Incendio

Chapter 14: Six Inches Apart

Samantha would have put her name on the parchment whether Harry had done any of the remarkable things he said he had or not. She wanted to learn to defend herself and she really wanted to stick it to that pink menace who called herself a teacher.

The students were supposed to leave the Hogs Head, which was on the outskirts of Hogsmead in staggered groups. Samantha stood with Ginny while she waited on Michael to finish talking to his friends.

The twins and Lee laughed as their group was the next to leave. Fred lead their group shouting, "We're off to take care of some important business."

"You aren't off to go test more products on first years are you?" Ginny asked.

"Well, we've also got a new test subject in mind." George's eyes sparkled a little. "One who dresses in dismal pink."

"Only if you promise to give her some real hell boys." Samantha saluted as they left.

"Yes mam!" Lee Jourdan saluted back with a wink as he followed them out the door. One she hadn't expected and she laughed, there came those butterflies again.

Ginny gave her a look as she noticed Samantha's smile.

"What?" Samantha asked.

"You should have told him yes." Both of Ginny's eyebrows raised.

Samantha rolled her eyes.

"That's the first time I've seen you really smile in weeks Sam." Ginny insisted. "It's not too late to still go catch him and have that date, I'm sure Fred and George wouldn't mind that much."

"And leave you and Michael to have a date all to yourselves?" Samantha asked sarcastically.

Ginny gave her a glaring look, like she really wanted that. Michael and his friends were waiting behind them and he kept giving Ginny a look like he was ready to leave.

"I can take a hint you know?" Samantha smiled a little more, mostly just to get Ginny to stop worrying. She also realized she didn't really have anyone left to spend the rest of her day with. Colin and Dennis had already left, along with most of her friends except Hermione, but she was with Ron and Harry. Samantha had made a decision not to get between that threesome.

Then there was poor Luna, also alone. Just staring wide eyed at everyone as she finished her Butterbeer. Samantha also knew she seemed lonely, the past few weeks without the Gazette had caused Samantha to realize she had few friends outside of her one hobby. Maybe she could expand a little.

"No worries, I actually had plans today." Samantha insisted before leaving Ginny and walking over to Luna. Luna's face lit up just as she noticed Samantha walking over.

"Luna, would you mind terribly if I left with you?" Samantha asked.

Luna's smile and eyes widened more than Samantha thought physically possible. "Of course you can. I was heading to Tomes and Scrolls if you'd like to even join me there. You don't have to if you wouldn't like that."

"Oh no, actually I needed new parchment." Samantha admitted.

The two were the next to exit the Hogshead. They made an interesting pair as they continued through the shops to Tomes and Scrolls. Luna's large smile hadn't left her face.

"So is it true the Gazette was banned because you wrote an article about Umbridge?" Luna asked. "I reasoned it had to be about her support for Fudge's genocidal tendencies against Goblins."

Samantha didn't mean to laugh, she'd read about that theory in the Quibbler, but Samantha was honestly refreshed by her ability to say whatever came into her mind. "No, unfortunately I haven't hit that level of journalism. I doubt I'll ever reach that now."