Her laughter broke the silence. It rang out, pure and true, echoing melodically around the walls. I had to fight the urge to get up and kiss here right there. I'd like to think I would have, mind you, if there weren't so many people staring. But why shouldn't they? She was a beautiful girl with red hair, fair skin, and a confident air that no one could renegotiate. In her defense, she didn't ask to be beautiful, but she was, and she played the part well.
"What?" she said finally, composing herself. She took a deep breath to steady the last note of her laugh. "Is there something on my face?"
I watched as her hands immediately clung to her cheeks brushing off nothing and swatting only at the perfection it already was.
"No," I sneered finally, mustering up all the hatred I possibly could. Why did she have to be so bloody cute at absolutely everything?
"Then what was that look for?" she demanded, crossing her arms over her chest.
I decided to play dumb.
"What are you on about?"
Despite the harsh tones I'd manage to fling at her, she only looked more amused. I turned to walk away, more to save face than anything else—there were loads of people staring now—but, ruthlessly, she was inclined to follow.
"Don't you try to peg this off as my imagination! I know what I saw."
I rounded on her.
"Oh, really? What was it then?"
Her eyes got big. Gone was the amused expression and suddenly, something almost like fear etched into her perfect features. I cursed myself for my condescending delivery. I knew why she'd blanched like that; the arrogant look in my eyes must obviously have been similar to his. I cleared my throat, if only to help lighten my voice.
"Sorry," I muttered, but it sounded tight, suffocated, foreign.
She shrugged.
"Don't worry about it. Anyway, there's Mary. I'll see you in Potions, Sev."
Ignoring the hurried jolt in my stomach at the sound of my name uttered by her lips, I gave her a stiff nod and pretended it didn't bother me to see her go. But the truth was it did. It really did. As she swung her dark red hair over her shoulder and made her way over to her friend, I caught her smile.
It took my breath away.
See? I told you.
Beautiful.