Hi everyone. SOO sorry this took so long. My internet has been down. But don't worry, I didn't abandon you. I never would. Enjoy the chapter and remember to review!

Disclaimer: The wonderful world of Harry Potter and all it's characters do not belong to me, but to J.K. Rowling.

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"No." There was no bloody way in hell that I would open my eyes and look at him.

"Why not?" He made it sound like it was game. It made my stomach churn at how relaxed and amused he sounded.

"Why the hell do you think?"

"I truly have no idea."

At that I completely lost it. Was he really that sick and twisted that he would talk to me so calmly?

"Get the bloody hell off of me, now!" I screamed at the top of my lungs as if it was the last thing I would ever yell. "NOW!"

With that, almost instantly, he was off me. I breathed heavily, awaiting his next move. But nothing happened. He stayed off me. I almost thought he had left.

I opened my eye the slightest bit, only enough to make out a silhouette, to see if he was still there. I was horrified even more once I actually made out his figure, pressed against the wall opposite me. I instantly knew who it was. There was no mistaking it. No other person in the school had that body.

My eyes snapped open completely in my horror. I couldn't even move. All the blood in my body rushed to my face.

I stared into his terrified face, as he stared into mine. Both of our shock showed in our eyes.

"What..." He began, but before he could finish I was on him.

"Oliver!"

"What is wrong with you?" He was completely bewildered. Why was I so stupid? Of course it was Oliver. I am such an idiot.

"I thought you were somebody else. I didn't realize...Oh, I'm so dumb."

"Well of course you are. Do you think I would let anything happen to you? And I told you we would be together soon. I couldn't wait any longer than you could. Why did you come this way? Aren't you going to breakfast?" My head rested against his shoulder as he held me. My heart slowed down, and my breathing became normal. Still, I was too shaken up to do anything but stand in his arms.

"I wanted to try something new today. How did you find me?"

"I know a couple of Gryffindors that...well, let's just say they know how to track people inside of Hogwarts. And what, I'm not new enough for you?"

"Of course not. You're old news by now."

"Gee, thanks. Listen, I thought we would have some time, but since you threw a fit we have to get down to the Great Hall. You can't be too late or it'll look suspicious." He let go and I stepped back, still too embarrassed to look him in the eye.

"Alright. Sorry..." I averted my eyes, looking everywhere but at him.

He wouldn't have any of that though. Cupping my chin in between his thumb and forefinger, he turned my head to look into his eyes.

"Hey, don't worry about it. You Ravenclaws, always so melodramatic." He smiled and gave me a quick kiss on the lips. "Go back the way you came. I'll go through this passage. You'll get there a couple of minutes before me. I'll see you soon." With that he let go, and started to run down the tunnel. But before he got more than 5 paces, he suddenly stopped and turned back. "I love you." Then, with another quick peck on the cheek he was off, his robes billowing behind him.

I would have stood there all morning, staring after him dumbfounded, but I realized I would disappoint him if I got there after he did. I already made enough of a fool of myself for one day. However, knowing me, there will most likely be many more instances of humiliation during the day.

Carefully peeking around the tapestry, I made my way back into the hallway. The corridor was completely deserted. I had never been in a Hogwarts hallway during normal hours that had been empty. It was almost eerie, hearing my own robes brush against the carpeting while there was daylight shining through the tall stained glass windows. I usually associated that sound with the glow of torches along the walls and stars glistening at me as I walked.

About to head down to the Great Hall to make sure I beat Oliver, I remembered the painting. I desperately wanted to examine it more closely. I knew I couldn't though. I would be late. But maybe...Yes, just one quick look wouldn't hurt.

My eyes swept over the picture, quickly taking in as many details as I could. However, I couldn't find the two students I had seen before. After a second, I did discover the girl, but she seemed to have dimmed. The boy was nowhere to be found. I felt like I was looking at a page in a 'Where's Waldo?' book my aunt used to buy me when I was younger. I tried to remember where he had been, but I couldn't.

There was no more time for me to investigate though. I had to get to the hall before Oliver. I only had 3 minutes before students would start arriving. I didn't need any more lip from Percy.

Racing down the stairs and through the corridors, I took every shortcut I knew. Just before I got to the main entrance hallway, I stopped to lean against a wall and catch my breath. Huffing and puffing, I tried to regain my composure when I saw Percy descending the front staircase. His royal posture and almighty demeanor must have lit a fire in me, because I took one last big breath and made my way to the Great Hall doors.

My posture was just like- if not better- than his. I looked at him in a surveying way, as if I were evaluating him. I gave the impression that he failed.

"Later than usual then, Percy?" I asked in a mocking way as if I were his teacher.

"Not quite yet." He answered in a stiff manner, not lowering his nose a bit to talk to me.

"Well, I suppose that you can't blame your tardiness on me this time, considering the fact that I left without you this morning." Keep your voice completely business Penelope, completely business.

"Yes, I certainly can. It was because I had to look for you that I am arriving later than I would prefer. Why are you so irresponsible sometimes?" He finally lowered his head and looked at me when he spoke, growing angry.

Just as we entered the hall, we spun on each other.

"It's not me that has a problem with irresponsibility Percy. Perhaps you should re-check the way you treat people, and where your loyalties should lay. Then you'll see who needs more responsibility." I also became angry, glaring at him straightly now.

Just as his face began to really boil, Oliver entered, standing between us and looking at us both. Before he could notice Percy's redness, he cheerily asked, "Hello you two. Good morning. How are things?"

"HMPH!" Was all Percy could get out of his pursed lips, steam rising from his ears as his glare focused intently on me.

"Just leave me alone and focus on your own life!" I yelled at him.

"Fine then. Now I'll be able to have my own life back! I won't have you tying me down and holding me back!" He spat.

"Good! I wouldn't want to hold Mr. Prodigy back. However, I think a prodigy would at least be able to figure out how to KISS PROPERLY!" Oliver's eyes grew bigger at every word until they were practically bulging out of his head.

Percy's jaw just hung open at my last remark, his eyes almost as big as Oliver's, but still holding their glare in his astonishment. Then his mouth snapped shut, his eyes and nostrils flared, and he turned on his heel, marching over to the Gryffindor table. At that same moment, I turned on my heel and made my way to the Ravenclaw table.

Oliver was left there, glued to the spot, whipping his head back and forth to stare at both of us. Eventually, he had to follow Percy to his own table, but he looked over his shoulder to watch me the entire time. When he sat, he sat facing me, his head cocked slightly to one side, just trying to figure out what he had just witnessed. I couldn't stand to look at him in shame. The last thing I wanted was to have a fight with Percy break out in front of him. For now on, I would go to all costs to avoid Percy. No matter what he was doing, I wouldn't provoke him.

Not having much of an appetite, I moved my food over my plate, not really touching any of it. Every time I would glance at the Gryffindor table, I would see Percy pointing and moving his hands about madly, turning red and talking angrily. Oliver just sat and watched him, his eyes worried and his frown deep.

No matter what I did, I always seemed to disappoint or worry Oliver. I had to make it up to him. I just didn't know what I could do.

Deciding to leave breakfast early, I made my way to my common room. I couldn't stand to look up and see Percy anymore. I knew I would have some alone time, because Percy would stay until breakfast was completely finished being served, which was at least another hour.

Flopping down on the couch, I threw my arm over my face, letting my robe drape my eyes in darkness. Would this nightmare with Percy ever be over? How could I have possibly let it go on this long? Did I really never see him for what he was?

I guess it took someone as good as Oliver to show me how bad Percy was.

Well, I suppose it would be unfair to say that Percy was really bad. I mean, he treated me good. At times, I did almost feel that we loved each other. But it just wasn't right. Something was always there that just made it feel unsteady. He didn't make me feel that way that I feel whenever I'm with Oliver.

At the slightest touch Oliver could make me feel warm and like he was all I needed to live. He was all I needed. But how could I show him that? I didn't have any real talents. I couldn't draw him a moving picture. I couldn't bring him to any secret places. All I had were the spells that I knew and him. That's all I had. Or maybe...

I sat straight up on the couch, my mind racing.

Maybe that was more than enough.

I looked up to where my bedroom was. Closing my eyes quickly and visualizing what I wanted, I quickly jumped up from the couch and raced upstairs.

There was a lot of preparation if I wanted it done by tonight.