Wayward Girls

Chapter Ten

Christmas is just around the corner. C usually loves this time of year, but is so unsure what to expect. Though she is going straight to the Order's Headquarters, she is still afraid of seeing her birth parents. Hopefully this practice is enough to keep her distracted long enough. Sure enough, there is a bit of hope. Abi wins the duel, so she gets to challenge whoever she wants.

"So if I have to keep hiding this from my boyfriend," she smiles, "I would like to challenge my dear sister."

"I accept your challenge, Little Sister," Ginny laughs, stepping forward. The two are pretty talented when it comes to magic, so it should be interesting.

"A minute does not give you the right to call me 'Little Sister'," the Slytherin chuckles.

The two prepare and Harry motions for them to go.

"Stupefy," they shout at once. Both redheads fly backwards in unison. Abi sits up first while people rush to help them up.

"And this is why twins dueling is interesting," she smiles once she is on her feet. "And I think my spell hit first, so I won."

"Yeah, no," Ginny laughs. The two jokingly bicker back and forth. Fred walks over, leaning on the wall by C.

"Clearly they are different than me and George," he smiles. 

"Yes. More dangerous than you two."

He laughs, shaking his head. Eventually Harry and Jas step in front of the fireplace. Everyone stops and looks at them.

"So this was our last practice before Christmas break," Harry states. "And we wanted to say that you all have improved."

"A lot," Jas adds, earning a couple chuckles. "Be safe and we will resume the day after we all get back. Happy holidays."

People start filing out. C hangs out in the corner, pulling out her sketchbook. She hasn't drawn anything in a good while, so this may help calm her nerves. She spots Harry and Cho talking. C hates that Ravenclaw. She bullied her due to her past and then tried to break up her and Cedric on multiple occasions. The entire time, stringing along Harry, who is basically her brother.

Cho leans over and kisses him. Once that happens, she can see in the corner of the mirror they're by Night rushing out of the room. That bitch. Cho walks away, at first acting shocked, but changes her expression when she sees C. The blonde walks over to the Gryffindor, grabbing his ear.

"Ow," he snaps. "What did I do?"

"How are you so oblivious?" she asks, letting him go. "Night has had a crush on you since her first year. And not because you're the chosen one. Then you go and kiss Cho, who knew that, in front of her."

"I didn't mean to hurt her."

"You better tell her, not me."

He nods his head and quickly leaves. C lets out a sigh and looks at the mirror. There are various pictures to inspire them to do better. In the corner is a picture of her and Cedric. Both are happy as can be. It seems like a lifetime ago. Even if the picture was taken just a year ago. It's crazy how much can happen. How much can change in less than a day. In the other corner is another picture. One that is still and one only C would recognize. The poor girl. A few tears escape and roll down her cheeks.

"You okay?" she hears. Turning, she can see Fred.

"No," she tells him. "Shocked I am still able to cry at this point honestly."

Fred embraces her. Due to the height difference, she is crying into his chest. He softly rubs the back of her hair, resting his chin on top of her head.

"It's alright to cry," he tells her. "You have been through too much. First Cedric. Then that toad canceled the Prefect program."

This made C chuckle a bit.

"I didn't care for it in the beginning."

"I know. Just love hearing you laugh." He wipes away a couple of tears. "I noticed the picture you were looking at. Who's the girl?"

Suddenly the floor is more interesting. What would he think of her? He probably already sees her as a hopeless mess.

"I saw her death," C mutters. "Just an innocent girl."

Fred increases his grip around her.

"That's not your fault."

"They killed her because she was nice to me."

She starts crying more. He holds her, just letting her cry. It is bit of a weight lifted off of her since he is the first person to know the whole story. Eventually, she gains control of herself and try to steady her breath. They stand there for a bit longer in silence.

"Thank you for listening," she mutters. "I needed it."

He lifts her chin and looks her in the eyes. Without either thinking, he leans down and gently kisses her lips. Once shock leaves her body, she kisses back. It felt wrong and right at the same time. Fred pulls away.

"I'm sorry," he states. "I shouldn't have done that."

"Don't be. Just wasn't expecting it."

"C, I have actually loved you for awhile now. Just you were with Cedric before and it still feels wrong cause of all you have been through."

"Fred, I-"

"Don't force yourself to be in a relationship until you're ready. I'll wait for you as long as it takes."

With that, he leaves.

''''

Night and Harry hurry to Dumbledore's office. Both are freaking out. First him and Neville fight. Then Night had a vision that coincided with a dream of his. Soon they make it the office. The Headmaster is already there, awake. He looks at the two in slight confusion.

"Mr. Potter. Miss Longbottom. May I ask what happened?"

"A man was attack at the Ministry," Night quickly answers. Dumbledore looks at her, confused.

"Arthur Weasley," Harry adds. "I saw it through a dream. And she had a vision."

The older man goes over to the paintings and start giving orders. The occupants go and follow their directions. Once he is done with the orders, he looks at the pair.

"So you know about Miss Longbottom's gift?" he asks Harry.

"Yes sir."

Soon all of the Weasleys run into the room. Everyone is in panic mode. This isn't what they were expecting. The entire office is filled with people in pajamas trying to figure what is going on. Sure enough, it is reported that Arthur Weasley was attacked by a snake.

"All of you will report to the Headquarters as soon as you get off the train," Dumbledore states. "All except Miss Longbottom of course. Do not do anything that will put the lot of you in risk. This goes for everyone." Night and the professor locks eyes for a second. "Some halls may lead to answers, but not all the time answers are what you want."