Mina found herself once again heading towards the library in the early morning while the rest of her classmates were still asleep. She picked up several Care of Magical Creatures books and headed over to find a row. As she made her way towards the back of the library where she knew she would not be disturbed she accidentally stumbled upon another bookworm who was bent over a large leather bound book and muttering to herself ever so softly.

"Morning Hermione." Mina chuckled as she settled down in a chair that was one over from Hermione.

"Good Morning Mina!" Hermione echoed as she marked her page and started to jot down some notes.

"What are you working on?" Mina asked as she began to unload her books.

"History of Magic." Hermione groaned as she took the time to underline something she had just written three times.

"You do know the test isn't for another three weeks right?" Mina teased as she gave her a wicked grin.

"Oh hush! What are you reading?" she asked as she glanced over Mina's pile.

"Just brushing up on my knowledge of the Jackalope. Hagrid said he wanted to start the year off with something that he didn't think would get anyone injured." Mina announced as she started flipping through the book looking for just that.

"Well we all know who he means when he says that." Hermione nodded as she raised her eyebrow.

"Nevile." Mina and Hermione answered at the same time.

"At least he seems to have found his calling in herbology." Hermione giggled.

"Between him and Seamus, I honestly couldn't tell you who was worse off." Mina added as she started to laugh.

"Oh and don't forget Malfoy!" Hermione cackled.

"Yes I did hear a mention of that." Mina nodded.

"You should have seen it." Hermione exhaled as she went into a impersonation of Draco, "Ah, It's killing me. You'll be sorry, you and your chicken."

The girls both burst into fits of laughter as Hermione continued on with her impression.

"God I wish I would have been there." Mina chuckled.

"It was one of the best things I've ever witnessed, besides the time when I punched him in the face." Hermione added nonchalantly.

"Wait What?!" Mina gasped as she looked over to Hermione for confirmation.

"Yeah, I did. I punched him right in the face our third year." Hermione nodded happily.

"You are a force to be reckoned with Hermione Granger!" Mina teased as she turned back to her book.

Hermione smiled proudly as she too continued to read her book. Mina eventually grabbed up her book and bid goodbye to Hermione before making her way to the great hall to get some breakfast.

"Morning Mina, and how are you this morning?" Blaise beamed at her as Mina slid into her seat at the table.

"Rather well. How are you?" she asked as she dropped her bag on the floor and immediately begin to fill up her plate.

"Fantastic! We're going to posting the final line up for the Qudditch Team tonight." Blaise reported proudly.

"Oh awesome! I can't wait to see if I made it or not!" Mina exclaimed as she took a bite of a cherry pastry.

"You better have gotten on the team. You did amazing at the try outs." Astoria added as she took a seat across from Mina.

"Awe Thanks Astoria!" Mina smiled warmly at the girl as she took a sip from her goblet.

"Yes you really did. I'd love to see more of you." Miles flirted from further down the table as he gave Mina a quick wink.

Mina choked momentarily on her drink as she felt a slight blush climb up her cheeks.

"Stop it Bletchley, you're making her uncomfortable." Theodore glared at Miles.

"It's fine." Mina assured him as she held up her free hand and placed her goblet back on the table.

"Where is Draco?" Blaise asked as he realized he was not with them.

"Out with his goons apparently." Miles retorted as he glanced from the empty spots where Crabbe and Goyle usually sat.

"Let's not ruin the morning with talk of those idiots." Theodore said with a mouth full of food.

Mina found herself silently agreeing with Theodore for once. She knew at this point it would be in her better interest to stay away from Draco as much as she could after this latest development.

"I'm sure they'll turn up soon enough." Astoria tried to assure them as she slowly spooned some scrambled eggs into her mouth.

Mina finished her food and decided to head to class a little early so she could continue studying in peace on the Jackalope before Care of Magical Creatures later. She balanced her book open in her hand as she read over the lines quickly as she walked aimlessly to Charms. She was just turning down the hallway towards the classroom when she overheard some voices.

"I understand, it's a big burden." Mina heard Severus's voice say in a hushed tone slowly.

"Lucius would have come in my place but you know…" a familiar voice trailed off as Mina turned the corner and stopped dead in her tracks.

Standing there in the hallway was Narcissa Malfoy having a pleasant little chat with Severus. Narcissa had her back to Mina, but Mina knew if she turned around there was a good chance that she would recognize her. Severus's eyes locked on Mina's briefly before he turned his attention back to Narcissa to try and keep her from noticing Mina. Mina turned to duck back around the corner but ended up colliding into someone.

"Oh I'm so sorry…"She started as she looked up.

"Don't be sorry, I wasn't looking where…"Draco started as he too finally looked up and locked eyes with Mina.

"Mina." He said rather hoarsely.

Mina hesitated at the sound of his melancholy voice and dared to look him over. Draco didn't look like himself, he was a mess. His hair was wild and disheveled while his eyes were red and puffy as if he'd been crying for hours. She couldn't stop the concern she felt for him at this moment.

"Are you okay?" she asked as she took a step towards him.

"Draco darling there you are!" Narcissa's voice sang as she came up behind Mina.

Mina felt herself panic as she stiffened suddenly but made sure to keep her back to Narcissa.

"Hello Mother." Draco replied as he glanced around Mina and gave his mother a weak smile.

"You look awful dear. Severus what have you been doing to my poor boy?" she voiced as she came closer, "Who's your friend?"

Mina felt her heart pounding like mad as she spat out, "I…I…I just realized I forgot my textbook."

With that Mina took off running she didn't stop until she was in the girls bathroom.

"That was too close." She huffed as she fell onto the sink and tried to catch her breath.

"Come to have a break down too?" echoed a girls voice.

"A break down? No, I'm just catching my breath." Mina answered as she turned to notice the ghost of a young student floating her way.

"You look familiar. Do I know you?" she asked as she turned her head from side to side to get a better look at Mina.

"Um. No I don't think so. I'm sorry, I'll just go." Mina nodded as she turned and rushed out of the bathroom.

How could she have forgotten about Myrtle, the girl who was killed in the bathroom several years ago. It was quite the scandal then. Sirius had told her a few years ago that it was in fact Voldemort who had killed the girl, only then Mina had known him as Tom Riddle. Yes Mina had gone to school with him and it was something that plagued her everyday. She wished she would have known then who he was so she could have put a stop to him then and there.

Mina wasn't sure why Narcissa had come to the school but Mina didn't want to take a chance of running into her again so she carefully snuck back into her room. She hated that she was missing class but it wasn't like that really mattered, Mina already knew how to do everything they were teaching. In fact she could probably teach some of the classes herself if she didn't look like she was a teenager. Mina chuckled at the thought and plopped down on her bed. As she did this Sirius's necklace wriggled it's way out from under her sweater. Without thinking Mina reached up and grabbed the onyx stone and rubbed it delicately between her fingers.

"You have no idea how much I wish you could be here." She whispered aloud.

Mina held the necklace with one hand and sighed as she leaned over and opened the top drawer of her nightstand and pulled out a stack of old letters and a few odd bits of scrap papers. She found the one she was looking for hidden at the bottom of her drawer, written on a piece of old parchment that looked as if it had been ripped off an old homework assignment. Mina held the piece of parchment up and read over it.

Isla,

I'm so sorry about earlier with James. Please allow me to make it up to you. Meet me tonight in the astronomy tower at 7pm.

-Sirius

—

*FLASH BACK*

Mina kept glancing over the piece of paper over and over again feeling as if it were all a dream. She knew she shouldn't be agreeing to meet a boy when she was supposed to be in hiding but she couldn't help it. Everything about Sirius called to her. It was as if he had some invisible hold over her and she couldn't keep herself from feeling drawn towards him. She dashed up the stairs to the astronomy tower as quietly as she could, checking to make sure no one had noticed her. When she got to the top step she let out a gasp as she took in the scene before her.

The tower had been transformed. The room was covered in burning white candles and over near the railing was a small picnic basket resting on top of a white fuzzy blanket. Bending over to light the last few candles was Sirius and Remus.

"Do you think she's going to like it?" Sirius asked sounding extremely nervous.

"I think she loves it." Remus replied with a warm smile as he glanced behind Sirius to see the look on Mina's face.

Sirius whirled around and took Mina in. Mina had decided to change out of her school robes into a satin navy blue mini dress with a low neckline thin straps. Sirius had also decided not to wear his school robes but instead was wearing a pair of dress pants and a loose buttoned white dress shirt.

Sirius stood staring at Mina seeming to be at a loss for words as his mouth hung open ever so slightly.

"Well I'll leave you two." Remus mused as he gave Sirius and encouraging pat on the back and nodded softly at Mina as he walked past her and down the steps leaving the two of them alone.

"Wow, you look…" he started.

"Over dressed." Mina finished as she blushed madly.

"No I was going to say beautiful." He answered as Mina dropped her eyes to the floor and blushed even more.

"Um do you want to sit?" he asked as she motioned to the basket.

Mina nodded as they both moved towards the basket.

"It's not much but I grabbed some snacks from the kitchen and some pumpkin juice." Sirius faltered as he dropped down to his knees and started to rummage through the basket.

"It's perfect." Mina expressed to him as he stopped to look at her again.

"I'm so sorry about earlier." He apologized again.

"Oh it's okay." Mina shook her head as she looked away.

"I mean I'm not sorry for almost kissing you." Sirius blurted out as he nervously played with his shirt collar.

"You're not?" Mina barely whispered as she dared to take another glance up at him.

"No, I'm not." He answered as they locked eyes again.

Before Mina could stop herself, she found herself dropping down on her knees beside him.

"Good because I'm not sorry either." She breathed as she leaned in and brushed her lips across his.

Sirius reached up carefully and placed his hands on either side of her face and kissed her back. Mina reached up and tangled her fingers up into his hair to deepen the kiss. They stayed like for what felt like hours until they finally had to break apart to breathe.

"Wow." Sirius exhaled as he leaned his forehead against hers.

"Wow." Mina breathed back.

—-

*Present Time*

Mina would never forget that kiss. She could feel the phantom feeling of Sirius's lips on hers as she raised her fingers to her lips and began to sob as she flung herself into her pillows.

*KNOCK KNOCK*

Mina hadn't realized she fell asleep as she jumped up startled suddenly by the noise.

"Mina?" a voice called softly.

"Just a minute!" Mina cried out as she took a deep breath and quickly shoved her letters back in her drawer and tried to straighten herself up.

She glanced over at the wall and noticed it was nearly night time.

"Bloody Hell." She cursed herself as she made it over to the door and opened it ever so slightly.

"Hey, Astoria said she could hear someone crying from her room at lunch and when you didn't show up I just assumed it was you. Are you okay?" Miles asked as he stood with a concerned look on his face in her doorway.

"Yeah I just…" Mina trailed off but couldn't finish her thought.

"It's okay. I understand." Miles confessed to her as Mina looked down as if the floor was suddenly very interesting.

Mina couldn't reply as a few tears escaped down her cheeks.

Miles nodded and gave her a knowing look.

"Would you want to go for a walk with me out on the grounds and get some fresh air?" he asked her.

Mina nodded. Mina stepped out of her room and closed the door and walked silently besides Miles as they made their way towards the lake.

Mina and Miles were greeted by the brisk night air as they walked together along the borders of the lake. They didn't speak a word they just took in the scenery of the lake under the stars both lost in their own worlds. They walked until they couldn't go any further and then turned back towards the castle. As they neared the castle they started to see signs of life again as several students roamed about the grounds. Mina finally turned towards Miles before speaking.

"Thank you for this & for not hounding me with a bunch of questions." Mina said sincerely as she looked up at him.

Miles just nodded as he took a breath and quickly said, "The sadness doesn't ever go away but with time it gets a little easier."

"I hope so." Mina replied knowing in her heart that no amount of time would ever be able to ease the pain of losing Sirius.

They went their separate ways as Mina kindly refused to go to great hall and headed back to the common room. She entered the common room which was empty since it was dinner time which Mina was very grateful for. She was about to open her bedroom door when she heard a loud smash coming from the direction of the prefect hallway.

Mina cautiously looked around hoping that Peeves hadn't finally figured out how to get into the common rooms. Mina drew her wand out of her robe and pointed it ahead of her as she slowly crept to the prefect hallway. The doorway at the end of the hallway was slightly ajar which allowed Mina to peer in as she crept up to it slowly. She kept her wand firmly drawn in her hand as more things smashed. Mina watched as a half empty alcohol bottle was slung up against the wall and shattered into bits.

From what she could see through the crack in the door the room was being completely trashed. Mina took a deep breath before kicking the door open with her foot. As the door flung open another bottle ricochet across the room sending glass in every which direction. Mina ducked slightly and when she looked up a pair of blood shot icy blue eyes met hers.

"Draco." Mina breathed as she lowered her wand and slowly glanced him over.

Draco's eyes were even more red than they had been earlier and His clothes were still all wrinkled and frumpy. His hair which was usually perfectly slicked back was falling forward in his eyes.

"Mina." Draco's voice called out with a hoarse tone.

"You're bleeding." Mina whispered as she glanced down to his hands that we both dripping blood from his knuckles.

"Well aren't you going to report me to your God Father?" Draco sneered as he ran one of his shaking hands over his forehead to try and push his hair out of his face.

Mina didn't say anything as she quickly closed the door to his room and rushed to his side. She grabbed a hold of his hands roughly and turned them over to inspect the damage. Without a word she waved her wand and summoned a hot bowl of water and some clean cloths. She quickly tucked her wand back into her pockets and pushed up her sleeves before she grabbed a hold of one of the cloths, dipping it into the warm water and started to wipe the blood off his hands. Draco didn't say anything as he watched Mina silently as she went to work. Once his hands were clean she could see the extent of his injures.

"I'll be right back. Don't go anywhere." She instructed him as she gave him a dark glare to which he just silently nodded.

Mina ran back to her room and threw her trunk open pulling out one of a handful of small vials filled with a precious crimson red substance. She stashed it into her pocket closed her trunk and exited her room making her way back to Draco. When she reentered his room he was sitting on the bed starring out into the porthole in his room that showcased the dark green murky waters of the lake. Mina dug the vial out from her robes and pulled the stopper off the the top.

"Give me your hands." She prompted as she held her hand out to him.

Draco extended one of his hands to her as she grasped it firmly while using her other hand to allow a few drops of the vial to drop down over his knuckles. She placed the vial on his nightstand and used her fingers to rub the drops into his split apart knuckles. When she did this the broken skin instantly began to heal itself and close up.

"What is that?" Draco finally spoke as he too watched as Mina did the same thing to his other hand.

Mina ignored him as she healed up his other hand. She noticed a piece of glass had lodged itself in his forearm and as she reached to remove it, Draco flinched away from her.

"No, I'll do it." He insisted as he turned away from her and ripped the piece of glass from his arm as a slight whimper escaped his lips as he did.

"I could have done that without causing you any pain." Mina spoke as she picked up the vial again and reached for Draco's arm once more.

"No. Leave it." He said coldly as jumped up from the bed and grabbed up one of his black robes and quickly tugged it over his wound.

"Let me stop the bleeding at least." Mina argued as she grabbed one of the cloths off the bed and took a step towards him.

"I said no. Could you please just leave?" Draco hissed as he placed a hand protectively over his forearm.

"Fine." Mina spat as she grabbed the vial off the table put the stopper back on and tossed the cloth back on his bed as she headed for the door.

"I'm sorry Mina." He said at barely a whisper, "I just don't want you to see me like this."

Mina turned as she looked him over and glanced around the room once more noticing all the broken glass and the smashed mirror that hung over top his dresser.

Slowly Mina nodded her head as she reached her hand out to hand him the remaining drops of liquid in the small vial.

"Put this on it." Mina replied as he gently accepted the vial from her.

"Thank you." He replied in a genuine tone that made Mina look up at him.

Their eyes met again and Mina opened her mouth to say something but she thought better of it and rushed from the room pulling the door shut firmly behind her. Mina leaned against her door for a moment once she safely returned to her own room and allowed herself to catch her breath. She knew she should go back in the room and demand that Draco tell her why he had destroyed his room but she didn't want to allow herself to feel anything else for anyone else at this school. She couldn't be selfish and continue to put their lives in danger. She silently vowed to stick to herself from now on because that was what would be best for everyone.