A.J RYAN IN THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX

Chapter 16 - Another Breakup

Two feet of snow covered the grounds by Sunday morning, and many people were out enjoying it. A.J was running in the snow with Riley. He was trying to hit her with a snowball, but when he turned, she jumped on his back knocking them both over into the soft, wet snow.

Fred and George were hovering snowballs up to the Gryffindor common room, where a lot of fifth-years were catching up on homework – including Harry and Ron.

A.J nudged Riley, who was now sitting beside her in the snow, and pointed to the twins.

"Watch." She said quietly, flicking her wand.

Riley roared with laughter as a huge pile of snow fell from the building on top of Fred and George.

A.J fell with her head on his stomach, laughing along with him.

When they had calmed down A.J rolled over to lie on her back. Riley propped himself on his side placing an arm over her middle. He waited until she was looking at him and leant in to kiss her. He started off slowly but drew the kiss out when she placed her hand on his cheek.

Riley was hit in the back with a bunch of snowballs, parts of the snow flying off him and hitting A.J. He pulled away and she smiled at him.

They both looked around to see Simon and some Ravenclaw's with more snowballs ready.

"Pay back?" Riley grinned at her.

"Oh yeah." She nodded.

He pulled her to her feet and a big snowball fight took place with most of the seventh-years joining in.

By lunch the whole lot of them were covered in snow, wet right up to their knees – if not more – and settling in the Great Hall to warm up at lunch. A.J and Riley sat with Simon at the Ravenclaw table. Simon was telling anyone who would listen, that it had been him that had introduced the pair.

At breakfast the next morning, Fred, George and Lee sprinted up the aisle to the teachers table to shake Hagrid's hand with delight. A.J noticed not everyone shared the same joy at having the half-giant teacher return.

Heading out to Herbology that morning, heavily clothed against the cold, A.J still leant against Riley for warmth. He kept his arms tight around her as they trudged their way to the Greenhouses.

A.J's eyes narrowed as she spotted Umbridge heading out into the grounds on Tuesday for fifth period. She would be inspecting Hagrid's class today. Umbridge was against half-breeds. And Hagrid was part Giant. She would not be giving him a fair chance.

She resigned to the fact there wouldn't be anything she could do to stop Umbridge anyway and fell back to head to her double Transfiguration class.

It was the end of November and she had now been with Riley for close to seven weeks and felt it was time to end it. She did it this time, she had been acting slightly indifferent to him for the past two days, hoping to ease him into the idea. So Friday after their second period Herbology class, she walked with him back into the castle. She hadn't thought of a reason to tell him yet. After finding an empty classroom she turned to him;

"You're breaking up with me, aren't you?" He said first.

"Yeah." She sighed. "Sorry. I wasn't sure how to do it."

"Can you tell me why?" He asked with his eyes on her.

"I just don't think it's working... it doesn't feel right anymore." She struggled.

He nodded slowly, and took a deep breath; "Well I wish this wasn't happening, but you seem pretty sure?" He checked.

She nodded sadly at him.