𝐃𝐑𝐀𝐆𝐎𝐍𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐃 - 𝘢 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘺 𝘱𝘰𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘢𝘯𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯

13. | Dumb Boys

hey guys! i wanted to apologize for a lack of update last week. things got a little hectic and to be honest it just completely slipped my mind. so sorry!! to make up for it, a mini chapter right now and a full length one hopefully friday :) have a good day!

*.·:·.☽✧ ✦ ✧☾.·:·.*

The end of Divination class Monday brings me once again to Professor Trelawney's office. "Do you remember anything of what has happened? When you were- when we performed the ritual. I know you were harmed, my dear, and I ache for you, truly, but I can't help but- well, Jaylene, your power is incredible, anyone could tell you that, and I swear I can sense it-"

"I don't remember," I whisper, interrupting her string of sentence after sentence. "If I did, I promise to you I would let you know, but there's nothing."

She sighs as my fingers curl around the edge of the cushion she got for me to sit on. The air is dense with the lavender incense trickling over the edges of her desk. "It was... what I witnessed, from my end, was incredible- truly. Mumblings so fast I couldn't even understand what was being said. If I was a smarter woman, I would've prepared paper, a recorder, I don't know." She pressed her forehead deep into her fingers, another little sigh brushing through her lips. "I know you saw something, just as my grandmother knew when I saw something. But unfortunately, if we cannot remember what, it does us no good. Deep in my soul, I know you have the gift. I mean, you- you got there. You did. We're just missing a few key pieces."

"Professor." I rise from my seat. "I'm willing to try again, I'm not scared of it."

She smiles, but without teeth. "Yes, dear girl, I know. But I'm scared of performing it again so close to the last time, especially with someone as young as you..." She trails off and crosses the room, pacing back and forth, back and forth. "Come here at next month's full moon. Not only will you be rested, but our powers will be heightened with the moon."

"I didn't know the moon affected witches and wizards."

"Normal ones, no. But not us." She offers me a wide grin. "Those who dabble in Divination perform by another set of rules."

"Good," I hum as I make my way to her door. "I'm excited. I'll do everything I can to conserve my strength."

Trelawney doesn't answer, already busying herself with the next thing on her everlong agenda. I laugh and pull the door shut behind me.

"What was that about?"

"Fuck!" My books go flying into the air, but before I can even think about catching them, they've all miraculously landed in Connor's arms. His eyes are narrowed as he watches me. "Did you know that following girls is considered creepy?"

"Yes, but at the same time, when one of Hogwarts' notoriously stranger teachers beacons you into her office after class, you can't help but be concerned. Especially after said girl has a tendency to get herself in very odd situations with particular people."

"Oh, shut up." I take my things from his arms and make the march down the stairs towards the main floor of Hogwarts. "This has nothing to do with Draco, or any of that, and is nothing bad."

"You promise?"

I stop in my tracks, and slowly turn on my heel to face him. He raises an eyebrow, holding my eyes with such power that I can do nothing but avoid his glance. "I promise," I whisper.

He nods and stalks past me. In the distance, I notice the brown curly halo of dear Stephen, and can't help but smile. I don't mind being avoided and brushed past for them.

"Jay!"

I sigh. You lose one dumb boy, you get another. I turn around to face my brother. I hate it, but he never fails to elicit a smile from me. "Hey Harry."

"Hogsmeade this Saturday," he says excitedly, grasping my arm. "It's happening, it's actually bloody happening."

"And this is a good thing, correct?" I giggle at his excitement, at the flush of pink on his cheeks and the glimmer of gold rimming his eyes. "If you look this excited over teaching a class, I can't imagine you when you get attention from a girl."

"Aw, shush," he mumbles, playfully punching my shoulder. "Let those who you want to know, know. I'll get you more details throughout the week." He hugs me, quickly, and in the brief moment I have to sink in his arms I realize this is the first time I've embraced my brother in so long. I let myself revel in touch, fleeting as it may be. "I can't believe it," he whispers.

"This is only the start, Harry. Your entire life has been great thing after great thing." I reach up on my tiptoes to ruffle his hair. "I'm proud of you, little brother."

"Thanks, Jay." He smiles at me and shakes his head with disbelief. "I'm terrified as well."

"Don't even be. It's all going to be okay." I pat his shoulder. "Now, I have a potions class to attend to an angry professor who is already not terribly fond of me. I'll see you soon."