What If? Year 1

Chapter 19

When I wake up the next day and everyone is talking about the writing on the wall.  I was already tired of the small rumor that Harry, Ron, and Hermione did it. 
"I can't believe someone would do that to a cat!" Heather says, as she pets Snowflake and Midnight, "I mean what kind of heartless monster would do that?" Ginny shrugs. 
"Well obviously, whatever petrified Mrs. Norris," Ara says, making me giggle. Ara's hair was blood red today. It was Sunday and we were all studying and working on homework. Hermione came and went, sometimes helping us study.  I was starting to get a little fidgety, and wanted to go outside.  I was wearing Cedric's jacket, and no one had said anything. It was big and I could use the sleeves to slap people. 
"I'm done," I say, shutting my Potion's book, "when you guys are done, do you want to go outside?" 
"Yes!" Ara says, "Can we go now? I am so bored! I just have my Potions left and I can just copy off  you, right, Goldie?" 
"We can go when you finish," I tell her, "You can't copy me." Ginny and Heather giggle. Ara starts writing on her parchment.  

Once all the everyone else finishes their homework, we walk outside to the lake.  Orange, red, and yellow leaves were scattered on the grass.  The Hufflepuff quidditch team is walking back from the quidditch pitch.  Cedric looks over me and waves. I wave back, smiling. 
"Are you going to ask him out ever?" Heather asks, "he seems like he might be interested!" I roll my eyes, before facing her. 
"He's four years older then me!" I say, "it's not that weird, but why would he want to be with me, a stupid little first year?" Ara shakes her head. 
"Whatever you dork," she says.  We stop by the shore and sit down. Some seventh year girls were getting pushed in the lake by seventh year boys.  The giant squid takes great fun in the game and just carefully sets the girls back on the shores. 
"I can't believe that they are just okay with getting pushed into the lake!" Ara says, "I would have hexed them by now!" Ginny and Heather giggle. 
"That's why they're getting pushed in the lake and not us," I mumble, crossing my airs and shivering, slightly. 
"Hey, Goldie!" Cedric shouts, running over to me, "Are you cold? You should go back inside if you're cold." 
"I'm fine, Ced," I tell him, "You should go change, that quidditch uniform can't be very warm." Cedric nods and waves to the group before running back over to the castle. 
"Sometimes I feel like he's just my friends because he does not think I can take care of myself." I grumble.  
"Of course you can't take care of yourself!" Heather chuckles, "why would you think that?" All of us laugh. 
"Hey, Ginny!" Fred shouts, as he and his twin walk up to us,  "Would you be willing to help us with something?" George nods eagerly behind him. 
"Sure," she says, smiling, "Am I needed now?" Fred nods. 
"Yep," George says, "come along!" Ginny waves to us.  
"I almost forgot!" Heather exclaims, randomly, "I needed to ask Hermione about something.. I'll meet you two back at the Great Hall for dinner?" I have no idea what kind of question would take that long, but I nod.  
"Sure," Ara says, smiling. Harry and Ron were sitting under a tree and talking. 
Probably about quidditch
Ara and I walk over to them and sit down. 
"Hello," Ron says, awkwardly, "what are you guys doing out here? I would have thought you would still be inside doing homework." Harry laughs, before nodding. I glare at Harry before answering Ron. 
"We've already finished our homework. And it looked so nice out, so we decided to stay outside." 
"Did you put sunscreen on before you came out?" Harry asks, turning to me, sounding conserened. 
"No," I tell him, "why would I need to do that? We're at Hogwarts, Harry." Harry touches my arm, causing pain, so I pull away. 
"That's why," he says, "you burn to easily not to wear sunscreen!  Mum always puts sunscreen on you before we played outside!" 
"I know that, Harry," I grumble, "I'll just have Madam Pomfrey fix it up, later." Ron and Ara shift awkwardly. 
"I'm gonna show Ara some of my books," Ron rushes out, getting up. Ara nods and follows. I glare at Harry. 
"Why do you have to be so annoying?" I ask him. He laughs and touches my arm again. I kick his shin, after pulling my arms out of his reach. 
"It's almost winter!" I mumble, "normal people only get burnt during the summer! But not me! No, this ginger gets to be burnt all year round!" Harry laughs again. 
"Are you excited for the quidditch match tomorrow?" he asks, tilting his head a little. I nod, smiling. I had not gotten to see him play for school yet. 
"I wish Evie was here to watch it with me," I says, sadly, "but I just have to wait two more years and she'll be here with us!" Harry nods. 
"How has school been," he says, laying down in the grass, "it feels like it's been ages since we've talked for this long." 
"It's been going good," I tell him, laying down next to him, "I miss Mum, Dad, and Evie, but I've made such great friends here." Harry nods. 
"Would you be comfortable if Ara spent the holidays with us?" I ask him.  Redness starts to creepy up my face. 
"I guess.." he says. He looks over at me.  He looks confused. 
"She doesn't have anywhere to g-go f-for the h-holid-days," I stutter out, "I j-just th-thought w-we h-have enough r-room-m at-t our h-house.  I'd h-have t-to as-sk M-mum f-firs-st, of-f c-cours-se. B-but I-" 
"It's fine, Goldie," Harry cuts me off, "She can come over, if Mum's okay with it." I nod, ringing my hands. He smiles and sits up. 
"May I walk you to the hospital wing?" he asks, giving my his hands. I nod and take his hand. We walk to the hospital wing, talking about quidditch and memories from back home.