Courage

-35-

Book: Courage
Chapter 35
Word Count: 4123

Layla was glad when the rest of the school returned shortly after New Year, and Gryffindor Tower became crowded and noisy again.

Classes started up again shortly after. The last thing anyone felt like doing was spending two hours on the grounds on a raw January morning, but Hagrid had provided a bonfire full of salamanders for their enjoyment, and they spent an unusually good lesson collecting dry wood and leaves to keep the fire blazing while the flame-loving lizards scampered up and down the crumbling, white-hot logs. The first Divination lesson of the new term was much less fun; Professor Trelawney was now teaching them palmistry, and she lost no time in informing Harry that he had the shortest life line she had ever seen.

In Defense Against the Dark Arts, Layla had of course arrived early like she always did to speak to her dad, glad that he was alright.

"I wish I could have spent Christmas with you," said Layla. Remus chuckled and hugged his daughter.

"Me, too, honey. But astronomy is an unpredictable thing."

"Stupid moon," Layla muttered, just before the rest of the class piled in.

After the lesson, Layla walked out with her friends.

"Still looks ill, doesn't he?" said Ron as they walked down the corridor, heading to dinner. "Layla, is something wrong with your dad?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Layla scoffed. "He's fine. Believe me, he is."

There was a loud and impatient 'tuh' from behind them. It was Hermione.

"And what are you tutting at us for?" said Ron irritably.

"Nothing," said Hermione in a lofty voice.

"Yes, you were," said Ron. "I asked Layla what was wrong with Lupin, and you—"

"Well, isn't it obvious?" said Hermione, with a look of maddening superiority. Layla's eyes widened. Had Hermione figured out her dad's secret?

"If you don't want to tell us, don't," snapped Ron.

"Fine," said Hermione haughtily, and she marched off.

"She doesn't know," said Ron, staring resentfully after Hermione. "She's just trying to get us to talk to her again."

Layla made a mental note to ask Hermione later what she did or didn't know about her dad.

"Layla!" a voice called from behind her. Layla turned and saw Cedric walking towards her. She smiled and glanced at Harry and Ron.

"I'll catch up with you guys."

Harry and Ron nodded and walked off, although Layla was oblivious to the look of jealousy that Harry shot towards her and Cedric.

"Hey, Ced," Layla grinned.

"Hey, gorgeous," Cedric greeted Layla with a hug. "Are you free to have our talk now?"

"Yes, sure."

So, Cedric led Layla to the courtyard, the two sitting down on a bench. Cedric cleared his throat quickly, looking nervous.

"I-I don't know where to start," he admitted. "You know I like you, right?"

"Well, now I do," Layla chuckled.

"Well, I don't go around kissing anyone," Cedric smirked. "And that kiss we had? It was really amazing. I — I don't want that to be our only kiss. I don't want to talk just through letters or on the Quidditch pitch, or at Hogsmeade, or just whenever I run into you in the corridors. I want to spend more and more time with you. I've said this before, but I know we don't know each other very well, and now that you are fourteen, I think it's about time I say this."