Chapter Nineteen

The next morning I woke up feeling at least twice as bad as I did yesterday. But today I remembered that there was a quick and easy cure. I dragged myself out of bed at one forty five in the afternoon and walked shakily to the hospital wing, still dawning red flannel pajama pants, a plain white T-shirt and Gryffindor toe socks that Sara, (who is very good with a knitting needle) had made and sent me.

"Badab Pobfrey?" I said walking into the almost empty room. Neville Longbottom was lying on a bed, looking much paler than usual.

"She wedt to get the Pepper-Up." Neville informed me, sniffing.

"Oh." I said, lying on a bed myself, just as Madam Pomfrey bustled out of her office, a bottle in hand.

"You too, Miss Matthews?" She said looking at me for a moment as she poured the potion into a goblet for Neville.

"Yes Ba'ab." I replied, wearily. She sighed and got another goblet from the cabinet. She filled it and handed Neville and me our cups. Steam came out of my ears, which was a very unpleasant feeling mind you, but when it was all over, I felt much better.

XXXX

As Neville and I were walking back to Gryffindor Tower we ran into Henry Porter and his friend Danny Morgan. I sighed. I just wanted to get by them untouched. I, needless to say, failed dismally.

"Skylar." Henry greeted smugly, grabbing my arm.

"Henry." I replied, pulling away.

"I don't believe I've met this fat friend of yours." Henry said, nodding toward Neville. Neville and I glared at him but resisted the temptation to respond. We didn't need to stoop to such a ridiculous level.

"Well it was very nice talking to you, Henry," I said sarcastically, "but we have to go."

"You sure? I was hoping we could sneak down to the kitchen. Have a nice romantic dinner for just the two of us."

"Well as umm...temping as that sounds, I'd really rather not." I replied.

"Oh come on Skylar. I know you want me. You know you want me. Just stop playing hard to get. It's getting old."

"Henry, you cannot possibly be that stupid." I sighed. "Let me pass."

"I don't think so." Henry said. "I want you to come and have dinner with me in the kitchen, gosh darnit." He grabbed my arm and tried to pull me in the direction of the kitchen.

"Ew, you're touching me!" I cried disgustedly. I was really annoyed now. Was he seriously trying to make me go on a date with him? Cheese and crackers!

"Let go!" I shouted in utter frustration. Henry started to laugh, when...

"Ow!"

Danny, Henry and I looked at Neville. His arm was up and his hand fisted, while his face looked a little scared.

"Leave her alone." He squeaked.

"Oh, you are going to pay for that!" Henry said fiercely. Neville looked even more scared, but didn't back down. Henry raised his fist but was unable to connect it with Neville's fragile bones. I leaped quickly onto his back and covered his eyes.

"Neville, run!" I shouted. He didn't need to be told twice. He bolted off in the direction of the library. I jumped off Henry's back and ran off after him. We didn't stop till we reached the entrance of the library, where we simultaneously burst out laughing.

"D-did you see the look on his face?" I said through my laughter. I flung my arms around his neck and kissed his cute little cheek.

"Thanks Neville." I said smiling. "You're the best." Neville turned a light shade of pink.

"Thanks, Skylar." He said. "You too."

"Walk to the common room with me?" I asked.

"Thanks but no thanks." He replied. "I've got a lot of work to do. Ss long as I'm here I think I'll get started."

"Okay, Neville. I'll see you later. You're awesome!"

I saw him blush again as I walked away.

XXXX

I stepped into the common room and spotted Harry, Ron and Hermione sitting at a table working diligently on homework. Well, Hermione was anyway. I ran over to them.

"Hey!" I said brightly.

"Hello." They said in unison.

"What's got you so happy?" Hermione asked. "Weren't you just in the hospital wing?"

"Yeah, but after that, Neville saved me from Henry." I said with a grin.

"You said what now?" Harry asked incredulously. I sat down and told them all about Henry and his attempted forced date/assault and Neville's daring rescue.

"Neville." Ron repeated.

"Yep, it was Neville. He's a good egg, ya know?"

"Yeah, he is." Harry said.

"But you're a lot sexier." I added slyly, looking at Harry and taking his hand.

He blushed a little bit.

"More so than Neville? There's no way."

XXXX

The next day at lunch, Henry walked over to our table.

"Skylar," He snickered.

Before I had a chance to speak, Harry stood up from the table.

"Only one person will be having romantic dinners with Skylar." He clarified. "And that's me." Without another word, his fist came in contact with the side of Henry's face. He sat down, fuming, as Henry walked away whimpering.

"So when were you planning that romantic dinner?" I asked teasingly. He looked down at his plate as I laughed out loud. "Oh, poor Henry. He's had a tough couple of days. And Harry, you officially get the good boyfriend award."

"Thanks?"

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