Laurali sat on the over stuffed couch extremely exhausted. The second day of school was finally over, and she still had another long day ahead of her, but for some unknown reason Laurali couldn't fall asleep. It was midnight already, and around 11 she had decided to come back down to the common room. And so for the past hour she had been watching the fire slowly die out. All that was left now was few embers struggling for their last breath.
Laurali was so concentrated on the fire she didn't even hear someone come down the stairs. She didn't see James until he sat down on the chair next to the couch.
Laurali was surprised but tried to act as if she hadn't seen him. But she definitely had, he wasn't wearing a shirt, only plaid pajamas. And oh lordy lord had she gained a whole new respect for quidditch with a body like his. But still Laurali remained still remained quiet, and kept her face neutral.
Her plan was going great until he decided to talk to her. "Laurali." He said simply, Laurali just looked up in response keeping her face completely blank. "Are you alright?" He asked, his voice completely void of emotion.
Laurali open and closed her mouth several times not quite sure how to respond, "I'm sorry" she finally choked out. She felt like there was a tornado ripping through her. She was mad and upset and sad and confused and little excited that he bothered to talk to her, but she wasn't sure which emotion was strongest so instead they all spiraled through her mind leaving a wasteland in its place.
James cleared his throat and shifted uncomfortably, "Are you ok?" He asked again.
Again Laurali had no idea how to respond, but the tornado had finally ceased, leaving her only with anger. "Am I ok?" She repeated. Acting as if she was thinking Laurali continued. "Um well let's see, no I am not ok. In fact, I'm quite awful. For one you haven't bothered to talk to me since I got back until now, unless you count you yelling at me and then second-guessing my every move during potions. Because your mad at me for leaving right after my accident. And because I DATED YOUR YOUNGER BROTHER," Laurali was shouting now, her anger building like tsunami about to crash on a shore, " A BOY THAT I FANCIED FOR THREE YEARS I MIGHT ADD. A NOW THAT BOY IS CALLING ME A SLAG EVERY CHANCE HE GETS AND IN PUBLIC. NONE OF MY OLD FRIENDS ARE TALKING TO ME EXCEPT FRED, BECAUSE THEY THINK THAT WOULD BE PICKING SIDES. ROSE IS PRETENDING I DON'T EXIST BECAUSE I WENT MENTAL ON HER THE FIRST NIGHT, AND I CAN'T THINK OF HOW TO TAKE BACK WHAT I SAID!" Laurali's breathing were coming heaving gasps now and her anger seemed have vanished in an instant, leaving her with desolate despair and tears, "Oh and everyone in school is whispering about me. So no James I am not alright or ok or anywhere close to being fine. But thank you for asking." Laurali finished in a whisper, tears streaming down her face.
Without another word Laurali slowly got up and tried to walk as dignified as she could up to her dormitories. James just sat there unmoving his face completely neutral as if none of that had just happened.
-o-O-o-
Walking to the Great Hall with a mission James tried not to run anyone over. He was in an awful mood. He hadn't slept a wink last night. He just sat in a chair staring at where she had been.
Swallowing he couldn't help but remember last night. How she had cried, how every sob had torn through him. How he had wanted nothing more than to console her. How he had felt responsible. How much he hated himself in that moment for causing her such pain.
Shaking his head, he tried not to think about it. Finally, he spotted Albus. Striding over to him and Scorpius who were just entering the Great Hall. Walking up to them James nodded to Scorpius not bothering to smile, he wasn't in the mood. Then turning to Albus, "can we talk for a moment." He said, rather than ask, while motioning towards the exit. Albus nodded, and followed him out.
"What's up?" Albus asked casually, while ruffling his hair to make it look windblown. (Dad had told them how their grandfather would do it the summer after Laurali had left. Albus had taken an instant liking to it and now did constantly.)
James didn't bother wasting anytime. "Have you been calling Laurali a slag?" He was tired and grumpy so he skipped small talk all together.
Albus' emerald eyes narrowed, "Oh are you two best mates again. And what you're defending her honor." James sighed through his nose.
Now defensive and annoyed James replied, "No, the only time I bloody talk to her is during potions." Albus gave him a confused look, " it's a long story." James said. "But I have been hearing from others that you're calling her a slag and I want to know why. Because we both know that isn't true."
Albus looked down. "Because she actually is. She said yes to me in fourth year, but she was so obviously in love with you." James stomach clench at this, "All she did was toy with my heart and play you. If that's not a slag then I don't what is." he finished angrily, looking down at the floor.
James nodded slowly. "Yea well knock it off. If you were really over her you wouldn't have to feel justified in calling her a slag now would you. Unless you're not?" James's finished knowing it would strike home.
Albus nodded slowly, "Fine, I'll stop calling her that." James nodded and started to walk away, "But James" Albus called after him, "You know it's true. I mean have you seen her with Fred at all?" James stiffened at this comment. He had to take in a deep breath before he continued to walk towards Clarisse. Bloody Hell, Laurali really did a number on Albus. James thought sadly.
Walking up to Clarisse (who looked beautiful per usual) James tried to smile. He didn't want to talk about last night, or his discussion with Albus, with her. After yesterday James wasn't sure if he should bring Laurali up at all. Clarisse seemed to hate Laurali now, which was odd considering how close they used to be.
"Good Morning Darling." He greeted halfheartedly. Clarisse looked up from her food with a smile on her face, one that quickly turned into a frown.
"Sweetie you look dreadful." She commented staring intently at his face.
James tried to laugh, "Ah that's what every bloke wants to hear in the morning." He responded while heaping huge amounts of eggs onto his plate.
Clarisse apologetically smiled, "I'm sorry. I just meant that you don't look so good. Did you sleep at all?" She commented.
No. "Yea a little." He replied shortly.
"What were you thinking about?" She pried.
Laurali. Only of Laurali. "Nothing I just had one of those restless nights." James looked up and gave her a smile. Wishing the conversation would end very soon. He didn't need to explain his encounter with Laurali to her. Clarisse would become upset. And James couldn't handle another upset girl.
Clarisse smiled back at him, light green sparkling with happiness. "Ok sweetie. Well tonight we can just lay in bed, instead of going out onto the pitch." James completely forgot that they were running some drills tonight.
"Bloody hell I'm sorry Darling, is that ok?" He asked still completely aware of his exhaustion.
"Yes of course!" She agreed without thinking. James smiled gratefully at her, kissing her cheek quickly. How did I get so lucky? James thought to himself.
"Good Morning!" Fred greeted cheerily. Clarisse smiled in response. And James just nodded. Fred took one look at James, "Wow mate you look awful."
James just laughed, "Thanks you two are great to talk to in the morning. Remind me to ask your opinion of what I'm wearing." He joked.
But James' smiled disappeared as soon as he saw Laurali enter the Great Hall. She looked just as bad as James felt. Her eyes were puffy, and her hair was staticy, and she seemed a little beaten down. James swallowed. God. Laurali I didn't mean to upset you. I just...just needed to know how you were. "Bloody hell she looks awful." Clarisse whispered to him, smirking.
Fred turned to him, "Mate do mind if Laurali sat here?" before James replied, he noticed Clarisse listening intently to his response. James just shook his head. Even though he hadn't forgiven Laurali, he had to see if she was ok. Fred smiled, "Great thanks mate! Oi Laurali!" Fred waved. Laurali smiled at him at started towards him. However, she faltered when she saw James, but she still continued toward them.
Laurali sat opposite of James but right next to Fred. James tried to ignore the jolt his stomach did. "Wow you don't look like you slept at all either." Fred commented, cringing a little.
Laurali smiled a little at this. "Ah and here I thought I looked quite ravishing. But no, no I didn't. Do I look that bad?" She asked.
Fred smiled, and tucked a piece of her behind her ear, "You look lovely per usual." Laurali blushed, and tucked her head down. James couldn't help but remember Albus' comment in this moment.
"Hmmmm so Laurali, may ask where you've been? I mean you practically vanished off the face of the planet. We were all worried sick about you." Clarisse inquired.
Laurali sipped her pumpkin juice before answering, her brown eye darkening, " I was in the States-Attending Salem Institute."
"Oh how wonderful I'm sure it was lovely." Clarisse replied, but for some reason her tone conveyed otherwise. "So did you just feel so embarrassed by that fall that you left?"
Laurali exhaled sharply, "No, that is most certainly not why I left. But thanks for asking Clarisse." With that Laurali got up, and marched out of the hall. Her long brown locks swaying behind her, making it a little harder for James to breathe.
Clarisse pursed her lips into a frown, "Well isn't she touchy." For some reason her comment didn't sit well with James. Trying to push the feeling out of his mind, James shoved a huge scoop of eggs into his mouth.
-o-O-o-
Laurali was the first to Potions. She tried to get Clarisse out of her head. But for the past ten minutes Laurali had imagined her getting hit by a bus. What happened? I thought we were friends. She thought sadly.
Trying to put Clarisse and everyone else out of her head, Laurali went straight to work on their Wolf's Bane Potion. She gathered all of the ingredients and organized them very carefully. She got lost in her work, in the ease of step by step instructions. She wished life was that way. Where someone would tell you what to do next. She used to have her mum to tell her that.
Laurali saw James enter the class, sadly without Fred. She hadn't meant to leave Fred so shortly. She really did enjoy his company. She had loved his company before she had left, but something was different now. Now she needed him more than ever.
James came and set his stuff down. He looked quite awful, he had dark bags under his eyes, and his overall appearance seemed rumpled. Glancing up at her, his beautiful blue eyes gazed into hers. "Laurali." he whispered. Why is he using my full name? She thought sadly. "I want to apologize for upsetting you last night." He stated calmly.
Laurali felt her eyes starting to well up, taking a deep breath Laurali took a moment before responding, "Oh thanks that means a lot. Do you want to apologize for anything else?" She asked hoping that maybe just maybe he would apologize for fourth year, and for Albus. Or at least say that he was wrong. She would say that she was wrong to leave without telling him. But not until he said something.
James just stared at her straight in the face, "No I think that covers it, unless you have something to say." Laurali couldn't help but laugh bitterly.
"I don't know how I was ever your friend. Or how I thought you cared about me." She said in complete amazement. Shaking her head, she turned back to the potion, and decidedly ignored him for the rest of class.
Laurali felt completely empty and alone.
-o-O-o-
James couldn't breathe. Why could she do this to me. James felt as if his whole world was spiraling out of control, just like it had the day she left.
