She Was A Ravenclaw, He Was A Slytherin

She was a Muggleborn orphan, wide eyed and new to the world.

He was a Pureblood noble, knowledgeable and well-known.

When the hat sat on her head, it could not decide between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw, so left the choice to her. She took a while to decide.

It yelled 'Slytherin' before it was fully on his head. He laughed when it did, eagerly joining the other snakes.

She was used to being alone, used to fighting for her place, and she did so easily. She was skilled, she knew it, and she was determined to prove it.

He was used to allies, used to having help, and knew how to secure them. He had a different face for everyone, trusting no-one, yet truly enjoyed life.

She was a girl who took life as a challenge, earning the respect denied her. He was a boy who took life as a game, making a fool of himself despite his heritage.

She took everything too seriously, he seemed to take nothing seriously. She was never quiet with her opinions, while his true feelings were always hidden.

Different as day and night, yet...

She had questions, he had answers. She had riddles, he had jokes. Her laughter was rare unless he was there, his smiles more genuine only in her presence. She had challenges, he had tricks.

From her he learned honesty, from him she learned deception. From her he learned how to take care of himself, from him she learned how to take care of others. From her he learned how to reveal his tears, from him she learned not to hide her smile.

She was a Ravenclaw. He was a Slytherin. She was clever. He was silly. She was determined. He was cunning. They were each confident and insecure, bold and broken, in ways the other wasn't.

And they were in love.