Author's Note: When I was sketching out Boxing Day, I realized Chrysanthe

1. loved tarot and

2. figured out Alicia was lying through her teeth

And my Muse, or Chrysanthe (or both) wanted to do a tarot reading on Alicia. MandyinKC encouraged me to finish it. It almost got deleted out of anxiety and frustration.

I should state in advance that I am not an expert at tarot and I really had no idea what I was doing with this chapter. I got the idea for this chapter from the amazing RiennaHawkes' fanfic Buried Treasure and Transmogrify, a fantastic story about Lily and James's time as Head Girl and Boy at Hogwarts (very NSFW though, so be careful where you read it!) Since I'm not familiar with tarot, I just stuck with the Major Arcana when I wrote this chapter to make my life marginally easier.

(If you are a tarot expert and I've made some drastic mistake, let me know and if it doesn't seriously affect things I can change it a bit.)

~EA

A Celtic Cross Reading

January 2, 1995

It was the day after New Year's, and everyone was feeling rather down. New Year's Day had been on a Sunday, which meant that classes had started back the following day, much to everyone's frustration. Despite having a lovely winter break that involved a dance, it just felt wrong to start classes back on a Monday immediately following a holiday.

It had been a long day, too — Alicia was quite ready to return to the library and start on all the homework she'd been set that day, but it didn't look like that was going to happen. Because as she made to leave the Great Hall after dinner, someone called her name through the crowd.

She had been expecting Chrysanthe Hayden to ambush her ever since Boxing Day, but Chrysanthe was a very patient sort who could wait until one forgot she had an agenda and a long memory. And that was exactly what she had done: tried to lull Alicia into a false sense of security by letting Alicia think she'd forgotten all about their conversation outside the kitchens on Boxing Day.

The Hufflepuff prefect caught up with the three Gryffindor Chasers at the door to the Great Hall and asked cheerily, "Mind if I borrow you ladies for a bit?"

Angelina smiled in return. "Of course not. What's up?"

Chrysanthe grabbed Alicia's hand. "Come with me," she said, as she sidestepped to let a group of Slytherins pass, who were also leaving the Great Hall. Including — Alicia's heart jumped into her throat — Adrian Pucey.

He didn't look at her though. Warrington was going on about something and Pucey was giving him his attention. Alicia refocused on Chrysanthe. There was no sense in watching him, anyways. They were just...acquaintances? Maybe? She really wasn't sure what they were, to be honest. To make things worse, she had overheard a number of people gossiping about him in the past week, since the Yule Ball. Apparently, he really had danced with half of the girls that night. It made it quite difficult to believe that she, Alicia, might be somewhat special in his eyes. How on earth could she be? Why would he think she was the sexiest girl in school, when Angelina and Chrysanthe were both far prettier?

Regardless, she did not need to draw attention to him or her; that was dangerous.

To her discontent, however, Chrysanthe was staring at her, and then her eyes flickered back to Pucey.

Trying to sound politely confused, Alicia asked, "What did you need?"

"Oh, Merlin —" Chrysanthe's eyes widened, flickering between Adrian's back and Alicia.

"Chrysanthe —" Alicia warned. "Stop reading things that aren't even there —"

"Huh?" Angelina looked confused, but then her eyes darted to the Slytherins just as they stepped through the arch into the dungeons. "Oh, bloody fuck, wait a tick —"

"I told you," Katie insisted, huffing as she crossed her arms.

"Come with me," Chrysanthe demanded. "Now."

And that was how Alicia found herself dragged to an empty first-floor classroom, where the Hufflepuff rounded on her with an excited expression.

"Did you dance with Adrian at the Yule Ball?"

"Yes, she did," Katie piped up, much to Alicia's annoyance.

Trying to inject sense into this conversation, Alicia said patiently, "Me and everyone else." When Chrysanthe just looked at her, she sighed and elaborated, "It was nothing. McClaggen backed into me and nearly knocked me over. Pucey just happened to catch me before I hit the floor. We danced for, I don't know, maybe a minute at most before the song changed —?"

Chrysanthe squealed and grabbed her hands, which Alicia thought was entirely out of order. Sure, Angelina had done the same after they got back to their dormitory the night of the ball, but that was different. They had still been riding the high from the ball itself. Even after McGonagall had stormed in and told them to go to bed, Katie had snuck back up and she, Alicia, and Angelina had whispered and giggled until four in the morning about how the evening had gone for each of them.

But now, they were over a week out from the Yule Ball, and Alicia had had plenty of time to put things into better perspective. Her dance with Pucey, which had seemed so sexy and fun at the time, was just one of many dances for him. She had been one of who-knew how many partners; he'd not only danced with girls that didn't have dates, but some girls who did have dates. A lot of girls had been giggling about Pucey behind their hands, and when she saw him in the Great Hall or in the few classes they shared, he looked as arrogant and quiet as ever, but now with a confident little smirk, it seemed. And their bizarre little tête-a-tétes felt entirely random, like strange blimps in her peripheral vision and she wasn't sure what to make of them.

Angelina brought her out of her thoughts. "Right? He is so fit. Even if he is a Slytherin."

Alicia frowned at them. "Come on! It wasn't anything serious! It didn't mean anything for him to dance with me because he danced with so many girls that night, and I would be stupid to think it did mean something." She rolled her eyes. "It's not like we're even friends —"

Chrysanthe arched an eyebrow. "I'll be the judge of that."

"Look, you know I don't care much for Divination —"

"I don't care what you think, 'Licia, I still want to do a reading on you. Come on, please? Just a Celtic Cross. Let me have my fun."

"Do it!" Katie grinned. "I want to know what it says! Because I told her it was Fate that pushed her into Pucey's arms, not McClaggen. And I saw the way he looked at her when I danced by!"

"How was that?" Chrysanthe asked eagerly.

"He didn't look at me —" Alicia tried to say, but Katie cut her off.

"That boy wanted to shag her. He didn't look at any other girl that way all night, I'm certain of it. He fancies 'Licia."

"Why should he fancy me when there are plenty of girls in this castle prettier than I am?" Alicia complained.

"Do you not like him?" Chrysanthe asked suddenly, clearly with some surprise.

"No! I mean..." Alicia took a deep breath. "I suppose like Pucey well enough, considering he's a Slytherin. And he is fit, it's just... I hardly know him. We don't interact much at all! How am I supposed to like someone I don't even know, Chrysanthe?"

"Well, it's not impossible..."

Angelina hummed in agreement. "Sometimes it's nice just to snog someone whether you know them or not, and see how it feels. Especially if they're fit."

Alicia huffed and just barely caught herself from reminding Angelina about the way Fred kissed, and how he had treated her after the ball. The only way to get out of her current situation was not to pick a fight with Angelina, but to allow Chrysanthe to do as she wished. Though it was rather insufferable that even Katie and Angelina were buying into this nonsense.

"Fine," she said through gritted teeth. "Go ahead. But I still think it's rubbish."

Chrysanthe eagerly sat down, pulled a set of well-worn cards out of her bag, and started shuffling. "Well, let's see if we can change your mind. I'll only use the Major Arcana; I won't bore you with a full deck," she promised.

Alicia supposed she should be grateful for small blessings. Angelina and Katie had both drawn up chairs next to the desk to watch.

"So what's the question?" Alicia grumbled, sitting down opposite of Chrysanthe. She knew just enough about Divination to know there was always a question that prompted a reading, but she'd never actually thought about phrasing one.

"Should Alicia date Pucey?" Katie teased.

Alicia glowered at her.

"No, it needs to be an open ended question," Angelina said thoughtfully, speaking primarily to Chrysanthe (those two shared Divination, damn it, and were apparently partners in the class — how had Alicia forgotten that in this moment?) "Something like, what does she need to know and do to get the most out of this relationship?"

Chrysanthe nodded sagely. "I agree. Or... How should she put her energy into this relationship?"

"Just pick one," Alicia said crossly.

"You're no fun." Katie grinned.

"Actually," Chrysanthe said conspiratorially to Katie, "I think she fancies him and doesn't want to admit it."

Alicia took a deep breath to control her patience. "Dozens of girls fancy Pucey, that's nothing unusual," she reminded them. She did not repeat the obvious — that what was actually unusual was Pucey fancying her. For a brief second, she even wondered if he was on some kind of conquest to capture the hearts of as many girls as possible, and she was just the next girl on his list. Fuck. She hadn't thought about that, before.

Chrysanthe made her decision. "We'll combine the questions: What do you need to know and do to get the most out of your relationship with Adrian Pucey? and How should you put your energy into this relationship? And we'll focus the reading towards love."

Alicia moaned. "This is ridiculous."

Chrysanthe was laying the cards in the spread, upside down. "It's not ridiculous. You just prefer Arithmancy."

"I really need to go, I have homework!" Alicia tried to interject, but Chrysanthe ignored her.

"So, the first card." She turned it over, pressed her fingers to her lips, and smiled. "The High Priestess."

Alicia almost snorted. "Let me guess. That represents me, doesn't it?"

"Yes, or the situation at hand. The High Priestess signals imperceptible and unconscious changes in one's emotional state. In going forward with your situation, you will need to trust your intuition and exercise patience." Chrysanthe added thoughtfully, "Because a calm surface can hide intense emotions, after all — and even a simple date could turn passionate very quickly —"

"This is mad," Alicia muttered, deciding to willfully ignore the accuracy of that statement. Every single time she and Pucey had been in close proximity, especially if they were alone, their physical attraction had been at the forefront of their conversations. Pucey had made it clear that he found her very attractive, even if she didn't half-believe him. She complained, "It is not as if he and I are ever going to go on a date, Chrysanthe!"

But Chrysanthe didn't listen, she just barreled on. "— you will need to be honest and open, not only with others, but with yourself. That goes for both of you."

Alicia twitched. "You cannot tell all that from one card."

Angelina grinned. "Of course she can." Then, to Chrysanthe, she asked, "Do you care if I add in my two knuts?"

"Of course not! You're my Divination partner!"

Angelina went on, "In the context of a relationship, this card shows an increase in intimacy and openness. Honesty is essential in making your relationship as strong as possible. And when I say intimacy, I don't mean sex, you know."

"Exactly," Chrysanthe agreed. "Intimacy in terms of your connection, learning about each other, knowing each other."

Alicia could feel her cheeks burning. She had continually insisted that she and Pucey had only danced; and the three girls in this room had no idea that she and Pucey had had three very serious conversations over the hols, nor the depth and honesty of those conversations. It was true she was plagued by self-doubt, second-guessing his intentions and veracity, but still... Pucey had been nothing but open with her so far about his feelings and why he wouldn't act on them.

A heavy silence had fallen over all four of them, broken by Katie, who asked seriously, "What are you not telling us?"

"It won't go any further than this room," Chrysanthe added gently.

Alicia felt her nerves too close to the surface. "I actually... can't tell you."

Angelina snorted. "Are you messing us about? We were just talking about honesty! Come on, Alicia."

"No," Alicia said quietly. "It's not that I don't trust all three of you, but... the honesty refers to what passes between me and him, right? Not what I share or don't share with all of you. And... some things... between him and me... well, they're private." She could feel her face burning.

Katie's eyes went wide. "Did you shag him? Oh my God, is he a good shag?"

"No!" Alicia said it far too loud; they all jumped and she looked nervously at the door before she hissed, "No. And I haven't even kissed him. Nor will I, I suspect! But we have had several conversations! And those are between me and him! Happy, Katie?"

"Fairly," Katie said, her face lighting up as maliciously as Fred and George's had ever done. It was clear she'd been nosing for information and was thrilled to get what she had. "Though I still think you should snog him, at the very least."

Angelina prodded again. "Come on. What did the two of you talk about? And when? We can't give you a good reading otherwise. You don't have to give specifics, but anything is better than nothing."

"We've only talked a couple of times! It's... let's just say... that card..." Alicia stumbled over her words. "It's pretty accurate, I think. But I can't give you details because it wouldn't be fair to him."

"That's valid," Chrysanthe said, and Alicia was suddenly and immensely grateful for her friend's Hufflepuff sense of fair play. "Moving on. The second card relates to the current challenge affecting the issue at hand."

She flipped it over, and to Alicia's horror, it was Death, reversed.

"Well, that can't be good —" she started to say, but Angelina and Katie hushed her.

"Death," Chrysanthe said solemnly, "reversed. It actually doesn't mean the death of a relationship, though. I mean, you aren't in a romantic relationship with him right now, so it can't mean that. Which means, in this case, it points to more abstract things. Like beliefs, attitudes, behaviors — things you're both currently grappling with and shedding, that can help you build stronger, healthier relationships in general. So. You should shed negative patterns and habits. Like your self-esteem issues. Or... old wounds that need to be healed, before each of you can find a partner to love and respect, and vice versa."

Alicia swallowed. She didn't know Pucey's history, but she knew there must be something there. He had hinted at it, after all. And Merlin knew her self-esteem wasn't the best. But Chrysanthe didn't need to call her out on it like that.

"The third card represents the things that are influencing the situation at hand..."

Chrysanthe turned it over, and her eyebrows lifted.

"The Hanged Man," Angelina murmured. "That's an interesting one."

"It is." Chrysanthe chewed her lip for a moment. "The Hanged Man is about...sacrifice. Waiting for the right time. Things cannot be rushed." She glanced up at Alicia and her expression became concerned. "Alicia? Are you okay? You're as pale as death!"

"I'm fine," Alicia whispered. "Go on."

Katie arched an eyebrow. "This must really be resonating with you, considering you thought it was bollocks just ten minutes ago."

Alicia didn't answer her, and Chrysanthe and Angie didn't push. Instead, Chrysanthe went on, "It wouldn't matter how much you threw yourself into a romantic pursuit right now — if he isn't ready, it won't work."

"Now you can stop the reading," Alicia said, feeling rather sick. "That's pretty much it in a nutshell."

"I am not going to stop until I finish the whole thing, so you can just sit there until we're done." Chrysanthe huffed. "I still have seven cards to go! There's a lot that can be revealed in seven cards, you know!"

Angelina ignored the argument and said, "In a love reading, The Hanged Man also means that, instead of forcing a relationship, you should use this time to see how your perspective changes about him. The right timing can be just for having important conversations with the other person. So... keep that in mind, too. Since you've obviously had some chats with him and haven't told us about."

"Not because I don't trust you," Alicia whispered. She didn't want her friends to feel hurt because she hadn't shared this with them.

"I know." Angelina put her hand on her arm. "I'm not blaming you, 'Licia."

Chrysanthe said thoughtfully, "The sacrifice of not forcing things can have a very positive effect. It can actually bring you closer together. It seems counterintuitive, but it's not."

Alicia sighed. "Start as friends, see where it goes."

Except he'd made it clear that he didn't want to hurt her or lead her on in any way —

She stopped her thoughts.

"The fourth card represents the past, as is relevant to the situation." Chrysanthe turned over the next card. "The Hierophant, reversed. One of you in particular is feeling restricted and constrained from too many structures and rules, and as a result, has lost a lot of control and flexibility in life. Both of you have very strong wills and desires to regain control and break free of convention. You may both be tempted to try unorthodox approaches to achieving that goal, which could also mean defying social ties and norms, questioning traditions."

Alicia closed her eyes. Merlin, that sounded spot-on, too. She did not like to admit that this Divination reading was so accurate.

"I'm going to guess," Angelina murmured, "that this card refers to Pucey, not you."

Chrysanthe nodded. "I agree. Slytherin house is all about tradition, after all. It's likely that he's tied down by tradition, and his housemates and family aren't making it any easier. He may have noticed you, but he can't easily act."

She turned over the fifth card, and Angelina and Katie both snorted and laughed.

Chrysanthe tapped her lips with her fingers again. "The present is represented by The Fool."

"Wow. Thanks a lot," Alicia said sarcastically. "Now that you've officially told me that I'm being an idiot, must we continue?"

"It doesn't mean you're daft, Alicia. It symbolizes new beginnings, the joy of the journey. It means you should be ready to embark on a new adventure; try new things in order to find the romance you desire."

"Exactly," Katie interjected. "Be willing to take risks."

Chrysanthe beamed. "Expand your vision of the world. Love can be found in unexpected places. Surprises await."

Angelina grinned indecently. "Like in Slytherin house."

Alicia playfully whacked her. "Godric's arse, Angelina, enough."

"Or," Katie shrugged, "maybe dating a couple of other guys while you're waiting on Pucey."

Alicia wondered, for a moment, how many other girls in the castle were doing random tarot card readings about Adrian Pucey and his love life. Cripes, that made her feel sleazy.

Chrysanthe held her hands up to shush them. "It also means you could be in the process of finding a new relationship, and that sounds like what you currently have with Adrian. Don't let this card hold you back. The fool tells us to keep trying. Don't give up, have faith that things will work out. Be confident. When we keep trying, and look at the world with wonder, we find very positive things around us. It could be something as simple as doing something with him and learning something about him. Or..." She shrugged. "As Katie said, maybe dating someone else while you wait for him to break ties to tradition."

Katie had already reached for the sixth card. "The sixth card of the Celtic Cross represents the near future."

"And how does one define the time parameters of the near future?" Alicia asked, a bit sarcastically, if truth be told.

All three of her friends rolled their eyes at her.

The card Katie had turned over was the Wheel of Fortune. Chrysanthe was clearly in her element now, gesturing excitedly with her hands as she launched into an explanation. "Life is full of unexpected changes. Love is no different. In a love reading, this card means there are great changes that will take place, perhaps changes you never saw coming. Changes aren't necessarily bad things, just adjustments you need to make. We already noted there were changes taking place in an earlier card, too. Eventually, the commitment you make with your future soulmate, whoever they are, will be tested. You may have to make some sacrifices. But your relationship can grow even closer if you navigate life's ups and downs together, as a pair."

Alicia rolled her eyes. "I hate to break it to you, but I highly doubt Adrian Pucey is my soulmate."

"You don't know that."

"I'm pretty sure."

Angelina interrupted. "The Wheel of Fortune is never permanent, which also must be taken into consideration. Things are always changing, so no situation is forever. It could just mean that. No situation is forever. Even if he's not ready for a relationship now, that may very likely change in the future."

"You two do realize you've given me two different readings of that card?" Alicia protested.

Angelina shrugged. "Because cards are fluid and can have multiple different meanings."

Chrysanthe turned over the seventh card. "This card represents your power in the situation. Temperance," she said, as Alicia gazed upon the angel with two cups in her outstretched hands. "Oh, I like this. In romance, it suggests patience, moderation, and understanding. Avoid extremes, be cautious and thoughtful in your actions. Don't be too pushy, but don't be too reserved, either. Everything must be in balance. Patience is the key to finding compromise and harmony. We've already talked about patience earlier, just like changes — the fact that it's come up twice is important."

She turned over the eighth card. "The Emperor, reversed, represents the effects of people around you."

Angelina's brow furrowed. "In a love reading, it usually signals some kind of power struggle or fight for dominance, though."

"Between him and me, or with other people?" Alicia asked quietly.

"I think in this case, other people," Chrysanthe replied slowly. "It makes me think of the tradition again — how Slytherin house is so focused on that. Pucey is a pureblood, and you're a half-blood. Other people expect certain things from both of you, and those are the outside forces pulling and pushing the relationship. Don't give up too much of your power, but also don't be overbearing. Which sort of goes back to the card before, talking about balance and patience."

"It could also mean a power struggle between the two of you," Angelina mused. "You're both probably pretty strong-willed, if I had to guess. And stubborn."

"This is all seriously giving me a headache," Alicia complained. "And I have actual homework —"

"This next one," Katie grinned, "represents your hopes and fears."

Chrysanthe turned over the ninth card to reveal the Moon. "Hmm. Well. Emotions are complicated at present."

Alicia snorted for real. "Oh, that's an understatement. I don't need Divination to tell me that."

"In such an environment, there is a huge potential for misunderstandings. Not everything is as it appears, you know. There may be old beliefs and judgments clouding your vision. You can't let those get in the way. Your subconscious could be affecting your ability to accept love." Chrysanthe suddenly laughed.

"What's so funny?" Alicia snapped.

"This! You! This is so you. Gryffindors and Slytherins have always been prejudiced against each other." She looked at Alicia with bright eyes. "Do you remember our fifth year, on Halloween?"

Alicia twitched. A part of her wanted to deny remembering that night, but it was pointless. "Yes, Chrysanthe."

Her friend's eyes sparkled at the memory. "You and Adrian were partnered for patrol that night. When the fifth years were relieved of duty, I remember I asked you if he talked to you any, and you said he did. And I said, maybe he likes you! Because back then, Adrian rarely talked to any of the girls unless he was interested in them. I had always been a bit disappointed that he wasn't interested in me, but I was really happy to think he might like you. And he even threw his sleeping bag down next to you that night."

Angelina stared at her. "Did he really? You never told us that."

"I didn't think anything about it at the time," Alicia confessed. "Except that it was odd. But now... now it makes me wonder." She stared at Chrysanthe. "Do you think he's liked me for that long? That doesn't even make sense. That was over a year and two months ago! I thought maybe his possibly liking me was just recent, within the past few months or something! Maybe just a silly crush or, worse, a conquest — for all I know, he could be trying to see how many girls he can get to fall for him before he graduates..."

Chrysanthe pointed at the Moon card. "I think he has liked you for a long time, but obviously, he's the only person who can tell you the truth of that. Regardless, you need to get to the bottom of your own emotions, desires, and motivations. You need to decide how you actually feel, and you don't need to rush things. Your hopes and fears are all complicated and mixed up!"

"The last card is the outcome," Angelina interrupted. "That's the one I'm most interested in."

"If it's the Lovers, I'm going to keep taking Divination into sixth and seventh year," Katie promised.

Chrysanthe turned the card over.

Alicia felt her stomach bottom out. Katie just burst into giggles.

"A pair that works well together," Chrysanthe murmured, tracing the couple intertwined on the card with her finger. "A balance of forces with complimentary energies."

"Enough," Alicia said brusquely, looking away. "This is rubbish —"

"No, it's not," Chrysanthe said, her voice patient. "Alicia, just... hear me out, okay? There are key takeaways from this, and the lovers card isn't the important one right now."

Alicia rolled her eyes. It definitely wasn't.

"Be honest with each other. Be patient with him. Wait for the right time. The past is problematic, especially since it's grounded in tradition of some kind, but it can be overcome with patience. Always keep trying. Be prepared for unexpected changes, positive or negative, but know they aren't permanent. Work together as a team. Be aware of your own emotions and prejudices, and of those of people around you. This last card suggests that the two of you could be a really good match. You could compliment each other. But you have to go through some trials first. Just be patient."

"It's quite the interesting reading," Angelina said thoughtfully. "Especially since key concepts like patience and tradition came up more than once."

"And, if that's not enough to make you keep trying," Chrysanthe added, suddenly cheeky, "Bess says he's a phenomenal kisser."

Alicia did a double take. "Wait, what?"

"Jealous?" Katie teased.

"No!" Alicia rolled her eyes. "I would be quite surprised if he hadn't had a few girls, considering how fit he is. It's just, Bess is Head Girl —"

"That was at the end of last year, I think. Though they're still quite friendly. She also said he was also... quite good with his hands."

Angelina snickered. "I'll bet. You have to have good hands to be a Chaser."

Alicia shouldered her satchel and said crossly, "Well, fun as this has been, I have homework. Oh, and please don't say anything about... this..." She gestured at the cards. "To anyone? Please. I know he doesn't want anyone to know how he feels. Or that he and I have interacted beyond...half a dance. That really would ruin things."

Angelina rolled her eyes. "As if we would."

"It stays between us," Chrysanthe agreed, smiling at her as she gathered up her cards.

"Yup." Katie stood and shouldered her bag, too. "But I am interested to see how it turns out. If you two really are soulmates."

"It's not going to turn out because we aren't soulmates! Merlin, we're only sixteen!" Alicia called as she left the room and headed for the marble staircase, stomping up towards the library. Rubbish and bollocks, that. All of it.

All she'd wanted, maybe, was a good snog — not a reading about her soulmate. That was just ludicrous!

But when she arrived in the library, and headed into the stacks to find texts to help her with her homework, she unfortunately found Pucey in the same bloody aisle.

He glanced at her as he reached for a heavy book on water-based charms and quickly diverted his gaze back to what he was doing.

Alicia nearly panicked; the book she needed was quite high up, and she was not going to ask Pucey to get it for her after that stupid tarot reading! She pretended to be looking at something else on a shelf at chest height, and thank Merlin Cedric came down the aisle right after she got there, looking for books on the same subject. She pretended to glance up and notice the book she needed, as though she had only just seen it.

"Oh, Ced, do you mind handing me Advanced Charm Theory, please? I could use that one."

Pucey's eyebrows knitted together slightly when she spoke. Surely he wasn't wondering why she hadn't asked him to get it; there was absolutely no way she could, with other students around.

Cedric, who was clueless and always friendly, said, "Sure, Spinnet." And grabbed it off the high shelf and handed it to her with a smile. "Professor Flitwick could have given us a break today, since it was the first day back, but I suppose that would be too easy. Rotten luck, that."

"Very much so," Alicia muttered. "Thanks, Ced." With that, she brushed between him and Pucey, the sleeve of her sweater just brushing the back of Pucey's sweater in the narrow space, which made her wince internally. She refused to turn around and apologize though; that would be even worse.

Pucey didn't speak to her specifically, but she heard him murmur, "N.E.W.T.s are going to be brutal."

Cedric agreed. "Tell me about it."

Her face flaming, Alicia found a desk at the very back of the library, far away from Adrian Pucey, to finish her essay in peace.