My One and Only

Chapter 19 - Year 2

A POUNDING HEADACHE AND AN UNSETTLED STOMACH WAS A COMBINATION THAT WAS BEST TREATED WITH MORE REST, in Maia's experience, but she knew she'd fall behind quickly if she missed an entire day of lessons, and despite her nausea, some breakfast sounded good, so hesitantly, she dragged herself out of bed, not bothering to comb her hair and instead throwing it up in a bun.

The common room was almost completely empty, so Maia didn't have to deal with anyone questioning her messy hair and dark eyes as she trudged down to the Great Hall. Hermione, Ron, and Harry were already seated at the Gryffindor table, and Maia didn't have to be close to know what they were talking about. The looks on their faces as they bent their heads close together was enough to tip her off that it was most definitely not a conversation that would help her headache.

"Riddle must have got the wrong person."

She heard Hermione say as she neared the trio.

"It had to have been some other monster attacking those people-"

"How many monsters do you think are in this place, Mione?" Ron interrupted as Maia swung her leg over the bench and plopped down beside him.

"My money is on a lot." She muttered, ignoring their startled looks as she reached for the toast. She didn't think her stomach could handle anything heavier. "And Hermione's right. That monster that Hagrid was protecting was an acromantula. When they attack a human, nothing is left behind, which means it couldn't have been the monster behind the attacks because the girl who died was left intact."

Harry frowned, though Maia could tell he looked a little relieved to find proof of Hagrid's innocence. "Still." He began. "The attacks must have stopped after Hagrid was expelled. If they hadn't, Riddle wouldn't have gotten his award."

Maia chewed slowly, focusing on the crunch of the bread rather than the twisting in her stomach. It was the same conclusion Maia had come to the night before, and she still had no response to it.

"All I know, is Hagrid is innocent." She said finally, standing abruptly and marching away, ignoring the trio's eyes on her back as she retreated. She knew she was being a bit dramatic, but the last thing she needed after the night she'd had was more stress. They could solve the mystery without her. In the meantime, she was going to find something to ease the pounding behind her eyes.

"Woah, easy there." Hands caught Maia by the shoulders as she rounded a corner and nearly slammed into a figure. Fred peered down at her, one eyebrow quirked as he took in her disheveled appearance. "Where are you off to in such a hurry?"

"Somewhere where no one will bother me." Maia groaned, falling into his arms instinctively and burying her face in his neck. She didn't have enough energy to feel embarrassed by her actions, and found that the comfort of his embrace was already easing the tension in her shoulders.

"Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed." He joked, his arms coming around her shoulders and settling there. One of his hands found its way to her head and he began to stroke, careful not to tug her hair out of its up do.

Maia huffed in response, her own arms wrapping around his waist and gripping the back of his robes. A shiver ran down her spine as his fingers brushed the back of her neck and she suppressed a sigh of content.

"Did something happen?" he asked, and she shifted her face slightly so that she could breathe, but kept her nose pressed to his neck.

"Just stress." She said, he wouldn't press her for more. "Nothing too serious."

"Now just a minute, young lady, stress is very serious." He said, tilting his head down to look at her, a teasing smile on his face. "You're in luck though. I happen to be an experienced stress healer."