After the almost-kiss, Draco and I made an unspoken agreement to not bring it up. At all. I don't think either of us really wanted to talk about it, so we avoided the topic. Unfortunately, he also started being a lot more awkward around me. It was like we couldn't hold a conversation without him making some lame excuse to leave.

Rather than run to tell Hermione or Harry, I thought it best to keep the exchange between Draco and I. What if Scarlet found out? Or one of her sisters? It would ruin the new friendships that I have built.

I have also been spending a lot more time with Scarlet. The two of us have grown very close and getting to know her has been a wonderful experience. The more her true self shows, the more she reminds me of Blaise. Like him in the way that he was compassionate, easy-going, and innocently spoke his mind. Blaise always had such a youthful presence, something that is definitely present in Scarlet.

Currently, Scarlet and I are at a café talking about wedding details.

"Hey, Al," she pauses. "I wanted to ask you a question."

"Ask away," I say, taking a sip of my coffee.

"Well…" she trails off, looking down at her hands. "I wanted to know if you would be my Maid of Honor."

"Really? Me?" I question, sitting back in awe. "I figured Sarah had already filled that role."

"I actually didn't have one," she admits. "I didn't want to have to choose between my sisters. But now that I've gotten to know you, I would love it if you would be my Maid of Honor!"

"Are you sure?" I ask. She nods vigorously, causing me to crack a grin. "Alright. I will do it."

"Yay!" she squeals, standing up and hugging me. "Now, we've got to meet Draco at the bakery to try cakes!"

"Both of us?" I ask.

"Yeah! You are the Maid of Honor, after all!"

"HEY," DRACO greets as we enter the little bakery. He glances at me and furrows his eyebrows. Scarlet explains that I am her Maid of Honor, and he nods, but tenses up a bit.

"Where is the Best Man?" Scarlet asks. Draco's eyes widen.

"Shit! I forgot I had to get one of those," he admits, rubbing the back of his neck. "I only hang out with two guys. Theodore and Dean."

Draco and Dean both worked in the same department at the Ministry—Department of Magical Games and Sports—and became good friends after Blaise died (Dean was also a good friend of Blaise's). They both were surprised, but were nevertheless glad to have another friend. Especially since Blaise was gone.

"But you have to have four groomsmen! You know, to match my number of Bridesmaids?" Scarlet points out.

Draco is at a loss for words when I mention, "You like Harry and Ron, right? I'm sure they'd be more than happy to be your groomsmen!"

"Right," he agrees, color coming back to his previously nervously color-drained skin. "Yeah. Can you ask them?"

"I'm sure it would mean more coming from you," I say. He silently begs me so I roll my eyes. "Alright. I will ask them."

AFTER TRYING about forty different variations of the same angel food cake, a decision was made and I was off to meet Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny for dinner.

"So, Draco wanted me to ask," I say to them once we have picked a table at the restaurant. "Will you two be groomsmen for the wedding?"

"I don't know if I can do that, Al," Harry says. "On principle. It's the wedding of the man you're in love with and some other woman. I would feel so guilty."

"Yeah, I like Draco and all," Ron agrees. "But this wedding makes you upset enough."

"Please!" I plead. "I am the one who suggested it because Scarlet is a close friend now and I am trying to get over my feelings for Draco. How can I get over him if I—along with all my friends—am still walking on eggshells around this wedding?"

"She does have a point," says Hermione. The guys look at her with their eyebrows raised as she continues. "The best way to move forward is to invite Scarlet warmly into the family like we have Draco. And by you two agreeing to be groomsmen you will be proving to her that you are on board."

"I guess you're right. I'll be a groomsman," Harry agrees. Ron nods as well.

"Yeah, I'll do it," he says. "But I'll do it while silently willing him to call it off and be with you."

"Ron!" I exclaim, but I can't help but chuckle a little bit at my cousin's antics.

Forget the past and all the heartache,

The growing pains that keep you awake,

I'll sing you to sleep

With songs that let you know that we'll be ok

Round and round and round this goes,

Playing on your stereos,

When I'm away and you can't sleep,

Just know that it's the same for me