A/N: Hey guys! I managed to update quicker this time, as promised. Unfortunately, this chapter isn't as long as the last one, but that's okay. Thank you for all the reviews, follows, and favorites I got for this story last time I updated. It truly amazes me how much you guys like this story.

"Your plan would be absolutely brilliant if I hadn't already thought of it." Draco drawled, bringing the glass of firewhiskey to his lips.

"If you had already thought of it, why are you and Granger still avoiding each other like the plague?" Blaise asked, quirking an eyebrow at his friend.

"Because Felix Felicis is what got me into this mess in the first place." He replied, his voice raising a little.

"You mean you..." Blaise started, but trailed off. "Bloody idiot. You mean to tell me you used Felix Felicis to start something with Granger?"

"Well, when you say it that way-"

"It doesn't matter what way you say it. It's still going to sound like something only a complete tosser would do." Blaise interrupted, shaking his head in disappointment. "I thought you would be cleverer than this, mate. Totally uncreative."

"Oi, you were just telling me about how I should use it to get her back." Draco protested.

"I didn't think you'd take me seriously! I thought you'd be smart enough to come up with some sort of romantic gesture to win her over." He defended. "Besides, I figured you were just being your usual idiot self and she got angry. All the Felix would have done was give you the right things to say. I wasn't aware you cheated to win her over and her attraction to you expired."

"Her attraction didn't expire!" Draco objected. "I didn't use much. She still acted on her own feelings. She just..."

"Remembered you're an annoying prat?" Blaise suggested.

"Oh, haha." He glared at Blaise in annoyance. "I thought you were supposed to be helping me."

"I just can't believe you were so lazy." Blaise berated. "Hell, this is something a Gryffindor would pull."

"Oh shut it." Draco grumbled bitterly. "All I wanted to do was mess with her a bit. She was just so... fun when she didn't hate me. She wasn't a boring swot like I'd thought she was."

Blaise looked at him intently. "That is so cliche." He deadpanned. "You're making me want to puke, mate."

"You're an arse." said Draco, shaking his head. "I hope you know that."

"And yet, Hermione still likes me more than you right now." said Blaise.

"Right. How am I going to fix this?" He asked.

"I'm not solving your problems for you." Blaise said.

"But-"

"No."

"You were ready to help me earlier." Draco whined.

"That was only because I was tired of watching you sulk." said Blaise indignantly.

"I was not sulking. Malfoys do not sulk." Draco protested.

"Well, whatever you've been doing, I think you've made the wall uncomfortable with all the sorrowful staring you've done at it." retorted Blaise.

"Shut up."

"Fine, I guess I won't help you with your Granger problem, then." said Blaise, moving to get up from his spot next to Draco. "Pity since we're such great friends now."

"No, please." said Draco, scrambling up and pouncing toward his friend.

"Keep your knickers on." said Blaise. "You really shouldn't need my help. It's quite simple, really."

"Well, since it's so simple, why don't you just tell me?" said Draco.

"You know, I could," said Blaise, making his friend look at him hopefully, "but watching you struggle is so much more fun."

Draco frowned, watching his housemate turn away from him.

"Tosser."

"What are friends for?"

The kiss was light. Luna's lips were soft and gentle. Neville could hardly feel them push against his. He almost didn't believe they were really there, but there was no denying it. Luna Lovegood was kissing him. Him. Neville Longbottom.

The kiss was quick. It only lasted for a single moment, but everything seemed to move in slow motion for Neville. He barely managed to properly kiss back before she pulled away.

This was his first kiss. It took a few seconds before Neville opened his eyes again, his mind buzzing. He couldn't help but want more as soon as he felt the faint warmth of her lips leave him.

He glanced at her shyly.

She smiled back brightly, not at all sheepish. She was never shy about anything. Ever. Always just warm and dreamy.

He felt the violent pounding of his heart against his ribcage resonate throughout his body. He was almost sure she could hear it.

Then, strangely enough, she began to laugh.

Neville's face contorted into an expression of confusion, "What's so funny?"

"Oh, it's nothing," She continued to giggle. It sounded like a bell, tinkling away. "It's just that..."

"What?" asked Neville, beginning to panic.

"I forgot to say " She said, bursting into more laughter.

In a way she was unapologetic. She never denied who she was. She was always Luna. Never shifting to anyone else's needs. Whoever wanted her to be anything different than she was could go screw themselves. Even if she was a little odd sometimes, she was real. That's what made her different from the rest; a breath of fresh air among a cloud of smoke. She was irrevocably and unconditionally real. And that was something he'd always liked about her.

"We've got to go to Quidditch practice, but we'll see you later, Mione." Ron said as he and Harry walked away from her.

"Bye Hermione." Harry called.

"Bye." She replied softly.

Hermione continued down the corridor, alone with her thoughts.

These were the best and most dangerous moments for her. On one hand, she could finally think clearly without constantly being yanked out by her friends' chatter, but on the other, no one can pull her out if she delves too deep and gets lost in a state of overthinking.

Hermione seemed to do that a lot as of late. Overthink. Weaving an intricate web of thoughts as they race through her brain with thread made of far out intricacies. The art of creating problems that don't exist. To think about something too much… No matter what way she put it, she was still… overthinking.

But before she could get too into her thoughts, she suddenly rammed into something… or rather someone.

"Woah there, Granger." A low voice gasped as her forehead slammed into their chest and her books fell to the ground.

"Merlin, I'm sorry." Hermione exclaimed, looking up and hitting her head on their chin.

"Ow." They said simultaneously, rubbing their respective injuries.

"Are you alright?"

She still couldn't see who it was, but she thought she had a pretty good idea of their identity.

A/N: And here we have a little bit of a cliffhanger. This chapter was a bit of a filler leading up to the next one, but chapter 13 will be better. Thanks again to everyone who followed, favorited, and reviewed this story. I especially love SomeoneKnew's reviews. I don't even know why, but she just makes me laugh. I love all of the feedback you guys give and I hope to keep receiving it as I continue this story. See you in the next one.