In the days between Christmas and New Year, the common room air was thick with tension. Ron refused to apologise to Hermione and Bella would not back down, leaving the group divided. Harry spent his time with Ron - Emily and Hermione spent their time with Bella, and Freya, not wanting to pick sides, spent her time with Fred and George. When everyone returned to the castle and the common room became busy again, it was easier for Bella to ignore Ron's venemous glares across the room.
"I really think you two should make up." Hermione said sadly as they climbed the stairs to the dorm on New Year's Day. "I feel guilty that you've fallen out because of me."
"It's not your fault." Bella replied honestly. "If Ron wasn't so hot-headed then it would be fine."
Their classes began the next day and by the time Defense Against the Dark Arts came just before lunch, Bella was beyond fed up.
"I'm going to ask Lupin about those Dementor lessons." Harry said hurriedly as the class ended and he pushed his way to the front.
Bella and the girls filed out of the classroom, wating across the hall for Harry to come back. Ron filed out behind them and stood opposite them beside the doorway. Harry appeared shortly afterwards and his smile faded when he realised they were stood at opposite ends of the corridor.
"Eight pm on Thursday." Harry called over to Bella before following Ron down the corridor.
Bella rolled her eyes in annoyance and headed up the corridor behind the boys.
"I wonder what's wrong with Lupin." Ron said.
Hermione tutted loudly and Ron turned to her with an impatient look.
"And what are you tutting at me for now?" he asked irritably.
"Nothing." she replied.
"Yes, you were." Ron replied. "I said 'I wonder what's wrong with Lupin' and you -"
"Isn't it obvious?" she huffed.
"If you don't want to tell us, don't." Ron scoffed.
"Fine, I won't." Hermione replied.
She stormed off down the corridor and Ron shook his head after her.
"She doesn't know." Ron said to Harry. "She's just trying to get us to talk to her again."
"As if." Bella scoffed. "The only time we'll speak again is when you apologise to Hermione."
Bella shoved past him and followed after Hermione down the corridor. Freya and Emily stayed, trying to talk some sense into a very stubborn Ron. Bella never caught up to Hermione but she did collide with Cedric (yet again) as he stepped off of the staircase leading to the corridor.
"Hey Tiny, what's up?" he asked.
"Oh, nothing." she replied. "Um, you actually need to come with me."
Bella grabbed his sleeve and began to tug him up the corridor in the direction of Gryffindor Tower. Cedric chuckled but followed after her nonetheless.
"Are you going to tell me where you're taking me?" he asked.
"Gryffindor Tower." Bella replied.
"Um, I don't think I'm allowed in Gryffindor Tower." Cedric chuckled.
"You're not coming in Gryffindor Tower, silly. We just have to go to Gryffindor Tower." Bella laughed.
Bella told Cedric to wait outside and rushed inside to retrieve the present she'd gotten for him for Christmas. As quick as she entered, she was back in the hallway, one arm hidden behind her back.
"Was there a reason you dragged me here?" Cedric asked, cheeky grin on his face.
"Shut your eyes and put out your hands." Bella demanded. "No peeking."
"Yes, boss." he laughed, sticking out his hands.
Bella sat the parcel in his open hands and stepped back.
"You can open them now."
Cedric opened his eyes slowly and his grin became wider when his eyes settled on the wrapped parcel in his hands.
"Aw tiny." He chuckled. "You didn't have to get me a gift."
"I did." She replied honestly. "You were there for me with everything that happened and I wanted to get you someting as a way of a thank you."
"What are friends for?" He replied.
Bella chuckled; "Go on, open it."
Cedric tore open the wrapping paper and gasped slightly in surprise when a small Snitch shot from the paper and flew rings around his head before landing back on his still outstretched palm.
"It's a Snitch, obviously, but it comes back." Bella explained when Cedric turned his confused eyes on her. "I thought it would be quite fun for when you're practising so it's not all hard work."
"Thanks, tiny." Cedric smiled, ruffling her hair. "Really, I love it."
"Get off me, you big lug." Bella laughed, pushing his hand away from her head.
"Did you have a nice Christmas?" Cedric asked.
"I did, thanks." Bella replied. "You?"
"Yeah, it was good." Cedric smiled. "But I'm glad to be back at Hogwarts now."
"So strange." Bella teased, shaking her head at him.
"Aw, shut up." Cedric laughed.
Cedric shoved her shoulder while she laughed at him.
"Well, I need to go and put my bag in my dorm before dinner but thank you so much for my gift." Cedric smiled, clasping the Snitch tightly in his hand.
"You're very welcome." Bella smiled back.
The pair bid each other farewell and Bella set off down the first staircase to the Great Hall. Dinner, as it had been since Christmas, was a tense affair. Fred, George, Freya and Emily were all caught in the middle, trying to talk to both Harry and Ron and Bella and Hermione. Bella went straight to her dorm after dinner and lay reading with Hermione for hours before her eyes began to droop. She changed quickly and climbed under the covers, staring up at the ceiling as she thought about everything that had happened with Ron. Yes, he was her twin and it upset her to fall out with him like this but he would never learn the error of his ways if she backed down and let him get away with it. The sadness she felt left her tossing and turning even though she was exhausted. Eventually she fell into a broken sleep, riddled with dreams of death, trauma and the furious face of Rodolphus Lestrange.
