Disclaimer: JK Rowling owns all

Previously:

"I am not whipped!" Ri protested heatedly.

Angela glared at him and Ri quickly took back his words.

"I...I mean," he stuttered uneasily before Teddy and Skye burst into laughter.

"Yep," Skye giggled. "Completely whipped."

Skye had heard a saying once; all good things must come to an end. She didn't really understand it at the time, but now...now she had a pretty good idea of what it meant.

The day had started off like any other, and then it had gone downhill from there. She couldn't believe that things could go so wrong. How was she supposed to continue to be brave? To be strong?

All she felt like doing was collapsing on her bed and crying. She had barely eaten since it had happened and she hated herself for being so weak. Being weak wouldn't help. She needed to prove to, not only herself, but everyone else that she was strong. That she didn't care.

Sighing, Skye picked up her clothes and continued packing. The end of year train left in a couple of days, thank goodness. She wasn't sure if she could stand to be at Hogwarts much longer. And she hated that. Hated that she could suddenly want to leave the one place that felt as much like home as Godric's Hollow.

Normally, Skye disliked the end of school year. It meant that everyone was leaving Hogwarts and to Skye, that just seemed strange. Hogwarts without children was like a lake without water. It was wrong, plain and simple.

Skye was now beyond caring and it had only been a day since it had happened. She was scared to imagine what she would be like in a couple of weeks. Ri had told her that she would heal eventually, but Skye wasn't entirely sure that she wanted to.

To begin to heal would mean that she was starting to recover. And that would mean she was moving on. Past what had happened. And that sucked.

Skye didn't like to think about moving on. Her future was so uncertain now. She knew now that things could change so quickly. Sure, people had told her that before, but she had never really believed it until now.

Skye took a seat on her bed in the empty dormitory. She fingered the scarf she held in her hands; her last reminder, her last lifeline.

"SKYE!" the dormitory door burst open and Hermione came rushing in. "You'll never believe what happened!" she gushed. "Harry asked me out! Harry! Isn't it amazing? Sure, the holidays are coming up but at least he finally asked me! It will be so fantastic. I can come over during...Skye?"

Hermione had noticed her friend's lack of reaction.

"Yeah, that's great Hermione," Skye said hollowly. "Real fantastic."

"What's wrong Skye?" Hermione asked, sitting next to her friend. "What's happened?"

"Nothing," Skye said. "I'm fine. Tell me more about Harry."

Beaming, Hermione launched into her story again and Skye tuned her out. She wasn't fine, she knew that, but Hermione was so happy! Skye couldn't burden her with all of her problems at a time like this.

"Skye!" Hermione glanced at her friend again. "You haven't listened to a word I've said."

"I'm sorry," Skye said quietly. "Can you repeat that?"

"What's wrong with you?" Hermione asked impatiently. "Why are you like this? So quiet and not-Skye-like. This isn't you! What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Skye repeated. "I told you."

"That's bullshit Skye," Hermione said. "You didn't come back to the dormitory last night. Where were you?"

"With Ri," Skye said.

"Oh," Hermione said. "I thought you might have been with Draco."

Skye's eyes filled with tears and she turned her head.

"No," she said. "Not last night. Not ever again."

"What?" Hermione asked, confused.

Skye looked up at her friend with hollow, life-less eyes.

"We broke up," she said. "It's over."

"Oh Skye," Hermione breathed.

She wrapped her arms around her friend as Skye burst into tears.

"Why Skye?" Hermione asked softly. "What happened?"

Sniffing, Skye faced her friend.

"After classes," she whispered. "After class everything went wrong."

Flashback

Skye dumped her books in her dormitory and raced down the stairs.

"Where are you going?" Ginny asked.

"To see Draco of course," Skye replied. "He wanted to spend some time together tonight."

Ginny rolled her eyes.

"Of course," she said. "I should have guessed. Have fun."

"Will do," Skye grinned and left the Common Room.

She headed down to the entrance of the Slytherin Common Room. She rounded a corner and stopped dead in her tracks. In front of her was a scene she never wanted to see; ever. Draco was locked in what appeared to be a fiery embrace with Pansy Parkinson.

Skye felt her eyes widen as she softly she said, "Draco?"

The kiss was instantly broken and Draco turned to Skye.

"Skye," he said, shocked. "This isn't what it looks like."

He walked up to Skye and took her hands in his, but she pulled away, anger beginning to overcome her previous shock.

"Bullshit it wasn't," Skye spat.

"It really wasn't Skye baby," Draco pleaded. "I promise."

"Don't call me that," Skye hissed, praying that the tears in her eyes wouldn't fall. "And you promise? Like you promised that you'll love me forever and never even look at another girl while you're with me? That kind of promise?"

Draco flinched, like he had been hit.

"I do love you."

"So why were you making out with Parkinson?"

"It wasn't how it looked," Draco said again.

"So you better fucking explain it to me," Skye snapped.

"She came onto me!" Draco exclaimed.

Skye laughed hollowly.

"I'm supposed to believe that?"

"If you loved me you'd believe it," Draco snapped.

"And if you loved me I would never have seen what I just saw."

"I do love you."

"I'm beginning to doubt that."

"Well I'm beginning to think that if you can't trust what I say, then I'm better off without you."

Skye froze. Had he really just suggested that?

"You mean that we should break up?" Skye clarified.

"Yeah," Draco's face was void of all emotion. "You obviously don't trust me enough for this relationship to work."

"My trust has been misused," Skye shot back.

"It's over then," Draco said. "We're over."

"Fine," Skye whispered.

She fumbled with the ring on her finger and threw it at Draco. He didn't make any attempt to catch it, and it bounced off the stone walls.

"At least I'm free of all your shit now," she said. "At least I might end up with someone my family actually likes."

Draco remained impassive despite the fact Skye knew that her words would have hurt him.

"And at least I might end up with someone worth my time and effort," he drawled. "A pureblood that knows their place in the world is above muggles and mudbloods."

Skye bit her lip, willing herself not to cry. That had really hurt. Skye's own mother was a 'mudblood', as was Hermione, but they were two of the brightest witches who have been through Hogwarts.

Skye tugged at the chain that hung around her neck and threw it at Draco's feet, ignoring the snapping of the chain. She only just resisted the urge to smash it into little pieces.

"You're lower than low, Draco Malfoy," she said venomously. "I hate you and wish I had never met you."

And with that, Skye walked away from the one person she was more in love with than anyone without even a backwards look.

End Flashback

"But I don't hate him," Skye sobbed. "I really don't."

"I know," Hermione soothed. "When we get angry we can say things we don't mean."

"But I really meant it," Skye said. "I meant it at the time. I'm a horrible person."

"No you're not," Hermione said passionately. "You're one of the most beautiful people I know, both inside and out."

Skye hiccupped.

"You are too," she whispered. "Harry is lucky to have finally realised how great you are."

Hermione smiled softly. She got up and grabbed a block of chocolate she had hidden under her bed, and offered it to Skye.

"What happened then?" she asked.

"Well..." Skye began.

Flashback

With unwanted tears streaming down her face, Skye made her way up to the Seventh Year Boys Dormitory. If there was one person that would be able to comfort her now, it was Ri. She knew he wouldn't ask questions until she was able and willing to talk and that was what she needed right now.

Skye didn't knock, simply entered the dormitory. Teddy was lying on one of the beds, chucking a small ball at another boy, sitting on a different bed. A third boy was lying on his stomach, obviously trying to finish an essay or something.

They all looked up at her as she entered. Teddy instantly stood and came over to her.

"Hey," he said. "What's wrong Skye?"

"Nothing," Skye said, wiping her eyes furiously.

She hated appearing weak.

"Bullshit," Teddy said quietly.

"Where's Ri?" Skye demanded. "I need Ri."

"Ooh," one of the boys laughed. "Haven't cha heard he's taken?"

Teddy chucked the ball at his head.

"He's in the bathroom," Teddy explained. "He'll be out..."

"Oi," Ri's voice filled the room. "Have any of you seen my blue shirt?"

He was shirtless, but wearing jeans for which Skye was thankful. They were close friends but she didn't need to see that! He was towelling his hair dry and began to look through his trunk. He hadn't noticed Skye yet.

"The one Angie loves?" Skye teased, despite her tears.

"Sure," Ri said, his head snapping up to glance at Skye quickly. "We're going out tonight and I thought...wait, why are you crying?"

"It's nothing," Skye muttered, suddenly feeling stupid. "I just...never mind. I'm going now."

Ri was going out with Angela tonight–he didn't want to waste his time on Skye's problems.

"Hey," Ri said, catching her arm. "Who's the jerk that made you cry? 'Cause I'm gonna kick their arse."

Skye laughed quietly despite herself.

"You're going out with Angie," she said. "It doesn't matter."

"Course it does," Ri whispered. "You're my best friend. Angie won't mind."

Skye started crying again, and Ri wrapped his arms around her tightly. He threw a pointed look at Teddy who began kicking the other boys out. He knew that Skye and Ri needed some time.

"Tell Angie I'm sorry, yeah?" Ri asked Teddy over Skye's head.

"Sure," Teddy nodded.

He too headed towards the door, but paused and turned back to Ri, a questioning look in his eyes. Ri shrugged.

"I'll tell you later," he mouthed.

Ri knew that Teddy cared about Skye as well. He was like her older brother of sorts. He loved her too, but their relationship wasn't anywhere near as close as the one Skye shared with Ri. If he was to be perfectly honest with himself, he wasn't sure that it was possible to find another two people as close as Ri and Skye.

Once Teddy had left the dormitory, Ri pulled Skye over to his bed and lay down with her. Skye continued to sob heartbrokenly as Ri ran a soothing hand through her hair. He didn't say anything; there was no need for words.

Eventually, Skye's tears began to dry up and she glanced over at Ri.

"I'm sorry," she said. "I made you miss your date."

"You're more important than a date," Ri insisted. "I love Angie but she isn't in my dormitory crying her heart out. You are. And I love you too."

Skye sniffed and sat up.

"Thanks," she murmured.

"Anytime," Ri kissed the top of her head. "Now, wanna tell me what's wrong?"

"Me and Draco broke up," Skye whispered. "I caught him kissing Pansy Parkinson."

Instantly, Ri's face darkened.

"I'll kill him," he muttered darkly.

"NO!" Skye exclaimed. "Please don't."

Tears began to well up in her eyes again, and Ri's arms were around her once again.

"Shh," he whispered. "I'm sorry."

"Don't hurt him," Skye said. "Please don't hurt him."

"But he hurt you, Skye," Ri said. "And he shouldn't have."

"It doesn't matter," Skye whispered. "Just don't hurt him as well."

"Fine," Ri sighed. "But you're not going to be able to stop Harry, or Teddy."

"Or Jono," Skye smiled wryly. "Jono's always had it in for him as well."

"So I guess my job's covered then?" Ri attempted to lighten the mood. "They'll only do it because they love you."

"But I love him," tears began to roll down Skye's face again. "I still do."

"He doesn't deserve you," Ri said, wiping away Skye's tears. "You're too good for him."

"Doesn't matter...I still love him."

Skye let out a yawn; crying always tired her out. Probably because she didn't cry all that often.

"Come on," Ri said, lying back down on his bed. "You need to sleep."

"Stay with me?" Skye asked, hating the childish, vulnerable tone her voice took on.

"Always," Ri whispered.

He wrapped his arms tightly around Skye and that's how they found themselves in the morning.

End Flashback

"You're lucky to have Ri," Hermione noted.

"I know," Skye whispered. "I don't deserve him."

"Of course you do!" Hermione exclaimed. "Now get up!"

"What?"

"I said get up!" Hermione grabbed Skye's arm and pulled.

"What are you doing?" Skye asked.

"I'm getting you out of here," Hermione said determinedly. "You cannot allow yourself to sit up here and feel sorry for yourself! It's not healthy."

"You sound like my mother," Skye muttered. "I'm not moving. I can't face him."

"Oh tosh," Hermione rolled her eyes. "You don't need him."

"But I do," Skye whispered.

"No, you don't," Hermione insisted firmly. "We are going downstairs and having lunch in the Great Hall. You've already missed all your morning classes. You will not break down when you see him because you are stronger than that. I know you, Skye Potter. And this is not you. The Skye Potter I know would not let a stupid boy get her down. She would face him with her head held high and prove that she doesn't need him, even if she is hurting inside. Because she is Skye Potter. Now let's move."

Helpless, Skye allowed herself dress in the clothes Hermione threw at her. She sat in a chair as Hermione did her hair and makeup. She was so lucky to have Hermione. She wouldn't let Skye ruin her life because of a boy, even if that boy was Draco Malfoy.

A/N HA! Betcha weren't expecting that! Aww, poor Skye though. I feel sorry for her. Please review and let me know what you think. Thanks a lot!