Fifteen

                                    

                                          
The last few weeks of January passed by in a blur of DA meetings, Hufflepost meetings, a mountain of homework and lessons with Malfoy that had become stiflingly formal and were easily the most dreaded part of Eleanor's day.
When Valentine's Day arrived Eleanor was finally relieved to have a whole day away from all the work and stress, getting up with Cynthia early in the morning to begin choosing outfits and do their hair and makeup.
"I wonder if Umbridge has ever had a Valentine?" Cynthia asks around the bobby pins held between her teeth as she does her best to tame her hair which, now that it was growing out, was in an awkward stage of being both too long and too short to do anything with.
"Ugh. Probably not, maybe that's why she's so horrible." Eleanor replies, checking her reflection and adjusting her own hair.
"Mmm probably. Ah, I need to do something about my hair and soon. Just look at this regrowth!" She pouts, as Eleanor acknowledges the growing situation of Cynthia's hair. What had started out as a bright bubblegum blue was now faded and dull and the regrowth of Cynthia's light brown hair wasn't improving the look.
"That's the problem with Hogwarts. Nowhere to go to get your hair done. Should've done something about it during the holidays."
"I couldn't."
"Hmm, well if you want I'm sure I can have a go at cutting off the colour at least."
"No thanks. I need you cutting my hair like I need a stinging jinx to the face."
Doing the best she can to finish arranging her hair, the two of them wait in the common room for Susan to wake up before heading up to the Great Hall for breakfast and to pass time while they wait to go to Hogsmeade.
"Susan, who are you bringing to lunch?" Cynthia asks as the three of them make their way into Hogsmeade, eager to get some shopping done before meeting up with the boys.
"Camilla Birch."
"Who?"
"You know, she's a Hufflepuff in the year above, I group up with her at DA meetings sometimes. And at the last one she mentioned having no plans yet for Valentine's Day so I asked her if she'd like to come along."
Walking into Hogsmeade the trio make their way through the shops, buying lollies from Honeydukes to replenish their stock back up at the castle before wandering into Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop and Dervish and Banges occasionally one of them buying something they needed to replace for school.
Outside Zonko's Joke Shop, unsurprisingly they come across George, Fred and their friend Lee Jordan.
"Happy Valentine's," George says when he spots Cynthia pulling her close as they instantly forget the world around them.
"I just vomited a little in my mouth," Susan says to Eleanor, who nods, averting her eyes to give the two a modicum of privacy.
"Fred, Lee, how are you two spending your day?" Eleanor asks the others who seem to also be trying not to ogle the pair.
"Probably just hang around Zonko's, maybe duck into the three broomsticks for some food before going back up to the castle," Fred says.
"You two won't need lunch if you keep eating each other's faces," Susan says in a matter of fact voice, the only one who hadn't blushed and looked away.
Despite Susan's comment George and Cynthia don't make any response and Fred suggests going for a look through Zonko's while they wait for them to rejoin the rest of them.
"We'll show you the best products to buy in preparation for April Fools," Fred says, leading them inside.
When they emerge Cynthia and George have broken apart and are waiting patiently for the others to come out to head off for lunch, George's arm wrapped around her shoulder.