A/N: So I know I haven't updated in a really long time, so I'm really really sorry. To make up for it, I'm going to post a Fremione fic within a week, set in an AU where Fred lives. So, check that out! In other news, I went to the beach today and it was awesome, albeit cold. And I haven't put a disclaimer up, so I'll do that now: I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER, THIS IS PURELY FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT OF ME AND MY PEERS. HARRY POTTER IS OWNED BY MY QUEEN AND GODDESS, J. K. ROWLING.

This chapter is dedicated to BladeChaser, who has given me what I need to keep going, and to FeatherQuill12, who writes amazing stories in part inspires my writing, too.

A few days later James had woken up and Dusty was going to surprise him at the infirmary with a concert. Madam Patil had told them it was okay, and Dusty wanted Scorpius to get used to singing in front of other people. So Dusty had made sure that James was sleeping and snuck into the hospital wing with Scorpius in tow.

"Shh, shh, alright, Dusty, come over here," Rose whispered, careful to not wake James up. Everyone cringed when Dusty pulled her guitar out of its case and a string went off very loudly. Luckily, James slept like a dead flobberworm. When everyone was in position, Lily leaned over her older brother and shook him gently.

"James, wake up," she cooed softly, and tried again when he didn't budge. After that she tried again, and again, and again, and again, until turning to the last resort. "James, wake up!" she exclaimed hurriedly. "Quidditch today and you're already late!" His eyes shot open and he sat up instantly, only to lay down again when his head pounded.

"Lily, damn you and your evilness," he mumbled, and suddenly saw Dusty. His eyes widened and his mouth opened as if to say something, but no sound came out. She smiled sympathetically and began plucking her guitar strings.

"Hold on, to me as we go," Dusty sang, Scorpius harmonizing with her. Rose, Lily, Albus, and Hugo gaped at them, with James looking rather confused. Dusty grinned at the reactions, but kept her eyes on James the entire time. After all, she thought this song fit his situation perfectly.

"Just know you're not alone," they crooned, putting as much emotion into their words as they could. The song soon sped up and they sang louder and louder, much to the pleasure of their (small) audience. Too soon, the song was over and everyone clapped with all their might.

"That was bloody amazing!" Al exclaimed, his eyes wide.

"Brilliant!" Lily shouted.

"Well if my family doesn't hire you they've gone bonkers," Rose smiled, hugging Dusty. Dusty in turn hugged Scorpius, pleased at the reaction they got. Scorpius, however, was grinning nervously, shaking in his boots. In all this James didn't say a word, staring blankly into space.

"Give us a minute," Dusty said, shooing everyone out. She sat in a chair next to his bed quietly for a few minutes, until the silence was unbearable.

"Why did you do it?" she blurted, desperate to know. James waited a bit before answering.

"I've been battling depression since I was thirteen or so, and when we had our fight I was more down than usual. I couldn't bear the thought of having the person I love hate me. And I cracked. I'm not strong. I'm weak," he cried, placing his head in his hands.

"I don't hate you!" Dusty insisted, scooting her chair closer to him. "No, no, no! Sure, I was upset at what you called me, and what you said about my friends. But, to be honest, I'm not sure I'm capable of hating someone. And you have to be awfully strong to survive the way you did." James paused and took a deep breath, mulling over her words in his head.

"I'm sorry," he mumbled after a moment. "I'm sorry that I called you a traitor, I'm sorry that I said Mal- Scorpius only wants to get in your pants, I'm sorry for humiliating you in front of everyone, I'm sorry for everything. I was a complete git to you and my family and I'm so, so sorry. And that Scorpius bloke has a nice voice. You tell him I said that, okay?" Dusty nodded.

"I just have one last question," Dusty said, masterly hiding a smirk. James raised his eyebrow, so she continued. "Can I kiss you? That first time was really nice, and I'd like to do it again."

"One kiss?" he asked rather hoarsely, his face masked by shock.

"A simple, no strings attached, kiss," she agreed, smirking. James nodded eagerly, so Dusty leaned in, her lips hovering ever so close to his without touching, before pressing them against James', holding it for a good five seconds before pulling away.

"I'll see you later," Dusty said, kissing him once more on the cheek and leaving him even redder than before. She left, leaving James to his own devices, meeting the others outside the door.

"What happened?" Scorpius asked when she had arrived.

"We talked," Dusty said mischievously. "And he said you have a nice voice."

"James Sirius Potter complimented someone who he wasn't flirting with! It's a miracle!" Rose gasped with feigned surprise. Everyone chuckled and Dusty excused herself to go to lunch. She offered for Rose to come, but she refused, looking a little hurt.

It kept bothering Dusty that she and Rose weren't spending much time together anymore. And when Dusty tried to remedy that, Rose kept pushing Dusty farther and farther away.

Then, the next day, Rose snapped.

"Rose, want to hang out this weekend? I have nothing to do," said Dusty casually, really hoping to spend some time with her best friend.

"Oh, yeah, sure, since you have nothing else to do," Rose sneered, not looking at Dusty. "There's nothing you can do all weekend so I'm your last resort."

"No, that's not what I meant!" Dusty said, taken aback at Rose's reaction. Rose ignored her and kept on talking.

"Anyway, why don't you ask Scorpius, since you've been spending so much time with him lately. I'm sure he'd love your company, if by company you mean your lips on his. Yeah. Bet you're shagging in broom cupboards every chance you get, too? You're just a fuckbuddy to him. He doesn't care about you! He just wants sex!" Dusty stepped back, feeling angry, hurt, shocked, and confused, all at the same time.

Then, with all the strength she could muster, Dusty whispered, "I meant I missed you," and ran and hid under the Quidditch stands, where she didn't think anyone would find her, in tears.

But, how luck has it, someone did find her. Thankfully, it wasn't one of two people she didn't really want to talk to. It was Jamie, who had witnessed the whole fiasco and was worried.

"Hey, Bookworm," he said gently, sitting down next to her and holding her close. "Wanna talk about it?"

"We haven't shagged!" Dusty sniffed, burying her head into Jamie's shirt. "We haven't even kissed! She knows that! I've been trying to have some quality time with her lately, but she just brushes me off, and now she says it's my fault our friendship is ruined!"

"You know, Hogwarts was ruined, once, before we were born," said Jamie as is he were suggesting something. He continued when Dusty gave him a strange look, as if to say "Where are you going with this?" "I mean, it was reduced to nearly rubble. But look at it now? I'd say that today, if anything, it looks even better than it did before."

"And Hogwarts is a euphemism for mine and Rose's friendship," Dusty guessed, getting up hurriedly. "Sorry, I have somewhere to go!" she called to Jamie, who nodded understandingly. Dusty ran, all the way to the Great Hall, and then to the Gryffindor common room, and the hospital wing, before finally running into Scorpius in the entrance hall.

"Have you seen Rose?" she gasped, panting.

"No, sorry-"

"Dusty! DUSTY!" Rose called excitedly, waving her and like a madman. Dusty laugh-sighed and ran up to her best friend, tears in her eyes.

"Dusty, I'm so sorry about the things I said, I didn't mean it, I acted like a total jealous bitch," Rose said, hugging Dusty tightly.

"I know, I'm sorry too, I haven't been paying much attention to you lately, and I was a total bitch, too."

"I'm just so happy that you forgave me, I was afraid you wouldn't," said Rose, relieved. Dusty grinned in response and hugged Rose again.

"So, um, I think I fancy Scorpius."