"in which sirius black has escaped, christmas gifts are knit, and a butterbeer date is coaxed out of auror potter"

crossposted, [link]

YEAR 3!!! WE ARE IN YEAR 3!!

for "head over heels" by @dracoispookie you all Simply must Read it

i love loooove slow burn... and pining draco is such a cutie, too bad he has to grow up in a world of um. pureblood supremacy and tom hyung.

Inordinate Love

Inordinate Love—ML

MID SEPTEMBER:

"It happened somewhere between us waiting for trains and wandering around aimlessly in the rain just so we could be together, and now I think I may just be a little bit in love with you." -G.O.

Hermione:

I sat down with a new book in my grasp and began reading quietly in the desolate red chair, the one in the corner.

The quiet quickly faded as I was met with a familiar voice.

"Back so soon, Granger?" The voice said it with a witty tone. I was always here; that was a silly question used to spark a conversation.

"I am always in the library." I laughed, and so did he, slightly.

"I guess you're right, bookworm."

Then he sat.

Next to me.

"Is there no room over there?" I said in a playful voice, while I pointed to a very obvious empty chair that was across from me; it was coated in the same velvet as mine.

Draco glanced at the chair, then back to me. "Plenty of room, Granger; obviously it's empty." He replied as he scooted his chair closer to mine. "But I prefer to sit right here."

Don't come closer... Please come closer.

The inner monologue replayed in my head like a broken record.

"Fine, I will." I picked up my books and went towards the vacant velvet chair across the room, taking a seat.

And of course, he followed. He was like a lost puppy.

"Separation anxiety, Malfoy?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"You should feel flattered to even be in my presence,” Malfoy retorted back to me with a smirk.

I do.

"Not while I am trying to read..."

Actually, please, while I'm trying to read.

I cleared my throat and moved to the edge of the chair to get up.

"I'm going to go now. It's getting a little... distracting here."

Draco moved closer. "Or..." he said, inching closer and closer. His silver eyes locked with mine, and I tensed as I felt his hand rest lightly on my thigh. "You could stay."

I could stay?

My face went red, and I involuntarily leaned closer. 

I cringed inwardly at myself. A slight smile began to appear on his face.

Maybe he was a slick git.

I was embarrassed, and I was not going to let that smirk work on me. I closed my book abruptly and got to my feet, hoping my face wasn't as red as it felt.

"I have to go," I muttered, grabbing my things and practically running out of the library.

I hurried into the Great Hall, passing by all the other tables filled with students and soft chatter, my face still red at the events that just happened.

I was completely flustered as I sat down next to Harry and Ron. I tried to push the thought of Malfoy out of my mind, but Harry noticed and frowned slightly as I sat down.

"What's up, 'Mione?"

I shook my head quickly. "Nothing, Harry.”

"Oi, check it out." Ron elbowed Harry. "Malfoy's got a staring problem,” Ron nodded in the direction of the Slytherin table, where Draco was taking a seat.

I tried not to turn around, but I did.

I centered my attention on him, and then sure enough, brown met gray, and I melted, my face turning red again.

"What a prick." I tore my eyes away and opened a textbook angrily. I tried hard to convince myself that I actually believed what I had said.

"He must have a thing for you, Hermione," Ron joked.

I scoffed, as if. “Please, Ron. Malfoy?"

He shrugged, "I mean, would it be such a stretch? I wouldn't put it past him. He's Malfoy." Harry joined in. I shrugged, not knowing where to take the conversation; what does that even mean? “He's Malfoy.”

Did I mention what happened in the library?

Did I want to mention what happened in the library?

Don't be so silly, Hermione.

It was nothing, and Malfoy does not like you, although he has to have smelled you in potions, but why did he say peacocks?

Was I just being too daft? 

I snapped back into reality when Harry's voice reached my ears. "That's brilliant, Ron. Actually a great idea."

Ron and a great idea?

“What is it?" I inquired.

"Ron was thinking..."

Ron interrupted, eyes bright. "I was thinking, since Harry thinks Malfoy is a Death Eater and he would never admit it to us, and since he obviously has a crush on you..."

Oh no. They weren't suggesting... they wouldn't.

"You could ask him on a date to get close with him and see what he'll tell you."

I was shocked; I didn't know what to say, and I'm not going to say I liked the idea, but I didn't mind the idea.

"Absolutely not,” I said instead. "Malfoy... the one who calls me a Mudblood? The one who's been a bullying, self-righteous prick since first year? That Malfoy?"

Ron sighed dramatically. "Please, 'Mione. He's only been eyeballing you for the past week. This is the perfect time. Just think of all the information he could spill; think of that!"

Damn it.

"Fine,” I finally said after a few seconds of deliberation, scowling a little, "I will do it. But no promises, it will work!"

No promises.

Hermione... do not, whatever you do, fall harder for Draco Malfoy.

~~~

Ask Malfoy on a date? 

How do I ask him on a date?

I've never been on a date!

I hate that I am actually getting nervous about this.

I quickly threw on my robes, gathered my books, and headed to my first class that day, Charms.

As I am making my way to class, my feet finding the familiar way seemingly on their own, my mind is reeling.

How was I supposed to do this?

Why did I even agree to this?

How was I going to do it?

I took my seat; I was the first one in class as always, so I was left with more thoughts.

Did I ask him during class?

After class?

Surely it couldn't be that hard. The worst he could do was say no.

Please don't say no.

Then he walked into the room, beautiful blonde hair perfectly styled as always, leaving the lingering scent of his cologne in my nose as he passed my seat.

Draco took his seat next to Parkinson, and she cuddled up to him quickly.

I felt even more silly than I did before.

I couldn't stop my wandering eyes; I couldn't help but look at him.

His hair was perfect, and there was this one piece that fell annoyingly between his eyebrows. Pansy moved it out of his face. He gave her a pointed look, and I noticed he was fidgeting with the large ring on his middle finger as he sat. 

His pale skin contrasted with the green of his robes. He was undoubtedly beautiful. I looked away quickly as I felt my cheeks change. I felt like a little puppy, and I hated that he made me feel that way. I was stupid; he would say no; of course he would.

"Can anyone tell me the counterspell to Engorgio?" Professor Flitwick asked, interrupting my thoughts.

Easy. ‘Reducio.’.

"Mr. Weasley. Give it a go,” Flitwick said, gripping an abnormally large quill. "Make this quill go back to normal size using the counterspell to Engorgio."

Ron huffed and made his way to the front of the class.

Please. This was third-year magic.

I stopped paying attention and opened my textbook, beginning to read ahead in the lesson. I already knew all of this.

When suddenly, I was snapped back to reality as a paper bird landed softly in front of me.

I glanced around the class, confused, until my eyes met a pair of stormy gray ones. He was looking at me and then at the note, like he wanted me to read it.

"Open it," Draco mouthed, smiling. I complied, and in sloppy cursive, the messiness of which seemed strangely forced, I read:

"Dinner Friday with me at six?"

I began to smile, looking back at him and nodding while mouthing, "Yes."

I folded the note back and slid it in my bag. I sighed in relief.

Things had strangely worked out. I wouldn't have to ask him out myself after all, but then a series of questions began to fill my head...

Why was Malfoy asking me on a date?

What was he planning?

Did he like me?

Were his intentions the same as mine, to get information?

The rest of class was mundane, so I continued to read ahead, and as soon as we were dismissed, I rushed to tell my best friends that Draco Malfoy had asked me on a date.

Harry and Ron were both extremely pleased.

Harry kept going over the plan with me—what I was supposed to ask Draco, what I was meant to find out, and any information I could get for the order. I wasn't really paying attention.

I couldn't get him out of my head.

Why was he asking me out on a date?

He couldn't stand me. I'm a Mudblood. Not only that, but he made it extremely known the past six years that he had no interest in me until now… Something about Draco asking me was getting to me, but I had to play into it to get the information we needed.

~~~

The remainder of the week whizzed by, and before I realized it, it was Friday.

The day I was to go on a date with the Slytherin Prince, Draco Malfoy.

The last class of the day rushed by so fast it nearly didn't register with me that it had happened at all.

All I could think about was the date and why he asked me, considering I was supposed to ask him. Maybe he had the same plan as me?

Or was I once again just being silly?

The next thing I knew, I was in my bathroom, getting ready for a date.

A date.

One with Draco Malfoy, it seemed more foolish the more I thought about it. I couldn't stop arguing with myself long enough to decide whether or not I was going on this date because I wanted to or because I had to, but deep down I knew it was because I wanted to.

I felt more mindless the longer I thought to myself. I have had a crush on him since he sat next to me in first year. It was Muggle Studies, and of course he had to be my seatmate.

The boy who hated muggles and anyone other than purebloods.

I quickly applied some makeup, finished getting dressed, and headed out to meet him at the Three Broomsticks. I walked inside the noisy building, immediately feeling overwhelmed.

Until I saw him.

He stood up to meet me as I walked over to his table.

He was wearing a black suit top with a black turtleneck underneath—not too casual, but also not too formal; it was just right.

His white-blonde hair was perfectly styled, as per usual. His eyes seemed to glitter as they locked with mine. "You look lovely, Granger,” he said, the corner of his mouth lifting in a smile. "Surprisingly,” he added quickly.

"To think that I was actually going to receive a compliment from you,” I said, rolling my eyes slightly with a smile. I sat down as he pulled my chair out for me, and we took our seats.

"Two butterbeers, please," he ordered. "With some ginger,” he smiled. "I hope Ginger is okay." He asked with uncertainty.

That's how I take mine.

How did he know that?

Did he take it the same way too?

"That's actually how I take mine,” I smiled back warmly. My brain was completely distracted, and I found myself forgetting the whole reason I was on this date in the first place.

He smiled, seeming pleased with himself.

Had he been observing me?

No?

Silly again.

"Tell me, Granger, how is it being..."

A muggle-born? It wasn't a bad word, and I was not ashamed of it, so I continued for him. "...a muggle-born? It's great, actually. I have two lovely parents; they are both dentists, and they cook, clean, and work without the help of magic. It's quite magical. In its own way, really," I said with a warm smile.

My face immediately turned red as I realized I was rambling, and I covered my face with my mug.

Draco laughed, gesturing to my face, which turned more red as I realized the butterbeer had coated my upper lip with foam. I quickly wiped it away.

"You are so cute." Draco chuckled, and I shook my head, trying not to have my cheeks rush with color.

I'm so cute.

“Tell me more about your lovely parents." He suggested politely.

"Well, Mom and I always make tea on Sundays. It's our thing." I beam at the thought. "And we like to go out to this bookshop. Sadly, it closed a few months ago...” I trail off, “She's actually my best friend aside from Harry and Ron… Then Dad and I go to the theater together. every once in a while for a show. They are lovely, really; they always try to make time for me despite being so busy."

He never broke contact with me the whole conversation; he was fixated on me.

He smiles faintly.

"What about you? Your parents?" I asked him reluctantly. He looked hesitant to tell me.

"Well, my mother is beautiful, and Father..." He interrupted his own sentence to shake his head and then continued on. "He's just there." I look up at him to find his eyes not meeting mine but staring at the table as the mood in the conversation shifts.

"Tell me about her, your mother." I asked, hoping it would lighten the mood. I could tell he loved his mother more than his father.

“She's—Her name is Narcissa; she's the best thing I have. She loves reading to me. She used to sing every night when I was a kid, and on Christmas, at our stupid Malfoy ball, she would sing and I would play the piano. That was the only thing I enjoyed about Christmas. My mother."

Past tense; he is speaking in the past tense.

"Used to?" I say, looking up at him innocently, trying to get his attention from the table to me.

I failed.

"Yeah... we don't really do those things anymore." He looked up, and his tired eyes met mine, and a small smile curled on the corner of his mouth.

And then I realized something.

He was just a boy, a boy that, somewhere in the timeline of his childhood, was forced to grow up and take responsibility for stuff that wasn't his.

He wasn't quite ready to leave the innocence behind. He wasn't a bully; he wasn't the enemy.

He was just a boy.

He was a softhearted, compassionate person. A lost boy.

I could tell he was trying to do the right thing and wanted to do the right thing. I wanted to help him, but I couldn't help.

The only thing I knew to do was reach my hand across the table, placing it lightly next to his.

"You know, Granger, you aren't half bad," he said with a witty tone, getting straight back to his normal self.

“Thank you, Malfoy; I suppose you aren't either."

~~~

The remainder of the date went by so fast.

It was lovely.

We talked, laughed, and ate like we'd known each other for ages.

I mean, we did, but not like this.

Before I knew it, it was nearly curfew. And I hadn't asked him any of Harry and Ron's questions. Even though I didn't want to, that's not why I didn't. I simply forgot our conversations were normal, ebbing and flowing from one to the next. The boys were probably going to be so upset with me. But I didn't care.

We got to our feet and made our way to the path back to the school. It was cold, and before I realized it, I was shivering, and he was handing me his coat, and the inviting scent of his cologne was in my nose.

“Cold, Granger?" He asked while wrapping it around my shoulders.

“Thank you,” I said with a slight blush on my cheeks.

As we walked back through the familiar, dimly lit castle hallways, I found myself really smiling for the first time in a long, long while.

We stopped in front of the Gryffindor portrait, and Draco took my hand. His touch was surprisingly warm.

“Well, this is where we leave each other, then, bookworm,” he said, smiling slightly.

“I suppose it is,” I replied.

Then he leaned forward, and my eyes widened in a moment of shock that quickly passed as he kissed my cheek. But my face still flushed.

"Goodnight, then," he said, slowly walking backwards and holding my gaze, smiling. He winked, turned, and spun lightly on his heel, and soon he disappeared back down the corridor.

Draco:

God, she was beautiful.

She made her way over to me, her chocolate curls falling perfectly on her shoulders. Her makeup was lightly applied, having the natural blush from the cold flood to her cheeks.

For a few moments I stood there, almost in shock, unsure of what to say as she approached me. It was like I was seeing her in a different light.

She was the same, yet it felt like I was seeing her, really seeing her, for the first time. She was nearly in front of me.

Was it the makeup? No. I didn't care about that. I knew I didn't care about that. So what was it?

Then, there she was in front of me, and I snapped myself out of my thoughts.

"You look lovely, Granger." I managed to say it with a smile, and then she smiled. "Surprisingly,” I quickly added, but she didn't seem bothered.

She rolled her eyes, but she was smiling. "To think that I was actually going to receive a compliment from you."

We made our way to the table, and I politely pulled out her chair for her. Mum had taught me to always respect the girl you were on a date with.

She had me take etiquette classes growing up to learn how to be a "proper gentleman.”

A waiter came by to take our order soon after we sat down. "Two butterbeers, please," I ordered, "...with some ginger."

I smiled at Hermione politely. "I hope Ginger is okay,” I asked her with uncertainty.

“That's actually how I take mine." She smiled back at me warmly, and I knew that I had done the right thing. Mum always took hers with ginger.

"Tell me, Granger, how is it being..." I trailed off, not wanting to use the word, hoping she would catch onto what I was trying to say.

“A muggle-born?" She asked with a raised eyebrow. I nodded. "It's great, actually." She said it almost indignantly. “I wouldn't trade my parents or my childhood for anything, even a chance to grow up being exposed to magic." Her eyes began to light up. "My parents used to take me camping in this beautiful forest by a stream..."

She soon launched into a full-blown tangent about her parents and her childhood.

Her words faded in and out of my mind, and all I could do was stare at her as she spoke—the way her face lit up, the way her eyes twinkled, the way she gestured with her hands as she spoke.

She eventually noticed me staring and trailed off, turning red, and hastily took a drink from her mug, hiding her blush.

The foam from the butterbeer coated her lip, and it took her a few moments to realize it. When she did, she hurriedly wiped the foam away, her cheeks going even redder.

I just smiled.

"You are so cute." I leaned my elbow on the tabletop, resting my chin in my palm. "So, tell me more about your lovely parents,” I suggested politely.

She then launched into another rant about all the things she did with her mother and father growing up.

It was honestly adorable to see her so happy about something. I tried not to break eye contact with her the whole conversation.

"What about you? Your parents?" She asked very curiously.

But I was reluctant to tell her…

“Well," I said, pausing for a moment, "my mother is beautiful, and my father... he is just there." I noticed that my gaze had involuntarily moved from her to the table. I felt a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach as the mood of the conversation shifted.

“Tell me more about your mother,” Hermione asked me with a warming smile on her face, hoping to sway the tone of the conversation. I relented and began to talk about my mother and how she used to read to me when I was young and how on Christmas she would sing.

The pit in my stomach began to dissipate.

My mother had an amazing voice; I would play the piano as she sang.

We didn't do that stuff anymore... I missed it, but I knew that was just life. Things change. But that didn't make it any easier.

"Yeah..." I said, "We don't really do those things anymore." And then she was reaching her hand across the table to hold mine, and she was smiling warmly at me, and for the first time in a long, long time I felt okay.

"You know Granger," I said, smiling slightly. "You aren't half bad." We held eye contact for a few moments.

“Thank you, Malfoy," she said. "I suppose you aren't either."

After a few moments, I broke our eye contact, jumping right back into a normal conversation in hopes of changing the mood of the atmosphere we had just created.

She talked, and I listened. I didn't really enjoy talking about myself, believe it or not…

Before I knew it, our night was drawing to a close, and we were walking back to the school.

The walk was quiet, but comfortably so, not awkward. I felt her shiver against my arm.

"Cold, Granger?" I asked, and before she could answer, I was taking my jacket off and wrapping it around her shoulders.

“Thank you,” she said, too surprised to think of anything else.

There was a slight tension in the air, and I couldn't tell if it was a good tension or if it was from embarrassment.

As we began walking back through the castle's corridors, I started to notice myself feeling happy—like, really happy for the first time in a long time.

As we finally found the entrance to the Gryffindor Common Room, I took her hand. Her touch was gentle and sweet.

"Well, this is where we say goodnight, then, bookworm." I said.

“I suppose it is," she replied.

Then I leaned forward, and I saw her eyes widen, but she softly sighed as I bypassed her lips to kiss her cheek. But her face still flushed with a deep red.

"Goodnight, then,” I said, slowly walking backwards, not breaking eye contact with her, smiling. I then winked and turned, spinning lightly on my heel, and disappeared back down the corridor towards my dorm.

Hermione:

        Stop smiling. Stop smiling. Stop smiling. God, this was ridiculous. I quickly tried to hide away my smile as I made my way to the Gryffindor portrait, but I failed miserably, as I couldn't get the rose color out of my cheeks. Or the smile off of my face.

I shuffled into the common room, making my way over to Harry and Ron, who were sitting on one of the couches.

"Mione, you're back!" Smiled the boy with the lightning scar.

"How did it go with Malfoy?" Ron asked in a slightly sarcastic tone.

I couldn't help but smile; even if I tried to hide it, I would be lying. And they would know. They knew me too well.

"It was... fine." I said lamely. Immediately, Harry and Ron started rattling off questions.

"Did you get any information?"

"Was he nice to you?"

"Did you enjoy your time with him?"

"Why are you smiling?"

"Do the Malfoys have a plan?"

All their questions rang in my head, overlapping to the point where I was unsure what to answer first. So I just went with a broad explanation.

"It was lovely,” I said. "He was lovely. We didn't really talk about that..." Both of their faces immediately fell as they stared at me in pure disappointment.

“You didn't talk about his plan?" Ron asked, his tone dripping with suppressed anger. "That was the whole point, Hermione; don't tell me you're actually falling for the git's lies and distractions? You're smarter than that, Mione."

I scowled at Ron. "All I am going to say is, I don't think you have to watch out for Malfoy,” I smiled, but it was extremely sarcastic.

“Please, 'Mione, he's using you!" Ron said.

Yeah, because how could anyone like Malfoy actually like me? Hermione, the bookworm. As if somehow being smart made me unavailable or undesirable.

I grabbed my bag, standing up abruptly and angrily.

"For your information," I said, my throat beginning to burn. "Malfoy was perfectly kind to me tonight. And I had a lovely time, and neither of you care because I didn't ask him your stupid questions!"

“Hermione," Harry started, but I cut him off.

“No! I don't want to hear it. I'm going to bed." I stormed off, taking the stairs to my dorm two at a time and slamming the door behind me.

Why the hell couldn't they just let me be happy for once?

I began angrily getting ready for bed. Everything was about their stupid, meddlesome little plans. I pulled the blankets over my head, shivering at the frigid winter air.

'Cold, Granger?'

I smiled at the memory, momentarily forgetting all about being mad at Harry and Ron.

~~~

When I woke up the next morning, I was immediately bombarded with apologies from Harry and Ron.

“We're really sorry, 'Mione,” Harry said while Ron nodded in agreement.

"Yeah," Ron said. "We just want you to be happy."

I smiled. "Thanks,” I said, turning towards the portrait; I figured I should get a head start on that day's potions homework.

I walked the familiar path to the library, my shoes crunching against the thin layer of ice forming on the ground.

It was early, and the library was empty, but that was my favorite time to go. There were no sounds of pages flipping back and forth, no scratching of quills on parchment, and no students whispering mindless gossip. Just quiet.

I entered the library quietly, beginning to walk through the aisles and aisles of books, breathing in the old book smell and taking my time as I perused the titles.

"Can I help you find anything?"

I let out a yelp, whirling around to see a familiar figure in dark clothes. "Malfoy!" I let out a breath, trying to recover from the initial fright. "You scared me half to death."

He walked closer, smirking, "Did I?" He was right in front of me.

"Y—yes." I managed to scoot back a little.

The fright at his sudden appearance had dissipated and was replaced by that warm knot in the pit of my stomach that I'd grown used to by now.

"Sorry, I was just..." Draco reached over my head, thumbing through a few titles, "Perusing."

“Sure you were." He was literally inches away from me, uncomfortably close. He slowly lowered his arm, no book in hand.

He tilted his head. "What?"

'Please, 'Mione, he's using you!'

"Nothing." I turned my head, refusing to meet the eyes I knew were still fixed on me.

"Something," he said. Then I felt his hand lightly touch my face, his fingers resting along my jawline and his thumb on my chin.

He slowly turned my head until I was looking at him. My breath caught in my throat as he spoke.

"R–Ron thinks—" I started.

"What?" He was still smirking. "What does Weaslebee think?" His face was centimeters from mine.

"Nothing," I breathed.

And then he was pushing me back against the bookshelf, and his hand was gripping my face, and then his lips were crashing against mine, and all I could do was kiss him back.

I feel his hands tangling in my mess of curls, my hands awkwardly finding their way to his chest. But then it was over as soon as it had begun, and he was dropping his hands and stepping back.

"You should stay away from me, Granger,” he said. "I'm not good for you. The weasel was right."

Remus’ first crush drabble

You’d come in late to his divination class and the seat next to him is the only one open.

He can’t believe that he’s never seen you before

“Hi”

“Hi” You’d smile wide at him

When class end he asks what class your going to next

“Transfiguration”

“Me too, I’ll walk with you.”

Youre so much shorter than he is and he thinks it’s absolutely adorable

He sits next to you in Transfig.

The Marauders exchange glances behind the two of you.

“Moony? Are you gonna come sit with us.”

He ignores them the best he can cause he wants to sit with you

“I think they’re asking you to go sit with them.”

He give the boys a crude hand gesture as he slips into the chair next to peter

He doesn’t pay attention in class and focuses on the back of your head

He nearly jumps back up to the seat next to you when you run your hand through your hair

When class is dismissed the marauders drag him out before he could wait for you

“Ohh Remi!”

James is laughing hard

“Shut up.” Remus smiles and puts a hand through his hair

They make fun of him for the rest of the day

Remus continues to roll his eyes

James has asked Lily out an uncountable of times and she still hates his guts

And he already got you to laugh a few times

The next day he brings extra chocolate and offers you some

You smile and thank him and he dies a little inside

You make his palms clammy and heat come up to his cheeks

You make him disgusted with himself  

When the winter months come he brings an extra sweater for you

The divination classroom gets wicked cold

When you put his sweater on is when he knows he ask to ask you out

Even just once

Start simple

“You wanna come to hogsmeade with me and my friends.”

“Yeah sure.” You smile from your ocean of fabric

The weekend was great

You all went to Honeydukes where he insisted he buy you chocolate

In the booths for lunch he made sure you sit next to you

He always made sure to be next to you

You started to take notice

Then he started to notice you would scoot in closer to him

He takes a leap and puts his arm around your waist

Your temple presses into his shoulder

Quinn couldn't help but bounce slightly as he waited for Leo to appear. Things with the Gryffindor had been going so much better than Quinn could have ever expected. Not only had their first date been a success, but Leo had asked him to Delilah and Rebekah's party just a few days later. There, the pair had danced, and drank, and even had a goodnight snog. It was exactly like Quinn had imagined dating to be.

"Do I have to wait til then?" Andrew said with a sigh. "It'll be ages and I want a kiss now. I must say, this authoritative side of you . . . I like it." He winked at Kate and reached for the door handle.

Opening the door to reveal the winter sunshine, Andrew waited for Kate to step outside before following her. He took her hand again as they walked, needing the familiar comfort of her touch. He'd never imagined needing anyone like he needed Kate; she slipped into his life like she'd always been there and he couldn't imagine life without her now. 

Maddie applied her lipstick slowly, sitting in her dorm. Ever since her parents died, she didn't feel as threatened by the Death Eaters since they seemingly didn't want her anymore. If they did, they were extremely discreet about it. Maddie rarely visited Lily in the Gryffindor Common Room now, and those rare moments were when she was too scared to even step in the Slytherin Common Room. But right now, it wasn't about where she was staying.

This whole thing was all about the rumors that were floating around school about Maddie only dating Spencer to make Caradoc jealous. Okay, that part was true. She wanted to see Caradoc suffer over her finding someone else. Maybe that was overly cruel and cynical of her, but at the moment, she didn't really care. All she cared about was getting revenge. All she cared about was hurting Caradoc the way he hurt her. Besides, it wasn't like Spencer even liked her... Right? They were best friends, she convinced herself, and so he couldn't ever actually like her. Besides, she reasoned, he was head over heels for Charlotte.