Story: Stress
Chapter: 22
Rating of Chapter: PG-13
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended. The only things I own are the plot, any characters, spells etc that you do not recognize.
Author Notes: I know I screwed up the Quidditch teams, and players in the last chapter. I realised shortly after I had posted. Maybe I should try reading my work through from now on. But I have a good excuse…I was writing at 2am! I just haven't been able to stop writing for the last few days; you've probably noticed by the speed that the chapters have been posted.
On another note, I am really struggling with ideas at the moment, I just don't know how to fill in chapters. I could really use a beta, so if anyone is interested at just shooting me some ideas, e-mail me @ silvandy02@lycos.co.uk, experience at beta-ing IS necessary.
Chapter 22: Rhamine
Hermione was lying back on her bed when she heard the dormitory door creak open. She noticed Ginny enter the room, but she kept quiet and didn't take any notice of Hermione. Hermione however, was curious. "Hi Gin," she said softly.
"Oh, Hi Hermione." She got under her bed covers.
"Everything ok?"
"Um…yeah," answered Ginny, who seemed a little flustered.
"I don't think you're telling the truth," said Hermione. Ginny sat up in her bed.
"Ok, ok. I'm not."
"What is it?" asked Hermione, walking over to sit on Ginny's bed.
"It's…a boy."
"And?"
"And…I think I might like him."
"Well give me some hints…who is it?"
"I can't say. But he's tall, and he's a year older than me."
Hermione suddenly got worried. "It's not Harry is it?"
"Oh, no! Not at all," recovered Ginny quickly.
"So, has anything happened between the two of you?"
Ginny shrugged. "We kissed…and we nearly did a lot more. If I hadn't had any self control I don't think I could've stopped."
"Don't worry Ginny, that's happened to me and Harry a couple of times. But so far, I've managed to keep a level head."
The redhead looked up at Hermione in admiration. "You really like Harry don't you?" asked Ginny softly.
Hermione nodded and her eyes glazed over with thought. "Yeah…I do."
"What made you realise that you liked him?"
"Once we had kissed. You get a feeling deep down and somehow you know that that person is the right person for you."
"Maybe your right…thanks Hermione." Ginny got under her covers and turned off the lamp, her thoughts filled with that blonde Slytherin.
***
Harry, Ron and Hermione sat together at breakfast the next morning. "Pass me some toast will you mate?" asked Ron. Harry passed him a couple of slices of toast.
"Care of Magical Creatures first lesson then," confirmed Hermione, rolling her finger down her timetable. "Who's teaching us?"
"Hagrid," answered Harry. "Grubbly-Plank retired."
"Should be an interesting lesson then," added Ron.
After breakfast, the trio made their way outside towards Hagrid's hut. The half-giant was standing in front of something that looked like a cage.
"I hope he hasn't got a dragon!" cried Ron.
They joined the rest of the class and stood about five metres away from Hagrid. He stepped aside and revealed the cage; inside it was an average height, four-legged animal. It had silky brown fur, with a white streak trailing over the top of its body from its nose, right down to its backside. It was actually quite beautiful.
"This is a Rhamine. It 'as lightnin' fas' speed, and has one very special ability. It's immortal. This Rhamine has been sen' over from Australia, where it originates from. This is the only Rhamine in the entire world. So you are seeing a rare animal. It is male, and I like to call it Rhammy." Hagrid chuckled to himself. "Now, don' try to hurt ol' Rhammy here, b'cos if ye do, you'll have to face the consequences."
"As if we're supposed to believe that," spat Goyle. "Impedimenta!" The spell flew out of the end of his wand and struck the Rhamine in the side of the stomach, but it deflected back and hit Goyle, stunning him to the ground. Harry, Ron and Hermione laughed, while Draco smirked joyfully.
"What are you smirking at?" asked Crabbe angrily at Draco.
"Your buddy. And don't spit at me next time you speak."
Crabbe grabbed Malfoy by the collar. "Don't you irritate me, or you'll pay for it."
Malfoy shoved his hand away. "Can it pork pie man!" Crabbe threw a punch at Malfoy but he ducked and flung a right hand at Crabbe, sending him flying back to the ground.
"Eh, eh, eh, break it up, break it up. Draco, you better go to Professor Snape's office. Off you go now," ordered Hagrid.
Draco dragged himself away from the class and up to Professor Snape's office. He knocked on the door.
"Enter," said Snape coldly. "Mr Malfoy, what is it?"
"Hagrid sent me here."
"And what did you do?"
"I punched Crabbe."
"And what possessed you to do such an idiotic thing?" spat Snape.
"He swung at me first."
"That is no excuse. You have detention tonight with Mr Filch; you'll be taking Weasley's place in polishing the trophies. Goodbye."
Draco stormed out of the classroom, he looked for somewhere to go and cool off, the first. He made his way through every floor, when he reached the seventh floor he noticed a tapestry on the wall. He looked at it for a moment and then his mind came back to Crabbe. Damn, I hate him! he thought. He paced backwards and forwards in front of the tapestry, and he noticed a door appear in the wall. Curiosity over took him and he walked up to the door. "Room Of Requirement" he read aloud. He opened the door, and saw somebody he did not expect, Ginny Weasley.