"So where are we on the investigation?" I announce, as I walk into Draco's room tossing my bag on the ground. I proceed over to his bed to give him a kiss and join him. "What've you got here?" I say shifting myself in front of the notebook that's in Dracos hands.

"Er-um, not much" he replies, scratching the back of his neck. I further examine the notebook and see a list names with some scribbled out. "Why's Blaises name in here?"

"Everyone is a possible suspect here y/n" he replies.

"Oh come off it!" I laugh, "Give me that". I grab the quill from Draco's hand and scribble out Blaises name. "We can cross off Luna and Cedric as well."

Draco takes the quill from my hand before I can do any more scribbling, "Now hold on, they themselves are in Hufflepuff, how do we know that they aren't the ones who planned this whole scheme of getting you into Hufflepuff?"

I snatch the quill back from him, dipping it in ink. "Draco be reasonable, they're my friends." I X out they're names and a couple other ones as well. "Wait, what if it wasn't a student" I start, "I mean think about, how could a student have enough power to change me into a different house." I say putting down the quill, facing Draco.

Draco ponders awhile before speaking, "Alright maybe. But who outside of this school would have it out for you?"

"I don't know" I reply not giving it much thought, I already feel done with conversation. "Look I gotta run, but I'll catch up with you later" I say before pecking his cheek.

"Hmm, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you're actually enjoying your time as a Hufflepuff" Draco announces laying back, placing his hands behind his head in a relaxed manner.

"What do you mean?" I chuckle, still sitting beside him on the bed.

"At the beginning of this whole incident you were so determined to find out who did this, so eager to get back into Slytherin," he says smugly, "but now.."

"I am!" I announce, shocked, "It's just- stressful to think on it sometimes" I say slightly lowering my tone.

He hums in a skeptical manner.

I reach over for his hands, connecting them with mine. "Maybe we should leave things as is" I state knitting my eyebrows together, "I don't want us causing problems."

Draco looks as me stunned, "Causing problems?" he scoffs, "Y/n, this problem is causing us problems." I give him a puzzled expression. "Haven't you noticed? These past couple weeks you've been spending much more time with your Hufflepuff friends than you have with me. I mean hell, even Blaise misses you!"

"He does?" I announce biting the inside of my cheek guiltily. Draco nods. "I'm sorry, its just much more easier, convenient, to hangout with them. They're just always around and accessible, whether it be in the commons or in my classes."

"I get it." Draco mutters firmly, "But I miss you." I lean in to cup his cheek and gaze into his eyes for a moment before pressing a kiss onto his lips. "I'm so sorry Draco, you're right." A small smile plays on his lips. Merlin, he just loves it when he's right.

I press my forehead against his, stroking his white-blonde hair. "Now please don't hate me, but I already have plans for today in fact I made them awhile back, so I can't bail. But I promise tomorrow I'm all yours."

Draco pulls away, "See there you go again, prioritizing your friends over me" he scoffs.

"Draco I'm sorry I can't cancel, its-" I hesitate, debating on whether I should just tell him the truth, or if that'll just make matters worse. I sigh, "-it's Cedrics birthday, plans have been made."

Draco looks at me in disbelief as he gets off his bed and grabs his coat, "I hope you and Cedric have a nice time" he seethes, before walking out of his own room.

I look at the door that he's just walked out of as I drown in my thoughts. I would've dropped everything to be with Draco today, but I can't today, not today. This was the one day I couldn't say yes to him. Right? Merlin I'm so stupid! Of course I could've said yes to Draco, Cedric would've understood.

I hop off of his bed, leaving the room. I search the Slytherin common room for Draco, making laps around the large room several times before giving up and moving onto the next place. I search the astronomy tower for him, nothing. He doesn't go anywhere else but his room and on occasion the astronomy tower, so I don't have anywhere else in mind to search. I resort to making a couple laps around the school and even going out to the black lake. Nothing.

By the time i'm done roaming the school for Draco its time for the Quidditch match. I'm suppose to meet Cedric and the others in the Hufflepuff common room. I did search for Draco and of course I'd rather be spending today with him, but I can't find him! I won't waste today by doing nothing, so I owe it to Cedric to show up for his birthday celebration.

I rush to the Hufflepuff commons where I meet Cedric, Luna and Hermione for the Quidditch match. I run into a few people on the way, but get there eventually.

"Hey guys" I announce as I walk into the common room out of breath.

"You're just in time" Cedric smiles, "Come on!" Hermione immediately says, dragging us out of the common room, "We can't be late."

We walk down the halls to the Quidditch field, Hermione and Luna noticeably farther ahead of me and Cedric.

"Everything alright Y/n?" Cedric asks in a concerned tone, "You seem- a bit down."

"That noticeable, huh?" Cedric nods his head slightly. "Yeah something came up, but I'm trying to ease it out of my mind for now. I wanna be present here with you on your birthday." I announce sending him a convincing smile.

"You sure because-"

"Postitive."

"Not to sound rude or anything-" Luna starts, turning back to us, "Hurry!" Hermione shouts, motioning her hand towards Luna and herself. Cedric and I jog up to join their sides.

We finally arrive at the field and take our seats together at the stands.

"This a good spot Ced? Can you see just fine? We can move elsewhere" Luna announces, turning back to face him on the bleachers.

"Its alright Luna" Cedric chuckles.

We all turn our attention to the center of the field as the names of everyone on the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw team begin to get announced. I don't really know anyone else on the Gryffindor team besides Ron and Harry, so for everyone else I give them a mediocre cheer, same goes for Ravenclaw. When Chos name gets announced I make sure to tease Ced by nudging him in his side, to which he responds with a playful grin, "Shove off y/n" he laughs.

---

The game ends, with Gryffindor winning it. Afterwards we all go down onto the field to congratulate Ron and Harry on their win before heading off to Hogsmeade. We escape the windy outdoors by going to The Three Broomsticks to celebrate Cedrics birthday and Gryffindors win.

We all take a seat in big rounded booth, bunching up together. Rather than ordering our usual drinks, everyones fairly starved by now, so we take it upon ourselves to order food, especially Ron and Harry since they've just got done playing. Cedric, Harry and I order the smoked turkey leg with wedged fries, Hermione and Luna order the rotisserie smoked chicken platter, and Ron orders two shepherds pies. Nad of course, all of us order a butter beer as well.

"You guys did great tonight!" I beam at Ron and Harry as we wait for our food.

"Ron especially, did you see how he blocked that bludger?" Harry grins.

"Nonsense Harry, you're the one who caught the snitch." Ron complements back.

"Ok ok, yes we know you boys did a great job, but we're not here for you, we're here for Cedric" Hermione chimes shifting the focus from the boys to Cedric. Cedrics cheeks flush red from his new appointed attention.

"So how old are you turning today Ced?" Luna questions folding her hands on top of the table.

"Sixteen" he beams.

"Well I reckon it about time, the lot of us have been sixteen for awhile now" Ron teases.

"Well technically Y/n and I haven't exactly turned sixteen yet" Luna adds.

"Ok then" Ron grins, "So the majority of us."

"Here you are," the waiter interrupts placing down everyones meals in front of them, "anything else?" he questions.

We all shake our heads in unison.

As we begin to indulge in our dinner, our conversation drifts away from Quidditch and age.

"Any of you got plans for the holidays?" Hermione asks, taking a bite of chicken from her fork.

"Merlin I can't believe how close Christmas is" I reply.

"Yeah, it always does creep up" Luna chimes.

"As usual I'll be spending it with Ron and his family at the burrow" Harry states, "You going to join us this year?" he questions, turning to Hermione.

"Dunno, you think Mrs. Weasley would mind?"

Ron shakes his head vigorously as he lift his head from his shepherds pie. "Mum wouldn't care."

"What about you Y/n, got plans this holiday?" Cedric questions, as he finishes his dinner.

I place my empty plate on the side of the table. "Yeah, big plans actually. Going to the Malfoys manor this Christmas" I respond with a wide slightly nervous smile.

"You and Malfoy are still dating?" Ron interjects. Hermione smile fades into a line, kicking Rons foot under the table, making the whole table shake as she does so. "Ow! what was that for" Ron whines, rubbing his foot.

I scoff, glancing around the table to see pitiful faces. "Of course, what would make you think differently?"

"Dunno, 'spose it's cause I don't see you two round that often" Ron shrugs finishing of his butterbeer.

I gulp not saying anything. Merlin, even Ron has noticed that I haven't been spending time with Draco.

"Presents!" Luna shouts, filling in the silence "Lets do presents now that everyone's done eating!"

We all gather our empty plates and cups onto the edge of table so that the waiter can easily attend to them without interruption.

Luna starts us off, she slides Cedrics gift across the table to him. Luna gifts him a pair of spectra specs, exactly like the ones she has. "They stylish and helpful!" she claims with a smile. Cedric put them on for a short while modeling them for us. Next, Harry and Ron. They give him a handful of trick candies from Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, an assortment of: Ton-Tongue Toffee, Puking Pasties, Fever Fudge, and Wakefields off the record glow in the dark gum. "Just don't give us any of those got it" Ron says to Ced, who nods his head understanding. Hermione gives Cedric a sweet box of candies from Honeydukes.

"Alright last one, what've you got for me Y/n" Cedric announces with a charming smile.

I grin, pulling out a small box from my coat and handing it over to him. Cedric accepts it with a smile. He opens it up and pulls it out holding it up so everyone can see. "Is it a bracelet?" he questions, turning to me.

"Yup, made it myself out of the Hufflepuff colors."

"Wow Y/n that's so cool! Thank you, no ones made me something like this before" he says, with his smile still upholding. "You mind?"

I shake my head and take the bracelet made from yarn out his hand. I tie it around his wrist and make three knots to ensure it doesn't fall.

After presents, we stay at the pub chatting for a bit longer before we start to get drowsy.

"I'm ready for bed" Hermione announces, letting out a yawn. "You all can stay if you please, but I'm leaving now." We all agree that it's best if we get to bed as well and join Hermione. We all walk out of the pub into the cold night as we head back to the castle.

"Thanks for the gift Y/n it means a lot" Cedric mutters to me as he pulls me into a quick side hug, not wanting to mess with the flow of our groups walk.

"Of course Ced."

The lot of us chat our way through the cold walk keeping a close distance to help ease the cold. On our way back to castle I reach for my purse and realize its not there. Shit. Ugh we were almost there too.

"Guys I forgot my purse at the pub" I announce to the group, "But you all go along, I'll see you all tomorrow." I say turning on my heels.

"Hold on! I'll come with" Harry says before I start towards the pub.

"No really Harry it's alright" I say with a reassuring smile. Harry simply shakes his head and starts towards the pub leaving me behind. "You coming?" he questions turning back to me. I jog to join his side. I really didn't expect Harry to volunteer himself, but honestly I'm just glad I don't have to walk in the dark alone.

We make small talk on the way to the pub, not getting into to deep of a conversation. I don't know Harry all that well, but he's around quite often given that I hangout with Luna. So I'd consider him a friend of mine.

We arrive to the pub and and I begin to search the vacant booth we sat at. "Gotcha!" I say as I grab my purse from the center of the booth. "Want something while we're here?" I joke with a smile.

"You know what, I actually haven't eaten dinner yet" Harry jokes back. We laugh in unison before heading back to the castle, but this time with my purse.

We finally walk back onto the castle grounds and make our way to the Hufflepuff common room, Harry insisted on dropping me off since it was so late.

"I had told Ron not to but-" Harry stops suddenly mid-story and examines my face, "Looks like you've got an eyelash on your cheek y/n" he says, pointing to the exact area on his own cheek.

"Oh I do?" I gently brush my face a couple times on the spot in which Harry demonstrated. "Did I get it?" I question looking up at Harry.

"Er- not quite, let me?" he asks politely, I nod in acceptance.

As Harry attempts to brush off the eyelash with his finger I hear a familiar voice echo from down the hall, "Oi get your hands off her Potter!" Before Harry can turn back to face Draco, Draco pulls out his wand from his robes pocket and points it at Harry shouting a spell at him. Some spell I'm not familiar with but it seems pretty fatal. Thankfully, Dracos wand missed Harry and only grazed his shoulder, however, Harry doesn't tend to his wound before drawing his wand.

"Expelliarmus!"

"Stupefy!"

Luckily, Harrys spell gets to Draco before his does, causing Dracos wand to fall out of his hands.

"Draco!" I cry, rushing towards him. As I approach Draco I see him eye his wand that's laying on the ground, getting ready to bend down and get it. "Stop!" I shout, pinning Dracos arms to his side before he's able to get his wand. "Go Harry please!"

I hear Harry walk off in a huff leaving me and Draco alone in the hall.

"Draco what is wrong with you!" I scold still holding down his arms.

"Whats wrong with me?" he argues, breaking out of hands, "Whats wrong with you? Why was he fucking touching you?!"

"Draco It's not what it looked like I swear" I announce, reaching to hold his face in my hands.

Draco steps back, refusing my touch. "Theres nothing to explain, you two were about to snog right here in the hall for anybody to see!"

"Draco wait-" But before I can continue he disapperates out of my sight.

Shit!

I rush towards the Slytherin common room knowing he'll be in his room. We're not allowed to dis/apparate within the school walls, but clearly Draco is breaking all the rules today. I rush through the common room up to Dracos room and burst through the door. Kinda thought it would be locked but ok.

"Get out y/n" Draco says angrily as he sits on his bed rubbing his temples.

"No, you're going to listen to what I have to say." I respond firmly, placing myself in front of him. "Harry was simply getting something off my face after I consented to it, though it may sound like a load of rubbish you have to trust that I wouldn't lie to you and that I wouldn't ever cheat on you Draco" I announce easing up on my tone. "please know that."

"How do you expect me to react when I see my girlfriend getting cozy with someone who I hate" he seethes. "You're never around me anymore, would it be so wild for me to think that you've found someone else?" Draco ends, in a hurt tone.

"Draco I would never do that to you. And I know I've been a sucky girlfriend lately, but I promise I'm going to do better" I affirm, reaching to hold his hand.

Draco meets my eyes still looking slightly skeptical.

"Draco I promise."

"Hm, so you're not snogging Potter?" he questions in a low tone.

"Of course not" I respond, with a weak chuckle. "Now come" I say patting my lap. Draco rests his head on my lap closing his eyes while soothe him by playing with his crisp, minty hair.

"Can you stay here tonight?" he asks, briefly opening his eyes. I plant kiss on his lips before answering, "Of course."