To be honest, I have no idea what to do. It was my job to persuade James into asking Belle out on the Hogsmeade trip coming up, but for some reason he decided to take Melanie the slag Davies. I feel so bad because I, of all people, have a date with the most attractive guy in all of Hogwarts and Belle, who is twenty two times prettier than me, has no one. This world just makes no sense.

I had been avoiding Belle for the past week because I felt so guilty. Sometimes, she would ask to talk but I made dumb excuses like studying for a Potions exam or having to sneak into the library so that I could finish an essay. I was beginning to feel so terrible that I even told Scorpius Malfoy about it. But nothing about Chase and I. Some things are meant to stay private. And, besides, I don't want anyone else to know…yet.

"Okay, so why exactly are you avoiding her?" Malfoy asked me for the billionth time.

"I told you! I can't find her a date to Hogsmeade! I want James to ask her, but he's being a git!"

"Potter's always a git," he pointed out.

Normally I would protest, but this time, I actually agreed with him. "Tell me about it."

He smirked and we walked further along the corridor.

I sighed. "I just feel so guilty."

"You should."

I glared at him. "Not helping."

He held his arms up in surrender. "Sorry. It's only my opinion."

"Well I didn't ask for it!" I stomped my foot exactly as a five year old would. "I know that I'm a bad friend! There's no need to remind me of it!"

"Weasley, stop your whining, please. It's getting pretty pathetic."

"Then why did you agree to listen to me rant?"

"Ah, see, this is where you're wrong, sweetie," he dabbed my nose with his finger and I almost gagged on his pale face. "I agreed to listening to you rant. Whining is a totally different thing."

I rolled my eyes. "Whatever. And don't call me sweetie. Ever."

He laughed coldly. "It's fun to mess with you."

I sighed in annoyance. "I hate my life."

"Oh, come on. Big deal, you're feeling guilty. Just talk to Marshall."

"I can't do that! What would I tell her? Oh, hello, Belle, my best friend, I just came to break your heart by saying that James is taking Melanie to Hogsmeade next week!"

Malfoy sighed. "Do you want my advice or not?"

"No."

He raised an eyebrow.

I breathed out through my nose. "You're lucky I'm desperate."

He smirked again. "Why don't you ask get other Potter to take Marshall?"

I choked on my spit. "You're kidding right? Al is the most annoying little piece of crap on this planet and Belle wants to murder him every time he says something. If I put them together on a date to Hogsmeade, they'd practically kill each other! Do you want the third Wizarding War to break out?"

"Ah, but you're not seeing the big picture, sweetheart."

I glared at him. "I told you not to call me that."

"Actually you said to call me sweetie. I said sweetheart. So, technically, I'm off the hook."

I rolled my eyes. "Just get on with it."

"Well, if Potter sees his brother with Marshall on a date, it'll make him jealous, right?"

"Yes," I agreed, a devious smile forming on my face.

"So he'll probably leave Davies to claw his brother's eyes out."

"Oh my wizard god! That's genius!"

"I know, I know. Hold your applause."

"Prick."

….

Hogsmeade came closer than I suspected. It was already Friday night, and I hadn't even spoken to Al about going with Belle to Hogsmeade. I hate procrastination. From now on, I'm going to take advantage of things and do them before it's too late…starting next week…hopefully.

That night, I waited until after everyone was up in their dorms (which took forever, I think I might add) to talk to Al. He and James were playing a game of Wizard's Chess and Belle was sprawled out and asleep on the couch. Okay, it's about time to swallow my pride.

I cleared y throat the way I always did when I needed someone to move.

Al immediately got up and threw his arms up in surrender. "Fine! It's alright! I'm used to it! I'll just leave so that you and James can discuss how you want to do your hair for Hogsmeade tomorrow."

"Actually Al, you can stay. James, you've got to go."

He glared at me, deciding whether to listen or not. I gave him my best devilish smile, the one I always get whenever I'm planning to prank or sabotage someone else. He immediately grew a worried face, gulped, and left. I smirked as I took his seat on the floor next to Al.

"What do you want Rose?" he asked toughly, though I could hear the crack in his voice.

I pursed my lips and thought for a moment about how I was to approach this. "Okay, I'm not going to feed around the bush. I'm just going to be frank with you, and I'm begging you, please don't freak out on me."

His eyebrows furrowed together. "Okay?"

"I need you to take Belle to Hogsmeade tomorrow."

His eyes widened. "NO!" he yelled. "I DON'T WANT TO DIE!"

"You promised that you wouldn't freak out on me!"

"Yeah, that was before I knew that you wanted me to take that…that thing on a date!"

"Hey, she's right there! Do you want to get killed right now?"

He thought for a moment then answered, "No."

"That's what I thought."

"Explain why you want me to ask her out. We both know James is in love with her! I don't want to reenact the Boston Riot!"

"Oh, please. James is more subtle than that. He'll probably slip some mercury into your pumpkin juice and have you die a slow and painful death."

His face turned pale. "Because that totally makes everything better, Rose. Thanks."

"Sorry. But please, Al. It'll only be for one day, and, besides, you can go as friends and just laugh like one of you told a funny joke if you see James anywhere."

He rolled his eyes. "What's in it for me?"

"I'll give you all of my Hogsmeade money," I promised, hoping that he would have forgotten my punishment.

He pursed his lips the way he always does when he makes one of those "life-or-death" decisions.

"Deal," he finally responded.

I smirked and gave him a brotherly hug. Only now, I had to find some money…

….

The following morning, mum sent an owl post telling me how sorry she was, and thank Merlin, it had money in it.

"Ho muck?" Belle asked with her mouth full of cereal.

I rolled my eyes, but told her, "Two galleons, eleven sickles, fourteen knuts."

She spit out her cereal back into the bowl, causing me to almost gag.

"Dude!" I exclaimed, still horrified.

She used her sleeve to wipe her mouth and the red rosy pigments in her cheeks flared. "Sorry."

I snickered and at that moment, James and Al entered the Great Hall, and James looked even paler than I'd ever seen him before. His eyes were purple and baggy, and I noticed that he lost a little weight, but it didn't look very nice on him. It only looked extremely unhealthy. When Belle saw him, her eyes were full of concern, but she looked away before he could return the gaze.

"Is everything all right, James?" I asked.

He didn't answer. He only poured himself a glass of orange juice and stared out the window.

Before I could say anything else, Al interrupted with: "Hey, Rose. Pay up."

"Oh," I muttered as I grabbed the pouch full of coins. I only gave him five sickles and six knuts. I'm not stupid enough to give him all of my money.

He raised an eyebrow. "This is it?"

I took a bite of my buttered croissant. "She thinks if she gives me more than eleven, I'll raid Zonko's and prank everyone until the end of time."

He managed a laugh. "Well, it's probably true."

I smiled and made another dent in the croissant.

"Why are you giving Al your Hogsmeade money?" Belle asked curiously.

"Oh, uh…" I stumbled. "Lost a bet."

"Well that's a first," James muttered as he took a sip of his juice.

Looking at James almost hurt. It was so hard to see him look so unhealthy. His collarbones were jolting out of his skin and you could see the formation of them through his now loose crew neck shirt. I was dying to know what was making him like this.

"James, what's wrong?" I asked.

"Nothing," he answered after a long pause. "Can't you see that?"

"No, I can't! When I look at you, I see someone who is lifeless and frail, and that it not even close to the James that I know! Why are you like this?"

He slammed his fist on the table. "Because Melanie dumped me! She dumped me! Are you happy now Rose?"

I tried to say something, but he only knocked all of the goblets and platters of food off of the table then stormed out of the Great Hall. McGonagall called after him with threats of detention, but I knew that she'd take pity on him when she realized how fragile he was. Poor James. He could break at any second. Unless, he's already broken…

A/N: Okay, sorry I couldn't fit Hogsmeade in. I promise it will be in the next chapter. Thanks for reading! Don't forget to review! OR ELSE.

Just kidding. But seriously. REVIEW.