Chapter 4
Taking chances
The weeks began to roll together at Hogwarts and before any of us realized the Christmas break was approaching rather quickly. Ginny had invited me to stay with them for the break, which was all good with me. I was worried about my parents now that Voldemort was out there and because they were muggles, they were an easy target.
I figured they'd be safer if I wasn't there with them. I liked staying with the Weasley's. The Burrow always felt like a second home.
Of course Ron had invited Harry to stay there too, which had Ginny over the moon even though she was currently dating Dean Thomas. Dean was a nice guy, but I had noticed Ginny and Harry getting a little closer of the weeks and it was getting rather cute.
I was pleased to hear that Hermione had chosen to go home and spend some time with her parents this break. She had gone from annoying to irritating the last few weeks. She took ignoring Ron to a whole new level. It got to the point that the moment he entered to room, whether Lavender accompanied him or not, that she would just get up and leave mid sentence.
Ron and I were talking again, but it still made me highly uncomfortable when Lavender was around. She didn't like Ron talking to other girls, unless they were his sister.
We had a Hogsmeade visit coming up and we were all taking the opportunity to go and buy some Christmas presents. Even professor Slughorn was getting into the Christmas spirit, he was holding a special dinner party for some of his favorite students. Harry, Hermione, Ginny and I were all invited, but Ron missed out. He wasn't too pleased about it though.
The Friday before our Hogsmeade trip, we were sitting in the common room just talking. Harry had been telling Ron and me about the private lessons Harry had been having with Dumbledore. It was one of the rare moments we had where Ron wasn't attached to Lavender.
"Dumbledore wants me to get close to Slughorn" harry said.
He had explained to us earlier about a memory of Slughorn's that Dumbledore had shared with him. It was Tom Riddle having a conversation with him about Horcruxes. He had also told him that Slughorn had tampered with the memory. He believed that Slughorn was ashamed of what really went on in that conversation in question.
It seemed plausible; I mean I would want to admit giving Voldemort any kind of information about dark magic. Harry just didn't know how he was going to get Slughorn to cooperate.
Hermione, who had been off studying in the library, walked through the portal. She looked at us and then walked straight up to the dormitory.
"I still don't know what I did wrong" Ron sighed.
"Some times I don't think Hermione needs a reason to be annoyed at you" I joked.
The boys laughed slightly, it was true though it seemed if she could be angry at you she would. No matter what the reason was.
We decided it was getting late so it was off to be we went. I got changed into my pajamas and sat down on my bed. The other girls seemed to be sleeping already. There was a tapping at the window, so I got up to have a look.
Rosey, the owl sat on the window sill with a letter tied to her leg. This had to be the reply to my letter I had sent weeks before. I was beginning to get worried that it had been a joke and this person really wasn't real.
I took the note and sat back down on the bed to read it.
Dear Kim
Please forgive me for my delay, but things have been busy.
I would love to tell you my initials or what house I am in, but I am afraid that would be giving away too much.
Instead I will tell you that I am a sixth year student much like yourself.
You asked what it is I liked about you and well there are many things. Your laugh in enchanting, you are smart and quick witted and you've never been afraid to speak your mind.
They are just some of the things that have captured my eye.
Signed …
I read over the letter again and again. Who ever this was seemed to be genuine and now I knew they were in my year so that narrowed it down a bit. It made me blush quite a bit reading the things that he like about me.
I never considered my laugh enchanting especially when I laughed so hard I would sometimes let out a little snort. I definitely didn't think that I was smart either, especially with people like Hermione in our year. I supposed that I tried to speak my mind, but that would usually get me into to trouble with the teachers.
I pulled out some parchment and thought about what I would say. Even though I knew what year he was on, I still didn't know much about him.
My dear friend …..
I still don't have a name to call you.
I was beginning to think you weren't real when I didn't get a reply straight away.
Your hint has narrowed your identity down slightly, but there are still many people you could be, perhaps I could get another hint?
I do have a question though, how do I know that these letters aren't some kind of joke?
Sincerely Kim
I put the letter under my pillow; I would post it before we left for Hogsmeade. I felt better finally mentioning my fears of being tricked by these letters. It maybe real that there was someone out there that like me, but then there were some nasty people out there that wouldn't care about hurting my feelings either.
Ginny shook me awake the next morning. She was already dressed and ready to go to Hogsmeade. I groaned, but got up anyway. I knew she wouldn't let me go back to sleep, so I wasn't going to argue. I got dressed and together we walked down to breakfast. We talked about what we were getting everyone for Christmas. I was tossing up on whether I was going to get Hermione something this year. I had always gotten her something small each year just to be polite. I figured it wouldn't hurt me if I got her something, I supposed I'd get her a new quill set or something.
Ginny had a list already set up of what she was going to get everyone, but she wouldn't let me see it. She was under the impression that I would look at what she was getting me and well she was right.
Ginny was going to be the hardest for me to buy for; after all she was my best friend. I wanted to get her a new broom, but I didn't know how I was going to buy it with out her knowing.
We ate breakfast and walked up to the owlery so I could post out the letter to the mysterious person. I found Rosey perched next to Pig. He hooted excitedly when we walked in.
"Hi Pig" I said as I petted him.
I then petted Rosey and gave her the letter. I was planning on buying some owl treats while we were out. Rosey flew out the window and Ginny and I walked back down to the front entrance and waited by the big doors for the others so we could leave.
Harry, Ron and Hermione met us not long after that. It was one the rare times we had been able to spend time with Ron without Lavender attached to him. Ginny asked him where she was, but he just changed the subject.
We started walking down the path way when Harry noticed Professor Slughorn walking just ahead of us. It seemed he was heading to the Three Broom Sticks.
"Anyone fancy a butter beer?" Harry asked.
We followed Slughorn into the Three Broom Sticks and found a table in clear view of where he was. Harry ordered us all a butter beer and we sat and waited.
Ginny spotted Dean Thomas sitting in the corner so she said goodbye and made her way over to her boyfriend. I felt both Harry and Ron stiffen slightly.
At least now I didn't have to worry about Ginny seeing what I was getting her for Christmas now. Harry suddenly stood up; it made me jump a little. I hadn't expected him to move as fast as he did.
"Hello professor" he greeted Professor Slughorn.
"Harry! What a pleasant surprise" he smiled back.
We sat back and listened to them chat about school and potions. Slughorn reminded him about the party before the holiday break.
"I look forward to seeing you there Mr. Potter" he smiled at Harry then turned to Hermione and I, "you both of you girls as well"
"We're looking forward to it sir" i told him.
"Well it was lovely talking to you" he said his goodbyes.
"Good to see you Weatherby" he added talking to Ron.
Slughorn then proceeded to walk out the door and do his own thing. Ron huffed at the fact that Slughorn still didn't know his name yet.
We finished our drinks and left as well. I was keen to get this shopping done. We stopped off at the Quidditch store first so I could get Ginny, Harry and Ron's Christmas presents. I made Harry and Ron wait outside while I purchased their gifts.
I bought Ron a Chuddley Cannon's supporters shirts and I had already got him a new Wizard's chess set since his old one got ruined over the summer. I bought Harry some new quidditch gloves and a book of the greatest Quidditch matches ever played. Once the boys were out of the way I called Harry and Ron back into the store to help me pick out a broom for Ginny. We walked out with a firebolt just like Harry's. It may have been three years since Harry first got his, but it was still the best broom on the market at the moment.
After that we headed to Honeydukes. I picked up everyone some Bertie Botts every flavor beans to put in with their presents. We stopped off at Zonko's Joke shop and I grabbed some of their practical joke books. I was going to give them to Fred and George; hopefully they could get some ideas for their own joke creations.
The last stop I picked up a nice quill set and colour changing inks for Hermione, for Mrs. Weasley I got her the new recipe book from her favorite cooking witch and for Mr. Weasley I got my dad to send me some Muggle items that I thought he would find fascinating.
Once we had finished our shopping we walked back up to the castle. Katie Bell and one of her friends were walking in front of us. They were talking loudly about something, almost arguing about it.
Before we could say a word, there was a scream. We watched helplessly as Katie was thrown across the ground backwards and forwards and then levitated into the air before falling back to the ground.
"I told her not to touch it!" her friend cried.
Hagrid came running over and picked Katie up of the ground. Harry went over to look at what she had been carrying.
"Don't touch that" Hagrid ordered.
Hagrid walked Katie to the hospital wing, while we were sent to Professor Magonagall's office. She groaned and rolled her eyes the moment she saw us.
"Why is it when ever something bad happens, you four are there?" she asked.
"Bad timing?" I suggested.
She asked us what we had seen, before sending us up to the common room and ordering that we stay out of trouble. Turned out that Katie had found a package in the girl's bathroom at the Three Broom Sticks and was meant to deliver it to Professor Dumbledore. The package contained a necklace that had been cursed.
We all had our theories about what was going on, but the one thing they all had in common was it had something to do with You know who.
We spent the remainder of the afternoon in the Gryffindor common room. I managed to hide all of the presents I had bought in my trunk. I was excited about Christmas this year, there were a lot of dark things happening around at the moment and the holidays brought some light in to that darkness.
Our pleasant afternoon of course had to some to an end. With the return of the rest of the students from Hogsmeade brought back an annoyance in our lives.
"Won won!" Lavender cried as she came through the portal.
We all groaned internally, even Ron to our surprise. She plunked herself down on Ron's lap and threw her arms around his neck. Hermione immediately excused herself, mumbling something about a Muggle studies essay she had to finish.
Harry and I had also seen enough. I challenged him to a game of exploding snap, which he happily agreed to. He gave Ron an apologetic look before joining me at another table.
We played three founds of snap and then decided it was time for bed. I said good night to Harry and walked back up the stairs to my dormitory. I got changed and then got comfortable under the covers.
I couldn't wait for the holidays, when we could finally escape Lavenders unhealthy obsession for Ron.
It was as if Time was on my side, because the next week went by unbelievably fast. Before we knew it, it was the night of Slughorn's party.
I was waiting for Ginny and Harry in the common room. I sat on the lounge in a pale blue dress that my mum had sent me. I had my hair pulled to the side and curled lightly. Hermione was sitting across from me in a cute pink party dress that frilled slightly at the bottom. She had her hair pulled back and up. She had invited Cormack to the party as her date. She had guts; everyone knew that Cormack was a sleaze.
I had chosen not to invite anyone. If I could go with the guy I liked then I didn't see a point inviting anyone else. Harry had invited Luna, I thought it was cute. As strange as Luna was, it didn't stop her from being likeable.
There was a tapping sound at the window. Both Hermione and I looked over. I was excited to see Rosey perched on the window sill. I hurried over to let her in. she dropped the letter in front of me and hooted. I picked up the letter before running up the stairs and back down with a treat for her.
Once she had flown off again did I open and read the letter.
Dear Kim
I am sorry that you think that my letters could be some kind of sick joke. I am not that kind of person and I would never do that to you.
I have been trying all week to think of a hint for you, that won't give away my identity so easily.
So my next hint is that I am not a Slytherin or a hufflepuff.
It is the holidays soon, do you have anything planned?
I'm heading home to be with my family this year.
Speak with you soon
Signed ….
I looked over the letter again. So he wasn't in Slytherin or Hufflepuff and that was a relief. It meant that my secret admirer wasn't Draco or any of his disgusting friends.
Hermione looked over at me with a confused look on her face. I put the letter into my purse before shrugging.
"It's a letter from my mum letting me know that it's ok that I spend the holidays at the burrow" I lied.
She simply nodded and turned back to the stair cases. Just as she did, Harry appeared at the bottom of them. He explained at Ginny had left early and we were meeting Luna there, so we walked down together.
The party was a little bit crazy. Slughorn had some of the students he didn't consider special serving drinks and walking around with appetizers. To me it was a little degrading, but Neville in particular thought he was being included.
Ginny was already there when we arrived, she was talking to some of the other students with Dean's arm wrapped around her shoulders. Hermione walked over to greet Cormack, while Harry, Luna and I found a place out away from the crowd.
It wasn't long before Hermione was back trying to hide from Cormack. I did feel sorry for her; she hadn't been with him more than five minutes before he was trying to put the moves on her.
When she saw him coming to look for her, she snuck away again, this time going to hide in the bathroom.
Professor Snape came over wanting to speak with Harry. They talked momentarily before they were interrupted. Filch came barging into the room holding Malfoy by the collar.
"Excuse me Professor, but I found this student lurking in the hallway, he says he was invited" filch spoke to Slughorn.
"Ok, ok I was crashing" Draco admitted.
"Its ok Argus, I'll escort Mr. Malfoy back to his dormitory" Snape grabbed hold of Malfoy and dragged him out of the room.
I turned and looked over at Harry; he had the same confused look on his face as I had on mine.
"Well that was tonight's entertainment" I giggled.
Harry Laughed along with me. Once Hermione had managed to lose Cormack again, we took the opportunity to leave the party and head back to the common room.
Ginny was already back in the common room; she and Dean were in the corner making out again. I shook my head, she was my best friend, but sometimes I didn't understand her.
The next day Harry, Ron, Ginny and I were on the train on our way to the Burrow. We had found a compartment at the end of the train away from the noise of the other students.
We were talking happily about the holidays, when out of the corner of my eye I could see something standing on the other side of the door. We all turned to see Lavender looking at Ron lovingly. She breathed onto the glass in the door causing it to fog up. She then drew a love heart and inside of it wrote the words 'Lavender loves Ron' before sighing and walking away.
Ginny and I cracked up laughing. I had to hold my side when it started hurting from laughter.
"Shut up you too" Ron said angrily.
"But it's so funny", Ginny said between laughs.
"She's mental, honestly all she wants to do is snog me!" he complained, "look how chapped my lips are"
He pointed at his lips to show us what he meant. We left him alone after that. It was a long train ride back to platform 9 and ¾. We spent our time playing wizard's chess and exploding snap. I won a couple of games of snap, but no one beat Ron at chess.
Eventually we got bored of the games. Ginny started reading one of her books, while I took a nap. I didn't know why I was so tired for though. I was still asleep when the train arrived at the station. Harry and Ginny took our trunks out, while Ron stayed back to wake me up. He didn't just wake me up though, he tickled me awake. I wriggled to get away from him, while unable to stop laughing.
"What the hell, Ron!" I punched his arm.
"We're here" he laughed at my reaction.
The two of us left the compartment in search of Harry and Ginny. We found them out on the platform waiting for us. Both of them snickered when they saw us coming. I shot them a look and they both turned away.
The Weasley's met us at the station when we arrived. We were all hugged tightly by Mrs. Weasley. We didn't take the car to the burrow, this time we apparated there.
The burrow was decorated with all kinds of Christmas decorations. There was tinsel hung around the windows and a beautiful Christmas tree in the living area. It was easy to see that Mrs. Weasley had put in a lot of effort.
We all put our things in our rooms and got ready for dinner. Mrs. Weasley had cooked up a big dinner for our home coming. By the end of it we were all stuffed. We walked up to Ron's room to hang out for a little while. I sat at the top end of Harry's bed and Harry and Ron sat on Ron's bed. Ginny went to have a shower while we talked.
"So Christmas tomorrow, are you excited?" I asked the boys.
"Well yeah, it's Christmas" Harry chuckled.
"So what did you buy me?" Ron joked punching Harry.
"Awe man I forgot about you" he laughed.
"Me too, sorry Ron" I played along.
"Really funny you two" Ron said throwing a pillow at me.
We kept going into the night. Eventually Mrs. Weasley told us to go to bed. I said goodnight to the boys and went into Ginny's room and got ready for bed.
I thought I would be too excited to sleep, but as soon as my head hit the pillow I was out like a light.
Ginny woke me early the next morning. She was bouncing up and down on the bed until I got up. The two of us ran down the stairs to the living room. The boys were already down there, we were just waiting on the twins. After one more call from Mrs. Weasley, the twins apparated into the room.
I gave everyone their presents and watched as they opened them, but I left Ginny for last. I handed Ginny her present and she screamed excitedly when she saw what it was.
"Do you like it?" I asked her.
"Oh my gosh! I love it" she hugged me tightly.
"Good, I was a little worried you'd hate it" I joked.
She hit me on the arm, but never took her eyes off the broom. I watched everyone else open the rest of their presents before I got to mine.
Ginny gave me a silver charm bracelet that had charms for all the school houses and I charm to represent all our friends. There was a little lightening bolt for Harry, a broom for Ginny, a chess piece for Ron and a book for Hermione. I loved it. I hugged Ginny and thanked her.
From Harry and Ron a got some chocolate frogs and some more charms for my bracelet. Apparently they had helped Ginny pick it out so they already knew what I was getting. I got my traditional sweater from Mr. and Mrs. Weasley in my favorite blue and from Fred and George I got a new copy of my favorite Muggle children's book. My old one had been confiscated by Filch in the first year.
"Wow guys, thank you so much", I hugged everyone.
We took our presents up stairs before coming back down to eat. Once we had eaten, Ginny and I ran up stairs to get her broom so she could try it out.
We spent the afternoon playing two on two quidditch, each one of us taking turns being the ref. we had so much fun. When it started getting dark we made our way inside to help Mrs. Weasley get ready for dinner. We were expecting Professor Lupin and Tonks over to eat, but we didn't know what time they would be arriving.
When Mrs. Weasley was done with our help she sent us upstairs to wash up. We all ended up in Ron's room again arguing about who won the most games of Quidditch.
"I'm positive that Fred never lost a game" I told them.
"No he lost the game when Ron hit that tree" Harry corrected.
"That was George on Ron's team in that game" Ginny pointed out.
"Well then Fred wins" we concluded.
It wasn't long before Mrs. Weasley called us down for Dinner. Ginny challenged Harry to see who would get there first, leaving me walking with Ron.
He stopped suddenly about half way down the stairs and I walked straight into the back of him. I looked up to see him staring at something above him. It was mistletoe.
Ron turned around and looked me in the eyes, his cheeks a deep shade of red. I watched as he slowly leaned in closer and closer until I could feel his breath on my face. I found myself closing the distance between us until our lips touched.
At first his kiss was cautious, like he wasn't sure if it was alright, but once he found that I was kissing him back the caution died away.
His lips were soft and a little dry from the cold wind outside. I never thought I would see the day that I would be kissing the guy that I had like for so many years and yet here I was.
I don't know how long we were standing there like that, but we only stopped after hearing a wolf whistle from behind us. We had been busted by the twins.
"Go Ronnykins" George clapped Ron on the back.
"Took you long enough little brother" Fred added.
"So does that mean you don't have a girlfriend?" One of them asked.
A horrible feeling could be felt in the pit of my stomach. I had completely forgotten about Lavender. She and Ron were still going out and I had just kissed him.
While the boys were arguing I slipped away from them and went down stairs. I felt like the most terrible person in the world. I could I have kissed someone already in a relationship.
I knew things were going to get very weird around here now.