✦•······················•✦•······················•✦

Y/N's P.O.V. 

Easter holidays sucked. Y/N hated them with all her heart. 

All the homework she had been ignoring had piled up and now she had to actually do it. 

But the worst thing...was the conversation she had with Remus the first morning of holidays...after the events of Snape finding them after curfew.

Remus had asked her to bring Harry along and the boy was absolutely terrified. He was clutching onto her hand and their silver bracelets clanked together with each step.

"Y/N, what if he expels me?" Harry asked worriedly, running a hand through his black hair.

Y/N sighed, giving him a side glance, "Wouldn't put it past him - but he can't, only Dumbledore can." 

"He's going to murder me," Harry said, as though accepting his fate. 

Asking the question that had been burning inside her since last night, Y/N fiddled with the sleeves of her sweater and asked, "Why did you even say we were snogging?" 

Maybe Y/N wanted Harry to say that he wanted to kiss her...but she'd never admit that to herself, not yet anyway. 

"Well...er...." he said awkwardly. "Well, I mean," Harry said. "It...Well...I mean, Snape was shocked - wasn't he?" 

Y/N gave him what she hoped was a blank stare and said, "Okay...but why'd you tell him we were kissing?" 

"To shock him so badly that we wouldn't get detention," Harry said firmly. "And it worked, didn't it?" 

But when Y/N tried to get a closer look at his face, Harry turned away from her. She still caught a hint of blush dusting his cheeks. 

"Right..." she said as they approached Remus's office. 

Harry's palms were incredibly sweaty when Y/N opened the door, her own heart pounding in her chest. It was rather dramatic, but it was necessary. 

"Hello, Y/N," Remus said, then his eyes fell on Harry and his expression hardened. "Mister Potter," he acknowledged. 

Harry clenched her hand even tighter. 

Y/N thought Remus had gotten past the whole, 'Calling-Harry-Mister-Potter,' thing. Apparently not. 

"Take a seat," he gestured to two chairs in front of the teacher's desk. 

Nervously, limbs trembling, they sunk into the chairs, hands still intertwined. Remus sat down in the teachers chair and clasped his hands together on the table. 

"So," he said. 

"So..." Y/N repeated quietly. 

"Who wants to explain - or do I have to prod?" Remus asked in a monotonous voice. 

Harry looked Y/N, Y/N looked at Harry. They made a silent agreement to not say anything. Remus sighed loudly. 

"Mister Potter, I have one question." 

"Right..." Harry said. ''Er...what is it?" 

Taking a deep breath, Remus asked, "Why?" 

...Huh? 

Why what? 

"Why what, Dad?" Y/N said, confused. 

"Why are you doing this with my daughter?" Remus said. Before Harry could answer, he continued, "And if you haven't done anything, why are you saying you have?"

"I'm not doing anything with your daughter- we're just friends," Harry said hastily. 

Well, that stung a little bit, but Y/N just nodded along. "We didn't - we've never kissed, dad," she said. 

Remus nodded his head. "Right...so why say you did kiss her, Mister Potter?" 

Harry shuffled uncomfortably in his chair, face bright red. "I...dunno...Just wanted to shock Snape...didn't want detention." 

Remus said, "Harry, please wait outside for a moment." 

Looking terrified, Harry got up and left - leaving Y/N missing the warmth of his hand. She turned to her uncle. 

"Is any of that true?" Remus asked, his eyes softening. 

"Yes, dad!" Y/N said. "All of it is true. We didn't kiss, we just didn't want detention for being out past curfew!" 

This conversation was worse than the last one - probably because Harry was there for at least half of it. 

"What were you doing past curfew? Snogging Mister Potter?" Remus asked bitterly. 

"Dad what the hell!" Y/N exclaimed, outraged, rising from her seat. "We didn't kiss, we were...we were figuring something out - we're just friends!" 

Remus also stood up very suddenly, banged his fist on the table and spat, 

"I just don't want him playing with your feelings!" 

Harry would never do that! Y/N had known him for three years - he wouldn't...he'd never. He was too good for that. 

"Harry would never do that, Dad!" Y/N yelled. Their conversation had turned into a shouting match. 

Y/N felt incredibly guilty, since Harry could probably hear the whole thing. 

"I don't know what he's like, Y/N! I knew his father, but this..." Remus said. "This is Harry Potter - he's famous, for Merlin's sake! His ego could..it could be-" 

"Dad, listen to me!" Y/N shouted. "Harry is one of the most humble people I've ever met - he is the last person to do something like that!" 

But it was too late, the seed was already planted in Y/N's mind. What if Harry really was  just messing with her feelings? 

He was the Boy Who Lived, he could have anyone he wanted. 

Maybe he wasn't even flirting with her and she was just seeing romance where it wasn't. 

She pushed those thoughts away. Harry would never do that. Her Harry would never do that. 

"Well, sometimes the people you know and love aren't what they seem!" Remus bellowed.

He banged his fist on the desk once more and the sudden movement caused a shift in his cardigan. Out of the front pocket, above his heart, fell a small, square piece of parchment. 

The paper unfolded automatically on the desk, crinkled as though it was opened several times a day. 

On the note was a line of scrawled cursive that read:

Y/N only got a quick look at it, barely enough time to analyze. Remus widened his eyes, blinking away tears and snatched the note from the table, stuffing it back into the pocket over his heart. 

Who was S.B? 

And why were they writing...(possibly) love notes...to her uncle? 

It wasn't the time for that. 

"Okay? And?" Y/N asked. "I know Harry wouldn't do anything to hurt me, none of my friends would!" 

"I'm just looking out for you-"

"Talk to me when you've realized that I can make my own decisions, Dad," Y/N spat.

She stood up and turned on her heel, jerking the door open and striding out without another word. 

When she slammed the door shut, Y/N saw Harry leaning up against a wall, looking thoroughly dejected. 

"Harry...?" Y/N asked. He had heard their...little...shouting match. 

"I guess Professor Lupin thinks the fame has gotten to my head," Harry gave a chuckle, but it was dry. 

"Harry, he's just mad right now. He's protective like that," said Y/N, reaching her arms out to him. 

He let her hug him.

"i wouldn't...I would never do as he's saying," Harry mumbled to her. "I care too much about you..."

"He'll get over it, he's just clouded by anger..." she said softly. She didn't answer his other comment, the one about caring for her - Y/N just squeezed him tighter, hoping he got the message.

"He'll be back to calling you, 'Harry,' in about two days, tops." 

He wrapped Y/N in his arms and asked,

"Are you sure?" 

"One-hundred percent, Scarface." 

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And Y/N was absolutely correct. Their conversation happened on Saturday, so, on Monday morning, Remus approached them while they were sitting in the courtyard, enjoying their break. 

"Kid and...er...Harry... could I speak to you for a moment?" he asked nervously. 

Hermione and Ron looked at their friends, confused, but Y/N and Harry got up and followed Remus. 

Out of habit and fear, Harry grabbed her hand again. 

For the past few days, Y/N kept thinking about the possibility of...Harry messing with her feelings. Most of the time, she tried to ignore it, but sometimes it kept her up at night. 

Harry always seemed sincere, though, so that was enough. 

"Look, you two," Remus said when they stopped walking. "I'm sorry for jumping to conclusions and for being so angry." 

"Thanks," Y/N said plainly. She turned to leave, but Harry kept her back. 

"No, its alright," he said. "Your anger was perfectly reasonable, Professor Lupin." 

Y/N whipped her head to face him. What? No it wasn't! 

"Scarface, what are you saying?" 

"I'm saying," Harry began. "That I think it's reasonable." 

"Yeah, I got that," Y/N replied with an eyeroll. "Why, though?" 

With a quick glance at Remus, Harry mumbled, "I'll tell you later..." 

Remus, choosing to ignore that, said, "Well, you two can go now. I've said my bit." He pulled Y/N into a hug and kissed her forehead gently.

"Bye, dad," she said grumpily but hugged him back. She hadn't forgiven him yet.

Remus walked away and Y/N immediately turned to Harry. "So - why is that reasonable?" 

Harry shrugged and gave her a smirk. "Simple - he has a pretty daughter, its a tough job, keeping guys away from her."

What the bloody hell was that? Why did it make her stomach feel all swirly? 

Before she could say anything, Harry ran over to their friends. When she joined, she had to keep a straight face. 

Sitting down on the grass, Y/N gave Harry a piercing glare. What was he doing? He was so stupid for turning her to mush. 

He just grinned back, but his grin faltered when they heard Oliver Wood's voice. 

"Harry!" he said, jogging up to them. "Hello, Y/N, Granger, Weasley," he greeted. 

"Hi, Ollie," Y/N said. Ron and Hermione greeted him as well. 

"Alright, to business, then," Oliver said. 

He turned to Harry, "Harry, you must only get the Snitch when we're fifty points up, remember? Only when we're fifty points up, must you get the Snitch or we win the match, but lose the cup. Only when we're-"

"I KNOW, OLIVER!" Harry bellowed.

✦

Y/N was with Dean and Seamus in the library, studying. 

Since Hermione liked studying for hours at time, Y/N didn't want to disturb her. So, she decided to annoy her idiots. 

Well, most of the time, it was them annoying her. 

Dean and Seamus were walking really close together and Y/N narrowed her eyes suspiciously, but said nothing. 

"So, what have you two been up to?" Y/N asked while they strolled down the aisles, searching for books. 

Through the corner of her eye, she saw Seamus glance at Dean. "Nothing much - just normal days," he said. "I love annoying this git," Seamus added affectionately.

"Right..." Y/N said. "What're you guys studying?" 

Well, they were studying Defense Against the Dark Arts. Y/N didn't need any help with that, so she chose the subject she was slacking a little in - Herbology. Stupid plants. 

They found a table near a large window and sat down. Y/N looking over the grounds, recalling so many memories. Anything to skive off studying.

For at least five minutes, Y/N stared at her book. Heaving a huge sigh, she pried it open and began the tedious task of learning.

"What's a Hinkypunk?" Seamus asked midway into their study session, while Y/N was focusing on reading. 

"You're a Hinkypunk," Y/N grumbled without looking up. "With a face like that."

With a loud, fake gasp, Seamus put a hand to his heart. When Y/N ignored him, he turned to Dean, looking for attention and gave him puppy eyes.

"They carry, like, lanterns. They look like mist, or something," Dean answered, flipping the page of a book. 

Seamus frowned, "What do they do - I just know they'll come up on exams." 

With a groan, Y/N slammed her book shut, losing focus. "They lure travelers into bogs and wetlands under the guise of their lanterns."

"Sometimes I forget that you're Professor Lupin's niece," Dean said. 

Y/N nodded her head absently, her conversation with Remus and Harry ringing in her ears. The insults the Marauders Map gave Snape joining. 

"Nerd!" the two boys chorused.

✦•······················•✦•······················•✦

The whole of Gryffindor House was obsessed with the match against Slytherin. Nobody shut up about it and even Hermione put her books down for once to discuss it. 

The animosity between the quartet and Malfoy's goons / friend group was at it's highest. Insults were being thrown everywhere they went. 

"Potter - going to need your wand again to ward off the scary, fake dementors?" Malfoy sneered. 

"Sorry my magic is more advanced than yours, Malfoy," Harry shot back. 

Y/N pulled him close by the arm and whispered in Harry's ear, "My magic is more advanced than both of youursss," she teased. 

Harry just chuckled and shoved her off. "Okay, Y/N." 

On the evening before the match, everyone was either rambling in excitement, or stunned with nervousness. Harry was taking it exceptionally bad. 

"We haven't won since Charlie Weasley was here!" Harry said to Y/N, Ron and Hermione. 

Ron, who was munching on some Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans, said, "C'mon, Harry - Charls was good, but you're the youngest Seeker of the century!" 

"Mhm," said Y/N. "And the most talented," she added, nudging Harry. 

She looked across to the room to Fred and George, who were entertaining Lee Jordan and Angelina Johnson by...juggling inkpots? 

"You're going to be fine, Harry," Hermione said from beside Y/N. 

"Yeah, you've got a Firebolt!" said Ron, handing Y/N a pile of jelly beans. 

"And, last but not least," Y/N added. "You're Harry Potter." 

Harry just rolled his eye at her and flung a pillow at her face. It hit Y/N with a flump! and fell into her lap. 

"Let's do homework," said Harry suddenly, pulling paper out of his bookbag. 

Who was this and what had they done with Harry? 

"Excuse me?" Y/N asked, bewildered. Ron and Hermione's mouths were agape. 

"Homework," answered Harry, pointing to the paper. "Come on, Y/N. I need help - I'm no good at Potions." 

"Harry, why do want to do homework now?" Hermione asked. 

"Yeah, mate - you never want to do homework!" 

Harry shrugged and patted the spot beside him for Y/N to sit down. She did and Harry immediately leaned his head on her shoulder, his messy hair tickling her jaw.

"I dunno," he said. "Want to get my mind off the match."

In a low voice, Y/N said to him, "I can think of better ways of getting your mind off the match." 

She only realized how suggestive that sounded when Harry blushed furiously and stuttered out, "What - Y/N! That's so - what!" 

Now red as well, Y/N quickly said, "That's not what I meant, Potter!" 

Hermione and Ron were positively howling with laughter together on the couch. 

Leaning closer to her ear, Harry whispered, "And what would these things be?" 

It was her turn to blush furiously. What this boy doing to her? Literally a moment ago, he was stuttering. What a switch up.

Y/N shoved his face away with her palm while Harry just chuckled lowly. 

"Herms, we're going to bed!" Y/N exclaimed to Hermione, getting up abruptly, knocking Harry's head off her shoulder. 

"Hey!" Harry said, affronted. "You're supposed to be my headrest!" When Y/N ignored him, he continued, "Also, that hurt. You're mean," Harry pouted.

"Do you want a kiss to make you feel better?" Y/N asked sarcastically, hands on her hips. 

Immediately, Harry sat straighter and said, "Really?"

"No," Y/N scoffed, trying not to laugh at his disappointed face. 

He wanted her to kiss him?

"We're still here, just letting you know," Ron said, scowling at the pair. Hermione sat beside him, clutching his arm, still giggling. 

"Thanks, mate," Harry said bitterly. 

"Okay, Herms," Y/N said, pulling Hermione off the couch. "Ronnie, I'm taking your girlfriend - we're leaving!" 

Hermione tried to protest, but she was dragged away and into the girls dormitory. "Goodnight!" Harry and Ron called. 

"Goodnight," Hermione yelled back. 

"G'night, or whatever," Y/N said just loud enough for them to hear. 

When the two girls entered the dorm, Hermione immediately rushed into the washroom to brush her teeth, etc. 

Y/N sat down on her bed and stared out of the window, fiddling with the bracelet Harry gave her. 

He wouldn't give her such a gift if he was just playing with her, right? 

Harry wouldn't mess with her heart.

Why did she care so much if she didn't like him? Well, maybe she did like him.

Y/N decided, in that moment, that she had feelings. She had feelings for Harry James Potter.

Y/N Sterling liked Harry James Potter. 

It was confirmed, at least to herself. 

But she wasn't going to tell anyone. Not yet - not even Hermione or Dean. Not anyone. Because eventually, they would pass. Probably. 

When Hermione entered the dorm once more, she was completely ready for bed. Dressing gown and all. "All yours, Y/N," she said.

"Thanks," Y/N mumbled.

Finishing her night routine, Y/N walked back out into the dormitory. Parvati and Lavender were sitting on Lavenders bed and smiled at her when she came out. 

"Hey, Vati, Lav," she greeted. 

They waved and Y/N went over to Hermione, who was sitting on Y/N's bed with a book. "Herms, are you worried...like at all?" Y/N asked. 

"No, why? Is there reason to be?" Hermione said.

"No...just...what if they lose the match tomorrow? Harry would focus on nothing else and probably fail his exams," Y/N said worriedly.

Hermione studied Y/N for a moment. "You care a lot, don't you?" 

Silently, Y/N nodded. 

"Anyways..."

"How's Remus - better? I know there was a full moon recently," Hermione said. Y/N was extremely thankful for the topic change. 

"Mhmmm, I think he was moody because of the moon," Y/N said. Maybe he was so angry because of the moon. Hopefully. 

She opened her trunk and pulled out some clothes for tomorrow. A pair of jeans...and a hoodie. Harry's black hoodie. Sure, she'd wear it. Friendship things! 

"Hermione," Y/N said suddenly. "I think you need to sleep - the Time Turner is getting to you,  you've exhausted yourself." 

Hermione shook her head. "Y/N, I will sleep...after a couple more chapters. I have to finish this book by...er...day after next and I still have six-hundred pages!" 

With a sigh, Y/N plucked the book out of her hands and threw it into Hermione's trunk. "No, you're going to sleep," she said firmly.

"But-" 

"No buts, get in bed," Y/N ordered.

"Fine, mum," Hermione grumbled. 

Y/N smirked in satisfaction when Hermione got into bed and pulled the covers over herself. "Goodnight, Herms." 

"Goodnight, Trouble," Hermione said sleepily. 

After a while, when Hermione began to snore, Y/N reached into her trunk and pulled out their scrapbook. 

Running a hand over the engravement, Herms and Trouble, Y/N opened the book. She flipped through memories of her and Hermione - the most recent being when Hermione got pied in the face by Elijah. 

With a soft laugh, Y/N pulled out another picture (she had borrowed one of Colin's cameras). It was of her and Hermione at the edge of the forest, with Hermione on the ground, trying to take a selfie and Y/N in the branches of a tree. 

Muttering a quick adhesive charm, she glued it into the scrapbook and wrote the date along with a little description. 

"Herms and Trouble - edge of the forest, Herms is good(ish) with muggle cameras, Trouble can barely climb a tree."

When Y/N heard the hint of a thrum! from Hermione's trunk, she knew that the contents of her own scrapbook had been transferred to Hermione's. 

Smiling in satisfaction, she shut the book and gingerly placed it back into her trunk.

Y/N, too, got into bed. For the rest of the night, she dreamed of the match - and of the reward she promised. 

✦•······················•✦•······················•✦

Harry's P.O.V. 

Harry and the rest of the Gryffindor Quidditch team walked into the Great Hall the next morning to tremendous applause. He couldn't help but grin when he saw that the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs were all dressed in red - supporting Gryffindor. 

He found Y/N, Ron and Hermione sitting near the end of the table. Harry sank into the seat beside Ron and the team followed, taking seats near him. 

"Calm down, mate," Ron said immediately. "It's going to be fine - you're amazing at Quidditch." 

"He's right, Harry," Hermione said earnestly. "Plus, you have a Firebolt. Malfoys riding what? A Nimbus 2001?" 

Harry nodded absently, eyes flicking to Y/N. "What do you think, Y/N?" he asked nervously. Why was he feeling this way? 

It was pre-match nerves, Harry decided. 

But when Harry saw that she was wearing his hoodie, he re-thought the reason for his nerves. 

Maybe he did like her. Maybe his flirting...maybe it actually affected her too? He knew it affected him, but she was his friend and probably didn't think of him in the romantic way. 

He hoped she did, though. 

Because at that moment, Harry Potter knew. 

He knew that he liked Y/N Sterling.

"I think you can do this, light work," Y/N said with a shrug. "You'll be fine, you're Harry Potter, you're the youngest Seeker of the century," she said firmly. 

Hopefully, Harry wasn't blushing. "Thanks, Y/N," he mumbled. 

Wood spent the whole time urging the team to eat, while touching nothing himself. 

"Ollie, calm down," said Y/N. 

"I'll calm down once we've won the cup," Oliver said harshly. "Sorry, Y/N." 

Yeah. Watch it, Wood. 

"Wood, it's going to be okay," Ron said, digging into his eggs and bacon. 

"Yeah!" Hermione chimed in. "You've put together a really good team, Wood." 

Oliver gave Hermione a stiff smile. Then, he patted Harry on the back and told the team, "Team, we're going." 

Harry gave a desperate glance at Ron, who just gave him a thumbs-up. He tried Y/N, who winked at him, leaving him slightly flustered. 

Maybe Hermione would be more reassuring? No. When he looked at her, Hermione sent him a knowing smirk and turned away. 

Some friends they were. 

"Good luck, Harry!" Cho Chang called from the Ravenclaw table as he passed. 

He gave her a small smile, as to not be rude. He only had eyes for Y/N, he'd decided. Not that these feelings would go anywhere, since she was his friend.

They walked onto the pitch, considering the weather. The day was bright, no wind...that boded well for them.

Wood paced the pitch, staring at the team around him. Harry saw the rest of the school spill into the stands. 

"Changing room, now," Wood said tersely. 

While changing, the only thought in Harry's head was that they had to win.

He couldn't fumble the Snitch, not again. He couldn't fumble his reward. 

He felt as though he had eaten something alive and wriggly for breakfast, instead of buttered toast. 

When the team walked back onto the pitch, they were met with a tidal wave of cheers. Three-quarters of the people were dressed in scarlet, waving signs that brandished, "LIONS FOR THE CUP!" and "GO, GO, GRYFFINDOR!" 

But behind the Slytherin goalposts were two-hundred students clad in green, waving their Slytherin support signs. 

Harry searched the crowd for his friends. The first thing he spotted was Ron's flaming hair. They were standing next to Hagrid, waving signs of their own. 

Upon closer inspection, Harry saw that Y/N's sign read, "HARRY POTTER? MORE LIKE...HARRY IS HOTTER THAN EVERY SLYTHERIN." 

Well, that made him feel some kind of way. 

Y/N was probably just joking. It was to make the Slytherins feel bad. 

"Annnndd here are the Gryffindors!" Lee Jordan announced, his voice blaring through the Pitch. "Potter, Bell, Johnson, Spinnet, Weasley, Weasley aaaaaand Wood!" he introduced them all. "Arguably the best line up in the history of Hogwarts!" 

His comments were drowned by a bout of "boos!" from the Slytherin end. 

Lee made some more comments, introducing the Slytherin players and hinting at the fact that Malfoy bought himself onto their team.

"Players, mount your brooms," said Madam Hooch. 

Harry swung his leg over his Firebolt and got ready to kick off. 

"Captains, shake hands. On my whistle...three, two one-" 

And the game began. 

Her whistle sounded and fourteen brooms lifted into the air at once. Harrys nerves were lost in the feeling of flight, in the feeling of the wind whipping through his hair. 

"Annndddd it's Alicia Spinnet with the Quaffle - oh, Slytherin in possession - nope, never mind! Back to Gryffindor, Angelina Johnson zooms towards the posts - oh? She shoots! She scores!" Lee roared. "TEN - ZERO TO GRYFFINDOR!" 

The scarlet end of the pitch burst into applause as Angelina punched the air in victory. 

"OUCH!" she exclaimed when Marcus Flint from Slytherin crashed into her, almost knocking her off her broom. 

Harry, outraged, yelled to Madam Hooch, "FOUL! MADAM HOOCH - FOUL!" 

The game was getting dirty. 

When Gryffindor got another goal (scored by Alicia Spinnet), one of the Slytherin Beaters bashed Alicia in the head with his bat. 

"WHAT THE HELL?" Harry and the rest of the team shouted. "FOUL?!" 

"SORRY - SORRY!" the Beater said. "I THOUGHT SHE WAS A BLUDGER!" 

Harry streaked across the pitch, searching for the Snitch as the game went on. 

"AND ITS SLYTHERIN IN POSSESION, WOOD, YOU CAN SAVE THIS!" Lee shouted into the microphone. "AND MONTAGUE SHOOTS - AND I CAN'T BELIEVE IT, WOOD'S SAVED IT!" 

The game went on, and eventually the score was forty-ten to Gryffindor. Harry felt rather useless, just flying around aimlessly. 

"HEY! MADAM HOOCH, FOUL, AGAIN!" roared Lee when Montague, a Slytherin Chaser went for the Quaffle, but grabbed Alicia's head and almost jerked her off her broom. 

"YOU DIRTY CHEATING....sorry Professor! YOU DIRTY CHEATING...oh, I thought you wouldn't yell at me that time. Third times a charm - YOU DIRTY CHEATING-" 

Harry felt a sudden jolt of excitement - the Snitch was fluttering around the commentator's booth, but if he went for it, they'd lose the Cup. 

Draco Malfoy was on his tail and there was only so much time before he'd see the Snitch too. So, Harry wheeled his broom around and shot towards the other end of the pitch. Malfoy followed frantically and when Harry looked back, the Snitch had disappeared. 

WHOOSH! 

One of the Bludgers had flown past Harry's ear and he saw the two Slytherin Beaters closing in on him. 

They flew towards him, but last second, Harry tilted his Firebolt upward and streaked through the air, leaving the Beaters to crash into each other. 

"Ha-ha!" Lee Jordan exclaimed. "It'll take more than that to beat a Firebolt, boys!" 

Harry laughed to himself. 

"And its Gryffindor back in possession - Angelina! He's behind you - don't let him get the Quaffle...poke him in the eye, Angelina! Only kidding, Professor..." 

Katie scored again - fifty- ten to Gryffindor.

Fred and George, the Beaters, were swooping around her, making sure the other Beaters didn't get revenge.

Bole and Derrick, the Slytherin Beaters, took advantage of this and aimed two Bludgers at Oliver Wood. They hit him straight in the stomach and he rolled over in the air, clutching his stomach, absolutely winded. 

"PENTALTY!" Madam Hooch roared. "YOU DO NOT ATTACK THE KEEPER UNLESS THE QUAFFLE IS SCORING RANGE!" 

Angelina scored the penalty. Sixty-ten. 

Moments later, Fred knocked the Quaffle out of Warrington's hand with a well-hit Bluder. Alicia seized it and put it through the goalpost. 

Seventy-ten. 

If only Harry could find the Snitch and now. 

He could feel hundreds of eyes following him up and down the pitch, either hoping he caught the Snitch - or praying for his downfall. 

Malfoy was following him closely, speeding behind him. 

And then he saw it - the golden Snitch, fluttering twenty feet above him. 

Harry put on a huge burst of speed, gaining on the Snitch, stretching out his hand - and then Firebolt slowed down suddenly. 

With an outraged glance downwards, he saw that Draco Malfoy had taken a hold of the tail of Harry's broom. 

"YOU-" Harry shouted, but his voice was lost in the wind. 

Malfoy smirked at him and when Harry looked back to the sky, the Snitch was gone. Malfoy had gotten what he wanted. 

"PENALTY! PENALTY TO GRYFFINDOR!" Madam Hooch announced, flying her broom up to where Harry and Malfoy were hovering. "I'VE NEVER SEEN SUCH TACTICS!" 

Sliding back onto his broom, Draco just grinned evilly again and flew off. 

"YOU CHEATING SCUM?!" Lee yelled into the microphone, dancing out of Professor McGonagall's reach. 

Harry barked a laugh in the air when Lee continued, "YOU FILTHY, DISGUSTING, CHEATING BITCHES!" 

But Professor McGonagall didn't reprimand him - she too was angrily shaking her fist at Malfoy. 

Harry watched Alicia take the Gryffindor penalty and miss due to rage. The Slytherins, absolutely delighted by Malfoy's foul, were spurred to greater levels of 'skill.'  

"SLYTHERING CHASER APPROACHES THE GRYFFINDOR GOALPOSTS - WILL HE SCORE? HOPEFULLY NOT!" Lee exclaimed, then groaned loudly when he did, in fact, score. 

Seventy - twenty. 

Harry could still get the Snitch and Gryffindor would win. 

Now tailing Malfoy so close that their knees were clashing, Harry knew one thing. He wasn't letting Malfoy anywhere near the Snitch. 

"ANGELINA JOHNSON WITH THE QUAFFLE - ANGELINA, PLEASE, JUST SCORE!" Lee said desperately. 

Harry looked round. Every single Slytherin player, save from Malfoy and their Keeper, was flying towards Angelina to block her path. 

Harry whipped his Firebolt around and got low to the handle, kicking it forwards. Like a bullet, he shot towards the Slytherins. 

The Slytherins all yelped and scattered, leaving the path free for Angelina. She zoomed forwards toward the goalposts, getting ready to shoot. 

"ANGELINA JOHNSON SHOOTS AND SCORES! By the way, Angelina, could I...score a date with you?" 

"Lee Jordan!" Professor McGonagall reprimanded. "Leave that to Mister Fred Weasley!" 

Harry knew it wasn't the time, but he laughed anyway along with everyone else in the stands. Fred blushed, his freckled face turning red. His twin laughed at him. 

It was eighty-twenty.

He needed to get the Snitch

Harry saw something that made his heart stand still and his ears cut out all the noise.

Draco Malfoy was diving at the opposite side of the pitch, chasing a flash of gold. 

Immediately, Harry urged his Firebolt forward. "Go! Go! GO!" he whispered. 

Harry was as aerodynamic as he could be, laying completely horizontal against his broom handle once more.

He was gaining on Malfoy...

Closer...

At the tail of his broom...

Closer...

Neck and neck...

Harry rose slightly and threw himself forward, arms outstretched, knocking Malfoy's hands out of the way and- 

"YES!" 

He pulled out of his dive, holding an arm in the air. The crowd went wild, screaming and yelling and making Harry's head dizzy. Within his grasp was the struggling, golden ball. 

The Golden Snitch. 

He would get his reward. 

Then, Oliver Wood was speeding towards him with tears spilling from his eyes. He seized Harry around the neck and cried into his shoulder. Feeling two thumps on his back, Harry realized it was Fred and George. Angelina, Alicia and Katie were all screaming, "HARRY GOT THE SNITCH! WE'VE WON THE CUP!" 

Tangled together in a many-armed hug, the Gryffindor team lowered their brooms to the ground and stayed in their piled embrace, all of them crying. 

Wave upon wave of scarlet-clad supporters were flowing onto the pitch. Hands rained down on the team's backs as they were lifted into the air. 

"Yeh beat 'em, Harry! Yeh beat 'em!" Hagrid yelled. 

Professor McGonagall was sobbing, wiping her eyes on a giant Gryffindor banner.

Oliver Wood passed Harry the silver Quidditch Cup - Harry held it high with pride. There was a flash of a camera - Colin Creevey had taken a photo. He'd get that from him later. 

In absolute elation, Harry gave Oliver the Cup back and searched the crowd for his friends. Getting off Lee Jordan's shoulders, he spotted Ron and Hermione running towards him. Where was Y/N? 

"HARRY! YOU DID IT!" Hermione exclaimed, beaming. 

"MATE, WE KNEW YOU COULD! YOU WERE AMAZING!" Ron roared, pulling Harry into a brotherly hug. Hermione joined in. 

When the crowd cleared slightly and Ron and Hermione released him, still beaming, Harry saw her. 

Y/N was sprinting towards them, smiling her face off. 

"SORRY!" she huffed, hands on her knees in front of them. "I HAD TO DISPOSE OF THAT HUGE SIGN - CAN'T RUN WITH IT!" 

Harry just smiled at her affectionately, "You can speak normally," he said teasingly. Why was he feeling so tingly? 

"I - shut up, Scarface," she mumbled, still smiling. 

There was a beat of comfortable silence, then Y/N tackled Harry in a hug. 

Hermione had to drag Ron off to the side, despite the redhead's protests. 

His happiness only grew when Y/N's arms were around his neck, his own resting firmly around her waist. Harry buried his face in the crook of her neck while Y/N rubbed his back. 

"You did it, Harry," she whispered. 

"I did it, Y/N," he repeated. 

He did it. He did it. He did it. 

She sighed contently into his hair, sending a rush of chills down Harry's back and blood to his face. 

When Y/N pulled away slightly - not completely, Harry wouldn't let her - Harry got a sudden burst of confidence. He just won the Quidditch Cup. He could do this. 

"Do I get my reward?" 

Y/N gave him a look of shock, then rolled her eyes playfully. "I thought you would've forgotten," she said innocently. 

"Do I get my reward or not?" Harry grumbled, scrunching up his nose. She scrunched hers back. It was adorable. 

She shook her head, but she was smiling. "I don't know what you're talking about, Potter." 

"Y/NNNNN," Harry whined. "C'mon, you promised!" 

"Did I?" Y/N smirked. "I don't recall anything." 

"Y/N." 

Y/N rolled her eyes, but her grin never left her face. She brought a hand up, cupping Harry's jaw. Her touch was like magic, the way it made him melt. He wouldn't trade this for the world. 

Holding his face, Y/N went on her tiptoes and brought her lips to the lower part of Harry's cheek, planting a firm kiss. 

FLASH! 

The bright light of Colin Creevey's camera illuminated the two for a moment, then Colin moved on. 

He'd ask Colin for that later as well. 

Harry didn't know if he imagined it, but...did the corner of Y/N's lips brush against his? He desperately hoped they did, because he would be thinking about this interaction for weeks to come. 

Now it truly felt like a victory. Harry had gotten his reward. 

"Like a deer in headlights, aren't you, Harry?" Y/N teased, hugging him again. Before she did, Harry saw that her face was bright red as well. 

"Hilarious, you are, Y/N," Harry answered, trying not to squeal like a little girl. 

Y/N had kissed him. 

On the cheek, sure, but it was still a kiss. 

If only there had been a Dementor around. Between winning the Quidditch Cup and Y/N kissing him, Harry felt he could've produced the world's best Patronus. 

✦•······················•✦•······················•✦

Y/N's P.O.V.

The afterparty to the Quidditch Match was absolutely insane. 

The older students were passing around Firewhiskey and Pumpkin Juice spiked with tequila, but Y/N, Ron, Hermione and Harry settled on Butterbeer. 

"Where did Fred and George get all this stuff?" Colin Creevey asked, popping open a bottle of Buttermilk (Y/N wouldn't let him have Butterbeer until third year). 

Fred was passing by and whispered in Y/N and Harry's ears, "With a little help from Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs." 

Speaking of Harry...Y/N sitting with him, Hermione and Ron on the couch. Every time she looked at him, he either gave her an awkward smile or a triumphant smirk. 

It was driving her absolutely crazy - the kiss drove her absolutely crazy. She had promised, last Quidditch game...and Harry made her hold up to it. 

"Okay!" Ron said, snapping Y/N out of her thoughts. "Question you've been dying to ask - go!" 

"Does the Ministry of Magic regulate flying carpets?" Hermione wondered. 

"What food did Fred and George nick for the party?" asked Y/N. 

"What was that sign about, Y/N?" Harry said with a smirk. 

Y/N watched Ron's grin falter, but he answered Hermione, "Yep - they regulate them," Ron grumbled. "My uncle had a huge one! Useless, now," he said, shaking his head. 

"Y/N didn't answer my question," Harry complained, pointing at her. 

"What sign?" Y/N said. 

Harry gave her a look, "The one about me being hotter than every Slytherin?" 

Blushing, Y/N looked away. Ron, on the other hand, looked outraged. "So that's why you didn't let me see the sign?" he demanded while Hermione burst into giggles. 

"Ronald, are you saying you agree?" Hermione teased, taking a sip of Butterbeer. 

"Don't answer that, Ron," Y/N said quickly. "And about my sign...it was for a boost of confidence...but did I lie?" she added cheekily, watching Harry turn a light shade of pink. He was cute. 

Just then, Colin Creevey walked past again. Y/N hastily grabbed him by the sleeve of his robes, gesturing for Hermione to follow them. 

"Colin," Y/N said, hands on his shoulders. "Please tell me you've printed out the photos from the match?" 

Colin nodded sweetly, "Mhm!" he said. "I got them all here," he pointed to his bookbag. 

Yes. Fucking Jackpot. 

During the match, as Y/N was yelling herself hoarse, Ron and Hermione had a little...moment. Hermione gushed to Y/N about it afterwards.

Basically, when Malfoy had grabbed the tail of Harry's broom (a trick that made Y/N spike his dinner with a Sickening Solution), Hermione clutched Ron's hand out of worry. 

They both turned their heads suddenly, faces inches apart. And Colin was there to snap a picture in the exact moment. 

And...Y/N could get the pictures of her kissing Harry's cheek...for educational  purposes, of course. 

"Can we look through them?" she asked. "And keep the one's we're in? We'll take Ron's and Harrys and you can hand out the rest." 

Colin nodded, "Sounds okay to me," he said, opening his bookbag and taking out a stack of photos. Just as Y/N was about to take them from him, he pulled his hand away. "If I can get a sip of that Butterbeer." 

Y/N put her hands on her hips. "Nice try, young man. Hand the photos over." 

"Worth the shot," Colin mumbled, shoving the paper at Y/N. 

Delighted, Hermione and Y/N began to shuffle through the papers. Immediately, Hermione took two copies of the photo of her and Ron. "I'll go give him his copy," she said, but was stopped by Y/N. 

"Um, no?" Y/N said. "I have to be there." 

Hermione just rolled her eyes and chuckled, waiting for Y/N to finish. "Oh, look!" Hermione said, pulling a photo from the stack. It was Y/N and her, hugging in fear at the match. "I'll put it in the scrapbook." 

Nodding, Y/N finally found what she was looking for. "Aha!" she exclaimed, holding up the picture of her kissing Harry's cheek.

Even the photo gave her butterflies. It was absolutely insane.

She took two copies, one for her and one for Harry. 

For good measure, she also took the photo of Harry holding the Quidditch cup (two copies once more). 

They thanked Colin profusely and returned to the boys, who were trying to balance their empty bottles of Butterbeer on their heads. 

"Yours is going to fall first, Harry!" Ron exclaimed. 

"Nuh uh," said Harry. "Yours is!" 

But as he said it, the bottle fell from his head and shattered. 

"Who won? That's right, I won!" Ron said proudly. 

He took out his wand and said a cleaning spell, the shards of glass disappeared. He'd been spending too much time around Hermione. 

At this time, the music in the common room was blaring almost too loud for Y/N to handle. She snapped her fingers in front of Ron's eyes and said, "Okay, Mister Champion. Go see Hermione for a reward." 

Ron smiled, then got up and stood with Hermione. Just her name was enough to make him do something. Walk him like a dog, sis. 

But then again, their dispute wasn't completely over. They still acted petty sometimes. 

"Catch, Potter," Y/N said, throwing the photos in the air so they gently glided down to Harry. 

"What's this?" he asked, flipping the photos over. His eyes widened and a blush spread across his face. 

Y/N plopped down on the couch beside him, "I think you know full well," she said. 

✦•······················•✦•······················•✦

As June approached, the weather melted from cloudy and cold to bright and sunny. All the quartet wanted to do was lay outside in the sun, on the grass. Maybe play with the Giant Squid - Y/N had already won three chess matches against him. 

But, alas, exams were upon them. So Y/N, who almost never went to the library, and Harry and Ron, who never went to the library...were in the library.

With Hermione, of course. She was basically their mom, urging them to work and study and then wake up early the next day and do it all over again. 

Y/N had even spotted Fred, George and Elijah studying for their O.W.L.S. 

That's how stressful it was! They didn't even have time for pranks, or hanging out, or anything. 

The most anxious person was definitely Hermione, though. 

Ron and Harry had given up asking about her classes...but when the exam schedules came one morning...

"Okay, Hermione!" Ron said when the schedules came. He placed his book on the table loudly, startling Y/N, who was sitting beside him. 

Y/N gave him a warning look - he needed to approach with caution. Hermione was liable to explode when interrupted, given the stress of these days. 

"Hmm...?" Hermione answered, barely acknowledging him. Her eyes were flitting over her page. 

"I know for a fact you can't make all these times!" Ron exclaimed. He nudged Harry, "Harry - see? She's got like, three exams down for one o'clock! It's just not possible."

"Is there any point in asking how you're going to take all these exams at once?" Harry asked. 

"No," Y/N said simply, taking over Answering responsibilities. Hermione shot her a thankful look. 

There was a peck at the window. 

"Hedwig!" Harry said, rushing over to open the pane and let her inside. "What have you got for me?" 

The snowy owl swooped to Y/N's lap, hooting solemnly. "What is it, Hedwig?" Y/N whispered, detaching the letter from her legs. 

Hedwig lightly nipped Y/N's hand and Y/N handed the letter to Harry. He pried open the envelope and read the letter, his expression dropping with every word. 

"The appeal...for Buckbeak," he said. "It's set for the sixth."

"That's the day we finished exams, isn't it?" Y/N asked, helping Hermione shuffle through Arithmancy papers. 

Harry continued, "They're coming to Hogwarts...bringing...an executioner."

Y/N, Hermione and Ron immediately dropped what they were doing. 

Y/N's heart sank to her stomach. If they were bringing an executioner...

"That sounds like they've already decided..." Hermione said in a very small voice. 

"They can't!" Y/N pointed out, outraged. "That's literally against the law!" 

Seemingly numb, Harry sat down again, placing the letter on the table. "Seems like...seems like they've decided," he repeated. 

"I've spent ages reading stuff up for the appeal!" Ron said. "They can't just kill him!" 

Y/N had a horrible feeling that Lucius Malfoy was behind this. He'd probably bribed or even threatened the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures. 

"We need to talk to Hagrid - as soon as possible," Y/N said firmly. 

She was going to keep Buckbeak alive - the only thing that could stop Y/N would be a fatal injury, she was sure of that. 

"Yeah," Harry said. "Let's go down right now." 

He made to get up, but Hermione and Y/N pushed him back down. "Absolutely not," Y/N said. 

"Mate, we couldn't anyway. The security measures are insane," Ron said. "Especially after seven. It's eight right now, so its a no-go." 

They all shook their heads solemnly. 

It truly was a no-go. 

✦•······················•✦•······················•✦

Exam week started and everyone was on edge, with an unnatural hush about the castle.

Students were staying up until the late hours of the night to study and cram every bit of information they could. 

Harry and Ron kept going to Hermione and Y/N for help. Hermione would always snap at them, scaring them off, and continuing her work. 

Y/N understood, for Hermione had a lot on her shoulders. But Harry and Ron were rather disheartened, so Y/N helped them instead. 

So far, they stayed up until five in the morning on four separate occasions, quizzing each other on dates for History of Magic, ingredients and procedures for Potions and more. 

It was tiring, but Y/N thought it would pay off. She skipped studying for Defense Against the Dark Arts and so did Harry, since every time Ron quizzed them, they were perfect. 

Neville offered to help Y/N with her Herbology, since it wasn't her strong suit. In return, Y/N helped him with Potions.

After her assistance, Snape wouldn't have one negative thing to say about Neville.

Well, probably not, but it was the thought that counted.

When she wasn't aiding others, Y/N was sitting in a corner of the silent common room, fingers in her ears, muttering spells. 

Fred and George decided to mess with Y/N the morning of her Transfiguration exam, which was one of their more stupid ideas. 

It was a good thing she didn't give in. 

"Hey, sis," George said sweetly as Y/N was sitting in the common room, soundlessly practicing. 

"We have a gift for you - pre exam herbal tea. It helps with nerves," Fred added, holding out a teacup to Y/N. 

She waved it off, "Not nervous," she told them shortly. "Where's Ellie?" 

Not having seen him in a while, Y/N was really curious. He always showered her in compliments, but it was different. Harry was better, anyway. Ellie was a friend.

"No, you're nervous," Fred insisted, placing the cup in front of her, ignoring her question.

George nodded along, "You're like, really nervous, I can see it." 

Y/N didn't even look up and said, "You take a sip first, tell me how it tastes." She continued practicing her wand movements. 

"You're no fun, sis," Fred said with an exaggerated pout. 

"And you're not good at hiding pranks, especially not with me," Y/N said with a grin. It had worked too many times - but not this time. Plus she didn't drink tea when she was this stressed. 

Fred and George stormed away from her, "You're so stubborn!" 

"Love you too!" 

✦

The third years emerged from their Transfiguration exam absolutely brain-dead. Part of their exam was turning a teapot into a tortoise. 

"I think my teacup looked more like a turtle," Hermione said worriedly. "Do you think she'll take points off?" 

"Herms," Y/N grumbled. "I think you'll be fine - mine still had a slight pink hue!" she complained. 

Harry rolled his eyes, but grabbed Y/N's hand. Even through the stress, it made her heart flutter, especially after the Quidditch kiss (on the cheek). 

"Will you two lay off it?" Harry huffed. "No points will be taken off for that. Mine was breathing steam!" 

Y/N gave a breathy laugh and leaned into his touch, "I think you'll be fine, Scarface. Did McGonagall see the steam?" 

Harry didn't answer and they all sat down at Gryffindor table for a hasty lunch. 

"Mine had a spout for a tail!" Ron groaned, face in his hands. 

Y/N patted his shoulder consolingly with her free hand. "It's going to be okay, Ronnie." 

"You think?" Ron said hopefully. 

"You can always work at Florean Fortescue's Ice cream Parlor." 

"That's not nice, N/N!" the ginger complained, causing the four of them to burst into laughter, which they hadn't done for at least three days. 

Wolfing, haha, nice pun, Y/N, Remus would be proud. 

Anyway, wolfing down their lunch, they headed to their next exam - Charms. Hermione had been correct, since Cheering Charms did come up. 

Y/N and Hermione demonstrated on each other, while Harry and Ron did the same. The four of them were giggling for at least twenty minutes before the Charms wore off. 

Y/N and Hermione's charms wore off in the allotted time, but the boys' charms took a little bit longer. 

Their Care of Magical Creatures exam was incredibly boring. The students were tasked with keeping a Flobberworm alive, which wasn't difficult, because they tended to thrive on their own. 

This gave the quartet plenty of time to talk to Hagrid and amongst themselves. 

"Beaky's gettin' a bit depressed," Hagrid said, bending low and pretending to check on Harry's Flobberworm. "He jus' don' know wha' ter do anymore...been cooped up too long...we'll know when the appeal happens..." 

"Hagrid, Buckbeak is going to live," Harry said firmly. 

"Yeah!" Y/N added. "If he doesn't, we'll find a way to bring him back." 

Hagrid shook his head sadly and walked away. 

In the afternoon, they had Potions. Honestly, Y/N thought it could've been worse. Her Confusing Concoction was only a couple shades off - Snape might not even notice. 

"That was miserable," Harry whined after the exam, hugging Y/N and burying his face in her shoulder. 

"You big baby, it wasn't that bad," she teased. 

"My stupid potion just wasn't thickening!" he complained, pulling her closer. "I swear I saw Snape give me a zero." 

"Yeah, Y/N," Ron said, giving the two a glare. "It sucked."

"Thank you, Ron!" Harry said. 

"Now get off her."

History of Magic, Herbology and Astronomy went by in a flash. They weren't that hard...save for Herbology, where Y/N could barely tell the plants apart. 

Finally, it was the Defense Against the Dark Arts exam, one of their last exams. Remus was waiting for the class outside on the grounds in the sun - it was a very unusual exam. 

When Y/N didn't hug him like usual, he called her over, "Y/N? A moment, please?" 

Huffing, she strolled to her uncle. "Yes?" 

"Are you ignoring me?" 

"No," she scoffed, turning to walk away. Maybe she was ignoring him, but he had been an absolute arse. 

The thoughts about Harry playing with her feelings still hadn't left, no matter how many times Harry reassured her he wasn't. 

Well, he reassurance should count for something. 

Remus grabbed her wrist. "Y/N, I truly am sorry. I got angry...I'm just really protective of you, you know?" he said. "Your mum left you in my care, I can't disappoint her." 

Oh. 

"You haven't disappointed her and you wont, dad," Y/N said softly. "Just...let me make my own decisions? At least when it's not life-threateningly important?"

"Deal," Remus said. "But sometimes I'm going to be angry and you're going to have to be okay with that. Because, after all, I'm still your guardian."

Y/N nodded, "Alright..." she said slowly. Y/N pulled him into a bone-crushing hug. 

"Am I forgiven?" Remus asked hopefully. 

Putting a finger to her chin in mock thought, Y/N said, "Only if I get one-hundred percent on the exam and a new set of dress robes!" 

'Haha, no," Remus said flatly, but he was grinning. "Okay, you little problem, go to your friends while I start this exam." 

The exam was an obstacle course. Each student had to wade a paddling pool containg a Grindylow, avoid potholes with Redcaps and cross a marsh filled to the brim with misleading Hinkypunks. At the very, they had to beat a new Boggart, which was situated in a trunk.

Y/N opened the lid to a trunk, finding a staircase at the bottom. She looked to Remus, who gave her a nod. She had to go inside. 

She descended the staircase cautiously, wand at the ready. Reaching the bottom, she looked around, hearing a whirring sound. 

In front of her eyes, the Boggart materialized...but it kept switching between forms.

First, it was her parents, just like before. Spitting insults, telling her they never loved her. 

Then, it was Harry. He looked painfully beautiful, his emerald eyes shining behind his glasses, his black hair messy and perfect. 

But his eyes were dark, not in the attractive way. They were dark with malice. Boggart-Harry stepped closer to her and laughed. 

"Remus was right all along," he cooed. "Why would I choose you when I could have anyone?"

She could feel the tears begin in her eyes. This was dumb, Harry would always choose her...right? 

Before she could do anything, it switched back to her parents. 

"The boy is right," the twisted voice said. "We don't love you, either." 

"Riddikulus!" Y/N said desperately. 

Nothing happened. 

"Riddikulus, Riddikulus, Riddikulus!" she yelled. 

Still, nothing. 

The Boggart was closing in on her, closer and closer and closer. 

Y/N wasn't thinking of a happy memory...she had to think. 

She closed her eyes thought of the feeling she got when she was wrapped in the arms of Harry, Ron and Hermione. The day she opened up about her parents. The warmth, the comfort, the love. Y/N let that memory channel through her body. 

When she opened her eyes again, the Boggart was three people. Her parents and Harry, all chanting, "Why do you think you're special?" 

"RIDDIKULUS!" Y/N yelled through tears. They were spilling from her eyes, now. 

In a whoosh! the Boggart dissolved back into a whirring figure and retreated into the darkness. Y/N was sure that Remus had heard it all, otherwise how would he grade them? 

That was utterly terrifying. What if Harry did leave her? Not that he thought of her like that, but as a friend? What if her parents really didn't love her?

She had to visit them and soon. She didn't think she could bare this any longer. 

Taking a few minutes to recollect, Y/N wiped her tears away and began to climb the staircase. When she emerged, the sun blinded her for a moment, but she saw Remus. 

"Well done, Kid!" he said. He sounded cheery, but he too had tears in his eyes.

"Thanks, dad..." Y/N mumbled. She went and gave him a hug, holding on for a little too long, a little too tight.

"Full marks!" he said, but then lowered his voice. "I heard what happened - sound connecting charm - do you want to talk about it?" 

With a slight nod, Y/N said, "Do...do you think I could visit them soon?"

Remus pulled her back into the hug and squeezed. "Of course, kid. Of course..." 

They stayed like that for a couple minutes before Remus spoke up again. Someone else was doing the obstacle course and Remus kept his eye on them, but all his attention was on Y/N. "Do you want to talk about the...Harry thing? I'm so sorry, kid, if I made you think those thoughts-" 

She wasn't ready to talk about that yet. 

"No, it's alright, dad," she said, mustering up a smile. It wasn't, but he had enough on his plate. "And it's not your fault, the thoughts would have surfaced eventually." 

She felt a few tears slip onto Remus's cardigan. It was warm outside, but he wore it to hide the scars. 

"Are you saying you like-" 

"No!" Y/N said quickly. "Merlin, no!" she lied. 

"Okay, just please come to me if you need to talk about anything," Remus said. She nodded, gave him one last hug, then walked over and sat under a tree, waiting for her friends to finish their exam. 

Her eyes followed Harry as he braved the course. His hair ruffled in the wind and the sunlight glinted off his glasses. 

He was perfect - er - he did perfectly. Harry passed the creatures with ease, then descended into the trunk. He came out five minutes later, a smile on his face. 

Y/N saw Remus walk up him. She heard him say, "Harry!" then continue a small conversation with the boy. At first, Harry looked terrified, but he calmed down, stealing a glance at Y/N who gave him a thumbs-up. 

When Remus let him go, Harry ran over to Y/N and tackled her in a hug. She laughed when it tickled a little and Harry mumbled, "Ow!" for he had basically just fallen to the ground. 

Since Y/N was sat leaning against the tree, Harry decided he would lay his head in her lap. 

The sight of him made her stomach feel odd. She didn't know what to do, especially since she wasn't sure of his intentions. 

"Full marks!" he said, interrupting her thoughts. "You?" he asked.

"Same, I think I did better, though," Y/N answered, sticking out her tongue. 

Harry rolled his eyes playfully, "Okay, Y/N - I'm only letting you get away with it because you're smart, nice and pretty." 

When Y/N widened her eyes, Harry hastily added, "Pretty smart - you know, being Professor Lupin's niece and all!"

She just chuckled at him, thoroughly relieved.

Harry was acting completely normal - head on her lap, flirting with her and awkwardly covering it up. It was just like normal. He wasn't leading her on or playing with her. He wasn't going to leave her. 

That was stupid. 

Still, she had to be cautious. 

They lounged under the tree, waiting for Ron and Hermione to finish, talking about the Divination exam. Well, Harry's Divination exam. Y/N had taken up Runes with Hermione after quitting. 

"I think you're going to do amazing, O Great Seer," Y/N said, bringing a hand to Harry's hair. 

Harry shifted, sighing contently. "I think you're full of bullocks - have you seen me in that classroom? It's an absolute disaster." 

"You shouldn't be proud of that, Potter," Y/N frowned. "Just take up Runes instead."

With a scoff, Harry said, "Um, no. I'd rather not stare at wonky shapes for an hour, pretending I know what they mean." 

"You literally did that when we did Tea Leaves, you dimwit," Y/N pointed out. 

Before Harry could answer, Ron came jogging over to them. "Just finished!" he panted. 

"How'd you do, Ronnie?" Y/N asked, ignoring his glare at Harry's head in her lap.

"Not bad, hopefully," Ron replied. 

He sat down and joined their conversation, glancing at the obstacle course every two minutes in search of Hermione. 

Finally, Hermione exited the large trunk and came over to them - eyes filled with unmistakable tears. 

"Herms?" Y/N said quickly, panicked. "Herms are you okay?!" 

"What happened?!" Harry and Ron said together, Harry half-raised himself from Y/N's lap. 

Hermione came and sat next to Y/N, putting her head on Y/N's shoulder. She stuck a hand out and pointed to the trunk. "It - It was Professor McGonagall!" 

"What did McGonagall do?" Y/N asked worriedly. She could hex a teacher-Boggart. No problem. 

"She said - she said I had failed everything!" Hermione wailed.

─── ☆: *.⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆ .* :☆ ───

hi pookies new chapter what d'ya thinkkkkkkkk ? 

this chapters kinda long 🙈

wait pause i js glanced at my wordcount this is like 9700 words whaattttttt

i also finished my exams guys r u proud of me :) 

i had math, science and french and i lowkey think i got under 90% for every single one 😭

so like this chapter is kinda fluffy kinda uncertainnn but i loved writing the quidditch match! 

a huge humongous giant colossal shout out to LadyLupin11 anndddddd belliii555

for their surplus of amazing comments that i smile at literally every time i see them! i try and reply to comments as well :) 

lowkey in my head i have a lil competition going on between chapters, like "which chapter gets the most comments!" lmaoaoao anyway

i <3 comments ! 💋

so anyway, thank all of you so much like omgomgomgomg ALMOST TWO THOUSAND READS AND 100 VOTES????? 

LITERALLY JUST IN TIME FOR MY BIRTHDAY (which is tomorrow!!!!) BEST BIRTHDAY GIFT EVER!?

I LOVE ALL OF YOU SO MUCH I DIDN'T THINK THAT THIS BOOK WOULD GET THIS FAR 

❤️ ❤️ ❤️

okokok, catch you on the flip side (don't say that!) 

pjo watchparty reference anyone 🙏🔱

please im sobbing that the show is over if it doesn't get renewed for season 2 idk what i'll do 😭😭

as always, dont forget to comment n vote if u liked it! votes give me a lot of motivation and reassurance that ppl like my story! 

okokok now bye pookies! 💋

- dizzyann1e