After a Prefect's Meeting

[gold_ant]

Anthony can't concentrate on anything, it seems, since he overheard Hannah talk in the Library with Susan. He struggles to pay attention in class and has hardly spoken a word to his housemates. As the Head Boy and Head Girl call the Prefect meeting off, he props his bag on his shoulder and glares at the back MacMillan's head - Hannah is sitting

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[ernie_macpuff]

Ernie is in a hurry; he plans to swing by Ravenclaw on his way back to Hufflepuff to tell Lisa goodnight. When he feels a tap on his shoulder he glances back in annoyance as he continues to walk.

"What is it, Goldstein? I'm busy."

[gold_ant]

Anthony plants himself firmly in front of Ernie, the look his face clearly saying that he's not about to let him go without hearing what he has to say first.

"It'll only take a second out of your hectic schedule, MacMillan. Surely even you can grant me that?"

[ernie_macpuff]

Ernie has no time to stop and talk, not if he wants to meet up with Lisa as they previously arranged to do.

"Look, I'm on my way to Ravenclaw anyway. We can talk about it as we walk . . . " He steps around Anthony and continues walking down the corridor, slowing his pace only slightly to allow him to keep up.

[gold_ant]

Anthony wonders what on earth could Ernie want at Ravenclaw, but decides it's of no importance. What's important is that Ernie is listening to him, and he has to go straight to the point. Even as he speaks the words, he doesn't quite know why he's doing this - he who has never gotten in a fight and who never lets his emotions show. But he can't get the picture of Hannah's sad expression out of his mind.

"I won't beat around the bush, MacMillan. You hurt Hannah. If it ever happens again, I'll give you reasons to regret it."

[turpin_turtle]

"I'm glad that's over," Lisa says softly, feeling her heart stop racing finally. It starts racing all over again when she remembers something. "Ernie. . . . There's somewhere I thought we could go together."

[ernie_macpuff]

Ernie smiles at her as the tension from his encounter with Anthony slowly leaves him. "Really? Where?"

[turpin_turtle]

"Well . . . just here, down this side corridor"--she leads him to look down it, and speaks even more quietly--"there's um . . . a little alcove behind a tapestry."

[ernie_macpuff]

Ernie can't help grinning as he walks along with her. "That's very interesting. I mean, I'm sure it's a fine example of gothic architecture considering the age of the castle itself. I'd love to see it; I'm quite interested in medieval structures, you know."

[turpin_turtle]

Lisa leaves the alcove, holding Ernie's hand tightly, her cheeks brilliant red. "I'm going to be known as the Scarlet Woman of Hogwarts."

[ernie_macpuff]

Ernie smiles. "Not a chance. Justin and Padma would never think that." He gives her hand a reassuring squeeze as they continue walking down the corridor.

[turpin_turtle]

She shifts so she's walking closer to him, considering what he's said, then she laughs suddenly. "I suppose they'd be in no position to judge, would they? Since they were meeting up to do the same--" She becomes embarassed then and clams up. After awhile she says, "Am I very terrible . . . for being disappointed that the room was occupied?" She looks up at him uncertainly.

[ernie_macpuff]

He chuckles. "No, there's nothing terrible about you." As they continue to walk down the corridor, they pass a closed door. Wait, I remember that door. Ernie turns on his heel, pulling her along by the hand, back to the door they just passed. He opens it and gently pulls her inside the dark space, closing the door behind them. "Once in second year, I mistook this closet for the Charms classroom . . . I hadn't really thought about again it until now."