Most of my days were spent in the library, studying, I decided to devote all my time to it, in order to be able to concentrate on something else other than that disastrous event. Because of this, there wasn't much time to see Oscar, and I spent a lot of time with Hermione, who was in the library much of the time and we would study together. She didn't seem to know about the attack, and didn't ask me anything about Greyback-maybe, Harry was right, he hadn't told anyone about it, a little guilt rose up inside me for doubting him.

Soon February arrived and the Snow melted around the school, to be replaced by a cold, dreary wetness. Purpilsh-grey clouds hung low over the castle and a constant fall of chilly rain made the lawns slippery and muddy. The upshot of this was that the Sixth Years first Apparition lesson, which was scheduled for Saturday morning so that no normal lessons would be missed, took place in the Great Hall instead of in the grounds.

When we entered the Hall, we found that the tables had disappeared. Rain lashed against the high windows and the enchanted ceiling swirled darkly above us as we assembled in front of Professor McGonagall, Snape, Flitwick and Sprout-the Heads of House-and a small wizard, whom I assumed to be the Apparition instructor. He was oddly colourless, with transparent eyelashes, wispy hair, and an insubstantial air, as though a single gust of wind might blow him away.

'Good morning,' said the Ministry wizard, when all the students had arrived and the Heads of Houses had called for quiet. 'My name is Wilkie Twycross and I shall be your Ministry Apparition instructor for the next twelve weeks. I hope to be able to prepare you for your Apparition Tests in this time-' 'Malfoy, be quiet and pay attention!' barked Professor McGonagall. Everybody looked around. Draco had flushed a dull pink; he looked furious as he stepped away from Crabbe, with whom he appeared to have been having a whispered argument. '-by which time, many of you may be ready to take your tests,' Twycross continued, as though there had been no interruption.

'As you may know, it is usually impossible to Apparate or Disapparate within Hogwarts. The headmaster has lifted this enchantment, purely within the Great Hall, for one hour, so as to enable you to practice. May I emphasize that you will not be able to Apparate outside the walls of this Hall, and that you would be unwise to try. I would like each of you to place yourselves now so that you have a clear five feet of space in front of you.'

There was a great scrambling and jostling as people separated, banged into each other, and ordered others out of their space. The Heads of Houses moved among the students, marshalling us into position and breaking up arguments. Professor Flitwick was making squeaky attempts to position a few Ravenclaws, all of whom wanted to be near the front, and Professor Sprout was chivying the Hufflepuffs into line. Eventually I found a space and settled near the front.

'Thank you,' said Twycross. 'Now then...' He waved his wand. Old-fashioned wooden hoops instantly appeared on the floor in front of every student. 'The important things to remember when Apparating are the three D's!' said Twycross. 'Destination, Determination, Deliberation! Step one: Fix your mind firmly upon the desired destination,' said Twycross. 'In this case, the interior of your hoop. Kindly concentrate upon that destination now.'

Everybody looked around furtively to check that everyone else was staring into their hoop, then hastily did as they were told.

I gazed at the circular patch of dusty floor enclosed by his hoop and tried hard to think of nothing else.

'Step two,' said Twycross, 'focus your determination to occupy the visualized space! Let your yearning to enter it flood from your mind to every particle of your body!'

I did as instructed, simply determined to get this right.

'Step three,' called Twycross, 'and only when I give the command...turn on the spot, feeling your way into nothingness, moving with deliberation! On my command, now...one-' I concentrated, not letting other people around me distract me '-two-' I fixed my thoughts on his hoop again; and remembered the three D's. '-THREE!'

My body spun on the spot, lost my balance and fell over onto my backside, I noticed a couple of people laughing and pointing, but I wasn't concentrating on them but the spinning of the room.

When I glanced upwards, Snape was hovering above me.

'I feel queasy.'

Snape leapt back with an angry expression as vomit propelled itself onto the floor. People laughed as I was helped to my feet, the four Heads of House surrounded me, and McGonagall washed away the vomit with the swish of her wand.

'Better?' asked McGonagall

'No, I still feel sick.'

'Then perhaps a visit to the hospital wing.'

'I'll take her.' came Oscar's voice, who I had noticed standing by the doors inside the Hall, and he lead me out of the room.

'Mara, you okay?' Oscar asked as we made our way through a grimacing and laughing crowd.

'I-I dunno.' my hand went to my stomach 'I feel funny.'

'Madam Pomfrey will fix you right up, I'm sure, you'll feel better in no time, probably just the shock of apparition, vomiting can be pretty normal you know.'

February moved toward March with no change in the weather except that it became windy as well as wet. To general indignation, a sign went up on all common room notice boards that the next trip into Hogsmeade had been cancelled, and I had to write to Merton that our date was off, for I had decided to give him a chance, but part of me was kind of, glad, for the cancellation, despite my guilt for feeling that way.

Three lessons on, Apparition was proving as difficult as ever, though a few more people had managed to Splinch themselves. Frustration was running high and there was a certain amount of ill feeling toward Wilkie Twycross and his three D's, which had inspired a number of nicknames for him, the politest of which were Dogbreath and Dunghead. I had not vomited since the first lesson, though I had been getting cramps which rendered me hugged up to a pillow at night and in the morning.

One of those mornings was on the morning of my birthday, news that Ron Weasley had been poisoned had spread through the school, but it did not cause the sensation that Katie Bells attack had done. People seemed to think that it might have been an accident, given that he had been in the Potions master's room at the time, and that as he had been given an antidote immediately there was no real harm done. In fact, most people were generally much more interested in the upcoming Quidditch match against Hufflepuff. Not because of the match, I pulled myself out of bed and to the Hospital Wing, hoping that Madam Pomfrey had something for these strange pains.

When I got there, I spotted Ron Weasley and Harry Potter talking in a cubical.

'How can I help you, Miss Morris?' asked Madam Pomfrey

'Can we have a private cubical?' I said, glancing at Harry and Ron as they eyed me

'Certainly.' we entered a cubical and Madam Pomfrey pulled the curtains around it.

'What is the matter, dear?'

'Well...' my lips pursed, unsure how to explain 'it's just, I've been getting these...cramps...they're pretty painful.'

'Cramps? Hm, period pains perhaps?'

'Could be.' I said 'But I haven't really, you know, had it yet.'

Madam Pomfrey looked disconcerted 'It could be stress, are you stressing over anything in particular?'

'Yes, actually, a lot of things.'

'Then I suggest a Wiggenweld Potion, I will retrieve one for you.'

'And also,' I continued 'I need my bandages rewrapped.'

'Of course.' said Madam Pomfrey

'Can we-can we keep the curtains close whilst you do it?'

'Of course.' Madam Pomfrey pressed her hand on my shoulder before exiting the cubical.

I sat down and removed my robes and shirt, where I began to unfurl the bandages on my arm, it had been a few months since I had seen the injury, and Madam Pomfrey was only made aware by Dumbledore in case of this circumstance.

Madam Pomfrey made sure not to reveal too much of the cubical as she re-entered with a potion, which I drank in one go.

'How are the wounds, Miss Morris.' said Madam Pomfrey, surveying the long, jagged scars closely.

'Not as much pain any more, only slight throbbing sometimes.'

'You know, they have healed rather well,' she said, looking somewhat impressed 'I think you do not need bandages any more.' her head shook 'Professor Snape was quick in reacting to use Dittany and Silver to stop the bleeding.'

'Yes, I owe him much.'

Madam Pomfrey cast me a sad look.

'In any case, you may head off to the match if you care to. You have no reason to stay.'

'I wasn't planning on going to the match, without the girls there I thought I might get some rest.'

'Very well, Miss Morris.' and Madam Pomfrey left me to get dressed.

Harry was gone by the time I emerged from the cubical, and I felt slightly bad to see Ron sitting there alone in his bed.

'Uh, hey, Ron,' I said, standing at the end of the bed 'how are you feeling?'

'Oh, getting there,' he said airily 'what are you doing in here?'

'Er, just, girl trouble.' I shrugged

'Right,' Ron replied, eyeing me suspiciously 'going to the match?'

'Nah, thought I'd have a nap whilst the dorm is empty.'

'Not interested in Quidditch?' he asked

'Not much,' I replied 'well, I'd better get going, get well soon.'

'Thanks.' he said, and I left the cubical.

That felt awkward, I don't think Ron and I had had a lasting conversation, not even when I was in the DA.

'Mara, hey.' said Oscar as I entered the Entrance Hall 'Not going to the game?'

'No, thought I'd have a nap. Been very tired lately.'

'Studying too late into the night probably!' Oscar chortled 'Hey, I got you something.' he pulled out a wrapped gift

'You didn't have to-'

'I wanted to, it is your birthday after all, the big seventeen!' he smiled, watching as I unwrapped it.

It was a new sneakoscope

'I thought maybe, you'd want a new one after, well, you know.' he said shiftily, again thoughts sprung in my mind as to why I'd want one, but running into that man, I can see why I would.

'I am sorry about that,' I replied, a guilty look appearing on my face 'thank you, I'll keep it on me, but it won't do much good in the Slytherin Common room I tell you!'

Oscar laughed as I pocket it

'Also, I got you another gift. Come with me.'

'Oscar.'

'Come on, this way.'

Sighing, I followed him out into the Viaduct Courtyard.

'What are we doing?' I questioned, as Oscar focused clearly on the bridge that lead out of the school, and soon, a figure emerged along it.

'There he is.'

Along the path was a figure, and upon closer inspection.

It was Merton!