As the day wore on, the rain let up, but only slightly. The sky was still a deep shade of grey and the clouds refused to budge, blocking out the sun entirely. The rest of the day was uneventful, even though Atlas couldn't get Devvy's coy smile out of his head. He tried his best to pay attention to his studies, but the more he tried to deny his thoughts of her, the stronger they became. It was as if she was controlling his mind, hypnotizing him. He just couldn't stop thinking about her, and the thought that a person, just an average human being, could do this to him was shocking, almost terrifying.
Robin and Carol asked Atlas to come back to the Gryffindor commons that evening after dinner. Their essays were near completion now. Another night or two with Atlas's help, and they were guaranteed at least a B+. Needless to the say, the twins were elated.
Despite promising that they'd be done with their meals soon enough that they'd go with Atlas up to the common room, they were once again too entranced by the food in front of them to see him waving at them from the doors of the Great Hall. He didn't want to go up to them and draw too much attention, so he made the trek alone. The Fat Lady was awake and sitting upright when Atlas approached her this time.
"Oh, don't tell me," she said as she saw him, "you want access again?"
"I really don't mean to disturb you, ma'am, but I really do need to get in there." He tried to look as innocent as possible. He knew he wasn't doing anything wrong, but he didn't think that that would matter to her.
"Well, what exactly are you getting up to in there? Why do you need to be in there two nights in a row, bird-boy?"
Atlas found it hard to believe, but the Fat Lady was being even less pleasant than she was the night before. He was about to respond when he heard quick, quiet footsteps coming up the hall.
"Oh, hi there, Atlas!" Devvy rushed up to him, lacing her hand in his. He looked over at her, horror and surprise etched across his face. What was she doing! She gave him a short glance that read 'just trust me' before looking up at the Fat Lady.
"Good evening, miss. Think you could let us in?"
The Fat Lady was taken aback, "You- you KNOW this boy!"
"Yeah, he's my, um…special friend." Devvy gave Atlas a loving look, edging a little bit closer to him, before looking back up at the woman draped in pink. A look of understanding crossed the Fat Lady's face, though she still seemed reluctant to let them both into the common room.
"Well, I- I don't-," She sighed and gave her head a gentle shake, Devvy's pleading eyes seemingly boring into her very soul. "What's the password?"
"The Sword of Gryffindor," the two children said in unison. If Atlas's face hadn't been beet-red before, it certainly was now. The portrait swung open, and he and Devvy stepped inside together.
"Wh-why couldn't you have just told her that I'm helping the twins?" Atlas stuttered as the door closed behind him.
"Oh, she hates them," Devvy said as she walked over to one of the scarlet sofas, "When we were first-years, they accidentally ripped her dress while they were experimenting with feeding Fizzing Whizbees to chocolate frogs. Let's just say it didn't end well and she hasn't forgiven them since."
Atlas gingerly took a seat about a foot away from the emerald-eyed girl. It didn't matter how many times he saw her, or how many times her image seeped into his brain, but even his most vivid memories of her were never as beautiful as the real thing.
"Well, uh…thanks, then," He stammered, "for helping me out. She…she was about to turn me away."
"Don't mention it," She said, a sly smile spreading across her face, "but this means that you still owe me one."
"Oh, yeah. Don't worry. I- I haven't forgotten." He held her gaze for a moment, and did his best to smile at her. Suddenly, the portrait swung open again.
"Y'know what the problem is, Trip?" Robin said, pointing a finger at Atlas, who had whipped his head around to look at the twins, "You eat too bloody fast! " Carol was a few steps behind him, laughing at his brother. When Atlas turned back around to face Devvy, she'd already begun to ascend the steps to the girls' dormitory. She looked back at him with a smile and waved before disappearing from sight.
Atlas let out a small sigh as the boys set their books down on the table. Carol looked over at him, "You really do have a thing for her, don't you?"
"I don't…I don't 'have a thing' for anyone. I just…" Atlas rubbed his forehead, "It's nothing. Honest."
Robin rolled his eyes, "Oh, come off it, mate. Don't play the tough guy here," He smiled, "because that's my job."
"Is it…is it that obvious?" Atlas stammered, looking up at the twins.
"Well, I wouldn't say it isn't," Carol said as he sat down, "but it's not as if anyone's paying attention."
"Besides," Robin took a seat to the other side of him, "it's not like she doesn't feel the same way."
"What are you talking about?" Atlas looked over at him, puzzled.
"Oh, don't tell us you don't see the way she looks at you, Trip," Carol smiled, "If she doesn't have feelings for you, then my name's Abraham Lincoln."
Robin looked over at his brother, "Who the bloody hell is that?"
Carol shrugged, "Dunno. I heard someone talking about him last summer when we visited Thomas. He sounded like a right nice bloke, though."
Slowly, the boys took to the task of finishing their Potions essays, even though Atlas couldn't have paid attention if his life depended on it.
He didn't know what exactly was going on here, but he did know one thing: He was extremely confused.