Hey everyone,

Thank you guys so much for all the reviews. Every single one means so much to me.

!Warning before you keep reading the A/N!

(It is explaining Louis and his jerky actions. If you feel as if you don't need an explanation than feel free to skip these next few paragraphs)

There was on review, left by a guest Smithy that I wanted to respond to. Smithy pointed out that before Louis and Maci began dating Louis was a great friend and only when he and Maci needed to break up for the story's progression did he become a jerk. This is partly true.

Louis was a pretty good friend to Maci, James and Chase before he and Mac started going out, but it was stated by James that he wasn't necessarily the same way with his girlfriends.

Exert from Chapter 3 -"Look, Louis, your track record with girls isn't the best. Do you really want to risk it with Maci?" James questioned.

"What do you mean my track record?" Louis snapped.

"You know how you are and Mace won't let you toss her around. Don't do that to her, mate. She's not a toy." James warned.

"You think that's all this is? You think I'm gonna hurt her? Maci strong, independent and smart, I like that. I like her."

"You mean you like breaking girls like her. I watched you with Tessa, mate. I watched you with Brooklyn. I watched you with Alyssa. And I'm not about to watch you try it with Maci. But see, she's too strong. Maybe it will take her some time but one day Mace will realize how manipulative and controlling you really are. And when she does she'll break up with you."

"Why does it matter to you anyways James? Because if I didn't know any better I'd say that you have a thing for Maci." Louis raised his eyebrows becoming defensive

"No I just don't want to see anyone get hurt or see N/A break up because of one of you stupid mistakes."

"Well then we won't have a problem, because I don't plan on making a mistake." Louis informed James coldly, before standing and walking out of the great hall.

Sometimes people change when they are put in a relationship when they are close to someone as friends. Not always for the worse, but in this case he did. Also Louis' character is kind of shown to be self-serving in the early stages of his and Maci's relationship.

Exert from Chapter 5 - "Louis was getting worried about you and sent me to find you." James explained as they began their climb back up to Gryffindor tower, Maci wincing every few steps.

"Why didn't he just come himself?" Maci asked, trying to hide the hurt that Louis wouldn't come and check on her himself.

"He was writing a letter to his parents." James said, giving the Fat Lady the password and helping inside the portrait the hole. Maci wanted to further question him, but before she could she was accosted.

I hope this clarified things and I'm sorry if I didn't make Louis' selfish character more evident in the early stages of the story.

Anyways sorry for this really long A/N, I just really wanted to speak on this review. Please enjoy the chapter.

Love,

A.E

Chapter Eleven

Finding Normal

The next morning Maci woke up to the sun light streaming through the windows of Gryffindor Common room. Blinking she stared up at the red and gold ceiling above her, as she let the events of yesterday wash over her. The ache in her heart that had seemed to fade for a while last night was back in full force and Maci felt as if every breath was a struggle. Standing up Maci walked up the stairs to the girls dormitories. She had slept in yesterday's clothes and her shirt was crumpled and creased. When she reached her room Maci quietly entered, not wanting to wake any of the other girls. It wasn't that she particularly cared if they got their sleep, but she wasn't sure she could handle the endless questions that would be sure to come.

Grabbing clothes out of her trunk Maci headed towards the showers. As she stood under the stream of hot water unbidden her mind drifted to Louis. She remembered a particular moment during the Christmas Holidays when they had played Monopoly. It had been a surprise to Maci that Louis knew how to play, considering both his parents were pureblood wizards, but apparently his Aunt Hermione had taught him when he was little.

Maci sat on the porch of a little old cabin near the edge of the Potter's property. She had seen it out her bedroom window the night before and thought it might be a good place to seek refuge if the Weasley/Potter cousins got to be a little too much. Indeed it had been a blessing because though she loved Dom and the rest sometimes she just needed a break.

"Maci." She heard her name called from behind the steps. Turning toward Potter Manor Maci smiled. Louis was standing there, between two tall pines, his smile brightened by the reflection of the sun off the snow.

"Hey. What are you doing here?" She asked.

Stepping closer Louis made his way over to where Maci sat, "James is planning a snowball war and I thought maybe hitting him with something might make you feel better." He teased.

Maci looked over the snow covered lawn and down the path of footprints that led away from the cabin, she sighed and shook her head, "I think I need a break from snow battles."

"Okay," Louis nodded, leaning against the wall of the cabin. He titled his head down to look at Maci and his pale hair fell just into his eyes, giving Maci the over whelming urge to reach up and brush it out of his face, "So what do you want to do?"

Biting her lip Maci thought about it for a second, "By any chance do you have a board game or something?" She mentally hit herself that sounded so much lamer out loud than she had thought it would.

Louis rolled his eyes as if it was not his ideal idea for an afternoon well spent, but nodded his head anyways, "I think my Aunt Hermione brought some I'll be right back."

Maci smiled and watched as Louis disappeared back towards the house. It amazed her how lucky she was to have him. Sure they had their ups and downs and lately it seemed as if there were more of the latter. But every couple went through rough patches, didn't they? Maci didn't have time to ponder any further because Louis had come back into sight, Monopoly box in hand. When he reached Maci he sat down, placing the box between them.

They set up the board in silence, but once it was done Louis gave Maci a grave look, "Prepare to go bankrupt." He told her in a deadly serious tone.

Maci laughed, "I happen to be a brilliant monopolist, so don't get too cocky mister. Remember my mother is a muggle so I have been playing this game since forever."

Louis rolled his eyes, "I am not going to even try to point out all the grammatical and political incorrect errors in that sentence. And I'm not being cocky. It's called fair warning." He told her with a confident smirk.

A hour and a half later Louis was staring at the board in utter disbelief. Maci had quickly gained the upper hand by dominating Tennessee Avenue as well as St. James Place and obtaining the B&O Railroad. This had quickly sent Louis into a spiral of desperation, which has caused him to make several sloppy choices.

"How did you do that?" He asked looking up from the board and up at Maci, "This is not possible. I have never lost a game of Monopoly in my life."

Smirking Maci, began to clean up the board, "What can I say. I have mad skills." She told him sweeping the pieces into their plastic bag, "It's understandable that you couldn't keep up."

Clutching at his heart Louis fell back against the railing of the steps. When his full weight pressed against the old wooden planks they creaked ominously. Immediately Louis shot back up, looking distrustfully at the railing, "Are you sure these steps are safe to be used?" He asked Maci who shook her head mournfully.

"I heard a family of termites inhabited them before, but they were unreachable for comment on the soundness of the cabin's structure." She informed him in a dead serious tone.

Reaching over Louis pulled Maci into a bear hug, "You're real funny you know that?" He said into her hair.

Without even realizing it Maci had started to cry. Sobs rising out of her in heaving waves, that made her chest ache from the pain of it. Her tears slid down her face mixing from the water from the shower and falling onto the stall floor.

When had it all gone so wrong? It had seemed so perfect at the beginning, he had seemed so perfect. Maci wasn't even sure when Louis had started to change. Had it been right after their first date or maybe after that disastrous quidditch practice? Or had it started even later after Christmas Eve? Whenever it had happened she should have seen she should have gotten out. How had she not seen the cracks forming on the glass surrounding her perfect life? Why didn't she realize it before it was too late?

It killed Maci that she had ever acted so blind to Louis' cruelness. How weak she must have seemed to everyone to just stand there and take it. Merlin she hated that word. Weak. It was something she had strove not be for so long. How could she have let one person, one boy, take that away from her?

These thoughts plagued Maci as she stepped out of the shower, got dressed and headed down to the Great Hall. In the common room she didn't see Chase or James. Louis wasn't there either thank Merlin. As she walked into the Great Hall Maci could feel eyes on her. What had she expected though? Gossip spread like wildfire through Hogwarts, news of hers and Louis' break up had probably made it all the way down to the dungeons by dinnertime yesterday. Who knew what twisted version was being spread around at this point?

Spotting Chase sitting at the Gryffindor Table Maci slid into the empty seat next to him, "Hey." She said, grabbing the bowl of eggs and pulling it towards herself.

"Hey," Chase turned to face her, a worried line in between his eyes, "I heard about how the break up went down through Scorpius. He said it was pretty brutal. Are you okay?"

Reaching up in a sisterly gesture Maci smoothed out the crease between Chase's eyes, "I'll be fine." She told him, mentally adding, I hope.

"Scorp said he accused you of cheating on him with the guys on the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw team?" Chase asked tentatively, not looking Maci in the eye.

Snorting Maci took a bite of her eggs, then immediately regretted, her stomach was not ready for food. In an attempt to keep the food down Maci took a long drink of water before answering Chase's question, "No. He only accused me of sleeping with James."

A look of anger coming across Chase's features, "I can't believe…" He growled, gripping the fork in his hand so tightly his knuckles turned white.

"It's okay Chase." Maci put a soothing hand on Chase's shoulders, trying to calm his anger.

Chase shook his head, "It's not okay Maci. It wasn't okay when he did it to Tessa or Brooklyn or Alyssa, but that was different. They weren't…they weren't…." He trailed off trying to find the right word.

"They were people to Chase." Maci reminded him gently.

He turned to her, his eyes full of guilt, "But they weren't you. I'm sorry Mace. I knew this would happen. I knew he didn't know how to be a boyfriend without hurting people in the process. Merlin I should have stopped him from ever asking you out."

Pulling Chase into a tight hug Maci buried her head in his shoulder. It was so amazing to her how sweet and kind Chase could be. He spent so much time hiding behind his jokes that sometimes she forgot what a good person he was.

"It's not your fault Chase." She told him softly when they pulled apart. Swiping at the tears that had gathered in the corners of her eyes Maci stood, "Why don't we get out of here. Grab Dom and head down to the Quidditch pitch or something."

Snagging a piece of bacon off a nearby platter Chase pushed up off the bench, his usual grin firmly back in place, "That sounds like an awesome idea." He told her.

As the two made their way towards the Ravenclaw table Maci asked him, "Have you seen James this morning?"

Chase shook his head, "No. He came in really really later last night, or I guess it would have been early this morning. But he wasn't in his bed when I got up. Why?"

Frowning Maci bit at her bottom lip, "I was just a little worried."

"He was cheated on to Mace." He reminded her, "Louis was his best mate and he slept with his girlfriend. He probably needs some time to recover and we all know James does that best when he's alone."

Maci nodded, still frowning, "I know, I know." She desperately wanted to tell Chase about James coming into the common room late last night. And how he smelt heavily like alcohol, but she couldn't bring herself to rat him out like that. If that was how he needed to cope right now, then that was that and all Maci could do was hope he didn't do anything to stupid.

After they picked up Dom the trio headed down to the quidditch pitch. It was a beautiful day out and Maci was grateful for it. She wasn't sure she could have handled being cooped up in the castle all day, too much of a chance of seeing Louis or Jessica.

They played for a couple hours with Chase and Maci playing Chasers and Dom playing keeper. Finally when the growling in Chase's stomach became too much they landed and headed back to the castle to grab some lunch.

Right as they were about to enter the Great Hall Chase stopped, causing Maci, who was walking behind him, to collide with him, "Chase, what's the hold up?" Maci snapped, rubbing her forehead which she had banged against his shoulder.

Quickly turning Chase took Maci by the shoulders and spun her around, "Nothing. I was just thinking how nice it would be if we went down to the kitchens and got some food and ate out by the like. Right Dom?"

Beside him Dom nodded fervently, "Yeah it's such a beautiful day. Why waste it inside?"

Pushing Chase's hands off of her Maci whirled around, "What's going on you two? Why can't we just eat in here?"

Chase ran a hand nervously through his hair, "I just thought you might not want to be around people." He said lamely.

"What people?" Maci asked, standing on her tip toes and trying to see past Chase who kept moving to block her view into the Great Hall, "Chase let me see." She shouted finally shoving past Chase and into the entry of the Great Hall. Her eyes immediately sought out the Gryffindor table. It took her a minute before she found the boy with the pale blonde hair.

Louis was sitting on the bench leaning forward talking to William. At first Maci couldn't see why Chase had stopped her from entering but then she saw the brunette sitting next to him. Louis had his arm wrapped tightly around Jessica, just as he had sat with Maci not over a week ago. Her head was tipped back as she laughed at something he had said

Maci gasped, stumbling backwards until she hit the wall opposite the doors. Sliding down the wall Maci felt her breath coming in fast gasp. The pain in her chest had intensified tenfold and she could feel the tear filling the corners of her eyes. 'Not here' she thought 'not here, please God don't let me start crying.'

Then she felt Dom and Chase's hands on her, pulling her up and helping her out of the main hallway. Maci didn't remember how they made it to the kitchens. Her eyes were burned with the image with Jessica and Louis sitting there so close together laughing. It was all she could see.

"Mace, Mace. Maci!" Dom's loud voice pulled Maci out of her thoughts. Looking up from the ground which she had been staring at Maci nodded.

"I ask if you wanted something to eat." Dom told her, worrying filling her sharp blue eyes.

Maci shook her head. She didn't trust herself to speak. She didn't know what would come out. How could Louis just turn around and be okay? Did he forget everything? All the months they spent together? Or did they just not matter to him?

"Stop it Mace." Chase said quietly, "He's not worth it. He doesn't deserve your tears. You are so much better, so much stronger than he is." Reaching lout Chase gently touched Maci's hair, wiping away her tears.

Looking up into his face Maci managed a watery smile, "You guys are two amazing friends. You know that." She told them.

"We are pretty amazing aren't we?" Chase asked, reaching out and grabbing Dom by the waist, kissing her gently on the lips.

When the spectacle was over Dom pulled away and smacked Chase on the chest, "You are such an insensitive jerk."

Maci laughed a little and Chase smiled winningly, "Yeah maybe, but I made Maci smile."

Dom leaned into him, smiling now to, "Okay so maybe not a total jerk."

-o-O-o-O-o-O-o-

It was only after dinner that Maci finally shooed Dom and Chase away, telling them to go spend some time without her, "Do something fun. I'm too depressing to be around all day." She had told them. Even then it had taken so substantial arguing to get them to leave her be.

After finally getting rid of her two concerned friends, Maci had went up to her room. Quickly changing into a pair of red sweat pants and a black tank-top, she had snatched the book she was reading from her trunk and headed down to the common room. It wasn't busy for it being only an hour away from curfew, so Maci managed to grab a love seat near the fire place. Curling into a ball Maci open "The Fault in Our Stars". 'It was nice,' she thought, 'to be reminded that there are things more terrible than a broken heart.'

As the hours passed the common room slowly began to empty, but Maci didn't move. She was absorbed in a world far far away from Hogwarts and she was happy to be there. Soon even the fire died out and hers was the only light shining through the darkness of the room.

This time when the portrait hole swung open and James stepped through, she was still awake. Maci didn't look at him when he sat down next her on the love seat. As he peered over her shoulder Maci could smell the alcohol on his breath again.

"What are you doing James?" She asked so quietly she wasn't even sure he heard at first.

He must have though because a second later she heard him sigh, "I don't know Mace." And even though she wasn't looking at him Maci knew he was running a hand through his dark hair, "I don't know." He repeated.

They sat there in silence as Maci finished her book and James read over her shoulder. Only when the last page had been read and the book had been closed did Maci look at James.

His face was drawn, a deep crease etched in-between his eyes. The clothes he wore were wrinkled and Maci was pretty sure they were the same ones she had seen him yesterday. And his hair, Merlin his hair. James' hair was normally a mess, pieces sticking up in directions that occasionally seemed to defy gravity, but now it seemed just as defeated as the rest of him, lying flat on his head.

Feeling her scrutiny looked away from the low burning fire and at her, "How are you doing?" He asked her. An obvious indicator he had no desire to talk about himself.

Maci shook her head looking at her hands, "Not too good. I saw Louis with Jessica today and I just-"

"No." James cut her off, "How are you doing with your dad."

At that moment Maci could have kissed James. It was amazing how he could tell what was really bothering even if she wasn't able to, "I guess I've been distracting myself with all of this," she gestured at the empty room, "But it still there. I don' know though. I guess it hasn't really hit me yet. I wasn't around much even when I was a kid and then when I went to Hogwarts I saw him even less. It's just. I feel bad because I'm not grieving more. I just don't know how I'm supposed to grieve for a man I barely knew. I mean I feel like I lost a distant relative, not like I lost my father." Maci swiped angrily at the tears that had started to trickle down her face, she so tired of crying, "I just feel so guilty for not being…for not being…" she trailed off, looking out the window, not wanting to look at James.

"For not being what?" James asked softly.

"More devastated." Maci murmured.

James shook his head, "But you were devastated. You wouldn't come out of your room for days. You spent your time being devastated and now you're not. But that doesn't mean you're not grieving. You're just also going on. And I'm sure that's what your dad would have wanted you to do."

Maci sat there silently, not sure if she were to try and respond anything intelligible would come out. For the second time in twenty-four hours James reached out and pulled her to him, "It's gonna be okay."

"I know." Maci told him. They were exactly where they had been the night before and Maci didn't mind it.

After a little while Maci pulled away wiping at her eyes, "Thanks." She told him softly.

"You're welcome." He answered and then picked up the book she had been reading, "So what is this?"

Maci smiled glad for a less serious topic, "I stole it from Chase a while ago. It was amazing, but sad." Sad was an understatement, Maci thought, but no need to tell James that.

Giving the book a skeptical look James tucked it under his arm, "I've been looking for a book to read. So I'm gonna steal it from you who stole it from Chase."

Shaking her head Maci stood, stretching her arms up towards the ceiling, "You know you could read your textbooks." She told him.

"But those are boring." James whined also standing.

Maci rolled her eyes, "Night James." She said, before turning and heading up the girls staircase.

"Night Mace." She heard him call after her.