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.

A/N: This chapter goes out to Tyrial Frost, who has given me much needed renewed outlook and critique.

Also to CharlotteBlackwood, who has not only been reading but reviewing as well!

And finally to you. Whoever had made it to the forty third chapter of the third book of the Ky Thornton Series. I cannot thank you enough.

Chapter 43

Ky's POV

The coolness of the Common Room window soothed my left temple as I stared off in the distance, watching the almost life like movements that was the Forbidden Forest's treetops hypnotically. I kicked off part of Neville's quilt that I found lying behind the long armchair I was reclining on, I recalled him running around looking for this particular piece of warmth that had been a gift from his Gran just yesterday.

I stared down at my now exposed right leg, not really seeing it at all, lost in the swirl of thoughts that tumbled through my mind. I heard the whistling that accompanied the swinging open of the Fat Lady's portrait and Neville's quilt fell to the floor as I jumped to my feet, the awaited noise dragging me to the present.

"Ky?"

His emerald eyes were bright despite the time of night and the sleepiness that should encase it was absent, there was a distinctively determined glint in them which I doubt should be present at one in the morning. Despite the long school day that he experienced, despite the even longer night, Harry looked refreshed as if he had woken from the most pleasing and effective of sleeps, a steep contrast to the boy who had left me not an hour ago.

His hands were nimble as he quickly tethered Buckbeak to his post, patting the hippogriff in farewell and turned back to me.

Harry and I had stood on that little island for what felt like hours, but in truth was no more than thirty minutes. We didn't speak much, there was something utterly comforting about his very presence, almost ethereal, and I was happy with his silence. As if his voice would drag him back down to reality where he was the cheating, ex boyfriend who broke my heart, a thought that had neatly hid itself in the recesses of my mind for much of tonight, amongst the many other truths that I never chose to confront.

The flight back, unlike our time on the island, was as swift as a few blinks of the eye, and I couldn't help feeling slightly disappointed that this strange occurrence was now coming to an end, that the statement was not so well hidden anymore, that it was slowly slithering out of the nooks and crannies and growing bigger and bolder until I was simmering into self inflicting anger. How could I be so stupid? So naive?

The anger flickered but another emotion slithered out from its hiding place...guilt... Harry, albeit involuntarily, had confessed his indiscretion. Even his dating Ginny was never kept a secret; I saw them at breakfast everyday without fail.

Bobby, ever all knowing and wise in all things boy relented, insisted that the only way to get over somebody was to get with somebody else. Harry had done that, and technically so did I. Did it not count if the relationship was a complete secret? That must be the case because I definitely wasn't over him... but at the same time it's not like I felt nothing for Draco. Far from it...so was not telling him about Draco a lie?

What am I thinking...? Harry isn't my boyfriend. I didn't cheat on him with Draco. Even if Draco and I kept our relationship private it wasn't indecent, he didn't have a girlfriend, and I didn't have a boyfriend. We were just two screwed up individuals that were lonely... Godric I am still lying to myself. Irrelevant of how we came to be or what my motives were and whether I cared for him and to what degree, the fact of the matter was that Harry was not aware of the relationship. But then again neither was Ron, Ron technically was now equally my friend just like Harry was. Fuck, I'm really reaching now, Harry would never be just a friend... should I tell him then?

He is with Ginny though... why would he care. If I tell him would it not be an implication that I think that he cares to know who I date... this internal conflict did nothing to my anger except feed it with frustration. Fuck I should have just stayed in the dorm tonight.

"I found out what horcruxes are today."

The steep increase of my boiling point ceased at the words, and I glanced at Harry has we walked across the expanse of grass that lay between the Castle and Hagrid's Hut.

His emerald orbs wavered with uncertainty, so different from what it was mere moments ago as if he too had stopped feigning normalcy, as if life was crashing back down on his shoulders. Yet why was he sobered by the fact? He had Ginny. And in many ways she was better for him than I could ever be. They both adored quidditch, although feisty and independent she always stepped back when he needed his space, she was never pushy... whereas I would prod and poke until he told me what was truly on his mind...

"I haven't seen Luna in ages, I'm sure she would be happy to find that you have. Probably present the information to Mi in the form of a research paper, of course you'd have to be very specific, offer visual proof if necessary, references and the whole nine yards. You know how thorough Mi is."

I finished lamely, trying to come off as aloof but knowing I was failing dismally. I could just make out his brows crawl into each other in the pale moonlight as he frowned down at me.

"What?"

I didn't like the fact that he was staring at me considering I was having a harder time than usual at schooling my features and I cursed the moon for being so bright today, so much for the comfort of the dark night.

I sighed, "Look, you don't have to make small talk. I'm not going to tell Ginny that we bumped into each other." I swallowed thickly, "Not that there is any reason to let her know that we did bump into each other." I looked down at the grounds, regretting ever having left the safe topic of the crumpled horned snorcack. "Where did you see the crumpled horned snorcack? It wasn't on that island was it?"

He stopped walking, his face stark white in the dark and riddled with confusion, "Crumpled horned... what on Earth are you talking about?"

I bit down my anger at having to stop, I'd like nothing more than to run up to the Castle, to forget that this happened, these few hours that were promising to set me back so many months of trying to get my shit together. "You're the one that brought up Luna's imaginary creature thingy. Well not imaginary now that you've seen it or-"

"I said Horcruxes, not crumpled horned snorcack." He scoffed out in disbelief.

"Well whichever creature it is, nargles or what have-"

"It's not a creature Ky." His voice dripped with sudden seriousness, "Don't you know about horcruxes?"

I turned around annoyed, already tired of this stupid conversation. I stomped forward, prodding a very pokey rock into my bare feet and yelping as a result, I pushed Harry's hand of help away, blinking back the involuntary tears that sprung forward. Fuck fuckity fuck, why now? Why him? Why here? WHY!

"Hermione didn't tell you?" I glared up at him, the potency decreased by the tears as I righted myself, ignoring the pain.

"Tell me what?" Both our eyes flickered to the bush on the left as something rustled at my high pitched snap, both wands trained on the little mass of leaves but we lowered them when we saw that it was just a cat which stared at us in annoyance at having interrupting it's night time prowl.

"So she didn't tell you about my assignment to retrieve a memory from Slughorn. A memory that would tell us what Horcruxes are?"

I frowned, "No..." And then realisation hit me, "Is that what your meetings with Nonno are about. Horcruxes?"

"You never asked Hermione what they were about?" There was a distinctive edge in his voice.

"Err... no." I said flatly, "She tried telling me once months ago, and I informed her that if you wanted me to know you should tell me yourself."

His brows rose as he took a step back, straightening to his full height, "I see... so you don't care?"

What the flying fuck was going on? Was Harry seriously angry that I didn't ASK Mi about those stupid secret meetings him and Nonno engage in. Granted I was curious initially but then I got over the fact that Nonno was choosing Harry to be the vessel that he imparts all his knowledge to, even though I was his blood, Harry was the 'Chosen One' so it made sense that he sought him out and taught him. That he made time for him.

"Look Harry, I don't care." I crossed my arms and shrugged up at him, "Nonno wants to teach you, big deal. It's only logical, you are the 'Chosen One'. I don't care to discuss this Horcrux magic or whatever other magic he found the need to impart to you."

He scoffed out, "Seriously? Seriously you're being bitter about this?"

"Bitter?" I gasped, my eyes growing big, "Me? No. Far from it. Good for you for accomplishing the secret mission that Nonno has set for you, do you want a medal or something. A trophy? A public holiday declared in your name?" OK that sounded bitter but it was too late. Harry didn't look affronted though... he looked... hurt?

He licked his lips and his shoulders sagged, "Do you just not care about the Prophecy then?"

I let my hands fall away from around me, my right hand fidgeting with the hem of my shorts, "What does that have to do with anything?"

His eyes grew big and his face paled, "What... what does it have to do with ANYTHING?" He shrugged at me, taking a confused step back, "It has to do with... EVERYTHING. Or did you just forget that my death was predicted? Or do you just not care?"

"Well that's what those stupid meetings are for right? To teach you how to beat Voldemort!" I really did not understand what was going on with him, why did I suddenly feel like the bad guy.

"Well you wouldn't know because you don't care. You don't care about the Prophecy. You don't care that I have a death sentence hanging over my head. You don't care that I actually have learned nothing to defend myself against Voldemort. That when the time comes I will be as good as-"

"NO!" I snapped, what he was going on about, "Nonno has been teaching you about how to defend yourself!"

"NO KY!" He snapped, "HE HAS NOT! All I do is go and look at memories about Voldemort. I am just as prepared to fight that bastard as I was ten months ago, so in actual fact I am not prepared AT all. He is bound to find me and when he does he is going to kill me!" His voice shook with fear and I stepped forward.

"Harry..."

He stepped away, this time in anger rather than shock, "I get that you're angry at me. I get that I... that I fucked up. I guess you don't care."

"Harry-"

"Here." He flung out his arm and I felt something slippery fall on me and I caught it before it hit the ground. "I have to go see your grandfather."

I didn't walk after him, letting his invisibility cloak and my aid to get back to the Common Room unobstructed, fall precariously from my fingers as I stared at his retreating back as he strode to the Castle...

"I care." I cleared my throat, having sat and waited for him in silent contemplation for so long, I took a step forward, "I do care Harry. I care whether you live, or you... You're not going to die." I swallowed thickly, staring at a desk in the corner of the room that was littered with some third year's Astronomy homework.

"Ky-"

"No." I held my hand up, "Listen." He nodded, stepping towards me, "I was jealous. I am jealous." I glanced at him, his green eyes steady on my face, I could almost hear the binding click when the green met grey and it was locked in place and I bit my lip at the awkward admittance.

"Nonno... I've barely seen him three times in the past year." My fingers found its way to the hem of my shorts again, "And I get that he has to help you. I understand that. It's just that... I'm his, you know?"

I felt pathetic even admitting it. It was so petty but it was how I truly felt, for the past few months I would run down to Nonno's office sporadically just to find him absent, but some days I would notice Harry walking in late to the common room, and I'd take a chance the next day... and of course Nonno would be there. He could write Harry and ask him to come visit, but not me? In ten months I received just one note requesting my presence...

"Anyway," I cleared my throat, "That's between Nonno and I and I suppose it's silly taking out any of that on you. Even though admittedly I have been placing a lot, maybe too much blame at your doorstep. And about the Prophecy..." I bit my bottom lip, "Of course I haven't forgotten about it. I did come to terms with it over the holiday though... before any of this mess so I guess that's why I never brought it up."

I took a determined step forward, his eyes steady on mine and I stopped fidgeting with my hem, it was of the utmost importance that Harry understands this. "When the time comes, when you and Voldemort meet again, you'll win. You'll survive, because that's what you do Harry." My nose burned slightly and I irritated my bottom lip, "I can't imagine the alternative because it hurts too much so it's just that simple. You meet him and win. Because I do care. Regardless of what happened over Summer break and regardless of Ginny." I felt the cool liquid against my face but I didn't stop and I didn't look away, "You'll beat him because you're Harry Potter, not the Chosen One. You'll beat him for your parents, and Sirius, and Cedric. You'll beat him to protect Hermione, Ron, Ginny, The Weasley's... everyone. Because that what you do Harry. You're not a prophecy, you're not an avenger, you're not a nameless prediction... you're Harry Potter. And Harry Potter saved lives way before he even knew about this Chosen One business. So if anyone could do this, it would be you, Harry."

There wasn't a sliver of doubt in my voice when I said it. I may have lost my trust in him as a boyfriend, but never as a friend. I didn't forget that he was the one that found me, that sat with me and talked with me, a girl he didn't know, just to comfort me when I was distressed. Who held me to him as I sobbed into his chest when Cedric died. Who looked at me with fire in his eyes when I admitted to what Blishwick had attempted to do to me.

And sometimes I even doubted how much I actually doubted Harry as a boyfriend in my heart. He had messed up, but should that delete every other good thing he had done when we were together. If it wasn't for Harry, I probably wouldn't have my magic right now. He stuck with me through the whole thing, every step of the way to regaining my power and ensured that my health was never neglected in the process. He stood before Bastian to avenge me and then Alya to protect me. What is a misplaced kiss compared to that?

I sniffed and wiped my cheek across the soft warm cotton that was now its pillow, the soft thud in my ears calming me and I moved forward, even if I hadn't realised when Harry had done the same. My body aligned against his and I shivered at the sudden warmth, my feet crept between his own, his fingers rested on my waist, my hands splayed at his back, my breasts pressed against his chest and his cheek rested atop my head as my own lay against his heart... this embrace was innocent in its comfortability.

"Thank you." His voice reverberated through my cheek, "You cannot know just how much that means to me. I just had a similar conversation with your grandfather and somehow you've managed to comfort me even more than the greatest wizard of our generation accomplished."

I sighed into his chest, my fingers tracing patterns into his back, "I guess comforted by these walls we forget that there is a war going on outside, a war bigger than all our little dramas." I pulled away from his chest and my heart sang at the flicker of objection in his eyes at the movement, "Irrespective of what happened between the two of us, I will always be on your side."

"I know." He nodded, his glasses misty and I stepped back when his hands left my waist to clean them and found my way back to the armchair, my forgiveness for Harry doesn't over write the past ten months. He was with Ginny, and that cannot be forgotten. I picked up Neville's quilt and tossed it over my legs, it jostled slightly along with the cushion of the armchair as Harry filled in next to me.

"So, what are horcruxes?"

"Oh, they're this seven headed mouse. Only thing it's like a hundred times the size of a mouse and it has opposable thumbs so they can wield a sword which they make out of tree bark but that's not the scary part, what's truly frightening is their pincers, about the size of my arm and they can turn invisible in the full moon."

I hit him with a scatter cushion and he laughed unashamedly, "Very funny Potter!"

He ran a hand through his hair after I ceased my assault, his face flushed from laughing, "I'm not the one that thought Horcruxes were one of Luna's creations."

I narrowed my eyes at him but I couldn't keep my face straight as he stared at me, crooked grin in place and I smiled, "It did sound like something she would say."

He turned, leaning his back against the armrest and tossing his sock covered feet up, I mirrored his action, laying my bare feet atop his own because I didn't have space to place it elsewhere and I pretended like the action wasn't intimate, the laughter drained from his face and his eyes glinted with that same determination I witnessed when he had walked in here earlier.

"They're bits of Voldemort's soul. His split them, you see. Into seven pieces, and each piece excluding the seventh that resides within him, is stored away in an object. This object is called a Horcrux."

I held the scatter cushion to my stomach as all comfort drained at his words, he split his soul? How?

"We're not sure what the actual ritual is obviously, but it involves partaking in the most unforgivable of acts. Murder."

I doubt that part even gave Voldemort the slightest reservation, with the amount of people he has killed he probably had more qualms with picking the moonberries at dawn or whatever went into the making of this... thing. "Nonno has been teaching you how to destroy them?"

He shook his head, "We just found out what it is today. I've been looking at memories involving Voldemort, at first I thought it was a waste of time but now I see that it was necessary. From these memories we've been able to make a few predictions. Firstly, Voldemort desired seven Horcruxes. Secondly they wouldn't be just anything. He likes to collect things, special things, and he takes a lot of pride at being the Heir of Slytherin. We've seen his family in possession of two heirlooms of Salazars. Also that diary that I told you about, you know the one that possessed Ginny, that was a horcrux, it was what proved he was the heir. And then we think his snake, Salazar's symbol, is one of them as well. He keeps her much too close. And controls her much too well. We think the remaining two could be heirlooms of Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff as the only remaining heirloom of Godric Gryffindor is in your grandfather's office. He did get his hands on Helga Hufflepuff's cup, so I think the last one could be something of Ravenclaw's."

I let the words sink in, clutching the quilt around me... bits of Voldemorts soul...seven. "Wait... You've finished one though. Didn't you destroy the diary?"

He nodded, "And your grandfather destroyed Salazar's ring, that's why... why his hand..."

I glanced away, staring at the fireplace. So that's why Nonno was hurt. He had destroyed a horcrux... he told Harry... he confided in him... I shook my head. This wasn't the time for thoughts like that.

Wait...Harry had destroyed a horcrux at the age of twelve but he never sustained any injuries from the act. Why?

"Is that your power. The one that the prophecy speaks of. I mean, you destroyed the diary without sustaining any damage right? Nonno's hand... well... do you have like a special affinity to destroy horcruxes unscathed or something?"

His eyes flickered to his lap as if embarrassed at discussing his power, "No, err... I think that's because I was using the basilisk fang. Your grandfather didn't have one with him, those things are pretty poisonous."

"Oh." I leaned back into the arm rest, "Maybe they just meant your natural power. That's what I thought Nonno was doing, honing your skills. Teaching you knew stuff... wait!" I gasped, "Surely Voldemort knows by now what you're up to. I mean you've destroyed TWO already..."

"I thought that too but your grandfather says that because his ripped his soul so many times it's gotten to the point where he can't feel the presence of the others, he has become that detached."

I sighed, leaning my head on the scatter cushion, the night's events catching up with me, "Now I wish horcruxes were a seven headed giant mouse. With pincers." I mumbled sleepily and I could hear his laughter, how was he not tired?

"Yeah." His laughter quietened and the flickering flames turned black as I closed my eyes, resting on the pillow, my toes fidgeting with Harry's, my breathing slow and soft, my arms heavy and I wriggled deeper into the pillow, this was comfortable. Each breath brought with it Harry's scent, I didn't want to wake up, I wanted to just sit here. Next to him. And talk.

"I can help." I mumbled. "I can help with your power. I can help you practice. Duel." I mumbled, Neville's gran was really good, this quilt was softer than... unicorns. Were unicorns soft?

"You've helped my power more than you know, Ky."

This stupid scatter cushion was scratchy, I tossed it aside just as fluttering of familiar laughter wafted through my conscious, until it was nothing but the softest sound at the back of my mind as sleep claimed me and I felt a comforting thud beat beneath my ear. I took a deep breath in and I smiled. Harry.

A/N: As always, feedback is appreciated

Kalina