A/N ~ Hello everyone, sorry for the late update- this chapter is a little longer than usual. Sit back, relax and enjoy :)

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It wasn't working. The Quartet without Y/N and Harry's bond was barely anything.

Whenever all four of them were together, Ron and Hermione would be the main ones talking.

When either Y/N or Harry joins in, the other would stay silent for the whole rest of the conversation.

It made Y/N's heart heavy every time she realized how much she missed him.

She saw him every day, he was always right in front of her, yet she felt like she'd already lost him.

Every time Harry spoke, Y/N caught herself staring at him and asking herself useless questions.

How could he? Where did she do wrong? Why couldn't he love her the way she loved him?

She knew, unlike herself, Harry hadn't been completely ignoring her.

He had tried, time after time, to speak to her, but Y/N found herself shutting him off and running away from whatever he had to say.

She had taken her mood bracelet and pebble ring off.

The pebble ring was long gone, somewhere at the bottom of her trunk, but she kept her bracelet by her nightstand.

Though it wasn't around her wrist anymore, she was terrified to see it glow pink whenever she thought of Harry. Sometimes the pink would switch to blue...

"I want a foot-long essay on Devil's Draught by Friday!" Professor Slughorn's voice made Y/N jump. "now off you go! Have a great evening!"

The classroom stirred and everyone stood up to leave.

Y/N transported back to her senses and quickly threw her books and stationary back into her bag.

She and Hermione departed the dungeons after that, taking a different route back to the common room to avoid Harry.

"You know, I find it really interesting," Hermione said thoughtfully, as they went up the marble stairs.

"Ron's hair, I assume, is what you're referring to?" Y/N smirked. Hermione threw her a harsh glare and Y/N pursed her lips shut.

"Devil's Draught," Hermione explained, "the effect of the potion sounds very familiar, to me."

"OK, and why is that?" Y/N said with a frown. Hermione raised her eyebrows. "no, I wasn't listening."

"Devil's Draught is a peace-breaker," Hermione explained with a disappointed sigh, "it triggers the drinker's intrusive thoughts."

"Well, I did hear that part," said Y/N. "I just didn't understand."

"Hmm... you know when you hear the two voices in your head," said Hermione, "one of them is the saint and the other is the devil?"

"I'm guessing Devil's Draught triggers the devil," Y/N huffed.

"Exactly,"

"I don't need that potion, I trust my devil, it makes better decisions."

"I was just wondering..." Hermione said in a low voice, "if... you know..."

"I don't know." said Y/N swiftly, "Hermione, I don't want to talk about work right now. We have the whole week to finish that essay."

She knew what Hermione was implying. But she also knew Hermione would go to the ends of the world to find an excuse to bring Y/N and Harry back together.

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"A one-foot essay in a week?" Ron groaned as he threw himself onto his bed.

Harry sighed, muttered something in agreement, and climbed onto his own bed, before throwing his blanket over himself.

The boys lay in silence for a moment, gazing up at the ceiling of their four-poster bed and processing the day through.

"Lucky I've got Hermione." Ron whispered, "she'll help me."

"Lucky I've got-" Harry stopped himself before he could blurt out Y/N's name. "The Half-Blood Prince."

"I should've let you get the newer book," Ron grunted, "so I could have the one with mysterious cheat codes,"

Harry laughed weakly.

"You know, a lot of people had been coming up to me, lately," said Ron, snorting slightly.

"Really?" Harry asked as he stared at the ceiling.

"Yeah, mostly boys, but there were some girls, too," Ron continued, "they wanted to know if Y/N was- and I quote- available."

"Really?" said Harry for the second time, a little more eager. "What did you tell them?"

"I told them I would take away their house points if they didn't stop nagging," Ron huffed, "Y/N's become popular, this year, hasn't she? What do you suppose people see in her?"

"I don't know," Harry quickly said. "I mean she's... smart..."

"She is," Ron nodded in agreement.

"Funny..."

"I suppose, yeah,"

"... attractive,"

"Attractive?" Ron frowned.

"I mean from- probably- from other people's perspective," Harry sputtered.

Ron thought about it; Hermione was really smart... she could be funny at times, and she was definitely attractive... in his perspective, at least.

Did he like her? Well definitely. Otherwise, they wouldn't have remained friends for years.

But what he felt for her wasn't like the love he had for Y/N or Harry.

"Harry, I have a question..."

"Yeah?"

"Have you ever been in love?"

Ron knew it was a stupid question, but he asked anyway.

Harry thought about it... but he really didn't have to.

"Once." He replied gloomily.

Ron raised his eyebrows, taken back by Harry's honestly.

"Why'd it end?" Ron asked quietly.

"It hasn't," Harry whispered, recalling a certain smile he hadn't seen for weeks. "It never will."

There was a ringing silence, as the two of them stared above. The only sound was the sound of crackling fire from the fireplace.

"Mate..." Ron started.

"What."

"It's Y/N, isn't it?"

"Who else would it be..." Harry uttered quietly.

"Would you at least tell me about your fight, now?" Ron pondered, "You've kept it to yourself for the past fortnight. Maybe I can help."

"It was foul of me. I said something horrible," Harry replied in a mere mutter, "a lie."

"I'm guessing she took it seriously?"

"Anyone would've taken it seriously," said Harry, "it wasn't her fault."

"That, I know," said Ron grimly, "you know, if you were some other bloke I wouldn't be talking to you right now, but you're my best mate. I know you would never intentionally hurt Y/N."

"I don't know why I said it," Harry admitted, closing his eyes, "it was like- it wasn't my own words, but it came out of my own mouth."

"And what exactly did you say?" Ron asked hesitantly, not sure if he wanted to know or not.

"I told her I knew she had feelings for Malfoy," grumbled Harry, "when I'm perfectly aware of how loyal she is."

"What made you say it, then?" asked Ron.

"I really don't know," and Harry meant it, "it was like I was- half under an Imperius curse. Like I was saying my petty thoughts out loud."

"Then you should tell her that," advised Ron, "she's not stupid. She'll understand."

"That would sound like an excuse, wouldn't it?" Harry huffed. "She took off the bracelet and the ring I gave her, did you notice?"

There was another pause of thoughtful silence.

"Why'd you ask, anyway?" Harry finally spoke up.

"About what?"

"Whether or not I'm in love..."

"Oh... um," Ron rolled over to his side, sighing under his breath as he thought of Hermione. "I... just curious."

∞ ϟ 9¾ ♔ ⚯͛ △r⃒⃘ ➵ ♆

It was the day of the Gryffindor vs Slytherin Quidditch match and Ron was missing.

The Gryffindor table was sprawled with red and gold, and everyone looked ecstatic.

Y/N and Harry were in their Quidditch jumper and were silently eating breakfast on opposite sides of the table, and Hermione was the only one who spoke.

"Honestly, where is Ron?" Hermione huffed for the fourth time, craning her neck around the Great Hall.

"I'm sure he'll be here, Hermione," Y/N assured Hermione.

"Do you think he ran off?" Hermione asked worriedly, not touching her food, "He looked horrible when we left him in the common room- oh never mind, there he is!"

Ron had just entered the Great Hall, looking as peaky as ever.

He was gripping his Cleansweep tensely and was making his way through the hall, staring at nothing but the floor.

Some Gryffindors pat him on the back and some Slytherins mocked him as he walked past.

Ron ignored them, came over, and sat down next to Y/N without saying a word.

Hermione quickly whipped out her copy of the Daily Prophet and cast her eyes down, as if she hadn't noticed his arrival at all.

"Hey," Ron said weakly. "how was it, Hermione?"

"How was what?" Hermione asked casually, her eyes still glued to the newspaper.

"Slughorn's dinner party," said Ron,

"Not bad, actually," Hermione shrugged, "You know, Slughorn's having a Christmas party. And you've got to go this time, Y/N, Harry."

"I know, I am planning to go," said Y/N, straightening herself.

"Who're you bringing?" Hermione asked with raised eyebrows, looking up curiously.

"What do you mean?" Harry blurted out swiftly, also looking up from his plate.

"We're meant to bring someone," Hermione cleared her throat, looking between Y/N and Harry with a knowing gaze.

"Well, I'm bringing no one," said Y/N quickly, "Who're you bringing, Hermione?"

"I s'pose McLaggen?" said Ron, scoffing slightly, "he's in the Slug Club, isn't he?"

Hermione looked at him, offended, and quickly set aside the Daily Prophet.

"Actually, I was going to ask you," she said, matter-of-factly.

Silence fell and Ron gaped at Hermione unbelievably, as she started biting off her piece of toast slightly aggressively.

Y/N smirked at their petty interaction.

"It's sunny, today," Harry piped up, looking hesitantly at Y/N. "Beaters should fly low to avoid the sunlight."

Y/N looked up at him and scowled. Harry caught her glare and quickly looked away, his cheeks tinting pink.

"Seekers should mind their own business," Y/N retorted loudly,

"Well, this Seeker also happens to be your captain," chided Harry in a calm tone, not meeting her glare.

"This Beater also happens to not give a f-"

"Y/N," Hermione scolded, sending Y/N a look similar to Mrs Weasley's.

"Anyway," Y/N said loudly, shifting her gaze to Ron. "you should eat, Ron. You look like you need some energy."

Ron weakly grimaced and shook his head, coming back to the pressure of the match.

"Good luck, Ron!" called Lavender, as she stopped behind him with a giggling Parvati by her side, "I know you'll be brilliant! You too, Y/N, Harry,"

Y/N gave the girl a warm smile, but Ron ignored her.

Lavender and Parvati burst into giggles and left, crossing paths with another pair of enthusiastic faces.

"Hello, everyone-except-Harry!" Rolf exclaimed brightly, as he approached the Gryffindor table with Luna by his side. Y/N looked up and stared at the two of them.

They were both wearing their usual interactive lion hats which roared very realistically, both beaming at the day like it was the best.

Luna's long blonde hair blended in with the lion's mane and Rolf's poofy dark blonde hair was pressed flat, framing his face.

The sight looked slightly humourous and lightened the tension between the four Gryffindors.

"Excited, Niff?" Rolf asked Y/N, nudging her arm as he and Luna slipped into seats next to Hermione.

"Nice broom, Y/N," said Luna, in her usual feathery voice, as she caught sight of Y/N's new Nimbus 2003.

"Thanks," Y/N gave the two a weak grin.

"You look terrible, Ron," frowned Luna, staring at Ron's state. "is that why you put something in his drink, Harry?"

Y/N heard this and whirled to Harry, and so did Hermione. He had a small glittering vial in his hand and was grinning broadly.

"Is it a tonic?" Luna asked curiously.

Harry didn't reply but slipped the vial back into his pocket. Y/N, Hermione, and Ron then realized what Harry had put in the drink.

Ron's face lit up and he quickly grabbed the goblet of pumpkin juice Harry had pushed him.

"Don't drink it, Ron!" Hermione hissed.

Luna and Rolf looked at each other blankly, with slight confusion.

Ron didn't listen to Hermione. He brought up the goblet to his lips and drained down all the juice.

"You could be expelled for that," Y/N jeered, glaring at Harry.

"Dunno what you're talking about," Harry shrugged, sending her a side smirk.

As Ron drained down the Felix Felicis, his ill expression evaporated, and a look of confidence appeared on his face.

He lowered the cup, licked his lips, and smiled boldly.

"Come on, Harry," he breathed, "we've got a game to win."

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The weather has never been better for quidditch. It was just slightly cloudy, the sun was out, and there was barely any wind.

As Y/N, Harry and Ron got ready in the changing room, they heard from Dean and Ginny that Malfoy had called absent for the match.

"Who's replaced Malfoy for Seeker?" Y/N asked Dean and Ginny.

"They're playing Harper," replied Ginny, slipping on her gloves. "he's in my year and he's an idiot."

"What a lucky day, isn't it, Ron?" Harry grinned.

"Damn right," Ron didn't look nervous anymore. He wore a look of pride and confidence, as he clipped on his helmet.

"Ready, Y/N?" said Jimmy Peakes, the other Gryffindor Beater, giving her a warm smile as he threw Y/N her Beater's bat.

"I think so," Y/N replied and took in a deep breath.

She was less nervous as she was, last year, as Seeker. Being a Beater meant she didn't have to compete against anyone.

Five minutes later, the seven Gryffindors walked out to the pitch to numerous cheers and boos.

Y/N distinctively heard the roars from Luna and Rolf's lion hats.

Harry walked up to Madam Hooch, the referee, who stood in the middle of the pitch, ready to release the balls from the wooden chest.

"Captains, shake hands," she said, and Harry's hand seemed to be crushed by Urquhart's. "Mount your brooms... on the whistle- three... two... one-"

The whistle sounded and Y/N kicked off the ground. She gripped her bat tightly and soared into the bright, clear sky.

"Well, there you go!" said a loud echoing voice from the commentator's stand. "I think we're all surprised to see the team Potter's put together, this year."

"Bloody hell, not Zacharias Smith!" Jimmy Peakes scoffed, as he flew along with Y/N.

Y/N glanced at the commentator's stand and, sure enough, she spotted a triumphant-looking Zacharias Smith sitting next to Professor McGonagall.

"We all thought Ron Weasley would be off the team, this year, didn't we?" Zach laughed hollowly. "But of course, a close friendship with the captain does help..."

Y/N circled around the pitch, warming herself up whilst looking for a Bludger to aim and hit.

"Now, we have Y/N Scamander, here," Zach continued, "Not the usual built for a Beater, but we all know being the captain's ex-girlfriend is a privilege."

"Hit a Bludger at him!" Harry called to Y/N as she zoomed past.

Y/N shrugged and aimed the Bludger at the Slytherin Chaser that was carrying the Quaffle instead.

Moments later, Harry heard the dunk sound of the Bludger meeting its mark and the Quaffle was dropped...

It seemed as though Gryffindor could do no wrong.

Half an hour later, Gryffindor was leading, sixty points to zero, for Ron has managed to save every single goal.

After a while, Zach stopped accusing Ron, Ginny, and Y/N of making the team from pure bias and attacked Jimmy Peakes instead.

So far, Y/N and Jimmy had prevented every Bludger from colliding with their team.

Y/N later earned a great cheer when she sent a very rough Bluder at one of the Slytherin Chasers, making him spiral to the ground with his broomstick's handle snapped in half.

"Merlin's pants-!" Zacharias exclaimed into his mic, as he witnessed the scene, "So she is good..."

Again and again, Gryffindor scored, and again and again, at the other end of the pitch, Ron saved goals with ease.

He was actually smiling now, and the crowd greeted each good save with a rousing chorus of 'Weasley Is Our King'.

"Thinks he's something special today, doesn't he?" said a snide voice, behind Y/N. "Your blood-traitor pal..."

One of the Slytherin Beaters with jet black hair, Jenkins, sneered as he approached Y/N.

Before she could reply, Jenkins flew into her at full speed and elbowed her shoulder roughly.

Y/N let out a gasp of pain and clutched her shoulder, slightly losing balance on her broom.

She looked up heatedly at Jenkins, who was smirking and already heading away.

"You-" Y/N was just about to speed after him and shove him back, but she was interrupted by a loud growl of fury behind her.

"You piece of shit-!" yelled an enraged voice.

To Y/N's surprise, to her right, Harry came speeding out of nowhere and was now hurrying after Jenkins, determined to ram him back.

Some people from the crowd yelled at Harry to ignore Jenkins, and some cheered him on.

Y/N whipped her head around, searched the sky, and spotted Harper, the Slytherin Seeker, right above her, chasing after something- something gold and fluttering, that Harry didn't see.

With her shoulder still aching, Y/N turned back to Harry's direction and yelled,

"Harry, stop! Harper's seen the Snitch!"

"Oh! Y/N Scamander is right- Harper of Slytherin's seen the Snitch!" said Zacharias Smith through his microphone. "Yes, he's certainly seen something Potter hasn't!"

Harry stopped chasing after Jenkins; for a moment, he looked confused, but the next, he was determined.

He turned back his broom and accelerated. With his broom being a Firebolt, he was back trailing behind Harper in no time.

Harper was still ahead of him, and Gryffindor was only a hundred points up.

If Harper catches the Snitch, Gryffindor would lose... and now Harper was a few feet from it, his hand outstretched...

"Oi, Harper!" yelled Harry desperately. "How much did Malfoy pay you to come on instead of him?"

He did not know what made him say it, but Harper did a double-take.

He fumbled the Snitch, let it slip through his fingers, and shot right past it.

Harry made a great swipe for the tiny, fluttering ball and caught it.

"YES!" Y/N yelled.

A great shout went up among the crowd of scarlet and gold, drowning the sound of the whistle that signaled the end of the game.

Y/N beamed and hurtled back to the ground, not caring about the throbbing pain of her shoulder.

She met with Demelza and Jimmy and gave them each a quick hug, laughing joyfully as students came flooding into the pitch.

She saw from over Demelza's shoulder, Ginny had landed on the ground, her face bright scarlet.

"Ginny, where are you going?" Y/N yelled, feeling self-trapped in the midst of hugs from the rest of the team.

Ginny sped right on past them until, with an almighty crash, she collided with the commentator's podium.

As the crowd shrieked and laughed, Y/N saw the wreckage of wood under which Zacharias was feebly stirring.

She heard Ginny saying to an irate Professor McGonagall, "Forgot to brake, Professor, sorry."

Y/N snorted and shook her head, but someone suddenly pulled her aside from the crowd and Y/N felt herself collide with their body, into their arms.

"You were amazing!" Harry laughed, rocking her slightly as he hugged her, Snitch still struggling in his hand.

Y/N felt her face burn hot. She didn't return the gesture, instead, she shook herself loose from his embrace.

Harry stopped laughing and his smile slowly fell.

"Is... er- is your shoulder alright?" he asked uncertainly, "Jenkins is a right foul git-"

"You shouldn't have gone after him," Y/N said cooly, "Harper almost got the Snitch,"

Harry opened his mouth to reply, but Y/N had already turned away and joined in with her other teammates, her heart feeling heavy.

When Ron landed, a smile returned to Y/N's face and she ran forwards to give him a big bear hug.

"We did it- we won!" Ron exclaimed, his face glowing brightly as he crushed Y/N in his arms. "I didn't suck!"

"You never did," Y/N shook her head, beaming proudly at Ron.

The Gryffindor team left the pitch arm in arm, punching the air and waving to their supporters.

The atmosphere in the changing room was jubilant, and Y/N, Ron, and Harry were the last to leave again.

Ron was talking to Harry enthusiastically, and though Y/N didn't join in their conversation, she grinned to herself from afar.

They changed into fresh clothes and were just about to leave when Hermione entered.

Beaming, she met Ron's gaze and stared at him for a second, before running forwards and leaping into his arms.

Ron hugged her so tightly that her feet left the ground.

"I shouldn't be happy- I really shouldn't!" Hermione chuckled, as Ron placed her back on the ground, his face scarlet.

"Why shouldn't you be?" Harry asked, raising his eyebrows.

"Harry," Hermione broke from Ron's embrace and gave Harry a scolding look. "I'm happy for Ron, I really am, but you shouldn't have done it."

"What are you talking about?" asked Harry, grinning,

"You know perfectly well what we're talking about," Y/N shrilly. "You spiked Ron's juice with lucky potion at breakfast."

"No, I didn't," said Harry, turning back to face them both.

"Yes you did, Harry," Y/N frowned, crossing her arms, "I saw the vial in your hand."

"I didn't put it in," said Harry, grinning broadly.

He slipped his hand inside his jacket pocket and drew out the tiny bottle that Y/N had seen in his hand that morning.

It was full of golden potion and the cork was still tightly sealed with wax.

"I wanted Ron to think I'd done it, so I faked it." Harry returned Y/N's challenging gaze. "He saved everything because he simply felt lucky."

He pocketed the potion again.

"There really wasn't anything in my pumpkin juice?" Ron said, astounded.

"It... it was all you," Hermione let out a relieved sigh and grinned even wider. "It was all you, Ron!"

"Hey, Ron," The door of the changing room creaked open and Dean Thomas's head poked from behind it. "going up to the party, mate?"

"Yeah! 'Course!" Ron picked up his broom and looked back at his friends. "Coming?"

Harry nodded and picked up his Firebolt, but Y/N was still busy with putting her clothes back in her bag.

"I'll wait for Y/N, you two go ahead," said Hermione, smiling.

Ron and Harry nodded. They gathered all their things and left the room after Dean.

After a few minutes, Y/N and Hermione followed them, walking back up toward the castle through the crowd, many of whom shouted congratulations at Y/N.

"He was very protective of you," Hermione piped when they entered the castle.

"What?" Y/N said, puzzled.

"Harry," Hermione explained with a shrug, "the look on his face when Jenkins hit you- even I was scared."

Y/N was silent. She stared straight ahead and continued her walk, for she didn't know what to say.

She couldn't deny it- Harry really did seem concerned, but why was he?

"Let's talk about you and Ron though," Y/N slowly smirked, shutting her thoughts away, "I think it's time to tell him, Hermione."

"I think so, too..."

"You what?" Y/N exclaimed, her eyes wide. She stopped walking and seized Hermione's shoulders. "You're going to tell him?"

"Oh shut up," Hermione blushed, but she was also smiling. "I'm just going to ask him to Slughorn's party,"

"And-?" Y/N squeezed her shoulders.

"And I'll just see how it goes!" Hermione grinned, rolling her eyes.

Y/N wheezed with excitement and started blabbering to Hermione about how Ron would react, how delighted he would be.

The two girls laughed and smiled until their faces ached, but stopped when they turned a corner and nearly collided with someone.

They froze in their tracks and stared. They were faced with a young man, tall, lanky, and had dark curly hair.

"Wh- Sebastian?" Y/N couldn't believe it was him.

Sebastian looked alarmed for a moment, but when he studied the girls' faces and recognized them, he broke into a friendly smile.

"You two scared the living soul out of me," he chuckled, putting a hand on his chest dramatically. "hey, Y/N. Hey, Hermione."

"Sebastian, what-" Hermione gaped at him. "what're you doing here?"

"What are you doing here?" Sebastian retorted teasingly,

"We learn and live here," Hermione huffed, eying the Dumbledore, "but you- didn't you say- didn't you say your grandfather forbade you to come here?"

"Look- my grandpa doesn't know," Sebastian whispered, looking around warily. "but I wanted to come to see the Quidditch match. Heard some of your professors talking about it in Hogsmeade."

"But- but how did you get in?" Y/N and Hermione continued to stare at Sebastian as if he had died and come back from the dead.

Sebastian didn't answer and merely grinned broadly.

"You know about the passageway from Honeyduke's cellar, don't you?" Y/N said slowly. Sebastian's grinned disappeared.

"You know about that?" he frowned.

"Yeah, but how do you know about it?" asked Hermione.

"I've lived in Hogsmeade for years, of course I know about it," Sebastian chuckled, waving his hand. "anyway, where are you two heading?"

"Party in our common room," said Y/N, "would you like to come? You should come! Many houses are joining, you won't even be noticed-"

"No," Sebastian said firmly, shaking his head, his curls bouncing around his face. "Gramps will start to worry, it's getting. Thanks, though."

Sebastian was about to take off, but Y/N stopped him.

"Wait! Sebastian- I know you're busy today, but would you like to come to a Christmas party with me?"

It wasn't a bad idea. The young man looked like he needed some fun in his life, and Y/N needed a friend to go with.

Hermione raised her eyebrows but Y/N ignored her.

To Y/N's surprise, Sebastian's face didn't light up in excitement. Instead, he gave her an apologetic look.

"I'm sorry, but I doubt my grandpa would let me," he said quietly,

"Oh, come on, you're a grown man," Y/N said with a smile, "we can go as friends, and I'm sure you'll like the atmosphere."

"I don't think so, Y/N," Sebastian sighed, "I really should go back, now. Thanks for inviting me though. Wait- what about Harry?"

Y/N didn't reply, breaking eye contact with Sebastian and looking down at her feet.

Sebastian nodded slowly, his blue eyes calm and understanding.

"I'm sorry," he said, putting a hand on Y/N's shoulder, "I really wished I could go, but I can't."

"It's alright," Y/N gave him a warm smile, "but since we can't go to Hogsmeade anymore, will you write to us?"

"Yeah, we'd love to hear from you," Hermione chimed in.

"Yeah, of course, I'll keep in touch," Sebastian gave the both of them an assuring nod. "but I have to get going, now- see you two later?"

"See you," Y/N and Hermione chorused.

Sebastian returned their smile and saluted, before heading away from the corridor hurriedly.

"What about Harry?" Hermione blurted when Sebastian turned a corner, as they continued to walk down the corridor.

"He's going with Romilda Vane," Y/N huffed,

"You don't know that," Hermione said dully.

"She's sneaking him a love potion," Y/N said quietly, "I heard her planning it with her friends, in the bathroom."

"Then I'll warn him about it," said Hermione.

Taking the hint that Y/N didn't want to talk about Harry anymore, Hermione fell silent and talked about the match instead, as they walked to their common room.

When they arrived, the cheering in the Gryffindor common room was practically deafening.

All Gryffindors stood bunched up in the middle of the room, waving their flags and cheering loudly for whatever was happening.

"Woah," Y/N gaped blankly, as her eyes fell on the two people in the center of attention.

Ron and Lavender brown were wrapped closely together, it was hard to tell whose limb was whose. They were kissing heatedly.

"It looks like he's eating her face, doesn't it?" said Ginny bitterly, leaning against the stone wall. Y/N turned to her. "But I suppose he's got to refine his technique somehow."

"I suppose," Y/N said blankly, removing her gaze from the sight of Lavender and Ron. "er- good game, Ginny."

"You too," Ginny grinned, "that Bludger of yours snapped Kingwell's broom in half."

"Thanks, but you scored like, what, ten goals?" Y/N nudged Ginny with her elbow. "Don't you think that's impressive, Hermione?... Hermione?"

Y/N turned to her side to get Hermione's reaction, but Hermione was gone.

Y/N turned back to the entrance of the common room, and, with a sinking feeling, saw a mane of bushy brown hair whipping out of sight.

"Oh... oh, shit-" Y/N breathed, "Be right back, Gin,"

She gave Ginny a little wave and pushed open the portrait of the Fat Lady. The corridor outside seemed to be deserted.

"Hermione?"

Y/N found her in the first unlocked classroom she tried.

Hermione was sitting on the teacher's desk, alone, with a small ring of twittering yellow birds circling her head, which she had clearly conjured.

"I was just practicing," Hermione said in a small and shaky voice.

"Well- they're really good," Y/N said gently, making her way across the room to Hermione and pushing herself onto the teacher's desk to sit beside her.

Y/N's heart shriveled when she realized Hermione was crying.

"How does it feel, Y/N?" Hermione sniffled, her hair blowing from the wind that came in through the window. "When you see Harry with Romilda?"

"Hermione..." Y/N whispered.

"I know, Y/N," Hermione smiled through her tears. "You're my best friend. I see the way you look at him. You still love him."

Suddenly, the door behind them burst open and Hermione quickly wiped away her tears.

To Y/N's horror, Ron came in, laughing, pulling Lavender by the hand.

"Oh," he said, drawing up short at the sight of Y/N and Hermione.

"Oops!" said Lavender, then turning to Ron, "I think this room's taken,"

She backed away, tugging Ron's arm, but Ron didn't follow. Lavender looked at him uncertainly but finally decided to leave the room.

"Wondered where you'd got to," Ron said, specifically to Hermione, once Lavender was gone. "What's with the birds?"

There was a horrible, swelling, billowing silence.

Hermione slid off the desk.

"Oppugno," she incanted quietly.

Suddenly, the little flock of birds sped like bullets toward Ron, who yelped ran to the door.

He ducked down, just in time, as the bullet birds struck the wooden door behind him.

If they hadn't missed, Y/N knew Ron would've been seriously injured.

Ron looked back at Hermione with wide eyes, before hurrying out the room.

Just as the door swung shut behind him, Hermione broke into a sob again and climbed back onto the desk.

Y/N wrapped an arm around her and she leaned onto her shoulder, crying silently.

"You're right," Y/N whispered, "it feels like this... just like this."

∞ ϟ 9¾ ♔ ⚯͛ △r⃒⃘ ➵ ♆

Snow was starting to fall again and Christmas was approaching fast.

Hagrid had already delivered the usual twelve Christmas trees into the Great Hall.

Y/N has been asked to Slughorn's Christmas Party by a handful of people, the past week.

First, it was McLaglen, who she quickly turned down, then it was two Slytherin boys who looked like they would hex her if she rejected them, then a couple of other fifth years that just wanted to go to the party but aren't invited.

Y/N heard from Hermione that many girls, especially Romilda Vane, were hinting desperately to Harry that they wanted him to take them.

Y/N assured her that she really didn't care.

After the last Quidditch match, the Quartet had completely split into two.

Hermione was ignoring Ron, Y/N and Harry were ignoring each other, so it was mostly just the boys by themselves or and the girls by themselves.

Every time Y/N tried to talk to Ron, she was interrupted by the presence of Lavender Brown, who seemed to think any moment not kissing Ron was a moment wasted.

"He's at perfect liberty to kiss whomever he likes," said Hermione, when Y/N brought that up during one of their study sessions. "I really couldn't care less."

Y/N had to admit, though she couldn't help it, all four of them were being extremely childish.

It was a week away from the Christmas party and Harry had finally given in and agreed to go to the party with Romilda.

As Romilda squealed in delight across the room, Y/N dipped a finger into her inkpot and drew a very sloppy lightning bolt on her forehead and imitated Harry in a troll-like voice,

"Hey, Hermione, look at me, I'm the Choky One-"

Which earned her a slap on the head by Hermione with her timetable.

Not only was it Y/N Harry but Ron and Hermione were also being horrid to each other.

On one snowy evening mid-December, Hermione decided to laugh unkindly at Ron's failed attempts during Transfiguration.

Ron retaliated by doing a cruel but accurate impression of Hermione jumping up and down in her seat every time Professor McGonagall asked a question.

That resulted in Hermione racing out of the classroom on the bell, leaving half her things behind.

Y/N sighed, scooped up Hermione's remaining possessions, and followed her.

She finally tracked her down as she emerged from a girl's bathroom on the floor below.

She was accompanied by Luna, who was patting her gently on the back, whispering to her words of comfort.

"Oh, hello, Y/N," said Luna, smiling up at her.

"Hi, Luna. Hermione, you left your stuff..." Y/N held out her books.

"Oh, yes," said Hermione in a choked voice, taking her things and turning away quickly to wipe her eyes. "Thanks, Y/N. Well, I'd better get going..."

She hurried off, and Y/N could tell she broke down just after she turned away.

"She's a bit upset," explained Luna. "I thought at first it was Moaning Myrtle in there, but it turned out to be Hermione. She said something about Ron..."

"Yeah, it's been rough for her," said Y/N.

"He says funny things sometimes, doesn't he?" said Luna as they set off down the corridor together. "But he can be a bit unkind. I noticed that last year."

"Yeah, sometimes," said Y/N, shrugging.

Luna had always had the ability to speak uncomfortable truths.

"So have you had a good term?" Y/N asked the girl.

"Oh, it's been pretty nice," said Luna. "I've been enjoying my time at Hogwarts much more since I've met your brother."

"He adores you," Y/N chuckled.

"It's a shame we're not in the same class," Luna sighed, "and it's a shame he's leaving soon."

"I suppose he asked you to Slughorn's party?" asked Y/N.

"Oh, yes, I'm really excited!" Luna said enthusiastically, her eyebrows rising higher and higher. "It was really nice of him. Are you going with Harry?"

"Oh- oh, no," Y/N laughed weakly, "I'm not bringing anyone."

"But you do know Harry wants to bring you, right?" Luna said brightly.

"Luna, Harry's bringing Romilda Vane," Y/N said quietly.

"I'm not sure he 's that eager to," Luna shrugged, giving Y/N a knowing grin, "I can see it in his eyes when he looks at you; he really loves you, Y/N."

"Trust me, Luna," Y/N sighed, "He used to constantly say he loved me, too, and I believed him- and now look what happened."

"I don't believe he ever stopped loving you," said Luna, "Harry's a sweet person, but I know he does say hurtful things, sometimes."

Y/N had always oddly trusted Luna and felt like she could tell the girl anything.

"I hate all of this," Y/N admitted.

"You still love him, don't you?" Luna gave her a warm smile.

Y/N looked to her side and stared at the fifteen-year-old blankly.

"How'd you- how did you know-?"

"Just by how you talk about him," Luna shrugged, then laughed slightly, "your feelings are clearer than nargles through spectrespects."

∞ ϟ 9¾ ♔ ⚯͛ △r⃒⃘ ➵ ♆

"Ooh, Y/N, you look beautiful!" said Hermione, as she closed the bathroom door behind her.

Hermione was wearing a casual, salmon pink, low-cut dress that fell over her knees, and her hair was neatly combed.

"Thanks, you do, too!" said Y/N, grinning, as she slid on her shoes on her bed. "pink suits you very well,"

Y/N was wearing the only dress she'd packed to school- a simple but eye-catching grey dress that she thought matched Fleur's flower crown quite well.

She had worked out her hair to the best of her abilities and finished off with the periwinkle flower crown.

Though it was less than her Yule Ball outfit, Y/N liked it just as much.

"The crown makes you look like a garden fairy!" Hermione said in adoration, grinning. Y/N looked up and frowned at her. "Or... er- mother nature?"

Y/N laughed and shook her head, budging her wand behind her ear since she had no pockets.

"Thanks, Hermy," She grinned, "so are you going to tell me who you'll be bringing?"

"Oh, you'll see soon enough," Hermione tutted, "where's your date, anyway?"

"I'm not bringing anyone," said Y/N, "and I'm pretty sure I've already told you this."

There was noise from outside their dormitory, and the next moment Ginny came bursting through the door.

"Hey, you lot, c'mon, we'll be late!"

The girl was wearing a black bouffant dress that Y/N was sure Mrs Weasley had picked out for her and her long red hair was let down.

Minutes later, the three girls were ready, and walked down to the common room, out the portrait hole, and into the chilly evening.

The typically empty corridors on the ground floor had people scattered around, most of them there for Slughorn's party.

Some were meeting up with their dates, some were adding a few touches to their hair or makeup.

The three girls followed the other guests into Slughorn's office, gazing around the decorated ceiling along the way.

Slughorn's office was filled with the sounds of laughter, music, and loud conversations.

Slughorn had used magic to make the room much larger than the usual teacher's study.

The room was crowded and stuffy and bathed in the red light cast by the ornate golden lamps.

There was a band performing on an extended platform and was playing soft jazz.

Once they found themselves caught in the middle of the room, Y/N heard Ginny gasp faintly.

"No way that's Gwenog Jones-" Ginny gaped as she spotted a beautiful tall woman with the brightest smile Y/N had ever seen talking to a group of Hogwarts fangirls.

"Who's she?" Hermione frowned.

"Captain of the Holyhead Harpies," said Y/N, smirking at Ginny's expression, "did you not know she was part of the Slugclub in her school years?"

"I- I did, but I didn't know she was coming!" Exclaimed Ginny, flattening her hair, "This party is something, isn't it?"

"Ah, Miss Scamander, Miss Granger, Miss Weasley, hello!" boomed Slughorn from across the room, as he caught sight of the three, "Come in, come in! How are you, girls?"

The three of them approached the professor and each shook his hand.

"Very well, sir," Y/N said politely, "I didn't realize this party would be so..." she gestured around the room.

Slughorn laughed hollowly, almost spilling his drink.

"I am one to celebrate!" He chuckled, then his eyes landed on a group of warlocks that had just entered. "Well! I've got to greet some guests, now do enjoy yourselves!"

The old professor took his drink and left to the front of the room.

"I should go find my date," Hermione whispered uneasily. "will you excuse me?"

"Sure, we'll be somewhere 'round," said Ginny.

After that, Hermione disappeared into the crowd. Y/N and Ginny decided to walk around the party to greet a handful of people they recognized.

As they made their way through the crowd, however, they bumped into two familiar Slytherins.

Pansy Parkinson was wearing a halter emerald dress and had her hair pulled into a tight elegant bun and Blaise Zabini was in black dressrobes.

Blaise saw Y/N and Ginny first and nodded politely, and Pansy raised her eyebrows slightly when she recognized Y/N.

"Pansy, Zabini," Y/N blurted, as she and Ginny stopped in front of the Slytherins. "Evening,"

"Scamander," Pansy greeted in a low voice, then looking at Ginny and smirking, "Little Miss Pretty,"

"A surprise seeing you here, Princess," Ginny said cooly, not breaking Pansy's gaze. "where's your bleached boyfriend?"

"Watch it, Weaslette," Pansy snarled, and Blaise quickly grabbed her arm warily. She shook him off and straightened herself.

"Are you two here together?" Y/N asked quickly before Ginny could sneer at Pansy again.

"As friends," replied Pansy, "I didn't want to come, but Blaise couldn't find a girl to bring."

"Now, that's not true," Blaise retorted, rolling his eyes. "You wanted to come with me because Draco's busy tonight."

"So it's true, then." huffed Ginny, meeting Pansy's eye. "You're with Malfoy?"

"We're friends," replied Pansy. "if that's what you mean,"

Y/N smiled at this, but when her brain finally clicked, she did a quick double-take.

"Come again?" she exclaimed, a little too loudly.

"I spoke pretty clearly, Scamander," Pansy retorted, crossing her arms.

"After- after all that- after everything that happened-?" Y/N breathed, not sure how to feel.

"Yes, Scamander," said Pansy with a slight frown, "I mean yes, we were going out for a while, but then I realized- and he probably did too- we were meant to be just friends."

"Oh- oh, OK," Y/N tried to sound not as surprised as she really was, "Right... that's nice,"

Ginny was still staring at Pansy calculatingly like she was trying to understand something. Pansy noticed this and simpered.

"Nice shoes," she commented, glancing down at Ginny's shoes for a mere split second.

"Thanks, Mum found them at the back of my dead great-aunt's wardrobe," Ginny smiled, earning a horrified look from Pansy.

"Merlin, you speak your twin brothers," said Pansy, scoffing, "and I've always thought you were more like that brother of yours that works for the Minister of Magic."

"I never knew you were so interested in me," tutted Ginny.

"I'm not," Pansy said, her voice cold as ice, "I'm just a very good observer."

'Not true', Blaise mouthed to Y/N, shaking his head. Y/N smirked at the remark.

After a while, Ginny and Pansy were way down the path of an odd but interesting conversation, so Y/N and Blaise left them, going in different directions.

By the mini stage, Y/N spotted Luna and Rolf chatting together avidly, so she waved at them eagerly and approached them.

Rolf was in plain navy blue dressrobes and managed to somehow slightly tone down his usual poofy hair.

Luna, again, was dressed in a dress that resembled a yule tree. Only this time, it was rose gold.

"Evening, you two," Y/N grinned at them, "you look amazing, Luna."

"Thank you, so do you!" Luna said happily, "I love that flower crown,"

"Thanks," Y/N grinned at the girl.

"We were just talking about Rolf's future job," said Luna, "I reckon he would be a great Auror."

"He does want to be an Auror, don't you, Rolf?" Y/N asked her brother, who looked slightly nervous.

"Yeah, I mean- that's what I've always wanted to be," he shrugged, "but I want to give it a few years. Maybe travel and spend more time with the things I... love."

Y/N smiled. She knew her brother wanted to wait for Luna. He would be so willing to wait a couple of years for her to graduate and join him.

"I'm sure you'll be happy with whatever choice you make," said Luna, placing a hand on Rolf's shoulder. Rolf looked at her and grinned.

"Er- did you two hear," said Y/N, starting to feel a little isolated. "there's supposed to be a vampire coming?"

"Rufus Scrimgeour?" said Luna.

"I- what?" said Y/N, disconcerted. "You mean the Minister of Magic?"

"Yes, he's a vampire," said Luna matter-of-factly. "Father wrote a very long article about it when Scrimgeour first took over from Cornelius Fudge,"

"I- that's- substantial," Y/N laughed weakly.

There was a short silent pause. At this point, the band started to play slightly more upbeat songs.

"Hmm, I like this music, it's really nice," Luna declared, tilting her head slightly.

"It sure is," Rolf chuckled, wrapping an arm around Luna's waist. "Come on, Loons, let's go dance,"

"OK! See you around, Y/N," Waved Luna, and with that, she and Rolf went and joined a few others on the mini dance floor.

Y/N decided to just stand by the dance floor, humming along with the music as she watched people dance.

She could see Ginny still talking to Pansy. It looked like they both were sneering at each other, but was somehow enjoying it.

Luna and Rolf were catching some attention, as they danced freely and oddly with their arms in the air.

Suddenly, Y/N saw, from the corner of her eyes, a flash of Hermione's dress quickly disappearing behind Slughorn's sage green flowy curtains.

Y/N sighed and made her way through the crowd to the curtains.

She looked around and quickly, before sliding between the green fabric to find herself faced with a frantic Hermione, whose hair was back to its bushy form.

"Hermione, what are you doing?" Y/N asked her.

"I just escaped," breathed Hermione, flattening her hair. When Y/N continued to frown, she added, "I left Cormac under the mistletoe."

"Cormac? That's who you invited?" Y/N exclaimed.

"I thought it would annoy Ron the most," Hermione grimaced, shaking her head in regret.

"Kind of serves you right," Y/N huffed, "what are you going to do, now?"

"Hide," Hermione whispered.

"You can't hide here for the rest of the party," Y/N said, smirking, "c'mon, we can go get some food. I'll go you,"

"You have to shield me from him, alright?" Hermione worriedly, "He's a nightmare. Is he out there?"

Y/N sighed and turned around to peer through a gap between the curtains.

She scanned the room thoroughly and so far Cormac wasn't in sight.

She suddenly spotted Professor Trelawny by the fireplace, having a conversation with Romilda Vane, who was clutching onto someone's arm.

It was Harry's arm. Oh Merlin, Harry. Y/N felt her lips part as her eyes fell on him.

He was wearing a grey suit, his hair was as messy as usual, and he looked like he was willing to do anything to get out of that conversation.

"Huh, he's not wearing his glasses," Hermione said, peering over Y/N's shoulder. "That's weird, don't you think?"

Y/N continued to gaze at him, her stomach doing weird things, and she suddenly felt a rush of misery as she remembered they weren't talking anymore.

"Merlin, I can hear your heart race, Y/N," said Hermione, smirking, "I'm here to catch you if you fall,"

"I'm fine," Y/N broke her gaze from Harry and faced Hermione. "right, the coast is clear, you ready to go actually enjoy the party, now?"

"Alright, alright," Hermione huffed, "but don't let Cormac-"

"Yes, I know, Hermy, let's go."

∞ ϟ 9¾ ♔ ⚯͛ △r⃒⃘ ➵ ♆

A/N ~ Had to end it there, but I already started the next chapter, and let's just say there'll be more Harry and Y/N moments.

Hope this chapter was ok, let me know your thoughts and theories :)) Have an amazing day!!

-ScribblingQuills