After Alex's mother stood and said a few words, it was time for the funeral to come to an end. 

"I wish to conclude this ceremony by burying his casket," Dumbledore said, and I watched as Draco, Montague, Blaise, and Nott stood up. I realized they all had on the same outfit and then understood; they were the pallbearers. They raised their wands and lifted Alex's coffin, the silver shining brightly as it grew darker. Dumbledore flicked his wand, and the center of the lake began to glow, making it look mysterious and beautiful. The four boys moved to the edge of the lake and lowered the coffin right where the glowing was. You could see the coffin as they lowered it down to the bottom, where Alex would rest in peace. Then, Pansy, Lacey, Amortentia, and Astoria raised their wands so that white water lilies floated down onto the lake where the coffin was. It was a gorgeous display, and when the glow in the lake dimmed out, so did all the lights around us.

***

"What time is it?" I asked Pansy as she walked over and hugged me.

"Six o clock," she sniffed, rocking back and forth slightly as we hugged.

"Alex's ceremony is at eight and Barty's is right after. Do you want to wear something more formal?" I asked and she smirked.

"What, this isn't formal?" she asked.

"Well, it's more casual if you consider the people that will be there," I pointed out.

"Okay, we'll change, but all my fancy stuff is at the Malfoy's. You wanna go now?" she asked, and we started walking back up to the castle.

"Yeah, but Dumbledore knows where we have to go this time because of Severus and he still thinks I'm his spy. We can go to him instead of sneaking around. Where's Draco?" I sighed, looking around.

"He's over there," Pansy nodded in his direction. I walked over and smiled slightly to the other guys before facing Draco.

"We're going now, are you coming?" I asked and Draco smiled softly.

"Why so early?" he asked, taking my hands and pulling me closer.

"We've got to get ready, I have to prepare the speech, I have to help set up, your mother wants me for moral support, father wants to talk to me," I rambled on and Draco gave my hands a squeeze.

"Okay, don't get yourself too worked up," he soothed me.

"Alright, I'll shut up. Anyway, are you coming?" I sighed.

"I have to finish up a few things here, but then I'll be right over."

"Sounds good," I nodded.

"I'll come with you, Leah," Blaise offered.

"Come on then, let's get going."

***

We walked into the Manor living room and I ran my fingers through my hair.

"Something is bothering you," Pansy noticed.

"I'm so affected by all of this..."

"Maybe you cared more than you thought you did?" Blaise said.

"No, I didn't. I- I blame myself," I whispered.

"For what?" Blaise asked.

"His death," I said quietly. Pansy realized what I meant and instantly moved over to hug me.

"Oh no, sweetie, no," she said.

"Leah...he jumped out a window," Blaise said carefully.

"Ariana killed him. Because of me." 

"Oh darling..."

Draco walked out of the fireplace and frowned.

"Hey, hey what's wrong?" he asked.

"She thinks Alex's death is her fault," Pansy stroked my hair.

"No, absolutely not. Don't even think like that, Leah."

"Yeah Leah, how dare you?"

"Mikey!" I gasped and spun around just in time to accept his hug.

"I got your letter," he smirked.

"So, instead of filling me in on Halloween, why don't you fill me in now?" he asked, pulling me over to the couch and pushing me down.

"Fill you in about what?" I asked with a frown as Mom and Father walked in.

"Quidditch try outs of course!" Mom sent me a glare and Father rolled his eyes.

"I told you not to try out!" Mom snapped.

"Well I wanted to!" I snapped back and then turned to Mikey.

"I hate our captain so much," I huffed and Draco slowly walked over.

"I'm sorry," he frowned and I looked up at him with one eyebrow raised.

"For?" I asked and he sighed.

"Quidditch..." he said and I smiled.

"You are forgiven," I said and he smiled back.

"Are you the captain?" Mikey asked, looking at Draco expectantly.

"No, Montague is," Draco shook his head.

"I was there...it was brutal. I think Montague is sexist," Blaise glared, sitting on the chair next to me.

"I was the only girl who tried out, and he gave me absolute hell," I scowled.

"What's he say to you?" Mikey asked, leaning back on the couch.

"Well, first he got up in her personal space and taunted her about being the only girl on the team," Blaise scowled.

"Yeah, and then when I gave my usual snide comment, he pushed me and told me that was a strike against me. I don't appreciate the slight abuse, but I could understand that," I admitted and Blaise nodded.

"Yeah, so when he put our two teams up first, he tried humiliating Leah by making her be the 'center' chaser because she was 'inexperienced'. Wait, how did you play so well?" Blaise frowned.

"I stayed up all night with Draco and Pansy learning the rules and everything," I sighed.

"Yeah, we drank about fifty cups of coffee," Draco snorted.

"I was so hyper," I laughed.

"Anyway, after that she asked why Leon was allowed to try out, and he gave her another strike," Blaise said.

"Which was understandable again because I shouldn't question authority, but come on, I usually have the authority give me a break," I rolled my eyes.

"Exactly, so when they started playing Leah was amazing, but Derrick knocked her right off her broom and then Crabbe shot a Bludger at her arm, which broke it," Blaise scowled.

"I am so going to give Crabbe hell for that," I glared.

"She held onto the broom though and pulled herself up! I have no idea how you did that," Blaise shook his head.

"I wasn't going to let myself fall!" I exclaimed.

"So, after she pulled herself up she practically broke my arm to get the Quaffle and scored! Right after that her team caught the snitch and they won. So once they were on the ground, Draco gave me crap about a girl beating me, and then Montague went after Leah," Blaise scowled.

"This was where it got way out of line," Draco said seriously and Mikey raised his eyebrows.

"You were really good though," Mikey said and I nodded.

"I know, but Montague still found something to criticize," I scowled.

"He snapped at her for getting hit in the arm with a Bludger!" Blaise said angrily.

"What?" Mikey asked.

"Yeah, he was so upset that I was so careless!" I said, raising my voice.

"Then, he got like, this close to her," Blaise said, pulling me to my feet and getting up really close.

"And shoved her broken arm!" Blaise said hitting my now healed arm.

"He what?" Mikey snapped.

"Yeah! It hurt like a fucking bitch," I said .

"Then, he stands up, asks her if that hurt, and then brushes the scar on her cheek," Blaise said, putting his hand on my cheek.

"And then says some shit like 'that's right, you will obey. You know why?' and Leah shook her head and he says 'I own you on this field'. I was really surprised you didn't punch him in the face. Surprisingly, Leah just healed her arm and stood up with as much dignity as she could," Blaise said and fathers eyes were glowing red.

"I told you not to try out! " he said and I glared.

"Hey, I made the team!" I snapped and Draco dropped his gaze when father looked at him.

"You didn't stop this?" he asked and Draco finally met father's eyes.

"I wasn't in any position to. Montague is the captain and we're always really tough on people during try outs," Draco said shamefully.

"You'll do well to protect her during practice," father hissed.

"Dad, I can protect myself," I groaned and he scowled.

"Apparently not," he said. Mikey took my hand and made me sit back down.

"Okay, tell me where this kid lives, his full name, everything! I'm going to murder him," he said firmly.

"Oh, looks like I've rubbed off on you," I laughed and so did Mikey.

"Just a bit," he said.

"You could have told me you'd be here," I complained and he smirked.

"That ruins the surprise, sweetie," he pointed out and I crossed my arms.

"Whatever, Mikey. Pansy, let's go change!" I said, and we went up to my room to find appropriate dresses.

**

-Shay