A/N ~ No specific A/N just hi :))

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"Everyone, gather 'round, please!" said Harry, five minutes after Y/N landed on the ground with the Beater's bat.

Everyone whispered excitedly and practically ran to the middle of the pitch, where Harry stood with his clipboard.

Y/N and Ginny looked at each other and grinned, following the others with their brooms over their shoulders.

Y/N looked back to see Ron lingering behind them nervously.

"Oh, come on," she rolled her eyes, grinning, running back and taking Ron by the arm, marching him to the crowd of Gryffindors.

"Alright, remember- please don't object- don't whine," Harry glared at Cormac McLaggen, then turned back to the group. "Our Keeper is Ron Weasley."

Everyone clapped politely, and Ron's face relaxed.

Y/N, Hermione, Lavender and Ginny cheered loudly for him.

"Good job, Ron," Harry grinned, and McLaggen scoffed. "Now... the Chasers are- Katie Bell, Ginny Weasley and Demelza Robins."

Romilda Vane's jaw dropped, looking offended, but her friend clapped for the Chasers.

Y/N shook Ginny's shoulder excitedly, Katie smiled, and Demelza let out a delighted squeal.

"And finally, our Beaters..." Harry tried, hard, not to smile too much. "Jimmy Peakes and Y/N Scamander."

Y/N and Jimmy let out a huge sigh, as their friends clapped their backs.

"YEAHHH," Rolf and Luna whooped, clapping louder than the others.

Y/N squinted up at them and grinned, shaking her head.

"Beater! Fred and George would be proud!" Ginny kept repeating, beaming wildly.

Y/N was sure she could feel the glare Romilda was sending her, without looking.

"Congratulations, everyone," Harry said, pleased with his team, "our match isn't until November, but I expect you all to train yourselves, for now."

"When will be our first practice?" Demelza asked eagerly.

"Probably the beginning of October," said Harry, "'till then, take some laps daily, and you can always come to me if you have any questions."

"I have a question," said Romilda Vane, raising her hand confidently.

"You're not in the team." said Harry, frowning. "I'm not giving second chances-"

"Will you go out with me?" Romilda grinned, her eyes sparkling.

Several people gasped, including Ginny. Y/N was solely speechless, as Romilda batted her eyelashes at Harry boldly.

"No," Harry shot, making Romilda pout dramatically.

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"I mean- I thought I was going to miss that last one!" said Ron, as the Quartet walked to the Great Hall that evening. "And Cormac- looked like he'd been Confunded,"

"Yeah, I wonder why..." Y/N said sarcastically, crossing her arms. Hermione turned a very deep shade of pink.

Luckily, Ron didn't notice, for he continued to ramble about the tryouts, leading his three friends to dinner.

Just as they were about to enter the Great Hall, however, they were met by the same mob of Slytherins- Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle and Pansy.

"Your nose is still a little off-center, Potter," Malfoy sneered, "oh, right, it always has been!"

Crabbe and Goyle 'ooh'ed, but Y/N could see through Pansy's shriek laughter, that she was upset.

"Sod off, Malfoy," Y/N muttered, but the four Slytherins didn't budge.

"Leave Y/N alone, will you?" Harry said impatiently, glaring at Malfoy.

"Or what, Potter?" Malfoy laughed loudly, "I thought you Gryffindors take 'sharing is caring' seriously. Surely that includes pretty little Scamander, here."

As Malfoy continued to blabber, Y/N noticed that Pansy had went silent and her expression looked defeated.

As Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle cackled, the Slytherin girl backed out and slipped away from the group.

"That's it," Y/N said solidly, feeling a sudden pang of guilt and understanding.

"What'd you say, Scamander?" Malfoy laughed, still glancing humorously at Harry's red face.

"We need to talk." Y/N said impatiently, staring at Malfoy.

"What?" Malfoy, Harry, Ron and Hermione echoed.

"I want to talk to you, Malfoy!" Y/N said heatedly.

No one was longer laughing, only gazing at her in confusion.

"Now, Malfoy!" Y/N exclaimed.

"Y/N, what're you doing?" Harry whispered, sounding annoyed. "Talking to Draco Malfoy-?"

"Harry, I know what I'm doing." Y/N said firmly, not breaking eye contact with Malfoy. "I'll see you three in the hall."

She didn't know if Malfoy was scared or expected something from her, but he followed her, as she turned around and headed towards an empty corridor.

Y/N finally stopped once they were far enough from all the people, and Malfoy caught up with her.

"Getting cozy, are we?" he sniggered, licking his lips. Y/N wanted to gag.

"I'm going to talk to you, and you will listen." she said, hating how her voice shook.

"Will you give me a kiss in return?" Malfoy smirked.

"No, but I'll gladly give you a fist in the face." Y/N said calmly.

"You wouldn't do that," Malfoy snarled.

"Then shut up and listen." Y/N snapped, ignoring him. "I've tried other ways y'know- ignoring you, cursing you- but the only thing I did that got you thinking was talk. So I'm going to talk."

"Who said I'll listen?" Malfoy cocked a pale brow.

"Don't think I didn't notice," Y/N said cooly, "you stopped calling muggle-borns that word, after I talked to you, back in fourth year or something."

Malfoy didn't say anything. He simply stared at her like he was calculating her.

"Well." he finally said, after a long stare. "Give me your speech and go. Unless you really want to get cozy-"

"I'd rather give my speech, thank you." Y/N said loudly, her anger rising. "I'm just here to tell you to leave Harry and I alone."

"Oh, please it's not like you actually like him," Malfoy scoffed. "he's just the bloody Chosen One, and he's famous-"

"And I care about him more than anything," Y/N cut him off. "so sorry to burst your bubble, but I fancy him, not his lightning scar."

"Yeah, yeah, Harry Potter the saint," Malfoy rolled his eyes. "everything's all unicorns and butterflies with him-"

"What's your problem?" was all Y/N could manage through her anger. "His life is shit- and that's coming from someone who isn't even him-"

"I don't bloody care about his life!" Malfoy scoffed.

"You're a cruel git, you know that?" Y/N scoffed unbelievably. "Ever considered that was why I will never go out with you?"

"So what," Malfoy laughed. "I go all goody-goody, and you'll come running into my arms?"

"Did you hear the 'will never' part?" Y/N shot. "Besides- why not look around and go for someone who actually cares for you?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Did I stutter?"

"Well, sorry to burst your bubble, but no one cares for me!" Malfoy exclaimed, his face twisted.

"Someone does!"

"Yeah, right-"

"Pansy does." Y/N whispered.

She cursed herself and fell silent, biting her lip to shut herself up.

Malfoy stopped speaking. His expression was unusual and he stared at Y/N. After a moment, he said firmly,

"She doesn't."

"Godric, you're so stupid," Y/N let out a scoff of frustration, "Look- I won't and can't force you into your feelings, Malfoy, but you've never given Pansy a chance"

"She doesn't like me," Malfoy said stubbornly. "Her parents just want her to pull me into marriage because I'm rich-"

"Are you hearing yourself?" said Y/N, "You see her as- some sort of bait- some sort of-"

"I don't," Malfoy said fiercely.

"Then can't you see she cares for you?" Y/N said weakly. "Right. You can't even see it because you're busy chasing after someone who isn't even yours."

"Why do you care?" Malfoy barked. Y/N ignored him.

"Pansy's always been by your side, have you noticed?" She continued, "That girl cares for you more than anyone here... she's not pretending."

A rush of realization flooded Malfoy's mind.

Last year, when Pansy went after Harry, she was obsessed with him.

But she wasn't like that to him. She respected him. She'd always asked if he was alright, she didn't chase after him, but she... what's the word? Cared.

She owled him every day during summer break, though he tossed all her letters into the fire place- he really thought she was doing all of that to please her parents.

He'd always thought Pansy was just her parents' puppet- a path to an arranged marriage.

"From your theory- Pansy... she fancies me." Malfoy said quietly. "If I should give her a chance, why shouldn't you give me a chance?"

"Because I'm taken, you idiot!" Y/N exclaimed. "And- you don't like me, trust me. Maybe you like how I look- how flirting with me annoys Harry- but you don't like me."

Malfoy had thought about this.

He'd always thought Y/N was pretty, and exactly his type... but that was it.

It wouldn't be easy to let her go, since he had 'fancied' her for five years now, but he couldn't imagine fancying her anymore if she simply looked different.

Not that she was a horrible person, but her personality was made for somebody else to like...

"I'm never going to like you, Malfoy," Y/N shook her head. "I despise your mindset and your horrid behaviours and I love Harry."

The last words slipped out of her mouth before she could stop them. She grimaced and looked away from Malfoy.

"You really do?" Malfoy asked, in a slightly taunting way.

Y/N nodded.

They fell silent for a good awkward ten seconds.

"Well, I've got to say," Malfoy shrugged. "you have horrible taste."

"Nah, Harry does." Y/N said blandly.

"That's it then, your little speech?" Malfoy sneered. "Just like that, and you think you got rid of me?"

"Please think about Pansy." Y/N said sharply. "Having someone you care for- actually care for- not care about you at all... no one deserves that."

Vivid memories of Harry dancing with Cho at the Yule Ball flashed before her. The way they laughed and gazed into each others eyes... he looked perfectly happy.

"Even Pansy," Y/N added, shaking the thought away.

Malfoy was thinking...

Yes, he fancied Y/N since he was twelve.

But Pansy... he'd never thought about her. And he couldn't help but feel horribly guilty it took him six years to relaize she really, genuinely cared for him.

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"Today, we'll be doing none-verbal Protection Charms," Snape snarled at the students that stood before him.

There was noise from Lavender and Pansy.

"For duelling," Snape added sharply.

The whole class fell into a very uncomfortable silence, and Y/N felt like she wanted to sprint away.

"You will divide into pairs," Snape continued, his tone stone cold. "one partner will attempt to jinx the other, and the other will attempt to repel the jinx without speaking. Now, go."

The tables in the room had been pushed to the sides, so they all had a big and wide space to practice.

Not long after, everyone was paired up, and jinxes were sent across the room.

"Are you sure you want me to stun you?" Harry asked Y/N hesitantly, after she'd told him she wanted to try, first.

"Of course," said Y/N, rolling up her sleeves. "it's just the stunning spell, isn't it? I've faced worse."

She grinned and gave him a wink, raising her wand in front of her.

"Right," Harry smirked, raising his own wand. "but be careful-"

"I'll be fine, Harold." Y/N said sternly.

"Alright then, on the count of three," said Harry, "three... two... one... Stupefy!"

Protego! Y/N thought desperately, but nothing came from her wand.

The red light hit her in the face and she fell, backwards, into darkness...

"Renervate!"

Y/N jolted up, breathing heavily. Harry was kneeling beside her, looking guilty. His ring was glowing green with worry.

"Hey, you alright?" he asked in concern.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"That's what you get for unnecessary confidence, Miss Scamander," Snape's lips curled, as he swept past the two.

"At least I'm doing something aren't I?" Y/N muttered, as Harry pulled her by the arm to her feet. "Stun me again."

"What?" Harry said blankly.

Y/N stood up and dusted herself, before picking her wand up from the ground.

"Do it again, I almost got it," Y/N said eagerly, biting her bottom lip determinedly. "I'm ready."

"You sure you don't want to start with, like, a tripping jinx?"

"Trust me, I'll do it this time," Y/N grinned. "Go on,"

Harry looked hesitant, but wouldn't dare argue with a determined Y/N. He sighed, his jaw twitching, as he pulled out his wand again.

"Three..." he breathed, "two... one... Stupefy!"

Protego! Y/N flicked her wand, slashing the red light away.

She jolted, staggering back slightly from the impact of the spell, but the her protection charm had worked.

Harry let out a sigh of relief and smiled at his girlfriend.

"You did it," he said faintly, "that was amazing!"

Even Snape, who was watching them from the beginning, had nothing bad to say.

He rolled his eyes and strolled to watch Hermione and Ron instead.

"It's harder than you think," Y/N laughed, still slightly taken aback. "alright... your turn?"

"Right. OK, I'm ready." Harry straightened himself and brought up his wand. "Hit me with any spell."

"Sure," Y/N smiled slyly, directing her wand at Harry's chest. "Three... two-"

"No, no, no," Snape snapped, gliding in front of Y/N. "Pathetic, Scamander. You don't really count out loud in a real duel, do you?"

"Well sir, it isn't a real duel-"

"Step aside," Snape said firmly, not looking at Y/N. "I'll show you-"

He turned to Harry so fast that Harry reacted instictively- he forgot about the non-verbal part, and yelled out,

"Protego!"

His spell was so impactful that Snape was sent off-balance and hit a table behind him.

The whole class fell silent and looked around.

"Do you remember me telling you we're doing non-verbal Protection Charms, Potter?" Snape said through gritted teeth.

"Yes," said Harry stiffly.

"Yes sir,"

"There's no need to call me "sir", Professor."

Several people gasped, including Hermione.

Behind Snape, however, Y/N, Ron, Seamus and Dean were grinning appreciatively.

"Detention, Saturday night, my office," said Snape. "I do not take cheek from anyone, Potter... not even the Chosen One."

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It was mid October and already snowing subtly.

Y/N woke up on the day of their first Hogsmeade trip to Hermione's favourite song playing on the record player. Their dormitory was practically an icebox.

'... the second hand unwinds, if you're lost you can look and you will find me... time after time...'

"Hermione..." Y/N muttered, eyes still shut, as she curled up under her covers. "can you please warm the place with that warming charm?"

"That's what I've been doing the whole morning," said Hermione sternly from her bed. She was putting on her scarf and gloves.

"Let me guess," Y/N groaned, rubbing her eyes. "you stopped it, so I would wake up?"

"Yes." Hermione said bitterly. "Will you get up, now? Harry and Ron are waiting."

Y/N let out another tired groan and yawned, before sitting up.

"Now can you start the warming charm again?" she gave Hermione a pleading look.

Hermione grinned and waved her wand, and the dorm became nice and warm.

Y/N quickly went in the bathroom, slipped on several layers of clothes and her good old woollen hat Harry had given to her years ago.

Then, the two girls went down to the common room and met up with Harry and Ron.

"G'morning," said Harry, as Y/N and Hermione approached them.

He gave Y/N a kiss on the forehead and pushed the front of her hat over her eyes playfully.

"Morning," Ron yawned, stretching his arms. "why is Scotland so bloody cold all the time?"

Then, they went down to have breakfast. The Great Hall was quieter than usual, since it was already ten in the morning.

After breakfast, they went down to the courtyard and got their bags searched and checked by Filch.

"Why does it matter if we're smuggling Dark stuff out?" Y/N huffed, five minutes later, when Filch was finally satisfied.

They walked through the snowy paths after the other third year and above students that were also heading to Hogsmeade.

Snow was gently falling and they talked about Quidditch along the way, arriving at the village, fifteen minutes later.

Y/N liked it when the rooftops of the shops were covered in snow- it was so overwhelmingly beautiful.

They all agreed to go get butterbeer first, since they all fancied a warm drink, but when Ron pushed open the old oak door to The Three Broomsticks-

"This place is packed," Ron gaped around at the bar. His three friends stood behind him unsurely.

The bar was extremely noisy and indeed, every table and chair was occupied.

"Well then," Ron sighed, closing the door and turning around. "there's always Madam Puddifoot's-"

"No." Harry, Y/N and Hermione said firmly.

"There's Hog's Head, how about that?" Y/N suggested. "He haven't been there in a while."

The last time she was there was with Harry, on Valentine's day, after long hours of spending their money.

"That bar is filled with old people," Ron groaned.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Y/N said, crossing her arms. "didn't know you wanted to be surrounds by crawling infants while you sip your butterbeer,"

Harry and Hermione snorted and Ron scowled at her, but they all ended up agreeing on going to Hog's Head Inn.

The bar of the inn was just how Y/N remembered.

It was old and creaky and (Ron was correct) was a gathering place for old wizards and witches.

They spotted a few young Aurors in the corner (no Tonks, unfortunately), but other than that, it was nothing near as cheerful as The Three Broomsticks.

"How can I help you?" the old barman grunted, when the Quartet entered the bar.

"We'll just have four warm butterbeers, please," Hermione said politely.

The bearded barman nodded and turned to the back of the bar, shouting,

"Sebastian! Four mugs of butterbeer!"

The Quartet found a table towards the back of the bar and sat down, rubbing their hands.

"Freezing cold, it is," Hermione sighed, "anyway- you all saw Parkinson and Malfoy at The Three Broomsticks, right?"

There was a beat of confused silence.

"What do you mean?" Y/N said quickly.

"Oh, did no one notice?" Hermione scoffed, furrowing her eyebrows.

"Well, they're not exactly eye-catching, Hermione," said Ron rolled his eyes. "So are you going to tell us, or-?"

"I think they're going out." Hermione said, matter-of-factly.

"What?" Y/N and Harry exclaimed, raising their eyebrows.

"What makes you say that?" Y/N asked.

"They were getting pretty cozy in there, weren't they?" Hermione said with a shrug. "And Parkinson's been looking a lot more cheerful, lately."

"True... and less annoying," Ron slowly nodded. "yeah, they probably are."

"Pansy- Pansy Parkinson dating Draco Malfoy?" Y/N repeated, her eyes still wide.

"Yes... why?" Hermione frowned at Y/N.

"I- they're... that's good, isn't it?" Y/N tried her hardest not to break into a smile.

"I mean- good for them, I guess," Ron said in confusion.

"Yeah..." Y/N quickly nodded. "Good for them..."

It worked again. She'd talked to Malfoy and he listened, again.

Y/N couldn't help but feel happy for Pansy, despite their bad reputation together.

"That's Dumbledore, isn't it?" said Hermione quietly. She was glancing at the barman.

Y/N turned and looked at him too, as he yelled at one of the old wizards. He had long grey hair and a long beard to match, and his eyes were blue... the same blue as Albus Dumbledore's.

"What?" Ron said blankly.

"Really, Hermione..." Harry was grinning.

"He very much could be," Y/N said thoughtfully.

"You both are joking, right?" Ron laughed, patting Y/N on the back.

"Not Albus, you idiots," Y/N said bitterly, "Aberforth. Aberforth Dumbledore."

"Dumbledore has a brother?" Harry asked, puzzled.

"I thought you'd know that." Hermione blinked at him. "I didn't know he was a barman, though."

"Maybe there's a chance he's not a Dumbledore?" Harry said humorously, glancing at the old man.

"Maybe," Hermione shrugged, "but I'm pretty sure..."

"Hello guys," said a cool but kind voice.

The Quartet looked up to see a young man standing in front of the. He looked not much older than themselves.

He had curly soft brown hair, huge blue eyes, a defined face, and a pointy nose.

He wore nice clothes, and was carrying a tray of butterbeers in his hands.

"Oh-" Hermione said blankly, staring at the man. "you really didn't have to-"

"Nah, I don't mind," the young man grinned, showing his perfectly lined teeth.

"Thanks," The Quartet gave him a warm smile, as he lowered the butterbeer mugs onto the table.

"Sir- can I ask you something?" Hermione said politely.

The young man looked at her with raised eyebrows.

"Sure thing," he replied kindly.

"What's your name?" asked Hermione. "Like- your full name?"

Y/N appreciated how straight-forward Hermione was.

"Oh, I'm Sebastian," said the man, "Sebastian Dumbledore." he added quickly.

"I knew you were a Dumbledore," Hermione grinned.

"Well you're a smart young lady," Sebastian raise an eyebrow, "what are your names?"

"Y/N Scamander," Y/N gave him a small smile.

"I'm Hermione Granger," Hermione beamed at the young man eagerly.

"Ron Weasley," said Ron, emerging from his mug with a foam mustache.

"I'm Harry," said Harry, knowing perfectly well he didn't have to give his last name for Sebastian to realize-

"Harry Potter," the young Dumbledore nodded, his blue eyes landing on Harry's scar. "I've heard a lot about you. It's great to finally meet you,"

He extended a hand for all of them to shake, and they shook it politely.

"So you're Dumbledore's great-nephew!" Ron said excitedly.

Sebastian chuckled and nodded.

"I guess so," he smiled, "though, Gramps always tries to ignore Albus... In fact- I can't remember the last time We've talked to that man."

"That's why only a few people know of Aberforth," Hermione said understandingly. "sorry for bothering you, by the way-"

"Not at all," Sebastian said politely. His voice was calm and slow, yet, cheerful. "you lot from Hogwarts?"

"Yup," said Ron,

"I remember you two," Sebastian's blue eyes landed on Y/N and Harry. "you were here last Vaneltine's. Yeah, I remember." he gave the two a wink.

Harry's cheeks went pinker than ever, remembering what happened that day.

"We don't get a lot of young customers here," Sebastian explained. "don't blame them, really. This place is filthy."

"You don't look so old, yourself," said Hermione, "how old are you?"

"Just turned twenty," Sebastian said with a small sigh.

"We've never seen you at Hogwarts," Ron frowned. "You're my brother Percy's age, and he was at Hogwarts until our third year-"

"Oh, I've never went to Hogwarts." Sebastian said, fiddling with his sleeve. "I- I've been helping my grandpa with the inn since forever. Didn't want to go to school."

"Sebastian! Are you disturbing my customers?" Aberforth Dumbledore's head poked from behind the counter, his eyebrows were knitted together.

Now Y/N could clearly see the resemblance with him and his brother.

"Sorry, Gramps," Sebastian muttered bitterly, turning around to leave.

"Oh, he isn't!" Hermione quickly said. "In fact- you can sit with us, if you want to."

"Really?" Sebastian turned around, his eyes larger and brighter than ever.

"Yeah, you seem cool," said Ron, nodding in agreement.

"Can I, grandpa?" Sebastian turned to Aberforth once more.

Y/N felt sorry for him. It was odd seeing a full grown man asking his grandfather permission to talk to people.

Aberforth looked hesitant for a moment, but gave up on Sebastian's pleading eyes.

"Fine," he huffed, and returned to the front of the bar.

"Thank you so much," Sebastian looked happier than ever.

He placed the empty tray on a nearby table and pulled out a chair and sat down between Ron and Y/N.

"My grandpa doesn't like me socializing with his customers," he explained bitterly, "or anyone, really. Never had friends, been stuck here since forever."

"That's horrible," said Harry, knowing perfectly well how awful being stuck in some place you didn't like was.

"So is there a reason you're not allowed to have friends?" Y/N asked Sebastian curiously.

"Well, for one- I, myself, don't really find many people interesting." said Sebastian, scratching the back of his head. "You lot are one of the few people, actually."

"And what's the other reason?" Hermione asked, trying to contain her curiosity.

"Gramps is very protective of me," the curly-haired wizard sighed. "he lost my dad and mum to the war, and doesn't want to lose me too."

"I'm sorry..." said Harry,

"Doesn't matter," Sebastian muttered. "But that's why Gramps is all protective. Especially because I'm related to Albus Dumbledore, and we all know You-Know-Who wants him dead."

Something caught Y/N's eye.

Sebastian had been stretching, and she could see, at the stem of his neck, an area of his skin was shiny and rough.

She frowned, wanting to ask about it, but knew it would be rude.

"-but we aren't safe. This place was burnt down by death eaters a few years back." Sebastian said, "I was injured quite badly- grandpa wasn't- I was sent to St Mungo's for a whole month."

That was why...

"Oh, I'm sorry." Hermione said quietly.

"Nah, don't be." Sebastian shook his head. "got a badass burn across my back, now... anyway- enough about me, tell me about yourselves."

The Quartet took turns telling Sebastian about themselves, cutting across and adding on to each other's stories.

They kept on speaking over each other that they ended up arguing, and making Sebastian laugh. His laugh seemed cold, but genuine.

Y/N really liked the young man, and so did her friends.

She felt bad that he didn't have any friends, because he was really kind and relaxed, though he had really dry humour (probably from living with an old man for years).

He had a handful of goat jokes and goat knowledge from his grandfather and was also really interested in Quidditch.

Apparently he was there for the last World Cup and claimed that that day was one of the best days of his life.

"For once, my grandpa let me go out to the scary, scary public," Sebastian said sarcastically with an eye roll.

And then Y/N decided to tell him about Quidditch at Hogwarts.

"Wait- so correct me if I'm wrong," Sebastian said with raised eyebrows. "all three of you are in the Gryffindor Quidditch team?"

"That's correct," said Hermione, looking proud of her friends.

"Wicked!" Sebastian said in awe. "Then what are popular folks like you lot doing at Hog's Head?"

"Well," said Ron, "at first we actually wanted to go to The Three-"

"It's really nice here," Hermione said hurriedly, kicking Ron under the table. "less busy and more... relaxing."

Her three friends nodded robotically.

Sebastian laughed and shook his head.

"Very nice of you, Hermione," he said, "but I know this place wasn't your first choice. It's fine, I don't like it here, too."

"Well... it will be our first choice from now on," Harry said quickly. "it's actually quite nice- and you're nice."

"Yeah, you should come to Hogwarts, some time." said Y/N, "For a Quidditch match, or something. I mean, you are related to the headmaster."

"Oh... I dunnno," Sebastian's smile dropped. "Grandpa and Albus don't necessarily get along..."

"Well, we're going to get you out of here somehow," Ron said with a grin.

"That'd be a dream come true," Sebastian said grimly. "There's nothing here but goats, beers, and old wizards."

∞ ϟ 9¾ ♔ ⚯͛ △r⃒⃘ ➵ ♆

"Hey, Harry, m'boy!"

Slughorn approached them from the entrance of The Three Broomsticks just as the Quartet walked out of Zonko's with bags of products in their hands.

"Hello sir," Harry said politely, shaking Slughorn's hand, "wonderful to see you,"

"And you!" Slughorn chuckled, patting Harry on the back. "you too, Miss Scamander, Miss Granger... and you- er- Rupert,"

Ron smiled at him weakly, his cheeks red from the cold.

"Since you all are here, you'll be the first to get the invitations!" Slughorn exclaimed, rubbing his hands together.

"Sir?" Harry said blankly.

"You, Harry, m'boy-" said Slughorn, "and Miss Scamander and Miss Granger, you are part of the Slug Club!"

Y/N has heard of the Slug Club.

It was Slughorn's own club that he gathered of popular and famous students.

Her dad was also part of it, because his dad was Newt Scamander.

"And don't worry, Miss Scamander, your brother is  invited, too," the Professor chuckled. "There's going to be a dinner party in the dungeons, next Sunday, and you three are invited!"

"Er- sir, Y/N and I have Quidditch practice," said Harry, glancing at Y/N, "I'm afraid we'll have to miss this one."

"Oh no-! What a shame," Slughorn tutted, "No worries, there are more dinners and parties to come. Well, enjoy yourselves, I have to head back, now."

"Good day, sir," the four chorused.

And with that, Slughorn took off back towards the castle.

At that exact moment, the door of The Three Broomsticks swung open, again- and out came Pansy and Malfoy.

Pansy was dressed in a very fancy-looking fur coat, and Malfoy was in a black suit.

They were linking arms and both laughing- actually laughing, not sneering or cackling.

This took all four Gryffindors by surprise- they'd never seen either of them find joy in something other than bullying before.

When Pansy and Malfoy spotted the four, however, they froze and fell silent.

"What're you all gaping at?" Pansy shot at them, frowning, as pure white snow fell onto her pitch black hair.

Hermione opened her mouth a couple of times, but nothing came from it.

"Nothing. We were about to leave." Y/N said cooly.

She was glad to see Pansy not glaring at her, just simply calculating her curiously.

"Well, run along, then," Malfoy said, flicking his wrist broadly.

The Quartet didn't hesitate to walk away- far away from the busy part of Hogsmeade...

They stopped and stood in the middle of a long bridge that was covered in snow and gazed at the beautiful and clear view of Hogwarts.

"You know... that was weird," Hermione announced, after a long silence.

"Well, Hermione, weird is  kind of Malfoy's default, " said Ron, throwing an arm around her shoulder and hugging her close.

Hermione smiled, her face turning pink, and she let him have his arm around her warmly.

"Niff," Harry said quietly, turning to Y/N. "You did something... did you? About Malfoy and Parkinson."

Ron and Hermione's eyes fell on Y/N and they all waited for an answer.

"Well," Y/N felt her face go hot. "I... might've talked Malfoy into his senses."

"Unbelievable!" said Ron, "'Malfoy' and 'senses' don't really go well together in a sentence."

"Very Y/N of you," Harry smirked, side-eying her. "helping out our mortal enemies."

"I wasn't- helping them," Y/N said, rolling her eyes at him. "I was- Pansy was- I'm tired of her being so ignorant- and Malfoy- he's a git. But Pansy-"

"Y/N... Y/N," Harry said loudly, over her splattered words, but Y/N didn't seem to be listening. "Y/N,"

Harry cupped her face with both his gloved hands and looked her in the eye. Y/N fell silent and stared back into his eyes.

"What?" she said blankly, her face between his hands.

Harry grinned, pulled her close, and kissed her.

Y/N raised her eyebrows, taken back, but let him kiss her as the snow brushed against their faces.

Y/N could feel Harry grin teasingly between their lips.

After a few seconds, Harry pulled away and patted her on the head, still smirking to himself.

"Or you could just tell me to shut up," Y/N grinned, shaking her head and turning back to gaze at the castle in front of them.

"I'd like to leave," Ron said loudly, crossing his arms.

"You can't be serious," Hermione scoffed.

"No," said Harry, "that's my godfath-" he stopped immediately when Y/N threw him a glare.

"If you've forgotten, Ron," Y/N turned to the redhead. "you were the one that wanted us together."

"When you were my friend," said Ron, heatedly, "now you're like my sister. So technically I'm watching my sister and my best mate snog in front of me."

"So?" Hermione huffed, grinning, "What if Y/N looked over here and saw us snogging each other, d'you expect her to just turn away and leave?"

Ron stared at her, his lips parted slightly, and Y/N and Harry swapped mischievous grins.

Y/N noticed two girls walking past them... they seemed to be fighting.

One of the girls was Katie Bell, one of Gryffindor's Chasers, walking ahead of her friend with a brown envelope in her hand.

"You don't know what it could be, Katie!" said Katie's friend, making Katie speed up her walk.

"Leave me alone, Leanne!" Katie yelled back, shrugging her friend off.

Y/N seemed to be the only one that had noticed them.

"Ni-iff," Harry sang, trying to get her attention, "Earth to planet Niff... do you copy?"

Y/N grinned, rolling her eyes and turning her attention back to Harry and his smile.

"Yes, I copy." Y/N smiled back at him. "I just thought-"

She was cut off by a loud and terrifying scream.

The Quartet whipped their heads around in terror.

They looked at each other blankly, before sprinting to the source of the scream.

At the end of the bridge was Katie's friend, Leanne.

Her face was filled with horror and she was staring at an unconscious Katie, who's body sprawled in the snow.

The envelope she was holding earlier was also on the floor, ripped open.

A beautiful emerald necklace was seen slipping out of it.

"What happened?" Y/N ran to Leanne's side, her eyes glued on Katie.

"I- I- t-told her not to t-t-touch it!" the Hufflepuff girl sobbed, her face in her hands.

Katie let out a horrible scream, like she was seeing a terrible nightmare, and her body rose into the air.

Leanne and Y/N ran forwards to grab each of her ankles, and Ron, Hermione and Harry quickly ran over to help them.

After several seconds of struggle, they all were forced to let go and Katie's body hovered ten yards into the air.

With her arms elegantly rose to her sides, Katie let out another gut-wrenching scream, and Leanne was screaming with her.

Then, she fell.

Ron and Harry aimed to catch her, but she was still screaming and wouldn't let go near her.

"Get back, all of yeh!" Came a gruff voice from behind them.

Hagrid came marching into the scene in his huge fur coat.

"Professor Hagrid, help!" Leanne cried helplessly, falling to her knees beside her friend.

"I've got it, I've got 'er," said Hagrid, walking past the Quartet to where Katie was.

Hagrid scooped Katie into his arms with ease and turned back to the rest of them.

"Take the necklace in the wrapper- don' touch it- 'n get back to the castle." he told them, "Take it to Professor McGonagall immediately!"

∞ ϟ 9¾ ♔ ⚯͛ △r⃒⃘ ➵ ♆

A/N ~ HEY THANK YOU SM FOR 2 MILLION READS<3 Thanks for every message, vote, comment, and just everything. I LOVE YOU ALL!!

Especially excited and nervous for the next chapter... alright bye :)

-ScribblingQuills