Frank sat in Defense Against The Dark Arts looking over his text book, but not reading it. He stared at the words, but nothing fully registered. He was tired. A week into this new year and he hadn't been sleeping well. It may have been worse than back at home.

Professor Howell droned on at the front of the room, explaining whatever the lesson of the day was. Usually, Frank found the professor's lessons very engaging but his eyelids were so heavy...

"Mr. Iero."

Frank shot upright from where he had fallen asleep on the desk. The professor was standing in front of his desk with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes?" Frank asked quietly, trying to avoid the looks from the other students in the room.

Professor Howell pointed at him. "See me after class." He instructed.

Frank sighed, slumping slightly in his seat. "Yes, sir."

Great. He was going to get his first detention of the year already. This year was fantastic...

When the class did end, Frank remained sitting at his desk. He waited for all of the other students to file out before he rose from his seat and walked towards the professor's office.

"Sir?" Frank called out, lightly tapping the office door once he was close enough.

"Frank, come in."

Frank pushed the door open. He had never been in Professor Howell's office before. It fit the school's regular aesthetics, but there were also several decorations that seemed more of the professor's aesthetics as well. Dark cabinetry, gray curtains, and even a black and thriving plant that swayed gently.

Professor Howell stood beside one of the cabinets, rummaging through it. He gestured for Frank to sit down as he continued to look through the cabinet.

Frank sat without a word. He looked around the room as he waited. He quite liked the decoration around the office.

"Right, sorry for the wait." The professor sat down across from Frank, "Trying to find the book for my first years."

Frank shrugged.

The professor cleared his throat. "How are you, Frank?"

Frank shrugged again. "Alright, I guess."

The professor nodded. "Care for a pumpkin pasties?" He asked as he pulled his wand from his robes. He swished it through the air, causing a plate covered in treats to fly out of one of the dark cabinets. It landed on the desk, skidding to a stop in front of Frank.

"Sure, thanks." Frank grabbed one from the plate and bit off the corner. It was still warm.

"I'm going to be offering more after class lessons." The professor said, reaching for one of the treats himself. "Feel like rejoining this year?"

Frank nodded, slowly chewing the pastie so he could savor the flavor. Once it was more mush than anything, he swallowed. "Am I in trouble, Professor?"

Professor Howell shook his head. "No, Frank. I just wanted to talk to you."

"That sounds like trouble." Frank murmured before taking another bite of his treat.

"I promise, it isn't." The professor insisted, "I genuinely wanted to speak with you and ask how you were after everything that happened last year."

Frank stopped chewing and immediately looked down. The professor had been there after it happened. He had been under an unforgivable curse. Frank had almost forgotten the small detail in comparison to the bigger event.

"Frank?"

"Fine." Frank replied shortly. He twisted the pumpkin pastie in his hands.

The professor nodded. "Alright." He set his own treat down on the desk. "If you ever feel like you're not, however, my office is always open."

Frank looked up. "Just like that?" He asked, softly.

Professor Howell nodded. "Yep." He waved his wand, opening the office door behind Frank. "If you ever need it."

Frank looked down again as the door closed again. He hadn't openly talked about what had happened last year. Not even to Gerard. He had let it eat him away...

"Thanks..." Frank managed a small smile, looking back up at the professor.

The professor smiled back. "Not a problem. Now, stuff your pockets with some of these treats and hurry out before my first years come trickling in and expect me to give them some too."

Frank actually laughed. He thanked the professor, filling his pockets as instructed, and slipped out of the classroom before a single first year came into sight.

He walked with his head held a bit higher. He wasn't quite ready at the moment, but he actually had someone to talk to when he was. Yes, he had Gerard, but he wasn't sure if he'd ever be ready to talk to Gerard about that moment in the forest. The Professor had been there. He had seen Jamia...

Frank stopped and snapped his eyes shut at the memory. Not now. He didn't want to think about it now. He inhaled a deep breath and shook his head. Maybe he'd talk to the professor sooner rather than later...

---

"You're a godsent, Frank Iero."

Frank rolled his eyes as Brendon and Spencer grabbed handfuls of the treats that Frank had emptied from his pockets. He was coming to drop off his robes for more casual attire. The other two had just been sitting on their beds, throwing spells back and forth. Spencer's bed no longer had posts and Brendon's bedding was now bright pink.

"Try not to destroy mine or Tyler's bed while I'm gone." He told them as he fixed his tie.

"Wouldn't dream of it." Brendon said through a mouthful of food. Spencer just flashed a thumbs up.

Frank shook his head. "I'll catch you guys later." He started towards the door, but paused. He stepped back to grab two of the remaining treats and shove them in his pockets.

"Bring more treats!"

Frank hurried out of the dorm without looking back. In a matter of minutes, Frank was walking along the grass towards the quidditch pitch. He could see other students flying above and around the tall stands, but he knew the boy he was looking for had his feet planted firmly on the ground.

Gerard stood at the base of one of the stands, looking up. Frank walked up next to him and nudged him. "Hey."

Gerard turned, smiling when he saw it was Frank. "Hey!"

"Whatchya watching up there?" Frank asked, leaning against Gerard and looking up.

Gerard looked up too. "Watching Pete try and relax Patrick on a broom. He asked me to come because he hates flying on his own."

Patrick wore a look of uncertainty as Pete flew back and forth in front of him. Even from down on the ground, Frank could see the nervous grip the Hufflepuff had on the broom.

"Guess he won't be trying for the team." Frank brought his gaze back down, "What a shame, he could have been a great seeker."

Gerard laughed, turning to look at him. "How'd ya reccon?"

Frank stood upright and shrugged. "Hufflepuff's are good finders." He reasoned, reaching into his pocket. He pulled one of the pumpkin treats out of his pocket. "Care for a bite."

Gerard laughed again. He took the treat with a soft "thank you" before pressing a quick kiss to Frank's cheek. "How was your day?"

"Decent enough." Frank shrugged. He and Gerard began walking away from the quidditch pitch. Their feet crunched against the dirt they walked across. "How was yours?"

Frank let himself get lost in Gerard's words. He listened and smiled when appropriate, which was often around Gerard. How could things be so normal after...

"Gerard..." Frank stopped walking. He looked down at the ground, thinking about how little they had talked about what happened before the forest. "I'm sorry."

Gerard tilted his head. "Why?"

Frank pushed his hand through his hair. "For... Everything. Treating you like absolute shit last year, when I would actually talk to you. Bloody hell, Gerard, how can we act like everything is just so okay?"

Gerard stepped forward with a frown. "Frank..."

"Gerard, please!" Frank cried out, "I mean... I, this normality, it's..." He pushed his hands through his hair again.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Gerard asked, reaching out to cup Frank's cheek in his hand.

"No... Yes... I just don't want to pretend it's normal!" Tears stung his eyes. He turned away from Gerard to swipe them away.

"Frank, you weren't yourself." Gerard spoke up softly after a moment of silence. "You were under the influence of a love potion. I forgave you when I found out. I was hurt, but I forgive you."

It didn't make Frank feel any better. He still felt like such a dick. He didn't deserve to be forgiven by Gerard. The Hufflepuff had every right to be pissed off and hurt, but he had chosen to be forgiving.

"I'm just happy you're with me now." Gerard said, stepping forward and wrapping his arms around Frank. He rested his face against the back of Frank's neck in an attempt to comfort him, but Frank only felt like releasing more tears.

"I think I need to go lie down, Gee." He muttered, bringing his hands up to hold against Gerard's.

"Will it make you feel better?"

Frank bit his lip. He didn't know. He hadn't been sleeping, so how could lying down help? "I don't know."

Gerard held him for another instant longer before quietly replying. "Okay... I'll walk you to your dorm."