Disclaimer: I am not JK Rowling nor do I own Harry Potter. See previous chapters.
A/N: What's this? Yes, I am still alive =) I know you were used to quite regular updates from me. Believe me, I would love to regularly update this story because I can't wait to see what happens next either. Unfortunately, I'm quite literally smack dab in the middle of my final exams (I'm actually supposed to be studying right now – oops!). But I needed a break so I thought I'd post this chapter up. Unfortunately, real life has a habit of getting in the way of things that we want to do. Hopefully you guys haven't forgotten me or this story yet =) Oh, and please read my author's note at the end of the chapter too. Anyway, on with the story. I hope you enjoy it!
Last time:
"And," Hermione said pausing, almost as if considering whether or not she should say anything more. "I'm really glad you're back and that you're safe," she added before quickly walking out and shutting the door behind her.
Chapter 17
Genevieve Harrington was not impressed.
She thought that she had succeeded in putting Hermione Granger in her place. Now with the latest stunt, Hermione was once again the apple of Dumbledore's eyes and the center of Harry's attentions.
Genevieve knew going into Hogwarts that she would have to compete with the school's golden girl but she didn't think it would be that difficult. For the most part she was right. Anyone with eyes can see that Genevieve was leagues above Hermione. She was prettier, richer, smarter, not to mention a pureblood. But Genevieve also knew that the old coot preferred Granger over her. Fortunately, he had the stupid tendency to give everyone the benefit of the doubt and so was too nice to fight against the Board members when they gave Genevieve the Head Girl. Genevieve smirked. Dumbledore was too idealistic for his own good. Still, she would've liked the old coot on her side if only to have the whole school wrapped around her fingers. When he asked Hermione to go on the mission instead of her, Genevieve was disappointed even though she knew why he was wary of her. Not that Genevieve was eager to take on such a dangerous task – she just wished it didn't turn out so well. Now Dumbledore had renewed admiration for Hermione and Harry was once again interested in strengthening their friendship, leaving Genevieve to the wayside. This simply would not do. So Genevieve set out to reclaim her place at the top.
She knew the only way she could regain their attention was to do something as heroic as what Hermione did, but in true Harrington fashion, do it better. So she recruited Ron to help her. She fed him some story about how she was inspired by Hermione's bravery to try and help the cause (which he ate up like the good lapdog that he was) and they spent the days after Hermione's return in the library researching the possible locations of the remaining Horcruxes. Finally, a few days later she found out where two Horcruxes were. Turns out, Granger was on the right track with the heirloom idea.
When Hermione came back successfully with the locket, Genevieve decided to go and visit her uncle who had married a direct descendant of Helga Hufflepuff. What's more, they actually lived in Hufflepuff's residence, after her aunt inherited the estate as part of her dowry. It pays to have pureblood connections. It was too easy, really. Her aunt was a true Hufflepuff – loyal, kind…and extremely gullible. Genevieve mentioned something about wanting to learn more about the Founders of Hogwarts and her aunt eagerly jumped at the chance to show her the Hufflepuff family history.
Genevieve was getting extremely bored when near the end of the tour her aunt led her down into the cellar. The cellar itself was not spectacular. In fact, it looked like it hadn't been used in years. There were cobwebs and dust all around and Genevieve saw a pile of abandoned sacks in one corner. However, she could also feel the strong presence of magic pulsing around her, just out of reach. Her aunt walked over to a run-down looking cupboard. She opened one of the doors with a creak revealing Hufflepuff's cup.
"Oh Aunt!" Genevieve exclaimed in mock surprise. "Is that really – no, it can't be!"
"Indeed it is my dear," her aunt said with a proud smile. "Helga Hufflepuff's cup. It's been in my family for generations. Appearances can be deceiving. That cupboard might not look like much but it has the strongest protection charms you would ever find."
"Oh! Dumbledore would love to be able to see this!" Genevieve gushed.
"I'm afraid I can't take it out of the house my dear. Too precious, you see."
Genevieve hung her head down, faking disappointment. "Of course, I understand. It would just be so great – such a privilege to be able to bring it to Hogwarts. It would mean so much to everyone to see such an important piece of history, even for just a short time."
"Well," her aunt replied slowly. "I suppose one little visit couldn't hurt. Helga Hufflepuff helped build the school after all."
Genevieve didn't want her actions to be considered a "follow-up" to Hermione's so she waited until she had a lead on another Horcrux before letting Dumbledore know about the cup. Oddly enough, Ron was the one who gave her a big clue. Guess he wasn't completely useless. He was able to find the school's detailed blueprints which included all the enchantments that surrounded the castle. When Genevieve compared it to the drawings of the Chamber of Secrets (commissioned by Dumbledore upon its discovery so that they knew exactly what was in there) she noticed something very odd. With a triumphant grin she made her way to Dumbledore's office with Ron in tow.
oOoOoOoOo
"Professor! I have something to – " Genevieve's excited tone dropped when she noticed that Dumbledore was talking to two other students. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt."
"It's alright Ms. Harrington," Dumbledore said, smiling as he looked up at her. "I was just checking in with Ms. Granger and Mr. Potter." By now, both Harry and Hermione had turned to face her. "Now, you wanted to say something?"
"If you need privacy, we're going to leave now Professor," Hermione offered standing up.
"Nonsense," Genevieve grinned. This was turning out better than she thought. "What I have to say actually concerns you too. Well, all of us," she stated, revealing Ron behind her.
"Well in that case Ms. Harrington, please proceed," said Dumbledore.
The excited gleam was back in her eyes now. "I know where to find a horcrux – two, in fact." She looked at Hermione then, a challenge in her eyes.
"Two, you say?" Dumbledore asked, intrigued.
"Well, as soon as is convenient for you, my aunt will promptly bring over Hufflepuff's cup," Genevieve stated nonchalantly, as if her aunt was simply bringing a tin of cookies over.
"Well I shall make the arrangements at once," Dumbledore replied eagerly. "And the other?"
"I believe that the Riddle Ring is right under our noses," Genevieve began and paused. Oh how she loved keeping them in suspense. The fact that she had their attention didn't hurt either. "I compared the school's blueprints with the map of the Chamber of Secrets." She snapped her fingers and Ron moved forward and spread the maps on Dumbledore's desk. "Do you see the dead end in this tunnel here? It's located just past the anti-apparition wards surrounding the school. It looks like whoever built the Chamber took great pains into making sure this part of it made it past the school's border. Just past the border and nothing more. There's less than 2 feet of space that goes beyond the wards – just enough space for one person to stand in. I'm betting that it isn't a dead end at all. My guess is that the wall itself is a Portkey that would lead the person who touches it somewhere else. Somewhere secret – the perfect place to hide a horcrux."
Genevieve thoroughly enjoyed their stunned faces. Her explanation seemed reasonable so all of them promptly made their way downstairs towards the infamous girl's bathroom with Dumbledore in the lead. The Headmaster didn't want anyone to get hurt if anything should go wrong so he ordered them to stay in the bathroom and wait for him to come back out of the Chamber of Secrets. Dumbledore came back up a few minutes later, weakened from destroying the Horcrux, but with a triumphant smile nonetheless. Everyone cheered and congratulated Genevieve. When Harry hugged Genevieve, Hermione swore she saw the girl smirk at her behind Harry's back but it was gone so quickly she couldn't be sure.
"I suppose I better contact your aunt Ms. Harrington," Dumbledore said still smiling.
"Of course Professor," Genevieve replied returning the smile.
"I should go return these," Ron said as Dumbledore walked away.
"I'll go help you," Harry offered. He turned around. "Good job Gen! That was awesome!" The two boys left the bathroom in high spirits leaving Genevieve and Hermione.
"Well done Genevieve," Hermione offered.
"Just spit it out Hermione," Genevieve said in a bored tone.
"What?"
"Oh c'mon just say it," Genevieve scoffed. "You're wondering why I did it – why I had to rain on your little parade by once again outshining you. Why I had to find two horcruxes to beat your latest heroic feat."
"No," Hermione denied, though deep down she was wondering the exact same thing. "I wasn't – it doesn't matter who does it. As long as Voldemort gets defeated, that's the important thing."
"As long as Voldemort gets defeated," Genevieve repeated, mocking Hermione's voice. "That's why you'll never get anywhere Granger. You're weak. Unlike you, I'm not afraid to do what it takes to get what I want. I'm going places and you – no one will even remember your name."
Hermione stood there stunned as Genevieve walked away.
oOoOoOoOo
It was a cold, dreary day - too cold considering the time of the year. The clouds were dark and grey in the sky above, casting a gloomy mood on the surroundings. A roar of thunder was heard in the distance, almost like an omen for the events to follow.
Cedric turned around to find a brown bush of hair attack him.
"Oof! Hermione," Cedric admonished laughing as he loosened her hold on him.
"I have a bad feeling about this," Hermione whispered looking up into Cedric's eyes.
He gently took her face in his hands. "Don't worry," he said caressing her cheek. "I'm sure Dumbledore wouldn't put anything in there that we can't handle."
Hermione leaned into his touch. "I'm scared for you. You and Harry. I can't handle it if something happened to either one of you." She opened her eyes and gazed fiercely into his. "Let me come with you. I'll use Harry's cloak and help you both out. No one will have to know. I'm coming."
"You know I can't do that Hermione," Cedric laughed softly. "It's against the rules. Besides, I'd be too distracted. I wouldn't be able to handle it if anything happened to you." He rested his forehead against hers and closed his eyes reveling in the feeling of her breath mixing with his. Finally, he closed the distance between their lips and kissed Hermione with all he had.
Hermione immediately responded and matched his burning intensity. It was the most desperate kiss Hermione ever had but at the same time, it was the softest. It had the gentleness only Cedric could pull off, as if she was the most fragile thing in the world and he was afraid of hurting or breaking her. Cedric was the one who first broke off. Hermione moaned at the loss of contact.
"You better go," he said giving her the crooked grin she loved so much. "If Rita Skeeter finds you here she'll tell people you're after Fleur next. I'll be fine Hermione, I promise. I'll look out for Potter too." He turned to go.
As Hermione started walking away he spoke again, stopping her in her tracks. "Hermione," he said. Hermione turned around. "If something happens to me in there, promise me you'll keep going. Promise me that you won't give up. I'm not the only one who needs you. People need you Hermione Granger. The world needs you."
"No, Cedric! Come back!" Hermione desperately tried to scream. She tried to warn him but nothing would come out.
Suddenly, Cedric was gone and in his place was Genevieve's mocking face.
"It's your fault Cedric died you know," she mocked. "Because you're weak. No one will even remember your name."
Hermione was about to deny it. Tell her it wasn't her fault. But suddenly Genevieve disappeared and Hermione found herself in a strange setting. She was sure she had never been there before but it seemed eerily familiar. She could feel a thick fog rolling in but it was too dark to see anything.
Suddenly, a bright flash illuminated everything, revealing two disoriented figures.
"What just happened?" the first one asked. His clothes were disheveled and his black hair was just as messy. "Lumos!"
Harry! Hermione recognized.
"I don't know," the other answered, lighting his wand as well. Dirt was smudged all over his clothes, some finding its way to his brown hair. "The cup must've been a Portkey."
Cedric! Hermione couldn't breathe. No! This can't be happening! I can't be where I think I am!
Sure enough, as she looked around she saw gravestones everywhere – she was in a graveyard. She wanted to scream. She wanted to run to them and warn them. She wanted to hold Cedric in her arms. But no matter how hard she tried she couldn't move. She had never felt so helpless in her entire life. It was as if she was watching a 3D movie. Everything was around her, 3 dimensional, as if she was really there but she wasn't, not really. She was simply watching everything unfold before her.
At that moment, Harry noticed his surroundings.
"Cedric, get back to the cup!" He urged but it was too late. A figure had emerged from the shadows.
"Who are you? What do you want?" Cedric demanded, gripping his wand tightly before him.
The figure was finally illuminated by wand light – Wormtail. A cold voice called out in the shadows. "Kill the spare."
"Avada Kedavra!"
"No!" Hermione woke up screaming, her hand outstretched in an effort to stop the curse. Her body started shaking. She could feel wet tears run down her face. Great, heaving sobs of anguish tore through her heart but she never noticed any of it. She just kept seeing Cedric's lifeless eyes staring at her from the ground. Hermione knew that she would never forget the empty look in his eyes for as long as she lived.
Eventually, she calmed down. Luckily, she had learned to put silencing charms around her bed curtains back in 1st year, in an effort to block out Lavender and Parvati's loud chatter at night. Thus, no one had heard her scream. Ever since Voldemort showed her his memory of that night, she had been plagued by nightmares of Cedric's death. She hadn't had a decent night's sleep since.
Wearily, she put on her dressing gown, got out of bed, and headed for the one place where she could think.
oOoOoOoOo
"I'm surrounded by imbeciles! How can a mere, mudblood girl possibly escape from an army of Deatheaters?!" Voldemort's rage shook his servants to the core.
"A t-t-thousand apologies, m-m-my Lord," Wormtail stuttered kneeling at Voldemort's feet. "W-w-e will not m-m-make the s-same mistake again."
"We have brought you something to help, ah, take your mind off things, my Lord." Lucius walked in the room, his robes billowing behind him. The rest of the Deatheaters filed in behind him. Lucius snapped his fingers and summoned a house elf. "Bring Draco in here at once!" he commanded. "He should really be here for this," he sneered. The other Deatheaters chuckled behind him.
Upon receiving the summons, Draco apprehensively walked into the living room. What he found was much worse than he could ever imagine.
The first thing he noticed before entering were the sounds. A woman was screaming while another was sobbing uncontrollably. He also heard the sound of heavy blows and a man moaning in pain. When he entered he noticed that all the Deatheaters had conjugated in the living room. They had formed a semicircle around the room with the opening toward the door so that Draco had a clear view of what was happening as soon as he entered.
On the right side, a man was being beaten mercilessly on the floor. Five DeathEaters took turns kicking and punching him while he moaned in pain. Two women – a middle-aged woman and a girl who looked to be about Draco's age – were watching the beating near him. They were the source of the other sounds. DeathEaters held them captive as the older woman sobbed and the young girl screamed.
"Stop! Stop it! I'll give up my magic, I promise!" The young girl, whom Draco presumed was the daughter of the other two, screamed and implored.
Lucius turned to his son. "Ah Draco, it's so nice of you to join us. Come in, come in."
Draco felt sick to his stomach. He wanted nothing more than to turn and run from the room but he knew he had no choice. He realized that he was standing frozen in the entryway and he willed his feet to move.
"This is what happens when Mudbloods try to steal magic from us," Lucius continued. "They have to be taught a lesson. Mudbloods don't deserve magic."
The DeathEaters in the room murmured their agreement.
"Don't you agree Draco?" Lucius asked.
"Yes Father," Draco answered tonelessly as the sound of the girl's screams continued to fill the room.
"Enough," said Lucius with a sneer. "I'm bored. Let's make this more interesting." He snapped his fingers.
The Deatheater holding the young girl pulled her away from her family toward the middle of the room. She started to struggle and scream even louder. Her mother and father's screams joined hers as well. Draco watched in horror as they started to strip the young girl in front of her parents.
"Please!" Her father implored. Her mother screamed.
"Avada Kedavra!" Green light shot from the other end of the room hitting the father in the chest. Another one came and hit the mother, silencing them both forever.
Draco turned to the left to find Snape calmly holding his wand outstretched.
"Severus, must you ruin all the fun?" Lucius asked disapprovingly.
"They wouldn't shut up," Snape answered simply. He caught Draco's eye for a moment then turned his attention back to the center of the room.
Draco followed his gaze and watched in horror as one by one, the Deatheaters took turns with the girl. He was so disgusted he wanted to vomit but he could feel Voldemort's eyes watching him intently from the far side of the room. He felt horrible and guilty that he didn't have the courage to do something for the girl and her family. A girl who could've easily been a student at Hogwarts – someone's schoolmate, someone's friend. A girl who could've easily been Granger.
"Draco," Lucius' voice finally gave Draco an excuse to look away. "Take her away," he said with a malicious sneer. "The first time can be…unique." The Deatheaters laughed. "We'll let you have the privacy of one of the bedrooms."
Two Deatheaters shoved the girl in his direction and Draco caught her in his arms. By now the girl had fallen silent. She simply stared at her parents' bodies while tears streamed down her cheeks. Draco wanted to do anything but touch her. He wasn't sure he could handle it. But for her sake and his, he carried her bridal style out of the room and smirked at the Deatheaters for show. He left the room to the sound of cheering and catcalls.
Once he was alone with the girl in the quiet of the hallway, Draco didn't know what to do. He looked down at the girl's bruised and broken body and he felt so sickened at what they had done to her that he wanted to run away. But he knew he couldn't simply abandon her. Instead, he gently loosened his hold on her to make her more comfortable as he walked aimlessly down the hall. He didn't know where to bring her. He just knew he wanted to get as far away from the living room as possible.
"Please." The girl whispered softly breaking the silence. "Please," she repeated.
Draco looked down. Their eyes met. He saw such emptiness in them, his heart broke for her. He knew that he would never forget her lifeless eyes for as long as he lived.
"My parents…" she trailed off. "Thank that man for me…for sparing my parents." "Please," she implored looking into Draco's eyes. "No more pain. Please, no more."
Draco felt his cheeks become wet and he realized he was crying. He knew what he had to do. With a trembling hand, he lifted his wand and pointed it at her heart. The girl closed her eyes and a look of peace took over her features.
"Avada Kedavra."
The green light glowed and the girl's body became limp in Draco's arms.
With a huge, shuddering breath, Draco woke with a start. Another nightmare. When he realized that he was in his bed at Hogwarts and not at the Manor, he tried to calm himself and stop himself from shaking.
Knowing that he would only see the young girl dead in his arms if he tried to close his eyes, Draco got up, grabbed his cloak, and went for a walk.
oOoOoOoOo
"I don't have my broom to save you again, you know."
Draco's feet had unconsciously carried him to the Astronomy Tower where he found a familiar silhouette leaning by one of the windows.
The figure jumped at his voice and turned around.
"I wasn't going to jump," Hermione said with a sad smile. She turned back to look out of the window. Draco moved into the room and joined her.
"Can't sleep?"
"You can say that," she replied, still looking at the night sky. "You?"
"Same here."
They both knew something bigger plagued the other but neither wanted to push.
After a few moments, Hermione broke the silence. "When did the world get so screwed up?" she asked softly. Draco looked at her then but her gaze remained fixed on the landscape. "How can people do things that seem – that are – so good and yet do them for completely selfish reasons? How can someone seem so great and be rewarded for it when they're completely horrid?" she continued, thinking of Genevieve.
"While other people seem like complete bastards and do horrendous things but for the right reasons," he agreed, thinking of Snape.
"It's all about façades and expectations. All that 'Be Yourself' crap is bull. No one cares about who you really are. You give people what they want or you get left on the wayside."
"People see what they want to see." Draco shrugged, causing his arm to brush against Hermione's. A night breeze blew in their direction.
Hermione shivered. Whether from the cold or the contact, she wasn't sure. Suddenly, she felt the warmth of a heavy cloak being placed over her shoulders. She turned to Draco.
"Thank you." She said while adjusting the cloak. She tried really hard to refrain from taking a big whiff of his comforting smell. For some reason his personal scent calmed her.
"No worries," he replied. "It's getting chilly up here. What do you say we move to a warmer location? I don't particularly relish the thought of Peeves catching us up here either."
"Or Mrs. Norris," Hermione added with a smile, making Draco wonder just how often she wandered around at night. "Warmer sounds good."
oOoOoOoOo
Draco led the way to Sophie's suite. When they entered, Draco checked on a sleeping Sophie and then closed the door to her room, casting the same one-way silencing spell he had before. He went to the kitchen and grabbed two hot mugs of butterbeer and handed one to Hermione before sitting across from her on a couch.
"What do you want to do once you get out of Hogwarts?" Hermione asked once they were comfortably settled in front of a fire.
"It's not really up to me."
"But if you could be anything, what would you be? Have you never dreamed of doing a specific thing?"
"Honestly, I've never given it much thought. It was always assumed that I would take over the family business. I was never given much choice so I just resigned myself to that fate." Draco answered. "How about you?"
"I don't know."
"What?! Hermione Granger doesn't have a master plan? I thought for sure you'd have every second of the next 20 years planned out by now!"
"Very funny," Hermione countered dryly. "Actually, I really don't know. Wait, scratch that. I know what I should be doing."
"And what's that?"
"My parents want me to leave Hogwarts and become a dentist so I can take over the family business."
"What's a dentist?"
"It's like a healer but for teeth. Both my parents are dentists so naturally, they expect me to become one too."
"And you don't want to be one?"
"No," Hermione sighed. "To be honest, I find it quite boring. I don't want to spend the rest of my life looking at people's teeth. Plus, my parents want me to quit magic."
"Quit magic?" Draco asked in shock. "But you can't just quit magic – it's in your blood! It's part of who you are."
"I know, that's what I've been trying to tell them. The wizarding world is part of my life now. But my parents think that this is just a phase, like a hobby or something. Now that they've indulged me for long enough, they expect me to go back to the muggle world and live the life they've planned for me."
Sounds familiar. Draco thought. "What do you want to do?" Draco asked Hermione. He repeated her earlier question. "If you could be anything, what would you be?"
"You'd probably think it's stupid."
"Try me."
"I want to be an ambassador for the Department of International Magical Cooperation. You know, be the Ministry's ambassador to another country or to another group of creatures. I'm really interested in international relations. Hopefully someday, I'll move up and become the Minister of Foreign and External Affairs and be in charge of all our relations with other countries, creatures, and muggles – everything like that. But that's like my ultimate dream. It's not exactly realistic. It'll probably never happen."
"Why do you say that? You're Granger, you can do anything."
"Did Draco Malfoy just compliment me?" Hermione smirked. "Thanks, but seriously though, have you looked at me lately?"
"I'm looking at you now," Draco answered matter-of-factly. "I still don't see the problem."
"I'm Hermione Granger – muggleborn. Or as some would prefer to say it, Mudblood."
Draco cringed.
Hermione continued. "The wizarding world isn't exactly the most open-minded society out there," she said pointedly. "The Ministry still wants Purebloods to represent them to other countries and other creatures. Wouldn't want someone inferior to be the face of the Ministry. They want the best of the best."
"But you are the best of the best," Draco countered.
I thought so once. "Again, thanks for the vote of confidence, but a lot of people can attest to the fact that I'm not," she replied. She sighed. "Besides, it doesn't matter anyway. Much like in the muggle world, you need a lot of connections to be an ambassador. Education and skills can only get you so far. In this line of work, it's really more about who you know and who knows you."
"But you're Potter's best friend. You're attached to the hip – like an extra arm or leg or something. Every time he saves the world, you're right there with him. People definitely know who you are. Connections wouldn't be a problem. I'm sure Scarhead can use his almighty 'Potter-ness' to pull some strings."
"While that might be fine for some people," Hermione said looking pointedly at Draco who then shrugged innocently. "I want to get hired on my own merit."
"Granger, always the noble one," Draco said jokingly.
You're weak. Unlike you, I'm not afraid to do what it takes to get what I want. Genevieve's words rang through Hermione's head.
"Yup, that's me," she answered Draco softly.
Both students fell silent, each deep in their own thoughts.
Draco still couldn't believe that Granger had such a low opinion of herself. She had always seemed so strong and confident, well, except for the whole throwing herself off the tower thing. But aside from that, she was always on top of everything. Draco even found himself jealous of her at times. She was always a force to be reckoned with. To find out that she had insecurities was a bit disconcerting. Still, her insecurities are illogical. If the last 6 years were anything to go by, she's unstoppable. If Draco didn't know any better, he would say she was superhuman. School aside, with what she had done with Potter, the DA, and the Order (and Draco got a good glimpse of that when she was captured in the Manor), he couldn't imagine anyone thinking lowly of themselves in her situation. And with everything that's happened she still managed to retain her innocence and her faith in people and was still willing to help others out. Like him and Sophie. The more time he spent with her when she's with Sophie or when they're patrolling or times like these, and the more Draco got to know Hermione as a person, the more he realized how amazing she really is. He would never tell her so, of course.
He noticed then that they had been silent for quite some time. He looked in her direction.
"Do you – " Draco stopped as he found Hermione curled up on the couch, fast asleep. She still had his cloak but it was bunched up by her legs. With a soft smile, he quietly walked over and straightened his cloak over her sleeping form. He paused for a moment, watching her face by the glow of the fire. It slightly pained him to see that she didn't look as peaceful as when he saw her sleeping with Sophie – before she got caught in the Manor with Voldemort. He sighed. Even in our sleep we can't get away from the bastard. He then stood up, extinguished the fire, and quietly walked out of the room.
A/N:
There you go – an extra long chapter to make up for being away for a few weeks. A lot of stuff happened in this one so please tell me what you think! Reviews would be greatly appreciated and would be a bright spot in my currently stressful days =)On another note, after my finals I have to move out of my dorm room and then I have to do my practical rotations for the whole month of May. Fun, fun, fun…not. So because I will be really busy for the next month or so, the next update might not come until the end of May. It sucks but that's real life. I will try to get stuff up earlier if I can but I can't make any guarantees. I know a lot of other authors out there take way longer than a month between updates, but I thought I'd give you guys a heads up so that you're not wondering if I abandoned this story if you don't hear from me for a while.
That's another reason why I tried to leave you with an extra long chapter. So please, please review to tell me what you think and to help keep me going! Thanks for your support! I hope you stick with this story!