THE AFTERMATH | RON WEASLEY [BOOK FOUR]

5. WRAPPED AROUND YOUR FINGER

The first day of term arrived and with it, brought a teeming mass of students fighting their way to class at whatever means necessary, pushing past one another viciously– including Gene.

She scowled at a second-year that had stopped directly in front of her, preparing to shove her aside before thinking otherwise. Gene gave him a small smile now, jutting her chin out to gesture for him to disappear, and he quickly scurried away in the other direction. She wasn't even sure if his class was that way.

"Like I said–" Harry's voice had Gene turning around, finding him and Ron standing on a bench as they overlooked the crowd, "The whole school, wrapped around your little finger." he remarked causing Gene to laugh, her head tipping back as she did so.

She weaved in and out of the crowd, making her way over as Ron offered her a hand up, though McGonagall's voice bellowed over the chaos, calling hers and Harry's name. McGonagall beckoned the two over, Gene pulling her hand that rested in Ron's for a moment too long away, before walking toward the professor.

"Enjoying ourselves, are we?" she raised an eyebrow at the two, and Gene made herself look a little less cheerful.

"I've got a free period now." Gene explained with a small smile, though it fell at McGonagall's expression, "Which will be filled with lots of studying." she nodded assuredly as McGonagall narrowed her eyes knowingly.

"And you?" she turned to Harry.

"Same as Gene, Professor." he nodded firmly.

"I would think you'd want to fill it with Potions. Or is it no longer your ambition to become Aurors?" McGonagall looked between the two.

"I'm not so sure anymore, Professor." Gene returned quietly, rather embarrassed, actually. McGonagall gave her a sympathetic look.

Gene had her life planned out for a long time now. She knew what subjects she would take after third year, she knew what extra-curricular's she'd take, she knew her career. But a lot had changed since then. It almost felt silly in the times they were facing. She wasn't even sure if she'd be alive in a years time, and that thought scared Gene more than she'd like to admit.

"It is. Or was. But I was told I had to get an Outstanding in my O.W.L–"

"And so you did when Professor Snape was teaching Potions." McGonagall explained, "However, Professor Slughorn is perfectly happy to accept N.E.W.T. students with 'Exceeds Expectations.'" she nodded.

"Really? Well– brilliant. I'll head there straight away." Harry nodded, smiling a little. That left Gene.

"Genevieve–" McGonagall said, "Why don't you join Mr. Potter? I'll be sure to inform Miss Craft that you won't be able to... study."

She gave Gene a knowing look before she thought to follow McGonagall's stare all the way behind her, finding Lorelai wincing, mouthing an apology.

"And take Weasley with you. He looks far too happy over there." McGonagall glanced at Ron who's smile had faltered. Harry nodded and began to head back while Gene lingered for a moment, "I shall see you at 10 o'clock tonight." was all McGonagall said and Gene nodded with a smile before catching up to Harry and Ron.

"But I don't want to take Potions!" Ron whined, trailing a little further behind Gene and Harry.

"Stop being such a baby, Weasley." Gene rolled her eyes, grasping onto his sleeve as they rushed to the classroom in the dungeons, practically having to drag him inside.

They awkwardly burst in, causing the rest of the class to look up in unison, Gene shrinking under their gaze. She noticed Hermione roll her eyes, to her amusement, before seeing Lavender sit up with a smile at the sight of Ron. That hadn't amused her as much.