The Amorist - D.M

Chapter 10 - One of the Rarest

The last couple days have gone painfully slow. I still haven't spoken to Theo. Malfoy hasn't paid much mind to me either, not that I care. However, Blaise and Pansy and Crabb and Goyle have been warming up to me recently, this has become profoundly obvious to Harry, Ron and Hermione and I have a feeling they're starting to feel agitated about it; Not because they don't want me to have friends in my house but because of how all of them have treated me the last four years. Don't get me wrong - I don't forgive them, but I also don't mind not tiptoeing around everywhere anymore.

Blaise is actually pretty funny as a friend, although he won't let go of this ridiculous nickname he's given me.

I've found out Pansy is quite the softie once you get to know her, she's got an odd obsession with trying to achieve her animagus. She believes it's going to be a rabbit or a deer, I reckon it'll be some sort of feline - which she obviously denies.

Crabb and Goyle aren't too bad either, they can be quite annoying and dense sometimes but all in all they just mess around a lot.

I'm currently headed to a DA meeting with Luna in The Room of Requirement.

We stop short infront of the entrance, looking around to make sure no one is looking as the bricks begin to magically re-mold into the familiar shape of the door.

We walk through to be greeted by spells flying by left right and centre. We duck to avoid one carelessly header straight for our heads.

"Sorry!" Fred shouts.

"That's alright." Luna smiles, skipping further into the room.

I notice Harry practicing with Ginny on one of the matts, unsuccessfully trying to cast a charm.

Hermione and Ron are laughing amongst themselves near the fireplace. Mione catches my eye and waves me over. I convoy over to the two of them - quickly dodging another spell.

"Bloody hell, this place is a battle ground." Ron says, taking my hand to pull me to avoid another.

"Might as well be." I add as he releases his grip.

"Where were you? I didn't see you all day." Hermione cocks her head curiously at me.

"I was with Ophelia and Blaise." I mumble.

"I don't trust them one bit Bel. They're friends with Malfoy I mean how much worse could it get?" Ron says, undeniably worried about this.

"It'll be fine. Besides, obviously I'd never tell them about the meetings, I haven't even told Ophelia." I state, worried they're questioning my trustworthiness.

"We aren't worried about your loyalty Bel, we know that stands with us. We just don't want them getting suspicious." Mione pleads, furrowing her eyebrows, "You know they've been doing Umbridge's dirty work." She lowers her voice.

"Wait, what?" I'm confused, I've never heard them talk of anything about Umbridge.

"I've seen them." She remarks, some sort of displeasure crossing her features.

"They're always sneaking around after her." Ron adds, vexation clear in his voice.

"We need to be more careful Bel, you can't trust any of them." Mione implores.

"I'll be careful." I breathe, both of them giving me wary looks. "I promise."

I'm not really sure how I didn't see it until now but I can't really trust anyone in my house. Ophelia could even be involved for all I know.

The intensity is swept from the air and after a couple beats of silence, Ron interrupts it, "Harry's teaching us patronus charms today." Ron smiles sheepishly.