 Chapter 20
Harry and Candi were alone in the Common Room, a suprise to both of them. But not too much, as it was 11pm. Candi was working on her Potions essay, and Harry was writing a letter to Sirius.
"Argh....killjoys's feathers should be used for solidifying the potion, not while mixing the potion! Geez!" Candi ripped up her paper and threw it into the fire. There were already a small pile of ashes there from further papers.
"Having problems?" Harry asked.
"Oh....yes." Candi admitted. "I've got so many things going on, I can't focus on my potions essay."
"Well, I've finished mine, let me look at yours." He got up and stood over her. He bent down and read what was written. Candi noticed that he smelled....quite wonderful actually.
"Well?"
"There's nothing there." He said simply. Candi rolled her eyes.
"Well....DUH!!! I just through the paper out! It's hopeless, I'm a failure at Potions. Just like Dad said." Candi buried her head in her hands. Her body shook with silent sobs. Harry put an arm around her.
"Candi....c'mon, don't cry....it's just an essay."
"You're right. I shouldn't lose it like that." She dried her eyes and regained her composure.
"There you go." Harry smiled at her, such a warm smile that Candi felt warm all the way down to her toes. What was with her?
"Thanks. What are you doing?" She asked pleasantly. Harry looked at her so hard that she felt like she was being x-rayed.
"Can you keep a secret?"
"Of course Harry. You can trust me with anything." She assured him.
"Well.....see, I have a godfather-"
"Lucky you." Candi muttered.
"And...well, he's not a good person publically."
"Everyone's got problems Harry."
"It's Sirius Black." He said finally. Candi jumped.
"The mass-murderer? You sure know how to pick your relatives Harry." Harry laughed and gently punched her shoulder.
"Stop! He's a perfectly nice person. And he's never missed a birthday."
"You're lucky to have such a caring relative, even if he is constantly on the run, right?"
"Yea, I am." Harry said thoughtfully. "Who's your godfather?"
"I don't know." Candi said, her good feelings gone. Harry noticed her change in mood.
"Oh...I'm sorry Candi." He led her over to the couch and put an arm around her.
"It's ok. Really. I'm better off without family anyway. It just doesn't pay."
"That's what I thought to begin with. But...you're family is all you have Candi. You need them."
"Well, I don't. I don't need anyone." Candi said, more to herself than Harry. Harry forced her to look at him.
"What about me Candi?"
"I...suppose..." They closed their eyes and leaned foward. Just as their lips were about to touch, there was a sound from the portrait hole. Eyes flew open, and the space between them widened as Hermione stormed back into the Common Room.
"That arrogant....oh, I'm so mad!"
"What's wrong baby?" Harry jumped up and went to her. Candi slammed her fist on the couch.
"Darn it!" She whispered silently.
"Oh...just Ron." Hermione said.
"Let's go for a walk. See you Candi." Harry walked out, Hermione on his arm. Candi ran upstairs into her dorm and cried herself to sleep.
Katie
__________________  And someday, when the night is over and the dawn arrives, we'll reach up to the sky withour eyes turned toward our Lord, and all will become good and whole |