you did there, Scion Black", she said, grinning.

"Oh?" he said in confusion, "What was it that I did, Scion Bones?" he said, playing 'oblivious'.

She rolled her eyes as she began to walk away. He followed her through the crowd of their classmates as they found a place to sit in a group, "Amelia, just Amelia." She said.

"Then, call me Polaris. Polaris is just fine."

They sat, talking about the project, what they could do, what plant they could choose, and then someone was stood in front of their desk. Amelia turned to him, her head tilting, then recognition in her eyes, "You're the third name, then?" she asked the lanky boy in Slytherin robes. He nodded, not responding verbally.

The third name, which Polaris had completely forgotten to check.

Travers, Andrew.

"You can take a seat, you know", Polaris drawled, seeing the boy still standing there as if waiting for orders. "Right…" Travers whispered. The boy turned around, grabbed a stool and sat opposite them, and waved a parchment in the air, "This is our official assignment. I got it from the desk." The boy said quietly as he placed it on the desk. Amelia smiled politely, "Thank you, it completely slipped my mind that he told us to get them once we have found our partners." Amelia said.

Polaris used his hand to manoeuvre the piece of parchment that the boy had laid down, so it was easier to read. He skimmed through it, "Right, it's practically the same as what Professor Mullein was saying. I suppose this will be an interesting project?"

"I hope it will. It seems interesting enough that I won't have to resort to sleeping," Amelia said, "Ah, right." Polaris said slowly as he stared at her. She looked back at him, "What?" she said. He raised his hand a pointed to the cover of her lip, " I think I see the drools from when you fell asleep before Preffesor Mullein came."

She snorted, "You saw me?!" she gasped, "Of course I did… everyone saw you. Perhaps my service will cost you taking naps…."

She huffed, looking away from him, setting her gaze on Travers, who was looking anywhere but at them. "Um, so Scion Travers, what do you think of the project assignment?" Amelia asked Travers. He looked up startled, his brows furrowed before shrugging his shoulders.

"Perhaps, a verbal answer would be best?" Polaris said absently, "Sorry", the other Slytherin mumbled, again avoiding eye contact. Was he really a Slytherin?

The silence was deafening amongst them as the chatter of the other groups filled the air. Polaris' fingers drummed against the desk before finally saying something.

"What about reading the parchment. Perhaps Scion Travers can do that. You wouldn't mind, would you? Just to get this all started." Polaris said in a calm, unhurried voice.

Amelia nodded, "Yes, that's a great idea." She said approvingly. They both turned to Travers, who nervously bit at his lip as he dragged the piece of parchment towards himself, "Right…" his voice low and gravely.

"We are bathed in the kind of weather that inspires long walks and poetry as the days have cooled to a nice breeze. Despite this, the autumnal blooms continue to bloom as if the sun were at its peak during this transition from late summer to fall. The garden is a riot of golds, pinks, and light creams. This is one of the greatest times to brew certain critical spells and potions, and many of them require flora that blooms or reaches peak magical content throughout the following months. Choose a plant, any plant at all." Travers's voice was low and uncertain as he read each word carefully, trying to ensure he didn't mispronounce a word, not like the idea of having to read it.

"Alright then, should we think of a plant then?" Amelia asked. "Um…" Travers started. Amelia smiled at him, egging him to continue, "Well, do we have to do a flower or something?" he finally asked.

"Well, we can if we want to. He said all plants, so that includes liverworts, hornworts, mosses, and vascular plants, as well as fossil plants," Amelia responded as a matter of fact, which Polaris nodded at, then Polaris noticed the furrowed brows on Traver's face, the boy wanted to ask another question, regarding what she had just said, likely not understanding.

His fingers thrumming against the desk, he sighed, "Liverworts are like mosses. They're land plants that don't have a vascular system. Hornworts are flowerless, spore-producing plants. Mosses are small, non-vascular flowerless plants. Vascular plants have specialised vascular tissues for the transport of water, minerals, and food- so basically flowers and stuff. Then finally, fossil plants, which are any preserved part of a plant that has long since died, like petrified wood." Polaris simply explained for Travers to have an understanding. It wouldn't do good to do a project with someone lacking simple knowledge.

"Thanks, Scion Black." Travers said steadily, nodding in understanding, "Um, Scion Bones" Travers directed to the only girl in the group, "You can just call me Amelia," she responded.

"…Amelia, then," Travers said hesitantly as if she was the first to allow him to use their first name.

After that, Traver had asked the question he wanted to ask. With that out of the way, they continued to discuss what plant they could use for their project. The class ended quickly, the Slytherins rushing out for their next class, while the Hufflepuffs laxly left, as they had a free period before their next class.

Hours had gone by, class after class. He was finally done with all his lessons for the day. Gladly so. Polaris tiredly put his school robe on as he walked through the hallway of the dorm rooms. As he was walking, he came to a stop as his path was blocked and sighed at sight before him.

Was this really happening now? He had just seen the boy an hour ago when they had Charms, it was hard not to notice him once you've noticed him, and with Polaris now sharing a project with him, there was no way he wouldn't notice him, and that was him. Andrew Travers, perhaps that's why he had been so quiet when they were trying to discuss their project. Is Travers getting bullied going to decrease his workload?

Polaris wanted an outstanding, nothing below that. They had to work together and share an even amount of work among the three of them, it was required for the project, and their professor would know if they hadn't.

He found himself watching Andrew Travers get beat up. Two third-year Slytherin, one buff and the other thin, were kicking him as he was laid on the floor hunched into a ball protecting his head.

As interesting as it was to watch, he needed to stop it. He didn't need him to get brain damage, then he'd just be more stupid than he already proved himself to be.

"I see you two are enjoying yourself, but it would be nice if you two weren't blocking the way, and I would appreciate it if you didn't bash the spine of my Herbology partner." Polaris droned out. He didn't have time for this. He just wanted to get some breakfast.

The two, third years stopped laughing between themselves and turned, "Who-" The buffer boy began but stopped once he saw who was standing there, "Oh Scion Black, sorry about that, Travers. You heard the guy get up and stop blocking the way you pathetic mudblood" the thinner one spoke before giving him one last kick and walking away while the buffer guy followed along.

Travers peaked through his hands that covered his bruised face and saw Polaris. Polaris clicked his tongue and walked over to the boy, "Wait!" the boy called out, "What?" Polaris drawled, looking back at the figure reaching his arm out towards him.

"I- um, thank you", Travers murmured. Polaris had his face scrunched up, "Just make sure you prepared for our group meeting tomorrow", he answered and walked off.

'Hopefully, his hand is alright. It wouldn't do good if he couldn't write. I rather not have time wasted because he needs his hand to heal.'

--

Polaris sat next to Aaron Flint, his roommate while sitting across from Corvus in the great hall. Corvus was in the middle of shoving a piece of toast almost wholly in his mouth. He chomped down, leaving just a corner of toast in his fingers before gingerly tossing the little bit into his already full mouth.

"I feel like I'm always saying this, but your way of eating is really not easy for the stomach to digest", Polaris directed toward Corvus.

Corvus rolled his eyes, "Is it your stomach or mine that we're talking about, Pol?" he lazily inquired back. He then proceeded to tank a whole pitcher of orange juice. Not caring as some splashed out to drip onto his clothes. Polaris had lost his apatite once his friend smacked his lips.

"I'd love to see how your cousin Aura would react if she saw you right now", Aaron drawled as he took a sip of his tea, making Polaris snort, 'that would be a sight to see.' Corvus rolled his eyes, and he moved the peas on his plate back and forth with no intention of eating them.

"Cor?" Polaris called out in deep thought, "Hm?" he answered back, "ten galleons saying you can't hit your cousin with them from here", Polaris spoke out smugly as he glanced to his right, down the table was Corvus's cousin, the Avery heir.

Corvus looked down at his plate, staring at the peas Polaris had looked towards then to his cousin and grinned. "Bet", he quickly complied, sticking his hand out, which Polaris took to shake.

"But you have to use the spoon as a catapult- and you can't just hold the spoon and throw it. You have to have the spoon at least touching the table." Polaris spoke out again after having just shook the boy's hand.

"Merlin, 10 Galleons? You're an idiot to think you would be 10 galleons richer this fine morning," Corvus spoke out and began to place the pea on the spoon.

Polaris forced himself to hold in his laughter as he watched Corvus fling the pea, it went quite far, but of course, his friend was a good aim, but that didn't mean he would be winning the bet.

Corvus watched the pea head straight for his cousin with a wide grin, curious to how his cousin ould react, but suddenly it disappeared? No, it- it hit the person beside his cousin… was that Aura?

"Who did that!" Corvus's other cousin practically hissed out, loud enough for the whole table to hear and loud enough for the table at their side to hear.

Polaris looked away, slapping his hand to his mouth. He had tears forming in his eyes, duct at how much he was struggling to stop the laughter that so badly wanted to come out… magic was a wonderful thing.

Corvus stood abruptly in shock. It was all that quiet. All eyes snapped to him as he stood, especially his cousin's. Aura did not look pleased at all, not one bit. Hitting her was definitely not something he wanted to do. She was not one to joke around with. Jasper, yes, he could joke around with but her? It was like asking for a death wish.

He turned away from her, "I'll give you the gold later. Right now, I need to stay alive," Corvus whispered to Polaris, who just ended up letting out a bark of laughter. His head was on the table more so now every head was turned to their table after hearing a laugh escape from Polaris.

The eyes watched curiously as they watched the youngest Avery rush away from the table and saw how Aura Avery herself stood up and obviously not happy, her strides long and elegant as she followed after her little cousin.

Finally gaining some sense, he coughed into his elbow and then turned his attention to Aaron, who still had his gaze at the door that Aura had just left through.

Aaron turned his gaze to Polaris, worry evident on his face, "Will he be alright?" he asked.

Polaris snorted, "He better be if I'm going to be 10 galleons richer."

As the conversation ended, a few owls started flying in to deliver mail. As usual, most of the letters were always for the first years, which was understandable.

A dark owl swooped down towards Polaris and gracefully landed on his shoulder with a letter in his beak, 'Great, another one' Polaris rolled his eyes, knowing it was from his mother. Just from starting Hogwarts, he felt as though he was slowly growing insane with his mother's pestering.

Polaris took it and shoved it into his pocket and picked a piece of chicken from Aaron's plate and gave it to his Owl, "Oi", Aaron reprimanded and then sighed.

"You know I've never asked; I saw him once before, I think. What's his name?" Aaron inquired as he gently ran his fingers through his fur.

"Orpheus."

"Darkness of the night, fitting name", Aaron translated as he continued to pet the soft fur.

"That's a stupid name", a voice sounded from across them. Ahh, that girl. She was quite annoying.

"You find the name Orpheus to be stupid? You do realise it sounds better than that pathetic name your mudblood mother gave you, Waters," Aaron drawled out in the bird's defence.

"Anna isn't a pathetic name, and my mother is not a mudblood! She's a half-blood!" the girl, Anna Waters, corrected him. With that said, she turned her gaze to him

"Are you seriously not going to open the letter again? I'm still shocked that the madwoman- no offence, hasn't sent any howlers to you for the lack of fast response. She sends your brother a howler quite often," Spoke Anna, referring to Sirius Black.

Polaris shrugged his shoulders, not particularly sure what to say. He wouldn't exactly say that Waters and he were friends, so he found it odd that she was talking as if they were. She even had the gall to call his mother a madwoman. Yes, of course, the girl was right, but she didn't have the right to say that.

"Really? Calling my mother a 'madwoman', are you daft, insult a Lady of the Noble and Ancient House of Black? You're a mere half-blood from a wizarding family that has no title of Noble nor Ancient." Polaris snapped, his glare making her nervous. That seemed to gain the attention of those around, causing whispers.

"Is she mad?"

"Some mudbloods don't know their place. She thinks she can do whatever she wants because she forced her way into being friends with Scion Parkinson."

Anna's face was flushing into a deep red as she panicked.

"S- I'm sorry, Scion Black." She said, her voice wavering as she was sat there. "Sorry? Really Waters?" another voice said. It was Elora, who was standing at Polaris's side, "I heard what you said, and sorry isn't going to cut it. I suppose you can say we're no longer friends if you don't know how to act in public." Elora sneered as she crossed her arms.

The whispering increased as their greedily watched the exchange.

"Look! She no longer has Parkinson for protection."

"I guess we know who the bottom feeder is now."

Polaris turned to Elora and smiled gratefully, "Thank you, Elora", he said, before turning to Anna, "What she said was right. We're Slytherins Waters… Sorry just isn't going to cut it, so now why don't you ask me what I want in return for forgiveness?" Polaris said cheerfully, his eyes shining brightly in amusement.

She twiddled her fingers nervously, "…What can I do to have you forgive me?" she asked hesitantly, not liking where this was going.

Polaris laughed, "Relax, you seem tense. I'm not going to ask you to do anything drastic. It's rather simple, in fact. Write a letter to my mother, Walburga Black, apologising for what you have said this evening. I, of course, will watch you write and send this letter." He said. He was still smiling.

Her eyes widened, simple? That wasn't simple?! This was a disaster. She couldn't possibly do that! It could ruin her family, and it didn't help that her mother was a half-blood. The Black probably already think less of them. This would only fuel their dislike.

There was some snickering along with the table nosy Ravenclaw table behind them, hearing every word. Then a voice sounded out, "What's going on here?" turning their heads, only to see another member of the House of Black, "Brother," Polaris greeted innocently.

"I was merely asking this housemate of ours to send mother an apology." He filled his brother in. The girl didn't dare meet the older Slytherin's eyes, who were boring into her, with a raised brow.

"For what?" Regulus drawled, "Waters, why don't you stop staring at the floor like an idiot and tell my brother what you called our mother." Polaris asked cooly.

Her mouth felt dry. Looking up, she stared at the hazel eyes of Regulus Black. She finally spoke, yet it wasn't audible, "Waters, your really making this harder than it needs to be. There's something called speaking clearly, which you aren't doing right now." Aaron Flint commented, his drawling as he did.

"Madwoman… I called your mother a madwoman." Her voice was thick with conviction and guilt.

That was all she needed to say for Regulus to look at her with narrowed eyes before walking off, telling Polaris, 'As you were'. They watched as Polaris gave her a piece of parchment for her to write. It was now or never, and he really enjoyed having her humiliated. It was amusing. While Polaris was relishing in the stares, Waters was wishing she wasn't a Slytherin anymore. She wasn't exactly going to be enjoying the rest of her first year. Perhaps they'll all forget what had occurred that evening, but then again, Slytherins don't forget.

"And I am back ready to grace you again with my humble presence. Another voice sounded out behind both Aaron and Polaris, making them both grin.

"I see you still have your body parts intact", Aaron spoke out.

"Where's my money" Polaris spoke out, trying to keep the smile off his face.

"I nearly get murdered, and you want money? What a friend you are," Corvus spoke out dramatically.