"Wait, I'm confused," said Johnny as he sat in an abandoned classroom with the Golden Quartet later that same night. "So there's a stone that makes you live for six hundred odd years, a three headed dog and Snape wants to steal it?"

"Yes!" Montgomery said, tired with Johnny's constant questioning. "Look, you're only here because Hermione likes you, so why don't you do us a favour and just piss off back to your snake pit?"

Montgomery glanced at Johnny, frustration evident in his eyes. He had grown weary of Johnny's constant questioning and skepticism. The tension in the room was palpable as the Golden Quartet and Johnny sat in the dimly lit abandoned classroom.

Johnny furrowed his brow, not appreciating Montgomery's dismissive tone. "Hey, I have every right to ask questions," he retorted. "You dragged me in here when all I wanted was to eat dinner with my friends. But nooooo, we're a team now."

Montgomery scoffed, leaning back in his chair. "Working as a team? You're barely even a wizard," he sneered. "Hermione may have vouched for you, but that doesn't mean the rest of us like you."

"I kind of like him," Harry shrugged, ultimately getting ignored by the two arguing boys.

Johnny's face flushed with anger. He clenched his fists, trying to maintain his composure. "I may not have grown up in this world like you, Lyons, but that doesn't mean I can't contribute," he shot back. "I'm the one who faced that troll while you cowered away in the corner, and I know what it's like to fight for something bigger than myself."

Montgomery rolled his eyes, clearly unconvinced. "Oh, please. You think you can just waltz in here and act like you know everything? You're clueless, Scaletta. You don't understand the dangers we're facing."

Johnny's voice grew louder, laced with frustration. "And whose fault is that? Instead of pushing me away, you could try explaining things to me," he retorted, his voice tinged with hurt. "This whole thing is so far fetched it's unbelievable! Why would Snape try and steal the stone when he's been loyal to Dumbledore for years!"

There was a silence that hung in the room, and the Quartet looked between each other and Johnny before the latter finally had enough. He scoffed, looking at the three boys before storming out, slamming the door behind him.

Johnny did think however, that if it was Snape and he was threatening Quirrell, he must have been braver than they thought. In the weeks that followed he did seem to be getting paler and thinner, but it didn't look as though he'd cracked yet.

Hermione, however, had more on her mind than the Stone. She had started drawing up study schedules and color coding all her notes. Montgomery, Harry and Ron wouldn't have minded, but she kept nagging them to do the same.

"Hermione, the exams are ages away."

"Ten weeks," Hermione snapped. "That's not ages, that's like a second to Nicolas Flamel, and Johnny has done one without any complaints."

"But we're not six hundred years old," Ron reminded her. "Anyway, what are you studying for, you already know it's an O."

"What am I studying for? Are you crazy? You realise we need to pass these exams to get into the second year? They're very important, I should have started studying a month ago, I don't know what's gotten into me..."

Unfortunately, the teachers seemed to be thinking along the same lines as Hermione. They piled so much homework on them that the Easter holidays weren't nearly as much fun as the Christmas ones. It was hard to relax with Hermione next to you reciting the twelve uses of dragon's blood or practicing wand movements.

When Johnny wasn't studying with Hermione, he was spending time with his friends. Blaise and Theo would constantly tease him, saying how Johnny has a crush on the Gryffindor girl while Pansy would just go quiet.

Daphne confronted her about it one day when the boys were distracted, Johnny teaching them about Muggle football.

Daphne approached Pansy with a determined look on her face. The two girls found a quiet corner in the common room, away from prying eyes and ears. Daphne took a deep breath before speaking up.

"What's up? I've noticed whenever the boys mention Johnny and Granger you always go quiet.," Daphne began, her voice filled with curiosity. "Care to explain why?"

Pansy shifted uncomfortably in her seat, her gaze fixed on her fidgeting hands. After a moment of hesitation, she finally looked up at Daphne, her cheeks slightly flushed.

"Fine, I'll admit it," Pansy confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. "I... I have a tiny crush on Johnny."

Daphne couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle, finding Pansy's reaction amusing. "Oh, P," she laughed, shaking her head. "It's extremely obvious that you have a crush on him."

Pansy's eyes widened in panic, her cheeks turning a deep shade of red. "You think he knows?!" she whispered, her voice filled with worry.

Daphne quickly reassured her, placing a reassuring hand on her arm. "No, no, Pansy. Don't worry. Johnny, Blaise, and Theo are completely oblivious. They have no idea."

Relief washed over Pansy's face as she let out a sigh. "Thank Merlin," she whispered, her voice filled with gratitude.

Pansy nodded, her expression a mix of embarrassment and acceptance. "I never expected anyone to notice..."

Daphne leaned in closer, her voice filled with sincerity. "Pansy, you're a wonderful person, and it's only natural for someone like Johnny to catch your eye," she playfully winked. "He's a good looking lad, and he's sweet. If you ever want to talk about it or need any advice, I'm here for you."

A small smile tugged at the corners of Pansy's lips as she looked at Daphne gratefully. "Thank you, Daphne. I appreciate your support."

"Why didn't you tell me though?" Daphne faked her sadness. "I thought we were best friends."

Pansy shrugged, a mix of embarrassment and longing evident in her eyes. "I don't know... I guess I was afraid everyone would make fun of me. And besides, it's not like he would ever notice me."

Daphne reached out and placed a comforting hand on Pansy's shoulder. "Pansy, shut up. You're a wonderful person, and you deserve to be noticed. We're twelve, there's still six years left of school to tell him how you feel."

Pansy sighed, her gaze dropping to the floor. "I don't know if I can. What if he rejects me? What if it ruins our friendship?"

Daphne gave her a reassuring smile. "You won't know unless you try. And even if things don't turn out the way you hope, true friends will find a way to move past it. Just remember, you deserve happiness."

Pansy nodded. "You're right, Daph. Thank you."

Daphne squeezed Pansy's shoulder gently. "Of course."