XV

-super short chapter-

When Hether got back to her room, Cho and Grega were bonding. The former immediately fell silent as she shut the door behind her and refused to look up.

"Hello, Cho." Hether acknowledged her, much to her surprise. A small smile spread on her face and she looked up and responded.

"Well, where've you been? Snogging Draco?" Grega joked.

"Quite right, actually. We're already planning on making babies. You can be the godmother." Hether deadpanned and brandished a box of chocolates. "He even gave me our pre-engagement gift. Look here, Honeydukes Every-Selection."

Hether took one look at Cho and burst into hysterics. She couldn't help it; Cho had clung unto every word and seemed to believe it the most when she'd brought the chocolates. Even Grega was surprised by her sudden outbreak of laughter. She'd heard her chuckle mostly, and maybe giggle along with her once or twice, but this full-out and deep rambling that seemed to pour from her very center was new and contagious. All it took was a look from a bewildered Cho, and they too burst out into unprecedented laughing, until they were all drying tears from their eyes.

"But really," Hether waved the box in the air. "Look at this. Rich."

"So, you and Draco are really together?" Cho spoke up, tying her hair up.

"Yes..." Hether lifted the lid of the box and pushed it towards them. "D'you think Pansy's coming back?"

"I hope not." Grega snorted. "she's a pain."

"Hermione said she thinks she was sent to Beaubaxton's." Cho said, and the room fell silent.

"You're friends with Granger?" Grega wrinkled her nose.

Cho looked up to see them both giving her incredulous looks. "Yeah. I mean, I guess so. We say hi now and then."

"Or, don't tell me you're trying to get a shot at Harry or Weasley?" Hether smirked.

Cho went red in the face. "What are you talking about?"

Grega shared a look with Hether, her eyes wide with mischief. "Cho, which one is it? Is it Weasley- "

"Or Harry?" Hether finished. "Come on, spit it out. We won't tell a soul."

Cho looked as if she were about to blow up in steam, and then she suddenly turned to Grega. "You're trying to set me up. What about you, Grega?"

"Hello? I broke up with Bradley Reighan before we went home, no?" Grega reached for another chocolate. "Besides, don't change the subject. I bet it's Weasley. Who wouldn't want a ginger treat?"

"No," Hether gave Cho a long look. "She's got a crush on Harry. She likes the dumb sort. Thinks they're cute."

"Are you reading my mind?" Cho looked offended.

"No, you're blushing, so I can tell."

Cho rolled her eyes and threw a pillow at Hether. "Stay out of my mind, please."

"I'll try." Hether smirked. "What classes do you have? I've got the same as last year except Potions and... a free period after lunch."

The girls produced their school diaries and scanned the pages for their pre-sixth year schedule.

"Well, I'm taking a remedial course for Herb ology, but I've got DADA and Transfiguration... as well as Potions." Grega frowned at her book. "That's just ridiculous. Who does Potions anymore?"

"People who aren't smart enough to make spells." Cho smiled. "I've got the same as Grega, all except Herbology."

"So, we've got two classes together. Nice."

A bell rang in the distance, signaling that it was time for supper. The girls quickly straightened up the room and hurried down the stairs and into the great hall. Hether saw Draco seated at the end of the table with his group, but pretended to not notice him. She felt half bad that she was going to put him through a great load of stress in the weeks to come.