"Weasley! Weasley! Weasley!" The Gryffindor students cheered inside the Gryffindor Common Room. "Weasley! Weasley! Weasley!"

You, Harry, and Hermione were standing where the three of you could clearly see Ron standing on top of a table.

"You really shouldn't have done it," Hermione told Harry.

"I know. I supposed I could have just used the Confundus charm." Harry said, glancing at Hermione, causing you to smirk at your best friend.

Hermione gasped quietly and widened her eyes. "That was different. That was try-outs. This was an actual game." Hermione defended.

Harry pulled out a small vial revealing the Liquid Luck with no sign of being used as it was still full.

"You didn't put it in?" You asked in surprise. Harry nodded, causing you to smile and look at Ron. "Wow."

"Ron only thought you did." Hermione smiled, causing Harry to nod again, smirking.

Suddenly, Ron was pulled down by Lavender as she wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him. Ron was startled by her actions but kissed her back, wrapping one arm around her torso.

Your eyes widened, and you turned to Hermione worriedly, who was visibly shocked and hurt. Harry was obliviously smiling and chuckling, unknown to him that his Muggle-born friend was heartbroken. Hermione turned around and left the common room.

You tapped Harry's shoulder and pulled him out from the crowd, following Hermione. You both saw her on the bottom of the stairs, crying, as a few small birds chirped and flew on top of her head.

Hermione looked up to you and Harry and quickly wiped her tears away. "Charms spell. Just practicing."

"Well, they're really good." Harry complimented.

You sat down beside Hermione while Harry sat beside her on the other side. "How does it feel, (Y/n)?" She asked. "When you see Malfoy with Pansy, Stacey, or with any other girls?"

You looked down as you held her hand. "I would be lying if I said that I'm fine with it. I suppose I'm a bit hurt, but it feels wrong. He is not mine after all."

Hermione nodded before turning to Harry. "How about you, Harry? When you see Dean with Ginny?" She asked, sobbing.

Harry froze and looked for words to say back to Hermione. "I know," Hermione said. "I see the way you look at her. You're my best friend." She glanced at you. "Both of you."

The three of you suddenly heard uncontrollable and loud giggles and laughter. You looked up to see Lavender linking her arms with Ron's arm. You looked away while Harry looked at Ron in disbelief, sighing.

"Oops!" Lavender exclaimed. "I think this room's taken." Lavender smiled at Ron before running away.

Ron smiled. "What's with the birds?"

Hermione instantly stood up and took a deep breath. "Oppugno." She muttered, not even pulling out her wand.

A few more birds came and started attacking Ron. Ron dodged and looked at Hermione, shocked. He stood at the same place for a few seconds before leaving without saying a word.

Hermione sobbed harder and sat beside you and Harry again. She leaned in and cried on your shoulder, wrapping her hands around your arm.

Harry rubbed Hermione's back comfortingly. "It feels like this." Harry sighed.

You lifted your head up to see Draco Malfoy passing by. He didn't acknowledge Harry and Hermione's presence nor yours. You watched as he continued his way to the Astronomy Tower.

Hermione squeezed your arm, causing you to look at her. She glanced up and nodded. You smiled briefly before slowly slipping away from her and following Draco. Harry glanced at you and hugged Hermione in comfort.

You followed Draco in the Astronomy Tower and found him resting both of arms just by the railings. His head was down, and you could see how paler he was. Your arm reached out for his shoulder. "Draco."

Draco flinched when you placed your hand on his shoulder. He stepped away and turned around to see you in surprise. "Stark? What in the bloody hell are you doing here?"

"I was about to ask you the same thing." You replied. "You didn't compete today."

Draco shook his head. "Won't make any difference anyway. Quidditch isn't one of my focuses right now."

"Are you alright? Do you want to talk about it?"

Draco snapped his head towards you. "Why?"

You furrowed your eyebrows in confusion. "Why what? Are you okay?"

"Why do you still have the courage and energy to talk to me?" He questioned. "My father just killed yours. Does that not bother you?"

Your eyes widened as your body stiffened. You slowly stepped back. "You knew?"

"Megan told me. Just this morning."

You looked away as flashbacks started rushing back to you as if they had just happened yesterday. You looked back at Draco. "I wasn't bothered talking to you because I know you are not like your father." You explained.

Draco stared at you as his eyes slowly formed tears. "You're not a murderer." You added.

Draco clenched his fists as you continued talking. "And you are not a Death Eater."

The blonde boy looked down in defeat. "It would be better if you would stay away from me." He stated. "This is for your own good."

You stared at him in disbelief. "You're kidding. I'm bloody fine, Malfoy."

"Your sister isn't," Draco replied. "And I know if we keep on doing this, your mother wouldn't like it either."

You looked away as your crossed your arms, sighing heavily. "What exactly are you suggesting? To end our friendship? After everything we've been through?"

"Trust me, Stark, this isn't an easy decision," Draco said. "Nor is it a happy one." He walked past you and left, leaving you all alone at the Tower.

°•○●○•°

"He's at perfect liberty to kiss whomever he likes. I really couldn't care less." Hermione rambled as she placed the books on their shelves. "Was I under the impression he and I would be attending Slughorn's Christmas party together? Yes. Now, given the circumstances, I had to make other arrangements."

"Have you?" You asked as you helped her put the books back on their rightful shelves.

"Yes," Hermione answered simply. Harry frowned, and Hermione noticed this. "Why?"

Harry shrugged. "Well, I just thought, seeing as neither of us can go who we'd really like to... we should go together, as friends." Hary glanced at you. "(Y/n), over here has a date already."

Hermione sighed, stopping in her tracks as she faced you and Harry. "Why didn't I think of that?" Hermione noticed your change of expression. "Are you okay? Did something go wrong with you and Malfoy?"

You shook your head, ignoring Hermione's question. "Who are you going with?" You asked, crossing my arms.

Hermione stared at you for a moment before sighing. "Um, it's a surprise." Hermione trailed off until she faced Harry. "Anyways, it's you we've got to worry about. You can't just take anyone."

Hermione tilted her head a bit in the direction of a girl sitting from afar. "You see that girl over there? That's Romilda Vane."

You looked at the girl who was giving side glances towards Harry with a playful smile. "Oh, her." You muttered. "Apparently, she's been trying to smuggle Harry a love potion."

"Really?" Harry asked, impressed.

Hermione snapped her fingers in front of Harry. "Hey! She's only interested in you because she thinks you're the Chosen One."

Harry smirked. "But I am the Chosen One."

Hermione smacked Harry's head with a rolled newspaper, causing you to snicker while Harry flinched and winced. "Okay, sorry. Um... kidding."

Hermione glared at Harry while you rolled your eyes. Harry cleared his throat. "I'll ask someone I like. Someone cool."

You looked around the library to see Pansy Parkinson raising a Potions book to catch your attention. Your eyes widened in realization. "Oh, bollocks." You excused yourself from Harry and Hermione to make your way towards Pansy. "I almost forgot, sorry."

Pansy rolled her eyes. "It's been weeks, and you still manage to forget? Do you really want to help me or not?"

"Hey, you're improving, alright? Sooner or later, you won't be needing me anymore."

Pansy scoffed and returned to her work, answering the small activity sheet you gave her a few days ago. You brought your own books out until Pansy caught a glimpse of a paper filled with some foreign language.

As you answered your own homework, an essay for Charms, Pansy swiftly took the parchment paper and observed the words. "Huh. Are you learning Serbian language, Stark?"

You looked up from your work before snatching the paper from Pansy's hands. "It's not yours to take, Parkinson." You scolded. "And I'm trying to learn it."

Pansy stared at you, noticing how you handled the paper with care. 'Must be too important.' She raised her legs to rest them on the table as she crossed her arms. "I can translate it for you if you want me to."

Freezing from your work, you looked up unsurely. "You want to help me?"

Pansy shrugged. "You're helping me with Potions. Might as well help you with other stuff." She snatched the parchment paper back and observed the words. "Huh. This is like a prophecy or a description."

You leaned closer as Pansy started translating.

"The unknown curse arose when two families expressed hatred and negative emotions towards each other without enchantment. The curse will slowly end with love and its outcome."

You looked at her with your eyebrows raised, amused. "Didn't know you know the Serbian language."

"I learned it by myself when I was a child," Pansy explained. "I know you didn't ask, but I told you anyway."

You smiled at her. "I can't believe you just helped me."

Pansy rolled her eyes. "I'm just returning the favor, Stark. I'm not your friend."

The two of you went back to your work. Pansy has finally finished her work, and you checked her paper. You glanced at Pansy, who briefly closed her eyes to take a nap as she waited for you to finish checking her paper. "Pansy." Pansy opened her eyes to see you. "Back in our third year, neither did me nor Megan send a letter to our parents when you... well attacked us. I'm sorry that your mother had to send a howler to you."

Pansy furrowed her eyebrows. "Oh, I don't blame you two."

You cocked an eyebrow. "You don't?"

"I blame Stacey Doom."

"Why?"

Pansy sat up straight. "She sent the letter to your parents that I've hurt you and your sister. She was also the reason why I attacked you both." Pansy sighed. "Stacey told me that I have to prove that I love Draco by attacking you and the younger Stark. She suspected that I was having second thoughts."

You rest your cheek on your palm. "Second thoughts? About your feelings towards Draco?"

Pansy gave you a look before nodding. "I was... conflicted." She shook her head. "Oh, why am I even telling you this." She started packing her things and stood up. "I expect to know my scores tomorrow. After that, we'll stop this bullshit."

You watched as Pansy walked away, but you stood up and called her name. "Pansy!" Pansy froze while you smiled. "Thank you, really. For translating. It meant a lot to me."

Pansy was silent for a few seconds before continuing on walking. "Whatever."

You glanced down to the paper as you remembered Pansy's words.

"The unknown curse arose when two families expressed hatred and negative emotions towards each other without enchantment." You whispered. "The curse will slowly end with love and its outcome."