Marigold was already sitting at the Gryffindor table with Albus, Scorpius and Lily when James came into the Great Hall, waving at her. Marigold smiled back at him, only to dribble her pumpkin juice.

 Albus, Scorpius and Lily started giggling.

 “What’s so funny?” Marigold asked them, flustered as she grabbed some napkins to clean herself.

 “You like James, don’t you?” Lily asked with a mischievous grin on her face.

 “What? Why would you think that?” Marigold blushed a deep red.

 “Why would you think what?” James asked as he sat down next to Marigold. “What are you talking about?”

 “Nothing,” she replied, fighting the urge to run away.

 James looked at Marigold, confused, then at his siblings and Scorpius, who exchanged knowing looks with each other.

* * *

 Later that day, Marigold, Andrew, Albus and Scorpius gathered at the library to do their homework together.

 “Admit it,” Albus said.

 “What?” Marigold asked, confused.

 “We know you like James,” Albus said, with an uncharacteristically mischievous smile on his face.

 Marigold looked at Scorpius, who looked away. Marigold knew it was Scorpius who told Albus since he knew her feelings for James the way she knew Scorpius’s feelings for Rose.

 “Fine,” Marigold sighed. “I do like James. I’ve liked him for quite a while now, actually.”

 “Do we really need to discuss this right now?” Andrew asked annoyedly.

 “I knew it!” Albus exclaimed. “I’m sure he likes you, too.”

 “What?” Marigold asked a little too loudly. “He said that?”

 “I tried asking him, but every time I bring it up, he changes the subject,” Albus replied.

 “That only makes it even more obvious,” Scorpius commented.

 Andrew rolled his eyes.

 “You and James have been more inseparable lately. Everyone noticed.” Albus said. “He practically mollycoddles you these days.”

 “In case you forgot, my dad got deported, so I think I need the mollycoddling,” Marigold spat out, briefly forgetting that Scorpius was there.

 “Have you ever thought about just telling him?” Scorpius asked.

 “About how I feel?” Marigold asked. “You must be joking.”

 “Why not?”

 “Even doing the Twelve Labours and the Triwizard Tournament would be easier than that,” she said.

 “Come on, what’s the worst that can happen?” Albus asked.

 “Why don’t you ask him then?”

 “Are you mad?” Andrew asked.

 “I’m staying out of this,” Albus added.

 “I also think you should ask James instead, Albus,” Scorpius said. “I think it would be less awkward than Marigold asking him herself,”

 “Fine,” Albus sighed. “I’ll ask him later,”