Hello everyone! Thanks to everyone who reviewed last chapter! I hope you all had a great Christmas and a Happy New Year! By the way, I'm really in need of a new book, as I just finished my last one (The Hunger Games. Which is totally amazing! You should check it out) and I really need a new one. Any suggestions? It would be greatly appreciated! And now, without further delay, here is the new chapter!

News about Harry being chosen and being able to compete spread quickly around the castle and the rest of the wizarding world. However, he wasn't too happy about it. Nobody except Hermione and Arra believed him--not even Ron. Ron was convinced Harry had entered himself and was upset that Harry hadn't included him in the process. But at least the rest of the Gryffindors were still pleased about one of their own being chosen, so they weren't very put out about Harry "cheating".

Arra was still furious at Harry, but had tried her best to put aside her feelings for him in his time of need. Being with Draco made her feel better, as the two had been spending quite a bit of time together, as they were right now.

"Do you really have to wear that?" Arra asked Draco as they sat under a tree in the courtyard.

"What, this?" He asked innocently, gesturing to the POTTER STINKS pin that was stuck to the front of his robes. "Of course I do. He cheated. Stole all of Cedric's glory."

Arra rolled her eyes. She had given up trying to convince Draco of the truth after a few tries.

"I don't know why you of all people are supporting him anyways, Arra." He pointed out. "I thought you were mad at him."

She sighed, "I am. But…I…He needs me." She tried to explain her difficult situation.

He sneered, "If I were you, I would have dumped him as a friend. Even if he does, "need you". You shouldn't have to babysit little Potter just because no one likes him anymore."

"Well that's because you're a heartless ferret." She said with a smarmy smile, referring to a recent incident in which Malfoy was turned into a ferret by their new professor, Mad-Eye Moody.

"Shut up." He muttered.

She laughed at him and playfully swatted his arm, to which he grabbed her hand sneakily and held it in his. She stared at the intertwined fingers and felt the blood rush up to her face. Arra turned her head in order to hide her red face and the smile. She hadn't had this feeling since she and Harry had that moment last year in the hallway outside of Dumbledore's office. Harry. She immediately tensed up a little at the thought of him, tried to play it off, but Draco noticed.

"Arra, I--"

She cut him off, "You know what? I actually have to get going. I'm supposed to be helping Harry with preparing for the first task. It's just in two weeks time, so we really have a lot of work to do." She explained quickly, getting up from their spot under the tree and sliding her hand out of his.

He scowled, "Fine. When will I see you again?"

"I don't know. But I really do have to get going, I'll see you later, ok?" She hurried off without waiting for a reply. Turning a corner into an empty corridor, she let out a frustrated cry. Every time she tried to move on from Harry and try something with Draco, she seemed to not be able to. How could she possibly ever get over him if she couldn't even stop thinking about him? Which incidentally, she now had to do. She hadn't lied to Draco about going to help Harry. She knew that he and Hermione were meeting in the library to figure out how to tackle Harry's task of a dragon (they had found out from Hagrid, but were to keep their knowledge secret) , and they had invited her to come as well, which she was now going to accept.

She turned around the corner, staring at the ground trying to gather her thoughts, when she walked straight into a solid object, knocking her a few feet back. "Oh, jeez, I'm sorry," She said quickly, looking up into the face of the person she had hit. "Oh, hi."

"Hi, Arra." Ron Weasley said in an uneasy voice.

She bit her lip, "How are you?"

He frowned with a confused face, "Fine. Why would anything be wrong?"

"Well, I haven't really seen you lately. I take it you and Harry are still fighting then?" She asked tentatively.

Ron made a face, "Yes. Is that where you're going in such a hurry? To see him?"

She grimaced. "Yeah. I was going to meet up with him and Hermione in the library to practice for the first task."

He raised his eyebrows quickly, "Oh, well then I wouldn't want to keep you waiting. Hope you have fun." He said in a voice that sounded like he hoped they didn't have any fun at all.

He turned around to leave with a frown, not even caring about how much pressure Harry was under, or how their fighting was tearing Hermione apart, or how the crack in Arra's heart seemed to break open a little bit more everyday. And that made her mad.

"Why do you do that?" She asked in a stern voice.

He turned around with a confused face, "What?"

"Why do you have to be such a downright git all the time? Don't you see that your immature selfishness is tearing us all apart?!" She yelled.

"My selfishness?" He asked, gesturing to himself. "Harry is the jealous one here, Arra."

She stepped towards him, "What are you talking about?"

His nostrils flared as he stepped towards Arra as well, "He obviously doesn't want me to be a part of this! If he did, he would have told us all how to enter the competition as well!"

Arra let out an exasperated growl, "Ugh! You are so stupid!" She said, hitting him in the shoulder, "Harry never entered his name!"

"Oh, and I'm supposed to just believe that?" Ron said with malice in his voice.

Arra's eyes widened, "Yes! You are!"

"Why?!" He roared.

"Because he's your best friend!!!" She yelled, standing on her tiptoes so she was right in Ron's face, holding his furious grin with a matching one of her own.

"Is that why you're still hanging around him then? Because you're best friends?" He asked quietly, not moving from his position.

Arra blinked, "Of course. W-why else would I still be talking to him?" She stuttered.

He raised his eyebrows, "It seems to me as if now would be the perfect opportunity for a smart girl such as yourself to sweep in on the vulnerable Harry and be his shoulder to cry on. Or do you no longer have those kind of feelings for Harry?" He asked, already knowing the truthful answer.

She scowled, "No matter how I feel about Harry, or he feels about me, I will always be there for him when he needs me, one hundred percent."

Ron stepped back from her, "You know, you really are a very talented liar, Arra. No wonder the sorting hat originally put you in Slytherin." And he walked away with a satisfied grin.

"Cheap shot." She muttered as he turned the corner. She turned on her heel and headed towards the library. "And I wasn't lying." She mumbled to herself. Of course she would always be there for Harry even if her love for him was unrequited. She stopped walking. Will I though? She thought to herself and continued her steps. What if he and Cho end up going out and get married? Will I still be able to be his friend without letting my feelings get in the way? Will I always just be introduced as 'Arra, the friend'? What if I end up spending my life pining away for Harry in the back of a church where he promises himself to someone else for the rest of his life? I used to think it would be simple, that I would rather have Harry as a friend than not at all, but what Ron said…

Subconsciously, her feet had led her to the library, where Harry was waiting for her. She stood outside, looking in, knowing what would happen if she entered. If she continued to let Harry lean on her in his time of need and push her own feelings back, it would just keep breaking her down until nothing was left. She would be regarded as nothing but a friend, forever.

"No." She said with a stern face to no one in particular. "No more." She turned on her heel and left the library behind her with her head held high.

***

For the next two weeks, Arra felt much better than she had in a very long time. It was as if a huge weight had been lifted from her shoulders, and she could now walk with her usual peppy step without having it push her back down. She had pretty much avoided Harry at all costs, except for a glance or gesture once and a while. And even those were never sincere as they once were. She felt like she was no longer stuck in that weird "friend zone", and she could move on to the bashing and picture burning stage of moving on from Harry. Most of this she had been doing with Draco.

At her request, Draco dropped the suggestive remarks and gestures, as she just wasn't ready to put herself through anything like that yet. However, they had been spending a lot of time together, just as friends, which Arra enjoyed, as Draco happened to be the best Potter-basher in all of Hogwarts.

Arra woke on November 24th with a smile, just as she had everyday for the past two weeks. Her smile faltered though when she remembered that today was the first task. She had never helped Harry prep for the competition, and she hoped he would be ready. Even if she had ended their relationship, she still didn't want him to be hurt or dead. Draco did, however, as he had acted out several comical and gruesome possibilities of what could happen to Harry during the competition, all of which entertained Arra.

"Wake up, Hermione." Arra said, tossing a pillow on her best friends sleeping body.

"You're up early, Arra. I take it you're new plan is working effectively?" Hermione asked sleepily. Arra had explained her rationale of avoiding Harry soon after deciding herself.

Arra nodded with a smile, sitting down at the vanity to apply her makeup.

Hermione smiled and got up out of bed, walking over to Arra and leaning down to look at her in the mirror. "Well, I'm happy if you're happy. It's good to have you back to your normal self. I was beginning to miss my best friend." She said, hugging Arra.

"Thanks, Hermione." Arra said. "We should be going soon, we want to get a good seat for the tournament." Hermione agreed and they were soon on their way.

Approaching the Quidditch pitch, Arra was astounded at it's new look. They had transformed it into an arena fit for a great competition. Off to the side, there was a small tent.

"Oh, let's go see if Harry is in there! We should wish him good luck!" Hermione said, dragging Arra behind her. They approached the white sheet separating them from the champions. "Psst! Psst! Harry are you in there?" Hermione whispered.

"Hermione?" Harry's voice said from the other side. As he poked his head through the opening. Upon seeing him, Hermione pulled him into a hug, causing him to stumble backwards into the tent. Arra, not wanting to look stupid just standing outside the tent, slowly followed silently.

"You remember the spell, right?" Hermione asked worriedly.

Harry sighed, "Yes, Hermione. Don't worry, I'll be fine." He said, more like he was trying to convince himself rather than her. "Oh," He said noticing Arra, as he was probably surprised to see her, "Hey Arra."

She gave a quick insincere smile, "Hey." And started to look around the tent where the other three champions were each absorbed in their own activities, just to avoid his eyes.

Harry frowned in confusion. "Okay…," He turned back to Hermione, "Well, you'd better get going to get a good seat."

Hermione nodded, "Good luck, Harry. Come on, Arra."

Arra started walking towards the exit, "Actually," Harry stopped them, "Can I talk to you for a minute, Arra?" He asked.

Arra raised her eyebrows, glanced at Hermione and said, "Go on ahead, I'll meet up with you in the stands." Hermione nodded and left the tent.

Arra turned to Harry, "What's up?" She asked casually, folding her arms across her chest.

Harry started, "Um, how are you?"

Arra frowned, "Fine. Is that all you wanted?" She asked rudely.

Harry sighed, "What happened to you?"

Arra shook her head, "What are you talking about?"

"You're just…different. We were on the same page, just like normal, and then you just started being rude to me and hardly even talking to me. You changed and I don't know why."

Arra let out a single laugh, "I changed?"

Harry knitted his brow, "Yes. You ignore me and spend all of your time with Malfoy. It's like you're trying to ruin our relationship!"

Arra's jaw dropped and eyes widened. "Wait, let me get this straight." She said, walking closer to him. "You think that I am the one who ruined this?" She gestured between them. "Wow, you are so thickheaded."

"What did I do?" Harry asked. "I've been completely nice to you all this time. I've done nothing wrong."

Arra leaned up and got right in his face, "Think about it. I'm sure you could come up with a few reasons if you try really hard." She turned on her heel and went to the tent exit and turned back. "Good luck." She said, her words having two meanings.

She left the tent in a huff, shaking her head as if trying to get her thoughts of Harry to fall out. She found Ron and Hermione sitting up in the crowd, waiting intently for the competition to start. She approached and took a seat next to Ron with Hermione on his other side. She shot Arra a questioning glance, to which Arra shook her head. Hermione gave her a sympathetic smile and turned her attention back to the arena, where Cedric Diggory was emerging from the tent to face his dragon.

Arra tried to watch with interest, but her mind was preoccupied. She sighed.

"So what did Harry want?" Ron asked quietly to Arra, only loud enough for her to hear.

Arra glanced at him, "What does it matter to you?"

He stayed quiet for a while before finally saying, "I think you made the right choice."

She frowned, "What?"

"About the whole not talking to Harry thing." He said. "Hermione told me." He added when he saw her confused face.

She nodded. "Oh. I guess I have you to thank for that."

He smirked, "You're welcome. But did you really have to choose Malfoy for your next victim? I mean, of all the blokes in Hogwarts who would fight a thousand dragons just to go on a date with you, you picked Malfoy."

Arra stifled a laugh. "Like you said, I was originally in Slytherin. We are quite sneaky and unpredictable."

Ron rolled his eyes, "Well I just think you could do a hell of a lot better."

"I had better." Arra said. "But he changed his mind about me." She said with a twinge of sadness in her voice.

"Harry is an idiot."

"You're only saying that because you're still mad at him." Arra pointed out.

"That could be part of it, but he really is an idiot for letting you go."

She smiled, "Thanks."

Just as she said it, the crowd erupted in cheers as Cedric reached his Golden Egg and finished the task. The rest of the competition Arra watched with mild interest until Harry emerged from the tent nervously. She watched as he gingerly tried to get closer to the egg until the furious Hungarian Horntail slammed it's tail down in Harry's path. Arra cringed and realized that she had no idea what Harry was going to do. She had never asked or bothered to help, and was now regretting her decision. Harry dodged the Dragon a few more times before raising his wand and shouting a spell which Arra didn't hear. She waited for something to happen to the dragon as a cause of his spell, but nothing happened. Arra clutched the bottom of her scarf and began to pull it apart in nervousness until she heard something behind her. It was a whooshing sound, as if something were flying in the air, and turned around just in time to see Harry's Firebolt broomstick come sailing into the arena, straight to Harry.

"Yes!" Arra shouted, ecstatic that Harry did have a plan after all. He jumped on the broom and began to fly around, confusing the dragon and dodging its attacks with ease before finally swooping down and grabbing the egg.

"Yeah! Go Harry!" The crowd, along with Arra, went wild.

"Party in the Gryffindor common room!" Dean Thomas shouted as the Gryffindors all went crazy with excitement once again.

***

Music was blaring, everyone was dancing, and Harry was the center of attention at the party later on. Arra stared at him with a smile until Ron came up to her. "So much for ignoring him." He said.

"It's kind of hard to with all of this going on." She said, grinning. "I'm glad you two made up though." Ron and Harry had reconciled at the beginning of the party.

Ron shrugged, "What can I say? He is my best mate."

Arra rolled her eyes, "Shut up."

Harry then walked up to them. "What are you two doing over here? Why aren't you enjoying the party?" He asked.

Ron answered for them both, "Just needed some air, but I think I'll go find Hermione now." And he left.

Harry and Arra were left awkwardly staring at each other. "Congratulations." Arra finally said, "That was definitely impressive, really good." She said sincerely.

Harry nodded, "Thanks." He looked back at the ground before grabbing her hand suddenly. "Come on." And pulling her out of the common room and into an empty classroom.

After shutting the door, he let go of her hand and paced across the room, so that there was a good 10 feet separating them. They stared at each other for a long time, staying silent until Harry finally spoke up. "I'm sorry."

Arra blinked, she wasn't expecting an apology. "For what?"

Harry took a step closer to her. "Everything. The letters over the summer, ignoring you, falling for someone else." He said the last bit very quietly. "I never meant to hurt you. You know I would never hurt you, but, it just sort of…happened."

Arra took a deep breath, trying to keep her voice calm and not let her breaking heart show, "Ok."

Harry took another step. "Ok? As in, we're ok? We can go back to normal?"

Arra shook her head, "You know I can't do that."

"Can you try?" He asked hopefully.

"No. How can you expect me to just go back to the way we used to be? I can't just sit back and be your best friend while you're over there snogging that Ravenclaw bitch!" She was getting angry now.

Harry tried to stay calm. "One, I've never snogged Cho. I've hardly even talked to her. Two, who says I even like her? Who says I even like anyone? Honestly Arra, I really don't even have time to think about relationships right now with this tournament and everything. With Cho, with you, with anyone. Three, I need you. I know it sounds selfish and insensitive, but I do. I need you." During his speech, he had closed the gap between them and placed his hands on her upper arms, holding her in place so that he could look at her. "Please." He said, pulling her to him and wrapping his strong arms around her.

Arra closed her eyes, resting her head against his chest. Slowly, she raised her arms from their place at her sides and snaked them around Harry's body, squeezing herself to him, never wanting to let go. She opened her eyes to let a single tear roll down her cheek. She inhaled a shaky breath, and Harry must have sensed that she was on the brink of crying, as he pulled her even closer and ran his hand up and down her back, speaking soothing words to her.

Without moving from their position, Arra dared to speak in a calm voice, "I don't know if I can do that Harry."

He pulled his head back to look at her, but still held on to her closely. "Just be my friend again. No strings attached. To Cho, or you or anyone. I really don't have time for anything besides a friend right now anyways. And who knows what will happen with us if we just go back to normal. Whenever I've ever imagined a future with anyone, it's always with you. But I can't promise you anything right now besides friendship. I won't hurt you again. I promise."

Arra looked down at the ground, she could feel her insides melting at his words, wanting to keep holding him. But a tiny voice in the back of her head was telling her that this was not a good idea. However, when she looked back up into his green eyes, everything else going on in her head immediately shut up.

Slowly, she nodded. "Ok."

Harry's face split into a grin, "Thank you." He said, pulling her back into another hug. But even though Harry was ecstatic, Arra couldn't help but let another tear fall from her eye onto his shirt. And she didn't even care if it stained.

Hope you all enjoyed it! And be sure to review! And tell me any good books you know! :) Peace out, kids!