CHAP 7: APOLOGIES, FLYING LESSONS, KISS ON THE CHEEK(Part II) AND LOVE
As the days went by and the weather grew cold, I started rethinking my decision of going home for Christmas.
One day before we were to leave for the holidays I was sitting in the snow, next to the almost frozen lake, the cold stung my exposed cheeks and I thought back through my fourteen years without my father.
Why had he come back? It just complicated things.
I didn't deserve more problems.
It wasn't fair.
It wasn't right.
If he really loved us, where was he for fourteen years?
If he really loved Mum, why did he leave?
If he loved us he'd have said something before he left.
I clenched my fists.
I gritted my teeth, I wanted to hurt him, hurt him so badly that he would remember forever.
I wanted to hurt him just like he hurt us.
Was what he did right?
No
Was leaving us right?
No
Was coming back after so long right?
No
He was dead to me.
I heard footsteps behind me.
I looked up and saw Rose standing there.
She looked very annoyed seeing me there.
I tried for a smile ignoring all the thoughts in my head "Hey?"
She sat down and sighed "I'm sorry"
I was surprised, I just looked at her.
She punched the snow "You were right, I shouldn't have treated you like that"
I smiled "It's alright"
She looked up at me "You forgive so easily, I thought it would be harder than this to convince you"
Her honesty made me laugh.
I told her "I don't like to keep grudges"
She looked like she didn't know what to say.
I eased out the tension "How are you doing lately, in school I mean?"
She answered "Studying hard if I'm honest, what about you?"
I didn't know how to answer "Fine I guess"
She said "You look very hurt"
I was always good at hiding what I feel.
I smiled "I am not, I was just thinking"
She didn't believe me obviously.
But she said "I don't hate you"
"I know"
She sighed "Why are you invisible? Nobody knows who you are, really nobody"
Again her honesty was a little amusing "If I knew the answer to that question I'd tell you, unfortunately I've never known the answer"
She grinned "You're not that bad"
I nodded "Thanks"
she got up "I'm going to go see Scorpius if you don't mind"
She dusted the snow off and waved.
I waved back.
Once she had left, I felt so guilty, I didn't like to keep grudges, but here I was keeping one against my own father.
I buried my face in my hands "I'm going to go mad"
"You already are"
My head shot up and Al stood there, looking wonderful against the white surroundings.
Even in such weather he managed to make my temperature rise.
He sat down "I'm glad you're thinking about it"
I groaned "I don't want to"
He said "I know, but it helps sort things out"
I countered "It's making me more confused"
He laughed.
After that kiss on the cheek, Al had easily slipped into his usual casual demeanor and didn't talk about it and act awkward about it.
It made me feel at ease but also made me wonder, what was he feeling, did he feel the spark, the connection?
He said suggestively "You know what, I have the best therapy for your muddled up head"
I asked "What is that therapy?"
His eyes shined brightly "How about going for a ride on a broomstick?"
I grinned and then I remembered, I didn't know how to fly and I didn't own a broomstick.
When he saw my face fall Al asked "What happened, you looked happy a second ago?"
I looked into his emerald orbs "I can't fly"
He looked disappointed "why not?"
I looked down "I don't know how and I don't have a broomstick"
His face brightened "That's it? Oh god, I thought you were afraid of heights or something!"
I looked at him like he'd just grown another head "You don't think it's a valid reason?"
He shook his head "I don't think it's valid, I own a broomstick and I can teach you how to ride it"
I smiled as he stood up and offered me his hand.
I accepted it and stood up.
He said "Get ready for the best lesson you'll ever learn at Hogwarts, flying with Professor Albus Potter"
I laughed "I look forward to it"
We laughed as we went to the common room.
After sometime Al and I were standing in the middle of the Quidditch pitch with the broomstick in his hand.
He laid the broomstick on the ground and told me "Put your hand over it and say Up!"
I did as I was told just like I had in my first year.
I said forcefully "Up!"
The broomstick jumped into my hand.
Al smiled "Very good"
I rolled my eyes "I already knew how to do that in our first year"
He wagged a finger in front of my nose "Now, now, we are going to start from scratch and I don't want you to answer back to me, clear Ms. Graham?"
I said sarcastically "Yes Professor Potter"
He grinned.
In the next half-hour, he showed me how to do a basic kick-off, and control the broomstick, and hold a broomstick.
Finally he showed me how to do some trick and then handed me the broom "Now you try"
I looked at him "But, I don't know how"
He smiled "I showed you how, just do what feels right, flying depends on the person. Let yourself free. I'll tell you a little secret"
He beckoned me closer and said into my ear as quietly as possible, his breath reached my neck and it made me shiver "There is no technique, it may look like that but really there isn't, you just follow your instincts, no rules, no conditions, just feel it, let everything else go. Let it come from inside"
I shivered at his proximity.
I gripped the broomstick's handle tightly.
He drew back and I felt like I could breathe again.
I saw the dazzling smile and the confidence in his eyes, he nodded.
I took a deep breath and swung my leg over the broomstick.
I kicked off and for the first time I felt the wind whistle like I had imagined so many times in my dreams.
I rose above the ground and suddenly I felt powerful, I could do anything.
I smiled at Al who was a small speck on the pitch.
I laughed to my heart's content.
I never felt so good.
I closed my eyes and took in the wind.
My hair flew back and I smiled.
I flew like I had been flying ever since I was born.
I did loops and circles and dives and everything else.
I enjoyed every second of it.
After what seemed like ages I flew back down to the pitch with a perfect landing.
Al was still standing there looking extremely proud and impressed "One would think you'd been flying since you were wearing a nappy"
I laughed "I don't know how I did that"
He strode towards me, I was still sitting on the broomstick.
He asked "Want to share the broomstick?"
I said "yeah but your behind me"
He smiled and got on behind me.
He leaned forwards and put his hands on the handle "Let me fly"
I couldn't do anything but nod, he was so close, my back was pressed into his chest and his head loomed over my shoulder.
He grinned "Hold on tight"
And he kicked off.
It was obvious that Al was an expert when it came to flying.
He knew everything, he flew with perfection.
Each turn, each dive and each loop all perfectly executed.
I placed my hands on his "Now it's my turn"
He removed his hands and I took over the broom.
I wasn't bad either, I could hear his laughter ringing in my ears, he said "Not bad, for a beginner, you might want to try out for the team next year"
I grinned "No way, I have other things to focus on"
He wrapped his hands around my waist as I flew faster "You'll love it"
I said "I can't take the competition and I'm so clumsy, I'll get killed by a bludger"
He leaned over my shoulder and kissed me on the cheek "I won't allow that to happen"
That's when I lost control of the broomstick.
I screamed as we plummeted to the ground.
Thank god for the snow.
We tumbled into the snow.
I panted as my heart pounded.
Al was panting beside me.
The broom was lying in the snow next to him.
I asked panting between each word "What. Was. That?"
He blushed "Had to return the favor"
I smiled and shook my head.
He said "Thanks for the most amazing broomstick ride of my life"
I said "Thank you for teaching me"
He shook his head "I didn't do anything, it was all you. All you needed was confidence and a broomstick"
I got up into sitting position "Thanks for the lesson Professor Potter"
He grinned "Your welcome Ms. Graham"
I teased "Although you should be sacked for kissing your student, it goes against the law you see"
He blushed "What do you do when you owe that student a kiss on the cheek?"
I pretended to rack my brains "Wait for a more appropriate time to return your debt"
He pretended to shake his head in disappointment "I'm very ashamed of my behavior, I'm going to kill myself"
He pretended to stick a knife into his heart and fell limp.
I feigned worry, I raised my hands to my cheeks "Oh no! Professor! Oh Professor, Why? Oh lord! Someone get a healer! Oh professor, what will I do without you! Wake up professor, don't be dead"
I could see a ghost of a smile on his face.
I knelt down and said "Goodbye Professor, I will always remember you, we had so many memories together"
I wiped a fake tear off my cheek.
I made to stand up and leave, but the supposed to be dead Professor caught my wrist and pulled me back down.
He opened his eyes and we both burst out laughing.
Our laughter rang around the pitch.
Albus said "We're such idiots"
I said "I agree"
He asked "What do you think someone would say if they saw us doing this?"
I thought for a moment "They'd inform Mungo's and warn them of two mentally-challenged sixteen-year olds who need help straight away"
He nodded "You're right"
He asked "Do you feel like your mentally-challenged?"
I knocked my head twice and shook my head "I feel alright, what about you?"
He did the same and pronounced "Nope, I'm perfect"
Then we laughed again.
He asked "Still feel muddled up?"
The seriousness returned.
I shook my head "Not anymore"
I asked "Al, do you think I'm an hypocrite?"
His eyebrows drew in "Why?"
I said playing with the snow on the pitch "I say I don't hate anyone and everybody is a good person, yet I hate my father and don't think he has an ounce of good in him. I say I don't hold grudges and yet I can't let go of the grudge I have built against my Dad. I say people should learn to forgive, yet I can't seem to forgive him. I say people should never shut their ears from what anyone has to say, they should listen to both sides of the story and yet I don't want to listen to a thing he has to say. I believe in giving everyone a chance, yet I am not willing to give him one. Am I a hypocrite?"
Al looked sympathetic "Your reasons for hating him are different from the reasons people have for hating other people"
I argued "But their reasons are still valid"
He took my hand and sighed "You're not a hypocrite, you're just human. He hurt you Silver, he hurt you more deeply than anything. It's not easy to forgive someone you don't know so well yet know like your own"
I asked "Should I forgive him?"
He snorted "I can't believe you're feeling guilty for his mistakes, I've never seen anyone so guilty for hating someone especially when they have a very good reason to"
I whacked him "Shut up and answer me"
He looked into my eyes and said "When you get back, have nice talk with him without losing your head and then decide, don't forgive him without knowing his intentions, you'll regret it otherwise"
I smiled "You're right"
He said "Silver, I…."
I asked "yes?"
He seemed to think better of it "I…I am hungry"
I felt like that's not what he wanted to tell me "Oh"
He pulled me up by the hand "Come on, let's go for lunch"
We took the broomstick and left the pitch.
The whole time Al was deep in thought.
Then he said "Silver…I…I will never leave you"
I looked up at him "I know that"
He told me "No, what I mean is, I'll never ever leave you…ever"
I laughed "I know Al, I knew that a long time back"
He ran a hand through his hair, like he was frustrated.
He said "Oh god, I think I'm going to lose my mind"
I said cheekily "Don't worry Albie, you've already lost it"
He glared at me "You honestly don't understand what I'm trying to tell you?"
I said thinking "You said you'll never leave me, and I said I know. I know that you won't leave me Al"
His eyes closed and he took deep breaths.
I asked "Al are you okay?"
He yelled "Why? Why? Don't you get it?"
I asked "Don't get what?"
He kicked the tree beside him and looked ready to strangle something.
I was getting angry "Say what you have to say, don't walk in circles"
He pinched the bridge of his nose then threw his hands in the air "You know what? Forget I said anything! Forget that I said a bloody word! See you when you get back from the holidays!"
I was extremely taken aback by him.
I stood there holding the broomstick.
I watched him go.
He stopped when he reached the entrance hall.
He turned around and marched back to me, he snatched the broomstick from me "Give me that!"
And then he set off once again.
I felt the urge to laugh and scream at the same time.
Albus Potter, was a mystery.
I shook my head and laughed.
I thought back to the conversation, what had made him so mad?
He said he would never leave me, never ever leave me.
What was wrong with him?
What was he trying to say?
I wasn't going to think about it, it would just confuse me.
When I got into the great hall, I saw him standing there talking to Scorpius waving his arms and waving the broom around his head.
Scorpius's grey eyes were set on the broom, he kept dodging as it swiped at his head.
Al was saying "I couldn't have made it any plainer"
Scorpius who dodged yet another swipe said "Maybe you should try the direct approach and tell her the exact words rather than twisting it all up"
Al stopped swinging his broom much to the relief of an annoyed Scorpius "Maybe you're right, but that's awfully hard, how will she react? How should I tell her Scorp?"
Scorpius's eyes found Rose waving him over "That's your problem not mine mate, see you, a very hot ginger is looking my way"
He winked at Rose.
Al pretended to gag "That's my cousin, and hello I helped you to tell Rose didn't I?"
Scorpius looked at him "You yelled out at your family's New year's Party, 'Oi! Scorpius! Tell Rosie you love her! You have ten seconds!' You call that help? Everybody looked at me like I was flipping mad, I felt like a frigging fish, I have no idea how I survived the glare her father was shooting at me, not to mention she looking at me like I was a stupid insect"
He glared at Al.
Al chuckled "I remember that, but you have to hand it to me, it was a very effective way to get it out of you"
Scorpius crossed his arms over his chest "Well Thank you very much, but you'll have to help yourself here mate, I might push you to tell her here and there, but you're on your own, just like you left me alone to deal with the embarrassment"
I couldn't help laughing.
They heard me and looked at me.
Al looked like he wanted to disappear.
Scorpius grinned evilly at Al "Hello Silver, I heard you didn't understand what Al here was trying to tell you"
Al shot him a deadly glare and punched him "Shut your big mouth Goldilocks!"
Scorpius looked at me "He is a bit touchy at the moment"
I laughed "You two are very hilarious when you talk"
Scorpius bowed "Thank you"
Al said "I'm sorry I blew out at you"
I ignored him "I still don't get it"
Scorp sighed "Either she's really slow or you have no idea how tell her you….."
Al slapped his hand on a startled Scorpius's mouth "Go eat with Rose, and make sure you stuff your mouth got it?"
Once Al's hand was off, Scorpius started walking off "Git"
He said "I'm going to eat too, I'm famished, bye!"
He went off.
I stood there confused as hell.
Why was he doing this to me?
Oh Albus Potter, how I love you, even though you're such a fool.
Wait a second, did I just…?
Oh mother of Merlin, I love Albus Potter.
Bloody hell! And I thought my life was complicated enough!
Someone help me!
AN: First of all, I think you all figured out what Al's trying to say right?
If not, then read the chapter again.
Those of you who did, congratulations!
Now review!
I don't know what I'm going to do for the eighth chapter, I mean I built up to it and now I don't know what to do.
I'm having a wonderful time writing this story, frankly I love Albus, he's just the perfect balance of mad and normal.
I also love Silver, she's too sweet.
Review, please.
I love reading your reviews, it makes me want to update even faster, but unfortunately I'm only human and need some time to write.
Thank you all so much!
SPHP20896:)
