Chapter Sixty-three

Finally, it was Friday morning. The day of the Quidditch match to kick off the Hogwarts season. The day Gryffindor and Slytherin would face off, and the day Araminta might have to choose.

At breakfast, she was almost too nervous to eat anything. "Come on, have a little bit of toast or something," Draco said. "If you don't eat, you might faint."

"I never faint," Araminta protested woozily. "Okay, there was that one time, but it was because of all the stress."

"That's what I mean," Draco replied, pouring her some pumpkin juice. "Now, drink up."

Araminta swatted the cup away in irritation. "Stop babying me, Dad."

Draco got very still. "What did you say?"

Oops, thought Araminta. Better pay attention. "Stop babying me, Draco."

Draco relaxed and put the cup down. "All right, if you'll eat something."

Araminta looked over at Millicent's plate. She was having spaghetti and meatballs for breakfast, with a slice of anchovy pizza on the side. The smell made Araminta a little dizzy, so she held her glass of pumpkin juice up to her face to block the odor. Yesterday, Millicent had had pickled pig's feet and kim chi for lunch. What horrible-smelling food would she come up with next?

"Millicent, you must have a strong stomach," Araminta remarked.

Millicent nodded her head. "I can eat anything. Actually, I've been eating a lot of strange things lately."

The bell rang, and Araminta used this as an excuse to leave the table without seeming impolite. She wouldn't want to hurt Millicent's feelings, after all.

Her first class of the morning was P.E. with Madam Hooch and all of the seventh years. "One, two, three, four," she shouted as everyone did some calisthenics. "All right, everyone, three laps around the lake. Be sure to stay on the trail, and don't go into the forest."

Araminta set off at an easy jogging pace. She was tempted to try her Animagus form, but decided that would be cheating since it was a better runner that she was naturally. Instead, Araminta amused herself by reading the minds of people who jogged by (just like in the movie What Women Want).

First, Draco sprinted past her. Araminta concentrated, and heard: never never never wear leather shorts to P.E. again never never chafe ow never...

Araminta put her hand over her mouth. Draco looked really good in leather, but apparently he didn't feel so good in it.

Next, Araminta turned her attention to Harry. She heard: let Malfoy wear himself out jerk I wonder what Araminta is going to wear tomorrow I wish I had some Chocolate Frogs Ron ate my last one...

Snickering, Araminta broke into Ron's thoughts: mmm that Chocolate Frog was good but I got Dumbledore's card again I wonder if I can get Sarah Michelle alone and...

Araminta disconnected so she wouldn't hear anything naughty by accident. Pansy's thoughts (Snape Snape Seeeeeverus Snape Snape) and Millicent's (urg ow urg hate running) were pretty predictable, so she only spent a few seconds on them.

Most of the students were mentally complaining about running, and Araminta was almost done with her third lap, so she knew she had only a minute more to read minds. If she had to think about something else, she wouldn't be able to do it anymore. Ah, she thought to herself, let's listen to what Hermione has to say.

Hermione was thinking: Draco Draco no Draco can't be the one Harry told me foretold love why I have to do the right thing for Harry Draco no please anyone but him don't take Draco away from me...

Araminta stopped in her tracks. She had thought that this problem was solved! Harry must have gone to Hermione for advice about the prophecy. She needed to talk to Hermione as soon as possible. However, now was not the time. Madam Hooch blew her whistle and sent them all to the locker room, and by the time Araminta was dressed in her green and gold robes, the bell for the next class had rung and she was already late.

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