12)

I was excited by my first site of snow but my excitement was dampened by the on going reminders of Matt and the disappointment I saw in Draco's eyes when I glimpsed through his mask. We both pretended nothing was wrong. To prove this, Draco started going out with some 6th year Slytherin girl, that hurt to see them but like before I pretended nothing was wrong.

Christmas came and I was invited to the Burrow, Ron's home, since both Harry and Hermione were going and I didn't want to stay at Hogwarts alone so I accepted.

I had a lot of fun during the days, we played in the snow, a real novelty for me, although I did miss a traditional hot Aussie Christmas, I sent all of my presents a couple of weeks early so they would hopefully arrive on time. On Christmas morning I got many presents, most from my family and friends back home but I got some from Harry, Ron, Hermione and Mrs. Weasley. Mrs. Weasley gave me an extra warm woolly jumper, which meant I wouldn't have to wear several layers of clothing. Mostly I got chocolate, warm clothes, money or rubber ducks. I also got a few pirate things from Courtney and Alex, letting me know I was still the ship's Assassin.

The nights were different, I would often be woken up by Hermione or Ginny (whose room we shared) from the thralls of a nightmare or a particularly painful visit from Matt. Ginny didn't really understand what was happening to me and she tried to avoid me whenever possible.

Christmas dinner was great! Everyone had their presents with them and was acting strange, most had consumed alcohol, and everyone was made to perform something for the enormous gathering including a club called the Order of the Phoenix.

Hermione and I sung Bohemian Rhapsody, she doing the high bits and me the low ones, no one knew what we were singing but we got great applause (mostly from Mr. Weasley). I was also dressed in my pirate gear, to honour my friends back home who had finished school and would be striking out into the work force (it felt odd not to be with them).

I liked all of the people at that Christmas gathering and had much fun but it was different to being home with my own family, although my mum assured me we would hold a special gathering for me.

We went back to school after the new year and by then my nostalgia, Matt's constant visits and Draco's complete ignorance of my love had turned into depression and was growing deeper with every night. I still hated crying in front of anyone. I would cry silently into my pillow at night or if I had two free periods in a row I would tend to sit in the shower and cry then with the water running and the tears washing away as they formed. If someone noticed that my eyes were red I would tell them that I was tired, mostly they seemed to believe this because of my nightmares. I could find no happiness even when I got sent a jar of vegemite from Codie, which everyone had to try. The faces they pulled got a weak smile from me but no other response.

Trelawny stopped telling me about my aura, I assumed it would be terrible to look at but even the knowledge that I was making myself sick could help me to change and find happiness.

Then it hit me as I was bouncing my soccer ball against my bed frame: soccer, it had always made me feel better in the past, I had to try it. So I grabbed my ball put on some trackies and headed out into the school grounds.

Spring was approaching, leaves were budding and the snow was melting so I could get very muddy but I didn't care, all I was thinking of were soccer drills I could do by myself. I dribbled the ball around several trees, I did runs and practiced goal kicking using two trees as goals and a bewitched rock (I had gained my transfiguration skills back) as a goalie.

That was how he found me, kicking a soccer ball past a rock and between two trees. I was actually beginning to feel happy until I heard his voice, "Mudblood playing muggle games, how ironic, you do realise we are in a school of magic, don't you?"

I turned to face Draco my happiness deserting me abruptly, as I looked at his sleek form in well-made casual robes. My insides froze and shattered, I had tried to avoid him except for lessons and here he was watching me completely covered in mud, kicking an equally muddy ball around, I felt like I could vomit.

"Yes, I know where we are, I also happen to like soccer, love it in fact but that's something you wouldn't know, nor did you need to. But hey, I'm done now, what do you want?" I replied, my voice as icy as my shattered insides, if I hadn't bones I would have collapsed.

"McGonagall sent me out here to tell you that Dumbledore wants to see us all in his office," Draco answered stiltedly. "I have strict instructions that you must stop kicking that pathetic piece of leather around and come with me."

"No, I don't think I will, I think I will stay out here with my "pathetic piece of leather," have fun at your meeting," I stated and started playing again.

Next thing I knew, I was standing in a muddy puddle in the middle of Dumbledore's office my soccer ball next to me on the floor. I turned to see Draco sneering at me and I tried to launch myself at him, like I had on our first day of the school year but seeing my intention, Harry, whom was already in the room, grabbed me around the waist preventing any further violence from me.

Dumbledore stood from his desk and peered around the room, "Now that we are all here and conscious, I will explain why I have brought you here. Our spies tell us that we shall be expecting an attack from Voldemort in the spring, probably around Easter."

"Ostara," I muttered without thinking.

"Right, Ostara in the old religion. He will be attacking Tanehbutch, Nemeen's old school." My eyes widened at that and my mouth flapped in disbelief. "We understand he wants to take over Australia, starting with Tanehbutch and South Australia and going from there. He also doesn't believe that we will be able to stop him, so, it seems that you are all going on a plane trip. You will be leaving in two weeks and staying with Nemeen's old Maths tutor, he has agreed to change his house around to look like the Gryffindor tower, sorry Mr. Malfoy. The Order will also travel with you but inconspicuously. Miss Granger, your parents have been notified and they fully understand. Mr. Weasley, your parents are travelling with you and Harry, as your aunt and uncle have made it clear, they don't care where you go, as long as its not back to them. Mr. Malfoy, we decided not to notify your parents especially since they are death eaters. And Miss Cahill, we couldn't tell your parents because we fear that they may be being watched, you can't tell anyone where you are going, especially your friends because of the same reason. Do as I say, this is not some Defense Against the Dark Arts class, this is real and it could very well be the final battle."