Ashley's Problem

"Ashley?" Lily called as she entered the dormitory. She saw her close friend, Alaina Donahue reading a book on her bed.

"Hey, Lainy. Have you seen Ashley?" Lily asked.

"Nope. Why?" Alaina asked curiously.

"You haven't heard? She and Michael broke up. I wanted to make sure she was okay, but I can't seem to find her anywhere," Lily replied.

"You know where she probably went? By the lake. That's where she and Michael first met and where they started going out," Alaina suggested.

"Thanks, Alaina. I'm gonna check," Lily said gratefully.

"Wait, I'm coming," Alaina said, putting the book down and following Lily to the lake. There Ashley was on the floor, the September breeze flowing through her dirty blonde hair. Her big dark eyes were filled with tears. Lily and Alaina ran over to her. Lily locked her in a hug and Alaina sat down across from her. After two minutes, Alaina said, "Let's get you inside."

The girls walked to the common room and sat in the couch by the fire. Alaina pulled back Ashley's hair and Lily conjured her a cup of tea.

"I - I can't believe it's really over," Ashley said suddenly. "He said he was in love with me, and I know that I loved him. But then again - He seemed to be really loving Selma Cambress in that bloody compartment."

"Oh no, Ashley. I'm so sorry. But you know Selma. She's an emotionless evil whore! He can't possibly love her," Alaina said comfortingly.

"Thanks, Lainy. I - Is it that she's prettier than me? Or is it - "

"She's not prettier than you! Her teeth are the size of North America and her eyes are just cold and gray. She's a bloody slut and Michael's going to realize this is the biggest mistake he's ever made," Lily told her sternly. Just then, Alice and Fallon walked into the common room. Alice and Fallon were good friends of Lily, Ashley, and Alaina, who shared the same dorm. They spent the rest of the afternoon making Ashley feel better.

The next day was a Sunday. Ashley and Lily were first to wake as usual, so they headed to the common room. Ashley and Lily were best friends, all though Ashley also considered the Marauders to be her best friends.

"Ashley!" someone called. Lily and Ashley spun around.

"What do you want?" Ashley said coldly. It was Michael.

"I'm so sorry, Ash! I don't know what got into me! I never meant to do anything to hurt you. I love you so much - "

"Save it, Michael. We're over," Ashley said confidently, with a note of finalty.

"Don't say that, Ashley! Please, give me one more chance," Michael begged.

"I already did. You blew the last chance. And the chance before that. I'm sick of this bullshit," Ashley told him.

"Can we please just talk in private?" Michael pleaded.

"FINE, Michael. I'll see you later Lily," Ashley said. Lily nodded, gave Michael a hateful look, and departed for breakfast.

"Let's go outside," Michael suggested. Ashley sighed, but followed him. They walked outside and the cool breeze whisped through their hair. Finally they stopped.

"Okay, so let's talk. I gave you everything, Michael. You needed money, I lent it to you. You needed someone to talk to, I was there for you. You wanted another chance, I let you have it. You threw it all away for a one-night stand, and I can't forgive that," Ashley told him, almost crying.

"I messed up. I'll let you know now that nothing I can say will undo what I've done. I know that. I love you though. I have no feelings for Selma at all," Michael told her.

"What about Bianca Dallas? Did you have feelings for Bianca? And how about Rhiannon Belcore? Three strikes, Michael. You're out." She walked away, but Michael pulled her back. "Let go, Michael!"

"No," he said sternly. "Not until you take me back."

"Michael, you're hurting me!" Ashley screamed at him.

Then, out of nowhere, somebody punched Michael in the face. Ashley looked down to see his nose had been broken. She looked over to the guy who had punched him out.

"S - Sirius," Ashley stuttered.

"And how are you today?" Sirius joked.

Ashley glared at him for a second. Then, not knowing what she was doing, she hugged him and whispered "I'm so sorry."

"We'll talk later. Go to the common room, I'll meet you there." She nodded and ran off.

Ashley ran into the common room. The only people present were Remus, James, Lily, two second years, and three first years. Lily jumped up from the corner she was reading her book in.

"Ashley! What happened?" Lily asked, turning the heads of James and Remus.

"We were talking - He grabbed me - Sirius broke his nose," said Ashley, gasping for air.

"What?" James said, standing up. "Padfoot broke Michael's nose? This is all my fault!"

"How in hell is this your fault, Prongs?" Ashley asked him, her eyebrows shooting up, as they always did when she was confused.

"Remember first day of term on the train when I said I'd never let him catch you alone? If I had kept my bloody promise, he wouldn't have went after you! I'm so sorry, Ashley!" James apologized.

"James, I don't blame you! You're not responsible for watching me every hour of everyday," Ashley pointed out.

"Then it's my fault," Lily whispered.

"Lily, How can this be your fault in any way?" James asked, shaking his head at her.

"I was with her! I shouldn't have let her go with him!" Lily cried.

"It's nice that you guys care about me, but I'm not a child. I'm a big girl. It was my decision to talk to Michael. I felt like I had to. Like if I talked to him, it would all be overwith. I can't explain it," Ashley told them.

"Well - How did it happen, then?" James asked.

"I was telling him that after Bianca, Rhiannon, and now Selma, enough is enough. I tried to walk away, but he grabbed my wrists, and held me there. I was screaming, and then Sirius came out of nowhere and punched him in the nose. He told me to come here and wait," Ashley explained in one breath. Just then, Sirius came through the portrait hole.

"Hey guys," Sirius said.

"Uh, Sirius? Can I talk to you outside?" Ashley asked.

"Sure thing, Flames," Sirius shrugged. They walked down the hall into an empty classroom.

"I just wanted to say thanks so much. I - I got really scared out there, and I don't know what I would have done if you weren't there," Ashley said, her eyes getting watery.

"What did he do to you?" Sirius asked.

"H - He cheated on me again. With Selma Cambress. But of couse, now she's done every guy in seventh year," Ashley said miserably.

"I'm sorry, Ashley," Sirius said, looking at her. She looked up from the floor.

"You're sorry? But you were right! I should have listened to you!"

Sirius looked at her with pity. Here was a smart, funny, pretty girl who looked ready to cry her eyes out. Deciding to go against his better judgement, Sirius leaned in and kissed her. She kissed back - at first. Then she looked away.

"What's wrong?" Sirius asked.

"I- I'm sorry," she looked at him for a second and ran back to the common room, silent tears flowing down her cheeks. Lily followed her up to their dormitory.

"What happened?" Lily asked.

"I thanked Sirius, and then out of nowhere he kissed me. I freaked and ran away," Ashley said silently.

"Oh my god. He - He kissed you?" Lily asked.

"Mmhmm," Ashley replied, blushing.

"Er - I was just at a Head's meeting with Dumbledore and Potter. We're going to be having a ball in two weeks."