Lonely

Chapter Seven

The week continued on in much of the same pattern. Thankfully aside from defense against the dark arts, or as it was newly labeled "dark arts", the majority of Leo's classes were engaging and educational, albeit rigorous. By the time Friday arrived Leo already felt as though she was much too far behind on her assignments.

However the end of the week brought a happy arrival, Leanne had to delay her return to school by a week due to her father being ill but was finally coming back to school. Leo sat through Charms, her leg bouncing with nervous energy at the expected arrival of her friend. Heddie, the other seventh year Hufflepuff, was muggle-born and, like Justin, had been unable to return for the school year. Without Leanne, the dormitory had felt empty with only Leo, Hannah, and Susan to fill it.

"Would you sit still or go use the loo already?" Ernie whispered at Leo from his spot on the bench next to her. Leo scowled at him. "I'm just excited for Leanne to arrive." She said, but planted her feet on the floor. "Oh, ok. I'm excited for Leanne to get here too." Ernie said his cheeks blushing slightly as he glanced at Leo from the corner of his eye. Leo pretended not to notice, jotting down something that Professor Flitwick was saying, but made a mental note to talk to Hannah and Susan about it at lunch.

After Charms, Leo made her way to the great hall with Ernie. As they approached the entrance she stopped short at the sound of someone calling her name, looking over her shoulder to see the youngest Weasley approaching her. Ginny hurried to catch up to Ernie and Leo. "Can we, um, talk?" She asked, shooting a glance at Ernie. Leo nodded, turning to her friend she said, "Go ahead Ern, I'll meet you inside in a bit!" Ernie muttered some agreement before hurrying off to the great hall, his mind most likely already contemplating what he would have for lunch.

Leo looked back to Ginny, who was tucking a strand of her ginger hair behind her ear. "Hey, Leo! How's your year been so far? These new classes are bloody ridiculous, aren't they? I can't believe we have to take them, and I think it'll only get worse." Ginny paused, looking to Leo expectantly. Leo stood for a moment, her lips slightly parted, unsure which of Ginny's questions to answer first. "Erm, yeah my semesters started off alright! Aside from the new classes, as you mentioned." The Gryffindor nodded. "Good, good. Anyway, I'm glad to see you. I've been meaning to say to you. Luna, Neville, and I have been talking and," She lowered her voice to a whisper, "We're starting back up Dumbledore's army. For Ron, Hermione, and Harry. We're going to give Snape and the Carrows hell." Ginny smirked as she finished her sentence. "So. Are you in?" Leo chewed on her lip, meeting Ginny's eye as she looked up at her expectantly.

Thoughts of her father, Harry, a normal last year of school, all flashed through her head. It seemed as though everything was lost, and there was no way for her to fix it. There was a glint in her eye as she said, "Sure, why not. What's the worst that could happen?" Ginny grinned mischievously. "Sound. I'll let Neville and Luna know. Sit with us tomorrow at breakfast, we already have an idea for our first attack." And with that, Ginny flipped her long hair over her shoulder and marched into the great hall. Leo shook her head slightly, grinning, and followed after her.

Later in the Hufflepuff common room, Hannah, Leo, Susan, and Ernie sat near the fire expectantly waiting for the arrival of their friend. Leo's head still swirled from the conversation with Ginny earlier and she wondered what Ginny had in mind for their first "attack" as Ginny had phrased it. She also wondered if the Weasley had any news from her brother and, in turn, Harry. She knew Harry had gone to the Weasley's before going on the run, so Ginny must know at least something of where they were and what they were up to.

She heard Hannah squeal and looked up to spy Leanne approaching them, a grin spread across her face. "Ah! I've missed you all!" She exclaimed, pulling Hannah in for a hug, which the rest of them joined. The group sat together, talking by the light of the fire. Leo and the others barely noticed the Hufflepuff common room slowly empty as students turned in for the night, the moon slowly rising in the sky. Finally, as Leanne covered yet another yawn, leaning against Susan's shoulder, Hannah suggested that they all head to bed.