Claire worriedly followed Dumbledore up to his office. She had a nasty feeling she was in trouble. When they finally reached the little cluttered room, Dumbledore sat down, and motioned for Claire to so the same.

'Sweet?' he asked, pointing to the glass bowl on his desk, filled with round pink sweets.

'Oh...no thanks...' Claire said.

'So...you have returned,' Dumbledore said.

'Um...yeah,' Claire said.

'There seems to have been a flaw in my plan. I trust it wasn't Lulu or Wakka who told you?' Dumbledore asked.

'No. I saw Uncle Severus walking down the street and...'

'It triggered your memories. I knew it wasn't a good idea him keep going to see you, but he insisted,' Dumbledore sighed.

'Can I stay here Professor Dumbledore? I know my dreams are bad, but I think the fact that you put a memory charm on me but I got all of my memories back shows that I belong here,' Claire pleaded.

Dumbledore nodded. 'That is true Claire. And I think your Uncle will be much happier to have you here with him where he can protect you. But...there is one condition.'

'What's that?' Claire asked.

'Well, I do believe there is something between you and Harry?' Dumbledore looked at Claire over his half-moon spectacles. 'Ah, you may not think it, but I was young too once, though it was a very long time ago. But the problem is the combination of who your Uncle is, and your uh, friendship with Harry makes you a target. So I think it's a good idea if you try to cool things off with Harry. I'm not saying keep away from him entirely, that would be pretty much impossible the two of you being on the same house and all. But if you could try and de-connect yourself from him a bit...'

'De-connect myself from Harry...' Claire looked down. 'Well, if it means I can stay here, then I guess I'll have to.'

'Good Claire. Now, I believe there's someone who wants to see you...come in Severus!'

In walked Claire's Uncle. Claire's face lit up. She jumped out of her seat, and threw her arms around her Uncle.

'Uncle Severus!' He hugged her back tightly.

'I missed you so much,' Snape said softly to Claire.

'I missed you too,' she said happily.

But despite how happy she was to see her Uncle, Claire felt bad about the whole Harry thing as she walked back down to the common room after catching up with Snape. It wasn't going to be easy. But at least she had Tidus to keep her mind off him. She smiled as she thought about him the last time they had spoken, about how he had been upset that she was going, but they had agreed to stay in touch, and how he had kissed her...but as she thought about that, she also remembered she had Harry had done the night before she had gone away, and felt guilty.

It was strange for Claire being back at school. Now, as far as she remembered, she had spent the last few weeks going to a normal school and had spent all her time with a totally different group of people. It was hard adjusting. For the rest of the previous day she had been telling all her friends of her life as Rinoa, although leaving out the parts about Tidus, which mean she could avoid talking directly to Harry. And this is how she went on.

After Harry's initial excitement, he was hoping for an emotional reunion with Claire when she got back from Dumbledore's office. However, what actually happened was the whole common room sat around listening to her story before going off to bed, which didn't give Harry much opportunity to talk to her. Still, he thought, plenty of time for that yet. But as they got back into the routine of normal lessons, she almost seemed to be avoiding Harry. There was certainly no mention of the night they spent together. And as time went on, Harry found that something had changed with Claire in the time she had been away. Suddenly she seemed distant. And after a while, Harry couldn't help but wonder if it was Claire's time away that had changed her, or what had happened the night before she had gone. One day though, Harry finally got Claire alone in the common room.

'Hi,' he smiled, when he walked in and sat down beside Claire. She looked around, but there was no one about to bring into the conversation to avoid having a one-on-one with Harry.

'Hey,' she smiled a little awkwardly.

'I've been wanting to talk to you properly ever since you got back,' Harry said, hoping now would be their proper, emotional reunion. 'I never got to give you a Christmas present.'

'You got me a present?' Claire asked.

'Yeah, here,' Harry handed her a small object wrapped in tissue paper with a pink ribbon tying it up. Claire pulled the bow of the ribbon so it fell away, and she pulled off the tissue paper. Inside was a beautiful, jeweled trinket box. 'Oh, Harry, you shouldn't have,' Claire said. She opened it. Harry had enchanted it so that when it opened, it played Come What May. For a moment, Harry saw a glimpse of emotion in her eyes and they seemed to glaze over. But she closed, and looked up at Harry. 'Well I would have got you something, but obviously I didn't even know who you were over Christmas,' she laughed.

'I would have given it to you sooner, but...' Harry started.

'Yeah well...I've been busy...everyone's missed me...' Claire smiled. But it wasn't the same warm, knowing smile that she used to give Harry. It was an awkward, distant smile. Harry felt a strange feeling of dread in the pit of his stomach.

'Well...I doubt anyone missed you as much as I did. I was really...'

'I'm sure my Uncle really missed me a lot,' Claire laughed, but there was an edge to her voice.

'Well yeah...' Harry agreed. 'But apart from your Uncle...Well I was pretty messed up, I was so worried I was never going to see you again...I couldn't bare the thought of losing someone else...I didn't know what to do without you...' Harry was starting to get emotional.

'Woah woah woah...' Claire said. 'I get you missed me. I missed everyone too. Well, actually I didn't because I couldn't remember any of you. But surely there's more to your life than me. You don't have to start getting all whiney about it, I'm back now.'

'But I...' Harry didn't know what to say. Was Claire back? She seemed like a totally different person.

'Look, Harry I'm sorry. Maybe it's because I didn't have my memory, but I was only gone for a few weeks, it just doesn't feel like such a big deal to me. Thanks for the present.' Claire smiled that distant smile again, then got to her feet and walked away.

Harry was left feeling shell-shocked. What had changed? Harry feared greatly now that it was something to do with them sleeping together. He knew he couldn't bring it up now, what if she brushed him off about that like she had just done about missing her? Harry didn't think he could bare that. Didn't she enjoy it? She probably totally regretted doing it and was trying to give Harry the message she wasn't interested. Well if that was what she was trying to do, she was certainly doing it well.

Harry understood that Claire couldn't really have missed anyone because she couldn't remember anyone, but he would have thought that she would have understood that he missed her.

Harry found he wasn't seeing very much of Claire anymore. Before she had gone away, they had spent almost all their time together, apart from when she was visiting her Uncle. Now she was spending a lot of time with Hermione during school time, and on weekends and sometimes after school she disappeared for lengths of time. Harry tried to be grateful that he wasn't as unhappy as he was when Claire had been gone, but in some way it was worse. When she had been gone, he had thought that wherever she was, she was thinking of Harry and missing him like he was missing her. He could imagine that one day they would be reunited and he would be happy again. But now they had been reunited, and it hadn't been what Harry had been expecting at all.

Meanwhile, Claire was finding it hard to brush Harry off like she was, but every time she had to do it, she just thought of Tidus. But it was getting harder and harder to have a long (well, more like medium) distance relationship. Every time she went to see him, it was great, but it wasn't easy only occasionally seeing him. One Saturday, after going to Lulu and Wakka's, to see them, and Vincent and Paine, she went to see Tidus.

'Hey baby,' he said, kissing her and pulling him to her for a hug. 'I've been missing you.'

'I missed you too,' Claire said, hugging him back. Tidus pulled back his head, looked into Claire's blue eyes, and smiled. Then he gently pressed his lips against hers.

They sat down and talked about everything interesting that had happened. But after laughing about gossip, and complaining about unfair teachers, Tidus confided in Claire how hard things were for him.

'Even before we were going out, when the group spilt up into couples, it was always you and me. But now I haven't got anyone. The guys have been great, trying not to be to 'coupley' and everything, but they do need some twosome time sometimes, and that's when I feel so alone.' He looked at her. 'I wish you hadn't gone away.' He laughed, and made his tone a little jokier. 'And of course, all this sexual tension, that's not easy on a guy either.'

Claire laughed. 'It's not easy on me either.' She hugged Tidus. 'You know I couldn't stay here though, don't you. This isn't my world.'

'I know,' Tidus said. 'We're like Romeo and Juliet, kinda.'

'Don't say that!' Claire exclaimed. 'We're not going to both end up dead.'

'No, I guess not...' Tidus smiled. 'You know what I mean.'

'Yeah, I know what you mean,' Claire smiled. 'Oh, that reminds me.'

'What?' Tidus asked.

'You know in Romeo and Juliet, Romeo goes to the Capulet Ball?'

'Yeah...' Tidus nodded.

'Well seeing as we're like Romeo and Juliet, you should come to the ball on my world,' Claire suggested.

'Ball?' Tidus asked.

'There's going to be a Valentines Ball at Hogwarts, I was wondering if you wanted to come?' Claire asked.

'Would...would I be allowed?' Tidus asked.

'I don't know, but I can ask,' Claire grinned. 'My Uncle will do anything to make me happy, I'm sure he would persuade Dumbledore.'

'Cool!' Tidus said excitedly. 'That would be great.'

'Well, don't get your hopes up. I don't think anything like this has happened at Hogwarts before.' Claire said a little anxiously. She had asked him on the spur of the moment, perhaps she should have asked first.

'Well it'll just be something to look forward to,' Tidus smiled. 'But I'll bare in mind that probably won't be able to go.'

'Good,' Claire smiled. She was glad Tidus understood.

'So what shall we do now then?' Tidus asked suggestively, moving closer to Claire and putting his hand on her leg.

'I don't know Tidus,' Claire said uncomfortably. 'I'm not sure if I want to do this.' For some reason, she didn't want to get too emotionally involved.

'Are you sure?' Tidus asked, kissing Claire's neck and caressing her thigh.

'Well...maybe a little...' Claire giggled.

'Good,' Tidus purred. Then he kissed her.

Harry looked over at Claire. She was writing something that was very clearly not homework. She didn't have a text book anywhere near her, and she would occasionally giggle to herself. After a while, she picked up the parchment, folded it in half, and put in an envelope. As she licked the envelope she looked up, and saw Harry looking at her. He looked down at his Potions homework. He was trying to put his effort into his schoolwork, but he found himself lacking in enthusiasm. All he could think of was ways to try and win back Claire. And the perfect time was coming up-Valentines Day.

'Please Uncle Severus...' Claire begged.

'Well...'

'I mean, Dumbledore said I have to try and keep away from Harry, so this will be a good way of doing that,' Claire said persuasively.

'Well...I'll talk to Dumbledore,' Snape gave in. 'It's rather irregular ...but...seeing as it's you...'

'Oh thank you Uncle Severus,' Claire said, hugging her Uncle. 'So who are you inviting to the Ball?'

'Oh, I don't think I'll be going...not really my sort of thing...' Snape said breezily.

'Oh go on Uncle Severus, it'll be fun,' Claire pushed. 'I'm sure Annabelle wouldn't say no if you asked her...'

'I don't know about that,' Snape said, going a little pink.

'I bet she would...' Claire grinned. 'Just think about it Uncle Severus, you'll regret it if you don't.'

'Guess what!?' Claire exclaimed.

'What?' Tidus asked.

'I begged my Uncle, and he asked the headmaster, and he said you're allowed to come with me to the Valentines Ball!'

'Oh great!' Tidus exclaimed. He grabbed Claire by the waist and spun her round. Then he brought her down, pulling her down to him, and slid his arms all the way around her. 'I'm so excited. I can't believe I'm going to be able to see Hogwarts.'

Claire smiled. 'So how are things?'

'Oh, there's a new girl at school,' Tidus said. 'She really reminds me of you. And she's called; Yuna! Weird, huh? She's really nice...and she sort of looks like you but she had short, lighter brown hair. I know you'd really like her.

'Cool,' Claire nodded.

'Somebody jealous?' Tidus teased before kissing her.

Harry spent a long time plucking up his courage. One evening, when the Common Room was emptying, Harry went over and sat down with Claire and Hermione, who were talking in hushed tones, and giggling. When Harry sat down, they both looked up at him.

'Um, Hermione, no offense, but do you mind if I have a word with Claire?' he asked.

'Course not,' Hermione said, getting to her feet.

'What is it Harry?' Claire asked.

'Um...Claire...well the thing is...I was wondering...well that's to say...I was hoping...do you think...perhaps we could...maybe...would you...like to...go to the Valentines Ball with me?' Harry asked awkwardly.

'Um...Harry, that's really sweet of you, but I'm going with someone else,' Claire said, trying to let him down gently.

'You...you're going with someone else..?' Harry asked. He hadn't been expecting that.

Claire nodded.

'Claire...what's happened to you? You've totally changed since you've been away, tell me the truth, what's going on?' Harry exploded.

'Harry I...while I was away...Well the truth is...I've got a boyfriend,' Claire told him.

'You've got a boyfriend?' Harry asked, gutted.

'Yes,' Claire said bluntly.

'But what about what we did before you went away?' Harry asked, trying to hold back tears.

'Well that was just a bit of fun, wasn't it?' Claire laughed. 'Don't tell me you read more into it Harry?'

'No...no I...I've got to go...' Harry bolted up to his dormitory. He flung himself on his bed, and let the tears he had been desperately trying to control, flow.

Harry couldn't believe it. Okay, so he had thought that Claire had gone off of him, but it never even entered his mind that she would have gotten a boyfriend. He couldn't bare to think of someone else kissing her...touching her...like he longed to. And that night that he held so dear in his heart, the best night of his life...to her it had just been a bit of fun. Harry felt hurt and used. He and Claire had lost it to one another, they had shared this special bond and this intimate moment, and now she thought nothing of it. Harry felt like such a fool. He couldn't believe he had let himself care about her so much. He was sure now he had a curse on him that he was doomed to lose everyone he was close to, one way or another. He couldn't help but wonder if this had something to do with Snape, if he had put some spell on Claire, but he knew he was clutching at straws, Snape wouldn't do that to Claire again after what happened last time. Harry knew he just had resign himself to the fact that Claire didn't like him anymore.

Now when Claire disappeared on weekends, Harry knew where she was going; to see her new boyfriend. He was hurt and angry and became just as sullen and withdrawn as he had been when Claire had been away. Ron tried to be patient with Harry of course, but it was hard being friends who didn't ever want to talk about anything, and was constantly snapping, so he was spending more and more time with Dean and Seamus. This suited Harry; he was bitterly beginning to think that he was eventually going to lose Ron aswell. One night he was lying in bed, unable to sleep, when he heard a noise. It was quiet, but Harry could hear what it was. Down in the common room, the Come What May tune was playing. Harry climbed out of bed, and walked down the stairs. Sitting with her back to Harry in the common room was Claire; the trinket box open in front of her.

'What are you doing?' Harry asked.

Jumping Claire closed the trinket box and spun round. 'Harry!' she exclaimed. 'I...I was just...'

'Claire, what's going on? Do you hate me? We sleep together, you go away, and you come back completely different. You say you have a boyfriend, and you act completely like you're not interested in me. And then I come down here, and you're playing that song...tell me you don't feel something for me Claire! I can't believe all my feelings for you are one-way. Tell me you don't feel anything for me Claire!' Harry burst out.

'Harry please I...' Claire sobbed.

'Say it! Say it if you mean it! Say you don't feel anything!' Harry demanded.

'I...I...Claire stood up, and looked Harry in the eye. 'I don't like you in that way Harry.' Her eyes welled over, and she ran from the common room.

That day was Friday the 13th. The next day, was Valentines Day. Harry couldn't have felt less in the mood. He should have been celebrating how happy he was Claire was back, perhaps leaving her an anonymous gift, but her guessing who it was really from, her hugging Harry thank you, him being bashful and saying it was just a friendly thing but them both knowing was more to it. Perhaps her even giving Harry a card, kissing him on the cheek and whispering in his ear, 'happy Valentines day Harry,' and then her giving him one of those heart-stopping smiles that made Harry feel a little dizzy and like there was no one else in the room. Instead, he walked into the common room, saw Claire sitting with Ron and Hermione, and Harry walked over to them, unable to look her in the eye. Dean and Ginny were sitting in a corner, cuddled up together and laughing softly. The sight turned Harry's stomach. He longed to smile, to poke his head out above this dark storm cloud that had gathered above his head, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. It felt like there was this heavy weight of sadness on his heart that made him just want to cry, and it made every task seem like such a pointless effort. It felt so impossible that he could feel so much for her, and she didn't even care about him any more. It was so had coming to terms with the fact that he had met his perfect match, but he wasn't perfect for her.

'Morning Harry,' Ron said. 'I don't think I can face breakfast this morning.'

'How come?' Harry asked.

'Well the owls will be bringing all the cards, won't they. Sickening really,' Ron made a face.

'Oh Ron,' Hermione sighed. 'I bet you wouldn't say that if you got one.'

'You never know Ron, you just might,' Claire said.

'No thanks,' Ron muttered.

'I think I'll stay here with you Ron,' Harry put forward. He couldn't face all that either.

'You boys don't know what you're missing out on,' Hermione said, getting to her feet. 'Come on Claire.'

The two girls left the common room.

'So how's things?' Ron asked. 'You seem really down lately.'

'It's nothing,' Harry sighed.

'No, come on, you can tell me,' Ron insisted.

'Well, have you noticed that Claire seems to be acting differently since she's got back?' Harry asked.

'Um...well she seems to be hanging around with Hermione a lot more, I guess. And she keeps going off a lot.' Ron mused.

'Do you know where she's been going?' Harry asked.

Ron shrugged. 'To see her Uncle?'

'Maybe...' Harry said. He didn't tell Ron what he knew.

A short while later, Claire and Hermione came back upstairs. Both girls had a card in their hand.

'Look what Victor sent me,' Hermione said; proudly holding out her card.

'Who's yours from Claire?' Ron asked.

'I don't know,' she shrugged. She purposely avoided Harry's eye as she said this.

Claire was finding it harder and harder to carry on. Though she had Tidus to take her mind off Harry, she couldn't completely keep him out of her head, especially at night, in her dreams. Then, she would relive all of the good times, and she would wake up feeling upset. She was finding it harder and harder to keep away from Harry. Having to tell him she didn't feel anything for him was the hardest thing she could remember doing. She couldn't bare hurting him, but it was the only thing she could do, she was just trying to do the right thing. So why did it feel very much like the wrong thing? She stood in her room, looking at herself in the mirror, the trinket box open and playing. She had just put on her dress for the evening. It was black and red, a halter-neck with a bow around the back and a short skirt. She had put her hair up with a rose hair band, and she had clasped her heart necklace around her neck. Staring at her reflection, she tried to get excited. She was going to a Valentine's dance with her wonderful boyfriend. But in her minds eyes, she could see Harry beside her. A tear slipped down her cheek, pulling her mascara with it. She wiped the tear from her cheek and tried to pull herself together. She was going to enjoy herself that night. But somehow, she didn't think she could carry on like this for much longer.

Claire went outside to meet Tidus; Dumbledore had gone to special measures to allow him to be there. Tidus was standing awkwardly at the door of the castle, looking up at the school in awe. When Claire stepped out into the cold air, Tidus' jaw dropped.

'Wow...' he gasped. 'You look...you look...amazing...'

'Thanks,' Claire smiled sweetly, smoothing down the skirt of her dress self-consciously. 'Shall we go in?'

'I don't know...I'm a little nervous,' Tidus admitted. 'This place is nothing how I'd imagined...it's amazing...'

'I know,' Claire nodded. 'I couldn't believe it the first time I saw it.'

'Let's go in,' Tidus decided. 'I want to see what it's like inside.'

He walked over to Claire, and took her by the arm. They walked in through the main doors. The Great Hall was filled with people, and lots of them turned to look at Claire and Tidus as they walked in. A lot of people started talking and pointing at not just Tidus, but Claire too. Everyone else seemed to be in very formal, elegant gowns. Although Claire's dress was fitting for the occasion, it was much sexier than what everyone else was wearing. Claire looked around the room. She saw Hermione looking uncharacteristically lovely. She could see her Uncle with Professor Weasley on his arm, and smiled to herself. She could see Draco giving Tidus a dirty look. And suddenly, somehow Claire's eye was drawn to Harry. The way he was looking at her hit her like a bolt as their eyes met. Claire felt like she had been winded, and tears sprung to her eyes. She ripped them away from Harry, looked at Tidus and smiled. He was staring up at the ceiling, which was enchanted to look like the sky outside.

'This is so cool...' he muttered.

A live band was playing on the stage. There were tables of food, which were all valentines themed.

Claire pulled Tidus down into the crowd of people, and started introducing him to all her friends. Tidus was like a child, he was so excited. Claire supposed this was how she would be if she was coming into this world for the first time, enthusiastic and eager. He wanted try a little bit of all of the food; it was like exotic quisine to him. Claire tried to enjoy herself, and laugh at his antics, but every time she closed her eyes, all she could see was Harry's sullen fact, looking over at her like the light had gone out of his life.

After a while, people started taking their partner in their arms and dancing.

'Would you like to dance?' Tidus asked, holing out his hand to Claire.

'Of course,' Claire smiled. She took Tidus' hand, and he pulled her close to him. They began to dance, looking into one another's eyes and smiling. Their bodies moved together harmoniously in time to the music. But as they danced, Claire couldn't help but feel like this would be their last time together, like it was a goodbye dance. She knew it couldn't work, as much as she wanted it to. Tidus had compared them to Romeo and Juliet, but neither of them wanted to end up like those star-crossed lovers, and even Romeo and Juliet weren't from worlds so different as Tidus and Claire. Claire wasn't sure if Tidus felt it too, but there was something in his eyes that suggested he knew it too. He gently lent down, and kissed her. It was a wonderful, magical kiss, and for a moment Claire forgot all of her problems, and all she could think about Tidus' lips against hers. But as he pulled away, Claire caught a glimpse of Harry's face over Tidus' shoulder. She wasn't sure if it was actually him or if it was just her imagination, but she tore away from Tidus, and ran outside.

Harry felt so unhappy and bitter. When Claire stepped into the Great Hall, she looked achingly beautiful. Harry knew it should be him on her arm, but it wasn't. Her muggle boyfriend was sickening good-looking, and Harry watched as he met everyone, who seemed to love him. He watched Claire laughing as he tried the food and commented on everything. Then Tidus held out his hand, Claire took it, and they begun to dance. Harry could barely stand to watch, but morbid curiosity kept his eyes on them. And then the thing he dreaded most happened. They kissed. Harry felt his heart breaking. He could cry no more tears, he felt numb. The kiss ended, and Claire looked up and met Harry's eye. Then she ran from the room. A moment later, lover-boy sprinted after her. Harry slumped down into a chair, and put his head in his hands.