The Amorist - D.M

Chapter 12 - Nothing

"He did what?!" Hermione gapes at me, as if she might fall through the centre of the earth if the table wasn't holding her weight - Her palms pressed flat against the dark oak wood.

A few heads turn from other house's tables but no one is near enough to be in earshot.

I purse my lips, looking between the two panicked Gryffindors.

"Well, what do we do now?" Hermione asks, both of us turning to Harry.

Harry's staring at the table, his eyebrows furrowed.

"Harry?" Hermione demands.

"What? I don't know, okay." He says through gritted teeth. "I mean, I thought you were being careful. I thought none of your friends suspected you?!" He searches my expression, itching to find a lie.

"Malfoy is not a friend." I say, distinctly. "Besides I never thought he'd take an interest in what I do."

"He's Umbridge's watch dog, Bel. Obviously he'll be interested in what you do with me." He scoffs.

I go to open my mouth but Hermione butts in,
"Alright, alright!" She sighs, "Well what's done is done, but now what are we going to do? We certainly can't go to the meetings anymore." She hushes her tone.

We all look nervously between eachother and I can't help but feel responsible for all of this.

"Yes we can." Harry speaks.

"Are you insane?" She hisses.

"We can create a diversion - but we'll need some help." Harry looks over to the Ravenclaw table where four familiar girls sit chatting.

"You can't be serious." I scoff.

"Deadly serious. However, we will have to lay low for a couple weeks, maybe wait till after Christmas - that way Ron and his brothers can be there."

"I hope you know what you're doing Harry." I say nervously, picking up my books from the table.

Hermione follows my lead, gathering her things. "What's next?"

"Defence Against the Dark Arts - Umbridge." Harry answers.

"Brilliant. Just who we needed to see." I answer glumly.

We all strain and get to our feet, beginning to walk to class.

"Do you think she knows?" I ask sheepishly.

"Probably." Harry drones, looking lifelessly at the other passing students.

I bite my lip as we pass through several corridors, taking a notice at the lack of speed we seem to have as we approach the classroom.

We come to a stop outside where a few other students seem to be loitering. There's fumbling of books and flipping of papers coming from inside and even Hermione doesn't seem too eager to sit through this period.

"Can't we just skip it?" I suggest, peering inside.

"No, that's too obvious - and I don't want another detention." Harry exclaims, both our minds trailing off to the detentions we've sat through cutting into our forearms.

Suddenly we all jump from the squeaky voice announcing itself in the classroom, "Miss Granger," the pink lady begins, "I'd highly suggest if you don't want a detention that you come inside at once." Harry and I walk infront of the door, her expression becoming something a little more unimpressed.

We all shuffle into the classroom, taking our seats. Almost on instinct, I gaze behind me to find the preying eyes of Malfoy; smugly twiddling his wand. I turn back to the front sighing at the misfortune of our situation.