Brontide

Chapter Eight

In the next few weeks, Dumbledore's Army had started practicing and already I noticed a large improvement in not only my own skills but everyone else's as well. Harry took the time to teach us how to disarm, blow things up, set things on fire, and he was patient with all of it. Hermione, clever as she was, gave us each a special galleon that was enchanted to tell each member when the next meeting would be. I found myself always glancing at my galleon hopefully, wanting to practice and learn some of the harder material. It didn't take Umbridge long to realize that something was going on and she was getting more and more suspicious, but lucky for us the Room of Requirement kept all of us safe and hidden from her wrath.

On another note, the Christmas holidays had come around and meetings would be on hold until everyone was back at school. In the blink of an eye I had the essentials packed, with Nestor tucked nicely into his cage, and we were on the crimson Hogwarts Express to King's Cross Station. The trips we'd take on the train were always my favorite. The scenery we passed was beautiful and it was like the five of us were lost in our own little compartment, secluded from the rest of the world.

I was squished between George and Fred, Rae and Lee opposite us with all our bags in the rack above our heads. I'd begun to grow sleepy, and Fred and I were slumped against each other while he and George did little magic tricks with their wands. I watched with half-lidded eyes, jumping when one of them created a giant blue bubble on my nose and popped it, a screech emitting from inside.

When Angelina Johnson walked past our compartment, Lee nudged my shin, looking at me expectantly. I still hadn't talked to her about going out with Lee. It wasn't that I didn't want to, but schoolwork had been piling up in preparation for exams and I could never seem to get the girl alone. I gave him a small nod and got up, going into my rucksack and pulling out a pair of jeans and a green sweater Mrs. Weasley had knit for me two years previously. Fred was watching me skeptically.

"I'm changing out of my robes, I'll be right back," I told them, opening the compartment door and slipping into the hall. I could see Angelina toward the front of the train at the food trolley, and I made a beeline for that direction.

She looked up as she heard me approach, a smile on her face. "Hi, Cassie. Excited for the holidays?"

I nodded, picking at a loose thread on my robes. "I can't wait, it's my favorite time of the year. Listen, could I talk to you real quick?"

Angelina looked hesitant but she eventually followed me into an empty compartment. I told her similar things that I'd told Rae that one night back in November, about keeping her options open and giving things a chance. It took a bit of persuading but after a while, she agreed that she'd let Lee take her out after Christmas break.

I did actually change into the clothes I brought, afterward going back to the compartment and telling Lee the good news.

"YES!  Cassie, you're the best!" He grinned, pumping his fist in the air and leaning back against the seat with his hands behind his head. "You heard her, mate. I've got a date with Angelina, time to hold up your end of the bargain." He was smirking at Fred, who looked utterly appalled.

"That's not fair, mate, we never agreed to you having outside help," he protested, crossing his arms over his chest.

I shrugged. "You never said he couldn't have help, therefore it was within the boundaries of the bet, was it not?"

Rae was giggling behind her hands profusely, and when Fred looked to his brother for help George only shrugged. "Fine, what do I have to do?"

Lee was quiet for a moment, considering his options. I had an inkling of an idea and leaned over to whisper it in his ear. His eyes lit up and his mouth turned up in a smirk.