Albus had written neither letter. He had received plenty from Jillian, who he would appease with short replies, but never saying anything of substance.

Substance

He walked slowly on the train. He was in his sixth year. He took a deep breath. Everything was changing. He thought back to his O.W.L.'s. What was he taking this year?

Advance Potions

Advanced Transfiguration

Charms

Defense Against the Dark Arts

Care of Magical Creatures

Herbology

A little bit more than his father took, and much more than his brother. He wanted to be an auror just like his Dad was. He would look at father's files when he came home, reading about dark wizards and witches. His brother, James, didn't want to be an auror. He was already working with his Uncle Fred at the joke shop, so he had dropped some classes.

He knew Rose was taking ton of classes, of course, her mother had been conditioning her too. Lily was in her fourth year, so she still had time to think about it.

He wondered what Zeph was taking. He stopped himself. He was having to consciously stop himself from thinking about Zeph, from letting his mind wander to her unnecessarily. He sighed, thinking back to the letters, as he looked for Sam. He had wanted to talk to Rose about it over the summer, but she wouldn't understand. She'd call him a two timer, and probably jinx him, or spike his pumpkin juice. He gulped. She could be scary like that, and Lily was surely following her example.

He looked up and down the train for Sam, when he stopped and saw Zeph, but he didn't stop because he felt awkward about them. Oh no, it wasn't that at all.

There Zeph stood, or rather was pressed against the wall, Lovegood pressed against her, their lips locked like animals. It didn't seem a friendly kiss, but something wild, and superficial. Their eyes were closed so they didn't realize Albus was standing right there, unable to walk through because of the two snogging people. He felt awkward as he stood there, staring at them. He released a forced cough. Nothing. He released another. Still nothing.

"Zeph." He announced as she lazily pulled away. "Can we talk?" he asked. He looked up at Lovegood. "The two of us." With the mere twist of her head, Lovegood left them. Albus looked into the compartment and noticed no one was in it.

"It's my stuff." she stated as she walked in. Albus followed her in, closing the door.

"What was that?" he demanded angrily. She looked up at him indifferently as she sat down, stretching her legs across the seat.

"What was what?" she shot back coldly.

"What's your problem?" his voice full of frustration.

"I don't know." She snapped "What's yours?"

"Isn't it obvious?" he exclaimed, stomping his foot down.

"No, actually it's not, why don't you let me know, and real mature" she glared at him with her icy blue eyes.

"What the hell are you doing with Lovegood?" he was practically shouting.

"It's none of your business!" she retorted standing up. He went to open his mouth "After that!" she exclaimed "Not one word from you over the summer, NOTHING. Not one letter, not even 'hey how're ya doing buddy' nothing!" He went to open his mouth again, but she kept going "I'm sorry was I mistaken? Was your owl no able to find me?" He stared at her, feeling all the guilt build inside him. He reached out to touch her hand, but she yanked away.

"I'm just con-" he tried to explain, but Zeph was prepared for his statement.

"No you're not!" she shouted, then took a deep breath trying to calm herself down. "No you're not." Her voice was lower not, she was noticeably controlling her tone. "You know exactly why. You can't get past judging me, I know you try your best not to, but you know it's not good enough. You judge me because of my blood, because of who I am." She swallowed "And I'm no longer going to be embarrassed by it, shy away from it. I am me, and I'm not embarrassed, and you are! You are happy that Jillian is known as something, you, you, find permissible."

"Zeph, I really li-" but she silenced him with her cutting words.

"Are you still with Jillian!" she demanded. He said nothing. "Did you break up with her this summer?" she was glaring at him. "Did you? Are you going to go walk to the end of the train and end it now!" he stared at her speechless, broken hearted, confused and stupid. "Get out." He didn't know what to say as he slowly stepped from the compartment, the door slamming shut behind him.

Forest and Tom sat in the compartment with Zeph, unsure of whether or not to bring up Albus. Forest had not brought him up the whole summer, thinking they would get together, but after seeing her with Calix Lovegood, Forest knew it wasn't the case.

"So," she started, catching Zeph's attention, preparing to ask what she had been hoping her friend would bring it up all summer. Shee looked up from the Daily Prophet. "What's with you and Albus?"

"Nothing." Zeph replied coldly, going back to reading.

"Friends?" Tom bravely piped up.

"No."

Tom and Forest looked at each other, trying to figure out how to go about this with their friend. She was obviously, angry, hurt, but not at all indifferent as she tried to be. She was rarely indifferent.

"Look," she sat up, pulling her head from the paper "Let's just leave it. I don't want to talk about it, I'll be fine, and I just want to have a good fun year with my friends." A weak smile spread on her face.

Forest sighed "I'm trusting you-"

"Please" Zeph interrupted "Don't worry about it." Forest nodded.

She reached her hand into her bag "Chocolate Frog's anyone?"