Chapter IV
I lay on my bed after classes, stroking my cat, Nalini, and reading in one of my textbooks. There was a knock at the door and Cho bounced in.
"Hey Kara. Whatcha readin'?"
I held the book up for her to see. She looked at it in disgust.
"Why the heck are you reading your Transfiguration book? It's the bloody weekend!"
"It's really interesting. Besides, there's a rumor that these chapters will be on the exams, so I'm just reviewing them."
She shook her head at me. "You're a bookworm. A bloody bluestocking."
I chuckled. I doubted she really knew what that meant. She thought it was an insult. I took it as a compliment.
"So how's in going with you and that guy from China?"
She looked at me blankly.
"Who?"
"That guy you told me about. From China. Rei or something."
"Oh," she said, tossing her head. "I wrote him a letter and he didn't write back."
"So you're single?"
She smiled sweetly. "No. Cedric and I are back together. He told me it wasn't true."
"And you believe him?"
"Of course! I have to believe the one I love."
I rolled my eyes and went back to my book.
"Don't roll your eyes at me!"
"Cho, you're a bloody bubblehead." I laughed at her.
"Well, I can't help it if guys flock to me like flies to a rotten dragon carcass."
I snorted and fell back on my pillow, laughing hard.
"What!"
"You...you used a....ah...interesting analogy." I gasped. She sniffed and got up. "Fine then. I see my presence isn't appreciated."
"Well, I didn't ask you to come. I was reading peacefully." I grinned. She scowled at me and slammed out of the room. I heard the sharp voice of Professor Sinistra chide her for slamming the door. I laughed to myself. Cho was a sweetheart, but there was nothing in-between the ears of that girl. She was pretty, I'd give her that, but typical. I could see why Cedric liked her. They were perfect for eachother. I sighed and looked out the window. It was a beautiful day, and I was sitting inside, my nose in a book. I set the book on the table and went to the window, opening it and letting the warm spring air sweep into the room. I stood in the full-length open windows and let the wind blow my hair back from my shoulders. A sudden want of freedom came over me and I ran down the stairs and through the castle out to the lawn. I smiled as the sun warmed my face. I looked toward Hagrid's cabin and saw him working in the garden, tending some kind of hideous orange flowers. I walked and took long steps, relishing the freedom of jeans compared to the short skirts we had to wear. Hagrid looked up as I came near.
"Well, if it idn't Miss Kara come to visit me!"
"Hello Hagrid." I smiled, pulling a dandelion from its stem and twirling it in my fingers. Two boys looked up from the ground as I rounded the corner of the fence. I recognized them as Seamus Finnigan and Lee Jordan. Fourth years and friends of the notorious trio, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, and Harry Potter.
"Mind if I join you?" I said, getting to my knees and digging with my hands in the rich black dirt.
"Not a'all, Kara." Hagrid beamed as I covered large yellow bulb with the dirt.
"Ye know Seamus and Lee, don' ya?"
I looked at the two younger boys.
"Yes, a little. I know who they are anyway." I smiled.
"I'm Kara Tyne. Hi." I said, putting out my hand and shaking theirs in turn. They grinned at my warm greeting and became more loose. The four of us worked for a while, planting the bulbs. I stood up and looked at the beginning of the row, surprised that there were already tiny green shoots sticking through the soil.
"You'll be able t' see 'em in full-bloom tomorrah, ye will." Hagrid said satisfactorily.
"Wonderful. Wish I had flowers like these at my house."
"I can give ye some if ye likes, Kara." Hagrid said energetically. I shook my head quickly.
"No, it's alright. Let their beauty adorn the grounds of Hogwarts only." I smiled. The boys laughed quietly to eachother. I took my leave of them and walked back to the castle, brushing the dirt from my hands and clothes. I brushed a stray strand of hair from my forehead and looked across to the lake. Some seventh-year guys were throwing rocks to the squid and catching them as it threw them back. I laughed and shook my head. I noticed someone coming towards me from the direction of the sun, so I couldn't see who it was. I stepped into the shade and recognized Oliver Wood.
"Hey Kara. Enjoying the beautiful day?"
"Yes. I love spring. It always feels so wonderful."
"I know what you mean. It's a relief to feel the sun and the grass after winter." I nodded. We walked together for a moment toward the point that overlooked the valley below Hogwarts. I breathed deeply and smiled, laughing a little and running the rest of the way. I stood there and twirled on the grass, pulling my shoes and socks off. Behind me, Oliver laughed. I turned and smiled at him.
"You're acting different from a few weeks ago."
"Oh? How so?" I asked, pulling a daisy from the ground and waving it around like a sword.
"You're happier. You look happy. Your face is shining, and it's not just the sun."
I smiled. "It's the change of season. As much as I love winter, it always subdues me. When spring comes it gives me joy to see everything green and new." I went to the edge looked out over the valley far below with the silver river winding through it. I knew Oliver was watching, but I didn't care. I twirled again, my laugh turning to a shriek as the dirt gave way and I slid down over the edge. I heard Oliver shout and felt the rock tearing at my clothing. I held onto a vine growing out of the rock and jerked to a stop, rocks and dirt falling about me. My back hurt and my arm was cut. I saw Oliver about three feet above me. I started to speak, but the vine snapped and I had to hold onto the rock.
"Oliver! Help me!" I shouted, tears stinging my eyes. I didn't want to die. He was on his stomach and reached his arm to me.
"Give me your hand." He said calmly. I shook my head. I couldn't let go.
"Kara, just give me your hand."
I grimaced as the muscles in my arms burned.
"Throw yourself up and grab my hand. Trust me, I'll pull you up." I put my head against the rock and a small sob escaped me. I felt my fingers slipping.
"Kara! Goddammit! Give me your hand!" He shouted. I looked at his hand and mustered my strength, hauling myself up and at the same time thrusting my hand into his. His strong fingers closed around my wrist and he pulled me up. I dug my bare feet into the dirt and pushed myself up, but I couldn't see through my tears. I felt his arms go around me and I fell to the ground, holding onto his sweater and crying. He held and consoled me, talking to me softly and stroking my hair. My sobs subsided and I sat up a little more, wiping the tears roughly from my cheeks with dirty and scratched hands.
"Kara..." he said, pushing the tangled hair from my face. I looked into his eyes and felt more tears.
"God..." I breathed, closing my eyes and putting my face in my hands.
"Hey, Kara. It's okay now. It's okay..." I nodded and looked at him.
"Oliver, you...you saved me."
"What the hell would you have me do?" he smiled a little, wiping tears and dirt from my face. I laughed shortly and sighed shakily. I heard voices coming near and looked up as Hagrid and Snape hurried toward us.
"Kara...are ya all right? Wha' happened?"
"I'm fine, Hagrid. I'm fine." I said, standing up.
"You should know better than to go so near that edge, Tyne." Snape snapped at me.
"I know. I didn't mean to."
"Ye better get t' th' hospital wing so Madam Pomfrey can have a'look at those cuts an' bruises ya got."
I nodded and picked up my shoes, looking at Oliver. He put his arm around me and walked with me to the castle. He waited while Madam Pomfrey fixed me up, and came with me to the dorm. I looked at the wall and back at him.
"Oliver, thank you. If you hadn't been there..." My voice broke and I looked down. He put his hand on my shoulder.
"Hey, it's okay. I don't know what I'd do if you weren't here." I pulled my hair back from my face and sighed intermittently. He put his hand on the side of my neck and as I looked up, he pressed his lips lightly to mine. I put my hands on his chest, protesting slightly, but he pulled back after a few seconds and stroked my cheek with his fingers. I bit my lip and stepped away from him, blushing. I turned to the wall and quickly tapped the combination of stones on the wall. It slid open and I stepped inside, looking back at Oliver as it closed again.
"Are you going to Hogsmeade this weekend, Kara?" Ceri asked me as she flopped on the foot of my bed.
"Yes."
"Good. Me too." She seemed oddly happy. Not that she wasn't ever happy, but...
"What're you grinnin' about?"
"Well...who are you going to Hogsmeade with?"
I smiled. "You, I thought. But I'm beginning to think I should find my own crowd."
She nodded.
"Who?" I asked her. She blushed.
"George Weasley."
I laughed outright. She pouted.
"Karaaa....He's a sweetie!"
"I know...I know he is. It's just funny." I grinned.
"Why?"
"Because he's a troublemaker, and you're a goody-goody like me."
"So. Opposites attract." She retorted.
"Obviously." I smiled, remembering that Draco had said the same thing.
"So who are you going with?"
"Hm...I dunno."
"Yes you do. You're not too worried about being alone, I can tell. You're not going to be alone. Who is it? Oliver?"
I looked at her.
"Of course not. Why would I want to go with him?"
"He saved your life. Besides, I've seen you talking to him sometimes. You're always laughing and happy."
"He's just a friend. No, I'm not going with him."
"Malfoy?" her face got somber. I nodded.
"Kara..."
"Ceri, no. I don't want to hear it. I've been careful, and I'll continue doing so."
She dropped her eyes to the bed.
"Kara, I just..."
"No. Ceri, just drop it." She sighed.
"Okay." She said quietly. I sighed. I didn't like this. I wanted Ceri to be happy with me, not worried. But I felt so much for Draco. I really did. But I wondered about Oliver. I slapped my hand against the windowsill softly. Why did he have to fog the picture? He'd never spoken to me before this year, why'd he start now? Actually, he had spoken to me before. Only rarely. And my impression of him then had been very good. He truly was a gentleman, and intelligent and athletic to boot. And it helped that he was quite fit.
"You should get together with Oliver." A voice from the door interrupted my thoughts. I turned and saw the mischievous face of Cho.
"Cho...shut up." I sighed, exasperated, and turned back to the window.
"You should! You guys would make a cute couple."
I whirled on her.
"Cho! Shut the fuck up, all right! It's none of your damn business! You're so annoying sometimes, you know that? Just because you're pretty and you're a fourth year with a seventh year boyfriend and know all the latest gossip and have these opinions about everything doesn't mean you have to stick your bloody snub-nose in everything!" I yelled.
She looked at me in shock. So did Ceri. I don't think she'd ever seen me that angry before.
"Kara...I just..."
"You know, just leave. Just get out, okay?"
"Kara, I'm sorry, I just..."
I stormed past her and down the stairs into the school, accidentally running through a bewildered Professor Binns. That was a bad idea. It was like a bucket of ice water had been thrown on me and I stumbled, closing my eyes in pain, falling, ironically, into Malfoy's arms.
"Hey, Kara. What's wrong?"
I shivered and looked up at him.
"Nothing..."
"Are you okay? You look pale, and you're shaking."
"I just ran through Binns on accident."
He grimaced. "Ow. I know what that feels like."
I nodded.
"Why were you running? Here, sit down, you're out of breath."
He pushed me down onto a bench in a corner of the courtyard and pushed my hair back.
"What's wrong?"
"I just yelled at a fourth year for no reason. I don't know, I was just really mad at the moment. I snapped."
"It's okay. We all have our days."
I sighed. I was thinking.
"Draco...I don't think I can go to Hogsmeade this weekend."
His face fell.
"Why not?"
"I...I don't know. I just...I don't feel like going anywhere. I'd rather stay here."
He was silent. I hated to see him sad.
"Is there someone else you want to go with?"
"No! I'd love to go, with you especially. I just don't feel like I'd be a very happy companion. I wouldn't want to ruin your day by being a drag."
"Kara, the only way the day could be ruined is if you weren't there to share it with me." He said sincerely, taking my hands. I grimaced and felt bad. He was so endearing and sweet. That was the nicest thing anyone had ever said to me. He ran his fingers up and down my arm.
"I heard about your brush with death a few days ago. I'm glad you're all right. I don't know what I'd do if you weren't here."
My stomach hurt. That was exactly what Oliver had said.
"I wish I'd been the one to save you instead of that rat Gryffindor." He said softly, but his voice was mean. I didn't like that.
"It's thanks to that 'rat' that I'm still here." I snapped. I couldn't believe he spoke of Oliver that way.
"He should have told you not to go near the edge. I wouldn't have let you be in danger like that."
"That's not the point. He saved my life, Draco. I'm forever grateful to him."
"How can you be grateful to a Gryffindor? They're a bunch of cocky bastards, the lot of them. The only thing they're good for is hotheaded expendable trash in the face of danger. The only thing the girls are good for is pleasure."
My anger flared as he spoke and I stood up, tearing my hand away.
"How can you speak like that? For your information, I happen to like a good amount of people from Gryffindor. And how dare you say the girls aren't good for anything but pleasure! You're a sexist bastard! They're brave and honorable. Nothing like you loathsome, two-faced Slytherins!" He stood and held my arms in a vice-like grip.
"Are you calling me loathsome?" he snarled. I whimpered in pain and I knew I would have bruises on my arms.
"Tell me!"
I shook my head. "Draco, let go. You're hurting me!" I cried.
He loosened his grip but didn't let go.
"You're mine, you hear me? Mine. You're my girl. I'll kill the bastard who tries to take you from me." His nostrils were contracted and his eyes were thin. He looked like a snake. I swallowed hard and pushed against him.
"You understand me!?" he said in a soft voice that scared me. I nodded and a few tears spilled down my cheeks. "Stop your crying. I won't have you seeming like an emotional whelp. Submissive and obedient, yes. Soft, no."
I nodded, scared.
"Go back to your dorm." He said, pushing me toward a door. I hurried down the hall and to the secret entrance of the Ravenclaw dorm.