Chapter 5: December
"Invidia," I heard as I gave Eiron and Iara the password to my dorm. Sighing, I turned, knowing that I wouldn't be able to avoid him forever. "Where've you been? I haven't seen you since the carriage ride."
"What do you want, Nikolas?" I've been avoiding him for the last couple of months, hoping he would forget about me with the help of his new girlfriend.
"Invidia . . ."
"Don't call me that."
"But . . . "
"No, Nikolas. That was a long time ago and I'm no longer that stupid little girl that you once knew."
"You're not stupid, Invidia. I never thought you were," he pleaded as he reached out to me. "Invidia, I care about you, I always have and I always will." He paused as I stepped back, moving out of his reach. "Invidia, please . . ."
"Nikolas, what happened, happened, and we can't change that," I said, avoiding his eyes. "but I refuse to let you cause me any more pain." I turned and entered my dorm.
"Invidia," Nikolas said quietly. "Che ricordo l'oggi รจ, anche se lei fa non.(1)" I spun around and opened my mouth to speak when the portrait swung close.
I stood there, feeling numb, for several minutes, tears welling up in my eyes. I blinked my eyes, trying not to cry when I heard Eiron and Iara talking to someone on the other side of the portrait. I barely had time to dry my eyes when the Portrait swung open.
"'Mione?" Ron asked as he entered the dorm. I looked at him, unable to shake the numbness that had settled over me. "I just saw Nikolas outside, he looked pissed. What happened?" I just stared at him, unable to focus on what he was saying. "Hermione?" He came closer and waved his hand in front of my eyes. "Hermione!" He snapped his fingers in front of my face, causing me to snap out of my daze.
"Hmm?" I knew he was worried, but I was still unable to completely focus on him. "What?"
"I asked you what happened with you and Nikolas."
"Nothing." I said, avoiding his eyes. "He was looking for Malfoy, but found me instead. You know how Malfoy and his friends are." I turned around and went to sit down on the couch.
"Hermione, come on, don't lie to me," Ron followed me to sit on the other end of the couch. "I know he came up here looking for you. I'm the one who told him that he'd probably find you here."
"I told you, Ron, nothing happened." I stood up and walked toward the fireplace, causing a warm fire to start up. "Why are you so convinced that something happened with us? He told me he was looking for Malfoy." I knew I was babbling, but I couldn't help myself. "I didn't know he was looking for me, he sure didn't say anything to me about it . . ."
"Hermione, stop!" Ron stood up and grabbed me by the shoulders. "Look, I know you two know each other. He let it slip that you two used to be friends." I glared at him, feeling the tears in eyes once again. "Why are you lying to me? Hermione, I'm your best friend! You know you can tell me anything, so why won't you tell me?"
"Let go of me," I said quietly, teeth clenched. "Now."
"Hermione," he started as he let me go. "You are the smartest person I know. Not talking about whatever is bothering you about Nikolas will only hurt you." I turned from him and walked to my room. "If you won't talk to me, find someone else to talk to." I entered my room and slammed the door shut, closing him out.
(1) "Invidia . . .non.": "Invidia, I remember what today is, even if you don't."
