Incendio

Samantha spent much of her time in a state of perpetual numbness. She found she had more time for homework, but she felt empty. She chose not to notice if people were gossiping about it, she chose not to even acknowledge it. She went to class, did her homework and laid in bed staring at her bed frame. She barely ate and even her favorite, fish pie couldn't tempt her. People had been leaving her alone for the most part, even Ginny had been keeping her distance.

Teachers had been more lenient to her, even Snape hadn't been as horrible to her. He'd still critiqued her work with the same devious vigor, but it came without insults to her intelligence so she considered he was being nicer than usual.

Umbridge had started sitting in on classes to evaluate teachers. Samantha avoided looking at her. She tortured students, she didn't deserve Samantha's respect. Samantha also knew she didn't want to upset her.

Samantha informed her mother about most of the situation and her mother respected her decision of keeping her fellow student's name anonymous, especially via letter because the Ministry had been intercepting them. She downplayed what Harry had told her as she suspected her mother would pull her out if she knew the full truth.

Her mother suggested to calm her nerves and boost her spirit that she might need to start taking daily walks. She started taking a walk on the grounds every evening after dinner. It was on one of those evening walks that she heard shouting near the greenhouses.

She was surprised to realize it was Colin, aggressively shouting at Daphne.

Colin stared directly at Daphne. "You thought I wouldn't guess who it was, who snitched. You obviously told Malfoy." Colin insisted pointing a finger at Daphne.

"No, I didn't." Daphne shook her head. Her eyes were red and Samantha could see she was shaking. "I wouldn't have."

"You are our only Slytherin member." Colin said, his face contorting into pure rage. Any other situation and he'd be hilariously un-frightening. Samantha knew he was very serious though and she ran to them.

Samantha placed herself between Colin and Daphne. "If she says she didn't then she didn't. You have no reason to suspect her other than the fact she belongs to Slytherin."

"I've done nothing but support the Gazette. I shouldn't have to defend my innocence to anyone. " Daphne continued, tears were now flowing from her eyes. "Especially not a ridiculous Potter believing, mudblood!"

Colin was silent but reached for his wand, Samantha grabbed his hand and held him back.

Samantha this time turned and looked at Daphne. She didn't agree with Colin but he didn't need to be called a slur.

Daphne looked like she regretted it the moment it left her mouth, she hastily started apologizing, "I didn't mean that, it just slipped out, I'm sorry Colin."

"Daphne, you should leave." Samantha replied.

Daphne didn't need a second thought, she just ran away.

"There was no reason to insult her like that." Samantha let go of Colin.

"Did you hear what she called me?" He asked hotly.

"Yes, that wasn't right either, but it's below you to go around accusing people. Dumbledore said at the beginning of term that we are supposed to be uniting the houses." Samantha said shaking her head.

"Yeah, because Dumbledore really cares." Colin said looking very frustrated. "It's been two weeks, and we've heard nothing from him. I'm just so angry and upset. We were just doing what was right and now we are being punished for it and no one seems to care."

"Colin." Samantha put her hands on his shoulders. "I know."

He looked into her eyes. "I just don't know what to do now."

"Me either."

He reached his arms around her shoulders and the two embraced in a deep hug.

"I'm sorry." He whispered.

"Just breathe Colin." Samantha whispered back before letting go.

"I can't keep sitting back and doing nothing." Colin admitted as he walked with her back to the common room.

Samantha agreed, "We won't Colin. We just have to be patient for the right opportunity.

The right opportunity presented itself a few nights later as Samantha laid awake in her bed, full of regret and heartache.

"Samantha." Hermione whispered from the bed beside her's. "I'm sorry about the Gazette, I feel partially responsible."

Samantha rolled over and looked at her. Her eyes glistened in the moonlight. "Please don't. I didn't have to try and publish it."

Hermione reached out her hand and Samantha took it. Their hands formed a small bridge together and Samantha appreciated the kind gesture.

"Still, you didn't deserve that. She's atrocious and we aren't learning anything from her." Hermione continued, still holding Samantha's hand.

"Harry mentioned you wanted him to secretly teach Defense Against The Dark arts." Samantha asked. "Is he going to do it?"

"Yes, we are having a meeting with a few others when we go to Hogsmead this weekend. I wasn't sure if you'd be interested, I was worried you had your share of Umbridge trouble."

Samantha didn't even have to think about it, "I'm in."

Hermione smiled a sly smile and in the moonlight she almost looked scary.

"Oh, have you mentioned it to Colin or any other Gazette members? I'm sure they would be interested." Samantha said after dropping Hermione's hand.

"Of course. Colin begged to come." Hermione laughed a little.

Samantha nodded. "Of course."

"And I couldn't not tell Ginny."

This time Samantha smirked a little. "No, she'd be disappointed."

"She's even bringing her boyfriend." Hermione volunteered. "And so far I think every remaining member of the Gazette was interested. Except Daphne, but I didn't ask her if I'm honest."

Samantha had a feeling Colin told her about the mudblood statement. She was also sure Colin hadn't given the full story, but Samantha was too interested in the meetings to bring that up.

Hermione gave her the details and suggested she come with either Ginny or Colin's group. It was supposed to be staggered. The two girls stayed awake a bit longer discussing and trading stories together. Samantha wasn't entirely herself, but she was feeling more confident the next day. There were only two days till the meeting and she was ready to do something, anything and she almost enjoyed the idea of rebellion a bit.

She was sitting and actually trying a bit of her fish pie. It tasted good again and she began to eat it in forkfuls. She was once again joined by Lee Jordan, he sat down across from her.

"Hey Fyre." He greeted her softly and without his normal vigor, like he was nervous he'd scare her. He smiled lightly, but it wasn't his normal handsome smile, it was more of a sympathetic smile.

"Hi Lee." She said, feeling her cheeks become slightly warmer.

"I just wanted to say, I think it's a bloody shame that cow took the Gazette away." Lee said as his gaze reached her eyes.

She nodded, trying to look stronger than she felt. Honestly no one other than Gazette members and Hermione had even mentioned it to her. "Thank you Lee."

"I've never missed an issue and I know you worked really hard on it." He continued.

She crossed her arms and stopped eating, her appetite was starting to be lost as he spoke.

"My favorite was the sports article for the Hufflepuff Vs. Gryffindor match a couple years ago." His smile widened. "An article I remember you wrote."

Lee had often come up to her and complimented a few different articles she had composed, but she didn't think he'd remember an article she'd written nearly two years prior.

"Well, Cedric obviously couldn't write an article about a game he was playing in could he?" Samantha felt sad even mentioning his name. He'd be so disappointed.

"Well, I liked your description of my commentary. 'Comedic and distracted but fun. Lee Jordan is a good commentator when he actually focuses on the game.' Now that's solid literature." Her heart began beating. No one had ever quoted anything she'd wrote before.

His handsome smile returned before continuing, "Do you like butter beer?"

She nodded, wondering where the question was coming from. "Of course, who doesn't?"

"I'd like to try and cheer you up. Maybe, you'd like to go on a date with me to The Three Broomsticks tomorrow?" He asked.

"Oh," Samantha nervously realized he was actually asking her out. She just remembered how her last date had gone and she wasn't sure she was ready for that again. What if he tried to kiss her? What if she wasn't ready? She wasn't in the best state of mind to make real decisions. "I was going to go to that thing Hermione was setting up." She whispered trying to find an excuse not to go, but she also didn't want to say no.

"Oh, I was going to that too. We could meet up afterwards and grab that butter beer." Lee suggested.

"I've got a lot on my mind right now." Samantha said softly. "I'm not sure I'm in the right state of mind for dating."

"Alright. I understand, you've been going through a lot." He nodded. "Another time, maybe?"

Samantha nodded back. "Sure." Samantha didn't know why, but she didn't want to completely turn him down.

Samantha noticed Ginny and Hermione walking together near the entrance of the Great Hall. "I have to get going." Samantha said with a nod. "See you around." She quickly walked to meet with Hermione and Ginny.

"You are very red Samantha. You haven't been crying again?" Hermione asked after she caught up with them.

"No, not at all. Lee Jordan just tried to ask me out." Samantha confided in the two girls.

Ginny smirked slightly. "Bout time he asked you out properly. He's been bloody annoying asking about you."

Samantha raised a confused eyebrow at her friend. "That's what everyone was talking about."

"He started by first asking about the Gazette, then he began asking about you. It wasn't just a little bit." Ginny giggled.

Hermione's face shifted uncomfortably. "What did you respond? Are you going?"

"I said not this time, but maybe another." Samantha whispered. "I'm not particularly in the right headspace currently, not to mention we all remember what happened last time I went on a date."

"Oh come on, he's a lot more handsome than Nicolas." Ginny noted and Samantha suspected that Ginny had hidden a small fancy for him as well.

"He's also a lot older. He's a seventh year. Long distance after Hogwarts can be tricky. Trust me, it's much more complicated to communicate with Viktor now." Hermione continued, "Which is why I insisted we both just be friends and nothing else."

"Lee's really funny though, you need a laugh right now." Ginny argued.

Hermione piggybacked Ginny's statement, "But he's really a lot of trouble. You know how he gets with Fred and George."

"That's rich coming from someone who is organizing a secret club meeting."

Samantha quietly looked back and forth as the argument continued.

"Oh, there is nothing against Hogwarts rules about starting a study club."

"This isn't exactly just a study club Hermione."

"It's more important to focus on your OWLS and self protection than dating." Hermione chimed back.

Samantha nodded, "Exactly. Hermione is right. Thank you Hermione."

"Are the OWLs really that terrible?" Ginny asked.

"Trust me, they aren't something to play around about." Hermione insisted. "They decide our whole future."

"Thank you for the terrifying reminder Hermione." Samantha responded with a shrug as they reached the staircases to begin their ascent back to the common room.