The Lost Black (The Predestined Trilogy - Bk 1) (A HP FanFic)

Chapter 21: Cupid Is, Officially, on My Hit List

 The remainder of the Homemade trip was quiet. Arthur and Zendaya tried asking what was wrong, but I didn't answer. It came to a point that I decided to return to the castle early and left them at the Three Broomsticks, only after drinking about half of my butterbeer. I couldn't stop thinking about the Shrieking Shack and the monster and the person who saved me. I was so absorbed with the thought that I didn't notice that someone was walking next to me and was trying to talk to me until he waved his hand in front of my face.

"What?" I looked up at the person to find Fred. "Oh, hey, what's up?"

"I should be asking you," he said, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "I saw you leaving and thought you looked upset."

"What? No. I'm just... thinking."

"Uh huh. So what are you thinking about?"

"Something personal," I said slowly. "I don't know, I'm still trying to figure it all out."

"Do you need another ear? I also have a set of Extendable Ears that could also work as another ear?"

I laughed. "Thanks, but I think this thing is something I have to figure out on my own."

"I can understand that. But is what's going on have something to do with you missing some of the D.A. meetings? I haven't seen your lovely face there recently."

"No, it's not that. It's studying." I explained to him my situation with Umbridge and OWLs, making him frown.

"She wasn't even going to let you try?" He asked, almost offended.

I shook my head. "Nope. Because 'you can only take OWLs once, regardless of your 'unique situation''. What complete bull."

"At least you have the other professors backing you up. Would have loved to see McGonagall and Umbridge go at each other."

"Right? McGonagall would totally annihilate her."

"There's no doubt."

I chuckled. "I wish Snape is like that since, you know, he's my Head of House, but he avoids me like the plague. I'm lucky if he acknowledges me. Sometimes I forget that he's the person I'm supposed to go to if I have issues with-" I stopped myself before saying 'Seer stuff'. Need to watch myself. Talking with Fred is too easy and trusting.

"With what?"

"You know, catching up with everyone and other school issues and stuff. Anyway, that reminds me, I don't think I can make it to the next meeting either. Not with all this going on with Umbridge and OWLs and all that."

He slowly came to a stop and bit his lip. "I think I know just what you need."

"Oh?"

He nodded and glanced down at his watch. "Meet me on the fifth floor corridor with the windows in one hour."

"Why?"

He only grinned and turned back to Hogsmeade and ran at full speed.

I shook my head at him. Oh, well, knowing him, I'm probably walking into something entertaining. And maybe a little distraction from my revelation will help. So I did what Fred said and went to the fifth corridor, taking the long way so that near the end of the hour, I was in the corridor, leaning against the windows waiting for the Weasley twin.

I was curious what the boy had schemed and, I'll admit, I was anxious.

About ten minuted after the hour, Fred had appeared, breathing very heavily, but was grinning ear-to-ear.

"Sorry 'bout tha'" he gasped. "Had to borrow something." He dug into his pocket and pulled out a piece of folded parchment.

"What's that?" I asked.