Chapter three: The day that followed
~The next morning~
Paige woke up at the crack of dawn like she always dose her eyes were stiff with dried tears so she went to get dressed and she decided since breakfast wasn't for at least an hour and no one was up she would go for a walk to her favorite place the black lake so she snuck down to the common room and left, she walked through the corridors and out to the grounds of Hogwarts it was crisp but she liked it that way so she went to the tree that was near the lake and sat and thought about Tyler and what Blaze had said and she felt tears in her eyes once again she tried to fight them but it was no use she just let them fall and she just sat there for a long time
Alex was awaken by the other girls in her dorm fighting over who knew what. Breakfast would start in about thirty minutes. She roused herself from her bed, got dressed, and headed down to see if Luke was awake. Of course, he wasn't. She decided to go for a walk before she went to Breakfast.
She walked outside and saw Paige against the tree. Their tree. This was the tree that bonded them. This was where they fought, and where they made up, this was where they first became friends. Alex walked over and sat down
Alex: are you alright this morning?
Paige was shocked to see Alex but also relieved and happy
Paige: i guess how about you
Alex: I'M fine, its you everyone's worried about. Draco cornered me to ask about you. You have to come to Breakfast this morning, we get our schedules and prefect badges after
Paige: prefect badges? why those? I'm not hungry
Alex: cause we've been named Prefects? duh? and so, you don't have to eat, but you have to get your schedule. Don't create suspicion for your uncle
Paige: i don't care about what he thinks i will go to get my schedule but that's it then i am leaving i don't want to be there. i don't want to be here any more ether
Alex: come on, you cant avoid Tyler forever. and you may not want to be here, but you HAVE to be here. Come on. you're a Malfoy, what will you parents think?
Paige: i don't care!
she said sharply
Paige: i don't care if i am a Malfoy, a Potter, or a Parkinson i don't want to be here
Alex: please don't do this. its not worth it
Paige: you don't understand (she stood up) you don't understand at all
she snapped with a slight wine in her voice
Paige: I'll see you in lessons
with that she left her best friend standing under a tree that she felt just started to die inside and she had to fix it
Alex stood there for a moment until Paige reached the castle. She ran her hands through her long brown hair and followed her inside. Luke was standing in the entry way waiting for her. she wondered how much of that he saw
Luke: hey, i take it that didn't go very well
he said.
Alex: no, not at all. I don't understand what her problem is yet
Alex sighed,
Alex: well lets go eat
bye the time Alex and Luke got there Paige was leaving with a peace of paper in her hand and a badge on her shirt they saw her walk away and she passed Draco, Snape, Blaze and Pansy but did not look at any of them they all just stared at her as she walked to the common room Draco got a worried face as well as Snape, Pansy and Blaze were shocked more then any thing
so they watched as she went Draco looked from Blasé and pansy to his worried godfather.
Draco: what has gotten in to her
Blasé: I don't know but something is going on and we need to find out what
Pansy: i hate seeing her this way she is never like this she is never this emotional (starts to cry)
Blasé: aw sweetheart
(puts his arm around her)
Snape: Draco what has happened to her
Draco: I don't know but I need to find out
he sees Alex and Luke out of the corner of his eyes and he signals them over
*Hand in hand Alex and Luke walk over to the group of Slytherins.
Alex: Can we help you?
Draco: ok i want to know what's wrong with my sister NOW
(he said in a cold stern tone that make even Blasé and his godfather look at him a different way)
Alex: Look, i told you. I don't know what's wrong with her. she wont talk to me. She keeps muttering something but every time i ask her to tell me she just cries even more and doesn't answer me. I don't know who she will talk to and who she wont talk to, but all i do know is that she wont talk to any of us.
Luke: and could you be a little nicer?
Draco: well sorry lover boy but my sister is CRYING AND MALFOYS DONT CRY
Luke: she's one of my best friends you think I don't know this already?
(he was glowing red and Severus put his hand on his shoulder)
Snape: all of you get to breakfast I will see what's wrong
they all left to go to breakfast Luke takes Alex by the hand and almost drags her over to the Hufflepuff table.
Luke: I don't give a bloody rats arise about the family Paige comes from. I can't believe he'd use that on us. I mean, it's not like we know anymore than he does
Alex: but we DO know more. Its because of Tyler, but I cant tell him that. He wouldn't believe me anyways. And as far as the family line thing, well that's just who they are.
Luke: I know but it makes me SO mad. I just wish that for once everyone could get along and there wasn't any of this "I'm a pure blood I'll do what I want"
Alex: i know, i know, but there are just some people that you cant change. I wish we could. Life would be so much easier.
They finally sat down at the table both of them sighing.
Luke: i shouldn't get this mad over a Malfoy
Alex giggled a little
Alex: no you really shouldn't. Besides, its too early to let him ruin our day. we should eat now. Class starts in 20 minutes.
Luke: I know.
Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny had all seen this commotion between the Slytherins and Luke and Alex.
Ginny: i wonder if Alex will really tell them what Paige's problem is.
Ron: Probably not, they're Hufflepuff, they don't tell each others secrets
Harry: she told us she didn't know but personally i think she is lying
Hermione: well i...half to go
Ginny: well, i think i might know, but I'm not sure, and i don't want to spread anything that isn't true
Ron: Can i come with you Hermione?
Hermione try's to leave
Hermione: um no Ron i will be back in a minute but thanks for asking
Ron looks disappointed almost
Ginny: well can i come?
Ginny: wait, where are you going? we haven't had our first class yet
Hermione: i will be right back um i half to check on something
and with that she left
Ginny watched Hermione go suspisiously
Ron: what is wrong with all the girls this year?
Ginny: hey!
Ron: well you're the only one who hasn't acted like she's got something going on that she cant tell anyone
Harry: i think Hermione is going to the library and just doesn't want distractions
Ginny: yeah, but i pointed out that we haven't had our first class yet what does she need the library for so suddenly?
Harry: i don't know gin all i know is its Hermione she wont break the rules so what do we need to worry about
and then Hermione came back in
Hermione: told you i wouldn't be long
Ginny: yeah, but what did you go do?
Hermione: do you really want to know is it really that important
Ron: it would be nice to know, yes
Hermione: fine i went down to the kitchens to help the elves its no big deal
Ginny: oh, that sounds like fun...
Ron: Hermione, House Elves don't really like interferences
Hermione: well i was just trying to be nice and i said hi to dobby to he says hi bye the way harry
Harry: oh ok
then the bell rang for first class
Paige: How can this be happening? Could Blaze be right?
she wanted to cry but didn't she reached her first class and went in she had potions with Snape first she went and sat in the back she never sat back there she was always in the middle in the front so she could get the best notes Snape came in and saw Paige and went over to her
Snape: my office
Paige looked at him and followed he closed the door
Snape: what has gotten in to you? what happened?
Paige: nothing. I'm fine and she looked at the floor
Snape: no your not
the bell rang for every one to be in there class she went out she was still the only one there so she went back to her seat When Alex and Luke entered the room they saw Paige sitting in the back. The three of them always sat up front, in the middle, together. They went and put their stuff down before Alex went back to talk to Paige. She sat down beside her.
Alex: Paige, you know I'm always here if you want to talk about anything and you know I'll keep your secrets can we talk after class?
Paige: i know theirs nothing to talk about
Alex: Please. I know you. there IS something to talk about. I'm your best friend
Paige: i know that and you know that the whole world knows that but there's nothing to talk about i am fine.
she tried to give her a smile but didn't quite work
Alex: please?
she asked in her small voice
Alex: will you at least come sit with us? i hate that you're sitting back here
Paige sighs she hates seeing her like this
Paige: you pick do you want me to sit with you or talk to you after class even though there is nothing to talk about
it was Alex's turn to sigh Malfoy's were always stubborn.
Alex: I want to talk after class, i want you to tell me everything that happened on the train while you were talking to Blasé, i want to know what's up with you and Ty, and i want you to be my best friend and tell me what's wrong. you're a Malfoy, you never cry this much.
Paige was surprised that she called her a Malfoy and that she was so blunt
Paige: i will talk to you but i might not say any thing about the stuff on the train i don't want to
she gets misty eyed
Alex: Paige.
But it happened to be time to start class. Alex hurried to her seat beside Luke leaving her best friend behind they spent the day in lessons because they only had 2 lessons tomorrow After potions they had transfiguration. Alex attempted to corner Paige in-between classes but she found that Paige had slipped away and was long gone before she was out of there.
Paige was rushing to transfigurations at least she new that she would not half to deal with her troubles she was thinking when she ran into
Paige: oh sorry my bad
she had run into ron
Ron: Its okay, where are you headed?
Paige: transfigurations
she said as she was picking up her books off the floor
Paige: where are you going
Ron: here let me help.
he bent down to help her.
Ron: i have a free period now, i was just waiting here for Hermione and Harry
Paige: oh don't you all have herboligy last lesson they should be here soon
she had all her books
Ron: I know where they are, I'm just waiting for them to be a little faster. thats all
Paige: well i will see you later Ron
she started walking Paige continued walking to transfiguration
she got to the class and went in she saw that Alex, Luke, and Tyler were already there and talking in the front so she snuck up to the back of the class and non of them saw her so she just sat there and was quite
Alex was talking to Luke and Tyler. She wondered what had happened to Paige, shed said she would meet her after class, however before she could even turn around Paige bolted out the door.
Alex: Paige promise she'd talk to me after class Tyler, looks like your goanna have to talk to her at lunch or in your common room
it was lunch and Paige was not hungry so she went where she always did when she was up set the tree
she went and sat where she had a full view of the lake the water calmed her
Alex saw her go out there, but decided to let her alone. Hopefully she could corner her later. She walked hand in hand with Luke to the Hufflepuff table.
Luke: so you're not going to go after her? she's all alone
Alex: no way, I'm hungry. She ditched me after class anyways
Luke: so, that doesn't mean anything
Alex: again, she's a Malfoy so nothing she does is going to make sense to us.
Luke: yeah, but she's our best friend.
They reached the table and sat down.
Alex: yes, well...
She picked up a roll and shoved it in his mouth.
Alex: just shut up and eat
Tyler went up to them
Tyler: hay have you talked to Paige yet or seen her
Alex: yeah, she's out by the tree. maybe you can go talk to her?
Tyler: ok i will see you in a bit
Tyler left to talk to Paige
Tyler went out and saw Paige sitting bye the tree and went behind her and placed his hand on her shoulder she snapped her head back
Tyler: hay
he said in a soft kind voice
Paige: hi
she said in a week voice and turned to look at the water Tyler sat next to her
Tyler: Paige is every thing ok
Paige: yay why do you ask
Tyler: because 1. you have been crying non stop lately 2. you wont talk to any one about why you are up set
Paige: i have some stuff on my mind and i don't want to talk about it
Tyler: but why you are never like this
Paige: Tyler please just drop it
Tyler: no i not going to sit back and watch my best friend be hurt and me try and do nothing about it
he said sternly
Paige: I'm sorry i half to go
she got up and ran back to the castle and without looking back she ran to the room of requirements and sat on the couch and cried
Tyler walked back to the castle to see Alex and Luke coming out of the great hall
Luke: how'd it go man?
Tyler: we talked a little then she ran away and i don't know were she is now i wish i knew how this all got started
he sighs
Alex: That's so typical of her. she never wants to face her problems.
Tyler: yay but she is so up set i wish we could just like corner her for like 20 min so she cant run away and talk to her so we can help
Luke: maybe we can. we have a free period tomorrow. if we come at her from all sides with Draco, then maybe we can sort this out
Tyler: yay i think we should have harry, Ron, Hermione, Baize and the gang there to for back up i hate seeing her like this
Alex: no, because she doesn't trust them the same. Maybe Ginny Luna and Leona, since they're in our year
Tyler: no they need to be there to they can help and you know if Draco goes then Baize will and pansy and Ginny and then the rest of them
Alex: yeah, but...
She trailed off thinking about it more
Alex: i don't know. like i said she doesn't trust them as much, you know? and she doesn't hardly even know Ron Hermione or Harry as well as some of the rest of us
Tyler: they need to be there i don't care if she knows them they care about her and we need all the support we can get so when are we going to tell them and where are we going it intervene her
Alex: if you think its for the best.
Tyler: i do so where and when
Alex: i still don't like this idea.
Luke: come on Al, it'll be okay. who knows if it'll work until we try it
Luke: sometime on our free period
Tyler: ok we need to tell the older folks
Alex sighed.: yeah, i can tell Ginny who can tell Ron, Hermione, and Harry.
Luke: i can talk to Luna and Leona, and we'll leave the Slytherins up to you
Tyler: yep should we tell Snape
Luke: no, Then she probably wouldn't talk
Tyler: just put it out there so we all clear on the plan
Luke: okay
Alex: The halls are emptying out, we should probably head on to class. its the last one of the day
Tyler: yay
Paige is crying in the room or requirements
Paige: i don't want to go to class i don't want to be here any more they wouldent understand and if Blaze's assumption is right then well he will never love me, EVER
she forced herself up and left the ROR and headed to her last class she entered not looking at any one and not looking around the room to see what people where thinking so the lesson was about to begin
Alex: Luke, i just wish that WE could talk to her without involving anyone else.
Luke: i know babe, but this is Paige here, she's a Malfoy, she's stubborn and she does what she wants.
Alex: i know, trust me, i know
Luke: it'll all be okay in the end. she cant stay this way for the entire school year. hey look, there she is. she looks like she's been crying again
Alex turned to look back at her, but Professor Bins called class to attention
Bins: good evening class so please turn your books to page 54
everyone dose as instructed its almost the end of class
Bins: ok i want a half role of parchment on the first year of Hogwarts due by next lesson
the bell rings
Paige rushes out the door and is gone before any one can see or stop her
Alex and Luke sit in their seat and watch her go.
Alex: lets just go back to the common room until Dinner.
Luke: that sounds like a good idea
Tyler: I'm heading to my common room to
Luke: try to tell the others.
Alex and Luke left the room hand in hand following Tyler down. they stopped for a minute to wait and see if either of the Ravenclaw Twins were going to come out behind them. Leona did
Leona: hey guys what's up? Alex: So, we're planning on cornering Paige tomorrow to try to get her to talk, would you and Luna be interested in helping?
Luna: yay i will
Leona: yeah, sure, i don't see why not. i mean, only half the school wants to know what's wrong.
Alex: tell Ginny Ron Harry and Hermione too
Tyler: hay i am going to find Draco
Leona: sounds good.
Alex: okay we'll see you later and they headed to the common room
Luke: okay
Tyler headed to find Draco he went to the Slytherin common room
Draco was sitting in a chair reading whale Baize and Pansy were making out on the couch he treed not to stair
Tyler: um Draco can i talk to you
Draco : sure what's up Tyler
Tyler: its about Paige
Blasé and pansy over heard and stopped snogging and lotions and he tells them every thing
Draco, Baize, Pansy: yay were in
Tyler: good i am going to go to the library to work on this history of magic homework see ya later bye
Luke and Alex were sitting in their favorite yellow chair by the window. This was Alex's favorite spot. it was one of the few windows in the whole Hufflepuff house since they were mostly underground.
Alex sighed and leaned back. : its only really the first day of school and I'm already stressed over everything
Luke: i know, it kind of sucks. I wonder if we could talk to Blasé, see if he might know. didn't she step out to talk to him and after that was when she started crying?
Alex: yeah, but would he pretend he doesn't know? He's a Slytherin, we're Hufflepuff, most of them don't like us
Luke: true. we could as him at dinner tonight or something
Alex: that sounds good i guess.
After that, they sat there in silence together until it was time for dinner