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"If looks could kill, I wouldn't want to be the one who made you this mad."

Esmie glanced over her shoulder, catching Enzo's amused smirk as he wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close. He kissed her cheek gently, and despite her sour mood, a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips. Ever since her argument with Harry and Ron, Esmie had been on edge, keeping to herself and avoiding her usual group. The tension had started to wear her down, and when she received an invitation to Slughorn's dinner, it only made things worse. The thought of sitting through an evening with Harry, Hermione, and Slughorn himself made her stomach twist in knots.

"I really don't want to go to this dinner tonight," she muttered under her breath, resting her head against Enzo's shoulder for a moment.

Enzo raised an eyebrow, his voice gentle but teasing. "I thought you decided to skip it?"

"I was going to, but then I figured I should at least make an appearance," she sighed, pushing her hair out of her face. "I just wish you were invited."

He chuckled softly, hugging her tighter. "Believe me, I wish I were, but apparently, I'm not Slughorn's type. No invite for me." His voice was light, but she could tell he didn't like the idea of her going alone.

Esmie sighed and pulled back to meet his gaze, her eyes full of frustration. "I know it's silly, but I just don't feel like dealing with it. Harry, Hermione ... the whole thing feels like too much right now."

Enzo's expression softened as he kissed the top of her head. "I get it. You don't have to go if you don't want to. It's okay to skip these things sometimes."

She nodded, though her mind still weighed heavily with the decision. After one last quick hug, she said goodbye and made her way back to her usual spot at the Gryffindor table. The moment she sat down, the conversations around her died down, and she rolled her eyes, feeling the awkwardness hang in the air.

Maddison bounced over to the table, her bright voice cutting through the silence. "Hi!" she smiled, sitting down next to Harry, her enthusiasm standing in sharp contrast to the tense atmosphere.

Esmie gave her a small nod in acknowledgment before turning back to her food, picking at her breakfast half-heartedly.

Grace, who had been eyeing the group uncomfortably, decided to break the silence. "So, uh —" But before she could finish, Esmie slammed her cup down onto the table, startling Hermione so badly she jumped in her seat. Grace quickly trailed off, wide-eyed. "Uh, never mind."

Maddison, clearly sensing the tension, glanced around the group. "What's going on?"

Hope sighed in frustration, "We've been trying to get answers from Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Esmie, but none of them are talking. It's like everyone's avoiding us."

"Yeah," Grace chimed in. "We went to Hogsmeade together, and everything was fine, but then after we got back, it's like the air changed. Esmie hasn't said a word to us, and we still don't know why."

Maddison blinked, processing the information before sighing. "Well, I think I'll leave you guys to sort this out. See you later, Harry." She kissed his cheek before walking away toward the Ravenclaw table.

"Great," Grace muttered, stabbing her sausage with unnecessary force. "We had two minutes of normalcy."

Esmie rolled her eyes, the guilt slowly creeping in as the others sat in uncomfortable silence. She finally exhaled and spoke up, her voice softer than before. "Look, I'm sorry. It's just ... I find it hard to believe that Draco hexed Katie."

Harry, who had been silently pushing his food around on his plate, dropped his spoon with a clatter. He quickly picked it up, glancing nervously between Esmie and the rest of the group. "I know you don't want to believe it, but he was acting really strange when we left the Three Broomsticks. He disappeared, Esmie."

Grace's eyes widened in disbelief. "Wait. This whole argument was about Draco?"

"It's not just about him acting weird," Esmie explained, keeping her voice low. "It's that Harry jumped to conclusions without any real proof, and ... I'm sorry I got upset. I just don't want us to keep fighting over this. Can we drop it now? I don't want to lose my friends over something like this."

Harry looked at her hopefully. "So ... we're still friends?"

Esmie smiled faintly and nodded. "Of course we're still friends."

Grace shook her head, incredulous. "Hold on. You were arguing about Draco, and now it's over, just like that? That's it?"

Esmie shrugged. "Pretty much."

"Wait, Draco hexed someone?" Hope asked, clearly behind on the conversation. Grace elbowed her hard in the side.

"We don't know for sure, okay? Can we please stop talking about it?" Esmie pleaded.

The twins exchanged a glance before nodding in agreement, quickly shifting the conversation to lighter topics. Slowly, the tension at the table began to fade, and Esmie found herself smiling and laughing again, her foul mood melting away with each passing minute.

After breakfast, the group made their way out of the Great Hall, heading toward their morning classes. They were joined by Maddison, Theo, Elsie, and Enzo as they walked, the group falling into their usual rhythm of chatter.

Enzo nudged Esmie gently. "You seem a lot happier than you did earlier this morning."

"I am," Esmie replied, smiling up at him. "I guess I just needed to let off some steam."

As they walked, Theo draped an arm over her shoulders, his tone playful. "I have a little proposition for you, but it might cost you a few house points."

Esmie raised an eyebrow in curiosity, but before she could say anything, Grace cut in with a stern look. "Absolutely not. Esmie's already lost enough points as it is."

Theo grinned, unfazed. "Come on, you win the House Cup every year. Surely you can spare a few points."

"Okay, what's this proposition?" Esmie asked, stopping in her tracks and turning to face him.

Theo glanced around before leaning in conspiratorially. "I need to speak to Esmie privately for a moment." He gestured for the others to continue to class.

Enzo squeezed Esmie's hand before walking into the classroom, shooting her an encouraging smile. Once they were alone, Esmie crossed her arms over her chest, her brow furrowed in suspicion. "What's going on, Theodore?"

Theo sighed, glancing around to make sure no one was listening. "I need you to switch seats with Pansy and talk to Draco. Something is seriously going on with him, but he won't open to any of us. I think he might talk to you."

Esmie frowned. "Why would he talk to me? He hasn't said a word to me in weeks, Theo."

"Just try," Theo insisted, his voice almost pleading. "He trusts you more than he lets on. Please, Esmie."

She hesitated, biting her lip. "I'm sorry, Theo, but I can't. I'm not switching places with Pansy."

Theo sighed in disappointment, but he nodded. "I get it. Thanks for at least hearing me out."

With that, Esmie turned and entered the classroom, her mood slightly heavier after the conversation. The room was already packed with students, and the only available seat was next to Enzo. With a resigned sigh, she made her way to the desk and sat down beside him.

"Where's Mattheo?" she asked, glancing around the room.

Enzo smiled. "He said he wasn't feeling well, but hey, I'm not complaining. I get to sit next to you today." He gave her a playful nudge, and she couldn't help but smile back.

Before they could continue their conversation, Snape entered the room, his sharp gaze immediately landing on Esmie. His voice cut through the chatter like ice. "Miss Grisky, switch places with Miss Parkinson."

Across the room, Theo pumped his fist in victory, whispering, "Yes!"

Esmie rolled her eyes, glancing at Enzo, who just shrugged with an amused grin.

"Mr. Nott," Snape's voice sliced through the room, sharp and commanding, cutting through the low hum of conversation as the students packed up their things. Enzo gave Esmie's hand a final squeeze before letting go, his silent encouragement still lingering as she rose from her seat. With a deep breath, she gathered her belongings and made her way toward Pansy's desk. Pansy, met her halfway with a look of disdain, her eyes narrowing as Esmie approached. Esmie kept her gaze down, not interested in a confrontation, and silently slid into the seat beside Draco.

Theo, who had been watching the scene unfold from a few rows behind, leaned forward, a smug grin playing on his lips. "See? Even Professor Snape knows you and Draco need to talk," he whispered, his voice dripping with amusement.

Esmie's cheeks flushed, heat rising to her face. She turned and shot him a glare. "Can you please shut up?" she hissed, her voice barely above a whisper, though her irritation was clear.

Draco, still staring straight ahead with a stony expression, finally spoke up. "I don't think he knows how to," he muttered under his breath, his tone flat but with the faintest trace of amusement that made Esmie smirk.

Theo glared at Draco but didn't respond. Esmie couldn't help but smile at the banter, feeling a small crack in the tension. "We still love you, Theodore," she teased over her shoulder, her tone lighter now.

With Theo momentarily silenced, Esmie tried to focus on the lesson, but her thoughts kept drifting back to Draco. He hadn't said much to her in weeks, and the distance between them had been growing. Harry's suspicions about Draco hexing Katie had only fuelled the fire of doubt that was burning in her mind. As much as she didn't want to believe it, Draco had been acting strangely — more withdrawn, secretive, and avoiding everyone.

Esmie stole a glance at him. His face was as unreadable as ever, but there was something in the way his fingers drummed lightly on the desk, a subtle sign of agitation. Could Harry be right? Could Draco really be involved in something as dark as cursing Katie? The idea gnawed at her, and no matter how hard she tried to push it away, it lingered.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Snape dismissed the class. Students hurried to pack up their things and file out of the room, eager to escape the heavy atmosphere. Esmie started to gather her own belongings, ready to leave and avoid whatever awkwardness might follow, but Draco's quiet voice stopped her in her tracks.

"Can we talk?" he asked, his voice low and uncertain, a stark contrast to the confident Draco she knew.

Esmie hesitated, her heart pounding in her chest. She had been waiting for this moment, but now that it was here, she wasn't sure she was ready. Still, she nodded. "Sure."

Theo, of course, couldn't resist chiming in. "Now why didn't you just listen to me when I said you two needed to talk?" he grinned, clearly pleased with himself.

Before Esmie could snap back, Danielle, who had been sitting a few rows behind, stood up with a soft laugh. "Come on, Theo," she said, her voice light and teasing as she grabbed his arm. "Give them some space." Her dark eyes met Esmie's for a moment, a small, encouraging smile tugging at her lips as she gently pulled Theo toward the door. "Let them figure things out."

Theo pouted dramatically but allowed Danielle to drag him out of the room. "Fine, but I expect a full report later!" he called over his shoulder, flashing Esmie one last playful wink before the door swung shut behind them.

Enzo, who had lingered by the doorway, caught Esmie's eye as he left. His expression was soft, understanding, and he gave her a quick nod before slipping out with the others, leaving Esmie and Draco alone in the now-empty classroom.

The silence that followed was heavy, almost suffocating. Esmie turned to Draco, her nerves suddenly making her feel small, unsure of what to say. He was still sitting, his posture stiff, his gaze fixed on the floor. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the air between them thick with the weight of unspoken words.

Finally, Esmie broke the silence, her voice softer than before. "Theo's been pestering me for days about talking to you," she said with a small, nervous laugh, hoping to lighten the tension.

Draco's lips twitched, the smallest hint of a smile breaking through his guarded expression. "Sounds about right," he said quietly. "He's been pestering me too."

Esmie smiled, feeling a bit of the tension melt away. Together, they started walking out of the classroom, their steps slow and hesitant. As they walked, their hands brushed against each other. For a moment, Esmie didn't pull away — there was something comforting in the simple touch, but then, Pansy's cruel words echoed in her mind, and the warmth of the moment shattered. She quickly withdrew her hand, tucking it into the pocket of her robes.

Draco noticed the shift immediately and stopped, turning toward her with a concerned frown. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, I —" Esmie began, but Draco cut her off, his gaze sharp.

"Don't lie to me, Esmie. Something's bothering you." He paused, his expression tightening. "You've been avoiding me ever since that day we went to the Three Broomsticks. Pansy said that you — "

Esmie rolled her eyes, frustration bubbling to the surface. "That's exactly the problem, Draco. Pansy." She sighed, looking down at her hands, her voice growing quiet. "I've tried to be her friend, but you heard what she called me. I just ... why would you even want to be seen with someone like me when you could have someone like her? Someone who's like you — pureblood, who shares your family's ideals. I'm never going to be like them, Draco. I'm never going to fit in with your world."

Draco's frown deepened, and he took a step closer to her, his voice filled with an intensity that caught her off guard. "I don't want you to be like them," he said firmly. "And I don't understand why you're listening to Pansy."

Esmie shook her head, her frustration spilling out. "I don't know, Draco. Maybe because you used to call me and Hermione mudbloods all the time when we were younger. It wasn't hard to believe that's still how you see us."

Draco winced, the guilt clear in his eyes. "I'm sorry, Esmie. I never should have called you that. I was an idiot."

Esmie opened her mouth to say something, but before she could, Draco stepped even closer, his eyes locking on hers. His gaze flicked down to her lips, and Esmie's heart skipped a beat.

"I'm really sorry for avoiding you," she whispered, her voice barely audible as the tension between them grew. "I just — "

"Esmeralda," Draco interrupted with a soft chuckle, a warmth creeping into his eyes. "Stop talking."

Before she could process what was happening, Draco leaned in and kissed her.

For a moment, Esmie froze, surprised by the suddenness of it. His lips were soft and warm against hers, and she found herself kissing him back, letting the moment unfold. It was a gentle, sweet kiss, the kind she had read about in romance novels or seen in countless movies, but as the kiss lingered, something felt ... off.

As nice as the kiss was, it didn't make her heart race or her stomach flutter. There was no spark, no overwhelming rush of emotions like she had imagined. It was just ... a kiss.

Draco pulled back, smiling softly at her, clearly unaware of the confusion swirling in her mind. "I've wanted to do that for a while," he admitted, his voice quiet and sincere.

Esmie forced a small smile, though guilt weighed heavily in her chest. "Yeah," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "Me too."

But even as she said it, the words felt wrong. Something was missing, and as much as she tried to ignore it, she couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't how it was supposed to feel.

"Uh, we should probably get to our next class before we get into trouble for being late," Esmie said, pulling away from Draco, who nodded, the tension between them still lingering in the air. As they walked down the hallway, side by side, Esmie felt her mind swirl with everything that had just happened — the kiss, Draco's apology, the confusion still sitting heavy in her chest. They had talked, but it didn't feel like enough.

When they finally reached their classroom, Esmie's stomach sank. The moment they stepped through the door, it was clear they were late. All eyes turned toward them, the usual buzz of the class fading into a heavy silence as Professor McGonagall looked up from her desk, her lips pressed into a thin line.

"Miss Grisky, Mr. Malfoy, how nice of you to join us," McGonagall said coolly, her sharp gaze cutting through the room. "For your tardiness, ten points each from Gryffindor and Slytherin."

Esmie winced, hearing Grace's immediate groan from across the room. "Oh, come on, Esmie," Grace whined as Esmie hurried to take her seat beside Hermione. "I told you not to lose any house points today."

Theo snickered from behind her, but McGonagall's icy glare silenced him quickly. "That will be quite enough, Mr. Nott, and Miss Black," McGonagall said, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Grace, never one to let things go quietly, huffed. "Professor, Esmie's been losing a lot of house points lately."

McGonagall's stern expression didn't waver, but there was a brief flicker of something almost like understanding in her eyes as she looked directly at Esmie. "Perhaps this will be a good lesson for Miss Grisky," she said, her tone firm but not unkind. With that, she turned back to the lesson, leaving Esmie feeling the weight of her gaze long after it had passed.

Esmie sank into her chair, exchanging a quick, apologetic glance with Hermione. "What was that all about?" she whispered, trying to suppress a smile as the tension began to ease.

Grace shrugged, her lips curling into a playful smile. "Nothing," she said, though her eyes sparkled with mischief.

Esmie couldn't help but laugh softly. The tension she'd been carrying all morning started to melt away. Even after the awkward encounter with Draco, her friends' light-hearted teasing helped bring her back to a sense of normalcy, at least for the moment.

As the lesson dragged on, Esmie tried to focus, but her thoughts kept wandering. Every now and then, she'd steal a glance at Enzo, who seemed lost in concentration, but whenever he looked up, their eyes would meet, and her heart would skip in a way it hadn't with Draco. It made her feel guilty — Draco had kissed her, but it was Enzo who made her stomach flutter. The strange tangle of emotions was becoming harder to ignore.

After class, Esmie gathered her things, her mind still a swirl of thoughts. She was about to follow Hermione out of the room when she felt a familiar hand on her arm. She turned to find Theo grinning at her, mischief dancing in his eyes.

"I'll catch up with you later, Hermione," Esmie called over her shoulder. Hermione nodded, giving her a knowing look before disappearing into the corridor.

Esmie folded her arms, facing Theo. "What is it? You seemed entertained back there."

Theo's grin widened. "Oh, I was, but what I really want to know is, you and Draco were late. Does that mean you finally talked?"

Esmie hesitated, the memory of the kiss still fresh in her mind. "Yeah," she admitted, her voice quieter than she meant it to be. "We talked. Sort of."

Theo raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Sort of? What's that supposed to mean?"

"I don't know, Theo. It's complicated," Esmie said, shrugging. "But I really don't have time to get into it right now. I need to get ready for Slughorn's dinner."

Theo's expression shifted, a hint of bitterness creeping into his voice. "You got invited to that?"

Esmie furrowed her brows, sensing the sudden mood change. "Yeah, but honestly, I don't even know if I want to go. It's just Slughorn's usual nonsense."

"Blaise got invited too," Theo said, his voice tight, his gaze dropping to the floor.

Something in Theo's tone made Esmie pause. She studied him for a moment, her confusion deepening. "Theo, are you okay?" she asked, her voice softer, more concerned.

For a moment, Theo didn't respond. His jaw clenched, and when he finally looked up at her, there was something in his eyes she hadn't seen before — a flicker of frustration, maybe even hurt. "I'm fine," he snapped, though the edge in his voice made it clear he wasn't. "I have things to do. See you later, Esmie."

Before she could say anything else, Theo turned on his heel and walked away, leaving Esmie standing there, stunned. She'd rarely seen Theo like this, and the abrupt change in his mood left her feeling uneasy. What had just happened? Why was he acting this way?

Shaking her head, Esmie decided not to dwell on it. She needed to get ready for the dinner. With a sigh, she headed back to the Gryffindor common room, her thoughts still swirling as she climbed the stairs to her dorm.

As Esmie rummaged through her wardrobe for something to wear, she heard a knock at the door. Turning, she saw Danielle leaning casually against the doorframe, her arms crossed, a knowing smile on her lips.

"Hey," Danielle said, stepping into the room. "You looked a little out of it earlier. Want to talk about it?"

Esmie sighed, sitting down on the edge of her bed. "It's been ... a day," she admitted, not sure where to start.

Danielle arched an eyebrow, her smile widening. "I'll say. First, you show up late with Draco, and now Theo's acting like someone stole his broomstick. What's going on?"

Esmie hesitated; her thoughts still tangled. "Draco kissed me," she finally said, her voice small. "And ... it wasn't what I thought it would be."

Danielle's eyes widened slightly, but her expression remained calm, even amused. "Draco kissed you?" she repeated, sitting down beside Esmie. "Let me guess — it didn't feel like fireworks?"

"No," Esmie admitted, her shoulders slumping. "I thought it would feel different. Like in those romance novels I'm always reading, but ... it didn't. It was just ... fine."

Danielle chuckled softly, her tone gentle. "That's because you don't actually like Draco like that."

Esmie looked up at her, biting her lip. "Then why did I let it happen? Why did I kiss him back?"

"Sometimes," Danielle said wisely, "we convince ourselves we want something because it looks good on the surface, but when it comes down to it, our hearts know better." She paused, watching Esmie closely. "And you, my friend, have been looking at Enzo like he's the last broomstick at a Quidditch sale."

Esmie's cheeks flushed, and she looked down, fiddling with the fabric of her robe. "It's just ... whenever I'm around him, I feel something different. It's not like it was with Draco."

"Exactly," Danielle said, her voice soft but firm. "Because your heart knows what it wants. You can't fake chemistry, Esmie."

Esmie sighed, her thoughts still racing. "And then there's Theo. He's been acting so strange lately. I don't know what's going on with him."

Danielle frowned slightly, considering her words. "Theo can be complicated. He probably has a lot going on, but whatever it is, it's probably not about you."

"I hope so," Esmie said, though a small part of her still wondered. "It just feels like everything's changing so fast."

"That's life, isn't it?" Danielle said with a smile. "Everything changes, but hey, you don't have to figure it all out at once. Just take it one step at a time."

As Danielle stood to leave, Esmie gave her a small smile. "Thanks, Dani."

"Anytime," Danielle said, flashing her a quick wink before heading for the door. "Now go get ready for that dinner."

Once Danielle left, Esmie remained seated on her bed, her gaze locked on her reflection in the mirror across the room. Her mind swirled with everything that had unfolded in the past few hours — her confusing feelings for Draco, the undeniable pull she felt toward Enzo, and Theo's sudden, inexplicable mood swings. The day had been a mess, and it felt like every part of her life was unravelling all at once, but maybe Danielle was right. She didn't need to figure everything out tonight. She could take her time sorting through the tangled emotions. What mattered most was that she could no longer pretend — what happened with Draco wasn't what she wanted, and deep down, her heart had known it all along.

Taking a deep breath, Esmie forced herself to focus on the present. There were more immediate things to worry about, like Slughorn's dinner. She stood up, brushing away the lingering thoughts about Draco, and quickly changed into an elegant outfit, something that would be appropriate for the formal occasion but still comfortable enough not to feel out of place. After giving herself a final once-over in the mirror, she smoothed her hair down and headed downstairs.

As she descended the staircase into the Gryffindor common room, her spirits lifted slightly when she spotted Harry and Hermione waiting for her near the portrait hole. Their argument from earlier in the week had faded, and now, the tension between them was gone. Esmie offered a small smile, grateful that things had returned to normal between them.

"You ready?" Harry asked with a grin, his mood noticeably lighter.

"Ready as I'll ever be," Esmie replied with a smile, joining them as they left the common room. The three of them walked through the castle, chatting lightly, their footsteps echoing in the stone corridors. For a moment, Esmie allowed herself to enjoy the easy conversation, letting go of the swirling thoughts about Draco, Theo, and everything else weighing on her.

When they reached Slughorn's lavish dinner, the grandeur of the event hit them immediately. The room was decked out in shimmering decorations, and the long table was set with polished silverware, crystal goblets, and gleaming plates. Esmie couldn't help but admire the effort Slughorn always put into his gatherings — it was clear he enjoyed showing off. She followed Harry and Hermione to their seats, settling between Neville and Hermione, feeling a sense of relief to be surrounded by familiar faces.

Slughorn soon took his place at the head of the table, raising his goblet high. "A toast!" he called out, his voice booming across the room. Everyone fell silent, lifting their goblets as Slughorn continued. "To Hogwarts' best and brightest!"

"Here, here!" Cormac McLaggen bellowed from across the table, his enthusiasm earning a few eye rolls. Esmie exchanged an amused glance with Hermione before clinking her goblet against hers and taking a sip of the sweet wine. She was grateful to have Hermione and Neville nearby —it made the formal setting feel less overwhelming.

As she placed her goblet back on the table, Esmie noticed Neville fidgeting uncomfortably, his eyes darting between the various pieces of cutlery laid out beside his plate. "Which one do I use for the soup?" he whispered, looking thoroughly confused.

Esmie smiled warmly, leaning over to point out the correct spoon. "This one here."

Neville sighed in relief, picking up the spoon with a grateful smile. "Thanks, Esmie! How do you always know this stuff?"

Esmie chuckled, her voice light. "I grew up in a relatively wealthy Muggle family. My mum loved throwing formal dinner parties, so I learned pretty quickly which fork or spoon goes with which course."

Josie, seated on the other side of Neville, leaned forward with curiosity. "You went to fancy dinner parties?"

"Yeah," Esmie nodded. "My mum was really into maintaining her status in the Muggle world, so we often attended or hosted dinners with the rich and famous. She even mingled with wizards and witches for a while, but that didn't last long."

"Is that why she didn't want you to come to Hogwarts?" Josie asked, her voice soft but inquisitive.

Esmie hesitated for a second, her smile faltering. She bit her lip, not wanting to delve into the complicated relationship with her mother. "Yeah," she finally said, offering a small shrug. "She didn't want her friends to think she had a freak for a daughter."

Josie's expression softened, her eyes filled with sympathy. "I'm sorry, Esmie."

Esmie forced a smile, shaking her head. "Don't be. I've made friends here who feel more like family to me than anyone back home."

The conversation around the table shifted, and Esmie was grateful for the change of subject. She turned her attention back to Slughorn, who was now engaged in a lively conversation with Cormac.

"So, Cormac," Slughorn began, his voice filled with interest. "Do you see much of your Uncle Tiberius these days?"

Cormac puffed out his chest proudly, eager for the attention. "Yes, sir! I'm supposed to go hunting with him and the Minister of Magic over the holidays."

"Well, do give them both my best!" Slughorn said with a smile. He then turned his attention to Marcus Belby, seated nearby. "And you, Mr. Belby? Your uncle invented the Wolfsbane Potion, didn't he? Is he working on anything new?"

Marcus shrugged nonchalantly, shovelling a spoonful of food into his mouth before replying. "Don't know. Him and Dad don't talk much. Dad says potions are rubbish. Says the only potion worth having is a stiff drink at the end of the day."

Esmie hid a grin behind her hand, exchanging a knowing look with Hermione. Slughorn seemed unfazed by Marcus's bluntness, turning his attention to Hermione instead.

"And you, Miss Granger," he asked, his tone bright with curiosity. "What do your parents do in the Muggle world?"

"My parents are dentists," Hermione replied, always calm and collected. "They take care of people's teeth."

"Fascinating!" Slughorn exclaimed. "Is that considered a dangerous profession?"

"Not usually," Hermione laughed. "Although one boy named Robbie Fenwick bit my dad once — he needed ten stitches."

Laughter erupted around the table, and even Esmie couldn't help but smile. The mood at the dinner was light, and for the first time all day, she felt at ease, but just as things seemed to settle, the door to the dining room creaked open, and Ginny stepped inside.

Esmie immediately noticed how Ginny's eyes flickered toward Blaise, who was sitting across the room. Blaise's gaze lingered on Ginny for just a moment too long, his expression unreadable, and Esmie raised an eyebrow, wondering what had passed between them.

"Ah, Miss Weasley," Slughorn said warmly, gesturing for Ginny to join them. "Come in, come in!"

Hermione leaned toward Harry, her voice low. "Look at her eyes. They've been fighting again — her and Dean."

Ginny took a seat at the far end of the table, offering a small, polite smile. "Sorry I'm late. I don't usually run behind."

Slughorn waved a hand dismissively. "No matter, no matter. You're just in time for dessert — if Belby's left any!"

Ginny offered a half-smile, though Esmie could tell she was distracted. Esmie gave her a small, supportive nod before returning her focus to the dessert being passed around the table.

The rest of the evening passed in a blur of laughter, conversation, and the clinking of silverware and goblets. Esmie let herself relax, allowing the noise and the company to drown out her earlier anxieties. It was a welcome reprieve from the chaos of her thoughts, and by the time the dinner ended, she felt lighter, even if only for a moment.

As the group began to disperse, Esmie and Hermione made their way back to Gryffindor Tower together. The conversation between them was easy, and they shared a few laughs about the dinner and Slughorn's usual antics. By the time they reached the dormitory, the exhaustion from the long day had caught up to both.

Esmie quickly showered and changed into her pyjamas; her thoughts quieter now than they had been earlier. When she finally collapsed into bed, she stared up at the ceiling, her mind still processing the events of the day. The kiss with Draco, Theo's strange behaviour, and the easy camaraderie at Slughorn's dinner all swirled together, but somehow, things felt clearer.

As she drifted off to sleep, she knew one thing for sure: it was time to stop pretending about Draco. Whatever had happened between them wasn't what she wanted, and she was finally ready to admit it to herself. There was still so much she didn't understand, but for now, that one truth was enough. Slowly, the weight of the day faded, and Esmie fell into a deep, peaceful sleep.

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Esmie losing house points again 😂 also I wasn't sure if they had assigned seats in class or not but for the sake of this story they kind of do/kind of don't.

Enjoy! Xo

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