"You're doing what?"

"You heard. I thought we could meet up in The Hog's Head. It's rather dodgy in there so not many students go in, we'll less likely be overheard."

I looked at Hermione in bafflement. She was not someone who would normally retaliate against a teacher. Until Umbridge, that was.

"Look, it's important." She continued when I didn't answer. "We are at war here, no matter how much the Ministry are denying it. Harry can teach us how to defend ourselves!"

"Shush, Hermione!" Ron hissed, giving a furtive glance around the library. "Anyone could overhear!"

"I don't know," I frowned, nibbling the end of my deluxe sugar quill. "I promised Draco I'd stay well clear."

I felt the back of my hand itch where Harry's name still lay. I subconsciously pulled my sleeve down to cover it up.

"Think of Cedric!" Hermione cried, "Do it for him if no one else! We can't let that bitch win!"

"Hermione!" Ron implored as we heard the unmistakable sound of Madam Pince's warning cough.

I felt a flicker of irritation. It was unfair of her to use my brother like that.

"If I agree, can I tell Draco?" I asked, already knowing the answer.

"Absolutely fucking not!" Ron bellowed.

Twenty seconds later we were standing outside in the corridor, Ron gruffly rubbing his sore left ear, where Madam Pince had pinched it to drag him out of the library.

"We've decided it's not a good idea to include any Slytherins." Hermione explained apologetically. "It's just not safe. If you do or don't decide to join us, I must implore you not to say anything about this."

"If I join then I'm going to have to lie to him. And sorry, I can't do that. But I promise I won't say anything about this conversation. Just don't speak to me about it again. I don't want to know."

But sadly, they refused to drop it.

"Come on!" Implored Cho, one evening at dinner. "We get these really cool coins, and remember - it's for Ced!"

I slammed my knife and fork down on the table, making the occupants nearest us look up, startled.

"I said no!" I hissed. "And I'm surprised you are happy to lie to Blaise to be honest."

Cho flushed a deep scarlet. They had finally gotten around to that date at Hogsmede and had started holding hands and kissing.

"But this is for Ced," she murmured quietly, not quite meeting my eyes. "I thought you of all people would be putting him first before some boy."

Fuming, I pushed my chair back and stormed off out of the hall.

"Hey, Aurora! Wait up."

I paused, just as I reached the foot of the marble staircase. I looked over my shoulder to see Draco striding towards me, his features pinched in concern.

"What was that about? What's upset you?" He asked, swiftly closing the gap between us and taking my hand.

"It's nothing," I sighed, hating that I couldn't say anything to him. "I'm just tired, that's all."

"Are you sure that's it? You've been acting... distant lately." He swallowed, his silver grey eyes piercing down at me as if he could find the answers in my face. "Is it me? Is it because of that night in the Prefects' bath-"

"No," I reassured him, squeezing his hand in mine. "Draco, I promise it's not you. I'm just finding it more difficult than I thought - being here and being constantly reminded of Ced. And I know that's why I wanted to transfer here. I just didn't anticipate it being this hard."

In one swift movement, Draco pulled me to him, wrapping his arms steadfastly around me so that I was pressed up hard against the comforting feel of his chest.

I closed my eyes and welcomed his embrace, clutching my hands tightly to his back, deeply inhaling his familiar scent.

"I love you," He murmured, pressing his cheek onto the top of my head, nuzzling into my hair. "And I'm here for you. Whatever."

My heart twisted. I felt guilty. Even though I was refusing to join Dumbledore's Army, part of me wished I could. I believed in everything it stood for, and of course I knew it meant making a stand for Cedric. For my loving, wonderful brother.

But if I did, what did that mean for me and Draco?

It turned out he was about to do something that would eventually make up my mind.

...

Draco was worried. Aurora wasn't herself lately. Something was clearly troubling her, but she refused to open up to him.

She constantly made excuses not to be alone with him, and he couldn't help but worry it had everything to do with that night in the Prefects' Bathroom.

He had loved that she had revealed a part of her to him that night; allowed him to explore her that little bit more. But he kept worrying that maybe he had pushed her into something she hadn't been ready for, even though she insisted that wasn't the case.

"Cheer up, man," Blaise murmured, spooning piles of scrambled egg onto Draco's plate. "You've got a big game ahead of you today, and you need to keep focused!"

Draco blinked. He had been staring at the back of Aurora's head across the hall, lost in thought. He reluctantly picked up his fork and tried to stomach the breakfast Blaise had just served up for him.

"As cute as our Ravenclaw birds are," Blaise chuckled, observing Draco amusedly, "you've really got to be thinking strategy right now. And I mean in terms of Quidditch."

Draco scoffed. As for that, he had something sorted. He had made some new badges for Slytherin to wear. And a song.

Anything to unnerve that prick Weasley. As if he thinks he could save any goals against them. Stupid fucking Weasley.

He'll show them.

...

"WEASLEY WAS BORN IN A BIN

HE ALWAYS LETS THE QUAFFLE IN,"

I stared out in horror at the game going on before me.

This had to be Draco's doing. This was clear from the constant smirk upon his face as he flew above the pitch, his eyes constantly on Harry, looking to see his reaction every time the Slytherins belted out the offensive song.

And then, when Harry caught the Snitch, it all kicked off.

I leapt down from the stands as soon as I saw that there was some sort of altercation going on between Draco and the Gryffindor team. I couldn't hear what they were saying, but it seemed liked Harry and the others were trying to hold Fred and George back from attacking him, as Draco carried on cajoling them.

I heard the last part though, as I reached the pitch and started hurrying towards them.

"Or perhaps," Draco spat, as he leered mockingly at Harry, who was currently restraining George, "you can remember what your mother's house stank like, Potter, and Weasley's pigsty reminds you of it-"

I stopped in my tracks, and watched on in frozen horror as both Harry and George simultaneously lunged at him.

"Stop!" I yelled, as they pummelled into him, fists flying and specks of blood spurting everywhere.

I sprinted towards them as hard as I could, my heart racing in my chest, hearing the strangled yells of Draco emit from beneath the tussle.

But I found I was beaten to them by Madam Hooch, who had sent both Harry and George flying backwards with the simple flick of her wand.

I flew down to the ground where Draco lay sprawled clutching his bloodied face in agony as Madam Hooch yelled at Harry and George behind me.

I grappled at Draco's arms, trying to get him to calm down as he writhed and moaned. "Draco!"

He stilled when he realised I was there, slowly lowering his hands to reveal a smashed-in nose.

"Aurora?"

I sighed heavily, helping him up.

"Draco, I love you - but my god - sometimes you are a bloody idiot."