Al's POV

The Three Broomsticks is packed today but luckily we get a table at the back. There's a steady stream of conversations around us, and a steady flow of butter beers making their way over to our table. Sitting in front of me are both Charlotte and Scorpius who happen to be having a debate about the effects of alcohol on a person's actions. Charlotte believes that sometimes the alcohol can make you do things you otherwise wouldn't. Scorpius disagrees and says that alcohol can't make you do something you wouldn't already want to do. They're aggressively going back and forth; I've known them both long enough to know not to get involved when they get like this.

Looking at Charlotte I can't help but smile, we've always been friends but since we've started hooking up and spending more time together, I see her in a whole new light. I'm attracted to almost everything about her, and after kissing her so much; I can't believe I kissed Ana for so long when I could have been doing this instead. I couldn't be more content with our arrangement. We've been keeping to ourselves and laying low; because we both know from experience as soon as other people are involved, everything changes between two people and it always adds more drama. Scorpius is waving his arms all over the place; way too into this debate he's having with Char, he looks happier than I've seen him in days. I sip the last of my butter beer and wave over a waitress for another one. Seeing Scorp so happy, just talking to Charlotte, I know it's my fault he's been so down recently. I've started taking up more of her time than I use to; and she can no longer spend her time with Scorpius. But honestly as much as I love the bloke, I don't feel too bad; he's had six years with her, time to share the wealth.

"Al what do you think?" They both ask me at the same time. When they realized they've both just asked me the same question, they give each other a hard look.

"I'm asking him."

"No I'm asking him."

"I'm not getting involved in this, you're both right." As soon as the words leave my lips they're both back at it, like they'd never even asked my option. Oh well, better than being stuck in between. When the waitress arrives with my new drink, Charlotte almost whacks her in the face with her arm. She's far to busy describing something to Scorpius to notice.

"Sorry about that." I say apologetically, to the innocent waitress. She just smiles and tells me it happens all the time.

"Al how can we decide who's right, if you wont get involved?" Charlotte asks me turning away from Scorpius.

"I don't know, flip a galeon?"

"That's perfect!" both Charlotte and Scorpius say together again.

"You're so smart Al."

Looking around the Three Broomsticks I can't see anyone with better or more ridiculous friends than I have.

Haley POV

Sitting in the common room surrounded by my goofy friends makes this awful date I had to go through today seem almost bearable. The sliver and green furniture looks extra comforting after the horrible pink everything at Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop, like who allowed her to decorate it like that? All of my friends are here offering me support and well laughing at my discomfort. Even Ash who's spent the day in bed is here curled up on Hunter's lap looking very tired.

"He did what again?" Alec asks laughing.

"I'm not kidding he started crying when I asked if he had any pets. Apparently his cat had just died. He even asked our neighbor for a tissue." My friends start laughing hysterically and I can't help but laugh too.

"What an awful date." Charlotte remarks, "I wish we had known so we could of come rescue you."

"Well, how was your day guys?" Ash asks sniffling.

"We had a great time." Al says smiling looking at both Scorpius and Charlotte.

"And it's your lucky day because we brought everyone sweets!" Charlotte's smile is enormous as she let's this news sink it. You can tell she loves buying people gifts and making their day.

"No way!" We're all so excited; you can tell Honeydukes is our favorite part of Hogsmeade.

"Pass the Pumpkin Pasties!"

"That's so nice of you guys!" another sniffle from Ash.

We're all so happy and in such a good mood, I barely notice Charlotte and Al looking at each other just a little bit too long. I see Scorpius put his arm around Alec as they split a chocolate wand; he looks happy. So does everyone to be honest. We start discussing the upcoming quidditch game coming up next weekend. Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw, how exciting! It'll be the first match of the year and I'm never not in the mood to see hot teenage boys in quidditch uniforms; so I'm all for it. This year Scorpius is captain of our team, which means we'll be forced to watch even more of they're practices. But that's okay, I'll have Charlotte to keep me company; she never misses any of their practices or games, she's dedicated like that.

"Al's the best seeker Hogwarts has seen in year!" Scorpius says to the group, after being asked if he was nervous for the upcoming season, "we'll crush them."

I can't help but agree we have a solid team this year. Al blushes at the compliment and nudges Charlotte with his shoulder.

"That's not true." He whispers

"Nonsense." Charlotte replies touching his leg well aren't they touchy today. Someone makes a joke and I grab another Chocolate Frogs, I need to get this horrific date out of my head and focus on what's important my friends, and chocolate.

Scorpius's POV

Studying in the library with Charlotte, sitting at our usual table, brings me back to our 1st year at Hogwarts together. I'm so used to spending my time with this girl, that when I don't see her for an extended period of time, I feel incomplete. Laughing and teasing Charlotte just comes naturally to me, and our friendship is as easy as breathing. Spending this time with her, back to our usual routine, almost makes me forget how MIA she's been these last few days. Charlotte makes a little frustrated sound and start twirling her hair distractedly, which in Charlotte language means she's given up for today.

"You all finished?"

"Merlin yes. I never want to look at another set of transfiguration notes ever again."

"Good luck with that." I say considering she'll be attending her transfiguration class for the rest of the year.

"You ever think about what we'll do when we get out of here? Graduation seems so close, now that we're in 7th year." This subject comes out of the blue and Charlotte has a worried look on her face. Trying to comfort her I remind her of our original plan.

"Of course I do. I'll try out for a professional quidditch team and you'll get that internship at the daily prophet and get one foot in the door towards your dream of being a journalist. Then you can write articles about me when I become famous."

Charlotte smiles sadly and turns her head to gaze outside at the school grounds.

"What's wrong? You seem worried, you know we'll always be friends, no matter what field when end up in."

"I know Scorp, I guess I'm just doubting whether I'll get the internship or not. I have so much competition."

She finally looks me in the eye, where I can see her shed a few tears.

"What if I'm not good enough?" Ah so that's what this is about. As sweet and confident as Charlotte can be, her self-doubt is crippling.

"You can't think like that. You're stressing yourself out for nothing. I've read your stuff, you have talent and skill." I pull her into a hug.

"Plus you happen to be friends with the son of Harry Potter, so that might come in handy," I say winking at her.

Instead of laughing at my joke, Charlotte looks alarmed.

"Shit, I forgot!" grabbing all of her things as quickly as she can, Charlotte swears under her breath.

"I'm late! So sorry Scorpius but I have to go." She kisses my head and rushes away from our table.

"See you later, okay?" she calls over her shoulder, but before I can answer she's already gone.

Shaking my head at Charlotte's forgetfulness, I look out the window next to our table and daydream about a blond Quidditch player showing off in the sky for a certain very special reporter in the stands.

Charlotte's POV

"I'm so sorry I was late, I can't believe I lost track of time." I give Al my best puppy dog eyes.

Rolling his eyes, "not fair! You know I can't stay mad at you when you do that!"

"That's why I do it." I say giggling. In revenge Al grabs me around the waist and starts tickling me. We've been in the empty charms classroom for over an hour now, fooling around and trying not to get caught. We'd had plans to meet at 4, yet studying with Scorpius had taken longer than I had expected.

"I'm sorry I was late." I say while kissing all over Al's face, first his forehead, then his eyes, cheeks and jaw, chin and lastly his lips.

"I forgive you," Al says leaning away from me and giving me an intense look. "You look thoroughly snogged, you should try to sneak over to your dorm before anyone notices."

"Unless you want people to know, which I'd be cool with." Al says surprising me.

"Not yet, but soon." He looks disappointed, but I can fix that. Grabbing his shirt and lifting it over his head, I can see his mood improving already.