"Char, what do you think of my eyes?"
Char looked up at her, confused. "What do you mean by that?"
Aly set down her fork on top of her plate and folded her hands quietly. "My eyes. What do you think of them?"
Hayden ate slowly to catch every single word of this conversation as they ate lunch in the Great Hall that same day.
"They're...why?"
"I just want to know," Aly said her expression unreadable.
Char studied her carefully, and then smiled sadly. "You found out about your nickname, didn't you?"
Aly looked down at her potatoes. "Yeah, I did."
"And now you want to know what I think of them so you feel reassured."
"Yes."
Char grinned. "Well, I don't exactly know what to say because I know that you're expecting me to say something better than that!"
Aly looked up at him hesitantly. "Well...I just was wondering, that's all."
"I'm sorry that I won't be able to say something as wonderful and romantic like Michael. But your eyes are really beautiful."
Aly grinned. "That makes me just as happy."
"Good," Char smiled. "Are you going to finish that?"
Aly looked down at her half eaten potatoes and smiled mockingly. "Fine."
"Thank you."
They ate then, listening to the other conversation around them.
"Aly, there's something you've got to know," Hayden said suddenly, slamming down his goblet, sloshing pumpkin juice.
"Hayden, don't," Char said quietly, his eyes pleading.
"What?" Aly asked quickly, looking between them. "What don't I know?"
"Aly...Adam and John are on the move."
Aly's heart thumped. "Excuse me?" Aly shrieked. "What do you mean?"
Char growled at Hayden angrily, then turned to Aly, sighing. "The Daily Prophet reported that Adam's out of the center again, and this time they know he's gone. And I doubt he's going back. They think he's going to find his family."
Aly stared at him, speechless.
"John has broken out of Azkaban again," Hayden finished. "They suspect that he's either going back to his death eater friends. Or worse, they think he's going home."
Aly blinked at him in confusion, and then her face registered understanding.
"Home?" she gasped. "As in...home? Where Mrs. Boyle is? By herself?!"
"That's what they're thinking," Char shrugged.
"Who's they?" she snapped.
"Guards of the detention centers and Azkaban."
Aly sighed angrily. "Why didn't Adam stay there? He'd be much safer there than anywhere else. John and Adam aren't in it together?"
"No. They broke out on different days. If they were in fact in it together, they probably would've had some plan," Hayden answered.
"And Mrs. Boyle knows, I hope?"
"Of course. She's gone to stay with...your mother."
Aly blinked at Hayden, breathing slowly. "My...mother?"
"Aly..." Char said, reaching for her and rubbing her hand reassuringly.
"No, wait," Aly said, shaking her head. "John is going after your mother. Your mother goes to stay with my mother. That means my mother is in danger as well."
"Except for the fact that there are Ministry guards on patrol around the house," Hayden grinned. Aly sighed with relief. "They're stationed and waiting for any attempt."
"Well...that's good," Aly choked out. "At least they're safe."
"It is," Hayden agreed.
"But, they're not coming here."
"Not that we're aware of," Char answered.
Aly slumped in disappointment. "I was hoping to see him."
"He'll probably show up anyway," Char shrugged. "He'll probably stop here for a pit stop or something. You'll see him."
"Mind telling me why I found out about this now?" Aly asked suddenly.
"We made sure you didn't see any Prophets lying around," Hayden smirked. "Besides, you were freaking out about that huge Ancient Runes test and we didn't want to add on any anxiety or worries."
"Well, thank you for caring about my well being."
Hayden looked to the door and grinned. Aly followed his eyes and smiled at Kylie as she waited with her coat for Hayden.
"I've got to go. Hogsmeade weekend," he explained as he stood up. He walked over to the doors of the Great Hall and walked off with Kylie.
"How'd you do on the Ancient Runes test?" Aly asked, leaning forward.
"Barely passed," Char sighed, setting down his goblet. "A."
"Well, that's good. Better than a P."
"Are you implying something?" Char asked, an impish glint in his eyes.
"No. I'm saying good job," Aly shrugged. Inwardly, she smirked.
"How about you?"
"O."
"What a surprise," Char grinned. "I told you you'd do well."
"I know. I just like to hear you say it."
Char smiled at her mockingly and then leaned forward, his eyes becoming serious.
"You're not worried, are you?" he asked, his brown eyes warm.
"No. I'm fine," Aly reassured him. Char raised an eyebrow skeptically. "Really Char, I'm fine."
"Ok," Char said, smiling slightly. "I've got to go."
"Why?" Aly groaned, enjoying the moment.
"Apparently I really screwed up on that potion yesterday in class."
"Nice one," she smirked. Char glared at her playfully, and then kissed her forehead.
"I'll see you later. In front of Honeydukes, alright?"
"Sounds fine," Aly answered. He smiled at her and then stood up.
Aly watched him exit the Great Hall. She looked down at her lumpy mash potatoes and frowned.
Will there ever be a year...one year...that'll go right?