Lysander

Green with Envy

"What does he have that I don't?" I ask Caroline, while staring aimlessly around the drab room.

She shrugs, and murmurs, "I don't know Sandy, I don't know." She looks like she's about to cry so I give her a quick hug. Caroline might be a total bitch to everyone else, but to me she's just an insecure girl with emotional issues. If you know her, truly know her, then you'll love her. Of course you'll think I'm just saying that. But I swear it's true.

"Sad again?" I enquire; she nods slowly before leaning back on the couch and shutting her pretty dark eyes.

"How can he like her?" She asks. Her voice is vulnerable. A quality I'm sure that is very rare to her. "She's a bitch, a complete and utter bitch. And yet she's got him listening to her every word." I don't need to ask who she means. Of course she's referring to Lilly. It's always Lilly. Lilly Luna Potter, smart, pretty and vivacious. She's amazing and honestly I don't see why Frank wouldn't like her. Well except for the small inkling I have that he isn't that interested in girls.

But I wouldn't tell Caroline that. She's liked him for ages and I know her emotional state at the moment isn't exactly perfect. She's got a lot going on. She doesn't need to know that Frank is possibly gay and that her best friend, aka me Lysander Scamander, is possibly holding a secret torch for her worst enemy. Yep I don't think she needs to know any of that, it might tempt her to commit murder.

"You don't like her do you?" This time Caroline is assertive, her eyes are locked on mine and I get the feeling I won't be leaving till she gets an answer.

"Well she's pretty and I guess smart …" I trail off. She looks mad as hell. "But I wouldn't betray you Carrie."

"Betray me?" She's playing with me now. It's her way of figuring out how much she means to me.

"Well you know." I feel a tad embarrassed now. "It wouldn't be nice if I well liked her."

"Sweetie you can like whoever you want." She smiles sweetly and I raise my eyebrows at her in suspicion.

"What are you playing at Carrie?" Her face has gone into full planning mode and it's obvious she's up to something.

"Oh nothing, just a little something." She smirks then and I know that whatever it is it can't be good.

"Carrie, last time you had a plan it ended with Hugo Weasley in a Gorilla costume." I reply.

"Well you have to admit it was perfect for him." I nod in agreement because even Miss Perfect Lilly will admit that seeing her prick of a cousin humiliated was definitely worth it.

"Well," Carrie stands up and motions towards the door. "Are you coming or what?"

"Where exactly am I going?" I'm puzzled. Then again Carrie always was a little eccentric and a bit bizarre.

"To the library, we've got some spying to do."

"Carrie I'm not sure this is actually ethical." We're standing behind a bookshelf, camouflaged by giant dusty volumes.

"Shhh!" She turns to me, eyes blazing, "I'm trying to hear what they're saying."

I nod slightly and continue to try not to breathe in the dusty, mouldy air. I'm worried that if I do I'll have a coughing fit and that will definitely lead to us being discovered.

"They're talking," hisses Carrie. "Shut Up."

"But I wasn't talking." I whine as she gives me a look that would leave lesser men cowering.

"Frankie," It's Lilly's voice, "Is something wrong?" Frank squirms in his seat and takes a brief look around. I wonder briefly if he's about to confirm my suspicions.

"Uh no, nothing at all." She gives him a look that means, don't mess with me I want the truth. "I'm just a little stressed," He is so lying; I'd be surprised if even James didn't see it and he's no master of deduction. Frank's tone is evasive and his eyes wander the room, possibly searching for an exit.

"He's nervous," Carrie's voice is excited, almost like this is some sort of amazing breakthrough.

"Settle down, he's probably just going to ask her out or something," It slips out and I honestly feel awful for saying it. Her face falls for a moment and she bites her lip.

"I'm sorry Carrie, really …" She cuts me off before I can finish with a sharp jab in my stomach. "Ouch!" So of course my voice is a little too loud for a Library and we're now outed from our hiding spot. I can see Lilly turn around looking for the direction of my voice. Then she spots me.

"Hey Sandy," Her voice is like honey and I feel just for a moment that maybe I have fallen into her web.

"Hey Lilly, how's it going?" I try and keep it light, but it's a little hard when my heart is suddenly beating faster then normal.

"So who're you with?" She tries to peer behind me and take a glance at Carrie, who's currently still hiding behind me. Her eyes narrow when she spots her and she exhales a soft,

"Oh … her."

"If it isn't Miss Potter." Drawls Carrie, "Hope you're having a splendid time." Then she takes my arm and starts to lead me away.

"Huh?" I ask. "Why we leaving?"

"Because." Answers Carrie her voice surly and her grip becoming tighter. "Our presence is no longer required."

"What the?" My voice is more then a little exasperated, honestly girl make up you mind. She stops suddenly in the open corridor and turns abruptly to face me.

"You," she says her voice stern. "Only want to stay so you can stare at that bitch."

"What that's not true." I'm annoyed now. It's one thing for her to like Frank but for her to insist that I like Lilly. Well that's just infuriating. "You know that's not fair. We're family friends; I was taking a polite interest."

"Oh sure you were," she rolls her eyes sarcastically and starts to walk off.

"Carrie," I quickly run to catch up. "What's wrong?"

"You're cavorting with the enemy!" She's mad, her hair is suddenly frizzy and her eyes are blazing with contempt.

"The enemy?" I'm confused and irritated. Generally not good words to accompany anyone's mood.

"Yes, the enemy." She answers me in a tone that clearly states that she thinks even a baby would know that. "She's trying to steal my man."

"Your man?" I want to laugh but I hold it back. I like my face just the way it is. "If you're talking about Frank well I think you'll be sadly disappointed."

"What would you know?" She sneers.

"Well I have my suspicions." I retort.

"Oh your 'suspicions'," she says the word like it's dirty, "Do you think he's gay or something?" Now she's the one that wants to laugh, I can see in her face how ridiculous she thinks the last statement is.

"Well yes." I pause and wait for her fury at my supposed insolence. "I think that maybe he doesn't, um, go for the fairer sex."

"Sometimes you sound so awkward Sandy." She sounds calm, as if my vocalisation of my suspicions hasn't even registered within her mind. I stare at her blankly, prompting her to return to sanity. "I propose a bet." She finally answers with.

"A bet?" I ask doubtfully.

"Yes Sandy a bet," she smirks again. "On whether Frank Longbottom is straight or gay, winner gets full permission to go after their chosen target. In a romantic sense of course." I think it over for a moment, then realise it's not such a bad idea. Obviously I'll win. After all I'm pretty good at reading people.

"It's a deal," I respond, shaking her hand with confidence.

This is one bet I know I'll win.


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