❛let me ask you, is revenge a science or an art?❜

          𝔼𝕞𝕡𝕥𝕪 air with a color palette of earthy gray. Colors that only the one's who are truly gone can manage to puzzle together and see through the wisps of reality. A statue that was faceless, but held an energy that screamed guaranteed death and suffering. Even the frosted grass seemed to droop in exhaustion. What was this dreadful place? 

(y/n)'s body didn't exist in this moment. Only her conscious. A sensation she had grown excruciatingly use to. 

An aroma of death filled this gray air. Thick clouds created a dome over the sky, blocking any warmth or sunlight that dare to come through and make the atmosphere more welcoming. Although there was no one in sight, the space felt like it was filled with narrowed eyes and mischievous smiles. 

This feeling was one that (y/n) did not appreciate, as it was almost like she was about to be cornered into torture- yet she couldn't tell the direction it was going to originate from. 

She took a moment to center herself and absorb every detail around her. The way the breeze carried whispers through tree branches, creating mini flurries above the snow sprinkled ground. It was a familiar place; one that she could swear she'd been before. 

It was almost like time was paused, like she was the only one that remained on the dystopian planet, only seeing the reminisce of what once was, all of it being shriveled to a still depression. 

The more she observed her surroundings, the more frightened she became. It was realized that the large statue in front of her was molded to look like the Grim Reaper. A man she constantly feels she will soon meet. 

The reason being, it was no just a statue, but a grave. Three names, carved into the dark stone. One of them being Tom Riddle. A name she had heard one too many times. A name that made her bones slither with ice.  

The more (y/n)'s brain grazed over every detail of the place that trapped her, the closer her mind came to the  conclusion that the very soil she was standing on belonged to that of a graveyard. That she had in fact been here before.

Although not in her physical body, but in her dreams. Or rather, visions. 

This is the place that she has had to see Cedric die in night after night. The place where she has felt all of her bones twist in her muscles while her nerves were overwhelmed with an agonizing pain. 

Why was she safe tonight? What saved her from the torture that these mysterious figures brought to her every time she slipped under the waves of slumber. 

(y/n) stood, trembling against her own realizations- her own intelligence. Something felt...off. The frustrating part was that she could feel her brain trying to make her realize something, like the epiphany was on the tip of her tongue, similar to a sneeze too stubborn to come out. 

Her lungs were squeezed as she grew dizzy, her consciousness being sucked into reality. 

The dizziness ceased once her skull was met with the sensation of her pillow. Her eyes slowly fluttered open, and she was met with color instead of gray, the wood above her bed instead of a lifeless sky that taunted her. 

Worry consumed her as she became increasingly aware what everything meant. Someone was in danger. Something was coming, and it was not going to wait until she was ready for it. Because evil is not kind in that way. It's kind in the way it gives you a moment to process what they're doing. To process just how painful your experience is going to be before you're struck down. 

(y/n)'s chest swelled with a banging anxiety that made it hard to breathe. 

Her mind swirled with possibilities of how she could possibly make things right, or make use of her gift. The problem is that she can't tell anyone anything, so how is she supposed to get help? A thought crossed her mind as she remembered a letter Remus sent her about a month back. 

𝘋𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵 (𝘺/𝘯),

𝘐'𝘮 𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴. 𝘐 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘳𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶'𝘳𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘱𝘶𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘎𝘰𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴. 𝘐'𝘮 𝘵𝘳𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘺 𝘭𝘰𝘸, 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘸𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥'𝘷𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘢 𝘭𝘰𝘵 𝘴𝘰𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘳. 𝘐'𝘥 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘶𝘴𝘴 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘚𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘶𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘴.

𝘏𝘰𝘱𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶'𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭,

𝘔𝘰𝘰𝘯𝘺

"I have to see Remus," she whispered to herself, trembling. She completely forgot that Sirius said when and where to meet Remus, and it was today at 2, and to meet him at "the place where the truth was found".  

(y/n) sat for a moment, thinking about all the issues that were currently taunting her. However, this is the first time that when she thought of her school life, she didn't get pushed over the edge with more stress. This time, it actually made her fears melt away like a warm flame. 

What happened to cross her mind was the feeling of Harry's lips on her own. How less than 48 hours ago, they had kissed. Even better, he kissed her. 

It was all (y/n) could think about as she made her way to breakfast. Kissing him made her feel like she was allowed to view him differently. Allowed to notice things about him that would cautiously make her fall deeper for him. His soul, his essence, the way his eyes sparkle with wonder whenever he sees something new about magic, or he meets an adult that he views as his protector with admiration. The way he smiles and it makes his nose wiggle. She wants to fall deeper into his trap, to feel his lips forever and call them hers. 

Painfully, she remembers that she told him that they had to wait to see where their relationship would go. She's just protecting herself from getting hurt before she dives into the deep end.

 She trusts Harry, he's honest and true, especially when it comes to her. However, what will she do if while she's being hypnotized by his eyes, she finds out that he had lied about that night? I mean, he did seem to be having a good time at the ball with Romilda.

 For her own reassurance, she has to hear the confession directly from the source.

Romilda Vane in the flesh. 

Pushing it all to the back of her mind, she sits down at the long tables in the Great Hall, thankful to finally be sitting with her best friends again. 

She had been avoiding Ivan ever since the ball, saying she needed space. He was awfully needy and she really didn't want to explain to him where she disappeared to that night.

It was annoying that fears from her previous vision that was experienced a mere ten minutes prior were attempting to take over her feeling of excitement of seeing Harry. 

His presence held a new found grace. An opportunity to take a gulp of air while she was currently drowning in her troubles. 

The change between them wasn't enough for everyone in the school to notice, for it was mainly an internal change. An altering of brain chemistry. A release of love like a perfume wanting to settle on broken skin. 

The safe haven his lips brought her that night was addicting. All she could now think about was repeating it. Having a moment to recreate the night they both said words that brought binding affection. 

She noticed his eyes flicker between her eyes and her lips before blushing and nervously fumbling with his spoon and tipping over his cereal bowl. 

"Harry!" Ron grumpily yelled, jumping from his seat to avoid the splattering milk. "Not only did you just 'bout ruin my robes, but you wasted a completely good bowl of food!" 

"Sorry," Harry mumbled. Attempting to crumble up napkins and place them over the pooling mess. 

"Here, let me help," (y/n) suggested, clearing her throat to rid of her thoughts. 

She gathered some napkins, leaning over the milk spoiled table to wipe some drops that had gotten on his robes. Eventually wiping droplets off his face, which caused him to stop what he was doing and stare at her nervously. Her eyes were focused, until they flickered up to meet his, slowing what both of them were doing. 

It was that something about him that sparked what was dead inside her like a wildfire.

"Ahem," Hermione interrupted slightly, trying to hide her smirk while she glanced between the Daily Prophet and the two blooming lovebirds. "I don't mean to break it up, but Rita Skeeter wrote something dreadful in the Daily Prophet. It's all complete lies."

The group went silent, as all three of them steadily sat back down in their seats, waiting for Hermione to say something more. However, she just stared at the paper with her brows morphed together, looking as though she might cry. 

(y/n) gently reached for the paper in Hermione's death grip, like she was approaching a frightened animal. "Hermione, what is it?" 

Hermione just shook her head and looked away with a troubled frown, allowing (y/n) to pry the newspaper from her fingers. 

Before reading it, she stared after the bushy haired girl for a few moments to ensure she was alright. Surprisingly-despite their little argument the night of the Yule Ball-Ron was gently consoling her. 

(y/n) noticed the title boldly stating, "Dumbledore's Giant Mistake", only to make sense of the play on words once she skimmed the many paragraphs the article contained. "Oh no," she mumbled to herself.

"What is it?" Harry asked concerned, flinching to reach for her hand, but catching himself.

(y/n) looked up at Harry's concerned expression, trying her best not to admire it. "It's about Hagrid. It's making up complete lies about him. Saying he cheated his way into being the teacher of Care of Magical Creatures, he terrifies us with petrifying creatures that have apparently hurt Malfoy's little gang, and that he thinks he's above the restrictions given on certain creatures. Even more insane, she's accusing him of being half-giant and inheriting his mothers 'brutal nature'. What rubbish." She slammed the paper down, rolling her eyes at the complete nonsense Rita Skeeter manages to create. 

Harry sighed heavily, rubbing his eyes underneath his round glasses, before snapping his head up in realization. "Actually, it...might not be an entire lie."

The group waited for Harry to elaborate at such a bizarre statement. He noticed their stares being ones that were thirsting for an elaboration. He sighed, "The night of the Yule Ball I was on my way back to the dormitory, and I overhead a conversation Hagrid was having with Madam Maxime. He...he is Half-Giant, you see. But, I haven't the slightest idea how Rita Skeeter could have found out."

Hermione processed the information before looking up with a hopeful smirk, "Well...they can't all be horrible, can they? All this hysteria about giants. It's the same prejudice people have against werewolves like Lupin. It's all bigotry isn't it?"

(y/n) sighed, remembering the meeting she'll have with Remus today, and how nervous the topics they were to discuss made her. "We've known Hagrid for years. Knowing his heritage doesn't change the fact that he's a good person. Why should it? He must feel so betrayed from this. We have to make sure he's alright when we go to Care of Magical Creatures." 

"Agreed," Hermione nodded sternly. She turned to Harry, "Harry you need to prepare for the next task. Have you even solved the clue from the egg yet?"

Harry, ashamed, glanced between Hermione and his remaining food, head down. "Well...not exactly."

"Harry!" (y/n) scolded. It was out of love, for she sees things in her dreams that other can't even make up. She knows how dangerous these next two tasks are going to be. "You have to be prepared. These can't be taken lightly. It's not a Charms test, Harry. It's your life. I'd rather get through this competition together than have to mourn you and pretend it didn't affect me."

Ron and Hermione awkwardly swirled their food around while Harry looked up at the stubborn girl. She could tell he was holding back a smile. "For you I guess I can figure it out."

They stared before returning to the rest of the group. "Besides," he continued, "it's not like I haven't done anything. Cedric tried to give me a clue-"

(y/n)'s head went sharp, liking her vision was pulsating. The world became only a wisp of reality. The world around her like it was floating as she faded from her surroundings. This familiar feeling of detachment was one that made her brain feel like it was trying to jump out of her skull. She could feel a vision coming about. It was odd, she hadn't gotten one during the day in awhile, as they usually choose to strike when she tries to rest. It's been so long, in fact, that she almost didn't remember how it felt- how worried her friends got when her body would start going limp. 

What caused it?

She's found that sometimes a vision will be triggered by touching something significant, like when she picked Scabbers up in the corridors third year. It couldn't be that, all she'd touched in the last few moments was her fork. 

Could it be that her visions can be set off by words? It had to be the golden egg. The fact that the group knows absolutely nothing about it or the clue it contains makes it highly likely it could hold a future significance to the second task. 

Why is it significant to her? Harry's competing in it, not her. What are her abilities trying to warn her about. Could the next task be the one she sees in her dreams every night? The one where she discovered Cedric's body lay cold on the equally shivering ground. 

Dizzily, (y/n) removed herself from the Great Hall bench, stumbling to the exit. Praying that she didn't collapse before she was able to become hidden from the various eyes that were now on her. She couldn't tell if any of her friends were coming after her or asking her questions. 

When this happens, it's like her head is underwater, muffling the world from head to toe. Refusing to let her function. Like a parasite that burrows itself into your nervous system. 

Collapsing against a corridor wall was the last thing (y/n) wanted, but it drew much less attention than if she were in a room with over a hundred students. 

(y/n) tried to focus on the cold stone against her back or the blotchy candlelight that stabbed her eyes open like a needle. Anything to keep her in the present, to keep her from slipping under into the world of past, present, and future. 

Her outside persona was the eye and her mind was the hurricane. 

The symptoms diminished as a blob of a figure was now kneeling in front of her as she cradled herself. 

"(y/n)?" Harry nurtured. Gently lifting her chin, scolding anyone who dared to stare at her for too long when walking by. 

Surprisingly, it helped her become a little more conscious. "Harry, go away." She slurred. 

He looked taken aback, but she was too dazed to notice. "No. I won't."

She squirmed and scoffed. "This doesn't affect you. I'm not letting you get involved in this. It's not your problem, it's mine."

Harry clenched his jaw and lowered his voice while leaning closer to her face. "You think this doesn't affect me? It kills me to see you suffer like this and to have to do nothing. Your problems become my problems, because that's what friends are there for. That's what...people who feel a certain way about each other are for. Just because you aren't ready to see where this goes doesn't mean my feelings magically pause."

This alone steadily dragged her out of the pit in her mind. She wanted to kiss him. 

It hurt because she couldn't. She had to keep her rule. That she had to hear what happened from Romilda. To maybe even get an apology. 

(y/n) was stubborn like that. 

Here she was, sitting here, struggling with her abilities, showing him her weak side.

(y/n) showed him the darkness inside of her and yet he still looked at her like she was the Sun.

─── · 。ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Dumbledore allowed (y/n) to dismiss herself from class the rest of the day. Her visions were not taken lightly by him, and she was thankful that he understood the toll they took on her body. 

While the trio went to Hagrid's class, instead of sulking in her bed, she headed off to find where she was supposed to meet Remus. 

"The place where the truth was found"

(y/n) balanced herself on a window ledge to consider what Remus' mini poem meant. With the aide of the silent atmosphere, her brain finally pieced together exactly what he was trying to say. 

She rose from where she sat, making her way to the outside. 

The cold air hit her skin like sharp pebbles, the wind causing the ends of her hair to whip her face, leaving a stinging sensation on the skin that was already partially numb from the freezing temperature. 

Snow thickly pasted the once green Earth, occasionally twinkling like little stars were trapped underneath if the light hit the white powder just right. The trees looked hauntingly beautiful, bare from any sign of life, yet happily appearing free from the added weight as the branches swayed in the loudly rumbling breeze. 

The world was quiet. No sign of birds chirping, students talking, leaves rustling. Just the comforting silence of a gloomy winter. Just snow and clouds, encasing (y/n)'s emotions like a sparkling snow globe. 

Thankfully the walk was long enough that it gave her time to gather her emotions and her thoughts. She had to put away her feelings and fears with Harry, her stress about homework, everything irrelevant to her current mission relating to her visions, aside. 

Seeing Remus was nerve-racking. She hadn't spoken nor seen the man in months. The man that was her biological Father, just sort of disappeared. 

(y/n) wasn't sure exactly how she would speak to him without it being awkward, but what made her more nervous is the fact that this conversation isn't just to lightheartedly catch up. It's serious. It involves the risk of her life and how he might know what's causing the sudden threat. 

Does he know about her visions? She can't seem to remember if she told him. It get's so complicated- who you can and can't tell. 

Eventually, she reaches the place she believes Remus meant when he told Sirius to inform her. 

To her, "The place where the truth was found", was referring to where it was uncovered by Remus that he was her father. It made sense. To make it somewhere that related to a moment that was shared by only them, that nobody else would be able to figure out if they were to overhear her and Sirius' conversation. 

The Black Lake.

Heart racing, she stepped onto the pebbles that were covered with a glossy layer of thin ice. The Black Lake was so much more mythical in the winter time. 

Sure enough, Remus stood, staring out at the motionless water, eerily identical to the first occurrence at this very spot. The mountains were now pale and grey, covered from sight with a thick fog that brought about sadness. No more birds chirped, only the sound of the wind smacking the bare branches.

Just like a few months ago, he turned at the sound of her beaten up shoes cracking the frozen snow beneath the soles. 

Seeing his face again seemed to send a waterfall of relief down her body. The anxiety in her chest melting and making it feel like she could breathe without constriction. 

He looked exhausted. The dark circles under his eyes distracting from the new scars on his face. Although this time they don't seem to be from constant transforming, but from worry. 

With a smile, (y/n) carefully ran up to him, wrapping her arms around his lean body, nuzzling her face in his unnaturally soft sweater. 

He gave a hearty laugh, hugging her back before gently pulling her in front of him, observing her with a smile with a hand on each of her shoulders. 

For a moment, (y/n) got to feel a fatherly love again. It was something she missed, seeing as her adoptive parents seem to have stopped existing. They had been gone for Christmas with unknown business, not even sending a letter. 

"How are you, (y/n)," Lupin asked. However not as a standard greeting, but as a question of genuine concern and care. 

(y/n) pressed her lips together, playing with her sleeves before gaining the courage to look into his piercing eyes. "I'm scared."

Remus' eyes pricked with a slight shine as tears outlined his waterline. He leaned down, taking both of her shoulders, not addressing her quivering lip as she held back tears. "I know. That's why I'm here. We need to discuss your safety." 

She snapped her head up, mouth slightly open, eyebrows furrowed as her concern and worry returned. "My safety?"

Remus closed his eyes for a moment. "Yes. When you told me about your name being in the Goblet and your visions-"

so she did tell him

"-I became extremely worried. You see, whoever put your name in this Tournament knows how dangerous it is. Knows the risks you would be taking in relation to your life. And your visions...why don't you sit down."

Overwhelmed with the many possibilities of what he could say, (y/n) looked around. There was nothing but ice. "Sit down? But...there's nothing but ice here."

Remus looked around, observing the same thing. "Right...alright well, never mind then." He kept searching for a place to sit before giving up. "Well, I guess I'll get straight to the point. I'm here to warn you. The Death Eaters that killed your mother were very persistent on ending her bloodline. Ending the power that came with her genetics. So you being her daughter..." Remus lightly sighed, trying to figure out how to put what he was about to say lightly. "You are the person that they failed to kill. The mission that they failed to complete. The fact that you are both the daughter of me and Marlene makes you incredibly powerful. However, no one ever knew where you went after she died. In fact, we tried to keep it on the down low that we had a child, for your protection. I have to ask...Does anyone know about Marlene or I being your real parents?" 

She thought about it. "Well, my adoptive parents, Harry, Hermione, Ron, Draco, I think Moody...I don't know I guess there are a lot of people that know." 

Lupin's eyes grew with worry as he sternly looked at her. "(y/n) listen to me. Do not tell anybody else. Especially not that you're a seer. If this gets to someone that has contact with Death Eaters, they will make it a mission to find you. They will make it a mission to put you in danger, and finish what they started. Do you understand?"

(y/n) gulped before nodding her head frantically. Remus ran his fingers through his hair, pacing. (y/n) thought before she remembered something. "Remus?" He turned around, nodding his head. "At the Quidditch World Cup...the woman with a faded mark. She told me that the Dark Lord knows of my identity, that inside help has helped him find me. Did she mean...they know I'm Marlene's daughter? That they're trying to hurt me right now but I just don't realize it?"

Remus' hand shook while he ran it down his mouth. "(y/n) tell me, what did that faded mark look like? On her arm?"

She thought for a moment, trying to remember that dreadful night. "Well, it was black. All I can remember about it was that there was a snake wrapped around something." She kept trying, but it was no use. "That's all I remember."

The werewolf's persona switched from calm to panicked. "(y/n), I want you to listen to me very carefully." His finger shook in her face. "You need to be very careful. If you have any suspicion whatsoever that you are in danger, go to Dumbledore immediately. I shouldn't tell you this, but I'm afraid that we might be too late on keeping things secret. I do not want you to discuss your visions, abilities, or parents with anyone but the trio, me, or Dumbledore. Do you understand?" 

(y/n) shook from the cold and intense fear in her body. "Remus, you sound worried. Am I going to be okay?" 

He gave a stiff smile. "Of course, of course. Listen, if you ever need anything, do not hesitate to send me a letter. I'll be in touch." 

He stood up tall and straight, making his way to a hidden portkey that lay buried underneath the shadows of the trees and the snow on the ground. "I'll see you soon. Get back to class, alright?"

Within seconds, he was a blur of color swirling against the cold, and then he was gone. 

It was time to go back, now with a heavy heart and a frightened mind. 

But she couldn't tell anyone what she was just told. Not only would it freak her friends out, but it was too risky if people found out Remus was on the grounds or if they found out any of the information just revealed to her. 

As she steps through the snow, crunching it underneath her light feet and weighed down heart, she takes it slow. Taking time to process everything so that when she enters the castle once more, she can plaster a smile, holding a truth that people won't notice. 

(y/n) is battling things, big things, that her smile will never tell them about.

─── · 。ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

As the blazing Sun rose, breakfast at Hogwarts was just about over. (y/n) had been sitting on a bench in the corridors, staring off into space and trying to make sense of her life. She glanced at the time, realizing her plan would soon be set into place. 

She made her way down the dim stone hallways, trying her best to not look shaken up or suspicious. She stood just outside the tall doors of the Great Hall, patiently waiting and scoping the area for her allies. 

Sure enough, a pair of fiery heads came striding down the corridor in her direction, smiling proudly. 

The Weasley Twins held up the little tube of liquid that would provide her with all the information she needed. 

"'Morning, (l/n)," George smiled, teasingly swaying the substance in front of her face while her eyes followed it like a prize.

(y/n) was shocked that they even managed to pull it off. Especially since it was extremely challenging to steal anything from Snape's supply closet. 

She stared in awe between the both of them, who cockily smiled down at her in pride. "How did you even- I mean I didn't expect you to get it within a few days."

Fred put his shoulders back proudly, "Doesn't take much when you know Snape's schedule. He doesn't have good protection over his personal stores either. Let's just say he stays in his dungeon on Friday's."

(y/n) gave a slight smile before trying to hide her amusement, carefully taking the vial from George. "Well, I appreciate you two immensely for this. It's important if I want my plan to work."

The twins persona adopted a more serious aura. "Do you think it'll work? I mean, obviously if you have this stuff you're bound to get the information you want. But what if it's not exactly what you want to hear? Then what will you do?"

She thought about it. Perhaps she hadn't considered the possibility of it not going her way. Finding out Harry was lying all along. "I'm...not sure actually. I haven't thought that far ahead. I guess I'll figure it out as I go along. In fact this whole plan is sort of a mess. It was very last minute on my part."

George put a consoling hand on (y/n)'s left shoulder, Fred on her right. 

"We wish you luck," George said. "If things go south, or you need help, don't hesitate to come find us."

She took a breath of relief. "Thank you guys. Have fun with your pranks today, by the way."

Fred winked while him and George started making their way speedily down the corridor. "Oh don't you worry. We will."

(y/n) smiled before looking down at the tiny vial in her hand. She rolled the cool glass between her fingers, the clear liquid splashing against the cork. She pocketed it as the Great Hall doors opened, signaling the end of breakfast. 

Sure enough, she could see the trio talking and making their way down the aisle between the long tables. They spotted her, smiling and waving before lightly jogging in her direction.

Hermione gave her a tight hug before pulling away, analyzing her expression. "How are you doing? I haven't seen you since yesterday. Harry told me how you almost had a vision out here. Feeling better?"

(y/n) nodded, "Yes, much better. Sorry I didn't come to breakfast, I must've slept in a little too late." 

Great. Now she was resorting to lying.

Hermione looked worried.  She knew something was up. She always did. "Right...well, we were just about to make the trip to Hogsmeade. Are you feeling up to it?"

There was so much she wanted to tell them. Maybe she could casually bring up Remus without drawing too much attention. "Of course, I'd love to."

The quartet made their way outside, trudging through the snowy, wet ground. They passed the towering Durmstrang ship, only to see Viktor Krum's skinny body housing nothing but a pair of swim trunks. The Bulgarian boy climbed onto the side of the ship, got himself into position, then proceeded to dive off the ship, making a large splash in the dark lake. This, of course, sent a flurry of confusion through the four friends, who stared wordless at the freezing water. 

"Is he mad?" Harry asked, flabbergasted. "The water must be freezing, it's January!"

Hermione tried her best not to get the ick. "I mean it is a lot colder where he's from, Harry. I'm sure the water must feel warm to him."

(y/n) could almost hear the roll of Ron's eye's. "Yeah, but there's still a giant squid." Ron's voice was not in a tone of concern, but rather hopefulness. 

Hermione scoffed before sending an exaggerated frown in Ron's direction. "He's really nice, you know," she defended. "He's not all like you'd think, coming from Durmstrang. He likes it much better here, he told me himself."

Ron didn't say anything. In fact, it was like Ron refused to even speak of Viktor unless it was to make a rude remark. This was the first time he's said anything about the Bulgarian boy since the Yule Ball. 

The silence was heavy as they continued on their way, observing the tiny snowflakes sprinkling around them as they made their way down High Street. The way kids were giggling as some slipped on a patch of ice.

"Could we go to the Three Broomsticks?" Harry suggested.

"I don't see why not," (y/n) said. She became curious as to why he was so specific. "How come?"

Harry shoved his hands into his hoodie. "I want to see if maybe Hagrid's there. I've been looking for him when we pass the shops, but it doesn't look like he's in sight."

(y/n) grew confused. Did she miss something? "Why are you looking for Hagrid?"

Hermione tilted her head, "While you were sick yesterday, we went to Care of Magical Creatures like normal...but Hagrid wasn't there."

The seer was shocked but also confused at this information. "Well...why not? Was he sick?"

Hermione sighed. "No. He read the article Skeeter wrote about him. There was some woman in his place, Professor Grubbly-Plank, and we went to his hut after Divination, but he wouldn't answer the door. We tried everything. Banging on the doors and windows, talking through the door. Nothing. We think he's avoiding us because he's ashamed to be half-giant. Or he just thinks we want nothing to do with him because of it."

(y/n) was shocked. It broke her heart to think of Hagrid being anything but chipper. To think that he sat around his hut alone with a broken heart and an embarrassed state of mind. To think that he viewed the quartet as being embarrassed of him. As being cruel enough to ditch him just because of who he is. 

"That's just completely irrational." (y/n) shook her head. "Do you think he'll even be at the Three Broomsticks?"

Harry shrugged, "Possibly. We can only hope."

The pub was extremely crowded, as expected. One glance at all the tables told the four Gryffindors that Hagrid was in fact, not there. 

With their hearts sinking, they disappointedly went up to the busy bar and ordered four Butterbeers from Madam Rosmerta. 

"Doesn't he ever go into the office?" Hermione whispered suddenly. "Look!" 

Hermione points to a glossy mirror that was behind the bar. It's reflective surface revealing Ludo Bagman in a dark corner of shadows, talking low and stern to a cluster of goblins. All of which had their arms crossed in a menacing manner. 

His presence was confusing. "Why is he here on a day that has no Triwizard events?" (y/n) asked. "No judging needs to be done."

Hermione shook her head as she analytically stared after the secretive man. "I'm not sure."

Bagman noticed the group staring after him in an accusing way, looking back at the goblins before lowering his voice and dismissing himself. 

He made his way over to them with a corrected posture and friendly grin. "Harry!" he greeted. "How are you? Been hoping to run into you! Everything going alright?"

Harry looked confused. "Fine, thanks."

What are we, (y/n) thought, ghosts?

"Wonder if I can have a quick, private word, Harry?" Bagman said eagerly. "You couldn't give us a moment, you three, could you?"

Slightly offended and confused, the three looked at each other. "Er-ok," Ron answered. 

They all slowly walked to find an empty table, eventually seating themselves at one near the entrance of the pub. 

The time consisted of drinking their Butterbeers and observing the conversation going down between Harry and Bagman. Harry looked uncomfortable while Bagman was looking strained as he spoke. 

She was pulled out of her observations when Hermione's voice cut in. "Did you see Lupin yesterday?"

The question was stunning to say the least. (y/n) had forgotten she mentioned it to the trio at breakfast the previous day. How much does she tell them? 

(y/n) swirled the golden liquid around her cup, washing away the whip cream on the sides like a tide. "It was...good. The contents were a bit too serious for my liking, but it was nice to see a familiar face. I've missed him. When he taught here it was like I didn't need to miss home anymore, him being my father and all."

She had to stop there. If she went any further into the context she might reveal all the danger that lurked within the tiny bubble of Hogwarts. 

Ron shifted in his seat. "Well...what did he say?"

(y/n) cleared her throat, trying to find a way to tell him something without telling him anything. "He basically just was checking up on me. Warning me to be aware of my surroundings and the people that I see, considering I was sacrificed into the Tournament and all."

Hermione squirmed, worried lines etching her smooth face. She went too far. She said too much.  

(y/n) scooted her seat back, the legs screeching against the stone floor. "Sorry, I have to use the restroom real quick."

It was logical to dismiss herself before Hermione could ask anymore questions. Not to mention, this would give her time to get her story straight. 

(y/n) walked into the small room in the back of the pub, only a couple stalls were provided, seeing as people didn't usually use it anyway. No one else seemed to be in there. 

Two ceramic sinks sat in front of a big mirror. She grasped two hands on either side of the basin, staring at her dark circles in the glass. Catching her breath suddenly turned into not breathing when her eyes met a pair of chocolate brown irises in the mirror. 

Romilda Vane's. 

It was an awkward stare down before the curly haired girl walked up to the sink next to (y/n) and without a word, started washing her hands.

(y/n) hadn't yet thought through how she was going to approach Romilda without spoiling her plan. How could she? There was no way to bring the night before the Yule Ball up without it being awkward. 

However, this could be her only chance to talk to her.

Romilda didn't give (y/n) so much as a glance before turning the faucet off and walking to the door. 

"Romilda," (y/n) erupted, still standing at the sink. 

The girl stopped in her tracks, taking a couple seconds before turning to look at the seer. Her face screamed guilt, but it also screamed fear. 

(y/n) assumed this was her way of saying, 'yes?', so she continued. "Listen, I know things between us are really weird ever since...that night. Hell, we don't even know each other that well, but I want you to know that I'm not holding a grudge." Lie. "I was just wondering if, um, if you'd be willing to meet me somewhere tonight? Just to talk things through. I want to hear the truth of what happened, just for some closure. Harry and I...well he won't tell me." Another lie. 

Romilda took a deep breath before nodding. "Sure. We can meet in the library tonight at 9. No one's ever in there that late. Not even the librarian."

(y/n) was taken aback by her bluntness. No emotion was shown in her features anymore. "Yeah. Sounds good," (y/n) mumbled.

Her chocolate curls whipped around as she turned on her heels and heading swiftly out the lavatory door. 

The plan was in place.

(y/n) was going to get a forced confession. 

─── · 。ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

"Oh, that Rita Skeeter," Hermione fumed. "What a foul, pathetic woman. She thinks she can just destroy people like this?" 

It was dark. Nature around them was oblivious to the trio's presence, as they were of nature's. The world was too dim to be able to see any detail but the warm luminescent moon and large lanterns guiding the dirt paths back to Hogwarts. They were all cold as there was nothing to keep them warm anymore. Everything was cold about tonight, both inside and out.

Why did night seem so taunting all of a sudden?

Rita Skeeter had come into the Three Broomsticks, spiraling about who's life to ruin next. Harry had stuck up for Hagrid, but by the end of the conversation, Hermione had been put over the edge, angrily stomping out and dragging her friends with her. 

"We're going to Hagrid's," Hermione demanded, "This is just too far."

No one said anything, no one dared to disagree. 

(y/n) had the same idea, she supported what Hermione wanted to do. They all loved Hagrid. But she had to meet with Romilda, who knows if she would get another chance. "You guys can go without me."

Hermione snapped her head to look at her best friend. "What? Why? Don't you want to help pull Hagrid out of this?"

Crap. "Of course I do! I just...I'm not feeling too good tonight."

Harry looked past Ron and Hermione to meet her eyes, "What? Are you ok?"

She didn't like lying this much. She couldn't. "Ok fine. I'm meeting someone tonight." 

Everyone looked confused.

"Who?" Ron asked.

(y/n) hesitated before answering. "Romilda."

Silence.

"What for?" Harry defensively asked.

(y/n) forgot how hurt Harry must feel to think she didn't trust him. "I just want to hear what happened from her, that's all."

Anger and awkwardness fueled the silence. Eventually, they reached separate paths and stopped. 

(y/n) broke the silence. "You guys can be annoyed with me, but this has to be done. For my sake, I hope you can understand."

Hermione grabbed her hand and squeezed it, sighing. "We understand. We'll see you later ok?" 

(y/n) nodded gratefully, waving as the trio headed down the dirt path to Hagrid's warmly lit hut and she headed back to the radiating castle. 

She thought about what she's said to her friends, hoping it would all work out in the end. Then, as she walked to the library, she thought about how she was going to approach Romilda without being too accusing. 

She hoped that Harry understood all this was because she wanted to be loved by someone with an honest tongue. 

Reaching the library doors was beyond intimidating. So intimidating that she fumbled with the vial in her pocket for five minutes before gaining the courage to take it out. 

Katie Bell had left two cups of tea just outside of the doors as planned. Both a different type of cup so that (y/n) didn't mix them up. 

She looked down between the ceramic chalices and reflective glass vile. Taking a deep breath, she kneeled down beside them, and undoing the cork shakily, put three drops of the Veritaserum into Romilda's cup. 

Luckily the serum was clear, so it simply disappeared into the brown tea, not affecting it's color either. 

(y/n) gathered the two cups, making sure to remember which one contained the truth serum, then proceeded to enter the library. 

It was completely empty, like Romilda said it would be. She was nowhere in sight, but (y/n) was almost ten minutes late, so she had to be there by now. 

Many of the candles had either been blown out or reached the end of their wax. The windows, swallowed by delicate frost, seemed to reflect the inside of the library, seeing as it was black outside. 

Using this to her advantage, (y/n) looked at the many grand panes, finally seeing Romilda's reflection between two bookshelves. She sat at one of the study tables, dressed still in her uniform vest and tie, a white undershirt peeking out from underneath. Her hair was messily flipped to one side, as she scribbled something onto a sheet of parchment. 

If you saw her there, you wouldn't think she was waiting to meet someone she didn't know about an awkward confrontation. Merely a regular third year completing their homework. 

Attempting to stop her shaking (y/n) made her way down the book aisle steadily to avoid spillage. Romilda heard the clinking of glass against plate, looking up with a dreamy smile. 

She tried to hold back a laugh looking at the girl struggling to walk towards her. "Need any help?" she asked sweetly. 

(y/n) awkwardly laughed, "No, no, that's alright, thank you."

She sat across from the third year, sliding the tea in front of her. "I brought us some tea. Thought it might lighten the mood a little."

Romilda swirled it around, observing it. Almost like she was looking for poison. "Hm," she muttered, before satisfyingly looking up and smiling. "Thank you."

(y/n) took a sip of her own tea, almost to convince the substance was free of sabotage. They didn't say anything for a couple minutes, and Romilda hadn't touched her cup, so (y/n) took the liberty of getting straight to the point. "So, I suppose you know what I'm going to ask you. All I want is your explanation of what went down that night. If it was an accident or...something else."

Romilda let out an airy laugh to herself. "To tell you the truth, the last thing I expected was for you to want to talk to me. If anything I thought you'd be asking me to plan a place for a duel." She laughed again before looking (y/n) dead in the eyes. "To make it quick, I was told by someone that Harry had developed feelings for me. So much, in fact, that you two were saying you were going to the Yule Ball together just so that I would get jealous. Jealous enough that I would want to go with him, that I would go make a move."

(y/n) didn't believe what she was hearing. Who would possibly tell her that? "Who told you that, exactly?"

Romilda's smile disappeared, "Why does that matter? Either way I found out."

(y/n) widened her eyes in astonishment of how defensive she had gotten. "Well, it certainly does matter because whoever it was wanted to sabotage Harry and I's relationship."

The curly haired girl stumbled a bit before matter of factly placing her hand in front of her untouched cup. "Look, you asked what happened, I'm telling you. Do you want to know or not?"

(y/n) crossed her arms and leaned back in her seat, motioning her to continue. "Fine, go ahead."

Romilda nodded, "So, since I thought Harry wanted me to make a move, I headed to the Gryffindor common room, knowing he usually goes there to do homework. Sure enough, he was there. I started flirting with him, but he was playing hard to get. So I laid down, and pulled him on top of me. He didn't seem to want to get up, so I was going to ask him to go with me to the Yule Ball, but then you walked in. I mean, not much else to it."

She was lying. There was a lot else to it, because not only had Harry said he tried to get up, but the fact that she refused to say who told her everything proves that it was a plan, and that she was protecting them. 

(y/n) nodded, and  pretending she was satisfied with the answer she received, held up her cup in position for a toast. "That sounds reasonable."

Romilda looked confused, "Really?"

(y/n) laughed, "Of course! How about this, we put it all behind us and start over. Maybe we can even become friends. What do you say?" She motioned her cup forward. "To friendship?"

The girl in front of her grew relieved, shoulders relaxed, smile returning. She lifted her cup up as well. The plan was working. "To friendship," Romilda cheered, clinking her glass with her unknown enemy.

Steadily, she drank her tea, leaving half of it remaining. Romilda grew antsy in her seat, massaging her temple before pinning her mouth shut.

(y/n) tilted her head, "What is it? Is there something else you'd like to say?"

Romilda almost looked like she was about to cry. "I lied," she blurted, covering her mouth. 

(y/n) smiled, satisfied. "Is that so? Care to tell me who told you about Harry's feelings for you?"

Her curls bounced as she aggressively shook her head no, but the serum kicking in caused her to tell anyway. "Ivan Petrov."

The smile on (y/n)'s face quickly faltered into shock. That was not the name she was preparing herself to hear. Ivan? She couldn't make sense of it. Why would he do such a thing. 

(y/n) gulped, "So what's the whole story? What aren't you telling me?"

Romilda struggled to keep her mouth pinched shut-so much so that she was trembling- but you can't beat magic. "Ivan and I made a deal that would benefit both of us. He did tell me Harry liked me, that part is true. I break you two up, then he could swoop in and go with you while I go with Harry. A win-win. He knew you would come out crying, so he waited to hear you, waited to ask while you were vulnerable. Of course, he wasn't expecting you to ask him."

It sounded insane. "Why?" (y/n) asked. "What caused him to do it."

At this point, Romilda gave in to the serum, stopped fighting it. "He's in love with you, and when he asked you to the ball, you said you were already going with Harry. So, he did what he had to." Romilda panicked, "But, to be fair, when I made a move on Harry and broke you two up, I didn't know it was part of Ivan's plan, he didn't tell me that until after he got you to be his date. All I knew was that you and Harry were in on a plan to make me jealous. Then, when I left the common room that night to tell Ivan Harry and I were going together, he told me the truth. He...he used me."

A tear escaped from her eye, but she was quick to wipe it away. The corpse of it still was visible-glimmering underneath the remaining light. 

(y/n) tried not to be sick. Tried not to be angry at Romilda. It was all too much to understand. If all of this was true, why is it that Harry still went with her? He looked infatuated with Romilda, and laughed at her jokes. He didn't look miserable at all. 

She let in a shaky breath. "This still doesn't explain why Harry was having such a good time with you. Don't you think he'd be sulking? Not flirting with another girl?"

Shockingly, for the first time, (y/n) saw Romilda actually smile. A real, true smile. 

"What's so funny?" (y/n) demanded.

This didn't phase her, her smile didn't falter. "I put a couple drops of a love potion in his goblet right before the ball. I figured, even though Ivan told me the truth, I still had him as a date anyway. So why not use it to my advantage. I knew Harry didn't actually have feelings for me, Ivan just told me that to get me to play along. So I figured a love potion wouldn't hurt, I was already in too deep to back out. But-" Romilda stared up at (y/n) with hurt in her eyes, but something kind in her smile, "I either didn't brew it strong enough or something. Because, when you left that dance floor crying, it was like something inside him cut the string of the potion. Like...like his love for you overpowered it or something. I know it sounds cheesy, but it's true."

(y/n) had so many emotions right now. Anger towards Ivan, pity for Romilda, confusion as to how she fell for such a plan. Somehow, someway, she fell more deeply for Harry. He told her the truth. He didn't mean for any of it. 

He did love her with an honest tongue, and that feeling was like being bathed in a dream. 

It also meant every kind thing, every confession of affection, every moment of care and worry. He meant all of it. 

"I usually don't wash my hands after I go to the bathroom," Romilda spurted. "I also cheat on every test and I helped Ivan because I know what it feels like to love someone who has their heart beating for someone else. And I killed a hamster when I was 5."

It seemed that the serum was wearing off, because Romilda stopped trembling, and she breathed in relief after her rambling ceased. 

(y/n) laughed. Perhaps Ivan was the villain, not Romilda. So much so that he needs to learn what it feels like to be betrayed.

(y/n) leaned forward, grabbing Romilda's hand and lowering her voice, ready to make a proposition. "Let me ask you, is revenge a science or an art?"

─── · 。ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

(y/n) made her way to the common room after speaking with Romilda for a few more minutes. The castle was quiet, and for once, things felt right. Not messy or unorganized, but planned and in place. 

Once her clicking shoes made their way to the entrance, she observed the small rose red box in her hand. A neat, pale ribbon wrapped around it into a bow. 

She was hoping Harry would like it, maybe even accept it as her official 'I'm ready to see where this goes'. 

(y/n) slowly cascaded down the stone stairs, noticing Harry laying on the couch, staring into the brightly burning flames with the glistening golden egg against his chest. He seemed tired, like he felt as if he would never figure out the clue. The egg taunted him every waking moment, only to screech whenever he tried to unleash whatever was inside. 

"Harry?" (y/n) said softly, causing him to spring up. Almost like he'd been waiting for her arrival.

"How'd it go?" He asked eagerly, coming closer to her. "I mean, are we..."

(y/n) nodded frantically, making her way to the couch in a hurry. Harry took a seat next to her on the crimson couch. His features were soft besides the glow of the clementine flames. He was so beautiful.

She took his hands into her own, staring deeply into his eyes. "I talked to Romilda, and it only confirmed what I thought happened between you two. I won't get into all of it now, but log story short, I'm ready for this. For...us. To see where it goes." She bit her cheek nervously playing with his thumb as she couldn't look at him. 

(y/n) could see his chest rising and falling in excitement, only to look up and see the biggest grin on his face. He started leaning towards her, but before he could do anything, she put the gift box between their lips.

His disappointment made her laugh. "I have something for you," she explained. Placing the box in his hands. 

Harry looked up at her in confusion. 

She laughed, "It's my gift to you for Christmas. Obviously, we didn't get to exchange anything on Christmas because we were going through a little rough patch. Now that things are good again I figured nows a better time than any to give it to you."

He smiled carefully tugging at the ribbon, softly running his fingers over the box and the fabric gracefully came undone into his lap. Gently, he wiggled the lid off, taking out the small object. 

Harry stared at it, holding it in front of his face, "It's cute...uh, what is it?"

(y/n) laughed, "It's a good luck charm. I knitted it when Hermione and I were making sweaters for the elves. This way, when you're doing a task for the tournament, if you ever feel scared or alone, you can touch it and know that I'm with you. That you'll be okay."

Harry immediately put it into his pocket before staring at her. "Well, aren't you going to say anything, weirdo?" (y/n) rolled her eyes. 

She was caught off guard when he kissed her. Their second kiss that they've both have been waiting for ever since the Yule Ball.  

It was soft, gentle, and innocent. There was no intention except fondness and warmth behind it.

She could feel him smiling against her lips. So, she cupped his cheeks while he wrapped his arms around her waist, in a hold so tight it was almost like he was afraid she'd float away.

His lips felt magical. 

The best kisses are the ones that have been exchanged between the eyes a hundred times before reaching the lips.

He leaned his forehead against hers once they pulled away. 

She could stare into his eyes for days. 

They sparkled like green sapphires. And although it was cliche, although that same color belonged to thousands of others, his were special. Purely because they were his.

-

-

a/n

crying in the club, so cute

 This could've been excused a bit neater but I hope you loved it regardless < 3

love u <3 

Until next time ~I

Mrs.PotterSquad

#BEMSUPREMACY