Disclaimer: Oh, no, wait...damn it. Ignore me!
Author's Note: I'm so sorry it has taken me five years to update, you guys, but I had vacation and all. If it helps, I've written tons and I want to make it up to everyone by posting way more often. Anyway, hope you enjoy the chapter!
Chapter 10: Harry Changes Things
Saturday, December 4th
6:45 PM
I was about to sign my name on the list Prof. McGonagall was handing out for people who will be boarding the Hogwarts Express to go home for Christmas Break, when suddenly Prof. D appeared. He walked into the common room, tapped me (I was too dumbfounded to speak and was entering my goldfish phase by this point) on the shoulder, and whispered in my ear, "I think, Miss Nicolson-Joyce, that you and I need to have a talk. Please meet me in my office after dinner."
Oh bloody hell and Cornelius Fudge's loose jogging pants! What have I done now? That thing with the cockroach cluster in Emily's book bag was a joke! Honest!
10:12 PM
Oh…my…god. I still can't believe this. I must breathe. Breathe, breathe, breathe, breathe, breathe! And…I'm hyperventilating.
10:14 PM
Why?
10:15 PM
Crap.
10:16 PM
Ok, let me rewind. I ate dinner somewhat nervously (considering the fact my robes are now covered in food and drink), and made my way upstairs.
I had been in Prof. D's office only once before, in my third year. I had jinxed Emily badly after she had called me a mudblood several times. I remember it vividly: Emily screaming, the teachers discussing what to do, me scared. I finally cracked and broke down crying, and when I wiped away my tears I found myself in D's office. Not agood thing. He talked to me and I had started to express all my fears and my hopes to him.I really don't know what came over me. Anyway, he cleared the whole thing up and everything was fine.
Now as I made my way to the gargoyle that led to his office, I felt the familiar sweaty hands and butterfly stomach I had felt two years ago (then again I did have the flu…oh, never mind).
I reached the gargoyle and then realized I didn't know the password. Oh, why is it always me? I started saying random things to it and soon I grew impatient at its annoyingly gargoyle like still face, and yelled, "Open up, you bloody statue!" When it sprang to life I nearly fell over in surprise (well, not nearly. I did fall over when I tripped on the stairs. And my bazombas didn't bounce me back up this time. Ouch).
Anyway, I opened the office door and walked in. Prof. D was sitting behind his desk, with that regular calm look on his face. He intimidated me a little, so I took a seat before him without any comments (honest!).
He studied me for a while then said, "Good evening, Miss Nicolson-Joyce. I have met you here to discuss something very important: the safety of one of the students in this school." I shuffled in my chair. He paused, watched me closely, and continued, "I am certain you can help in this matter. The student in question is Harry Potter. We would like to request that he stay at your house during the Christmas holidays. Normally, Mr. Potter would spend the vacation at his friend Mr. Weasley's. However, I believe the Weasleys are travelling to Romania with Miss Granger as their guest, and I have requested that Harry stay in Britain during this time. Miss Weasley, I understand, is staying at your house also, am I not correct?" I nodded, unable to speak.
D continued, "At any rate, Mr. Potter would have liked to stay here at Hogwarts, where he would be safe. However, I will be away for a week during that period and unfortunately it is too much of a risk for all of us. So, we would ask you to seriously consider this. It's only for a short time. We asked Mr. Potter if he knew any other friends he would like to stay with and he mentioned you. Your friendship is hardly known to anyone, so there should be no danger of Lord Voldemort at any time. Now, do you have any questions?" I can't even remember what happened after that. I was so shocked it took me quite a while to digest the information D had just force-fed me. I distinctly recall saying, "Schinfaaaaa," and Prof. D saying, "Pardon?"
Naturally I couldn't refuse, could I? But it was Harry. The SG. In my house. With my dad. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! And plus mum only allows three people! And I'm sure she'd flip if I brought a boy! Especially one who is hiding from a wizard killer. Oh, crap. Who will back out?
10:21 PM
If there is any justice in the world, it will be Jenna. I can't even begin to picture her next to me, Ginny, and Harry. It's too much blabberfying energy kept inside for her to resist.
10:22 PM
Or Ginny. Hum, this will be a looooong night.
10:24 PM
What will mum say? Oh dear lord.
Sunday, December 5th
8:06 PM
Woke up early. Too early, in fact. I ended up tripping on the stairs and I nearly fell flat again on the common room floor, but out of nowhere, something grabbed me and held me strong. But I couldn't see anything! I was being held by an invisible force! Then the obvious sunk in on me and I groaned.
Suddenly, Harry Potter's floating head appeared out of nowhere. He smiled slightly. I whispered, "Oops," in the tiniest voice possible. He heard me. He was so close I could feel his breath, count his eyelashes. Time had frozen. I wanted to lean in and close my eyes, because it felt so easy, so right…but suddenly my mind reawakened (great timing) and something in me yelled, "Ginny!" I blinked and I think his mind had also re awoken because we broke apart at the same time.
It had been so real, so close…if only my lips had touched his…At this point the situation was quite awkward. I mumbled something about the owlery and ran (yes, ran) out through the fat lady's portrait. Oh god, he's so dreamy! I hurried on to the owlery (the reason why I woke up so early) and quickly scribbled a note to mum:
Mum,
Change of plans. Harry Potter, the boy who lived, is coming to our house, with two of my friends. Just owl Professor Dumbledore and he'll explain everything (that is, if he hasn't owled you yet). I'm signing my name on the list of students to leave today. The Hogwarts Express arrives on the 16th of December at 9'o clock pm in King's Cross. Must go now.
Love,
Julia
P.S
Please do try and get dad to file for divorce. Maybe he'll leave us alone then.
I attached the note to Blinky and threw him out of the window (bad idea). I walked back to the common room, quite depressed. Who would have to back out? Di…no! Not my best friend, I really need her. Jenna…well, she hasn't been much of a friend lately, but she does make me laugh…Ginny? Hm, it will be awkward with or without her, but if she was away I'd know they wouldn't be snogging…!
As I opened the fat lady's portrait and crawled into the common room, I bumped into a startled Jenna. She immediately started saying, "Oh my god, Jules, I understand completely, Prof. Dumbledore explained everything, don't worry because I will be spending vacation at my 'rents, and I won't tell anyone abut this…" she trailed off. She won't tell anyone? Dear Lord, alert the media. I just gaped at her, thinking, 'How did she know? How did Prof. D know who to make back out? He didn't even know mum only allowed three friends!', while Jenna continued to rave on for Scotland. Finally I said, "It's ok, Jen." And I hugged her to prove my point.
After that I went down to have breakfast, relief brewing in my stomach as well as hunger. So, it was going to be me, Di, Ginny, and Harry. And Mum and Dad. Why can't I just spare time and slit my wrists now?
