Mine de Charbon

Amber and Ruby

Diclaimer: I'm JK Rowling and own Harry Potter… not! I'm not J.K. Rowling and neither is my co author, Amber…

Paris

"Putting your name forward?" I heard a voice ask. I looked up and saw Cedric's lean body leaning on a tree above me. I wiggled my toes.

"I'm not interested in such things," I said and threw a violet spark towards Cedric. He ducked and I snickered. I sensed Cedric's spirit; nervous and edgy.

"Trying to kill me?" he asked and sat next to me. I rolled my eyes.

"No, I don't kill." I said and stared at his face. Then added; "What do you want?"

"Nothing in particular. I just thought…"

"It will do harm." I said.

"What?" he asked; his forehead showing two extra lines.

"Speaking to me will do more harm than good. Your fiends don't like me."

"It's not true. You don't know them."

"I know lots of things. I know that Sharon thinks I'm a "Primitive creature who can't use a wand" and poor Anthony wouldn't mind asking me on a date to Hogsmea if I was a "little less fierce"."

Cedric's face twisted in horror. "How do you know? You read minds?"

"No. But the wind carries sounds to my ears…"

"Is it true that…"

"What?!" I snapped, my mood shifting. "That I hocus-pocused Albus so that I can come to Hogwarts or that I steal the cattlery?!"

"No," he said. "I never thought those things about you."

I smile. "I know. You admire me… that's why in the first year you accepted to tutor me." He coughed; certainly uncomfortable.

"I meant to ask you a question."

"Okay. Please do," I said and inhaled the scent of the flowers.

"Is it true that you can see the future?"

"Where did you hear that?" I asked casually as I looked into his eyes.

"Sharon said that you could. And there's legends."

"It's true. Gypsies can see the future but in return…"

"In return?"

"Coins. Money, you see."

Cedric put his hand in the pocket and threw a few coins towards my feet. He handed me his palm.

"Not now," I chided. "Gypsies read the future at night."

"Why?"

"Does it make a difference? Meet you here at 11pm."

"But-"

"Whatever Golden boy. Make sure you won't get caught."

Dinner wasn't great. Moody's eyes kept shifting from me to Harry. His black spirits swam around the students and glided over the tables. I felt one of them grab my feet and I tried to shake it away.

"Not hungry?" Neville asked.

"I'm tired," I lied. I couldn't tell him about these spirits. Humans had a selective eyesight.

"Er… Isidora?" Hermione hesitated. She handed me a folded paper and I asked her what was it. She answered that Cedric Diggory handed it to her after I have dropped it. I looked at my potions essay. I was meant to hand it in the following day. I looked at the Hufflepuff's table. He was laughing with his friends.

"I'm heading to the common room," I yawned. Neville nodded. "I'm coming too," he said. Neville easily kept with me. He was growing taller by the minute. I flopped on the stairs.

"What are you doing?" he complained.

"Sit here. How's your grandma?" Neville pouted. "I don't want to talk about her! I'm sleepy."

"Then, tell me about Paris. It's Paris, right?"

"Yes, I've spent my holidays in Paris." And he told me about Paris and its wonders. I got up after he promised to show me the pictures. I loved photos. I hugged Neville.

"You're the best boy I've ever met!"

" you," he mumbled and hugged me back."

Thanks for reading. That was about a 600 word chapter. I don't have much patience typing… oh, well. Next chapter? More Cedric of course! And if you have time, make me type much much faster. ;)