You know how in every school there is that one girl all the other girls are jealous of. Like almost to the extreme. In Hogwarts, that one girl is definitely Dominique Weasley.
Her genes are perfect. With the exception of her strawberry blonde hair or that's what Dom says anyways. She wishes she got stuck with her mom's silvery blonde hair. That luck however had gone to Victoire, her older sister.
I never did understand what all the fuss was about. She pulls off strawberry blonde better than anyone else I've ever seen. Not that I actually no any other person with the same hair color but you know what I mean.
She's actually pretty smart too which is kind of hard to tell since her favorite topic is… you guessed it: boys.
"How about Owen Wilson? 6 or 7?" she asks spooning some eggs into her mouth. Her light eyes are zeroed in on my house Quidditch Captain who just so happens to be spending time with his girlfriend at the Ravenclaw table.
"He has a girlfriend," I remind her.
"Oh, I know. That doesn't mean I can't rate him though, right." She doesn't ask this as a question, it's rhetorical so I just give her my honest opinion.
"8."
"That high?" Dom's eyes widen and she looks back at him to see if she missed anything. Even Gabby looks at me quizzically, a spoon of pudding in her mouth.
"He's a pretty nice guy." I shrug in explanation.
Dom whips her head to look at me again, her tone one of a mother who thinks you are being silly. "Oh honey, ratings are solely based on looks." Gabby snots, twirling her spoon in her pudding.
"What would you give him Gabs?" Dom turns her attention to my sister who is sitting beside her looking bored.
She shrugs and with a half grimace says, "five."
Dom frowns. "That low?" Gabby bobs her head, golden blonde hair bouncing with her as she does.
"I guess nothing compares to James then," Dom mutters under her breath and I struggle to keep my juice from going up my nose.
"No, it's just that he's a Ravenclaw."
"So? What's wrong with Ravenclaws?" I question. We like learning. We can actually hold a serious conversation and we wear blue. Who doesn't like people who wear blue?
"Too annoyingly smart and too witty," Gabby answers offhandedly, pushing her pudding back and forth, clearly done with it.
"Would you rather go over a huge pride and suffocating ego?"
"You are talking to the person who dated James," Dom points out, quietly watching the half-assed argument unravel.
"I just don't like guys that are that put together, that's all."
"There isn't anything wrong with put together."
"Aaliyah even you don't go for put together."
Actually,it isn't even an argument. Not even bickering. We're just disagreeing with no source of emotion connected to our words. We're just talking. I think we got tired of arguing a while back and now we are just on a clean slate. What emotionless monsters we are becoming.
"Albus is put together."
"Al is a Slytherin with tricks up his sleeve. He isn't put together in a good way." She sighs, as if it's a fact she wishes she didn't know but she does.
"Ayy, that's my baby cousin," Dom interjects.
"Are you saying you don't trust him?"
She can't not trust him. It's Albus. Gabby knows him better than anyone just like James knows me.
"I don't know." She holds my eyes, another sigh escaping her.
I stand up, still holding her gaze. There isn't much to say anymore. "I'm going to head to class."
When I turn away to to leave she says one more thing, "Be careful with him."
"What do you mean?" I look back and she seems unsure.
"Nothing." She shakes her head. I nod and head out the Great Hall, beyond confused. One thing is clear though: she knows something about Albus that makes her suspicious. Whatever it is… I oddly don't want to know what it is. Curiosity did kill the cat after all.
"Our chaser needs improvement before the game against Gryffindor. I mean he can catch the Quaffle fine and flies pretty damn good for a fourth year but his aim is still kind of off." Ellie goes on about Quidditch as we walk on to Muggle Studies. We were the only sixth year Ravenclaws who took the subject past OWLs. This may have been due to fact that the rest of the Ravenclaws thought that you could learn about Muggles easily on your free time and that it was a waste of a class. I didn't agree with them. "Hugo Weasley is too talented of a keeper for Hayes to be slacking off. I mean the kid is good. I still think Seth is better but damn can that kid block."
"Why doesn't Seth help him outside of practices?" Seth wouldn't mind giving in extra time if it helped the team in the long run that I knew for sure. The problem would be if he had the time. He was taking eight NEWT level classes like Ellie and Isaac.
"Wilson hasn't asked Seth to yet. He still thinks Hayes will improve with a few more practices but I don't think he'll be in shape in time without extra training outside of practices."
"How long is it till the game? Three weeks?" It's the first full week of November and you can feel the Quidditch buzz in the hallways. Some students had already started placing bets on the first match that was next weekend: Slytherin vs. Hufflepuff. The Ravenclaw vs. Gryffindor one was at the end of the month and it was going to be an intense one.
"Nineteen days," Ellie corrects me, some worry showing in her usual confident face.
"It'll turn out just fine. Half the school is rooting for Ravenclaw." We turn a corner and start to walk faster. We only have a few minutes till class started. Our talking had slowed us down.
"The Slytherins are only rooting for us because they don't like the Gryffindors and because they think they can take us on rather than them at the finals. And our house is obligated to support us," Ellie rushes out as we speed walk to the end of corridor.
"The Gryffindors aren't that good." It's true. They aren't that great. They are just very intimidating and have the best brooms in the school. Okay so maybe they are kind of sort of good.
"We haven't won a match against them since our fourth year when you were still a part of the team." I stab of guilt washes over me. It's been a year almost but I have a feeling a lot of the house still blames me for Ravenclaw's lose of the cup to Slytherin last year. "And the Gryffindors haven't won the cup in two years. The team is made of two Potters and two Weasleys and my cousin… they're going to do whatever it takes to secure the cup this year. It is James Potter's last year, they're going to make it memorable." She had a point there. The Gryffindor team was known for their unity just like the Ravenclaw team was known for their plays and the tactics, the Slytherin team for their sheer skill and the Hufflepuff team for fair play.
In all my years attending Hogwarts no house could keep the cup long. In first year it was Hufflepuff, second and third year it was Gryffindor, fourth was Ravenclaw and last year it was Slytherin. Hufflepuff may have had a chance this year but they had a lousy seeker. Ravenclaw and Slytherin's teams were a force to reckon with. However, there was something about the lions this year. You could feel it in the air.
We finally made it to the classroom. We both took a seat in the middle of the classroom. I looked around. The room was filling in with students. There were a few Hufflepuffs in the front and some of the Gryffindors had already taken their seats. I spot Louis Weasley's dirty blonde hair in the crowd of scarlet ties and robes. I note that Scorpius' back seat is empty and take my seat. Ellie and I resume our Quidditch discussion.
"How's your boyfriend holding up?" Ellie asks still not calling ALbus by his first name.
"Don't know. He's been busy with Quidditch. Last time I saw him was during Hogsmeade." I probably should check up on him. I haven't seen Scorpius around much either other than some classes.
"The pressure is getting to him just like the rest of us. I'd rather take on Hufflepuff than Gryffindor any day. Not the mention the captain will look really filled out in his gear." I roll my eyes at her and push her by the shoulder.
"That's your competition, Clarke."
"There is nothing wrong with admiring a fit bloke," Ellie defends, half serious.
"What would Isaac say?" I tease.
"Isaac who?" she asks in a dream state, most likely still thinking about the fit captain. I laugh and she joins. We stop when a certain blonde takes a sit in front of us.
"Don't you two get bored of talking about Quidditch all the time? That's all anyone talks about these days. It's so," she pauses, thinking of the right word,"nauseating." Her voice takes an annoyed tone and her lips turn down in a frown. Her beige blonde hair is tied up in a ponytail and she had opted for plain black ballet flats instead of the usual noisy heals. No wonder we hadn't been able to hear her.
"Oh Ronan, are you disappointed that everyone's taken more interest in something other than your dumb newspaper?" Ellie cooes, a fake smile on display.
"Clarke, don't talk about anything you don't know about. And take the word dumb out of your vocabulary, it makes you sound like a muppet," Charlotte states, shutting Ellie up for now.
"Shouldn't you be pleased? You get to write about the first match of the year." I asked, no bite in my voice. There isn't any need to start something.
Ronan seems to consider this. "Quidditch matches aren't really my forte. And it's a Slytherin and Hufflepuff match, nothing exciting can happen. Just some balls going through hoops and some minor injuries here and there. All you need to know is the end score and blab about how great the winning team did etcetra etcetra." She rolls her eyes to emphasis how extremely mundane she thought the sport was.
"Shouldn't you be there though? I mean your house is playing. Though I did always think you possessed more Slytherin traits. Maybe you could be cheer for their side. I'm sure they'll appreciate the moral support." Ellie coats this insult with in false sweetness. I try to fight a smile. She never did like keeping her thoughts to herself.
"Aw Clarke, you think I could have been a Slytherin? I'm so touched." Ronan puts a hand to where her heart should have been but, for all we know, she doesn't have one. "I always did believe you should have been in Hufflepuff with your deep loyalty to your friends." She shoots me a look, clearly referring to me. "I never did think you were smart enough for Ravenclaw. But who knows maybe you do have some wit deep somewhere. Really deep." She smiles at Ellie tauntingly and I can see Ellie turning pink in both embarrassment and annoyance.
"Ronan, I don't think you are the right person to comment on another's intelligence. I mean... last time I checked you didn't even pass your Charms OWL and Charms is quite a soft subject, don't you think?" Ronan's eyes narrow, not expecting for me to make a sound and just sit quietly as she insults my friend. I think not.
Before she can say anything else Professor Wright calls the class to attention. "Good morning class! Please pass your essays on your preferred way of Muggle transportation to the left. I'll collect them at the aisle." Immediately, the sound of rustling parchment fills the room as students search and hand in the assignment. I pass mine to Ellie and she puts mine on top of hers as she hands in to the professor. Professor Wright smiles at the two of us and goes on her way to collect the rest.
Professor Wright is one of the nicer teachers at Hogwarts. By the looks of it she's in the early thirties and her bright copper hair adds to her positive aura. She's like the female version of Professor Regan, the guys all think she is hot. I guess that explains why there are more guys in Muggle Studies this year than girls.
I feel a nudge on arm. I turn to see Ellie's attention on Louis Weasley. Well this can't be good. "Is he still dating Amelie?"
"I think so," I shrug, unsure. Ellie has never found the Weasley-Potter bunch that interesting with the exception of Louis Weasley. She's had her eyes on him since third year; however, he's always taken. I'm hoping he'll stay like that then maybe,just maybe, her and Isaac will happen.
"I wouldn't waste too much time on him, Clarke. He's still with that Wood girl. If I were you I would stick to Lewis," interrupts Ronan, her body twisted to face us.
"Mind your own business, would you," Ellie snaps. Ronan shrugs this time.
"I heard Fred Weasley has been asking about you." She directs this at me. I busy myself with getting some quills, parchment and ink out.
"I think you heard wrong," I mutter finally.
"I don't know… my sources are pretty reliant," Ronan pushes on. "Haven't you ever wondered why he did what he did? Did he ever tell you?" Something must have shown in my eyes because she starts tsking. "What a naughty boy. It's the least he could have done." It is the least he could have done. "Don't you ever think about it?" All the time. "I mean if it was me I would think about it all time-"
"Drop it, Ronan." I breathe a sigh of relief, glad Ellie said something. I can feel my fingers separate from the fists I had made unconsciously.
The devious blonde smirks to herself and faces the front where Professor Wright is explaining passports and airport security.
"You okay, Aaliyah?" Ellie whispers as we scribble notes.
I nod in answer and keep scratching words onto the parchment layed out on my desk.
When class ends, I place my notes and supplies in my bag. When I look back at my text a folded piece of parchment lays there. I look around but no one seems to have left it. I cautiously pick it up and unfold it. Scanning it quickly, my eyebrows pinch together in contemplation.
"Ready to go?" Ellie questions from next to me, not noticing the message. I nod and push the paper that reads 'If you want to know why meet me at the Astronomy Tower. 8pm. Don't be late.' to the bottom of my bag.
Later that evening I find myself in the dungeon. Potions class had ended and I had told Ellie and Annie to head to dinner without me. My mind races with Charlotte Ronan's questions. One question keeps ringing in my head: How did she know why Fred cheated on me? After this long I just assumed he did it because he got bored of me… was there actually a reason?
I shake my head, forbidding myself to go back to those thoughts. At this time I can't even register where I'm going. A breeze passes by and I shiver. I should probably head up to the Great Hall. It's too cold down here. Who knows how Albus and Scorpius stand the chill.
I pull my cloak closer and keep walking. I end up being too engrossed in my thoughts to notice the footsteps behind me.
I hear his familiar voice before I turn to look at him.
"Aaliyah, we need to talk."
"Do you want to tell me what this is about?" I hold up the Ronan Daily so he can get a clear look at the headline 'FRED WEASLEY CAUGHT CHEATING: HOGWARTS 'IT' COUPLE FINALLY IN SHAMBLES?' and moving picture of him snogging the daylights out of a girl up against the wall. It was impossible to tell who it was, her face was blocked by her hair.
Fred doesn't say anything for a while. He stands there, staring down at his feet, his tie put on backwards. I almost let out a scream.
We are currently at an abandoned corridor, no one is here but we are close enough to the Great Hall that we can hear the buzz of conversation. It's probably about us. No, Fred and I, not us. Us isn't a term I want to use with him anymore.
"Are you going to even give me an answer?" My voice breaks a little. I almost curse at myself. Now is not the time for crying. Now is the time for answers.
I woke up this morning, a smile on my face. I had been dreaming about him and even as I was washing up, I thought about him. And I still had that stupid smile on my face when I entered the Great Hall, the noisiest place in the castle. But when I entered today it was completely silent and eyes from complete strangers were focused on me. It hadn't taken too long to find out why.
"Aaliyah…" he stops. Is that all I'm going to get? My name?
I shake my head, my eyes are watery but I blink all of it away. Maybe this is what it was meant to be because not everything works out. Everyone knows that I was just stupid enough to let myself believe that this would, that we would. "You know what," my voice crack again, "forget it."
I turn around to leave but just as I do he says something. "I'm breaking up with you."
I whip back around. He's breaking up with me? Him, the one that cheated? "What?" My voice come out as a whisper.
He doesn't look up at me. He hadn't looked at me in eye since he told me that we had to talk. Instead, he stares at his shoes. What a Gryffindor! No… I must stay calm. Anger leads to mistakes… must be calm.
"I'm breaking up with you," he repeats. His jaws are clenched, his brown eyes burn lasers into the floor. I can't tell if he's mad or just trying to concentrate. I can't tell anything anymore.
"So… that's it? You're going to break up with the girl you cheated on? You are not going to give me any answers on why you did what you did or whatever? You aren't even going to be decent enough to let me break up with you? Because what… huh? You want to save your image?" I'm getting louder and louder… I'm beginning to sound like I've gone hysterical… no… must be calm.
He doesn't say anything, nothing at all. The boy I've spent the last five months with stands there like a glorious statue with his muscular arms and tall structure and angular face and says absolutely nothing.
"I thought you were special. You didn't feel the same way about me, did you?" I force out, pressing my lips together to keep them from trembling. The image of the two blurry bodies pressed up against each other still flashes in my head repeatedly, like someone keeps playing the same song over and over again even though I don't want to hear it. Please… make it stop.
"Aaliyah, please." His voice isn't soft. It doesn't have the slight laugh that I'm used to or the joy that I crave. It's hard and demanding as if he's giving me an order. "Let this go and let me be." And the leaves, just like that. He moves past me and walks away.
In my mind I'm falling but in reality I'm still standing, my feet planted on the ground. There is a queasy feeling in my stomach. There is a whisper in my ear. 'It's over' it says but I know no one actually said it. No, it's my brain registering it. And then my stomach drops but my knees don't get the order to buckle because my brain never gave out that order.
My ears faintly register a flash and click. I don't make a move to do anything about it.
I stand there for some time, my eyes forward.
Forward. That's what I need to do.
Move forward.
And that's what I try to do.
Move forward.
A/N: And what Fred did is out! But the drama is just beginning so we'll have to wait and see what happens next.
On a side note I changed Dom's appearance as well as Lucy, though the latter isn't in this chapter. I'm going to back and edit it into the previous chapters. I had an easier time picturing Dom as a strawberry blonde while Lucy is more of a dirty blonde.
Also, I'm still having trouble responding to certain reviews. If you used your username, I manually PMed you your response but I couldn't respond to any of the Guests. But thank you so much to everyone who has been taking the time to drop me a line. It means a lot.
Lastly, any thoughts on Charlotte Ronan? Or Fred?