Chapter 7
Ron traced his sister's gawp across the Hall and found Malfoy looking back. He had a little trouble believing that it was truly Malfoy at first because there was no trace of his usual smirk. He was actually smiling… Ron tensed up as he suddenly realized that Malfoy was not only smiling…he was smiling at Ginny! Ron's eyes fixed on Malfoy - if looks could ever kill - who had finally seemed to notice Ron's glare and quickly replaced his smile with a smirk.
Ginny had also resumed eating, as though nothing had transpired. Ron shifted his gaze between the two, his mouth hanging open in shock. He was about to say something to Ginny when he felt a hand gently grip his knee. He looked at Lavender, who shook her head slightly, silently telling him that mentioning it probably wouldn't be a good idea. Ron glanced back at Ginny, who was now chattering amicably with Harry and Hermione. He looked back to Lavender, clenched his jaw and nodded. He went back to his food and didn't say a word.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Harry glanced at Ron and leaned over to Hermione. "Does Ron seem to be acting a bit…odd…to you?"
Hermione looked at Ron and saw him stabbing his food as though it had suddenly sprouted Snape's head. She also noticed him furtively staring across the Hall to the Slytherin table from time to time. Alarmed, she threw a look at Lavender, who just shrugged, and then Ginny, who indeed looked a bit worried.
She finally whispered back to Harry. "Yeah, he does. Wonder what's wrong…. Reckon we should ask him later when
he's calmed down a bit."
Harry watched as Ron furiously stabbed his fork in his food again. Harry suddenly had an image of said fork being stuck in his arm. "Yeah, all right," he replied as he returned to his food.
*~*~*~*~*~*
"Good evening, Professor Dumbledore," said Leigh as she politely smiled and sat down at the table.
"Ahh," Professor Dumbledore exclaimed, "Miss Collins! How nice of you to join us this evening. And please…I beg of you….call me Albus. After all, we are co-workers now."
"Yes, we are…" Leigh said, smiling, before she firmly added, "Albus."
Albus then began telling her about an amusing incident that had occurred some time ago as she filled her plate with food. Hearing a whisper behind her, she froze.
"Leigh."
Not happening… Leigh thought, as she clinched her eyes shut. She heard the clatter of the chair as it was pulled backward and then the rustling sound of someone sitting down.
Exhaling quickly, she forced herself to open her eyes and speak. "Hi, Bill."
*~*~*~*~*~*
Harry noticed a small first-year boy sit himself down at the table not too far from him. He had blond hair and a nervous look upon his face as his blue eyes danced around the Great Hall. It didn't look as though he'd managed to make some friends yet. Harry nudged Hermione and motioned toward him while whispering something in her ear. She nodded.
Harry turned back to the boy and called out to him. "Do you want to come and sit with us?"
The boy smiled brightly as he nodded and quickly took a seat next to Harry.
"You're a first-year, huh?" Harry asked. The little boy nodded in reply. "What's your name?"
"Joshua"
"Well, Joshua, it's nice to meet you. I'm Harry Potter."
The boy's eyes suddenly sparkled with recognition but his behavior pretty much remained the same. All he said was, "My mum's mentioned you before. I don't really remember what she said though. But she did tell me that I might meet you this year!"
Harry exchanged looks with Hermione; both were mildly surprised at Joshua's reaction. He behaved normally, as though merely recognizing an old acquaintance. It threw everyone off a little bit.
"Well," Harry said, "These are my friends." He motioned towards each of them as he said their name.
When he finished, Joshua smiled and said, "Hi."
"Welcome to Hogwarts."
*~*~*~*~*
Bill pulled up a chair next to Leigh as Dumbledore greeted him warmly.
"Good evening, Bill. I'm glad you could make it down here for dinner."
Bill replied, looking not at his former professor, but at Leigh, "As am I, Professor."
Leigh shifted in her seat uncomfortably as her eyes roamed around the Great Hall looking at everything, save for Bill.
Professor Dumbledore's eyes twinkled as he looked at his two young coworkers. Smiling softly, he turned in his seat to talk to Professor McGonagall.
Leigh began to eat her food, stubbornly refusing to look at Bill and instead possessing a rapt interest at the cuisine placed in front of her.
"Leigh," Bill started, "Leigh…please look at me."
Leigh put her fork down on her plate as she sighed softly. She continued to stare at her food.
"Leigh," Bill prodded once more.
Slowly, she lifted her head and allowed herself to see him.
He began to apologize. "I'm sorry I hurt you. I--"
"Not right now, Bill," Leigh interrupted. "We're at dinner. It wouldn't be wise to have this conversation in the presence of students."
"Well, then when can I explain?"
"After dinner," Leigh replied, "Now if you'll excuse me. I think I'll finish my supper in my room."
In one swift move, Leigh was to her feet. She quickly glanced at Dumbledore before grabbing her plate and briskly walking out of the Great Hall.
Dumbledore glanced at Bill who was currently resting his head in his hands with his elbows placed at the table. Groaning softly, Bill rubbed his eyes and then reached forward to fill his plate.
The elderly Headmaster smiled softly as he got Bill's attention and motioned to his Head Boy and Girl, sitting in the crowd. Bill watched the two of them as they conversed with a young first year.
"Look at Harry and Hermione," Dumbledore began, "they are so in love and at such a young age. Aren't they lucky?"
Almost wistfully, Bill quietly answered, "Yeah... I guess they are. Not many people find their soul mate so young in life."
"I know someone else who did." Dumbledore replied.
"Who?" Bill questioned.
"You," Dumbledore whispered, looking pointedly at him, "You and Leigh."
Bill shifted his eyes from Harry and Hermione down to his plate. Suddenly realizing that he had no desire to eat, Bill sighed and rose from his chair. "Excuse me. I think I'm going to go take a walk…need some air. Good night, Albus."
He swiftly left the Great Hall, as though he couldn't get out quickly enough. Pushing through the doors of the main entrance, he breathed a sigh of relief.
He'd dreamed about seeing Leigh for so long. Though, to be honest, it never played out exactly like this. He had always imagined that she'd be happy…not like this. Her attitude toward him was cold and aloof. But, as much as he hated it, he knew he deserved it.
He saw a glimpse of the real her in those first brief moments before she saw him. She seemed happy, but he knew she wasn't. Not really. Not without him. Despite that, he still worried that he wouldn't be able to repair their relationship. But she had to understand! She had to…
He looked out upon the grounds of Hogwarts and its lush, verdant splendor. It was gorgeous; the wide range of greens - emerald, olive, jade - with just a hint of fall colors seeping through. He took a deep breath as if gathering his resolve from the evening air.
Nodding his head slightly, he turned back to the castle to find Leigh.
*~*~*~*~*
Ron shoved a spoonful of mashed potatoes into his mouth. He had calmed down substantially in the last few minutes; largely due to the presence of Lavender's hand on his knee. She hadn't taken it off yet and, frankly, he didn't want her to. It was comforting to him and oddly…relaxing.
Harry spoke again, trying his best to include Joshua into their conversations. "So, where are you from?"
"London," he replied, "been there since I was born. My mom to work at St. Mungo's. So did my dad. He died awhile back though." His eyes widened slightly. He hadn't meant to say that.
Sensing that Joshua didn't really want to get into the subject of his dad, Hermione deftly changed the subject. "Have you played Quidditch yet?"
The little boy's eyes suddenly flashed with happiness. "Yeah! It's loads of fun. I've played all of the positions, but I really like being Seeker."
"Well, that's good news. This is my last year as Seeker. We need a good one to take over for me next year…preferably someone I can trust," Harry said, winking at the young first year as he took a bite out of his biscuit.
"I've been wanting to see you play for ages! My mom said you're the best seeker Hogwarts has seen in a long while!" Joshua suddenly remembered something. "Oh, no! I forgot to tell my mom how today went! I'll see you guys later!" With that, he scampered out of the Great Hall.
Hermione's gaze followed Joshua out of the room as she suddenly thought of something. Memories played out in her mind and the pieces slowly clicked together.
*~*~*~*~*
Leigh was pacing the length of her room nervously. Merlin…why did I tell him he could come here? I'm such a daft…idiot! A knock on the door arose, interrupting her train of thought.
Sighing, she resolved to get this over with. They couldn't do this all year after all. She slowly walked over to the door, although to Leigh, the journey seemed only to take a split second.
Her perception of time sped up considerably, as is the norm when one is dreading an occurrence. She reached for the knob and pulled the door open.
Bill stood there, just looking at her intently for a moment. She hadn't changed much in appearance since their days at Hogwarts. She still had her should-length blond hair and her hazel eyes. But as he gazed at her eyes, he realized that her irises seemed older somehow…wiser…hurt. They also didn't hold the flash of life - love - that he remembered. Finally, he entered the room, saying, "I don't really know where to start."
"The beginning's a good start," Leigh remarked dryly.
"Well, I guess it started with Voldemort--"
Leigh flinched slightly at the name.
"--and James and Lily and the Grangers…but I think it's mostly Harry and Hermione."
Leigh looked a little startled. "Both of them? Not just Harry? But…she wasn't involved back then. There's nothing to tie her to the fight."
Bill looked at her pointedly. "That you know of. Professor Dumbledore said he came to me because he knew he could trust me to remain loyal to the Order and that I had the necessary skills."
He was about to continue when the knob began turning and the door opened to reveal a young child that he vaguely recognized as being in his first year DADA class.
"Mom! Guess what?" he yelled as he ran to his mom and gave her a quick hug. "I met Harry Potter!"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A/N: Okay, it's a bit shorter than I'd like and I don't have beta-reader, but I figured I'd kept y'all waiting long enough. I should get some more writing done (either on this story or my others) in the next few weeks now that the majority of my exams are over with.
I'm monumentally sorry for being so horrible at updating. I swear, it's all my school's fault! They suck up all of the marrow in my creative energy…oy.
Thanks for being patient with me and I'll try my hardest to get the next chapter out soon.
Oh yeah…please review! Even if it's just a favorite quote or something…I thrive on reviews really….