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HARRY POTTER'S PLAN HAD CRASHED AND BURNED. But, that was a secret Hermione Granger would just have to keep until later. She breathed, running a hand through her pretty curls in nervousness. Ron was nowhere to be found and Hermione watched as the group of Ravenclaws, much more popular that herself, danced the night away.
A few feet from the girl, Harry and Eliza laughed and cackled — mostly about Ron. Old stories, new stories, and everything in between. And for the first time in a long time — Eliza could see, for once, not blinded by jealousy to Harry Potter.
Only a few feet from the dancing and laughing pair, Connor Carrow walked alone to the drink table, pausing in his tracks at a glimpse of purple catching his eyes. Lilly Lavender sat the corner of the Great Hall, hand leaning on her chin. She looked exhausted, Connor could tell, her usual sunshine sparkle was diminished under the twinkling candles floating above.
Not having much luck with his own date — Dominique had shared her piqued interest in Connor at the mention of monetary winnings from the Triwizard Tournament — Connor smiled gently before plopping down beside his friend.
"What's the matter?"
Lilly's shoulders slumped, walls crumbling down and suddenly throwing her pride to the wind, "Everett spiked my juice with Love Potion. Blaise took him back to the common room, likely to beat his arse. Rightfully so, I say! Thank goodness Professor Snape is as sharp as he is, had the antidote ready in his robes. Points from Slytherin, maybe we'll win the cup after all!" she tried to cheer herself up, but Connor saw the way her smile faltered. "Now, I just have a bloody headache."
Connor clenched his fist beneath the table, knowing his reaction held every bit of a very high place in Lilly Lavender's eyes.
So instead of hunting Everett Zabini down, hanging the boy from his feet, and performing Unforgivable Curses for fun, he just grabbed her hand, rubbing his thumb over her soft knuckles, a reassuring smile playing on his lips.
꙳
A few days later, Eliza Cawthorne had yet to catch wind of the Yule Ball dramatics from Ron Weasley, unaware of why all eyes followed her through the corridors and where on earth all her friends were.
Daphne (no surprise there), Connor, Lilly, and even Harry all turned up missing. So, that left one person and one person only, a sure fire way for Eliza to find at least one she was looking for — and finish her project for Muggle Studies.
"Hi Hermione!" Eliza announced, shuffling through the library, ignoring the shushes and angry looks from studying students. Hermione's eyes grew as wide as gum-balls, and Eliza was equally confused until she rounded the corner, a certain red head causing her heart to stop.
