A/N: I'm really sorry for the long time it took me to update but, I was busy with school and I needed time to write so, bear with me. Credits go to my sister who invented the last name 'Mantoe'.

Friend or Foe

His smirk widened as he interpreted the hurt look on Ariette's face. 'Shut it, Mantoe.' Juanita snapped at the Slytherin, whose smirk vanished instantly. The other Ravenclaws and Slytherins were starting to stare at the three of them but Juanita didn't care. She could feel Zeke Mantoe's glare on her as she patted her friend before pulling her into a comforting hug. Ariette returned the hug gratefully, her warm tears soaking into Juanita's robes as Ariette sobbed into her shoulder. 'You watch out, Moore, wait t-' Zeke started, cut short by the sudden opening of the classroom door. Zeke cursed the Transfiguration teacher under his breath as the professor ushered his students inside.

Ariette couldn't concentrate in class. Her mind kept wandering off to what Mantoe said. 'You're just a filthy half-blood.' Yes, Ariette's mother is a Muggle and that is a sensitive issue to her. Juanita, who obviously sensed her friend's lack of enthusiasm in class – which wasn't normal – turned to face her and heaved a troubled sigh. 'Ignore what he said, Ari. He thinks he's all that just because he's pure-blood.' Juanita rolled her eyes at this statement of hers, trying to make it clear that Mantoe is a stuck-up, snobbish little airhead.

'Miss Darlby, for the last time, do not poke the toad with your wand. You lightly touch it, instead.' The professor's voice suddenly rang out. Ariette looked up, startled, snapped from her daydreams. The professor's voice had betrayed his faked calmness and Ariette knew that he was losing his patience. Juanita sighed again and gave Ariette a reassuring smile, which she hastily returned, for fear of having Juanita comforting her again. Ariette just wanted to be alone for a bit – a wish she knew was impossible to be granted, for they do not have free periods like the sixth- and seventh-years.

- - -

The next few days were miserable, particularly for Ariette, who don't seem to be getting over what Mantoe said. The words kept swirling around in her conscious mind. 'You're just a filthy half-blood; you're just a filthy half-blood.' On and on, Mantoe's voice just kept ringing in her head, tearing at her insides.

Snap!

Ariette jumped and saw Juanita snapping her fingers in her face, sitting opposite her in the Ravenclaw Common Room, withdrawing her hand from the front of Ariette's face. Ariette looked back down at the parchments and textbooks spread out in front of her. She was supposed to be writing an essay for Potions, until Mantoe's words invaded her brains and she drifted into daydreams again. 'Honestly, Ari. Get over it already.' Juanita had been telling her this ever since they finished Transfiguration that day, but this time, it was rather snappish compared to previous ones. 'I can't. It just won't leave me alone, however much I want it to.' Ariette replied, turning dramatically to look at the fireplace, where the dying embers were reflecting how she was feeling inside – unenthusiastic, bored and sick.

Juanita studied her friend as Ariette turned from the fireplace to look at a couple of first-years swapping Chocolate Frog cards. In a corner of the Common Room, a group of fifth-year girls were huddled together in a small circle, giggling and – by the looks of it – exchanging rumours and gossips. All Ariette could catch of their conversation is something about the "Chosen One".

'The Chosen One?'

Ariette asked, confusion etched in her face.

'I think I've read about it in the Prophet sometime last year. I can't remember what though.'

Juanita said, her eyes still fixed on the group of giggling girls.

- - -

For the first time after a week, Ariette could smile again. She decided to push all thoughts of Mantoe to the back of her mind and succeeded. Now she could pay her fullest attention in class again.

'I feel so much better now.' Ariette said during breakfast one day. Juanita beamed at her and swallowed a mouthful of scrambled eggs. 'But every night before I sleep-' Ariette started, wiping the smile off Juanita's face. '-Mantoe keeps popping into my mind and would appear in my dreams.' Juanita grunted in frustration. 'No, listen to me, Nita.' Ariette looked up into her friend's face.

'In my dreams, I'm always kissing him.'