Hello again! Don't have much to say today, so here's another chapter! Keep the updates coming, we love to know what you guys think of the story! :)

Without further adieu, I present to you, chapter 11!

Previously:

"You're just going to have to tell them." Aeryn whispered, turning Star around and pushing her towards the twins.

The small girl shuffled up to the boys, "Heh. Hey boys. Guess who got a date to the Yule Ball!?" She said, squeezing herself in between the twins.

There was a short minute of silence. Fred glanced at Aeryn, who gave a crooked smile and nodded slightly. Star had crept back beside Aeryn and was staring at her fingernails like they were the most interesting things she had ever seen. Everyone was trying to avoid looking at George, whose jaw had quite literally dropped at Stars' news.
"Ha! You have a date to the Yule Ball? Who'd wanna take someone like you?" Aeryn almost jumped at the Malfoy-like malice in George's voice. Even Fred seemed shocked at George's sudden utterance. Star stopped biting at her nonexistent nails and looked wide eyed at George, who had shoved his hands in his pockets and was now staring coldly at her.
"George, that's...I mean, come on...he doesn't mean that," Fred hastily tried to assure Star, while glancing somewhat worriedly at his twin.
"Oh no, trust me, I definitely mean it," George said, taking a step toward Star. "You saw what she did just before she ran off," he threw over his shoulder to Fred, as he stared right at Star. "What kind of bloke would want to date a girl like her? She's just a freak."

The crowd roared at what must have been the last champion taking their place in the arena. Aeryn was gaping in shock and disbelief at what she had just heard. She glanced at Star, who was still staring at the ground, but couldn't see her face due to her mass of hair that obstructed her view. George took another step forward, stopping directly in front of Star.
He smirked darkly before delivering his final blow. "He probably didn't even ask her, I bet she had to use one of their little products to get him to ask. Didn't you, Freak?"

SMACK

Aeryn raised her wand as she stepped between her best friend and George, who was rubbing a hand against the red mark Aeryn's own hand had left across his face. "Fred," Aeryn called back to the twin who had already stepped forward to grab his brothers shoulder. "Kindly escort your brother away from my best friend and inform him that the next time he comes within a mile of her, I will hex him so badly that you two will no longer be identical twins," she threatened staring directly at George, her calm voice shaking in barely concealed rage.

George scoffed, while being pushed to a standing position by his brother. "You need a Muggle-born to fight your battles? How pathetic," he hissed in Star's direction.

"George! That is out of line! Now shut your mouth," Fred growled, giving George a strong push toward the exit. 'I'm so sorry,' Fred mouthed before disappearing into the crowd.

"What a git!" Aeryn growled under her breath, she turned and looked down at her friend. Star was staring at her shoes, willing herself to fall through the floor, through the ground and straight into the center of the earth. She was thankful that her big curls covered her face so no one would see her eyes welling up and her face reddening. "Star?" Aeryn said, gently bending to be eye level with her friend. Star pulled away from her, shaking her head before walking the opposite way leaving Aeryn alone. "Brilliant," she stated dryly.

For the first time in almost 3 years, Aeryn walked to her Potions class alone. Star had disappeared after the First Task and hadn't reappeared for the celebratory feast afterwards or even to the dorm later that night. When Aeryn had woken up that morning, Stars bed appeared to be untouched. Aeryn knew she'd show up sooner or later, and suspected that she was probably hiding out in the kitchens, but she had decided to let her have her alone time. She'd probably just run away like last time, Aeryn thought with a small smile as she skirted around a rowdy group of Gryffindors. Unconsciously she started looking for Fred and George before remembering everything George had said to her and Star. You need a Muggle-born to fight your battles? How pathetic. Aeryn felt the familiar shade of red overtake her freckles as she felt a fresh wave of embarrassment and betrayal.

Sighing as she entered the Potions classroom, Aeryn placed her book on the table. Glancing at the empty seats surrounding her, the redhead suddenly felt very tired. Maybe it won't hurt me to just skip one class... she thought to herself, absently staring at the classroom door. Suddenly, two bright heads of hair popped through the door, shattering her sleepy guise. She turned her head back to the front of the class and tried to shut down the blush that had already begun creeping back across her face. Aeryn felt more than heard the twins as they cautiously made their way to the table they all usually shared.

"You're not sitting here." The twins had stopped next to the table, neither daring to make the first move to sit down. "Go somewhere else. Both of you." Aeryn was staring towards the front of the classroom but she knew that Fred would understand that was a dig at him. It was one thing for Star and George to be on the outs and to be M.I.A. but Fred hadn't even tried to come talk to her about it. Maybe she was being petty, but Aeryn had a strong feeling she was the only one who didn't know the back-story of Georges outburst yesterday. And if there was one thing Aeryn didn't like, it was withheld information.

"Um...Aeryn..." George stepped into Aeryns view of Snapes cauldron, obviously uncomfortable. His hands were crammed in his pockets and his eyes seemed to be focused on a point slightly above Aeryns left ear. Aeryn might have found it funny if she wasn't feeling so hurt.
"Thing is...um...well, obviously I didn't mean what I said...to you or...Star. I was just hurt...and..." George had finally made eye contact halfway through his sentence. "I mean, i'm not trying to say that was an excuse, because obviously what I said was way, way, way, out of line...i'm just really...i'm trying to apologize. I'm really, really, very truly sorry," he finished in a rush, finally managing a coherent sentence.

Aeryn was silent for a moment, before nodding to the twins empty seats next to her. George grinned widely before sliding into his seat right as Snape began his lecture. "I haven't forgiven you yet," Aeryn whispered to George, her eyes glued to the parchment she was writing notes for Star on. "But I do accept your apology. And i'll expect an explanation after the lesson." Aeryn gave a pointed look to George before going back to her furious scribbling.

~wWw~

"Oi! Hurry up, you'll make us miss all the good food!" Fred shouted from the classroom door as Aeryn and George cleaned up the various potion supplies and spills. Aeryn distractedly waved her wand at the table, reciting a simple cleaning spell while balancing Stars notes and her Potions book against her hip.
"You can go ahead," George called back, spelling a few stray porcupine quills back into a vial. His eyes met Aeryn's for a second and she nodded her agreement to Fred.
"Suit yourselves," Fred said shrugging. "I'll be sure to save you some dry toast!" he called with a chuckle as he walked out the door.

Twenty minutes later, Aeryn and George were walking down on the Grounds outside the Quidditch pitch. Aeryn pulled the sleeves of her over-sized sweater down over her hands, trying to prevent the late November air from making her too chilled.
"So...let me try and see if I've got this right," Aeryn said, exhaling hot air onto her hands. "Star...just pulled you into an empty classroom and kissed you?" She asked bewildered.
"That's about the sum of it," George replied dryly, hands crammed in his pockets again. He was staring off towards the Quidditch pitch which had magically (literally) had all traces of the dragons presence removed from it. A few members of the Hufflepuff Quidditch team zoomed around the pitch, practicing complex passes.
"And there was just no mention of it afterwards?" Aeryn looked up at George, squinting in the sunlight to make out his face. A strained smile flashed across his face for a second before it disappeared again.
"None," he said softly, glancing down at Aeryn.

Aeryn was shocked at Stars actions. It was never spoken, but Aeryn had been under the impression Star reciprocated Georges feelings for her. But to kiss him, say there was nothing there, and never mention it again? Georges hurt face kept popping back up in her head. When he was yelling at her and Star at the dragon task. When he was apologizing to her in Potions, his eyes searching the room for Star. His face as he told her his story, just a few minutes ago. Star had never told her any of this. And it had been what, months? Aeryn's head began to throb.
"Hey!" She said suddenly, startling George out of his own thoughts. "Why don't we skip the rest of classes today? I think we could both use it." George raised an eyebrow, looking down at her skeptically.
"Miss Aeryn Monroe, perfect student, goody-two shoes, I don't think you could handle not going to one class, much less four," he said, a small smile giving away his serious tone. Aeryn pushed him lightly, laughing loudly.
"Oh shove off Weasley. I'm much more fun than any of you give me credit for," she said, sticking her tongue out childishly. "Now come on. Skip classes with me! You can teach me about Quidditch!" Aeryn said excitedly gesturing to the Hufflepuffs still on free period.
"You want to learn about Quidditch?" George called as Aeryn ran towards the stands.
"Oh, what." Aeryn stopped suddenly, spinning around and putting her hands on her hips indignantly. "Just because I get good grades, that means that's the only thing I like to do? For your information, I was very involved in Muggle sports. Soccer, track and field, swimming, why not add Quidditch to the list?" With that, Aeryn turned back around and began to climb the stairs to the Gryffindor side of the stands.

After a few minutes, Aeryn was seated comfortably in the midsection of the stands, watching the players zoom back and forth on their broomsticks. George settled down next to her and they sat in a companionable silence for a few moments before George spoke again.
"So I guess we should start with the different positions," he began.

Freak.

What kind of bloke would want to date a girl like her?

...just a freak.

"Miss Star?...Miss Star..."

Star was being woken out of her nightmare. She blinked, breaking the sleepy trance she had been in and looked for the small voice. The girl took in her surroundings, she was laying in a plush bed with soft fleece sheets and big squishy pillows. Turning to her left, she saw two giant orbs that belonged to Dobby. "Good morning Miss Star! Are you feeling any better?" Star gave the house elf a small smile.

"Yeah, a bit. Thank you Dobby," she lied, it was easier than explaining the heart break she was feeling to the small elf seeing as she couldn't even explain it to herself.

"Oh good! Dobby will be right back with some breakfast for Miss Star!"

POP

Star wasn't sure where she was, but she just remembered that the day before she had gone immediately to the kitchens after the incident and broke down to the sympathetic house elves. The crying girl had asked them if they knew where she could be completely alone and no one could find her. Dobby popped her here. There was one window that looked out to the Quidditch pitch and as far as she could tell there wasn't a door. The wall across from her bed was lined with books, Muggle fairy tales mostly. Rolling to her side, she spotted a clock on the bedside table. It was just after Potions. Star let out a loud sigh as she felt her eyes well up with tears and let them fall freely.

An hour or so passed and Star was alone and fed, having encouraged the loyal elf to go help with dinner after she had finished her late meal. She walked over to the window and looked down to the grounds, taking in the scenery. She thought she saw two fiery blurs near the pitch but wasn't sure. She looked to her right and found an end table with a set of binoculars. The curious female picked up the item and looked out the window. They had clearly been enhanced, for she could see the individual beams of the stadium. Star pointed the eyewear towards the red blurs and found her best friend and the boy who had just broken her heart laughing in the seats of the stadium.

BAM

The binoculars lay in pieces near a wall as the tiny girl rolled herself into a ball on the floor and sobbed.

Aeryn wobbled unsteadily on her borrowed Cleansweep 7, knuckles white from her tight grip. "You know, this sounded like a way better idea when I was on the ground," she called down to George, who had just kicked off the grass of the Quidditch pitch.
"What's that?" George called back, flying up and stopping his broom next to the flying novice. "What happened to the New and Adventurous Aeryn?"
"I think I accidentally left her on the ground," Aeryn replied, nervously looking back down at the pitch. "Is it just me, or does the ground keep getting further and further away?" She joked weakly.
"Oi, Fred'll kill me if you wreck his broomstick, so lets focus on what we're here to do."
Aeryn gulped, tearing her eyes away from the ground as she focused on George, who was literally flying circles around her. Nodding to herself, Aeryn took a deep breath and steadied herself.
"Okay, teach me to fly."

~wWw~

A few hours later, Aeryn and George walked into the Great Hall laughing loudly. Wiping the tears from her eyes as George held his side, Aeryn dropped onto the Gryffindor bench next to Fred, who was regarding the two suspiciously. "And where have you two been for the past..." Fred pulled back his sweater sleeve, looking down at his wrist for an imaginary watch. "Four hours?"
Aeryn tried to stifle her giggles as she pushed back a clump of windswept hair from the front of her face. "We went down to walk on the grounds and talk, and then George taught me how to fly on a broomstick!" Aeryn exclaimed, her eyes shining with exhilaration. Fred raised an eyebrow and looked over at George who was grinning like a madman.
"You should have seen her face when I showed her the Wronski Feint," George said, raising another round of uncontrollable laughter from the pair.
"Hey, I thought you had suddenly become suicidal! My reaction was completely justified!" Fred turned back around to face George, his grin becoming more apparent with each word.
"Reaction?" Fred encouraged.
Aeryn felt a rosy blush cross her face as both the twins turned their attention to her. "I may or may not have-"
"Definitely did," George whispered behind his hand.
Aeryn shot a look at him before continuing. "Anyways...I kind of-"

"S'cuse me." A very handsome, tall boy with auburn hair was standing opposite Aeryn and the twins, his deep blue eyes roaming the Great Hall. Aeryn's face heated up in it's familiar blush as she suddenly became very aware of her mussed up hair and tear streaked face. The boys eyes finally settled on Aeryn, and he smiled brightly. "You wouldn't happen to know where one could find a Miss Star VonTussle around here, would you?" He asked, his voice heavy with a charming Irish accent. Aeryn frowned, glancing at Fred, who looked just as clueless as her, and George, who had taken to glaring sullenly at the table.
"Well actually...I haven't seen her in almost-" Aeryn's eyes fell to the crest on the boys sweater. "Ravenclaw?" She blurted out in surprise. "Oh!" She exclaimed, eyes widening with understanding. "Brenden?"
The boy gave her a toothy grin and a sweeping bow. "Pleased to make yer acquaintance."
Aeryn nodded a gave a small smile, glancing back to George who was as still as a statue. Clearing her throat slightly, Aeryn looked back up at Brenden. "I'm sorry, but I haven't seen Star in almost a whole day," she explained politely.
"Pity. That girl is harder to pin down than a Grindylow. You wouldn't happen to know any of her local haunts would you?" Brenden inquired, casting a questioning glance at George.
Aeryn bit her lip before giving a crooked smile to Brenden. "You know...she likes to hang out in the Library sometimes."
"Guess I should have a look there then shan't I?" Brenden thanked Aeryn and casually strolled out of the Great Hall and in the direction of the Library.

Blowing out a breath hotly, Aeryn looked back at the twins to see two sets of light blue eyes staring at her in shock. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure Star has never even set foot in the Library," Fred stated dryly, the corners of his mouth already tilting up in his signature grin.
"Excuse me! Of course Star has been in the Library!" Aeryn exclaimed, shame coloring her cheeks. Fred raised one eyebrow. "Once...when I made her..." Aeryn clarified, giggling slightly, as the three rose from their seats. George rested an arm on Aeryn's shoulder as they all walked out of the Great Hall.
"You're just full of surprises today aren't you?"

Ow. Note to self, do not fall asleep on stone floor. Star thought as she grudgingly lifted herself from the floor of the mysterious room. Yawning, she hesitantly looked out the window and saw nothing, just blackness. The girl trudged over to the bookcase and scanned the titles of the Muggle children's books: "Beauty and the Beast", "The Sleeping Beauty in the Woods", "The Frog-Prince", "Snow-White and Rose-Red", "Cinderella or, The Little Glass Slipper". Star had to laugh, of course Dobby would bring her to a place like this. So innocent. She picked up "Beauty and the Beast" and dove in, surprised that she wanted to read.

And hour and a half later, Star had read a good majority of the books. Her favorite being "Beauty and the Beast", she loved how the beautiful girl could look past the odd exterior of the beastly man and fell in love with him. Though it wasn't exactly parallel, the girl could see similarities between her current situation and the fairy tale, she just wished it would have the same ending.

This should be turned into one of those Muggle movies Aeryn and my mum told me about... Star made her way to the bed and crawled into the soft sheets, hoping to maybe sleep off her woes.

POP

Star jumped at the sudden appearance of the tiny house elf. "Dobby! You scared me half to death!"
"Dobby is very sorry Miss, but Dobby needs to ask Miss a question." He squeaked.
"Yes Dobby?" She gave the elf a small smile.
"Would Miss like a visitor?"
Star gave the small creature a confused look. "Who?"
"A tall sir, Miss! A Ravenclaw!"
Star's eyes widened. "Brenden?"
"Yes Miss Star!"
"How did he find you?"
"Mister Headless Nick brought him to Dobby! Mister Headless found him in the Library asking about Miss Star!"
Odd... Star thought. "Dobby, please tell Mister Brenden that I'm currently under the weather and to come back tomorrow." She stated, not wanting any company in her current state. "Oh, and Dobby?"
"Yes Miss?" The elves large orbs brightened. "Where might one find a toilet?"

Sitting in Transfiguration, Aeryn absently doodled on a corner of her parchment while staring out the window at the shores of the Black Lake. Stars bed was empty again when Aeryn had woken up that morning, and she was beginning to get worried. I doubt she could find a way to leave the castle, but still...with Star it's not impossible... Aeryn thought, exhaling noisily.

"Miss Monroe?" Professor McGonagall's voice rang out sharply. "Surely my lecture on human transfiguration is not completely useless to you? I'd rather thought you'd be quite attentive today." She asked chidingly.
"N-no Professor," Aeryn stammered, bolting upright in her seat. "Sorry," she squeaked nervously. Professor McGonagall sent her a stern look before turning back to the rest of the class to continue her lecture. Looking down at her parchment to find her place in her notes, Aeryn felt something hit her arm. Glancing over at Fred who seemed to be enraptured by the board at the front of the room, Aeryn bent to retrieve the balled up scrap of parchment from the cool stone floor.

Everything alright?

Just worried about Star Aeryn hastily scribbled back, flicking the note back to it's point of origin.

Another moment later and then:
She'll turn up. Aeryn looked over at Fred who was shooting her a discrete smile with a thumbs up. Aeryn grinned in reply and turned back to her notes for the last few moments of class.

Ten minutes later, Aeryn was packing up her quill and notes. "Ready to go get some food?" Fred asked, bag already slung over his shoulder.
Aeryn nodded happily. "Yeah, let me just-"
"Miss Monroe," McGonagall called from her desk. Aeryn winced and gave Fred an apologetic smile.
"I'll catch up," she whispered, turning back to the front of the class.

Star slept well into the next day, not caring about all the work she was missing. She didn't want to have to see George's face just yet, not after all the horrible things he said to her and Aeryn. "Oh! Aeryn!" She exclaimed, she hadn't said a word the redhead since the incident. Though, from what she saw yesterday, she didn't seem too worried about Star. The small Slytherin got out of bed and shuffled to the restroom that Dobby seemed to create out of no where the night before. Magic. Star stripped down and hopped in the shower, just standing under the warm water immobile. She had no tears left, her hurt was turning into anger and she just wanted to make George feel as horrible as he had made her feel.

"Miss Star? Mister Brenden has returned." Dobby stated with a proud smile.
"Oh good! Tell him to meet me outside this room, wherever that is..." Star said with a small laugh. Dobby left with another small POP. The girl pulled on her chucks and gave herself a quick once over before walking out the newly formed door.
"Well, well, well. 'Miss Star' certainly knows how to make a man's heart race," Brenden cooed, snaking an arm around her waist.
"Well, I wanted to make sure that I looked good for my Yule Ball date," Star smirked, slithering out of his grasp. The girl sauntered forward, swinging her hips in her tight jeans. She glanced behind her and motioned for the Irishman to follow. Minutes passed and with every staircase Star's heart beat sped up, until they reached the entrance to the Great Hall, where it stopped. George...

An hour later, Aeryn jogged down the corridor, dodging first years as she made her way to the Great Hall. She had dropped her books off in the dorm and was now very, very late to dinner. Turning a corner, Aeryn thought back to her meeting with McGonagall. She certainly hadn't expected to get a reply to her request so quickly. Dumbledore probably had something to do with it... Aeryn thought, brushing a piece of blood red hair from her eyes. Such a strange man... Aeryn slowed her jog down to a casual stroll as she rounded the last corner to arrive in front of the Great Hall. Her eyes quickly sought out the two bright heads of hair that belonged to the twins. Walking over to the Gryffindor table, Aeryn did a quick scan of her fellow Slytherins. Still no Star... a voice in her head said accusingly. Aeryn dropped down into the empty seat between Fred and George. "Blimey," George said, his mouth full of food. "We were about to send out a search party."
"Charming," Aeryn said, tossing a napkin at him with a grimace.
"What'd McGonagall hold you up so long for anyways? Was she that miffed about you spacing out?" Fred asked curiously.
"Oh well...that was actually something I meant to tell you guys about," Aeryn said, blushing slightly. "I wanted Star to be here too but-oh." Star had just walked into the Great Hall, with Brenden trailing not far behind. Aeryn waved her over with a bright smile. As Star headed towards the trio, Aeryn turned to George. "Please don't make this any worse than it already is," she pleaded, giving the boy an apologetic smile as Brenden and Star stopped in front of them.

That's all for this chapter! Reviews would be much appreciated and we'll see you guys next time! :)