Elaine's POV:

After Malfoy had payed me a visit in the library, I remained angry for the rest of the day. Hermione, luckily, was able to help me through the potions exam since my mind was all over the place. Halfway through the exam Malfoy finally showed up to class. "Looks like he's been crying doesn't it?" Hermione whispered as we made our potions. "Aha thank you for finally joining us Mr. Malfoy," Professor Slughorn said as he walked around the classroom observing our potions. Malfoy took one look at me and left the classroom causing Professor Slughorn to send Crabbe after him.

After potions, I was finally able to tell my friends what happened in the library. "What an arse. He really expected you to just let him back into your life!" Hermione exclaimed, shaking her head. "He has been acting strange lately. My map always shows him just disappearing," Harry said. Harry had a map that showed everyone exactly where they were in the castle. "But that's impossible, no one is able to apparate out of the castle," Ron said, elbowing Hermione, showing that he does listen to her. "Well done Ronald," Hermione laughed, shaking her head. At least one good thing came out of my fight with Malfoy...Hermione and Ron were actually speaking with each other again. It was so wonderful to have them finally be friends again...and perfect timing as well because our last Hogsmeade trip was tomorrow.

The next day I woke up and the first thing I noticed was how much it had snowed overnight. Hagrid could be seen shoveling his way out of his hut from my window.

Despite the freezing weather, I was excited to get out of the castle for a few hours. Fred, George, Harry, Ron, Hermione and I made our way to Hogsmeade with the rest of our classmates. "Here honey," Fred said, handing me his scarf as we walked since I forgot mine. I gladly took it, covering everything but my eyes with it. "Fred and I are going to stop at Zonko's...see you guys later," George said when we finally arrived at Hogsmeade. "Fancy a butterbeer?" Ron asked Harry, Hermione and I. We all nodded since it was way too cold to speak.

The four of us finally arrived at the Three Broomsticks, shivering from head to toe. The warmth of the pub soothed my frosted face as I untied Fred's scarf from my neck. "I'll order us some drinks," Ron said, taking Harry with him to help.

Hermione and I found an empty table and sat, unbuttoning our coats and hanging them up in the process. Ron and Harry joined us shortly carrying four mugs of warm butterbeer. "Oh bloody hell...I'd like to leave," Ron said, motioning towards a nearby table. Ginny was there kissing Dean. They were all cozied up next to each other, not realizing the four of us were staring. "You can't be serious. If Ginny walked in and saw you and I snogging do you expect her to get up and leave?" Hermione asked in her famous matter-of-fact tone. Harry quickly changed the subject when we all noticed how red Ron's face got. "What do you suppose he's doing here?" Harry asked and nodded towards Draco who had just come in from the cold. He spotted us quickly, throwing me a nasty look in the process. I threw one back. "Wow I've never seen you try to be mean before," Ron said, laughing behind his mug of butterbeer. "What do you mean by 'try to be mean'?" I asked, folding my arms. "Well you're not very intimidating are you?" Ron asked, laughing out loud. "Shut it!" I yelled, jokingly throwing some napkins his way. "I can be mean if I want to be," I replied. "So what's the issue...having trouble being mean to Malfoy are you?" Ron asked, pushing my buttons even more. "I don't think I can be mean to him...well like really mean," I said, looking at my hands after Harry raised his eyebrows at me. "And why is that?" Harry asked, as we watched Draco disappear behind a doorway in the back of the pub. "Well I know he's been very rude in the past, but I don't think that's who he really is as a person. I think it's just an act," I replied. "Maybe...I'm not so sure though...seems like he's been extra nasty lately," Hermione replied, as she turned around completely to see where Draco had went. "What's behind that door?" Ron asked. "I'm going to go look," I said, standing up, grabbing my wand, and stepping away from the table before my friends could stop me. "Elaine...don't," Hermione mouthed, trying not to cause a scene. I held up my wand, showing her I'd be fine as I walked towards the door Draco had just went into.

When I got to the door, my mind was racing with what I should say if there really is something behind this door. I put my hand on the door and pushed it open slowly. It revealed a hallway. On one side was a door for the woman's room and on the other was a door for the men's room. A bit anticlimactic, but I did have to pee anyways. I placed my hand on the woman's room doorknob, when it suddenly swung open in front of me. I jumped back in surprise, only to be more surprised when I saw Draco standing there. He looked terrible up close. He was paler and skinnier than usual. "Out of my way," he said, pushing past me and towards the door that led back to the pub. "What were you doing in the woman's room?" I asked, grabbing his wrist and forcing him to face me. "What is your problem Granger! Did you not hear me! I said get out of my way!" Draco yelled. We were nose-to-nose. Well...as close as nose-to-nose can get when someone is a whole foot and a half taller than you. "I just don't get it! I don't! One minute you're treating me like crap then you say you miss me and now it's back to being treated like crap!" I yelled. I felt tears welling up in my eyes. Sure, I was used to being bullied I mean I grew up in a fucking orphanage for crying out loud...but this was different. Being bullied like this was torturing my mind. "Your filth. Your a mudblood and your filth...and you need to get the fuck out of my way," Draco spat, ripping his hand out of my grasp and storming away.

Draco's POV:

I can't believe I just did that. I just called her filth and a mudblood...but I didn't have a choice. I had to make sure she didn't go into that bathroom. I just gave Katie that necklace...I couldn't let that get messed up...

Elaine's POV:

Harry rushed to where I was, taking my hand and leading me right outside of the pub. Everyone stared as we walked out, but my eyes were filled with tears so I really couldn't tell. "My coat, Harry," I said, shivering, as we stepped outside. "Right here," Ron said, helping me put it on. "The entire pub just heard what he said...you don't need to tell us," Hermione said as I about to explain what happened. "I think I'm just going to go back up to the castle," I said, wrapping my scarf around my neck. "We'll come with you," Harry said.

And so we ventured back to the castle. Halfway there, I noticed the two girls passing to walk in front of us were actually Katie Bell and her best friend, Leanne. I was about to call their names when Leanne let out an ear-piercing scream. Katie's body slammed on the floor and began shaking violently. "Katie!" Harry called, rushing over to her as her body rose up in the air and slammed back onto the snow-covered ground. "Do not go near her!" Hagrid's voice roared from behind us. He rushed passed us and gently picked up Katie. "DO NOT TOUCH THAT! Except the wrappins'," Hagrid ordered. Seconds later, Professor McGonagall rushed up to us. She pointed her wand at the package Katie had dropped and it rose to the air. She then ordered us to follow her back up to the castle as the necklace followed.

McGonagall led us through the castle and straight to her office where Professor Snape was waiting. "Hagrid told me you'd be arriving shortly," Snape explained. Harry, Ron, Hermione, Leanne, and I were ordered to wait while Snape and McGonagall examined the necklace.

"You're sure Katie didn't have this in her possession when she came to the Three Broomsticks?" McGonagall asked Leanne for the tenth time. "It's like I said, she left to go to the bathroom and when she came back she had the package. She said it was important she deliver it," Leanne explained. "Did she say to whom?" McGonagall asked. "Professor Dumbledore," Leanne replied. "Very well, thank you Leanne. You may go," she replied, dismissing Leanne and turning to us. "Now why is it when something happens it is always you three? And now your luck seems to have brought Elaine into this group as well," she asked. "Believe me, Professor, I've been asking myself the same question for six years," Ron replied and sniggered.

Snape had finally finished examining the necklace and turned to McGonagall. "What do you think?" she asked Snape. "I think Miss Bell is lucky to be alive," Snape responded. "She was cursed wasn't she? I know Katie...off the Quidditch pitch she wouldn't hurt a fly. If she was delivering that to Professor Dumbledore she wasn't doing it knowingly," Harry interrupted. "Yes, she was cursed," she replied. "It was Malfoy," I butted in. I wasn't expecting to speak up, but I did. "That is a very serious accusation Miss Granger," Professor McGonagall replied. "Indeed...your evidence?" Snape asked, scowling at me. "I saw him coming out of the woman's bathroom...in the Three Broomsticks," I responded, holding my head high. "Very well. Professor Snape and I will look into this," McGonagall said before Snape could answer. With that, we were dismissed.

On our way back to the common room, we tried stopping by the hospital wing to check on Katie, only to hear that she was moved to St. Mungo's hospital. When I heard this, my heart stopped for a second...like Snape said, she was lucky to be alive.

The four of us sulked back to the common room...all of us sick with worry about Katie. "I should've gone into the bathroom a second earlier. If I did I could've stopped it," I said, holding my head in my hands. "That's probably why he caused that scene...calling you filth and everything," Hermione stated. Ron and Harry looked confused, but I understood completely. "It was a distraction...Malfoy knew if he shouted at you loud enough that we would get you and leave the pub," Hermione explained to the boys.

None of us felt like eating after what we saw today. The image of Katie's limp body was burned into my head as I struggled to finish my last essay before winter break. "Cheer up, love," Fred said, kissing me on the cheek as I finished up my essay. "The day after tomorrow we'll be back at my house," Fred replied with a devilishly handsome smile. Tomorrow was our last full day in the castle. It was going to be filled with packing our stuff, then Slughorn's party at night.

The next morning, Hermione and I packed for first half of the day. "Have you seen Ron?" I asked her, realizing I haven't seen him all day as we walked into the Great Hall for lunch. "No I think he's still bitter about not being invited to Slughorn's party," Harry said, piling food on his plate. "I was going to ask him...but I knew Lavender would have an issue with that," Hermione said as she began eating as well.

Evening rolled around quite fast and it was already time for Hermione and I to get ready. "Wait a second...who are you taking to the party?" I asked her, realizing she never mentioned it. "Umm...it's a surprise," she replied quickly.

For the party, I wore a short black dress with black heels. My hair was pinned into a low bun and my makeup was light and natural. I met Fred in the common room around 8:30. Since the party was on the other side of the castle, we wanted to leave enough time to get there. Hand in hand, Fred and I walked to the party. "I think George and I are gonna close up shop next week," he said as we walked. "Oh honey I'm sorry," I replied, squeezing his hand. I knew how much the store meant to Fred and George. "It sucks but when this is all over I think it's going to thrive," Fred said with a smile. I knew he was upset, but he always put on a brave face.

When we finally arrived at the party, a younger student had a list of names and was letting people in. Once inside, I spotted Harry and his date, Luna, talking to Neville. I was about to walk over to them when Hermione came out of no where, grabbed my hand and dragged me behind a curtain. Fred followed as well. "Hermione...what's happened?" Fred asked. She looked disheveled and out of breath. "I've just escaped....I mean...I just left Cormac under the mistletoe," she explained. "CORMAC?" Fred and I said in unison. "That's who you invited?" I added. "I thought it would annoy Ron the most. He's got more tentacles than an octopus," she said with a shudder. I pretended to throwup as Fred laughed. Seconds later, the curtain we were standing behind was pulled away slightly by a waiter. "Dragon balls?" he asked, holding a platter of food. Fred, Hermione and I all muttered 'no thanks'. "Just as well...they give you horribly bad breath," the waiter explained. "On second thought," Hermione said, grabbing the platter of food and proceeded to shove one after the other in her mouth. As she continued to stuff her mouth, Cormac approached us.

"Oh god, here he comes," she said. She handed me the platter of dragon balls and quickly slipped out form behind the curtain just as Cormac reached us. "Where'd she go?" Cormac asked as he joined Fred and I behind the curtain. "Ah Elaine...I don't think we've been properly introduced. I'm Cormac McLaggen," he said, trying to kiss the top of my hand. I quickly handed Fred the platter of food and hid my hands behind my back. "I know who you are Cormac," I replied, rolling my eyes. "Are you seeing anyone? Perhaps we can meet up later?" he asked suddenly as he stared directly at my boobs. Immediately, I crossed my arms in front of my chest. "Are you kidding me? I'm with Fred," I replied as if it wasn't the most obvious thing in the world. Fred took a step in front of me, shielding my boobs from Cormac's wandering eyes. "Ah, Fred...I didn't see you there. How's it going mate?" Cormac asked, taking a few dragon balls from the platter Fred was holding and popping them into his mouth. "Seeing as you just hit on my girlfriend...not too well," Fred said, dropping the platter of food to the ground. I quickly stepped in front of Fred, telling him not to bother with someone like Cormac. Fred put his arm tightly around my waist and stepped out from behind the curtain.

As we rejoined the party, Fred and I caught up with Luna and Harry. We had some food and shared some laughs when the party was suddenly interrupted. Filch was pulling Draco Malfoy into the room by his ear. "Get your hand off of me you filthy squid," Draco yelled as he struggled to get free. For just one second, before anyone spoke, Draco looked at me. He looked like he wanted to cry. I felt bad for him, honestly. "Professor Slughorn, sir, I just discovered this boy lurking in an upstairs corridor. He claims to be invited to your party," Filch explained. "Okay...okay...I was gatecrashing...happy?" Malfoy snapped. "I will escort him out," Professor Snape said, grabbing Draco's collar and dragging him out of the room. Once the party returned to normal, Harry slipped his invisibility cloak on and slipped out. "What was that about?" Fred asked me as he handed me a drink. "Harry thinks Malfoy is up to something," I replied, brushing the subject away. "You know you look beautiful tonight," Fred said, staring at my chest just like Cormac did. "Excuse me! Eyes up here" I replied, playing slapping his arm. "You know tonight could be perfect...." Fred said shrugging as his face turned red. "You know I think so too," I replied, taking his hand and leading him out of the party. Fred and I have been waiting for the perfect moment to finally have sex. It was my first time...but not his. He's had girlfriends before, but I've never been in a serious relationship like this. He wanted to make sure my first time was perfect.

"So where should we go?" I asked him as we walked down the empty and dark corridor. "The Room of Requirement," Fred said simply. I had no idea what he was talking about, but I went along with it anyways.

Fred and I went to the sixth floor and he stopped me in front of an empty wall. "Give me a second," he said. He walked past the empty wall three times and a huge door appeared on the wall. "Follow me," Fred said with a smirk, taking my hand and leading me inside. It wasn't a large room, but it had the biggest bed I've ever seen. Fred took a seat on the bed and pulled me up on his lap. He cupped my face and we began kissing. It was soon very hot in the room as we kissed harder and more passionately. I knew it was now or never. "You ready?" Fred asked as he unzipped my dress and slid it off. "Yes," I replied, smiling.

And so...we did it! It was the best feeling in the world. Fred was gentle and passionate. Usually the first time isn't all so romantic...I remember Jason telling me about his first time (what a nightmare...you don't even want to know)...but Fred was different. Everything about it was perfect. We actually did it three times that night....we couldn't get our hands off of each other.

The next morning, Hermione, Ron, Harry and I met up for breakfast. "Where were you last night?" Hermione asked me as we ate. My face lit up bright red. "Oh my god! EW!" Hermione said, laughing. "I'll tell you later," I replied to her, smiling at my breakfast. "Do I even want to know?" she asked, ignoring the boys who were, as always, confused. "Probably not," I said, laughing.