On our way to the castle, it was complete silence. Hermione didn't say anything and I didn't dare to ask and waited till we were safe in our dorms.

"Alright, care to tell me what's wrong? Why were you glaring at him?" I asked her once putting away my costume. I sat down next to her on her bed and rubbed her back.

"I don't know, I was just upset about this whole thing and I don't want to see Ron and Lavender together. He seems to like her I guess." She answered looking down and I sighed.

"What made you think that? Maybe he doesn't like her."

"Yeah? Then why hasn't he made a move on me yet?" Hermione exclaimed angrily.

"Oh come on, you know Ron...He's shy, I doubt he likes her. Lavender sat next to him during Transfiguration and Ron was trying his best to keep a space between them." I explained and hoped she'd feel a bit better.

"She was sitting next to him?"

I sighed giving up. She looked at the bad side of the picture. We sat down in silence again and it helped us calm down. Hermione seemed to have cooled down since she hugged and apologized for yelling, I nodded and hugged her back then said "Don't give up on this just yet."

She smiled softly at me and I mirrored her and poked her sides making her jump a little and laugh. "What did Harry want earlier?"

"Oh, he just wanted to talk. He sounded serious, but I dunno."

"You two have been talking a lot lately in private...Is something going between you two?" She asked carefully and I laughed at that.

"Of course not. I don't see him like that and I'm sure he feels the same. Besides, Ginny seems to fancy him, don't you think so?"

"She does and she's planning to make a move before someone else beats her to it." Hermione said and I was impressed wishing I had the guts to do the same if I liked someone.

"Well, I'm going to do some homework. Care to join me?" She said and got up to get her books.

I rolled my eyes and shook my head. "No, I'm going out for a walk till the boys get here. I'll see you later." With that I walked out of our room and left the common room.

The halls seemed to be a little quiet, well only the floor which I was on to be exact. A few students passed then the area seemed deserted. It was nice to be alone in my thoughts, but I wished I had brought a book with me to read, it was the perfect place right now other than the library. I looked around trying to spot a bench to sit on and once I did, someone seemed to be sitting on it. I recognized the person immediately. That bright blonde hair could be spotter miles from here.

I wasn't sure if Malfoy had sensed someone walking around him. He seemed to stare into space, in his thoughts, in an other world or maybe his own little world. His stare was intense, the expression on his face turned to anger all of a sudden. I debated whether to walk in the other direction or just keep walking forward. However, before I could decide which way to take his voice startled me.

"I know you're here Hemingway." Malfoy didn't look up but his stare loosened a bit.

"What are you doing here?" I asked after approaching him, but didn't sit down.

"You and I both know I'm not going to answer so why bother." He said simply and slightly smirked knowing he was right when he heard my huff.

"It never hurts to ask, Malfoy." I muttered then sat down on the end of the bench keeping enough space between us. Draco was a little shocked, but quickly hid it. "Why aren't you with your little friends?"

"You and I both know I'm not going to answer so why bother." I mimicked him and this time it was my turn to smirk while he scoffed.

"Don't use my own words against me, Hemingway."

"Or what? They're just words, why get upset over it. I was just kidding with you." Now I was shocked at what I had said. Kidding with Malfoy? That had never happened before. He didn't argue back and we just sat there awkwardly until he spoke up.

"Anyone asked your pathetic ass to the dance?"

"What's it to you?"

"I was only making conversation! By the tone of your voice I'm guessing not."

"Actually, someone did ask me and I said no." I pointed out. "I suppose no one wants to go with a ferret."

"How dare you?" By now he was glaring at me. "I'm not even going to the stupid dance. It's not my scene, I have more important things to attend to."

"Right and what is your scene, Malfoy? A high society event or perhaps a murder scene?"

"I am no murderer!" He yelled and had his wand pointed at me.

Draco was shaking and ready to tear up, but controlled himself by glaring straight into my eyes. I had my hand on my own magical stick prepared to block any spells thrown at me. Fortunately, he slowly lowered his wand and quickly ran leaving me wondering what was that all about.

I sat there for a few minutes until hearing a familiar voice calling me. "Marianne?" It was Harry. "Hermione told me you went for a walk." He ran towards me then stopped right in front of me catching his breath.

"I'm here, what did you want to talk about?" I pulled him to sit down next to me on the bench.

"Well, I..." He was nervous. "This going to be hard for me, I haven't told anyone this not even Ron or Hermione I guess I'm afraid."

"Just spill it, no reason to be afraid...unless you have a deep dark secret we don't know about."

"Oh no, it's nothing like that." He laughed lightly and I said "Good."

"Ok, I'm just going to say it...I'm going to ask Ginny to the dance." He whispered the last part, but I heard him clearly.

I smiled at that knowing that Ginny liked him and she would beam once he'd ask her.

"I'm just scared that Ron wouldn't approve."

"Why? He'd be glad that his sister is going out with someone as great as you Harry and it helps that you're his best friend so I'm sure he knows that Ginny would be safe with you." I put my hand on his shoulder letting him know that I support him in this.

"I'm not sure. I'm just going to give it a try and see, but what if she doesn't like me like that?"

I bit my lip to keep me from laughing at how nervous and worried he was. "Trust me. It will turn out well. All you have to do is ask her."

"You're right. Thanks, Marianne you're a great friend." He grinned giving me a hug.

I laughed and hugged him back. "Well I try to be."