Cassia felt something weird stirring inside of her when Dahlia was talking. It was ancient, of course, what else? She could suddenly feel everything around her, and something else... An enemy? An opposing force, yes., that was right! But all too soon, Dahlia stopped, and the power Cassia felt disappeared completely.

A centaur clambered over. Cassia hid behind Fang, his dark fur giving shelter and camouflage. The centaur saw James, who was still fully exposed.

"Lady! There is an intruder!" the centaur called to Dahlia.

"It is fine! He is not an enemy!" Dahlia shouted. But her face had changed from happy to stern. The centaur hauled James out of the shelter of the trees; Cassia was amazed he had not spotted Fang, and by extension, her. "James!" exclaimed Dahlia. "What are you doing here? Did you follow me?"

James shook his head. "No," he said sarcastically. "I was just on my regularly scheduled walk about the Forbidden Forest." Dahlia rolled her eyes.

"James, tell me the real reason of your presence in the Grove of Thorns."

The what? Thorns... Cassia had always hated them, but Dahlia thought they were cool. Cassia guessed it was because of her second favorite flower, the rose. Of course, Cassia was okay with roses, but they were never her favorite. She loved Hibiscus though. She had named her dog that before it got hit by a car. Her brother had a girlfriend with a cousin named Hibiscus. But she was trampy.

Cassia poked Fang, understanding that her escape was urgent. "Fang, let's go back to Hagrid's," she whispered.

Fang growled softly, but got up, leading the way back to Hagrid hut. Cassia cast a glance over her shoulder and bit her lip. She hoped James would be alright.

JAMES' POV

James didn't struggle against the centaur's grip. He knew it would be useless. Dahlia stared at him, eyes menacing, but James wasn't mad at her. He understood. Spying was wrong. An invasion of privacy. Even though he was still madly in love with her.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, tightening her ponytail. "Did you follow me?"

James thought, Maybe I'll charm her. "No," he said. "I was just on my regularly scheduled walk about the Forbidden Forest."

"Not funny, James. Why are you here?"

Because I love you and want you to come back and not snog Orion. . . "I was concerned. I saw you leave the school grounds. There are a lot of dangers in this wood." James thought about the scars on his back no one knew about except his parents and brother, Albus. James just called him Sev, though, since his middle name was Severus, but that wasn't really of concern at the moment.

Dahlia smiled. "So there was nothing else?"

James blinked. Was she flirting? "Yes, nothing." Nothing except the fact I adore you. And I really want to make out.

"Good. Want to hang?"

"Sure." Finally, my chance to make her like me!