Chapter 8:

A Beginning

.:&:.

Through everything that I had went through, I still managed to pass my classes with flying colors, only to have realized back then that the only way I was coping the mourning was through school work. Perhaps that was the reason why I was eager to return back to school. I had surprised my professors, except for Snape, by how well I was when I had returned.

Everyone at school knew about it, after all, how could someone hide something that happened in front of everyone? I could see it in their faces when I passed by with Lisa or the others; I could hear their whispers and once in a while I would catch one of them staring. I was accustomed to attention, especially so when I was once part of Cho's group, but this time around I was not exactly comfortable. Thankfully, I only needed to bear the feeling for the remainder of the term. I had vowed at the end of my fourth year that my fifth would be different.

I had received the Hogwarts letter, as usual, during summer; I expected to see only the new list of updated books I needed to buy, but there was something extra that came with it. It was the gold-looking Prefect Badge.

My year was starting off to a good start.

Though I expected a different change when I returned to Hogwarts as a fifth year, I did not expect for the surroundings to exchange drastically. By that, I meant how the school was being run.

The Ministry of Magic had become suspicious by the different DADA Professors that have been leaving a year after being assigned. Our Professors were still teaching as Dumbledore was still Headmaster when they had stepped in, but their rules was embodied by Dolor Umbridge, a woman appointed by the MoM, to fill the new role of DADA Professor. It was simple, it sounded simple enough, but Umbridge was nothing simple.

Throughout the four years that I have last attended Hogwarts, I had never, never, found a class to be excruciating boring as Professor's Umbridge was. Not only did we just read each chapter of the book without putting it into practice, but her lectures were not a piece of cake either. Which led to have every student in that class, even Hermione, to complain about her even though there was not much one could do.

It was after some events in school that the MoM had stepped up their authority in Hogwarts. Umbridge was made the High Inquisitor of our school and her rule of Hogwarts was felt everywhere. If it weren't for Dumbledore who stepped in, she would have certainly made our stay a dreadfully boring one. Yet, he only had a certain amount of authority but not enough to counter the new rule Umbridge had set up: banning Quidditch for this year.

It had been after the ban that Umbridge went after the clubs. There must have been a reason but no one would dare inquired about it, considering the rumors that have been running around. Something that dealt with Harry Potter; solely that was not the reason but he was being discredited. Mainly because he was the only one who kept on persisting that Voldemort had returned.

My thoughts on Harry being called a liar? I had none. I didn't brushed aside what I heard others say nor did I accept what he was saying. I wasn't interested in finding out but at the same time I was. I wanted to know what happened back then but I was afraid of knowing what exactly happened. For that same reason I've been trying to avoid speaking with Harry in that friendly manner we once had; whenever I would come across from him or something along that line, I would instantly appear busy. I would only greet him, in a shy manner, whenever he walked past by and that was it. This was unlike me but it was something that I have been doing; it was just better holding in the questions I had then knowing the answer to them.

Those thoughts I have been carrying were changed in October.

"I honestly miss Skeeter's article," I said as I flipped to the next page in the Daily Prophet, "I know Hermione will say otherwise but still…"

We were seating under a big oak tree, its branches covering us from the still-warm stream of sunlight. The day had started off beautifully in which I had commented to Lisa that we should spend our free time outside instead of in. Lisa had some homework to finish with, in which I remarked she should just bring it outside so we won't be inside the gloomy Common room with the others.

"She was good at what she did, but I don't approve how she got her information." Lisa said without looking away from the book she was using as a reference for an essay she was working on.

"Still, I imagine working in that field must be thrilling!"

"Well," she started before looking away from her parchment, "You always had a flair with words; the Professor even commented on your essays. Perhaps you should look into writing as a career?"

Words did come out easily for me and I did enjoy writing, I thought as I closed the paper before turning to her. "You think?"

"I will say yes, without boasting about it." she said with a playful grin.

"Charmed."

Just then Neville popped out of nowhere, not literally since we fifth years would be Apparating until we were in our Sixth, but you get the idea.

"Neville, whatever brings you over at this corner?" I asked, folding the Prophet before placing it upon my knees.

"Would you happen to be busy this weekend, I meant for Hogsmeade?"

I looked up at him curiously as a slight smile was spreading through my lips, "Why do you ask?"

Neville must have sense what I was thinking, in response to that, he had chuckle a little. Lisa, on the other hand, was quite concentrated in her work. "Why don't you sit down?" I asked him.

He shook his head, signaling lazily toward the pond, which I assumed meant he couldn't stay. "Hermione had asked me as well as few others about this meeting that will be held in The Hogs Head and she wanted me to bring someone along."

I felt a tad disappointed that he was doing this because of Hermione but that feeling was brushed aside as my curiosity surface at the mention of this meeting.

"Of course anyone can come that's why I'm asking you and Eliza."

At the mention of her name, she looked up and smiled wearily, "I-I'm not exactly so sure if I'll be able to attend."

"What is it about?" I asked, my curiosity piqued when Lisa had brushed off an invitation. Mainly so because Lisa was not the kind of girl who would abstain from some adventures of sort.

He looked uncertain to whether tell me or not but in the end he had given in. "It has to do with the, well, the one who's back."

I didn't need any clarification by what he meant because I knew exactly what he meant by saying those words. Besides, what got me curious was the fact that he had come to me about this when I haven't even remotely shown interest in his return.

"I'll go." I answered, a smile soon appeared. "Why don't you meet me by the stairs?"

He nodded, as he tugged his cloak against the sudden breeze. "I'll see you then."

.:&:.

Lisa had kept telling me over and over again that I should cancel the meeting I would be having with Neville and to just go on my usual way. Telling me that if Umbridge knew about this secret meeting, she would certainly give those attending detention, if not something worse, considering her foul personality. I brushed it aside. I wanted for her to come with me but she had, for a lack of a better word, turned chicken. I really didn't want to stay behind in a Hogsmeade weekend nor did I just want to plainly wonder around. Besides, it was my curiosity and I just wanted to fulfill it.

So the day has finally arrived; I had left the Common room, not without a warning from Lisa, I was really now looking forward to that meeting. I've met Neville were we have agreed to meet at. Since it was a weekend, we were allowed to wear casual clothing; being that it was a cold day, I wore nothing fancy, though I did receive a nice compliment from him. Which was a surprise for me but well taken nonetheless.

I had let Neville lead the way since I wasn't at all that familiar with the Hogs Head. It just happened to turn out it was located near the end of the village and it was certainly a shady place, quite the perfect place to hold a meeting without Umbridge finding out.

It has turned out that the meeting consisted of a group, a secret group that would be held away from prying eyes, especially of those of Professor Umbridge. Since we were fifth years, we were not learning what was needed; Harry was the only one who have mastered the spells only fifth years (if not older) would have learned. So he was to be our professor of this group. That was something the whole group were excited about and everyone was practically willing to join in.

That did not include me.

"Before we end this meeting, I think it would be best if we all gave our signatures as a promise. After it, you can all leave." Harry had said, seated between Hermione and Ron.

"How will we know when the first meeting will take place?" A familiar voice asked.

Though we've been here for nearly ten minutes, I did not have the chance to look around those who were here. I was obviously not expecting Cho to be here; instinctively, I turned to Harry who suddenly looked flabbergasted. I just rolled my eyes at this.

"I'll pass the time and place to someone in the group who'll then inform everyone." Hermione answered instead, placing a piece of parchment and a quill on the table.

I watched as one by one would sign their names, fourteen in total, until Neville was the last one to sign the parchment. I should have known that someone was watching and Hermione had called me out on this.

"Is something wrong?" she asked.

"I'm sorry, but I won't be joining this." I informed her, but before she could ask, I continued, "I just don't want any trouble. I'll promise to keep my mouth shut, and I can offer to help you guys once in a while by patrolling the hall or something but going under like this… I-I just can't."

She nodded, biting her lower lip in what could only be in thought. "I understand. Just, keep your promise, alright?"

I smiled, "I will."

A minute later, as I was leaving the Pub with Neville, that Harry had called out my name. "Yes?" I asked, turning to him.

It has been a great while since I've been this close to him, being that I was avoiding him so far but that streak had obviously ended as of now.

Clearing his throat and with what appeared to be a smile, he asked "You don't happen by any chance to be angry at me?"

I stared at the guy in front of me. The one who I realized my slight crush that was once fading was returning full force as I looked upon him. I found it curious that he would be asking this question while Hermione, Ron and Neville were standing around.

"We'll be waiting for you outside, Harry." Hermione had said, as she gave me a faint smile before she left. I knew without seeing the others that the other two had followed her out.

"Why should I be?" I replied nonchalantly.

"Well, to begin with C-"

I had to stopped this. This was a guy who I've never hanged around with and now he was looking for some sort of common ground that he needed to apologize for.

"You don't have to apologize for something that I'm sure you had nothing to do with." I started, "with Cedric… it's no one's fault but the one who did it." I said, crossing my arms in front of my chest as I looked down at the ground, "nor is it your fault that you wanted to go to the Yule Ball with Cho instead." I finished, looking up at the same time to see him nervously chuckling.

"Saria.. I really didn't me-"

I waved it away with my hand, "Don't need. I have to go get going." I said as I turned around to make my way for the door, "I'll see you around" was the last thing I said to him for that day.

It was on that moment that I had let him know I thought of him more than a friend, even when we weren't "friends" yet, but he certainly got my message.


A/N: So I've taken a bit to upload this chapter, so to make up that loss, I've made this chapter a lengthy one. Hopefully you've enjoyed reading it!

Much ♥ to those who reviewed, really appreciated it.