There is Always a Choice

Chapter Three: Pain lessons. But is is never gone.

Author’s Notes: This year is a bit longer, to better work in the changes occurring within our favorite characters. Enjoy!

There is Always a Choice

Chapter III: Pain lessons. But it is never gone.

“It has been said, 'time heals all wounds.' I do not agree. The wounds remain. In time, the mind, protecting its sanity, covers them with scar tissue and the pain lessens. But it is never gone.” – Rose Kennedy

“He didn’t mention anything to you about it?” Draco asks for the tenth time. Tallie throws another blasting curse at the wall of their common room. They had left the Welcoming Feast as soon as they could, mostly to get Tallie calmed down.

“I’m not surprised. He and Sirius have been doubly-engrossed with each other lately. That’s why it was so easy to stay away nearly the entire summer at yours and Harry’s places. Thanks again, for that.” Tallie shifts in her armchair before the fire to look her companion in the eye, smiling at him gratefully. “You two kept me sane and I have so much more control over the wolf now.” Draco smiles and stretches out his lanky form. The git had gone and had another growth spurt. He was nearly four inches taller than her now! Harry had only grown an inch, thankfully, but still!

“With Remus as our DADA teacher, you’ll get half as many nosy letters.” Draco points out helpfully. She scowls back at him, tossing her regrown hair behind her shoulders.

“He’s already sent me a note about eating lunch and dinner with him three times a week and using my Hogsmeade trips to visit Sirius for lunch to catch up. He’s planning my life for me! I can’t stand the way they treat me anymore.” Tallie bursts out. Draco stays silent; having nothing to say that will soothe the angered teen.

Thankfully, the wall slides open to reveal a mussed and bemused Blaise. Tallie and Draco watch with confusion as he walks dreamily over to them, slumping onto the couch.

“Er…Blaise?” Tallie ventures cautiously. The dark-skinned boy smiles in their direction.

“I hadn’t realized Pansy was such a good kisser.” Tallie and Draco broke out into laughter. Oh yes, the hormones were unleashing themselves at last.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hormones were an understatement. The sudden discovery of girls to the boys and boys to the girls was like a World War. Hogsmeade visits and the hours after dinner were dedicated to stumbling across snogging couples in random corridors and tables were filled at the Three Broomsticks with moony-eyed couples.

The third year boys of Gryffindor and Slytherin (with the exception of Theodore and Crabbe) were out one day in March, before the Easter holidays, soaking up the last few hours of sunlight before darkness. Their exams had ended at last and bags were happily abandoned in their common rooms. Games of Exploding Snap and Wizard chess were scattered throughout the boys and the conversation was light and teasing.

“I heard Millicent isn’t much of a kisser, Greg.” Draco states after checkmating the Slytherin for the third time. Around him, the boys quieted down to listen to this piece of news. Greg flushed and glowered at the blonde, who smiled innocently.

“She’s fine.” He grunts. Blaise chuckles and elbows Ron slightly in the side, eliciting snickers from the long-haired red head. “Pansy’s not much better, Zabini!” Blaise wrinkles his nose and nods.

“I can’t disagree with you there. Too much tongue. I prefer Lavender. Much more enthusiasm.” He waggles his eyebrows as the others laugh and some agree. Draco and Harry roll their eyes at the mention of the daft witch.