Hiya. I am so so sorry for the god awful update. Life got so so busy. This chapter is a bit of a filler but stay tuned for some more excitement :)
The world is on fire. Amber flames consume every single ounce of my surroundings. I don't know where I am, it is just the flames and red-hot heat.
Standing there in the centre of the destruction, she looks powerful. A frighteningly beautiful image.
"Lex. What happened?" I ask.
"The world is on fire Jamie."
"I can tell," I laugh.
I slowly edge through the smoke and get closer towards her. I reach out to touch her but suddenly my hand is alight. My hand is on fire, but I don't feel any pain.
"Save me James," she says. Tears start rolling down her cheeks. The water glistens in the orange light, and they too turn into flames.
I run towards her, but she gets further and further away.
"I world is on fire Jamie, save me," she begs.
"I'm trying Lex."
I scream and run. The fire gets more progressive and this time it hurts. I scream and run. The world is on fire. I am on fire. I can't save her.
"James," a voice wakes me up. It shocks me and it takes a while to gather my senses.
The room is a midnight blue and I can tell it is still very early. Freddie's face is above mine, and after looking around I am glad to see that I didn't wake anyone else up.
"Bad dream?"
"Yeah, sorry mate. I didn't mean to wake you up," I said shaking my head. I felt my face was wet and embracingly wiped it on my t-shirt.
"It's okay. You weren't too bad. I was sleeping lightly anyway. Are you okay?"
I thought about the dream. It was so abstract and not like the usual replaying of my memories.
"Lex," was all I could say.
"I'm here if you want to talk about it?" Freddie asked.
"It's okay thank you," I nodded, a lot calmer and together. I peered over at my watch and saw it was six.
"I might just go for a run," I yawned. It was pretty much the time I woke up anyway, so after a quick stretch I knew my body would be ready to go.
"Well I cannot say I will be joining you," Freddie yawned, retreating back to his bed.
I rolled my eyes at him and quietly made my way to my trunk. I looked over and was happy to see that Seth was peacefully sleeping; the boy needed a good rest after last night.
I quickly changed and made my way to the lake. A dull and monotonous circuit was what I needed.
The weather had taken a clear turn and I grabbed onto the sleeves of my jumper as I begun my circuit. Whilst it was only September, the weather in Scotland was a lot more unforgiving, and it made me grateful for my southern home.
My mind naturally went to my dream. Why the fire and why the flames? What was Lex telling me? Surely it had to mean something? Maybe she was a witch after all, and she wasn't dead? Maybe she was just communicating with me? As much as I wished it all to be true, I knew it wasn't. I was suddenly reminded of the cringeworthy memory of eleven-year-old James knocking on Shacklebolt's door and asking if it were possible if Lex could join Hogwarts. After what I thought was a very convincing pitch, and Shacklebolt assured me so, he regretted to inform me that she couldn't, as she was not magical.
Oh, how life would be different if Lex was a witch.
I scanned the lake looking for a distraction. I was half expecting Evans to be there, but she wasn't. I mean the sleeping draught I had given her was strong, and the girl needed the rest.
I didn't know what came over me, but I felt bad knowing I had the vial in my trunk and not giving it to her. She looked exhausted, beyond that, if that was possible. Everything about the situation with her and Seth still wasn't sitting right with me, and I made a mental note to mention to Mum that they were both going to be staying with us for Christmas.
An orange and pink hue started glowing across the water and I knew it was time to finish up my circuit before I missed breakfast. Whilst I was not looking forward to the thought of anymore underlying tension, I was looking forward to the coffee I was sure Evans would make for me.
"Good run?" A voice asked as I came out the shower. It made me jump and I very nearly dropped my towel.
"Very nice indeed," I replied, looking up to see Seth only just sitting up in bed. He still looked tired but a lot better than yesterday. There was something about his expression though, which suggested he was still overthinking and stressed.
"Listen mate, I just want to apologise for last night-
"Seth. Let me just stop you there. You have nothing to apologise for okay," I said taking a seat on his bed.
"Yeah well still. Thank you," he said quietly.
"How are you feeling this morning?" I asked.
"Okay. Just heavy, I guess. I hope Cass is okay. I feel bad that I flipped on her yesterday," he mumbled.
"I'm sure she'll be fine mate. Just carry on talking okay."
"I know, I know."
"What is going on here?" Freddie asked, exiting the shower.
"Oh, James was giving me a cheeky strip show, had to see what all the fuss was about," Seth said without a beat, pointing to my nearly naked body.
"Yeah, yeah," I quickly got up and saved my modesty.
"Nothing we haven't seen before," Freddie chuckled.
"I'm getting changed," I huffed, heading to the safety of my bed.
The three of us got changed and headed down to breakfast. The tension from yesterday seemed to of dissipated a bit and despite my dream, things felt lighter today.
The girls were at the breakfast table already pilling their plates. I noticed Dom giving a few withering looks to Andrews, almost daring her to say something. Her hair had grown back, and you couldn't tell any damage had been done.
I shot her a look too for extra protection.
"Morning," Freddie chimed lightly.
Seth slid in next to Evans and gave her a quick hug. She looked a lot less tired than yesterday, in fact she looked a lot less tired than she had all week. It made me wonder if she slept at all over summer.
"You'll never guess what," Dom chimed in.
"What?" I asked.
"That foul, evil, Andrews, kept her hair potion on longer than needed. Now she is my colour blonde," Dom cried outraged. I turned towards Andrews and paid more attention to her hair. It was definitely lighter, but no where near the platinum colour of Dom's.
"Oh, stop being a diva. What do you want us to say, you're the real part Veela here?"
Alice and Evans started snickering and I could tell they probably had an earful of Dom's ranting all morning.
Evans quietly passed me over a Mocha, and I gave her a thankful look.
"Oi, where's my coffee?" Dom asked.
"Patience your highness. You do realise I am actually going to start charging you," she huffed, whilst already starting one for Dom.
"I forgot to say, Ted told me if he can try one then he will let you off any detentions you get. Of course, only from him and of course as long as you don't go around cutting anyone else's hair," Dom laughed.
The lucky git. That was a decent trade off.
"Yeah I'm definitely going to start charging," she said outraged.
"What! No detentions. Are you mad woman?" Freddie exclaimed.
"He has a point. Can you just teach me how to make coffee and I will be Teddy's little bitch," Seth offered.
"Oh, come on, I have tried that many a time," Evans laughed.
"I don't think it can be that hard," I said. The words came out before I could stop them. Something about Evans meant I always wanted to challenge her.
"Oh, is that a bet," she said with a look of defiance. The girl from yesterday was gone and the Evans from last year, had seemed to make an appearance.
She got up from the bench and strutted up to the teacher's table. A couple of curious eyes followed her, wondering what business she had with the teachers especially after yesterday.
"What is this woman up to?" Seth smirked.
"I don't know, but you are definitely about to get shown up James," Dom smiled.
"Agreed," Alice chimed in.
"Do you really have no faith?" I asked.
"None at all mate," Freddie said.
Evans returned with Teddy on her tail and he walked towards us authoritatively. I could tell he was amused at what was about to happen, but he was clearly putting on a front for the other teachers.
"What was this about Evans wanting me to see if someone had spiked your coffees?" he asked with a mock seriousness.
"Well Potter here was going to make you one to see what it should taste like, and I just wanted you to compare it to the one I made, just to check no one is out to get me after recent events," she replied smoothly.
"Sounds interesting," he smirked, clearly very amused.
"Well off you go Potter," Evans said, handing me her materials.
I had watched her a couple of times so was pretty confident that I could master the technique. How hard could making muggle coffee actually be?
I picked up each piece of equipment and methodically went through the steps she did every morning. I went slower than she did, but I wanted it to be perfect. I wasn't going to let her win this one.
I could feel the others looks glaring into me, but I wasn't going to let it be a distraction. Picking up the chocolate powder, I lightly dusted my masterpiece, beyond satisfied with my work. There was no way she won this one.
"So, is that your final submission Potter?" Evans asked with a smug look on her face. Oh, she was in for a shock.
"Indeed, it is," I smirked confidently.
"Well Professor, what is the verdict?" She asked Teddy. He gave us all an amusing look; we had clearly been his morning entertainment.
He took a sip of Evans' coffee and his face lit up. He nodded with a satisfied grin and gave her a big thumbs up.
"Merlin that is good," he smiled.
"Okay, well you haven't tried mine yet," I said passing it over. He took a quick sip and instantly passed it back.
"James that tastes like goblin's piss," he said repulsed. The others burst out laughing and I gave them a crippling look. I grabbed the mug and tried it for myself.
He was right it tasted awful.
"James that taste like actual wank," Dom laughed, spitting the coffee out.
"Dom!" Teddy scolded.
"I didn't need that mental image thank you," I said repulsed.
"Right before you waste more of my time, the offer is still on Evans. If I have a cup of that beautiful concoction at least twice a week should we say, you will be detention free. Just don't go spreading that," he smirked quietly. I rolled my eyes. The lucky git.
"Well you tried Potter," she smirked happily.
"You better take Teddy up on that offer," Seth urged.
"Yeah maybe," she said coolly.
"Need I remind you that you could do with a lot less detentions?" Alice laughed.
"Coffee is a hobby, not a chore," she shrugged.
"You're fucking crazy," I said.
We were interrupted by a sudden influx of post. Neither of us were expecting anything so we were all confused when a rather large box landed in the middle of our table and in front of Dom.
"What the hell is that?" Evans asked.
"No idea," she said clearly confused. She picked up the letter which had a fancy cursive writing sprawled across the front.
We all watched her with looks of anticipation and confusion. Dom's cheeks started to brighten, and she soon resembled a tomato.
"Now you've got to read it aloud," I laughed.
"I really would rather not," she said, placing her head in her hands. She subtly handed it over to Alice.
The girl must have read about three lines before she burst out laughing.
"I'm sorry Dom I can't," she said, handing it to Evans.
Evans looked at it and again burst out laughing. She got through the whole letter and was staring at it with amusement and confusion.
"Bloody hell Dom," she chuckled, "what have you gotten yourself into?"
"I don't know," Dom cried, snatching the letter back and burning it before we even had the chance to read it.
"Now that was a bit dramatic," Freddie laughed.
"Trust me, it was not," Alice smirked.
"I want to know what is in the box," I said, leaning towards it. Dom pushed me out of the way and placed it, so it was on her lap.
The box was so big we could still see it peaking up from the bench, but at least it gave her the honour of opening it.
She hesitantly untied the parchment and ripped it slightly so she could peak inside at the contents.
"Oh," she said.
"Good oh or bad oh?" Evans asked.
"Definitely good."
She ripped off the rest of the paper to reveal a vase of flowers. They were clearly expensive, and they appeared to have a charm on them which meant that not only would they last longer than normal flowers, but they changed colour depending on Dom's mood. Right now, they were a vibrant yellow. I recognised these flowers because I had bought them for Lex last Valentine's day. They were supposed to last until the day I came home for summer.
"No way! Those are Bella Amora's! They are gorgeous," Alice squealed.
"Fucking hell you did luck out," Evans smirked.
"Can you stop. Just tell us who they are from!" Freddie demanded.
Dom's cheeks went red again.
"So, remember the French minister's son?" She said.
"The ones who's dick you sucked?" I smirked.
"James!" She exclaimed. "But yes, the one who I had a bit of a fling with this summer. Well, it is clear he wants to make it a permanent thing."
"Our girl is just that good," Evans winked.
"Cass!"
"Cassie!"
"Ew."
"I mean yeah."
"Well that is a gesture and a half," Freddie said surprised.
"Tell me about it," Dom laughed.
"Are you going to write him back?" Alice asked.
"Maybe," she said coyly.
"Knew you were a social climber," I digged.
"Oh, shut up and go shag someone Jamie," Dom said without thinking.
Freddie and Seth shot her a look, but I shrugged it off. It was an accident and I was sick of people walking on eggshells around me.
"Nah, thinking of going celibate this year," I shrugged.
"The only riding Potter is going to be getting is from his broomstick," Evans chimed in. That comment threw me, and I spat out my toast.
"Good one Cass," Seth chuckled.
I gave her a glare. Despite the events of last night, things surprisingly resembled normality. Even the sex jokes didn't get to me. Maybe things were slowly getting back to normal? The nagging feeling in my gut that told me this was just a farce, quickly got supressed. If everyone else was pretending, then why couldn't I?
TWO WEEKS LATER:
The sky was nearly pitch black despite it being early morning. I knew these runs would have to cease the nearer it got to winter, as the darkness was definitely becoming a trip hazard. The cold air refreshed my lungs, and I felt calm.
Since the weird night between Evans and Seth, things had still mimicked an uneasy feeling of normal. Despite, Freddie and I constantly checking up on Seth, he assured us things were better and he was fine. I noticed that Evans looked as though she got a bit more sleep, and her dishevelled appearance had improved slightly.
There was still however, something not quite right. Alice and Dom were always watching her with eagle eyes, and Seth and her would often disappear for evening chats late into the night. I didn't want to pry, but I couldn't help but feel there was a lot more to the whole situation.
I finished my first lap around the lake and headed to the Quidditch stadium. For over a week now, I came here every morning and snuck into the stands.
The pitch below me was empty, and there was something eerie about the lonesome hoops standing tall and mighty in the darkness of the morning.
The flash of blonde I was waiting for emerged at the bottom of the pitch and I watched as she mounted her broom.
After the incident with Seth, I noticed that Evans would also be up in the early hours of the morning. After completing a slightly different circuit to me, she would come to the empty stadium and run some drills.
At first, I was going to interrupt her training. I wanted to critique her technique and give her pointers on where she was going wrong. I don't know why, but instead I chose to watch in silent. I was completely aware that I must have looked like a stalker, but I was intrigued to see the progress she would make by herself.
The first couple of mornings were painful to watch. She often fumbled with the Quaffle and her aim was not what it used to be. However, by the fifth morning, she was back to her scoring accuracy and I noticed she became a lot stronger on the broom. Two days ago, she introduced some Bludgers she had charmed, and I was impressed to see that she managed to dodge them with accuracy and efficiency.
Today was the day I was going to test her true progress. Once she was done with her warmup, I snuck down from the stands and headed towards the changing room.
I grabbed a school broom and made my way out onto the pitch.
"Morning," I called out.
She screamed and fell the three feet off her broom. I laughed at her idiocy and actually questioned for a minute if she actually was ready or whether I was just sleep deprived and delusional.
"What the fuck Potter," she shouted, brushing herself off.
"Well a true Quidditch player wouldn't fall off their broom like that," I pointed out.
"What are you doing here?" she asked with a scathing look. It was hard to take her seriously considering she had dirt on her knees.
"I could ask you the same thing."
"Oh, don't be a prick. You know full well why I am here. If you won't let me play Quidditch then I have to find a way to practise," she huffed.
"Well would you care to show me what it is you are practising?" I asked.
She gave me a scathing look but huffed. I knew she desperately wanted to make the team, so in this instance I had the power.
"Fine," she sighed, jumping back on her broom. Her and Seth had the same model. It was decent but old and they definitely were in need of a new one. The pair argued that they only had a year left though and it was neither of their desires to go pro, so a new broom was a flashy and unnecessary expense.
I flew towards her and told her some of the drills I had planned. They were harder than the ones from trials and I wanted to test her. If she couldn't do these then there was no chance. I never gave second chances when it came to Quidditch, so she was lucky I was even considering it. Why was I considering it? I don't know if it was the fact that I pitied her scruffy self, training every morning without even knowing I was watching, or the fact that she clearly was committed, but I at least wanted to give her the opportunity.
The drills were tough and by the time we were finished we were both covered in a thick layer of sweat. She didn't do perfectly but she held her own. Her scoring accuracy was near perfect and only once did she let a Bludger hit the front of her broom, which nearly caused her to flip over the top of it.
"Why do you want to kill me Potter?" she panted, lying on the grass of the pitch. The sun had started to rise, and I knew that we didn't have long before we needed to start getting ready for breakfast.
"Thought you'd have more stamina than that Evans," I replied smoothly, despite being a little bit puffed myself.
"Yeah yeah, we all can't have a mommy who is a Quidditch pro," she said lazily.
"Yeah well, if you keep up that rudeness and attitude, I will just chuck you off the team again," I said plainly.
"Wait." Her eyes shot open and she gave me a shocked look.
"Really?" she asked.
"Yeah, we need a sub. You proved yourself," I said not elaborating any further. I didn't want things to become weird or emotional between us.
She looked up at the sky and a smile plastered across her face.
"Thank you," she said. I just nodded.
"Well looks like you owe me in Mochas now," I said, packing up my stuff and starting my walk back to the castle.
"Yeah whatever," she huffed, grabbing her stuff as well.
We walked in an awkward silence towards the castle. It was rare the pair of us were ever left together and I didn't really know how to make conversation with her.
"Where have you been?" Dom asked. We had bumped into her and Alice as they were making their way out of the common room.
"Why are you both so sweaty?" Alice asked.
"Potter and I were up all night having crazy and ravenous sex. We went for round ten this morning hence the thick layer of sweat," Evans said completely deadpanned.
I choked on my own spit and gave her a look. Alice and Dom started to smirk and burst into a giggling fit.
"Ew that is grim Cass," Dom smirked.
"Yeah put that disgusting mental image in my head again and you are definitely off the team Evans. Consider that your first and only warning," I snapped, stalking off into the common room.
"You made the team?" Alice squealed.
"Yes," I heard Evans say excitedly. I left to the sound of cheering and squealing and rolled my eyes.
The thought of Evans naked or doing anything sexual made me feel queasy. My mind rolled to Lex, as it always did when I craved some affection. I was desperate to be back in those arms. I thought back to the dreams that I had been having for the last fortnight. Each time she would set alight. The world and she was on fire, and I could only save her. Only I could save her, yet I failed. I failed that day and I failed every night. It was all my fault.