Chapter Three, "Seventh Year Ordeal"
I was nearly done eating a bowl of cornflakes when a 6th year Ravenclaw girl who I was quite unfamiliar with came over and took a seat across from me. She looked younger than she should be and I was sure she wasn't a 4th or 5th year because I remember her doing a project with Johanna once.
"Your Charlene, right?"
I looked up at the wide eyed girl who had just come over to me, "Yes, that's me."
"Oh," she sounded surprised, "Well those girls over there," she nodded her head to a group of girls who were obviously whispering about something, "Are saying that you have a crush on Oliver Wood. I just wanted to let you know because I didn't think it was right. You know, talking behind your back like that."
"It's okay if they talk," I shrugged, "It doesn't bother or mean much to me anyways."
"Okay, if that's what you want," she leftunconvinced, but when I thought about it I really didn't care … that much.
Then it got me thinking. How would they know anyways? I made sure that I never gave away hints that I might possibly like him. The only people who know are my dorm mates and Delson. I could trust them, right? Too bad I was unfamiliar with the whole "girl drama" scene. I didn't know that girls you thought you could count on would tell off your secret in an instant. Someone should've prepared me for what I had to endure after that.
I was in Charms listening to Professor Flitwick explain some tricky wand movements that could magically drain a cauldron without you having to say a spell. I was pretty amused by the whole lesson and I couldn't wait to try it out. No one else had bugged me about the whole Oliver thing, but I still couldn't wait until we could get together in our groups to practice so I could question Amber about the whole ordeal.
The professor had us set up in groups of three (how convenient) so Me, Amber, and Delson paired up. It was saddening that we only had one class with all three of us together. But I did share practically all my classes with Amber and Muggle Studies with Delson, so it was good on my part. We sat before a medium sized cauldron that apparently would re-fill itself if we could accomplish draining it.
"Ugh! This is not going to work," I sighed after my fifth attempt.
"Your just thinking about it too hard," Delsonresponded after his third successful draining.
"How do you think they knew," I said trying to change the subject before Delson could get on my case.
"Someone probably let it slip, but don't worry they'll forget it by tomorrow," Amber said it as if it was no big deal.
"Don't worry," I tried to keep my voice down and calm, "I don't want people publicly speaking about it!"
"Okay, now I'm lost," Delson looked at us like we were crazy.
Thankfully Amber was willing to explain our conversation, "She told the girls in our dorm about her crush a few days ago and now it's finally starting to get around. Besides Char, this might be a good opportunity for you. He might hear about it and start to like you back."
"No, that is not good. Like he would ever like me back anyways," that was very disbelieving.
"Don't think that way, Charlene," whenever Delson said my name in full terms that meant he was serious.
"Fine, one day me and him will marry each other and have millions of babies. There, happy?"
He smirked back at me, "Now that's what I'd like to hear."
"Don't have to get too motivational, Delson," Amber said winking at him.
"Yeah," I said, "Me and him will have a million babies the day I'm able to do this spell right."
Both looked at me in mock sadness, "Well at least you can dream," Amber said sympathetically.
But the odd thing was about ten minutes later while not even trying to achieve anything I had fully drained the cauldron. Not one of us said anything, but there was a glint in Amber's eye and a smirk starting on her lips. Class ended shortly afterwards and instead of heading to lunch I went to the library to catch up on some homework that should've been done the day before.
The library was mostly occupied by Ravenclaws, but there were handfuls of students from other houses that were scattered about. I took a seat at the end of one of the empty tables and took out a piece of parchment and a self-inking quill. I wasn't really in the mood for working so for the most part I stared at the parchment wishing the essay could write itself.
"Yes, that's the girl," some girl was whispering behind one of the bookshelves to what I think is my right, "She's the one who likes Oliver Wood."
"I didn't think she liked anyone," the other girl whispered back, "She's so quiet. How could a girl like that like Oliver? … I hope she isn't crushed when she finds out he will probably never like her back."
I didn't stay to listen to the rest, it was all just too sickening. I stalked out of the library fuming. Those girls don't even know me. So how could they just assume that I don't have a chance with him? But the more I thought about it, the more I realized how much truth they were speaking of. I was silly to keep dreaming about it. The Oliver Wood will never like me, and might not ever like me as a friend either.
The rest of the day was practically ruined after that. I didn't feel like talking much and I guess Delson understood because we usually talk a lot during Muggle Studies and he didn't question my somber silence while there. He did keep looking at me in a concerning way though. During the last couple of minutes I finally decided to talk to Delson about my growing problem.
"Sorry I've been so distant today."
"No problem," you could tell he was trying to sound casual, "I would just like to know what's bugging you."
"You know me and Amber's discussion earlier," I paused as he shook his head in agreement, "Well, I think it's getting worst."
At the moment I loved Delson, but in a brotherly way of course. He completely listened to everything I said as I told him about the girls talking about me from breakfast to my gossip encounter at the library. He nodded his head and said the right words at the right time. This felt so relieving to finally talk to someone about it. When I was done explaining things he put his hand on my shoulder in a consoling way and quietly cleared his throat, we were still in class.
"I can't really say much to make things better, Char," he frowned slightly, "But I know that you're a strong person. Quiet, but strong. Don't let what people say about you get inside your head and drive you insane. I know your better than that and I'm not going to be like Amber and say that they'll all get over it by tomorrow because they might not. But whatever happens you can take it, besides I'll always be there for you and Amber doesn't seem to be going anywhere anytime soon."
I smiled. That was all that I could do right then. It felt nice knowing that I would never really be alone, but I still had the feeling that this school year was going to be either one hell of a nightmare or the best year of my entire life. Before I could reply to Delson's nice comment, class was dismissed and I found myself speechless.
"It's going to be tough, too," he said while getting up to leave, "Because the last time I checked it's going to be a seventh year ordeal."
"What do you mean," I was clueless to his meaning.
"It will be big gossip for seventh years," he left with a worrisome brow and a half-hearted smile.
Sitting in the common room I noticed what Delson said was true. I looked around and saw at least half of the seventh years in the room glancing at me and then whispering something back to their friends while all of the other younger students seemed oblivious to what was going on around them. What I would give for a week as a 6th year.
"Hey, Char," Johanna seemed to pop out of nowhere and was now sitting on the arm of the comfy couch I had retreated to, "Why do you look so down?"
"Oh, nothing," I wanted so bad to be in her position, being the person who was asking if someone was okay rather than being the one who was being asked.
"You sure do seem off," she just continued on, probably because I couldn't pull off a happy note.
"I'm fine," I snapped unaware of my sudden attitude change, "Perfectly fine!"
She looked taken aback and frowned a bit, I felt extremely awful, "I-I'm sorry Jo, it's just I'm not in the mood to talk right now. It's just that kind of day."
"Oh," she said sounding slightly hurt, "I guess I should go then. Uhm … if you need me or anything just ask around for me."
I nodded and when I was sure she was out of my verbal reach I let out a very frustrated sigh. I hated acting like I had a stick up my ass all the time. It just made me feel so out of it. Hopefully things couldn't get worse, but haven't you noticed that every time someone says that or thinks it in the movies life for them seems to get tougher? Oh great, what was I in for now?