Author's notes: This is my first ever fanfiction, so I apologize for any structural errors. Anything easily fixed, such as spacing and chapter length (which I really don't know anything about) please e-mail me or tell me in a review. This is a reaction story to the ending of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. I hate spoiling things, so please don't read the story unless you have finished the book. It's up to you, of course, but don't say I didn't warn you. The story involves a graduating seventh year (Chloe, an OC) dealing with the loss of a loved one. Thank you much!

Warning: SPOILERS FROM HP: OOTP. Just in case you didn't read that block of text above.

Disclaimer: I own only the plot, the room, and Chloe/Stella/Jane; everything else belongs to J.K. Rowling, and I am making no money from this. No copyright infringement is intended. The song mentioned in the first paragraph of this chapter, 'Leaving Only Scars,' belongs to the band Systematic.

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"Throw, throw me a line so I won't drown," she whispered to herself, lying in her bed half-asleep. She tried to keep the tune in her head as she whispered, wondering if dear old mum would flay her for listening to that 'wretched muggle music'. "The shore just seems too far."

The rest of the song played through her mind, but she was too exhausted to pay enough attention to keep it running smoothly. Words beginning the verses and chorus would pop in at the wrong time, making her mind play the song embarrassingly out of order. She didn't care. There was emptiness at the pit of her stomach she imagined must resemble the gaping hole a quaffle being forced through her torso would cause. It expelled such stupid things as wanting things in careful order from her mind. It was an emptiness she wasn't surprised to find covered by a very full feeling just under her rib cage that swelled at thoughts of her love and forced tears through her tightly shut eyes. It was almost too much to bear. Almost.

Chloe was thankful that this swelling under her ribcage had subsided somewhat after listening to music only she could hear (she was very good at music-related charms), and continued to hear it run through her mind even after the charm had worn off. It seemed to be the only thing keeping her from breaking down since she'd found out about what happened. Dumbledore had thankfully agreed not to tell Harry about it, both of them knowing it could only do more harm than good. His godfather - his own father's best friend - and a seventh year.Chloe could imagine how that might push the poor boy over the edge.

Chloe opened her eyes a little, looking at the canopy on her four-poster. She blinked slowly, imagining the days that she had left to spend at the school as if there were a weeklong calendar in her mind. It seemed only a short while ago she'd been a lanky, skinny, eleven-year-old blonde girl with timid blue eyes stepping off the train for the first time with brand new Hogwarts robes. She shook her head a bit, hardly able to imagine how much she'd changed. How very much indeed. She couldn't remember what it was like to be that innocent, although the pictures she saw of herself, her memories, attested to the fact that she had indeed been, at one time, an innocent young witch.

She closed her eyes again. She promised herself that the next day, two days before the end-of-year feast, she would start an all-day round of the castle, exploring her favorite hideouts, passageways, and some rooms she'd always been a little too cautious to visit. She knew her love would have approved, maybe even risked a trip as Snuffles to come join her.

The fullness started to swell a bit, but thankfully only a few tears leaked from her eyes, squeezed shut again, before it faded. With thoughts of his handsome face and his courageous heart at the front of her mind and filling her own tender heart, she rolled over onto her side and closed her eyes for the last time that night.

Chloe heard a noise that sounded like a dog panting; then she heard the curtains drawn around her four-poster shuffle around. She pushed herself up a little, seeing Sirius appear by her bedside. She pushed herself onto her knees, pulling him into a loving embrace, a passionate kiss. She felt his strong back under his soft flannel shirt. He joined her on the bed, she could feel the springs groan under the extra weight, he seemed to be sinking into her; their spirits were intertwined.but he became just that, nothing more, only a spirit evanescing into the night.

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Comments? Constructive criticism? Please leave a review if you'd be so kind. The next chapter will be up soon, promise! Anything you didn't understand, ask, and I will answer through e-mail. Thanks again!!!