Birdie

Chapter 10

Violet's PoV:

"It was Molly?!" The best way I could describe Izzy's inside voice was Oliver Wood's after winning a quidditch match.

Everyone within a hundred-mile radius turned their heads towards the library table Izzy and I had claimed. Any hint of gossip was feasted on by the students at Hogwarts. They craved it like an addict craved weed.

My lips formed a shush to Izzy as I nodded quickly. "I couldn't believe it. I mean, I know she thinks he's fit but..."

Izzy just shook her head with her mouth still hanging open in shock. She didn't take any notice of the curious glances that were being thrown our way.

Restlessly, I remained silent for a moment so Izzy could process this information. It took her years to understand how some people are ginger. Imagine her face when she saw most of the Weasleys together in first year.

"Draco could be lying," Izzy suggested with uncertainty tripping up her tone and swimming in her eyes.

Of course, I had considered that but I was almost certain Draco was telling the truth. After years of Draco lying to me, I was mostly able to tell when he was. Well, apart from the whole bet thing but who cares about details?

"I don't think he is." I sighed dejectedly as I slumped my chin on my hand. Izzy sighed too and placed her arms on her potions homework so she could rest her head.

"You need to start packing your stuff for Christmas break," Izzy mumbled onto her arm. "Half your clothes are on my side of the wardrobe."

Shit. It had completely slipped my mind to tell Izzy I wasn't going home for Christmas. Mum and Dad were moving house so they were spending the entirety of Christmas moving their stuff around. Mum had sent me a letter advising me it would probably be best if I stayed at Hogwarts this break. Plus, I knew Izzy wouldn't be going home and I didn't want her to be by herself. Christmas at easter was underrated anyway.

"I'm staying here for Christmas."

Izzy's head shot up and a wide excited but surprised smile stained her cupid bow lips.

"What?!" Izzy exclaimed turning the heads of everyone again. Biting back my amusement, I nodded again.

"Mum and Dad are getting things ready for the new house. They know how I am around mess so I'd prefer to say here anyway." I answered as I looked down and began scanning the contents pages of my charms textbook.

Izzy was probably about to scream across the table at me again but another voice tore across the library.

"Violet!" Harry's voice cascaded from behind the ancient bookshelves. Through the gaps between the books and the above shelf, my eyes caught sight of two sets of black robes making their way over to Izzy and me.

Harry and Neville bumbled from around the corner and both landed with their hands against our table. Izzy and I just stared up in bewilderment as the two friends caught their breath.

If Harry was here to warn me about Draco again then I wou-

"Go to Slughorn's party with me?"

What. The. Fuck.

Harry must have seen the red alarm bells flashing in my eyes as his eyes grew wide.

"As friends I mean. Apparently we have to have a date and it's tonight."

I said a silent prayer that there weren't any feelings involved in this. I had completely forgotten about the whole bring a date thing. It was just another way for the teachers to torture the socially awkward.