Last Time on Black and White:

"Hermione, that was brilliant!" Ron exclaimed as Snape continued trying to punish Gryffindor.

"I'm just getting sick of boys and their stupid need to feel superior." she answered with a shrug.

"Err, all boys?" Ron asked with a small look of fear in his eyes.

Hermione smiled at the boy. "You're safe, Ronald, don't worry."

"Oh, thank Merlin." he breathed in relief. "I've always known you were mental Hermione, but you just cursed Malfoy in front of the professors... You're mental, but brilliant Hermione."


Book 4 – Chapter 30: Loss and Regress

Harry and Fleur made their way back into the Great Hall to see Malfoy groaning on the floor against the wall and Snape yelling about expulsion. Harry made his back to the Gryffindor table and asked what had just happened.

"Hermione cursed Malfoy!" Fred exclaimed happily.

"By the far the best moment of this year! Dragons included!" George added with a laugh.

"What did he do?" Harry asked with a small smile.

"What Malfoy usually does; being offensive." Hermione said with a small shrug.

"Weren't you always a stickler for the rules?" Lavender asked as she sat down beside Ron, followed by Parvati.

"Sometimes rules need to be broken for a point to be made." Hermione responded as she smiled.

"You lot are a horrible influence on her." Parvati said with a laugh.

"You know, he won't let this go, right?" Ron asked once the excitement cooled in his system.

"I'm aware, but I don't care. I warned him."

Harry looked over at the Slytherins looking angrily at the Gryffindor table.

"We should start keeping an eye on one another, I don't think this is going to end here." Harry said with one last look at the green table.

"Miss Granger, you will accompany me to the Headmaster's office once dinner has ended." Professor McGonagall said when she walked over to the small group of friends. Hermione nodded.

"Understood, Professor."

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Sirius sat on his couch reading the evening edition of the Prophet in shock and a small amount of amusement.

"Hey, Siri."

Looking up, he saw his cousin walking out of the shower.

"Hey there, Cuz. Got everything packed for tomorrow?" he asked folding the paper.

"Yeah, just got to make sure my Auror robes are properly pressed, lest Mad-Eye gets on my case."

Sirius shivered. "Don't remind me, I still remember how he made James and I run laps cause he found a crease on our pants."

"That doesn't sound too ba-"

"While he routinely tried to hit us with curses." Sirius finished.

"Ah, yeah, that does sound like him." Tonks backtracked while chuckling. "So, have you thought about his offer?" she asked changing the subject.

"A bit." Sirius responded with a shrug.

"You can't stay inside all day everyday living off your inheritance. This is a good opportunity, Sirius."

"I don't get why he wants me to do it though, I've been out of the field for so long. I'm nowhere near where I used to be."

Tonks sighed. "Probably not, but you've experienced some of the worst things a person can do to another. I think he's looking for that hardness, that experience."

"I suppose."

"You can't exchange one cell for another, Sirius." Tonks whispered sadly.

That caught the older man off guard for a moment, he felt the beginnings of his rage rise before he really thought about what she had just said.

"I- I know. I just..."

"Look just really think about it, okay? Honestly what is the worst case scenario?"

Sirius thought for a moment before he gave a nod.

"I'll go to the Department tomorrow and see Moody."

"Still can't believe he's been training new recruits for as long as he has." Tonks said with a laugh. "Now, what's up with the late edition?" she asked as she gestured to the paper.

"Ah, yeah. You should read this." Sirius said with a small laugh as he handed her the Prophet.

Tonks read the headlines and her eyes widened. "How do those two keep getting themselves into these situations?!" she asked to no one in particular.

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"Miss Granger, I have been informed that you attacked a fellow student. Would you please inform us of what happened?" Dumbledore asked as he once more sat in his office looking over another student who was about to be punished.

"Certainly, Professor. Draco Malfoy approached our table and began insulting Harry and his family."

"His family?" Dumbledore asked, wanting everything to be as clear as possible.

"The Potter name, he said and I quote; 'Potter with the Veela?! Decided to dirty the Potter line even further did you?' and then went on to say, 'I mean, first a mudblood and now a Veela? You Potter men really will bed anything, won't you?'"

"That is a bold faced lie!" Malfoy denied angrily.

"Mr Malfoy, please." Dumbledore said cutting the boy off.

"Once Harry and Fleur left the Hall, he began using the same slur against me, and when I brought it up to the professors they said that unless they heard the word being used they couldn't punish him, before Snape punished me for that very offence."

Dumbledore blinked for a moment before speaking.

"Do you mean, Professor Snape, Ms Granger?" he said trying to correct the girl's lack of proper title of a Professor.

"Yes sir, him."

"Alright, Ms Granger, what happened next."

"She attacked me!"

"Mr Malfoy if you cannot control yourself you will be asked to leave my office and I will be forced to forgo any punishment seeing as I would not have the full story." Dumbledore reprimanded calmly.

Malfoy scowled before a look from his Head of House shut him up.

"Please continue Ms Granger."

"Of course, he then took advantage of Gryffindor Houses complaints and once more called me the word, I then retaliated before sitting down and continuing to read my paper."

Dumbledore sat back and thought about everything, it was obvious that the Malfoy boy was in the wrong, but if he simply punished the boy he would be called biased and Malfoy Senior would take great pleasure in using that to his advantage to get him out of his seat as Headmaster.

But he could not punish Ms Granger alone, as their were many witnesses who would vouch for her. Should he go down that route he would lose the respect of the students and their parents. He hummed and rubbed his beard thoughtfully.

"As I have observed over the course of these past four years, Ms Granger has never attacked another student. Even when she was sent to the Hospital Wing, after a stray curse from Mr Malfoy's wand, if I am not mistaken." Dumbledore started as he gave the Malfoy heir a long look over his spectacles.

"And Mr Malfoy, you have been in my office a fair number of times after an altercation usually with the Potters'."

The two students waited patiently as Dumbledore spoke.

"However in this moment, I must act on the information provided. Miss Granger it is true that you did attack Mr Malfoy first. As such I must state that the points deducted stand." Hermione nodded her head, though he could see the look of absolute anger on her features.

"But I must say this to you Mr Malfoy; I have long heard tales of your expressions to students who are not Pure-blooded, and would like to remind you that such language is not tolerated in these halls. Should you find yourself in my office once more, I will see to it that you are thoroughly punished, whether that be detention, house point reduction or even suspension should the offence be serious enough. You would do well to remember that I am at the Head of this school, Mr Malfoy. Not you, nor your father."

Dumbledore held Draco's gaze for a moment longer before turning to Professor McGonagall who watched the proceedings quietly and gave a nod at Dumbledore's silent request.

"Come along, Miss Granger. Have a good night, Albus, Severus."

"Goodnight, Minerva." Dumbledore responded while Snape simply nodded.

Dumbledore then turned to the young man and regarded him for a moment.

"Mister Malfoy, I will not sit here and pretend that I do not know who instigated the altercation. I am truly curious as to why though. Why do you feel the need to attack and belittle your fellow students?"

Malfoy was silent for moment before he shot the Headmaster a cold look.

"Malfoy's are at the top of the food chain for a reason. We do not break nor do we bend, we are the pinnacle of perfection. Tell me Headmaster Dumbledore, do you feel sorry for the fly you crush? Do you think predators feel sorry about capturing their prey? That is simply the natural order of the world."

"You think yourself above your fellow students?" Dumbledore asked calmly.

"I do not think so, Headmaster. I know it to be true. Malfoy's are at the top of the social food chain. Everything we are, is born from the glory of the purest of families in the Wizarding World."

"Mr Malfoy, I must admit, these views are not healthy, and it would do you well to abandon them."

"And and consort with mu- muggles and their ilk? I find the very idea vomit inducing if I am being honest, Headmaster. I do not see why I should lower myself to those... people. Now I believe our business is concluded. May I leave now?"

Dumbledore sighed sadly. "Yes, Mr Malfoy, I believe we are done here. Professor if you would accompany Mr Malfoy back to the Slytherin common room?"

"Of course, good evening, Headmaster."

"And the same to you, Severus."

Dumbledore rubbed his face tiredly once the two had left his office and seriously considered retirement for a moment before shaking his head clear of those thoughts.

"It isn't too late. I can do it. I can save them before they're too far gone." Dumbledore muttered to himself as he thought back to Malfoy's description of himself. "Lucius, what have you taught that boy...?"

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"I cannot believe Dumbledore. Who does he think he is?! I don't understand how you can be around him as much as you are. How do you stand that judgemental, condescending tone every day?!"

"I know how to keep myself in check. You are aware that you've placed yourself within his sights now, yes?" Snape responded as he escorted Draco.

"So? What will he do anyway? My father is the head of the Board of Directors, and close friends with the Minister. We almost got him out with that whole Chamber of Secrets fiasco, and with Potter 2 effectively losing his mind, we might be able to not only show the world that the Potters aren't as perfect as they think, but that Dumbledore is too senile to be allowed to protect the children in his care."

A small part of Snape was impressed at Draco's mindset and what he was able came up with. But he knew things the boy couldn't fathom, such us Harry Potter despite being lesser by being a Half-blood, was actually leagues above Draco in terms of strength and potential, that Hermione Granger despite being a Muggle-born was more dedicated and intelligent than he was and that Ron Weasley, despite being poor, was more loyal than anyone Draco would meet and become acquainted with.

And Andrew Potter... he was another issue altogether. According to Dumbledore the curse manifested itself differently for every member of the family burdened to carry it but the end result was always the same though; death and destruction.

"Draco."

The blond haired boy stopped and turned to face his Godfather.

"I need you to keep to yourself for a while, alright? Forget the Potters and their friends for the time being."

"What? Why?"

"You have effectively placed a target on your back by telling the Headmaster that you see yourself on the top of the food chain. Lay low, do not give him an excuse to try and kick you from the school."

Draco seemed to consider it for a moment before he turned back to Snape. "Do you think he'd try something like that?"

"I do not, but why take the risk? Especially after we have determined that you have gotten yourself on his radar now."

"Yes, perhaps you're right. Even with my father on the board, Dumbledore's influence is far reaching, he could cause more damage before my father could do anything."

"Well, deduced, take 5 points for critical thinking. Now get along, it has been a rather eventful day."

"Right, goodnight, Severus."

"Goodnight Draco."

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Tonks sat on her bed, her bags packed beside her. She was leaving to go back to the Auror Department today to receive her papers for patrol duty in Diagon Alley. She had a few minutes before she had to leave, she could've been doing anything but for some reason she found herself staring at the paper they had received a few days ago.

Harry prominently of the front page beneath his headline. A girl standing in front of him, her lips pressed against his. Tonks had read up on the girl; Fleur Delacour, 17 from Beauxbatons, the French champion in the Tournament. Now Tonks was no fool, the girl was a looker, more than a looker; she was down right gorgeous. And she was kissing Harry in the photo.

She did tell him to move on from her, and she was happy that he appeared to have done just that, but a 17 year old?

"Well, he definitely has a type." she said to herself with a small laugh.

What Tonks had to admit though, she was a bit worried about him. Wasn't this girl too old for him? She had turned him down for that very reason. Now here was a girl basically her age kissing him while the snow fluttered around them. Was she taking advantage of him? Was she just doing this to be known as the girl who hooked The Harry Potter?

What did she want with him? Would he introduce them to her? Would they even continue dating after the tournament? And if they did, would that mean she would move here? Or would he go to France during the breaks? Tonks would barely see him if he chose to do that. They hadn't spoken in a while, Sirius had said that he probably just needed time... Was this girl a rebound? Or emotional buffer?

"Tonks?"

The Metamorph was shook from her thoughts as she turned to her cousin.

"We should get going. Don't want to be late on our first day."

Tonks smiled at Sirius' nervous face, she looked back to the paper and watched the two in the photo kiss one more time before she placed it down and shook her thoughts away before grabbing her bags.

"Yeah, ready to go!"

The two cousins made their way to the backyard and made their way over to the silenced corner of the yard and proceeded to apparate to the Ministry.

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Andrew yelled in absolute frustration before he threw his screeching egg as hard as he could against the wall. He watched it bounce off and land on the ground where the screeching persisted. He found his annoyance and anger rise once more when he didn't even get the satisfaction to watch the device become damaged.

He closed the egg and sighed, he needed to take a walk to clear his mind. He left the solitary sitting room and made his way up the staircase, choosing to go to the astronomy tower and just breathe. As he climbed the stairs he was met by two people coming down.

"Su, Luna. Haven't seen you in a little bit." he greeted with a small smile.

"Andrew, nice seeing you too."

"Drew, are you okay? You seem to be infested by Wrackspurts, you should take a break, lest you break."

Andrew sighed a bit. "I was about to do exactly that actually. Would you like to join me?" he asked before he could stop himself.

"No, we have to get going. Thank you though." Su answered with a small nod.

Andrew seemed to regard the girl for a moment before his mantra slammed back into his head; Relationships are an inconvenience.

"Fine by me, I'll see you around, maybe." He responded walking past the pair without a second glance.

Andrew reached the top of the tower and took a deep breath. He leaned against the railing and before he knew what was happening was lost in his own thoughts and ideas.

He finally snapped back to reality when he heard voices coming up from the staircase. He sighed in annoyance and prepared to leave. Last thing he needed was a body at this tower, either his own or the people coming up.

He approached the staircase and blinked when he saw Fleur with a friend of hers from Beauxbatons.

"Andrew! Where 'ave you been?" she asked when she saw him.

"Around... well, I'll see you." he said as he began walking.

"Attendre!" She said quickly as she grabbed him. "Andrew, you need to be wiz friends now. I can only imagine 'ow you must feel after ze whole zing in ze Great Hall a few days ago."

"No, thank you. I'd rather just get back to figuring out that fucking egg." he said as he pulled himself free from her grasp.

"Water." she told him as she watched him walk away. "Submerge it, it will tell you ze next clue."

Andrew paused for a moment feeling utterly stupid for not trying that in the first place.

"Thanks." he responded before leaving the tower and making his way back to his old hideout.

Once he made it, he walked towards the egg picked it up and walked out of the room, not even gracing the other usual occupant with a 'by a your leave'. Andrew had one place he wanted to go to and he made sure to completely wipe any and all emotion from his face before he reached his destination.

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Harry was currently sitting in the Gryffindor common room, losing a game of chess to Ron who claimed that he was "taking it easy" on him. They had been relaxing these past few days, well as much as they could without someone bothering him about Fleur and either wanting to meet her or hoping he could introduce him to one of her friends.

Meanwhile Hermione sat against the arm rest a book resting against her raised thighs as she read from the text.

"I'm worried about Andrew." Ron said, shocking the other two. When the red head noticed their looks he frowned.

"What?"

"You miss him?" Harry asked with a look.

"Yeah! I'm his friend too you know."

"It's just... you two always seemed to... y'know, butt heads about almost everything." Hermione said adding her own thoughts.

"I mean, yeah we don't agree on everything..." Ron took a few moments to think of what he wanted to say.

"I'd say I share way more with Harry than I do with you or Andrew, but I don't hate him and I'm sure he doesn't hate me either. If anything, he was your best friend, Hermione and your brother, Harry. You two must miss him too."

Hermione sighed tiredly. "Of course I do, but I think I deserve an apology for what happened during the Yule Ball." she informed the two boys.

Ron winced slightly. "Sorry about what I said, again."

"It's fine, if Fred and George hadn't spiked the punch I know you would never have said those things to me." Hermione said with a smile at Ron.

"I mean, you do deserve an apology, I agree with that, but I mean that prank was kinda rough. This wasn't like the times we had those prank wars. This was targeted against him, I think we all could've handled everything that happened better." Harry commented.

"Everything should have been hashed out in the common room at a later time. Now the whole school's involved." Ron observed.

"Plus I haven't seen Andrew for almost a full week, and when I do he just ignores me and walks away." Harry told the other two.

Hermione thought for a moment before snapping her fingers as an idea hit her. "Haven't you tried looking for him on the map?"

"I thought about it, but what would he say if we just walked to where he was camping out? Andrew doesn't want to be found, and I think we should respect that."

"Harry, he could be in trouble, we should at least check on him."

"Hermione's right. He could be trapped somewhere and just waiting for you to find him."

Harry's hand subconsciously went up to his temple, rubbing it softly, he answered.

"No, if he wanted me to find him. I would know."

"Then, what? We just wait for him to walk back through the portrait hole?" Hermione asked sarcastically.

Just then the portrait sung open and in stepped Andrew.

"Huh, what are the chances?" Ron asked with raised brows.

Andrew walked in and made an immediate bee line for the boys dorm, ignoring the looks from his House mates. Once inside Andrew made his way to the bathroom and locked the door. He was quickly followed by Ron, Harry and Hermione who all asked him to open the door.

"Occupied." he responded in a monotonous voice.

They heard the water running, and assumed he wanted to clean himself, as it had been a little while since he was in the tower.

After a few minutes they heard the water stop running followed by the horrible screaming of the egg from the first task and sudden silence. A few minutes passed as the three teens outside the bathroom waited impatiently for Andrew to finish.

"Fucking finally! Christ!" they heard him yell triumphantly.

There were a few more moments of silence before the door was suddenly yanked open cause the three eavesdroppers to lose their balance for a moment. They looked up and blinked at what they saw.

Andrew stood in the doorway, his hair, face, and shirt collar dripping wet. There were a few seconds of silence before he took a step to leave.

"Hold on! What were you doing in there?! Where have you been? Why have you been avoiding us?!" Hermione demanded in quick succession.

"Figuring out the clue. Around. Reasons. Can I go now?" he asked but didn't wait a response as he stepped around the girl before she could respond to him.

"Andrew, please. We just want to help." Harry tried.

"I'm good. Classes are starting soon, you should finish your homework and have it ready." Andrew responded shooting his brother a smile.

As he turned to leave once more he felt something sharp sting on the back of his head. He paused for a moment as the pain shot through his skull and his nerves all protested against the sudden assault. He allowed himself to take a few calming breaths before turning to see the two boys stare at Hermione in complete shock.

"What the fuck was that for?" he asked through his teeth.

"What was that for? What was that...?! How about the fact that you somehow feel like its okay to ignore us. Dismiss us as if we were just an inconvenience to you! Oh also how about ruining the Yule Ball for me?!" she screamed angrily at him before shoving him out of the way and storming to the girls dorms.

"You should go fix that." Ron said, speaking for the first time.

Andrew turned to regard him and Ron spoke again. "You're her best friend, man. Regardless of how much you feel like we slighted you. We're your friends. She's upset and she just wants to hear you say you're sorry."

Andrew blinked at the red head for a moment. "When the hell did you become so insightful?"

Ron shrugged at them. "Those magazines Lavender reads all the time? Yeah they're actually not just full of trash and boys. There's some pretty good crap in there."

"Huh." Andrew responded while Harry simply shrugged in response. "Guess I should do that before I get going then."

Andrew descended the stairs of the boys dorm and looked towards the girls, he thought about asking someone to get Hermione when he just shook his head and began climbing the stairs. It happened in a matter of seconds; the alarm to alert the Head of House that a boy was headed up to the girls dorm sounded.

Andrew ignored it and smiled as he figured that he missed this version of himself; the one who truly didn't two craps or invest in anything adults said, thanks to the adults choosing to do nothing in the Great Hall, he figured he could choose to ignore them as well.

He reached the fourth year girls dorm and knocked loudly. He only had to wait a moment before the door opened revealing a girl Andrew honestly forgot existed.

"Fay, right? Dunbar?"

The girl was sincerely shocked, she couldn't even respond so she just nodded.

"Great, is Hermione in?"

"Andrew?!" he heard from behind the girl.

"Correct. Are you decent? I'm coming in." he said before pushing past Fay and walking into the room.

He took note of the clothes on the beds and a communal wardrobe? Completely covered in make up products.

"Well, much cleaner than the guy's room." he commented with a shrug. Andrew turned back to Hermione and made eye contact with her.

"You can't be in here! There are wards...!"

"Yeah, I reckon we've got about five minutes before McGonagall storms in here and drags me out before I can steal your virtue." he responded with a grin. He then turned to Lavender and Parvati. "Mind giving us a few?" he asked.

The girls all shot him a look of distrust before turning to Hermione for her response. Well, girls were rather protective weren't they? At Hermione's permission the three girls filed out of the room each one shooting him a dark look.

"Thanks, bye." he said before closing the door and sighing a bit.

Hermione watched him closely and Andrew had to restrict the shiver he felt as he watched her back.

"What do you want?"

"I came to find out why you want me to apologize." he answered honestly.

"Why? You're honestly asking that?!"

"I have an idea and I agree that I lost my mind for a moment. But it all started because he chose to leave you alone."

"Andrew, I asked- no! I begged you, to just stop and walk away! But you chose to prove Viktor right! You acted like a child!" Hermione yelled angrily.

"True, I did. I was provoked and like a child I caved. I broke his tooth, nose and my knuckle, which really hurt by the way. But it all started when he walked up and tried to pretend like he cared after I had calmed you down."

"Don't you dare use me as an excuse!" she yelled, shutting him down. "I understand why you don't like him, Fleur told me what happened when the two of had first met. What I don't understand, is why would you chose your anger for him, over your friendship with me?" she asked, her chest heaving at the yelling she had been doing.

"Because you chose to ignore the fact that he attacked me in the press, that he publicly swung first. It was no secret that we hated each other. Honestly I probably loath that twat more than I do Malfoy, but you chose to be blind to that, to be blind at the fact that whenever you spoke about him, I wanted to do nothing more than just leave. You chose to be the girl on his arm rather than the friend by my side."

Unbeknownst to the two arguing teens, Andrew had subconsciously wanted to get all of this off his chest, he wanted Hermione to know how much she had hurt him, how much his intolerance of Krum hanging around her had caused him to bottle all of these emotions. But mostly he wanted her to know that he was hurt. As such, his magic reached out and locked the door behind him; ensuring that Andrew would be able to voice everything before he left.

Hermione watched the boy who was her best friend and couldn't help but feel absolutely angry. She hadn't seen him in almost a week and here he was, but something seemed off. He seemed, less... As if he had locked a part of himself away from everyone... even her. She couldn't explain the anger she felt, she knew she was completely in the right to be upset, but for some reason, she wanted to do nothing more than just slap him as hard as she possibly could.

"So what?! Whenever you hate someone I have to ignore the potential friendship I could have with that person?! You hang out with everyone, but if I make friends with someone they have to clear your anti-social bullshit before they get the all clear?!"

"Don't put words in my mouth, I said that I hate Krum. There are so many other people you could speak to! Why not make friends with Fleur?! She's from another school, she could tell you all about Beauxbatons! Hell Cedric is in our bloody school and I'm friends with him, you haven't spoken more than a few sentences to him!"

"I like Viktor! He's sweet and he cares about what I have to say. He doesn't just pretend to listen so that I'll do something for him later on, he genuinely cares! Why should I give that up because you felt uncomfortable by it?"

"Because that's how friendship works, Hermione! Is it one hundred percent fair?! No! But that's how it works! If you told me right now that you hated... I don't know; Tonks! I would distance myself! Because despite my friendship to her, I'm loyal to you! I would have walked away from her because I know that you would've needed me! But you chose! You made the choice to ignore my hatred of him, because you wanted to be close to him."

"Oh my God, no I didn't! I didn't choose anyone!"

"Oh, but you did, Hermione. You made that abundantly clear by saying that the fight was my fault. As if I were the only one there, as if Krum had simply told me to have a good night and I lost my absolute shit and fought him. You made your choice the moment you decided that one side of this whole ordeal was to blame."

"So then I guess that's it, then?! You're telling me that I have to choose between you and Viktor?!"

Andrew leaned against the door and slid down to the floor. "No, I'm not saying you have to choose, Hermione. I'm not saying that because you've already chosen. You chose to defend a seventeen year old – who felt mocking a fourteen year old and provoking him into a fight – was the innocent party in this."

Hermione sniffed as Andrew's words washed over her. "And you've made your choice. You made the choice to place your pride and yourself above me. You chose to defend some weird sense of honour that you've built up in your mind, than to rather walk away and let him know that you're above whatever he would've said. You put me second, then couldn't even swallow your pride long enough to say sorry."

Neither one spoke as the weight of what had just transpired between the two teens finally began to settle in. This was it, and both parties knew it. They were on opposite ends of the room, Andrew sitting against the door, his arms crossed over his knees and Hermione sitting on the windowsill absently watching the scenery.

"So, this is it then?" Andrew asked, his voice hollow. Hermione was silent, but he felt he knew her well enough to know what she wanted to say.

"..." I suppose it is.

"Four years... and this is what breaks us."

"..." After four years... I didn't think anything could.

"Neither did I..."

Andrew stood and dusted his trousers before grabbing the handle to the door. He turned to look towards Hermione one last time, but she didn't meet his eyes. He turned back to the door and opened it, only to come face to face with an irate looking McGonagall. It took a split second, but he managed to control his facial features and shoot his head of house a lazy grin and spoke easily.

"Ah, Professor McGonagall, lovely to see you. If you'll excuse me?"

"Mister Potter, you are in so much trouble!" she yelled angrily at him. It was at that moment he noticed several girls in the tiny hallway.

"Guess we gave you all a show, didn't we?" he said to the girls with a laugh. "Oh the fucking gossip is going to be everywhere within the next hour. Guess I'd better leave before then." he stated with a sigh before he began going down the staircase.

"Mister Potter, we aren't done discussing your punishment!" McGonagall screamed as she followed him down into the common room.

The girls who were listening to the argument were now watching his showdown with McGonagall and so were many others, judging by their curious faces.

"Okay, Professor McGonagall. What would you like to know?" he asked as he shifted the egg from one arm to the other and leaned against the back of the couch in the common room.

"What were you doing in the girls dormitory."

"We were just talking. Don't worry, Miss Granger is still as innocent as the day she arrived at Hogwarts." he answered. Wow, even he thought that one was a little too... much. "What I meant was that nothing happened that would be deemed... unsightly."

"I'm not liking this attitude of yours, Mister Potter." the Head of House said in a stern tone.

"Well, I figured why try when it's just proven to continuously get me in shit. So congratulations, I no longer give a shit. I don't care if we lose the house cup, I don't care if you fill all of my evenings for the rest of the year with detentions, I don't care if I win or lose the tournament. I've stopped trying make you all feel comfortable." he responded lazily.

"Then I suppose you won't care if I add three more weeks to your detentions, give you a strike on your probation, revoke your Hogsmeade privileges for the remainder of the year and take another 40 points for disrespecting a professor. Do think that's fair to your house mates?"

"You mean the same ones who made an absolute idiot out of me in front of the entire school? The same ones who have the mentality of hey the majority of Gryffindor students were involved in that fight, but you know what, it's my fault cause they're too chicken shit to take responsibility for themselves? Yeah, no you're right, in the end I guess its just my fault again." he responded with a shrug.

McGonagall's lips were set in a hard line as she stared at the young man in front of her; with the name of a man she had grown to love as a son and love his young wife as a daughter, but who had the face of a man who she met later in life but enjoyed being around thanks to his happy deposition and ability to see the positive even during the darkest moments of the war.

She couldn't help but wonder what James and Ray would have said if they could see their boy now.

"Professor... may I leave now? I have preparations to make for the next task of the tournament."

"You will report to my office no later than 7pm this evening to discuss your attitude, young man." she told him before leaving the common room which was filled with students who were shocked at not only Andrew's attitude, but McGonagall's rage. They turned to the boy in question and all just watched him.

Andrew looked back at the crowd and frowned in annoyance. "What the fuck do you all want?!"