I wanted to slow things down a smidge (as if 30 chapters of super crush related storytelling wasn't enough), and take some time to develop relationships and characters outside of Polly and George. It was time for Tanya to get more in depth. And I think I'll be seeing more of this because I'm starting to really like her and her character. And I still feel regret at Laura's character. Why did I make her then dismiss her into a bully – that was never my plan for her she was going to be a ride or die and then I went, I need a plot twist. I feel regret. But anyway, let's not make the same mistake twice.

The next morning, Polly woke up with numb fingers and an ache in her back. Her hand was still entwined with George's. And very, very sweaty. She tried to pull back without waking him up, but it didn't work. He woke up and only grabbed on tighter, pulling on it like he was trying to get her to crawl on top of him.

"George?"

"Morning, love." He looked over at her lazily, sleep still reflected into his eyes. "Wouldn't mind waking up next to you forever," he mumbled, smiling at her. She smiled back. Simple gestures from George made the world seem less scary. Just being with him made her feel safe, and warm. And the idea of forever sounded nice. Until the fear settled back into her brain, reminding her that someone once again was trying to do something bad to the students of Hogwarts. Magic was exciting, but not exactly danger-free.

"Yeah, well. Don't get too used to it," Polly said, smile stuck on her face.

He laughed, rolling onto his back and stretching. His brother was still sleeping beside him. He elbowed Fred in the side, making him stir.

People slowly trickled out of the great hall, finally being allowed to re-enter the common rooms. Apparently, the professors had found nothing in the castle, and that only concerned Polly more. With no idea how he got in or out, he could do it again. Polly left as soon as Fred woke up, but George wouldn't let her leave until he knew she was walking with Tanya.

Last time he let her walk alone during a crisis she was petrified...

The morning went by quickly. Meanwhile the rumour mill was churning faster than ever. It was like people's imaginations kicked into gear when it's horrible things that are happening in the castle. Polly heard the same story over and over again but each time there were newer – and scarier – details added. She was beginning to think the game telephone was a satire.

Polly decided to skip lunch, and instead study for her defence against the dark arts quiz that was after.

Things like that send George into a tailspin. He knows she's probably fine, and he knows that she can take care of herself. But bad things keep happening at Hogwarts and he just wants to know where she is and if she's okay. He just likes knowing that she's all right.

George breathed a sigh of relief when he saw her standing in the hallway with Cedric. When she smiled sweetly at him he knew that she really had no idea what she does to him. She didn't have a clue.

"Why do you seem extra distracted today?" Oliver asked, pulling George to a stop by the shoulder. They were already running late for class, so stopping to talk to Oliver was ruining the few moments George had to say hi to Polly. He gave Oliver a vague answer about being tired and then turned back to where she had been standing, but she was already gone.

When Friday night rolled around, Polly was reading in her bed when Tanya came in, flopping on the bed and complaining about men again. It always confused Polly, Tanya's obsession with men and finding a boyfriend. But she couldn't blame her either, because hanging with George was exciting and fun and kissing him was really fun.

"What about Cedric? D'you think he would date me?" Tanya asked, Polly marked her page and put her book on the table beside her.

"You could always ask him that," she said, smiling. "But I think he has eyes for Cho Chang, in Ravenclaw."

"Ugh, never mind then." Tanya sat up, and looked over at her friend. "So what do you do when Cedric and George get all in a huff about you?"

"They don't anymore," Polly said. That was a bad and stupid time in her life, when two of her friends threw massive pity parties over something so silly as her falling asleep. Did muggles deal with this type of rumour spreading? Is it easier in a non-magic school? She doubted it. It was people, not circumstance that made rumours flow. She decided to stop thinking about it.

"But when they did? What was it like?"

"What answer are you hoping for? That it was awesome?" Polly laughed. "It wasn't and I'm glad it's over. It was so dumb." Tanya laid back down. "Hey, listen, I wanted to talk to you about something... I think, I think you're having a bad time finding someone because you're trying to hard." It came out of Polly's mouth so fast, she couldn't catch it. She didn't want to phrase it like that at all. But Tanya didn't say anything, or storm out – she simply sighed. "Wait, I'm sorry... I didn't mean to-" Tanya cut her off.

"No, it's okay. I know what you meant by that..." she said, a soft sigh leaving her lips. "My parents split up when I was really young," she said. Not what Polly had expected her to say. "And then I lived with mum, and she never had anyone around. It was just her and I. Which was fine until I started coming to school. When I came back, she was so lonely. It had changed her. Not just mentally either, she looked like a ghost when I came back for summer last year. Because she spent her birthday alone, and every night – alone. And she's so sad, but there's nothing I can do. I write home when I can, and always write to my uncle to go spend some time with her but... she has no non-family relationships. She doesn't even really have friends outside of her work." Tanya hadn't moved during that whole speech, and Polly was stunned at what she was hearing. "I never want to feel like that, Polly. Yeah, I'm probably trying to hard and I'm so young so it's not like I'm running out of time. But I just... I have to keep trying."

"Oh," Polly said, looking down at her friend. She had forgotten such a vital rule of life. Don't judge a book by it's cover. Don't judge an action on how it's looks on the surface. Tanya's need to be around people and men came from a deep rooted fear of loneliness. How could Polly had ever guessed that?

But then again, she never asked.

"I'm sorry," Polly said.

"Don't worry, I get it. You were trying to help out, I appreciate it. And like I said, it's not like you're wrong." Tanya stayed motionless on the end of Polly's bed.

"I'm always here if you want to talk about it," Polly said. "About anything at all. I know it probably looks like I just care about the boys, but it's not true. I care about you too."

Polly should've asked.

Tanya laughed. "I know, muppet! It's not something I overly share. Stop freaking out, I know you're here for me. You worry too much."

Both of the girls giggled. Tanya's eyes, however, didn't catch the smile, and the sad gaze didn't go unnoticed by Polly.

Later that same night, a group was sitting around the fire as Polly jumped from plant to plant checking on each of them and watering the Friday night plants. The group was talking about Quidditch, and how Hufflepuff was stepping into tomorrow's game even though it was supposed to Slytherin. They had known for a while, but Cedric had asked everyone to keep it hush to the Gryffindor's wouldn't find out right away. Polly hated keeping secrets from George, but she couldn't break Cedric's trust either. So she kept her mouth shut, as she would've done for George.

Cedric knew how good Gryffindor was, so any upper-hand on them would be useful. Polly always talked about how George and Cedric were both dramatic, but she knew it was just George. Because Cedric never got pouty or jealous when she supports the other team. He knows that it's equal. Cedric knows that Polly loves him, too. They were best friends, of course.

It was nasty weather outside that night. The only thing Polly hated more than sitting on the stands in weather like this was watching her friends fly around in weather like this. She knew and cared for so many members of various Quidditch teams that she had so many people to worry about. Angelina, Fred, George, Cedric, Harry... All people she wanted to stay safe. She had enough worry with Harry without adding him flying throw a storm looking for a needle in a haystack.

"So, when are you going to let us into all the Gryffindor Quidditch secrets?" Cedric asked, knowing that he would get nothing for an answer, but it didn't hurt to try.

"Would you like me to tell them your secrets?" she asked, gently pinching a fern leaf between her fingers.

"Well... no."

"Then that's what you get as well. Neither of you get anything from me," she said. She locked everything back up on the cupboard and sat with her friends. "That's how it's fair."

"But we're your family!" he whined, "help us win!"

"You both have a fair chance, stop..." she paused and laughed when he dramatically threw his head on her shoulder with a massive pout. "Stop-stop that, you get off." She shrugged his head off.

"Puh-lease! I took you to the hospital," he whined.

"It's not a good deed if you try to use it for leverage, later." She rolled her eyes but laughed.

"Whatever," he said, smiling.

Cedric continued talking to his Quidditch mate about it. Polly was proud of Cedric. He was smart, athletic, and really nice. He was a good boy. And a prefect. Polly wouldn't be surprised if he got head boy in his last year. She was sad

Polly looked behind her. At one of the small tables, there was a first year was working away on some homework. Over by the door there was a guy and a girl, presumably flirting. And finally a shy looking girl with her nose in a book. Other than them, the room was empty. It was late, but not even past curfew. She wondered why it was so boring in the common room tonight. Were people still anxious about the Sirius Black thing? Hiding away in their rooms hoping that whatever bad thing is next won't happen to them.

It was really stressful that her education was usually disrupted by the threat of impending doom. It was even weirder that lately she's felt less stress about it and more annoyance. Last time there was a crisis she lost a few months of her life. She lost even more time learning about magic. She was already behind! After a long sigh and a few looks of concern from Tanya, she finally decided to paint on her happy face. There was no use bringing everyone else down while they were having some quality bonding time. The conversation could wait for another day.

She'd talk to Tanya about it tomorrow morning.