For the next two months, things went back to normal and I was left to get on with my studies and looking after myself. I missed Quidditch with a passion and couldn't bring myself to watch my fellow teammates training outside. The only thing that I looked forward to was the Yule Ball and to Harry's defence against the dark arts lessons. Dobby the house elf had revealed a very useful room to Harry, one that no one could find unless they knew where it was. Every time we entered the room, it was equipped with pillows or other objects that we might need for the lesson. Harry was a very good teacher and everyone who attended was learning all the spells at amazing speeds. The final lesson before the ball and the holidays, Harry had promised to let us have a quick go at conjuring our own Patronus. All the class was very excited but some had difficulty in forming theirs. Hermione and I however managed ours first time and I watched as my shaggy dog chased her otter around the room.

'Interesting Patronus Destiny.'

'Cheers Harry. What shape does yours take?'

'A stag.'

'And mine a shaggy dog. It seems that Padfoot and Prongs will always be here when we need them.'

'Sirius would be very pleased to hear that your Patronus has taken his form.'

'It might give him a big head! No, I'm glad because I'll know that whenever I see my Patronus, I'll feel safe, because it's like Sirius is watching out for me and he is the closest I have to a father now.'

'Talking of father's, how is Lucius.'

'He's fine, busy at the ministry trying to keep himself out of trouble.'

'He's not visited in a while.'

'Only because he is busy with the ministry.'

'I wonder how much of a help he's been.'

'Not much probably, he just keeps sending them off his tracks.' I said whilst smiling dimly.

'I thought he did.'

'He did seem to find Dumbledores' hiring of Ferenze quite funny when I told him.'

'Did he now? Well, it was funny and she deserved it. I don't like Professor Trelawney much but that was out of order.'

'Yes, it was and I am glad Lucius could see the funny side of Dumbledore's little trick.'

'You're not saying that Mr Malfoy is going soft in his old age.'

'It's not old age that is the reason.'

'No, it seems you have shown all of us that he does have a heart.'

'Harry, who are you going to the ball with next week?'

'Cho. Why?'

'No reason. I need a date, I can't walk in with Lucius now, can I?'

'I suppose not. Did he suggest anyone?'

'Only someone that there is no doubt about my relationship with. He actually suggested you.'

'I know, Dean?'

'Yeah?'

'Are you going to the ball with anyone?'

'Not yet, why?'

'Well, Destiny doesn't have a date, that's why.'

'Yeah but she's with Malfoy senior and I don't fancy getting on the wrong side of him.'

'Lucius isn't like that and he knows I can't go with him, just like he doesn't expect me to go alone! He would know there was nothing in it, it's not like your Oliver or anybody, is it?'

'Sorry! But if I'm not Oliver, I might find someone else thanks! Someone who thinks I am good enough.'

'Whatever! I'll go alone.'

'And dance by yourself?'

'Look Harry, I can look after myself! I'll find someone.'

'You know only too well that you won't and that's because you're stubborn like Sirius.'

'Yeah well, rather like Sirius than let everyone order me to do things that I don't want.'

'Ok, but keep your voice down, we don't want everyone knowing about snuffles.'

'Sorry Harry. Listen, I'll be ok. I'll find someone and if I don't, I'll cause a stir and arrive and dance by myself. See you tomorrow.'

'See you Destiny.'

I left the meeting and walked down towards the great doors. I was on my way down to see Oliver when I heard his voice behind me.

'Destiny.' I jumped when I heard him.

'Oliver, hi! You made me jump. What are you doing here?'

'We were just having a meeting, the teachers that is. Are you ok?'

'Yeah. Ok no, there's no need for you to look at me like that.'

'I just know when your lying. I spent five years studying your face, so I should know.'

'I should hope so too.'

'Come on.' Oliver took my hand and led me down a corridor I had never seen before. He opened a door and led me into what seemed to be an abandoned cupboard.'

'Oliver, if we get caught!'

'We won't, if you keep your voice down. What's wrong?'

'The Yule Ball. I'm head girl and I need a date, so I can open the dance along with whatever his name is, you know, the Hufflepuff kid. Anyway, I don't have a date because everyone is too scared of Lucius, which is understandable. Things used to be so easy.'

'When?'

'When we were together. I miss you so much.' I lent my head on his chest and Oliver eagerly wrapped his arms around me. I closed my eyes, letting his soft scent fill my nostrils and send all my senses wild with joy. I felt a tear slip down my cheek as I felt him stroke my hair softly and kiss the top of my head. He pulled away and cupped my face with one of his hands and tilted it so he could look into my eyes.

'What happened to us?' I looked into those deep, soft brown eyes and felt safe, loved, it was like no one had ever loved me until that very moment.

'You got scared.'

'It's all my fault, the mess you're in now.'

'No Oliver, it could never be your fault. It's all mine. I could have said no!'

'But if I hadn't have got scared and finished it with you, we would still be together and none of this would ever have happened. No one would be teasing you or being horrid to you in the corridors.' Again I felt a tear fall down my face and sobbed softly as Oliver softly wiped it away with his hand. I looked back up into his eyes and all reality dawned on me, I loved Oliver like I could love no other and whilst Lucius meant a great deal to me, there was no way he would ever come close.

'Oh Oliver, I love you; I love you so much it hurts for me to be away from you. I miss you more than anything else in this world. I miss having you hold me; I miss having you pass me the quaffle when I play Quidditch. I miss us!' The tears broke free, as did the cries and Oliver again pulled me into his chest, embracing me in one of his warm, comforting hugs. I felt my body shake with the sobs and Oliver held me even more tightly than he had been.

'You are a silly witch, do you know that? You're so eager to grow up, so eager to do all these different things that you don't stop to think that maybe you can't cope. All this with Lucius and Draco, it was difficult enough for Narcissa and she's forty. You're only eighteen years old.'

'I know, but if I had been with you, it might have been the same. I might have been pregnant.'

'And think about it, we would have seven years to fall back on, seven years compared to three months. Do you even want to marry Lucius?'

'No! But I didn't know what else to say or do and he does mean a lot to me and I'm not going to take his baby away from him.'

'I know that and I wasn't going to ask you to. I was just saying.'

'Oliver, do you love me?'

'More than anything in this world. I could never, ever love someone like I love you.'

'Would you still be here, if it all ended with Lucius?'

'I'll be waiting for you my whole life! I'll never move on.'

'Neither have I, if I'm true to myself. In fact, I'll never get over you either.'

'So we're clear on one thing, we love each other. Now, I want to see you at the ball on Saturday, looking stunning and even if you don't find a date, well, there's no one like you who could pull off arriving on their own and still maintaining their dignity.' I smiled and softly stroked Oliver's face. I lent up and kiss him softly on the lips but he didn't respond and make it deeper, which I was glad of because if he had, I wouldn't have let go. He opened the door and we quickly returned to the entrance hall were we said our goodbyes and I went quickly up to my room.