I woke up well rested, it had been the first night there were no nightmares clogging up my head, my eyes and forehead were still slightly stinging and my back was pressed to something warm and hard, I gradually opened my eyes to see a hand laying over my waist and the previous night came back to me. I'd had a panic attack, something that hadn't happened since I was a child living with Renee. Cedric had comforted me, I'd asked him to stay with me and he had. I small smile lifted the corners of my lips and I carefully manoeuvred myself so I had turned over, under his arm without waking him. He looked so cute asleep, there were no worry lines marring his forehead, his unruly hair was an even worse mess than normal. And his lips were turned up slightly in a good dream.

"Bella." I quickly looked back to his eyes, but he was still asleep, he was dreaming of me?

"B? You awake?" Kiera's voice drifted to me from behind my curtain, I had no idea if anyone else knew Cedric was with me? Actually how did he even get in here?

"Erm… yeah… don't come in." She just chuckled and I could almost hear her rolling her eyes.

"I'm not an idiot I know Cedric is in there with you, who do you think got him up here, I do live here 365 days a year. All I wanna know is if you two are decent?" I heard another giggle accompanying hers, it was Jordanna.

"Of course we are, what did you think we'd get up too? You know what, don't answer that." There laughter picked up and it woke Cedric, I tried not to pout at that fact. His eyes met mine almost as soon as they opened.

"Morning. You feel better?" His voice was husky from sleep and oh so sexy. I couldn't talk only nod as blood rushed to my face. Stupid blush. He chuckled and sat up, opening the curtains to see both girls holding their breath, ear to the fabric. As soon as they noticed that they had been spotted they mumbled out excuses and ran away causing me to laugh. Neither of us were really sure what to say to each other so we just got up and I snuck him back out through the common room portrait, thankfully without being spotted, so he could go and get ready, and so I could, I couldn't help but look up at him through my eyelashes as he turned to say goodbye. His Adams apple bobbed and I bit my lip, he stuttered out a goodbye and turned away, I didn't know if he could hear my whisper of goodbye back, but I had a grin on my face the whole time I got ready.

Friday, one more day to go until I talk to dad. That brought me back to reality and the smile fell from my face, with a deep breath I prepared to face the world.

I sat down in charms class alone, Keri normally sat beside me but she'd decided to sit with Seamus that was okay though, I understood. Whilst waiting for the rest of the students to file in and Professor Flitwick to show up I looked over my notes only to realize that I recognized the fact that Igor Karkaroff, the witness, was currently in the school, he may be able to help me find Travers and the others who's names he gave, which would mean one down nine to go, well if he could help me that is, I decided to try and find him during my two free periods. The chair next to me pulled out and who should sit by me but Cedric, we shared a smile before I noticed him looking down at my papers, now covered in more notes as to where they could be or people who would know, Igor Karkaroff was circled, and Cedric noticed raising his eyebrow. I quickly shoved them all together and put them back in my bag.

"Do I even want to know?" I shook my head and he sighed, I wanted to trust him but my problems could easily get him killed, and if I did there was no way I could live with myself. We sat together, barely chatting for the two hours.

I then had Arithmacy and Lauren –my friend from Ravenclaw –sat beside me, we both joked around and laughed, I loved the fact she could have that effect on me, it made me feel almost normal. Like my troubles were few and far between, even if that wasn't the case it was nice to feel like it now and then.

My last lesson before I'd be seeking out Karkaroff was DADA with McGonagall with the Hufflepuffs and I hoped that Cedric would sit beside me again, I wasn't disappointed, half way through he ripped off a piece of parchment and scribbled something beside sliding it to me, I don't know why he didn't just whisper I mean we were in the back of the class for goodness sakes.

You seem on edge. What's got you acting all jumpy? You're not going to see BC JR are you?

No, but if I tell you what I'm doing promise you aren't going to get mad at me

If it's something I don't agree with I'll say so but I won't get angry

Fair enough. You remember those notes you saw? Well there from my dad about the missing prisoners and I'm going to speak to Karkaroff and see if he knows anything about where Travers, Dolohov, Mulciber or Rookwood may be hiding, he handed them in so he knew them, he may know there usual haunts.

Ok, I prefer that idea to you going down the dungeons again but I want to come with you, I have the next two classes free as well, I wont come in when you find him if you don't want but I will help you find him

Thankyou and yeah I would appreciate the company, I'll decide whether you come in after I've established what mood he's in

Deal

I actually was glad for the company especially being as two heads were better than one, and more intimidating if that was what it would take to get answers.

Finally the class was over; we had quickly grabbed something to eat and then met up in the library. Cedric and I were unsure where to start and were in a discussion as to where they could be staying when I caught sight of Krum when I got an idea.

"I think I know a way to find out." I nodded towards where Krum was sat reading with intense conversation.

"Sheesh, I didn't even think he could read. Please don't say you're going to flirt with him to get the information." I rolled my eyes at Cedric's protective ass.

"If that's what it takes." I smiled at him and stood up, he didn't like it, that much was obvious but he was resigned since it was obvious we had no other leads. I made my way over and as I started getting closer Krum raised his head and smirked at Cedric, I fought not to roll my eyes.

"Hey, mind if I sit with you?" I looked innocently down at him.

"Sure, trouble in paradise?" I smiled a sad smile and chuckled humourlessly. Yes I can most definitely act.

"You could say that, he just doesn't appreciate me and is constantly looking for someone else. Yanno? And then when I question it he accusing me of cheating on him… with you." There were fake tears in my eyes and he moved around the table putting his arm over my shoulders, when he was like this I actually felt guilty for using him.

"Don't vorry vout 'I'm, 'es an idiot. Vhy don't zou come vit me and I show zou vat your missing." Okay no longer feel bad, but this is the sort of thing I had to hear for it to work.

"Where are you staying?"

"Our quarterz are under ze vomping villow." Ahh the shrieking shack, I'm actually rather surprised they didn't use the room of requirement but then again maybe that was for the Beubaxtons.

"Will your headmaster be in there?"

"I doubt it, he iz normally in ze forbidden forest for zum veason, I zee I'm zneakin out zer occasionally avound zis time. Ve shall not ve disturbed." Barf.

"Well, I'm going to get rid of Cedric, I'll meet you outside the whomping willow in half hour?" He nodded his head forcefully and I smiled a fake smile, me and Cedric headed out and his eyes were furious, not with me at least. I told him about Karkaroff being in the forbidden forest and Cedric hated the idea of us going in there but was glad he found out what I was doing and was there with me. Eventually we spotted him, he was stood staring at something in the distance but what it was I couldn't tell.

"Karkaroff, I need to speak with you, it is a matter of utmost importance." My voice was strong, Cedric had placed himself further away, sat behind one of the bushes, there for if I needed him, but I didn't want Karkaroff to feel threatened if he didn't have to be.

"I wondered when I might be hearing from you Miss. Swan. I had thought it would have been sooner but maybe your father decided to let you concentrate on school for the first few days." He turned to look at me with a smile that didn't reach his eyes, which were blue and remained cold and unmoving, it made him slightly unnerving but I didn't let it faze me. His weak chin was not completely covered by his goatee, which ended with a small curl. He and an unctuously cheerful demeanour but it was an act; that much I could see.

"My father didn't send me. I'm trying to help as any good daughter would, not only that but they are a threat to people I care about. I know you gave their names which means you knew them, at least to some extent, so do you have any idea where they may be?" He sighed and sat down on the dusty floor and motioned for me to do the same, I did. I knew Cedric was watching with his wand at the ready, so I didn't have to be too careful.

"I don't know anything for definite. I have no idea what-so-ever about any of them apart from Dolohov. He was always the type to brag, mainly about his little holiday home in the mountains. The Munros Mountains right here in Scotland, far enough away from the Ministry but close enough they wont think to look. I don't know exactly where but that is probably where he is hiding. That is all I know, now Mr Diggory you can come out from behind you foliage, there is no need for a game of hide and seek.