It was August 30th 1994, the day before Lydia and Harry were off to Hogwarts for their fourth year. The Potters, Lupin-Blacks, Weasleys, plus Hermione were all going back to school shopping. Much to the confusion of the kids, they needed dress robes. Lydia was very adamant about how she would not buy dress robes and if she actually needed it her parents should tell her what she needs it for, otherwise if she truly ended up needing one she would just make one from scratch which everyone knew she could do. Her fathers refused to give into what was going on so she got out of dress shopping which she was immensely grateful for. Lydia always hated clothes shopping for the reason of, it was tiring, fashion was her father's second passion, don't even get him started on leather jackets. Regardless, they were done with shopping, the parents promised that the kids could spend some time alone with each other even though they were going to have months together at school.
There were two new additions to the group and the parents figured it would be a good idea for everyone to get acquainted. "Okay everyone this is Evan and D.J. I need to talk to Harry while we get drinks for everyone." Lydia announced and dragged Harry out of earshot. "Do you think we're better off as friends? Because I do." Lydia blabbed out. "Oh, uh, what?" Harry asked, confused. "Well think about it, we've known each other since we were three, we decided when we were six we would be a 'couple' I mean we really are just friends who have kissed like twice, neither of us are emotionally invested because we are 14, I mean come on, is it really a good idea?" Lydia explained logically, they were only 14 they can't develop emotionally stable relationships, besides, shouldn't they be able to date other people in their lives, they aren't end game, both of them know this. "Actually that makes sense, yeah, you're right, let's breakup." Harry finished with a little chuckle, they smiled at each other, no hard feelings because were there even feelings? They were best friends and that wouldn't change. Both headed back with all the drink orders in hand and smiles on their faces. "What did you talk about?" Ron asked in an assuming voice, "we broke up," Harry answered, causally obviously not upset. "Oh are you guys okay? Are you still friends?" Hermione asked, concerned as if she didn't want to be in the middle of something. "Yeah, we're still friends, it's not like it was an actual relationship we've been 'dating' since we were six, I mean we were basically just friends anyway." Lydia had a small smile. Everything felt lighter and almost happier with every breath she took.
After Lydia had told Remus and Sirius that she and Harry broke up Remus offered her ice cream awkwardly and Sirius swore that even though Harry was his godson that Sirius would not hesitate to kill him if he broke Lydia's heart. Lydia explained that she broke up with Harry and was amicable as well as she didn't need Sirius to kill anyone because she can take care of herself.
As they loaded on the train Lydia talked with Fred and George about what they think could possibly happen to need dress robes. "I bet Dumbles just wants to have a fashion show." George suggested. "Now I will pay to see Dumbledore in a nice pair of socks," Lydia laughed along, she was always closer with the Weasley twins than she was with the younger two Weasley, they were Harry's friends, not hers they were just acquaintances. Now her and Hermione have grown closer, despite not being super close at the beginning, over the summer they became really good friends they realized that they had more in common than they originally thought, they both loved reading, they both had a soft spot for animals as well as their cats love each other and that is execptionally rare for their two cats who would murder anyone in cold blood if they came to close to their respective owners.
As Fred, George, and Lydia sat down in a compartment, they were almost immediately found by Malfoy and Zambini, Fred and George, bless their souls, still had a strong house prejudice but tried not to let it show, they didn't have have as big a problem with Blaise as they did with Draco, Draco was all about appearances, no question he was just here to berate the two of the three red headed, mischief makers.
"Lydia, hanging with blood traitors again I see." Draco glared in a jokingly way toward Lydia, the twins didn't even care that it was a joking glared, they were still called blood traitors, "if you haven't noticed I am a blood traitor, do you have anything nice to say Draco?" Lydia bit back. "Not really however my parents do want you and I to meet them at the Three Broomsticks for lunch on the first Hogsmead weekend."
"What if I have plans already?"
"Cancel them."
"Fine, I'm not canceling plans but I'll double book you, what time?"
"Don't know but wear your best clothes please." Draco's eyes began to plead.
"Yeah, I'm not stupid. Now leave before people start to suspect we're friends." Lydia laughed as she shooed the two boys off, Draco was the first to leave but Blaise stayed back, told Draco he would catch up and shut the compartment door.
"Lydia I really need your help with something, I'm so sorry," he turned to the twins, "sorry Weasley and… Weasley," he turned back to Lydia, "something happened over the summer that meant a lot to me but I don't think it meant anything to the other person, help me." Pleading, grabbing Lydia's hands in desperation.
"You've got to be more specific," Lydia explained worrying about her Slytherin friend.
"You know what I'll talk to you later sorry." Frantically Blaise left closing the door behind him. "What the fuck was that?" Lydia asked her friends across from her.
"I don't he's your friend." Fred explained with a smiling playing at his lips.
"So, what is going on with you and Malfoy?" George asked not knowing the extent of Lydia and Draco's friendship.
"We're betrothed," Lydia brushed off easily.
"Sirius and Remus betrothed you? To a Malfoy?" George responded incredulously.
"If you've forgotten Gred, I'm adopted, I was born a Carrow, I was sold off as a cow before I was even born." Lydia really hated pure-blood ideals, "plus Draco and I are cousins, even if Remus and Sirius were going to get me betrothed they wouldn't pick him." Lydia explained.
"Why don't you get out of it? You aren't a Carrow anymore, why can't you get out of it?" George pushes, Lydia finds the pushing odd but doesn't say anything about it.
"Dark arts are a weird thing, hate to break it to you." Lydia explained, attempting to read her book.
"But what if-" Lydia cut George off, "why do you care so much? I've been betrothed my entire life, literally, it doesn't change anything."
"You were dating Harry, how did that even work?"
"I'm allowed to date, the Malfoys don't have to know and even if they find out, as long as they think it's just for fun or they continue to believe I'm marrying Draco, they don't care, at the end of the day, I'm marrying Draco in their eyes." Lydia turned back to her book suddenly really needing food.
"I'm going to find the trolly, do you guys want anything?"
"No," the boys answered in unison, "okay," Lydia bought them chocolate frogs anyway saying she accidentally was given three by the trolly witch. No one bought her lie but the two boys were grateful for their friend who knew they were both hungry and would be cranky by the time they got to Hogwarts if they didn't have anything.