Everything that happened next was foggy.

I don't remember climbing down from the stands.

I don't remember who told me about Cedric Diggory's terrible fate.

I don't even remember walking from the quidditch pitch all the way up to the Hospital Wing, where I stood waiting with Hermione, Ron, Mrs. Weasley and Bill, the five of us grouped around Madam Pomphrey, bombarding her with questions about Harry even though she was as much in the dark as us.

When Harry finally showed up, he was accompanied by Dumbledore and, for some reason, a big black dog.

"Harry!" I said breathlessly. I wanted to run to him, but for some reason my feet were stuck to the floor, as if held in place by invisible cement.

Not that it would've mattered, as Dumbledore would've tried to stop me before I could get close to him. That's what he did to Mrs. Weasley, holding up a hand and telling her and the rest of us to let Harry sleep in peace, and not to interrogate him until he was ready.

Madam Pomphrey led Harry to an empty bed and pulled the screens around him so he could change into pyjamas in privacy. When he had changed, Hermione, Ron, Mrs. Weasley, Bill, the dog and I went around the screen and slipped into the chairs on either side of him.

"I'm all right," Harry said. "Just tired."

He definitely looked tired. I hated that he had to go through whatever it was he went through tonight. He was only fourteen, he wasn't even supposed to be competing. Cedric was of age and yet...

In that moment I really understood what it felt like to love somebody. That desperate need to eliminate pain at any cost. If I could swap places with Harry right now, I would.

I would do anything.

Leaning forward slightly, I subtly put my hand on Harry's in a warm, comforting kind of way.

But he pulled away almost instantly.

If the others had noticed, they didn't say anything as I slowly retreated my hand, trying to ignore how Harry deliberately turned his head away from me.

Fortunately, I didn't have long to feel awkward as Madam Pomphrey emerged from her office carrying with her a goblet and a small bottle of purple potion she explained was for dreamless sleeps. Harry only needed a few mouthfuls before he was completely out cold.

Silence followed. I watched the rise and fall of Harry's chest sadly, until I was sure I could feel everyone's eyes on me and realised how creepy I was being. And as much as I wanted to stay with Harry (despite the creepiness factor), I knew I couldn't be in this kind of silent atmosphere for much longer.

"I need some fresh air," I mumbled to no one in particular, standing up and exiting the room.

Not sure where to go, I simply wandered around the castle for some time until I came to a wide open window with an amazing view of the grounds – fortunately not the quidditch pitch.

"Hey Lean."

I turned around in surprise. "Neville! What are you doing here?"

"I was on my way to the common room. What are you doing?"

I simply shrugged. "It's a nice view."

"Is everything alright?" he asked tentatively.

"Hmm..." I said, pretending to ponder the question. "Well, let's see. Cedric Diggory is dead, my boyfriend won't look at me and I have absolutely no clue what's going on."

Neville didn't say anything at first, sliding his arm around my back. "Sorry," he murmured at last. "It was a stupid question."

"No, I'm sorry," I sighed. "I shouldn't have snapped. It's just... everything that's happened is so... so..."

"I know," Neville comforted.

The two of us just stood there like that, gazing out at the grounds of Hogwarts, wishing more than anything for life to go back to normal.

I didn't see Harry again until he was released from the hospital wing Saturday evening. It was after dinner and Neville and I were returning to the Gryffindor Tower. No sooner had I stepped through the portrait hole did I spot Harry sitting with Ron and Hermione who were playing chess.

"I'll catch you later," I said to Neville, before jogging over to my friends.

"Hey guys," I greeted cheerily. "Harry, I didn't know Madam Pomphrey let you go already."

"Yeah, I just got back," he said without meeting my eyes.

Choosing to ignore this sudden coldness, I just smiled. "Well, I, for one, am glad you're back – I've missed you." I leaned forward to kiss him, but he turned his head away from me.

I glanced at Hermione and Ron who were watching us curiously. Catching my eye, they hastily looked back at their game, but it was very obvious they were still listening to every word.

So clearing my throat, I stood up. "It's been a long day, I think I'll go to bed. Night guys."

Hermione and Ron echoed goodnight as I left.

Harry said nothing.

I wiped the sweat off my forehead as I came to a stop by the edge of the lake. Crouching down, I splashed my face with the cold water.

Standing up, I was about to jog up to the castle but a familiar figure caught my eye. Harry was standing by my tree, waiting for me.

My heart lifted as I realised he was coming back into my life and I couldn't run to him fast enough.

"Hey Harry," I grinned, only slightly out of breath. "What are you doing down here this early on a Sunday?"

"Hermione thinks I need to talk to you," he said.

"She's right, you've barely spoken to me since... since the tournament."

Harry scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. "Yeah, well, I've had a lot on my plate..."

"Which is exactly why you need to talk to me.

"You don't know what I need – you have no idea what I'm going through."

"So tell me," I said exasperatedly, stepping closer and taking his hand in mine. "Please, Harry. Let me know what it is you need or want. Whatever it is, I'm there for you."

Harry sighed. "I want to end it."

"End what?"

"Us."

And just like that, my whole life collapsed. My smile disappeared and my hands quickly retreated off Harry, as I took several steps backward. "What do you mean?" I choked out, shaking my head in denial.

Harry cocked an eyebrow. "Really Lean, you're making me spell it out? Fine. I want to break up with you. I don't want to be your boyfriend and I don't want you to be my girlfriend."

"But..." I spluttered. "But you told me you loved me. It was just a few days ago!"

"A lot can change in a few days," he muttered.

"No," I shook my head. "No, no. A person doesn't just stop loving someone that quickly without reason – there has to be a reason, what's the reason?"

Harry said nothing.

"Answer me!" I shouted, now on the verge of tears. "Answer me and I promise I'll leave without another word. Just tell me what I did!"

"Your dad," Harry muttered under his breath, so quietly I almost missed it.

"My dad?" I repeated, confused. "What? Did he threaten you?"

"No," he said through gritted teeth. "He was there last night. He's still loyal to Voldemort."

I said nothing. Of course, I knew which side of the war my family had taken, but that wasn't me. At the time of the war, I was still in diapers. Even if I'd known anything that was going on, what was I supposed to do about it?

When I was older, I asked my parents about the war but they always said that was in the past. They never said they would return to You-Know-Who's side at first chance, but they never said they wouldn't either. I guess I'd never really thought about it, because, until now, it hadn't mattered.

Harry turned and started to walk away – I had stayed quiet for too long.

"So what?" I called after him. "You know me better than anyone, Harry, you know I'm nothing like my father. You know I would never join You-Know-Who – even if he tortured me for days, for months, for years even."

"You say that now," Harry said. "But you won't think like that forever. Eventually, you'll have to make a choice."

"I've already made my choice."

"You'll change it – they're your family."

"No," I said firmly. "They're not my family – you are, Harry. I know that sounds really corny but it's true. And I don't have to go back to them this summer. We can run away together – somewhere no one, not even You-Know-Who, will be able to find us. It'll be just you and me, Harry. You and me."

But Harry shook his head. "You don't get it, Lean. I can't be with you because every time I see you, I see your father, I see Voldemort rising to power again, and I see Cedric Diggory lying there. Dead."

"That's not my fault!"

"I didn't say it was," Harry said. "I just can't be with you, okay?"

"No," I said stubbornly. "No, not okay. You can't just give up on us, we can get through this – we always do."

"Not this time," Harry shrugged, turning his back to me.

"You're a coward!" I shouted. "The Sorting Hat was wrong – you don't belong in Gryffindor."

"Really?" Harry scoffed. "I'm a Potter – my parents were both in Gryffindor. You... you're the one who doesn't belong – you're a Malfoy."

It was like being hit by a stunning spell. Every time this year when I doubted my belonging to Gryffindor, Harry had been there telling me I was being crazy. Telling me that no one deserved to be in Gryffindor more than me.

Without another word, Harry turned and hurried up the hill back to the castle, leaving me standing there staring at him, still hardly daring to believe what had just happened.

Harry had broken up with me. He wasn't my boyfriend anymore. No longer was I allowed to hold his hand, stroke his hair, kiss his lips... Everything I'd cherished about our relationship was gone.

I remembered the first time he comforted me. After that DADA lesson we spent trying to resist the imperious curse and I had snuck away to the dungeons. He had gone after me. He had held me while I sobbed on his shoulder, even though back then we were barely acquaintances.

Now, here we were. Ex-boyfriend and girlfriend. Who saw that coming? Definitely not me. I never thought about our ending. I guess I just figured we'd go on forever - I'd hoped we'd go on forever.

But now we're over.

Thanks for reading this far! Let me know your thoughts! :)