Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter series.
Chapter 8
November's End
The first weekend of Hogsmeade was fast approaching. In other words, November was slowly coming to a close. The air was significantly more chilly, trees were practically bare, and students donned striped scarves and thicker cloaks. Unfortunately, the arrival of winter season meant the inevitable departure of fall term. The professors were typically more keen on giving their students longer and harder exams, the higher years most susceptible to constant stress.
The Tuesday after the dramatic second Quidditch match of the year, Effie, Dominique, and Andy attempted to finalize study schedules together during their free time. With the doubled amount of homework and short exams given by their professors, there was hardly any time to focus on anything else. Even Andy was able to convince Chang to postpone practice for the time being in order to put their full attention on schoolwork.
On the same day, the three Ravenclaws, together with the rest of the seventh year Hogwarts students, were having their first Charms class with Professor Callahan. Some of lower years had already experienced his first period and Hogwarts' gossip train's main attraction was Ravenclaw's very own Head of House.
"Don't you think he's so fit?"
"I never liked the dark brooding types, you know, but the way he pushes his hair back… Honestly!"
Seated for breakfast with Dominique and Andy in the Great Hall, Effie could not escape the inappropriate murmurs of the fifth year Hufflepuffs behind her. To her right, Dominique seethed. Opposite her, Andy was unaffected.
"My friend in Ravenclaw told me he's an arsehole but obviously he's just misunderstood! I mean, he's easily got the best hair in campus!"
"I know right! How come I've never noticed him before?"
Bang!
Effie jumped in fright. Andy almost spat his drink out. Dominique had slammed her palms on the table and whirled around in complete disgust.
"I hardly doubt you'd be able to notice him when he's only got twenty students in the entire school, you half-witted bimbo!"
The Hufflepuffs took one look at her flaring eyes and immediately scurried away. Dominique turned back to her food looking pleased with herself.
"Was that really necessary?" Andy chuckled, raising an eyebrow.
"How can you even stand that?" Dominique demanded.
"They're just Hufflepuffs." Andy rolled his eyes. "Everyone knows they've only got half a brain."
"Do not let them hear you say that," Effie said. "We don't want you getting into two fights within four days."
Andy shrugged and resumed eating. Dominique's mood worsened.
"It was necessary because it was disgusting," Dominique spat. "Talking about Callahan like that. I'd rather see my mum and dad going at it."
Andy gave her a weird look, swallowing his food before replying, "That is a serious proclamation."
"Though I'm curious," Effie said, scrunching her eyebrows. "How did they not notice Callahan before? He's here every meal."
"Honestly, Effie," Dominique scoffed, "you might as well have been sorted into Hufflepuff if you're going to be this daft. Callahan was a Muggle Studiesprofessor. How many students actually take Muggle Studies?"
"I took it."
"Then you should have a pretty good idea how many students he gets per day. Hell, I didn't even take Muggle Studies and I don't recall any other seventh year Ravenclaw who took it besides you. And people don't pay attention to the teachers during meals either. The only reason why we know him is because he's our Head of House."
"Fair enough," Effie said.
"But now that he teaches Charms," Dominique continued, "everyone knows who he is. Including horny Hufflepuffs who want to get in his pants."
Andy cleared his throat. "I'm not saying it isn't annoying, but what's so bizarre about people calling him fit? Even you said so last year, Dom."
"Well, it's somewhat true!" Dominique said snippily, cheeks pink. "But at least I know what he really is behind his face!"
"So you're saying people shouldn't find him attractive if they don't know the real him?" Andy asked.
"Exactly!"
"Sounds to me that somebody's jealous."
Andy received a buttered piece of toast thrown directly at his face. Dominique returned silently to her breakfast. Having watched the exchange with mild interest, Effie chuckled and began packing her things up.
"Where are you going?" Dominique asked.
"Class," Effie replied. "We've only got fifteen minutes and I'd really rather not have my first class with Callahan with a detention under my belt."
"Who gives detention to students because of being late?" Andy asked incredulously.
"Callahan," Effie said simply.
She made to leave but Andy abruptly stood up before she could take a step.
"I'll come with you," he said quickly.
Effie blinked and glanced at his half-full breakfast plate.
"You've barely eaten," Effie said before tilting her head in thought. "By your standards anyway."
Andy looked conflicted, blue eyes shifting uneasily from her to his plate of food. Dominique looked as if she was enjoying his strange inner conflict.
"Fine," Andy gave in, sitting back down on the bench and stuffing his face with omelet.
Effie gave him a strange but amused look, shook her head, and walked away. She thought she heard Dominique's mocking laugh, but she did not ponder on it. Instead, she wondered how she was going to survive an hour and a half of class with Professor Callahan. She reminisced her lower years where she took Muggle Studies as one of her chosen electives. In her Third Year, she met him for the first time. It was the year he was promoted as Head of Ravenclaw House and she thought bitterly how excited she was to interact with him. Turned out, he was the highest class of douchebag, and Effie never looked forward to Muggle Studies since then.
As she walked in the Charms classroom, a few people were already there. Most of them discussed the possible outcomes of the class and everyone seemed excited to work with Callahan as Charms professor; everyone but the Ravenclaws, at least. Effie took her usual seat and buried her face in the subject's book, attempting some last minute reading for whatever lesson they were to have today. About five minutes before class was supposed to begin, Dominique and Andy shuffled in hurriedly and took seats on either side of Effie.
"Thought we were going to be late," Dominique puffed, breathing heavily.
"You're in luck," Effie said.
"Ran into a bunch of Gryffindors this time," Dominique grumbled. "Had Callahan's class before dinner yesterday. The way they talked about him… You would've thought he was Teddy Lupin!"
Effie laughed, understanding the reference. Dominique's family friend, Teddy, used to be the biggest heartthrob on campus. He would get a new girl asking him out every single day. It was actually rather ridiculous.
"That's impossible," Effie said. "Even I can admit Callahan's not bad-looking, but honestly! He looks like he's going through a midlife crisis at twenty-five, and now you're telling me Hogwarts is treating him like Teddy Lupin?"
"Maybe girls nowadays are into scruffy looking, brooding twenty-four-seven, I-Bloody-Hate-My-Life types," Dominique said with a snort.
As if on cue, Professor Callahan barged right in, four minutes early. Effie's eyes immediately bulged out of their sockets at his entrance. Possibly for the first time since Effie had met him, he was wearing his teachers robes. Over a white button down shirt and a thin black tie, he donned a thick royal blue cloak that swished at his heels as he walked. His sandy hair was slickly pushed back, allowing Effie to see his obnoxiously perfect eyebrows arched over his dark intimidating eyes. There was a bit of a stubble from his sideburns down to his chin and under his sharp nose. As soon as he turned to face the class, a smirk lifted on his thin lips.
"Good morning."
Effie practically heard the entirety of Scotland sigh. Dominique's jaw dropped. It seemed midlife crisis Callahan took a vacation.
"Who the hell is that?" Andy whispered next to her.
Effie merely shook her head, absolutely speechless. It was even more bizarre that the Charms lesson was interesting. He did not snap nor did he bully. The dark brooding aura was certainly still there but it seemed to add to his charm rather than impose annoyance to anyone he talked to.
"Are you seeing this too or have I gone completely mental?" Dominique asked bluntly when Callahan sent them off to practice a particularly advanced shield charm.
"He's like a different person!" Effie said, making sure to keep her voice low. "What's he done to his bloody hair?"
"He's made it perfect, that's what!" Dominique exclaimed suspiciously. "Who gave arseholes the right to look so bloody good?"
"Maybe you should ask yourself the same question, love," a newcomer and Dominique's current boyfriend, Mito Chang said, slinging a teasing arm over her shoulders.
The blonde snorted. "What do you think he's playing at? No wonder he's got the entire school around his bloody finger. His hair is pushed back, for Merlin's sake!"
Andy walked over to join them. "Talk any louder and he'll think you'd want to get in his pants, Dom." He nodded at his Quidditch captain. "Hey, man."
Suddenly they heard a loud creak from the door. Most of the students stopped practicing to see the newcomer. A pair of feet stepped in and Effie blinked in surprise. She took in the familiar head of dark hair, hazel eyes, and uneasy expression. James Potter shuffled in rather awkwardly, avoiding anyone's gaze.
Whispers immediately erupted in the room. Effie had to restrain herself for snapping at her insensitive classmates. Dominique, however, had no problems in telling them off.
"Oi!" she spat. "Don't you all have shield charms to do? I don't see any of you idiots having progress."
They immediately silenced, ripped their intrusive gazes from James, and resumed their work. Professor Callahan frowned at Dominique for a moment before striding to James who still stood awkwardly by the door.
"You're late, Potter," Callahan said.
"Yeah," James said. "I just got out of the hospital wing. I had to insist Madame Gertrude that I was well enough to attend Charms. Took a while but she eventually let me go. Wouldn't want to miss your first class, Professor."
It was hard to tell if he was being genuine, but if he was not, he did not show it. Effie knew, of course, that he had been in the hospital wing since the Quidditch match. She even debated on whether or not she should visit him but realized he hardly even saw her as a friend. However, that did not stop her from trying to catch his eye when Callahan accepted his excuse and let him practice with the class. He strode down the room to Fred Weasley, who was standing on the other end. He did not look in Effie's direction once and she tried not to feel so disappointed.
By the end of the lesson, Callahan announced a short quiz on shield charms for their next class and a meter-long essay about the importance of a Patronus Charm and its attributes due the week after. Fred and James were out the door first after class was dismissed. Effie took her time in fixing her belongings.
"I've got to run," Andy said as Effie gathered her quills. "I have Herbology in ten."
"But isn't Professor Longbottom really lenient with tardiness?" Dominique inquired, taking her time in fixing her things as well.
"Yeah but I need to get a good seat." Andy wrinkled his nose in distaste. "Last time I was late, I had to sit next to Molly Weasley."
Dominique shivered. Andy nodded solemnly. He bid the girls goodbye and left the room. As the two girls finished packing up, a shadow fell over their desk. Effie looked up, only to be greeted by the smirking figure of Professor Callahan.
"Morning, Sir," Effie greeted glumly, standing to full height and swinging her bag over her shoulder. Beside her, Dominique mimicked her actions and words with a roll of her eyes.
"Enjoy the class?" Callahan asked with a playful glint in his eye.
"I've seen better."
Effie shot Dominique a glare, nonverbally attempting to tell her that they really should not get on Callahan's bad side now that he was actually their professor.
"Now, watch what you say to me, Ms. Weasley," Callahan replied, not at all threateningly. If anything, the playful aura had gotten stronger. "You wouldn't want me to stop pushing my hair back, would you?"
Dominique lit up in an interesting shade of red.
"Perhaps you should take a piece of advice from your friend Jefferson. You shouldn't talk so loud next time," Callahan snickered, making his way to the door.
By the time he was out the door, steam was practically emitting from Dominique's ears. Effie chuckled and made her way to the door as well. As the two exited, Dominique mumbled anything hateful that came to mind about their new Charms professor. Effie nodded absentmindedly as she walked, thoughts on her next class already. While Andy was having Herbology, she had Arithmancy. Dominique, from what Effie knew, was supposed to be enjoying her free period instead of burning in embarrassment under the assumption that Professor Callahan overheard her violently admitting his sudden bloom in looks.
Dominique seemed to have forgotten that she was not having the next class with Effie because she continued to walk with her to the Arithmancy classroom. Just as Effie was about to remind her that she had a free period, they turned a corner and the words died in her throat. Both girls abruptly stopped their walk, staring bemusedly at a figure leaning against the stone wall. The thick fiery red hair, calculating hazel eyes, and scarlet-lined robes were an all too familiar sight for Effie. Next to her, Dominique hardened her gaze at her own cousin.
"What are you doing here?" she asked snippily. "This is the corridor for seventh year Arithmancy."
"And from what I found out, you're not supposed to be taking this subject," Lily Potter said. "I hoped I'd only see Effie here."
"Too bad," Dominique snapped. "If you're here to try and brainwash her that you weren't the one who sent those photos, then you're out of luck. Come on, Effie, I'll walk you to class."
Lily stepped in her way, eyes narrowed.
"Get out of the way, Lily."
"I want to talk to Effie," Lily said calmly. "I'm sure she can make her own decisions for herself. I'll only leave if Effie wants me to."
Effie felt uncomfortable under the stare the third year was giving her, but she did not want to waste this chance to talk to her. Ever since James confronted her about the photos, Effie meant to ask her about it again. She just never had the chance nor the guts to. It was even more difficult to find her now that she seemed to be avoiding any Hogwarts student as much as Gryffindor House was avoiding her.
"I'll be fine, Dom," Effie said, avoiding the blonde's eye.
Dominique exhaled irately and reluctantly left the hall without a goodbye. Effie sighed, knowing she would have to explain herself to her later.
"Wise choice." Lily smirked in triumph.
"Only because I've been meaning to talk to you too," Effie said, narrowing her eyes. She did not exactly miss the condescending way Lily always spoke.
"Oh, really?" Lily said. "Well, that makes things easier. I thought I would have to force you into speaking with me."
"And why's that?"
"Because you seem like the type who'd eat up whatever James says," Lily said bluntly. "I hoped you'd be different."
"I don't eat up whatever he says," Effie said defensively. "I just want to know the truth, and I know for a fact that you didn't send those photos."
Lily chuckled lowly. "And here I thought you were going to disappoint me. What gave me away, Greengrass? Surely all the suspicious signs are there. I obviously hold a grudge over my older brother about something Quidditch related. I seem to know everything about his cheating and I should have every reason to send pictures to the school paper's editor-in-chief to expose him."
Effie faltered. "I suppose that's correct."
"But you don't believe it was me?"
She hesitated. "Well, no. I don't."
"Why?"
Silence followed. Lily looked at her with a critical eye. Effie tried to collect her thoughts, unsure what to answer to such a basic question.
"I have no idea who sent them," Lily said before Effie could reply. "Everyone thinks it was me."
Effie was not too sure, but she thought she heard a shred of vulnerability in her tone. Her voice shook and her eyes had abandoned Effie's face, absentmindedly scanning the stone wall to her left.
"I don't think it's enough to convince everyone," Effie began, the sudden change in Lily's aura motivating her to speak, "but I heard something in your voice when you spoke to James. I sound crazy believing in what I could have just imagined. It should be easy for me to accept the most logical conclusion. Like you said, everything about you screams guilty. But–But I don't think it was you. It just… It makes everything so easy. And I've decided there are way too many people that have something against James that you can't just be the only suspicious suspect."
Saying it out loud made Effie realize how true her words were. The Potter-Weasley clan was huge, and each of them held grudges, harbored secrets, and probably developed a form of hostility towards one another at one point in their adolescent lives. Seeing Louis Weasley react the way he did to James after the last Quidditch match was one prime example. Effie did not expect such pent up anger and hatred towards his own cousin that for all she knew, he could have been the one who sent the photos.
"I think it's unfair," Effie said, looking into Lily's unsettled hazel eyes. "It's unfair that you're being treated this way. But… I don't know how I can help."
A slight frown crumpled Lily's soft features. Effie meant to sidestep her, give a quick goodbye, and head to class, but something in the redhead's eye made her keep still.
"I think I know a way you can help," Lily said slowly.
Effie blinked. She did not exactly like the sound of it, but she did not have the heart not to hear her out. Besides, her voice seemed useless to anyone else. This was probably the first time since the rumor about her spread that she was able to speak her mind freely to someone.
"Well, er, let me hear it then."
"Your paper's actually gotten some credibility this year," Lily began.
Effie frowned, unsure if that was supposed to be insulting to her. "Er, I suppose."
"Well, December's coming up and I know you're about to release a new issue," Lily continued, eyes growing brighter. "You could publish an article about me. Clear my name. People are bound to believe it. Say you're suspecting Louis or something since he almost decked James on the Quidditch pitch last weekend."
"No," Effie said without thinking twice. "I'm not using my paper for any of this anymore."
"Oh, don't pretend you don't appreciate my family drama boosting your paper's worth," Lily laughed sardonically. "That's the only reason why they read it!"
Effie felt a wave of irritation crash over her. "I said no. And if you haven't got any more ideas, I think it's time for me to head to class."
"Oh, come on," Lily snapped, grabbing her arm to keep her from moving. "It's only one issue. And after you can go back to publishing your Flobberworm nonsense. This is the only way I can get everyone to believe I didn't do it!"
"Don't be so dramatic; this is gossip, Potter. If you really think people are going to be interested in you for more than week, then you're mistaken," Effie said, surprised at the harshness of her tone but did not back down. Lily was treading on dangerous waters and Effie wanted nothing more than to escape the upcoming argument.
"James dictates Hogwarts," Lily insisted, tightening her hold on the upperclassman. Effie almost rolled her eyes at the exaggeration. "Anything that has to do with him isn't going to just blow over. This isn't some broom closet snogging gossip, Greengrass. This is my family. And probably for the first time ever, people are actually getting a good insight on what were like and they're not just going to drop it."
Effie took deep breaths, an attempt to keep her temper in check. "I don't know when you Potter-Weasleys got so self-assured, but I'd like to remind you that the world doesn't revolve around you, James, or whoever bloody else! People are going to forget about this."
Lily gave her a look of disgust. "And here I thought you wanted to do the right thing with that paper of yours. I need you to help me, Effie. And you're blowing me off."
Effie let out an outraged laugh. "James was right about you. When you're done feeling sorry for yourself, try putting the blame on someone else other than me because I'm not publishing that article no matter what you bloody say."
Pushing her hand away with force, Effie managed to get around the young Potter and continue her walk to her classroom. She muttered expletives under her breath as she was already ten minutes late. Just as she reached the door, she put her hand on the knob but a sharp tone made her freeze.
"James hates me," Lily said, voice shaking. Effie refused to look back at her. "And now everyone in Gryffindor does too. Do you have any idea how this feels?"
As soon as the guilt began to build up in her stomach, Effie used all the willpower she could muster to push the feeling away. She managed to stay silent and kept her eyes fixed on the doorknob her fingers tightly gripped.
"Whatever," Lily chuckled bitterly. "Enjoy your day, Greengrass. Tell Jefferson I say hello."
Effie perked up at that. She twisted her head to narrow her eyes suspiciously at the Gryffindor before she could leave. "Andy? Why would you want to say hello to Andy?"
"I ran into him by the Greenhouses," Lily sneered. "Asked him why he wasn't following you around like a lovesick puppy. That's how I knew you were headed here."
"Lovesick–" Effie muttered, confused. "What are you on about?"
Lily stared at her blankly for a while before cackling and saying in between laughs, "Oh, God! You can't be serious? You manage to get from the mere tone of my voice the truth that I didn't send you the pictures of James and you're telling me you have no idea about Jefferson?"
"What are you bloody talking about?" Effie demanded.
"No, I'm not doing this," Lily said, mostly to herself as she continue to laugh. "Figure it out for yourself, Greengrass."
Without another word, Lily swiftly left the scene. Effie frowned at the now empty space where she stood, trying to understand whatever that conversation was about. Briefly wondering if Lily had forgotten about their little spat about publishing a headline that would clear her name, Effie decided there was no way she could have and finally entered her class, fifteen minutes late.
In the morning of the first Hogsmeade weekend, Effie sat stiffly by the fireplace in the Ravenclaw common room. She blankly watched the scene before her; girls exited in groups; boys waited patiently by the door for their dates; a reasonable amount of Ravenclaws sat by the bookshelves with their faces buried in their textbooks, probably the same ones that felt Hogsmeade weekends were a nothing more than a nuisance.
Thirty minutes passed and Effie was already bursting in impatience. Her fingers drummed against her thigh, her left leg shook involuntarily, and her eyes narrowed at nothing in particular. At one point, her irritated stare was met by a kid on the opposite side of the room. Assuming Effie's hostile look was directed at him, the first year shot her a scathing look back. Effie's eyes widened, ready to explain herself, but someone plopped on the sofa next to her.
"Picking fights with munchkins, I see," Andy said humorously.
"It's not my fault he was in my line of sight," Effie snapped.
"Temper, temper," Andy sang.
Effie growled and sank in the cushions. "Dominique's taking so bloody long. We were supposed to go to Hogsmeade together to buy Christmas gifts."
"Lucky for you, I bear news on the matter," Andy said cheerily. "She's already in Hogsmeade but she's with Chang. She didn't tell you, did she?"
Irritation rose within Effie. "That mother–!"
"Trucker," Andy finished cheekily.
"She could have at least told me!"
Andy shrugged. "Chang just asked her to come with him after breakfast today. Apparently it was important she was there to pick out her own Christmas gift from him."
Suddenly Andy rose to his feet. Effie frowned up at him questioningly. He held his hand out to her.
"I don't know about you but the common room's getting a bit too stuffy for my taste," he said with a slight smile. "Care to accompany me to Hogsmeade instead?"
Effie chuckled, accepted his hand, and allowed herself to be pulled up to her feet as well.
"Only if it means accidentally running into Dominique and giving me the opportunity to throttle her."
Effie left the common room feeling significantly more cheerful. Once they exited the castle, they walked in a steady pace on the path to the village. Flakes of snow fell gracefully from the sky, a blanket of pure white covering the grounds. The trees were bare and brown. The wind was ice cold. The edge of the Forbidden Forest was not too far from the path they walked, and Andy seemed to be observing something that Effie could not see.
"What are you looking at?" Effie asked, voice muffled as she shielded half her face from the cold with her blue and bronze scarf. She bitterly noted how Andy did not seem the slightest bit freezing as he walked casually with his hands stuffed in his pockets.
"Thestrals," Andy said with a fondness in his tone. "They're grazing."
"Thestrals?" Effie said uncertainly. She briefly remembered that Andy could see them since he was in first year, and it had always been a sore subject. Not exactly fit for casual conversation.
"Yeah," Andy breathed. "I never see them when they're not pulling the carriages. They probably live in the forest."
He continued to stare at the edge of Forbidden Forest as he walked. Effie tried to follow his gaze, even squinting as if that would help her see the magical creatures. Feeling stupid for even trying, she turned her attention back to the path in front of her.
"Interesting magic, isn't it?" Effie mused. "Only being able to see something when you've seen death…"
"I suppose," Andy said slowly, "but it's depressing once you cross that barrier."
"I don't doubt you," Effie muttered.
At that point, the village of Hogsmeade was finally in sight. Childish giddiness filled her as she took in the beautiful village decorated by the atmosphere of winter. Effie eagerly quickened her pace, Andy lagging behind her. The distinct chatter of a crowd grew louder as they neared, students walking in tight groups towards various shops. Effie halted and turned to Andy as soon as they reached the scene.
"Where to first then?" Effie asked.
"Three Broomsticks," Andy answered immediately, grabbing her wrist and leading her through the crowd.
Once they arrived in the warmth of the pub, Effie exhaled in relief and unwrapped her scarf. They managed to grab a vacant booth by the corner after ordering their Butterbeers.
"See Dominique anywhere?" Andy asked with a grin.
"Nope," Effie said, taking a sip of her Butterbeer as her eyes scanned the busy pub. "She better be ready when I do see her. Ditching me for a boy. That hasto be a violation of some sort of moral directive in female to female relationships."
"You mean girl code?"
"Yeah, whatever."
Andy snickered into his drink. Effie continued to scan the tables surrounding her until she found a curious sight. A few tables to their left sat Kira Patil, dark hair perfectly curled and back pin straight against her chair. Her eyes were irritable as she glanced recurrently at her watch.
"Andy, look," Effie whispered, pointing discreetly at her columnist. "Kira doesn't look so happy."
"Impatient, more like," Andy said, tone laced with humor. "That's your face ninety percent of the time."
Effie slapped his arm.
"Oh, I hope she's alright," she muttered as Andy hissed in pain.
"You're psychotic," he mumbled, cradling his arm dramatically.
"You get Bludgers to the head on a monthly basis; you'll live."
"Touché."
"When's your next match anyway?" Effie asked, ripping her curious gaze away from the irate Ravenclaw.
"Well, well, someone's interested." Andy grinned. "But just so you know, players don't usually get into fist fights after Quidditch matches if that's what you're looking forward to."
"Do they usually expose private affairs of their rival players?" Effie dared to ask, giving him a pointed look.
"No, that doesn't happen very often either," Andy replied smoothly, as if expecting the very question.
"Pity," Effie said. "Lysander would have a field day."
Andy burst out laughing. The couple snogging on the nearest booth shot him nasty looks.
"Problem?" Andy immediately snapped, raising an eyebrow.
Effie laughed into her drink when the couple backed away in fright and resumed snogging. Her appetite might have just been lost at this point.
"I take it that's not the girl you're in love with then?" Effie boldly asked, pertaining to the blonde whose entire face was practically getting devoured by her boyfriend.
Andy was taken aback for a moment, opening his mouth then closing it a few times. He chuckled gruffly before flatly saying, "No."
"Just had to ask," Effie said with a nonchalant shrug. Then she pointed at a random brunette by the corner. "What about her?"
Andy gave her an exasperated look. "No."
"The girl by the door?"
"No."
"What about–"
"Effie," he said sternly, "drop it."
"Oh, come on," Effie groaned. "You know I've been dying to ask! I just didn't because it was obvious you didn't want to talk about it."
"Well, I really would rather not talk about it now either."
"I just find incredibly unfair that this groundbreaking secret of yours is allowed to indulge itself in James Potter before your best friend," Effie said bitterly before finishing the contents of her mug.
"You don't seem to have a problem indulging yourself in James Potter," Andy muttered.
Effie's eyes flashed. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing, forget it," Andy said quickly, sipping absentmindedly from his already empty glass.
"I am not indulging myself in him," Effie practically screeched, crimson in the face. "I barely even see him anymore!"
"Yes, I know, I'm sorry, calm down," Andy said looking panicked. "Forget I said anything."
Effie opened her mouth to scream some more but Andy abruptly stood, grabbed her arm and briskly exited the pub. Cool winds sent chills down Effie's limbs and she hastily wrapped her scarf back on as she walked. Andy did not release her arm until he brought her to an empty alleyway, colorful graffiti painted on the walls and empty Honeydukes boxes lined up by the concrete.
"Why did you bring me here?" Effie asked snippily.
"Because if you want to scream at me, I'd prefer if it weren't in a pub full of people," Andy said blankly, "and I'm pretty sure you'd prefer that too."
Effie crossed her arms, mentally cursing him for knowing her so well.
"Well," Effie began but realized she really had nothing more to say.
Andy, seeming to sense this, chuckled. "Okay, well, if you're done with your piece, I'll start with mine."
"Yours?" Effie said in surprise.
"Yeah," Andy said, looking nervous. "I–I think I owe you that much. Anyway, I don't really know if I can keep this any longer now that everyone seems to know."
"Know what?"
"That you're the most oblivious idiot I have ever met."
"Oblivious idiot?!" Effie exclaimed hotly. "First of all, that's redundant, and second of all–"
Andy laughed. "Effie, you're brilliant, I know. You're insanely smart and you're a fantastic journalist, but when it comes to feelings and relationships, you're completely clueless!"
"Feelings and rela–Why on earth would I need to–"
Andy grabbed her shoulders, cutting her off and forcing her to look up at his insistent gaze.
"Effie," he said, "if you stop and bloody think for a while, you'd know that the answer to the question you've been pestering me about for past half hour is staring at me right in the face!"
"Question… Answer…" Effie whispered, utterly confused and a bit frightened by his insistency. "What are you talking about?"
Andy groaned and released her, walking in a full circle with his head in his hands. Effie wondered if he was going through some inner conflict about something she had absolutely no idea what. Feelings and bloody relationships? Was he talking about the girl he was apparently so smitten with? Just moments ago, he seemed utterly against talking about it and now he was frustrated that she could not guess it at the first try because it was supposedly soobvious.
"Andy, would you just bloody tell me already?" Effie said irately. "You said it yourself; I'm positively rubbish at these things!"
Andy merely stared at her as if expecting her to get it any second now. She humored him anyway and tried to think about it. She imagined James' harsh words as clearly as possible in her head.
Why is it the the girl you've hung around with for six years still doesn't love you back?
She felt her throat constrict and her eyes widened at the realization. Andy looked at her warily, almost as if he did not want her to figure it out. Effie could not believe it, but who else could Andy have hung around with for six years?
"Dominique?" Effie whispered sharply, breathing uncharacteristically short and shallow.
To her immense surprise, Andy's six-foot frame shook in mirth. It looked as though he was attempting to keep the laughter inside but clearly failed to do so. Whatever Effie had felt hardened into stiff annoyance. She opened her mouth to tell him she was done guessing but she was hit by a sudden memory. The cackling tone of Lily Potter flooded her thoughts.
You manage to get from the mere tone of my voice the truth that I didn't send you the pictures of James and you're telling me you have no idea about Jefferson?
"Me," Effie whispered aloud without thinking.
Andy, who had still been laughing in front of her, fell silent. He cleared his throat, cheeks and ears pink. Effie felt completely numb, heat rising up to the tip of her scalp. A fluttering feeling invaded the depths of her stomach. The beat of her heart thumped ferociously against her chest. The silence was thick, heavy, and almost loud. Something rung violently in her ears but nothing was making a sound.
Then Andy chuckled, a low rumbling sound emitting from his throat. His eyes shifted nervously around her but not exactly meeting her line of sight straight on. She wished he would.
"Knew you'd get it eventually," Andy said, tone uneasy but determined.
At that point, he allowed himself to look directly into Effie's eyes, which almost immediately triggered a response in her. Unable to express herself in words, Effie took two steps forward, slinked her arms around his neck, and met her lips with his.
Author's Note:
Hello, I hope this chapter wasn't horrible. I don't feel so confident with this so ugh. I didn't have any ideas to improve it so I decided to just post it. Thank you again to my wonderful readers and reviewers! I would really appreciate it if you tell me what you think of this chapter and the overall story in general. I'm too lazy for review questions so any type of feedback would do!
SAnyway this fic is only going to be 20 chapters so that'll give you an idea of the pacing. Also I'm sorry for the lack of James in this chapter but I promise he'll be back in the next one!
Till next time!
-Finner
Next chapter: December issue is published, Effie officially meets Rose Weasley, James speaks to Effie for the first time in weeks
