Chapter 19

Change of Heart

The year rolled on. October changed to November. The leaves were long gone, snow replacing the, covering Hogwarts in a thick white blanket. The mood was dreary as it moved from November into December. In comparison to last year, 2nd year lacked excitement. Everything about this year pretty much sucked, to say the least. No Triwixard Tournament. No Beauxbatons and Durmstrang. No Yule Ball. Orchestra lacked excitement. Yes, Chrsitmas did mean that there was a performance in Hogsmeade, but that was it. The choir got to do a lot more. They went caroling in Hogsmeade and joined us for the concert which had a surprisingly good turn out. Mum and Dad came. Cheyenne's parents too.

"My, My Katerina!" Dad said as Cheyenne, Allegra and I approached them after the concert ended.

"What Dad?"

"That was a brilliant performance!" he exclaimed over enthusiastically.

"Thanks," I grinned. My Dad turned to Allegra.

"And you! You sang beautifully!"

"Oh. Thank you," she blushed. It was true. Allegra's solos was wonderful.

"Allegra's amazing," I said and she smiled.

"Are your parents here?" I asked her.

"Just my Dad. And my brother came out to watch,"

"Vanna couldn't come. First years aren't allowed out unless they're part of the orchestra or choir,"

"Shame really," Iris said coming up behing Dad, "it would be nice if we were all here,"

"Soon enough. Christmastime is just around the corner!"

"Going to Italy?" Allegra asked. I nodded.

"Yep. Just like every year,"

"Argh, I am so jealous!" Allegra said, "All I'm doing is going to my gran's in Wales. Then sitting at home mostly,"

"Well, you still get to spend time with your grandma,"

"Ha. More like she spends time trying to tell me what to do,"

"She's can't be that bad,"

"Oh yes. She is,"

"My Oma is the sweetest lady you'll ever meet," I said, "she makes these snow balls every year-,"

"Rumballs?"

"Yeah, and?"

"Underage drinking. My, my Katerina," Allegra shook her head.

"Shut up. And it's underage eating. Not drinking. Though that sounds weird…"

"I'll bet they're-," Allegra broke off, her face going into a panic.

"What?"

"Oh my god,"

"What?"

"Michael! He's here!" she exclaimed, looking behind me.

"Where?"

"There! By Iris and Anthony!"

I glanced over and he was standing there next to my sister.

"Wht is he here?" Allegra said.

"Um,"

"Why?" she demanded.

"You're just lucky that you didn't see him in the audience while you were doing your solo,"

She looked nervously over at him.

"Oh my god," she turned her face away.

"What?"

"He was looking! Like right over here!" Her face burned red.

"Well why don't you just go and talk to him?"

She looked at me as if I was mental.

"Are you serious? How about you go talk to Seamus then?"

"He doesn't want to talk to me. Besides, he's not even here,"

"Yeah he is. By Dean and Neville,"

"WHAT?" I spun around and sure enough, there he was. Seamus Finnegan.

In the past few months, I had gone out of my way just to avoid him. I mean, who needs broody moody Seamus the anus? At least that's what I called him. Vanna nearly died of laughter when I told her of this nickname. But it was so true. Every time I saw him he seemed to have this unpenetrateable scowl on his face. Like really, is this all such a big deal? I understand that you don't like Harry Potter. I understand that you want to think for the best; that you don't want to believe that You Know Who is back. No one wants to. And yes, I can agree that the proof that we have isn't much to go on. Really, it is just Harry Potter's word we have to take. But no other explanation is possible. Harry didn't kill Cedric in that maze. Priori Incantatum proved that. So someone else must have. The cup was a portkey. That made sense. It all seems to add up. I wish it didn't, but from what it looks like, Harry's explanation is the only plausible one for what is going on. And there is no telling what sort of danger the wizarding world is in for. All I know is that things have changed and the ministry and its supporters need to look past all this and decide on a solution that would keep the world safe. All they would have to do is swallow their pride.

Seamus definitely needs an attitude adjustment and needs to work on swallowing his own damn pride.

"What is he doing here?" I asked Allegra.

"I've got no clue, but look. He's doing the exact same thing Michael's doing!"

"What?"

"He's looking straight at us,"

I turned and for the first time in months, Seamus and I locked eyes. I swear, I almost died.

"Allegra," I said, ripping my eyes from his gaze, "I don't know,"

"Don't know what?"

"The feelings…I thought that I got over it, you know. I keep telling myself he's a git-and he is- but I-,"

"Why don't you go talk to him?" she asked smugly.

"Allegra!"

"Exactly!"

"Hmph," I shook my head. Why am I acting like this? Seamus is a fifth year. Fifth year, I say. And you, Katerina, are a second year. Just a second year. How does that even add up? He's 15! Almost 16! And you are only 13. What kind of guy would date someone who is 13? But again, you have likes of George Weasley, 17 year old school prankster, going after someone as young as Karina Rookworth. Karina doesn't turn 12 till May! It's sick! That's a 6 year age difference! Though Karina doesn't look or act her age wither. She's super smart. But my point, is that it's not fair! 3 years- not even! That's what Seamus and I have between us. And yet, that's too big a gap for him to deal with. This whole thing is stupid and I don't get it. Why do I like him so much?

"You and I are in the exact same boat," Allegra said.

"You're telling me," I glanced back at Seamus with a sigh. Why couldn't we go back to the way things used to be?

Allegra and the rest of the choir members were called back to the hall to help clear out the risers and music from their performance. I packed up my flute into its case and was putting my sheet music away in its folder when I suddenly heard my name.

"Katerina,"

I turned around, finding myself face to face with that Irish git. I froze.

"Hi," I mustered. I took a second to recover, "what do you want?" I asked snootily.

"You played good," he said.

"Er, yeah," I said, "I think I did rather well,"

His mouth twisted into that little smirk of his. Great, am I amusing him or something?

"I think so too,"

"What do you really want?" I asked acidly. He looked taken aback.

"Excuse me?"

"Last time I checked, I was just some stupid second year to you,"

His smirk faded.

"About that Trina…I wanted to talk to you about that,"

"Oh?" my stomach was nearly touching the ground.

"I want to apologize,"

I was shocked. Seamus Finnegan. Swallowing his pride. Now that was something that I most certainly wasn't expecting.

"Then apologize,"

"I was wrong," he said, "the ministry are dungbrained fools,"

"Oh, now you realize it?"

"Well, even you have to admit that the proof isn't much ta go on,"

"Yes, but what made you change your mind?"

"I've just been thinkin'," he replied, "and the ministry's explanation of it is just not even at all. It's just excuses,"

"And lies," I added.

"And lies," he agreed.

"So now you see that?"

"I do," he said, "I guess I was in denial about everything. A lot of people are. I mean, no one wants to think of the possibility of You Know Who being back,"

"I know. I don't want to think about it. It's scary,"

"Damn right. That's why the wizarding world, and frankly, even the muggle world needs to be aware,"

"Yeah. Because we all know that You Know Who hates muggle borns almost as much as muggles themselves,"

"Yep," he sighed, "and frankly I'm not sure what to think,"

"Have you talked to Harry yet?" I asked.

Seamus shook his head, "I'm, gonna. I just wanted to apologize to you first. I don't like not being friends,"

I stood there a moment, shocked. Seamus Finnigen. Admitting he was wrong. It was just weird…especially after months of him sneering and glaring everytime Harry Potter walked by. And the fact that he was even apologizing…that means he cares about me, right? That I actually matter to him? That I am someone important to him?

"I missed being friends too. It was weird not talking,"

"I'm sorry for bein' a complete arse to ya,"

"It's okay," I smiled, "it doesn't matter anymore. We're friends again and friends forgive friends,"

He smiled again, "thanks Trina,"

I blushed. He did it again. Called me Trina. I swear, everytime he does that, my stomach flips.

"So what are your plans for Christmas?" Seamus asked.

"We're just going to Italy,"

"Just?"

"Well, I go every year. Its not a big deal,"

"Hmph. I'm just staying at home with me mam,"

"Oh,"

"She ain't gonna like the fact that I'm not backin' up the ministry now," he shook his head.

"She'll change her mind,"

"Maybe eventually. When things really decide to take a turn for the worst. I'm hopin' it don't but who knows what's goin' on out there,"

"What about your Dad?" I asked, "what does he think about all this?"

Seamus' look darkened, "I don't talk to me Dad much,"

"Why not?"

"To put it shortly, he's a muggle. Mam's a witch. She didn't tell him till after I was born,"

"Why?"

"Merlin knows. Anyway, he and I don't see eye to eye. So Mam and I don't talk to him,"

"I'm sorry,"

"Nothin' to be sorry for. He's a git and he knows it. I'm not wastin' my time on people like that,"

I nodded, "I guess,"

He shrugged, "anyways, you have yourself a good holiday, alright?"

"Yeah for sure. You have a good Christmas too!"

I grinned.

"I will. See you round, Trina," with a wave, he headed out of the music hall.

Oh my goodness. What in the world just happened. He actually apologized. He actually cared about our friendship. I smiled to myself. Gosh, the way he had looked at me.

"Katerina!"

I looked around and Allegra was running towards me.

"Oh my god! What did he say?"

I laughed, "he came to apologize,"

"Are you serious?"

"Mhm!" I squealed.

"That's awesome! So now does he believe Harry Potter's side?"

"Seems like it. About time too. The Daily Prophet is a bunch of bogus,"

"I know," Allegra said, "so you guys are friends again?"

"Yep!"

"You look so happy,"

"I am,"

"I wish Michael would come around," she sighed, "he's annoying me. Honestly. He's dating all these other girls and from what I've heard, none of them have ever been serious. And the I catch him staring all the time. I want to ask him what his deal is. If he has something to say, he should say it! I am so done with him!"

"Allegra, listen. Michael Corner is what Iris calls a manwhore. I think that you deserve much better,"

She sighed, "Boys are stupid,"

"That's true,"

"Speaking of stupidity, did you hear what Alan and Patrick did?" she asked.

"Pulled another prank?"

"You would think the rubber duck incident was bad. Think again. This time it was a dung bomb in Umbridge's office,"

"How did they-?"

"I'm not even gonna ask. Anyhow, it got into her office and it stank up the place,"

I laughed, "they're getting good at this. They're starting to steal the spotlight from the Weasley twins,"

"Agreed. Alan especially. He's pretty much the mastermind behinf all of the plans,"

"He's ridiculous," I agreed, "but smart. He knows what he's doing and somehow managed to get away with it,"

"They should seriously band together with Fred and George. Imagine what would happen if they all plotted something!'

"Yeah, for sure,"

But truly, my mind was on other things. Seamus came and apologized. That meant something, didn't it? That meant that yes, he really did appreciate our friendship. That I was important enough to want in his life. Even as a friend. And that's enough for me.

And I was happy.