Distraction

Telara's first term at Hogwarts continued along relatively smoothly. Even with Hermione's help, she was still terrible in Arithmancy. But she didn't feel nearly as lost as she usually did. She liked her other classes much better. She was learning so much even though it seemed her brain would explode sometimes. What she cherished more than anything was having friends with whom she could be totally open and honest.

The students had finally become accustomed to running every morning. Telara wasn't entirely sure Neville was going to survive the first week. But he did and surprisingly seemed to be almost enjoying himself during the runs. Telara began to enjoy running about the school grounds herself as her body became adjusted to the routine.

Her new friends still thought she was crazy for enjoying Potions. Her enthusiasm had not diminished in the least. Telara suspected that Professor Snape had actually come to respect her skill though he would never ever admit it. He had even selected Telara to make Professor Lupin's Wolfsbane Potion for the first full moon of the school year. She was confident that she had done a good job, but she was still anxious to see Professor Lupin after the full moon to make sure he was alright. His weary but bright smile upon rejoining the school gave Telara the assurance she needed.

The first Quidditch game of the season was an incredible experience for Telara. She had no idea of how fast and exciting a real game would be. Seamus told her that professional Quidditch was even faster but Telara couldn't quite imagine that yet.

Gryffindor won its first game against Ravenclaw easily. Harry caught the Snitch only five minutes into the game. Ron didn't get to block even one scoring attempt.

The next game against Slytherin would be another matter entirely. Ron and Harry were out late many nights practicing and spying on the Slytherin practice sessions. The December game was soon upon them.

Ron had done an excellent job as team Captain and Keeper. Harry had been offered the position of co-captain along side Ron, but he declined. He wanted his friend to have the spotlight to himself for once. He was proud of how well Ron was managing the team.

Ron's new plays worked quite well against Slytherin. After half an hour of play, he had let in only one goal. Harry was circling the Pitch in search of the Golden Snitch. It was being quite elusive. Telara saw that Malfoy kept on Harry's tail instead of looking for the Snitch himself.

Not so brilliant after all, are you Malfoy? Telara thought.

The score was staying pretty low. The Slytherins were using all means possible to waylay the Gryffindor Chasers. The Gryffindors protested when Goyle sent a bludger at Ginny's head. But she dodged it and still managed to score a goal.

All of a sudden, Harry sped off toward the Gryffindor goals. Malfoy took off after him. Telara saw the snitch about twenty feet in front of Harry. Harry's Firebolt was doing a great job of catching up to it, but Malfoy's Nimbus 2001 was close behind him. Both had to perform a quick U-turn as the Snitch sped back toward the Slytherin goals. This put Malfoy even with Harry in the chase. Neither Seeker was able to reach for the Snitch. They were too busy trying to knock each other off their broomsticks. As they flew within inches of the Gryffindors, everyone gasped and braced for possible impact. Telara was the first to recover from the shock and shouted "Go Harry!"

Without even thinking about it, Malfoy turned to glare at the familiar voice. This gave Harry the advantage he needed. He put on an extra burst of speed and plucked the Snitch out of the air. The Gryffindors went wild as their team descended to the ground and began celebrating their victory.

The Slytherin team slinked back to the locker rooms. Malfoy was furious as he changed back into his school robes. There was no way he would take the blame for losing the game for Slytherin.

It's that damn American's fault for pulling my focus, he seethed as he slammed his locker closed.

The rest of Gryffindor house rushed out on the field to congratulate their team. Telara found Ron first and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before he was lifted onto the shoulders of his dorm mates. As he and Harry were carried back up to the school, Telara couldn't believe that she had kissed Ron.

What got into me? she wondered.

The common room barely held the victory party that continued until early the next morning. Fred and George would have been proud. Around midnight, Ron came across Telara in the midst of the crowd. Both were flushed with the warmth of the room and the surprise of seeing each other.

"Well done, Ron," managed Telara.

"Thank you," grinned Ron. "Can I ask you a question?"

All Telara could force out of her brain was a nod.

"Would you go to Hogsmeade with me next weekend?" asked Ron.

Telara couldn't stop the smile that spread across her face. "I would love to!"

"Great! I'll see you..." Ron began before half of the Gryffindor team grabbed him by the back of his robes and pulled him to the stairs to make a speech.

"Well," Ron began, "thanks so much for your support. We couldn't be such a great team without all of you. The Quidittich Cup will be ours again this year!"

The room erupted in cheers as the celebration kicked back up again. Telara wasn't able to find Ron again in the crowded room and settled for girl talk with Parvati and Lavender by the fire.

The girls decided it was bedtime around two o'clock in the morning. As they made their way toward the stairs, Hermione joined them. Once they reached the quiet of the room, the conversation gravitated to the upcoming Hogsmeade weekend.

"Does everyone have dates for this weekend?" asked Parvati.

"I'll be going with Ernie, of course," said Lavender.

"I still can't believe you're dating him," interjected Parvati. "I really can't believe he had the courage to ask you out in the first place."

"Let's just say I gave him the right inspiration," Lavender responded with a suggestive gleam in her eye.

"Ewwwww," responded the other girls. "Too much information!"

The giggling continued for the next few minutes as they struggled to suppress it.

"Well, Hermione, I'm sure you're going with Ron and Harry. What about you, Telara?" she asked.

"Oh, well," she began as she looked at Hermione nervously. "Ron asked me to go with him so I guess I'll be joining you."

The room became deathly silent. It seemed like an eternity passed before Telara decided to break the tension.

"So, Parvati, who are you going with?" she asked.

"Um...um," mumbled Parvati. She was not sure they should stay on the topic. Hermione looked like she might lose it any second. "I'm going with Terry. He caught up with me after the Quidditch game and asked me."

"Well, it should just be a wonderful weekend then," mumbled Hermione before she walked dejectedly out of the room.

"I was afraid of that," revealed Telara. "She fancies Ron, doesn't she?"

The other girls nodded in agreement. Everyone looked distracted as they got settled in for the night.

Hermione stormed back in the room and headed quickly for her bed.

"Hermione," Telara began.

"I'm tired and really don't want to talk right now," sighed Hermione as she pulled the curtains around her bed closed.

When Telara woke up the next day, Hermione had already left the room. Telara made sure her roommates know that she hadn't meant to upset her.

"We know," responded Lavender.

"Ron's the one who asked you out. It's not your fault," added Parvati.

"Well, I still feel bad. Do you think Ron likes her too?" asked Telara.

"I always thought he did," answered Lavender. "But if he's asking you out maybe he's given up on her."

"Let's go," said Parvati. "They're going to start running without us."

I am so stupid! Telara berated herself. How am I going to get out of this mess?

The girls got down the front steps just as everyone started off on the run. They stretched a bit before bringing up the rear of the group. Telara saw Hermione at the very front with Neville. She didn't think she would be able to catch her without losing her breath and the ability to speak in the process.

By the time the Telara, Parvati and Lavendar got back to Gryffindor tower to clean up for breakfast, Hermione was already out the portrait hole.

When the girls arrived in the Great Hall, Telara spotted Hermione and started towards her. Telara was glad that she didn't seem to notice her entrance. She was sure Hermione would run off if she noticed her heading that way. She had almost gotten to Hermione when she heard a leering voice shout at her across the room.

"I suppose you think you're a big hero now!"

Telara froze as Hermione suddenly became aware of her presence. Hermione grabbed her things and ran off as Malfoy approached Telara.

"You have bloody perfect timing, you know that, Malfoy?" Telara shouted.

"Didn't you hear what I said?" challenged Malfoy.

"Not really and I'm not really interested in knowing," retorted Telara as she ran back out of the Great Hall to find Hermione.

Draco Malfoy was not used to being cast aside. He was used to everyone hanging on his every word and satisfying his every whim. Telara greatly unsettled him and he didn't like it one bit.

Telara searched the staircase and surrounding corridors for Hermione. There was no sign of her anywhere.

She is fast! thought Telara.

Telara was so busy looking for Hermione that she arrived at the greenhouse barely in time for class. Hermione ended up working with a couple of Hufflepuff girls so Telara couldn't talk with her. She tried to catch her after class, but Hermione eluded her again.

As she approached Hagrid's hut for Care of Magical Creatures, Telara spotted Hermione inside Hagrid's hut. She didn't come outside until Hagrid started teaching so Telara couldn't talk to her yet again.

When the class ended, she barely caught sight of Hermione practically sprinting up to the castle. As Telara stood there not quite sure all this effort was worth it, Ron and Harry came up beside her.

"What's wrong with her?" asked Ron.

"You probably did something, Ron," joked Harry.

"I swear I didn't. I'm innocent this time," declared Ron.

Telara couldn't quite bring herself to explain the situation to Ron and Harry. She had enough aggravation in her life at the moment. She didn't want to rehash the whole thing.

They walked back up to the Great Hall for lunch. Hermione wasn't there.

Well, she won't be able to avoid me in Arithmancy. Telara vowed to herself.

Telara ate quickly and made her way to the Arithmancy classroom. Hermione sat on the floor beside the door reading a book. She looked up when she heard Telara's footsteps. She sighed deeply and turned her head back to her book.

Telara sat down in front of Hermione on the floor.

"I'm sorry I've upset you," said Telara. "I won't go if you don't want me to."

"I know you are. I'll be fine," quietly responded Hermione. "We'll have fun showing you around Hogsmeade."

Hermione's smile and words seemed a bit forced, but right now Telara would take what she could get.

"Thank you, Hermione," whispered Telara as the corridor filled with students coming from lunch.

Even though Hermione was not openly avoiding Telara anymore, there was still tension between the two as they sat through Arithmancy and headed to dinner.

Ron and Harry were already stuffing themselves in the Great Hall when Telara and Hermione joined them.

"Goodness, boys," scolded Hermione. "Are we hungry?"

"Well, you must be feeling better," commented Ron.

"I feel just fine. Thank you very much," responded Hermione.

Dinner was its usual lively affair with everyone discussing their day and complaining about their mounting piles of homework. Telara was relieved that she had survived the day with her friendship with Hermione intact. It may not be quite healthy again, but it was intact nevertheless.

The rest of the week passed by quickly and before Telara realized it, it was Friday evening. Ron found Telara studying on the sofa by the fire and sat down next to her.

"You want to meet for breakfast in the morning before we head to Hogsmeade?" asked Ron.

"That would be nice," answered Telara.

"Good! Well, I'll meet you down here at eight o'clock then," said Ron. "Good night."

"Good night," echoed Telara.

Once Ron was gone, Telara got up and found Hermione in their room.

"I just spoke with Ron. We're meeting for breakfast at eight. I hope you and Harry will be there too," said Telara.

"Yeah, we'll be there," responded Hermione.

Hermione didn't sound too enthusiastic, but Telara didn't want to screw things up with Hermione again so she didn't push it.

Despite her apprehension, Telara was excited to explore the village she had only seen briefly through a carriage window. She was exhausted after her emotionally charged day and fell asleep quickly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Telara woke early the next morning. She was ready for her first real trip to Hogsmeade. It didn't take her as long as she would have liked to get showered and dressed. She still had an hour to burn before it was time to meet Ron. She headed downstairs to find something to help pass the time. She sat down in front of the now empty fireplace and attempted to read her Transfiguration textbook.

"Couldn't sleep in either?" asked Ron.

Telara jumped a couple of inches off the sofa in her surprise at hearing Ron's voice. They both laughed as Ron sat down next to her.

"Do you have any idea what you want to do in Hogsmeade?" asked Ron.

"Nope. I'm just going to let you show me the popular spots. I'm all yours," Telara answered.

Ron blushed as thoughts crossed his mind that he wouldn't dare express. They sat and talked until Hermione and then Harry came downstairs.

"Well, let's eat!" exclaimed Ron.

"Yeah. Let's get some real food before we buy out Honeydukes," added Harry.

The girls fell in behind Ron and Harry as they walked out of the portrait hole. Telara glanced at Hermione but couldn't quite determine her mood.

If she's upset, she's putting on a good face to hide it, thought Telara.

Telara still couldn't believe there was a village that consisted of only wizards. She had a few galleons left from her visit to Gringott's and was ready to shop.

The boys insisted that Zonko's be their first stop. Hermione rolled her eyes as she gave in to their exuberance. Telara was impressed by the joke shop. She still liked the Weasley's store better, but this one was fun too. Telara got some mischievous ideas of what she could do to Malfoy, but decided that ignoring him would be the better option.

Ron and Harry both had their arms full as they headed for the register. Telara and Hermione both shook their heads wondering if boys would ever change, but hoping deep down that they really wouldn't.

Telara was much more impressed by Honeydukes. She laughed when she saw the ice mice candy.

So Papadore's sweet tooth rules his choice of passwords, chuckled Telara to herself.

Hermione and Telara got their revenge by making Ron and Harry go into Wizard's Gladrags. The boys looked bored to death as Telara and Hermione tried on as many robes as they could. When the girls were sure they had tortured the boys to their breaking points, they suggested that they were ready for lunch. Ron and Harry leapt from their chairs and practically ran out of the store.

They entered the Three Broomsticks and managed to grab a table. Ron sat next to Telara but she took care not to sit to close. She didn't want to trouble Hermione when they were having such a nice time. Ron, Harry and Hermione took turns telling Telara about their adventures during their first six years at Hogwarts.

The group split up once they entered a gift store. Each seemed to have the others' Christmas presents in mind and wanted a bit of privacy to buy them. They met up outside each holding big bags full of gifts.

"Well, my list is finished for the day," stated Hermione.

"You had a list! No way!" scoffed Ron.

"Very funny, Ronald. Do you want to see the Shrieking Shack, Telara?" asked Hermione.

"Ooh, yes! After the stories you've told, I have to see it in person," Telara replied.

The group started off down the street in the direction of the Shrieking Shack. They would have to hurry since the sun would be setting soon. As they passed an alley, Telara caught someone watching them out the corner of her eye. She looked around just in time to see a black cape swish out of view. She stomach took a sudden plunge but she talked herself out of being scared of something she wasn't entirely sure she saw correctly.

As they approached the fence surrounding the grounds of the Shrieking Shack, Telara felt a sense of dread permeate her. She didn't know why she was afraid. The trio had told her how the Shrieking Shack had gotten its reputation for being haunted. She had no reason to fear it. She felt herself trembling slightly as Ron came up beside her and put his arm around her shoulders.

"Are you okay?" he asked. "You look a little freaked out."

"I don't know," responded Telara. "Something just feels wrong around here. I can't figure out what it is."

At that moment, they heard movement in the trees and turned to see the source. They briefly saw a hooded figure in black before it disappeared deeper into the trees.

"I saw that person as we were leaving the village. I think he's following us," said Telara.

"Harry, Hermione, let's go!" commanded Ron as he whipped out his wand. "Right now!"

"What's going on?" demanded Harry as he struggled to keep up with Ron and Telara.

"Someone's following us. We need to get back to Hogwarts," explained Ron.

Hermione and Harry exchanged nervous glances as they too took out their wands and sped along with Ron and Telara.

They didn't relax until their carriage passed through the gates of Hogwarts. As they headed inside, Harry proposed a plan of action.

"Ron, you get Telara to the common room. Hermione and I will go talk to Dumbledore. We'll meet you in a little bit," said Harry.

"Thanks mate," said Ron.

As they went in opposite directions, Ron's arm went back around Telara. He guided her through the portrait hole and to the sofa. Telara was glad to have him there to lean on. She snuggled up to Ron when they sat down. Ron was enjoying the smell of her hair when she sat up a bit and looked up at him.

"Thank you for everything today," smiled Telara. "I had a wonderful time even with that scare at the end."

"You're welcome," Ron whispered as he moved his face toward hers.

Telara was so tempted to give into the kiss that was coming, but the thought of Hermione's feelings pulled her out of temptation's way. As she pulled back from Ron, he gave her a surprised look.

"I'm sorry Ron," gasped Telara. "I can't."

Ron's face turned from surprised to puzzled as he noticed Telara struggling to breathe normally. He obviously had an effect on her. What was the problem?

"Ron, I have to tell you something. When you asked me to go to Hogsmeade with you, Hermione was just devastated. She really likes you Ron, and I think you like her too. I don't want to stand in the way of that. You two have been through so much together and share a bond that should never be threatened," said Telara.

Ron's face once more changed. This time he was dumbstruck by the news that Telara had just given him.

"Do you like Hermione in that way, Ron?" Telara asked.

Ron was a bit embarrassed to be discussing this with a girl he had come within a centimeter of kissing mere seconds ago. But as he thought about her question, there was only one answer he could give her.

"Yes, I do," admitted Ron. "I had given up after all this time. I didn't think she could ever want me in that way."

"Well, then, you have some thinking to do," insisted Telara as she got up to go to her room.

"Yeah," mumbled Ron as he started staring into the fire and processing all these new possibilities in his head.

"Good night, Ron, and good luck," encouraged Telara as she kissed him on top of the head.

Telara laid in bed thinking about all that had happened that day. She remembered the wonderful memories she had made that day. She tried to not dwell on the fear that the hooded figure had caused. She also regretted turning down Ron even though she knew she did the right thing.

Sometimes having a conscience is a pain in the rear, she thought.

She looked up at the clock and noticed that two hours had already passed since she came up to her room. Hermione should have been back by now. She grinned to herself as she pictured what might be happening downstairs. She finally was able to turn off her mind and fall asleep just before a very happy Hermione snuck into the room.