I apologize to all of you who read this and, for obvious reasons, expect updates in a timely manner. I got really really busy, and I admit that I really put this off.
However, I would like to thank all of you for reviewing, because it was these recent reviews that were able to inspire me to put up a new chapter, and begin writing again! So I thank you all, in all sincerety!
I hope you love it as much as I love you! :)

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

I gazed out the window of the dormitory as Angelina and Katie were avidly chirping about the latest Fred update. Yes World, Angelina and Fred are finally getting closer to being a couple. Still not quite there, but getting very very close!

Apparently much has been going on under the surface with those two.

I was surprised to find out that during their fight ever-so-long ago, they had set aside time to talk things out. Or, to be more realistic, have a yelling match in the Room of Requirement that would always end in a heated makeout session.

She kept this as a secret, as did he, but looking back I should have suspected something.

Fred was always out and about with George or Lee, but Angelina? She could usually be found in the dormitory, the common room, or the library during times of tests. Not many other places. She had more of a routine.

Therefore, I should have been more skeptical of her whims to go on walks around the lake, her sudden cravings for various desserts in the kitchens, and her inability to study with "all that ruckus," that we could hear from our dormitory.

Yes, I should have known that the only walking she did was strutting around Fred.

Yes, I should have known that the only thing she was craving was Fred.

And yes, I should have known that the only thing she wanted to study was Fred, and that any ruckus made should be made by them.

Oh, that last one was good!

Props to Alicia, she's a funny gal. I should do standup. I'm just so gosh-darn witty!

Anyhow, she finally had to come clean about everything when Katie noticed a hickey on Angelina's neck. All Katie and I had to do to get it out of her was give a smug look. We knew Angelina would have told us of any relationships, unless it was Fred.

Therefore, she cracked really fast. And I mean really fast.

Ever since then, we've been getting breaking news reports. It's really cute to watch her gush over him. It's so uncharacteristic of Angelina. It's quite funny, in an adorable way, of course.

Fred on the other hand, hasn't said much to me about it.

I've alluded to some of the events, but all he does is flash a cheeky grin and say something that weasles him out of telling me any details, or that he ever experienced such "hypothetical situations."

Damn those Weasleys and their weaseling!

As for George, he's finally done with Samantha.

I should be happy, right? Shouldn't I be doing an Irish jig atop a grassy knoll in celebration?

Just asking, because I'm definitely not. Really, I'm not even phased.

I'm actually just fed up with the whole George infatuation. It's just been tiring. Too tiring. I'm pretty much over it, at least for now. I couldn't care less about the kid, in a romantic sense.

This, of course, has made me the most irresistible thing since the most fattening piece of cake, an enemy's secret, or cocaine. Whichever you're into.

He's been acting normal, yet quite differently at the same time. I've noticed him being much more polite to me, and being eager to help me or do anything where it'd be only he and I. Though that's only when we're alone. In groups he sends many jokes my way, determined to make me laugh. Many of them are about me being his girlfriend, me wanting him, or just sexual innuendos. It's amazing how clear the signs are when you don't give a damn about them.

It's really a shame that he's worn me down so much. I guess it's just hard to go so long, feeling as if the guy you've practically loved for ever has betrayed you somehow, even if he never technically did.

I think it's kind of a head vs. heart thing, and my head is winning out.

I mean, all of his crap has really taken its toll on me. I know that I still care for George just as much as I used to, but at this point I feel like I'm just not up to it. After all, he's only paying me special attention because I'm a challenge. Nothing more. Only a challenge.

Eh, it's whatever.

"Are you ever going to stop looking out that window?"

I snapped out of trance to face a confused Angelina and a curious Katie.

"Oh, sorry. Yeah, I'm really happy for you Angelina." I said, hoping that they would assume that I had paid at least a little bit of attention to their girly conversation.

They didn't.

"Alicia, we stopped talking about---" she started to smile, but did a fake cough instead, "that a long time ago."

A weak laugh escaped from between my lips. I think it was the fakest of my entire life. "Heh, sorry."

Katie opened her mouth as if to say something, only to shake her head and avert her attention elsewhere. Thank goodness.

Really, I'm kind of just sick of everything in general. Not only George. Lately, even my girls have just been wearing on me. It's one of those things where all the little things they do just make you grit your teeth.

"I'm going to the library. Have to study." I said, as I walked out the door.

As I walked down the stairs, I began to think about everything. I was just kind of tired of it all. I needed some time away, or a change… I needed something. But what?

I reached the bottom of the stairs, and headed into the common room.

I really need something different, or even just a break… I just wish something would stick out to me. Something fun. Something exciting. Something refreshing. Something right in front of my face…

…And that's when it hit me.

Literally.

I slammed into the portrait hole, yelling out.

A stupid first year had just went through it, and instead of being a normal person and holding it open for me, the little git slammed it shut in my face.

The pain was excruciating.

I brought my hand to my face, only to discover blood gushing from my nose and splashing onto my shirt and the floor below.

The entire roomful of Gryffindors stopped what they were doing to witness the sight. Me, Alicia Spinnett, slowly being doused in her own blood.

Nobody came to help me. They only gawked.

I was livid.

"Oh, it's okay everyone, I'm fine. It's only a fresh and growing blood stain, nothing major, you know. Thanks for the concern; I really appreciate your collaborative compassion." I yelled to the room of onlookers.

I was pissed.

I stormed out of the portrait hole, blood falling like tears.

Destination: Madam Pomfrey.

I stomped my way through the castle, blood still a-flow, passing by a plethora of Hogwarts students. Each one gave me a look of shock, disgust, or something of similar value. I returned said looks with a pissed off one.

I mean, seriously. Today really sucks!

As I wandered along, I began to rethink the idea of leaving the common room so quickly. I probably look extremely frightening to the first years. Think about it: some girl, fully dressed in her nice school uniform with a face full of blood that was still actively streaming down onto her outfit as well as the floors.

And to top it off, she looks lethal. I probably looked like I had just gotten into a fist fight.

Well, hopefully I looked like I killed the girl.

I continued along my route to the Hospital Wing by turning onto one of the busiest corridors in the school. I should have planned this out better. People turned and pointed with wide eyes. In places where alternative corridors joined this one, people stopped abruptly in shock.

This continued to happen about 3/4ths down the hall until I heard voices.

"Oi, Alicia! What happened?!"

"Oi, Alicia, you did it wrong! To be a Weasley, the red's got to be on top of your head!"

I continued walking along, quickly being joined by the twins.

I had no plans of saying a word.

"Alicia? What happened? Are you alright?" asked George, eying me up and down.

Sometimes he's really stupid. I've got a face covered in blood, and he asks if I'm alright. It's kind of an unnecessary question.

But no words. That's the plan. I continued my walking.

"C'mon, Alicia, tell us." Said Fred. He had a smile that was more for the sake of tricking me into being happy than anything else.

It didn't work. I just shot him a quick glance.

A bit of silence from the three of us ensued, until finally George tried again. "We're going to hear you anyway when you tell Madam Pomfrey."

I sighed. It really wasn't a big deal…

I gave them a quick rundown of my recent occurrences.

Naturally they were caring. They offered to get me a change of clothes, clean up my face, and told me tips on how to stop some of the blood from coming. It's what friends do.

Oh, wait, no they didn't. They laughed their asses off. That is what friends do.

I really hate them. I do.

At least sometimes, and this was definitely one of those times.

I realize that the story is stupid, and I should have simply paid attention to my surroundings, but to me it wasn't funny. After all, I was distracted thinking about how nothing is really going well for me and how everything is just another annoyance. I didn't tell them that of course, but the sentiment is the same. I was obviously pissed, and I obviously didn't find it funny, so the least they could do was pretend that they didn't think it was hilarious.

"Whatever, bye." I grumbled as I abruptly stormed into a corridor to the left, found the girls bathroom, and went in.

I went to the first mirror I found and saw myself for the first time.

I was a hideous sight. There was still a small amount of blood actively journeying down my face, as well as some smears along the edges of the river. The neckline of my school shirt was doused in red. I was a mess.

I stood there a little longer, just staring at my reflection before finally beginning to wash the blood away. As I splashed my face, I thought about everything.

School. George. Angelina. Katie. Fred. Lee. Hidden romances. No romances. False hopes. Myself.

I still felt apathetic towards it all, but as the liquid in the sink changed from deep red to clear, I at least got a slightly positive attitude.

This certainly wasn't the refresher I wanted, and it certainly wasn't fun or exciting, but in a twisted way it helped.

I knew that George had put me through a lot, and that it was okay for me to be skeptical of any future together or anything of the like. However, I realized I could trust myself to do what's right. If that's never going out with George, I can deal. Hell, I've done that for how long? On the other hand, if I realize that being with him would make me happiest, I can. It didn't matter what I did, I would find a way to be happy.

As for everyone else, I'm only annoyed with them because… Well, I still don't know. I don't really have a valid reason. I just need to take a deep breath and stick it out until I feel less bitter in general.

I looked up at my clean face.

This wasn't a welcomed refresher, but I suppose it did the job.

I exited the bathroom and took two steps in the direction of the Hospital Wing before turning on my heel and heading back to Gryffindor Tower.

Well there you have it! I tried to make it a bit of a catch-up, as well as entertaining. Hope I pulled it off, since it's been so long.

I'm really sorry that I've been bad at updating. I just got settled into college recently (and it's my first year) so life's been a little extra chaotic. I'll do my best to update in a more timely manner though.

To all who reviewed, thank you. It was YOU who revived this. Now, do it again!

R&R