The music was loud, almost deafening, filling the room with words that no one seemed to be paying attention to. I felt trapped; seriously uncomfortable as I was forced to scoot even further into the booth when screaming, over-excited girls made to grab me by the collar of my shirt. To my left Josh chuckled, not bothering to hide his amused smirk as he watched me get smothered by crazy fans. On his other side Craig was grinning but he at least looked apologetic about the whole situation. But it was his sister Natalie, however, who took hold of my arm and managed to calm my nerves as camera phones flashed away leaving me temporarily blind. After a while I realized I was scowling and she squeezed me and widened her eyes. Sighing, I forced a fake smile on my face and turned once again to the throng of people that crowded our booth.

"You should've known it wasn't going to be easy," stated Josh, completely comfortable with the swooning girls throwing themselves at him. I shot him a dark look that he probably ignored.

"Yes well, this is madness," I hissed, still managing to look happy. Truth was, I felt completely stalked. Being a rockstar came with a price, a dangerous one at that. Paparazzi basically lived on your doorstep, fans followed you on the streets, and blogs were made in your honor where everything about your life was twistedly written for the world to read. I mean really, how fucked up is that?

"Excuse me," shouted an irritated voice from within the crowd, and when nobody seemed to pay any mind to her she screamed some more, "I said, MOVE!" I guess I shouldn't have been surprised to see my best friend emerging from between giggling girls. She glared at all of them as she finally reached us and sat down next to me, pushing into my hands the drink she had gone to get me.

"Well, what are you waiting for? For hell to freeze over?" Now it was the people's turn to scowl and glare but Stephanie couldn't care less about the stares directed at her. Personally, I thought she had been a little rude but was glad that her words had the desired effect. Within a couple of seconds the booth was once again clear.

"I thought that would never happen," I sighed, slumping into my seat. Steph turned to look at me pointedly.

"It's your fault, you know," she said matter-of-factly, "You just had to go and announce to the world that you are gay and now girls are raining on you, even ones that are straight."

"But I just don't get it," I retorted, not meeting her eye, "Why all this attention? I'm just like any other person." And I was right. You don't see Ellen DeGeneres being stalked all day; so why me?

"You're cute," commented Natalie, responding to my thoughts, "You're shy, so that makes you mysterious. You have wavy, black hair that I'd kill for and the most unusual gray eyes. Not to mention that you're our guitarist and composer. Really, what else could a girl want?" Her tirade caught me by surprise. I stared at my friends while they all looked at me expectantly, waiting to hear what kind of excuse I'd have now. Josh was tall, sandy haired with hazel eyes that lit up when he smiled. Craig and Natalie, being twins, were both blond and blue-eyed, the life-size barbie models of the world. Stephanie was... her dark eyes hid mischief but displayed laughter. Her light brown hair was almost blond, depending on the light, and she was always laughing when she wasn't pissed. So again, out of all of them why the hell would anyone like me?

"I'd never looked at it that way before," I answered truthfully, "I guess I always thought you guys were better than me." Steph snorted and rolled her eyes, taking a sip from her drink. Natalie sighed and took my hand, lacing our fingers together. I glanced at her and saw her smiling at me, the kind that would make any guy's stomach fill with butterflies.

"So," started Josh, looking gleeful, "Yesterday's meeting was a complete success. In just a few days we'll have our tour schedule!" He raised his glass in a toast.

"To One Night Only!" he said and we followed him, clinking our glasses together. I drank from my glass for the first time and wasn't surprised that Steph had managed to spike my coke with vodka; figures. I was only vaguely aware that a conversation had started up, but I didn't really feel like talking so I leaned against my seat to give Steph better access to Josh and his 'orgasmic smile' like she liked to call it. I never thought I would get this far in life. Being abandoned as a baby and then growing up in the streets with no education whatsoever didn't shape me up as a successful person. But here I am. Sitting in a bar in the 'rich' part of London with my friends, the band that had took me in during middle school. Of course, all this wouldn't have happened if it weren't for Stephanie. She's been my best friend since I was 11 years old. She found me sitting in a corner, brooding, while on her way to school and had simply forced me up and began babbling nonsense to me all the way to the gates of the academy. From that moment on I began to smile again, feel some semblance of happiness since... No, I swore to myself that I'd never think about her again. That chapter of my life was over and buried deep inside me. But I wasn't even kidding myself. I always thought of her; of her wild, bushy hair, her warm, chocolate eyes and toothy grin. The memories came back to haunt me every day and I found myself wondering about her life right now. Is she happy? Is she in love? Where is she?

"Caiden!" Craig yelled, snapping me away from my thoughts. Everyone was looking at me like I'd grown two heads. I got slightly irritated under much scrutiny.

"What?" I asked, trying not to sound aggravated. Craig raised an eyebrow at my tone so I wasn't doing a very good job at masking my emotions.

"We called you like ten times," Josh answered warily, "We didn't mean to interrupt you." I sighed and Craig grinned, getting ready to jump up and down my throat.

"Have you got a secret crush? Huh, Caiden? Come on, what are you hiding?" I turned to glare at him, my nostrils probably flared.

"None of your business," I argued, fisting my hands. I knew I was being overly dramatic but I couldn't help it. His joking tone really got to me. I could see him starting more questions when his sister cut him off.

"Stop it Craig," snapped Natalie, looking at her brother, "You know it bothers her." Craig smiled and shrug his shoulders.

"I'm only kidding," he said, as an apology and turned to continue talking with Josh, who looked unsettled by the situation. I turned my head only to meet Steph's disapproving stare and I immediately knew she knew what I was thinking about. I shook my head and glared at the table. Steph knew everything about me, about my past and she clearly didn't like it. I had no idea if she told Josh, Craig or Natalie and the thought made me sick. Unexpectedly, I pushed Stephanie out of the booth and, completely ignoring the blank stares everyone threw at me, found my way outside. The night air was cool against my skin. I hadn't noticed I had started sweating but it shouldn't be surprising seeing as the atmosphere in the bar was dark, loud and thick. I found myself speed-walking, hands shoved inside my pockets with my hoodie over my head. Now that I was outside I could think a little clearer as I breathed in fresh air. The point was simple; since she left, without so much as a goodbye, I stopped feeling... complete. It was a stupid thought but somehow it didn't make a difference. That was the fact, and I figure that the reason why I always get so wound up when people tease me or ask me if I like someone is that I do. I do like someone, the person that I'd had a crush on since I was 8 years old and that I hadn't seen in over 7 years.

Sighing in frustration I turned a corner, noticing for the first time that the streets seemed empty. I'd walked a good distance from the bar and found that I'd turned onto a street I had never seen before.

"Great," I muttered, " now I'm lost." But I didn't pay much attention to my whereabouts. I was more focused in driving her memory to the deepest part of my brain and as always I failed.

"I want to forget you," I said out loud, leaning against the wall of an abandoned alley, "It's been a long time." That didn't matter, though, and almost instantly I was back to that day, 10 years ago...

I was kicking an empty soda can as I walked, not having anything else to do. I would've had some fun in the park but I hated drawing stares from the people that looked at me like I was a bug. I sighed and looked down at myself glaring at the battered clothes I had on. Being homeless was more difficult than taking a math final test, and once again I found myself hating my parents. I'd never met them, didn't know anything about them except for the fact that they left me when I was barely old enough to make a coherent thought. Being raised by other homeless people who never shared a sincere smile with you was horrible and I had finally left, assuming some control over my pathetic life. I sighed, reaching the park and stared with envy at all the happy kids running around without a care in the world. I sat down on the corner of the sidewalk, half hidden by a big bush used for decoration and watched the life I should've had.

"Just leave me alone Jeff," someone pleaded desperately. I glanced towards the voice and saw a girl, with tears in her eyes as some goons loomed over her like vultures. Beside them, some girls laughed as viciously as a 7 year old can sound. The boy, Jeff as I assumed, had his back to me but I could see his shoulders shaking as he too laughed.

"What's this?" he asked, taunting, "Another book?" He yanked the book from the girl's hand and ruffled the pages before he threw it to the floor and stepped on it.

"No!" cried the girl, her brown eyes sparkling with tears and sadness. She still hadn't moved from the swing where she sat and there was no indication whatsoever that she would. She probably would just sit there and take all the bullying. The thought alone angered me and I suddenly stood up, grabbed the nearest broken branch and approached them.

"Shut up bookworm!" Jeff yelled, stepping dangerously close to her. The girl shut her eyes and as Jeff started to laugh once again, I poked on the back, so hard that the branch broke. He cried out but before he could turn around to face me I kicked him behind the knees and as he fell to the ground grabbed his hair and yanked his head back.

"Something funny?" I nearly growled at him, pulling his hair. The boy was so shocked that he didn't answer, merely shook his head as best as he could with my hold on him. The girl on the swing made eye contact with me and all my anger melted, giving way to a smile. Jeff, however, began to writhe under my hold and I pushed him aside watching as he scrambled to his feet.

"Who are you?" he demanded, rubbing his head. I scowled at him and shrugged.

"No one you know," I answered, "and no one you really wnat to mess with." I knew I was bluffing, because I was simply a girl and without the element of surprise he was probably stronger than me. But right now, my sole objective was to drive him away. At that moment, Jeff's irresponsable, stupid-ass parents decided to show up and call him over. He looked at me, his eyes glaring before he turned his attention to the girl.

"I'll see you at school," he drawled, then turned around and left without so much as a backwards glance. I sneered at the remaining audience and they went away quickly enough.

"Thank you," the girl said, and I turned my attention to her. She looked small and fragile, sitting in the swing without meeting my eyes. I bent down and picked up the trampled book before handing it to her.

"No problem," I said grinning at her, "I'm not a big fan of mindless, bullying idiots." At my comment she met my eyes and smiled. For some reason I felt proud. I leaned against the pole of the swing staring at her.

"You shouldn't let him get to you," I told her, "Or let him call you names. You look like someone who would fight back." When she didn't answer, I felt foolish. I'm not in any position to give anyone any advice. She didn't leave the swing and I thought that I should at least make the best of the situation. Extending my hand towards her, I introduced myself, "My name's Caiden." The girl looked at me once again. She wiped her eyes and with the best, serious expression she could muster up took my hand with hers.

"I'm Hermione Granger."

"Hermione..." I whispered to myself, coming out of my reverie. Those next 3 years were the best of my life; everyday I would meet her at the corner of the street of where she lived and walked with her to school. She would talk endlessly about all the books she'd read and wanted to read and I listened to her, getting more and more immersed in her every day. Every afternoon I met her at the entrance of her school and walked her back. On the weekends we would run around, or go to the beach or even the park. I really didn't care what I thought as long as she was there. Very soon she became the center of my world, my only friend and for a time I thought that was enough. But only a few days before she turned 12 she disappeared. I waited and waited. I thought I had done something wrong and she was ignoring me so I gave her time but when it got to the point where it was just ridiculous I broke into her house, climbing the tree and entering through her bedroom window, but she wasn't there. I couldn't begin to fathom what was so important that she packed up and left without so much as a goodbye to me. I mean really, it isn't that difficult. Sure, I would've probably thrown a fit and would've tried to coax her out of it even if it wasn't her decision. But at least that way I would've known what to expect, though the pain would've been the same. Afterwards, I got seriously depressed. I would barely eat and just sit and brood in whatever corner was close to me. That was when Stephanie found me, babbling away about her life and I found some semblance of normalcy again. But I was never the same...

"Caiden! Damn it, Caiden where are you?" I heard her shout before she came to view. She passed me by, looking in every direction but somehow failed to see me.

"I'm here, stop shouting," I told her, and she whirled around to face me, her expression frantic as she approached me. Then, she smacked me.

"Have you any idea how worried we've been? Natalie was beside herself when you neglected to answer your damn phone!" she yelled at me and I refused to meet her eyes. Steph really was an expert on getting pissed.

"I'm sorry," I offered, shrugging my shoulders, "It won't happen again." After a few seconds I heard her sigh and I glanced at her only to find her staring at me apologetically.

"This really has gone to far Caiden," she told me and I took a deep breath, "She's not in your life anymore because she chose to and now that you've managed to get it under control again are you simply going to let it go to the dogs because of a memory?" I don't know if she wanted me to answer but I stayed silent.

"It's not healthy for you," she continued, "living in the past." Something inside me snapped and I stared at her incredulously.
"Living in the past? You try dealing with this and you'll find it's not as easy as everyone thinks! Sure it's my past, sure I was still a kid but that doesn't make it any less real. I remember her! Everything about her! Do you think that's what I want? She's a memory but I still love her!" I finished breathless, tears stinging my eyes. I hung my head and leaned against the wall again. Steph took a step closer to me and made to touch my shoulder when a deafening CRACK! jolted us. Breathing heavily I watched as a cloaked figure with long, blond, almost white, hair came towards us with some kind of wooden stick clutched in its hand. He stopped halfway down the alley and stared at us. At first his expression was neutral but then a smirk played across its lips making my blood turn to ice. Beside me, Stephanie clutched my arm like a lifeline, clearly starting to get afraid. I was just about to talk, to excuse ourselves so we could get out of there when the stranger beat me to it.

"Ahh, we finally meet Potter. It's been such a travesty to hunt you down but I've finally fulfilled my task." His voice was cold and harsh almost making my heart stop beating. He glanced at Steph and shook his head sadly, "Pity, I hate it when there's collateral damage." I registered his words late, and he already had his hand raised, the one with the wooden stick and pointed at Stephanie.
"Avad-" He started but I cut him off. Raising my own hand in front of me, I mustered up all the strength I had.

"STOP!" I shouted at the top of my lungs, feeling a surge of power crash over me like a wave. A red beam of light shot from my fingertips and hit the man, sending him flying backwards until he hit the wall and fell, limp, to the floor.

"Run!" I told Steph, grabbing her hand and pulling her away from the mouth of the alley. We ran and ran, crossing streets, turning corners until we finally came upon a pharmacy about a block away from my flat. I had to stop for air and I took a moment to glance at Stephanie, who looked deathly pale in the moonlight.

"Are you alright?" I asked stupidly, gasping as I was still breathless and a little dizzy from the events that had transcurred recently. She managed to shake her head light, probably not trusting her voice when another CRACK scared the shit of me. This time, when I began to run I bumped straight into the chest of the man, and was preparing to throw him off us again when I looked up and saw this wasn't the same man of before. HIs eyes looked warm, adn when he smiled in triumph it didn't paralize me.

"Tonks!" he called happily, "I've found her." Unexpectedly, he took me in his arms and hugged me. Steph sucked in a breath, probably in surprise. When I backed away, I noticed a pink-haired woman standing behind him, also smiling. I began to feel weirded out.

"Uhh, excuse me," began Stephanie, finding her voice again, "but who are you? And who the hell was that man back there who looked like death?" The man chuckled.

"For starters, my name is Remus Lupin, member of the Order of the Phoenix and this is my wife Tonks," he gestured to the bizarre woman with the weird hair who kept staring at me.

"Order of the what? What the bloody hell is that?" she demanded, no longer feeling scared like before. Glancing at her, I noticed her defiant eyes boring into Lupin with clear intensity.

"All will be explained shortly, Stephanie Tasch," answered Tonks with a nod of her head. Steph and I were taken aback at the sudden knowledge that these people had.

"How soon is that?" she continued and I had to roll my eyes at her. She could be annoying if she wanted to. Lupin grabbed my arm and began walking, with me following silently behind. Tonks was bombarded by Steph's endless questions but I never heard a single answer. We continued to walk until we crossed a street and came upon a red public phone booth. I raised one eyebrow in question but all Lupin did was usher me inside with him behind.

"Tonks, take her home," Lupin said, gesturing to Stephanie and then closed the door behind him. I didn't have time to say goodbye because as quick as lighting Tonks grabbed Stephanie by the arm and while she was still talking, turned on the spot and vanished with another CRACK!

"What the hell is that?" I inquired, astonished. Lupin glanced at me briefly, "She Apparated." I still didn't understand the concept but he didn't offer any other explanation. He punched in a number and spoke very clearly into the phone.

"Remus Lupin, 2nd floor, Auror Department and visitor Caiden Potter." Almost instantly a card appeared in a slit by the corner of the phone and Lupin pinned it to my shirt. It read: Caiden Potter, visitor, in big bold black letter.

Then a woman's voice rang throughout the booth, "Welcome to the Ministry of Magic." And then we began to descend.