When I returned to the Common Room, it was empty except for Lianda who was sitting in a chair by the fire.
"Hey," she sighed. "I got busted. How'd you know to come back?"
"Er… Someone tipped me off."
She raised her eyebrows. "Who?"
I didn't answer her, but instead questioned, "did you get detention?"
"Nope," she beamed. "I talked my way out of it, saying that I wasn't the one who had put the fireworks in there. I'm glad he didn't search me. I also told Filch that something was wrong with our toiletries, so that's why I was going to use that one. He was still suspicious, but he let me off…"
"Lucky of the dumb blonde." I laughed.
She threw a sofa pillow at me. "Meanie head."
••••
The next morning, after I'd taken a shower and dressed, I picked up my trunk when I found a letter lying underneath it. I set aside my luggage and I remembered where I'd seen it before.
It was the letter I'd gotten with Harry's.
Why hadn't I read it?
Oh, yes, I was too angry about his note…
I fumbled with the seal and the envelope popped open. I pulled out the parchment and studied it.
Don't run to Phenynrics, idiot girl. She is waiting for you there. Go home now.
I crumpled it up.
Who in their right mind would think something like that was even funny?
When I walked into the common room, I heard Seamus Finnigan talking about how his mum just got pregnant.
"At first I thought she'd just gained a few pounds," she laughed, shaking his head from side to side. "I know better now. It's a girl. Her name is Reagan Rayne Shay Finnigan."
Then it hit me.
Mum. Pregnant.
How could I not have realized it?
I ran up the boy's staircase and tore into the Seventh Year's dormitories, where, out of the corner of my eye, I saw Harry dressing. Ignoring him, I rushed to Ron's bedside, where he was still sleeping.
"Ron, get up you great prune!" I yelled.
He groggily sat up. "W'sup?"
I sighed. "I figured it out. Mum's pregnant! Did-"
"What?" Harry interrupted.
"Excuse me, but I do believe that I'm still talking." I glared at him. "Anyway, remember the extra pounds? Her being sick? She's going to have a baby, Ron!"
"No way!" Harry laughed. "Isn't she… too… well, old?"
I turned on him. "Is your name Ron? No. So I'm not talking to you. Back off, Potter."
A mild look of surprise crossed his face, and then we heard him mummer something about watering his cat.
I rolled my eyes as he left. When I faced Ron, his mouth was slightly hanging open. "Woah."
"Write her," I commanded. "Make sure you tell her that I was the one who figured it out. I'm leaving now Ron. Oh, also tell her that I got accepted to the school!"
I gave him a hug, and to his disgust, a kiss on the cheek.
"I LOVE YOU, IKLE RONNIKIENS!" I roared up the stairs, just to embarrass him. Smiling and whistling slightly, I carried my belongings down to the Great Hall.