꧁𝐾𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑜𝑓 𝑀𝑦 𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑡꧂ (𝐹.𝑊.)

16 - Some Riveting Discussions

Thor, my cat, was an amazing study buddy.

That was pure sarcasm. Absolute sarcasm. All Thor did was knock shit off my desk and meow at me. It was annoying. Very annoying.

"Thor! Get off my textbook!"

"Meow."

"Thor! Off!"

"Meow!"

"Get. Down."

"Me-ow."

"I hate you."

"Meow."

For some reason, I could tell the feeling was very mutual.

He then rolled all over the book. I knew I should've asked for an owl. Dumb cat.

I, unfortunately, was behind on all of my schoolwork after the events in the last few weeks. Having a complicated social life, fake relationship, an asshole brother, new friends, the Triwizard Tournament, and quidditch got exhausting.

Speaking of the Tournament...the Yule Ball was coming up, and I had just been informed that it is completely necessary for me to have a date. What kind of bullshit is that?!

I had a few choices. I could go with Ron, because I know that would piss Harry off.

I could go with Fred and beg him to deal with me for at least one night.

Or I could go with Draco and hope he doesn't think it's weird that I asked him.

I clearly had wonderful choices.

Part of me was debating on hiding in my dorm. Or taking my cat as my date. Both worked well.

Suddenly, I got an owl from Professor McGonagall saying she wanted to see me in her office.

I made my way through the winding corridors of Hogwarts, knocking on the door when I got there.

"Come in," Her voice answered from behind the door.

The professor was sitting behind her desk, her hair pulled back in a tight bun hidden under her hat, and her mouth in a thin line. The woman in front of me was strict but fair and full of compassion for her students.

"Sit, please," McGonagall said.

So I sat.

"You may be wondering why you're in here on a Saturday."

I nodded. McGonagall was a teacher who I wouldn't disrespect...ever.

"Well go on...you don't need to sit in silence the whole time."

"Sorry, Professor," I replied.

"It's quite alright, Potter. I'd like to speak with you about your arrangements for the end of the term."

I sucked in a breath. I had a feeling this was coming.

"Yes Professor, what about them?"

"Are you completely sure you'd like to leave? You're a joy to have in class. While your attitude can be less than ideal sometimes, you are amazingly bright...you even give Hermione Granger a run for her money. I would hate to see you leave over a fight with your brother. He's hot-headed and short-tempered. I expect you know this-"

"Professor," I interrupted, "Harry has made it very clear on where I belong."

"And the Weasley Twins?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.

"It's...complicated right now with them."

"Potter, things get complicated. You cannot simply run from things that make you uncomfortable or when people tell you to leave. You are much smarter than that. I can tell that you know this, too."

I looked up at her. She was right...I knew she was right...but I didn't want to admit it. I liked going to school here, despite everything with the tournament and my brother. Hogwarts was starting to feel, well, like home.

"Professor, I know you're right, but I'm starting to question how much I belong here...and how safe it is for me."

"Hogwarts is completely safe," She assured me, "No harm will come to you."

"Ma'am, with all due respect...I'm fourteen and my name was somehow put into the Goblet of Fire, a competition where I could very well die. Why would I want this for myself? I'm sorry, but I don't believe that someone doesn't have it out for me. I'm afraid that I'm not safe here."

"Well then," McGonagall said, taking her glasses off and rubbing the bridge of her nose, "How can we change that?"

I wasn't sure, but I did have a weird feeling about Igor Karkaroff.

"Karkaroff? Miss Potter, that is a serious accusation."

"I'm aware, Professor. I'm not saying that it was him, but I have a weird feeling."

She nodded in understanding, "We'll make arrangements to where you will be around him minimally. Is there anything else?"

"I don't know, Ma'am. I really don't know if I want to stay...and it's nothing to do with the teachers. Ilvenmorny is my home."

"I understand," Professor McGonagall said gently, "But you do get to go home soon for a few days. You've got to be excited about that, right?"

I nodded. I was very excited to see my family and my friends. Every year we had a tradition where the four of us and our families would come to my house and we would all celebrate Thanksgiving together. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to do that this year, but Dumbledore was more than happy to let me go.

"Yes, I am excited, and I will let you know my final decision. If it ends up that I have decided to go home, I want you to sincerely know that it's not your fault- or any of the staff's. You all have been amazing and very accommodating. Thank you, Professor."

She gave me a nod and offered a small smile as she excused me from her office. She really was a sweet woman...and very wise. It was times like this I wish I could've gone to Hogwarts throughout my entire schooling...but I wouldn't trade Ilvenmorny for the world.

I ran into George on the way back to the common room.

"Hey, Hens," He said

"Hello George."

"Why do you sound like that?" He asked me.

"Like what?" I replied.

"So...formal. And stained. Also, what were you doing in McGonagall's office?"

"She was trying to convince me not to go home."

"Did it work?"

I shook my head.

"Maybe she should get Malfoy to do it," An identical voice called from down the hall.

"Fred, Mate, not now," George said.

"No, let's do this right now. What do you mean by that?" I said, crossing my arms.

"You seemed pretty friendly with him this weekend," He seethed.

"Like it matters to you!"

At this point, George had left, clearly not wanting to get in the middle of this.

"What's that supposed to mean?!"

"Exactly what I said! It shouldn't matter to you!" I exclaimed, then lowered my voice, "It was all fake, wasn't it?"

"God, you are so blind!" He said before turning away.

I scoffed, ignoring it.

"For the record, Hensley," He said lowly, back to me, "It wasn't fake."

"What?"

But he was gone.