╔═══════════════╗
✰
DRACO Malfoy sprinted down the corridors of Hogwarts as fast as he could, urgently trying to find Liana before word spread through gossip about Harry and Ginny's kiss. His mind flitted to all the places he knew she liked to go: the owlery, the astronomy tower, Gryffindor common room, the library. But something told Draco she wouldn't be in any of these places. Liana had had an emotionally and physically trying day, she'd want to be somewhere soothing and refreshing without other people around.
It was falling dark outside and the sun was setting in a glorious display of golden and scarlet, like watercolour paints running into each other, and just hovering above the horizon there was the crescent moon sliding into view. Draco hurried out into the courtyard to see only a few stragglers wandering around to enjoy the last moments of evening fresh air before they returned to their common rooms for curfew.
He glanced about but couldn't see any sign of Liana's familiar red curls. So he persisted, walking out of the courtyard and into the grounds, his prefects badge pinned to his chest so no one would question his movements. He was just about to give up his fruitless search for Liana, guessing he must've been wrong about her whereabouts, when he spotted a pair of ankles dangling out of a tree by the black lake.
Draco marched down the hill, heading towards the tree, almost laughing at how typical of Liana it was to stick herself up a tree to try and escape curfew and everyone around her. As he neared the shore of the black lake Liana came more clearly into view. She was perched on a large branch that speared off from the sturdy tree trunk, her legs loosely crossed and hanging down carelessly as she smoked a cigarette and observed the scenery through the myriad of leaves surrounding her. Her short red hair was blowing gently in her face like dragon's flames and as Draco approached the tree, those sparkling blue eyes flickered over to him, a small smile lighting up her face.
"To what do I owe the pleasure Draco?" Liana asked. Draco raised an eyebrow at the tone of her voice. Instead of her usual velvety tone her voice sounded like chalk against a blackboard and a closer look at her face showed blotchy red cheeks and slightly smeared eye makeup.
"Are you crying Liana?" Draco wondered as he leant against the tree trunk to stare up at her. Liana snorted, as if this idea was completely absurd.
"Bollocks. My eyes were just watering," she snapped and Draco rolled his eyes, reaching a hand out to rest comfortably on one of Liana's long extended legs, his thumb tracing smooth circles on her skin. Liana shivered at the contact.
"But really- why are you here? Not that I'm completely opposed to your company," Liana questioned and Draco sighed, his fingers pausing in their movement on Liana's calf.
"You're not gonna like my answer. I think you should come down from the tree first. Don't worry, I'll catch you if you want," Draco advised and Liana looked rather disappointed that she was wasting half a cigarette. But there was a sense of urgency in his voice that made Liana think it was probably best that she do as he say. She took one, long, last drag before stubbing it out and moving herself to the edge of the branch.
In one smooth, fluid motion she slipped herself off it and braced herself to feel the bash of her feet painfully hard against the ground. But as promised, Draco had scoped her up like she weighed nothing at all, his arms wrapping under the crook of her knee and the other under her armpits, holding her tightly, securely.
"Wow, you really fell for me didn't you Holly?" Mocked Draco, unable to stop himself from wasting the opportunity.
"Shove off you wanker," Liana scoffed as she let her legs drop from Draco's arms and planted herself firmly on the ground again, brushing down her skirt.
"Now, what was it that you wanted?" She repeated as she began to trek up the hill and towards the distant outline of the castle.
"Liana- look- you're a great girl and everything. I don't want this to hurt you, but I'd rather it came from me than from someone like Hannah Abbott or Ginny Weasley," Draco began and Liana frowned as she continued to walk, an uneasy feeling rising in her stomach.
"I saw Ginny and Harry kiss. Properly kiss. When I was in the room of requirement," Draco confessed to her in one long breath, he awaited her reaction in dead silence, his eyebrows furrowed in anticipation for the damage he knew those words would do to her.
Liana stopped dead in her tracks.
She was facing away from Draco but he could almost sense her aura darkening, like the very sky above them. When she turned to face Draco he had to grit his teeth. She looked broken.
Liana Holly felt like her heart had just cracked in her chest like a slab of marble. Of course, she had been prepared for this, hell, she thought it was almost inevitable. But she had always held out hope. Secret, childish and ridiculous hope that Harry deep down in his soul still loved her and wouldn't break her like this. That was until Harry seemed to stop being Harry. This new Harry wasn't her Harry anymore. He wasn't the bumbling Quidditch captain with hair that never lay flat, who used to sneak down to the common room in third year to give her cuddles until the sun rose the next morning. This wasn't the same Harry she had kissed at the end of fourth year when she felt like she was overwhelmed by the sheer power of how she felt. This wasn't the Harry she had constantly laid her life down for and she would've given anything to protect. She didn't know who this man was anymore.
Liana knew there were tears beginning to trickle down her face, but she was hardly aware of what was going on, she felt as if her body was shutting down entirely in denial and shock. Her fingers began to burn slightly and she wasn't entirely sure whether it was her magic taking over or just the panic. She felt as if her throat was closing up and she gasped for air.
"Hey Liana, I've got you. I'm here," Draco tried to assure earnestly, crouching down until he was on Liana's eye level as he made a pathetic attempt to seem more comforting.
"I hate him."
Liana's voice was stronger than she looked in that moment. Her body was starting to shake, the initial shock beginning to convert to anger, to fury. She clenched her fists as her eyes glided past Draco and to the moon glinting in the sky above them, almost mockingly winking down at Liana.
"I HATE HIM!"
She repeated at the top of her lungs, screaming it to anyone and everything that could listen. Liana seemed to snap out of her daze and made to run off away from Draco, heading towards the forbidden forest. All she wanted was to get out of here, to escape from all of this. She'd had enough. But Draco was faster than Liana's reactions, delayed by her fluctuating emotions.
His arms wrapped around her body and kept her directly where she was.
"LET GO OF ME!" Liana wailed into Draco's shoulder, nearly blinded by the tears swimming in her vision. She raised her fists and bashed them against Draco's shoulders, violently trying to fight him off. Draco said nothing and didn't move an inch, he just shook his head in refusal to let her go.
"I hate him," Liana stated one more time, her voice calming slightly now as she continued to inhale Draco's scent of apples and broomstick polish and maybe faintly of cigarette smoke. She tried to slow her erratic breathing, her hyperventilating ceasing as her body trembled like a leaf in Draco's arms. Her head was aching so painfully it felt like it could split in half and she still struggled to feel her limbs at all.
"If you want me to let go of you I will. As long as you don't run off somewhere you're not safe," Draco told her quietly. He didn't want to hold her captive in his arms, he knew better than anyone else the last thing someone needed after any kind of panic was being held against their will.
"Please let go-" Liana almost begged and in an instant Draco's hands had left Liana's body as quickly as they had touched her. Liana caved at this lack of contact, curling up upon herself on the ground into a ball, the only way she knew how to defend herself from the world around her.
Draco stood beside her, pausing as he tried to read her body language. But it seemed Liana had lost complete control and he wasn't sure he could bring himself to leave her out here in a state like this, no matter how much she seemed to want solitude.
So Draco sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair as he bent down and sat a few feet away from Liana, stretching his legs out as he settled himself of the damp grass beside her. Liana glanced up through bloodshot eyes and stared at him in confusion.
"You don't think I'd really leave you like this, do you?" Draco challenged and Liana just shrugged with a sniff as she wrapped her arms around her knees and laid her head down upon them.
'Everyone does. What would make you any different?" Liana mumbled, closing her eyes and taking very long and laboured breaths, actively trying to calm herself down. Draco noticed a subtle red glow around Liana's fingertips. This must be her powers in action.
"I don't hate you as much as I used to think I did. You're a surprising girl Liana Holly. I've done things in my life that I'm not proud of and I probably won't stop, but I always look after the people I care about," Draco explained solemnly, his mind drifting to his mission and his mother and father, his friends, all the people he knew he would die for before he let any harm come to them. He wasn't entirely sure where Liana sat in that bracket of people, all he knew is that his heart was screaming at him to keep her safe.
"You care about me? I didn't think you cared about anyone other than yourself and your family," Liana muttered as she opened her eyes a fraction to peek up at Draco through a few strands of red hair that blew around her face in the gentle breeze.
"Don't go getting a big ego. I just don't want you to die on my watch." Draco refused to meet her eyes as he gazed out at the lake, seeing the silky ripples of the water's surface in the moonlight. His face was completely blank.
"We should go."
Her voice was small and raspy, barely an audible whisper. Draco felt as if this angelic girl was tugging at his heartstrings. She didn't realise the power she had gained over him. Draco gathered his thoughts and stumbled to his feet. He watched Liana hobble up slowly, swaying slightly as she clutched a hand to her head in pain. At once he reached out to steady her, his arms snaking around her frail body, straightening up and tucking the top of her head easily under his chin, his long fingers brushing through her hair gently, taking care to avoid the spot where he knew she had been injured.
"It's okay. It's okay." He just kept repeating to her in the same soothing tone. "Tell you what- name five things you can see."
Liana seemed taken aback by these instructions from him and she frowned, momentarily distracted from her emotions as she was made to consider this.
"I can see the tree, the giant squid, you and not an awful lot more. My eyes are a bit blurry," Liana admitted as she rubbed the remaining tears from her eyes, sniffing loudly as she pulled back from the brief embrace with Draco.
"Good girl. What are four things you can touch?" Draco prompted, seeing how Liana's body was starting to shake less, the colour returning to her pale cheeks.
"You, you, you and the ground," Liana counted on her fingers and Draco had to stop himself from rolling his eyes at her. Even when her heart had been shattered into a million pieces, she never seemed able to abandon her terribly timed sarcasm.
"Close enough. Three things you can hear and two you can smell?" Draco continued as he began moving slightly, tapping her shoulder to get her to turn and begin to walk slowly in the direction of school.
Liana paused, thinking to herself as her ears strained in the silence.
"I can hear, birds, the giant squid splashing and myself talking. Then I can smell you and the outdoors."
Draco faintly smiled at this. "Last question, one thing you can taste?"
"Tears," Liana scoffed as she wiped her face with her jumper sleeve. "You know something Draco? Everyone cracks you up to be the bad guy but you're not really like that."
Draco smiled bitterly as he led Liana through the courtyard and into the warmth of the school where the cold night air was banished away by the glow of candles.
"Very observant of you Liana, you seem to think you've got me all worked out. I wouldn't be so sure if I were you," he commented as he began to take her towards the great hall now, his eyes scanning about to see if there was anyone wandering her corridors.
"Not really, just that part of you I've worked out," Liana shrugged. They reached the stairs at long last and Liana halted, a conflicted look on her face as she realised she had to return to Gryffindor common room where Ginny and Harry would be. She felt fresh tears spring up in her eyes and she quickly looked away from Draco, hiding her face behind a layer of hair.
"Maybe I should go back to the hospital wing," Liana sighed and she began to make off to Mama Pomfrey's office to beg for one more night there and perhaps fake some more side effects of her head injury. But Draco caught the back of her jumper and pulled her back towards him.
"No need. Just come down to the Slytherin common room, you can stay with us," Draco declared and Liana nodded at him, her eyes shining with gratitude. Draco led her deeper into the school and Liana felt the considerable drop in temperature as they travelled down the school into the bowels where the dungeons sat.
"Salazar." Draco told a cold stone wall and Liana gasped as it began to morph into a doorway, huge slabs of brick sliding across to make way for an elaborate wooden carved door with a snake looping around it.
"Home sweet home," Draco announced as he entered, Liana closely following. She had never been in the Slytherin common room before, although she had heard Ron's description of it from their second year experiments with polyjuice potion.
The Slytherin common room was grand and although there was a chill in the air that made Liana shiver, there was an odd comfort to it. There were velvety green furnishings and rugs that covered the floors, across the back wall a huge tapestry hung with silver thread lacing through it, there was the mild hum of distant chatter and laughter from the dorm rooms, a few ashtrays with cigarette butts and abandoned textbooks. It was strangely welcoming for such a typically cold place.
"Draco! Where have you been? Oh-" Pansy broke off from where she had been sitting nestled on a corner sofa with Blaise, her eyes trailing up Liana's sorrowful looking form. Liana cringed in her own embarrassment at how terrible she must look, with running mascara and wild hair. But to her surprise Pansy came hurrying over, her arms outstretched and concern deep across her face.
"Poor girl, you look like you need a goddamn hug. Draco gives good cuddles but only if you catch him at the right moment. Parkinson's always give marvellous hugs," Pansy whispered to Liana in a light hearted fashion as she engulfed her in a cloud of black hair and the clink of silver bangles that adorned her slim wrists.
Liana couldn't help but melt into Pansy's hug. It was gentle and full of sympathy and although Liana hated pity and was never one to dwell on her difficulties in life, this was one thing she thought might take a bit of moping to get over.
"Thanks Pans, sorry I'm crashing here, if it's too much intrusion I can go somewhere else?" Liana offered and Pansy drew back from the hug looking mortified at the very thought.
"What kind of monster do you think I am? Obviously you can stay, hell you can have my bed if you want. But what's upset you? You can talk to us about it," Pansy offered kindly and she tugged Liana by her hand over to the sofa where she had been sitting before.
Blaise soaked up Liana's disshevled appearance for a moment before shifting over to make room for her to sit.
"Here you go Holly."
Liana looked up in surprise just in time to catch the warm woollen blanket Blaise had chucked her way and she gratefully wrapped it around herself. Draco sat beside her, a lazy arm drooping over her shoulders.
"Harry cheated on me." Liana's statement elicited gasps from both Pansy and Blaise who stared at her in shock.
"What the fuck?" Pansy cried and Blaise shook his head in disgust, his lip curling.
"That's just nasty mate," he addressed. Liana shrugged to herself, biting her lip as she glanced down to where she fidgeted with her hands in her lap.
"I guess I always worried it would happen. I just prayed maybe he would come to his senses, it's difficult to give up on someone you care about so much," Liana explained and Draco breathed a heavy breath in Liana's ear in agreement.
"That doesn't mean you should be sacrificing your own wellbeing for his, Liana. The Potter prat needs to gain some respect, it's vile to cheat on someone. The lowest of the low," Pansy shook her head fiercely. Liana felt her eyes welling up again and buried her head in her hands in shame, her badly painted fingernails sinking into the skin on her face in frustration.
'I'm so stupid, I should've just left him when I suspected something," Liana whispered dryly and Blaise nodded in agreement.
"That's true. But equally, now you know you did all you could. You tried your best Holly, if the guy doesn't see that then kick his ass to the curb so he can get an eye test and move on without him."
Blaise's words were true and Liana knew that, but she could feel the harsh sting of reality burn her. There was something up with Harry, but if this was the new Harry, maybe Blaise was right and she would have to leave him behind.
"It's just difficult. He suddenly started acting so weird a couple of months ago, getting worse recently when he attacked me and Draco and stuff-" Liana trailed off and Pansy cracked her knuckles menacingly.
"I still want to get back at Potter for that. Nobody hurts my friends and gets away with it. Mind you, maybe he's under some kind of incantation? That could explain the sudden weird behaviour," Pansy suggested and Liana tilted her head as she pondered this, vaguely aware of Draco's fingers brushing a gentle, rhythmic pattern against her collar bones and how his intoxicating scent was still filling her nose.
"I don't think an incantation? I doubt anyone in the school other than maybe Dumbledore is powerful enough to persist with one for such a long time," Liana pointed out and Pansy nodded thoughtfully as she too realised the flaw in her theory.
"Love potion then perhaps?" Suggested Blaise quietly and Liana's head snapped up at once, the idea sinking in.
"You might actually be onto something there. Ginny loves to give Harry these huge boxes of chocolates and stuff. Plus he said they got talking over butter beer. Mind you, even if he is under a love potion- he still cheated," Liana sighed and Pansy rubbed her leg sympathetically.
"You look like you're on death's door. Come on, before you fall asleep in Draco's lap," Pansy teased lightly and she clambered to her feet, holding out a hand for Liana to take. Liana gratefully followed Pansy's lead, giving her hand an appreciative squeeze as Pansy steered her in the direction of the girl's dorms.
Draco leant back against the sofa, taking a deep breath and rubbing his temples slightly. Liana Holly was a handful and a half, trouble seemed to follow her wherever she went.
"You like Liana."
"Very clever Blaise, obviously I like the girl otherwise I wouldn't bother being so nice to her," snapped Draco, trying to dodge the real meaning of the declaration that came from a smirking Blaise.
"No as in, you like Liana," Blaise clarified with satisfaction. "Don't deny it, I can see it in your eyes and your body language. This isn't a bad thing mate, maybe she's what you need right now."
But Draco cut Blaise off instantly.
"I don't need anyone right now. The only thing I need is for you to shut up with your assumptions. All she is, is a pretty face and would be a good fuck. She's just unloaded her problems onto us so now we have to look after her. That's it," Draco defended, gnawing at the inside of his cheek with guilt at what he was saying.
"I call bullshit. You're saying that because you can't face the truth."
Meanwhile, Liana and Pansy continued down the corridor, oblivious to the heated discussion between the boys.
"Showers and bathrooms are to your right, you're welcome to take my bed, I can share with Astoria- or we can have a girlie sleepover, which ever you prefer," Pansy told her gently and Liana smiled weakly at her as she headed over to the bathroom door.
"Thanks Pans," she uttered gratefully as she slipped into the bathroom. It took her a few moments to get the shower going, but she was more than relieved to stand under the hot spray of water. It streamed down her bare body and Liana scrubbed the crusty makeup, dried tears and regrets off herself, trying to keep her mind as far away from Harry as possible. Her body was close to physically exhaustion and her mind was begging for sleep, so Liana massaged her shoulders gently to work the tension out from them, before climbing out of the shower and wrapping a forest green towel around her small body.
She padded out from the bathroom, her hair hanging in smooth, damp ringlets around her chin with her skin glowing warmly in the dim candlelight.
Pansy was curled up in what Liana assumed to be her bed, her nose buried in a book, a wave of dark hair tucked behind one ear in concentration. Pansy looked up as Liana entered and swallowed thickly at her appearance. Despite everything Liana had been through that evening she still looked perfect. But Pansy knew this was not the time to flirt.
"There's clothes on the chair there babe," Pansy informed Liana, gesturing to the chair at the end of her bed where there was a pair of black silky sleep shorts and a cami top. Liana nodded and watched as Pansy yanked the green velvet curtain of her four poster closed to let Liana change privately.
Once Liana was dressed in the borrowed pyjamas she pulled back the curtain.
"Salazar you look exhausted, come on then," Pansy invited, budging over so Liana could slip into the double bed next to her. Liana's eyes were instantly drooping, her lids closing over those mesmerising slivers of ocean blue. But Liana had to ask Pansy a burning question that had weighed on her mind that evening.
"Why are you so nice to me?"
Pansy chuckled gently as she rolled onto her side to face Liana, big warm eyes staring at her as she soaked up every detail of Liana's appearance from her damp eyelashes that clung together to the way her plump lips had cracked and there was a small scar left at the side of her mouth.
"In all honestly Liana, I read about what happened in the ministry end of last year and Draco explained most of it to me too. I've got a big sister. Me and her don't always get on, but to lose your sister like that- I knew it couldn't have been easy. I don't need to know you inside and out to know you've been through hell and back, and you deserve some decent friends that have your back," Pansy explained.
Liana smiled, genuine warmth reaching her eyes as she leant over to give Pansy a brief hug.
"Thank you," she muttered in Pansy's ear, before Liana was turning over to face out, and falling victim to sleep and dreams.
✰
THE next morning, Liana Holly was on the warpath.
A night to commiserate had only fuelled her desire for the truth and for revenge now that she was rested and had an evening to wallow with Pansy in self pity. Now Liana Holly was mad, extremely mad.
She marched up to Gryffindor common room as fast as her legs could carry her, striding up the stairs. Her red curls bouncing around her jaw and her eyes were murderous. They were icy cold and could've sent shivers down anyone's spine. Liana was on a mission and no one was about to get in her way. Liana hurried up the final few steps and ducked through the portrait hole into the mostly empty common room. The only person who was sitting there was exactly the person Liana wanted to see.
Hermione Granger glanced up from where she was ploughing through her arithmancy homework and her eyes widened in shock at Liana's furious demeanour.
'Whats wrong? Liana are you okay?" Hermione pressed as she dropped her quill and immediately came dashing over to Liana's side.
"I will be once I get to the bottom of this fucking shit pile. Harry cheated on me last night, and I'm starting to think that there's something more than a potions textbook that's got him acting funny."
Hermione gasped in shock, clapping her hands over her mouth and expression contorting in revulsion that Harry could've even dared to cheat on Liana.
"I'll jinx him in his sleep, I'll curse his broomstick when he's flying, I'll make all his hair fall out, I'll-" Hermione ranted, her mind spiralling to all the wonderful punishments that the intelligent witch could unleash on Harry for committing the unthinkable.
"Hold your horses Hermione- not that I'm dismissing any of those ideas quite yet- but I need your help," Liana requested darkly, her jaw set and teeth gritted with determination. "We need to break into the boys dorm."
"Of course I'll help you silly, you don't even have to ask. Why are we breaking in though?" Hermione asked and Liana scowled.
"I was with the Slytherins yesterday, Blaise mentioned love potion. I could be wrong of course, but it would make sense. Ginny could've easily taken it from Fred and George. It would explain the sudden behaviour change-" Liana trailed off, her heart feeling heavy in her chest. What if she was wrong? What if it was just Harry and not potion?
"Oh my Godric, that's got to be it. That's the explanation, there's no other way," Hermione nodded, her eyes widening with revelation. She grabbed Liana by the hand and led her over the the stairs up to the boys dorm.
"Wait here, I'll get Harry out of there in no time."
Hermione disappeared up the stairs to the boys dorms and Liana hovered on the bottom step, trying to strain her ears for voices or movements from upstairs. She glowered to herself as she heard Harry's voice drifting down the stairs.
"What's up Hermione?" He asked. Liana listened for Hermione's response, hearing the witch putting on a very convincing performance.
"It's Ginny! She's hurt, she collapsed juts outside the great hall- you need to get to her now! It's probably best you check the great hall and the hospital wing for her, I'm not sure where she got taken after I left!" Hermione wailed in fake panic and Liana could almost imagine her pulling at her bushy hair in frustration.
Harry seemed instantly fooled. Liana could hear the sounds of Harry leaping to his feet and shuffling noises as if he were pulling on robes and shoes.
"Thanks Hermione- I'll go straight to her," Harry assured her and Liana froze as she heard Harry's footsteps beginning to pound down the stairs towards her. There was no where to hide, he was going to see her. But as Harry came hurrying into Liana's vision, his eyes seemed to pass straight through her, as If there wasn't anything in front of him. Liana frowned, her body was pressed up against the walls of the staircase, she was right under his nose. Harry continued on, running over to the portrait hole before leaving at top speed. He hadn't seen Liana.
"Liana? Where are you?" Hermione hissed and Liana's eyes flickered up to where Hermione was standing a mere stair above her now. Liana's confusion increased. Liana moved from where she had been standing stock still and Hermione let out a quiet shriek as she finally seemed to spot Liana.
"Where did you come from?" Hermione whispered in bewilderment. Liana looked at Hermione like she had lost her mind.
"I've been standing here the whole time you idiot," Liana insisted but Hermione shook her head adamantly.
"No you weren't, you literally just popped out of no where. Anyway, come on, we need to search the dorm before Harry gets back!" Hermione encouraged and she dashed off back up the stairs. Liana followed at once, although her stomach was still churning in uncertainty, she couldn't fathom why no one had been able to see her for those few moments.
The two girls burst into the dormitory. The only other person who was in there with them was Neville who glanced over in shock as he watched Liana and Hermione hurry over to Harry's bed and bedside table.
"You search the cupboard, I'll look through his trunk," Liana instructed, not completely aware of Neville's presence yet. "Remember, we're looking for any kind of love potion bottle or any kind of food she could've put it in."
"About bloody time someone else thinks it's a love potion too. Where should I search Liana?" Neville finally piped up from the corner of the room. Liana jumped and squeaked in fear as she looked up but breathed a sigh of relief to see it was only Neville.
"You think it's love potion as well?" Liana questioned in surprise and Neville nodded in agreement as he wandered over to Liana and Hermione and crouched down to begin looking under Harry's bed.
"Anyone who knows you both can see it. As much as I hate to admit it, he's way too in love with you to do anything like this in the right frame of mind," Neville told her and Liana felt a blush creep onto her cheeks. If only Harry did still love her, she was doubting all his affections now.
"Come on you two, we don't have long before Harry comes back," Hermione roused as she shifted books around on Harry's beside table and continued to look.
Liana focused her attention on the trunk in front of her now, she lifted up the heavy leather lid and grimaced at the clothes thrown around inside, Harry clearly didn't prioritise cleanliness. She gagged slightly as she tossed a pair of dirty, mud stained quidditch socks over her shoulder and grimaced at the muddy uniform underneath them.
"God this boy is a slob, I'm writing to Remus to get him to give Harry laundry lessons," Liana noted as she skimmed over the top of the trunk. It would take her far to long to delve into all his belongings, she would be sure to get caught by the returning Harry if she didn't think go something quickly. Always excellent at sharp wit, Liana let the lid on the trunk slam and began to shake it around on the floor as vigorously as she could.
"What are you doing?" Hermione worried rather frantically, concerned that they hadn't found anything yet. Liana held a finger to her lips to signify silence and both Hermione and Neville froze in their searching to allow quiet to fall on them.
From somewhere deep inside the trunk there was the gentle clink of what sounded like glass bottles. Liana smirked to herself. Bingo. She reopened the trunk and dove her hands in, shoving things aside until she came to the source of the glass bottles.
Hermione and Neville watched as Liana drew out two small, pink glass bottles. It looked as if the label of the bottles had been covered by a note and Liana peered at the neat writing on the front, reading aloud for Neville and Hermione to hear.
"Dear Harry, found these potions down Diagon Alley. They give you the best high- make you feel practically euphoric! Thought you would enjoy if you're ever having a bad day. Love Ginny."
Liana's nimble fingers began pulling at the note, trying to pry it off from the original label. Finally she managed to worm her pinky finger underneath and slide it around the note, peeling it off. The original labels of the bottle read.
WEASLEY'S WIZARD WHEEZES: AMMORTENTIA
- CREATE THE ULTIMATE INFATUATION, USE FOR OVER 18s ONLY-
Liana passed the bottle to Neville and Ginny, her face completely unreadable.
"This one is nearly empty," Hermione observed quietly as she gave the first bottle a shake. Neville and Hermione both just stared at Liana in astonishment at what they had just uncovered. Ginny had been tricking Harry into taking love potion for who knows how long.
"Liana-?" Neville addressed nervously as he waited to see if Liana would have any reaction to this discovery. Liana got to her feet very slowly, folding her arms in a business like way, her lips stretched into the kind of smile that made Neville quiver, like Liana was so angry she couldn't even portray it anymore. He noticed a gentle red glow around her fingers that were clenched in fists and had to blink to see if he was imagining things.
"Hermione, tell Madam Pomfrey to get a bed in the hospital wing ready. Because I'm telling you now that's where I'm going to be putting Ginny Weasley."
With that Liana turned on her heel and had stormed down the stairs of the dormitory. Hermione and Neville could faintly hear the sound of the portrait hole closing and opening. Liana had just marched out on her manhunt for Ginny Weasley.
Hermione warm brown eyes drifted to Neville's and Neville sighed.
"Shit on it."
✰
╚═══════════════╝
AN
Hey everyone! I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and feel free to let me knows if you spot any mistakes. I have a few things I just want to say however:
1) I've been receiving some messages hating on the way Liana and Harry's relationship is going right now. All I have to say is if you don't like it, that's perfectly valid and I understand, but don't criticise me as a writer. I know exactly where my story is going to end up, and this is still a Harry Potter fan fiction, however it's simply unrealistic that an attractive sixteen year old girl would never be able to gain anyone else's affection other than one boy. Also please consider Liana's mindset, it makes sense. She's vulnerable, grieving, feeling alone, she's not going to be picky about those who provide her company. I create this story for my personal enjoyment and for you all to enjoy reading, therefore if you are no longer enjoying this book- do not feel obligated to read it. I just want all my readers to find books they are content with. I can understand aggravation with characters, but please don't get that confused with taking it out on myself just because the story isn't playing out exactly how you envisioned it right now.
2) These last couple of chapters have been about 6,000 words. Please let me know if you prefer this to the usual length which is generally around 4,000 words. If I write longer chapters then updates will be less frequent!
With that out of the way thanks for reading and hope everyone's safe and well🖤
Xoxo