-JKR owns all rights to Harry and his world-

Chapter Twelve:- Regret and Revenge…

Jaye saw the happy couple from her window. Ana and Sirius; so in love. Jaye knew that they were feeling what only a favoured few (herself and Remus included) got to feel. True love. Wholeness. She sighed. The two teens stood, Ana fingering a silver necklace which hung from her neck. Jaye saw them enter the castle again. As a celebration of St Valentine, all classes had been postponed until after lunch.

Some celebration. Jaye thought. No boyfriend and not even a best friend to talk to.

Jaye brushed away the tears that had been softly falling down her cheeks.

~*~

Tara rubbed her eyes.

Oh no. I've overslept!

She glanced at her wristwatch. 10:33 Am. She groaned, remembering what day it was. The last thing she needed was to walk around the school and to see all the couples hugging and kissing. And what if she saw Sirius and THAT GIRL!? She punched her pillow in anger.

That witch stole Sirius and made me lose my best friend!

Of course, Tara knew that wasn't completely true, but she refused to admit she was in the wrong. Robotically, she got herself dressed and grabbed her books for the day. Thankfully, she didn't have Charms or Creative Magic which meant she could avoid Sirius. Tara made her way down to the library. There she sat, trying to focus on her Arithmancy assignment. Time passed by and before Tara knew it; it was a quarter to twelve. She packed her gear and headed out to the corridor. There were swarms of students moving to class or huddling in groups. One particular cluster of 6th year witches were holding up the flow. Tara was a prefect and decided she really should move them and besides, she needed to vent.

"Sorry girls…" she began. Then Tara saw it was Ana, showing off a silver necklace. It only took Tara one try to guess what SB stood for. She pulled out her wand at the same time Ana did.

"SILVIUS BINDOSA!" Ana yelled as Tara shouted. "LESSERAIRIUM!"

Immediately, Tara was bound tight with chains and Ana smiled in triumph. But Tara was giggling. Ana's hand flew to her head, realising she was completely bald. Her head was as smooth as a dragon's egg. Her eyes were wild and vengeful.

"You…you ghastly girl!" She yelled in fury. Both girls raised their wand arms again (as best they could) but before they could utter a curse…

"EXPELLIARMUS!" Two voices boomed. Ana's wand flew into Jaye's hand and Tara's into Remus' open palm. Jaye and Remus stared at each other for the first time in weeks.

"Aireverso." Jaye whispered the counter-curse to Tara's spell and Ana's black, silky hair returned. Remus smiled wistfully.

"Releasionum." He said, freeing Tara from her binds. Wordlessly he threw Tara her wand and walked down the passageway, his footsteps echoing in the confined space. Jaye sighed, filled with mixed emotions.

"Right everyone." She spoke to the crowd that had formed around the duelling girls. "Move along. You all have classes to go to. MOVE!" She said firmly. The pack whittled down, Tara lost amongst them. Jaye handed Ana her wand back and Ana smiled in thanks.

"Try not to get into any more trouble, Ana." Jaye grinned.

"I totally could've taken her!" Ana replied. Jaye smirked and rolled her eyes.

"I know."

Ana winked and wandered off to class, leaving Jaye alone in the corridor.

If I were Tara, where would I go? I know! The Swing!

One of Hogwarts' more eccentric teachers had hung a large wooden swing off a birch tree near the Qudditch pitch. It was the girls' meeting place whenever they'd been separated. Sure enough, when Jaye got there, Tara was sitting on the swing, gently swaying. Jaye sat down next to her.

"Hi, Tara."

"Hi"

"That was some fight!"

Tara smiled weakly. "You know, Ana doesn't look half bad with no hair."

Jaye grinned and put her arm around Tara's shoulders. "Tara, I'm so sorry. I never meant what I said and…"

"Yeah you did." Tara cut in. "But you were right. Sirius and Ana are a cute couple, it just hurt, you know?" Jaye nodded. "Can you forgive me, Jaye?"

The girls hugged, all quarrels forgiven and forgotten.

You'll rescue me right?
In the exact same way they never did...
I'll be happy right?
When your healing powers kick in