"Ahhhh!" Lee Jordan exhaled, "It's good to be back!"

"Amen brotha." George chimed as they reached the entrance of the Gryffindor tower. "Hey babe, you miss me?" George winked at the portrait of the Fat Lady who's only response was to ignore his lewd behavior as she had been for the last six years.

"Password?" She said with a stale tone in her voice, she was never amused by the Weasleys antics.

"Oh come now, give him a little smile . You'll break his little ol' heart, you will." Fred teased. "I think she's playing hard to get, George."

"And I think you guys are a bunch of coconuts!" Katie said pushing her way to the front and staring down the Fat Lady.

"PASSWORD?" The portrait asked more forcefully.

"Mimbulus Mimbletonia" Katie correctly answered, as the Fat Lady gladly swung the portrait hole open to grant the six entrance and to get them as far away as possible from her.

"Much obliged, hot stuff." Fred thanked as he blew her a kiss.

"Oh you two, stop!" Alicia sighed, knowing that it was no use. It was their last first day at Hogwarts, she was surprised that they fellows weren't literally bouncing off the walls or saying worse.

"You aren't the boss of him this year! George, as your brother, I give you permission to do your worst. Paint the town red, I know I will." Fred stepped in front of Alicia, blocking her from view from the rest of the group. Alicia retaliated by reaching up and slapping the back of his neck.

"Aggh!" Fred grabbed his neck and spun around, rubbing the now red spot. He ignored the others giggling and quickly pointed at Angelina, "I blame you! You did this to her. She wasn't like this til you two became thick as thieves. She was the calm one, you were the bruiser. There isn't enough room in the group for two violent dames."

"Well there is now." Angelina laughed, "Keep running your mouth and see what happens."

The Welcoming Feast had barely ended and the group was still riled up from the school choir's rousing rendition of 'Something Wicked this way Comes' it would seem before Angelina could say 'Marauder's Map' Lee Jordan pulled out the tiniest of billfolds that kept unfolding to eventually reveal several treats he and Fred had somehow smuggled off the Hogwarts Express without any one of them seeing as a surprise for later. Even though the room was a buzz with students running around, the time seemed to stop as Lee made it a point to get down on one knee and present Alicia with the last Jelly Slugs she'd be able to have until the Hogsmeade weekend the following month.

Angelina missed this.

She missed having her friends and how when they all were together, it felt as if no one else in the world existed. She missed how when they were together, problems were miles away. She missed how you were never alone and someone always understood you because whatever you were going through-they were as well, walking hand in hand. She missed how contagious laughter was and how there was never a dull moment. She missed the fact that a steady diet of sweets,pumpkin juice, jokes, and quidditch was all that they needed to survive on.

She knew out of all the things she missed, what she would miss the most was that none of it was every going to be enough to make her happy again.

She needed Montague. Every smile, every second, every room of that whole school just made her think of him.

She loved her friends dearly, but her mind was literally tearing apart at the idea of the two being in the same building and unable to touch. Unable to look each other in the eye. The man she gave her heart to was walking around the Slytherin dungeons, pained and all alone and here she was sitting on plush couches in a tower goofing off with Licorice Wands and Peppermint Toads. Suddenly, she felt ashamed of herself. As if she never deserved to love him in the first place, he was always the passionate one. It was him that made the first move and him that made it real. Real. He loved her more than she deserved, she would like to believe that if the shoe was on the other foot and she had to give herself to save him she would do it without hesitation but she couldn't help but feel as if that was a lie because truly , here she was letting him go further into darkness because everyone else believed it to be a good idea. How would he feel about her if he did gain his whole memory back and she had walked past him everyday without so much as a helpful smile?

"Oy, Earth to Angelina!" Fred raised his voice, mouth full of licorice. "Babe, what's up? You aren't even listening to us let alone weighing on this very important debate on who to prank first."

"Huh, oh. Oh, I am sorry. My mind was somewhere else. I'm...I'm just really tired, I'm...yeah...tired." Angelina yawned, unconvincingly. Hoping against her better judgment that her friends would buy the fake out and allow her to leave for her dorm early for some alone time. All she wanted to do was cry.

"Not buying." Katie said. "Don't try to hide from me, girlie, I've lived with you for too long not to know your lying face. Spill it, Johnson, what is going on in the oversized head of yours?"

Angelina glanced up at Alicia for assistance but was instead saved by the impeccable timing of the newly appointed Prefect, Hermoine Granger.

"There you are! I should have known this is where I would find you guys. Hey-where did you get all these candies?"

"Dear, sweet Granger. Do not treat it as contraband. Understand that you cannot narc on us for it, we bought it with our own money and by the time you do try to write anything up it will be gone." Lee said, stuffing his face.

"No truer words..." George agreed, not even hesitating to pop another treat in his mouth.

"I wasn't going to accuse you of anything , Lee, and I resent you calling me a narc. That was unnecessary. I only come because Angelina has been summoned to Professor McGonagall chambers"

"Whhhhhhhhhhhhhhhayyyytt?" Katie exclaimed, "What in all the world could McGonagall want with her right now ? We haven't had a chance to cause any craziness yet, she can't possibly be in trouble yet. I mean, we work fast-but not that fast."

"Umm...It's probably quidditch business!" Alicia said a little to loudly and awkwardly to be natural.

The others didn't seem to catch on her quick lie , in fact they seemed to easily accept it because it was the only likely conclusion.

"Yeah, " George nodded." She must be starting up early to get us to keep that Cup, you'd think she'd give you a break-it's the first day."

"You'd think so, yeah. Thanks Hermoine, I'll head that way now." Angelina managed a weak smile before, jumping up and heading toward the door. "Captain business awaits."

Seconds after the door closed, Angelina lost all desire to remain composed. Lucky for her, no one really wanted to be hanging out in the hallways when they could be out playing on the grounds or in their common room . So she didn't have to hide her face from many as she made the trek to the Grand staircase to transport her to Professor McGonagall's office. She tried to clean herself up before going in. Last thing she wanted was an Order Member to see her so sad and think she needed to be pulled from school for therapy or something. Angelina cleared her throat before knocking on the door.

"Come in." Professor called out from the other side.

Angelina slowly, made her way in. Carefully closing the door behind her and cautiously taking the seat across from her Head of House.

"Why so glum , Miss Johnson? Are you not thrilled to be back with your classmates?"

"Oh, I am . I am very glad to see all of them happy and safe after the summer break. " Angelina answered. "So happy."

"I know what causes you to be pained so, and I know it must seem like an impossible task you have been given but trust me, dear, it is what is for the best." Professor McGonagall said getting up from her seat and walking to the side of her desk. "I know you hate hearing it because it does not feel that way now but you are going to have to trust all of us on this one."

Angelina nodded, very aware that her favorite Professor was doing an excellent job of not using names or referring to specific situations.

"I appreciate the words, Professor. It means a lot. If I may ask, why have I been called to your office? Have I done something wrong?"

"Oh no, child. Not at all. Nothing like that." Professor McGonagall sighed, looking quite concerned. She was trying to find her words, Angelina saw this. Something was going on, something had happened. She felt her heart drop even further than it was before. Whatever scenarios her imagination was creating she was sure couldn't possibly be as bad as whatever the truth was. Maybe they would have to pull her out of school, she wasn't too sure how much more of this she could take.

"Professor, please."

"Miss Johnson," Professor McGonagall started quietly, sitting on her desk beside Angelina. " Upon my arrival to Hogwarts to prepare for the returning of the students, a package addressed to you was brought to my attention."

Angelina shook her head confused, her mother didn't mention sending her anything. She couldn't imagine who else would have anything delivered to the school. "A package?"

"Yes, It was sent less than a month ago..." the Professor's voice began to trail off, Angelina was now understanding the precaution in her teacher's voice. " There is no need to tell you what tragic events took place at that time. To be more specific after careful investigation the shipment was placed a mere few hours before the disappearances occurred. Although it was not dated to be delivered until December. Unfortunately, the shopkeeper that this item was presumably purchased and sent from was brutally attacked and all his inventory that survived the fire was delivered early."

Angelina was still lost, the night of her abduction. Someone was trying to send her something, was it a message of some sort? Was Dorgan behind this? Even in his death he was reaching up and torturing her,making her feel unsafe and fear the shadows while she was at school. As if reading her thoughts and fears Professor McGonagall raised her hand and lowered her voice.

"We've had it tested for jinxes and spells-it has come up absolutely clean. Your friend,Padfoot, was still unconvinced and wanted to open it to examine its contents but overall it was decided that it was not of an immediate threat and that you should be the one to open it since it was indeed for you. No one wants to give into paranoia and dramatics when it is seemingly unnecessary. With that being said.." Professor McGonagall rose and glided over to her to the trunk behind her desk, opening it an retrieving the medium sized cardboard box. Angelina furrowed her brow as she could see the package had little to no identifying marks. " I suggest you open it in private."

"No." Angelina managed to whisper, throwing precaution to the wind. "What if it is from Silas?"

Professor was shocked that Angelina would even utter his name aloud when there were so many ears, including new Ministry appointed faculty, within the school walls. Silas Dogan's assassination had not gone forgotten, the wizarding world was still shocked from the loss. He was an esteemed member of their society and although few knew of his true nature, talking about him with such a familiarity was unacceptable-even in Angelina's rightful state.

"Stop it! Don't say such things in non-secure areas. " Professor said all but bounding back in front of her, and hastily shoving the package into Angelina's arms. "I know you are scared, mad, sad, depressed, and a slew of other emotions I am not at liberty to even pretend to ask you to know how to deal with but Miss Johnson, I implore you to do your best to keep your self control. Weakness at this point could cost those whom you love more than what we all have lost. I do not mean to be so harsh with you child, but you have stumbled your way into some serious business. Please, please be safe and think before speaking out of term or worse acting out."

"My apologies, Professor, it will not happen again. Thank you for...this. I will open it as soon as it is safe to do so. Again, I am sorry." Angelina was sincere with her words, she didn't know what she was thinking blurting her words out like that.

She was so thankful that she had Professor McGonagall and the others in her life to protect her from danger has well as from herself. She made such short work of the trip back to Gryffindor tower she had forgotten to worry about the package she held in her hands and what happened the day it was sent. She eased her way in the common room, hoping she would be able to creep up her stairwell and pass the others without them seeing her. Luck was on her side, because it would seem the guys meant it when they said they planned to "paint the town red"; the Gryffindor common room resembled the House Party months before, Lee was playing his radio and everyone had changed into their pajamas-a clear sign they didn't plan on stopping this party any time soon- and were putting on quite the dance show. They were not breaking any rules per se, but the Prefects were watching the group-waiting for the first infraction as several other Gryffindors were following suit, raising cane and passing around lime fizzy sodas. Fred had pulled his sister Ginny up to dance with him and the crowd was loving it. George was not to be outdone and grabbed Hermione despite her objections. Dean Thomas seemed to be enjoying Katie's new look while Alicia and Harry seemed to be catching up by the fire. Angelina sped her way up stairs to her empty dorm and shut the door behind her, she threw off her robes and changed out of her travel clothes in a hurry. She didn't know what to expect from the package, but she knew if she never found out it would drive her even more crazy. If the Order of the Pheonix and, more importantly Sirius, let it pass then there was nothing to fear...right? A small portion of her wanted to believe that as long as she didn't look inside she was safe, but as soon as she opened it-she would be brought back to that day and all the work that she had done to get over what happened would be lost and she would have a room right beside Zhorn and Jayma's in St. Mungo's. She flopped down on her bed next to the box and ran her fingers over the top as she weighed her options, eventually she would have to open it. Whatever was inside, she wasn't meant to see until December. Perhaps it was a Christmas gift. She couldn't help but laugh at herself, this was ridiculous. Just open the box.

Before she could talk herself out of it, Angelina began tugging at the top of the box, inside under all the packaging was a smaller wooden box, truly beautiful in its dark cherry wood finish. She ran her fingers across the smooth, shiny top before opening it. There was a note laying on top of a black lace handkerchief, she took a deep breath and laid the box down beside her on the bed as she picked up the note. She carefully unfolded the perfectly creased parchment.

Angelina,

By now, you know everything and I am sure are still angry with me. That is understood. I just hope you understand why it was so important to protect you. I do not want you involved in all this. This isn't your fight-I've wished for as long as I can remember that it wasn't mine but that has proven to be out of my control . I had to do everything I could to ensure that this war ended so I could spend the rest of my life making this up to you. (Stop rolling your eyes, I have every intention of making that true.)

I love you .

I have always loved you.

No Army is going to change that, no House colors will separate that, and no amount of time spent away from you could ever affect what we have. Please let that be enough. I know I have hurt you, I know I have taken your trust and you never thought that would happen but you have taken my heart and I never thought that COULD happen.

I have no choice but to wait for you. On my darkest of days, the day I found out that I would be tied into this world without escape. I told you to leave me and you chased me down in the rain and told me you never would, you said I couldn't give you any reason in the world to leave me and whatever I was going through we can fix it, I will never forget that day not only because it was our first kiss but because that is the day you saved me. You are the reason I was able to fight , I would make the same decision all over again-my only regret is that you could not know the truth from the beginning. Know that I did this for us. I do not say it, but I know I make you feel my love. There is no one in this world that will love you more than Alexander Montague. I know that is my truth. My life is yours and yours mine.

Not today, not tomorrow, not even the end of the school year-but someday, someday I know the only thing we will have to worry about is where to spend the rest of our lives. I know you love me, I will never doubt that. Do not doubt me or these words: your name will be Angelina Montague.

Take this as a promise.

Stunned. Angelina was absolutely stunned. It was so unexpected. His words were so perfect. She sighed as she clutched the letter to her chest and leaned back on her bed, feeling a new type of tears fill her eyes. She imagined if things would have gone the way that he planned, he would have told her in November-she would have given him the silent treatment and then she would receive this wonderful message reassuring her that all the work he was involved in bared no weight on how dedicated he was to their relationship. She knew how hard it must have been for him to write that letter and how impossible it would have been for him to have had to explain it all to her face to face. The weight that it must have been on him every second he had to keep it from her. Oh how could she not have seen it before? She kicked herself for being so naive. He tried to tell her something before, the very day he had written the letter. Her mind went to her last moments before her abduction, their time spent in the Bed and Breakfast. Lying in the bed, as he couldn't find words to unburden himself and how conflicted he looked. How angry he was when he wasn't able to tell her on his own what he was involved in as she figured it on her own and slapped him. At the same time, she remembered how beautiful he was in his black suit. She spent many hours picturing him in that suit for there were days where she believed that was the last time she'd ever see him.

Oh goodness, what was she going to do? She reached down beside her remembering the handkerchief that she now realized it's purpose as she picked it up something fell out of it, echoing as it landed back into the wooden box. Angelina shot up from her lying position to see what else her love could have had in store for her. She pulled the wooden box to her to see what had fallen, it was another box. Much smaller and made of a black wood, she took no hesitation in opening it. Inside rested an antique silver engagement ring on a bed of white silk. Her hands were trembling as she picked up the silver band encrusted in diamonds and stared at the sizeable Emerald stone.

Breathtaking.

Angelina was left completely breathless. It was magnificent. He wanted to marry her, the letter wasn't the promise. The ring was.

"Yes." She heard herself say out loud as she stood on her feet. "Yes. I do...I will. Yes."

She couldn't bring herself to put the ring on her finger, no. Not without Alexander there. She had to see him, she had to hold him. There was no way in hell anything was going to keep her away from her future husband. Nothing. Not even him. She wasn't going to waste another minute, another hour, and certainly not another day would go by without him in her life. She quickly made her way toward the door to head down and fight her way through the chaotic common room, but caught herself. She was in her nightwear. There was no way, NO WAY she was going to be reunited like that. She glanced around as she was removing her sleepwear, looking for anything to put on. Katie. Katie's clothes were lying on her bed, her one strapped white shirt and shorts. She was sure Katie wouldn't mind, as she put the clothes on she caught a glimpse in the mirror and threw on her robe gathering the cherry wood box with all its contents and flew out the door, without knowing how she would find him or what she would tell the Order. All she knew is that he would know her by the end of that night.