When Bianca woke up the next morning, it was much too early for breakfast and everyone else in the castle was still fast asleep in their dorms. She opened her hand in an attempt to stretch out her fingers and saw the crystal Professor Dumbledore still in the palm of her hand. She noticed there was a small hole at the top of the crystal, just big enough to fit a thin plain silver necklace through it. She hung it around her neck and looked in the mirror.

Staring at her reflection for a while she noticed dark bags under her eyes from her restless sleep. Her hair was loose, knotted and looking as lifeless as she felt. After taking what felt like an hour long shower she got dressed into her favourite black trackies, used her wand to dry and straighten her hair, did her make up to cover any signs that she was hurt from the events of last night. She knew that news travelled fast around Hogwarts and had no doubt that most of the student population would have heard or seen James cheat on her last night.

Feeling very grateful it was still the weekend and that she didn't have to attend classes she decided to eat an early breakfast in the kitchens and just relax in her room all day. Of course she understood that avoiding everyone would not help her convince them she was fine but decided she didn't really care about anyone else today.

The house elves in the kitchen gave her an amazing selection of food to eat which she enjoyed quietly. "Thank You" Bianca said leaving. The students would be waking up soon for breakfast so she made her way back up to the dorms. When she entered the common room she found Brett and Scott whispering to each other sitting in front of the fireplace.

"morning" She said eyeing them suspiciously.

They were a bit surprised to see her but tried to hide it. "Hey, how's it going?" Brett replied.

That was definitely something she liked about them. They treated her normally and didn't tip-toe around her or feel sorry for her like everyone else did.

"Not bad. What are you guys up to?" Bianca asked taking a few steps forward.

"Nothing, just hanging out" Scott answered.

After shrugging off their strange behaviour she made her way to her dorm but stopped when she reached the stairs, "Hey, can I take a raincheck on breakfast? I already ate and I have a few things I need to do"

"You mean like planning how you are going to get James back? Because we can help you with that" Scott told grinning.

Bianca couldn't help but laugh and shake her head, "No, nothing like that. I'll see you later" she said before going back to her dorm, climbing into bed and pretending to sleep so she could avoid her cousin and Amanda when the woke up only a few minutes later.

Candice and Amanda stood over Bianca staring. "Should we wake her up for breakfast?" Candice whispered to Amanda poking her cousin.

"Maybe we should leave her. If she in hungry she will come down or get food from the kitchen later." Amanda answered logically before making her way to breakfast with Candice.

"Now promise me you will not make a big scene at breakfast" Amanda said to Candice just outside the great Hall.

"I can't promise that" she replied avoiding eye contact with her roommate.

"Candice, let Bianca handle this. Don't say anything that will make it worse."

"Fine! I will totally ignore them then" Candice said stubbornly before storming into the great Hall and sitting next to Annie without saying a word.

The whole group was there including Lily and James who were waiting expectantly for Candice to greet them and tell them where Bianca was.

There was an awkward silence at the table. They were also aware that many of the other students were whispering, pointing and staring at the group. "Well, news travels faster than I thought" Candice muttered drinking some pumpkin juice and looking around.

"Is Bianca coming to breakfast?" Lily asked quietly, looking very guilty to which Candice rolled her eyes but said nothing.

"No" Amanda finally answered, "she was still sleeping so we didn't want to wake her"

"So what is everyone doing today?" Annie asked trying to change the subject and remove the awkwardness at the table.

"Not sure. I might try to work on that big assignment we have due in a few days" Chloe said looking expectantly at Sirius who was holding his head up with his right arm.

"Yeah sure, whatever" he answered.

Breakfast couldn't have finished sooner and everyone got up and went their separate ways to either work on their assignment or find another way to entertain themselves.

Candice went to check on Bianca and found her in the bathroom looking at one of her scars in the mirror. "its fading" she told Candice with a half-smile before sitting on her bed again and picking up her diary.

She mum had sent her a diary as a small gift to tell her she was missed. She hadn't owned a diary in a long time and felt that now would be the perfect opportunity to use one to collect her thoughts, feelings, clear her head and set herself some goals.

"so what have you been doing?" Candice asked sitting opposite Bianca and trying really hard not to mention what happened last night.

"Nothing. I woke up not long ago, so I have just been relaxing" Bianca replied. "did you see everyone at breakfast?"

"Yeah I did. Lily looked pretty guilty." Candice told leaning against the wall.

"right" was all Bianca said before they heard a knock on the door. Candice got up again and answered it to find Lily standing in the doorway.

"Speak of the devil" Candice said blocking Lily's view of the rest of the room and Bianca in particular.

"can I please talk to Bianca?" Lily begged, her green eyes looking dull and slightly puffy underneath, an obvious sign she had been crying.

"I don't think she wants to speak with you right now" Candice told.

Lily stared at Candice and realised she wouldn't be able to convince her otherwise. "Just tell her I'm really sorry" Lily said.

"yeah because that makes everyone better" Candice said rolling her eyes before slamming the door shut and joining Bianca on the bed again.

"Thanks for getting rid of her but next time you don't need to be so mean" Bianca said looking up from her diary.

"Oh please. This bullshit forgiving and nice thing you are doing isn't fooling me Bianca. Why do you care whether I am nice or mean to Lily. She hurt you!" Candice exclaimed defending her actions.

"She may have hurt me but I am just saying you shouldn't have been so blunt. That is all"

"Are you still friends of something?"

"No Candice. I am no longer her friend but I am not going to constantly torture her and make her feel bad. The consequence of her actions was losing our friendship, end of story. Now we can all move on" Bianca explained.

Candice sighed but could not argue with the grown-up way in which her cousin decided to handle to situation. She knew that was definitely one strong difference between them. "Ok, whatever you want I guess" Candice said.

"Thank you. I know you have my back but we don't need to drag this out" Bianca smiled.

"So what are you doing anyway? I haven't seen you write in a diary since we were at Beauxbatons" Candice said eyeing the book on her cousin's lap.

"I know. Mum sent it not long ago so I just decided I would start writing in it again. Maybe it can help me deal with the situation" Bianca explained.

"that's very Zen and responsible of you" Candice laughed.

"I know right"

"it's good to see that you aren't upset about what happened"

"I am upset but there is nothing I can do about it. I am ok right now. You never know, things may change. I may wake up one day and be so angry that I punch James in the face and rip lily's hair out in front of the whole school. Or I might not be as responsible as I am trying to be and argue with them constantly and make their life a living hell." They both laughed, "Right now I am fine"

"I suppose you are going to have to face them eventually and talk to them" Candice said looking at the doorway where lily stood not long ago.

"Yes, and I suspect that it will be today or tomorrow and hot gossip throughout the castle." Bianca said rolling her eyes.

Bianca and Candice spoke for most of the day about the festival in general and what Bianca did after she saw James and Lily kissing.

"Oh so you were with those two guys. What are their names again?" Candice asked scratching her head.

"Candice, we have spoken to them like so many times. How can you not remember their names." Bianca asked rolling her eyes, "Brett and Scott"

"Oh yeah. Haha that's right"

"they were really cool. I hung out with them for a while. They listened to me bitch about 'the kiss' for a while. I actually did have a good time." Bianca told.

"They seem like pretty cool guys as well. You know I think I heard somewhere that they are both single." Candice winked, "Which one are you gonna go for?"

"I haven't even been single for 24 hours and you are already trying to set me up with someone" Bianca laughed.

"of course. You are hot and now that everyone knows you are single, there are going to be a lot of offers" Candice said smugly. "But I think you should get to know Brett and Scott more and then chose between them"

"anyway, my point is. They are good guys and my friends so I think I might be hanging out with them a bit more" Bianca said eyeing her cousin's reaction.

"That's totally cool .Who cares what other people think. Do what makes you happy. I got your back. As long as we don't forget that Chloe, Annie, Sirius and Remus are still our friends they should understand as well" Candice replied now looking at herself in the mirror.

"How can we forget about them?" Bianca smiled standing next to Candice in front of the mirror.

An owl landed on the window sill and the girls looked at it before Bianca took the letter and opened it.

Bianca,

If you are free today I was wondering if you wanted to finish our Transfiguration assignment and get it out of the way. Meet me in the library in if you can. I will be there until dinner.

Severus.

"Eww that's so boring. Why would you want to spend all day in the library" Candice said reading the letter over Bianca's shoulder.

"It's our last assignment. If we finish it now then we won't have anything else due until after the holidays" Bianca smiled collecting her books and walking through the common room. Candice followed like a lost puppy.

"hey Scott" Bianca said when she spotted him sitting at the table writing a letter to someone. "You should work on your Transfiguration assignment with Candice" was all she said before pushing her cousin a few steps forward and walking away.

"Sure whatever." He said looking at her. She just sighed, sat down and opened his book...

...

"Sorry I'm a bit late" Bianca said quietly sitting opposite Snape in the library.

"You're not, I'm early" he said looking up.

"how are you?" she asked pulling out her parchment and treating him like he was a friend.

"Uh fine thank. You?" he replied, still getting use to the friendly dynamic they have going.

"been better I guess, but fine" she replied.

"I saw what Potter did last night" was all he said.

"that's makes you one of many. I don't want to talk about it. Let's just finish this stupid assignment shall we?" she said opening her book and reading a few pages. He continued writing what he was working on before she arrived and stopped a few minutes to combine notes.

... Three Hours Later...

"I think we are finished" Bianca said dropping her quill and stretching her arms behind her.

"Looks like it" Snape replied sighing.

"We did well. I think McGonagall will be impressed" she told packing up a few things.

"maybe."

When they were outside the library they stopped and looked at each other. "Well I guess this means we go back to ignoring each other permanently then?" Bianca said.

"I guess so." He replied looking at the floor.

"Well if things change and you want to talk or even just say hi, you know where to find me" Bianca smiled before making her way to the Great hall for dinner. She saw Candice sitting with Scott and wondered if it was because of their conversation earlier that day or because they were talking about the assignment. "Definitely not because of the assignment" Bianca thought but made her way over there anyway.

As she passed the marauders, Lily, Chloe and Annie she saw them all staring at her.

"Hey guys" she said stopping and trying not to be rude although it was clear that greeting was directed at only four people in the group.

"Why is Candice sitting with them?" Sirius asked nodding down the table.

"I think they are talking about their assignment they have been working on for McGonagall. " Bianca answered.

"Bianca, I-" James started but was cut off.

"Well I am going to eat. See you guys later" she said walking down the table and sitting next to her cousin.

"hey" she greeted and the all nodded, having a mouth full of food. "How did your assignment go?"

"Boring" Candice answered, "but we got a lot done"

"Good. I told Sirius that is why you are sitting here and not with them" Bianca said quietly eating something from her cousin's plate.

"You should have said it's because he smells and she can't handle the stench anymore" Scott said grinning evilly while Brett snorted, and almost choked on his pumpkin juice. Bianca couldn't help but smile.

"If he has a problem with me hanging out with other people then I will break up with him. I don't like clingy and jealous. It's ugly" Candice said, like it was the simplest thing in the world. Bianca was starting to wonder whether she had any real feeling for Sirius or if it was just because he was a really good kisser. She made a mental note to ask her cousin later.

This seemed to make Scott happy and they moved on to happier subjects.

"I am so excited for the holidays. I am so sick of assignments and homework" Scott told.

"You barely do any assignments or homework" Brett said looking at his best friend.

"Doesn't mean it's still not annoying" he retorted.

"What are you guys going to do on the holidays?" Bianca asked.

"Scott will most likely be at my house. So we will probably just hang out, play... what are you doing?" Brett stopped mid-sentence and watched Bianca steal his plate.

"You didn't eat your corn or potatoes" She said eating it from his plate.

"So you stole it?" he aside amused.

"Well I don't want to waste it" she replied. She was used to stealing food from her cousin's plate and therefore didn't see a problem with it. "Are you afraid I have some terrible disease you might catch?" she asked returning his plate.

"No. It's just no one except my sister eats from my plate, but I have no problem with it" he told matter-of-factly.

"Well now you sister and I are the only people that eat from your plate" Bianca corrected. "Sharing is caring"

"Right. Actually my sister doesn't eat from my plate. She spits food out in it or gives me everything she doesn't want and expects me to eat it". The girls laughed knowing exactly what that's like, coming from a family filled with younger siblings and cousins.

"She sounds so cute. I want to meet her one day" Bianca said rolling up one of her sleeves.

"You will" was all he said. Bianca was sure she saw Candice smile to herself and nudge her with leg but decided to ignore her cousin.

"Hey, that's a cool necklace" Candice said eyeing the bright blue crystal around her cousin's neck. "Where did you get it and why don't I know about it?"

The boys giggled and Bianca replied, "I got the crystal last night and put in on a necklace. Professor Dumbledore gave it to me"

"Why?" Scott asked with one raised eyebrow

"he won it at the festival and we traded prizes" Bianca explained, "it's called an 'Evil Eye' and it's suppose to protect me from pain and keep away evil. Stuff like that"

"isn't that a muggle crystal?" Brett asked.

"Yeah, I know it has no real power but it's cool and I need all the help I can get" Bianca said looking up to where to the Headmaster sat. He was watching her with a twinkle in his eye and a small smile on his face. He nodded at her and she smiled in return before noticing the look of disgust on Scott's face.

"So you just gave away my squid?" he asked, "I worked hard for that squid and you just traded it for some muggle crystal?"

Brett, Candice and Bianca laughed and she replied, "Well he was offering to give it to me and I couldn't just take it. I felt bad and the squid was the only thing I had on me. But you will be happy to know that the next time you go into his office, it will be on the shelf next to the Sorting Hat"

"Really?" he smiled, "Cool"

When dinner was finished they all made their way back to the common room and sat in front of the fire to talk some more. James and Lily walked in and stood behind one of the chairs waiting for Bianca to notice them.

"Can we please talk to you?" James asked carefully. Brett, Scott and Candice looked at Bianca with raised eyebrows waiting for her response. She simply stood up and sat at the table waiting for them to join her.

Bianca knew Candice, Brett and Scott would be able to hear from where they were sitting but she was slightly comforted by that fact even though pretended to be talking about something else. She stared at James and lily not saying a word.

"We are really sorry for what we did" Lily started, "it was stupid and selfish but completely accidental and we had no idea you would find out"

Bianca raised her eyebrows. That calm and forgiving path she decided to take was already starting to get harder and harder for her to follow but she sat quietly still and let them blurt out excuses and apologies.

"Wait, I didn't mean it like that" Lily said quickly, flicking a piece of hair out of her face in frustration.

"What Lily meant, is that we are so sorry we did it in public for everyone to see and that you had to find out that way. We are really sorry" James said correcting Lily.

It was at that point that Bianca's suppressed anger started to build at an alarming rate and her thoughts changes from not seeking revenge to yelling at the top of her lungs at her 'friends'. She held it together however could not hide the attitude in her voice.

"So you are saying that you are sorry you got caught but not sorry that you guys were making out behind my back?" Bianca said coldly and she heard a few snorts and giggles coming from where Candice and the boys were sitting. It made her inwardly smile.

"No of course not." Lily exclaimed, shocked trying to find a new way to put it. "It never meant to happen, we are so sorry for hurting you. We were selfish and it will never happen again. Can you find a way to forgive us?"

"You're right" Bianca started and they brightened up a bit, "you are selfish and it definitely will not happen again because James is no longer my boyfriend and you are no longer my friend. You guys clearly deserve each other"

She got up and started to walk away when she heard Lily start to cry. She quickly turned and started yelling, "Why the hell are you crying? I am the one that should be crying! You were my best friend and you were kissing with my boyfriend in public for everyone to see. It was just an accidental kiss but a long make-out session that lasts a good couple of minutes. Did you not realise in that time that people might see of that it was the wrong thing to do? NO! Obviously not because here we are having this pathetic conversation about how 'sorry' you guys are. First of all, it won't change anything and second of all, we all know that if you went back in time you wouldn't change a thing"

Bianca stopped took a breath wiping away a single tear that ran down her cheek. In her sudden burst of anger she didn't realise the tears welling up in her eyes which she quickly dismissed.

"That's not true" Lily said standing and reaching her hand out to put it on Bianca's shoulder.

"Don't touch me Lily" Bianca said defensively hitting her hand away. "look me in the eye and tell me it meant nothing. Tell me it was a mistake... Look me in the eye and tell me that everyday we have been back at Hogwarts you haven't been falling in love with my boyfriend"

Bianca stood with her arms folded. James stayed silent for most of this discussion and it was only at that point that they realised the common room was almost full of students wanting to know what was going on including the rest of the Marauders, Annie, Chloe and Amanda.

Lily's long silent pause was enough answer and everyone around the room whispered to each other.

"How can you expect me to forgive you? We have been friends for years and you have never done anything like this or hurt me this bad. I stuck up for you, helped you when you needed it and you stabbed me in the back"

It was at that point James tried to say something but he was cut off. "I don't care what you have to say James. I guess it was my own stupid fault for being with you knowing your history with Lily. For someone so proud of being a Gryffindor, you sure don't act like it. I would expect this kind of betrayal from someone like Malfoy, but not you. So this is what's going to happen. You are both going to leave me alone. We are not friends and I don't forgive you. Maybe someday I will but I don't know when that will be. Live your life like I don't exist. Don't worry about it being awkward when we are with friends because I have found new friends to hang out with. Friends that would never even consider hurting me like you have." Bianca looked at Brett and Scott who were now standing and Candice who joined her side.

"Save the fake apologies and leave me alone." Bianca finished. She was surprised at how good she felt but that feeling was soon replace with one of disappointment in herself for not sticking to her new responsible and Zen path that she had chosen earlier that day.

"Oh well. We can't have it both ways" she thought to herself.

"Alright people, show's over!" Sirius yelled, waving his hands around and pushing the other students back up to their dorms. There was an echo of disappointed sounds that erupted from the crowd however they did as ordered anyway, once they realised the group fell silent.

Finally, the common room was occupied by Annie, Chloe, Amanda, the Marauders, Lily, Brett, Scott, Candice, Bianca, and their cousins. They all looked at each other not knowing what to do or say.

It was Candice who spoke first to her cousin, "Feel better?" she asked with a small smile on her face she was trying desperately to hide.

"Not really" Bianca answered sitting down on the couch.

"I think we all need to get some rest" Annie said, "It will help clear our heads and make you feel better."

Then like a tonne of bricks had hit her all at once Bianca jumped up out of her seat. "Shit!" she cursed. Everyone jumped up as well looking worried. "I missed my check-ups with Madam Pomfery. She is going to kick my ass. I have to go" she said running out of the portrait hole.

"Wait I'm coming" Candice said but was stopped by Sirius.

"hey I kind of need to talk to you"

"Can this wait?" she said looking past him.

"don't worry about it. I'll go with her" Brett volunteered giving James one last dirty looking before following a frantic Bianca to the Hospital Wing.

...

Bianca ran all the way to the Hospital Wing. She burst through the doors and sat on what she now called 'her bed' and waited for the medi-witch to come in.

"Finally!" Madam Pomfery said running to her side. "Where have you been? You know I said to come in for checkups for the next couple of days and you completely ignore me. A snake bite is not something you can cure straight away. There could be side-effects." The witch continued to lecture on and Bianca just listened and nodded occasionally suddenly feeling like she was at home receiving a lecture from her mother. "I just sent out an owl to remind you to come visit"

"sorry. I had a really busy couple of days"

"You should have been resting." Madam Pomfery said while performing a few spells here and there.

"Sorry. But the snake bite was ages ago and I'm awake and fully functional too" Bianca said flexing her fingers in demonstration.

"most of my patients never argue with me this much you know" madam Pomfery said sighing.

"Hello" Brett said strolling in and taking a seat on the bed next to Bianca's.

"Except you two" Madam Pomfery said correcting herself. "Mr. McKinnon, you have hurt yourself again?"

"No, I am just here to make sure she doesn't hurt herself on the way. Or should I say hurt someone." He grinned laying back comfortably.

"I do not want to see you in this hospital wing with another injury for the rest of the year. No more fighting" Madam Pomfery ordered pointing her wand directly in Bianca's face. "Understood?"

"Understood" he chorused.

"And that means you too Mr. McKinnon. That bed has been overused since you both arrived this year." She said pointing to the one he was laying on.

"Thanks for the new sheets Madam Pomfery. They are very comfortable. Can I sleep here tonight?" Brett asked cheekily and Bianca giggled quietly.

"Absolutely not. I have had enough of you both. Now, Miss Rosslind. You have responded well to the medicine so it looks like you are officially healthy, except from those bags under your eyes you are trying to hide. Get some rest" she ordered.

"Those aren't bags. That's from the fight she was just in" Brett told but Bianca laughed and pushed him out of the hospital Wing to avoid another lecture.

"Stop getting me into trouble" she told as they walked down the corridor but could still hear madam Pomfery yelling after them.

"I'm just kidding" he told, shoving his hands in his pockets.

"I need a holiday" Bianca said sighing loudly, running her hand through her hair and holding it out of her face to feel the chilly air hit her face a bit more.

"I can see why. You have a lot of problems" he replied watching her.

"Shut up" Bianca smiled pushing him to the side, hot that it did much. He was tall and muscular from what she could tell.

"At least you're not boring" he laughed.

"Sometimes I wish I was"

"nah, no friend of mine is boring." He told walking into the common room which was now empty. She smiled up at him with raised eyebrows. "Well you said yourself you have new friends to hang out with"

"Who said it's you?" she asked folding her arms across her chest.

"You did but even if you didn't, it would be me because I'm awesome" he said copying her stance.

Bianca laughed and rolled her eyes before saying good night and making her way up to her dorm. She found Candice waiting for her.

"I'm home" Bianca said immediately changing into her pyjamas.

"That was one hell of an ass-kicking." Candice laughed, "What happened to that Zen thing you were trying?"

Bianca grinned, "I guess I just realised it wasn't me."

"Good to have you back" Candice nodded smiling.

"Thanks. So what's different? Bianca asked sitting next to her cousin. She knew something had changed since she was gone.

"Sirius and I broke up" Candice told.

"Oh no. Why? I hope it wasn't about me. Just because I am not with James doesn't mean you and Sirius shouldn't be together" Bianca said, feeling guilty.

"No it wasn't that. I guess things just felt different between us and we both decided to just be friends. It's no big deal. We are both cool with it. Who knows, maybe even friends with benefits" Candice winked before laughing.

Bianca rolled her eyes, "As long as you are happy"

"I am, and now we are both single and ready to mingle" Candice exclaimed a little too loud.

"Ok that's enough excitement for one day. Go to bed" Bianca said climbing into her bed and turning off the light. She laid there and finally felt good. She had felt lost for a while and felt like she was finding her way back. For the first time in a very long time, she fell asleep almost instantly.

...

Well I hope you liked it. A lot happened in this chapter. Let me know what you think.