Breathe. Remember to breathe.

He had to keep reminding himself of the air his lungs desperately needed. What was that -- that thing that just happened? One moment his arms were wrapped around Isobel, the girl he'd truly begun to care for -- and the next, it was as if his mind had turned into some sort of projector that was out of focus. The light -- the figure --

What was that?!

After taking a deep breath, Isobel's voice registered. His eyes turned upward to her since she was the one standing, and he, Damien, had sat down. "No --" he said softly shaking his head. "No, don't be sorry, Isobel --" he paused in an attempt to come up with an explanation of why he just pushed her away from him; especially after the close phcyical contact.

But he couldn't explain it.

"I'm the one who's sorry," he added. "I've -- I've been feeling ill the past couple days, and I guess it's -- finally caught up with me --"

He hated lying to her. It made him feel horrible, but how would he explain it to her otherwise? What would he say?

Flipping through pages. He was flipping through pages of this Transfiguration textbook and wasn't focusing at all.

That ought to be a first. Unless he was actually looking for something and couldn't remember what page it had been on. And that, he was. He was looking for something, but now he couldn't remember what it was, nor in which book it was. That was brilliant, really.

He'll blame it on the OWLs. And Arya, for not studying Transfiguration with him.

Nah, he'll never blame her.

Lexi was FUH REAKING out... she was not aware that she would be able to take the OWLs this year... WHY HAD NO ONE TOLD HER? Dear mother of Merlin... With her stacks of books levitating in front of her she mumbled to herself about what all she needed to go over. Geez...

Finally looking up she saw Treyen. "Mind if I join you?" she asked as she directed the books to a nearby table and gently set them down.

Still flipping through pages. And then he stopped.

That voice.

He turned his head to where the voice and the lovely figure of Lady Awesome was. The boy instantly smiled, before taking notice of all the books she was bringing. He only had three, and they were all Transfiguration books.

"Not at all, Lexi." He said, gesturing to the seat next to him. There was something wrong with her, clearly, but the stress that came with exams was normal, no?

"You alright?" he knew it was a silly question, because he'd already noticed she wasn't.

Lexi gave him a big grin and marched over and plopped into the seat next to him. "Thanks." Summoning forward the History of Magic text she sighed heavily.

"No... not really. I wasn't aware that the sixth years would be taking our OWLs this term... I have NO IDEA. I haven't been studying at all and now... I have only completed TWO. TWO, Treyen... I need to finish them ALL. " She was a bit frantic as she flipped through the HoM textbook.

At least she was the same Lexi he's come to know and like, right? Awesome! His smile widened as soon as she took her seat. Or the seat next to him. Whatever. She was now sitting, and...sigh, History of Magic? That's the one he didn't like to study.

The irony. He knew enough History, but he didn't like to study it. Granted, he only read what interested him, and skipped the parts he felt unworthy of his time. A true Lockhart.

He listened as she spoke, and...that's right, they were allowed to take them, and she was a sixth year, but she was slowly getting to that tone of voice that told him that she was freaking out and...Treyen chuckled. THAT may have been a mistake, so he quickly covered it by talking, "Lexi," he first said, as he closed his Transfiguration book, "You don't need that," he continued, closing HER History of Magic textbook, "You know everything already, it's in your mind," she was incredibly smart, he knew that.

"Why don't you try to relax instead?" because she was on the verge of an academical break down if she didn't. He should know, he studies a lot.

O________________________________O

Treyen Lockhart found humor in her problem? Well THAT was not something Lil Mister Awesome was supposed to do. HMPH!

...

Lexi made grabby hands at her HoM textbook and glared at him for a moment. "Treyen... I haven't been studying... I missed part of the term... I think Professor Blue or whatever her name is is... a terrible professor... and I can't remember anything other than the Founder's and around what time the school was founded... I CAN'T REMEMBER ANYTHING ELSE, TREYEN. And don't get me started on Charms. I am going to fail everything... EVERYTHING," she said in a high pitched tone before pushing the book off her lap into the floor and then flopping sideways in the chair. She sat splayed out with her head on the arm rest comically smushing her cheek and distorting her face.

"I'm a failure, Treyen. An utter failure." WOE IS ME!

Treyen was certainly not thinking this was amusing, at all. Okay, maybe a little bit.

Truth be told, he was slightly concerned for Lady Awesome, because he's never seen her so distressed. Or, he had, but her reasons had never been for studies.

AND SHE WAS GLARING! The boy said nothing, did nothing, and merely listened. Tsk. Not Professor Blue, it was Professor Cerulean, but that wasn't the point. His eyes widened as the high-pitch tone made its way out of Lexi. She was...going to explode any second now. And...Charms...well, he wasn't the best in that subject, actually, so he couldn't say anything about it.

He leaned back into his seat as the book was pushed to the floor. AND HE'S HAD ENOUGH.

Not because the book was now on the floor, but because she was calling herself a failure. A FAILURE! "STOP IT!" he exclaimed, as his eyebrows got together in a frown. His own book was soon forgotten on the table and he turned his whole body towards her. "You need to stop."

Simple as that.

But...you know WHY he was suddenly upset? "My Lady Awesome is NOT an utter failure," he started to say, the serious look on his face simply said that he meant it, "You are an amazing girl who has accomplished so much, Lexi Denver, and I don't think a couple exams results should make you feel less than anyone else," he was under OWLs stress as well, but he was always so collected, no? "That imaginary title you wear isn't given to anyone, you know?" Fletcher, the Original Sir Awesome was truly AWESOME. And James...well, James was someone to look up to, because he had no idea how the guy could do it all.

Was Treyen Lockhart SHOUTING at her? So... dramatic... Lexi poked her bottom lip out and full on POUTED at him. She was a failure and the exam scores would PROVE it. Sliding out of the chair into the floor Lexi lay her cheek to the carpet and SIGHED.

"Treyen... these exam scores determine what we can do with our futures... When I fail them all... thebest I can hope for is to go into the Muggle world and work... and I have NO desire to do that. I... Oh this is just terrible." She wasn't going to CRY, but she was pouting and whimpering in the floor now. "|Oh... and I am not a Denver anymore. Not officially. I still have the name for now, but they disowned me and gave up custody of me. And... they told me what a disappointment I am to them. My own adoptive family gave up on me..." Still no tears. But she was flopping in the floor a bit trying to get comfy while she sulked in her pity pot.

Pouting never worked on him. Cassie knew that, he was sure Ellie knew that, but the girls still kept on pouting. Fine, Lexi.

O____________o

SHE WAS ON THE FLOOR NOW!

Treyen stared, wide eyed, at the sight of LADY AWESOME practically giving up. SHE WAS NOT GIVING UP. "But, Lexi--" he started to say, before she continued with her last name not being Denver anymore. OH. That was...not good news. And she wasn't Salander's girlfriend anymore either, right? All that Lexi had was an accumulation of stress. Nothing more.

His face was saddened by what he heard, all he did was Accio the book that she's pushed to the floor moments ago and got to his knees, next to her. "Lexi, what I said still stands," he said, softly, "And now, listen to me," because he was going to give a long speech, no? Wrong, it was a very short one, "If you let this get to you, then I will be disappointed, because you wouldn't be the awesome girl I thought you were--no, wait, the awesome girl I know you are," his eyes were on hers, and he was hoping that she was actually listening to him, she had a knack for not doing so from the moment they first met in the Stands. "I don't really care about the Denvers, but I know you have one Lockhart that cares about you, and you alone," so, just Lexi. He didn't care for the Denver in her name.

He sighed, before moving on, "I'm not going to stop you from studying...," for Merlin's sake, this was Treyen, "...but you also need to know that you're doing it wrong," YES, she was, deal with that Lexi. "I could lend you my notes, instead," he added, with a wink.

"As far as I can tell, the Muggle world is a pretty good place," he NEEDED to add that, since he was related to them.

Lexi lie still in the floor and looked at Treyen as he spoke. SIIIIIIIIIGH. He was so sweet. "That's a lot easier said than done. Not letting all of this mess get to me, that is. I said something about my future and Salander nearly fainted... That worries me... and these exams, and not having a family anymore. It's just all piling up at once and it's FREAKING me out, man." Yes, that meant that she and Sal had finally gotten back together.

She did manage a little smile when he told her he cared about her. "I know you do, lil dude. And I care about you as well." Precious on top of precious this lil man was. Heh.

"For the record.... I wouldn't last a day in the Muggle World without exposing us all. I rely on magic too much and I know it. I don't want to have to live and work there. But I will use your notes, if you are sure you don't mind."

Yes, she was right about that, there was no denying it. Most things were easier said than done, actually, everything was, unless you've already tried it, "I know, and it sucks that things started to happen all toget--" he stopped, he noticed something, "Did you not break up with Salander?" not that he minded or anything, it was none of his business, but judging by the face Salander had that day in the kitchens Treyen supposed them to be completely over, sort of.

He was mostly worried for Salander. And Lexi, of course, but at that time since he was only seeing his face, then he got all the worry.

Once she spoke again, he smiled. But no comment was made.

And then his smile turned into a very small smirk before figuring something out, "You can always write," he was truthfully going to say 'serve drinks' or something involving the word 'landlady' and 'leaky cauldron', but decided to go with 'writing', it was better. "Like, the Daily Prophet or any other Wizarding newspaper," see? No Muggle world, and no need for perfect grades.

"As far as I can tell, you can still do your OWLs brilliantly, as long as you go through my notes and get off the floor," he said, raising an eyebrow at her, "I would do the last one first." So, Lexi, off the floor before Treyen has to levitate you to the Hospital Wing claiming insanity.

"Yes, I did in fact break up with Salander. It was terrible... but he asked me to take him back and well...he is the love of my life, who am I to deny him?" she said gruffly. She had no desire to talk about any of that mess, though. It was over, done, FIN!

"I wanted to go to WADA, but... I think I may just live in France full time. Maybe find something to do there. I live in a Wizarding village so maybe I can do... something," she mumbled, cheek pressed to the carpet once more.

Get off of the floor? No way, man. Wasn't happening. "I like it down here, thank you very much! I wouldn't mind seeing your notes though," she said reaching a hand up to take them from her lil mister awesome.

He told her not to be sorry, but he didn't look very happy. Isobel struggled to keep a straight face, and a hint of a frown threatened to show on her face. She felt sadness creep in to her, but she couldn't find a logical explanation for it. It shouldn't bother her that much that Damien didn't want to hug her. So why did she feel like crying?

"I-um, I have to...go now." She didn't say any more. She just turned around and paused for a moment. She almost turned around and asked Damien what was wrong, but now was not a good time. She just left.

For a while, neither of them spoke. Damien could hear his heartbeat in his head, and each breath Isobel took in. He took his eyes off her only once and for the most fleeting moment. When he looked back up to her, however, she looked ... Devastated. Hurt. Embarassed.

And he was the one who caused it.

Damien rose from the chair, just as her voice rang through his ears and before he could do anything to stop her, Isobel was racing towards the exit of the library. "Isobel, wait ... please!" he called out to her. Who cares if it was the library, if he was going to be sent to Detention for shouting, then so be it.

And then his footsteps quickened as he raced to follow her, but once he reached the hall, Damien lost her. Looking to the left and to the right, she'd already gone.

Cursing under his breath, the Hufflepuff sauntered out of the reading lounge.

Mmmhmm. Okay. So, he knew that, and now he knew that they'd gotten back together, apparently. Good. Less things for Lexi to be feeling awful about, right? Probably? Maybe? He didn't know, but Salander must be happy with that turn of events, no? Especially if he was the one to ask her to take him back.

Treyen only smiled, sweetly, there was really not an appropriate way to make comments on their relationship.

His eyes widened as she mentioned something he wasn't aware of. "WADA?" he said, with a small smile on his face, "I--I'm actually going there this summer," so far for keeping it secret, right? IF Lexi will be studying acting, one would think that she'd be better in drama, but she was better at comedy, truth be told. He added nothing else, and nodded next, "See? There's always something out there, but you'll do fine with your OWLs, really," she just needed to get OFF the floor.

SIGH.

Yes, he sighed. LOUDLY too. And rolled his eyes. She was being Lola-like, minus the madness. Go on, go on, take his notes, they were really close to her if she wanted to grab them, though they were in his bag, which was on the floor. In the meantime he pretended he was looking at the nearest window, "I think 'Insanity' would work," he said, as if he was thinking out loud.

Rather random, no?

OH! He was going to WADA this summer? WHAAAA! That made Lexi scramble up on her knees and bounce a little. "You know I have spoken to one of the guys... on the board or whatever. A Mister Scamander. He was very nice. You will have to write to me and tell me all about it, okay? I will be in Asia for a while, but I am making more time to see everyone this summer more than last."

"Treyen Lockhart stop SIGHING at me. I like laying in the floor... it helps me think." Or something like that. Hehe. The boy wasn't getting her his notes though... Frowning at him for a moment she pulled out her wand and cast a silent summoning charm for his notes. HA! Take that little dude!

Insanity... "Yeah... that's what St. Mungo's was on about both times I was committed there. I reckon if you are talking about me... then insanity would be a nice description." HMPH FOR LIFE TREYEN LOCKHART!

Were those good news to her? He managed to make her take a different position on the floor, though, which was a plus, almost. "Admissions board, exactly, he's a Professor there," he hadn't spoken with the man directly or anything like that, but he knew the name. It was one of the names that stood out, you know, Scamander.

Treyen smiled, "I'm taking Gilderoy along, so, I'll be able to OWL you every week if you want, though I'm sure only one letter would suffice," his eyes certainly wanted her to agree to that, because he wasn't writing 4 or 5 letters.

Wait. "Asia?" was she going to Japan and visit Kurumi as well? "How so?" like, why?

And now he couldn't help but smirk. Never mind that he knew it was a dangerous thing to do right now, he still smirked. "I recently discovered that it's very relaxing, actually, when one's not in the Library but on the grounds," that was a very nice way to tell Lexi she was wrong but also right, no?

And...there went his notes. That's okay, he'd agreed to her taking them, and it's not like he needed them at the moment.

WAIT. WHAT?! He didn't know--"So, Healer Moretti would believe me when I levitate you to the Hospital Wing, then," he said, but was starting to think that he wasn't going to levitate Lexi at all.

Wait... the first bit was lost and a huge grin spread her lips. "Treyen... that is the cutest thing I have ever heard in my life... your owl's name is Gilderoy? How did I not know that sooner? GAH. You are the most precious thing of LIFE! And you can owl me as much as you want to!" She wanted to HUG him for being so cute.

... okay. Heheh. Back to the real conversation. "Sal and I are going to see the Taj Mahal and heading to Tibet and some other places... just us. No communication with the outside world. Just for a brief time though. I think... we are going to America to try and meet his mum as well," she explained as a deep blush crossed her cheeks. Meeting a parent was pretty heavy stuff. "And I want to spend as much time with my friends this term break as possible because I think I might take a year to travel after graduation... I might not get a chance to see everyone very often." At this she averted her eyes. She was kind of getting emotional already... and she still had one term left.

Taking a look at the notes in her hand she cut her eyes to Treyen and rolled her eyes slightly and then said, "I find it easy to relax anywhere... most of the time. I have laid down in the corridors enough times to know that it is possible to get comfy just about anywhere." The library was no exception. Hehehehe.

Then she made a pouty face at him once more. "Not everyone knows I have been in St. Mungo's... twice, Treyen." She shifted uncomfortably for a moment and then flopped over and rolled onto her tummy, feet up in the air, kicking back and forth as she did anything but look at Treyen as she admitted that.

Ronnie walked into the reading lounge, to draw. She pulled out a extra piece of parchment and began to draw a Hippogriff.

Excuse me? So, he'll write to her once a week, yeah? And why the big deal about his owl being called Gilderoy??? "Er, yeah, I was the one who chose his name," when he was eleven, and the owl still hated the name, "Really? Precious? How come?" because what did his owl being named Gilderoy had anything to do with that?

Oooooh, Tibet! That was brilliant! Really. Treyen had been nodded up until the point when Lexi mentioned meeting Salander's mom. That was...a big step, wasn't it? He wasn't aware just how big it was until she started to blush, "She'll love you," he said, with a wide smile. At least he hoped that Lexi got along with Sal's mom.

Oh, wait. That's right. Lexi will be a seventh year next term. And then she'll leave. Lady Awesome was going to leave him. "We'll always be in touch, Lexi," especially if they both got to go to WADA.

FINE.

He'll give up. "I suppose I should've noticed, since you spend most of the time working on the floor at the Yearbook," so, it relaxed her. That's why she didn't follow after Quidditch? Probably not.

At her talk of St. Mungo's, Treyen decided not to push his former thoughts but still commented, "I had a relative in there for several years," she probably knew who he was referring to since she got all excited about Gilderoy the owl, "My sister was there last year, but her injury was all related to Quidditch, nothing else," and no worries, he wouldn't levitate Lexi to Healer Moretti, as long as she erased that pout on her face.

"I just think it's cute that you named him after your relative. It's just... cute. Gilderoy Lockhart; the owl," she said with a desire to pinch his cheeks or something. Hehehe. "And you are generally just all kinds of cuteness, Treyen Lockhart. I mean it. Any girl that lands you is a lucky one."

... Would she love her? Lexi wasn't so sure. "I think his family is more interested in the fact that I am related to the Black family than ME. But I just don't know." Rich aristocratic family looking for a foot hold in the UK famous bloodlines? Yeah. It rubbed Lexi the wrong way.

Smiling at Treyen she nodded her head and said, "I will be sure of it. And... if I don't go to WADA.. I will still be sure to be in Diagon a bit. Maybe buy a place in London so I can have an excuse to visit."

"Flying used to help, but I have found that I haven't had much time for it this term... or the last few since I stopped playing quidditch. Too much studying and... stuff," she said with a faint blush on her cheeks again. Too much Salander would be the appropriate answer. He wasn't one for flying... so you know she kept her feet on the ground more now than before.

Lexi nodded her head and sighed. "That was because of a Memory Charm... they put me in there... because they think I'm crazy," she said with a sigh, still not looking at him. She had read all about the Harry Potter years and that included Gilderoy Lockhart as well... so yeah. She knew things. SIGH.

She was always super excited about that part of his family, no? That's how she convinced him he could go on a date with Ellie in the first place. Lockhart. It was clearly more than a name.

And now he was blushing and quickly looked away from Lexi. Yeah, he still needed to work on the not blushing part, but really, how could he not? "Thanks, Lexi," he said, and it was almost inaudible, but the girl over there in the floor could certainly hear it.

Well, look at that, he didn't know Lexi was related to the Blacks. Not that it mattered to him, but then Salander's people must think highly of bloodlines, then. Funny how Salander doesn't care for that. Because he didn't, right? "As long as Salander makes you happy," he said, with a smile. Did it truly matter what everyone else thought if they were happy? Sure, the real world worked differently than when one is still studying, but still.

It was rather nice to watch her smile, especially after the little scene she'd just displayed. He smiled as well. "It's not like we'll disappear from the face of Earth, you know, but you still have lots of time before leaving, no need to focus on that," he said, waving the thought away.

No more comments on that.

When she mentioned studying, she meant Salander, right? "Well, OWLs will be over before you know it," he winked, "And then you can relax only a little bit," since she never relaxed, correct?

Er, say what? Blink. "For what it's worth, Lady Awesome, I don't think you are," she was difficult most times, but certainly not crazy. If she ever landed there again, well, he already knew it was a nice place to visit. And a nice place to stay if you didn't know where you were. His expression saddened, though, as he considered Gilderoy and how the family decided to exclude him forever, but...

...oh, he suddenly stood up, "I...I think I need to get going," right, Prefecting stuff, "Keep my notes, I don't think I'll need them anytime soon," he said, with a smile and a nod, "You'll be fine?" he didn't want to leave her on the floor, but if she liked that, whatever.

Damien wasn't exactly sure what brought him back to the library. This particular place at Hogwarts brought nothing but bad memories back when he would rather forget them. One of the first times he came in here was to try and find a book. A book that might offer some sort of explanation as to why things seemed to be missing from his life. Crucial bits and pieces of information that normal people would be able to recall; and yet -- he couldn't.

Then there was the time he and Isobel sat here talking. Damien actually found himself drawn to her. He wanted to be around her -- he needed to be around her. And she was so willing and ready to listen to whatever secrets he was ready to spill. That unfortunately got messed up as well, and might very well be the last time he ever comes in physical contact with another girl.

How could he forget what he'd seen between her and the other boy -- the one with the baby face who looked no older than a first year, but apparently was the same age as Isobel.

It'd been weeks since their fight. When she told him he was her friend. Gave no other hints and anything else, it was just that. Friends. Best friends.

Final nail in his coffin.

"Ugh!" he huffed before flunking down into one of the chairs in the reading lounge.

Why did he come back in here?!

Isobel had her notebook in her hands as she walked in to the Library. All day she had been feeling a need to write, now she finally could and she felt like this was the best place to do it.

When she came in she felt like she might be writing a sad story. At least, that's the direction her emotions went. She remembered the last time she had been in here and found out Damien did not like hugging her. At all. The thought made her feel like crying, and she tried her hardest to resist.

Had her thoughts called to him subconsciously? No that was ridiculous, he had been there first, after all. Maybe his thoughts had subconsciously called to-wait that didn't make sense either, she had been the one thinking about him. And he probably was thinking about things much more interesting than her.

Isobel sat down on a chair not too far from him. She opened her notebook and looked at it blankly. She couldn't think of anything to write, her thoughts kept jumping to Damien. Every few seconds her eyes looked up ever so slightly, just enough to see his profile. Should she say hi?

...

Of course she should! They were friends after all. Best friends. And, unfortunately, nothing more. Isobel looked up with her whole head this time, pretending to just notice him. She smiled. "Hey Damien."