Hey guys! So I wanted to get this chapter out nice and quick! It's pretty drama-filled with some good James and Maddie moments! YAY!
To:
FanFicLover32: I've been dealing with some writers block plus things have been busy and stuff with school BUT NO EXCUSES AND I'M SORRY FOR THE CRAP CHAPTERS! But I still love Jaddie and I really appreciate your honesty! I really love hearing what you have to say and I hope you keep reading and reviewing! And Maddie may be forgiving in this chapter…
Readeverthing: Thanks for reviewing! And yes, I will work some Al and Scorp little bits in the story, I promise! Thanks for reading!
Hp head: I'm so happy you really like my fanfic! Thanks so much for all the feedback and reviews, it was so awesome! And yes, James will be a dick and I really wanted a beach kiss too, dw, I'll probably add one in somehow! Thanks again and keep reading and reviewing! And Maddie is a half-blood, just letting you know!
Cap92A: it feels good to be back! Scorp and Al are just too cute, aren't they? Thanks so much for saying all the nice things and I really love hearing your reviews! Keep reading! And sorry for James being a jerk, he's just so much fun to write as a jerk hahahhaa
Kattttiiieee: Adams gonna get it one chapter, I promise you that… and thanks so much for reading and reviewing!
So thanks again to all you story favourites, story followers, reviewers and anyone who's reading and sticking with my weird chapter update times! Love you guys so much and it feels good to be back!
Chapter 23: Realizations and Denial
"Quick! You're gonna miss the train!" Al screamed at me as I ran wildly through the crowd, pushing and shoving my way onto the train.
I laughed at Al's serious expression and leaped on just as the train started moving.
Al frowned. "Where's your trunk?"
"Your dad put it on for me with Lily's. Quick! Jo said she and Scorp would be in compartment 12. Let's go," I said as we started happily chatting. I said some hellos to some people in the halls (like Dimitri and Oscar and Hope and Maria) but I knew I was in for it when I bumped into a mess of curly white hair. Luminous brown eyes stared at me that turned to delight when she saw me.
Ellie.
Hooray.
I plastered a smile on my face and waved. "Hi Ellie!"
Grunting, I took a step back as she threw her arms around me and hugged me fiercely.
"Ooohhh! It's so good to see you, Maddie! You hardly wrote!" she accused playfully as she stepped back.
I smiled wanly. "I've been busy."
"Hey, did uh… James say anything about me to you? I mean, you guys are friends so I assumed he might have told you something…" she asked me as she bit her lip.
Oh, sure he talked about you. He said you were a mistake and that you were only a waste of time and he only kissed you to prove something to Adam The Dick.
"Nope! Nothing at all!" I said quickly, smiling a fake smile and moving past her gently. "Gotta get to my compartment! See ya!" I called out quickly.
She frowned a bit. "Well, thanks for the help. Don't be a stranger at school, yeah? Come talk to me and Rose sometime!" she called.
I turned my back and waved to her to show I'd heard her.
Al sighed. "She did not say a word to me that whole time. We've been family friends for years and she says hello to you?" he muttered under his breath.
I laughed quietly. "Even to people I hate I'm irresistible," I commented. Al laughed and ran straight into Miranda Weasley.
"Hey Al!" Miranda laughed, shaking her head. "I'm a klutz, sorry!"
"Hey Miranda!" me and Al said as we waved and kept on walking. It was weird saying hi to people outside of my house and being friends with new people. I really liked Hogwarts and I found myself dreading the end of the school year. What was I going to do when I got home? Would I be different and would I miss Hogwarts terribly?
My thoughts were interrupted when we found our compartment. Because I wasn't concentrating, I banged into Al who had stopped dead in his tracks.
"What?" I asked, a little annoyed.
Al's face was a mask of confusion. He simply pointed to the window of the compartment. Shoving him over a bit, I peered in and choked on my own spit.
Xavier. He was in there. Fun, talkative, engaging, amazing, sweet, funny, loud, outgoing Xavier was full on making out with quiet, shy, reserved Eva.
They pulled apart and he smiled a dazzling smile at Eva. He leaned in close and whispered something to her of which she laughed a pure sound like ringing bells.
"What the actual hell?" I hissed to Al who was staring into the window dumbstruck.
He just shook his head.
I took a step closer to the door but slipped and fell into the door, creating a huge BANG.
I stumbled and fell to the floor and quickly tried to stand up. I looked into the window and saw Eva and Xavier looking at me like I was a freak.
Smiling tentatively, Al and I opened the door and walked in.
After hugging and greeting them both, we sat down and started chatting about our holidays.
To say it was awkward was an understatement. I was pretty certain they knew we were watching them earlier and I cursed myself internally for being such a klutz.
Suddenly, the compartment door banged open and an annoyed looking Jo stalked in with Scorp and Rachel hot on her tail.
I squealed, stood up and threw my arms around Jo.
"Hey!" I said excitedly. It was awesome seeing her after so long! She was my closest girl-friend at school and I'd missed her terribly.
"Hey. Sorry, I'm so pissed because that girl Miranda and her friend Ellie were blocking the hall and I couldn't get past," Jo said, obviously pissed.
I laughed at that and went to giving Scorp a light hug. "Good to see you again!" I released him and looked awkwardly at Rachel. She didn't smile but she didn't glare so I took that as a good sign.
"Hey," she said quietly. She moved past me and sat next to Eva, her eyes on the floor.
"She still isn't too keen on you but I got her to warm up a bit to you," Jo muttered quietly to me. I smiled in thanks and found myself looking out the compartment door to see if anyone else was coming.
Lily barrelled past me with all her friends with Hugo trailing behind like a puppy. I gave a little wave to them both and got a little wave back. Looking the other way, I saw Rose, Adam and James walking straight towards me.
I cursed under my breath at my stupidity. Now I couldn't avoid James and Adam without avoiding Rose.
"Rose!" I called out. I waved and she walked over to me and gave a big hug, leaving Adam and James out of ear shot.
"Hey! Somethings up with those two and you are going to explain everything to me tomorrow lunch, ok?" she said, giving me a pointed look that I couldn't argue with.
I laughed. "Sure. I'll see you at lunch tomorrow, then!" I said, smiling. Rose was pretty awesome.
"And also… I have some things to tell you about Ellie… and James," Rose said quietly as James and Adam walked up to us.
Adam grinned at me and held his arms out. "HEYO MADS! Good to see ya again!" he yelled, looking at me expectantly.
I ignored him and turned to James. A jolt shot through me seeing him looking all cute in his uniform. I tried desperately to kill that jolt so I looked at him and smiled tightly. "Still not forgiven. And you," I said, looking at Adam. He smiled even bigger. I left a dramatic pause before continuing. "You're an arse of a friend."
Adam's face fell and James stifled a laugh and held his hand out to high-five me. "Nah-uh, James. I'm not talking to you until you've sorted out Ellie and Alexia. Bye!" I said in a chipper manner and shut the door in their faces – Rose's amused, James's a little sad and Adam's disappointed.
I heard a loud whoop. I turned to see the whole compartment staring at me, looks of triumph and confusion on their faces.
"Since when are you and Rose friends?" Jo asked, her voice dripping contempt.
Al sighed. "She isn't that bad!"
Xavier grinned, as he wrapped an arm around Eva. "That was awesome how you just ignored Adam Lester. God, he's a douche."
I grinned, pleased with myself. The encounters I'd had in the hall weren't nearly as awkward as what I thought they would be.
Rach frowned. Here we go. "What did you mean by 'you aren't forgiven until to you talk to Ellie' or something like that? I thought you hated James," she asked, her voice actually quite civil.
I flushed. "I… I do but he just did something on break that I'm really mad at him about."
I really didn't want to tell them that I was mad because we'd kissed and that he'd implied and said some hurtful things. It was embarrassing and I just… didn't want them to know.
School was going to be stressful.
A week into school and I felt like I'd been there forever. I got so much homework from Professor Longbottom for herbology and I really didn't want to do any of it. DA DA was annoying because Professor Lupin kept on giving me weird looks for some reason. I had to study extra for every subject and classes were extra hard to prepare us for next years' exams, the N.E. . We were doing practise exams and it was the most exhausting week of school I'd ever done. And to think the rest of the year would be like that. The only free time I'd had all week was when Rose and I caught up for lunch the day after arriving to Hogwarts:
Finally, Professor Skye dismissed us from potions. Jo and I ran out, laughing when we tripped up Scorp. We ran and ran down the halls, laughing at the sensation of being back at school.
I slowed down and gasped for breath. "Gotta go. Meeting Rose. I'll fill you in later!" I called out to Jo as I set off in the other direction towards Hagrid's Hut where we'd decided to meet. Jo was still a little pissed about me being friends with Rose and Miranda but she wasn't so bad.
Yet, I still hadn't told her what happened over break and the whole… me-James-Alexia-Ellie thing. I was embarrassed and I didn't know where to start.
I saw her hair from a mile off and ran harder. I reached her and hugged her quickly.
"Ok, straight down to business. What's going on?" I asked, not wanting to waste time.
Rose smiled, her face scrunching up. "Ok, well. Here's what I know – Ellie has only ever kissed James once and that was that time we walked in on. Apparently, she's been crushing on him for ages but never told anyone. So, she was at the family Christmas ball and saw you run out of a room in a tizzy. She was curious so she walked in and found James there, his hair mussed up and a look of shock on his face. They talked and eventually found their way into the room we found them in. He told her that he'd kissed her and being caught up in the moment, she just grabbed him and kissed him. Next thing, we stormed in and ruined the moment. That's it," Rose explained.
WHAT? SHE KISSED HIM AND FOR NOT EVEN THAT LONG?
I felt kinda idiotic for worrying about it so much. "Well, Adam arrived at the house one day and James was telling him that he was only messing around with Ellie and was only 'wasting time with her'. It was awful and then he implied that he was better than me or something. I'm not really sure what he meant but it was rude, you know?" I explained.
Rose nodded. "Well, now that we're up to date, I just want to say that I know you like him-"
"Correction: I'm over him. I realised I liked him and then that died when I saw him kissing Ellie."
"Whatever. But… I'm pretty sure James still likes you," Rose said, her voice pretty certain.
I'll admit, my heart jumped a little and my eyes widened, but I shrugged it off, standing by what I thought. "Doesn't matter. He has to deal with Ellie and Alexia if he likes me. I don't wanna be used like… like a toothbrush or some shit," I said bitterly.
Rose looked sympathetic. "True. I'll give him a push to sort out who he likes and who he wants to be with because he's just screwed over all three of you," Rose said.
I stood up and gave her a quick hug. "Thanks for talking. Now I really need to do some extra Charms homework! See ya," I called out as I ran off.
That whole conversation with Rose had been really nice and I missed having her around. She was also right about James. He was leading on the three of us and I'd had enough. Well, I'd had enough when he'd said that stuff about Ellie to Adam, but now I was certain. He was immature and petty and I didn't want to like him. So, I decided I didn't. Even if he came crawling back to me, I probably wouldn't take him seeing as how I was just sick of all the boy drama.
Plus, Roy. I hadn't had the chance to talk to him yet which sucked seeing as how I really wanted to tell him that I was completely over James and I didn't care in any way for him whatsoever.
Ok, so I was stalking Roy. I was trying to find a time when he was free. Finally, I saw him sitting under a tree reading after dinner. It was freezing, so I'd layered up and trekked outside.
"Hey," I waved to him. He looked up startled and made room for me to sit next to him.
"Hey," Roy said, his ink hair falling in his pale blue eyes.
I fidgeted with my sweaty hands (despite the cold) and was suddenly nervous about what I was about to do. I mean, I really liked Roy. He was stable and sweet and caring and modest and I found him attractive, which was a huge plus.
I looked at him and smiled nervously. He looked at me and laughed.
"Why are you so adorable when you're cold?" he said right as he leaned over and kissed me. I was completely taken by surprise. I was expecting having to apologise and grovel and have a massive talk before the kissing.
But no. He surprised me, in the best way.
Smiling under his lips, I kissed him back. It was soft, like fresh snow. His lips were always cool on mine and he tasted like warm chocolate and spicy lattes. It was odd but I found I liked it – quite a lot. It was then that my brain kicked in and push away lightly.
"I thought you didn't like me? And that you'd have to think about us over break?" I asked, a little stupidly.
Roy locked his eyes on mine and laughed a little. "Are you kidding? I thought about you a lot and decided that I really, really like you. I was just kind of hoping you liked me back?" Roy said like a question.
I smiled at him sweetly. "I really like you, too. I've thought about how I intend to give you my full attention! Ok, now that we know we both like each other, does this mean we can go back to kissing?" I asked, my eyebrows raised.
Roy bit his lip. He didn't even laugh at my comment. I knew that James would've.
WHOA. SLOW DOWN. ALERT. ALERT. DO NOT THINK ABOUT JAMES WHILE WITH ROY.
"One more thing… does this make you my girlfriend?" he asked nervously, as if he were afraid of the answer.
I internally cringed a little. It was weird when people just kind of… asked. Plus, he really needed to work on his confidence.
I ruffled his hair affectionately. "You need to work on your confidence! Of course I'm your girlfriend. That's how these things work," I explained mockingly.
Roy shook his head. "Shut up," he said, moving his lips back on mine.
I gave a little sigh. I could kiss Roy allllllll day!
A week after Roy and I had kissed, we'd soon become the 'it couple' of Slytherin. It was… nice. Comforting and warm and fun. I'd gotten to know Roy so much better. He was caring and considerate and we talked Quidditch for hours. Quidditch practise was pretty awesome and we made an amazing team as beaters.
In fact, we'd just finished Quidditch practise when everything turned to shit…
"Get off me!" I yelled, laughing as I flew over the ground like a blur, Roy hot on my tail, grinning like an idiot. His arm was stretched out and he was trying to grab onto the tail of my broom.
"Fat chance!" Roy screamed as he flew harder and faster towards. His hand clasped the broom and he yanked be backwards and I spun, flying through the air, screaming and laughing and yelling curses.
"ROY! MADDIE! WE HAVE A GAME AGAINST HUFFLEPUFF COMING UP SO PAY ATTENTION!" Xavier screamed at us, his face slightly humoured.
Giggling, we went back to practise, sharing looks every once and a while. Once practise was over, we landed on the ground and started walking to the change rooms when the Gryffindor team came out. James and Adam, swaggering at the front, Miranda, Rose and Ellie chatting in the middle, Hugo and Quinn racing to and fro. I couldn't see Alexia, which was weird, seeing as how she was the seeker. Finally, I saw her run out of the change rooms, her brown hair longer than before and tied in a perky ponytail. She looked as radiant as ever with her cheery face smiling brighter than I'd ever seen it.
"James! Adam! Wait up!" she called out as she ran to them. When she caught up to them, she clung to James's arm and started chatting excitedly.
My gut clenched and my stomach dropped.
Were James and Alexia… a thing?
I felt Roy tense up behind me and soon, his arm was around my waist which was a sigh that obviously meant 'she's mine, back off'.
I shifted uncomfortably but smiled like nothing was wrong.
"OMG! Maddie! Hey!" Ellie called out as she ran towards me and gave me a huge hug. In front of both teams. Soon enough, Rose and Miranda came over to and were talking my ears off.
They crowded around me which meant Roy was sort of pushed away, which was kind of good because he smelt funny after Quidditch practise.
"I haven't seen you in weeks! It's so good to catch up with you!"
"Have you heard? Quinn Poll on our team likes me!"
"There is so much I need to tell you!"
"Adam has been asking about you – does he like you?"
"Lily Potter got in sooo much trouble for sneaking to Hogsmeade last week!"
"Have you heard? Alexia is being such a bitch to me because I kissed James on winter break! I mean, they aren't even dating!"
Whoa.
Hold up.
Alexia and James aren't dating?
I swallowed nervously and stared at Ellie's face. "Well… are you and James together?" I asked, scared to find out the answer.
Ellie's eyes turned coy and she smirked. "He hasn't said anything, but he wants us to 'talk' tonight," she said, her face bright.
So. He hadn't talked to either Ellie or Alexia yet. I wonder if he's going to choose to date one of them or just let them both down.
He's just so confusing.
Did he like Alexia or Ellie or… me? Or what?
I just wish he'd make up his goddamned mind.
Rose, Miranda and Ellie must have seen my frustrated and nervous face, because they all leaned in, looks of concern written on theirs.
"Hey, what's wrong?" Rose asked, her tone soft and her eyes sympathetic.
"C'mon, can't be that bad!" Miranda said teasingly.
Ellie just stood there, her face scrunched up as she studied me critically. "You… do you… do you like him?" Ellie accused, her voice shocked.
My head snapped up and my eyes went wide.
Did she just… What did she just say?
"What?" I yelled loudly, my voice appalled and disgusted.
Miranda giggled. "I'm taking that as a no."
Ellie looked me, realisation dawning on her face. "No. No, you do like him. I can see it all over your face!" Ellie accused again, her face bright red and stoic.
I noticed that now everyone was watching us and they were going to hear the next thing that came out of my mouth.
I couldn't deny – it would just look like I'm lying. I couldn't agree – I'd look like some lovesick Potter Fan. I couldn't tell the truth – I didn't even know what the truth was myself.
I only had one option left – lie my ass out of the situation.
An idea forming in my head, I gave a shaky laugh. Coughing, I laughed harder which sounded more believable. "Of course I like Roy! He's my boyfriend, silly!" I said, praying that no-one had heard James's name from the first part of our conversation.
When no one reacted or said anything, I gave a meaningful look to Rose, who nodded.
"We told you, Ellie! She really likes Roy! Stop being so protective," Rose said good-humouredly and started laughing along with me.
Miranda caught on and giggled. "Jeez, Ellie. Calm your farm! Roy's nice – no need to protect Maddie from him!" Miranda joked.
Ellie looked from me to Rose to Miranda. Her eyes squinted down and her lips turned into a straight line. "Right," she said, her voice cold. "Silly me for asking Maddie a question," she said pointedly.
Everyone around us shrugged and went back to their own conversations whilst Roy walked over to me, his face concerned.
"What's going on?" he asked, his black hair sticking to his forehead with sweat.
Before I could answer, Ellie cut in.
"She basically just admitted she's in love with James Potter. Just thought you should know before you get too close to her," Ellie snapped loudly as she turned on her heel and stormed onto the Quidditch court.
Stunned, I froze, my face heating up.
Roy, his face paler than usual, turned to me. "What?" he asked, his voice surprisingly calm.
"NO!" I shouted, snapping out of my reverie. "I'M NOT IN LOVE WITH HIM!" I yelled and it was only then that I realised everyone probably heard me. Everyone's faces (Slytherin and Gryffindor people alike) turned to me, watching intently. Face burning, I looked at the ground.
"I always knew that you hating him was just a cover! I can't believe I was so stupid as to think that you really didn't like him! As if the Yule Ball wasn't evidence enough, now here you are, telling all your little Gryffindor friends that you're in love with him!" Roy yelled, his face as white as snow.
It was funny, because my insides didn't burn or boil or toil. My blood didn't bubble and I wasn't completely enraged at him. I always thought that's how I'd feel when someone I really liked was accusing me of things I didn't do or say.
Instead, I was cold. "You have no idea what you just heard. For some reason, Ellie thinks I'm going to steal James away from her which is ridiculous seeing as how A, I don't like him, B, he's not even hers and C, I'm pretty sure he likes Alexia!" I said, my voice low but loud.
I couldn't believe Ellie had told him that. Was she that convinced that I liked James? Was she that desperate to ruin my chances with anyone because she thought I liked James?
There was a sour taste in my mouth just thinking about Ellie.
I turned around looking for her when I caught James's eye.
I was definitely surprised with his expression.
He wasn't laughing, like I'd expected, but was absolutely glaring holes into Roy's head.
I was startled from my thoughts from Roy's voice. "Just… just let me think, ok? You always lie to me so I don't know what to believe," and with that, he turned and stalked off. Before he could go anywhere though, James ran up to him and yanked him around so he faced him. I could tell some serious shit was about to go down.
"What do you think you're doing?" Roy asked, his voice cold. He was leering over James because he was so tall, but James was a more intimidating person. I knew Roy would soon back down.
"Defending your girlfriend, douche. I'm not sure if you know, but for some reason Maddie Taylor herself has chosen to date you, and you're willing to throw it all away because a bitter and temperamental teenage girl said something? Maddie says she doesn't like someone, you believe her, ok? Don't know if your Maddie is the same girl I know, but she doesn't lie. Ever," James said, his voice low but loud. His face was right up to Roy's and his eyes were blazing like blue fire.
I'd forgiven James then and there. I mean, how could I not? There he was, defending me to my own boyfriend.
Roy sneered. "What would you even know? You can't stand 'dirty little Slytherins'. Why is she any different?" Roy asked loudly in an accusatory tone.
James didn't even flinch. "She's my friend, you arse. Now you're gonna apologise to Maddie right now before I make you, understand?" James threatened. The open threat obviously worked but Roy was far too stubborn for his own good.
"Screw you, Potter!" Roy yelled just as James reached up and grabbed his shirt collar.
James looked serious and dangerous and he opened his mouth to say something but then his face scrunched up and his nose started twitching. "You smell funny," he commented loudly.
Those were the exact words I'd used in my head and I couldn't help but giggle.
Roy's eyes flickered to mine and he looked completely betrayed and crushed. "Whatever," he said as he freed himself and stalked away, leaving a seething James.
I was mad at Roy. He didn't believe me and I was just pissed at him for being so… so Roy-like.
Rose and Miranda scurried over to me, but I wasn't listening. My head turned slightly and I was staring at the Slytherin's.
Al's mouth was hanging open, Scorp was glaring at Roy, Maria's eyes were alight with new gossip, Xavier looked completely shell-shocked and Jo… well Jo looked absolutely furious. At me.
She stormed over and flung my arm around so I faced her.
She got right up in my face and her voice was low and dangerous. "The fuck was that? You and Potter? In love? Why is Roy acting like some douche and why is Potter pretending to be a saint? And since when did you go to Potter Fan 1 and Potter Fan 2 for company?" she demanded, her voice carrying, pointing at Rose and Miranda accusingly.
Rose and Miranda looked shocked but Rose pulled Miranda away before any more damage could be done.
I looked at Jo and sneered. "Why do you care? And I didn't! I became friends with them over winter break and they're both really nice but I didn't… replace anyone! And I certainly do not love James Potter!" I screamed at her face. She flinched a little and then sighed.
"Ok. Sorry," she said blankly as she turned and walked over to the change rooms, Maria following.
Sighing, I started walking over to Al and Scorp when James ran over and intercepted me, surprising me, his face a wall of stone.
James's body was stiff and he looked like a rock statue about to explode. "Who the hell did Roy think he was, accusing you of all that shit? And Ellie? What was her problem?" he said, his voice rising, eyes flashing.
Stunned, I just looked at him. "You're forgiven," I said simply, after a few moments of silence.
James laughed breathlessly, like he couldn't believe what I was thinking about. "Just like that?" he asked, his smile lopsided.
I shook my head. "That was… thanks. For defending me and being so… nice to me," I explained, my cheeks turning rosy and my heart thundering in my chest.
James, looking shocked, stared at me. "Why wouldn't I be nice? You're my friend," James said, confused.
"I guess I am your friend," I said, smiling wryly.
After a few beats of silence, James smirked. "So… looks like you are in love with me."
I smacked him on the arm. "I do not! I don't even like you," I pointed out but something strange happened. I knew that what I'd just said was a lie. A complete and utter lie.
"Well, if Roy ever does anything like that ever again I'll punch his lights out, throw him in a sack and feed him to my dads' Hungarian Horntale that lives in Romania," James joked, his sapphire eyes glinting.
To be honest, I wanted to kiss him right there. I mean, there he was, being so perfect and nice and so… James-y.
His hair was messy, his eyes bright and he looked so like himself, I almost threw myself at him.
And I just couldn't deny it any longer. It was so tiring, always having to pretend or lie to myself or try to convince myself I didn't.
Because, truth was, I definitely, absolutely, 100 percent really, really, really liked James.
And no, not as a friend. Ever since that goddamn Yule Ball, I was a goner. I mean, I realised I was just an idiot for not seeing it before. I mean, it was so obvious now! All the…. The confusing signals and signs, all the kisses and tingles and all of the jokes… it all added up. I really liked him.
I liked James Potter. And, weirdly, I smiled. I smiled so huge and big and wide that my face hurt, but I couldn't care less. And I wanted to throw my arms around him and kiss the living daylights out of him. I wanted to run my fingers through that messy hair and just tell him I, one day, could even lov-
"Well, anyway, good thing you aren't in love with me because… well, I'm going to give Alexia a chance. I mean, I said I'd think about it and I realised I really did like Alexia," James explained, smiling happily, grinning at me like an idiot.
Kick in the face.
Punch to the gut.
Knife to the heart.
However you wanna put it, I felt like absolute crap.
I stumbled a little and my smile literally dropped. "Wow. That's… great," I lied, pasting a fake smile on at the last minute. "I mean… you and Alexia… and me and Roy… how… fun…"
James's face lit up. "I have the best idea! Why don't you, me, Alexia and Roy go out to Hogsmeade this weekend?" James asked, his smile so big it was like a watermelon or something.
I frowned. Why would James even suggest that? HE ALMOST MURDERED ROY JUST A SECOND AGO! That idea sucked. It sucked dogs' balls. Dirty, rolled in the mud, homeless dogs' balls. But, before I could say so, James continued, as if on a roll.
"That way, you can show Roy you like him and not me and me and Alexia can have a first date that wouldn't be completely awkward! Plus, I feel bad for maybe ruining you and Roy's relationship by… doing all that stuff to Roy. And I mean, it could be fun."
"No. That would end in disaster. I'd probably kick Alexia in the face." It was like he couldn't hear me.
"We'd go to the Three Broomsticks and me and Roy would pay and then we could go to Zonkos or something," James continued, a faraway look in his eyes.
"I really like you, not Roy," I said, trying desperately to get his attention.
Nope.
"Oh, yes! And then we can go to the Shrieking Shack and have some snowball fights – this is going to rock!" James yelled, laughing at his so called 'brilliance'.
Sighing, I put my head in my hands. I swear to god, James is bipolar. One minute, hating Roy. The next, he's going a date with him.
"Wouldn't that be fun?" James asked. "So… what do you say?" I looked up and wished I hadn't.
How could I say no to that adorable face and bright, blue eyes? Plus, I did owe him one for saying all that stuff to Roy for me.
"Great! It'd be fun…" I trailed off as an excited James bounded away to Alexia straight away. I watched them from afar and saw James ask Alexia something and heard her shriek with joy. He laughed and swung her around whilst she giggled and squealed.
It was then that I realised something that all girls realise at one point in their life:
Boys are stupid.
Sighing, I resigned myself to the fact that I'd try and get over James Potter – again.
How was I meant to do that? I mean… he was James Potter. And I was another idiotic girl that fell for him. I felt like shit and crap and like the littlest piece of dust. It was an awful feeling and I realised I never, ever wanted to feel this feeling again.
I never wanted to feel rejection again.
So… I guess that's why I told myself that Roy's awesome, he's there and available and he really likes you and you should at least try and like him. I think a little part of me knew that what I was doing was wrong, that I was using someone as a… safety cushion, I guess. I didn't wanna feel rejection and I knew that with Roy I wouldn't. You know… as soon as I explained what just happened with James back there was not my idea and that I didn't like James one bit.
Al and Scorp ran over and started fretting over me and massaging my shoulders.
"That looked stressful," Al soothed.
Scorp nodded. "You ok?"
I nodded for like a full minute. Then my face broke into a crazed, worried, freak-out expression. "I think I like James more than Roy. Like, way, way, way more," I said, cringing at my so-called life which was like a really bad book or TV show or something.
Al and Scorp didn't even flinch.
"Maddie, we know," Scorp said, his voice sad.
"But it's still bad," Al commented.
He had no idea.
Scorp, Al and I started walking back to Hogwarts after practise (and the big fight thing) but things were… different. People were staring and whispering and pointing at me.
I was just about to ask whether I looked funny when Lily Potter walked up to me, hands on hips, with her little group of friends following her.
"Is it true that my brother got you pregnant? And that he and Roy duelled over your hand after a Quidditch battle?" she asked, point blank.
What the fuck? Where did that come from? Did she think that me and James… did… what? NO! And that there was a battle and a duel? "Uh… no. Where'd you hear that?" I asked Lily who raised an eyebrow.
"Well, have you at least kissed him?" she asked, ignoring me.
Confused, my face heated up. "Wha… no!" I said indignantly, lying my ass off.
Lily sighed. "Why not? Alexia is a pain in the ass and I like you way better. I'm team Jaddie all the way! Jalexia and Raddie suck. C'mon guys, let's move," and with a flip of her bright hair, she swerved past us and sashayed down the hall.
"What just happened?" Al asked no one in particular, but I wasn't paying attention.
"Jaddie?" I asked randomly. "What the hell is that?"
"I think that's your couple name… with James," Scorp answered, containing his laughter.
My face heated and my pulse sped up. People were talking about me and James? As a couple? Together?
Oh god. Why? I mean, did Rose spill about me and James to Ellie or something like that? I was confused and extremely embarrassed.
"But… why are people talking about us as a couple?" I asked incredulously.
Al and Scorp snorted and shared a look.
Scorp rolled his eyes. "Gee, I dunno. Maybe it's because you two are obviously pining after each other! And maybe also because James just threatened to almost kill a guy because he didn't believe you! and maybe because you didn't defend your boyfriend… you thanked James!" Scorp said forcefully as he rounded on me.
Stunned, my mouth hung open. What a… what a ridiculous thing to say! It was not true! Any of it! "I… we're not pining for each other! Ok, so maybe I like him but he doesn't like me one bit! Plus, we're both dating someone!" I argued but Scorp and Al weren't listening.
Instead, they'd walked off holding hands, leaving me alone.
"Why did you leave?" I yelled out to their backs.
I heard Al and Scorp laugh. "Because we don't like to hang around ignorant idiots!" they yelled out.
My mouth opened and closed a couple times. So… first, Ellie made a big deal out of me liking James in front of James. Then, Roy and James have a huge smack down. Then, I have a big, earth shaking realisation that I like James way better than Roy. Then James comes along and tells me that he's asking Alexia out. Then, that date he was gonna ask her one turns to a double date with me and Roy… and then there are rumours going around that James got me pregnant or something.
What. A. Day.
So guys? what did you think? Tell me in the reviews! i know everything happened quickly but I had so much to fit in! Hopefully it wasn't too confusing ad dis-jointed! A very interesting chapter is coming up and some drama with the Pure's! Thanks for reading and please give me a review about your thoughts or maybe just rant about how much you hate Roy!
Thanks again guys,
Kat xx
