champagne problems ~ d.m.

II

            Ron and I return to the train cabin moments before we are about to arrive in Hogsmeade. On the way back, both of us remain completely silent; I've honestly given up making any sort of small talk at this point. With all that has been happening recently, I can't deal with these boys' juvenile games; I have far too much on my plate to be concerned about that.

            After what feels like decades, the train eventually comes to a slow stop. We all unloaded the train in absolute uncomfortable silence. There had been a strain on our little group ever since Harry had arrived this summer, we all had grown a little distant. Nothing that couldn't be fixed, but we knew that Harry needed his time to process what was going on. We quietly approach the carriages and take them to the castle for the sorting ceremony and feast. It wasn't something I was looking forward to, especially given certain recent events.

            We enter and, as usual, make it through the sorting ceremony, it seems like yesterday when Harry, Ron and I were up there. Then comes the feast. In addition to everything the boys had been through this summer, I had my own troubles that were piling up. Ron had picked up on it a few weeks into the summer. He had noticed the irregularity in my eating patterns. Skipping meals, moving around food, excuses. It didn't take him long to find out especially because of how closely he keeps an eye on me.

Flashback

            I stared down at the full plate of food the Ms. Weasley had just so kindly prepared for the whole family. I stare down at it feeling like it's staring back at me. I can't do it. I can't possibly eat right now. Not when there is so much to be done. I look up at the rest of the Weasleys downing their food. "I just have some work to get done so if you don't mind I'm just going to take this up to my room." I saw them with a smile on my face so they don't think any different. Ms. Weasley looks up at me with the usual motherly smile, "Oh no problem my dear. I know you and your smart little brain will always be working. Come down if you would like more!" She said as I stood up and departed from the table getting the look from Ron that he knew something was up.

            I had been staying with the Weasleys at Grimmauld Place for about a month or so now. They had deemed it best to stay there this summer rather than home with my parents and I can't say that I disagree. It would all have been fine except in the last months of school with all going on my eating has slowly been declining. And I had barely noticed until I looked in the mirror and noticed how sharp my collar bones had become, how profound. If my mind hadn't been so weak I would have realized what this was the start of, but given what had just happened with Cedric and Harry, it slipped my mind.

            Moments after arriving upstairs I hear Ron's footsteps slowly and quietly make their way up the stairs. I have learned the sound of his quiet walk because to be honest it's not all the quiet. He gives the faintest little knock on the door and makes his way in my room. "Hey, uh, 'Mione. Can I talk to you about something real quick?" I could tell through his stutters that I knew what was coming.

            "Yeah, alright. I have quite an awful amount of work to do though so if you don't mind making it quick." I say trying to get him out of there as quickly as possible.

            He looks at me with his puppy eyes and says, "What's been going on with you?"

            "What do you mean what's been going on with me?" I look at him like he is a ghost in broad daylight.

            He stutters, "Well, I mean recently I've noticed you haven't been eating." The blood rushes to my face, I knew this was coming but I honestly never thought Ron would be the one to bring it up. "And I just wanted to check on you 'Mione."

            "Ron don't be silly, I've just been busy and my mind is racing about the Order and worrying about Harry. I'm fine." I gave a sharp smile and that was it. It was never mentioned again. Sometimes he would give me that look or say something like 'Just a little more' referring to adding some more food. But other than that it was never mentioned again. We both let my mind get the best of me.

            The feast passes with a blink of an eye and in a matter of minutes Ron and I are leading an abnormally large group of Gryffindor first years out of the Great Hall to their dorms. On our way to the entrance to Gryffindor tower we bump into a familiar face. I, again, see Draco's cold grey eyes burning into my skull. We pass him and I shake it off like nothing had happened, trying to ignore the odd feeling I am left with.

            Finally we make it to the fat lady's portrait at the entrance to Gryffindor tower and make it inside. Then we, or should I say, broke down the whole common room for them and explained where the girls and boys dormitories were. I could see Harry, Fred, George, and Ginny sitting close by out of the corner of my eye. No doubt listening to my every word to some who come up with some cute little joke later.

            As just Harry, Ron and I remain in the Common room after all the lights go out. Harry speaks up for the first time after leaving the station. "It feels good to be back." he says with a sort of grin on his face then continues, "I know what happened here last here was bad, but Hogwarts just feels like the best place to be right now." I mean I can't disagree with him. With everything going on right now it's nice to just take a break and enjoy being a kid. When we were back at Grimmauld place there were always people coming and going talking about all the things that were going on. But here it's just peace, at least for now.

            "I agree with you mate." Ron says as he gives Harry a hard slap on the back. "We should hit the Quidditch pitch tomorrow, if you're feeling up to it."

            Harry gives Ron the biggest girl we've seen in awhile, "When am I not up for a good old Quidditch match." And with that the boys made their way up to their room. I try to sleep but recently that hasn't been happening.

            Ultimately at around three in the morning I came to the decision that taking a walk around the castle would be the best option right now. Maybe go for a cup of tea as well.

            Making my way down in the dungeons in the dark isn't something that is taboo for me, for years I have been sneaking down to the kitchens after curfew to chat with the house elves and keep them company. Sometimes people can just be too much, and I enjoy being around the house elves.

            While walking down the stairs I notice a figure in the distance, normally I would run and hide but now that I am a prefect I am technically allowed to roam around after hours. I speak into the distance, "Run along to bed, it is well after hours." The figure turns towards me, gives me a long stare and then walks off in the opposite direction. It's too late to write anyone up, and given the contrary I couldn't care any less.

            After that I made the executive decision that maybe it wasn't a good idea to bother the house elves on the first night back after the feast. I made my way back up to Gryffindor tower and then through the common room up towards my room. I lay in bed staring at the ceiling till the girls around me woke up to start getting ready for the first day of classes. This was going to be a long year.