A/N ~ Put y'all's seat belts on.

∞ ϟ 9¾ ♔ ⚯͛ △r⃒⃘ ➵ ♆

It was two weeks before the Gryffindor vs Slytherin match.

After the Katie Bell incident, the students were banned from going to Hogsmeade. Katie, herself, had been sent to St Mungo's and won't be back at school any soon.

The Gryffindor team was having their fifth Quidditch practice for the year. There was no snow, thankfully, but it was still chilly out.

The Quartet was walking down to the Quidditch pitch- Y/N, Ron, and Harry were carrying their brooms and Hermione had a big bag of books with her, to read while they practiced.

As they walked down to the grounds, Harry told the others about his first meetings with Dumbledore.

Apparently, Dumbledore's been showing him memories from Voldemort's past, via pensieve.

"Blimey," Ron breathed when Harry finished speaking. "You-Know-Who's been raised in a muggle orphanage?"

"I know, ironic, isn't it?" Harry huffed, as Y/N frowned thoughtfully.

"And his uncle could speak parseltongue..." Hermione muttered, more to herself than anyone. "I wonder..."

"Hey- Scamander!" called Pansy Parkinson.

The girl had been reading by the fountain as they crossed the courtyard. Y/N saw her, of course, but didn't expect Pansy to acknowledge them.

The four Gryffindors stopped walking and spun around.

Pansy had a frown on her face. She quickly set her book aside, flung her shiny black hair, and approached the four Gryffindors.

"Scamander- can I have a minute?" she said seriously, looking slightly embarrassed.

"Sod off, Parkinson," scowled Ron, his face turning slightly red.

"I have Quidditch practice," Y/N said cooly, studying Pansy's unusual expression curiously.

"I know. Why d'you I've been sitting here freezing my arse off for?" She shot, her typical attitude returning.

Y/N looked hesitantly at Harry, who, like Ron, was glaring at Pansy.

"I'll be there in a few minutes," she said to him. "you lot go ahead."

"You'll be late for practice," said Harry firmly.

"Surely you could give me a few minutes," Y/N said, giving him a look.

"Fine," said Harry, "be quick."

Ron narrowed his eyes at Pansy, but Hermione quickly pulled him and Harry away by the arm.

The three left the courtyard, leaving Y/N and Pansy staring at each other calculatingly.

"What do you want?" Y/N shot, gripping her Nimbus 2003 tightly.

"You know, I might not be a Ravenclaw," said Pansy stiffly, "but I'm not stupid."

"That's news," Y/N said, tilting her head slightly. "I don't know what wicked plan you have, Parkinson, but I'm not buying your lack of attitude."

"I know it was you," Pansy said loudly with a tint of accusation hidden in her tone. "you spoke to him, didn't you?"

"Who?"

"Draco," Pansy said with a frown.

"I see..." Y/N said quietly. Pansy continued,

"You, somehow, used your manipulative Gryffindor-ness and got him to talk to me."

"He always talks to you," Y/N frowned. "you've been on talking terms for years-"

"Well yeah. He's bossed me around," said Pansy with a bitter smile. "tells me to fuck off, criticizes my hairstyles, but he's never... talked to me."

Y/N couldn't help but feel slightly bad for her.

"Get to the point," she said swiftly.

"The past month, he's been kinder," said Pansy, trying to keep up her harsh tone. "He'd stopped putting me down all the time."

"The bare minimum," Y/N nodded, earning a glare from Pansy. "but that's good- better, I guess?"

"And one day, he pulled me to the side to apologize," said Pansy, her nose in the air. "He said he didn't realize I actually cared for him. Apparently, he thought I was just my parents' little bait."

"Why are you telling me this?" Y/N said quietly.

"He asked me out, last Hogsmeade trip." Pansy proceeded, ignoring Y/N. "I don't think he was that eager at first, but... turns out, we get along really well."

"I'm happy for you," said Y/N, hoping she didn't sound sarcastic.

"But you see," Pansy tilted her head slightly. "I know Draco... he wouldn't... you talked him into this, didn't you?"

Y/N sighed and cast her eyes down at her feet.

"Look, I'm going to be honest here," she said, "I did talk to him. But I didn't force him- and there are no catches to it."

Pansy continued to study her with a small frown.

"I might've knocked some sense into him," Y/N continued carefully, "but the rest was him. He apologized to you, he asked you out."

"I know that," Pansy said fiercely.

"Well, I'm glad," said Y/N.

To her much surprise, Pansy looked hurt. She screwed up her face and asked,

"Why?"

"Why am I glad?" Y/N said blankly,

"Why are you doing all this?" Pansy said, shaking her head unbelievably. "You don't owe me anything- in fact, I've been an absolute bitch to you."

"At least you're acknowledging it," Y/N chuckled weakly. "I dunno..."

Y/N thought for a second. She didn't know why.

Pansy and Malfoy had been horrible to her and her friends, yet... she felt glad knowing that she helped them get together.

"Because I know how it feels," Y/N said cooly. "to be ignored by someone you care for."

"Are you kidding?" Pansy scoffed. "Potter's been head over heels for you since forever. Clearly, you don't know how it feels."

"Well, there was a time I thought he didn't." Y/N snapped. "If you didn't notice, I didn't go to the Yule Ball with him, in our fourth year."

"Oh- right... Chang..." Pansy said, slightly guiltily. "didn't Potter ask her to the ball in front of everybody, too?"

"Thanks for the gentle reminder," Y/N said grimly.

"I didn't mean to- ugh..." Pansy rolled her eyes at herself. She looked like she wanted to get something off her chest. "Look, I'm not your friend, Scamander."

"Trust me, I know," Y/N laughed, not sure where this was going.

"But I guess..." Pansy hesitated for a few seconds. "What I wanted to say was... thanks..."

She said this quieter than a whisper, so quiet that Y/N barely heard her, though she did hear her. Y/N grinned and said,

"Sorry? Didn't really catch that,"

Pansy scowled, knowing what she was playing at.

"Thanks!" she boomed, as if trying to talk to a deaf troll. "And I'm sorry for what I did last year, I guess. I didn't actually want Potter, I was just-"

"I know," Y/N said sharply. "I can't forgive you completely for that, Parkinson, but you're understood and acknowledged."

Y/N could swear she saw Pansy smile at this. Or perhaps it was a smirk. Or a grimace.

Whatever it was, Pansy ended up rolling her eyes again and shook her head.

"I'll never understand you Gryffindors."

∞ ϟ 9¾ ♔ ⚯͛ △r⃒⃘ ➵ ♆

Harry had no regrets about choosing Dean to replace Katie, while she was recovering at St Mungo's.

He wasn't as good as Katie, of course, but he worked well with Ginny and Demelza.

Peakes and Y/N, the Beaters, were getting better all the time.

Y/N's aims were flawless, though she had the problem of fearing she might injure her teammates with the Bludger.

She always went easy with the Bludgers.

"Y/N, it's alright," said Harry, "and hit harder when you increase your speed, no need to be modest-"

"Woah. Mate." Jimmy's eyes widened.

"Peakes, don't," Harry said grimly, then turned back to Y/N. "The Bludger slows down when you're moving fast, so don't hesitate, alright?"

"Got it, captain," Y/N nodded firmly, grinning. Harry rolled his eyes at her playfully, grinning, and ruffled her hair beofre he dove out of her way.

Everything was going great... the only problem was Ron.

After letting in half a dozen goals, his attempts became wilder and wilder, until he finally punched an oncoming Demelza Robins in the mouth.

"It was an accident, I'm sorry, Demelza, really sorry!" Ron shouted after her, as Demelza zigzagged back to the ground, dripping blood everywhere.

"Ron, you prat," Ginny said angrily, landing next to Demelza and examining her split lip. "look at the state of her!"

"I can fix that," said Harry, landing beside the two girls, pointing his wand at Demelza's mouth, and saying "Episkey."

Overall, it was one of the worst practices they had had all term, though Harry didn't feel like that statement should be publicly announced.

"Good work, everyone, I think we'll flatten Slytherin," he said, looking at his team proudly, at the end of their practice, after everyone changed into fresh clothes.

Though Ron did lousier than usual, Harry was still impressed with everyone's skills.

"Where's Y/N?" Harry asked, looking around, searching for Y/N's grinning face.

"She's still changing, I think," said Ginny, glancing back at the stalls behind them.

Harry dismissed his team, and the Chasers along with Jimmy Peakes left the changing room, looking reasonably happy with themselves.

"I played like a sack of dragon dung," said Ron in a hollow voice, when the door had swung shut behind Ginny.

"No, you didn't," said Harry firmly, "You're the best Keeper I tried out, Ron. Your only problem is nerves."

"Whatever..." Ron muttered, "I'm heading back, you going?"

"I'm waiting for Y/N, you go ahead," said Harry, and Ron nodded. "Hey. Mate. Don't worry about it, alright?"

Ron looked up at his best friend and nodded again, before picking up his broom and heading out the door.

Just after Ron left through the door, Y/N's voice rang the changing room,

"Hey- you bastards! Wait for me! Wait for m-! Oh... thank Merlin you're still here."

Y/N appeared from one of the stalls, scrambling with the buttons of her half-buttoned shirt.

She approached Harry breathlessly, carrying her broom in one hand and trying to button her shirt with the other.

"I thought you all left me," Y/N sighed, "y'know, it's not pretty in here when it's dawn and everyone's out of sight..."

Harry watched as she struggled with her shirt with only one available hand. He laughed, stepped forwards, grabbed her hand, and shook his head.

"I'll do it for you," he chuckled, reaching out his hands and starting to button her shirt.

"Thanks," Y/N muttered, blushing slightly, "but I'm not joking! I've gone to haunted houses less scary than this place-"

"Niff... you scared of the dark?" Harry said teasingly,

"I'd like to see you stay in here alone in the dark," Y/N muttered, standing before Harry, as his hands roamed the buttons of her shirt. "Is Ron alright, by the way?"

"Yeah, just a little... discouraged," said Harry, as he finished off the last button.

"Poor Ronald," Y/N said sympathetically. "he's really good- his nerves just get him, sometimes."

"Well, he's got time to get used to it," Harry said with a grin, "you were really good, by the way."

He was looking into her eyes with that look of his- like he was completely hypnotized by her.

"All thanks to my captain," said Y/N, smirking, knowing that look well. "talented, he is... really witty... rather fanciable, too."

"Can this... captain tell you a secret?" Harry asked, taking a step closer to her, and Y/N shrugged, grinning.

Harry smiled at her and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close, leaning forwards.

"He's... kind of in love with her." he grinned. Harry pulled back and gazed at her for a second or two.

Y/N felt him grip her waist firmly. He finally gave in and slowly leaned close, pressing his lips on hers and kissing her just as slowly.

Y/N felt like she was blinded by the butterflies in her stomach.

She felt herself blushing hard, as Harry held her with his strong arms and kissed her. He kissed her gently and respectfully, but passionately.

Y/N grinned to herself slightly, cupped the side of his face, and kissed him back.

Y/N knew she would never get used to this. To the feeling of butterflies, the feeling of pure happiness, just from him... Harry.

Finally, Y/N pulled away and looked at him with her usual smile.

"Y'know, I think we should go back before Ron and Herm-"

She was cut off by another kiss from Harry. Y/N grinned against his lips and they were broken apart by her laughter. Harry pulled away and smirked at her.

"So," he said, as he looked down at her with a cheeky grin. "what do you think of this captain?"

Y/N laughed and shook her head.

"I think I'm kind of in love with him, too."

∞ ϟ 9¾ ♔ ⚯͛ △r⃒⃘ ➵ ♆

"I love Hogwarts food," announced Ron, sighing, as they left the Great Hall after dinner.

"I can tell," said Hermione, grinning and shaking her head.

At this point, Y/N could tell both Ron and Hermione's feelings for each other were clear. She didn't know what was stopping them.

"Oh- by the way, Y/N, what did Pansy want from you?" asked Hermione, meeting Y/N's eye.

Y/N had completely forgotten about Pansy's odd gesture from earlier that day.

"Oh- she just wanted to thank me," Y/N said with a shrug, "about the whole Malfoy thing. She found out I talked to him- she wasn't angry about it, though."

"She thanked you?" Harry said unbelievably.

"Yeah, I know, shocking," Y/N chuckled, grabbing his hand in hers. "but I'm glad, really."

"Me too," smiled Hermione, "you did the right thing, Y/N."

"I guess it's something," Ron shrugged.

"Are you sure this- you sure she's not up to no good?" asked Harry hesitantly.

"What do you mean?" Y/N frowned at him.

"I dunno, I mean- have you considered that it may be another trick of Malfoy's?" said Harry quietly.

"Harry..." Y/N said sternly. "what are they going to trick me into? It's no one's loss."

"Could be anything," Harry shrugged, looking firmly at the floor in front of them. "You really think Malfoy would let you go... after all these years?"

But he's got a point, Y/N thought...

Was it another trick of Malfoy's?

If it was, was Pansy helping Draco, or was she oblivious?

Endless questions rushed into Y/N's mind.

She had to make sure she was helping the right people. She had to see Pansy.

"Hey... I've got to go somewhere." she said, "I'll meet you guys at the common room later,"

"Where are you going?" Ron asked with a frown.

"Want to talk to Rolf," said Y/N quickly, "about... the usual family stuff."

It was the first excuse that came to mind.

"Sure, we'll be waiting," said Hermione, grinning.

"Will it take long?" Harry asked, his voice unusually low.

"No. I'll be back in a blink," Y/N said hurriedly.

She gave Harry a quick kiss on the cheek, waved at Ron and Hermione, and walked back in the direction they just came from.

She quickly made her way through the castle, to the dungeons.

The corridors were busy since everyone was making their way back to their common rooms, but the dungeons were absolutely quiet.

Y/N arrived at the ground floor and spotted a familiar face by the entrance of the Slytherin common room.

"Daphne! Hey, Daphne!" She called out, as she hurried to the end of the corridor.

Daphne whirled around, alarmed at first, but smiled when she spotted Y/N's friendly grin.

"Hi Y/N," the blonde said sweetly, stopping in her tracks so Y/N could catch up with her. "What're you doing here?"

"I'm looking for... er... Pansy," Y/N said, trying to keep a straight face. Daphne frowned slightly.

"Pansy... Pansy Parkinson?" She said in a small and curious voice,

"Yeah, I- just wanted to talk to her," said Y/N, earning a terrified look from Daphne.

"I mean- sure, I'll get her," the blonde said with her eyebrows raised. "but I really don't think it's a good idea, Y/N. I dunno what you have in mind, but Pansy can be really mean-"

"I've got it, Daphne," Y/N said firmly, putting a hand on Daphne's shoulder. "just tell her I want to talk to her, please."

Daphne stared at Y/N for a moment, blinking rapidly, but finally nodded.

"Alright. I think she's in the common room. Wait here,"

"Thanks, Daphne," Y/N smiled. Daphne returned the smile weakly and disappeared through the entrance of the Slytherin common room.

Y/N stood there waiting, fiddling with her wand, as a few Slytherins walked past her and sent her odd looks.

Two minutes later, the door to the common room swung open again, and out came Draco Malfoy. Blonde hair, sunken face, black suit and all.

"Well, hello there," Malfoy said cooly, as his eyes landed on Y/N.

"What- why are you here?" Y/N demanded, her voice rising for no reason.

"Let's see... perhaps because I sleep here?" Sneered Malfoy, crossing his arms. "Why are you here, Scamander?"

"I wanted to see Pansy," Y/N replied, her teeth gritted. "Daphne said she would get her-"

"Well, Pansy's not here," Malfoy said broadly. "detention with McGonagall. What do you want from her?"

"Forget it, it's stupid," Y/N replied, rolling her eyes. "Just tell her I want to-"

"No, you can talk to me," Malfoy said sharply. "I'm her boyfriend, Scamander, if you haven't noticed."

"I have noticed," Y/N said, gritting her teeth. "but being her boyfriend doesn't make you, her. And you'll just laugh if I tell you, so I'm not going to waste my time-"

"What's with the grudge, Scamander?" Malfoy tutted, shaking his head.

"There's no grudge," Y/N said calmly, dropping her harsh tone.

Malfoy studied her expression and narrowed his eyes at her for a moment.

"I'll admit it, Scamander, I took your advice," he said, after a short pause. "and now I'm happy with Pansy. You and I have nothing against each other."

"You're wrong," Y/N simpered. "It's kind of too late, Malfoy. You had a choice and a chance, but you chose to be cruel. And we're not friends."

Malfoy looked at her as if he was offended by those words, his brows slightly furrowed.

He didn't look hurt or sad about it- on the contrary, he looked slightly furious.

Y/N stared back at him blankly, not sure what to say.

A second year Slytherin boy came out of the common room and stared at Y/N and Malfoy uncertainty.

Malfoy threw them a harsh glare, and he disappeared back inside. Malfoy turned back to Y/N and sent her the same dirty look.

"You don't know that." he spat, "I don't have a choice. I've been forced to do... things. Things I've never imagined myself doing."

"Well, I'm sorry for you," Y/N said quietly. "I really am. But you did have the choice to get rid of your 'I'm so rich and you suck' mindset, and you didn't."

Malfoy continued to glare. Y/N felt like he wanted to say something- to argue, but was trying his hardest to stop himself from speaking.

Y/N was turning slightly uncomfortable, so she looked around, glanced back at Malfoy uncertainly, and walked away without a goodbye.

∞ ϟ 9¾ ♔ ⚯͛ △r⃒⃘ ➵ ♆

The Gryffindor common room was quite busy when Y/N arrived. Students were studying, chatting, playing board games all around.

Harry was sitting on a velvet sofa near the fireplace with Caz the Pygmy Puff snoozing on his shoulder.

He was staring into the fire and merely looked up when Y/N approached him.

"Hello there," said Y/N,

She gave him a bright smile, climbed onto the sofa, and sat cross-legged next to him.

"Where are Ron and Hermione?" She asked, leaning her head on his shoulder tiredly and letting out a sigh.

"Prefect duties," Harry replied bluntly, still staring straight into the fireplace.

"Oh bullocks... again?" Y/N groaned bitterly, as her Pygmy Puff hopped onto her shoulder. "What've you been doing?"

"Could ask you the same thing." Said Harry quietly.

"What? I told you," Y/N said with a yawn, "I was talking to Rolf."

"Now that's bullocks," Harry muttered.

Y/N frowned. She picked her head up from his shoulder and looked at his face.

Harry glanced at her for a split second but returned his gaze to the fireplace.

"What's up with you?" Y/N asked hesitantly.

"We walked past Rolf on the way here," Harry said cooly. "And you knew he wouldn't be back at his house so early."

Y/N sighed heavily. She knew Harry wouldn't like the idea of her meeting with a Slytherin, that's why she didn't tell him.

"Right. I went to see Pansy." Y/N admitted. She braced for Harry's complaint. It didn't come.

"Pansy?" said Harry. He finally looked at her in the eye and Y/N felt slightly intimidated. "What did you want to talk to her about?"

Y/N frowned at him slightly, not sure why he seemed dull.

"If you must know," she replied, "I wanted to make... a truce with her. I know, it's stupid- and childish, but it was needed."

"You went to the Slytherin common room to make a truce with Pansy Parkinson?" Harry repeated.

"Blimey, yes, Harry," Y/N laughed slightly, trying to figure out Harry's expression.

"I can't believe you, Y/N," Harry said with a scoff, looking away.

Y/N had no idea what he was talking about but felt a sudden feeling of fear and panic wash over her.

"What do you mean?" she asked, sounding slightly breathy. "I went to find Pansy Parkinson to make a stupid truce, what else do you want me to say?"

"Well, Romilda Vane told me otherwise," said Harry, gritting his teeth. "She came to me just now."

"Romilda Vane was your source?" Y/N exclaimed. She wanted to laugh. "Harry, you know she-"

"You forgot I owned this, Y/N," Harry's voice sounded betrayed.

He whipped something from the pocket of his hoodie and dropped it on Y/N's lap. It was the Marauders Map.

"The Marauders Map?" Y/N said blankly. "'Course I know you own it. Why would you think-" Y/N froze.

She realized... she forgot to tell him about her encounter with Malfoy. It was so irrelevant that she'd forgotten all about it. Her face went cold.

"Yeah. Realizing it now, are you?" Harry's voice shook with fury. "I saw you, Y/N. I saw you with Draco Malfoy."

Harry looked at her with so much betrayal, Y/N found her doubting herself for a second, even though she knew she did nothing wrong.

"Harry, you got it all wrong," Y/N shook her head, trying to gather herself. "I forgot to tell you about Malfoy."

"Oh yeah, you just forgot," Harry muttered under his breath.

"I'm telling the truth," Y/N said firmly, "I don't- you know I have the memory capacity of a troll- I don't even remember what I ate this morning!"

"Come off it, Y/N," Harry scoffed cooly,

"No, Harry!" Y/N knew where this was going. A rising panic grew in her chest.

She was glad the common room was busy, so no one but Harry was hearing her.

"Look- I'm not going to argue with you about this," Y/N said, "I was finding Pansy, but she wasn't there. Draco came out instead."

"Then why didn't you tell me this, at first?" Harry said, his voice now visibly shaking. "Just forgot?" Y/N hated every single moment of this.

"I know, it was stupid, it was my mistake," Y/N admitted, cursing herself. "You can ask Daphne Greengrass! She was there-"

"Right. Another Slytherin." Harry rolled his eyes.

"She's my friend," Y/N retorted, staring at Harry unbelievably. "'Pure-blood', 'half-blood', 'Slytherin', 'Gryffindor'- why does everyone have to be turned against each other?"

Harry shook his head, ignoring her.

"He liked you since first year," He said cooly. "and- correct me if I'm wrong- you also fancied him when we were in our second year."

Oh, not this, again, Y/N thought.

"Harry, I've told you so many times," Y/N said irritatingly. "I did, but I was twelve and I immediately dropped my interest in him when he called Hermione that- word."

"But he stopped using that word, didn't he?" Harry huffed,

"Harry, I don't- he has a girlfriend." Y/N scoffed. "And I have you- I don't care about him- this bloody bracelet-"

Y/N suddenly grabbed his hand and held it tightly, and the pink jewel on her chain bracelet illuminated.

To her dismay, Harry merely rolled his eyes again and pulled his hand away from hers.

"Harry," Y/N said unbelievably, shaking her head, "don't be an arse."

"In Diagon Alley, you insisted we ought to follow him," Harry said.

"You wanted to as well-!"

"Then, you wanted to spy on him on the train," Harry said spitefully. Y/N laughed.

"Again, you were the one that did-"

"No, you came up with that idea," Harry said. "And then you proceed to befriend a handful of Slytherins when you've never given a damn about them for the past six years."

"Daphne was always my friend," Y/N said through gritted teeth. "and I was tired of Pansy hating me for no reason. I insisted to follow Malfoy because he was acting odd."

Harry stared at her for a moment.

"You care for him, don't you?" He said quietly.

"This is stupid!" Y/N's voice shook from frustration. "You don't really think-"

"See, you didn't even deny it," Harry said, his voice breaking.

"Look, he's not even my friend!" Y/N exclaimed. "And he's been horrible to all of us. So yes, I am denying it- I don't for the slightest bit like Draco Malfoy."

"Y/N," said a worried voice.

Ginny came walking into the scene, her long red hair pulled by a headband and her eyebrows furrowed.

She stared between Y/N and Harry's frustrated looks and blinked.

"Is everything alright?" The redhead asked.

"Yes." Y/N and Harry replied harshly.

"Alright," Ginny raised her eyebrows, "I'll be right across the room if you need me, Y/N."

She then proceeded back to her group of friends and joined back in their conversation.

"It's always been just you, Harry," Y/N said quietly, after a short pause.

"Why?" Harry snarled.

"Why? You know why-" Y/N shut her eyes, but proceeded, "I love you, and you bloody know it." Y/N said the last part swiftly and didn't meet his gaze.

"You're sixteen," Harry taunted. "you don't love me, surely, Y/N. You're too young to l-"

"You're sixteen," Y/N felt her face burn. "So you're telling me you've never actually meant it, all those times when you said you loved me?"

Y/N regretted asking that question. Why did she have to do herself like that? But despite her idiotic move, she also genuinely wanted to know.

"Just so you know," Y/N snarled, "that day we faked that snog to get away with Snape was the day I realized it... you remember that, don't you?"

Why was she bringing that up? Harry thought angrily- why did she have to rub it in?

"It was excruciatingly embarrassing," Y/N continued, "But I... I guess I realized you weren't just a stupid crush. I've loved you ever since."

Harry was barely listening.

She went to see Malfoy without telling him, then proceeded to lie to him. Why would she do that if she...

"-and you've said it, yourself, countless times. Even today. So don't just sit there and tell me you don't love-"

"I don't, Y/N, I don't! Never did!" Harry burst out, "Is that what you wanted to hear?"

The words flew out of Harry's mouth before he could stop them.

Y/N fell speechless. The words stung. Her fierce eyes softened and glossed with hurt.

The fist she made with her hands released. It was as though the whole world was collapsing in front of her. Slowly, and tauntingly.

Y/N felt her face burn with anger, embarrassment, and disappointment.

"Stay away from me, Harry." She whispered.

So that was what she wanted, Harry thought. Perhaps she was glad, now. Now that she had an excuse to stay away from him, there's a clear path for her and Malfoy.

"Gladly," Harry said spitefully. "I guess you'll run back to Malfoy now, won't you? Go on, then, I couldn't care less."

More lies, more unthoughtful words, and it built up even more anger.

"That's none of your business now, isn't it?" Y/N snapped. "Romilda's plan worked well for her, after all."

"I'm glad it did." Harry didn't know what the hell he was saying.

As Harry watched all the remains of joy and hope drain from the girl he loved, he then realized what he had said and how wrong it was.

He wanted, badly, to explain to her all he said had been because of his stupid anger issues, but... What was stopping him?

Harry felt his head and chest ache badly. His surroundings were slowly coming back in focus, and he slowly realized the painful truth.

Oh no, no, no, what had he done?

Y/N shook her head, her face scrunching up. She scooped Caz up in her hands and stood up abruptly, her throat aching from holding back her stream of tears.

"Have a nice life." she murmured.

She understood what Tonks meant completely, now. She understood the feeling of pure betrayal and frustration.

Some people in the common room stared after her as she stormed up the stairs, but most of them didn't even notice their fight... except for one.

"Y/N!" Ginny called, standing up from her seat. "Y/N! Shit,"

She quickly muttered to her friends a quick 'I'll be back,' and sprinted after Y/N, up the stairs.

"Y/N, what happened?" Ginny asked, hurrying after Y/N.

"Not now, Gin- please," Y/N managed out, walking faster while blinking rapidly so the tears wouldn't fall.

She wanted to tell herself Harry only said all of that out of anger... but she wasn't really sure anymore.

She kicked the door of her dormitory open.

"Y/N, there you are!" Lavender said brightly, waving from her bed. "Hello, Ginny!"

Lavender and Parvati seemed to be unwrapping a package.

"We got some new albums for the record player!" Said Parvati, "There's Nirvana, Y/N! Nirvana!"

Y/N quickly wiped away her tears and waved back at them silently, heading straight to her bed.

"Y/N?" Lavender's smile immediately dropped.

Y/N placed Caz gently on her nightstand and climbed onto her bed.

She pulled her blanket over her head and buried her face into her pillow. She wasn't sure if she was crying or not, but her face and head ached.

The fear of losing Harry had come true at last. Like she always feared it would.

"Y/N..." Ginny said quietly, as she slowly made her way to Y/N's bed.

"Oh no...is she alright?" Y/N heard Parvati ask Lavender worriedly.

Ginny sat on Y/N's bed and patted her back soothingly, as Y/N hid her face in her pillow.

"Harry can be an absolute git sometimes," Ginny said, "but you know he still loves you, right? Whatever he said, he didn't mean it."

"Doesn't matter if he meant it or not," Y/N muffled from her pillow, feeling the tears building up again. "The fact that he said that right in my face already tells me everything I need to know."

"Hey, Y/N-" Ginny whispered, pulling her blanket away from her face, "Remember what I said about Ron and Hermione?"

Of course, she did. She even passed on that advice to Tonks.

"I still stand by my words," Ginny said firmly, "or rather- my mum's words. She'd always reminded me that nothing- I mean nothing can get between love. Not a stupid fight, not stubbornness, not even death."

Y/N wanted to believe her. She really wanted to.

"And you're allowed to cry," Ginny added softly.

So Y/N cried. She cried into her pillow silently, as Ginny gave her words of comfort and stroked her hair, like a loving mother.

Y/N was so tired and wished this was all just a very vivid nightmare... so she slept.

∞ ϟ 9¾ ♔ ⚯͛ △r⃒⃘ ➵ ♆

Y/N didn't even know when she fell asleep. She woke up the next morning from Hermione gently shaking her arm.

"Y/N... Y/N, wake up, please," her voice was gentle.

Y/N rubbed her eyes, as they slowly focused on Hermione.

She was in her bedclothes and had a worried look on her face. Her caramel brown hair stuck in every direction.

"Hi," Y/N whispered. "why did you wake me? It's a Sunday, isn't it?" Her voice broke pathetically from all the sobbing last night.

"Y/N, Ginny just told me-" Hermione hesitated for a moment, "she told me what happened last night. She didn't tell me the details- because she didn't know- but you... you had a fight with Harry?"

Y/N turned away. Her head hurt as she recalled last night.

"Y/N, please," Hermione said softly, "Tell me what happened. I'll help you fix it."

Y/N didn't believe her, but she proceeded to tell her what happened.

She lay there, quite still, and told Hermione all of it. And by the end of it, Hermione was practically speechless.

"He... he said that?" She whispered, looking at Y/N sympathetically. "Right after you told him you loved him? Oh, Y/N-"

"It doesn't matter, don't," Y/N shook her head. "Clearly, he wanted to get rid of me. Perhaps Romilda Vane got him all charmed up-"

"He's stupid, Y/N," Hermione said, "he was blinded by hatred and jealousy when he said those things. Please don't tell me you broke up-"

"It's over," said Y/N, firmly. Even her own words stung painfully. "he made that very clear."

"I won't let this happen," Hermione said fiercely.

"No, Hermione, you will let it happen," Y/N said firmly. "Can we forget about it, please? It's early and I want to go back to sleep."

"Oh, Y/N..." Hermione looked at her sympathetically and put a hand on Y/N's arm.

"But don't worry," Y/N said quietly, "I'm not letting this ruin your and Ron's relationship. Or your and Harry's friendship. Nothing's going to change, for you. So just forget about it, alright?"

"What about Harry?" Hermione asked in a small voice. "You mean to tell me you still want to be his friend-?"

"No," Y/N said quickly. "But I want you to still be his friend. I can't take that from you."

"I can't do that," Hermione said in a high-pitched voice. "I can't do that to you."

"Do it for me then," Y/N said cooly. "I don't want this to affect your friendship with Harry in any way. I don't want it to be a big deal."

But it was a big deal.

In a matter of a week, it was known to the whole school that Y/N Scamander and Harry Potter were no longer together.

Both Y/N and Harry mutually and silently agreed they didn't want to break up their friend group, so the Quartet still went together everywhere.

Y/N and Harry would completely ignore each other.

Y/N couldn't bear looking at him, not even a glance.

Was he relieved? Happy, perhaps? Or was he, like her, feeling like a huge chunk of his happiness had been stolen away?

What Y/N didn't know was that Harry regretted everything he'd said that night.

Harry felt like he was drugged with Veritaserum, but it couldn't be Veritaserum, because everything he said to her were exaggerated lies.

He wanted dearly to apologize to her and explain- but he couldn't bring himself to speak to her, or even look at her.

She would leave immediately whenever they were left alone, and sometimes would even send him a harsh glare.

One Scamander wasn't enough.

Rolf came storming into the Great Hall, only a day after their fight and shouted at Harry non-stop for a good two minutes.

"After everything, Potter!" The Hufflepuff bellowed as Luna held him back by the shoulder.

Even Luna wasn't talking to him. Not even Ginny, barely Hermione, and even Ron had his overprotective brother mode on. Harry truly felt like he deserved it.

One thing that really surprised Y/N was that Pansy was surprisingly nice about it. She approached Y/N after Potions, one day, and said,

"That's not fair. You just helped me, and- this happens. Potter's an asshole, sometimes, do realize that."

She even tried to give Y/N a quick smile before departing the dungeons with her hand held tightly in Malfoy's.

Of course, all this was an advantage for Romilda Vane.

Y/N would have to grip onto something whenever Romilda approached the Quartet, attempting to flirt with Harry.

This was painful to watch, but Y/N had no right to be upset about it.

Y/N felt like she wanted to get up and leave every time Romidla walked towards them, but she couldn't.

After all, it was her who told Hermione she would forget about it. So she had to forget about it...

"Ron, are we having a final Quidditch practice before the real match?" Y/N asked Ron loudly, one day, mid-November.

The Quartet was sitting in the same spot in the common room and finishing their assignments.

"I dunno, I'm not the captain," said Ron hesitantly. Y/N looked up and gave him a look. "Tomorrow. Same time."

"Thank you," Y/N said cooly.

Suddenly, Y/N's brown owl, Bamboo, zoomed through the window of the room and right to her owner.

The owl was carrying a very short letter. It was barely a letter- more like a note. Y/N glanced at her owl questioningly, before taking the piece of parchment.

'Y/N,

You were right. He came back. It's all good, I'm at Lupin Cottage right now. Thank you.

Tonks xx'

Y/N smiled at the letter warmly. At least someone was happy.

But... if Tonks and Remus got back together, surely she and Harry would, too?

No. She shouldn't have that mindset. Not false hope.

She had thought about writing to Tonks or even Fleur about her fight with Harry, but now that she thought about it, it was pathetic.

Tonks was now happy with Remus and Fleur had a marriage to look forward to.

"Who's that from?" Ron asked. Y/N had been staring at the letter for the past three minutes.

"Tonks," Y/N said with a small smile, slipping the tiny parchment into her pocket and giving Bamboo a treat.

"Is it something about the Order?" Harry asked, looking up from his book.

"It's none of your business, that's what it is," Y/N snapped, not meeting his curious gaze.

"Tonks is my friend too, you know," Harry said cooly, frowning at her. Y/N rolled her eyes and shot back,

"Why don't you quit being nosy, before I get you a matching non-existing nose with Vol-"

"Right, that's it!" Exclaimed Hermione, shutting her book with a loud thud. "I'm not going to stand this pettiness between you two. Just talk to each other and make up!"

Harry's cheeks flushed pink, but he continued to scowl down at the Half-Blood Prince's book.

"I told you, Hermione," Y/N said through gritted teeth, "stay out of this-"

"No!" Said Hermione heatedly. "You two are my best friends and you clearly still have feelings for each other, and you know it!"

Harry shifted in his seat slightly, his eyebrows still furrowed.

"Hermione," Ron warned quietly.

"No, Ron!" Hermione shook her head. "I'll wait, yeah I will, but it's not over. And if you're not making up soon, this-" she gestured around the friend group. "-would be over."

It was going to be a hell of a ride.

∞ ϟ 9¾ ♔ ⚯͛ △r⃒⃘ ➵ ♆

A/N ~ Let me know your thoughts... hope you enjoyed this chapter. *nervously laughs*

And I'll tone down the Pansy/Draco drama now that it's been the center of attention for two chapters, you'll get more Harry and Y/N.

Till next time x

-ScribblingQuills