A/N: Hey guys, I know that I am quite obviously no good at updating, but I am going to try to have an update ready on Monday. I just moved so my life is crazier than ever, but I have lots of time on my hands. The main thing I'm lacking right now is wifi, but I'm supposed to have that on Monday. So if I don't get to a Starbucks anytime after this, then I should have a chapter up on Monday night, at latest Tuesday morning. You guys mean the world to me. Thank you so much for reading. I'd love a review, but it's cool if you don't I completely understand. Love y'all. ~ Piper

Disclaimer: I don't own any characters or story concepts other than the main plot and Isabella's family. The rest belongs to the great J.K. Rowling, she does some amazing work. Have Fun!

It had been almost three months since our fight, and Rose still wouldn't talk to me. Although, the morning after our fight my schedule had mysteriously appeared next to my bed in response to the food that I had set out for Rose. These past three months have been torture, but I have found a friend in Scorpius that I never thought I would. He helps me from time to time, and gets Harry off my back on the days after Harry has done anything really bad. I miss having a safe space. I miss having a second family. I miss James and Albus. I miss Rose.

I still cry myself to sleep at night, wishing I could have opened up to her, wishing I could have just told her everything that was wrong, but I couldn't. I still can't, and that's why I can't be friends with her yet. I can't deal with the Rose leaving my life again. It was too hard on me three months ago, and I can't let it happen again with anyone.

We had our end of term exams in a month, and I wasn't ready. I never had time to study because I was too busy sleeping and trying to avoid my brother as much as possible. I never had the focus I needed while I did my homework to remember the information on my exams. I was starting to fail my classes, and I needed help. Although, I knew I would never ask for it, it wasn't in my nature.

"Focus!" I thought to myself angrily.

I had been living in my head as the sun went down, and now I wasn't done with my homework. It looked like I was going to be missing dinner again, but this time because I had to finish my homework. I made my way from the library to Gryffindor Tower, and stopped only when I reached the Fat Lady.

"Pumpkin juice," I said aloud, to the Fat Lady.

"Sorry, love the password has changed," the Fat Lady responded.

"Again?" I asked exasperated.

"Turns out pumpkin juice is too easy of a phrase to figure out, and some Slytherin students got in and vandalized the inside of the common room. I believe Professor Longbottom made the feast tonight mandatory awayway. Come back when you figure out the password," she said, a little too eagerly.

I huffed, and walked down to the Great Hall for another meal around food that I couldn't touch without getting beat up. Once I got to the Great Hall I went in and sat in the seat at the end of the Gryffindor table, opening my book to work on my homework. I worked all of dinner, and then waited until I could ask Professor Longbottom for the new password. On my way to the front of the Great Hall, I walked past my old friends. They got quiet as I drew near, and then picked up the pace and volume of their conversation the further I got away.

"Ah, Ms. Gregory, may I have a word?" Professor Longbottom requested of me, as I drew near.

"As long as that word includes the password I'm all ears, professor," I replied.

"Well yes, the new password is "Hungry Horntail," but that's not all I need to speak to you about. Walk with me."

We started walking towards the common room. I had been avoiding this conversation for a while now, always running out of class right when we were excused, mainly to catch up with my brother.

"Your teachers have been telling me that you have started doing poorly in your classes, and I am sad to report the same as well. Ms. Gregory, you were such a promising student, may I ask you what changed?" He said, with a look that resembled nostalgia.

"Everything," I replied.

"I've noticed you are not hanging out with the Potter and Weasley families anymore, that's too bad. They are some of the best kids I've ever known."

"I know," I replied looking away.

"Well I'm going to have to ask you to begin tutoring in your free time. I'm not asking you to give up all of it, but just some of it. You'll be studying with the top student in the class, and you will be meeting in the library starting tomorrow. I've lined up both of your schedules in a way that should work, and please do try to be civil," Professor Longbottom smirked as he said this, then turned to walk away.

"So who's my tutor?" I called after him.

"You'll see."

"Great," I muttered, under my breath.

I awoke the next morning to find a new schedule sitting on the table next to my bed. After breakfast was to be my first tutoring session, and then I was going to be heading to my normal classes for the rest of the day. Unlike what professor Longbottom had said, he had left me with the majority of my freetime. Although, that would probably diminish the worse my grades ended up.

I went down to to the Great Hall to sit and read during breakfast, since I had decided to eat lunch that day. My brother passed me, whispering his mean twisted words in my ear, and then knocking me down. Scorpius leaned down to help me up, muttering something about how Harry doesn't really mean what he said, and that he is sorry. He's beginning to sound a lot like my mom in all honesty.

Once I got to my normal seat, I sat down, reading for long enough to make people feel like I had eaten something for breakfast, and then I went to leave, but before I did I saw that, somehow, chocolate chip pancakes had appeared in front of me. It was like something took over me, I wasn't able to stop myself from that bite, that one bite. I only hoped my brother wouldn't notice. I tried to go back to reading, but the pancakes just sat there tempting me, even though I knew I couldn't eat them. I decided that I was going to leave for my tutoring session so that I wouldn't be tempted any longer.

As I got up I saw Albus give me a little wave, and looked to the other side to see James giving me a small smile. I waved back, and turned around, beginning my walk to the library. I found an empty table that had a place card with the words 'Reserved for Tutoring' written upon it. I faced the place card down on the table so that I wouldn't have to deal with the stares of other students. I already had to deal with those enough, seeing as I wore longer sleeves the majority of the time.

My typical outfit of choice being pants and a turtleneck. I knew I was covered in scars and bruises, but the world didn't need to know that.

I pulled out my homework, hoping to be able to have something finished to show my tutor, when I heard a voice.

"I'm going to kill Uncle Neville," a familiar voice swore out.

"I can leave if you want me to Rose," I said, not even looking up, "We both know I don't actually need any help, and that you don't want to talk to me."

Rose sat down across from me. I stopped writing and looked up at her. She was looking me over as if she hadn't seen me since we stopped being friends. I, personally, couldn't stop with the glances I always gave her and her family. I missed them, a lot, but I knew she didn't miss me.

"What happened to you?" Rose asked.

"What do you think?" I responded, quietly.

She just kept looking at me, and there was silence.

"I know, it takes a lot to get me to open up. We were getting there, I promise we were. I just… I can't do life alone. You guys, you became my family, and it was great. I know I have issues, lots of them, and I'm trying to work on it. You're my sister. I'm sorry that I ruined everything, and that I messed up, and that I don't go for help, I just can't. It's too much right now, I hope you understand. I just… Everything is bad now. I don't want to ask anyone for help, other than you guys, and I can't do that any more. No one can calm me down you know? Just you and your cousins," I began to trail off.

"Iz, it's okay. I'm," Rose began, "I'm sorry. Okay? I shouldn't have gotten mad, it's just my . I have a temper and I'm stubborn, I get both things from both my parents. It's a full on double whammy, and that's why I freaked out. I'm just… I'm really sorry."

I looked at her in shock, figuring I wouldn't have ever gotten an apology out of her. I just kept looking at her, and she was looking at me.

"So how many copies do you have there?" Rose asked.

"Of what?" I asked quickly.

"You're homework stupid."

"Wow, harsh words," I started, "And this is my third copy."

"I'm going to kill Scorpius," Rose said.

"Not his fault," I responded quietly.

"Still, I'm gonna talk to him about this," she said, "He shouldn't take part in all of this."

"I don't know if he means to," I started, "Sometimes he acts weird and helps me in his own way. Warns me early and stuff. It's weird, but can be helpful."

"He's still not doing his homework himself. I'm going to talk to him about it."

"Fine, do as you wish," I said laughing, "Not like I can stop you."

"Well I can stop you," Rose said taking my quill.

"Thanks," I said, "Friends?"

"Friends."