Disclaimer: Wishing on every star in the sky does not make it true... In other words, I do not own Harry Potter or any related material.
Words: 821 words before author's notes.
A/N: Please don't be mad. I kinda got sidetracked by school and then work and interning... I actually switched my major and then switched schools too. But I did not forget about this story or Unending Love. Speaking of which, that should also get an update today. A huge thank you to AnnaGuil for reviewing and making me get my butt into gear! Just one more note before I leave you guys with the story. This and the next chapter will probably be the last happy and/or fluffy chapters of this story. Sorry, but everything has to hit the fan at some point. See you all later!

Spring 1970

Two young women in Slytherin uniforms sat near the Black Lake. At their backs was an immense tree that hid them from view, not that there are many other students about. Few were out on the grounds due to the encroaching summer heat and the exams it signaled. The girls had escaped the confines of the near silent Slytherin common room, being careful to leave separately, and had found each other at what Maia had come to call their tree.

The brunette fifth year traced the lines on her girlfriend's palm, enjoying getting to sit and relax with her and not having to hide their relationship. The seventh year just continued to read her arithmacy book, glancing at Maia every so often. Eventually she put down her book and just relaxed, nearly dozing off in the near summer heat as she waited for her girlfriend to talk about what was bothering her. Eventually the fifth year stopped and just lightly held Bella's hand.

"What if my father doesn't approve?" she finally whispered.

They were planning to go to Maia's family home once the school year ended. The two had been hiding their relationship from their families since it began over a year ago and it had taken its toll on both of them. Since her mother had died, Maia and her father had become closer and keeping such a secret from him was difficult for her. The same was true for Bella with her sisters. She already knew her parents would not understand but she hoped that her sisters would see how happy they are together and understand.

Bella did not have an answer for her girlfriend and leaned her head against the fifth year's shoulder. She started drawing circles on the back of Maia's hand with her thumb.

"I think," she started quietly, "that he loves you and that if he doesn't understand, he will eventually. You're his daughter," she told Maia as she sat up and met her eyes. "He may not ever approve, but he'll understand that this is what you want."

Maia slowly nodded her head, reassured but still a bit fearful. "Okay," she whispered.

Bella gave her girlfriend a small smile before lightly pecking her on the lips. Maia grinned back. She raised her hand and carefully tucked one of Bella's perpetually errant curls behind her ear. Both jumped in surprise as they heard a gasp from a few feet away. So wrapped up in each other, they hadn't noticed the footsteps of an approaching student. Maia turned to the sound while Bella's eyes widened in recognition.

"Andy!"

Standing there with a look of shock on her face was the second oldest Black sister, Andromeda. She had come looking for her sister when she couldn't find her in the common room. She had begun wandering the grounds and had stumbled upon Bella sitting under a tree by the lake with Maia. That in and of itself was honestly not strange but then her sister had kissed the fifth year and all of Andy's thinking had gone out the window.

"Andy?" Bella questioned as her sister stood stalk still just staring at her and Maia. They had stood up and were now waiting for a response.

Andy's thoughts finally found their way back to her. "How long?" she asked quietly, staring at the fifth and seventh years' entwined hands blankly.

Bella looked Maia before answering. "A year and a half."

Andy looked at her sister uncomprehendingly for a moment more before looking down. "Why… why didn't you two say something?" she mumbled. She had thought the three of them were friends. They even knew about her and Ted.

Bella let go of Maia's hand and stepped close to her sister. "We, I thought," she started but let the sentence trail off with a sigh.

"We were scared," Maia spoke up from behind her girlfriend. Bella looked back and gave her a small smile.

Andy looked up. Her sister was right in front of her, smiling at her apparent girlfriend and looking happier than her sister could remember seeing her in the last few years. Behind her, Maia was bashfully smiling, something she almost never did except when Bella was nearby. Thinking about it now, Andy could see the signs. She didn't completely understand her sister and her friend's relationship, but she could see it made them happy. And that was enough.

Bella jumped when Andy threw her arms around her but quickly recovered and hugged her back. After a while, the sixth year let her sister go.

"I guess I'll see you two at dinner?" Andy asked.

"Yes, definitely," Bella said as her sister started walking back to the castle. "And Andy?" She waited until Andy turned back. "Thank you."

As Andy continued back to the castle, Maia approached Bella and gently entwined their fingers again. "I think things are going to work out."

oooOOOooo