Marietta ran after him, screaming, "Harry! I only did it because I didn't want you to get in trouble or get hurt!"

He turned quickly and stared at her fiercly. "By doing this you hurt me more than anything that Umbridge woman could ever do!"

She collapsed to the floor, sobbing, "But Harry, I love you!" Harry stared at her, blinking slowly. After a moment's hesitation, he stormed off to the Gryffindor common room.

---Several Weeks Earlier---

Marietta stared at Harry's lithe form as he walked around the room, helping students with their spells. She could see his beautiful eyes through his scruffy but oh-so-gorgeous hair. His shoulders, though not as wide, perhaps, as that ruffian Goyle's – she stifled a shudder – were strong and proud, and just right, she imagined, for her to lean her head upon. He turned around, his eyes shining in the light, and –

"Sorry Marietta!"

She snapped out of her reverie and blushed, mumbling, "It's okay," as she reached up to smooth her hair. She wanted to keep looking at him – how she wanted it! Pulling a feather out of her hair, she noticed a pillow on the floor and raised an eyebrow at it. Harry noticed the look on her face – was it anger? Or was it… No, he stopped himself. That couldn't be it – she hated him!

"Accio pillow!" He held it close to his chest – the way she wanted to be held by him – and walked away, blushing, to help Neville.

Cho peered quizzically at Marietta, "Pay attention!"

Marietta squealed and resumed her usual overly-giggly persona. "Y'know, Cho, he's quite fit."

Cho gazed longingly at the perfect fifth-year boy, "Yes, he is." And they giggled some more.

---

Marietta walked down the hall with her books clutched to her chest as she thought of the black-haired boy. She tried so hard to think of reasons why she had no place in loving him as her feet clicked on the empty, cold stone corridor. Her parents would disapprove – click – he was frustrated with her stupidity – click – her best friend liked him – click – he didn't love her, he loved – oomph. She looked up, startled out of her misery, into the eyes of they very boy she had been dreaming of.

"Hi Harry," she said breathily.

"Er, hi Marietta." Harry was absolutely bewildered, crap, first she hates me and now she's trying to get to me by acting weird. Oooh, her hair looks pretty today… shiny… NO! Harry – bad Harry! I bet it smells great too… HARRY!

"I have to get to class." He stepped forward but so did she. They collided, lips almost touching. She giggled, and he blushed. "Sorry!" they mumbled in unison. Harry stepped aside to allow her to pass, but she stood there – staring at him. He moved again, as did she, and again they collided. They lost themselves in each other's eyes –

"Students late for class!" Peeves zoomed through the deserted hall, ending their "moment." "Potter and Edgecomb, kissing in the hallway!" echoed Peeves in a singsong voice.

"Shut up Peeves! Shit, I have to go." Harry ran forward, leaving Marietta alone with the echo of Peeves' song. She stared at the floor, a silent tear splashing on the cold marble. She wished that they had kissed – she wished that he didn't hate her. She wanted him to love her.

"Sorry I'm late Professor – Peeves was making a racket," Marietta squeaked out as she slid into her seat next to Cho, who was quite obviously ignoring her.

"Yes, quite a racket. Five points from Ravenclaw. Honestly… Potter, Miss Edgecomb? Couldn't you find someone more worthy than some sniveling brat like Potter? Fifty additional points from Ravenclaw, Miss Edgecomb! Perhaps that will teach you not to let petty matters like Potter make you late to my class," Snape sneered at her.

"Sorry, Professor?" Marietta prodded Cho's shoulder, whispering, "What's going on?"

"Like you don't know!" Cho glared at her.

"What? Cho – what's going on?"

"How could you!" She whispered harshly, refusing to look at her "best friend."

Peeves looked out from behind a smoky cauldron, singing, "Potter and Edgecomb sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G!"

"Oh, piss off!" Marietta shrunk down in her chair behind her books, unsuccessfully trying to hide from the rest of her class.

"Miss Edgecomb, find out the lesson from Miss Chang. If you need help, please do not hesitate to ask someone else." Snape shooed Peeves from the chamber and began tormenting the other students as well.

Cho shoved a pile of ingredients and a small scroll of instructions toward Marietta, who slowly began to create her potion.

---

"Cho, wait up! I didn't kiss him, I swear! I don't like him – you know that!" Marietta ran after her friend, tripping over her own feet as she tried to organize herself.

"You knew I liked him," Cho shot back.

"I know! I just bumped into him in the hallway and – "

"Decided to start snogging!"

"No! Peeves saw us in the hall – we just said hi, with words – and he started spreading rumours. You know how he is!"

Cho's eyes filled with tears. "I know that…" She smiled, "But I don't think I minded it so much that time. He was kind of cute…" They both began to giggle until Cho's tears spilled over.

"I miss him so much…"

Marietta placed her hand comfortingly on Cho's shoulder, "We all miss him – you the most, obviously, as Cedric was your boyfriend – but it's time to move on."

Cho nodded and wiped away her tears. "With Harry, right?"

"Right… with Harry." Cho noticed the reluctance in Marietta's tone, but passed it off as she hugged her friend.