A/N: first chapter in a loooooong time...
Al hadn't seen Ellie since her choice to go with her brother earlier that month. He was practically eaten alive by the worry.
Rory was there for him, even if the rest of his family felt that Ellie had betrayed them.
But Al knew she hadn't. He had seen the spark in her eyes, the tears that had been threatening to overflow from her eyes as she had turned away from him. He knew that she hadn't betrayed him.
"I just don't know what to tell you, Al."
Albus sighed as he turned over. Rory was sitting on the end of his bed, having escaped the clutches of his older brother for a few minutes.
"I know she's a good person, but I can't help wondering where her loyalties truly lie."
Al grunted. It was the same argument she always used, that she couldn't be sure. That was Rory's problem, that she was never sure, never fully committed. They would be coming back from summer break in a few short days, but Al had given up hope of seeing Ellie again.
"Thanks, Rory, but you should really get back to James. I know he's worried about you."
Rory gave him an apologetic look before sighing and leaving the room, leaving Al to deal with his thoughts.
No matter what he did, his thoughts inevitably returned to Ellie. He thought of the past March, the last time they had really been truly happy together. He remembered the soft looks she had given him, the smiles, the way she smelled, the way her hair looked in the moonlight, the way it felt when her skin brushed against his, the sound of her laughter. But most of all, he remembered her eyes and the way they glittered at him, daring him, teasing him, loving him, all at once.
Loving him.
Al sighed and pushed his face into the pillow, trying to squash the feelings that rose in his chest as he thought of her. And now, he thought, she could be in pain, she could be dead. He shivered at that thought, and tried not to picture her beautiful eyes cold and lifeless. It was too late, though, he had already thought it. He turned his face into the pillow and sobbed.
"I'm worried about Al."
Rory was sitting at the bar of the Potter's kitchen. She should have been asleep hours ago, but she was sitting with Ginny and Harry, drinking hot chocolate and worrying.
Ginny glanced up at her adoptive daughter.
"Because of Ellie?"
Rory nodded. Harry sighed from his corner of the table.
"He can't get it into his head that she's gone, can he?" questioned the patriarch of the Potter household. Rory shook her head sadly, and it was Ginny's turn to sigh. Harry grunted. He'd had enough of betrayal and secrets to last a lifetime. He stood.
"I'm off to bed. Don't stay up too late, girls."
He leaned over and kissed Ginny, then ruffled Rory's hair.
"Goodnight, love," was Ginny's reply.
"Goodnight, Harry," was Rory's.
Ginny bustled around the kitchen, washing out the mugs and wiping down the surfaces of the kitchen with her wand.
"Ginny?"
Rory's question was barely audible over the sound of running water. Ginny turned off the tap, and turned to face the girl she expected to join her family.
"Yes, dear?"
"Well, I'm not really sure how to put this, but I think I know why Al can't get over Ellie…."
Ginny merely raised an eyebrow and gestured for Rory to continue.
"Well, it's just, I think that maybe, Al might possibly be…in love with Ellie."
Ginny smiled.
"Ah, I'm not the only one to reach that conclusion, am I?"
Rory looked up, a little startled.
"I hadn't realized you noticed, actually."
Rory shook her head. She never should have underestimated the power of a mother.
"Well," Ginny continued, "Al seems to be more emotionally aware than his father, at least."
Rory giggled a little at the mention of Ginny and Harry's school days.
"No, Ginny, I'm pretty sure he doesn't even realize. But if he ever does, he'll be set for life, because anyone can see that that girl is in love with him."
"If we get her back, you mean."
The kitchen fell silent at that thought.
And so it happened that no one in the Potter household went to bed happy that night. Excluding Lily, of course.