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--Chapter 10-Of Pumpkin Spice and Winter's Nights--
As I'd predicted, I was able to take off my bandages before the week was out. The burnt skin was still red in hue, but it was healing. Healer Woode said that though my skin may never be its normal color it would definitely fade. Probably to a color a shade or so darker than my normal skin.
On the day I was to return to school, I put on one of the new outfits my grandmother had gotten me. I actually really liked it too. It consisted of a long, tunic-like, lilac purple sweater with a broad v-neckline (which meant no scratchy fabric on my raw skin), a pair of dark jeans, and a gold choker (sadly William's gift had been ruined that day in Potions). Not wanting to shock anyone when I got back, I French-braided my hair, and pinned the loose ends under. It looked different, but more me then just the plain short hair.
Mum overslept, but she had us eat brunch together anyway, saying, What's one more day? It had been really nice being home and I'd miss it, but I knew I had to return to school sooner rather than later. As soon as we had finished eating our meal, mum hurried off to get ready. Dad and I went into the living room to wait As dad and I sat on the couch, we read. Reading together is like our Father-Daughter bonding time.
When I'd finished flipping through one of my mum's magazines on the table, I just looked around the room. . .I'm dunno why. I guess I'd just miss it. Sighing and looked at my hands resting on my lap. My left hand still had a lividly red mark covering most of my palm, fingers, and a bit of the back of my hand. It still stung a bit, but it didn't bug me too much.
I glanced over at my dad. He was absorbed in a book. It had a old cover and the title on the spine was worn so badly I couldn't make out the words. A faintly pink mark on the back of my dad's hand near his wedding ring caught my eye. Curiously, I took his hand and turned it over. There was a scar covering part of the palm of his hand, but the most obvious scarring was up near his fingers. I looked up at dad and smiled. He had put down his book and was looking at me with a confused expression.
"Look," I told him, holding out my own left hand, "we match."
Dad touched my hand gently, "Does it hurt?"
"A bit."
"I'm sorry, Enna."
"It's not your fault, Dad." He frowned slightly. I knew what he was thinking. The only reason I was allergic to silver was because of him. But it wasn't as if he could help it! "I mean it, Dad, it's not." I kissed his cheek. He gave me a small, sad smile.
Just about then mum came in carrying our pot of Floo powder. I followed my parents through the flames. Once I stopped spinning, I fell directly into my parents' arms.
"Thanks," I murmured and brushed the soot off my sweater.
"Enna, it's wonderful to see you again!" Harry greeted me with a hug.
"Hi, Harry. It's good to be seen!" I hugged him back and smiled at him.
"Would you like lunch? Everyone else is in the Great Hall, but I figured you'd rather eat in here. I'm sure that you'd cause some sort of mass chaos if you just arrived like that. Plus we have a few things to discuss."
I nodded mutely and followed Harry and my parents over to a table that had a platter full of sandwiches on it. Not wanting to be rude, I took the sandwich on the top of the stack.
Harry got right down to business, "I've already given Leonora detention for the rest of her sixth year. She's also been placed on in school suspension. I wanted to expel her, but the other teachers felt that I should ask you what you thought."
My parents were silent for a few moments as they thought it over. Personally, I didn't care as long as Malfoy stayed away from me. But, had she known what the silver would have done to me? She must have. Maybe she didn't think it'd be so bad. Or maybe she just hated me.
After discussing it for a bit, my parents and Harry concluded that the in school suspension was to stay, and that Leonora had to stay away from me from now on. It worked for me.
"It was good to see you, Remus. Tonks. I should get back to work, and I'm sure that you'll want to say good-bye to Enna, so I'll just get going." Harry nodded good-bye and left the office.
Mum and dad both hugged and and said a quick farewell. I'd never liked the drawn-out, almost painful good-byes. They zap you of you energy for one thing. Plus it's overly sappy for my taste. Thankfully my parents understood that. After they'd gone back home, I set off down the empty halls of Hogwarts. Everyone was in class at the moment so everything was quiet. I wandered down the hall, down to where N.E.W.T. Ancient Runes was held and waited outside the door.
Roughly twenty minutes passed before the door swung open and students flooded out. William came out near the end of the line, shoving a book into his bag.
"William!" I called.
He looked up and searched for the source of the noise. I waved and smiled at him. It took him a few seconds, but when he realized it was me, he broke out into the biggest smile I'd ever seen and rushed over.
"You're back!" he exclaimed, hugging me. He touched my face softly as if to make sure I was really there. I nodded happily. He kissed me and pulled me back into a tight hug. I buried my face into William's shoulder and sighed. "I'm glad you're back," he whispered, touching the back of my neck softly. It stung a bit, but I didn't mind. William smelled so nice. . .refined yet simple. Like my middle name. . .I froze and pulled back in surprise.
"What? Did I hurt you?"
"My neck's still a bit sore actually. Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," I kissed his cheek. "I should go though. I need to go up to the Gryffindor common room, greet the masses, and change into my school robes."
"See you soon?"
"Of course!" I kissed him good-bye and headed off down the hall.
When I got to the portrait, the Fat Lady greeted me, "Welcome back, young one!"
"Hello! Argentum?"
"Yes!" she swung forward and let me in.
When I climbed in there was a muffled shriek and I was buried beneath three redheads and a brunette.
"Can't. . .Breathe!" I gasped and tried to shove James away. "Can't. . .have me suffocate. . .my first day. . .back!"
They all let go and started talking at once:
"That's quite a rash you've got!"
"Do you remember anything from the past month?"
"What was being nearly dead like?"
"Did you see a bright light?"
"Your hair looks nice!"
And so on.
I did my best to answer their questions, but they kept asking me more and more. Thankfully it was time for them to head to class soon. I sighed with relief as they exited the portrait hole, waving happily.
"Welcome back," a soft voice said in my ear as someone passed. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a pale, redheaded figure quickly leave the common room.
"Ricky?" I whispered. I almost went after him, but went to my dorm to change instead.
In a slightly dusty scented pair of robes, I left the common room to explore a bit. I was glad I didn't have to start classes until the next day. I was near the Muggle Studies when classes were let out. A familiar looking Hufflepuff with brown hair passed me. Cody! Cody. . .Kaufmann? Kamouth? Kamath? Kamath! The only student that had actually tried to help me that day. And the other boy who'd been near me first Potions class of the year. . .
"Cody!" I shouted and rushed after him.
"Yes?" he looked at me confused for a moment, but then recognition lit his eyes. "Lupin?"
I nodded, "I just wanted to thank you for going to get the nurse."
"But--"
I reached out and hugged him. He smelled good too. . .just in a different way. Like pumpkin spice and warm winter's nights. Not a bad scent, mind you, just not what I was looking for.
Cody patted my back awkwardly, "Um, I wasn't the person that alerted the nurse. I went to, but that other Gryffindor had already gotten her. We crossed paths."
It was Ricky then. . .I pulled away and smiled at him. "Ricky knew what silver does to me. You were the only other person in the room that even attempted to help. Thank you."
"Sure. . ."
"If there's anything I could do. . . ?"
Cody shifted nervously, pulled out a piece of parchment and a quill from his bag and quickly wrote something down. "You know Madeleine Potter, correct?"
"Maddie? She's one of my best friends, yes."
"Could you give her this?" Cody folded the parchment and handed it to me.
"Sure, I will."
"Thanks," his cheeks were turning pinker. "Um, bye." And with that he walked off down the hall.
Laughing, I walked the opposite way.
That evening, I went up to the common room during the dinner hour, rather desperate for some quiet time. People had kept coming up to me saying welcome back and then asking me all sorts of questions.
When I got to the common room, I sunk onto a couch tiredly and covered my eyes with my hands.
"Ow," I murmured. Touching raw skin is never a very good idea.
There was a creak, signaling the opening of the portrait hole. I gave a soft groan and sat up. Ricky was standing in the doorway. When our eyes met, we froze, just staring at each other, unsure of what to do. He looked unusually pale, his dark eyes stood out more. . .fathomless, and unable to read.
"I-I just. . ." Ricky mumbled and motioned towards the boy's dorms.
"O-oh, alright. . ."
Ricky rushed across the room as if it was on fire and started up the stairs.
After debating with myself for a split second, I called out, "Ricky!"
He stopped and turned around halfway, "Yes?"
"I'm sorry," I breathed. "I-I. . .Look, I shouldn't have been so mean about the whole. . .incident back at the Burrow, but. . I. . ."
"No, I'm sorry. It was my fault."
"Forgive and forget?" I held my arms out for a hug. Ricky grinned widely and came over.
"Merlin, I didn't think I'd see you again," he whispered. "You scared me half to death, Selene Lupin. Don't ever do that again!"
"Well, one good thing came of this," I pulled back and smiled at him.
"What--"
I reached up, unpinned my hair, and un-braided it. I shook head to make my hair less braid-like and grinned at him, "You were right." I giggled ridiculously as he touched the short ends.
"Lovely," he grinned.
I laughed and hugged him tightly, "Thanks for saving me, Ricky."
"What do you mean?"
"The Healer said that if the nurse had been alerted even a minute later, I would have been dead. Thanks." I felt him shiver and hold me tighter. "I'm really glad you're my friend, Ricky Weasley. If not for you, I would be dead several times over by now."
"No problem," he said weakly.
I breathed in deeply, then sighed. "Want to play chess?" I asked.
"Do you even have to ask?" he laughed and set off to get the chess set.
I smiled and shook my head, thinking about what I should have realized all along. . .
Ooo, interesting. . .:D Like the chapter title? I personally loved it, but that's just the author's opinion. -grins-
So, wondering HOW exactly Remus got that scar on his hand? Well, read bograt's "The Shifting Moon" to find out! It's a very good fic, and as it turns out, it's a prequel to mine. XD We actually didn't plan on it. . .it just sorta. . .happened, lol. Anyway, the bit with the scar incident isn't up yet, but there's plenty of chapters to get you started! And even though the 28ish chapters may seem daunting, don't let it chase you away! The chapters aren't too long, and they're quite good. :D Enjoy!
Reviews:
Ginevra lily: hehe, well it was Ricky who got the nurse. :D Thanks for the review!
Mouseykins: Hi! Thanks for the reivew! I'm glad you like James and Sirius! They're basically the Next Gen's Fred and George. XD Yeah, Missy's a sweetie. Poor girl. -sighs- Thanks again!
frizzyhead: I'm very happy to hear that! Thanks. hehe, yeah, I did too! Thought it would be Ginny-ish of her, lol! Thanks for the review!
bograt: Yay! Glad to hear that! Yep, Missy'll be back later in the story. hehe, the dress robe thing'll be brought up later. . .Yep, she will, during summer break. Power to the IM, lol!
gatermage: Thanks so much:D
Lily Christie: Sure, you deserved the dedication. No prob 'bout the email. I was glad to answer all your questions. Don't worry about the misunderstanding, it happens to the best of us. ;D Sounds fine, I understand busy! I've got quarter finals for school this friday, bleck. Thanks for reviewing!
sha-nay-nay: Thanks much! Hmm, good question. . .hehe, sorry can't answer it:D Hope you understand. Thanks for the review.
--Anne--