Well, this is ready as it ever will be. Bograt's gonna hate me by the end of this chapter. . .-runs off to hide-

--Chapter 16-Cold Rain--

Late Novemeber came quickly. The daylight hours grew shorter, and my list of things to do grew longer. William and I didn't get to speak often. My Head Girl duties kept us from talking in between classes, and his fan club kept me from eating at the Ravenclaw table. Once we went nearly a week without more than a 'Hello.' to each other.

One day I was on my way to breakfast when she cornered me. I was just walking along, minding my own business, when a hand shot out from behind a wall and pulled me into a dark passageway.

"Alice!" I exclaimed when her features came into focus. "What in the--"

"Stay away from my boyfriend!" she hissed.

I put my hands on my hips. "Ricky's my friend, Alice. He always has been, always will be. Just because you're insecure about the status of your relationship, doesn't mean you have to threaten me."

Alice drew her wand and pointed it at my throat, her face dark and thundery as a storm cloud. After a moment's hesitation, she lowered her wand slightly acting overly calm. "Look, I know that Weasley men are sought after arm candy, but I think one is--"

"What are you talking about?"

"You of all people don't know what I'm talking about? Weasleys are considered to be quite a catch. . .Potters too actually. What with their families contribution to the war, they're basically the best a girl can get. . .Arm candy."

"If that's the only reason you're dating my best friend--! . . .Oh, there will be hell to pay for toying with his affections!" I snarled at her.

Alice laughed and examined a manicured hand, "Of course I like him, Lupin. Though he doesn't hold a candle to William, he's good looking. He's smart and funny too. If I was shallow enough just to care about a name, I would have gone after one of the twins ages ago."

"Good." I gave her a rough shove and stormed my way to the Great Hall. Ricky was leaving as I was going in. I turned and watched him go out the door. I was trying to decided whether I should go after him or not when I noticed William was sitting at the Gryffindor table.

I went over and kissed his cheek happily."Good morning," I greeted.

"Morning." William smiled up at me. He studied my face and frowned slightly. "Is something wrong?"

"What? Oh, I-I'd rather not talk about it. . ." The last thing I needed William to know was what Alice had told me.

"It'll be fine, Enna." William patted my back reassuringly.

"I hope so. . ."

The next afternoon, William told me that he wanted to talk with me. I consented and we went off to find some place more private than the busy hallway.

Before beginning, he took a deep breath. "This is going to seem rather sudden, I'm sure, but I--that is to say. . .I'd rather. . ."

William, usually ever calm and smooth, looked nervous. I blinked a few times as he rambled on. I'd read enough books to realize what he meant. "You want to break up," I stated quietly.

"I--how?" William blushed a bright pink. "It's not that I don't like you, I do! I'm just--I don't think--"

"You just don't care for me like that anymore." I crossed my arms.

"Enna, I just feel like we've been growing apart. We rarely see each other anymore because we are so busy. And when we do see each other we don't have much to say. Enna, you're an amazing person and I really do care for you--"

I held up my hand to silence him, "Look, William, I understand what you mean. . .and you're right, I suppose."

"Enna, I am sorry."

I smiled at him sadly. "It was bound to happen sooner or later. Not many people stay with their first boyfriend or girlfriend after all."

"You don't hate me then?"

"Of course not, William. You've been one of my closest friends for years. I could never hate you. Just. . .give me some time, alright? To think things over?"

William nodded seriously. I stood on tiptoe to give him one last kiss. "I really did care about you, En," he told me as I walked off. Stopping at the corner of the hall, I turned back to look at him. "I know," I whispered. "I felt the same for you."

I walked around the castle aimlessly for a bit, but I ended up going for a walk around the grounds. The sky was a steely gray, threatening to rain at any moment. I went over to my favorite tree near the lake.

I tried to gather my thoughts for the longest time. How did I feel? Honestly, I was confused. I wasn't exactly hurt persay, just a bit depressed. And I also felt a bit liberated. I'm not sure why. It's not as if I had guys beating down my door wanting to date me.

Although, I do have to admit I was sad that the guy who had gotten my first kiss was no longer mine.

When single tear ran down my cheek, a warm hand wiped it away. "Wotcher, Ricky," I whispered, not taking my eyes off the cloudy lake.

"Are you ok, En?" Ricky asked, putting a hand on my shoulder.

"Relatively."

"Did he hurt you? If he did, I'll--"

"Ricky! It's fine! I'm fine! I expected we'd break up sooner or later. I just didn't expect it so soon. Though I guess it has been a year. Oh, gosh.. ." I buried my face in my hands and sighed.

"Everything'll be ok, Enna."

"I know. . .Ricky, I meant to talk to you yesterday--"

"You there!" A harsh voice cut through the cold day. I turned around quickly. Two tall wizards with the Ministry's symbol on their robes walked quickly across the lawn. They were closely followed by Missy and a Hufflepuff second year named Joshua Lohr.

As they grew closer a chill ran down my spine. "Oh no!" I breathed.

"Selene Lupin?" the blond wizard asked me.

"Yes?"

"You are here by taken into the custody of the Ministry by the order of the Minister of Magic."

"Wait a second!" Ricky exploded. "What for?"

"For being a dangerous creature of course. Just like these two." He gave Josh a rough shove. He stumbled and gave the wizard an angry look.

The rumor had indeed proved to be true. And I'd been mistaken for a true werewolf, just not the daughter of one. While Ricky yelled some pretty awful things at the two wizards (who looked ready to Stun Ricky), I thought quickly.

"Hold on!" I yelled. Everyone stopped and stared at me. "I'll come. Could I say good bye to my b-boyfriend first?"

The men exchanged an amused glance. The wizard with raven black hair turned to me and said, "Alright, but hand over your wand first."

"And give us a show! We've been on duty for eighteen hours already."

Reluctantly, I handed them my wand. I winced when they snapped it in half, but I took comfort in the fact that I had the biting leather and extra wand strapped to my leg.

Hesitating for a split second, I threw my arms around Ricky's neck and hissed, "Make this look convincing!" He obliged by wrapping an arm tightly around my waist and tangling his fingers in my hair. "Owl my mum," I whispered in his ear. "Tell her what happened. Make sure Harry knows as well."

"You can't leave," Ricky breathed in my ear and tightened his hold on my waist.

"I've got too. Even if I did have a choice, I'd go. I can't leave Missy and Josh. I'm Head Girl. What would that say about me?"

"That you're sane?"

"It's my duty, Ricky."

"Come on!" one wizard poked me in the back. "Snog already!"

I pulled back and looked at Ricky. He dipped his head a fraction of an inch, agreeing. I closed my eyes and lifted my face, silently apologizing to Alice for this. Ricky kissed me back. It was an amazing kiss. . .one that rivaled the one he'd given me on Christmas almost a year ago. Merlin, call it rebound, but it felt wonderful. And I didn't even have to try to look convincing--not that I'd ever admit that.

Ricky pulled back first. "Be safe," he whispered, brown eyes worried. He gave me one last hug before the Ministry wizards started to semi-drag me away. My last glimpse of Ricky was of him running towards the castle.

The Ministry wizards brought us to a train ready and waiting where the Hogwarts Express usually stands. Missy, Alan, and I were led through the train to the last compartment. We pass multiple half filled compartments on the way down.

"In," the blond wizard ordered.

I ushered Missy and Alan inside hurriedly. The door slammed behind us as soon as I got inside. There were two men sitting on one side of the compartment and a little boy sitting on the ground near the window.

"Sit down, please," I whispered to Missy and Josh, pointing at the empty side. I sat in the seat near the window and leaned over a bit. "Hello," I said to the little boy. He looked at me nervously. "It's ok, sweetie. My name's Enna. What's your's?"

"Casper," he whispered.

"Alright then, Casper."

"Perry, please."

"You're nickname?" Perry nodded mutely. "How old are you?" he held up five fingers. Oh, my. The train whistled and started to pull out of the station. "Would you like to sit up with me? You could see out the window."

I held out my arms and Perry climbed up to sit on my lap. As he watched the trees flying by I hummed a song softly. Missy and Josh were sitting close by, talking softly. I inspected the two men on the opposite seat out of the corner of my eye. One was older then my dad, and his robes were twice as worn. The other was around twenty-five with stringy black hair. The unnerving thing about him was that he seemed to be watching me.

I shivered slightly, now more then ever grateful for my extra wand. I turned to stare out the window. The darkening sky was still gray, and a few drops of icy rain clinged to the window pane. Sighing, I relaxed against the back of the seat.

After an restless night, the train lurched to a stop in a heavily wooded area. Everyone on the train was herded out and the train left us. There were two new Ministry wizards waiting at the edge of the clearing. The day was damp and there was a misty fog all around us. I kept the three children in front of me as we walked through the woods to keep an eye on them.

An hour or so later, Perry claimed to be tired. Even tired as I was, I let the little guy ride on my back for the rest of the way. Mid afternoon we reached an old stone building, boarded up in various places. The building stood in the middle of another clearing, surrounded by evergreens. Despite the temperature, there was not smoke coming out of the chimney.

There were two more Ministry workers standing guard by the door. As we approached, they moved back so we could enter. As soon as I made it past the threshold, someone called my name. Tiredly I looked around, spotting my dad near the door.

"Dad!" I cried happily, grateful for a familiar face.

"Enna, you look exhausted."

"Where are Missy and Joshua?" I looked around wildly, terrified that I'd lost them. Dad pointed to a close by, empty corner. They were both curled up near the wall, eyes closed. "Good."

"Who's this?" Dad nodded towards Perry.

"Casper. He likes to be called Perry though. Perry this is my dad, Remus Lupin."

Perry waved nervously.

"Hello, Perry." Dad smiled warmly at him. "Would you like to come and listen to a story?"

Perry shook his head and held on tighter to me. "Come on, Perry. Dad's got the best stories. And I'll be over there with Missy and Josh."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

"Alright."

I set Perry on the ground and went over to curl up near Missy and Josh. Dad was hold Perry in his lap, telling him about his school days. Smiiling slightly, I fell asleep to the sound of my father's voice.

Well? Took me awhile to get a version of the break up scene I actually liked. Anywho (lol!) hope you liked this chapter. I had a bit of it planned for QUITE sometime. See if you can guess which part. XD

Later days! I'm late for a babysitting job.

Anne