Chapter 21: The Un-ruined Picture

Zoey sat in the chair next to Harry's bed as she watched the rise and fall of his chest. Hours, Days, Weeks passed since her little moment with Fred and like the first time it was not spoken between either of them and this time George didn't know about it. Zoey did not know what made Fred do what he did. It was completely unlike him but Zoey never got the chance to ask. After Fred had apologized he walked away. He next day he acted the same as ever, same goes for Christmas and the days after.

Zoey did not know what to think.

"Interesting finding you here Miss Black," an old voice came from behind Zoey. She jumped in her seat and whirled around.

"Professor Dumbledore!" Zoey gasped.

"Shh. You don't want to wake Harry now do you?" Dumbledore asked as he brought a finger to his lips. Zoey nodded her head and stood up to leave.

"Where are you going Miss Black?"

"Sorry sir but… I thought you would want to talk privately to Harry…so…yeah," Zoey said rather awkwardly.

"There's no need," Dumbledore said, "As you can see Harry is not even awake yet. You can stay."

Zoey nodded her head before sitting back on her chair. She reached for Harry's small, slightly scratched hand and rubbed it. She tilted her head a bit as she continued to watch the rise and fall of his chest. She stayed quiet not really knowing what to do in the presence of her headmaster. She wasn't as close to him as Harry.

After a while Dumbledore spoke.

"You seem to be very close to Harry, Miss Black," Dumbledore said as he looked at the pile of gifts near Harry's bed. Zoey watched as he picked up a box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans and read the back.

"No… Ron and Hermione are his best mates… I-I," Zoey could not go on. She did not really know what she was to Harry.

"I?" Dumbledore asked, "You feel a sort of connection to him don't you?"

Zoey bit her lip as she continued to stroke Harry's hand, "I guess you could put it that way…"

Dumbledore placed the box back down and proceeded to pick up a chocolate frog box, "Tell me Miss Black. Do you know who your parents are?"

Zoey's eyes widened. She did not expect such a question to come up. "Of course sir," she said in a quiet voice.

"Hmm… can you tell me their names?"

"L-lucy Alena Emeraude and…and," Zoey looked down at hers and Harry's hands.

"And?" Dumbledore urged her to continue.

"and Sirius Orion Black," Zoey said as she released her hold on Harry's hand and started to play with the sleeves of her robes. She bit her lip.

"Ah yes…yes…," Dumbledore said as he placed the chocolate frog box down and walked towards Zoey, "If I am correct- and please correct me if I'm wrong- they were married were they not?"

"They were," Zoey whispered

"Then why do you introduce yourself with your mother's surname but not your father's as you should?" Dumbledore asked with kindness in his voice.

Zoey stayed quiet. She let go of her sleeves and started to play with the bangles on her wrists, a gift she received from Bridgit and Echo for Christmas. "You know who my father is, sir"

"Ah but of course," Dumbledore mused as he looked back at the gifts near Harry's bed. He had a smile on his lips when he came across a Hogwarts Toilet seat. Zoey's mouth twitched up a bit.

"I reckon it's from Fred and George," she said with a soft voice.

"Yes, yes," Dumbledore chuckled, "I believe once Madam Pomfrey catches sight of this she'll have to confiscate it."

Zoey watched as Dumbledore scanned the other gifts. She quietly reached for Harry's hands and continued to stroke it once more. She placed her hand on the bed and bent over to rest on her arm. She listened to the soft footsteps of her headmaster. It was not the same as the horrid clacking of her aunt's shoes.

"If you are not as close to Harry as Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger then who are- what's the word you youngsters use?- your 'best mates' as you say," Dumbledore asked. Zoey observed that the question may appear rude to most but with Dumbledore it just came out as curious.

"Echo, Bridgit, Fred and George, sir," Zoey replied as she sat upright.

"I see…I see…," Dumbledore trailed off, "And would you say you could trust them with anything?"

"I'd die for them," Zoey said.

"Nothing too rash Miss Black but I admire your loyalty," Dumbledore said with a smile, "But if you don't mind me asking…do they know about who you truly are?"

Zoey stayed silent.

"Please excuse me if the question came off as rude. I was merely being curious," Dumbledore said

"It's alright sir…no…they don't know…," Zoey said.

"Are you planning to tell them anytime soon?" Dumbledore asked.

Zoey's eyes focused on the ground beneath her, "I've thought about it," she whispered, "but… I just don't think it's the right time"

"And when would the right time be, Miss Black?"

"I don't know"

Dumbledore stayed quiet as he observed the small girl. She was short and skinny for her age and her hair always seemed to have a mind of its own. He had observed that she spent most of her meals over at the Gryffindor table and had heard from Professor Sprout that the girl had no friends in her own house. The daughter of the Emeraude outcast and the mass murder was troubled and scared. She was someone who did not know how to open up.

"From experience, I have learned that I would always feel a bit lighter in the shoulders when I share a little bit about myself to very close friends who I know would understand," Dumbledore said as he absentmindedly twirled his finger around his long beard.

"But this isn't exactly little is it sir?" Zoey asked.

"Ah… I believe you're right," Dumbledore smiled, "You haven't visited my office this year Miss Black. You have nothing to ask? Nothing to tell?"

"There's a lot actually," Zoey said, "But it's just.. just…"

"Hard to put into words?" Dumbledore asked.

"Yeah… that one. Professor? I couldn't help but wonder… what happened to Harry? What caused him to be here in the Hospital Wind?" Zoey asked as she looked back at the black haired boy.

Dumbledore smiled as he walked back to the gifts. He picked up the box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans. Zoey watched him curiously.

"I recall that in my youth I came across a vomit flavored one," Dumbledore said causing Zoey to make a face, "I must say I've lost my liking to them after that."

Zoey, sensing that Dumbledore was not going to answer her question, asked, "Sir? I've noticed that there are many –err- odd flavors in there…how do they possible know what they taste like? I mean… did they actually taste earwax before making it a bean flavor?"

"Alas, I do not know Miss Black. I have wondered the same thing many times but never did I come across the answer," Dumbledore said with a smile.

Zoey smiled in return before standing up and releasing her hold on Harry's hand. "I better be going," she said, "It was nice chatting with you, Professor"

Dumbledore smiled as he watched Zoey head towards the door, "I enjoyed it myself. But please, Miss Black, please consider sharing more about yourself to your friends."

Zoey froze and the handle of the door as she looked back at her headmaster. Her eyebrows knitted in thought before slowly saying, "I will sir… goodbye"

She opened the door and left with brisk steps. She walked down the hall and made a rough turn running into something.

"We've got to stop meeting like this," someone laughed.

Zoey rubbed her nose and looked up to see Fred grinning down at her. Her mouth twitched upwards.

"I agree," she laughed as well, "Where were you heading?"

"I was going to find you actually," Fred said as he scratched the back of his head, "Echo said you've been gone for a long time"

"Couldn't you have used the…the... Marauder's Map to find me? Wouldn't it have been faster?" Zoey asked.

"Yes, well," Fred began as he took her hand in his, "I thought a little time for myself would do me some good. You know, get some thinking done"

Zoey gasped and mocked shock, "Thinking? The Fred Weasley actually using his brains? Captain Stupidity acting smart? Is it the end of the world?"

Fred laughed as he bumped Zoey in the side causing her to stumble a bit. Zoey laughed as well.

"That hurt Zoe," Fred laughed as he pointed his finger to his right chest.

"Really now? And what are you pointing at?" Zoey asked as she raised her brow.

"My heart of course. Can't you hear it cracking?"

"Are you sure?" Zoey asked, "Cause last time I checked your heart was on the left side of your chest."

Fred looked down and blushed seeing his mistake. He quickly shifted his finger to his left chest.

"There you go," Zoey laughed.

"From experience, I have learned that I would always feel a bit lighter in the shoulders when I share a little bit about myself to a very close friend who I know would understand,"

Dumbledore's words rang in her head as she looked up at Fred. Fred was grinning widely as he continued to walk to who knows where.

Zoey thought quietly to herself as she recalled all the times she had had a nightmare. When the nightmares began to get worse Fred was always there when she woke up. He was there when she felt like the world was on top of her shoulders. He was there to bring her back to reality.

Fred felt Zoey's eyes on him and he looked down at her.

"Something on your mind Zoe?" he asked

Zoe. He was the only one who called her that.

Zoey shook her head.

When will I tell them? Zoey wondered to herself as she caught sight of Echo and the other's by the Black Lake. They waved at her and she waved back.

"Let's go then?" Fred asked her.

Zoey nodded her head. Not now…I don't want to ruin this picture.


And here's the last chapter of Zoey's Third Year!

Yey!

Clap, Clap, Clap!

Now hopefully tomorrow I can get up and typing their Fourth year!

wooohooo!

:D

I would like to thank "HayleyParadox" for the "heart joke" thanks me amiga!

Yeah... I can't speak spanish.

Oh well, chapter I bit shorter than usual.

Hope you enjoyed it!

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