Harry

I'm never taking Draco's advice again! I thought as I ran out of the party and Apparate home to Number 12 Grimmauld Place. Hermione and Ron Apparate behind me as I made my way up the stairs to my bedroom.

"It wasn't that awful, Harry." said Hermione.

I stopped marching up the stairs to looked back at Hermione hopefully. All hope was lost when Ron started talking.

"How can you say that? Did you see the bruise on her face? He broke her glasses. I think there was a bit of blood on her face." said Ron.

"She was bleeding?! No wonder Amiee was crying like that." I thought back to the little girl's cries. I'm a monster!

"Stop talking, Ron!" said Hermione. She got back to me and said in a more gentle voice. "Tell us what happened."

I'm too embarrassed to tell them I tried to kiss Astoria like Draco said. We were alone. She looked beautiful in her dress. I thought I'd give it a try. I didn't take into account that our glasses would get in the way. My face hurts. I took off my glasses and rubbed the tender skin. I hope she isn't hurt as bad as me.

"I tripped." I told them.

Hermione's mouth formed an O and Ron made a funny face. They knew it was not true but I'm glad they weren't calling me out on it. Draco, who just arrived, wasn't as considerate as them.

"Really? Because from the looks of things, I say you tried to kiss her and head-butting her instead." Draco said and laughed.

How did he know that? It doesn't matter. I don't need him taunting me. I believe I have humiliated myself enough in front of the woman I love.

"Hermione has been asking where you were." I said.

Hermione blinked and narrowed her eyes at the finger I was pointing at her.

"I was not." she said.

She wasn't but if I know Draco, he would rather go after Hermione over me. It is something I noticed he does, since before they started dating. Just as I thought, he redirected his attention to her and forgot about me. Ron moved to the side to let Draco reach Hermione.

"What is this I hear? You can't live without me?" Draco teased her.

"I never said that." she denied but there was no hiding her smile.

"But you were thinking it." He stated.

"Maybe?" countered Hermione.

I'm annoyed whenever I see them be lovely dovey toward each other. It's mostly because this is what I want. It was seeing those around me paired off and happy that caused me to want to search for someone for myself. That person is Astoria.

I and Ron made our escape. We went to up my bedroom to talk.

"How am I going to apologize to Astoria?" I asked Ron, although I think I should be asking Hermione for her advice. Maybe I should not of sacrificed her to Draco to save myself? I would go back out to speak with her but she and Draco are probably left to find a place to shag by now. I would hate to interrupt them.

"You should wait until things cool down to go see her. When you do bring her a gift, something she likes."

I remember the smile on Astoria's face when Daphne offered her sweets. "She eats lots of sweets."

"There you go. Give her lots of sweets."

It took a week for me to get over the incident from the party. My need to see Astoria was driving me mad. I was able to hold back because I dread seeing any damage I caused her face.

I went to Hogwarts with the excuse that I was bringing her my signed contract. I also have Ron's and Hermione's with me. I'm going to give them to her on separate dates. That way I'll have more chances to be with her.

We were in her office. It's good to see that her eyes looked beautiful as ever and her glasses were fixed. She was looking over the contract to make sure everything was in order. When she was done, she smiled so bright it light up the room. I like seeing her smile and knowing I was the cause.

"I'm so happy you agreed to everything. Are you certain you don't mind doing any of these appearances?"

As part of the agreement I have to make special appearances. I normally hate doing that. I know Astoria is using me for my celebrity status but it's for a good cause. She's not making any profit. From the information I gathered, she was funding the majority of this project herself. Everything is for the benefit of the students. I admire her selflessness.

"Are you certain this doesn't take you away from your other obligations?"

Does she mean my Auror work?

"No, I've cleared my schedule." I want to spend more time with you.

"I can't wait to see the students' reaction when they meet you."

"I can't wait to meet them." Should I smile? I think I should smile. I smiled. She smiled back. Yes!

I reached into my pocket and showed her the bag of sweets I got her. I didn't know which were her favorite so I got her a little of everything.

I put the bag on her desk. "I got these for you."

"Ooooooohhhhh...that's...lovely. How thoughtful of you, Harry." her hand hovered over the bag for a moment before she picked up a box of chocolate frog.

When she opened the box the frog jumped out. I stood up to catch it, she mimic my moves. Her body crashed against mines and she quickly pulled away.

"I'm sorry, Harry." she said. "Are you all right?"

I was blindsided by her mass of hair that hit my face and was lost in a daze. She smelled strongly of peaches. I think I like peaches.

I snapped back to reality. "I'm fine."

"Thank you for this gift." she motioned to the bag. "My students will love them."

I looked at the bag. I bought too many didn't I? It's understandable that she's going to share them with her students. She can't eat all of it alone.

"Thank you again for bring me your contract. I appreciate it. I have this um...thing I have to do."

She's busy? I thought we could spend time together. I already checked her schedule to make sure she was free today. I should have checked it twice.

"You do that thing that you have. I've got somewhere to be." I lied.

Disappointed, I walked out of her office and into the corridors. Since I'm in Hogwarts I might as well try to figure out who sent me Astoria's diary. Ron suspects Dumbledore's portrait of being the culprit. I wouldn't put it past my old headmaster. I suspected him too but there is a lingering suspicion in the back of my mind. I suspect there are more people involved. I doubt Astoria goes about announcing that she has a diary. It has to be someone close to her that knew of her feelings towards me.

"Potter,"

Recognizing the voice, I looked up to see the portrait of Snape hanging on the wall.

"Good to see you too, sir." I said politely.

Snape gazed glide over me, from the bottom of my feet and back to my face. "You're a thinner, paler copy of your father."

Was that a compliment or an insult? I should test him.

"Thank you?"

"It wasn't a compliment."

An insult. Am I surprised? Nope.

"I see Auror training has made no developments in you."

"As much as I love to stay and hear you insult me, I have somewhere to be." Anywhere but here. "Good day."

I continued walking down the corridor. I'm going to see Neville to talk about Astoria. It was a weekend but I don't know if he is free to see him. He might be busy like Astoria. It wouldn't hurt to visit him.

Neville greeted me with a smile that was missing a few teeth.

"Are you here to talk about Astoria?"

Does he think that is the only reason I come to see him?

"Yes but that is not only reason I've come to see you." I should let him know that, although she is the reason.

Neville was still covered in bandages. I looked him over. There are a lot more bruises on him than I remember.

"Shouldn't you be fully healed by now?"

"These are new." he told me with a causal vibe that makes me wonder if he was getting used to getting hurt.

I'm almost afraid to ask what happened to him.

"What happened to your teeth?"

I'm curious.

"I was kissing Hannah and something bumped me in the back. My face hit hers. I lost two teeth. Hannah cut her lip and chipped one on the front."

I feel better about my incident with Astoria. I broke her glasses but at least I didn't chip her teeth or lose any of mines.

"I hope you two..." I paused to think of my next words, "stay safe."

For both their safety, I think someone should chaperon them. I suggest a healer.

"Hannah takes a potion for that."

I fear my words were misconstrued. I am not going to continue this topic because I am frightened of what he thought I was implying.