Teen Wolf at Hogwarts

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***

This Saturday morning, the three underclassmen broke all records for waking up early. The boys woke up almost simultaneously, around four in the morning, and Lydia woke up around five. And yet all three of them did not get their heads out of their pillows until half-past eight.

Will and Stiles hastily packed up and headed to Madam Pomfrey's office to get official permission to leave the hospital wing. At ten to eight, the boys stood at the door, each holding their own bag of textbooks. The Gryffindor and Slytherin glanced at the emblems embroidered on their robes and grinned - such an alliance was exactly against the unspoken rules of survival at Hogwarts, established by the founders themselves.

- Well, Stilinski, good luck. - Will arched an eyebrow, smirking, 'As our lovely Lydia said yesterday,' both boys paid no attention to the slip of the 'our', 'try not to get into anything before we can talk again.

- I'd better worry about me if I were you, my sweet William,' Stiles grinned from ear to ear. - I'm sure I'll get out of any trouble, but I'm not so sure about you. - The boy sighed heavily, putting a hand to his heart.

- Idiot. - The Slytherin laughed softly, lowering his head. Neither Stiles nor Will himself realised the reason for his good mood, as by the law of the genre things were supposed to be very tense and gloomy right now. I guess, the Slytherin thought, things always go wrong with that boy. Jack's sudden snort was almost a confirmation of his thoughts.

- Good luck. - Stiles was already completely serious, only lifting the corners of his lips slightly.

- You too. - Will nodded, also smiling softly.

Without a word, the boys pushed open the double door at the same time, stepping out into the hallway, lit no longer by torches but by the light of the long-rising sun. After a final glance, the boys went their separate ways, having agreed last night that they would go to the Great Hall by different routes to avoid suspicion.

Stiles walked from staircase to staircase, looking at the sleepy and dishevelled students, whose looks made it clear that they were not all that keen on getting up in the morning. Not feeling Will beside him was truly strange to Stiles right now. Over the past two days, the Slytherin had become something of a given. Entering the Great Hall, Stiles took a deep breath as he looked around at all four tables. Exactly the same sleepy confused students, exactly the same atmosphere of general hatred for learning, exactly the same snickering Dumbledore at the other end of the hall. Smiling, the boy made his way to his desk, taking a seat between Scott and Matt.

- Stiles, mate, I've missed you already. - McCall exclaimed, hugging his weakly resisting friend.

- Scott, Merlin, let go of me, you'll strangle me! - Stiles wheezed, trying to get out of his friend's grasp.

- Time goes by, and you two haven't changed. - Allison smiled warmly as she sat down across from the boys.

- Good morning. - Lydia grinned, leaning across the table and slapping Scott on the back, 'McCall, leave him alone, I'm going to need him again today.

- Just for you. - Scott smiled broadly, finally releasing a panting Stiles from his arms.

- Derek's here. - Malia stretched out, looking at the Slytherin table.

- Is Will here? - Stiles asked, afraid to turn around.

- He just came in. - Lydia nodded, watching the boy sitting at the edge of the table.

- Good. So there's only a few hours left. - Stiles was suddenly overcome with excitement and the realisation that almost everything was going to depend on him and Lydia. The girl, as if sensing her friend's worries, put her palm on his fisted hand and gently ran her thumb over it.

- Everything will be all right. - She smiled, trying to catch Stilinski's gaze. He looked into her eyes and sighed, lifting the corners of his lips. - That's much better. - Martin nodded approvingly.

After breakfast, they all headed for the exit from the hall, deciding not to separate. At the door they ran into none other than Will. The boy showed absolutely no sign of knowing the Gryffindors. Or rather, he hadn't shown it to the others in any way. In fact, Will, as he passed Stiles and Lydia, smiled slightly and gave a thumbs-up as if to encourage the boys, to which they nodded faintly. This kind of game was both tense and happy at the same time. Lydia and Stiles liked the fact that Will now trusted them, and the Slytherin was pleased that the two were willing to do something so unpleasant and hard for him.

The first lesson was Herbalogy, which Stiles literally slept through - it was theoretical. Later the boy justified to the irritated Martin that he was not interested in hearing how many people were killed by wild nettles and Asphodel in 1748.

- One should think when one is in the mountains! - The boy exclaimed, rubbing the back of his head, which was aching from a recent blow (Martin was a girl, but she gave a good thrashing), - Lyds, you have to admit, no normal wizard would pick wild herbs, the properties of which are unknown to him! - Stiles didn't calm down until the Transfiguration lesson started.

For the entire forty-five minutes, Professor McGonagall cast odd glances at Stiles and Lydia, who sat on opposite sides of the classroom - Stilinski still needed a rest, and Martin just didn't want to get angry with him again. As the class ended, the redhead was called over by McGonagall, calling her to her with a wave of her hand.

- Yes, Professor? - Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, the girl crossed her arms over her chest, waiting for the Dean's reaction.

- 'Miss Martin, I just wanted to make sure you got the thoughts of what you asked me yesterday out of your head. - The woman pressed her lips together, as she usually did when she didn't want to give away her emotions.

- Don't worry, Professor, I've long since forgotten about it. - Lydia lifted the corners of her lips, almost physically feeling Stiles' gaze burning into her back.

- I hope so, Miss Martin. - McGonagall nodded.

- Can I go now, Professor? - Lydia shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot, side-eyeing Stiles as he walked out of the classroom.

- Go on, Miss Martin. - And tell Mr Stilinski that I'm very glad he's recovered so quickly, but I'd advise him not to sleep in my class again,' she nodded and smiled softly.

With a nod and a soft smile, Lydia left the classroom. As she expected, standing next to the door, leaning against the wall, was Stiles.

- Stilinski, I told you not to sleep through Transfiguration at least. - Lydia couldn't hold back a smile as she watched her friend flinch, turning around swiftly.

- What did she tell you? - The boy looked genuinely concerned.

- Nothing important. - Martin waved her hand, passing her friend further down the corridor.

- But she did ask something, didn't she? - Stiles ran after his friend, rapidly moving forward down the corridor.

- Stiles, it's nothing important, honestly. - Lydia smiled, stepping out onto the open bridge and shivering slightly in the breeze.

- If it's nothing important, then you can easily tell me everything. - The boy didn't stop, still following his friend's footsteps.

- How stubborn you are, Godric the Merciful! - The red-haired girl moaned, entering the castle again and now walking more measuredly.

- You talk as if you've only just learnt about it. - Stiles snorted, exhaling in relief.

- I just can't stop wondering about it. - Martin grinned, coming down the stairs.

- Leeds, what was she asking, anyway? - Stiles asked, having finally caught up with his friend and now walking in front, facing Martin.

- Stiles, you're going to fall. - Martin sighed, rolling her eyes and turning down the corridor, surprised that Stiles hadn't forgotten about him.

- I won't fall,' Stilinski waved his hand, looking straight into his friend's eyes, 'What did she say?

- You won't let go, will you? - Lydia smiled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. - Okay. It's just that I went up to McGonagall yesterday, asking her what she knew about that murder. - She told me that it was none of my business and that I shouldn't know anything about it.

- You didn't say anything about Will, did you? - Stiles asked worriedly, frowning.

- Did you mean it now? - Lydia tried to put all the scepticism and resentment she could into her voice.

- I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking. - Stiles smiled conciliatorily, now walking shoulder to shoulder with her friend.

- Well, you don't have to think for now. Save all your brainpower for lunch, please. - Martin lifted the corners of her lips.

- No problem. - Stiles grinned broadly, slinging his bag onto his shoulder and quickening his step.

***

Lydia and Stiles decided to sit next to each other in the charms, as the excitement was gradually catching up with both of them. By the way, the presence of Slytherins in the class didn't improve the mood.

- Martin, why weren't you in your precious Transfiguration class yesterday? Have you finally realised the level of stupidity of that old hag, or can't you live without your Stilinski for an hour? I heard you took a good whack at the quaffle, didn't you, Styles? Well, you didn't have to show off, sweetheart. - Erica smiled lusciously, squinting and stretching her syllables in a mannered way.

- You're so full of it that you can't talk about just one person, aren't you? It must be a rare condition. I'm sorry. - Stiles said sympathetically, putting his hand to his heart as he'd done this morning. Only with Will, the gesture had not been negative, while now the boy wanted to hurt his rival as much as possible. The rival crypters, by the way, as always in such situations, were now burning each other with a look.

- Stilinski, I see they haven't cured you of your amazing wit in the hospital wing. - Jackson apparently decided to intercede for Reyes, who had hesitated for a few moments, 'I'm sorry. It's the kind of thing you should get rid of, you know.

- Merlin, just shut up. - Scott, who had come in a few moments ago, hissed, sitting down next to Stiles.

- The king of creativity is here. - Ethan grinned, sitting down on a bench on his side of the classroom.

- He'll have more brains than you. - Matt arched an eyebrow.

- What?' the Slytherin stared at him blankly.

- I told you. - Matt laughed, shaking his head.

- Worried? - Lydia leaned in close to Stiles's ear, ignoring the ongoing argument.

- A little. - He nodded, turning his head to his friend, 'Are you?

- Likewise. - Martin lifted the corners of her lips, sighing convulsively. Smiling, Stiles squeezed her shoulder gently.

- Get out your feathers, there's going to be a theory lesson today! - Flitwick suddenly shrieked, striding over to his improvised stand of books.

- Don't even think about it. - Lydia frowned, looking at Stiles, who had already laid his head on the table.

- Lyds, I haven't slept! - I haven't slept all night,' he groaned, taking a sitting position. What good am I going to do you if all I do is yawn every second?

- You'll do something. - Martin smiled.

- You're cruel. - frowned the boy, pulling out writing materials from his bag.

- Not at all. - The redhead laughed, tilting her head back a little. Talking such rubbish was a distraction from their heavy thoughts and excitement.

- Today's lesson will be on blood charms*. - Flitwick began his lesson, tapping his wand on the podium, behind which he was barely visible. - Perhaps someone has heard of this branch of magic and can share with us its peculiarities?

Contrary to usual, Lydia's hand rested on the table instead of surging into the air.

- No one's ever heard of it, right? - The professor smiled, 'Well, that's not what I expected.

- Why ask at all? - Isaac snorted a little audibly.

- Blood magic. - Flitwick reiterated the subject of the lesson. After a slight wave of his wand, chalked letters began to appear on the blackboard, 'It's quite rare. It can be found in real life only under special circumstances. For example, prominent wizarding families used blood magic centuries ago to keep valuables safe. This may seem rather strange to you, because even then Gringotts existed. - Nevertheless, back then every distinguished family was obliged to have its own vault, hidden away in a mountain or a cave.

- So, you mean that magic was simply activated when a person belonging to the necessary clan was in the necessary proximity? - Allison asked, taking a moment to look away from her notes.

- Quite right, Miss Argent! - Sometimes all a person needs to do to activate the spell is to touch an object, and sometimes they need to say a word associated with the family. What is remarkable is that even if a person who is not related to the family using blood magic calls the same code word, absolutely nothing will happen.

- So just having blood ties is enough? - Scott raised his eyebrows.

- That's right! - As I said, sometimes just the simple touch of a person to an object is enough. As you have probably already guessed, there is also a protective barrier, which is impossible to deceive. It is to keep out people who try to impersonate the family that cast the spell. The outcome can be very different. From the simplest scratches and bruises to severed limbs and death.

- Who would think of trying to pass through such a spell? - Lydia frowned, twirling her quill in her hands.

- There have been cases, Miss Martin, believe me,' Flitwick nodded, 'Now, I would ask you to open your textbook to page four hundred and fifty-three and write down everything about this section of magic. When you've finished, we'll get down to the details.

There was dead silence in the room, broken only by the crinkling of two dozen quills. Stiles, sighing, set the parchment aside and looked around. Strangely enough, everyone was writing, except, of course, the boy himself. Without noticing, Stiles involuntarily glanced to his left, where Lydia was sitting.

The girl's face was impenetrable - compressed lips, frowning eyebrows, slightly squinted eyes. With the speed of a meteor, the redhead was scribbling word by word, underlining the most important phrases. Martin's twisted handwriting was very beautiful. For some reason, she was tilted to the left instead of the right. The girl drew a small dash above all the capital C**s, most likely unconsciously. After a few moments, Lydia turned her head slightly to the side, bumping into the burning stare of brown boyish eyes. Stiles apparently didn't even realise he was being stared at, as he stared literally through his friend for a few more seconds, only then realising.

- What are you doing? - Martin frowned, blowing away a strand of fiery red hair that had fallen out of her eyes.

- I'm thinking,' Stiles said, looking round in confusion.

- You didn't even write the words down, did you? - A slight smile lit up Martin's face now. Shaking his head, Stiles looked away in embarrassment.

- I can't think about anything. It's like my concentration's all gone,' he complained, stroking Tim's rumbling face.

- You're thinking too much about you know what,' Martin squeezed his friend's shoulder gently.

- I can't stop,' the brunet looked at his friend, frowning, 'It always seems that if something goes wrong, it's our fault. It's mine,' the boy corrected himself, sighing convulsively, 'And I keep thinking that I'm the reason this whole thing started. If it wasn't for me, none of this would have happened.

- Yes, you're right,' Martin nodded, lowering her voice another half-tone, 'If you weren't like this, none of this would have happened. It's true. It's all because of you. If it wasn't for you, we wouldn't be in Will's life. It's only because of you that he can now, perhaps if we succeed, of course, build a good reputation for himself and destroy anyone who's done anything to him before. If it wasn't for you, you and I wouldn't have someone like Will in our lives. Yeah, Stiles, it's all because of you, you're right. Except that I don't think Will is the least bit upset that it was Stiles Stilinski.

The boy was staring at his friend with an unblinking stare. Lydia herself, smiling indulgently, turned away from her friend again, full of intentions to continue taking notes on the lecture that had long since resumed. But the next moment Stiles pulled Martin's hands sharply to his side and squeezed them tightly, squinting and smiling broadly. Lydia raised her eyebrows and looked at her friend, but did not pull her hands away.

- Thank you,' Stiles whispered, squeezing his friend's hands even tighter under the table, and she gave a low groan as she lifted the corners of her lips.

- You're welcome,' Lydia grinned, unclenching Stiles' fists and placing her own hands on the table.

- I'm sorry if I overdid it,' Stilinski smiled embarrassedly, picking up his quill.

- It's okay,' Lydia laughed softly, dipping the quill into the ink.

Neither Lydia nor Stiles said another word until the end of the lesson, but they still felt each other's support. The boy's excitement, by the way, was gone completely, giving way to relaxation and peace. At the very end of the lecture, the Gryffindor earned a few points thanks, naturally, to Lydia, causing the Slytherins to roll their eyes and wave their hands helplessly again and again.

Since it was Saturday, the freshmen had far fewer lessons than they did on weekdays. That was why the Gryffindors had gone to the living room after the Char, to take a break and maybe talk about the plan again. Ten minutes later, the seven first-years were sitting in their favourite spot by the fireplace. Lydia had her legs tucked under her and was rewriting what she hadn't had time to write down on the Charas. Scott and Stiles, sitting on either side of Isaac and Matt, were whispering about something, drawing the aforementioned Delaire and Lehi into the conversation. Allison and Malia were quietly preparing for the evening's upcoming astrology, copying Martin's neat drawings.

- 'Orion's constellation should be slightly to the left,' Lydia remarked, looking at Malia's work.

- It doesn't matter, I've never claimed the highest grade in this subject,' Tate waved her hand.

- You're just lazy,' Martin smiled, putting her notes on Charms into her bag.

- You'll never know the right answer to that question,' her friend winked at her.

- Honey, I can see right through people,' Martin said, and grinned as she rose from her chair, approaching the four students who were still discussing something. Stiles, instantly silent, glared at her, apparently considering whether to jump up or remain seated for the time being. He'd developed a reflex over the past few days about his mate's appearance.

- It's all right,' Martin assured him immediately, 'Let's just talk about it together again while we still have a chance.

- Sure,' Stiles nodded, moving away to give her some space. She nodded gratefully and motioned to Allison and Malia, who were seated across from them.

- So, lunch is coming,' Isaac began, 'We go to the great hall together, and Lydia and Stiles stay there until Derek leaves.

- We could even go early to double-check everything,' Scott added.

- No, not early, that would be a little weird,' Malia shook her head.

- Lydia and Stiles will wait for Derek by the stairs. Me and Scott will be near the entrance to the dungeon via the viaduct. Isaac and Malia are at the portrait on the basement floor. Matt, you've got backup. Whoever asks you anything, just say you don't know anything.

- Don't worry, Argent, I can handle my own difficult task,' Dahler snorted.

- Mate, seriously, good luck,' Stiles nodded, realising that Matt's task was indeed a difficult one. If someone picked on him, he'd have a hard time getting away.

- And remember,' Lydia sat with her arms folded across her chest, staring at the ceiling, 'we can't let anyone see us, or everything will be a disaster.

- We need to react quickly,' Isaac nodded, threading his fingers through his curls.

- Still, let's not overdo it, okay? We don't need to take him to the hospital,' Malia reminded him.

- Not at all,' Martin shook her head, 'We just need him to refuse. Or rather, he can't go for technical reasons.

- Don't worry, girls, we'll be with you, so nothing can get out of hand,' smirked Stiles, winking at Scott who was sitting with the same face.

- You're the reason something could happen,' the three Gryffindors said in one voice.

- Don't even start,' Matt rolled his eyes.

- We'll split up,' Stiles summed up, 'And whoever the prince goes after knocks him out, and that's it.

- Stiles, nobody's going to knock anyone out,' Lydia sighed, shifting her tired gaze to her friend.

- Oh, yeah, I'm sorry, we're just going to dislocate his leg, aren't we? - Stilinski asked hopefully. He knew the answer, which was actually why he had asked the question. Lydia still didn't like their plan, but still, she had no choice.

- Yeah, something like that,' Martin replied through gritted teeth, cursing Argent for the hundredth time for suggesting the idea.

***

Sitting in the Great Hall now, trying to cram a bite into himself, it was all torture for Stiles. Inaction had always irritated him. Helplessness, powerlessness, inability to fix anything - those were the worst feelings in the world. He just sat there and wondered how the others managed to look so cold-blooded. But while the others were still shaking slightly with excitement, Will and Lydia were sitting like goddamn rocks, not expressing a single emotion or twitching a single muscle in their faces.

Groaning, the boy dropped his head in his arms, whimpering pitifully. He still didn't want to admit it, but deep down he knew he felt the same way Lydia did. There was absolutely no desire to put another name on the list of enemies. And what a name at that! And considering that the Hales were kind of on each other's side, it would take not one, but three, not to mention the fact that Peter was their teacher.

- He couldn't have been born into a kinder, more loving family, could he? And he wouldn't have grown up to be so nasty, unapproachable, narcissistic, cunning, nasty, silent, cool, scowling.... - The flow of words was interrupted by Lydia clamping her palm over her friend's mouth.

- Watch it, or you'll run out of vocabulary,' she said, still keeping her hand on Stiles's face. Stilinski's eyes were full of silent pleading, and Martin pulled away again, regretting it the next second.

- Arrogant, haughty, unattainable, aristocratic and refined, but at the same time a threatening, angry, disgruntled freak who wants to ruin my life,' Stiles finally finished without choking.

- Finished? - Lydia arched an eyebrow, stirring her tea.

- Yes,' the boy mumbled, looking away defiantly.

- To be honest, we're the ones trying to ruin his life now, not him,' Martin reminded him, watching the miniature maelstrom caused by her stirring.

- He spoils my life with his sullenness and unsociability even when he's not in sight,' Stilinski rolled his eyes.

- I wonder how many synonyms you can come up with,' said Martin, holding back a smile.

- A lot. We can even check,' Stiles snorted.

- I'd rather you didn't,' Martin threw her arms forward in a defensive gesture.

- Cocky, joyless, oppressive, annoying, pouty, sulky, aggressive, mean, mean, lousy, helpless, fearful, ruthless, arrogant, narcissistic,' Stiles said, clasping his fingers and gibbering relentlessly until he was interrupted again by Lydia's hand.

- Shut up,' she hissed at him, 'If he makes you feel helpless and afraid, you're getting a little too excited. And, in fact, he's about to leave,' the girl nodded at Hale, who was getting up from the table to prove her point.

Without another word, Martin walked briskly out of the room, nodding to Allison and Malia without even checking to see if Stiles was following her. She didn't even need to; his muttering could be heard for another half a minute at least.

- And I'm not afraid of him,' the boy grumbled, following his friend uncomplainingly to the niche they needed.

As agreed, Malia and Isaac came out a few moments later, heading for the basement floor. Walking past her friend, Tate only smiled encouragingly at her. After a few more seconds, Scott and Allison exited the hall as well, going straight out into the courtyard. Matt was the only one left at the table, and his plight was unfortunately not to be envied either.

Stiles and Lydia stood in their own alcove, facing each other, waiting for the unsuspecting Derek. There was no trace of Stilinski's former nonchalance; the boy looked out from behind the wall with an expression of absolute concentration, carefully hiding behind it every time someone left the hall.

Taking out her wand, Lydia looked at Stiles expectantly, trying not to show her face. Despite the fact that the task seemed to only need to be completed with the help of Stilinski, Martin, and Will, the girl was now overjoyed that their friends were helping them. They wouldn't have done it alone, they wouldn't have come up with a plan and everything would have just fallen into place, just like Stiles said.

- Leeds,' Stiles whispered, huddling into the wall on the other side.

Martine understood him without words, and she thrust her wanded hand forward, whispering a spell. In the next moment, Stiles spoke his magic word as well. There was little else to do. That's what they thought, anyway.

- Anyway, I need your help,' came Derek's voice. The Gryffindors rounded their eyes in fright and slapped their foreheads together; for some unknown reason, they hadn't even considered that Hale might not be leaving the hall alone.

- I was actually going to mind my own business, but okay,' came a second voice. Neither Stiles nor Lydia had any doubts about who it belonged to.

- Cora, what business could a second-year girl possibly have?

- Yeah, well, you're the king of the faculty, you don't have to worry about anything.

- Cora, the Hales are all like that, and you're no exception. You'd think you'd be Miss Innocent and never touch anyone.

- Yeah, less than some.

- But I know who you're standing up for,' Derek grinned, and Stiles wondered which step to take to avoid ending up on the landing.

- You don't know anything. You're pining for that clawed clawed girl of yours, I don't talk,' but the younger Hale's voice sounded angry.

Lydia nodded to Stiles as she waited for Derek to step onto the first step. Stilinski, instantly understanding, waved his wand, thereby pulling up the transparent netting by the steps earlier. Judging by the silent cursing and the girl's shriek, they had succeeded in knocking him down. Next it was Martin's turn. The girl whispered her spell and waved her wand, expecting to hear a thud and a groan, a shriek, a curse, or anything expressing pain and anger. Instead, she heard only rapid footsteps, feeling her heart go into overdrive.

- You're dead,' Cora said, glaring angrily at the girl and folding her arms across her chest, her whole appearance showing her readiness for action.

Sighing, Lydia began to frantically think, shifting from foot to foot. Stiles could still get away. He would have found Will, telling him that this idea was very foolish and that Martin shouldn't have suggested anything like this in the first place. But she knew perfectly well that Stiles wouldn't leave. Not on any condition. And the next moment he proved it by materialising right behind the younger Hale's back.

- What the hell are you doing here? - He shrieked, startling both Cora and Lydia, 'Get away from her!

- Are you out of your mind, Stilinski? - She growled, turning round, 'I'm going to beat the Gryffindor stuff out of you right now!

- Cora! - Derek shouted at her. He stood firmly on his feet, arms folded across his chest. It's all for naught. What was it Will said? Improvisation is good too? Well, here's a chance to find out.

- They knocked you down, Derek,' she said clearly, hissing with anger, 'Salazar who? I'm not going to let them get away with anything!

- You're a sophomore, you can't even paralyse them,' Hale rolled his eyes. His calmness dumbfounded everyone, making the Slytherins angry and the Gryffindors swallow hard with fear.

- What Merlin are you talking about? - Cora growled. Yes, the girl was clearly annoyed, except she wasn't emitting flames. She didn't seem to embarrass her brother in the least, though.

- Sis, I can feed them to the hippogriff myself, don't worry about it,' he smirked, approaching the trio, 'I'm just wondering what it was that drove them to do it. What were they thinking when they did it?

Stiles, swallowing hard, took a step forward, shielding Lydia from the two Slytherins. They'd be very lucky if they didn't at least get the latest in dark magic, which, the boy had no doubt, the Hales had learnt practically since infancy. Though, in principle, they could use a passing professor or student, too.

- Gryffindors, of course, should be so unreasonably brave to begin with, but they should have brains, too. At least a little,' Derek leaned in close to the boy, breathing into his face. There was no hint of a smirk on his own at that moment, just angry eyes and an almost bestial grin.

- If you call Lydia stupid again, I'll kill you myself, I promise,' Stiles growled into Derek's face, causing him to raise his eyebrows in surprise, "She's smarter than half of your faculty together, and several times as smart," the boy raised his head and stubbornly ignored his friend's hand digging into his shoulder.

- You don't even have a clue who you're messing with, do you? - Derek smirked again, straightening up.

- Trust me, you're far from my biggest problem at the moment,' Stiles snorted.

- Why do you even bother? - Cora exclaimed, standing shoulder to shoulder with her brother.

- That's right,' Derek nodded, raising his wand hand.

And at that moment, Stiles really felt like they were finished. They were in an alcove that no one would notice if they didn't try hard enough. It was so noisy in the castle now that no one would even hear him scream. And yelling was basically pointless with a wand resting in your chest. The only thing Stiles realised was that he had to somehow ensure the safety of the redhead standing behind him. He could explain himself to Will either way, but he just couldn't let Lydia get hurt. He wouldn't forgive himself after that. Thinking frantically, Stiles knew he was about to make the biggest mistake of his life.

- Take us with you! - he exclaimed, looking up at Derek with a pleading look in his eyes, still covering his friend.

- What?' the boy blinked stupidly, seeming to forget his intentions for a second.

- Take us with you tomorrow,' Stiles repeated, almost physically feeling the burning stare at the back of his neck. Reaching back behind his back, the boy found his friend's palm and squeezed.

- How do you know that? - Martin, I didn't even realise you were eavesdropping. Although I could have guessed you were there for a reason.

- You're insinuating your lack of logical thinking now, I hope,' Stiles snorted.

- Stilinski,' Cora growled.

- Quiet, quiet,' the Gryffindor threw up his hands, involuntarily taking a shallow step backwards.

- 'Well, now I have two whole reasons to finish you off. Thank you for that, Martin,' Derek smirked, raising his wand again.

- We have to save one person! - Stiles exclaimed in desperation, feeling Lydia's palm clench warningly.

- You always have to save someone. You Gryffindors are angels incarnate. That is, of course, if you ignore the fact that you almost hurt my brother,' Cora laughed.

- We really need to help someone,' Lydia said, trying to step forward. She wasn't allowed to.

- I wouldn't even be surprised if that very person is unaware of your help. You're always too noble to burden yourself with such things,' Cora smiled.

- It's your fellow student, you could have taken pity,' Stiles snorted, feeling Lydia's hand tighten. Throwing a quick glance over his shoulder at his friend, saying something like, 'Trust me, I don't know what I'm doing,' the boy looked away again, 'What am I talking about, though? You have no sense of compassion per se. Same with the rest of your lesser human qualities, eh? Well, that's your nature, it can't be helped.

- What do you mean he's a fellow student? - Cora's voice trembled a little.

- In the most direct sense,' Stiles couldn't hold back a sigh of relief; if he continued to distract the Slytherins now, Lydia would have a chance to leave, 'Your fellow student needs help. And he found it in me, even though he hadn't found it in two years from the people who were supposed to be supporting him. It's unfortunate, but that's your nature.

- What's his name? - Cora was suddenly extremely close, holding Stiles by the chest and scorching his face with her breath.

- Do you Haleys have a habit of not respecting personal space? - Stiles sighed convulsively.

- What's his name? - The girl repeated, digging her fingers even harder into the Gryffindor's robe.

- Honey, easy,' came the voice of Lydia, whose hand Stiles had released a few seconds ago.

- I asked a question,' Cora arched an eyebrow, letting go of Stilinski and taking a step towards Martin.

- I don't have a hearing problem,' the Gryffindor grinned.

- So answer it,' Hale arched an eyebrow.

- What good is that to me?' Lydia smiled, 'What good is that going to do me? You're going to try to cast a couple of spells on me anyway, and I have absolutely no desire to give that person away. Especially not to you.

- Try? - The Slytherin arched an eyebrow. Stiles and Derek looked at each other and continued to watch.

- Yes, dear,' Martin smiled sweetly, 'Just because you were lucky enough to be born a year early doesn't mean you can do more.

-- In fact, Lyds, she's only a few months older than you, because you were born in December and you're twelve, just like Allison, so you're practically the same age,' Stiles rambled on.

- Even so,' Lydia smiled.

- Just give me a name and I won't hurt her,' Cora sighed, turning to Stiles and pointing her wand at Lydia. The boy sighed convulsively and dropped his hands helplessly.

- 'Stiles, don't,' Martin shook her head.

- Yes, Stiles, don't, if you want to see how Petrificus affects her,' Cora nodded.

- 'Fine,' the boy gave up, almost resentfully glaring at both Hales in turn. Cora nodded, not taking her eyes off Lydia, as if to signal him to continue, 'You've probably never even noticed this guy. He's too different for you. Not by blood,' Stiles snorted dismissively.

Unexpectedly, Derek groaned and tucked his wand into the folds of his robes. Cora, blushing faintly, repeated the action after her brother. With a perplexed look, Stiles and Lydia stood shoulder to shoulder, backs against the wall.

- What's that supposed to mean? - Stilinski dared to ask.

- It means we're going to have to let you go,' Derek rolled his eyes, throwing a scornful glance at his sister.

- No way,' Martin frowned, apparently realising something. Stiles hadn't realised it yet, and he stood there, frowning and casting surprised glances at both the Slytherins and his friend.

- Maybe, unfortunately,' Derek rolled his eyes again and leaned his shoulder against the wall, exuding his grace again.

- What's the matter? - Stiles exclaimed indignantly, folding his arms across his chest.

- My sister's in love with a muggleborn, yeah,' Derek nodded, rolling his eyes again. It was clear that that wasn't the word he'd originally meant to call Will.

- We blew the Jack Pod! - It's in the cards,' he said, waving his hand and receiving more looks of bewilderment, 'Forget it, okay?

- You could help us now,' Lydia said casually.

- I'm not going to help you,' Derek snorted.

- Then Will's going to be in trouble,' Stiles sighed, shaking his head. The boy barely held back a chuckle as he looked at a clearly confused Cora.

- What's in it for me? - Hale arched an eyebrow.

- It's just that you could help your sister. I don't think she'll like what'll happen to him if we can't help him,' Lydia shrugged.

- Don't even think about it,' Derek shook his head, glaring at his sister, 'Cora, no. I've come to terms with your slightly odd choices, but you're a child, you're forgivable. But why should I do anything for a muggleborn? We'd have to be in league with these,' the boy shook his head at the Gryffindors, 'What could be worse?

- You're very careful with your choice of words,' Stiles snorted.

- Besides, you don't even know if it's true.

- They're not lying,' Cora shook her head, 'They wouldn't have thought of wrapping it up like that.

- I warned you,' Stiles growled.

- I'm sorry, lion cub,' Cora said, turning to her brother again, 'Derek, please. I'm asking.

- Cora, you're a Slytherin girl! You don't have to ask anyone on principle! A few millennia ago, Gryffindor and Salazar started a war between us. We don't have to change anything.

- Derek, I want to help a member of my faculty, not a Gryffindor,' the girl insisted.

- But to do that we'll have to contact the Gryffindors as well,' Derek shook his head.

- Don't you see? - You'd do the same thing for Emily, and she's from a different department,' the girl pointedly turned away from her brother, turning to face the two frowning Gryffindors.

- 'Firstly, I'd think about it a hundred times. It would all depend on what my help is. Secondly, she's not my Emily. Thirdly, she's a half-blood. And fourth, shut up and don't blab it to everyone you meet,' the guy growled.

- I think we've accidentally learnt two more secrets,' Stiles whispered in Lydia's ear.

- She's not from our department, Derek. Therefore, you shouldn't help her, but you would, don't deny it. So you're going to Snape and telling him you've found helpers,' Cora concluded, enunciating each word.

- How am I going to explain that to him? - Derek said indignantly.

- Not my concern,' she shrugged.

- You're crazy,' Hale shook his head, 'You don't even know what they want.

- That's the truth,' Cora remarked, 'Why do you want to go to London?

The Gryffindor hesitated. There was still no time to tell Will's secret, and there was no time to think of something else. The boys nodded.

- We need to go into town. Or at least keep Will safe,' Martin replied, realising that they were really walking on the edge.

- And why the hell would you say that? - Derek raised his eyebrows.

- He needs to get to a place we can't tell you about,' Stiles jerked his shoulder.

- Cora, we know next to nothing! They're screwing with us, and you're going to help them?

- I'm going to help Will. And coincidentally, I'm going to help them too,' the younger Hale nodded, not even turning to her brother, 'We'll get you to London. To cut off my brother's inane stream of irrelevant arguments, Snape will be with us only on the road. Once we get to Carter's, he will leave on his own, returning only when it is necessary to return to Hogwarts. The three of you may not be able to get away, but Will can. He's stealthy and cunning, and he'll get away with it.

- What do you want to go to London for? - Martin asked.

- Snape needs a lot of ingredients for potions, and it's really not a big job. We'll just have to find everything we need and put it in the right order,' Cora snorted, waving her hand.

- And you need four helpers to do that? - Stiles arched an eyebrow sceptically, turning to Derek.

- Will we have someone with us when we run Snape's errand? - Lydia asked a slightly more important question.

- No one,' Cora shook her head, 'Although, to be honest, I'm not so sure anymore. Snape didn't assign anyone to us, knowing that there would be Slytherins on site. With you, on the other hand, I can't say for sure now. But I think you can rely on my brother for that. Snape loves him like his own son, he'll let him do anything.

- Cora, I still don't agree to it,' Derek reminded her, his lips tightening stubbornly, 'And I don't see any reason to change my mind about it

- Honey, that reason is your little sister,' Cora rolled her eyes.

- That's good news,' the boy snorted. Still, it was clear he'd given up.

- That's good,' Stiles clapped his hands together, earning three condemning looks at once.

- After dinner, Martin, you and I will talk it over,' Cora turned to Lydia.

- Don't bring Will with you, it'll be too weird,' the Gryffindor nodded.

- I guessed it without you,' Hale rolled her eyes.

For a few seconds, the girls just glared at each other, as if measuring each other in stubbornness and willpower. The next moment, Cora hesitated only a moment and held out her hand, keeping her eyes on the Gryffindor. Lydia lifted the corners of her lips and shook it, nodding.

- I'll give you a sign,' Cora reached out, lowering her hand.

- Glad we're allies now,' Lydia nodded. Cora took Derek's hand without answering and walked out into the busy corridor.

- So what now? - Stiles asked, picking up his bag.

- Everything worked out just fine,' Lydia shrugged, 'So, Stiles, we'll be in London tomorrow.

A few minutes later, the joy and gratitude that filled Will's brown eyes was the best payment for the experience. And Lydia, going to bed with a feeling of complete peace, was really happy. But for how long?