Whew. I knew that the previous chapter wasn't going to popular, and I appreciated the brutally honest reviews that you all gave. Life is all about choices, and that holds true even in the fictional worlds in literature. I'm not one to spoil things, but I will just say: people (characters) make mistakes, and young/first relationships rarely last all the way to marriage. I'm aware that there's things in the story that aren't going to be well-received or popular, but I'm going to stay true to the characters and the story. Should have done my research a bit more on the characters and timelines, but thankfully it's fanfiction and not published work! Ayeeeeee. I've had the ending of this story and major events planned out almost since I started the story, so I hope that if you've stuck with it this long, you'll hang in there and see what happens after this! Much love to all and merry christmas! Still going to try to get this finished ASAP. Happy Holidays and thank you for your reviews, feedback, follows, and faves :) You guys rock!
PS. Andromeda is NOT Tonks.. Nyphadora Tonks is her daughter and she is not included in this chapter. It's her mother, Andromeda, sister of Narcissa and Bellatrix. :)

By the time I returned to the hotel room, it was well-past midnight. Lily was waiting for me on her bed, her arms crossed, her face enigmatic.

"Well?" She pressed. "What happened? I came back here and you weren't waiting."

I stripped off my jacket and gloves. I was frozen to the core, chilled, but strangely warm. "Sean is my boyfriend now."

Lily stared at me. "I'm sorry, what?"

I grinned. "Sean asked me to be his girlfriend. I said yes."

Lily's face was oddly expressionless. "Oh."

A cold trickle spread down my spine. "What's that mean? 'Oh'?"

Lily shook her head, looking at me as if she was seeing me for the first time. "Oh."

I felt myself bristling in defense. "What? Can you please tell me what you're actually feeling rather than just saying that?"

Lily got up and paced. It was making me nervous, chasing away the good feelings I had had all evening with Sean. He had stayed with me on the bunny slope for an hour until I was ready to tackle the green run, which I had subsequently mastered.

"I thought…" Lily trailed off, biting her lip. "You chose Sean?"

I frowned. "Yes. It would appear that way."

Lily twisted her hands. "But, Amber… you and Remus…?"

"Remus and I aren't together." I said firmly. "He can date whoever he wants. So can I."

"So you're getting revenge? Is that what this is?" Lily demanded, and I surprised at the anger in her voice.

"Lily!" I protested. "Why can't you be happy for me? Sean's a good guy."

"Yes, he is, Amber. But I don't think he's good for you. You and Remus are a perfect match!"

I stared at her in disbelief. "You were the one who told me to date other people! Like Sean!" I retorted. "You were the one who said I should move on with my life!"

"I know, but still!" Lily aggressively unpacked her suitcase. "I thought you and Remus would get together. Not you and Sean! There's just something about him tonight that feels off. You know? I don't know what it is, but there's something about him that isn't right! Don't tell me you didn't feel it too."

"Honestly, it was hard for me to feel much of anything other than love." I spat. "Thanks for ruining my night."

Lily glared at me. "You're going to break Remus' heart, Amber. He loves you."

I threw my hands up in the air, completely sour now. "I can't win, can I? I waited for Remus, but he wouldn't go out with me! I even kissed him and he didn't do anything! And now I finally move on from him and this is what I get?"

"I don't know, Amber!" Lily half-shouted at me. "I'm telling you! Something isn't right with Sean! I don't think you should be close to him. Let alone date him."

"I can't believe I'm hearing this." I exclaimed. "Especially from you!"

"I can't believe you!" Lily shot back. "I'm trying to warn you that you shouldn't do this, but you aren't listening! You belong with Remus!"

I felt an inexplicable sense of dread at her words. I remembered hearing Sean's words about the Death Eaters and my own love for Remus, which I knew I would never be rid of. For a moment, I felt a horrible sense of despair curling in the pit of my stomach. What if I had just made a huge mistake in saying yes to Sean? What if I was supposed to wait for Remus?

Or more importantly, just say no to both boys?

"Lily," I said in a trembling voice, "I need this. I have to date other people. I can't wait around on Remus to change his mind. Maybe this will help me see if he's the right person for me or not."

Lily shook her head again, her face in complete disbelief. "I can't believe this. You aren't even listening to me! It's not that you're dating someone other than Remus (even though I think that's a huge problem). It's the fact that Sean is clearly hiding something from you."

"I don't believe you." I said reflexively. "I'm finally in a relationship, and you react like this. Thanks for nothing."

"I'm your sister!" Lily reminded me hotly as I snatched my pajamas and changed in the adjoining bathroom. "I'm trying to help you realize that maybe you made a decision based on feelings rather than fact. Amber, Remus loves you! And I know you love him."

Tears blurred my vision as I scrubbed harshly at my teeth with my toothbrush. I spat in the sink and rinsed out my mouth, all the butterflies with Sean now vanquished. "I can't do this anymore, Lily. I love Remus, but I'm not going to wait for him for the rest of my life."

Lily tossed her hands up in the air. "Fine, Amber. I was going to tell you what he's told me about you, just to change your mind, but you know what? I don't think you deserve to hear it. You just tore his heart out and threw it around the room like a Quaffle. I'm going to bed."

I stared at her, mouth agape. "You are such a hypocrite!" I raged. "Sean is my boyfriend! It's not like we're married! Lily!"

But Lily had laid down in her bed and presented her back to me. She was completely ignoring me now.

Furious, hurt, and confused, I stormed out of the room, being sure to slam the door behind him on my way out. I stomped down to the lobby, wishing I could call my parents to come collect me early. But it was nearly one in the morning, and I knew that even if they would come, it would be three hours of waiting for them. And then they'd ask questions I especially didn't want to answer.

I threw myself down on the worn couch, arms folded tightly. I struggled hard not to break down and cry. I was so confused. Hadn't I done the right thing? Was Lily right? What was Sean hiding? How come Remus hadn't made a move sooner? Why was it okay for him to date Angelina, but me not to date Sean?

"It's so unfair." I said angrily to the empty lobby. The lights were very dim, only the flickering firelight in the hearth. I stared at it until the racing drumbeat of my heart slowed down. The flames were hypnotizing me, drawing me into a relaxed stupor. I closed my eyes for a moment, drowsy. The warmth lulled me into a haze not unlike the dreamy state of the Imperius Curse, and I found myself drifting to sleep, anger at Lily temporarily forgotten.

A warm, soft breeze played across my face, carrying with the scents of lake water, mown grass, and pine trees. I opened my eyes. The greenery of trees told me it was summertime again, and as I sat up, I realized I was underneath the beech tree by the lake. It was young and hardly more than a sapling, somewhat of a teenager. The sky was a fiery orange and red, a crimson sunset staining the clouds as it set behind the black silhouette of tall mountains. Not far away, a great castle glimmered with the lights of thousands of candles. Hogwarts.

Struggling to get up, I made my way over to the lake and looked down. I was startled when I saw the reflection. A girl with pale blonde, almost white hair in a loose braid, her eyes strikingly bright blue. I had been this person before. This time, I knew her name.

Sapphira Peverell.

I touched my chest, but there was no necklace there this time. I was wearing a pale gray tunic-like dress that bespoke of a different time period and era. I knew that once again, I was back in the early days of Hogwarts, a thousand years ago.

I looked around, unsure if I was alone or not. I had the uneasy sense that I was being watched. The fiery sunset was fading to an indigo-navy twilight, but the air remained heavy and warm. The sound of crickets and cicadas filled my ears as I walked back towards the castle, drawn to it like a ship to a lighthouse.

But before I could take more than a few steps, a dark shape materialized in front of me. A tall, dark stranger loomed before me, towering overhead. Its scarlet-red eyes burned like hot coals in the gathering darkness, and I felt a sense of impending doom as I braced myself for whatever came.

"I heard," said the low, deep voice that resonated familiarly with me, "that you and a certain Ravenclaw are courting."

I blinked up at the stranger, unnerved. His fury emanated like heat thrown from a fiery furnace. "I beg your pardon?" I said, going along to see what the matter was. In a way, I knew I was dreaming, and therefore, safe. But another part of me warned that this wasn't just a dream. It was more than that.

It was another vision.

"Don't play dumb with me, girl." The man growled, and as the full moon broke over the mountains and spilled milky light onto us, I drew in a gasp.

"Professor Salvatore Slytherin." I recognized, my hand covering my mouth.

Professor Slytherin barked a cruel laugh. "Oh, so you're going to act foolish now, are you? Look at me! Why are you calling me that? You haven't called me that in ages."

"I don't… I'm sorry." I said slowly, trying to look innocent.

Professor Slytherin swore as he peered closely at me, his nostrils flared. He looked vaguely familiar, but I wasn't sure why. "Tell me." He said in a tone dripping with sarcastic venom. "Why is there a rumor floating around the castle that you and Magnus Wood are courting?"

I almost said, Who? But instead I shrugged.

Professor Slytherin swore again, more colorfully this time. "I cannot believe this. I suppose this is what happens when I trust a foolish girl with my heart. She feasts upon it!"

"I would if your heart still beat!" I shot back, not sure where the words came from. "You have no heartbeat, Professor, and I can court whomever I please!"

Professor Slytherin advanced, grabbing my arm, his blood-red eyes hot with emotion. His hand was as cold as ice. "Sapphira," he said, his tone oddly desperate, "please. Don't do this."

I stared at him in complete surprise. "Do what?"

Professor Slytherin looked as helpless as I'd felt when I learned about Remus and Angelina's relationship. "You… you have my heart. I trusted you not to break it. And now…" his grip tightened. "I love you, Sapphira."

My heart hammered. I noticed that there was no pulse visible in his throat. Slowly, I reached out and touched his chest. There was no heartbeat.

"I waited for you," I said, again not sure where the words were coming from. I felt like I was speaking to Remus now, not Professor Slytherin. "I told you my feelings for you, and you acted like it didn't matter. You said it was too dangerous."

"I take it all back." Professor Slytherin said hoarsely. "Please, Sapphira. I love you. I love you so much I can't stand it. You make me feel alive again. I need you."

"Do you promise to never leave me?" I asked. "To remain loyal to me alone? To be mine, through whatever this life may throw at us?"

"I do." Professor Slytherin promised, kissing my hands. "My love, I will stand beside you your entire life. Don't do this. Be mine. Be my love. Say you love me, too."

"I love you." I said.

"Say my name, beloved." Professor Slytherin begged. "Say my name."

"I love you, Dusk." The name came to me as if I'd always known it.

Professor Slytherin relaxed visibly. "I love you."

"I love you, Remus." I said, and Professor Slytherin materialized into the werewolf I loved.

"Beware the moon." Remus said in a robotic voice, and my eyes snapped open.

The faint hues of dawn were appearing in the dark sky as I jerked awake on the couch. I had fallen asleep and evidently dreamt of something peculiar that had happened in the past. I felt sick with guilt; how could I be with Sean, when I loved Remus still?

I rubbed my face, trying to ward off the disturbing scene I had just witnessed. It appeared that seventeen-year-old Sapphira had had a relationship with her Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Salvatore Slytherin, who was called 'Dusk'. Even more disturbing, Professor Slytherin was a vampire.

We had learned all of the signs of a vampire in our third year, and I had personal experience with vampires, considering I had one who promised to one day kill me. Professor Salvatore Slytherin, the grandson of one of the four Hogwarts founders, Salazar Slytherin, was a vampire. And by the looks of him, he had become one in his early to mid twenties.

Professor Smith had warned me not to go looking for answers to my questions. Professor Dumbledore had taken my necklace to further investigate its magical properties. But now, my visions were back. Without the necklace. To add insult to injury, I was now dreaming of my love for Remus, just mere hours after I'd said yes to being Sean's girlfriend.

I hunched over, my hands digging into my scalp. What do I do? Do I call it off with Sean already? What did Lily mean about him hiding something? Should I stay with him to find out where this takes us? Am I wrong to do this, even though Remus dated Angelina when he had feelings for me?

I was so confused. Just a few hours ago, I had felt so happy. Happier than I'd felt in a long time. But now, all of those joyful sensations had morphed into waves of dread and uncertainty. It wasn't like Sean had proposed. We were just dating now, that was all.

If Remus could date someone else, then I can too. I thought, pushing away the nagging guilt as I rose to my feet and gazed out the window. The huge moon hung in the clear sky, which was fading from periwinkle blue to lavender. Varying shades of navy and indigo bled into the approaching dawn from the dark side of the sky as my breath fogged the cold glass. I wanted so badly to ignore the warning of Professor Smith and chase after my answers, but she was right: I was only fourteen. I had to get my education first, before I could have the foundation to tackle those questions.

But I had to talk to her about my visions. If nothing else, I wanted her to know about them. I wished Soren was here, but settled instead for selecting a random book from one of the bookshelves in the den and settling back on the warm couch. It was a Muggle book, MacBeth. Still half-awake, I began to read the old novel, nearly drifting back to sleep as I turned each page. It was easy to get lost in the world Shakespeare had created, to sympathize with Lady MacBeth's sleepwalking and her prevalent nightmares. Just before I had finished the play, Lily sat down on the stuffy armchair across from me.

I looked up at her and continued reading.

"I want to talk to you." Lily said. She was still in her pajamas, her hair tousled from sleep and her voice slightly gruff. "I couldn't sleep well last night. I kept feeling like we needed to talk. I don't like going to bed angry with anyone."

I flipped a page loudly.

"Come on, Amber." Lily said irritably. "Grow up."

I gave her a measured look. "I'm sorry, is this your way of apologizing for last night? Because your apology sucks."

Lily rolled her eyes, striving for patience. "Look, I'm not sorry for telling you the truth. I'm your sister. I'm going to be honest with you, even if you don't like it."

"You don't think you overreacted just a little bit?" I shot back, slamming the book shut and tossing it on the rugged coffee table between us. "You really hurt me, Lily."

Lily sighed. "I'm sorry, alright? I didn't want to hurt your feelings or spoil your mood. But my gut tells me something's not right about this. Don't tell me you don't feel it, too."

"I did, at first," I admitted. "But I don't feel it anymore. I think I was just being paranoid. I have that annoying habit sometimes."

"But Amber, you don't." Lily said urgently, dropping her voice to a low, conspiracy tone. "You have visions. You can see things in the past and the future. Your sense of intuition isn't just paranoia or anxiety. I think it's highly sensitive. You should listen to it."

I bit my lip. "I'm not a Seer, Lily. I don't understand these visions at all, but most of the time they only happen when I'm dreaming." I hesitated, then told her about my odd dream. "I'm not wearing my necklace and they still happen."

"Are you sure you aren't a Seer?" Lily asked dubiously. "That sounds like Madam Cheek."

I shrugged. "Madam Cheek said I wasn't on the list of named Seers in the Department of Mysteries."

Lily's green eyes widened. "She told you that? I thought she was bound by confidentiality or something like that. That's serious, Amber. She shouldn't be telling you stuff like that."

"I know." I said darkly. "Even Dad can't talk about his work with us. I don't think Mum is allowed to know either. I don't know what these visions mean, but they're getting more intense. They feel real. It's confusing."

Lily looked troubled. "Maybe you should write a letter to Professor Smith. Just tell her what's been going on."

"I will." I said. "She told me not to worry about stuff like this, but it's so hard. I don't understand. And now I've got a boyfriend, to top it all off."

"Welcome to the club." Lily said half-heartedly. She frowned, leaning forward, clasping her hands between her knees. "Amber, are you sure you want to do this with Sean? I know how much you and Remus love each other. And I won't take back what I said about Sean. There's just something off about him."

"Lily." I said in a firm tone. "I appreciate your warning, but I want to be Sean right now. He's not a consolation prize. I love him."

"But you love Remus more." Lily added quietly.

I closed my eyes, breathing out loudly. "But we can't be together right now. I don't know, Lily. Maybe this will push him into realizing how stupid his rule is. I can't sit around like a fool, waiting for him to change his mind. I have to move on with my life."

Lily sighed, coming to sit beside me on the warm couch. "Alright. I still think you're going to marry Remus."

A wry smile spread across my face. "Are you placing a bet?"

"I might. I could start calling you Mrs. Lupin."

I barked a laugh. "Only if you don't mind me calling you Mrs. Potter."

Lily jerked back, her mouth dropping open. "What?" She gasped, her face dark pink. "No! What about Mrs. Harkstone?"

"That's my mother." I reminded her. "James has got it for you, Lily. I wouldn't be surprised if he gave Harry a good run for his money."

Lily rolled her eyes. "Yeah, right. The only way I'd ever go out with James Potter (let alone marry the toerag) is if he deflated his huge head. He's such a jerk, Amber."

"People change." I said. "Are we okay?"

Lily hugged me, crushing my ribs. "Of course we are, stupid. Wanna get some breakfast and hit the slopes?"

"Sure. Don't be mad if Sean joins us."

Lily grinned slyly. "I'll try not to hex him for moving onto my other best friends' girl. But alright."

"Thanks, Lily." I hugged her, thankful we were once again on good terms. "Also, don't kill my boyfriend, because he's on his way over right now."

A moment later, Sean appeared, dropping onto the couch, squeezing us together like an over-packed can of flobberworms. "Good morning, ladies." He said grandly, kissing my cheek. A warm feeling spread inside of me. I giggled as Lily made a face.

"I hope I have your approval, Lily," Sean said humbly as he met her gaze.

Lily drew herself up regally as Sean put his arm around me, drawing me against his solid body heat. "Well, you still need to pass the interview." She said coolly.

"Can I take it after I treat you two beautiful ladies to breakfast?" He asked charmingly.

A tiny smile twitched at Lily's lips. "I suppose so."

"Good. Because a certain Harry Harkstone is going to meet the three of us in ten minutes at the cafe next door."

Lily gasped. "Alright, you pass." She said fervently as she jumped to her feet. "I'll be back! I need to get ready. You too, Amber."

I rolled my eyes as she dragged me to my feet. I felt cold without Sean beside me. "We'll be back."

Sean smiled warmly. "I'll be right here waiting."

The rest of Christmas break passed quickly. I didn't have anymore visions, neither day or night, and found myself well-rested and happier than I'd ever remembered. Sean had bade me farewell at the resort the day after we'd had breakfast with Lily and Harry, and promised to write me owls as often as he could.

"I'll come visit you during your next Hogsmeade weekend." He promised, holding my hands in the cold air before I unwillingly slipped into the station wagon. "And then we'll have all of summer break together."

My heart fluttered as I remembered how he'd tried to kiss me, but I'd turned my face so he'd landed on my cheek. Still, I couldn't bring myself to kiss anyone on the mouth other than Remus. I wasn't ready yet.

After I'd arrived back at the house in Bellinghall, I had written Sean so often that our house was like a rest home for owls. Every hour, it seemed, there was more post so that Sean and I could talk. Soren was so tired of flying that I had to use Dad's Ministry-trained snowy owl to double-up with the sudden spike in post.

Now, I stood on the platform in Bellinghall with my family. The Hogwarts Express was due to arrive any moment to take me back to school for the next five months.

"Remember," Mum said in a voice full of warning as she clutched Naomi's hand, "just because you have a boyfriend now doesn't mean you aren't still bound by our rules. You might live at Hogwarts most of the year, but you're still underage and still our daughter. You understand?"

I rolled my eyes. "Yes, Mum. For the tenth time, yes. Besides," I gave her and Dad a sardonic look, "I'm sure you two followed your parents' rules when you were at Hogwarts. Right?"

Mum and Dad looked embarrassed. "Actually," Dad said gruffly, "her parents didn't like me."

"They didn't think Walter would amount to anything." Mum said, beaming at Dad. "But I think after being a professional Quidditch player and working in the Ministry of Magic, having two wonderful kids, and fifteen years of marriage, I'd say we showed them."

I frowned at Mum. She had forgotten to count Virginia as her child, again. It was as if she was determined to forget that her middle child had ever existed. Before I could point this out, however, Dad kissed her fondly, his green eyes soft with affection. Naomi made a repulsed face. "Gross." She said, wrinkling her nose.

"I agree." I said, shuddering. "Gross."

"Oh, yeah," Naomi said sarcastically, "as if you and your boyfriend don't kiss."

"We don't, actually," I told her honestly. Not yet, I thought privately.

"I like this guy more and more." Dad said approvingly. "But I'm surprised. Your mother and I thought you'd pick that Lupin boy."

"Remus?" I said, arching a brow.

"Yeah. Lyall Lupin's boy."

"Well," I said with a rueful smile, "he didn't pick me."

Mum and Dad looked confused. "What do you mean?" Mum asked. "Did you ask him out?"

I sighed heavily. "I told him I had feelings for him, but he turned me down. A lot. So yeah, I guess I asked him out. But I'm with Sean now, and I'm happy."

"You don't look happy." Naomi said doubtfully.

"That's because I'm freezing, and I'm going to miss you for the next five months." I told her, hugging her again in the winter air. "You be good, alright?"

"I will." Naomi promised. "Hey, only a few more years until I get to go to Hogwarts!"

"That's right." I said. "When I start my seventh year, you'll be a first year."

"Virginia would have been a third year this year, right?" Naomi asked.

A flicker of pain crossed Dad's face. Mum, however, was watching the incoming crimson train and wasn't listening. "Yeah," I said quietly. "She would have."

"Give us one more big group hug." Dad insisted, pulling the four of us together in a tight, uncomfortable squeeze. Naomi and Mum squealed, while I rolled my eyes and fought for breath. When they released me, the train had rolled to a stop. Mum kissed me cheek, her blue eyes, so like Virginia's, shining.

"I'm happy for you, dear," she said in a thick voice, "you're doing so well. We're very proud of you."

I shifted on my feet, unsure of what to say. There was still so much history between us, good and bad, and I wasn't ready to get emotional with her right before my departure back to Hogwarts for the next half a year.

"Make good decisions!" Mum yelled as I boarded the train, waving at the three of them as the warmth of the train's interior enveloped me. I found an empty compartment and sat down, sighing heavily as the train picked up momentum and rolled away from Bellinghall's platform. I waved at my family as they passed my window. My throat felt tight as they disappeared around the bend. They were awkward, loud, and sometimes dysfunctional, but they were still my family. I would miss them over the next five months.

I had just picked up a book from my bag when the glass door to my compartment slid open and a boy came inside. My heart dropped into my stomach as Remus sat down on the seat opposite from me, his face unreadable.

"Hi, Remus," I said cautiously, putting the book down. "How was your holiday?"

Remus' gave a crooked smile. "It was alright. I didn't get what I wanted for Christmas, but maybe you had better luck."

I looked at him squarely. "Maybe I'll have better luck next Christmas." I said simply.

Remus nodded and clasped his hands. "Listen, Amber. I want to talk to you."

"About?" I asked, suddenly nervous. I swallowed hard.

"About that whole 'not dating' rule I had about us." Remus said, straightforward. My heart began to race. Oh, no, no, no. I thought, mortified. Please, God. Not now.

"I've been thinking a lot about it." He went on, his gaze trained on me. "I think I've been an idiot. I was so worried about hurting you, but then I realized that what I had with Angelina was completely hypocritical. I never felt the way about her that I feel about you. I don't think I'll ever feel this way about anyone else. You're my best friend, Amber. And more. I'm sorry I've been a coward. But I want you to know that you're really important to me. You're an amazing young woman, who has amazing faith, and you're so close to what you believe. You've shown me what it's like to sacrifice for others, and you've changed my life for the better. Honestly, if I hadn't spoken to you that day in Charms class back in our first year, I don't where I'd be. My life would be so much darker and boring without you."

"Remus." I said hoarsely.

"So," he said, taking a steadying breath, "I want you to know that even though you've got a crazy vampire after you, and visions, Death Eaters, dysfunctional family, and weird friends, you're the best person I've ever met. And I can't imagine my life without you. I don't want to hide from what I feel for anymore. I don't think I can."

"Remus." I repeated, wishing I could use a Silencing Charm on him. "I need to tell you something."

"What?" Remus asked, leaning forward, his green eyes bright with the intensity of his feelings.

I hated myself, for what I was about to do to him, for what I had to do. I had to set him free, just like he'd to me last year. "Remus… I have a boyfriend."

Remus blinked. "I beg your pardon?"

My whole body began to tremble. I sat on my hands to hide how badly they were shaking. "Sean and I are seeing each other now. Exclusively."

For a moment, I thought Remus was going to burst into his werewolf form right then and there. His face paled to a ghastly white, then reddened, then drained to ash-gray. His green eyes turned tawny, and the scars on his face were more visible than ever. His hands clenched to fists in his lap, and he blinked several times, as if he was trying to get dust out of his eyes.

"You and Sean…?" He asked in a low voice.

I was so torn between them, wanting to comfort Remus and reciprocate his love, but loyal to Sean. And, worst of all, I wanted him to feel what I'd gone through when he'd been with Angelina instead of me. "I'm sorry, Remus."

Remus stood up abruptly, his face blazing. "Excuse me." He left the compartment without another word, not bothering to shut the compartment door.

I got up quietly and slid it closed, locking it so that no one else would enter. I drew down the shades and sat back down heavily on the seat. When I was sure I wouldn't be disturbed, I covered my face with my hands and gave into my pain.

Remus did not join me at the Ravenclaw table for dinner. I had expected this and tried my best not to feel bitter about his silent treatment. I watched him and the other Marauders from afar. Lily sat with me graciously, ignoring the looks of consternation from some of my other Housemates.

"Your eye is still pretty ugly," she informed me as she ate a slice of garlic bread with her spaghetti. I had barely touched my barley and mushroom soup.

"Thanks for that." I said dryly. I had checked my reflection the mirror only hours before, once I had dared to see how much crying had cost me. My eyes weren't as puffy and red as they'd been, but the bruise from the collision when I'd gone skiing was still ugly and green. It was fading now, but it looked like I had taken a punch just below the eye. And just as the medic had promised, I had a small scar on my cheek as a souvenir of the accident.

"You okay?" Lily asked. "You're hardly eating."

"I feel sick." I said honestly. I felt guilty over knowing I had caused Remus pain, and confusion over my decision. I wanted to date Sean, but to my dismay, my heart was still torn in two over both him and Remus. And I realized, with gnawing dread, that the bigger part clearly belonged to Remus.

"You know I'm always here to listen, if you need to talk." Lily said gently. "I'm sorry I blew up at you."

"I know, you told me." I responded glumly. Remus' back was turned to me. I felt an aching loss, but didn't know how to bridge the new gap between us. Sighing, I pushed away my hardly-touched dinner and got up. "I can't just sit here and mope. I'm going to the library."

"I'll come find you later." Lily said. "Cheer up. It'll be alright."

I gave her a half-smile and watched her pick up her food and migrate back to the Gryffindors. I left the Great Hall, my stomach twisted up and roiling with the power of the emotions inside of me. Just take it one day at a time. I thought, recalling Mum's old advice.

I had made it halfway to the library when something small and hard hit me in the back of the neck. I swore and turned around, wand out, ready for a fight. But it was only Peeves, who had a pack of chalk in his hands, another piece ready to fire at me.

"Look at Rocky, wandering the castle all by herself." He drawled. "Where's your friends? How come you're not eating like the others?"

"None of your business." I said flatly. "Go away."

"Oooooooh, so rude." Peeves chortled. "Fourth years are such a waste of skin."

"You should know." I snapped. "You were there for ten years."

Peeves burst out into cackling laughter. "The girlie's got some claws! Try this on for size!" He began pelting me with a storm of chalk. Covering my head with one arm, I raised my wand and pointed it at the poltergeist, shouting, "Langlock!" and the assault promptly ended. Peeves grabbed at his throat, unable to speak, since his tongued had just glued itself to the roof of his mouth. Waving a rude hand gesture, he zoomed off.

I made it into the library, glad that Madam Pince wasn't prowling the endless shelves of books. I selected How to Be a Dragonologist from the career section and chose a squashy armchair, delving into the book. It wasn't long, however, before I heard the sound of someone else in the otherwise silent library. Setting the book down carefully, I peeked around the corner of one bookshelf. But I didn't see anyone.

Frowning, I pulled my wand out and continued to read. I heard a chair scrape noisily. Jumping to my feet, I pressed against the bookshelf and looked around the corner again. Nothing.

I had the familiar and unpleasant sensation of being watched. Gripping the wand tighter, I whispered, "Homenum revelio."

An iridescent red orb of light flared like a miniature sun twenty feet away from me, near the Restricted Section. Heart pounding with adrenaline, I said, "Accio Cloak!"

Sure enough, there was a loud fluttering noise, and a moment later I caught James Potter's invisibility cloak in one hand. He stood, frozen, in a strange half-crouching position. The ignited tip of my wand reflected in his circular glasses, giving him the eerie look of a sightless ghost.

"James!" I said heavily, rolling my eyes. "Why am I not surprised?"

James regained his composure quickly, his eyes flashing. "So, I heard the good news. Congratulations on breaking Remus' heart."

"James, please." I said, shaking my head. "That's a forbidden subject."

"He really loves you, you know." James said in a tone of disbelief. "I've got no idea why, but he does. Why'd you have to go for a shallow pretty boy like Locke?"

"James." I repeated hotly. "It's none of your business who I date. Just let it go."

"Fine." James snapped. "For now. I'll see you around." He turned around and started to stalk away.

"Wait a minute." I said, blocking his path hastily. "Why were you trying to get into the Restricted Section?"

James glared at me balefully. "I'm not sure I should trust a traitor with that kind of information."

I shoved at him hard. "I never went back on the Vow I made with you. Or the others. My relationship status shouldn't affect my trustworthiness."

James rolled his eyes. "Alright, Harkstone. You're going down in the next Quidditch match, I hope you know."

"Oh, I'm so scared." I drawled sarcastically. "Seriously, James. What are you doing here?"

"It involves Snivellus, if you must know." He said shortly. "That little worm needs to be put in his place. Once and for all."

"Why?" I demanded. "He isn't bothering you. Leave him alone."

"Why? Does he have a thing for Evans?" When I didn't cover my shocked expression fast enough, James's eyes widened. "I knew it! That little weasel. And he's with the Death Eaters, isn't he?"

"James," I began, but James carried on angrily.

"He's a snot-nosed little creep! And he's been asking about Moony all the time now. I've had enough with him and his little antics. I'll teach him a lesson he'll never forget." Eyes blazing behind his glasses, he stormed into the Restriction Section, sealing it shut behind him.

I banged on the door loudly. "James! Don't! Whatever you're planning, let it go. Dumbledore and the other teachers will handle it. Remus can handle himself. Please, James! Don't ignore me."

But there was nothing but frozen silence. Swearing, I kicked at the door and stalked away, furious and ashamed.

Why? Why was it so wrong for me to date Sean, when Remus had dated Angelina? And worst of all, what was James' plotting as revenge for Severus?

"I want to have a meeting with the Marauders." I said loudly, knowing full-well he was ignoring me. "Tomorrow night at eleven, in the Hog's Head. You'd better be there."

One of the absolute laws of our group was that we were never allowed to share its secrecy. The second was that every meeting must be honored, whether or not the others wanted it. James had to obey.

So did Remus. And I cringed at the thought of seeing him again, now that we had both broken each other's hearts.

"Don't be late." James said coldly. Just then, a skinny cat wended her way between a chair, her lamp-like eyes glowing in the darkness. She meowed loudly in an accusing tone.

"Mrs. Norris!" I hissed, realizing that her owner, Mr. Filch, couldn't be that much farther behind. I took off, just in time to see the crotchety old caretaker shuffling into sight, a lantern held in one gnarled hand.

"Hey!" he shouted, his gruff voice echoing in the stone corridor. "Stop right there! Or I'll have you thrown into the dungeons!"

I didn't even hesitate. I turned and sprinted away into the darkness. I heard Filch cursing and giving chase. Tearing around a hairpin curve, I dove into one of the empty classrooms and locked the door with trembling hands. I exhaled in relief.

Except I wasn't alone.

"Oh, dear," a quiet, icy voice said in the semi-darkness, "you are in trouble, aren't you?"

I turned slowly and faced the owner of the voice. I met his black gaze squarely, wand still in my hand.

"Hello, Severus," I replied coolly, "I think it's time you and I had a talk."