Shrinking Violet

Without Permission

She didn't look the same, even Fred could see that. Though neither he or his twin said anything. Of course Fred was silent because anger burned through his veins, Cleary hadn't showed up to go exploring after last night's match, as they had agreed. She hadn't even stopped by to tell them she wasn't going to be able to make it, His anger would steadily build until it had developed into an outright rage, and he would turn to confront her; But the mere sight of her pale face, eyes glazed over, nimble fingers holding a trembling quill that never wrote a single word, made his anger dissolve.

George was so worried, that he wasn't even upset. In fact he had never been upset, simply worried. The three sat in the study hall, I'm absolute silence. It was unsettling, not only to the three, but everyone around them. They were far more accustomed to the mischievous whispers, the very nature of the hushed words mirroring their contents.

And while everyone else worried, Cleary felt pathetic. For the last half hour she had tried to tell them that Oliver Wood had kissed her, but the words got stuck in her throat. Next she tried to write it down, but her hand just trembled. She really was a coward.

***

It took her three days to find the courage to smile again, four to have the glow return to her complexion, and five to have the sparkle return to her eyes. She was just only getting back to normal now, and they couldn't have been happier. Hermione and Ron had tagged along with them on this particular trip to Hogsmeade, George would never say it out loud, but the two of them were quite awkward without Harry around.

The three brothers seemed to group together, Fred and Ron were arguing about Honeyduke's exact location in Hogsmeade. But George was rather interested in Cleary's smile, even with the graying weather, looking at her made him feel like it was still summer.

"How come Harry never comes along?" The question had been directed towards Hermione, but Ron's head snapped up at the sound of their companions name. It was evident in Hermione's single moment of silence, that she was searching for the right words. Ron, however, did not seem to see the need in tact.

"Because his Aunt and Uncle are a couple of gits." Much of the school, including Cleary, was truly unaware of the neglect Harry faced when away from Hogwarts. She always just assumed he was rather well accepted at home, that his aunt and uncle were rather pleasant -though quite stupid- and always asked multiple questions about the magic world upon his return. Of course they probably had children of their own as well, and she assumed that their children would borrow Harry's textbooks, and read them for fun. An all over warm scene.

"They aren't exactly the most pleasant people." Hermione explained softly, her brown eyes large and sympathetic.

"But why doesn't Harry just sneak out?" Ron nodded, his shaggy red hair tussled.

"She's got a point, you would think with the invisibility cloak it would be- Ow!" Hermione elbowed Ron hard, eyes narrowing.

"It not like they don't know!" Ron yelled, she rolled her eyes head jerking to a boy with hair as white as snow a few feet away. Draco Malfoy sneering at a couple of other third years. A light bulb flickering over his head as he followed her gaze. "Oh."

And then, almost as if it were an afterthought, he told them -with all the authority of a seventh year-:

"We were supposed to take a left to get Honeydukes."

"Ron! We have been going to Honeydukes since before you even started school here! I think we know the way!" Fred's outburst had attracted the attention of a few others around them, including one Cedric Diggory. He was with his own friends naturally, but when he looked over, he wouldn't look away until Cleary returned his smile with a wave.

George knew it didn't mean anything, but it still made him burn with jealousy.

***

"You have an unhealthy obsession with sugar." Cedric's crooked grin seemed rather out of place on his handsome face.

"And you have an unhealthy obsession with Cho Chang." She retorted, but it was obvious from her bright smile, that she was only teasing. But the comment slid off of him, and all that stuck was her smile in his mind. It was as if thinking of hers, triggered his own as well.

"It's nice to see you smiling again," his gaze shifted to his shoes, because honestly, her penetrating brown eyes were really too much. "We were really worried about you." He didn't mention that they were beginning to wonder if she would ever get back to normal.

But she wasn't worried about any sort of doubt, instead a single word revolved around her mind.

"You were worried about me?" She didn't really think that Cedric cared all that much about her, and suddenly the memories came pouring in. Susan Bones always waiting up until she returned to their dorm. Meredith and Malcolm, always left her a fresh towel to wipe up any dirt or sweat after quidditch practice. Harry had left her a sugar quill, Ron had attempted to make her laugh with a rather sad excuse of a joke, and Hermione had given her a rather delightful book about three children who went on brilliant adventures. Ginny who had snuck bits of gossip to her, a mischievous grin on her face. Angelina who sat behind her in defense against the dark arts and braided her hair. Even Cedric, who had spent a large amount of time trying to make her smile.

But it was Fred and George who seemed to stand out the most, they hadn't said a single thing to her about it. But nevertheless they stood by her, and she realized with a considerable amount of pleasure; that they had been brave enough for her. The words that she had so desperately been searching for, all seemed to bubble up now. She wasn't afraid anymore, it was almost a surprise she ever had been.

Cedric was ignorant of the massive discovery, and was about to go on to say of course he was worried. But Susan Bone's auburn head came in the way, her brown eyes large.

"You are never going to believe what happened." And they really didn't.

***

Oliver Wood watched her petite frame, twirling around as she talked to Hermione Granger, Susan Bones, and Ginny Weasley. He would have strode over, but Cleary had made it a point to avoid him. And he couldn't help but think about the moment that had passed between she and Cedric in front of the entrance to Gryffindor tower. Probably to see what all the commotion was about, their eyes froze as they saw the fat lady's portrait torn. Percy Wealsey had called for Cedric's help, and naturally he would have been more the willing to go with him, but then there was Susan who -though she tried to hide it- had an air of anxiety about her. Wordless, with one look, Cleary took her under her wing and Cedric went to help with a light heart.

It was an odd sort of thing to think, after all she had practically rejected him. Running off before he even had a minute to speak, he thought he would be over her by now. Turning his head, he made brief eye contact with George Weasley, who flashed him a bright smile.

He figured she still hadn't told them.

He shook the thoughts out of his head as he joined his other friends on the floor in the great hall, all laughing as if this was a planned sleepover, rather then an attack by Serius Black.

He really needed to get new friends

***

"There's something I need to tell you two." Her words floated with ease, each word making her feel lighter. It was a bright sunny Friday afternoon, and the courtyard seemed like the perfect place to finally get it off her chest. The carefree mood perfect for something that -she realized- was really nothing all that important. They both looked at her expectantly.

"Oliver Wood-" The words stuck again, because it was important, because it did matter, and no matter how much she tried to downplay it, she couldn't. But as she looked at them, it seemed that their bravery rubbed off on her. And with a steady breath, she finally managed to say it:

"Oliver Wood kissed me," and then after a moment added "without my permission."