Diagon Alley was as busy as ever on the damp and cloudy day that the five friends decided to go shopping for their school supplies.

Leaving Mrs. Zabini, Mrs. Nott, Mrs. Parkinson and Mrs. Greengrass in the comfort of the Leaky Cauldron, the five set off up the street.

Johnny yawned as he walked, dark circles forming under his eyes from lack of sleep over his father.

Pansy, like always, had her arm looped around Johnny's, her shoulder length black hair bouncing as she smiled widely, her eyes twinkling with affection as she examined the silver bracelet Johnny had bought her in Italy.

Daphne, Theo and Blaise flanked the two like usual, Daphne and Theo on Johnny's side and Blaise on Pansy's.

"That's Jakob's boy, I hear trouble follows him too," Johnny overheard one witch talking to her friend.

"You remember Jakob and Evelyn in school though, don't you?" Her friend replied. "Always hanging around with James Potter and his gang? Always up to no good."

"Never expected Jakob to turn out bad though, did we?" The first witch responded. "Poor Evelyn, she lost her husband, her brother and sister-in-law all in the same night, only a year or two after her parents too."

"Ignore them, J," Pansy whispered to him, stroking his arm in comfort. "Let's go get our books, yeah?"

Johnny nodded, and the two plus Daphne departed towards Flourish and Blotts.

"Just how many subjects are you taking, Daph?" Pansy questioned when herself and Johnny picked out their Divination and Ancient Runes books. Johnny looked over at the blonde to see her carrying a mountain of books.

"Uh, all of them?" Daphne said like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Is there even enough hours in a week for that?" Johnny questioned, sharing a curious look with Pansy.

"I've arranged it all with McGonagall and Snape," Daphne said with a hint of finality to her tone.

"Oooh, there's the Ice Queen," Pansy said, sarcasm laced in her tone as she raised her hands in mock surrender.

Daphne rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath how "no one called her that" while Johnny and Pansy, snickered.

The rest of the month went by in a flash, and all of sudden Johnny found himself sat on his bed in his dorm room.

After the Dementors on the train, which targeted Johnny due to his blood with Jakob and Gellert, and then watch Astoria be sorted into the Slytherin, Johnny was more than happy to crawl into bed.

Their dorms had changed this year. Instead of sharing with six boys, he now only shared with Blaise and Theo, much to his relief.

His stomach was full after the feast, and just as he was about to fall backwards onto his bed, the door burst open and in walked Daphne and Pansy, clutching pieces of parchment.

"Have you seen this?" Pansy asked the boys, who were all groaning in agony from their full stomachs.

"They haven't even touched them," Daphne laughed, picking up the parchment on Blaise's bedside table and dropping it on his face. "Spice yourself up boys, we're going to a party."

"A party?" Theo asked, opening one eye to look at the two girls.

"An exclusive Slytherin party," Pansy grinned mischievously. "My father told me about them, only the prominent Pureblood houses and associates get invited."

"So I'm an associate now?" Johnny asked with mock offence, his hands over his heart as he laid on his bed. "You wound me, darling."

"You're the guest of honour, actually," Pansy said, hiding her face in Johnny's invite to disguise her flush. "John, I've got a suit for you already. I'll run and grab it."

"Wait, when is this party?" Johnny asked, sitting up straight.

"In an hour," Daphne replied, causing the three boys to groan.

In an hour, Blaise was impatiently tapping his foot as he stood at the bottom of the boys staircase in an all black suit.

"Ah, ladies, you look lovely," Blaise smiled at Daphne and Pansy. Daphne wore a baby blue ball gown with diamond accessories, while Pansy wore an emerald green ball gown with diamonds.

"Thank you, Blaise," both girls smiled at him. "Where's Johnny and Theo?" Pansy added.

"Doing their hair," Blaise rolled his eyes.

"Perfection takes time, my friend," Johnny's voice called out as he and Theo descended the stairs. Pansy felt her breath hitch in her throat at the tight fitting grey suit she picked for Johnny to wear. The pocket square and tie matched Pansy's dress. "Ladies, you look beautiful," Johnny told them with a smile.

Both girls flushed at that, causing Blaise to scoff in amusement as he shook his head.

"Honestly, I don't think it's fair that you can pull off a suit so effortlessly," said Theo, shaking his head with amusement as Johnny posed like he was on the cover of Witch Weekly. "You're making the rest of us look bad."

"I'm making you look bad," Johnny emphasised, grinning as he began leading the group towards the statue of Merlin located in the common room. Pansy had her arm linked through Johnny's.

"Wow," they murmured when the statue sunk into the ground. Behind the wall was a ballroom, adorned with silver decorations and hanging chandeliers with a big dance floor in the middle.

Blaise had then led them over to the drinks table, handing each of them a glass of Firewhiskey.

"This does not get back to my parents," Daphne told them pointedly, before quickly following the others and throwing it back, wincing as the liquid burnt her throat.

"Might want to tell Tori that," Pansy laughed, pointing at the younger Greengrass sister who was busy laughing with her new friends.

Johnny frowned, noticing the girl had looked sickly in comparison to the last time he saw her. The party continued on but before long Johnny couldn't take much more before pulling Daphne away.

"Daph," he called out, weaving through the crowd until he reached her. "Can I have a word?"

Daphne turned towards him, her expression shifting from thoughtful to curious. "Of course, J. What's up?"

"Follow me," he waved, gesturing toward a quieter corner of the hall, away from the music.

Once they were out of earshot, Johnny leaned against the wall, his demeanor shifting to one of concern. "I wanted to ask you about Tori."

Daphne's expression tightened, a flicker of unease crossing her face. "What have you heard?"

"Only that she looks unwell," Johnny replied, choosing his words carefully. "I want to know if there's anything I can do to help."

Daphne's gaze shifted away, the concern etched on her face deepening. "It's... complicated. Tori's been struggling with something that's been in our family for generations—a blood malediction. It's resurfaced in her, and it's slowly taking its toll."

Johnny's brow furrowed in confusion. "A blood malediction?"

"It's a curse that affects our bloodline," Daphne explained, her voice tinged with a mix of sadness and frustration. "It's not just a simple illness; it's much worse. It drains her life force, and there's no known cure. Many family members have suffered because of it, but now it's her who's paying the price."

"Is there nothing that can be done?" Johnny asked, feeling a surge of empathy. "Surely there must be some way to help her."

Daphne shook her head, her frustration evident. "My parents have asked many healers and even gone through our library, but nothing has worked. It's as if the curse is a part of our lineage, and it refuses to let go. I fear for her, John."

"I can't just stand by and do nothing," Johnny said, his eyes narrowing with determination. "If there's any way I can help, I want to try. I'm going to Austria to meet my grandfather this Christmas, perhaps he might have something on it."

Daphne's eyes softened, a mix of hope and skepticism mingling in her gaze. "You would do that? For us?"

"Absolutely," Johnny affirmed, his voice steady and sincere. "Daph, you're my best friend, I won't just sit back and watch your family get torn apart."

She studied him closely, her expression shifting as she considered his offer. "If you truly believe you can make a difference... it would mean everything to us. Tori's bright and full of potential. She deserves a chance to live without this curse hanging over her."

"I'll start looking through the library here," Johnny proposed. "I'll start my research immediately and keep you updated. You have my word that I won't let you down."

"Grindelwald's never go back on their words, do they?" Daphne couldn't help but tease, before throwing her hand over her mouth when she realised, but to her look Johnny chuckled.

"Low blow, Greengrass," Johnny smiled.

"Thank you, J," Daphne said softly, her voice filled with gratitude. "If you can find a way, I'll do everything I can to support you in return. My family hasn't got much influence, but we will stand by you."

Johnny and Daphne quickly rejoined the party, but before he could take another step, Pansy appeared before him, her emerald gown shimmering under the lights.

"I was starting to think you ran out on me, J," she said softly, grabbing his hand and pulling him toward the dance floor. "Come on, let's show them how it's really done."

Johnny laughed, momentarily caught off guard by her enthusiasm. "I didn't realise I was missing a dance partner, but how could I refuse?"

As they reached the center of the dance floor, Pansy turned to face him. The music shifted to a lively waltz, and she expertly guided him into the rhythm. The two of them moved gracefully, their steps synchronised as they twirled and swayed amidst the sea of students.

"You know, you have a way of drawing attention," Pansy teased, a hint of admiration in her voice as they danced. "Everyone's watching us."

Johnny smirked, feeling a rush of confidence. "Well, what can I say? The Grindelwald name alone has that type of effect on people."

Pansy rolled her eyes playfully. "You're incorrigible," she laughed. "But I suppose you're not wrong."

As the music continued, they lost themselves in the moment, their laughter echoing above the sound of the crowd. Johnny found himself drawn to Pansy in a way he hadn't anticipated. There was a newer spark between them..

"You know," he said, leaning closer as they danced, "I appreciate you always being by my side. It means a lot, especially with everything going on."

Pansy met his gaze, her expression softening. "You're my friend, Johnny. I'll always support you, no matter what. Besides, there's nothing wrong with a dance."

As the dance neared its end, the music transitioned into a slower, more romantic melody. Johnny felt the atmosphere shift, the energy becoming charged with something deeper. He pulled Pansy closer, their bodies moving in rhythm, the world around them fading into the background.

"Pansy," he murmured, his heart racing. "I—"

Before he could finish, she tilted her head slightly, her eyes locking onto his. The moment felt suspended in time, and he knew they were both feeling the same magnetic pull.

With a mixture of hesitation and desire, Pansy leaned in, closing the distance between them. Their lips met in a soft, tentative kiss that quickly deepened, filled with the excitement of the night and the unspoken connection they had forged.

When they finally pulled away, both breathless, Pansy smiled, a hint of surprise and happiness dancing in her eyes. "Well, that was... unexpected."

Johnny chuckled, a warmth spreading through him. "I'd say it was a pleasant surprise."

"Let's not make it a one-time thing," she said, her voice teasing yet sincere. "But let's not tell anyone yet, see how long it takes them to figure it out."

"I'd like that," Johnny replied, his heart swelling with possibilities.