A FINAL CHANCE

By: Shadowedheart89

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters, nor do I claim to.

Chapter Twelve: A "Relaxing" Day

I stared in shock at Harry and Draco, both with their wands out and both looking as if they were ready to kill. I pushed my way entirely out of the crowd and between the two. "What the hell is going on?" I demanded.

"Move out of the way," Draco told me between gritted teeth.

"No!" I said angrily. "What do you think you are doing?"

"Don't get in the middle of this," Harry said his teeth equally clenched.

I rolled my eyes, and pulled my wand out of my robes, quickly disarming both of them, and catching their wands as they flew towards me. "Now one of you tell me what is going on."

Draco opened his mouth to say something, but was cut off by a cold voice. "Potter, Wizidore, Malfoy. My office, now." I turned around to see Snape glowering at us. With one last deathly glare, the boys turned and began the journey to his office, and I followed them with a tight grip on their wands.

What was going on? Snape asked.

I looked at him. He had his normal blank expression on, and for a moment I wasn't sure that he was actually "talking" to me. I'm not sure. I was walking back to my dormitory and saw a commotion. I came to see what was going on, and those two were about to kill each other.

Well can you see what they were about to fight about?

I smirked, but kept my eyes forward. Now Severus, you wouldn't be suggesting that I abuse my powers, now would you?

He growled mentally and out of the corner of my eye I saw a scowl flicker across his face. Can you or can't you?

Don't be so tempermental, I told him as I took a "casual" look into their minds but didn't find anything useful. Draco is blocking me, and Harry is just wishing that Draco would drop dead. I glanced back at him, and saw a trace of a smirk.

So it's nothing out of the ordinary.

When we arrived to the office, Snape motioned for us to take a seat. I sat between the two boys, hoping to prevent any more arguments. After a tense silence Snape spoke. "Would someone tell me what you think you were all doing?"

The three of us remained silent. Me, because I had no idea what was happening myself, and those two, I sensed, out of some sort of embarrassment.

"If none of you want to tell me, I will give you all detentions until the end of the year," Snape threatened, yet it was still silent. "Marlene," he called my out, making me glare up at him, "I have a feeling you are the source of this entire ordeal." I just gaped at him.

"She had nothing to do with it," the boys chorus quickly, before turning to glare at each other.

Snape smirked. "Well then boys, what exactly was it about?" Both retained their sullen silence. "In that case, 20 points from Gryffindor and 10 points from Slytherin, and the two of you," he said motioning to the boys, "will serve detention with me Tuesday night."

That's not fair. You are taking 20 points just for Harry. You know that I didn't do anything wrong.

Snape glared at me. "Make that 25 points from Gryffindor."

"For what? Neither of us did or said anything," I asked.

His glare darkened. "It is now 30 for your behavior, and you will also see me Tuesday night." I opened my mouth to retort but I quickly shut it. I was not in the mood to get into another argument. There was a brief look of triumph is his eyes. "Malfoy, Potter, get to class." They both silently got up and left leaving me alone with Snape. "You get released from the hospital wing, and a few hours later, you are already getting into trouble again."

I sighed. "You know that I had nothing to do with it."

"You had everything to do with it. Those boys were fighting over you. And what person would be idiotic enough to position herself between two people who are prepared to duel?"

"A person who can take care of herself," I told him defiantly.

"Says the girl who just spent two days in the hospital unconscious," he said coldly.

I glared at him in silence for a few seconds. "What do you mean they were fighting over me?"

He gave me an appraising look. "You mean you honestly don't know?" he asked smirking. "I guess you aren't as smart as you like to believe you are."

"I don't claim to know everything," I said starting to lose my temper.

"Due to whatever spark of insanity they have had, both are very fond of you."

I looked at him confused. "Well Harry and I are friends, and Draco and I are…friends as well."

"You can't possibly be that naive, or believe that I am that stupid. You and Mr. Malfoy are obviously more than just friends. And Mr. Potter's affections towards you reach far past that of a platonic nature."

I shook my head dumbfounded. "That is ridiculous. There is nothing between Harry and me. He knows this. Those two have never gotten along. They both openly admitted to hating each other and fighting long before I came here."

"If that is what you wish to believe."

"It is," I told him crossing my arms and staring at him darkly. "Where would you come up with that idea anyways?"

"You should really learn to observe those around you. You of all people should be aware of what those around you think or feel," he told me looking disappointed at my lack of insight into others. "When you came into class with Mr. Malfoy, the attraction between the two of you was very apparent. It's obvious that Potter has some type of attraction to you just by the way he looks at you. It's quite pathetic really, like a dog following its master with pure adoration. And now I will have to watch him look at you like that Tuesday night as well," he told me sounding both disappointed and sickened at the though.

"And why, might I ask do I have detention on Tuesday as well?"

"You don't. Tuesday is going to be the day of the week that we will be forcing our presence on each other according to the Headmaster's orders."

"But you said…"

"I did not say that you had detention. I merely said that you will be seeing me."

His words sunk in, and I realized that he was right. He had chosen his words very carefully. "I really don't like you," I told him glaring at him.

"I assure you, Ms. Wizidore, the feeling is mutual. Now I believe you are to be resting, and I assure you that you will need all the rest you can get for detention tomorrow night."

I stood up and turned to leave, but I had a question. "Why did you visit me when I was in the hospital wing?" I asked turning back to face him.

He looked surprised for the slightest moment. "What are you talking about?"

"I know you came to see me. You talked to me a few times. I could hear your voice."'

A flicker of emotion flickered in his eyes, but passed too quickly for me to be able to understand it. "You couldn't hear what I was saying?" he asked with a certain edge to his voice.

I shook my head, "No, I just recognized your voice. It was really distant, but I'm sure it was you. I hear a few others too."

He looked a touch relieved. "I see. Professor Dumbledore asked me to stop by to see if there was anything I could do to help. He thought that it might be possible that Dark Arts were involved, and since that is my specialty, it's only natural that he asked my thoughts on the matter."

I felt a bit disappointed, and there was something that didn't seem to make sense. "Oh, ok then."

He sighed. "I tried everything that I could think of to help you."

"Oh, well thank you for trying I guess," I told him, still unable to get rid of feeling of disappointment. I had a feeling there was more to his story, but a part of me really didn't want to find out what it was.

"What did you expect me to do?" he asked angrily, seeing that there was still something bothering me.

"I didn't expect you to do anything. It was my own fault. It was my stupidity that knocked me unconscious." I told him feeling tears of guilt in my eyes.

He studied me for a few seconds. "You really feel bad about this, don't you?" I only nodded. He sighed with exasperation. "What happened was stupid and could have been easily avoided."

I let out a bitter laugh and wiped at my tears, "Thanks, Severus."

"You've always been one to forget about the simple things. It's not that big of a surprise. You have other things on your mind that you are worrying about. It really isn't that surprising, especially given your nature."

I glared at him. "Do me a favor Severus and don't try to cheer me up anymore."

He grimaced. "I'll try my best to refrain myself," he told me in a sarcastic manner. "Now I will see you tomorrow night."

I sighed. "See you then, Severus," I told him before leaving. I entered the corridor only to find Draco and Harry standing there waiting for me. "Aren't you supposed to be in class?"

"You are still clutching our wands in your hand," Draco told me smirking. I looked down and realized that they were still there. I blushed and handed them back to their rightful owners, feeling a bit awkward after my conversation with Severus about them. "See you later," Draco told me before starting to head down the hallway. Harry waved and then made is way in the opposite direction.

"Wait. Where are you two going? You have the same class."

They looked at each other for a second. "I think it would be prudent for us to refrain from partaking in each other's presence at the time being," Draco told me.

I rolled my eyes. "What if I act as a mediator?"

Draco shrugged and I looked at Harry. "Fine," he said tightly.

"Well then off we go. You guys shouldn't be later than you already are." Harry rolled his eyes at me and muttered something that sounded suspiciously like, "Sounds like Hermione," but I ignored him.

The walk to class was very uncomfortable. No one said anything, and Harry and Draco kept glancing at each other as if they were getting ready to pounce, and it wouldn't have really surprised me if they did. If fact, I kind of wished they did. The tension was bothering me. The magic was crackling in the air, and putting me on edge.

When we finally reached the classroom, I stopped outside of it, and sighed in relief. "Well have fun boys, and try to stay out of trouble."

"See you back in the common room," Harry told me with a smile before entering the room.

"You know that I'm always a perfect angel," Draco told me with a smirk before following Harry into the room.

I sighed and shook my head at their antics. Those two could be worst than little children. I headed back to the tower to try and relax. I laid in my bed for a while, trying to sleep, but after a while that proved futile, so I went to my bag, and grabbed a sketchbook.

Sketching was something that I kept to myself the best I could. When I was younger, at an attempt to make me more well rounded, my parents decided to give me art lessons. I absolutely fell in love with it. For a long time, I spent all of my free time in my room, or outside just sketching whatever came to mind. I wasn't half bad, but I was no where good enough to become a professional, which suited me just fine. I just loved having something for myself for once.

So I took my sketchbook, and headed back to what was becoming my favorite place by the lake. I stared at the beautiful scenery for a few moments before I put my pencil to the paper and started to sketch. I was at it for a while, drawing the lake and trying to capture the majesty and ominous feeling that the forest gave off.

"You look quite intent there," a voice suddenly said from beside me. I looked over to see Xavier leaning against the tree and looked at me with an amused expression.

I smiled at him. "How long have you been there?"

He shrugged. "Awhile. I enjoy watching you work. You show a passion you rarely show in anything else."

I put down my sketchbook and motioned for him to sit next to me. He sat down with a grace that seemed oddly out of place for him. "Don't you have a class?"

He shook his head. "It's lunch time right now. I wasn't hungry so I thought that I would take a walk and I spotted you out here. Aren't you hungry? You didn't have a chance to get breakfast this morning."

"Not really, I can just wait until dinner."

He gave me a calculating look. "You really shouldn't be skipping meals, especially with you already so weak. You need to keep your strength up."

I rolled my eyes and conjured a plate of sandwiches. I grabbed one and took a bite. "Happy?" I asked. He nodded and laughed. I pushed the plate towards him, "Well if I have to keep up my strength then you should too."

He grinned, "Fair enough." We fell silent for a few minutes, just eating our sandwiches before he blurted out, "I'm sorry about earlier."

I was caught off guard and it took me a second to remember his angry outburst earlier. "Don't be, I shouldn't have pried."

"It's just complicated," he started to explain.

"No, Xavier, you don't have to explain. Your life is private I get that. I won't bother you about it anymore."

He sighed. "What brought it up in the first place?"

"I'm just worried about you," I told him quietly feeling a bit embarrassed.

"What do you mean?" he asked sounding intrigued.

"I don't want you to be lonely," I said. He chuckled. "No really. I mean the students are too young for you to really befriend, and most of the staff is a lot older than you. And I've never known you to have a girlfriend or anything. I was just curious."

He put his arm around me and hugged me close to him. "Marlene, I'm going to be fine. I'm used to being alone. You know that I'm not much of a people person."

"I know, but I don't like it. You are such a great guy. I just want everyone to be able to see that."

He chuckled again. "Marlene you know that I prefer to be alone. And besides I do have company. I have you, and Albus, and even Severus isn't that bad of company at times. Don't add to your burdens. You already have too much to worry about as it is."

I nodded. "Ok, just let me know if you ever want to talk or anything."

"The same goes to you. I'm glad you are making new friends, but if you ever need anything, remember that you still have people you can talk to."

"Thanks, Xavier."

He reached across me and picked up my sketchbook. He flipped through a few pages and I started laughing as he shook his head. I had long since enchanted my sketchbook so that only I could see what was in it. All he could see was blank paper. "When are you going to let someone see your work?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. It's not like I do it for anyone other than myself. I just want to keep to it myself for awhile."

He nodded, "I understand, but I think you should consider sharing it with someone one day. Someone might see something in it that would make them understand you better. They say art is the gateway to the soul."

"I'll think about it," I promised him.

I heard someone call my name, and turned to see Hermione coming in my direction. Xavier stood up quickly and put some distance between us. I studied Hermione for a second. Relax I sent him. She doesn't think there is anything weird about us being together. She figures we must have known each other for awhile because of how we greeted each other in class.

Even so I would rather not strike any wrong impressions.

I nodded slightly as I stood up to greet Hermione properly. "Hello Marlene, Professor Jamison," she greeted us.

"Hermione Granger, correct?" Xavier asked.

"Yes sir," she said blushing slightly and looking away. I couldn't help but to smile a little. She was starting to have a crush on him.

"I must say you are a wonderful student, and quite adept to potions. Marlene here is one of my best students, but I think you could give her a run for her money," he said smiling at her.

She looked up at him and for the first time caught his eye. There is something really amazing about Xavier. You can know him for a long time, but never really look into his eyes. Its not that you consciously refuse to look into his eyes, it's just that there is something about him that makes you not realize that you don't look into them. You could know exactly what color they are, mostly because they are a color that is not often seen, a golden color that could be as dark as melted gold or so light that they are almost transparent depending on his mood, but until that first time you truly look into his eyes, you will never understand how completely beautiful they are. As you gaze into those magnificent orbs, everything else seems to slip away and they are the only things that exist. The amazing thing about this though, is that Xavier always seems completely unaware that this happening, even though the person he is talking to is just about melting in front of his eyes. I've even seen it happen with guys, although to a lesser degree. They are just struck with the intensity that they find in his eyes. So when I saw Hermione start to melt before him, I couldn't help but to laugh and feel a bit bad for her since I had been in the same situation a few times, and I found it a bit embarrassing. Thankfully I was pretty immune to the power of his eyes by now.

"You are such a liar Xavier," I told him, causing him to look away from Hermione and allow her to start to regain her bearings. I saw her shake her head as if coming out of a daze

"What are you talking about?" He asked, confused and slightly angry. I knew he hated to be accused of lying. It was the one sure thing that would always make him angry

"You always complain about my mistakes in potions," I told him.

He grinned. "I never said that you were perfect. I just said that you were one of my best students. I could have had a bunch of really bad students."

I rolled my eyes. "You are great on the ego, you know."

He laughed. "I know, because you always tell me. Now if you would excuse me, I must be going."

"See you later, Xavier," I told him.

"Good-bye Professor," Hermione said, finding her voice again.

We watched him leave, and then I turned to her, trying unsuccessfully to hide my smile. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, it was just his eyes…" she trailed off.

I laughed. "I know. I've been there. You'll get used to them eventually."

"Are you sure?" she asked with that dreamy quality still in here voice.

"Yep, he gets to the best of us, but eventually you won't be drooling at his feet. Don't worry though, he doesn't even realize it."

She shook her head again as if to clear it from the last of the cobwebs. "Well the reason I had come out here was to see how you were feeling. Harry told me that you got out of the Hospital Wing this morning."

"Yeah, I'm just a bit tired that's all. I think everyone just sort of blew everything out of proportion."

"What exactly happened? No one seemed to know for sure," she asked sounding concerned.

"Exhaustion. I've been pushing myself too much and haven't been sleeping that well. It wasn't a big deal."

"Well I'm glad that you are feeling better. Harry was very upset when you didn't wake up. He blamed himself."

I sighed, knowing that I was probably going to have to talk him. "It wasn't his fault."

"I know, and I think he does too. But he still feels a bit guilty."

There was a brief silence before I asked. "Do you know what happened between Harry and Draco earlier?"

She shook her head. "They came to class late, but Harry wouldn't tell me what happened."

"Oh, ok."

"Do you know what happened?" she asked.

"Not really."

"Well class is going to be starting soon, so I should be going," she told me.

"Alright then, I'll see you later. And thanks for checking on me."

She gave me a bright smile, "No problem."

After she left I tried to go back to sketching, but I was too distracted. I was thinking about Xavier, and how he always insisted that I share my art, and I couldn't help but to wonder what the fight between Harry and Draco was really about. After a while I gave up and headed back to the dorm. I sat on my bed intending just to sort out my thoughts, but instead I fell asleep. I didn't wake up until I heard Hermione calling my name.

"Marlene, we are heading down to dinner. Aren't you hungry?" she asked.

Groggily I nodded and forced myself awake. We headed downstairs and when Ron and Harry saw me, Harry started laughing. "You look cheerful," he said sarcastically.

I glare at him, "Would you like to be in the hospital wing next?"

He just laughed. "How was your day of relaxation?" he asked as we started heading out of the portrait.

"Surprisingly enough, it wasn't all that relaxing. How was your day? Well when you weren't getting into fights?'

He groaned. "Besides that, it was okay."

"Are you ever going to tell us what the fight was about?" Ron asked grumpily.

"Malfoy was being a git, that's all," he told us, trying to drop the subject.

"He had to have done something to make you want to duel him," Hermione pointed out.

"It was nothing, just drop it," he almost yelled at us. Ron, Hermione, and I looked at each other in amazement. Whatever happened had Harry feeling very touchy about the situation. "I'm surprised that you don't already know," he told me.

I looked at him confused. "You haven't told me, and I haven't talked to Draco today." He gave me a weird look. Do you want me to know?

He looked at me a second before shaking his head, looking a bit embarrassed as we entered the Great Hall. "I'm sure your boyfriend will tell you later."

I shrugged. "I wouldn't hold my breath." They all looked surprised, but I changed the subject. I didn't really want to talk about Draco. "So what did I miss while I was out?" I asked sitting down at the table.

"It was pretty quiet. We got loads of work though," Ron informed me.

"Ron is exaggerating, it's not that much. I'm sure they will let you make it up though, and you can borrow my notes if you need to," Hermione added helpfully.

"Hey you never let us borrow your notes," Ron complained.

"That's because you come to class but never bother to take any. It's not Marlene's fault she missed class," she pointed out.

"So if we miss class we can copy your work?" Ron asked hopefully.

"She's not copying my work, she's looking over my notes," she told him exasperatedly.

They sat down next to each other and I took a seat across from them, next to Harry, who looked a bit down. "Is everything okay?" I asked quietly while Ron and Hermione continued their bickering.

He nodded and gave me a crooked grin. "Yeah, everything is fine."

"Thanks again for visiting me in the hospital," I told him.

He looked a bit flustered. "It was no big deal."

"It wasn't your fault," I told him. He caught my eye for a moment and then turned away without saying anything. I mean it Harry, it wasn't your fault. It would have happened anyways, I wasn't taking care of myself. Please don't feel guilty about it. It had nothing to do with you.

He looked at me again and nodded.

And if Draco tries to convince you otherwise, just ignore him, he tends to be a bit of an ass.

This time when he caught my eye he smiled. I took his hand that he had beneath the table and gave it a gentle squeeze. I saw him blush and he refused to look at me. I remembered what Severus said earlier about him liking me, and immediately felt guilty. I didn't want to lead him on if it was true.

I looked over at the Slytherin table, and saw Draco watching me. Having fun with Potter and his friends? he sent with a smirk on his face.

I rolled my eyes at him. We are just talking. What's with you two anyways?

We have our differences, he sent with measured tones.

So basically you aren't going to tell me what happened earlier.

You are correct, he told me and I could sense his grin. We stopped communicating for a few moments and I just ate my food in silence, absently listening to the conversations around me without partaking in any of them. After a few minutes he sent, Are you feeling better?

I couldn't help but to smile as I took a bite out of my food. It wasn't often that he openly expressed concern about another person. I feel better. Just a little tired.

Well then you should probably head to bed after dinner then.

I felt my smile grew. I just woke up from a nap. Besides I thought that maybe we could spend some time together.

Are you sure you feel up to it?

I think I can summon the energy. Meet me in the corridor in five minutes, I told him, finishing my dinner. "Hey guys, I'm going to go take a walk," I announced to the table as I stood up.

"Want some company?" Harry asked.

I shook my head. "No it's alright, but thanks anyways. I'll see everyone later."

"See you later," Ron told me.

"Don't be too late, or you'll miss curfew," Hermione warned.

I nodded and waved to them as I left the hall. I made my way down the corridor a bit to find a place to wait for Draco, when suddenly I felt someone yank me into the shadows. A strong hand was covering my mouth, and my back was pressed firmly against a tall form with a muscular chest. "Whatever you do, don't move and don't make a sound," a rough voice whispered in my ear.

A/N-I hope you enjoyed. Feel free to review!