Chapter 2: My Failed Relationships
As I walked down the hall, I was amazed. Hundreds of kids all cheered and clapped as I passed. The walls literally oozed magic and the ceiling. Oh, the ceiling. It was dark and clear with stars dotting it in swirls of light. I smiled so big, I thought my mouth might break.
But all of my nerves came rushing back when Headmistress ushered me to the front. My smile wavered as I walked slowly towards her and her podium.
She shook my hand and then faced the students.
"Now, everyone, welcome Madison like you do your own! Transferring to a new school, in a new country is very daunting and I do not want to hear of any discomforts that Madison might have were the fault of the students. As you all know, Colleen Waters is the student exchanging to the Australian Institute of Magic. She was a Slytherin so, by default, Madison will be joining Slytherin house!" Cheers and boos echoed through the hall and I noticed that out of the four, long tables, the one with the green and silver banners with snakes on them was cheering the most. And the red and gold one with lions… wasn't cheering at all.
McGonagall gave me a little nudge towards Slytherin so I made my way down to the cheering table.
I passed so many students. One had a purple Mohawk, one looked like a vampire they were so pale and one… well, let's just say, they'll be needing one hell of a nose job.
It made me miss my friends from back home. I missed Able's easy laughter, Max's quick wit and Sadie's comforting smile. Able, Sadie and I all share a dorm which means that Colleen will be sleeping with them… a little dagger of jealousy pierced me. I wanted to spend this year with my best friends. Not these people. Max and Able had just started dating and I really wanted to be there for Sadie because I know she'll be third wheeled. Of course, thinking of my closest friends was like a chain reaction, because then I thought of mum and the thin crinkles of laugh lines around her blue eyes. Then dad, and the sweet smell of his cooking. Adrian, and the way he'd swing me around the room whenever he came home from travelling. Jeremy with his broomstick, Lucy with her sewing kit and Ollie with his constant chatter. I sighed and realised I was standing right in front of the long table and everyone was looking at me.
It was so awkward. I didn't know where to sit, who to sit next to, why people were cheering my name – it was so much to take it. Suddenly, a smooth, male voice called my name right next to me.
"Madison, here. Sit next to me and Al," the boy said, making room between him and the boy who must be Al. I gratefully slid in next to him.
"It's actually just Maddie," I said, awkwardly trying to get onto my seat. When I looked up, I was stunned. He. Was. So. Freaking. Hot.
Pale, white blonde hair flowed around his pale head freely, in a messy, carefree way. His eyes were the brightest green, pale and dark all at the same time and looked like cut emeralds. He had sort of an athletic build and a really nice jawline. His cheekbones were prominent and his face was all angles and shadows. Full, pale lips were placed in a welcoming smile that stopped me in my tracks and he had long, pale eyelashes that I couldn't help looking at. This boy had a natural confidence air about him, like he was the sort of person anyone would be friends with, the sort of person who was sure of himself. I looked around and saw many girls giving him pining looks.
Then I realised I was staring a little too long.
I cleared my throat and looked straight into his grassy eyes, showing no fear or awkwardness – I was all cool, calm and collected. Well, that was the goal. "Thanks. I didn't know where to sit! You basically saved me," I gushed out. Then I internally cringed. That was in no way in hell cool, calm and collected. I heard the other boy sitting next to me stifle a laugh. I whipped my head around to find him staring at me full of humour.
"You stunned speechless at his hotness, right? My boyfriend has that effect on people," the boy said smugly. He had round glasses perched on his nose and his bright, green eyes looked at me head on. His build was a little scrawnier and he was on the tall side. His face was a bit fuller than the other boys', but was still gorgeous… in a cute, messy way. He had a mop of messy black hair and looked exactly like Harry Potter. It took me a second to comprehend what he was saying.
"Oh. Ooohhhh. You," I pointed to the Hot Blond (that's what I'm calling him from now on), "and you," I pointed to HP Jr. Suddenly, a big smile made its way on my face. "You guys are just the cutest! I mean, your dark and your blond hair totally work!" I exclaimed. My words almost got swept away by the loud chatter. Hot Blond and HP Jr looked at each other warmly. I was about to say something when McGonagall's voice pierced through the hall.
"Silence, please," everyone silenced immediately. I stared in awe. No one at the Australian Institute could get kids to do that. "Now, let's eat!" she said calmly. Platters of food suddenly sprung up and I looked at the delicious food hungrily. I was about to dig in when Hot Blond interrupted me.
"You don't seem too fazed by us. I mean, by me and my boyfriend, Albus," Hot Blond stated, a curious and surprised look on his face. I shook my head and smiled.
"You two remind me of my little brother Ollie and his boyfriend," I said. Albus and Hot Blond both nodded and chuckled.
"Oh, that's Scorpius, btw," Albus said while piling my plate with food. I nodded my thanks and dug in. Roast vegetables, pork, chicken, lamb with sauces and pies and pizzas and bread and fresh salads… Hogwarts knows how to please a girl.
"Scorpius Malfoy, at your service!" Scorpius mock bowed as I froze mid-bite.
"Malfoy? Like… like Draco Malfoy? Is it true your dad and Ginny Potter had an affair?" I blurted out without thinking. I quickly covered my mouth with my hand while Scorpius and Albus froze. Curse my stupid, big mouth.
"Are you asking… if my mum and his dad had an affair?" Albus asked. So I was right! He was HP Jr! I reddened at the accusation. The only sort-of friends I'd made and I'd just insulted both of them! My god, they're going to tell everyone I'm some freak or whatever or-
"That's barking mad!" Scorpius yelled as he and Albus started laughing. Other people around us looked at us with funny expressions on their faces.
"I'm so humiliated! I shouldn't have asked that – I just have a big mouth!" I said in an innocent voice. They both laughed harder at my attempt to apologise. I tried to stifle my giggles but they escaped quickly and soon the three of us were cracking up.
"Oi," a pretty girl with chocolate skin, charcoal hair and bright, blue eyes threw salad at us. "The lovebirds have whisked away our newest member of Slytherin! How can anyone beat Scorpius and Al's first impression?" the girl teased as everyone around us started laughing. I was just about to stick up for Albus and Scorpius but I realised in confusion that they were laughing too.
"Good one, Jo. 'Lovebirds'. Real original!" Al retorted and everyone laughed harder. This must be some private joke between friends.
"Sorry," the girl (who I thought was Jo) wiped her eyes from laughing so hard and held her hand out. "I'm Jo. Basically, I'm Colleen's best friend. But, I'll show you the ropes to surviving at Hogwarts – you can't count on Scorp and Al. They're always sucking face," Jo snickered as Scorp and Al fake pouted. A boy with short, orange hair, dark blue eyes, pimple covered cheeks and a massive nose laughed really loudly at this.
"One rule though!" a different girl called out. She had mousy brown hair cut into a bob that didn't suit her, a turned up nose and was very petite. Acne covered her forehead and nose but the heavy makeup trying to cover it made it worse. Her eyes were like Bambi's - big, round and the colour of melting chocolate. Her lips were turned up in a mischievous smile. She wasn't very pretty or stunning or anything, but her eyes were to die or. "Ok. So, I'm Rachel and I will also help settle you in as well… if… you help us get back at James Potter and his slime ball friends!" Rachel's eyes glinted and I smiled at the challenge. The orange hair guy booed really loudly for some reason. He's already on my nerves.
"You asked the right girl! I'm pro at sneaking around, pranking, acting innocent and most importantly – pay back! But, isn't James Albus's brother?" I asked, confused.
"Yeah. So?" Albus answered, his mouth twisted into a sly smirk and his eyes glinting with a challenge. "Trust me, it's just a fun prank war between Slytherin and Gryffindor. My brother always wins – every year. But now? We might have a chance of beating him."
Jo and Rachel high fived as some more people cheered. I smiled at the camaraderie at the table. It felt good being here. Like I was already part of a second family.
The dorms were so cool. I shared one with Jo, Rachel and this random chick called Eva. She seemed nice enough, if maybe a little shy. She was super tall, like 5 foot eleven, super skinny - unnaturally so, had so many orange freckles and had the most amazing hair. It was long, down to her waist, soft, shiny, wavy and the brightest colour of red, it was like her head was on fire.
In the dorm, there were four beds, a dresser each, a desk each, a storage unit each and some wall space above each of our beds to hang posters and such.
"So, Colleen slept there," Jo said, pointing to the bed next to Eva's. She smiled nicely at me, grabbed this massive bag and squealed:
"First Night Back Makeovers!" Oh great. I hate makeovers and makeup. All of that ish. I was just about to state my opinions on all things girly when Eva grabbed Jo and Rachel and hauled them out of the dorm to the girls' bathroom in a swirl of giggles. I stood there awkwardly, alone in that empty dorm for a few minutes. I peeped out into the hall and saw other girls of all ages milling in and out of the bathroom with facials, hair pinned up and all wearing matching Slytherin bath robes. I walked back into my room and my stomach dropped.
I mean, I knew this would happen. Traditions and inside jokes and cliques already made and formed. I just thought maybe they would try to include me…
Oh well. Grow up. Get your ass down to the common room and see who's hanging there.
I pushed my way politely through the crowd of girls and made my way down the stairs and into the common rooms. It was big, airy and all black and silver.
Big, comfy leather couches scattered the room as well as suede single armchairs near a roaring fireplace. Windows that looked like portholes that looked like they were filled with onyx lined the wall and seeing as how the Slytherin common room was in the dungeons, we were under ground and next to the lake. Sometimes, if you look hard enough, you could see mermaids swimming through the inky black water. Only sometimes.
I looked around and saw Scorp and Al snuggled on a couch reading a big, leather-bound book together. I heard them laughing softly and didn't want to interrupt them. I saw the orange haired guy with the huge nose from earlier. Maybe he isn't so annoying one-on-one.
His beady blue eyes locked on mine the minute I started towards him. He smiled nervously and waved me over.
"Hey. Madison, right? I'm Enrico," Enrico squeaked – legit, it's like puberty hasn't hit him yet. He rolled the 'r' in his name, probably attempting to sound cool. Of course, to me, it sounded like a dying Italian and it made his lips jiggle and spittle flew right in my face. I discreetly wiped it away. Could anyone give a worse first impression than this?
"It's just Maddie, actually," I replied, smiling politely.
"What's your average grade score? Mines an O – Outstanding," Enrico said proudly whilst puffing his slightly chubby chest making his double chin wobble. Yeesh. I looked at him weirdly as he looked down at his fingernails, a smirk on his face. Who was this guy? Why was knowing my average grade score important?
"I don't know. Maybe an A? Or an E?" I shrugged, not really caring. He looked at me in disdain, shuddered and walked away.
What an asshole.
"You'll have better luck making friends with any other person on the planet. He's obnoxious and loud one moment and the next he's a snobby freak. That's what I think anyway," a soft, deep voice said from behind me. I turned and found myself face to face with the strangest looking boy I've ever seen. Deathly pale skin and the sharpest jaw my eyes had ever looked at. His lips were a shade lighter than his skin and were as thin as thread. His eyes were a luminescent blue that was so pale and so big, they looked like the glowing moon. A tall, thin, gangly figure covered in too-loose clothing of different shades of blue, varying from royal to baby. This boy was all arms and legs and shades of pale blues and creams and whites. But the funniest thing about his looks was his hair. Shoulder length, dead-straight and silky smooth. The colour, though. It looked like a black curtain of liquid ink. It contrasted to the rest of his being so well. He looked like those elves out of the movies, but more boyish and less agile and strong. I couldn't decide whether he was hot or not.
"Yeah. I got that impression too," I sighed, smiling slightly at the ridiculous Enrico. I held out my hand to the strange boy. He took it with a thin, delicate and pale hand. I looked into his moon-like eyes and saw into his soul and it was love at first sight and then we danced all-
No. Do I wish that that awfully cheesy romantic scenario happened? Yes. Yes I do. But what actually happened is so much worse than that cliché first meeting.
As I took a little step towards the boy to position myself so I was facing him better, I tripped over my own foot and tumbled to the ground, pulling the boy with me. Coincidentally, at that exact moment, Jo, Eva and Rachel all rushed down, giggling and what-not and saw me sprawled on the floor with the boy in a heap in front of me.
I warned you I was a clutz.
"Oooohhhhh, Roy! Finally got yourself a girlfriend, huh?" A random voice yelled, followed by laughs and snickers. I saw the boy (Roy, apparently) shake his head and smile faintly.
I reddened and looked down right away. "I… I am so sorry! I'm so clumsy when it comes to the simple things in life, like shaking someone's hand…" I sighed and looked up to the see Roy chuckling.
"Eh, I don't mind," the boy smiled at me warmly. "Roy. I'm Roy," Roy held out his hand even though he was still a heap on top of me. After some serious twisting and bending, I got my hand out too and shook his, giggling.
"I'm Maddie."
"And I'm Rachel. Now that we have that sorted, we'd like to sleep. It's tradition that the four girls in a dorm have a little chat at 9:30 till 12 and then sleep. So, if you don't mind," Rachel sneered. I almost had forgotten they were there. I looked over at her and saw her scowling at me, Jo rolling her eyes at Rachel and Eva crossing her arm with a bored expression on her face.
I stood up and walked over to them with Roy.
"Hey guys. Sorry, I didn't -" I said before Rachel sent me one hell of a scary look that stopped me in my tracks.
"Come with us, Maddie. Bye, Roy," Rachel said happily, her face cheerful once again. She turned away abruptly, pulling me along with Jo and Eva. I gave Jo a look but she just shrugged, as if to say, what can you do?
When the four of us were in her room, Rachel rounded in on me with Eva as her support.
"That's Roy. As in, Roy," Rachel said suggestively with a defensive and shocked look on her face.
"Uh, yeah. That is Roy," I replied, completely confused. I looked over at Jo for help and instead saw her lounging on her bed, reading 'Quidditch Through the Ages'. Thanks for all your help, Jo.
After a few moments of Rachel looking at me weirdly (she stared so hard her eye started twitching. It's actually very funny) noise erupted around the room. "Roy is Colleen's boyfriend. You can't date him!" Rachel suddenly blurted out. I took a step back, surprised by her sudden outburst as Jo dropped her book from shock.
"Ok, whoa. I'm not dating him! I shook his hand but then tripped and we both fell down!" I said, trying to work my case. Eva shot me an uncertain look.
"Didn't they break up? Roy and Colleen? I mean, the day she left she told him she didn't want anything to hold her back when she went to Australia?" Jo suggested from the bed. Colleen doesn't sound very nice, in my opinion. I mean, she didn't want to be held back? If I had a boyfriend in Aus, I wouldn't dump him like that! Of course, I don't have a boyfriend back home so…
"So that's why she never writes or calls. She doesn't want 'anything holding her back'," Eva muttered sourly. Sympathy welled up inside me. Rachel and Eva were just missing Colleen, their best friend of six years. I felt the same towards Sadie, Able and Max. I missed them all so much.
"Look, I get it. Colleen is currently, right now, in her dorm or class with all of my best friends. I miss all of my closest friends and family more than anything, ok? But I'm not trying to steal anyone or anything from Colleen," I stated. It was true. I wasn't here to steal Colleen's life or friends. This was a simple exchange, one I didn't even want to do. "I didn't even want to do the Exchange Challenge. A… a friend convinced me…" I said, thinking of how Able, Max and Sadie could convince me to do anything. I smiled at the thought of Able's red hair, Max's square glasses and Sadie's big, doe eyes.
"Well… anyways. He's still of limits," Rachel warned, pointing at me.
"He's only off limits because he's finally available for you to date!" Jo said in a sing-song voice to Rachel. It was like anything that could have been taken as rude or snarky came across as carefree and light when Jo said it. Rachel reddened and we all laughed at her expression. Finally, she cracked up too, but denied liking Roy at all costs.
"No! I swear! The only reason I sent him letters over the holiday was because he told me that none of his friends write to him! I swear," Rachel looked at us like she dared us to challenge her. Jo giggled even louder and soon Rachel was smiling too. I figured maybe once she lightened, she'd be happier and what-not.
"Please don't say anything to Colleen? She'd hate me forever if she knew I… fine, yes I like him. Are we done now?" Rachel joked and flopped back to her bed. We all promised (even me who didn't even know Colleen) not to tell and spent the rest of the night talking about past flings, relationships and crushes.
"Oh! I have a crush! Professor Lupin!" Jo said as Eva and Rachel nodded in agreement and got all starry-eyed.
"Professor? Who is this guy?" I asked, kind of shocked that they all liked a Professor.
"Don't look all judgy, Maddie. He's so hot. And related to Harry Potter… kind of… But he's so funny and hot and great at magic and he's just so… aahh…" Rachel sighed dreamily as Jo threw a pillow at her, looking mock evil. It was good to finally see Rachel warming up to me.
"Hey! You're talking about my boyfriend!" Jo warned and she and Rachel wrestled on the bed while Eva and I rolled around on the floor, laughing.
"Guys, you do know he has a girlfriend!" Eva said. It was the first thing she'd said all night. I got the impression she didn't talk much. With talkative friends like Jo and Rachel, who needed to?
Rachel and Jo sat up immediately.
"He's cheating on me?" Jo asked in bewilderment.
"I don't really care. As long as he remembers me and the things we do, I don't care who he dates," Rachel deadpanned. We all laughed at her ridiculousness.
"I remember his girlfriend! She literally has no faults. She's so pretty. It's unfair. She's skinny but not too skinny, funny but not obnoxious, witty but not rude, sweet but not a pushover and she's so caring and kind, even I want to date her!" Jo sighed dramatically.
"Victoire. That's her name. Even that's perfect!" Rachel said, crossing her arms in dismay.
"Her mum is Fleur Weasley, the Daily Prophet's 'Pettiest Girl in England' for twenty years now," Eva stated. I suddenly yawned and looked at the clock.
"Ok, it's 11:30. I think that's close enough for 12," I grunted as I got up but squealed when Rachel pulled my down again.
"No! Thirty more minutes! C'mon, don't be a wuss. You haven't even told us one of your failed relationships yet!" Rachel argued. I sighed. I just needed to last thirty more minutes.
Here's the thing. I have had many, many, many failed relationships…
My Failed Relationships:
Rocky Mildrew – he was my first boyfriend. He broke my pencil in First Year, I broke his arm. It was a hate-hate relationship.
Andrew Peterson – I don't really know why I dated him… I think Sadie set us up… all I know is that it didn't work. He stood me up on the second date. Asshole.
Phillip Phillips – I only dated him because his name was cool. Ok, I was like twelve, don't judge.
William Fizbeurg – this German guy I bumped into on the street. He was actually pretty cool but long distance doesn't work... especially when they speak little English…
Travis McCall – he had awesome hair.
George Close – some random guy that my fourteen-year-old self obsessed over for some reason.
Dante Cohen – my last boyfriend, actually. He was super nice and funny and I really liked him. But he cheated on me. So that didn't work out very well.
And so many more, we'd be here all day.
"Ummm… Trent Gunner. He was a muggle, and we dated over summer. He was my surfing coach but he dumped me five days later when he found out I had no surfing skills whatsoever. So, I felt no shame in waltzing around the beach he worked at in only my bikini, sunglasses and a killer tan," I said. Trent wasn't on my list… because he came crawling back to me a week after he dumped me but I was all like no! So that doesn't count as failed, it just fits in the category of… Desperate Guys Who Want Me Back. But he's the only guy in that category.
"I envy you. You have no idea how much I want to walk around in a bikini and a killer tan in summer. Of course, I can't, because I live in stupid London!" Jo complained. After that, we talked about the best vacation spots with Eva chiming in when she felt like it. Before I could blink, it was already 1am and I really needed to sleep now.
"Now can we go to bed?" I asked, pointing to the clock. Rachel giggled and nodded while Jo yawned and lightly kicked Eva who had fallen asleep. We all crawled into bed but it was ages before I could finally sleep. The bed was too soft, the ceiling to low, the room to dark – everything was wrong. I felt sick in my stomach and I was almost on the verge of tears. I wanted nothing more than to crawl into bed with Lucy and Jeremy. And Sadie and Able. I fluffed the pillow and called:
"Night, Sadie, Jeremy, Lucy and Able."
After that, I felt so much better and fell asleep instantly.
AU: Hey guys! Thanks for reading!
Please review and comment but no hate :):):):)
Thanks,
Kat
P.S. I don't own JK Rowling's characters or her world, only the plot and my characters. Thanks!
