Disclaimer: How many times do I have to say it!?! I don't own Harry Potter and that also mean I'm making absolutely NO profit from this… I write it only because I enjoy writing and because I like to make others enjoy the world of reading…

A/N: Ok… Well, it was brought to my attention that someone, other than myself; is rather put off by the vulgar language of Amalin… However, there is a reason for it… The language for the benefit of you, the readers, and myself; will be cleaner in this and the following chapter as Amalin begins to find herself… I too don't exactly enjoy writing the vulgarity into my story but, since it is one of Amalin's major flaws I had to… But, as I said future chapters, including this one, ARE cleaner… And as for plot development well… For a while, I was wondering how I was going to get to my ending but, I've finally figured it out… The chapter with the clock IS somewhat significant to the plot but, as you said, not so much… This chapter coming has something important to it, actually, come to think of it… A few things, although they may not be evident… So, please be patient… You'll see… Oh, by the way… Anyone figure out who brought the key to Amalin yet??? ;)

Friends stand up for Friends

            The Great Hall was just as I had seen it previously. The sole exception was the sunlight that shone down from the enchanted ceiling. Though I knew a storm would eventually destroy my somewhat happy mood, I couldn't help but look up and enjoy the warmth of the Sun against my face.

"Ooph!" I let out as I bumped into something hard. "Oi! Watch where you're going you bloody-"


"Bloody what?" Challenged the voice of the last person I wanted to see. I looked up and there staring down at me with a malicious glint in his eye was Marcus Flint.

"Bloody Git, that's what!" I finished angrily, getting over my initial shock. "What is it with you and running me over all the time?" I asked him looking around to find my roommates sitting down at our table and being nowhere near enough to save me with this barbaric Slytherin creep.

"Why are you always trying to get yourself hurt?" He shot acting he was so much better than me. "Besides you're the one who always bumps into me. If I didn't know better, I'd think you fancied me."

"Well, I'm glad you know better." I said acidly to him, penetrating him with an icy glare.

"You're lucky I'm a gentleman or I'd have shown you your place just now." He said with his voice as icy as my glare.

"Is that a threat Mossy Mountain Mouth?" I challenged using my personal nickname for him.

"Wouldn't dream of it." He whispered threateningly, in a voice barely above a whisper.

"Get away from her, Flint!" A strong, Scottish accented, voiced called out.

"Thank God for Oliver!" I shouted happily in my head while remaining indifferent on the outside.

"And why should I Wood?" Flint moved his challenging gave to Oliver and quirking an eyebrow that sent shivers through my body.

"Because if you don't move away from her, I'll have to make you move away from her." Oliver threw back at Flint as he came to stand next to me.

Oliver glared, anger waves vibrating off of him, until Marcus took a few steps back.

"Creep" I spat at Flint the second he was far enough away from me that I was safe.

            His face screwed up with anger, knowing full well that he couldn't attack me as he'd like to have with Oliver there. "Well, at least I'm not the disgrace to my house!" Flint spat acidly at me, making an even deeper dent in my already weakened pride of myself.

If looks could truly kill, the look Oliver was giving Flint could have killed him, resurrected him and killing him again numerous times. I thought Oliver was on the brink of exploding with fury.

            However, I nearly took a heart attack as a hand shot out from the other side of me, knocking Fling flat on his backside. A flash of read moved up beside me. There, now standing beside me looking determined and utterly pissed, was Percy.

"Never touch her again Flint. I don't like resorting to violence but I will if I have to." Percy stated, his voice trembling from his anger.

            I was so thankful to have Percy as a friend right then and that's what he truly was… my friend. He'd barely now me for a short length of time and yet he still knew that my greatest weakness was self-pride and he stood up for me. The teachers were down from their table and surrounded us within seconds.

"Mr. Weasley!" Professor McGonagall scolded. "Just what do you think you're doing? I know your family and I know they've taught you better than this!"

            Percy looked like a puppy dragging its tail between its legs. I felt so awful.

"As for you, Mr. Flint!" she continued to boom. "Nothing gives you the right to do what you did to Ms. McBlain. Both you and Mr. Weasley shall serve detention." McGonagall sentenced.

I was completely shocked. Percy only nodded his head and Flint remained indifferent this being a habitual thing for him.

"Please Professor," I spoke before thinking "it's my fault. I baited Mossy… er… Marcus. I'm the real one who should serve detention, not Percy. He was just trying to protect me."

            McGonagall sighed, "Still Ms. McBlain, Mr. Weasley' actions we far less than acceptable."

"I understand that professor" I once again interrupted her thoughts "but, I am to blame for those actions not Percy. It's my fault."

            McGonagall looked at me considering. "Very well, both you and Mr. Flint will serve detention today after classes. Now, everyone, back to your tables." The teachers departed us, but the eyes of the students didn't.

"Come on Am, let's go sit down." Oliver said, placing both his hands on my shoulders protectively and steering me towards the Gryffindor table, unintentionally causing me pain as his nail dug into my shoulders. He was still evidently pissed at Flint. Percy followed closely behind us.

            Though we had decided to follow the professors' instructions, apparently Flint hadn't gotten enough. "Yeah, that's it, run away!" Flint taunted, "That's all you Weasleys seem to ever do! And Amalin, what's wrong? Are you too much of a coward like your dear friend Wood to stand up for your own pride?"

            That was the last straw. Within seconds Oliver had ran the length of the Hall we'd just crossed and began to beat Flint to a bloody pulp. Once again the professors ran down from their table and had separated the boys in record time.

            McGonagall was outraged. "Never in my years!" She shouted.

            After a stern speaking from McGonagall, the boys each received a detention, another in Marcus' case, and were escorted to their respective tables. I ended up sitting down at the Gryffindor table, having been guided there this time by Percy.

"Thanks guys, but you didn't have to do that." I said unsure of what else to say.

            Oliver was too busy mumbling curses under his breath towards Flint to answer.

"Come now, Amalin!" Percy said starting to grab for his breakfast. "You didn't actually think we'd leave you in Flint's clutches now did you?" He questioned smiling down at me as if nothing was wrong and I hadn't done anything out of the ordinary the last time I saw him.

"No, I guess not." I said smiling gently back at him before letting him get back to eating.

"Gut check time, right now, Amalin!" I thought to myself. "Do or do you not like the boy?" I let out a defeated and luckily unnoticed sigh before continuing. "Yes, he just saved you. But, Oliver just saved you too. Does that mean you like him as more than a friend too? I THINK NOT!  That's right! So, Oliver's just a really good friend. There you go. That means that Percy too is just… a really good friend… end of story."

"Am, you ok?" Oliver's voice shook me from my inner struggle.

"Er… uh… Yeah, I'm –I'm fine. Thanks." I said giving my head a soft shake. "Um… Do either of you know where I get my schedule?" I asked, realizing I had no idea where I was going today.

"Am!" It was Penny. "I almost forgot. Here's your class schedule!" She said handing me my schedule.

            I was completely freaked out. It was like she had read my mind. "ER… Th-Thanks." I stammered out taking my schedule.

"Well, the girls and I are off. Later." She said not even waiting for my answer before turning on her heal and heading towards the others at the exit.

"Er.. Save me a seat in… er…" I looked down at my schedule. "Potions!" I shouted after her.

            Penny didn't acknowledge me. "Is she mad at me? Or did she think I was mad at her from last night." I wondered. "Why would she be mad at me" I didn't do anything! She must think I'm still mad at her. DAMN!"

"Well… That was rather rude of her." Percy commented. Oliver nodded his head in agreement.

"Yeah, I guess." I agree non-committed. "Well, I'm heading off to class guys. See yas later!"

"Bye!" They chorused loudly to me as I got up carefully, feeling only a twinge in my back, and headed towards the exit of the Great Hall.

~**~**~**~

A/N: Ok… Plot development… There was a little in this chapter sort of… I'm setting up some quick paced plot development coming up… Next chapter is Am's first day of classes and Oliver and Percy let her know of her vulgarity so… Read and review… Things will start developing quicker REAL soon… Promise… Till next time!!!