Hi! I think I finally figured out the rockbaby67 gets chances to read during the week while Lazy-anji usually checks in on the weekends. I'll try and update so you can both enjoy at the same pace. Rockbaby67, I haven't put anything in my bio because it didn't really seem inportant...maybe I'll add something one day. I will answer one question--as far as what grade I am in, I am done with school and I mean DONE as in college done. Hope that doesn't frighten you off. As far as the question I'll be asking at the beginning of Chp. 35--I'll give you a hint. I think I mentioned in an earlier chapter that I'd originally written this story with more of a R rating, but had edited it to a PG. The question has something to do with that subject. Thanks for hanging in there with me.
Chapter 33:
Michelle woke up and for a second forgot what day it was. She began getting ready as though it was a normal school day. It wasn't until she saw Harry and read his face that she remembered this was the start of the "big" weekend. She'd slept soundly. She hadn't had either dream. Michelle stood next to Harry and kissed him on the cheek.
"You seem better this morning." Harry slid his arm around her waist.
"Amazing what 12 plus hours of sleep will do for a person..."
"What time do we leave tomorrow?"
"Snape will be at the front doors at 8am. Are you sure you still want to go? The sensible side of me seems to think the right thing for you to do would be to stay here."
"I want to go. I've been practicing some spells. I'm ready. I'm not letting you go in there alone."
Michelle smiled, "Good, because the selfish side of me was really hoping you still wanted to come along."
Of the four friends, Hermione was the only one who seemed to be able to concentrate on her classwork. Michelle was distracted, but the teachers cut her plenty of slack knowing what would be happening the next day. By the time Michelle's lunch break arrived, she was tempted to just skip the rest of her classes. She went outside to wait on the steps for her friends. They would be returning from Magical Creatures class in a few minutes. Michelle looked around enjoying the cool fresh air. Next thing she knew, she was face down on the ground.
Harry had known Michelle planned to meet them when they returned from class. He'd been thinking about her all day. His mind would shift from worry, to happiness, to yearning all in the space of a few seconds. As they came closer to the front steps, he could make out a figure laying on the ground. He sprinted toward it recognizing Michelle. Ron and Hermione were not far behind. Kneeling next to her body, he rolled her over to see her face.
"Michelle..." he brushed the hair from her face as she struggled to open her eyes.
"What happened?" Michelle looked confused and white as a ghost.
"I don't know. I just found you here..."
Michelle sat up quickly, her eyes open wide. "Harry, we can't trust Trelawney..." She tried to stand, but fell into Harry instead.
He helped her to her feet, "Why not? What's wrong?"
She looked at him desperately, unsure of how much to tell him. "The second vision I've been having...she is in it..."
"And?"
"She was working for Voldermort. She lied to me. She said she was out of the country, but she was right there in the middle of everything..."
Michelle was going to continue, but seeing the rest of the class coming up on them, she kept her comments short.
"I know this sounds strange, but we can't trust her. It's vital she doesn't know we are on to her."
"What about tomorrow? What's going to happen if you can't trust her?" Ron sounded very worried.
"Snape's going to be there. I"ll have to tell him before we get to Azkaban and hope he believes me."
Everyone was quiet during dinner. They couldn't talk about the dreams or the ceremony in front of their fellow students. Even if they had been on their own, Michelle wasn't sure she wanted to talk about Trelawney anyway. When they returned to the Gryffindor common room, Michelle told her friends she wanted to just relax tonight. Harry sat with Ron playing Wizard's Chess. Michelle sought out Hermione, taking a seat in the chair across from her.
Hermione leaned forward as she spoke, "Ron was telling me Harry had a surprise planned for your birthday..."
"He didn't mention what it was did he?"
"You don't have a guess?"
"Harry hasn't told me anything...which makes sense I suppose, it is a surprise after all." She curled her legs under her in the chair. "All I know is, we are going to meet tonight after everyone is asleep."
Hermione's eyebrow went up, "Sounds very romantic..."
Michelle felt the blood rushing to her cheeks, "Maybe...I don't know. I'm not sure how serious he is about me. It may be nothing that important."
Hermione glanced over to where Ron and Harry were sitting. "Oh, I wouldn't say that...have you noticed how many times Harry has looked over here? He's nervous; I can tell." She studied Harry's expression a bit longer before turning back to Michelle. "Can I ask you something really, horribly personal?"
Michelle laughed a little, "Ummm...guess so, what is it?"
Now Hermione looked nervous, "How far have you and Harry, you know, gone?"
Michelle's eyes opened wide, "Wow, that is personal...and so not what I was expecting."
"You don't have to answer. It was a stupid question..."
"Hermione, were you asking because you and Ron have..."
Hermione cut her off, "No! I mean, not yet anyway. It's just..."
"You're wondering if things are happening the way they should...if you're going too fast?"
"Maybe a little, I just need another perspective."
"Okay, just tell me If I'm sharing too much..."
