About two weeks into the school year, River wrote a letter to Ben Weasley, asking for advice on how to break up with Merula and explaining his situation.

Bill

It's been awhile! How are you? How are things going at the bank? Listen, I'm in a rough spot. You were the first person I told that I like Penny. But we'll… last year I started dating Merula. She asked me on a date, but it was just hanging out in the courtyard or where she wanted while she used me as a vent. I agreed to this two or three times, then she started assuming that I would say yes and spread word that she was dating me. Honestly, I just really need your advice on how to break up with her. Talbott and Ben said this was our last year here, and I should ask Penny out. I really want to, but I have to break up with Merula first. Could you please help me? Deepest regards,

-River. K

It was around another week or so that River heard back from Bill. He was eating breakfast when the morning post came in. He received a copy of the 'Daily Prophet' and the letter from Bill.

River,

It really has! I'm good, and things at the bank have been smooth. Curse-Breaking never gets old, but you would know that! By the sounds of it, she forced you into a relationship you never even agreed to, (unless she asked you before hand and you said yes and that's when she spread word, but I assume you didn't, ha-ha) The best way to go about this is ask her if you two could talk, and just tell her how you feel about the situation. Not how you feel about Penny, but how you feel about your relationships. And if she tries to force you to stay, tell her what's what. If she tries to fix things, that's up to you if you stay, but I don't think you should, because of the way she's treated you in the relationship. If you have any more questions, feel free to send an owl my way! Your pal,

-Bill Weasley-

After River finished the letter, he swore under his breath and grabbed a spare piece of parchment and his quill from his bag. He quickly scribbled out a note for Merula, 'Meet me in the artifact room please.' He folded the note into a paper airplane and enchanted it to fly over to her. He watched for her response. River saw Merula read the letter and he caught her eye. She nodded and the two stood up and made their way to the room. As they walked down the hall, Merula tried to hold River's hand, but he pulled away. This didn't help his conscious, as he felt bad enough about breaking up with her. When he closed the door behind him, Merula asked in a irritated tone, "What do you want?" River sighed and said, "Look, Merula… We're good friends and we always will be I hope, but…" He tries to find the words and Merula rolled her eyes. "Anytime now, Knotts. Anytime." River mumbled under his breath and Merula scoffed. "Speak up." River looked up at her, finally annoyed and said, "I want to break up!" Merula's face when from irritant to shocked. "Why?" River sighed and said, "There's no spark between us. I don't know if you like me or not, I assume you do, but I only ever thought of you as a friend." Merula blinked and said, "But… what about all of our dates? The time we spent together?" River rolled his eyes, "Those weren't dates! That was you just… using me as a ranting machine. It was all one-sided and about you! Never once did you ask me how my day was, how I was doing or if there was anything new! In fact, you never even asked me to be your boyfriend! You just decided to tell everyone we were dating!" Merula started to get angry. "Well, you kept accepting to my date offers!" River nodded. "Yeah, as a friend! I was trying to be a good friend, and I thought you would get tired of using me as a voice box!" Merula's face went to bemused amusement. "Voice box?" River growled with frustration, "It's a muggle machine!" He sighed and said, "We're done. Goodbye." Merula looked like she might hit him. She had one of her ugly grimaces on and her eyes were lined with tears. "Fine! I never loved you anyway!" River laughed, "Loved? Clearly! On our way here was the first time you tried to show any sort of affection!" Merula growled back at him, "Same goes for you! Always on your way to get yourself killed by the vaults! Getting yourself mixed in the wrong stuff!" River refrained from mentioning the fact that she had joined 'R'. "No, we're over. I'm leaving." He turned and as he opened to door, he felt a Jinx hit him in the back and he fell forward onto the cold stone. Merula ran past him, clearly trying to hide her tears. emWell that felt pleasant. /emAs he got up, he heard a voice call out. "River, are you okay?" River glanced up and saw Penny running towards him. He felt his heart leap and said, "Yeah, I'm fine." She helped him up and asked, "What happened?" River sighed and said, "I just broke up with Merula. Well, 'Broke up.'" He told her everything. When he finished, he thought he saw a slight hint of triumph in her eye. River thought he was seeing things, because as soon as he saw it, it disappeared and instead he saw only pity. "I'm sorry you had to go through that River. Do you need anything?" River shook his head. "No, I'll be fine." Penny looked at him for a moment more, then turned and walked away. "Do you want to hang out sometime?" Penny turned and River blushed. "I mean, I'm not as good at Potions as you are and I could really use your help, if that's okay." Penny smiled at him and said, "Only if you help me with transfiguration. You're nearly as good as Professor McGonagall" River laughed "I don't know about that, but deal. Thank you." Penny nodded. "Of course! That's what friends are for." She walked away and River felt his heart float like a feather. 'Well that's step one. Another nine bajillion to go.'