#C7
"Why in Merlin's name doesn't this Transfiguration essay end?" groaned James.
"Because Professor Switch set it?" Fred replied in a whisper, in case Madam Pince came along.
"Forget it." James said, shutting his Transfiguration book. "I'll just ask Vivie-"
He stopped in mid-sentence. Fred looked at him.
"Just go apologize to her, mate." he said but James shook his head.
"I'm such an idiot." he said.
"I'll go along with that." Fred complied. Then, when James didn't react, Fred asked, "What's wrong?"
"How am I supposed to face her? I feel so stupid, Fred. I keep doing this and apologize and she's going to think I don't mean what I say." James replied, resting his head on his wrists.
"Just give it a go, will you? We're starting Quidditch practices today. You can't avoid each other forever."
"Maybe we can."
"Don't be silly, James. You can't last two days without her." Fred said, pointing at James' homework.
"You copy her homework too, Fred." James scowled, punching Fred in the arm.
"No I don't, I copy Abby's. Teachers aren't stupid, y'know. They can tell when three people turn in the same homework." Fred laughed.
"I see. Abby's homework." James coughed, stressing on 'Abby's'.
"What are you insinuating?" Fred asked, narrowing his eyes suspiciously.
"Out of the library!" Madam Pince hissed angrily, popping out from behind a bookshelf a bit too suddenly, but James and Fred didn't seem surprised. Hogwarts students had long since got used to the austerities of Madam Pince.
"We were leaving anyway." James replied, rolling his eyes. That old bat. She had to spring up on them just when he was beginning to have some fun with Fred. The two packed up their books and walked out of the library, cursing Madam Pince under their breath.
"So, when are you going to talk to her?" Fred asked, as they walked back to the common room.
"Give it a rest, will you?" James replied, rubbing his neck. "I'll see."
"Sure you will." Fred smirked.
"Let's go, Viv." Abigail said, picking up her broom, her practice robes already on.
"I don't want to." Vivienne replied, hugging herself.
"You know that isn't an option."
"I know." said Vivienne, getting up from her four-poster bed, clutching her Nimbus tightly. The two girls made their way to the pitch and were the last two to arrive. James looked over at Vivienne, but she looked away.
"Okay, not that everyone's here, we'll split up into two teams. Abigail, Hugo, Fred and Jack on one team and Vivienne, Nathan and me on the other. I'll play keeper for today." Said James, once everyone was paying attention. Vivienne's heart sunk. Why did she have to be on the same team as him?
James released the Bludgers and the Quaffle and the team took off into the air, Jack at one goalpost and James at the other. Vivienne immediately grabbed the quaffle before Abigail could and sped towards Jack's goalpost. She dodged Hugo and aiming at the left hoop, threw the quaffle with all her might.
"Save!" shouted Jack, as he blocked the quaffle just in time.
Wait, what-? She missed? Alright, it happens sometimes, Vivienne said to herself.
Again, the quaffle was tossed into the air, and again, Vivienne snatched it, hurtling towards the goalpost- she ducked to avoid a bludger- swerved to prevent Abigail from snatching the quaffle from her- she raised her hand, the quaffle in it- aimed at the hoop and-shot.
It didn't go in.
Again and again and again. Vivienne shot at the hoop without scoring. Abigail's team was leading by sixty points.
"Time out!" Abigail shouted and motioned Vivienne to land along with her.
"What's gotten into you?" she asked, a concerned expression on her face.
"I don't know. Could I take a break for today? Hugo can replace me." Vivienne replied.
"No one's taking a break." said James, who had landed behind her. "Come on, back in the air."
"James-" Abigail began but James waved her off.
"No, Abby." he said and glanced at Vivienne before taking off.
"Come on then." Abigail said to Vivienne and the latter obeyed as they took off into the air once again.
Vivienne's condition only worsened. Now, when the quaffle was released, she didn't even make an attempt to snatch it. What was happening? Why was this happening? She was feeling dizzy.
"All right, that's it." James shouted and everyone came to a halt.
"We'll wrap up for now. Same time tomorrow." He said and everyone looked at him. They had barely played for an hour. Still, everyone began to descend.
"Not you, Vivienne." said James and Vivienne stopped, just as she landed on the ground. "You guys carry on." he said to Fred and Abigail, who were waiting for them. Abigail looked over at Vivienne, but Vivienne didn't look back, so Abigail left with Fred.
James landed next to Vivienne, who looked away again.
"Vivienne-" he began.
"I told you, I don't want to talk to you." she said, cutting him across.
James paused for a second, then said, "Don't ever play like that again."
What? Vivienne looked up. That wasn't what an apology sounded like.
"I know you're upset because of what I said. But you can't play like that. You're the best chaser on the team and if you play the way you did today, we'll have no chance of winning anything." said James.
"What's the solution to that then?" asked Vivienne.
"I need to apologize." James replied.
"I'm listening." Vivienne said, folding her arms.
James took in a deep breath and said, "Don't you dare laugh at me this time."
"I'm an idiot. I said terrible stuff to you even though you're my best friend and I felt completely pathetic after I said it. I don't know why I said what I did. Maybe I was just surprised that there was a probability of you going out with that guy; you looked so happy when you told us he'd asked you out… I mean, we've always been together and now everything will be about him… We might not get to spend time together… and, I'll miss you… I don't know…" he trailed off.
Vivienne stared at him. James never spoke like this. Not to anyone. She knew that it would have taken up every ounce of courage he had in him to say what he just did.
"You're right." she said and James looked at her. "You're definitely an idiot." she finished and reached up and hugged him as tight as she could. James stood slightly transfixed for a moment before he hugged her back.
They were finally alright.
These past three days had been torturous for the two of them and everything they felt was put into that hug.
"So, you forgive me?" James asked hesitantly.
"Yes, you arse." Vivienne smiled.
"I've missed you so much." she said, softly, still not letting go. James hugged her tighter, meaning to say "I've missed you too."
Her hair had that usual fruity fragrance, though now, it was intoxicating his senses. She had a really petite figure despite being tall. Almost involuntarily, James' arms closed tighter around her waist.
"Uh, James?" Vivienne said, pushing him away slightly. James' eyes flew open, the euphoria evaporating as quickly as it had set. He broke away in a sudden movement and looked away quickly.
"Antonio and I are going out." Vivienne said and James looked at her, his expression unreadable.
"Well, um, great." he said. "Just don't forget about me."
"Never. I've just met him. You've been around for ages. What are the odds?" Vivienne smiled. "Let's go back?"
"Yeah. I need to copy your Transfiguration essay." James replied and Vivienne laughed.
"I'm glad we're back to normal." she said, as she walked ahead of him.
"I am too." James said to himself. He had his best friend back.
Best friend? Is that all she is? said a voice inside his head. What? Yes, of course, that's all that she was.
Then what was the feeling he had just a few minutes ago when he was so close to her? It definitely wasn't a feeling you'd have for a friend. Correction, best friend. Sure, he was beginning to realize that she had grown from a slightly dorky eleven year old to a rather attractive seventeen-year old, but that was all. She was still only his best friend. Nothing more.
Right?
October was ending, bringing terribly cold winds along with it. Quidditch practices had become more taxing, now that the Gryffindor-Slytherin match was drawing nearer.
"Argh, I am so tired!" Abigail groaned, coming out of the bathroom after taking a shower.
"Shush, they're asleep." said Vivienne, looking at the other girls while drying her hair.
Today's Quidditch practice had been especially tough on them, as they had practiced for three hours without a break only to return to the common room with aching backs and sore limbs.
"I feel like my arms are going to fall off." Abigail whined in a whisper.
"We'll take you to the matron if that happens." Vivienne laughed.
"Oh shut it." Abigail replied, but laughed too.
"Come on, lights out now." said Vivienne, extinguishing her bedside candle.
Abigail crept into her bed and blew out her candle as well so that the room was completely dark.
"Goodnight, Viv." she said.
"Night, Abby." Vivienne said and lay back on her plumped up pillow, pulling a quilt over her. To have an amazingly soft bed to fall asleep on when one was so tired was complete bliss.
It was almost midnight when Vivienne was sound asleep, that she had the dream again.
It was in a small living room occupied by three people. A man, a woman and a small girl who was crying.
'Stop crying, stupid girl!' The woman screamed, grabbing the little girl by her shoulders. Everything was chaos in Vivienne's head. Screaming, shouting, crying… worried faces… fear…
Suddenly, the sound of a gunshot rang in her head and Vivienne woke up with a jerk, sweating badly.
It took a couple of moments for her to gather her bearings before she began to cry. Her body was shivering uncontrollably as she sobbed silently into her blanket. It really was happening. She was having dreams about that night all over again. They were supposed to have stopped. Why now of all times? She didn't want to relive those horrid memories ever again and yet, they had come back to haunt her. They had done everything to get rid of them, had they not?
After a while, Vivienne calmed down and began to think. What could she do now to avoid having these dreams again? Maybe she should write to her aunt and tell her?
No. Her aunt already had enough on her plate. And anyway, even if she did write, there was nothing much her aunt could do, given that she was in London and Vivienne at Hogwarts. She would just make her aunt worry. No, she'd have to sort this out on her own.
"Abby, I'm going to breakfast early okay?" Vivienne whispered to Abigail who was still half asleep.
"Hmm" Abigail replied, turning over.
It wasn't even seven o'clock yet. Vivienne walked down to the great hall, wondering if there would be any breakfast this early. She hadn't been able to sleep the entire night.
"Fancy seeing you here this early." James greeted. Apart from him and a handful of other students, the Great hall was empty.
"What are you doing here so early?" Vivienne asked, taking a seat opposite him at the Gryffindor table.
"Thought I'd go book the pitch with Hooch before any of the other Captains did." he replied, munching on some toast. "Why do you look so pale?"
"Oh, that… well, I couldn't get any sleep last night." Vivienne answered.
"Why not?" asked James, frowning.
"No reason." Vivienne lied. No one needed to know the reason anyway.
"Bad dream?" said James. Vivienne looked up suddenly. Of course, he had only guessed. He knew nothing, Vivienne reminded herself. Still, it had surprised her for a moment.
"Yeah." she replied, helping herself to some corn flakes and milk.
Suddenly, a small piece of parchment, coming out of nowhere, landed beside her. Vivienne waited a moment before unfolding it to reveal a note in a neat, slanted handwriting that read-
Hey, you want to go to Charms class together?
-Antonio.
Vivienne turned around to look at the Ravenclaw table and sure enough, there he was, looking at her. Vivienne smiled at him and gave him a thumbs up, mouthing the letters 'OK' to him. He grinned back.
He had such an amazing smile, thought Vivienne, as she turned back to James who was wearing a scowl.
"What?" asked Vivienne, though she grinned.
"Why do you have to walk to class with him?" he asked, slightly irritated.
"We have only one class together. And we don't get to meet a lot nowadays, since I'm at practice most of the time." she said, downing a spoonful of soggy, honey-flavored corn flakes.
"Don't make it sound like it's my fault." said James.
"That was not my intention at all. I'm just saying that I don't get to spend enough time with him." Vivienne admitted.
"Well, whatever. I need to go find Hooch." James said, getting up. "See you at Charms."
"See you." said Vivienne and James left.
Vivienne finished her breakfast but did not get up. She just sat at the Gryffindor table, thinking about the dream.
"May I join you?" said Antonio, waking her from her thoughts.
"Oh, hey, Tony." Vivienne said, blinking. "Sure."
"Why do you always look like I've disturbed you from a deep thought when I come talk to you?" he smiled, sitting beside her.
"No, not at all." Vivienne smiled. "I'm just a little tired. Didn't sleep well."
"Why not? Are you ill?" Antonio asked, looking slightly concerned.
"No, no. It's just, one of those days." Vivienne replied.
"Are you sure?" Antonio said, still eyeing her with concern.
"Yes, I am." Vivienne stressed.
"Okay then… You done eating?" Antonio asked.
"Yeah."
Soon, students began filing into the Great Hall for breakfast.
"Hey Vivienne, Antonio." Abigail greeted, sitting opposite Vivienne.
"Morning Ab." said Vivienne.
"Morning, Abigail." said Antonio.
"What's the Ravenclaw prefect doing at the Gryffindor table?" Abigail asked, narrowing her eyes at Antonio.
"Oh nothing. I don't think Vivienne will be sitting with you in Charms today though." Antonio laughed.
"What? Why? You can't steal her from me!" Abigail pouted jokingly and Vivienne and Antonio laughed.
"You can't stop me, puny thing." Antonio replied and it was Abigail's turn to laugh.
He had a sense of humor. This just kept getting better, thought Vivienne.
"Well, shall we go?" Vivienne said to Antonio, getting up.
"Yup." he replied, getting up as well.
"I'll see you at Charms then." Vivienne said to Abigail as Antonio waved at her and the two left.
"So, uhm, I see things are back to normal with James." Antonio said, looking at Vivienne.
"How did you know about-" Vivienne started but Antonio chuckled.
"You're so easy to read, Viv." he said and Vivienne noted that he had used her nickname. "Remember our first date, when I spoke about James? Yeah. I guessed there was something wrong."
"Wow." Vivienne said, impressed.
"So, can I ask what was wrong or is it still taboo?" Antonio smiled.
"No, it isn't… I, uh… Well, James was a little weird about the fact that you asked me out." said Vivienne.
"Well, I'm not surprised." Antonio replied, shoving his hands in the pockets of his trousers.
"You aren't?" Vivienne asked, raising her eyebrows.
"Not really. I always felt he kinda fancied you." Antonio admitted.
"What?" Vivienne exclaimed.
"Yeah. You guys have always been so close, so, I thought…"
"No way! James and I have been friends since our first day here! We're more like siblings than anything else! I spend Christmas with his family for Christ's sake! James would never fancy me!" Vivienne rambled.
"Whoa, calm down, it was just a thought!" Antonio said, surprised at her flustered state.
"Don't think like that again. I'm your girlfriend." Vivienne said, looking away. They turned right into a deserted corridor. Antonio held her back by the arm.
"What?" said Vivienne, turning to look at him.
"Say that again." he whispered, looking her in the eyes. Vivienne felt all the blood in her body rush up to her cheeks as her heart skipped a beat.
"I'm. Your. Girlfriend." she said, looking him back in the eyes. They were such a beautiful bright blue pair, with a hint of purple.
Before she could register exactly how beautiful they were, though, he leaned in and kissed her.
Vivienne's eyes went wide with shock as his lips pressed against hers. Her mind went blank as a tingly sensation ran through her body. He was kissing her. He was actually kissing her! All she could feel were his soft lips on hers, which broke away after a few seconds.
Antonio looked at her and Vivienne blinked. Then a horrible realization hit her.
She hadn't kissed him back.
"I..." she began, as she felt her face heat up. "I'm..."
"It's okay. It was my fault. I guess we just need more time." Antonio said with a nervous laugh.
"No... I- I'm sorry. You just took me by surprise, that's all. We... We'll do it again." Vivienne said, too unsettled to make any sense.
Antonio laughed. "You don't know how cute you are." he said, putting an arm around her and pulling her close.
"I appreciate you trying so hard for me, but it's okay. We'll take it slow." he said, and planted a kiss on her forehead.
Vivienne felt pathetic. How could she not have kissed him back? Here she was, so lucky to have such an amazing guy as her boyfriend and she didn't kiss him back! Personally, she was amazed at how sensitive he was to her needs. She didn't think they actually made boys like these anymore.
"Okay." she muttered, burying her head in his chest.
"Come, we'll be late for class." he said, taking her hand and the two walked the rest of the way to class, unaware that they had just left behind a rather disconcerted James in that corridor.
Review please! Thanks for reading! ^^