Hi everyone! This is the first chapter of my new story, "Playground Love" - yes, I did get the idea while listening to that song! - and, it's hopefully something that hasn't been overly done… since my little original character isn't an exchange student, nor is he practically perfect in every way. As the story goes along, I'm sure you'll notice that I'm an avid borrower - I "borrow" little tiny bits from places such as songs, movies, books, my friends… and I hope that you enjoy this.
And, yet again, something which has concerned my friends considerably - I have an obsession with the name 'Alex'. However, no person I know by that name is in any way incredibly special to me, it's all just part of my strange, strange personality.
Disclaimer: All Characters, save Alex, belong to JK Rowling. All magical places mentioned also belong to her. I, however, own "Magical Paints and Where to Spray Them", and not much else. The little song at the beginning belongs to Placebo. Enjoy!
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Chapter One
"Alex"
it seemed to last for hours
it seemed to last for days
this lady of the flowers
and her hypnotic gaze
He sat in the last compartment of the Hogwarts Express, a book entitled: "Magical Paints and Where to Spray Them" perched on his lap. Although it was nearly November, and he was the one of the only passengers on the train that day, he was headed off to a new school year – namely, his last one, at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
He was the type of boy who, nevermind his reputation, you would either love or despise in the first moment of contact you had with him. It was once said of him: "The looks from his eyes change the courses of lives" – and, to a degree, this was the truth. He was also the type of boy who would make such quick judgements himself, if only to save himself the trouble of deciding later.
His eyes, those incredibly magical orbs, were a pale, soft blue, the kind one buys from hardware stores and paints it on their walls so to remind themselves of its beauty. His hair was jet-black, quite obviously dyed, and yet… you could not tell if this were entirely true. You could ask, and he would tell you the truth in an instant (for he was a man of many words and many truths); but most never did.
It was in this way that I, to total surprise to myself, stumbled upon him in that softly snug compartment – my usual compartment – and found that what they had once said was quite undoubtedly the truth.
A quick glance upwards, and I caught sight of those soft, grey-blue eyes for the very first time. His face brightened somewhat, yet he guarded his enthusiasm like a bulldog might guard his master. He closed his book, stood, and stretched his hand out to me. In my dazed state I grasped for it quickly, and smiled anxiously.
"Hi," he said, shaking my arm. It was only then that I realised he was not reaching out to me as some overly romantic gesture – this was no love at first sight. He smiled cautiously at me, before continuing: "I'm Alex."
I dropped his hand and began to pull my trunk in from the narrow corridor. He watched, grinning, as I huffed and puffed in my attempts to drag it inside. After a few moments, he, shaking his head amusedly, lent his arm to the task and I stood aside. He pushed it underneath the seat opposite him and gestured for me to sit down.
"I've been sick," I blurted as I sat across from him. He studied my face for a moment, then nodded. "I mean, that's why I'm so weak… that's why I'm here." Why am I justifying myself to someone I don't even know? I questioned myself.
"Oh, okay." He smiled, a little condescendingly, before returning to his book. I nearly kicked myself in rage. What the hell am I doing? I asked myself before glancing up at him again.
His skin was so pale, so white… so perfect. Not like the freckled mess I've got on my face, I thought bitterly. His lashes were long, and they framed his eyes perfectly, setting contrast between his skin and his dark hair. I stared for another moment, and it was as if his entire face was in three colours – no more. Simply black, white, and… blue.
"I'm Virginia, by the way," I said, not wanting the silence to go on for any longer. "I mean, you can call me Ginny if you want, or if you don't…" Or if you don't want to call me anything at all, my mind echoed.
This time he smiled and his entire face lit up. I felt as if his eyes were sparkling with stars, they seemed so bright. One look…
And I, Virginia, was forever changed.
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Please, R/R! Your words, however hurtful, mean the world to me!
