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Chapter 4 - Hidden Disappointment
First thing on Monday morning, Lily had her Study of Ancient Runes class. She settled herself in the corner, where she usually sat, and opened her textbook.
"Evans?" said a voice in her ear. She looked up. It was Potter.
"Do you mind if I sit here?" Potter asked, pointing at the seat next to her. Lily noticed he looked rather more serious than usual.
"No, not at all." she smiled as he dumped his bag next to her. "How did it go with the food robbery?"
"Oh, it was... alright, I suppose," said Potter, looking distant.
"Why aren't you sitting with Lupin?" asked Lily. Remus Lupin was another of Potter's friends. She didn't know him very well, because he was nearly always ill, but on this occasion he was on the other side of the classroom, rolling his eyes at Potter and looking thoroughly exasperated.
"Because..." Potter hesitated, "Because I want to ask you something." Lily froze. Surely he wasn't about to ask her out again? Not now, not when she was just starting to really like him?
She held her breath, eyeing him warily.
"I heard you're going out with Goldstein, is that true?"
Lily breathed out with relief.
"Yes, it is." Potter's face fell, though Lily didn't notice.
"How long?" he asked, trying to sound only mildly curious.
"A month, perhaps? Maybe two, I'm not sure." Potter was very glad that Lily wasn't looking at him; he felt as though he was sinking through the floor.
"So- so, it's quite serious then?" There was a definite wobble to his voice now.
"Well, I wouldn't call it serious," said Lily, who still hadn't noticed that Potter's face was burning with disappointment. He stopped kicking the table leg and looked up, a glimmer of hope in his eyes.
"I mean," Lily continued thoughtfully, "I've been on loads of dates with him, and everything, but we've only kissed once or twice." Suddenly, Potter stopped falling through the floor. He was rising up, up... It wasn't serious... They'd only kissed once or twice...
"Little Miss Good Girl, are you?" he said, winking, in his usual joking, cheery voice.
"Watch it, Potter," growled Lily, but she didn't mind.
"Sorry, sorry... So, what are we supposed to be doing, anyway?"
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Another short chapter. Sorry. Still, they say it's quality, not quantity, that counts.
(*cough* yeast *cough*)
(cue mad giggling from Posels and Sledgehammer)
(cue everyone else thinking, "What the hell is she on about?")
Ah well.
Please review,
dancingmango