The Space Boy and The Red Head

34 - Seriously Snooping

Friday - 3rd May 1996

Cormac and Luna said goodbye to one another at the top of the corridor. Both turning to head to their respective destinations, Luna off to her house common room and Cormac hoping to quickly see his brother before the moon rose. He was enjoying having someone he could talk to about his struggles of seeing his brother hurting all the time. His talks with Luna growing more and more frequent as the year went on. They'd often be found in the library or kitchens, wandering around the quidditch pitch or sat next to each other at meal times. They'd converse about anything really. Topics would range from all sorts; the stories her father was publishing, funny anecdotes, childhood tales and schools crushes, to more serious subjects; where they saw themselves in the future, struggles of home life, and sometimes the possibility of an upcoming war.

Today had been a hard day for Cormac, he'd once again embarrassed himself in front of Hermione Granger. He had tried to compliment her as she'd tried something different with her hair, but the minute he opened his mouth he panicked. "Granger! Your hair, it's uhm... awful big today, is that a muggle thing?" He'd said. He hadn't meant for it to sound rude. In-fact he really liked her hair like this, it just wasn't a style he'd ever seen before in the wizarding world. He bashfully accepted the scolding she'd given him for that. Being called an "elitist pureblooded tosser" by one of the girls friends as he walked away. That's when Luna had found him. They sat with each other at lunch and promised to meet again after classes.

He'd sat alone at dinner whilst Luna had been late from class. Urgent owl post had come for both McLaggen boys, but Apollo hadn't been there to receive it. Cormac pocketed the letter addressed to the both of them, scared to open it alone. The owl had chirped disapprovingly but still flew off. He never mentioned it to Luna as they wandered the halls together in the evening. He still hadn't opened it even now as he walked up to the Gryffindor tower. He stepped in through the portrait hole to the warmth of the fireplace. Red cushioned couches beckoned him in and the gold trimmed blankets were tempting him to sit a while.

"Hey Cormac, Lee just took Apollo to see Pomfrey. He's not feeling well again" Fred called from one of the couches. Cormac cursed himself for being too late to see his brother. He knew the moons were getting tougher on Apollo, it seemed like he was getting weaker each month. Cormac had been trying to learn more advanced healing magic in his spare time too, hoping to be ready to help when Apollo needed him.

"Why don't you sit with us a bit? You look sad" George suggested. "We won't bite, that's more your brother's thing, isn't it Georgie?" Fred teased and wiggled his eyebrows.

"What do you mean biting?" Cormac was alarmed. Had they found out? Had Apollo accidentally bit someone whilst turned?

"Shut it Fred, he doesn't mean anything. I'm not talking bout that with him" George blushed and hid his face.

"Ah, so you two finally did it then. Luna owes me a butterbeer" He sat opposite him.

"What?!? No! I mean yes, but no! I'm not talking to you about this. You're his brother. It's weird" George was flushed so red he almost disappeared into the upholstery. Fred was wiping away tears from laughing so much.

"So you saw how obvious they were too, right? Only people they were fooling was themselves" Fred cried in laughter.

"It was painfully obvious. So you treat him right? Being gentle with him?" He turned to ask George.

"Oh you don't have to worry about that. It's your brother that's taking care of George if you can believe it"

"Well that I didn't need to know. But I'm serious. You hurt him, Fred will have to look for a new business partner"  he threatened.