Gypsy

Chapter Eight

Riddle had somehow orchestrated it so that I was either in a group with him, Malfoy or both of them in every class Hufflepuff shared with Slytherin. Stuck in a deep depression after enduring both the snickers from the Snakes and hisses of jealousy from the female population of my Herbology class, I sunk into a chair in the Great Hall. Jennifer hadn't arrived yet from whatever class she had, so I was sitting alone with great gaps between myself and the other Hufflepuffs. It seemed that the first years had already been told about the need to keep away from me, or suffer the wrath of Slytherin, as a group of them had moved when I sat near. And not a moment too soon, the second I reached for a jug of water it exploded in my hand. Rather than react, being used to this particular trick, I calmly pulled a piece of china from my hand. Grabbing my wand I waved it over my hand, murmuring a small healing spell several times until it worked.

Jeremy had helped me learn that particular one, practicing with me patiently for an age until I finally managed it without injuring myself further.

"I'm never going to get this!" exasperated I tossed my wand next to me, watching as Jeremy calmly knitted together the larger cut I had made on his hand with barely a mummer of a spell. "I don't understand why we can't just practice on my hand; people are going to think that I am hurting you on purpose." Already we were garnering some strange looks from others, who were outside also enjoying the fresh air.

Laughing, Jeremy stole a kiss from me. "We both know you take more care when you try and heal me, if you practiced on yourself you wouldn't care enough to try harder."

I glared at him beneath my lashes, "do you always have to know me so well?"

"I will always know you, my little angel, more than you will ever know yourself." He smiled down at me, once again bringing his wand to his palm and non-verbally casting a spell to slice into it. "Now, prove all those watching wrong and heal me."

Jeremy was right, people were watching. In the background I heard Jenny accepting bets on whether or not I would heal him this time, or blow something up like I had several times before.

Bitch, I thought fondly. Francesca was standing next to her, calmly watching me.

Raising my wand, I pointed it at his palm.

"Repero," I held my breath. The flesh began to twine together until the skin was left far healthier looking then it had been before the cut.

"She did it." Came a disbelieving voice.

"No way."

Annoyed yells came from the crowd, as Jenny collected her winnings, having bet in my favour.

Jeremy gripped my chin lightly, pulling my face up and kissing me lightly, "Told you could do it."

Lost in a memory, I blindly reached for a bread roll, not even wondering if it had been tampered with. The rich buttery taste brought me back to the present, I didn't bother hiding my shock when

the roll didn't try to eat me back or do something equally frightening. In my third year Malfoy cursed a pumpkin to chase me around for Halloween, seeming to take great joy in watching me scream every time the enchanted teeth tried to gobble me up. Even Riddle had cracked a smile, only losing it when Malfoy was given detention for that evening. That result was blamed on me, Riddle cursing me with some terrible stomach pain which meant I missed the evenings feast as well.

At the Teachers table voices were raised, most of the hall turned to watch, myself included.

Professor Catti was almost violently shaking what must be the diamond tether in his hand, gesturing in all directions as he spoke with Headmaster Dippit. A Headmaster who seemed to be barely paying attention, only nodding occasionally to make it appear he cared.