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 44

Harry's POV

Her laughter had always been enthralling to me, I could pick it out in a crowded room, listen to it like music, and nothing brought a bigger smile to my face. I ran after her, somewhere registering that this must be a dream because I'm pretty sure Hogwart's didn't have a meadow, and I'm also pretty sure Ky didn't own a dress like that, much too pink. Godric she was beautiful, the peals of laughter floated over to me and the sun shone through the strands of dark hair, catching the lighter ones and highlighting it.

Her skin was just as smooth as I remember, my hand roamed across the hill of her waist, revelling in the ride that was the smooth curve that rolled from her waist to her hip, somewhere in the back of my mind it clicked that technically I shouldn't be able to feel her skin due to aforementioned dress. Her pink lips pulled apart and I frowned.

That wasn't Ky's laughter. It was female but it wasn't that bubbly texture, it was... mocking. Suddenly the laughter got louder and more diverse, male, female, shrieking, booming... what?

My eyes flew open to be assaulted by the brightly lit Common Room. Most of my sight was hindered by the dark strands that were splayed across my face due to the fact I was nestled comfortably above a very familiar bed of hair.

I straightened up, pulling my arm from underneath a sleeping Ky, confused and my sight hindered further by the fact that I couldn't seem to find my glasses. I felt around until I got them, the giggling continuing. I put them on and my throat went dry.

The Common Room was full of people making their way down to breakfast and the new school day, but nobody seemed to leave the portrait, everyone was standing around the armchair occupied by Ky and myself.

Older students held looks of interest ranging from salivating-to-spread-the-rumours girls and boys who looked at me absolutely impressed. Demeter Robins had snatched Colin's camera and began taking pictures whilst the younger students giggled and gasped.

It really looked worse than it was, Ky was wearing that sinfully small running shorts and a strappy top, and she always slept with her right leg sticking out of the blanket which was tucked around her to such an extent that she looked naked. Nobody seemed to care that I was completely clothed.

"Nice one Potter." I didn't respond to the fifth year boy who was dating one of Ginny's Ravenclaw friends.

I placed the shrieking laughter to none other than Ginny's roommate, Loudelle. The girl stood in the centre, a megawatt smile on her face, her blonde hair mixed with strands of purple, but I didn't stay on her long, following her brown eyes to the person that stood a few steps behind her.

Her brown eyes trembled in her sockets and her face was flushed red, I didn't know whether it was out of anger or embarrassment but she didn't let me find out, she turned on her heel.

Oh fuck.

"Ginny." I tried getting up, but my legs and Ky's were so tangled up I could barely make a move. "Ky." I shook her, ignoring our audience, why can't these fucking twits have a life and just leave already.

"Five more minutes Mi." She snuggled deeper into my shoulder and it was harder than I thought pulling away from her. I shook her harder, Godric this woman could sleep.

Her eyes slowly fluttered open in confusion, I watched the stormy greys glow clearer and clearer, "Harry?"

"Yeah, that's what she said." A third year boy laughed out, holding his hand up to Dean.

My roommate frowned at him in response, "That makes no fucking sense."

Ky turned around, taking in the room full of people grumpily. Godric she was glaring at them for waking her up from her sleep!

"Wha- Ky!" She lay back down, tossing the blanket over her head, ready to get back to sleep.

I managed to untangle myself and jump out, "Ky!"

"What is she doing! Ugh I thought I burned that ugly quilt. Ky, Ky, let go of that atrocious piece of material!" Lavender tried pulling the blanket of Ky and I headed for the doorway knowing that if anyone could annoy Ky into consciousness is would be Lavender Brown. Ignoring the stares and giggles I made my way across the red carpeted common room, vaguely aware that I wasn't wearing any shoes.

"Hey! That's my quilt! How did it get down here?" I side stepped Neville, exiting the portrait and looked for the Ginger head. I sighed, I wish Ginny had more friends in Gryffindor at times like these.

"Hey! Harry Potter. Tell me what's going on in there! Drats, why is this portrait one sided." The Fat Lady was beside herself with curiosity, she seemed to be trying to turn her eyes to the back of her head in her attempt to see what all the commotion was about.

"Did you see Ginny Weasley leave?"

"Ahhh did you and Miss Weasley have a fight? Is that what it's about hey? Was it about Ky. I bet it was about-"

"Did you or did you not see Ginny?" I snapped.

She frowned at my tone of voice, "Well of course I saw the redhead, but even if you asked in any sort of polite way I wouldn't tell you where she went."

"What? Why?"

"Well I'm team Kyry now aren't I!" She laughed and I sighed, this woman.

"Oh, Harry." I turned away from the rotund portrait and ran up to the voice, meeting Luna half way down the stairs to the sixth floor.

"Luna, did you see Ginny?"

"Oh no." She shook her head. "I'm also looking for her." She dusted my shoulder and her silvery grey eyes grew wider than usual, "Harry," she said in a troubled voice, "There are wrackspurts all over you... you spent the night with Ky?"

"What? How did you know?"

"Well the wrackspurts, they're all over because she's clairvoyant. I gave her spectrespray but I don't think she uses it." She said, thinking to herself. "Oh and Juliette told me." Really, the news travelled THAT fast!

"She also told me as Ginny's friend I should seek her out and offer her comfort. I don't know why though." Luna frowned, "Did you and Ky have sex?"

I stepped back almost tripping on the step above me, looking anywhere but at Luna's face, "No, no we didn't."

"I believe you, because wrackspurts are allergic to pheromones... it's what's used in the spectrespray."

She nodded at me and I honestly didn't know how to respond to that, but I didn't as I saw a shock of red down the stairs on the sixth floor corridor and I hurtled after it.

"Ginny." I hissed.

She turned, rolling her eyes at me, her face blank, "What?"

I pulled her into a classroom knowing that it would be empty, it was still breakfast time, "Are you OK?"

She shrugged, pulling her bag higher onto her shoulder, "Why wouldn't I be?"

I scratched the back of my neck, of course I wasn't implying that she would be hurt by the actual act. Ginny and I were just pretending, and it wasn't that hard to do so, all we had to do was share meals just to keep up appearance, and of course she couldn't date anyone and neither could I. "Well, I know how catty those girls you room with are, I just wanted to make sure that you're OK."

She shrugged, jostling her bag off her shoulder again, "I'm used to Loudelle's antics. It probably would have helped some if you gave me a bit of a heads up that you guys were getting back together... I could have probably pretended like we were having problems or something."

I looked down at the floor, I never wanted to involve Ginny in any of this, but it was so much easier to stay away from Ky when she was staying away from me as well. And I doubt she would have done so so ardently without Ginny in the picture. She was even flirting with me at the Beach Day... This pretend relationship might have been the stupidest thing we have ever engaged in but it did help, especially with my mindset. I knew I had to keep my distance from Ky, and if it were not for the fact that it would look bad if Ky and I were spotted even sitting too close in classes, I probably would not have been able to stay away from her. All to uphold the pretences...then again, I had reminded Ginny multiple times if she wanted to back out she could, but she always said that it was better this way. That it helped keep some of the loons that were always asking her out at bay.

Yet, if I had to be completely honest, I was a bit concerned in the beginning. Ginny did have a crush on me, even if it was years ago and it was an innocent little thing, I didn't want to fuel it. Sometimes the happy smile on Ginny's face looked much too genuine, but then I remembered that we were both acting, it was part of the play. We'd even disappear from the Common Room for an hour, her to do her homework in the a quiet classroom and me to Dumbledore or the quidditch pitch, just so people thought that we were engaging in the physical aspect required for our relationship. I dispelled all doubts that Ginny was doing this for anything other than being a good friend when she never pushed anything, never initiating contact, even when her roommates made snarky comments at breakfast that she was too frigid to put out because our lack of public displays of affection.

"Harry. You don't have to look so upset." She laughed and I ended my contemplative thoughts, "Unless you've gone and fallen in love with me for real."

I knew she was joking but I didn't find it funny. "Ginny, that's not funny. Anyone would be more than lucky to have the privilege to love you. You're... great."

She rolled her eyes and smirked, "Harry, you don't have to convince me. I know I've got the goods." She winked and I smiled back.

"Thanks Gin." I smiled slightly at the nickname, she was not a fan of it, having been called that by the Twins in what she expressed was the height of sibling ridicule. She even said that one Halloween they charmed a bottle of Tonic to follow her through the school, laughing and pointing that their little sister was going as Gin and Tonic for Halloween. She did get back at them by telling Hairy Mary that George was in love with her, which opened a whole can of worms that to this day George has not managed to close.

She rolled her eyes, walking to the door, "I hope you and Ky sort your shit out. As fun as it is being your pretend girlfriend, I don't plan on filling that role again." She stopped at the door, turning around, "Does this mean that you got your reply? From that person you were waiting on?"

I bit my lip and she raised her eyebrows, knowing that meant no. She left with a sigh.

Remus may still be unreachable, but I still felt that Blishwick must have lied, doctored information, something because there was no way Ky could be related to me. It just was impossible. But if anything this last night showed is that I can be in Ky's presence and not do anything indecent. Keep everything platonic.

Plus, if anything... with the Prophecy hanging over my head, I didn't have the luxury to keep people I really cared about out of my life. Especially Ky, even if she's just my friend, I can't shut her out anymore. She maybe sure about my victory... but I wasn't. And whatever little time I had left, I would spend with her. Even if it's just as a friend.

The door sprung open and I looked up. It was Ron. I straightened off the desk I was leaning against, snapping out of my reverie. I had left him and Hermione in a state of absolute confusion last night, after taking the Felix Felicis I had walked off to Hagrid's Hut to their bewilderment, I smiled, ready to get Hermione and tell them both about the Horcruxes.

"You won't belie-"

I stopped as his hands gripped my collar and threw me back into the desk, "You and Ky are back together! What the fuck Harry."

My back hit the side of the desk sharply but I righted myself before I fell over, taking in his furious bulging blue eyes, he brushed his hand through his hair, as if trying to get a grip of his anger.

"Don't you ever fucking think about anybody but yourself!"

I straightened up, recovering from the shock, "Ron, what are you talking about!"

He pointed a finger at me in accusation, "You know I had my reservations! When you started 'dating' Ginny. I did, I thought that whole pretend bull shit was bound to go bad, but you're my best mate and if I trust my sister with anyone it would be you. And now this!" He gestured with his hands spread, "The whole bleeding school is talking about it! Harry Potter cheated on Ginny Weasley with his ex-"

"I didn't-"

"It's not whether you did or didn't Harry!" He stepped forward and I straightened up, "It's what they think that matters."

"Can you possibly be shallower? Ginny doesn't even care, it's you who cares because all you think about is the way people fucking see you. Oh I nearly get poisoned and die, let me bloody milk that for all it's worth, that's bloody normal behaviour."

"You're talking about normal behaviour! The guy who nearly hooked up with his SISTER not once, not twice, but turns out THREE times-"

"SHE'S NOT MY SISTER!" I stepped forward, pushing against his chest.

He pushed at me in return, "That's not what that letter implies! How can you be so bloody disgusting Harry! You guys could be related!"

"We're NOT!" I lunged for his face, seeing red and he ducked, I doubled over when I felt something sharp hit my stomach at the same time my left hand made contact with his mouth.

"STOP IT!" Thin fingers pried my hands away from Ron's shirt and I was further pushed away by a small body, Hermione's brown strands sprang this way and that as she physically wriggled between us. "STOP IT BOTH OF YOU."

The room was filled with our panting as we regained our breath, Ron's school shirt was half torn apart, blood dripped from his mouth and I couldn't help but double over, practically leaning on Hermione for support. Fuck, I think he broke something.

"Look at the two of you. Fighting?" I straightened up, holding my back at her watery voice, the tears were falling hard and fast down her cheeks and my anger slowly left.

"Hermione-"

"Mione-"

"No!" She snapped, her hands held up, she wiped her cheeks on her shoulder, "I can't believe that you've done this. You're supposed to BEST FRIENDS. Brothers even!"

Ron sighed and I leaned back against the desk, clutching my stomach, his blue eyes glanced down at my action as he mopped up his blood, the guilt I was now feeling mirrored on his face but he remained stubbornly silent. He looked like he was about to turn and walk away, like he always does and I half wanted to let him. I glanced down at Hermione though, her brown eyes red rimmed with dark bags below them followed by tear stained streaks and I huffed out in frustration, a sharp pain racking my body at the action.

"I guess... I guess you are right." My eyes were sown to the floor, refraining from looking at Ron and his judgmental blue eyes, "I should have thought how all of this would affect Ginny. I was being selfish. I didn't sleep with Ky though. I mean I did... we just slept next to each other. I would never do that, even if there was an inkling of doubt that she is... what Blishwick says she is. I never wanted Ginny to be pulled into this whole mess."

"I know Harry. Fuck," he walked forward and I looked up, the anger leaving me as his teeth glistened with blood that dribbled over his lip. "I'm sorry I used my good hand, you at least had the decency to use your left."

I laughed and bit back a gasp of pain, "It's cool. I think you might have broken my stomach though."

I turned to the sound of whistling, Hermione looked like she was about to breathe fire, I guess we're lucky she didn't stop us using magic, Godric knows what she would have done to us.

"Idiots." She snapped, "Completely immature...violent... I don't even know where to begin! I cannot believe the level of absolute depravity that you would have to regress to turn fists upon each other!"

I lowered my head, not as used to Hermione's chiding as Ron who was stubbornly looking at the door.

"And I expected better of you Harry." My head got lower if possible, "Especially considering the many sleepless nights I encountered just to find a way to determine whether Blishwick had any truth in the letters."

My head rose slowly, "What?"

My eyes found her tired brown ones, the tears long dry little streaks on her cheek as her smile widened, "I've figured it out. I found a way that we can finally find the truth in all this lunacy."

"Really?" Ron gasped, grabbing my shoulder in excitement as I looked on in shock at Hermione, pulling her into a tight hug, not even cringing from the pain in my tummy as my heart soared "You've found out whether they're related?"

"Whether who's related?" Ky stood in the doorway and my heart plummeted to a deafening crash at the look on her face, the grey eyes like twin tornadoes that zoomed into me, her pink lips straight, her nostrils wide and her stance ready for attack.

The three of us looked on, stunned into silence, I straightened up from my bent over position and let go of Hermione, wincing slightly and Ron mopping the blood that never seemed to cease, Hermione clearing her throat as I could smell the steam coming from her overworked mind as she was trying to fabricate a logical response judging by how long Ky was standing there and just how much she would have heard.

Hermione's answer never came though, the only sound that filled the room was my gasp as Ky ran across the classroom, her dark strands flowing behind her and I half wanted to block against the attack but instead I felt the soft feeling of her chest against my own as her arms snuck around my waist and I could feel the dampness from her cheeks against my chest as she sniffled into me, her shoulders trembling from the tears...

I met chocolate brown and sky blue mirrors of confusion as I slowly reciprocated the hug... this morning could not possibly get any weirder as I found myself not just embracing Ky Thornton, but holding her together as she fell apart in my arms...

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Kalina