Chapter 6
Harry's been receiving the short end of the stick ever since the whole Goblet of Fire incident took place. Students left and right either mock him which no surprise are handful of the Slytherins and a cluster of the Hufflepuffs, or stare him down as if he had anything to do with this. Worst of all, his best friend, Ron completely cut him off. Except for Hermione who is trying to ease the animosity between the two with no success.
Aoife spotted him by the lake one day when potting flowers for the garden. Alone and without Hermione. "Harry!" she waved on over to the boy.
Wish there was one thing she can do to make at feel a tiny bit better. Maybe there is one thing she can do.
"Aoife," he replied as he approached.
"You're not with Hermione?" she stood up.
Harry exhaled heavily. "Just between you and me, I'm kind of getting bored of the constant library trips. Not much jokes, laughter or even Quidditch when hanging with her." Realizing what was just uttered, he quickly added. "Don't tell her I said that. I know she's trying to help."
Harry misses his best friend. However, Ron being stubborn as a mule, letting his emotions get the best of him refuses to even have a sit-down conversation. "Don't worry," said Aoife. "It's in the vault."
Harry sighed in relief this time. "Thanks, Aoife. Means a lot."
When he noticed the dirt smeared all over her hands. "So what were you doing anyway."
Aoife eyed her soil filled hands. "Just gardening. Want to help? It may help take your mind off of things."
Harry shrugged. "Why not?"
"Great!" Aoife beamed as they crouched down at the ground level garden. "It may not be as exhilarating as Quidditch, but -"
"No, it's fine," Harry assured while getting started on one of the baby plants.
Aoife smiled at little. "Whenever I feel down, my dad would tell me terrible jokes to make me in better spirits."
"How terrible?" a curious Harry asked.
The smile Aoife adorned now turned to a grin. "Why did the chicken held a seance? To get to the other side."
Harry snickered. "Okay, that is terrible."
"Hmm," Aoife shrugged. "Feel better at least?"
Harry slumped his shoulders back. Possibly thinking of what to say. "A little, I guess."
Now it seemed like it was Aoife's turn to think of what to say next. More importantly, how to say it. "I can talk to him for you."
"No, don't," Harry protested. "If even Hermione can't get it into his head, then nobody else can."
Aoife sighed at the mere sentence. If that's the case then Ron might as well have to figure it out on his own. How long will that take him? Only Merlin knows the answer.
~~~
Despite Harry's protest, Aoife went over to speak with Ron. Hermione is at her wits end over the animosity between the two. Her attempts haven't worked at the slightest. If anything, it made the matter even worse. Quite honestly, she's done completely with the whole ordeal. The First Task right around the corner, this is the last thing the tight knit trio needs.
She was able to spot Ron in the open corridors, sitting on one of the benches. Ginny was with him. Thankfully.
"Hey, Ron?" Aoife began. "Mind if I have a word?"
Ron looked at Ginny. "Can you go?"
Ginny put her hands on her hips. "It's a free country." Indicating the obvious that little sister isn't going anywhere.
"She can stay," said Aoife to which earned a smug grin from the youngest Weasley sibling. The grin matching Fred and George's no doubt.
Ron sighed in defeat. "What is it?"
This is a sensitive topic for Ron so, Aoife will try to be as tactful as she honestly can. "Look, Ron. Harry misses you and most of the time he's moping around wishing you are by his side. And if I may be bold, you're being totally pigheaded right now."
Ron's mouth parted slightly at Aoife's "boldness". Usually she's so soft with no insults or bluntness to throw. Even if the other person is being an arse. Ginny on the other hand, her smug grin grew into a more satisfied smirk.
"Do you honestly think Harry would be dumb enough to pull something like this?" added Ginny. "And more importantly, do you think an older student would willingly put a younger student's name for them? Even Fred and George wouldn't pull that crap."
Ron slapped his forehead. "All right! I'll talk to him. But I don't think he wants to talk to me after how I acted."
"See? This is the problem," Ginny poked his chest. "If neither of you make the first move, this will be a long damn year."
The redheaded boy grumbled at his younger sister's words. "Okay, okay, I'll be the first one to make the initiative." Then he turned to Aoife: "Can you give me any pointers on how I can go on about this."
Aoife gave him a reassuring smile. "Of course I will, Ron. You need Harry as much as he needs you."
***
Aoife not too soon after learned to ignore or in this case, not let Andrew's behavior get to her. Not that it upset her, just perplexed. That's all. Though their encounters currently are extremely limited as of this current time being. Her main concern for now is still learning to adjust to a new place and the possible new job. Learning to adapt to her new normal that she'll eventually grow use to.
Summer here is quite quaint and pleasant. Though it's possible for some places to still be on the cooler side early on in the supposed hot season. Aoife closed her eyes as she felt the sun's warm rays shining down. Tugging onto her cloak made the sensation even better as feeling a gentle breeze. When was the last time has she ever felt this moment of content and serenity? In some sense, this solitude made her at ease.
"Beautiful isn't it?" said Hazel. "While it doesn't get as hot around here, though on some occasion, it's still a treat."
Aoife nodded in agreement. "I can say same for back ... home." The word alone now somehow felt foreign in her tongue.
"Huh, I can imagine," Hazel commented. Not noticing her companion's change in mood.
"Wait for me, ladies," joined in Magaly who was hurrying on over to catch up with the other two witches.
Hazel and Aoife waited for the witch whose usual plaited black hair let down, cascading down past the shoulders. The same can also go for Hazel. Her usual dark hair also let down looked lighter in the sun's cast.
"Just finished helping Andrew out with the upcoming field day for the younger children," Magaly continued as all three witches resumed their walk.
Hazel made a face. "I don't think it's a good idea to mention him in front of Aoife."
By now it's well obvious Andrew's thoughts are on Aoife. Though no one can exactly pinpoint what those thoughts are. He wasn't by any means horrid towards her. Rather avoidant. Guess they'll never know. Maybe with time the reason will come out. Though for some reason Aoife couldn't bring herself to confront him herself on what his issue is. She always hated confrontation. The last confrontation as it could be called she had with a certain somebody is no exception.
"No, it's fine. Really," Aoife assured. "I don't think we're destined to become friends anyway."
For some reason the sentence stung Aoife. Not sure why. Possible it's only nerves feeding onto her mind.
"Nonsense," Hazel waved off. "He'll come around, and he really is a good guy. Just give Andrew a chance, and he'll come around in no time."
Aoife can only wonder. Then again, she can't fully decide on his character based the interactions they had. Especially when a word isn't even exchanged between the two. Maybe a courtesy nod on his end and the added lack of eye contact. It just wouldn't fair. For now a polite distance seems fair. But she is willing to give him a chance. Thankfully, Aoife found a new distraction from the coos of mourning doves who decided roam the spot near the witches. Probably in search of food. As they peck on the soiled ground.
"They always sound like they're crying, don't they?" said Magaly.
"Well, I think it's more like singing," Hazel replied. "But a sad one at that."
As Aoife listened in on the sisters' debate about the birds, her mind got distracted by another voice that seemed so only she has heard.
"Aoife," his voice blended into the wind.
She looked behind her shoulder. Nothing, but the wide open space. Remembering the time when the two spotted mourning doves up on the Astronomy Tower. He stared imitating their sound horribly just in return for him get pooped on by one of the birds who idly flew by. Aoife couldn't help but to laugh slowly backing away as he stared back at her in mock horror, but then started playfully chasing her around. Only, that moment is now seemingly distant as the sea.
"Has an unpleasant memory came to mind?" Hazel broke her thoughts.
"No," Aoife shook her head. More so shooing the memory away from her head. "Not unpleasant ... Rather something else. Other than that, I'm fine."
"Well, good," Hazel smiled. Magaly followed suit.
The three witches continued on their path. No more discussion of it. Aoife was grateful for that.
"Aoife," she heard his voice call her name again.
As hard as it may seemed to be, Aoife ignored it to her best ability. Maybe it will get easier. After all, the muggle saying goes. 'It's just the wind.'