sink or swim - r.a.b

[018]

𐙚 chap. 18

      As you followed Professor McGonigal into her office, leaving behind Leo, who was offering a tentative smile, your mind was wandering around from one passive thought to another. When the sound of the door closing registered in your ears, you sat on one of the chairs in her office. "So, Potter, what can i help you with?" McGonigal asked, standing over her filing cabinet.
      "Well, Professor, I was wondering if i could take a look at my grade records--"

      She cut you off, "[Y/N], dear. If you're worried about your end-of-year tests, which, knowing you, you are. You have nothing to worry about. I also can assure you that I've already taken a look at both your grade records, and your brother's, and everything is looking fine, but please encourage James to come talk to me." She gave you a knowing look. "Knowing you, you've also gone to Flitwick, whom of which, has told you to talk to all of your other teachers, but I promise, you'll be just fine."

      You gave her a surprised look, the shock must've been apparent on your face because she gave you a knowing chuckle, and sent you off. Walking out the door, you casted Leo a fleeting glance over your shoulder and a wave. He returned you gesture with a nervous smile, and disappeared into McGonigal's office.

      On your walk to the great hall, you ran into a familiar Slytherin with piercing green eyes. His face was set into a scowl as if the world had offended him. Until he saw you. When he did, his eyes softened, a moment so quick that it could've been a trick of the flickering torch light, before he decided to stick with his sour expression. You waved at him, and he returned the sentiment, before disembarking down the stairs toward the Slytherin dungeons with a faster exit than usual.

      What's got him so messed up? you thought to yourself, choosing to allow you legs to turn around, remembering what McGonigal had told you about James.

      When you reached the top of the staircase that you had just climbed down moments before, you were met with the sight of a very perplexed looking Leo walking out of McGonigal's office. "She got you, didn't she?" You asked, knowing all too well that McGonigal could be very intuitive at times, and people often left her office sporting the same expression as Leo. Upon seeing you, he tried to tone down his expression, and dawned his flamboyant facade.
      "Waiting for me out here, huh?" he joked, and you laughed softly. "but yeah, sometimes I wonder if she should be the Divination teacher. Where are you headed right now anyways?"
      "Oh, McGonigal asked me to tell James to go stop by her office," you replied, turning in that direction.
       "I'll see you in class, then?" he asked, stepping toward the stairs.
       "Yeah, see you, Garcia." you waved to him. 
       "Bye, Potter." he threw you a wink over his shoulder.

⋅˚₊‧ 𐙚 ‧₊˚ ⋅

      Convincing James to go visit his head-of-house proved to be a less daunting task than that of which you had imagined. When you told him about it, he left his huddle with the boys with a flick of his wrist, and a simple, "duty calls". You didn't linger long after you'd completed the task of whisking him away, instead deciding to attempt to find some solace in your dorm. That was a harder task to accomplish than you had thought.

      After you had successfully managed to drag yourself up the never ending staircases into the Ravenclaw dorms, there was the usual chatter in the common room. Revising for tests, sharing gossip that Remus would surely deem "nonsense". Although when you arrived in your dorm, the silence was eerie, and not a soul was to be found, that of which wouldn't be considered anything out of the ordinary. There was just something slightly off, you just couldn't figure out what it was.

      Shrugging it off, you fell into the comfort of your bed. You stretched out to grab a Potions book that you practically new by heart ever since your studying escapades with Remus in the library. For some reason, when you resumed where you had left off, the words wouldn't register in your brain, and you decided it was no use, only making you feel peevish. You tossed the book back onto its perch on your bedside table, and exited your room.

      You continued your adventure down into the great hall. There was bound to be at least a few people there, and maybe you'd find a familiar face. The walk down the endless staircases proved to be just as tedious as the journey up. Either way, you still continued down.

       Finally at ground level, you waltzed into the great hall, already exhausted by the day's efforts. Upon arrival, you were disappointed to find it nearly empty other than a couple stragglers. You turned on your heel, only to smash directly into the chest of Barty Crouch Junior. "Ah, sorry." You muttered.
       "There you are. No one has seen you all day except your little lover boy, and he said that it was only in passing." He raised his brow.
       "Well, I've been running errands." You shot back.
       "You'd swear you crawl around in the ceiling the way that no one ever seems to be able to find you."

      You rolled your eyes at the brunette boy, and walked past him determined to find entertainment doing *something*.