The two of us broke apart after a while, and he slung an arm around my bare shoulders. Fred's touch was warm and even a little shy—something that Fred or George normally was not. I could tell I had made him uncomfortable today when he found me almost in tears. Fred didn't deal well with girls crying, and so I did my best to not break down in front of him, however hard that was. That, and I was too stubborn to let him see me cry like a baby over someone like Roger.
Spite filled up inside of me when I thought of that prick. I didn't know what I had done wrong in our relationship. Had I driven him away? Was I the reason he had felt the need to seek out more attention from other girls? What was wrong with me?
I spent a great deal of our trip back to Hogwarts trying to figure out what I had done to make Roger not love me anymore, and to cheat on me. By the time the castle came into view I had come to the conclusion. I had done nothing wrong—it was his fault. I deduced that all men were no good, and they simply couldn't help themselves when it came to being around girls. There would always be something better in their minds, and I realized that now. No man could stay in a stable relationship forever. Every man was bound to cheat at least once in his life. And if they weren't cheating, they were dropping girls like they had some disease for another. It was sick, I know, but at least I realized it now.
I peeked up at Fred under my lashes. He was looking out ahead at the castle drawing nearer with each step we took. He looked so at ease right now, but I could tell something was troubling him. Hell, even Fred Weasley, my best friend was known for how many girl friends he'd had! The twins were famous for how easily they could get girls. I've never seen a girl turn any of them down, and they were always found snogging or charming their way to another girl. It made me sick to think about, but now I knew. All men were the same, and all men couldn't be trusted.
I knew that I might sound a tad dramatic, but I also knew that I was right. I didn't want to die an old maid—to have sworn off men. No, that's not what I wanted at all. Sure, I would like a stable, loving relationship as much as the next girl, but I knew it was impossible. If I wanted to be with a guy, then that's exactly what I would do.
No strings attached. I decided that would be my motto from now on. If ever I was in need of some—attention—I would simply find a guy, do with him what I wanted, and be done with it. I'm sure that there would be no complaints on the male half of the population. To them, I would probably be a gift. I could just here them now, bragging to their friends. I was the girl who finally got it: that you didn't always need a relationship to get what you wanted. After all, who were we really fooling here? Guys were only after one thing, and I think we all know what that is. I was just here to have fun, and that's what I would do. When I got bored with a guy, I'd simply find another one. I'm sure it was the same with men as well. After all, that's what Roger had done to me, wasn't it?
Just then I noticed that we were walking upwards. Ah, so we had made it into Hogwarts now. Fred still had his arm slung loosely around my shoulders as we made it in front of the portrait of the Fat Lady.
I wasn't paying any attention when Fred told the Fat Lady the password, and I found myself being hoisted up through the portrait hole. I looked up confusedly at Fred, who just grinned at me. Before I could even turn my head to look around at the common room, I was bombarded by two familiar girls.
"Katie!" I heard one shriek. I stumbled back a bit from the impact, and was thankful that Fred was still somewhat behind me to keep me from falling. I gave him a thankful smile, and he just nodded his head and shoved his hands in his pockets. By the time I had recovered from the first tackle, another was being thrown at me. Her long arms wrapped themselves around me, and I could feel her jumping up and down excitedly. She squealed loudly and I hissed in agitation. The two of them pulled back, giggling furiously, but they stopped when they looked at me. Gee, thanks. I didn't think I looked that tragic.
Angelina looked down at me worriedly. She towered at least half a foot taller than me, her being five foot eleven inches, and me being, well, short. "Katie dear, what happened?" She was the second person to ask me that tonight, and unfortunately, I knew she wouldn't be the last.
As hard as it was, I smiled up at her. "It's nothing, Ange." Her eyebrows rose at this, and she crossed her arms, as if to show that she didn't believe one word that I had just said.
I looked over to Alicia for help, but she was almost the mirror image of Angelina, and she looked disbelievingly at me as well. "Katie, you know we don't believe that." I rolled my eyes, and did my best to look annoyed at my two female best friends. As nice as it was that they cared this much about me, sometimes it got really irritating.
"I don't know what you're talking about." I hissed. I didn't want to talk about this in front of Fred. As nice of a friend as he was, and however sweet he had been about an hour ago didn't matter. He was still Fred, and I know he would never let me live tonight down if I had to spill my guts in front of him like a typical girl.
Angelina just rolled her eyes at me, and Alicia looked over to Fred for answers. No, he wouldn't dare tell them, would he? I shot my head around to look at him, but he had already begun speaking. "—found her at Madam Puddifoot's." I glared up at him, and he glanced down at me. "Then I just walked her back. So, there ya go." He glanced down at me, and I knew that that's all he would talk about. I gave him a small smile to show my thanks. He just crossed his arms and looked back at Alicia and Angelina. I knew he got the message.
Angelina looked suspicious, but didn't press it any further. Her eyes flicked to the chocolate flower in my hands, and back up to Fred. "Fine then. Katie, let's go." And with that, her and Alicia grabbed an arm each and dragged me up the stairs to the girls dorms after them.
I whipped my head around as much as I could back to Fred and mouthed 'help me'. I couldn't see his reaction, for we were too far up the stairs, but I heard his laughter in the common room down below. I scowled, and let the two girls drag me up to our room.
All but throwing me onto the large bed, I was careful not to crush the delicate chocolate rose. I glared up at Alicia and Angelina, who stood before me, arms crossed, looking ready to kill.
I was a little scared. You would be too, if you had been in my place. I was used to seeing Angelina look this fierce, but I had only seen Alicia look this way when we were having a match with Slytherin. This had me worried, but I put on my poker face and looked up at them.
"Alright, Bell, now I'm not going to ask again." Angelina looked terrifying, and I knew that there was no point in playing stupid. I gave in.
"Where do you want me to start then, Ange?" I spat. "The part where I was ready to tell Roger I loved him, and he left me at Madam Puddifoot's with none other than Cho Chang?" I heard Alicia gasp, but I went on. "Or how about the part where Fred found me ready to cry, so he brought me out of there and bought me this?" I pointed to the chocolate rose in my hands. Angelina's eyes flicked to it again and she looked ready to speak, but I continued on. "Or better yet, maybe I should start when I came to the conclusion that all men are scum, and that I've sworn off of any meaningless relationship forever?"
Alicia and Angelina looked shocked that I had actually given into their questioning for once, and a little horrified at the news I had just given to them. Alicia immediately sat down on the bed next to me, and wrapped an arm around me, much like a mother would do to her child. Angelina just stood there looking flabbergasted, and eventually came to sit next to me.
I even surprised myself. I no longer felt like I needed to cry over Roger. My new found motto rang through my head, and I was too angry to be sad over the unexpected breakup. I wouldn't get even with Roger, and I would definitely not cry over him. I was Katie Bell, and I would show him—and the rest of the world, for that matter—just what I thought of every male on this planet.
The three of us just sat in silence for the rest of the night, none of us knowing what to say about the whole situation. Eventually we all made our way to our own beds, drifting off to sleep.
Thankfully, I didn't dream that night.
Author's Note: Okay, so I understand that this is kinda a filler chapter, but let me warn you right now that the story is going to start flying by from now on. Weeks will go by in chapters, so just be ready for that. Anyone in particular you want to see Katie with? Drop a review and let me know. PS: Happy Valentine's day, all! Please R&R ;)
