A/N: If you read my chapters very attentively, you'll notice that I switch tenses and pov's…grr…I'm working on it I swear! On with the story!

Chapter 16: Just Breathe

"Oliver!"

I whirled around to see the blur that was Harry Potter glide up next to me. He held a piece of parchment out to me. I stared at it, not really comprehending what was going on.

"This is for you." Harry, out of breath, handed me the page and looked up at me in concern. Then he took off in the opposite direction.

I opened the folded up piece of paper and read a note written in a hand that took my breath away. I read it aloud for myself to hear, more to convince myself of it actually being there than anything else. "'Oliver, I'm so very sorry for what I've put you through. It's not your fault, I swear it. I just have some things I need to work through…alone. I miss you though. If you could meet me on the Quidditch pitch later tonight, at around five, that would be heavenly. Oh! And remember, no matter what happens, I'll love you until time is through.'"

I looked up and down the hallway, just to make sure no one was playing a prank on me. I didn't see anyone pointing or laughing, so I skimmed over the note again. The letter was in Ginger's handwriting. I just didn't want to get my hopes up. I glanced at my watch. It was around four; I could go to class for a while and then fake sick to get out to the pitch. It was worth checking out at least.

I walked past the infirmary and down the steps. Peering around corners to ascertain the danger, I was able to sneak to the corridor in front of the Great Hall. I was about to open the grand front doors of Hogwarts Castle and make my way to safety when someone cleared their throat behind me. I slowly turned around and came face to face with Professor Dumbledore.

"Shouldn't you be in Defense Against the Dark Arts, Mr. Wood?" The professor's eyes glistened behind his half-moon spectacles.

I hung my head in shame. "Yes, sir." I looked up at him, pleading with him. "But, sir, Ginger is waiting for me!"

Dumbledore's face softened even more. "Ah! Young love. I will not keep you, Mr. Wood." The professor began to turn to go, then hesitated.

"Sir?" I looked at him expectantly.

"Next time yourself and Miss Bensington schedule a lovers' rendezvous, try to not let it inflict upon your studies." He winked and smiled. "And be careful. The Dementors are entering school grounds again."

I returned his grin. "Of course, sir. Thank you, sir."

After my little encounter with Dumbledore, I was certain I was home free. I made haste to the pitch, arriving only five minutes late. I entered the circular structure and looked around. There, in the stands not five yards from me, a strand of auburn hair flying in front of her face, was Ginger. My heart soared at the sight of her.

My pace quickened and my heart beat faster as I neared the place in the stands where she was working on some last minute homework. My shadow fell across her parchment and she hesitated before finishing the sentence she was in the middle of writing.

"Hello, Oliver," she said softly as she shut her book and looked up at me. "How've you been lately?" She smiled weakly at her attempt to make small talk.

I sat down on the bench beside her, turning my body to face hers. "I've been…better. And yourself?"

Ginger bit her lip and nodded her head. Her eyes were glistening with unshed tears. The next instant, in a haze, Ginger's head was against my chest and she was sobbing into my shirt. I cradled her in my arms, rocking slightly, trying to shush her.

"It's okay, Gin. Just breathe, darling." It felt so amazing to hold her in my arms. I closed my eyes, savoring the moment. Then, as quickly as it had started, it was over.

"Sorry, Oliver." Ginger sniffled as she straightened her clothes and brushed her wild hair out of her eyes. She wiped away the remnants of tears from only minutes before, smiling ever weaker. Then she stared into my eyes, all expression depleted from her features. "He's coming soon, Oliver."

My brow wrinkled in concern and I grasped her hand tightly. "How do you know?"

She smiled softly at our intertwined fingers, and then returned her gaze to mine. "The dreams are getting more vivid. It will be a dark night; a man thought dead will take me away for attempting to stop him from escaping his doom." She sighed and closed her eyes. "You won't know it happened until the next morning. Sirius Black will escape from the dementors." Her eyes flew open and tears slid silently down her face. "You must understand, Oliver." She slid onto the bench below the one on which we'd been sitting; she clung to my knees. "Sirius Black isn't a murderer. I know it sounds crazy, but it's the truth. Another man is responsible. And he'll try to hurt Harry. You must watch him at all costs…please." Ginger's head collapsed onto my lap.

"Ginger?" I shook her slightly. "Ginger, dear, Harry'll be fine." Ginger still didn't respond. I shook her with more urgency. "Ginger? Ginger!" I felt for her pulse; it was faint. I felt little, weak breaths against my legs. "Oh, my God! Ginger…" I picked up the unconscious girl at my feet and started back toward the castle.

When I got to the front doors, they opened without my touching them. Professors Lupin and McGonagall were waiting behind the door. They did not look at all pleased.

"Mr. Wood, would you kindly explain why you didn't…" McGonagall's voice trailed off to a murmur as she took in the limp body in my arms. "What happened to Miss Bensington!"

I almost collapsed to the floor in relief as McGonagall called Hagrid over to take Ginger from me and up to the infirmary. Professor Lupin was the entire reason I didn't hit the floor. We all stumbled up the stairs after the groundskeeper, McGonagall interrogating me the entire way. I was just too relieved to see Ginger getting medical attention that I couldn't answer.

When we reached Madam Pomfrey, she had Hagrid set Ginger down on a bed and began fussing over her. Lupin and McGonagall placed me onto a chair to one side of the hospital wing. I was staring open-mouthed at Madam Pomfrey as she worked her magic on my unconscious girlfriend.

"Mr. Wood! Would you kindly tell me what happened?" McGonagall did not wish to be ignored any longer.

I snapped back to reality and turned to my Head of House. I nodded slightly and began to reiterate what Ginger had told me of Black and her demise on the Quidditch pitch. The professors glanced at each other and then to Ginger's limp form. I watched their expressions: pain, realization, fear all covered their features in a matter of moments.

"It's true, then? He's really going to take her from me?" I choked on the words.

McGonagall looked back at me. "I'm not sure, Mr. Wood. But I can promise you, we won't lose her without a fight."

I sighed in frustration and collapsed backwards in the chair, passing out from exhaustion.

A/N: Only a few chappies left…OMG…I'm finishing another one! YAY! R/R Nelli