Chapter 3- In Which I Receive A Warning
I woke late Sunday morning, and headed down to breakfast rubbing sleep from my eyes. I entered the great hall and turned to the Gryffindor table, pass in the Slytherin table on my way to sit down. I felt eyes watching me as a I passed, and when I turned, I saw Blaise Zabini's unwavering gaze meeting my own. I felt my face grow warm again, but I made sure to sit facing the Slytherin table, telling myself it was because I didn't like the feeling being watched.
"Hey Erin, sleep late?" Hermione Granger asked kindly. "Here, have some hash." She offered a bowl of warm potatoes, which I took gratefully.
"Good Morning Erin," chimed Colin with a smile. "Don't worry, I don't have my camera this morning…no pictures of you with bad hair!" I gasped and brought my hands to my head, then giggled as I realized he'd been teasing. I stuck my tongue out and poured myself a goblet of pumpkin juice.
"You all did notice it's a Hogsmeade day today, right?" Harry Potter asked.
"Must have missed the memo," Dennis said, sitting down next to me. "G' Morning everyone!"
"Hey Dennis," I chirped, passing him the hash. "pile it on…it'll be a long day, assuming you want to go to Hogsmeade at all."
"Why do anything else?" Dennis asked jokingly. "I've finished my Potions homework, and my Advanced Medicine assignment, so I should be set." We set to work planning our visit to the wizarding village.
"What do you want to hit first?"
"How bout heading to Script and Kurl's for some school supplies, and there's a new book I wanted to take a look at. Then, maybe the Three Broomsticks?" Dennis suggested.
"Sounds great. Can we try Honeyduke's next? Then maybe over to the Owl Post Office so that I can send a singing message to my folks via one of those Message Mynas."
"Sure," Dennis agreed. "After that, do you just want to wander around some? A few of the houses over there have really pretty gardens."
"Good idea," I concurred. Then our chatter was interrupted by a sneering drawl at the head of the table.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't our little friend, Erin MacGillian," Draco Malfoy drawled. "I hope you realize just how seriously you've injured my top keeper. Watch yourself, Mudblood." Malfoy turned to leave. Ron leapt angrily to his feet.
"How dare you threaten her, ferret-boy!" he challenged, hands curling into fists.
"You watch who you threaten, Weasel," Malfoy sneered.
"It's okay, Ron," I said quickly. "Just sit down. I can take care of myself." Malfoy laughed coldly, and walked away. I watched the Slytherin table as Malfoy sat down. Many of the students cheered him, but I saw that Blaise had straightened in his chair and was eyeing Malfoy with a definite air of disdain. Somehow, just that made me feel better even than Ron challenging Malfoy over the name-calling. Was it possible that I no longer harbored feelings for Ron? Dennis now watched me intently, noting silently every expression that crossed my face. I drew my attention from the Slytherin table to my best friend.
"Dennis, what do you say we head back up to the tower…I have some…erm…stuff to do," I said lamely.
"Yeah, sure," Dennis agreed, looking at me concernedly. We rose from the table, and departed the Great Hall quickly. I led him through the dungeons to the statue and opened the statue. As we started up the stairway, I was sure I'd heard footsteps in the corridor next to ours, but decided not to worry about it. The statue slid shut, and the steps began to move.
"Wow!" Dennis whispered excitedly. "This is brilliant!"
"Just wait," I hushed him. When the steps stopped moving at the door, I pressed my ear to the door and listened intently. Hearing nothing, I pushed through the portrait and led Dennis out into the corridor.
"Excellent," Dennis declared quietly. "Come on." He began to head for the Fat Lady. As he steppe ahead of me, I was sure I'd heard a click behind the portrait that I'd just shut. I stepped forward, then pretended to trip. Dennis paused, and turned toward me.
"You okay?" he asked, starting to come help me up.
"Yeah. Go on, I'll be a minute. Have to double-knot my shoes." I answered. He nodded, but I could tell he knew something was going on. As soon as he was inside the Gryffindor common room, I raced down the empty hallway and slid into an abandoned doorway, watching to see if anyone would come out of the secret passageway. Momentarily, it opened and I watched silently as Blaise Zabini, stepped forward. He stood and listened for any sound, then turned in my direction and walked unconcernedly forward, allowing the portrait to swing shut behind him. As he passed my doorway, I spoke.
"You're losing your touch," I joked. Blaise jumped slightly, then relaxed and gave me an amused look.
"What makes you say that?" he queried.
"I could tell someone was behind us as soon as we entered the dungeon!" I exclaimed. So I was exaggerating, big deal. Blaise just huffed in mock annoyance. "Why did you follow us? You hadn't finished your breakfast."
"The sight of dear old Draco chased off my appetite," Blaise said gruffly. "If I were you, I wouldn't head of to Hogsmeade without someone older," he cautioned.
"Why not? As I told ferret-head, I can take care of myself!" I shot heatedly.
"Not against several more experienced students, you can't. All of them versed in Dark Magic, too. No, you should either stay in your tower or hang out with your older friends. Malfoy is at least…wary of troubling them." Blaise's eyes glittered with purpose. I could tell he was serious.
"Yeah, well, thanks for the warning. Better toddle off now, before someone gets ideas, hmmm?" I said. In retrospect, I suppose I was being unreasonable, but I do so despise knowing there are things that I can't do. Blaise nodded, like I'd just confirmed a secret suspicion. I turned and stormed over to the portrait. I heard Blaise walk away down the hall, and as I opened the house door, I watched him stride gracefully away. I sighed, and stepped into the bright common room.
