(1) The New Ones// A Messed Up Hogwarts Year

31/ Distractions

By now I'd been out of the hospital wing for almost three days now. Erin had been glad to have me back and shooed off Mandy when she kept trying to get a hug. Ron and Hermione were stared at just as much as I was, and how the school found out about our experiences, I will never know.

Amber and Lyra cornered me coming down from Ravenclaw tower on my third day of freedom. I was going to find Erin, we were behind on some post-exam classwork that I was behind on due to my unconsciousness and Erin's procrastination. So when the twins caught me, I really wasn't feeling patient.

"Hey Elaine," Lyra says.

"We're inspired," Amber says sarcastically, "truly inspired." I stare at both of them. Amber's copper hair is tied back in two tight braids which makes her look intimidating and is also looking at me as though I just stole her broomstick. Lyra is shifting from foot to foot as though she can't bear to sit still, she has a book called The Subtle Knife. Remind me to stay away from her.

"I am glad," I say, not in the mood for Amber's sarcasm. The twins exchange a glance.

"Here anyway," Amber grumbles her turquoise eyes on my blue ones. I thought she was going to punch me or something but instead she handed me a crumpled chocolate frog package.

"Yeah we missed you-" Lyra tried to say before Amber cut her off.

"Kinda," Amber finished, handing me the chocolate frog and kicking Lyra in the leg. Apparently she did miss me.

"Uh, thanks." I say taking it warily. The last prank I experienced from them was pretty scary and I'm not sure if I can even trust this tiny chocolate frog.

"See ya," they said at the same time and continued up the stairs to Ravenclaw tower. I stood there for a minute, unsure of how to react and then continued down to the Great Hall. The castle still felt practically empty due to the fact that I hadn't been able to see my friends in a while. Ron and Hermione were busy with studying and I had to make sure my sister was studying as well. That in itself was a huge task. We had exams coming up but Erin would much rather practice to be on the quidditch pitch for next year.

I scanned the great hall for her and found her slumped over a book at the far end of the Ravenclaw table.

"Erin!" I waved my arms about getting weird looks from the Gryffindors. Some people whispered and stared. Apparently they knew I had some role in the whole sorcerer's stone thing. She looked up and groaned, slumping down again as I made my way towards her. 

"What do you want?" She groaned.

"Nothing, nothing." I said. "Don't worry we don't have to study today if you don't want to," she perked up at that.

"Really?"

"No I'm kidding," I said sarcastically. 

"Thanks," she said and slumped back down. Erin isn't the touchy-feely type so I wasn't expecting much of a reaction or recognition.

"Uhm so do you want to do anything?" I ask her.

"No," she says automatically.

"C'mon lets do something."

"Why are you so annoying?" she grouches.

"I dunno why are you so grouchy?" I shot back.

"I'm not," she grumbles.

"Okay what's up."

"Nothing!" She says, slamming her book closed.

"Just one of those days?"

"I guess."

"Yeah let's just have a day off and hope Harry wakes up soon."

"Uh Elaine our little 'adventure' happened barely three days ago and you have to give Harry time to wake up, he probably got the worse end of You-Know-Who's wrath or whatever."

"Erin it's not about that,"

"Yes it is," I shook my head, crossing my arms and shifting uncomfortably on the wooden bench. I could feel Padma Patil looking at me from down the table.

"You're wrong,"

"Whatever." She said. I reflected for a minute. Was I upset? The truth was I'd been so worried about Harry I kind of tried to ignore it and distract myself with all my studying.

Erin opened her book back up and kept reading. I watched her warily and slowly opened my book bag.