Here's chapter ten. I'm posting this before I'm going onto the beach so I hope you enjoy :D
Chapter 10
"Where's that book?" Leila mumbled, pushing books to the side of the shelf for the third time in search of the book she needed to finish her Herbology Essay.
"Looking for something, beautiful?" a voice said to her left.
Leila turned seeing a brown haired boy reading a small leather-bound book while leaning against the book shelf. He had a chiseled face with wavy brown hair that reached the tip of his ears and green eyes. On his robes was the Ravenclaw badge. The boy looked up closing the book.
"So you going to answer any time soon, pretty thing?" he asked.
"I-I-I'm tr-trying to find a um book, it-it must be checked out," Leila replied, blushing madly.
"Which one?"
"U-under Water Weeds of the um Bermuda Triangle...by Gertrude Spence," Leila said. Her eyes shifted from left to right as she looked down the aisle thinking of a possible way to escape. Her face was beat red now.
"Just so happens," the boy said, holding his book out to her. "That I'm doing the same essay as you. For Herbology, right?"
Leila took the book nodding slowly. "Bu-but it's not due for two-two weeks."
The boy shrugged looking nonchalantly, the confidence not fading even slightly. "I guess I'm just a nerd. I like getting things done quickly, and we have all of Christmas break to do it; so I won't have to worry about it when we get back. You know?" He raised his eyes and Leila gave a quick nod, understanding exactly what he meant. "I'm Drake by the way, Drake Connors." He put out his hand.
"L-Leila Monroe," Leila replied shaking his hand.
"Pretty name for a pretty girl. Oh I know you," Drake remarked, smiling. "You're friends with that Cedric Diggory guy, aren't you? You and that Jacqueline girl, right?"
Leila looked down, opening the book. "Yes. Um h-how do you know Cedric?"
"Sit next to him in Potions," he replied, nonchalantly shrugging.
"Oh...," Leila said as she found her feet to be very interesting at the moment, trying to avoid Drake's gaze.
Drake smirked. "So would you like the book then?"
Leila looked up at him with an apologetic look. "I-I feel bad taking your book. W-would you um like to share it while we both finish our essays?"
Drake smiled. "That sounds lovely, beautiful."
Leila blushed yet again. "Thanks, but um j-just call me Leila, please." She walked over to the table and made to sit down, but Drake beat her to the chair pulling it out quietly. Leila blushed for what seemed like the hundredth time as she sat down; he took the seat next to her quickly.
"Leila's nice too, although my nickname for you fits better," Drake murmured.
"Um th-thank you," Leila said, her blush reddening.
Drake smirked and the two worked in silence with him casting amused glances at the blonde while she continued to turn redder.
ooOOoo
The Hufflepuff common was filled with students who were either studying or just hanging with friends. Leila was sitting in one of the large arm chairs with her legs pulled up and a book propped up on them. Her head was buried in the book when someone pulled it away from her. She looked up and saw a somewhat angry Jacqueline.
"Spill."
Leila was taken off guard. She looked up at the girl confused. "What?"
"Why were you with Drake Connors in the library?" Jacqueline asked, taking a seat on the arm of the chair and handing her the book back. "And don't say nothing because you were with the third cutest guys in our year."
"Third?" Leila said, tilting her her head slightly, puzzled
"Yeah, don't you know who the cute guys are in our year. Most of the girls made a list. First is Roger Davies, second is Cedric, third is Drake Connors, and fourth are the twins," she said, listing them off on her fingers. "I don't really remember the rest and I didn't make the list so don't say to me that I think Cedric and the twins are cute, even though I do, but it's only a thought."
"Uh...," Leila said, staring at her friend.
"Anyways spill. Why were you with him?" she said, leaning in close to the blonde.
"I-I-I was just l-looking for a book an-and he had it so we um worked on our Herbology essays together," she said hastily.
"That's it?" Jacqueline asked disappointed. "Did he say anything?"
"N-no, but...he um kept calling me beautiful..."
Jacqueline let out a squeal that caused most of the common room to look in their direction. "He was flirting with you! I can't believe he was flirting with you!" By now she was jumping around and twirling as her friend just blushed and stared at her.
"Who was flirting with who?" Cedric asked as he walked up to the two girls. He took a seat in the chair across from them and pulled out some parchment and ink.
"Drake Connors was flirting with Leila in the library today," Jacqueline said with a grin.
Cedric stopped writing and looked at the two girls in surprise. "Drake Connors? The Ravenclaw?"
"Yes!" Jacqueline squealed.
Cedric shook his head. "I don't like him. He's stuck up and thinks he's a master at everything."
"Well duh, he's a Ravenclaw. They think they know everything because they are the smartest house."
"I've heard he flirts with almost every girl," he said as he continued to scribble on his parchment.
"So have I," Jacqueline said, sticking her tongue out. "Every girl knows he's a flirt, but they still like him."
"Well that just adds to his ego," Cedric muttered. "Why was he flirting with you, Leila?"
"I was um looking for a book and he had it so we um decided to work on an essay together...," she said cautiously.
"Hmm," Cedric said thoughtfully. "Figures he'd be working on an essay now. But you were working on it early too? Why?"
"I-I just wanted to get it done...," Leila said.
"Haven't you noticed how smart she is?" Jacqueline said with a grin. "I don't see how she's not in Ravenclaw."
"Good thing, then she wouldn't be near Drake every day," Cedric muttered.
"Oh grow up," Jacqueline said. "You're a big boy, stop complaining.
"Whatever. How about we head to lunch?"
"Sounds good to me," Jacqueline said, getting up with Cedric and Leila.
ooOOoo
"Leila," Jacqueline said, leaning over her plate of chicken. "Drake keeps looking over here."
"W-what?" Leila turned around and looked past the Gryffindor table, where Thorn waved at her, and saw at the Ravenclaw table that, sure enough, Drake was smirking at her and gave her a wink. Leila blushed as she quickly looked away.
Jacqueline squealed. "I am so jealous of you!"
Cedric rolled his eyes as he took a bite of his chicken. "Obviously whatever I say won't faze you from liking him."
"You got that right," Jacqueline said with a wink.
Cedric sighed and rolled his eyes. "Girls."
Leila looked between the two before she cleared her throat. "Um uh Cedric, you said you wanted to try out for Hufflepuff's quidditch team. W-what position are you going to try out for?"
Cedric looked up and grinned. "I'm gonna try for Seeker," he said. "It's the most important person. They have to keep a look out for the snitch and be able to catch it to win the game."
"Oh well I hope you get it," she said with a friendly smile.
"Same here," Jacqueline said with a thumbs up. "You can do it."
"Thanks," Cedric said, grinning wider.
ooOOoo
"Leila!"
Leila turned around to see Thorn running up to her with a grin on her face. She caught up to her panting and bending over her knees.
"Okay-two-things," she said, trying to catch her breath. "One-the twins-and I-are-planning on-pulling a prank-on some Slytherins later today." She stood up straight and took a few breaths before speaking again, her breathing back to normal. "We want you to come. Second I heard from Angelina who heard from Jacqueline that you were with Drake Connors today. Don't really see what's so great about him. I don't think he's bad I just don't see the point in the so called 'cute guys list'," she said, air quoting 'cute guys list'. "What were you doing with him?" she asked with a smile.
"I-I was just sharing a book with him. We-we are d-doing the same Herbology essay," she said, turning pink.
"If that's just it I don't see why almost every girl is complaining. Sure he's kinda cute, but he's just a guy," Thorn said as the two headed outside to the courtyard.
Leila just nodded as they sat down on one of the stone benches and watched as a flock of birds flew up over head. She didn't plan on studying with Drake, she just wanted to find a book for her essay and he just happened to have the book. She didn't want to be rude and take it from him so she offered to share it with him. Drake seemed nice enough so why not work with him on an essay.
"Hey, Leila, what do you want to do this weekend?" Thorn asked. "We got nothing really to do since we are second years and can't go to Hogsmeade." Leila tilted her head in confusion at the word Hogsmeade, but Thorn didn't notice. "I still have to work on my Herbology essay as well, along with a Charms essay. Want to go to the library Saturday and work on them together?"
"Sure," Leila said with a small smile. "Would you like me to help with your Herbology essay?"
"If you can that'd be-"
"Oi! Leila!"
The girls looked up to see the twins walking up to the with their bags slung over their shoulders. They waved at the girls and strode up to them past a group of Ravenclaw girls.
"So what's this we've heard of you studying in the library with Drake Connors?" Fred asked as George stood on his left.
"J-just studying...," Leila said, shrinking under the twins' gaze.
"I wouldn't get to chummy with him," George said. "He's a bit of a git."
"Why would you say that?" Thorn said, crossing her arms over her chest as she raised an eyebrow at the two.
"He acts all high and mighty just because he's in Ravenclaw," George protested.
"He thinks he knows everything!" Fred added.
Thorn shook her head. "Boys."
Fred and George glared at her. "Girls!"
Leila looked from the twins to Thorn. "Um w-would you like to um go to the tree?" she asked, her voice getting lower as the sentence progressed. She shrank as she saw the twins look at her again.
"Fine, but I wouldn't get too chummy with Connors," George said, Fred nodding in agreement as the four made their way over to they're spot.
"Just because you don't like him doesn't mean that Leila shouldn't be friends with him," Thorn argued. "What if I became friends with Marcus Flint? Would you abandon me or something?"
Fred and George looked down grumbling. "No."
"But we'd most likely beat him up," Fred said.
Thorn rolled her eyes and groaned. The twins were stubborn as ever. "You two are as thick as a troll."
The twins stick their tongues out at her as they reached the tree and basked in the sunlight.
ooOOoo
"Hey, beautiful."
Leila jumped in her seat at her table in the study room. She looked up to see Drake smirking down at her. She looked from side to side at the other students studying and found some girls glaring at her, others gawking at her, and the rest whispering to each other as they pointed towards her and Drake.
"Um hello, Drake," she said.
"Mind if I sit with you?"
"Yes. I-I-I-I mean no. No I don't mind," Leila stuttered trying to quickly correct herself as her face turned red. She hid her head behind her book as Drake chuckled takin the seat across from her.
"So what are you studying, beautiful?" he asked, leaning his chin on his hand. He had a smirk on his face as he stared at her waiting for her answer.
"Ch-Charms...," she squeaked.
Drake laughed. "Need any help? I've completed the list of spells to learn before Christmas."
"Uh sure. I-I mean if you um want to," Leila answered.
"What spell are you working on, gorgeous?"
"Why thank you!" a voice said from behind Leila. "I always did think I was gorgeous. See, Freddie, I told you I'm the better looking twin."
Leila turned around to find Fred and George with Thorn behind them coming over to the table. Thorn quickly ran over to take the seat beside Leila as Fred sat on the other side of her and George sat across from his brother, although to his disdain, and next to Drake. Drake glared at the twins, but greeted Thorn with a charming smile which she returned with her own and a wave.
"Good to meet you," he said, extending his across the table to Thorn. "I'm Drake Connors."
Thorn took his hand and shook it as she smiled at him. "I'm Thorn Fernsby."
"And I'm Forge and this is Gred," Fred said from beside Leila. He had a glare as he watched Thorn and Drake shake hands. George had an identical glare as he and his brother watched Drake closely.
"So what are we studying today, Connors?" George asked giving the Ravenclaw a smile.
Drake glared at the twins. "Charms," he deadpanned. "I thought I'd help Leila with the list of spells Professor Flitwick gave us."
"How thoughtful," Fred said. "But we came to help Leila with that as well. So you can just go back to your Ravenclaw friends."
Thorn glared at the twins as Leila looked with wide eyes. Drake on the other hand just had a glaring match with the twins. Thorn shook her head. The twins were definitely thick as trolls. If she could, she would have kicked Fred and George for acting how they are acting.
"Um I uh...I can just have Thorn help me instead...," Leila spoke up. "I-I'm pretty sure she needs help as well. We'll just go work together." She looked from one boy to the next before turning to Thorn, who stood up with a huff.
She gathered her belongings and made her way to leave.
"No, Leila," George said. "You don't have to leave with Thorn. We can help you with Charms. It's Connors who needs to leave."
"No, we'll leave!" Thorn yelled, but only loud enough for their group to hear. "You boys just end your petty fight and grow up. Come on, Leila." She walked out of the room with Leila railing behind, who gave the boys one last glance. Heads turned towards the boys for a moment before going back to studying.
Drake sighed before standing up and gathering his own things. "Well, if you two are done glaring at me I'm on my way. I'd rather be in Ravenclaw tower than spend another moment with you two. I came here to talk with Leila, but obviously you two think you own her." With that said he left without giving the twins a glance, but had a smug smile that he concealed after seeing their shocked faces, from what he didn't know. It could have been from the girls leaving or his comment to them. Either way he enjoyed their dumbfounded expressions with a laugh.
Fred turned to George once the Ravenclaw second year was gone. He gave a sigh. "We screwed up," he said, George nodding solemnly in agreement. They leaned their cheeks on their hands as they stared glumly at the wall in front of them.
I would like to say I am so sorry for all of the short chapters recently. After getting a review from Invisiblegirl3 saying that it was confusing when it skipped from winter to summer in the first year I decided to cut all the chapters I already had to create more chapters and extend their second year. Sadly I don't really know what else to write at some point during these chapters which causes them to be short. I apologize if some of you don't like short chapters. I didn't intend to but it happened. I don't hate the fact that they are short, I am honestly content, but I know some people prefer long chapters and I whole heartedly understand. But I hope you have enjoyed Thorn, Leila, and the twins' second year so far. I also hope that you liked the introduction to Drake. I thought I'd add someone else that the twins can't stand other than Marcus Flint, who I promise will come in soon (or third year. Not sure yet but it will happen. I have ideas!).
I hope to hear from you on criticism or comments. You can review, which is greatly appreciated, PM me, or ask me or the characters (like Leila, Jacqueline, and Thorn, or the twins, Cedric, and Drake) any questions on my tumblr, a-thorn-in-my-side. (A-thorn-n-my-side).
Also just found out from a friend today at school that I have been spelling Dumbledore all wrong. Never knew there was an 'e' at the end. I will be going back to fix that in the the previous chapters when I get the chance.
I hope you enjoyed and I can't wait to hear from you. Again criticism is welcomed as long as its not harsh. No one likes haters so please be nice. If you're just going to hate then go somewhere else, why read the story? To all my fabulous readers thank you so much for sticking with me so far and I hope you stick around for the entire journey.
Thank you again you all are awesome and I hope that any of you on Spring Break are having fun and being safe. But having fun ;)