((I want to apologive for such a long wait and the short chapters but I've been super super sick. So this might be constant but I'll try more))
Weeks had passed since the Yule ball, and Riley was more confused than ever. She hated being a teenager, and between lectures and helping Harry Potter with the second task, she did not have a second alone with Neville Longbottom. Merlin, they kissed. Honestly, he kissed her, but that wasn't the point. The point was that Neville gained an ounce of courage and kissed her, Riley wanted to talk to him when it happened, but Snape had caught them and forced them back to the ball. The Yule Ball. A great hall with three of her brothers who already bullied her for trying to sneak out and getting caught by Snape. Riley also did not last long inside because Hermione and Ron bickered which caused Hermione to run out crying. Riley apologized to Neville before running after her, and they haven't had a moment alone since.
The library was silent and awkward and basically empty except for Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Riley. They were split up into two groups: Hermione and Harry in the restricted section while Riley and Ron were whispering to each other a few rows away. Things between Ron and Hermione were strained, but Riley decided that, although Ron was an idiot, she was going to be a good sister and stay at his side.
'I wish Ron would just stop,' Riley thought with a scowl as she annoyingly flipped the pages, not really paying attention. She looked up at Ron, who was staring at the other two, and shook her head, "How are we twins? Seriously, Ronald, you're thick. Mione does not have any feelings for Krum. She basically went with him because I begged her to."
"You begged your best friend to go to the ball with someone she doesn't like?"
"It was Viktor Krum!" Riley cried out which caused the other two's head to snap in their direction. Riley blushed, "He caught the snitch, but they didn't win! Rotten luck."
Ron's face matched hers as he grabbed her arm and pulled her so Harry and Hermione couldn't see them. "Yeah, but I'm your brother.," he hissed angrily. Riley looked downwards and sighed, "Look. I'm sorry that it seemed that I took Harry's side when you two fought. I didn't mean to take a side! We have a massive family if I'm not in your corner once you still have five other siblings and your parents and so many aunts and uncles and cousins! Who does Harry have? Snuffy, Lupin?"
"Riley..."
"I love you, Ron. I don't say this enough, but I do." Riley whispered and took his hand when she heard the voice of the one person she didn't want to see.
"Dumbledore needs to see you, Hermione. You and Riley." Neville said shyly. "Is she here?"
"She's right here mate," Ron called out, and Riley almost wanted to take everything she just said back. She made her way to the three friends: Hermione who had a confused looked, Harry had a smirk, and Neville turned bright red as soon as he saw her.
"R-Riley," Neville started but was quickly interrupted by the girl mentioned, "Let's go, Mione. We'll help you when we come back, Harry."
The two girls made their way to McGonagall's office with Hermione pushing to know what happened between Neville and Riley.
Riley just giggled nervously and replied, "I'll tell you after our meeting with Dumbledore."
But that time never came because when the next time she came too, Riley Weasley was gasping for breath, trying to keep her head above water.