Eservanix

"Eservanix."

Chapter four-The Boiling Point.

We headed down to Gryffindor's common room and sat down. There was a heavy silence.

It was lunchtime. I sat, feeling completely helpless to help my new good friends.

Harry put a hand on my arm.

"Don't go blaming yourself. This was totally not your fault," said Harry quietly.

I raised my eyes to his.

"Don't you see? It is,"

Harry looked taken back.

"Why? Because you wanted to save people? Is that why you think it's your fault? You want students to die? Us too, possibly?"

I bit my bottom lip and just stood up from my seat.

"Look. I think it'll be best if you three stay away from me. I can't stand it if anything happened to you three. You're my good friends," I said, as tears formed.

I walked briskly out of the common room through the portrait hole. I just stepped out into the corridor when someone grabbed my arm and spun me around to face them.

It was Harry.

"Listen. We're all in this together. We can't stay away from you. You're our best friend. Ron and Hermione like you," he swallowed nervously. "So do I."

I smiled.

"But don't you see? If you stay with me, you'll all surely be killed," I said, sadly.

"Then that's the risk we're willing to take," Harry said firmly.

"What about Ron and Hermione? Did you ask them if that's how they feel? 'Cause I get the impression that they don't," I said.

"I'm willing to take that risk," he replied, searching my face.

Just then, Ron and Hermione appeared at the portrait hole.

"We are willing to take that risk," Hermione said, as she came over to me and gave me a hug. Then Ron, who nodded furiously in agreement, also came over and gave me a shy hug. I hugged them back realizing I had the most wonderful friends anyone could ever want.

Ron and Hermione walked a head of us down to the Great Hall for lunch. Harry and I followed. He was walking right next to me, our shoulders occasionally touching. Then, Harry shyly reached over and tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear, then lowered his arm as if he wasn't sure he was supposed to do that. I felt myself blushing.

I really started to like him now. Not just as a best friend, but a little more. The last time I liked a boy, he laughed right in my face and asked me if I was taking muggle cocaine.

I was a little cautious now. If Harry just liked me as a friend that was fine too. I didn't want to lose him completely. I couldn't stand the thought of losing him all together over my stupid conclusion which, I jumped to that he might possibly like me more than a friend also.

I had pulled my hair into a ponytail. I glanced down at the front of my robes and uniform. On one hand, I couldn't understand why Harry would like someone like me...if he did. They're were plenty of pretty girls around here and thin, including Hermione. She was really pretty. I bet he could have anyone. Why was he choosing to stay around me?

At this thought, I sank into a stupor and was quiet as we ate lunch. I subconsciously hoisted a helping of steak and kidney pie onto my plate. Ron and Hermione were eating and talking. Hermione stopped talking and gently put a hand on my shoulder. Harry and Ron were sitting across from us at the table.

"What's wrong, Holly?" she asked, quietly and gently.

I just shook my head.

"I can't tell you now," I replied.

Hermione nodded, signaling that she understood. She went back to her pie and talking to Ron, but every once and a while, she'd glance at me sideways. That in turn, made Harry lean across the table.

"Is everything alright, Holly?" he asked, quietly.

"Fine," I said, distractedly.

He looked as unconvinced as Hermione.

We continued to eat. Harry and Ron soon started a conversation about Quidditch. I took that opportunity to talk to Hermione.

She and I turned away from Ron and Harry and talked in whispers.

"What's wrong, Holly?" she whispered.

"It's just that...I...I like Harry," I stammered.

Realization formed on her face.

"Oh. More than a best friend, huh?" she asked, gently and softly.

I nodded.

"And I'm not sure if he feels the same way. Suppose he doesn't? I'd feel like a complete moron. Secondly, why would he like someone like me? There are plenty of pretty and slim girls, including you. He basically could have anyone he wants," I said, quietly.

Hermione looked flattered that I called her pretty, but then her expression softened and a bit of shock was mixed with it.

"Holly. You are a pretty girl! Harry likes you because you're a wonderful person; sweet, caring, thoughtful, and considerate...need I go on? He doesn't care about what you look like on the outside." Hermione asked, tilting her head.

"You've only known me for a few days. How could you tell all of that in a matter of a few days?" I asked, surprised.

"I'm a good judge of character. Trust me. I know just the thing to cheer you up," Hermione broke into a coy grin.

I looked at her, puzzled.

Hermione grabbed my hand and turned to Ron and Harry.

"We'll be right back," she grinned at them.

They nodded and went back to their conversation, Harry glancing up at me as Hermione pulled me from the Great Hall and up to the common room.

She sat me down at one of the chairs in front of the fire.

"Stay. I'll be right back," she said, as she disappeared into the girl's dorm room. She emerged a few minutes later, carrying a small black makeup case.

She pulled a chair up in front of me and sat down. She opened the case and pulled out an eye shadow. I eyed her skeptically.

"Trust me," she grinned.

I grinned back. I totally did trust her.

She began applying the eye shadow, lipstick and blush, with a clear lipgloss on my lips.

"Here. Take a look," she said, holding up a small pocket sized mirror. I saw my reflection.

I looked nice! My hair fell around my shoulders, framing my eyes.

"You look lovely," Hermione said. "All you need is a little self confidence."

I grinned at her.

"Let's go knock Harry off his seat," Hermione grinned.

I nodded and we went back down to the Great Hall. As we entered, heads looked up as we entered. They followed Hermione and I all the way to Gryffindor table. We sat back down at the table. Ron and Harry sat, staring at me.

"Hermione...what did you do?" Ron asked, slowly.

"Gave her a little boost," Hermione replied.

"Do you like it?" I asked, Harry eagerly.

Harry just stared, speechless. Figuring that he hated it, I jumped up from my seat and ran from the Great Hall, tears forming.

HARRY.

I watched Holly run from the Great Hall.

"Nice going! She thinks you hate it!" Hermione snapped.

I finally found my voice.

"What? No!" I stammered.

"You'd better go tell her! She likes you, Harry. More than a best friend. She asked me why would someone like you like her. She doesn't think she's worthy," Hermione said, sternly.

"What? That's crazy! I do like her!" I cried, startled.

"Then go tell her!" Hermione hissed.

I leaped from my seat and hurried after Holly.

I found Holly sitting in the corridor on the floor, with her back against the wall, and her legs drawn up to her chest. Her arms were wrapped around her legs and her face was pressed into her thighs.

I crouched down in front of her.

"Holly?" I asked, softly.

"You hate it, huh? I don't blame you. It was a stupid idea," Holly sobbed into her thighs.

"No. I don't hate it," I said, as I sat down beside her and also drew my legs up. "I think it was a good idea, although, you did not need the make-up."

I added softly.

Holly raised her head, her eyes meeting mine.

"What do you mean?" she asked, slowly.

"I mean, you are pretty...without the make-up. You didn't need it to look pretty," I said, shyly as I felt my face flushing with color.

She also began blushing. There was silence for a bit.

"What about my...figure?" she asked, even quieter.

"I don't care. I only care about what's inside," I said, leaning close to her.

She smiled and blushed again.

I leaned even closer and kissed her on her cheek.

"Let's go back to Ron and Hermione. They're probably worried," I suggested.

We got to our feet and walked back into the Great Hall.

We sat back down at the table.

"Everything okay?" Ron asked looking from me to Holly.

I nodded and grinned.

Ron grinned back.

After lunch, we headed to Care of Magical Creatures and. Hermione, Ron and I went to the Defense Against the Dark Arts class, where Professor Umbridge taught. She was horrible. We all miss Professor Lupin. Umbridge was just a horrible woman. We went to Divination after that, where besides, predicting Harry's usual death, she predicted that my mum would be murdered. When I told Hermione this, she just scoffed.

"Please. Trelawney always predicts Harry's death and the death of one student a year. Remember what McGonagall said? Not one has dropped. I wouldn't worry, Holly," said Hermione.

I felt considerably better afterwards.

Later on, I decided to take a nice bath, while Ron, Harry and Hermione sat in the common room doing their homework. I grabbed fresh clothes, my pajamas, which, consisted of grey jogging pants and a white tee shirt. I headed into toward the shower room.

When I entered the shower room, there was another girl already soaking in one of the four tubs. Thick, white foam reached her chin.

Toward the back, in an arc, was the shower stalls. Blue and white tiles lined the floor and walls. Fluffy towels sat on a chair to the left. The windows were high and the silver moonlight streamed in. There were four deep tubs set in a square pattern.

"I'm sorry. Shall I come back later?" I asked, turning my face.

"Holly Maxwell?" the girl asked. "I'm Cho Chang."

Cho? Harry liked her since fourth year.

I thought.

"Oh. Hello," I said, smiling.

"How's Harry?" Cho asked, casually.

"He's fine," I replied.

"That's good," Cho said, nodding. "I see you're hanging around with Ron, Hermione and Harry."

I nodded.

"Yeah. They're good friends," I said.

Cho smiled.

"Do you like anyone?"

I nodded.

"Yeah,"

"Well, who is it?" Cho prompted grinning.

"Harry,"

Cho's grin faltered.

"Oh really? That's nice,"

Her tone was forced. I could hear some stiffness in it.

Just then, the dark shape appeared and flew into the window.

"No!" I cried, as I lunged to try and stop it, but it went right through me.

Cho was looking shocked and surprised. I landed on my stomach when I lunged. I just propped myself up onto my hands and knees, when the dark shape hovered near Cho in the tub.

"People are right. You are weird," Cho replied.

Just then, I heard a soft noise, like water bubbling.

"I didn't know the tubs had a sauna built in!" Cho cried, looking happy and relaxed.

The bubbling grew louder and a little bit of steam began rising up off the surface of the water.

"It's hot!" Cho cried.

The water was nearly boiling now.

"Help me!" Cho screamed as she tried to get out of the tub, but something was holding her down. In her vain attempts to get out, water was sloshing around.

I got up and slid on my stomach, my arm outstretched. I grabbed her arm. I felt some of the water boiling onto my skin. Ignoring the pain, I tried to pull her out. It wasn't working.

Cho let out a scream as the water got hotter and the steam was now thick. Her scream stopped.

I pulled my arm back. Cho's badly burned body was floating. Her black hair floating around her head. I screamed myself and tore full speed out of the shower room.

I reached Gryffindor common room, out of breath and trembling. My right arm was hurting from the burn I had received trying to help Cho. As soon as I entered the common room, Ron, Hermione and Harry looked up.

"Holly!" Ron cried.

He, Hermione and Harry rushed forward. Ron gently grabbed my shoulders.

"What happened?" Ron asked, putting his face close.

"Cho...tub...boiled!" I spat out, trembling from head to foot.

"Oh my God," Hermione said, weakly as she raised a hand to her mouth.

"Stay with Ron. I'm going to take a look," said Harry as he hurried out of the common room.

I burst into tears and slumped into Ron's arms. He shyly wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close. I pressed my face into his shoulder, shutting my eyes against the gentle blackness of his robe. I began sobbing. Hermione was rubbing my back. I heard the portrait hole open again.

"She's dead," I heard Harry's voice say, quietly. I heard him swallow.

"Is she okay?"

I spun away from Ron and thew my arms around Harry's neck. I buried my face into his neck and sobbed. I felt his arms encircling me. Hermione began sobbing quietly. Ron comforted her. Again, I shut my eyes against the gentle blackness of Harry's robe. He was hugging me tightly, his chin resting on my shoulder.

"What's going on?" a voice asked.

I didn't move nor did I raise my head. Harry and I just held each other.

"Lavender...go get Professor McGonagall. There's been another death. Cho Chang in the shower room," Ron said, his voice breaking.

I felt someone pass me and I heard the portrait hole open.

I shakily pulled back from the embrace. Harry gently took my face in his hands and he searched my face.

"I want this to stop," I sobbed.

"I know. So do I. We're just going to have to get through this...together," he said, gently.

I nodded, as tears streamed down my cheeks.

Harry pressed his forehead against mine. I closed my eyes.

Then, I felt his lips gently pressing against mine.

I gently kissed him back. He was so gentle and soft.

I opened my eyes. His emerald green eyes were staring into mine. I was starting to fall in love with him. He smiled reassuringly. I smiled back. I wiped my tears with the back of my hand and sniffed. Harry and I pulled back from the embrace.

"Alright. We're going to have to figure out this 'pattern'," I replied, taking a deep breath and finding renewed strength.

"You heard what Dumbledore said...it's taking those who were supposed to die in the crash in your premonition," Ron said.

He looked pale.

"Don't worry, Ron. We won't let anything happen to you," Harry said firmly.

"Absolutely," Hermione replied just as firmly and forcefully.

Ron seemed a little bit calmer.

"So, Chris, Draco, Crabbe, Goyle and Cho were sitting toward the front of the train, right?" I mused, as I began pacing.

Ron, Harry and Hermione nodded.

"So, it's the order they died in my premonition that..." I swallowed. "Death is going after them."

Again, they nodded.

Just then, the flash went off before my eyes, surrounding me. Again, I saw the train colliding with the car. I heard the screeching of the pistons as the train skidded to a stop. From the force, the cars behind the engine began derailing and flying off the tracks. I saw the last car, where we were sitting. It slid off the tracks, landing on its side, as it skidded several feet in the grass that surrounded the tracks. Two of the wheels hung off and rocked back and forth. I saw someone fly out of the opened window with light auburn hair. Ron. I saw him hit one of the nearby trees, then fall to the ground. The flash vanished. I jumped and breathed rapidly.

"What's wrong? What did you see?" Hermione asked, worriedly.

"Another premonition?" Harry asked.

I nodded.

"What happened?" Ron asked.

"I saw what really happened to Ron," I said, swallowing.

They waited.

"He flew out the window and hit one of the nearby trees."