It was winter again, snow was falling in constant flurries and the air of excitement was in the air once more. To make things even better, I felt happier in myself than I did last year, and nobody was in any life threatening danger like last year.

Girls kept trying to get Harry under the mistletoe, and I found it the funniest thing in the world, as I had no idea why so many people liked him. Alia was trying to deface the castle of mistletoe but failing as somebody kept putting them back up (probably Lavender Brown).

Alia seemed to be accepting herself more, but it seemed it was only her sister, Arthur (who'd overheard Camille blurting it out) and I who knew about her sexuality. She had gotten to the stage she was making jokes about being asexual, which apparently was a good sign of acceptance according to Arthur.

But something nobody was accepting was Ron and Lavender in a relationship. Sure, Ron acted happier, but the fact his lips never left a part of Lavender's skin was highly irritating. Not to mention he was blatantly ignoring Hermione for his new 'girlfriend'.

"She can't complain to me," Ron said to me one day when Lavender had left him alone to breate for over a minute. "She snogged Krum. So she's found out someone wants to snog me too. Well, it's a free country. I haven't done anything wrong."

"Hmmm." I mumbled, wanting to say a lot more. I was trying to stay friends with both of them, which involved me keeping my mouth shut for most of the time.

"I never promised Hermione anything," Ron mumbled. "I mean, all right, I was going to go to Slughorn's Christmas party with her, but she never said... just as friends... I'm a free agent..."

I sighed, turning the page in my text book. "Whatever you say, Ronald."

Hermione however, refused to sit in the common room when Ron and Lavender were attatched to each other (not that I blamed her)--even Gennie and Cole avoided them in the evenings. And that was saying something, since Gennie and Cole were usually all over each other.

One night I ended up sitting in the library with Hermione and Harry, and once again, I heard the other side of the story.

"He's at perfect liberty to kiss whomever he likes," said Hermione, while the librarian, Madam Pince, prowled the shelves behind them. "I really couldn't care less."

She raised her quill and dotted an 'i' so ferociously that she punctured a hole in her parchment. Harry and I exchanged a look, but he just raised an eyebrow and went back to his stupid potions book.

"And incidentally," said Hermione, after a few moments, "you need to be careful."

"For the last time," said Harry, speaking in a slightly hoarse tone after three-quarters of an hour's silence, "I am not giving back this book. I've learned more from the Half-Blood Prince than Snape or Slughorn have taught me in--"

"I'm not talking about your stupid so-called Prince," said Hermione, giving his book a nasty look as though it had been rude to her. "I'm talking about earlier. I went into the girls' bathroom just before I came in here and there were about a dozen girls in there, including that Romilda Vane, trying to decide how to slip you a love potion. They're all hoping they're going to get you to take them to Slughorn's party, and thay all seem to have bought Fred and George's love potions, which I'm afraid to say probably work--"

"Confiscate them, they're practically magical rohypnol." I demanded. As much it was funny to joke about how many girls liked Harry, I didn't want him under the spell of some creepy potion

"They didn't have the potions with them in the bathroom," said Hermione scornfully, "They were just discussing tactics. As I doubt the Half-Blood Prince," she gave the book another scornful look, "could dream up an antidote for a dozen different love potions at once, I'd just invite someone to go with you, that'll stop all the others thinking they've still got a chance. It's tomorrow night, they're getting desperate."

"There isn't anyone I want to invite," mumbled Harry.

"Why don't you ask Ginny?" I said with a smile, and Harry elbowed me in the gut--though he had turned pink.

"Well, just be careful what you drink, because Romilda Vane looked like she meant business." said Hermione grimly.

She hitched up the long roll of parchment on which she was writing her Arithmancy essay and continued to write. 

"Hang on a moment," he said slowly. "I thought Filch had banned anything bought at the shop?"

"And when has anyone ever paid attention to what Filch has banned?" Hermione said.

"But I thought all the owls were being searched. So how come these girls are able to bring love potions into the school?"

"Fred and George send them as perfumes and cough potions. Lacey doesn't like it much, but it means more money." I shrugged. "Hollie likes filling the bottles up in any case."

"Yeah, well, never mind that," said Harry quickly. "The point is, Filch is being fooled isn't he? These girls are getting stuff into the school disguised as something else! So why couldn't Malfoy have brought the necklace into the school--?"

"You're obsessed with him, oh my god, please stop." I groaned. "Plus I brought this up to Sam, and she said the sensors detect dark magic. And as much as I loath love potions, they aren't considered dangerous."

"Easy for you to say." Harry grumbled, thinking of Romilda Vane.

Soon we headed off to the common room, and no sooner had we stepped inside, Romilda Vane ran up to Harry. She was holding a cup in her hand and a giant grin on her face. "Fancy a gillywater, Harry?"

"No thanks," said Harry quickly. "I don't like it much."

"Well, take these anyway," said Romilda, thrusting a box into his hands. "Chocolate Cauldrons, they've got firewhiskey in them. My gran sent them to me, but I don't like them."

"Oh--right--thanks a lot." said Harry, who could not think what else to say. "Er--I'm just going over here with ..."

He hurried off behind Hermione, his voice tailing away feebly.

"Told you," said Hermione succinctly, "Sooner you ask someone, sooner they'll all leave you alone and you can--"

But her face suddnly turned blank; she had just spotted Ron and Lavender, who were intertwined in the same armchair.

"Well, goodnight, Harry," said Hermione, though it was only seven o'clock in the evening, and she left for the girls' dormitory without another word.

Later that evening I ended up hearing Hermione trying to supress sobs into her pillow. It made my heart break, and made me want to punch Ron in the face in a similar manner to when I hit Malfoy in third year.

My anger for Ron increased the next day after he started making cruel impressions of Hermione answering questions in class. Sure, she did laugh at the mustache he accidently transfigured onto his face, but it wasn't as bad as mocking her to the point she actually ran out in tears.

Harry and Cole ended up running after her with her abandoned belongings, leaving Gennie and I alone with the so-called 'lovebirds'.

"What's her problem?" Ron snorted.

"Maybe because you're being a total лайно." Gennie spat in Bulgarian. I raised an eyebrow, impressed. Cole had been teaching Gennie his language over the summer, clearly starting on swear words before he moved onto basic friendliness.

"What does that mean?" Lavender giggled. "It sounds so silly."

"Your face is pretty silly." I said casually. "I'd love to stay and chat, but your little boyfriend is being quite a prat."

And Gennie and I gave the two of them dark looks before stalking out of the classroom together. "Honestly, I think that would have sounded a lot cooler if I didn't have half my eyebrow missing." I said, poking at the mistake in my spell.

"Ah well, I've been looking for a valid reason to not like her since I was eleven, so I welcome this." Gennie smiled.

We reached the hall, to find Arthur and Cole sat at Gryffindor, Harry sat slightly further up the table with Hermione, whose eyes were red.

"Hey there," Arthur said happily as I sat down next to him, casually lacing my fingers through his. "Like the half eyebrow look."

"I thought I'd look punk," I joked, aware of Arthur gently tapping my knuckles playfully.

"I'm so punk I have a cool fake eye." Arthur whispered into my ear so nobody else would hear, his breath tickling my hair. I laughed, and soon the two of us were in a small fit of laughter, heads close together.

"Harry has a date." Gennie announced loudly. I looked up so quickly at my brother I almost collided with Arthur's head.

"What?" I demanded. Harry looked embarassed. "Did you ask G--"

"No." Harry said abruptly, looking scared as Ron glanced his way before going back to eating not only a chicken leg, but Lavender's face. "I told you Gennie, I asked Luna as friends."

"Yeah, I know that." Gennie rolled her eyes. "I thought it might get Rory away from sharing soppy fond looks with Arthur."

"That's really sweet." I said. "Luna said she really wanted to meet some of the famous wizards Slughorn invited." I turned to Gennie. "And it wasn't a soppy fond look, thank you very much."

"I just know." Cole said, viscously pointing a potato at me. "I've seen enough of Lavender and Won-Won to know."

"That sounds like a a chinese dish." Arthur said thoughtfully.

"That's a wonton, Arthur." I laughed. The two of us turned to start lunch, and it was only when Cole started complaining about dress robes, I remembered. "Arthur, what time are you picking me up tonight?"

Arthur almost choked on a potato. "--E--e--excuse me?"

"Well we're going to Slughorn's party together, right?" I said slowly. Arthur steadily turned pinker and Cole burst into laughter. Even Harry and Gennie looked amused. "What?"

"Arthur has been planning to ask you for days, he just didn't have the guts to ask you." Cole snickered, and Arthur glared at him, though he still looked embarassed.

"I hate you." He glared at Cole.

"Hey, I'm not the one who hid your eye!" Cole hissed.

Alia, who happened to be walking past with Camille, turned bright red. "That was one time! I thought it was a Halloween prop!"

When she noticed people were staring, she huried off after her sister, still blushing.

"Well I just thought we would, I mean we spend almost every day together, and erm went to Hogsmeade together." I said awkwardly, feeling my face heat up. "If you don't want to, that's okay--"

"It's fine!" Arthur burst out loudly, and then shyly smiled. "I mean, uh yeah, it'd be cool. Casual. Yeah, fun, we'll have loads of fun."

Feeling flustered, I took my hand out of Arthur's and went back to eating my lunch. Though five minutes later, Arthur burst out, "Eight!"

"What?"

"I'll pick you up at eight." Arthur whined, putting his head on the table. "I'm so awkward!"

I patted his head. "But I knew that already."

Arthur gave me a little cute pout, and there was a feeling inside me saying that tonight was going to a very good night.

* * * 

At eight, I ended up walking to Slughorn's office arm in arm with Arthur, wearing a dress that was once Lacey's she'd sent the other week. It was a long black dress that just brushed my ankles, and I could vividly remember Lacey wearing it to her Year Ten Christmas party and being insanely jealous as she headed off with her boyfriend.

Oh how the tables had turned.

"Luna was saying to me that the Minister is a vampire." I said to Arthur as we trailed after Gennie and Cole (who was complaining about his dress robes every two minutes) towards the office.

Arthur chuckled. "I can assure you, the Minister is not a vampire. Part lion, maybe. But not a vampire."

As we got closer and closer to the office we could hear laughter, conversations and music flooding out from the room. "Well this is going to be fun," Gennie said with a grin.

"Is there going to be drink?" Cole scowled, who after lunch had turned very surly and irritable. "I'm in the mood to forget a lot of things.

"Cole," Gennie sighed. "It's not your fault--"

I gave Arthur a questioning look, and he shook his head. "Cole, don't be an idiot--"

"Well I am, aren't I?" Cole snorted with a fractured smile. "That's the reason I take medication and am covered in scars, right?"

Nobody seemed to have any response to that, and I felt an urge to hold onto Sirius' matieral. I fumbled, but Arthur's hand found mine. My heart relaxed. Arthur and Gennie would always look after Cole, I didn't have to worry.

We entered Slughorn's office, which was much bigger than usual. The ceiling and walls were draped in house colour hangings, the room practically glowed under the light of torches fairies were entrapped in. Singing from a Wizarding jazz band was in the background as pipe smoke hung over the scene where warlocks and students ambled around, getting food from house-elves carrying snacks.

"Aurora, m'girl!" Slughorn said as soon as Arthur and I squeezed through a couple of large warlocks. "And the head boy himself, there's so many people I want you to meet!"

Gennie and Cole came in behind us, and Slughorn's eyes widened. "Cole Wilde, at last! I thought you'd forgotten who I was!"

Cole looked up Slughorn's large figure. "Don't think I forget you easy, Sir."

"It's a terrible shame about your brother." Slughorn crooned. "On my travels I encountered him when he was in his first year of Durmstrang--such potentional, all wasted."

Cole went bright red, and grabbed a few glasses of firewhisky from a house-elf. He knocked back one shot immeadiatley, and Gennie gave him a concerned look. "Yes, such waste for him to torture me half to death, when he could have been a stinking auror! Excuse me, Professor Slug, but this is the exact reason I avoided coming in the first place!"

And Cole stalked off, pulling at his bowtie looking angry, but the shaking hands gave him away for being upset. "Sorry, um, he's a bit senstive about his brother." Gennie said. "I'd better damn find him before he drinks half the alchol here, excuse me."

And then she hurried off after her boyfriend. Slughorn shook his head, looking confused at what happened before tugging on my arm and leading the two of us through the crowds. He led us to Harry and Luna who were stood next to a short man and a brooding man surrounded by girls.

Luna looked radiant in a puffy silver dress, and Harry looked awkward in his dress robes, but comfortable next to Luna.

"Aurora, Arthur, I'd like you to meet Eldred Worple, an old student of mine, author of Blood Brothers: My Life Amongst the Vampires--and, of course, his friend Sanguini."

Worple looked really excited and he happily shook Harry's hand and mine.

"Harry and Aurora Potter, I am simply delighted!" said Worple, peering short-sightedly up into Harry's face. "I was saying to Professor Slughorn only the other day, Where are the biographies about Harry and Aurora Potter? I've been waiting!"

"I'm more of an artist," I said awkwardly, grabbing a glass of alcohol as an elf passed, figuring I'd need it.

"But think of the stories! All of your stories while in exile!"

"If you fancy learning about me learning my timetables and pulling my sisters hair, you'll love it." I said dryly.

"I didn't think you'd be waiting for our stories, to be honest." Harry said sheepishly.

"Both just as modest as Horace described!" said Worple. "But seriously--" his manner changed; it became suddenly business-like, "I would be delighted to write it myself-- people are craving to know more about you both, dear children, craving! Especially all the business about Mark Oswin!"

I stiffened up, and I felt Arthur's arm go around my waist and I relaxed slightly. "--If you were both prepared to grant me a few interviews, say in four- or five-hour sessions, why, we could have the book finished within months. And all with very little effort on your part, I assure you--ask Sanguini here if it isn't quite -- Sanguini, stay here!" added Worple, suddenly stern, for the man was staring at a girl as if he was about to eat her. "Eat a pasty!"

"He's a vampire!" Luna whispered to me, and my eyes widened.

"My dear children, the gold you could make, you have no idea --"

"We're definitely not interested," said Harry firmly, "and I've just seen a friend of mine, sorry."

Harry pulled Luna into the crowd, and giving the short man a sheepish smile I pulled Arthur after my brother. Arthur began babbling about the vampire. "Oh my god, Rory did you see that vampire? A real vampire, up close!"

"He was pretty cute for something undead." I commented.

"Like seriously, did you see his eyes? They were so deep and dark, I--" Arthur cut off. "Sorry, it probably bothers you when I talk about boys."

"Nah," I said. "Just something we both have in common, liking cute boys."

Arthur's smile seemed to grow larger as we found Harry and Luna with Hermione. "Harry, Rory! There you both are! Hey Arthur, hi Luna!"

"You alright, Hermione?" I asked, as Hermione looked dishevelled, like she'd fought a plant.

"Oh, I've just escaped--I mean, I've just left Cormac," she said. "Under the mistletoe," she added in explanation, as Harry continued to look questioningly at her.

"I still can't believe you went with him," Arthur shuddered. "Did you know he looked up girls skirts in first year? Ben had to jinx him."

"I thought he'd annoy Ron most," said Hermione dispassionately. "I debated for a while about Zacharias Smith, but I thought, on the whole --"

"You considered Smith?" said Harry, revolted.

"He's a kitten comapred to McLaggen, an annoying kitten sure, but--eh." Arthur shrugged.

"I'm starting to wish I'd chosen him, McLaggen makes Grawp look a gentleman. Let's go this way, we'll be able to see him coming, he's so tall..." Hermione said to Arthur.

We all hung around with a tipsy Professor Trelawney until Harry told Hermione to not date McLaggen as it'd interfere with Ron's Quidditch skills. Understandabley she stormed off, and Harry was left to try and apologise.

"We should dance," I said to Arthur. "We've been talking to people all night, and frankly it's getting boring."

We went onto the dance floor that had been created, and soon enough, the Weird sisters appeared to play a slow song. Arthur confidently placed his hands around my waist and I placed mine on his shoulders, heart beat increasing.

"It's funny, it's like the Yule Ball all over again." I said quietly, as we swayed to the music. "Same music, same people..."

"Hopefully it doesn't end the same," Arthur chuckled. "I ended up playing seventh heaven with a bunch of seventh years, and I ended up with an awful headache."

"Well I thought the ball went well at the time," I forced a smile, thinking of snow, green dresses and Malfoy's lips. "But things change."

We swayed more, not speaking much, but that was enough for the two of us. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed McLaggen stalking across the floor, craning his neck in search for Hermione.

"I feel so bad for Hermione." Arthur said suddenely. "I mean she's trying so hard for Ron to get jealous, and I have a feeling he's doing the same thing with Lavender... But neither of them are owning up to liking each other... I always think it's dumb. It's scary to admit your feelings, but it's better if they're out there."

"Yeah, ha, totally agree with you there." I said hastily, starting to feel my cheeks lightening. I knew I liked Arthur, but I couldn't bring myself to tell him, for so many reasons that I couldn't explain easily or smoothly.

Arthur bit down on his lip, and bent his head so that his fringe went over his glass eye. He was nervous, but of what?

"So, I've got this mate, and he's crazy about this girl." Arthur began. "He can't stop thinking about her, and how pretty she is even when she doesn't feel she is. She's so smart and helps him when he's being a total moron--which is a lot of the time. And she makes references of Lord of the Rings and video games he like, and she puts up with his naiviety and awkwardness. She doesn't even ignore his sexuality or illness which is a first for him."

My heart was pounding so hard in my chest I could hardly breath but I didn't know why. "He--He really likes her." was all I could say.

"But she's still in love with another guy, one who hurt her with words. And my friend can't help but fall more and more for her every day, despite the fact he knows he has no chance."

My hand found the side of Arthur's face, and I lighly ran my fingers down his jawline. There were so many questions I had, and familiarity in what Arthur was talking about, and most importantly an urge rising up inside me to kiss him.

"S-S-so, um. "Arthur stuttered, like he did that day I met him outside Trelawney's classroom, when we barely knew each other. He was just Cole's cousin, but now he was more than than. "H-How would this con-conversation end if y-you knew that friend was m-me?"

Slowly, I pushed his fringe away from his glass eye. "Don't hide your other eye," I whispered. "I like all of you."

And then I was kissing him.

It was short, but full of all these emotions and feelings I'd been hiding from Arthur all these months, finally revealed. Arthur responded with surprise quickly, and then with our lips seperated, heads and hands linked behind his back we stared at each other.

He giggled, and then said, "So, um could we do that again?"

I laughed against his mouth, hearing his own heartbeat in time with mine, it was beating just as frantically. "Oh my God, Arthur you totally ruined the moment."

"I'm sorry, I just--"

"I was joking." I whispered.

"Oh."

And then we were kissing again. Since the two of us were more sure of each other it held more intensity, arms wrapped around each other, heartbeats in my eardrums and lips pressing breathlessly on each others. Everything was so fast but careful and I realised it was because Arthur and I were one and the same.

We'd both thought we would die young, so we kissed as if we were about to die at that precise moment.

"Professor Slughorn!" Filch shouted from the door, and I jumped, accidently kissing the spot between Arthur's nose and lips. "I discovered this boy upstairs! He claims to have an ivitation!"

He was so loud he overtook the speakers and kind of ruined the mood. So I looked.

Filch was in the middle of the room, holding onto somebody's ear. Malfoy's.

If this had been two months ago, and Malfoy had caught me kissing Arthur, I would have been in pieces, feeling as if I betrayed the boy who hated me. I might have even cried, feeling dirty and call myself names for moving on so soon.

But instead--I felt nothing. I only felt happy, that odd feeling that had resided with me for so many months it was almost a common mood for me again. And part of the reason was down to the boy who's arms I was wrapped up in.

Malfoy looked shocked. Hurt, betrayed, angry--maybe even upset. But all I could think of to respond was to further intertwine my hand with Arthur's and then sign something with the other one--one word--Happy.

"All right, I wasn't invited!" Malfoy said angrily. "I was trying to gatecrash, happy?"

Arthur let go of my hands to my surprise, let me go completley and I was left standing against his body but not linked by hands.

"No, I'm not!" said Filch, a statement at complete odds with the glee on his face. "You're in trouble, you are! Didn't the Headmaster say that night-time prowling is out, unless you've got permission, didn't he, eh?"

"That's all right, Argus, that's all right," said Slughorn, waving a hand. "It's Christmas, and it's not a crime to want to come to a party. Just this once, we'll forget any punishment; you may stay, Draco."

"It's nothing, nothing," said Slughorn, waving away Malfoy's thanks. "I did know your grandfather, after all...."

"He always spoke very highly of you, sir," said Malfoy quickly. "Said you were the best potion-maker he'd ever known..."

"I'd like a word with you, Draco," said Snape suddenly.

"Now, Severus," said Slughorn, hiccuping again, "it's Christmas, don't be too hard--"

"I'm his Head of House, and I shall decide how hard, or otherwise, to be," said Snape curtly. "Follow me, Draco."

Harry followed them out, not to my surprise. I turned to Arthur, "So, what do you think that was about--"

"Um, I have to go, prefect duty, last minute." Arthur said hurriedly, looking troubled for the first time I'd known him. "Sorry, I just um, have to go."

He kissed me on the cheek and then hurried out, almost looking upset. I waited a moment, astounded at all that had happened in the last few minutes, before hurrying out after him.

Arthur had vanished, and I felt almost an urge to cry. What had happened? Had I come on too strong? Was it too soon? Did Arthur just not want to be with the girl who still had possible feelings for her ex?

Holding my arms around myself, I decided to try and find Arthur, talk about this. But soon I heard voices from a nearby classroom. I peered my head around a door to see Snape, Malfoy and none other than Sam. I ducked behind armour in an attempt to listen in.

"... cannot afford mistakes, Draco, because if you are expelled --"

"I didn't have anything to do with it, all right?"

"I hope you are telling the truth, because it was both clumsy and foolish. Already you are suspected of having a hand in it."

"Who suspects me?" said Malfoy angrily. "For the last time, I didn't do it, okay? That Bell girl must've had an enemy no one knows about--don't look at me like that! I know what you're doing, I'm not stupid, but it won't work--I can stop you!"

There was a pause and then Snape said quietly, "Ah... Aunt Bellatrix has been teaching you Occlumency, I see. What thoughts are you trying to conceal from your master, Draco?"

"It's the most obvious thing, the one thing everyone keeps from him." Sam said in a flat tone.

"I'm not trying to conceal anything from him, I just don't want you butting in!"

"So that is why you have been avoiding me this term? You have feared my interference? You realize that, had anybody else failed to come to my office when I had told them repeatedly to be there, Draco--"

"So put me in detention! Report me to Dumbledore!" jeered Malfoy.

There was another pause. Then Snape said, "You know perfectly well that I do not wish to do either of those things."

"You'd better stop telling me to come to your office then!"

"Listen to me," said Snape, his voice so low now that I could barely hear it . "I am trying to help you. I swore to your mother I would protect you. I made the Unbreakable Vow, Draco--"

"Looks like you'll have to break it, then, because I don't need your protection! It's my job, he gave it to me and I'm doing it, I've got a plan and it's going to work, it's just taking a bit longer than I thought it would!"

"What is your plan ?"

"It's none of your business!"

"If you tell me what you are trying to do, I can assist you ..."

"He's got me, thank you very much." Sam sneered.

"You were certainly alone tonight, which was foolish in the extreme, wandering the corridors without lookouts or backup, these are elementary mistakes--"

"I was trying to actually enjoy my Christmas at the crappy party until you dragged me out, thank you very much, Severus." Sam snapped.

"I would've had Crabbe and Goyle with me if you hadn't put them in detention!"

"Keep your voice down!" spat Snape, for Malfoy's voice had risen excitedly. "If your friends Crabbe and Goyle intend to pass their Defense Against the Dark Arts O.W.L. this time around, they will need to work a little harder than they are doing at pres--"

"What does it matter?" said Malfoy. "Defense Against the Dark Arts--it's all just a joke, isn't it, an act? Like any of us need protecting against the Dark Arts--"

"It is an act that is crucial to success, Draco!" said Snape. "Where do you think I would have been all these years, if I had not known how to act? Now listen to me! You are being incautious, wandering around at night, getting yourself caught, and if you are placing your reliance in assistants like Crabbe and Goyle--"

"They're not the only ones, I've got other people on my side, better people!"

"Thanks for the compliment, ferrett." Sam snorted.

"I know what you're up to! You want to steal my glory!"

There was another pause, then Snape said coldly, "You are speaking like a child. I quite understand that your father's capture and imprisonment has upset you, but--"

"Just leave, I can tell he's ready to hit you." Sam said abruptly. "We'll discuss this before we catch the train home tomorrow. Leave."

To my surprise, Snape listened and he trailed out of the room with a scowl. I pressed myself against the wall, trying to hear Sam and Malfoy.

"You were at the party? I didn't realise you liked that sort of crap." Malfoy snorted.

"I don't. I do like pretty lesbians in dresses." Sam shrugged. She paused. "Did you see them? Rory and Arthur?"

There was a pause. "I can't believe her. Why would she do this?" Malfoy said, his voice jagged.

"Do you hear yourself, Draco?" Sam laughed. "What did you expect? Her to turn into a nun, sob and sob until you crawled back to her on your knees?"

"Uh, basically. Rory promised we'd always be together."

"Please!" Sam laughed. "That was when she actually had faith in your realationship, you utter twit! Rory does what she wants to do, it's always been like that. If Arthur makes her happy, you'll have to deal with that."

"Have you seen him though? He's can't decide who he wants to snog, not to mention he looks like an idiot smiling all the time."

 A short slapping sound was heard, and swearing from Malfoy. "Yeah, well you could take a leaf out of Arthur's book, you prick. And he's bisexual, not indecisive, get your facts right before I take Cole's advice and set you on fire!" There was a silence, and then Sam sneered. "Get your fucking act together Draco, before I have to haunt you from the great beyond."

"Sam--"

"Leave!" She shouted, and a broken note hit her voice.

I had to press myself against the wall to avoid being seen as Malfoy stalked past, kicking at a fallen helmet out of anger, hands knotted in his hair in fustration.

Sam came out moments later, breathing heavy and eyes red tinged. She looked at me with a sad smile. "How much did you hear?"

"Most of it." I said shakily, stepping out from my hiding spot. "What were you telling Malfoy about haunting him?"

Sam gave me a small smile, looking far away. "I'm dying Rory, after all of this, I'm bloody dying."

- - - - - - 

A/N That chapter was too much for me, I was nearly in tears omg.

Songs to listen to for this chapter: So Soon by Mariana's Trench (perfect song, omg I've put it on the side) I've Got this Friend by 5 Seconds of Summer (not officially released but still epic as heck) and Idependence Day, also by 5 Seconds of Summer.

Also, shamless self promo time. I've uploaded the first chapter of Not All Slytherins, about OCD Felicia Adams who will try to prove not all Slytherins are bad ^.^ Check it out it you want, some crazy people have got it to almost 100 reads already! :0

Sorry for being away, I've been doing work experience which sure is fun! *Note sarasm*

I'll try to upload soon, because omg the good stuff is coming and I will probably cry writing the next chapter too.