Thank you again for the reviews and the follows. It is so good to be back writing after a little break when work and life has been a bit hectic.
I've had a few reviews commenting about how Sirius is prioritising Hayley over Harry so I just wanted to confirm that this is not intended to be the case. Sirius is very much still concerned for and close to Harry, which is the main reason why Hayley doesn't like Harry right now. But the relationship between Sirus and Harry is only really going to come into focus so far as it relates to Hayley since she is the main character in my fanfic. However I have taken the feedback on board and I will try to make it clear in my story that the relationship between Harry and Sirius is still going strong, despite the arrival of his daughter - this is supposed to be a mostly CC story after all.
Please keep your reviews and feedback coming!!
The first term of school seemed to be passing by very quickly, and before Hayley knew it, it was October.
She was getting along well in the majority of her classes and, much to her displeasure, she continued to her weekly catch ups with Snape. Though he seemed to taunt and attack Hayley less these days, which she suspected was mainly because, for the most part he didn't get a rise from her. The Professor still did not like Hayley one bit, that much she knew for certain, but by refraining from arguing with him, she seemed to get into his office, mind magic assessed and out again within 10 minutes, which was more than enough one on one time for her.
The situation with the Ravenclaw boys hadnt really gotton any easier, but at least, it also hadn't got any worse.
Terry more or less left her alone, so preoccupied as he was with spending time with Quin and although Michael did tease her flirtatiously now and then, it no longer impacted her so much as it amused her, because she knew he was completely besotted with Ginny who had given in and been dating him since the end of the second week in term.
The only real awkwardness that remained, involved a certain tall, blonde haired prefect who still had not accepted any of Summer's romantic advances. A point that Hayley knew (without ever needing to resort to mind magic) that Summer liked to blame Hayley for. Whenever the topic came of Anthony came up Summer would send glares Hayley's way and would be marginally cooler towards her for a period of time afterwards.
Hayley tried to ignore this behaviour though and, as much as possible whenever the girls were hanging out with the boys, busying herself elsewhere. This usually meant that she spent a lot of time hanging with Luna, studying with Hermione and, on one fateful afternoon, accompanying the Weasley twins on an adventure which involved the testing of one of their "decoy detonators" and landing Hayley her first detention with Mr Filch. Despite the unpleasantness of having to mop up the 4th floor corridor with no magical assistance, that little adventure had resulted in a spectacularly funny letter from her dad congratulating her, so Hayley couldn't help but think of it as a successful day.
One cold Sunday afternoon though, Hayley couldn't find any of her usual companions about and so, instead of joining Quin, Terry, Anthony, Summer and Michael in the library, she found herself going for a walk around the school grounds and somehow accidentally ending up at the Quidich Pitch.
One of the school teams were having a practice, but they were to far away for Hayley to see which house it was. Though, now that she thought about it, she supposed it must be Gryiffindor since she recalled Ginny telling her she would be busy with Quidditch today. Hayley hadn't asked for specifics; Quidditch was a very sore subject for Gryffindor at the moment, ever since the old toad Umbridge has banned George, Fred and Harry from playing.
Taking a seat in the stands, Hayley watched the sport with facintation for a while; her interest in the game was starting to grow, a little. Which was inevitable really considering how much Ginny went on about it. Still though, she couldn't get past the obvious danger involved and was rather thankful that she would never be coordinated enough on a broomstick to join the team. Anthony had made a comment a few weeks back, on one of the rare occasions when Hayley couldn't avoid the group of boys, about how Hayley was a perfect build for a seeker and that she should try out in Harry's absence. Through her embarrassing blush at the fact that older boy was paying her a compliment, she was also horrified at the idea of playing for the team, and was so relieved when Ginny took that position for herself!
A short while later, when the cold weather got the better of Hayley, she started making her way back down the stands, considering as she went, popping into the great hall for a cup of chocolate. She was just making a decision about marshmallows or no marshmallows when she noticed the Quidditch team heading back down towards the ground, signalling that practice was finished.
As the group of wizards came closer, Hayley caught the colour of their robes; and realised that it was not Gryffindor after all. Those green and silver colours could only be that of Slytherin. Cursing under her breath, she tried to hurry off the grounds without being seen, but of course, she was not so lucky.
"Oi, Black!"
Hayley continued on, as though she hadn't heard, groaning when she heard the unmistakable woosh of a broomstick flying through the air and coming to a halt next to her.
"Excuse me" said Molfoy, "I said hello"
"No" Hayley corrected turning to address him in spite of herself, "What I believe you yelled was "Oi,"".
"Oh good" the boy answered with a smirk, "so you can hear me".
Hayley rolled her eyes and tried to continue on her path back to the school. Only to be blocked again, when Malfoy stepped directly in front of her.
"Is there something you want?" Hayley bit out at him rudely.
"I should be asking you the same question" Malfoy answered cockily, "You're the one who is clearly seeking my out my company after all. Finally ready to talk about family and honour?"
"Get over yourself Malfoy" Hayley exclaimed, pausing to flick her braided hair back over her shoulder "I was simply enjoying the grounds and happened to find myself by the Quidditch pitch"
"Right, so you would have run off hiding if you'd have known that the Slytherin's were here?"
"Maybe I would have. Maybe I wouldn't have. It's a free country after all".
"For now" Malfoy replied, with a menacing gleam in his eye.
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"If you were on the side of the pure bloods were you belonged Black, you would know exactly what that means."
"Urgh, Whatever. I don't have to listen to this rubbish"
Hayley turned to leave, finding herself facing the new alternative Gryffindor Quidditch team. Ginny was at the front looking at Hayley and Malfoy with an expression of pure confusion on her face.
"Shove off Malfoy!" Summer's older sister Katie yelled "Its Gryffindor's turn to practice"
"Dont dare order me about" Malfoy snarled back at her in response, before looking sideways at Hayley and smirking "besides its a free Country, isn't it Black?"
"You heard Katie. Now get lost before I hex you" Ginny yelled.
"No need to make a fool of yourself trying and failing, Weasley. I am going" Malfoy responded "The company here has just been severely downgraded!"
Without a further word, he hoped back onto his broom and flew off to the direction of the changing rooms.
Ginny rushed to Hayley "What on earth were you talking to Malfoy for??" she asked in a hushed tone, as the rest of the team headed to the pitch, shooting the two girls furtive glances as they passed.
"I wasn't talking to him. He was annoying me" Hayley explained.
"Thats not what it looked like" Ginny persisted "The whole team saw you stood with him as we headed up here. And what were you doing here anyway? You hate Quidditch"
"I don't hate Quidditch Ginny"
"That's hardly the main point to address right now"
"Look, I was exploring the grounds and I found myself here. I didn't realise it was a Slytherin practice and when I did I left, but Malfoy spotted me and followed. That's it."
"Okay, okay" said Ginny, sensing Hayley's rising agitation. "It just doesn't look good H. What with your families reputation and his, you don't want people to start gossiping that your hanging out with Draco Malfoy of all people"
"Well I would hope that anyone who knows me, would know that there's nothing in common between Malfoy and I, beside our blood status, which I don't give a flying fig about. And quite frankly anyone who chooses to believe anything else about me can sod right off."
Feeling thoroughly put out, Hayley turned away from her best friend and began an angry march back to the castle.
Fortunately the Gryffindoor Quidditch team did not spread rumours around the school about a dark secret friendship between Draco Malfoy and Hayley Black, and Hayley and Ginny soon forgot all about their little tiff, so much so that a few days later the girls were sat in the common room laughing and joking about a particularly ugly looking troll in their History of Magic textbook, instead of even attempting to do their homework.
They were interrupted by the arrival of Quin and Summer who came speeding through the common room like they were being chased by Salazar himself!!
"Oh my god! Oh my God!!!" Summer was squealing, causing the few other people in close proximity, including the Weasley twins to look at the group in interest. "You will never believe what we have just heard?"
"Filch and Umbridge have finally set a date for the wedding?" replied Hayley imeediatly
"No!" said Summer with an eye roll.
"Someone finally bought Professor Snape some shampoo for Christmas?" said Ginny with a grin.
"No!" said Summer.
"Somone got an O in History of Magic and Professor Bins has finally completed his ghostly unfinished business?" said George.
"No!!!" said Summer exasperated, "Now will you lot shut up"
The group all fell into hysterics.
"Okay, okay" said Hayley eventually, when they had all settled down "What's the latest"
"Well" said Summer, with a final grin to Quin. "You know how much everyone enjoyed the Yule Ball last year?"
"Yeah" said Ginny
"Well, apparently most of the 7th year girls have been working together all year to form a" dance committee" and they have managed to convince the Professors to let us have a Christmas Party before term ends! "
Everyone in close proximity started squealing and hooting. Expect for Hayley. She had never been to a dance before. What did people wear? How did people dance? Oh sweet Merlin, did you have to have dates?
"What's up Hayley?" Quin asked, "You look like we've just told you you've got extra, extra lessons with Snape, rather than you're going to a party"
With all eyes on her, Hayley went for the safest answer. "Oh, I am super excited of course.. It's just...erm...I don't think I bought any party outfits with me this year"
"Oh don't worry about that!" said Summer "we've got our Hogsmade trip next weekend, we can go to Diggity Duds Dresses and all get new ones"
Hayley did perk up slightly at that. It would be fun to get all dolled up.
"Well, don't go spending too much time picking out your frills and sequins" said Fred, shooting George a significant look.
"Why?" said Ginny, eyes narrowing suspiciously at the fact that the twins obviously knew something she didn't.
"Because," began George "Hermione has asked us to spread the word and get a group together at the Hogs Head at the next Hogsmade trip. Apparently Harry is going to help us implement a plan to deal with the whole Umbridge-isnt-teaching-us-any-defence-thing"
"How?" asked Quin.
"Don't know, yet" said Fred
"But Harry did fight you-know-who" said Ginny. "If anyone can help us fight the dark arts, it's him"
"Come on" scoffed Summer "We're 14. I don't exactly think we need to be fighting the dark arts!"
"What, you think He-who-must-not-be-named instructs his death eaters not to harm children? You think this war isn't going to impact you at all?" said George, with his eyes raised, taking on an uncharacteristically serious tone.
Hayley said nothing. She knew from her summer that that was certainly not the case. Voldemort did not discriminate with the people he targeted.
A sombre tone had suddenly overcome the group. It was strange to think that a mere 5 minutes ago they had been excited about a party and now they were all imaging the horrors that Voldemort had planned for the wizarding world.
One thing was for sure, a very interesting Hogsmade Trip was coming up.