Chapter 9
Over the next week George had sought Aine out every chance he could. He would wake up early to sit with her at breakfast, walk her in between classes and walk her to dinner after her greenhouse shift. In those brief moments they spent together he would sneak a peck in or hold her hand causing her to smile uncontrollably. Aine had eventually figured out that he had been skipping classes and lectured him into going. George teased that it meant he wouldn’t be able to escort her everywhere which just resulte in a eyeroll from her.
Currently walking in a daze, George Weasley found himself heading to history of magic. His thoughts were interrupted by a harsh pull on his shoulder causing him to do a 180.
“Weasley.” Connell stated his face emotionless but his eyes held irritation
“You know for us being in the same house you are a slippery bastard” he continued.
That was true, avoiding Connell was easy enough especially since he knew he was safe during practice knowing Oliver would throw a fit if confrontation happened there.
George sighed and stood taller he knew this was gonna happen eventually so he might as well get it over with.
Connell Murphy was very similar to his father in a way. Quiet, stoic and seemed to only bend to people he cares about. It was how he could deal with Oliver’s antic, he was his best friend. It was why when his mother asked him to keep an extra eye on Aine this year he promised he would. Connell Murphy although quiet was also a good listener and approachable to some younger Gryffindors.
He doesn’t remember when it started exactly, maybe after Aine was petrified it seemed like younger students would come to him for some sort of guidance. The first was Neville Longbottom who he had encouraged to work in the greenhouses after he felt like he was failing as a wizard.
‘Sometimes a more hands on approach is needed, maybe it will help you view things differently’
Then it was Katie Bell who had asked him for help when she was struggling in quidditch, feeling pressure from Oliver.
‘Oliver is just a pushy lad is you push back and work hard he won’t be so aggressive’
Finally there was Angelina Johnson, he had walked into the common room after being unable to sleep himself and had caught her crying. Even though he didn’t say much she ended up explaining her relationship with Fred Weasley and how she had saw him snogging some ravenclaw girl in the year above them. The affairs of love weren’t his speciality but he comforted her because she needed someone to listen and he missed Aine at the time
Connell has seen Angelina cry too many times over Fred. If Fred could make someone strong like Angelina cry, he could only imagine how much pain the other one would cause his sweet sister.
Staring down at the twin in front of him, Connell sucked his teeth and let out a heavy breath.
“You already know what I’m gonna say-“ He started.
“I don’t think I do actually” George responded in a coy tone
“Right well it’s not to discuss strategy. So don’t be a prat” Connell hissed at him. Georges eyes widened, Connell was usually so level headed.
“Look- I know you and your brother like having a laugh now and then. But I don’t appreciate you taking the mick outta Aine.” Connell eyed George continuing his rant.
“Taking the mick?” George questioned his face twistin in annoyance.
“Yeah she’s nice and she doesn’t need someone like you messing with her head.” Connell replied
“Who’s says I’m messing with her head?” George asked stepping closer to Connell.
“No one needs to say it I’m not stupid. I know about your reputation, I know about Angelina” Connell spat
“Wrong twin. I’m not Fred” George replied rolling his eyes
“Do you think I’m just gonna let you hurt Aine? She is still recovering from last year. she’s fragile ” Connell snapped crossing his arms.
“I think that our relationship isn’t your business, you’re not the boss of her. I also think you’re a prat for assuming I would do something like that-“ George began getting quite annoyed
“Relationship?” Connell laughed at him.
George wanted to hit him
“I really like her, a lot and I wouldn’t do that” George clenched his fist and stared up at Connell with angry eyes.
Connell gave a bored look back, of course he didn’t believe him. He was thinking about what next to say when Oliver wood rounded the corner of the hallway.
“Oh hey Con! and hi George” Oliver greeted walking in between the 2 teammates.
‘Merlin bless the oblivious Oliver wood’ George thought as Connell took a step back but still glaring at George.
“Hi Ollie” Connell muttered not breaking eye contact.
“Well come on, you said you’d help me with the team research” Oliver smiled at Connell.
“Right, go ahead I’ll catch up in a second” Connell instructed and Oliver started up the hall.
“I do have a class you’re making me late for right” George sassed even though he didn’t care about class.
“Well let me tell you this Weasley. When the day Aine comes crying about you, that’s the day you’re dead and I promise that” Connell turned around and caught up with Oliver leaving George in his thoughts.
As they walked Connell listened to Oliver chatter on about his day. He began to feel less annoyed, Oliver threw his arm over his shoulder while laughing at his own joke.
In that moment Connell remembered that he really knows nothing about love.
-
Aine, Corrine and Jameson stood in front of the shrieking shack waiting for any sign of life.
“Is it like a haunted house?” Aine asked staring across the field.
“It’s like cursed apparently the locals say someone died here screaming” Jameson responded as Aine pouted.
‘That’s sad’
“I know it’s not very impressive but it’s part of the itinerary for today! everyone’s gone here at least once!” Corrine explained as she held up her parchment with this mornings activities.
“No, it’s very creepy. I like it can we go in?” Aine asked hoping Corrine didn’t feel dejected, she knew that she worked hard on it.
Jameson and Corrine laughed at the idea
“are you mad? if students went in they wouldn’t come out” James nudged Aine causing her to giggle.
“Okay! Next is Madam Puddifoots.. Aine you’ll love it! the pastries are so good.” Corrine sang out as she grabbed her hand and dragged her away from the shack.
“after we have a bit of tea, we can goto the bookstore and then the quill store-“ Corrine continued
“What about the 3 broomsticks? And Honeydukes ?” Jameson asked trailing behind with his hands in his pocket.
“If we follow my schedule and there’s no humor error we can do everything before 1” Corrine replied shrugging her shoulders . Aine gave Jameson an amused look, Corrine really liked things to go her way.
Upon arriving to Madam Puddifoots, Corrine clapped her hands in joy noticing it was slightly empty since it was early.
“Oi! Roberts let’s chat for a minute” a voice called out causing all 3 of them to turn, it was Theodore Nott with a group of several other Slytherin boys.
“I’ll be in just get us a table” Jameson rolled his eyes as he walked over to his housemates. Corrine was already dragging Aine inside, she also did not like to interact with Jameson other friends.
Going over the menu, Aine found that Corrine was right this was a really cute place and she wondered when George takes her out officially if her would take her here.
“- so I’ll get the rose tea and you get the peach so we can try each other’s. James already agreed to get the hibiscus lemonade and we can share the small cake platter! You like blueberries right?” Corrine rattled on and Aine smiled at her. She was used to Corrine antic, some other students didn’t liked being paired up with her claiming she was bossy but Aine just thought it was funny and went along with her.
“I’m not the biggest fan it depends-“ Aine has replied as Jameson plopped down into the third chair letting out a deep sigh.
“Sorry girls, the lads just needed some advice” he explained not even bothering to pick up the menu since he was already briefed on his order.
“Honestly James-“ Corrine was starting to rant about his friends again but was cut off by a waitress coming to take their order.
Jameson and Corrine looked at Aine when the waitress asked for their order ans she repressed a giggle.
“Can we please have a rose tea, a hibiscus lemonade, an peach tea and the small cake platter” Aine beamed at the waitress, while Corrine gave a thumbs up happy she repeated the order correctly.
“James will take the blueberries “ Corrine stared as they waited for their order.
Later when they exited the bookstore, Aine noticed Connell and Oliver walking out of the 3 broomstick.
“Connell! How are you mate?” Jameson greeted excitedly.
“Hello kiddies, are you still on schedule?” Connell asked with an amused tone as Corrine rolled her eyes.
‘He doesn’t understand me’ Corrine thought
“We are~ I’m having so much fun” Aine responded rubbing Corrine's arm.
“What’s next?” Oliver asked
“Honeydukes” Corrine answered
“We can walk you guy we are heading in that direction”
Nearing Honeydukes Aine noticed George, Fred and Lee play fighting in front of a store called Zonkos. As he flicked his eyes over to her he pushed Fred on the ground and gave her an eager wave. She giggled and waved back, holding back another laugh and Fred body slammed into George in retaliation.
Entering Koneydukes the group split up, Aine looked through the aisles of licorice wands, Bernie beans and chocolate frogs filling her basket up
“Eat all the sugar and your teeth will fall out” a voice whispered in her ear from behind her.
“Lucky for me I got a real good dentist” she smiled turning toward George
“dentist? What’s that?” He askes snaking his arms around her waist
“Its like a teeth-healer” Aine explained as best as she could.
“Alright, am I still gonna see you later? When do you start work?” He asked pulling her closer. He wanted to kiss her but he did promise that he wouldn’t go crazy with PSA
“In about an hour.. after this we are going to the 3 broomsticks then I’m going straight there.” She replied slipping put of his grip and continuing her shopping
He nods, following behind her as she kept placing products into her basket. He noticed Connell throw him a dirty look which irritated him but he focused back on Aine and gently held her hand.
“Yes George?” She teased holding his hand back
“Just grabbing something sweet” he flirted at her. Aine pulled her hand away and covered her mouth as if to suppress a squeal, George liked making her flushed.
“Shut up you.” She mumbled joining hands again. Looking out towards the window he could see Lee wildly gesturing to him and realized it was time for him to go. He tugged her into him, causing he to roll her eyes.
“See you in an hour” he murmured to her looking at her face fully.
“See you in an hour..” she replied dreamalily, separating entirely.
-
Aine sighed as she entered the greenhouse tossing her bag of sweets onto a table and then unzipping her jacket. She had worn leggings and a tank top underneath it, she knew once she got back in the castle she would have to warm up quickly.
Rounding the corner she grabbed the clipboard off the wall, began her task and sighed once again feeling the fun immature side of her leave and her mature hardworking side enter. She wanted to finish atleast most of the work before George inevitably distracted her.
As she began working she thought about the conversation they had mid week. It was right before potions again and George had found her.
“Hello you” Aine mumbled as she was pulled into the broom closet again.
“Hi love” George replied as he ducked down to kiss her quickly.
“George- I neee to talk to you” she replied dodging his kiss.
“What’s wrong?” He asked.
“It’s not that I don’t enjoy kissing you.. it’s just I would rather take thing slower. I mean we’ve kissed so much and we haven’t had a proper date I just don’t want it to be just..” she couldn’t find the words to what she wanted to say
“I really like you Aine. It’s not just kissin we can go at your pace. “ he reassured her but his face looked worried.
“Oh I’m glad then and no more pulling me into broom closet!” She finalized
“No promise there”
About an hour had passed since Aine started working and George had yet to come. She didn’t blame him, when she was leaving the 3 broomstick she saw him walkin with all of his friends. He probably didn’t even realize the time.
Aine sighed as she held a small pile of pots in her hand and enchanted the larger one into the air to follow her. She heard the side door open and someone mutter a curse, confused she rounded the corner to ask George what he had done but was surprised to see the side profile of Sirius black.
Aine tried to hold in a gasp, gripping the pot tighter in her hands as Black didn’t notice her yet. Slowly she backed up around the corner but she heard him kick something causing her mental concentration to break and she dropped the huge potted Wiggentree. She quickly hid behind a shelf as black turned towards her.
“Come out” Black said in a hoarse voice, looking at the shatter pot as Aine slinked in the opposite direction
“I already know you’re here so Come. Out. Now” he stated again sounding impatient. Aine quietly placed the pots on the shelf next her and crawled under the workstation next to her.
‘If I can just get to the main door.. ‘ she held her breath. She was scared, and tried to stop herself from shaking. Waiting for him to walk away she quickly began to crawl towards the front of the greenhouse.
She waited for his footsteps, and would move again hoping they were far from her. Almost crying tears of joy when she saw the entrance about 3 feet away, all she would have to do is wait till he wasn’t looking and run through the doors. She would kee running till she saw a teacher or anyone else she just didn’t wanna be alone with this murder anymore.
It was quiet, she couldn’t hear him anymore.
Slowly she started to stand, almost free she felt a hand grab her ankle and drag her onto the floor.
Aine started thrashing and held onto a table leg to prevent her from being moved forward
“Don’t make me hurt you!” He shouted as he pull hard again on her ankle.
“Get away from me!” She cried out losing her grip a little, feeling her eyes water in panic
‘I’m going to die! I’m going to die!’
Black pulled again accidentally removing her shoe, in a rage he threw it across the greenhouse. Aine distracted by her shoe flying across the room, had let go of the table and was now laying fully underneath Sirius Black.
“Please! Don’t hurt me!” She continued to fight as he grabbed her roughly by her shoulders.
“You’re making me” he responded
“Listen, I’ll let you go if you’ll listen-“ Black never finished his statement as he was smacked directly in the eyes by Aine.
“Fuck” he muttered as he let go, Aine went to go grab her bag it had her wand. She wouldn’t fight him but she could at least use it to get away.
While digging thru her bag she was thrown back again and it this point Black had branded a knife. Aine felt all of the air in her body escape and she was frozen. Black stalked closer to her and pulled her up once again.
“Now listen you!” He grumbled out frustrated with her.
Aine eyes flicked towards the door then back as Black gripped her again. Aine whimpered using all her strength to knee him in the crotch, causing Black to fall on his ass. While falling over he waved the knife in the air slashing her forearm.
In that moment, in pain and scared she decided to run thru the doors and down the hall. She was in a blur as she quickly passed portraits shouting at her for running.
A hand grabbed her injured forearm forcing her to stop, she screamed and started thrashing again.
“Ms. Murphy?! What on earth has gotten into you?” Professor Lupin asked as he realized his student was in serious distress.
Realizing it was Lupin, Aine collapsed into his arms. Remus Lupin looked over his student, who usually had a very neat appearance had been crying, sweating and missing a shoe!
“Please sir! It’s Sirius Black! He’s in the castle! He- he was in the greenhouse- he” Aine was crying too hard to be understood. She was hyperventilating and stuttering, lupin removed his hand and realized the sticky substance was her blood.
“It was Black! I swear!” She moaned again in tears.
“I believe you it’s okay” He held her in his arms in attempt to soother her, he pulled out his wand and casted a Patronus.
“Go to Dumbledore tell him. Sirius Black attacked a student in the greenhouse.” He instructed it as he began to direct Aine to the hospital wing who was still sobbing in his arms.
Approximately 10 minutes later George Weasley snuck into the greenhouse, He was late and wasn’t sure if Aine was crossed with him.
Walking around he noticed a broken pot, a single shoe and a few drops of blood.
“Aine?” He called out in a nervous tone but there was no answer.