Chapter 10: Realisation

Sapphire sighed. It was the middle of afternoon and she was studying in the Great Hall. Well she tried to, but her mind was in chaos. After her conversation with Crystal, she couldn't help but think about Ruby. Her friend's last words resonated in her mind. Sapphire was confused and needed time to think over it. So she mostly occupied her mind with homeworks and Quidditch trainings. She did her best to avoid Ruby during their common classes and in Hogwarts' corridors. When she had free time, she stayed in Gryffindor Common room. But the brunette was sick of being locked inside. So she decided to study in Great Hall. If the weather wasn't rainy, she would be outdoor.

"Ok, focus!" Sapphire shouted and brought back her attention on her Transfiguration notebook.

She revised every spells definitions she learn since her First year. Even if she was good in most of her classes, Sapphire wanted to advance in her revisions. She remember what happened to Gold last year. During the whole year, he procrastinated until last days: therefore he spent many sleepless nights at cramming. Luckily for him, Crystal and Silver helped him.

After one hour of studying, Sapphire decided it was time to practise. She took her wand and cleared her throat.

"Evanesco!" The water in her glass vanished.

"Well done."

Sapphire held her breath as she recognised the voice. She turned her head and saw Ruby standing near to her with his books under his forearm. He gave her a faint smile.

"May I sit here?" Sapphire nodded. Ruby put down his books and his bag on the table and sat next to her. "I haven't seen you lately."

"I was busy," Sapphire replied and turned pages of her book.

A awkward silence settled between them and Ruby wasn't used of this. They usually quarreled over random things, but today Sapphire was very quiet. Just like that time in the Three Broomsticks Inn.

"I thought you avoided me." He admitted and contemplated her. The Gryffindor girl startled slightly and touched nervously the edge of her paper.

"I don't," Sapphire murmured. Ruby tried to catch her eyes but she looked away.

"Then why do you avoid my eyes, Sapphire?"

The way he said her name nearly made her heart stop. Sapphire clenched her fists and looked at her neighbour.

"I don't!" She snapped.

Ruby smirked and rested his chin on his palm. Sapphire fought back the urge to punch his arrogant face. She turned away and looked around her. There were plenty seats in the Great Hall.

"Why do ya sit next to me? There's many available seats," Sapphire said. Ruby scratched his neck and stared at Sapphire's new quill with interest.

"I wanted to talk to you and know how you are," He replied. "We didn't talk since we met in Hogsmeade."

"Oh," Sapphire let out and touched nervously her hair.

Ruby looked at her with curiosity. She was very different today. He felt like she was more shy and feminine than her usual self. He tried to have a eye contact and finally caught her eyes. He really loved the shade of her eyes. Blue and Crystal also had blue eyes, but Sapphire's eyes were different. Darker and deeper like sapphire gemstone. Her eyes fit perfectly with her name. Ruby looked at her with a steady gaze. Nothing seemed to disturb him: not even the heavy rain falling from the enchanted roof; and neither their friends, Emerald and Wally, observing them with full attention from the Slytherin table. Ruby and Sapphire seemed to be in another world, their own world.

Something caught Ruby's attention: a familiar fruit scent. The first time he smelled it was in Potions class, but he had the impression that he already smelled it before. This time the aroma was stronger. The Ravenclaw student came closer to Sapphire and identified the familiar scent as Pecha berry.

"You smell funny."

Sapphire's eyes widened: it was the straw that broke the Camerupt's back. She punched Ruby's cheek and made him fall from his seat. The students in the Great Hall stopped their activities and brought their attention to the two rivals.

"That hurts, Barbarian girl!" Ruby shouted with pain, his hand on his cheek.

"Ya deserved it, Prissy boy!" Sapphire yelled.

Ruby rose from the floor and sat back in the seat. He picked up a mirror from his bag and inspected his cheek with concern. Sapphire frowned: it was the first time she saw a boy in possession of a mirror in his bag. This boy was so narcissistic.

"Thanks Arceus, I have nothing serious," Ruby let out a relief sigh.

"Of course ya have nothin'! I decreased my strength!" Sapphire fumed. "And for yer information, I do take shower every day! I don' smell bad!"

"I didn't mean bad!" Ruby defended himself. Sapphire raised her eyebrow. "You smell like Pecha berry, I like it!"

Sapphire looked surprised: it wasn't the first time people told her that. But hearing it from Ruby gave her knots in her stomach.

"This scent relaxed me," Ruby added while looking away. Sapphire felt her cheeks getting warmer. She held her hair in front of her and lowered her head. Ruby glanced at her and smiled. "You know, if you punch your first love like that, I don't think he will like you back."

"I would never punch him! He isn't rude and weak like ya!" Sapphire snapped. "He's brave and strong!"

She glared at him, but stopped when she saw Ruby's soft smile. "W-What?" She stuttered.

"You must really like him after all these years," Ruby said with a smile. Sapphire looked away and touched her hair nervously.

"I don't know…" She mumbled.

"Huh?" Ruby tilted his head to see better her face. Sapphire gazed her rival with a sad expression. Ruby's eyes widened and suddenly felt a uncommon urge to hug her.

"Sapphire!"

The voice of Blue teared their gazes away. Ruby moved slightly away and covered shyly his mouth with his hand. Sapphire tried to not blush and looked at her Ravenclaw senior. She noticed Green was also here. The Slytherin prefect was stoic as always and was obviously dragged by Blue.

"Hi!" Blue said as she sat in front of her juniors. Green greeted with a nod. "Did I interrupt something?"

"No," Ruby answered. Blue smirked at him while Green shook slightly his head.

"Sure… Anyway, I didn't come here for that!" Blue exclaimed. "Sapphire, your Memory potion is ready!"

Blue put down her notes on the table and picked up the brewed potion from her bag. The potion was inside a very small bottle.

"Already?" Sapphire asked with surprise.

"Yes, Green gave us a great help at gathering missing ingredients."

"I was forced to." He added with a stern voice.

"Don't be mean, Greenie!"

"Tsk, Pesky girl."

Ruby looked amused at his seniors. The nicknames they gave to each other sounded very affective to his opinion. He peeked at Sapphire : she stared at the potion with anxiety. She wasn't ready to confront her childhood past yet.

"Blue, I'm sorry. I don't know if I still want to drink this potion…" She admitted. Blue looked at her with surprise and worry.

"Why?" Blue asked. She put her elbows on the table and leaned slightly in front of her. Sapphire bit her lower lip.

"I need more time to settle my mind first…" She whispered. Blue touched her friend's hand and smiled.

"It's alright, Sapphire," Blue reassured. "It's my fault, I decided to do all this thing without your complete consent."

"Like always," Green commented. Blue threw him a death glare and Sapphire shook her head.

"No, thank ya Blue!" Sapphire said. "Ya did so much for me! After all your efforts, I-"

"It's alright! When you feel ready to drink it, tell me." Blue gave her a tender smile and looked at the potion. She winked and Sapphire smiled.

"Thanks Blue!" Sapphire looked at the clock and got up from her seat. "I have to go to my Quidditch trainin' now!"

"I can't wait to play our match next week." Green said with a faint smile.

Like Red, Green was also the Captain and Chaser of Slytherin Quidditch team. Sapphire nodded happily and left. Green also took his leave (even though Blue insisted him to stay with them). Blue stared at Ruby with interest.

"What?" Ruby frowned.

"Nothing~" Blue grinned and looked at the potion in her hand. "What a shame to not use this potion. Well, it may have a better use later. I really want to know who was her first love!"

Ruby stayed silent. He was also curious, but in the same time he was relieved that Sapphire refused. His eyes wandered to Blue's notes and something caught his attention.

"Blue, shall you give me your notes?" He asked. His prefect gave her notes.

Ruby skimmed quickly the notes and found a picture between pages. It was the picture of a little girl in pink lacy clothes. She looked very familiar to him. Suddenly, he recognised her. This delicate little girl was his childhood friend and also his first love. He didn't remember her face until he saw this picture. Now everything was clear. His eyes widened and he stopped to breath for a second.

"Ruby, are you ok?" Blue asked with worry.

"Blue…" Ruby said and looked up. "This picture…"

"It's Sapphire." Blue replied with a smile. "She used to be very girly when she was kid!"

Ruby felt his heart beat faster. He swallowed his saliva and looked straight to his friend's blue eyes.

"Can you tell me about Sapphire's first love?" He asked.

"I can't tell without her permission." Blue frowned.

"Please Blue, I really need to know it." Ruby begged.

Blue stayed silent and stared at her junior. It was the first time he behaved this way with her. It must be very important. Blue sighed and took her notes.

"Fine, but I want to know your reason."

"I will tell you once you are done, I promise" Ruby said, his senior nodded.

"Deal." Blue smiled. "Well… how to start… Sapphire met her childhood sweetheart ten years ago in Jotho. The boy was the son of her father's good friend. She doesn't remember either his face or his name, but it was one of her happiest memories. Sapphire had a lot of fun with him until one incident happened."

Ruby held his breath.

"While they played happily in the garden, a Salamence attacked them." Blue continued. Ruby's expression changed to shocked one. "The little boy protected her, but got injured on his-"

"Forehead," Ruby finished her sentence. Blue looked surprised at her friend and stayed speechless. How did he know that? Ruby touched his hat.

"And I hurt her crystal heart because of my brutality."

"Ruby…" Blue looked at him with astonishment. "Are you…"

Ruby nodded slowly. "Yes, I'm her childhood friend."

Even if Quidditch training was very tough and the rainy weather was appalling, Sapphire felt content. She loved to feel her muscles being sore after trainings. The brunette just finished her shower and was currently in her dorms, drying her hair with a towel. She brushed quickly her hair and decided to let them down. She was too lazy to tie her hair in a ponytail like she always did. She wore a blue navy hoodie with a black leggings and sneakers.

Sapphire hummed as she went to her Common Room. She couldn't wait to have her dinner in Great Hall. Before leaving, she caught sight of Gold on the couch and Crystal standing in front of him.

"You are a pervert, Gold!" She scolded him, her hands on her hips.

"I just wanted to take a nice and relaxing bath!" Gold replied with his hand on his swollen cheek. "How should I know you were also there!?"

"You are not allowed to go there! You are not a Prefect or a Quidditch captain!"

"Red gave me the password!"

"What's up?" Sapphire asked as she came up to them. She was curious what was their quarrel this time.

"This pervert peeped on me when I was in the Prefects' Bathroom!" Crystal lashed out on Gold. The golden-eyes boy shrugged.

"I wanted to take a bath too!" Gold defended himself. "Instead of that, I got an amazing view of Crys-"

But Crystal didn't let him finished: she took the book on the low table to hit Gold's head.

"Don't say anymore!" Crystal blushed.

"Totally worth it!" Gold laughed and protected himself with his arms.

Crystal was about to hit him again but the Gryffindor boy caught her hands. He smirked and pulled her on the couch with him. Crystal, who was unprepared of this, went red as a tamago berry. She attempted to get out of Gold's arms, but it was useless. Actually she could easily knock Gold off, but she didn't. Sapphire chuckled and left the Common Room.

"Sapphire, where are you going? Don't let me alone with him!" Crystal begged. Gold tightened up his grip around her.

"Crystal, stop deny it. I know you enjoy being with me!" Gold said to her ear which made her blush even more.

Sapphire grinned. "Sorry Crys, I don't want to be the third wheel!"

Without looking back, Sapphire could imagine Crystal's flushed face and Gold's sly smirk. She smiled happily at the thought of her two friends being a couple. Even if their personalities were totally opposite, they were meant for each other. Sapphire wondered when they will finally become a item. Like Blue always said: Opposite attracts.

"Wait, opposite attracts…?" Sapphire thought aloud and stopped to walk. She recalled Crystal's words few weeks ago, her heart fluttering a little.

"I know the answer…" Sapphire whispered to herself.

All memories involved Ruby stroke in her mind. She remembered the countless times her heartbeat raced and her stomach knotted because of him. She always ended to think about Ruby. Without warning, realisation hit her: she always smelled a mint scent when Ruby was around her. The first time was in Potion class, then the scarf Ruby gave her, in his bedroom, their close proximity during the meteor shower… And in the Great hall when he talked to her. This mint scent was actually from Ruby. And his scent was one of the aromas she smelled from Amortentia potion. Little by little, the pieces of her feelings puzzle get together. What she really felt about Ruby wasn't hatred, rivalry or friendship. It was none of them.

"It's love…" Sapphire murmured softly.

Author's note: Sapphire finally realised her feelings for her Sissy boy haha! And Ruby knows about their common past. Serious stuffs can begin now.