Several days pass. Aside from Harry's obsession with his new potions' book, Hermione's newly found crush on Ron, and Draco's ever pale-ing features, not much else had happened.

It was finally time for the Hogsmead visit. The four friends, wander about for a while, until Harry overhears a conversation between Slughorn and professor Flitwick. He suggests getting some butterbeer, and so, the friends make their way to the Three Broomsticks, where Harry knew, Slughorn was sure to be.

In the inn, the friends banter as usual, as Harry sits strategically to keep an eye on Horus. Ron complains about his sister's new boyfriend, Dean, who were sitting a few ways across them, making out, which almost had Ron running off had Hermione not asked a very odd question that left him quite baffled. She asked what would have happened if it was the two of them kissing, would Ginny leave too?

Their conversation was cut short when Slughorn himself approached them, quite buzzed.

He then invited Harry, Hermione, and Melanie, to supper with a few other select students he found worthy of his time. He could barely even see Ron, and when he did, he addressed him as Wallenby, which made the red-head quite furious.

After Hermione had a little too much to drink, the four friends were out in the snow again, making their way back to school grounds.

"Oh, Melanie! I feel absolutely marvelous!" Hermione chirps, stumbling in the snow. Her and Melanie strolled several feet in front of the boys, where, behind them, Ron was complaining to Harry about what Hermione had said in the pub.
"I can see that, Mione." Melanie smiled as her female-friend put an arm around her shoulder, mainly for support.

All of a sudden, they hear an ear-piercing scream, emitting from a girl named Leanne.

The four look in concern, and slight fear, at her, then, their eyes fall to the other girl, lying seemingly unconscious on the ground, Katie Bell.

"I warned her! I warned her not to touch it!" Leanne shouts fearfully.

There was no time to react when Katie's body was swayed from side to side on the light-white grounds by an invisible force, then sent shooting and floating several feet above. Hands spread as if by robes. Hair flailing as if under an ocean. Face as pale as a ghost, and mouth wide open as she attempted to scream, but nothing came out. A terrifying sight.

Then, she was pushed vigorously back into the ground, something was sure to be broken.

The friends and Leanne rush forward to help, but then Hagrid appears out of nowhere. "Don't come any closer!" He shouts. "Get back! All of you!"

The five immediately comply. Hagrid zooms forwards and scoops Katie up cautiously.

Then, Harry notes an object on the ground. A necklace it seemed, lying in its opened wrapping sheets. He moves to get a closer look. "Do not touch that!" Hagrid yells once more, making Harry freeze. "Except by the wrappings. Understand?" He explains.

Harry nods quickly, and goes to do so. Melanie and the others eye him fearfully, unsure what to expect. "Be careful, Harry." Melanie warns.

…

After the drastic turn of events, the four friends were sent back to Hogwarts, along with Leanne, for questioning.

After interrogating Leanne, professor McGonagall sent the four friends in next. Professor Snape walks in a few minutes later to study the necklace.

"What do you think?" McGonagall asks him.
"I think miss Belle is lucky to be alive." He answers.
"She was cursed, wasn't she?" Asks Harry. "I know Katie. Off the Quidditch pitch she wouldn't hurt a fly. If she was bringing that to someone, she wasn't doing it knowingly." He tells firmly.
"Yes. She was cursed." McGonagall explained.

Harry couldn't hold back any more. He had to say something. He knew what it would cost, but things had gone too far to keep quiet. He had to say something.

"It was Malfoy." He uttered, shocking all those around him, especially Melanie.

Hermione glares at him intensely, Ron too, but Melanie is purely shocked, standing there with her mouth slightly agape and an incredible weigh heavying on her chest.

"That is a very serious accusation, mister Potter." McGonagall notes sternly.
"Indeed. Your evidence?" Snape asks irritably, Melanie waiting impatiently.
"I just know." Harry replies, making Melanie scoff. He turns to her. Maybe this wasn't the best of times, nor the best of ways to put it, but he knew. It had to be him.

After all, it was Harry who had glimpsed Malfoy in the pub just before the four friends took their seats. It couldn't have been a coincidence, that he would suspiciously be there just before Katie got hexed.

"You... just... know." Snape notes mockingly, attempting to drive all suspicions of Draco to a far off corner. "Once again you astonish with your gifts, Potter, gifts mere mortals could only dream of possessing. How grand it must be to be the Chosen One."

The four remain their silence, Melanie on the edge of exploding. Ron and Hermione extremely uncomfortable with the situation Harry had put them in. Harry himself wary, but he couldn't avoid the problem anymore.

"I suggest you return to your dormitory. All of you." McGonagall states.

….

The now dismantled friends walk out and into the hall, Melanie storming off furiously, a million thoughts running about her head.

How long has Harry thought so of Draco? Did the others know about this? Why didn't he tell her? Did he think it was better for her to find out this way?! Why even accuse Draco at all?!

She was angry. Purely frustrated. She could not even face Harry right now.

"Melanie wait!" He yells after her, the others following.
"I don't want to talk about it, Harry." She tells firmly, still walking off. She needed some air.

Harry jumps in front of her, insistently. Hermione on one side, and Ron on the other, covering them, unsure what to do. Harry had crossed a line, a big one. "Mel, please. Let me explain."
"Explain what, Harry?! That you think my boyfriend's a Death Eater?! That you think he's capable of killing someone?!" She asks in disbelief, voice rising, but not loud enough for passers to hear them.

Harry stays his silence; unsure it was wise to say that he did think so right now.

"How dare you?! After everything he's done for me! Standing by me in my darkest of times! Helping us build an army when Umbridge refused us protection!" She insists.

Harry had nearly forgotten about all that, too overcome by doubts and suspicions, too angry about Sirius's death. Too angry.

He could no longer find the words to convince her. She was right.

But was she?

"Mel, I-" He tries, but she cuts him off.
"No! Save it." She tells, walking off once more.

He doesn't follow.

…