Viktor had departed from Bulgaria less than a week ago, before they were thrust back into the chaos and drama at Hogwarts that circulated the school (not to mention the disgustingly cold English weather that Bella despised so much – it was almost May, yet it was still raining).

Having been out in the courtyard with Deanna and Viktor, the three had instantly ran inside the castle when the rain – inevitably – started to pour. Quickly drying off her robes with the Hot Air Charm, Bella had squealed in disgust when Viktor had embraced her in a soaking wet hug just mere seconds afterwards. It took all of her might not to jinx him too, but she remembered that he was her boyfriend and that would probably land her in trouble.

It was almost as if she had forgotten that Hogwarts was in fact a school (yes, with actual rules), because she had considered it to be her second home for so long that it never completely occurred to her.

Maybe that was why Harry had said that trouble always seems to find him, even when he isn't looking.

"Miss Flannery," a voice spoke from behind the trio; one that was gruff and familiar; one that they normally heard booming in echoic melodies across the Great Hall. Dumbledore. "You are requested in my office." He placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder when she swiftly turned around in bewilderment. The redhead glanced at Viktor for comfort, only to find that his hard exterior didn't falter. "Mister Krum can come, too, but no more of you. I'm sure Viktor will want to hear this also."

When Viktor and Bella entered Dumbledore's office, they were both startled to find Fred and George standing askew the Headmaster's desk. Fred's hands were clasped behind his back shyly as he shuffled awkwardly on his feet. "Gred, Forge," the Ravenclaw joked playfully, a delighted smile creeping up a corner of her mouth. "What are you doing here?"

George looked to his twin to elaborate, but when Fred averted his gaze – yet again – to the floor, he shrugged with a sigh and a large gasp when he opened his mouth to speak. "Erin Martell told us about the Zoe situation, y'know, that she's a psychopath? And a werewolf? Why didn't you tell us, Bella?"

"Well, when I found about her lycanthropy I didn't want to tell you in case it would scare you, or if you didn't want to be involved in my problems – I wouldn't blame you if it put you off, honestly – and then when I found out that she was a revengeful bitch, we weren't friends at the time, so–"

Fred raised his head. Maybe the floor wasn't that interesting to look at, after all. "It's all sorted now, anyway. Erin specifically requested that we should explain the situation to Dumbledore, I think because she knew you wouldn't do it yourself. She wanted to get Zoe expelled. And, because of how dangerous she was, Professor Dumbledore here made the wise decision to expel her."

"The reason why I didn't want to turn Zoe in myself was because–" Bella stopped herself. Oh shit. I don't want Dumbledore to know that it was my fault Zoe got burned, because Viktor was just protecting me. And here I am, stood in front of Dumbledore, about to expose myself to punishment anyway.

"Because what?" George questioned, his ginger brows furrowed.

Arabella quickly shook her head. "Nothing."

Viktor placed his large hand on the fabric of her robe sleeve, stroking it gently. As if she was a lap cat and he was her owner. She swiped her arm away; she didn't want to be owned. "Bella was scared that Zoe would find out she turned her in, and that would only motivate her more to hurt or . . . even kill Bella." Viktor lied.

Dumbledore raised a bushy, grey eyebrow and turned to the Ravenclaw in front of him. "Well, that was very noble of you, Miss Flannery, however by not raising alarm to Miss Rosenkrands' intentions, you could have put your own life in danger."

"Yes, but even if I did raise alarm, I still would've put my life in danger if Zoe found out that I wanted her expelled. So either way could've had consequences. That's why I'm grateful that Fred and George did it for me." The redhead shuffled her feet awkwardly, finding herself gazing towards Fred and George – oh, how she missed them – as if to use their reciprocal stare as an act of comfort. "And besides, Professor, there's more to it than that."

Dumbledore's pale hands were clasped in front of him. Arabella looked at Viktor, whose stare was one of concern and warning. She wasn't about to say it, was she? She wasn't about to expose them; to actually admit that they were the cause of Zoe's burn scars? No, no, no . . .

"You know how Zoe Rosenkrands suddenly ended up with severe scarring from what seemed like a fire attack?" Bella began, her speech faltering when she heard Viktor's panicked breathing beside her. All she wanted to do was hold him, tell him to trust her: what she was doing was the right decision. "Um, that was my fault."

Dumbledore's mouth opened, as if expressing a silent gasp. "What do you mean? Were you the attacker?"

"No, no, um–" I'm not going to admit that it was him. I'm not, I'm not, I'm not. "I was the reason that Zoe was attacked, because it was a full moon and she had phased into the werewolf form, a-and I was just being protected."

"Protected by whom, Miss Flannery? I need to know, who casted the spell?"

Arabella wanted to cry. She wanted to kneel on the floor, like praying in church, pouring her heart out exactly how the tears would pour from her eyes. She was willing to beg for forgiveness: from God, from Viktor. And she hadn't even said his name yet. But after all, Viktor was a God, in her eyes. "V-Viktor did. He casted it, b-but he was just trying to protect me! Zoe was going to attack both of us! Please, Professor, you have to understand."

Dumbledore's expression softened; one of almost sympathy. "Thank you for your honesty, Miss Flannery, and your courage. Ten points to Ravenclaw. You may go, as will you, Mister Weasley and . . . Mister Weasley. Krum, I would like you stay, so that I can speak to you, but you will not be expelled." But there was something in the Professor's words that didn't seem convincing to Bella, and when she turned back after exiting the doorway, the man's face seemed to harden again. As for Viktor's face: she couldn't even look at him.

She wanted to scream, cry, every sad emotion all at once. But her throat was clogged with guilt, her head clouded with disappointment. She could tell what Viktor was feeling, too, and she wouldn't have been surprised if he hated her. Why the fuck did I just do that?

She didn't even notice that she was crying until Fred wiped away a tear from her eye with his thumb. "I thought I was doing the right thing by telling the truth, but now I think it has cost me my relationship." Bella spoke weakly.

George chuckled a little. Glad someone finds it funny, the girl thought. "Your intentions were good, right?" George asked, and she nodded in reply. "Then you did the right thing, Bella. Anyway, it's not like you ratted him out. You tried to place the blame on yourself first."

"Yeah, but I could've lied, and said the attacker was someone else and not Viktor. The only reason why I began telling Dumbledore the story behind Zoe's burns in the first place was so that, even after Zoe was expelled, it didn't continue to be a large mysterious investigation on who did it. I wanted everyone to know the real reason, and for everyone to know Zoe Rosenkrands for who she really was: a lycanthropic psychopath. Even if that meant me getting punished for it. I just didn't want him to be punished for it, and that's exactly what fucking happened. "

Fred placed a comforting arm on her robe, although there was a reluctance in his gesture that Arabella noted. "He's Viktor Krum, Bella. I'm positive that he won't get punished for it."

"Well I hope you're right, because I couldn't live knowing that I've got my own boyfriend in such trouble." She sighed deeply. "Not that it would matter, anyway: I think I've lost him tonight."

George smiled, glancing at his twin with the same mischievous grin that they always seemed to possess. "Maybe, but you've gained your two friends back."

taken from @-celestials

this sums up exactly how I've been feeling lately & it's just something for my inactive readers to think about ;)

(not that I don't 100% appreciate all the reads/votes/comments I get!! bc every single one counts!!)

in light of this, go vote & leave some comments on this chapter, because that feeling of accomplishment is something that I need right now 😄 (and remember to comment on all your current favourite fanfictions because I'm sure your favourite writers need it too!!)

ly all x