A FINAL CHANCE

By: Shadowedheart89

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

Chapter Twenty-Four: A Party

"Have you asked Ron to Xavier's party yet?" I asked Hermione. We were sitting in the library, and were supposed to be doing research but I was getting bored with it. I had already been through every book in the library, all of the books that Severus had lent me, a bunch from Xavier, and several from Uncle Albus as well. Even with all of that, there was absolutely no information relevant. I was starting to get restless going over the same information that I had already looked through and it was obvious. Over the last couple of weeks I went from just about cutting myself away from everyone to just read, to constantly trying to talk and do things with the others.

"Who said that I was going to ask Ron?" Hermione asked confused.

I shrugged. "Well no one. But you like him, and he likes you. I figured that you would take the initiative and ask him."

Her eyes narrowed. "Who said that I liked Ron?"

"No one. It's painfully obvious. Plus, I mean I do my best to block out everyone's thoughts, but I do still pick up on a few things without meaning to. Even without that, it's obvious. I'm not the only one who has noticed. You and Ron definitely both like each other."

She blushed. "I've been waiting for him to ask me out for awhile now."

"I hate to tell you this, but he's kind of oblivious. I doubt that he has any clue that you really like him as more than just a friend. Just do both of you a favor and ask him. Hopefully he'll finally get the hint."

"Do you really think so?" she asked.

I couldn't help but to grin. It was one subject that Hermione wasn't sure of herself on. Boys. It was odd to see her questioning herself. To be fair, I would probably be the same if I didn't have my little advantage. In fact, I still was at a loss about the whole Draco situation. "Definitely. You better hurry up too. The party is tomorrow night."

She nodded to herself and fell silent. I thought she was just contemplating her feelings for Ron, until she finally spoke again. "So you really are taking Harry tomorrow?"

"Yep. I thought it would be fun for all of us to be able to hang out together. That way even if the party is kind of boring at least we have our friends there." I didn't want to admit that Xavier's party would be less than enjoyable, but he was such a hermit that it was a possibility. I doubted I could do much better, but that is why I wouldn't have even tried.

"Is that all?" she asked in a knowing voice.

"What else would it be?"

"You and Harry seem to have gotten pretty close lately."

I felt my face turn red. We had indeed spending more time than usual together. Actually probably even more time than she thought. Ever since that first night of going to him after my nightmare, I found myself there every night. It was different than with Draco, yet it was still comfortable. "We have. He's a good guy. You know that. He's your best friend."

"You like him," she told me sagely.

I stared at her in surprise. "What do you mean? Of course I like him, he's my friend."

"But you are interested in him as more," she said with a grin.

I groaned and let my head fall on the table. "Hermione, what am I going to do?" I asked. I didn't even have it in me to fight it anymore. It was true. I really did like Harry as more, but I was still interested in Draco. I didn't want to be, but I couldn't change the way I felt.

"So you still have feelings for Draco?" she asked. I nodded without looking up. "Is there any chance that you might get back together with him?"

I sighed and sat up to look at her. "I suppose there is a possibility. We had a long talk about what happened. It's not like I really forgive him for what he did, but I understand what his reasons were. As impossible as it seems, he really isn't that bad of a guy. He really does try, at least with me. I can't just forget what happened, but I really do want him back sometimes."

She gazed at me thoughtfully. Sometimes she had such a penetrating gaze that it was as if she were a younger version of McGonagall and Uncle Albus wrapped into one. "Harry has been through enough in his life. If you aren't going to give him your all, then don't lead him on. He deserves better than that."

"I know he does. I'm not trying to lead him on. I'm just trying to figure out what I want. I don't want to hurt either one of them."

"You know, Marlene, I didn't like you at the beginning of the year. I didn't trust you. Now I know you enough to like you and think that you are a pretty good person. You have become a really good friend. But Harry is like my brother, and I would do anything to protect him. If you think that I'd just sit back and let you hurt him, then you are mistaken. You have to figure it out, and soon." With that she gathered her things and left me sitting there, dwelling in my own thoughts.

___

"Everyone ready to go?" Hermione asked beaming as she linked her arm with Ron's. Her hair was swept up elegantly and she wore champagne colored robes that made her seem radiant. Both Ron and Harry were in similar, sleek black dress robes, and I was in green ones that matched the color of Harry's eyes.

We all nodded and followed as she led us all out of the portrait and towards the dungeons where the party was to be held. As we walked, Harry and I began to drift behind Ron and Hermione, giving us a bit of privacy, where the others couldn't hear us talking.

"Thanks for coming with me," I told Harry, smiling up at him.

He blushed, "Thanks for inviting me."

"It's no problem. You know I can't just abandon you. What kind of friend would I be?" I asked. His eyes darkened for a moment at the word friend.

"So who is supposed to be at this party anyways?"

I shrugged. "I don't know everyone's names but it's the top two or three people from each of his classes. It should be an interesting mix."

When we got to the room, I was pleasantly surprised by the décor. I've seen Xavier do some decorating for a surprised birthday party my parents threw for me once, and it was horrible. It looked like he found any kind of decoration he could and hung it up. There were pumpkins, four leaf clovers, Easter eggs, Christmas trees, menorahs, and even some turkeys. This time the decorations were appropriately of the Yule time persuasion. There were green and red streamers hanging from the ceiling and a large Christmas tree beautifully decorated in one of the corners.

"Welcome!" Xavier greeted us all happily. "I'm glad you could all make it. Come in and mingle."

"Well you seem to be in a good mood," I told him laughing. I felt like giving him a hug, but knew that it wouldn't be a good idea. Sure I've already hugged him in front of my class, but it was different to do so in front of a bunch of other students. One mistake was tolerable, a second one wouldn't be. The others would most likely read more into it than there was and get both me and him into trouble.

"Why wouldn't I be in a good mood?" he asked.

I looked at him intently and saw that he was faking his enthusiasm. You are miserable aren't you?

Yes. Why did I think that this was a good idea? I don't like people. It was weird hearing him sounding so distressed and yet he appeared outwardly calm and happy.

Just relax. It can't be as bad as you think it is. Besides I'm here now. You can use me as a buffer if you want. I glanced around to look at the other guests to see if there was anyone else there that might be able to serve to calm him down. What I noticed instead made me laugh. Besides, nearly every girl in this room is drooling over you. I don't think you could do anything to make them think this is a bad party. It was true. Nearly all the girls kept casting glances his way looking as if they were ready to jump into his pants. I had to admit he did look very nice tonight. Didn't that girl come with you? I asked remembering him talking about the girl he was interested in.

No, she's not with me. She's interested in someone else. I saw something pass through his eyes, but I wasn't sure what. I wasn't even going to try to delve farther into his mind to figure out what it was. The last time I was in his mind, things got uncomfortable. I shuttered, trying to forget that memory and hoping that the girl he was thinking about was different from the one he was interested in, or at least that it didn't mean what I thought it meant.

Well it's her lost. Any girl would be lucky to have you interested in her.

He shrugged. "Well you look awfully stunning tonight Marlene. You like quite dashing yourself Harry. I'm glad that Marlene had the sense to invite you. You have been an absolute pleasure to have in class. From the way that Professor Snape talked about you, I thought that you were going to be a problem."

Harry scoffed. "Snape and I don't exactly see eye to eye, sir. There is no way that he would have anything positive to say towards me."

Xavier frowned. "Well that is truly a shame. Severus really shouldn't let his prejudices get in the way of his teaching." I couldn't help but to laugh. That was highly unlikely for Severus. He thrived on his prejudices. Xavier glanced around. "Well I must be off to talk to the other guests. Enjoy yourselves."

I spent most of the evening just hanging out with Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Occasionally I would go talk to Xavier to see how he was doing. He seemed to relax as the night wore on and wasn't faking his enthusiasm as much. I could tell he was a little bored with the lack of intellectual conversations, but he did seem to start to genuinely enjoy himself. Towards the end of the night, I went to go talk to Draco. He had been there most of the night, and didn't try to approach me or talk to me. In fact he stayed as far from me as he could, electing to brood on the other side of the room and just stare over and my general vicinity.

"Having fun?" I asked, when I approached him.

"This is bloody boring. I can't believe I'm wasting a night of my life here. I could be doing something better."

"Then why are you here?" I asked a bit sharper than I intended.

His eyes met mine for a moment. I wanted to see you, he sent before turning his eyes away from me.

I took a deep breath willing the happy tingling sensation in my stomach to go away. You could have just asked to see me.

He shrugged. "So you came with Potter?"

I nodded. "I told you I probably would. We are just friends." He turned back to me smirking with one eyebrow raised in speculation. I ignored him. "Did you bring Pansy?" I asked trying to keep my tone even.

"I decided to come alone."

His answer took me by surprise. I was sure that he wouldn't have a problem finding someone to bring with him. Sure he didn't have the best personality towards most people, but he should have gotten a date off of his looks and his name alone. "Why?" I asked curiously.

"The only person I cared to bring was unable to join me. I wasn't even going to come, but then I remembered that I made it seem like I was coming to at least one person. I'm trying out that whole, being a reliable person thing."

I grinned at him. "So how's it working for you?"

"It's too soon to tell. I'm hoping that it works out for me. It's blood annoying, that's for sure." I felt myself start to fidget. He was really trying to make a sincere effort at becoming a better person. I wanted him to be a better person for him, but I knew that a large portion of it was in order to win me back. He didn't care about other people. Yet here I was starting to fall for another person. "What's wrong?" he asked softly.

I looked up to see his beautiful mercury eyes boring into mine. "I have to tell you something," I said, my voice barely a whisper. He become completely still as he waited for me to continue. I couldn't bring myself to say the words aloud, so I sent them to him. I have feelings for Harry.

He slowly let out the breath that he was holding. I know.

Even in his mind, he sounded sad, and I felt even more guilty. I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to lead either one of you on. I still really care about you, but I'm starting to care about him too.

I know. It's my fault. I was stupid enough to do something to lose you. Like I've told you though, I'm not giving up.

I felt my heart skip a beat. I didn't deserve his loyalty. Maybe you should. I'm not worth it.

I could feel him warring with himself. He wanted to reach out and hug me, but he couldn't, not in front of all of these people, and surely someone would have noticed if we had walked out together. We were already gathering looks just by talking to each other. You are worth it. It's my choice. If you want to be with Potter, then I'm not going to get in your way, but I will try my damnedest to get you back.

I just nodded, knowing that there was nothing that I could do to change his mind. "I'll see you later then. Have a good holiday," I told him as I turned to rejoin my group.

"I'll see you later," he murmured as he watched me walk away.

____

"Are you excited to see your folks?" Harry asked the next morning as we sat in the train compartment alone.

I shrugged. "I suppose, but I'm going to miss being at school."

He nodded. "I know what you mean. Every summer I spend most of my time counting down the days until I come back."

"At least you won't be going back to your Aunt and Uncle," I reminded him.

"True, but I still would rather stay at school. Dumbledore told me that we were going to be doing something over break. He wouldn't tell me what though," he said sounding frustrated.

"To be honest, I don't think that man is capable of being straight forward."

He chuckled. "So do you have any plans?"

"Nope. At least none that I know of. People like to spring things on me thought, so it could turn out that I will be incredibly busy the entire break."

"I bet I'll be incredibly bored. It looks like Ron and Hermione have finally realized that they like each other so they will be so involved with each other that they will forget about me."

I groaned, feeling guilty. "I'm sorry. I think that one is my fault. I pushed Hermione into asking Ron to the party.

He laughed. "It's okay. Honestly, it's better than being around them while they are both incredibly clueless. They've been like that for years. It's a bit annoying actually. I thought it was going to happen in the beginning of the year actually."

I thought back. "I remember you saying something like that when we met." I yawned and rested my head against his shoulder, an action that was becoming habit. "Thanks for everything lately. I don't know what I would have done without you. The nightmares were beginning to drive me insane."

"You helped me get rid of my nightmares. It was only fare that I return the sentiment."

I shrugged. "Well you know you can always practice. Keep working on water and maybe when we get back to school we can move on to a different element."

"What about under aged magic?"

"It doesn't register the same as regular magic. As long as you aren't going around doing it in front of Ministry officials, you will be fine. Besides I'm sure you are staying with some adult wizards so they won't be able to track you anyways."

I made myself comfortable against him, and fell asleep. He woke me up just before the train ride was about to end. We sat there silently, waiting for the train to stop, each lost in our own thoughts. I couldn't believe how much I wanted to stay. I didn't want to leave Harry or even Draco for that matter. Who even knew what Draco was going to do? He was supposed to meet with Voldemort over break to get him an update of how things were going. Would he survive it? I shuddered at the thought and pushed it to the back of my mind.

The train stopped and we both stood up and gathered our things. I was at the door first and was about to open it so that we could leave when a thought occurred to me. Who knows what would happen over break? It was quite possible that something could happen to one of us and we'd never see each other again. Acting on pure instinct, I turned and pressed my lips against his. He froze for a moment in surprise before returning the kiss with enthusiasm. After a minute or two I pulled away grinning at his shell shocked expression.

"Have a good holiday, Harry." I told him, before slipping out of the compartment and blending into the crowd. I made my way to the platform and found my parents waiting for me. They enveloped me in hugs, and I sighed in relief at seeing them again.

"Are you okay sweetie? You look a bit flushed," my father asked.

"I'm fine. It was just a little warm on the train," I lied, hoping that my excuse was plausible enough. "So where are we going exactly?"

"You'll see when we get there. We can't really tell you. Uncle Albus's orders," my mother told me, gently guiding me through the barrier.

We left King's Cross and began walking. About twenty minutes later, we stopped and my father gave me a slip of paper. "Read this and concentrate on it."

I did what I was told without question, having been to a house hidden by the Fidelius Charm before. I watched as the house squeezed its way into existence and my parents led me up to the door. "Be very quiet when entering. Trust me," my mother told me before opening the door.

I was as quiet as possible as they led me into the house and what appeared to be the kitchen. "Welcome to the head Quarters of the Order of the Phoenix," my father told me. I looked around at the curious faces and my eyes settled on three who's expressions were filled with surprise. There staring at me, was Ron, Hermione, and one that I was hoping I'd have a few weeks before I would have to face, Harry.

I stood there awkwardly for a moment trying to think of something to say when I heard someone clear their throat behind me. I turned around to find myself facing Severus, and Draco by his side. "What are you doing here?" I asked Draco.

"Dumbledore offered me protection," he said quietly so that only those close to him could hear.

"Well this is going to be an interesting break," I heard Ron say.