Chapter 17
“Please give us 20 minutes then you can comeback.” Fred pleaded outside a train compartment that currently sat Angelina. It was the train ride back to Hogwarts and his brother was kicking him out for better company.
“20 minutes?” He raised his eyebrows while Fred wiggled his, making a noise of disgust he headed down the train hallway. He decided to look for his girlfriend who he barely heard anything from in the last 2 weeks. He wrote her on Christmas, but Erroll was old and cannot do the distance between Derry and Ottery st catchpole daily. He continuously investigated each compartment sighing every time he didn’t see her until suddenly a door slide opened and someone ran into his chest.
“Ugh. I can’t even right now.” Corrine grumbled as she pushed him away and scurried down the hall. George looked thru the open door and noticed Theodore Nott and Jameson, he was about to turn back when he noticed on the other side of the compartment was Aine sleeping, with her body stretched across the seat. It seemed like maybe she was using Corrine’s lap as a pillow but now had a green sweater under her head.
“Weasley.” Jameson greeted dryly his eyes shifting between him and Aine.
“I’d ask if you’d wanna join but.. we are full.” Jameson continued; a wave of irritation flowed thru George as he rolled his eyes as he entered. He wondered how Aine became friends with such prickly people, Corrine who seems to hate everyone and Jameson who seems to hate him.
Carefully, he lifted Aine’s head removing the sweater and sliding himself into place. He held it out towards Jameson who kicked Theo’s foot, the true owner. It made him even more irate considering what he had heard him say 2 weeks ago, or what he let be said. How? How could he lay his dam sweater under her head, feigning kindness to her face. As Theo tried to grab a hold of the sweater, George just let it fall to the floor, all 3 of the boys stared at each other. George had a hard glare aimed at Theo, who’s eyes were wide with slight fear and Jameson who just looked completely irritated.
“Bit rude, don’t cha think?” Jameson asked as he leaned down, grabbing the sweater and stretching it back towards George.
“Its alright. Try again” Jameson had a smirk. See, this is what he meant huge fucking prat. George turned his head away and scoffed, Aine stirred a bit, but he just stroked her hair. He noticed it was just slightly poofy as if she had curls in, but they fell out throughout the day.
“it’s alright James, gotta meet up with Pucey anyways. Thanks for your help.” Theo replied jumping to his feet, grabbing his stuff and scurrying out the door. George looked at Jameson who now had a bored look on his face, he then shrugged and sat back down.
“You scared my friend away.” George didn’t respond.
“I mean I’m nice to your friends” Jameson rambled on as if the whole thing was funny.
“You jealous or something? I mean Notts little crush is harmless- “Jameson was cut off.
“Yeah, I guess cause she’s a muggleborn.” George bit out like his was coughing up acid. The thought of Nott having a crush caused his irritation to flare up more.
“Who said anything about that?” Jameson straighten up immediately realizing what Geroge was hinting too, and his voice lost underlying mischievous tone it had. Oh? So, he didn’t know.
“Your mates.”
“Got a lot of those. Be specific. Use your words” George rolled his eyes as Jameson spoke the last sentence slowly.
“Pucey and Nott.”
“Nott?? Are you sure you heard him say...” Jameson trailed off not wanting to say it.
“Well. Pucey said it, Nott was just there.”
“Right. When.”
“Saturday before break. Honeydukes.” Jameson sighed deeply pushing himself to stand and left the compartment also. It was just them after that, George assumed Corrine probably wasn’t coming back for a while. He sat there, wondering if Fred was wondering where he was and stroking Aine’s hair.
“Oh, Hi George~” Aine greeted lifting herself into a seated position, she scrunched up her face.
“Where’s everyone gone?” she asked him while standing up grabbing her bag from above them, he shrugged because he didn’t have an answer.
“Doesn’t matter. Here.” She had opened a tin and handed him a chocolate cream looking dessert. George tasted it, it was pretty good rich in flavor.
“Did you make this?” he asked as she flushed.
“My ma helped I’m pretty crap in the kitchen... do you like it?” she replied as he nodded, she handed the whole tin to him.
“Well, I made it for you, they are whoopie pies.” He grinned and hooped his arms around her waist.
“Well thank you.” He kissed her gently as she giggled kissing back.
“Have a good break?” She questioned as he guided her to sit on his legs, she began pushing his hair behind his ears as he talked about his Christmas. They exchanged stories about their holidays, and how they missed each other. George looked at her properly while she explained the talk she had with her mother, Connells birthday, and how her family celebrated new year’s admiring her beauty.
“It’s really nice, we cook together something special – though this year we had fish.”
“Not the biggest fan?”
“No, it’s fishy.” That made George laugh.
“Then we write a goal that we want to achieve. It can be anything- then we exchange them, whoever gets your goal is your helper for the year.” She continued as he smiled at her excitement.
“Then we stay up all night… first person to sleep gets a punishment!” she laughed as she pulled a polaroid out of her bag, handing it to George. The picture was Connell asleep in an armchair with whip cream in his hair, and drawings all over his face. Behind him was in the picture was Aine’s parents and other family members, posing next to him.
“This is brilliant!” George laughed as he stared at the picture.
“Is that why you’re so tired?” he asked her wondering if he can duplicate the photo to use for later.
“Yea... I think I sleep better at home.” She replied tugging the photo away from George. He held his tongue; he didn’t want to offend her and say he could see her dark circles get worse especially since he knew she put effort into trying to conceal them every day.
“You know if you ever cant sleep, you should sneak to Gryffindor tower and we can stay up together.” He offered quietly, pulling her closer.
“oh~ don’t worry about that” Aine closed the gap with a kiss on his cheek, causing him to flush.
“it’s a serious offer” he replied trying to keep his voice even as he closed his eyes.
“Its sweet, but don’t worry it getting better.” Aine pulled away and gave him a smile, he searched her eyes for maybe a hint of deception, but he couldn’t find anything. He gave her a nod and began to furiously kiss her as she wrapped her arms around him.
“Oi! This is public place at least lock the door!” Corrine stomped her way back in, looking less agitated. Aine removed herself immediately from George’s lap and placed a significant distance from him.
“Where have you been?” Aine asked her while fixing herself.
“Ugh that prat, Theodore drives me up a wall. I don’t know how Jameson deals with him- where is Jameson?” Corrine began a long rant.
“I thought you would know- “
“Ugh luckily I ran into Katie and we had a nice chat but I left my bag here, wanted to show her my new CD..” Corrine continued, as she reached above them to grab her satchel.
“So where did he go Weasley?” Corrine turned towards him.
“Uh he went to go talk to Pucey, Nott went with him” George lied. Corrine threw herself onto the seat and let out an exasperated sigh.
“Guess I can talk to Katie later; I just hate Nott so much. Such a prat.” Corrine explained as she released her hair from its updo, letting it fall over her face for a second.
“I mean Pucey is annoying, but Theo is okay. He’s pretty nice and he always offers to study for astronomy.” Aine lectured but this statement makes another wave of irritation flow through George.
“You don’t need him to help you with astronomy. I’m the best. At everything.” Corrine cooed squishing Aine’s cheeks as she chuckled.
“Yes, I know but he is my desk mate, gotta be nice. Plus, you’re dropping it next year~” Aine replied moving closer to George.
“I’m pretty good at astronomy.” George interjected causing the girls to look at him. Aine seemed to just shift her attention to him, but Corrine gave him a look of disbelief.
“Right. I don’t really believe that I mean you’re never in class- “Corrine started but stopped as Aine lightly smacked her arm.
“I go to class, and it’s one of my best subjects” George rolled his eyes at her.
“So, you wanna study together?” Aine asked him curiously. George didn’t wanna study at all, but he would rather study with his girlfriend then Nott trying to cozy up to her.
“of course.”
Later at dinner George noticed Adrian Pucey was missing from the great hall, as Jameson gave him a wink.
-
Aine stood in front of the greenhouse entry way other than class she didn’t have a reason to be here. But professor sprout had scheduled a meeting right in the beginning of the new term so here she was. Pushing open the doors she stuck her head in and scanned the whole main greenhouse.
“Professor Sprout?” Aine called out tentatively her hand still holding the door open just in case. Suddenly around the corner Sprout hurried by with 3 large pots floating behind her, while she was carrying a few baby mandrakes.
“Oh, let me help you.” Aine sprang into action stealing a few pots away from her hands.
“Ms. Murphy! is it 4 o clock already?” sprout responded in a gleeful tone as Aine nodded following her to other side.
“Yes… was there something wrong with my term assignment?” Aine asked hoping that was the reason she was called here.
“Oh no! you’ve got a green thumb if I’ve ever seen one!” Sprout had placed the pots on a work bench, indicating for Aine to do the same.
“I wanted to talk about when I am to expect you back on rotation my dear.” Aine froze for a second while sprout piled more items in her arms before zooming to the next area.
“Oh uh”
“Now dear, you work so hard. The headmaster already done every precaution. Don’t you think 4 months is enough?” Sprout said as Aine felt herself feel dizzy.
Had it already been that long? Is 4 months enough time? Sure, she could be in the greenhouse with her teacher but alone at night? In the early morning? How could she cope? With this swirling feeling of dread a new one was pushing through.
Anger.
Aine was not a child, she knows Dumbledore has tightened security by why it was not done in the first place. How dare she? How dare they? Aine could feel the anger coiling in her stomach as Professor Sprout kept yammering, it was unfamiliar to her, but she just hugged herself tighter and tighter.as if she were to let go of herself, it would all come out.
“.. so how does your old schedule sound?” Professor sprout asked turning to Aine fully with a bright smile on her face, as if she was helping.
“Okay.” Was the only thing she could get out before walking stiffly out of the greenhouses.
The hall was no better, she felt as if she couldn’t breathe and was pacing in a circle. She kept one hand over her heart, feeling it beat madly as she kept manually breathing in and out.
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‘This isn’t working!’ she was so distressed she didn’t realize the 2 girls rounding the corner.
Hermione Granger and Ginny Weasley, they were just chatting about classes on their way to the great hall when they noticed Aine looking sick, pacing and on the verge of tears.
“Aine?” Hermione called out gently, but she gave no response, Hermione gave ginny a look.
“Aine?” Ginny asked more sternly as began her 5th circle.
The girls looked at each other once more before Ginny moved closer and reached her arm out to Aine.
“You alright?” Ginny asked as she grabbed on to Aine’s arm, stopping her in her tracks. As if she was still in a trance she jumped out of Ginny’s hold.
“Don’t touch me!” Aine shouted as tears began to fall. Ginny and Hermione widened their eyes at her sudden outburst, shocked by the usually quiet girl.
Aine clapped a hand over her mouth and let out a small noise, she didn’t realize who was there and couldn’t believe what she had done. Who she had shouted at, how horrible of her.
“Oh-um I’m so sorry.” Aine gasped backing away from them.
“I didn’t mean that, I’m sorry- I have to- I’m sorry!” She blurted out before quickly heading towards Hufflepuff dorms leaving the 2 girls to just watch.