She Said What?

Chapter 37: I Muse Upon Danger

A/N: This chapter is pretty much short filler, but I think it's kind of necessary. I do want to get into some stuff about the war against Voldemort, because it's important to later parts of the story. I've been trying to slip it in as we went, very much in passing, but this time I've put a spotlight on it because I think it's important to address. War is a big deal.

So...I hope you like this. It's a tad bit different pace-wise.

February 2

9:30 PM
Status: Brooding

Eurgh. I am so done with everything.

For the past few weeks, I thought I had my work situation under control. I really did. I was getting things done, understanding the course work and getting it fairly correct. And now...now I don't even know. I'm back under my avalanche and I can't focus and I'm so miserable for it. I hate not knowing what I'm doing. All the lovely happiness from my birthday this weekend has quickly evaporated after this hellish Monday.

There's too much to do and I can't bring myself to deal with it. It's as simple as that. So, at present, I am sitting by the fire in the Gryffindor common room. James and I managed to sweet-talk two other prefects into taking our patrol for tonight, therefore giving us a well-deserved break (James for Quidditch and me for just breathing). The common room is empty, though, because no one's in the mood to loiter.

Because of this, I actually have company. Sirius mentioned that Napoleon was getting a bit restless again, being confined to his hiding place in James's dormitory, so I rescued him tonight and he is currently sitting on my lap like a furry little table, purring as I simultaneously stroke him and write in here.

It's only Monday, and yet a bunch of things have been going through my mind, and I feel like there's no place in which to confide them. I love Alice and Livvy, but they can't help me with this one. No one really can.

See, earlier this afternoon, I was walking to History of Magic after lunch. I was alone, because I was on my way to the bathroom and Alice and Livvy were off to the classroom, and I turned a corridor to see a highly unpleasant sight:

Severus and a small, obnoxious-looking crowd of his friends were muttering in low, scary voices to a lower-school student that I know for a fact is a Muggleborn – and that little boy looked like he was about to piss his pants with fear.

At first, I was unsure of how to react. But then I saw Avery menacingly stick his wand into the kid's gut and I felt my temper rise so fast that I was almost frightened of myself. My gut twisting, I remembered that I was a Head Girl, and I marched up to the boys, clearing my throat.

"What the hell is going on over here?" I inquired. My voice was shaky only out of anger.

"Evans," sneered Mulciber, rolling his eyes at me. "What do you want?"

"What I just said," I snapped back. "I want to know what the hell is going on over here."

"Nothing," said Avery. "Run along, now."

"Ten points from Slytherin," I said, crossing my arms. "I'm the Head Girl, so I demand that you tell me what the hell is going on."

"Nothing," said Avery again, this time withdrawing his wand, the group opening so that the little boy had more room to breathe.

"Good," I said curtly. "Let's keep it that way."

I turned my attention to the little boy. He looked at me like I was some goddess from the skies and I couldn't help but smile a bit.

"Go on," I told him. "Go to your next class."

Gratefully, the boy scurried off, leaving me alone with the Slytherin gang. Snape was obviously among them, but he had not yet spoken. I really didn't think he would. I refused to catch his eye as I glared into Avery's hateful face.