A/N ~ HEY BESTIES, HERE WITH ANOTHER LATE UPDATE. Believe it or not, we're pretty close to the end of sixth year !!

∞ ϟ 9¾ ♔ ⚯͛ △r⃒⃘ ➵ ♆

When Y/N and Harry returned to the kitchen, they could tell the atmosphere was tenser than how they left it.

Bill, Mr and Mrs Weasley were bunched up in a corner, as though threatened.

Tonks and Sirius were sitting at the dining table and had identical frowns on their faces. They were whispering to each other quietly and glancing hesitantly at Remus.

Remus was left alone in front of the fireplace, as though he's been put on timeout. He was faced away and was staring into the flames of the fire.

"Y/N, Harry, where have you been?" Tonks was first to notice their return.

The Monopoly people looked up at this but quickly went back to their game when Mrs Weasley shot them a warning look.

Y/N caught a quick glimpse of Harry's look of guilt and turned to Tonks.

"Just the bathroom," Y/N replied.

"With Harry?" Sirius grunted, crossing his arms.

"No! We just bumped into each other," Harry quickly said, his face turning pink.

"Harry, come here, we need to talk," Sirius said, his voice dangerously low.

Harry bit his lip and made his way to his godfather cautiously. Tonks stood up from her seat and offered it to him.

She then caught Y/N's eye and mouthed 'talk to your godfather.' Y/N nodded and silently strode across the room to Remus Lupin.

He was staring into the fireplace determinedly, even when she went over and sat beside him.

Y/N waited for him to acknowledge her, but Remus didn't even bother. She finally sighed and cleared her throat.

"What's wrong?" she asked quietly, knowing well what was wrong.

"What's wrong?" Remus scoffed, shaking his head, his gaze not leaving the fireplace. "I warned you... I warned him."

"What did you expect, Remus?" Y/N asked. "For Harry and I to- to stay together for the rest of our lives? You really believed that?"

"Yeah, maybe did," Remus scoffed again, "because I saw the James in Harry- and James knew, from the age of fifteen, he was going to love Lily forever."

"We're not Lily and James," Y/N whispered, looking hesitantly at Remus' glowing face. "I'm sure James did love Lily from the age of fifteen, but Harry doesn't- he doesn't..."

Y/N couldn't even bring herself to say it.

"Did you love him?" Remus retorted, now looking at her in the eye. Y/N was slightly intimidated by his gaze. "Do you love him?"

"It doesn't matter," Y/N said harshly, "what matters is- now that it's all over, you can't be upset about it. That's my job, leave it to me." Y/N laughed weakly.

Remus stared at her for a moment, and Y/N thought he was going to say something stubborn, but a small smile appeared.

Y/N couldn't help but raise her eyebrows in surprise.

"Sarcastic humor's always been your mother's thing," said Remus, "she'd say things at the worst times."

Y/N smiled and put a hand on her godfather's arm gently.

"I just want you to be happy, Y/N," Remus said weakly, "I've been gone for fourteen years of your life, I want to fulfill my job as your godfather."

"You already have, Moony," said Y/N, shaking her head. "and so much more."

Remus looked at his goddaughter and grinned, squeezing her hand.

He didn't know what to say. Y/N would never know how much those words meant to him. It was the best Christmas gift a wizard like him could ever ask for.

A good ten minutes after that, Remus decided it was time for Y/N and Rolf to return home.

They thanked and said good-bye to the Weasleys, Y/N gave Sirius, Fleur, Ron, and Ginny a hug, before disappearing into the fireplace.

They arrived back at Lupin Cottage around midnight. Immediately, Tonks yawned, said goodnight to everyone, kissed Remus on the cheek, and went up to bed.

They each changed into their bedclothes and went up to their bedrooms.

It was extremely cold that night, and Y/N found herself buried in several layers of clothes and blankets.

She was just about to doze off. However, there was a knock on her door. Y/N sighed immediately.

"Niff? Niff, can I come in?" said Rolf's voice, from the other side of the door.

"Sod off, Rolf," Y/N grumbled, not opening her eyes to bother.

There was a beat of silence, then a stirring noise and Rolf finally opened the door. The light from his handheld lamp filled the room.

"Get out," Y/N drawled, pulling her blankets over her head.

"Are you OK?" Rolf asked quietly, lowering the lamp on Y/N's working desk. "What did Harry say to you?"

"Will you leave me alone?"

"No?"

Y/N cursed under her breath and removed her blankets from her face.

She stared up at Rolf, who was seated on her chair and looking at her worriedly.

"What do you want?" Y/N demanded.

"To know if you were alright," Rolf said calmly, "Harry didn't do or say anything to you?"

"Why do you care," Y/N muttered, rubbing her eyes.

"Because you're my sister," Rolf said with a frown. "Look, I don't know what happened between you two, but I need to know he's not hurting you,"

Y/N stared at her brother in confusion for a second. Rolf stared back blankly.

"He's not," Y/N finally assured, "After telling me in the face he never loved me, he wouldn't dare-"

"He said that?" Rolf said unbelievably, his eyes growing wide. Y/N nodded grimly. "What an asshole,"

"I should've known, anyway," Y/N sighed, "I was naive. He was realistic."

"You weren't naive, we all thought he cared for you," said Rolf firmly. "It was really obvious he loved you, too."

"What do you know about love, Rolfie?" Y/N smirked, making Rolf roll his eyes.

"If you haven't noticed, I'm in it," Rolf replied smoothly. Though it was dark, Y/N could tell his face was flushed.

Y/N raised her eyebrows, having an idea who his heart belonged to, but decided not to say anything about it. She grinned and nodded understandingly.

"So do you want me to do something about it?" asked Rolf, clearing his throat.

"No. Leave it," Y/N replied. "It's alright, I'm not upset about it anymore." Well, that was a lie...

"Good," Rolf nodded, though he didn't look that convinced. "but it's a priority you tell me if he does hurt you-"

"He won't, Rolf," Y/N said firmly. "I won't let him- not again... but thanks."

"Yeah," Rolf sighed, looking at the floor. He nodded. "Just be careful. Don't let him take advantage of you, since you still have feelings for him."

"Oh, Godric," Y/N groaned, covering her face with her hands. "is it that obvious?"

"You want me to be honest?" Rolf chuckled. "Very. It's very obvious."

∞ ϟ 9¾ ♔ ⚯͛ △r⃒⃘ ➵ ♆

Late in the afternoon, a few days after New Year, Y/N and Rolf gathered up beside the kitchen fire to return to Hogwarts.

The Ministry had arranged one-off connections to the Floo Network for students to travel quickly and safely back to school.

Only Remus was there to say goodbye, as Tonks was at work. Remus gave them each a long hug, and Y/N swore she saw him blink away a tear or two.

"Don't worry, Moony," said Y/N, patting her godfather on the back. "It's okay..."

"Yeah, we'll write to you lots," said Rolf.

"Promise me you'll look after yourself..." said Remus, putting a hand on each of their shoulders. "Stay out of trouble..."

"I always do," said Y/N with a tint of sarcasm. "I like a quiet life, you know me."

Remus gave a faint chuckle and stood back.

"Be good, then, goodbye for now..."

Y/N gave her godfather a warm smile, stepped into the emerald fire, and shouted,

"Hogwarts!"

The emerald flames swallowed her, and the next moment, she was spinning very fast. Y/N shut her eyes and tucked her elbows.

Then she was slowing down, finally stopping in the fireplace in Professor McGonagall's office.

The head of house barely glanced up from her work as she clambered out over the grate.

"Evening, Miss Scamander. Try not to get too much ash on the carpet." said the Professor. It seemed like Gryffindor students had been popping out of her fireplace the entire day.

"No, Professor." Y/N nodded, then left McGonagall's office and head off towards the Gryffindor common room.

She glanced out of the corridor windows as she passed, catching a glimpse of Hagrid feeding Buckbeak as the sun slowly set.

She grinned to herself and noted to visit Hagrid as soon as tomorrow.

"Baubles," Y/N said confidently when she reached the Fat Lady.

"No," said the Fat Lady.

"What d'you mean, 'no'?" Y/N frowned at the portrait.

"There is a new password," she said.

"But we've been away," Y/N protested, "how're we supposed to-?"

"Abstinence. The new password is Abstinence." said a voice from behind her.

Y/N whirled around to see Harry standing right behind her, hair scrambled up, very pink-faced, and wearing a black hoodie.

He gave her a weak smile when he caught her gaze.

"Precisely," said the Fat Lady, and swung forward to reveal the portrait hole.

"You coming, or not?" Harry turned and asked Y/N, extending a hand.

"'Course," Y/N muttered grimly, ignoring his hand but letting him lead the way through the portrait hole and into the packed common room.

"There's a table over here..." said Harry, pointing to a corner. "Coming?"

"No, I'm meeting Hermione," Y/N said through gritted teeth. "any idea where she is?"

"Oh- dormitory, probably," said Harry, sounding less enthusiastic. Y/N nodded and turned to leave. "Wait- Y/N,"

Y/N turned back to face him. She could tell by the way he bit his bottom lip, he wanted to say something.

"Yeah?"

"Quidditch practice next week," Harry blurted. "Friday, four in the evening. Tell Peakes and Ginny, too?"

"Yeah, OK," Y/N hated herself for feeling disappointed that was all he had to say.

"It's good to be back," Harry attempted a warm smile. "It's good to see you."

Y/N studied him thoughtfully. She had no idea what he wanted from her. They locked eyes for a second... a second too long.

Y/N felt a swoop of butterflies in her stomach and quickly looked away.

"Couldn't say the same," she snarled, then, not waiting for a reply, she turned on her heel and left him standing rigid at his spot.

She took a turn up the stairs and headed to the sixth year girls' dormitory. She stopped in front of the familiar wooden door and pushed it open.

"Y/N!"

Hermione beamed up at her girl best friend. She was wearing a cloak, hat, and was taking off her gloves.

"Hey, Hermy," Y/N grinned, closing the door behind her. "when did you arrive here?"

"I got back a couple of hours ago," replied Hermione brightly, "I've just been down to visit Hagrid and Buckbeak with Harry. Did you see him, yet?"

"Unfortunately," Y/N sighed, walking to her bed. Her trunk, Bamboo, and Caz had arrived before her and were placed beside her four-poster bed. "So how was your Christmas, Hermione?"

"Oh, fine," she shrugged. "Nothing special. How was it at yours?"

"Pretty nice at home," Y/N smiled, finding comfort in getting to call Lupin Cottage 'home'. "Tonks was busy all the time, but Remus was home, mostly. Rolf practically lives at the Lovegood's, and Luna was around."

"Any updates about those two lovebirds?" Hermione giggled.

"Rolf hasn't told me anything, but there's no way they're only friends," Y/N smirked. "I bet you ten galleons they're officially getting together before the term ends."

"I'm not taking that bet... because I'm with you on this one," Hermione chuckled. "How's Lupin?"

"Not great," said Y/N, her smile dropping. "He says he's fine, but... have you heard of this Fenrir Greyback?"

"Yes, I have!" said Hermione, sounding startled. "And so have you, Y/N!"

"When, History of Magic?" Y/N frowned. "You know full well I never listened..."

"No, no, not History of Magic- Malfoy threatened Borgin with him!" said Hermione. "Back in Knockturn Alley!"

Y/N gaped at her.

"I forgot!" she exclaimed. "But this proves Malfoy's a Death Eater!"

"It is pretty suspicious," breathed Hermione. "Unless..."

"Oh, come on," Y/N said in exasperation, "you can't get around this one!"

"Well... there is the possibility it was an empty threat."

"You're unbelievable, you are," said Y/N, shaking her head. "We'll see who's right... anyway, have you seen Ginny?"

"Ginny? Oh yeah, I've seen Ginny..." Hermione said primly, pursing her lips.

"I know that Hermione look. What's wrong?" asked Y/N, pulling her legs onto her bed and crossing them, ready for new information.

"I don't know, I met her when I arrived," said Hermione slowly, "she said she was meeting someone and headed down to the ground floor..."

"What're you saying?" Y/N asked quietly, though she had a pretty good guess at the back of her mind.

"Oh, Y/N, the Hufflepuff common room is down there!" Hermione said. "Remember what I said about Dorcan Wells?"

"Yeah, that Hufflepuff bloke that fancies Ginny?" Y/N huffed, frowning questionably at Hermione.

"Do you think she lied to us about not seeing him?" Hermione asked.

"No! Of course not," This wasn't where Y/N thought the conversation was going. "I thought you meant- oh, never mind..."

Y/N wasn't sure it was her place to assume but made sure to ask Ginny one day...

∞ ϟ 9¾ ♔ ⚯͛ △r⃒⃘ ➵ ♆

The next day, Harry confided in Ron, Y/N, and Hermione the task that Dumbledore had set him, last night.

He was to collect a memory from Slughorn. A memory that was essential to Dumbledore to find out more about Voldemort.

A memory that Slughorn was ashamed of.

Hermione still refused to remain in Ron's presence, for Lavender took every opportunity to snog him.

So Harry had to tell them separately. He didn't plan on speaking to Y/N, but she happened to be there when he told Hermione.

Ron thought that Harry was unlikely to have any trouble with Slughorn at all.

"Bloody hell, Harry, he loves you," he said over breakfast, "Just hang back after class this afternoon and ask him."

Hermione and Y/N, however, took a gloomier view.

"He must be determined to hide what really happened if Dumbledore couldn't get it out of him," Hermione said in a low voice, as they stood in the deserted, snowy courtyard at break.

"Horcruxes..." Y/N said slowly. "Horcruxes... I've never even heard of them..."

"You haven't?" Harry was disappointed. If Y/N didn't know about them, Horcruxes were definitely extremely advanced Dark magic. "Ron reckons I should just ask Slughorn after class."

"Oh, well, if Won-Won thinks that, you'd better do it," Hermione said, flaring up at once. "After all, when has Won-Won's judgment ever been faulty?"

"Hermione," Harry sighed, "can't you-"

"No!" she said angrily and stormed away. Y/N quickly jogged after Hermione, leaving Harry alone and ankle-deep in snow.

Potions lessons were uncomfortable these days, for Harry, Y/N, Ron, and Hermione had to share a desk.

Today, Hermione moved her cauldron around the table so that she was close to Y/N, and ignored both Harry and Ron, as Slughorn spoke to the class.

"... and so," said the professor, "In this lesson, you are to create an antidote for a blended poison before the end of the lesson. Good luck!"

Hermione and Y/N had left their stools and were halfway towards Siughorn's desk before the rest of the class had realized it was time to move.

By the time Harry and Ron were back at their cauldrons, Hermione and Y/N were already tipping the ingredients in theirs.

"It's a shame that the Prince won't be able to help much with this," Y/N said brightly, loud enough for Harry to clearly hear. "No short cuts or cheats to an antidote. "

Harry smiled at this, sure she was joking, but when he opened up his book and turned to the page of the antidote, it was free of the prince's scrawny handwriting.

Annoyed, he glanced at Ron, who was now standing there looking rather gormless.

"You sure the Prince hasn't got any tips?" Ron muttered to Harry.

"Nothing," said Harry gloomily.

Y/N smirked, and was now waving her wand enthusiastically over her cauldron.

Unfortunately, Harry and Ron could not copy the spell she was doing because she was now so good at non-verbal incantations.

Hermione flashed Y/N a proud grin and moved her wand in the same motion, uttering nothing from her mouth.

The muggleborn's expression could not have been any smugger. She had loathed being out-performed in every Potions class.

It took Harry only five minutes to realize he was done for.

More to avoid watching Y/N and Hermione's triumphant looks, Harry bent over the Half-Blood Prince's book and turned a few pages with unnecessary force.

And there it was, scrawled right across a long list of antidotes.

Just shove a bezoar down their throats.

Harry stared at these words for a moment.

Had Snape still been their teacher, Harry would not have dared do it, but this was a moment for desperate measures.

He immediately dashed towards the store cupboard and rummaged within it.

"What is he doing?" Y/N whispered to Hermione, furrowing her eyebrows.

"Doesn't matter, he can't wriggle out of this," Hermione said confidently.

"Time's... UP!" called Slughorn, a few minutes later. "Well, let's see how you've done!"

Slowly, Slughorn moved around the room, examining the various antidotes.

Nobody had finished the task, not even Y/N, although Hermione was trying to cram a few more ingredients into her bottle.

Ron had given up completely, and Harry stood there patiently waiting. Y/N eyed him suspiciously.

Slughorn reached their table last.

He looked down at Ron's with a grimace, backing away swiftly, retching slightly.

He smiled fondly at Y/N and Hermione's best attempts, then moved on to Harry.

"And you, Harry," he said. "What have you got to show me?"

Harry held out his hand. Y/N had to peer over her cauldron to see the bezoar sitting in his palm.

Slughorn looked down at it for a full ten seconds. Then, he threw back his head and roared with laughter.

"You've got a nerve, boy!" he boomed, holding the bezoar up so that the class could see it. "Oh, I can't fault you... a bezoar would certainly act as an antidote to all these potions!"

Hermione, who was sweaty-faced and had soot on her nose, looked livid. Her half-finished potion bubbled sluggishly in her cauldron.

Y/N was glaring daggers at Harry.

"And you thought of a bezoar all by yourself, did you, Harry?" she asked through gritted teeth.

"That's the individual spirit a real potion-maker needs!" said Slughorn happily, before Harry could reply. "Just like his mother, yes..."

Harry grinned cheekily at Y/N and cocked his eyebrows at her.

Y/N simply rolled her eyes and looked back down at her cauldron.

"Time to pack up!" said Slughorn. "And an extra ten points to Gryffindor for sheer cheek!"

Still chuckling, he waddled back to his desk at the front of the dungeon.

Harry dawdled behind, taking an unnecessary amount of time to do up his bag.

None of his friends wished him luck as they left, all of them looking rather annoyed.

"What an act!" Hermione huffed, after she and Y/N had departed Ron.

"Don't worry, the Prince can't help him forever," Y/N said spitefully.

"Hey, Scamander!"

Y/N and Hermione stopped right before the marble staircases and turned around in union.

Pansy Parkinson was hurrying behind them, clutching her books to her chest, looking slightly nervous.

"Well hey there, Parkinson," Y/N said blankly. She still didn't know where she lay with Pansy.

They certainly weren't enemies anymore, after Pansy's genuine apology and improved attitude.

Pansy stopped before them and managed to give the two of them a small nod.

"Afternoon," she muttered, giving Y/N and Hermione a smile that resembled a grimace. "How was your holiday?"

"Good," Hermione shrugged, looking slightly puzzled.

"Pretty good," Y/N nodded, "you?"

"Debatable," Pansy shrugged. "I've never liked holidays. Anyway, I just wanted to tell you something, Y/N."

"Pansy, I need to make sure of something," Y/N sighed. "I'm ready to trust you... alright? I know you've changed, I know you've apologized-"

"Trust me, I've changed," Pansy said firmly, her voice low. "Draco and I are really good friends, now, so I'm not jealous of you-"

"Thank Merlin for that." Y/N huffed, and Pansy gave her a simper.

"I don't see us being best friends or anything," the Slytherin continued, "but I have no reason to be against you anymore."

"Me neither," Y/N shrugged. Hermione nodded in agreement. "But hope you don't mind me asking- wouldn't your family do something if they found out?"

"About us being allies?" Pansy frowned.

"Yeah," said Hermione. "I'm a Muggleborn, aren't I? I mean, I know for one, Malfoy hates me because his parents are disgusted by people like me."

"Just so you know, not all of us have that mindset," Pansy said cooly. "Not me, and definitely not Draco. He's afraid to admit it, but I know Draco."

"But your whole family-"

"Not that it's any of your business, Granger, but for your extra knowledge, I ran away from home during the Christmas holiday," said Pansy, now looking away from the two Gryffindors.

There was an uncomfortable silence. Hermione pursed her lips shut and her face turned pink.

Y/N felt a rush of sympathy towards Pansy.

"I've had enough of their bullshit," said Pansy bluntly.

"I'm sorry, Pansy," Y/N said quietly.

"No, it was a good decision," Pansy said firmly, straightening herself. "I went to stay at Daphne's. But now that I'm of age and have access to all my money, I'm getting my own place once I graduate."

"I didn't know, Pansy, I'm sorry..." Hermione whispered, looking genuinely ashamed.

"It's whatever," Pansy said gloomily. "I've never liked them, anyway... but that's beside the point. So are we agreeing to a fresh start?"

Pansy took a deep breath and held out a shaky hand.

Y/N looked at Hermione, and they both mutually made a decision.

Y/N took Pansy's hand and shook it, giving her a small smile along with it, then Hermione did the same.

"That's that, then." Pansy cleared her throat, when all was done. "Oh- and do you mind telling... Ginny- just tell her I said thanks. She'll know what for."

Y/N raised her eyebrows, but quickly stopped and nodded.

"I'll see you around then," said Pansy, hugging her books to her chest tightly. "Good day, Granger, Scamander."

She gave them the same grimaced smile and turned on her heel.

"Wait- Pansy," Y/N called, just before she headed off. Pansy turned back, looking puzzled. "Call me Y/N."

∞ ϟ 9¾ ♔ ⚯͛ △r⃒⃘ ➵ ♆

Neither Ron, Y/N, or Hermione was at all sympathetic when Harry told them of his disastrous attempt to get Slughorn's memory.

Hermione was still seething at the way Harry had triumphed without doing the work properly.

Ron was resentful that Harry hadn't slipped him a bezoar, too.

Y/N, on the other hand, pulled out her 'I told you so' card.

Harry brooded for the next few days over what to do next about Slughorn.

He decided that, for the time being, he would let Slughorn think that he had forgotten all about Horcruxes.

Harry awaited an invitation to one of his little evening parties, determined to accept this time, however, no such invitation arrived.

February arrived and the snow melted around the school, to be replaced by cold, dreary wetness.

Grey clouds hung low over the castle and the constant rain made the lawns slippery and muddy.

Quidditch practice has started, and it was going pretty well, apart from Harry's personal issues with a certain Beater.

He had tried to talk to Y/N, but she showed no interest. He tried approaching her in the changing room, apologizing to her, but Y/N knew her self-worth.

"You can apologize to me," Y/N told him, on his third attempt. "apologize to me a thousand times if you must, but it'll just go over my head."

She wasn't going to let anyone build up her trust for years and wreck it down, then apologize and expect to gain all of it back...

February quickly moved towards March with no change in the weather except that it became windy as well as wet.

Assignments were starting to pile up, and many students, particularly Hermione, were already starting to study for their exams.

One night, on March the first, Y/N couldn't help but question Hermione's habits.

"You know, you can take a break?" Y/N said to the girl, as she got ready for bed. "What are you even doing in the library all the time?"

"Reading, doing homework, and studying of course!" said Hermione. "And so should you,"

"Well, I'll be damned if you don't end up forcing me to," Y/N said grimly. "Get some rest, Hermione, it's a Saturday tomorrow."

"Four more pages... five- five more," Hermione grumbled, burying her face into her book.

"Don't overwork yourself,"

"I have to!"

Suddenly, before they could settle the conversation, the door of their dormitory burst open.

Hermione screamed and Y/N jumped away from the door, startled, accidentally exploding an ink bottle on Hermione's nightstand.

She looked up to see Professor McGonagall standing by the door, her emerald robes shining, and her face looking terrified from Hermione's scream.

"Oh, don't be ridiculous!" Professor McGonagall scolded. "I'm not a ghoul!"

Y/N sighed heavily and Hermione muttered a shameful apology.

"Nevermind, you must get out of bed and follow me, quickly." Professor McGonagall said primly, pursing her lips. Then her expression softened. "I'm afraid something unfortunate happened."

"What happened, Professor?" Y/N asked, her face going cold.

"Mr Weasley has been poisoned," said Professor McGonagall, looking sympathetic.

"What?" Y/N's heart sank deep into her stomach.

"No!" exclaimed Hermione. Y/N looked back at her and the girl looked like she was going to cry. "Please tell me he's... is he- is he-?"

"He's alive, Miss Granger," said Professor McGonagall. "but you'd want to go see him."

"Yes- of course- of course," Hermione muttered, as she shoved all her books away and pulled on her jumper over her nightgown. Her voice was heavy with worry.

Y/N quickly slipped on her own jumper and scrambled out of bed, her heart pounding loudly against her chest.

Only ten seconds later, the two girls were out the door and following the professor down to the busy common room.

The way to the hospital wing was practically empty, and Y/N didn't dare say a word. She didn't want to ask anything, for she feared the answers.

Hermione seemed to be in the same boat. Her face was pale, her hair was frizzy and Y/N could see her body physically shaking.

They soon arrived at the hospital wing and Hermione was the one who pushed open the heavy double doors.

Y/N hurried after her and entered the long room.

Harry and Professor Slughorn were there, both looming over Ron, who was awake- but was so pale that he looked green.

Ron caught sight of Hermione, and Y/N swore his face turned slightly brighter.

"Oh, thank Godric-" Hermione dashed to his side, Harry and Slughorn making way for her.

"Hermione, hey," Ron croaked, grinning, as Hermione landed on a chair right next to him.

"Ronald Weasley, you almost scared me to death," Hermione said in a hushed voice, and reached out her cold trembling hands to grasp his. "how are you feeling?"

"I'm alright, I'm fine now," Ron chuckled, squeezing her hands back in assurance.

"Professor Slughorn- what happened?" asked Y/N, appearing behind Professor McGonagall, her eyebrows frowned in confusion.

"I don't know, Miss Scamander," Slughorn said miserably. "Harry took Weatherby to my office because he was drugged with love potion-"

"Love potion made him like this?" Hermione asked in a high-pitched voice, still clutching Ron's hands.

"No, he was cured of that in a minute," said Harry, "It was the drink we had afterward that was spiked with poison."

"I panicked, but Harry was quick enough to think of bezoar," Slughorn whispered. "Weatherby could've died if it weren't for him..."

"Does the headmaster know about this?" Y/N asked, looking between Professor McGonagall and Professor Slughorn.

"He's busy elsewhere tonight, Miss Scamander," said McGonagall, sighing, "Madam Pomfrey just went off to owl him. I'm sure he'll be aware of this by dusk."

"Who- who would do this?" Hermione asked in a whisper, her lips trembling.

"Someone who wants Dumbledore dead," said Harry, matter-of-factly, "the drink was meant for him."

∞ ϟ 9¾ ♔ ⚯͛ △r⃒⃘ ➵ ♆

It was afternoon and the hospital wing was quiet, the windows curtained, the lamps lit.

Ron's was the only occupied bed. Harry, Hermione, Y/N, and Ginny were sitting around him.

Though Harry, Y/N, and Ginny were practicing Quidditch all morning, Hermione had apparently been by Ron's side all day.

Ron was under treatment and has been asleep since morning, as drowsiness was a side effect of the treatment.

At around three o'clock, Dumbledore, McGonagall, Slughorn, and Snape came in through the door of the hospital wing, all of them looking confused and concerned.

"Good thinking on your party, Harry, using bezoar," said Dumbledore, after Harry recited what had happened.

"Well I think we could all agree on that," said Professor McGonagall primly, "the question is, why was it necessary?"

"Indeed," Dumbledore nodded, then turned to Slughorn, who was holding a bottle of mead in his hand. "This appears to be a gift, Horace?"

"Actually, I had intended to give it as a gift, myself," said Slughorn, handing Dumbledore the bottle to examine. "t-to you, Headmaster..."

Y/N looked up at the two wizards and frowned.

It wasn't the first time someone tried to do something like this. She hasn't forgotten about Katie Bell.

"Where is he? Where's my Won-Won?" cried a high-pitched voice, from the entrance of the room. Everyone turned to the source of the voice.

Lavender Brown came rushing into the room, practically pushing past Snape, and stopping at the end of Ron's bed, not caring about the people around her.

"Has he been asking for me?" she asked breathlessly, sounding like she was near sobbing.

When no one answered her, Lavender looked up.

Her eyes landed on Harry, then Y/N, then GInny, and then finally on Hermione, who looked grim.

"What's she doing here?" Lavender demanded, sounding outraged.

"Might ask you the same question," Hermione hissed, furrowing her brown eyebrows.

"I happen to be his girlfriend!" Lavender wheezed.

"I happen to be his-!" Hermione stopped herself and took a deep breath. "Friend..."

"Don't make me laugh!" cried Lavender, "You haven't spoken in weeks! I s'pose you want to make up with him, now that he's all interesting-!"

"He's poisoned, you daft dimbo!" Hermione scoffed, standing up, making her chair screech loudly. "And for the record, I've always found him interesting!"

At this point, Ron was now stirring in his bed and mildly muttering under his breath. Lavender's eyes widened.

"See? He's sensed my presence!" she said dramatically, stepping forwards, "Don't worry, Won-Won, I'm here... I'm here,"

"Mhm..." Ron grumbled, flipping to his side. "my... nee..."

Lavender bent down over him, frowning slightly.

"Her... mi... ne... Hermione..."

Lavender let out a loud gasp, her hand flying to her heart.

Her lips trembled for a moment, as she stared between Ron and Hermione in betrayal.

The next moment, she let out a shaky sob, turned around, and ran out of the hospital wing.

The room fell silent. Y/N, Ginny, and Harry gaped after her, confused and taken back, and Hermione looked slightly guilty.

"Oh to be young," Dumbledore said brightly. "and know true love's keen sting..."

Hermione sighed and sat back down, then proceeded to lace her fingers with Ron's, who has now stopped mumbling.

Y/N couldn't help but wonder if he'd muttered Hermione's name in front of Lavender on purpose.

"Now, come on, everyone," said Dumbledore, clapping his hands together. "Let's go out and get some fresh air, now that Mr Weasley is taken care of..."

Hermione blushed slightly but didn't pull away from Ron's side. On the contrary, she squeezed his hands tighter and smiled softly at his peaceful freckled face.

The professors lined up and left the room, so did Harry, and Y/N glanced back at Hermione and Ron before she left.

"Oh shut up," Hermione uttered, blushing when she caught Y/N's smirk.

Y/N grinned at her and shrugged, before leaving the room after the others...

The news that Ron had been poisoned spread quickly the next few days.

Ron had to remain in the hospital wing, though he was now able to talk and looking less pale.

Hermione would visit him as frequently as she could, doing her homework and reading her books next to Ron's bed.

Y/N and Harry had Quidditch practice every day, but they managed to find time to be with their best friend at the end of the day.

The Gryffindor versus Hufflepuff match was nearing.

Y/N made sure not to speak to Harry at all during practice, merely nodding at his orders and always sticking with Ginny or Jimmy.

To her (and everyone's) dismay, Harry had no choice but to let Cormac McLaggen replace Ron as Keeper.

Cormac was horrible. He gave more orders around than Harry did, and would complain about the slightest things.

"What were you thinking?" Y/N approached Harry one day after everyone stormed off the pitch due to McLaggen's complaints.

"What do you mean?" asked Harry, his heart suddenly racing.

She barely spoke to him in the past months, and every time she did, he couldn't help but overreact.

His cheeks would flush immediately, and he spoke back to her extra enthusiastically and loudly.

"Why would you let Mclaggen into the team?" Y/N fumed.

"I've told you," said Harry patiently, looking down at her warily. "he could be world-class... but don't get me wrong, I wouldn't want to keep him."

"Just don't let him boss you around," said Y/N, still frowning, but her voice was softer. "you're captain for a reason."

"Yeah, I know," said Harry, smiling slightly, "which is why you should be replying to me instead of ignoring me."

"Forget it," Y/N scoffed, turning around, feeling as though her time has been wasted.

"Wait-" Harry grasped her wrist abruptly, pulling her to a stop. Y/N looked back around and scowled.

"You'll dislocate my wrist one day, and I will hex you." she snarled.

"Sorry," Harry said quickly, dropping Y/N's hand. "Y/N- I... I just wanted to say-" Harry opened his mouth, but quickly shut it.

Harry scoffed at himself as if he was disappointed and shook his head.

Y/N looked at him up and down curiously.

"Good luck," he managed out, his jaw clenched. "and get some rest."

"I will," Y/N said cooly, still looking at him calculatingly. "you too."

∞ ϟ 9¾ ♔ ⚯͛ △r⃒⃘ ➵ ♆

On the morning of the Quidditch match against Hufflepuff, Y/N and Hermione dropped in on the hospital wing before heading down to the pitch.

To Y/N's annoyance, Harry was also there, already dressed in his Quidditch robes.

When Y/N and Hermione entered, he looked up and smiled. Hermione smiled back weakly, but Y/N was busy saying good morning to Ron.

Ron was very furious at Madam Pomfrey, who would not let him go down to watch the match.

After five minutes of persuading, she still wouldn't budge.

"It's like I'm a prisoner," said Ron, looking rather glum, when Madam Pomfrey strode away from his bed. "Right. Well, good luck to you two. Hope you hammer McLag- I mean, Smith."

"I'll try," Y/N chuckled, patting him on the arm.

"We'll try," said Harry, shouldering his broom, earning an eye roll from Y/N. "See you after the match."

Y/N and Hermione then left before Harry, hurrying down through the deserted corridors.

The whole school was outside, either already seated in the stadium or heading down toward it.

Y/N was trying to gauge how much wind they were facing aloud, as Hermione assured her it was going to be fine.

Just as they were about to head out of the castle, however, Y/N was stopped by the voice of two girls from an empty classroom.

One girl was giggling loudly, and the other almost sounded like she was cackling.

Y/N wouldn't have stopped if she didn't recognize one of the voices as Romilda Vane's.

Y/N put an arm in front of Hermione to stop her and froze behind the door. Hermione frowned.

"What-"

"Shhh," Y/N hushed, backing against the door. She pressed her ear on the crash of the door.

Hermione hesitated for a moment, but when she recognized Romilda's cackle, she did the same.

It wasn't so hard to hear the voices inside, for Romilda and her friend were speaking very clearly.

"-took two months to brew!" said Romilda, through her laugh.

"I can't believe it!" said her ginger friend enthusiastically. "Will it work again, though? I mean, the Devil's Draught worked but the last Love Potion you gave him settled on the wrong boy-"

"Oh, hush, it will work!" said Romilda at once. "Now that the Scamander girl isn't trailing around him anymore, he'll be alone at the party, tonight!"

"You'll put it in his drink?" asked her friend. "But he never excepts drinks from y-"

"Everyone drinks at parties, Celeste," Romilda cut her off in annoyance. "And he didn't refuse, last time I gave him the Gillywater with Devil's Draught."

"I still can't believe you broke them up!" said Romilda's friend in a hushed voice.

Y/N saw Hermione's eyes grow wide and her lips parted.

Y/N felt like someone had dumped a bucket of iced water over her head. Her heart raced dangerously.

"Someone had to," Romilda laughed.

"It was impressive!" said Celeste, "I mean, you managed to run all the way from the dungeons to our common room and give him Devil's Draught before Scamander-"

"I'm aware of what I've done," Romidla said in satisfactory, "Quick reflexes, Leste..."

Y/N drifted away from the door, her mouth agape and her eyes blank.

Hermione was right. She was right about the Devil's Draught. No shit, she was right about the Devil's Draught.

"Y/N..." Hermione whispered, her face pale. "I-"

"-told me so, I know," Y/N said quickly, running her hand through her hair.

Hermione fell silent. She stared at Y/N sympathetically, and Y/N stared at the floor.

"Let's walk," Y/N finally said, after thirty seconds of thinking. She strode away swiftly from the classroom, down the corridor, her hands sweating as she gripped her broom.

Hermione jogged after her, glancing back at the classroom unsurely.

"Y/N, wait!" she called, catching up with Y/N.

"All this time," Y/N muttered, shaking her head solemnly. "All this damn time..."

Y/N's head was filled with emotions and thought. Anger, realization, guilt, anxiety-

"Don't blame yourself," Hermione said gently, putting a hand on Y/N's shoulder, as they walked down the grassy hill.

"Myself? I'm not blaming myself," Y/N said furiously, her free hand curling into a fist."Romilda Vane- is out here- spiking people's drinks- messing up people's lives,"

"I know, Y/N, it's horrible," Hermione said calmly.

"It's wrong, that's what it is!" Y/N ushered, "People like her don't deserve a place here."

"Y/N, at least she's just using potions," said Hermione, "it's not a crime."

"Oh yeah?" Y/N whirled at her. "What if she were a boy and was trying to spike a girl's drink at a party? Is that not a crime?"

Hermione fell silent and didn't speak again. Y/N took the time to process all the information she'd just received.

When they reached the Quidditch pitch, she had no choice than to leave her thoughts for the moment.

Hermione said good luck to Y/N, gave her a small smile, and left for the stands.

"Where have you been?" demanded Ginny, as Y/N sprinted into the changing rooms.

The whole team was changed and ready, and were holding onto their brooms.

McLaggen was blabbering to Katie, who looked like she wanted to strangle him, and Jimmy was hitting his club nervously against his leg.

Harry looked up at Y/N when she stopped inside and frowned.

"Are you alright, Y/N?" he asked her in concern, staring at her timid state as she picked up her Beater's bat.

"I'm alright," Y/N said firmly. "Just a little dehydrated."

"My bottle's at the back of the room, drink some water," said Harry, giving her a little smile.

"Thanks," Y/N muttered.

Harry looked up, and to his surprise, she wasn't scowling at him or rolling her eyes.

She was looking at him in a way that gave Harry an odd nostalgic feeling.

She wasn't glaring or narrowing her eyes at him, but she was looking at him longingly.

Y/N wanted to tell him she knew- she knew about all of it... but it wasn't the time.

Five minutes later, the team marched out onto the pitch to deafening cheers and boos.

There was little wind, and every now and then there were flashes of bright sunlight.

"Tricky conditions!" McLaggen said bracingly to the team. "Scamander, Peakes, you'll want to fly out of the sun, so they don't see you coming-"

"I'm the Captain, McLaggen, shut up giving my Beaters instructions," said Harry angrily, intentionally stepping between McLageen and Y/N. "Just get up by the goalposts!"

Once McLaggen had marched off, Harry turned to Y/N and Jimmy.

"Make sure you do fly out of the sun," he told them grudgingly. "good luck,"

He went and shook hands with the Rolf, who stared spitefully at his face. Then, on Madam Hooch's whistle, they all kicked off.

"And that's Smith of Hufflepuff with the Quaffle," said a dreamy voice, echoing over the grounds.

"Oh, not Loony Lovegood!" Mclaggen groaned, as he flew up to his goal hoop. "They could've chosen anyone and they chose-"

"Shut up and do what you're supposed to do, for Merlin's sake!" Y/N shrieked through the loud cheers.

"Smith did the commentary last time, of course," Luna continued. "and Ginny Weasley flew into him, I think probably on purpose, it looked like it."

Y/N couldn't help but shoot a quick smile towards the commentator's podium.

Beside Luna, Professor McGonagall was looking as though she was having second thoughts about this appointment.

Rolf, who was actually the Hufflepuff captain, appeared to be smiling in adoration at Luna and had forgotten about his role.

"Rolf, stop grinning at the commentator's stand!" roared one of the Hufflepuff Beaters, giving his captain a grim look.

"-oh, look, he's lost the Quaffle... Ginny took it from him..." Luna's voice echoed. "but now that big Hufflepuff player's got the Quaffle from her, I can't remember his name.... Bibble- no, Buggins-"

"It's Cadwallader!" said Professor McGonagall loudly from beside Luna. The crowd laughed.

Y/N was chuckled and spotted Harry hovering a few yards to her left.

He caught her gaze and gave her a small smile. His Harry smile.

Y/N felt her face go warm and decided to circle the pitch. From the corner of her eye, she spotted a very fast Bludger heading after Demelza Robins.

She swooped in front of her teammate, just in time, hitting the Bludger that could've undoubtedly broken her arm.

Demelza gave her a quick thankful nod and accelerated away.

Y/N backed to the end of the pitch and heard McLaggen shouting criticism at Ginny for losing the Quaffle.

That resulted in the Quaffle flying right past his right ear and into the middle hoop.

"Ten to zero, Hufflepuff in the lead," Luna stated, as the pitch rang with cheers and shouts of fury.

"McLaggen, will you pay attention to what you're supposed to be doing and leave everyone else alone!" bellowed Harry, wheeling around to face his Keeper.

"You're not setting a great example!" McLaggen shouted back, red-faced and furious.

"And Harry Potter's now having an argument with his Keeper," said Luna serenely, "I don't think that'll help him find the Snitch, but maybe it's a clever ruse..."

Swearing angrily, Harry spun around and set off around the pitch again.

Ginny and Demelza scored a goal apiece, giving the Gryffindor supporters below something to cheer about.

Y/N and Jimmy swung their bats and hit Bludger after Bludger away from their team and to the opposing team.

Then Cadwallader scored again, making things level, but Luna did not seem to have noticed.

She kept attempting to draw the crowd's attention to such things as interestingly shaped clouds and complimenting people's outfits.

"Seventy, forty, to Hufflepuff!" barked Professor McGonagall into Luna's megaphone.

"Is it, already?" said Luna vaguely. "Oh, look! The Gryffindor Keeper's got hold of one of the Beater's bats."

Y/N spun around in midair and her frustration rose for the second time of the day.

Sure enough, McLaggen had pulled Jimmy's bat from him and appeared to be demonstrating how to hit a Bludger at one of the Hufflepuff Chasers passing by.

"Bloody fucking hell, give him back his bat!" roared Y/N, pelting toward McLaggen, just as McLaggen took a fierce swing at the Bludger and misdirected it.

Y/N had no warnings. A blinding, sickening pain... a flash of light... distant screams... and the sensation of falling down a long dark tunnel...

∞ ϟ 9¾ ♔ ⚯͛ △r⃒⃘ ➵ ♆

A/N ~ The truth is out and it involves Devil's Draught >:)) (I mean, you all guessed, anyway...)

Again, reminder I'm updating only once a week because my school year is ending- I'll be writing lots more during summer break !!

Good day everyone x

-ScribblingQuills