EIGHT I'VE GOT YOUR BACK

     "Do I really have to go to this stupid party? I don't even have Slughorn," Xander complained as he and Diana walked the halls on the way to Professor Slughorn's "Slug Party" as it was called. Diana had been invited because she was absolutely brilliant, which was to be expected from her, and she got a plus one so of course, she was going to invite Xander. However, he still hadn't packed for the Christmas holidays and he really did need to get that done. Also, he didn't feel like socializing with a bunch of people he wasn't super close with. Still, he knew Diana wanted him there so he was going to be there.

"Yes, you have to go because I don't wanna sit with these people all night all awkwardly because I hardly know them even though we've been going to school together for over five years. It's absolutely ridiculous," Diana ranted as they walked. The halls were mostly empty as most students were preparing for the train ride home or saying goodbye to their friends. Xander could hardly believe it was already December, but he was thankful he would get to visit Alecks, Jo, and his mom. He missed them dearly and was sick of worrying about his mom, he just wanted to see her.

"You're lucky I love you," Xander muttered with a laugh as they continued walking. The girl shoved him gently with a small smile as the two of them chuckled.

As they were walking, Xander noticed someone sitting in the crook of the large windows that covered the outer wall of this hallway. The shock of white-blond hair told him exactly who it was as he doubled back. He kept walking with Diana, but his head was turned to face the boy, keeping an eye on him as he walked. Eventually, Diana noticed this.

Scoffing, she said with a small smile, "Just go talk to him and catch up with me at the party later, sheesh. You're obsessed, I tell you."

"Thank you," he hummed as he broke away from the girl and headed back down the hallway. As soon as Draco saw him approaching, he slammed his book shut and glared at the boy as if he were giving him a silent warning to walk away while he still could. Xander, of course, didn't listen to such a warning.

"What do you want, Sakai? I feel like it wasn't too long ago that I was telling you to stay out of my business," Draco sneered as he looked up at the boy from where he was sitting. Xander leaned against the column as casually as he could, crossing his arms as he tried to stay cool. Honestly, he wouldn't be surprised if Draco just hexed him at this point.

Xander shrugged as he tried to attempt to act like he wasn't simply being nosy as hell; he was an absolutely dreadful actor. "I am simply asking how you are doing, is that so wrong? Jeez, I was starting to think you didn't mind my company given that you have stopped bugging me every chance you get. It's a nice surprise for this year if I'm being honest. Although, I was getting quite used to you being a menace."

"I still don't see a point to this conversation," was all the other boy said, still not moving from his position. Xander took note of his hands nervously thumbing through the pages of the book he was holding. "You're clearly not saying something that you wish to, so I suggest you get on with it so we can end this conversation rather soon."

"Ugh, I don't know!" Xander exclaimed, "You looked kinda sad over here and I felt bad so I wanted to come say hi, and also I'm nosy so I wanted to know why. At the same time, I can't really tell if you're sad or if it's just your face because you kind of always just look a little bummed out. I think Diana told me a muggle term for it, it's like Resting Bitch Face, I think."

Draco scoffed at this, standing from his spot as he faced Xander. They were the same height, but something about Draco's demeanor always had him feel like Draco was towering over him. "What have I told you about minding your own business, Sakai? We aren't friends and we aren't going to be. Just because I have found something better to do than make fun of you and the company you keep doesn't mean that gives you the right to try and... to try and what? Be friends with me? I can hardly keep a straight face. Please, Sakai, it's getting sad."

Xander was about to respond when he got hung up on something Draco had said, "I'm sorry, what is so wrong about the "company I keep," may I ask?"

"You know exactly what I'm talking about," the blond sneered, "You're half-blood, aren't you? So what are you doing hanging with the likes of a muggle-born? Even you could do so much better."

Before Xander even knew what he was doing, he was reaching for his wand. He had it out facing Draco before either of them could even take a breath. For the first time, Xander felt genuinely angry at Draco and he hated that feeling, he hated being angry at people. "You better watch your mouth, Malfoy. Don't make me do something I don't want to."

Draco sneered, pulling out his own wand, "I would love to see you try. Little Sakai probably couldn't even cast a jelly legs hex, right?"

"Expelliarmus!" Xander called, knocking Draco's wand out of his hand and into Xander's, "Aw, now you can't defend yourself, how sad. I think I'm a lot more capable than you think I am."

"Oh, boohoo, you've got my wand," Draco fake-whined as he took a daunting step closer to Xander, "Too bad I don't need my wand to make sure you get what you deserve."

Xander had a feeling he was about to get punched, but before he could, a new voice rang down the hallway.

"Oh, shut up you heathens!" Diana shouted down the hallway, "Xander! Give Draco his bloody wand back, get your testosterone in check you stupid boys. Jesus, is it that serious? What was so important that you had to pull out your wands and start a fight in the middle of the hallway? Oh, Draco, don't tell me you were gonna try and punch Xander, I don't even think you could hurt him if you tried with how much you rely on magic to be an asshole."

Xander sighed and tossed Draco his wand back, "It's not my fault! I tried to be nice, but he insulted you!"

"My ego can handle it, I'm incredibly used to people like you," she glowered at Malfoy, "looking down on me for things that are out of both of our control. I can't help it that I'm a filthy mudblood in your eyes, but I can help it that I'm a damn better witch than you and that's something you're going to have to live with now, isn't it? Now, go pout somewhere else, Malfoy, Xander and I have a party to be getting to."

Draco didn't respond right away, but he did hold his head high as he always did. After a moment, he scoffed, "Ridiculous, both of you. It's a shame the school even let you in."

"And it's a shame you're still here speaking to me," Diana fake-pouted, "Go mope somewhere else, I really don't give a shit. C'mon, Xander."

Xander was more than happy to walk away with Diana by his side, muttering, "Thanks for saving my ass, I don't think my poor nose could handle another break it's crooked enough already."

"It adds character," Diana said with a shrug, "Maybe just stop poking and prodding the asshole and that wouldn't be a problem, just an idea."

"I just worry about him!" Xander admitted with a sigh, "I don't know why, but things feel different this year. With him and with school and general. You already know how I've been feeling about Hogwarts."

The girl sighed as she stopped for a moment, standing in the middle of the hallway as she turned to face her friend. Placing both of her hands upon his shoulders, she said, "Just as you said you would always be by my side, I made the same promise to you. Whatever happens at Hogwarts, whether it's curses or meaningless bullies, I've got your back, Xander. You know that. Now, come on, we're already late."

I love Diana and Xander's friendship so much they really are one of my favorite pairs of friends also Diana finally smarting off to Draco is my favorite thing ever I love her