Something Wicked This Way Comes

CHAPTER FIVE

The next few weeks go the same as I had always known the years before, class, break, class, Hogsmead, class, lunch, class, class, dinner, bed. It's a simple routine that I like to keep. It made me feel safe. Made me feel secure in one of the only things I could control. Every day seemed about the same. Finally some mundane work after all of the things that weren't so simple before school had begun. I got up out of bed, stretched for a bit, and went to class. It's wonderful, I don't have to think about "home". Ever since our first night back, that conversation with my friends haunted me. I've had a total of 12 nightmares in the stretch of two weeks. It was annoying...I only wish for it to subside. To stop.

Amid my obsessive feeling of the ordinary, Amelia in all of her giddiness waved enthusiastically from down the winding hall. She stopped her conversation with a few of her acquaintances who surrounded her, "Ozzie!" She called out as she made her way towards me with a sprint in every step. I smiled, she was always so happy, it was astonishing to me where she got all of it from, and where she even kept it.

"Hi, Amie!" I greeted her calmly as she wrapped an arm around mine. She began with a chorus of giggles, "Oh Merlin, Ozzie, guess what?"

I quirked up an eyebrow, "What's up Amie?"

"So, you remember how I was telling you about Troy?" She batted her lashes. Oh, I knew where this was going. I gave her a deadpan look with a smile, which signaled her to continue, "Well... He asked me on a date!" She giggled and danced as she jumped around, letting go of my arm–thankfully–as she did so. I gave her another look, this one I'm certain was filled with concern, but I let her go on and talk about him, "You should see him! He's brilliant and he's so strong..." she muttered playing with her long honey-blonde hair, twiddling it between her fingers, "He's so handsome!"

I rolled my eyes, "I don't mean to sound rude Amie, but you said the same thing about Joshua too a few weeks ago..." She gasped and gave a small slap to my chest, "But Troy is different! He's not going to sneak behind my back!"

Again, something else she told herself to keep her head on straight. The poor girl, among many other boys and girls in this school, liked people who they really should avoid, hopping from one to the next without giving themselves a break. As much as it wasn't healthy, how could I sit there and complain when I have habits that aren't healthy? Just like my mundane task each day, it's only a distraction. So for now I let her be, besides, to each their own!

"Alright, I'm sorry Amie..." I muttered, I shouldn't have been so quick to judge. She only smiled, wrapping an arm around mine and asked, "So, off to divination?"

I nodded as I felt her arm wrap around mine once more, "Yep, to Professor Trelawney..." Amie sighed softly, "I always feel so sorry for her, so many people think that she's mad!" I gazed over at my taller friend who wore a bit of a somber expression. It was rare to actually see her sad. I smiled and patted her hand, "Well it's a good thing we're her students!"

She tilted her head and looked down at me with confusion, "How so?"

"Well, think about it. We think she's wonderful, and we along with a few others can speak up whenever anyone speaks badly to her," I watched her eyes light up, as she cheered, "I've noticed she doesn't seem to do anything when it happens! Maybe it's because she's uncomfortable or maybe is worried she can't speak up! Besides what's to say we can't convince a few others that she's cool?"

I shrugged "We can always try it, and if she doesn't want us to do that then we can back off."

She bounced and hopped as we walked with a soft squeal, "Let's do it!" I chuckled at her antics and nodded as I pat her hand, "Then let's be off!"