The Way We Fall | Book 3

Chapter 8: My Favorite Professor

After a few more months of classes with Umbridge, Hermione was completely fed up. Copying notes from a chalkboard and reading textbooks just wasn't pulling it off for her, nor was it for anyone else. I spent most of my time in the library these days, searching hopelessly for books that would help me understand defensive spells. Harry tried to help me, and so did Hermione, but so far, we've found nothing.

Today, it was only Harry and I, sitting at a table, flipping through books. "I give up! This is completely hopeless." He whispered, putting his head down. "You don't have to keep looking, if you don't want to. I'm not giving up, though." I replied, not looking up from the book I was looking at. "No wonder your dad calls you little champ. That's exactly what you are." I grinned, and shook my head at him. "I wouldn't say that. I'd say that I'm desperate." 

He chuckled, before standing up, and closing his book. "I'm gonna head to the common room. Need anything before I go?" I shook my head, and got up to hug him. "I'll probably be there soon." After a moment, he pulled back, and gave me a quick kiss. Then, he left.

I sighed, and sat back down at the table, flipping through books again. Ugh, this is going to take forever!

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Today is finally the day of our Hogsmeade trip! I've been looking forward to it ever since Harry asked me to go with him. I didn't know what we were going to do, but I knew I'd probably enjoy it. Of course, Hermione insisted that I looked nice, and I insisted that I didn't. "Come on, Riley! At least curl your hair!" She pleaded. "No way! I'm going how I am, and that's final!" I answered looking at myself in the mirror.

I wore a side braid in my hair, and my black leather coat, along with a pair of blue skinny jeans that were ripped in the knees, and my snow boots. Apparently that was too casual, but this was as fancy as I was getting. 

Harry and I met outside by an oak tree, and held hands as we walked to Hogsmeade together. "I've been looking forward to this for quite a while." He told me, swinging our hands back and forth. "Well, I've been looking to it way longer than you." I teased. He laughed, and shook his head at me. "I think not," Grinning, I grabbed a handful of snow, and shoved it down the back of his coat. He yelped, before taking some snow in his hands, and chasing me with it.

So, for the next few minutes, we basically just played around in the snow, like little kids. Then, we decided that we were both freezing, and headed to The Three Broomsticks for something to drink. I chose a table by the window, and stared out at the beautiful snow for a moment. "I love winter, Harry." I said. He looked out the window as well, and smiled. "The snow is very pretty. But, you're prettier." Blood rushed to my cheeks, warming them up quickly. "You don't think that," He looked at me, and raised his eyebrows. "Riley Grace Winters, you are absolutely beautiful, and if I ever hear you say that you're not, I will drive your head through a wall."

Before I could reply, a woman placed our Butterbeers on the table, and left. I took a drink of mine, slightly grinning when the sweet taste filled my mouth. Harry sighed, and stared blankly at his. "What's wrong?" I asked. He looked at me, his eyes looking a bit disappointed. Had I done something wrong? "Riley, there's something I should probably tell you, even though you'll probably want to kill me." My heart sank. Are we breaking up. "Yes?" I squeaked.

"I might have to cut our date short. Hermione wants me to create some secret club, so I can teach people how to use defensive magic if Umbridge won't. Today, we're supposed to meet a few people at the Hog's Head, so we can explain further and whatnot. I'm so, so sorry." I smiled gently at him, and placed my hand over his. "I don't see why I would want to kill you at all. You're doing something I bet nobody else has the courage to do. I'm proud of you," He grinned a little. "So, you're not mad at me?" I shook my head. "Of course I'm not mad at you, Professor Potter."

"Hey, don't call me that!" I laughed, and took another sip of my Butterbeer. "You'll be my favorite Professor."

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Finally, Harry finally had everyone who had came to the Hog's Head on his side. There was a bit of arguing and such during his speech, but we sorted things out. Now, we had officially stared Dumbledore's Army, or D.A. Neville cleverly came up with the name. 

So, Harry and I sat side by side, holding hands under the table, as we watched everyone sign the piece of parchment in front of us. I couldn't have been more proud of him! Harry's always so willing to help other people, and I couldn't feel more lucky to have him. When Cho came up to sign her name, she gave him a flirty grin, making me feel a slight twinge of jealousy. Luckily, he only looked awkwardly back at her, and squeezed my hand a little.

At least I don't have to worry about getting cheated on.