AJ was finished with classes for the day. He was coming from Herbology, where he didn't pay attention and read his books from the restricted section. His long cloak dragged behind him as he walked with a steady pace. with his nose burried in his book he didnt notice the waves or the 'hullos' given by friends and strangers. A lot of people have been congratulating him on making it to the tournament. But what they didn't realize is that the tournament was driving him mad.

With him spending nights in the Room of Requirement reading and studying, then spending all day scouring the castle for clues, he barely had anytime to relax. He knew the others were frustrated as well. He talked to April a lot and to Aaron on occasion. He had heard from Aaron that Fawne was upset too.

He turned the corner and bumped into someone.

"Sorry!" he said looking at the ground to see who he knocked to the floor.

She stood up, brushing down her robes, and stared at him, a lot more under control than the last time they had seen each other. Last time Flame hadn't taken her potion- nor had her father reigned in her mind. Now, she was a lot more stable.

"Glad to see you up and walking around. Look- sorry about the forest but... it's complicated." she told him.

AJ was shocked to see Flame. And hearing her apologize confused him. Still, he helped her up from the ground and picked up what she was carrying.

"Erm, it's okay." he said not knowing how to act. It had been months since the incident and he hadn't seen Flame around much. He had practiced dueling and though she was clearly well in the Dark Arts, his new found skills could hold her off.

"I understand." he lied. He wanted to know exactly why it was complicated. Hate was beginning to build inside of him.

This didn't seem good, for these two to meet, months later, under much different circumstances, was not good at all. Flame and him had become rivals that day and, luckily for both, had managed to avoid each other. Obviously, that time was over. She didn't know how to feel.

She attempted a smile which came out as a grimace. "You're a bad lier AJ. But something was found out since that day, and things are much more under control. Still, were you to start a fight, I wuld gladly participate, though it would be preferable if you didn't."

He listened carefully. "No, no." he said starting to walk. "It's okay. The only reason I sent that hex in the Forest was you could have been anything, or anyone. I'm a peaceful boy. I promise."

AJ had so much on his mind. Fighting hadn't even crossed his mind. He decided to be friendly.

"So, where were you off to anyways?" he asked with a half-smile.

She smiled, properly this time, though she had actually forced it. "I'm glad you're peaceful. I plan on being more-so myself now things are under control again. Perhaps one day those wrong-doings will be put right, but you upset me that day AJ, when I am upset I fight. Forgiveness, however, is not something I search for."

Her eyes wandered around, who was watching her be friendly? It was well-known that if, say, Fox were to pass she'd change.

"I don't know, I cannot ddecide on anything to do. I thought maybe write to my father, but that would make him think I support him." she had to hide her true standing.

"Oh?" AJ had only been in this Wizarding World for 6 years, and being a muggle didn't know anything about Voldemort. But he had recently found out about Coldstone Harshing. His blood boiled just thinking about him. He had heard rumours about Flame, and even his favourite professor, Anima, being in the loop with him.

"Well he is your father." he didnt know what else to say. AJ secretly wanted to put a resistance together, he had told fellow students and even some professors about it, but when the headmaster heard about it, he put a closer eye on AJ.

Flame nodded. "Yes- Harshing followed Voldemort back in the day, my mother tried to sell me into it, I fled, but not without them leaving their mark on me first. That alone may cause my father to think I agree with his current activitiees, but I don't." she told AJ, carefully peicing together a puzzle of lies, which covered every aspect.

"He is my father but he never acted like it until the family were around. He uses me to help him get his way, is all."

AJ felt it in his heart she was lying. But he wasn't going to out her in the middle of a hallway. He continued walking, mostly in silence. She had joined him. He pulled out his copy of Transfiguration Today and began reading it.

"So, are you staying for the tournament? Now that exams are over, a lot of people will be leaving."

He had figured she would leave and go to be with her father and the NDE. Unless they wanted her to stay around and cause havok at the tournament.

She watched him carefully, knew he didn't believe her, though nothing about her could have given anything away. She blinked and watched him some more. Transfiguratin Today? No wander he was one of Lycs favourite students, though Lycs would never admit that to Harshing, he was supposed to be NDE afterall.

"I am staying I have to cheer on my house, even if I don't like the entrant." she stated, simply.

"April? What's wrong with her?" he asked, not really wanting to know the answer. The words just slipped out of his mouth. He looked around carefully, seeing if any friends were around so he could pretend he was needed. But he saw only Hufflepuffs.

"I'm sure you'll enjoy yourself this summer then." he added.