5th Year, Hogsmeade
Albus's POV

I grabbed a couple of chocolate frogs from the shelves and handed them to the lady at the counter.
"Just these, please," I smiled. She nodded, taking my money and handing me a paper bag. I thanked her, and hurried out of the shop, looking for Scorpius. I finally spotted him standing at the end of the street.
"Scorp, I went to Honeydukes!" I yelled, and he glanced over at me. I frowned. He looked upset. I rushed over.
"Hey, you okay?" I asked him, worried. Then I heard laughter behind me. I whipped around.
"Rose," I groaned. She scoffed.
"Well hello there, Albus. Having fun with your little boyfriend?"
I scowled at her. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing," she smirked. "Aw, did you buy him chocolate frogs?"
I rolled my eyes at her. "Rose, just because our parents are friends, doesn't mean we have to be. Just leave us alone, please." I pushed past her and gave the bag to Scorpius.
"Go on then, eat your chocolate," Rose laughed. "Maybe you'll get your dad! You know, the evil guy who became a death eater and tried to murder Dumbledore?"
I saw Scorpius's face crumble. "Dad's not evil," he said, his voice wobbling slightly.
That was it. I snapped.
"Rose, you're such a bitch!" The words tumbled out of my mouth before I could stop myself.
She raised her eyebrows. "I'm sorry?"
"That was such a mean thing to say! Like, seriously? What makes you think you can say those things to Scorpius?"
"He's a Slytherin! He's the son of Draco Malfoy, Albus! Our parents are supposed to be the saviours of the wizarding world, and you make friends with the son of a death eater?"
I shake my head. "Rose, that's ridiculous. Scorpius is a good person! And, if you hadn't noticed, I'm in Slytherin too!"
She scoffed. "Yes, Albus I had noticed. How do you think your family feels about that? A Potter, in Slytherin? It's pathetic. You're both pathetic."
She stalked off. I looked at Scorpius. His cheeks were red.
"Scorp, don't let her get to you."
"I don't need you fighting my battles!" He burst out.
I blinked. What?!
"That's not what I..."
"No, Albus! Do you think I'm weak or something? I can handle Rose!"
"Of course I don't!"
"Then why are you so protective all the time?"
"Because I love you!"
My face flamed as I suddenly realised what I had just said.
Scorpius stared at me. "What?"
Aaaaaaaah. My brain exploded.
"Um, um, I, what?"
"Ever gonna finish that sentence?"
I bit my lip.
He smiled. "It's ok, you don't have to."
He lent forward and tentatively brushed his lips against mine. My heart started beating so wildly that I felt like it was going to burst out of my chest. He pulled away gently and gazed into my eyes, smiling slightly. And it suddenly felt like I was holding his life in my palm and I was both his saviour and destruction, and I could crush him with just a word, kill him, stab him, and yet he would still love me.
"Scorp-"
"Shh. I know."

5th Year, Library
Naomi's POV

I groaned as I realised I still had 3 rolls of parchment left to go on my essay.
"Maria I can't do this I don't know shit about mandrakes," I whined.
She laughed. "Fine, I'll help you a bit. They can also be referred to as 'Mandragora', and they are humanoid plants that, when matured, emit a cry fatal to anyone who hears it."
"And if they're not matured?"
"If they are not fully grown, the cry merely renders the hearer unconscious."
"Thanks."
I scribbled down the last few words, then stretched. "I can write that up properly later. Can we go watch a quidditch game? Apparently Hufflepuff are playing Ravenclaw in a few minutes," I asked.
"Sure, I guess. Hey, isn't the new Hufflepuff beater supposed to be really good?"
"What, Liberty?"
"Yeah. They've won like all their matches since they got her. She's knocked out like 8 people, as well."
"Jesus."
We hurried out of the library.

5th Year, Quidditch Pitch
Naomi's POV

Hufflepuff won the match, as we expected. Our team played well, but we just weren't as good. After the match, Maria and I walked down to see some of our friends on the team. We chatted to them for a while, then they left. Liberty was still there, getting a couple of minor injuries checked out by Madam Pomfrey.
"Hey, you were really good," I said.
She grinned at me. "Thanks. I only hit myself with my bat twice!"
Maria and I laughed.
"Hey Liberty, you okay?" Adele Dursley hurried over, beaming at Liberty.
"Yo, I'm cool," she replied.
Adele slipped her hand into Liberty's.
"Hey, aren't you guys friends with Albus?"
I smiled. "Yeah. You're his cousin, right?"
"Second cousin, actually," she grinned. "I'm Adele."
"My girlfriend," Liberty smirked.
Adele laughed. "As of yesterday, yes."
Madam Pomfrey straightened up and smiled at us. "There you go, Liberty, you're free to go. Try not to get into too much trouble."
"I can't promise anything, Madam Pomfrey," she grinned.
Adele smiled at us. "Do you want to come back to the Hufflepuff common room with us?"
"Sure, thanks," Maria replied.
Liberty put an arm around Adele, and we walked out of the grounds and towards the school.