.Thanks to NymphadoraTonksLupin19 for your lovely review. (I do love reviews their like warm fuzzies) It is because of you that i bothered to post this early.

Also thanks to the unknown reviewers who i can't reply to.

William looked from Alice to Frank and then back again. Alice's expression was a mingle of both fury and hurt. It was a clear indication to the Ravenclaw that he should take his leave.

William pointed to the stairs. "I better…" but he didn't finish his sentence as he quickly walked away from Frank, but not before giving him an apologetic smile.

Alice did not miss the opportunity to shoot William a glare as he walked past her. How dare he imply that I can't handle tough news!

The couple were then alone. A deafening silence settled between them like thick fog. Alice couldn't seem to find her words, not that she didn't have anything to say… She had too much to say…too much to shout. The feeling of betrayal was overwhelming and it left her with an immense pain in her heart…a bleeding wound. It was only now that she truly saw how exhausted Frank looked. How thin. Suddenly in Alice's minds eye she Alice saw Frank's face on Christmas day. He seemed so… long had he bore such thoughts without telling her? Alice thought back to all the times they had spent alone together chatting about meaningless things, whilst he had such a burden on his mind. Frank could have easily told me.

Now Frank and William's conversation rung loud in her ears like church bells.

War

War in her time…The idea was incomprehensible.

"Alice I-" Frank started as he took a stood up and took a step towards her.

Alice backed away at his attempt to get close to her and the sting of rejection was almost too much for Frank to bear.

Alice had to look away as she felt her eyes sting. She tried to blink them away. "I... can't believe you," was all she managed to breath.

Frank wanted nothing more than to see the rage return to his girlfriends face, it was a lot easier to deal with then seeing her hurt. "Alice please it's complicated," he tried to justify.

Alice just shook her head frantically and the tears could no longer be held back: They ran down her cheeks, leaving hot,wet trails against her skin. Frank actually found himself gasping for he had never seen her cry. Never. The hopelessness that shone from the pools of her dark eyes left him breathless.

Alice turned her gaze away again, her lower lip trembling. "I have opened myself up to you in a way that I haven't even with Jane," She managed to confess through the tears that were choking her. "I just can't believe-"

"Alice please. I was trying to protect you," Frank pleaded as he quickly walked up to her, grabbing her hands in desperation.

However she denied him, Instantly drawing away. Alice could not except his apology no matter how hard he pleaded.

Without warning imminent footfalls could be heard and the couple froze in place. A moment later Sirius came jogging around the corner and Alice quickly tried to stem the flow of hot tears.

"Hey guys Professor Dumble-" Sirius stopped as he stared at the pair of them,standing uncharacteristically stiff. He watched as Alice hid her face from him and Frank's pained expression cut straight through his heart. Sirius scratched the back of his head as he realized that he must have stumbled into a private moment. "Err…Professor Dumbledore wants all seventh years in the great hall…." When neither Alice nor Frank made an attempt to move he added. "Now" and with that Sirius quickly turned on his heel and disappeared.

Alice drew in a breath as she fanned her face, trying to dry away her tears. She didn't spare Frank another word or glance.

Yet Frank caught Alice's arm as she walked past him. "Wait. We have to talk about this…sort it out," Frank suggested.

Alice turned around slowly but only to glare at her boyfriend. Her eyes burned with a deep kind of hatred that he had never seen before. Frank actually had to take a step back.

"I never want to talk to you again!" she spat and with that Alice yanked her arm free and raced down the corridor.

()()()()()()()()

The great hall seemed eerily quite without the rest of the students to fill it. The candles burned low and the enchanted ceiling overhead had adopted a stormy appearance. There was a single long table positioned at the centre of the room. The wide arched windows showing nothing but the black of night. Professor Dumbledore was standing on the platform at the end of the hall along with the four heads of house. Upon entering (by herself) Alice noticed all the puzzled faces of her fellow peers, some of whom were dressed in their sleeping attire. Hestitantly everyone took a seat along the table, their brows creased.

Suddenly Jane appeared at Alice's side. "What's going on?" she whispered.

Alice just shrugged. "I think Professor Dumbledore wants to speak to us."

Jane shook her head. "No no with you and Frank."

Alice jumped at the mentioning of his name. She followed Jane's eye line to see that James and his gang were all huddled around Frank, whispering sadly. Frank looked up at that moment but Alice turned away. "Nothing," she grumbled at her cousin.

Jane didn't miss the sorrowful look on Frank's face and she was further confused by William who sat on the other end of the table with his friends, gazing guilty between Alice and Frank.Hmm…

Jane however had no time to speculate as the headmaster cleared his throat. Professor Dumbledore raised his hands, signalling for silence and the hall went instantly quite . His soul-piercing blue eyes scanned the room and all the students waited patiently.

Dumbledore smiled. "I am sorry to delay or interrupt your sleep but there is something important that I must tell you -"

Frantic whispers broke out immediately but Professor McGonagall stepped in and shushed everyone.

The headmaster continued on as if he had not been interrupted. "The ministry does not want me to tell you this but I feel that It is my duty..."Alice tensed up in her seat as she had a feeling she knew what was coming. "You will be leaving the protection of the school this year…" Dumbledore then pointed to the table with all the seventh years on it. " and as you can see there are no house tables tonight and that is because school rivalries end here. You will be heading into the real world, beyond these castle walls. A world where most things will be out of your control. Where you will have to help each other regardless of whether you were in Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw or Slytherin…"

Dumbledore's speech enthralled Alice. His words served to both inspire and frighten her. The witch had never realized how sheltered Hogwarts was…how safe…

Alice felt her stomach churn as she pondered on all the changes that would occur. She felt sick. Alice had to admit that she hated change. The fear of the unfamiliar and unknown had always held her back. Alice continuously heard Jane gasp beside her as the headmaster warned the students of the dangers ahead and the very real possibility of war. Alice could not help but notice how she, Frank, William and to her surprise Severus showed no trace of shock whilst everyone else seemed to be in a state of panic. Alice did her level best to ignore Frank's gaze which she felt constantly on her face.

By now Dumbledore's expression had turned solemn, the twinkle in his eyes diminishing slightly . Even Professor McGonagall looked downcast.

"I am saddened to think that you will live to see such dark times.." the headmaster announced.

Alice felt chilled to the bone.

"All I ask of you is that during the time of darkness you choose your side wisely…" Alice watched as Dumbledore's eyes paused on Severus for a moment and the Slytherin squirmed under the headmasters gaze. "For the decision will change the course of your destiny and perhaps haunt you for the rest of your life," Dumbledore finished.

Even when the students were dismissed, the deathly silence remained. Alice led the crowd out of the hall, eager to get away. The weight of Professor Dumbledore's words seemed to be playing on everyone's mind. Alice could tell by the way her classmates were lost in their own thoughts; The majority looked troubled.

Lupin, Frank and Peter walked side by side with their hands in their pockets and their heads bowed, as if they were in mourning. Behind them James was trying to soothe a distressed Lily. Not too far off was Sirius with Sierra tucked under his arm. They were both trying to hide their dejection. William and Jane were trailing behind the group of students, walking slowly with their hands clasped together tightly. It was as if they believed that by letting each other go, even for a moment one of them would disappear.

Alice felt her eyes prickle. "What will become of us?"

.