Ch 6 of A Fire in the Great Hall

"Walpurgis."

The fat lady swung forward as Harry spoke the password allowing him and Nicole to join their friends in the common room. They spotted Ron and Hermione sitting by the nearest fire and went over to join them.

"Hey umm Nicole this is for you," Ron said as he handed her the letter.

"Who's it from?"

"Uhhh... I can't tell you it's a secret. Just open it."

"Okay..." she ripped the top of the envelope off and took out a piece of parchment, "What's thi...oh...I'm um gonna uh...go upstairs...yea upstairs," she mumbled and ran up the steps to her dormitory tears forming in her eyes.

"Ron? Who was that letter from?" Harry questioned.

"My brother, Charlie."

"RON! What did it say?"

"I don't know he wouldn't tell me."

Harry sighed and slid into the nearest chair. Hermione patted him on the shoulder and gave him the "it'll be alright" look.

"No, Hermione, it won't," was his final statement.

The next morning the three went down to breakfast as usual and Harry was on the lookout for Nicole to see if she was okay. After having only a bit of toast he decided that she wasn't coming down and decided to go check the common room for her. Hermione thought it for the best if she go up and see if Nicole was still in bed and he silently thanked her for doing so. A moment later a red-eyed Nicole made her way down the steps and plopped herself down next to Harry.

"Ron, I think we better go."

"Mmm, yeah okay Hermione," he answered while giving Nicole a very worried look.

"Nicole?"

"Oh Harry I'm so sorry about yesterday. I didn't mean to run out on you I was just..."

"It's okay. I'm here for you if you want to talk about it."

She nodded and began. "I'm guessing you know who the letter was from. Well he said he was sorry for all the things he had done to me and wanted to get back together and he said he'd do better this time. But, but it's just that he thinks I'm too desperate to not say yes. And then he had to go and put the necklace in the note too..." she trailed off tears forming in her eyes.

"What necklace?" Harry inquired.

"The one he gave me when I was seven years old for my birthday. He added a new bead every year and then when we started going out he...he brought me a dragon scale and tooth to put onto it. He knew Dragons were my favorite creatureand that i wanted to someday come study them with him in Romania. It was my wish that we could be together and enjoy our lives that way. And when I finally ended it once and for all, I gave him back the necklace and said I never wanted to see it again. It hurts to know that he's trying to bribe me back with the only thing that really meant something to me," she ended now crying profusely.

Harry wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her in close. She wept and wept until she finally fell asleep in his arms. He wished Hermione would come back so she could put Nicole back into her bed, but he suddenly realized he didnt wish that at all. He wanted to stay like this, he wanted to hold her in his arms forever. He wanted her to be happy and to never cry again. Oh hell why am I thinking that at a time like this. She doesnt need me to be her boyfriend, she needs someone she can rely on like ...like an older brother.

ok so its short i no but i was trying to get this up since i havent posted inlike forever...mucho apologies! ok well if you have any ideas on how to continue this story please help...i need lots . also if you want pics jus email me and i shall send them onward...several are done so far and more should come!

Big writing hugs Coly