Part 3 of Ground Rules, Training, and Betrayal
James started pulling me back towards the Great Hall as I was frozen, still slightly shocked to how my dad had reacted. It was nothing like I had expected, and that got me to wondering how Albus would react to the whole me dating his brother thing. My blood ran cold. Surely, he would hate me! He hated the fact that girls were always drooling over his elder brother, and here I was, his best friend, dating him.
How could I do this to Al? I dug my feet in the ground, not wanting to face the music in the Great Hall. I could already see Al's face filled with disappointment as I choose to sit with James instead of him. Is a little crush worth ruining a friendship that spanned years? I was torn, between helping James and staying loyal to Al. Sometimes, being a Hufflepuff stunk.
James sighed, irritated," What's the matter, Anali? I thought you were hungry."
"I am…I just…I wanted to tell Al before rumors got to him first."
James nodded, looking unsurprised by this revelation of mine," Nali, I respect that, but this is Hogwarts. If your dad has already heard it, then I am more than positive Al has."
He was right. Reluctantly, I took his hand and walked into the Great Hall. I'm not sure which part I hated the most. The hush that fell as soon as people saw us together or the pointed glares and hate filled whispering that started next.
I gulped, and walked closer to James for some protection from his fan club.
James didn't seem particularly disturbed one way or the other, and just calmly walked over to the Gryffindor table where his best friends, Jennifer Johnson (who went by JJ), and Frances Hightower (but don't call her that. She prefers Fran), saved seats.
I talked to the both of them on occasion. Fran was actually in Al's year, and mine but thanks to her great Quidditch skill, became friends with James easily. She was a tomboy, but that made her appeal to me a bit more. I used to be one to the extreme before finding an easy balance for me. She was easy going, and optimistic. All in all, I rather liked her and didn't mind the idea of spending so much time around her.
She brushed her black hair away from her pale skin, her blue eyes taking me in, before smiling," Hey, Anali. I wasn't expecting you to be joining us."
Before I could respond, JJ jumped in the conversation.
"Obviously James found himself a girlfriend," She said, smirking at James, her dark green eyes guarded.
JJ didn't venture much outside the comfort zone of her friends, but that hardly mattered at all. She was fiercely loyal and protective of those who earned her trust. I don't know how James managed to earn it, but obviously he did. JJ didn't play Quidditch like Fran, but was in James's year. Her dirty blond hair was pulled back in her normal ponytail, yet I never felt truly comfortable around her. Maybe it was just because I wasn't in her inner circle, and I wasn't quite sure if I wanted to spend a lot of time getting to know the girl.
James flashed his friends a bright grin and sat down," Yes, I did. I know you have all met Anali before, but please, be nice."
Meekly I sat down beside him, trying to act brave. I wasn't put in Gryffindor for a very good reason—I just didn't have the courage to do a lot of normal things, such as talking to strangers. Even though the two girls weren't strangers, per say, but they were close enough.
Fran merely smiled encouragingly at me, as I picked at my food. I had noted upon entering the Great Hall (to my great relief) that Al wasn't here. However, the thought of how he might react had made me lose my appetite rather fast. Thankfully, if it returned, I was close to the kitchens for a midnight comfort snack.
James, to his credit, did try to draw me in to the conversations they were having (mainly about Quidditch. I'll never understand their love for the brute sport), but I was too sick with worry to care much about how I came across at that moment.
After I put as much time as I deemed necessary sitting with James, I mumbled an excuse about being tired. James looked up sharply, torn between talking to his friends and finishing his meal, or walking his 'girlfriend' to her dorms. Not that I would let him. The other Hufflepuffs were already rather angry with me for showing Al how to get in to it. I would rather not make it worse by showing James the way.
"It's okay, finish dinner. I'll find you in the morning, alright?"
James nodded, and stood, giving me a hug and kissing me on the cheek before letting me go, whispering," To make it look realistic."
I managed to muster a rather heartbroken look at leaving him until I got out of the Great Hall. Then I headed to the Slytherin Common Room to tell Al what I could. Hopefully the Slytherins didn't gossip as much as the other students tended to do.
As I neared the room, though, I actually spotted Al. It looked like he was heading towards the Great Hall actually.
"Nali!" He cried happily, and swinging me around in a hug," Where have you been all day? I've been looking for you all over!"
I wrung my hands nervously, and bit my lip, unsure how to say it.
"Nali? What's wrong?" Al asked softly, his green eyes bright.
"I… well…I'm datingyourbrother," I rushed out.
He frowned," Sorry, didn't catch that bit."
I sighed," I'm dating your brother."
He let out a small laugh, watching me," Good joke, Anali. Now seriously, what's wrong?"
I shook my head, and looked at my feet quietly.
His laughing abruptly stopped," Wait, you're serious."
I nodded glumly; sure that I would lose my friend.
Al's eyes hardened, and his mouth tightened a little bit at the corners, and muttered something under his breath that sounded like 'that slimy git'.
However, he just gave me a smile that wasn't quite right," Congratulations, Nali. I knew you had a small crush on him, just didn't think that you two would end up together."
I wasn't quite sure whether I should have been offended or not, before shrugging.
"Well, you know, opposites attract…"
"Have you eaten?" He asked suddenly.
"Er—yes, actually," I replied, half truthfully. I was still hungry, not having ate that during dinner, but I wasn't going into that Great Hall again with Al.
"Oh, well, I have to meet Adam there…see you tomorrow, Nali?"
"Sure," I responded easily, while wondering whether we would have a chance to hang out at all in the following weeks thanks to James's ground rule. He eyed me suspiciously before going up towards the Great Hall. Dejectedly I headed for the Hufflepuff Common Room for much needed solitude.
