What If? Year 1

Chapter 48

"I was so worried!" Ara complains with her arms around me, "Why didn't you tell me?" I hug her back, rubbing circle's on her shoulders.
"I'm sorry," I whisper, "I honestly didn't know 'til I got to the hospital wing." She holds me at arms length and I stare at her. She looks like she might want to hit me.
"I've been up all night," she whimpers, "We've got class for Merlin's sake." I nod, guilt sinking into my stomach.
"I can take notes for you," I offer, shyly, "When we get to lunch I'll copy it over for you." Ara smiles.
"I accept your apology," I smirk and shake my head. She takes my arm and we go up to the dorm room. I begin to change into my robes.
"Is Regulus okay?" The question throws me off.
"He's awake," I tell her, "He's okay." She smiles.
"Good."
Just tell her for Merlin's sake... Coward.
"Ara... I-i need to t-tell you something."
"Alright?"
"It's not for sure, but..." My anxiety hits me and the words get caught in my mouth. I grip my hands together to keep them from shaking.
"Goldie?" I bite my lip and pick at my nails.
"I was talking with Dumbledore," I whisper, "and-and I-i... If I-i p-pass the first year exams. I.. I'm going to t-take the second year courses over t-the summer an-and take the exams. If I pass, I'll.. umm, I'll skip to third year with Harry." My hear is still racing as Ara stares at me.
"That's awesome!" She hugs me again, "Why are you so nervous about tell me?" I shake my head.
"It's stupid."
"Tell me. I doubt its stupid." I stare at the ground.
"I'm nervous about you, Ginny, and Heather not being friends with me. I told you it's stupid."
"Yeah, but we're friends with Mione and other people who aren't in our grade."
"I know.... I told you it was stupid." She rubs my arms, calming me down.
"But Golds... this is amazing!" she shouts, "Holy Merlin! Do your parents know? They're going to be so proud!"
"They know," I tell her, "They know."
"You know another thing that is great about this?" Her mischievous smirk makes me smile.
"What?"
"You can help me with all my homework, because you've already done it!" I bite my lip and giggle.
"Is that all I am to you?" I tease. We both walk down, smiling. Ginny and Heather are already beginning to walk down to breakfast.
"Wait up!" Ara shouts. We run up and reach them.
"How did you sleep, Ginny?" I ask. She smiles, shyly.
"Peacefully," she replies, "I heard that you woke up." My face heats as Ara looks to me.
"Yeah, it was nothing," I lie, "I think I accidently hit or touched my stitches in my sleep." They all nod.
"Did Madam Pomfrey tell you when it's going to heal fully?"
"No," I reply, "I'm sure it'll be healed before school is over."
"Maybe you'll have a wicked scar!" Heather exclaims. We all giggle and we make it to the Great Hall. Harry and Ron rush to us.
"Are you both alright?"
"Yeah."
"Yep." They sigh, thankful for us.
"Cool." They run off to Hermione and we all walk to the end of the table. We all sit down and start to eat. Hands place themselves on my shoulders with a soft chuckle following.
"Hey, Goldie." Cedric says, "May I talk to you?" I nod and get up. He takes my hand and we walk out into the hallway.
"Will you fill me in now?" I smile and nod my head. We sit down on a bench and he holds both of my hands.
"So," I begin, "Harry and Ron found a note in Hermione's hand. It gave us enough of a hint to find the Chamber. Harry and Ron went to tell the teachers, while I went to the entrance of the Chamber..."
"You went.. by yourself?" I can tell that he's upset.
"Yeah, it was stupid, but Ginny was in trouble and I wasn't really thinking. Anyways.. I got knocked out and taken into the Chamber. When I woke up, Riddle threatened me and gave me this bruise and I tried to duel him. That didn't work very well and I got knocked out again. This must have happened while I was out for the second time." I point to the stitches across my face.
"You dueled this person?"
"Well, mostly just hide behind pillars and shot spells at him."
"That works."
"I.. woke up to Harry fighting the monster and I.. I stabbed this diary that was the person's power or something and we killed both of them."
"Wow." I smile and he gives me a hug. He strokes my hair and I can feel his smile on my forehead.
"You're amazing," he continues, "Bloody hell, love." My stomach flutters and I can feel my face heat.
Love
"I've got something else to tell you.. I, you know how you don't have final exams or anything?"
"Yeah! It's great."
"I have exams."
"Why?"
"Because.. Professor McGonagall and the Headmaster wish for me to study the second year materials over the summer so I will be in the same year as Harry. I have to pass the first and second year exams though." Cedric's smile gets even wider.
"You're so amazing!" he exclaims, "Golds, you're awesome. I'm so proud of you, love." My smile widens and we hug again. He kisses my check and we get up. He walks me back to the table and I sit back down with the girls. My heart is still light as a feather, when Cedric gets back to his table.
"You're really just head over heels for that boy," Ara says, "Your face is truly bright red and you've got a stupid lovesick smile on your face." Heather and Ginny giggle.
"He called me love," I whisper, "oh, it made my heart flutter."
"Love?" Ginny asks, "he must be truly smitten with you too." I hide my smile in my hands.
"Merlin's beard," Ara says, "I can't believe he's gotten to you so easily." I shake my head and we all giggle.