Cold Skin

Seventeen: Fight in the Astronomy Tower

Gia spent the rest of the trip back to Hogwarts laughing with Lee and George. Fred sat next to her and kept a protective hand on her knee. Lee kept making jokes that Fred was going soft on them.

"Gia, stay back with me, will you?" Fred said as he slipped his tie around his neck.

"Of course," Gia walked up to him and straightened his tie. Lee and George snickered at him while they left. George caught Hermoine on the hip as they left and pulled her into an empty compartment.

"Are you alright? He didn't hurt you did he? I'll kill that slimy git!" Fred pushed her up against the wall.

"I'm fine Fredrick, just a little spooked that's all." Gia put her hands on the folds of his robes and kissed him on the cheek.

"If he touches you again, Gia I swear to..." Gia interrupted him

"He won't get the opportunity. Now McGonagall said she needed a word with us after the feast."

    ***

Gia sat with Alice at the feast. Draco sat as far away as he could from them with Pansy, Theo and Blaise. Gia could feel Fred's eyes burning a hole through her the entire time. Harry looked at her worried at the beginning of dinner and she could feel her pulse racing, she rubbed the wooden beads slightly and Fred suddenly behind her.

"I think we need to see Pomfrey," Fred said as he held out his hand and she took it. She had ignored Dumbledores speech and the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Dolores Umbridge. Fred took her up to the hospital wing where they were met with McGonagall and Snape.

"Miss Lupin-Black, are we having the same problems?" Pomfrey asked her as she cast a diagnostic over her.

"Yes, but Fred is just overreacting. General anxiety is nothing to be worried about." Gia said and she looked over to him.

"I think it might be Miss Lupin-Black. This situation is unusual." McGonagall said as she made her way over to Gia's bed.

"Situation?" Fred asked. "What situation?"

"What Professor McGonagall neglected to tell you is that the prophecy that is supposedly about the two of you has a very odd interpretation." Snape crossed his arms across his chest as he spoke.

"Prophecy? Interpretation?" Fred looked at Gia concerned.

"She of Noble Blood and he of the same will be 'Animae dimidium meae'. Destined for illness and pain when apart. The Amortentia will show themselves as well as their partners within. Only one can separate them.'" Snape said as he looked at them. Fred had moved over to her guarding her view from everyone in the room.

"If she is getting sick being away from you, we will not keep you apart." McGonagall's voice was soft. Fred moved to let her gain access to Gia.

"There are the old Head Girl and Boy dormitories, they have been vacant for many years. I have heard that the Head Boy wishes to room in his dormitory." McGonagall looked over at Fred and them back at Gia. "It will just be the two of you. Mr Weasley you will need to spend at least two nights in the Gryffindor dorms."

"George will be so thrilled I will be coming back." Fred was sarcastic. He cared very much for George but it was as if all his attention was on Gia.

"I will need a full check-up with Miss Lupin-Black. Alone." Pomfrey said, moving towards Gia making Fred more possessive.

"I'm alright Freddie. Go see Harry, make sure he's alright."

Pomfrey cast several diagnostics and came to no conclusions. Gia's magical signature was growing stronger by the day, as if something was feeding it. She looked at the glowing orb around her chest and examined it.