Iuga Sortis (Bound By Destiny)

Four

Angelina walked into the common room to see a seething Hermione lay in on the twins.

Good, they've had it coming, she thought, but couldn't help but wince as the prefect threatened to tell their mum about testing their products on younger students.

Bet they felt that one.

She walked over to an easy chair and sat down, rubbing her eyes with a weary hand. Her cousin was here, at Hogwarts.

I don't even know what house she's in! she thought, as she realized she didn't ask Professor McGonagall that all-important question. I can always send an owl to her for us to meet. I don't need to know her house to do that.

Angelina looked around the common room but saw no sign of the twins. She sucked her teeth and scanned the room again. She spotted a sulking Ron sitting in front of the fire, his books closed in front of him.

"Ron?"

He didn't budge.

Angelina sighed, getting up from her chair to meet the boy.

"Ron!"

He started and turned his head.

"Huh! Blimey, Angelina, you scared me!"

She gave him an apologetic look. "Sorry, Ron. I was wondering if I could use your owl to send a letter to my cousin."

"Sure. Are you going now, this late?"

Angelina made a reluctant face. "Guess not," she admitted. "I'll send it in the morning before the post goes."

He smiled at her, but she could tell it didn't reach his eyes.

"Are you all right?" she asked, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"Why are girls so weird?" he blurted.

Angelina laughed and sat down next to him. "Are we talking girls in general, or one girl in particular?"

Ron turned a decidedly nice shade of red. "Um . . ."

"Why don't you just ask her out? You can ask her to go with you to Hogsmeade."

"I can't do that! Hermione'll laugh at me!" Ron slapped his hands over his mouth. "I did not just say that," he said, though his hands muffled the words.

Angelina understood him anyway. "I'm afraid you did. But don't worry, I won't tell anyone. My lips are sealed." She made a zipping motion at her lips.

"Thanks, though I confess, it feels good to finally admit it to someone."

"I'm sure it does. Now that you've finally admitted it, what do you plan to do about it?"

Ron shrugged. "I don't know, but I know I'm not telling her."

"Do you want her to like you back?"

Ron shot her a no kidding look.

"Well then, how do you plan on doing that if you don't tell her?"

"I dunno. She's right mad at me for poking fun at her spew and always asking for help on homework and stuff. As it is, she's angry with me because I wouldn't help her with Fred and George just now. She probably only sees me as a pest," he said forlornly.

Angelina squeezed his shoulder affectionately. "Well, don't you think she has a right to be a bit put out? She may think you don't appreciate her."

"That's just peachy."

Angelina chuckled. "But if it's all the same to you, I don't think she'd want you to change--she's your friend, after all. But one day soon, she'll realize what a special guy you are, Ronald Weasley," she said honestly. The tips of Ron's ears went red, and Angelina laughed.

"Thanks, Angelina," Ron mumbled.

She squeezed his shoulder again. "You're welcome. I'm going upstairs now. Thanks again for letting me use Pig."

Ron watched as she gathered her books with a look of indecision on his face. As she made her way to the girls' stairs, he blurted, "One day, Fred will realize what a special girl you are, as well, Angelina."

She hesitated, and heat crept up her cheeks. She turned slowly to see a grinning Ron.

Angelina smiled slightly. "Thanks Ron." She walked up the stairs, his words tumbling inside her head.

~~~~~

He watchedas she absently poured milk into her porridge.

"Uh, Angel? I think that's enough milk."

Angelina snapped out of her trance and noticed the porridge threatening to spill over the sides of the bowl. "Bloody hell," she muttered as she pushed the bowl away from her, settling on a piece of toast instead.

"What's going on in that pretty little head of yours?" Fred asked before he took a gulp of his pumpkin juice.

"Nothing to worry your pretty big head about."

A guffaw rang out. Fred turned away to smack his twin upside the head.

"What? It was funny!" George said in defense.

"Just for the record, you have the same head!" Angelina reminded him. George stopped laughing and frowned.

"Ha! How you like them apples!" Fred yelled triumphantly and pumped his fist in the air.

"But seriously, Angelina, you've been walking around like you were in a haze. What's wrong?" Alicia asked.

Angelina shrugged. "There are just so many things to take in all at once. First off, we're seventh years, which means we have to figure out what we're doing for the rest of our lives."

"Me and George already know what we're doing. And people say we're irresponsible," Fred said, shaking his head in mock disappointment.

Angelina rolled her eyes. "Anyway . . .then the added responsibility of being Quidditch captain, and having an ogre of a DADA professor. And did I mention it's our last year?"

"Oh 'Lina! You don't have anything to worry about! You'll be fine! You'll pass your N.E.W.T.s with flying colors, win us the Quidditch Cup again, and find a great job when you graduate. I hear the Harpies are looking for new Chasers," Lee Jordan encouraged.

"Thanks, Lee, that really means a lot."

"Yeah, Lee! Thanks," Fred said, glaring at his dread-locked friend.

Lee grinned cheekily. "Just trying to help."

"You could not help so much," Fred mumbled.

"And why shouldn't he be as helpful as he can? He's my friend!" Angelina challenged.

Fred muttered something incomprehensible.

"What was that?"

"He's trying to get in your pants!"

Angelina looked appalled and slapped his bicep. "Fred!"

"I thought he was trying to get in Katie's pants," George said, his mouth full of porridge.

"Ew! Gross!" Alicia moaned, hitting her boyfriend's arm.

"George!" Lee exclaimed and glanced at Katie, who was looking pointedly at him.

"He won't," Katie snarled.

Lee sniggered. "If at first you don't succeed . . ." He earned high-fives from the twins while the girls glared at them. Suddenly a flurry of owls flew into the Great Hall with the morning post, and Fred looked for Errol to see if he or George received packages. As he searched, he noticed Pig.

"Oi, Ron! I see Pig with a letter! Have a secret admirer, Ickle Ronniekins?" he teased. He saw his youngest brother blush and Hermione frown at that barb, and Fred snickered. They have no clue!

"Huh, then why is he flying to the Slytherin table?" George said.

The group watched as the excited owl flew to a young looking girl sitting beside Malfoy. He tried to shoo the owl away, and he received a smack on the head for his efforts.

Fred snorted. Maybe she knocked some sense into him.

The girl took the letter from the owl's leg and read the contents, her eyes growing wide. Pig flew around her excitedly, and she held out her finger for the tiny owl to land. She put down the letter and gave Pig a piece of toast. Pig took it happily and seemed to give her a buss on the cheek before flying away. The Gryffindor group watched as Malfoy tried to read over her shoulder, for which he received yet another slap.

I think I like this girl, Fred thought, then he shook his head. Wait a minute! She's a Slytherin! I'm not supposed to like her!

"I wonder why Pig went over to her? Anybody know who she is?" George asked the others. Just as Fred was about to answer, the girl in question looked up and scanned the room before stopping on him. She smiled but did not wave, only nodding imperceptibly. He frowned and turned to his head to see Angelina nodding and going back to her meal. The other Gryffindors looked at each other in confusion, before--

"She's your cousin?!" Ron exclaimed.

Fred looked to the Gryffindor Quidditch captain for confirmation.

"Yes. I didn't know she was in Slytherin, seeing as how I missed the Sorting."

She looked pointedly at Fred, and he grinned. "All I did was save you from the pain of watching your kin enter the worst House of the school." He said it as if he'd done a great charitable service.

"Yeah, well, I'm going to talk to her soon. I find it very strange that she ended up in that House. I remember her as being such a sweet girl . . ."

"Sweet, my arse! She called us Gryffindor grime!" Ron exclaimed.

"I'll say! Slytherins are as sweet as Dungbombs!" George joked.

The boys laughed.

"Well, if we're all done passing judgment on a person you don't even know," Angelina said, glaring at the twins and Ron as she stood, "I'm going to class early."

They watched the tall seventh year leave.

"Think we've struck a nerve," said Fred, half-jokingly. He didn't even bother to dodge the slap Alicia gave him, oddly thinking it half-deserved.

~~~~~

"I can't believe you smacked me twice," Draco muttered, rubbing the back of his head.

Nia looked at him, unapologetic. "Nothing less than you deserve, being nosy."

He watched as she put the letter in her robes. "Who was it from? Got a boyfriend already?"

"Jealous much?"

"Hardly."

"It's none of your business anyway."

"Just as long as it's not from Potty or Weasel, I don't care. But then again, Weasel is so hung up on Granger, I doubt it'd be from him," Draco muttered.

"Pot calling the kettle black here; you're the one who likes the sister."

Draco chose to ignore that comment. "So are you going to tell me who the letter's from?"

"Nope."

"Not even me? Your best chum and mate?"

"I've only known you for a coupla days!"

Draco looked at bit hurt. "Oh. I see how it is." He went back to his breakfast without another word.

Nia immediately regretted her remark. "I'm sorry, Draco. I didn't mean it like that." She put a hand on his arm, but he shrugged it off.

"Someone's not on his good side anymore," Pansy taunted.

"Like you were ever on his good side," Goyle said, sticking up for Nia.

Nia smiled in thanks at him and made a face at Pansy. "Draco?" she asked hesitantly. He continued to ignore her, and her annoyance grew. "Fine. I'm leaving. Find me when you stop acting like a three year old."

Nia left the table and the Great Hall, trying to quell the feelings of regret and loneliness. Great. In a matter of days, I've made and lost a friend. What a great first week this is turning out to be! So consumed in her thoughts, she didn't hear her name being called.

"Nia Aset Roberts! You better turn around and greet me!"

Nia stopped walking, a slow smile spreading across her face. "Angelina Mae Johnson! I don't have to!" She turned anyway, and the taller girl jogged up and gave her a big hug.

"It's so good to see you, coz!" Angelina squealed.

Nia welcomed the hug, her earlier feelings being squeezed away. "You, too. It's been so long."

Angelina pulled away, looking Nia up and down. "You haven't grown a bit since I last saw you," she teased.

Nia rolled her eyes. "Just because you're as tall as a skyscraper doesn't mean everyone else in the family is. My mother was only five feet."

At the mention of Malika, Angelina's face fell. She had been close to Nia's mother, and when she died, Angelina felt as though she lost a second mother. "How's Aunt Jamilah?" she asked.

"Fine. Do you mind if we walk and talk? I feel weird just standing here," Nia chuckled.

"Sure! What's your first class?"

Nia pulled out her schedule. "Uh . . . Care of Magical Creatures," she announced, then frowned. "I don't think I like the sound of that."

Angelina laughed and put an arm around Nia's shoulders. "It's not so bad; actually, it's one of my favorite classes. Come, I'll walk you there." They walked and chatted, catching up on the past three years. They sat on the grassy knoll a few meters away from where Nia's class would meet.

"So why didn't you tell me you were a witch?" Angelina asked, as she bent her knees to rest her arms on them.

Nia reclined, settling her weight on her elbows. "Why didn't you tell me you were?"

The older girl grinned. "That's a fair question, I suppose. My parents told me not to tell you; probably afraid of how the rest of the family would react."

"Why would that matter?"

"The Roberts side of the family is Muggle, you know; that's why I always assumed you were as well."

"I did, too. Mama never did any magic around me; at least, none that I remember . . ."

"Is Aunt Jamilah a witch, too?"

"Yeah, she actually tutored me on some potions and spells before I got here so I wouldn't be behind."

"That was smart of her."

Nia looked at Angelina curiously. "When did you find out, Angie? Weren't your dad's parents Muggles, too?"

Angelina grinned. "My dad is a Muggle-born wizard."

"Cousin Caleb's a wizard? I've always wondered how he could pull the quarter from behind my ear," Nia said half-jokingly.

Angelina laughed. "I remember when you were . . . I don't know . . . three or four, and we came to the States to visit. When Dad pulled that stunt, your eyes got so wide I thought they would pop out!"

Nia chuckled. "I remember that trip! I wouldn't leave you alone for nothin'!"

The Gryffindor snorted. "Got me in trouble, too. One day I'll get you for saying I broke that vase."

"I dunno whatcha talkin' 'bout," Nia grinned, her drawl exaggerated.

Angelina laughed, resting her head in her arms. "I wonder why they wouldn't let me tell you about the wizarding world . . .clearly, they knew your mum was a witch. McGonagall told me my dad and your mum went to Hogwarts at the same time, though he was in Ravenclaw and a few years ahead of her."

Nia was about to ask for more information, but the bell for class rang. "Guess it's time for class," she said.

"Seems that way."

The two stood, brushing off bits of grass from their robes.

"I'm still not used to these robes," Nia smirked.

Angelina laughed, helping her get all of the grass off. "Do you still want to meet later?"

Nia smiled. "Definitely."

Angelina smiled as well, picking up her book bag. "All right then. If I don't see you before then, have a great first week, okay?"

Nia nodded. "Thanks, Angie, you too!" She waved and walked down to her class in a much better mood, thinking her week would not be a total loss.