Hi everyone! I'm back! I hope none of you thought that I had abandoned this story - because I assure you I have not. I want to thank everyone for their reviews and favorites. I do hope you enjoy this chapter because I definitely enjoyed writing it. Also, is it just me or when you read your older work you just cringe? I re-read the first few chapters of this story. Cringe attack. Also, comment who you think Winnie should end up with! I have a lot of readers, yet I don't know what they think so please tell me! I would love to know, for some reason reading everyone's opinion on who Winnie should end up with makes me happy.

Chapter 17

Have you ever had that feeling where you woke up and had no idea where you were, what you were doing there or why there was a huge bruise on your hand? No? Of course you wouldn't! Because these things don't happen to normal people but wait! I, Winnie Powers was not normal in any way, shape or form so of course something like this would happen to me.

The first thing I could feel was how painful and heavy my head felt - sort of like I had been kicked in the head by a ball three million times. My eyes fluttered open and I could see that I was on the abandoned floor, which was distinguishable from the other floors due to the fact that it was completely empty. I sat up and winced, too much pressure on my hand.

"Hey! what are you doing here?!" Filch's voice rang out, I could faintly hear the meowing of his cat Mrs. Norris, or Satan's apprentice as I'd liked to 'fondly' call her. In a few seconds he was standing over me, looking at me curiously.

I sighed and replied sarcastically as usual, "What does it look like I'm doing Filch? I'm counting the dust particles, obviously. I'm at five million and - oh no, you made me lose count!" I said, looking annoyed.

Filch rolled his eyes, "That's enough of your jibber jabber, get back into the great hall and if I see you here again - I'll be hanging you by your wrists!" He said, glaring at me.

I had an amazing retort to that stupid comment of his but I was almost certain that it would send me to detention so I did the smart thing and bit my tongue and stood up. Mrs. Norris hissed at me as they made sure I walked into the great hall. When Filch wasn't looking I transformed my hand into a cheetah's paw and pretended to slice the air, a mad grin in my eyes. She hissed once more but ran off. Smart cat.

I pushed open the doors to the great hall and everyone fell silent when I walked in. My eyebrows furrowed, I was late but I wasn't that late was I? All the attention was making my cheeks burn and I ducked my head as I made my way over the Gryffindor table and sat next to my friends. When I looked up, all I was met with was glares. One girl was even looking at me with disgust and mouthing, 'how could you'. I mouthed back 'what?' but she scoffed at me and turned away.

That's weird.

I gulped, feeling a bit hurt but it was okay. It was just a girl. Nothing my friends couldn't fix! I turned to James who was poking his food and giving me his shoulder, he had a somber expression on his face and he wasn't eating, just gliding the food from one area to another. I bit my lip as I took in his overall body, his shoulders were slumped over and he was trying to make himself look smaller - as if trying to get attention away from him.

I bit my lip, "Um, James. Are you okay?" I asked, quizzically.

His body turned to me slowly, confusion evident on his face. His face contorted into a variety of different expressions before he scoffed, "Are you kidding me? You're seriously going to ask me that?" he said sounding..hurt. His expression was hurt and that hurt me.

Why was he looking at me like this? Why did he sound hurt? Had I offended him somehow? Did he not want to talk? Was he having a bad day? Did I say something this morning? I tried to remember what had happened this morning - but it was blank. I couldn't remember much of what happened. Only bits and pieces. For some reason I did remember seeing Kenneth. It was strange. I didn't remember anything - but I remembered Kenneth, it was only a glimpse. Like a short hello, perhaps. But I never said hello to Kenneth. The last thing I could remember was a feeling. A burning rage. Along with a feeling of hopelessness. Like I wanted to do something but I couldn't. But I couldn't remember anything at all.

I raised my eyebrow at him, "James, what are you - what are you talking about?" I said, shaking my head slightly.

He looked at me but didn't reply and instead turned his back and began conversation with whoever was sitting next to him, I looked at the other marauders for help but they weren't glancing at me. They were blatantly ignoring me. Even Remus was avoiding my gaze. So was everyone else, I noticed. I tried to grab James's arm, tried to get him to at least listen to me.

"James," I whispered, "What is happening? Please tell me so I can fix this." I pleaded.

He turned around and I almost breathed a sigh of relief, maybe he was going to listen. Maybe I could at least understand what the bloody hell was going on. He looked at me, but I couldn't read his eyes,

He searched my eyes, "Winnie- just stop." He then proceeded to pull his arm away and leave.

I felt my chest tighten and I looked at Sirius, Remus and Peter who were not looking at me, "Guys?" I asked, close to tears. Sirius looked up and glared at me, spitefully and I just couldn't take it. I nodded and I stood up, erratically moving towards the door hoping no one could see me. Ever again. I shut the doors behind me and stared at them, I could hear the students chatting but all I could focus on was the hot tears dripping down my face. I didn't even remember crying, yet here I was.

I found myself sitting on the grass, it was dark now and I was sure that everyone would be in bed by now but I couldn't possibly go to sleep. Not with so much on my mind. I just wanted to lay down and think. What had made everyone act that way? Did someone start a nasty rumour to try to make my friends hate me? That seemed logical, but they weren't stupid. They wouldn't believe that. So what was it? What could have made them act like that? I laughed bitterly. I had no clue.

"You shouldn't be out this late," a soft voice said, "You might find yourself getting lost."

My eyes fluttered open and I was greeted by the ghost of Helena Ravenclaw, "Helena - hi, what are you doing here?" I asked, confused. Helena Ravenclaw was a kind ghost, but quiet and not very popular She hardly spoke to anyone except Ravenclaws but I assumed that she was speaking to me because I was one of the few students who were actually polite to her.

She gave me a small smile, "You have certainly had a day, haven't you?" She asked rhetorically and then floated next to me.

I laughed, sitting up. "Tell me about it- wait, how would you know?" I asked, scrunching up my brows.

She laughed to herself mostly, "People tend to forget about us ghosts but we see everything, probably more than the headmaster does." Her eyes trailed down onto my hand, "How's your hand by the way, it looks better than it did before. Can't say the same thing for him, though." She said, smirking.

I shook my head, extremely confused. "What do you mean? Who's him-" my eyes widened, "Spit in my cup and call it tea - Helena, do you know what happened to me?!" I said, my voice getting higher due to the excitment bubbling in my chest.

She looked confused at my analogy but nodded all the same, "Yes, of course. How could you not know?" She floated around me, eyeing me suspiciously.

I could almost cry tears of joy, finally! some answers! Maybe I could finally wrap my head around why the hell everyone seemed to despise my existence.

"No, I don't - I don't have any idea what happened to me. It's like I lost my memo-" I couldn't finish. No, no way. Could it be possible that I lost my memory somehow? Had someone performed a memory charm on me? But of course! It made sense. The bits and pieces, the fact that I had no recollection of what happened today. Someone performed a memory charm on me! and whoever had done it wasn't very good at the charm, at all. The spell was rushed. If performed correctly it could not only wipe a day's memory, it could wipe a lifetime of memories.

Helena Ravenclaw seemed to have understood too because she clocked her tongue distastefully as if she had once felt the same way, knowing her story, I knew that she did. Sort of.

She floated around, "That wicked boy. Ravenclaw too, I simply can't remember his name - it's on the tip of my tongue. Kevin was it?" She said, tilting her head to the side.

Helena began to name a bunch of names that began with K. Of course I knew who she was talking about. It had to be him. I should have suspected from the beginning. Who hated me more in this world than him? But I needed solid proof- evidence, not just theories. I need to know if he actually did it or not.

I shuddered, "Kenneth. His name is Kenneth Williams. He was - he and I were - eh, together." I said disgusted. "He did this to me?"

Helena Ravenclaw sighed and gave me a sympathetic look, "I didn't see the whole thing but I did hear someone running so I followed the noise, curiosity of course is a part of the Ravenclaw nature." she said, a bit proudly and I tried to refrain from rolling my eyes, ushering her to go on, "You were running and then I saw him chase after you, a crazy look in his eye. You two began to fight, you yelled at him. He took out his wand, and at the same time he muttered the spell you punched him square in the face! Ha!" Helena began to giggle to herself.

That must have been why the spell didn't perform as it should have, Kenneth was fairly good at charms. That was also why I had a bruise on my hand. I felt a feeling of pride swell up in my chest, at least I had punched him. That made me feel a little bit better. But that didn't explain why everyone hated me. It was still confusing.

I stood up and began to pace around, "It still doesn't make sense. Why does everyone hate me? Why do my friends hate me? Why does James hate me?" I muttered the last part to myself.

Helena smiled sadly, "I can't answer that I'm afraid, but you could try asking the other ghosts." she said and ushered to the castle, "Tomorrow, perhaps. You need some rest."

I sighed and ran a hand through my hair, "I guess, thanks Helena." I said and began to walk back to the castle.

"James doesn't hate you - believe me. I don't think he ever could and your other friends? They'll come around. The good one's always do." Helena said wisely and I turned around and gave her a small smile.

I hoped she was right.

Even the fat lady was treating me badly, even after saying the correct password three times she wouldn't let me enter. Only after having to threaten to slice her portrait with a knife she allowed me to enter the gryffindor tower. I grumbled under my breath and walked in to the empty common room, the fire was still nice and warm so I decided to plop myself onto the couch.

Only if I hadn't plopped myself onto James Potter. He groaned and fell off the couch, glasses falling off with him. Thankfully I had held onto the arm rest but if I didn't I would've fell right onto his face.

I clasped a hand on my mouth to quieten my gasp, "Whoa! sorry - sorry, that was an accident! I promise! are you okay?!" I said and got his glasses, pulling him up.

He laughed and took the glasses from his hand, "That was a strange way to wake up from a nap - oh, Winnie." He said, eyes focusing. The grin on his face was soon replaced by a timid look on his face. "Yeah, I'm fine." he said, looking awkwardly at the ground.

I gulped, "James wait - please. Hear me out, okay?" I said practically begging him.

James shook his head, avoiding my gaze. "I don't" He managed to say, "I don't want to. What you said was enough, Winifred." he said, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose.

I was so overwhelmed. How was I supposed to get him to understand when he simply didn't want to listen? How was I supposed to ask for forgiveness when I didn't know what I had done wrong? The paradox I was currently in wasn't just driving me insane, it was driving everyone around me insane as well. James was probably as confused as me.

It was like I couldn't speak properly. All the words I wanted to say were perfect in my head but I couldn't get that out.

"Can you - stop - The Grey Lady -I didn't do or say what you think I did- Kenneth did something - I'm innocent, I swear. I wouldn't -I wouldn't hurt you like that." I said, moving my hands around to empathise how truthful I was.

James clenched his jaw when he heard Kenneth's name, "Kenneth? What did he do? Winnie, I don't understand. What about the grey lady? How did you not say what you said? What the hell is going on?" He said, incredulously.

I sat down, pulling his arm down with me to make him sit too. He did. I ran a hand through my dark hair and tried to get myself together, if that was even possible. I took a deep breathe and stared into his hazel eyes.

"James, I woke up. On the abandoned floor with this in my hand," I showed him the bruise, "My head was spinning and Filch found me and told me that if I wasn't in the great hall then I would be in detention. So I went. Thats when I realized that everyone wanted me to drop dead, especially you guys. I talked to the grey lady - she told me that I had been fighting with Kenneth, punched him too. He obliviated me the same time I punched him, which is why I could remember - I remembered feeling angry. Then hopeless, like I couldn't control something. I - I don't know. James please believe me, if there is anyone who I can count on in this world then it's you." I said, hoping that my voice didn't seem rushed. Even though it was.

James studied my face intently and cleared his throat, "Everyone - everyone would tell me not to. But no one knows you like I do and if you say Kenneth has something to do with it, then I believe you.""

I could almost cry as I threw my body onto his, I wrapped my arms around him. Relief washed over my body and I smiled, truly and honestly smiled. He immediately responded back to the hug and I felt actual tears well up in my eyes. Thank God for James. James Potter was no ordinary human, he was an angel. Lily Evans was lucky to have a guy like him lusting over her.

After I pulled away, I wiped my eyes. "I love you, I really do. Don't ever doubt that for a minute. I don't - I don't know what I did, but that wasn't me. Whatever he did, he must have been controlling me or something. Can you do that?" I asked, hurriedly.

James laughed and touched my cheek fondly, "Okay, okay. I love you too and yeah, you can. But that's a forbidden spell, he wouldn't do that. Kenneth may be a prick but he wouldn't voluntarily do something to tarnish his reputation, especially since his father works in the ministry." He pointed out.

I stood up and paced around the fireplace, "So what was his motive? Why would he do anything to me? What did he do?" My eyes widened and I turned to James, "What did I tell you guys?"

James ran a hand through his hair, "Some pretty intense stuff. You said that you never cared about us, that we could drop dead and you wouldn't care. You said that you hated us and was only friends with us because of our so called 'popularity'. Stuff like that, I don't want to remember it." he said sheepishly.

I gaped, "What? That's - James, that's not true at all! Kenneth was obviously trying to sabotage me. That filthy rat." I said, angrily glaring at the glowing fire.

I have never hated Kenneth Williams as much as I did right now. That guy was ruthless. He was willing to sabotage my relationship with my friends and turn everyone against me just because people started to see him for what he truly was?

"Eh, what the hell is going on?" Sirius's voice said, making my head snap up.

Oh boy.