'Dumbledore wrote me,' Merton began to explain 'Oscar sorted all this out, though, and the Headmaster figured during the Quidditch match would be a perfect time, you know, since all the students will be at the game, and the grounds will be pretty much empty.'

'That's great, it really is a nice surprise to see you.' I said, clutching the roses he had presented to me

'Likewise.' Merton beamed 'How are the wounds?'

'Oh, Madam Pomfrey reckons they've healed really well,' I replied 'said I don't even need bandages any more.'

'That's brilliant,' beamed Merton 'really good news...so, how does it feel, to be seventeen?'

'Nothing too different,' I replied 'except the fact I can take the apparition tests, I really want to learn, in case I'm, well, ever in trouble again.'

'Let's hope that is never the case.' said Merton, his head shaking.

'Well, it shouldn't be,' I replied 'did you know, Oscar is actually my first cousin? And I'm going to be living with him and my aunt!'

'That's great news!' Merton beamed 'I remember you telling me you lived with the Malfoy's since you were eleven, bet you'll be glad to be shot of them.'

'Absolutely.' I replied, grinning slightly 'So, how are things with your band?'

'Doing good, things are on the up and up, lots of tours, lots of signing autographs.' he chortled.

'Must be exciting.'

'It is.' he smiled behind his beard

'I wish we could see each other more often,' said Merton, frowning 'I'd really like that.'

'I would too.' I replied glancing away briefly, where I noticed Oscar approach

'Time to go, mate,' said Oscar 'the students are coming back.'

'Alright.' I rose to my feet as Merton did, and we turned to face each other

'It was nice seeing you again, Mara.'

'You too, Merton. Thank you for the roses.' I said, clutching them to my chest

'A pleasure.' he beamed, and we walked with him to the exit, where indeed, a crowd of students were making their way back into the castle.

'Is that Merton Graves!?' cried a girl

'It is it's Merton Graves! What's he doing here!'

Merton hurried away towards the bridge before he could be followed

'Wait-' people seemed to be putting two and two together upon noticing the roses I was carrying 'are you dating Merton Graves!?'

Soon, there was a crowd of girls surrounding me

'Uh...well...it's...uh, well-'

'You are you are dating him!'

'Unbelievable!'

'How did you meet him!?'

'Oh, well, we met at Slughorn's Christmas Party and just kept talking through owl.'

'You're not a Slug Club member, are you?' asked one girl

'No, I was invited. It's complicated.'

'That's so cool! You're dating a celebrity did you know that?'

'Well, yeah-I know about the Weird Sisters, I listen to them pretty often. The Malfoy's hated it when I did, they only listen to boring classical music you see.'

The girls huddled together and gossiped, which is where I made my escape.

It wasn't the sort of attention I wanted, but, it was at least better than being gossiped about because of Greyback.

I wasn't used to all this positive attention all of the sudden, it had been only negative since I set foot in the castle. I couldn't say it was either good or bad, but it was better than before, in any case, I would rather not be talked about at all.

On the next Sunday, a group of sixth years were lined up at the doors, and Filch was prodding everyone with his secrecy sensor anywhere he could reach.

'Hi, Mara.' beamed Hermione

'Hey, Hermione.'

Hermione went back to talking to Ron, she had been hanging around me less now that she was friends with him again, for they had a falling out not long before.

The walk into Hogsmeade was a quiet affair since I was quite alone, but once we got into the village, there was Twycross, waiting to get the lesson started.

I managed to apparate a few times, but unsuccessfully for I kept wobbling or landing on my backside

'Keep at it, Miss Morris,' said the instructor 'more practice!'

Somewhat defeated, I entered the Three Broomsticks, and I soon located Merton who was sat at a table with a group of witches and wizards surrounding him as he signed things.

'Mara, there you are.' he beamed, raising from his seat, where he pulled out a chair for me

'Oh uh, thank you.' I sat down and he returned to his chair, and asked the crowd to leave us be, they dispersed with much reluctance.

'Can't go anywhere.' his eyes rolled but I could tell he enjoyed the fuss 'So, Mara, how was apparition?'

'It was alright,' I replied 'I managed to apparate to the Hogs Head, but I keep doing the landing wrong.'

'I'm sure you'll get the hang of it,' said Merton 'so, what would you like to drink?'

'Hm, since I'm now seventeen, perhaps a firewhisky?'

Merton looked disconcerted 'Will you be able to handle a firewhisky?'

'Don't know until I tried, do I?'

'Well, alright.' he rose and left the table, returning with two firewhisky's

'Well, cheers.' he rose his glass and we clinked them.

The firewhisky seared my throat, and a sense of unreality firing me with something that was like courage. I enjoyed the sensation, despite the burning throat.

Merton looked rather bemused at my reaction.

'So how are lessons?'

'Oh, fine,' I replied 'it takes up a lot of my time, but I'm kind of glad.'

'How come?' asked Merton, clasping his glass

'Stops me thinking about, things, I suppose.'

Merton frowned, and I glanced down as his hand pressed gently upon my own. To my surprise, I didn't pull away from his touch, and I put it down to the firewhisky still working its magic.

He returned my smile and pulled his hand away, scratching the back of his neck in what appeared to be embarrassment.

A smirk crept upon my face as I drank some more firewhisky.

We talked and drank for what felt like hours, neither of us wanted to leave one another's company, and I began to feel the effects of the strong drink, for my balance was uncoordinated and I began to feel fuzzy and light headed.

'What's the time?' I asked, and Merton looked at his watch, an expression of guilt crossed his face

'It's eight p.m'

'Eight!' I yelped, jumping to my feet 'I'm going to be in so much trouble!'

'Let me take you back to the castle, this is my fault, I shouldn't have kept you.'

'No, no it's no ones fault, we just lost track of time.'

'I suppose,' he still looked guilty 'come on, I can apparate you outside the castle's boarders.'

We walked outside the pub, and there was a familiar face

'Mara! There you are!' Oscar looked flustered 'I've been looking everywhere for you!'

'I know, I'm so sorry, we lost track of time.'

'Dumbledore isn't happy you know,' said Oscar 'he wants a word when we get back.'

I bit my lip

'I'm sorry, I shouldn't have kept her.'

'Don't blame yourself, Merton.' I sighed 'Well, better face the music.'