A/N: Does anybody like to play marbles? I've always wanted to learn. And listen to the song "For Martha" by the Smashing Pumpkins if you like slower songs...because it kicks. I'm serious.

Your picture out of time
Left aching in my mind
Shadows kept alive...

-Smashing Pumpkins. Song: For Martha.

Blue Roses.

Chapter twenty: Revenge is sweet.

Skye lay on her back on the surface of the water, watching the sun spill it's early morning rays onto the still water, awaking the birds and other Hogwarts students. She had been classified as 'missing' for the past three days; when she was, in fact, taking a vacation for herself, away from all the questions and judgmental eyes of her peers.

She had spent Thursday evening through Friday in the lake area, passing through different stages of loss, and some other mixed emotions; first she blamed herself, then she blamed him, then she blamed the rest of the world, then she became afraid, then she tried to hide herself, then she began to think of the benefits. That period was shortest lived, because it was shortly followed by another period of fear. She, at this point, is going through a period in which she feels a hollow within herself. Saturday she spent wandering through the forest, lost within the forest and within her own thoughts. She then spent Sunday looking past love, and at the other good things in life. Even to today, a bright and sunny Monday morning, she has yet to speak a word, nor touch food or water, nor sleep. This was her fast before she returned to the school in a matter of minutes to begin her master plan.

Her plan was to show Cedric that she was not weak and that she could move on; she also wanted to prove that she could be beautiful with or without him. She could not show him how she truly felt; she truly felt as if she had lost the greatest thing that had ever happened to her, and she felt as if she was missing part of herself.

She continued floating on the water's impenetrable surface, lost in her memories of better times.

"Skye?"

Skye gave a scream and jumped, causing her to sink beneath the surface and sending buckets of freezing water up her nose. She broke the surface and took a deep breath in before coughing profusely.

"Are you alright?"

"No," she gasped, bobbing up and down from the water, taking in deep breaths and coughing before swimming to the shore.

"Here, let me help you."

Skye grabbed the person's hand as he hoisted her up. She felt pretty stupid, standing there in her translucent blouse, soaked pants and trainers.

"George?" she said softly, looking up into the redhead's eyes. "What on earth are you doing here?"

"Better question for you! You've been the talk of the town, with your breakup and then disappearance. Everyone's been so worried about you!"

"I have that effect on people," she mumbled, looking down at her toes as she dug one into the ground.

"Let's get back to the castle."

George took his robes off and draped them over Skye's shoulders, picking up her wet robes and carrying them with him.

The two were silent as they shuffled through the frosted grass back to the castle, Skye staring either at the clear skies or down at her feet. She felt good at the moment, because she knew at least she had Fred and George to count on.

"Where is Fred?"

"He's gone to spend some time with his new lady, Angelina. They've been inseparable ever since he asked her to the stupid Yule Ball."

"I think it's stupid too. That's the reason Cedric and me...well, I'm sure you know by now."

"That's so sad. I always thought you two were meant to be together; he seemed better than that, it makes no sense."

"I know. I just don't understand..."

At this point, Skye was on the verge of tears. George took this as a signal to shut his trap, and kept quiet until they reached the Entrance Hall.

"Well. I'm heading to my Common Room. See you," Skye said, giving George a quick hug before heading down the stairs that lead to the area by the kitchens where her Common Room was.

"Wait!" George called, causing Skye to stop in her tracks and turn around quickly.

"I...I have your robes," George said, holding them out on a shaky hand.

"Oh, thanks, I guess I have yours too."

They quickly exchanged robes and, after an awkward pause, set off in their separate directions.

Skye reached the Common Room and ran up to her dormitories, changing quickly before heading down to breakfast. She took a quick look in the mirror and, with a pop! changed her hair to a bright shade of red. She took a deep breath before opening the doors to the Great Hall. Most eyes were on her, in shock of her abrupt return after her period of time being dubbed missing. Professor Dumbledore, who was previously chatting with Professor McGonagall, stood when Skye opened the door. Professor Snape stood as well but, unlike Dumbledore, he face read anger, rather than concern.

"Miss Cunningham!" Professor Snape snarled. "My office. Now."

"No, Severus, I believe this is my business. My office, please."

"But, she's..."

"I realize that, Severus. But I believe this is a matter that I should deal with."

Skye stared at Professor Dumbledore as he left his chair and exited the Hall before jogging to catch up with his long strides. They quickly reached his office, where Dumbledore entered and sat in his chair, beckoning Skye to the chair before him.

"Please, enlighten me on why you chose to forgo your classes on Friday and disappear for the previous two days?"

"This may sound odd, sir, but I was trying to find myself. Things have been a little rough; my mind is constantly on the prophecy and I no longer have my main support. I feel as if, lately, I have become the leaning tower of Pisa. Things are a little unbalanced, so I used some time off to try and fix it."

"You believe that missing classes in the most vital year of school is going to fix things?"

"Emotionally, yes."

"Why did you choose not to inform anyone of your quest?"

"I didn't wish to be bothered. Please, Professor, things have been difficult already, and I want you to understand that my studies are of the utmost importance. But I needed this, sir. I feel much better, and I want you to know I will never do anything like this ever again."

"Your father was concerned."

"My father does not feel concern for me!" Skye snapped.

"He does, he just does not wish to show it. Concern, he believes, is a sign of weakness."

"Concern is love, and caring."

"That is your opinion, and part of the reason you are in Hufflepuff as he was in Slytherin. Now please, let us fill our bellies with the wonderful foods our house-elves have prepared so you are healthy enough to focus on your studies."

Professor Dumbledore stood and swept his arm in the direction of the door which, after a backwards glance, Skye stood and exited through. She walked down the short corridor back to the Great Hall, her eyes on her toes. She was lucky she had escaped without punishment. She swung open the doors to the Great Hall and entered.

She quickly walked to the Hufflepuff table. She sat beside Chad who was sitting at the end closest to her.

"Sweetie!" he cried, throwing his arms around her as she sat beside him. "Oh darling, it'll be ok, that awful man, how could he do that to you?"

"I don't know, and that's the worst part."

As she said this, Cedric passed by in front of her and she turned her nose to the air as he stared at her, an astonished look on his face.

"But I'm gonna give him hell for doing it."

- - -

"Constant vigilance!" Professor Moody shouted, smacking his ruler on Skye's desk as she slept on her "Standard Book of Spells, Grade seven", causing her to jump several feet.

"Sleeping will not save your life, Miss Cunningham!"

Skye yawned and nodded.

"Now, today, we will do a review on the Patronus charm, which I'm sure you all did in your sixth year. Everyone, get a partner, and I want to see everyone produce a corporeal Patronus by the end of class!"

Skye partnered up with Chad, who produced a marmot as his Patronus.

"Watch this," she whispered to Chad. Skye turned around quickly, so she was facing Cedric's back.

"Expecto Patronum!"

A sleek silver horse erupted from her wand and galloped straight into Cedric's back, sending him lurching forwards so he hit the ground, causing the entire class to break out in laughter.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I thought you were a Dementor. You suck the happiness out of people just like one."

There was a collective ooh throughout the class as Cedric stared at Skye, opening and closing his mouth as if he wished to say something but couldn't get anything out. He grumbled as he pushed himself up from the ground. He turned himself back to Milo, attempting to pretend as if nothing had happened, though the entire class had their eyes on him, including Skye, who had her arms crossed expectantly.

"What?" he asked, his eyes scanning his peers. Slowly, one by one, everyone, spare Skye, resumed practicing their Patronus charms.

"Expecto Patronum!" Cedric shouted, attempting a Patronus charm, though only having a puff of silvery smoke pathetically emit from his wand, causing Skye to laugh harshly. Cedric's shoulders sunk when Skye turned back to Chad, who was watching his marmot glide above the class.

"She's so hot when she's vengeful!" Cedric muttered to Milo.

- - -

In the weeks leading up to the Yule Ball, Skye refused to speak a word to Cedric but rather flaunted herself in shorter skirts with more makeup and fancier hair. A week before the Yule Ball, Skye was taking a walk with George Weasley around the grounds in celebration of the end of classes.

"So, George. I was thinking. Would you like to go to the Yule Ball with me...as friends, of course?"

George puffed his chest out as a smile overtook his face. "I'd love to!"

Skye smiled and gave him a hug. "Thanks so much, I really appreciate it."

"You have no idea," he mumbled.

- - -

"Skye! Oh, my dear Skye!"

Skye smiled as Chad sat beside her at supper, the largest grin on his face she had ever seen.

"My dearest Skye, guess who has a hot date to the Yule Ball?"

"Cedric," Skye grumbled.

"No, silly pants! Me!"

Skye gasped and said, "with who?"

Chad leaned in close and whispered, "Lee Jordan. He's a sixth year Gryffindor."

"He's friends with my date!"

"You have a date?"

"As of this afternoon, I'm going with George Weasley."

"Wow! This is so cool! I'm so happy for you!"

"And me for you!"

"I smell an orgy!" Chad said, making Skye laugh uncontrollably.

"Oh, I wish."

- - -

A/N: Chad, my itty bitty gay characters got a date; I'm sorry Lee fans, he's the first guy that came to my head next to Draco, but Draco's coming in a little later, it's not his time yet. So read, and review. I know things might be a little confusing right now, but they'll explain themselves eventually.