Time To Act Happy ((anyone))

[Fiona O'Reilly S5]

Fiona stood in her empty dorm room. The other girls were already on their way to the Halloween Ball. Fiona on the other hand was still standing in front of the mirror. She didn't want to stay behind, but she wasn't in the mood to go. She had been thinking about her parents recently and she had heard from her uncle that they were going to sell a few items from her home. She had told them not to, but they needed the money. She knew they were angry at the fact that she had inherited all of her parents money while they didn't get a single penny. She hated them and she wished she could just kill them. She didn't want her dirty relatives to put their paws on her parents heirlooms and expensive property. Besides they were hers now, but her relatives hadn't listened. She would do something to them as soon as she got home. She would make sure they paid for their arrogance and stupidity. They would just have to wait and see.

Fiona sighed as she brushed a tear, that had fallen down her cheek, quickly from her face. She wasn't about to look weak especially in front of the mirror. She had enough of tears and heartache the last few months. She wasn't bound to let things get to her again. Fiona looked down at her outfit. It seemed to be a little wrinkled, but hardly noticeable. She had decided on one of her mother's dresses and jewelry. She decided she would be the most powerful witch in the world for Halloween. After all, she would reach that some day, so she decided she could start getting use to it now. Fiona looked at the black empire waist dress. It was made like the old dresses of the Renaissance era. The long sleeves fell to her mid calve and the black was set off with a dark green. It looked absolutely beautiful. Fiona had fallen in love with the dress the day she found it in her mother's closet. Her mum had always told her that she could have it when she was old enough. She had reached that age this summer. Her mum had given it to her about two weeks before she died. It had been a great day for Fiona. She immediately touched the black pearl that hung around her neck. Something else that had been her mothers. She shook her head as she smoothed her dress. It flowed out so nicely.

Fiona quickly pinned up her long red hair and stared at herself. She looked around her dorm room as she grabbed her wand. She would not let it leave her side ever. She stuffed it into a pocket in her sleeve that her mum had made for her own wand. She looked back at her reflection and then forced a smile. She looked good, but she knew that tonight would not be good. She had chosen to go stag, but deep down she had wanted to be asked to the ball. Fiona pulled on her 2 inch hills making herself an inch shorter than 6 ft. She turned from the mirror and headed out of her dorm room and out of the dungeons. She reached the opening near the Great Hall. She could hear the laughter and music coming from the hall. She took a deep breath. Fiona whispered to herself as she headed toward the Great Hall, "Time to act happy."

[Kennedy Valak S6]

Kennedy ran his hands through his black hair. Deciding that it was not going to get any better, he left it how it was and continued to get dressed. It was the night of the Halloween Ball, and Kennedy reluctantly prepared himself for the occasion. Lately, he had been feeling very depressed. He was in a stage of finding himself and figuring out who he really was. He hadn't had many close friends that he felt worth keeping, and often times he felt very alone. Sometimes it bothered him, but other times he felt that he only needed himself to survive and be happy. Tonight was one of those times where he just longed for someone else.

Putting on his slick black dress robe, he gazed in the mirror, admiring his appearance. He was a rather handsome teenager, but most people tended to overlook him. Tonight though, he felt confident that nobody could miss his dark mysterious look. With his black hair and black clothing, the metallic green thread used for the sewing of his robe stood out wonderfully, and it was the perfect accent.

Having finished getting ready, Kennedy tucked his wand into the front pocket of his robe and exited his dormitory. He walked toward the great hall and his stomach churned unpleasantly. Being Slytherin though, Kennedy knew that he had to look strong and arrogant, even if it was the last thing he was feeling inside. Just as he was about to enter the Great Hall, he spotted a witch, Fiona O'Reilly, whom he had known as a fellow fourth-year Slytherin. "Hello Fiona," Kennedy greeted casually. He studied her appearance and found that she was rather stunning in her dress. He didn't know Fiona that well, but knew it was only appropriate to acknowledge her. "You look magnificent," he added. Not wanting to look like he had come alone, Kennedy saw a chance to save Fiona and himself from any embarrassment, that is however if she was unaccompanied as well. Deciding he better ask, Kennedy spoke up. "Will you be attending the ball alone tonight?"

[Fiona O'Reilly S5]

Fiona turned behind her at the sound of a voice. She recognized the boy as Kennedy Valak, but she had never really talked with him. He was a fourth year Slytherin, but she couldn't remember when they had really talked or gotten to know each other. She figured they never had. She took a good look at him and his appearance wasn't too bad, though he seemed to walk a little funny. However, she remembered why. One of his legs was longer than the other. She remembered the talk that had arisen from the first encounter with him that most students had. They weren't very nice, but Fiona could care less. Appearances didn't really matter to her it was blood. Kennedy was a pureblood and that was all that mattered. He was of a good pureblood family and therefore he earned respect. She stopped her thoughts as she looked at his dress robes. They were rather nice. The metallic green really set off the robe and made it look really nice. She forced a smile through her sorrow and nodded toward him.

Kennedy was looking at Fiona and she felt a bit self conscious, but when she turned to face him fully he said she looked magnificent. Fiona smiled for real. "Thank you. You look good as well. That metallic green really sets off the black. No, I am not alone tonight, you will be accompanying me," Fiona said as she automatically wrapped her arm around his. She didn't want to be alone tonight and Kennedy had been the first to say something to her. She felt fearful quickly after she had wrapped her arm in his. She didn't think to ask him if he was accompanied by another girl tonight, but if he had been would he have said something to her? Fiona wasn't sure and that quickly changed her mind. She withdrew her arm. "Unless, you have someone you are here with," Fiona said. She wasn't sure if that was a good enough subtle apology, but she hoped he would take it and understand her attempt to not be alone. She needed to talk to someone about her fears, but she couldn't think of anyone to talk to other than Kennedy at the moment.

[Kennedy Valak S6]

Kennedy smiled as Fiona complemented on his appearance. He hoped she wasn't only saying this because he had first complemented her, but decided it didn't matter. As a Slytherin, he figured she wouldn't offer compliments freely, so he accepted her kindness. After he asked if she was alone, Fiona quickly replied and embraced Kennedy. A bit shocked, Kennedy listened as she informed him that he would be her accompaniment to the ball. Not upset at all, Kennedy was a bit speechless. This was unlike him, as his gift of speech was one of his most valuable characteristics in his opinion.

Then, Fiona pulled away and Kennedy realized she must have assumed he was going alone too. Since he was though, he quickly assure her that it was a grand idea that they should go together since he was thinking the same thing all along. With that, Kennedy held out his elbow as to escort Fiona into the Great Hall. He felt they made a nice pair as they were both dressed nicely for the occasion. Kennedy's grin shown from ear to ear as he waited for Fiona to link arms with him. Deep down, he couldn't help but think that he had found that someone- the someone he was looking for. The someone who he could rely on and get to know. He realized that time would only tell if his hunch would prove to be correct.

[Fiona O'Reilly S5]

Fiona smiled as Kennedy was alone. He held out his arm for her and she took it with ease. She was glad that Kennedy had also come alone, because now neither one of them were alone. They were going together. That saved her the embarrassment of having to walk into the ball by herself. She hadn't been asked to the ball and she didn't really care about that, but now she was glad that someone was with her. Most of her friends had already ended up at the ball. She just didn't want to walk into the Great Hall by herself, but now Kennedy was with her. She looked over at him and she couldn't help, but smile. He seemed to be a nice guy. She didn't know him well enough to know for sure, but she figured he was like most Slytherins and that was enough to make her want to go to the dance with him. If he was a pureblood he was more than worthy, but he was also kind to her which was enough for her to think he was a great guy. Fiona looked down at her feet as she felt her cheeks burn. She felt so happy, but at the same time sad. How can one person have two emotions at once? It was hard for her. She looked back up at Kennedy and smiled brightly. She wouldn't let her depression ruin her night.

[Kennedy Valak S6]

"Shall we?" Kennedy asked as he escorted Fiona into the Great Hall. The tables were already almost filled, save for a few spots here and there. He noticed that everyone was dressed nicely for the dance and a few people even showed up in masks as if it were a masquerade ball. Gazing at the Slytherin table, Kennedy spotted two empty seats, and he walked Fiona in that direction. He pulled out the one chair and motioned for her to sit down. Then, he had a seat himself as they joined a group of fellow Slytherins.

Since the rest of the group was talking among themselves, Kennedy figured he and Fiona could hold a conversation alone. At least this would give him a chance to get to know her better. When he looked at her, he couldn't help but notice a look of ambivalence. Part of her expression showed great joy, but Kennedy could see the sadness and hurt deep down in Fiona's eyes. "You look marvelous," he said once again, "but I can tell something is wrong," he added. "It's almost as if you don't want to be here," he observed. "If you don't want to be here with me, I perfectly understand. I wouldn't want to force anything on you." Kennedy gave a concerned look. He didn't understand what could possibly have Fiona so distraught, but he wanted to help in any way he could, especially if he were to befriend Fiona, he had to gain her trust.

Kennedy sat motionless, waiting for a response from Fiona. Knowing that something was wrong ate him up inside. He had so quickly developed a care for Fiona that he couldn't explain. Seeing her hurt almost made him hurt inside even more.

[Fiona O'Reilly S5]

Fiona let Kennedy escourt her to the Slytherin table in the Great Hall. The place was almost already full. Most of the tables had only a few open seats and the dance floor looked to be full too. It was quite interesting to see how many students there actually were at Hogwarts. Fiona of course didn't care for most of them. Most were half-breeds and mudbloods. None really had the superiority of pureblood, save for the Slytherins, but she was sure that there were a few half-breeds in Slytherin. The unpure blood was something Fiona couldn't really stand. She liked her superiority as a pureblood and was determined to show it to all. SHe was of the clan O'Reilly. The clan of old. She would walk with pride in her pureblood.

Kennedy escourted Fiona to the end of the SLytherin table to two lone seats at the end. Fiona was lost for words when he pulled out the chair for her to sit down in and then took his own seat when she sat down. She hid the redness that was coming to her cheeks. She couldn't imagine why he was doing this for her, but she was glad he was. She really was enjoying herself, though she didn't really feel like she should. Fiona bit back the tears from her eyes. What would her father say about this? What would her mother say? There was so much she needed to know. She wondered if they were happy now. If they were waiting for her. She shook her head of the morbid thoughts and forced a smile.

Fiona didn't bother hiding her blushing face when Kennedy told her she looked mavelous for the second time. She didn't know what to tell him. She may look marvelous but she didn't feel marvelous. Kennedy seemed to pick up on this and he said some things that made Fiona almost cry out. "No, it's not that," Fiona said quickly in a hushed voice. She didn't want him to leave. She didn't want to be alone. "It's just that...I'm a private person. I don't let others see my weaknesses or listen to my problems. I'm just not that type of person. I don't know what to tell you," Fiona sighed. She looked down at her hands and didn't move. SHe didn't want him to see her as weak. She was strong not weak. She kept repeating the thoughts in her head, but she didn't feel that the thoughts were working.

[Kennedy Valak S6]

Fiona quickly assured Kennedy that she did want to be there with him, and then she explained how she just wasn't one to go and tell all of her problems. Kennedy could see that she just didn't feel comfortable yet explaining everything to him. This didn't bother him, as he didn't expect Fiona to just pour out her heart. They barely knew each other, and she would be risking a lot to just open up to Kennedy so willingly. He gazed at her more intently, wishing he could only begin to understand what may be going on in that head of hers. Then he realized he was maybe just being nosy. If she didn't want to tell him, he would leave it it that.

In an attempt to get Fiona's mind off of whatever it was that was keeping her from enjoying herself completely, Kennedy decided he should ask her to dance. Most other students were on the dance floor by now, so he saw the opportunity to possibly make things better. "Well, what would you say about a dance?" he questioned kindly, not wanting Fiona to feel pressured. Kennedy wasn't really even a fan of dancing, but he figured he might be able to bring a smile to Fiona's depressed face. Kennedy looked at Fiona with a gentle smile, encouraging her to take his offer. He held out his hand, and prayed that she would take it.

[Fiona O'Reilly S5]

Fiona sighed. She didn't want Kennedy to think that she didn't want to be here, but she didn't really. She would have gone anywhere with him at any time, but this dance was almost too much to handle. She shouldn't have worn her mothers old clothes. She would never have done so if her mother hadn't wanted her to do it. Her mother was always telling her to use her clothes and to wear her nice things to the ball. Her mum had actually given her that dress long ago, but it was still something that had been her mothers, something that her mother had worn. Fiona wished she could just enjoy the fact that she was wearing the dress, but she couldn't. She couldn't enjoy the fact that her mum had given it to her. She had chosen the dress at the beginning of the night, but now she wished she had chosen something that hadn't given her too much memory of her parents. Fiona shook her head of the thoughts. She didn't want to worry about her parents right now. She was supposed to be having fun, supposed to be enjoying herself.

Fiona didn't have to worry too much out distracting herself from the thoughts of her parents. Kennedy seemed to want to distract her and he did so by asking her to dance. Fiona smiled. She wasn't that good of a dancer, but she would dance with Kennedy. For some reason she didn't mind looking like a fool in front of him. "I'd love to dance," Fiona smiled. She looked at Kennedy's kind face. He seemed to really want to make her feel better. That very thought was comforting and seemed to cheer her up a bit. Kennedy held out his hand for Fiona and she looked at it with caution, before ignoring her pressing thoughts and she gently took his hand so they could dance.

[Kennedy Valak S6]

Glad that Fiona took his hand, Kennedy led her to the dance floor. The song that was being played was coming to and end, and another was just beginning. This song was a lot slower that the previous. Kennedy was glad in a way because he was a lot better at slow dancing than he was with dancing to faster songs. However, slow dancing meant that he and Fiona would actually dance together. He didn't mind though. He thought Fiona was a very interesting person, but he hoped she wouldn't mind slow dancing with him. Seeing that the other couples around him were joined on the dance floor, Kennedy figured Fiona would not mind so he put his arms around her waist and started dancing. He leaned in and whispered in Fiona's ear, "You know you can trust me."

((OOC: Sorry it's so short, but I didn't want to do too much without your reaction first... for all I know, Fiona may not want to slow dance lol))

[Fiona O'Reilly S5]

Fiona hesitated when the music changed. Slow dancing. Sure she could dance better that way, because you didn't really move at all, but it was with Kennedy. She didn't know him that well. Sure she liked him already, but slow dancing seemed to her to be some kind of commitment and she didn't really want to take that commitment yet. Fiona sighed. She was always doing this. She was always trying to get out of things that she really needed. She needed to dance and especially tonight when her parents memory was so strong. Fiona looked at Kennedy. He seemed to want to dance and at this thought Kennedy took her by the waist and started dancing. Fiona resisted at first, but when he whispered in her ear, You can trust me, she just kind of let go of her fear. She hardly knew him, but there was something about him that made her want to trust him.

Fiona forced a smile. She hardly trusted anyone and to trust someone she hardly knew what something new to her. It was a bit awkward she thought as she looked at him. It's like she knew him already, like she always had, but she knew she had never met him before. Fiona swallowed hard, it was like her throat had closed. She wanted to talk to Kennedy, but something urged her not to. She looked away from Kennedy as they danced. "My parents are dead," Fiona said bluntly. She didn't want to beat around the bush and she didn't want to explain things again. Fiona held her emotions in check. She didn't let her sorrow show and she didn't let her tears fall. She was a strong woman and she would never let herself look so weak in front of the entire school. She looked back at Kennedy to see what his reaction was.

[Kennedy Valak S6]

Fiona seemed hesitant at first, but she eventually gave in to the idea of slow dancing with Kennedy. As they slowly danced to the music, Kennedy could almost feel pain resonating from Fiona. It was like a cloud of sorrow surrounded her. Kennedy was bound to find out what was wrong. He was just about to ask Fiona when she said something that made Kennedy's heart feel as if it had dropped into his lower abdomen. He knew it wasn't a pleasant thing for her parents to be dead, but he also knew it was common. Everybody dies. He wondered why Fiona would be sharing this with him. He thought for whatever reason, this must be what was causing Fiona so much pain.

Kennedy stopped dancing and he put his hands on Fiona's shoulders. He looked into her eyes and said the only thing he knew to say, "I'm sorry." Kennedy's mind was filled with thoughts. He didn't know how to react. He wanted to help Fiona so badly, but didn't know how to even begin. "Fiona I don't know what to say. I'm serious when I say I want to help. You can tell me anything." Kennedy's face was one of confusion and great concern. He didn't know why he cared so much about helping Fiona, he just did.

[Fiona O'Reilly S5]

Fiona was surprised when Kennedy stopped their dance and put his hands firmly on her shoulder. Fiona watched the look on Kennedy's face change drastically. It was almost like he truly cared, but Fiona didn't know why. She couldn't believe that anyone she just met would care that much about her. The look on his face almost brought her to tears, but she didn't, she couldn't, she wouldn't cry. She would not in front of this crowd. They seemed to all be staring at her anyway, as if they knew she was weak. Fiona shushed the thoughts in her head. She didn't need to feel judged at the moment on top of everything else she was feeling. She didn't need another emotion to bring her down. She was already so depressed that it was hard to enjoy anything, with adding in the feeling of being judged would just make her more upset.

Fiona listened to Kennedy as he said 'sorry' and that he want to help her. She shook her head. She didn't want to say anything about it. She didn't want to be there anymore. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have come," Fiona said as she went to leave. On one hand she felt like she had said too much already and should leave, but on the other, she wanted to stay and talk with Kennedy. She wanted to be here with him, but she didn't. She was so confused. She didn't know what to do or what to say. She was just so confused.

[Kennedy Valak S6]

Fiona's distress was completely evident now. Kennedy could tell she was torn inside, but with what, he didn't know. She said that she should go, and she was about to leave. Thinking quickly, Kennedy responded, "I'll come with you. Fiona you shouldn't be alone." Kennedy thought that maybe if he could talk to her, he would be able to get through and figure out what was causing her so much pain. He assumed it had to do with her parents' death, but he knew there was something more, something deeper to the whole situation. He just couldn't quite put his finger on it.

"Come on," he said, grabbing Fiona by the hand. "We are getting out of here and going somewhere where we can be alone. There is no need to have a crowd staring at us." He led Fiona by the hand out of the Great Hall and out of the castle. The air was warm and the sky was lit up with thousands of stars. Walking quickly, Kennedy followed the path to the courtyard and found a bench beside a fountain. He sat Fiona down and looked at her again. "Spill it," he commanded. "We are not leaving here until you tell me what is wrong. I can help you Fiona. Whatever is causing you so much pain you just have to tell me and I will be here for you!" Kennedy paused for a moment, thinking of how he could get her to understand that he meant it. He meant every word he said. He was going to help her because he could tell she needed someone. She needed somebody to be there for her, and Kennedy knew he was going to be that person for her whether she liked it or not.

[Fiona O'Reilly S5]

Fiona was surprised when she felt Kennedy's hand on hers. He was talking about going with her and with that he pulled her after him. Fiona looked around her as they left. People were staring, but Fiona didn't care. She didn't care if she looked like an idiot or completely insane. The only thing she cared about at that moment was Kennedy. Why did he care so much about her? Why was he willing to sacrifice everything just to make sure she was all right? Fiona didn't understand. Kennedy pulled her outside and to the courtyard. She looked around them as he sat her down on a bench. Fiona looked up at him in surprise. He told her to spill it and that he would help her. She looked down at her hands. She didn't know what to say. She couldn't believe that he wanted to help her so badly. How could someone care for her that much? A tear slid down her cheek and she brushed it away with her hand quickly. She didn't need tears right then. She didn't need them any time.

After what seemed like forever, Fiona finally looked at Kennedy. "My parents...They died in August, not long before school started up again. I watched them die. I stood helpless as I watched them die! Everyday since then I've seen their faces in my dreams and in my waking hours. I watch them die every minute of every day, knowing that the reason that they're dead is because of me. Knowing that my mother wouldn't have killed my father if we hadn't been fighting again. My mother would never have jumped off that cliff if she hadn't killed my father. It's my fault! It's always been my fault. There is nothing I can do about it now! I'm cursed. Everyone always gets hurt around me. You should go before you get hurt too! I don't want to see you get hurt. I don't know why, but I want you to be save and you can't be around me," Fiona said. She was crying now. She couldn't hold back the tears. She pushed Kennedy away from her. She didn't want to hurt him, but she felt that he would get hurt. It always went that way. As soon as someone knew the truth about her they were hurt in some fashion. She didn't want that now or ever. There was something about Kennedy that made her want to protect him and she knew this wasn't the way. She could not protect him so she had to get him away from her before he got hurt.

"Go now before you get hurt!" Fiona cried. Her face was streaked with her tears. She couldn't do anything to stop them. She stood, but her legs were too weak and she sank to the ground. There she was on the ground in her dress. Her knees were too shaky to work and her hands were covering her face as she knelled in a ball. Her cries had turned to screams. The night of her parents death flashed in her mind. Her father about to use an unforgivable curse on her, a flash of green light, her father dead, and her mother. Fiona remembered the reaction of her mother just before she ran herself off the cliff next to their home. Their faces. Their dead faces. Fiona rocked back and forth as she cried and screamed. She didn't want to see their faces anymore, but she saw them. She saw their dead pale faces. Their funeral. Her father's and mother's bodies had been turned to ash within an hour of their deaths. It had been written in their wills. It was like their bodies had been examined and poof they were dusted. Fiona cried harder. She had dumped their ashes in the ocean behind their house. That was the last time she had been to that house. The day they died had been the day of their funeral. Now they were gone forever. These thoughts tore Fiona up. She didn't hear, see, or feel anything but the pain from the day that they had died.

[Kennedy Valak S6]

Kennedy was stunned as Fiona hysterically told of her parents death. He felt so bad for her. He didn't mean to make her relive what was most likely her worst nightmare come true. Kennedy couldn't even begin to imagine how hard it must have been and how much pain Fiona was suffering. He own father about to kill her. Her own mother killing her father and then committing suicide. It was all so horrible. Nobody should have to go through that- nobody.

Kennedy was going to try to comfort Fiona when she told him to just leave. She explained that he was only setting himself up to get hurt, and that was not what she wanted. He didn't care though. He was already involved, and there was no way he was going to back out now. Fiona was his friend and he was going to help her through this difficult time. After all, isn't that what friends are for, he thought. He paused for a moment and collected his thoughts. By this time, Fiona was crying loudly, and he looked around to make sure that she wasn't drawing any unwanted attention. That was the last thing she needed now- someone who didn't know what was going on to come and try help. Kennedy stopped. Maybe that's what he was. He didn't even consider that maybe Fiona didn't want his help. After all, she didn't know him that well. They had never had a full conversation before until now. He sat and thought hard about what was going on. His head hurt from analyzing the situation so much.

Maybe I shouldn't have even got involved, he thought, thinking back to the entrance of the Great Hall where is interaction with Fiona first started. Then he dismissed the idea. Fiona needed somebody, and he was the only one who she had right now. He couldn't give up on her now, no matter how hard it seemed.

Kennedy knelt down and put his hand on Fiona's quivering shoulder. She felt so cold. Between her sobs, Kennedy just sat there and patted her back in an attempt to comfort her. He didn't know what to say. He figured just being there for her was the best he could do. He was speechless. He never had to deal with a situation like this, and he didn't even know where to begin.

[Fiona O'Reilly S5]

Fiona didn't feel Kennedy's hand as he began to pat her back. Fiona didn't know how to control herself at the moment and so her sobs and screams increased. She didn't care whose attention she drew. She didn't care if someone thought she was being attacked. She didn't care about anything right then. She just wanted to dwell in her own self-pity. She wanted to be caught up in her own wounds. She could feel the pain of her heart breaking. It was a horrible feeling, like your soul was being sucked out, almost like the kiss of a dementor. Fiona couldn't stop the pain and she couldn't stop her memories from flashing in her head. She could only see their dead faces, their faces.

Fiona ripped open her eyes. She didn't want to see their faces. She didn't want to hear their screams anymore. She looked up and was met with shock. There was a man standing just outside the courtyard. His face. Fiona sat up, but in that moment he was gone, "Da!" Fiona exclaimed at the man's disappearance. She could have sworn she had seen him. He wasn't dead! However, in the next second Fiona remembered the pale, dead face of her father. He was dead and he always would be. There was no one and nothing that could bring him back now. He was gone forever. Fiona shook her head. She didn't want the tears. She had finally stopping sobbing and screaming. She could feel someone. It was here that she remembered Kennedy.

Fiona turned quickly and looked at Kennedy. She felt so embarrassed. She could only think of one other person who had seen her cry and it wasn't to the degree that this was. She looked down at her hands. "I'm sorry. I'm so embarrassed. Please, don't tell anyone you've seen me like this. I can't believe how weak I am," Fiona said as she shook her head. She couldn't believe that she had cried in front of someone she hardly knew. Fiona looked back up to where she had seen the man. He wasn't there. She had to have been seeing things. He was never there. Fiona couldn't believe that she was being so naive. She thought she was a stronger person than this. She was obviously wrong. She was a weak 14 year old almost 15 year old. She would never be as strong as her father had been. Fiona continued to look down at her hands as she waited for Kennedy to answer her.

[Kennedy Valak S6]

Watching Fiona closely, Kennedy noticed that she barely acknowledged his presence. She almost seemed to be in a different world of her own. Her cries continued, breaking the silence of the night. Kennedy noticed Fiona look up and mutter something that sounded quite like 'dad.' The whole time, his hand never left her shoulder.

Eventually, Fiona stopped crying, as she looked up at Kennedy. Her facial expression almost resembled a look of surprise to see Kennedy at her side. Then she asked him to keep her so called weakness a secret. Kennedy didn't think she was weak however. He figured that it was normal to feel the way she felt after such a horrific experience. He would never have told anybody else about Fiona's crying, and he assured her of this. "Fiona I won't say a word," he whispered. "I told you, you can trust me."

Kennedy looked at her, and hoped she wouldn't continue crying again though. It wasn't that he minded her tears, but he wanted to be able to talk to Fiona and in some way try his best to get her to realize that the best way to cope in this situation would be to try hard to forget about it as much as possible. She needed to get her mind off of the event, and focus on putting it behind her. Sure it would be impossible to forget, but Kennedy knew that getting her mind on something else would at least help temporarily, or until he was able to think of some other way to help Fiona.

"Hey," he said, putting a smile on his face. "I know that you must be devastated, but is dwelling on the past really going to make things better?" He tried to sound as sincere as he could, knowing that if Fiona took him the wrong way, it could easily sound as if he was being inconsiderate. "I know it's probably the hardest thing you've ever experienced, but I know you are a strong girl Fiona. I can just see it in you. Would your parents want you to waste your life away crying over them? I'm sure that they wouldn't." Kennedy stopped, hoping that what he was saying would actually prove helpful. He was often good with words, but he had never been put in a situation like this where his words needed to be the exact thing that Fiona needed to hear.

"Look," he continued. "Just know that I am here for you. I am here if you need someone to talk to. I am here if you just need a shoulder to cry on. I am here if you simply want a friend's advice. Plain and simple Fiona, I will be here for you when you need me. Don't ask me why I'm doing this," he added. "I really don't even know myself. I know that we barely know each other, but I guess to me that shouldn't matter. You need somebody and I am willing to be that someone you can turn to. I guess I'm just doing what I would want done to me if the roles were switched." He gave her a friendly smile and hoped that she accepted everything he was saying.

[Fiona O'Reilly S5]

Fiona sat with tear stained cheeks, waiting in dread for Kennedy's response. She didn't know if he would tell anyone about this, but she knew that if he did her reputation would be ruined and she would shame her family. She would fail to make her father proud. It would crush her more than she had ever done before. It would probably kill her if that happened, for her soul was almost dead as it was and she hadn't even shamed them yet. Fiona bit her lip as she started rubbing the tears off her cheeks. Kennedy's response brought her faith in human nature back. He said he would never tell anyone. She wouldn't have to worry about her father's shame. Even if he was dead she wouldn't shame him. She was tired of bringing him shame and now she was finally sure that she could spare him that shame.

Fiona studied Kennedy's face. He seemed worried about something. Fiona realized that he was probably wondering if she was going to start crying again. No she was pretty sure she wasn't going to start crying again. Her tears were pretty dry by now, after all that crying she had already done. Fiona figured she had shone enough weakness for one night. She kept rubbing her eyes to dry them. She didn't want the tears to stream down again. Fiona sighed. Of all the first impressions she could have made and this one was it. She was surprised that Kennedy was still about. Most men would have taken off within the first few seconds of her endless tears. However, Kennedy had stayed during the entire time. Fiona fought off the feeling that had started to rise in her. Why would he stay?

Fiona's thoughts were interrupted by Kennedy's voice. His words stung at first. 'Dwelling on the past'? Fiona thought to herself. How could she not? It had happened only about two months ago. Kennedy had probably never lost his parents. They were probably as healthy as ever, while hers, well hers had their ashes spread out in the ocean behind her castle. Fiona shook the thoughts from her head, they were definitely not going to help her feel better. Fiona was going to interject to Kennedy's thoughts, but he continued to speak. It was here when Fiona realized that Kennedy had a good point. Her parents definitely wouldn't want her to waste her life crying over their deaths. If anything they thought it was a weakness that would destroy her. They would want her to be strong and sturdy so she could help defeat the muggle loving idiots. If they found her still mourning their deaths they would probably haunt her for the rest of her life, though the thought was appealing, she still didn't want that. She wanted to be with them in the end, not here and not now.

Fiona kept silent as Kennedy talked. She didn't want to interrupt him at the moment. She wanted to listen to his words of wisdom. He wanted to help her so bad and she could tell that. He wanted to be her shoulder to cry on. A tear slid down her face, but it wasn't a tear of sadness. It was a tear of joy. She hadn't been this happy in a long time, but to find out that someone was willing to be there for her no matter what was something of great joy. She brushed the tear away. "Don't worry, I'm not crying because of my parents, I've just never had anyone want to help me so bad. I don't know what to say Kennedy. I've never been able to rely on anyone and yet you are showing me that I can do that with you. I don't know why we've met each other, but I feel that it's supposed to happen. Maybe fate is on our side," Fiona whispered. Things were now starting to make sense.

Fiona stood from the ground and began to pace. Her mind was starting to realize what needed to be done. She wasn't crazy, what she had seen had to have been real, but how? It wasn't like someone could actually have been there, maybe it was someone that looked like him. The wheels in Fiona's brain started to move fast as she paced quickly. She finally stopped and looked straight at Kennedy. "Why did you stay with me? You could have left as soon as I started crying, but you stayed. Why? I don't understand. You want to help, but why here and why now? Was there something that drew you to me at this hour and moment?" Fiona started rattling off questions. She wasn't sure why he was there and things were starting to get weird. One of the weird things was Fiona's emotions. They seemed to be changing so quickly at the moment, but there were so many things she needed to think about and she felt that if she didn't consider them now then she would forget them later. It was like this would be the only time for her to remember them.

Fiona paused and looked at Kennedy intently. He was so curious. He made Fiona completely insane in some ways. She was so curious about him that she could hardly stand it, but at the same time she didn't want to know too much about him. She felt safer when she didn't know people so well, because that usually meant they didn't really know her. She liked hiding herself from others. It kept her from getting hurt, but for some reason she felt like she could talk to him. There was just something about him. She shook her head. "I don't know why I'm telling you all this. I don't talk to very many people, yet you are different. I mean I want to tell you things that I've never told anyone. I don't know why though. It's like we've always been good friends. Like I know you better than I know myself. Does that even make sense?" Fiona asked as she looked into his eyes. She wanted to understand. She wanted to know why they were so connected, so she waited to see if he had any answer.

[Kennedy Valak S6]

"I don't know," Kennedy said simply. "I don't know Fiona, I just don't know," he repeated. It was true. Kennedy couldn't explain what made him want to help Fiona. He just did.

He thought about it more, and realized he was just lying to himself. He knew why he was doing it, but he couldn't bear tell Fiona. "You know Fiona," he continued, "I think that in some ways, I see myself in you. I see that you seem to need somebody to be there for you. Especially since your parents died. In the same way, sometimes I just feel like I need somebody too. As much as I try to convince myself that I don't need anybody and that I can make it on my own, there are times when I see how wrong I am." He stopped and looked at Fiona. He wasn't sure if he was making any sense, but he looked back down and kept talking. "So I guess in a way, I felt that maybe by being there for you, I was finding the someone that I needed. I thought maybe you would be the someone to be there for me when I needed that someone." He stopped again and waited a few seconds before continuing.

"I am so selfish," he blurted. "Fiona I'm sorry. I really do apologize. I didn't mean to use you like this. I should have never thought what I was thinking. Your parents are dead, and all I can think about is me and how bad I feel when you are going through something so much worse. I should go," he said, standing up and turning away. He couldn't look at Fiona. "I've already hurt you enough. There is no need for me to stay and just hurt you more. You don't deserve it Fiona," he said, his back still turned. Gathering enough courage to face her again, he turned once more to look Fiona in the eyes and he muttered the words one more time, "... I'm sorry."