I feel a slight tingle in my hands as hers brush against mine. Something that I can honestly say I've never felt before. It is like a thousand pinpricks radiate through my arm into my heart. I blink, taken aback by the sensation, the sudden warmth that seems to overtake me. And then I wonder if Bridget notices and that makes my face feel like it's lit aflame. I wonder if I'm blushing, but I hope that I'm not. [i]What the hell is wrong with me?[/i] I ask myself, although if I were deeply honest with myself I'd probably have a good idea.

[i]"What are you complaining about, by the way? I can feel the heat radiating off of your robes! What did you do? Cast a fire charm on them?"[/i] I grin at her sarcasm, and turn to her, with a mischievous grin. [b]"Nah, but you seem to have,"[/b] I say--and then I can feel my face flush, because I'm only half joking with her. So I quickly turn away, focusing on the path ahead as we make our way from Hogsmead back to Hogwarts. 

[i]"You know, if you're really interested in the dark arts and defensive magic, I'll show you something when we get back. I have quite the collection, actually. I do have studying to do, but usually on days off I do my own research. If you're very careful and remember that I'll happily strangle you for damages, I'll let you see it."[/i] I remain silent for a while after she says this. She really is the only person I've even come remotely close to trusting, after my family died. [i]Who are you kidding, Alex,[/i] I think to myself. [i]You know you already trust her. She's someone you could be good friends with. Stop lying to yourself.[/i] I close my eyes, wondering if I'm making the right choice. I loved my mother. My father. My sisters. And where are they now? Dead. Burned. With nothing I could do. I vowed that would never happen again. And yet.....and yet. 

[b]"Don't worry,"[/b] I say, a smile crossing my face despite my dark thoughts. I brush a few strands of hair from my eyes, shrugging my shoulders. [b]"After our duel, I know you aren't a woman to be trifled with--or taken lightly."[/b] ACTUALLY feeling somewhat better, just with the jest alone, and, if I were to be honest with myself, the company (arguably the biggest reason I was feeling better), I tread forward through the snow. Part of me wants to feel her hand again, the light touch of her fingers upon mine. [i]Seriously, the [b]hell[/b] is wrong with me?[/i] I wonder again, but I really don't need to answer that question.