We all went to dinner as a group, me, Mat, Draco, Crabbe, Goyle, Blaise and Enzo and Theo. Almost everyone in the hall stopped to turn to our big group as we laughed walking to sit down, ignoring them all. Crabbe and Goyle joined their other mates and Draco and Mat sat on either side of me leaving Enzo, Theo and Blaise across us.

"So how was America?"

"Boring at first because you weren't there, but our accents were very popular with the ladies." Theo said.

"So you guys just played around?"

"Just me actually, I don't know what was wrong with this one." He said and I made eye contact with Enzo as he kept quiet again. "What did you get up to?"

"Just School really."

"I mean guys. Any others after the deceased one? And before this one I suppose."

"Real nice of you to put it that way. There was one."

"A few more too apparently," Mat commented in my ear so only I would hear. I just chuckled and continued talking with Theo.

"Just one? Who?"

"Well not just one, but I only dated one."

"Oh okay, gotcha, I'll ask about the non-date ones later when Malfoy and Riddle aren't here because they don't seem to like the mention of you with other guys."

"I thought there was only one?" Draco asked as he looked at me. I looked at Blaise and he just smiled at me and then stared down at his food.

"Here we go." Mat said and I nudged him.

"Oh come on Draco, name one girl on this table you haven't done it with that's from our year level besides Millicent because she's never gotten any." He gazed and didn't have an answer. "My point exactly." The guys chuckled.

"Anyway, tell us."

"He's in Ravenclaw, he's name is Michael."

"Corner? No way." Theo stood up and went over to the Ravenclaw table and waved to Michael, Michael then stood up with a smile on his face much to my shock and then hugged him hello.

"What in the bloody goblins am I seeing," I said, gawking at my old friend and my ex. 

"I think Michael and Theo are friends," Draco said amused. 

"Oh for fucks sake."

"So you really dated him huh?" Enzo asked.

"Yeah."

"For how long?" He asked. 

"A few months."

"Were you serious?"

"Yeah."

"Wow."

"What?" I asked.

"You just, I don't know, I didn't think you would date anyone else. Especially after Cedric, I know how broken you were."

"I know but Michael helped, it just happened."

"Why'd you guys end it?"

"Well, he was falling in love with me and I loved him but I wasn't in love with him."

"What a shame. I hope this works out." He said, gesturing to Mat and I. Enzo and I looked at each other now, really looked and I could see him now, something was truly wrong with him.

"Same. You want to go for a walk after dinner?" Maybe if its just us I can talk to him.

"Sure." Theo was still with Michael so I got up.

"If I start crying please come and get me." Mat nodded and squeezed my hand reassuringly. I made it over to the Ravenclaw table and Theo smiled as he saw me. Michael was standing next to him and met my gaze immediately.

"You completely broke this guy Claire." I met Michaels eyes as he stared at me. It was full of hurt.

"Shut it Theo," Michael said and Theo just laughed.

"I didn't know you two were friends." I said and Theo noticed the tension.

"We are. You wanna head back?" I nodded and then Michael turned to him.

"It's great to have you back Notty." They bro-hugged and Michael turned to me. "See you, I hope you're doing good."

"I am, thank you. I hope you're good too."

"Getting there. I'm uh, happy for you and Riddle, I honestly didn't see it coming."

"Thanks." I said awkwardly. I stepped forward to hug him and he didn't pull away. "I'm sorry you had to find out that way." I said in his ear. He pulled away and smiled softly.

"I know Davina, it's okay." 

"Bye Michael." I said knowing it was going to be a long time before we talk again. He knew as well and he put a strand of hair behind my ear and stared at my face.

As I walked back with Theo I realised I wanted an excuse to talk to Michael. As much as I'm happy with Mat, I still hate that I didn't feel the same as Michael did with me. He wouldn't be so hurt.

"You could cut the tension with a knife, I was extremely uncomfortable." I rolled my eyes as we joined our friends again and as I sat I brought my knees up to my chest and rested my chin on them. I looked at Michael from across the hall and saw him stare at his plate.

"We can go if you want." Mat said quietly, noticing my guilt.

"Can I just have a hug and then I'll be fine." I dropped my knees and turned to Mat and I hid in him while he wrapped his arms around me. "Thank you."

"Anytime love." I smiled and then we rejoined the conversation.

<><><><><><><>

"Okay, there's no one around now, spill." I said as I sat a window seal in the hall.

"Spill what?" He asked as he propped himself next to me.

"What's wrong. You have never been this quiet."

"A lot has changed, that's all, I just didn't expect you to be so grown up."

"It's been a fair amount of time Enzo. Don't think I didn't miss you." He smiled and I returned it. "A fair bit has happened and you were always there to hug me for hours, and I didn't have you."

"Don't worry I needed a Claire hug the entire time I was away. What did happen?"

"Well Michael did a number on me, although I wasn't in love with him, we were very close."

"I could tell. I wish I was here."

"It's okay though I had Draco as always, and Mat."

"I see that. What else happened?" He asked reading my face.

"My father happened."

"You're not hiding more scars with magic are you?" I had completely forgotten he knew about that. Which was stupid because he was the one who taught me the spell to hide the scars. Mat won't like that Enzo knew first. 

"No, but I was gifted a wonderful gash on my face. It healed but it was pretty ugly. Oh and it happened because I yelled at him for yet again ruining my life."

"What did he do this time?"

"So apparently Narcissa and Lucius made a deal with my parents that after Draco and I graduated that we would get married."

"Oh wow, that is so wrong. I'm convulsing." I laughed. 

I looked at him, knowing he's keeping something from me. "Lorenzo, please tell me."

"I knew I couldn't hide anything from you." I faced him a little more, intrigued about what he's about to say.

"Just promise me that whatever I say we will stay friends like usual."

"Yes, I promise."

"Okay then I'll get straight to it." Even though he said that, he paused for a moment. 

"I fell in love with you and then I left and I didn't date or sleep with anyone because I missed you so much. My father even made me go to a therapist and that dumb muggle said I had this thing that they call "depression". Anyway, so coming back and finding out that you're with Riddle and that you dated Corner wasn't very enjoyable."

"I am so sorry Enzo, I had no idea. I can't believe it."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be, you can't help the way you feel." I hugged him and it felt so familiar. He was hesitant at first but then he relaxed into it. It's like our bodies were moulded to perfectly fit together. I missed this.

"I missed this." He said and I smiled as we kept hugging.

<><><><><><><>

We walked back into the commons and as we walked in Mat jumped up from the couch and came towards me. Enzo walked off straight away and looked back at me. I gave him a sympathetic look and then focused on Mat who picked me up into a hug.

"I missed you."

"It's only been like 3 hours."

"Yes, and we're together all the time." He grabbed my hand and walked us to his dorm. "So what did you guys do for 3 hours."

"We caught up."

"Did he tell you what was wrong with him, because he seemed down."

"I'm not going to lie to you so I'll just say it. But you just have to be okay with it and not treat him any differently." He deep breathed.

"Go ahead."

"He is kind of in love with me and has been ever since before he left and so coming back to find me with you and stuff he was just overwhelmed."

"I need to get you away from all these guys. My goodness."

"I don't get it? I'm not that interesting."

"Now don't say that." He scooped me up and laid me on his bed. "Because my whole world revolves around you." He made himself comfortable with me in his arms. "Now sweetheart, what would you like?"

"Sleep, for exams, but I have to shower."

"Now I would join you but I would like to have sex with you the first time you're naked so that's not happening. But I will prepare." He shot up and got me one of his T-shirts and my underwear that he allowed me to keep here. I think more than allows me, he enjoys it. He sped to the bathroom and turned on the shower and when he came out he lifted me off the bed and guided me to the bathroom.

"I'll see you after."

<><><><><><><>

I walked out lazily with my eyes half closed and I met with Mat who lifted me up and placed me gently on his bed. He lifted the duvet over me and then got in himself.

"Why are you so far away?" I asked.

"I thought you wanted to sleep."

"Yes, but in your arms if you don't mind." He didn't bother responding as he spooned himself around me. His warmth made me shiver and he just held me tighter. His hand was on my waist and he was caressing it softly under my top helping me relax.

He kissed my neck and I could feel his heart speed up and skip beats.

"I don't know if this is premature but I'm really in love with you." I turned to face him and I kissed him. This is what it feels like.

"I'm really in love with you too." I made him the little spoon and he wrapped his arms around my bare waist. I was playing with his hair as I started to fall asleep.

"You're my favourite person in the whole world and I would've waited hundreds of years for you to like me back."

"I'm glad I do then."

<><><><><><><>

"Who is this Morana girl, she has hit on the both of us at least four times." I laughed as we headed to the hall for dinner after another long day of exams. 

"Um, she's my friend, although we haven't hung out in a bit, she's been distant. Anyway, she's a bit of a player."

"Yeah, stay away from her, she's crazy," Mat added, making conversation with them for the first time. "Why has she been distant?" 

"I have no idea, wait there she is, I'll go see what's up." They sat at our usual spot in the middle of the table that everyone leaves free for us, and I went to where Mor was sitting, next to Astoria.

"Hey, Mor, I haven't seen you in ages."

"I know, so how's it going?"

"Well, I'm with Mat now." Her face went from content to disgusted.

"Oh, I know."

"Are you not okay with that?"

"Well, I knew he liked you, it was obvious, but I didn't think you'd be this happy." 

"And that's a bad thing? I don't understand."

"No I didn't mean it like that-"

"Ugh, can you leave, we were having a conversation." I turned my gaze to the brown-headed, vain bitch and rolled my eyes.

"Hey, you went to the ball with Draco right?" I said with my fakest smile. 

"Yeah, and?"

"So, has he spoken to you since? Do you know?" I gave my best sarcastic bitch character.

"Know what?"

"Oh, you don't know, then I don't think I should say."

"Spill, Claire."

"Apparently you were so horrible in bed that he had to sleep with multiple other people to forget about you. Coming from Malfoy himself, that's got to hurt. And he told Crabbe and Goyle too so all the guys know." She had slapped her hand over her mouth and now she was tearing up. 

"When he was telling me I couldn't help but laugh because he was so embarrassed and ashamed, he couldn't even get the words out." She jumped up and bolted out of the hall and I just stood there with an evil grin plastered on my face. Mor faced me with a satisfied look.

"See you around Rosier."