I am not sure why it didn't come up as a new post. *pokes computer* Thanks for your comments

The next morning could easily be described with one word: awkward. My eyes were still somewhat puffy from all the crying I had done the night before and Harry was doing just about everything in his power to avoid me. Ron and Hermione had quickly picked up on the tension at breakfast and had silently agreed among each other that perhaps they should split Harry and I up.

I read Harry's emotions as I munched on a piece of toast and I realized he was hurt and confused, having no idea how to fix the situation. The truth was I didn't know if there was a way that he could fix it, but I was finished with making the first move, and if he had something to say he was going to need to come to me and say it himself.

By the time we had made it down into the dungeons for our Potions lesson several students had appeared, one of which was Draco Malfoy. Eyeing my face he smirked. "Been crying have you Carson?" Draco sneered out. Crabbe and Goyle chuckled.

"Leave her alone," said Ron with an eye roll.

"Oh, are you coming to her defense there Weasley? I thought you only had a fancy for the mudblood over there."

Ron stepped off the wall and was in Draco's face within seconds. "Don't you dare call her that," he said through his teeth.

"It's alright Ron. He's not worth it," said Hermione, putting her hand on Ron's shoulder and pulling him away from Malfoy.

Draco scoffed. "So Abby, do share. What's got you crying like a three year old?"

I knew why Draco did what he did. He was never good enough for his parents and knew he would never be respected by any of the Death Eaters his family associated with. He was seen as weak, and not having the courage to stand up for himself in front of his family, he chose to harass and insult people here instead. I guess he was better near these peers who were less likely to do anything than the Death Eaters that surely would if he spoke with disrespect.

And any other day I would have let it go, and chalked it up to Malfoy just being Malfoy, but today, I was not having it. I leaned off the wall and moved Ron and Hermione to the side. Everyone was dead quiet.

"What is it to you Malfoy?" I asked, completely straight-faced. "Looking for a good laugh are you? Or perhaps it's because it makes you feel like a man insulting your peers, but really you and I both know Draco, that you're just a coward. Struggling to get into your Daddy's good graces so that maybe you can be respected among your little Death Eater friends."

Draco laughed, somewhat nervously, losing his edge. "What are you talking about?"

I stepped closer. "You think I don't know what your dad really is or what he's doing on his free time?" I let out a cold laugh. "Please. I know everything there is to know about you. I know your dad would probably beat you more often for embarrassing him if it weren't for your mother stepping in. I know you hate your home life, but see no way out of the life you have. So instead of admitting you aren't like your father and don't ever want to be like him, you try to be tough. You act mean and cruel to people so everyone is more likely to believe that you will follow in your father's footsteps. And let's just get this straight Draco, you may be able to fool everyone else, but you will never be able to fool me." I tapped my temple with the tip of my finger before turning and going into the Potions classroom.

I could tell everyone was stunned into silence. I had never so openly admitted how involved in everyone's thoughts I was by default like that. But to be honest, I didn't care. Perhaps this would make them more thoughtful of what they were thinking about when they were around me.

Snape looked up at me curiously as I slammed my bag onto the table and took my seat, Hermione coming in and sitting down next to me. She wasn't mad or concerned, she understood. I was hurting and when people hurt, they snap.

Without saying a word Hermione reached across and placed her hand on top of mine, giving it a tight squeeze and just holding it there. I could feel the tears starting to come up but I pushed them back. Now was not the time nor the place for this.

"Hello class. Today we will be making a light potion. If made correctly this potion will automatically start glowing at the first sign of darkness or danger. It can be remarkably useful when going into unfamiliar areas where there might be danger. Turn your books to page 157 and begin. I will test your potions at the end of class."

Harry and Ron had sat down on the other side of the room, Ron looking over at us, a sense of victory across my face. He loved it when people stuck it to Malfoy. I didn't bother listening to what Harry thought.

"Granger, I think you and Miss Carson are partners far too often. Potter, gather your things and come to work with Miss Carson. Miss Granger you can go and work with Weasley."

I looked up at Snape in protest and he furrowed his brows. You need to stay close to Potter Abby whether you are having personal issues or not. This is much bigger than your hormonal discrepancies.

Hermione quickly gathered her things, giving me an apologetic look, before glaring at Harry to be nice, and going to sit with Ron. Harry set his stuff down next to me in silence and we both began to work. We handed each other the tools in silence when the other person needed them, never talking or making eye contact.

I was wrong. Harry finally thought in my direction. I looked at him out of the corner of my eye. I shouldn't have gotten angry at you the way I did. My personal issues with Seamus right now have nothing to do with you, and it was wrong to make that whole issue about me. I just...you're my rock Abby, and when I struggle you're the one that gets it. I don't want to lose you.

I let out a sigh, spotting Snape preoccupied with whatever was coming out of Neville Longbottom's cauldron.

"I understand Harry. I was wrong to be angry at you for liking Cho. It's not my place to tell you how you should or shouldn't feel about someone."

I threw a bit of shredded moonstone into the cauldron and watched as it turn the silvery white color it was supposed to. Potions was definitely my thing.

"Alright class. Scoop some of your potion into a vial with your name on it," Snape said, emphasizing the last five words while looking at some Slytherins closely. "Place them in the vial container on my desk then you are free to leave. This potion will be graded as pass or fail." Snape turned and went into his office, closing the door behind him.

I scooped some of my potion into a container, and wrote my name on it neatly. Harry did the same, his potion more white than silver, but still on track. I looked over and saw that Hermione's was the same color as mine but Ron's was more of a pastel purple color than silver. He added too much of something.

"You don't owe me any apology," said Harry, turning towards me. "Seamus is right. I take you for granted and it's not fair."

"Like I said Harry, you can't help how you feel." Harry nodded solemnly.

"I'm so sorry," said Harry, his entire posture just collapsing in such a way that it looked like someone had just lifted a huge weight off of his shoulders. Instinctively, I reached out and pulled him into a hug. Harry rested his head against my shoulder and wrapped his arms around my waist and I held him there for a couple of minutes. The entire class had emptied and it was just Harry and me, holding him so that he didn't collapse right then and there.

"It's okay Harry. I'll always be here," I whispered into his ear.

I pulled him even closer as Harry's body began to shake, and the warm tears soaked into my shirt.