The next day, Paige walked to the Gryffindor table. Placing herself next to Harry opposite Hermione. People were looking at her, whispering.

Harry placed his head on her shoulder, ignoring all the whispers. What would it matter, now that they were back together. Paige ran her fingers through his hair, enjoying being his girlfriend once more.

'Next week we have a Quidditch match.' Harry mumbled, keeping his head on her shoulder. Really enjoying her company, he had her back finally. After everything! She brought him comfort he forgot he could have.

'Ow no, you have to find a replacement for Ron.' Paige realized.

'Well I didn't have to look hard. To be honest I hadn't even thought about it when Mclaggen offered himself.'

Paige's hand froze for a second, 'Mclaggen? Bummer.' She said getting back at playing with his hair. She didn't see Draco looking at them at the Slytherin table.

Pansy took place next to Draco. 'I heard they officially got back together.' also looking their way.

'Maybe she is finally busy with the plan.' Draco said going back to his food.

'Yeah maybe, but honestly I don't think so.' Pansy said, looking worried.

'Then that will be her funeral.' Draco stated, not giving them another look. Pansy looked at Draco, frowning.

'You really think they would kill her?' She asked.

'Yeah, if it wasn't for her father, she would probably already be.'

Hermione looked at her now back together friends. 'Not worried about your mother?'

'Umm..' Paige mumbled, she still hadn't told them about the fact that Ashley isn't her mother. 'Well.. I am still worried about Ashley, sure.'

Harry looked up from her shoulder, Hermione looked questioningly. Paige leaned in, not wanting anyone else to hear this. Harry and Hermione followed her lead.

'Well, remember what I told you on the train, Hermione, about something I found out about my family… Well-' But Ginny suddenly took place next to Hermione.

'Mclaggen?' She asked Harry, not even looking towards Paige.

'Yeah, he kind of hired himself.' Harry said, sitting up straight again.

'Later,' Paige mouthed to Hermione who nodded.

'Paige?' Harry suddenly asked, 'So Malfoy hasn't talked to you about whatever he is doing?'

'No, we barely talked at all. Last time was..' She thought about it for a moment. It was just after winter break. Telling her he knew about her assignment. 'When we wanted to go to Hagrid,' Paige said to Hermione.

'Just after winter break!' She said, 'What did he wanna talk about?'

'He was just checking in with me. He said he was glad I was okay…' Paige swallowed. 'That's it actually, I got angry with him and went to bed.'

Ginny snorted before Paige continued, 'But he has been distant this whole year, won't tell me a thing.' She suddenly remembered that she had seen him at Hogsmeade just before the attack of Katie Bell. She hesitated 'cause she knew he was already on the suspect list. But if he was the culprit she had to say it.

'What really weird was, he told me before the Hogmead outing. That.. he wouldn't come.. But I saw him there.. I confronted him about it because how dare he not tell me, you know… I'm his best friend and he kinda ditched me...' Paige was trailing off. 'Anyway, the thing is that was right before Katie got hurt.'

Harry looked at Hermione, 'Draco yet again, it's good I have been following him.' Harry turned to Paige. 'Sometimes on the marauders map he just isn't anywhere to be found.'

'Really, that's weird. Where would he go?' Paige asked

'Don't know, but I will keep an eye on him.' Harry retorted.

'Yeah do that.' Paige mumbled, deep in thought about her oldest friend.

In the course of the week Paige hadn't had the chance to tell Harry and Hermione about her mother- or well not mother. With quidditch practice and visiting Ron a lot, Lavender taken time with Harry to discuss Ron and Harry also being very busy with keeping an eye out on Draco. The week was already over.

The day of the match Paige and Harry were walking towards the quidditch pitch after visiting Ron when they saw Draco walk the other way. Draco stopped at the sight of them.

'Where are you going?' Harry demanded.

'Yeah, I'm really going to tell you, because it's your business, Potter.' sneered Malfoy. 'You'd better hurry up, they'll be waiting for -The chosen Captain – the boy who scored - whatever they call you these days.' He pushed past them.

Harry and Paige looked at each other. 'I'll follow him.' Paige said nodding, 'You go do the match!' Harry nodded back and started to walk on, to the quidditch pitch.

Paige turned towards where Draco just walked and sprinted after him, she turned the corner, catching a glimpse of Draco. She followed him what she thought was quietly but turning the next corner Draco was waiting for her.

'So what? You're now Potter's errand boy?' He sneered.

'I would have been yours, if you told me what you're doing!' Paige said almost jokingly.

Draco stood there for a moment, pinching the bridge of his nose. 'I'm not telling you what I'm doing.' He finally said.

'Why? how bad can it be?'

Draco grabbed her by her arms pulling her closer. 'You have no idea how bad it is. It came from the dark lord himself, Paige!'

'So what, so did mine!' Paige snapped back.

'You don't understand.' He said, letting go of her. 'I could never tell you. You are not like us. You're a blood-traitor, always been always will be.' He looked extremely cold at her, even though he could see how much it hurt her to hear him say that.

'Draco…' Paige didn't know what to say to that so instead she said, 'Come on don't tell me you are actually rooting for the dark lord?'

'I'm on the right side.'

Paige snorted 'You really think that? As if they care about you? If you can't do what they want you to do, they will kill you too!'

'I won't fail!' But Draco didn't sound confident. 'What do I care that they don't care? Nobody cares!'

'I care!'

'I thought this friendship didn't work for you!'

'Yeah 'cause you won't tell me what's going on, what you have to do! I want to help you! I can help you! We'll both be 17 at the end of the year! We don't have to go back to our parents! We can get out before he marks us!'

Draco looked like he was in pain for a moment, backing off slowly, not looking anywhere near her eyes. 'Maybe I want to-'

'Really? you wanna be under the control of that maniac? Draco let me help you!'

Draco just shook his head, 'Just tell me you are back with Potter boy because you're finally doing your part?'

'No, Draco. I won't do it. I won't betray him.'

'Then your father is a dead man and once they get their hands on you, so will you.' Draco said coldly. He turned and started to walk away, but Paige grabbed his arm.

'Draco! Please-!' But he looked at her with such disgust, she loosened her grip on him. He had never looked at her so ugly. He pulled his arm lose and strutted away.

She just stood there for a few minutes, frozen. Would they really kill her dad? Ashley had said he would get a fate worse than death. And her father had said he didn't mind… So could she let him die or suffer something worse?

Paige slowly started to walk back, deep in thought. She felt exhausted again. Not feeling anything to go watch the quidditch match she wandered back to her common room. Collapsing on the couch, the room completely empty.

Why was Draco being like this? Yes sure he was always bloody posh and a brat but she didn't expect him wanting to be one of them. Draco a death eater? He would never actually want that right?

She remembered how Draco was when they were younger… He was always the one who felt bad about getting into trouble. Crying so many times, begging for forgiveness when Paige would get hurt. Paige always forgave him but he would be sulky about it for days. Yeah he was a git back then too but it was obviously because of his father. Paige and Draco had bonded about muggle stuff, about how cruel their parents could be. How did it turn out this way?

A while later the common room door opened up and Pansy with Blaise and some other students walked in. They were laughing loudly.

'What's up?' Paige asked Pansy, jumping off of the couch. 'Did Gryffindore lose, or something?'

'Oh you missed it of course. The replacement for Weasel hit-' She had a hard time speaking, she was laughing so hard. 'He hit your precious boytoy in the head with a bludger.' She finally finished, She and Blaise roared with laughter. 'He… He had to be taken to the hospital wing.' She added as she kept laughing.

Paige passed them without a word and started to sprint towards the hospital wing. As she opened the doors she found Hermione, Ginny and Ron sitting next to Harry who was by the looks of it unconscious.

'Look who finally decided to show up.' Ginny snapped as soon as Paige walked in.

'I just heard.' Paige explained walking towards his bed.

'You weren't even at the game.' Ginny continued, looking angry.

'I know! Harry knew..' said Paige, irritated. Gosh could Ginny just shut up! Paige thought, the last thing she wanted right now was conflict.

'Why weren't you there then?'

'None, of your business, Ginny.'

'If you can't even support your own boyfriend.'

'I was supporting him another way.' Paige snapped.

'Right,' Ginny answered, clearly not believing her.

But Paige ignored her. She took place next to Harry leaning on his bed, stroking his face, looking at his bandaged head.

'Mclaggen?' she asked at Hermione.

'Yeah that idiot. Tried to show a beater how it's done.' Hermione said, making air quotes in the air.

'Right, where is he? Can I strangle him or something?' Paige said furiously.

'Well I think the rest of the team is already making his life a living hell.' Ron said, there was a note of badly suppressed glee in his voice; he was probably thrilled that Mclaggen had messed up so badly.

Paige sighed, pushing Harry's hair out of his face. She kept stroking his cheek with her thumb as she lay her head on the bed, closing her eyes. She felt like crying, but didn't. How does this always happen to Harry? He gets hurt so much and he would always play it off like it was nothing. But Paige worried about him a lot. Harry often didn't seem to care if he got hurt, which made Paige worry even more.

She laid there for what felt like hours before madam Pomfrey sent her to her common room to get some sleep.

The next morning both Ron and Harry were dismissed from the hospital wing. Paige was sitting next to Hermione when the boys joined them. The nice part about them being poisoned and getting hit with a bludger was that Hermione was friends with them again. Greeting them both and offering them something to drink.

Harry sat opposite of Paige, placing his hand on hers.

'Glad you're okay.' Paige said, smiling softly.

'Yeah, I'm fine, nothing I can't handle.' He assured her, but Paige didn't feel reassured for one bit.

Then Harry leaned in closer, 'So, did you find out where Draco went?' He asked, he had been waiting to ask her the whole night.

'No,' she said, unsure about what to say precisely. Draco didn't outright say he wanted to be a death eater… But he definitely didn't want her help… 'He found out I was following him, we had a fall out. Sorry.'

'No it's alright, I have something else planned.'

Hermione and Paige looked curious but got interrupted by Luna.

'I went to the hospital wing to find you,' she said to Harry. 'but they said you'd left..' She handed him over a rather grubby scroll of parchment. '... I've been told to give you this.'

'Dumbledore..' Harry whispered, 'Tonight.'

'Nice commentary, last match!' said Ron to Luna.

'You're making fun of me, aren't you?' She said, 'Everyone says I was dreadful.'

'No, I'm serious!' He said back. 'I can't remember enjoying commentary more!'

'Well thank you then.' Luna said, turning around and walked away.

'You know, she's grown on me, Luna.' Ron said, watching her go when suddenly Lavender was walking towards them.

'Hi,' Ron said sheepishly.

'Let's go,' Harry said to Paige and Hermione. They quickly stood up, as they walked away they could hear Lavender say, 'Why didn't you tell me you were getting out today? And why was she with you?'

Paige glanced at Hermione who was trying to hide a small smirk on her face.

At lunch, Ron looked both sulky and annoyed sitting with Lavender. They didn't exchange one word with each other.

Paige woke up, at the foot of her bed were quite some presents. She had finally turned 17. She started ripping them open.

Fred and George had given her instant darkness powder. Hermione had given her a muggle book of a series Paige was reading. Ron had given her a basket for sweets and chocolates.

Harry's present was quite something; it was a sealed glass pot, inside were plants and moss. A pretty flower grew in the middle. It seems to have its own climate. As the flower moved in the wind. There was a note. 'Tick it with your wand.' Paige grabbed her wand ticking on the pot. Small light sources started to fly almost like fireflies, giving off a soft beautiful light.

'Cool,' She said, still staring at it. She ticked on it again and the fireflies went out. She put it on her side table and admired it for a moment before going back to the rest of the presents. Pansy had given her a new scarf and gloves. Blaise had given her a new notebook. She looked around but Draco hadn't given her any present.

There was one present left, she grabbed and opened a small box. It was a watch, the watch you get when turning 17. The card said, 'Happy birthday,' in the handwriting of her father. At least he was still alive for now.

She smiled, placing it on her wrist. She got dressed and walked to the great hall. She was greeted by Harry and Hermione. Ron was sitting with Lavender again only giving her an apologetic smile.

'Happy birthday,' Harry said, giving Paige a kiss on the cheek.

'Thank you, and thank you for the lovely gifts.' Paige said smiling. 'How did you do that with the glass pot?'

Harry laughed nervously, scratching the back of his head. 'Neville and Hermione helped me.' He admitted.

'Well it's really cool.' Paige said, giving Harry a peck on his lips.

After breakfast Harry turned to Paige. 'Would you come to the Quidditch pitch with me, I have one last birthday surprise.'

Paige blinked a few times before saying, 'Alright, sure.'

Harry took her hand, they said bye to Hermione and walked towards the Quidditch pitch. Were they going to fly together again? Paige wondered, thinking about the time they did in their fourth year.

When they arrived, Paige didn't see one broomstick but two. 'Harry, no..' She mumbled knowing exactly what Harry's plan was.

'Come on, I am going to teach you how to fly.' He said, grabbing his broom and holding out the other at Paige.

'I don't know Harry.' Paige said uncertainly.

'Don't worry I will catch you if you fall.' He said, smirking as she took the broom from him.

'Okay, if you say so.' She said still not certain. Harry smiled, laying his broom down next to him, starting to guide Paige on how to sit on her broom.

'Yeah that's right.' He said as she was taking place on the broom, Harry's hands were on her hip. 'Whoa, look out.' Harry said quickly, Paige had been distracted by Harry's hand placement and she slipped a bit.

'Ah ya, right, sorry.' She said, finding her footing. 'Alright,' feeling alright about her sitting position.

'Great, now wait.' He said, grabbing his own broom and getting on it. 'Right now slightly push yourself up.' He explained, pushing himself off the ground. Now Harry was hovering a few feet off of the ground. Nodding at Paige to do the same.

Feeling quite nervous she pushed her feet off the ground slightly. Her broom flew up and stopped a few feet in the air.

'Brilliant!' Bellowed Harry, positioning himself next to Paige. Her heart was pounding in her chest but for the first time in a long time it was from excitement.

Paige beamed at Harry, which made her lose balance a bit. 'Whoa,' She mumbled, concentrating on her broom again to regain balance. Harry helpt by holding her at her elbow.

'Alright.' Paige said, 'What's next?'

'We are just slowly going to fly around, staying close to the ground.' Harry said, letting go of her. 'You gain speed by shifting your weight to the front.' He explained, letting her see the movement, making his broom go forward.

Paige tried, moving her weight to the front of the broom, slowly feeling the broom starting to move. She moved her balance back to the back, making the broom come to a hold.

'Very nice.' Harry said, positioning himself next to her again. 'And making turns has the same idea, you wanna move to the right, move yourself to the right, wanna go left, move to the left. And move back when you wanna come to a stop.' He demonstrated it.

'And for some more power you can guide your broom with your hands.' He finished placing himself next to Paige once again. 'Ready to try? I will stay close to you.'

Paige moved forwards again, starting the broom.

She was flying! She was actually flying on her own! Paige beamed as she started to turn right, Harry following her.

Harry smiled, seeing how concentrated she was. Paige turned left, so did Harry. She flew around some more before coming to a stop. She smirked at Harry,

'Wanna go a bit higher?' Harry suggested.

'Alright.' said Paige.

'Just move as if you are pulling yourself up.'

She did and indeed her broom went higher. Harry went after her. Paige started to fly again, a bit faster this time. Harry now actually had to keep up.

Paige kept speeding up, laughing. Making sharp turns to give Harry a run for his money.

Harry noticed the game Paige was playing and played along with glee.

Paige was even starting to move up and down, making it harder for Harry to follow her. She started to go down, flying close to the ground. Harry close behind her.

'You're the catcher right, well then, catch me!' Paige bellowed behind her, flying faster. Now Harry had to really make some speed. He of course still flew much better then Paige and caught up with her in seconds. Paige flew towards Harry, slightly pushing him.

They were laughing and not really paying attention where they were flying. At the last moment Harry saw they were about to fly against the stadium when he grabbed Paige by her cloak and pulled her to the side while trying to slow down. Paige lost her grip on the broom and fell onto Harry. Who tried to brake as hard as he could before they would hit the ground.

Paige landed with a harsh thud onto Harry as they hit the ground, breaking her fall.

'Harry! Are you okay?!' Paige asked, pushing herself up, so she could see his face. His glasses were wonky and his hair was more of a mess then it always was but other than that he looked fine.

They started to laugh. Harry still had his arms around her waist. Paige dropped to her elbows to get closer to his face.

'Well, I caught you.' Harry said, still laughing.

'Yeah.' Paige said, who was also still laughing. 'Yeah you did.'

She felt the feeling in her heart again. It felt like it was regaining power slowly.

Paige pushed her lips on Harry's. With two fingers she slid off his glasses and moved on to his hair. Harry was pressing back hard, arms around her waist pulling her close. She pushed her hips against his. She felt pressure against her emerge from down there… She felt herself getting really hot, but didn't break the kiss. Her tongue licked his lips as he opened them. Their tongues colliding with each other. Paige felt the urge to slightly motion her hips making Harry moan softly into her mouth.

Paige grabbed his hair roughly and pulled his head back breaking their lips apart. Breathing heavily, Paige moved to his neck. Nibbling softly, kissing him… leaving little marks on his skin.. She could hear him moan again.

After a while she felt that Harry wanted to kiss her again, but Paige wouldn't let him. When Harry got impatient he rolled her over, so now Harry was on top. He took her hands and held them above her head. She was still breathing heavily.

'You're teasing me.' Harry managed to say through his breaths.

'Yeah.' She said, with a look of utmost lust and desire for him. Harry couldn't resist, he got back into kissing her on the lips. Letting go of her hands so he could move his hands over her body. Squeezing, feeling, touching. Pressing his body against her. Feeling that if they would be alone… and not be in the open on the pitch, this could have gone much further.

They broke the kiss again. Paige looked into Harry's eyes… She never had seen his eyes like that, like he was eating her up in his mind…

'Best birthday ever..' Paige mumbled, mesmerized by his look.

He stroked her cheek, before giving her kisses on her cheek, her forehead, her nose. Everywhere on her face. 'That makes me happy to hear.' He said through his pecks.

It took them a while to get back to the castle… Not wanting this day to end.

Thank you for reading!