Plot Twist [GEORGE WEASLEY]

30.

James made it clear that he did not want to talk at all. He avoided her like she was the plague. Every time Amara's eyes made contact with his hurt ones, he turned away. She hated the fact that she hurt him by not standing up for him.

Gina made it known to Amara had done was incredibly dim-witted. She could not understand why Amara had not ratted only herself out. Amara had not thought of that. However, she could not bring herself to march into Snape's office and plead guilty. 

Yes, she was selfish and a coward.

As she thought about the whole thing, she frowned. She had no idea what to do. She turned to George for ideas. His idea of paying someone back was pranking someone they hated. Amara almost punched him. As if James hated anyone. Maybe, he hated her.

She spent Saturday lying on her bed. Her friends tried to force her into coming with them to Hogsmeade. Her stubbornness made them give up. She spent a few hours alone, either doing nothing or completing homework. It distracted her from thinking more about James.

But, the work had begun to overwhelm her a week ago. Even one essay made her huff and puff. Her brain was blank. The love she had for academia and knowledge was wiped out in one semester. Her hand trembled at the thought of picking up a quill.

She could not wait for the holidays; Christmas. The smell of pine trees. Gingerbread houses. Watching Athena pounce on the snow. Opening presents. Buying presents for her friends. Curling up next to the fireplace, not having to do any work. And singing carols with the best person ever...her dad.

Would Madeline be there? Amara chastised herself for having high expectations. She knew Madeline would rather spend time with Tom and his family. Amara doubted even the possibility of her coming over for Christmas Eve dinner.

It would be just Amara, her dad, and Emily. She imagined the couple being all lovey-dovey. She shuddered. She did not want to feel awkward in her own home. Merlin, she may have to barrel herself in her room and read for the entirety of the winter holidays.

Now it was Sunday. Amara left the bathroom, hair wet. The dorm held no presence of her friends. They were supposed to study at the library together. Had they abandoned her? She quickly dressed and grabbed her bag. She opened the dorm door to find her friends standing in front of it, talking about something.

Rose noticed her first.

"Amara! We are missing our third hour of classes today. Flitwick said there is a special announcement," Rose exclaimed, bouncing up and down.

"Yeah. We are supposed to head to the Great Hall after third lesson," Gina said, her dark eyes studying her surroundings. "Wonder what is it for."

Amara's stomach grumbled. Her friends stared at her. "But first, breakfast."

Every Ravenclaw in class could not stop fidgeting. Not even one focused on the lessons. Professor Moody had to jinx a pair of talkative students; their lips were zipped tight. To his disappointment, the jinx only lasted for little time.

The bell rang leaving Ravenclaw students to flock to the Great Hall. Amara and her friends fought their way through them, pushing and shoving. People were too charged with excitement. 

Amara felt they were ten seconds away from a brawl.

The Great Hall's door was not open yet. There was a five-minute delay. Students were waiting out, staying close to the door. The doors suddenly flew open. Blue ties spilled into the large hall. Flitwick stood on a stool. He had a gramophone was next to him.

"Girls, line up there. Boys, line up there," Flitwick spoke in his squeaky voice, pointing accordingly.

Amara followed her friends to the girls' side. There were four, long rows of benches. Amara sat down at the last row. Gina pointed at the gramophone. "Do you think Flitwick is trying to starting mandatory music lessons, again?" Gina chuckled.