A/N ~ I promise I'll be updating more during summer break, for now, enjoy this short and sweet chapter with extra fluff :)

∞ ϟ 9¾ ♔ ⚯͛ △r⃒⃘ ➵ ♆

"I won't say 'I told you so,'" said Hermione, an hour later in the common room.

"Leave it, Hermione," said Ron angrily.

Harry had just finished telling Y/N, Ron, and Hermione what had happened- not that there seemed to have been much need...

The news had traveled very fast- apparently, Moaning Myrtle had taken it upon herself to pop up in every bathroom in the castle to tell the story.

Malfoy had already been visited in the hospital wing by a worried Pansy Parkinson, who had practically lost her mind when she found out, according to Ginny.

Harry had received Snape's punishment of detention every Saturday until the end of term.

But the looks on the Gryffindor Quidditch team's faces when he had told them he would not be able to play on Saturday, their last and final match, had been the worst punishment of all.

They were most unhappy that their Captain had got himself banned from the final match of the season that will determine which house would get the Quidditch cup.

Especially Y/N, who practically sank back into the ground when he told her she would have to be playing Seeker on Saturday.

Ritchie Coote would be rejoining the team as Beater in her place.

"I told you there was something wrong with that Prince person," Hermione said, unable to stop herself. "And I was right, wasn't I?"

"No, I don't think you were," said Harry stubbornly.

"Harry," said Hermione, "how can you still stick up for that book when that spell-"

"Will you stop harping on about the book!" snapped Harry. "For all we know, the prince was making a note of something that had been used against him!"

"I don't believe this," said Hermione. "You're actually defending-"

"I'm not defending what I did!" said Harry quickly. "I wish I hadn't done it, and not just because I've got about a dozen detentions."

Hermione didn't look convinced.

"You know I wouldn't've used a spell like that," Harry continued hotly, "not even on Malfoy."

"Are you telling me," said Hermione, "that you're going to go back-?"

"And get the book from the Room of Requirements? Yeah, I am," said Harry forcefully. "Listen, without the Prince, I'd never have-"

"-gotten a reputation for Potions brilliance you don't deserve?" said Hermione nastily.

"Godric, give it a rest, Hermione," said Y/N. Harry was so amazed, so grateful, he looked up. "If you've forgotten, Malfoy was about to use the Cruciatus Curse on him. You should be glad he defended himself."

"Well, of course, I'm glad Harry wasn't cursed!" said Hermione, clearly stung. "But I'd have thought you'd agree with me, Y/N, seeing what this has done to your chances in the match-"

"I'd rather play a position I despise, for once, than have Harry tortured!" Y/N snapped. "I've had enough of that spell being used on my loved ones!"

Hermione fell silent, looking slightly stunned.

The Cruciatus curse has been a sensitive topic to Y/N, given what had happened with her father- therefore, seeing her speak about it now was really saying something.

Ron and Harry stared at the two girls blankly.

Y/N and Hermione, who had always got on together very well, were now sitting with their arms folded, either glaring or frowning in opposite directions.

Harry still felt guilty for putting Y/N on the spot, but she played Seeker best amongst all the students apart from himself.

"Sorry it has to be like this," he said to her, once Ron and Hermione decided it was best for them to go up to the bed and Harry and Y/N were left alone.

"It's alright," Y/N said swiftly, softening her expression. "I'm not saying what you did was right, but I'm glad you didn't get hurt."

"I don't feel good about it either," Harry said grimly.

"What's done's done," said Y/N, "I know you wouldn't have done it if you knew about that spell."

"You don't know that," Harry said in exasperation.

"You can feel guilty all you want, Harry," Y/N said coolly, "but don't let that guilt turn you against yourself."

"Thanks for existing, Y/N," Harry said weakly.

"My pleasure," Y/N said with a sad smile. "Though, I reckon you should keep your distance with Pansy. She looked like she wanted to kill you. She would kill you."

Harry nodded, beyond grateful that Y/N would always be there to make him feel understood. She knew him too well.

She gave him her Y/N Scamander smile and stood up, slinging her school bag over her shoulder.

"See you tomorrow then," Y/N said tiredly.

She then gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before making her way across the room.

Harry blushed, muttered a quiet 'good night' after her, and watched her disappear upstairs.

Despite all the chaos, Harry still had a goal to achieve- that is, doing something special for Y/N, after what he'd put her through.

∞ ϟ 9¾ ♔ ⚯͛ △r⃒⃘ ➵ ♆

By Saturday morning, whatever he might have told Hermione, Harry would have gladly exchanged anything to be walking down to the Quidditch pitch with Ron, Y/N, Ginny, and the others.

It was almost unbearable to turn away from the group of students wearing scarlet rosettes and hats and brandishing banners and scarves.

Just to leave for the stone steps that led into the dungeons, where he had detention with Snape.

Y/N, on the other hand, felt her breakfast stir in her stomach dangerously as she made her way to the Quidditch pitch alongside Ginny and Ron.

Hermione parted ways with them, wished them luck, and followed the rest of the Gryffindor house.

Y/N grew nervous and anxious, and Ginny and Ron tried their best to assure her she was going to do just fine.

"You're the best Seeker we have, Y/N," said Ginny, squeezing her shoulder with a gloved hand.

"Apart from Harry," Y/N grumbled.

"But he isn't here, is he?" said Ron, "C'mon, you'll do brilliantly. Chang is fast, but you know all the tactics."

Y/N was glad at least Ron seemed a lot more confident than usual. His triumph from their last matches had boosted him a lot.

"Good luck, Gin," Pansy said, as she walked past them, giving Ginny a smile and a pat on the shoulder. She caught Y/N's eye and added, "You too, Y/N,"

Y/N gave her a weak grin and watched as Pansy and Blaise raced each other down to the pitch.

That meant Malfoy was probably still recovering from the Sectumsempra curse in the hospital wing.

Y/N looked to her side and saw Ginny grinning to herself, her eyes still glued to the back of Pansy's head.

"So she's cheering for Gryffindor," Ron huffed, his ears glowing scarlet.

"That's right," said Ginny quietly, finally returning her attention to Y/N and Ron.

"So she's switching up, now?" Ron said spitefully.

"She's my friend, Ron," Ginny said bitterly. "And be warned- I don't mess with people who badmouth my friends."

"I just thought," Ron huffed. "after she nearly ripped Harry's head off for what he did to Malfoy, she won't be supporting his house-"

"Well, unlike some," Ginny said heatedly. "Pansy chooses not to be a bitch to the entirety of a house when only one person from it upset her."

"Alright, why are you being so defensive?" Ron clapped back. "She's just like every other Slytherin- she'll turn against you."

"Honestly, Ron," scoffed Y/N, giving him a scolding look. "Pansy clearly wants to change- and why does it matter if she's a Slytherin?"

Ginny gave her a thankful look. Ron's face was still red, but he chose not to speak again.

They finally reached the changing room, met up with the rest of the team, Jimmy, Ritchie, Demelza, and Katie, and quickly slipped on the rest of their Quidditch gear.

The room felt a little helpless and chaotic without Harry or at least some sort of captain giving them some sort of lecture.

Y/N got on the leather gloves that Harry had lent her and picked up her broom, looking uncertain.

"Ready?" asked Ginny, patting Y/N on the back once it was time to head out.

Chaotic thoughts ran through Y/N's mind.

OK, churning stomach... Can't feel my face... Ron's hair looks funny today. No good luck hug, but that's alright... right? Demelza's new gloves are so cool. Ah, another stomach churn...

"Yeah," she replied, giving Ginny her most convincing smile.

Five minutes later, they stepped into the pitch and, as usual, cheers and chants erupted from the stands.

Crowds of either scarlet or blue whooped and clapped as the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw team entered.

Y/N caught Cho Chang's gaze from the other end of the field and they exchanged weak grins.

"Look, everyone, there they are," said a bright and dreamy voice from somewhere above. "The Gryffindor and Ravenclaw team."

Y/N looked up and squinted and immediately broke into a smile when she caught sight of Rolf and Luna sitting behind the commentator's stand.

Pansy and Blaise were now chanting Ginny's name, Hagrid was beaming wildly, Seamus and Dean were jumping up and down in their spots, as though they were first years again.

Hermione's beaming face glowed as she waved her Gryffindor flag enthusiastically and gave Y/N and Ron a thumbs-up.

"I'm supposed to be supporting my own house," Luna continued casually, "but I can't help siding with Gryffindor a little, given  that two of my good friends are on the team..."

"All players mount your brooms!" said Madam Hooch the referee.

Y/N took a very deep breath, and with her heart racing and her body shaking, she mounted her broom and waited patiently.

Moments later, the sound of Madam Hooch's whistle rang, and the fourteen brooms from Gryffindor and Ravencalw shot into the air.

"And they're off," said Luna's feathery voice, as she smiled vaguely over her microphone. "Gryffindor's captain, Harry Potter, has called absent for the day, and my friend, Y/N, has taken his spot as Seeker. I think she's just as good."

Y/N was beyond glad and grateful Luna was commentating and not Zacharias Smith.

"That pretty girl from Ravenclaw has the Quaffle now," Luna continued. "Oh wait, but they're all pretty... Hmm, let's see- I forgot her name..."

"Rosa Anning!" said Professor McGonagall, though her eyes were still determinedly glued to the game.

"Anning ducks away from a very fierce Bludger sent by Ritchie Coote- I remember his name because he helped me find a library book, once... Oh look, Ginny just stole the Quaffle from Anning, good for her..."

Y/N continued to dash across the field, avoiding speedy Bludgers and keeping an eye on Cho, who was hovering a few yards from the ground.

"-And Ginny Weasley from Gryffindor scores Gryffindor's first goal," Luna said brightly. "ten, zero, Gryffindor in the lead,"

Unlike their match with Hufflepuff or Slytherin, Ravenclaw had recruited quite a team this year and was just as good as Gryffindor.

Half an hour passed- more goals were scored, more goals were saved, though it went both ways.

Ron was doing as good as always, Jimmy and Ritchie were sending decent Bludgers, and the Chasers were as determined as ever.

Now, Cho was flying only slightly behind Y/N. It had always been her strategy, and it was a smart one.

Y/N was clearly more privileged broom-wise, so Cho was better safe than sorry.

Minutes past and Y/N spent it all on diving after any flicker of gold she saw, but still no sign of the real Snitch.

Y/N glanced at Cho occasionally, but she seemed to be as clueless as she was herself...

They played for so long that the crowd's cheers started to weaken tiredly and the weather started to change.

The big white clouds at the beginning of the match were now replaced with grey ones, scattered across the sky.

And as Katie scored another goal, making the score one hundred ninety to one hundred, rain started to pour.

First quite softly, then rapidly. The moment Y/N realized it was raining, fat raindrops landed heavily on her head.

"Look, everyone, it's raining," Luna announced happily. "the weather here is quite unpredictable, isn't it? Oh- thank you, Rolf."

Rolf had conjured a yellow raincoat, a little too big for Luna's body, and draped it over her. Luna beamed at him and turned back to the game.

"Wait- is that Y/N accelerating upwards, I see?" She said vaguely. "Everyone... I think she's seen the Snitch- oh, yes, she's definitely after something. Go, Y/N!"

Y/N was, indeed, chasing after the Snitch.

She had spotted it about ten feet above the goal hoops and was now chasing after it, speeding her broom with all her might.

She didn't even bother turning to see if Cho was following her, and darted after the golden ball.

The Snitch shot high- very high- up into the sky. Y/N followed it fast, reaching out her hand desperately and ignoring the horrific view below.

She's never flown this high up in a game of Quidditch before and it didn't help that it was the final match of the year.

Soon enough, Luna's voice faded away and all Y/N could hear was wind and rain beating against her ears and all she could see was grey blurs and the glittering Snitch in front of her.

The rain blew into her face, blinded her vision, but Y/N continued to go after the snitch, disappearing up into the grey clouds.

Her ears popped and her breaths were heavy, but she pushed herself once more.

Finally, when she felt like she couldn't be higher up, her fingers clasped around the Snitch.

"Yes!" She gasped, stopping her broom abruptly.

With her broom still hovering above the clouds, Y/N let out a huge sigh and stopped for a rest, with the Snitch struggling between her fingers.

Though no one was around to see, she threw up her hand with the Snitch and cheered for her own victory.

"I HATE QUIDDITCH!" She bellowed, beaming wildly at the clouds around her and waving Snitch. "I BLOODY LOVE THIS!"

Then, with triumph and glee, she dove back down through the soft rain, her whole body drenched and her face beaming.

She met Cho half the way down and though she looked grim, the Ravenclaw congratulated her politely, pat her on the back, and they flew down together.

The stadium was pitch quiet, but as soon as they saw Y/N coming down with the shiny Snitch clutched in her hand, the whole place erupted with sounds.

"Oh my Dirigible Plums, Y/N did it, everyone- Rolf, your sister caught the Snitch!" Luna exclaimed, her small voice drowned by the overwhelming applause and cheers.

Once Y/N landed on the ground, grinning from the ear to ear, she was attacked by the rest of her team.

Ginny and Ron practically threw their brooms away and jumped onto her, hugging her proudly, while shaking her and shouting excitedly.

Jimmy, Ritchie, Katie, and Demelza landed, and Y/N noticed their tears of happiness as they joined into the clod of hugs.

"Gryffindor wins the 1997 Quidditch cup!" Luna announced cheerfully.

She quickly turned off her mic and ran down into pitch, hand in hand with Rolf, who looked like a proud, and alongside Professor McGonagall, who was, again, sobbing.

The Gryffindor team was crushed, as people flooded into the field, hugging them, clapping them on the back, and chanting.

Hermione ran down from the stands and crashed into Ron's chest, throwing her arms around him and hugging him quite aggressively.

Y/N looked around- at Ron and Hermione's bright grins- at Ginny and Pansy, who were in a tight embrace- at Professor McGonagall- at her brother and Luna.

She felt like her cheeks might burst from smiling.

And even more so, when her friends and mutuals came around to congratulate her.

"That was quite a catch, Y/N!" Pansy wolf-whistled, shoving her shoulder.

"I knew you could do it! She's my sister, everyone!" Rolf shouted while ruffling Y/N's entirely wet hair.

"You were so amazing!" exclaimed Hermione.

"Wait till Harry hears!" Ron chimed in.

The ginormous Quidditch cup was passed from Madam Hooch through the crowd, to the Chasers, Beaters, Ron, then finally ending up in Y/N's hands.

Y/N huddled the team over and made sure the whole team had their hands around the cup, before lifting it up into the air.

When the crowd erupted with cheers again, Y/N knew she couldn't lie to herself about Quidditch anymore. She'd always loved it.

∞ ϟ 9¾ ♔ ⚯͛ △r⃒⃘ ➵ ♆

"Party in our common room!" announced Ginny, once their team was safe and sound in the changing room. "All houses are invited- this'll be a big one!"

The team let out 'yeah!'s of glee, their faces still brimming with joy from the triumph of their match.

Ron had already been pulled up to party in the castle, carrying the trophy, without even changing into dry clothes.

The rest of the team congratulated each other and packed away their Quidditch gear for the last time of the year.

Katie left with her other seventh year friends, followed closely by Ginny, Jimmy, Ritchie, and Demelza, who were ecstatic about the party.

"You really saved us, Y/N," Ginny said cheerfully before she closed the door of the changing room behind her.

"We saved each other, Ginny," Y/N said with a smile. Ginny grinned, then left the room, and Y/N was left alone with Hermione. "I can't believe we've done it- especially without Harry."

"You and Ron were amazing!" Hermione said enthusiastically, "the whole team was, actually!"

"That went a lot better than I thought it would," Y/N admitted.

"So you've got a thing for Quidditch now, huh?" Hermione smirked, nudging her arm, "Y/N I-ain't-touching-no-broom Scamander,"

"Let's just say I don't hate it," Y/N rolled her eyes, grinning.

The two then left the changing room and back out into the damp grounds.

It had stopped raining, though their hair was still clammy from the recent pour.

"D'you reckon Snape let Harry let go yet?" Y/N asked, looking around every busy corridor they walked through when they'd entered the castle.

People around them were still congratulating her, and most of them were heading towards the Gryffindor party.

"I think we'd know," Hermione said with a grin, "or at least you would. He always finds his way to you."

Hermione gave her a knowing wink and Y/N grinned.

The two girls walked through the entrance corridor along with everyone else, and turned a corner behind a suit of armor.

And, to their surprise, in front of a dusty trophy display, they walked right into a young man they recognized immediately was Sebastian Dumbledore... again.

With his dark hair longer than ever and his eyes bluest, Sebastian froze in front of them and stared.

There was a beat of silence, apart from the buzzes of conversation from the people around them.

"What is going on?" Y/N gaped at Sebastian with pure bewilderment.

"Sebastian?" Hermione said in a hushed voice, her chocolate brown eyes glued to the young Dumbledore.

"Damn, it's always you two, isn't it?" said Sebastian, smiling. "haven't seen you in a while. Hey!"

"Hey?" Y/N was still staring unbelievably at Sebastian. "What- why are you-? Why are you always lurking around after our Quidditch matches?"

"By 'always', you mean twice, counting this one," Sebastian grinned, his charming smile looking nothing like Albus Dumbledore's.

"Right. Are you even allowed to be here?" asked Y/N.

"Technically, no," sighed Sebastian, dropping his playful tone. "but I couldn't resist- after the first match I saw, a few months back, I had to come back for more."

"You've been sneaking into the castle for all the past matches?" exclaimed Y/N.

"Something like that," Sebastian said swiftly. Then, his lips jerked upwards again. "Hermione's been owling me the match dates."

Y/N whirled at Hermione, whose cheeks flushed furiously.

"I have not!" She objected, though her voice shook. "You asked me about Quidditch so I-"

"Accidentally told me the whole Hogwarts Quidditch schedule," Sebastian crossed his arms broadly, giving her his signature cheeky grin.

Hermione wasn't having it.

"Alright, I know it sucks your grandfather is protective," she said heatedly, "but he's going to find out! I mean- he's a Dumbledore! You're a Dumbledore,"

Sebastian laughed, shaking his head.

"Don't worry about me getting caught, Hermione," he said, "I can assure you I'm being careful. I'm as sly as a-"

"Niffler."

Sebastian and Hermione turned and stared at Y/N.

"Damn you, Harry," Y/N muttered, her face growing warm from the two pairs of eyes that were on here. "Anyway... we're heading to our house party, Sebastian, wanna join?"

"I don't think that's a good idea," Hermione said quickly, giving Y/N a scolding look.

"I'm afraid Hermione's right," Sebastian said grimly, "Can't risk being seen... by my great-uncle," he added bitterly.

Y/N snorted slightly, wondering how it'd feel like to call Albus Dumbledore your great-uncle.

Though, Sebastian and Aberforth didn't seem to have a very good reputation with their Headmaster.

"You'll be leaving, then," Hermione said, her tone heavily suggesting for him to do so.

"Or I could take another stroll around-"

"That wasn't a question," Hermione interrupted, sounding a lot like Mrs Weasley.

Sebastian studied her in amusement and broke into a grin.

"Fine, I'll be leaving," he said, letting out another sigh, "see you all later, then. Write to me, please, I always look forward to your letters."

He gave them each a pat on the back and saluted, backing away down the corridor that led to the statue of the one-eyed witch.

"You've been writing to him?" Y/N asked, raising a brow at Hermione.

"Yeah, occasionally," replied Hermione, as they continued their walk down the corridor, "he's a very lonely twenty-year-old. I like writing to him about Hogwarts. What he doesn't know will surprise you, considering he's related to the headmaster."

∞ ϟ 9¾ ♔ ⚯͛ △r⃒⃘ ➵ ♆

"Quid agis," said Y/N, when they arrived at the portrait of the Fat Lady.

"Congratulations, dears," the Fat Lady beamed, then swung her portrait open.

A roar of celebration erupted from the hole behind her. Y/N was taken aback as some people began to cheer and chant at the sight of her.

She and Hermione were immediately pushed and pulled into the room.

It was more crowded than normal, and Y/N could spot some faces from other houses.

Everyone was chatting enthusiastically as the very wild music chosen by Dean and Seamus played in the background.

Y/N scanned the room and spotted an impressively big circle of people Ron had gathered that stood at the corner of the room.

He was standing in the middle of everyone, the silver Quidditch trophy still clutched in his hands.

They were each holding a drink in their hands- it seemed like Ron was giving a toast.

Y/N and Hermione squeezed past the crowd at the entrance of the room and joined Ron's circle of people.

"There she is!" said Rolf, who was part of the group anf had one hand around Luna's waist. He pulled his sister into the circle.

The entire Gyrffindore team was there, as well as Pansy, Blaise, Neville, Seamus, Dean, and quite a few others.

"There's our favourite Seeker understudy!" Ron exclaimed.

People cheered, some shouting out her name, and Y/N grinned nervously as Hermione eagerly pushed her forwards.

"To Y/N, everybody!" said Ron, raising his bottle of butterbeer.

"Y/N!"

And as if on some oddly specific queue, as people drank from their glasses and bottles, the portrait hole at the entrance of the room swung open again.

Y/N, who didn't have a drink to start with, turned around and felt her heart lift up.

People called and cheered, and pulled Harry right in.

Harry looked totally baffled, his face spread with delighted shock, as he looked around the room.

"We won!" yelled Ron, when he spotted Harry, explaining the obvious. "We won! Four hundred and fifty to a hundred and forty! We won!"

Harry searched the group of people who stood surrounding Ron, looking for a specific face amongst the crowd... then, he saw her.

Y/N was standing not far from Ron, her hair damp and clammy, her Gryffindor sweater looking slightly too big for her, and she saw him as well.

She was smiling at him with her usual Y/N smile and was now running across the room towards him.

Her eyes were dazzling and Y/N felt slightly bolder than usual.

She didn't even think of the people around her, as she leaped into Harry's arms, threw her arms around his neck, and kissed him.

She kissed him like she never did before, and Harry clung to every second of it, clutching onto her waist and back.

As she kissed him, Y/N ran her fingers through his hair, just how he liked it, and Harry wished desperately for her not to ever stop.

They were together- like how they were supposed to be, from the very beginning.

After several long moments or possibly several sunlit days of rushing emotions, they broke apart.

The room had gone very quiet.

Then, several people wolf-whistled and there was an outbreak of giggles and hoots.

Harry still had Y/N in his arms, as he looked over the top of her head.

Ginny and Pansy were gaping impressively at them, Hermione and Ron were beaming, Romilda Vane looked like she might throw something, but Harry sought for Y/N's most protective brother.

Luna was smiling happily, but Rolf looked stunned.

He stared at the couple, his dark brown hair, if possible, looking even poofier with his shocked expression.

After a few seconds of consideration, he sighed and gave a tiny jerk of the head that Harry understood to mean, 'well if you must.'

Harry could yell out in happiness.

He roamed for Y/N's hand on his shoulder and got hold of it.

They then mutually agreed to leave the party, squeezing each others hands.

Harry pulled her by the hand out of the portrait hole, knowing- it was all going to be alright again.

∞ ϟ 9¾ ♔ ⚯͛ △r⃒⃘ ➵ ♆

Each wave of water the Black Lake carried glistened. Grey clouds sprawled the sky. It didn't even seem like it rained at all that morning, for the sun had dried everything out.

Harry and Y/N had walked all the way down from the occurring Gryffindor house party to the grounds.

After months of grim silence and tension from their fight, and a few weeks of hesitation, they had lots to say and tell each other.

They talked and laughed all the way through the grounds, and at around three, Harry took Y/N's wrist and led her to an unfamiliar location at the farthest side of the lake.

It was a wide meadow of silky grass that connected with the edge of the Black Lake- with soft-coloured flowers and a big apple tree right between water and land.

No one really visited that side of the grounds, and Y/N had never even set foot there before.

Hogwarts castle loomed over and above all, and the view was the utmost stunning, but all Harry had his eyes for was her.

Y/N was sitting cross-legged on the soft grass next to him, her eyes gazing dreamily at the lake as she told him about the match excitedly.

Harry grinned at her the entire time, as she spoke. She was so effortlessly beautiful.

"-and then I caught the snitch," said Y/N, which made Harry realize he'd been staring at her for quite some time. "It was pretty amazing."

"Pretty amazing indeed," Harry echoed, the corner of his lips tugging up into a grin as he watched her blow a piece of her hair away from her face.

"Should we find something to eat?" Y/N asked him. "We haven't had lunch yet, and I'm kind of very starving."

Harry grinned slyly.

"Lunch is all right here in front of you." He said.

Y/N's eyes left the lake and she turned to him with raised her eyebrows.

"Did you just say..." She gave a little laugh, unsure if she was supposed to play along or scold him.

Harry frowned at her for a second, but his face quickly stretched with realization.

"Oh- Merlin, right, no... I didn't mean-" Harry cursed to himself, sighing heavily. "I just prepared something for us... for lunch. Just- look behind you,"

He grinned over her shoulder with a small smirk and Y/N turned around and stared. She felt her mouth fall open.

Harry had set up a picnic for them.

It consisted of an average woven basket, topped off with a (clearly) hand-picked flower bouquet, a deck of Exploding Snap, and a mat big enough for only two people.

It wasn't much, but Y/N could see the dedication.

"Hope you don't mind missing one Great Hall lunch," Harry grinned and ruffled Y/N's hair, before getting up to his feet.

Y/N gawped at him in amusement, an adoring smile plastered to her face, as he laid the towel-looking mat on the grass.

"That wasn't there when we came here," she breathed, finally finding her voice.

"My timing is great, isn't it?" Harry smirked.

He then opened up the basket, revealing a meal for two: two marvelous sandwiches, sausage rolls, bagels, potato salad, egg tarts, blueberries, and two bottles of gillywater.

"That's a whole lot for one meal," Y/N said in astonishment, "Merlin, Harry- you prepared all this by yourself?"

She couldn't picture Harry attempting to make a sandwich or picking up wildflowers by the Forbidden Forest.

"Well... not exactly," Harry admitted, hesitating slightly. "I might've gotten some help from Dobby."

"Oh, of course," said Y/N with a smile, "That's really nice of him."

"'Anything for Harry Potter and Miss Girfend, sir!'" Harry imitated, his voice so tiny that it cracked halfway. "He sure did prepare more than what I've expected."

"But the rest was you?" asked Y/N.

"Hermione came up with the Exploding Snap idea and the flowers," Harry replied, slightly guiltily. "But I was the one who picked the flowers." he quickly added.

Y/N could notice his tone of shame.

"Oh, Harry- I love you, so it doesn't matter," she chuckled, getting hold of his chin and looking at him right in the eye. "It's not your fault you can't cook for life."

"Then that makes the both of us, Y/N Salty-Cookies Scamander," Harry grinned.

Y/N rolled her eyes, scoffing, but helped Harry pull out all the food and laid them on their mat.

They had their meal, while they threw odd inside jokes at each other and reminded each other of embarrassing moments from their years at Hogwarts.

By the time they finished their lunch and cleared everything off the mat, they were bringing up anything they had in mind.

Ranging from betting on Ron and Hermione's relationship to what they were planning to do in summer.

"All I have in mind is Bill and Fleur's wedding," Y/N said with a shrug. "I can't miss that. Fleur's been sending me letters recently, reminding me to find something nice for the occasion."

"You'll be staying at Remus', won't you?" asked Harry.

"Nowhere else to go, haven't I?" Y/N said, laughing slightly. "Anyway, Rolf's moving back into our old house, since he's of age now and our parents left it for him. I mean- dad's still alive, but- well... he's not around."

Harry gave her a sympathetic look and hooked his thumb with her pinky, latching onto her hand.

"I think I'll be visiting him, during summer," Y/N said, with a decisive sigh. "Dad, I mean... I've spent enough time running away from reality."

"Take all your time, Y/N," Harry said firmly, giving her hand a squeeze. "it's alright to care about your own feelings, too."

"Thanks, Harry," Y/N looked at him and grinned weakly, then looked away. "Anyway, I'll be around at Grimmauld Place a lot- if you and Sirius allow me to, that is."

"You could move in with us and we wouldn't complain," Harry joked, though Y/N could sense a tinge of seriousness in his voice.

"We'll be turning seventeen, aren't we?" Y/N said, gazing vaguely at the lake. "We should go somewhere this summer... the four of us, I mean, as a Quartet."

"Like a coming-of-age trip?" Harry raised his eyebrows.

"Sure, yeah..." Y/N nodded slowly. "Just the four of us."

"I'd love that more than anything," Harry said with a dreamy smile.

"We could camp, I know I few good places..." Y/N suggested. "The Forest of Dean is beautiful... Cornwall's nice..."

"Cornwall sounds good," Harry smiled. He'd never went on a proper trip before and loved the idea dearly, but it all sounded too simple. "That is, if I survive till then."

"Don't say that," said Y/N grimly, "We'll get through this, Harry, all of us. I promise..."

Harry and Y/N spent all afternoon outside at the meadow, far from the busy castle and everybody else.

They enjoyed each other's company so much that they didn't evem realize it when the sun started to set.

They'd spent the whole afternoon and evening playing Exploding Snap, reading each other's palms (mostly as a joke), and above all, they mostly talked.

Hours were spent on talking, whether that be joking around or pouring their hearts out.

Y/N liked it like that. Harry often playfully joked around, especially with her, but he was also an amazing listener when it came to serious talk.

With his head on her lap and his hair sprawled all over her thigh, Harry listened to her every word.

Y/N was surprised he never got tired or annoyed.

Harry, on the other hand, didn't think it was odd.

The way she spoke while running her fingers through his hair made him wish she would never stop.

"-Godric, it was beautiful," Y/N was on the topic of the first time she traveled into her Grandfather Newt's magical suitcase filled with magical creatures.

Harry grinned and gazed up at her face that filled with overwhelming emotions.

"I must've spent at least four hours in there," Y/N said with a small scoff, "Feeding every creature and hugging any that didn't bite... until my mother and grandpa had to drag me out for lunch."

"I can vividly imagine that," said Harry, laughing, and shaking his head.

"Merlin, sorry, got a little carried away with that story," said Y/N, gaining back control over herself. "Listen, just stop me whenever I start talking like a child in a sweetshop."

"Nah, I'm good," Harry smirked. "I love when you do that." Y/N looked down at him bitterly and Harry's grin only grew.

"Don't feel the need to flatter me," she said grimly.

"I don't," Harry said, picking up her hand and gently kissing it. Y/N's face went hot. "I just like the way you talk."

"Again, flattery..."

"Nope, just facts."

"Flattery."

"Facts."

"Flattery."

To Y/N's much surprise, Harry suddenly bolted upright, his head leaving her lap.

He sat up and turned around to face her and Y/N stared back at him gingerly.

They gazed at each other for a moment, Harry's hair pointing in a hundred different directions and Y/N looking uncertain.

Then, Harry finally broke into a grin, grabbed her by the waist, and pulled her onto his own lap.

Y/N had no choice but to wrap her arms around his neck for support. Harry knew what he was doing and they both knew it.

Y/N felt herself blush hard but fought back the urge to smile, for she knew that would satisfy Harry.

"Facts." Harry grinned, drumming his fingers on her waist.

He studied her face for a moment, his eyes filled with something between wonder and fondness.

Y/N felt his hands tighten around her back, and his expression looked determined.

She knew what he was going to do before he even attempted it, so she decided she'd beat him to it, and crashed her lips onto his.

She felt Harry grin against her lips as she kissed him for the second time of the day- with her arms around his neck and her legs around his torso.

After a few seconds, Y/N pulled away and grinned at him cheekily.

Harry's face was, as always, bright pink. He looked slightly dumb-founded, slightly overwhelmed, and extremely in love.

"Flattery." Y/N said, with the hint of a smirk playing on her lips.

Harry shook his head unbelievably.

"I'll give it to you this time," he said, grinning, "but there will be a next, and I will prove you wrong."

Y/N sniggered playfully, as Harry leaned his forehead on hers and closed his eyes, with his arms still protectively wrapped around her and his smile still blooming on his face.

For a short few hours, just several cherished moments, to Harry and Y/N, the world was beautiful and wasn't falling apart.

Death eaters weren't out killing, Voldemort was just a mere name.

All that existed to Y/N was Harry, and all that existed in Harry's eyes was Y/N and her bright, peculiar laugh.

∞ ϟ 9¾ ♔ ⚯͛ △r⃒⃘ ➵ ♆

A/N ~ Ah, I know, lots of fluff, but I miss writing all of it. And don't fret, the "date" isn't over yet... stay tuned for a part two next week :)

LOVE YOU ALL

-ScribblingQuills