The Girl who Survived (Fred Weasley)

CH 12. Rumors Hurt

~Elodie's POV~

    I hadn't had a chance to meet with Minerva since the big sleep over. I knew I could just pop into her office whenever I wanted, but I had a lot of studies to catch up on as well. Part of me thought about talking to Professor Lupin, but he had been missing classes this week. Cedric was always at Quidditch and I didn't like talking to him after practice because he was like a zombie. And the same went for Fred and George. I thought about speaking with Hermione, but she thought Divination was for the wonky headed as it was anyway.
    Pulling my mind away, I was sitting in the great hall by myself surrounded by half of my textbooks. I was sipping over a cup of Professor Trelawney's special tea, definitely an acquired taste, but it was beginning to grow on me. Also snacking on a box of Bertie Botts that Fred had taken all the bad flavors out of helped.
    "Hey Elodie! Do you mind if I sit with you for a moment? I could really use your help with the Dark Arts essay." Angelina Johnson asked me as she stood to the side of me.
    "Hey, yeah. I actually finished mine already, what's going on?" I asked her.
    I liked Angelina. I know many people didn't, especially my friends, they all thought she was either bitchy, or vulgar. I often found her quite funny. I knew the reason behind their dislike of her stemmed from Fred, he didn't like that she would throw herself at him. There was a rumor last year that they slept together after a quidditch match, but I didn't believe it. I wanted to give them the benefit of a doubt, and even if they had, it shouldn't be anyone else's business.
    "Well I'm wondering why it's more acceptable to be an Animagi than it is to be a Werewolf? I'm so zoned out I've read the text over a dozen times, but I can't even process the words anymore," She explained to me. She had taken a pretty bad beating at quidditch practice from what I heard, so it made perfect sense why she was so out of it.
    "Well it's primarily prejudice," I said in a more hushed tone. "See werewolves are considered half-breeds by those who value pure blood," I told her sarcastically. "But an Animagi is a witch or wizard who registers with the ministry because they have taught themselves to make the change. I can give you my notes if you prefer, I think they're a bit more user friendly then the text," I offered her.
    "Are you sure? That would be amazing! Snape is such a grouch I know he's going to grade all the Quidditch players harder cause of the game tomorrow," She told me gratefully.
    "Of course, don't worry about it," I told her handing her my notebook.
    We sat there primarily in silence, exchanging simple pleasantries here and there. Nothing too serious. She was someone fun for me to pass time with because we were both okay with the comfortable silence. I hadn't realized how much time had passed until she collected her items.
    "I'm going to go have a shower before dinner, would you like to walk with me?" She asked me.
    I didn't want a shower quite yet, but I was starting to feel a bit chilly, so it didn't seem like a bad idea. "Yes, just give me one second," I said as I collected my items into my bag.
    "Are you looking forward to the Quidditch match tomorrow?" She asked me as we climbed the stairs.
    "I am! I've never been much of a player, but I do enjoy watching. I will definitely be rooting for you and Cedric both fairly. There's enough support to go around."
    "Hey Elodie," She started but there was a hesitation to her words.
    "Yes?" I asked her with raised eyebrows.
    "I- I just wanted to say thank you. For last year. Wood told me that while everyone else was spreading the rumor about me and Fred, you were telling people to piss off. Said you'd been with me the whole night to get them to stop talking. I never thanked you for that," She told me with sincerity in her eyes.
    "Oh, I mean I didn't do it to get anything out of it, it's just that, I know I wouldn't want people talking about my sexual experiences so, I thought you deserved the same respect. If it happened, it happened. If it didn't, it didn't. But that should be between you and anyone you choose to be with," I explained to her. I think this is what the children called Girl Code.
    "Regardless, I appreciate it. You're a good friend," She told me, and I smiled. I'd love to have her as a friend.
    "Well thank you," I told her with a huge grin on my face. Before I knew it, I was opening my mouth. "You like him, don't you?"
    "Hold on, Elodie Potter, who are you sharing sexual experiences with?" She asked me and I could feel my white skin turn red as a tomato as she ignored my question.
    "No one actually," I told her as we climbed the last staircase to the common room.
    "Wait, so you and Cedric never...." She asked as she wiggled her eyebrows and did a subtle hip thrust motion. I looked around to make sure no one saw but I just kept laughing. "Fortuna Major"
    "No, god no," I told her. "We're technically not a couple yet," I told her.
    "Elodie Potter, you never cease to amaze me," She said as she headed up to the dorms.
    I thought about sitting with Ginny who was giving me a look from the fireplace, but she was in a conversation with the twins and Lee, who were now all giving us looks as I proceeded up to the dorms behind Angelina.