The Unexpected Task [H.P.]

Chapter 21 - A Hint and An Article

The first week of the new year brought with it wonderfully warm temperatures, which tempted us all horribly as we hunkered down to finish the homework we'd neglected before Christmas. In between all of the parchment and books, we hadn't gotten any closer to uncovering the hint in Harry's golden egg. Though he'd never admit it, we could tell he was starting to get nervous again, and Ron revealed that he didn't think Harry had any idea what to do with it. The thought twisted my mind with worry, but after all, there were still four weeks left until the second task. Things between Harry and I had grown increasingly better with each day. By the end of the Winter Holiday, every ounce of weirdness seemed to be behind us, at least I hoped.

On the last day of the holidays, the sun warmed the grounds to the perfect degree to have our last Weasley Snowball War. Feeling lightened by a lack of homework and able to move freely without the weight of two sweaters and a coat, I practically skipped down the stairs, excited to spend a warm winter's day out on the Hogwarts grounds, which shone in a fresh blanket of snow from last night.

For almost an hour we waged war on each other, my team (Fred, Ginny, Hermione and I) vs the others pelting each other with large, wet balls of snow. I tried my best, but my aim was very bad. The only thing I was good at, though, was shooting quickly out of the way of every snowball aimed towards me. George and Ron were ruthless, aiming snowball after snowball towards Hermione and I until we were drenched and cold to the touch. Eventually, Hermione had enough, and retired to a blanket she'd laid on the ground before, immediately snapping open a book and immersing herself into it, ignoring our game entirely. 

After a particularly bad shot aimed at Harry's chest, (which had ultimately landed two feet beside him) I gave up, sinking down on a picnic blanket next to Hermione, out of breath and drying the front of my sweater. Hermione shut her book she'd been drowning in and stretched out, looking like she'd awoken for the first time that day. For a while, we sat in silence, watching the Weasleys and Harry as they assaulted each other with snow, usually missing their targets. On the other hand, Fred and George with their expert Beater skills, never missed. I absentmindedly braided a piece of my hair that had fallen out of its pin, annoyed with how long it had grown, watching Ginny hit Ron square in the face. Hermione nearly choked laughing, as every shade of pink crawled up Ron's neck and face, huffing as he trudged over to where we sat in shambles.

"Oh Ron, it's okay!" I laugh, holding my stomach as he wipes the water on his face off with his crimson sweater.

He merely grunted, rolling his eyes at the four remaining fighters. Harry and George fought valiantly against Fred and Ginny, but the two were no match for Ginny's arm, and Fred's skill. As Harry joined us, defeated, we waved off Ginny, followed by Fred and George, who scampered back up the hill and into the castle to warm up.

"They're impossible to beat." Harry huffed, sitting on the blanket across from me.

"They weren't with me on their team, I was not an asset to their operation," I joke.

Ron laughed along, "That's definitely true."

Hermione snickered, "You're not much better, Ronald."

Ron grew pink again. "What d'you mean?" He asked, narrowing his eyes and scratching at a spot on the back of his neck.

Hermione just giggled, returning to her book once more. I shrugged my shoulders as Ron gaped at us, affronted. As the two began to bicker, Harry and I made eye contact.

"Some things never change." I whisper, and Harry nods in agreement. "You have no idea."

The Hogwarts grounds, bathed in sunlight, were mildly busy today. There were a few other snowball fights going on, but most of the students lounged in the sun, like us, enjoying their last day of peace before the new term. I watched a group of seventh year girls trudge their way up the hill from the shore of the Black Lake, (where Viktor Krum, coincidentally, was working out) chatting animatedly. I turned to watch them enter the castle, wondering idly what they might be talking about, when Cedric and his friends suddenly appeared around the corner, laughing as brightly as the sun shone above us.