Disclaimer: OK, you really should know by now that nothing but Bryn belongs to me.

Chapter 25 - In Belief Divided: Bryn stayed there the whole night, reading her mother's journal, and had fallen asleep on the couch. She woke to feel someone tugging the book from her grip. She opened her eyes and looked straight into sapphire eyes she knew well. "Hey," she murmured to Blaise.

"Hey! That's all you can say! After last night? You know Granger and Weasley cornered me in the entrance hall? They wanted to know where you were. I figured you'd be here. What the Hell were you thinking? Death Eaters! Do you have a death wish?" She'd never seen him like this. She snatched her mother's journal, put it back in the chest, and slammed the lid shut.

"Are you quite finished?" she snapped. She really wasn't in the mood for this. Everything had come rushing back to her, and she needed to think. Blaise scowled.

"I guess, but I want an answer."

"I was trying to help my friends, isn't that obvious?"

"Still, Death Eaters? And why are you hiding out here? What's in that book?"

"Yes, Death Eaters! You think I wanted to fight them? I came here to think, in private! And the book is none of your damn business!" Blaise stared at her.

"You don't get it, do you?"

"Get what?"

"If you get involved in this war, you'll get yourself killed, and I -" He cut himself off.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing. Just forget it. I was worried about you."

Bryn winced. He probably wasn't the only one. "Sorry. But I should go. I need to explain to the others." Blaise nodded, and told her to go ahead. He wanted some thinking time himself.

It took some explaining and some more shouting before Bryn's friends forgave her. She knew that it had been stupid to disappear when she did, but she'd had to. She didn't tell them about her discovery; now wasn't the time. She was horrified to learn that the Horcrux was a fake, and was intrigued by the idea of the mysterious R.A.B. She personally thought Hermione was barking up the wrong tree with her searches of famous wizards. This R.A.B. was probably not well-known, but she had no desire to say anything. Hogwarts had never held such a bleak air. Bryn spent her time with Harry, Hermione, and the two Weasleys, but she wasn't at ease with them. She was still sitting on her secret, and she was actually happier with Blaise.

They were in the Room of Requirement when it happened. They'd been talking of recent news, when Bryn blurted out, "Did Malfoy even hint at his plan?"

Blaise shifted uncomfortably, his bronze skin flushing noticeably. "Blaise?" Bryn pressed.

"He was bragging on the train back in September. We didn't take him seriously; or I didn't, anyway. I guess I underestimated him."

"And you never mentioned this?"

"It's not like we ever talked about that sort of thing. Besides, it's wiser to stay out of all this. I do, and you should too."

"'Stay out of it'? What exactly do you mean?" Bryn's voice was almost pleasant, masking the sudden fury she felt.

"Stay out of this war. It'll blow over; the last one did. Keep your head down and you'll be fine."

"'Keep my head down'! Do you realize that my closest friends are high on the kill list for this war that you claim is going to just 'blow over'? And I'm supposed to, what? Let them die?"

"Keep yourself safe. It's all you can do."

"God, what is it about you people? Garnets and Slytherins? Never thinking of anyone but yourselves?"

"And you Gryffindors? Why do you think Gryffs are always getting hurt? You all want to be heroes, and you don't stop to think! And I'm not thinking of myself, I'm thinking of you! I don't want to see you get killed! Can't you understand that?" Blaise's eyes were almost wild. A part of Bryn, the part that was all heart and no head, wanted to know why he looked that way, but the head prevailed - to an extent. What did he mean, exactly?

"So. You think joining the war is tantamount to suicide, and stupid besides."

"Damn right I do."

"Then we disagree. Because I think there are some things worth risking death for." Her voice was actually quite calm, despite the maelstrom of emotion inside her. This wasn't going to go well.

"Great." He glared at her. "Just great. Well, I'm not going to sit here and watch you get yourself killed." He stood up. So did she, eyes sparking gray fire.

"Well, I'm not going to sit and watch you bury your head in the sand so deep that you don't see your damned neutrality plan coming up to bite you in the ass!" she shouted.

"Fine. Then I guess we're through," he snarled.

"I guess so," she hissed. "Now get the hell away from me."

"Glad to." He strode out, slamming the door behind him. Bryn watched, and then closed her eyes. She hadn't wanted that to happen. But if they disagreed on this, then they didn't have any future anyway; not that she'd been hoping for one. No, definitely not.

Dumbledore's funeral took place the next day. At the end, Bryn watched as Harry spoke quietly with Ginny. The look on the redhead's face when Harry left her said it all. Bryn shook her head. Harry was too noble for his own good.

She followed Ron and Hermione when they went to Harry after the Minister of Magic cornered him again. Scrimgeour still wanted Harry on his side, and Harry refused to play. They talked about Hogwarts, whether or not it would open again. Harry said he wasn't coming back anyway. Ron was stunned; Hermione wasn't surprised. Bryn just sighed. She couldn't say she was too shocked either.

Harry told them what he planned, and Ron said they'd be there with him. Harry tried to protest. Hermione said, "You told us once before there was time to turn back if we wanted to. I think we've had time, don't you?" Ron nodded; Harry looked at Bryn.

"I'm coming too, Harry. There are a lot of reasons why" - we're family, basically, for one, a part of her muttered - "but mostly, it's because I think it's the right thing to do." Harry finally agreed; and Ron pointed out that before they went to Godric's Hollow - Harry's old home, and the place he wanted to start the quest for the Horcruxes at - they'd have to go to the Burrow for Bill and Fleur's wedding. "Yeah, we'd better not miss that," said Harry. Bryn laughed a little, for the first time in what felt like ages. It felt good.

She looked out at the other students. Accidentally, her eyes met Blaise's. Their gazes locked for a moment, and then they both looked away. Our beliefs divide us, Bryn thought. But at least I'm not alone, and I think he will be.

A/N: R&R!