Misunderstanding

I found myself at the checkout twenty minutes later. I purposely stayed on the other side of the store, pretending I was searching for one last thing. Eventually I figured Fred got tired of waiting and left. I didn't see Charity, George or Lee around the room either. I felt bad for ditching Lee, he had been nothing but a good friend. I just wished I hadn't asked him anything about Charity and Fred, it would've been better to remain blissfully unaware. I think. "What did you get?" I looked over, not at all happy to see Draco standing next to me.

"None of your business" I told him as the cashier placed my bag on a scale. Great, I was paying by weight, my total was probably going to be a thousand gallons. I should've counted my money beforehand.

"Listen, I know you're mad about the books—"

"And broom."

"And broom" he said with a roll of the eyes. "But I had a good reason, you just have to trust me on it" he said as a total of five gallons popped up.

"That's not bad, right?" I asked Draco who shrugged, clearly not familiar with currency or simply not caring. I'd have to check my conversation table Hermione lent me when I got back to my room.

"I can pay for you, I'm getting stuff too" he said but I shook my head and fished out five gallons, finding I had plenty left.

"You can take back the broom if you want to help" I told him as my items were bagged and I started out, Draco quickly paying for his couple of items and following me. "And don't stand so close, I don't wanna be seen with you" I told him, slightly laughing at his hurt expression. "Your reputation and dislike toward the Weasleys is well known to me" I told him.

"It's more complicated than you think" he started, taking out his box of Every Flavor Beans. "And why do you care about the Weasleys?"

"I don't! I mean, they're in my house, Fred and Ron are very friendly with me" I told him as he looked at a green colored bean and then tossed it aside.

"What about Oliver?"

"He's friendly with me too" I said as we continued absently walking side by side but about five feet apart.

"Where did you get the money anyway?"

"My mom stopped by to have a talk."

"Oh, too bad I wasn't near, I could've met her" I stopped walking, Draco taking a few more steps before realizing I wasn't besides him.

"Stop it" I told him as he looked at me. "With the books, the Quidditch equipment, the friendliness, asking to pay for things, just stop. I don't know what you want or what your issue is but I'm not interested Draco." Without waiting for him to say anything I walked off, hopefully that would make Melinda feel better. Not that I'd tell her any of this. It sounded too absurd, she wouldn't believe me anyway. Maybe later once she stopped crushing on him or once they went out I'd mention it as a joke, all of us looking back on it and laughing.

I swung my bag as I walked around, taking in the sights, trying to remember places I'd have to check out later. Trying to get my mind off Fred, Draco and Oliver. Trying to think of something to tell Melinda later. I stopped in front of a store called Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop. I did only have one quill and I was getting low on ink. I walked inside, not surprised to the see the place almost empty. Looking around I spotted lots of different sized quills and different kinds, a quill that seemed to write and then disappear and another quill kept in a glass container with no ink next to it. "What's that one do?" I asked the person at the front.

"How old are you?"

"Fourteen" he sniffed his nose.

"Then never you mind" he said as he continued staring at me until I walked away. I was half tempted to buy the item anyway, not caring if it meant using all my gallons, I wanted to know what know what it was. But it wasn't worth it, it was a glass container for a reason. "That it?" He asked when I reached the front with a regular quill, two bottles of black ink and rainbow ink.

"Yep, I'll come back when I'm eighteen for that" I said nodding my head at the glass container.

"Who said the restriction was til you're eighteen?" He sniffed his nose again and asked for a payment of seven sickles and twelve knuts. I left, putting all my items in my one bag, half regretting not having someone tag along to help me carry everything, it was getting quite heavy. I started walking again, eyeing Spinwitches Sporting Needs and Tomes and Scrolls, trying to figure out if I wanted to wait until my next trip or check out the place but not buy anything.

I didn't wait for anyone as I started back toward the castle, I actually preferred being alone for the moment, it rarely happened. Inside, it seemed to be louder and less roomy, fo a giant castle there was hardly any personal space. I wanted to stop at Professor Barrass's office again, tell him I saw my mom and maybe talk about what she knew. Maybe he'd know what this piece of necklace was. Or maybe Hermione would. If I could find answer it was definitely the library. First I should probably drop my things off, I thought to myself as I stood in the hallway. Would Madam Pince mind? She didn't have to know what was in the bag.

Deciding I didn't want to make an extra step I brought my bag up with me to the library. I avoided eye contact with Madam Pince as I walked down the isles, searching for anything to help me. What could this be part of? I touched random books, trying to figure out if it would be helpful. A lot of interesting books for sure, no one wonder Hermione came up here for light reading. I was tempted to check out a book called Once Upon A Witch. I had no idea what it was about, probably not what I thought. "What are you doing here?" I looked to my right, smiling at Melinda who had a book under her arm.

"Did you even try going to Hogsmeade?"

"Yeah, but we didn't stay long, Peter wanted to talk to me" I stared at her. "Oh, right, um, Peter is the captain of the Quidditch team, he's a Beater. Anyway, a lot of people are kinda scared to try out for the Seeker but I guess both my grandparents were really good so he wanted to see if I'd join." I nodded in approval, at least we'd both be participating in sports.

"Have you found out anymore about them?"

"A little, not why they left" she said clearly bummed.

"You will; my mom said your family would help protect our family so I guess friends for life" I teased.

"Well a lot of things have fallen in place. My mom gave me a key for Gringotts. Said my grandfather had been saving for years. I haven't gone yet, but she said I'd probably be able to get a new broom" her eyes were wide with excitement. "Oh! You should come with me, we can pick them out together."

"I'll probably be busy" I told her as I suddenly become very interested in one book with no title.

"Doing what? You need a broom if you're gonna play. Wait, did you not make the team? Oliver seemed really keen on getting you in."

"Yes I made the team, it doesn't have to do with that" I told her as she continued staring me down. "I already kinda have a broom."

"Like a school broom? Because I heard those suck."

"No, um, a nice broom" I told her as her eyes searched my face.

"This has to do with Draco doesn't it?"

"No" I replied way too quickly.

"Why are you lying? That's what was going on before wasn't it? What have you been saying to him?" I didn't try to interrupt her, I knew how she got when she thought I was nudging into her space. But she was suppose to know I had absolute zero interest in Draco. The boy I liked was too far out of league though, and may have a girlfriend.

"It's not what you think" I explained knowing it explained nothing.

"Then what is it?" She asked as I shrugged.

"I don't know Melinda, but—" she waved at me, starting back toward her friends. "Melinda" I called out after her but she didn't turn around.

After checking out no books and trying to figure out what to say to Melinda I concluded to just let her be, when I found out what Draco's problem was I would go back and tell Melinda. Until then I'd just ignore him and try not to upset Melinda any more than she was.

In the common room I cuddled up in the corner with a book, pretending I didn't notice anyone come in. It must have worked because no one bothered me, not even Harry, Ron or Hermione. I must have looked really annoyed or just really into my books. Granted I was attempting to catch up on a few more reading assignments. All the professors, except Professor Snape gave me a little more time to catch up, though I was sure if I told Professor Dumbledore about Snape he'd talk to him, I just didn't want to single myself out in Potions, enough Gryffindors were doing that already.

I passed up dinner, making a lame excuse about almost finishing the book I was reading, the only person who seemed to respect my decision was Hermione. It took some convincing but the others let me stay up, Lavender snickering in my direction as she left, I knew she couldn't wait to tell Charity. Whatever she intended it worked, I was staying away from Fred.

I had no sooner said his name in my head than he came in, not with anyone, just by himself. I had to assume he was lost. "Come eat" he said as he came right over to me, sitting down crossed legged.

"Gotta catch up for Potions" I told him not looking up, feeling my cheeks warm anyway.

"Don't worry about that class, as long as you got your potions correct it's an easy grade" he said as I shook my head. "Okay, then let's go for a walk." I clenched my teeth, why did he have to make this harder.

"I don't think that's a good idea" I told him, this time making eye contact.

"Why do I have a feeling you don't just mean tonight?" He asked as I closed my book, ready to avoid this conversation. "Is it something Lee said? George? Don't mind them, they're just having fun." I was sure we weren't talking about the same thing.

"Neither, they're great" I lied, though Lee had been great he also had to know I had a crush on Fred, it was quite obvious at how eager I was to start a walk and how much I came back grinning. As for George, well, I barely talked to him, I wasn't sure what his problem was but after seeing him with Charity I assumed he sided with her and didn't think I should be stepping in their territory.

"Then what is it? Is it me?" I stood up and then Fred stood up. "I'm not letting you walk away til you explain what's wrong" he said sounded very concerned.

"Nothing Fred, I just, I'm not having the greatest afternoon and rather just be by myself" I told him, which wasn't a lie.

"I'll ask again tomorrow" he said after a long minute.

"Okay" I said ready to end the conversation, I hated how he looked at me, like I stood some kind of chance. He moved aside and I hurried off to my room.

The following three weeks were highly uneventful, most of classes were relatively fun, I especially enjoyed Transfiguration but I think that was because it was so hands on and I was surprisingly good at it. We were working transfiguring a hat into a bag, I was one of the first students to complete the task, extremely proud of myself. Potion class was a littler easier, Draco remained my partner and though he stopped giving me things he remained helpful when it looked like I was struggling and subtly told his friends to stop teasing me. I only wished he applied that to the rest of my friends.

Melinda and I remained at odds with each other, she was still looking for an answer that I couldn't give her. I was pleased to hear through Oliver that she was accepted to the Ravenclaw team as the Seeker, which didn't seem to threaten Oliver since he hadn't seen her play and assumed being new she might not be intimidating. My conversations with him seem to extend from just talking about Quidditch to asking about my day and his assistance with homework.

I continued avoiding Fred, whenever he offered a walk I made an excuse. Oddly, Lavender, Charity and George seemed nicer while Fred showed a hint of disappointment. Part of me wanted to tell him what my issue was, but it seemed too strange that he didn't know himself and I had seen too many movies where the guy was faking it along with his friends to just publicly humiliate their victim in the end. Not that Fred was anything like that, I had talked to Ron about him a few times and Ron said if Fred expressed interest, it was genuine, no one could change his mind and I'd be lucky to have him as a friend.

Dinner was just ending as I finished off some bread, I had never felt as full as when I finished dinner at Hogwarts. "I'm starting to get the impression you're avoiding me" I looked over my shoulder, Fred slowly walking toward me.

"If I was I wouldn't talk to you" I replied as he laughed.

"What's going on?"

"Headed off to study" I lied.

"Let's take a walk."

"Fred—"

"Why not, you used to love our walks, I think once you were even disappointment because you thought I had forgotten when I was really just late" I cleared my throat, how did he remember that? "I think there's some mixed messages getting to you" he started as I wondered was this when he was going to confess that he was with Charity and he was just doing this as a friend? Did I want to hear that?

"It's fine, I gotta go—"

"Tammie—"

"No, really, I get it—"

"You don't" he said as I shook my head, deciding I didn't want to hear, taking my bag and starting off, making it so far as to the isolated hallway before he caught up.

"Don't bother explaining, you don't have to—" he grabbed my wrist, jerking me back and spun me around, holding my shoulders as he stared at me with a humorous light smile and then before I knew it his lips were on mine. I had to say it was better being nervous because at that moment I knew I liked him more than I thought I did and for once I didn't feel inadequate.

"I like you" he said as we parted. I swallowed, my heart heavy as I remembered all those looks from his brother and Charity, what Lee said.

"You and Charity—"

"There is absolutely nothing going on with me and Charity, a lot of misunderstandings which I guess from anyone else's point of view I could see how it could be...misleading, but, I like you" I blinked, he was really saying this? "I talked to Lee, he reminded me that sometimes being blunt and straightforward is the best way to be. I should've just said everything sooner." I licked my lips, I'd have to thank Lee and then hit him in the back of the head with a book, "I just always thought you were interested in Oliver, we talked but, you just seemed to avoid me except during our walks. I assumed you didn't want him to know."

"I thought you didn't want Charity to know" I corrected as he laughed.

"Give me your hand" for a second I thought he was going to give me a trick buzzer but realized how stupid that sounded. He took my hand and wrapped it in his hand. "Better?" I tried to force myself to not smile but I couldn't help it. Of course this was better, this was how the good version of my daydreaming went. "Let's walk" he said leading me out of the hallway.