Author's Note: I have styled this chapter slightly different than most chapters. I wanted to have the story switch from James to Blaire without pesky wording like ''Meanwhile James was blah blah.''

If you guys don't mind, I would like James and Blaire to get together quicker than most stories do because there is something BIG that is about to happen and it would just add extra tension if they were together.

I suggest listening to sad music.

Also: James's thoughs are in BOLD ITALICS. (just for this chapter.)

Characters (c) to J.K Rowling. Except the ones you don't know.

Location: Great Hall

It seemed like a normal day, Blaire sat down next to James and started to eat slowly. She has cornered James yesterday and they both decided that the kiss was nothing more than a friend helping a friend. They happily fell back into their friendship, teasing each other but the chemistry undeniable.

"Ms. Diggory," Blaire glanced up to see Professor Slughorn standing above her. The look on his face was a mix of pity and denial and Blaire's heart sunk. "Headmistress McGonagall would like to have a word with you," The Potions teacher nodded towards the entrance of the Great Hall, where the elderly woman was standing.

What is going on?

"I-I understand," Blaire heard herself say and stood up, James standing up also. "I'm fine, James." She murmured and followed Slughorn out of the Great Hall.

It happened. I can feel it. He is gone. Merlin, please hold the tears back.

Location: Great Hall

James sat back down slowly, worry and irritation pricking at his heart. "What the hell happened?" He growled huskily, glancing at Bex, Alex and Lorcan. They all shrugged, bewildered. Bex automatically scooted closer to Lorcan, out of habit or looking for comfort.

"It must be her father," Lily spoke up, her small voice quavering. James looked at her, his eyes narrowing almost angrily and Lily's temper rose. "Merlin, James Sirius! Everyone here can tell that you're in love with her and she's in love with you! Stop denying it!"

"I'm not denying anything," James muttered childishly, looking in a different direction to avoid his sister's eyes. Incidentally, they fell on Holly, one of the girls on the Beauxbatons Quidditch team. She confidently smiled at him, slightly flirtatious and he quickly looked away, slouching. He did NOT want to give Holly the wrong idea. His mind drifted to four days ago, the feel of Blaire's lips on his-

"Blaire," Lily exclaimed happily and James snapped out of his trance. She avoided their eyes and stooped to pick up her book bag, her eyes red. Bex, Lorcan and James leaped up to help her and she gave them a slow, forced smile.

"I'm fine." She choked out and then turned to James. "I won't be in class, will you get my homework?" He nodded quickly, his heart thudding painfully for her. He HATED seeing her upset. "I'll talk to later?" Without waiting for a response, Blaire all but ran out of the Hall.

"Ms. Diggory is going to need her friends more than ever now," A voice made the teens turn and Professor McGonagall smiled sadly at them. "Her father has passed."

Bex and Lily gasped and James immediatly went for his things so he could go after her.

"No, Mr. Potter, let her cope for a while on her own."

Location: Room of Requirement

My father is dead. I am an orphan. What am I going to do?

Blaire, in a daze, wandered the halls until she stumbled upon the Room of Requirement. It was adorned with comfortable sofas and loveseats with a crackling fireplace.

I'm alone.

Sobs echoed through her petite frame as she sank into one of the sofas, dumping her belongings at the door.

I have no one.

After two hours of staring at the crackling fire and the wall occasionally, Blaire stood up and brushed the tears off her face, finding a restroom at the back of the Room. She freshened up and dug through her school bad until she found a small makeup bag. She unzipped it and pulled out her wand. "Accio guitar," She whispered, glad for the undetectable extension charm. She often keeps all her instruments and singing equipment in it.

She sat even longer, strumming out chords and occasionally singing until her voice broke and tears ran down her face.

Location: Skipping Class, wandering the halls.

James wandered the halls, looking for Blaire. He had checked the common room, the library and the kitchens.

I need to find her. I need to find her. He repeated over and over in his head until miraculously, he stumbled onto a wide door that seemed to appear. Curious, he opened it and walked inside, seeing Blaire sitting on a sofa. She was strumming a guitar but put it down once she noticed James. Butterflies erupted in her stomach, tears spilling over as she realized how much he cared.

I guess I'm not totally alone...

In two steps, he crossed the room and enveloped her in a warm hug, sitting down next to her. Neither noticed when James leaned back against the arm of the sofa and propped his feet up on the table, now laying down on the sofa or when Blaire burrowed into his chest, breathing in his heavenly aroma. Blaire fell asleep soundly, murmuring words in her sleep. James smiled down at her, playing with her wavy hair and stroking her cheek with his thumb. He was blissfully happy, breathing in the floral scent that Blaire was.

"Benny..." She murmured in her sleep, a name that stirred envy and jealously as well as anxiety in James. WHO was this Benny? A Muggle boyfriend? But what name she whispered next comforted his stirring emotions.

"James..." Blaire murmured and snuggled closer to James, causing him to smile. She murmured his name several times within the next hour and James felt himself drifting off but managed to stay awake to whisper a few words back.

"I love you, Blaire."

What he didn't realize was she briefly stirred out of her slumber and heard him whisper those three words.

Location: Headmistress's Office

After James and Blaire woke, she asked him if he would come to the funeral with her. He accepted and found out later that she had also asked Bex and Lorcan to come. Now, the four teens stood in McGonagall's office, waiting to use the Floo Network to get to Blaire's house. Blaire stood off to the side, staring at the floor as if she was mentally preparing herself for the funeral. Bex and Lorcan stood close together, Bex's temper unable to show it's ugly head on such a sober occasion. James noticed how upset Blaire looked and quickly crossed the room, lacing his fingers with hers. She smiled gratefully and leaned her head on his shoulder, ignoring the flutters in her stomach.

He's just being nice. Just being nice. But he did say that he loved you, didn't he?

"Ms. Diggory, are you ready?" McGonagall interrupted Blaire's internal battle, holding out Floo powder. Blaire gripped her bag with her free hand and started to walk to the fireplace, her hand slipping away from James's.

She stepped into the flames and choked out the address of her home before shutting her eyes.

Location: Diggory House

"Missus?" Blaire stumbled out of her fireplace into the Diggory home, a small brownstone on the edge of London. She opened her eyes and saw Pinky, her family's house-elf standing.

"Wow," James murmured, stepping out of the fireplace, followed by Bex and Lorcan. Pinky immediately bowed and waited for orders while James walked over to Blaire and held her hand again.

"Um, Pinky, would you show Lorcan and Bex to their rooms?" Blaire asked and Pinky nodded but her eyes flicked to James. "Is Benny in the backyard?" Pinky nodded again and Blaire grinned like a fool.

"C'mon James, there is someone I want you to meet." Blaire quickly said and Bex flashed her thumbs-up, gesturing to their hands. Lorcan rolled his eyes and pulled her along, obviously attempting to give them privacy.

James followed Blaire down the hall, wondering who Benny was. He stopped in the middle of the hallway and Blaire glanced back, curious. "You know we are here for you, Blaire." Blaire smiled and gave him a one-armed hug while he managed to slip his free hand around her waist, holding her close.

Merlin, I can feel his abs.

Just kiss her. Before you regret it. She won't be single forever.

James took a deep breath and looked down into those beautiful green eyes. "I'm here for you." Without a moment's hesitation, he kissed her, softly. Blaire's eyes widened before they closed shut and she responded to the kiss. They broke apart briefly before Blaire kissed him again, deepening the kiss. She ran her fingers through his silky hair, her lips parting slightly. It was escalating into a heated snog that grew even more when James gently pushed her up against the wall, kissing her with a passion. He was kissing the girl of his dreams, the girl he had loved for seven long years and she was worth the wait. When they broke apart, he grinned like a kid and her mind started racing.

"Um, come...meet Benny," She whispered, dazed, and led him outside where James met someone he did not expect to meet.

Author's Note: Didn't see a kiss coming, did you? OR close to a heated snog. Ah, the chemistry.

But, do you think it is appropriate for her to be kissing him after her father has died? (I think that all the emotions would be overwhelming and pent-up feelings would just explode like BAM.) But, I'll sit here an twiddle my thumbs, hoping for reviews. Reviews make me happy.

Who do YOU think Benny is?

I'll give you three different choices:

A) A child.

B) A dog.

C) Her Muggle Boyfriend.

First person to guess correctly (in a review) will win the chance to add a character in this story!

So? Read. Review?

-Mia.

(I'm a Hufflepuff by the way. What are you?)