occurremus iterum

Zinnia was dreading going back to Hogwarts. Her crazed uncle was broken out of jail and apparently out to kill Harry Potter to finish what the Dark Lord had started. Only deepening this idea that the Black family was evil. But Zinnia and her mother, and from what she knew about her father, were not evil or supporters of the Dark Lord’s agenda. As much as she used to love attention, she was not wanting it this year. She did not want questions about her father or her father’s family. The only family she was remotely connected to was Draco’s and she did not want to be associated with him at all.

“Please mom, let’s just take a gap year,” Zinnia begged her mother. “Hogwarts isn’t safe, even for purebloods look what happened to Ginny Weasley last year!”

“Hogwarts is the safest place you can be. They have upped the security and Dumbledore knows to keep a close watch on you. Plus he is convinced that no one publicly knows what your father did to betray the Dark Lord. Sirius will not harm you, if anything he doesn’t even know you exist.” Ophelia assured her daughter. She had made up her mind and met with Albus Dumbledore personally once the news of Sirius broke.

“Whatever.” Zinnia responded.

They approached the platform and she boarded the Hogwarts Express, not bothering to turn back to wave goodbye to her mother. Zinnia spent most of her summer drunk on vacation in Bora Bora with her mom and her new step father. She was only 15 but drank like she was in her twenties. She entered her usual compartment, and her friends Adrian and Cassius were already there, talking about Quidditch no less.

“Z! How was your summer!? Are you related to Sirius Black? Isn’t he like your uncle?” Cassius was taller than last year, almost as tall as Miles, but still slim.

“I’m not talking about it Cass. Hi Adrian, how are you? How was everyone’s summer. And Cass tell Miles to not ask me about it and to shut down anyone who dares to ask me about my uncle. Thanks.” She replied plopping down in her seat and checking her reflection in the window.

“Copy that boss,” Cassius jokingly held up a salute. He stepped out of the compartment, presumably to confirm the rumors and report her orders to Miles.

“Are you ok Z?” Adrian asked her, he was always the sweet one to her.

“I’m fine A, I just don’t want to bring more attention to this. I thought last year would be the end of the Dark Lord bullshit but here we go again.” She sat back and looked for her book in her bag.

“Zinny!!” Lyla screamed as she entered the compartment. Her huge tits entered before her.

“Holy shit Lyla, you really blossomed this summer!”

“I know right? My mom said late bloomers are always the luckiest.” She went in to hug her friend. “Don’t worry,” She whispered in her ear, “Cass and Miles are already shutting down rumors about you and your uncle up and down the train. And also don’t worry, you are still the hottest girl in school.”

“Ha, thanks Ly.”

“Hey Ms. America,” Miles beamed as he entered the compartment. “Thanks so much for all the letters.” He joked. She didn’t send any letters.

“Hey,” She started and he picked her up for a big hug, her feet dangling.

God he felt good, she thought. As much as she disagreed with most of his views, he was familiar and he was always respectful towards her. She breathed in his familiar scent, mahogany and fresh linen. “Mmm, I missed you.” He whispered in her ear.

They sat together all sharing their stories from the summer, Zinnia was relieved that no one brought up her uncle again. She told them about her mom getting remarried. Cassius couldn’t stop staring down Lyla’s top and Miles' hand stayed on Zinnia’s thigh the entire ride.

Once the sorting was over and they got their schedules (busier than ever thanks to O.W.Ls) she was starting to feel happy that her mother had forced her to go back to school. She started writing her mom an apology letter for being such a rebellious teen to her this summer.

“Miss. Black,” Snape appeared at her side in the common room. “Professor Dumbledore is requesting to see you. Follow me.”

Every eye was on her and Snape as they walked out. She didn’t bother asking him questions, she knew why. Her father’s brother, a murderous Dark Lord groupie, had broken out of the most heavily guarded prison in the world.

“Thank you Professor Snape,” Dumbledore said as they entered his office. “Miss. Black, I don’t believe we have had the pleasure. You look so much like your mother. Please have a seat, this will only be a moment.” Zinnia sat at his desk opposite of him. “I am sure your mother told you of our meeting, and I want to be as transparent as possible with you. I do not know Sirius Black’s true intention. I do not know if he knows of your existence.” He looked at her like she was supposed to respond.

“Ok, can I go now?” She asked. She didn’t know much about Dumbledore and she didn’t really care to learn more. He shamelessly favored Gryffindor in the years she had been there and most of the time he was up at the staff table. He never seemed to care to get to know any of his students except Harry Potter. His aura was unique and although it seemed to have a pure intention, Zinnia’s gut told her Dumbledore was untrustworthy. 

“Haha, well yes you can go whenever you like Miss. Black. I wanted to share a little bit with you about your father’s time here when he attended Hogwarts.”

“Why now? It’s my fifth year here and you have never once offered to share anything with anyone. Except maybe just a few extra points with Gryffindor so that they won the house cup every year. Thanks but I’ll go, if I hear from my uncle, I will be sure to give you a call.”

“Miss. Black, there is that fire that I hear so many of your teachers tell me about. Brilliant young witch, with a sharp tongue and sharper witt. That’s what McGonagall wrote for your year review last year. Now if you please, I wanted to wait until you were the same age as your father was to show you this,”

He pulled over a large bowl of water and dropped a flask of silver liquid. Then motioned for her to do what he did and dunk his face in.

The memory was as if she was there in person, her father, young as she was. She felt her eyes welt up, she had never met her father in person. He was there but like a ghost. The memory was of him and Sirius and Dumbledore in this same office.

“It doesn’t matter Sirius, it’s still family. Blood is thicker than water.” Regulus said

“Tell her that! She doesn’t want to see me. I can promise you that. The day I was sorted to Gryffindor was the day I died in her eyes.” Sirius spat back, he had tears in his eyes. “The Potters are my family now.”

“The Potters are swines. Please Sirius, mother doesn’t have much time. I don’t want to face her without you by my side.”

“Take that back! They are not! They are the only people who have shown me what family is supposed to be! Not like ours, crazy and fighting. I don’t care if I never see her again, she can rot.”

“How dare you,” Regulus raised his wand and Sirius followed.

“Enough boys please,” Dumbledore had both their wands in his hand in the blink of an eye.

“Sirius, I think this is more about being there for your brother, rather than your mother,”

“Regulus, you cannot force someone to do something they don’t want to do. I understand you do not want to be alone, and I would be more than willing to accompany you to St. Mungos.”

“No, Professor, you’re right. I’ll go Reg, I’m sorry to put this on you.” Sirius said and patted his brother on the arm.

“Let’s go” He said back and the room swirled, changing into a new location. Her father was there but slightly older.

“I think I have it all here.” Regulus handed out a paper to Dumbledore.

“If this is true, if this is correct, Regulus,”

“I know, there’s more. But if I can destroy at least one it will be something. I can’t continue this way, Albus I. I have a daughter on the way. My girlfriend, the American witch I told you about, she’s pregnant. I can’t have my daughter grow up in a world where evil won.”

“Regulus, brave and selfish as this is, I fear you will never have the chance to meet your daughter if you attempt this. You may even fail. It cannot be worth losing the chance to raise your child.”

“I have to do something. I can’t trust anyone but you. Please, please tell her when she’s older. I don’t know if O will raise her in the states but whatever you do, if I die please tell them, both of my girls how much I love them. I am doing this for them. I have to do this, Voldemort, he’s already suspicious of me and if I die at his hand I want it to be because I was weakening him even for just a second.”

“I understand. I will tell them.”

The memory faded and Zinnia was back in the present day.

“Why would you show me this? I already knew what my father did to fight the Dark Lord.” Zinnia was angry and upset. It was a whirlwind of feeling that she had and she could feel the lump in her throat rising.

“I promised your father, I promised I would tell you. And I thought I owed him that much at the least. Without his sacrifice, Voldemort may not have been destroyed that fateful night in the Potter house. Your father took a valiant step in Voldemort’s fall, and he did it for you.”

“I, I know that! I already knew that! And look what good it has done! Everyone in my house is talking about ‘pureblood’ and ‘sacred 28’. I thought it was done? I thought we were just witches? Why does it matter? He died for us to all be treating each other like Voldemort is still here.”

“You are so wise for your age, Zinnia. Much wiser than most at even my own age.” Dumbledore started.

“Thanks, well I’m going back to my house. Unless you have the power to transfer me to Gryffindor where everyone seems to be winning, getting along and treat each other with respect. Then I will be heading out.”

“You wish to switch houses? The sorting hat can look into the mind in ways that no other magical object can. It understands a witch when placed upon her head.”

“Really? Because it barely touched Malfoy’s head before it decided ‘Slytherin.’ How do I know that it didn’t just sort me based on my last name?”

“You do know Sirius was the only Black not sorted into Slytherin, he was a Gryffindor. It caused much divide in the family as I’m sure you pieced together from that memory. Nearly every witch and wizard has qualities of each of the four houses. The hat does take into consideration your family background, as well as your own desire.”

“I didn’t know all of that.”

“How could you? Are you still wishing to switch your house? It has never been done, however I am headmaster after all and I do love a rule change.”

“No, that’s ok. I told the Hat I wanted to be in Slytherin like my father. I thought it would somehow give me better insight into his life. I’m just frustrated because the longer I am here the more mysterious he seems.”

“He was a brilliant wizard. A loyal friend. And he would have been the most amazing father to you Zinnia. I am so sorry that you never had the chance for him to be a part of your life.”

“Thanks.” the lump in her throat was too big to swallow and her fight or flight was kicking in. “I will let you know, if Sirius reaches out. I really doubt he knows who I am. But I need to get back. I need to get ready for the first day back.”

And she turned and walked out before the first teardrop could hit her cheek.

Harry Potter bumped in to her as she was stepping off the staircase

“Oh sorry. Hey Zinnia right? I’m Harry I- are you ok?”

“Shove off, Potter” and she walked past him. Of course the golden boy was going to see Dumbledore.

“Hey wait up Zinnia. Can I talk to you for a second? Please?”

“What? What could you possibly want from me?”

“I- and you can tell me to shove off again- but I wanted to know if you know anything about your uncle. Please I need to understand more”

“Shove off.” She cut him off and walked away.

Her breakdown was too much so she ran to the nearest open classroom to collect herself. Set her timer on her watch for 5 minutes to cry. Then she would fix her makeup and go back to the dorms.

The door slammed open and two tall figures shut it quickly behind them. She checked her watch and her time was up in 30 more seconds.

“Do you think he saw us?”

“Doubtful, he wasn’t wearing his glasses.”

“Not a bad prank for the first night back!”

The Weasley twins of course. She couldn’t shake them.

“Someone is in here, Zinnia? Oh hey, Zinnia is that you? What’s brought you out here?” George asked.

Fred was holding a large parchment he mumbled something and shoved it back into his pocket. How did they see her? She was hiding under a desk.

“Uhhhh I’m gonna go back out, the coast is clear.” Fred said ushering for George to join him.

“You go ahead, I’ll catch up with you later.” He walked over to the desk Zinnia had been crying under and sat down next to her. “Z, are you ok? I know you were crying, your makeup is all down your face. Please let me help. Can I take you back to your dorm?”

“No just-” She couldn’t hold it back. Her timer was buzzing on her watch but the twins barging in threw off her whole routine and she was spent. “Just hold me please.” She crumpled and George pulled her in close to his chest. He rubbed her back as she sobbed into his shirt, staining it with her mascara.

He rocked her back and forth and saw Fred slid the parchment under the door. She was shaking. He held her tighter.

“Shhh, I know, it’s ok.” He consoled her even though he had no idea why she was crying. He assumed it was the drama with her deranged uncle, but women were complicated. Sometimes they cried for seemingly no reason. He had a mom and sister and he knew that well enough.

His arms were warm and strong. Not so strong like Miles but strong enough that she felt safe. He smelled like outside after a rainstorm and something sweet, vanilla maybe? Her sobbing slowed and she got her breathing back to normal, but stayed pressed against him in his arms.

“What is this?” He grabbed her wrist with her watch on it.

“It’s a digital watch” She laughed a little, “I know it’s not allowed but I’ve been wearing it since first year and no one seemed to notice.”

“You are a rebel aren’t you?” He was stroking her hair now and she let him. She put her full weight into his body during her meltdown and now that she was coming out of it, she slowly sat back up.

“Don’t go turning me in! I know how much you like to follow the rules. What are you doing out of bed anyway?”

“Hang on now are we gonna skate past this full on mental breakdown you just had?”

“I don’t want to talk about it.” She sniffed but her tears were gonna she was all cried out.

“Ok well then I don’t want to talk about why I was out of bed.”

“Fine.”

“Let me walk you back to your dorm”

“Fine.” She let him help her off the floor and picked up the piece of folded up parchment. “What’s that?” she asked.

“Why were you crying?”

“Never mind”

“Great, let’s go princess.”

They walked back slowly, neither of them seemed to be in any rush to be back in their dorms.

“Is it Miles?” He asked.

“No. Is it a blueprint for your next prank?”

“No. So are you and Miles still together?”

“We were never together.”

“That’s not what it seemed like last year.”

“What did it seem like to you?”

“It seemed like you send a lot of time on his lap at the black lake, he spent a lot of time with his arm around you in the halls, and you both spent-”

“Ok, ok, whatever. It was physical nothing more. Plus are you not currently coupled up with Katie Bell?”

“‘Was’? Interesting, so you’re not going to be physically with him this year? “

“Maybe? Maybe not. He’s an easy distraction. You avoided my question.”

“Distraction from what exactly?”

“What is that parchment exactly?”

“It’s nothing. Come here”

“George!”

He pulled her into a broom closet so small her face was in his chest.

“Shhh! Filch!” George shushed her. 

Sure enough someone walked by the closet door seconds later. He let out a breath.

“Ok we’re clear.”

He looked down at her. She looked up and noticed if she got up on her tiptoes she could close the gap in between their lips. She grabbed the handle and slid out of the closet.

“That was close. How did you know he was coming?”

“Call it a sixth sense.”

“Ok, well thanks for walking with me, I will take it from here. I am allowed to be out right now unlike you.”

“What for?”

“What’s the parchment for?”

“Goodnight Zinnia.”

“Goodnight George.” She turned to walk down the stairs to the dungeon.

“Wait, can I see you tomorrow?”

“No.” She replied and continued downstairs to the common room.

Lyla and Miles stayed up in the common room for Zinnia to get back.

“Hey guys, you didn’t have to wait up.”

“Yes we did! What is going on? What did he say? You were gone for ages.” Lyla replied.

“Sit down Z, talk to us.” Miles patted the seat next to him. She sunk into it and rested her back into his muscular chest. He was warm, so warm from the fire they were sitting in front of and he wrapped his arm around her waist while the other was on the back of the couch

“Hmmm, honestly you guys it was stupid. I’m just mentally tired.” She stroked Mile’s huge hand that had slid down her thigh.

“Oh ok babes, I’ll leave you two. But seriously I’m here for you Z, whenever you need to talk” and Lyla headed upstairs.

Miles held her and she closed her eyes and rested her head back on his shoulder. After a few beats he asked, “What is really going on Zinnia?”

“I don’t want to talk, Miles. Can I just be here for a minute? I’m tired.”

He sighed deeply and kissed her neck. “Yes baby. Just relax, I got you.”

She was grateful for him in so many ways. He was patient and respectful with her. He defended her name when she needed backup and he was a damn good kisser. But she never felt like they could talk deeply. He was so sweet to her and when she would talk he was so good at listening but that was it. He never understood her or what her thoughts were. He was surface level at all times and she was jealous he seemed to never worry or have anxiety.

She felt like she owed him some insight into her life and what was going on with her and Dumbledore but she was so afraid that he wouldn’t understand, it was clear his belief was that pureblood was best. That all other beings other than wizards were lesser than and no matter how much he loved and doted on Zinnia she didn’t think he would ever change his mind. And he shouldn’t have to change his whole world view for her but she knew she could never be with someone long term who was so prejudiced.

She shut off her mind best when he was there. She used him to distract her from homework or the drama in class and last year the ‘chamber of secrets' stress that loomed over her. She turned in her arms to face him to make out. He was asleep. Great. She could wake him up; it wasn't like he was ever not in the mood. But she let him sleep and went up to bed.

***

When classes started Monday it was a welcomed distraction for Zinnia. She kept replaying the memories of her father that Dumbledore showed her and she was only getting more confused. She started to journal it all down along with her thoughts and theories.

Her classes and course work pulled on most of her attention. At lunch that day she and Lyla shared a free period and went down to the Quidditch pitch for some fresh air. It was still warm in September and she wanted to take advantage of it. There was no official practice but lots of students were flying around getting ready for tryouts later that week. Sure enough George flew his broom up to where she and Lyla were seated and hovered.

“Good afternoon ladies, how are we?”

“Shove off, George.” Zinnia told him, not looking up from her Divination syllabus

Lyla gave her a side eyed look.

“Zinnia, can I please chat with you?”

“No.” She replied.

“Come on, it will only be a minute. Hop on.” He swung the broom around urging her to straddle it.

She hadn’t ridden a broom since her first year. She wasn’t very good so didn’t have the desire to try again. It hadn’t occurred to her that she could just ride one with someone else in control. The new experience intrigued her.

“Fine, but if this ancient piece of shit broom bucks me off, I’ll have you beheaded.”

“How French of you Ms. Revolutionary war.”

“I’ll be right back,” she said to Lyla.

“Wait what?” Lyla was baffled she hadn’t seen Zinnia talk to Weasley since the time she clocked him in the jaw during their second year.
Zinnia straddled the broom and was surprised at how much more comfortable it felt than it looked.

“Hang on tight,” he told her and they blasted off and out of the pitch.

George was zooming so fast that Zinnia had no choice but to grip his practice robes tight. His jumper was soft and smelled like fresh cotton, sage and musk. The view was incredible but they couldn’t go too far as the dementors were stationed around the castle walls. He flew her over the lake and took them just low enough that she could see their reflection.

George was a natural flier and confident. He flew them up to the top of a large sturdy tree where the branches were strong enough for them both to sit. He helped her into the branch and they sat looking out at the forbidden forest.

Her heart was pumping with adrenaline. She felt like she could run a marathon or jump off a high dive. George looks cool and collected but his smile was wide and beaming.

“What’d you think?” He asked.

“It was nice.” She didn’t want to give him the satisfaction.

“Oh, was it nice? I can barely hear out of my left eardrum, I didn’t know you were a screamer.”

“Shut up Weasley, it was brilliant ok? You take all your girls up here?”

“Are you insinuating you’re my girl?”

“No.” She looked away, her heart was calming and she was starting to realize how vulnerable she was up in this tree.

“Look Zinnia I didn’t try to trap you up here, I just need a secluded spot. I really have been trying to apologize to you for the last 5 years.”

“If I’m not trapped will you take me down now.” It was not a question.

“Yes, get on.” He grabbed his broomstick and looked defeated.

“Good, that was a test. Continue.”

“Zinnia,” he sighed deeply with relief. “Please, please forgive me for what I said to you that day in second year. I wish I could take back all of it. I wish it never happened.”

“I forgive you.” Just like that. It was easy for Zinnia to forgive. She hated holding a grudge especially over something so trivial from when they were preteens.

He signed again, “Zinnia, thank you I’m sorry it took me this long to say it.”

“I forgive you for that too. Is that really why you brought me out here?”

“Well yeah, pretty much. And I just, I want you to know that I care about you. Seeing you broken down last night alone in an empty classroom that- that wasn’t ok. You shouldn’t be alone when you are feeling like that.”

“Thank you for comforting me. It was nice, it really was. But I’m ok honestly. I am used to being alone.”

He waited for her to continue after a few beats when she didn't, he added, “I’m glad you’re ok. I’m here if you are ever not ok again. To talk. To take you for a ride. Or just to be there with you in the moment.”

Zinnia’s heart swelled. “Thanks George.” She checked her watch. “Can you take me back? My free period is over in 10 minutes.”

“Yeah let’s go.”

They landed outside the Quidditch pitch so as to not draw too much attention at Zinnia's request. She ran into Lyla who was carrying her bag.

“What the fuck Z, you we’re gone basically all period.” She shoved her bag in Zinnia's arms.

“I know, I’m sorry, thank you Ly.”

“It’s whatever. What did Weasley even want? What is going on with you?”

“He just wanted to apologize for everything over the last few years, start over.”

“Did you forgive him?”

“Yeah, it’s whatever, it doesn’t matter. I guess it was fucking eating away at him for the last 5 years and he had to get it off his chest. Whatever, I don't even think about him.”

“Ok, let’s hurry, we have to get to Herbology.”

George was in their next class and stood across from Zinnia and Lyla with Fred. Cassius was flirting with Lyla the entire time sending her notes complimenting her work and Miles and Adrian were on her other side sabotaging each other's plants and talking about quidditch. George caught her eye a few times during class and made stupid faces at her. She had to bite her lip to keep from laughing out loud.

She walked back with her friends to their common room and George watched while Miles put his arm around Zinnia. She didn’t shove it off.

When they got back to the dungeons Miles threw his bag down by the couch and picked up Zinnia by her waist and spun her around.

“Ahhh!” What are you doing Miles?”

“Celebrating the end of the first day back. I got us some goodies. He showed them the liquor he stole and they planned to throw a party Friday night.

Friday morning finally came and Zinnia was grateful to have a half day of classes. All her free time that afternoon would be spent catching up on homework anyways.

Miles had other plans, “Come on babe, just do your homework in the stands, I want to see you.”

“You’re going to be busy anyways. Just go focus on practice plus it’s about to rain.”

“Fine.” He kissed her on the lips. “I will see you later tonight anyways.”

She packed up her books and headed for the library to find a quiet corner and set her watch for 3 hours.

She was thankful for this alone time. Lyla wouldn’t shut up about Cassius. Miles and Adrian wouldn’t shut up about practice or girls.

She found the perfect place and started unloading her bag. The journal she started earlier that week with her thoughts and recollections about the memory of her father was amongst the pile. She tired with all her might to ignore it and started on her potions terms list. She checked her watch. Two minutes went by. Fine. She set her watch for ten minutes and opened the journal to reflect. It felt like seconds passed when the timer buzzed on her wrist.

Shit. She turned it back on for another 10. Then another, then after an hour she slammed the journal closed. She shoved it back in her bag. It was too much too overwhelming the ideas of her dad, of her family, and the mystery’s they had. Her heart felt achy. She wasn't going to cry but she felt like she wanted to curl up in a ball and disappear.

“Mind if I join you?” George asked as he approached the desk. “Were you in the middle of a vision or something? You stared right through me for a good two minutes then.”

“I did?” She shook her head and checked her watch. She had been going through the journal for over an hour and 40 minutes. “Sorry yeah whatever, join me I haven’t gotten any work done anyways.”

“Damn I was hoping I could copy off yours.”

“You want to come to a party tonight?”

“You know, I was hearing the rumors. Theodore Nott already invited Fred and I. We sold him a bunch of weed yesterday.”

“Of course you did. Got any left?”

“Always.” He reached in his pocket and showed her a little baggy of bud.

“Want to get out of here?” She asked.

“Always.”

They left their books at the table and George led the way.

“We’ll come right back, Pince won’t even know. Follow me I know a back pathway.”

She followed him to a large window and climbed out. They were in an overgrown tiny courtyard in the back of the castle.

“We should be all clear here.” He said as he rolled a joint for them to share. He did it with ease. Zinnia had never smoked weed. Only drank.

“It’s my first time.” She told him. His eyes shot up to look at her.

“Really? Am I about to pop party girl Zinnia's weed cherry?"

“Yep. And since when am I a party girl?”

“Rumors have been around of your adventures in bora bora this summer.”

“Oh whatever. Is it gonna make me paranoid?”

“This strain won’t but some others could. Fred and I grew this all summer in our rooms under a heat lamp we nicked from our dad’s workshop. It’s primo and will just make you giggly. Allow me.” He lit up the end and inhaled, then passed it to her.

She grabbed the joint and sucked in hard. Then erupted in a coughing fit.

“Easy now. That was plenty.” He patted her back as he took a few more hits.

He was about to toss it out.

“Wait, I want to try again.”

“Ok, slow and small inhale, you can always work your way up.”

Her head was already fuzzy and her eyes felt droopy. But she was determined to not cough, took the smallest inhale and blew it back quickly, no coughing. She smiled.

“See I did it.” She giggled.

“Proper stoner we have here ladies and germs.” George said back he took a few more hits and extinguished the butt on the ground next to about 50 more.

“Wow, come here a lot?”

“It helps me unwind.”

“I want to unwind mmmm.” Zinnia replied and spun around in circles, she felt like the dark heavy cloud of anxiety and depression was gone and the sky was clear. But in reality it wasn’t and it actually started storming. They ran inside dodging raindrops and she laughed so hard her belly ached.

“Let’s go back, we have homework. Then do you want to come to a party with me?”

“Yes Zinnia! I would love that!” He replied.

They snuck back into the library and had to cover their giggles with their hands when they saw Neville Longbottom was asleep at his desk drooling all over his magical plants book.

“Ok. I have a lot to do.” She shuffled some papers around and found her potions homework. “Ok.”

“Ok.” He mocked her as he watched her eye glaze over her papers.

“Ok. Do you hav-”

“Ok,” George interrupted her to mock her again.

“George, be serious!”

“Ok” He slapped his hand over his mouth to cover his laughter. “I’m sorry!”

Zinnia lost it too and they both were in a giggling fit.

Miles walked into the library soaking wet in his practice robes. She looked at her watch, shit it was way later than she thought she forgot she changed her timer earlier.

Miles approached with a smile on his face that went to a grimace once he saw George.

“Miles! You’re all wet! Wow I lost track of time, how was practice? Did you get rained on?” Zinnia said in a whisper through her giggles.

“Why are you sitting here giggling with weasel brains?”

She looked over at George and as soon as they made eye contact they both broke out again in giggles. This time they were not able to control it.

“Shhhh! Now or I will kick you out Mr. Weasley!”

“What did I do?! Miles interrupted our study session.”

“Both of you then, out now!”

They gathered their books and walked out to the hallway.

“See you later.” George said and before he could get too far Miles had grabbed him by the arm.

“What are you guys up to? Are you high?” Miles demanded. Zinnia fought back the giggles again.

“Yes Miles, we were just pregaming for the party tonight.”She assured him and rubbed his arm.

“What are you guys friends now?”

“Is that a problem?” She stopped touching his arm and crossed hers.

“No. I just thought you hated him.”

“Hate is a strong word. He apologized and we’re good.”

“Ok great let’s go.”

He shoved George away and pulled his arm around Zinnia as they walked back to the Slytherin dorms. George smiled to himself when Zinnia shook Mile’s arm off her shoulders.

“Ugh you're wet, get off me. Can you please carry my bags? It's so heavy.”

Miles lugged her bag over his shoulder. “Babe, you missed a great practice.”

“Why do you call me babe?”

“Cause you’re mine.”

“I’m yours? Like your girlfriend?”

“Well I guess we haven’t actually talked about that but if you want that I want that.”

“I don’t know if I do.”

“Well, wait what?”

"No, I definitely don’t want that.”

“Zinnia, can I ask why?” He was starting to get angry.

“You said if that’s what I want, and I don’t think it is. End of discussion.”

“Zinnia.”

“Miles.”

“So that means I can pursue other girls?”

“Is that what you were doing? Pursuing me?”

They walked into the common room and he slammed down her bag.

“Was that not obvious Zinnia?!” He shouted and everyone stared.

“Well not to me it wasn't. Thank you for carrying my bag back Miles. I’ll see you at the party tonight.” She kissed him on the cheek and headed upstairs.

“Hey” she said to Lyla who was attempting a new hairstyle in the mirror.

“Hey, you get a lot done? It poured and they guys called practice early.”

“I know Miles walked me back from the library.”

She told Lyla everything that happened.

“Omg in front of everyone? I can’t believe I missed that.”

“Yep he’s such a meat head he’s probably still going over what just happened.”

“Whatever, what are you wearing tonight?”

They helped each other get ready and once they heard Blaise starting to DJ, joined the party downstairs. Slytherin was known for throwing bangers. Their common room was down in the dungeon so no one ever heard them and Snape notoriously took a heavy sleeping potion every night before bed.

Zinnia remembered her first party there and idolizing the older Slytherin girls at the time. Now she was one of them. Mostly just their house was there but Ravenclaws were arriving in groups. Her and Lyla met Miles and Cassius at the makeshift bar and took three shots, ‘Cunning, Ambition, and Resourcefulness.’

“Are we good?” Miles bent down and yelled in Zinnia's ear.

“Yes! Let’s dance!” She yelled back and dragged him to the dance floor.

More and more students were arriving, and Zinnia lost count of how many drinks she had. The Hufflepuffs were smoking a giant bong that they set up in front of the fireplace. The room was smokey. The Ravenclaws had jinxed the candles to switch colors so she felt like she was back in a club in New York City. Miles was grinding on her from the back and then she saw Fred and George walk in with Angelina and Katie.

Why the fuck was Katie Bell there? Zinnia went over and grabbed George’s hand.

“Hey! You made it! Come here,” and she dragged him away from his group to show him the giant bong.

“Wow! That is a thing of beauty!” He said, looking her up and down, still holding her hand. “Oh, the bong is great too. “

She was happy the lights were so low because she couldn’t help but blush at his stupid compliment.

“Hey George, how’s it going? Are you ready for tryouts?” Miles followed her over and shook George’s hand.

“Miles what the fuck? Do you talk about anything other than quidditch?”

“Alright Zinny chill the fuck out.” He said back.

She turned away and went to get another drink. She grabbed one for Lyla and met her on the dance floor

“Thanks babes!! Dance with me!” They danced and she tried not to watch Miles and George hanging out together and taking hits from the bong.

Fred was making jokes and they were all cracking up getting along. This was a good thing, but Zinnia was pissed.
Katie Bell went over and sat in front of George on the floor. Zinnia chugged the rest of her drink and stormed over to them. She sat in Miles' lap.

“Hey.”

“Hey Z, what up babe?” Miles said and closed his arms around her waist. George looked at her in the eyes and saw how wasted she was.

“I want to go hang out upstairs for a minute babe, join me?” She was asking Miles but looking directly into George’s eyes. She actually just needed to vomit all the alcohol out of her system.

“Really? Ok yeah lead the way” she jumped up keeping eye contact with George and started to drag Miles away.

“Hang on a minute, Z, I got some of that strain you were looking for.” George grabbed her free hand and put it in her palm.

Thanks she clutched it and continued upstairs.

She brought him up to the boys' dorms. "I’m gonna be sick Miles.”

“Oh what the fuck Z, here,” he lead her into the toilet and she just barely made the vomit into the bowl.

He rubbed her back and accioed a bottle of water.

“You good babe?”

“I’m good you can go back down.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, you’re not my boyfriend. But thank you for helping me. I’m sorry I was such a bitch earlier. You didn’t deserve that.”

“It’s ok I’m used to it babe.” And he kissed her on the forehead before returning to the party.

“Well that was quick,” George remarked at him.

“Nah, she just had to puke and knew if she wanted to get there fast how to motivate me.”

“Sounds like manipulation,” Katie Bell chimed in.

“Did I fucking ask you?” Miles replied to her.

“Ok, ok why don’t we all take another hit huh? “ George eased the tension.

They all started to take a turn and he snuck off to look for Z upstairs. He didn’t see her in the boys dorms and waited for a bit outside the girls because he couldn’t get up those steps. Sure enough she came stumbling down them.

“Georgie! Hiya I smacked your jay.”

“Yeah, how was it?”

“So good but now I'm so hungry.”

“Want to hit up the kitchens?”

“YES!”

“Let’s go,” he grabbed her hand and could smell the peppermint toothpaste and fresh lavender soap on her skin. “Did you just shower?”

“Yes and brush my teeth and wash my hair and redone my hair and my make up,” she fluttered her fake eyelashes at him. They were in the halls now and it was much easier to hear each other. Zinnia took off her high heels so that the sound of them didn’t draw attention as they crept through the corridors. She was so much shorter than George now.

“That is impressive you were gone for like 10 minutes tops.”

“Well I enjoy glamor spells and potions but I want I enjoy a big fat piece of chocolate cake right now”

“Ok well you've got to be quiet! I gotta sneak us in there.”

Once they got to the kitchens the elves were so excited to help them eat. Zinnia couldn’t help but notice how sweet George was to them although he wouldn’t let them join the party when she invited them. She never really noticed his kind side, he was usually always just the class clown - disrupting exams, stealing her quills, switching her ink out with disappearing ink.

“Ok well maybe next time?”

“No Z, they'll get in trouble.”

“Fine. Thank you, I love you all for this amazing cake, I cherish you all” She told them with a bow.

“Alright that’s enough, thanks house elves.” George shook some of their hands as he dragged Zinnia out of the kitchen.

“Wow! What a night! Let’s get back to the party.” Zinnia stopped and looked at George through her half open red eyes and grabbed his arm. “George.”

“Yes Zinnia?”

“Thank you.”

“Do you cherish me as well?” He asked, leaning down slightly so that he was closer to her face.

“Yes,” she looked from his eyes to his lips.

He turned away quickly, “Lovely, let’s get back to that party before we’re caught in the halls.”

The party had died down significantly. Lyla and Cassius were making out on a large armchair in the corner. Blaise had abandoned his DJ set up and left some songs to play as he slow danced with Pansy Parkinson. Draco and some others were playing a game of cards on the floor and Miles was passed out face down on the couch.

“Well, looks like things hit a wall here.” George said. “I had better get back to Gryffindor tower, security has been tight this week.”

That struck a bit of a nerve for Zinnia. The security was only so tight because of her uncle on the loose. She tried her best not to let it show, and held her gaze on the floor. “Thanks George, for the weed and the munchies, be careful walking back.”

“Thank you, I had the best time tonight.” He leaned down to her and softly pecked her cheek. “Goodnight, Zinnia.”

She went to bed, wishing that she had properly kissed George Weasley.