"Who could she possibly be talking to?" Selena asked Alisson in a whisper. Her friend flicked her eyes towards the corner, and they said it all: look and find out.

Selena poked her head around the corner and her dark eyebrows rose as high as Draco's had. She was right, it wasn't Wendy speaking to their Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.

It was Erebus and Iceyeyes.

Before Selena could say anything, Alisson peeked around the corner.

She clucked her tongue. "Hm. They're leaving..."

Sure enough, the two Hufflepuffs were already retreating. Professor Umbridge - straightening her pink cardigan as she walked, heels clicking - vanished down another corridor. As much as Selena wanted to know what their conversation was about, Wendy was more important. Selena slid her eyes over to her dormmate, seeing the same curious expression on her face, and shook her head. "We have bigger spells to cast. Leave it. We'll snoop later, though, if it helps you sleep at night."

Alisson laughed as they stepped into the corridor, heading down the hall.

"Er, right... Wait? Do you hear that?" The brunette, paused, and then snapped her fingers. "Wendy!"

Selena nodded, and listened intently. A small, little sob-like noise was coming from the loo on the left. When they rounded the corner, and pushed the heavy oak doors open, the crying hiccupped and then stopped.

"Who's there?" It was Wendy.

Selena bit her lip, walking to the only closed stall in the room, faint sunlight streaming in through a frosted window. "Wendy, we want to talk to you and-"

"We?" Wendy interrupted. "Who's we?"

"M-me, Selena, and Alisson."

Wendy shifted, and then the lock clicked, the door swinging open slightly. Wendy's usually very neat, blonde pony-tail was messed up, fringe going in all directions. Her eyes were rimmed red, tears streaming down her pink cheeks. Some mascara had stained beneath her eyes, looking like bruises. Selena felt her heart constrict. She just wanted to hug Wendy and assure her that everything would be alright.

Immediately, Wendy began to cry again, and threw herself against her two friends, crushing them in a hug. Selena could feel Wendy shaking, leaning her head against the younger girls' shoulders. Alisson patted Wendy awkwardly. "There, there."

Wendy shook her head. Her voice was muffled against them. "How could he s-s-say that? How could he?!"

Selena squeezed one of Wendy's slender hands. "I don't know... But you know what I do know? I know that you are too good for him, and if this is how he's going to act, it isn't worth your time."

Wendy nodded, lifting her head. She tried to wipe her tears away with her sleeve. "It's all unfair."

Alisson laughed slightly. "Why did you even try to stop Malfoy? Danny deserved it, for mouthing off and all."

Wendy didn't say anything, she just scuffed her shoe against the stone tile.

Alisson gasped, grinning like a cat that had spotted a canary. "You did like him! I knew it!"

With a sigh, Wendy rolled her glassy eyes. "Okay, I admit it... I tried to make him jealous with Draco at first."

Selena and Alisson both looked at each other before back at their older friend. "That's pretty mean."

"I know!" Wendy said. "Like I said, though, at first. But... I really do like Draco, I wasn't lying about that... I guess I still cared for Danny. Not anymore though. I hate him."

Alisson nodded. "Me too. When I see him, my wand is going straight in his eye."

Wendy laughed. "I'll pay a Galleon or two to see that."

Selena smiled at Wendy. "Feel better, Dee?"

"Loads," Wendy said confidently. To prove it she blinked her dry eyes, which were still edged pink.

Selena grinned wider. "Great. Now, let's go ask the house-elves to make a fresh cup of tea for you."

2 Hours Later

Rain poured down on Hogwarts, causing the students outside to come running into the castle like ants. Over the next couple of hours, Danny got four detentions with Professor McGonagall as punishment for the duel.

When he complained about it, no one blinked an eye. For one day, it was like people were treating him with the same animosity that Harry Potter had been - almost. Several Muggleborn students glared at him as he passed.

Wendy had come back to the Gryffindor Common Room with Selena and Alisson, sleeping soundly in her room after the girls had brought her some tea. The house-elves had been more than happy to help the tear-stained girl. Anne had returned to the dorm, having heard everything, and volunteered to stay with Wendy. Selena felt like she could breathe now. She was a little sad to have missed the first Hogsmeade trip of the year, but there would be others.

Selena watched her red knight move on the Wizard's chess board. "Your move."

Alisson thought for a moment. It wasn't long before Selena grumbled, watching her king cower, and then Alisson's white bishop hack off his head. "You always win. I have got to get better at this game."

Alisson laughed, storing all the pieces in the drawer beneath the board. "Sorry, Sel, better luck next time."

The portrait hole opened, Danny crawling in, following Avery. "Why won't you talk to me, Aves?"

Everyone in the common room hushed, looking over at the commotion. Selena froze.

Danny sighed, walking quicker after the straight-faced blonde. "Is this still about Wendy? She deserved it, she's been acting so cold lately. I was right for what I said and if I-"

Avery whipped around before he could get another word out, and slapped him straight across the cheek. The sound reverberated around the room, making Selena jump. Some paintings even cringed. "No, she didn't, McCalaster."

"Ooh..." Some people laughed awkwardly, others smiling. Some students just looked uncomfortable, a couple whispering to one another. However, remembering Wendy crying earlier, Selena felt the corners of her mouth turn up as Danny touched the red mark blossoming on the side of his face.

Avery shook her head, arms folded. "You know... I decided to date you because you were nice. Not just because you were honest, smart, or good-looking, which you are. Because you were kind. A soft heart. Now I realize I was wrong. I'm not dating you anymore, Daniel. Goodbye."

A few of the students whistled and a couple high-fived Avery as she left to her dorm, ascending the spiral staircase.

Danny just stood there, dumbstruck, and Selena felt that everything was right again.

Just right.

So, I know that this did NOT have a lot of plot in there, but I think it's a pretty nice side chapter.

And I just decided to break up Danny and Avery at last minute, but it somehow feels... right. Right? Haha.

I think it makes a lot of sense. And I know that some people did not like Avery because she took Danny, but I think she deserves a clap or two for that slap! Woo-Hoo! GIRL POWER!

Anywho, the next chapter will have more characters, not just the Gryffindors. And I think I'm going to weave Maryanna back in there somehow. Any thoughts?

So, what do you guys think I should do with Draco and Wendy? Should he break up with her, or stay with her? Hm?

And did you like this chapter? I really hope so, I worked hard!

Well, thanks for reading!

~Meghan

12/11/17: GiRl PoWeR.