Chapter 7

I stared down at my full plate and gulped. I couldn't bring myself to eat, seeing as the Cullens were here. Seeing them face to face had brought their betrayal full force into my mind, and I gripped my fork tightly, feeling angry and slightly humiliated that they had left me.

Ron was stuffing his face as usual, while Hermione was hitting him with her spoon, and Harry was eating, watching Ron and Hermione's argument with an amused yet slightly annoyed expression.

"Ron! For Merlin's sake! Slow down! Do you have any manners?" Hermione scolded. Harry chuckled.

"No," he replied simply, shoving a piece of tart into his mouth. Hermione sighed frustrated.

I could feel the Cullens' gaze on me, but ignored it. I froze as Edward got up from his seat and walked past me. As he caught my scent he stiffened and visibly tensed. He looked at me, his butterscotch eyes wide and hopeful.

"Bella?" he whispered. I quickly stood up, facing Harry.

"Well, it's getting quite late," I said weakly. "I'll see you in the Common Room."

I was running as fast as I could to the Gryffindor Common Room, hoping that none of the Cullens were following me. My chest was heaving from near hyperventilation.

"Miss Black!" Professor McGonagall called. I sighed and turned around.

"Yes Professor?" I asked sweetly.

"Professor Dumbledore would like to see you in his office, along with Harry. The password is Blood Pops," she informed. Blood Pops. How ironic. I nodded and made my way to his office.

"Blood Pops," I said to the gargoyles, and then the staircase came down. I went up the staircase to his office to see Dumbledore, Harry, and the Cullens there. I smiled tightly, trying not to show any discomfort.

The Cullens all looked at me and I glared fiercely. They all flinched. Even Rosalie. I stood next to Harry and he wrapped an arm around me for comfort.

Dumbledore cleared his throat.

"Now, seeing as you two know the castle very well, I want you to show the Cullens around," he explained. I closed my eyes and sighed, frustrated.

"Okay. But may I ask why the Cullens are here in the first place?" Harry asked through gritted teeth. He hated the Cullens almost as much as I did for what they did to me.

"They are here to protect you and Rosie from Voldemort. They will be very useful to us as the spells just rebound off them," he replied cheery. I glared at the old man.

"We can protect ourselves fine, thank you very much." Harry hissed. I nodded in agreement. Dumbledore sighed.

"Just show them around the castle," he dismissed. We rolled our eyes and turned to look at the Cullens.

They were staring at me with hope in their eyes. I snorted. They've got another thing coming if they think I'm going to take them back so easily.

I narrowed me eyes at them.

"Follow me," I commanded, before dramatically turning on my heel, walking away.

Harry walked beside me while the Cullens were talking in hushed whispers behind. I zoned out not wanting to listen to their conversation.

"Are you okay?" Harry whispered into my ear. I smiled and nodded.

"I'm fine, just a bit pissed, that's all," I replied. He nodded.

For the next hour we showed them the castle, only talking when absolutely necessary or when they asked a question. We eventually dropped Rosalie off at the Slytherin Common Room, Edward and Jasper at Ravenclaw, and Esme and Carlisle at their offices.

It was now just Harry, Emmett, Alice and I walking to the Gryffindor Common Room.

"Bella—" Alice started, but I cut her off.

"Save it," I hissed.

Alice and Emmett frowned and went to their own places in the common room, occasionally taking a curious glance at us and talking to each other too fast for me to decipher.

Harry and I walked in after them and it all went silent.

Seamus Finnigan glared at us, which surprised me. I knew he shared a dormitory with Harry and Ron, and we were also friendly to each other. What was wrong with him?

Wordlessly, Seamus threw the Daily Prophet at Harry and I. It showed a picture of him at the Ministry, and information on what happened.

It said that Harry nearly exposed us for no reason, and that we were both still seemingly determined to throw the wizarding world into a panic by announcing that Voldemort had returned. Of course, it didn't say 'Voldemort' in the paper. It said 'You-Know-Who'. Cowards.

I stared at it incredulously, Harry doing the same.

"Me mam didn't want me to come back this year," Seamus hissed, while his best friend, Dean Thomas, looked awkwardly between us.

"Oh, and why's that?" asked Harry casually, his hands balling into fists. We all knew exactly what Seamus was talking about.

"Let me see," replied the Irish boy sarcastically. "Because of you." His eyes flickered to me before returning to Harry. "The Daily Prophet's been saying about you and Rosie. Dumbledore, as well."

"What, and your mum believes them?" I asked incredulously. I had briefly met Seamus' mother at the Quidditch World Cup, and she seemed like a kind and intelligent woman.

"Nobody was there the night Cedric died," he said defensively.

"Well maybe you should read the Prophet then, like your stupid mother," said Harry angrily.

"Don't you dare talk about my mother like that!"

"I'll have a go at anyone who calls Rosie and I liars," replied Harry, fuming.

"What's going on?" asked Ron, entering the common room.

"They're both mad! That's what's going on," said Seamus, pointing at Harry and I. "D'you believe the rubbish they've been saying about You-Know-Who?"

"Yeah, I do," said Ron loudly. "Has anyone else got a problem with Harry and Rosie?"

Silence.

Harry sighed heavily and dragged me to one of the sofas, and we both completely ignored Emmett and Alice who were staring at us. I grabbed a lock of my hair and noticed it was bright red in my anger. I took a deep breath and willed it to go to its natural colour.

"Are you okay?" I asked Harry softly. His knuckles were gripping the armchair, and they were bone white.

"Yeah," he lied.

I sighed and rested my head on his shoulder, trying to give him some comfort while he wrapped an arm around my shoulder. This is what we did, comfort each other. We were in the same situation, after all.

"Judging by your reaction at the station, I'm assuming that you saw Voldemort too?" he said quietly.

"Mmm."

"I thought you knew Occlumency. How did he get in your head?"

"I think that's obvious, Harry," I sighed.

I then said the thing that's been scaring me and plaguing my thoughts all day.

"He's getting stronger. I can't push him out anymore."