Two Sisters, Two Loves

Dumbledore's Army (Problems)

*Krista’s Point of View*
  My entire body shook violently with cold despite being bundled in layers of jackets, scarves and gloves. It’s been two weeks and winter came early. The windy snowfall froze the lenses of my glasses over, causing me to be even blinder to my pure white surroundings.
  “Come on, slowpokes!” Fred called from up ahead.
  “I’m trying!” I called back, “I can’t see!”
  Kenzie came up beside me and hooked her arm with mine, “Come on, Krista. Hermione said to not be late.”
  “I know, I know.”
  Kenzie guided me all the way into Hogsmeade, pulling me out of deep snow drifts whenever I sank in. We walked to the far end of the small town and stepped through the door of the Boar’s Head. A small, dark and dreary little pub that pretty much nobody goes into. I removed my glasses, using my scarf to clear away the frost that blinded me the entire way. Another shiver jolted through me as I put them back on. The ice cold metal brushed against my numb cheeks.
  “Krista!”
  I looked up to find Neville standing in front of me smiling. He looked so adorable with his red and gold scarf and earmuffs.
  I blushed, “Hey, Neville.”
  Kenzie and the twins had already taken their places among the others. Neville grabbed my hand and guided me to the last two chairs with Fred and George wolf-whistling at us. Feeling returned to my cheeks as they became red with embarrassment, but it felt good. Everyone was silent as we waited for the meeting to start.
  Hermione took a deep breath, standing before us, “Um… Hi. So, you all know why we’re here. We need a teacher… A proper teacher. One who’s had experience defending themselves against the Dark Arts.”
  “Why?” one boy challenged.
  Ron’s temper rose, “Why? Because You-Know- Who’s back, you tosspot.”
  The boy beckoned to Harry, “So he says.”
  “So Dumbledore says,” Hermione snapped.”
  “So, Dumbledore says because he says. The point is, where’s the proof?”
  It went silent for a few moments, then another boy spoke up, “If Potter could tell us more about how Diggory got killed…”
  Suspense rose as everyone looked to Harry.
  Harry stood up, “I’m not going to talk about Cedric, so if that’s why you’re here, clear out now.”
  He whispered something to Hermione and tried to take off when Luna chimed up, “Is it true you can produce a Patronus Charm?”
  “Yes,” Hermione answered for him, “I’ve seen it.”
  “Blimey, Harry. I didn’t know you can do that,” Dean said sounding impressed.
  Neville squeezed my hand, “And he killed a basilisk, with the sword in Dumbledore’s office.”
  “It’s true,” Ginny backed up.
  This was getting good. I decided to get in on it.
  “Don’t forget about third year!” I called out.
  Ron grinned, “He fought off about a hundred dementors at once.”
  Everyone had their eyes glued to Harry, including myself. It’s so hard to believe what our gang has been through the past four short years. It’s amazing what Harry has done, not only to protect himself, but to protect the school and everyone in it.
  Hermione continued, “Last year, he really did fight You-Know-Who in the flesh.”
  “Wait.”
  The room went silent, listening intently.
  “Look, it all sounds great when you say it like that, but the truth is, most of that was just luck. I didn’t know what I was doing half the time. I nearly always had help.”
  “He’s just being modest.”
  “No, Hermione, I’m not,” Harry argued, “Facing this stuff in real life is not like school. In school, if you make a mistake, you can just try again tomorrow… When you’re a second away from being murdered, or watching a friend die right before your eyes…” He gulped, “You don’t know what that’s like.”
  I felt hot tears stinging my eyes. Harry’s right. We don’t know and we may never until it’s too late. I wiped my face as a single tear escaped.
  “You’re right, Harry. We don’t and that’s why we need you,” Hermione told him.
  The first boy who had called them out choked, “So, He’s really back?”
  Harry looked up and nodded at each of us individually. His jaw set in determination and he reached over to Hermione who handed him a sheet of parchment and a quill. We watched curiously as Harry scribbled on the paper and slammed it on the table.
  “If you’re willing to fight back, come sign up.”
  Wasting no time, Neville yanked me from my chair as the whole crowd flooded over to the table to sign their names. I can’t believe we’re doing this, but I feel so alive with this plan. I’ve never been so set to break rules in my life.
  After the meeting, our whole group headed back to the castle together. Harry, Hermione, Ron, Me, Neville, Kenzie, Ginny and Luna discussed further preparations.
  “We need a place to practice. Somewhere Umbridge would never think of looking,” Harry instructed.
  “Empty classroom?” Neville suggested.
  “I already thought of that,” Kenzie said, “Harry says it’s too obvious.”
  “Our common room?” asked Ginny.
  Harry shook his head, “No. Some of the portraits are taking her side. It’s too risky having other houses coming in all the time.”
  “You know, this feels pretty good, doesn’t it? Breaking the rules,” Hermione said with a bit too much enthusiasm.
  We looked in between each other with Ron tapping her shoulder, “Who are you and what have you done with Hermione Granger?”
  We all laughed and I looked at Neville, who had his arm wrapped around me the whole way. We reached the castle, disbanding and going in separate directions. Fred and George headed to the great hall, Harry, Hermione and Ron, headed up to Gryffindor tower, Ginny and Luna went to look for Luna’s stolen belongings.
  I looked to Kenzie, “Hey, you want to hang out with us, sis?”
  At first, she didn’t respond. Her eyes glazed with thought.
  “Kenzie?”
  Her attention snapped back to me, “I’m sorry, what?”
  I sighed, “I asked if you would like to hang with us.”
  “Oh,” she laughed, “No, thank you. I know you need your lover time.”
  “Ha-ha, very funny.”
  She smirked as she looked behind Neville and I then looked behind her.
  Neville cleared his throat, “Uh, Kenzie? What are you looking for?”
  The color drained from her face as her body became rigid, “Nothing.”
  “Kenzie. Are you okay?” I asked.
  She kept her voice steady and forced a smile, “Yeah, I’m fine.”
  I raised an eyebrow, “You don’t seem fine.”
  “I am. Trust me,” she tried to assure me, “I’ll see you guys around.”
  She took off and I called out after her, “Wait, Kenzie!”
  I watched concernedly as she ignored my calls and took off upstairs. I sighed as Neville held my hand.
  “I’m sure it’s nothing,” He said soothingly, “I’m sure of it.”
  I sighed again, “I just wish I knew what’s going on with her. She’s not herself.”
  “Just give her some space. She’ll come around.”
  I gave him a weak smile and kissed his cheek, “Thanks.”
  He smiled back, “Anytime. Come walk with me.”
  We turned and started to walk down an adjacent hallway, talking and laughing. Neville knew exactly how to cheer me up.
  “Hey, Krista! Neville!” A voice called from behind us.
  We turned to see Seamus running up to us. A bright, yellow flower in his hand.
  “Hey, Seamus,” I greeted, “What’s the flower for?”
  A large grin spread across his face, darkening by three shades of pink, “It’s…” he chuckled nervously, “For your sister.”
  I jumped with excitement, “Aww, really? What for?”
  He cleared his throat, “Well, you and Kenzie are considered some of the prettiest and kindest girls here. Lots of guys like you. Ever since you started dating Longbottom here, people have been talking.”
  I was still trying to wrap my head around the fact of guys liking both of us. I would never expect more than one.
  “Talking about what?” I asked.
  “Well, Neville, a word of advice. Become more confident. Some guys are not happy with you right now.”
  A mischievous grin spread across his face and he hugged me, “Who cares? Krista loves me and that’s all that matters.”
  Seamus laughed, but became serious, “Well, now that Krista’s taken, people are wondering who is going to get to your sister.”
  I laughed, “Well, this whole thing is a bit hard to comprehend, but I think it will be a long time before someone wins my sister over. She claims to not like anyone right now.”
  “That maybe so, but this is war,” Seamus explained, “So, I have one question. Have you seen her?”
  I pointed to the staircase, “She just ran upstairs.”
  Seamus grinned, “Thanks.”
  I shook my head in disbelief as Seamus ran up the stone staircase, “There’s no way that’s true for us.”
  “Yes, it is.”
  I looked at Neville in confusion, “What?”
  He nodded, “What Seamus said is true. We even overheard some Slytherins confess to it.”
  I shuddered in disgust, “Sick.”
  Neville laughed, “Anyways, after liking you for such a long time then suddenly hearing that someone else was going after you, I did what I could to get to you first. Now, some weirdoes are going after Kenzie.”
  I chuckled, “She’ll be fine. I know her.”
  Neville pulled on my arm, “Come with me.”
 “Where are we going?”
  Neville smirked, “Somewhere.”
  I chuckled and followed him upstairs. This has really been one strange day…
*Kenzie’s Point of View*
  Tears started streaming down my face when I was out of sight from Krista and Neville. I know it seems out of place for me, but it’s too much. The tension between Draco and my friends just keeps getting worse. Plus with all the strict rules, we almost never see each other. Umbridge had started changing the classes so two houses have a 0.001% chance of having a class together, but that’s not the full reason I’m upset. It’s been about two weeks since that night I fake argued with him in front of Harry, Ron and Hermione, and he hasn’t even tried to talk to me. The other night, I saw him with Crabbe, Goyle and Blaise as usual, but that skanky Pansy Parkinson was clinging to him the entire time. Kissing his face and holding on to his arm. I asked him about her before and he had told me that she disgusted him. She’s too clingy and domineering, yet there he was sitting with her like it was normal. They even saw me too. I know we’re supposed to hide our relationship, but I’m not letting any guys come near me. I just can’t believe I allowed myself to be sucked in like this. Hermione was right. He doesn’t give a damn.
  I turned the corner, hearing laughter.
  “What’s the matter with you, Lewis?” Blaise sneered.
  I didn’t say anything at all. I looked between the four guys. Crabbe, Goyle and Blaise kept laughing and taunting my shattering pain. I looked at Draco, expecting the same treatment only to find his eyes reflecting my emotional wounds. He looked guilty and seemed just as hurt.
  “Guys, shut up!” Draco commanded.
  The three of them looked at him with shocked expressions. Not believing what they had just heard.
  Draco stood up and walked up to me before turning back to them, “Go.”
  “But, Malfoy…” Crabbe started.
  “I said, Go!” he growled.
  They reluctantly obeyed, heading to the dungeons.
  Draco sighed, “Kenzie, I’m sorry.”
  “For what?!” I hissed, “Lying to me and breaking my heart?”
  “It wasn’t like that!”
  More tears streamed down my face, “Then what was it then?”
  “Please, hear me out. You know I don’t like her… actually, in more correct terms, I hate her. She’s been doing that to me all these years and the guys have accepted it as normal. I honestly hate it, but I didn’t want to slip our secret before we were ready.”
  “You expect me to believe that?!” I cried.
  Guilt began to overpower me as he began to tear up too. Draco Malfoy never cries. Ever. A single tear dropped like rain from his storm cloud eyes as he reached into his pocket.
  He stood in front of me and pulled out a small, black box, “You may not believe me right now, but Kenzie Lewis, I love you. You mean the world to me and nothing is worth losing you.”
  I didn’t say a word. I just watched him, unsure of what to do.
  “And I hope you can forgive me for what happened,” he started, opening the box to reveal a silver heart necklace, “Especially if I say, ‘happy one month anniversary.’”
  I covered my mouth in awed shock, “Draco, you remembered!”
  “I wouldn’t dream of forgetting. Will you forgive me?”
  My tears of pain changed to tears of joy, “Of course I forgive you!”
  Draco’s smile brightened his tear-stained cheeks. He removed the necklace from the box and clasped it around my neck.
  “It’s beautiful,” I smiled, “I love it.”
  “I knew you would.”
  Draco wrapped me in a tight embrace before kissing me sweetly, “I love you.”
  I buried my face in his shoulder, “I love you, too.”
  He pressed his lips to mine, making my body shiver with his touch. How I missed it so.
   “I really am sorry, love,” he whispered.
  I chuckled, “Prove it.”
  He kissed me again, pinning his hands on my hips. I smiled underneath the kiss, kissing back eagerly. I had just really missed him.
  “Kenzie?!”
  Draco and I looked up to see Krista and Neville staring at us in total shock.
  I swallowed hard, “Uh, oh….”