This is going to be one of the last chapters! It has been a long time coming! I am trying to wrap things up while following what I have previously set up. I hope you like it!

Earlier that day – Gajeel POV

They had only been walking for a few moments before a tiny fluttering note flew towards Pantherlily. He grabbed it and read it over quickly. "Change of plans, we are going to see the Headmaster after all".

Gajeel sighed, irritated that he was being dragged around, but followed.

Once they entered the office the Headmaster dismissed Professor Pantherlily, stating that there were matters that he and Gajeel had to discuss privately.

"Please sit down Gajeel, there are some things I would like to discuss with you. I know you have a deal with my son, Ivan, that he is blackmailing you with passing his class and probably more. We once talked loosely about this subject and you deflected and avoided getting our help." He sighed glancing at the unresponsive Gajeel " But now, I'm afraid, we do not have any more time, Ivan is making his move, and I have a proposition for you-"

"It doesn't matter what yer gunna offer, I accept." Gajeel interrupted.

"I'm through with this crap, playin' his game, he said he's gunna hurt Levy if I don't do what he wants, that can't happen, so I don't care what I've gotta do,

I'll do it as long as you give me your word that you will protect Levy". He said firmly, staring intently into Makarovs eyes.

Makarov gave him an appraising look before saying, "That is fine with me, although I wish you had changed your mind without this incentive, I am pleased that you are willing to work with us."

He straightened himself in his large comfortable chair.

"We have a plan to apprehend Ivan as safely and quickly as possible. Ivan has surely given you the name of the last book, correct?"

Gajeel nodded saying "the Secrets of the Darkest Arts", Makarov smiled slightly, "we suspected as much and have taken preventative measures to prevent him from getting that particular book. Our plan is to give you this", he took out a large black covered book from his desk and passed it to Gajeel," to Ivan, this is a fake that will be cursed."

"Won't he be able to tell that it's a fake?" Gajeel asked.

"That won't matter, the curse that will be placed on it will be very fast-acting, as soon as he opens the book he will be frozen in place, we will move in and detain him and take care of it from there."

"I'm assumin' that I'll be the one giving him the book?" Gajeel said gruffly.

"Yes, that is correct, you will lure him to a secluded place under the pretense of giving him the final book, that is the only role you must do, if anyone else does it, it could give us away."

"Fine. But I've gotta tell Levy what's going on."

"You cannot tell Ms. McGarden, it will only put her at risk if she knows more-"

"I don't care! I'm tired of being ordered around like some damn dog! I'm not your servant, and you need me for this plan to work. I'm not gunna lie to her again, I've done that enough." He finished narrowing his eyes and crossing his arms.

After a moment of consideration, Makarov said, "You may tell her of your situation and that there is a plan that is being done to stop Ivan. Do not provide her with any more details than necessary, it will only put her in more danger. If you can accomplish that, I will wipe your record clean of this and you will be able to start next year with a clean slate, if you tell her what our plan is and she gets hurt or worse, that will be on your conscience."

"Fine. Whatever, I won't mention the specifics of the plan until after it's done. Satisfied?" He all but growled at the Headmaster.

"That is good enough for me, Mr. Redfox, I will contact you once the details of the plan have been made, please keep yourself available, it will be happening soon."

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Lucy POV

They were playing with Happy outside, everything seemed fine on the surface, but Natsu could tell something was up. Lucy seemed distant as she teased Happy with a leaf as if she had something was on her mind.

"Hey Luce, what's going on?" He inquired for the second time, after receiving no response at first.

She distractedly said, "Nothing, just playing with Happy…"

After a moment she said, "hey Natsu… you aren't keeping anything from me, are you?" She asked, thinking of the recent revelations that Levy had gone through with Gajeel.

Confused he said "Nope, why, are you keeping stuff from me?"

She sighed, I guess yeah, I am…how I feel about you… how I feel about you and Lisanna spending time together…

"People should be more upfront with each other, honest with their feelings…" she trailed off.

"Yeah? I guess so?", still confused.

Suddenly filled with determination, Lucy stood up, saying "I have to go do something, I'll see you later!"

"Hey! Luce! Where're ya goooing?" Natsu shouted at her retreating figure.

"Don't follow me! Its girl stuff!", she yelled back, figuring that would keep him at bay.

Ruffled at being ditched, Natsu sat back down with Happy saying "girls don't make any sense Happy, they're crazy"

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Lucy POV Continued

She ran and ran until she found her target, grabbing her arm and dragging her away from her friends.

"Hey, Lucy? Is there something you want?" Lisanna asked very confusedly as the blonde dragged her away from her friends.

"Yes. We are going to talk this out. When it's over you can decide whether or not we can still be friends, but I'm not playing this game anymore." She said

with determination.

They reached an empty classroom, that had clearly not been used in a while based on the amount of dust everywhere.

Lucy let her go and paced for a moment, clearly anxious and full of nervous energy. Lisanna watched with both confusion and concern.

"I know that you like Natsu. And I know that you know that I like Natsu. And I know that this is crazy, but I still want to be your friend." Lucy ranted.

Lisanna was taken aback by her rambling, not knowing what to say or do.

"Uhm… I guess that's right?" a blush rose to her pale face as she confirmed what Lucy stated, "why are we talking about this?"

"Because I'm tired of being afraid. I'm going to ask him if we can be more, if he says yes, great, if no, then I'll have to deal with that. But I needed to tell you, I don't want to be petty or angry if he chooses you or vice versa… I just… I don't want there to be hard feelings…"

Lucy lost steam near the end of her rant, suddenly feeling very exposed and embarrassed.

Lisanna sighed, "I've liked Natsu since we were kids… which is why I can say with certainty that he doesn't feel that way about me. He treats you so differently than he treats me, he's only ever seen me as a friend… and I know that… it's just hard to let go, you know? I don't hate you, Lucy, I don't know if I'd ever want to be friends with you, but I don't hold this against you."

Lucy felt incredibly awkward, "okay… I just wanted to clear the air, I'm sorry for dragging you here."

Lisanna smiled softly, "it's alright, a little weird, but I can see what Natsu likes about you", she brushed some dust off her clothes and headed out, leaving Lucy to think about what to do.

She felt a renewed sense of determination, either tomorrow or the day after, she would ask Natsu what he felt about her, she was almost giddy with excitement.

Noticing how late it was, she headed back to the Ravenclaw dorms, anxious to hear what Levy decided to do about the whole Gajeel situation.

Another chapter down, only a few more to go! Hope you're as excited as I am! I'll be posting soon my Doves!