Letters and Decisions
When I woke up the next morning it took me a while to get up. It took me even longer to remember the proceedings of the previous evening. But once I remembered I hopped out of bed and began getting dressed. The only person left in the dorm was my friend Ali who I hadn't seen the previous day or night. "Hey Ali" I said shaking her awake. She looked up at me groggily, and then her whole face erupted in a broad grin. "Dominique!" she positively squeals, jumping forward and pulling me into a hug. This is one of the reasons I like Ali. Not being used to physical contact it always makes me feel better, one of her warm hugs. The only other person I really get physical contact from is Lorcan. And Teddy, that one time he attacked my face.
Ali gets dresses whilst chattering away, telling me all about her summer and I listen intently, genuinely interested as she spent her summer in Peru with her muggle parents. I tell her about Victories' wedding, something she tells me was bound to happen as Teddy and Victoire were made for each other. She doesn't know about Teddy and I of course.
We head down to the great hall together and when we reach the Ravenclaw table Ali spots her boyfriend Eric and goes to sit with him. I, predictably, take a seat beside Lorcan who is crunching on toast and reading the daily prophet. "Anything interesting?" I ask as I sit down. "Oh, umm... just lots of talk about the tournament, you know, possible entrants, stuff like that". "And who are the possible entrants?" I ask, reaching out for a bowl of porridge. "Oh, you know, Dean Wood, Jeff Geary, Tony Chang and... James".
"James!" I exclaim, almost knocking over my glass of gilly water. "Yeah, he seems to be a favourite". "Well that's typical isn't it; he's the son of Harry Potter after all". "I wouldn't put it past him" Lorcan says, "Knowing James he'd be well up for it".
I'm about to reply when owls begin converging over the table, swooping down to deliver the morning post to their delighted recipients. Dad's spotty owl Chester lands in front of me and I carefully untie my letter. I look over at Lorcan who has undoubtedly received a letter from his mother, coupled with a single silver and orange sock. He's staring at it disgustedly, spotting my gaze he reads aloud from his letter "To protect you from grey winged Shorlocks who according to the federation of unspecified species, escaped into the wild and could be hazardous to anyone without the advised protection". He looks at me, holding up his sock "Advised protection?".
I look down to where Lysander's sitting with Alice Longbottom. He undoubtedly received a replica of Lorcans parcel; he however looks quite delighted, holding up his sock with a look of wonderment on his face. Lorcan sighs and we both start laughing.
Once our laughter subsides Lorcan asks me, "What did you get?". "Oh yeah" I say, picking up my letter from Dad. I'd completely forgotten about it because of Lorcan. Is it bad that, that kind of makes me happy? It's nice to have someone who helps me to forget.
I turn the envelope over in my hands and open it.
Dear Dominique
I hope you've settled back into Hogwarts and I hope you're excited about the tournament.
James is a favourite to become champion you know, Harry and Ginny are so proud.
When Victoire found out she couldn't believe it, she was disgusted she missed out on
A chance to spend eight months at Beauxbatons. She's so like her mother she probably
Would have become champion too! But no matter, I really wanted to write after you.
You've not been yourself lately, I don't know what it is, and you've always been quiet
But you've somehow, and it pains me to say it, grown colder. Your mother doesn't know
What's wrong with you, and Harry has told me he saw you outside crying on the day of
The wedding. If you're upset or struggling with something, you can always come to me.
Please don't shut me out Dominique, I worry about you.
Well, in other news, Victoire has left with Teddy for Cannes and their enjoying a
Wonderful honey moon.
Lots of Love
From your father Bill.
I stare coldly down at the letter. Victoire would have been champion would she? You've been worried about me? Harry and Ginny... Proud.
That's when it struck me. I can solve everything
Every.
Little.
Thing.
By entering this tournament, by being chosen as Hogwarts champion, and even more, by winning it.
"You ok?" Lorcan asks as I ball the letter up in my fist. "I'm fine "I tell him "Gotta get my schedule from professor Flitwick" I say as I stand up in one veela graceful movement and kiss him on the cheek (due to the excitement of course). As I turn and walk towards Professor Flitwick I see Lorcans eyes glaze over and a pink tinge rise in his cheeks. And I feel something unfamiliar and warm bubble in my stomach.
For the first time in a long time I actually feel happy, and this tournament is seeming more and more like a good idea.
A/N: i want to say thankyou to Ravenxisxaxblackxrose and . for their wonderful reviews :D