"You really mean he's back?" asked Laura. She was one of the few that trusted Harry, about Voldemort coming back.

People said that Alice and Laura had the same personality. The kind gestures, and brave decisions. But what makes them different, is Laura's gullible manner.

She used to believe and trust people too easily. This caused her some problem at the start of the year, when she believed what some Slytherin student said; ending up waiting in the girls bathroom for 2 hours.

"Yes he is. But no one believes us. They will soon though." I said. If all goes as normal, Harry would give the interview to Rita Skeeter on Valentines Day.

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Me and Terrance were hanging out. "And then, Fred put a couple of dungbombs and closed the door. I charmed it to stay shut for 5 minutes, and George made sure that Professor Snape was not coming. I was surprised that the Slytherins did not faint by then. It was so fun." I rambled on. 

"Bet it was." said Terrance unenthusiastically; staring off into a distance. "So... read any new interesting books?" I asked, thinking that maybe he wasn't enthusiastic about my rambling. 

"Nope. Was busy with N.E.W.Ts." He replied again in the same manner. He was not the one to stop reading. He was the one who said it himself. The N.E.W.Ts were not far, I agree; but this was so unlike him.

I sat down next to him, and placed my hand on top of his. "What's wrong Terrance?" I asked. He put his gaze down, and whispered a nothing. I slowly turned his face towards me, and made him look at me. "You can tell me. We'll find a solution." I assured him. 

"The order. That's my problem. Mum and dad are part of it, and.... The death eaters escaped from Azkaban. What if they go for my parents. I'm worried for you too. I saw a nightmare. Mum, dad and you; all in a pool of blood. Death eaters around me laughing. And I could do nothing!" He said, the build up of tears evident in his eyes. 

He knew about the order. The other members had allowed me and his parents to tell him about it. I put my arms around him, and leaned onto him. "Don't worry. They'll be careful, and so will I."

"It's you-know-who! No one is safe from him. Especially now that people don't believe he's back. Even though the Chosen One tells them he is. It's gonna be easy for him. I don't wanna wake up one day, and know that you all- died." He whispered the last word. He was shaking a bit, but he quickly wiped his tears; he acted tough.  

"Why am I even crying? I shouldn't be. I'm not that weak am I?" He started asking to himself. I held him a bit tighter. "Crying doesn't make you weak. It makes you human. It's okay to cry sometimes. I'm here for you. You know?" 

We stared off into distance. Me lightly swaying, while holding him.

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January went by in a blur. New educational degrees came up. The teachers who believed Harry, secretly gave him small appreciations.

Harry often came and grumbled to me about his Occlumency lessons. Asking why I had signed him up for it. I told the same repetitive  answer, that it is needed. 

It was soon February. People were busy finding ways to ask someone for Valentines Day. Umbridge was often found patrolling the corridors, looking for students to punish. 

It was night time and I was in my dorms, reading a really interesting book that Hermione had given me. That was when Snow came in through my window with a message, tied to her talons. 

What is the news? Why bring Terrance? Did something bad happen? A hundred questions where floating in my mind. I had never received a letter from Remus. Nor was I ever told to go to the Headquarters while I was at school.

I scrambled out of bed. Laura was in deep sleep, and Katie was not yet in the dorms. I put on my shoes and dashed out the room. It was going to be a hard task to find Terrance. It would be curfew in about 5 minutes, and I did not know where he was. I decided to go to the library, and ran to it. But on searching there, he wasn't. There was about 2 more minutes for curfew, and I decided to try my luck in the Ravenclaw common room. 

There was no one around, and the bronze knocker in the shape of a eagle greeted me. "I would like to enter the common room. It's urgent" I said. "Solve the riddle, and you may enter." said the eagle. I nodded, and the knocker asked. 

"All about the house, with my lady i dance. Yet i always work and never romance."

What type of question in this? A maid? No... why would the maid dance with the lady? I though for a bit. Nothing came to my mind. "Could I have the question?" asked someone from behind me. The knocker repeated the same questions. 

The ravenclaw thought for a minute and said. "A broom." The knocker opened the door, and I got in too. A broom? How? But there was no time to think. I already wasted 5 minutes outside. Terrance wasn't in the common room, so I decided to check in his dorm. I climbed up the stairs, and went to the 7th year dorm. 

I knocked on the door, and a random guy opened the door. "Terrance here?" I asked. He turned around and called out, "Walter! You're girlfriend's here." 

Terrance came in front of the door. He was probably going to sleep early today, to catch up his lack of it due to studying, since he was not wearing a shirt. He was not very bulky, nor had a visible toned body. 

"What happened Cass? Why are you here at this time of the day?" he asked, both curious and concerned. 

"Throw on something quick, and come fast. I'll explain on the way." I said. He was a bit confused, but agreed and went inside. Coming back in less than a minute. 

We were walking through the corridor, me walking a bit faster than him. Checking back and forth and in corners for Umbridge, prefects or the inquisitorial squad. "What is-" I cut Terrance off, and pulled him behind an archway. Umbridge was passing by. "Remus told me to come to Grimmauld place. Told me to take you with me." I said, in a whisper. 

We went to the gates of Hogwarts, and Terrance apparated us both to Grimmauld place. Grimmauld place 12 soon appeared, and we quickly knocked on the door. Molly opened the door, and pulled Terrance and me into a hug. 

Her eyes where red and puffy. The house seemed silent; not even the mumbling of Kreature could be heard. What happened? Why was Molly crying? She guided us to the room where the order meeting s used to take place. The few most important order members where there. Except for one; Mr. Walter. 

Mrs. Walter was sitting in a corner. Her head was down, and she was shaking; a lot. Tiny sobs could be heard, and Terrance went near her. "Mum?" he called out. 

In one swift movement, she turned around, and pulled him into a tight hug. She had her chin on top of Terrance's shoulder, and she was crying.  Terrance held her tight, not knowing what was happening. He looked around the table, and that is when he noticed. "Mum? Where's dad?" he asked. 

This made Izzy cry harder, and her tears damped the shirt that Terrance was wearing. "Don't tell me he's-" said Terrance in a cracked voice. Tears welled up in my eyes. My heart beat fastened. He couldn't be. I assured Terrance that he would be safe. I just stood there; frozen. I did not know what to do. Someone slowly guided me out the door, and into the living room. A fire was crackling, and made the room warm, in contrast to the cold and sad atmosphere that filled the house. 

"He's gone isn't he?" I asked. Remus and Sirius were both sitting on either side of me. "I'm sorry cub. There wasn't much we could do. They both were on an order mission. Before they could both hold onto the portkey, Walter was killed. Only Izzy came back." Said Sirius. 

Sirius and I had both become close. I used to live at Grimmauld place. Even when the Weasleys went to the Burrow. We soon became close as family, and that is one of the reasons why Sirius gives me a bit of money to enjoy. 

I saw through the open door, Terrance going upstairs. I looked at Remus and Sirius, and they both gave me a nod; indicating that I too could go. I went upstairs, and saw Terrance walking in the Hallway. "Blood-traitors and mudbloods in the noble house of black. Now even a death of another traitor. Wish the mudblood lady died though-" "STOP IT! NOW!" I shouted at Kreature. It was hard enough. He did not have to make it worse. 

I took Terrance to my  room, and he sat down on my bed. His hands were clamped together. I didn't know what to do. Should I hug him? Should I sit down? Should I walk away? "You can sit down you know?" he said in a silent voice. 

I sat down next to him, and held his hand. We sat there in silence before he spoke. "Maybe I'll drop out." he said suddenly.

"What?" I asked.

"Mum needs me. Who'll protect her now? I'll get a random job, and help." 

"Terrance, you're on your last year in Hogwarts. You have good grades. Don't give up now. You're mum is brave is an strong."

"You don't get it Cass! You don't understand!" he said a bit too loud. 

"I do get it. Study and be part of the Wizengamot. Don't give up your dreams." I said calmly. 

"It'll take 2-3 more years Cass. I don't have the time."

"Of course you do. Make your mum proud. Make yourself happy. Make your dad proud Terrance." I said. 

He nodded. "It'll be okay" I said. He burried his head on the crook of my neck. Silent sobs escaping his mouth at times. Remus came in the room, and looked at me. "You both better get back to Hogwarts." he said.

I nodded, and slowly patted Terrance's arm. He too got up and wiped his eyes. Gave a small broken smile to Remus, and we both headed out the door. Terrance gave a last hug to his mother, and we both apparated back to Hogwarts. 

That night, we did not go back to our dorms. Instead we went to Terrance's favorite part of the castle; the Astronomy Tower. "You know why I like it here?" he asked. I shook my head. "It's because it's so beautiful. The stars. They're so tiny, but look how pretty they are. Mum used to say that the one's we lost turn into stars; maybe my dad is now up there too. Somewhere." 

"He is. Looking at you proudly for the wonderful human you are. And for being strong." I said. 

"Do you know the other reason I like it here?"

"No." I said. 

"Because we first became together here. You became mine here." 

He put an arm around me; pulling me closer. "And I never want to loose you too."

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A/N:

That was that. I think it is a long chapter 1966 words. A long chapter to compensate for the long gap. 

I hope you enjoyed the chapter, and the story is just getting better :)

Thank you so much for your support.

Love you all 💙💙💙