Inside My Mind (A Harry Potter Fanfiction)

Chapter LXXII

Hogwarts, Unplottable Location, Scotland, Great Britain

Friday the 1st of February 1997

10:00 PM

"Play my song for me again. Please," Tom added after Bella's eyebrow raised at his first demand. Bella nodded and she began to play with a slight smile on her face. She looked up at the sheet music as her fingers danced across the ivory keys with precision.

Tom stopped grading the papers and he just watched her play on the old piano that Hogwarts housed. Tom wondered why she didn't take the music classes that many of the Hufflepuffs were fond of. Perhaps because she was too busy already with her boyfriend and her friends and Draco's coming death and Black's coming awakening.

Bella's fingers slammed down on the chords and Tom's lips parted when he saw that she was crying and suddenly her finger slipped and landed on the wrong key. She stopped abruptly and stared down at the keys. She stood and slipped her folder into her bag in one swift movement before moving mechanically towards the door. Tom grabbed her wrist and pulled her down to sit in his lap. She clung to him, crying.

"Anya, please don't cry," he said, softly. Bella shook her head and she just clung to him like a child would. He rocked her, slowly. Bella didn't make any noises as she cried but she carefully wiped her eyes and sat up to look at him.

"I'm sorry…I just…well…it's still hard for me to make mistakes. I still hear his voice telling me that I'm not good enough and I know I should've gotten over it by now but it's just hard. I'm sorry," Bella apologized again. Tom's eyes hardened and he sneered down at the floor. Bella looked up at him in surprise.

"What was his name, Anya?" Tom asked, softly. Bella's eyes narrowed.

"Why? I don't want you doing anything that could compromise your position in the war," Bella said, carefully. Tom gave her a wicked smile and she relaxed at the sight of the rare smile instead of smirk on his face.

"Just out of curiosity's sake."

"His name was Seth. Seth Jones."

Hogwarts, Unplottable Location, Scotland, Great Britain

Saturday the 8th of February 1997

8:20 PM

"Hello, love."

Gideon swooped down a kissed Bella on the cheek, swiftly. Bella's lips curled into a slight smile and she stared up at Gideon with a smile. His friends looked rather nervous about where to sit. Bella looked at her friends and they all looked rather neutral. They had warmed up to Gideon, quickly. Even Hermione liked him a bit. He was gentle but fiercely protective of Bella.

"Hello, Gideon," Bella said, softly. She moved over and Gideon sat down. She tucked her crimson cloak around her tighter. Her friends, surprisingly move down to accommodate his friends. Daphne gave them Michael Brown a predatory look but Ginny glared at her, clutching her boyfriend to her. Daphne snickered.

"I'm only joking, Weasley # 2. I have a man. My awesome Herbologist," Daphne smirked, kissing Neville's cheek. His cheeks turned pink, right on time but at least he didn't turn as red as a tomato anymore. Daphne seemed to notice that and she sighed, dramatically.