"But...but how?" Ally asked in shock, her voice breathy.

"That lame promise you made, remember?" he answered obnoxiously.

Ally observed his ragged appearance, mouth agape. His raven hair was up to his shoulder blades and was extremely greasy and unkempt, and a beard up to his chest; both showing signs of aging with a few patches of gray. His bloodshot, beady eyes were obviously tired - large dark bags under them. Wrinkles on his forehead, he looked like dead. His figure was incredibly thin, amost as if he never had muscles - or eaten, for that matter. Dressed in dirty, loose, and ripped jeans and an equally destroyed T-shirt, he looked like hell.

"...Er, my promise?"

"Yeah," he replied calmly, observing the piano.

"...But, but it was just a dream...it had to have been - it's only logical - "

"This is the magical word, love," Sirius reminded. "Nothing is logical - "

"Try telling that to Hermione - "

"She's here?" he asked energetically. "...And what about Harry? Is he here, too?"

Ally wanted to lie and say no, but she knew it wouldn't be fair to rob this poor man of his only reason to live - despite what his 'reason to live' had put her through during the past few hours. After a few moments, she answered. "...Yeah. They're here."

"Glorius!" Sirius replied with a beaming smile - the only part of his appearance that seemed to still be alive. He left the room in a rush, but still closing the door behind him. Ally sat back down on the piano seat, her eyes wide and welling with tears.

"How is this?" she said. "Even the man I saved from death - although unintentionally - doesn't even wanna talk to me! Damn it, he didn't even give me a meager thank-you..." Taking a deep breath, she turned to the piano. Two tear droplets fell from her eyes and onto the keys. Placing her fingers on the keyboard - but not pressing them - it all became clear to her.

"No one cares about me," she said angrily. "Just wait and see, Ally. They'll all fawn over Sirius now that he's back. They'll absolutely fawn...like they didn't do when I entered that bloody dining room." Ally wiped her wet cheek in despair. "They'll probably even tell him that they missed him and were plagued with nightmares after his death." She sniffled and hit a high D.

From the outside, Sirius's hand was still on the doorknob. He hadn't walked away, but was curious to see as to what relation this depressed young lady had with his godson. So this is why she was all teary... Slowly and carefully, he opened the door. His coal-black eyes met her deep, brown ones.

"...Er, need to talk, love?" Sirius asked, closing the door.

Ally bit her lip and shot her eyes away from Sirius onto the floor. He heard everything? Well, that's embarrassing...

"What'd you say your name was? Ashley or something?"

"It's Ally," she asnwered quietly.

"Oh...er, sorry, love. I'm not very good with names...charms - and the most embarrassing ones at that - yes, but names...er, not quite my forte," Sirius stammered. His hands were fishing in his back pockets, hoping to find something to give her. It would make her feel better - alhough, what can a man who's just come from the dead have in his pocket other than lint?

Ally didn't answer.

This girl is really suffering. She doesn't feel loved, and that really sucks...

"Er," Sirius began shakily. "Mind if I sit?"

Ally scooted over on the piano seat, and he sat down.

"Er...so, mind telling a complete stranger what's the matter?"

Ally looked into his beady eyes - tears filling her own - before completely breaking down again. She told him everything, and she was glad that he was there. He even hugged her in comfort.

"Do you think it's stupid?" Ally managed to choke after she was finished with the heart-breaking tale.

"No, no, no," Sirius found himself saying quickly as he pushed her away from him so that he could look at her face. The tear-streaked cheeks were engulfed in despair, and her brown eyes were pleading for mercy. Shaking in his arms, she watched his surprised expression turn into a kind smile. "It's not stupid..."

"Then why do I -"

"You're upset that no one loves you. But in truth, there are many that do."

Ally pulled away from his gentle grasp and roughly wiped her cheeks. "Name one," she spat as she stood, glaring at him.

"No need for the hatred, love," Sirius replied.

"Because no one loves me?"

"No! I mean, c'mon...doesn't...no, wait...how about...no, no..."

"See!"

"You, sit down and shut up. I was never one who does well under pressure," Sirius snapped. Ally glared at him before obeying and muttering something about stupidity and lies. "Look, doesn't Hermione love you? I mean, from what you said she was really nice and caring - "

"She was faking," Ally interjected coldly. "She was just trying to be nice - "

"Will you stop thinking the worst of people?" Sirius demanded. Ally looked at him, and he continued. "I mean, God, woman! Just because the whole bloody world isn't perfect doesn't mean that there aren't any nice people in it! ...Take me for example. I could've just left you here to cry and sob whilst I went rejoicing and reuniting with my family! But I didn't. You know why?"

"Because you felt guilty?" she asked quietly, her eyes now fixed on the keyboard.

"...Er, well, yes. But that's not the point - " Sirius stopped abruptly as the door opened and in walked Hermione.

"Oh my God...Sirius?" Hermione shrieked before fainting onto the floor.

(an hour later)

Molly was scurrying around the Burrow and screaming at everyone. She wanted everything to be orderly. All the males were laughing and hanging around with Sirius, and the women were simply wandering around the house. Only Molly was showing concern for the unconscious Hermione. While Molly was hurrying about, Ally walked into the room that Hermione was laying in.

"Sorry," she whispered, running her fingers along Hermione's hand. "If you heard anything I said. I didn't mean it. I know that you've been caring for me. Whether you were sincere or not, thanks..."

Ally looked out the window that was at the far end of the room. The window was enormous - nearly as tall as the room - and was half the width of it. Feeling a bit rebellious, Ally walked over to the window. It had dusty, black, metal panes all across it; the golden knobs were also dusty. She wanted to open it -

"Oh, um...excuse me..."

Ally turned around to see Harry staring at the floor. All the aggravation and pain he gave her was rising inside of her, burning to get out. Her wrath was fighting to be unleashed; her tears and depression were begging to be set free. But I can't show him my emotions, she thought angrily. I can't show him that I'm weak. That insignificant little git...

"Do you mind?" he asked, opening the door. "I would like to be alone with Hermione right now."

Ally shot him a threatening glance, but was sure he couldn't read the look for what it was, and walked outside without a word.

Harry made sure the door was closed behind her, and sat beside Hermione's bed. He took her hand, and started confessing with tears. "Oh, Hermione..."

Hermione's eyes fluttered open.

"Oh, Hermione," Harry said again, not caring that his friend had regained consciousness.

She looked around her, then at Harry. As he continued to cry, Hermione noticed that he wasn't at all in the right state and didn't say anything. Instead, she held his hand and let him continue.

"I...I feel so bad...." He sniffled. "I...I lied to her..."

"To who?"

"Ally..."

Hermione wanted to smack this boy up side the head, but restrained herself. You bloody git! What THE HELL were you THINKING? Lying to poor Ally! Do you REALIZE how bloody upset she's been? I've never seen anybody cry like that! You bloody bastard!

"I told her that I didn't love her...but I do. I know I told you and Ron that I was over her, and that I've moved on..."

"Haven't you?" Hermione asked, her words stinging slightly.

"I did...until she came back...damn you, 'Mione!" he screamed.

"What did I do?" she asked defensively.

"Why didn't you tell me she woke up?" he screamed again, standing up and throwing her hand on the bed. "Hell, why didn't you tell me that she was coming to dinner!"

"Because I wanted to surprise you - "

"And we all see what a good idea that was!"

"Excuse me?" she shouted, jumping off the bed, ready to slap him.

"If you had just told me that she was here, I wouldn't of acted the way I did - "

"Then why did you act the way you did?"

"Because I was surprised!"

"Well, life's full of surprises. Get over it!"

"If you would have just told me, then I would've at least given her a hug, damn it!"

"How should I have known that?" she shrieked, throwing her hands in the air.

"Well, you're a bloody teacher, aren't you?" he shouted. "Why don't you tell me?"

"Because it's also the student's job to be prepared for anything!" she screamed, her shaking. Harry didn't say anything. Instead, he started to smile. "What the hell is wrong with you, Potter!" Hermione yelled, slapping him on the shoulder.

"Psyche."

"You f-cking lied to me? All that drama was nothing? A lie? Just sh-t?" she screamed again.

"Yep. Just wanted to see how you would've reacted. It was Ron's idea." He smiled evilly before walking outside.


A/N: I'm sorry if that seemed like a stupid chapter. But it's supposed to create a certain illusion about...