-1Chapter 8 -- Jealousy

When I woke up the next day, I tried to convince myself that it was all a dream, Tom hadn't really asked me out, it was all my imagination-

But it was true- he had asked me. And I had said yes.

Don't tell yourself you don't want this, Atalanta. Then you'd be lying. I sighed and headed down to the Great Hall, even though it was only around six in the morning.

After breakfast I wandered around a bit; no one else was awake quite yet. I walked around the halls, and eventually I found myself near the girl's bathroom that I had once seen Riddle in. In remembrance, I entered the room. I could smell an odd scent around the sink area; almost as if something had recently died around there. I shrugged off my unease and walked around the stalls until I heard a faint whimpering.

"Hello?" I asked. The whimpering stopped.

"Who's there?" asked a whiney voice. "If it's you, Olive, I'll smack you for teasing me about my glasses-"

"Shush, it's not Olive Hornby," I said with a laugh. I knew that voice. Myrtle. I had tutored her a bit during her first year in Potions. "It's Atalanta, Atalanta Avery."

A cowering Myrtle poked her head out from the stall, glasses and all.

"Oh. Hello," she said in a quiet voice.

"Oh, Myrtle, why are you crying?" I asked in a kind voice. I liked Myrtle. She reminded me of one of my young cousins.

Myrtle's eyes filled with tears. "Olive teased me again."

"Oh, don't you worry about Miss Hornby. She's just jealous," I replied matter-of-factly.

"No she's not. She thinks my glasses are ugly and stupid. Ask her yourself," Myrtle muttered.

"Do you often come here?" I asked with a smile. Not really the place do to your crying. Not very secluded.

"Sometimes," she sniffled. "When I can't find anywhere else to go. I have my own little stall." She pointed to the one she had been in. "And it's not only Olive anymore. There's a girl in your year, Demeter, I think; she calls me names too."

Fiery anger burned in me. Demeter Collins. How I loathe the name.

"Well, she's in for a hex the next time I see her," I replied, heated. Myrtle smiled happily. "You should go find your friends, they're probably looking for you."

"Alright. Thanks, Atalanta," Myrtle said as she exited the bathroom. I sighed and left as well. After one last glance at the sink area, I was gone.

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As I walked away from the stalls, I saw Tom wave at me from the other side of the hallway, surrounded by a gaggle of people. One of whom caught my eye. Demeter. She walked up to Tom and started pushing him up to the adjacent wall, all the while with Tom looking rather confused. Then something clicked in his eyes and he held his hands up.

"Now, see here…" he began. Demeter was getting closer to him, her body pressed up against his, her hand against his cheek… But my wand was already out.

"Ignis," I growled. Demeter's robes caught on fire, and she started screaming. I felt satisfied.

"What was that for, you-" Demeter shouted.

"You made fun of Myrtle," I snarled. She scowled and trudged away. Meanwhile, Tom was giving me the oddest look.

"You have a certain air about you when you're angry…" he pondered aloud. "I like it." He paused, as I rolled my eyes. "No, really. It has a kind of… essence that I am attracted to."

Pause.

"It wasn't just for Myrtle, was it?" he asked in a low voice. "It was because she was coming onto m-"

"Shove off, Riddle," I murmured, suddenly really embarrassed. I turned on my heel and stomped off, leaving Riddle alone in the hall.

Of course, he was right. I had done it for him.

Still doesn't give him the right to say it. Not yet.

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Demeter Collins was found the next day, Petrified.