You know what the issue is with this world? Everyone wants a magical solution to their problems, and everyone refuses to believe in magic.

- Alice in Wonderland

I knew Daphne would come talk to me sooner rather than later. She was too intelligent not to do so. She knew that the awkward tension wouldn't be beneficial for anyone and that Tracey was not loving the middle position either. I just hadn't expected her to make that decision so soon.

It was right after Care of Magical Creatures. I had gone to the lake for a while since the library was always too crowded before supper and the weather was very pleasant again. I was so absorbed by my Astronomy book that I hadn't noticed her sitting down next to me.

"I thought we could use a talk", she said, finally causing me to notice her presence.

"Daphne", I said, slightly startled, putting away the book.

"Can I just ask how long it's been going on?" she asked, looking at her folded hands. I knew that she would freak out again if I told her about the Ministry's Ball.

"I guess ... In some ways it's been going on all year, but I didn't really realise it until about a week ago."

She frowned, not sure what I meant.

"Can I just explain everything, from beginning to end?" I asked and she nodded, so I did.

I told her how we had been around each other more this year due to the patrols, but that it ended badly in most situations. I told her how much I genuinely hated him at the beginning and eventually, I also told her about the Ministry's Ball. I told her how confused I had been and how I hadn't expected that to happen at all. I told her that I didn't tell her about that kiss because I didn't want anyone to know that such a thing had happened with the guy I hated. I told her about how he helped me with the Adrian situation and how after that, things suddenly seemed to change. I told her everything.

"I tried to stay away from him, Daphne, I really did, because I knew that it would hurt our friendship. But every single time I couldn't do it", I said, my voice slightly shaky.

"Why did you kiss him then, just to test his feelings?"

It was a question I had refused to answer ever since it happened, but I knew very well why I did it, I just didn't want to believe it back then.

"I think that inside, I knew that I had some sort of feelings for him and it was just an excuse for me to act on them. But back then I did everything to convince myself that it wasn't like that and that I didn't have feelings for him. I thought I could stop it before it became serious."

"Serious or not, Eleanor, that's something that you should have told me. You would let me live my life, not knowing that my best friend made out multiple times with the boy that was making me believe he was interested in me?" she said, shaking her head. I really hadn't realised how badly I had messed up until now, but the facts were all there and I had screwed up terribly.

"At first I didn't tell you because I didn't want to admit to myself that it was something real. I only really realised that I had genuine feelings for him when you and him went out on that date to Hogsmeade. And you looked so happy then. I couldn't possibly ruin that for you. I didn't think he felt the same."

"You just made me feel so stupid, Eleanor", Daphne said. "Sure, I knew Draco didn't like me all that much, but the fact that you let me get my hopes up whilst you were snogging him behind my back is a terrible thing to do, you know?"

"I tried to stop you from asking him out, but you would never listen."

"Because you had no reason!" she shouted. "If you'd have told me why, then I never would have gone out with him, ever! But he acted like he cared, so I believed that! I feel stupid, humiliated and a laughing stock, Eleanor. And I feel terrible."

"I know", I whispered, looking down. "I'm really, really sorry. I know an apology doesn't make any of this okay, but I just need you to know that you were on my mind all the time. That I always tried to find a way to hurt you the least. I tried so long to convince myself that I didn't like him, just so I could try and stay away from him so you wouldn't get hurt. I just didn't expect to be pulled back in so easily, every single time."

I had hurt her trust and there was nothing in the world more difficult to salvage than broken trust. Friends were so important and I had jeopardized my most important one.

"I really did plan on telling you yesterday, I promise. You can ask Draco."

It was quiet for a long, long time, but I didn't know what to say anymore either.

"I think I knew for a while that something was going on, I just didn't want to believe it", Daphne shrugged. "He always looks at you when we pass him in the hallways, he always used to ask where you were when we hung out, he always tried to find reasons to talk to you, even if it was to throw insults."

I thought about the past year. It was true. As much as we despised each other, we'd end up in some sort of situation every week. It's why I could never ignore him. We were like two sides of a magnet, complete opposites, but always trying to attract the other.

If I were in Daphne's shoes, I'd be heartbroken too. You can't choose who you fall for and she fell for Draco, just like I did. She watched him pay more attention to me than to her and she couldn't do anything about it.

"I hate myself for liking him, Daphne. I didn't want this. I didn't want to hurt you or to let him hurt me so many times, or for life to be such a mess. I really didn't want it, but somehow that's exactly what happened."

"I guess you can't choose who you fall for", Daphne sighed and silence entered the conversation again. I just didn't want to lose her.

"Daphne?" I asked timidly.

"Yeah?" she mumbled.

"Can we please stay friends? I know I've been a terrible friend lately, but I really do need you. You keep me sane and there is no one else in this shit hole that gets me as much as you do", I chuckled. "And I really hope I didn't screw that up."

"I hate that I get you so much", she said, a slight smile on her lips. "Because it means that I understand why you did it and that makes it very hard to be angry at you." Our eyes finally met and I was so relieved to not find any anger in them, just sadness.

"Of course we can stay friends", she smiled. "I should have noticed your feelings towards him, I haven't been the greatest friend either." I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her so tightly, as if she'd evaporate the moment I let go. We should have had this conversation months ago. Why did I tell myself she'd overreact? Daphne wasn't like that. She was wise and respectful and thoughtful. She was my best friend.

"I'm going to make it up to you, okay?" I whispered, not letting go.

"You can start by finding me a new piece of man to obsess over", she said, hugging me back.

"Aww group hug!" we heard and suddenly, Tracey's weight was slammed into the hug. "I have no regrets to announce that I eavesdropped on that entire conversation", she laughed. "But I'm very proud of my mature besties."

I pulled her into the hug too and just enjoyed their presence for a while. I really was lucky to have them.

"Talking about pieces of men", Tracey mumbled. "I just made out with Blaise."

"What?" Daphne shouted, pulling away instantly, gaping at Tracey as if she had just grown a second head. The latter was simply grinning as if she had just told the most amazing joke.

"You did not", I gasped.

"Yeah, I did, oops", she shrugged.

"But what, why?" I continued, imagining the two together.

"What? He's hot and asked me to help him with some Transfiguration assignment. I couldn't help myself." She held up her hands defensively. She really was something else.

"Come on, it's time for supper", Daphne shook her head. And suddenly everything was normal again.

Friday nights were always my free nights in my study schedule, allowing me to recharge before two full days of library visits, early mornings and late nights. I was glad that it was Friday, especially now that Daphne and I had sort of made up. I knew I still had to be a little careful around her, but the situation had gone a lot better than I had imagined. I really shouldn't have taken our friendship for granted.

"Exploding snap?" Daphne smirked as we entered the common room. I was in the mood for a little game, so I agreed and Daphne went to get her set.

"Don't tell me you're avoiding me again, are you?" I heard Draco's voice, his breath softly tickling my ear. He rested one hand on my waist, causing butterflies to awaken.

"I'm not, just had an eventful day", I said, turning his way. His eyes flickered beautifully in the light of the fireplace. He was so handsome.

"How are things with Daphne?" he asked.

"Better", I sighed. "We talked things out. She was a lot more understanding than I had expected."

"That's good", he winked. I saw Daphne coming back in from the corner of my eye, so I quickly took a step back. Draco raised an eyebrow.

"I'm sorry, I just don't want to rub it in her face yet", I sighed. "I can't expect her to magically not care about you at all after one day and I need to take care of this friendship for a while, okay?"

"Sure," Draco shrugged, "come find me when she's not around."

He walked off to go talk to Crabbe and Goyle. I really didn't understand why he was friends with those two. The intellectual gap was astronomical.

"Come on, Lea, we're waiting for you!" Tracey yelled, so I pushed Draco out of my mind for a bit and joined the two.

Exploding snap was actually really fun. It was a game my parents didn't approve of. The only games they approved were Wizard's Chess and regular card games, ones that didn't require laughing, or having fun.

Blaise and Theo had joined after a while and the looks between Tracey and Blaise told us that they'd be leaving the game very soon. Draco was reading a book in the corner of the common room whilst Crabbe and Goyle were arm wrestling besides him. I couldn't help but steal a glance every couple minutes.

"I'm going to grab a jumper in my dorm", Blaise said after about the tenth round, his eyes swiftly moving over to Tracey.

"Yes, me too. I need one of Blaise's jumpers too", she laughed before following him. She didn't care in the least if people knew about her fooling around with boys or not. Daphne rolled her eyes as the two left the common room, a smile on her face.

"Well, I'm going to hit the hay, quidditch practice in the morning", Theo said and stood up as well. I had only now noticed how empty the common room was. I glanced at my watch to see that it was a little past midnight already. The only ones left in the common room were a group of fourth-years, two seventh-year girls, Crabbe, Goyle, Draco, Daphne and I. Crabbe and Goyle were still in the middle of their arm wrestling game.

"You don't have to avoid Draco when I'm around, Lea", Daphne said suddenly. I looked up surprised, not sure where this was coming from. I had avoided him a little, but I didn't think she'd noticed already.

"I just don't want to make you uncomfortable", I said. "I know you still need some time to forgive me and move past it, so I don't want to mess that up."

"I do, but I don't need you to do things like that to make it easier. I'll manage. Besides, I can see that you really like him", she said, a sad smile on her face.

"Do I?" I chuckled. I watched the blonde boy on the other side of the room. Exactly how much did I like Draco? I wasn't exactly sure.

"Yeah, you do", Daphne simply stated, squeezing my hand before walking off to go to her dorm. Draco looked up and caught me staring at him, but I didn't feel like looking away. He raised one eyebrow, not sure what I wanted. I suddenly felt the need to be around him, to talk to him. I pushed away the anxious feelings and stood up. There were just a handful of students left anyway.

"What are you reading?" I asked, sitting on the armrest of the seat he was sitting in.

"Nothing important", he said, putting a black bookmark in between the thick parchment pages before closing it.

"Come on, what is it?" I asked again and snatched the book away from him before he could store it away.

"You're so nosy", he chuckled, cracking his knuckles. The Ancient Art of Alchemy, the cover read.

"Alchemy? Didn't know you were interested in that", I mumbled.

"Do you mind?" Draco said, extending his hand. I rolled my eyes and handed him back the book.

"No need to be so grumpy, I'm just being interested", I said, crossing my arms.

"Always so defensive", he chuckled, pulling me from the armrest onto the couch next to him.

"Says you", I protested, quite comfortable being so close to him.

"Well, what are you interested in, Selwyn?" he asked. "Seems fair now that you know one of my hobbies." I draped my legs over his, making myself comfortable in the chair that was too small for two people.

"Hmm, let me think", I said, staring at the green glass that decorated the walls of the common room. "I quite like chess, reading too."

"How eventful", Draco chuckled.

"Oh sod off", I laughed, poking my elbow in his ribs. "I like riddles and solving equations, so Arithmancy too I suppose."

"Because that's much better", Draco kept taunting me.

"Merlin, stop bullying me, Malfoy", I laughed, wanting to punch him in the chest, but he got a hold of my wrist before I could do so. "You're terrible", I whispered, staring at him with narrowed eyes.

"Am I really?" he asked, a smirk lurking around his lips.

"Yes", I said before placing a soft kiss on his lips. I glanced around to see who was still occupying the common room, but the only ones who were still present were the two seventh-year girls and they seemed a lot more into each other than what was happening on this side of the common room.

"Don't you have quidditch practice in the morning?" I asked, checking my watch. It was almost half past twelve.

"I do, so I should go", he said.

"I think five more minutes won't do much harm", I smirked, tracing his jawline with my finger. He stared at me, trying to figure me out, trying to figure this out. I didn't know exactly what this was either, but I didn't mind. It was something good.

"I guess it won't", he said. He cupped my chin and pulled me toward him, placing his lips on mine. I smiled as I felt the familiar warmth and softness of his lips, as they fitted mine perfectly.

Daphne was right. I did like him a lot.