The merry day of Halloween arrived, and although Ria had saved herself from being a potential participant of the Triwizard Tournament, there was still a tiny alarm blaring red in her head. All she could do was hope that it was just a headache.

Though at the present moment, the thing that bothered Ria most were the people sitting in front of her; Harry and Celine. She had been sitting in the Great Hall with the Gryffindor trio, Celine and the Weasley twins, eating breakfast. And whenever she heard them laugh, she wondered what was it that Harry found so amusing.

Seriously, though. Every time she made him smile, Ria felt as if the Durmstrang girl had taken her out and crushed it under her foot.

"Oh— Don't forget the first year! Dear wittle Hawwy had a cwush on you!" teased Fred, making Ria sigh out heavily. Of course, he did..

That's why he spent so much time with her! Harry Potter had just forgotten about his best friend! His Sunshine!

The others laughed, while Harry went red trying to defend his eleven-year-old self. Asteria forcefully bit into her sandwich while watching the Durmstrang girl enviously.

Why did she have to change her school again? Why couldn't she keep herself at Ilvermorny for one more damn year?

Celine looked at her, her lips curled up in the sophisticated smile she always held. "What about you, Asteria?" She asked. "Where are your eyes lingering?"

She simply nodded, taking the group of people by surprise. Celine and the twins oohed.

Ria pointed at a plate on the table. "On that pudding.. It looks fantastic right now. George, care to pass some?"

They all laughed at her response, but Harry's was a fake one. Probably because he knew Ria hated puddings.

"Ah, you know what I mean.." she urged. "Come on.. what about that friend of yours? Theodore Nott? He's really handsome."

Ria chuckled, shaking her head. "Theo? No. I mean, he's not bad looking, but no.. never thought about him that way."

And anyway.. someone like my mother would be his type, not me. She chuckled at her own thoughts.

"Hmm, of course." said Hermione. "She already has her eyes set on someone." The group oohed again, and she rolled her eyes.

She gave Hermione a look, one that said 'I'll get back at you'.

"Who is it, Asteria?" Celine cooed, seeming interested.

Ria took a calming breath and smiled at her. "No one, really."

"Ooh.. someone's cranky." Fred taunted, making Ria glare at him. "Maybe you didn't get enough sleep.. as usual."

"Here." said George, pushing her a goblet of pumpkin juice. "It's good for relaxation."

Her shoulders slumped in relief as she lifted it to her lips. "Thanks, George. Learn something from him, Fred." She said before taking a sip.

Ria wasn't going to lie, she felt quite cheerful after drinking it. She decided that she wasn't going to let Celine Haynes and Harry Potter ruin her day. She could definitely handle that if she had been handling Malfoy and Parkinson for more than two years.

"How do you feel?" asked George. The girl looked at her with a smile and nodded cheerfully.

"I feel fantastic, thanks!" She chirped and went back into her breakfast. Fred and George looked at each other in confusion.

"Oh.. bloody hell, I'm late, aren't I?" said Ron as soon as he approached the group. "Are there any chicken sandwiches left?"

Ria chuckled, and held the last one in her hand, waving it in front of him. "Unfortunately, the last one's mine, Ro—"

She gasped, feeling her world turn upside down.. and then blank.

Everything from the Bermuda triangle to Area 51 suddenly made sense to her. She had the solution to every problem. Suddenly, life didn't seem as hard as it was before.

Merlin, he was beautiful.

"You can take it. I'm full." She held the sandwich out for him, eyes never once leaving his perfect face.

It should be in a museum. She thought.

"Ah.. thanks, Ria!" He grinned at her, and she blushed furiously.

And all she could do was watch him as he ate with satisfaction. She took in his features, his overgrown red hair that fell over his face, freckles that made her stomach erupt into butterflies.. and blue eyes that made only one song play in her head over and over again.

"Eyes blue like the Atlantic and I'm going down, like the titanic..."

Fred and George looked at each other, faces breaking out into smiles, while Harry, Celine, Hermione and Ron looked at Asteria.

"Woah.. you sound great!" said Ron, and Ria giggled.

Harry's spoon fell in his bowl with a loud clunk.

Hold the fuck up.

Harry Potter knew Asteria Edwards, and he most definitely knew that she never fucking giggled. She hated the giddiness behind a giggle with burning passion. The only acceptable giggles were the ones that came from babies and toddlers.

And what blue eyes were she singing about?

"Are you alright, Ria?" asked Hermione. "Why— Why are you looking at him like that?" She suddenly felt annoyed, looking at the way she was staring at Ron. But then, she caught the look on Fred and George's faces.

"Wait— don't tell me— No way!" She banged her hands on the table. "Did you just drug her with a bloody love potion? I can't believe you!"

"We wanted to test it on someone— And it worked!" Fred exclaimed happily.

Ron chuckled in amusement. "That's brilliant!" He exclaimed.

"No, it's not!" shouted Harry and Hermione.

"You— You shouldn't have tried it without asking—" she said.

"Come on! It's just harmless fun." Celine interrupted her.

"How long does it last?" Harry asked, completely ignoring the Durmstrang girl.

The two shrugged, "Eight to nine—"

"Minutes? Thank Godric—"

"Hours." George added.

"Hours?! Eight to nine hours? Have you gone mad?!"

"Well—" Celine scoffed out a laugh. "I don't see any problem. She's not dating anyone. It's not like they're making her cheat or anything. It's harmless."

Harry opened and closed his mouth several times, but after watching Ria blush at yet another compliment from Ron, he clenched his jaw and sat back.

"So, what now?" asked Hermione.

"We wait! Till then Ria can hang out with little Ronniekins, of course!" Fred teased.

Ria looked at him in delight. "I— I can?" she asked in disbelief. When the twins nodded, she squealed and got up from her seat, rushing towards Ron. She plopped in between him and Hermione.

Ron laughed while Ria linked their arms together, resting her head on his shoulder. And Hermione shook her head, pouring herself another cup of tea.

Harry looked at them, and his grip around the goblet with love potion almost dented the utensil as he thought about what would've happened if Ria had seen him instead of Ron.

The Halloween feast was yet to start; a negligible amount of students were present in the Hall. Asteria was seated at the Gryffindor table, excitedly talking without worrying about the bad luck the day brought.

Everything seemed less stressful with Ron Weasley by her side.

Ginny was flabbergasted when she had spotted them. She had even looked at Harry to see his reaction to it since.. well, since he obviously liked Ria.

The day had been hardly manageable for Harry. He couldn't look at Ron without a sinking feeling settling in his heart.

Every time he saw them, it was Ria looking at his ginger friend like a lovesick puppy. She'd laugh at the silliest jokes he'd tell. She'd fall into a pool of giggles if Ron complimented or talked about something she loved. Harry could tell that Ron was thoroughly enjoying this.

But suddenly, in the midst of laughing at something, Ria stopped. Her smile slowly faded away. A confused look adorned her soft features. She leaned away from Ron, staring into space.

"Oh, look! She's back!" Ron exclaimed with a chuckle, making Ria look at him. Fred and George looked at each other.

Well.. time to leave.

"What? Where did I go? What happened to me?" She asked, looking around. Hermione and Harry sighed in relief while Celine tried hard to not roll her eyes.

"Those two tricked you into taking a love potion." said Ginny, amused as she pointed towards Fred and George, who were halfway up their seats.

"And you had to see Ron out of everyone else."

Ron gave his sister an offended look, while Ria turned towards the boys, locking them with deadly glares.

"Sweet buttocks of Merlin—" Fred chuckled nervously as her hand clasped around the butter knife on the table.

"Forgive us for we have sinned—" George continued, making many more people around them notice the interaction.

"And accept us into hell, for we cannot risk it living here anymore!" The two bellowed, leaving the table and running for their lives.

"YOU LITTLE SHITHEADS!" yelled Ria, sprinting behind them with the butter knife up tight in her hand. Every head turned towards them and laughter boomed through the Hall.

Minutes after the feast started, Fred and George came back with a bruised forehead and an arm, respectively. They had been jinxed by Ria's jelly legs and had fallen down the stairs.

Ria, as red as a tomato, sat down at the Slytherin table without a word and picked up an empty plate.

"Merlin.. where the hell have you been?" asked Theodore.

"I don't wanna talk about it." She mumbled, helping herself with some food. She had a vague memory of herself giggling over someone who was like a brother to her.

She put the plate back. Maybe she wasn't that hungry, after all.

Her eyes instead wandered towards the Hufflepuff table, and she found an empty seat right beside Cedric. Right, she was going to sit with him today, to support him during the champion selection. She had already informed the two boys about it, a day ago.

"I'll see you two later." She said, tilting her head towards the Hufflepuff table, and they nodded in understanding.

The girl plopped herself down on the Hufflepuff table beside Sophie. She gave her an amused smile, making Ria groan. "Oh, Salazar! Who told you?"

"Hermione." She chuckled. "And Lord, she looked annoyed. Or rather, jealous, I'd say."

Of course.. Ria rolled her eyes. I'm a Seer, bitch, I saw that coming millennials ago.

"Oh.." Cedric's conversation with his friend finally halted and he looked at Ria. "So you finally got time for us? Helga, we thought your new boyfriend took you away from us."

Ria groaned again, hiding her face into the palm, and he laughed in victory.

"Ah.. sweet revenge." He sighed in satisfaction. He had been waiting for a moment like that.

"Someone Avada Kedavra me, please.." she whispered under her breath.

"Aw.. come on, Ria.." he pinched her cheek. "I finally got the chance to tease you over something like this, and you're already so sick?" She swatted his hand away.

"I hate you." She grumbled.

"Love you too."

The tables all cleared at once, and all eyes snapped towards Dumbledore with small murmurs of excitement. The heads of the other schools; Madam Maxime and Igor Karkaroff sat on either side of him, and beside them were Mr. Crouch and Ludo Bagman.

"Well, the goblet is almost ready to make its decision," said Dumbledore, and Ria exchanged glances with Cedric.

"I estimate that it requires one more minute. Now, when the champions' names are called, I would ask them please to come up to the top of the Hall, walk along the staff table, and go through into the next chamber—" he indicated the door behind the staff table "—where they will be receiving their first instructions."

He waved his wand, and all the candles, except the ones in the carved pumpkins, were extinguished. Along with them and the light from the Goblet of Fire, the Great hall went into a mysterious state of semi-darkness. The mood setting was incredible.

The blue flames from the Goblet turned magenta, and they shot out a tongue of flame. A piece of parchment fluttered out of it. Dumbledore caught it and soon, a smile adorned his face.

"The champion for Durmstrang," He declared, "will be Viktor Krum."

The uproar from the students was loud. Igor Karkaroff cheered for his favourite student. The Durmstrang champion shook hands with Dumbledore and walked towards the chamber.

The flames changed colour again, and they shot out another piece of parchment as the applause died down. "The champion for Beauxbatons is Fleur Delacour."

Their headmistress clapped gracefully for her, while many other students from the school cried in disappointment.

The red flames shot out the last piece of parchment, and Dumbledore extended his long arm to reach it. "The Hogwarts champion," he called, "is Cedric Diggory!"

The Hufflepuff chuckled victoriously as his table roared cheers for him. Ria had leapt for a hug so excitedly that Cedric had lifted her off her feet.

He soon walked away to join the other champions, getting pats of encouragement from his friends on the way.

Sophie had hugged Ria too, unable to contain her ecstasy. Her house was finally getting the recognition it deserved.

"Excellent!" Dumbledore called happily. "Well, we now have our three champions. I am sure I can count upon all of you, including the remaining students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, to give your champions every ounce of support you can muster. By cheering your champion on, you will contribute in a very real—"

But Dumbledore suddenly stopped speaking, and it was apparent to everybody what had distracted him. The fire in the Goblet had just turned magenta again. Sparks were flying out of it. A long flame shot suddenly into the air, and borne upon it was another piece of parchment.

Asteria's smile was quick to drop. She had started to panic internally now, mind rushing through hundreds of scenarios.

Wait— wait, had she gone wrong anywhere? Had she missed something?

Dumbledore reached out a long arm and seized the parchment. He held it out and stared at the name written upon it. There was a long pause, during which he stared at the entry in his hands, and everyone in the room stared at the him. And then he cleared his throat and read out.

"Harry Potter."

The drop that Ria felt in her stomach was unreal. Her eyes widened as she looked at him. The mind that had been overworking itself in the past few seconds now seemed to immediately blank out on her.

The deafening silence was too much to bear. There was nothing; not a clap, not a cheer, not a whisper, even. It was haunting. He sat in his place, stunned.

It wasn't him. He knew nothing.

"Harry Potter!" Dumbledore's voice grew louder. "Harry! Up here, if you please!"

That was when buzzes broke out into the crowd. Harry, helpless of the situation, got up from his seat. He walked past the tables, feeling like a subject that had betrayed his own kingdom.

His eyes caught Ria's, hoping the girl believed him. Harry would somehow manage if the world turned against him, but he wouldn't be able to bear it if she did.

But all he saw was a blank, unassuming stare. And it made him nervously gulp.

The Headmaster's hand on his shoulder made him come back to reality. He was showing him the way to the champions' chamber. He began walking.

Believe me. It was the only thing he could think of. Please, believe me.

"Did.." Sophie was the first one to break the silence between the two. "Did you know about this?"

I'm not so sure if he knew about this either.. Ria thought.

"You can't possibly let him compete, Albus!" Minerva's angry voice echoed through the corridor. "Did you see the poor boy's face? He looked like he didn't have a clue of whatever happened!"

"Whatever happened tonight was not in my hands, Minerva—"

"So, you'll just let him walk into danger? Just like that?" Asteria's nervous voice made them stop. She flexed her fingers, fighting the weird itch she was feeling over her arms. It was as if something was crawling under her skin, trying to burst out and escape.

But she couldn't think about it now. She couldn't think about anything else other than Harry and this godforsaken tournament.

The two professors turned towards the exhausted girl. "Miss. Edwards?"

"It— It wasn't him." She desperately said. "It wasn't him. I know it. And I— I have something that could help! Please, Headmaster, there's been a mistake!"

Dumbledore gestured the Transfiguration professor to proceed while he talked to Asteria. "Do you happen to know anything about this, Miss. Edwards?" He asked.

She nodded furiously. "I— I think so, but I'm not sure. If you can help me figure it out, maybe—"

"I believe we'll discuss this after the meeting.." Dumbledore nodded towards the door. Ria looked at him in pure shock. "At the moment, it's more important to defend the boy in front of those who don't believe." He concluded and walked away.

"Pro— Professor? Professor!"

The old wizard didn't stop. He just walked into the chamber and closed the door without another word to her.

And Ria shouldn't.. she really shouldn't.. but she felt tears of frustration pool her eyes.

Piercing blue flames.. a piece of paper withering away into them.. and then her name written on one..

She rubbed her eyes furiously, burying her urge to scream and kick at something.

She hadn't prevented one damn thing.

The piece of paper that had disappeared into the flames never had her name written upon it. There were two papers all along. The second one was hers and the first one..

The first one must be..

Ria took another shaky breath, feet racing and taking her towards her room. As soon as she entered, she stumbled towards her drawers. A familiar bottle collided with her lips and the sweet drink was quick to soothe her heart.

She shouldn't be doing this.. Merlin, she'd said she wouldn't do that again.

Another failure.. another goddamn failure. How many more of them? The perfectionist inside her scoffed.

She had really thought she had done something when she had stopped the entry with her name from falling into the Goblet of Fire. God, she had been so proud of herself.

Stupid.. stupid Asteria Edwards.

She had so much left to do yet, so much to work on. What had she expected? That she'd master being a Seer in just one day? Or a month? Or a year?

People worked their arses off for decades to master precise prediction, or be an Enchantress in true sense. Why did she think of herself as someone who would conquer everything with the speed of a god?

For heaven's sake, why do I have to be so damn impatient?!

Ria blinked her dried tears away, looking up at the ceiling in thought. Maybe she just needed some sleep.

"Asteria?" Professor McGonagall was at the door, looking at her. Ria's eyes quickly darted down to the Peace of Draught in her hand, and guilt took over her features.

"Yes?"

"The Headmaster wants to see you." She said, and Ria nodded, putting the bottle back.

She was quiet as she walked beside McGonagall. "Minnie.. I'm sorry about the Potion—"

"It is alright, you know? To feel helpless all on your own, sometimes." She said, with a small reassuring smile.

"I tried.." Ria sighed. "But it didn't work.. so I had to."

"I appreciate you being honest, Asteria."

When they reached the office, Minerva rapped the door twice, and the door opened.

Like always, Professor Dumbledore wasn't seated on his chair, but he was pacing thoughtfully. Severus Snape and Alastor Moody were there too.

"Ah, have a seat, Miss. Edwards." He offered her a small smile. She nodded and made her way towards the chair, but accidentally stumbled a little before sitting.

Really, Asteria? She thought to herself, embarrassed.

"Sorry.. I just had some Draught of Peace.. makes me a little dizzy." She said.

Albus smiled at her confession. "No worries. So, what was it you wanted to talk about?" He asked.

"Harry didn't put his name in the Goblet of Fire." She stated. "If there is one student in this school that wishes to preserve his peace the most.. it's him. He wouldn't do it."

"Yes. And only the ones who truly know him believe that." said Dumbledore. "What do you know that we don't, Asteria?" He asked.

"It's— uh.." Her eyes darted down with hesitation. She couldn't help but feel a strong gaze pierce the back of her head. "I— I really can't put it in.. in words—"

"Alastor Moody has been a trusted Auror for years now." Dumbledore informed. And Ria poked her tongue against her cheek, trying to hide her annoyance.

"It's not about trust, Headmaster." She said, looking at him, and then Minerva and Severus. "I've always spoken about these things to only the three of you. The discomfort of another person being here just can't be ignored.."

She then looked directly at Moody. "I hope you can understand, Professor. It's nothing personal."

The man looked at Dumbledore, and then back at her before giving a quick nod and walking out of the office. A sigh left Ria's lips.

"I had two visions that were concerning me, and I tried to prevent whatever that was going to happen from one of them. And I did.. but there was a slip up."

"You said, you tried to prevent what you saw from happening.." Dumbledore recalled. "I assume you have found a formula, or a procedure that works for you?"

At the question, the two professors looked at her too. And yet again, she felt burdened under someone's gaze. "Ye— Yes."

There was a glint in Dumbledore's eyes. "I apologise. You may continue.. you mentioned two visions, didn't you?"

Ria nodded quickly. "Yes. It was during summer vacation. I saw Wormtail, maybe Voldemort, a snake.. and someone else.. I can't really remember." She said. "But— But they were referring to a boy and a girl.. We know who the boy is.. and the girl.." she trailed off.

"And you assume that the girl is you?" She nodded. "May I ask why?" At Severus's question, she just sighed and pulled out a crumpled piece of paper.

And as she placed it on the table, his eye twitched slightly. "Someone tried to put your name in, too?" He whispered under his breath.

Minerva's eyes widened, and she rushed to look at the paper. "Where— Where did—"

"I found this floating in the Great Hall, past midnight." She answered, "No one was there. Maybe they had put it under some charm. And before this, another entry had already disappeared into the fire." Her words were heavy with guilt. "I didn't think much about it at first.. I thought the burning entry in my vision had been mine. But no, there was another one all along."

"Why do you reckon someone wants you and Harry competing?" Dumbledore asked.

And Ria hesitated for a second before answering. "Well.. Harry has always been a threat to Voldemort. And I— uh.. I came to know from someone, that I'm a target.. maybe because of my magical abilities."

The Headmaster's curious gaze didn't go unnoticed. "I'm sorry, I can't tell you who told me." She said.

Ria knew it could've been important, but that meant threatening Draco's life in some way, since the imposter was within the walls. Though she didn't care for the boy, she couldn't turn her back on him. He had helped her twice now.

"I will not ask you to give us names.." Dumbledore smiled, making her breathe out in relief. But then she felt a sudden needle of pain go through her skull, and she clicked her tongue in annoyance.

"Sir, I will say this in the most respectful way possible. This is the third time you've used Legilimency on me, today, and I think it's very rude of you, especially when I wish to keep some things to myself." She snapped. "I despise people that try to take control of my life."

"My apologies." He sighed truthfully. "But one couldn't help a curious mind.. not when the cost might be someone's life."

Ria didn't question him; her trust in him held her back. She nodded hesitantly.

"For now, I want you to take a good rest. Perhaps, you have stressed yourself too much because of this?" He asked, and she shrugged helplessly in answer. "Severus.." He nodded and stood beside Ria.

"Wait— what are you—"

He kept an assuring hand on his goddaughter's shoulder. "No worries. It won't harm you. We just want to see the visions you saw." He let her know, and she breathed out in relief. "Ease yourself.. and try to remember as much as you can about those visions." Ria nodded.

She closed her eyes and recalled those visions, while Snape pressed the tip of his wand to her temple and pulled a faint string of memories. He bottled it in a vial.

Another knock rapped against the door, and it opened wide to see Moody outside, waiting with Harry.

Their reactions were quite the opposite after they noticed each other; he relaxed, whereas she stiffened. She was quick to look away with a sense of guilt.

"Come in, Harry." He agreed to Dumbledore's command and walked up to the chair next to Ria's. She could feel his eyes on her for quite a few seconds before Albus said, "Miss. Edwards here has some information that might be useful." He gestured towards the piece of parchment lying open on the table.

Harry's eyes widened after noticing her name written on it. He looked up at Ria, and then at Dumbledore. "Okay.. I need an explanation. This could mean so many things."

Ria raked a hand through her hair, feeling the dizziness from the potion get to her. Had she taken it in excess?

"Are you alright, dear?" asked McGonagall, and Ria shrugged in answer.

"Can I— Can I come back in a while, please? I think I need some air." She said, pinching at the bridge of her nose.

"Hey.. what happened?" Harry whispered, quickly putting a concerned arm around her. He subtly ignored the glare Snape was throwing his way. "Is it another vision?" He asked.

Ria shook her head. "No, don't think so.. I don't know."

"Should I take you to your dorm?"

She shook her head again. "No.. no. I'll just— I'll just be outside. I'll come back in a while."

"Do you—"

"You should stay." She cut him off, standing from her seat. "Listen to what they have to say. Maybe, it'll make sense, whatever that's happening. I'll see you." She spared a glance at everyone before walking out. "Excuse me."

Asteria took a gulp of air so big that it almost made her lungs hurt. But she could take it over the head-splitting pain she was going through, right now.

God, no, it wasn't a vision. Then why was she feeling that her skull could burst open any moment?

She made her way towards the nearest bathroom she could find, thinking that a splash of water could help a little.

Four.. no five.. no six. Six splashes of water, and Ria couldn't find any relief. She had no damn clue why she had such a terrorising headache. It could be anything, really! A vision, too much stress, lack of sleep.. just a normal headache.

"Ughh.." she groaned, splashing water on her face once again and turned the tap off at once.

And as she wiped her face with her handkerchief, she realised that the pin drop silence she had expected wasn't there. Instead, there were quiet sobs that stopped just two seconds after she turned the tap off.

"Hello?" She called out. No answer came. "Are you okay?"

They were quiet for a second, but their throat gave in and they let out a small, strangled cry. Ria walked towards the bathroom stalls.

"Where are you.." she muttered to herself, checking for the person from the gap under the doors of the stalls. And she stopped when she found the girl. She couldn't see the face, but she had been sitting on the floor with the stall locked.

"Hey.." Ria crouched down outside the stall. "Are you okay? Do you need help?" She asked with genuine concern.

Yet, there was no answer, only a sniffle. Ria pouted to herself. Maybe she's embarrassed.

"You don't have to tell me your name." Ria hesitantly offered her a hand from under the door. "But if you wanna talk, I'm here.."

It took a moment before the girl in the stall gripped her hand. She tried to soothe her by caressing the back of her hand. Her grip was tight, and slightly painful, but Ria kept her mouth shut as she began crying again.

"Why'd— Why'd she have to change.. so much.." the girl said, her voice almost unrecognisable because of how much she was crying. "She— She wasn't— Mom used to care.. about me."

"He— He has beaten me.. three times now.." Ria stiffened at her words, she could feel the girl's hand tremble into her own. "She was right there.. she did no— nothing.."

"I'm tired.. so damn tired." She choked out.

Ria had so many questions going through her head. Who are you? Are you hurt right now? Why are your parents doing this to you? Have you thought of running away? Do you need help?

A shiver creeping down her spine reminded her of the little girl's scream she heard, and she could only hope this wasn't it. Like always.. she hoped the little girl screaming was just something her mind had made up.

"I'm Asteria Edwards.. fourth-year." She said, and the girl stiffened, retrieving her hand. "Don't— Don't worry.. I'm not expecting a name.. unless you feel like telling it to me." she clarified.

"I won't tell anyone about this, I promise.." Ria assured her. "But if— if you ever wanted to flee from your family.. if you feel like you want to ask for help.. please, look for me. Let me help."

The girl inside stifled another sob. "I'll do whatever I can.. and so will my Mum. Can I ask that of you?"

"Yes." She slowly answered.

"Good." Ria nodded. "Now.. I'm going to leave." She could tell the girl wasn't uncomfortable just yet. "I hope you'll feel okay."

Ria slowly got to her feet, and when she was just about to leave, the girl called out to her.

She looked at the closed bathroom stall hopefully, heart racing. "Yeah?"

"Thank you." She said lowly.  And with a small smile, Ria left the bathroom to go back to the office. Somehow, her headache had decreased so much that she could ignore it with ease.

When she reached, Harry had already come outside. He had been talking to Moody, when both of them spotted her. The Professor just gave him a pat on the back before walking away.

Ria left her breath in relief and walked towards him. "Harry—"

"Why didn't you tell me?" He asked, not letting her complete. She furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. "Why didn't you tell me about your visions?"

"Because.. Because I was trying to figure them out on my own.." she answered, feeling slightly irritated. She didn't know why she had to share everything with someone, she had the liberty to keep things to herself. And anyway, Harry went through trouble every year. All she could do was try to let him have a normal year for once.

"Because you wanted to—" He scoffed in disbelief. "Do you know how serious this is? How could you hide something like this?" 

Just the difference of a few seconds, and Ria would've been stuck in the tournament, too. It was barbaric to think about.

Ria stared at him warily. "Of course, I know how serious this is! I wouldn't be here unless, would I?" she retorted. "And how many times have you hidden things from someone, Harry?" The boy tensed at the sentence. "But you don't see me complaining, do you? Because I know how it feels when you place your burdens on someone else!"

He couldn't say anything. The feeling of immense guilt was like nostalgic pain for both of them.

"All I said was.. you could've asked for help." He said sincerely. You could've asked me. You don't let me suffer alone, and I won't let you either.

"I did ask for help.. from a friend of mine." She added hesitantly. Was Draco her friend?

And the thought of Ria seeking help from someone else other than him hurt like a knife going through his heart. It wasn't that serious, really. But all he could see was Ria confiding into her tall, dark best friend from Slytherin, instead of him.

"Oh.." he said, with a tiny, forced chuckle. "Yeah.. of course. Makes sense."

"What?" She asked.

"You would've been too busy to notice another piece of parchment floating right in front of your eyes."

Harry immediately clasped his hand on his mouth. But the words had mindlessly flowed out, the damage had been already done.

Ria stared at him in disbelief and hurt. She scoffed out a sarcastic chuckle, eyes glistening with tears only slightly. "Now you've done it."

"Ria, I didn't—"

"Don't." She shook her head, eyes glaring. "And don't you dare follow me to my dorm, or I'll have Cassandra permanently ban you from entering."

With that she spun in her place and took off, while Harry groaned in frustration. What on earth made him say that?

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