"Oh and Snape and I were thinking that you could make up the missed time after hours instead of patrol, that way you won't be behind," Nathaniel continued to blabber on, his hand wrapped around the frozen one of a certain Alle Jones. Gently he caressed her cheek with the back of his hand. "I'm so sorry," he whispered. "I'm doing everything I can to help those mandrakes. We're going to figure out a formula to speed up the growth." He removed his hands and then rubbed his darkly circled eyes. He hadn't slept in days, spending every waking moment either thinking about the girl or researching how to cure her. The other moments he tried to spend with her but it was difficult to do without anyone seeing him, especially her cousin, Avery.

The sound of footsteps brought the boy from his thoughts. He had to go. He stood up and then kissed the girl's frozen cheek before stepping into the shadows.

"Back again, Miss Lemaire?"

Avery looked up at Madame Pince, smiling sheepishly. She'd been to the library more time this week than ever before in her three years at Hogwarts. Of course the librarian would remember. The only thing more shocking would be if the Weasley twins actually visited.

"I'm afraid so. Any recommendations?"

"In the muggle section?"

"Yes, please!"

"Hm, let's see." Avery followed the woman through the shelves until they reached the meager selection of muggle books. "A famous muggle author is Shakespeare, and his most famous work would be Romeo and Juliet. Ever heard of it?"

"I think Alle has mentioned it once or twice. Is it good?"

"I personally like A Midsummer Night's Dream, but most people enjoy Romeo and Juliet more." She studied Avery closely. "How old are you?"

"14."

"About the same age when I read Shakespeare for the first time. Go ahead and read this first. If you like it, come back and I'll give you A Midsummer Night's Dream, okay?"

"Thank you!"

She cradled the book to her chest and made her way back to the medical wing with a spring in her step. For the past few days she had been reading muggle books to Alle when she could, and she was actually enjoying it. She was learning a lot about muggle culture, and she just couldn't see why anyone would hate muggles. They're so amazing in so many ways, and some of their technology seems like magic in itself, and that just amazes Avery.

"Alle, I'm back~" she sang as she stepped into the wing. "I've got Shakespeare today."

She took her seat beside Alle, frowning a bit when she felt that it was warm. Had someone been visiting her cousin? Must have been Veronica, she dismissed.

"Romeo and Juliet," she read the cover. "'Dramatis Personae. Escalus prince of Verona' blah blah blah, a bunch of characters we'll undoubtedly meet later on, aha!

"'Prologue. Two households, both alike in dignity/In fair Verona, where we lay our scene/from ancient grudge break to new mutiny/where civil blood makes civil hands unclean./From forth the fatal loins of these two foes/ a pair of star-crossed lovers take their life…'"

Avery continued to read, completely unaware of the presence hidden behind a curtain, listening to her smooth voice detailing the tragic love story of the young Romeo and Juliet. This presence felt something stir within the pit of his stomach, connecting to the story in a sad way. His heart broke when Avery read those last lines, sealing his fate.

"Back for some more Shakespeare?"

"Oh, please, no. That story was awful! Romeo and Juliet were so stupid! I don't believe it, I really don't. Who could ever enjoy that? You said it's his most famous work?"

"Indeed. Many muggles enjoy it."

Avery shook her head in disappointment. If love was what was depicted in Romeo and Juliet, she would gladly steer clear of it. She needed another book, a better book.

"Any other suggestions?"

"Well there is this one book."

Avery waited patiently as Madame Pince went to find it, leaning against a table casually. She suddenly jumped when she felt a gentle tug on her bow. She whirled around to see George Weasley standing there, rubbing his neck nervously.

"Uh, hi," he greeted awkwardly.

"Hi."

"So, uh, how are you?"

"Is that a serious question or are you actually that idiotic?"

"Wh-I'm not stupid!" he hissed angrily before suddenly smacking his forehead with his palm. "No, that's not… I'm sorry. This is not going well at all." Avery cocked her head to the side, curious to see where this was going. "Look, I'm trying to apologize. For… for everything really."

"You're apologizing?"

"Yeah, I know, it's amazing right? But, um, really, I'm sorry for how I've treated you these past two years." He sucked in a deep breath. "The truth is, I was jealous of you. I've been Fred's best friend for fourteen years, and then you came waltzing in, and I guess I was afraid that would all change."

"Well, I haven't exactly been the best to you either. We've both been awful to each other, and poor Fred was caught in the crossfire."

"Ha, yeah, I guess you're right." He gazed down at her, his eyes no longer holding such hatred. George let out a laugh and held out his hand. "The name's George Weasley."

She grinned and eagerly shook it. "Avery Lemaire."

"Wonderful to meet you, Avery."

"You as well, George."

"I hope we can become friends in the future."

"That doesn't seem too hard."