Hi everyone, sorry it has been so long! Hopefully you haven't given up on me.

Here is the next instalment.

Reminder: Susanna is the daughter of Oliver Wood.

The rest of the week was marginally better than my first day back. Without thinking I slipped into my old routine of waking up early, blending in with crowd and doing what was asked of me without complaint. I replied to my Mum's letters in an upbeat tone and spent most of my nights in the library trying to get spells and potions to sink into my stupid brain.

As the weekend approached I was feeling more optimistic about the year ahead. After all, it was only one year which in comparison to rest of my life seemed an easy task to endure. I just had to remain positive, and stay out of the way of people who would do everything in their power to make my year difficult.

With a small smile I slipped into my usual seat at the back of Defence Against the Dark Arts, it was the last lesson on a Friday and my thoughts were filled with a weekend of reading the classics down by the Lake while it was still warm enough to do so.

"Do you mind if I sit here?"

My head snapped up. My favourite thing about Defence was that it was such a small class that I had a whole table to myself far far away from the likes of James and Remus who sat eagerly up the front forever volunteering to duel.

Rose Weasley stood beside my table a hesitant smile on her face as she tucked a strand of fiery red hair behind her ear.

"You're not in seventh year?"

"True," she slid into the seat beside mine without waiting for me to confirm it was okay, "McGonagall doesn't think I'm being challenged enough in my classes, she thinks I might be ready to take my NEWTS this year."

I fought the urge to bang my head against the table. Did the Weasley and Potter children just inherit some strange gene that not only made them popular but ridiculously smart as well? It wasn't fair.

"Oh."

"Yeah, it's kind of embarrassing but- "

"Rosie? What are you doing here?" James fell into the classroom laughing at something Remus had said before he noticed Rose. That was exactly what I had been afraid of. Potters and Weasleys caused unwanted attention. I liked being ignored, I didn't need Rose Weasley making me a target.

"I already told you this morning," Rose sighed and rolled her eyes, "Maybe if you had listened to me instead of scoffing bacon like there was no tomorrow."

"You make me sound like some sort of animal," James smirked.

"Well you do act like a pig most of the time."

"Hey!"

"I only speak the truth," Rose laughed as she examined her red painted nails, "Now leave me alone before Professor Longbottom gets here."

"Longbottom?"

"Yeah didn't you hear that the old Professor is sick, so Neville is filling in for a bit."

"Great," Remus groaned from the front of the room, "That was the whole reason I dropped Herbology last year." The rest of the room laughed.

"Why don't you come sit down the front with us?" James' eyes skimmed over me briefly. I avoided his gaze thinking about the potions essay crumpled in a ball at the bottom of my bag, the essay we were supposed to be working on together which he hadn't even mentioned. The essay that I was determined to do well in despite his lack of help.

"I'm fine back here thanks," Rose smiled taking her books out of her bag and getting organised.

"Trust me Susanna isn't the best conversationalist and she'd probably drag you down if you have to be partners with her, her grades aren't the best." I tried not to react to his words, instead I kept my eyes forward. Just because I didn't feel the need to make polite conversation with James Potter didn't mean I had nothing interesting to say.

"Stop being a git Potter." My eyes flickered to Ewan Goyle sitting in the opposite corner of the room. I hadn't even known he was in this class. Everyone was suddenly silent, I could see Alyssa and Scorpious exchanging confused looks. What the hell was he doing? I hadn't asked for his input.

James tensed as he turned to face the opposite side of the class.

"What's it to you Goyle?" He spat, you could hear the venom in his voice. I stayed completely still. How had I managed once again to become the centre of attention?

"The better question is what has Susanna done to offend you Potter?" Goyle pushed away from his desk abruptly, "I've yet to see her do anything to rile you up, to deserve you treating her the way you do."

"Shut your mouth Goyle or I'll-"

"Or you'll what Mr Potter?" Mr Longbottom's voice was casual as he strode purposely into the room, the door slamming with a bang behind him.

"I'll-"

"I would suggest you don't actually tell me Potter unless you want detention and with the first Quidditch match of the season coming up I don't think that would be wise. Do you?"

"No sir," James shoulders slumped as he made his way towards his seat while Goyle's grin widened as he too sat down.

"Now, can we all turn to page thirty-seven of our textbooks. Today we will be focusing on the patronus charm."

"What was all that about?" Rose murmured from her seat beside me as Professor Longbottom continued to speak, his back turned to the rest of the class as he pointed at the screen on the wall.

"What was what all about?" I tried to act indifferent but inside my head was spinning. It was bad enough that I had to endure James in Potions, but now thanks to Goyle he was probably going to make it his mission to ridicule me wherever I went.

"My asshole cousin and Goyle. I know they don't get on but that kind of sprung from nowhere." Rose's eyes were sharp. She was the kind of person who didn't miss a trick, and it put me on edge.

"Look, Rose-"

"I'm sorry," she interrupted opening her book, "I know you don't like talking to us. I just thought maybe you wouldn't mind me sitting beside you."

"Wait. What?"

"Me sitting beside you? I'll move next lesson if it bothers you that much." Rose suddenly had a wall up around her, so much like mine that it made me curious.

"Why would you think I don't like talking to you?" Longbottom was still speaking at the front of the class, but his words were no more than a haze in the background. My head ached.

"You never talk to us. The Potters or the Weasleys," Rose clarified pretending to read her book, "It's like we're not important enough to talk to, like you can't be bothered. Every time we come in to the common room you leave, and you were positively horrid to James when he tried to get you to join the Quidditch team."

I was stunned. That's what they thought of me?

"He wouldn't leave me alone!"

"That's because you're good!" Rose shot back, her eyes wild.

At the front of the class Professor Longbottom coughed gruffly. Once again, the whole entire class seemed to be looking in my direction.

"Is there a problem girls?"

"No sir," I mumbled lowly while Rose just blushed furiously. Like me, she hated to get into trouble.

After that we both turned our eyes to the front of the room, Rose scribbled furious notes as Longbottom spoke. I doodled in the corner of my parchment my mind playing over what Rose had said.

"Look," I whispered as the lesson neared its end, "It's not that I don't like you, it's just that I don't talk much to anyone."

"Isn't that lonely?" Rose's eyes were sad. I didn't want her pity, for some reason I just wanted her understanding.

"I'm not a very interesting person," I shrugged, "I'm not clever, or sporty, I don't want to burden people with having to act interested in me."

"I think you're exceptionally interesting," Rose countered, "You always have your nose in a book, and don't think I don't see you flying around the castle after curfew. You shouldn't have to hide who you are, you should embrace it."

"But what if who I am disappoints people?"

"Like who?"

"Everyone," I shrugged, "My Mum. My Dad."

"Your parents will love you no matter what. And who cares about everyone else?" I realised that around us everyone was beginning to pack up their stuff. I realised that my conversation with Rose was the longest conversation I'd had with anyone since returning to Hogwarts.

"I care," I admitted, "James hates me." I had no idea why that was the first person who came to mind.

"No," Rose smiled softly, "He doesn't hate you. He doesn't understand you because you don't let anyone in, and James is an ass when he can't work something out. You're a puzzle to him, but he doesn't hate you."

"It's hard," I confessed, "I feel like everyone fits in here except me."

"You are definitely not alone there," Rose laughed bitterly, "Do you think I like being smart? I would do anything to be back with my own year right now but instead I'm in this class annoying my cousins and looking big headed."

"But do you know what gets me through that?" Rose continued, "My friends. My family. You can't go it alone all the time Susanna. At some point you need to let people in."

"I-"

The bell rings cutting off what I was about to say. Frantically I gather up my books realising I've spilled way too many of my feelings to Rose Weasley. They'd probably all be laughing about me in the Common Room later.

"Look," Rose catches my arm before I can make an escape, "Have breakfast with me tomorrow morning."

"I can't, I- "

"Don't say no," Rose gives my arm a gently squeeze, "Just think about it."

Rose leaves the room before I have a chance to say anymore.

"You okay?" Goyle asks me quietly on his way out the room.

"Fine."

The whole world had gone completely mad.

Thoughts?