The lunar phase is ending, as is the school year. We've got one week left, one event of the Triwizard tournament left, and one potion to brew.

As I'm stirring, I'm waiting. It's a light peach; it needs to be clear.

"Professor Snape," I call out, casting a glance over my shoulder.

He stands up from his desk and struts over to me. He hasn't bothered me about the Amortentia that has been stolen again, nor the ingredients for the Polyjuice potion. Still, he is cold and distant.

"Yes," his drawl is slow. He lingers above me but I don't dare tear my eyes away from the potion.

It smells of tangerine rinds. It should be odourless and colourless. I only have three stirs left.

"Wait," he instructs before I can speak.

With one stir, it is clear. The next the odour leaves. I finish swirling, placing the spoon down beside me.

"Adequate, Miss Travers," he says. He scoops it up, bottling it, and he hands it over to himself. With the tip of his finger, he places a droplet on his tongue.

"How can we be sure it works?" I ask.

He takes the bottle puts the bottle back on the counter. "You'll have to use it. At home, preferably with a family member. If I find out you have used it on a Hogwarts student, I will not be able to take you under my wing next year. Understood?"

I nod profusely. "I look forward to the opportunity next year."

It's the closest I can come to thanking him. Professor Snape hands me the bottle, and gestures for me to clean up the mess I've left out.

After putting away all the supplies, I rush out of the room. With the Veritaserum in my pocket, I head down to the dormitories, winding by hallways and down the staircases.

On the way, I stop by the Great Hall. There, I scan the tables, looking for a certain Weasley boy. It's dinner time, so it shouldn't be much of an issue.

I spot him at the Gryffindor table. I head over, ducking past people who stare at me. He's eating across from George, both of them smiling.

"Hey, speaking of," Fred points out, a smile on his face.

George looks up at me. "To what do we owe the pleasure?"

I look at them both, and pull out the vial. "I brewed the Veritaserum."

George and Fred exchange a glance. Their smiles turn into grins, slowly rising.

"No way am I letting you prank anyone with this," I tell them, shaking my head. "It's controlled by the ministry."

"But it would be so fun," Fred points out. He stretches his arms above his head, leaning back. A yawn on his lips.

"We'd only need three drops," George agrees. He looks back up at me. "Although, we accept that you choose to follow the rules. Don't we Freddie?"

"You might," Fred quips, leaning backwards. He laughs. "I'm just messing with you it's fine. Really, we ought to be thanking you."

"Why?" I ask.

It occurs to me then exactly what I am doing. At least, that I'm associating with them in the presence of everyone. I look over at the Slytherin table and only see Silas there. Of course, there are a few other Slytherins in my year, but they don't seem to notice me.

Silas won't say anything. This is part of the favour that I'm cashing in with him.

"Smell me," Fred instructs.

"Again, why?" I ask, shaking my head slightly to the side. I put my hands on my hips, staring me down.

He reaches forward and grabs my hand, dragging me in closer to him. When he lets go, I feel my chest tighten, and my whole body straightens. I wasn't even aware that I had given myself a second to relax.

"We're just having a bit of fun," Fred points out. "What do I smell like?"

My cheeks burn red as I lean down and get a whiff of him. Firewood hits me like a train. Then comes the rain, and finally, the hint of vanilla. I can feel my cheeks getting redder with each passing second.

"You smell like Amortentia," I tell him. "The potion worked then?"

Fred nods at George.

"We should celebrate then," I say, swallowing. "Astronomy tower tonight?"

"Of course," Fred says.

"We'll be there," George's lips are tight.

I bid them farewell and head out of the Great Hall. While I leave, I notice Silas is still staring at me. Only offering him a nod, I wait for a response. I'm met with vacant eyes.

Back in the dormitories, both Bronwyn and Elora are lounging on their beds. Elora lies on her back, staring up at her copy of the Daily Prophet. Her brow is furrowed, and her eyes are narrowing in.

I put the vial down on top of my dresser.

"Is that what you've been making with Professor Snape?" Bronwyn eyes it up briefly. "What is it?"

"Veritaserum," I say, turning around to face her. "We aren't sure if it works. I'm going to use it on my brother this summer."

"You should use it on Ander Ander to find out why he's been so distant," Bronwyn says.

I feel my stomach tearing itself apart. I swallow and nod. "He's just a bit of an oddball."

"He gets on well with Silas," Elora says.

It takes all of my efforts not to swing my head and stare at her. Does she know? Does she know that I know? What are Elora's mind games this time?

"Good, Silas can use some mates," Bronwyn sighs. She turns her back to me, moving back to her copy of her magazine. She's doing a crossword puzzle, which I rarely see her do on her own. It seems like she is struggling too. Normally, she gets Silas to help her.

I guess he gladly would, right now. Thanks to me.

It's all my fault.

Though I want to pace around, I don't. I stay for a few hours, until I claim I'm going to the library. Then, I sneak up into the astronomy tower.

Fred is already there, but there is no sign of George. He is wearing casual clothes, like the first time I saw him. It's a cozy yellow knit sweater and jeans. It's odd, seeing him wear something so muggle-ish. He looks at ease though.

I'm still in my uniform, and now I feel out of place. I take off my tie, shoving it into the pockets of my cloak. From there, I sit down on the ground next to him.

"Where's George?" I ask, not letting my eyes leave him.

I can still smell the firewood, even though he's changed clothes.

Oh, Merlin.

"He promised Lee he would do him a favour," Fred's nose twitches. He looks up at the stars, running a hand through his long ginger hair.

I know he is lying. "He's still upset at me for duelling him, isn't he?"

"Nah," Fred sighs. He looks over at me, and for a second, he goes quiet. He blinks and looks away. "He likes to think that I'm naïve, is all."

Even though I don't know what he means, I nod.

Fred digs through the pockets of his pants and pulls out a flask. He brings it to his lips and swallows. When he passes it to me, I chug as well. It burns my throat, but I already feel like I'm on fire.

A cold wind blows in, and I move closer to Fred, trying to hide behind him. He shivers next to me, his legs jittering beneath him as he pulls them up against his chest.

"Why don't your friends like me?" he asks.

I want to smile, but I feel a deep sadness take me over. "You're just a prankster, Fred."

"It doesn't bother me much," he answers, looking down at me. Our faces are so close to each other. "I just know it bothers you."

"I don't care what they think," I'm not being honest, but it's not to deceive him. It's because if I say it enough, maybe it will be true. At the very minimum, I don't care what Elora thinks of me. Silas and Bronwyn's opinions matter.

"Yes you do," he argues. "It's fine. I care what my friends think too, and they don't think very highly of you."

If I were a more curious person, I would ask why they dislike me. Unfortunately, I don't want to know. It could be my parents, my friends, or even my damn personality.

"What do you think of me?" I ask. Our faces still haven't moved. He's so close that it's hard to see all of him at once. He's a set of brown eyes and coral lips. He's a slightly hooked nose and a strong jawline. My eyes must be flickering across his face at the speed of sound; I'm desperately trying to see him all at once even though it's impossible.

Fred looks up at the stars, and then back down at me. "I don't know what I think of you, but I think of you."

I think of him when he's not around too. I chase him through halls. I watch his shadow in class. Worst of all, I don't even really know him, besides that he's a flicker of bright hair and a smile. However, he breathes life into me like no one I've ever known.

Our lips are centimetres apart.

"I think of you too," I tell him.

"I want to write to you this summer," he tells me. He digs through his pockets and slips me a piece of paper.

I nod. "I will. I promise."

With that, we have been separated. There is a gap between us, and no wind to bring me in. Slowly, I move myself. Millimetre by millimetre, until my head is on his shoulder. He wraps an arm around me, and despite his sweater, I can feel how cold he is.

He stiffens.

I lift my head up to face him. "What?"

He gulps. I watch his Adam's apple bob. "What do you smell, when you smell Amortentia?"

I am still not sure. It confuses me.

I pull away. "Vanilla, mint, and cigars."

He nods. With that, he stands up. "You are such a Slytherin."

"Am I?" I raise an eyebrow, ignoring my racing heart. My eyes itch, and I blink back to prevent myself from crying. The cold is burning them, and so is the moment.

"Yes," he grins but bites his lip. "We should be going before we get caught."

I nod. With that, we head down and out of the tower.

~~~~~

Argh! This chapter both fills me with glee and with rage. Like, they are just so close. This ain't a slow-burn, but it sure does feel like one when this stuff happens. What do you think Fred is thinking?