Explanations

Nani was watching Harry at the other end of the Gryffindor table. He was talking to Ron and Hermione were no where in sight. Nani's hand was shaking slightly and she could have sworn her was telling Ron about her. No longer able to take the strain she stood up and walked out. She could feel him looking at her as she past. She couldn't help it she looked at him then sprinted out of the Great Hall.

Harry and Ron watched her run out. "You sure picked your self a weird one." Harry told Ron.

"Ya. Did you see her face she looked terrified." Harry nodded. She must be thinking I told Ron.

"I'll be right back. Actually I'll just meet you in our next class. What is it?"

"Potions."

"Ok. Meet you there." He walked out after Nani. He saw her slip down the stairs and out onto the grounds. Afraid she was headed for the forest he started running. She instead went over to the lake.

Pulling up her robes she slipped her shoes off and put her feet in. She sighed with satisfaction. The lake was cold but it felt good to be away from everyone. She had forgotten what it was like with so much human contact. She had even felt a little stressed out. Silently she called to them. They didn't reply. Wondering why she turned around. She almost jumped. About five feet from her was Harry Potter. She looked down. She no longer felt stronger than him in her human form.

He sat down next to her. "Nani can we talk?" She looked surprised but agreed. "About yesterday, is Malfoy always like that?" She almost smiled.

"Well I guess it would to you. I don't think you have ever seen me when I haven't been running from him. But no. Actually he like most people stays away from me. I guess you could say I freak people out." She shrugged.

"Well you sure scared the crap out of me."

"Yeah about that. I'm really sorry I had no reason to just threaten you like that. It was just well he had just tried to... um. I needed to vent and you were the closest one who couldn't hurt me then." She shrugged. "What would you have done?" He looked at her.

"I don't know. I have never had those things happen to me before. But I bet I be a little more brutal." She nodded her head.

"Ya." There was silence between them for a few minutes. "Nani if you can change why don't you just do that when Malfoy attacks you?" She looked down slightly embarrassed.

"I can't."

"Why?"

"If he ever found out and told someone." She looked down again. "I can live with it. It really isn't that bad. I mean I isn't like I enjoy it but..." She shrugged. "I guess I have just learned to run." Harry looked at her. She was nothing like she seemed on the train or out in the woods. She wasn't fierce and she wasn't a brat. She was so scared so she put on an act. Not a very good one but it kept others from getting to know her real self.

She was looking at him guessing wrongly about what he was thinking. "It really isn't this bad usually. I think I just really ticked him off on the train when I fought back. Ryan didn't help much either. I don't think he likes the fact that I have someone this year that can beat him up."

"This year?"

"Ya. That is why I'm used to it. It happened to me all last year. With only one big difference."

"What?"

"People who care." She smiled at him.

"Thanks for helping me. Oh yea and falcon has a surprise for you when you go back to the dormitories. Sorry if I scared you yesterday." She got up and put her shoes back on, Harry following suit.

"Nani are you and Ryan going out?" She laughed.

"No, Ryan told me he has a thing for another girl and we well I'm not available unless Malfoy never finds out." Harry gave her a quizzical look. "I tried to go out with someone last year. One day when I was supposed to meet him I found him beaten and bloody. He was almost dead Harry. I never let my self like any one after that. I was too afraid that the same thing would happen." She looked him straight in his eyes. Searching. "Harry, promise me that no matter what or who you will never tell anyone what we just talked about." He nodded his head. "Including Ryan. He doesn't know every thing. I'm sure I'll tell him eventually but not yet." She shivered remembering something. She gave him a hug and walked away.

Malfoy waited until everyone had left the class room. He walked up to Snape.

"Professor?"

"Yes Malfoy, what can I help you with?"

"Um say you have a girlfriend but you think she is cheating on you. What would you do?"

"Who is the lucky girl?"

"Nani Nightbrook." He said.

"A Gryffindor?" Snape demanded.

"Yes. But I have no choice. My parents told me they were trying to set up a marriage and well I wanted to get to know her."

"Why would your parents want a Gryffindor in the family?"

"She is a pureblood, she does well in all of her classes, and well she is the only one not related to be blood wise." Snape thought about her. The quiet one in the corner she was passing his class but rarely ever said anything. She left that to the loud brat who was with Potter.

"Well she is passing this class." Malfoy nodded.

"So is there anything I can do?"

"Yes confront her face to face. Sorry Malfoy but the potion for that is illegal. Good day." Malfoy knew a dismissal when he heard one. He left the room no better off then he was before.

Ron watched his friend. "So what did she tell you?" Harry looked down a little sad he was going to lie.

"She said she already likes someone."

"Oh. Who?"

"You know girls she wouldn't tell me."

"So it could be me?" Harry sighed.

"Maybe. Look Ron she isn't worth it, ok? You could do a lot better than her." Ron looked at him eyes blazing.

"I'm not dumb Harry. I know you like her. I have seen you lust after her, so don't try some philosophical crap with me ok?" With that her turned around and walked out of the common room. Harry leaned his head against the chair. This girl was becoming more of a hassle then she was worth. Remembering that the falcon had left him something he went up to his room. On his bed was his broom. Attached to it was a letter.

Dear Harry,

I'm so sorry. I had no right what so ever yesterday to threaten you, especially after you helped Ryan and me. I hope you can forgive me. If not I understand how you feel. I have been threatened before and I know it isn't easy to forgive those who do you wrong. Harry please don't mention anything to anyone. If not for me then for the wolves. If someone finds out about them they might try to kill them and I could be with them.

In your debt,

Nani

Ps I hope you like these.

Under the broom was a box of twelve chocolate frogs. He smiled and opened one eating it.