Emily Taylor took her seat at the second table from the front. Hallyn followed, taking the seat beside her.

"Good afternoon, everyone!" Professor Dumbledore said. "Good afternoon."

All of the students quieted down and faced forward. "This is Transfiguration for 7th years. I suspect all of you are in the right classroom?" Dumbledore raised his eyebrows and then turned his head to focus on a small Ravenclaw boy in the first row. The Ravenclaw boy swallowed nervously, blushed, and stood up. He picked up his stack of textbooks and left as quickly as he could. Hallyn heard Emily snicker a little.

"Now," Dumbledore announced. "Open your books to page 305. We will be beginning with our fourth, most advanced form of transfiguration, untransfiguration, this term. But first, I want to make sure you all have remembered the first three forms. That being said, I am assigning a paper on those first three forms in detail, two rolls of parchment should be enough."

The class groaned in unison.

"As well as a nice, well-developed paragraph on what you already know on untransfiguration. Due next class," Dumbledore instructed.

The rest of the class consisted of what students should expect from the classes to follow for the next few months. Then, class was dismissed.

"I can already tell this class is going to be a drag," Emily said spooning chocolate pudding onto her plate.

"That's a wonderful lunch," Hallyn commented with slight sarcasm. Emily rolled her eyes.

"Just because you don't like pudding doesn't mean I can't eat it," Emily said.

"You know I can't eat chocolate pudding, Emily," Hallyn reminded her.

"Why is that?" Emily asked. She paused and waited for Hallyn, who didn't speak up. "Oh right," Emily laughed a little. "You're concerned about your weight. I remember."

Hallyn shook her head and smiled a bit.

"You really are something, Em."

Emily giggled. The sudden chirps and screeches of owls sounded throughout the Great Hall. Emily and Hallyn looked up in awe.

"Mail's here," Emily said. "I hope I've got something."

Hallyn looked up just in time to see a familiar owl swoop down above her head and drop a letter onto her plate. Hallyn picked up the letter excitedly as the owls exited the hall. Emily crossed her arms.

"Oh so you get something, but there's nothing for me," Emily said. Hallyn smiled up at her.

"It's from Mum," Hallyn said. She slid her finger along the edge and opened her letter.

My Dearest Hallyn,

I hope you are doing well. I wrote to tell you about something I think you will find very… exciting. William came by the house yesterday afternoon. He asked to see you but, of course, I had to tell him you had already left for school. William came to apologize. He looked quite upset when I mentioned you had already gone so he left just as quickly as he came. I want to suggest that you write him. I'm sure he would appreciate that as well as an apology. He loves you, Hallyn. I could see it in his eyes. And he looked so disappointed when he found out you weren't here. You leaving without a thorough explanation really hurt him. I hope you understand what you've done and I hope you do whatever you can to mend it. I love you, darling. I'll hear from you soon.

Mum

Hallyn looked down and drew in a short breath. She could feel her cheeks turning red and her eyes tearing up.

"Hallyn?" Emily asked. Hallyn stood up quickly with the letter and left the Great Hall. Emily followed after her. All the way to the Hufflepuff common room. Hallyn started up the stairs towards the girls' dormitory. "Hallyn!" Emily called. She caught up to Hallyn and put a hand on her shoulder, turning her around. Hallyn's bright blue eyes were full of tears threatening to fall at any moment. Her nose was red as well as her cheeks. She looked down at her hands. "Hallyn," Emily said calmly. Hallyn just shook her head. So, Emily wrapped her arms around her best friend. Hallyn sniffed afraid to cry in front of Emily. She picked her head up and looked at Emily. "You can cry if you want to," Emily said. Hallyn nodded and to her disliking, let a few tears escape. "See, your eyes look even more beautiful when you cry. It's okay."

"What have I done?" Hallyn whispered.

"You haven't done anything wrong, Hallyn."

"I hurt him. I broke his heart…"

"He wasn't that complying if you remember. He didn't accept what you are. It's his fault his heart is broken," Emily told her. Hallyn shook her head angrily.

"He thought I lied to him," Hallyn sniffed. "I don't lie to people. I never lie!"

"I know, Hallyn," Emily whispered. "I know." She pulled Hallyn into another quick embrace. And then let her go and held her shoulders at arm's length. "You should write him."

Dear William,

I received a letter from my mum today. She mentioned that you came to visit me, to say you're sorry. I wanted to apologize to you as well. I should have told you the truth about me well before I left for school. I'm sorry. I was afraid of how you would treat me after I told you. I was hoping you wouldn't react the way you did. But I was wrong. I miss you, Will. Write me back as soon as you can. I'm sending you my owl (this is how our mail travels). Just hand your letter to him and he will know what to do. I look forward to hearing from you.

Hallyn

P.S. I love you.

Hallyn re-read her letter to William for the third time, sighed, and left for the owlery. The owlery was located just to the side of the castle. Cool air blew her hair back as she stepped outside. Chill bumps formed on her arms and she rubbed them down as she headed for the small flight of concrete stairs that lead to the owlery tower. Then, someone caught her eye. Tom Riddle stood, facing the wind, overlooking the Hogwarts grounds. He turned around suddenly to face Hallyn. She felt rooted to the spot where she stood and their eyes locked.

"Hello, Hallyn," Tom said calmly.

"Hello," Hallyn replied. Tom's eyes moved to the letter that Hallyn held in her hands.

"Are you writing to someone?" Tom asked. Hallyn looked at the letter and then back at him.

"Yes," Hallyn croaked. She cleared her throat. "Yes, I am."

"May I ask to whom?"

"Just this boy I know," Hallyn said quickly. Tom didn't answer. "It's complicated."

"How so?"

"I don't want to talk about it."

"Very well," Tom replied.

"What are you doing?" Hallyn blurted out without thinking. Tom smirked.

"Just… taking a stroll about the castle," Tom said.

"Oh…"

There was an awkward silence.

"Well," Hallyn said. "I will see you later then I suppose."

"Yes," Tom answered. He walked past her and back inside. Hallyn sighed. She didn't know why she had so she just shook her head and stepped up the stairs to the owlery.

"Alastaire!" Hallyn called. A brown barn owl swooped down from above and landed on a low perch beside Hallyn. Alastaire hooted in response. Hallyn held out the letter to him and he took in his beak. "I need you to take this to William Barrick in Caerleon." Alastaire immediately took off through the window and out to the skies without a word.