Author: Muduoduomu

The original story page: http/onebook.php?novelid=3415654

Chapter 7. Do something of your own

The best boyfriend disappeared for a week.

In the morning, he had to train; at lunch, he or George would rush to table to pack a lot of fried drumsticks and bread and run away; at night, he would go training or drown himself in homework in the common room.

He didn't give a look at Della even if she sat next to him all night.

…She wanted to feed him toffee.

———————————————

This afternoon, Della and Hermione were writing their homework in the dining room. Puffskein rolled around on the table, and Hermione's cat, Crookshanks, lay there, purred in a low voice. His big eyes stared at Puffskein and his tail was swinging around powerfully.

Hermione looked uneasily at her cat. "Crookshanks, be nice."

"Don't worry." Della said, "there's no weight of Puffskein. It's ok." Puffskein was very strange. It's light and weightless when it was held in hand. It would even be blew away by wind when placed on table, but it's alive and had temperature.

Magical creatures were amazing.

Hermione and Ron had quarrelled for many times because of their pets. Della, as a bystander, thought Ron was petty. He always thought his mouse Scabbers was weak because of scared by Hermione's cat, for this reason, he had been looking for Hermione's troubles in the common room. Hermione was a girl and he was a boy, while he was not generous at all and ended up in Hermione's back-off.

Now Hermione was barely in the common room since she took her cat.

Della didn't want to stay in the common room neither, for watching other lovey-dovey people. She just realized there were increasing couples in the school.

She gave a pff.

Hermione glanced at her: "Your homework hasn't written a word yet, I noticed."

"Emm," Della heaved a sigh, looked like a volcano about to erupt.

She had been pissed for not seeing her boyfriend for a long time.

"The best boyfriend." She said.

"The best boyfriend." Angelina popped up behind her. Della happily looked over and found Katie was also there.

"Oh! Your training is over!" She jumped up in a rush.

Katie and Angelina were both players of the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Since they were here, that meant the training was finished ahead of schedule!

It's not six o'clock yet!

"Why so early?" Hermione was also surprised.

Angelina and Katie sat down. They just went back the tower and had bathes, their hairs were a little damp.

"Wood went to talk to Professor McGonagall about the first game," said Angelina.

Della had packed her bag in a hurry, including her zero-written homework. "I'm…" going back to the tower.

Before she could say it, Angelina said, "by the way, Fred asked me to tell you he would come down to you in a moment, so you don't have to go up." Three girls grinned.

Della could only sit down again and tried to calm down: "Ok." Then she threw her bag back to the ground, she didn't want to do her homework anymore. She began to play Puffskein, lying prone on the table and blowing at it, which led to a tremor of its long, pink fur.

This pink Puffskein was very popular in girls' dormitories.

Everyone had seen Puffskein in the dusty corner of the house. They were light yellow and often nested together, with long fur covered with dust and cobwebs. Kids might have caught Puffskein when they were young, but parents would give them scolding since they were so dirty that hid in the corner and ate spiders and rotten stuff.

However, when it was transfigured to pink, the Puffskein became lovely. It was not dusty, instead, was quiet and easy to raise, as well as convenient to keep.

Besides, this was the only one in the whole Hogwarts.

Oh, that made her in the spotlight.

Della didn't forget to advertise this Puffskein for Fred. To the girls who wanted a pet like Puffskein, she revealed that Fred was trying to get more different colours, so as long as they wait patiently, he would show them sooner or later.

Angelina and Katie also came to touch the Puffskein.

"It's cute," Katie said, "I want one, too."

"Yes, it's lovely." Angelina went along with her.

Hermione saw they were chatting, she also put away her homework and came to ruffle the Puffskein together.

Puffskein found there were too many people around it, then it tried to escape. Angelina, Katie and Hermione rushed to catch it, Crookshanks next to them was also ready to move.

Only Della, remined them a step behind at the sight of their acts: "Emm. Don't catch…"

"Chi—"

Puffskein squeaked!

The sound was sharp and harsh, high frequency and hard to bear.

It stopped as Della quickly tucked it into her bag.

They looked at one another, then turned to Della.

They didn't expect the voice of this cute creature could sound so bad, yet it's very much in line with itself a pest identity. Although it ate spiders and rotten garbage, it's very dusty. Housewives hated it in the corner of their house, which meant the place needed to be cleaned.

"It likes dark corners," said Della.

She patted her schoolbag and made Puffskein calm down.

Katie said, "oh. I don't want to keep it now."

"I didn't know it would." Angelina said.

It was nearly half past six, the students gradually appeared at the long table waiting for dinner.

But Fred didn't come.

It's raining outside the castle. The ceiling of the dining room was also covered with dark clouds, accomplishing lightning and thunder. You could even hear the rainstorm if listened carefully.

The magic was really realistic. Was it some kind of reflection magic? The ceiling didn't imitate but reflected the weather outside, just like a mirror.

Della lost herself in thought. When pulled herself together, she found the long table was almost full, with Fred disappeared yet. Her friends all looked at her with great care.

"The best boyfriend," Della spreaded her hands, "this is the best boyfriend. He won't make you angry, won't say anything wrong, and you know where he is and what he is doing." Those damn experiments!

Katie laughed, Hermione shook her head, Angelina giggled and said, "now we know how the best boyfriend is."

The girls laughed together, so did Della. But her rage was almost out of control.

Her boyfriend, had been missing for another day.

The feeling of last time she decided to break up awoke in her mind. When she saw him at school, she forgot the feeling as well as the vow to the mirror.

Now she was alone and had enough time to think about it.

She didn't know whether it was her fault or Fred's, since they were clearly not in lockstep.

She felt Fred didn't love her as much as she did. There were much important things in his mind than her.

At dinner, she mashed the apple pie with a fork. There was no one around talked to her, they all knew she was in a bad mood.

The reason was obvious.

Weasley twins were not at the table today.

"Stop pounding your apple pie." Hermione sat beside her, devouring boiled mung-bean sprouts and mashed potatoes.

Della pushed her plate away and drank the pumpkin juice. She's full of rage.

"Would you like to hear from me?" Hermione asked.

"All right." Della thought she really needed the advice from onlookers. "I want to know." She turned to Hermione, who didn't sit with Harry and Ron again today.

It's bad. Hermione had no friend among girls, didn't like dressing up, making her hair nor talking about boys. She only liked reading. She's smart and sharp, strong so as to avoid being bullied by others. Otherwise, she could have been done long ago.

She had only two friends, Harry and Ron.

But since she had quarrels with Ron and Harry stood by Ron, she became alone, which seemed that she was pitiful. No one in the world did not need a friend, though she showed no need for sympathy.

Although Della thought so much, she knew these words could not be said to Hermione, she would not want to be seen through, that would irritate her. If she persuaded her to make more friends, she would reply her she had many friends.

As for Harry and Ron, Uh, she didn't think boys would be considerate of girls. It's apparent that even Harry knew Ron was wrong, he still decided to stand by him; let alone Ron, he would not apologize.

It's a dead end.

"…I mean, you should find something to do." Hermione said.

"Me?" Della found herself. "Find something to do?" Hermione sighed heavily, was cruel to be kind. "Yes. You have been around Fred, when he has something to do, you'll be left. That's why you're…" She made a quick gesture, "always angry, and you're going to have quarrel all the time. Your focus is him but he's not. You should find something of your own instead of having full of affections in your mind."

Della: "…" She presumed Hermione had no friend among the girls maybe because she was too blunt.

Della looked at her speechlessly and said, "fortunately, I'm a Gryffindor from a Hufflepuff's family. Anyway, thanks for your opinion."

Hermione rolled her eyes. With her intelligence, she could understand what Della didn't say. She thought for a moment, shrugged and said, "hope it's useful."

Della also decided to speak out her advice, "you know, you can make a few more friends. Your friends are few…" She gave a eye to Harry and Ron.

"No, thank you." Hermione took a deep breath. Sure enough, it's lousy to be stricken home. "I have a lot of friends," she said quickly.

Della thought, she knew it would be like that.

Hermione looked at Della, smiled and said, "I have you, Angelina and Katie, don't I?"

Della realized a step behind, maybe because of her, Hermione did have a few more female friends than in the original book. She knew Hermione from the book, and took the initiative to make friends with Angelina and Katie because of Quidditch. In the consequence, they four knew each other.

"Oh," Della suddenly realized, "yes."

Hermione grinned.

Well, Hermione was right. She really should find something for herself.

But she didn't want to be a grand sorcerer, nor having interested in magic spells. Besides, it's too early to think about the future career.

Then there was only one thing left.

As Della walked slowly down, Hermione asked, "are you ok?"

Della looked out of the window at the dark night with raining and lightning. They wrote homework for a while after dinner. It's nine o'clock now.

"I have something to do. Please take it back for me." She gave her bag to Hermione.

Hermione was a little worried about her: "Do you want me to go with you? It's too late now."

Della shook her head. "No, I'm going to Professor McGonagall."

To find their own professor, which eased Hermione's mind. They said goodbye at the stairs. Hermione went back to the tower, and she went to transfiguration classroom.

To do what she thought.

———————————————

There was no one on the way to the classroom. It was very quiet. The sound of stairs could be heard in the distance, which was coming from the rushing back students.

Della ran all the way to the classroom. The door was opened, she knocked and went in. Professor McGonagall was clearing the table.

She frowned to see her come in: "Miss Bush, it's very late now, you should go back to your dormitory, or you will miss the lamps out."

Della's heart was pounding. She was going to tell a big lie.

—But if she didn't, how could she meet Professor Dumbledore?

She hoped Professor McGonagall would believe her words.

"Professor, I… did something wrong, I…" she took a deep breath, kept breathing. She was really nervous.

Professor McGonagall frowned. "Come in, close the door."

Della closed the door and walked over, still breathing deeply. "I, I have done something wrong. I want to see Headmaster Dumbledore."

Professor McGonagall raised her eyebrows and didn't believe her. "Headmaster has no time to solve your little problems. Now, either say it or go out."

Della closed her eyes tightly. "Fred and I, we, uh, I don't know what to do now…" She opened her eyes, seeing Professor McGonagall's eyes widened. "Please, I need to see Headmaster Dumbledore, I… don't want to make mom and dad mad."

Professor McGonagall stood up and stared at her angrily, but she didn't scold her — she obviously understood what she wanted her to think — she came fumingly to the fireplace and shouted, "Albus, Albus."

Headmaster Dumbledore appeared in the fireplace, with his head and long beard. "Minerva, what's up?"

Professor McGonagall shot an angry look at Della, "I'll bring a student to see you later."

Headmaster Dumbledore nodded, "ok, I'll have mint tea ready."

Professor McGonagall got up angrily and said to Della, "come with me, Miss Bush."

Even though she was not nice to her, she still helped her.

"Thank you, Professor McGonagall."

Professor McGonagall was still fumed, "stupid girl."

Then she took her out of the classroom. When she locked the door, Professor Snape appeared across the corridor. Professor McGonagall said, "oh, Severus, could you patrol for me today? I'll take the student to see Albus and come back in a minute."

"Of course." said Professor Snape slowly. His eyes checked Della out unfriendly but said nothing more.

Della had goose bumps all over her. She always thought Professor Snape could see through people's hearts, so she lowered her head.

She followed Professor McGonagall closely, walked through the long corridor and up the stairs. As she passed Gryffindor's floor, professor urged the students to go back to the dormitories. "It's going to be lamps out! Come on, go! Mr. Creevey! If I find you fiddle with your camera again, I'll confiscate it!"

A small guy quickly slipped through the crowd, holding in his arms an old camera which was obviously too heavy.

A lot of Gryffindors saw Della, they were full of curiosities and some of them expressed their inquiries by making faces — you had to admire Gryffindor, their faces always had a variety of implications.

She replied them with a "I won't tell you anything" face.

Finally, she and Professor McGonagall came to the headmaster office.

Professor McGonagall knocked at the door.

"Come in, come in." The door swung open, an office like a kaleidoscope or the most attractive Halloween shop you can image was revealed.

She saw the sorting hat on the cabinet in front of the door.

On her left was a giant rotating astrometer, with earth, sun and many other stars.

There were a lot of colourful things that she didn't know and couldn't name them out, which were twinkling and sparking.

She saw a sober gentleman in the painting opposite her making a pig nose face at her! She could see his vibrissa.

Della was jaw-dropping and occupied.

"That's Sir Pince." Headmaster Dumbledore introduced with a smile.

Sir Pince straightened his clothes and sat properly at once, stern and stiff, like an old- fogey.

He nodded to her and Professor McGonagall coldly, hardly could see he had just made a face at her secretly.

Della immediately pulled herself, caught the angry and — suspicious sight from Professor McGonagall — well, she didn't look like a troubled young girl just now.

Headmaster Dumbledore smiled, "Della, come and sit down. I heard you have something to tell me?"

Dumbledore could remember the names of all students at school. It's said that he remembered all the students of Hogwarts over the years, and he always called them by their given names.

Della stepped forward quickly and looked at Professor McGonagall sheepishly. "I want to speak to Professor Dumbledore in private."

Professor McGonagall almost understood she had been cheated, which made her face worse.

Her face turned red to white, her hands clenched.

Della was very sorry, but she had no choice. She couldn't tell Professor McGonagall what she wanted to say, since she's not sure if there would be a change when anyone else knew. She had only lied.

Headmaster Dumbledore said, "all right, Minerva. I remember you should go on patrol. Just leave me Della."

"Ok." Professor McGonagall's throat tightened. She replied stiffly, then turned to go out.

At the sound of the door closing, Della wanted to say something, but the first words she said was, "I lied to Professor McGonagall, she must be very sad!"

Dumbledore smiled to her and said, "Then you should go down and apologize to Minerva. She will forgive you."

Della nodded and shook her head. From her point of view, Professor McGonagall was not such an unprincipled person. "She may never forgive me." Send a gift to professor at Christmas, she hoped it could work.

She put these aside first and said, "headmaster, I have a thing that I have been uncertain about. I think… I think I should tell you anyway! No one can solve this problem better than you!"

Dumbledore gestured, "please sit down, Della. Have a cup of tea, take your time. What's the problem?"

Della followed his words. The huge sofa chair adjusted its cushion to make her sat comfortable as soft as if she's going to sink in.

She held the teacup and tried to speak felicitously — without any flaw.

"I and Fred, the twin of Weasleys."

"I know." Dumbledore smiled and blinked at her.

Della tittered. She thought about every word seven to eight times in her mind. "His brother, Ron, we don't know each other very well. He has a pet mouse. After back to school this year, Hermione, Hermione Granger, has a cat, the cat always catches mouse."

Dumbledore was patient, even if she didn't know what she's talking about now.

"And then the mouse was sick all the time." Della swallowed, "I heard from Fred that the mouse was Charlie's pet, then it was given to Ron." She saw the Headmaster Dumbledore, opposite her, had become serious.

"It lives too long," Della said nervously, "I've heard from dad, I suppose, …I don't know, I guess it might be a little weird?"

"Thank you, Della." Dumbledore stood up. "Come on, I'll take you back to your dormitory. Don't tell Ron and your friends about it, will you?" "No, I won't." Della hurried to her feet.

Well, now, she's at least one step forward.