*A/n: I really should be spending my Spring Break working on Wild Tension II instead of revising and editing Wild Tension I but I'm in a writer's block for WTII. *sigh* so I figured I'd work more on this until I figure out what to do for WTII. Besides…with great people like gboyary and anasazi, how can I not work on this? (And Anasazi…you are too smart! lol!J) Oh and by the way…these chapters are pretty long (13 pages total). I read a really funny book last night called "The Year My Life Went Down the Loo" by Katie Maxwell and well…I got a reading-hangover from staying up all night. Daylight Savings time did NOT help. Did I ever mention that I have a book site? It's called . Okay I'll shut up from my ramblings now.

Chapter 10: Squiggle

    "Hey!" Kevin called to Helen as she jogged towards him.

    "Morning sleepy." she joked, straightening out her jogging outfit. "Ready to run?"

    "You bet."

The jogged around the Quidditch pitch for about fifteen minutes before they slowed down to a walk.

     "Remember Carna?" Kevin asked.

     "Yes of course." Helen replied.

     "Well...Katie told me about Hogsmeade."

     "Oh yeah that's right...the only all magical community left in Britain."

     "Well...it's in two months...I know that...but I thought maybe we could...we could-"

     "Hey you two!" said a cheery voice. Helen spun around and looked down at...Cho Chang. "Great day for a run isn't it?"

     "Was." Helen said, resisting the urge to scream at Cho's intrusion. "Well I'd better get back to the castle to get cleaned up and into robes before breakfast." Helen mumbled as she ran back towards the castle.

Helen frowned. If she was at Salem she could have gone with Kevin to Carna and now that they were at Hogwarts she'd almost been asked to Hogsmeade but then CHO had to butt in. Helen didn't like that girl one bit. On the outside she looked like a sweet, innocent seventeen year-old but inside...She had natural charm that could get any guy to go out with her if she wanted them to. Helen wasn't sure if her readings of Cho were accurate. She looked so...preppy. Maybe Cho just didn't realize how much she could affect guys...yeah...that must be it.

*A/n: I've got a few friends that are preps, so no offence to them!

_____________________________________________________________________

Helen's first week at Hogwarts was usual for school. She'd successfully planted Venus Gnome Catchers in Herbology, transformed a rat into a cat in Transfiguration, memorized the voyage of Totus the Weilder in History of Magic, melted a metal rod in Charms, got her Jarvey to say "Pretty Hell" (couldn't quite get it to say "Helen") in Care of Magical Creatures, successfully weakened someone in Potions, Predicted a strange heat wave coming the next year in Divination, explained how computers did almost everything in the muggle world for Muggle Studies, and could heal a monkey from the Vener curse. Her Legilimency lessons weren't getting any easier and she hadn't been allowed to see more from Annie's pensieve but Quidditch try-outs occupied her time.

      "Alright Gryffindors!" Captain Katie Bell shouted. "We have two chaser and two beater positions open. Let's start! Those trying for chaser, please stand up here!"

Helen, Ginny, and four younger girls stood in line.

      "Let's have Sharon and Bethee have a go. Ron get up on your post."

The four shot up into the air but Sharon fell off her broom.

      "Sorry Sharon. You need to be able to at least ride a broom before trying out. Get up here Allison!"

 Katie flew forward with the other two girls behind her. She passed it to Allison who dropped it. Katie dived down to retrieve it and then tossed it to Bethee who caught it with both hands but spiraled in the air and let go to grab her broom. Katie kept this up for a minute but it wasn't going anywhere so she had them try to score goals. After six tries, Allison finally scored (because by that time Ron just stood in one place since Allison's previous shots were six feet off target) but Bethee still couldn't score.

      "Sorry girls. Allison you stay for now. Get up here Juliet!"

The two girls working together did fairly better than before but they'd only scored three out of twelve tries.

      "You two go down. Come up Helen and Gin."

That's where REAL Quidditch began. Katie, Helen, and Ginny made a great group. They didn't drop any balls and scored on most of their shots.

      "Welcome back on the team Ginny. Congratulations Helen. You both made it."

It wasn't any surprise (their competition was nothing) but it was a good feeling all the same.

     "I thought seeking was your thing gin." Katie noted.

     "I prefer chasing." Ginny replied.

     "What about you, Helen?"

     "Quod captain."

     "Makes sense. Quod players are like advanced chasers. Good. Ron, go defend the goal. Harry and I will act as another team's chasers. I want Sloper up here to try to take out Gin and Helen with the Bludger. Begin!"

Gryffindors did NOT have good beaters. Sloper missed the bludger and on his second try, he swung his bat backward and it knocked into Ginny. Kirke missed bludgers and fell off his broom. Dunike's bat flew in the air, narrowly missing Harry. Every one of the beaters who tried out were awful. That was...until Kevin.

     "Sorry I'm late." Kevin panted, trying to catch his breath. "Lost track of time doing homework."

They expected Katie to be sore about it but her face lit up instead.

     "No problem!" she exclaimed happily. "Ron, Helen, and Ginny are team A's chasers. Harry and I will be team B. Kevin...try to knock off team B."

Kevin soared into the air and did really well...although Ron was fuming since he seemed to be Kevin's main target.

     "I'm sorry!" Kevin explained. "I don't want to hit a girl."

     "What a gentlemen!" Katie beamed. "You're on the team!"

Neville pounded across the lawn.

     "I'd like to try out." he said staring at the ground. The Gryffindor team was speechless. Neville? Play Quidditch? This was unreal!

     "Uh...." Katie stammered. "Get up in the sky!"

Neville wasn't very good, he missed a few bludgers (but made up for it by using himself as a human shield for his team members) but he was better than the others and willing to sacrifice in order to be on the team.

     "Okay welcome to the team, Longbottom." Katie wheezed as they all trooped back to the castle.

Gryffindor Quidditch Team:

Chasers-Kate Bell, Helen Cliff, Ginny Weasley

Beaters- Neville Longbottom, Kevin Relle

Keeper- Ronald Weasley

Seeker- Harry Potter

       "I got it!" Neville piped excitedly. "I really did it! Gran will be so happy when I tell her!"

       "Good job!" Harry said happily. "Good job."

Chapter 11: Surprises

Kevin paced back and forth in the entrance hall. It was a Saturday morning and he'd been waiting to talk to Helen about Hogsmeade but each time he was about to someone would interrupt them. That someone was Cho Chang. She'd been going jogging with them every other day that week. Why would that be so bad? Cho was smart...she was pretty...they were in the same classes...they had Quidditch in common...she seemed like a great girl...but she wasn't Helen. Helen is gorgeous, intelligent, athletic, funny, and sensitive, despite her strong exterior. He remembered the first day he'd seen her. She was sad...beyond sad really...beyond depressed if that was possible. She cut her hair super short, she wouldn't talk to anyone...in or out of classes...she hardly ate and she hid her face under gothic-like makeup.

*a/n: I know a few gothic people too so no offense to them either.

The death of her family was quickly tearing her apart. It was his sister's idea to befriend her. At the time he though it was impossible. Every time anyone approached her she jinxed them. But that was the past. She'd changed since then. With the help of friends and Dumbledore, she'd become a completely different girl. The girl she was before her family's death. The girl she was meant to be, supposed to be. Since then their relationship grew and he started to understand the real Helen. He knew when she was lying. He knew when she was troubled or sad. He knew when she felt truly happy. He knew when she was hiding something. He basically knew her inside out and in knowing her...he started to fall for her. Hard.

Someone tapped his shoulder. He turned around.

      "Now you see me!" Helen said exasperated. "I've been calling you!"

     "Sorry. Lost in thought." Kevin explained.

     "Hey don't worry about it. Ready for a run?"

     "Actually I was wondering if we could talk."

     "That's cool too."

    "What a beautiful Saturday morning!" said a voice. Kevin sighed. It was Cho...again!

    "Good morning Cho."

    "Morning Kevin." Cho said, then added a few seconds later, "And you too Helen."

    "I'm sure." Helen mumbled in a low voice. "I forgot...I've didn't finish my Herbology homework."

   "No wait! Don't go!" Kevin blurted out.

    "No that's okay." Cho said sweetly. "Doing homework is important."

Kevin saw Helen roll her eyes, cast him an apologetic smile, and walk in the Great Hall. Kevin resisted the urge to go after her, take her in his arms, and tell her how he really felt.

    "I thought she had homework." Cho noted. "She just went in the Great Hall."

     "I think I will too." Kevin told her.  He turned around quickly and raced after Helen.

_____________________________________________________________________

(After eating breakfast)

      "We're going to Hagrid's." Hermione informed her. "Do you want to come?"

 Helen saw Kevin shovel down the last of his oatmeal and get up.

      "Let's go." Helen muttered quickly. She, Harry, Ron, and Hermione got up and trooped down the lawn to Hagrid's cabin.

      "Been wonderin how long it'd take you-oh 'ello." Hagrid stopped, noticing Helen.

      "She's alright." Hermione said.

      "Righ'. C'min you four." Hagrid growled. They stepped in, after getting past Fangs and sat on the couch. He poured them all a cup of tea.

      "So how's yer firs' week back been?" Hagrid asked.

      "Aside from Snape docking points...good." Ron smiled. "Katie's gone Quidditch ballistic though."

     "How's Grawp?" Hermione interjected.

     "oh he's great. Been askin bout 'ermione a bit."

Helen had no clue who Grawp was but she didn't ask.

     "An how've you been Harry?" Hagrid asked, concerned.

     "Just fine." he said determinedly looking at his teacup.

     "You didn' exactly let me give you a proper goodbye but I guess it's understandable."

Helen had no idea what they were talking about so she just leaned back and contemplated the mysterious issues in her own life while the others talked among themselves.

 Was Cho trying to get with Kevin? Would Kevin want to go out with Cho or would he ask her out again? Her grandmother was wearing a necklace...was the necklace what the Death Eater girl was looking for? Where was the amulet now? What power could it possibly have that could make them want it so badly? Was she still in danger at Hogwarts?

     "Goodbye Hagrid." Harry said. Helen snapped out of her daze.

     "Yes. Bye Hagrid." Helen said, closing the cabin door behind her.

_______________________________________________________________________

The months passed quickly. Aside from lengthy Quidditch practices, progressive Legilimency lessons, Dumbledore's Army meetings, piles of homework, afternoons in the library, and late night studying...Helen was extremely happy. She'd become really good friends with Harry, Ron, and Hermione and even closer to Kevin if possible, however the only downside was Bianca. She wasn't agreeing with the Slytherins but she wasn't exactly defending Gryffindors either. Helen understood though. It would be an understatement to say it was merely "hard" to disagree with the opinions of people whom you had to spend your time with 24/7. It wasn't until a week from Halloween that Dumbledore announced that she would be working with Professor Snape in Legilimency.

    "WHAT!" Helen shouted. "TAUGHT BY Snivellus?"

    "Helen," Dumbledore warned.

    "But Alby!"

    "You don't need my help anymore. All you need now is a bit of practice."

    "Alby!"

He sighed.

    "Reasons for you to work with Professor Snape, One: Improving and strengthening what you've learned by penetrating Professor Snape's mind. Two: Penetrating Harry's mind while he blocks it. Three: learning information explaining why the Professor is the way he is. Four: Informing Harry about your findings so that he can understand. Five: You'll be working with Harry and making his lessons more enjoyable. Six: I have some business to attend to."

      "Alby!" she couldn't help but whine. "Oh all right."

So she'd agreed to have her first lesson with Snape and Harry on Halloween.

_______________________________________________________________________

  Helen smiled as she, Harry, Ron, and Hermione walked into the Great Hall for the Halloween feast.

There were real bats flying overhead, candles in pumpkins, and orange flamed streamers as decoration.

      "Great isn't this?" Kevin asked Helen as she sat down next to him.

      "Definitely. Well...except the bats."

After the feast Helen met up with Harry.

     "Ready?" Helen asked nervously.

     "Let's go." Harry answered.

 The two walked in silence until they reached Snape's office.

     "Close the door and have a seat." Snape commanded.

Harry shut the door and then pulled up a chair beside Helen.

     "Now...seeing as Potter hasn't improved in Occlumency in over a year I believe, Miss Cliff, that you won't have any problem getting thoughts from Harry's mind. Get up both of you, wands out."

Helen and Harry stood up while Snape watched them.

     "Wand out, Miss Cliff."

     "Al...Professor Dumbledore doesn't allow me the use of a wand in Legilimency."

     "Well you are under my instructions from now on so get out your wand! Begin!"

Helen whipped out her wand and pointed it at Harry.

     "Legilimens" Helen said and waiting for something to happen but there was nothing.

    "Well..." started Snape. "Considering that Potter is still standing I'm assuming that you were unable to penetrate into his mind. Really...I find anyone could."

Harry threw him a dirty look and Snape cast a cold smile.

     "Begin."

     "Legilimens"

Once again Harry just stood there and Helen frowned.

     "Tsk. Tsk. I expected better."

     "Well, sir, if I didn't use a wand...."

     "Begin."

Helen unclenched her fists. "Legilimens" Nothing. "Legilimens" Nothing.

      "For crying out loud!" Helen shouted. She put her wand back in her robes and stared into Harry's eyes. Suddenly Helen saw hundreds of Dementors...then a motionless body in a graveyard...

      "No! No!" Harry's voice said. Helen turned her eyes away from his and noticed he was leaning against a desk.

      "Nice Miss Cliff but why did you stop so soon?"

      "He said he didn't want me to see anymore."

      "And your point is?"

      "I don't think I should be trying to penetrate Harry's mind."

      "Why."

      "He doesn't want it."

      "Then he'll have to block you. Begin."

Helen looked into Harry's dazzling green eyes...Cho inches away from kissing Harry...Hermione getting hit with a spell...

      "No!"

Helen closed her eyes and opened them again.

      "Begin."

Sirius hit with a spell and falling backward.

      "SIRIUS!!!!!!!!!"

Helen stumbled into Snape's desk as her own memories started swimming before her eyes. Her mother and father screaming in pain...her uncle covered in blood being tortured...

      "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO" Helen screamed.

Helen and Harry both fell to the ground.

      "Well well well." Snape uttered. "Potter's first improvement in almost a year. Well done Cliff."

But Helen was still on the floor, eyes filling with silent tears. She got up and ran out the door without a second glance back. She kept running, pushing past people, until she finally reached the empty common room and sunk into the couch by the fire, where she started sobbing.

Harry's P.O.V.

The entire summer Harry'd tried to put Sirius's death in the past but in every Occlumency lesson he kept getting reminded of it. So much that Harry was forced to accept that it happened, although the thoughts never lost its painfulness. Tonight was different. He'd actually penetrated Helen's mind and what he saw wasn't pleasant. It had to be on the top ten list of most horrible things he'd seen.

Harry trooped slowly into the common room and was surprised to find it empty. Then he heard crying and looked over to the fire. Helen was curled up on the couch with her head in her hands. He didn't know if he should try making her feel better or leave her in peace.

      "Helen." Harry said quietly.

She turned her head in his direction. Her eyes were red and her hair was in disarray.

      "Helen, are you okay?"

She gave a sarcastic laugh.

      "Sure, I'm just plain dandy!" She cried, sitting up. Harry sat down next to her.

      "If you want to be alone then just say so and I'll go, okay?" Harry offered.

      "Don't." she sniffed, trying to dry her eyes. "I'm sorry."

      "What happened in your past?"

      "I don't want to talk about it."

      "I know it hurts, Helen, but you've got to talk about this with someone or it will kill you inside. Trust me...Dumbledore showed me that in my fourth year when Voldemort returned."

Helen looked at Harry with hopeless eyes.

      "I...I don't know if I can."

      "You can." Harry assured her. "Trust me."

Helen took a deep breath and started wearily.

      "I had a great life. Had everything I wanted...got anything I wanted...loving parents...everything was absolutely perfect. I couldn't imagine a happier life. My father was a professor at Salem, while my mother worked in the Department of Mysteries."

Harry wished she hadn't mentioned the Department of Mysteries but then again maybe he'd ask her what she knew about it later.

       "My father taught me magic at a really young age. So much so that he was able to pull a few strings to get me to start Salem early. My parents wanted me to be a good witch as much as I did. Anyway...a month before I was to start school...I came home from an outing with my uncle and..."

Helen put her head in her hands.

        "My...my mom was lying there...shaking and screaming...and daddy...trying to reach out to her even in his own pain..."

Helen tried to speak and breathe between sobs.

       "Then those...those bastards killed my parents."

Helen couldn't go on. Harry put an arm around her.

       "Okay." Harry said. "Do you want to stop and go up to your dorm to rest?"

Helen shook her head.

       "I wanted to run and help them. I tried. I tried as hard as I could but my Uncle held me back. He grabbed me and took us to his place. He thought we'd be away from danger..."

Helen tried desperately to continue.

       "A week after the murder they came back while I was sleeping. I ran downstairs in time to see them perform the killing curse on my uncle...not after they bloodied him up so badly that I could barely recognize him."

 Helen took a few deep breaths.

        "I was alone. Completely alone. Both parents and only living relative dead. I didn't know what to do. I was sad. Alone. Afraid. Couldn't sleep...scared they'd come after me. I couldn't stay in the house any longer so I went to the one place where I knew I could get help. Alby. I spent the night on the streets somewhere and when I woke up...I wasn't with Alby. I was with my other guardian...Mrs. Baker.

Helen wiped the tears from her eyes. She looked up at Harry and saw surprise written on his face.

        "Yes, Mrs. Baker is my other guardian. She took me to stay with her. I was completely traumatized. I don't even fully remember what happened. Mrs. Baker didn't know what to do...so she took me to St. Mungo's in England. That's where Alby came in. He wanted me to go to Hogwarts but she wanted me in Salem where she said I 'belonged'. In the end I went back to Salem with Mrs. Baker and well...I wasn't exactly Miss Perky. It wasn't until third year that I was 100% happy. During holidays I'd go to the summer home in Florida...Alby would visit whenever he could but I lived mostly with Sirius."

       "Sirius!" Harry shouted in surprise.

       "Yes." Helen smiled a little. "That made summers fun. He taught me new jinxes...gave me tips on Quidditch...told me stories about his adventures in Hogwarts...talked about you..."

       "He did?"

       "The way he talked it was like you were his son."

Harry smiled. So did Helen.

       "I thought I'd dealt with the death of my parents...but tonight...seeing it all over again..."

       "You can't get over something that big so quickly..."

Helen nodded sadly. Harry felt so bad for her. He knew exactly how she felt.

       "You know...I haven't even talked about this with Bianca or Kevin...or even Alby. I mean they all know about it but I didn't discuss details with them."

Harry didn't know what to say anymore.

       "Besides Voldemort killing your parents...the sorcerer's stone...chamber of secrets...finding out about Pettigrew's betrayal...Voldemort coming back to life and Cedric's death...what exactly happened?"

Harry didn't really want to discuss himself but after all that Helen told him...he felt obligated.

       "I didn't know I was a wizard until I got my letter. I got thrown off my broom. I had to get the sorcerer's stone and met Voldemort. People thought I was the heir of Slytherin and school was against me. Found out I spoke Parseltongue. Discovered I had a godfather but couldn't live with him. Watched my parent's traitor escape justice. Fought a hundred dementors. Fought a dragon. Went underwater for over an hour. Watched Voldemort come back using my own blood. Faced expulsion. Had to go to a hearing. Entire wizarding world saying I'm a liar and like being center of attention. Watched my godfather die..."

        "I think you might have left out a bit."

        "Was that sarcastic or real?" Harry asked.

Helen just smiled and didn't reply.

        "Thanks Harry."

        "What for?" He asked, taken back.

        "For making me feel better. Harry...there's a reason why I shouldn't get upset...hopefully you'll never have to find out why...but thank you."

 She hugged him and then pulled away with an odd look on her face.

        "What is it?" Harry asked.

        "I just remembered...you and Cho..."

        "Yeah." Harry answered.

        "You were with her?"

        "Me and a bunch of other guys."

        "What?"

        "She dated Cedric. Do you know-"

        "I knew him."

        "She dated him...then I guess you could say me...she had a thing with Roger Davies I'm guessing and then recently she was with Michael Corner."

        "And now she's after Kevin." Helen finished. Then Kevin actually walked in.

       "What's going on?" Kevin asked, sensing something had just happened.

      "Nothing. Going to bed. Goodnight."

________________________________________________________________________

  "GET OUT!" Helen screamed and sat bolt upright.

        "Fine." Hermione said, turning around.

        "No, no, no!" Helen shouted and grabbing hold of Hermione. "Sorry. Must have been yelling in my sleep."

        "Nightmare? What was it about?"

        "I...I don't remember now."

        "Well hurry up and get changed and meet us in the Great Hall."

        "Right."

In a few minutes she made her way to their table. There were only a few students in the hall.

        "Don't most students sleep in late on a Saturday?" Helen asked. "Why aren't we?"

        "Oh well." Hermione answered.

Helen reached out for an apple but Harry also grabbed it. She looked up at him and he worded "Are you okay?" and Helen's reply was a smile before taking the apple from him.

        "Post!" Ron exclaimed. "Isn't it a bit early for that?"

        "Those are Prophet owls." Harry noticed as one soared down and threw one in Hermione's lap. The four leaned close to each other and read.

NEWLY ANNOUNCED DEATH EATERS ESCAPE

As the wizarding community regretfully remembers, He-who-must-not-be-named has returned and has rallied the dementors to his side. So far this summer there have been twenty-three dementor victims. The main thing we need to remember is that there weren't any guards left in Azkaban, therefore the Ministry of Magic was forced to station ministry guards. Yesterday at midnight the Daily Prophet had been informed that all the remaining Death Eaters that had been captured have indeed escaped, not without the help of You-know-who and his followers. The Minister of Magic made a brief comment ''The Ministry of Magic will do everything it can to ensure that the convicts are brought back to Azkaban.''

We all have heard Cornelius Fudge's promises and they have yet to be fulfilled. A few days ago Fudge announced that he would be seeking help from foreign ministries. His discussions with them have yet to be reported.

DEMENTOR ATTACKS AGAIN

Claire Balaka and her family have had their souls taken by the Dementors. Claire was an official in the Department of International Magical Cooperation. The Minister of Magic planned to travel with Balaka and a few others in meetings with the foreign ministers of Magic, under Dumbledore's suggestions which the Minister is finally accepting, considering that it was Albus Dumbledore who attempted to inform the minister of the truth, that You-Know-who was back, for twelve months.

Fugde has, however, decided to postpone his own travel and instead will send other officials in the Department of International Magical Cooperation in his place.

MURDER OF ECHO SIREN

Echo Siren returned home from her job in the Department of International Magical Cooperation. She was to be the new head of that office because of Balaka's untimely demise; however she was never to get the opportunity. Others in her department are worried that they'll be the next targets.

"I'm thinking of retiring." says Herbert Mulplett."I wouldn't want a job that jeopardizes my life and the lives of those in my family. I'm sure there are many who'd agree with me."

This is very bad news for the Minister of Magic. Without anyone in the Department of International Magical Cooperation he'll have to go himself.

"If it comes to that I'll send Percy Weasley, who would be perfect for the job."

Percy Weasley is Junior Assistant to the Minister and new High Inquisitor, as well as a former worker in the Department of International Magical Cooperation.

Many wonder if the Minister is too afraid to go himself.

"My job as minister is here. It isn't my task, but those in the Department of International Magical Cooperation." he stated angrily.

The wizarding world can only hope that whoever goes, seeks help. We'll need it.

         "Stupid Sissy Fudge!" Helen spat. "Anyone can see that he doesn't want to risk getting killed so he's sent others to instead."

        "I know." Hermione answered thoughtfully. "Voldemort doesn't want us getting help from other countries."

        "But we will won't we?" Ron asked.

Helen and Hermione looked at each other.

        "Maybe..."Helen mumbled.

        "Helen means no." Hermione said. "I'm sure Voldemort has supporters in more countries than just Britain. The other ministries will be busy too. They won't want to help us and risk becoming bigger targets."

        "Great." Ron muttered sarcastically.

        "What about the U.S.?" Harry asked Helen.

        "They're going to beef up their own security...besides... Voldemort has plenty of supporters there, remember? I got taken by them before and my family was killed by them."

        "Killed?" Ron yelled in shock. "You didn't tell us that!"

        "I said they died and that was all I needed to tell you at the time." Helen said with a twinge of anger.

        "Sorry." Ron whispered.

Helen shrugged.

        "I should have told you and Hermione."

They looked at Harry.

        "She told me last night...but only because I accidentally pulled it out of her memory during Occlumency."

        "You improved!" Hermione shouted. "Wow! That's great Harry!"

 He smiled.

        "So what are your plans today?" Helen asked.

        "Don't you remember? Hogsmeade..."

        "Oh."

        "Umm...Hermione and I...er..." Ron began.

Helen's eyes grew wide. Was there something going on with Hermione and Ron? Now that she thought about it...Hermione had just a few nights ago had a talk with her about Ron and Harry but Helen had gotten the feeling Hermione preferred Harry, even though Hermione and Ron had been spending alot of time in the common room alone together. The whole thing was weird.

        "What?" Harry asked.

        "Well Hermione heard some girls talking about Madam Puddifoot's and well...I know how you had a bad experience in there so I thought that Hermione and I would go and then meet up with you and Helen at Three Broomsticks."

 Helen laughed.

          "In other words...you guys would like some time alone and-"

          "No!" Hermione and Ron shouted in union.

          "Alright! alright!" Helen said, laughing even harder. Then someone tapped her shoulder.

          "Helen..." said Kevin, "Can I have a word?"

         "Okay." she said getting up.

_____________________________________________________________________

Helen and Kevin were strolling along the grounds and then sat down next to the lake.

        "Ummm. What do you think of Cho?" Kevin asked.

This wasn't the topic Helen hoped they'd talk about.

        "She's okay I guess..."Helen said in an unconvincing tone.

        "What's wrong with her?"

        "Nothing, nothing."

        "You're lying."

        "I know."

        "Well then what's wrong with her?"

        "Why do you ask?"

        "Ummm...."Kevin started nervously, "She was really upset last night."

 Helen didn't like where this was going.

        "And?" she asked.

        "She was crying about Cedric."

        "Still!!!" Helen shouted in shock.

        "What do you mean still?"

        "She's been with three other guys since Cedric. You'd think she'd find condolences since then."

Kevin frowned.

        "It can't be easy for her!"

        "I'm sure it can't."

        "You don't seem to think so."

        "Who cares what I think. What about Cho?"

        "I was planning to ask you to Hogsmeade. You know I -"

       "Ready to go?" Cho called from across the lawn.

Kevin looked at Helen with a guilty expression. Now she understood.

       "So to comfort poor Cho you agreed to take her to Hogsmeade."

       "Right." Kevin mumbled.

       "Well go then. Have fun." Helen said, getting up. Kevin grabbed her arm.

      "Are you okay with it?"

      "Sure. Why wouldn't I?" Helen said a little loudly. "Go on. Have fun."

     "Helen!"

Helen didn't answer. She just kept walking until she reached the entrance hall where Cho was standing. She tried to walk around her but Cho got in her face.

      "Hi Helen!" she said a little smugly.

      "Move bitch." Helen said, pushing past her and smiling satisfied at the horrified look on Cho's face.

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 *A/n: Sorry to make Cho out to be such a "witch" but that's how I imagine her.

       "Where do you want to go?" Harry asked as he and Helen made their way through Hogsmeade.

       "Honeydukes!" Helen said gleefully as she noticed the sign in a window.

       "Good choice." he laughed. They walked inside and Harry pointed out some of the good sweets.

       "There's Coconut Pice...I haven't really tried it yet. The Honey toffees are good. Nougat Cremes are Neville's favorite. Then of course there're Every Flavor Beans and Sugar Quills."

        "Wow! Look at all those types of Chocolate!"

It was a while before Helen finally decided on what she wanted and they paid for their sweets. They strolled along and Harry stopped at Zonko's.

        "Do you want to stop in there?" Harry asked.

       "It's up to you. I already have plenty of things from Fred and George."

       "You do?"

       "Bought from them about a week ago by owl. They even sent me some Love Truth squares."

       "What are those?"

       "You give them to someone and they'll tell you who they like. I'm guessing combination of truth serum...from the feathers of my Jobberknoll...and love potion...made from frozen Ashwinder eggs."

       "You won't try it out on me will you?" Harry joked.

      "Hmmm. Good idea!" Helen kidded before getting an excited look.

      "Are you really planning on doing that?"

       "No! Not that!" Helen laughed. "Look ahead!"

There was a new addition to Hogsmeade business. An outdoor restaurant/cafe/dessert shop.

       "The Adolescence" Helen read.

       "How about it?"

       "Let's check it out."

As soon as they stepped forward a witch in magenta robes appeared.

       "Welcome to The Adolescence." she said brightly. "For lunch you can go inside the shop. For anything sweet you can find a seat at a table under the umbrellas."

Harry looked at Helen.

        "Sweets?" she worded. He nodded. They found a table and sat down. A wizard in plum colored robes appeared then.

        "What would you like?" he asked. They picked up menus.

       "Rainbow Cone." Harry said.

       "Rainbow Freezer." for me.

He nodded and snapped his fingers as the treats appeared.

       "For a galleon you can order Cryptic Case."

 Helen tossed him two galleons and he conjured it up and disappeared.

      "Wish they wouldn't Disapparate like that." Helen complained.

       "Yes. Makes you wonder how they got the stuff so fast. So what exactly is Cryptic Case?" he asked, staring at the weird cookies arranged around a smoking goblet.

       "They have them in Carna." Helen explained. "It's pretty cool actually. After you finish eating some kind of rainbow sweet the people at the table take a cookie and dip it in the goblet. Then they exchange with the other people around the table and eat the cookie. Then they look in the goblet. If lucky the people will be able to see something important."

        "Did you ever see anything?"

        "Out of the five times I've tried...once. It was only of me as Quod captain and Kevin as Quidditch captain."

Harry nodded. They continued talking about different things until they finished what they were eating.

         "Ready?" he asked her, staring at the smoking goblet.

         "Sure."

She picked up a cookie and so did he. Following her lead, Harry dipped his cookie in the liquid and it turned from brown to bronze.

        "Er..."

        "Shhh."

They swapped cookies and then ate them before peering into the goblet. Harry couldn't help feeling a little stupid staring into the swirling grey mass trying to see something. He gave up and pulled his head away but Helen gasped and yanked his head back in time to see...

        A girl with black hair, wearing an ancient crown and revealing clothing had her back turned. She turned to the front but her well defined eyes were looking to her left. She was tall with a very developed body. Her hand swung at her side and she grabbed a lance that had just been thrown in her direction. As her gaze changed to her right side a triangular scar showed on her neck. She appeared to be calm while talking to a shirtless man who'd just attacked her.

BANG. Harry and Helen were knocked backward and fell into their chairs. Harry looked up and saw a black cloaked person walking away with the goblet. Helen jumped up and started to run after them.

      'Helen!" Harry yelled. He got to his feet and smacked straight into Cho.

      "Don't go yet, Harry." she said.

He hesitated. Should he go after Helen or stay with Cho. What if Helen got hurt?

      "So you're dating Helen now?" she asked, sitting in Helen's seat. Harry's thoughts broke.

      "What?"

      "You're dating Helen." she repeated.

      "Who said that?" he asked, sinking into his chair.

      "No one. Kevin and I were in Madam Puddifoot's and we saw your friends. They said they didn't know where you and Helen were. We decided to get some fresh air so we were walking by and saw the two of you kissing-"

      "WHAT!" Harry shouted.

      "Well your heads were together."

      "We were looking at something!"

      "Uh huh...each other… well Kevin went to the bathroom but I was around long enough to catch Helen running off. You make her cry too, Harry?"

      "No!" he said indignantly. "She went after the person who took what we were looking at."

      "I'm sure."

      "What are you doing here?" Helen asked coldly.

      "Just leaving." she said, seeing Kevin come her way. "Tootles."

Helen sat back down grumpily.

      "You know I was so close to just tipping the chair over with her IN it!"

     "You got it." he said.

Helen slammed the empty goblet on the table.

     "Clumsy fool tripped and all the liquid fell out."

     "Helen...that girl in the Cryptic Case…was you."

Helen looked directly into his eyes and shook her head.

     "No. But I think I know who it was."

________________________________________________________________________

         "Well that's weird." Hermione said thoughtfully as Harry and Ron came back with their drinks, in Three Broomsticks. Helen lifted her glass to her lips.

        "What IS that?" Ron asked.

Helen was the only one who hadn't ordered a butterbeer.

       "A Mad Muggle." Helen answered. "If I hadn't had ice cream I would have ordered a Frozen Muggle. A Frozen Muggle is just a Mad Muggle that's been frozen."

Hermione, Ron, and Harry just stared at her.

      "What? It's really good!" she defended.

She and Harry were in Three Broomsticks minutes before Ron and Hermione came in. They could tell that all possible Ron and Hermione romances in the future were NOT going to happen. Hermione even admitted to Helen while the boys were getting drinks that she and Ron both felt awkward in a room with couples making out all over the place and agreed that maybe it was best that they remain strictly friends. Harry and Helen told them what had happened but Helen wouldn't explain who the person in the goblet was.

It was about time to go. After they paid for their drinks, Helen led them towards the door but then stopped. Ron bumped into Hermione, who bumped into Harry, who bumped into Helen, who was staring in a booth. Inside that booth was Kevin and Cho, lip-locked. Helen walked past as though she didn't notice anything and went out the door with Harry, Hermione, and Ron on her heels.

________________________________________________________________________

After putting her Honeydukes sweets away, Helen climbed down the dormitory stairs and into the common room.

        "So...did you have fun with Harry?" someone asked as she put her hand on the door.

       "What?"

       "Nevermind. Of course you did." Kevin nodded.

      "Sure. I had fun with Harry AND Ron and Hermione."

      "No. I was asking if you had fun with just Harry."

      "What are you talking about?" she asked angrily.

      "Cho said Harry was a good kisser. What do you think?"

      "How the heck would I know?"

      "Well you did at the Adolescence."

      "WHAT? Have you had too many butterbeers or something?"

      "You know exactly what I'm talking about...with your heads close and-"

      "Close because we were overlooking a Cryptic Case you moron!" she shouted. People in the common room turned to look, including Harry, Ron, and Hermione. This wasn't the best place for an argument considering that everyone was in there.

      "Oh so I'm a moron now?"

      "No! You're a jerk!" Helen yelled. "You and your 'I'm only going with her because she's sad' bit!"

      "THAT WAS TRUE."

      "Oh so you kissed her because she was sad huh?"

Kevin stepped back in surprise.

      "You saw?"

      "Busted aren't you!"

     "Well I only did it because I was mad that you were kissing Harry."

     "WHICH I WASN'T! MAYBE IF YOU JUST ASKED INSTEAD OF ACCUSING ME LIKE I'M SOME CRIMINAL OR SOMETHING, YOU'D KNOW!!!"

     "Cho told me you were mean to her."

     "SO what!"

     "You don't have any right to do that!"

     "That slut has been trying to sink her claws into you the entire time we've been here!"

     "DON'T CALL HER THAT!"

     "I CAN CALL HER WHATEVER I DAMN WELL PLEASE!"

     "NO YOU CAN'T"

     "WATCH ME!"

     "Listen, Helen! I won't let you go upsetting her! She's in a fragile state."

     "Oh no surprise there! Now that she realizes the "sad girl" trick works on you of course she'll be using it all the time now! Someone better carry around a box of tissues for her!"

      "STOP!"

      "NO! Just leave me alone Kevin! If you're willing to throw away a five year friendship for a two month tramp then just stay the hell away from me!"

Helen grabbed the door and stormed out of it.

*A/n: Well that was fun!