Ugh, I'm sorry for this taking so long but I had so much homework swamping me, and now that I am thinking of transferring universities, it's just been a big hassle. Anyways, here's another chapter and I hope you like it as much as the other chapters. I took your suggestions into thought as I wrote this, so hopefully it is easier for you all to read. Cheers to all my readers/reviewers :3
Love Is a Battlefield
'We're in love…' the words came out of Ali's lips and hit Adelaide Lews like a ton of bricks. Her best friend of more than 5 years had just informed her that she was in love with her boyfriend. This wouldn't be such a shock to her except for the fact that the boy Alison Lyle happened to be in love with was none other than Gavin Davies; Addie's step brother and sworn enemy.
Addie looked straight ahead at the dying embers, the glowing remnants as fiery as her locks. Her hazel eyes flashed to her other best friend, Katherine, also known as Kat, who was sitting by the window, flabbergasted. There was a feeling of tension in the air, the only sounds being Ali's sobs as she held her head in her hands, and the dying fire emitting a few final cracklings.
"Ali, why did you keep this a secret from your best friends?!" Kat asked, emphasizing the word 'best'. The three had been nigh inseparable since their first night 6 years ago, where in that very common room, they stayed up all night just talking about everything and nothing.
Ali looked up, her eyes bloodshot from crying so hard. "Y-you honestly think I didn't want to tell you both?" she replied in a slightly raised voice. "I was afraid this was going to be your reaction..."
Addie looked over, coming out of her shocked and saying, "I can't speak for Kat here, but I know that I am more upset because you like to us." Her brow furrowed now glaring at the depressed-looking brunette.
Ali bit her lip and stood up looking at her two best friends and saying in a soft tone, "I always thought that the moment I told you about Gavin and me you'd both be happy for me.
That's when Kat snapped, "You stupid bloody twat!" the blonde shouted rushing towards Ali as if she was going to hit her. "Don't try and blame this on us. We didn't bloody lie and keeps secrets from you like you did."
There was a cry of pain and Ali staggered backwards clutching her cheek.
"Katherine, calm down." Addie said in an infuriated tone as she rushed towards the blonde to stop her from hitting Ali again. This didn't stop Katherine from screaming the foulest language Addie had ever heard.
Suddenly, Addie heard some doors slam and sleepy looking students coming to see what all the commotion was about. "For fuck sake woman, let me go!" Kat screeched, fighting Addie's vice-like grip on her wrists.
The red head slowly loosened her grip, but just enough so she stood face to face with the Head of House, Professor Evangeline Lovegood who was the daughter of the editor of the crack newspaper, 'the Quibbler'. Professor Lovegood always seemed to be in a dreamy state of mind which was fitting since her position was Divination teacher. And now, here she stood with a faint smile on her heart-shaped face as if they were all sitting around drinking tea and sharing gossip.
"Is there a problem here with you girls?" the young woman asked looking to each girl for a few seconds before turning her main focus to Addie who seemed to be the only one fit to speak.
"No Professor." Addie said shaking her head and letting go of Kat who fell over slightly, having been bracing herself against the petite redhead. Professor Lovegood turned her head to look at Ali for a second, and seeing the girl's reddened cheek, she turned back to face Addie.
"Would you care to explain what exactly you three were doing?" Professor Lovegood asked, tucking a stray platinum blonde lock behind her ear. Addie felt her cheeks flush as the other Ravenclaw students, now grabbing a hold of the present situation, and listening intently for the awaiting response.
"We were dancing and fooling around when Ali tripped over herself and her cheek on the edge of the couch." Addie explained quickly glaring at the brunette as if to say, 'Don't you dare protest or I'll punch your other cheek."
Professor Lovegood turned her glance back to Ali who nodded in agreement. The young professor arched her eyebrow and then replied, "Next time be careful the wrackspurts must've fuzzed up your brain." Kat fought the urge to laugh behind the professor's back but contained herself.
"Right everyone, off to bed. Pip! Pip!" Professor Lovegood said, holding up her arms and guiding some curious first years back up the stairs. Again, there was silence within the common room and Kat was the first to speak.
"You're lucky Professor Lovegood came down." She snarled at Ali who was still holding onto the couch for support and rubbing her cheek. The blonde turned on her heel and stalked up the stairs and into the 7 year girls' dormitory.
Ali had watched Kat go up the stairs and she turned to glance at Addie with an apologetic smile. Addie shook her head, and the brunette's fond gaze disapparated, as Addie walked up the stairs and towards what would appear to be her one true friend.
Ali hugged her knees into her chest as tears fell down her pale-complexioned face. She hadn't thought this is what would have happened tonight. Gavin had finally told her he loved her a mere hour ago. 'How can three small words change a person's life so much?' she thought. Moonlight shown through the window, illuminating the room with its eerie glow.
The brunette stood up and with fluid movements, walked towards the window and looked out at school grounds. There was a slight breeze in the cool September air, causing the treetops in the Forbidden Forest. Out of the corner of her eye, Ali saw movement down below as she watched a cloaked figure head towards the canopy of trees. As the figure walked swiftly into the trees, Ali watched intently to see if anyone would follow the person in or out. Her eyes drooped lazily and she shook her head. "Trick of the eye." She murmured, turning on her heel and heading up the stairs and to her private room. Being a prefect definitely had its perks
Addie walked into the dorm silently. She looked over at Kat was agitatingly trying to find pajamas within the depths of her trunk. The blonde looked to her silent companion, who gave a weak smile, but only shook her head in response. That was one of Katherine Winters' pet peeves; lying, particularly to friends. It was probably the fact that lying had broken up her own home, and why her mother insisted on working all the time instead of trying to get closer with her only child. 'It's because I look too much like Dad.' She thought to herself, biting her bottom lip to stop herself from crying.
The comment had haunted Kat all her life. But she only saw her father twice a year; once at Christmas in his flat in London, and on her birthday where he brought her out for dinner. And each time it was like he was talking to her like she was a prospective real-estate client rather than his own flesh and blood.
This was the reason that Katherine was so tough, even with her best friends. Other than being with Addie and Ali, Kat had never known true happiness because she had always been left to fend for herself with a nanny watching over her at all times. With a slam of her trunk, she took her clothes and walked into the bathroom, changing quickly into the matching pajama set before walking out into the bedroom where Addie stood, and leaning against her bed post.
"What?" Kat asked rather abruptly as she noticed her friend watching her ever movement.
"You can't avoid not talking about this with me Kat." Addie said quietly as she uncrossed her arms and sat down on her bed. "I mean, she hurt both of us…"
"What is there to talk about here Addie?" Kat asked looking away from the red head. It was an honest question; it wasn't her fault that she was mad. It was a plausible reason for her to not want to be in communication with Ali at the moment. That was why Kat tended not to date anyone. Relationships always seemed to cause so much drama which just made everything complicated. In all honesty, the strongwilled blonde was fine with being by herself.
Addie waited in silence for Kat to come out of her stupor before realizing that it wasn't going to happen tonight, she sighed and went into the bathroom to change into her pajamas and to brush her teeth. Returning to where the beds were, she nodded goodnight to Kat who was sitting with her arms around her knees on her bed before slipping into her own bed with a sigh and turning on her side trying to get comfortable as sleep washed over her.