Ok, so I got a bit bored at home and so I decided to work on chapter 12. I really should be reading for summer reading projects…but I am lazy. For all Green Day fans that perhaps read this story and get the Independent Film Channel, on July 9th, the video for Jesus of Suburbia will appear. And all Harry Potter fans shouldn't forget the little thing that happens on July 16th…(a.k.a. HBP COMES OUT!) Oh and I have a dedication to someone who has already earned a dedication, Jimmy for his recent birthday (June 12th). Ok, on with the story…

Chapter 12

Meeting Zachary

Over the next weeks, there were snowball fights, Quidditch practices, the students returned and the homework piled up. In fact, the weeks went by in such a blur, that in no time, Nikki was heading to bed on Friday the 19th excited about the day ahead.

The next morning, Nikki awoke in a slight daze. She knew something good was happening but in the early Morning State, could not figure out what it was. Then it hit her. She was seeing her brother. She jumped out of bed and ran to the bathroom and got in the shower. When she got out, she went back to her room and picked out her clothes. She chose a pair of dark jeans and a red sweater. Nikki then put on some make-up…light lip-gloss and some eyeliner. Nikki had just recently gotten into eyeliner. Finally, around 10:30, she grabbed her cloak, scarf, and mittens and made her way downstairs to meet Harry.

He was waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs wearing jeans and a black turtleneck sweater. He held his arm out in a gentlemanly fashion and they made their way to the Great Hall. They each grabbed a muffin and headed up the path to take them to Hogsmeade.

Zachary had said for her to meet him at the bookstore in the Quidditch section and noon. It was now 11. Harry and Nikki made their way to The Three Broomsticks and found a small table in a corner. Harry went to the bar and ordered a couple of butterbeers. For nearly an hour, all they did was sit and sip their butterbeers and talk.

At 11:45, they left the pub and headed toward the bookstore. When they arrived, they were five minutes early. Nikki knew Zachary was always early. As soon as she entered the door, she sprinted towards the Quidditch section. She saw a figure leaning against a shelf with a book open in his hands. He was a tall guy, 6'2, about twenty years old (in reality he was 23). He was very lean and muscular. He had relatively long brown hair and deep brown eyes.

"Zach?" Nikki asked as she slowly made her way to the figure. The man looked up and a huge smile broke out on his face. He dropped the book as Nikki ran over and leapt into his arms and hugged him.

"Nikki, ma qualité il est bon de vous revoir. Je me suis ennuyé de vous tellement." Zach said.

(Translation: Nikki, my goodness it is good to see you again. I missed you so much.)

"Oui, Zach. Je me suis ennuyé de vous davantage que vous pouvez imaginer. Je suis si heureux vous êtes bien." Nikki replied leaving Harry completely lost. He didn't know they could speak French.

(Translation: Yes, Zach. I missed you more than you can imagine. I am so glad you are okay.)

"Et qui est ceci?" Zach asked.

(Translation: And who is this?)

"Mon petit ami, Harry. Harry Potter" Nikki responded.

(T: My boyfriend, Harry)

"Le Harry Potter!" Zach asked, amazed.

(T: The Harry Potter)

"Oui, celui et seul." Nikki replied.

(T: Yes, the one and only.)

"Well Harry, it is a pleasure to meet you." Zach said, finally in a language Harry knew, and extended his hand to him.

"Pleasure to meet you too." Harry responded while shaking his hand.

"Will you be joining us all day?" Zach inquired.

"No, I just came to meet you and see Nikki off. I am going to meet some friends and let the two of you just be alone." Harry said, even though he was not planning on meeting anyone.

"I'd really enjoy it if you joined us. I would like to get to know you a bit better." Zach offered.

"Alright, I suppose I could stay." Harry agreed. He knew Nikki wanted to spend time with her brother but if Zach wanted him to stay…well, he wasn't going to argue. Voldemort was one thing, but his girlfriend's strong brother who was older and bigger was not a challenge he wanted to face.

As they were walking out of the bookstore, Nikki leaned over and whispered to Harry, "I'm glad you could stay. Zach must really like you."

"I didn't plan on staying, I know how much you and Zach need to be together to get caught up." Harry whispered back.

"It's no problem." She replied.

"Why didn't you tell me you knew French?" Harry asked.

"There are a lot of things you don't know about me." Nikki responded with a smirk.

"When did you learn French anyway?" Harry asked.

"Before I came to Hogwarts and also over the summers. My brother and I are the only ones who speak it in our family. We have been able to speak it for years, so it's kinda like a code language for us." Nikki said before turning back to her brother. "So Zach, do you know when or even if you can start work again?" Nikki asked.

"Yeah, I went down to see them a few weeks ago. I start back on Monday. I can't wait." Zach said with a smile.

"Did you hear about Sirius Black yet?" Nikki asked, knowing Pettigrew was discovered after Zach was hurt.

"No. Wait, isn't he dead? I heard he was killed last year." Zach answered, completely confused.

"Well, he was dead. Do you remember the story of Peter Pettigrew?" Nikki asked, confusing Zach even more.

"Yes, Sirius Black killed him, didn't he?" Zach asked.

"Not quite. Pettigrew is alive and responsible for killing those muggles and the Ministry knows it. They know Sirius is innocent. Sirius went through the veil in the Department of Mysteries. But he is alive now. I now know he is not responsible for betraying my parents. He is innocent." Harry explained.

"Well…that's interesting" Zach replied, in a slight daze. A lot had changed in a few months.

They hung out in Hogsmeade for a few more hours just catching up. Around 4 they all went to the Three Broomsticks for a Butterbeer.

"So Zach, have you talked to Kate yet?" Nikki asked.

"Of course, we went out last week." Zach replied, and only Harry noticed he seemed slightly nervous about this Kate person.

Nikki then turned to Harry to explain. "Zach's girlfriend, Kate O'Carhaill, is one of the best female Aurors of the last five years."

"Now Nikki, no one likes to listen to boasting…" came a soft female voice from behind them. Nikki's head whipped around so fast, Harry was sure she would get whiplash. Standing before her was a girl with wavy red hair, stunning green eyes and a pair of oh-so subtle fangs.

"KATE! How are you! I haven't seen you in ages!" Nikki exclaimed as she jumped up to hug Kate.

"Yes Nikola, I missed you, too." Kate replied.

"Nikola? I thought your name was Nicole…" Harry asked.

"I told you there were things you didn't know about me, and never assume." Was Nikki's reply.

Kate sat down and ordered a Butterbeer. As she reached for it, something on Kate's left hand caught Nikki's eye.

"Um, Kate…perhaps I am delusional, but is that an engagement ring on your finger?" Nikki asked.

"Nikki, we were going to tell you soon. I asked Kate to marry me last week and she said yes." Zach answered. He knew Nikki liked Kate but he was slightly nervous. They were really close as siblings and he was afraid that Nikki would think that Kate would be taking her place.

"That's great!" Nikki exclaimed. "I always wondered when you two would get married."

"So, you're okay with this?" Zach asked.

"Of course! Why wouldn't I be?" Nikki replied.

"I don't know. Well, we set a date; it will be over Easter Break. Harry, you are invited, too, of course." Zach offered.

"Sounds great." Harry replied.

"This is so exciting…but its about time!" Nikki said, taking a sip of her Butterbeer.

For the rest of the day they talked about wedding plans and catching up on lost time. At 6, as it was almost dark, Harry and Nikki made their way back to the castle for dinner.

Please don't kill me! I am so incredible sorry that this has taken so long to get out…I have been busy…please, there is a three day weekend and I will try to spend at least 3 hours Sunday typing. But the good news is that I have finished writing the story, I just have to type it…and now for some good/bad news. Bad news is that I am putting the writing of the sequel to the Tale of Miss Gryffin on hold. The good news is that I am putting it on hold to write a Marauder's fiction called "All's Fair in Love and War: A Marauder's Tale". So, as soon as I finish this story…I will begin posting its chapters.