A.J RYAN IN THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX

Chapter 44 - Going Home

Students were packing up their things ready to head home the following morning. Angelina had turned to A.J as she finished her own packing; "Hey, you want to head down to the end-of-term feast with us?"

"Ah, go ahead. I've just got some final things to pack. Thanks." A.J smiled.

Angelina nodded and followed Alicia. A.J remained sitting on the end of her bed, staring into her open, already packed trunk.

Today being the last day, Riley was hopeful he would see A.J.

As she reached the bottom of the marble stairs, she automatically turned at the sound of her name being called. Riley was only a few steps away from her. He met her with a tight hug.

"I've been trying to catch up with you for days." He pulled back, leaving his hands resting on her shoulders.

"Hey, what's up?" She said with forced cheer.

"I just wondered... did... ah... it just seemed...?" He struggled.

A.J titled her head at him questionably.

He sighed. "I just didn't want to finish the year without making it clear."

A.J stood staring blankly, then she noticed the look.

"We weren't together that long." A.J tried to reason.

"My feelings didn't stop after we finished, they couldn't. I still seen you everywhere I looked. I never missed the chance to get to know you better."

"But you're dating..."

"I was dating Sasha. We broke up last week. I needed to know, to make certain, there couldn't be more for us?"

"I'm sorry. I really liked you." She shrugged.

"But it's not the same." Riley said with a sense of sadness. "So, we don't have a chance together." He said with finality.

She shook her head apologetically. "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you."

He shook his head and smiled at her fondly. "I'm lucky you gave me a chance, and at least I tried."

"I doubt I'm the only guy in love with you." He smirked. "I really thought you and Fred would last, it seemed like you -" He said thoughtfully, trailing off.

She grimaced, dropping her eyes to somewhere around his navel. "I messed with a lot of feelings this year, huh."

He lifted her chin and slowly lent in to kiss her. She froze but didn't have the sense to move away. Thank goodness it was over fast. "You didn't mess with mine. Goodbye Lexi." He turned and walked towards the door to the Great Hall.

A.J walked out into the grounds instead, no longer feeling anything for the leaving feast.

A.J wanted to apparate out of Hogsmeade but Dumbledore suggested keeping up appearances. Her parents were waiting for her on the muggle platform at King's Cross, but she hadn't got off the train and the station was almost empty.

When Harry and Hermione, and Alastor and Tonks had left, A.J's parents were still watching the barrier anxiously as no more children had come through.

"Michael, maybe we should go look for her." Aileen nudged her husband anxiously.

"Wait here, I'll go have a look." He gave her a quick squeeze and headed through the barrier.

Fred nudged George, which drew the attention of the rest of the Weasley's and Remus and nodded at Michael Ryan going through the barrier.

Mrs Weasley walked towards a worried looking Aileen, "Are you okay, dear?"

"Dumbledore said she's in a bad way..." She muttered quietly. "She hasn't come through yet."

Unable to stand there any longer, she walked through the barrier, followed closely by the others.

Michael had gone to the front of the train. There was a small group of people gathered around one of the first compartments. Her father pushed his way through the crowd to find A.J unconscious on the floor. She stirred at her father quietly calling her. He lifted her from the floor and carried her onto the platform, as Remus ran over to help.

"I'm fine. I'm fine. You can put me down." A.J protested.

She stood on her two feet and mustered up all the chirpiness she could manage to greet her mother and father. As she looked over her mother's shoulder she noticed the Weasleys were still on the platform, and now Remus had re-joined them.

Fred eyed her wearingly. He wanted to hold her tight in his arms, but she didn't look strong enough. She was pale and tired looking. She had lost some weight too.

Hey handsome. I'll see you later tonight. She thought.

After A.J left the platform, Ron started talking to the Weasley twins as they stood lined up to leave again; "She probably passed out because Riley tried to kiss her again." Ron sniggered.

"What?" Fred said quickly, before thinking he should play it cool. Oh well, he thought, it's supposed to be known that he's still interested in her.

"What do you mean "tried"?" George asked.

"And "again"?" Fred added.

"They were talking in the Entrance Hall yesterday and he kissed her. She kind of just stood there, don't think she knew what was happening."

"Then what happened?" Fred prompted.

"Nothing." Ronshrugged. "He walked away, and she walked outside."