A/N ~ Hey everyone !! Sry it took me a whole week on this chapter, I wasn't satisfied about some parts and kept on editing.

But anyway, we're here now... enjoy the chapter x

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"Y/N, you're making it storm," whispered Hermione, grabbing Y/N's arm.

Y/N looked up to see that there was a grey cloud forming on the ceiling right above her head.

"Sorry," she muttered, looking down at her meal and continuing it.

She had been glaring at Malfoy since he'd entered the Great Hall.

"Y/N, you alright?" Ron asked, concerned, staring at the illuminating red gem on Y/N's chain bracelet.

"I'm alright," Y/N said with a small sigh, "just sick of Malfoy being an arse."

"We all are," said Harry, scooping some eggs onto her plate. "hey, don't worry about it, I'm fine now-"

"He broke your nose," Y/N muttered.

"Well, Tonks fixed it in five seconds."

"Bloody still- when will he stop being such a prick?" Y/N tried to shake her frustration away.

She knew Harry was right about her powers strengthening again. Her annoyance tolerance had become really short lived.

"Why was Tonks at the station, anyway?" Y/N asked Harry, her voice softening.

"She's stationed at Hogsmeade for the year," explained Harry. "Auror duties, y'know. She looked horrible though. What's up with her?"

"I don't know," Y/N admitted, pouring herself some tea. "I saw her at home a few weeks ago, but she was avoiding me. I'm planning to write to her- but I'll give her some privacy."

"She's been looking a lot like Moaning Myrtle, lately," said Ron, stuffing himself.

"Never mind that," Y/N said, straightening herself. "What's our next class?"

"Potions."

"We have a free period, don't we?"

Ron and Hermione stared at each other.

"Well, Y/N and I have Potions," said Hermione, "you two aren't taking Potions this year. Snape said, last year, he would only accept Outstanding students for his NEWTs class."

As Hermione turned around to grab her bag, Ron leaned over and whispered to Harry,

"How does she know everything? I'm not kidding... this girl knows everything."

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(Potions class...)

The Gryffindors and Slytherins stood surrounding a big circular table, as Slughorn started to explain to the class about the properties of the five potion cauldron in front of them.

As he spoke, Y/N was distracted by the smell that filled the air.

"Do you smell that?" She whispered to Hermione.

"Smell what?"

"The smell- the smell that's all over the place."

"Describe the smell to me, Y/N." Hermione whispered, trying not to move her lips.

"I- don't want to sound creepy..." Y/N hissed to Hermione. "but this whole place smells like... Harry."

She couldn't point her fingers on what exactly Harry smelt like, but she really liked it. It was like a breath of fresh autumn air.

Hermione was smirking.

"What?" Y/N demanded. "It's true! I swear, it's like he's been rolling around all over the place."

Hermione let out a snort, and quickly covered her mouth.

"I think I know what one of the potions is," she sniggered, still facing Slughorn and his potions.

Y/N was confused. She wasn't sure Hermione understood- was she smelling Harry, too?

"Speaking of the devil," Hermione said, her eyes at the entrance of the dungeon.

Harry and Ron had entered.

Harry caught Y/N's eye right away and smiled, and she gave him a small nod.

Was he smelling himself, too?

"Ah! Harry, m'boy, joining our class, I see," Slughorn exclaimed eagerly, clapping his hands together. "And... who's your friend?"

Y/N spotted from the corner of her eye, Lavender Brown was staring at Ron dreamily.

That was odd.

"Ron Weasley, sir," Ron replied. "very sorry to bust in, but I don't think I could take Potions with an Acceptable-"

"Nonsense, nonsense," Slughorn waved his hand. "Professor Snape had high expectations, but I accept any student with a passing mark in my class."

"Sir, we don't have any Potions books," said Harry.

"Ah, yes- there's a couple in the cupboard at the back of the room." Slughorn said kindly. "Help yourselves- and you can keep them until the end of the year."

Harry and Ron nodded and went to the back of the dungeon.

"Now, who can tell be what this potion is?" Slughorn pointed to the second last cauldron.

As always, Hermione quickly raised her hand, flashing a sly grin at Y/N's direction.

"It's Amortentia, sir," she replied confidently. "the most powerful love potion in the world!"

"Correct, correct," Slughorn said gleefully. "another ten points for Gryffindor, well done, Miss Granger. How could you tell?"

"My the swirling smoke, sir. And- it's rumoured to smell different for every person," Hermione continued, then catching Y/N's eye. "according to what attracts them."

Y/N, who's been drinking out of her water bottle, choked suddenly, spluttering water all over the front of her robes.

Everyone in the room stared at her.

"Whoops- all hands on deck, Miss Scamander!" Slughorn chuckled, as Y/N gave him a nervous smile, wiping her face.

Hermione was now shaking with laughter. Y/N glared at her.

Seconds later, Harry and Ron emerged from the back of the room.

Ron was carrying a brand new Potions book, looking proud of himself, while Harry was carrying a moldy-looking one, scowling at Ron.

"Ah, welcome back, gentlemen," Slughorn gave Harry a warm smile. "Now that you're here, Mr Potter, can you tell me what you smell from this cauldron?"

Harry nodded and stepped forwards, lowering his nose right above the cauldron of Amortentia.

He closed his eyes and concentrated, as the swirling smoke wafted into his face.

"Hmm..." he muttered, inhaling the Potion dreamily. "Y/N, will you step back?"

"Why?" Y/N shot. She wasn't even that close to him.

"The smell of your shampoo... cranberry... it's all over the place," said Harry. "can't even smell the potion."

At that, the class buzzed with giggles and sniggers, including Hermione.

Ron and Harry were looking confused, Y/N felt her face go hot, and Slughorn let out a loud chuckle.

"Oh, Harry- m'boy!" Slughorn laughed. "looks like someone's got eyes for Miss Scamander, here..."

Y/N shrank back in embarrassment as the class sniggered loudly, and Pansy and Malfoy rolled their eyes.

"Now, alright, moving on," Slughorn chuckled. "Who can tell me what this last potion is?"

It was Y/N's turn to raise her hand. She recognized the shimmering golden liquid immediately.

"Our famous Miss Scamander- go ahead," Slughorn smiled.

"It's Felix Felicis, sir," Y/N said, "also known as Liquid Luck- gives the drinker unconditional luck and success."

At this, lots of people who haven't really been paying attention looked up eagerly, including Malfoy and Pansy.

"Ho-ho, quite right!" Slughorn clapped his hands. "Another ten points to Gryffindor! This little vial, right here,"

he picked up a tiny vile filled with the golden liquid.

"-will be rewarded to whoever creates the best Draught of Living Death by the end of class." He smiled pleasantly at their enthusiastic faces. "five per table, you have fourtyfive minutes- chop-chop!"

The Quartet quickly went over to a table nearby and occupied a cauldron each.

"Hey, Y/N..." Daphne Greengrass tapped Y/N's shoulder gently.

Y/N turned around and smiled at the blonde.

"Hello, Daphne,"

"Can I... er... work at your table?" Daphne asked shyly, her cheeks flushing pink. "Draco and Pansy are still mad at me... y'know- from helping you guys, last year."

"Oh, yeah! Sure, why not," Y/N said brightly, adding another reason to her Why-I-Hate-Draco-Malfoy list.

Daphne beamed and lowered her bag next to the cauldron to Hermione's right.

"Y/N..." Harry whispered, as Daphne pulled out her Potions book.

"What?" Y/N whispered back.

"She's a Slytherin," Harry muttered, not looking up.

"I know," Y/N said casually, shrugging.

Harry looked like he wanted to say something else for a moment, but fell silent.

Then, they started brewing...

Minutes passed by quite quickly. Everyone was silent, concentrated on their brewing.

Y/N glanced over at Hermione, who's hair was starting to get bushier every second. She looked stressed.

Ron groaned as his potion hissed and turned an ugly shade of purple.

Seamus had exploded his potion, Draco and Pansy looked competitive, Daphne was frowning, and Harry-

"How are you doing that?" Y/N asked the boy.

Harry was crushing his Sopophorus beans between his fingers, and an astonishing amount of juice was coming out of it.

"What do you mean?" Harry asked back, clearly grinning.

"The beans- they were practically dry when I cut mine-"

"Crush it, don't cut it." Harry advised.

"No, the instructions said to cut." Hermione said sharply. "Don't take his advice, Y/N."

But Y/N, Ron and Daphne had already started to crush their beans with the blade of their knives.

Hermione rolled her eyes and turned back to her potion in frustration.

"Hey, can I look at your book?" Y/N asked Harry, who nodded eagerly and pushed his copy of Advanced Potion-Making to her.

The book was filled with tips and advice for every single brewing step, written in small handwriting form the former owner.

But throughout the lesson, Y/N could barely keep up with reading from Harry's book.

Slughorn was sending suspicious looks at her, so she had to give up and read from her own book.

"Aaaand times up!" Slughorn announced, ten minutes before class ended. "Now, equipments down, I'm going to inspect your potions."

The potion was supposed to be crystal clear, like water.

Y/N glanced down at hers. It was piss-coloured.

Slughorn walked around the room with a very fake smile.

He walked past Dean's ink-black potion, Seamus' empty cauldron, and gave Malfoy a small smile, for his was pretty decent.

Then, he made his way to the Quartet's table.

He simply ignored Ron's bright orange potion, gave Y/N, Hermione and Daphne impressive nods and finally looked at Harry's cauldron.

"Merlin's beard!" The Professor exclaimed, looking in the cauldron.

He pulled out a piece of dried leaf and dropped in into Harry's potion. It dissolved in a blink.

"A clear winner!" Slughorn was laughing cheerfully. "Mr Harry Potter has brewed the perfect Draught of Living Death! You've got your mother's talent, I see!"

Y/N gave Harry a bitter smile and he cocked his eyebrows back, grinning.

Slughorn pulled out the vial of Felix Felicis and handed it over to Harry eagerly.

"Here we are, one vial of Liquid Luck- as promised!" Slughorn beamed. "Use it well!"

Harry grinned like a child and took the Liquid Luck in his hand carefully, then turned back and smiled at the class.

Y/N smirked and started to clap, half sarcastically.

Then, Professor Slughorn joined in, and then the entire class (not so enthusiastically).

Hermione was scowling and Ron looked bummed.

Harry caught Y/N's eye and smirked, as she rolled her eyes playfully, still clapping for him.

Merlin's left eyebrow... he thought, as he gazed at her- she's beautiful...

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"Blooody tiring first day, if you ask me!" said Ron, when all their classes had ended, and they were heading for dinner.

Hermione pursed her lips.

Y/N looked to her side to see that the muggleborn was scowling at the Potions book Harry was clutching to his chest.

"That was cheating, by the way." she said bitterly, not removing her eyes from the purple book. "That potion you brewed in the morning- you cheated."

"Didn't!" Harry huffed, slipping the book into his schoolbag happily. "I just followed the instructions in my book."

"Your book? At least give credit to whoever that belonged to," Hermione scowled, as they walked up the marble stairs.

"Drop it, Hermione," said Ron, yawning loudly. "who cares? You're just upset you aren't top of class, for once."

"Am not!" Hermione scoffed, looking up into his eyes.

Y/N and Harry sniggered as they let their two friends bicker between each other all the way to the entrance hall.

"When are you having your meetings with Dumbledore, again?" Y/N asked Harry, as he swung an arm around her shoulder.

"Not sure," Harry shrugged, "he said he wanted me to have a smooth start to the term, so probably not until after Hallowe'en."

They walked to the Great Hall together, Y/N's stomach growling, and Ron and Hermione still arguing... until Harry crashed into a familiar someone.

"Shit!"

"Sorry!"

Y/N was gaping. Standing there, in front of them, in Auror uniform and with icy blue hair, was no other than Nymphadora Tonks.

"Tonks? Hey, Tonks!" Y/N exclaimed, staring at Tonks, after not seeing her for weeks.

Tonks jumped slightly, as she realized who she'd bumped into.

Y/N heart dropped once she realized Tonks still looked the same as the last time she saw her.

"Wotcher, Y/N," Tonks smiled weakly- she looked slightly nervous. "Hey, you lot,"

"Hey," Harry, Ron and Hermione chorused.

"You're here... Auror duties?" Y/N asked. She really wanted to get to the point of asking her why she looked so miserable.

"Yeah, I'm stationed at Hogsmeade for the year," Tonks replied, slightly awkwardly, staring at her feet guiltily.

"Um- we'll- we'll be waiting in the Great Hall, Y/N," said Hermione, grabbing Harry and Ron's sleeve. "See you, Tonks."

With that, the bushy-haired girl quickly walked away, dragging a confused Harry and Ron with her.

Y/N but her lip and waited for Tonks to continue... and she did.

"Hey, Y/N..."

"Yeah?" Y/N tried to sound as casual as possible.

"I'm so sorry I didn't go to your birthday party," said Tonks miserably. "Really- I feel horrible-"

"No, don't apologize." Y/N shook her head. "but please- explain... Remus is avoiding me, too, and it's driving me mad."

"I will. I promise I will explain right now." Tonks said, grabbing Y/N's hand.

She looked around and spotted a bench at the end of the hall, and they both mutually agreed to go take a seat.

"I'm sorry I've been avoiding you... I just didn't want to talk about- it." Said Tonks, as they say on the bench.

"Tonks... you can tell me anything." Y/N said reassuringly, grabbing Tonks' hand in return. "We're family."

"I don't think we can be anymore," Tonks said miserably, shaking her head.

"Look... I've noticed-" Y/N hesitated for a moment. "You're hair- you can't control your metamorphmagus powers anymore, can't you?"

"Only sometimes," said Tonks quickly, "just after- after a stressful day... yesterday it was still purple."

"If you've forgotten," Y/N sighed, "I'm Gifted, too... and I know you can't control your powers when you're... emotional. And your patronus changed, too-"

"How did you know?" Tonks gaped.

"Harry said Snape was mocking you about it," Y/N said carefully. "Does that have anything to do with what you're going through, as well?"

"Helga, I'm pathetic," Tonks groaned, burying her face in her hands.

"Tonks-"

"This is stupid- it's all stupid," said Tonks, shaking her head wildly, "This is all because of my stupid feelings for him... it's making my life miserable... and I can't help it. I am miserable."

"Tonks..." Y/N said quietly. "it's Remus, isn't it? What did he do, now?"

Tonks mumbled something really quietly.

"Sorry?" Y/N frowned.

"Remus..." Tonks breathed. "He kissed me."

"SORRY?" Y/N exclaimed, squeezing Tonks' hand. "HE DID WHAT?"

"At home, when you were at Harry's birthday." Tonks smiled weakly at the memory, "I beat him in chess and got all excited- I know, stupid... and then he just- just kissed me."

"THAT'S BRILLI-"

"-then he pulled away and apologized." Tonks said grimly.

"What?" Y/N's smile was swept away. "Why?"

"He said I deserved better." Tonks said painfully, "A better, richer, younger person. But I didn't want better... I want him. And then he said-"

Tonks'a lips trembled, and Y/N squeezed her hand again.

"He said he was in love with me..." she whispered. "and that he shouldn't be- that he was going to be a burden to me-"

"That's bullshit," Y/N exclaimed.

"Bullshit." Tonks gave a quiet chuckle. "Remus cares for others so much, he- he's always forgetting about himself."

"What did he say after that?" Y/N asked.

"He just left." Tonks stared down at her feet. "And I'm afraid that it's... for good. And he's been avoiding me at work, he's barely at Grimmauld Place, and I'm too much of a coward to go back to Lupin Cottage."

"Don't say that..." Y/N said slowly. "You know, a little redhead birdie told me, there's really no escape from it."

"What?"

"Love." Y/N replied bluntly. "If you two truly love each other, even Remus' heroic mindset wouldn't be able to stop it, Tonks."

"Ginny's a wise girl," Tonks chuckled.

"Tonks," Y/N said firmly, "He'll realize it, soon enough, I promise. Don't worry about it. I'll write to him- give him some time, and he'll realize he'd made a mistake."

"You really think he'll change his mind again?" Tonks asked hopefully.

"His mind was never changed, in the first place," Y/N shook her head. "it was just his words. Useless words."

"Thanks, Y/N," Tonks smiled softly... the smile didn't seem fake this time.

"Hey..." Y/N suddenly raised her eyebrows. "Your hair!"

Tonks looked up, and at the same time, her hair turned into a light pink shade.

She grabbed a piece of it and stared... a smile appeared on her face.

"See- talking about it helps," Y/N said, her heart warming happily.

"Y/N- you lifesaver," Tonks laughed, shaking her head and pulling Y/N into a hug. Y/N laughed with her and hugged her back tightly.

"Hey, listen," Y/N said over her shoulder. "no matter what happens with you and Remus, you'll always be my family, y'know?"

"Oh, I'm never leaving you and Rolfie," Tonks smiled, giving her a little squeeze. "Heading to dinner, are you? Tell Rolf I said hi and goodluck with seventh year."

"I will. Please write to me." said Y/N, as they pulled away.

"Yes, I promise." Said Tonks, giving Y/N one of her room-lighting smiles. "But I'll be around- maybe I'll see you in Hogsmeade."

"I'd be delighted to see you," Y/N grinned. "can't last long without my badass Hufflepuff."

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During the first few weeks back at Hogwarts, Harry realized he was falling more and more for Y/N every day, if it was even possible.

He enjoyed the way he could just lean onto her shoulder and just hear her talk about her day, with Casserole the Pigmy Puff snuggling between them.

He liked how she breaks into her iconic smile every time she notices his ring glow pink.

He liked how she would run up to him and quickly kissed his cheek before racing Ron down to Hagrid's hut in the evenings.

He loved her touch- how she hugged him around the torso tightly, how she kissed him so delicately, held his hand...

He wouldn't know what to do without Y/N.

His Y/N Niff-The-Pebble Scamander.

But despite those happy moments, he couldn't help feeling slightly tired.

All the sixth years were practically drowning in work, and the professors had no mercy.

Even Hermione was starting to complain about their work load.

Though, Potions had become one of Harry's favourite classes, with the help of his new Potions book that he recently found out belonged to 'The Half Blood Prince'.

Harry also noticed that both he and Y/N had become more popular, that year.

Y/N, because she was stunningly beautiful, and had become even more beautiful, that year.

Though many boys respected that she was taken, Malfoy and Cormac McLaggen would not let her be.

Even Harry himself couldn't walk through the busy corridors without girls shrieking 'ooh, looking good there, Chosen One!' at him.

To add on to all the hallway comments, Harry had many students come up to him between classes, asking about the Gryffindor Quidditch tryouts.

"September 19th," he kept repeating to them, trying to sound as polite as possible.

Everyone was Quidditch crazy, and Y/N had to admit, she'd become more and more aware of the tryouts.

She'd rode on her new broom a couple times, and she had to admit- perhaps it was the quality of the broom- but the sport was slowly growing on her.

Surely, she had to tryout.

Harry had complimented that her tactics were bizarrely unbelievably for someone who knows nothing about Quidditch.

Y/N really thought her only speciality was Care of Magical Creatures- a class Harry, Ron and Hermione had dropped that year.

Hagrid frequently said to her with a pat on the back,

"Ya know, you can be a magizoologist, easy-peasy, if yer not interested in other jobs!"

Y/N felt proud of herself every time Hagrid said that. Her father would be proud.

Y/N heard that Rolf was back to visiting him every week, again... but she just couldn't bring herself to join him.

She wanted to just forget about it and focus on the positives.

Forget about her mum, her dad, her NEWTs, Voldemort, the death eater she killed... just obliviate me, at this point.

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Y/N woke up on Spetember 19th with a huge grin on her face.

She would be trying out for Chaser later that day, but that wasn't why she woke up cheerful.

Hermione's birthday was way more important than Quidditch.

She quickly scrambled out of bed, to her feet, staggering slightly as she got up.

Y/N was thrilled when she saw Hermione still sleeping soundly in her bed, and quickly made her way across the room to Lavender's record player.

Lavender had made it very clear she brought it to school for all of her friends to enjoy, so anyone could use it, any time.

Y/N searched for ABBA's album, Arrival, sniggering along the way, and put on a very specific song for the day.

Once the song started, Y/N skipped across the room to Hermione's bed, as the muggleborn stirred in her sleep.

'... you can dance... you can dance... having the time of your life...'

"What do you want?" Hermione groaned, pulling her blanket over her head.

"Happy Birthday, Hermy!" Y/N laughed, yanking the blanket away from Hermione, making her grimace. "Guess who's of age?"

"Oh... It's my birthday." Hermione muttered grimly. "What time is it?"

"It's nine, already!" said Y/N, slumping onto Hemrione's bed. "Get up, Hermy, you're an adult, now! An adult! You can do magic outside of school!"

"Yeah, yeah, can you turn the music down?" Hermione whined, rubbing her eyes, as she slowly sat up.

"Hell no, I've been planning this since we've arrived here," Y/N grinned, pulling Hermione up by the arm.

"Very Y/N of you," Hermione muttered.

Y/N didn't reply. She started to sing (scream, more like) along to Dancing Queen, gripping Hermione's hands and forcing her up to dance.

Hermione rolled her eyes, beaming, but let Y/N spin her around all over the room.

'... you are the dancing queen... young and sweet, only seventeen...'

Not long after, Hermione finally broke and sang along to the chorus, laughing uncontrollably with Y/N.

In the end, Y/N decided to jump on her bed and hit her head, hard, on the roof of her four poster bed.

It hurt, but Y/N couldn't help but laugh, as Hermione burst into a shriek of laughter, clutching her stomach breathlessly.

"Oh, Godric... you're the best." Hermione wheezed.

"It's not every day you turn seventeen," Y/N shrugged, rubbing the top of her head. "you can adopt me, now!"

"Don't be silly," Hermione said with a scoff. "according to the Wizarding Law, you can only adopt when you're-"

"Same old Hermione," Y/N rolled her eyes, shaking her head.

"The one and only." Hermione smiled.

"Go, on open your presents!" Y/N urged, glancing at Hermione's enormous pile of presents.

"You'll be late for your tryouts!"

"Don't care, you're more important," Y/N grinned.

Half an hour later, after opening all of Hermione's presents, the two girls finally got changed and walked down to the common room, arms linked.

Y/N quickly grabbed her Nimbus 2003 from the broom cupboard and they headed out.

"Nervous?" Hermione asked, wiggling her eyebrows.

Very. Ron was never overreacting. Was what Y/N wanted to say.

"Nah, I don't really care," she said quietly. "it's not like I like Quidditch much."

"If you say so," Hermione smiled, shaking her head.

"What is it?" Y/N asked her with a frown.

"Nothing," Hermione broke into a smile. "It's just... you suck at lying, sometimes."

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Y/N was practically panting, as she reached the Quidditch pitch. The weather was extremely cloudy.

There was about two dozen Gryffindors in the middle of the field, talking loudly and excitedly, clutching their brooms.

Y/N identify most of the familiar faces among the big group of people.

Cormac McLaggen (who was looking at her up and down, biting his lip), Demelza Robins, Ginny, Katie Bell, Dennis Creevey, Romilda Vane (who was glaring at her), and Ron.

"Y/N- hey," Harry gave her a small smile as she approached them, panting loudly. "You're a bit late,"

He looked so bloody good in his Quidditch robes, Y/N thought... and Harry seemed to be thinking the same with Y/N.

"Hey," Y/N's voice was breathless from running at full speed from the Great Hall. "Sorry- I was busy... singing."

"Right," Harry smiled. "I'm glad you came. I was about to cross off your name."

"Trust me, I very much want you to cross me off." Y/N muttered, feeling the blood drain from her face, as she got a good look around.

There were about twenty people sitting in the stands, including Rolf, Luna and Hermione.

"You're trying out after... er... Romilda Vane." Harry glanced at Romilda.

The curly-haired girl had been glaring at Y/N the whole time, but when Harry caught her eye, she quickly switched to a sweet smile.

Y/N wasn't able to speak much- she felt like she was going to be sick.

She simply nodded and walked over to Ron, who seemed to be the only person that was feeling the same as her.

"Hey, everyone-" Harry called out, shouting against everyone's loud, excited chatter. "Everyone, quiet- please. Quiet-!"

It was no use, everyone (except Y/N, Ron and Ginny) were still chattering.

"SHUT IT!" Y/N bellowed irritably, too anxious  for all the noise.

Bad idea. She really was going to be sick.

Everyone froze and turned to the front.

"Thanks," Harry said to Y/N, then turned to the rest of the group. "Keepers will be trying out first- then Chasers- and then Beaters."

Great. Just great.

"I will decide who makes it in the team at the very end," Harry continued loudly. "there will be no objections, no second chances."

Damn, thanks for the extra nerve, Harry... Y/N thought grimly.

"Now... Keepers come here, please." Harry raised a hand, looking down at his clipboard.

All of the Keeper wannabes were tall, big and muscular. None of them looked nervous at all. Except for Ron- who's face was pale and looked like he was going to faint.

"The rest of you- go wait on the benches," Harry pointed to three long benches by the side of the field.

Everyone nodded and made their way to the benches, leaving the Beaters to tryout.

Y/N went over and sat with Ginny, who didn't look nervous at all.

"So you are trying out," Ginny gave Y/N a smile as she sat down. "You alright? You look a little... down."

"No, Ginny, I'm not alright. I don't think I can do it." Y/N muttered.

"Don't be silly, you're amazing!" Ginny nudged her arm.

Y/N chose not to say anything else, because she was sure she would throw up. Her head was dizzy, and her stomach had no mercy.

"He's gorgeous, don't you think?" Romilda Vane purred to her ginger friend, from the bench next to Y/N and Ginny.

"Who?" Romilda's redhead friend asked.

"Harry, of course!" Romilda giggled.

Y/N let out a long breath, trying to ignore their conversation- but Ginny was not having it.

"Hey!" Ginny snapped at Romilda. The girl stopped giggling and straightened herself boldly. "he has a girlfriend, you tosspot."

"For now, Weasley," Romilda snarled, her eyes shining bright.

"Are you hearing me? He has a girl, Vane, drop it." Ginny shot at her fiercely.

"Well I don't know," Romilda sighed, "this girl doesn't seem like much, anyway..."

With that, Y/N's exitiumagus powers were triggered- but she stopped herself just in time.

Don't do it... don't you dare, Y/N Scamander... Z, Y, X, W... what's after W? X... no, you're supposed to count backwards, idiot-

"Besides," Romilda chuckled, "if I make it into the team- which I will- I'll be spending more time with him."

Y/N gripped the edge of her seat until her knuckles turned white.

What's with these people, trying to break up relationships?

"Romilda..." Romilda's ginger friend whispered uncomfortably.

"And when that time comes, taken or not," Romilda giggled. "he won't be able to resist..."

At this point, Ginny had drawn out her wand, but Y/N quickly grabbed her wrist.

"It's ok, leave it," Y/N whispered, though her voice was practically shaking with anger and annoyance.

Romilda grinned, as Ginny scowled at her, shoving her wand back into her pocket grimly.

Y/N took a deep breath and turned back to the field. It was Cormac McLaggen's turn, now.

He flashed Y/N a flirtatious grin, earning a 'hey, focus!' from Harry.

He was really good, Cormac, there was no denying it. His instincts were mostly right, and he was really quick to dive after the Quaffle.

Y/N was sure he was going to save every goal and make the team.

However, when Harry threw the Quaffle for the fifth time, Cormac dove at the complete opposite direction, making the Quaffle swoosh through the middle hoop.

Cormac straightened himself and looked around in confusion, and so did Y/N.

She squinted her eyes up at the stands.

Sitting next to Luna and Rolf, Hermione was grinning to herself uncontrollably. Y/N realized what she did.

"What're you looking at, Y/N?" Ginny asked, staring between Y/N and the sky.

"Oh... nothing," Y/N tried not to snigger.

Then, it was Ron's turn.

"Good luck, Ron!"

Y/N turned to the stands. First, she thought it was Hermione- but it was Lavender Brown.

The blonde girl was looking at Ron with hopeful eyes and bit her lip in suspense.

Minutes flew by, and Ron saved every single last goal.

"YES!" Hermione and Lavender exclaimed, clapping loudly for Ron.

Harry hadn't announced it yet, but Y/N knew Ron got the spot.

"Great job, all of you!" Harry said loudly, grinning, as Ron, Cormac and the other Beaters landed on the ground.

Cormac slipped off his room and marched towards Harry heatedly.

"You didn't really try, with him." he said menacingly.

"Who?"

"Weasley."

"Rubbish," Harry said cooly.

"Give me another go." Cormac demanded, stepping closer to him.

"No," Harry snapped. "you've had your go. You saved four, Ron saved five."

Cormac's chest grew with anger. For a moment, Y/N really thought he was going to punch Harry- but he simply gave him a glare and marched off the field.

Ron now looked more colourful than before.

He ruffled Y/N and Ginny's hair and walked up to the stands, approaching Hermione, Luna and Rolf with a bright and relieved smile.

Y/N watched as Hermione touched the side of his face, whispering something to him, and gave him a tight hug. Ron's face flushed red.

"Chasers on the field, please!" Harry said, his voice still annoyed. "Katie Bell, Dennis Creevey, Liza Peakes, Ginny Weasley, Anna Quinn, Luca Diaz, Julie Ronan, Romilda Vane and Y/N Scamander."

Harry drew a long breath, finishing off the list, nodding at all of them.

Everyone hissed in excitement and stood up.

Everyone except for Y/N.

"Come, Y/N, it's our turn." Ginny said, offering Y/N her hand.

Y/N had went still.

She thought hard for a moment, calculating the pros and cons of trying out.

If she failed, it would traumatize her forever, and Romilda would make her life a living hell.

To add to that, her stomach was going crazy, and she was sure she was going to throw up, the minute she left the ground.

She did not like the idea of throwing up in front of all the people.

But if she backed away, now...

"Earth to Y/N," Ginny waved her hand in front of Y/N's face. "c'mon!"

"I... can't, Ginny..." Y/N whispered. "you go ahead. Good luck."

"Um, you're coming with me," Ginny said firmly, now grabbing her hand. "Y/N..."

"Ginny, please," Y/N pleaded, her stomach twisting into knots. "I can't do it. Maybe next year, but not now."

"You sure?"

"Yes." Y/N had made up her mind.

"I won't push you, Y/N," Ginny said gently, "but maybe you should just give it a try-?"

"Ginny,"

"Alright, alright," Ginny sighed, patting Y/N on the shoulder.

"Ginny Weasley, Y/N Scamander, please come on to the field!" Harry called.

Ginny gave Y/N another sad look and turned around, stepping into the field with her broom over her shoulder.

Y/N watched as Ginny went over to whisper something to a frowning Harry. Harry stared at Y/N and blinked.

'You alright?' he mouthed in concerned. Y/N gave him a small nod.

Harry smiled at her weakly, and turned back to the others.

Y/N sat there and watched player after player zoom around the pitch, diving bludgers and aiming for hoops.

Ginny was really good... probably the best.

Katie, Demelza and Luca were also really good.

Y/N felt guilty for feeling relieved to find out that Romilda was really lousy. Probably because she was staring at Harry longingly half the time.

Finally, it was done.

"You were so good," Y/N said in awe, as Ginny walked back to her.

She was slightly breathless and her red ponytail was falling apart, but she grinned when she sat back down next to Y/N.

"Thanks. Those are some really good flyers." said Ginny, but she quickly scowled when Romilda walked past them. "Not her."

They both sat there and watched as the Beaters tried out.

No one was near as good as Fred and George.

"Alright, everyone!" Harry walked to the side of the pitch, scribbling into his clipboard wildly. "Give me five minutes, and I'll be back with the results."

Everyone muttered excitedly, but Y/N felt like she could already tell who got in.

The Chasers were Ginny, Katie and Demelza, definitely. Ron was Keeper, and the Beater... well, Y/N didn't really know.

"Y/N Scamander, I want to talk to you," said Harry, looking up from his clipboard.

Romilda whipped her head around.

"Privately, please." Harry added.

Y/N hopped off the bench, puzzled, and Ginny smirked. Harry nodded for her to follow him back to the middle of the field.

"You wanted me, Harry Potter?" Y/N said with a grin, catching up with him.

"I always want you, Y/N." said Harry, scoffing slightly. Y/N blushed wildly.

"Harry... you know, I'm not going to tryout," she whispered guiltily, as they stopped in the centre of the field.

"I know... I just wanted to know," Harry glanced over her shoulder quickly at Romilda. "did she say something? Was it because of her? Was she why you changed your mind?"

"Oh... no!" Y/N said quickly. "Just my nerves... I was... I panicked."

"Right. You're alright, now?" Harry asked, putting a hand on her shoulder.

"Yeah, 'course," Y/N gave him a smile, meeting his eyes. "you're a really good captain, y'know?"

Harry smiled at that, and he would've kissed her if it weren't for the dozens of students around them.

He broke his gaze and sighed at the Quidditch equipment on the grass before them- the baskets, bats, and the chest that contained the Quaffle and the Bludger.

He ripped off his leather gloves and bent down to pick them up.

"Oh- I'll help," Y/N said urgently, taking his gloves and bending down and grabbing the Beater's bat.

"Thanks," said Harry, grinning.

However, just as he was about to lock up the chest containing the Quaffle and the struggling Bludger, a lock clicked open.

"What the-?" Harry gasped.

He leapt to his side just in time, ducking away, as the Bludger shot into the air.

The heavy ball missed Harry's ear by only an inch and hurried straight into the air at full speed.

When it was about twentyfive feet into the air, it came rushing back, even faster, like a boomerang.

"Y/N, BE CAREFUL!" Harry bellowed, scrambling to his feet.

But at that moment, for some reason, a rush of confidence nagged Y/N.

There were shouts from Harry and the stands, but Y/N didn't take a step.

Instead, she raised the beater's bat and swung it with all her might, hitting the Bludger in a satisfying angel.

It went flying back into the sky, so high, that it was merely a dot when it decided to come back down.

This time, Harry finally got to his feet and charmed the ball safely back into the chest, securing the lock again.

Harry shut the chest and sighed in relief.

"That was satisfying," Y/N said breathlessly, twirling the bat in her hand, "I like this handy tool."

Y/N noticed from the corner of her eyes, the people that had tried out for Beater were gawping at her.

Rolf, Hermione, Ginny and Luna were whooping and cheering for her.

Harry, like the Beaters, was also gaping at her, still panting slightly.

"Y/N..." a small smile appeared on Harry's lips.

"Harry..."

"How would you like to tryout... for Beater?"

Y/N knew at that moment, gripping onto the bat, that she'd found another Quidditch position she was naturally gifted at.

"Y/N, think about it..." Harry whispered, grinning like a maniac. "that Bludger could've knocked out at least three-"

"I'll do it." Y/N said, firmly, nodding.

"You... will?"

"If you still have time," Y/N shrugged, glancing back at the crowd of chattering players. "I'll try,"

"Yes!" Harry wanted to lift her up and spin her around, but he didn't want to come off as biased.

"Alright- then I'm trying out for Beater, indeed." Y/N smiled.

"Niff..." Harry shook his head, his mouth still hung open. "you surprise me every day."

His emerald eyes sparkled with excitement.

Merlin's moldy pants... Y/N thought to herself, as Harry bent down to unleash the Bludger again. He's beautiful.

∞ ϟ 9¾ ♔ ⚯͛ △r⃒⃘ ➵ ♆

A/N ~ Yup, had to end it there, my apologies...

But do not fret, I'm updating again in a few days :)

-ScribblingQuills