Author's Note Hey. Wow. It has been WAY TOO LONG! I'm so sorry. It seems my life has just gooten so busy. I'm working and school and family stuff and writer's block. So much just piling up. Anyways, I'm sorry about such a long wait and i hope to get back into the groove of things. I'm definately not planning on making everyone wait 10 billion years from another chapter. Hope everyone is good and hope you all like this chapter.
Chapter 7
Weird Twist of Fate
When Arianna, Peyton and Shane found Ian just outside the great hall he was pacing nervously outside the girls' bathroom.
"She wouldn't listen to me and now she's gone and hid where I can't get to her," he exclaimed in frustration.
"We'll get her out," Arianna patted him sympathetically on the back.
"Here," Peyton handed him his timetable. "We'll meet you in class."
As Shane steered Ian back up to the Gryffindor common room Arianna and Peyton entered the bathroom. "Lila?" Peyton called out.
She was standing by the sink, staring at her reflection in the mirror. "I was wondering how long it would be until you guys came," she offered them a small smile.
"Are you alright?" Arianna asked with some concern. "Ian told us you ran in here in a fury."
"He did, did he?" she laughed. "I'm fine, just thought I'd leave him hanging for a while."
"You know he was just kidding right?" Peyton piped in. "I mean, you did tear out of the hall quite angry."
Lila sighed. "I guess he just pushed a wrong button. I mean, Ian isn't known for commitment and I'm still insecure with the whole thing. Sometimes I wonder if he actually wants to be with me."
Arianna shook her head. "Don't be silly. Of course he does. You should have seen his face just now; he's out of his mind with worry."
Lila snorted. "Good."
Quiet descended between the three girls for a second. "Why didn't you tell us?" Arianna asked, breaking the silence.
Lila shrugged. "We didn't want to make a big deal out of it I guess."
"It is a big deal. I thought we told each other everything," Peyton said.
"I'm sorry, I just, didn't want to make things in the group awkward, you know? It would be you, Arianna and Shane and then me and Ian."
"Trust me, that wouldn't be awkward," Arianna assured her.
"So we're good?" Lila inquired.
"Of course we are," the other two girls agreed.
"Now, that that is over, congratulations," Peyton added in.
Lila giggled. "Thanks."
"How about we get to class," Arianna said turning to leave as Peyton handed Lila her timetable. "There is a very anxious boy waiting for you there."
Word around Hogwarts traveled fast. By the end of the day everyone knew that Lila Potter, famous Harry Potter's daughter, and Ian Finnigan were an item. The most intrigued person by this news was Seth.
"Did you know about this?" Harry Potter waved a letter around in the air wildly.
It was Tuesday morning and both Harry and Ginny were surprised when they received an owl from their son. He hadn't gotten into trouble already had he?
Of course the letter had nothing to do about him. In typical younger brother fashion Seth had written a letter informing his parents about Lila's new relationship, knowing exactly how his father would react.
"Know about what?" Ginny answered innocently.
Harry gaped. "You did and you never told me?" he said instantly, knowing that she knew exactly what he was referring to. He followed his wife into the kitchen where she started to clear the plates from breakfast.
"She doesn't want her dad knowing these things," Ginny tried not to laugh at the look on Harry's face.
"But she can tell her mother?" he questioned.
"Yes, she can," Ginny placed one hand on her hip. "And she's a young woman now."
"She is way too young to be dating," he dropped the letter onto the table. "Especially Ian Finnigan."
"Ian Finnigan happens to be a very polite and responsible boy."
"Boys at that age are immature and don't really know what they want."
Ginny sighed and placed the dishes back down. She walked over to her husband and wrapped her arms around his waist. "You were 15 when you liked Cho Chang."
"Exactly, and look how that turned out. Plus, times were different then," Harry wrapped his arms around her in return.
"True, but time doesn't change feelings. If I can recall correctly I was 15 when I started dating you. And you were a year older than me," Ginny pointed out.
"That was different," Harry grumbled stubbornly.
Ginny smiled. "It is not and you know it."
"I just don't want her to get hurt," he rested his head against hers.
"Getting hurt is a part of life. We can't always be there to stop that from happening. We just have to be there for her when she needs us and right now she needs you to be understanding."
Harry paused and then grinned. "You're so wise."
Ginny giggled. "I know."
Their lips met and the letter and dishes we forgotten. "Seriously, I'm still in the house," a voice cut through the air and Harry and Ginny quickly pulled apart. "Honestly," 10 year old Molly shook her head before turning and walking away. Harry and Ginny's eyes met and the two burst into a fit of laughter.
Arianna stared ahead and tried to hold back a yawn. Potions first thing in the morning was definitely not her idea of fun. Professor Parkinson, like all the other professor before this, was now giving the class a lecture about the upcoming O.W.L.S. and how the workload would be harder….yada yada yada. Shane, who was sitting beside her, had started doodling on the piece of parchment in front of him. Arianna turned her attention to trying to guess what he was drawing. It didn't take long before she realized it was Professor Parkinson, only as the drawing continued it became Professor Parkinson mixing the wrong ingredient into a cauldron and the whole thing exploding in her face. Arianna let out a small laugh.
"That will be 10 points from Gryffindor," Professor Parkinson stared at them two angrily as they both jumped. "Maybe you two should learn to pay better attention.
"Yes Miss," Shane frowned in apology. Arianna just glared.
"Is something wrong Miss Weasley?" Professor Parkinson sneered.
Arianna had to bite back a foul response and shook her head. Pansy Parkinson had attended school with her mother and father and she was by far one of the nastiest people Arianna had ever met. It didn't matter who you were, but if you were in any way related to a Weasley or Potter then instantly you were in for a rough year. Arianna wasn't quite sure why Professor Parkinson hated her family so much and insisted it was just because she was terrible.
"Well then I guess it won't matter if I move Mir. Wood to another seat. You two should not be sitting together."
Arianna closed her eyes and counted to five. "Whatever you see fit," she replied steely.
"Mr. Wood, I'd like you to switch places with Miss Thomas please."
Shane cast Arianna a sad look before grabbing his stuff and leaving the desk. Too busy mentally wiping the smug grin off Professor Parkinson's face Arianna wasn't paying any attention to who was now sitting beside her.
"As I was saying…' Professor Parkinson continued after a moment.
"Hi," a small voice whispered beside her, almost sending Arianna out of her seat.
And then the reality of "Miss Thomas" sank in. It was a weird twist of fate that Summer Thomas was now the one sitting beside her. "Hi," she replied weakly.
