CHAP 9: STUPID, CHIVALROUS, IDIOTIC, WONDERFUL ALBUS SEVERUS POTTER

After getting back to school, things got more hectic.

The staggering amount of work the teachers gave to us was in no way a joke.

I hardly had time to do anything else.

Albus and I didn't speak much in classes, we paid attention as the exams got closer.

Even if we used to have fun in classes before, we knew we had goals to achieve for which we need to get good marks for.

Nothing could change the fact that we both were serious students.

So most of the time, we kept to ourselves.

He'd do his homework, revision and Quidditch practice.

I'd do my homework, revision and reading.

So basically we went back to being strangers.

And now I didn't even feel like sitting next to him, all because he loved someone else.

I didn't want to hurt myself, I did not want my heart crushed.

So I didn't sit with him, and the thing that hurt me most was that he didn't say anything against it.

He didn't ask me why or even talk to me.

What had I done?

Was he trying to say we weren't friends anymore?

I didn't have the guts to confront him.

He didn't sit with me anymore for meal times and now I was completely alone.

I should have known, our friendship was meant to be short-lived.

All those dreams I had built for both of us came crashing down to the ground.

All those dreams I had of another life, where there existed only two people, him and I were thwarted.

And much to my irritation,

Matthew Finnegan cornered me one afternoon and said "Go out with me Graham"
I honestly didn't want to.

I asked "Why?"
He gave me a sly smile "Because I like you and I have for a long time now"

I rolled my eyes and then decided to strike a deal "If I go out with you once, just this once, will you leave me alone?"
He thought about it.

He took a deep breath "Alright, I agree, but you have to go to Hogsmeade with me, this Saturday"
I nodded and left him standing there.

I knew I should have said no, but I said yes.

Moreover, Iris wouldn't be happy.

This was getting harder than it was supposed to be.

On Saturday morning I lazily got up with no enthusiasm whatsoever.

A date with Finnegan sounded like torture.

Iris hadn't taken well to the news, at all.

And there was also the fact that Finnegan had announced to the world that I had agreed to go on a date with him.

Everyone obviously started whispering about me.

And Al had looked especially shocked.

I remembered him saying I should stay away from Finnegan.

Inside me guilt bubbled up.

What had I done?

But then I thought about it, one date couldn't hurt could it?
It was just one innocent date after all.

But why did I feel guilty? I had every right to go out with whoever I saw fit.

When Finnegan grinned at me and led me to Hogsmeade, I felt myself cringing when he took my hand.

His hands were sweaty and clammy unlike the firm and strong hands that belonged to Al.

It felt wrong.

I hardly listened as he talked about something or the other.

When we were in the village, he asked me politely "Where would you like to go first?"
I answered "The book store"
He looked at me and then gave a smile "Yeah…sure…book store"
That was when I knew that this date was going to be a disaster.

In the book store I silently looked at the books and read the covers.

I didn't ask him to buy one for me, I would never do that.

He leaned against a shelf and told me "Silver, I'd love to stay here all day, but do you mind going some place…interesting?"
I sighed and put the book back.

He smiled widely and led me through the streets.

He said "I know a place you'd love to go"
He dragged me to the front of a completely pink café,

It was unbearably pink.

He grinned "I knew you'd love it, it's Madam Puddifoots"

I felt like throwing up.

I was led to a table and I cringed.

He said "Girls love this place"

Which girls was he talking about?

I knew I didn't belong in that bracket of girls

After a hurried cup of coffee, I stood up "Thank you for such a lovely time Matthew I really appreciate it, but I have to go"
I had to leave, desperately.

If I stayed in that place any longer, I was pretty sure I'd die.

He caught my elbow "No you don't"
I looked at him.

He said "I'm not letting you leave"
I pulled my elbow out of his grasp "That is not for you to decide"
I gave him a withering glare and left burying my hands in my pockets.

He followed me.

I started walking faster.

But unfortunately he caught up to me and pulled me into a dingy alley.

I struggled and said "Let me go!"
His eyes were menacing and his look was one of determination.

He said "I'm sorry Silver, but I can't take it anymore, I've waited for this way too long"

He leaned in and somehow I managed to find my strength, I freed my arm and swiftly slapped him across the cheek.

My palm clenched into a fist.

He staggered back and looked at me completely surprised.

I was shocked at myself, I was not a violent person.

As quick as a flash, he pushed me into the wall, and my head hit the wall.

I winced in pain.

He was bigger than me and much stronger.

He looked angry.

I whimpered "Ow, you're hurting me"
He ground out "I don't care"
My vision was blurry.

Then I heard a voice, strong and familiar "I do"
And then everything happened very fast.

A pair of arms pulled Finnigan off me and once Finnigan had turned around, even before he could blink a fist collided into the side of his jaw.

I couldn't react because pain took over me.

I slid down the wall, my head was throbbing.

I felt the back of my head with my sweaty palm.

Something wet and sticky was in my hair.

I flinched, I was bleeding.

I could vaguely make out Finnigan lying on the ground.

I felt tired and I couldn't think straight.

A pair of arms circled me and whispered "I'm here, it's alright, I'm here. Rose! Help me! We need to get her to the hospital wing!"
I didn't hear what Rose said, instead I was swung into someone's arms and I curled up.

That was when I passed out.

I woke up, on a comfortable bed, my head hurt like hell.

The pain was blinding.

I gasped as the pain shot through my head.

I heard a soothing voice of a lady say "Easy there Dear"

Finally I was able to see clearly.

Madam Pomfrey stood watching me.

I stammered "W-what happened?"
She asked me "What do you remember Ms. Graham?"

I tried to remember "Uh…Matthew tried to kiss me…I slapped him…then he…he pushed me into the wall and…My head hit it….it hurt…very badly…and then someone pulled him off me and p-punched him…..and I-I passed out"

She smiled "Mr. Potter punched Mr. Finnigan and brought you here to the hospital wing"

I looked at her "Don't mind me asking Madam Promfrey but where is he right now?"

She sighed "He's talking to Professor McGonagall, I'm afraid he's going to receive a detention for his brawl with Mr. Finnigan"

My heart sank "Oh, but Madam Pomfrey, it isn't really his fault, he was trying to protect me"

She nodded "I know it is rather unfair, but that's the way it is, don't fret though Mr. Finnigan will receive a worse punishment. Terrible things students do these days, I always wonder where the courage from. Do the parents even know this is how they behave? Merlin, help me, so many injuries, I'm not getting younger you know"

I looked at her a little taken aback by her speech.

She asked "Are you hungry dear?"

I nodded "Quite a bit"

She smiled "I'll have a tray sent up for you, why don't get a little rest now"

She went off.

And I just thought, what had happened? What the bloody hell had happened?

I woke up next morning and was allowed to leave the wing.

I found Rose waiting for me, I was pleasantly surprised "Rose?"

She blushed "I wanted to know how you were doing?"

I smiled "I'm fine, want to go for breakfast with me?"

She looked uncertain and then said "I'd love to"

We walked in silence and I couldn't help asking "How's Al?"

She looked at me "He's fine, he has detention tonight, just for one night though. He was worried about you"

I sighed "Oh"

She asked me "What is going on with you and Al?"

I asked innocently "What are you talking about?

Her blue eyes narrowed "Silver, don't lie to me. It's obvious that Al has taken to you…."

I cut her off "Al has taken to me? W-what? How?"

She looked at me like I was mad "You haven't noticed? Honestly! I'm surrounded by idiots!"

I blushed and said indignantly "How was I supposed to know?"

She rolled her eyes "Just tell me one thing, why are you both ignoring each other?"

My heart sank "He loves someone, someone who he thinks is beautiful and amazing, more than words can describe was his description"

She shook her head at me "Oh for heaven's sake! I am definitely surrounded by idiots!"

I continued "You know the worst part, I love him, I actually do but he doesn't know, he'll never know"

She laughed, how could she laugh? "You know what you both are made for each other"

I asked her "What are you trying to say?"

She said seriously "Silver, it's high time you started paying more attention to your surroundings, wake up. No one can help you now if you don't help yourself."

She shook my shoulders "Open your eyes! Don't ignore Al, cling to him. If you give up now, then you're just going to end up killing yourself."

She gave me a significant look "I'm telling you this because you're smart. Listen to Al, everything he says, there's a hidden meaning and if you can figure that out then you'll know exactly what you need to do"

I stared at her as she turned around and walked off.

What was going on?

I think I've had enough, and then I remembered my mother telling me when I was younger "Silvie, sometimes when we try to find something and it's right in front of us the whole time. If you look carefully enough you'll find what you're looking for"

I sighed, what was I looking for?

Bloody bloody hell, I didn't even know what I was looking for.

I'm done for, I have no idea what the hell I'm doing.

I have to rethink my life.

Albus, I have a message for you:

If I survive this year, without dying or suffering permanent damage, I'm going to kill you!

Stupid, chivalrous, idiotic, wonderful Albus Severus Potter, AAAGH! I'm going mad!

AN: She's finally lost it! Yippee!

I know I'm not supposed to find happiness in my character's distress but it's just brilliant.

Well at least, Matthew is out of the way.

I hated him, I really did. He had that punch coming a long time back, ever since the third chapter actually.

I had thought about bringing the date in the Hogsmeade chapter itself but, I prefer it this way.

Aren't you frustrated with Albus and Silver?

I sure as hell am!

Okay, down to business, review, review and review

I loved the suggestions by the way.

I thought about them, but this just seemed the most fitting way to do it.

If you're disappointed with the chapter, or don't like it, you're welcome to yell and rant at me.

I am not very happy with this chapter either to say the truth, it could have been done better.

But I'll never change it, it's a bit boring to always have happy, love-dovey chapters right?

I love a bit of conflict, and frustration, it makes me smile and want to kill the characters all at once

Agree or disagree?

Review!

Thank you!

SPHP20896:)