A/N ~ Possible Trigger Warnings: Mention of Attempted Suicide/Self Harm

~ January 1, 1994 ~

It had been two weeks since George and Garnet had spoken. He had tried a couple of times in the first two days, but was met with the cold shoulder and silent treatment, which made George regret how he handled everything.

However now Garnet wanted to make things good between George and her. She missed him, but she didn't know how to prove she didn't hurt herself. It's not like anyone was there when it happened. He needed to remember when she makes a promise, she keeps it. But did she want to be his girlfriend if he wasn't going to believe her?

Garnet held no ill feelings towards Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Fred, however being in Slytherin while they were all in Gryffindor, made things a little difficult.

But she didn't let it get her down. She had been doing so well, not letting the sadness take over. And she was looking forward to a letter from her father and aunt tomorrow, as it would be her Sweet Sixteen.

Garnet had decided to go talk to Professor Lupin today about an essay that was due right before Holiday Break.

She made her way to Professor Lupin's office. She was about to knock when she thought she heard sounds of struggling in the room.

Garnet pushed the door open and immediately saw a Dementor floating above Harry. Despite her fears, she raced forward and pushed Harry out of the way.

The Dementor's face came ever so close to her, before it began to shift. Confused, she looked around and saw Professor Lupin and Harry both looking at her in surprise.

Then the fireworks started.

Lupin saw the same darting movement of her eyes as panic set in. But it was too late, she couldn't bring herself to look away.

"Breath, come on Miss Prince, breath." Garnet heard Professor Lupin's voice coming through the darkness. "That's it, my dear, just breath. You're safe." she felt a hand on her back.

Where was she? What just happened? Oh no... did she? In front of Professor Lupin and Harry?

Garnet's eyes jolted open, and she looked around wildly.

"It's okay, Garnet," She heard Harry say, fear apparent in his tone.

"Harry, go and fetch some water from my desk." Lupin motioned for Harry.

Garnet sat up shakily, and grabbed ahold of Professor Lupin's arm.

"Now now, take your time, no rush." he said calmly.

Garnet finally gathered her senses, and looked at him.

"I'm sorry," she said with a dry throat.

"Sorry for what? Nonsense." Lupin assured her. Harry returned with the water, and Lupin helped Garnet take a drink.

Garnet chanced a look at Harry, who was watching her carefully.

"Please..." she said, "Don't say anything to anyone, Harry."

Harry furrowed his brow, "Are you sick?"

Garnet shook her head, "No."

"Then what..." he started, but Professor Lupin cut him off with wave of his hand.

"Mr. Potter won't be saying anything about anything." Lupin insisted, looking straight at Harry, who nodded in agreement.

Garnet nodded, grateful.

"Harry, I believe we are done for today. We can pick it up again in a couple days." Lupin smiled at him, as he gathered his things and went on his way.

"Miss Prince..." Lupin still had his hand on her upper arm, supporting her. "Do you need anything?"

Garnet shook her head no. "Professor, thank you."

"You could have mentioned something before." he said to her, a look of knowing on his face.

Garnet looked up at him. "I'm not sure what you're referring to."

He whispered close to her, not wanting to say it too loudly, in case someone else walked in the door, or Peeves came floating through.

Garnet sighed, but nodded, confirming his suspicions.

"And it's been getting worse?" he made the assumption. He helped her to her feet.

Again, she nodded.

"Has Professor Snape made anything that can help?" he tried.

"I haven't needed it in a while, and he doesn't know they're worse." she said.

"Ah," Lupin sighed.

"You...won't say anything to him, will you?" Garnet was a little afraid.

Lupin shook his head. "It's not up to me to discuss with him, unless of dire emergency." Garnet felt relieved. "I do, however, wish to discuss how you jumped in front of a Dementor to protect Harry." He smiled.

Garnet smiled proudly, "Despite everything, he's my friend." she said.

"You would do that for any of your friends?" He asked, smirking at her.

Garnet didn't even have to think about it, "In a heart beat." she replied.

Lupin nodded his approval. "Well if you're better, you can get on to the Great Hall. Lunch should be starting any moment now."

Garnet nodded, and started for the door, then turned around "I forgot to ask about the essay we turned in before break. Have you graded them yet?" she looked at him.

Professor Lupin smiled, "You've been doing much better, Miss Prince, whatever has been helping you, keep it up."

Garnet smiled, "Thank you Professor." and she left the office.

Of course she didn't count on Harry being in the corridor, waiting for her.

She took a deep breath.

"Garnet..." he started, but she walked past him.

"Harry, I really don't want to talk about it." she said and kept walking.

"Well I'm sorry, but I do." he grabbed her arm and stopped her near the stairway.

"Harry, I'm fine. Just know that I have it under control most of the time." she said.

Harry shook his head no "That was scary, honestly terrifying. You don't want to know what was racing through my mind."

This made Garnet sad. She didn't want her friends to worry about her.

"Not to mention you tried to save me from a Dementor." he said.

"You're my friend, Harry," She smiled at him.

"But you're okay?" he asked again.

Garnet nodded and put her hand on his arm. "I promise, Harry, I'm fine. No need to worry about me."

"Oi! Harry! Garnet!" Garnet jumped when she heard Ron coming down the stairs, followed by Fred, then George, who was looking at them suspiciously.

"Hi guys," Garnet smiled, her eyes turning sad when they moved over George.

"Want to join us for Lunch?" Fred asked hopefully.

She thought about it for a moment. "I don't know," she stalled.

"Come on," Fred put an arm over her shoulder, "We've missed you."

Garnet smiled at him, "I've missed you guys also. Holiday Break has been less than cheerful."

"But you got our presents, right?" Ron asked her.

"You mean the Bertie Botts' Beans you sent me?" she looked at him. Then glanced at George and looked away quickly. "I got everything sent to me." she nodded.

She had also gotten the hand made jewelry box George sent her.

Fred ushered Garnet in to the Great Hall.

She sat beside Fred. There was an empty seat on her other side. George stood, shifting from one foot to the other awkwardly.

"Why don't you sit down, George?" Garnet said quietly.

George didn't even question it. It was the most she had said to him since she walked away from him. He sat quickly beside her.

The conversations picked up quickly. Garnet found herself smiling and laughing at some of the stupid stuff that was being said.

Then she looked around and realized Hermione wasn't there.

"Hey, where's Hermione?" she asked.

The table went silent.

"What?" Garnet looked around.

"We haven't been talking." Ron said. "Her cat keeps attacking Scabbers. And to make matters worse, Harry got a Firebolt for Christmas..."

"Oh my! That's so awesome!" Garnet grinned at Harry.

"There was no note, so Hermione told Professor McGonagall, and she took it to be checked for hexes from Black." Harry muttered.

"Oh..." she grimaced. "Well, I mean... I know I'd hate to see her be right and it not be checked, and then you end up seriously injured, right?"

Harry and Ron both huffed. Garnet put her hands up, "Or not, whatever." she shook her head.

The conversation died off about then.

Ginny decided to change subject, "Hey! Isn't your birthday tomorrow?" she grinned.

"I...yeah." Garnet shrugged.

"That's right! You're turning sixteen, right?" Fred grinned at her.

"Yeah," she blushed.

"What do you want to do?" Harry smiled at her.

"I don't know." she shrugged.

Fred thought for a few minutes, "We should get cake from the kitchen again."

"Whatever guys, really. I'm not much in the mood for celebrating this year," Garnet smiled sadly.

After lunch, Garnet left the group to go hang out with Adrian, much to George's dismay. He really wanted her to hang out with them, but he was too afraid to talk to her yet.

"What's wrong George?" Harry asked as they walked back towards the Gryffindor Tower.

George stopped walking and looked at Harry and asked the question that was bothering him since earlier. "Are you interested in Garnet?"

Harry looked at George, shocked, as did everyone else.

"Of course not, she's a friend." Harry insisted.

George nodded, "Sorry, I just...when I saw you two earlier, nevermind."

"You want her back." Ron stated the obvious.

"Yeah I want her back. But today was the first she's talked to me in weeks!" George was so flustered.

Fred smirked, "We'll figure something out. You just have to show her you're sorry, and that you were wrong."

"I still don't know if I was wrong." George muttered.

Fred crossed his arms over his chest, "Well I hate to tell you, I'm pretty sure you were."

George looked at the others, who were nodding in agreement.

"Well tomorrow's her birthday. Do something special." Ron suggested.

George and Fred looked at him in shock.

"That's actually a good idea." Fred said.

"Yeah, I'm impressed." George chuckled.

"Gee thanks." Ron playfully shoved his brothers.

Harry laughed.

Fred shook his head and hooked his arm over his brother's shoulders, "Come on, we need to brainstorm."

~ January 2nd, 1994 ~

Garnet woke up cheerful. Even more so when she saw an owl at the window. She hopped up and went to let him in.

He dropped three envelopes and a small package and flew right back out the door.

She found a card from her aunt and uncle with muggle money in it and a promise that she can visit during the Summer Holiday.

The next letter was from her father, telling her how grown up she was, how proud of her hard work at school he was. And at the very bottom he said he sent a letter that her mother had written when she was born to be given to her on her sixteenth birthday, as well as a small gift.

Garnet opened the gift, a beautiful pair of Connemara marble earrings. She opened the letter from her mum. When Garnet saw her mothers hand writing, she immediately began to tear up.

Her mum had written her a beautiful letter all about what plans she wanted for her, but that she has to follow her own heart. She goes on to say that Garnet's great grandmother was a exceptional seer in her little village in Ireland, and if she hasn't by now, she may begin having visions of things to come. The earrings, she read, were the national gemstone of Ireland. They were passed down several generations, and now they were hers.

'With all my love, my beautiful girl, your future lies ahead of you. Make the most of it, because tomorrow is not promised.

Love,
Mum'

Garnet broke down.

Fred, George, Harry and Ron were all sitting in the Great Hall, watching for Garnet to walk in.

As breakfast hour was coming to an end, George jumped up when he saw Adrian walk in all flustered. He rushed over to the Gryffindors.

"I can't get Garnet to open her door." he said panicky. "I heard her in there all morning, sobbing, I knocked a couple times but she told me to go away. I've been banging on the door again for over twenty minutes and she hasn't said a word!"

George's heart lurched in his chest. He knew he wasn't supposed to say anything, but he knew what he needed to do. He turned on his heels and ran as fast as he could to Professor Snape, who was sitting at the Teacher's Table, chatting to Professor McGonagall and Professor Dumbledore.

"Professor Snape!" George was on the verge of tears now.

Snape's eye widened instantly at his behavior, putting him on edge. "What can I do for you Mr. Weasley?"

He took a deep shaky breath, "Professor, Adrian's just come from the Slytherin Common Rooms, Garnet's been crying all morning and now she's not answering at all."

Severus regarded him with a raised brow, "She may have gone back to bed, Mr. Weasl..." he was cut off.

"She's been hurting herself!" George shouted at him. He didn't mean to, but it came out very loud.

Professor Snape's eye widened.

"Oh my word, are you sure, Mr. Weasley?" Professor McGonagall's hand pressed to her chest.

George nodded as tears finally fell down his cheeks, "I've seen the marks. She's stopped the cutting since I found out, but I fear she may have reverted back."

Snape remembered it was Garnet's birthday, the first one without her mother. He stood quickly and raced out of the Great Hall, followed closely by Dumbledore.

Of course now the small group of students in the Great Hall were creating a murmur.

Professor McGonagall stood and walked around the table, placing a hand on George's shoulder. "Thank you for telling us, Mr. Weasley. We will take it from here."

"Please, Professor, please make sure she's alright." George was close to sobbing now. Fred came up and hugged him.

"We don't even know if anything's the matter, George. Like Snape said, she could have gone back to sleep." Fred tried to think positively.

"I will keep you two informed when we know something." Professor McGonagall whispered so no one else heard.

Fred nodded a 'Thank you' and ushered George back to the table where he sat with his head on his arms.

"Calm down Georgie," Fred shook his head.

"I love her, Fred," Fred froze, that was the first time George had come straight out and said it.