Finding Happiness

Chapter 6

A couple of months passed. Those months were filled with late nights, drinking, smoking and parties. Of course nobody but Anthony, me and his friends knew of this. My pain was slowly starting to fade. I was letting go of every problem with every drink I drank. I had even sent Remus an owl apologising for my behaviour during the holidays and letting him know that I was ok.

Anthony, Tyran and Elea, Blaze and Nina and Tyler and Donna are my new friends now. Others come and go throughout the group but they have stayed. They are all in Ravenclaw except for Donna and I. Donna is a Slytherin, and probably one of the nicest Slytherins I have met.

I have learned to hold my tongue in Umbridge's classes now and only get around one detentions week from her. Thank goodness.

Today's Saturday. Hogsmeade day. It snowed heavily overnight so the grounds were now a sparkling white. Hermione has asked me to meet her at the Hogs Head. She and Harry are planning something, I can't exactly remember what.

My metamorphagus powers are back to their full strength again. No more failing on me. I have changed my hair. It no longer falls lusciously in brown locks to my waist but is cut short just past my shoulders. It is roughly layered and looks good. I have gotten into makeup too. I have learnt that dark mascara and eyeliner make my eyes prettier, and Anthony said I should wear it more often.

As I walked into Hogsmeade, I hummed to myself. It was a catchy, muggle tune that I didn't know the name of. Anthony and his friends had detention today with Snape and McGonagall so they couldn't come with me.

"Maia! Wait up!" I heard a voice call behind me. George was running towards me, his cheeks and nose red from the cold.

"Hey..." I said awkwardly. I hadn't spoke to George, or any of the fellow Gryffindors, in ages. I think the only recent conversing was with Hermione a week ago.

"You cut your hair!" George noticed, running his fingers through my shorter hair.

"Yeah." I replied walking a little faster. It was really awkward.

"Are you going to the Hogs Head too?" George asked, matching my pace.

I nodded.

"Cool..."

I cursed the Hogs Head for being so far away from Hogwarts. This 'catch-up' was getting painfuller by the second.

"How come we don't see you anymore?" George broke the silence again.

I shrugged, "I've been...busy." More like avoiding everyone in Gryffindor my subconcious added.

"Oh. We should catch up sometime, maybe, you know, pull some pranks or something..."

"Yeah maybe." I replied shortly.

Finally we reached the Hogs Head. George opened the door for me and I thanks him quietly. It looked like we were one of the last people to arrive. It was full, with invited Hogwarts students, so George and I had to stand at the back.

Hermione began to speak.

~~~

Maia Black

I wrote my name neatly on the parchment under Angelina Johnson's name. Yeah I wanted to join, it wasn't like Umbridges was teaching us anything. Who knows when we are next going to bump into a Death Eater.

"Hey Maia". Hermione puffed, walking next to me. Great.

"Hey 'Mione."

"You heading back to Hogwarts now?" She asked.

"Yep". Lie.

"Good, I will walk with you."

I grimaced.

"So what's happening."

"Not much." I replied, "You?"

She shrugged, "Not much, O.W.Ls this year you know, so pretty busying."

"You'll ace them Hermione." I assured.

"I hope so."

As we passed 'Dogweed and Deathcap Herbology' I stopped in my tracks.

"Sorry Hermione, I just have to pop in here and grab some herbs for Herbology."

She frowned, "I thought you dropped Herbology?"

"Um, Professor Sprout said she need some Mandrake seeds, so I told her I would get them." I lied quickly.

"Oh sure. I will see you up at the castle."

I could tell by her tone of voice that she new I was lying. I felt bad for doing so, but if she knew she would disapprove. 

The shop was dark and musty. Plants were growing wildly up the wall and windows, blocking out light. There were rows of pots and garden equipment.

"What ya want?" A grumpy old man snapped behind the counter.

"Oh um, I was wondering if...Dennis was...here?" I stuttered.

"Who wants to know?"

"Maia, friend of Anthony."

He gave me a quick look over and the poked his head into the storeroom.

"Boy! Come 'ere!"

I could here running footsteps and then a guy, 2 or 3 years older than me stepped out. He had shaggy blonde hair and grey eyes. He was wearing a protective suit and gloves.

"Maia!" He greeted me like an old friend, I'd never met him before.

"Hey, Anthony wants me to get...you know...stuff." I glanced at the door to the storeroom where the old guy and disappeared too.

He chuckled, "Sure." He pulled a brown paper bag out of his pocket and handed it to me, "Don't worry, Anthony has already paid me." He added as I pulled out my purse.

I smiled, thanked him and then left the dreadful place.

Anthony had asked me to pick up marajuana while I was in Hogsmeade, from Dennis, a secret dealer. I was completely against the idea of drugs and refused straight away, but he managed to convince me that they were not for us but for a friend in Spain.

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Ok chapter 6 finished.

Do not do drugs. Do not smoke. I said this last chapter. The reason I am including this it is for later on in the fanfic. I have this huge map drawn for how this story goes.

Don't do drugs, or anything else for that matter. Please.

Now I have that cleared, please don't forget to vote, comment and fan. Thank you.

H x