Harry gazed out the window as he observed the stony gray sky, it was as bitter as the eye of his worst enemy, Draco Malfoy. Thinking about Draco made Harry want to lurch the long knife into his heart even more. He knew he had hurt Ashlee. It was an ache well beyond his conscious being. He knew what he should have done, but as he thought more about it, the less he could bring himself to never see the pretty face of Ashlee again. He threw the knife into his wall and broke down. He fell to his knees sobbing. He felt so horrible. Ashlee was best left to herself. No one but Harry had ever cared for her. Her family abandoned her at the age of 13. She dropped out of muggle school and went to Hogwarts. She was an outcast there too. She was beautiful underneath the black makeup and clothes, and the prominent scowl seemed to have been cast upon her face. It all started back in Harry's 5th year...

(A/N) ooh flashback! ;)

One cold fall morning Dumbledore rose to make a speech. Harry took one look at her, and noticed more than some regular girl. She came in wearing a black-lace skirt and lace-up high top black boots and a tight black corset top with black makeup. She had a spike-studded choker and some sort of black spiked clove that looked like they were made of dragon hide. She was very quiet, and all of the Slytherins called her Goth freak and new girl. They of course tried to antagonize her, but she was tough. Her name was Ashlee, but she wanted to be called Ash. Harry tried to talk to her in the corridor one day.

"Hi, I'm Ha-"

"Ooh good little potty boy, I've heard about you. No, I don't want an autograph."

"Um... I wasn't going to..."

"Look, either tell me what you want or be on your way." She said

"I erm- well, I just figured maybe..."

"Look, as you may know I don't have any friends, so unless you need something, please leave me alone."

"Um... O.K."

Harry walked off, utterly perplexed. He was determined though. The next day, he made it a point to tell her "hello" in the hallway.

"Harry, wake up! C'mon! They have a sign up in front of the school, c'mon, wake up!" Hermione shook Harry awake.

"Wh- Huh? Her- Hermione what do you want? It is 5:00 in the morning!"

"Come with me!" Harry got dressed slowly and followed Hermione out to what, surprisingly, was a large crowd, gathered near a big posting in the common room.

THE ENCHANTMENT BALL

As some of you may know, The Enchantment ball is being held

In one month, on October 25th. All 5th years and up are invited.

You may bring younger students if you wish, however. Dress

is formal. The ball is not mandatory, therefore, you may skip

it, and in place you will have regular classes. 4th years and

below are only allowed to come to the ball by invitation.

Much gratitude,

Professor Dumbledore

"I reckon he's trying to torture us, Dumbledore" Harry said as he read the sign. "Classes, or frolicking, giggly girls. Humph."

"Well then, are you going or not? Asked Hermione."

"Of course I am! I will get to miss Double Potions and Divination!"

"Oh Harry, if that's the only reason you are going, you should not go at all! Classes are more important than a silly ball."

"Oh hush up Hermione." He said quietly as they tiptoed back to bed.

Three weeks later, Harry was still working up the nerve to ask Ash. No one had invited her, of course, and he was getting increasingly terrified. One day in the hall, he stopped her. She jumped off her skateboard and kicked it up, and caught it.

"What now?" she asked

"Um... er- Well I was wondering if you wanted to gototheballwithme?" the words slipped out so fast, he knew she didn't understand him.

"Um- HUH?"

"Do... you want to go to... the... erm- ball with me?"

"No thanks, it looks like a popularity contest. You and I both know I'm not very popular around here." She stormed off.

"Wait! Ash!"