Chapter Eleven- Meeting with the Hogsmade Ghost.
"So, meeting with Wayne at midnight?" Marcela mocked at Anne. "Thank God Filch is so senile that he won't be able to see you sneaking."
"Why don't you meet in the Common Room?" Chris asked. "I mean, duh, both are Gryffindors."
"But sometimes there are some kids that are making homework that late," Anne pointed as they walked to Snape's dungeon. "And if Wanda finds out…"
"Beware the fury of the Slytherin Maiden," Chris mocked and Andrew burst out laughing.
"Ha, ha," Anne said dejectedly. "I'm glad that you two find it funny but I certainly don't. I mean, I have to cope with all the weird rumors about what happened at Hogsmade, and I don't want to add 'man-stealer' to the list."
"If you want my opinion-" Chris started, but Anne glared at him and crossed her arms. "Okay, it's obvious you don't want it, but I think that this Wayne thing is not good. You have to hide, you have to lie… Is that real love?"
Anne looked away as they entered the dungeons, closely followed by Snape. "Just like your father and grandfather, Potter," Snape sneered. "Always discussing your fascinating social life, but not in my class."
Anne ignored Snape as she sat in the back of the dungeon, cursing under her breath and hating everyone around her. She had been in a very bad mood lately, with people elaborating crazy theories about the ghost in Hogsmade, and how Anne Potter, daughter of famous Harry Potter, was going to save them from all the life-threatening perils in the world.
But Anne didn't want to. She certainly didn't care about the ghost, and she didn't care about saving everyone's lives. She was not Harry Potter! Of course, she had been worried about the dying man at Honeydukes, but maybe her friends were right. There had been no man that night so everything was settled. Anne Potter was no mystery solver, and she wasn't interested in becoming one.
All what mattered to her was meeting Wayne later that night, where they would talk things over and Anne would be able to confess her feelings at last. But something Chris said bothered her. 'You have to hide, you have to lie… Is that real love?'
Anne had been in love with Wayne since forever but, was it love? Anne shook her head and thought she was over-thinking things. Of course she wanted to be with Wayne! He was gorgeous, nice and-
"Aaaaaaaannnnneeeee!" Chris sang. Anne blinked and turned to look at him, feeling annoyed.
"What?" She retorted.
"You have to pay attention," Chris muttered. "Snape just said that this potion is due to come in the OWLS."
"Who cares about OWLS?" Anne breathed. Chris looked at her blankly and said nothing. He turned away and continued talking to Marcela, who seem glad that she had Chris's attention again.
Anne buried her face in her hands, ignoring Snape's class and Chris's angry mutters.
That night
Anne stared anxiously at her clock, biting her lip and looking around nervously. "Stop it," Marcela warned.
It was a quarter to midnight, and Marcela and Anne were the only ones awake in the dormitory. "Anne Potter, if you continue glancing at the watch I'm going to vomit," Marcela said and Anne grinned.
"I'm so excited," Anne said happily. "Maybe, just maybe, tomorrow I will have a boyfriend."
"Don't get your hopes high," Marcela said. "Maybe Wayne wants to talk about something else."
Anne chose to ignore Marcela's last comment and continued humming. "I told Chris that I'm in love with him."
Anne turned to look at Marcela in disbelief. "What?"
"Just a few hours ago," Marcela said, blushing deeply. "I just wanted to wait until the whole thing with Wayne passed. Um… "
Marcela avoided Anne's eyes, and focused in her hands. "He was nice about it, really nice," Marcela muttered.
Anne blinked. "Nice? Marcela, what happened?"
Marcela shook her head and Anne realized that she was crying. "Mar, please, tell me," Anne said softly as she walked over to Marcela's bed.
"Well, he just said… 'Thanks, you're really nice'," Marcela sniffed.
"He's a git!" Anne snapped. "He's in love with you, but he doesn't realize that-"
"He's in love with someone else," Marcela said, her voice croaky.
"Of course not," Anne snorted. "He's crazy about you."
"I think he's in love with you, Anne." Marcela looked at Anne, her eyes shining with tears, and Anne felt her heart beating painfully fast.
"Mar, you're mental," Anne breathed. "Chris and I are friends, and I can tell that he doesn't love me."
Anne glanced at her clock, and feeling a bit upset, she patted Marcela's shoulder. "Everything will look brighter in the morning," Anne grinned. "You're just confused right now, and you're saying senseless things."
"Maybe you're right," Marcela sighed. "I'm mental. Now, go and see Wayne and you'll tell me everything about it."
Anne knew that Marcela was just humoring her, but it was already late and Anne didn't want to discuss about it. "Wish me luck," Anne whispered as she walked out of the bedroom.
Anne walked down the staircase till thinking about Marcela's suspicions that Chris was in love with her. It was ridiculous, impossible!
She walked across the Common Room and saw several fourth years doing homework and she climbed out of the portrait hole quite unnoticed. She walked down the halls, looking around for Filch and she sighed with relief when she approached the Transfiguration Classroom.
She opened the door slowly and saw that Wayne was already there. "Hi," Anne said timidly.
Wayne turned around and smiled. "Hi, Anne." They stared at each other for a while and said nothing.
"Well… I guess I should start," Wayne grinned nervously. "Anne, I've been thinking for a long time and I- I guess I like you. I really like you."
Anne smiled and walked over to Wayne. "You mean it?"
Wayne took her hand between his and chuckled. "Yeah, I mean it. You're a great girl and even though we really don't know each other very well… I wish that we can have the time to do it. Anne, would you be my girlfriend?"
Anne blushed deeply and put her arms around Wayne's neck. "There's no need to ask that. Of course I will."
Wayne titled his head slightly and kissed Anne gently. He put his arms around Anne and pulled her closer.
They drew away slowly and Anne giggled. "You're amazing, Anne, you really are."
Anne smiled and hugged Wayne, feeling like the happiest girl in the world.