Christmas passed. And those who had gone home returned to school. I was one of the few to have remained over the Christmas break, although Draco had gone home. The other students all returned, but he didn't. I searched everywhere for him, and found him nowhere. Beginning to panic, I went to Professor Snape, who informed me "that Mr. Malfoy will be returning soon" and "I was not to worry about him, all was well, he just had some familial affairs to handle". I was not satisfied.

However, eventually, Draco did return, although he would tell me nothing. I reminded him of his promise. He claimed he had forgotten what he was going to say. I didn't believe him. Eventually I settled back into the school term, spending my days with Denisa, Suki and Annabelle, and my evenings with Draco, in either the common room, or my room, where we tended to talk. He gave nothing away.

And so February drew near, and so did a Hogsmeade. I was looking forward to it, although it was freezing outside, with ice everywhere. In the morning, I pulled on a long and flowing gypsy-like skirt, decorated with an abstract harlequin pattern, in dull dark pinks, and greens, with black detail on it. I wore with it a black strappy top, and over the top of that a dusky pink shrug, that tied in the front, with long sleeves to keep me warm, and its soft cashmere material.

Although it was cold, a bright sun was burning, and it was warming if stood under, so I only grabbed a long fitted block coat that did up down to my waist and then it remained open, revealing my skirt.

Leaving the school, I met Annabelle, Suki and Denisa outside, and together we all made our way into Hogsmeade, laughing all the way, and talking animatedly about what we were going to do. When we finally got to Hogsmeade, it was already busy with students from school. I saw Draco with some of his fellow Slytherin fifth years, and he waved briefly, before returning to his strutting around the streets with his so-called 'friends'.

Walking along the streets, I was looking around at the many people. And then I saw something that made me stop dead. The others noticed I had stopped, and turned to call me.

"Hey, Kara! Come on!" Annabelle encouraged me.

"What's wrong with you?" Denisa asked.

"Nothing, nothing. I just thought I saw someone I knew." I explained.

"Someone needs mental help," added Suki helpfully.

"Yes, and that someone is you," we all chorused in reply, as I caught up with them. I was now extra especially alert, and looking around everywhere. And then I saw it again, and stopped once more.

"Kara, come one," Denisa pleaded.

"Its gonna be crowded in the Three Broomsticks by now," said Annabelle, looking longingly at the warm pub.

"Look, guys, I'll see you later, ok? I just remembered I have to do something," I spoke, hurrying off, leaving them standing there with shocked faces, "I'll see you back at school." I spoke over my shoulder, and then turned and made my way off in the same direction in which I had seen it.

I could see a tall thin figure in the distance, and I kept following it, until I came to a stile, which I climbed, and up a path, that got steadily harder to follow.

In the end, I came to a cave, set deep into the side of the hill. I walked into it, catiously calling out, "Hello? Hello?"

And then I saw him, casually leaning on the side of the cave wall, and all my emotions and anger rushed out. I walked up to him, and tears formed in my eyes, as I stared him in the face.

"You bastard."

"That's a nice way to greet me."

"Bastard. You couldn't bother to tell me."

"I was told not to, it was all too complicated. Draco told me not"

"Draco knew? And you didn't think to tell me?" I was enraged, and shaking like mad. "How could you, Ben? How could you? I have been waiting, and waiting for you. And now you just turn up, and probably expect me to fall into your arms?"

"Well, I had expected a warmer welcome than this."

"I cried for you. I nearly died for you. And you just can't bother to tell me you're free. I hate you," I raised my hand to slap him, "I hate you."

He caught hold of my wrist, and his gripped, hard, his nails digging in, starting to draw blood, I dropped to my knees, gasping in pain, and still whispering "I hate you, I hate you," on a loop, as the tears fell down my face, and I cried for all that had happened.

Still holding my writs, he knelt down in front of me, "I'm sorry, ok? I never meant to hurt you. You must have got my letter. I love you, Kara. Ok? I never meant to hurt you."

I was still whispering heavily through my tears, "And still you never told me?"

"Draco told me not to. He said you were too deeply hurt."

"Well, he was right, wasn't he? It was hard for me, you know that. It was so hard. Over the summer, I had to pretend I had forgotten about you, but then coming back to Hogwarts made it all come back, and made it hurt even more. And for that, I hate you. For making my life hell, and making me feel so guilty, I hate you."

"You don't mean that," he lifted my head by the chin with his free hand, so that I was looking into his eyes. "You might say that, but you don't mean it. Your eyes say different," and he brushed some hair away from my eyes, "as does your heart," and he laid his hand on my heart, as I sobbed still more.

Gathering me into his arms, my exclamations of hate turned to ones of love, "Don't ever leave me, never ever again."

"You know I must. I have to"

"You don't have to do anything."

"But I need to. And I promise I will write everyday. I will not forget you. You know I won't."

"But I love you, and I need you. You can't leave me."

"I must. But you will see me again. Don't forget that."

"I won't," I snuffled, and looked at the ground, the tears dropping into the mud.

He pulled me into a long embrace, and then kissed me passionately, before looking me in the eyes once more, "I love you."