A/N: Hey guys... so... no reviews... was it not good? Even if it's not good, guys, please review and let me know what you think. I always welcome suggestions, even if I might not use all of them; it's cool knowing your guys' take on things.
Please review!
Memories Misplaced
Chapter 3
The following week, anxiety makes me restless as I'm trapped in my room. Back and forth, back and forth, a path is warn into the carpet.
I should just sneak out; I have been curious to see who my father's guest is and it's actually strange that I haven't tried to find out yet.
My pacing slows as my eyes trail to the yellow parchment on the desk.
After the World Cup, the Weasley's old owl, Errol, came crashing into my window with the letter from Ginny.
The writing was in messy, hurried script, asking if I was okay, asking if I was mad at her, asking if we could talk about what happened the day before the attack.
I wrote a brief reply back saying I wasn't hurt in the attack, no, I wasn't mad at her, and that I would see her on the train. I completely ignore the last question and send the letter on its way several hours later when Errol was well enough to go.
I've gotten three other letters from her since then, but I didn't know what to write back, so I didn't.
A hollowness closes my throat and I crawl into my wardrobe where there is the bundle of blankets from my stripped bed.
A yowl has my heart leaping into my throat and my body shooting back up, and a small gray tabby zips out of the nest with a hiss.
"I'm sorry Astrid!" I exclaim, scooping her into my arms in an attempt at comfort. But I wouldn't want someone who just sat on me to pick me up either.
I sadly watch my cat disappear underneath my bed, small drops of blood beading on several long marks down my arms.
I had gotten her two years ago as a small gray kitten, and she had stayed that way for a long time. But she's bigger now, as long as my arm from nose to tail, and thin. She is still very small, but not so small that she can fit in my palm anymore, or one of my pockets.
I sigh, turning my back to the bed, and climb back into the wardrobe, pulling the door closed against the sound of the pouring rain.
It's dark. So dark that I couldn't see my hand an inch from my face. I don't like the dark. I curl closer into the corner and close my eyes, hoping against hope that tomorrow will come sooner and I can leave this bedroom prison.
...
I run my hand through my freshly cut hair nervously and glance around the bustling muggles at Kings Cross Station.
There are more people here than all the years before, but it's my father at my side that makes me uneasy. He never goes all the way up to the train with me; he just drops me off at the doors and finds an alley to Disapperate away.
But here he is, pushing my trunks in a cart just ahead of him.
Astrid wobbles on my shoulder as my hand takes another pass through my hair. Her claws digging farther in to keep balance.
He passes through the wall at station 9 3/4 and the other side is even more chaotic.
We have to duck as an owl sweeps low overhead, and lift a foot as a rat goes scurrying underneath followed by a black cat chasing after it.
Wizards and witches in robes and mismatched muggle clothes crowed in groups and individuals, all saying goodbye with hugs, and some with tears.
I glance at my father, wondering what he is going to do, and I'm stunned to see a minuscule smile on his normally expressionless face. He's looking at the Hogwarts Express. He must miss it.
He walks me all the way to the steps and even helps me unload the cart before we stand facing each other.
My heart beats faster as he just stares at me until, finally, he pats my shoulder and walks away.
Disappointment turns my lips down. But what did I expect? A hug? I must be going bonkers.
I scoop Astrid, who had just started stalking a toad that looks suspiciously like Trevor, up in one hand and wave my wand at my stacked trunks.
The white birch wood of my wand glints as my luggage levitates off the ground and I turn to climb the steps.
I find Luna Lovegood in an empty compartment early on, and slide in.
"Hullo, Luna," I grin at her, shoving my trunks into the overhead compartment.
"Good day, Alex," she replies in her strange, soft, voice. "Good day, Astrid."
I sit down across from her, close to the window.
"How was your holidays?" I ask, not feeling at all offended when my cat leaps to the other bench and curls up in the other girl's lap. A lot of animals like Luna for some weird reason.
At least, they like her better than some in her House.
"It was very good, actually. Father and I camped out in the mountains to look for the Crumplehorned Snorkaxs. I don't think he lives up there though."
"Maybe next summer then," I encourage, remembering her mentioning that particular creature of hers.
"Oh, we will definitely find it then. How were your holidays? Did you go to the World Cup?"
The cabin door slides open and I recognize Neville Longbottom.
"Oh, hey guys; do you mind if I sit in here?"
"Not at all," I grin as he comes in, and help him put his trunk away. He plops into the seat beside Luna. "How was your Holidays, Nev?"
"They were alright, but Gran didn't let me go to the World Cup. I suppose that's just as well with the attack that happened. I mean, the dark mark?!" He shakes his head, face turning pale.
The compartment door opens once again, and I stiffen.
"Hello, Ginny." Luna greets. "Will you be sitting with us?"
She doesn't respond. Her green eyes are locked on me and I can see all the worry and hesitance in them.
My fear vanishes and I leap to my feet with a genuine feeling smile.
"Ginny!" I pull her by her wrist into a hug, which she immediately returns.
She's so much taller than me that she has to dip her head to get close to my ear.
"You're all right," she sighs in relief. Then she pulls back and smiles. "And you got a haircut." She pushes my hair out of my eyes only for it to just flop back in front, even messier than before.
The train horn blares and jerks into motion.
My cheeks warm. "I kind of like the short hair. Doesn't get in the way as much."
"I can only imagine the disasters that would happen in potions if you had hair as long as it was when I first met you."
I grin sheepishly even as we sit down together. I can tell that she's still a little worried, or she just really missed me, by the way she's still touching my arm.
"How was your summer?" I ask, twisting my hand so she can hold it easier.
"It was alright. Mum yelled at Fred and George a lot about their OWLs. Did you know they were making practical jokes and selling them?"
"Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes?" I ask. "Yeah, they tried to test a few out on me but I refused. I bought some though."
She rolls her eyes.
"Who you planning on trying them on?" Neville asks wearily, making me realize that we are not the only two in this compartment.
He and Luna don't look offended any, but I still blush and let go of her hand. It just seems awkward now to still be holding it.
"Probably whoever annoys me," I shrug. "I don't really have a specific target. Don't worry Neville, you're too sweet to do anything mean to." Neville blushes and looks away. "I wonder if the twins would fall for their own joke...?"
Ginny giggles so I make a funny face at her.
"Maybe some Ravenclaws," I think out loud, looking at Luna and remembering the bullying the girl doesn't even realize is happening to her. She just thinks that it's the creatures she calls nargles that take her things.
Speaking of nargles, I glance down at my shoes to make sure they are still on my feet and I hadn't kicked them off.
Afternoon draws around without the rain letting up, and the candy cart lady arrives with a knock to the compartment door.
I eagerly get an armload of sweets, mainly some chocolate or another plus some that I know Ginny likes best.
Neville stands from his seat, as I sit back in mine, with a wobble as the train rocks.
"I'm going to go see if I can find Harry, Ron and Hermione," he announces.
Ginny glances at me, that worry again in her eyes.
"You should go see them too," she tells me. "I know Hermione was as worried as I was after the World Cup."
I hesitate, but shake my head.
"Nah, I'll see them at lunch tomorrow."
She sighs and takes one of the cauldron cakes I dumped in her lap.
I toss a liquorish wand to Luna, knowing she likes that particular sweet.
She thanks me and eats in a content silence.
Neville doesn't come back, even as we finish up the last of the candy, giggling as Ginny wipes some melted chocolate from my cheeks and I lick my fingers clean.
Since there are still no boys in the cabin, we decide to go ahead and pull down our trunks and change into our school uniforms.
I turn my back to the other two and tug on the slacks that belong to the boys' uniform. I don't like the skirts girls have to wear, and no teacher has actually told me I can't wear it.
"Alex," I hear from across the compartment and I look up.
Ginny isn't looking me in the face, she's staring at the yellowing bruise on my ribs and spreading to my stomach. She can't see that part though, I'm clutching my shirt to my chest.
I turn away, hiding it, and quickly throw on the long sleeve.
"It's nothing," I tell her, even as I hear her coming closer. She ignores me, shoving my hands away as they move to stop her from lifting it back up.
Her fingers are cold and actually feel nice against my heated skin.
"Alex always falls down a lot," Luna says, fixing her tie easily. My own is still abandoned in my trunk.
"Yeah," Ginny says, pulling her hand way and reaching into my trunk to snag the tie. She starts fixing it around my neck like she always does. "Falls."
She then goes back to her own changing, pulling on the robes.