dont own it

I Love You

Chapter-15-Leaf Piles

Friday night came and students were either in the library or in the common room working. Harry, Ron, Ginny, Dean, Neville and Faith were all in the common room along with Luna. Sure Ginny and Dean were sitting close to each other, but he had taken Faith's advice and backed off a little. He was glad he did. Ginny was actually willing to come up to him and talk to him about things that neither of them thought they ever would.

Faith sat with Luna in the wide windowwith everyone else below them. Hermione walked in with a pile of books. Ron took some and set them on the ground for her, then Hermione joined everyone.

Faith sighed and looked out the window. They really needed a break. Esspeciall Hermione and Ginny. The two of them were taking so many classes Faith could only guess that they were taking potions to keep themselves awake, or going back in time.

Luna said then, as if reading Faith's mind, "We should really take a break."

Everyone looked at her. "And do what?"

"Take a walk."

"It's after curfew."

"The library is open after hours," said Dean. "We could go there."

"There's a good idea," voiced Ron. "Gte up fromt he books we have here just to go see more books."

"Why don't we just stay here," Harry sais calmly. "I think we need to get some sleep before we get at each others throats."

Hermione nodded. "I think we should to. We can pick up where we left of after breakfast tomorrow."

"Sounds good," said Ginny.

They all got up with a graon form every one of them from the pain in their legs. "There should be laws against giving us this much homeowrk," Ron commented.

"Ron," Faith whispered. "You did talk to Hermione, right?"

"I did. Don't worry, we're okay."

"Thanks."

"Coming Faith?" Ginny called.

"In a minute. I just have a few more things to write then I'll be up."

"Kay. 'Night. Good night Ron."

" 'Night Gin."

When everyone was up in their rooms Faith looked out her window. Fall was her favorite time of year. She loved the leaves, the smell of snow in the distance and the weather. In the fall school started, which meant she had an even better reason to stay away from her dad. And fall also meant leaves. Faith would stay outside for hours every year making piles and then messing them up again.

Luna was right. They really needed a break. At least for an hour. The whole day would be even better. Either way, Faith wanted to get in those leaves. Her anticapation was like a little girl's.

"Where's Faith?" asked Hermione the next morning after breakfast.

"Did she say she would study with us?" asked Ginny.

"Yes."

"Is she upstairs?" Ron asked.

"No," Luna answered. "I just checked. Maybe she's in the library."

"Hey Lavender," Harry called.

"Yes?"

"Have you seen Faith?"

"Feathergood?"

"Yeah."

"No."

"Did you just come form the library?"

"Yes. And no she's not there either."

They all groaned and got back to their books. Fifteen minutes later, Faith walked in the room. "Hey guys," she said cheerfully.

Everyone looked at her. Faith wore a pair of her old jeans with a hole at her knee. And now, because she was eating more, her hips were beginning to show. She wore a tight black shirt that showed her now even fuller breast, that Hermione had gotten for her. Her nose was pink and she wore her Gryffindor scarf and gloves. There were leaves in her hair and all over her body.

"What have you been up to?" asked Hermione. "You're supposed to be here. With us. Studying."

"I'm sorry Herm." Faith took a seat next to Neville. "It's so beautiful outside."

"Don't you have that paper for Snape?" asked Luna.

"It'll get done," Faith assured her."C'mon guys. Let's go out and have some fun." She looked around. "No takers? Okay." And she got up and left.

"Herm," said Ginny. "You know, we have been studying a lot.Maybe we should take a break."

Hermione but her lip.

"Oh, who put you in charge?" sais Luna. And she got up and left.

"You know, she's got a good point," said Neville and he followed Luna out, followed by Ginny and Dean. A moment later Hermione, Ron and Harry followed them.

"Faith?"

"Hey Luna!" Faith climbed out of piles she had just made. "Guys ready to join the party?"

"What are you doing exactly?" asked Ron.

"Making leaf piles and jumping in them." Hermione and Ron pulled out their wands. "Nuh-uh." Faith snatched them away.

"Hey."

She threw them nect to her wand. "The rest of you go on!" Everyone did as they were told. Faith picked up her wand and made several more rakes appear.

"What are those?" asked Ron.

"Rakes," answered Faith. "Go 'head. Take one, each of you." They all did as they were told.

"Now what?"

"Start raking."

They did as she ordered again. Wow, I'm good, Faith could not help but think. It was awhile before they had completed two large piles.

"Ready? Okay. GO!"

They all ran in screaming. "Harry!" Faith screamed.

"What?"

The answer he got was a pile of leaves thrown in his face.

"You are so going to pay for that."

Befor they knew it they had all started a leaf fight. "Hey! That one ahd a bug!" Ron shouted.

"I'm pretty sure most of them do," Ginny told him and threw more in her brothers face.

"Let's make some more piles," shouted Luna.

Everyone quickly took to the idea. They made quicker and bigger piles.

"Ha ha!" laughed Ron. "Our pile's bigger!"

Ginny rolled her eyes. "He's only in compettion with something," she sai to Dean.

"Go!" someone shouted.

Ron grabbed Hermione's hand. Harry picked up Faith and ran in with her. She didn't seem to mind.

"Get'em!" Neville cried and the leaf fight resumed. Dean tackled Luna and Ginny down with both arms. Faith snatched away Harry's glasses. He got them back by grabbing both her feet and tripping her back down on the soft pile.

Hermione and Luna both threw more leaves at Ron. "Hermione! Luna!" Ron cried. "Herm, your punishment is to never kiss me again."

"Ooooooooooo!" everyone choursed.

"Pa-leaze!" said Hermione. "You'd be punsidhing yourself, not me."

"OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" they all said again and Ron turned red.

"Oh, who cares about you two!" cried Neville. He threw leaves at Faith and their fight satred once again.

There were many more piles before their group finally took a break and split up a bit. Dean and Ginny were in a tree with Ron talking like civilised people. Hermione was speaking with Luna and Neville not too far and Faith and Harry were resting under their own tree near the lake.

Faith's head was resting on Harry's chest. Her eyes were closed and she was enjoying the smell and feel of the wind around her. Harry's arm was wrapped around her shoulder. His hand gently stroked her arm while moving up and down.

This is what love must feel like. Faith thought. Wait. . no. . this isn't love. I've read about it, this isn't it.

"I am sog lad we did this," he told her. HIs voice was tired, relaxed and happy. He rested his head on hers and closed his eyes.

"Me to," said Faith. "Back in Chicago we made leaf piles all the time. I was the smallest and the youngest. So I never got to do any of the work and I was always the first to jump in."

"What's the best memory you have?" Harry asked her.

Faith rolled her eyes in thought. What was her best memory? . . .Taix's. . .Taxi's would pass by her house all the time. But there was one taxi that would pass by very freuquently. Like, every half hour. And somehow, it ouwld always pass by Faith. No matter where she was. The only reason why she remembenred it was because of the bright green stripe it had going all the way around. Faith thought about Stan. Where did he come from?

"Faith?"

"The taxi's."

"Really? How does that one work out?"

"They would pass by our house all the time. There was a rich lady who lived down the street from me, and she always called for a taxi. And her driver was always the same guy. Not to mention my favortie color."

Harry had nothing to say to this but, "What si Chicago like?"

"Nothing like London," she answered. Her left arm went across his waist unconsiously. She was about to take it back but Harry grabbed it and held her arm there. Faith stayed where she was and began massaging his side. "Some area's are getting better. I cam from an area that. . .well it wasn't. . .never mind. It doens't matter."

Faith was going to leave and Harry felt this. So he held ontu her tighter and brought his legs up to hold her in. "You can tell me. I want to understand better. You know yuo're very confusing at times."

"I've been told that a lot."

"So. . .?"

"Would you think any different of me?"

"No."

There was something about Harry's voice that was so soothing and calming right now. "The. . .the ghetto." Faith held her breath.

"Why be ashamed?" Faith didn't answer. "I bet if told you more about myself you could breath easier than you are now."

Faith laughed and Harry smiled. "Sorry."

"Don't be."

"Can I take you up on that offer? Getting to know you better?"

"Of course you can. Tonight?"

"Cool."

Wow, being held by someone felt great. Faith wanted to stay like that foerever. Thoughts of her and Harry being toegther ina different way crept into her mind, but she quickly shook them out. Harry didn't want her like that. But for now, she enjoyed the closnest right now. She took in a deep breath and closed her eyes. She snuggled closer to him and Harry gently tightned his grip on her.

Harry found himself worried that she would leave him right now. He wnated her to stay with him, like this, forever.