'Claire! Claire, what's wrong?' Tidus called, running after Claire. She turned and looked at Tidus, the tears on her cheeks shining in the moonlight.

'Tidus I...I'm so sorry,' she sobbed.

'What is it?' Tidus asked.

'I don't think I can do this any more Tidus.'

'I knew this was coming,' he sighed.

'What?' Claire asked.

'Well long distant relationships rarely work, and although we don't live so far apart, ours is more long distance than most. I really care about you though Claire, if there's any way you think we could make this work,' he took her hand in his, but Claire pulled it away.

'It's not just that Tidus. I really do care about you too...but there's something I haven't told you. I...I was in a relationship before I stayed with you lot, with someone called Harry. Well, not a relationship exactly, but it might as well have been. But then things started going wrong. I can't really explain the whole thing, but in our world there is a Dark Lord, and me being with Harry was putting us both in danger, and that's why I had to come and stay with you guys. But now I'm back. And I'm supposed to be keeping away from him, but it's so hard. I still have feelings for him. I'm sorry Tidus,' Claire explained.

'You...you have feelings for someone else?' Tidus asked slowly.

Claire nodded.

'But...but why didn't you tell me? Why did you go out with me when you felt this way?' Tidus asked in disbelief.

'It wasn't like I didn't feel anything for you, and I thought if stayed with you, I thought I could get over him.'

'So you were using me?' Tidus asked angrily.

'No, I wasn't I...' tears glazed over Claire's eyes.

'Well that's how it sounds to me,' Tidus told her. 'I think I'd better go.' He turned and walked away. Claire stood and watched him walk away, tears running down her cheeks.

When she walked back into the Great Hall, there were two things which made Claire momentarily smile. The first thing she noted was her Uncle and Annabelle kissing in a corner. The second thing she noticed was Luna was on the stage singing a self-penned song. They must have been doing kareoke. When Luna had finished singing, a few people, mainly Slytherin's cheered. Claire thought this was harsh, but she had to admit Luna's voice wasn't exactly brilliant. Next up onto the stage, was Harry. Claire swallowed. He started to sing, and the words he sung hurt Claire's heart.

'This Romeo is bleeding, but you can't see his blood,

It's nothing but some feelings that this old dog kicked up

It's been raining since you left me, now I'm drowning in the flood,

You see I've always been a fighter, but without you I give up,

Now I can't sing a love song, like the way it's meant to be,

Well I guess I'm not that good anymore, but baby that's just me,

Yeah I will love you baby, Always,

Yeah I'll be there, forever and a day, Always,

I'll be there till the stars don't shine,

Till the heavens burst and the words don't rhyme,

I know when I die; you'll be on my mind,

Coz I love you, Always,'

Although the song had been written by someone else, it felt like Harry was voicing his feelings to Claire. She wanted to call out to him, 'I'm sorry Harry,' but she knew she couldn't. She had to protect him. And yet it was hurting her, it was hurting both of them so much.

'Now the pictures that you left behind, are just memories of a different life,

Some they made us laugh, some they made us cry,

Well what made you; have to say goodbye,

What I'd give to run my fingers through your hair, Touch your lips, to hold you near,'

Harry sung this with such potent emotion that everyone could hear it in his voice. He looked so unhappy, almost on the verge of breakdown, that Claire didn't think she could stand it any longer.

'When you say your prayers try to understand, I've made mistakes, I'm just a man,

When he holds you close, when he pulls you near,

When he says the words, you've been needing to hear,

I wish I was him, coz those words are mine, To say to you till the end of time,

Yeah I will love you baby, Always,'

Claire thought of all the times Tidus had held her in the past few weeks, all the times he had kissed her and touched her, and she knew it should have been Harry.

'Yeah I'll be there, forever and a day, Always,

If you told me to lie for you, I could,

If you told me to die for you, I would,

Take a look at my face there's no price I won't pay, to say these words to you,'

The guitar solo began to play, and Harry looked directly at Claire, as if to say he was saying those words to her. Claire's eyes were filled with tears.

'I'm...I'm so sorry,' she whispered, and although Harry could not hear her, he understood what she meant. Then she ran from the room, and Harry watched her go.

Claire sat in the common room, crying. The trinket box Harry had bought her was playing beside her. Suddenly, the music stopped as someone closed the box. Claire looked up. Harry stood beside her.

'Harry,' she gasped.

'Claire,' he murmured.

'I'm...I'm so sorry,' Claire sobbed. 'I can't do this any more. I can't do this to you, despite how hard I've tried...' Claire's voice cracked, and she put her head in her hands. Harry sat down beside her, and gently put his hand on her shoulder. Claire looked up at him. His eyes were red-rimmed.

'After all I've put you through, and you still comfort me,' Claire said with disbelief.

'Of course,' Harry said. 'I love you Claire. No matter what you've done to me, I still can't stand to see you cry.'

'Oh Harry,' Claire said, her eyes welling up again. He took her in his arms and hugged her.

'Tell me why Claire,' Harry said softly.

'Because I had to,' she told him.

'You had to?' Harry asked with some skepticism.

Claire looked up at him, and nodded. 'I can't explain it. It's not that I don't want to, but I can't.'

'But why can't you?' Harry asked, exasperated.

'I just can't!' Claire insisted.

'I can't handle this,' Harry said, getting to his feet and starting to pace around. 'It's doing my head in.'

'I'm sorry Harry,' Claire repeated, lowering her eyes, which were threatening to spill.

'You keep saying that, but I don't believe you,' Harry exclaimed. 'You come back here a completely different person. After that, I don't think I can believe anything any more. Let alone you saying that you do have feelings for me and you "can't" explain why you've been acting this way all this time. You're just going to get me off my guard and then hurt me again.'

Claire was a little shocked by Harry's sudden outburst. 'N-no Harry, that's not what I want to do at all. You've got to believe me, I...'

'Why should I believe you?' Harry demanded, turning sharply to look at her.

'Because I'm telling the truth!' Claire insisted.

'Do you know what you've put me through?' Harry asked. 'That night we spent together was the best moment of my life. I thought for once, for once something good was happening to me. And then you disappeared, and I was suddenly alone. I thought I'd never see you again, I was desperately unhappy. I didn't see the point in anything any more. And then you came back, and it felt like I'd been given a second chance of something. Like everything was going to be all right after all, that I hadn't needed to be unhappy after all. But I was wrong. Because you came back a completely different person. And I had no idea why. But the only thing I could think of, that would have changed the way you felt about me, was what we did that night together. So I've been left thinking that you got bored of me, or you were just using me, or you didn't enjoy it. And I have no idea how much of that is true.'

'None of it's true Harry,' Claire said desperately. 'Besides, why don't you try and think for one moment what I've been going through. Having to pretend that I don't feel anything for you. Knowing that you're there, but I can't be with you? It's been so hard...' she held back tears.

Harry sat down next to her, and took her hand. 'Do you really mean it?' he asked. 'I don't understand why you had to pretend, or why you can't tell me, but do you really mean this?'

Claire nodded. Harry closed his eyes and shook his head; Claire could see tears welling up underneath his eyelids. 'Oh Claire,' he said, his voice trembling. 'You can't begin to imagine how much I feel for you. All this...it's been driving me crazy. I've been lost without you. Every night I've been imagining this moment...'

'Me too,' Claire said, her eyes welling up as well. 'Me too.'

Harry looked down at her, and they gazed into one another's shining eyes, with such pain and desire. 'Stop pretending,' Harry whispered. 'If just for tonight.'

Claire gave a slight nod, which was more than enough for Harry. He lent down, and kissed her. After being so long apart, it was the most passionate, eagerly awaited kiss Claire had ever had. Because it was fuelled with so much emotion, it was an amazing, burning kiss that made them lose themselves in one another.

'I've missed you,' Harry said, smiling when he pulled away.

'Same here,' Claire grinned, before he kissed her again.

As they kissed, Harry started moving his hands over Claire's skin, which he had missed so much.

'Oh Harry,' Claire sighed, as Harry moved back to look at her. But Harry had an unsure look in his eyes.

'What is it?' Claire asked.

'Last time we did this, I woke up the next morning and you were gone,' Harry said sadly. 'I don't think I can put myself through it again. I can't let myself get close to you.'

'But Harry, I'm not going anywhere. That's why I'm back, because I couldn't bare to be away from this place, my Uncle, you. I'm sorry if I hurt you, I never meant to. Please believe me, everything I did, I thought was for the best. I'm not going to hurt you again Harry, please believe me.' She looked into his eyes, which were filled with tears of sorrow and feeling. 'Do you trust me?'

Slowly, Harry nodded. 'If I don't believe in you, then I haven't got anything.'

Claire smiled at his gratefully. He lent down and kissed her again, more hungrily now. Claire could tell Harry wanted her, and she wanted him too. Harry started caressing the skin of her bare back with his cool hands, the sensation of which made Claire shiver slightly. Harry moved his hands further and further down Claire's back, until he wasn't feeling her back any more. For a while Harry's roaming hands were content to stay and feel there for a while, but not for long. Soon they were moving back up Claire's back, up until they reached the back of her neck. For a moment his fingers gently played with the tendons there, but then they captured the silky material of Claire's dress with their tips. It was halter-neck and tied up at the back, and the elegant bow Harry was stroking was the only thing keeping the top half of Claire's dress up. For a moment the knot stayed tight, and the dress stayed secure, but then Harry's fingers bean to pull the bow undone. Claire's breathing began to quicken, but she didn't stop Harry. So he completely undid the fragile knot, and the material that covered Claire from neck to waist floated down.

Meanwhile, Claire's own hands were not unoccupied. She had quickly pushed off Harry's jacket and undone his formal bow tie, and now she was getting to work on the buttons of his shirt. But her busy fingers had to pause as she felt Harry's hands start to feel her bare chest.

'Oh Harry,' Claire gasped, when Harry removed his lips from hers so he could kiss her neck and shoulders, whilst his hands gently squeezed her breasts.

'You don't know how long I've been waiting for this,' Harry murmured between kisses.

'Oh, I know,' Claire told him. All her senses and feeling were heightened. Harry's slightest touch sent tingles through her. It was the same for Harry. Every time Claire's fingers brushed against his chest as she undid another button, it added to the anticipation. Harry could feel blood rushing down between his legs as he felt Claire's body, she turned him on and excited him so much. Everything seemed to be going to fast, it was getting so hot and too intense (twins on a camping holiday).

Claire pushed off Harry's shirt, and it was now her turn to run her hands down Harry's bare back.

'Ummm Claire,' Harry mumbled into her neck.

Claire could feel very tangible proof that Harry was getting excited. They continued to kiss and caress one another for a while longer, before Claire's hands began to move down to Harry's trousers. Harry took a sharp intake of breath as Claire touched his hard tool through his trousers. She undid the button at the top, and then took ahold of the zip, and pulled it down.

'Yeah,' Harry whispered.

Claire pulled down Harry's trousers and boxers, releasing the bulge inside. Harry started kissing Claire on the lips again, and Claire started stroking his member. Harry groaned happily.

'That's good. That's so good,' Harry hissed in Claire's ear as she started running her hand up and down.

Harry finally felt content. He was where he wanted to be, with Claire as he had been in the common room that night all that time ago. He tried not to think about what had taken place after that night, and that history could repeat itself. He just let himself sit back and enjoy the moment. And enjoy it he did. The good feeling grew rapidly in Harry's dick as Claire's fingers rubbed it up and down.

Claire was feeling quite turned on herself. She felt like she was where she belonged, with Harry. All she wanted to do was please him and make him happy. She wanted to make up for everything she had done to hurt him.

'Oh Claire, go faster, I think I'm close,' Harry gasped.

Claire obeyed and pumped her hand even faster. Harry wasn't lying. He started moving his hips up and down in time with the rhythm Claire had created and groaning loudly. Finally Harry reached his climax, and as he moaned with pleasure, his white seed shot from him. It landed on Claire's dress.

'Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry,' Harry apologized profusely, grabbing a tissue and wiping it off.

'It's okay,' Claire smiled. Harry smiled back at her, and then started kissing her again. But as he moved his hands back onto her body, it dawned on Claire that she shouldn't be doing this. She couldn't let things go any further. She pulled away.

Harry looked at her, a dreamy smile on his face, but it faded as she pulled up her dress and tied it back up around her neck.

'Claire?' he said tentatively.

'I've got to go,' she said uncomfortably. 'Goodnight Harry.'

And with that, she walked up to her dormitory.

Harry was left sitting, wondering what he had done wrong. After all Claire's reassurances, Harry really hadn't believed he would be left sitting all alone. Why had he let himself get close to her again? Knowing Harry's luck, she would probably be gone the next morning. He couldn't help but be a little happy about what had just happened, but Harry's predominant feeling was of worry about why Claire had disappeared so sharply. Slowly, he went up the stairs to his bedroom. When he closed his eyes, he fell asleep easier than he had in a while.

Harry was sitting in the common room with Claire. They were sitting in the seat where Claire had given Harry his hand job, kissing.

'Harry, I wasn't lying to you,' Claire said. 'I do care about you.'

Harry smiled at her, but a frightened look spread across Claire's face, and she backed away from Harry and hid behind a chair. Harry felt his head looking around although he wasn't consciously moving it.

'She's back,' Harry said, in a voice that was very unlike his own. 'I can feel her. The key to their undoing-and my success. Through her I will cause them more pain and misery than they can imagine. Bringing her back was a very foolish mistake. Soon I will have her-and then it will begin.'

He began to laugh, and Harry's forehead began to burn. The searing pain awoke him with a cry.

Later on, Harry was lying in bed, after persuading all his roommates that he was fine. So now he knew why Claire had been taken away from Hogwarts. Voldemort was after her. But how had they found out that this was so? Harry only knew through his dreams, which came from his link with Voldemort. This link with Voldemort must have been how he had found out about Claire, which was why they had taken her away, to keep her away from Harry so that Voldemort wouldn't know where she was. Harry felt himself feeling guilty about this. Claire shouldn't have had to been taken away from it all and had her memories all changed because of Harry, if it had been done to anyone, it should have been him. That must have been why she had been avoiding Harry since she got back until last night. And that was probably why she had run off last night. It was all falling into place. Now Harry couldn't wait to talk to Claire, and explain that he knew why everything had happened.

However, the next morning when Harry went down into the common room, Claire was not there. Hermione was sitting with Ron by the fire.

'Hey Hermione, have you seen Claire?' Harry asked Hermione.

'Yeah, I think she's gone to see Dumbledore,' Hermione told him.

'Dumbledore?' Harry asked, jolting up.

'Yeah,' Hermione nodded. 'She didn't say why though.'

Without further explanation, Harry ran from the common room. He had to find Claire. What if she was asking to leave again? Harry had to tell her that he understood now, that he knew why she had to leave in the first place.

He ran down the corridors, desperate to find her. He ran round a corner, and who did he run directly into, but Claire.

'Harry!' she exclaimed.

'Claire!' he panted. 'Please! You can't leave again! I had a dream last night, I know what's going on!'

'Harry! I'm not going anywhere' Claire said, startled by his outburst.

'Then...then why did you go to see Dumbledore?' Harry asked.

'I had a dream last night too,' Claire exclaimed. 'Dumbledore told me to tell him if I had any. Harry, how do you know what's going on, what did you dream last night?'

'I dreamt...we were in the common room. Just you and me. And everything was fine. But then you looked at me, and you looked terrified of me. And I think I must have been seeing through Voldemort's eyes, because I started speaking as him and everything. He said that you are the key to our undoing, and that bringing you back was a mistake. And that's when I realised, that's why you went away, because somehow you knew about this, and Dumbledore thought if he kept you away from me, Voldemort would leave you alone. Am I right?' Harry told her quickly.

Claire nodded.

'But how did you know? That's what I want to know?' Harry asked.

'On my birthday...the night before I went away...I had a dream. It was terrifying, Voldemort was threatening me, saying all these things he was going to do to me...he said so much I can barely remember. Dumbledore said that somehow you and I had shared a bond. Like the bond between you and Voldemort, but created differently to how the bond between you and Voldemort was forged. He isn't entirely sure how, but I have a fair idea, and I think he can probably guess. But like Voldemort passed some of himself into you, Dumbledore thinks a part of you is in me. Which is why I had the dream. And now Voldemort is partly connected to me. So you're right, that's why I went away, and that's why I've been avoiding you, because Dumbledore thought that then Voldemort would leave me alone. But last night I had a dream. The same dream as yours, except from my point of view. And when I went to tell Dumbledore today, he said that he thinks that it doesn't make a difference if I'm friends with you or not, or if I become a new person, the bond has been made and it can't be undone. And so I guess if we wanted to do anything that might have made the bond in the first place, it wouldn't matter, because it's too late now anyway.' Claire grinned.

'I see,' Harry said. 'So...you're staying. And we can be together now?'

'Yes,' Claire said, smiling, and took Harry's hand.

The next day was the first day of half term. Most people were going home to see their families, so although Claire and Harry were sad to be saying goodbye to Ron and Hermione, they were also glad to be able to get the chance to spend some time together.

That evening in the common room sat Harry, Claire, Neville (who had fallen asleep) and a few of the younger Gryffindors. However, this year the students who stayed for the holiday was exceptionally low, due to the circumstances.

Claire was talking about staying with Lulu and Wakka, and how strange it was to have different memories.

'...and I kept seeing your face when I was...'

'When you were what?' Harry asked.

'When I was...with Tidus,' Claire admitted.

'You just closed your eyes and saw my face?' Harry asked.

'Well, no not exactly,' Claire said uncomfortably. 'It's kind of hard to explain.'

'How close were you to Tidus, anyway?' Harry asked.

'Quite close,' Claire shrugged.

'Quite?' Harry probed. 'Did you do anything with him?'

'I don't really want to talk about it,' Claire said firmly. 'I wasn't the same person then.'

'What about when you came back and you were still going out with him?' Harry asked. 'You were back to your old self then.'

'Why do you want to know?' Claire asked

'Why don't you want to tell me?' Harry retorted.

'Well it's in the past isn't it? What's the point in dwelling on it, it'll just get you upset,' Claire sighed.

'So there is something,' Harry pushed. 'Or else why would I get upset about it?'

'Harry, just leave it' Claire asked.

'Well, fine, if you don't want to talk to me,' Harry said, getting to his feet, 'then I'll go to bed.' And with that, he walked off in a huff.

Harry was falling asleep. He was thinking about Claire, and the night they had spent together. He was hoping that sometime they would be able to repeat it. Harry felt a pleasure in his dick, which he figured to be just part of the dream. That is, until he heard Claire whisper,

'yeah, you like that Harry don't you?'

Harry jumped out of his skin. He opened his eyes and saw Claire sitting over him.

'Claire?!' he exclaimed. 'How did you get in here?'

'Magic,' Claire grinned. 'And a little help from my broom.'

'Wow,' Harry said. He then realized her hands were still around his stiff cock.

'So come on Claire, don't be a tease, what are we going to do then?' Harry asked.

'Well you could put that away somewhere,' Claire said suggestively, looking down at the bulge in the covers.

'I can think of a couple of places...' Harry mused. 'But here's an idea. Why don't you take your clothes off?'

'Okay!' Claire said without hesitation. While she started pulling off her top, Harry started undoing her jeans. He was desperate to get at her, he wanted her now. Soon Claire's clothes were on the floor, and she was lying on top of Harry in nothing but her underwear. They were kissing, and Claire's legs were on either side of Harry, so she could easily feel his erection against her. Harry started running his hands over Claire's body, and Claire started rubbing herself against Harry.

'I really want to fuck you,' Harry said breathlessly as he pulled away from their passionate kiss.

'I don't mind,' Claire said, smiling seductively, and then kissed him again.

Harry's hands moved around to Claire's back, where he started undoing her bra. While he did this, Claire put one of her hands down between their two bodies, and gently squeezed Harry's dick, making him even harder, and moan happily. Harry pulled away Claire's bra, exposing her chest for him to feel eagerly and kiss hungrily. Claire gasped at the feeling of Harry's lips against her sensitive skin.

After a while of teasing one another like this, Harry was starting to feel desperate. He needed release. So his hands started creeping down towards Claire's waistline. He moved them down her back, and into her knickers. He squeezed her bottom before pushing away her last item of clothing. Then he rolled Claire over, so he was now on top. He looked down lustfully at her naked body, longing to be inside her.

'Fuck me Harry,' Claire murmured. Harry didn't need to be told twice. As gently as he could control himself to do, he pushed inside of Claire. She wasn't too tight or dry, Harry seemed to fit in perfectly. They both groaned at the pleasurable sensation. Then Harry started moving up and down to continue this feeling. It was like a continuation of the first time, they had gotten over their initial shyness and tentativeness and now they just wanted each other. Harry pushed in and out harder and faster than before, which made it feel so much better. Seeing Claire writhing and gasping beneath him turned Harry on to the point that it was all he could do to stop himself from coming right then.

After a while, Claire decided that she wanted some control, so, taking Harry in her arms, she rolled him over so now she was on top again. She lent down and kissed him softly on the lips, before sitting up and starting to ride him hard and fast. In a way this was better for both of them, because Harry could sit back and enjoy which Claire could control speed and depth. She could feel Harry's long member moving in and out of her, and groaned with ecstasy. she could feel the sensations of pleasure growing inside her, and she knew soon she would reach her ultimate climax.

'I think I'm going to come,' she whimpered.

'Good,' Harry groaned. He didn't know how much longer he could hold out. Claire started riding faster and faster to feed her desire, until suddenly they both exploded in an eruption of feelings. They cried out together, feeling the ultimate pleasure of orgasm. Finally it was over, they had both fulfilled their needs for one another.

Claire slumped down beside Harry, and he pulled her too him. He hugged her close, their warm bodies pressed against one another. They were both completely happy and content, if only for this one moment in time. Slowly, together they both drifted into sleep.