Arriving back at Hogwarts felt bittersweet. The coherence between traveling here for the very last time and the changes happening in the near future made it the perfect arrival. For a moment I glanced at the architecture of the castle while I strolled into the hallways. I gave myself the freedom to feel like a girl again, that came here at the age of 11 with eyes of enthusiasm one last time, but I put her away back into the darkness when I decided it was enough. Her young eyes didn't have to witness the terror that I was going to accept into this world. When I came into the Great Hall I immediately went to the long table decorated with green banners showcasing a serpent. Silently I placed myself at the exact spot I have been sitting for the last 6 years. Next to me was Beatrice Vanity playing, as usual, with a golden snitch toy. Which was part of her obsessive Quidditch training. She would never leave the Common Room without it. Her dark brown fell over her shoulder and almost hit me in the face when she turned to me. A big smile welcomed me into an embrace.

'There you finally are, Luce!' I smiled softly at the warmth radiating of her body while she hugged me.

'Good to see the holidays left you in a good spirit,' I noted, in response she shrugged.

'It's the last season of quidditch before graduation, I really have to give it everything I got and it just pumps me with energy, I want to leave Slytherin proud with that trophy,'

'Slytherin is already proud of you,' Before she could respond to my attempt at cheering her on, she noticed the shining diamond attached to my finger. Immediately she grabbed my hand and brought it closer to her face.

'Are you serious?' she asked in disbelief. None of my friends were told about me getting engaged prior. They all knew of the lack of romance in my life and I never had a boyfriend here either. I smiled big enough to look happy and took my hand back.

'Heritage of my family,' was the only response I gave. By the puzzled look on her face she tried to figure out the mystery.

'Who is it?' she asked, glancing over the table to catch a glimpse of someone suspicious, there was no one to detect.

'Honestly Beatrice, isn't the numbers of you father's company just as interesting as this?' I attempted to change her mind, but she wouldn't bite the bait.

'Come on Luce, even if you don't care about your marriage, somebody has to,' Beatrice had a point, perhaps I should them just cheer on it until it has been announced.

'Look, just like most of my family it is just an arranged marriage, no fairy tale, but if you want to make it prettier than it actually is, have it your way,' I accepted. Beatrice rubbed her hands excited for what was to come. That moment we got joined by a girl with sleek, ash blonde hair and hazel eyes and her always loving boyfriend, Andrew, whom we have accepted into our midst since the third year.

'Lucrezia is engaged!' Beatrice spilled the tea before she was even able to greet any of us. Mary-Louise her mouth dropped almost on the floor as she looked at me. I saw a slight flicker of jealousy in her eyes, not liking the fact I was about to marry and she still hasn't been proposed to after all these years.

'Congratulations!' she yelped as she gave me a tight hug. I thanked her and then went to hug Andrew for both arriving and thanking.

'Now, who's the lucky guy?' Mary-Louise asked, I figured I was going to get this question a lot. I just shrugged, unable to answer her.

'Just a random,'

'Nonsense, you may not ever talk to us about it, but I'm sure your parents wouldn't just settle for anyone,' She didn't buy it for one bit.

'We'll have to find out on our own then,' Beatrice grunted in annoyance at me.

'Well, have fun with that, now let's eat, I'm starving,' I changed the topic and digged in the food laid out in front of us. I didn't lie, I was hungry after all. They decided to follow my lead and lay it to rest for now. Each of them reaching out to their favorite dish at Hogwarts. I smiled as conversation turned into regular small talk, the same as each year. My friendships weren't perfect, but right now I needed them as they are.