I had dodged Nott until the end of school. Now I had to be around him. After all, he was invited to the wedding. It was summer now. Owen and I had turned 14 the week before the wedding. Nott had sent me a present, which I promptly sent back. He tried to talk to me and my housemates schemed with him. My pride swelled every time I evaded them. Blaise stopped trying to convince me when I turned his pencils into mice, which he seems to have an odd fear of.

But here we are. The wedding that everyone was talking about. The Zabini-Wood wedding. Ugh. The ceremony was over and I was hiding in the shadows when I felt someone behind me. Assuming it was Nott, I turned to yell at him. I was wrong. Well, sort of.

Nott senior beamed at me. "Hello, Emmeline," he said pleasantly. "I've been looking for you."

"Y-You have?" I stuttered.

"Yes, will you dance with me?" He asked, extending his hand.

Gulping, I accepted his hand and allowing him to lead me to the dance floor.

"I understand your birthday was last week?" I nodded. "Well, happy belated birthday. Perhaps we should get together to celebrate. You did agree to have dinner with Theodore and me."

It wasn't a question. It was hardly even an invitation. It was a demand. I swallowed hard. "I'm not sure when I'm free-" I started, but he cut me off.

"I've already cleared it with your father." He smirked.

I barely stopped myself from cursing. My father knew I had ended things with Nott.

"Tomorrow night," he informed me. "Formal dress. Dinner is at seven, but we will expect you at 5." He said just as the song ended. He bowed his head to me, after leading me back to my seat, and turned to walk away.

I slumped in my chair, groaning.

"What's wrong?" Owen asked, startling me.

"I thought you were with Greengrass," I accused.

"I was," he shrugged. "But now you look upset."

"Nott's father cornered me into dinner tomorrow night."

"That's a bad thing?"

I looked at him incredulously. "Nott and I aren't together anymore."

Owen nodded once. "Yes, but that doesn't mean you can't get along for a few hours."

I groaned again. "This is not what I wanted to do tomorrow."

Instead of being helpful, Owen change that subject. "Has Daphne said anything about me?"

"I avoid the whole group," I confessed.

He looked at me, startled. "Why?"

"They all try and talk up Nott. Not something I'm interested in hearing right now."

"Hey guys," Oliver greeted, sitting between us. "What's going on?"

"Nott senior roped Emmy into dinner tomorrow night and she's not happy about it," Owen informed him.

"Owen is interested in Daphne Greengrass," I added, glaring at Owen when he shot me a dirty look.

"You two are full of fun tonight, huh?" Oliver snorted.

"Shut it," Owen grumbled.

"Very articulate," I teased.

Oliver snorted again. "Well, good news. I was approached by a recruiter today."

"That's great!" Owen cheered, slapping Oliver on the back.

"What team?" I pried excitedly.

He dramatically cleared his throat. "Puddlemere United."

Oh.

"That's great, Ol," I smiled tightly.

He didn't notice. "Yeah, I'm going to tell Dad," he said, scurrying off.

I looked at Owen who was trying not to laugh.

"Isn't Puddlemere the second worst team in the league?" He asked.

"Yeah," I sighed. "But he might get signed right out of school. He could trade later."

Nodding, Owen rose to his feet. "Well, it will be interesting." With that, he walked away.

I danced with various people during the wedding. Finally, I was thankful for the last dance.

"May I have this dance?" A familiar tenor voice asked.

I turned to face Nott. It would be rude to refuse, so I nodded.

He held me a little too close for my comfort, but saying something would only antagonize him, so I smiled blandly.

"How have you been?" He asked quietly.

"Fine," I said shortly.

"You returned my gift."

"I did."

"Why?"

"Because we aren't in a situation for you to give me gifts," I answered simply.

His eyes narrowed. "What does that mean?"

"It means that we broke up. We aren't friends. There isn't a reason for you to send me a gift."

I felt him shake slightly as his hands tightened around me. "That isn't my fault. You were the one acting ridiculous at New Years."

I rolled my eyes to the ceiling but kept my mouth shut.

"Are you coming for dinner tomorrow or will you find some excuse to bail?" He asked bitterly.

I snorted. "I doubt I'd be able to bail. I already tried diverting, but your father isn't the type to get distracted."

Nott smirked, smug. "Yeah, that's true. So you'll be there?"

His voice had changed completely from hard and cold to almost hopeful. I looked up to see his eyes shining.

"Yeah," I said neutrally. "I will be there."

He pulled me even closer. "Thank you."

I grimaced as he hugged me. A relieved sigh left me once the song ended.

"You must be exhausted," Nott said, brushing his hand against my cheek.

"Wh-what are you doing?" I asked shakily.

"Just checking," he grinned at me. "I wanted to make sure that, in the time you've been avoiding me, your feelings haven't changed."

"How do you know they haven't?"

He smiled fondly at me. "You might be a snake, but you're not as slippery as you think." He winked at me as Blaise joined us.

"Hey you two," he beamed. "What's going on?"

"Nothing," I snapped. "I was just going to find Owen." But before I could leave Nott latched onto my arm.

"He's talking with Daphne. You should stay here."

"Yeah Em," Blaise grinned at me.

I glared at them. "Just because your father got me to agree to dinner doesn't mean we are okay."

Nott tried to look contrite, but I saw the smugness in his eyes. "Of course."

"Emmeline," I heard my father call. "Blaise, let's go home."

I found Nott's arms wrapped around me again. "I'll see you tomorrow," he whispered before releasing me.

I walked over to dad and Amelia.

"I thought you called it quits," dad said, half asking, half accusing.

"We did," I confirmed. "His father roped me into dinner tomorrow."

Dad nodded. "Yeah, Amelia thought it was a good idea."

I glared at my new step mother, who just smiled back.

"We will be travelling for a month. You kids will be alright on your own, right?"

I rolled my eyes at him. "Yes, dad. We will be fine."

"Good." He kissed my head.

"Congratulations," I yawned at Blaise, Owen and I touched the portkey Oliver had activated.

"Thanks, sweetheart," Amelia grinned.