the eighth || harry potter

SEVEN

"SO WHAT DID Ron do?" Octavia asked wiping a bit of black mascara from her red eyes.

"I don't really know," Hermione admitted with crossed hands,"He was just so bloody rude about me attending with Viktor."

"It's probably just because he wanted to ask you."

"Well he didn't." Hermione had a deep frown.

Octavia wiped her tears again, the last of her once full face of makeup now smudged and dismantled.

"What about you? Cedric?" The bushy haired girl questioned.

"Harry," Octavia said frowning,"He said the Cedric is a ladies man and I should watch out, like he knows anything."

"That's odd."

"Yeah and then I said he wasn't my father and well he said I need mine but... he's dead." Octavia took a short breath.

"Oh Octavia, I never knew." Hermione looked at her with a mix of shock and pity.

"Nobody does," Octavia said simply, "My mother too."

Hermione gave her a sad look, the same one Octavia often received when they found out about her family.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be." Octavia shook her head, "It was a long time ago."

»»-------------¤-------------««

The next day the Great Hall was buzzing with excitement, with the exception of four Gryffindors. Octavia was with Hermione and Harry was with Ron. Both sets of teenagers keen on avoiding the other.

"I don't want to go to class with him." Octavia sighed, taking a bite of toast.

"You have to," Hermione pointed out,"and so do I."

"Ugh." She put her head down.

"If it makes you feel any better Harry feels terrible." Hermione added, stealing some food from her friends plate.

"It doesn't." Octavia snapped back.

"I'm just saying! Don't shoot the messenger" Hermione put her hands up before looking down at a book she was reading.

"Sorry." The girl slouched.

Hermione gave her a half smile, but Octavia's mood remained rather foul.

"Um Octavia?" A timid voice came from behind the two girls.

"I just...wanted to apologize" Harry sighed as the girl turned to face him,"I was-"

"Potter," Cedric cut in pushing him back a step, "Lets go Via." He looked at her and held out his hand.

Octavia glanced between the two, struggling to decide what decision to make.

"Come on," Cedric grabbed the girl's hand, "You don't owe him anything after what he said to you." The boy then swiftly pulled her toward the door.

Octavia managed give one last look and saw Harry's face from a frown, before dropping the table with a sigh.

She had a somewhat guilty feeling as she was ushered down the hallway, Cedric had yet to loosen up, "You didn't have to do that."

"He was giving you trouble Octavia."

"He was trying to apologize."

"You don't need his apology." He protested, giving a more gentle grip on her hand.

"Whatever." She mumbled, knowing Cedric was probably right anyhow.

That wasn't the last time Cedric would be her self proclaimed hero. Every time the boy approached, no matter how apologetic, Cedric would scare him off. It was always, "Not now Potter." Or "Bugger off Harry." Octavia didn't exactly enjoy the treatment her friend was receiving, but she let her anger and resentment stop her from doing anything about it.