Author's Note: So I've had this finished for weeks now, but never uploaded it. After seeing *Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows-Part 1 at the MIDNIGHT RELEASE I was inspired to post another chapter. Within the next week another chapter shall be up. Once again thanks for all the reviews & alerts that I received!

*And yes this is so important that the full name had to be said.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

"What the bloody am I doing here?" was the first thing that I said. I looked around to see that I was alone. It didn't bother me that no one was there when I awoke. To be honest I liked it better when people didn't fret over me. It always made me feel bad because I knew they could be doing something better with their time. The door opened, and in walked Taylor. He sat next to my bed, and then reached a hand out to me. I cringed back from it. A hurt looked appeared over his cute face. Yes he was a monster, but you can't deny that he was nice to look at.

"I'm sorry for what I did to you," murmured Taylor. He then looked down and held both his hands on his lap. "I never meant to hurt you in any kind of way. I just got so impatient, and then I greatly lost my temper" Taylor looked up from his hands, and I saw the tears streaming down his face. "You've been out for a whole week. I thought I killed you. I was about to go into the Forbidden Forest and drink poison," silently cried Taylor.

"It's all right." I said wiping away his tears. "I'm not upset with you. It's fine now Taylor" I hoped that my words would ease him.

"It's not fucking all right, and it sure as hell is not fine," exploded Taylor. "The things that I did to you are inexcusable. Please Natalie, please don't hate me"

I was at a lost for words. At this moment Taylor Haines was begging me for forgiveness. There were many things that I could do at this moment, but my mind was so gone that I couldn't think straight.

"I don't hate you Taylor," I started. "But I'm not sure what to do at this point."

"Keep being my girlfriend. I swear to you that I'll make this up to you, just don't make me keep away."

At that moment Madame Pomfrey bustled in. "Ah it's nice to see that you're up Ms. Finnigan. I must say you are mighty popular. First Mr. Wood and now Mr. Haines, you won't have a hard time getting a husband now will you," she laughed. "Now if this young man doesn't mind walking you to your common room I'll let you go."

I honestly think this was the first time in history that Madame Pomfrey discharged someone on the same day that they woke. I never liked hospitals that much, so I was more than happy at this news. I grabbed my things then left with Taylor.

"Why don't we go to the lake for a bit," suggested Taylor. "I'm sure you want some fresh air"

I nodded my head in agreement. It was true I most certainly did not want to be cooped up in a tower like some damsel in distress. In a way I'm glad that Taylor came to see me. At that thought I remembered Madame Pomfrey's words. So Oliver had come to visit me. I bet he and the twins brought me there. I really do hope that I wasn't too much trouble for them.

"Is there anything that you want to do while here?"

That's right I was with Taylor on my way to the Black Lake. I had forgotten where I was that quick, but it wasn't my fault I had other things on my mind.

"No I just want to sit by the lake a bit, maybe put my feet in some," I answered.

"Cool well we can sit over there." Taylor pointed to a spot by the edge of the lake. I noticed that not many people were around.

"What time is it?" I asked once we were at the edge.

"Lunch is over, so I should be in History of Magic," thought Taylor.

"I should be in Care of Magical Creatures then. Why are you not in class then?" I asked realizing that Taylor was skipping.

"Well I wanted to make sure you were fine, so I decided to skip that class. Besides I doubt Binns will notice that I'm gone," shrugged Taylor.

"I want you to go to class right now," I ordered.

"I'm all ready like fifteen minutes late though."

"Well like you said before Professor Binns will not notice." I loved it when people's own words came back to bite them.

"I'm not leaving, so you can save your argument," Taylor flatly said.

I didn't say anything else. I just sat at the edge of the Black Lake and looked across the water. Occasionally I caught glimpses of the Giant Squid. I wonder why the merpeople didn't try hunting it. Whatever the reason I was glad, the squid was a gentle being. I leaned against Taylor's body and sighed. He was warm, and despite being knocked out for a week I was tired. I tried to stifle a yawn but Taylor saw me.

"Come on you need to get some rest," he said standing up. I didn't argue; I just let him help me up.

"So I'll see you later?" asked Taylor when were in front of the Fat Lady. I could see the nervous look on his face.

"Maybe at dinner, if not then, definitely tomorrow," I told him. He then hugged me.

"See you later then," Taylor said before leaving.

"Unicorn," I said once Taylor was out of sight.

"Sorry that is not the password," commented the Fat Lady.

"Come on. I've been in the Hospital Wing for a week," I pleaded.

"No password, no entrance, I'm sorry," the painting said.

I was about to go to McGonagall, but saw Oliver approaching.

"Hi Oliver," I said smiling.

"You're awake now," excitedly said Oliver.

"Yeah, Taylor came by so Madame Pomfrey let me go as long as he walked me here. But seeing as I've been out for a week I don't know the password," I said.

"Right let's talk more in the Common Room, Grindylow." The portrait hole opened and I quickly went inside, closely followed by Oliver. We made our way to the couches and sat down next to each other.

"So how are you feeling?" Oliver asked. That was a good question.

"I'm feeling fine. Nothing hurts and nothing appears to be out the ordinary," I said examining my arms.

"The twins seem to think that your injuries were caused by Taylor," started Oliver.

I looked Oliver straight in the eye and lied. "Taylor didn't cause my injuries. He would never do such a thing to me."

"All right then Natalie. If you say so then I believe you." It was quiet after Oliver's word, but he decided to say something else. "Your brother was worried sick about you. He wanted to skip lessons to be next to you. I wish I had siblings."

"Really? That's so nice of Seamus, and I really am glad that I a have him. Sure we don't see eye-to-eye on everything, but we have each other's backs," I said with a little smile. "Oh yeah Madame Pomfrey said that you came by to see me so thank you."

"It was no problem. I had to see that you were doing fine," nonchalantly said Oliver.

I leaned against Oliver and closed my eyes. This was different than how it felt with Taylor. What I was feeling with Oliver was like a warm blanket made out of security. At that moment I knew I was safe. Oliver adjusted his body a bit so I was in a more comfortable position; he then put an arm around my shoulder.

"You know Natalie if people saw us they would get the wrong idea," said Oliver.

"Let them," I answered tiredly.

"They might think that you're cheating on Haines," he continued.

"I don't care. At this moment people can think what they want to think about me. If you don't want to be involved with the drama then I'll easily move." I meant every word that I said. I really didn't want Oliver to feel guilty about anything.

"No I'm fine; I just thought you didn't want anymore attention." Oliver explained.

"You know I have to serve my detention with Snape at six," I muttered.

"I heard something about you getting on Snape's bad side, shame we had to lose points, but I think it was worth it," laughed Oliver. I joined in with him. Eyes wide open, head thrown back, and voice booming with laughter.

"I wish I didn't have that four hour detention for three weeks with him though," I said when I could talk again.

"Whoa, that's ridiculous. He all ready took away over fifty point from us!" I was very pleased at Oliver's reaction. That's how I had felt when he said the detention part. "You can't expect to go to detention; I mean you just got out the Hospital Wing."

"I know but I still want to go. I wanna show that I'm not trying to skive off on my punishment."

The portrait hole opened to reveal Carol, Sarah, and Nina. The three looked at me as if they had seen a ghost. Without warning they were at my side apologizing for how they had acted towards Maria and me.

"It's fine did you apologize to Maria?" I asked from my spot on Oliver.

"She said that she'll accept our apology if you did," spoke Sarah.

"So why were you in the Hospital Wing?" asked Carol.

"I was feeling pretty tired, so I passed out from exhaustion," I answered. Technically I wasn't lying because I had felt exhausted, though I could have had something to do with Taylor's abuse.

"So why are you on Oliver if you're dating Taylor?" Carol asked.

I looked at Oliver and the two of us began laughing. We had just been talking about a situation like this and look what happens.

"Oliver let me doze off on his shoulder," I casually explained. "That's all there is to it really."

"I still don't think you're being a good girlfriend, lying around," spoke Carol.

"Hold the bloody phone," I said getting off of Oliver. "I am a damn good girlfriend. And I don't lie around. Sure I'm friendlier towards guys now, but I don't go around roping them in just for the sheer pleasure of it," I retorted

"Now, now, Natalie just got out the Hospital Wing, and we just made up, let's not start something," Nina nervously said.

"As a friend of Taylor's I can't let this happen without saying anything." I noticed how Carol put emphasis on the word friend.

"Don't make me laugh. You guys have one class together, and all of a sudden the two of you are best mates?" I asked. "You are so funny"

"Looks like the chicken has her feathers ruffled," smirked Carol.

"I'd rather have my feathers than my head chopped of. Tell me what does it feel like?" I smiled seeing that smug smirk slip of Carol's face.

"I take back my apology then, and I'm telling Taylor about this," Carol said leaving the Common Room.

"What are you five or something?" I laughed loudly.

"What just happened?" Oliver asked.

"My now ex-friend just accused me of being a tramp. Then when I had better comebacks than she did she got mad, and ran off to tell on me to my boyfriend," I explained. "It's just another day in the world of girl."

"Is that Nat that I see?" I turned to see who was yelling to see my best friend standing by the portrait hole. Maria made her way to us and engulfed me in a huge hug.

"Que pasa chica?" Maria asked.

"Nothing much, Carol and Natalie just had a row," answered Sarah.

Looking at Maria's face Nina explained everything. The whole time Maria just listened, not once did she interrupt.

"That cow. I know she's not talking about lying around. I heard that she shagged Rodger Davies in the locker rooms," Maria quickly said.

Oliver looked as if he found twenty galleons. "This is perfect for smack talk and insults."

"Glad you're enjoying yourself, now listen to this," continued Maria. "The whole time you were gone Carol was blatantly flirting with Taylor, so much for being a good friend, eh."

At those words I felt a constricting feeling in my chest, and I got cotton mouth. "Did he return her advances?" I asked when I could talk again.

"By the fourth day he was flirting back, but in a subtle way. Then on the fifth day he walked her to class, and the two weren't seen at lunch," gravely said Maria.

"I swear if that fugly ho-rag was kissing Taylor after trying to make me feel guilty I'm going to make her lose all her hair," I growled. "And if Taylor was kissing her after just asking me not to break it off with him he's losing something that comes in twos."

"Wait you were going to break up with Haines?" asked Oliver.

"He's not the person that I thought he was. Despite this fact I'll give it one more go," I confessed.

"So are we ever going to know why you came here crying that one night? I thought someone had died or something with the way you looked. I'd never seen you so hurt and confused before. You-"

"Alright Sarah we get it I was upset and looked like crap," I said cutting off my friend. Oliver tensed at Sarah's words and seemed to be slightly uncomfortable. I was happy to see this though. It was kind of his fault for me being so sad that night.

"I don't think there's a need for me to say what happened on that night. What made me upset was resolved, and everything is going great more or less." I had to throw in the more or less part in because I was on good grounds with Oliver but still had a Taylor problem.

"I'm going to take a nap," I yawned while getting up.

"All right then we'll see you at dinner then," smiled Nina.

"See ya Oliver," I said over my shoulder as I went up the stairs. I heard him say happy dreaming and laughed a little to myself.

Before I took my nap I went into the showers. I had been out cold for a week so I think bathing was much needed. When that task was over with I changed into my night gown. It was a simple cotton night gown that was a sapphire color. I set my clock for 5:30 then got in my bed.

The alarm seemed to go off in a matter of minutes much to my dismay. I groggily got up and put on a fresh uniform before brushing my teeth. Then I went to Professor Snape's office.

"Well, well, well, look who showed up early for their detention," drawled Snape when he saw me. I tried to look as impassive as possible.

"Hullo Professor what shall I be going tonight?" I asked just wanting to get it over with.

"Some of the other professors feel that my punishment on you is too severe. For that reason you only have a weeks worth of detention with me." Snape wore that expressionless mask that has become his signature look.

"I understand sir, so what shall I be doing tonight?" I asked again.

"This whole week you shall be working with bubotubers for me bare-handed without magic." For once in my life I saw Snape's lips pull up at one side. Dear lord was he smirking? I shouldn't have surprised me that Snape got his kicks from harassing students, after all how many years had I been in his class for.

"All right then. I guess I'll start now."

Needless to say Snape's punishment was absolutely horrid. By the time I was finished my uniform had burn holes through them in various places, but that wasn't even the worst part about the matter. My hands were red, swollen, and lightly bleeding. After all that Snape looked at my hands then told me to go back to my common room. I was hungry and agitated about this whole thing. Thank goodness some of the teachers intervened; otherwise I doubt I would have any hands left.

"Oi Nat slow down a bit!" I heard behind me.

I slowed my pace down some. "So how was dinner Oliver?" I asked not looking.

"It was the usual. I snagged you some food." Oliver gave me a napkin with a piece of beef brisket inside a roll.

"Thanks Oliver!" I said hugging him. He muttered something about it being no trouble. Wasting no time I began to eat it.

"So how was your detention?"

"Well Snape said that some teachers felt my punishment was too harsh so it got cut back to one week."

"That's excellent!" said Oliver. "That is excellent right?" Oliver asked seeing my face.

"Yeah I guess it is seeing as he's making me work with bubotubers," I said.

"That sucks," frowned Oliver.

"That's not even the worst part. I can't use magic, and I can't use anything to cover my hands," I groaned. "Look at my hands"

Oliver let out a low whistle when I showed him my hands. "That man is barmy to make you do that."

"Yep, but hey that's Snape for you," I said nonchalantly.

"Halloween is coming up soon, and there's a Hogsmeade trip for it," said Oliver.

"I'm so excited, I'm going to start my Christmas shopping and get something for Seamus and Dean," I gushed.

"Are you going with Haines?" asked Oliver in a would be casual way.

"Probably," I sighed.

"Well make sure you stay safe then." I stopped at Oliver's words. Did he know something?

"Why'd you stop Nat?" Oliver asked walking back to me.

"To be honest I don't know myself."

"You're so silly," he laughed ruffling my hair.

"Oliveeeeer stop iiiiiiiit," I whined trying to move out his way.

It looked like Oliver had been hit with a bludger. He had a look on his face that I associated with people that are loopy.

"Are you all right?" I asked in front of The Fat Lady.

"Yeah, just lost my train of thought for a bit," confessed Oliver.

"Grindylow," I said to The Fat Lady. We walked in and sat on one of the couches. Carol left for our dorm as soon as I walked in.

"So how was detention?" asked Maria.

"I only have to spend a week with Snape, but I have to work with bubotubers with no magic and no hand protection," I groaned.

"I'm sorry that your detention sucks," offered Sarah.

"I'm going to bed now," yawned Nina standing up.

"Yeah so am I."

"Me too."

I looked at all my friends curiously. Sure Nina going to sleep seemed legit, but Sarah and Maria did not. I watched as my friends gathered there things and told the two of us goodnight.

"You can talk to me, you can talk to me, you can talk to me. If you're lonely you can talk to me," softly sang Oliver.

"So you listen to muggle music I see," I said.

"I do."

"Well at least you have decent taste. The Beatles are amazing," I said offhandedly said.

"I'm serious though. You can talk to me."

"That's so cute, using a song to say something." I clapped my hands over my mouth. "Please forget that I said."

"Sorry Ms. Finnigan I can't do that," he answered.

"Why not?"

"When a beautiful girl says something you do is cute, it's hard to erase from your mind," explained Oliver.

This was the second time that Oliver had said I was attracted. He was nice to look at. And he was a decent guy.

"I'm heading up to bed," I announced.

"Yeah I should head up myself," admitted Oliver.

"Sweet dreams," I called to Oliver before going up the stairs.

"Only if you're in them," I heard Oliver say softly.