A/N: Howdy my lovelies! I couldn't resist another chapter but I have been quite mean and not let on what happened between Mr Davies and Mr Flint...that will be next time round! To ease your little minds as I'm not that cruel I will tell you what they were NOT doing: doing homework, knittingor having man on man action! Repeat, they are not gay! Heehee but you shall soon find out my pretties! Aww, I love reading my reviews, cheers me up - think I'm getting 'flu...mmm! Thank you for reviewing as always!
Chapter Twenty-One - New Years Day (Happy New Year!)
Oliver was the only one looking forward to going back to Hogwarts it seemed as he looked in despair at the broken partnerships of his three friends.
Cedric hadn't spoken to either of them when they arrived back at school that morning and Oliver watched him at the Hufflepuff breakfast table, away from everyone else and stirring porridge absently around his bowl.
Roger had been the angriest Oliver had ever seen him last night and he hadn't calmed down yet for he was at the Slytherin table with Marcus fuming away and banging his fists on the table as he spoke in angry whispers to Marcus.
Oliver didn't know Priya that well but he'd been in classes with her and he could tell if she was upset or not. Her younger sisters Padma and Parvati were sitting either side of her over at the Ravenclaw table but Oliver could see she wasn't really listening to what either of them were saying. She just sat, emotionless and pretending to listen while mimicking Cedric by pushing her breakfast around the plate and not taking one bite.
"What are you going to do Ol?" Katie asked, squeezing his hand affectionately as she looked between the three tables then at Oliver in despair.
"I don't know," He said in earnest, shrugging. "It's never been this bad before, not even when death was on the horizon. We've always worked it through. This time…this time is different."
"It's what you get for dabbling in women," Katie said with a smile. "You can't remain in your own little group forever. You're all maturing, you're just not who you used to be anymore. People change," Katie explained gently.
"Well, I don't want things to change," Oliver said sulkily. "I feel so useless. I'm good at getting people together, doing what I want but it's not looking like it'll work out this time."
"Oliver," Katie said softly, sympathetically. She didn't say anymore.
"Great Merlin above, cheer your miserable bloody face up," Fred yelled, lumping down next to Oliver. George sat next to his twin.
"Heard your mates are a little too friendly, shall we say?" George asked with a wicked grin.
"And there we were thinking it was ole Diggers over there," Fred shrugged. "Funny world. But Lordy, imagine Flint doing that!"
"Enough!" Oliver barked. "Enough. Please," he added more softly. "They weren't doing that."
"Well what the hell were they doing in Diggory's bed, in the dark?" Fred demanded.
"How do you even know what went on?" Katie interrupted, eyeing them closely.
"Sources dearest one, very good sources," George winked and gave Fred a significant look which he returned.
"I can't tell you that," Oliver sighed. He didn't want Roger to hate his guts too for spreading his secret round, the poor boy was humiliated enough.
"Loser," Fred muttered. "Come twin, we shall get it straight from the horse's mouth then!"
"No!" Oliver shouted suddenly, grabbing hold of his sleeve but Fred yanked it away. "Fred, I said no!"
"Like I give a flying fu -," Fred began and Oliver thought he was going to have to slap him for disrespect but mainly because he'd feel a hell of a lot better for it but a shout silenced him and everyone in the hall.
Priya was attempting to leave the Hall and to do so, she had to walk pat the Hufflepuff table. Cedric saw his chance, stood up and grabbed her arm to begin talking to her. Unfortunately, Roger was watching and didn't exactly appreciate it.
"Diggory!" He barked, standing up. Marcus remained seated but watched on, stony faced. Cedric ignored Roger and continued to speak to Priya in hushed tones before turning to where Roger was shouting from.
He was now making a beeline for Cedric and Oliver got up fast as lightning as by the look on Roger's face, he was going to curse Cedric to death right there and then. The twins watched on in awe, evil smirks plastered on their twin faces.
"I can't believe you stand there clear as day talking to her!" Roger raged as he got close enough not to shout. Oliver practically sprinted over to them, feeling every pair of eyes in the Hall watching it unfold. Apparently news traveled very fast at Hogwarts.
"We can talk," Cedric said through clenched teeth, staring hard back at Roger.
"No you can't! You can't even look at her!" Roger yelled back, spitting over Priya slightly.
"How dare you!" Priya interrupted. "How dare you tell anyone, especially me who I can and cannot talk to! You do not own me, Roger!"
Roger faltered but remembered his anger. "So much for your feelings for me then!" He raged.
"Do not, ever raise your voice to me," Priya said in dangerous undertones, staring at Roger hard. Her eyes were ablaze with anger. "And to be honest, I've always liked Cedric. Always. You were just available."
Her words cut through Roger like a knife. Oliver and even Cedric who was madder than he had been in his whole life felt the twang of pain that Roger had tearing through his heart. Marcus, who was making his way across to them even felt a little nip.
Roger looked on the verge of tears but he blinked and swallowed them back as hard as he could. "Get away from me then," He said spitefully to Priya, who gave him one last withering look and turned on her heel and stalked away, the Patil twins hot on her trail.
Roger looked at Cedric and shook his head. "How could you? Seven years of friendship…you were my brother Cedric and it hurts so much because you still are. My best friend…you knew, you knew," Roger said sadly in a quiet voice. Marcus had approached and was standing with Oliver. All they could do was watch their unit crumble away before them.
Roger took his gaze from Cedric's and touched his wrist. He stroked his thumb over it caringly before digging his thumb and forefinger in through the skin and yanking out a glowing blue band of light which looked like just light but was in fact solid.
In second year, the four boys had looked up one of the oldest charms known to wizards, simply named the Binding Charm. It had been Roger's idea, unite the four Houses once again just like the Founders had once upon a time. They had to perform a ritual of everlasting friendship, something they knew they'd always have between them if nothing else. The four boys would each wear a symbol, the colour of each respective House under the skin so they'd always have that bond no matter what. It could only be removed if a friend had truly fell out of love with another.
Roger held it dangling in front of him, the watching students complaining loudly as they pushed away their now unwanted breakfasts.
Cedric's eyes watered as Roger looked up at him slowly.
"You are no friend of mine," He said bitterly and threw the band on the flagstone floor. He bowed his head and began walking away.
"Roger, please," Oliver tried, grabbing his arm but Roger yanked it away.
"No Oliver," He said and left the Great Hall, clutching his wrist and tears streaming down his face.