Brenda must have caught us at it because she'd written home to tell my parents about it. The beginning of my parents next letter told me this, and I worried at first that they'd be angry with me for messing with a girl. However, all it was advice and warning from them. They both told me that they hoped I hadn't gone as far as shagging (As if I ever could. The thought still scared me.) and if I had to just be very careful, but they felt I was too young to be doing any of that. Mum told me we'd have a talk about everything I needed to know when I came home in the summer. I felt embarrassed as I wrote back to them to reassure them that we just snogged and sometimes touched. It wasn't a topic of conversation I thought I'd had with my parents.
I told Glenda about this and she laughed.
"Your sister sounds like a piece of work," she said. "I can't believe she wrote to your parents."
"She'll rat me out about anything," I said. "I just wonder what she saw exactly."
"Don't worry about her. Barry, we're doing what normal people our age do. Some people do more," Glenda told me. "Maybe she is even jealous."
I didn't want to think about Brenda doing the things I was doing with some bloke. I hated the fact that Tasha may have been doing it as well. I really hoped she wasn't, but she was with a fifteen-year-old and Glenda was fifteen.
All the boys in my dorm thought I was some kind of of stud because I'd gotten a beautiful older girl. A lot of people stared at her. I'd seen some first years boys mouths drop open when she came over to join our table. I got used to her beauty but I did remember my first reaction to seeing her. I couldn't blame other blokes for reacting the same way. It wasn't the same level as attraction that boys had when it came to Fleur Delacour, but they still seemed stunned.
The boys in my year in other houses also thought I was very lucky. Colin Creevey tried following me around until I lost it on him. I'd always tried being nice to him, but I didn't want someone following me around all the time either. I didn't care if he admired me or not. It was very annoying.
I confronted Brenda about a week after my parents had written to me. The Tri-Wizard Tournament task was about a week away. I found her and Kendra sitting with the other second years for once discussing what they thought the task would be.
"You and me need to talk," I said as I approached her.
"Hi Barry," a girl said to me and winked.
Brenda shot her a glare and then stood up. I led her out of the common room and down the spiraling staircase. I waited until we found an empty corridor far from the common room before I turned to her.
"Who do you think you are writing mum and dad about what I was doing with Glenda," I said angrily. "Why are such a rat? What are you doing spying on me anyway?"
"I wasn't spying," Brenda said rolling her eyes. She leaned against the stone wall and stared at me. "We walked in on the two of you. You were quite into each other. I figured mum and dad should know what they're perfect son was up to."
"Well they aren't angry with me in case you thought they were," I told her. "And I do know you hoped they would be. They- well, they weren't angry anyway."
"They gave you the talk, didn't they?" Brenda asked with a smirk.
"Somewhat and they will be again in the summer," I told her. "And don't think you're getting off. I bet since they are giving it to me they will give it to you too. You'll be in third year next year. They know you'll be old enough to date… that is if you ever find a bloke that actually likes you."
"Plenty already do," Brenda said sounding smug.
"Well I doubt they've talked to you," I replied. "I just wanted to tell you to stop ratting me out to mum and dad. I don't do that to you. I don't know why you're trying so hard to get my punished. Are you hoping I'll get spanked too or something?"
"Well why not? If I have to get them then you should too," she said.
"Well knock it off," I said. "I'm sick of it. And if you keep it up, I will tell mum and dad what you're trying to do. Now leave me alone and if you see me doing stuff, just ignore it."
"Whatever," Brenda said shrugging. "Brianne will be here next year."
She turned and walked off. I stared after her feeling annoyed.
"Don't you dare rat her out or bother her Brenda Hoofer," I called after her.
I heard her giggle and I shook my head.
"My sister is a sociopath," I muttered to myself.
"Talking to yourself is another form of a mental illness," I heard someone say.
I turned quickly to find that Ralph was grinning at me. He must have appeared from the hidden passage not too far from us. I would have seen him coming otherwise.
"I heard your whole conversation," he said to me with a grin.
"My sister is a nightmare," I said to him. "I get so tired of her being around. Why couldn't she have been sorted anywhere but Ravenclaw?"
"You know, Garth used to say the same about me but we got along as we got older," Ralph said to me.
"But I bet you weren't as bad as she is," I said. "I think I remember Garth saying something about you getting on his case, but I can't see you being that bad. You know, she wrote home to my parents about my relationship."
"I heard," Ralph said. "I was using that passage," and he pointed over his shoulder to where the hidden passage was, "to have my own snog session. You two interrupted her and she took off. Such a shame because she was such a pretty girl. I'm over it though."
"I thought you had a girlfriend," I said thinking of the conversation from the year before. He'd shagged her apparently.
"Broke up ages ago," Ralph replied. "You're not shagging already are you?"
"No," I answered quickly.
"Good, you don't need to be yet. Give it until at least fifth year but you should wait even longer if you can," he said.
"I thought you were all proud of it," I said. "I'm surprised you're giving me that kind of advice."
"Sex complicates things and you're just a third year," Ralph said as he ran a hand through his hair. "I mean, don't get me wrong, I loved it but I think I should have listened to the older cousins. They all told me to wait but I didn't. I just wanted to be like Garth and the rest of them. I feel that I should look out for you."
"I haven't though of it," I said and then I sighed and retracted as Ralph raised his eyebrows. "I mean, don't get me wrong, I have but I just know I'm not ready because the idea scares me. Glenda and I have talked about that. We're not going to do that and as beautiful as she is, I don't know if it's her I want to shag… I mean I would like to but I don't know if I do. I know that sounds weird and contradictory."
Ralph laughed.
"I know exactly what you mean. You have this gorgeous girl that you'd love to shag, but on the other hand, she may not be the one. It's okay to feel that way Barry. You're fourteen and you're horny but you're also smart. Chester is the smart one out of all of us. He felt the same way you did. Garth and me weren't like that and neither were the other cousins. Keep thinking that way Barry. Wait until it feels right otherwise you'll end up in my situation," he said. "We're broken up but she still doesn't leave me alone. And well… I've been a bit dumb when it comes to other girls. My point is, whatever you're doing, just keep it up."
"And what if we're still together a year from now and it feels right?" I asked him.
"I think you should really think about it," Ralph said. "If it feels right, go for it but I still think you should be at least fifth or sixth year. Seventeen should actually be the ideal age, but a lot of people don't wait."
"Well, maybe Ill talk to you when I feel like I am at that level then," I told him.
"Well, I'll be here for you, even if I am not at school anymore," Ralph said. "I dunno why we ignored each other all these years."
"Because I was just ickle Barry until I started school," I said. "I mean us B Hoofers were just the kids to you lot before."
"Yes but we should have taken you under our wing years ago, even before you started school," Ralph said. "With your siblings, they at least have you, but you didn't have anyone. I just hope you'll look out for Benny when it's his turn."
"I plan to. I still do for Brenda even though she is a complete nightmare," I replied. "Thanks for the talk Ralph."
The day of the second task was a cold but cloudy day. We'd all decided to meet up in the Entrance Hall after breakfast. Not only were we sitting with the Gryffindor fifth years, but Ruby was bringing along a couple of her friends too. We decided to eat fairly early so that all of us could sit together. I had never imagined myself to be part of such a large group.
And although I hadn't been so sure about Tasha and John at first, I could tell he was a nice bloke, especially with girls. Her face always lit up whenever someone or she mentioned him too. So I accepted their relationship, and I could even admit that they made a cute couple. The two of them were holding hands and taking bets while we walked to the bleachers which now encircled the lake. Glenda and Lance were walking together talking, and though I felt annoyed I had to remember how much it bothered her when blokes got jealous of them. So I just talked to Anita who told me that she wanted a Gryffindor, so her money was on Harry.
"What do you expect they need to do?" I asked as we reached the bleachers. "They're going into the lake, but what are they doing?"
"Must have to fight lake creatures or something," Nick said. "I'd hate to be going out into the lake today. It's freezing!"
I had to agree. Once we reached the top of the bleachers, Glenda thankfully took a seat beside me and took my hand. I congratulated myself inwardly. I hadn't gotten jealous… well, I had but I hadn't let it show and I'd just talked to the others. Lance was sitting with Anita now, and looking at the lake. Perhaps it was the two of them who actually liked each other, and I was wrong about his feelings for Glenda. I'd heard of sexual tension in the past, maybe they had it.
Just as he had introduced the task before, Ludo Bagman did it again and then went on to explain what the champions were doing that day. They were to go in the lake to retrieve something and then were to return outside the hour with it. They would be awarded based on spell work and how long it took for them to find it.
"So we're just going to be staring at the lake for an hour?" Lance asked with annoyance. "I gave up a day of studying for this?"
"Oh come on," Glenda said. "We needed a break. All we do is study anymore and I'd rather stare into a lake then to think about Runes at the moment."
"You're caught up anyway," Anita said to Lance.
"Yes, but I wanted to study," he said with a sigh.
"Maybe go back then?" John suggested. "We don't want to listen to you whine all hour."
"You won't," Lance said. "But you can't tell me you aren't disappointed."
"I am," John admitted. "But it's better than equations, and I get to spend the time with my girl."
I glanced over at Nick who was talking to the second years. Ruby was leaning against him and talking excitedly. I thought he liked her a lot more than he had Samaira. I looked around to see if I could find my house mates or even Brenda. I located Brenda close to the bottom of the bleachers. She seemed to be getting along with the other second years which was a rare moment. They were all laughing together. I saw Luna on her own not too far from us reading The Quibbler.
The champions stood apart by the lake, and once a whistle blew they all did something differently before going in. Cedric Diggory performed the bubble head charm (something I hadn't quite gotten the hang of yet) and leaped in. Fleur Delacour also did the bubble head charm. Krum did something cool though. He transfigured his head into a shark head and then dived in. Harry was the only one remaining. He walked into the lake looking quite normal. Around us, people began to yell and laugh at him. Perhaps he was too young after all to be in the tournament. He didn't seem to know what to do, but then he seemed to turn into some big fish like creature and he dived in.
"Gillyweed," Glenda said. "Wonder where he got that from."
"Maybe ordered some?" I asked. "Is that what he did?"
"Yes, it's a plant that allows you to breath under water. We learned that recently in Herbology. Wonder how he figured that out."
"Likely Longbottom," John said. "That kid is amazing in Herbology. I've had to ask him things myself. I find it so boring."
"Maybe I should ask him for tips then," I said. "I don't know the class too well. It's my worst one."
"He's also friends with Granger. She knows everything," Lance said.
Since we really couldn't see anything, all we could really do is talk and debate what was happening. I felt Glenda shiver beside me. And although I couldn't help but appreciate the short skirt she was wearing under her cloak, I did wonder why she thought it was proper for this kind of weather. She always wore clothes that looked good but wasn't the best for cold weather. I decided to perform the warming charm on us. She glanced at me gratefully and then snuggled up closer to me.
It wasn't long before it seemed something was wrong, and then one of the Ministry workers went into the lake and returned with Fleur Delacore. She seemed determined to get back into the lake, but they wouldn't let her. They wrapped her up in a blanket and then made her drink something that made steam come from her ears.
"She doesn't seem to be very good does she?" Tasha said. "Wonder why she was chosen."
"She didn't too bad with the dragon," I said. "But she seems brave. She's trying to get back in."
The subject seemed to be divided. Some people thought she wasn't very good while others thought that she just had some bad luck. Ruby thought that the boys who thought she was good only thought that because she was very pretty. This caused a debate between her and Lance. It took me a moment to realize that three different houses were sitting together and getting along really well. How often did that happen? Especially since we were in different years.
Not long after that, Cedric Diggory appeared with Cho Chang. So they'd gone under to retrieve people from under the lake, which Ludo Bagman told us as I thought this. Their mission was to rescue hostages, people they would miss the most, from the lake. It made sense for why Cedric had to save Cho then. I did wonder who the others had to save. It didn't seem as if Fleurs relationship with Roger had lasted too long, so who had she gone after?
Krum was next with Hermione Granger. Apparently their relationship was more than I'd guessed. Now we were just waiting for Potter. I hoped he'd get out before the effects of Gillyweed wore off. From what I heard the fifth years say, it didn't last more than an hour. The Ministry workers wouldn't let him drown though, I was sure of that.
He finally surfaced with Ron Weasley and a little blond girl. Given the resemblance, and Fleurs reaction, I was guessing the little girl was her younger sister. It was a bit funny to me that Harry would miss Ron Weasley the most, and I could hear others laughing about this too. But then again, I knew I would miss Nick a lot. I did miss him a lot lately. I would miss Tasha too.
Everyone cheered when we found out that Cedric and Harry were tied for first. That meant we could get a Hogwarts win no matter what. Krum was second and Fleur was last place. I was cheering for Harry now. I wanted him to prove to everyone that an underage student was capable of winning as much as a seventeen year old was. It seemed plenty of others agreed with me. I could hear people discussing it as we all made our way down the bleachers.
"That was exciting," Glenda said turning to me. "Look, I need to get caught up on homework, but we can hang out tomorrow. I'll make sure I have everything done so we can and we have the next Hogsmeade visit coming up."
"That's fine," I said feeling a little put out, but I didn't admit this. "I hope you get caught up. I have some work to do too."
Glenda kissed me and then her and Lance took off. John and Tasha were still hanging out while Nick walked off with the second years leaving me with Anita.
"Glenda's gotten a little behind since getting with you," she said with a small smile. "Not that it's your fault, but she is determined to catch up now."
"I understand," I said. "I'm surprised my work hasn't suffered quite yet. I should probably go do that too."
"Want help?" Anita asked me. "We could work in the library if you want. It will help me refresh for my own work."
"Erm… well sure," I said. "I'll meet you in the library then."
I had a few questions for her anyway. I did wonder if she would admit what I wanted to know though. I decided it wouldn't hurt to try though. So ten minutes later, I met up with her in the library. It wasn't too full and that was likely because everyone was celebrating the Hogwarts win at the moment.
I waited until she'd helped me with a couple Ancient Rune's questions before I asked.
"Is Lance in love with Glenda?" I asked her.
"Do you really want the honest answer to that?" Anita asked.
"Yes," I said.
"Will it change your relationship with her?" Anita pressed.
"No. Whether he does or doesn't, I am not going to break up with her," I responded.
"I hope not because he does. He'd been in love with her since our second year, but he has always been good at hiding it until the beginning of this year," Anita replied. "I think he really figured it out when he saw her dressed up for the Yule Ball. But he won't interfere with your relationship. Don't worry about that. He knows how much she likes you, and he wants her to be happy."
"And has he told you this?" I asked her.
Anita sighed and set her quill down. She gave a small nod and then looked away.
"Because you like him right?" I asked. When she looked away I had a feeling that was it.
She glanced at me and nodded.
"I was his date to the Yule Ball. I couldn't find anyone, and he wanted her so he didn't ask anyone. I asked him if maybe we could go together as friends and he agreed. Everything came out at the Yule Ball. I told him how I felt and then he told me everything. I admit, it's been rather hard. It's always been hard having Glenda as my best friend because she's so beautiful but I don't complain," Anita answered and she sighed. "And sometimes I think she likes him back but she doesn't know it… so don't get jealous. Right now it's all about you. She talks about you all the time, but at times I see her staring at him. I shouldn't be telling you that though."
"No, it's good to know," I said. "I don't expect us to get married, but I do like her quite a bit."
"Yes well, I think you will come to your own realizations someday," Anita told me. "It will just take sometime."
I sighed. Here was another person telling me this but remaining vague. Why couldn't people just tell me what they were talking about? I asked Anita this and she smiled.
"I don't know if I should be the one telling you. You're my best friends boyfriend," she said to me.
"Yes but someone should tell me," I said. "I'm tired of this mysterious vague kind of conversation."
"I just worry it will change your relationship with my friend," she said.
"Your other thing didn't," I told her. "So I doubt this will. Come on Anita, please just tell me."
"Fine, but it has potential to change the lives of at least four people," she told me and when I continued to stare at her, she grinned and shook her head. "I think you and Tasha like each other but you haven't realized it yet. It's the same with Lance and Glenda."
"Tasha is like a sister," I said to her.
"For now, but I don't think you feel protective of her like you do your sister Brenda. I think you just don't want her dating and you haven't realized it's because you like her," Anita said. "The thing is, I have time to observe the way people interact and I see this kind of thing all the time. It hurts because as you know, I like Lance but Glenda gets all the boys. No one ever notices me and the one boy I actually like isn't interested. I've never really had a boyfriend. I bet I never do."
"You're fifteen," I said to her. "You have time."
"Sixteen actually," she said. "But we came here to work on your school work. Not to talk about my problems. I promise I won't tell Glenda about this conversation. Now let's get back to Arithmancy and then Herbology. All this is refreshing to me after all."
So the two of us worked together for the rest of the day. I thought she was actually very smart and nice. She wasn't that beautiful but that wasn't everything. Why didn't blokes notice her more? I thought her and me could be friends, with or without Glenda. I did wonder about what she said about Tasha and me. There was no way I saw her more than a friend. That was just silly. Anita only thought that because of other couples.
I thought Glenda seemed to be getting distant from me after that day, and I wondered if Anita had mentioned our conversation after all. What if Glenda was upset that I might be jealous of Lance? That was a turn off for her after all. I tried to believe it was about OWLs, but I couldn't help but notice that as we went into March that we didn't see each other as often.
We went into Hogsmeade together, but even then she was distant. Was she worried about her exams? The only thing she seemed really interested in talking about was the latest gossip about Viktor Krum, Hermione Granger, and Harry Potter. I really didn't care what was going on with them and I didn't believe that Hermione would play two boys against each other anyway. However, it was all anyone would talk about. When we all got together, it was what all the girls, including Ruby and Tasha would discuss. Nick seemed annoyed that his crush was with two different boys though I told him that I believed Hermione when she insisted to others that her and Harry were just friends.
My mind was mainly on my relationship that wasn't going as well as I'd wanted it to. Even Brenda seemed to notice this, but for once she wasn't mean about it. She seemed to be sympathetic during our study sessions.
"I say chuck her before she chucks you," she told me.
"Maybe it's just OWLs," I said to her.
"You told me what that Anita girl told you," Brenda said. "What if she is actually realizing that it's that Lance bloke she likes after all."
"It's not," I said. "Let's not talk about it anymore Brenda."
And then a few days before the Easter holidays, I met up with Glenda in one of our many hidden passages we used to snog in. She was leaning against the wall staring at the other side. She didn't smile when I reached her, and when I tried to kiss her, she turned away.
"We need to talk," she said to me.
"The four words every bloke wants to hear," I said with a small smile.
"I feel really horrible about this, and I tried not to feel this way," she said to me. "I really tried hard because it's not fair to you."
"You like Lance and he likes you," I confirmed and she nodded.
"I figured. I think I've known a while," I said. "Ever since I saw the two of you together but I did my best to ignore it. At times I hoped it was Anita, but then she told me that she was in love with him but he didn't share her feelings." I didn't add what she'd told me about Lance's feeling.
"When did Anita tell you that?" She asked with surprise.
"Second task," I replied. "We did homework together and she admitted it to me. I thought she seemed a bit down and I asked her."
"I thought she might have but she never told me," Glenda said.
"Well, do my a favour and don't mention it," I said to her. "I promised I wouldn't tell anyone."
"I'll do anything for you Barry," she said. "I feel so awful about this because I did like you at first and I wanted it to work with us. It's why I let this go on so long, but I could tell you sensed something and I knew I had to tell you. I just want you to know nothing ever happened. Lance and I would never… we've been studying so much and I worked it out. I had to tell you though. I hope you don't hate me."
"You can't help how you feel," I told her. "I don't hate you."
"Can I give you a piece of advice though?" She asked.
I shrugged in answer.
"Don't wait too long with Tasha. You might regret it like I have and you might hurt others," she said.
"I don't like-" I began.
"You two will realize it someday just like Lance and me have," she told me. "Don't wait too long. Right now John and Tasha are happy but it won't be long before it ends too."
"Right," I said and looked away from her.
"Can we have one last kiss Barry?" She asked.
I didn't answer, I leaned forward instead to kiss her. She held onto me tightly before pulling away. She gave me a sad smile and then turned and walked off. I leaned against the wall. No I hadn't loved her, but I still felt horrible. Was this was a broken heart felt like?
I left the passage about five minutes later. I was blinking back tears and I felt embarrassed by this. As I did this, I ran into Brenda who stared and then she walked over to hug me. She knew. I didn't have to tell her. She already knew, and for once she was being a sister. I don't know how long we hugged, but she when pulled away she patted my shoulder.
"You'll find someone else," she told me. "I know you will. I know I don't say this often, but I love you Barry."
"I love you too," I said and I hugged her again.
For a moment, we were brother and sister again. I wished we could always have these moments. I hated that they were rare. However, I would take what I could get.