Nightmare (Harry Potter OC Fic)

24. Dumbledore's Army

Kei took their position as Head Girl very seriously, to the point of coming off as annoying but it worked. She scheduled rounds perfectly for the first meeting of Harry's defence lessons and no one suspected a thing. Just in time, Tiberius passed the knight statue on the third floor where he promised to meet Kei to go to the secret meeting room together. The pair finally managed to get into the room only to be surprised at how large and prepared the room was.

"I think that's the last of you," a voice came from the front. Kei looked over to see Harry nervously rocking on his heels at the front of the room.

The pair took their seats and waited for instruction. The nervous fifth year conducted the lesson in a respectable manner starting it off with Expelliarmus– Tiberius approved.

Kei very much approved of disarming Tiberius time after time, teasing and mocking him for the two-hour-long lesson. Obviously, he disarmed Kei with great pleasure and success for they were equally matched. A lighthearted lesson, easy and controlled.

"I'd say I'm letting you disarm me, but we both know that's not true," laughed Kei.

"Frankie, don't beat yourself up over it," Tiberius said. "It's only practice."

She rolled her eyes as she walked the corridors with Tiberius. It was just before curfew. Kei had enough time to walk with Tiberius to his common room and make it to Hufflepuff before she'd get into trouble.

"You've been quiet the last two weeks," Tiberius noted.

"I'm not quiet," scoffed Kei.

"I meant about what had happened at Hogsmeade. You and Georgina."

Kei slightly slowed her steps as she thought of something to say to Tiberius. He wasn't wrong, she had been quiet about the kiss since she left him at Three Broomsticks with Vic. And anytime she and Gina were together with their friends, they only spoke to each other about whatever assignment was at hand. Neither of them spoke of the kiss, more or less their feelings.

"I mean– There's not much to say," she shrugged. "Gina and I are fine. Everything's normal and we still hang out. I see no reason to—"

"Don't do that," he sighed. "You should talk to her about it."

"No," Kei said stubbornly. "We're fine. And that's final."

Tiberius turned to look at Kei, who looked straight ahead and raised a brow at her stubbornness. He knew there was no way to get through to her. Their stubborn nature was the reason why he was wary about telling them development in his life. Tiberius glanced down to his sleeved arm and nodded to himself.

"I think I can handle the walk back to Slytherin," he said. "No need to go out of your way just to double back to go to 'Puff."

Kei snapped her head up and looked at him.

"Goodnight, Kei."

She frowned slightly and stopped walking, allowing a distance to grow between them. Kei grew afraid that her short answer about Gina had upset him. They wrinkled their nose and scoffed under their breath. How I decide to deal with my friendship shouldn't upset him, she thought. Turning on her heel, Kei went back the way she had come and left to go to her own house.

By that Saturday, the pair were perfectly fine. It was the day of the first Quidditch match of the season: Gryffindor versus Slytherin. Comically, the Hufflepuff dressed up in green, having stolen a Slytherin jumper from Tiberius, in means of supporting her friends' house. Walking through the Hufflepuff common room was an experience as most of her housemates supported Gryffindor.

After lunch, Kei met up with Tiberius, Gina, and Vic to find a spot together for the Quidditch match. Tiberius tried to warn Kei about some crown-shaped pins that were floating around the castle, but they paid no mind until they saw the pins themselves.