Fiona
Though it didn’t show on her face, her anxiety left Fiona’s stomach a churning mess. She took a few bites of some of the lighter foods, sipped water, and tried very hard to focus on what everyone was talking about.
“Not hungry?” One friend asked.
“I think I might still be seasick from the ride.”
That seemed to gain her some sympathy, and folks left her to herself.
She thought about the one bright spot of the feast, when Dumbledore had mentioned the clubs, Potions club to be specific.
She smiled to herself. Something to focus on, something to do with her time. And Rae’s Herbology club had been accepted. Well, that would be a little awkward, she and Rae hadn’t spoke much since the breakup with James, but, well, if they were just talking about Herbology it might not be so bad.
In fact, just considering that, considering talking to her friends about only school, about Charms and Potions and Muggle Studies made her stomach settle.
She had things to do, responsibilities, that would help keep her mind off her apparent social anxiety.
Speaking of responsibilities, as a Prefect she needed to help get the first years up to Ferre’s common room. She glanced around the table to see who her fellow fifth year Prefect was. Her eyes fell on a bright badge pinned to James’ robes.
Great, yet another awkward situation she’d have to deal with.
James stood up and called the first years to follow him through the castle. Fiona stood to follow, but stayed behind the main body, gathering up two first year girls, most likely Muggle born, whose eyes had become fixed on two ghosts drifting absently through the dinner table.
“Come on ladies, we don’t want to get left behind. You’ll see plenty more of the ghosts when they drift into the showers.”
This was answered with squeals that were equal part fear and delight. By the time they made it to the portrait, it has swung closed and she showed the girls how to open it with the password.
“Now boys, if you’d like to follow me and I will show you to your dorms. Girls, you’re gonna have to hang tight until Fiona gets up.” James obviously hadn’t noticed Fiona and the two first years enter the common room, “I’m not allowed in your tower.”
“Which is the only reason we girls can sleep at night.” All the little heads spun at Fiona’s words.
For just a second James and Fiona looked at each other and things felt just fine, like her summer of self doubt and worry never happened.
“Let’s go ladies, and let’s not have any fights about who gets the beds by the windows.”