Ch 11 The Grindylow September

To show Black that nothing had changed, I purposely ignored him all the next day. James frowned, but didn't say anything. Mary, Lily and Alice didn't notice a change in my behaviour. Neither did Peter, but he didn't notice much, really. By the end of the day only one person noticed my sudden coldness to Black that I hadn't expressed openly since the beginning of first year.

"Homework!" Professor Flitwick squeaked. The Gryffindor/Slytherin class groaned. I hated both Charms and Potions. Potions, for the obvious reason of not being able to go a lesson without blowing something up, but mainly because those were the classes we had with the Slytherins. Ever since I had stood up for Remus on the train I had made a few enemies in Lucius Malfoy and his 'sidekicks' Nott and Avery.

"Two feet on the wand movement of a spell of your choice. Make sure to include examples of what can go wrong. Class dismissed."

I started moving towards the door with Mary, my charms partner.

"Aigleigh." Malfoy grinned evilly. "Haven't seen you in a while."

"Hello Malfoy." Yes you haven't seen me in a while, I've been avoiding you.

"Who's your friend, Aigleigh?"

"None of your beeswax...Malfoy." Mary spat. "Now if you wouldn't mind moving, I'd like to get to Defence."

Malfoy mockingly bowed and moved aside from the door. As I passed him he hissed under his breath, "Watch yourself, Mudblood. He's got it in for your kind." I didn't pay attention, as I had no idea who "He" was.

We were now late for DADA.

"Gee thanks Malfoy," I scowled, jogging down the halls.

"He- can't-" Mary started, breathing heavily, "hear-you."

"As if I didn't- know that."

We crashed through the door of the DADA room. Professor Uwick was dangling a Grindylow in his hand, having removed it from the tank.

"McDonald, Aigleigh. You are very late. Explaination?" He narrowed his eyes. The Grindylow, desperately grasping the air with its long arms.

"Professor that's cruel!" I said shocked. "Grindylows DIE without water. You have to put it back now or it'll die!"

"Miss Aigleigh. You are in no position to tell me what I have to do. This is only a Grindylow. 10 points from Gryffindor. Sit down NOW. You too McDonald." The tips of his ears began to turn white, a sure sign he was getting very annoyed. Mary hurried to her seat at the back next to Brianne Bell, the Ravenclaw Mary was good friends with. I didn't sit. Instead, I looked over at Remus who was looking just as angry as I felt.

"Professor! Please! We can still see it in the tank! Just put it back. Please!" The Grindylow was running out of steam. Its arms waving not as wildly. I, knowing I was going to regret this later, rushed up to the front of the classroom and snatched the Grindylow from his hands.

"Give that back right now or I shall deduct 100 points from Gryffindor." He was spitting with anger. I didn't care. I gently placed the Grindylow back in its tank where it limply fell to the bottom. Pond muck billowed out from under it. I had been too late anyway.

"That's 100 points for nothing, Miss Aigleigh. Now SIT. DOWN."

Dejectedly, I walked back to my seat. What was I thinking? All thoughts of reason had fled me. I had lost 100 points for Gryffindor. And I hadn't even managed to rescue it.

"As Miss Aigleigh had so demonstrated, Grindylows cannot survive out of water for longer than 5 minutes."

I glared at him when he turned to write on the blackboard.

Remus squeezed my hand. "You were completely in the right. No one will care about the points." He whispered. I faintly smiled.

V V V V V V V V V V V V

I was surprised walking into to the common room. Instead of receiving scowls and the cold-shoulder for losing so many points, Molly Prewett smiled at me, Frank Longbottom from the year above clapped me on the shoulder, and some older girls nodded at me as I went, with Mary, Alice, and Lily to sit down on the couches by the fire with the boys.

"All that worry about everyone hating you for nothing." Remus smiled.

"I thought it was really brave of you to do that, Jace." Lily said. The others nodded enthusiastically.

"How do they all know anyway?" I wondered. I guess news spreads pretty quickly at this school.

"Don't worry. I still hate you, Goldy." From a grinning Black.

"Black" I said his name loudly so he would hear that he was always going to be 'Black.' "I honestly do not care for your input." Each word was deliberately sharp and cold. He scratched his head.

"Uh... ok... sorry Gol-Aigleigh."

I leaned back into the couch with certainty. Not for long though because Remus, who was sitting next to me, got up and pulled me up with him.

"What Rem? I was comfortable!" I moaned.

"Just come with me." He led me to the complete other side of the common room. The others were looking at us, confused.

"Ok. What did Sirius do?" He began.

"Huh? What made you think Siri-Black... did anything?"

He raised his eyebrows. "I haven't seen you act like this towards him since last year. Just lay off, Jace."

"Look," who was Remus to think he could tell me what to do? "If I want to be pissed at him. I can. Got it? It's none of your business how I treat him, ok?"

"Ok... whatever Jaycee." He said tiredly. "I just think you're being a bit immature about this, is all."

"ME? Immature!" If anyone was being immature it was Sirius... Black. Merlin, I WOULD remember that.

"Yes YOU. Why do you even dislike him in the first place?"

"Uhhh I dunno maybe because he's an arrogant stuck up prick?"

"So? We all are. We're 12 for the love of Merlin."

"YOU'RE not."

He paused, unsure of how to tackle this, which of course, was exactly my intention. It was true, but convenient as well.

"I'm going back to the others now." I finished and stalked off back to my seat. Remus trailed meekly behind.

Hmm... in hindsight, I probably should've uploaded the last one and this one together, both of them being short... oh well. I'm actually so excited about this fic! I've gotten to 19 chapters of prewritten now and I honestly cannot tell you how much self-restraint I need not to upload every single one of them now. Please leave a comment! I actually have a mini happiness fit every time I get a new one. Oh and over 1000 hits! You guys are incredible! I actually feel like a writer!

HaRrYpOtTeRlOvEr-94: WOW! Pretty much a review for every chapter! Thanks so much! You're amazing! Yeah, I always feel sad when I do a family scene for her. I almost always have to go on and do a "happy with friends" chapter after. More for my benefit than her's haha. About the animagus thing... maybe I am... but maybe I'm not ;) You'll just have to wait and seeee. Thanks again for the reviews! 3

Harrypotternerd1398: aww thanks that's so nice! I'm updating tonight as well. I couldn't help myself and HAD to update this one this morning as well as the one coming. I think writing is a bit of a weakness XD

VictoriaWeasly: Thanks for the review! I'm glad you liked it

Bradygirl84: Thanks! I'm glad you thought it was awesome. I do try

Whew... long A/N here. Sorry about that.