- Iz's POV -
"There she is! Luna!"
I called out waving my hand in the air.
"Hello Isabelle. Hermione. Harry. Shall we go?"
We nodded and walked out the front doors. When we got to Hogsmeade, Harry and Luna walked off together while Hermione and I headed towards The Three Broomsticks. We walked in and started looking around, when I spotted Riley I snuck up behind him and tossed my arms around him.
"Looking for someone?"
He grinned and pulled me around so I was sitting on his lap. I laughed and tried to shimmy away but he just grabbed onto me and didn't let go. Hermione walked over and sat down.
"Where's George?"
She asked Fred, looking around the room.
"He couldn't make it, are you not happy to see me?"
She blushed and stuttered, clearly flustered.
"No that's not it! I just, he was supposed to be here wasn't he?"
Fred grinned.
"I'm just taking the mickey out of you. Angelina got the day off so George went to go hang out with her."
Hermione nodded and the four of us stood up and walked out into the street. Riley and I looked at each other before quietly stepping into the nearest store. Hermione and Fred didn't even notice as they continued walking and talking.
"Well, I'd consider that a success. How have you been? How's training?"
I grinned staring after my two friends before turning to my boyfriend.
"I'm fine. I've been really busy but I'm enjoying training. I understand now why everyone says that healer training is really difficult. Some of these tests seem like they're designed to fail us."
I smiled as he started talking about training, and life outside of Hogwarts. We wandered around Hogsmeade, enjoying the pleasant weather that we were having. I was more than happy to just watch him talk. We hadn't been able to spend as much time together over the summer. I had worked at WWW with Hermione and Riley was busy with training, so it was nice to just spend time together. He started talking about his first time working on a patient and his excitement made me smile. He stopped talking, cocked his head and looked at me curiously.
"What?"
I smiled at him.
"Nothing. It's just exciting to see you so animated. And I'm happy, I'm glad you're here."
"Me too."
He responded as he wrapped me in his arms. I let him hold me for a moment before turning. He kept one of his arms around my shoulders as we continued walking.
A few hours later we stopped by the Three Broomsticks again to meet up with the rest of our friends. As soon as we walked in, we spotted Hermione and Fred sitting quite comfortably, and close, in one of the back booths. We walked over and the two of them jumped and sat farther apart. I sat next to Hermione and she pulled me close.
"You left me alone with him!"
She hissed at me. I grinned.
"But you didn't mind did you?"
"No, but that's not the point!"
"Then what is?"
"Its… You can be such a git sometimes."
"I love you too Hermione."
I grinned conspiratorially at Riley who laughed at Hermione's red face. We had only been there for a few minutes when Harry and Luna walked up. Harry was smiling at something that Luna was saying and I looked at Hermione. I gestured towards Harry and I saw her smile, we were both happy to see Harry smiling happy again. It was slightly bittersweet because it meant that we were having to share Harry, but Harry deserved any happiness that he could get.
Riley exchanged a look with Fred and then looked at me.
"I've enjoyed today, but it's about time for me to be getting back."
I sighed.
"It is getting late. But that doesn't mean I'm not upset about that."
"I'll find some more time to come and see you. I promise."
I narrowed my eyes at him.
"You better."
But I let him know that I was joking with a slight curve of my lips. We all stood up and walked outside. Luna left to meet up with Ginny and the rest of us watched as Fred and Hermione shared this awkward hug. I smirked and turned to Riley.
"I'll talk to you later then?"
"Of course. I love you."
"I love you too."
I reached up and kissed him but pulled back when I heard the group behind us start to whisper. He grinned that adorable grin of his that I love so much and pulled me into a hug. He pulled away, and walked over to Fred. The two of them waved, turned on the spot and disappeared.
The three of us stood for a moment longer before we turned and started to head back up to the school. Hermione and I shared a grin, before turning to face Harry. We had just looked to him when we heard a commotion just ahead. We all turned to face the noise and were shocked to see Katie and her friend Leanne arguing ahead of us. They stopped walking in front of us and we slowed to a stop as well. Katie was holding a package in her hand and Leanne started trying to wrest it from Katie. The next thing we saw was the wrapping shift on the package and Katie's hand brushing it. She screamed and flew up into the air. Only a few moments later, she collapsed to the ground.
Thankfully Hagrid was nearby and he picked her up and had us pick up the package, although we were careful to not touch the necklace that was inside the package. It was a beautiful necklace, although there was this intense darkness emanating from it. None of us were surprised when we ended up in Professor McGonagall's office.
"Professor. Is Katie alright?"
"We're not sure yet Mr. Potter. She is in the Hospital Wing as we speak. Ah Professor Snape. Please take a look at this."
We all turned to see Snape walk into the room, his cloak billowing out behind him. He moved over to inspect the necklace.
"Well Severus?"
"I think that Miss Bell is lucky to be alive."
McGonagall gasped.
"But, who could have done something like this?"
She turned to glare at us.
"Why are you always involved?"
"I wish I knew Professor. Who knew that being Harry's friend was so hazardous to my health."
I quipped and ignored Harry's mock glare. I saw McGonagall purse her lips in amusement before her face fell flat again. Determination ran across Harry's face before he spoke.
"I think Malfoy's behind this."
I looked to Hermione, just as shocked as she was that Harry was going to try and convince McGonagall with what little evidence we had.
"Do you have any proof Mr. Potter?"
"Well, no. But his left forearm is very sensitive and he never wears short sleeves in public."
"Mr. Potter, are you trying to tell me that you think Mr. Malfoy is a death eater?"
"Yes I am."
Harry replied adamantly.
"That's a very serious accusation to make without proof Mr. Potter."
"But."
"No buts. Now get out of here, I need to go look after Miss Bell."
We all ducked our heads and headed out. When we got out into the hall, Hermione rounded on Harry.
"Harry, how could you just go and accuse Malfoy like that?"
"Hermione, are you telling me that you don't think Malfoy's a death eater?"
"I'm not sure. I just have a hard time believing that Voldemort would mark a 16 year old."
Harry turned on me.
"What about you Iz?"
I spoke cautiously.
"Honestly, I don't know. I agree that there is something suspicious going on. I just think that we need more evidence before accusing him to a professor."
Harry's shoulders slumped and he took a deep breath.
"You're right. I just. I felt like I needed to do something."
"I know Harry. We feel the same. But we'll get through this like we always do."
"How?"
"Together."
Hermione and I answered simultaneously.
