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"OI, ESMIE, ARE YOU COMING WITH US TO HOGSMEADE TODAY?"

Esmie glanced up from her parchment, where she had been diligently writing a Charms essay, raising an eyebrow at Ron Weasley, who practically shouted down the length of the Gryffindor table. She sighed, mentally preparing for the inevitable noise that always accompanied Ron and his crew.

"What I'm curious about is whether you were asking Esmie specifically or everyone at Hogwarts," Danielle Riddle teased as she slid smoothly into the seat next to Esmie, her dark curly hair falling gracefully over her shoulders. Her tone was sharp, as usual, but the sparkle in her eyes revealed her humour.

Elsie, who had just arrived with a few others, plopped down on Esmie's other side. "He really does have a talent for making sure the entire Great Hall knows what's going on," she quipped, shooting Ron a pointed look.

Ron rolled his eyes, though he looked slightly abashed. "There's no need to shout," Esmie added, grinning. "I told you last night I was coming."

Danielle smirked. "A lot happens when you're focused on food, doesn't it, Weasley?"

Ron ignored the comment, but Esmie could tell from the flush on his cheeks that he had indeed missed the memo. Before he could retort, Elsie piped up again.

"Want to play a game?" Elsie asked, nudging Esmie lightly.

Esmie looked intrigued as she put down her quill and turned toward her friend. "What kind of game?"

"Kiss, marry, kill?" Elsie suggested, her eyes glinting with mischief.

Josie and Maddison, who had just joined the group, exchanged curious glances. "Kiss, marry, kill?" Maddison echoed, unsure.

"It's a muggle game," Esmie explained. "You pick three people and decide who you would kiss, marry, and, well... kill."

Danielle raised an eyebrow, her expression thoughtful. "Sounds like it could be dangerous," she commented dryly, but her smile betrayed her amusement.

"That's the fun part," Elsie laughed, grabbing a piece of parchment and scribbling down three names before handing it to Esmie. "You're up first."

Esmie unfolded the parchment and immediately blushed when she saw the names. Lorenzo Berkshire, Draco Malfoy, Severus Snape. Her heart skipped a beat when she read Lorenzo's name, but she quickly schooled her expression to keep her composure.

"Well?" Elsie prompted with a smirk, clearly enjoying Esmie's discomfort.

Danielle leaned forward slightly, her lips quirking up at the corner. "Come on, Es. It's not like we haven't all thought about this before."

"Okay, okay!" Esmie groaned, feeling her cheeks heat up as she tried to think quickly. "I'd... I'd kill Snape," she blurted out, the easiest choice of the three.

Everyone nodded in agreement—Snape wasn't exactly known for his charm.

Esmie's eyes flickered between Draco and Enzo's names on the parchment. Her stomach did a little flip at the thought of admitting anything about Enzo. She could feel Danielle's gaze on her, sharp and perceptive.

"Well?" Josie urged, a teasing tone in her voice. "Come on, Es, it's not that hard."

"Fine!" Esmie exclaimed, throwing her hands up. "I'd kiss Draco and marry Enzo." She quickly handed the parchment back to Elsie, hoping no one would notice the warmth spreading across her face.

Danielle raised an eyebrow, but her smile remained faint, like she had expected that answer all along. "Marrying your best friend, huh?" she asked, her voice calm and steady but filled with a knowing tone.

"He's one of my best friends," Esmie said defensively, though her voice wavered slightly. "Why not?"

Josie and Maddison exchanged amused looks while Elsie grinned mischievously. "I can't wait to see how Lorenzo reacts when he finds out," Elsie teased, making Esmie groan and cover her face with her hands.

"Please don't," she mumbled.

"Too late!" Elsie grinned before turning her attention to the others at the table. "Alright, who's next?"

Before anyone could answer, Ron interrupted, his brow furrowed. "When did you say you were coming to Hogsmeade again? I don't remember you telling us."

Esmie lowered her hands from her face, rolling her eyes. "I told you last night at dinner, but you were too busy stuffing your face with chicken to notice."

Ron opened his mouth to protest, but Elsie beat him to it. "Honestly, Esmie, you can't expect him to remember important details when there's food involved."

Danielle chuckled and shook her head. "Seriously, Weasley, you've got the attention span of a niffl—"

The rest of her sentence was drowned out as Enzo and Theo approached the table, causing a slight stir among the Gryffindors seated nearby. Theo, as usual, looked unbothered, while Enzo offered his friends a quiet, warm smile.

"Excuse me, but you Slytherin sods aren't welcome here," Ron said coldly, crossing his arms. His eyes narrowed as he shot a glare at Enzo and Theo.

Esmie elbowed him sharply in the ribs, earning a glare in return. "What was that for?" he asked, rubbing his side.

"You're being rude, Ron," Esmie said sharply, her expression firm. "Dani and Elsie are Slytherins too, but you don't mind them sitting here. So why can't Enzo and Theo join us as well?"

Ron scoffed and muttered something under his breath, but wisely decided to focus on his food again.

"Hey, Grisky, you gonna eat that?" Theo asked with a grin, already reaching for a piece of toast from Esmie's plate.

"That's my toast!" Esmie protested, though there was no real anger in her voice. Theo simply smirked and took a bite anyway.

"You only put butter on it?" Theo asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, and again, that was mine!" Esmie shot back, reaching for it but knowing full well Theo wouldn't give it up easily.

"Here, Mie," Enzo said softly, offering her a fresh piece of toast from the centre of the table.

Esmie looked at the toast Enzo held out, then shook her head slightly. "Thanks, but I can't eat it," she said.

Enzo frowned. "Why not? You're eating toast now."

"It's gluten-free," Esmie explained. "I can't eat regular bread."

Everyone at the table, including Theo, paused to look at her with mild surprise. Danielle's eyebrows shot up as she regarded Esmie with interest. "You've never mentioned that before."

"I've always had food allergies," Esmie shrugged. "The house-elves usually prepare special meals for me."

Dani blinked in surprise. "Wait, food allergies? How did I not know this?"

"It's not something I talk about," Esmie said simply. "I've got gluten, nut, and shellfish allergies."

"How have none of us noticed?" Maddison asked, looking bewildered.

"I guess no one really pays that much attention to what I'm eating," Esmie replied with a light laugh. "Most of the time, it looks the same as everyone else's food."

"Well, I wouldn't have eaten your toast if I'd known," Theo said sheepishly, handing back the half-eaten piece.

"It's fine," Esmie giggled. "You can finish it if you want."

"Don't mind if I do," Theo said, taking another bite with a grin.

As the conversation carried on, Esmie leaned back, feeling more relaxed with her friends. Enzo smiled at her, that soft, quiet smile she always found so comforting. She gave him a quick hug, leaning into his shoulder briefly before standing up.

"I'm going to get ready for Hogsmeade," Esmie announced. "You coming, Enzo?"

Enzo shook his head gently. "Nah, you go enjoy your day with your friends. I'll see you later."

"Sure you don't want to come?" Esmie asked, her eyes bright.

Enzo smiled and squeezed her arm gently. "I'm sure. Go have fun."

Danielle observed the interaction quietly but with a subtle, knowing smirk. As Esmie kissed Enzo's cheek, a light blush crept onto his face, though he quickly masked it.

"If you happen to run into Harry, tell him Jemima is meeting us in Hogsmeade today, will you?" Grace asked, joining the conversation. "Also, see if you can steal that potions book from him."

"I'll tell him your mum will be in Hogsmeade," Esmie laughed, "but I'm not going to steal the book."

With a quick wave to her friends, Esmie left the Great Hall, heading back to the Gryffindor common room. When she arrived, she spotted Harry curled up in one of the chairs, deeply engrossed in the infamous potions book. With a fond smile, she perched on the arm of his chair.

"Still stuck in that book, Potter?" Esmie teased as she perched on the arm of Harry's chair, her tone light but with an undercurrent of concern. "You know, everyone else is wondering where you've been hiding."

Harry glanced up, blinking as if he'd been pulled from another world. Slowly, he set the worn Potions book on his lap, his green eyes meeting Esmie's with a mix of curiosity and guilt. "And they sent you to find me?" he asked, rubbing the back of his neck.

Esmie gave him a mock-serious look, a smirk tugging at her lips. "No, actually, they sent me to steal that book from you," she said playfully. "Everyone's worried you've become a bit too obsessed with it."

Harry's brow furrowed as he glanced down at the book, then back at Esmie. "Steal it? Really?"

Esmie's smirk softened into something more genuine as she reached out, tapping the book lightly. "Yeah, they figured if anyone could get it away from you, it'd be me. But honestly, Harry, you've had your nose buried in that thing for weeks. We barely see you anymore."

Harry sat up straighter, stretching a bit, as if only now realising how long he'd been hunched over the book. "It's not like that," he muttered defensively, though his tone lacked conviction.

"Sure, Potter," Esmie teased again, her voice light, but her eyes gentle. "Come on, we're all heading to Hogsmeade. It'd be nice if you came with us for once."

Harry hesitated for a moment, his gaze drifting back to the book, but then he let out a sigh, closing it with a finality that felt almost like a small victory. "You're going to Hogsmeade?"

"Yes," Esmie nodded, her smile widening. "We've got the whole day planned—bit of shopping, some butterbeer, and maybe we'll convince Ron to let us buy him something ridiculous."

At this, Harry chuckled softly, and the tension seemed to ease from his shoulders. "Alright. I'll come with you."

"Great! I'll meet you in the common room in a few minutes," Esmie said brightly, hopping off the arm of the chair and heading for the door, throwing a grin over her shoulder.

Harry watched her go, shaking his head with a small smile. He tucked the book under his arm, then stood and stretched before following her out of the common room to get ready for the trip.

When Esmie returned to the common room a short while later, bundled in a warm scarf and coat, she found Harry waiting by the fire, looking much more relaxed than before. He was joined by Ron, Hermione, and the twins, Grace and Hope, who were chatting animatedly.

"Finally managed to pry him away from his beloved book?" Grace asked with a sly smile as Esmie joined them.

Esmie laughed. "Yes, but it wasn't easy. The book almost fought back."

"Did you steal it?" Hope asked, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Because if you did, we might actually stand a chance at being top of the class for once."

Esmie shook her head, smiling. "No theft involved. But you know, there's this thing called studying—maybe try that if you want to be top of the class."

Both twins groaned in unison, rolling their eyes dramatically. "Boring," they said in perfect sync.

Harry snorted. "I've put the book somewhere safe, don't worry."

As they all made their way out of the common room and down the stone steps of Hogwarts, Hermione gave Harry a curious glance. "Have you figured out who the Half-Blood Prince is yet?"

"No," Harry replied with a shrug. "And honestly, I'm not in a rush to find out."

Esmie shot him a skeptical look. "Wait—you've been obsessively carrying that book around for weeks, practically attached to it at the hip, and now you suddenly don't care who the Half-Blood Prince is?"

"I didn't say I wasn't curious," Harry replied, rolling his eyes. "I'm just not... obsessed."

"Yeah, right," Ron chimed in with a sarcastic laugh. "You carry that book around like it's your long-lost twin, mate. You even read it before bed—it's like living with Hermione or Esmie!"

Esmie gave an exaggerated shrug. "What can I say? A good book before bed never hurt anyone."

"Except maybe my patience," Ron muttered with a grin.

Hermione raised an eyebrow at Harry. "So, no progress on the identity of the Half-Blood Prince?"

"Not yet," Harry admitted.

"Well, I was curious, so I did some digging," Hermione said, looking a bit smug.

Ron, Harry, and Grace groaned again, and in unison, they said, "The library."

Hermione huffed indignantly. "Yes, the library! But there's nothing in the Hogwarts records about the Half-Blood Prince. Nothing at all."

"So how are we supposed to figure out who it is?" Grace asked, looking puzzled.

"We could always ask Snape," Hope suggested with a smirk. "He's been teaching Potions for ages—he might know something."

Esmie shook her head immediately. "No way. Snape would confiscate the book the second we asked. There's no chance we're going to him."

Harry nodded in agreement. "Exactly. No Snape."

With that decision made, the group continued their walk down the path toward Hogsmeade. The air was crisp, and a light dusting of frost sparkled on the ground, the late autumn chill beginning to settle in. As they approached the outskirts of the village, a familiar figure emerged from the nearby trees—Hagrid, lumbering toward them with a large burlap sack slung over his shoulder. The bag seemed to pulse with something inside.

"Hey! You lot!" Hagrid called, waving a massive hand as he approached.

Hermione, ever curious, gestured to the pulsating bag. "What's in there, Hagrid?"

Hagrid grinned as he opened the sack slightly, revealing a foul-smelling substance that made Esmie recoil slightly. "Stinksap! Trees 'round here are drippin' with it. Burn the whiskers right off yer chin, it would!"

Esmie wrinkled her nose, taking a step back as the pungent smell hit her. "Lovely."

"It's not fer me," Hagrid explained. "It's fer Aragog. Poor fella's sick."

At the mention of Aragog, Esmie and Ron both exchanged horrified looks. Neither of them had fond memories of the enormous spider Hagrid called a pet.

"Aragog?" Ron asked, his voice rising. "The six-foot-tall, eight-legged terror that tried to eat us?"

Hagrid nodded, looking unfazed. "Aye, that's the one. He's fallen ill. Keep yer fingers crossed, will yeh?"

With that, Hagrid trundled off into the trees again, leaving the group standing in stunned silence for a moment.

"Barking mad, that one," Ron muttered, shaking his head. "Does he not remember that thing tried to turn us into dinner?"

Esmie nodded in agreement. "I really don't get his attachment to that spider."

Hermione, however, was staring past Hagrid, her gaze fixed on a group of Aurors patrolling the edge of Hogsmeade. Esmie followed her gaze and felt a shiver run down her spine.

"The Aurors," Hermione murmured. "I know they're here to protect us, but I don't feel any safer."

"Me neither," Esmie said quietly. "There's something... off about them."

"Butterbeer, anyone?" Harry suddenly asked, breaking the tension. He was already walking toward the Three Broomsticks, not waiting for an answer.

"What's up with him?" Grace asked, exchanging confused looks with Hope and Esmie.

"No idea," Esmie muttered. "Come on, let's catch up."

They all followed Harry into the warmth of the Three Broomsticks, the scent of butterbeer and roasted chestnuts greeting them like an old friend. Grace and Hope spotted their mother, Jemima Potter, sitting at a nearby table and waved to her. Esmie smiled as she watched them hug their mum before sitting down with her.

Esmie made her way to the table where Harry, Ron, and Hermione had already seated themselves, and she slid into the empty spot beside Hermione just as a young waiter approached, tossing a filthy rag onto the table. Esmie raised an eyebrow as the rag began to wipe the surface on its own, scrubbing vigorously.

"Charming," she muttered, resting her chin in her hand, amused by the magical cleaning process.

Ron leaned back in his chair. "Well, at least we managed to get Harry out of that book for a few hours. That's a win in my book."

"What'll we have?" the bartender asked, eyes scanning the group with practiced efficiency.

"Four butterbeers, please," Hermione said with a smile. "And a splash of ginger in mine." As she placed the order, Esmie let her gaze wander around the Three Broomsticks. The place was lively as always, filled with students and professors alike, but her attention snagged on Draco Malfoy moving toward the exit. His pale, sharp features stood out against the crowd, and just before he reached the door, he stopped and glanced back—his silver eyes locking with Esmie's. For a moment, the world seemed to slow as they exchanged a wordless glance. Draco gave her a small, almost imperceptible nod, and then, without a word, he slipped outside, disappearing into the snowy streets of Hogsmeade.

Esmie blinked, feeling a strange unease settle in her chest, but she was soon pulled back to the present by a loud groan from Ron.

"Oh, bloody hell..." he muttered, his expression darkening as he stared across the pub. Following his gaze, Esmie saw what had upset him—Ginny, Ron's sister, sitting cozily in the corner with Dean Thomas. The two were holding hands, lost in conversation, entirely oblivious to the world around them.

Hermione, picking up on Ron's reaction, rolled her eyes. "Honestly, Ron. They're just holding hands."

But before the words had fully left her mouth, Dean leaned in and kissed Ginny, making the entire group pause.

"...and snogging," Hermione finished with a sigh, shaking her head.

"I'd like to leave," Ron said, his voice strained, his face going red with frustration.

"Leave? You can't be serious," Hermione said, looking at him incredulously.

"That happens to be my sister," Ron said through gritted teeth, glaring at the couple.

Hermione raised her eyebrows, undeterred. "So? What if she looked over here and saw you snogging me? Would you expect her to get up and leave?"

The casual way Hermione mentioned snogging caught Esmie completely off guard, and she turned to Hermione, her eyes widening in surprise. Even Harry looked taken aback, his gaze flicking between Ron and Hermione as if trying to gauge their reactions.

Ron, on the other hand, was entirely flustered, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. "What are you—"

Before he could finish, a booming voice cut through the noise of the pub. "Harry, m'boy!" Professor Slughorn's unmistakable voice rang out, causing Esmie to jump. She turned just in time to see the rotund professor weaving his way toward them, a sloshing mug of butterbeer in hand.

Harry immediately stood up, his movements almost too eager, which made Esmie furrow her brow in suspicion. What was Harry playing at?

"Hello, sir! Wonderful to see you," Harry said, his tone overly polite. "What brings you here, sir?"

Slughorn chuckled, his large belly shaking with amusement. "Ah, the Three Broomsticks and I go way back! Longer than I care to admit, my dear boy." He took a hearty swig from his mug, some of the butterbeer splashing onto the floor as he spoke. "In fact, I remember when it was simply One Broomstick!" Slughorn roared with laughter, and though Harry joined in, Esmie could see the tension in his smile. What on earth was Harry up to?

Esmie exchanged a look with Hermione, who seemed equally bemused by the whole interaction. Hermione quickly waved her wand to clean up the spilt butterbeer from the table.

Slughorn, entirely unfazed by the mess he was making, leaned in toward Harry. "Listen, m'boy," he said conspiratorially, "in the old days, I used to host the occasional supper—invite a select student or two. Would you be game?"

Harry nodded eagerly. "I'd consider it an honour, sir."

Slughorn beamed, clearly pleased. "Splendid! And, of course, Granger and Grisky, you'd be most welcome to join as well."

Caught off guard, Esmie hesitated for a second before quickly recovering. "Thank you for the invitation, sir," she said, giving him a polite nod.

"Be delighted, sir," Hermione added, though her smile seemed a bit forced.

"Brilliant!" Slughorn said, clapping his hands together. "Look for my owl, then. Oh, and good to see you, Wallenby!" he added, giving Ron a hearty slap on the back before turning and making his way back through the pub.

Ron looked completely baffled as he watched Slughorn go, his face twisted in confusion. "What are you playing at?" he asked Harry, his voice low and suspicious.

"Dumbledore asked me to get to know him," Harry explained, keeping his voice down.

"Get to know him?" Ron repeated, still not fully understanding. "Why?"

"Dunno," Harry admitted with a shrug. "But it must be important, otherwise Dumbledore wouldn't have asked."

Beside Esmie, Hermione lowered her mug and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, but not before Ron noticed the butterbeer foam still clinging to her upper lip. "Um... you've got a little..." he started, pointing at her face.

Esmie suppressed a giggle as Hermione, flustered, quickly wiped away the foam. Her cheeks turned pink, but she played it off with a quick smile. The moment passed, and soon after, the group finished their drinks and began making their way out of the Three Broomsticks, stepping into the biting cold of the snow-covered streets.

Snow was falling in thick, heavy flakes now, blanketing the village in a serene, wintry hush. Esmie pulled her jacket tighter around herself, the chill seeping into her bones. She walked close to Harry and Ron, feeling the warmth of their presence as they trudged through the snow. Hermione had wandered a little ahead, her scarf trailing behind her like a bright red ribbon in the white landscape.

As they walked, Ron broke the silence. "Harry," he began, his voice low.

"What?" Harry replied, glancing at his friend.

"Did you hear what Hermione said back at the pub? About... you know... me and her snogging?" Ron asked, his voice a mix of disbelief and awkwardness. "As if."

Esmie stifled a laugh, but couldn't help the amused smile that spread across her face. Hermione, having overheard, slowed her pace and threw her arms around both Ron and Harry, clearly not bothered by the conversation.

Esmie walked beside Harry, staying close for warmth, the cold air biting at her face. She glanced up at him, their steps in sync as they navigated through the snow. There was something comforting about being near him, something that made the freezing cold seem less harsh.

Suddenly, a piercing scream shattered the stillness of the snowy afternoon, echoing through the trees. The group stopped in their tracks, their hearts racing as they looked around, trying to find the source of the scream.

"I warned her! I warned her not to touch it!" came the panicked voice of Leanne, a sixth-year Hufflepuff. Without hesitation, they all hurried toward the commotion, their footsteps crunching through the snow.

Esmie's stomach twisted with dread as they reached the scene. There, floating six feet in the air, was Katie Bell, her body contorted unnaturally, her hair whipping wildly around her head as if caught in an invisible storm. She let out another blood-curdling scream, her face twisted in agony, before she was suddenly dropped to the ground with a sickening thud.

"Don't get any closer!" Hagrid's booming voice rang out as he charged toward them, his massive form appearing from the trees. He quickly pushed past the group, his large hands gesturing for them to stay back. "Stay back, all of yeh!"

Esmie's heart pounded in her chest as she watched Hagrid kneel beside Katie's motionless body, lifting her gently into his arms. Her mind raced with questions, but fear rooted her to the spot.

Harry, always quick to investigate, stepped forward to examine the package that had fallen alongside Katie.

"Don't touch that!" Hagrid barked, his voice full of authority. "Do not touch it, except by the wrappings. Do you understand?"

Harry nodded, his face serious as he stared at the cursed object. Esmie could see the worry etched into his features, and she felt it too—a deep, gnawing fear that whatever had happened to Katie was far more dangerous than any of them had realised.

"Be careful, Harry," Esmie warned, her voice tight with concern as she watched him delicately fold the cursed package into his scarf. He was meticulous, his hands steady despite the gravity of what had happened. Once the necklace was securely wrapped, he straightened, casting a tense glance at the others before they all fell into step behind Hagrid, making their way back to Hogwarts.

The snow continued to fall as they trudged up the path, the cold air biting at their faces, but the chill did little to dull the unease that had settled over the group. Katie's screams still echoed in Esmie's mind, and the sight of her floating helplessly in the air, cursed and unaware, was something she wouldn't soon forget.

When they arrived at the castle, Katie was immediately whisked away to the hospital wing, her limp form disappearing into the care of Madam Pomfrey. The rest of them were escorted to Professor McGonagall's office, where the atmosphere felt as cold and heavy as the snow outside. The usually calm, disciplined professor looked deeply troubled as she examined the cursed necklace that had caused so much harm. Her fingers hovered above it, not daring to touch the dark object directly.

After a moment, McGonagall turned her sharp gaze on Leanne, her expression stern. "You're certain Katie didn't have this in her possession when she entered the Three Broomsticks?"

Leanne nodded, though her face was pale, and her voice trembled slightly. "It's like I said, Professor. She left to go to the loo, and when she came back, she had the package. She told me it was important—that she had to deliver it."

McGonagall's brow furrowed. "Did she say who it was for?"

"To Professor Dumbledore," Leanne replied quietly, wringing her hands.

"Very well. Thank you, Leanne. You may go." McGonagall gave her a nod, and Leanne quickly exited the office, clearly shaken by the ordeal.

As the door closed behind her, McGonagall turned to the remaining group—Hermione, Ron, Harry, and Esmie—her lips pressed into a thin line. "Why is it," she said, her tone edged with frustration, "that when something goes wrong at this school, it's always the four of you?"

Ron shifted uncomfortably but managed to crack a smile. "Believe me, Professor, I've been asking myself the same question for six years."

Before McGonagall could respond, the door swung open once more, and Severus Snape entered, his robes billowing dramatically behind him as always. Esmie felt her breath catch slightly when Snape's dark eyes flicked toward her briefly, his expression unreadable, before he strode purposefully over to the cursed necklace. His long fingers gripped his wand, and with a swift motion, he levitated the necklace, examining it closely. The moment it lifted into the air, an awful screeching sound filled the room, causing Esmie and the others to clap their hands over their ears.

"What do you think?" McGonagall asked, her voice steady despite the noise.

Snape's lips curled into a grim line as he studied the object. "I think Miss Bell is fortunate to be alive."

Harry, who had been silent up until now, suddenly spoke, his voice tight. "She was cursed, wasn't she? Katie wouldn't knowingly hurt anyone. If she was delivering that to Dumbledore, she had no idea what she was doing."

Snape's gaze didn't waver as he nodded. "Yes, Potter. She was cursed."

"It was Malfoy," Harry said immediately, his voice filled with conviction.

Esmie's head snapped toward Harry, her pulse quickening. "You don't know that!" she exclaimed, her voice sharp and defensive. The accusation sent a rush of anger through her. How could Harry just throw around such accusations without any proof?

Snape's dark eyes narrowed as they flicked between Harry and Esmie. "That is a very serious accusation, Potter."

"Indeed," McGonagall added, her eyes now locked on Harry. "Do you have any evidence?"

Harry's jaw tightened, and he shook his head. "I just know."

"You just... know?" Snape repeated, his voice thick with sarcasm. "Once again, Potter, you astonish us all with your brilliant insights. Gifts that mere mortals can only dream of possessing. How grand it must be to be the Chosen One."

Esmie's anger boiled over at Snape's mocking tone, but before she could say anything, McGonagall stepped in, her voice firm. "That's enough. I suggest you all return to your dormitories immediately. Now."

With an angry huff, Esmie nodded and quickly exited the office, her heart racing. She could feel the frustration bubbling inside her, her emotions teetering on the edge of exploding. As soon as they stepped into the corridor, she turned to Harry, her eyes blazing with fury.

"I know you can't stand Draco, but that doesn't give you the right to accuse him without any proof!" Esmie snapped, her voice trembling with anger. "You don't even know if he had anything to do with this!"

Harry's face hardened, his green eyes flashing with defiance. "I'm telling you, Esmie, it was Malfoy. He's been acting suspicious for weeks. I know he's involved."

"You don't have any proof!" she shot back, her voice echoing in the stone corridor. "You're just guessing—"

Before Esmie could finish, Ron interrupted, his tone cold and accusing. "You wouldn't even be defending Malfoy if you weren't so friendly with all those Slytherins."

Esmie's heart clenched at Ron's words, and her vision blurred with tears of frustration. "Screw you, Ron!" she spat, her voice cracking with emotion. Without waiting for a response, she turned and stormed down the hallway, her footsteps echoing behind her as she left her friends standing there, stunned.

Her mind raced as she walked through the cold, empty corridors, anger and hurt swirling inside her. How could they not see how wrong they were? How could Ron, after all these years of friendship, accuse her like that?

She didn't know how long she had been walking when she heard a soft voice behind her. "Esmie?"

Esmie froze, recognising the familiar voice. Slowly, she turned to see Danielle standing a few paces behind her, her expression concerned. Dani had always been perceptive, and right now, her sharp brown eyes were filled with quiet understanding.

"Esmie, what happened?" Dani asked gently, her usual teasing tone replaced with genuine care. She stepped closer, her gaze searching Esmie's face. "You look upset."

Esmie felt the knot in her chest tighten, and for a moment, she couldn't speak. The anger she had felt toward Harry and Ron was still there, simmering beneath the surface, but seeing Dani's calm, familiar face made the tension in her body start to ease.

"It's Harry," Esmie finally muttered, her voice shaky. "And Ron. They're being idiots." She paused, shaking her head in frustration. "Harry accused Draco of cursing Katie Bell, and Ron—he had the nerve to say I'm only defending Draco because I'm friends with Slytherins."

Dani's eyes darkened slightly at the mention of Draco but remained focused on Esmie. "Harry said Draco cursed Katie?" she asked, her voice low, as if measuring her response.

Esmie nodded, the anger bubbling up again. "Yeah, and he has no proof! He just... knows. I'm so sick of him jumping to conclusions like that. And Ron—he's just making it worse."

Dani sighed softly and placed a comforting hand on Esmie's shoulder. "Harry's stubborn," she said, her voice calm but thoughtful. "And when he thinks he's right, he doesn't let go easily. But accusing Draco without evidence? That's not fair." She paused, her lips pressing together in a thin line. "And Ron... well, you know he doesn't think before he speaks."

Esmie let out a bitter laugh. "Yeah, tell me about it."

Dani's hand tightened on Esmie's shoulder, offering a reassuring squeeze. "For what it's worth," she said softly, "I don't think you're wrong for defending Draco. If you say he's not involved, then I believe you."

Esmie looked up at Dani, her heart swelling with gratitude. Dani's quiet, steady presence was exactly what she needed right now. "Thank you," Esmie whispered, her voice barely audible.

Dani smiled, a small, knowing smile that always seemed to calm Esmie down. "Anytime. Come on, let's go for a walk. Clear our heads."

Without another word, Esmie fell into step beside Dani, the two of them wandering down the empty halls of Hogwarts, the tension slowly easing as the warmth of friendship wrapped around her like a protective shield.

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Enjoy! Xo

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