Disclaimer: I do not own any of the following characters except for Lydia, Corey and Billy. The rest belong to the highly talented J.K. Rowling.
Chapter 5
The rest of the week for Willow went smoothly. She was making progress in all her classes; bonded with her band mates, classmates, and best friends/ She noticed things, like Billy's graceful way of walking and Lydia's American accent. She also noticed Hermione's attitude change and how Harry seemed to make up excuses to be near Willow. She was starting to wish she could remember why they had broken up.
The Saturday after Willow woke up, Professor McGonagall, head of Gryffindor house, came to the tower to ask who was signing up to stay over the Christmas holidays. Willow had a pleasant surprise when the Weasleys and Hermione and Harry chose to stay with her.
"Miss Turner, may I speak to you for a moment," said Professor McGonagall, motioning for Willow to follow her after she was done taking down all the names. Willow exchanged nervous glances with Ron and followed her out the portrait hole.
"I must applaud you, Willow, for coming along in your classes as you have," Professor McGonagall said once they were alone, dropping all the formal pretenses. "You really have done an excellent job, but you are lagging far behind your classmates. The rest of your teachers and I have gotten together with Professor Dumbledore, and we have decided." She paused. Willow sensed dread. "We have decided that in two weeks time, at the end of the Christmas holidays, you will take an exam. It will be a medley of the past three end-of-the-year exams. Something to show us how well you would do with your fellow fourth years. If you fail the test, you will, unfortunately, be put in the classes with the first years"
"Excuse me? I can't do that." Willow felt like someone had punched her in the stomach.
"Two weeks time, Miss Turner. You can do it," said McGonagall, patting Willow on the shoulder before striding off in the direction of her office. Willow stalked back into the common room.
"What happened?" said Ron, noticing Willow's clenched fists and hunched shoulders.
"Oh nothing. McGonagall just told me I have two weeks to learn three years worth of things," said Willow, sinking into the couch, tears stinging her eyes.
"What!" Harry jumped up and came to Willow.
"I have the next two weeks to study. Then the teachers are going to give me an exam. If I fail, I get booted down with the first years," Willow said, tears now sliding down her cheeks. Hermione gasped. Willow glanced up. Ron was standing in front of her, his face steely, his fists curled up. He was staring out the tower window, unblinking.
"Ron?" At the sound of Willow's voice, Ron seemed to snap out of his trance.
"Well. We better get started," he said. He ran up the dorm stairs. Harry, Hermione and Willow looked at each other all wondering what in the world was going on. Ron returned a few minutes later, his arms bulging with books.
"You kept those?" Harry looked shocked.
"I wrote home for them. I figured we may need them for a situation just like this," said Ron, dumping the books on the table next to the fire. He turned around and kneeled next to Willow, and put his hand on hers. "I can't let you graduate so late." Willow beamed at him, wiping away her tears. "Let's start with this one," he said, handing her a small, leather-bound book. Willow smiled appreciatively and began to read.
A week later, Willow was so sick of studying magic she was about ready to walk out. She was studying day and night carrying extra books around in her backpack so she read anytime she had free time. She got very little sleep, but when she did manage to doze off, she had dreams about her past, which she enjoyed much more then the headaches. She could remember some studies form her first year, which helped a lot. Between Ron and Hermione, Willow had many books that she could gather information from.
Most of the students in the Gryffindor house had left for the holidays, so they had the tower to themselves. Since they had no classes, Ron and Hermione tried to bully Willow into studying all day, but with some help from Harry, she managed to make them let her go outside. It was freezing cold, and the lake had frozen over, Willow skated out onto the surface, dragging Ron and Harry along with her. She fell down, and Harry landed on top of her. He blushed, but made no move to get up.
"Uh Harry? I can't feel my legs," she said, pushing him off. Harry laughed nervously and got up. Ron was standing over her, scowling. He reached down to give her a hand at the same time as Harry. Willow hesitated, and then grabbed both hands. Ron pulled harder, and Willow ended up pressed against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her defensively. Willow looked over his shoulder and saw Hermione looking very nervous.
"Whatever," she heard Harry mutter bitterly. Ron loosened his grip on Willow and she turned to see Harry try and make his way to shore with his dignity still in tact. He eventually managed, and once he reached hard ground, he stormed off toward the castle. Hermione followed him. Willow looked up at Ron, silently questioning him, but he dodged her eyes.
"Let's go," he said and grabbed her wrist and pulled her up to the hill to the castle.
When they got to the common room, Hermione told them that Harry had locked himself in his dormitory.
"He won't come out and he won't let me in," she said, twisting a lock of hair around her finger.
"Maybe I should try," Willow said, before she could stop herself. Ron frowned, but Hermione looked hopeful.
"Oh, Will. That'd be great," she said and led her to Harry's dorm. "Harry?" she said, knocking. "It's Willow. She wants to talk to you." Willow and Hermione waited with bated breath. They heard the lock click. Hermione gave Willow a thumb's up and traipsed back down the steps.
"Harry?" Willow said entering the dim dormitory cautiously. "Are you okay"
"No," came a voice to Willow's right. She jumped. Harry immerged from the shadows, red-faced. "I still like you Will. A lot. As much as the day I asked you out. And Ron knows it. And he's just taking your amnesia as an excuse to move in on you." He pushed Willow up against the door. "But I love you, Willow. More then you will ever know." He was close. Too close. His breath was hot on Willow's cheek. His hands were holding her shoulders. She felt like a trapped animal. Harry was stronger then her and he had the advantage.
"Harry…" she said, pushing against him. "Harry I'm sorry. I just don't feel that way about you." He let her go, and turned from her, She touched his shoulder, but he jumped from her, as if her touch burned him,
"Go Willow," he said, pointing to the door. Willow flinched.
"Please Harry. Don't," she said.
"GO!" Harry roared. Willow jumped and opened the door. It snapped shut behind her, leaving her alone on the threshold. She walked somberly back to the common room.
"How'd it go? Oh…" Hermione said, as soon as she caught sight of Willow's ashen face and disarrayed coat.
"I don't think Harry will be talking to us anytime soon. Please pass me The Standard Book of Spells: Grade Three.
Christmas morning, Willow sprang from bed, excited. Though she expected no gifts, she was happy it was Christmas. She had convinced Harry and Hermione to let her get off studying for the day. She could also remember how delicious the Christmas feast was from her third year.
"Hermione! Wakey wakey!" she said, parting Hermione's curtains. Hermione rolled over, her hair plastered to her face.
"Hmm? Oh, yes. Merry Christmas, and all that," she said and rolled back over. Willow smiled and went to the end of her bed. She was very surprised to see a small pile of presents, but she moved them aside. She wanted to pick the perfect Christmas day outfit. She chose red corduroy jeans, a black tank top and a green sweatshirt. She pulled out black boots to wear later, and returned to her gifts.
At the very top, Ron's mother, Mrs. Weasley, had sent her a pair of hand-knitted, fingerless black gloves and a box of mini brownies. They were homemade and very delicious. The card was from both Weasley parents and wished her a Merry Christmas and hoped she was getting better. Underneath that was a present from Lydia (earrings and a cute top), one from Corey (a box of Fizzing Whizzbees, three sugar quills and a note), one from Billy (a beautifully handmade guitar pick and a note) and at the very bottom, was a parcel from the groundskeeper, Rubeus Hagrid.
Willow had only met Hagrid once since she came out of her coma. The experience had been interesting. Hagrid was a kind-hearted man, with a strange outlook on large, dangerous animals and who had no idea how to bake. Just the same, he treated Willow like his own daughter, and she bonded with him instantly.
Willow ripped open the parcel. Inside was a beautifully painted china doll. It was gorgeous and fragile. Willow read the card.
Will,
I saw a tradesman with this and immediately thought of you. It was worth a pretty penny, but you're worth it.
Merry Christmas,
Hagrid.
Willow was touched and out the doll delicately on her night stand. By this time, Hermione was up and had gotten dressed. She ignored her own presents and turned to Willow.
"Let's go see if Harry will talk to us or not," she said. Willow followed her out the door and down the steps. When they reached the common room, they were shocked. Ron and Harry sat in front of the fire, surrounded by a large pile of discarded wrapping paper and empty boxes. They were joking and happily munching on the same brownies Willow had received.
"Hey guys!" said Ron, spotting them and waving.
"Hey," said Willow, She grabbed Hermione and steered her toward the fire. "Merry Christmas"
"Same to you," said Ron.
"Hey, Will? Can I talk to you over here for a second?" said Harry, looking apprehensive.
"Sure," she said and followed him to a far corner of the common room.
"What's up?" she said. Willow was glad Harry was talking to her again.
"Listen, I wanted to apologize for last Saturday. I was just being jealous and stupid for no reason. I'm really sorry for yelling at you. Also, I got you a present," he said, pulling a box out from behind his back. Willow grabbed it and excitedly ripped it open. Inside was a necklace. It was a teardrop shaped black stone, hanging on a silver chain, nestled in red velvet. Willow's breath caught in her chest.
'Oh Harry. It's so gorgeous. This must have cost a fortune." She was amazed.
"The stone is real onyx. I found it in a Muggle shop, and my godfather lent me some extra money to buy it for you." He smiled, waiting for approval.
"I love it," Willow said. She took it out of the box and let Harry clasp it around her neck. They walked back to the fireside, bantering animatedly. Willow seated herself next to Ron and gave him a bear hug. His ears turned red.
"Uhm, Willow? Can I talk to you for a moment?" Willow giggled and followed Ron to the same place she had stood with Harry moments before.
"A month ago, before you jumped, you told me not to get you a present. But I could see in your eyes you really wanted me to. So I got you this," he said, bringing an even smaller box then the one Harry had out of his pants pocket. It was wooden, painted green --- Willow's favorite color --- with a golden clasp on the front. Willow opened it. Inside, nestled in black velvet, was a sapphire ring. The stone was flanked by two diamond rhinestones, which were twinkling merrily.
"It's not real sapphire. I can't afford something like that," he paused, glancing at Harry's ring. Willow stopped him. It's gorgeous Ron. Thank you so much." She took the ring out and put it on her right hand. Ron turned pink, but was beaming. Willow snapped the box shut, gave Ron a kiss on the cheek and ran up the stairs. She placed the box on her nightstand and pulled on her boots and gloves. She stopped to look in the mirror by the door. She straightened her hair and squeezed her eyes shut, smudging her eyeliner. Before she started down the stairs, she paused and tucked her necklace into her shirt. She wasn't sure why, but it felt right.
When she got back to the common room, Hermione, Ron and Harry were having a paper fight. They stopped when they heard Willow laugh.
"Come on losers. I wanna go outside and have some fun." She smiled, zipped up her hoodie and ran out of the portrait hole. She heard them running behind her. She was near the entrance hall, when she rounded a corner and ran right into somebody, knocking her backwards. She looked up and saw Fred and George grinning down at her. They gave her a hand up.
"Who're you running from?" said Fred, jumping forward and rolling his sleeves up in mock bravery. Willow giggled.
"Harry, Ron and Hermione. I'm racing them to the grounds." At that moment, Willow heard footsteps behind her. "Come on!" She grabbed Fred and George's hands and ran with them Soon Harry, Ron and Hermione caught up to them outside and the six of them spent the afternoon plating in the snow. They came in around dinner, pink-faced and giggling. They went into the Great Hall, and were immediately warmed up. A long table had been set up. The teachers and a few other students were already sitting down, waiting for them. Willow was immensely happy to see Draco at the end of the table. She tried to get his attention, but he was deep in conversation with Crabbe and Goyle, his flunkies.
The Christmas feast was the best had ever had and when she left the hall, belly full, tucked between the Weasley twins, she could not have been happier.
"Hey Willow!" Willow turned around and saw Draco running up to her. Her heart did several summer salts. It was the first time Draco had spoken to her in over two weeks. Willow motioned for Harry, Hermione, and the Weasleys to go on without her, and turned her attention to Draco.
"I'm sorry I haven't been talking to you, Willow. I've been embarrassed. I don't know, but I couldn't face you," he said. His eyes were apologetic and Willow believed him. She also noticed he was in disarray. His hair was messy and uncombed, his tie hung loosely from his neck, and one shoe was untied. "Anyway, I really wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas and give you this." He pulled a bracelet out of his pocket. It was made of red thread, and strung with small jingle bells, each of which had a heart painted on it. Willow's heart swelled and her eyes were full of tears. Draco had the most money out Harry, Ron and him, and his present was the only gift handmade. Willow took it and carefully placed it on her wrist. She took off the necklace and ring and dropped them into her pocket.
"It's the best present I've ever gotten, Draco. Thank you so much," she said, throwing her arms around his neck. A second later, he grabbed her waist.
"Willow, will you be my girlfriend?" he whispered in her ear. Willow looked him in the eye. He smiled weakly, his eyes sparkling with passion.
"Yes Draco Malfoy. I will," she said and kissed him.
