It was Friday.

The children were already used to the rhythm of school again, getting their sleeping schedules in check, (except for Dan, of course) and feeling more comfortable in their temporary home for the next nine months. Give or take.

Phil, especially, was trying his hardest to get over the primary scariness of the first week. Although he had been going to Hogwarts for the past six years and been wanting to go for the last sixteen, it was still terrifying. He was always worried about Dan. Always, no questions asked. Always worried Voldemort would rhythmically snap out of the shadows and whisk Dan away to slit his throat so the prophecy might not be fulfilled. He also had the pressure of keeping his grades up. Phil had been studying like insane for their N.E.W.Ts, even in the first week. ("No wonder they call them 'nasty,'" Dan had said. "I always feel like vomiting whenever I see your nose crammed in a book that's wider than your fists.") Martyn had been the Head Boy in his seventh year, and had gotten the top marks on all his exams. Phil had a lot to live up to. On top of all that, he had to deal with the constant Dumbledore's Army meetings. He loved them, honest, but it all too much to handle. All this talk about how the love of his life was wanted dead. They put prices on his boyfriend's head. And for what? A shit prophecy? It wasn't fair. Phil was exhausted.

He wanted to envelope Dan up in bubble wrap and keep him safe at all times. It would give Phil the chance to go and slice off Voldy's head. He also wanted coffee.

So he and Dan walked hand in hand to the Great Hall. There was a little sidebar that they had recently added, at Dan's bequest. It had all kinds of coffee. There were giant tubes that ran up to the ceiling, refilling themselves. Well, except for the decaf one. No one likes decaf. Seriously, what's the point? Who wants coffee without caffeine?!

Phil philled his mug with the regular kind, then struggled with the brand-new can of lactose-free milk that hadn't yet been opened by someone stronger than he.

"You're so adorable. Philip Lester, vs. plastic," said Dan. Phil tried to look angry, but cracked, giggling. "It's too bad you're not a wizard," continued Dan. "And worse there's no severing charm." The taller of the two pulled out his wand and said, "Diffindo. Life changing, is it not?"

"Revolutionary," giggled Phil, pecking Dan on the nose and pouring fake milk into his coffee until it was light.

"I like my coffee how I like my women," said Dan. "Not at all."

_______

They strolled along the perimeter of the Great Lake on the way to the meeting that night - they had, like, half an hour before it actually began - and were conversing about how most things at Hogwarts were Captial-G Great™.

"Great Hall, Great Lake, what's next? I'm sure there's a Great Door here somewhere, if we look hard eno-"

Dan was interrupted by a shriek.

The couple ran to the source of the noise, and found a pair of sixth years kicking what must have been a fourth year Ravenclaw, he was so small. Dan flashed back to how he had helped another boy in this same situation just a few years ago...Connor, was it?

"HEY!" shouted Phil. The sixth years turned and laughed, but their voices cracked. Phil might have been the snuggliest, kindest, most pure person to ever grace this earth, but he was 6'2". If he tried hard enough, he could be intimidating. And he hated when people picked on someone who wasn't their size. Phil strode up to the duo, letting go of Dan's hand, towering over them and glaring. Their faces paled.

"Leave that poor kid alone! How pathetic of you, taking out your own personal doubts and insecurities on someone who couldn't fight back if they tried. How much do you weigh, kid? 100lbs? 110? No matter. You two should be ashamed of yourselves. Tell me one reason why I shouldn't punch you numb right now."

"W-we're not scared of you," said the first. She had blonde hair and small hazel eyes. "He was looking at us the wrong way."

Phil kept his stare and finally muttered, "pathetic," walking towards the boy who was covered in bruises. Dan stood awkwardly, trying to stare them down as well, but they had already ran away.

"Hi, I'm Phil. What's your name?" Phil asked kindly.

"Troye Mellet, sir," said the boy, his blue eyes open wide and shining.

"Oh, sweetie, you don't have to call me sir. That was 100% the adrenaline talking."

"You're just so tall. I'm glad the adrenaline spoke up, or else I would have been toast. Thank you, really. They weren't leaving me alone. They used to be my friends..." He trailed off, tears running down his cheek.

"Go on," said Phil, putting a hand on his shoulder.

"We used to be friends, but..." At this point, Troye was sobbing. "A-After I... I c-came out to them, they weren't so supportive. We st- we stopped talking. That was a while ago...I-I don't know what brought this up," he managed to sniffle out.

"Well, they're both dicks and you deserve better friends who accept you for who you are. If it makes you feel any better, I'm gay too. I'm just lucky I have supportive friends. But Troye, real friends give you wings, not chains. Find new, better, kickass friends who will defend you and love you unconditionally and forever. I hereby volunteer to be the first of your awesome friend army... ACTUALLY, speaking of armies, how do you feel about the Lord Voldemort?"

"Terribly," Troye spat out bitterly. "He killed my mother."

"I'm so sorry. Would you like to join Dumbledore's Army? We are also generally against him."

"S-sure. Thank you again, Phil."

"Absolutely no problem, Troye."

Dan was screaming.

"PHIL!! THAT WAS SO FUCKING COOL MY BOYFRIEND IS A COMPLETE AND TOTAL BADASS. EVERYONE, I AM DATING THE COOLEST, RADDEST DUDE TO EVER WALK THIS PLANET HOLY SHIT! PHIL! HOW DO YOU GO FROM A RAY OF SUNSHINE TO BADASS THAT QUICK???" Dan was hyperventilating and kissing all over Phil's face. Phil was laughing and kissing him back. Troye's face fell.

"I didn't know you had a boyfriend," he said, trying not to sound disappointed.

"Well, we have known each other for two minutes. Troye, meet my significant other, Daniel."

"God, don't call me that. Hi, Troye, I'm just Dan.

"Hi, Just Dan. How long have you two been dating?"

"For, like, two years. I think. Yeah," said Phil, glancing over at Dan.

I've been dating this nerd for two years and my heart still stops when he looks at me, thought Dan. Two years and I'm still not used to the beauty of him. Two years and I'm still not sure on the color of his eyes. Two years and hopefully so many more.

"Yeah, two years," said Dan, as nonchalantly as possible.

"How cute!!" Said Troye. He cursed himself for thinking he could ever have a chance with Phil. Of course, he had a boyfriend. Troye was only in fifth year, but he looked like he could've been in third. He was tiny. But Phil was so nice... "You guys are so cute together."

Just then, a familiar face strolled by. It was Connor, from first year. "Hey Phil! Dan! Long time, no see! Oh my god, are you okay?" He exclaimed when he noticed Troye. Connor kneeled (on his knees) and cast healing charms on Troye's various bruises.

"I'm fine, but thank you! Some stupid sixth years...I'm Troye, and you are?"

"Connor. Cool name! Y-Yours, I mean," he stuttered. "Not mine. Connor is a common name. Troye is cool. Like, high school musical. Wait, are you Muggleborn? If not, you might not get that..." He blushed. They shook hands, as Troye giggled and confirmed he, too, was Muggleborn and wished to one day be as attractive as Zac Efron. Connor assured him he was. Dan winked at Phil, and mouthed 'OTP.' Phil stifled a laugh. It was true. They had this crazy chemistry between them. (Just the author's humble opinion.)

"Oh, hey, Connor, would you like to attend the D.A. meeting tonight?" Asked Dan.

"Drinker's Anonymous?"

"Dumbledore's Army."

"Ohhhhh, okay, yeah! Totally!"

So the four new friends made their way to the seventh floor, chittering and chattering their hearts out, no idea that by tomorrow morning, one of their own would lie dead.