As I met Devin's eyes, my head spun, and I stumbled back. My stomach seemed to twist as I took in the fact that he was really here. I felt Devin's other hand go to my waist and assumed he was trying to steady me. If he was trying anything else, I'd smack him. That was…once I could think enough to do so.

I slowly steadied myself and looked up at Devin. At least my stomach felt slightly better. My eyes certainly didn't. "What are you doing here?" I asked. Not surprisingly, Devin didn't reply. He grabbed my hand and started walking away.

Devin hauled me down Diagon Alley, back towards the Leaky Cauldron. What in the heck did he think he was doing? How had he gotten here? "What are you doing?" I demanded and started repeating the phrase every few seconds, trying to be as annoying as I could be. Devin stayed silent.

"What are you doing here?" I asked again, getting more annoyed. I was starting to doubt he could even hear me amongst the chatter from others walking down Diagon Alley. The noise seemed to be constant, and every step I took had me bumping into somebody new. How had Devin not run into anyone?

"Will you shut up for one second? You're even worse here," Devin muttered as he pulled me into the Leaky Cauldron.

"And you're not?" I muttered as I rolled my eyes. Devin propelled me towards a chair. I rolled my eyes and sat down. If I had thought the chatter in the alleyway was loud, it was nearly deafening here.

"I know you're supposed to make sure everything happens the way it's supposed to, but Knockturn Alley is not a good idea. Ever." He said as he sat down. I strained to hear him as my ears got used to the noise level. Fortunately, for now, I recognized his voice almost as well as my own. It was surprisingly effortless to pick out of the crowd.

I rolled my eyes. "And why would you care? What are you even doing here?" I demanded impatiently. I watched him, waiting. He still had yet to answer my initial question, and it was starting to tick me off. I couldn't stay too ticked off, though, as the smell of warm cinnamon bread and butterbeer reached me. My mouth started to water, and I couldn't help thinking of home and my mother's homemade bread. It was the best in the world.

I started glancing around, looking for the source of the smell, I realized Devin was speaking. "...fifth year. I'm a reader. Dumbledore contacted me, asking me to give you lessons."

I abruptly stopped searching. He was what? No. That couldn't be possible. I pinched myself, then reached over and poked him even though he'd dragged me all the way here. I hadn't imagined that. His presence here would make more sense if he was a reader. Was that why he'd seemed so distant and withdrawn when we'd broken up? Had he met someone here? Why in the world did it have to be him?

"I have to go see Dumbledore," I said as I stood, deciding for both our sakes it would be better to ask for a different reader to teach me. I couldn't believe this. And I couldn't work with him. He was my ex for a reason. We didn't get along. Any lesson would be a disaster.

He seized my hand and I tensed. "Let. Go." I said, my heart pounding. What annoyed me was that I couldn't tell if it were adrenaline making my heart pound or if it were Devin. Gods, he was impossible. To my annoyance, Devin held on. My hands clenched in fists, heat rising to my cheeks.

"Sit down, Charlene. It might be best not to make a scene," he said. I heard the words fall quietly from his lips and glanced back down at him. I followed his gaze as he glanced around and realized many people were watching us. Quite a few people at tables surrounding ours, and even from at the bar a couple of yards away, had turned in our direction. After a couple of seconds, I acquiesced and carefully sat back down.

"Fine. But this doesn't mean I have to like that you're here. Or that I have to listen to you," I muttered. I'd talk to Dumbledore later. I glanced around the room and watched most of the people turn away. I relaxed the tiniest bit because of it, but I was still strung as tight as a bow because of the man — no, boy — sitting across from me.

"I know you won't. I didn't expect anything less," he muttered. I could practically feel Devin rolling his eyes. I knew him well enough I would've been surprised if he hadn't. It seemed to be his response to everything I did.

I glanced over. "Why are you even here? What more do I need to know that someone else can't teach me?" I said, my tone harsher than I had intended. I saw the hurt flash through his eyes and glanced down, slightly ashamed. Despite the façade I put up for most people, I didn't like hurting others. But he deserved it, I tried to tell myself.

"I'm here because Dumbledore asked me to be. I didn't realize you were the newbie. Heck, I didn't know you'd ever read Harry Potter. Or any book, for that matter," he said. I could feel his eyes on me and closed my own. Did he have to use that condescending tone?

I carefully fingered the edge of the wood table, avoiding meeting Devin's gaze as I opened my eyes. "I've read the books. If I hadn't, I wouldn't be here," I said softly. It shouldn't hurt that he had such a low opinion of me. He hated me, and I hated him. We both knew it. That didn't mean his words didn't hurt.

"I know," Devin said. "At least, I do now. I'm guessing you know what you're supposed to do?"

I barely suppressed an eye roll. "I'm not dumb, Devin. You don't have to treat me like I'm four."

"Do I need to ask Dumbledore to call someone else, or are you going to be able to put the past aside and do what you're supposed to?" he asked. Again there was condescension in his tone, and once again my heart ached at the sound. I thought for a second and bristled. Why should it matter if he thought ill of me? I'd prove him wrong.

"If you can. When do we start lessons? I need to get back to the Weasleys before they notice I'm missing," I said, in reply, finally glancing up at him. A gleam entered Devin's eyes, and I held back a groan.

"Lessons start now," he said, standing up. He held out a hand, and rather than take it, I stood on my own. Devin shook his head slightly and started walking out of the Leaky Cauldron, then led me back into Diagon Alley.

"So, why couldn't I go into Knockturn Alley?" I asked as we walked, a little disappointed we hadn't gotten anything at the Leaky Cauldron. It had smelled so amazing.

Devin glanced back at me. "Knockturn Alley is never a good idea. Especially for someone like you," he said. "The first rule, don't discuss this kind of thing in public if you can help it. So, keep your mouth shut, okay Charlie?"

"Charlene," I said before even thinking. My eyes widened. "I mean, most people here know me as Charlene. Since there's already a Charlie," I hastily explained.

Devin raised an eyebrow. I ignored him and moved past him. I needed to get back to the joke shop, sooner rather than later. This time, as I carefully navigated through the crowds, there were a lot fewer bumps and jostles. I made my way to the joke stop, not caring about where Devin was behind me.

I slipped gently through the door of the joke shop and tried to ignore the explosion of color and sound around me. The twins were brilliant, but this was getting to be a bit much. The hustle and bustle of the shop, combined with the sounds and colors, were enough to give anyone a heart attack. Anxiety started building inside me, knowing I now had to deal with all the book characters as well as Devin. This was going to be harder than I had thought it would be.

Ginny walked over and gently touched my arm. "There you are. Where did you disappear to?" she asked, smiling softly at me.

I returned the smile. "I saw an, old friend, in the alleyway. I went to say hi," I said. Hopefully, it was believable enough - even though that wasn't the real reason I'd left the shop. And if Devin appeared, it would lend a lot of credibility to the story. Even so, I was hoping he hadn't followed me in. I should've known that wouldn't be the case, especially considering my day so far.

My heart pounded, and I winced as I heard his voice behind me. "Hi, Ginny." I glanced over at Ginny and noticed a faint smile turning up the corners of her mouth. Ginny knew Devin? Devin knew her? How well did they know each other? The questions rushed through my mind and I'll admit, I quit paying attention to the conversation, trying to figure out what was going on. What had Devin gotten up to during his year as a reader? Before I knew it, most of the Weasleys had congregated around us, with the notable exception of Ron and the rest of the golden trio.

"…so good to see you again, dear. We'd love to see you at the burrow again," Molly smiled at Devin.

I glanced up at Devin and noticed his smile. He stepped closer to me, and I tensed as his arm went around my waist. My cheeks flushed, going hot. What did he think he was doing? To my annoyance, my heart fluttered, and I mentally shushed it - the traitor.

"Well, now I know Charlene is staying with you guys, I'll be sure to visit before the holiday is over. I'm just glad I could convince her to transfer to Hogwarts."

I could see Molly's eyes, as sharp as a hawk's, assessing the situation. "Of course, dear. You'll have to come over for dinner soon."

My stomach started tying itself in intricate knots, and the taste of bile rose in my throat. I stepped away from Devin and walked over to Ginny. I gently touched her arm. "Let's go look at the Puffskeins again. I think I might get one," I said, pulling her away. To my relief, she willingly detached herself from the group and came with me.

As we walked away, my cheeks started cooling, not feeling as red-hot anymore. The hustle and bustle of other customers helped to stir the air, cooling my cheeks a bit more.

"So, the two of you…"

I glanced over at Ginny. "We used to date. We're just friends now," I quickly said, hoping beyond all hope this wouldn't get out of hand. I glanced back towards the group, who were all still casually chatting. Ginny and I continued towards the Puffskeins.

"You're sure you're just friends?" Ginny asked.

I nodded. "Absolutely. Just friends."

Before long, Molly walked over. "Have you girls seen Ron, Hermione, and Harry?" she asked. I could see her hands fidgeting, and her brow was furrowed with concern.

"I think they might've gone out into the alley? Or perhaps they're in the back with the twins?" I said innocently.

She nodded thoughtfully and walked towards the doors of the shop without an answer. The golden trio returned, and I heard the three of them trying to convince Mrs. Weasley and Hagrid they'd been in the back the entire time. Mrs. Weasley eventually bit the bullet and accepted the story, then corralled everyone before taking us back to the burrow.