IT'S BEEN WEEKS since Draco had survived his dreadful attack from the creature in Professor Hagrid's class. There was a great buzzing queue of students. Us Third Years and older were each clutching a permission form to our chests. As we waited at the Clock Tower Courtyard to be transported to Hogsmeade for our field trip.

"Remember! These visits to Hogsmeade Village are a privilege," Professor McGonagall announced to all of us students as we stood in the courtyard. "Should your behavior reflect poorly on the school in any way, that privilege shall not be extended again."

I turned my head from conversing with Hermione and being ignored by Ron to see Harry approach McGonagall, but before he can utter a syllable:

"No permission form. No visiting the Village. That's the rule, Potter," she waved him off. She then sighed as she saw Harry's saddened face, showing the slightest bit of pity for him. "I'm sorry, Potter. But that's my final word," she shook her head and came over to the large group. She waved us all along, letting us know it was time to leave.

Ron, Hermione, and I—watching Harry expectantly from across the way—see him turn, and shake his head. Our faces fell as we saw our upset friend turn back. Harry raised his hand to us in farewell, letting us know to go along with the group without him. I tilted my head and stared at Harry turned around and went back inside the school. He was going to be all alone just because of a permission slip? That doesn't seem fair.

"Adelaide, we're leaving now," Hermione bumped my shoulder.

I looked at her and shook my head. "You guys go ahead. I think I would prefer to stay here," I told her.

Hermione then gave me a crazy look. I knew what she meant by it: you're seriously passing up a date with Cedric Diggory?!

Yes. Yes, I was.

But, I didn't care; Harry's feelings were more important than me going on a date with a guy I barely know just to probably end up embarrassing myself in the end anyway.

"Tell Cedric I'm sorry. Maybe next time," I shrugged my shoulders and turned around to go back inside to find Harry.

ϟ

I eventually found Harry in the Gryffindor common room. He was sitting in front of the baron fireplace, just staring into it. I wasn't sure if he heard me walk in or not so I walked closer to him and stood above him. Eventually, he looked up at me, his face confused.

"Adelaide?!" Harry asked. "What are you doing here? I thought you and Diggory had a date?" He asked.

I shrugged my shoulders and took a seat next to him on the rug. "I wanted to join you... field trips are so first year," I joked with him. I then thought about my statement for a moment and added, "Well, not that I'd know."

Harry let out a small chuckle and shook his head. I felt accomplished, knowing that I made him laugh.

"I didn't want you to be all alone just because a stupid permission slip didn't get signed," I said and adjusted my body on the floor, getting comfortable.

Harry shrugged and looked down at the permission slip still in his hands. "I'm used to this by now. My uncle would never have signed it even if I had asked. He doesn't even want me to be at this school," he said.

I then shook my head, not understanding. "Why not?" I asked.

"He doesn't even want magic to exist. He hates magic and the fact that I have it... I don't know. Look, it's stupid," Harry sighed.

I shook my head. "No, Harry. It's not. I mean, what normal human wouldn't want magic to exist? It's absolutely incredible. The only thing that's stupid is the fact that your uncle can't see that," I replied.

Harry let out a small chuckle and shrugged his shoulders. "Well... that's true," he agreed.

I smiled in reply and looked down at the rug. We sat in silence for a moment, not having much else to say on the topic. I then looked over and noticed Harry still staring at his permission slip longingly. I smirked and picked up my wand. I simply flicked it once towards the fireplace, and a small fire started. Harry didn't look up until I flicked my wand once more and levitated his paper. He stared as I slowly floated his paper toward the fireplace. I then let it go and Harry and I watched the permission slip burn to ashes together. The fire sparked a bit. The paper was demolished, but I knew it was what Harry needed.

"Thank you," he said quietly.

I smiled at him and turned to face him. "You know, I have to admit, when I first found out who you were, I was a bit freaked out. And, don't take this the wrong way, but when you speak of your struggles, you seem more human. It's easier to feel more comfortable around you that way," I informed him.

Harry chuckled a bit and shook his head. "Well, you'll eventually feel extremely comfortable with me, Adelaide—I have a lot of struggles," he smirked at me.

I then let out a small giggle at his reply and he laughed a little too.

"So... you asked me a question now I get to ask you one," he smiled.

I smiled back as well and faced him, giving him my full attention. "What?" I asked.

He chuckled and looked down at the rug beneath us. "What made you want to go out on a date with Cedric and why did you stay?" He asked.

I smirked and playfully pushed him. "Hey, that's two questions!" I joked.

He laughed a bit and shook his head. "No! Seriously. What?"

I sighed and shrugged my shoulders as I bit my lip nervously. "Well, I don't know, honestly. I mean... I've never really been on a date before... let alone liked a boy before... and I guess I figured since I'm no longer homeschooled, and Cedric gave me the opportunity, I took it. I mean, it's not as if I wish to marry the guy! But, I thought it'd be okay to say yes... just to satisfy my curiosity about what it's like to be on a date with a boy," I giggled a bit at the end and covered my face with my hands to hide my embarrassment.

"Then why stay?"

I sighed and slowly removed my hands from my face. I began tugging on pieces of the rug, avoiding eye contact with Harry. I felt my face get even redder as I conjured up my answer so I wouldn't come off as a complete fangirl stalker.

"I mean... you just looked so sad. And I figured your feelings were more important than my date with this strange guy I barely know and I'd probably just end up embarrassing myself anyway," I admitted to him, my eyes still on the rug as I played with it. "I just really want us to be friends... and I want to be a good friend... to you, Hermione, and even Ron—even though he barely acknowledges my very existence."

I tried my best to not give myself away by singling him out.

Harry looked at me for a moment, as if not believing me. But I hoped my poker face was doing any justice.

He chuckled and shook his head. "Well, I guess we have most of Hogwarts to ourselves... what do you wanna do?" He asked.

I looked up and thought for a moment. I then looked back at Harry and smiled while biting my lip excitedly, and he laughed at my face, obviously desperate to know what was going on in my head.