Chapter 28

Paige walked through platforms 9 and 10, happy that the holiday was over. After Easter day, every time she and James hung out it had been completely awkward. Not that they spent all that much time together. He had avoided her for the rest of holiday; she had never gotten a moment alone with him. It was upsetting and very annoying.

She was going mental as to what all it could mean, and missed the easy friendship that they had shared. Stupid, pesky feelings, why must you always get in the way? She followed Rose through the crowd, trying to spot James, over the sea of people.

They said their good-byes and made their way onto the train. Paige passed by compartment after compartment, searching for familiar faces. Finally Paige spotted Roxy, Dom, Fred, and James. Paige immediately felt hurt and jealous, Why hadn't he invited me to sit with them? Why is he acting so strange? Feeling a surge of anger, Paige slammed the compartment door open, startling everyone inside.

Crossing her arms, Paige asked, "James may I talk to you for a moment?"

Paige heard Fred mutter, "Better go mate. She looks bloody angry." Paige just rolled her eyes, and noticed that neither Roxy nor Dom had made eye contact with her. Wow what great friends you turned out to be! She thought bitterly.

James got up and slowly walked out, making Paige want to slap him upside the head and tell him to hurry up. Painstakingly slow they found their way to an empty compartment.

Paige closed the door behind, wanting to make sure that their discussion was private. "James what the bloody hell is going on with you?" It took all her strength not yell or burst into tears, she was sick and tired of that, she felt as if she had done that all year.

"I have no clue as to walk you are talking about." He answered innocently, but he wouldn't make eye contact with her.

"You know damn well what I mean!" She shrieked. She had to take a deep breath, before calmly looking him in the eye. And for the first time since Easter day he stared right back at her with intent.

"Look Paige, I know that something almost happened on Easter day between us, but everyone's emotions were running high, and that all in all was a mistake, " Paige took a little step back in shock, hurt by his words, "I am good with just being friends and nothing more, I mean it's you Paige. Not that, that's a bad thing. But you're more like my cousin or little sister to me; it would just be weird if anything happened. And I'm glad that we got this all cleared up before it got awkward. So if you'll excuse me I have to get back to my mates." With that he awkwardly patted her on the back, and walked out.

At first Paige was in shock, she didn't know how or what to feel. Then all the emotions tied to James came crashing into her. But anguish was the one that stuck. And for a couple seconds it felt like someone had knocked the air out of her, she stood there choking out shaky breathes. She didn't know how long she stood there, but finally Rose found her, staring at nothing in particular.

"Paige what's wrong? Are you ok?" Rose made he sit down, and get her breathing under control before answering.

"I don't know all I know is that I'm like a little sister to him. He didn't even let me get a word out." And even though Paige felt dejected, rage and resentment were the dominant emotions. "And you know what? The feelings are mutual." Even though Paige was completely resolved to be angry with him, her voice cracked at the very end.

"Oh Paige, I'm sorry. I'm sure he didn't mean any of it, he was just nervous or afraid." She started rubbing her back comfortingly, but Paige just felt terrible.

Rose walked with purpose, she was looking for a compartment with four of her cousins, cousins that she had never really gotten along or connected with. But she was looking for one cousin in particular, the heartless git that shattered her best friends heart.

Finally finding the very compartment she was looking for, she slammed the door open, and for the second time that day all the passengers jump in fright, from a red headed girl. "James Sirius Potter! What the bloody hell were you thinking?" Rose yelled. Rose had noticed, that more people had joined her cousins, people she wasn't related to, and she honestly didn't care. I hope he feels embarrassed, it's the least I could do for Paige. Everyone in the compartment looked down trying to avoid eye contact with Rose, especially James.

"Mate, she used your whole name, I think you should go before she has a conniption." Lee Jordan II, said and Rose had to admit that was the first intelligent thing had ever said in his life.

James got up and followed her out of the compartment, and unlike Paige, Rose didn't care who overheard them, she would've yelled at James in front of all his friends, but she felt that she would get more of a response from him if she didn't embarrass him. So she waited till they were in the aisle instead of in the compartment.

"Why did you say all that rubbish to Paige?"

"What rubbish?" Again James tried to play innocent, but he still convinced no one.

"You know what I'm talking about, why would mess with her like that? Why the bloody hell would you almost kiss her, then call her your little sister, no sane person would do that! And as much as it bothers me, you mean everything to Paige, and you've put her through hell this past week. And James I know for a fact that you fancy her, everyone can see it. So stop being a dimwitted tosser and go tell her how you feel, because I can assure you that she feels the exact same way." James looked up in surprise, at the last sentence.

"Wait Paige fancies me?" What an idiot. Rose couldn't believe how thickheaded her cousin and her friend were it was just pathetic. I swear I am the only rational person in all of Hogwarts!

"Of course she fancies you. Gosh why must you be so dumb? Why do you think she was so hurt after you left? James, you have to tell her how you feel, and soon."

She fancies me. Paige Aurora Nightingale fancies me. He thought in disbelief. He had spent a good part of his holiday convincing himself that she had just been looking for comfort and that he had taken advantage of her trying to kiss her. But now he realized that she had true feeling for him, not just a fleeting crush.

Nodding with determination, James stated, " Where is she?" But as soon as he said that, the train whistled telling them their journey back to Hogwarts had come to an end.

"Looks like your going to have to wait to confess your undying love for her until after we debark." Rose commented sarcastically, before walking back to her own compartment.

Not wanting to waist anymore time James rushed to get his luggage and to get off the train. Ditching his friends he ran towards the carriages.

But as soon as he arrived, a carriage left with Paige in it. Breathing hard James kicked his trunk in frustration.