Incendio

Chapter 17: A Little Trouble

Samantha was laying in her bed. She hadn't stopped smiling since she came back. Since getting her article published, she couldn't remember an evening she'd felt more accomplished. She'd stood up against Umbridge and had her first real kisses, all in one night.

She held her hand close to her chest. It didn't hurt anymore, but it had left a mark. Umbridge had made her write, "I will not rebel" over and over. In an odd way, it had lit a fire for her. She wished she could let Luna publish her article, that would show that toad. All she really needed was some evidence, something to prove what Umbridge was actually doing. They couldn't expel her if she had evidence.

Samantha shot up in her bed. She had proof, she was proof. She ran as quickly as she could and woke Colin from his bed.

"Colin, take a picture of my hand." Samantha insisted as he stirred slightly to her shaking.

"What time is it?" He asked drowsily.

"Never you mind, it'll just take a moment. We just need to catch this before it fades. We can get Umbridge."

Colin eventually stirred and met her beside the fire in the common room. He took several pictures of her hand. He didn't require much more explanation and instead strode back to bed, saying he'd develop them the next day.

Samantha went back to bed, and for the first time in months, she fell into a deep sleep.

The next day Samantha planned to tell Luna her dad could publish the article, but it had to be anonymous and the picture of her hand had to be included. She knew she could catch Luna at the D.A. meeting that night, and that way no one else would overhear.

Samantha was on her way to Charms when she was practically ambushed by the Weasley twins.

"So it is true?" Fred Weasley asked sneaking up on her right side. "That you and our good friend,"

"And business partner," George Weasley continued walking on the other side of her.

"Are an official item?" Fred continued his brother.

"Is that what he said?" Samantha asked, they hadn't exactly discussed it, but she wasn't against the idea.

"'Is that what he said?' She asks." Fred chuckled, "Lee has become bloody annoying about you."

George interrupted Fred. "All he could talk about when we tried to discuss business, was about your gesture."

Fred lowered his voice slightly apparently trying to mimic Lee. "Oh, isn't my girlfriend just the greatest? She's so talented, witty and beautiful."

George continued on, holding his hand's together in mockery. "Oh the way she protested for me, she knew what would happen, and she still stood up for me."

"An excellent show of morality none the less." Fred interjected in his normal voice again, "However, if we have to hear the story of something we were clearly present for, one more time, we will slip him a puking pastie into his morning porridge."

Samantha could feel the redness in her cheeks again and continued walking. She felt slightly proud that he was calling her his girlfriend. She hadn't had a moment to really respond as they both continued.

"Not that we really mind you two of course." George insisted. "Considering you are in fact, Ginny's good friend."

"Almost poetic really." Fred chimed. "Our good friend, paired with our sister's good friend. What excellent fun!"

George asked, "Maybe we can all be in the wedding?"

"Wouldn't that be an occasion? I'll start the plans" Fred continued before leaning down to Samantha, "We can have a choir of gnomes!"