Chapter 3

Better Off Dead

Moira sighed, retreating back to her office before her next class, second year Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs.

Seeing Draco Malfoy again had brought back all sorts of nasty memories. When the two were younger, when Moira still lived in England, they had been friends; rather their parents had been friends. The two had been set up for numerous play dates by their parents, however each one ended terribly. Draco had bit her till she bled, he hit her, called her nasty names; there were an inexhaustible number of reasons as to why the play dates had soured.

At eight Moira had left for Salem a bitter and resentful girl. It had been bad enough to have cold parents without your supposed best friend cold hearted too.

Her parents had been ecstatic to learn that Moira had been accepted to Salem Academy of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Moira had been quite ecstatic herself, however, for different reasons. Being accepted to SAWW meant no more stupid parties, no more gross pate, and no more frilly dresses unless she wanted to wear them. Being accepted to SAWW meant freedom.

Moira had made several really close friends while attending SAWW. She had been so angry with her father when he accepted the offer to teach at Hogwarts for her. It'll be a cultural experience he had said. Make new friends he said. Try new things he said. New things; bah! She hated Scotland. It was cold and rainy. She missed her boyfriend, now ex-boyfriend thanks to her dad.

Moira sighed heavily; a self-pity party wasn't going to get her anywhere.

"Might as well make the best of it." She muttered softly to herself.

**

A week later Moira had become a bit more adjusted to her surroundings. She yawned as she walked out of her bedroom. It was around two in the morning, perfect for a midnight stroll. Moira pulled her robe tighter around her as she walked out of the portrait hole. Unfortunately, she had yet to get used to the difference in time zones.

Moira had been walking for about half an hour when she heard the distinct sounds of someone crying. Being the curious person that she was, she went in search of where the crying was coming from.

In the end she hadn't had to go far. The crying had come from the astronomy tower at the end of the corridor.

Moira tentatively peaked around the corner of the doorframe. She couldn't make out whom, but she saw someone sitting in between the desk and the side wall on the far side of the room.

Moira walked closer, the unidentified person coming more into focus with every step.

"Harry?" Moira asked, sitting on the floor in front of him. Harry began to wipe furiously at his face, not daring to actually look in Moira's eyes. In the end, however, his efforts had been futile. No matter how much he wiped, they kept falling.

"Oh Harry." Moira gently pulled a reluctant Harry into her arms, cradling him and whispering words of comfort.

Ten minutes later Harry had finally calmed down.

"Do you want to talk about it? You don't have to if you don't want to, I'm not going to make you, but if you need someone to talk to, I'm here for you."

"Thanks." Harry didn't say anymore, just simply rested his head on her shoulder while she held him in her comforting arms.

"I had nightmare." Harry finally admitted, several minutes later. He pulled out of Moira's comforting embrace and sat so he was facing her, looking into her eyes as he spoke to her.

"I saw my parents death." He whispered.

"I saw my dad and my mum, Voldemort casting that nasty spell on them. I heard my mum plead with him and I heard her screams as he killed her."

"I should have died with them." Harry ended softly.

"You don't honestly believe that, do you Harry?" Harry barely nodded his reply.

"Harry please don't tell me that you honestly wish that you were dead."

"Everyone would be better off."

"No, they wouldn't. You've saved so many lives Harry. You're such a wonderful person. You're thoughtful, kind, caring, sweet; you're a great friend, and a wonderful boyfriend. Ginny adores you."

"All of that is a load of-"

"No it isn't Harry. I meant every word. Give me Veritaserum if my word isn't good enough for you. We would be devastated if something were to happen to you."

"We?" He asked softly, looking into her eyes.

"Everyone at Hogwarts, Sirius, Remus, Ron, Hermione, the entire wizarding world. Me." She added, her voice barely audible at the end.

"You?" Moira nodded her head "yes", avoiding looking into his eyes.

Harry placed a gentle finger under her chin and lifted it so she was looking into his eyes.

"Do you really mean that?" Harry asked softly, bringing his lips dangerously close to hers.

"Yes." She breathed. Harry's lips were instantly on hers.

**

Ginny walked towards the Astronomy tower, a smile playing on her lips. Harry and she had been meeting in the astronomy tower every other night at 3:00am since last Christmas.

Ginny remembered being in a daze on their one-year anniversary. She still found it hard to believe that Harry had actually wanted to be with her.

She hummed softly as she rounded the corner. She was just about to walk into the classroom when something in the far right corner caught her eye.

Tentatively she began to walk closer. It hadn't taken her more than three steps for her to realise whose snogging session she had walked in on.

Thank you for reading my story so far! I'm sorry that this chapter was so short. I promise that they'll get longer and that the story will become more interesting as it progresses. Please leave a review!! Thanks again!!

Love Peace and Wizard Feet

Manda