Written In The Stars IV -[Harry Potter xF!Oc]

Chapter Twelve: The Killing Curse.

Neville melted yet another cauldron during Potions and got detention. When he came back he was close to tears and grimacing at the smell that the frogs' guts had left under his nails. Hermione and Mel helped him, the former teaching him a spell to get rid of the guts, and Mel using a Cheering Charm to calm Neville's nerves after that Hermione bolted out and back to the library.

She decided that whatever Hermione was doing in the library, she wanted to see it for herself. That afternoon they went together. Once seated on their usual table, Mel blurted out:

"Do you think I could be a leader?"

Hermione raised her eyes from the book she'd been reading.

"Leader of what?"

The news were eating her alive and she needed an outsider's opinion on the matter, see if it was the right thing to do or if she should quit before it was too late. So she told Hermione about the Welcome Committee. Hermione, as expected, seemed elated at the idea.

"Ohhh! Mel, that's wonderful!" The girl put the book down and closed it. "You'll get to meet the students and their Headmasters! I bet Dumbledore will give you and Erick extra points for this! Oh, you're really lucky!"

"Hermione," Mel shook her head in defeat. "Yes, it's very exciting but... do you really think I'm fit for the job? I understand Erick being a celebrity in his house, I'm not blind! I see how they follow him around, even the older students are always trying to get into his good graces... Erick looks and acts like a leader but me? I... I'm not even popular!"

"Says who?"

"They either think I'm crazy, or they don't even know my first name!"

"Well," Hermione giggled, "that was before your... hmm... you know."

"What?"

"Our housemates aren't blind either, you know?" Hermione said quickly as to end the conversation faster. "I've seen it, some boys taking a second glance when you walk past them, it surprises me that you don't notice..."

"So... Dumbledore only picked me because I'm good-looking?" Mel leaned back, disappointed.

"No! I think he did it because you're brilliant and you'd be a great leader if you knew how to use all you have in your favour, your looks included," Hermione rolled her eyes. "Think a little, Mel. You're a fourth-year but you're the only person that Fred and George listen to, that without mentioning the younger students look up to you because you have private lessons with Dumbledore. I've heard them talk, they almost think you're the next Merlin. You're best friends with Harry Potter– Do I have to mention as well the stone and Salazar's chamber–?"

"Okay, okay!" Mel was blushing. "I guess you're right. It does sound a bit impressive when you say it all together."

"Best part is that it's all true! You just have to believe you're the best leader and you'll be," Hermione gave her a reassuring smile. "You already are."

"What about Erick? Don't you think that could damage the image? I mean, not that I care if they like it or not, but the point is to unite the houses, and if this backfires..."

"I've seen you work together before," Hermione brushed it off. "You're both clever enough, I'm sure you'll figure it out."

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Thirty minutes later they were inside the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, eagerly listening to every word Moody was saying.

"So — straight into it. Curses. They come in many strengths and forms. Now, according to the Ministry of Magic, I'm supposed to teach you countercurses and leave it at that. I'm not supposed to show you what illegal Dark curses look like until you're in the sixth year. You're not supposed to be old enough to deal with it till then. But Professor Dumbledore's got a higher opinion of your nerves, he reckons you can cope, and I say, the sooner you know what you're up against, the better. How are you supposed to defend yourself against something you've never seen? A wizard who's about to put an illegal curse on you isn't going to tell you what he's about to do. He's not going to do it nice and polite to your face. You need to be prepared. You need to be alert and watchful. You need to put that away, Miss Brown, when I'm talking."