Rose Between Two Thorns.

Chapter 18

It seemed as though the twelfth of June was coming too fast. During my free time, I was either in the library reading or in the Common Room, reading. From what I was learning from the books, I was practising with Hermione or Fred and George in the Room of Requirement.

"Depulso" I shout waving my wand at the table that is currently flying over to me. The spell hits the table with force, and with a stumble, it flies backwards and hits the pile of cushions a few metres away.

"I still need to work on that" I mutter to myself, pulling a half sucked sugar quill from my hair, sucking on it a little more, the sugary substance melting as it hits my tongue.

"Tabitha, do we have to keep doing this? I mean, you've been practising for weeks, I'm sure you'll do great" Fred says as he gets up from his position on the floor.

"Yes Freddo, we have to—I mean I have to....I need to be able to do this" I say, stuffing the quill and my wand back into my messy bun and folding my arms. He walks over to me and places his hands on my shoulders and looking into my eyes.

"You can do this Tabby, I believe you can...it's just.......you keep obsessing over this" he says. I wrench away from his arms and walk over to the table, picking it up and placing it back on the mark I had drawn on the floor earlier that morning.

"I'm not obsessing over it, just going over a few things" I say.

"But you're already good at this, you don't need any more practice." George joins in. I sigh, rolling my eyes at the pair of them.

"If I don't practice, I wont be any good during the third task and then where would I be? Lost in a maze with all sorts of horrifying creatures following me thirsting for my blood" I stumble over my words. I'm starting to feel a little faint so I lean on the table for support.

Not again, I think; this has been happening too much.

"Tabs are you alright?" Fred asks as he makes his way towards me again. When he placed his hand on my shoulder, I noticed that I was trembling. "Merlin's pants Tabs you look like you're going to be sick"

"I feel like I'm going to puke" I say, leaning into his hand for support

"Want me to take you to Madame Pomfrey?"

"No....." I mutter weakly "...no I'll be okay" looking up, I search his brown eyes. Filled with worry, they soften a little when I reassure him.

"If you're sure, I'm a little worried about you Tabitha" he says. I nod, and walk away from him, picking up the cushions and placing them in a corner of the room. Smiling, I turn to the twins.

"See I'm fine, nothing wrong with me" I say, I see Fred visibly relax, and George break into an easy smile. Pulling the quill from my hair, I suck on it a little more as I grab my bag and walk out of the ROR, towards my next class, the twins following close behind.

***

"Now can anyone tell me what the properties of the Inflatus charm are?" squeaky Professor Flitwick asks the class as he balances unsteadily on the pile of books. I tap my quill on the desk, little black spots of ink flying everywhere.

"Mr Weasley?" Flitwick calls.

"Which one sir?" George asks. The Professor sighs.

"Fred please?"

"Well that would be me sir" George says with a straight face. I snort, smiling.

"Nice try George, but after six years of teaching you and your brother, I think I would have figured it out by now" Damn the teachers are getting good. "Besides, you have a mole on your neck, which Fred does not"

"Bollocks" George mutters, causing me to crack up, setting others in the room to snigger as well.

"Fred please answer"---

"The properties of the Inflatus Charm, is when the spell is cast, the object of origin inflates in size" I say, cutting off the Professor, who looks momentarily stunned.

"Very good Miss Granger, thank you. Five points to Gryffindor" he says. I grin at George.

"Now if you please Miss Granger, come up and demonstrate the spell" sighing, I move out from behind my desk and make my way towards the teacher. He points towards a cage of toads.

"Inflate one of these please" Flitwick asks me. Pulling my wand from my hair, I aim it at one of the unfortunate toads.

"Inflatus" I say, and the toad in the middle inflates like a balloon.

"Wonderful!" Flitwick cries, hopping down from his pile of books "That's worth ten points to Gryffindor Miss Granger"

"Thanks Professor" I do a little half bow, half curtsey, making him laugh.

"For the weekend homework, I want you to perform the Inflatus Charm on three small objects, and bring them into class Monday afternoon. Now as you are aware, the Third Task is next Friday, so this is going to be the last lesson where I give homework. Next week, expect fun lessons, with spell casting, and supporting Tabitha in preparing for her Task." Flitwick says. Everyone stares at me, as I walk to my desk and pack my things. "Class dismissed"

As the class empties, I wait behind for Fred and George who take their time leaving. George makes his way over to me, as Fred talks quietly to the Professor. I raise my eyebrow at George in question, but he shrugs. Fred finishes his conversation, and heads over to George and I, smiling a little.

"Whats going on in that big brain of yours Freddo?" I ask as he grabs my hand, interlacing my fingers with his.

"I don't have a brain remember? All cobwebs and dust up trapped in this noggin." He jokes. I laugh along with George.

"Wait does that mean George doesn't have a brain either?" I ask.

"Well, no, he has a small brain" Fred says. George gasps dramatically, placing his hand over his heart.

"Well, I never" he says. "I take so much offence to that" he adds as an afterthought.

"Yup take offence to that all you want Georgie Porgie pudding and pie" I croon, messing his long hair with my free hand.

"Gah Tabs, leave my locks alone" he pouts rushing to fix his hair.

"Ohh I'm sorry Georgie, did I mess up your beautiful hair? I apologise profusely" I laugh. Fred laughs along, and after a few seconds, George joins in as well.

"Well as fun as this has been, I have to go meet up with Mione in the library" I say.

"To practice for the Task?" Fred asks.

"Just reading up on a few things" I say

"I thought we went over this earlier Tabs, you're going to do fine" Fred says. I roll my eyes, but before I can reply, the familiar clomp, clomp, clomp of Professor Moody comes towards us.

"Shouldn't you three be in your next class" Moody rumbles.

"Actually, we have free period sir" George says. Moody glares at him with his normal eye, while his magical eye whizzes around to find me and Fred, our hands still entwined.

"Get moving then" he barks at us. I mockingly salute him.

"Yes sir" I say, before he rolls his eyes.

"I wouldn't mock me if I were you Granger, points can still be taken from your house" he growls, before stomping away.

"Au Revoir Professor McMoody" I say. Fred and George snigger beside me. I turn towards them, but as soon as I do, the faint feeling returns.

"Uhhh.....I'm not feeling so..." I manage to make out before I collapse.