The next few days passed by quickly and we were nearing the quidditch tryout season, naturally, I signed up. Meanwhile, I have been spending more than enough time in the library with Luna doing Defense Against Dark Arts homework which was a lot. Well, it's fair to say that even if Snape changes posts, the amount of homework he assigns will never lessen. Fortunately, I was in class with Luna which made the classes pass by less boring than usual. Besides, she knew some things I didn't know from the 5th year when she joined the Dumbledore's Army. It was a privilege having a friend who knew a spell or two and could help you master them yourself.

I have gotten used to spending nights with Malfoy. As soon as everyone goes to sleep in the Slytherin house, we start doing all sorts of things. For example, two nights ago we ate some candies Malfoy had with him from the Hogwarts Express trolley lady. It was fun fooling around with the most feared student in Hogwarts eating candy that turned us into animals. But to say everything was going smoothly is a mistake. He still didn't acknowledge me as a decent human being and constantly teased me throughout the day. Say it is Potions class; he'd find a way to put unnecessary ingredients in my cauldron. Today wasn't an exception, he changed Hermione's hair in the Polyjuice potion with an elf's. Had to go to other classes looking like an elf for the rest of the day. To say I was mad was an understatement.

Fortunately, I calmed down and changed back to my original body and was now doing homework with Luna in the library. The librarian: Madam Pince, knew me relatively well and let us use the library even after sleep time. Having her like me and not hate me like every other student was a big plus on my school life list.

Luna was rambling on and on about some spells that we had to choose and do a research presentation for which bored me to bits. Don't get me wrong, I'd gladly use any spell needed, but doing research about it was too much work.

"I don't think choosing Bombardo as a research presentation spell would be fun, Snape wants a demonstration, so blowing up the classroom would mean taking out points for our houses." Luna said, "What do you think, Y/N?"

"Loony, I don't know what in the unicorn you are talking about, but I think it's time for sleep." I yawned and banged my head against the book I was reading "Besides, I don't even feel like doing anything, it's so exhausting."

"You do you, then," Luna replied casually "I found a spell I could demonstrate anyway, plus its 1 already."

"Okay then, I will go Loony, sweet dreams." I happily said and exited the library.

On the way back to the dorms I thought all about the things we could do with Malfoy today. Maybe even play chess, he did suggest it before so why not give it a shot. Might as well become victorious and avenge for today's wicked prank he pulled on me, who knows? Or, I could use that one spell Luna told me about today that makes people dance uncontrollably.

Knowing nobody was awake at that time I entered the common room with a triumph:

"Good evening, Draco Malfoy, I, tonight challenge you to a chess game!" then I looked around to see nobody there "Well, that's a bummer, I am the first one here."

Since I had to wait for Malfoy to arrive, I decided I would take out the chess board from the top of the fireplace. I put the board on the coffee table in front of the fireplace and opened it, placing each figure in its right place. Now, what was left to do, was hang around by myself until Malfoy showed up. I know he wouldn't ditch me because we planned on meeting today.

After 10 minutes or so, the dorm door opened, and walking in none other than Draco Malfoy. He didn't look so well though; he was pale with tired eyes as if he had seen a person rise from the dead. He proceeded to look around the common room until he spotted me looking at him and gesturing for him to come closer. And he did so: with a confused facial expression, he came up to me and sat next to me on the couch throwing his head back.

"Well, well, you certainly seem tired, I can give you a shot of adrenaline," I said cheekily smirking at him.

"Not today, L/N, the pick-up lines are getting on my nerves." Malfoy answered uninterestedly looking at me "Go for something more exciting next time you do comedy, like shutting the hell up."

"Woah, I didn't mean any harm you ferret, just wanted to strike a conversation." I said crossing my arms and rolling my eyes sarcastically "if you are not in the mood to hang out tonight, just say so, I am not forcing you."

"Don't call me that and help me sleep, dimwit," Malfoy said looking at the ceiling.

That was the last straw, this guy literally turns me into an elf, then acts rude when I am trying to cheer him up and have some fun, and he still acts like the biggest dick? Over my dead body is this maggot-looking twat demanding shit.

"The hell am I to you? A slave? If you are going to act like a git to someone who you turned into an elf, and still expect services from them with no apology, then this conversation is done and I am going to bed." I said half yelling and dashed to the staircase.

"What is your problem? I had a bad day and don't want this turning into a stupid argument." Malfoy stood up "come back, let's play chess or something."

"What so-tragic happened today that made you feel like being a dick to me?" I asked fuming "Piss off."

"You, thick-headed idiot, wouldn't understand." Malfoy replied raising his voice towards the end of the sentence "You know what, L/N? I don't care anymore."

"Bloody-fucking-brilliant then!" I yelled and slammed the door shut.

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The next day after the argument with Malfoy was the quidditch tryout for the Slytherin house. I wasn't so bad at quidditch myself as me and my cousins played it a lot during summer vacation. So, I figured, why not give it a go, might as well end up in the team and win a few things since the house team hasn't been winning a lot.

Malfoy and I haven't spoken since 2 nights before, he hasn't even been bothering me during school; it almost felt like he was avoiding or ignoring me. Either of those made me mad at the blonde because I needed an apology for what he said and did. However, unfortunately, as he was on the quidditch team as a seeker, I had to see him and who knows, even talk to him. The more thought of that made me more nervous than I already was.

As of right now, it was morning and 3 of my friends were trying to motivate me while eating breakfast, while I sat there with a terrified facial expression.

"You are a mad chaser, Y/N, I am sure you will wipe the smug faces off the other team members with your skills! I don't get why you are so nervous though, it's just tryouts come on." Sail Leila hitting my back trying to encourage me.

"Yeah, that's right." added Blaise "we played together this summer, you even kicked my ass on the field."

"Yeah, in a game with my COUSINS, not scary Slytherin boys. Honestly, I would barf right now." I answered holding my stomach because of how nervous I was.

"Who cares about Slytherin boys, though. Last time I checked, Crag and Goyle are on the team." Luna said smiling.

"What are you implying, Lovegood?" asked Blaise raising an eyebrow "They are not half bad, I'd say one of the best on the team."

"Not in that way, of course, they are very good. Just that Wrackspurts in their heads are a lot, and that says something." Luna replied as if we understood a word she just said.

That certainly didn't make me feel better. Even Blaise said the team was strong enough, let alone a few new players were going to join who all looked very much intimidating. Why did I sign up for this, again?

"Seems like it's 9 already." Leila said looking up at the clock "You better hurry, the tryouts start in 20 minutes or so."

"Might as well go right now, to you know, calm some nerves." I said standing up from my seat "You are going to be there, right? To maybe support the damsel in distress?"

"Yes, we will, now go and put the gear on." Said Blaise and went back to reading his Daily Prophet.

"Best of luck, Y/N!" said Luna.

And with that, I left the Great Hall and went straight to the changing room.

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I got to the field 15 minutes early, which was good since all of the applicants were already there doing some exercises. Are we even supposed to do any exercises for quidditch? I have no idea. I did try to use my new broom since my dad bought a new one for me at the start of the year, but it wasn't the best. I could fly it very well but was too scared to speed up my pace since everyone on the tryouts was twice as fast as me.

To my great disappointment, the first person from the team, who showed up was Malfoy. He scanned the field thoroughly until his eye caught a glimpse of me. He smirked devilishly and started coming toward me.

"If it isn't L/N. What are you doing in this field? Mowing the grass, I suppose?" Malfoy said sarcastically with a small chuckle escaping his lips.

Not feeling like answering him I roughly sat on my broom and took away from him as fast as I could. I started speeding up until I was the fastest on the team to assert dominance over Malfoy. The prick didn't take me seriously after all. I didn't look back as I didn't have the time and energy to spend on someone such as Malfoy. And so, with that, I decided to try some maneuvers my elder cousin taught me this summer until the team captain came.

Roughly after 10 minutes of flying around, I noticed the team captain: Flint coming onto the field with the box of the balls of the game. He called everyone over to talk about how the new 3 players would be chosen. There were only 4 team players and 10 others, including me who wanted a spot on the team. It was the perfect number to play in teams and decide who would suit the position best. And so, Flint divided us into 2 teams, and fortunately, I was not with Malfoy. I wouldn't simply stand that prick on my team commanding everyone. I looked over to the stands and saw my 3 friends and a few more familiar faces waving at me. I started waving back but suddenly heard the whistle. I had to get into my position.

I was confident about this game and was not about to lose against Malfoy. So, without further ado, the match began.

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