Nope my wand is still just a peice of wood and my spells to try to turn into JK Rowling haven't worked! So I guess I still own nothing but what you don't recognize!

Chapter Fifty-one

Trust

Greg laughed at something one of his team mates said, but his eyes searched the room. He'd seen Taylor just a few minutes ago over by the wall, but now only Derek was there leaning against the wall.

Greg once again found that he'd been pulled into an animated conversation about the game, he was feeling great! It had been too long since he'd played in a game. He missed the rush of adrenaline and the heart pounding exhilaration. Plus it didn't hurt that they had won.

Looking around again he tried to find his witch. He caught sight of what looked like mahogany hair over on the other side of the room and started to make his way in that direction. It was some time before he could finally push his way through. Everyone wanted a first-hand replay from the game. When he got there though, what he had thought had been the mahogany hair of his witch was a first year that had turned their hair red by accident and tried to cover it up with black.

Concerned now, he pushed his way back through the crowd looking more closely, but he didn't see his witch anywhere. As he was heading for the door someone screamed, before a loud crash. Wheeling he saw that Derek, who he had thought had been just leaning against the wall, had fallen over, smashing a table in the process.

When he reached the broken table he could see that Derek had been petrified. With a sinking feeling he pulled out his wand and released the seventh year.

"Bloody Hell! That little Gryffindor froze me!" Derek bellowed like an angry bull.

"Porter wouldn't just freeze you for no reason!" Greg growled as the common room went silent.

"Oh come on Greg, open your eyes! Porter is always in some sort of trouble or another!" Called out a sixth year.

"What happened?" Greg demanded in a hard voice.

Almost an hour later, after the Head Boy had waded through several stories, and taken Derek up to the boy's dorm to sleep off his Firewhisky, he headed out of the common room. Justin called to him to stop out in the corridor.

"You going to look for Porter?"

"What do you want Justin?" Greg asked in a hard voice. He was losing his patience with the people in his house today.

"She attacked Derek. Are you going to just let that slip by too? What about her searching in the restricted section? I'm just wondering how long you are going to turn a blind eye where that witch is concerned."

"Listen Justin, you are talking about things that you don't know anything about. Do you think I'd be blind enough to go with a Dark witch?" Greg asked in a hard voice as he stared the other wizard down.

"I'm your friend Greg. I'm just trying to make sure you know what you are doing. I don't want to see you get hurt, or worse…" Justin said quietly.

Greg waited for a few seconds to respond. He couldn't tell his friend what he knew about his witch, but he didn't want to lie either. "You are just going to have to trust me Justin, and Taylor. She is with Potter, she is no Dark witch."

"How can you be so sure?"

Greg looked at his friend for a long time before saying quietly. "I know Taylor. If she froze Derek she had a good reason. She is no Dark witch." Turning he left his friend and made his way up through the castle. He needed to find Taylor, although he was almost certain where he would find her.

Walking into the library, he made his way toward the back. His first glimpse of the table there showed him a stack of books and a bent head behind them. Pausing he watched the witch for a few minutes as she read, the dim light in the library forcing her to lean in close to the book to see. Every once in a while she would jot something down, pushing her glasses into place with her finger as her eyes scanned the page for her place before starting to read again.

As he watched she finished with one book and, setting it on a large stack to her right, she carefully marked something down, before picking up another.

For weeks now, he had watched her do almost the same thing. He wasn't sure what she was searching for but she was relentless in her search. Sighing he moved quietly over to the table and sat down.

"Hey Taylor," He was a little surprised that her head came up on the first call.

"Hi."

"I thought you were going to wait for me, and we could come up here together?" He could see something in her eyes but it was gone before he could figure out what it was, and she looked back down at the book.

"I thought you were having a good time with your friends, I… decided that I'd come up and leave you there. You deserve a break from this."

Greg stared at the witch as she continued to read for a long time before he said quietly. "Don't you think you deserve a break too?"

The witch snorted before she replied. "This isn't your search Hufflepuff. It's mine. When I finish it, I will get a break."

Greg watched the witch again for a while, then he pulled a book off the left hand pile and opening it he started to read.

Bleary-eyed Taylor pushed herself out of bed. Last night she had read until Pince had come and kicked her out of the library. She'd had to wake the poor Hufflepuff up. He'd fallen asleep reading beside her at the table. They hadn't talked hardly all evening, and when he turned down the stairs to go to his common room he'd just said a quick goodbye.

Rubbing her face in tiredness and agitation, Taylor grabbed up her book bag and started for the dormitory door.

"You not waiting for me?" Hermione's sleepy voice asked as she peeked out around her coverings.

"I didn't mean to wake you, sorry." Taylor said softly so she wouldn't wake Lavender also.

"Just give me a minute and I'll be ready." Hermione said as she swung her feet out of bed and grabbed her wrap to go to the washroom.

Taylor nodded and went down to the common room to wait. The windows were still dark, but the sky to the east was starting to lighten. By the time they would get to the library Madame Pince would be there.

When Hermione came down from their room a few minutes later she had her bushy hair tied up in a ponytail and her book bag slung over her shoulder.

Heading out through the portal the two witches set off for the library through the empty silent school. The corridors had only a lamp or two burning and were very dark.

"So did Greg ask you to the Valentines party this evening?" Hermione asked, breaking the silence.

Taylor sighed as she thought about the disastrous party yesterday. "No, we didn't talk much last night."

"Oh?" Hermione asked with a grin.

Taylor glanced at her friend and rolled her eyes. "I was in the library last night Hermione."

"But I thought you went to the Hufflepuff celebration party with Greg?" Hermione asked a little confused. She'd had late patrol last night with Ron and they hadn't exactly gotten back to the common room right after patrol… So Taylor had been in bed when she got back. She had just assumed…

"I did for a while… but then I thought I should get back to the library. Greg came up after a while." Taylor said evasively.

Hermione knew something was bothering her friend. She wondered if the Head Boy and she had had a fight.

A short time later, when the two witches arrived at the library, the librarian was just opening the door. Heading right for their back table, they took a quick look at their lists and then headed for the shelves to get the books they still needed to read.

By the time lunch was being served in the Great Hall, Harry, Ron and Ginny were back from their early morning quidditch practice and were sitting in the library too.

"I'm starving. When are we going for something to eat?" Ron asked as his stomach emitted a particularly loud grumble.

Harry closed his book. "I second that opinion." He looked over at his sister and Hermione. They hadn't yet looked up from their books to say anything.

When one of them did speak, it was Hermione. "Taylor and I really want to see if we can finish here today. So you guys go."

"Hermione, you two have been in this library for hours! Did you even have any breakfast?" Ron asked in a disapproving tone.

"Of course we did Ron," Taylor said in a tired voice barely looking up from her book. "Hermione had something in her bag."

Ron's eyebrows rose and he looked over at Hermione disbelievingly. Hermione ducked her head as her cheeks tinted pink. "Well, technically Taylor is right." She whispered, returning her eyes to her book.

"What did you have?" Ron asked suspiciously.

"Oh for goodness sakes Ron! It doesn't matter." Hermione snapped annoyed but at Ron's impatient look she said, "It was a couple of pieces of treacle tart."

"Oh well that's a good breakfast!" Ron said sarcastically.

"Okay you two come on. We are all going to have something to eat, then we will all come back and finish searching." Harry's voice was firm as he stood and started putting their things away. His warning look silenced Taylor's protests.

Grumbling under her breath Taylor packed up her things, and after putting the books back, followed her brother and the others out of the library. Despite the fact that nobody had mentioned it, the fact that the Hufflepuff wasn't with them hadn't gone unnoticed by any of the five Gryffindor's.

Sighing, Taylor walked into the Great Hall ten minutes later, her stomach in knots. She should have confided to Hermione about yesterday. Her friend was always better at solving problems then she was. She had no experience in the dating game. She didn't know the rules and she didn't know what was expected. Then there was that drunk seventh year oaf that had pissed her off. What was she supposed to do about that?

Gritting her teeth, she looked over at the Hufflepuff table, almost hoping that the Head Boy wouldn't be there. She had no such luck. Closing her eyes for just a second, she made a decision. Her voice was tight as she said quietly. "I'll join you guys in a minute." Not waiting for a reply she veered over to the Hufflepuff table like she had the morning before, this time though she had to force her feet to take the next step.

She saw many of their heads turn to watch her as she walked down their table to where Hunter was sitting. She got a little satisfaction when the drunk oaf from the night before turned a little paler as she passed, but it didn't help much. She stopped by the tall Head Boy like she had the morning before and tried to sound casual and not nervous.

"Hey, sorry I wasn't around earlier I was-" The Head Boy interrupted her.

"You were at the library. Yeah I guessed that much."

Taylor swallowed, not quite meeting the Hufflepuff's blue eyes. "Sorry… well I need to go get something to eat." Taylor wished the floor would open up and swallow her. She couldn't believe she had just said something so lame. Fighting the blush she knew was starting to heat her face, she turned and headed for the Gryffindor table, to her brother and friends.

"Hey Taylor…" the deep voice called.

Turning, she looked back at the Hufflepuff. His eyes were like chips of ice as they bore into hers. "I'll be out in the atrium at five."

Taylor just nodded as she turned back and continued walking, aware that almost the whole school was watching her. When she reached her friends, she sat down not even paying attention to where she sat. It wasn't until her brother spoke quietly in her ear that she realized that she had sat between him and Ron instead of with the two witches. Somewhere in her mind she wondered if she had been trying to somehow hide.

"What was that all about?"

Taylor just shrugged her shoulders. She wasn't exactly sure herself. She didn't know what had caused the tension between her and Greg. Silently she reached for some soup and ladled it in to her bowl. She didn't taste anything, but she ate. When she was done, she waited impatiently for the others to finish, anxious to be back in the library and away from the eyes she sensed on her. If she wasn't such a coward, she thought she would have gotten up and left by herself, but then there wouldn't be the large frames of her brother and Ron or the company of the other two witches to hide her exit.

The five Gryffindors searched all afternoon and finally at four thirty five, Taylor closed the last book. They had found nothing. Not one mention of a Horcrux or a spell, potion or anything else that could destroy one. It had been a fruitless search. But it was finally done. A huge weight seemed to lift off of Taylor's shoulders.

"So now where do we look?" Ginny asked as she helped to put the books away and gather their papers off the table.

Hermione sighed, she was taking the fact that she couldn't find what she had been looking for in the library hard. "I don't know. I'm out of suggestions."

"Well, I for one am glad to finally be getting away from this library!" Taylor said and her friends turned to look at her. "What? Did you think I liked living here?"

"No, not that you could tell at least." Harry said dryly.

"If I see the inside of this place again it will be too soon!" Grumbled Ron as he stuffed the last paper in Hermione's bag.

A big grin spread across Taylor's face and she nodded in agreement.

The five friends headed out of the library and up through the school towards their common room, talking about their plans for tonight. Neither couple was going to the Valentines party it seemed, though the two wizards refused to say where they were taking their witches as the school clock started to chime.

Taylor stopped as her mouth opened. "Shit! I forgot about Greg! Here take my bag! I've got to run!" Taylor cried as she swung her bag off and handed it to her brother, before turning and racing down the hall.

"Where are you going?" Harry called after his sister. He could just hear her reply of, "Atrium, at five!" just as she reached a corner and careened around it.

Taylor raced down through the castle, taking every short cut she knew. Willing her legs to go faster as her lungs burned. She was going to be late, she knew it, but she ran on, hoping that he'd wait at least a few minutes. When she finally reached the Entrance Hall, she skidded to a halt, glanced around and then set off towards the side door that led out to the courtyard, where students often hung out in warmer weather.

Opening the door, Taylor shivered as the cold air pushed in past her. She only had on an old pair of jeans and an old worn out sweater. It wasn't cold in the library and she had stuffed her robe in her bag that she had left with her brother. Stepping out into the snow, she realized that it had snowed sometime during the day. She hadn't noticed, but now the snow was over her runners and starting to melt. It would soon soak her feet.

"Greg?" She called as she stepped out and the door closed behind her, shivering again she looked around. She couldn't see any fresh footprints in the snow. Pulling her sleeve up she saw that it was ten minutes after five. With a groan she turned to go back in the school.

"Well, what do we have here? Little Porter, oh the Porter, what are you up to now? Looking for more Dark Magic?" cackled a voice, as Peeves appeared hanging upside down over her.

"Go away, Peeves," Taylor growled but then yelped as the poltergeist knocked a whole lot of snow off a side roof onto her, knocking her to the ground into even more snow. Scrambling to get up as the snow soaked through her jeans and sweater she could hear Peeves laughing wildly as he zoomed away.

Finally standing, she looked down at her soaked, snow covered clothes. Snow was even stuck in her hair. Reaching the door again she yanked it open and went back into the school.

What was she doing anyway? Why had she even bothered to come? If the Hufflepuff, she felt her heart constrict painfully, was tired of hanging around with her then she should let him go. She knew things were only going to get more difficult.

"Taylor?" A deep concerned voice asked.

Taylor's heart sank. She hadn't even dried herself off, she knew she must look like a fool standing there as snow melted off of her. Turning slowly she saw the tall Hufflepuff walking towards her.

"What happened? Why are you all covered in snow?"

"I was looking for you." Taylor said as she shivered, wondering where her quick wit had fled.

The Head Boy stopped in front of his witch slowly taking in her bedraggled appearance. Snow was stuck in her hair and on her clothes, soaking both and making her look smaller and more forlorn then he had ever seen her. His chest tightened painfully, as he fought the urge to pull her into a hug.

"You were looking for me? But why were you outside? Did someone attack you?" His voice turned worried as the idea crossed his mind.

"No! Not unless you call that menace that floats around here dropping stuff on everyone as attacking me!" Taylor growled.

"Peeves." The Head Boy's voice was slightly amused. "But why were you outside looking for me?"

Shivering Taylor looked up at the Hufflepuff, her voice was a little put out as she answered. "Well when I got to Entrance Hall I didn't see you, so I thought you might have meant outside. Peeves must have seen me go out."

"Oh, sorry," the wizard said apologetically as he pulled his wand out and dried the witch off and used a warming charm for good measure. He heard her grumble "I could have done that." before he continued, "I forgot something and went to get it. I was only gone a couple of minutes. You must have just missed me. I'm sorry."

Taylor sighed, wondering how this could have started off any worse. "No, I'm sorry, I was running late." Looking up at the Hufflepuff she noticed for the first time that he had a shirt and tie on, as well as nice dark navy blue robes that made his eyes appear even bluer. With a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach she wondered what she had forgotten now. "Ahh, you look nice." She offered lamely.

"I see you forgot." The voice was a little resigned but not really disappointed. "What am I going to do with you? Don't you remember me talking about going to the Valentine's party tonight?"

Feeling even worse Taylor shook her head, as she looked down at her old clothes she was wearing. She didn't wish often that she had nice robes and things, but this was one of the times she really did. "I'm sorry Greg. I… I wasn't paying attention."

"I kind of got that. We can just go up to Gryffindor Tower and you can change. We can still make it." The Hufflepuff offered. He had really hoped that the two of them could spend a nice evening together, as a couple.

Taylor shook her head as her face turned red. At least looking at the floor the Hufflepuff couldn't see her shame. "I can't."

"We'll be a few minutes late but that won't matter…" Greg watched as the witch continued to shake her head.

Taylor's voice was small, as she fought the shame of telling the Hufflepuff the truth. "No, you don't understand. I… I don't have any… nice robes to wear, just… just my school ones."

"But you were wearing a dress at my place when you and Hermione…"

"Hermione transfigured my clothes. She's the one good at that stuff. Mine always turn out a mess. I'm sorry."

The Head Boy stood staring down at his witch. The shame and regret in her voice pulling at his heart. He had never stopped to consider what she wore. She always looked nice in his opinion, but as he thought about it, her clothes were always worn and older. He had just thought that she liked the look, not that she didn't have anything else to wear.

"Taylor," his voice was gentle as he reached out and putting his finger under her chin he lifted her face to look at him. "I'm sorry. I never stopped to think…" What he saw there made him want to kick himself. The usually calm self-assured witch that could remain cool and make a wisecrack in the stickiest of situations was chewing on her lip nearly causing it to bleed as self-doubt warred with humiliation in her hazel eyes.

"Aww damn Taylor," The Hufflepuff groaned as he caught her bottom lip to stop her from chewing on it. "I don't care what you have or don't have, witch." His voice was just a whisper. "All I care about is what is in here," he touched her short red hair, "and in here," he dropped his hand to lay it over her pounding heart. His voice turned husky as he added, "I also like these too…" as his thumb traced over her lips.

The intensity in his blue eyes almost stole her breath away and it was a long moment before she could find her voice. "You are the strangest wizard I have ever met. For the life of me I can't see why you waste your time on me."

Using a gentle pressure he backed the witch up until she was against the wall. They weren't hidden, but they weren't out in plain sight here, around the corner from the marble staircase as they were. His huge body shielded her from being seen also. His voice low and husky rumbled up from his chest, "It's your life that is most precious to me. Only the time I spend away from you seems like a waste. Witch, I want to kiss your lips. I've thought of little else all day." Dropping his head he brushed his lips over the witch's, tasting a little coppery blood as well as her sweet essence. His witch had made her lip bleed after all. Holding in the desire to deepen the kiss, his lips continued their gentle exploration. After he was done with her lips he moved to her jaw and then down to her throat.

The sound of someone approaching made him pull away reluctantly. Whoever it was passed by unseen.

"I have an idea. It will take me about ten minutes to do it. Will you wait for me?"

Taylor looked up into those blue eyes that made her heart pound and her knees go weak. She was wondering if her heart was trying to set a new record of some kind as it pounded wildly in her chest. She hadn't yet recovered from the wizards kiss. Nodding her head, she knew she would wait wherever he asked.

"I'll be back as soon as I can." The Hufflepuff said with a smile as he backed up a step. His heart was racing. His witch had a just-kissed look to her that made his heart soar, while another part of him wanted to keep her from being seen, to protect her. Taking one last look, he turned and hurried off, wanting to get back to his witch as soon as possible.

Taylor didn't move. For a while she wasn't sure if she could, her knees shook so badly that she wondered how they supported all her weight. She heard a few people coming and going, and she wondered where the Hufflepuff had gone. She didn't have that long to wonder, before he was hurrying around the corner towards her, a big smile on his face.

She had at least recovered enough to ask "So Hufflepuff where are we going? You look like the cat that swallowed the canary."

"Do you trust me Porter?"

Taking a deep breath she nodded. She trusted him with her heart.

"Then I want you to close your eyes and take my arm. I will lead you. No peeking!"

Taylor stared at the tall wizard for a long moment before closing her eyes and taking his arm. She felt his hand cover hers and then he was leading her. It was a true test of trust. If she didn't trust him, all she had to do was open her eyes. Nothing was stopping her, except her trust in the tall wizard who was guiding her through the castle. It wasn't a long time before he stopped and she heard him open a door.

All her lessons with Shacklebolt and Moody rushed in on her. All their talk about never letting your guard down and always, always being prepared, resounded in her mind. A gentle squeeze of her hand made her decide. Keeping her eyes shut tight she allowed the Hufflepuff to lead her into a room and close the door behind them.

A/N Well there you have it... Greg just took Taylor someplace... dum, dum, daaaaaaa. :) So this is Valentine's day at Hogwarts... I always wanted to expand on that day there! And now Taylor is experincing her first Valentine's day with a boy! :) She is so assured as a witch and her ability to do magic... but socially she is sooooooo unsure of hereslf! Always questioning what she should do and if she should. Like I was and I'm sure a lot of you can relate to as well! Well hope you enjoyed it! Let me know what you thought!

As always thank you to those who reviewed(Sorry I haven't answered back yet but I will!) And for those who Alerted and Favorited! And Thank you for reading! Thanks go to barbc, my beta! And until next time, cytpotter.