Drops of Juniper (Discontinued, Rewrite On My Profile)

Chapter 9: Hogsmeade Again, and Back to the Potions Room

It was finally Saturday; most of the first through fourth years had already gone home for the Holidays. I kept replaying the interaction that Snape and I had on the last day of class; I thought it would be best to avoid him as much as possible.

I had promised Kara I would go with her and the girls to Hogsmeade this afternoon to pick out dresses for the Yule Ball next week. They've only had one topic of conversation lately, the ball. They also keep pestering me about my date; I haven't asked anyone yet. I would rather go alone than have to put up and make small talk with someone who didn't interest me in the first place.

I stayed there lying in bed and staring at the top of the four-poster as I thought about this. I looked over at the old-fashioned alarm clock; it was almost 10; I agreed to meet them in the Entrance Hall at noon. Reluctantly, I got out of bed sluggishly and scavenged in my trunk for an outfit, finally settling for a pair of black leggings and an oversized black hoodie-the usual. I walked over to the bathrooms and got ready for the day, slowly, with millions of thoughts fighting for dominance inside my head. I felt like it was too loud, but I was one of the few people left in the Hufflepuff common room; I bent over the sink, looking at myself in the mirror. The circles around my eyes are darker, and I'm a lot paler than I was a month ago; I've also lost more weight, the hoodie hanging on my body like a wet blanket. Merlin, I was starting to look awful.

I used magic to do my hair and makeup; I just needed to look normal for today, to fit in with the girls again, to be the person I used to be. I sighed and headed for the common room exit, it was a quarter to noon, and I had to get going. After all, I've never broken a promise.

I walked through the empty halls, lost in my thoughts again. I wasn't quite aware of my surroundings, hence why I bumped into the very same person I was trying to avoid. I looked up at him, feeling my face flush.

"Do watch where you're going, Miss Bane?" He said in his deep soft voice that I just realised I adored and missed deeply.

"Sorry, got a lot on my mind lately", I mumbled to him, not looking him in the eye.

"Speaking of that, you've been avoiding me; you never came back when you so desperately needed my help" He stared at me then; his dark eyes were so intense. I just looked back at him, this time in the eye.

"I thought it would be better if I didn't" I started picking at my fingers.

He shook his head. "No, you won't waste my time; either you need my help or you don't" he paused and looked at me. "If you're truly serious, you will come to meet me tonight" with that, he turned away and left. His cloak billowing behind him. I stood there in the hall, unsure what to think; why would he still want to help me after what he saw? Another question with no answer to add to the list.

I finally met up with them in the courtyard; I put on a smile for them

"Guys!" I said, "I'm so excited about this; it feels like forever since we've been to any event."

"I know, right!? I've even managed to get my brother to send me some of that Muggle vodka we all like," Serenity piped in, quite pleased with herself for taking the initiative to make the night special.

"That's sick, girl! It's been so long since I've had a drink," Kara said as we trudged through the snow towards the tiny village.

Once we got to Hogsmeade, the girl's excitement became even more evident.

"I heard Gladrags is having a sale on formal wear," Sapphire said, pointing to the small shop.

"I heard there's another place that sells formal dresses, not too far from the Three Broomsticks," Serenity added. Everything was becoming too loud again; I loved them so much, but I couldn't bear this excitement; I knew, however, deep down, they were just trying to forget about everything to be a carefree teenager again. I can't forget, though, about what's coming, the impending doom, about the letter.