Seated within the cozy confines of the Ravenclaw Common Room, the group of friends found themselves engaged in a casual exchange that mirrored the easy camaraderie they shared. Aurora's voice pierced through the ambient murmur, her words carrying a hint of curiosity as she broached a topic of discussion that had clearly been circulating among the students.

"Heard Potter's match is coming soon," Aurora's words acted as a catalyst, drawing attention to the imminent event that seemed to stir an undercurrent of excitement throughout the school. Amidst the chatter and activities of the common room, her voice cut through, its inflection inviting participation.

Y/N, her form slumped on the floor amidst a sea of extra assignments, offered a murmured response that spoke to her familiarity with the subject at hand. 

"Yeah, it's Quidditch Finals," she affirmed, her tone carrying a note of casual acknowledgment. The conversation continued to flow, Seraphina joining in with a question that demonstrated her own curiosity. 

"Really? Ravenclaw made it to the finals, right?" Her inquiry held an expectant curiosity, as if seeking confirmation of the rumor that had reached her ears. A nod from Y/N affirmed the rumor's veracity, her reply carrying a quiet sense of pride. 

"Yeah. If Harry wins, then we'll face each other in the finals," her words wove a narrative of the possible outcomes, the prospect of a showdown against a familiar face palpable in her tone.

The entry of Sophie into the scene was accompanied by the rustling of papers, her presence seamlessly integrating into the conversation. Her question was a playful prompt that punctuated the exchange, drawing the attention of the others. 

"Watcha three talking about?" Sophie's inquisitive gaze flitted between the group, the stack of papers in her hands a testament to the shared responsibilities that often defined their academic lives.

"Quidditch," Aurora's reply was a succinct response, her tone deadpan as she encapsulated the essence of their discussion. Sophie's playful retort carried a note of jest, her words tinged with a touch of mock disdain.

 "Yuck. Anything better?" Her question was posed with a wry smile, a challenge to the group to transition into a topic that held more appeal for her.

"Oh, yeah. Our Y/N/N here has a tiny little crush!" Seraphina's proclamation was a lively declaration, her tone infused with a sense of gleeful discovery. Y/N's reaction was swift, her head snapping towards Seraphina as if caught off guard by the sudden spotlight on her.

"Who told you that?" Y/N's retort held a hint of defensiveness, her voice carrying a touch of incredulity. The idea of her private sentiments being exposed left her feeling exposed, her initial reaction a mix of surprise and mild irritation.

"Oh, you could not be any more obvious," Seraphina's response was punctuated by a teasing tone, her words serving as a playful observation that rang with truth. Y/N's mouth parted slightly, a mixture of emotions flickering across her features as she grappled with the revelation.

As the group engaged in their banter, Aurora's demeanor stood out in contrast. Her detachment was evident, her mind seemingly preoccupied with her own thoughts. The inward focus was palpable, hinting at a complex inner world that stood separate from the light-hearted conversation that flowed around her.

The abrupt question that emanated from Aurora was a surprise, her tone carrying a note of curiosity that seemed to cut through the casual chatter. The sudden shift in focus prompted the group to pause, their attention redirected towards Aurora's inquisitive gaze.

"Who?" The question hung in the air, its abruptness capturing the attention of the others. Y/N's quick dismissal was an attempt to quell any burgeoning speculation. 

"Nobody. I don't like anyone," her response was a curt denial, her voice tinged with a blush that painted her cheeks in a telltale sign of unease. However, Sophie's candid interjection dispelled any notions of secrecy.

 "It's Granger, duh," her words were delivered with the nonchalant certainty of someone who had pieced together a puzzle. Y/N's retort was swift, her tone carrying a defensive edge that hinted at an unfamiliar discomfort. 

"Granger? Why would I like her?" The question was posed with a mixture of incredulity and genuine bewilderment, the prospect of romantic interest in Hermione seemingly inconceivable to her.

A volley of claims and counterclaims ensued, each statement a reflection of the tangled dynamics that defined their interactions. 

"You're obsessed with her!" Seraphina's accusation held a playful yet incisive quality, her words aiming to unravel the layers that lay beneath Y/N's façade. Y/N's reaction was a mixture of scoff and denial, her response immediate. 

"Am not," she asserted, her words carrying a sense of determination that belied the defensive stance she had adopted. Sophie's challenge was delivered with a playful grin, her response concise yet impactful. 

"Are," she countered, her tone imbued with a sense of conviction that left little room for Y/N's protest. The exchange escalated as Y/N sought to rebut the claim with incredulity. 

"How!?" Her exclamation held a hint of frustration, her voice carrying a mixture of defiance and disbelief. Seraphina's explanation provided a detailed account that painted a clear picture of Y/N's interactions with Hermione.

"Ever since the first day of school, practically the only thing you would complain about was Hermione— how annoying she was, how much you hated her," Seraphina's words were delivered with a small sigh, her tone carrying an understanding that hinted at the depth of her observation. "Honestly, she filled your mind 24/7, it was quite daunting."

"Surely not," Aurora's words were sudden,a swift interruption that sliced through the conversation like a whisper of doubt. 

The abruptness of her interjection was met with curiosity, the group's attention shifting towards her, their eyes seeking to decipher the thoughts that had prompted her to speak.

"Pardon?" Seraphina's inquiry was a gentle prompt, her tone laced with a mixture of curiosity and kindness. The blush that bloomed on Aurora's cheeks served as a canvas for the emotions that stirred within her, the exposure of her thoughts making her feel both vulnerable and brave.

"Nothing." Aurora's response was a humble evasion, her words accompanied by a small gesture of ducking her head. 

The exchange was a testament to the complex interplay of emotions that often lay beneath the surface of their interactions. Sophie and Seraphina exchanged knowing glances and small smirks.

As the nuances of Aurora's emotions played out, Y/N remained seemingly oblivious to the undercurrents that surged within the group. Her focus appeared steadfast, the conversation having evolved into its own rhythm that had momentarily bypassed the intricacies of her friends' thoughts.

The shift in the conversation prompted Sophie to lean in, her words a hushed whisper that dripped with a hint of mischief. 

"Seems like Y/N caught herself up in a little love triangle, yeah?" Sophie's words were punctuated by a playful nudge towards Seraphina, the revelation and speculation dripping with intrigue.

Seraphina's chuckle was a response that echoed Sophie's sentiment, her laughter a blend of amusement and camaraderie. A slap on her knee served as a playful punctuation, the two friends sharing a moment of shared amusement.

✴✴✴✴✴

Y/N strolled toward the Gryffindor Common Room, her presence a testament to her invitation to celebrate the Gryffindors' triumphant victory in the recent Quidditch Match. Clad in a simple white t-shirt paired with her Quidditch Varsity Jacket, she exuded an air of casual confidence, accentuated by her choice of blue sweatpants.

With a muttered password, Y/N pushed the portrait of The Fat Lady aside, granting her entry into the common room. The moment she stepped inside, she was greeted by a cacophony of upbeat music and joyful cheers. 

Banners adorned the walls, injecting a vibrant burst of color into the atmosphere. A variety of delectable treats were spread out on tables, with a clear penchant for junk food reigning supreme.

Her red eyes scanned the scene, finally resting on a figure she knew all too well—a girl with a mane of bushy hair that was unmistakably Hermione Granger. A soft smile tugged at Y/N's lips as she made her way over to where Hermione stood.

"Granger," she greeted in a tone that resonated with familiarity. Hermione turned to face her, their gazes locking in an unspoken connection. 

Despite having agreed to embark on the journey of friendship, the duo maintained the unique tradition of addressing each other by their surnames— it was their thing. A silent mutual agreement.

"Ah, Crimson. You're here?" Hermione's voice carried a mixture of surprise and genuine warmth as she handed Y/N a cup of non-alcoholic punch.

"Yep, I made it," Y/N responded with a subtle nod of appreciation, her fingers curling around the cup's cool surface. "By the way, congrats to Harry and the rest of the Gryffindors," she added, her words casually delivered as she took a leisurely sip from the cup. A hint of mischief danced in her eyes as she continued.

"But don't think for a second that Ravenclaw will take it easy on them in the next match." Her comment was punctuated by a light chuckle, prompting Hermione to playfully roll her eyes in response.

"I could care less about Quidditch," Hermione retorted with a playful glint in her eyes, leaning casually over the back of the couch. Y/N's eyebrow arched in response, intrigued by the challenge she sensed in Hermione's words.

A smug grin tugged at Y/N's lips as she countered, "Oh, really? So, you're saying you don't secretly keep tabs on every move I make on the Quidditch field?" Her tone carried a lighthearted taunt, but her gaze held a flicker of curiosity, as if daring Hermione to admit something she might not be ready to confess.

Hermione chuckled, her own eyes dancing with a mix of amusement and something subtler—a kind of fondness that wasn't easily dismissed. 

"Well, I do have to admit that I'm often in the vicinity during your 'practice' matches," she teased, emphasis on the word 'practice' as if to underscore the notion that she was well aware of the distinction between practice and official matches.

A playful glint ignited in Y/N's red eyes, a spark of mischief reflecting the light-hearted flirtatious banter between them. 

"Ah, but see, that's the point. Even though they're just practices, I haven't had a real match yet, why make such a great effort to attend all of them?" Her voice carried a mock-indignant note, as if she was cleverly laying down the challenge for Hermione.

Hermione's lips curved into an impish smile, and she leaned in just a fraction closer, her gaze holding Y/N's in a way that felt a touch more intimate than just friends bantering. 

"Oh, but you see, even in the midst of all your 'not-real' matches, you still manage to notice me in the crowd." Her tone was light, yet there was a subtle depth to her words—an acknowledgment of something unspoken.

Y/N felt a gentle warmth crawl up her cheeks, a blush that she couldn't quite control. The playful atmosphere now carried a tinge of something softer, more genuine. It was as if they were walking a fine line between jest and sincerity, their teasing words serving as a cover for something beneath the surface.

"Well, you have an..." Y/N's words hung in the air, a momentary pause accompanied by a subtle pursing of her lips as she sifted through her thoughts, searching for just the right expression. 

"A recognizable face," she finally declared, the word 'beautiful' flickering through her mind for the briefest of moments before she reined it in.

Hermione's lips curled into an amused smirk, her eyes dancing with a mixture of curiosity and amusement. She allowed a beat to pass before she responded, her tone teasingly curious, 

"Recognizable, you say?"

Y/N's gaze held a glint of mischief as she nodded, her lips curving into a playful smile. "Absolutely, recognizable," she confirmed with an air of confidence, as if she had just pointed out an undeniable truth.

Hermione's chuckle was as melodious as it was genuine. "Well, I suppose it's good to know that I'm making a lasting impression," she quipped, her tone holding a hint of playful modesty.

Y/N's response was punctuated by a soft hum of agreement. "Oh, you most certainly are. It's not every day you come across someone with a face as..." She paused, her gaze momentarily drifting as she sought to find the right word, "distinctive as yours."

Hermione's raised eyebrow spoke volumes, and her lips curved into a knowing smile. "Distinctive, huh?"

Y/N's laughter was a warm melody that filled the air, the sound reflecting the camaraderie that had blossomed between them. "Oh, don't pretend like you don't know what I mean," she retorted, a playful glint in her eyes.

Hermione's playful smirk matched the twinkle in her eyes. "Well, I'll take 'distinctive' over 'ordinary' any day."

"Touché," Y/N responded with a nod, her tone laced with appreciation for Hermione's quick wit. Their banter was a dance of words, a subtle interplay that revealed more than they dared to verbalize.

In the end, it was all masked by their 'friendly teasing,' but in that fleeting moment, a glimmer of hope and a hint of unspoken connection passed between them. The spark in Y/N's eyes revealed a tantalizing mixture of amusement and curiosity, while Hermione's slightly raised eyebrows betrayed a subtle anticipation.

TO BE CONTINUED...