"Remind me again, how do we know Filch isn't going to appear at any moment?"

Fred gave me an amused look, his arms laden with chocolates and pastries. After the First Task, Fred, George, Lee and I had snuck down to the kitchen in search of food for the surprise party we were throwing Harry. We had decided to go in pairs to lower our chance of getting caught – George and Lee had gone first and Fred and I were making our way up to Gryffindor Tower right now.

"Have some faith in me, Lean," Fred said. "George and I have been doing this since forever and we've almost never been caught."

I rolled my eyes. "Real reassuring, thank you."

"You're very welcome," Fred grinned playfully.

We were only a little ways from the portrait of the Fat Lady when George appeared, offering to help with the food. I was about to hand him some of the items I was carrying when Fred spoke, declining his request.

"Besides, someone needs to go find Harry," he finished with a helpless shrug.

"Make Lean go," George protested.

"Lean has her hands full –"

"Lean doesn't want to carry all of this by herself."

"I think Lean can speak for herself," I said, interrupting the twins' small spat. "George can take my place. He obviously wants to, and to be honest, I couldn't care less. I'll go find Harry. Here." I handed my stuff to George, and then set off in the opposite direction. I couldn't be sure, but I thought I saw, out of the corner of my eye, Fred's face fall as he watched me leave.

But I didn't have time to think about that now. I had three teens to find.

I faintly recall Harry mentioning something about a letter, so I decided to try the owlery first. If he wasn't there, I might try the lake. And after that...

A familiar voice from behind caught my attention before I could finish that thought.

"Lean!" Hermione called out from the top of a staircase. With a small smile of relief, I jogged over to where she stood with Harry and Ron.

"I was just about to come look for you guys," I said. "Harry, you're needed in the common room."

"Let me guess, surprise party?" From his tone, I could tell Hermione and Ron had already told him about the supposedly secret party.

"You'll have to wait to find out," I said mysteriously, before turning on my heels and leading the way to the Gryffindor Tower.

However, I had only taken a few steps when: "Wait - Lean."

I turned my gaze to Harry and raised an eyebrow.

"Err..." he said awkwardly. "Can... can we talk... in private?"

"Sure," I shrugged. "You guys go on," I told Ron and Hermione.

When they were gone, I turned back to Harry. "Wassup?"

"I want to apologise for the other night," Harry said quickly. "I'm sorry for making you leave, and for keeping a secret from you."

"Harry..."

"Let me finish. I've missed you Lean. You not talking to me, I hate it. I want things to go back to normal, or as close to normal as we can get."

"Harry..." I repeated.

"And before you say no, can I add that Hermione and Ron miss you too? Cause they do. And if that's not convincing enough—"

"Harry!" I chuckled. "I'm not upset about that."

Harry narrowed his eyes at me. "Then why have you been avoiding me?"

"Let's not do to this now..."

"Why not?" Harry said, anger rising in his voice.

"Well, for starters, there's a room full of people waiting for you..."

But Harry cut me of before I could finish.

"I did everything right!" He shouted. "I apologised for something that's not even my fault! You have to respect my privacy Lean!"

"I told you, you keeping secrets from me is not why I'm mad!"

"Enlighten me then! Why are you mad?"

"I said, I'm not getting into this now!"

"Just tell me Lean!"

"No Harry!"

"Lean!"

"I HEARD YOU THAT NIGHT!"

Harry just stared at me – dumbstruck. "What do you mean you heard me? What night? What did you—"

"That night after we first saw the dragons, in the common room fireplace, the reason you wanted me to leave. I heard you talking." I hesitated only a moment before saying, "You and Sirius Black."

Harry's face hardened. "You don't know what you heard."

"Yes I do."

"If that's true, you wouldn't be staring at me like I've committed murder."

"You mean like Black?"

"Sirius is innocent."

I scoffed at that. "On first name terms, are you?"

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Harry's hand flinch every so slightly, but it was enough. Seconds later, my wand was pointed at his chest, his own wand flying several metres into the air before landing halfway down the marble staircase.

"What are you going to do Lean?" He asked. "Kill me?"

"I think your friend Sirius might have more expertise in that area."

"Sirius is not a murderer."

"You're right, he's a mass murderer. He killed that poor boy, Pettigrew, and twelve innocent Muggles. Not to mention your parents are on that list too! Maybe not directly, but he is the reason they're dead."

"No," Harry said. "My parents are dead because Pettigrew ratted them out and then framed an innocent man for his crimes."

"Are you actually blaming your parents' death on a dead man?"

"I wish, but Pettigrew's not dead."

My mouth fell open – not because I believed Harry's words one bit, but because I was shocked he of all people would be acting this way. "That is enough," I said. "You're acting insane – I'm taking you to Madam Pomfrey. She give you something to start making you act like a decent human being."

"What? No?" A second later, Harry made a run for his wand. But I'd been expecting that and I was ready.

"Accio wand!" I cried. Moments later, Harry's wand had flown straight past his left ear and into my outstretched hand. "Forget it Harry," I sighed. "I'll always be one step ahead of you. Petrificus Total—!"

"If you tell Madam Pomfrey, I could be expelled or worse!" Harry interrupted, eyes wide with fear. "Lean, I beg of you. Let me go."

I raised an eyebrow in amusement. "So you can rat me out to your new bestie? Yeah, I don't think so."

Harry's looked at me with such a hurt expression I found myself feeling almost guilty. No, I told myself firmly. He's in cahoots with a murderer, I shouldn't feel sorry for him – I won't feel sorry for him.

And yet despite those thoughts, my heart ached with the prospect of turning him in. He was still Harry after all. The same Harry who sat with him in the dungeons after my meltdown and let me cry into his shirt for some unknown reason.

All of a sudden, I knew what I needed to do.

"I'm sorry Harry," I whispered, pointing my wand at his forehead, right at the scar tucked behind the wild mess of hair. And before he could react, I spoke.

"Obliviate!"