7. The New Friend

I ran into Hogwarts and into the girl's bathroom that was nearest to me. I had some time before I had to go to my next lesson so I breathed slowly and looked at myself in the mirror. I looked horrible. My mascara had run a bit, my hair had leaves in it where I fell from the slap and I had a red raw hand print on my cheek.

I heard a bathroom stall open and I quickly busied myself turning on the cold water and also trying to hide my face. I heard footsteps stop next to me and I couldn't help but look up at the person. She had a kind face, her olive tan complimenting her brown, straight hair. One eye was a dazzling blue and the other a sparkling green. She had a small smile on her face. "Boy trouble?" She asked, an American accent sounding out.

I chuckled and stood up straight, "Could say that. How did-"

"-I know? This bathroom, is also known the Crush Bathroom. Girls come in here all the time, crying, screaming, sobbing or even just quiet, and it will all be because their crush found out they like them, or the fact that there's rumours, or even boyfriend problems."

I looked at the girl and asked her quietly, "What's yours?"

She looked up from the tap she was tracing a finger with to my face, a small smile still on her face. "My crush found out, he's called Cedric Diggery. We've been the best of friends since the first year and over that time, I started to fall in love with him. Know he found out the other day and we haven't spoken since."

I looked at her and replied, "I know him, he seems...quiet, yet nice and looks as though he has a playful side."

The girl chuckled, "Yeah, he does." It feel silent till the girl asked, "What's yours?"

"Malfoy." I saw her shocked look. "No! I don't like him. I just had lesson with him and he said how he knew some of my secrets, like my parents and more importantly, my crush. My crush happened to be there as he threatened me." The girl didn't say anything so I continued, "My crush is Fred Weasley. I met him at the Quidditch Final, he...people find him and George so similar, but I find him he different somehow, and that difference is why I have a crush on him."

The girl looked at me as she asked, "Does he know?"

I chuckled, "I don't even know your name."

The girl chuckled as well. "Sorry. Habit I have. Name is Krista. Krista Jones. I'm Hufflepuff sixth year."

I smiled at her. "Scylla. Scylla Avalon. I'm in Gryffindor sixth year as well."

Krista smiled and said, "Hey, we better get to class, it's starting in a minute."

I nodded and asked as she grabbed her bag, "What do you have next?"

Krista looked at her timetable then replied, "Study of Ancient Runes."

I smiled in relief, "Great, I have that as well." Krista smiled and opened the door.

"After you." She said. I chuckled as we walked out of the bathroom and down the corridors. "Hey where's your bag?" Krista asked, looking round.

"Oh, I left it at my last lesson, after I ran away." Krista chuckled and we continued on. When we rounded a corner I was lifted up into a big, bear hug. All I could see was Ginger hair and the smell I knew that wasn't George.

"Scy! Oh Merlin I've been looking for you everywhere." I heard Fred whisper in my ear. I hugged him back and after a few seconds too long of a normal, friendly hug, we separated. "Here's your bag. Oh and George and I whacked Malfoy and his goons round a bit."

I chuckled and asked, "Why did you do that?"

Fred gave me his famous smirk, "Because he shouldn't threaten you, or let his goons lay a finger on you like that. He deserved every hit me and my other half gave him." I chuckled and hugged him again. "Thank you." I whispered and without thinking it through, I pecked him on the cheek. I detached myself from his arms and looked at Krista who was smirking.

"We better get going." She said.

I nodded and looked at Fred who was strangely quiet. "Fred?" I whispered and after I said that, he snapped out of his trance.

"O-oh-oh yeah. Uhhh...huh, yeah see you later Scy." He smiled at me then after patting my arm he walked away.

I sighed deeply as me and Krista walked on, "What, did I just do?"

Krista chuckled and she placed her hand on my arm, "You my dear, just let your heart take over for a second." It was quiet between us for a second when we burst out laughing. Krista then grabbed my arm and pulled me forward slightly, "C'mon! Class is about to start." I chuckled as we ran to our lesson. We ran into the lesson before it began and we quickly took seats near George, who luckily saved me one. I sat in-between George and Krista and as Professor Babbling began, George sent me a note.

Ginny told me you secret.

I sent him a death glare, which made him quickly write another note and pushed it towards me.

Don't give me that look! Scares the Merlin out of me...After you left, everyone departed and I asked Ginny what the hell was going on because a) you two share a room with Hermione, so you must talk about girly things and b) I had never seen you so upset and even Fred looked worried which freaked me out more. She told me that she had no clue about your parents but she told me that you had a crush on Fred.

After I read the note, I quickly wrote something on it and pushed it to him.

I swear George, if you tell anyone, even your twin FRED, I will hex you till your butt flies off...However I do trust you so that might not happen (would be funny though)...yes I do have a crush on Fred, but I feel that if I keep this crush up, soon everyone, even him will find out.

I watched out the corner of my eye as George read my note and then wrote something. He then gave it back to me.

Don't worry Scy, I have a twin feeling that Fred might have feelings for you too. I will help as I'm an amazing friend like that. Don't worry about the rest of the school, you two will have found out about each other's feelings and will be going out by the time that happens.

I chuckled as I finished reading his note he sent me and I looked at him. He was smiling at me and nodded his head, which I did in return and stuffed the notes in my pocket and then started to listen to the lesson.

.~*~.~*~.~*~.

The day slowly passed. Study of Ancient Runes was actually quite interesting as we started to learn about the Stonehenge and the many reasons why it was created.

Astronomy was also interesting but that is because it was my best subject back in my last school. We started to learn about star constellations and we were already given homework, which is to work in pairs and at night, try and see a constellation and write a page on that one we saw. Luckily I was paired with Fred so it was OK.

Defence against the dark arts was...strange. Moody told us about the three unforgivable curses which could land us in Azkaban if we ever used one. He then showed us the unforgivable curses on a spider which made me and the whole class quiet and uncomfortable.

Finally lunch arrived and I was sitting with Fred, George, Ginny, Hermione and Krista. I introduced everyone to Krista and she was sitting with us because she was scared to see Cedric. We were all sitting near the doors when Malfoy and his goons walked in. Laughing at us and then started talking to me, "I must say Avalon, you must be desperate to sit with poor, ginger idiots, a mudblood and a Hufflepuff weirdo from a different country. You're more desperate to achieve friends than I thought." His goons laughed and then walked off to the Slytherin table.

I growled and grabbed my wand from my boot, waved it at Malfoy's direction whispering"colovaria"Then put my wand away.

"What did you-" Fred started to say,

"-Just do?" George finished.

I picked up my drink and said, "Wait for it." Then took a sip.

All of my friends looked from me to Malfoy and watched as Malfoy drank his drink in one. Then his goons' laugher turned into screaming as his hair turned from a bleach white to a fiery ginger. Everyone watched and laughed as Malfoy looked into his reflection of his spoon and too started screaming. "Colour changer spell. Gotta enjoy the little things." I said as I put my drink down. I then stood up and shouted, "Oi Malfoy!" He looked over at me with a scared look. "You must be desperate, to dye your hair so you could be like the Weasleys. How pathetic." I then started laughing and sat back down as Malfoy ran out, hoping it will disappear soon.

Good luck with that though, it won't go away till two months' time.