Chapter Eight- Sara: Heartbreak

September 20, 2004

The end of my first month at Hogwarts is swiftly approaching. It's been a good month, though not without its ups and downs.

At least I have Nikki- which she kindly reminded me of when she found out I was depressed over the fact that she was finding her place in this school and I was still feeling lost. I have Hermione, too, now, and Ron and Harry. But it's not the same as when I was at Salem. I don't have Hunter with me. He was the one person who could always make me feel beautiful, you know? Just one word from him could brighten up my entire day. But he's back in America.

We've written each other…a LOT. But it's not the same. I need to hold him and kiss him. I need to feel his breath brush against my ear as he whispers to me. God I sound like a sap right now. But I can't help it. I love Hunter and I miss him SO MUCH.

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I never know when Nikki's gonna come up with one of her brilliant plans. And I never know how I let her talk me into them.

Ever since we were little girls she's always been coming up with ridiculous schemes that always end up with us in trouble. But I still go along with every plan that she forms inside her weird little mind.

It was the first day of October when she told me her newest plan.

"Okay," Nikki said, pacing the floor of the Common Room. We had a free period between classes right then and Nikki and I were in a corner of the room working on our essays for Professor Flitwick. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were sitting near the fire working on their own papers. I would have sat with them if Nikki hadn't drug me off to the corner instead.

"I got this brilliant idea last night."

I groaned, dropping my head into my open textbook. What was had she come up with this time?

"Hey now," I could hear the frown in her voice. Picking my head up I saw that I was correct. Her pert mouth was drown down in a frown that was almost comical.

"Don't you even want to hear what I've come up with?"

"No offense, Nik, but your plans aren't exactly known to be…safe. Do you remember that time in Professor Milcorn's class when you decided that we should mix together that hair growth potion for him. We ended up looking like apes for the next two weeks. Not to mention, those four weeks in detention."

"Oh who really remembers that." Nikki waved off my words with a flip of her hand. "I'm not talking about brewing any potions or anything. I'm talking about finding out if Harry really likes me or not."

"Oh god, not this again." I let my head fall back down onto my book.

Ever since I'd told her that I'd overheard Harry and Ron talking about how Harry thinks Nik is cute, it's all she'd been able to talk about. Or at least all she'd been able to talk about when it was just the two of us. But that's not the point. The point is that I was sick and tired of hearing her go on and on about the subject.

"Yes this again." She replied firmly. "Sorry sister but after the torture you put me through of talking about Hunter for two years, it's time you've had to listen to me for a bit."

She sat down in the seat across from me and leaned her elbows on the large table that held our books and supplies.

"Now, I was thinking that since you hang with Hermione more than I do, that you could kinda hint around the subject of whether or not Harry likes me. I'm not sure how much Harry tells her about this kinda stuff, but I'm guessing that he tells her at least a little bit. And if that doesn't work out, you could always ask Ron."

"Or you could always just tell Harry that you like him." I suggested.

"Are you kidding me?" Nikki cried, catching the attention of everyone else in the room. She blushed and lowered her eyes.

"Are you kidding me?" She repeated in a much quieter voice. "I can't tell him I like him. That's nuts! What if he thinks of me as just a friend? I'll be humiliated. Do you want me to be humiliated, Sara?"

"No." I shook my head, suppressing a laugh. Nik always was one for drama. I swear, the girl could write her own soap opera.

"Good." She smiled and picked up her quill. "So…are you gonna talk to Hermione or not?"

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An owl swooped low over the table, dropping a letter into my lap during breakfast the next day. I ripped it open eagerly. It was from Hunter, I could tell by the horrible penmanship on the envelope.

I'd written him only last night and hadn't expected a reply so quickly. But, then again, you never can underestimate the speed of those owls.

My joy was short lived, however, as I read the letter.

Sara,

U know I luv ya babe. But we're in 2 different countries right now. Did u really think that the relationship would last? I don't mean to hurt u, but I gotta end this relationship. A man's gotta be free to pursue other…opportunities. Hope ya don't hate me for this.

Hunter

Other "opportunities?" What the hell did that mean?

That son of a bitch, I thought as I stared at the letter. My palms were sweating and the paper was becoming damp. How could he do this to me? After two whole years together how could he just dump me?

To my horror I felt tears stinging the backs of my eyes. I swallowed down the lump in my throat, willing the tears to hold back. I couldn't cry, not here, not in the Great Hall where everyone could see.

"Oh, Sara, I'm so sorry." Nikki placed a hand on my shoulder. She'd seen the letter. She always saw the letters. After all, she read them over my shoulder every time one came.

"That jackass never deserved you. You were always too good for him."

I know she meant the words to be comforting, but they were only making me feel worse.

Hunter was the only guy who had ever showed interest in me. He was the only one who had ever thought of me as more than a friend. The only one who had ever thought of me as beautiful.

The tears were coming now, hot and fast. I felt as if everyone was looking at me, and I needed to get away from their stares. The letter fell onto the table, crumbled and soaked, as I took off for the door to the Great Hall.

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A short chapter, but I hope you guys liked it. Please review and tell me what you thought.