Disclaimer: I am just a mere visitor in the sublime world constructed by the brilliant mind that is J.K Rowling. Anything that rings a bell is hers

Chapter 6

Harry's POV

The air wandered through my scalp, tossing my longer than usual strands in further disarray and whipping my cheeks, I sped up, not seeing the snitch but losing myself in the peaks of adrenalin that burst forth in flight, I caught a dash of red in my periphery, which wasn't much of a rarity as five of the players in this match had the matching flame hair, this one distinctively different in its length as she zoomed past me towards the post.

The parchment lying on my chest was so familiar to me that it felt like a second skin, it was crinkled at the edges at the amount of times that I had fidgeted with the sheet, needing to busy my hands whilst my brain worked. I didn't even have to look at it anymore, the words already stuck in my head, playing on repeat even when all I wanted was a moment of silence.

I jumped off the bed, kicking a box that lay next to it and regretting it immediately as my big toe made contact with the cardboard.

"What did those Puking Pastilles ever do to you?"

I looked to the door, Ginny leaned against the now open door, a concerned look on her face despite the light hearted words.

"I'm sorry for waking you."

She rolled her eyes, pushing the box back into its usual place. Well what I think was its usual place, I couldn't tell considering there were so many boxes and no sense of order, but I guess that is Fred and George for you.

"You didn't wake me. Ky came barging in like five minutes ago, totally unapologetic, absolutely oblivious to neither the time nor the consequences of my sleep being broken."

I tried to control my expression, hoping it didn't show my anxiety at what she had just said. For the past few days I had been walking on shells the size of dragon eggs, my ears constantly pricked for her imminent arrival. Ginny had arrived three days ago from the sleepover that Ron had informed me about, saying that Ky and Hermione were staying on for a few days. I didn't know if I was happy, or sad about that…I wanted to see her…but I didn't want to see her.

"I wonder whether I could convince mum to make her room with Phlegm."

I stood abruptly, positive I had heard her voice float up from the room below…Ginny looked at me, brows drawn together in confusion and I acted as if I had stood to cross the room to the window, opening it to further my pretense.

"I suppose I should just let her stay in my room though, hopefully she will return the favour one day now that she has a beach house."

I turned to Ginny, trying to look blasé, "She has a beach house?"

"The one we stayed at for the sleepover. Snape gave it to her. Can you believe that he owned a beach house, he looked like he'd melt if water touched him and burn in the sun!"

I looked out the window, not really knowing how to feel about the fact that she owned a beach house, just enjoying some information about her. I tried not to think about Ky on some beach somewhere…her tan skin infused with sunshine, glowing from within rather than reflecting the light, her long dark hair down her back as her bikini clad body sprawled in the sand, the waves licking her feet as she giggled in the way that I now found to be extremely arousing.

I heard the creak of bed springs and turned away from the window, completely forgetting that Ginny was in the room, she smiled at me sadly but remained silent.

"I'm sorry Ginny, what was it that you asked me for?" I had stopped paying attention recently; I completely blanked on why she had come up to my room.

She shook her head, that sad smile still on her face, "Figured I'd just let you know…you know…because you've been so jumpy…I thought it would make you relax a little to know that she's…that she's here."

I guess I was much more obvious than I thought. I remained silent, not knowing or wanting to respond, having a hard enough time even explaining it to Ron and dreading having to talk to Hermione…to suffer her imminent interrogation…

Ginny bent, disappearing behind the bed for a moment and straightened up, her ginger hair falling down her back once again,

"You dropped this letter."

I snatched it from her quickly, her eyes widening slightly by my actions and I reddened a bit, she hadn't even looked down at the words yet I overreacted.

"Thanks."

I pocketed it and she looked at me for a moment before turning her back on me and leaving the room, leaving me alone to my thoughts as these words on paper ran through my mind.

Ginny plunged the quaffle into the post, out flying Ron, she had always been the better flyer between the two. My red head best friend didn't take kindly to being beaten by his baby sister and tossed the quaffle with much force to our chaser, Bill. The girls however had strategically placed Fleur as their keeper and with a toss of her silver blonde hair as she posed in front of the post, Silvestre Sabre popped the quaffle out of a dazed and distracted Bill's arm, Saber was the only male on the girls' team as we didn't have equal numbers. It didn't help that he was an exceptionally good flyer, and extremely analytical when aiming, proven by the quaffle flying through our post for the fifth time. Ron was about to explode…

"Mate!" Ron jumped off the bed, crossing his small room in three strides and pulling me into a hug. He raised his eyebrows, "Nice beard."

I rolled my eyes, you could hardly call the scanty hair that grew across my face a beard, but I guess I did need a shave. I didn't respond and walked to the window, looking out at the night sky. Dumbledore had just left me at the Burrow, I was half surprised that he showed up, I wasn't as excited as I thought I would be considering yesterday's events with Ky…

"Mum thought you were coming in tomorrow. She's at Ky's sleepover." I turned and looked at him at that and he nodded his head, "I know, I'm also offended at not being invited! But apparently it's just for girls, they even invited Julez and her sister, she wrote to me yesterday to see if I was coming. I guess it isn't Ky's fault considering it's a surprise, I'm sure she would much rather have us there than those chicks. Mind you I won't mind being a fly on the wall…"

He went on and on, a dreamy look on his face, oblivious to my predicament. At least she wouldn't be here tonight…I was dreading seeing her…facing her after yesterday, I was even contemplating just waiting out the remainder of my days at Privet Drive…and then Dumbledore showed up.

"Harry? Do you?"

I looked up, not hearing the first part of Ron's question, "Do I what?"

"Mum says we can go and visit them tomorrow afternoon, have a day at the beach. Can you believe they have a whole beach house to themselves! So do you want to go?"

I sat slowly, trying to think what I should tell Ron…

"I…I haven't really packed beach clothes."

Ron laughed and I am sure I would have done the same, "I'll loan you a pair of trunks, no big deal mate, what's a pair of shorts between best mates. Anyway…if all goes well we might not even need the shorts." Ron's smile widened and his jest made my stomach twist, the memory of time spent with my pants down still fresh and therefore more potent in its pain.

"Is something the matter?"

I looked up, catching my reflection on his opened cupboard mirror on my glance upwards and realising that my pain was noticeable even for Ron to see. I couldn't lie to him, he would find out soon enough…I best get this over with.

"Ky…Ky and I are over."

He frowned, "Over what?"

I looked down at his wooden floorboards, "Over."

I didn't think he was dense enough to not understand what that meant; I think he was just finding this hard to believe.

"W…N…How?"

I bit my lip, still looking at his floor, thinking deeply of what I should tell him. Ron was my best friend, I trusted him and Hermione with everything…if I couldn't tell him…then who could I tell…

I reached into my pocket and pulled out the letter that I had taken to carrying around, as if to remind myself that it was real…I handed it to him and he took it in confusion. He read the letter, the confusion growing as his frown deepened and then his brows went from drawn together confusion to high eye browed surprise.

"Is this…is this true? It can't be…right? Impossible."

Impossible…the word that I had thought over and over again as I read that letter…impossible. "I don't know. He seemed quite convinced."

Ron lowered himself onto the bed, reading the letter again. "It must be a mistake."

"I'm sure it is." I hoped beyond anything that it was, I hoped with a hope so strong that it couldn't even fade, there was no even trying to stifle it. "I have to check first, with Lupin. He isn't responding to my letters though."

"He's with Linus and Lenzo isn't it, hunting Palbei, he hasn't even checked in here. Did you tell her?"

I looked at him as if he was mad, "Of course not. I can't just tell her this…without proof."

"Then why did you guys call it quits?"

I looked at Ron, what was he not getting! "We have to break up!"

"Well no…only if it's tru-"

"And until I know it's false I can't be with her!"

He opened his mouth and decided to shut it. We were silent for a moment, then he looked away from the letter.

"How did you break it off then, without telling her about this?" He shook the letter, gesturing what he meant.

"She thinks I cheated on her."

"How?" He bellowed and I shook my head.

"Don't worry, she just thinks I did and I let her believe it until-"

"Mate, you're going about this all the wrong way. She needs to know-"

"KY IS NOT GOING TO KNOW ABOUT THIS." I breathed heavily after the shout left my mouth and stood, pacing the room. "I just…I can't tell her without knowing for sure. I will tell her when I find out but for now I'd rather her hate me than know… That's why you can't tell anyone! Not even Hermione."

"Woah…Harry…Hermione can help, finding out stuff is what she does best."

"This will tear at Hermione, she'll want to obey my trust but at the same time tell Ky, I would rather spare her the dilemma and just leave her in the dark."

"But-"

"Ron! You cannot know how much I have thought over this." I turned to him, my face pleading; I didn't even care to hide it. "You cannot know how it hurts. But I will take it until I have proof. I don't want her…I don't want to hurt her."

"She already thinks you have mate."

"And let her think it. Let her hate me for that, the pain cannot be worse than knowing this."

He sighed, looking back down at the sheet of paper, and then up at me, "What can I do to help?"

I nodded, not answering his question, grateful that he wasn't pushing the topic and crossed the bed, ready to brainstorm with my best friend.

"Harry, watch out!" I ducked, the bat flying over my head and falling to the ground. Hermione flew unsteadily towards me, a sheepish expression on her face at the fact that she had mistakenly flung the beaters bat at me. "Sorry."

Selina had made up for her blunder has she wacked the bludger at her brother, hitting him on the shoulder as he dropped the quaffle.

Hermione flinched, her brown hair flying across her face, how she got placed as beater on the girls' side is beyond me.

Ginny had left the room, and I wandered back to the window, listening for her laughter once more. I heard steps behind me and turned, half hoping to see grey eyes…instead seeing chocolate…

A myriad of emotions spattered across her face as she hovered at the door, she settled on anger yet rushing forward and engulfing me in a hug at the same time.

"You may begin."

She let go of me, placing her feet firmly on the ground and looking up at me expectantly.

"Begin?" I knew what she meant but I was pulling time.

"Your explanation."

I turned, walking back to the window, "There really is no explanation Hermione. It happened. I made a mistake."

"A MISTAKE!" She snapped and I resolutely looked into the sky, even as she now stood next to me, trying to look at my face.

"That's what humans do Hermione. And that's what I am. I am not perfect."

"You're no idiot either."

"It's not as simple as that."

"Well really it is Harry! Why did you do it!"

She grabbed my shoulder, forcing me to look at her, her face torn.

"Like I said before, I made a mistake. A stupid, and as you so kindly put it, idiotic mistake. One that I regret, greatly, If I had a time turner, I would use it. Believe me!"

I turned and walked to the wardrobe, just to hide my face.

"I can't believe-"

"Neither can I. You're disappointed, you have no idea how I feel. I guess I'm not as great as everyone thinks I am. I guess I am deplorable and I would grovel at Ky's feet if I thought it would make any difference but I know her well enough to know that it would not. So I am asking you, to drop this. To not push the matter, I hurt Ky, I know that. And in doing so I know I hurt you." I turned, fixing her with a sincere look, "I am sorry."

She gulped, swallowing whatever she had on the tip of her tongue, "It's not me you should be apologising to."

"I know that. I guess I'm not as brave as you all think I am."

She bit her lip, contemplating once again to push the topic. Thankfully I saw familiar hair in the reflection of the wall mirror and Ron came in, tossing her up in a hug and I settled in my bed, ready to relay more comforting news to my best friends…about prophecies that foretold my death….

I saw the little glint of gold in my periphery as it fluttered around my head, I reached toward it out of reflex, stopping myself just before my fingers touched its soft feathered wings as I reminded myself that it wasn't my goal to catch the snitch. It fluttered ahead of me, just as a dark mane fluttered beside me, wisps of her soft strands catching my cheek and I inhaled deeply and followed the familiar form.

It was well into the night, I had remained in the Twins room for most of the day, feigning a headache. My stomach growled, reminding me that I hadn't eaten since Mrs Weasley brought me lunch a few hours ago. The house was silent, littered with soft and loud snores that sang sans rhythm in the night. I pulled my shirt over my head and took to the stairs, unsure where to actually find food considering the Weasleys' didn't exactly have a fridge. How did they keep their food fresh then? Probably a stasis charm on the whole pantry…

I stopped in the entrance of the kitchen, all thoughts of food gone as the familiar form stood before me, with her back to me, right hand holding the small pantry door open as she peered up at the top shelf. She was on her tip toes in moments, her fingers grasping at the air. I walked forward, easily grabbing the bag of Honeyduke's Cookies that she was trying to get her hands on.

She gasped, stepping away from me, more out of shock than recognition. Her look of surprise slowly turned to steel as she took me in and my body shivered at the icy look. I didn't dare speak, holding out the bag of cookies that she liked to warm up for a few seconds before popping three into her mouth and crunching away with a wide smile…that smile was a distant memory from the glower she had on her face now. She slipped past me, making sure not a fibre of our beings touched and crossed the room in long determined strides.

I was in my bed in just as few strides, my stomach growling painfully not fazing me in the least.

I could make out the gold letters spelling out Kyrianna's Thunder and tried to stay at this distance, the Firebolt was too good a broomstick though as it accelerated without me even moving forward. I unintentionally reached her in speed as we were shoulder to shoulder; I refrained from picking up my hand though, knowing if I did I would catch the snitch. Her outstretched hand however was grasping at the air, much shorter than my own right upper limb. She could catch it if she edged down just a little further, but she never flew competitively before and her stance didn't change.

Suddenly her hand reached forward and I smiled slightly, seems she was a better flyer than I had thought and I could see her fingertips enclose over the gold metal…my smile faded quickly however as my eyes took in the scene before me…Kyrianna's Thunder was nowhere to be seen…and Ky was plummeting to the ground. Without another moment of contemplation I dipped down, fusing with my handle to gain speed and turning up just as I was feet away from the grass, holding my hands up and hoping that I estimated right.

Her body hit my arms, pushing me down slightly with the force and I tried controlling my firebolt with just my knees as I regained my hovering position.

"Let me go!" She shoved at me as I tried to land us and pushed at my arms, forcing me to release her as she clumsily fell to the floor, straightening up quickly, fury on her face. Shadows loomed closer as everyone flew to us and I returned her glare.

"WHAT THE FUCK WERE YOU THINKING!"

She jumped! She jumped OFF her broom! OFF! She jumped. She stared at me stubbornly, turning on her heel and marching off and I grabbed her by the elbow, spinning around.

"DO NOT TOUCH ME!"

"What the fuck is wrong with you! Why in Godric's name would you jump off your broom!"

"Why the fuck do you care!" She snarled, jostling to get out of my grip as I tightened it.

"How can you be so reckless!"

She pushed at me with her other hand, "I don't need a lecture from you Potter! And I definitely do not need you going easy on me!"

"I wasn't-"

"I'm NOT STUPID!"

"Well you're a very convincing actor then. Is this some sort of payback! Hurt yourself to make me feel guilty!"

"If I wanted to pay you back I would shove my tongue down some blokes throat and rip your heart out with my bear hands!"

I let go of her, the tears that escaped her eyes less identifiable as angry tears as they were five seconds ago.

"Are you OK!" Hermione reached her, grabbing her shoulder as Ginny and Fred fast approached. Saber had been by us from the beginning, silently watching our exchange of words like he always did.

She stormed down the orchard, Agnes and the rest of the girls hot on her heels as I turned away from the many confused faces fast approaching.

"Thank you."

I turned, looking at his amber eyes, "For what?"

"For catching her. It was impossible for me to have reached in time."

I breathed heavily; glancing back and seeing Ron distract his family from approaching us. "I don't think she thought that, she obviously thought you would get there in time, I don't think she would have jumped otherwise…she may be mental but she's not insane."

"She knew full well I would not have reached. Yet she still jumped…you are as good a flyer as they say Potter."

My breathing slowed down slightly as I took in his words, she didn't want me to catch her…she didn't even want me to touch her.

"There's no guessing about it. There's only one reason you jumped, and one only, you knew one of your brothers would catch you or break your fall."

It had been two years since I had said those words to her…two years…so much had changed in those two years…I had told her she jumped because she trusted that her brothers would catch her…Ky was an instinctive person in stressful situations…she couldn't outthink her reflexes…and it seems her reflexes were saying that she should take the chance and jump because she trusted me to catch her…yet I destroyed that trust didn't I…I had broke her yet she still jumped…what did that mean.

"Great catch Harry, too bad it couldn't be the snitch!" I bristled slightly as Bill clapped me on the shoulder, "Don't think too much of it Cap'n, we'll get them next time."

I squinted, seeing the dark hair in the distance as she wrenched the front door open and I sighed knowing there would be no next time…

A/N: Please review with your thoughts

Kalina