Almost at the end of part one! Can't wait to bring in the original HP characters, I'm guessing 3 more chapters at Salem? Hope you've liked it!

Chapter Nineteen

Aside from the distracting wonders of why my father was acting so strangely, California was wonderful. It was the vacation I never thought I would have the chance to go on. We had a winter long break, so Charlie tried to keep me distracted from thinking about my father by taking me practically everywhere he could. He took me to the most popular beach in Southern California on the first day. Luckily, the two of us tanned very well and got even darker in the hot sun. It was my first time stepping into the Pacific Ocean. The beach was so beautiful, the water was warm, and everyone around me was so happy. For the first time since the car accident, I got in a muggle car. I had to face my fears eventually, plus I was angry at my father so felt no guilt in doing so. Charlie got his muggle license one summer and promised me he would be extra careful driving. We went shopping at outdoor muggles malls. He took me to a muggle film at a movie theatre, like my mother used to when we were kids. It brought back so many memories, but happy ones at that. Being in such a large city reminded me of my childhood. I loved every minute of it.

Later that night, Charlie and I returned from a beach walk. His muggle friends, Eric and Alex, were really welcoming to me as well. The three of them had so much energy together. Eric and Alex were always making fun of us 'prestigious east cost boarding school kids'. So that's where they thought Charlie was? He told his muggle friends that his parents sent him off to some prep school in Connecticut.

The three attempted to teach me how to surf one day. I fell. Once again I failed at another athletic activity. We switched to volleyball but I managed to hit myself in the face with the ball, so I stuck to tanning and swimming for the rest of the trip. When I returned to my room I decided to write to Kent to let him know about my break. I didn't want to get back and bombard him with all the drama that has passed so I wrote a very quick letter, telling him I ultimately had to stay with Charlie and I would explain when we got back.

Break unfortunately passed by quickly to my dismay as I was loving California. Charlie's parents assured I could come back anytime now that there was the Floo network in their house. Hopefully Idella and I could come back together.  As we arrived to the ferries I spotted my red haired friend standing at the dock looking rather sun burnt. She turned when she saw us and said, "Wow you are both so tan...did you end up going somewhere Bradley?"

"It's a long story," I then said as we stepped on the boat. I led us off to the back of the boat by the motor where it was unlikely someone could overhear us. Then I told her everything. I forgot I never mentioned my dad to her in a letter, I didn't want to let my bad news ruin her vacation and birthday. She couldn't believe how my father acted towards me and came up with all sorts of theories as we approached the island. Charlie went to go sit with Andrew and Roddy to catch up with them. Once we arrived to the castle, Kent was the first one to run up to me, quickly kiss me and shoot off a bunch of questions. He never mailed me back because his grandfather didn't want him sending letters out in case they were tracked. He confessed being worried about me the entire time about me, but I promised him everything was fine once I got to Charlie's. I didn't hold back on telling him how upset I was about my father. I couldn't even think what would cause my dad to act this way.

It was mid-January so we really had to start focusing on our upcoming N.E.W.T's. Teachers were offering extra lessons, and of course I made myself attend them all. Unfortunately I couldn't focus very well because of my father. I tried coming up with theories of my own, but nothing I came up with could excuse his strange behavior. I decided to turn to one person I really didn't want to talk to. Maybe something happened at his work that Selina would know about. After looking for her everywhere, I spotted her and Cole on the fourth floor balcony where teachers never went. Why didn't I think to check here first? They were leaning up against the wall and his arm was around her waist. When they heard me coming both of their heads snapped in my direction. This time, no arrogant or stupid smiles, they must be completely sober. Cole was holding the black powdery vile in his hand, so they weren't planning on being sober much longer. "Can I talk to you?" I asked looking at Selina. The two just stood there looking at me with lifeless expressions. "...alone," I added looking at Cole who then smirked at me.

"Of course," replied Cole coolly with a smirk as he stepped away. "I'll be back in five minutes."

"What?" Selina then said dully, remaining against the wall as Cole was walking away. I walked closer. Her eyes were tired.

"Okay so this is going to sound weird and you probably don't know much about it, but overbreak my father was acting really weird. He was living in his office, wasn't eating, cleaning, or doing anything he normally would. He forgot I was even coming home that day." Selina knew how my father was with me, so she would understand why I found this weird. "Then he made me leave..."

"He made you leave? Like your own house?" she added surprisingly interested.

"Yes, so I went to stay with Charlie for the rest of the break. But I just wanted to ask, did anything happen at work that would cause this? Did your father say anything?" I asked, hoping if she knew anything she would help me out.

"He was acting pretty strange as well actually," she said in a curious tone. "Normally he gets home and tells us about all the wonderful things he did as if he was the Minister or something. But over break he would come home looking stressed out and go right up to his office." So something was up and it must have had to do with work! Maybe it had to do with what I overheard Cal talking to Lucius about...That had to be it! "He didn't talk to me much, so I left the day after Christmas and I don't even think they noticed I was gone."

"You left your house?" I asked surprised.

"Yeah Cole's parents were visiting family in London so he let me stay at his place for the rest of break," she said with a shrug.

"Did you happen to overhear anything before you left?" I asked and she shook her head. Cole was coming back around the corner. I suppose there wasn't much more she could say. At least she confirmed my suspicions. "Thanks," I said quickly and walked away. She nodded in response. Immediately I went to tell Charlie and Idella about our conversation.

"Have you ever talked to Kent about any of this?" Idella asked me after I rambled off everything to her.

"Well I did tell him my dad was acting strangely. But not about any of my suspicions..." I admitted. "He has a lot to worry about already." Like his own father for instance.

"Have you ever told him about the flames?" she then asked curiously.

"Um no," I answered her. Why haven't I told him? He wouldn't tell anyone. Then again the situation is completely under control and we didn't have to worry about it anymore. My potion gets delivered on time by the Department of Mysteries once every two weeks. "I don't think that's a big deal anymore though, you know, since it's under control now." She nodded with a shrug. If I could trust him, shouldn't I want to tell him everything? Even my deepest secrets. "Do you think I should tell him?" Charlie and Idella both nodded.

"You trust him," Idella said. "Telling him would just prove it to him, especially if something ever did come up. I tell Colin everything."

That night was a Friday. I met Kent by the library so that he could help me study for my N.E.W.T.s, but I figured it was time to tell him. "Hey," he said looking up at me with a smile when he saw me. As always he kissed my lips softly while standing up. "Never thought I would be studying this much on a Friday night," he joked and I laughed.

"Well maybe we can skip the studying for tonight?" I asked him.

"Really?" he asked with an amused laugh, assuming I was joking. I didn't laugh so he realized I wasn't kidding.

"Yeah. There's something I wanted to tell you," I admitted hesitantly. Even though I was told not to tell anyone, I told Idella and Charlie because I trusted them. I could trust Kent too. Looking around the library, I saw one or two heads around me. There was no way I was going to risk anyone overhearing me, especially considering what happened with Selina on Thanksgiving. "Is there anywhere else we could go though? Where no one can hear us?" I couldn't think of any places. It was likely someone would be in my dorm room studying or something. The castle was small so there was always people wandering.

"Possibly by the ocean, but you never know there could be people."

"Grant and a few friends went down to the ocean tonight," Kent replied. "My dorms empty since they're all down there tonight. I'm assuming they won't be back till late. They're drinking in honor of hating me pretty much." His face looked amused, but I couldn't help but feeling guilty.

"Alright let's go there," I said. He led me towards the Agrethance common room. I have never been in there. It wasn't against the rules to bring anyone into your common room, but people rarely did. Even Grant never brought me in. He did try to get me to come with him a few times when he was drunk but I never did. The Agrethance crowd was known for being energetic, unlike the Irdrea common room, so I wasn't surprised when we passed through the entrance that the common room was empty.

I followed him up the stairs to the boys dormitories and we stopped at the dark wooden door that read Seventh Year. I used to wake up Charlie a lot in his dorm when he overslept, but never any other boy dormitory. It felt sort of strange. The room was decorated differently than Irdrea. The entire common room was adorned in red and was extremely bright, unlike Irdrea's calm blue atmosphere. Unsurprisingly, it was a bit of a mess but I Kent's side was the most organized. His bed was pushed up against the wall and away from the others. "Sorry for the mess," he said taking a seat on his bed. "What did you want to tell me? Is everything alright?"

"Yeah everything is completely fine, but I realized I never told you what exactly happened to me when I missed school those three days," I answered sitting next to him.

"When you were sick?"

"Well...I wasn't actually 'sick', something strange happened to me." I told him the entire story from the burning sensation in my hands to waking up in flames to having to go to Headmaster Elwood. His face was unreadable throughout it and I feared he may think I was weird. When I finished he paused for a moment.

"But you're okay now? It's not harming you in any way," he asked concerned and I smiled.

"Not at all. Actually if it helps I'm probably safer than I should be," I teased. "Look. Incendio," I said casting a small fire from the tip of my wand. His eyes widened as I touched the flame and he was about to say something when I tore my hand away. "See? Nothing at all."

"Wow..." was all he could say while shaking his head. "Suppose I don't have to be careful with you near fires anymore?"

"Nope," I replied smiling. It was nice to tell someone else I could trust. He could have found out eventually and it was better for me to tell him. We sat there for a while changing the subject to all different topics. I told him about California. He wasn't too familiar with the muggle world so he found it just as fascinating as I did. Suddenly our talking turned into kissing. I wrapped my arms tightly around his neck as he softly kissed my lips, brushing his hand through my dark hair. I leaned in closely. Before I knew it minutes I was laying down with Kent leaning over me.  His arms moved down to my side as his hand brushed against my hip causing my shirt to move up. He paused and I wondered why.

"I'm sorry," he said quickly.

"For what?" I asked smiling and kissing him once more.

"Too fast?" he asked me.

"No," I answered shaking my head and kissing him again.

Sorry for any grammar mistakes by the way! Sometimes I go back and edit but lately I've been writing straight through without stopping! Hope you liked it!