The next morning I awoke to an empty dorm. I looked at the clock in the daze, not completely willing to leave the dream world I was in. Usually I hated when I had dreams about George, it just made it hurt worse that I didn't have him. But last night's was different, it felt so real. It had given me a taste of what I wanted most in the world. I sat up in a panic when I saw the clock read 8:51, leaving me only nine minutes to get to Double Potions with Snape.

"Fucking Hell!" I swore, tearing out of bed and grabbing the first set of robes I could find, pulling them on haphazardly. I slid on my converse and slung the bag that contained all of my books over my shoulder, not bothering with my hair or any make up. I couldn't afford to miss anymore of his classes, being out for so long.

As I began my jog down to the dungeon, I was cursing my silly dreams for getting in the way of my study. It was very important to stay on top of my classes, now that I was expected to take on even further training. My private lessons with Dumbledore starting tonight, and it wouldn't do any good if my head was tangled up in false notions that George liked me back. Last night's dream had to be forgotten and locked away, never to be thought of again. Futile dreams of impossible occurrences weren't of any priority right now.

Thanks to all my training from the Quidditch team in previous years and my daily runs around the grounds, I made it to the dungeons with two minutes to spare. I noticed that neither of the twins were there, but didn't think too much of it. They were late just as often as they were on time. I was very thankful for the fact. I didn't know if I could have handled being normal around George after that dream, it would have been too hard and he would have noticed if anything was off about me; he always did.

I took my seat with next to Elliot Napier, a quiet Ravenclaw boy who was always very helpful and diligent whenever we were partners in class. For the most part, we worked in silence. We offered each other a friendly smile or wave at the start of class, and a "Good job, today!" or "Hopefully it goes better next time," at the end of class depending on how that day's potion turned out. I'll admittedly say that it's hardly ever the latter. The only time we ever really spoke during class was to discuss the directions and see if they needed any mending and to share useful tips while working. Needless to say, it was a surprise when Elliot turned to me and began talking once he saw I was settled.

"Hello, Andrella. Haven't seen you in class for a while. When did you get out of the hospital wing?" Elliot asked with a pleasant smile. Although quiet and shy, Elliot was a very good looking boy. I had no doubt that if he wasn't so shy, he'd have been snatched up ages ago.

"Hey, Elliot," I grinned in return. Even though I kept to the minimal talking rule regularly, I was glad to talk to him. He seemed like a genuinely nice boy and I wouldn't mind becoming at least acquaintances with him if not friends. "Pom-Pom let me out yesterday,"

"Pom-Pom?" He asked with confusion clear on his face.

"It's a nickname the twins and I came up with for Mrs. Pomfrey during our frequent visits to the hospital wing," I explained to him. We really were in there far more than we should be.

"Speak of the devil and he shall appear, or devils in this case," Elliot added, his eyes drifting over my shoulder to the door.

I turned around to see none other than two identical boys with fire hair, out-of-breath and grinning just as the clock struck nine. Snape gave them a cold look before shutting the door behind them.

"They have a habit of doing that," I laughed, placing my Advanced Potion Making textbook in front of me. For the first time in my life, I was glad that Snape was talking and ordering us around in a condescending way. It made talking to the twins impossible.

I could literally feel George's eyes burning into the back of my head. Since they walked in, I had been ignoring them. I kept my eyes straight ahead. It should have been easy because they sat behind me, but I could feel George's constant staring. I had been ignoring it for the most part, concentrating on Snape's lecture about history of The Draught of Living Death, which is what we would be making today. However, when a charmed piece of parchment hit me square in the back of the head, I couldn't ignore them any longer. That would definitely make them think something was wrong if they didn't already.

I took a deep breath and opened the note, careful not to let Snape see. I fought the urge to laugh at the absurdity written on the paper.

[B]Why weren't you at breakfast? Why won't you look at our beautiful faces?[/B]

[I]How did I mess this up already?[/I]

[B]YOU DON'T LOVE US ANYMORE![/B]

I shook my head at their writings. The first and the last were in Fred's handwriting, and the middle was George. I found myself chuckling at Fred's typical antics in spite of myself. That boy really could always get me to laugh, no matter what mood I was in. I was utterly confused about what George wrote on the other hand. What was he even talking about? What was there to mess up?

[I][B]Don't be silly, Freddykins. I love you just as much as always. [/B][/I]

[I][B]George, what are you even talking about?[/B][/I]

I sent the note back to the twins, adding ingredients into the simmering potion when necessary. I had this nagging feeling in the back of my mind, telling me that I was missing something crucial. But no matter how hard I tried to find it, it wouldn't come clear for me. It was ironic how I was supposed to be one of the all-knowing, and I didn't even know what was going on in my own mind.

[I]Is this a joke, Andrella? Are you joking right now?[/I]

The note was back in my lap within a minute. George's messy handwriting was on the paper along with a line and an ink blotch at the bottom. I looked back at the twins, Fred was frowning and hitting George with ink on his face. George, on the other hand, was not paying any attention to his brother as Fred continued to hit him. He was staring straight at me, obviously desperate for my answer.

And that's when it clicked.

The dream…

Or well, maybe not a dream. Maybe, it was real. Maybe, for once, something amazing happened to me in real life and not just a silly little fantasy of mine.

Maybe…George actually loved me back.

I glanced around the room for Snape, smiling when I saw he was preoccupied with a group of insipid Slytherin girls on the other side of the room. I turned to Elliot, who was already looking at me with a weird expression on his face. I ignored it, every molecule in my body felt sped up, like they were each moving a thousand miles a second.

"Will be alright on your own for a few minutes?" I asked, my voice coming out as an embarrassing high-pitched squeak. I was shaking, building up with anticipation. In only a few more seconds, I would find out if it was all real, with other people here to witness it, undeniable proof that this isn't just a dream.

It was so quick that I almost didn't catch the way his eyes flashed to the twins before he answered me. "Yeah, go." He smiled lightly and shook his head, taking the spoon I had been using and mixed the potion.

I nodded my head, wordlessly thanking him. I didn't know if I was capable of forming words at the moment. George was already out of his seat and making his way toward me. He met me at the back cabinets, far enough away from all the other students so they couldn't over hear us.

"So…that wasn't a dream?" I asked him awkwardly, looking up at him nervously. It was all in his hands now, whether he knew it or not.

"This is so like you, Drella," George scoffed, his eyes full of annoyance, amusement, and something else I couldn't identify. "It wasn't a dream. You're stuck with me," George's grin stretched from ear to ear. He opened his arms wide, making the general motion indicating that he wanted a hug.

I wrapped my arms around his neck tightly, closing the distance between us instantly. I didn't care if we were in the middle of a full classroom, where anyone could see us. I didn't care about anything but the fact that it wasn't a dream, it was real. It all happened. Our confessions in the room of requirement, going down to the kitchens and getting hot chocolate, all the stolen kisses, and the best feeling I've ever felt. For once, it wasn't just a dream.

"I love you," George whispered in my ear, kissing my check lightly.

I pulled back from him, clasping my hands together behind his neck. I stared into his face, his warm brown eyes. It didn't matter how long I've know him for, no matter how well I knew his face, I would never tire of looking at him. "I love you, too," I breathed against his lips, still not capable of speaking more than a few words at a time.

"Aw, look at you two! You're so cute!" Fred exclaimed, effectively breaking the intimate moment between his twin and I. We pulled away from each other hesitantly, not wanting to let go but not wanting worse ridicule from Fred than necessary.

"Shut up, Fred. You're just mad because this obviously means I'm the better looking twin," George smirked, wrapping an arm around my shoulder, pulling me to his side. I smiled up at him with an over all feeling of perfect contentment filling my body.

"No, it means AndI needs to get her eyesight checked," Fred had his ever witty reply ready in a second.

"Snape is going to turn around soon, so I guess we should be getting back to our seats…" I said quietly, looking over at the man who was still working diligently in reversing the damage the girls did. I wasn't quite sure how I knew he was going to turn around, but I felt a little pinprick at my temple and then I just knew. I figured it had to do with meaning part of the Ismerete, it was the only logical solution to anything strange that happened to me these days.

They glanced over at the professor's back and then back down at me, trusting my judgment they simply nodded. "Meet me after class?" George asked, still holding on to my hand.

"Of course," I answered automatically, not wanting to do anything that didn't involve the two of us being together. Beaming once again, George pecked my check lightly before rejoining his twin at their respective table.

Rejoined Elliot at our table, a stupid grin undoubtedly on my face. I couldn't contain it. I was ecstatic that this wasn't just a dream. It's all I've really wanted for the past two years, and it was finally mine. Not even Snape's slight mockery on our perfect potion could bring me down.

Snape hated me on principal, seeing as I was a Gryffindor with a reputation for getting in trouble and pranking students from his house in particular. However, I suspected he had a soft spot for me somewhere deep down in the cockles of his heart. He let me get away with more than he normally let anyone but Slytherins get away with. After Snape checked our potion, I couldn't contain my day-dreaming any longer. It was only Elliot's quiet interjection that drew me from my reverie.

"So you're dating Weasley, then?" he said quietly, his voice making the supposed question sound more like a simple statement.

"I suppose I am," I replied back thoughtfully, an unrestrained grin pulling at the corners of my mouth once more. I turned to Elliot slowly, looking into his eyes for a brief second. Something about his tone was off, not the mention the fact that this was the most he's ever talked to me in one day before. "Why do you ask?"

"Oh, no particular reason. Just observing. You learn to do that a lot in Ravenclaw," he smiled vaguely. I didn't miss the way it barely reached his eyes.

That's odd, I noted, cocking my head to the side as if it would give me a look inside the cryptic and usually quiet boy beside me. "I see we have that in common," I added carefully, watching for his reaction.

"Apparently," He shrugged, nonchalantly packing his parchment and quills into his bag.

Before I had time to analyze his next move and possibly figure out the motive behind his peculiar behavior, the bell overhead rang, signaling the end of class. His behavior was curious at the least, but not enough to keep me from meeting George on time.

"I'll see you next class, yeah?"

"Next class it is," He agreed, giving me a friendly nod as he gathered his stuff and went to meet up with the two other Ravenclaws in the class.

"How odd, indeed," I mumbled to myself, watching my potions partner take his leave as I packed up my own possessions.

A warm hand snaked itself around my waist, followed by the smell of freshly cut grass and an apple orchard-George. I grinned to myself and quickly turned around in his arms until I was facing him. He continued to walk further, pinning me between the table and himself.

"Hi," I smiled shyly, still getting butterflies when we were this close together.

He kissed my lips softly, lingering for a few seconds before whispering his hello against them. I couldn't help the smile from forming on my lips, knowing I could never get old of the way it felt when he kissed me. He pulled away from my slowly, picking up my school bag and began leading me out of the dungeons.

"So what are we doing until charms?" I asked curiously, liking the way his hand gripped mine as we walked through the familiar hallways.

"Detention, unfortunately," George sighed, "I wanted to see you before I have to spend the next hour and a half with McGonagall,"

"McGonagall?" I gave George a questioning look, not aware of any recent prank that would have landed him a detention with our stern head of house.

"Just a little prank on some Slytherins," George answered dismissively, looking over my shoulder into the Great Hall. "Nothing to worry about. Are you busy tonight?" George changed the subject, almost too smoothly for me to catch. I decided to let it go, if George didn't want to tell me something I was sure he had his reasons.

"I have that meeting with Dumbledore tonight after dinner, but nothing after that. Why?" I questioned, uneasy of the growing smile on his face.

"Oh, nothing," George smirked, changing the subject once again. "I'll meet you in the common room when you get out, but I really have to go now. Bye, Drella," George talked quickly, punctuating his sentence with a gentle peck on my check before disappearing down the corridor.

I blinked rapidly, staring down the hall feeling left out of the loop. George seemed awfully rushed today and I couldn't think of a reason why he'd be concerned with making it on time to detention. I shook my head fiercely, trying to get a grip on the otherwise slow morning. I hated waking up late, it always left me so disoriented.

Absent-mindedly I found myself at my regular seat next to Ron and Harry, reserved for when the twins were away for whatever reason. Hermione was in the library as she often was and Renae was sitting at the far end of the Slytherin table with Draco. As much as it irked me, Draco and Renae were still very much together. Draco made Renae happy and that was all that really mattered to me, as long as it stayed that way. I was itching for a reason to hex him into the next millennium if he hurt her in any way.

"Ron," I addressed the two boys at the table as I sat down next to them. "Harry,"

"'ello, AndI," Ron grumbled in between shoving mouthfuls of stew into his mouth in a very unattractive manner.

"Alright, AndI?" Harry asked unenthusiastically. I figured it had to do with the egg he acquired from the first task. It was his only clue to the second task and how to prepare for it. After all night of trying it still hadn't produced anything other than that raucous wailing.

"No luck then, Harry?" When he shook his head, I offered a sympathetic look before assembling my own lunch.

"So where are my brother's then? Detention?" Ron asked with knowing look.

"Psh. As if the only reason I'd come hang out with you guys is because they're busy?" I scoffed, taking an orange from the bowl in front of me.

For the first time since I had been sitting here, Ron stopped eating to give Harry a significant look. "Okay, fine. They're in detention," I admitted, rolling my eyes and resenting that they were right.

"Knew it," Ron grinned triumphantly, "Do you have any idea why George was so happy this morning and even more anxious than usual when you didn't show up?"

"Oh, uh…well, we're kindasortagoingoutnow," I mumbled my words together, my cheeks flushing from the sudden attention both the boys were giving me.

"Well, it's about time, AndI! I always knew you'd marry into the family," Ron snickered, tinting my skin even darker with blush.

"Marry? Honestly, Ron. We've only been going out for less than a day!" I protested, pushing away images of weepy parents and frilly lace. Even though I loved George, it was way too early to be thinking about marriage.

"Just watch, AndI. You'll be an official Weasley soon enough," Ron assured me, picking up another piece of bread and buttering it generously. . I simply shook my head at him and smiled at Harry before deciding the twins having a detention was a blessing in disguise. It was imperative I kept on top of my studies, now that I was expected to take on much more advanced things as well. Today would be a day best spent in the library, catching up on all the lessons I missed.

"I'm heading to the library. See you guys later," I waved goodbye to the boys before heading up to the third floor, wondering what prank the boys could have played that I wasn't aware of. My thoughts clouded my head and before I knew it I was on the floor, books and parchment spilt around me.

"Oh, Andrella! I am so sorry! Let me help you with that," The person that knocked me down apologized, automatically dropping down to help me gather my things. My anger for being knocked down floundered when I saw Elliot kneeling beside me and piling my books back into my bag.

"It's alright, Elliot, really. No harm done," I reassured him when he kept up the steady flow of apologies. "I wasn't looking where I was going,"

"If you're sure…" Elliot trailed off, looking in danger of apologizing once again.

"Really, Elliot. I'm fine. I'm just glad it wasn't some stupid Slytherin trying to get even again," I smiled, pulling my bag over my shoulder. When I continued my walk to the library, Elliot walked by my side.

"Why would the Syltherins want to get back at you?" Elliot asked with a confusion expression.

"The boys pulled a prank today, I wouldn't be surprised if one of them tried to get back at us," I shrugged, not caring either way. I wasn't worried about ignorant buffoons who hardly stood a chance against me anyway. I wasn't try to boast, but Defense Against the Dark Arts was my best subject and I knew I could hold my own. Though, I had to admit some of the seventh years were nasty pieces of work. I tried my hardest to avoid them the best I could. Although I could take care of myself when it came to dueling, Slytherins weren't known to play by the rules.

"Where are they by the way? It's odd seeing you without them," Elliot's tone was joking and I could hardly suppress a smile. Elliot wasn't shy, but he certainly didn't open up to anyone but friends. I had tried making friends with him when we were paired together in our younger years, but he had always been to distant to make any real connection. It was nice to see him finally opening up around me.

"Detention for said prank. I've decided I should use my free time at the library while I still could," I answered truthfully, there was no point in hiding the fact neither Fred or George were fans of the library or studying.

"Potions essay?" Elliot asked, holding open the door to the library as I walked through.

"Yeah, actually. How did you know?" I questioned, furrowing my eyebrow.

"It fell out of your bag," He explained, placing his stuff next to mine on the table in the back before pulling out his own essay. "I need another two feet on mine," Elliot sighed, sitting down across from me.

I reached fro my own essay and noted I still needed a few feet and revision before I could hand it in. "Let me see?" I held my hand out for his paper and he took mine. Skimming through it I saw where the issue was.

"You need sixteen scruples of fluxweed plucked at full moon, not fifteen," I corrected him. "Everything else looks right," I handed him back his paper.

"Thanks, Andrella!" Elliot exclaimed before returning to his paper with a look of determination. That's how the rest of the afternoon was spent. Pouring over books, writing profusely, and offering advice whenever we could. We worked well together, there weren't periods of uncomfortable silence and I had wrote the best potions of my life with his extra help.

We exchanged goodbyes when the period was over before he had to rush to Arthimacy and I to Charms. I was genuinely disappointed when the clock struck 1:30, hating to discontinue my productivity of my afternoon. It was nice to have a friend I could just study with. Going to the library with the twins was a hassle, Ron and Harry weren't much help either. Renae was always with Draco and Hermione always found ways to lecture me about the rules I often disregarded. I had reasons to believe a friendship with Elliot would only do me good.

"Miss Wendling, I trust you understand why you are here?" Dumbledore began once I had taken the seat across from him in his study. I simply nodded my head. "You understand how these lessons I and the other professors will be teaching you are of the utmost importance and may very well save your life one day?" Dumbledore continued, his light tone counteracting his grave words and their serious implications.

"Yes, Professor. I understand," I spoke quietly, giving possibly the most brilliant wizard of all time my undivided attention.

"Very well then," Dumbledore nodded his head, an almost undetectable twinkle was hidden behind his half-moon spectacles. "Shall we get started?"

Once again, I simply nodded my head. I wasn't feeling particularly talkative, but ultra receptive, instead. I was ready to put all my efforts into improving and learning whatever it was my professors wanted me to learn. Dumbledore had explained to me the dangers, perhaps only briefly, after the accident. He made it very clear that I wasn't to tell anyone else about my true identity, anyone who did know was put under a spell that would forbid them to talk about me or the true nature of my heritage. In the wrong hands, this information could very well be the death of me.

My parents, McGonagall, and Mrs. Pomfrey were the only adults made fully aware of the situation. The twins, of course, knew as they were there through the entire thing and everyone knew that I would never keep something like this from them. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were given the abridged version as I often stay for extended lengths of time at the Burrow during the summer and they would need to know the extra safety precautions I would now need for traveling. The rest of the professors were given very little information, as Dumbledore explained, they only needed to know that I would acquire extra training in various areas but were never given a direct reason why.

"Your marks suggest that Transfiguration and Defense Against The Dark Arts are your best subjects. Do you agree?" Dumbledore asked, holding a sheet with what looked to be the results of my OWLS.

"Yes," I nodded, glad that I managed to get an O in both subjects. I did considerably well last year on the examinations, taking the fact that I rarely did homework on time and was often late to class. I was rather intelligent, but I simply did not have the patience for classes such as History of Magic or Herbology, both of which I didn't do half as well in as I hoped in, but no worse than I reasonably expected. Still, I managed to pull through with at least an Acceptable in all my classes, with O's in the three most challenging.

"Your Charms mark could be higher as well as Ancient Runes, but that's not what we're really here to discuss," Dumbledore said abruptly, putting the parchment with my marks down and looking at me with a calculating look, as if he was trying to penetrate my thoughts. I had suspicions he was doing exactly that.

"There are many things that I shall like you complete before your seventh year here, each one more difficult than the next. All of what you will be learning will be more advanced than anything you have ever seen in the classroom before. However, I have full confidence that if you put your best effort you should be able to master each task as it is handed to you. Your first lesson will be taught by Professor Moody in the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom after dinner tomorrow. He will be teaching you how to produce a patronus charm. Although very difficult and strenuous, it is an extensively useful spell. Next week, at the same time I would like you to report back to me on your progress," Dumbledore explained to me, his tone light enough to be discussing the weather.

I nodded my head in understanding, happy that I was familiar enough with the spell. We were not supposed to learn it until the very end of the year, but I had skimmed over it in my curiosity. Although quite difficult, it was far from impossible. Mad-Eye was a remarkable Auror and very diligent professor. I was sure that after a few sessions of his instruction I could get it, if I gave it my best shot.

"Miss Wendling, as you know, I have already advised to keep all of this rather quiet," Dumbledore began, pausing for a second before finding the appropriate word choice for his next sentence, "However, if you should find your progress struggling for whatever reason, I find the best advice is always found through the seeker,"

"Right…,"I nodded, trying my hardest to not look outwardly confused at his last statement. "I'll see you next Monday, professor. Same time, same place," I smiled at the headmaster before quickly making my way back to Gryffindor tower. I had no time to figure out one of his riddles or anything of the like. I would worry about patronesses and extra work tomorrow, right now I had to meet up with my boyfriend.

A permanent smile resided on my face, all the way up to Gryffindor Towel. My worries were gone as my thoughts once again returned to George. I knew that as long as I had him, no matter how stressful my life became or how dangerous or confusing, I would always be okay.

Once I had made it into the Gryffindor common room undetected, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to sneak up on George. I placed a nonverbal silencing charm over myself before sneaking up behind him and placing my hands over his eyes. Removing the charm, I whispered in his ear with the lightest voice still audible, "Guess who?"

I should have known better than to think I would sneak up on him and get away with him. Without saying anything, he reached behind him in one swift motion and pulled me over the back of the couch so I was sitting on his lap. I glared at Lee and Fred who were laughing at my expense before returning my attention back to George.

After a lingering kiss that truthfully only ended because of Fred's obnoxious cat calls, George turned to me with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Ready to get out of here?"

"I was born ready," I repeated in a monotone voice, dead serious. "Carry me?" I pouted, not wanting to walk anymore. I had been rushing around all day, going back and forth between the dungeons Gryffindor tower. George rolled his eyes at me before turning around so I could hop on his back.

"See you later, losers! Don't wait up!" I demanded, the last part directed toward Fred. His teasing George and I was all in good nature but it was very annoying, to say the least. And to think, we have only been going out a day!

I had no idea where we were going, but I decided that it probably didn't matter. We could just sit for hours, doing absolutely nothing. As long as George was there, it would be the most entertaining thing going on at the time. It could just be the honeymoon stage all new couples get, but I had reason to believe that I would always be this happy when George and I were together. How could I not be? George was everything I could hope for and more. He wasn't only my boyfriend but he was my best friend, too. We understood each other on such a high level that I honestly have no idea how we didn't end up together earlier.

Once again, I found it didn't matter. I was safe and warm in George's arm as we drank hot chocolate from the kitchens on top of the Astronomy tower, watching the snow cover the school grounds in a thick blanket of white. I couldn't think of anywhere I'd rather be or anything I'd rather be doing. In the mad descent my life had made into the chaotic sphere of things, I had fond a serene moment forever untouched by it. Something that would always be mine.

A/N : I know, I know. I was very, very late with this one. I had terrible writer's block. I'd get up to page five and then I'd just go blank. I re-wrote this chapter at least a dozen or two times. I'm trying to make my chapters lengthier, so I hope you guys don't mind the change.

Anyway, I'd love to hear what you have to say about it! What you liked, what you didn't, and how I can improve. Also, I'm pretty terrible at writing cutesy relationship stuff, so any help or advice there would be greatly appreciated. And as always, sorry for any mistakes or typos I missed.

Ex's and Oh's
Audrey V. Sullivan