June

One day she was my best friend, the next she was a stranger.

I tried to speak to her, even though my mother told me I wasn't supposed to talk to strangers; something I've stopped listening to. I didn't want another year full of memories to end like this. Millicent has been avoiding me ever since I told her that Draco and I were going to get married soon, and I wasn't ready to know why. Maybe I was, maybe I wasn't.

But enough about that, June 5 was coming up; and I wanted to give him something nice this year. I never even knew that Draco's birthday was on the fifth until our third year, so I didn't get him anything on the first two. If I could remember clearly, so far I've only given him a box of candies from Honeydukes and several Zonko Products (I can't remember what, I'm not interested in those kind of things). Of course, I wanted to give him something of more value, something he'll never forget. But what was that?

Right now it's June 4th, and I feel like the luckiest girl in the world; being granted a Hogsmeade weekend. I've brought all the money I could find in my clothes, my wallet, and my box. Maybe I didn't have to buy him anything, maybe I could just pay for an unforgettable visit to Madam Puddifoot's? To me it seemed kind of dull, but it was worth a try.

I had to look the part, too - I wore my green sweater, black pleated skirt, and gray over-the-knee socks with my black boots. I fixed my hair to make it have that professional look; shiny and fragile. After finishing up my make-up, I rushed down the stairs.

Before leaving, I gathered up my courage and approached Millicent. I was known as a fearless arrogant girl among the other houses, but it still was difficult for me to face my best friend if she was angry with me. It would've been hard for anyone.

The moment she saw me, she tried to look natural and just walk away casually. I saw right through her. I sped up and gently but firmly grabbed her arm.

"Millicent," I said nicely, trying not to frighten her. "We need to talk."

She squinted her eyes at me as if I were far away; away from her reach, unable to reunite again. Only a sigh came out of her, and if you were Millicent's best friend, you would know there was something serious coming straight after at full speed.

"What is it this time, Pansy..." Millicent seemed exhausted. She opened her eyes completely and looked at me, and I felt a bit of pity in me.

"Millicent, don't get me wrong. I know I did something to offend you, even if I didn't do it on purpose. Now, just tell me."

"It's nothing...I don't want to frustrate you with it...really."

Millicent turned her head so she wasn't facing me anymore and I let go of her arm. I know this conversation wouldn't last very long; I should've come with a better approach. I trailed off to put on my crimson scarf and find Draco. He was just by the exit of the Common Room.

"Draco," I called. "I have money for-"

I don't know why I'm not interrupted by anyone and I suddenly stop speaking by myself. I don't know why I observe his appearance like I've never seen him before. I really don't know why everytime I walk into a room with him, I'm afraid to move; merely petrified.

He was wearing a black turtleneck long sleeved shirt, a dark brown jacket, black pants, and a dark green scarf. He looked flawless.

"I...I have-uhh-you look really-umm-money for the-weekend-" I stuttered. I could only imagine what I looked like to him now, a complete idiot staring at him with wonder. I cleared my throat and put some hair behind an ear, trying to look natural. "I have money for our Hogsmeade weekend." Now, I thought, I sounded way too serious.

He sniggered slightly, and then gave me that infamous smirk of his. Not in an offending way like he would give to Potter and them, but in a humorous friendly way. "Don't worry about it, Pans. I've brought all we would need."

I felt my cheeks flush and redden. "Oh...okay. I was thinking of.."

"Of?"

"Of...will you go to Madam Pudifoot's with me?"

Oh no, I thought, way too fast. I know he wouldn't refuse to go, but maybe there was a little desperate tone in my voice. I bit my lip, quivering, waiting in suspicion for the answer.

It seemed like all the noise in the Slytherin Common Room faded away, and all I could hear was Draco's voice.

"Certainly, why not?" He smiled and wrapped his arm around my shoulders as all the background noise resumed. "Let's go."

We rode a carriage to Hogsmeade that Draco paid for. I would have, but I was paying too much attention to how I looked and what I said around him. The carriage was made for two, black on the outside; led by white horses. Inside, the seats were crimson and I thought I was a little too cozy in there. I knew sitting in a small carriage with Draco was something I would want, but I still felt a little shy. He had a new kind of perfume, even better than the one he always used.

After about five minutes of silence, something nudged my shoulder. It was Draco, and he fell asleep on me. I felt my cheeks turn scarlet as they started burning. That's right...Draco barely got any sleep last night. I watched him stay up and finish his homework, but I feel asleep shortly after.

"Draco?" I whispered, but there was no response. He was asleep, really asleep.

He looked so calm in his sleep, like nothing was troubling him. He looked more like the little boy he used to be. Soon enough his head fell onto my lap and it stayed there as I stroked it carefully, not wanting to wake him up. We would always do this on the train.

Twenty minutes of silence now; and just when I thought I would fall asleep myself, there was a bump on the road that caused the carriage to wiggle a little bit. Draco immeadiately woke up and sat up. He laughed. "Looks like we're here." He opened the door to reveal Hogsmeade, abundant in wizards and witches walking around, flower stands on the sides of the roads, and birds flying over the town. I just sat there looking at the scenery, when Draco held out his hand. I took it slowly, and then got off the carriage. Draco held my hand the whole way as we opened the door to Madam Pudifoot's.

Inside, like the Spring Ball, it was exuberant with flowers and various shades of green, pink and yellow. A woman came up to us, she had red frizzy hair, green eyes, and a yellow dress printed with purple flowers. To me, she looked foolish, but I kept that myself. I could see that Draco was trying not to laugh, either. She gave us a smirk and without a word at all, directed us to our table.

It was by the pot of azaleas by the windowsill. The tablecloth was golden yellow and the seats were rosy pink. She placed the menu in front of us and remained there, as if we would be ready to order in a second.

"You hungry, Pansy?" Draco asked.

"Oh, no...I'm fine. I'll just have a drink."

"Let's get your favorite. Let's see...we'll have strawberry tea."

The lady jotted down our order quickly with her feathered quill in such a motion that reminded me of Rita Skeeter. Then she left with her nose high up in the air.

It made me feel glad for Draco to say 'let's get your favorite'. It made me feel like he knew more about me than I did; like he wanted to know more about me. I was fidgeting with a straw wrapper, curling it around my right index finger.

Strawberry tea would take a couple of minutes to prepare, especially here at Hogsmeade; it was a specialty. I was unwrapping more and more straws and tried to keep myself entertained as I waited, and then I heard a giggle that shrilled my ears.

Daphne Greengrass had just arrived with Miles Bletchley and they were talking to the red-haired woman. She was giving her that fake, perky, I'm-always-so-happy smile that drove me mad. I just didn't see why Miles would get back with such a brat like her.

"Don't pay attention to her," Draco reminded. "If she talks bad at you, get back at her." And I was ready to.

The woman led them to a table about 4 tables away from us. Daphne refused to sit there to find another seat. Not to my surprise (really), she took the one right next to where Draco and I were. I know she was already looking at him as she sat down in such a fancy, sophisticated way. Miles waved to us and I waved back. Daphne chuckled like she had just earned front-row tickets to ruining our date. It looked like this was the last place Miles wanted to be - here, in Madam Pudifoot's, with one of the most snobbiest girls to attend Hogwarts. To exist, actually.

It took her about six seconds to stop pretending and get back into reality. "Oh, hello, Pansy," she sneered. I felt sickened that she used my first name; it felt like she wasn't worthy enough to me to do so. Or something. "I see your on your little date with Draco. Well, it's kind of funny we managed to run into each other, I was just walking here with Miles-"

"Honestly, Daphne, I don't care," I snapped. She gave me that horrid doubtful look as if I wasn't allowed to throw an insult at her. "Save your breath. Tell someone who wants to hear it." When Daphne had given up and turned to Miles to start a 'civilized conversation', I turned to Draco and he shot me a quick smile.

The woman approached our table and placed two fancy green cups on the table. There were some red flower-shaped marshmallows on the side. Draco paid her and she left.

I took a sip. Every time, from way back when - I felt that familiar feeling when I drank steaming Strawberry tea. It made me feel at peace, so rejuvinated. I felt like a little kid that just got the privlege to sit in the front seat.

I finished mine in less than 3 minutes, my fastest record yet. When I looked back ahead, Draco wasn't even halfway finished when he took a look back at me. "You want some more?"

A quick jolt went through me. I calmed down. "No, I couldn't possibly...you can have it,"

"No, I insist. You seem to really like this." He bent over the table and took my straw and placed it in his cup. Now, Draco and I were using straws, drinking from the same drink. Something I thought that would only happen in movies, until now.

I couldn't help but smile when I was drinking. Our noses were barely touching, and I felt tickled pink. He took a flower marshmallow and placed it on my nose, causing me to laugh more. We took our mouths out of our straws and just started laughing. With the corner of my eye, I could see Daphne staring at us in question. I guess inside jokes are only funny if you were on the inside.

After our visit to Madam Pudifoot's, we decided to walk around Hogsmeade for a while. We came across a balloon stand, where Draco kindly bought one for me. For the whole time we were talking about our childhood and laughed at all the incidents we've tortmented Potter.

We walked all the way out of town and sat at the top of the hill. The view was remarkable - the Black Lake was completely silenced and the only sound around us was the wind and birds chirping. It's up to you to figure out who said who, for now, at least.

"I couldn't imagine a better way to spend a day with you."

"This day wouldn't be anything if you weren't with me."

"I know this is early, but Happy Birthday. Don't worry, I have a gift ready."

"Really, this was my present. I couldn't think of anything else with higher value."

"Good. Because really, I didn't get anything yet."

We laughed.

"I didn't know why I haven't told you this directly yet, Draco."

"What is it, Pans?"

So I told them those three words. Its amazing how three words could change someone's life, someone's opinions, someone's feelings. I kissed him after. This was the perfect way to end another Hogwarts year.

My balloon flew out of my hands, soaring into the spacious sky, eager to be free again.