I have at least 4 weeks of chapters ready! Uploading on Thursday or Friday.
Enjoy!
Paige was sitting in the Hogwarts train. Head against the window, looking outside. She was on her way back to Hogwarts. Save for the moment, less could be said about her father. She couldn't believe it.. Ashley wasn't her mother.. Well actually it made lots of sense, as they were nothing alike.
Her father made her promise not to tell Ashley. If she would find out Paige knew, the jig would be up and she and her dad would join her actual mom and her baby sister.. Not the worst thought sometimes.
She was sitting alone… Pansy and Blaise didn't go home this break, she didn't know where Draco was or what he was doing. She hadn't even seen Harry, Ron or Hermione.
Her compartment door opened, looking up she saw her bushy brown haired friend.
'Hi,' Paige said, feeling her mood lighten up at the sight of her.
'Hi,' Hermione said, closing the door and placing herself opposite of Paige.
'So, you survived your mother?' Hermione asked, taking off her cloak. Not seeing Paige her slight panic being reminded that Ashley wasn't her mother again.. Should she tell Hermione?
Hermione looked up with a questioning look on her face, 'cause Paige still hadn't said anything.
'Yes.' Paige said slowly. 'Jup… I survived.' Hermione's face changed into a worried one.
'What happened?' She asked, seeing the painful look on Paige's face.
'I… well..' She started to sound like her dad. 'I just found out some stuff…' She looked unsure. 'About my family and I just don't know what to think about it.'
'Really? something bad?' Hermione tried not to look too curious, leaning forward.
'Yes, you can definitely say that.' Paige nodded looking at her friend. 'I don't think I can talk about it yet, though.'
Hermione nodded, 'I understand, it's alright. I get it.'
'I want to tell you, it's just a lot to process.' Paige added, Hermione nodded more reassuringly.
'No really, I understand. It's alright.' She said to Paige.
Paige relaxed, looking her friend up and down. 'How was your winter break?' She asked.
'Fine, nothing special.' Hermione said, not really wanting to talk about it.
'Still feeling bad about Ron?' Paige asked.
'What, no! He can snog whoever he wants.' She snapped, looking out of the window.
'Yes, I can tell.' Paige muttered, smiling softly. 'Where are they anyway?'
'They're going with the Floo network, it's safer that way.' Hermione explained.
'That's good.' Paige agreed.
'So… Ready to hang out with us again?' Hermione was smirking at her.
'Yeah I think so.' Paige answered, how would Ashley force her to drink a truth potion when she was of age. Even if Harry told her about the prophecy, she wouldn't be able to get it out of her.
'Good, 'cause I could really use a friend. Harry often spends time with Ron, except for when Won-Won is busy with his snog hour.' Hermione looked with such an annoyance, Paige almost felt she was mad at her too.
'Well, now we can just hang.' Paige said, feeling slightly guilty for dropping Hermione as friends as well this last half year.
'Right, what classes did you choose? I don't see you in many of my classes.'
'I have divination and Care for magical creatures.'
'I knew that you took Care of magical creatures! Hagrid talks about it a lot. Often saying to keep trying to contact you, he sees how tired you look.' Told Hermione.
'Yeah, well… Guess it's true.' Paige thought it was sweet of Hagrid to come to my defence.
'Let's go to Hagrids!' Hermione suggested. 'When we arrive at Hogwarts.'
'Yeah sure!'
When the train got to its destination. Paige and Hermione took a carriage to their school. When they arrived, they started heading towards Hagrid hut when Pansy stopped them in their tracks.
'Pansy.' Paige said with a questioning look on her face.
'Paige,' Pansy said, ignoring Hermione completely. 'Draco would like to speak to you.'
'And what? He couldn't get me himself?'
'Paige, please.' Pansy begged. Paige rolled her eyes, sighing loudly.
'Sorry Hermione, raincheck?
Hermione nodded, and made her way to Hagrids alone. Paige started walking with Pansy, they walked to their common room. When inside she saw that Draco was already waiting for them.
'Thanks Pansy,' He said, waving at her to signal she could go. She left.
They stood there for a few seconds not saying a word to each other before Draco pulled her into a hug. 'I'm so glad you are alright.' He said holding her tight.
Paige was surprised and didn't really hug him back. When he let go she asked. 'What do you mean?'
'Well I know about your assignment, and what the plan was for the winter break. I was worried because you had been avoiding the Potter boy. Which if, may I say, a stupid move, Paige. You want to get yourself killed?'
Paige's eyes got big. 'You know about my assignment?' She said slowly, backing up a bit. 'I don't know what your assignment is, but you do know about mine? Who told you about my assignment?'
'My mother, she heard it from your mother.' Draco said, he started to sweat a little. 'But it's not about that it's about that you are okay!'
'Ow no, It is about that, Draco.' Paige turned away from the blond boy, her head felt like it was overflowing. Exhaustion fell over her, she didn't have the energy to handle this.
'I am going to my dorm.' She stated, walking towards the stairs.
'Wait,' Draco tried but with one look on her face he let her go.
The new term started next morning with a pleasant surprise for the sixth years, a large sign had been pinned to the common room notice boards overnight.
Apparition lessons!
'Cool,' Paige muttered, signing her name at the bottom of the parchment. Before making her way to her first lesson of the term. Charms. At Charms she sat next to Hermione, who didn't even sit close to Harry and Ron.
Harry and Paige kept making eye contact and smiling at each other.
'I told him what you said on the train.' Hermione said in Paige's ear, making her jump up a bit.
'Right, well good.' Paige said, still looking at Harry.
'When are you gonna make the moves on Harry, then?' Hermione asked.
Paige looked at her friend, 'When the time is right.' Paige muttered, focusing back on the lesson.
The next day, she had potions. Paige felt a tension emerge when Hermione dropped her bag at Paige's table. She gave both Ron and Harry a dirty look before emptying her bag.
'What did Harry do?' Paige asked but one look at Hermione's face and she didn't dare bring it up again.
Slughorn called for silence, to start the lesson. 'Settle down, settle down, please! Quickly, now, lot's of work to get through this afternoon! Golpatt's Third Law… who can tell me-? But Miss Granger can, of course!'
Paige looked amused at Hermione when she recited at top speed: 'Golpalott's-Third-Law-states-that-the-antidote-for-a-blended-poison-will-be-equal-to-more-than-the-antidotes-for-each-of-the-separate-components.'
'Precisely!' beamed Slughorn. 'Ten points for Gryffindor!'
'You know you're allowed to breathe.' Paige said to Hermione.
'They don't need more of my help, they have the half blood prince, right.' Hermione said while standing up to get her things. Paige slowly followed her. When Hermione passed Ron and Harry she said, 'It's a shame that the Prince won't be able to help you much with this, Harry.' and walked back to the table.
Paige gave a slight apologetic look at Harry. As she knew that Hermione was right, you had to understand the principles involved, there were no shortcuts of cheats. Hermione looked extremely pleased as she started with her antidote.
Paige glanced over at Harry, he looked annoyed. Frantically flipping through this potions book. She couldn't help but feel a little bit bad for him, but right now she needed to take Hermione's side. She started with her own potion. It was going quite well, Slughorn gave Hermione and Paige approving nods.
Paige would look at Harry now and then, seeing he wasn't doing so well. Suddenly Harry stood up and walked to the store cupboard, rummaging. He took out a small cardboard box, opened it and took out what looked like a dried- up kidney, and put the box back in the cupboard.
'Time's… UP!' Called Sughorn, 'Well, let's see how you've all done! Blaise… What have you got for me?' Slowly, Slughorn moved around the room, Nobody had finished the task. Hermione was still trying to cram in a few more ingredients.
Slughorn moved to Harry's table. And you, Harry,' He said. 'What have you got to show me?'
Paige looked nervously their way, waiting for a reaction. Harry held out his hand, a bezoar sitting on his palm. Slughorn looked down at it for what felt like 10 seconds then he threw back his head and roared with laughter.
'You've got nerve, boy!' He boomed, taking the bezoar and holding it up so that the whole class could see it. 'Yes a bezoar would certainly act as an antidote to all potions! I can't fault you with that.'
Paige looked at Hermione, she looked livid. Slughorn kept praising Harry.
Paige looked around at Draco, for some reason he looked more angry then Hermione. The bell rang.
'Time to pack up!' Said Slughorn. 'And an extra ten points to Gryffindor for sheer cheek.'
Hermione packed her bag fastly, Paige trying to keep up. They both walked out of the room without a single word to Harry. Hermione kept walking until they were near the library.
'I CAN'T believe it.' She finally spoke. Paige just nodded, feeling that Hermione just needed to let out some big feelings. 'HOW does this stupid Prince still help him like that! Gosh, he gets away with everything.' Hermione paced around the hallway, Paige just stood and listened.
'He asked ME to make it up with Ron! As if I would. Why should I be the one making it better? He hurt MY feelings!'
Paige nodded, finding it indeed rude of Harry for asking her that.
'Boys, they just don't understand..' Hermione finished, calming down a bit. She looked up at Paige. 'Sorry I just wanna get a good book and lock myself up in the library.'
'That's fine. If there is anything I can help with, just ask.' Paige said, watching Hermione walk into the library.
The snow melted around the school as February arrived, to be replaced by cold, dreary wetness. The Apparition lesson would be this Saturday morning.
Paige walked towards the great hall, she found that the tables had disappeared. Making room for the lesson. The head of each house was standing there, and a small wizard who was probably the apparition teacher.
Paige took place next to Harry and Hermione as the teacher was getting the student's attention.
'Malfoy, be quiet and pay attention!' Barked Professor McGonagall.
Paige looked around, so did most of the class. Malfoy had flushed a dull pink; he looked furious as he stepped away from Crabbe.
The teacher continued speaking to the class. 'I would like each of you to place yourselves now that you have a clear five feet of space in front of you.' He said.
Everybody started to move, taking position.
'Harry, where are you going?' Paige heard Hermione ask. She looked around at Harry.
Harry did not answer; he was moving quickly through the crowd, placing himself behind… Draco.
Paige stared for a second before turning back around, the lesson was about to start.
Nobody's first attempt worked, neither did the second and third. The fourth time though something happened. Someone had done it but their leg was still standing at the starting position. A few screamed at the sight.
'No worries,' the teacher stated, walking to the student to help them.
After that nothing else exciting happened. 'Well good first lesson everybody. We will see you next time.' The teacher said and class was dismissed.
Harry had asked Ron to go to the dorm rooms with him, he grabbed his marauders map and opened it. 'Help me find Malfoy!' He said, looking at the map himself.
'There!' Ron said pointing at the slytherin common room, 'With Parkinson, Zabini and Crabbe and Goyle…'
Harry looked disappointed but rallied almost at once, 'Well, I'm keeping an eye on him from now on.' He said firmly. His eyes fell on Paige's name. She was outside of her common room walking.. He kept following her name until she came out at the astronomy tower. He closed the map, put it in his pocket and stood up. 'I have somewhere to be.' He said to Ron and walked out.
Harry made his way to the astronomy tower, if Hermione was right about what Paige had said. She would wanna see him again. Paige had said things would change after the winter break but they hadn't had time yet to speak to each other privately.
He went up the stairs and through the door and saw Paige staring out at the sky. She turned around noticing someone coming in. She smiled seeing it was Harry.
Harry, who was a bit out of breath, placing himself next to her.
'Funny finding you here.' Harry said, also looking up at the sky.
Paige smirked, 'It really feels like you knew where I was.' She said, pushing him playfully. 'Marauders map?'
'Yeah.' Harry admitted. 'We haven't had time to catch up yet.' He continued turning towards Paige.
'Catch up, you can call it that.' Paige also turned towards him. She set his collar straight, as it was a bit wonky. Probably because of the apparition lesson. Harry couldn't keep his eyes off of her.
Once she was done she looked up at him. In his green eyes. She raised her hand to his cheeks. 'Let's catch up.' Paige said before kissing him softly. Harry didn't hesitate for a second. Putting his arms around her waist, pulling her closer, deepening their kiss.
Paige's hands went through Harry's hair. Making him give a small moan. Paige giggled slightly, feeling her heart make a jump.
He growled a little in response, pulling her even closer, entering her mouth with his tongue. Paige let him in, feeling warm sensations all over her body. Feeling Harry's body against hers. Feeling lust, tasting lust.
The feeling in her heart re-emerged. Feeling like a kickstart. Reconnecting with Harry. They kept going, deeper in the kiss, deeper in their connection. There was nothing stopping them now. It felt like they were becoming one. She felt the emoties Harry had been having this year. Like gates that had been opened and everything came rushing back.
Harry felt the emoties Paige had been feeling this summer, this year. Feeling how scared she had been, how she had been facing terrible things, how brave she had been. He felt how just before leaving on winter break, she thought she'd never come back to Hogwarts again. That in the winter break, she felt a moment, knowing this would be the end of her. Tears swelled up in his eyes. Not letting go of her. She was back with him. He would never let her go again.
After what felt like ages they parted. Still holding each other. Suddenly Paige felt a burning pain in her heart. She grabbed her chest, falling on her knees.
'Paige!' Harry yelped, kneeling, holding her up a bit. 'What's wrong?'
Paige couldn't speak, she felt the same pain she did back then, when she broke the connection. She growled, trying to keep on breathing but every breath felt like a sword poking her in the lungs. Harry also placed his hand on her heart. Pressing on her hands. She looked at him, tears filled eyes.
It felt like she was dying.. but then it was over. She collapsed further onto the ground, breathing heavily.
'Paige.' She could hear Harry softly. She looked up again. His worried face got into focus.
'I'm fine, I think.' Paige said hoarsely, trying to ground herself.
Harry took a deep breath, still worried. But colour seemed to return to her face.
'Really, I'm fine.' Paige said again, still seeing the worried look. She tried standing up but her body was exhausted.
Harry held her up. She rested her head against his chest, his heart was going really fast.
He held her close, trying to calm himself. Now Harry had anxiety built up inside of him.. She has gotten in so much trouble because of him. It was selfish of him, how he kept on wanting her to get back to him. The terror she felt this summer was all because of him.
Paige didn't notice his worry, the connection was present but extremely weak. Harry just held her close. A moment that felt like pure happiness had faded away so quickly. Would she ever be safe around him?
Until next week!