#he asked who i liked to romance and i said haley (the blonde one who’s mean to you) shane (the one with the stubble who’s mean to you) and

[carlgrimesloverr]

sk8ergirl

aaron hotchner x fem!super star!reader

summary : when aaron and haley were young, they were on and off. during one off the ‘offs’ aaron met her. 10 years later, she’s famous, and he’s stuck unhappy in a marriage that was more out of convenience then love.

takes place during : season 1

warnings :  some of the songs / bands i bring up don’t exactly… exist in 2005, but i love them, i love hotch, and i love angst so it’s ok. 

word count : 931

“spence please come with me to this concert” jj pleaded with the brunette, who just shrugged.

“i’ve never heard of the artist- plus gideon and i are going to have a chess match soon. just invite elle, i’m sure she will go with you.” he responded, eyes not leaving the chess board in front of him.

“elle’s busy this weekend, so is morgan! i don’t want to have to ask hotch, not while haley is pregnant!” the blonde whined.

“ask hotch what?” aaron asked, appearing in the bullpen out from his office, staring down at jj with the same expression as always.

“oh! sir- hi, uh, i just have tickets to a concert this weekend but no one to go with..”

“what artist? it may be one haley likes if you’d like to go with her.”

“(y/n)! she’s actually from the same area you are maybe you kn-“

hotch froze. ignoring everything else jj said he quickly left to go to his office.

it didn’t take a fool to put the pieces together, and the question rang out in his head. were you a musician now? you followed your dreams after moving away.. you really did it.

he wanted to know more, he needed to know more. but he couldn’t call in penelope to learn more, if he asked penelope then he ran the risk of the team knowing.

despite jj’s mockery, hotch did know how to work a computer, and how to search up things online. as hotch researched you now, he realised you had an album named after him. well, maybe not him exactly, but ‘AHH.’ seemed a bit too close to the “aaron ‘hotch’ hotchner” you used to date.

scrolling through the list of 20 songs, he noticed it was a breakup album, full of hate and feelings of betrayal.

looking at the first song, hotch was shocked. “‘circles ft. pierce the veil’?” he asked out loud. pierce was a big band, he knew that much. he had heard jj talking of them to derek before. the lyrics felt more like a love song, yet hotch could read into the tone, how you always reffered to you and him as ‘running’, trying to escape something. escape haley.

the next track, ‘girlfriend ft. avril lavigne’. hotch didn’t even have to look at the lyrics to know what it was about- it was a diss to haley. once again, you were angry. you had every right to be angry, though hotch couldn’t even begin to understand why you blamed haley. hotch was the one who left you, haley never forced him. he was the bad guy, not haley.

as he kept reading the tracks, he realised more and more how he had hurt you. songs featuring eminem, paramore, my chemical romance, weezer, alanis morissette, the used, the offspring, and fall out boy. alanis morissette. you used to rave about her album ‘jagged little pill’ to him when you were laying in his bed, bodies as close as could be.

the main track, ‘sk8ergirl’, was what really did it for him. what story were you telling? you were happy with someone else? or was it from the point of view of 17 year old you? a boy and a girl, extremely obvious about how they were in love but never ended up together. the boy was a bitch, basically. and so the girl went on and fell in love with a rockstar. were you calling aaron a bitch, and boosting your own ego like that? or was it a swapped gender roles, to make it less obvious? aaron couldn’t tell.

no matter what the song was written about, aaron had hurt you. and you took it out in the only way you knew how; music. aaron joined theatre to gain haleys attention, you wrote songs about him to let off some steam; maybe even gain his attention. but no matter how much steam you let off, aaron was still with haley, and you were still alone, with that red and black fender squire stratocaster you had so proudly shown hotch when you were seniors, the one you put together yourself. the red grain pickguard was your favourite feature of the whole guitar, hotch remembering so clearly how you ranted on and on.

‘no no- most strats are one basic colour for this area here, the pickguard. this is a grain! it has a cool pattern!’ you had told him, smiling widely as you pointed out the features on your guitar. ‘i want to get a bass that’s the exact opposite! red grain body, black pickguard. wouldn’t that be so cool? you should learn bass, then we could play together! i’m writing up this song right now, think i’m gonna call it “i’m with you”, the bass part is pretty simple!’

‘i’m with you’. fourth track. a love song. you had kept it in the album? you had published a song so clearly written about aaron? he could still remember you softly humming the melody, still not fully having worked out the lyrics. it was about being alone - something like standing on a bridge, no one looking for you - when someone comes to your rescue and saves you from that darkness.

“you still released it, even though you’re alone.” hotch hummed to himself, continuing to search you up.

single.

never married.

no kids.

doesn’t party much.

still went out skating constantly.

said in an interview you were ‘still caught in the whirlwind romance of high school’.

caught in the ‘betrayal of it all’.

you really were the sk8ergirl, weren’t you?

[1-800-iluvhockey]

somebody that he used to know - m.estapa

summary - mark sees a familiar face at a club in aa during an off weekend with the boys, and he chases after her.

type - blurb based on somebody that I used to know by gotye (italics & bolded are lyrics)

warnings - familiar faces romance trope, kinda douchey mark, broken promises, underage drinking & club life in AA 

the song blasting on the stereo made y/n’s ears burst as she walked in the dance club with her two best friends. It was loud, hot, and too sweaty for her taste, but she was along for the ride tonight as she was an outsider to the umich scene. she went to their rival school in east lansing; michigan state. after a falling out with a fling in her senior year of high school, she swore that she would never go to umich, so when she got a partial scholarship to run track at mich state, she took it and ran. coming here tonight was a huge step for her, as she didn't want to run into him. 

✿❀ ❀✿

mark was running late to the club because his roommate and dumb best friend, ethan, told him to be at the club at 11… and not at 10 like the rest of the guys. so he walked in with his id, almost an hour late to the party with the boys…. he scanned the room for them, and saw the gorgeous girl in the dark green dress in the corner; sipping the drink that he used to buy from her in high school. she was there, dressed like a daydream.. and it is like the first time he saw her. frozen in place, mark was then snapped into reality when luke came up and wrapped his arm around the boy’s shoulders. 

“damn estapa, you get here for not even five minutes and you're already looking at a girl?” luke jokes as he leads them to the rest of the group. 

“hey! it’s not like that-- she just looked like somebody that I used to know.” mark hits luke’s chest as the two laugh it off and meet the rest of the group. she cut her hair to her shoulders, she dyed it a light blonde, and she looked toned; she looked so good... mark thought to himself after seeing her for the first time in almost a year in a half

“look who finally decided to join the partyyyy!!” mackie yelled semi drunkenly as he went to dap up mark. 

“what took you so long, dude?” duke jokes as eddy and him chuckle. 

“SOMEONE-- told me the wrong time!” mark snaps back sarcastically as eddy breaks into giggles.

“I am going to get a drink, since I am SO late to the party!” mark then yelled to the group as he made his way to the bar. 

✿❀ ❀✿

she didn't see him walk in, or even see him at the bar until someone pointed him out. “hey isnt that the umich hockey team?” a random bunny asked her best friend haley as she took a sip of her drink, eyeing down the one at the bar instead of the group near it. 

“yeah-- its their off weekend, bunny.” haley said semi annoyed as the bunny went away to the dancefloor-- running into a player. 

listening to the conversation next to her, she looked at the guy at the bar. he looked familiar to her, but knew it couldn't be him. y/n’s mouth was dry as she saw the ring on the guy’s middle finger. she hadn’t even been in aa for a full day and she saw him--- 

It had to be a coincidence, please be a coincidence. she thought to herself as the guy looked around, waiting for the drink. 

but when he turned around, she knew it was him and her mind wasn't playing tricks on her. the one guy that she dreaded to see, was staring right at her. he gave her a softer smile, and she started to feel the spark again.

✿❀ ❀✿

it was loud and the lights were flashing, but he could hear her voice from across the room after he saw her. he did give her a soft smile and walked back to his group, but then he looked to her across the room and heard her voice again. 

“I-- HALEY! I can’t find chris but I’m going back--” he heard her say and his heart dropped at the words “chris” and “going back.” 

mark watched the interaction for a few more minutes until he saw her make her way to the door. ethan was watching his best friend chug his drink after seeing that girl leave, and he called after him. 

“STOP SIGN!” eddy yelled as mark ran off. 

“I’LL BE BACK, E!” mark yelled back across the dancefloor as he runs after y/n, wanting to talk to her. 

✿❀ ❀✿

she was halfway down the dark blvd as she heard him say “nova!” stopping in her tracks, she turned around slowly to see the one and only mark estapa zooming down the blvd to catch up to her. wearing his signature backward hat and michigan sweatshirt that she gave him years ago. 

“ruff, what are you doing?” she asked the panting boy softly as he stopped to catch his breath. 

“I had to see you-- I had to see you.” he told her as he brought her into a tight hug, catching her off guard. 

“you -- mark get off!” she yelled frustratedly as they pulled apart. 

“I know, I probably shouldn't have done that, I’m sorry.” mark responded to her apologetically. 

“you can't just do this to me. you can't just walk back into my life after leaving it like you did. you-- you crushed me.” she told him whispering the last part as tears pooled into her eyes. she didn't want to get emotional around him, but it just came so quickly that she couldn't stop.

“I wanted to apologize for it again, and I heard the name chris at the bar and got extra worried. I know I don't deserve to be in your life again and I wanted to stay out of it-- but I can’t.” he rambled to her exasperated, as she just gave him the “are you kidding me look.” 

“chris is short for christina, my best friend; and you said that you could let go.” 

“I can’t. I don’t want to live that way. you mean too much for me to do that. have you not been getting my messages over the past year? after my new number that knies gave to you?” he said questioning her semi annoyed.

“you leave matthew out of it mark estapa. don’t drive away more people. I haven't answered you because you needed to move on from your mistake.” she said with the same energy that he gave to her.

"you were never a mistake-- and you didn't have to cut me off! m-make it out like it never even happened! and that we were nothing, y/n!” he said to her emotionally as he raised his voice. she had to leave, she couldn’t crush him like he did to her two years ago. 

“I don't even NEED your love. I treated you like a stranger tonight because it was too rough; mark fucking woodruff estapa, I loved you so much and you crushed me into pieces. you left me for hockey, the one thing you said you'd never let get in the way between us.” she told him softly and he could see the tears on her cheeks. 

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” he said softly as he tried to reach out and grab her, as she flinched, dropping her purse (which had his keychain he gave her two years ago on it.) 

“well, you don't have to apologize to something you don’t have anymore. now you’re just somebody that I used to know. see you around, estapa.” she told him as she looked up to see his face, taking in all of the details of the man she once loved so deeply.

it hurt to walk away from something you once loved so deeply, which then hurt you in the end. but it was for the best, it was the best for him.

there she goes again, walking out of my life, like somebody that I used to know. he thought somberly, as he watched the girl in green disappear like a daydream. hearing her heels click down the blvd as she faded away.

——-

abbster’s taglist: @hockeyboysarehot @hockey-lover86 @hockey-lover-22 @erikports @pulpfixion @owenpowersglasses @pierrelucduboiis @juliasahoshughes @calermakar08 @studsccsnackavoybambi @boeswhore @jamiedryzdale @here-for-bords @bordsybebe @dracoswhore007 @bordyluv @njdhischier @lwstuff @oskarlidblom @dylandukerr @the-stars-shine-above-us @njdhischier @thomasbbordeleau

[searchingwardrobes]

First of all, I know it seems like I have abandoned my fanfic writing, but I promise you, that isn’t true. I was actually working on I Promise to Kiss You the other night, and I am SO close to posting that final chapter! BUT, I must confess that Josiah and Kate from my book The One Who Sees Me have just been invading my muse. Tuesday night, this story just poured out of me.

I talked about this on my Facebook Live, but one part of Josiah’s personality that was really important to me was that he is safe. A man being safe is almost a bad word in rom-coms and romance novels, but it shouldn’t be. Men should absolutely be safe. Women should feel safe in their arms, safe sharing their hearts, safe enough to completely be themselves. So here is a story told from Josiah’s point of view in which he ponders how important it is to him that his wife feel safe. Oh, and some fluffy marital bliss and domesticity.

Rated: M for a married couple being open and free about sex, I guess, just to be safe, but it’s only discussed, not portrayed

Words: 1,300 and some change

Oh, and you can get a copy of The One Who Sees Me here , if you’re interested.

Tagging some who might be interested or at least humor me when it comes to my babies from Lightport : @snowbellewells​​​​​​ @teamhook​​​​​​ @xhookswenchx​​​​​​ @kmomof4​​​​​​ @hookedonapirate​​​​​​ @ilovemesomekillianjones​​​​​​ @reynoldsreads​​​​​​ @whimsicallyenchantedrose​​​​​​ @welllpthisishappening​​​​​​ @wellhellotragic​​​​​​ @optomisticgirl​​​​​​ @spartanguard​​​​​​ @ekr032-blog-blog​​​​​​ @jrob64​​​​​​ @ultraluckycatnd​​​​​​ @superchocovian​​​​​​ @bethacaciakay​​​​​​ @distant-rose​ @klynn-stormz​​​​​ @carpedzem​​​​​ @cheerynoir​

Josiah Barrett was distracted. Not because he didn’t want to hear his wife tell him about her day. On the contrary, he looked forward to reconnecting over dinner. Or reconnecting as much as a one year old flinging peas on the floor allowed. He honestly didn’t understand men who complained about their wives always wanting to talk. There was no one he enjoyed having a conversation with more than Kate. It had always been that way.

No, he was distracted because his head was full of plans for Valentine’s Day. A few months ago, he and Kate had purchased a “rekindle the romance kit” recommended in a couple’s devotional they were reading together. Not that he felt in the least that the spark was gone. Kate turned him on just walking into the room at times. It was just that ever since Haley was born, they found they had to be more intentional when it came to their relationship. Hence scheduled date nights, the couple’s devotional . . .

And the romance “kit.”

The rule of the kit was simple - open an envelope and follow the instructions to create a romantic moment with your spouse. No excuses, no skipping cards, no matter how awkward it made you feel. The pink cards were for the husband to do for his wife while the red cards were for the wife to do for her husband. They usually took turns planning their dates using the cards, but for Valentine’s Day, they had both opened one. That’s what had Josiah so distracted.

He couldn’t stop mulling over his plans for the next evening. While he and Kate shared dinner at a restaurant, his brother was going to decorate their car like he had on their wedding day. Only, instead of “just married,” Micah was going to write “happily married.” On the way home, Josiah was going to take a detour to Founder’s Park, where he had proposed all those years ago and dance with Kate just like he had then to “Hero” by Enrique Iglesias - their song.

Kate was going to love it, and he was giddy with excitement.

A loud, clattering sound startled him out of his reverie. Haley squealed loudly and slapped the tray of her high chair. Josiah laughed.

“She threw her sippy cup. Again.”

He glanced at Kate as he bent to retrieve the cup. She was staring nervously at her plate, pushing peas around with her fork.

“I’m sorry,” he apologized. “I haven’t been listening, have I?”

She gave him a wane smile. “It’s not that. I know teething isn’t exactly a riveting topic.���

Haley took the cup from his hand and started sucking down the water inside. Good - maybe they had a minute or two reprieve from the cup throwing game.

“What is it then?”

Kate bit her lip and blinked as if holding back tears. After a long pause, she blurted out, “I can’t do it!”

He frowned with concern. “Do what?”

She dropped her fork with a clatter and pressed both hands to her face. “The card,” she mumbled behind her fingers, “for Valentine’s Day.”

He said nothing, trying to process her words. Haley fussed, and on auto-pilot, he sprinkled some snack puffs onto the high chair tray to distract her.

Kate ran her hands through her hair as she looked up at him. “I know it says not to skip cards, but I can’t, Josiah. I just can’t.”

Now he was alarmed. He was always careful to be a patient and tender lover with Kate, knowing she had been victimized in her young, innocent years. The cards for wives were always sexual in nature, but it was a Christian product, so nothing had been inappropriate. So far, anyway. Kate had been emboldened by the cards to get past her shyness: dancing for him, initiating sex, making love in unique places around the house, but none of it ever seemed to upset her. She would blush and giggle, and he would assure her that he found her incredibly sexy, but he had never seen her afraid.

Was she afraid? That was one thing he never, ever wanted her to feel with him.

He realized he had been quiet for too long when she started speaking again in a hurried, nervous tone. “It just grosses me out. I mean, the thought of doing it makes me physically repulsed. Can I please pick another card? Or just do my own thing?”

Good Lord above, what was on this card?

“What does it want you to do?” he whispered, then he inwardly berated himself.

It shouldn’t matter, you idiot! She clearly doesn’t feel comfortable doing it!

“It wants me to let you . . . “ she hesitated for a beat, then blurted out, “eat fruit off my

body!”

At first, he was rendered speechless. That had not been what he had expected. Well, he wasn’t really sure what he’d expected, but it certainly wasn’t fruit.

“It’s just so . . . sticky,” she added, wrinkling her nose in an adorable way.

Then he couldn’t help it - he burst out laughing. Haley startled, dropped her cup again, then joined her Daddy with gleeful belly laughs despite having no clue what was so funny. At first Kate gaped at him, which only made him laugh more. Soon, she was chuckling too. They laughed and laughed until tears rolled down their cheeks and they could scarcely breathe.

“Fruit?” he finally gasped. “You had me so worried, and then it’s all about fruit?”

“Don’t laugh,” she giggled. She rolled her eyes at him and tossed a wadded up napkin at his head. “You know how I feel about food fights.”

He did. Every time they saw one on TV or in a movie, it grossed her out. The thought of ketchup in her hair or mashed potatoes down her shirt made her shiver with revulsion. “You know somebody has to clean that up,” she would always say.

“Come here,” he told her, opening up his arms. She blushed sheepishly as she rose from her chair and rounded the kitchen table. She curled up on his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck.

“Kate,” he told her, brushing her hair off her forehead and tucking it behind her ear, “all I need is you to be perfectly satisfied. If anything - anything at all - makes you feel uncomfortable, please tell me. I never want you to feel that way when we’re intimate, even if it’s just something like sticky fruit.”

She smiled down at him, cupping his jaw with one hand, a picture of perfect contentment. Just as he longed for her to feel with him.

“I love you,” she lowered her lips to his and kissed him thoroughly, running her fingers through his hair.

“I love you too,” he replied huskily when she finally pulled away.

“My alternate plan is to feed you chocolate covered strawberries.”

“I like that plan.”

She kissed him again, but then they were interrupted by Haley’s squeals. The sight of their daughter had them both laughing again.

“Sweetheart,” Josiah told his wife, “I don’t think our daughter shares your opinion on food fights.”

Their one year old had mashed up her peas and then rubbed it into her hair. With a half chuckle, half groan, Kate got off Josiah’s lap and went to unbuckle their daughter from her high chair.

“Which would you rather clean?” he asked his wife. “The chair or the baby?”

“The baby, definitely.”

He watched his wife, her strawberry blonde hair in a messy bun on top of her head, no makeup, clad in yoga pants and an oversized t-shirt. She balanced their daughter on her hip as she wiped tiny hands and cheeks with a baby wipe. Her smile was bright and her eyes sparkled as she spoke lovingly to their child. Despite the messy peas still in the tiny girl’s fine hair, Kate pressed a sloppy kiss to the baby’s freshly wiped, chubby cheek, making Haley giggle. Josiah’s heart swelled with love for this woman: his best friend, his wife, the mother of his child. He stepped forward and pressed a kiss to the crown of her head.

“What was that for?” she asked him.

“Like I said, I just need you.”

[hopelessromanticspoonie]

Helping Hands - Chapter 3

Series Masterlist here

Chapter Summary: Haley learns a bit more about Loki, and the rest of the team learns the price to pay for her powers.

Chapter Warnings: Blood, descriptions of injuries.

A/N: Thank y’all so much for enjoying Haley and Loki! I promise that romance will happy eventually! Just gotta hold on for a little while while she gets comfortable with, ya know, existing.

“Bananas, strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries with some vanilla greek yogurt and protein powder. My typical pre-workout.”

Haley sipped on the thick purple concoction, sampling the sweetness on her tongue before giving it an approving nod. “It’s tasty. But I’m not going to workout.”

Natasha poured the rest of the blender’s contents into a travel tumbler with a wide straw. She arched a delicate brow and shrugged her shoulders. “We need to put some meat on those bones. Right now you’re all lips and big brown eyes and knobby knees.”

She couldn’t even be offended. It was all true. Scratching idly at the healing burn through her thick sweatshirt, she looked around quickly before narrowing her gaze at Natasha. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure thing, kid.”

Here goes nothing. “What’s up with Loki? He’s part of your,” a quick pause to think of the word and take a sip, “team. What can he do?”

“Oh, your personal bodyguard?” She hopped up on the counter and munched on a granola bar she had snagged on top of her smoothie. “He’s not human, for starters.”

She froze in tracing a line of condensation down the side of her glass. Surely her eyes were going to fall out of her head they were so wide. “What?”

The blonde shrugged a shoulder. “Him and his brother Thor, they’re from another planet. Well, Loki’s adopted. But they act more like brothers than some blood-related siblings I’ve met. Why don’t you ask him?”

~

Later that evening the entire team went on a mission. Tony had explained that they were going back to Hydra to see if they could find anything on her identity before she was taken, but she wasn’t holding out too much hope for that. It seemed dumb even to her to keep evidence like that just laying around.

Loki had elected to stay behind with her, an odd move as he had been acting cold and distant since he discovered the downside to her abilities a few days prior. It stung and squeezed at her heart painfully, as he had been the first that she felt close to in this whole ordeal.

Finally, after the second hour of her watching reality television dating shows - per Natasha’s suggestion to ‘educate’ her on life she’d missed - she couldn’t take the silence practically radiating off of the stubborn man anymore. She peered over at him hopefully.

“Loki?”

He didn’t look up from the thick book he had cradled in his large hands. But his head tilted to the side in her direction, which she took as answer enough for her to continue.

“Natasha said that you’re not human.” Blunt, straight to the point, and enough to get his attention.

The book closed and disappeared from his grasp. He leaned into the couch, draping his arm across the back so that it almost came in contact with her shoulder, his knees spread as he regarded her with a solid stare that betrayed nothing. “She is correct.”

She curled her hands into the sleeves of her hoodie, tucking them against her chest after wiggling a bit so she faced him. It was easier to watch his face from the new position, to read the minute shifts in his breathtaking facial features before he could hide them away behind an indifferent mask. “But you look human.”

Truth be told he was so pleasant to look at he couldn’t possibly be human, but that didn’t need to be said.

Silence stretched between them as he regarded her with a furrowed brow, unmoving save the rise and fall of his chest beneath his forest green button-up shirt. His voice was careful, controlled, when he finally responded with, “Thor and I were raised in another realm, called Asgard. We called this planet Midgard. We remained there for centuries before living in this pitiful excuse for a tower.”

“And that’s why you can…” she trailed off, chewing on her bottom lip lightly as she tried to think of the right word. Finally, she gave up, and waved her sleeve-covered fists in between them instead.

That earned her a quick chuckle that sounded like sin personified rolling down her spine. “My mother taught me magic, yes. I can do more than send objects to and from my own personal dimension.”

She perked up at the possibilities, eyes shining bright with fascination as she beamed at him. “What else can do you do? Can you show me?”

His whispered reply came from just over her shoulder, skating down her skin and leaving goosebumps in their wake. “What would you like to see?”

She whipped her head around to see him now standing behind her, dressed in the gleaming leathers she had first seen him in, only without the grime and gore. He smirked at her, pointedly looking over her shoulder. Following his gaze, she found Loki just as he was a moment ago, watching her with just the corner of his mouth upturned into a small smile. Her head whipped back and forth, and she reached out to touch both men simultaneously. Smooth skin of the back of Loki’s hand met her shaking fingertips on one side, but the other hand went straight through his sleeve. He flickered, his body shimmering in a captivating green light before disappearing altogether.

“That’s amazing!” she exclaimed, looking back to the real man sitting beside her, blushing when she realized that her fingers had been exploring the smooth, thin skin over the back of his hand absentmindedly. She pulled it back to her chest, tucking her feet underneath her. “What else can you do?”

“You aren’t frightened?” he asked, his velvet voice lined with surprise as he searched her face.

Was she supposed to be? “You haven’t given me any reas-”

Her words were cut off by shouting and doors slamming at the end of the hallway. Without thinking she jumped, pressing herself into Loki’s side and digging her hands into the collar of his shirt as she cowered from the commotion. He shushed her beneath his breath, his hand stretching across her back automatically.

“We need Haley,” Steve said breathlessly, running into the room. He was covered in sweat and dirt, panting heavily and clearly distraught.

Ice flooded her veins. Loki’s grip tightened around her body just enough for her temple to press against the harsh edge of his jaw. 

“Why?” she asked, just as Loki growled, “She will not do it.”

“Natasha’s been shot. The doctors won’t be here for another 10 minutes and she won’t make it until then. You gotta help us.”

So, this was the price she had to pay for living amongst these people. She steeled herself, extracting herself from Loki’s hold to stand up on rigid legs. All she had done was leave one prison for another, one riddled with smiles and food and warmth that all hid the dastardly deeds she was to perform.

But Natasha. She had been kind to her, helpful and forthcoming. It was the beginnings of a friendship she could see herself cherishing. Giving that up wasn’t something she was willing to accept. Maybe with her body’s ability to heal much more rapidly than others, she wouldn’t suffer the same fate that Natasha faced. “I’ll do it.”

Loki stood up in a flash and gripped onto her wrist, stopping her in her tracks. His emerald eyes shone with a warring combination of desperation and fury as they drilled into hers. “You do not have to. It could kill you.”

“I do,” she replied, twisting her hand around to squeeze his before taking off after Steve. He was fast, impossibly so, and she hadn’t built up that much strength in the short week that she had been living in the tower. Eventually, he ended up carrying her, holding her to his broad chest with careful arms tucked behind her shoulders and under her knees.

Groans of pain met her ears, strengthening her resolve even as her heart sank to the pit of her stomach at the sight of Natasha, pallid and blood-stained on the metal table in the infirmary. Crimson soaked the ripped black leather on her side, dripping onto the floor to soak her socks where Steve gently set her down before backing away.

“Haley?” Natasha asked weakly, her head rolling on the table to look at the girl who had pressed her hands over her slippery, ruined flesh.

Haley said nothing, gritting her teeth as she called on the powers that had wakened at the sight and sounds of pain and injury before her. Her side split open in a wave of agony so strong that her knees buckled. Strong arms caught her around her chest and beneath her thighs, tugging her away until the connection was broken and the golden light that glowed behind her eyelids dimmed. Weakness weighed heavy on her. Her head fell against the shoulder of whoever was holding her. The warmth of the body beneath her rivaled the blood that soaked her hoodie and jeans with each beat of her heart.

“That’s enough!” The words roared through her body, carrying so much rage that she wanted to shrink away from the source, but that took too much energy. And they smelled so good. Like leather and spice and mint beneath the sharp copper tang filling the room. “Do you not see what healing does to her?”

“Fuck, kid.” Tony’s strained curse came from somewhere behind her.

Haley tried to cover her own already-healing wound with her hands, sighing in frustration when her hands were batted away and held in the warm grasp of the one holding her. Her eyes fluttered open to see Loki staring down at her from so close he was almost out of focus, so many emotions she couldn’t grasp simmering beneath the surface of his tightly wound body. “You foolish woman.”

“I heal faster than her,” she countered, closing her eyes as more people flooded into the room. Her initial instinct was to cower and hide from them, but Loki held her tight, and she knew with the truest part of her that he wouldn’t allow more harm to come to her.

Monitors and IVs were hooked up to various parts of her body, poking and prodding and cutting away the hoodie that she loved so dearly to get at her identical wound to Natasha’s on the bed. She was jostled around as Loki moved beneath her, and then she settled upon something soft.

“Can’t you heal yourself, Doc?”

She peeled open her eyes, glancing quickly at her new position on a bed covered in bright white sheets dotted with crimson. Loki stood at her side, arms crossed over his chest and mouth set in a harsh line as he glared daggers at Tony. To his credit, Tony was shifting back and forth on his feet, looking absolutely devastated as his fingers scratched at his immaculately groomed goatee.

“Nope, it doesn’t work that way. But I heal faster than normal people,” she explained, gesturing to her now-bare arm where the burn she had taken from Bruce days ago had faded into new, pink skin that itched like mad. “I owed you guys.”

“Oh no, sweetheart. No,” Tony replied sadly, closing the distance between them to sit on the bed on the opposite side of Loki. “You don’t have to heal any of us. That isn’t the deal here. We never would have asked if we knew what it did to you. That’s not what this is.”

“It’s okay,” she groaned and tried to sit up. Pain lanced through her and she crumbled back against the bed with a frustrated sigh. “I’m used to it.”

“Leave,” Loki hissed, stepping up so that she could see him in her peripheral vision. “I require a moment alone with her.”

“Reindeer Games…”

“I will not harm her,” he snapped, coming around the other side, the side opposite her wound, and gesturing for Tony to move. “Just a moment of privacy.”

Tony’s eyebrows shot up in question at Haley, and she nodded her permission. Who was to say that he didn’t just make her disappear to wherever his books went to if he didn’t get his way? She didn’t have much of a choice. She never did.

“Don’t go all silent on me again,” she pleaded, watching him fold his long, elegant body onto the bed where Tony had just vacated. His shirt was stained with blood - her blood - molding to his body to reveal finely shaped muscle. That must be how he lifted her so easily. Loki was built. “You’re the closest thing to a friend I have here.”

He cast a critical eye on the bandages wrapped around her middle. “You should not sacrifice yourself for others. It is hardly ever worth it.”

“I-” she scrubbed her hand through her short hair, wincing at the tug of the IV on her wrist. It pumped life-giving blood into her veins, even though she would replenish what she had lost soon enough on her own. “I don’t know any other way to be. These people helped me. I can’t. I can’t lose that.”

“Then you must learn,” he replied sternly, but without the malice she expected dripping from his rich voice. He pulled a folded up blanket from her feet and draped it over her body. “Now, rest, and heal. We can discuss your foolish notions of heroism when you awaken.”

Somehow, even with the man - alien? - staring down at her, she gave in to the fatigue pulling her into the darkness. Heavy and warm, she must have imagined thin fingers curling around hers just before she drifted off to sleep.

~

Series taglist: @kneel-before-queen-loki @alexakeyloveloki @from-hel-i-with-love @cleocc @cateyes315 @coldbookworm @rjohnson1280 @bambi-butt @skiddleskaddle @lokis-high-priestess @myraiswack

Little Bit o’ Loki taglist: @myownviperroom @grahoundart @darealbellabelleoftheball @boubouinscarlet @iamverity @rt8815 @lots-of-loki @otakumultimuse-hiddlewhore @ms-cellanies @rosierossette @thathedonistgirl @lokixme

Whole Shebang taglist: @just-the-hiddles @yespolkadotkitty @nonsensicalobsessions @vodka-and-some-sass @he-is-chaotic-she-is-psychotic @myoxisbroken @blah666 @brokenthelovely @myworddump @polireader @wiczer @littleredstarfish @the-broken-angel-13 @arch-venus25​ @xxloki81xx​ @jessiejunebug​ @tinchentitri​ @sllooney​ @devilbat​ @vikkleinpaul​ @bouquet-o-undercaffeinated-roses​ @angelus80 @wolfsmom1 @kthemarsian​ @toozmanykids​ @claritastantrum @princerowanwhitethorngalathynius​ @sabine-leo​ @lovesmesomehiddles​ @peterman-spideyparker​ @wegingerangelica​ @bluefrenchfries604​ @catsladen @silverswordthekilljoy​

[schreibfeather]

Dreams of Today 12

Characters: Haley Potter (femHarry), Draco Malfoy, Luna Lovegood, Hermione Granger, Neville Longbottom, Ron Weasley, Rating: T Genre: Friendship/Romance, Angst, Fluff, Slow Burn Summary: Number one: Malfoy was a git. Nothing new there. Number two: He was an arrogant, annoying, little ferret. Number three: He used every chance he got to humiliate her and – and… that wasn’t right. Last year… at the Yule Ball… he had been acting surprisingly nice toward her. To be fair, Malfoy had also spent a big part of that night annoying the hell out of her… but… he’d also been… really sweet.. … Sequel to Songs of Yesterday. Haley Potter still has nightmares about that night at the graveyard. But is the nightmare really over? Luckily she has her friends to keep her from worrying too much. Her friends and… a certain Slytherin that is really bad at pretending he hates her.

Chapter 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | (link to masterlist)

12 – Under Stars

HALEY

The night air was cold. But the quiet surrounding the astronomy tower was peaceful. Haley pulled her warm cloak tighter around her. She was glad she had thought of bringing it.

"Are you cold?" The voice of Draco Malfoy asked lowly from her right. She had almost forgotten he was there. They had been sitting there on the edge of the Astronomy tower, looking out across the school grounds below them for a while. It seemed surreal that she could sit there next to the Slytherin and appreciate the silence of the peaceful night.

"No," she whispered almost soundlessly. His gaze lingered on her thick cloak for a moment before he looked away again. The silky robes he was wearing didn't look too warm.

"Why did we have to meet out here in the cold again?" He muttered, frowning slightly.

"You were the one who said it was suspicious if we kept meeting at the same spot. Besides, you wanted to check something on your moon chart, remember?" She reminded him.

Malfoy scoffed. "But it's December! Surely, we could have found a different place? Something indoors? Where it's warm?" He argued, completely ignoring her second statement.

Haley rolled her eyes. "It's not that cold. At least it isn't snowing yet."

He eyed her cloak once more. Almost making a show of it. She knew it was petty but somehow she couldn't just offer her cloak to him. She wanted him to ask. She wondered how long it would take until he asked.

"Maybe we can find an empty classroom next time," she added as an afterthought.

"Next time?" He echoed. His voice sounded surprisingly interested now. She saw him looking at her from the corners of her eyes. "You know… it's not long until Christmas break now."

He was right. Christmas was only three weeks away. It was already December. The last weeks had gone by so fast, it seemed like time had begun to pass twice as fast. Still, it wasn't all that surprising with all the school work the fifth years had to do. On top of that there was Quidditch and the secret DA meetings, which hadn't really given Haley much time to pause and revel at how many weeks had passed by. The little time she did have was mostly spent doing homework or going to see Hagrid or spending time with her friends. Malfoy, she had seen only in class, in the Great Hall or occasionally on the school grounds. It hadn't bothered her too much, since she still wasn't sure how she felt about him. But when Luna had slipped her a note from the boy, saying he wanted to meet up it had filled her with nervous excitement and she had agreed to come. Which is how the two of them ended up sitting on the edge of the astronomy tower on a cold winter night.

...

DRACO

Draco waited. But Potter didn't seem to get the hint. She was just staring out into the night as if there was something extraordinary about it. Why wasn't she looking at him like that? Well, it was no use. He needed to know. What are your plans for Christmas? Should he ask it like that? It was simple enough and she could just give him an answer without him having to reveal anything first. Like how he planned to stay at Hogwarts, too, in case she wasn't leaving. And how much time he had spent fantasizing about all the things they could do when the castle was almost empty and they weren't busy with school and homework all the time. He really hoped she would stay.

"So, um… are you going to stay at Hogwarts over the holidays?" Draco asked in a casual tone. He hadn't meant to ask that directly but perhaps it was for the best. There was no room for misunderstandings at least.

Potter turned to look at him. Finally. Surprise was written all over her face.

"I don't know." She seemed to think about it. "Probably not."

"Oh." He tried not to show how disappointed he was. "Well, I probably won't be here either," he replied almost petulantly. Was she going to stay with the Weasel? Or was she going to stay somewhere else? He was a tad curious but if she wasn't going to offer up the information herself, he wasn't going to ask. She would probably think he asked to spy on her or something like that.

...

HALEY

He wasn't asking where she was going to spend Christmas. To be honest, she didn't even know herself yet. But it would be nice if she could spend it with Sirius and everyone else. Malfoy seemed to be nervous about something. His fingers were tapping against his leg restlessly and he kept glancing over at her like… he was waiting for something? But what could he be waiting for? Was he going to steal her cloak? Well, she had to admit that it wasn't all that cold any more, now that the wind had receded.

"So..." Malfoy started to say eventually, "What's on your Christmas list?"

"Hm?" She hadn't expected something that trivial.

"You know… that list you make so everyone else knows what to get you for Christmas," he explained to her in a tone that made her feel really stupid.

"I know what a Christmas list is," she bit back with a glare. Malfoy simply raised his eyebrows at her mockingly and smirked in that way that used to make her blood boil. Now, she found it only mildly annoying.

"I'm impressed," Malfoy, the git he was, replied sounding unbearably amused.

"You're such a-" Haley stopped herself before she said something she might regret later. She watched him closely while looking for the right words. The smirk looked slightly forced and it seemed almost like something else was hiding behind the amusement in his eyes. She noticed his fingers that were playing around with the seams of his robes now. Those were definitely signs of nervousness. This was interesting. The expression on Malfoy's face and the movements of his hands seemed to completely contradict each other. Haley filed that information away for later. Now, she wanted to find out what the boy was anxious about.

"Why were you asking in the first place?" She asked, curiously.

"I don't know. For what possible reason might I have asked such a question?" He asked in return. He wasn't looking at her, but she could practically hear him roll his eyes.

"Were you planning… on getting me something for Christmas?" She asked, straight to the point. She didn't have the patience tonight for beating around the bush.

"I-I" He spluttered, turning to look at her with a start. He probably hadn't expected her to get straight to it.

"I wasn't – well, I-I…" Where was the cocky smirk now? The blush that was starting to colour his cheeks made Haley grin. She could barely stop herself from snorting loudly. She liked that she could turn the Slytherin into this bumbling, blushing boy. It felt exhilarating. And she didn't even have to do much.

Malfoy took a deep breath and seemed to get a grip on his composure again.

"I was merely asking out of politeness. You know, hypothetically speaking. If I wanted to get you a present…" He looked up into the night sky, pensively. "What would you like?"

It was really sweet the way he was trying to pretend this didn't matter to him when it was obvious how much thought he had put into it.

"I don't know," she replied with a shrug. "I never really got many presents so…"

"There's nothing that you want?" He asked incredulously, like she had just told him she hated Quidditch or something equally upsetting. He pulled up his leg, which had been dangling from the edge, and turned his body halfway toward her.

Well, it wasn't completely true. There was something she wanted. But she doubted he could clear her godfather's name or get rid of Umbridge for her.

So she shrugged again. "Not really," she mumbled softly.

Malfoy's eyebrows were knit together so closely they seemed like one white blond line.

"Fine," he replied with a sigh. He ran his hand through his hair that was free of gel once more. He had worn it like that a few times over the past weeks.

"What about you?" Malfoy asked after a moment.

"What about me?"

Malfoy rolled his eyes. "Aren't you curious about my list?"

"Wait, you seriously have a Christmas list? How old are you, four?" Haley teased him. She couldn't help it. It was a reflex almost.

"Very funny, Potter," Malfoy growled, squinting his eyes at her. "How else am I supposed to let people know what to get me?"

"I don't know… You could let them surprise you," she suggested.

The Slytherin frowned. "But what if I get something I don't like?" He asked, sounding honestly confused. That boy really was ridiculous.

"You're right! What a tragedy that would be!" She remarked sarcastically. It was so easy to make fun of him in this playful way. It seemed almost natural. Effortless. And she liked it much better than the hurtful insults and jabs that had been their form of communication before. Malfoy on the other hand didn't seem to share her amusement if the dark look he was shooting her was any indication. It hadn't been too much, had it?

...

DRACO

If anyone one else had talked to him in that manner, Draco would have hexed them without hesitating even for a second. But for some deluded reason that was beyond him the girl's remarks amused him. He felt all warm and fuzzy inside at the thought that she was comfortable enough with him to tease him like that. Not maliciously but somehow… in such a familiar and friendly way.

It didn't mean he had to show her that though. Instead he scowled at her and narrowed his eyes.

"You're awfully bold today," he drawled, lifting an eyebrow. "You're not planning on throwing me off the tower and getting rid of me, are you?" He stared into her eyes intensely, unconsciously leaning closer until he could even count the lashes that framed her green irises.

Haley shook her head, slowly. Seemingly taken aback at the sudden proximity. Draco noticed her licking her lips and it took all of his self-control not to grab her face and press his own against them. He leaned backwards, creating a safe distance between them again. He had a point to make here. He couldn't let himself get distracted. There was a flicker of surprise flashing across the girl's face. Or perhaps it was disappointment. Draco told himself it was disappointment. Back to the point, Draco!

"So..." he began, studying his fingernails absently. His fingers were paler than usual. They were as cold as icicles. He really should have worn something warmer. "you don't want to know what's on my list?"

Potter snorted. "Not necessarily. I mean, it's not all that hard to guess, really."

Draco shot her a sceptical look. She shrugged. She did that a lot, he noticed.

"It's either something incredibly expensive or… a really dark and evil artefact that can only be found at Nocturne Alley."

He glared at her in annoyance. She was really pushing it today.

"Careful Potter, you don't-"

"Oh! I know." She interrupted him, something was glinting in her eyes. Was that mirth?

"What now, Potter?" He wasn't whining. Absolutely not.

"I know what you want." She replied excitedly.

What? Where in Merlin's name was she going with this?

He waited for an answer but the girl wasn't answering. She simply kept grinning at him. Then she opened the clasp that was holding her cloak together and removed it from her shoulders. Draco froze. His heart beat sped up considerably. Why was she undressing herself? Did she-? Did she want to-? Did she think this was what he wanted? Right here on top of the astronomy tower? His cheeks felt uncomfortably hot all of a sudden.

Then the world went dark. And his face was covered by something heavy and soft. He reached for the cloth that was covering his face and pulled it off him. It was Haley's cloak. Draco wouldn't complain if the earth decided to swallow him up right this moment.

...

HALEY

She had come to the conclusion that he wasn't going to ask on his own. Maybe he thought that she was cold and that's why he didn't ask. But as much as she enjoyed teasing the Slytherin, she didn't want him to actually freeze to death. So she offered him her thick woolen cloak. Well… she threw her cloak at him more than offering it. But the result was the same. After pulling the cloth off him Malfoy blinked at her, seemingly confused and shocked and also… embarassed? But why? Because she had thrown her cloak at him?

"Well, put it on," she prompted him, after a moment of silence.

"Why would I want your cloak, Potter?" He mumbled without looking at her. Haley rolled her eyes.

"Because you're obviously freezing," she explained, before adding, "And in case you freeze to death I don't want people to think I was the one who killed you."

Malfoy snorted at that. "Oh please, like you could as much as hurt a fly."

"Fine. Give it back then," She replied holding out her hand.

Malfoy hesitated. "I'm not cold," he said but while he was saying the words a visible shiver went through him.

"Knew it," the Gryffindor commented, lifting one eyebrow. The boy still didn't move. What was he waiting for, now? Was he embarrassed that she caught him lying?

In a quick move, Haley snatched her cloak from the boy's fingers and sloppily draped it over his shoulders. She blamed the late hour for her lack of patience.

...

DRACO

All of a sudden he was surrounded by pleasant comfortable warmth and a foreign smell. Well, not that foreign. He had smelled the fragrance before… Unconsciously, he took a deep breath. He smelled the soap the house elves used to clean the laundry with. But also… something else. Something flowery and also… something that reminded him of owl treats. It shouldn't have smelled as good as it did. It was her. Haley. It was her fragrance. He pulled the cloth tighter around his shoulders absently. Then he noticed that he was being watched. His fingers froze where they were holding onto the fabric. Looking up, he realised it was just Potter. Well, not just Potter. The Gryffindor was never just anything. The look on her face was positively gleeful or… no she looked definitely smug.

He scowled. He didn't like people looking at him like that. But apparently Potter wasn't done taunting him.

"See, this is why sensible people wear warm clothes when it's cold outside," she mocked him. Ah. That was a jab at his silk robes. Draco had to admit that they weren't exactly warm but they were really soft. And he looked handsome in them. Potter herself was wearing a pair of loose muggle pants and a dark green wool jumper that looked like it was selfmade. And also oddly similar to those tasteless jumpers that her Weasley friends always wore.

"Funny, for a second I thought you sounded like my mother," Draco replied dryly. Why was the thought of his mother entering his head now? He didn't want to think about his mother when he was on a date. And really, this wasn't something his mother would have said in the first place.

"Do sensible people also give away their clothes when it's cold?" He added in a bored tone. What he really wanted to ask was whether she was cold now that she didn't have her cloak any more. But of course, he couldn't ask her in such a direct manner.

"Don't worry," Potter replied. "My jumper might not be made of silk but at least it's really warm." And scratchy, he imagined. Had his question been really that obvious? Or was she simply able to see right through his mask of indifference?

"Who said I was worried?" He questioned, trying not to show his relief. "And besides there's nothing wrong with wearing silk robes. I wouldn't expect you to understand that." Draco remarked, while he pulled the cloak tighter around him, nestling into it. It was really warm. And it smelled so nice.

The only thing that was slightly irking him was the smug grin that had reappeared on Potter's lips. At least she didn't seem to be freezing. That was good. She could have given the cloak to him sooner, really. Wait…why hadn't she given it to him sooner? He squinted his eyes at her, suddenly suspicious. "So, you knew I was cold the whole time and you happily watched me suffer?"

The girl had the audacity to shrug. "Well, I wouldn't say happily but… old habits die hard, I guess."

He was scandalised. Well, well, well. Who would have thought the golden girl was holding grudges?

"Is this some kind of belated payback?" He scoffed. "Are you sure you're not actually a Slytherin?"

Potter rolled her eyes. She opened her mouth like she wanted to say something but ended up biting her lips instead. It almost seemed like she was hiding something she wasn't sure whether to tell him. Well, he had enough of her mocking. To some extent it was enjoyable. Not the mocking part but… the banter. It seemed almost friendly. But… would it kill the girl to actually give him the impression that she only slightly liked spending time with him? If that was the case. Which Draco had not an inkling on. She was almost better at hiding her emotions than him! Or perhaps it was because she wasn't feeling anything? He sighed, placing his hands on the ground next to him and looking up into the night sky.

Then he felt a surprisingly warm touch on his hand. He didn't have to check to know what it was. His skin seemed to remember the feeling of Haley's small but warm hand and his fingers curled up to greet it almost reflexively. She chuckled in a way that made him think she found his reaction amusing. He had to admit that it was a tad pathetic. But that didn't bother him enough for him to pull his hand away and go without her touch. Not when it made his skin tingle as if a thousand little ants were crawling up and down his arm.

...

HALEY

Honestly, she felt a bit bad about letting Malfoy suffer in the cold. And then also telling him she had done it intentionally. Maybe she had crossed a line there. There was a frown around his mouth as he looked up into the sky. But what could she say to make it disappear? Did she even want it to disappear? Before she could try to come up with an answer to either of these questions her hand had reached out toward him almost on its own accord. The boy seemed slightly startled by her touch but even so, he didn't hesitate to turn his hand over and take hold of her own. His eagerness made Haley chuckle softly. It was kind of cute how he seemed to refuse to look at her.

"You know… your hands are really cold," she found herself whispering after a moment of silence.

That made Malfoy finally turn to her. "Obviously," he scoffed. "It's December, isn't it?"

"I've noticed it before, though." She replied sheepishly. She was aware of how her words drew attention to the fact that she had held Draco Malfoy's hand often enough to know about his usual skin temperature.

The Slytherin squinted his eyes at her. "So?" He asked in a rather bored tone.

"Well… I've read about… some… people with cold skin," She answered hesitantly. It was a good thing she hadn't said creatures instead of people.

"People?"

She nodded. "People and… you know… well... vampires." She didn't know why she had said it. Of course, she didn't actually think Malfoy was a vampire. She had just wanted to lighten up the mood or… something. But she certainly hadn't expected him to react like this. Apart from the crease between his eyebrows the expression on his face seemed frozen. What was he thinking? Haley was just about to ask him exactly that when the boy seemed to come back to life. He chuckled once. Then he smirked at her in a way that could only be described as roguish. "So, you've finally discovered my dark secret, haven't you?"

What?

The Slytherin pulled up his other leg as well and knelt down next to her, leaning into her personal space. "I actually lured you here to suck all the blood from you and cast your dead body off the astronomy tower."

He was kidding… right?

"Come on, do you really think I'd believe this rubbish?"

"I don't know… you tell me," he drawled lazily, while he lifted her hand and slowly ran his fingers across her skin, following the path of her artery. If this was a joke Haley really didn't find it funny at all. Now he was even raising her wrist to his lips… like he wanted to bite her...

"Stop that," she muttered in annoyance and tried to pull her hand free. He didn't let her.

"Let go!" She pulled once more, this time so forcefully that she fell onto her back, pulling the Slytherin right along with her.

He blinked down at her in surprise, his elbows resting left and right from her face. Then the smirk was back again.

"Are you scared?" He asked, while pushing dark locks out of her eyes. She shook her head violently. There was no reason to be scared. He was just messing with her. There was no way she wouldn't have noticed that Malfoy was a vampire. Haley ignored her heart that was madly beating in her chest. Did Malfoy actually feel it?

"You're not actually a vampire, right? You were just kidding?" She bit her tongue but it was too late. The words were already out. Malfoy stared at her for a long moment that seemed to span several minutes. Then, finally, he broke out into loud, roaring laughter. A wave of relief washed over her. Of course, it had been a stupid joke. She was such a fool. He rolled off her and lay down on his back next to her. She wanted to scowl at him but his laughter sounded so carefree and light that she smiled softly instead.

"I think you'd have noticed if I was a vampire," the boy mumbled, still chuckling slightly. "Honestly Potter, just because my hands are a little cold? Did you pay attention during Defence Against the Dark Arts at all?"

Haley pouted. Defence Against the Dark Arts was her best subject!

"It wasn't just that! Your… your skin is also incredibly pale."

"So?" He asked, sounding awfully smug. "Did you ever actually see me suck someone's blood?"

"Well.. no but… you could have done it in secret," she replied stubbornly, rolling onto her side to face him. He didn't say anything in reply. Surprisingly. He simply watched her. The smug grin on his face was changing into something softer. His grey eyes were glimmering, all warmth and playfulness. She liked him that way. It made her almost forget that he had just made a major fool out of her. Almost. Quickly, Haley lifted her left hand and placed her fingers on Malfoy's chin. Then she pulled open his mouth and pushed his upper lip upwards. His canines were a bit pointy but they seemed like regular teeth.

"What are you doing, Potter?" The Slytherin drawled, sounding slightly disconcerted. He bit his teeth together, almost chopping her fingers off.

"Just confirming," she answered innocently. The boy took hold of her hand that was just hovering there in front of his face. His eyebrows were pulled together. Like he wasn't quite sure what to make of her. Then he snorted, shaking his head. "You're ridiculous," he mumbled softly. His words were far from flattering but his voice sounded so affectionate and sweet that he might as well have told her she was adorable or something along those lines. She didn't think she could ever get used to this side of him. How was she supposed to react to that?

...

DRACO

The girl really was ridiculous. Him? A vampire? Was she completely daft? He had to admit that it was a tiny bit cute, though. Completely ridiculous but endearingly so. He lifted her hand to his mouth and pressed a soft kiss to the back of it. It was just a hand. Nothing special. But even so, this small hand holding his filled him with undescribable joy. Because it was Haley's hand. And she was letting him hold it. He closed his eyes for a moment, basking in the overwhelming feelings that were welling up inside him. When he opened them again and saw Haley right there he was hit with the overpowering desire to kiss her. He noticed her eyes widening slightly as he scooted closer to her.

"Don't worry, I'm not going to bite you," he muttered, while he tried not to let her reaction discourage him. Haley rolled her eyes at his words. But she was definitely grinning. And then he felt a light pressure on his hand that made his doubts disappear all at once. He grinned back and leant in the last few inches that separated his lips from hers. Getting to finally kiss her again was like gulping down a cold glass of water after not drinking anything for weeks. His hand crawled over her jumper toward her back and pulled her closer to him. Her hand had found its way into his hair and the way she was gently running her fingers through his silky strands made pleasant tingles spread all across his skin, starting from his scalp. There was not an inch between them but still he needed to be closer. Rolling the girl onto her back, he loomed above her. He pulled away for a second, catching his breath. Looking down at Haley's flushed cheeks, her kiss-swollen lips and her sparkling eyes, he suddenly felt like he was suffocating. His heart felt like someone was squeezing it. She was so… lovely? Amazing? Precious? Wonderful? But he couldn't think of a word that would adequately describe her. She was so much more than any words could express. Was this love? He didn't know. He cupped her face in his hand and stroked her cheek tenderly. She leaned into his touch with a soft smile.

"I…" He started to say but he didn't know how to continue. "I… you – I…"

He gulped, taking a deep breath to try and calm his pounding heart. What was he doing? Perhaps he should just keep his mouth shout. Perhaps it was better to wait. But what was he waiting for?

Clang. Draco froze. What was that noise? Haley seemed alarmed as well.

"You heard that, too, right?" She whispered worriedly. Before he could answer she pushed him off her, firmly but not ungently, and got to her feet.

"Wait, where are you-?"

"Stay here," she instructed and ran after the noise in true Gryffindor fashion.

...

HALEY

Hearing a suspicious noise really should have worried Haley. And it did worry her but at the same time she felt relieved for the distraction it provided. She liked kissing Malfoy. As crazy as that sounded she could admit that. And she had already admitted it to herself. But… from the looks of it the boy had been about to tell her something… something that she wasn't ready to deal with yet. So she had been glad at the chance to escape his intense eyes for a moment. It was eerily quiet in the hall that opened toward the observation deck and the moonlight didn't provide much light. Where had the noise come from? She had almost reached the stairs when she spotted something shiny lying in front of one of the windows. Carefully she approached the thing and knelt down in front of it. It was a telescope. Nothing more, nothing less. She sighed in relief. Someone had probably forgotten it on the window sill during one of the Astronomy lessons and the wind had caused it to fall down. Right? That seemed logical enough. From the corner of her eyes she registered a sudden movement. What was-?

Tiny orange velvet paws came into her view then. Haley sighed again. It was just a cat. Light-footedly, it jumped onto the window sill and rubbed its head against the dark stone wall. Maybe the cat had caused the telescope to fall down in the first place. She got up and watched the animal thoughtfully. There was something caught between its teeth. A mouse? No. It was… a toffee? The cat dropped the toffee and meowed at her in a way that seemed almost disappointed. Then it hopped down again and vanished into the darkness. Haley picked up the candy and held it in front of her eyes. It wasn't a brand she had seen before. She shrugged, putting it back on the window sill again. It was just candy.

She turned around and made her way back toward the observation deck. Malfoy was already waiting for her. There was a frown on his face and his arms were crossed in front of his chest.

"It was just a cat," she informed him, her voice a soft whisper.

"A cat?" He echoed.

She nodded.

"It wasn't Filch's cat, was it?"

She shook her head. Malfoy sighed, running his hand across his face. He was probably relieved as well.

"I told you that you're annoyingly reckless before?" He asked tiredly.

"Once or twice," Haley offered with a grin. Malfoy snorted but the corners of his mouth were definitely twitching. She wondered if he was disappointed that the noise had interrupted them earlier. If he was he didn't show it.

"Maybe it's better if we head back. Just in case, you know?" Haley suggested. She hadn't brought her watch but she was sure that it was already close to midnight. Maybe even later.

"Oh," he said, seemingly surprised. "Well, you're probably right." Despite their words neither of them made a move to go.

"Um… so, about Christmas," Malfoy began, shuffling his feet.

"Yes?"

"You know… will… will we see each other before?"

"Of course. We see each other every day, don't we? In class, in the Great Hall, on the grounds..."

Malfoy scowled, squinting his eyes at her. "Don't push it, Potter."

She chuckled. Where was his sense of humour?

"Okay, okay," she relented. "When do you want to meet?"

"I was thinking, the day before the holidays begin."

"That should work. Are you going to give me my present then?"

"Your present? What makes you think I would give you a present after the way you were making fun of me?"

"Fine. No presents then." Haley replied with a grin. "That way I don't have to feel bad for not giving you anything either."

"Brilliant," Malfoy grumbled. There was a pout on his face that made Haley think he had not understood the real meaning behind her words after all. But only a second later, he took one step toward her, leaned into her personal space and softly whispered into her ear, "I'm looking forward to it."

When he leaned back there was a real smile on his face. It was beautiful. And for some reason it made her want to do something stupid like kiss him.

"Night Potter," he whispered before leaning in to quickly press his lips against her cheek. The soft touch seemed so innocent and sweet that she only stared at the boy for a second as if she had forgotten he was capable of doing something like this.

The next thing she registered was a heavy cloth being thrown at her. Oh. Her cloak.

"I believe this is yours," Malfoy drawled lazily, his smile turning into an amused smirk. Then he turned around and left the observation deck. He hadn't even thanked her, she realised. Of course he hadn't. Malfoys didn't thank people. She rolled her eyes. On her way back toward Gryffindor tower she wondered what in Merlin's name she was going to get the boy for Christmas. Maybe she could ask Luna if she had an idea.

…

[itsyourgirljewls]

Painted in Blue

Chapter 10:

March 5, 2022

Lucy Moon had been spotted entering Jake’s house on March 4, 2022 at 11:38 pm. I wonder what she could have been doing there. Perhaps there’s a romance brewing like we’ve suspected.

***

I expected my mom to knock on my bedroom door, telling me what her plan was for the day. Out of habit, I woke up a couple of minutes before my alarm. So, I looked over at the door and waited five minutes before deciding to get out of bed anyway. The house was unusually quiet.

Even though it was only my mom and I living at the house, she’d still find a way to make it chaotic in the morning. Whether that be knocking on my bedroom, or making herself breakfast in the kitchen or obsessively cleaning before work. I did appreciate though that she knocked, but even if I didn’t answer, she’d still shout behind my door.

I checked my emails and realizing they were only junk emails, I turned off my phone, rolled out of bed and walked over to my closet. I pulled out some docker jeans, a plain white t-shirt and van shoes and got dressed. Once I got dressed, I put on some deodorant and brushed my hair. I even put on a bit of cologne. As I was about to slide my phone into my pocket, I received a text from my mom. I groaned, rolled my eyes and opened the text message.

You have advising today with Mr. Jefferson. Don’t skip it.

-Mom

Fine.

-Sawyer

I exited my room and finished getting ready in the bathroom. Once I was done with that, I opted to simply skip coffee, grabbed my bag and decided to go for Starbucks instead. I was craving their cold brews. I grabbed the keys to my Volvo, exited the house and began the drive to Starbucks.

***

When I had arrived at Star Bucks, I recognized Jake Gosling’s red 2022 Tesla vehicle. Then I saw a girl in a blue shirt and a brown ponytail next to Jake Gosling. He leaned out of the window, ordered his drink and looked back at the girl. When she turned, I recognized her face immediately and I grit my teeth. To my dismay, Lucy was in the car with him.

I jumped when someone honked and shouted, “Go already!”

I flipped the man off and rolled up to the speaker. The woman at the register said, “Welcome to Star Bucks what can I get ya?”

I glanced at the menu quickly and then said, “May I please get a Grande Cold Brew with sweet cream?”

“Of course. That’ll be $6.67 at the window,” she said.

“Thank you.”

As I drove up to the window, Jake Gosling grabbed the two drinks and drove off. I groaned and pulled up to the window. I paid the young-looking lady at the register and she stepped away closing the window for a few seconds before coming back and giving me my drink. I retrieved it, thanked her, flipped the guy off behind me one last time and drove to school.

When I parked the car, I searched for Jake Gosling’s red Tesla. It was the richest looking car in the school. Everyone else had cheap looking vehicles and were unable to afford a brand-new car. Jake’s car was also the only red one. Everyone else was either black or white. However, I was unable to find the noticeable bright red Tesla beast. There were also no paparazzies thankfully. So at least there was that to look forward to, privacy.

I sighed and walked inside. Today was advising... again. It seemed like I was the only one who had advising out of the whole school and I was sick of it, though I didn’t argue. Arguing was only going to make it worse and drive my mother mad. So, I opted to move forward and play along with the game.

Some of the students turned their heads towards me in confusion but I ignored their stares. I hurried to the history classroom, knowing there was only a few minutes left until the final bell rang.

When I arrived, Mr. Hall looked very… depressed. His shoulders sagged forward and he wore jeans and a yellow collar t-shirt. I knew he was disappointed because my mom had turned him down. Though… he was too good for her anyway.

Students filed into the classroom and then I saw Jake Gosling enter, following Lucy Moon. My heart raced as I saw Lucy walk to the front of the classroom. She set her bag down on the ground and Jake sat next to her. He leaned back in his chair and began speaking with his friends.

Lucy looked over her shoulder and made eye contact with me. I smiled and she smiled back. Her cheeks grew a bright red color and when the final bell rang, Mr. Hall walked clapped his hands and said, “Pop quiz everyone.”

Everyone groaned, but I took out my pen and straightened my shoulders. This was to be expected: teachers taking out their disappointments of life on their students. No hard feelings to be expected, that was life.

Mr. Hall grabbed a pile of quizzes and began passing them out to people. When he came over to me though, he slammed the quiz on my desk so loudly that it made the two people on either side of me jump in surprise. Once he was finished passing them out, he looked at his phone and said, “You have until the end of class.”

I flicked my eyes up at Mr. Hall as he sat back down at his desk, smirked, clicked my pen and began writing.

***

The school bell rang and I packed my things, gave my quiz to Mr. Hall and hurried off to advising. However, on my way to advising, I heard my name being called and I knew immediately who was calling me.

“Sawyer! Hey Sawyer!” Lucy shouted.

I stopped walking, gripping onto the straps of my bag tightly. My fingernails dug into my skin and I looked over my shoulder slight and said, “Hey Lucy...”

“Hey. Were you at Starbucks this morning?” Lucy asked.

A smile creeped up in the corner of my lips but I forced them to stop. “I was,” I said.

“You’re not following me, are you?” Lucy asked in a teasing sort of way. She elbowed my arm and gave me a cheeky smile.

I laughed and shook my head. “Not trying to at least,” I said with a chuckle.

She giggled and shook her head. “I was getting coffee cause there was no coffee at my house,” I explained.

She nodded and tucked her hair behind her ear. She shrugged her bag over her shoulder and said, “You coming to English? Or do you have advising?”

“Advising. My mom set up advising to convince me to go to college,” I said.

We walked over to the school’s office and Lucy said, “You’re not going to college?”

I shook my head. “It’s pretty useless to me. You can do so well in a regular business and earn just as much money. You don’t need to go to college,” I said.

“That’s true…” she said.

As I opened the door, Lucy turned away from me and then I heard Jake shouting, “Hey Lucy! Are you coming to class?”

“Coming!” she shouted! “I have to go. But I’ll see you later?” Lucy smiled and raised her eyebrows.

“Of course,” I said with a wink.

She laughed shyly, waved goodbye and walked over to Jake Gosling and his pals. My teeth grit together and I entered the school’s office. I went to the front desk and the lady looked up at me and said, “Advising Sawyer?”

I nodded and she gestured for me to sit down after I signed the check in sheet. Mike Ross soon came in. He checked in at the front desk, plugged in his headphones and sat down next to me. He crossed his right leg over his left and then Mr. Jefferson came out of his office and said, “Sawyer Brown.”

I stood up and entered his office. He smiled at me and said, “I have a couple of colleges based on your hobbies that might be of interest.”

I gave him a smile and shrug and sat down in my chair across from him. He pulled out a list of colleges and began to list them all to me, explaining all of the pros and cons to them. I glanced around the room and every now and then I’d pay little attention to what Mr. Jefferson was saying.

“So… what do you think?” Mr. Jefferson said.

I shrugged and said, “Sure.”

Mr. Jefferson sighed and began to put away the college lists. He then folded his hands-on top of his desk, narrowed his eyes in on me and said, “Sawyer… you have three months left until you graduate and become an adult. You need to take this seriously.”

I nodded and the final school bell rang, signaling I had missed English class. I sighed and Mr. Jefferson nodded and gestured his hand towards the door. I exited the office, exhaled a sigh of relief and headed to my next class.

***

Lunch time came around and I hurried to the lunchroom. It was crowded with hungry students and I immediately went to the hot lunch line. I searched for Lucy and found her sitting at the table we were at last time with the same group of people. She didn’t ask me to sit with her, but I figured it was going to be okay to do so.

I asked for a cold cheese sandwich and when I received my sandwich and potato chips, I hurried over to Lucy’s table. Mike, Abigail, a boy named Phineas, Alex, Haley were discussing Prom. Mike flicked his eyes up at me and gave me a small smile. I smiled back and sat next to Lucy. Lucy grinned at me and Mike said, “So… I’m thinking of asking someone to the dance.”

Mike looked at my direction and then back at Abigail. Abigail twirled her blond hair around her fingers and said, “Who are you asking?” her voice was flirtatious and she leaned towards Mike. She smiled at him and her eyes were looking directly at Mike.

Mike looked over at me, then at her and said, “It’s going to be a surprise. It would completely ruin the proposal otherwise.”

I rolled my eyes and looked over at Lucy. Then Phineas looked over at Lucy and said, “When is Jake going to ask you to Prom?”

My heart stung and I gripped tightly onto my sandwich. Lucy laughed nervously and said, “I’m not sure when he is or if he is. We’re just friends right now. Remember Phineas?”

Phineas laughed and said, “He better ask you out. You two are so fucking cute together!”

Lucy blushed and looked over at me. I shrugged and took a bite out of my sandwich. All these people seemed to care about was Lucy and Jake’s relationship. They were practically a celebrity relationship already even though Lucy wasn’t nearly as popular as Jake Gosling. She was famous for art. Jake was famous for his inheritance.

I released a breath and turned Haylee. She smiled shyly at me. Her body was positioned so that she was facing me fully and not everyone else. She didn’t speak much during lunch but she was there all the time. I assumed she was friends with Abigail, otherwise in any other case, she wouldn’t be sitting at the lunch table with us.

“Do you have a date to Prom yet Haley?” I asked deepening my voice and leaning forward.

“Um… no… n-no one wants to ask me out Sawyer,” she said quietly.

I sucked in my breath and nodded. Most women chased after Jake. But she never mentioned anything about liking Jake. However, she never really spoke in the first place so that could be why as well.

“Do you have anyone in particular you’d like to go out with?” I asked leaning forward.

Lucy’s green eyes flicked over to me and she began to watch my interaction with Haley. The corner of my lips pulled up into a smile and I propped my elbow on the table and leaned my chin against my fist. Haley tucked her dirty blond hair behind her ear and said, “No I don’t. I’ll be willing to say yes to almost anyone.”

She smiled shyly at me and looked over at Lucy, who’s glance had turned back to Mike Ross. I chuckled as quietly as I could and continued to talk with Haley.

***

After lunch, we were on our way to class and Lucy hurried over to me and said, “Are you going to ask her out?”

“Ask who out?” I asked, glancing down at her.

She cleared her throat, scratched the back of her head and said, “Um Haley…?”

I laughed a little and shrugged, shoving my hands into my pockets. I looked sideways at her and said, “I’m not entirely sure. Just getting to know her.” I paused before asking, “Why do you ask?”

She shrugged and we headed to our lockers. I grabbed my art supplies and once I grabbed them, I walked to art class, but I kept an eye out on Jake and Lucy.

[samanthasroberts]

The Best Bachelor in Paradise Recap You’ll Ever Read: Week 2

Last night in Paradise we finally said goodbye and fuck you to Chad, got to see round 2 of Nick Viall vs. Josh Murray drama, and my ED Evan gaydar scale practically exploded after his professions of “love” for Carly. This show is so unscriptedly (not a word? Idc) amazing that ‘paradise’ actually refers to how I feel sitting on my couch watching these losers talk mad shit about each other. So WTF went down last night?

The Chad Breakdown Continues

Chad is definitely still wasted from last night, and Chris Harrison is def just pissed he has to interrupt his robe-lounging to deal with this. “It’s worth it for the **ratings**” – Probably a post-it on Chris Harrison’s mini bar.

Chris Harrison:Where are you going??? Chad: I dont know, Tijuana or something.

Then Leah comes and I’m pretty sure all of America/Bachelor Nation is like, Leah who?

….mmm nope.

Of COURSE she comes on the show and is looking for Chad. Could it BE any more staged???

– Leah talking about Chad / me talking about my dog

said no one ever, until Leah

Okay just had a flashback to Leah throwing Lauren B under the bus. Classy chick! However she does look like Mena Suvari in American Beauty when she cries.

Nick / Leah / Amanda Triangle

Leah gives up on the Chad situation and moves onto her next target, slick Nick.

Nick:– Nick prior to running a controlled empirical study on Leah.

Nick: Thanks for asking me on this date Leah: Thanks for coming …Can you say chemistry??

Leah:– that’s what she said.

Leah:I’m very confident when I say I think I have a lot of qualities that you’re looking for Nick:I really appreciate what you’re saying. I actually think I’m leaning towards Amanda k thx bai.

Nick decides he’s just not that into Leah (probably either her lip injections or her fragrance of desperation, tbd) and moves onto Amanda, mother of 2.

Nick: I love fires and sitting near them Amanda: I love lamp

“No child left behind” – Not Amanda’s parenting philosophy.

Carly and Evan

Evan gets a date card and asks Carly and I literally don’t think I’ve ever seen someone want to cry more after getting a date.

– Evan sounds like the 40 year old virgin describing boobs like bags of sand.

“Evan does give me erectile dysfunction” – An amazing quote that I can’t believe we didn’t think of first

Carly: My brother told me I have to stop dating feminine men…like my first boyfriend now has a boyfriend. And now this again. – Looks like somebody’s got a type!

Carly and Evan have completely opposite reactions to the jabanero kiss:

Evan: My mouth is on fire and I don’t know if it’s the pepper or from kissing Carly.

Carly: I vommitted…and it’s not just from the pepper.

Josh Murray vs. Nick

So before we get into the ancient epic battle between Josh and Nick (more epic than the Sunni-Shiite conflict I can assure you), we feel it’s our duty to reveal what Andi Dorfman wrote about him in her amazing/scandalous tell-all. Basically, according to her (but also like, def true), he was seriously emotionally abusive towards her in all our favorite ways – accusing her of cheating, not letting her spend time with her besties, stalking her social media for signs of other guys, having humil screaming matches in public…you really have to read it to get the full effect. (We’re not even getting paid to say that!!)

Josh on Andi: We were just like, very different in a lot of ways. – He is obviously very pissed about this book.

The Bachelor producers LOVE fucking with Nick Viall’s emotions. Third time still not a charm.

Amanda should’ve stayed with Nick.

Other Miscellanous Lameness

– Daniel

Lace was sadly very uninteresting last night except her eyelash extensions, which are malfunctioning.

Emily’s idea of sexy small talk is unreal:

Emily: What are you thinking about? Jared: Paradise…

Jared is obviously conflicted about hooking up with Emily, like he’s not into her clearly but he doesn’t want to get kicked off. It’s muy interesante how whenever the guys have the roses the girls whore themselves out, and when the girls have the roses the guys pretend to have feelings. Feminist AF.

Week Two Night Two

Second week of paradise, second night of the week that I have to watch the same show for reasons unknown.

This episode starts with Josh and Amanda incessantly making out in front of everyone, while making meerkat noises.

Nick is obviously displeased so he continues to workout on the beach while taking breaks to shed a tear.

Daniel is unhappy because theres a new guy in Paradise who is about to take his love interest awayChristian. I literally do not remember him but apparently Sarah is super into the guy. All we know is that hes really fucking smiley… like hes about to pull out Jamaican steel drums and serenade everyone on the beach.

Daniel yeah or just Canadian.

Meanwhile ED Evan cant shut the fuck up about his date with Carly. Vinny: Wow kissed for a minute and 46 seconds. Evan: 41 seconds! It was like butterfly explosions.

Carly has the talk with Evan where she breaks up with him even though all they did was go on one awful date together. If Carly were a guy she would like never talk to him, ignore him, and then hook up with someone else in front of him.

Now that Evan is my ex-boyfriend Carly.

Enter new guy Brendan. Even Chris Harrison doesnt know who Brendan is (even though Chris Harrison definitely knows who he is and that scene was literally more scripted than a fight on ). Carly falls in love at first sight but doesnt realize that Brendan is dumber than anyone who has ever been on this television show. Brendan picks Haley (or Emily?) on his date.

This time Im doing a bad job in paradise. Like Last time I did a really bad job in paradise but this time Im doing like a worse job. Carly

Before her sisters date Emily drinks a beer and gets wasted which was THE BEST part of this entire episode.

My best friend is going on a date and like now that shes engaged Im so happy. I didnt mean to get like this!! Someone please give her more alcohol.

Brendan and Haleys date was the most absurd thing Ive ever seen. I want to find a woman who wants to give 110% HE IS Brendan Frasier in .

Why would Brendan even notice that the twins switched on him? I could barely tell the difference? But also like, he is giving this like loving we have a connection speech that I promise he would have given to any girl he would have picked. (But apparently not Carly).

Back at the house, because Daniel was supes jealous of Sarah and Christians new connection he makes a little mini date on a daybed for them.

Daniel: I’m an eagle and this eagle knows what he wants.

Sarah: I Just want to be appreciated for who I am and respect who I am. Daniel: Samesies. I hate it when people don’t respect me. Flashback to Daniel one episode ago: I was looking for some good looking girls so far I’m not impressed. Nothing I’d touch, maybe the one blonde girl if I had a couple of drinks in me. So far these are poodles and yorkies and washed up street dogs. I’d have to be white girl wasted to fuck them.

Sarah: DAMN DANIEL!

Sarah refers to Daniel as the goofy one who is weird and kinda dumb but makes her laugh. Can we all agree that Daniel IS Canadian Joey Tribbiani?

Daniel, Romance Expert.

PS Why are all the couples, the self proclaimed sexy six, all making out together in one bed and not like, alone? What is this, the junior prom limo!?

Then the best thing to ever happen on this show happens. Evan self implodes.

The producers first convince him not to leave. Then they somehow manipulate him into thinking that the girl he has the best chance with is Amanda, yes, the one Josh is about to engulf.

Either I was like really high or this was SOOOO funny but watching Evan write a sad handwritten note to himself was probably the best television of life.

Then he pumps himself up by calling himself by his full name. YOURE FRICKIN EVAN BASS .. however I am pretty sure he meant it in the sense that like, he is like related to Chuck Bass and thats what makes him cool. Yes I fully believe Evan watches .

Then the producers convince him to walk up to Amanda and Josh while theyre hooking up to ask Amanda out. Whether this was scripted or not, this was good. The other reason for him doing this was his chance to get closer to Josh. Think about it, Chad was pretty hot and Evan loved stirring the pot with him on . Now he wants to get steamy with Josh. I can see that exciting little Evan. Aka Ogie from the movie (obscure but like, so accurate).

Don’t do it Evan, this will end poorly!! – all of America.

div.body_middle_part_right .bodypart:nth-child(n+2),a.prevBody{display:none;}

Source: http://allofbeer.com/the-best-bachelor-in-paradise-recap-youll-ever-read-week-2/

from All of Beer https://allofbeer.wordpress.com/2018/09/30/the-best-bachelor-in-paradise-recap-youll-ever-read-week-2/

[adambstingus]

The Best Bachelor in Paradise Recap You’ll Ever Read: Week 2

Last night in Paradise we finally said goodbye and fuck you to Chad, got to see round 2 of Nick Viall vs. Josh Murray drama, and my ED Evan gaydar scale practically exploded after his professions of “love” for Carly. This show is so unscriptedly (not a word? Idc) amazing that ‘paradise’ actually refers to how I feel sitting on my couch watching these losers talk mad shit about each other. So WTF went down last night?

The Chad Breakdown Continues

Chad is definitely still wasted from last night, and Chris Harrison is def just pissed he has to interrupt his robe-lounging to deal with this. “It’s worth it for the **ratings**” – Probably a post-it on Chris Harrison’s mini bar.

Chris Harrison:Where are you going??? Chad: I dont know, Tijuana or something.

Then Leah comes and I’m pretty sure all of America/Bachelor Nation is like, Leah who?

….mmm nope.

Of COURSE she comes on the show and is looking for Chad. Could it BE any more staged???

– Leah talking about Chad / me talking about my dog

said no one ever, until Leah

Okay just had a flashback to Leah throwing Lauren B under the bus. Classy chick! However she does look like Mena Suvari in American Beauty when she cries.

Nick / Leah / Amanda Triangle

Leah gives up on the Chad situation and moves onto her next target, slick Nick.

Nick:– Nick prior to running a controlled empirical study on Leah.

Nick: Thanks for asking me on this date Leah: Thanks for coming …Can you say chemistry??

Leah:– that’s what she said.

Leah:I’m very confident when I say I think I have a lot of qualities that you’re looking for Nick:I really appreciate what you’re saying. I actually think I’m leaning towards Amanda k thx bai.

Nick decides he’s just not that into Leah (probably either her lip injections or her fragrance of desperation, tbd) and moves onto Amanda, mother of 2.

Nick: I love fires and sitting near them Amanda: I love lamp

“No child left behind” – Not Amanda’s parenting philosophy.

Carly and Evan

Evan gets a date card and asks Carly and I literally don’t think I’ve ever seen someone want to cry more after getting a date.

– Evan sounds like the 40 year old virgin describing boobs like bags of sand.

“Evan does give me erectile dysfunction” – An amazing quote that I can’t believe we didn’t think of first

Carly: My brother told me I have to stop dating feminine men…like my first boyfriend now has a boyfriend. And now this again. – Looks like somebody’s got a type!

Carly and Evan have completely opposite reactions to the jabanero kiss:

Evan: My mouth is on fire and I don’t know if it’s the pepper or from kissing Carly.

Carly: I vommitted…and it’s not just from the pepper.

Josh Murray vs. Nick

So before we get into the ancient epic battle between Josh and Nick (more epic than the Sunni-Shiite conflict I can assure you), we feel it’s our duty to reveal what Andi Dorfman wrote about him in her amazing/scandalous tell-all. Basically, according to her (but also like, def true), he was seriously emotionally abusive towards her in all our favorite ways – accusing her of cheating, not letting her spend time with her besties, stalking her social media for signs of other guys, having humil screaming matches in public…you really have to read it to get the full effect. (We’re not even getting paid to say that!!)

Josh on Andi: We were just like, very different in a lot of ways. – He is obviously very pissed about this book.

The Bachelor producers LOVE fucking with Nick Viall’s emotions. Third time still not a charm.

Amanda should’ve stayed with Nick.

Other Miscellanous Lameness

– Daniel

Lace was sadly very uninteresting last night except her eyelash extensions, which are malfunctioning.

Emily’s idea of sexy small talk is unreal:

Emily: What are you thinking about? Jared: Paradise…

Jared is obviously conflicted about hooking up with Emily, like he’s not into her clearly but he doesn’t want to get kicked off. It’s muy interesante how whenever the guys have the roses the girls whore themselves out, and when the girls have the roses the guys pretend to have feelings. Feminist AF.

Week Two Night Two

Second week of paradise, second night of the week that I have to watch the same show for reasons unknown.

This episode starts with Josh and Amanda incessantly making out in front of everyone, while making meerkat noises.

Nick is obviously displeased so he continues to workout on the beach while taking breaks to shed a tear.

Daniel is unhappy because theres a new guy in Paradise who is about to take his love interest awayChristian. I literally do not remember him but apparently Sarah is super into the guy. All we know is that hes really fucking smiley… like hes about to pull out Jamaican steel drums and serenade everyone on the beach.

Daniel yeah or just Canadian.

Meanwhile ED Evan cant shut the fuck up about his date with Carly. Vinny: Wow kissed for a minute and 46 seconds. Evan: 41 seconds! It was like butterfly explosions.

Carly has the talk with Evan where she breaks up with him even though all they did was go on one awful date together. If Carly were a guy she would like never talk to him, ignore him, and then hook up with someone else in front of him.

Now that Evan is my ex-boyfriend Carly.

Enter new guy Brendan. Even Chris Harrison doesnt know who Brendan is (even though Chris Harrison definitely knows who he is and that scene was literally more scripted than a fight on ). Carly falls in love at first sight but doesnt realize that Brendan is dumber than anyone who has ever been on this television show. Brendan picks Haley (or Emily?) on his date.

This time Im doing a bad job in paradise. Like Last time I did a really bad job in paradise but this time Im doing like a worse job. Carly

Before her sisters date Emily drinks a beer and gets wasted which was THE BEST part of this entire episode.

My best friend is going on a date and like now that shes engaged Im so happy. I didnt mean to get like this!! Someone please give her more alcohol.

Brendan and Haleys date was the most absurd thing Ive ever seen. I want to find a woman who wants to give 110% HE IS Brendan Frasier in .

Why would Brendan even notice that the twins switched on him? I could barely tell the difference? But also like, he is giving this like loving we have a connection speech that I promise he would have given to any girl he would have picked. (But apparently not Carly).

Back at the house, because Daniel was supes jealous of Sarah and Christians new connection he makes a little mini date on a daybed for them.

Daniel: I’m an eagle and this eagle knows what he wants.

Sarah: I Just want to be appreciated for who I am and respect who I am. Daniel: Samesies. I hate it when people don’t respect me. Flashback to Daniel one episode ago: I was looking for some good looking girls so far I’m not impressed. Nothing I’d touch, maybe the one blonde girl if I had a couple of drinks in me. So far these are poodles and yorkies and washed up street dogs. I’d have to be white girl wasted to fuck them.

Sarah: DAMN DANIEL!

Sarah refers to Daniel as the goofy one who is weird and kinda dumb but makes her laugh. Can we all agree that Daniel IS Canadian Joey Tribbiani?

Daniel, Romance Expert.

PS Why are all the couples, the self proclaimed sexy six, all making out together in one bed and not like, alone? What is this, the junior prom limo!?

Then the best thing to ever happen on this show happens. Evan self implodes.

The producers first convince him not to leave. Then they somehow manipulate him into thinking that the girl he has the best chance with is Amanda, yes, the one Josh is about to engulf.

Either I was like really high or this was SOOOO funny but watching Evan write a sad handwritten note to himself was probably the best television of life.

Then he pumps himself up by calling himself by his full name. YOURE FRICKIN EVAN BASS .. however I am pretty sure he meant it in the sense that like, he is like related to Chuck Bass and thats what makes him cool. Yes I fully believe Evan watches .

Then the producers convince him to walk up to Amanda and Josh while theyre hooking up to ask Amanda out. Whether this was scripted or not, this was good. The other reason for him doing this was his chance to get closer to Josh. Think about it, Chad was pretty hot and Evan loved stirring the pot with him on . Now he wants to get steamy with Josh. I can see that exciting little Evan. Aka Ogie from the movie (obscure but like, so accurate).

Don’t do it Evan, this will end poorly!! – all of America.

div.body_middle_part_right .bodypart:nth-child(n+2),a.prevBody{display:none;}

from All Of Beer http://allofbeer.com/the-best-bachelor-in-paradise-recap-youll-ever-read-week-2/ from All of Beer https://allofbeercom.tumblr.com/post/178602825797

[schreibfeather]

Dreams Of Today - Chapter 3

Characters: Haley Potter (femHarry), Draco Malfoy, Luna Lovegood, Hermione Granger, Neville Longbottom, Ron Weasley, Rating: T Genre: Friendship/Romance, Angst, Fluff, Slow Burn Chapter: 3 Summary: Number one: Malfoy was a git. Nothing new there. Number two: He was an arrogant, annoying, little ferret. Number three: He used every chance he got to humiliate her and – and… that wasn’t right. Last year… at the Yule Ball… he had been acting surprisingly nice toward her. To be fair, Malfoy had also spent a big part of that night annoying the hell out of her… but… he’d also been… really sweet.. … Sequel to Songs of Yesterday. Haley Potter still has nightmares about that night at the graveyard. But is the nightmare really over? Luckily she has her friends to keep her from worrying too much. Her friends and… a certain Slytherin that is really bad at pretending he hates her.

Chapter 1 | 2 |  (link to masterlist)

3 - The Truth Is Hiding In Your Eyes

HALEY

He was avoiding her. It was painfully obvious that he was. She gave him a day. Two days. Three. A week. But then it was enough. Originally she had wanted to approach him right after they had all departed the train, but she hadn't been able to make out the blond head in the crowd.

After the third day she sat down and resorted to putting her thoughts in order. Why was this even that important to her? Why was she so set on talking to the git?

I just need to make sure. Make sure what? Make sure that I wasn't mistaken. That maybe there is a decent person behind that icy demeanor. Maybe we've been wrong all along? She also refused to believe that she had misjudged a person so badly. The glimpses she had seen of the Slytherin the last year… She wanted to see more of them. She wanted to make sure that… they weren't wrong about his character. That he wasn't the bad guy because they always made him out as such. She… well… she had trust in people. And she wouldn't forgive herself if she didn't give him that tiny benefit of the doubt. So she sought him out. But he avoided her like a snake no matter how hard she tried. And finally after one week she'd had enough. She was just about to ask Fred and George for help when an opportunity presented itself by coincidence.

It was an afternoon like any other on a day that still carried the faint smell of late summer along with it. The leaves had already started to change their colours and it wouldn't be too long until they'd begin to fall.

Haley was walking along the grounds lazily, her mind wandering from one thought to another, when she spotted a lone figure walking a few ways in front of her. What were the odds, that the shock of white blond hair belonged to Malfoy?

Trying to make as little noise as possible, Haley followed the figure, getting closer and closer until there were only about 10 metres separating her from the boy. Once she was absolutely sure that it really was the Slytherin – without either Crabbe or Goyle for once – she drew her wand from her pocket and pointed it at him. If Moody knew she was attacking someone from behind he would certainly be disappointed but Haley really didn't have a choice. And she wasn't going to let him sneak away from her another time.

One hex later and Malfoy was lying on the ground, a laughing mess. She grinned. One point for Haley. She could have walked toward him faster but she took a sick pleasure in seeing the boy rolling around on the ground, being tickled by invisible hands and not being able to do a thing about it.

Once Haley had finally reached the boy that was lying underneath a tall oak tree, she was hit with a strange squeezy feeling in her gut. Never before she'd seen Malfoy laugh like this. Scornful? Yes. Cackling? Definitely. But this? This was different. For a moment she just stood there, watching in wonder. Then she registered, the painful way in which he was holding his stomach and the tears that were starting to roll down his face.

"Finite Incantatem," she murmured, pointing her wand at the boy. The laughter quieted down at once. Getting less intense gradually until it stopped all together, leaving only silence behind.

Malfoy sat up slowly. "Potter," he stated hoarsely, voice raw from laughing, "what do you think you're doing?"

Without thinking about it, Haley extended her hand to him and for a crazy second it seemed like he was going to take it and let her help him up. He seemed to realize what he was doing then, letting his hand fall mid-raise and looking away with a snort.

Haley's hand fell to her side, while Malfoy quickly got to his feet. He didn't look at her. She watched his movements carefully, ready to stop him at the first sign of him making a run for it.

"I'm not letting you run away this time," she informed him.

Malfoy snorted. "I'm already trembling."

Haley didn't feel like wasting her breath on an answer to that.

"Fine," Malfoy said, his voice sounding tired, "Say your piece. If it's that important to you."

Now that she finally had his attention, Haley wasn't entirely sure what she wanted to say to him.

She had been too busy with actually making him listen to her.

"Uh – I –" she started, fumbling with the note in her left hand nervously. She looked to the ground, but of course her words weren't hiding there.

When she looked up again, she could swear, there'd been something soft in his eyes. But maybe it had been nothing but a trick of the light because not a second later his face had closed off, betraying nothing but cold hardness.

Haley sighed. She wasn't sure how much longer she could keep doing this without going insane.

"I know you didn't mean it," she stated, determination, making her words sound more powerful.

"Didn't mean what, Potter?"

"What you said to me. On the train."

"Ah, that," he mused, "Why are you so sure, I didn't mean it?"

If he thought this was enough to discourage her, he was sourly mistaken.

"You can stop with the pretence now. Nobody's watching." Haley said, not backing down. She didn't understand why he was still keeping up his pointless act. They were alone, weren't they? There was no reason for him to still act that way. Unless… But no. Any second now, he would tell her she'd been right. Maybe he was simply afraid, she was still mad or something.

"You – what? You think this is a pretense? I was only pretending to be cruel to you? Why would I do that?"

"Well, what was I supposed to think after the way you were acting last year?" Haley spat in frustration. This was not at all going the way she had imagined.

Malfoy's shoulders were shaking slightly in silent laughter.

"Someone is a little bit nice to you and you think – Wait, you don't actually think, I like you, do you?"

Haley didn't say anything, she only stared at him in silence. She couldn't believe the git was actually using these words against her.

"Do you fancy me, Potter?" He said it in such a cruel and mocking way that Haley felt sick to her stomach. She was clenching her fist so hard, that the note inside it would have been crushed to tiny little pieces, if it had been something other than a piece of paper.

"You're disgusting," she threw the words at him like they were something ugly and despicable.

"You're right," there was no amusement left in his voice or face now. It was devoid of all emotion, icy and unforgiving, like a particularly harsh winter storm.

"And you'd better not forget it a second time," he continued, "You know that I'm on... that side." It was clear what he was referring to. His father was a death eater. They had killed Cedric. She had to fight them. She had to fight him. He was the enemy.

Was he really, though? Wasn't this him pushing her away on purpose, because he wanted to... he wanted to... well, what exactly was it that he wanted? The way he stood there under the oak tree, shaded by the leaves above... The expression on his face mostly hidden by the shadows. Who was he? What did she really know about him?

"It's truly a shame what happened to the poor, little Hufflepuff, isn't it?"

Haley did a double-take. Did Malfoy really just say that? Was he actually threatening her? And the way his lips curled into a disgustingly self-satisfied smirk... That was too much. He didn't have the right to talk about Cedric that way. Or at all. If he'd wanted to make her despise him, he'd reached his goal.

Haley shook her head in disgust. "I can't believe I actually thought – I actually thought – I –" She paused, putting her thoughts into order, "You know what? Just forget it."

This had been a waste of her time from the beginning. How could she have been so stupid? What a fool she was. What was she still doing here? Shouldn't she leave already? What was she waiting for? Nothing.

The note suddenly felt scorchingly hot in her hand. She remembered then, how she'd wanted to thank him. How she'd wanted to tell him, that the note had been bringing her luck.

What a foolish thought. He didn't deserve her gratitude. She kept her eyes firmly to the ground. Then she angrily threw the paper ball into the grass. She didn't need it anymore.

With her head raised high Haley marched back toward the castle. Her throat was aching, her eyes starting to burn but she refused to cry. What use was there in crying? It's better this way, she told herself, it doesn't matter. She should have known it would turn out this way. Should have listened to her inner voice. It doesn't matter, she thought, as the sun was setting in front of her.

...

DRACO

It all seemed rather dramatic how the setting sun was illuminating Potter's retreating back. She was always walking away from him. But it was his own fault, wasn't it? And certainly it had been the right thing to do? Draco sank back against the tree that was behind him, suddenly feeling weak. With his eyes shut tightly, he punched the ground in frustration. The pain in his hand wasn't enough to dull the ache he felt in his chest. He'd sworn to himself he wouldn't be that person anymore. That he wouldn't hurt her again.

So after the disastrous encounter on the Hogwarts Express, he'd taken to avoiding the girl. With an actual Ministry represent at Hogwarts it wouldn't be too long until word got around to the ministry or his father. Draco didn't want to imagine what his father would say, if he found out, he was being friendly toward Haley Potter. So, there really had been no other choice but to avoid her. Although it went a long way from what he really wanted to do, whenever he saw her. Back on the train he'd only meant to give her a little hint, for her to stay away and show her that whatever had happened between them last year was in the past. (He tried not to acknowledge the fact that it definitely wasn't in the past for him.)

But it was Potter after all and therefore he really should have known she wasn't going to give up so easily. All week she had tried to confront him until she had finally succeeded in catching him off guard today.

And with a tickling hex of all things. That was so Potter. If she could avoid violence, she would. Always. The thought made Draco smile softly, despite himself.

She'd really looked lovely today. Seeing her from such a close distance had done things to his heart, that were too dangerous to even think about. Her hair had grown longer. It went a little over her shoulders now, although it was still a wild mess most of the time. But Draco liked that. In fact he had caught himself imagining one too many times what it would feel like to run his hands through the raven locks. Or to spend hours trying to tame them into a decent hairstyle for once. Would they be soft? Would he get his fingers tangled up in them so deeply, that he would have trouble getting them out again? He imagined Potter glaring at him, if he ever got his fingers entangled in her hair.

Those deep green eyes that always looked like they were ready to kill, whenever they were directed at him. Lately she'd more often than not looked at him differently. Like she was trying to figure him out and uncover all the secrets that he kept hidden so carefully.

And during one tiny second she'd almost caught him. When she'd been just about to talk, seemingly too surprised that he was actually letting her talk to form coherent words. If it hadn't been for his long experience with keeping his true feelings under control, he might have accidently smiled at her. It had been quite endearing, seeing her this nervous, with one hand tinkering around with... something.

Right. There had been something in her hand. She'd thrown it into the grass, before leaving. Draco knelt down and started to look around in the grass. With the setting sun it was quickly becoming dark around him but the thing couldn't be far. Then he saw it. It really was nothing special. Just a note. Folded together tightly. He picked it up and began to unfold it eagerly. It wouldn't be cursed, would it?

The words that were glaring up at him like a twisted ironic joke hit him just as hard as a curse would have. Don't die.

Draco's fingers started to tremble, his eyes lost their focus and he couldn't breathe. He'd written this. Every word. Every letter. He still remembered pondering about the wording. Trying out every possible variation of Good luck, and I know you can do it, or Be careful. Until he'd finally settled on this rather neutral approach. Already anticipating the possibility of someone else finding the note and tracing it back to him. The memory was fresh in his mind and yet it seemed like it had happened in a different lifetime.

He'd written this. And all this time Potter had been keeping it. Draco's heart was twisting in a painful way. Had she known it had been from him? And if she had, why had she kept it?

At least she must have suspected it, why else would she have thrown it away in that moment?

One thing was certain in any case. She didn't want it anymore. And the message could hardly be any clearer. She was done with him. Although that was exactly what he'd been trying to achieve, he hadn't anticipated the pain that realisation would bring with it. A silent scream was resounding in his head. He crumpled up the note in his fist angrily. It was astounding how much the note now resembled the state of his heart.

...

"You're a bit confusing, aren't you?"

"Huh?" Draco replied, like the dignified person he was. In his defense, his mind had been preoccupied with… other… important… matters. Reluctantly he turned toward the voice that had so impolitely disturbed him.

"You!", he exclaimed, once he'd spotted the blonde girl, that was currently sitting at his table in the library. He'd ordered Crabbe and Goyle to do a background check on her. She was a fourth-year and her name was Luna Lovegood. People often called her "Loony" because she believed in the existence of all kinds of impossible creatures. Also her father was the producer of The Quibbler.

"What are you doing here?" He asked in annoyance. He hadn't even noticed when she'd arrived.

"I'm doing my homework," the offending girl replied innocently.

Draco eyed her disdainfully. "I can see that. I meant what business do you have, sitting at my table?"

The girl looked at him in wonder, making her already huge round eyes appear even bigger.

"I didn't know students could purchase these tables. Don't you think they belong to Hogwarts? But then again, who does Hogwarts belong to? You don't think Dumbledore owns it, do you?"

What the bloody hell was this girl talking about? She was constantly trying to disrupt Draco's focus but he wouldn't let himself be tricked by her!

He cleared his throat importantly, "Well, I don't actually own the table, I guess. But since I'm sitting here, it's my table for the day and since we don't know each other, I thought it quite strange for you to do your homework here. Considering there are plenty of empty seats where you could do so without disturbing people you don't even know."

Loony didn't answer at first. The pitiful girl was obviously on the dense side.

"I like this table. Nobody ever comes here, so I can do my homework in peace, without having people steal my notes or hiding the books I need." The way in which she stated these facts sounded strangely neutral. She wasn't looking for pity or help. It was just the way things were.

Draco wasn't completely heartless. If she was only there to quietly do her homework he had no reason to chase her away. Right? They would be even then. She had helped him that night, when he'd been stuck in the knight's helmet and now he would simply return the favour.

"Fine, you can stay. I was going to leave anyway," he said, closing the book that had been lying on the table in front of him untouched for a while.

"You're done watching her then?" The girl asked, nodding at something to Draco's left.

The question threw him off so bad that he answered without thinking about the words.

"I – I wasn't watching Potter!"

The girl grinned triumphantly. "So you were watching Haley Potter."

"What? - No, I-"

"I never mentioned her name. I was merely referring to her. And considering she isn't the only girl sitting at that table, how else would you know who I was talking about?"

Draco gaped. He had let himself be tricked by that brazen little girl. He would show her what it meant to be messing with a Malfoy. He looked away.

"Well, I wasn't looking at her, I was just… lost in thought. And she… happened to sit in my line of sight."

"Oh. Well then," the girl opened a huge book that was lying in front of her and started to read.

Was this all she had to say? Didn't she know who she was talking to? Well, he might as well leave like he'd wanted to. But maybe he could steal a final glance at Potter – who he had not been watching – just to ease his mind. She was wearing her hair over her left shoulder, making her long neck stand out for everyone to see. A lock of hair kept falling into her eyes, which she pulled back behind her ear every few minutes or so. It was really distracting. He had to suppress the urge to walk up to her and take care of the lock himse–

"Lost in thought again?" Someone asked smugly, startling Draco so much, that he almost fell out of his chair. Damn. He didn't like the knowing grin on the blonde girl's face at all.

"I could be mistaken, but to me you look more like someone who has finally found the Crumple-Horned Snorkack. That's what is a bit confusing, though. One day you look at her like that and the next you treat her like she is the most horrible person in the world. Why's that?" She tilted her head to the side curiously.

Draco's brain felt like it was being short-circuited. He wasn't sure what he was supposed to be worrying about first. The fact that the Luna girl completely saw through him or that she was totally delusional at the same time.

"Snorkack?" He asked finally, settling on the easiest matter.

"Yeah. It's only a question of time until someone will find it."

"Right..." Draco stated. He was quickly learning that it was safer not to ask. He bit his lip, considering whether he should...

"You know… the thing you said earlier… that thing..." Draco found himself stammering. With his hands he gestured to his left, trying to make her understand without actually having to spell it out.

"You mean, that you have a crush on Haley Potter?"

Draco's eyes widened until they were almost as big as the girl's offending blue orbs.

"Are you daft? You can't say something like this so carelessly!"

The girl simply watched him, which was embarrassing because he was sure that he was blushing furiously.

"But yeah… that," he muttered under his breath, "Is it… is it really that obvious?"

Draco was sure he was slowly going insane. How else could it be explained that he was telling his deepest secrets to a stranger? Maybe it was the fact, that considering the girl's reputation it was unlikely anyone would believe her, should she ever tell someone about this. But perhaps it was also because he had carried this secret with him for such a long time that it felt liberating to finally be able to talk to someone about it. Even if it was Loony Lovegood. Said girl seemed to think about her answer for a moment.

"I guess," she began, "you're not as subtle as you think you are," Draco's heart sank, "But it's not like it's blatantly obvious."

"So you're saying," Draco urged in frustration. Why couldn't she speak in certain terms? He had to fight the urge to shake her until the answer tumbled out of her.

"I'm saying that observant people would surely notice it, if they had a reason for being suspicious and would be actively looking for it. I don't think you've been found out though. Not yet. In fact I think Haley Potter is convinced that you actually despise her."

This was a good thing, wasn't it? Then why did his heart feel so heavy all of a sudden?

"I don't want her to think I hate her," he admitted in a small voice.

"Oh, really? Because to me it seemed like that was exactly what you were trying to achieve."

"Well, what choice do I have?" He blurted, his voice too loud, "We're not on the same – Father would – I can't – It's too dangerous. You wouldn't understand." He ended quietly.

"Ah. I guess I wouldn't understand, that you're afraid how your family might react, if they found out about your crush on her. Would they actually disown you? I read something similar in a muggle book once. In the end the boy and the girl died."

Draco looked up at the girl in an irritated way, from where he'd been hiding his face in his hands.

"Is this supposed to make me feel better? Were you actually listening?" He was wasting his time here. It had been a mistake, confiding in Loony Lovegood. He chuckled darkly.

"I know that you-know-who is back and I imagine your family still supports him. But do you, really? What if staying away from Haley wasn't your only choice?"

"What are you talking about?" He snapped. Her words were stirring up something inside him. But he couldn't let himself hope. He couldn't.

"Maybe there is a way for you to see her, that doesn't endanger either of you. My mother always said 'If there is a will, there is a way'."

As much as Draco wanted to he couldn't let himself believe in her words. The disappointment in the end would be too crushing.

"It doesn't matter either way. She doesn't even like me back," he whispered.

"Are you sure about that?" The girl wondered.

"Yes." He said, finality in his voice.

"It can't be helped then," she replied, closing the book in front of her with a resounding clap.

"Still, there's one thing that's certain."

"What's that?"

"She won't be waiting for you to make up your mind forever."

"What do you mean?"

"I remember how disappointed many guys were last year, when she accepted Michael Corner's invitation to the Yule Ball."

Draco's hands clenched at the mention of that prat.

"And although many people see her as a crazy liar at the moment, I'm sure… that will change once everyone finds out, she's been telling the truth, all along. Don't you think?"

Draco didn't answer. He only frowned. The girl shrugged.

"I'll continue this essay in the common room. It's hard to concentrate with you constantly talking to me," she said, getting up and collecting her things.

"I'll see you around, Draco Malfoy," she said with a wave, before walking away.

Draco was too stunned to reply. How dare she treat him like that and then just walk away like she hadn't been totally disrespecting him? He really hoped he wouldn't see her again all too soon. She always left him with unsettling thoughts.

…

[schreibfeather]

Dreams Of Today - Chapter 1

Characters: Haley Potter (femHarry), Draco Malfoy, Luna Lovegood, Hermione Granger, Neville Longbottom, Ron Weasley, Rating: T Genre: Friendship/Romance, Angst, Fluff, Slow Burn Chapter: 1 Summary: Number one: Malfoy was a git. Nothing new there. Number two: He was an arrogant, annoying, little ferret. Number three: He used every chance he got to humiliate her and – and… that wasn't right. Last year… at the Yule Ball… he had been acting surprisingly nice toward her. To be fair, Malfoy had also spent a big part of that night annoying the hell out of her… but… he'd also been… really sweet.. ... Sequel to Songs of Yesterday. Haley Potter still has nightmares about that night at the graveyard. But is the nightmare really over? Luckily she has her friends to keep her from worrying too much. Her friends and... a certain Slytherin that is really bad at pretending he hates her.

1 - Waking Up From A Nightmare

It had started then. Death. Pain. Had snuck their way into her life. Without her noticing any of it. She should have known then, that it was only going to get worse from there. Still. How could she have known? And if she had known, would she have been able to do something? To keep her godfather from-? No. It was too painful thinking about it. About him. Numbness was better. Safer. There was no room for anything else. Not even joy, or happiness. She had to keep everything out. Or else…

She didn't want want to think about what might happen, if she allowed herself to feel. If she let herself remember… she'd only remember what was lost. So she drifted. Drifted away into herself. Into her own pit of emptiness.

…

The first thing Haley noticed was the overwhelming feeling of dread. She looked around. She was sitting on the ground. To her left and right there were grave stones. So many grave stones. A few metres away lay a person. Fearing the worst, Haley scrambled to where the person lay on their stomach. She couldn't see the face. She had to make sure the person was alive. Was okay. Was…

It was too quiet all around. All she could hear was her own frightened heart beat. At last Haley settled down next to the person. With trembling hands she reached for their shoulders, carefully turning them over.

"Cedric," she gasped. There was no doubt it was the Hufflepuff. There was also no doubt, that the boy was dead. There was no life left in his unblinking, empty eyes.

"Cedric! No! Cedric, please!" Haley sobbed desperately. This had to be a nightmare! And there was nothing she wanted more than to wake up. That's when the laughing started. A cold high laugh reverberated over the graveyard turning Haley's blood to ice. She looked around and suddenly the graveyard was filled with people. Cloaked people in masks, who joined in with the laughing.

Haley wanted to block out the noise with her hands but she was too shocked to move.

The laughing became louder and more hysterical by the second. Haley wanted to run but she couldn't leave Cedric here alone with them. And then… he was right in front of her. Voldemort.

His wand aimed straight at her heart. He opened his mouth to speak but Haley couldn't hear a word he said. All she saw was cold, merciless eyes and a cruel smirk. And then… a flash of green light. That's when she found her voice again.

"Haley! Wake up! It's just a nightmare! Haley!"

Someone was screaming. Two people. It took a while for Haley to figure out that she was one of them. The other… she couldn't be sure. Without her glasses she was barely able to discern Ron from his sister. But… she knew that voice. Or more like that whisper.

"Hermione? Is that you?" Haley asked hoarsely. She hated how small her voice sounded. There was an additional weight next to her. Then a hand, squeezing her own quickly.

"I'm here. You were having a nightmare."

No really? If Haley had been more awake she might have answered in a more sarcastic way but as it was she was simply too tired and still shaken from the nightmare. She nodded, rubbing her eyes tiredly.

"Do you… want to talk about it?" Hermione asked cautiously.

Haley shook her head. But then she sighed, sitting up against the headboard.

"It's always the same dream," she whispered, her eyes closed. She didn't see much in the darkness and without her glasses anyway. Hermione sat down next to her, silently waiting for more.

"I'm at the graveyard again and there is Cedric and he-" Haley stopped, unable to continue. Hermione squeezed her hand in support.

"He's dead," Haley continued, almost spitting the last word, "He's dead and then there's Voldemort and he's laughing and the other Death Eaters are all around me and they won't stop laughing and he looks at me and he-" Haley had to stop there. She was breathing fast and there wasn't enough air and the memory of that night was terrifying.

"Haley, it's okay, you don't have to tell me-" Hermione looked at her with sympathy, reaching for her other hand as well. There were tears in her eyes.

"He points his wand at my heart and then there's a flash of green light..." Haley shook her head to get rid of the images, "I think I screamed… Then… I woke up."

"Oh, Haley," Hermione gasped, "I'm so sorry."

Haley didn't answer. What was there to say? It's fine? Don't worry? It wasn't fine. That was the problem. Haley wasn't sure if it would ever be fine again. Her heart felt a tiny bit lighter now, though. It was like she didn't have to carry the burden all by herself anymore.

"I just want him to-" Haley took a deep breath, "I just want him to pay."

For a moment she stared into the dark gloomily. Then she lay back down, leaving some space next to her. Without a word, Hermione crawled in beside her, facing her friend in the darkness. When Haley was sure it was too dark for anyone to see her, she whispered, "I'm scared."

"Me too," Hermione replied quietly.

There was nothing more to say.

…

Everything looks brighter in the light of day. Haley assumed that was something Mrs Weasley would say. Funnily enough she found that it was true. Everything might not be magically okay but it didn't look as scary anymore. Of course life at 12 Grimmauld Place wasn't exactly rainbows and sunshine to begin with but it was better than being cut off from the magical world completely.

One positive aspect was how often she saw her godfather and that she was able to spend her time with the people she cared about most in the world.

There wasn't much for her to do except for cleaning and attempting to turn the house into something that was sort of inhabitable. Today they were cleaning out the salon on the first floor. It was tedious work that took almost all morning and when it was time for a lunch break everyone was gladly munching on Mrs Weasley's delicious sandwiches. Everyone except for Haley Potter and Sirius Black who were standing in front of a huge tapestry.

"What's that?" Haley asked staring at the tapestry in wonder.

"Family tree," Sirius answered curtly, his eyes focused on the tapestry as well.

"You're not… on here though," she wondered. Her godfather chuckled darkly and pointed to a burned hole on the tapestry.

"I'm right here," chuckle, "My dear mother did this, after I ran away from home. At least that's what Kreacher says." Haley frowned. As good as it was to see Sirius again, she didn't like seeing him like this. All dark and… bitter. With a family like this, she couldn't imagine how horrible it must be to think you have escaped your former home only to be trapped there again as an adult.

When she looked back at the Tree, her eyes landed on a familiar name.

"You're related to the Malfoys?" Haley gasped, her eyes wide.

"All the Pureblood families are related, didn't you know? There's really no other way, if you're determined to – Haley, are you okay?"

"W-What?" She blinked, only now realizing that she was breathing heavily and her hands were clenched to fists.

"It's nothing, I just -" Images flashed before her eyes. Cold grey, eyes. Merciless laughter. Long blond hair behind a black mask.

"At the grave yard," she whispered to the floor, "Malfoy… he was there, too."

"Haley."

Haley didn't remember ever having heard someone say her name like this. Soft. Caring. Reassuring.

"It's okay," Sirius said. And a part of her wanted to say No, it's not. It never will be. But somehow she found she didn't want to argue right this moment. She wanted to let herself be comforted. She was so tired of always having to be the strong one. The Chosen One.

"It's okay," her godfather said again, taking her hand and unclenching it gently.

Haley looked up then, finally, and she wasn't sure if it was the eyes that were alight with something other than bitterness or the soft smile that was a tad mischievous even now, but somehow she found herself in a fierce – and not tearful at all – embrace. She wasn't really a person that ranted, but in this moment, she spilled out all her worries. Starting with the return of Voldemort and seeing Cedric die and ending with how frustrated she had felt all summer when she had been stuck at Privet Drive and nobody had given her any information. It felt good to get all of this off her chest and after a while she felt calm enough to pull away.

"Better now?" Sirius asked, his eyes looked a little red, as well.

"Yeah," Haley answered, using her shirt sleeve to dry off her face. She smiled. It was amazing how much better she actually did feel.

"What's that?" Sirius asked, pointing to her feet.

"Huh?" Haley looked to the ground in confusion. But Sirius had already knelt down to pick whatever he'd spotted up.

"That yours?" He asked, turning a little paper note around in his hand. Haley froze. It was her note. The note that she had received before the Third Task. She had taken to carrying it around in one of her pockets wherever she went. Back at Privet Drive she had finally gotten around to comparing the writing with that other note, she'd received. The one that was signed D.M. The D's had matched. Still, she hadn't stopped carrying it around with her.

Had it been out of habit? Had it been because a small part of her thought, she had survived that night at the graveyard because a tiny piece of paper had asked her not to die? Because a boy had asked her not to die? Maybe it had brought her luck. Maybe it hadn't. Regardless of that, Haley had no idea what she was supposed to answer in that moment. She settled for nodding and holding out her hand. Sirius ignored her hand and started to unfold the note.

"Hey!" Haley exclaimed, reaching for the note but her godfather was holding it out of her reach and reading hastily.

"What's that?" He muttered, frowning, "Did you write that? No… that's not your script. Who'd you get that from?"

"I – It's nothing. I – someone send it to me before the Third Task," Haley mumbled, watching her feet.

"Someone? Who?" Sirius wanted to know, his brows furrowed together skeptically. Haley bit her lips but didn't say anything.

"Wait a second… it's not from a boy, is it?"

Damn it, Haley thought, feeling the blood rushing to her cheeks. She shook her head.

"Just give it back," she muttered, reaching for the paper that Sirius was still holding out of her reach absently.

"Sirius!"

"You're not old enough to be interested in boys yet!"

"Sirius!"

"When I was your age, me and James did honourable things, like pranking people and tormenting Filch and – Well, I guess James did have a crush on Lily for some time then but… That's totally beside the point!"

Haley raised her eyebrows in an unimpressed way. Sirius stared a her, sternly, crossing his arms to make his point.

"You never did say who you went to the Yule Ball with," he said slowly, "Is the note from that guy? Who was it?"

Haley opened her mouth to answer but somebody else beat her to it.

"Oh, it was that bloke Michael Corner, wasn't it? A bit of a douche if you ask me. You really should have just gone with me instead. I'm sure it would have been fun."

Haley groaned. George Weasley – or was it Fred? – had appeared at her side. He was chewing an apple noisily.

"You," Haley hissed, glaring at him. From the corner of her eye she looked for the tiny mole on his left ear, that she had learned to use as a way to discern him from his twin brother. Ha. There it was. So she was dealing with George. There was also something indescribably George in his face and the overall feeling he gave off. She elbowed him.

"Hey!" George complained, rubbing his side, "It's not like that was a secret, right?"

Haley sighed. "I guess."

George grinned, biting off a huge piece from his apple.

"Can I have my note back now?" She asked trying to make her voice sound as innocent as possible.

Sirius watched her with squinted eyes.

"You're not going to secretly meet up with guys, right?"

Haley shook her head obediently.

"I don't want to hear about any-"

"I'll make sure she behaves, Sirius," George interrupted him good-naturedly, throwing an arm around Haley's shoulder, who eyed him, disgruntled. Sirius didn't seem to be all that convinced. Then he broke into a barking laugh.

"Fine! I'm counting on you. And you," he pointed at Haley, "keep out of trouble."

For a moment he looked at her sternly, then he ruffled her hair with one hand and smiled so wide that his eyes crinkled at the corners. It was good to see him smile again. Still, she swatted his hand away from her hair. It really didn't need to be messed up even further.

He placed the note in her hand and walked past her.

"Come along kid, you should have some lunch, as well," he called, turning his head back.

Haley was just about to follow him, when she was reminded of the boy that still had his arm around her shoulders.

"Hey, what's that note about?" George looked at her hand, where the note was hidden behind her fingers, curiously. Haley took a deep exasperated breath and closed her eyes tightly.

"Nothing," she offered nonchalantly.

"But-"

"Maybe I should take back those 1000 galleons after all..."

George blanched.

"Did I say something about a note? No. You must have imagined that. I didn't ask about anything I wasn't supposed to..." He replied innocently. Haley laughed.

"Come on, if I don't get any sandwiches because of you I think I'll have to kill someone."

As it turned out there was still a vast amount of sandwiches left so everyone got to keep their lifes.

…

"For you." Haley had lost count on how many butterbeers she'd had that night. Yet, someone was handing her another one. It was the night before they were due to return to Hogwarts. The whole population of Grimmauld Place was busy celebrating the fact that Hermione and Ron had been made prefects for Gryffindor. It really hadn't come as a surprise that Hermione had been chosen. Ron was a reasonable choice as well and really, Haley was happy for her two friends if it weren't for… the frustrating feeling of being left out. Again. But she'd get over that soon enough. She had to.

"Haley… are you okay?" That question again. Why couldn't everyone just stop asking her that already? Haley turned her head and found herself met with a set of worried brown eyes. Hermione.

"Why wouldn't I be?" She asked back, taking a gulp from her bottle.

"I – I just thought – maybe you – I mean-"

Haley almost choked on her butterbeer. Hermione Granger? Stumbling over words? This had to be a once in a life time occurrence! Her face that was filled with worry and guilt made Haley feel terrible for sulking a good part of the evening.

"I'm fine. Really," Haley reassured her friend, taking her hand gently, "I couldn't think of any person that deserves wearing this prefect's badge more than you do."

At her words, Hermione smiled so brilliantly that Haley felt even worse, for causing her to doubt herself in the first place. Hermione squeezed her hand excitedly.

"Thank you, Haley. This really means a lot to me. I've been thinking about this so much, you know? I mean, clearly I was expecting Dumbledore to make you a prefect. Everyone was! And you'd deserve it just as much. With everything you've done. I was honestly so shocked when I got the letter. But at the same time I felt so guilty. I'm really excited about this! I mean, prefect. That's actually something, right? Who do you think the others will be?"

Ah, that sounded more like her friend. Haley shrugged. Which was fine because Hermione had a habit of answering her own questions unless the other person beat her to it.

"Well, Hanna and Ernie probably for Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw… Padma maybe? And who else is there? Anthony Goldstein.. I doubt it'll be Michael Corner. Sorry, I forgot you were – well anyway Slytherin… you don't think it'll be Malfoy, do you? I'd really hate the thought of that git as a prefect. Think of all the possible ways in which he would abuse his power! There has to be a more sensible choice. What do you know about that Zabini guy? I imagine he'd be..."

Hermione went on about the possible new prefects, not noticing that Haley had stopped listening at the mention of Malfoy.

All summer she had avoided thinking about him and everything else that train of thought might involve. Everyday she had told herself, Tomorrow. I'll deal with that tomorrow. Until there was no tomorrow left. There really was no avoiding it anymore. Haley would have to see him tomorrow. And before that she had to make up her mind about some things. What did she know?

Number one: Malfoy was a git. Nothing new there. Number two: He was an arrogant, annoying, little ferret. Number three: He used every chance he got to humiliate her and – and… that wasn't right. Last year… at the Yule Ball… he had been acting surprisingly nice toward her. To be fair, Malfoy had also spent a big part of that night annoying the hell out of her… but… he'd also been… really sweet.

Haley couldn't believe she'd actually just thought that. Malfoy? Sweet? That was as contradictory as Ron without an appetite! This was exactly why she had been avoiding thinking about this in the first place! Because it inevitably lead her to the uncomfortable question of why. Why had he been so nice? Why had he made sure, she got away from Snape without getting scolded or worse? Why had he done that? Why had he – he… kissed her? Did he… was there a chance that he… liked… her?

But that wasn't possible, was it? Haley remembered the note then. The first one. Where he'd asked her to meet up in the kitchens. Haley had waited but Malfoy had never shown up!

That should be proof enough, right? He had been fooling her all along. And then the second note… Don't die. He couldn't have written something nice, like Good luck! Or You can do it! It had all been a ploy to unsettle her. Make her ponder over everything uselessly, so that she would fail. So that she would end up dying. Just like Cedric had. Haley suppressed a sob.

"Haley, what's wrong?" Hermione's question pulled her out of her worrying spiral, with brutal force.

"Sorry, what?"

"You've been… staring at the same spot for minutes. I'm not stupid, Haley, I do notice when people stop listening to me." She didn't sound like she was annoyed, more like genuinely worried.

"I just – I'm just… tired. It's all been a little much lately." It helped that she had to yawn for real in that second. She really was tired after all.

"Of course. I understand," Hermione said in an understanding tone, "but… you know… hypothetically speaking, if there was something else on your mind that you wanted to talk about, but you weren't sure who to turn to... you could always tell me. You know that, right?"

Hermione really was too observant for her own good. And in that moment there was nothing Haley wanted to do more than to just tell her. Everything. But where would she start? What was she supposed to leave out? Should she just blurt it all out like 'You know that guy from Slytherin, who always calls you a mudblood, and gets a kick out of being mean to people? Yeah, that one, well turns out, he can be quite nice if he wants to be. He even kind of kissed me at the Yule Ball. And now I don't know what to make of all of this and if it means something. Or if I even want it to mean something. Because it might as well all be one big prank but maybe it's not. And then there's also the whole thing where his father's a Death Eater, which I, like, saw with my own eyes. So we're technically enemies. But it could be worse, right?'

Yeah, that sounded like a good plan.

"Thanks, Hermione. I'll … keep that in mind." Haley whispered with a soft smile.

Hermione sighed, understanding that whatever it was that her friend had on her mind, she wasn't ready to talk about it yet.

"I'm gonna head up to bed," Haley said with a yawn, "See you tomorrow. And congrats on being a prefect again."

"Thank you. I won't be too long either. Good night, Haley."

"Good night," Haley waved, getting up and trying to escape without having anyone question her leaving. It wasn't too difficult. Everyone was busy celebrating.

Haley shook her head in annoyance as she climbed up the stairs tiredly. She didn't understand how they could be so relaxed with everything that was happening. She wanted to forget about her worries, too. She wanted to lie in her bed for once, without having to brace herself for another nightmare. As she was lying there, staring at the black ceiling above, she tried desperately not to think about a blond boy, who she'd see again tomorrow. A boy who might or might not like her. Who she might find a tiny bit likable herself.

"Stop it," Haley whispered to the darkness, "It doesn't matter. He's the son of a Death Eater. He's your enemy. It doesn't matter."

Have you forgotten what they've done to Cedric? A voice said in her head. Of course she hadn't forgotten about that. How could she? But he hasn't done it. He wasn't even there, said another voice, He's not a Death Eater.

"It doesn't matter," Haley whispered. There was no voice that answered this time. In her head or other.

…

[schreibfeather]

Songs Of Yesterday - Chapter 7

Characters: Haley Potter (femHarry), Draco Malfoy, Michael Corner, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Neville Longbottom, Cedric Diggory Rating: T Genre: Friendship/Romance Summary: When Haley Potter loses her godfather in the Department of Mysteries, the present and the future become dark and hopeless. She tries to find comfort in her memories of the past. But will that help her overcome her darkest moment? Basically a selection of events that happen in 4th year with Harry as a girl. Hogwarts-era. 4th Year. fem!harry. one-sidedHPxMC, HPxDM

Chapter 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

7 - When Reality Sets Back In

The next few days passed by in a flurry. Hermione and Ron seemed to have silently agreed not to mention the Yule Ball incident again. Well, Haley was okay with that, she definitely preferred this weird polite behaviour over the fighting. A part of her still thought the two of them should talk this out, but then again, it wasn't really her business and maybe the time simply wasn't right. She had enough problems as it was anyway.

Namely a dark-haired Ravenclaw, and… that other person, she actively avoided whenever she saw him from afar. She even forced herself to stop thinking about him whenever the tiniest thought of him – or that night… on the bench with him – crossed her mind. Avoidance seemed to be the best solution to all of her problems at the moment including the riddle of the golden egg.

If Haley was being honest with herself, Michael Corner was one of the things that she could cross off her ever growing list of problems.

On the day after the ball, she had met him on her way to class. (She had to hurry because she was late for Transfigurations.) With her thoughts elsewhere – She was not thinking about the Malfoy incident. Absolutely not! – she had run straight into Michael who had been running around a corner.

"Sorry," she murmured without looking up, at least her books hadn't fallen down or anything.

As she was just about to walk around the person, she noticed the shoulder-length dark hair. The blue and bronze striped tie. The tiny mole that was just below his mouth. The eyes…full of surprise and… something else.

Haley jumped back in surprise. Why was her heart pretending to be a drum again? She looked to her feet. He hadn't come back for her that night. He hadn't come back, although he had promised…

"Michael," Haley said with forced cheerfulness, her voice trembling just a bit.

"Haley! Hi!" Michael greeted, biting his lips nervously, or was he annoyed?

No one said anything for a moment.

"Um, so I'm late for Potions. I'll catch you later," Michael said finally, looking at something next to her face. He took a step, like he wanted to walk around her, but stopped when-

"You didn't come back." The words set over the empty hall like a heavy blanket.

"What?"

"Last night. You said you would come back, but… you never did." Haley's voice was more of a whisper toward the end of her sentence. Michael still didn't look at her.

"Why?" She finally asked.

"Why?" He echoed in a disbelieving tone. Haley balled her hands to fists, didn't she at least deserve an explanation?

"Well, you seemed a bit preoccupied. I didn't want to intrude."

What the hell was he talking about? He couldn't have seen…? No, Haley refused to even think it!

"What do you mean preoccupied?" She asked cautiously.

"I mean it looked like you had a moment with some other guy! There was a fairy involved, too. You could have told me that you only wanted me to serve as a distraction from your real date. I'm sure we could have found a convenient solution."

Haley was horrified. He'd seen her with Malfoy? No, no, no! This was bad.

"We weren't doing anything! What did you even see?" Haley asked frustratedly.

"It was dark! All I saw was that you were getting friendly with some… blond Beauxbatons douche!"

Merlin, was Haley relieved. He hadn't recognized Malfoy. It was a good thing most of the Beauxbatons boys were blonds. That and the fact that Michael probably hadn't even considered the possibility that the person could have been Malfoy because the idea alone was simply ridiculous.

"You should have stayed longer then, because then you would have seen that I shoved him away after that and went back to the castle." That wasn't quite true, but it was what Haley had done in her mind anyway, anything else was unimaginable!

"You know what I think?" She continued, "I think that what you think you saw was convenient for you. If you really cared you would have come back for me sooner! You wouldn't have left in the first place! Do you know how long I waited for you?"

On the last few words Haley couldn't stop her voice from breaking. The realisation that Michael had never been serious about her, not even when they had had this moment of understanding on the bench…was crushingly painful.

"I know that the thing with Cho was a fluke. Why didn't you come back as soon as you knew that?"

Michael watched her for a moment, speechless.

"I-" he stopped, carefully weighing his words.

"I do care about you, Haley. As a friend," He added emphatically.

Haley's eyes watered. Was this what a broken heart felt like?

"As a friend," she repeated blankly, "Nothing… more."

Michael nodded curtly.

"Too bad," she chuckled quietly, "I don't have the patience for another friend right now."

Without sparing him another glance, she went back the way she had come from. Who cared about Transfigurations anyway? Her heart felt like a tiny bud, that had been trampled by a herd of hippogriffs, then resurrected and after a while got trampled by the same herd of hippogriffs again. For now, her heart didn't have enough strength to resurrect again. And when Michael never caught up to her or walked past her, she didn't even wonder why.

The chapter of Michael Corner seemed to be over with that. What else was left? The golden egg and… the stupid Slytherin guy, that she carefully avoided, whenever their paths crossed. A part of Haley desperately wanted to share the memory of that night with someone. She had considered confiding in Hermione, after she had left the ball. But when Haley had entered their dorm, the lights had been turned off already and when she had called Hermione's name, there hadn't been an answer. Haley had been sure that her friend was still awake, but she had gotten the feeling that she wasn't in the mood to talk. After that night Haley never had measured up the courage to bring up the topic herself. And Hermione didn't say anything about her night, either. It's probably better this way, whispered the other part of her in her mind. The part that didn't want to talk about the incident. That thought, this was no one's business but hers. That wanted to take this secret to the grave.

What would you even say? The others wouldn't understand anyway. But she didn't even understand it herself! Which might be partly due to the fact, that she never let herself think about it too much. If she was lucky she would simply forget about the whole ordeal sooner rather than later.

"Haley! You're crushing your pufferfish eyes!" Haley looked up, confusedly. Why did her mind wander off all the time?

"Snap out of it!" Hermione was snapping her fingers in front of her face now. She shook her head slowly, lowering her gaze to see what her hands were doing. Hermione was right, she was crushing her pufferfish eyes.

"We're supposed to slice them, remember? Not crush them." She gently took the mortar from her hands and placed some fresh pufferfish eyes along with a knife in front of Haley.

"You're spacing out a lot lately. What's wrong? Is it because of the Tournament? You never did tell us what happened after you left from the Ball with Michael," Hermione added hesitantly.

Haley panicked, she really didn't want to talk about this. Especially not during Potions.

"Yeah, it's because of the tournament," she answered, not entirely lying, "I just can't figure out how I'm supposed to survive underwater for an hour." Hermione didn't look completely convinced.

"Are you sure that's all?"

Haley nodded, trying to look concerned and dejected. Hermione sighed.

"We'll find something. We just haven't looked thoroughly enough." She went back to her potion, clearly deep in thought.

Haley tried to focus on the potion, what was the next step? Right, the knotgrass was supposed to be added next. But first she had to slice her pufferfish eyes.

There was a pale hand in her line of sight, snagging two bundles of her knotgrass. Haley looked up indignantly.

"I need to borrow some of your knotgrass. Crabbe threw ours into the fire," Malfoy drawled in a bored way and took another bundle.

"Hey! Why don't you go to Snape! This is ours!" Ron exclaimed hotly.

"Oh, but this table is much closer," There was an amused grin on Malfoy's face, "And it looks like you have more than enough. Has no one ever taught you how to share, Weasley?"

Ron turned as red as his Gryffindor tie.

"You'll share with me, won't you Potter?" With a mocking grin he looked right into her eyes now. This was the first time they talked since the night two weeks ago,still there was nothing left of the boy she had encountered then. Except for the twinkle in his eyes that appeared for a second, when he winked at her in the next moment. She lowered her gaze, not saying a word. Don't blush, don't blush, don't blush!, she thought frantically.

"Thank you."

Ah, the sarcasm again. Malfoy turned to leave, knocking into Haley's side on his way.

"You should pay better attention, Potter," he sneered and made his way back to his own table.

"Slimy bastard," Ron murmured, "Thinks he's the bloody prince of the dungeons and all that. Somebody really should swipe that superior smirk off his face for good. Disgusting little ferret!"

"Come on, Ron. Let's get back to the potion. He's not worth it," Hermione said.

And she was right. As always. He wasn't worth it.

...

Me and the Merpeople. With a tired sigh, Haley closed another book that had turned out as unhelpful as the title had promised. She was slowly going crazy, seriously!

"Find something?" Hermione asked. She was sitting across from her on their table in the library, where they had spend another evening. Ron was also around, somewhere. He had gone off to look for more books. But that had been half an hour ago…Haley shook her head hopelessly.

"There's still another week, Haley. We'll find something." Hermione took her hand and squeezed lightly, sending her an encouraging smile.

"Looks like Corner has lost his feathers." Ron sat back down at their table, grinning at them.

"What?" Hermione asked, "And where are the books you wanted to fetch?"

"Oh. Must have forgotten them at Ginny's table. But I'm telling you, Corner was sitting at the table next to hers and there were no feather's at all! I wish I could have seen him with his wings," Ron snickered.

"Ron!" Hermione exclaimed, "Do you have to be so happy about this?"

"He deserved it," the redhead muttered, still grinning faintly. Haley wondered what had happened to Michael. After their last conversation in the hallway, she hadn't seen him again. He hadn't shown up to lessons or meals. But Hogwarts wouldn't be Hogwarts, if there hadn't been any rumours.

The rumour that was the most believable, was that he'd been hit by a spell that had turned his forearms into giant eagle wings.

If what Ron said was true it had taken two weeks for Madame Pomfrey to get rid of the last feathers. Some people from his house had even said, that instead of a mouth he'd gotten a beak.

"I'm glad, he's better," Haley whispered after a moment.

"But he's been such a jerk to you! He was totally leading you on!" Ron protested. Had he talked to Hermione about this? Or since when was he this perceptive?

"He never promised me anything. I practically threw myself at him," she admitted. She guessed this was Ron's "big-brother syndrome" talking. That's why he was being this protective.

"Did he say, who attacked him?" Haley wanted to know.

"No. It seems like he didn't see the person, but whoever it was I'm rooting for them."

Hermione clicked her tongue impatiently. Then she turned to Haley.

"Are you okay?" she asked concernedly.

"Yeah," Haley replied softly, realising that it was almost true, "I will be."

"Here, have a chocolate frog," Ron said suddenly, offering her a chocolate frog. When Haley just looked at him in confusion, he shrugged, "Mum always says chocolate helps with broken hearts. I've seen her do that with Bill and Charlie once or twice."

"Thanks," Haley mumbled, awkwardly touched, "I'm not heartbroken, though."

At least she didn't think she was. Just a little sad that her dream had been just that.

She took the frog, but it fell midway and landed right inside the pocket of her robes.

Blindly, she reached inside her pocket to get the frog, when she felt something else in there:

A folded piece of paper, that hadn't been there before.

To H. P., it said on the paper. Haley frowned. How had this gotten into her pocket? And who was the sender? Perhaps… Michael? Whoever it was from, for some reason Haley didn't want to open it in front of her two friends. They were watching her curiously. Quickly she slipped the little paper back inside her pocket.

"I'm gonna take these back," Haley jumped to her feet and grabbed a bunch of books, that were strewn across the table.

"Wait, I haven't gone through this one yet!" Hermione pointed at the book that Haley was just about to add to her book tower.

"Oh. Right." With twitchy fingers she set Help! My brother is a Grindylow back down in front of Hermione. Then she almost ran around the nearest bookshelf, not wanting to feel her friends' suspicious gazes on her back anymore.

As soon as Haley was far enough away from her friends, she set the books down on a nearby table and made sure no one else was around. Without wasting another second, she fetched the paper from her pocket, unfolded it and began to read:

H.P.,

We should talk about some things. Meet me tonight after curfew in front of the kitchens. I'm assuming, you know where they are. I don't think I have to tell you to come alone.

D.M.

D. M.? Haley had a feeling, that she knew exactly who the note was from. Draco sodding Malfoy.

If it wasn't for the initials, the demanding tone of the note would have been evidence enough. Her first urge was to crumple up the note and throw it away. But she wouldn't be Haley Potter, if she wasn't at least a tiny bit curious. He'd probably smuggled this into her pocket when he had bumped into her during potions. What did Malfoy want to talk about though? And was that really why he wanted to meet her? It was also highly possible that this was simply another prank. Well, there was only one way to find out.

When Haley sat back down at her table, Hermione looked up from her book and raised an eyebrow at the book tower that was back on top of the table.

"Didn't you want to put these back?" she asked dryly.

With a shrug, Haley unwrapped her chocolate frog and bit off the head.

...

[schreibfeather]

Songs Of Yesterday - Chapter 8

Characters: Haley Potter (femHarry), Draco Malfoy, Michael Corner, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Neville Longbottom, Cedric Diggory Rating: T Genre: Friendship/Romance Chapters: 9 Summary: When Haley Potter loses her godfather in the Department of Mysteries, the present and the future become dark and hopeless. She tries to find comfort in her memories of the past. But will that help her overcome her darkest moment? Basically a selection of events that happen in 4th year with Harry as a girl. Hogwarts-era. 4th Year. fem!harry. one-sidedHPxMC, HPxDM

Chapter 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

 8 - Unexpected Help

It was too late to worry about whether she should go or not. As quietly as she could, Haley tip-toed down the stairs that led to the corridor below the Great Hall where the kitchens were located. Although she was wearing her Invisibility Cloak, she had to be careful, because people could still hear her. On her way down from Gryffindor Tower Haley had almost run into Filch, who had been on the hunt for Peeves that was throwing around chairs in a nearby class room!

It had taken her some time to find a way around the spectacle. She hoped, she wasn't too late and at the same time she wished that she was. One glance at the Marauder's Map told her, that there was no one in the corridor. Great! But didn't that mean...? She looked at the map again and there really wasn't anyone to be seen. She was standing in front of the picture with the pear now.

What had she expected really? Why would the git meet up with her if not to play a trick on her?

"I am such a fool," she muttered, sinking down against the wall.

"Miss Haley Potter is not being a fool."

Haley flinched. She looked up into two eyes as big as tennis balls.

"Dobby?" But why was he able to see her? Wasn't she wearing her Invisibility Cloak? She looked down, where her cloak was pooling in her lap. She was invisible from her stomach downwards. The cloak must have fallen down, when she'd sunk to the ground.

"What are you doing here?" She whispered, her voice full of surprise.

"Dobby heard a noise in the corridor so he went out to see what the noise is."

Before Haley could stop herself she asked, "Was there someone else? I mean, before me, was there someone else in the corridor? Waiting?"

Dobby's cartoonish eyes blinked at her in confusion, "Someone else? Before Miss Haley Potter?"

"Yes!" Haley nodded frantically.

"Dobby was in the kitchens the whole time. But… before Miss Haley Potter has arrived Dobby heard someone laughing."

"Who?"

"Dobby is not sure. He has only seen the person from behind, leaving the corridor."

"He was leaving?"

"Yes." Now it was Dobby's turn to nod enthusiastically.

"Did you see the hair colour or… something else? It was a boy, right?"

"Dobby saw short, blond hair and Dobby thinks he might recognize the boy if he turned around."

"Could it have been Malfoy?" Suddenly Haley was excited.

"Yes! Dobby thinks, maybe," the elf was nodding again, "But why is Miss Haley Potter waiting for the young Mr Malfoy?"

Haley was afraid Dobby's eyes might fall out of their sockets, if he opened them any wider. Quickly, she shook her head.

"No. I wasn't waiting for Malfoy," she laughed like this was the funniest thing she'd ever heard.

"Is Miss Haley Potter here to drink hot chocolate? Or is Miss Haley Potter hungry?"

"No, I'm just-" She began, but changed her mind mid-sentence, "Actually, I'd love to have some hot chocolate." It wouldn't hurt to stay for a bit longer. She'd probably hear if Malfoy came back again and even if he didn't, who would say no to hot chocolate?

After they'd entered through the painting, Haley sat down at a bench near the wall. Before too long there was a cup of steaming hot chocolate in front of her. Carefully, as not to get burned, she took a sip and sighed contentedly. Dobby, who sat across from her, was watching her expectantly.

"Is Haley Potter liking it?" He asked as though there was nothing more important.

Haley nodded, "Yes. It tastes really good. Thank you." She sipped again and listened for noises outside the kitchens. There was nothing.

"Dobby has something for Haley Potter," Dobby said a little nervously and fetched something from the front pocket of his shorts. Unceremoniously, he put it on top of the table.

It was a jar. There was something green and wet inside of it but she had no idea, what it could be. "Is Haley Potter being happy now?"

She looked at him, confusion written all over her face.

"Thanks, Dobby," she offered, "Um… what do I need this for?"

"It is Gillyweed," Dobby stated simply, like that explained everything.

"Okay…"

"Miss Haley Potter can use it for the Second Task," Dobby was beaming at her now.

Haley needed a moment. "Do you mean…" She blinked slowly. It was kind of late after all.

"Do you mean, this Jillywilly-thing… keeps me from drowning?"

"Gillyweed, Miss," the elf corrected patiently, "Haley Potter has to eat it and then she can breathe underwater."

"What?" This couldn't be true! This seemed way too easy! "You mean, with this weed or whatever I'll be able to breathe underwater? For an hour?" "Yes, Miss! That is what Dobby is saying!"

A thought crossed her mind. There had to be a catch.

"How… did you get this, Dobby?"

Dobby's eyes widened and he looked down at his lap, when he started talking again.

"Dobby… heard the teachers talk about it when he cleaned the teachers room… They says it can help with the Second Task and so Dobby got it from Professor Snape's office and gave it to Miss Haley Potter."

"Oh."

Dobby was nodding again, but he still didn't meet her eyes. Was there more to it that he was hiding?

Haley shook off the thought. This was Dobby! He wouldn't harm her! As long as it could be helped, that is. She yawned tiredly. It was time to go back to the dormitory.

"Thank you, Dobby," she smiled, "For the chocolate and… this." She grabbed the jar from the table and tucked it into the pocket of her pyjama pants.

"It is being a pleasure for Dobby." He jumped up with a giant grin and walked her to the door.

"Night, Dobby, I'll see you soon and thanks again."

Instead of an answer the elf bowed until his long nose almost touched the ground.

With a wave, Haley stepped through the painting and closed it behind her. She was so tired, that she didn't even remember why she had come down to the kitchens in the first place.

…

Breakfast the following day was a fun affair. Haley hadn't really slept well, after she'd finally fallen into bed. Lifelessly, she was chewing on a slice of toast. She was so tired!

"Haley, are you listening?"

"Yes, Hermione," Haley's eyes were drooping again. At least, she could go back to sleep after breakfast. It was Saturday, after all.

Hermione snorted, "As I was saying, it's Saturday and we have the whole day to look for more clues in the library."

"No. Don't want to."

"Haley Petunia Potter! I don't care if you don't want to. People have-"

"–died in this tournament, I know," Haley completed her friend's favourite sentence.

"If you know," Hermione argued, her voice dangerously calm, "Then you should-"

"I already found something," the raven-haired girl mumbled, interrupting Hermione again.

"I don't care if you – What? Did you say, you found something?"

Haley nodded sleepily. Why was she so tired?

"Yeah. Gillyweed. Got it from Dobby. Last night," she couldn't be bothered to talk like an actual human being.

"Gillyweed? Never heard of that. What do you mean last night? Did you sneak out?"

Haley nodded again.

"Why? And don't try to tell me, you were hungry."

"Got a note from Malfoy… Said he wanted to talk about something… I don't know. He didn't show, so I met up with Dobby instead. And he got me the Gillyweed," Haley concluded. She was way too tired to make something up about Malfoy's note. So she didn't. At this point, she herself didn't even wonder about the note or the boy anymore. Hopefully Hermione wouldn't ask.

"How did Dobby even find this? Are you sure that it's not dangerous? How do we know that it works?" Hermione was spewing questions like mad. Haley felt a headache coming.

"Neville?" She called, hoping he was sitting near them.

"Y-yes?" Came the startled answer from somewhere to her left. Good. He had heard her.

"What do you know about the Gillyweed?" It was really hard for her to actually articulate each word.

"It's funny that you ask about that. I just read an article about Gillyweed a few days ago. It was in the book, that I showed you. The one I got from Moody." The way he talked about this, you'd think he was talking about the new Firebolt 2 or something equally thrilling.

"Is that the one you were so worked up about because you thought you had lost it?" Ron piped up.

"Yes! That. I... found it again last week and the page about Gillyweed was dog-eared. That's why I know a lot about it." The way he'd said found had sounded weird in Haley's ears. Kind of like he'd wanted to say something else at first. Hermione was curious about something else, though, which left Haley no time to ponder over Neville's choice of words. She was too tired for that anyway.

"So, what does it do now? The Gillyweed?" Hermione was clicking her tongue again. She wasn't the most patient person at Hogwarts…

"O-oh," Neville continued, woken up from his thoughts, "Y-You have to eat it and the-then there'll appear gills on the sides of your throat. So b-basically you can breathe u-underwater."

The amount of attention Neville was getting, seemed to make him nervous. He probably wasn't used to it. For a long moment Hermione regarded Neville searchingly. He gulped, intently studying the jug of pumpkin juice in front of him.

Finally, Hermione nodded and averted her eyes.

"Fine," she said, "I'll take a look at this book later and Haley, you should also show me this Gillyweed."

Nodding to herself again, Hermione went back to her breakfast, as if nothing world-changing had happened. And that was that.

...

The night before the Second Task was bad. The actual morning was even worse. Since McGonnagall had stolen her two best friends last night, Haley hadn't seen them again. The three of them had been reviewing useful spells and anything related to merpeople or water creatures in general, when McGonnagall had approached them at their table in the library and demanded to talk to Ron and Hermione in private. It was morning now – 20 minutes until the task was supposed to begin! – and there was still no sign of her friends!

It was no use, she would have to leave without them. The toast in front of her was untouched. The simple thought of eating made her feel queasy.

With a last glance around the Great Hall, Haley stood from her seat and made her way out of the castle. Wand? Check. Gillyweed? Check. Swimsuit? Check. If there only was a way to calm her nerves! Somebody fell into step beside her.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't our favourite Hogwarts champion."

Haley grimaced. A bit of peace. Was that really too much to ask? At least the lake wasn't too far away. Ten minutes tops and she'd be there. She would simply pretend that she was alone.

"Oh, I see. Now that you're a Hogwarts champion and everything, you don't bother talking to us ordinary people anymore."

Haley stayed silent. Just ignore him, she thought vehemently.

"Of course, you've always been a bit of a snob, but this?" In Haley's imagination Malfoy was raising an eyebrow. She didn't bother checking.

"Ever heard of the pot calling the kettle black?" She gritted out, although, she hadn't wanted to say anything. But him calling her a snob? That was just ridiculous.

Malfoy ignored her comment.

"You know, it is kind of rude not to look at the person you're talking to," he drawled, "But maybe… you don't want to look at me, because you're afraid…"

Haley scoffed. What would she be afraid of?

"You're afraid, that your face will turn as red as Weasley's obnoxious hair, when you look at my… handsome face."

Haley snorted. Was he delusional or something? She turned to look at him out of annoyance.

But she didn't expect his face to be this close. With a start, she stopped walking. Malfoy halted in his steps, too, his expression almost as surprised as she felt. There was the spark in his eyes again.

Just like she had seen the night of the Yule Ball… Inviting her to come even closer and discover every shade of his silvery eyes...

Quickly she shook her head to get rid of these foolish thoughts and started walking again.

"In your dreams," Haley spat, frowning irritatedly.

"I do admit that I've seen you in my dreams quite frequently, lately," Malfoy mused, "You've never turned red, though. And… we've certainly done more fun things than talking, if you get my drift."

Haley stared at his raised eyebrows, speechlessly. Was he referring to-? Did he mean-? The ki-

No, no, no. She didn't allow herself to even think about it. It hadn't even been a real kiss, for Merlin's sake! And why was he mentioning this now of all times? Haley had thought they had a mutual agreement, not to talk about this! Ever!

Malfoy was turning around, walking back to her, because she had stopped walking again. Behind him, she could see the lake already. There were so many people! Ron and Hermione had to be there, too. They simply had to.

For a second, Malfoy looked like he was worried about something, then his superior grin was back.

"It's fine, really, if you're dreaming of me, too. I'm kind of irresistible." He winked at her, before walking up to her side and giving her a little push on her back.

"I won't dream of you. Ever," Haley muttered defensively, continuing to walk toward the lake.

"I told you. It's fine. You might as well admit it."

"I don't have to admit anything!"

"Fine, don't admit it. That doesn't mean it isn't true, though."

"It's not true! I don't even like you!"

"I won't tell anyone. I promise."

"I hate you! And stop sending me stupid, useless notes, for Merlin's sake!" She added as an afterthought.

They were only a few metres away from the lake now and Malfoy looked way too amused for Haley's liking. With a last annoyed glance, she ran ahead, leaving him behind. Him and his mirth-filled laughter. As irritating as talking to Malfoy had been, it'd had one positive effect: Haley had been so distracted, that she stopped worrying about the task or the whereabouts of her friends for a little moment.

…

When she resurfaced with Ron and Fleur's sister in tow, her vision was blurred and she felt desperately out of breath. There, somewhere in front of her on the shore was Hermione, who smiled, after she'd spotted her. Haley smiled back. She didn't remember ever having been this relieved in her life! Her two best friends in the whole world were safe and for the moment, she didn't have to worry about anything.

A little ways further back, Haley spotted a mane of blond hair and the pale, pointy face that belonged to it showed an expression of worry, that Haley was sure had never been there before. She frowned, watching him, while she kept swimming toward the shore. Then he, too smiled at her, relief evident on his face as well. Huh? Malfoy couldn't be relieved that she was fine, could he? That was simply ludicrous! He wouldn't be happy to see Ron, either. That was even more insane. She turned her head around. There was no one behind her. When she turned back again, Malfoy had vanished into the crowd. Or… had he even been there in the first place? Was she imagining things now?

It must be the lack of oxygen, Haley thought irritatedly. The ground was back under her feet now and when Hermione pulled her into a bone-crushing embrace and covered her in a warm, fluffy towel, she felt a surge of warmth and happiness welling up inside her, that made her feel loved and content. Ron was right behind her, helping the blonde, little girl to the shore and her little family was almost complete. There was only one task left, but for today, she was done worrying.

...

A/N: Likes make me happy :) Next chapter will be last. But stay tuned for sequels and sidefics!

[schreibfeather]

Songs Of Yesterday - Chapter 4

Characters: Haley Potter (femHarry), Draco Malfoy, Michael Corner, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Neville Longbottom, Cedric Diggory Rating: T Genre: Friendship/Romance

Summary: When Haley Potter loses her godfather in the Department of Mysteries, the present and the future become dark and hopeless. She tries to find comfort in her memories of the past. But will that help her overcome her darkest moment? Basically a selection of events that happen in 4th year with Harry as a girl. Hogwarts-era. 4th Year. fem!harry. one-sidedHPxMC, HPxDM

Chapter 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6

4 - Maybe This Time

As it turned out at breakfast, yesterday had been a day of rejections. Haley was pouring herself some pumpkin juice, when she heard someone clearing their throat behind her importantly. She didn't turn around right away, because she was busy keeping her two best friends from arguing some more. The person cleared their throat again, louder this time. Annoyed, she turned around and while doing that, she spotted Ginny glancing in her direction from the corners of her eye.

Oh crap. What was Michael Corner doing at the Gryffindor table? And even worse, right in front of Haley? She swallowed nervously, her heart beating wildly.

"Hey," Michael said, sounding not half as nervous as she felt, "So… did you sleep well?"

What? Was he seriously asking her that? Well I definitely didn't cry over you, in case you were wondering, she thought irritatedly.

"Oh… thank you. I slept fine… And you?" she added stupidly. She could hear Ron snorting from her right side.

"Oh… that's… great! Me…too. I…" With his left arm he scratched his neck bashfully, "Um… I…"

Haley stared at him, astounded that he could be uncomfortable as well. It didn't last for long; in the next moment he seemingly remembered who he was and what he was here for.

"I-Look, I'm sorry about rejecting you, yesterday. I know how that feels now. It really sucks."

Did that mean what Haley thought it meant? He looked kind of sad and Haley wondered if she should say something comforting but all she could do was stare at him. After what felt like an eternity Michael continued talking, "Yeah, so, apparently she already has a date and I know it must seem kind of inconsiderate… and I understand if you don't want to any more, but…"

Haley's heart thumped furiously in her chest. He raised his eyebrows meaningfully, but didn't say another word. Wasn't he actually going to ask her?

"But…what?" If he hadn't hurt her by turning her down, she might have put him out of his misery by now.

"But…"

It wasn't only nervousness that he gave off, also… could it be boredom? Annoyance?

"Come on man, aren't you at least gonna ask properly?"

Haley turned right. What was Ron thinking? She didn't need someone defending her. But then again, it was kind of sweet. She turned to Michael again. He seemed to be pondering whether he should start arguing with Ron or simply ignore him. More and more people looked in their direction now, so he decided to do the latter and finish his mission.

"Haley?" He smiled at her softly.

"Yes?" Haley was mesmerized by the smile. She knew it was pathetic but she didn't care as long as he kept smiling at her like that.

"I'm sorry again for rejecting you but regardless of that… will you do me the honour of going to the Yule Ball with me?"

The more prideful part of her wanted to say no but the treacherous, infatuated other part said, screw pride, so there was really nothing else to do but say yes.

"Okay," she breathed, a shy smile lighting up her face.

Michael smiled back contentedly, before raising his right hand in a salute and walking back to the Ravenclaw table. Haley turned back around on the bench and noticed several pairs of eyes quickly looking away from her. Then there was a noise. It sounded as if glass had been shattered, but she didn't see what had caused it. It was like a bubble surrounded her, shielding her from anything potentially negative. She didn't think anything could ruin her day now. Not even the potions essay that was due tomorrow. She giggled. And for some reason Ron laughed with her.

"Look at Malfoy! Seems like he can't hold a drink without help. And he doesn't even have paws as an excuse anymore!"

Oh, so he was laughing because of Malfoy. Haley glanced over toward the Slytherin table. The blond boy was covered in a deep red liquid. It almost looked as if he had been sliced up by a nasty curse that someone had misfired. She guessed it was only grape juice. The pretentious git probably drank it from a wine glass and pretended it was wine. What an idiot.

"He looks ready to kill someone! Haley, did you do something to upset him recently? Because he's star-"

"Malfoy is always staring," Haley interrupted, already guessing what Hermione was going to say, "So what? He doesn't need a reason for that and if you ask me, it's a tactic to sabotage me. He's trying to unsettle me and divert my attention from the tournament. Remember those 'Potter Stinks' badges? It couldn't be more obvious. Seriously, just ignore him." Haley didn't want this to put a damper on her blissful mood.

"I don't think that this is all there is to it, though," Hermione argued.

"What else should there be? It's exactly like that night when I went to the Prefects' bathroom and he was outside spying on me."

"He was there?"

"Spying on you?"

"In the bathroom?"

It was hard to tell who of his best friends was more scandalized. They were both watching her with huge eyes.

"No, I didn't mean it like that. He didn't – I – he didn't see anything. He wasn't even in the bath room." Haley turned as red as Ron's ears.

"So? Where was he then?"

"Well, outside! And this is exactly why I didn't tell you about it. It's not a big deal! He was simply trying to startle me just like he is now!"

Hermione looked like she wanted to keep arguing but then she seemed to change her mind.

In a calm voice she concluded, "I do appreciate that you're not letting Malfoy disrupt your focus. But if you're this determined to find a way to actually survive the Second Task, shouldn't you be in the library then, doing research instead of day-dreaming about Michael Corner?"

Haley really hated when Hermione used her own arguments against her. Why couldn't she just be happy for her? Looking for help, she turned to Ron and raised her eyebrows expectantly.

To her disappointment, he only shrugged, as if to say, there is no use arguing with Hermione.

Hypocrite, she mouthed to him. Although she knew that Hermione had a point, she briefly glanced over to the Ravenclaw table toward Michael who sadly wasn't looking at her. But then the boy next to him gave him a nudge and he noticed her gaze. Shyly she averted her eyes but she couldn't keep the smile from blossoming on her face. For a brief moment she had seen him smile at her. And that was enough to stop her worries for the rest of the day.

...