Hidden Under Darkness

Chapter 4

**Fairlight’s POV**

“Hold my hand.”

“No.”

“Fairlight, hold my hand!”

“No!”

George grabs my hand and holds it tightly as we walk into the Great Hall. I feel as if everyone is staring at me as we make our way to the Gryffindor table. To be fair, most of the Gryffindor table is staring at us. Velvet and Anastasia’s mouths are hanging open.

George drags me down to one end of the table and plants me down next to him, sitting strangely close. I try to shift over but he pulls me back.

“We have to act as if we’re enjoying this,” he tells me as I grimace at him. I roll my eyes and sigh.

“Oh George, how I enjoy your company,” I say sarcastically. George laughs.

“I had no idea that you have a sense of humour!” he chuckles.

“I don’t,” I tell him, “I don’t do the laughter thing, unless it’s at someone else’s misery.”

George grins at me and, before I can react, starts tickling me. I haven’t been tickled since… Probably since I was two. And I don’t think I’ve ever giggled before.

“George!” I cry, cringing away and laughing hysterically, “stop!”

I double over, trying to cover my ribs. I can hear him laughing too.

“Stop,” I beg, “please!”

He stops and sits back, laughing. I gasp for breath, rubbing my ribs.

“Never… Do… That… Again,” I pant. George chuckles.

“You have a great laugh,” he comments, “shame you don’t use it much.”

“Fair, did you just giggle?” Ana asks as the four of them join us. I glance at George and he nods. We both get up and walk away in silence.

“I feel like such a cow,” I mutter.

“Cows don’t giggle like that.”

I punch George gently on the shoulder and try to hide my smile.

“What class do we have next?” he asks.

“I have double ancient runes,” I reply. He checks his time table.

“And I am free!” he says. I poke my tongue out at him.

“I might go take a nap,” he says casually.

“You can walk me to class first.”

I don’t know which of us looks more shocked.

“Hey George,” Alicia smiles, walking past us.

“Hi,” George replies quickly before turning back to me, “where’s the classroom?”

“Fifth floor,” I tell him, “on the way to Gryffindor tower.”

George heaves a huge, dramatic sigh.

“I suppose I could,” he says with a grin.

We walk upstairs in silence. When we reach the classroom I pause to say goodbye.

“See you at dinner?” I ask.

“We’ll go down together,” George replies, “when you come up to drop your stuff off come up to our dormitory. Third door up. If I am asleep, just wake me.”

“Uh, I’m not sure if-”

“Miss Black?”

I glance over my shoulder. The professor is waiting for me. When I look back, George is gone.