This is just a very short introduction back into what is going on. I know I have not written in ages so this is just me, warming up to my story once more. I am very excited to finally have the time again to write and I can hopefully finish this damn thing that has been festering here for ... three years almost? Just a disclaimer: I do not claim to own the writes of any of JK Rowling's characters, however, Carrie is of my own creation. Please review. Be kind. Thank you.

Chapter 7 Morning After
Once I wanted to be the greatest
no wind or waterfall could stall me
and then came the rush of the flood
the stars at night turn deep to dust
Cat Power - "The Greatest"

The sun streamed in through the singular window in the Room of Requirement. Carrie kept her eyes closed and basked in the warmth of the morning light and the body that lie next to her. She turned over and felt the cool sheets under her naked body...wait. Naked? Her eyes flew open and she glanced to her left to the sleeping body next to her. She immediately jumped out of the bed. She gathered her clothes in a hurry and pulled them on her in an instant. The noise of Carrie muttering to herself and the movement of her body from the bed roused Fred from his sleep.

"What's going on?" his voice rough with sleep, his eyes barely open.

"We have to wake up! It's the day of the feast and the day Oliver arrives!" she practically screamed at him, throwing his clothes at him. He lay his head back on the pillow. He then reached his arm across the bed and pulled her back into him.

"You need to calm down and take a deep breath," he said, sleepily still.

"I can't, Fred. I don't even know what time it is and I am freaking out!" she groaned.

He glanced at his wristwatch. "It's only eight o'clock. On a Saturday. That means that we are the only ones up right now."

She sighed. "I guess you're right." she crawled back into bed and lay next to him.

"Are you ready to face the day?" she asked her quietly, not quite meeting her gaze as his eyes were still closed. She sat there and gathered her thoughts for a moment. Last night, everything seemed so clear cut. It was Fred who she would choose, right? But the morning light shed harsh reality on the situation and it turned her stomach.

"I...don't know anything anymore," she admitted, sighing deeply.

A heavy silence followed this statement. She glanced at Fred and saw his face looking at her in disbelief. Clearly, he also thought she resolved the issue between her head and heart but it wasn't so easy for her. As she stared at his crestfallen face, she hoped it wouldn't turn into anger.

"Say something, please?" she begged quietly, bringing herself closer to him and burrowing her face in his chest.

"What do you want me to say?" he asked quietly and without any hint of anger in his voice. All she heard was deep hurt and his words dug deeper than if they were those of anger.

"Anything."

"I never thought this would happen, first of all. Ever. I never planned it. Dreamt it more often than not. Um... What else? I never wanted to put you in this situation and if I did anything at all to trigger this...I'd take it back if it meant making things easier for you," he stated monotonously.

She digested his words. "You'd take back ever being born?"

"What do you mean?"

"You said you'd take back the catalyst that set this whole debacle in motion. Essentially, your existence. This whole thing is not tied to one thing you did. This all happened simply because you have always had this way about you I have always been attracted to, but I held back. When you didn't hold back anymore on the train, I felt the dam within me break and I could no longer deny what I have felt for you for ages."

The conversation was making everything worse. If she denied Fred in the end, it would seem as though it were all a lie. The silence was unbearable. Fred finally sat up and swung his legs over the edge of the bed.

"I think I'm going to go back to the dormitory," he said, pulling on the clothes she had previously thrown at him.

"Okay," she said quietly. As she watched his figure retreat towards the door, she felt her heart swell and tears fill her eyes. When he almost reached the door, he turned back to her and kissed her forehead.

"Take your time," he whispered. "No matter what happens, I'll be here, still loving you."

When the door closed with a quiet click, her heart exploded in her chest and loud sobs escaped her lips as she threw herself face down into the bed they slept in together as she had to decide what she were to do and if she could live with herself were she to go through with her plans.