Disclaimer: Do not own the Wonderful World of Harry Potter… not making any money from my writings…DO NOT LIKE that Rowling has killed Sirius Black and have chosen to pointedly ignore that certain part, allowing him to make an appearance here…

Note to readers: your reviews are only welcome in these types of formats: praise, gushing, skepticism, flames, anger, denial, repulse/disgust, and I suppose constructive criticism can be entertained as well…

A/N: Warning: Snape/McGonagall appearance starting from this chapter, will get worse as story progresses, or as worst can be without increasing the ratings. Also be prepared for unorthodox reaction of Harry towards Snape and Snape's unSnapeish behavior

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"I usually go up here when I need to think, or when I need to clear my mind," he said pushing up a wooden door. He continued to hold her hand as he brought her to the edge of the balcony, only a slab on concrete between them and the chasm below. Jessica recognized the place to be one of Hogwarts many towers.

Jessica stared wide eye at the view surrounding her. From atop here, she could see for miles. She could see the lights of shops in Hogsmeade. She could see the reflection of the moon glistening across the surface of the lake, calm and tranquil. She could even make out the majestic mountains that surrounded Hogwarts like a silent fortress.

"Wow, Harry, this is some secret place you have," she gushed.  It really was a sight to behold.

"Thank you for sharing it with me."

"Actually, I brought you here for a reason…" he said. Jessica's eyes widen in slight panic. Reason? What reason? Her mind began to picture the long drop down. Or maybe he was going to… well the problem with that is that she may turn out to be a willing participant than a hapless victim. But Harry had none of that in mind. He was thinking more on the lines of what Ron had told him once. You barely know her Harry; it won't hurt to get to know her first.

"I want to know you," he said quietly. Jessica calmed down then turned suspicious.

"But you do know me, Harry," she said. Is he okay?

"Maybe, but I don't know who was Jessica Stanford before she came to Hogwarts?" he asked, looking straight into her eyes. Oh, I see… should I tell him? What will he think? Does it matter? Yes, very much. Well, Jessica, here's your chance. You've already blown any chances of him falling in love with you; don't make him retreat further by pushing him away. And as her own thoughts slowly began to make sense, Jessica felt something else as well. That maybe having Harry know about her past was important. Inhaling and exhaling, she began her tale, her eyes glazing over as she took a walk down memory lane.

"I grew up in New York, near Manhattan, in a proper home, with a pretty lawn and a small collie, two cars in the garage, what a person would call a respectable home. My father was a professor, a man of science. An Ivy League graduate no less, and valedictorian of his class. He was a wonderful man, and I enjoyed my childhood but his mind had already been shaped from his years as a scientist, and it narrowed down his perception of life. To him, everything had a scientific explanation to it. Everything happened for a reason. If science couldn't prove it then it wasn't true. It was his dream for me to become a scientist like him as well," she stopped, inhaling deeply. Harry remained quiet.

"So you can imagine his distress and not to mention shock when, on my twelfth birthday to be precise, we received a parcel that said… no announced that I was a witch and should enroll myself into the wizarding school in New York ASAP. Mum, naturally was ecstatic for it then came out that my great-grandaunt or something was a witch and it seemed I had been selected as well. Kind of like the chosen ones in Buffy. Anyways, she quickly enrolled me into the Wizarding School and took me out to get my wand and what not. As for my father… well, to cut a long story short, he couldn't handle the fact that I went against all his 'scientific' theories and that my mother, his wife's lineage, supported all that mumbo-jumbo stuff, as he called it, things that could not be supported by science and calculus, so he got up and left us. Leaving just my mum and me. It was really simple, he was there when I went to sleep and gone when I woke up. No hassle or anything. Conveniently enough, after the divorce my mother was offered a place in an English law firm and so we moved here, to jolly old England, and I came to Hogwarts."

"Is that why you hated magic?" he asked. She nodded, looking into the night. For all her nonchalant tone, tears had begun to sting her eyelids.

"I hated everything about it. I only agreed because my mother wanted it, and I couldn't bear to have her hurt again. But I told myself I would have nothing to do with it and I didn't want to know anymore than I needed. In my head it was: if I wasn't a witch, he would have never left. Mum would've never spent endless nights crying herself to sleep. Simply, he left because of me," she said, and a sob escaped her throat. Harry wanted to pull her into his arms, console her, but he knew she would repulse his sympathy.

"Jessica, that's not fair to you," he said soothingly.

"I know! I didn't fill up a form saying I wanted to be a witch before I was born. But if I wasn't one, he would still be with us. Sometimes, I really hate him," she said and angrily slammed her fist into the wall. Harry quickly pulled her hands away and gently rubbed the red knuckles.

"But if you weren't a witch, you wouldn't have met us… met me. Then how boring would your life be?" said Harry trying to make Jessica laugh. He did succeed in making her smile. Yeah Harry, I wouldn't have known you, she thought, and I wouldn't have fallen in love with you. My life would have been simple.

"Hogwarts is so different, Harry. I couldn't believe Hermione was muggle born and still made head girl," she continued. Now that she had started, she couldn't stop. She pulled back from Harry's touch and her eyes went back to the serene night, hoping that it would engulf her and make her words less painful.

"In my previous school, muggle-borns were treated like a disease. You had to be pureblood to be accepted. Even those who were muggle born denied their muggle heritage."

"But you didn't," cut in Harry. She shook her head.

"No, I was proud of who I was, and made no secret of it," here she gave a cynical laugh.

"And from then on I was a mudblood. A filthy mudblood." how could she even begin explaining to Harry the horrors that she went through before coming to Hogwarts?

"Then I came to Hogwarts. Like I said, it was so different. After coming here, being a witch doesn't seem so bad after all," she said, her voice suddenly going shy. Harry smiled. She had a horrible initial experience with magic, but now she knows the good that it can bring.

"I'm glad I was part of making you like magic," he said.

"Yeah, but you, Herm, Ron and the others taught me something else too. Magic is a part of me, I'll always be of muggle background, but I'm magic. I'll live and breathe it. It's me, I shouldn't be ashamed of it," she said. Harry couldn't say anything. The happiest day was when he realized he was a wizard. He didn't know how it felt to be anything else.

Jessica felt light, like a burden had been removed from her. She straightened her shoulders and felt… released. A burden shared is a burden halved. She had let go of her past and could now look forward to her future. She took a deep breath of the night air and exhaled slowly. Then she turned to Harry. This night was far from over. It was his turn.

"Well, that's my sob story. It's your turn," she said. Harry laughed.

"I don't have a story," he said. Jessica didn't believe him. She knew he had secret, some dark past. A past that not even the biggest gossip in Hogwarts dared to tell.

"Harry, who are you?" it was a simple question but with a thousand meaning. Who was he? Who was the real Harry Potter?

"That could take some time," he said, laughing again, though this time with less enthusiasm.

"I'm not going anywhere," she replied and leaned against the cement railing. Harry sighed. She was asking him to bear it all, expose his vulnerable side. To unearth all he fought to forget. To show her what was inside of him, that he wasn't so strong. Could he really expose himself to her? Yes, his heart answered. You can, because it's Jessica.

So he told her his story, starting with the parents that he never got a chance to know, their deaths, and how he survived an unforgivable curse, [so that's not a tattoo??], the horrible 11 years with the Dursleys, his first year in Hogwarts, the philosopher's stone, his budding friendship with Ron and Hermione. He continued to tell her about The Chambers of Secret, Tom Riddle and the Basilisks; his reunion with Sirius and getting to know Remus Lupin, his father's two best friends, of Wormtail's betrayal, the prophecy. After three years of burying deep in his mind, he unearthed memories of the Triwizard Tournament, Cedric Diggory's death and Voldermort's rebirth. How he, Ron and Hermione were taken hostage by Voldermort and how Julianna and Charlie nearly died, and that Julianna was his god-sister. And finally his sixth year, when he and the Order of the Phoenix defeated Voldermort once and for all.

"Harry… I never knew. I so sorry," she said reaching out to engulf him in a hug. A hug he readily accepted, but silently as his voice was stuck somewhere between his esophagus and larynx, and his breath caught within the tightening of his chest.

"There's nothing to be sorry. It's over," he replied slowly exhaling, which eased the pain within his chest. Or perhaps that could have been due to Jessica holding him like she would never let go. He didn't really know.

"But to lose your parents in such a way… all the things you had to go through; from the day you were born. And I thought my life story was tragic. Oh, Harry I am so sorry…." Once again her voice caught in her throat. How could anyone try to hurt someone as wonderful as Harry?

Her tears startled him. She didn't cry for her own sadness but she would cry for his?

"Hey, hey, don't cry. And don't apologize; it's not your fault. Besides, things can only get better now right?" he said, folding both arms around her, feeling her nod.

"Yes, it will," she said. I'll make sure it will, it may take years, maybe a lifetime, bit I'll show Harry that love still lives, even for him, especially for him, she thought, new determination fueling her. As Jessica fought to regain her composure once again, Harry's mind drifted back to the people who were still there for him. The Weasleys, Hermione, Professor Dumbledore… Sirius. Particularly Sirius. He had come back from the dead for Harry. Indubitably, it was time for them to have a talk.

"Do you see that area of the Dark Forest?" he pointed suddenly to a far section of the Forbidden Forest, where the trees weren't so densely populated. She lifted her head from his shoulders and followed to where his finger was pointing.

"It had been totally destroyed in the fight," he said looking down at the top of Jessica's head resting on his shoulders. They were so close now, holding each other in their warm embrace. Jessica looked up at him, her teary eyes gazing deep into his eyes. The world could have crumbled around them; they wouldn't have been the wiser. They were safe within the cocoon of each other's arms, where no pain of the past could hurt them anymore. They knew, without any words being spoken that the future would be different now. It would be better.

He'll always regret that he didn't kiss her that night. The moon was bright, the setting perfect and all he had to do was bend a little and their lips would meet. But he let the moment pass… it wasn't time yet.

"We should get back to the tower," he said after a while of silence, gently releasing himself from her hold. His back was turned so she couldn't see his pained look, and he couldn't see her disappointed face. When he turned back to her, they both had resumed normalcy.

Taking her hand into his, he lifted the trap door and quietly the two exited the tower and headed back to Gryffindor tower. They walked in silence, replaying the night's events in their heads and Jessica realized Harry hadn't told her everything about himself. He left out something important.

"Harry," said Jessica. She had to know.

"Yeah,"

"What about Cho and Ginny?" Harry's steps faltered for a second, but steadied and resumed the normal pace.

"What about them?" he asked his tone expressionless. It was too dark for her to see his face.

"How did you feel about them?" how do you still feel about them, was her unspoken question. Harry was silent for a while. Jessica almost thought he had forgotten the question, but then he said.

"Cho was nothing much than an adolescent crush really. When she left, I didn't feel as heartbroken as I thought I would be," he replied.

"And Ginny? You two dated right?"

"For about three weeks. We had no chemistry. Sure, we had great times at the Burrow, but it was all friendly fun. None of the romance, such that kissing Ginny would have probably been like kissing my sister, if I had a sister," Jessica's heart soar. But what was missing? Could he find it with her?

"What was wrong?" she asked tentatively. Harry thought for a while.

"I can't really pinpoint it, but according to Ginny, she didn't hear music when we were together and there were no fireworks when we kiss," he answered, smiling slightly. It seemed so silly now.

"Music? Fireworks?"

"Y'know, like in movies, when the hero and heroine kiss, Andre Bocelli or someone starts singing some Italian love song in the background," he explained. Jessica laughed. 

"I don't think that's possible, even in the wizarding world," she laughed. Harry smirked.

"Yeah, basically, like I said, we had no chemistry together, it's very much over," he answered. That was music to Jessica's ears. There was hope for her, not much, but not non-existent either. And maybe not today, but definitely tomorrow. When the two reached the common room, they didn't immediately go to their rooms. Instead, they sat in front of the fire, just the two of them in the empty room, and talked like they used to do.

@~~}~~

"So, is everything okay with you and Jessica?" Ron asked the next morning. They were downstairs waiting for the two girls to join them for breakfast. Ron was surprised as hell when Harry told him to wait for Jessica and Hermione. Relieved, but surprised.

"Yeah, we're cool," he answered, but refused to elaborate. What had happened last night belonged to only him and Jessica. But Ron didn't ask. He understood.

"Herm and I saw you two walk out and took it as a good sign," said Ron then turned a mischievous eye to Harry.

"Was it good?" he asked.

"Was what good?" Harry asked back.

"C'mon Harry, you guys spent half the night in some secluded place and nothing happened??" said Ron a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Well, Ron… if you and Hermione had returned to the tower last night, you would know that we were in the common room for most of the night talking… only," said Harry. Ron turned a bright red, the mischievous glint gone. He hadn't thought anyone realized he and Hermione hadn't returned last night. Well, it was Valentine's Day.

"Heehee…yeah, I guess so," he said.

"So you're only friends?" he asked again. Harry looked a little resigned.

"For now. But a good friend once told me, the best are always worth the wait, so I'm waiting," he said. The two friends exchanged smiles.

"I talked to Sirius as well," Harry continued. Ron looked at him, surprised but very pleased. Things must have been really good last night for his friend.

"He apologized for being an ass, and I apologized for being a prick, so we're okay now," he said simply. Ron shook his head but he had a smile on his face. Harry was happy and truthfully that was all that really mattered to Ron.

They looked up and saw the girls finally appearing at the stairs.

"Good morning, gentlemen," sang Hermione as she skipped down the stairs. What a beautiful morning.

"What gentlemen, Hermione?" retorted Jessica, earning a withering look from both boys. Hermione exchanged a kiss with Ron and threw her arms around Harry. Harry looked a little surprised at her actions.

"I am so glad you and Jessica have sorted things out," she gushed. Harry and Jessica smiled at each other. It was good to be back on friendly terms. Really good.

"Well, c'mon, let's hurry before everyone awakens and mobs the board," she said, her happiness giving a small spring to her steps.

"What board?" asked Ron, and looked at the other two, who shrugged their shoulders.

"Really, you guys are useless. Remember during the Christmas feast, Colin went around taking pictures and Professor Dumbledore promised to have them up after the Lover's ball. Well, that's today isn't it?" she replied, rolling her eyes.

"Trust Hermione to remember something that far back," said Jessica, as they followed her lead and began brisk walking to the Great Hall. Jessica was extra curious as she had remembered something. She remembered Colin taking the picture. Was it there? Lucky for them, not many students were at the board, so the four got a good view.

"Is it just me, is Ginny's pictures more than any others?" whispered Harry. Jessica looked again. He was right. There were a lot of her pictures. She laughed and smiled at him.

"Well, she is the photographer's girlfriend," Jessica stated.

"Yeah, better her than me," he said non-commitedly and Jessica felt like she was in seventh heaven. He wasn't at all perturbed by that fact, he was truly over Ginny. Sighing happily, Jessica turned back her attention to the other pictures. There were several of her and Hermione with other girls, hugging and laughing. Then there was her, Herm and the boys waving at her, looking so happy that she felt tempted to wave back. Nearly all occupants of the school were there on the board. Dumbledore with Flitwick, both looking a little tipsy, Hagrid, his arms around Madam Hooch and Professor Sinistra who was giggling like a school girl. A funny one of Snape and McGonagall. The picture McGonagall was trying to keep Snape in the picture but he kept on walking out of the frames, so she'd have to pull him back in. Jessica and Harry laughed heartily at that one. They also laughed at one of Ron and Hermione. This time, the picture Ron kept on pulling Hermione out of the frames and when they returned, both looked much disheveled. Hermione was beet red, and Ron looked incredibly proud. Hermione denied any claims but Ron just grinned secretly.

"A picture doesn't lie, Herm," said Harry after hearing Hermione's tenth claim that nothing happened. Jessica was still laughing. But Hermione saw her revenge and her embarrassment was swiftly replaced with a naughty grin.

"Is that so, Harry? Its funny you should say that," she commented, her voice sly looking from Harry to Jessica and back again. Jessica stopped laughing.

"What do you mean, Herm?" she asked, feeling a little uncomfortable and worried. Hermione pointed to another picture slightly above hers and Ron. The three (and a few others who had been listening) followed her fingers.

They all gasped.

Then they laughed… except Harry and Jessica… each was bright red. 

It was a picture of Harry and Jessica, snogging each other like there was no tomorrow. Lips, tongue and hands were roaming everywhere. What had actually been an innocent peck on the cheeks under the mistletoe in reality had instead been depicted as a full-scale snogging rage. Harry was speechless and Jessica let out a strangled scream. She reached up to pull the picture off the board, but she couldn't get a grasp of the picture. It was like clawing at air.

"Don't bother Ms. Stanford. I have tried. Professor Dumbledore has cunningly charmed the pictures so it couldn't be removed," said a smooth, silky voice behind them. They turned and saw it was Professor Snape. By the look on his face, he wasn't at all amused by the headmaster's tricks.

"How long will the pictures be up there, Professor?" asked Harry meekly.

"Too long, unfortunately. Don't worry Potter, I can assure you everyone will see it," he said the last with undeniable amusement, and flicked a glance to the offending picture of Harry and Jessica. He left the friends and walked into the hall.

"C'mon, there's nothing you can do. Might as well eat," said Ron, the sweet aroma of food from the hall catching his attention. Seeing his point, the three followed him into the hall, Jessica's head as low as possible. Which was a shame or she would have seen Harry grin broadly.

A/N: Well, how was that?? Enough fluff?? ^_^