Rosalyn and Hermione were in their dormitory, getting ready for the party. "Oh, Rosie, you look amazing," Hermione told her best friend as she looked at her. She was right. There was no doubt about it, Rosalyn looked amazing.

"You too," Rosalyn smiled. Hermione wore a floaty, pink dress with a pair of gold heels.

"So, who're you taking?" She suddenly asked, changing the subject. She had been trying to get it out of her best friend for the past few hours.

Hermione sighed. "I- I-"

"Who is it?" Rosalyn asked in a teasing voice.

"I- I was just trying to annoy-"

"Ron," Rosalyn said immediately. "Well, who have you taken?"

"McLaggen," Hermione answered. Finally.

"No way!" Rosalyn said in shock.

"I- I just thought that- since he nearly beat him-" Hermione stuttered.

"He only didn't beat him because you made him not," Rosalyn laughed. "But McLaggen! He walks around like he's got a stick up his-"

"I know!" Hermione said hopelessly. "But he seems nice enough to me, even if I cringe inside about the stuff he says about you."

"What?" Rosalyn snarled. "What does he say about me?"

"Only that you picked Ron because you're basically his sister, that you're unfair and you pick favourites-"

"And you still chose him?" Rosalyn asked in a hiss. "Godric's sake, Hermione, you could've just accepted my offer!"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "I had already asked him by then, anyway. I couldn't have done anything about it."

Rosalyn rolled her eyes. "McLaggen's so thick that I could throw all the bludgers in the world at him and he wouldn't flinch!"

Hermione looked defeated. "I'm going with him tonight, Rosie, and I'll see what happens after that."

Rosalyn growled in despair. "I swear, if you start dating him just to make Ron jealous-"

"Like Neville's doing with you," Hermione said plainly. "Rosie, I've seen how you feel watching Neville and Hannah, and that's how I feel watching Ron and Lavender."

"I know," Rosalyn sighed. "But a smart girl I know said 'Ron has already fallen for you, and now, you've fallen for him. And I promise, that none of that will go to waste'."

It was Hermione's turn to roll her eyes as Rosalyn mimicked her voice. The girl giggled before putting the last touch of powder on her cheeks.

Soon enough, she was waiting for Seamus in the corridor. She was still mulling over the thought that this time last year, her and Neville had kissed each other's cheeks under the mistletoe.

But now he was with Hannah, without a backward glance.

Anyway, tonight, Rosie wasn't worrying about Neville. She was going to have fun with Seamus and Luna and Harry and Hermione and forget about him and Hannah entirely.

Anyway, soon, Seamus showed up. "You look great, Rosie."

"So do you," Rosalyn smiled as they walked along the corridor to the party. "Thank you. For doing this, I mean. For coming with me as a friend."

"It's fine, Rosie, trust me, we all think that Neville's being stupid at the moment."

"What?" Rosalyn asked him.

"Well, he's had a crush on you for years," Seamus explained. "And when you were with Tristan he was stupid, because he was jealous, and he did some stupid things based on that jealousy. Now he's heard that you actually kissed Tristan, he's doing more stupid things based on jealousy."

Rosalyn sighed. "I'm fine, Seamus, honestly."

"I know," Seamus told her. "Well, that's what you're telling everyone. We'll all believe you, but you have to believe it yourself."

Rosalyn was ready to retort, but she couldn't. She told everyone that she was 'fine' these days, and they believed her without questioning. This was because they realised that she was never going to admit what she actually felt.

"And by the way," Seamus told her as they reached Slughorn's classroom and office (where the party was being held). "He obviously still has a crush on you, so don't give up yet."

This news took Rosalyn aback very far, but she didn't press it. She was going to enjoy the night, no matter what.

Inside, Slughorn greeted them, shaking their hands. "Ahh, Rosalyn! And you've brought-"

"Seamus Finnigan," Seamus said, shaking Slughorn's hand.

"Mr Finnigan... muggle born?" Slughorn asked.

"No, Sir, half-blood, mam's a witch, dad's a muggle," Seamus said, glancing at Rosalyn as if to say 'why does it matter?'.

"Ahh, that's why I wouldn't know you, if it's your father's last name..."

They went into a conversation, and it turned out that Slughorn had indeed taught Seamus' mother.

Soon, Slughorn wanted pictures taken, and he got one with Harry and Rosalyn personally. Afterwards, Rosalyn caught a glimpse of Neville and Hannah. The latter seemed attached to her boyfriend, clinging onto him.

"Luna!" Rosalyn soon greeted her brother's date. "I haven't spoken to you for ages - how are you?!"

"I'm good, thank you, Rosie," Luna smiled. "You still have wrackspurts in your head, you know."

Rosalyn smiled, even though this was a bad thing. Luna had really grown on her. She was still mad, but she was also nice, and she was a really, really good friend.

But with a jerk of her head, Rosalyn saw a certain bushy haired best friend of hers hiding behind the drapes in the corner.

Harry, apparently, had seen this too, because when she approached the drape, she heard him ask her. "Hermione, what are you doing? And what happened to you?"

Rosalyn pulled back the drape, disappearing behind it to join Harry and Hermione, who answered her brother's question. "I- I've just escaped, I mean- just left Cormac under the mistletoe."

"Cormac? That's who you invited?" Harry asked.

Meanwhile, Rosalyn exclaimed. "I knew it! You're regretting inviting that slippery idiot, now aren't you?"

"I thought it'd annoy Ron the most," Hermione answered Harry, then she hissed to her best friend, crossing her arms. "He's got more tentacles than a snargaluff plant."

Suddenly, a server came behind the drape and offered a tray to them. "Dragon tartar?"

"No thank you," Hermione answered before either of the twins could.

"Just as well, they give one horribly bad breath," the server said in a light voice.

"On second thoughts," Hermione took the tray of dragon tartar from him. "Might keep Cormac at bay," she said to a questioning Rosalyn. "Oh god, here he comes!"

She snuck out just as McLaggen snuck in. "I think she just went to powder her nose," Harry answered him as his red head twin rolled her eyes.

"Slippery little minx your friend," McLaggen commented.

"You describing Hermione or yourself?" Rosalyn retorted as McLaggen ate a bit of dragon tartar.

"What are these?" He asked Harry, completely ignoring Rosalyn.

"Dragon balls," said Harry, forgetting their proper name. Rosalyn sniggered, both at McLaggen and her brother.

Suddenly, Snape pulled back the drape. How many more people are going to come in here? Rosalyn thought bitterly, just as McLaggen threw up over the potion master's feet. Harry managed to get away at this moment.

Rosalyn tried to disguise a snort as a cough and didn't do it well.

"You've just earned yourself a month's detention McLaggen, not... so fast Potter," he said as Rosalyn attempted to slip away.

"Sir I really think I should rejoin the party, my date-" Rosalyn tried desperately as Snape turned to her.

"Can surely survive your absence for another minute or two. Besides, I only wish to convey a message."

"A message?" Rosalyn frowned.

"From Professor Dumbledore. He wishes you the best and he hopes you enjoy your holidays, he's travelling, and he won't return until term resumes."

"Travelling where?" Rosalyn wished to find out, but Snape simply walked away from her, and she knew better than to ask again.

"Get off me you filthy squib!"

Suddenly, Filch came bustling in with Malfoy in his grip. The blonde boy was yelling and trying to get away, but Filch spoke before he could give another outburst. "Professor Slughorn, I've just discovered this boy lurking in an upstairs corridor. He claims to have been invited to your party-"

"Alright, alright I was trying to gatecrash, okay?" Malfoy admitted scathingly.

Snape made another appearance, taking Malfoy by the arm. "I will have a word with Mr Malfoy, Filch."

And with that the two of them swept from the room.

Rosalyn suddenly knew this was her chance. Ignoring Harry, Hermione and Seamus, she headed out of Slughorn's classroom, determined to catch Snape and Malfoy.

Her heels were making a sound on the stone floor, so she took them off and went barefoot. She followed the two Slytherins until they stopped at the end of a corridor, leaving Rosalyn to listen round the corner at the end.

"Maybe I did curse that Bell girl, maybe I didn't, what's it to you?" Malfoy was spitting out.

"I swore to protect you," Snape snapped back. "I made the unbreakable vow-"

"I don't need protection!" Malfoy whispered angrily back. "I was chosen for this! Out of all others, me!"

"Are you afraid, Draco?" Snape whispered dangerously. "You attempt to conceal it but it's obvious, let me help you-"

"No! I was chosen! This is my moment!"

Rosalyn, meanwhile, was frozen to the wall, listening in on this conversation. She tried to keep her breathing steady but she just couldn't. Her heart was pounding in her chest as the two she was listening in on left quietly. She didn't even want to pretend. She was afraid.

Afraid for what was to come.