I'm so, so sorry that's it's been this long since I've updated. Please forgive me!

Chapter Quote:
"It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends."
~Albus Dumbledore

Chapter 23

Ziva

"Ziva!" Seamus called after her. She didn't want to stop but since she did feel like she had been partially to blame in him breaking up with Jade and knowing how upset he was in general, she came to a halt.

"Yeah?"

"Are you okay?" He asked. Neville came up behind him.

"Been better but that argument I had, I needed to talk to Jade and Elliot about something else and it spiraled out of control. I knew it would, I was just hoping it wouldn't. Are you okay? I'm sorry you had to find out that way. About her father. I didn't mean for anyone to overhear that."

"It's fine. I'm mad she didn't tell me but you haven't known for a longer time than me."

"Listen, don't be mad at her because of what you heard. She's known you for only a couple of years and you've only started dating recently. She would've told you at some point. Of that I have no doubt. It's different between me and her. I've known her since I was practically a baby. To have her keep something like that from me for so long, it hurts. There was something else but I'm not going into that. So when you're ready, talk to her about it, okay? I have to go do something."

"Okay… do you want to sit with us at supper? I probably won't sit with Jade. I'll still be ticked off. I need time to calm down."

"Why not? I'll see you then." We started to walk off but I turned around and added, "Hey Seamus? Thanks."

He gave me a smile and continued on his way. Neville gave me a smile as well. I felt bad for him, getting caught in the crossfires of a friendship gone sour. But he could handle it. I wouldn't let my friendship, or lack of, with Elliot and Jade affect mine with Neville and Seamus. They were innocent.

I headed down to the second floor, specifically Myrtle's bathroom. Thankfully the specter wasn't there. I sank against the wall at the far end of the room. No one would come to this bathroom. Jade and Elliot certainly weren't going to come find me. Draco wouldn't come here during the day. If he did then something was terribly wrong.

"Look who is back," a high-pitched voice squealed. I'd spoken too soon…

"Hey Myrtle," I said.

"What's got you down in the dumps?"

"Crappy friends. How are you?"

"Curious as to where you've been. You know Harry and his friend were asking about you."

"Did you tell them who I was?" I asked suddenly.

"No, I don't even know your name! What is your name?"

"No offense but I don't want you to know my name. I don't want to risk Harry and Ron coming back here and finding out it was me who hung out with Dr- with Malfoy. Speaking of, has he been here recently?"

"Once in a while. Mostly sits in silence until he realizes I'm there. He's cried once or twice. He's way in over his head with something."

"Next time he's in here, can you come tell me? Discreetly? I need to talk to him."

"What am I? A messenger?"

"No, of course not. But you want to help him don't you?" Ziva said quickly, knowing the ghost's affection was her weakness.

"Yes… fine."

"Thank you Myrtle." Ziva gave her a smile. The specter dove down her favorite toilet, leaving the Gryffindor to her thoughts.

At dinner, Ziva found Seamus and Neville saving a seat for her at dinner. She smiled ever so gratefully at them. She missed chatting with Jade and Elliot but after what they'd done, she didn't know when she'd forgive them.

Ziva didn't really eat. Her appetite simply wasn't there. She picked around the food. Glancing around the tables, she saw Jade and Elliot near Harry, Hermione and Ron. Hurriedly looking away, she scanned the Slytherin table. Astoria sat two seats away from Draco. She looked happy; he looked solemn, picking at his food like Ziva. He must've felt her eyes on his because he glanced up. She hastily turned her attention to her food.

"Hey, I'm gonna head up. I'm not feeling so great," Ziva said.

"You okay?" Neville asked, his eyebrows scrunching in worry.

"Yeah, I think I've been stressing too much the past few days and weeks over O.W.L's and other things. I think I need some sleep. Breakfast tomorrow?"

"Sounds good," Seamus agreed. She walked out of the Great Hall. She felt some eyes watching her as she left, probably wondering why someone would leave before dessert. But Ziva wasn't hungry. She was tired, she was upset, and she just wanted to curl up and go to sleep.

"Ziva!" Turning around, she saw Astoria running up to her. "You okay? You looked upset leaving just now."

"Um, Draco was right. He never got the note. Jade and Elliot lied to me about sending it to him. We all got in a massive argument and now we're not speaking. It sucks because I trusted them and they were my best friends and now this happened and I'm stressed over exams and everything is just piling up all at once and it's just overwhelming," Ziva explained in a rush, ending up breathless.

"You'll make up with them one day. But you still have other friends to hang out with. I overheard you saying that you're having breakfast with Seamus and Neville in the morning but do you want to eat lunch together tomorrow? Or study after dinner? I'm having the worst time in Transfiguration. Maybe you could help?"

"That'd be nice," I agreed, giving her a smile. Astoria returned it.

"Great! I'll see you then! And hey, cheer up. Don't let them see you down."

"Thing is, they'll know I'm upset even if I don't show it. So what's the point in even hiding it?"

"Because they won't know for sure. See you tomorrow Ziva!"

Seamus

Three weeks later…

Jade had been avoiding him every time he was around. Seamus didn't understand why. He wanted to talk to her and work things out, but he could never get her alone. She and Elliot never went anywhere without each other. And while they avoided Seamus, they avoided Ziva even more. Needless to say Ziva did the same thing. The girls sat as far away as possible from each other during meals. Dean was curious as to what was going on. Ziva never told him and if Jade or Elliot ever told him, he didn't let on, leading Seamus to believe they hadn't said anything either.

Finally, he had a breakthrough. Jade excused herself from the table to go to the bathroom. Not knowing when he might get another chance to get her alone, if he ever did, he made up a lame excuse to get himself away from the table and followed her. She had no idea he was behind her until they were alone at the entrance to the Great Hall. The doors shut behind him, making sure no one witnessed this scene in case it went sour.

"Jade!" Seamus shouted, trying to get her attention. She tended to go into her own little world and it took a lot to break her out of whatever trance she got herself into.

"Um, hi," Jade said quietly, shuffling on her feet uncomfortably.

"How are you?" He asked nervously.

"I'm okay. You?" She was staring at him, probably wondering what he was doing talking to her.

"Good. Good…" He really should've thought this out more… "So, uh, I wanted to talk to you."

"I can see that?"

"I've been miserable Jade. Yes, I was mad at you for not telling me about your dad, but Ziva made a good point. You haven't known me a long enough time to trust me to tell me something like that. And she said that her fight with you shouldn't affect our relationship so I guess what I'm trying to say I'm wondering if maybe you'd like to get back together?"

"So you're asking me out again because Ziva encouraged you? Not because you thought of it yourself?" Jade demanded furiously.

"What? No, that's not what I'm saying."

"So if Ziva hadn't said anything, would you even be asking me right now? No, you wouldn't. Screw off Seamus." She whirled around, leaving him dumbfounded.

"Seamus?" Ziva's inquisitive voice piped up behind him. He turned around. Neville was with her.

"It's hopeless. She doesn't want to get back. I told her what you said Ziva and-"

"There's the problem. She doesn't want anything to do with me Seamus. Give her time to cool down. Then ask her again. Just next time, don't mention me. Got it?" She said kindly.

"Yeah…"

"Come on, it's time to head up to the common room." Just as she said that, students started filing out of the Great Hall. Seamus reluctantly followed Ziva and Neville up the stairs.

Poor Seamus :( Hope you enjoyed!