Chapter 9

*~Lena's PoV*

I woke up really late the next morning. Luckily Janie woke me up just ten minutes before my first class started. She had already grabbed me a blueberry muffin for my morning meal. It was really good. That's what I love about Janie. She's always looking out for me. Sometimes, I feel like she's the older one. I thanked her for waking me up and for the muffin,before I ran downstairs and through the common room door. I made it just in time for class. I literally ran through the door just five seconds before the tardy bell had rung. Professor Hawk was writing something in the chalkboard as I made my way to my desk.

"Wake up late, Ms. Neumann?"

"Yes sir. My sister woke me up in time for class."

"Well, don't almost be late again," he said as he winked at me. I just gave him an ugly stern look in reply. He then narrowed his eyes to make it look like he was furious. I kept on doodling on and on, until he came over and whacked my hand with his tall ruler. I pulled it back after he had smacked it hard. I started to let a tear stream down my face.

"Put that notebook away . Oh, and don't ever give me that look again. It ruins your natural face,and I'm in love with that face of yours." I was furious with this man. I was wanting to run of the classroom doors and complain to Professor McGonagal, but this man wasn't going to win. He wasn't going to make me look like a baby. I kept thinking to myself, "What would Janie do?"

"Professor Hawk?"

"Yes, my dear."

"Stop saying that you're in love with me. I'm sick and tired of it. You're disgusting,and creepy. Stay away from me or I'll have you fired." He looked at me as if he was amazed. Maybe even stunned to know that I stood up for myself. I walked calmly to the door of the class when the dismissal bell had finally rung. I joined Janie for lunch after our last four classes.

"Hey, Janie."

"Hi Lena, sleep okay?"

"All right," I said while still holding my wounded hand.

"Lena, what's wrong with your hand? Why are you holding it?" Janie had taken my hand as I let out an "Ouch." She examined it like, like she was a doctor trying to figure out the treatment I need.

"Okay, that does it. I'm going straight to Professor McGonagal," Janie said furiously as she stood up ready to walk away.

"No, sis. Just leave it alone. Besides the school year is almost over."
"But, Lena he can't keep doing this to you. I mean treating you like you're his sweetheart and then he injured you."

"Please, Janie just, huh, just leave it alone. I can deal with this. Trust me."

"Okay, but please do something about it."

"Oh, trust me, I will."

"Good." After Janie last word, Alli and Scar headed over to sit by us. The rest of lunch was pretty normal. We talked about what we plan on doing during summer vacation and who would send the most letters to all of us. Personally, I think it will be Alli. The rest of my classes went by fast. In my last,which was Potions, I noticed that Riley was mouthing something to me.

"What," I mouthed. Riley then, wrote something down and handed me the paper that read.

Want to hang out at Hagrid's tonight?

I nodded in reply. I ran to meet up with Janie,Scar, and Alli For dinner.

"I'm going to go visit Hagrid for a bit." I told them as we ate. I didn't want them to know I was going to meet Riley, they'd never approve.

"Hey, do you think we could tag along? I have to gather some ingredients for a potions assignment," asked Alli.

"No!" I said a little too loud. The three of them looked at me curiously. "I mean, I kinda of want to go alone, you know?" I couldn't think of another excuse.

Janie looked at me sternly. She could always tell when I was lying but she let it go. "Okay, just be careful, okay."

"Hey Lena, so Hagrid's waiting for us," Riley told me.

"Ok, and I hope he doesn't mind us visiting him."

"Sure, I'm sure he won't mind, I visit him all the time. Your Gryffindor not mind you coming out here all alone?"

I shrugged, "And they're not all Gryffindors, Alli's a Hufflepuff."

"Oh, my bad, please send my apologies to Ms. Puff," Riley said sarcastically and I bursted out laughing.

"Whatever, now, do you know the way Riley?"

"Oh, if I didn't then, why would I have asked you to tag along?"

"You're funny Riley, ha ha ha, NOT," I said in a sarcastic way, while laughing. I followed Riley to the little cottage. There was smoke coming out of the small chimney. Riley went up to the giant door and knocked a few times, before the giant opened the door. Hagrid was more dirty than I had ever seen him.

"Well hi there, uh, yer not suppose to be out 'ere at this time."

"We know, we just wanted to drop by and say hi," Riley said with a smile. I got to say, I had never seen Riley smile before.

"Well, um, I'm sure a few minutes won't hurt. Here, come on in," Hagrid said while opening the door wider for us to come in. We sat down at a small,rather round table. It looked to made out of wood and four chairs to match it. Hagrid just stood in the doorway with the door closed behind him.

"So uh, who's your friend, Riley?" Hagrid said as he looked down at me.

"Oh, well, this thing is Lena." I looked at him with a 'shut up stupid' look on my face.

"Well, it's nice to meet ya," Hagrid smiled before tuning to the kettle on the fire.

I had this feeling that someone or something was watching me. And I glanced out the window nervously.

"What's wrong, Lena?"

"Huh, oh, nothing."

"Yeah sure? What's bugging you?"

"Nothing, I just, feel like someone's watching me."

"Who would be out here this late?"

"Um, we would," I said with a few laughs.

"What's that?" Riley pointed out to be what looked like a huge tarantula.

"Uh no. Kids, go on to the back. back. Go, GO," Hagrid ordered with panic in his voice. What Riley had pointed at was a spider. Its eight legs were hairy and so long. It was staring us down. Me and Riley ran as fast as we could to the back of the cabin.

Hagrid stayed to fend off the beast as Riley and I hid. Eventually, Hagrid came back and told us everything was all right. Riley glanced at me warily "You all right, Neumann?" I gave him a smile and a joking laugh in return. Hagrid was standing by me, bending down to catch his breath.

"That's the most I've ever run in a decade." We all bursted out in laughter.

"Now, go on. Yous better be back before Professor McGonagall bets you missing."

"Okay, well, will you be okay Hagrid?" I asked concerned.

"Ya don't worry about me little Lena, I'll be fine. Besides, I've been taking care of meself since I was a baby." We run back to castle and we made it. Riley separated from me once we were inside the school. I then sprinted to the dorm. I found Scar in the common room. She ran up to me as I walked through the doors. She gave me a huge hug.

"Are you guys okay? Janie's been worried sick." asked Scar.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"Well, you're lucky Janie's all ready asleep. She fell asleep doing her homework and Alli and I had to carry her upstairs. "So make sure you be extra nice to her in the morning."

I nodded, "Will do. Come on, let's get some sleep."

Scar and I walked up the stairs to see that Lena really was out. I looked at my sister's face and she was just so sweet. I walked over to her side and whispered, "I will never put you in a situation like I was in tonight. I promise."