Rise of the Death Eaters [3]

Chapter 33: Mixed Signals

"I know that look."

I stirred from my daydream out the train window and turned to the one speaking; Sam. Her dark eyes were looking at me warily but only in appearance. The upward quirk on her mouth told me she was in a good mood.

"You're in that moopy phase again. What happened this time?"

"I am not moopy," I countered, though I didn't sound too convincing. Ella, who had been idly going through one of her new books from the holidays glanced up curiously.

"You do look pale. Or at least paler for you-"

"It's the middle of freaking January, of course I'm pale," I retorted in a huff but that didn't stop Ella from reminding me that technically it was the beginning of January.

"Same difference," Ginny said in a bored voice, though she was watching the spat between us with a small smile. She had looked a little pale herself when I first saw Ginny that morning. But any details about her father's recovery had been kept at a minimum.

"Well I know something's bothering you," Sam continued, with a determined edge to her voice. "And I know you will just ruin the mood for the next week and a half if you don't have out of it now."

"Have at it?" I repeated in a difficult tone. She waved me off as if I was complicating matters.

"You get what I mean."

"Can't say I do."

"She's telling you to spill your drama here and now," Ella said matter-a-factly.

"Why do I have to spill my drama? None of you have said much about your holidays!"

"What's there to tell?" Sam asked. "I spent my holiday at my grandmothers learning how to knit and make mincemeat pies. I wish I had drama-"

"No you don't," Ella cut in.

"No I don't," Sam repeated in agreement, making Ginny scoff in laughter at the two of them.

"And you say I'm acting weird," I muttered under my breath for all to hear.

"Well I can't say I have much to add either," Ella confided as she turned to me. "I just stayed at home for the holidays," she then turned on Sam sitting across from her, adding, "and no grandmothers to teach me how to knit."

"How unfortunate. I guess I will have to take up the mantle of making all of you mittens, scarves and sweaters."

"Please don't. I have enough as is," Ginny begged, sending a ripple of laughter amongst us. It was well known what Ginny received from her mother every year at Christmas time.

"Well," I admitted, turning the attention away from Ginny. "My grand'mère threw one of my extended cousins out of the house if that's what you want to hear."

"I have always wanted to meet that witch," Sam admitted in an admiring tone.

"Why?" I asked, baffled. She simply shrugged in answer.

"I don't know. Guess I've always wanted to be thrown out of someone's house. Add it to my bucket list of things I've done."

"That's not how a bucket list works, Sam."

"I didn't ask, Ella,". As the two bickered back and forth, I saw from the corner of my eye a figure with white blonde hair walk past the compartment door. He was gone by the time I looked up, but I knew Draco was waiting for me outside.

"You look worried again," Ginny noted my way, causing the others to stop their bickering and return to the conversation.

"I'll work on it." I stood up and grabbed my bag from the top shelf, unzipping one of the folds.