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Disclaimer: Ok, this is FANfiction! You shouldn't even need to write one of these…right? Anyway…I don't own Harry Potter or any Harry Potter Characters…I'm just borrowing them.
Summary-He'd told himself and braced himself and prepared himself, but no amount of any of that could have readied him for what he was about to hear.- Chapter Nine up.
Rating: PG-ish-ness
Note: The character's thoughts will appear in Italics. Sorry if it's confusing. Also review replies are at the bottom! A cookie to all of you who reviewed. Please, feel free to do so again!
Also the chapter title was taken from Maroon 5's song, just in case you were wondering. It's not really that relevant, but it just stuck out to me when I was finishing this up, so I thought, why not:D
End of Chapter 8:
She suddenly looked up, just in time to see Fred lazily slide his arm around the shoulders of a short, blonde girl, smiling flirtatiously at her. Her brow furrowed, what was he doing?
It was only when they got a little bit closer that she realized…
That the girl's hair that Fred's fingers were twirling absently was none other than –
Nina!
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Closest Thing to Heaven
© Angelface04
January 31, 2005
(Exactly ONE MONTH since the last update!)
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Harder to Breathe
It hit her like a dead weight in the chest. She watched him with a mixture of fury and hurt as he walked by giving her an icy glance that she could clearly read.
She stumbled a little after they passed. She could still hear Nina's giddy laughter carry down the corridor, probably at one of Fred's old but still hilarious jokes.
She suddenly felt nauseous and shaky. The minutes that it took to drag herself into the common room seemed to last forever.
He was out with Nina…
Like, with Nina…
And she was here…all alone…forgotten…
She staggered through the portrait hole, suddenly extremely tired. The common room was still fairly full, though many were drowsy from the trip to Hogsmeade and the feast and were headed toward bed.
She didn't know what to do. Should she just go up to her dorm and cry herself to sleep, or stay down here, join the lingering students and try to forget about him and…Nina…?
Nina!
Wait a minute…
Weren't Oliver and Nina…like…dating…?
She hurried up to the boy's dormitory without giving it another thought. She paused only for a moment outside of Oliver's door, then turned the knob and pressed it open.
Oliver was just pulling a sweater over his head when she entered. He paused for a moment, surprised to see her standing in the doorway. Brody, Oliver's roommate lifted his eyebrows.
"I guess I'll check you later mate." He winked at Angelina as he passed by her and murmured, "He's all yours…"
"What are you doing up here?" He queried, turning to gather his dirty robe up off of the ground.
"I just want to talk to you about something, okay?" She replied tiredly.
"This is new," Oliver retorted, obviously still angry about the row that they'd had the other day. "You know, the whole, 'You Coming After Me' thing."
"Don't be a prat Oliver! I'm just really upset right now and – and I – I didn't know who else to go to…"
"Where's your precious Fred?" Her eyes flicked down and he realized that's why she was here. "What do you need?"
"Listen," Angelina's voice was shaky, but she continued. "What's up with you and that Nina girl…the blonde one, from Hufflepuff." Oliver cocked an eyebrow, crossing his arms.
"Why do you ask?"
"Because…I just saw her…with…"
"She was with someone!" Oliver asked a little too quickly. "Who was it!" Angelina watched her fingers as they intertwined with each other.
"She was with Fred." Angelina uttered softly. There was a silence as Oliver mulled over the information. When he began to speak, it was in a soft voice.
"So I was right, huh? He was just using you to - " His voice caught in his throat when he saw the tears that were running down her cheeks. He felt guilty, but didn't move. He had to get this out, it was now, or…well…never. "He just moved on, didn't he? Just like that? Did you suddenly realize that I've been right here the whole time and you've completely taken advantage of that?"
"I'm sorry." Her words were a feeble whisper. "I'm sorry…" her hand gently wiped away her own tears and she sobbed a few times.
"Merlin, Angelina, why do you do this? You're hurting yourself just as much as you're hurting everyone else! I know you're confused, but I just can't take any more of this…I…I care too much about you to see you go through this." His voice had lost its angry edge and he was staring at her with the most open, sincere look she'd ever seen him wear. "And if you really don't love me I – I understand…just…just tell me."
She took a step closer to him, her bottom lip quivering. She held her hands out to him.
He took them.
He had never wanted her more badly than he did right then.
Please tell me you love me Angie…
"Oliver…"
……
She was so different. She was short, for one thing. Short and blonde and…so not Angelina. She was fit – there was no doubt about that. She was easy-going and flirtatious and always laughed at the right times and said the right things…
So, before he could blink he'd found himself saying good-night (after their walk around the grounds) to her right outside the Great Hall…and he found himself running his hands up her arms and squeezing her shoulders and kissing her…
And suddenly, it was Angelina, and he was letting his hands fall to her hips and planting small kisses down her cheek and jaw-line and down her neck and her hands were running through his hair…
And then, it was Nina, and he was so startled that he pulled away. She smiled sweetly up at him.
"G'night Fred." She murmured, standing on tiptoe and pecking his lips quickly. He nodded, watching her walk away, her hips swinging and her hair swaying and wondering what in hell had just happened…
.…..
She had paused, his name having just fallen from her lips. She didn't know how to put this – how to word this so that it didn't come out all wrong and totally screw everything up.
"Oliver, I don't know what to say. You're an amazing person. You've been here for me this whole time and…and I really like you. I like you a lot, Ol…but…" He'd known it was coming. He'd told himself and braced himself and prepared himself, but no amount of any of that could have readied him for what he was about to hear. His head ducked and he could feel the tears lurking behind his eyelids. Her hands let go of one of his and reached for his face, stroking his cheek gently.
"I think – I think I'm in love with…with Fred. And right now, I just, I really need a friend." His hand came up to cup the hand resting on his cheek and he nodded mutely. So that was it. That was it she had decided, and it was over…
And then she was hugging him. She was hugging him and tears were seeping through his sweater while he listened to her…while he listened…
He listened with ears that didn't hear.
And he felt immeasurable pain with a heart that was broken.
……..
George looked up from the parchment that Katie and him had been bent over in time to see Fred pass by the library, his head hanging and his hands shoved into his pockets.
"What?" Katie followed George's gaze and barely caught a glance of the older Weasley twin. "He looks upset or something."
"Yeah…" George scooted back his chair, gesturing over his shoulder with his thumb. "D'you mind if I – you know – go and talk to him?"
"Nah, go ahead. I'm nearly done with this anyway." She waved at her research and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. "Ten knuts it has something to do with Angelina!" George scoffed.
"I'll double that." He replied, winking at her and then disappearing out of the doorway.
"Hey Fred!" He jogged a little to catch up with him. "Wait up." Fred turned a little too quickly.
"What?" He didn't snap, he didn't sound mean, just…tired…or…
"What's up?"
"What's always up?"
"I guess Nina didn't like you…or…something…?"
"I kissed her." Fred scowled. "I mean, really kissed her, cause I…" He swallowed, gazing at the floor. "God, I dunno George, I – I thought she was Angelina and I…I just couldn't stop myself…" Fred turned, pressing his forehead against the cool, stone wall. "I don't want to go through this anymore." He murmured huskily. George opened his mouth, and then closed it again. There really wasn't anything left to say.
"Listen, let's go down to the kitchens and grab some biscuits or something, alright?" George finally suggested, pulling the Marauder's Map out of his robe pocket, and tapping it lightly while murmuring, "I solemnly swear that I'm up to no good."
"Alright," Fred's face broke into a slight smile, only a shadow of his real mischievous grin, but the most anyone had seen of it in days.
"Here, hold this, let me go tell Katie, okay?" George handed him the parchment. Fred nodded, leaning lazily against the wall and glancing through the map habitually. Filch was prowling around the castle entrances with Mrs. Norris following closely behind. Dumbledore was in his study, like usual, pacing. George was on his way into the library…
And Cedric Diggory was extremely close to Angelina Johnson outside the Great Hall.
He was gone towards them before he could stop himself.
……………….
She hadn't planned on running into Cedric when she went for a walk (completely NOT trying to spy on Fred and Nina), but he had been lounging on the wall near the Great Hall when she'd entered. He'd grinned at her and waved her over, and so she'd complied (without complaining in the least).
"What's up?" He asked, his grey eyes dancing merrily as he looked upon the coca-colored girl before him.
"Not too much, but, um, listen, there's something I wanted to talk to you about…" Might as well take the plunge now.
"Yeah?" Cedric asked, looking at her with his Diggory-look that often made girls swoon. "What about?"
"Uh…well…I heard you…talking with someone outside…I mean…I wasn't eavesdropping, but, I was just taking a walk outside earlier and I…I couldn't help but hear you talking about someone -"
"You mean during supper?" He interrupted, his cheeks turning a light shade of pink.
"Yeah." Angelina smiled, attempting to gather her scattered wits. "Yeah."
"So – I mean – how much did you hear?"
"Um...I dunno…a lot." Angelina replied, her fingers tugging at her robe.
"So, you know, about...her?" He was obviously embarrassed now.
"Me?"
"Yeah, do you know about ?"
"Yes."
"So…wha - " He was cut short as Fred Weasley burst into view.
"Fred?" Angelina asked, her eyes wide.
"Weasley." Cedric nodded politely.
"Johnson…Diggory…" Fred's voice was nearly dripping with disdain. "You haven't seen Nina around have you?"
Angelina's chin jutted out just slightly. Cedric was oblivious to the glares that passed between the other two.
"No Weasley." Angelina's use of his last name was laced with ice. "I haven't seen her." A smirk passed across his lips.
"Thank you Johnson." Fred snapped back. "I just wanted to tell her goodnight again."
"You go do that." She replied hastily, turning back towards Cedric, who was studying the both of them with a slight twinkle in his eyes.
"I will!" Fred marched out the way he'd c ome. Angelina closed her eyes, giving a shuddering breath.
"What's all this about?" Cedric asked gaily, his eyebrows raising.
"Nothing." Angelina crossed her arms. "It's not important." Cedric shrugged.
"Alright, well, you'd better get to bed." Cedric leaned in, giving her a peck on the cheek. "I'm still waiting for someone."
"M'kay. Goodnight."
"'Night Angie." Angelina turned and walked away slowly, wondering why, even though the cutest most popular boy in school had just kissed her cheek, her mind was still dwelling on the fact that Fred Weasley had called her Johnson.
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Review Replies:
-anaaid08-
Believe it bebe, believe it! You know you love it;)
-Elsewhere405-
Hahaha, I actually feel really bad now, because I finally got another Oliver supporter and it's the chapter that Angie refuses him! - Sorry about that! But don't worry, I still have plans….
I'm glad that you love my story. You really have no clue how much it means to me!
-Evilevergreen-
I can never hide anything from you, can I! Shh! Don't tell anybody! It's supposed to be a secret! I thought about letting everybody else into the secret, but thought that I'd refrain until at least next chapter. ;)
Love you babe, I always look forward to your reviews…
-eyesdyedblack-
Oh YEAH! I SO BEAT YOU! I'm glad that you like . Yeah…you did kinda kill Fred off, didn't you? Oh well…I love George too. :D I hope that you like this chapter as well as you did the last one. (Oh yeah, and suspenseful IS a word!
-mandi-danielle-
Ai, ai, ai, Mandi Asbury (hahahah, I just gave your full name to anyone on the internet that wants it!) You have waaay too much time on your hands! Hey, this isn't too bad, huh? It's only a little over a month! I talked to Jeffereffory today. He's my boo. ;)
-Mercurian Orchid-
Yes! You like my twists, huh? I'm glad someone does;) Angie is a little full of herself huh? Don't worry, you'll get some input soon. :D That's kinda cruel though…being left to ponder your own mistakes can really suck sometimes. :D I hope you like this chapter too!
-Quidde15-
Hahaha, you're one of two brilliant reviewers who realized this whole Cho thing…don't tell anybody though – it's a secret! (I know you know what I'm talking about!) Sorry about the piddling, I hope it gets better! Here''s your new years update (only 30 days late!) Review again! It makes me smile!
-Shea Laroc-
I'm glad you like it! I'm in love with it too, although it can get pretty stressful to write sometimes. I hope you like this update as much as you liked the last one!
-Silver Scribes-
You're the only one that really comments on my actual WRITING and not just the story line. :D Thanks for that, it's helpful! Here's more Oliver, I hope you enjoy it! Even though it wasn't that much it was more! I hope you like this chappie too!
-SuckerforGrint06-
Hey! I haven't heard from you in a bit! I'm glad you like it! I live to please you…okay, not really, but it sounded good.
Yeah, there is a lot of drama. My motto – if you have enough drama maybe no one will notice that you have no plot!
Review again! Please:D
Do you like! Please tell me what you think! Review Review Review! You know you want to! Pleeeeeeeease!
Happy almost Febuary First!