The next morning at Breakfast Emma was sitting in between me and Landon, because Landon still wouldn't talk to me. So Emma was talking to us both.

"Oh my gosh! Look Peyton, Josh is in the Daily Prophet!" She exclaimed.

"What?" I asked, shocked.

She nodded and put it in between us so I could read it also.

Ministry Auror Attacked!

Josh Anderson, a Ministry Auror was attacked a week ago by newly released ex-Death Eater Rodolphus Lestrange. In an interview with Josh he said Lestrange attacked him trying to get information about a top-secret Ministry affair. "Of course," says Josh, "I refused to tell him a thing. So he decided to kill me. Thankfully though, reinforcements were on their way, and got there just in time." Anderson was released from St. Mungo's yesterday with minimal injuries. He had been in a coma for a week, but now he's now back home with his wife, who is pregnant with their first child. Anderson tells us he'll be working inside the ministry until his one-hundred percent recovery. Rodolphus Lestrange has been arrested and sent back to Azkaban.

"Well, at least they got Lestrange." Emma said.

I nodded, "I'm just glad he's back home, safe and sound."

Emma nodded and smiled, "Come on, let's get to Charms."

After Charms, we had a free period. Emma and I were walking to the library when Emma stopped suddenly.

I stopped also.

"Em?" I asked, "What's wrong?"

"It's Seth!" She said in an almost inaudible whisper.

I looked at a group of four boys in front of us. Two were wearing Ravenclaw robes, but I didn't recognize them, the other two were wearing Gryffindor robes.

"Which one?" I asked.

"That one," she said quietly, pointing to a Gryffindor with curly, dark brown hair.

An idea started to form in my head. I grabbed Emma's arm and pulled her forward.

"What are you doing? No!" She protested in a whisper.

"Yes!" I whispered back, "Seth's about to find out you exist."

Emma struggled, but I kept a good strong hold on her. When we got close, I pushed her forward; she stumbled and hit Seth in the back. The group of boys stopped talking and turned around, staring at her.

"I'm so sorry!" She whispered, her cheeks turning pink.

Seth grinned, "It's all right. I'm Seth, what's your name?"

"Emma."

"Cool, that's a pretty name. It fits you perfectly."

Emma's blush got darker.

"Thanks." She mumbled, looking down to hide her blush.

A grin spread across my face when I realized that one of the Gryffindor's was Teddy. Perfect, now I could get this to work!

"Hey Teddy! Could I talk to you?" I asked. "Over there?"

He looked at me suspiciously, but nodded, "Yeah, sure."

I walked away until the others were out of earshot, Teddy following behind.

"So, what's going on?" He asked once we stopped.

"Is Seth single?" I asked, getting to the point.

"Uh, yes, I believe so, why?"

I grinned, "How would you feel about hooking them up?"

He frowned, "Emma and Seth?"

I nodded, "Exactly."

A grin slowly spread across his face.

"I think," he said, "that that's a wonderful idea."

"Brilliant, I'll catch up with you later to plan, okay?" I said.

He nodded, "Sounds great."

We shook hands to seal the deal and then returned to the group. Emma was talking to Seth nervously.

"Come on Emma, let's go." I said.

She nodded, said goodbye to Seth, and followed me.

"What was that all about?" She demanded, "What's going on?"

"Nothing, whatever would make you say that?" I asked sweetly.

Emma groaned and I grinned, this was going to be fun.

~*~*~*~

I sighed uneasily and picked at my robes. I was waiting in an empty class room, waiting for Landon, although he didn't know it.

The door opened and I turned around, Landon walked in, saw me and turned to walk out the door. However, the door closed in his face, thanks to Emma, and he turned back around, arms across his chest. He glared at me.

I sighed and bit my lip.

"Landon please, listen. I can explain." I said.

He said nothing, only looked at me hostilely, so I went on.

"I'm so sorry, really, I am. I know I wasn't fair to you, all you were doing was trying to help."

He scoffed, "Yes, I know, I was there, wasn't I?"

I just ignored him, but his cold tone and eyes didn't make it any easier and knowing I was the reason made it ten times worse.

"At first, I couldn't figure out why I was acting that way. I didn't want to push you away, I just was. But I figured it out."

He looked at me, his eyebrows raised and his eyes challenging.

"I was trying to protect myself."

"From what, Peyton? You know I would never hurt you! Ever!" He said, now his tone had a touch of hurt in it as well as the coolness.

"No, that's not what I meant. I didn't want to get closer to you, because then it would just make the pain of losing you that much worse." I said.

"Lose me? But I wouldn't leave you, I can't leave you."

"I know, but if something happened, something like what happened to Josh….I couldn't bare it. I can't lose you Landon, I love you too much." I said, begging him with my eyes and tone of voice to forgive me.

"Please, please, I'm so sorry. Please forgive me" I said in a whisper.

I saw him relax his stiff muscles and his eyes and expression soften. He walked over to me and sighed, putting his hand softly on my cheek.

"Promise me." He said in a gentle tone, "Promise me that you'll never do that to me again."

I put my hand over his, "I promise, and I'm sorry."

"I know, it's okay." He said, pulling me into a hug.

I wrapped my arms around his chest and we just stood there, rocking back and forth slightly.

"I missed you so much." I said.

He kissed the top of my head.

"I missed you too."

We finally let go of each other and Landon took my hands in his.

"How's Josh? And Kylee?" He asked.

"He's really good, almost one-hundred percent again, but he's going to take up a desk job for a while." I told him.

"That's good, I'm glad he's safe again."

"You're not the only one." I said.

He smiled, "What do you say we go back to the common room?"

"Okay". I said, but not moving.

Landon let go of one of my hands and took a step forward. He was pulled back when I didn't follow; he turned around and gave me a puzzled look.

"What…..?" I cut him off by putting a finger to his lips.

I had to stand on my tippy-toes to reach, but I put my lips to his softly. The kiss was short, but sweet. I smiled at him and he smiled back.

"We can go now," I said.

He nodded and we left for the common room. When we walked in, we found Emma and Dani talking on a couch. They both looked up when we sat on the couch opposite them.

"Peyton, Landon, you made up!" Emma said excitedly.

"Oh thank goodness, I thought I might have to take matters into my own hands." She said.

Landon and I both rolled our eyes.

"Oh, that was cool! Do it again!" Emma said.

Landon made a face at her and she stuck out her tongue in return.