Recovered Ivory [1]

Eleven

I stopped by Lupin's quarters before heading to the Great Hall, but he was either still asleep or had made his way to breakfast already. I knew I would have to face him sooner or later, but I was more worried about what I was going to walk into when going to breakfast. I knew Lucas couldn't implement me in anything that happened, but people would know something was wrong. Before I walked into the Great Hall, I took a deep breath and looked down at my hands, finding comfort in the ring that sat on my left hand. I wondered what B would think of my actions. Would he be proud, or appalled?

"Hey!" Fred called, throwing his arm around my shoulders, causing me to jump slightly. I wanted to get out from under his arm, but I didn't want to hurt his feelings or explain why I was pulling away. I would just need to get over it. "Ready to eat something?"

"I'm not hungry," I protested as we walked in. I glanced around, finding the Slytherin table was hushed and oddly quiet. I met Draco's curious look, but he couldn't get much from my face. I didn't know what they did and didn't know, but I was sure Draco would corner me at some point.

"Ivy, you need to eat something," he protested.

I bit my lip to keep from snapping at him. "I'll eat when I'm hungry, Fred. Please stop pushing."

"Alright," he said as we sat at the table.

The table was full of talk about going to Hogsmead after breakfast, but I wasn't really in the mood for that. I'd have to face both Lupin and Severus today, something I wasn't looking forward to. I hoped Lupin hadn't seen anything; trying to explain why I did what I did would be near impossible.

"Hey, how are you doing?" Hermione asked, settling next to me on the bench.

"I don't know," I answered honestly, meeting her eyes. I hadn't slept after coming back last night, and I still hadn't eaten much but the few pieces of fruit I had at dinner the night before. Even though I was still in a certain high from what I did to Lucas, I was starting to crash down to earth as I realized what I now had to face.

"I'm here," she whispered, squeezing my hand under the table.

"Let's get out of here," George said, laughing at something Lee said. "You coming, Iv?"

"No, I think I'm just going to hang around the castle today," I said, offering him a smile. I looked at Fred, who looked upset. "I've got a few things I need to do."

"Sure," he said, following his friends out of the hall as they headed towards the walk to Hogsmead.

"You're going to have to tell him eventually," Hermione pointed out, and I was glad Ron and Harry hadn't joined us yet.

"I don't plan on ever telling him," I said, shaking my head. "I'll get over this."

"Ivy, it's not that easy, trust me," she protested, but I just shook my head. "It's not something you just get over. It's something you'll live with for the rest of your life."

"Hermione, please," I said, rubbing my face with my hands.

"You're wearing the ring more," she said, thankfully changing the subject. "Figure out who it's from?"

"No, but I know he loved my mother," I said, staring at it, again finding comfort in the design. "I'm starting to remember bits and pieces from that time, especially now that my family, and family friends, are finally starting to open up. No one had mentioned him, but I see him. He loved my mom, and loved me."

"What about your dad?"

"Something someone said," I began, glancing up towards Lupin, who looked tired, but fairly normal. "My mother hated my dad, but then dated him. We thought it was to spite her brother, but the more I think about it..."