"Didn't see you at breakfast," Tom commented as I plopped myself down into my chair.
We were in the library, which was slightly crowded. I unrolled a scroll of parchment and sighed, leaning back in my chair.
"Yeah, I wasn't really feeling too well," I fibbed, pulling out a sugar quill and idly biting on one end.
Tom studied my face warily, then suddenly raised an eyebrow.
"I, uh, heard about you and Forester." I could feel his gaze on me, waiting and watching for my reaction. I shrugged nonchalantly, not caring.
"What about us? The fact that we broke up?" My blunt tone seemed to surprise him, and he frowned a bit.
"Yes, the fact that you broke up. And also the fact that he was quite put off with you."
"Hm." I made a sound of indifference and focused on my stupid History of Magic essay. As if I would need to know who the fourth person to be impeached from the Minister of Magic position was.
Tom stared at me for a bit, looking like he was mentally calculating something.
"So I take it you're not upset that your best friend since first year hates you?" I looked up at him with a bored expression.
"It's not like he was my only friend, Tom," I said, rolling my eyes. He put his hands up in a 'I was just saying' manner, and I let out a huff, letting my eyes flicker over the few sentences I had written so far.
We sat in silence for a couple of minutes, until Tom decided to break the silence again.
"Melissa, don't hex me, but I've noticed that you're acting a bit odd."
I scribbled out a hasty conclusion for my essay, then rolled it back up, glaring at Tom.
"You're right, I am acting different today." Tom opened his mouth, but I cut him off. "You know why? Because I realized that I need to stop focusing on my stupid love life and start focusing on enjoying the rest of this year, with my real friends who don't place expectations on me. Also, I just realized that I have a Quidditch match coming up next weekend against Gryffindor, and we need to win in order to have a chance at the Quidditch Cup. And dating someone was just taking away time from Zeke and I to practice for it. So forgive me if I'm not crying or writing sad songs because of one breakup."
I shoved the parchment back in my bag, irritated beyond belief. How dare he question my actions when he was the one kissing me, then my friend, and then expecting me to just act how he wanted me to.
"Melissa, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you, I was just concerned," Tom said, looking startled, but I waved him off. My anger was quickly dissolving, and I wasn't really in the mood to be mad at him.
"It's fine, whatever, look, I just don't think having boyfriend is on my list of priorities right now. For now, winning the Quidditch Cup and passing my exams come first, and then having fun with friends. That's it. Period."
I let out a breath and stretched my arms out in front of me, smiling when I realized I had just finished all of my homework. Perfect. It would be a great day to hold practice.
"Why is winning the cup so important to you?" Tom asked, his eyes alight with curiosity. I bit my lip, his question awakening my own self conscience.
"I don't know exactly," I admitted. "I mean, everyone wants their house to win, and I have all the pressure on me because I'm captain. But, I guess I've always had the dream to get my name on one of those plaques, you know? The ones that people are awarded when they're really good Quidditch players and are displayed forever in the Trophy Room." I blushed when I admitted it.
"Interesting," Tom said, letting out a chuckle. "But why do you want a plaque so bad?"
I shrugged. "Quidditch has always been my biggest specialty. Well, besides the whole sorcery thing but I didn't know about that till this year. I've never been the smartest or the bravest or the funniest. But Quidditch, I've loved playing it, since I first touched a broom in my first year, with Zeke's help of course. And I know that it's really hard to get something dedicated to you here at Hogwarts, well, maybe not for you, I know you got that Special Award for Service to the School-" I shook my head in disbelief. "-But it's been a goal of mine."
"I did get a Special Award, didn't I?" He muttered, smirking. My serious mood gone, I chucked my quill at him, which he dodged easily.
"You cocky prat!" He laughed.
"Don't worry, Lissa, your time will come."
Suddenly, there was a noise behind me, a slight cough. I turned around in my seat, only to see a boy year with shaggy brown hair and light blue eyes standing near a bookshelf, rifling through books. It was Peter Burrow, the seventh year Gryffindor seeker and captain. It was obvious that he had been eavesdropping on Tom and I, rather than actually picking out a book, seeing how he was looking through a section of cooking books.
When he saw me looking at him, he slightly flushed, but then covered it up with a smile.
"Oh, hey Lissa," He said, sliding out a random book. "I didn't see you there."
I smirked. "Uh huh. Looking for a great meal to cook?" He looked down at the book in his hands and laughed, blushing.
"All right, you caught me."
I let my chin rest on my hands, and tilted my head.
"Why were you eavesdropping on us, Pete?" He laughed nervously and scratched the back of his head.
"Uhh..." I stared at him imploringly, until he cracked. "All right, all right, I'm trying to find out what kind of tactics you're gonna be using for the match next weekend." I mock gasped.
"Oh my goodness, who would've thought that Gryffindors could be such snakes?" I heard Tom let out a noise of disapproval, but I ignored him. Pete chuckled, hearing the sarcasm in my voice.
"Yeah, I know, but I'm getting desperate here. Everybody knows that you're the best Chaser of the decade." I smiled.
"Aw, that's sweet." He grinned. "Butttt, I'm not gonna tell you what we have planned." His face dropped, but he was still joking around.
"Dang, that sucks. Well, guess that's more 4 am practices for us, then!" He threw his hands up and raised his eyebrows. "My team's gonna love me!"
I laughed, understanding what he meant. Quidditch teams had a tendency to hate their captains before a big match because of all the early morning practices. But they just had to suck it up and deal with it. The Quidditch cup was worth it,
"I'd say I'm sorry, but I'm totally not sorry."
He pushed the book back into its place and seemed like he was going to come over, when suddenly his face became an expression of startlement at something behind me. I turned, only to see Tom reading a book. He didn't seem to be paying attention to our conversation. I turned back to Pete, who was looking a bit awkward.
"Well, I guess I'll see you on the pitch next weekend, Melissa." He turned quickly and strode off. I stared after him, feeling confused.
That was weird.
I faced Tom again, who had put his book down, and was glaring at me.
I made a face. "What now?"
"What happened to the girl who said 'I need to stop focusing on my love life?'" He stared pointedly at me, and I stared at him, puzzled.
"What's that supposed to mean?" He rolled his eyes and let out a disappointed sigh.
"Burrow was flirting with you, Melissa." He spoke in a very matter of fact, irritated tone. I was taken by surprise for a minute, but then realized that it had been obvious: all the blushing and the smiling.
"Oh, so? It's not like I'm interested." Tom raised an eyebrow. "Don't look at me like that! I mean, he's cute and all, buut I'm not really into the baby blue eyes." Tom made a noise of disbelief in the back of his throat, and I glowered at him. Suddenly, his face changed, from an angry expression to an arrogant smirk that slowly began to spread across his face.
"So what colored eyes are you into, then?" I knew what he was doing. I widened my eyes innocently.
"Green eyes." His eyes narrowed to slits, and I smiled triumphantly, standing up.
"I've got to go, I need some flying time." I began to walk away, when he called after me.
"This conversation isn't over, you know. We'll talk later."
Nope. I did not want to go back into the flirty territory with Tom. I knew all too well what would happen. Besides, stories of Tom breaking other girls' hearts had been passed around the school before. If Callie wanted to be next on his list, then she could be my guest. But I wasn't looking for any drama. Besides, I thought Tom and I would be better off as friends... for now.
Don't worry, don't worry. More Tolissa will come! But if you guys are expecting her to keep running back to Tom, well that's not going to happen... yet :D Remember, Melissa and Tom have a whole 'nother year at Hogwarts! But there will be some drama coming up shortly. *gasps, then realizes that I already know what it is*
Anyways, I have good news! I finally found people who look like Melissa, Aly, and Tessa! Here they are-
Melissa Carnell - Amanda Lajcaj
Tessa Davis - Erin Heatherton
Alyssa Clearwater - Danielle Knudson
They're all practically spot on for the type of people I imagine when I write up this story, If you guys want any more actors or actresses assigned to any character in particular, let me know! Anyways, review!
~Calliope Brown 3