In my dorm, I threw on Draco's Slytherin hoodie that he left in my dorm along with a pair of jeans. I styled my hair and quickly headed out to the pitch to get good seats.

It seemed as if quite a few students had the same idea as me, due to the stands already being packed with students and professors. Most were dressed in Gryffindor attire due to the mean Slytherin reputation — that wasn't always just a reputation but the truth, rather.

I made my way over to Pansy and Blaise who were snogging in the stands. I grew repulsed by their eagerness to snog in public.

Nevertheless, I greeted them.

They broke apart and I sat next to Blaise for the game. The players were in the changing rooms going over plays, throwing on their uniform, and chanting for their team.

"They're coming out!" Pansy said as the two teams walked out to the field.

Blaise gave me an excited look and then rapidly turned back to the field to watch the players swagger onto the grass, some confident and others evidently nervous.

The players mounted on their brooms and began practicing with one another while calling out sports terminology that I wasn't quite familiar with.

As they practiced in the air, the stands became more packed than ever until almost every seat was occupied.

One third of the stands was flooded with red robes, face paint, and posters in support of Gryffindor.

The Slytherin portion, although outnumbered, was extremely elated to be apart of the final game of the season.

After some time, the stands were entirely full and the game was beginning. I linked my arms in Blaise's and Pansy did the same. We all sat tensely next to each other, waiting patiently for the balls to fly out of the trunk and onto the field.

The stands became exceedingly silent and the Quaffles, Bludgets, and the Snitch were already prancing through the air.

Beaters chased after the Bludgers with their thick bats in their hand. Chasers followed after the Quaffle. Meanwhile, Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy flew through the air, searching swiftly for the pocket-sized Snitch.

Almost everyone in the stands stood up and leaned over the railing, waiting for their team to score.

Lee Jordan was commentating all the while.

"And the game has started! Potter and Malfoy have gone on a search for the snitch... Angelina Johnson has now got a quaffle and is preparing to shoot... SCORE! That is 10 points to the beautiful lions!"

The majority of the stands erupted into cheers while the Slytherins gripped the railings tightly and shouted encouraging words to our team.

Adrian Pucey flew through the air with the Quaffle in his hand and passed directly to Marcus Flint who smoothly scored.

"Slytherins with 10 points," Lee Jordan less enthusiastically announced.

It was now the Slytherins turn to burst into cheers. We hooted and shouted praising words at the team as they continued on their journey to victory.

Harry and Draco hadn't scoped out the Snitch yet so they proceeded searching the air until it caught their eye.

The two teams continued scoring back and forth until the Slytherins gained a lead and we were up by twenty. Whistles and cheers radiated from our side of the stands until Harry dipped down after catching a glance at the golden snitch.

"Go Malfoy!" I shouted.

He soared down after Harry and slightly nudged him out of his way. Harry nudged back and sunk down to grab the snitch. Draco attempted to catch up but before he could, Harry Potter held up the snitch triumphantly and those wearing red went wild. However, those wearing green reeked of sorrow and defeat.

I noticed Draco and the rest of the Slytherin team gloomily land on the ground while the Gryffindors stormed the field to praise Harry.

I patted Blaise and motioned that I was going after Draco.

He nodded and I sprinted down the stand stairs, dodging the plethora of fans and apologizing when I forcefully bumped into them.

I waited until the team finished up in the changing rooms and sat on the bench outside.

Eventually, Draco finally arrived in the hallway and I jumped up.

He looked extremely upset and disappointed in himself. I ran over and tried to hug him but he pushed me off and walked away towards the common room.

I followed quite a distance behind him so he didn't notice me. He made his way into his dorm and I sat outside, not wanting to bother him but also still being near his presence.

I sat against his door and quietly listened to him jump in the shower and then I heard rustling as if he was getting into bed.

I sadly sat there and pondered going in and comforting him or giving him space.

I finally decided to walk to my dorm and leave him be until he was ready to talk about it.

I went into my room and changed into comfortable clothes and then sat in the common room which was now filled with very upset students.

"Better luck next time!" the optimistic ones said.

"That was rubbish," the others said.

I sat on the common room couch until I fried my brain so much that I couldn't help but rush back to Draco's dorm and burst in.

He was sitting on his bed with his hands rummaging through his hair and a pathetic, self-pitiful look on his face.

I walked over and sat next to him. He slightly adjusted.

"It's not your fault. You almost had it," I whispered.

"I can't do anything right in life, can I?"

"That's not true at all."

"I can't have you, I couldn't have Hermione, and now I can't even win a stupid Quidditch game."

I hugged him and he attempted to pull me off but I stayed hugging him, knowing that this was exactly what he needed to at least slightly calm down.

He eventually sunk into the hug and we stayed there as he mentally bullied himself. After a few minutes, he pulled away.

"Let's go get some dinner," I offered.

He nodded and we walked to the great hall together. The Gryffindors were chatting about their win and the Slytherins were sending rude remarks their way every chance they got.

I sat across from Blaise and Pansy and next to Draco who only picked at his food throughout dinner.

"Sad Malfoy," I whispered which earned me cute grin from him.

I smiled at him and continued eating while talking about what to study tonight after dinner.

"I think I'm going to study for History of Magic, seeing as I never pay attention in class."

Blaise laughed and Pansy began talking about her loathing for Transfiguration.

"It's just awful and McGonagall hates the Slytherins!"

"It's not that bad," I said.

"All of the professors like you though! You're love life is the only thing they ever talk about."

"It's pathetic," I mumbled while turning to Draco who wouldn't eat.

"Not hungry," he muttered, knowing that I would suggest that he take a bite.

"Please eat something, you'll be hungry later."

He sighed a dramatic sigh and scooped a spoonful of mashed potatoes into his mouth. I smiled even though he gave me an annoyed glance.

Once dinner was over, the talk of the game still continued throughout the hallways and within the Slytherin common room.

Many comments were thrown at Draco — good and bad — and it looked as if he had finally had enough. I knew that every time someone looked at him, he felt even more mad at himself.

"You should've shoved Potter harder," Adrian Pucey suggested as he passed by us in the common room.

"That's it," Draco snapped while storming off back into his dorm.

I sighed and began running after him.

"Y/n!" Blaise shouted to which I turned around quickly. "Leave him be."

"But Blaise, he is upset!"

"Yes, however, he wants to be alone."

I nodded sadly and Blaise grabbed my wrist while instructing Pansy to start on her homework.

She sat down at the four person table in the corner and pulled out her papers.

On the other hand, I was being dragged to my own dorm by Blaise who seemed determined to tell me something.

He pointed to the bed and I sat down as he paced back and forth in front of me.

"Are you good?" I questioned worriedly.

"Fine. You, on the other hand, need to get your act together."

"My act? What are you going on about?"

"Do you like Draco or not?"

"Oh — er."

"Decide right now or stop messing around with him because if you're never going to give him a chance then he should be moving on right now instead of waiting for you."

"Yes! Okay? I like him, but what about George?"

"What about him? You guys are broken up!"

"I know we are," I mumbled. "He still makes me happy though."

"Of course he is going to make you happy. He was your boyfriend and you always got butterflies in your stomach and each time he kissed you it felt like you were at home."

"Exactly!"

"You're done with him now. You have to move on and think about the feeling you get with Draco. It's that same feeling but more intensified. We both know you fancy him and it's about time you stop denying your feelings and stalling a relationship with him."

I sighed. "You're right."

"Of course I am."

I scoffed at him and he smirked while sitting next to me on my bed.

"It's got to be special," I decided.

"Wait for awhile though because this Quidditch loss is going to be rough," Blaise advised. "You've seen how hard he worked."

I nodded and began thinking of ways I could tell Draco that I'm finally ready for a real relationship.

I could take him on a picnic. We could go to Hogsmeade. The Astronomy Tower isn't terribly special anymore due to the other relationships I've had up there. The kitchen reminds me of Ron. Possibly on Hogwarts grounds? Or even the pitch!

I continued thinking of options as Blaise stared at me.

"Staring problem?" I asked.

"Just thinking about why Draco likes you in the first place."

I became shocked at his words and lightly punched him in the chest.

"Thanks for being on my side," I sarcastically whispered.

"You were always there for me," he responded while opening his arms wide for a hug.

I embraced him in his initiated hug and we sat there, holding each other tightly as ever. My head was resting on his shoulder and his head on mine as well.

"I got lucky with a friend like you," he said, his voice vibrating against my neck.

"You're right about that."

He then pulled away from the hug and looked at me sillily

"Can we celebrate your birthday this year?" I suddenly asked as it popped into my mind.

"I don't do the whole parties and cake thing."

"How about we celebrate our birthdays on September first together? It'll be a shared party and all the attention won't be on you!" I reasoned.

"Fine."

I squealed and did a small jig while standing up.

"We better go hang out with Pansy or she'll start worrying," Blaise said while continuing to laugh at my happiness.

"Okay."

With those words, we walked back down the stairs into the Slytherin common room to finish up our vast amount of homework.

"Pansy, scoot," I said and she obeyed.

I sat across from Blaise and we crammed our brains with more information than we thought possible. Draco came down after awhile of being cooped up in his dorm and we all studied silently.

Someone hit my foot from under the table and I assumed it was Blaise, as he was across from me and Draco seemed thoroughly focused and Pansy just sat blankly.

"Stop," I muttered.

Blaise furrowed his eyebrows and Pansy gave me a confused glance. We all went back to what we were doing until the foot kicked me again.

"Blaise, enough."

"I didn't do anything!"

"Pansy, stop," I corrected my error.

"Stop what?"

"Malfoy, it's you!"

He grinned and I kicked him back under the table. He muttered a curse under his breath and went back to silently doing his homework without any interruptions.

After hours on end of studying, night creeped up on us and we grew tired by the minute.

"Night guys," I said while collecting my belongings and heading to my dorm.

Pansy followed after me and I did my nightly routine before sliding under my covers for a peaceful sleep.

•••

Time continued flying by as usual. The spring was the most boring season and little did I know, exams were inching closer and closer. Swimming, talking, and even fun seemed miles away from our new routine of busyness and brain-wracking.

The only thing occupying the students was homework and studying. Free time was also limited; only breakfast and lunch did we ever have a good time. Dinner was a dedicated point in time to read books and quiz the other Slytherins at our table for their classes the following day.

Even the Golden Trio kept themselves so occupied with studying and school that it was hard visiting them during the weekdays — even weekends.

Silence was apart of my new routine. Breakfast and lunch was the only time to hold a real conversation, which ended up being about schoolwork anyways. That is, unless you count the times in which Blaise and Pansy are occupied in a dorm and was stuck hanging out with Draco for the night.

Our brains were fried and the professors seemed to continue throwing more and more work at us as the exams approached, as if they couldn't have taught it throughout the school year.

The beginning of June was approaching, stress levels were rising, and my plan to confess my liking for Draco was slowly forming.

It was a bittersweet feeling as the year slowly but surely came to an end.

Will my feelings be out to Draco by the time summer approaches? Who am I going to stay with officially? Will Hagrid be in need of comfort after Buckbeak's execution? Do I even have any free time to help Hagrid?

Thoughts poured in and out of my head constantly until it felt like my brain was exploding.

I need some air.

I decided to go to my usual spot where the sky glistened and the sun sunk behind the clouds, a pink tint flooding the normal mass of blue.

As the wind hit my face, I felt calm and relaxed, unlike what I'd been feeling when studying and memorizing the myriad of information required to know for exams.

"I thought I'd find you up here."

I turned around to look at the face that fit the familiar voice. Draco must've saw me leave the common room and decided he either needed a break or simply wanted to see me; both options were valid.

"Homework was getting overwhelming," I explained.

"One week away and we will celebrate."

"June fifth? What do we have to celebrate?"

"Think hard, L/n."

"Hm — wait! How could I forget! It's your birthday!"

"There you go."

"Luckily your birthday is on a Sunday. We can throw a party in the common room and hang out all day without worrying about school."

"Don't get ahead of yourself. I don't want a big party, I just want to hang out with a small group of friends and I'll be satisfied."

"Whatever you want, birthday queen."

He grinned at the nickname. "Come back to the library with me, will you? We don't even have to do work."

"After you," I said as he walked down the tower stairs with me following after.

We walked through the halls, only the clicking of our shoes echoing through the empty halls.

Once we entered the library, he led me to his usual table in the far back where all of his belongings were scattered around messily.

He stacked the clutter into one big pile to the side of the table and I sat in a chair right next to him.

"Pucey is coming!" I whispered aggressively while ducking down under the table.

He pulled me up and held up a big textbook to cover our faces. We were just inches away from each other's faces and I was reminded of the words Blaise said to me about how intense my feelings for Draco were becoming.

"Boggarts," I whispered while glancing at the words on the textbook.

"You never got to test your boggart did you?" he asked.

"No, was I in the hospital wing when we did?"

"Probably." He shrugged.

I continued reading the page.

"A Boggart is a shape-shifting creature that will assume the form of whatever most frightens the person who encounters it. Nobody knows what a Boggart looks like if nobody is there to see it, although it continues to exist, usually giving evidence of its presence by rattling, shaking or scratching the object in which it is hiding."

"Malfoy, I missed the best lesson! I want to know what scares me!"

"Potters stupid dementor stopped the rest of the class from doing it, don't feel too left out."

"He's scared of dementors? He fears fear itself, smart," I mumbled.

Adrian left the library soon after and Draco set the large textbook down from our faces.

"C'mon," I said while pulling Draco away from the library and running to the Defense Against the Dark Arts room.

I knocked three times and Professor Lupin opened the door.

"I missed the boggart lesson, sir!" I quickly rambled to Professor Lupin.

"That was months ago, Y/n."

"What if it's on the exam this week?"

"Come in." Our teacher sighed.

I giddily walked in with Draco behind me.

"It's not on the exam but I see your eagerness to witness your boggart so here goes nothing. Remmeber once I release it you must shout 'riddikulus' and it will disappear. I suggest turning it into something funny."

I nodded rapidly and Draco curiously stood back as Lupin unlatched a large closet-looking box.

A white balloon-like object jumped out but began turning as soon as Lupin stepped away.

Is it going to be my sister? Or my parents screaming at me? How about dying myself?

I anxiously waited until a graveyard popped up into my view. I furrowed my brow and slowly walked up to each gravestone. They were all labeled with a variety of important people: Eleanor, Draco, Blaise, Pansy, Harry, Hermione, Ron, Fred, George, and Ginny.

Tears began stinging my eyes and I reached for my wand in my pocket. My hands were shaking drastically and I was struggling to pull it out. I blinked harshly; I didn't want to cry over a figment of my imagination.

Lupin stood back and watched me fumble with my wand and he looked immensely upset at the scenery displayed in front of my eyes.

One tear streamed down my face and Draco began becoming worried for me. I finally pulled out my wand and unsteadily held it in front of me while croaking the incantation.

"Riddikulus."

The graveyard disappeared and all that remained was a field of dead, shriveled flowers.

"Thanks," I mumbled while storming out of the room and catching my breath.

Draco sprinted up to me and stopped me by forcing me into a hug.

I silently breathed into his chest while he rubbed the back of my head and held me extremely tightly, preventing my lung function even more than before.

"We will never leave you," he comforted. "It's all fake."

Those words hit me like a train.

It's all fake.

I nodded and thought of the present where all my friends are alive and well. I began to calm down quickly and do I wiped my face, any possible escaping tears vanishing on the spot. Draco and I then backed up from each other.

"Just you and I on Sunday. I have a surprise. Meet me on the pitch at noon," I informed him, a sincere smile forming on my face.

"I'll be there," he decided.

I nodded and he wrapped one arm around my shoulder while walking us back to his dorm.