Sweets

CHAPTER 8

Time flew and by the time november had come, the DA had met for another three times already. Hermione had come up with a great idea to let us know when the next meeting would be held and so, all of the DA-members were now always carrying a fake Galleon around. The numerals on the side would change to the next date whenever Harry changed his coin, also the Galleons would warm so we knew that there was a new meeting on the go.

The first Quidditch match of the season was scheduled on a very cold saturday and, of course it was the now traditional match between Gryffindor and Slytherin. The stands were always the fullest at these matches because of the known and prominent House rivalry between the two. So Kristie, eager to see which team would win this time, dragged me down to the Quidditch Pitch right after breakfast to get good seats. The Slytherins, all dressed in emerald green, were sporting a crown-shaped pin that read 'Weasley is our King'. Weasley would, of course be referring to Ron as he was the new Gryffindor Keeper, but why...

"Hey, what d'you reckon that's all about?" Kristie, having noticed the many, tiny crowns now, too, asked me.

"I dunno. But it's something nasty for sure." I shrugged.

"Oh look there's Draco!" Kristie shrieked pointing at the pitch. The Slytherin team had just walked out. "Whoops, sorry. I don't know where that voice came from." She smiled sheepishly and cleared her throat.

The captains shook hands and then they were off.

"And it's Johnson - Johnson with the Quaffle, what a player that girls is, I've been saying it for years but she still won't go out with me-" Lee Jordan's commentary rang through the stadium, interrupted by McGonagall.

"JORDAN!" She yelled.

"- Just a fun fact, professor, adds a bit of interest - and she's ducked Warrington, she's passed Montague, she's - ouch - been hit from behind by a Bludger from Crabbe... Montague catches the Quaffle, Montague heading back up the pitch and - nice Bludger there from George Weasley, that's a Bludger to the head for Montague, he drops the Quaffle, caught by Katie Bell of Gryffindor reverse - passes to Alicia Spinnet and Spinnet's away dodges Warrington, avoids a Bludger - close call, Alicia - and the crowd are loving this, just listen to them, what's that they're singing?"

At this point Lee's voice trailed off and the singing became more clear to understand. It rose from the patch of green on the other side - the Slytherins. As soon as I understood the lyrics I turned to Kristie.

"C'mon let's go."

"Why? Why do you always want to leave in the middle of the game?" She whined and I rolled my eyes.

"We're not leaving Kristie. We're going over to the Slytherins and having a word with them about that song they're singing." I replied and stood up. "Sorry, sorry. Comin' through."

Making our way to the other side of the stadium was easier said than done. Halfway through I gave up and turned to see that Kristie hadn't even tried. Annoyed I left and went back up to the castle to catch up on some more homework.

#

"There you are! I've been looking for you all over the place!" Kristie exclaimed coming to my table.

"So, what happened after I left? Who won?" I asked, completely ignoring her outburst.

"It ended almost as soon as you left. Harry caught the Snitch." Kristie replied. Despite not being really interested in the sport, I always liked to know the outcome.

"So Gryffindor won?" I asked.

"Yeah, and the Slytherins did NOT take it well. You know how when they were all touching down again?" My overdramatic friend started. "Next thing you know, Harry and one of the twins are punching Draco and Angelina has to hold the other back."

"Well I'm sure he deserved it. He always taunts everyone." I state.

"Come on it couldn't have been that bad... right?" Kristie attempted to defend her oh so precious crush.

"Sure. Whatever helps you sleep at night." I shrugged. "Let's get back down. It's nearly lunch time."

#

"Come ON Sil! I'm hungry!" Kristie cried the next monday morning. "If we don't hurry up, we're gonna miss breakf- WE'RE GONNA MISS FOOD!"

"All right, all right! I'm coming so calm down. Besides we still have plenty of time." I laughed.

"Yeah but I'm hungry?!" I could only shake my head at that.

Upon entering the Great Hall, I immediately noticed a big difference. Hagrid was sitting at the staff table again and that brought a homey felling to the Hall. It felt so much warmer and friendlier. Even Umbridge's presence not far away couldn't dim, let alone stop the emotions flowing through me. But that was strange.

I hadn't felt much for a long time and now all of a sudden emotions start pouring through me like a raging river? It felt weird yet refreshing somehow.

"Hey, you alright? You've been standing there for a while..." Kristie cautiously asked.

"Yeah. It's just a great feeling, having Hagrid back, isn't it? I mean, it feels more like home now." I smiled.

Kristie stared at me. "Oh my god. Really!" She started frantically looking around.

"Calm down, girl! He's right there at the staff's table!" I pointed to the far end of the room.

"Oh. Right yeah. I knew that." Kristie laughed awkwardly and scratched the back of her head. I chuckled at her, then looked down.

Home... Was this it? Would I ever know? Or should I- No. I should appreciate what I have and not chase after an illusion...

"Are you okay, Sil?" Kristie chuckled. "What's going on with you?"

"Hm? Oh, I must have been in my own world. Again. It happens so often these days... It's just plain weird." I buried my face in my hands.

Kristie laid a hand on my shoulder. "Hey, it's alright. I know it's something you do.  Get lost in your own little world and think about stuff that kinda makes you depressed. Stuff that you don't want anyone to know, and that's okay! We all have our own secrets after all. We talked about all that shit in Second Year once." She chuckled at the memory. "But you know what? I'm always gonna be here, alright? I'm always there for you. So if you need someone to just listen, I'm here. You can always talk to me if you feel the need."

I looked up to her and smiled. "Thanks, it means a lot. More than you can imagine."

"Okay, so now that we got that out of the way, who's ready for breakfast?!"