A/N: Ok ladies and gents, here we go!!!! :D I finally got the time to
change this and to write a new chapter. It's not too good. well, its ok,
but not as good as the first chapter.. Anywho! I had to change this chapter
due to idiocy on my part. Yesm, I kinda lose it occasionally, and heres a
good case of it. Hehe, sooo, this story mainly sets place in the time of
the marauders. Some gal goes back in time to when they lived, falls in love
etc. BUT (ahh, this is where the plot shall thicken) she gets there and she
needs to go back! AHH! What will she do folks? Hehe, and what happens when
they meet back up in modern times? Who knows. except me? READ IT TO FIND
OUT! Disclaimer: The Marauders aren't my characters, there that womans who
actually wrote the books. whats her name? Ooh, jk rowling!
A Tie Between The Two Times
Chapter One: Harry and Othella- In Love?
Othella looked out the window longingly. How she wished she were outside, in the sun, talking to her friends and how she wished she were NOT in class.
"Miss Krumber? Miss Krumber! If you will please come back to class and answer my question!" an irritated McGonagall began to tap her foot impatiently. Othella flipped her black ponytail off of her shoulder to look at the aggravated Transfiguration professor.
"What was the question again?" Othella asked, trying not to pay attention to the giggles from her fellow classmates.
"Who was the first person to be able to turn into an Animagus?" McGonagall questioned.
"Oh," she paused, trying to remember. Then a pleasant, soft voice from behind her whispered 'Richard Truelagan' into her ear. She smiled, the answered,
"Richard Truelagan, ma'am."
"Thank you Miss Krumber!" and with that, the cat like teacher returned to her lesson on how humans become Animagus's.
Othella turned around to see Harry Potter grinning at her. Quietly, she mouthed 'thanks' at him before swiveling herself back around. An enormous smirk spread across her face like wildfire, thinking about what had just happened. Her years at Hogwarts had begun abruptly in when she was about 11. Father ailing and mother cronically depressed, her grandparents sent her off to Hogwarts to keep her out of the way and out of hurts way. The first year at the school was tough, skipping classes constantly, trying to run away and find her way home and trying to get expelled, Othella had no friends and her parents didn't correspond to her. In the end of her second year she received an owl, explaining her father had passed away and her mother had stabbed herself in the chest and that she was to be sent home with her grandparents. As she rushed out of the Great Hall sobbing, Othella accidentally ran into Harry Potter.
***FLASHBACK***
Harry and the mysterious dark-haired girl slammed into each other, both crumpled on the hard marble tiles.
Rubbing his head, about to get up, Harry looked at whom he had just collided with. A sobbing Othella Krumper was collapsed on the floor. She had bent her knees and were hugging them, shoving her head between them. Her long, deep brown hair flowed over her shoulder and onto her legs, hiding her tearing eyes.
"Is that you Othella? It's Harry. I'm sorry I ran into you," Harry stammered, uncertainly.
She looked up, red-eyed and lip trembling. Her heart pounded in her chest, ready to explode. Harry Potter, the famous Harry Potter, was talking to her?
"It's. it's ok, I'm fine," she spluttered, then began to back herself up to the wall, still hugging her legs. Before Harry could mutter another word, another burst of tears emerged from her lime green eyes.
"I can't take it any more! I just can't. I have no parents, no friends. no family of my own. What am I supposed to do? Shrug it off? I can't, I have for too long. I just don't know what to do!" she wept, tears pouring down, soaking up her black robes and dirty jeans.
Harry stared at her for a second before he scooted over beside her. Placing an arm on her knee, he spoke softly to her sad face.
"I understand."
"What?" Othella looked up at him, confused.
"I understand what it's like. My parents are dead too. I live with my aunt and uncle. And when I first got to Hogwarts I knew no one either," he gave her a soft smile, turning her insides to jello.
"You too? I don't know anyone. I've been in school for months and no one talks to me. except for you right now. And Hermione once or twice. I'm scared I'm going to go home with no friends," Othella answered, staring at the green-eyed boy crouching beside her. Had she finally someone who understood her?
"I know what you mean. Well, now you can say you've made a friend," Harry grinned, then pulled himself up off the cold floor,
"Come on, lets go finish breakfast."
Othella gaped at him, not sure it had registered in her brain. Finally her instincts kicked in.
"Thanks Harry," she murmured.
"That's what friends are for, right?" he laughed, before taking her arm and dragging her back into the Great Hall.
***END OF FLASHBACK***
Othella stared into space, imagining the scene in her mind. That one single incident had changed her future. Now she and Harry were buddies, they knew each other like the back of their hands. Now, their sixth year at Hogwarts, Othella, Ron, Harry and Hermione had grouped together. They were tight, as tight as best friends could be. She smiled at the thought of it all. Suddenly, she was brought back to the boring class, thanks to the same shrill voice as before.
"Miss Krumper! Would you please pay attention! This entire class you have been close to dozing off and even after reprimanding you, you continue to stare off into space! Extra homework young lady. Class, copy down yours before leaving and you may be dismissed. Othella, up at my desk," McGonagall was furiously shaking her head as the class began to shuffle out as fast as they could.
"Now, along with the bookwork, I'll ask you to complete this worksheet before next class. Good day," Othella left without a word.
As she escaped from the old classroom, she saw Harry leaning up against the doorway. He was laughing, staring at her carrying the worksheet in herarms.
"Oh shut up! I was just off in some other galaxy, thinking about other things," Othella firmly defended herself.
Harry continued to laugh, "Like always. So, you ready to go to lunch?"
"Come back up to the common room with me. I need to drop this off," she pointed to the worksheet, "and I need to change my robes for Care of Magical Creatures."
The pair walked silently up to Gryffindor Tower, climbing up through the fat lady portrait. Othella went left, up towards the girl's dorm while Harry seated himself in the chair closest to the fireplace.
Othella reached her room, as Hermione Granger's voice greeted her.
"Hey Ella! Aren't you gonna head down to lunch?" Hermione said, trying desperately to tame her bushy mane. Othella cringed slightly at her nickname, Ella, not one of her favorites.
"I needed to drop something off and I need to change into my other robes for Care of Magical Creatures," she replied softly, and then stared at her trunk, searching for her ratty robes.
"Harry down in the common room waiting for you?" Hermione questioned, causing Ginny Weasley, whom she had just realized was here, to giggle furiously.
"Yes, why?" Othella shot back, feeling slightly annoyed at the shrill giggles.
"You like him, don't you?" Ginny tried to hide back another fit of giggles, yet she burst after about 30 seconds.
"What? What are you guys talking about? We're only FRIENDS, "she emphasized 'friends' very clearly, "And anyways, I think he's got the hots for someone else. Please guys."
"Whatever you say!" Hermione giggled, "But I still think he likes YOU! Friends my wand, you two flirt way too much to just be 'friends!' Shesh,"
"Mock me all you want, but I think he likes you Herm or you Gin," Othella said, readjusting her cat-like glasses. She grabbed her brush and began to redo her ponytail to replace it with two short braids. As she took out the band, he hair automatically flew down to the edge of her shoulders. She looked at herself in the closest mirror to examine herself. A young, green- eyed, dark-brown haired, rosy-cheeked girl stared back. Othella sighed deeply before swaying the brush on the top of her head, pulling it into two, tight ponytails. Clumsily she braided them, then grabbed her wand on the table, and left back to the common room. She found Harry chatting up a storm with Ron Weasley, a tall, red-haired boy whom Harry had been friends with for since first year.
"Othella! Guess what?" Ron screeched, literally bouncing up and down.
"What Ron?" she answered sarcastically, imitating his jumping movements.
"I'M THE NEW QUIDDITCH CAPTIAN!" he yelled across the room, as if to tell the entire Gryffindor House.
"Oh my god Ron! How exciting! I can't wait to try-out, they're calling me down tomorrow to replace one of the Chasers who left last year. Hopefully I'll be able to play with you!" Othella began to jump herself, thrilled about her upcoming chance to be a Gryffindor Chaser.
"Ok, now that we're all done jumping up and down like orangutans, lets please go and get some lunch. I'm starved!" Harry said impatiently.
"You look it," Othella snickered, staring at his scrawny figure.
"Oh please, you're just as scrawny as I am. At least I do eat something occasionally!" Harry snapped back playfully.
"I DO eat you pig! I wasn't hungry on Friday, so I skipped breakfast." she trailed off.
"And lunch and dinner," he added, chuckling.
"Alright, you asked for it buddy!" Othella said before pouncing. She knew very Harry was a very ticklish person and this came in handy occasionally. Yet all the same, she loved to see him squirm like a schoolgirl, and his giggle reminded her of one too.
"Ok, truths?" Harry was still doubled over, holding his stomach.
"Fine," she answered, then left him against a wall and Ron laughing hysterically.
To her surprise, the Great Hall was still packed. Spotting Hermione near the middle of the Gryffindor table, Othella made her way to the empty seat next to her. She gladly grabbed a fork and dug into her baked potato. Only after she had finished it and her plate had cleaned, did Harry and Ron come tromping into the hall. Ron was snickering to himself while Harry looked rather disturbed.
"What's up?" Othella questioned Harry lightly.
"Nothing," he answered quickly before digging completely into his lunch.
"Ron?" she was slightly irritated by his speedy retort.
"What?" he had already begun to stuff his face full heartedly,
"Oh don't bother Ellie, he'll be fine. I guess this is just one of those things I should have never brought up."
"What did you bring up?" her voice was filled with interest.
"Well, I asked him if." but before Ron could finish his response, Harry jabbed him painfully in the side. He immediately began eating again, causing Othella to be even more confused.
~~~~***~~*~~***~~~~
Care of Magical Creatures was over and Othella and Hermione had already begun to make their way to the castle. Both were bleeding from various spots having dealt with another batch of Blast Ended Skrewts. They had been working all afternoon handling them and taking them for walks and everyone in the class was exhausted.
"Hermione, can I ask you something?" Othella asked.
"Sure, what do ya need to know?" Hermione responded.
"Well, do you really actually think Harry might like me?" she blushed furiously.
"Ah ha! Well, if you want my personal opinion I think he does. But I'm not Harry so I guess I don't know for sure," she had begun to giggle madly.
"What are you giggling about?"
"Nothing!"
"Oh it's something alright!"
"Nope, can't tell."
"What are you hiding young lady?"
"Harry told me he did!" Hermione had begun to giggle so hysterically that she was bent over holding her stomach.
"What?" Othella tried to look serious, but a tiny smirk appeared on her face. Hermione caught on quickly, "You like him Ellie?"
"Maybe," Othella had begun to sway back and forth, staring at her feet.
"You do! How adorable!" Hermione mocked Lavender by putting her hands up by her cheeks and fluttering her eyelashes.
"You shut up about this! Tell no one!"
"Ok."
"Ok."
The two girls both arrived at the Fat Lady silently, thoughts swirling through their heads. Hermione headed straight towards Ron, while Othella went up to her room. Her head was swarming with pictures of Harry. Did he really like her or was Hermione just joking? Should she do something or let him make the first move? Would he ask her to the Halloween Masquerade Ball? She collapsed on her bed as even more questions erupted in her head.
"Ellie?" a voice called her name from the door.
"Oh, hey Ginny," she lifted up her head to find the short, redheaded girl approaching her.
"Umm, can I ask you something?" she was nervously massaging her palms.
"Shoot."
"Well, is it true you like Harry?"
"What? Why?"
"Well, umm, when Hermione was asking you about him the other day you blushed and you smiled and I thought." Ginny trailed off, as if she was too upset to even finish the sentence.
"Ok, maybe I do. Why?" Othella was confused at Ginny's sudden interest.
"Cause, well, I heard him say he was going to ask you to the ball."
"Ok." she still wasn't catching on.
"I guess I'm just a little jealous," Ginny's eyes had filled up with tears as she had talked. She fell down on the bed and held her head in her hands, hiding her crying eyes.
"Oh Ginny! I had no idea! How about if I get him to dance with you at the ball? Then you can say you danced with Harry Potter," Othella suddenly felt a wave of guilt pass through her like a freight train.
"Ok," she sniffed before head down a floor to her own room.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, Othella began to wonder if what Ginny had told her was true. Would Harry really ask HER to the ball? The question began to rack her brain as she slowly lay down on the soft comforter. After deciding that he probably wasn't, Othella drifted off into a deep sleep.
~~~~***~~*~~***~~~~
"Othella? Othella! OTHELLA!" Othella awoke to Harry's harsh scream. "Oh my god! Did I sleep through dinner?" she sat bolt upright, gathering her thoughts.
"No, but everyone is already down there. I thought I'd wake you up so you could eat," he said, his voice smothered with concern.
"Thanks," she muttered quietly. Grabbing her regular black robes and tearing off her raggedy ones, Othella followed Harry to the common room. They climbed through the portrait hole, and scrambled down the halls and staircases, making their way to the Great Hall.
"Umm, Othella?" Harry asked cautiously.
"Hmm?"
"I was wondering." he began slowly.
"Yeah?" Othella was hoping he would ask her about the ball.
"Would you come the Masquerade Ball with me?"
"Really? You want me to go with you?"
"Of course."
"Sure," she responded joyously. Before he could mutter thanks, Othella grabbed him in her arms, hugging him until his guts were about to pop out.
"Umm, what was that for?" Harry muttered uncertainly.
"For being the best guy ever!" she squealed, before skipping off to the Great Hall leaving Harry standing in disbelief.
~~~~***~~*~~***~~~~
The next day passed without much to do. Yet once again Othella fell asleep before dinner, trying to finish her Potion Notes.
Othella woke up soundlessly to find it was almost 9:30. She yawned and tried to go back to sleep, yet realized she was hungry. Unfortunately, dinner was probably over, so she'd wait for Hermione to get back. Hermione always remembered to grab her something when she missed a meal. Pulling on a bathrobe and grabbing Dragons, Werewolves and Vampires: A Dictionary of Magical Creatures, she climbed down the dormitory stairs to the quiet common room. She slipped to a seat by one of the elephant-sized windows and began to read intently. Her report for Defense Against the Dark Arts about unicorns was due in a week and she needed to finish up her research. Othella found her page and began to read: The unicorn is a legendary animal. It is usually portrayed as a slender, white horse with a spiraling horn on its forehead, although its appearance and behavior differs, depending on the location. In the west it was usually considered wild and untamable, while in the Orient it was peaceful, meek and thought to be the bringer of good luck. There it is usually depicted as a goat-like creature, with cloven hooves and a beard. In Japan it is called Kirin, and in China Ki-lin. The word "unicorn" is based on the Hebrew word re'em ("horn"), in early versions of the Old Testament translated as "monokeros", meaning "one horn", which became "unicorn" in English. The creature is possibly based on the rhinoceros or the narwhal, a marine creature with one horn.
Wow, she thought to herself. However before she could read any further, a hand on her shoulder made her jump clear to the ceiling.
"Oops, sorry. I didn't mean to scare you!" Harry mumbled, looking a little shaken.
"Are you alright Harry? You look kind of upset." Othella trailed off, wondering if she was prying too hard.
"Upset? Nah, I'm just sleepy," he paused, yawning.
"What are you doing in the common room now?"
"Hedwig."
"Did Sirius reply yet?" Othella almost bounded up from her seat, but Harry looked quite distressed, "Oh no."
"He replied alright! He's coming back! I can't afford him coming back, he could get caught!" Harry hid his head in his hands and collapsed into the closet chair.
"Dumbledore will probably make sure he'll be safe. He knows, along with Herm and Ron, and also believes Sirius's innocence. Dumbledore'll protect him," she finished, staring at Harry.
"You may be right, but how long can he hide? Living off rats probably isn't much fun!"
"Well, if I were you, write him back immediately. Tell him to come, encourage it. I think it could be good for him, his health, Buckbeak," she referred to the hippogriff, smiling at the thought of him.
"You're probably right, you usually are," he answered thoughtfully and then began to quietly laugh.
"What is so hilarious?" she questioned him sternly.
"Crookshanks seems to disapprove of you reading that book," he sniggered, and then pointed at the crumpled book on the floor, now being attacked by the furious tabby.
"YOU STUPID PRAT!" Othella yelled, grabbing the animal by the tail and practically lifting him up a foot off the ground. Before she could spank him, he slashed her wrist and bolted off towards the boys' dormitories, probably searching for another victim.
"You ok?" Harry asked, afterward realizing that Crookshanks had left a gapping wound in the girl's wrist.
"It only hurts a little bit," she tried to make him believe this was true, but she couldn't stop squirming herself.
"C'mon, we have to get you to the Hospital Wing," he said, clutching her elbow and dragging her trough the portrait hole.
"It's fine, I just need my wand," Othella gripped it tightly in her right hand, and then waved it in a swooshing motion.
"Avianda Bandagios!"
Harry leapt back as large, cotton bandages emerged from the end of her wand. They rapped themselves tightly around her wrist then snapped together with a small 'click.'
"Where'd you learn that?" Harry murmured, astonished.
"I saw Madam Pomfrey use it on Lavender when her owl accidentally slashed her leg with its talons. Man was she pist off!" Othella laughed, remembering when Lavender stormed into the Hospital Wing, demanding treatment.
"Are you hoping to become a nurse?" he asked.
"Yep! Maybe here, or at Beauxbatons, I truly don't know yet. But I love anything dealing with blood. Either that or maybe I'll be some type of vet," she giggled at her own remark.
"That's pretty cool. I think I'm gonna try and become an Auror," Harry said proudly.
"Fun!"
"Yeah."
"Harry?"
"Hmm?"
"Can I do something?"
"What do you mean? Do what?" he barely had time to answer before she lunged towards him, grabbing his head and pressing it against hers. Her kiss was soft, full of rekindled passion. Harry, taken aback at first, began to lean in and repeat her zeal (A/N: I love that word. zeal! I had to fit it in, but it means an energetic idea- kissing! Yowzah!). Othella felt dizzy, as though she had just gotten off of her favorite rollercoaster ride. He grasped her waist and pulled her in closer. Finally, Harry felt as though he would die without oxygen and pulled away from her. The two stood there for a moment, staring into each others eyes, before a familiar voice broke the silence.
"What were you two doing in the hall?" Harry turned around to see Ron, Hermione and Ginny all walking towards them.
"Just walking down to the Hall," Othella quickly responded.
"Doesn't look like it." Ron began but Hermione butted in.
"Ahh! Well, it was really good but dinner is over so you two better travel to the kitchens instead."
"Thanks Herm," Harry said and pulled Othella out of the corridor, leading her to the kitchens.
~~~~***~~*~~***~~~~
"That was weird, Herm. What were they doing in the hallway, all alone, holding each other around the waist?" Ron said quizzically.
"You can be so dim sometimes Ron! Her likes her, she likes him. It's classic, what do you think they were doing?" Hermione asked irritably causing Ginny to chuckle furiously.
"Ah shove it Gin. I get it, but I had no idea!" he replied.
"No idea! He's liked her forever! And I know she's liked him for about two years. Isn't it a little obvious?" she questioned him, then picked up a book and began to read feverishly.
"Ron, you should be happy for them. They're close friends to all three of us and them getting together would be so romantic!" Ginny commented, fluttering her eyelashes and clapping her hands together.
"Nah, you've just been watching too many soap operas," laughed Ron, remembering the first time he had heard 'Weeks of Our Lives' on the television.
"Fine then! You're just pisst off because you don't have a girlfriend!" Ginny squealed crossly.
"Heh! You better watch it Gin!" he shot back.
"Shut up both of you! Be happy for them and be happy that he didn't fall for some creepy Slytherin!" Hermione screeched, staring over the top of her book looking quite annoyed.
"Fine."
"Fine!"
"Good, that's settled," Hermione finished, watching the siblings walk up the stairs to their separate dormitories.
~~~~***~~*~~***~~~~
OMG! Yes, it's brilliant!! It's gonna take some time, but it WILL get somewhere. I need to post the other chapter soon so you people can get it! MWA HA HA! REVIEW PEOPLE, REVIEW!!! ;D later ~jujubee~
A Tie Between The Two Times
Chapter One: Harry and Othella- In Love?
Othella looked out the window longingly. How she wished she were outside, in the sun, talking to her friends and how she wished she were NOT in class.
"Miss Krumber? Miss Krumber! If you will please come back to class and answer my question!" an irritated McGonagall began to tap her foot impatiently. Othella flipped her black ponytail off of her shoulder to look at the aggravated Transfiguration professor.
"What was the question again?" Othella asked, trying not to pay attention to the giggles from her fellow classmates.
"Who was the first person to be able to turn into an Animagus?" McGonagall questioned.
"Oh," she paused, trying to remember. Then a pleasant, soft voice from behind her whispered 'Richard Truelagan' into her ear. She smiled, the answered,
"Richard Truelagan, ma'am."
"Thank you Miss Krumber!" and with that, the cat like teacher returned to her lesson on how humans become Animagus's.
Othella turned around to see Harry Potter grinning at her. Quietly, she mouthed 'thanks' at him before swiveling herself back around. An enormous smirk spread across her face like wildfire, thinking about what had just happened. Her years at Hogwarts had begun abruptly in when she was about 11. Father ailing and mother cronically depressed, her grandparents sent her off to Hogwarts to keep her out of the way and out of hurts way. The first year at the school was tough, skipping classes constantly, trying to run away and find her way home and trying to get expelled, Othella had no friends and her parents didn't correspond to her. In the end of her second year she received an owl, explaining her father had passed away and her mother had stabbed herself in the chest and that she was to be sent home with her grandparents. As she rushed out of the Great Hall sobbing, Othella accidentally ran into Harry Potter.
***FLASHBACK***
Harry and the mysterious dark-haired girl slammed into each other, both crumpled on the hard marble tiles.
Rubbing his head, about to get up, Harry looked at whom he had just collided with. A sobbing Othella Krumper was collapsed on the floor. She had bent her knees and were hugging them, shoving her head between them. Her long, deep brown hair flowed over her shoulder and onto her legs, hiding her tearing eyes.
"Is that you Othella? It's Harry. I'm sorry I ran into you," Harry stammered, uncertainly.
She looked up, red-eyed and lip trembling. Her heart pounded in her chest, ready to explode. Harry Potter, the famous Harry Potter, was talking to her?
"It's. it's ok, I'm fine," she spluttered, then began to back herself up to the wall, still hugging her legs. Before Harry could mutter another word, another burst of tears emerged from her lime green eyes.
"I can't take it any more! I just can't. I have no parents, no friends. no family of my own. What am I supposed to do? Shrug it off? I can't, I have for too long. I just don't know what to do!" she wept, tears pouring down, soaking up her black robes and dirty jeans.
Harry stared at her for a second before he scooted over beside her. Placing an arm on her knee, he spoke softly to her sad face.
"I understand."
"What?" Othella looked up at him, confused.
"I understand what it's like. My parents are dead too. I live with my aunt and uncle. And when I first got to Hogwarts I knew no one either," he gave her a soft smile, turning her insides to jello.
"You too? I don't know anyone. I've been in school for months and no one talks to me. except for you right now. And Hermione once or twice. I'm scared I'm going to go home with no friends," Othella answered, staring at the green-eyed boy crouching beside her. Had she finally someone who understood her?
"I know what you mean. Well, now you can say you've made a friend," Harry grinned, then pulled himself up off the cold floor,
"Come on, lets go finish breakfast."
Othella gaped at him, not sure it had registered in her brain. Finally her instincts kicked in.
"Thanks Harry," she murmured.
"That's what friends are for, right?" he laughed, before taking her arm and dragging her back into the Great Hall.
***END OF FLASHBACK***
Othella stared into space, imagining the scene in her mind. That one single incident had changed her future. Now she and Harry were buddies, they knew each other like the back of their hands. Now, their sixth year at Hogwarts, Othella, Ron, Harry and Hermione had grouped together. They were tight, as tight as best friends could be. She smiled at the thought of it all. Suddenly, she was brought back to the boring class, thanks to the same shrill voice as before.
"Miss Krumper! Would you please pay attention! This entire class you have been close to dozing off and even after reprimanding you, you continue to stare off into space! Extra homework young lady. Class, copy down yours before leaving and you may be dismissed. Othella, up at my desk," McGonagall was furiously shaking her head as the class began to shuffle out as fast as they could.
"Now, along with the bookwork, I'll ask you to complete this worksheet before next class. Good day," Othella left without a word.
As she escaped from the old classroom, she saw Harry leaning up against the doorway. He was laughing, staring at her carrying the worksheet in herarms.
"Oh shut up! I was just off in some other galaxy, thinking about other things," Othella firmly defended herself.
Harry continued to laugh, "Like always. So, you ready to go to lunch?"
"Come back up to the common room with me. I need to drop this off," she pointed to the worksheet, "and I need to change my robes for Care of Magical Creatures."
The pair walked silently up to Gryffindor Tower, climbing up through the fat lady portrait. Othella went left, up towards the girl's dorm while Harry seated himself in the chair closest to the fireplace.
Othella reached her room, as Hermione Granger's voice greeted her.
"Hey Ella! Aren't you gonna head down to lunch?" Hermione said, trying desperately to tame her bushy mane. Othella cringed slightly at her nickname, Ella, not one of her favorites.
"I needed to drop something off and I need to change into my other robes for Care of Magical Creatures," she replied softly, and then stared at her trunk, searching for her ratty robes.
"Harry down in the common room waiting for you?" Hermione questioned, causing Ginny Weasley, whom she had just realized was here, to giggle furiously.
"Yes, why?" Othella shot back, feeling slightly annoyed at the shrill giggles.
"You like him, don't you?" Ginny tried to hide back another fit of giggles, yet she burst after about 30 seconds.
"What? What are you guys talking about? We're only FRIENDS, "she emphasized 'friends' very clearly, "And anyways, I think he's got the hots for someone else. Please guys."
"Whatever you say!" Hermione giggled, "But I still think he likes YOU! Friends my wand, you two flirt way too much to just be 'friends!' Shesh,"
"Mock me all you want, but I think he likes you Herm or you Gin," Othella said, readjusting her cat-like glasses. She grabbed her brush and began to redo her ponytail to replace it with two short braids. As she took out the band, he hair automatically flew down to the edge of her shoulders. She looked at herself in the closest mirror to examine herself. A young, green- eyed, dark-brown haired, rosy-cheeked girl stared back. Othella sighed deeply before swaying the brush on the top of her head, pulling it into two, tight ponytails. Clumsily she braided them, then grabbed her wand on the table, and left back to the common room. She found Harry chatting up a storm with Ron Weasley, a tall, red-haired boy whom Harry had been friends with for since first year.
"Othella! Guess what?" Ron screeched, literally bouncing up and down.
"What Ron?" she answered sarcastically, imitating his jumping movements.
"I'M THE NEW QUIDDITCH CAPTIAN!" he yelled across the room, as if to tell the entire Gryffindor House.
"Oh my god Ron! How exciting! I can't wait to try-out, they're calling me down tomorrow to replace one of the Chasers who left last year. Hopefully I'll be able to play with you!" Othella began to jump herself, thrilled about her upcoming chance to be a Gryffindor Chaser.
"Ok, now that we're all done jumping up and down like orangutans, lets please go and get some lunch. I'm starved!" Harry said impatiently.
"You look it," Othella snickered, staring at his scrawny figure.
"Oh please, you're just as scrawny as I am. At least I do eat something occasionally!" Harry snapped back playfully.
"I DO eat you pig! I wasn't hungry on Friday, so I skipped breakfast." she trailed off.
"And lunch and dinner," he added, chuckling.
"Alright, you asked for it buddy!" Othella said before pouncing. She knew very Harry was a very ticklish person and this came in handy occasionally. Yet all the same, she loved to see him squirm like a schoolgirl, and his giggle reminded her of one too.
"Ok, truths?" Harry was still doubled over, holding his stomach.
"Fine," she answered, then left him against a wall and Ron laughing hysterically.
To her surprise, the Great Hall was still packed. Spotting Hermione near the middle of the Gryffindor table, Othella made her way to the empty seat next to her. She gladly grabbed a fork and dug into her baked potato. Only after she had finished it and her plate had cleaned, did Harry and Ron come tromping into the hall. Ron was snickering to himself while Harry looked rather disturbed.
"What's up?" Othella questioned Harry lightly.
"Nothing," he answered quickly before digging completely into his lunch.
"Ron?" she was slightly irritated by his speedy retort.
"What?" he had already begun to stuff his face full heartedly,
"Oh don't bother Ellie, he'll be fine. I guess this is just one of those things I should have never brought up."
"What did you bring up?" her voice was filled with interest.
"Well, I asked him if." but before Ron could finish his response, Harry jabbed him painfully in the side. He immediately began eating again, causing Othella to be even more confused.
~~~~***~~*~~***~~~~
Care of Magical Creatures was over and Othella and Hermione had already begun to make their way to the castle. Both were bleeding from various spots having dealt with another batch of Blast Ended Skrewts. They had been working all afternoon handling them and taking them for walks and everyone in the class was exhausted.
"Hermione, can I ask you something?" Othella asked.
"Sure, what do ya need to know?" Hermione responded.
"Well, do you really actually think Harry might like me?" she blushed furiously.
"Ah ha! Well, if you want my personal opinion I think he does. But I'm not Harry so I guess I don't know for sure," she had begun to giggle madly.
"What are you giggling about?"
"Nothing!"
"Oh it's something alright!"
"Nope, can't tell."
"What are you hiding young lady?"
"Harry told me he did!" Hermione had begun to giggle so hysterically that she was bent over holding her stomach.
"What?" Othella tried to look serious, but a tiny smirk appeared on her face. Hermione caught on quickly, "You like him Ellie?"
"Maybe," Othella had begun to sway back and forth, staring at her feet.
"You do! How adorable!" Hermione mocked Lavender by putting her hands up by her cheeks and fluttering her eyelashes.
"You shut up about this! Tell no one!"
"Ok."
"Ok."
The two girls both arrived at the Fat Lady silently, thoughts swirling through their heads. Hermione headed straight towards Ron, while Othella went up to her room. Her head was swarming with pictures of Harry. Did he really like her or was Hermione just joking? Should she do something or let him make the first move? Would he ask her to the Halloween Masquerade Ball? She collapsed on her bed as even more questions erupted in her head.
"Ellie?" a voice called her name from the door.
"Oh, hey Ginny," she lifted up her head to find the short, redheaded girl approaching her.
"Umm, can I ask you something?" she was nervously massaging her palms.
"Shoot."
"Well, is it true you like Harry?"
"What? Why?"
"Well, umm, when Hermione was asking you about him the other day you blushed and you smiled and I thought." Ginny trailed off, as if she was too upset to even finish the sentence.
"Ok, maybe I do. Why?" Othella was confused at Ginny's sudden interest.
"Cause, well, I heard him say he was going to ask you to the ball."
"Ok." she still wasn't catching on.
"I guess I'm just a little jealous," Ginny's eyes had filled up with tears as she had talked. She fell down on the bed and held her head in her hands, hiding her crying eyes.
"Oh Ginny! I had no idea! How about if I get him to dance with you at the ball? Then you can say you danced with Harry Potter," Othella suddenly felt a wave of guilt pass through her like a freight train.
"Ok," she sniffed before head down a floor to her own room.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, Othella began to wonder if what Ginny had told her was true. Would Harry really ask HER to the ball? The question began to rack her brain as she slowly lay down on the soft comforter. After deciding that he probably wasn't, Othella drifted off into a deep sleep.
~~~~***~~*~~***~~~~
"Othella? Othella! OTHELLA!" Othella awoke to Harry's harsh scream. "Oh my god! Did I sleep through dinner?" she sat bolt upright, gathering her thoughts.
"No, but everyone is already down there. I thought I'd wake you up so you could eat," he said, his voice smothered with concern.
"Thanks," she muttered quietly. Grabbing her regular black robes and tearing off her raggedy ones, Othella followed Harry to the common room. They climbed through the portrait hole, and scrambled down the halls and staircases, making their way to the Great Hall.
"Umm, Othella?" Harry asked cautiously.
"Hmm?"
"I was wondering." he began slowly.
"Yeah?" Othella was hoping he would ask her about the ball.
"Would you come the Masquerade Ball with me?"
"Really? You want me to go with you?"
"Of course."
"Sure," she responded joyously. Before he could mutter thanks, Othella grabbed him in her arms, hugging him until his guts were about to pop out.
"Umm, what was that for?" Harry muttered uncertainly.
"For being the best guy ever!" she squealed, before skipping off to the Great Hall leaving Harry standing in disbelief.
~~~~***~~*~~***~~~~
The next day passed without much to do. Yet once again Othella fell asleep before dinner, trying to finish her Potion Notes.
Othella woke up soundlessly to find it was almost 9:30. She yawned and tried to go back to sleep, yet realized she was hungry. Unfortunately, dinner was probably over, so she'd wait for Hermione to get back. Hermione always remembered to grab her something when she missed a meal. Pulling on a bathrobe and grabbing Dragons, Werewolves and Vampires: A Dictionary of Magical Creatures, she climbed down the dormitory stairs to the quiet common room. She slipped to a seat by one of the elephant-sized windows and began to read intently. Her report for Defense Against the Dark Arts about unicorns was due in a week and she needed to finish up her research. Othella found her page and began to read: The unicorn is a legendary animal. It is usually portrayed as a slender, white horse with a spiraling horn on its forehead, although its appearance and behavior differs, depending on the location. In the west it was usually considered wild and untamable, while in the Orient it was peaceful, meek and thought to be the bringer of good luck. There it is usually depicted as a goat-like creature, with cloven hooves and a beard. In Japan it is called Kirin, and in China Ki-lin. The word "unicorn" is based on the Hebrew word re'em ("horn"), in early versions of the Old Testament translated as "monokeros", meaning "one horn", which became "unicorn" in English. The creature is possibly based on the rhinoceros or the narwhal, a marine creature with one horn.
Wow, she thought to herself. However before she could read any further, a hand on her shoulder made her jump clear to the ceiling.
"Oops, sorry. I didn't mean to scare you!" Harry mumbled, looking a little shaken.
"Are you alright Harry? You look kind of upset." Othella trailed off, wondering if she was prying too hard.
"Upset? Nah, I'm just sleepy," he paused, yawning.
"What are you doing in the common room now?"
"Hedwig."
"Did Sirius reply yet?" Othella almost bounded up from her seat, but Harry looked quite distressed, "Oh no."
"He replied alright! He's coming back! I can't afford him coming back, he could get caught!" Harry hid his head in his hands and collapsed into the closet chair.
"Dumbledore will probably make sure he'll be safe. He knows, along with Herm and Ron, and also believes Sirius's innocence. Dumbledore'll protect him," she finished, staring at Harry.
"You may be right, but how long can he hide? Living off rats probably isn't much fun!"
"Well, if I were you, write him back immediately. Tell him to come, encourage it. I think it could be good for him, his health, Buckbeak," she referred to the hippogriff, smiling at the thought of him.
"You're probably right, you usually are," he answered thoughtfully and then began to quietly laugh.
"What is so hilarious?" she questioned him sternly.
"Crookshanks seems to disapprove of you reading that book," he sniggered, and then pointed at the crumpled book on the floor, now being attacked by the furious tabby.
"YOU STUPID PRAT!" Othella yelled, grabbing the animal by the tail and practically lifting him up a foot off the ground. Before she could spank him, he slashed her wrist and bolted off towards the boys' dormitories, probably searching for another victim.
"You ok?" Harry asked, afterward realizing that Crookshanks had left a gapping wound in the girl's wrist.
"It only hurts a little bit," she tried to make him believe this was true, but she couldn't stop squirming herself.
"C'mon, we have to get you to the Hospital Wing," he said, clutching her elbow and dragging her trough the portrait hole.
"It's fine, I just need my wand," Othella gripped it tightly in her right hand, and then waved it in a swooshing motion.
"Avianda Bandagios!"
Harry leapt back as large, cotton bandages emerged from the end of her wand. They rapped themselves tightly around her wrist then snapped together with a small 'click.'
"Where'd you learn that?" Harry murmured, astonished.
"I saw Madam Pomfrey use it on Lavender when her owl accidentally slashed her leg with its talons. Man was she pist off!" Othella laughed, remembering when Lavender stormed into the Hospital Wing, demanding treatment.
"Are you hoping to become a nurse?" he asked.
"Yep! Maybe here, or at Beauxbatons, I truly don't know yet. But I love anything dealing with blood. Either that or maybe I'll be some type of vet," she giggled at her own remark.
"That's pretty cool. I think I'm gonna try and become an Auror," Harry said proudly.
"Fun!"
"Yeah."
"Harry?"
"Hmm?"
"Can I do something?"
"What do you mean? Do what?" he barely had time to answer before she lunged towards him, grabbing his head and pressing it against hers. Her kiss was soft, full of rekindled passion. Harry, taken aback at first, began to lean in and repeat her zeal (A/N: I love that word. zeal! I had to fit it in, but it means an energetic idea- kissing! Yowzah!). Othella felt dizzy, as though she had just gotten off of her favorite rollercoaster ride. He grasped her waist and pulled her in closer. Finally, Harry felt as though he would die without oxygen and pulled away from her. The two stood there for a moment, staring into each others eyes, before a familiar voice broke the silence.
"What were you two doing in the hall?" Harry turned around to see Ron, Hermione and Ginny all walking towards them.
"Just walking down to the Hall," Othella quickly responded.
"Doesn't look like it." Ron began but Hermione butted in.
"Ahh! Well, it was really good but dinner is over so you two better travel to the kitchens instead."
"Thanks Herm," Harry said and pulled Othella out of the corridor, leading her to the kitchens.
~~~~***~~*~~***~~~~
"That was weird, Herm. What were they doing in the hallway, all alone, holding each other around the waist?" Ron said quizzically.
"You can be so dim sometimes Ron! Her likes her, she likes him. It's classic, what do you think they were doing?" Hermione asked irritably causing Ginny to chuckle furiously.
"Ah shove it Gin. I get it, but I had no idea!" he replied.
"No idea! He's liked her forever! And I know she's liked him for about two years. Isn't it a little obvious?" she questioned him, then picked up a book and began to read feverishly.
"Ron, you should be happy for them. They're close friends to all three of us and them getting together would be so romantic!" Ginny commented, fluttering her eyelashes and clapping her hands together.
"Nah, you've just been watching too many soap operas," laughed Ron, remembering the first time he had heard 'Weeks of Our Lives' on the television.
"Fine then! You're just pisst off because you don't have a girlfriend!" Ginny squealed crossly.
"Heh! You better watch it Gin!" he shot back.
"Shut up both of you! Be happy for them and be happy that he didn't fall for some creepy Slytherin!" Hermione screeched, staring over the top of her book looking quite annoyed.
"Fine."
"Fine!"
"Good, that's settled," Hermione finished, watching the siblings walk up the stairs to their separate dormitories.
~~~~***~~*~~***~~~~
OMG! Yes, it's brilliant!! It's gonna take some time, but it WILL get somewhere. I need to post the other chapter soon so you people can get it! MWA HA HA! REVIEW PEOPLE, REVIEW!!! ;D later ~jujubee~
