The days at Hogwarts begin to get light with the approach of summer, though the events of late have been grim. Even I, heavy with guilt over not having stopped Hermione's attack somehow, am feeling how the weather is unburdening some of that upset.
The days, too, have become full of bonding with my fellow Gryffindors and lots and lots of gossip. This is probably due to being shut up in the Common Room after six o'clock each evening. There's plenty to talk about, though, with all the drama, and so it's not that bad. In fact, it's lead to many late, enjoyable nights with my boys and our mutual friends.
Lee, as always, is flirting with anything that moves. I've started to think he might not be limited to just girls, if you know what I mean. Not that it matters - he's still the Lee I know and love, no matter who he's aiming his flirting at. Angelina and Freddie are just as flirty, though they've become more private about it, which I think is a good thing. What's especially encouraging is that, more often, Fred's asking me if she's mentioned him at all, as every once in awhile I'm left alone with her and Katie at lunch. I tell him that she does, because it's true and very sweet. Speaking of sweet, Katie is just that, as usual. Also, Percy almost constantly has a terrified look on his face. Penelope Clearwater's been attacked, so he's beginning to realize being a prefect doesn't make him untouchable. I also kind of think he has a crush on her. It's just a theory, though.
I think Fred and George are worried about Ginny. I am, too, progressively more often. She's acting more and more strange, and I've had a couple more of the same nightmares about her since the original.
Tonight, the twins are both bored and keep challenging me to games of Exploding Snap. However, after the fifteenth game I've played tonight, I've had enough. The boys have been getting antsy, unable to do any pranking under teachers' constant supervision. However, I can see an end to their boredom for a bit when Ron and Harry agree to play with them. This is a relief, because I'm growing weary of their pestering.
I sit watching the guys play for a while before I really notice Ginny. She's sitting in Hermione's usual spot, zoned out in a way that's giving me chills. I decide to speak to her.
"Gin'," I try to get her attention.
"Hmm?" she snaps out of whatever she's daydreaming about.
"How've you been? It feels like it's been forever since we last talked," I try to smile at her, though something about her's throwing me off.
"Oh, hmm, I'm fine," she informs me in a way that says she's not really listening to me.
"Yeah? It must be pretty scary around here with all this stuff going on," I try to egg her on, get her to talk to me.
"No, no. I think I'm managing," she shakes her head as though she's shaking me off.
"That's good, Ginny. I'm glad to hear it. You just let me know if you ever need anything. Anything at all, okay?" I try to make myself heard.
"Yeah, yeah. Of course."
I leave her side, going back to watch the Exploding Snap, though I feel something dark and cold inside my belly. All I can do is try and ignore it.
I laugh and watch as the guys play, cards flying and then exploding with a pop at random. Eventually, Lee, Angelina, and Katie decide to join in. I watch with excitement as Fred challenges Angelina to a one-on-one round.
The two play furiously for close to ten minutes without a single exploded card before, with a pop, one of Freddie's eyebrows is singed half off. Angeline giggles hysterically while Fred pouts until I hear a growl of, "Oh, I'll give you something to laugh about."
Then, Fred's on top of her, tickling her sides with a passion. I have a swift flashback to a similar tickle fight I had earlier this year with George. I can tell he's thinking of it, too, when we exchange a look.
Then, Angelina wins, and Fred's panting on the floor. Angelina, chuckling, helps him up, and the two go to sit on the couch, telling the rest of us they've had enough.
When Angelina gets up to go get a washcloth and some Aloe to soothe Fred's burn (a muggle remedy, so I make a note to myself that she must be a half-blood), George picks up his stack of cards and looks at me, "You sure you don't wanna go?"
"You know what?" I ask, "Angelina's win has given me inspiration. Why not."
George grins that grin I love where his ears perk up a bit and begins to deal out the navy blue cards while I tie my hair back. I feel the adrenaline rush through my veins as George picks one up. Then another. Not a match. He holds them steadily in his hand.
The rules for Exploding Snap are simple. The first person to go picks two cards. If they match, that person puts both the cards in a pile to their right. Then, the next person goes. However, if they don't match, they must hold both cards in their hand until the next person's turn. If the next player's cards match, the first player's cards will explode in their hands. If they don't match, both players must put their cards back down where they were found. Exploded cards are put in a pile to the player's left, where they will be restored at the end of the game, when all the cards have been either matched or exploded. At the end of the game, a point is gained for each card to a player's right and lost for each card to a player's left. The player with the highest number of points wins. Basically, it's a painful version of the memory games little kids play.
The game sounds dangerous, but it's not really. It only kind of gets to be so if you let it close to your hair, which is why I tied my hair back. My cards don't match, though, so we both set our cards down. Then, I draw two more, which match. His turn, he picks two up. A match. They are placed to his right, so that we're tied. My turn. A match. His turn. Not a match, so he holds them. My turn. A match. My turn. Another match. His turn. A match. My turn, not a match. His turn, a match. I feel a sharp bit of pain as the flames of the miniature explosion lick my hands, but mostly the pop just hurts my ears. His turn, another match. My turn, a match. His turn, not a match. My turn, a match. My turn, a match. His turn, a match. My turn, not a match. His turn, a match. His turn, another match. My turn, not a match. His turn, a match. Suddenly, we're out of cards, and he's won, eight to seven.
I chuckle, sticking my hand out for him to shake. "Tough game, Weasley," I acknowledge.
"Aw, c'mon, sweetheart. You can pout a little. I know you want to," he teases me.
"Hey! I'm trying to be a good sport!" I whine, unconsciously sticking my bottom lip out.
"I know, sweetie. I'm sorry," he chuckles, clearly finding it amusing.
"Hey! Don't act like I'm an adorable woodland creature! I hate that!" I secretly love it and he knows it.
"Alright, you're big and mean and I'm very, very scared," he struggles to hold back his laughter.
Looking up at the clock, trying to keep my bottom lip in its regular spot, I realize it's past midnight already.
"I'm going to bed," I yawn.
"Alright," George chuckles. "I'll be up in a second."
"Or don't," I reply grumpily.
Putting away his Exploding Snap set quickly, he chases after me.
"Aw, c'mon, Love. Don't be mad. I promise I won't tease you anymore. Besides, you know you want me to come to bed with you. You won't fall asleep until I do," he eggs me on.
"I'll be just fine, thank you. In fact," I turn around and start walking back down the stairs, "Maybe I'll just go up to the girls dorm."
As I walk past him though, he catches my arm, "Not a chance." His voice comes out low and sounds much like a throaty growl.
I look up at him, surprised by his tone, but finding myself slightly attracted to him. No, Rey. Snap out of it.
Then, in a flash, he's just George. He lets go of my arm, and it falls limply to my side. "Sorry, Rey. I got a little intense there," he chuckles nervously. "Go wherever you want, but I'm really sorry about teasing you, and my bed's open if you want it."
"Th-That's okay, Georgie," I force a grin onto my face. "I really need to get some sleep. I'm very tired."
Then, I follow him up the stairs and to the dorm where I know I won't actually sleep. My mind is buzzing, replaying on loop the scene that just played out.