"Al!"

I hear Sunita's voice and glance towards the sound to see her rushing towards me, face bright with enthusiasm. A frisson of excitement sends a flurry of goosebumps over my skin. I stare at the floor briefly, hardly able to bear the suspense; I wonder how she's going to react to what I have in store?

"Oh my God, Al! I've missed you so much!"

She goes to fling her arms around me but I step back, out of her reach. She giggles as though it's a joke and tries again. Once more, I manoeuvre away.

"Al, what are you doing? Get into these arms and be snogged! Don't waste today on messing about, you idiot. We've only got a few measly hours together. At least give me a hug if you don't want to kiss me in front of everyone!"

Briefly unable to stop my lips from curling into a smirk, I continue this little game of evasion, laughing inwardly at her frustration. So…amusing.

"Al!" Once more, she attempts to throw herself at me. "Come on, you weirdo," she laughs. "I've been dying to know what you want to tell me; spill the beans!"

She launches at me again. This time, I'm not quite ready to catch her before she latches onto my neck and plants a kiss on the side of my jaw. She eventually lets go, steps back and wrinkles her nose slightly.

"Oh. You smell quite…different, today, Al," she murmurs, cocking her head on one side as though my scent intrigues her. "Nice, but…" she sniffs hesitantly, "unusual. Are you wearing a new cologne?"

I concentrate on keeping a neutral expression, readying myself to deliver the information. Deep breath and then plunge. I can do this. I can.

"Sunita, I think we should break up."

"Pardon?"

"I've just told you, Sunita; I'm breaking up with you. It's over between us."

Does she not get it? She's still smiling like a simpleton, as though she doesn't understand.

Holding my somber expression, I stare directly at the girl in front of me. Her dark brown eyes gaze beseechingly back. Slowly, the stupid smile slides from her face, to be replaced by taut blankness as she processes my words.

Then her expression crumples.

Shock is starting to kick in. I hope to Godric she doesn't start to make a scene right here in the middle of King's Cross station. That could be embarrassing for both of us.

Sunita shakes her head, as though it cannot be true, then goes to step forwards to close the gap between us. I put a hand out and push her away, maintaining my personal space. How dare she invade it without permission? I frown at her.

She squeaks as though in disbelief. "Al? This isn't like you. What's up? What's got into you?"

Her words send bolts of unease plunging through my body and mind, making my heart race suddenly.

"Nothing. Nothing has got into me. I've been thinking things through, and I know it won't work out between us."

"But why?"

Her plaintive whining is beginning to irritate me. I close my eyes for a second and take a deep breath in through my nose to compose myself. I just need to stay calm.

I concentrate on keeping my voice steady and monotonous, lest it should bely a little tremor of nervousness. "Sunita, you know I'm going away for a year abroad. Contact will be limited. Anything could happen during that time. I could meet someone else. You could do likewise. It's foolish to fixate on a future together at our age."

"Don't be crazy, Al! What's wrong with giving it a go? Everywhere has Wi-Fi, even the most remote places in the world! Please, please let us at least try."

I shake my head, frustrated. Why can't she just accept that it's over?

She presses on.

"Al, I don't care about the distance. I love you. I love you!"

I don't say it back because I don't love her. Instead, I glare at her coldly.

When she waits for a reply but doesn't hear her words returned, it's as though something inside her dies. Her shoulders slump and her eyes fall dull with defeat.

"Al? This is what you wanted to tell me?" Her voice is a broken, confused whisper. "Why? Why did you wait until now? Don't do this to us; please, please don't."

It is for her own good. My own good. We are from different worlds. She is a muggle. I am not. The Statute cannot be broken over some ridiculous, meaningless fling between two students who should never have got together. For a brief moment, I consider Obliviating her memory and eradicating any evidence of this relationship, but I quickly discard the notion. It could complicate things excessively and would be easy to monumentally fuck up. I must stick to the plan.

My voice is flat, devoid of emotion as I address her. "There is no 'us', Sunita. We're over. We should never have got together. I don't love you and I never have."

If those words don't hit home, none will.

"Al?" Her dark eyes are now glittering with pathetic tears. Her lower lip is trembling like a child's. She looks small and vulnerable and afraid, yet I feel absolutely no pity towards her, just a sense of revulsion.

She repulses me.

"It's over."

In one fluid motion of finality, I turn around and stride briskly out of the station, weaving through the crowds of pedestrians clustered around market stalls, until I reach a small side-street, where I meticulously check my surroundings before Apparating away.

It is only when I land in the safety of my own world that I allow myself to heave a sigh of relief.

It is done.