Not a Gryffindor - a Harry Potter fan fiction

Chapter 11

I sat on my bed in a bored fashion and checked my watch for the 12th time. Carrie and Asha were digging through my chest of drawers in a business-like manner, closely scrutinizing each piece of clothing.

"Guyyyys," I whined. "I've got to meet Ryder in 30 minutes." At the mention of Ryder's name, Asha squealed delightedly.

"Zaraaaa we already know that," Carrie replied. "That's why we're finding something for you to wear." I stared down at my current outfit - black track pants, old sneakers and a long grey tee shirt that displayed a picture of a creeper on it.

"What's wrong with this one?" I said. Carrie scoffed.

"You can't wear that to Hogsmeade. And besides," she said pointing to my tee shirt. "What even is that thing?"

"What is this thing?" I asked in mock offence. "This is a creeper; it appears in only one of the best games ever."

"And what is that?"

"Minecraft!"

"Sounds gay."

"Gay? Oh for goodness sake! Asha, back me up!"

"It's actually pretty fun," Asha said, not looking up from my Cherub tee shirt that she was inspecting. Carrie huffed and went back to scanning a pair of my camo jeans for dirt.

"Looks like this is the best we'll find," she said, tossing them towards me, followed by my Cherub tee shirt.

"Well, what are you waiting for?" Asha cried. "Go into the bathroom and try them on!"

----------------------------------------------

"I can't see him anywhere," I said nervously, turning towards Carrie. We were standing at the top of the stairs to the dungeons waiting for Ryder to arrive. "Maybe we should just go ba-,"

"Wait!" Carrie said suddenly.

"What?"

"There he is!" I turned around and, sure enough, Ryder walked into view, clearly looking for someone.

"Good luck," Carrie whispered, donning my Cloak with Asha. I sighed. Carrie and Asha were going to follow me, ("at a distance!" Carrie put in,) and watch me and Ryder. When I objected, she insisted that they must, in case they needed to save me from any 'awkward situations' as Carrie put it.

Before I could walk over looking at least normal, an impatient Carrie pushed me forward, making me trip and nearly fall over, but thankfully I grabbed the banister just in time. I heard Ryder laughing in front of me and looked up sheepishly.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

"No," I said sarcastically, my face flushed and heart beating at 100 miles per hour. "I think I'll need to be rushed to St Mungos immediately." He laughed again and held out his hand.

"Shall we?" I slapped his hand away.

"Since when did you do chivalry?" I laughed. "Come on, I'll race you." As we ran to Hogsmeade, I practically flew across the ground. I felt strangely confident, as if I was watching myself from above, not really here at all. I stopped in front of the Three Broomsticks, waiting for Ryder to catch up. He appeared next to me in a matter of seconds, grinning widely.

"So I'm guessing Madame Puddifoot's isn't your thing?" He laughed.

"No freaking way," I replied.

"I'm glad."

We walked in and found a table. So far, so good. Ryder went and ordered two Butterbeers while I waited. He returned and we drank, talking non-stop.

"Where to now?" Ryder asked.

"Zonko's. No question about it."

We went there, then to Honeydukes and finally to the Shrieking Shack. It was getting on for 6pm, and since winter was approaching, the sun was beginning to set.

"Hey, Ryder," I said.

"What?"

"Do you want to see something cool?"

"What do you think?"

"Follow me then!" I leapt over the fence and motioned at him to follow suit. Ryder shook his head in disbelief.

"You, Zara Storm Potter, are mad," he laughed before jumping over next to me. "I like it."

"Good, come on." I ran to the door and muttered "Alohomora." It swung open and I walked through, motioning for Ryder to follow. As he entered, he closed the door behind us. There was something very final in the way it slammed shut.

I pulled out my wand and got it to light up, guiding the path ahead. The room brightened slightly, the half light making it all the more creepy. Ryder looked about in awe.

"This place is awesome," he said in a low voice.

We walked on to the next room and into the passage. I opened the trapdoor and climbed out, closely followed
by Ryder. He grinned at me when he saw that we were back at Hogwarts, and my heart flipped.

"What did you think Ryd-" But before I could finish my sentence, I was picked up by one of the Whomping Willow branches and thrashed about. I screamed, and Ryder looked up in fear. He raised his wand and shouted something. A silvery dog burst out and ran towards me, scooped me up and dropped me in Ryder's arms then disappeared.

"Are you okay?!" Ryder asked. I stood up, determination taking hold of me. I wouldn't be able to stand another disappointment.

"I'm fine," I said happily, taking a chance and stepping closer to him. His breath slowed and his dark eyes stared into mine. They almost hypnotised me, making my mind turn to jelly.

"Zara-,"

Before I could think, I pressed my lips onto his, not caring what he thought of me. Ryder wrapped his arms around me and pulled me closer. I hadn't known what to expect, but kissing Ryder was a strange feeling, and I liked it. Warmth spread throughout my body, and in that one moment, I felt happier than I ever had before.

We broke apart and Ryder grinned at me.

"We better get back before they start looking for us," he said.

"Yeah, let's go." Ryder took my hand and we returned to Hogwarts, finally as the perfect couple that everyone had waited so patiently for.

A/N THE END!!!!!

Just kidding:P What did you guys think? I know, I'm horrible at romance. (By the way, Zara's clothes and outfits in this chapter were pretty much based off my own clothes and fashion :D haha it isn't exactly fashion... Hope you guys enjoyed those two bright chapters, cos' it gets a lot darker from here...

UNTILL THEN........

Storm Weasley
(Married to Fred, not Ron).