Warning: First I would like to apologies for the LONG wait, for this chapter. My only excuse is that I was unhappy with this chapter. And after going through it, rereading it, adding things, and deleting, I found that if I changed it, I would have to change the rest of this story, which in my opinion is good. So I left what I originally had, and will have to be unhappy about it.

Summery: It's just another year at Hogwarts with nothing out of the ordinary. Unless you count the new girl Serena Moon, a pale skinned and very timid girl, who goes out of her way to avoid making friends.

Information: This in the sixth year, so I am recreating that year into my own molding. I may add the other girls and I may not. Depending if whether I can or not. There are no scouts, no talking cats, as far as I know, but a lot of drama, so beware.

I hope this chapter is okay. I plan to update Chap 14 next week. For the Life as a Portrait story. There will be a little bit longer wait; I came up with a better plan, so there is a lot of revision being done. Don't worry it will be great.

-Now Onto The Story-

Chapter thirteen:
Things Change

Harry woke to an ache forming at the crook of his neck. Yawning, he quickly stifled it with the back of his hand. Bugger that hurts, he gripped silently. And it did. The ache started from the middle of his shoulder blades and moved up his neck to stop just below his hairline.

Sitting up, he didn't dare open his eyes, fearing the headache, he would unleash if he did so. Instead, he massaged the back of his neck, his fingers digging into the pain.

Much better, he thought with a smile. Opening his eyes, Harry only had a moment to sit there in confusion, before his mind processed just what was a mere inch away from his face.

Serena sat on her knees on the edge of the bed, her body leaning forward, so that her face was mere inches from his. Her expression was that of mild curiosity, her eyes holding his in a steady gaze. From all of those muggle romance movies he'd seen with Ginny, this would have been the moment, which is, if his life had been a movie, to lean in and kiss her.

Just the thought of it made him blush. What if that's not what she wants though, the thought came to his mind and he began to panic. Just last month we couldn't stand being at a duels length of each other.

He caught his breath when her eyes broke the hold they had on him, and briefly gazed at his lips, before looking back into his eyes. Maybe she was looking at my chin, he half wondered, but quickly shook the thought from his mind.

Harry made up his mind then. He started forward, his head tilting to the side, but the whole while he held her eyes, afraid to look away too soon. She leaned in as well, her movement closing the rest of the gap that was between them.

The door to the bedroom opened, causing Harry to pull back sharply. Not aware of the sudden movement, Serena lost her balance and fell face first into his lap. Alarmed, Harry quickly pushed her back, steadying her once more on the edge of the bed.

Both wore a flush to their cheeks, when they turned towards the doorway.

Artemis stood there with his arms crossed over his chest and a brow raised as if he were amused. "I didn't know that, when you told me to knock before I came in that it was to prevent situations like this from happening," he mused allowed.

Next to him, Serena bristled at the comment. "And you didn't knock, now did you," she inquired. Artemis shook his head and when he did, the amusement fell from his face. "Dare I ask what it was that I have walked in on," he asked.

Harry had the urge to explain, but every idea that came to mind only seemed to imply the worst. He couldn't bear making a bigger fool out of the both of them, so he kept his mouth shut.

Serena got to her feet then and Harry had the decency to look away. She was only dressed in a simple pink nightgown, one that was at the moment hiked up to her waist. If the situation weren't so bizarre, he would have commented on the little purple hippo that grinned at him from the back of her panties.

And then she had to go and make things worst. "It's exactly what it looks like," she said with a stomp of her foot. The nightgown fell into place.

Jumping to his feet, Harry struggled to find the right words that would rectify her statement. Bloody hell is she mad, he wanted to shout. She's completely lost her rocker.

"Professor Artemis," he managed, before the older wizard shook his head again, the smile returning. "Just play nice you two," he sighed. "Serena, I'll need to speak with you after dinner." Serena nodded, not saying a word till after he left. She then turned towards Harry, her expression blank. "Well that was awkward," she mused aloud.

"Obviously," Harry said, still slightly fuming from her earlier comment. "And just why did you have to go and say that?" Serena's cheeks reddened and her face scrunched up as if to fight the blush off. "I don't know."

Speechless, Harry could only stare at her. She doesn't know, he asked himself incredulously. She'd sounded so sure of herself just moments ago. "Where do we stand," he asked suddenly, wanting an answer for the question that had been nagging at him for a while now.

"How do you mean," she asked wearily. Harry sighed, his hand vainly trying to flatten his wild locks. "Well we haven't exactly been not getting along," at her confused stare, he flushed. "Are we still," he struggled for the right word. "Rivals, or has things changed?"

And it was then he realized, that a part of him hoped things had.

----

Serena sat hidden in the library, too afraid to leave the confines of silence, to enter reality. Which was where the Boy-Who-Lived belonged; in the light, surrounded by people who loved him.

Drawing her knees to her chest, she rested her chin against them. Over the past few days, a strange sort of bond had forged itself between them. She hadn't seen it, at least not till Artemis had said something. And of course, by then it had been too late to stop it.

But now she saw it, so very clearly now that it had been pointed out to her. She'd changed. Everything had changed, despite the fact that she hadn't wanted things to change. But now, she found herself looking forward to spending time with Harry. Even if all they did was talk, she felt a sort of giddiness settle itself in her stomach.

Moaning, Serena covered her face with her hands. "I need to stop this," she whispered. "I can't let this go on."

The month of December was over, and they were quickly making their way into January. Today was the day the Hogwarts students would return, and the moments Harry and Serena spent together, would end.

Lifting her head then, Serena thought about the return of Harry's friends. He'll forget all about me, she thought to herself. They'll remind him how much of a git I was to them, and he'll stop wanting to hang out with me. Serena tried to suppress the sadness her conclusion brought forward.

She suddenly felt sick to her stomach. What is wrong with me, she begged to know, feeling the back of her eyes beginning to sting. She just wanted to live a normal, quiet life. All alone.

That's all, she muttered, but despite her conviction, the tightness in her chest only worsened.

"There you are," she heard a breathless murmur. Jerking her head to attention, she found Harry standing over her. He wore a crooked smile on his face, his green eyes shinning down on her. He bent at the waist with a huff, his sweaty palms resting against his thighs as he tried to catch his breath. "What are you doing up here?"

Serena couldn't stop her bottom lip from trembling, or even stop the single tear that escaped her eye. The smile quickly faded from his face, as he noticed. "What's wrong?" he asked, sounding worried.

The knot in her stomach turned and she felt like she truly was going to throw up her breakfast. "I'm fine," she whispered, as another tear fell, sliding down along her flushed cheek, and dropped from her cheekbone. "You don't look fine," he replied, dropping to his knees in front of her.

She tried to press herself further into the wall, but she was already flat against it. "Harry I-" she began, wanting to tell him she never wanted to see him again. Wanting to tell him that he was a self-centered, attention-seeking crybaby. But she just couldn't muster up enough hate to say the words.

And because of this, her façade crumbled. Her body shuddered at the release and hunching her shoulders, she pressed her face against her knees. Serena drew in a shaky breath, but it hitched, and came back out as a sob. "Serena," Harry asked, his tone sounding really worried now.

When he pulled her against his chest, his arms locking around her shaking form, she only cried harder. Her face lifted to rest against the crook of his neck, as she let the emotions roll off of her in waves. All of the emotions she'd held inside seemed to flow from her. The dam had finally broken, and she couldn't find the strength to place the lid back over the spilt jar.

"Why wont you tell me what's wrong," he begged, not sure what to do. He held her close, afraid that she might shatter if he let go. "Please tell me."

"I wanted to hate you so much," she whispered against his neck, sending shivers along his skin. "But the more I tried, the harder it got. I'm a monster Harry and you're supposed to find me repulsive, and yet you want to spend a whole day with me even if all we do is just study." She drew in a shuddered breath, her eyes burning from the tears. They just wouldn't stop coming.

Harry lifting one arm to run his hand down the back of her head, his fingers tangling themselves in her blonde hair. "You're not a monster Serena," he whispered against the top of her head. "You've just been unfortunate."

Serena lifted her head at his attempt at humor. She searched his face, looking for any sign of a hidden fear. That what he said was just a front. But she saw nothing. He looked down at her, his eyes peering at her through his glasses. And all she saw was worry and concern.

Lifting her hands from where they had been latched around her legs, she touched his face. The other day, when she had woken to find him asleep in the chair next to her bed, she had felt something stir within her. It was the same feeling that compelled her now to touch him.

They'd spent the last three days in each other's company. Talking most of the time and others spent on practicing their dueling. She'd learned quite a few things about The-Boy-Who-Lived. Things she wished she hadn't, because it had ruined the only thing that had kept her from wanting to like him. To want to be his friend. Thinking him as a self-centered, attention-seeking crybaby had made wanting to hate him so much easier.

There was nothing to interrupt them now, she knew. All of the staff and other students were awaiting the arrival of the train. That left them alone with only the Poltergeist Peeves, the houselves, and a few ghosts.

Serena leaned closer to him, her legs sliding down to allow her room. She held his gaze, unsure that what she was doing was what he wanted. He didn't move to stop her, but he seemed too shocked to even notice. Before she could change her mind, Serena plunged forward, capturing his mouth with her.

The world beneath them didn't rock, and music did not begin to play in the background. But to her, when her lips touched his, it was like a circuit had finally been connected. The jolt that ran through her body must have entered his, because he didn't hesitate long, before his arms drew her into his lap.

Sighing against his lips, she tilted her head to the side. Her hands released his face, only to slide up into his hair, and run her fingers through that unkempt hair of his.

----

It had yet to stop snowing, Ron Weasley realized when he looked out the window of his shared compartment. It was going to be cold out there. Stifling a yawn, Ron looked over at the only girl he could truly call his friend. She being the one of few females he could talk to without feeling like he was being tested.

The holidays were over, but winter was not. The New Year had come and gone, and now they were returning. Meaning that tomorrow classes would begin. They were back to being tortured by Professor Binn's droning, Malfoy's snide remarks, and Snape's horrid presence. It was not something to look forward to.

And yet a part of him was glad to be beck. "Do you think Harry's okay," he asked, breaking the silence that had fallen over them during their journey. Hermione looked up from her Potion's text, as the train came to a screeching halt. She snapped the book close with a sigh. "I'm sure he's fine," she replied softly, but the expression on her face suggested otherwise.

They got to their feet, when the conductor declared they had arrived at Hogwarts. Sliding the compartment door open, Ron peered out into the mass of people who had already filled the aisle. "Come on Ron," she said stepping out into the line. The line was slow going, but steady. "I bet he's gone mad with boredom," Ron blurted over the noise of so many voices talking all at once. "He's been in the company of that girl all winter break, he'll be thrilled to see us."

At first, Hermione appeared to have ignored him, or she may have not even heard him, but as soon as they stepped out into the cool night air, she looked back at him from over her shoulder. "Ron," she breathed beneath her breath. "You're being a prat."

Ron bristled at her remark, but didn't say anything till they were free on the platform. "Well, maybe he's waiting in the Great Hall," he said to himself. The platform was just bare enough to tell that Harry was not among the masses. But neither was Dumbledore.

Grabbing onto the front of his robes, Hermione led him through the crowd, shoving her way pass the other students. She finally stopped at the carriages, that were still being pulled by the strange creatures she'd learned of in her fifth year, called thestrals. But now, she could see them.

"Did you notice, that she's wasn't there either," Hermione said at last. Her eyes looked at the other carriages, as students began to climb in. "Yea, well- she's not likely to, now is she," Ron said sarcastically.

Sending him a patronizing stare, she pursed her lips into a thin line. "Yes, well usually wherever Professor Artemis is, she's not too far behind." After pointing out the obvious, Hermione helped herself into the carriage. Ron reluctantly followed behind her.

Ron stuck his head out of the window to see Professor Artemis entering a carriage alone. "You don't think something may have happened to them, do you," he asked. "I mean, its not like she's a Malfoy or anything, but she'd never intentionally hurt anyone," he started to say, but sounded unsure of himself.

"Yes well, things change," Hermione replied quietly, as she leaned back in her seat. Ron pulled back inside, a frown of worry creasing his features.

"What do you mean things change," he asked, sounding annoyed now. "Harry can handle himself. I mean she's just a little witch. There's now way she could hurt him." Even if she tried, he added silently.

His friend just shrugged as their carriage lurched forward. It wasn't long before they arrive at the castle. As soon as the carriage came to a stop, Ron opened the door, and jumped out. Hermione was quick to follow.

Their shoes crunched along the gravel as they made their way to the front door. "If Harry was hurt, Dumbledore would have told us so," Ron argued, restarting their earlier conversation. She didn't say a word as they crossed the entrance floor. She stopped short of the Great Hall, and opened the doors to peer inside. A small collection of students had already taken their seats. Neither Harry nor the girl was there.

"Well Dumbledore wasn't exactly present, now was he," Hermione said with a matter of fact tone. "Something just isn't right. "They're not at the table either."

"Miss Granger, Mr. Weasley is something the matter," inquired a voice from behind the pair. Ron turned first, finding a bunch of students waiting anxiously behind them to enter the Great Hall. Tugging on Hermione's robes, he pulled her aside. Professor Artemis followed them. "I- well have you seen Harry, Professor Artemis," Hermione asked quickly. She could barely hide her anxiety.

The white haired man shook his head in reply. "No I haven't, not since yesterday at dinner that is."

"And Miss Moon," she persisted. At this Professor Artemis put a hand to his chin to scratch it in thought. He tilted his head to the side, as if it could help him remember. "I believe Miss Moon went to the library this morning after breakfast. But I haven't seen her since-" he replied.

Hermione quickly thanked the older wizard, before she whirled around and started up the marble staircase. "'Mione," Ron called after her, struggling to keep up with her fast pace. "He doesn't seem worried, I'm sure Harry's fine," he said with a whine. And then suddenly his stomach growled.

"If you're hungry Ron, go back to the Great Hall and eat. "I'm going to go find Harry, and see for myself if he is alright."

Ron huffed beneath his breath as they trudged up anther flight of stairs. "But Professor Artemis hasn't seen Harry today, so why- wait no- just where are we going?" he asked as they entered a somewhat familiar hallway. "The library," she said simply.

Ron frowned, his hands slipping into the pocket of his jeans. "But isn't that where-" he began to say, but was only shushed by Hermione, since they had arrived. She shoved the door open, allowing the pair to look at the front of the massive library.

"You check here, I'll go look at the Restricted Section," she whispered. Even though the library was usually empty, today it just seemed desolate. So why they were whispering, was beyond him. "Come on," she insisted, pushing him forward with her hands at the small of his back.

Wrinkling his nose, Ron did as told and started to the left to begin the search. Like Harry would be in the library, he huffed to himself. He followed the row of books to the end, and decided to start there.

Ten minutes later, he reached the last row, the one that held a table off to the side so that it was out of view. He'd heard many rumors about that corner.

Ron rubbed his stomach, trying to relieve the pain that was building there. Blimey I'm hungry, he thought. He paused, his chin falling to his chest. Should have just taken Hermione up on that offer. Bloody pointless looking for Harry here.

With a sigh, he continued walking. He had just this row and then he was stealing away to the kitchens for a quick snack. If Harry's not here, then he can just fend for himself.

Ron reached the end of the bookshelf and followed the corner. "Crickey," he gasped, his eyes bulging at the sight that greeted him. He was disgusted and yet hypnotized by it. Who'd a thunk?

He was appalled to say the least, to find his best friend snogging a girl in the library. Anyone could have walked in on them. The least they could have done was find a room.

Ron peered closer to see the girl, and was unable to stop the gasp that escaped him. He was shocked to catch Harry on his knees, with Serena Moon in his lap and her back pushed back against the wall. Harry's body and hands pinning her there.

"Bloody hell," Ron said, but this time louder. The couple must have heard him, because they tore apart as if burned.

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Just to clear things up. This is a Harry/Serena. Sorry you Draco/Serena fans. If it makes you happy, I'll tell you that I have two stories with Draco/Serena couple coming very soon. Night Games will be put up as soon as this story is completed.

I want to just say THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE REVIEWS! THANK YOU! I loved reading them. All of your guys and girls questions and speculations were great. I will admit, all will be explained in the NEXT TWO CHAPTERS. BE PREPAPRED!

And I also want to say. I AM SO SORRY for such a long wait. I know I know there is no excuse. It was just plain laziness. I keep telling myself you need to run home and update LP, you better now before its too late. And well I finally did it. SO REALLY REALLY SORRY guys and gals. Next chap, promise to not wait as long for the next chap, since you all will be waiting to see how things shape up for Serena. I promise!

Well enjoy the rest of your day.

Night Games: They are two different people, from two different worlds. When their paths collide, will they find the chance at life within each other? Or will the people who are after them, stop them first? D/S

The Sunday Morning After: At a party thrown by a mutual friend, Draco and Serena meet for the very first time. Drunk and aroused, the two slip off to his place, only to wake with no recollection of the night before. D/S

LP