Chapter 16
It was surprising at how quickly time passed when you were alone. I made my way to my favourite bench that overlooked the black lake, taking in the beautiful morning and enjoying the peace and tranquillity that surrounded the castle. It had been a month since Al had found out about me and James; thirty-one days, 744 hours, 44,640 minutes and my life had quiet never been the same. I'd never been more lonely than I had during the past few weeks and although I made it seem like I become accustomed to it, the reality was I missed my friends and most importantly I missed James.
The wind picked up as I pulled my scarf around my neck and secured my hat around my ears. I could see my breath in the air in front me as the frost settled on the grass around the bench. I'd always loved this time of year, before the rain washed winter away, the frost making everything glitter around me. I'd spent most of my Sunday morning's like this over the past four weeks, needing to get out of the suffocation of the castle and enjoying the fresh air that burst into my lungs. I'd learnt not to dwell on what had been and to enjoy the here and now, enjoy the peace before I would no doubt be cornered by Cressida. The bullying continued meticulously, the scratches down my legs making it look as though I'd been attacked by a savage animal. She learnt to use the spell on different legs, ensuring that the other scratches would heal somewhat before she would injure me again. I'd learned to live with the stinging pain, becoming a master of pain relief spells and dressing charms.
After I'd told James that I didn't love him, his relationship with Al had taken a turn for the better, just as I'd hoped. I could see that they were amicable once again and, even at the expense of my own heart, I was happy for them. About a week later the news was that James and Cressida were now an item once again. A part of me hoped that she would've stopped the attacks; however, she felt the need to make sure it never happened again and the bullying only got worse. Not only was she causing me physical pain, but I also couldn't seem to escape the happy couple. Wherever I went they seemed to be attached at the hip, Cressida usually plastered all over him.
The first few weeks back at Hogwarts had been awful. I was alone, unhappy and incredibly broken hearted, but I knew that this was the way it had to be. Rose and Scorpius tried their hardest to snap me out of the self-punishment I was inflicting but I wasn't breaking and I knew that they would give up eventually. Danny was the only proper company I would have in the week. He would often come and sit with me in the library to do his work, never pressuring me for conversation but knowing how desperately I needed the company. I don't think he would ever realise how much him just being there meant to me.
Al was Al again. He had mended his broken heart by throwing himself back into his relationship with Kate. He'd gone back to being loud and annoying, I would often spot Rose getting on at him at dinner and he would laugh the same way he always used to. The worst part about Al was that unlike the others, who I would often see looking at me sadly, he just acted as though I wasn't there. He never looked at me, never spoke to me, never acknowledged me in anyway. I understood that it was part of his healing process, but it just made me feel more isolated than ever, it made me feel like I wasn't there at all.
I pulled my cloak tighter around my shoulders, keeping the cold at bay a little longer, and pulled a book out of my bag. I became so immersed in it that I didn't notice Louis Weasley walking towards me until it was too late to avoid him.
"You're a hard person to find," He said breathlessly giving me a kind smile. "Can I sit?" He asked, gesturing to the empty bench beside me, I nodded and pulled my bag closer to me creating a barrier between us. "How are you?" He said turning to face me, he looked somewhat concerned and I couldn't spot the pity that I normally saw when everyone else looked at me. I decided to amuse him.
"I've been better," I said simply, my voice cracking slightly on account of not really speaking very much nowadays.
"Everyone's really worried about you Hannah," He said sadly. I frowned and felt myself wanting to run as far away from him as I could get. He must've known because his expression changed to panic and he held his hands up in surrender. "Please don't go, I won't say anything again I promise," I nodded and tried to relax but felt very on edge as we sat in an awkward silence for a minute.
"Look, I've just come to give you this," He said holding out a roll of parchment that had my name written on it. "It's from Dad," He said with a smile. I took it wearingly and broke the seal reading it quickly.
Dear Hannah,
I was wondering if we are able to meet in Hogsmeade next weekend. I'm visiting my brother at his store and thought it would be the perfect opportunity to meet with you to discuss further internship this year and perhaps look into helping you apply for our apprentice programme when you leave Hogwarts.
Let Louis know if you can make it and I will see you in the three broomsticks at 2 o'clock.
Bill Weasley,
"What did it say?" Louis asked as I wrapped up the parchment and handed it back to him.
"Your dad wants to meet me to talk about internships and work," I sighed standing up and grabbing my bag. Louis smiled and opened the roll back up to reread it.
"Shall I let him know that you can make it?" He asked.
"No, I'm not going," I said simply, starting to make my way back up to the castle.
"Wait, Hannah," Louis called, falling into step beside me, "You have to go." I rolled my eyes and tried to walk faster, intent on losing him.
"I don't have to do anything Louis," I said getting more annoyed by the second.
"Look forget Hogwarts, forget Al, forget James, this is your future," He said grabbing me by the shoulders and spinning me round to face him. He was frowning at me. I looked at him and sighed, shrugging like a petulant child. "Please think about it Hannah, I get that you feel like you need to punish yourself but please don't let this fall out affect your future," He sighed and walked away from me up to the castle. The words were out of my mouth before I could stop myself.
"Okay," I called after him; he turned around and gave me the biggest smile, "Tell your dad I'll see him then."
I decided to walk down to Hogsmeade a little later than everyone else as to avoid the awkward glances and whispers I knew I would hear. I set off from the castle at one in the afternoon, dressing smart and feeling the sudden need to impress what could potentially be my future employer. I had thought about backing out all week but I knew deep down that Louis was right, this was my future I was jeopardising, if I backed out now it would no doubt affect me when I was looking for college places next year. As the week drew on I found myself feeling excited about the prospect of Saturday, thankful for the much-needed distraction. Cressida hadn't cornered me once this week, which added to my relatively good mood. I also surprised Danny by engaging in a conversation about the weekend, something I hadn't done in a while. He was so happy when he left me he gave me the biggest hug.
I walked down to the three brooms pulling my cloak around me, keeping the cold at bay and giving my hands something to do. I was really nervous for whatever reason. I had worked with Bill last summer and I knew that I'd impressed him so I wasn't really sure where my nerves had come from. I hoped that news of what had happened between James, Al and I hadn't reached him, I didn't want him to think ill of me and prayed that Louis and Dom had kept the information between themselves.
I arrived quite early but decided to go into the pub to ensure a good table away from students who knew me, to make sure I was meeting him with a clear head. When I entered I couldn't see Bill but decided to look for a vacant table. I'd walked the length of the pub before seeing a sight that made my heart sink to my shoes. Around a table, talking animatedly all of their faces warped in concern sat Rose, Danny, Louis and Dom. I felt like a fucking idiot. I couldn't believe how stupid and naïve I'd been. One by one they all caught sight of me standing there, their expressions changing instantly. Dom stood up and before she could say anything I ran out the door.
I ran up the high street bumping into a mass of people as I went, not caring who I was hitting. I could hear Dom calling out behind me but it just made my legs speed up in a hurry to get away from my friends who had all lied to me. I couldn't believe they had tricked me into meeting them all here, using something they knew would get me to come. I felt so betrayed and broken, so pathetic at how excited I had been, all for it to come crashing down. It took me a moment to realise that I'd reached a clearing in the forest, a fair distance away from the village. Before I knew it I let out a broken scream and sank to the floor in floods of tears, letting out the weeks of pain that had built up inside of me.
"Well, well, well look who we have here girls," A sickly sweet voice called from behind me. I turned around and scrambled back away from Cressida and her friends who were entering the clearing all of them wearing disgusting smirks.
"Leave me the fuck alone," I screamed at her, rushing to stand up and suddenly feeling braver than I had in weeks.
"Tut tut little girl, we can't have you speaking to me like that," She said turning her head to one side, pointing her wand at my stomach and issuing the punishing blow that made me keel over. "Much better," She said once I was back on the floor, she walked over to me laughing as I stared at the dirt beneath her shoes. I'd had enough and knew that I wasn't going to let this bitch have the enjoyment of watching me suffer once again. I slowly pulled myself off the ground, gripping my stomach and trying desperately not to let the pain show on my face.
"I said, leave me the fuck alone," I spat, taking a step closer to her so we were face to face. Her expression faltered for a moment before she smiled once again and pointed her wand at my legs scratching deeper than she had before. I cried out in agony and felt my leg crumble at the pain. She laughed above me as I glared up at her; she bought her hand down across the side of my face so hard I could taste blood. I spat it out and tried to ignore the blood that was now trickling down my leg and the pain that screamed all over my body. I tried to pull myself up once again but this time I was met with another sickening blow to my stomach ensuring that this time; I wasn't able to get up off the ground.
"Much better," She laughed pointing her wand at my face. I closed my eyes and prepared myself for what came next. I allowed myself to think about James asleep next to me on New Year's Day, easing the pain and taking me far away from the awful situation I was in.
"Expelliarmus," A voice called out across the clearing as Cressida's wand flew out of her hand and into the hand of Dominque Weasley. "Get the fuck away from my friend," She growled at Cressida who looked more scared than I'd ever seen her. I hurled myself up into a somewhat standing position as Dom came and stood between us. "Turn around and take your pathetic selves back up to the castle before I can think of an awful hex that would do damage you couldn't even fucking dream of, and don't even think of asking for your fucking wand back…little girl," Dom spat, the angry Vela coming out, I was certain that her eyes had turned red.
"Wait," I called out, causing everyone to turn and look at me. Using Dom as support I walked over to Cressida and looked straight into her eyes, mustering as much disdain as I could manage. I relished in the fact that she took a step back. "James Potter will never be yours, get used to the face that he loves me and I love him," I glowered at her before bringing my hand across her face, slapping her harder than she had slapped me and enjoying the cry that came out of her mouth. She held onto her face and looked between Dom and me, running off out of the forest her friends following in hot pursuit. I fell to the ground exhausted, my body screaming in pain.
"Oh Hannah," Dom said sadly wrapping her arms around me.
"Ouch, be careful" I winced in pain, already feeling my stomach bruising.
"Sorry," She said with a sad smile, "Let's get you fixed up," She sat down next to me and pointing her wand over my body, pain relief washing over me making me feel immediately better. She fixed my face and held her hand on my cheek, looking at me with such concern it made my heart ache thinking about the pain I had been causing my friends. "How long has she been doing this to you?" She said after a moment sitting next to me on the ground.
"Since everyone found out. She didn't take fondly to the fact that James had cheated on her and didn't want to believe that James preferred me over her, hence it was my entire fault." I sighed. Dom nodded and took my hand. "Thank you for…well...saving me," I said awkwardly, not meeting her eyes.
"I couldn't believe what I was seeing to be honest," She replied, "I didn't think someone could be so evil, great slap by the way," She smiled.
"I shouldn't have hit her, it was stooping to her level," I said shaking my head.
"Bullshit, she deserved it," I smiled at my friend, "I'm sorry we had to lie to you to get you to meet us," She added biting her lip nervously.
"I wouldn't have come otherwise," I admitted, averting my gaze and looking off into the trees.
"Hannah, everyone is so worried about you," She explained. "I've had more letters from my cousins the past few weeks than I have ever, all of them telling me how worried they are about you,"
"I didn't want to make anyone worry," I sighed, hanging my head in shame.
"They didn't know what else to do and that's why we arranged today, everyone just wants the old Hannah back," She wrapped an arm around my shoulder comfortingly.
"But I can't be the old me," I explained, "I broke Al's heart, I don't deserve to have friends, I don't deserve to be happy after doing such an awful thing to my best friend." I felt tears pooling in my eyes and wiped them away hastily.
"No Hannah," Dom said standing up and pulling me up with her, "No more punishing yourself, I've had enough of it and I've only been around you for five minutes." She attempted a joke but with the state I was in it fell on deaf ears. "Listen to me," She frowned waiting for my gaze to lock with hers. "Al will get over it," She said strongly as if it was the simplest thing in the world. I shook my head furiously at her. She gripped my shoulders, forcing me to look at her again. "He will, I mean he already is for Merlin's sake. Yes you didn't tell him about you and James but who the fuck cares Hannah, the way he found out is awful but if he is your friend he should've heard you out by now and he should be happy that his best friend and his brother are happy," I gapped at her not really sure what to say.
"He told me that I needed to leave his family alone," I said quietly.
"Well that's a load of bullshit," She growled," "What his family do isn't up to Albus Potter. I can tell you that of a lot of his family would rather have you as a cousin than him anyway, not mentioning any names," She said with a wink, "Not James though, that would be weird," She grimaced at the thought. I found myself smiling at her.
"You have people here for you Hannah, people who love you and have been beside themselves with worry about you for the past month," She grabbed both my hands and squeezed them tightly.
"Al said I shouldn't be friends with Rose and Scorpius because of the strain it would put on their relationship," I said sadly, trying to ignore how ridiculously the demanded sounded having told someone else.
"Well, I think I need to have a fucking chat with my younger cousin you mark my words, he is being completely unreasonable. It's not like you've killed someone!" She exclaimed. "At the end of the day Hannah, Al is hurt because you chose his brother over him and trust me that would hurt anyone's ego, let alone Albus Potter's," She said.
"But I told James that I didn't love him anymore and he is back with that bitch and now he and Al are back to normal, I don't want to come between them again Dom. I can't, it would hurt them too much," I cried, feeling a tear fall down my cheek. She sighed and wiped it away with her hand, holding my face in her palms.
"Hannah Marshall, that boy is so in love with you, you could grow two heads and he wouldn't care. I have no doubt that he will be dumping Cressida on her ass very soon," She said with a soft smile. "No one has written to me more the past few weeks than he has, absolutely breaking his heart to me," She sighed and dropped her hands from my face reaching inside of her cloak and handing me a letter. "He'll probably hate me for giving you this but one day he will understand, this letter will put any doubts out of your mind trust me," She explained, I took it from her wearingly and stared down at the beautiful cursive I had missed so much. "Read it when you're ready, okay?" She said putting an arm around my shoulder once more. "Let's head back into Hogsmeade and come up with a plan for the next few weeks and also don't even get me fucking started on you dropping out of Quidditch, I was so close to coming up here and killing you myself," She said seriously. I rolled my eyes and let her guide me back into the village, feeling better than I had in weeks.
Dom and I had stayed in Hogsmeade as long as we could before I needed to get back to the castle. I'd had the best afternoon I'd had in ages suddenly feeling lighter and freer than I had since returning back to the castle. She gave me Cressida's wand instructing me very clearly to hand it to Professor Longbottom straight away and let him know exactly what she had been doing to me. I knew better than to argue with Dom when she was pissed off about something so I nodded reluctantly and took the wand from her, pocketing it against her letter from James. She walked me back up to the castle, wrapping me in the biggest hug possible when we reached the gates.
"Merlin I miss this place," She said with a sad smile, looking up at the magnificent castle.
"I would gladly swap with you right now," I grumbled, wanting to stay with her longer worrying about what would happen when I walked back through the gates.
"Hey, we agreed no more moping," She said frowning at me and putting her hands on her hips, "If I have to come all the way from Romina again to sort you out Hannah Marshall I will not be happy," She said sternly, but with a slight smirk.
"I know, I know," I said shaking myself out of it. "I'm really glad you did come today," I said, giving her the most genuine smile I had given anyone in weeks.
"I'm glad I did as well," She said throwing her arms around me again. "Okay, go before we start blubbering again." She said ushering me past the gates. I chuckled and started walking the familiar path back to school. "Write to me Marshall or I will hunt your arse down, I swear." She called from behind me. I turned around to face her, looking back at my amazing friend.
"I will Dom," I smiled, "See you soon," I gave her one last look before continuing my walk back up to school. Over the course of the afternoon, Dom had helped me get some much-needed clarity on the situation I was in. She made me realise that I was punishing myself for something that was inevitably out of my control and Al was unreasonably using that in his favour; making his life easier by making mine worse. She made me realise that, unfortunately, we can't choose who we love and no one in this world should make you feel the way I was feeling all because I loved someone. She held me as I cried into her shoulder and listened as I ranted about everything, allowing me to let out the emotions out I had been reluctant to feel, the emotions I needed to make sense of everything.
Dom also gave me strict instructions to go and find Fred when I returned back to Hogwarts and ask for my position back on the team, making it very clear that I was to not leave his side until that had happened. She also said that I was to find Rose and Scorpius and apologise for being a complete shit, before telling them everything I had told her today. Then I was to get them to help with devising a plan to stop Albus from being a fucking twat, her words not mine. As for James, all she said was to read the letter she had given me, telling me that I will know exactly what to do after that. I tried to push for more advice on the matter but she was insistent that I trusted her on this one. The only issue I had was that I wasn't quite sure when I would be ready to read the letter. I knew that there were things I needed to do before putting James and me at the forefront of my mind. Right now, I didn't need the distraction so placed the letter in my keepsake box when I returned to my dormitory, promising myself I would read it when the time was right.
Dinner wasn't for another hour, so I made my way downstairs to the common room, spotting Fred and unfortunately James and Al sitting in the corner having a game of exploding snap. I knew that Dom would never forgive me if I didn't bite the bullet so I took a deep breath, feeling everyone's attention drawn to me as they saw where I was going.
"Sorry to interrupt," I said loudly alerting all three boys to my presence. As they turned to look at me, I suddenly felt very warm and could feel myself going redder by the second. Why had I thought this was a good idea? I decided that the only way I was going to get through this was to embrace my inner Dom and get on with it. I threw my hair over my shoulder and turned to look at Fred, point blank ignoring the other two boys like they weren't worth my time. Exactly as Dom would, it felt fucking fantastic.
"Everything okay Hannah?" Fred asked glancing worriedly at the Potter boys who looked clearly confused at the situation.
"I was wondering if I was able to have my position back on the Quidditch team," I said confidently, my heart racing in my chest. Fred looked taken aback for a moment before the biggest smile spread across his face and he picked me up spinning me around.
"Yes, Yes, Yes." He said laughing. I couldn't help laugh with him as he spun me around, feeling freer than I had in a long time. "I've been waiting the whole month to come to your senses," He said placing me down and rummaging in his pockets looking for something, "Aha," He cried loudly presenting me with the Captain badge, "I've kept this on my every day waiting for you to come and get it back, here you go Capt," He said grinning madly.
"I don't think being Captain is a good idea," I said looking nervously at the badge. "And besides I made you Captain," Fred scoffed and pinned the badge to my jumper.
"The only way you can get back on this team is if you are Captain so there," He said sticking his tongue out at me and smiling. "Back in its rightful place," He wrapped me in another hug, "Glad to have you back Capt," He said sitting back down.
"Thanks Fred," I said bashfully glancing briefly at the other two boys. Al was avoiding me completely playing with his cards and trying his best to ignore the situation. James was wearing the most beautiful smile, something I hadn't seen on his face for a long time. Without thinking, without agenda, I caught us both by surprised and returned the smile feeling my heart beating widely in my chest. A part of me wanted to race back upstairs, rip open the letter and immerse myself in his words but I knew it was too early. I also knew, as I look him his beautiful smile, that I hadn't lost him completely.
"It's good to have you back," He said simply, his eyes shining with adoration. I felt myself blush slightly and saw him smirk briefly like he always would.
"I'll see you later," I said to Fred and moving away from the table. The common room had gone back to normal. No one was looking at us, no one whispering about me. I smiled at the normality of it all noticing Darcy giving me big thumbs up in the corner, grinning madly much like James had. I smiled at her and walked out of the common room to find Professor Longbottom before dinner.
I found him in his office, near the greenhouses. When I arrived he was squeezing the sap out of a peculiar looking plant, his face screwed up in concentration. Before I could knock he glanced over at me and beckoned me in with his head, being careful not to move his hands from the position they were in.
"Hi Hannah," He whispered, "Fantastic timing! Can you do me a big favour and grab the bowl over there on the side and bring it over here, I need you to catch the sap. Put those gloves on and be careful not to make too much noise. Cheryl doesn't like noise, she gets a bit temperamental." As if on cue the plant squirted its sap across the room hitting the wall and causing it to start smoking. "Quickly Hannah," He hushed. I followed his instructions moving around the table to catch the sap that he was now squeezing out of one of the pods. Once he was done, he grabbed a large glass casing and placed it over the plant, which erupted, squirting disgusting yellow sap all over the case.
"That was a close one," Professor Longbottom said wiping his brow and taking his gloves off. "Just place that on the side for me Hannah; I'll take it to Professor Slughorn when I have the chance."
"What was that Professor?" I said looking worriedly at the plant behind him.
"That was a flavo armariudo mortis, roughly translated into a poisonous yellow death so not one of the nicest plants I've come across," He said frowning at the plant behind him. He saw the panic come across my face. "It sounds worse than it is," He said smiling at me, "The sap would just cause serve itching which is easily remedied nowadays. Professor Slughorn needed it for a potion for the first years, this one is actually a bit early in its cycle hence why I'm doing it in my office on a Saturday evening," He looked at me for a moment, "What can I do for you Hannah?" he asked, sensing I was getting slightly bored by his rambling.
"I need to give you this," I said pulling out Cressida's wand and placing it on the desk in front of me.
"Whose wand is that?" He asked frowning slightly. I took a deep breath and calmed myself down, readying myself to tell him everything.
"You know when I was in the hospital with the broken ribs," He nodded waiting for me to continue, "It wasn't a Quidditch accident, it was Cressida Zabini," I said. If Professor Longbottom was surprised he didn't show it. Instead, he let me tell him everything that had happened without interrupting me. Once I was finished he picked up the wand in front of me checking the last spells performed and seeing this afternoons attack in front of him.
"Are you okay?" He asked me when I had finished. I gave him a smile and nodded.
"I am now Professor," I reassured him.
"This will be sorted out this evening I promise Hannah," He said seriously. "I will go and speak to Professor McGonagall and Professor Slughorn immediately. Don't worry about it now Hannah," He gave me a sympathetic smile.
"Thank you Professor," I said standing up and leaving the room.
Cressida was seen the next day leaving Hogwarts, bags in hand. It turns out I wasn't the only one she had been bullying, her friends confessing that there was a least three more girls she had attacked over the year allowing McGonagall the easy decision to expel her indefinitely. The news that she had been expelled travelled around the school like wildfire, everyone wondering what had been the case. It was only a select few who knew the exact detail, and so in true Hogwarts fashion, by Sunday evening the whole school knew every detail. I think nearly every one of the Weasley/Potter clan came to hug when they found out, even Roxy who also followed the hug with an apology for her behaviour in the changing room.
After I had gone and spoken to Longbottom I went to find my two best friends, following the next part of Dom's plan; tell them everything. I found them in the library before dinner, doing some homework, sitting as close together as they possibly could. I watched them for a moment before I approached, enjoying seeing my friends so happy with each other, realising how much I'd actually missed them over the past couple of weeks.
"Hi guys," I said, walking over to the table and sitting down opposite them. They looked shocked for a moment before their expressions changing to guilt.
"I'm sorry if you felt like we organised an intervention today," Rose said quietly, not meeting my eyes.
"You did organise an intervention," I said bluntly, offering a small smile to try and calm her worries.
"I know it looked that way, but we are so worried about you Hannah," She said leaning across the table and holding my hand. "I didn't know how to help, I thought that maybe we were too close to the situation and I know how much you love Dom so went along with the plan, looking back it probably wasn't the most sensitive we've ever been," She bit her lip nervously trying to judge my expression. I smiled brightly at her and squeezed her hand tightly.
"I needed an intervention Rose, I needed some clarity and that's what I've had." I explained, "I'm not quite over the guilt that I feel, but the punishment has gone now I promise," I leaned back and looked at them both, they still looked unsure, "Hey, I've just gone and asked for my place back on the team,"
"Dam," Scorpius said smiling, "We could've beaten you guys if you hadn't been there, now you're back to full strength,"
"Quit it Malfoy, your team couldn't even beat our reserves," I smirked at him.
"Is that a challenge Marshall?" He asked, raising his eyebrows at me.
"You're dam right it is," I replied grinning madly. I held out my hand which he shook vigorously.
"Bring it on," He smirked.
"Guys," Rose said drawing out attention back to her, "Please focus,"
"Sorry, I am truly sorry for the way I have been behaving recently. You two have been nothing but supportive and I've just allowed myself to not accept that; the truth is I didn't think I deserved it," I mumbled looking at the table.
"Hannah, all you've done is loved someone," Rose said with a sad smile, "Be it the way you went about wasn't fantastic, but don't berate yourself because you loved someone too much,"
"I think I understand that now," I said giving her a small smile, "If I'm going to be honest though, Al hasn't been all that great recently." I sighed, wondering if it was best to tell them Al's requests.
"To be expected," Scorp said frowning slightly.
"Merlin, of course," I replied hurriedly, "I know that I have broken his heart and betrayed him, I know that and I feel that more than anyone. But he told me that I should leave you guys alone as to not put a strain on your relationship and that I shouldn't speak to his family anymore as they needed some space through all of this. You saw what he did when I told James…" I trailed off hanging my head, trying to not let my emotions get the better of me.
"He said all that to you?" Rose said incredulously. I nodded, suddenly feeling extremely awkward.
"He knew that I would agree with him, he knew that I would do anything he said because of the guilt I was feeling. He knows exactly how I work, he knows how much of a hard time I give myself and used it against me…not that I didn't deserve it-
"Not a chance," Rose interrupted, "Don't you dare sit there and tell me you deserved to be cut off from all of you friends just because Al has a bruised ego," I looked at her and saw she was fuming, Scorpius lay a hand on her arm in comfort.
"Rose, calm down a minute," He said soothingly, "You know Al can be a little rash sometimes, he doesn't think things through at the best of times. He probably thought that this would solve the issue overnight and realised that it just prolonged the inevitable, hurt his best friend and made the situation a million times worse, all because he is too bloody stubborn to admit he was wrong," He reasoned, I nodded in agreement.
"I don't care, I could fucking kill him right now," She said slamming her book closed, "How could he do that to his best friend?" She cried. The librarian poked her head around the corner shushing us rudely.
"Rose and the end of the day, how could I fall in love with my best friend's brother and then lie about it, how could I do that to my best friend?" I said sadly. She considered me for a moment, sighing and shaking her head.
"He has been moping around the past month, asking us what was wrong with you when it was him all along," She said shaking her head.
"It wasn't all Al's fault," I said quickly, I didn't wait for a response. "Cressida has been attacking me for weeks," I heard Rose gasp and Scorpius shake his head.
"Fucking bitch," He growled.
"Is that why you had the black eye and the broken ribs?" Rose asked, shock written across her face. "It was her all along?"
"I don't really want to go into all the details but yes, she's been using punishment spells on me, cornering me when I was alone and attacking me," I replied sadly. Rose stood up abruptly and walked around the table wrapping me in a hug.
"I'm so sorry all this happened to you Hannah," She said, I could hear her welling up, "It's going to be okay now." I nodded and enjoyed the comfort of my friend, finally believing that it was going to be okay.
A/N: Thanks for reading and sticking with this story!
Apologies for the delay in this chapter, been a bit of a mad few weeks so really sorry to leave it for so long!
I hope some of you enjoyed the lack of Al in this chapter, I think a lot of you could've killed him after the last chapter and I don't blame you.
Thanks for all the reviews and support on the story so far, it's amazing to hear people are enjoying this story.
Until the next chapter,
Jadeannkneeky.
P.S: Happy Birthday Hannah! (And it's mine as well! Yes, I was that imaginative and gave the main character the same birthday as me!)