Moments of "Time"

Ninth story. Here is the news.

Here is the news, another action-filled adventure,

Here is the news, all the worst from the world convention...

Here is the news, I want to go home, I want my baby back...

I wanna go home!

- Electric Light Orchestra, "Here is the news".

Colin Creevey was not very successful with girls. Actually, as far as girls were involved, he could not understand how one got into relationships with them - the farthest he got with any girl he tried setting himself up with, was getting smacked broad across the face for saying something that they obviously didn't like. He wasn't that good with words anyway.

On the other hand, though he wasn't all that good with those words, he was good with words of a different nature. He had successfully run the school newspaper for the last year and a half, and so far the only feedback he received were complaints on the lack of a nice rumour section. Unfortunately, Seamus Finnigan went out of that particular business not too long ago, so now Colin [swiftly] needed someone else immediately.

Posting an ad was not the best way, as he could not think of how to word the ad - "Rumour-monger needed!" sounded too dumb, while "Experienced informant required!" sounded too pompous.

Finally, another plan had quickly grown in his head as to how to get what he wanted...

*****

He had already known that someone was spying on his activities within the newspaper staff - for whatever was said within the walls of the paper's HQ that was based in one of the multiple unused classrooms, would there stay. However, that was not the case. He supposed that if he could get whoever that spy was to do the job for him...

So, he concocted a fake rumour - a test of sorts. On the next session of the newspaper staff, he announced that they would be opening a sports (other than Quidditch) section soon... And then all he had to do was waiting.

*****

The first warning bell rang the very next day, when several Quidditch players from all four Houses appeared in front of him, each one telling him off for thinking that there were other sports aside from Quidditch...

He asked each of them where they heard such rubbish, and invoked all the skills of diplomacy he had (though not that much, but it sure saved him from being torn apart), to tear that information out of them.

Ron Weasley said he heard it from his sister. Terry Boot said he heard it from Ernie, who, in turn, pointed to Ginny Weasley as well. When asked, Ginny pointed at the person that the Slytherin and Hufflepuff team captains pointed at (Colin always had trouble remembering their names) - Mandy Brocklehurst.

The next day, some people who were into setting up the Muggle sport of football (or soccer to some) in the school approached him as well. He, once again, convinced them that it was all a lie, and asked where they found this out. Apparently, through several agents, Mandy was the one people pointed at in the end.

*****

"Spying on us, eh?" he asked of her, when he ran into her in an empty hallway after breakfast next day. He had a free period, so he could do so. Mandy, who was in the year above him, was a tiny bit shorter, so he could accept that Slytherin-ish behaviour of "I'm big and strong and you're not..."

"What? I have no idea what you're talking about!" she protested. Colin shook his head as if casting away all the doubts.

"And why it so happens that the rumour of an alternative sports section spread so widely? And all who knew about it pointed at... YOU!" he yelled the last word raising his hand up in an accusing gesture at her.

She looked shocked. Her blue eyes seemed so close to crying now... And the black hair seemed to lose its sparkle at once.

"How'd you know?" she asked... It wasn't even a question, more of a subdued whisper.

"How? I asked. "I asked all who knew of this 'rumour', and they pointed at each other, and then at you!" he replied, "Now tell me... Was it really you?"

She nodded silently, and something much like hurt appeared in her eyes.

"Listen... I mean... I meant no harm and I just was--" she started, but was cut off at once by him making a bold step forward.

"I've got an offer for you," he said determinedly. She swallowed nervously, thinking if a knee kick to the groin would save her or not from the (obviously) impending rape.

"W-w-what?" she stammered nervously.

"If you would... would..." he stammered, because she had just decided in favour of the kick after all.

He collapsed onto the floor, gripping his wounded area, yet still hissing the words.

"...W-work for m-my pap-per..." he finished as he fell over.

"Oops!" she squealed. "Sorry!" she added as she kneeled over him and turned him over onto his back. He lay still as if frozen.

"You alright?" she asked, wondering if she should finish the sentence he did not let her.

"N-not really."

She hesitated, as if thinking something over ("Actions say more than words!" she told herself boldly), then bent down, kissing his lips lightly.

"And now?"

He nodded weakly, but still was not moving otherwise. She pulled him up into a standing position.

"You could've done better than making such a threatening position..." she started, but was cut off once again as he kissed her, and this kiss was relatively longer.

When they broke it, all she could do was say, "Yes... I will work for your paper, Colin..." in a quiet whisper and kiss him again.