Chapter 4 – Muttering Tooth

Meredith had heard Betty's laugh and came running towards them. Rory sat still, she probably ignored them.

"Hi girls!" Meredith said and thorough herself into Betty's and Emerald's open arms. "I've missed you both."

"We've missed you two." Betty replied and gave Meredith a kiss on her cheek.

Emerald started to cry when she saw Meredith's sad look.

"I'm sorry, I really am!"

"I know you are, but unfortunely she isn't." Meredith said and looked at Rory.

On the little beach, Rory sat and threw rocks into the lake. Emerald could hear her mutter down there. Always when she was angry, she muttered. When they were little and Emerald had a loose tooth and Rory hadn't, she muttered herself through the whole dinner they had that night and she convinced her dad to loosen a tooth for her. Emerald remembered that very clearly. Rory always muttered.

"Come on, we should go down to her." Emerald said with a bit of faked strength in her voice.

Betty looked at her in disbelieve and then turned her head to Meredith.

"Can't believe she's saying that." Betty said and gave out a little laugh. "I almost dragged her down here and I almost doubted that she should be a Gryffindor."

Meredith turned her attention to Emerald and gave her a smile of mischief.

"And you're supposed to be the bravest among the four of us. Hypocrite!"

"Bug of! Let's go." Emerald said and walked down to Rory.

"Hi there." Emerald said, but Rory didn't answer.

Emerald sighed.

"You can't be angry forever, you know!"

"Try me!" Rory said and rose from the sand.

"Finally, some response!" Emerald said and placed herself in front of Rory.

They stared at each other for a few minutes.

Finally Rory opened her mouth.

"I'm not the one who started this."

Emerald couldn't believe what she was saying.

"Oh, don't start. Who was it who challenged me on the seekerspot and got angry 'cause I kicked that persons arse!" Emerald almost shouted. "Who was that?"

Rory tightened her lips.

"I won't talk to you!"

"Don't talk to me then!"

"I won't!"

"You just did!"

Both Meredith and Betty sighed

"Here we go again." they thought

The two cousins and (former) best friends turned their back on each other and walked away.