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 25

Harry's POV

I whipped around, shutting the door with a loud snap on the inquisitive faces that tried to peer through.

"What the hell Ginny!"

She leaned against the opposite wall of the broom cupboard, not a foot away considering how cramped it was, I remember it being much bigger in my first year but this wasn't exactly the time to be thinking about the schematics of broom cupboards.

Ginny glowered at me, her brown eyes bright like orange embers, "Speak for yourself Harry! What in Godric's name were you thinking!"

My mouth fell open, what was I thinking! Me? Was I the one that randomly kissed someone in front of the whole fucking school! Not to mention Ky! FUCK.

I banged my fist against the wall…she was right there, she was a hair's breadth away…that close to everything being OK again and Ginny had to fucking ruin it.

I waved my hand, fighting off the pain from my right fist, "Smart Harry."

I glared at her, she was in no position to make comments like that, she sighed, tossing her light red strands over her neck and standing at her full height, she had a red shirt and white shorts on, but I could see the white bikini strings at her neck, "What were you thinking? You and Ky would just kiss and make up and everything would be OK again. When did you become so naïve?"

I ignored her, massaging my knuckles, "It's none of your business what goes on between-"

"You made it my business! Remember!"

She glinted at me and I turned away, knowing full well that she was right…

I pulled on my boxers, my pants following suit quickly, I grabbed the towel off the shower door and rubbed at my hair distracted…

I flexed my hand, it was stinging a bit ever since it made contact with that little shit Davis' face…I sighed, thinking of that fight made me think of what had occurred after the altercation…

I could still taste her skin on my lips…I could get drunk on her taste…every bit of her…I still felt heady from it, from the kisses…from the memory and how it brought so many more forward…nothing had changed…she lit me aflame like she always did, each moan, each touch, each shiver breaking me down further and further until all inhibitions disappeared…

I closed my eyes, knowing that if I continued that train of thought I would soon be needing another cold shower, probably my third one for the day…

I lowered myself onto the bench in the portion of the changing room we used for pre-match pep talks. What was I thinking? What am I saying…I wasn't even thinking…I couldn't get out a coherent thought…fuck…?

My head was beginning to ache and I massaged it with the hand that held the towel.

"Tough practice."

I didn't turn, knowing the voice well enough as it floated from the entrance of the Girls Showers. I rubbed the towel over my hair, her soft footsteps getting louder as she walked forward, I heard the rustle of clothes and I could feel her presence near me as she sat on the bench.

Ginny sighed, filling the silence with her voice, "Especially on Demelza, Coote still hasn't learned extension control, he just flings that bat any which way. I hope it doesn't scar though, I got hit in the face with the beaters bat once, remember? Hermione still feels guilty about it, but then Hermione isn't exactly the strongest of swingers, now Coote…"

She trailed off, hopefully accepting that I was in no mood to talk. Yet her babbling brought forth another memory, of that Girls vs Boys quidditch match in the summer. The Ky from then was so angry, repulsed by me, clambering out of my hands as fast as she could manage, even after I saved her from that fall…yet earlier on… she pulled me to her, she was everywhere, hungry and needy…I shivered, glancing at Ginny as if she could read my thoughts but her brown eyes were focused on the opposing wall, as if there was something interesting in the peach paint that coated the changing rooms.

"I saw you." She muttered and my heart quickened, fed with the nervous energy that sparked in me at her comment. Saw me? With Ky? In the secret passage of the Dancing Puppies? "About a month ago…" She turned to me, her brown eyes bright from the lamp that hovered above us, "I had detention with Filch, I was walking passed the First Floor…outside the Wing…just for a moment, I saw you. Then you disappeared, invisibility cloak right?"

I didn't respond and she sighed, "Look Harry, I know it's none of my business…but at the same time, you're my friend. I can tell," She added with a slight tinge of annoyance, "That Ron is too breast deep to realise that his best friend is…not OK. And I know…I know what happened to you and Ky during the Summer is your business, and I don't want to get into what happened or what didn't happen, I'm not here to gossip. I'm just here to say if you need to talk, you know where to find me…"

I took a deep breath in, I knew I wasn't trying very hard to appear fine about the breakup, but that was only because I figured if anybody would see me upset they would just chalk it up to the fact that I was stressed with Voldemort being back…officially…yet more often than not all I could think about was Ky…whether I had made the right decision…whether I was just being a coward…more than once I wanted to talk to Hermione, because Ron never gave me any sort of useful advice…but if I couldn't tell Hermione…

Ginny stood, her slender frame clothed in tracksuit pants and a shirt that I saw her team up often at the Burrow, she looked down at me, disappointment prominent on her slight features and a surge of guilt hit me…she wasn't nosy, Ginny wasn't inquisitive, if anything my countless holidays with the Weasleys taught me that she was very respectful of boundaries, knowing just when Ron, Hermione and I needed to be alone…she wasn't here because she wanted to know the real reason why Ky and I broke up, she was here because she genuinely did care…and I took that care and disrespected her by letting her walk away.

"I didn't want her to know." She stopped, her hand on the door knob, she turned, her face fighting a smile, she seemed like she had won a personal battle by getting me to open up. I looked at the floor, my chest felt tight; my breath stifled…side effects of talking about Ky I suppose.

"Didn't want her to know what?" Her voiced floated from the seat she now occupied, right beside me, I could see her white sneakers, the rainbow coloured shoelaces so childlike.

"That I visited her when she was in the Hospital Wing. Hence the invisibility cloak." I knew it was creepy…standing there, hidden away and observing her for hours and I was disgusted with myself for doing it, but I had no choice…every day I would say it was just to check if she was doing well, just for five minutes, but slowly five became fifteen and fifteen became fifty until one night I only left the Wing at two in the morning. I made the excuse that I was making sure that I was guarding her, just in case someone tried attacking like Nott warned that they would do on her first day there.

I knew the truth though…I just wanted to be in her presence…without her glaring or scowling…or worse…that look of disappointment. I closed my eyes at that…that was the worst.

"I don't understand why you wouldn't want her to know Harry…I mean…wouldn't that help? Wouldn't it show her that you still cared…don't you want her forgiveness?"

I opened my eyes, glancing at Ginny's expectant face, "I don't want her to know that I still care…" Her brows crumbled together in confusion and I sighed, "It's complicated."

She nodded, understanding that that meant I wasn't ready to tell her, "Ok. Erm…" She wasn't as confident in this advisory position as she first presented, but that didn't upset me, it meant more that she was coming out of her comfort zone, just to help me.

"Look Ginny," I smiled, and I was surprised it didn't crack my face, "I'll be OK. Thank you…for this."

She half looked like she was willing to accept that, she tried and failed and it was time to walk away…but with a grimace she stayed on the bench, "I know that's a lie. Look, I'm probably crap at giving you advise, especially on girls. But considering this is Ky, and she isn't exactly a girl girl is she? I mean…" She grumbled, getting to her feet and standing in front of me, "It's just stupid. You know. Everyone can see that you two are miserable…and I mean…ugh…" She grumbled again, "Just say sorry. I know, it's dumb and that's probably pathetic advise…I don't know," She bit her bottom lip, "Have you even tried?"

I shook my head in the negative, I couldn't try getting Ky back, that wasn't an option.

"Why not! I know, she isn't really the forgiving type, actually she's very much the blood vengeance type isn't she. But…at least you can say you tried to make things right."

"I can't." I muttered, staring at a spot in the ceiling rather than her observant brown eyes.

"Not can't. Won't. Why!" She asked exasperated.

I stood, walking to the window, staring out at the dark quidditch pitch, I should have just let her leave, there's no use talking about it. I ran a hand through my damp hair, swallowing, my mouth was dry…I can't talk about this.

"Harry." I stared resolutely at the full moon, somewhere out there Remus was in wolf form…I could hear a howl off in the distance but I think I half imagined it…I needed to speak to him. I needed him to respond to my letters...

"Harry." I felt her long fingers at my elbow and my muscles tensed at the memory of feminine fingers that ghosted across my skin. "Harry, did you cheat on Ky?"

I let out a long whistling breath, she right out asked it didn't she? The whole school was buzzing with the information that Ky and I broke up, didn't exactly blame them, we were quite a high profile couple…I did blame them for the disgusting rumours, all involving Ky cheating on me with a whole array of men. I half wanted to shout out the truth just to protect her against the rumours but I knew she had thicker skin than that. Nobody even thought that it was me? That it was my fault that we broke up…

"No." My breath misted over the glass pane as I muttered out the word, but the room was so silent I knew she had heard me.

"Why does she think you did?"

I didn't respond, I shouldn't tell her this. Why was I telling her this? I should just forget this whole thing, forget the letter, forget the picture, forget the receipt…forget it all. Remus wasn't responding, Sirius wasn't in the right state of mind when he penned the note…trapped in that house…plus he had a year to send that letter…yet he didn't? I should just forget all of this, go to Ky, and beg her to take me back. Be with her, being with her was so good, so easy…

And then I saw it. My reflection…in that glass…my untidy black hair…my glasses…my nose…my lips…I closed my eyes, I couldn't…I just couldn't.

"Harry-"

"I can't. I just can't Ginny. I can't be with Ky…Godric I can't and it's-"I couldn't say it out loud, how it was killing me, I swallowed, it was so easy when Ky didn't want me, when she ran away and ignored me…why didn't she chase me away today…oh Godric I couldn't deny her…I can't do that again…my whole body shook and I felt a comforting hand at my back.

"It's OK Harry. You don't have to…I'm sorry."

I could see her worried brown eyes in the reflection, her orange hair lighting the room like a lamp and I turned to her, "It's hard." I grimaced, hard wasn't the word…it was unbearable staying away from her. It took such a time to get where we were…and now…

"What can I do?" Earnestness shone on her face and at this moment I wanted nothing more than to tell her everything, for this weight to be on another's shoulder…but I didn't.

I took a deep breath, emitting a shaky laugh, "The only person that can help matters isn't reachable so for now there's nothing anyone can do, short of physically keeping us apart." I scoffed, scratching at my clean shaven face and Ginny sighed in exasperation…yeah…my point exactly.

"I didn't mean that! I didn't think that you would actually do that!" I snapped, leaning against the door. Fuck. I scratched at my neck; I could still feel her breath over there…fuck.

Ginny glared at me, "Forgive me for protecting a friend!"

"Protecting me!" I growled out, "How is keeping me away from the girl I love protecting me!"

"Because it will hurt that much more when you break up again! Harry! Don't you see! I see you! I see how it hurts! I see how you look at her! I see how you haven't slept in weeks! I don't need an invisibility cloak to stand around watching you! Observing you! Checking up on you! Because ALL you see is HER! And believe me, I get it. You love her! I know!" She breathed heavily, her ginger strands coming alive with her anger, "But you seemed so sure on Wednesday that you couldn't be together. Has something changed?"

I bit my lip, knowing the answer to her question. No…nothing has changed…except my resolve. I couldn't do it, I couldn't stay away from her anymore, especially now that she was open to us being together again…I gripped my hair, what was I thinking. We'd get back together just for me to realise why we can't be together again! I banged the back of my head against the door as I leaned against it in frustration, Ginny was right…

"I thought so." She swallowed, her face slowly moving back to its usual colour. "Look, maybe I acted in haste, maybe I shouldn't have…kissed you and implied that we were…I just…I thought…you-"

"I know." I breathed, "You were just trying to help."

She nodded, "You didn't exactly help matters by pulling me into the first broom cupboard you saw."

I narrowed my eyes at her, "I didn't think this was a conversation that should be had in public."

She shrugged, "Still…doesn't help matters. What do we do from here?"

"What do you mean?" Was Ginny implying what I think she was implying.

"Well, if we 'break up', do you think you have the willpower to keep away from Ky?"

"Ginny," I scoffed, "Are you seriously considering us 'dating'" I emphasised with my fingers.

She rolled her eyes, "Relax Harry, I'm not that eleven year old pathetic obsessed girl anymore, I'm just saying we can pretend. If that will help you?"

"Why would you do this? I mean…don't you have anyone…"

She shrugged, "Nobody really. Look, you saved my life, didn't you? It's the least I could do to pay you back. Plus, Duncan Igleby keeps asking me out, and this might help keep him at bay."

I took in her words…I only needed to do this until Remus gets back…once he does and this whole mess gets straightened out…I could tell Ky, explain everything. It's not like Ginny and I will really be dating, and Christmas was right around the corner…Remus should be here by then right? I mean…what's the worst that can happen in a few weeks anyway…

Ky's POV

The revolving steps were much too slow for me; I thundered up them impatiently, the smacks of my bare feet echoing off the walls which were barely an arm's length away from each other.

My feet finally hit plush red carpet and I ran down the small room that housed the entrance to Nonno's office, the sounds of my footsteps muffled by the thick plush fibres.

"-need to guide the boy. We cannot have occurrences such as this again! The students safety-"

I froze outside the door which was slightly ajar, and my body systems seemed to have followed suit as well as my heart and lungs froze.

"I know Headmaster, yes, the student's safety comes first. I know, you stand and command me as if the instructions you bestow are ever so easy to comply. The boy is changed, he's not as welcoming of my assistance as he once was, he's relying more on his friends for guidance, something which doesn't trouble me as much as it should considering Nott has always been a thinker, I can't imagine he advised him on the events that occurred. It would seem that he has decided to heed the words of those two dunderheads he once called cronies…this is not like him, not like any of them. It's much too untidy."

"It must not happen again."

"And how will you have me prevent it! What can I possibly do that I have not! He won't confide in me. I don't know what he is thinking."

"We cannot let the child be another sacrificial pawn in this game Voldemort is playing. He thinks he has given this child a life sentence, we must prove him wrong. The boy must either succeed or be saved Severus. Salvage him."

I swallowed as the room fell in silence, I took a step closer to the slightly ajar door, my ears attuned for Sev's voice.

"As if I need reminding of that fact."

I heard the familiar whip like sound that was characteristic of Sev turning on his heel, his cloak dancing in the wind and I scuttled backwards.

"Bane?"

I jumped off the steps, pretending as if I had just reached the room, Sev looked down at me in disapproval but I knew it had more to do with my attire than any inkling he had that I had overheard his conversation with Nonno. His onyx eyes glared at the pair of shorts as if it was the most offensive item of clothing in the world and I was shocked the thing didn't catch alight.

I didn't have time to worry about the state of dress just yet, as Nonno stepped out of his office, his twinkling blue eyes bright and a grand smile on his tired face. I ran up, pulling him into a tight hug, his long silver beard tickling my cheeks and his thick robes barely allowing my hands to encircle him.

"It's good to see you too Kyrianna. And great to see you well."

I pulled away from his hold, staring up at his lined face, each wrinkle seemed deeper than they had been on our last meeting, actually he was sporting a good few more and suddenly a pain gripped my heart at the sudden realisation that Nonno…Nonno was old…much too old for this! Much too old for my shouting! Much too old for ungratefulness!

"Oh come now, tears! Tears are for little girls, no?"

I wiped at my face quickly, "I'm sorry."

"Ahh cucciolo, rather you cry and let it out than hold it in and rot from within from the pain." He led me into his office and I shook my head.

"No, I mean sorry for acting so repugnant the last time, I should never have spoken to you in such a way Nonno, I am so sorry."

He chuckled and a few of the lines on his face lifted at the act, he walked to his chair and sat down, gesturing for me to do the same. "I could never think you repugnant Kyrianna. Not even if you were coated by flobberworms. Actually, I have quite the fondness for flobberworms, misunderstood little creatures, great for exfoliating the feet."

I took my seat, a wide smile on my face, first Linus and Len and now Nonno…well I can't say it was altogether a great weekend…what with…I shook my head…this was a happy time. Nonno was back home.

"I hope that all went well wherever you were." I bit my teeth, no matter how curious I was as to where he was disappearing to; I would show my maturity and level headedness by not asking.

He seemed to recognise my effort and offered me a warm smile, "The task I sought to accomplish is not one of those that can offer a quantitative outcome, it's more a…we shall see when the time comes situation…now to important matters. Judging by the way you bounded forward your back seems to be doing well; I owe Miss Towers a debt of gratitude for that. I hear there was somewhat of a scandal last Wednesday," His smile dulled slight, "Do you wish to speak of it?"

I battered it away nonchalantly, "Hardly can honour it with the term scandal, whoever did this needs a lesson from that Skeeter woman. Anyway it gave rise to a brilliant initiative, I'm sure Sev informed you which made me think, as a school our philanthropic efforts are quite dismal, I was thinking for Christmas we should-"

I heard the sound of footsteps and turned to the door, Harry stood, framed in the opened entrance, his face flustered and eyes wide, "I…er…I can come back-"

"Nonsense." Nonno chided gesturing Harry into his office and I tried to fight all the emotion off my face, "I didn't realise it was eight already."

Harry remained at the doorway, "I'll come back, I don't mind…"

I stood, keeping my eyes focused on the portrait of Headmaster Walter Aragon, which was nearest to the door and watched as he furrowed his brows, contemplating his next move in his never ending chess match with Headmaster Gagwilde as I walked to the exit.

I just about made it to the door when he spoke again, "Or Ky could stay, Sir, that won't be a problem would it?"

I glanced back at Nonno who rose from his seat, "I don't think it wise. Sleep well Kyrianna."

He nodded and I shrugged, exiting his office, pretending that I didn't care either way of what the outcome would be.

I let out the breath I was holding when I stepped through the revolving staircase, absently petting the gargoyle guarding Nonno's office who purred in appreciation.

"Oh I know that look." I turned to the familiar voice, the blonde head shining in the dark corridor, "That's a post Potter look isn't it?"

I crossed the grounds in a matter of strides and took the front steps hastily, tripping on the top one but righting myself before I fell, I could hear a few giggles at that and I ignored it, I would have outright laughed had it been anyone else and their giggles would be the least of my worries soon.

I bounded up the stairs and turned right on the first floor, heading into the opposite direction of the Hospital Wing, I could hear Mi shout after me but I was much too fast, knowing that the tears were coming, fuck.

I took a deep breath, fighting the image that replayed in my head, it was just a kiss on the cheek yet somehow it hurt worse than imagining them right out snog in front of me…there's something personal about soft kisses…something affectionate…not just attraction.

I reached my destination, but my way was blocked by an unfortunately familiar figure.

Davis was wrapping on the door to the girls bathroom, his three cronies lined against the opposite wall. Green eyes observed me steadfastly, and I looked away from the boy, I had no time to deal with his invasive stares.

"Daphne! Daphne! Open up right this instant, if you don't-"

I shoved Davis, he fell backwards considering how scrawny he was and he swore. I didn't wait for him to elaborate or retaliate and I entered the toilet, going straight to the basin.

I clumsily opened the tap, the water gushing out with such force it bounced of the enamel and drenched my shirt, but I didn't care, splashing what liquid I could straight onto my face. My breathing was shallow and it seems my physically cooling my face wasn't working as it still felt like I had stuck it into a fire.

I closed the tap, clutching the basin to stop my hands from shaking, and that's when I saw it…the grey sleeve…his grey sleeve.

A feral growl escaped my lips as my hands quickly left the basin and I wrenched the hoodie off me, tossing it to the floor as if it were on fire…stamping it a good few times…

"No matter how many times you do that…the stench won't go away."

I looked to my left where the sound came from but I saw nobody.

"I had Blaise's soaked in Sinfully Silky for days and it still smelled of him. Sometimes I wonder if it's not all in here."

I followed the voice this time, taking a few steps into the room, finding Daphne Greengrass seated on the floor, her long blonde hair flowed down her skin, covering her dark pink bikini top, her long pale legs were naked, the floral sarong she wore bunched up as she sat with her legs bent up in front of her, in a very un-Greengrass kind of way. Her long fingers pointed at her head, gesturing at what she meant by her last statement.

She still wore her dark shades which hid her intelligent green eyes, but they couldn't hide the wet streaks she sported on her cheeks, her nose was pink and her lips were dry.

"Daphne! I said-"

I turned on my heel and grabbed the door, opening it in one motion, Davis reeled back and I stepped forward threateningly, "Fuck OFF. If you do not fuck off in the next minute by Godric I will chop off your manhood and give it to the first years to use as a piñata."

He sputtered and I took a step forward, he backed away hastily, I was obviously sporting a 'do not fuck with me' face. Good.

I walked back into the toilet and snapped the door shut.

"Someone's feeling a bit misandric today? What did Potter do this time?"

I grumbled to the floor, the cold tiles soothing my back, "Turns out he and Ginny are dating. Zabini?"

She sighed, "Oh, the usual, fucked me behind the tapestry of the Snidget Hunters."

"Was it that bad?" Somehow my chest didn't feel so tight, Greengass scoffed.

"It was beautiful. As always. But you know how it goes, to err is human…but it feels divine. Until the aftermath hits you and you're sitting on a toilet floor wondering what in Salazar's name did you just do? How do you know they're dating?"

"They kissed right in front of me." I mumbled, the image stained permanently in my mind.

"The Weasley girl tends to do that, doesn't she?" I looked up at her, knowing she was talking about the time last year that Ginny kissed Zabini, "Are you angry at her, or Potter?"

"Do I have to choose?" I spat out, "Believe me; I have enough energy for both."

She laughed, it was humourless and cold, "I'd never take you as the scorned ex girlfriend type. Kind of disappointing."

I narrowed my eyes at her, "You're one to talk. Why are those little bastards always following you around?"

"Oh, you've noticed my personal guard have you?"

I rolled my eyes, "Davis couldn't guard a tortoise with the help of a dragon. What do you need protection from?"

She sighed, "The only thing we need protecting from…"

"Ky!"

The door banged open and Mi doubled over, breathing heavily from what I could only assume was her sprint up here, her chocolate eyes found me and she kneeled onto the floor, "Are you OK."

I didn't respond, was I OK? I wasn't as angry as I was moments ago, Greengrass' presence seemed to have been enough of a distraction for my anger…I was hurt, yes…but why…he was single…wasn't he? Was it because it was Ginny? Ginny…who was supposed to be what? A friend? Was she?

"Get up." I snapped out of my reverie and looked at the sharp brown eyes.

"What?" I mumbled.

Mi glowered down at me, "You heard me, UP!" She snapped and my eyes widened.

"UP!" She shouted and I slowly ascended, shocked and confused and I heard Greengass snigger in her corner, Mi whipped her head around, spotting the blonde in the corner, "You too! UP! NOW!"

I could imagine the look Greegrass was giving Mi from behind her shades as she stubbornly remained on the floor, "Bombarda!"

I flinched as Mi's red spell hit the pipes that ran along the wall behind Greengrass and the girl squealed and jumped to her feet as the water splashed out torrentially.

"What the fuck Granger!" She snapped, drenched from head to toe as she pulled off her glasses, observing the damage Mi's spell had done.

"What the fuck precisely, Greengrass."

I raised my brows at her choice of words but Mi left no room for me to speak, " What on earth is going on with you two, sitting and wallowing on disgusting toilet floors like some weak little bints with no grey matter between the ears. You-"

She pointed her finger at me, " ARE Kyrianna Thornton. Not Albus Dumbledore's granddaughter. Not Harry Potter's girlfriend but Ky Thornton. The only girl who managed to get one over Umbridge, the girl who dueled five aurors at the same time and survived, the girl who fought Palbei TWICE and survived, the girl who saved tons of lives on Brockdale Bridge, the girl who would run into a forest infested with dark creatures just to save a boy you barely even knew. You're THAT girl! Not the girl that sits on floors crying over boys. AND YOU-"

She turned her finger to Greengrass, whose green eyes widened slightly at being pointed at. "Well… I don't know much about you now do I…" Mi muttered to herself in thought, "But I do know you're brave enough to join a cause that would most definitely find you on the wrong side of your peers' wands. And you're so beautiful, I don't know, if a girl that looks like you has regressed to crying over boys in toilets then we all should just give up now shouldn't we?"

Greengrass opened her mouth but Mi held her hand up and she flinched slightly, I don't blame her, Mi was still using her wand and I was even frightened of that mad glint she had in her eye, "Wash your face! And you-"

She turned back to me and I nodded in agreement without even knowing her instructions, she sighed, her mean persona dropping, "I'm sorry you had to see that. I'm so sorry that he keeps hurting you like this. I'm sorry that I can't fix this."

"It's not your problem to fix." I muttered.

"And neither is it yours!" She walked forward, her wand lowered, "YOU did nothing wrong! Harry wants to be with Ginny. So be it. You, Ky Thornton, are not the type of girl that needs a man. And least of all a man that doesn't know how to treat you right."

She swallowed, the words hard for her to speak considering they were made at the expense of her best friend. "So you and I and," She turned, glancing at Greengrass as the blonde mopped up her face with water, " And Greengrass if she likes, are all going down to the kitchens, we're going to have some tea and lots of muffins and tomorrow we're going to Hogsmeade-" I opened my mouth but she shut me up with a glare, " Tomorrow we're going to Hogsmeade-" She repeated as if daring me to interrupt, "And you both are going to start acting like the WOMAN you're supposed to be! Am I clear?"

The toilet remained silent and she flared her nose, "I said, am I clear!"

I nodded my head, all thoughts of Ginny and Harry fled at the ire in Mi's voice. Greengrass raised her hand meekly, and Mi turned to her, sporting an expression that would make Minnie brim with pride.

"Yes?"

"Can…Can I change, first?"

Mi nodded, "Yes Greengrass, you may change first."

"I'd like to think it wasn't so obvious." I frowned as Daphne walked towards me.

She laughed, "Well don't let Granger see you mope around. The last thing I need is another lame pep talk."

I laughed, "Didn't seem like it was all that lame last Friday when she had your knees knocking in fear."

She rolled her green eyes, "She caught me at a weak moment. Won't happen again."

"Don't plan on seducing Zabini behind the Tapestry of the Snidget Hunters again?"

She smirked, "Well I can't say no. But I definitely won't be crying about it afterwards."

"Where's your guard of honour?" I noticed that little ponce Davis wasn't around.

"I gave them the night of, I realised I didn't need protecting today."

I frowned, "You never did say what you needed protecting from in the first place."

She smiled, making her way up to the fourth floor, "The only thing we need protection from of course…we are our own worst enemies…"

With that cryptic quote she disappeared up to the fourth floor, leaving me standing there wondering what truth lay in her words… I let myself hurt at Harry's betrayal…I let myself be opened to the second hit when I opened myself to him yet again…it was time I stopped sabotaging myself…and start salvaging…yes…it was time to start salvaging… We are our own worst enemies…it's time I stopped fighting myself, fighting the situation…it was time to let go and give in…salvage…yes it was time to salvage…

Long boring chapter…More of a filler because Ky's been in a weird place what with Harry and her breaking up and then her almost dying but our main character is about to rise from the ashes : )

Please review

Kalina