Authors Note: Hello there! Thank you to those who did review last chapter. There is more action to come so stay with me, not so much in this one though. This chapter opens some more interesting background concerning James and Hazel so I hope you like it.

Disclaimer: The Harry Potter world belongs to J. K. Rowling.

"Cordelia?" said a very familiar voice. Cordelia twisted around to see Julie Bode standing behind her, looking very pale and worried. "You are going to tell me what's going on right now!"

Now, Cordelia wasn't exactly afraid of her parents (her dad was a big softie even when he was angry) but at times her mother adopted a look that William liked to call the 'Stare of Impending Doom'; this meant they knew they were about to be yelled at.

"Mum!" cried Cordelia in surprise and got to her feet, mistakenly leaning on her left arm which caused her to cry out in pain. James told her off and kept a hand on her shoulder so she didn't do any more damage.

Someone else came over her vision and Cordelia recognised the 'Stare of Copying My Wife Because She Can Control the Kids'. "What have you done to yourself kiddo?" said Christopher Bode.

"Okay … hold up," said Cordelia, struggling against James' grip but he didn't budge, smirking at her determination to rise. "I thought muggles weren't allowed on the grounds."

"Muggles have to be told where to find Hogwarts otherwise they will just see a decrepit old castle," said Professor McGonagall who had joined them. Her lips were very thin and she had just finished talking to James' father who looked sheepish. One never recovered from their teacher's authority.

"Does this hurt?" asked another voice and Cordelia saw her brother loom over her. He pointed to her arm and she nodded. And, in a typical brotherly way, William picked up her arm and shook it as if to see if she was lying. There were lots of 'No!' and 'Will!' and William put her hand back on the ground, muttering a quick apology.

Cordelia shook her head in disbelief and said incredulously, "You never learn do you mate? You'd think after all the times you pressed on my bruises that you, my precious flower, would learn that I retaliate." Before Will realised what she had said, Cordelia swung her leg up and kicked him in the stomach, causing him to groan and lean over. James looked at her in amazement and Cordelia grinned, reassuring him that this was a normal occurrence. "He'll be right mate," she said, casually taking another sip of her potion.

"Is anyone going to tell me why my daughter looks like a lump of raw meat!?" yelled Cordelia's father, staring accusingly at everyone in the vicinity but lingered a little longer on James who awkwardly coughed and scooted away from Cordelia's body.

"I think we'd all like to know the answers to that one," said Harry. He was standing behind James and seemed to be a little confused.

"And who are you?" stated Christopher rudely, giving one of the most famous wizards of all time an evaluating look. Cordelia buried her head in her hands when her father realised that the auror had similar features to James and shot them both a look of dislike.

Once again, Cordelia tried to rise and was successful without James near her. "Dad, this wasn't anyone's fault but mine, okay? I ran into the forest, nobody made me go." Her father came towards her and helped her stand, holding her steady as her body realised how many meals it had missed.

"But what caused you to run in there in the first place?" asked Julie, coming to stand next to them. Cordelia bit her lip, looking down at the ground to stop herself from telling them the truth because they wouldn't like it at all. "Cordelia my love, you can tell us … we won't be mad."

"Did someone possess you again?" added James from the side. Cordelia shook her head. No one seemed to know what to say.

James' father moved forward and stood in front of her. "What did the man look like?"

"I don't know," said Cordelia sadly. "I never saw his face."

More running and six people appeared gathered around Cordelia, looking at her worriedly. Ella and Beatrice checked her to see if she was hurt and gasped when they saw her arm. Fred and Hazel looked apprehensive but waited for the others to finish and Henry and Jasper started to talk to the aurors to find out what had happened. Cordelia smiled at them because she really didn't deserve friends such as these who would always care about her so much.

"What happened?" Fred asked William who was standing next to his mother. "Who are you?"

"I'm the suicidal idiot's brother," replied William, who needed to know why his big sister was hurt. "And I don't know what happened, she won't tell us."

Cordelia broke away from everyone, thanking them for what they had done. "May I go back up to the castle now?"

"Miss Bode," said James' father. "If there is one thing I know; it's that people will always feel better when they share what hurt them. I believe you are strong enough to confide in those who are closest to you."

If anyone else had said these words Cordelia would have stayed silent. But standing in front of Harry Potter she felt foolish for keeping it to herself, these people loved her and she could always trust them.

"I- …" she started, her voice already quavering. "I came back from … from patrols and Hazel was awake. At some point, around eleven-thirty I think … I saw a letter on my bedside table." Cordelia paused and drew a deep breath to keep going. She told them how she had run into the forest and how the man had threatened her and tried to steal her pendant (though she did not reveal what it was) and how she had stood him down, telling him nothing. Everyone was faintly awestruck by the end but Cordelia didn't feel heroic; she had given in to a dangerous man because of a stupid, sentimental reason.

After a few moments of silence William spoke up, "But what was in the letter?"

His sister faltered, trying not to let the tears fall from her eyes. "Pictures," she responded in a small voice.

"Pictures of what, darling?" pushed Christopher gently.

"Pictures of you," said Cordelia, her voice breaking. "You and mum and Will all dead and bleeding and so … empty and he wrote that this was the future … my future."

This time, everyone stared at her in shock, allowing the recklessness of her actions to wash over them. Christopher pinched the bridge of his nose tiredly, "Why would you put yourself in danger because of a few pictures?"

"Didn't we teach you anything about safety?" added her mother exasperatedly. All her friends and family started to add in other points of information about how stupid she had been and how she had a great gash on her arm to prove Cordelia did the wrong thing and how they could handle themselves.

This was too much and Cordelia let out a sob which cause them to fall into an angry silence. She saw their expressions and something cracked inside of her.

"I'd say I was sorry but I'd do it again," she said, sobbing in the middle of the ring of people, her hands covering her face. Cordelia fell to her knees and began to cry in earnest, her shoulders rocking as she wept. "I'd do it again. Well, what are you doing?" she shouted at her loved ones. "Why are you just standing there? Do you understand what I have just done?"

Nobody moved, completely taken aback by the pure amount of emotion radiating from their daughter, sister, friend. For you see, those pictures had shown the scenario that Cordelia had feared the most ever since she had found out the power of the time-turner. When she saw her families faces she had no other thought than to protect them because obviously it had been her problem that had made this happen. It was an awful feeling and if those pictures had displayed a real scene, Cordelia really didn't know if she'd be able to keep going.

While her eyes were still blurred by tears someone came towards her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "We are so very proud of you," said Julie, giving her daughter a kiss on the top of her head. "Look around you at all these people, they all were so scared that you were hurt and now they're afraid of how easy it was to hurt you. This is how you know that people love you." Cordelia continued to cry, snuggling her face into her mother's chest, as everyone feels safer with their mother.

"Can we please go back up to the castle now?" said Hazel, her words bringing full attention to the tears that adorned her cheeks. "It's bloody cold and Cordelia probably shouldn't be outside."

"I'm fine," replied Cordelia gratefully to her best friend. "I just need something to eat."

"Something to eat it is," added her father, bouncing towards them and lifting her back onto her feet.

Will walked over and said, "Is there anywhere to eat around here?"

Cordelia raised her eyebrows, "No William, we magical folk don't need to eat, we just fly around, absorbing water through our skin- of course there's somewhere to eat."

"Professor McGonagall?" said Harry. "I think they should be permitted to go to Hogsmeade to eat. I don't believe many students will keep their mouths closed about Cordelia's injuries." McGonagall nodded and the auror turned to the rest of them. "That goes for all of you," he said, peering at Cordelia's friends. "Don't make this harder than it has to be."

And as Cordelia walked down the path to Hogsmeade with her family, she realised how she hadn't overthought that last point at all.

Cordelia Bode absolutely trusted her friends.

The common room contained only five people when James entered it that night. They were all working except a little figure at the window, looking out at the stars. A quick mental battle ensued between James' need for people to be happy and his need to avoid getting verbally abused.

But, then again, Hazel Ivers looked very vulnerable against the backdrop of the sky and James could've sworn he saw her sniff and wipe her eyes.

Oh well, best be prepared for pain.

"Hey," said James quietly as he sat tentatively down next to her. Hazel's head shot up and she narrowed her eyes. "You can tell me to go, I just thought you'd like some company … I know I do."

She nodded and switched her gaze back to the sky. They sat there in silence, both thinking about the exact same thing. Hazel took a shuddering breath and spoke, "Can I ask you something?"

"I have a feeling you're going to either way."

"No, I … well I guess I would but-," started Hazel. She shook her head to clear it and continued, "I don't like you-."

"There's the love," interrupted James, grinning.

"But," said Hazel, glaring at him. "You're a good person."

James tilted his head to the side questioningly. "I have a feeling this is going somewhere …"

"I told you, on that very first day in the great hall, I said if you go through with this you will not, no matter what happens, back away from Cordelia or hurt her," said Hazel, she was facing him with an intense look and one couldn't say she wasn't being serious. "Will you stick by the promise you gave me?"

It was like the room froze as James tried to wrap his head around the question. Truth was, he had forgotten all about that conversation with Hazel which had happened just before he had asked Cordelia on a date. Back then it didn't seem like much of commitment but now, with everything that had happened and getting to know Cordelia and her relationships with other people it was much deeper.

"Forever," said James seriously. "Or at least until she gets sick of me."

"Oh don't you worry she's head over heels in love with you," replied Hazel disinterestedly.

James laughed, "I think you've got me confused with someone else."

"Cordelia doesn't show it like other girls but she really does like you," said Hazel, leaning back against the stone wall. "How many times have you snogged?"

"What sort of question is that?" spluttered James.

Hazel smirked, "You'll see the importance if you answer."

"Er …" James began, wondering how many times Cordelia would stab him for telling her friend this. "Twice?"

"Nice," replied Hazel casually.

The wizard waited. "Weren't you going to tell me what's important?"

"No I was just curious. Cordelia was right, you are so easy to manipulate," said Hazel incredulously.

"So you don't talk about my amazing snogging abilities but you do talk about how she controls me?" asked James to no one in particular.

They both chuckled at the thought of Cordelia's strange sense of humour. James barely even dared to think about what Hazel had said, could the girl he had always fancied really like him in that way? Obviously they had been together but Cordelia always seemed slightly unattainable to him. Equal parts down to earth and high in the sky.

"But seriously," said Hazel. "You will not leave her unless there is absolute reason to. You've left too many girls heart-broken and Cordelia will not become another notch in your bedpost."

"I know. I've liked her for so long it would seem weird to move on," replied James.

Hazel turned her head away to hide the big tears rolling down her cheeks. "She deserves someone to always be there for her. She's one of those people who'll believe that she can do everything by herself but she can't … no one can. Be there for her because she was always there for me." James appeared baffled so she continued, "When my brother, Rory, died, I was lost. I didn't eat, I didn't sleep I was just … there. Cordelia stayed with me, every day she would come over to my house, no matter whether it was snowy or rainy, and just sit with me; talk to me about anything and everything. She came to every session of Kieran Karkner's trial and would hold my hand when my parents were holding each other's." Hazel started to chuckle, "And the best part was when she jinxed the defence's wig to go on backwards when he was verbally attacking me during my statement; he tried to remove it and ended up slapping the judge." Her expression once again became stony, "When I heard she was in danger, I- I froze … because no one deserves pain but least of all the person who delivers from it. I love her dearly and, … I think you do to."

James didn't speak for several moments; he didn't think he had to. For one thing, he never knew about Hazel's brother although he had read about the case in the Daily Prophet. Cordelia must have really been an extremely great friend for Hazel to be so grateful even though such a horrible thing happened.

"I will protect her," said James firmly. "But I wouldn't sell yourself short. Even if I go, and I'm not saying I'm planning on it, Cordelia has you and Beatrice and Ella who will be with her. And another thing, today proved that she can handle herself, it just takes a small amount of help for her to finish it."

"Thank you James," said Hazel, standing up and brushing off her skirt. She started towards the girl's staircase but turned around half-way with a challenging look in her eye. "If you tell anyone about this conversation I will hang you by your balls from the north tower, got it?" James nodded mutely and she smiled. "I would hate for my sentimental nonsense to get in the hands of someone like Fred. Goodness knows there's enough information he has on me to build a bloody castle."

And with that, Hazel left the common room, leaving a bemused James sitting at the window, wondering what Fred could possibly know about the elusive girl to make her say that.

Concerning Fred and Hazel? That could be anything.

"Hello my lovelies," said Madam Rosmerta, setting down the last plates. "Enjoy, I'll be here if you need anything."

The family thanked her and she left them in the awkward silence she'd interrupted moments before.

"So …" started Cordelia. "Let's tuck in shall we?"

"Here, here," said Will, digging into his meal with gusto. Her parents took a slightly milder approach.

For a while, all one could hear was the sound of four knives against the plates. This was absolute torture for Cordelia who hated it when people danced around issues instead of saying them outright. Now she thought about it, this was probably why her best friend was Hazel; the person who excelled at that rule.

"You know what this reminds me of?" Cordelia asked the table. "A few years ago when we were driving home from that holiday and it was nearly eleven so we had to stop off for dinner. At least this meal is edible."

Will laughed. "Do you remember that waiter? He kept asking mum if she was wearing a wig." The two children burst out laughing while their mother scowled and their father tried to keep a straight face. "What was it that dad said to him?"

"Oh yeah! He said 'mate, if you wanna insult my wife, go away'. I mean, dad, if you wanted to scare him and avenge your wife's dignity, maybe you should have used a little more flower than 'go away'," said Cordelia, trying to contain her laughter.

"It's not my fault," cried her father desperately. "Half-way through the sentence I realised how big that man was. It wasn't my dream to be squashed in the middle of nowhere!"

Cordelia sighed, "Ahh, Christopher Bode, everyone's hero."

"Cordelia, stop picking on your father," said Julie sternly. "I forgive you."

"Bloody kids," muttered Christopher.

Will and Cordelia grinned at each other. Hogwarts was great but family was something that she missed all the time. It wasn't always there, she thought about other things (obviously) but there was a sense of something missing when her family wasn't gathered around her. She suspected that William missed her the most when she was at school and she lived with a constant fear of him one day not needing her as a big sister because he barely saw her. Of course, the Bode family fought. It wasn't holidays if mum wasn't yelling at Will because he wasn't doing anything other than watching television. Cordelia also fought with Will for leaving the most disgusting things in their shared bathroom. Her father sulked when something didn't go his way which meant that everyone shouted at him. And, if we're being unbiased, Cordelia had her fair share of annoying qualities. But, as families do, they recovered and went on with their life.

"Are we going to talk about why we're here?" asked Will bluntly once they had all finished.

Cordelia's father sighed heavily and rested back in his chair. "I suppose we have to. Julie?" His wife shot him a dirty look and he continued, "Of course, I'll do it. Cordelia … we love you. But we have been a bit anxious about the amount of owls we've received saying that you've been in the hospital wing and you've been controlled by a dark wizard. We got an owl today that told us you had run into the forest that contained a mad man inside … what's happening?"

"We just need to know if you're safe because if something happened to you …" started Julie, her voice breaking mid-sentence. Cordelia didn't like this because one can't surpass the feeling of massive fear when your mother cries.

The witch thought for a moment, tossing over words in her head. "It's because of this," she said, pulling the object out from under her shirt. Her father's eyes widened, recognising the pendant he had given her. "In the wizarding world, an object such as this … well it's very useful and powerful. Some people would do anything to get it."

"I told you," hissed Julie, looking at her husband accusingly. "I told you anything that was handed down from your side could be magical and dangerous, didn't I? I said, 'if you give that to our daughter she could get into trouble' and what did you do? You completely ignored me."

"Julie, you've got this wrong. I informed Cordelia that it could lead to some dissent amongst the other people in her world though I was told that by my father and I still have no idea what that necklace is," elaborated Christopher. "Cordelia, please tell me you kept this quiet. I want you to have a happy life but many people can't be trusted."

"Er …" started Cordelia awkwardly. "Well I think some people have figured it out." At her father's stricken expression she hastily added, "People who fought in the last war and are very respected in the ministry … they understand what it's like."

Christopher appeared slightly relieved. "So only a few adults know other than yourself. That's good."

"Well …" said Cordelia, needing to tell her father the truth. "I did enlighten one of my friends but that's it, I swear."

"Who was it?" asked Julie, rubbing her temples irritably.

William took one look at Cordelia's blushing face and said, half laughing, "Oh my god, please tell me it wasn't your boyfriend."

All three of them looked at her with varying emotions on their face. Will's was one of mirth, Julie's was exasperated like she knew it would happen, and her father's was one of shock.

"Just to clarify," said Cordelia, trying not to dig herself a bigger hole. "James is not my boyfriend … he's just a very good friend."

"Oh, a very good friend," said Christopher. "Tell me Cordelia, how many girls has he seen before you? Has he expressed a certain interest in the jewellery you choose to wear? Does he have things in his past he would like to rectify?"

Cordelia bristled at his questions, knowing he was being careful but it was really unfair. "Listen now before I have to say it again. James is NOT my boyfriend; I do not care how many girls he's been out with because that's in the past. No, he does not want my necklace but instead he has helped me keep it safe and no, he doesn't have anything to hide … we're sixteen. Or at least I am."

"This boy is seventeen?" asked her father. "I don't want you to see him."

"Did you even listen to what I'm saying!" yelled Cordelia, now thoroughly sick of her father. "I'm not seeing him and if you want to know an interesting fact, the more you say I can't the more I want to! He only turned seventeen a few months ago so he's born in the same year."

Her father stared in surprise at her outburst and looked faintly sheepish. "I'm sorry, Cordelia. It's just hard to understand that a boy could be interested in you without having ulterior motives."

"Wow, thanks dad, I didn't realise I held so much respect in your eyes," replied Cordelia bitterly.

"I just-," began Christopher.

"No, you don't. James is one of my best friends. If this was Henry would you be so mad?" Cordelia butted in, raising her eyebrows. Her father shook his head and she continued, "James was there for me. I was so very close to breaking and he let me confide in him and if you were to ask me if he can be trusted I'd say yes."

The table was silent for a few seconds until William said, "Why aren't you dating him?"

"William," scolded her mother. Cordelia smiled at her brother and he smirked, knowing exactly what she was thinking.

Christopher, who still looked ashamed took his daughters hand and gave it a squeeze. "I still forget what a marvellous young woman you've turned out to be. I believe that you can make your own choices but sometimes it's hard to erase the picture of a little baby I once held who needed me all the time."

Cordelia gave a sad smile, trying not to cry because really, how cliché. But she loved her father and this just proved how much he loved her.

"One day I'll give you two a proper introduction," said Cordelia, watching her father's smile turn into a grimace. "You know, one where I haven't just been tortured or you aren't barging around on a train platform.

"I'll look forward to it."

Half an hour later, well after midnight, Cordelia bid goodbye to her parents at the front gates and walked up the few step to the entrance hall, turning back for one last glimpse of her family before the summer holidays.

"Hello Miss Bode, fancy seeing you here," said a voice behind her on Friday morning.

It had been a very quiet two days and Cordelia had been enjoying many hours relaxing with the girls by the lake, soaking in the steadily warming air. But this voice could only bring trouble.

"Hello Mr Weasley are you lost?" replied Cordelia in kind, trying not to groan as she saw Fred had brought friends. Rose, Albus, and Lucy all sat down at her previously vacant table in the library. "What have I done?"

Albus grinned, "Nothing to our knowledge, what do you think you've done?"

"Oh the stories I could tell," replied Cordelia dryly.

"Please do," said Fred eagerly, sitting across from her.

Cordelia shook her head and turned to Rose. "Would you, responsible one, please inform me about your enthusiasm to visit."

"Well," started Rose confidently. "We were wondering if you're alright."

"Yeah, I mean it's not every day your brothers love interest gets taken into the forest is it?" added Albus lightly.

James' family all grinned at once, causing the slightest amount of apprehension to sneak through Cordelia's exterior. "Love interest?" she questioned, raising her eyebrows.

"We've decided that's what we'll call you. It seems to be the most accurate description," said Fred.

"Oh really?" said Cordelia haughtily. "I don't remember ever acting like an accessory. I think a more accurate description would be prefect, queen of defence against the dark arts, or, my favourite, only girl to ever stand tall against your brothers 'love interest' in me."

Lucy started to clap as Cordelia finished her speech. "I agree. Everyone here is an idiot, Cordelia, don't listen to them."

"Why are you here?" Cordelia repeated.

"We thought you'd need some cheering up," said Fred joyfully, raising a cake from inside his bag. "The house-elf's made it. It's a happy cake." And sure enough, written on the melted icing was a big smiley face.

Cordelia rolled her eyes and tried not to look happy. "No food in the library."

"Come on Cordelia," said Rose. "I'm a prefect and I agreed straight away because you have been through a traumatic experience and you need cake!"

"And don't mind the missing piece I just got a bit peckish on the way up here," said Fred.

Albus looked at the others. "I don't think she's listening," he said. Suddenly, he reached forward and grabbed some of Cordelia's homework and ran off, cackling with glee and before Cordelia could stop them the others did the same, holding her work hostage.

"I swear if you don't some back here right now I'm going to put you all in detention," Cordelia cried, standing her ground. After a debate between her current stance and chasing rule-breaking she ran after them, yelling mindless threats.

In the open area at the entrance to the library the four of them stood chanting 'We have cake. We have cake' so everyone could hear. Cordelia ran up to them and grabbed it off them. "Now, if you're all going to be mature, I think we should all-."

"CAKE IN THE LIBRARY," shouted Madam Pince, seeing the group in front of her. "HOW DARE YOU! OUT, OUT, OUT!"

And that was the story of how Cordelia got kicked out of the library for the first time ever.

"Is she still following us," cried Lucy as they rounded a corner.

"No, I think we lost her around the trophy room," said Albus, stopping and panting, leaning his hands on his knees. Everyone did the same except for Fred who looked like he had just had the best experience of his life. He threw his hands in the air, whooping with glee.

Unfortunately, Madam Pince was still on their tail; for such an old woman she could run like a spring chicken. "I have never seen such disrespect in my life!" she screeched as she rounded the corner. The five students took one look at her murderous face and continued to run.

"I'll see you lot later," called Lucy as she turned to run down the steps towards the kitchens.

"Bye," replied Fred, stopping and waving until Cordelia grabbed his shirt and forcibly moved him from detention.

Five minutes later they found themselves in front of the common room.

"Come ON," shouted Rose as she realised the fat lady wasn't there.

"Are you still proud that you broke the rules, Rose?" asked Cordelia, pressing her back against the wall to support her tired legs.

The fat lady came ambling into her portrait and all at once the four of them yelled, 'Gobbledegook!' gaining them access and safety on Gryffindor soil. They all tumbled in as one great mass, someone shouted, 'Save the cake!' and they landed painfully on top of one another.

Cordelia groaned loudly as she felt something, probably Albus' shoe digging into her back. Fred, who was on the bottom could be heard whimpering as he felt the weight of his actions. Rose and Albus were both trying desperately to escape from the pile of limbs.

"What in the name of merlin happened to you lot."

"Cake?" said Fred weakly, lifting up the slightly destroyed present.

James appeared to be confused about whether to smile or be worried. He gave a hand to Cordelia and lifted her up, giving her a questioning look.

"Thank you," she said, ignoring Albus' cries of protest at who James chose to help. "And I really don't want to talk about it."

She walked past him to the entrance to the girls' dormitories. "Ask them."