Summary: Harry starts his sixth year at Hogwarts, a little less naive and a little less interested in romance. That is until a formerly timid and shy Gryffindor piques his interest with her new brash, bold and brazened self.
Disclaimer: As much as I wish I did, I don't own anything but my OC, Josephine Foer.
A/N: Thanks for the speedy response! I'm really happy to see at least a couple people like the story so far. This chapter is another introductory-type, and will hopefully set some stronger foundation. Alas, it is fairly short. But let me know how you feel about it. : )
–Also, so far everything involving the Trio is canon. I'll forewarn when things will begin to alter.
Chapter Two: Lightness of Heart
"We're finally seventh years, Drea," Josephine whispered to the girl in the adjacent bed. The room stood quiet. "Are you asleep, already?"
"No. I'm just thinking," Drea answered, "And lower your voice."
"Sorry. But I can't sleep," her lips involuntarily contorted into a smirk, "I can't stop thinking about him …And how perfect and fit his bum was." Andrea scoffed at this and turned Jo.
"What was it like?"
Josephine hurriedly jumped out of her bed and into Andrea's. With a giggle, she pulled the blanket over their heads and let out an exhasperated sigh.
"It's wonderful, Drea," she whispered then squirmed excitedly. Her face slightly fell into a contemplative expression. "My Mum and Dad didn't want me to 'invest too much in the boy,' because he's older and goes to the university. But I thought those were good things and they'd like him all the better for it," she let out a defeated sigh, "But of course, not. My Mum's always got some stick up her arse about something or other."
"But you don't care, because you luuuuuurve him!" Andrea finished with a giggle and squeezed her friend's arm. "I can't believe you've got a real boyfriend, Jo! And he's graduating from Cambridge this year! He'll be a top barrister in no time, you'll be rediculously rich, then you'll pop out some babies and leave me all by lonesome self! But I'll understand… You'll have wifely and motherly duties to attend to, and'll have no time to spare for little ol' me…"
"Stop it, already! Really!"
"Alright, as long as I'm Maid of Honor and Godmother."
"Of course."
The girls erupted in stifled, blanketed giggles before Josephine returned to her respective bed.
"Sweet dreams."
---
"I. Cannot. Stand. Defense. Class. Got to write 200 lines on which and how basic charms can be equipped in duels to defend against or attack an opponent. What kind of assignment is that?" Josephine sank lower onto the table after pushing her soup away. "What a fantastic way to spend our first weekend: writing an essay on how we can use the potato-pealing charm to peal a Deatheater's face off."
"Lucky for me then, that I dropped the class this morning; after breakfast," Andrea explained.
"You're joking." Josephine quickly raised her eyes at Andrea.
"No, really. 'Family business' ring any bells? I think six years of defense will suffice to run a muggle restaurant."
"So you're really going to just… leave all this behind once you graduate? No more Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley, or anything?"
With a sigh, Andrea regarded Josephine guiltily. "Magic is just too much for me, Jo. You know how hard I've had to work, just to receive mediocre marks. And I barely passed half my O.W.L.s. But you, it's only been one week and you're already doing well," she smiled appreciatevly at her slouching friend, "You're different, Jo. I don't know what it is, but you look well." With a warm smile, she returned to her plate.
"I'd say thank you, but I currently hate you for abandoning me to double-Defence with Slytherin and their King, himself. So sod off."
Andrea rolled her eyes and after setting her plate aside, stood and began to make her way into the main hall. Clunky footsteps sounded from behind her as she rounded the corner out of the great hall.
"Hey, wait for me!" Josephine called.
"Are you unaware of what the phrase 'sod off' means?"
"No, I know exactly what it means. I just changed my mind."
The girls slowly made their way to Gryffindor tower and situated themselves comfortably on a large rug beside the mantel. Josephine scribbled away on a large piece of parchment, pausing randomly to giggle or grin.
"You are really starting to scare me, Foer. You haven't been this giggley since Oliver Wood took you to Hogsmeade."
"I had forgotten all about that! I wish it could've lasted longer. He was gorgeous."
"Yeah, too bad you let it slip that you can't stand Quidditch."
"And that I was actually a fourth year, not a fifth year."
A small draft moved through the room as three sixth year Gryffindors walked through the portrait hole. Ah, the Golden Trio. Before you save the world, maybe you could rescue me from 7th year Defense homework? Josephine thought to herself. Her eyes instinctively fell upon the boy-who-lived; everyone's always did. He just keeps gets taller and taller. The three stood on the opposite side of the commonroom, whispering unintelligibly. The Weasley boy nudged Harry after spying the two girls looking their way. The black-haired boy's eyes rose and met Josephine's. She nodded curtly and gave a small smile. He returned a less enthusiastic, obligated one before she returned to her paper. She heard the one last whisper before the group disappeared into the boy's dormitories.
"Do you think Harry'll be made Head Boy?" Andrea absentmindedly suggested.
"I …I hope so. Because that'll mean he'll still be alive to do so," Josephine's eyes lowered curtly but quickly widened and lit up. "When's the first Hogsmeade weekend?"
"Not for another month or so."
Josephine throatily groaned and dipped her quill in the inkwell beside her. "I'll have died from over-exertion by then. I. Hate. The. N.E.W.T.s."
Andrea chuckled. "You'll be dead –by way of wizarding exams, and Mr. Cambridge will once again be eligible. Come to think of it, could you copy his address for me?"
"Thank you, Drea, for pointing out such a notable crux. I'll be sure to stay alive. And only I am allowed to call him that. It's Mr. Floyd, to you."
"Floyd. Josephine Floyd …I like it."
"So do I."
