"W - why would you two do that?" I questioned Rose and Dom. "I mean...why?" Rose bit her lip and glanced up at Dom, who was avoiding all eye contact. Bloody bint. We sat in silence as I stared at them confusedly, wondering why the fuck they had left me alone with Potter. Dom sighed in frustration and glared at me, apparently deciding to answer my question
"Look Alena, we just think that you need to talk to people. You know, make other friends. Step out of your comfort zone a bit. I understand that you've been scarred by...what happened, but that was 6 years ago. You need to build a bridge and get over it. You're too quiet and it's getting ridiculous." She took a deep breath and continued. "You can't...you can't just be anti-social for the rest of your life just because he's never coming back, alright?" I forced my face to remain blank and managed to pull a strained smile across my lips.
"I don't know what you're talking about, I'm just as happy and enthusiastic and loud as I was in first year, before particular incidents took place. Ha, you guys just worry WAY too much. Just chill, okay? It's all good." Rose and Dom exchanged bewildered glances. What? Did I say something wrong?
"Alena, stop. You're just acting all outgoing now because we're calling you out on your silence. We just want to help you, and the first step is admitting that you need help. We probably should have tried to help years ago, but we thought you might just sort yourself out. However, that's obviously not going to happen, since you're as quiet as you were when you...er...found out about what happened," said Rose, avoiding my gaze. I really don't see what the problem is here. Really. Nothing's wrong with me. I'm fine. Perfectly normal. I mean, I talk to myself in my head sometimes, but no one knows that...Or do they?
Dom waved a small, pale hand in front of my face, attempting to get my attention.
"Huh - What?" I mumbled. "What was the question?" Dom rolled her eyes and threw herself on to her bed.
"Alena. Honestly, what is going on with you? We're trying to help, and you're not even listening?" exclaimed Rose, gaping at me. She looked kind of like a fish. You know, they're always opening and closing their mouths like they're talking or something. They probably are talking, in a secret language. Ooh, tricky!
I attempted to open and close my mouth like a fish to see if Rose would understand the secret message I was trying to convey, but I don't think it really worked.
"ALENA! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" she yelled.
"Uh, you know. Listening."
"No. You're really not. We can talk about this in the morning, perhaps when you aren't acting like you're high."
Rose huffed loudly, walked to her bed, and drew the curtains.
I sighed quietly. Can't please everyone.
***
The next morning was extremely awkward. Why do I always get myself into these awkward situations? Dom and Rose seemed to be giving me the silent treatment, Valerie had already gone down to breakfast, and Anna was being bitchy, as per usual. Atleast that would always be a constant in my life.
Unfortunately, a lot of my classes were with my two "best friends", so I was tempted to skip. In fact, I even tried to sneak out during Transfiguration (we were transfiguring pencils into centipedes and when is that ever going to come in handy in life?) but Anna spotted me and would have snitched on me if I hadn't lied and said that my centipede had crawled away and I was searching for it. Professor McGonagall probably would have shot me with her scary laser eyes if she found out I was ditching. Yes, I do believe that she has laser eyes. I am absolutely correct.
The day dragged on slowly and by the time we were to have dinner, I was quite ready to drop dead from loneliness. Right on the cold, stone floor. It doesn't look so bad, really. I mean, it's gray. Gray's a cheery colour, right? Yeah, okay, whatever.
I sat alone. I didn't really have any other choice. Rose and Dom refused to talk to me and sitting with Seb and his..."peeps" as he likes to call them, would just be an overall vulgar experience. Al and Scorpius were an option, but that would mean sitting at the Slytherin table and facing the sneers of some of the nastier Slytherins. Plus, I really didn't want to deal with Scorpius blabbering on and on about Rose, especially since we weren't on speaking terms.
I went to bed without doing my homework at 9, which is incredibly sad. I mean, who sleeps at 9?
Oh, right. People like me who have no friends. Great.
***
There were tears in my eyes when I woke up. Merlin, I am an loser. A sensitive loser.
I decided that me + sitting alone again = not going to happen. Yeah, I was quiet, but that didn't mean I was a loner. Even though I didn't always participate in conversations with my them, I still liked actually having friends.
As I arrived in the Great Hall, I noticed Valerie sitting alone so I gave myself a quick pep talk before proceeding to sit with her.
Come on, Alena. You. Can. DO IT. Just march over there and be like, "Bitch, let me sit beside you, or I'll beat yo' ass!"
...Or not. You know what? You can do this. Valerie's a nice girl, and she's really quiet, just like you. This will work.
Rose and Dom want me to have more friends? I'll give them more friends!
"Um, hi Valerie. I was wondering...canIsitwithyou?" Merlin, it sounds like my mouth is having spasms or something, that's how fast I just talked.
Valerie looked at me with a puzzled look on her face and nodded hesitantly. I smiled at her softly and sat down.
"So. Uh. How are you?" I asked, desperately trying not to make this more embarrassing than it already was.
"Fine I suppose...Can I ask you something?"
"Sure, I guess."
"Why are you sitting with me?" she asked quietly. My mouth parted slightly as I pondered whether or not I should tell her the truth.
"Well. Uh, you see...Rose and Dom aren't really talking to me right now." Valerie nodded slightly and smiled.
"Yeah, I thought so. I don't mind though. I mean, I don't really have anyone else to sit with," she said, sighing sadly. Oh. Poor girl. She can be my friend! I'm a good friend, right? Right.
"Um, well. Y - you can sit with me from now on," I stuttered. Okay, so I'm kind of terrible at making friends. Shh.
She grinned at me and nodded in agreement. That was easier than I thought! Yay, I made a new friend! Who's still pro? ME!
***
I discovered that not only was Valerie gorgeous and nice, she was also pretty funny.
"So then I told him that if he didn't give me the crackers right that instant, I would shove them right up his arse!" See what I mean? I guess she's loud with her friends. Because I'm her friend now. We're FRIENDS. Yeah. BFFs. Best friends for life. A friend in need is a friend indeed. Did I mention we're friends?
I don't know why she didn't have any friends. She's pretty great.
We were in the dormitory, along with Rose and Dom. They were muttering quietly and occasionally glancing up at us. After about 10 minutes of this, Rose stood up and walked towards us.
"Alena? Can I talk to you?" she asked. OH, so now she's coming running back to me? Hell to the no.
"Er...sure." She lead me to her bed and smiled nervously.
"Dom and I are really glad that you made friends with Valerie. See, that's why we weren't speaking to you. So that you would make more friends. We're really sorry, but we were doing it for your own good...You understand, don't you?" Well. Why didn't they mention that before?
"That's alright. I...I'm also really glad that I made friends with Valerie."
Rose smiled happily and I knew we were all good. Dom and I were also fine, I knew, but Dom wasn't really one to talk about her feelings.
Anyway, I made a new friend, which totally just proves that I am AMAZING. Only second to Merlin, obviously.
***
"Oi! Malfoy! Alena needs her notes back," Rose said, turning around in her seat during Charms. We had it with the Slytherins, and Scorpius and Al were sitting behind us. Valerie was sitting at the table next to ours, but the seat next to hers was empty, as Dom had decided to skip. Professor Flitwick was attempting to teach us the Aguamenti charm, but no one was really listening to him. Poor guy. He's just so tiny, I feel bad for him, you know? No, wait! That's not what I meant! I mean no offense to short people! I love short people. Not that they deserve special treatment or anything. I mean, not that they don't! Everyone should be treated differently. Oh bollocks, I mean equally! I mean - oh, screw it.
"Alright everyone," Flitwick squeaked, "Pick up your wands and -"
"I WAS SIMPLY ASKING YOU FOR THE NOTES! WHY CAN'T YOU JUST HAND THEM OVER WITHOUT ARGUING?" Oh boy, looks like Rose and Scorpius are at it once again.
"I DON'T HAVE TO LISTEN TO YOU, WEASLEY! I'LL GIVE THE NOTES BACK WHEN I'M GOOD AND READY! THEY'RE NOT YOURS ANYWAY!" I glanced at Al, only to find that he was calmly copying down the notes in question. Sneaky bastard. Valerie was staring at Rose and Scorpius in shock, so clearly, she wasn't going to be much help either.
Well, it looked like it was up to me to solve this one. Merlin, save me.
"Um, guys? You're sort of, uh, disrupting the class a bit, so maybe you should...Stop?" I requested meekly. They should just elect me Minister right now. Obviously, my argument resolving skills are greatly evolved beyond most wizards. I would probably be an amazing leader. People would just fall at my feet and I would just sit on my big Minister throne (wait, do they have thrones?) and cackle evilly.
Why am I getting mental images of Hitler?
"ALENA, TELL HIM YOU WANT YOUR NOTES BACK!" Rose screamed.
"ALENA, TELL HER THAT YOU LET ME BORROW YOUR NOTES UNTIL I FINISH COPYING THEM!" Scorpius yelled back.
"Er, Rose, it's true, I did let him borrow my notes. He can keep them until he's done copying them, but you can take them back for me when he's done," I replied hesitantly, not wanting to upset either of them.
"Fine," agreed Rose angrily. Scorpius grinned at me in triumph.
Honestly, I think Rose just started that pointless argument because she's secretly in love with Scorpius. You can practically feel the sexual tension.
If Dom hadn't decided to skip out so she could go snog some Hufflepuff loser, I wouldn't have had to deal with this rubbish.
Merlin, what a slag of a friend I have.
***
"Alena, Rose! How you doin'?"
"Dom, why did you skip AGAIN?" exclaimed Rose, placing her hands on her hip.
"How many times do I have to tell you? I don't need an education, I'm going to be a professional Quidditch player," replied Dom, grinning proudly. "Plus, that Hufflepuff looked like he needed a good snog, so I obliged. Quite happily, I might add. He was a good snog."
Dom, you skank.
JUST KIDDING, love you Dommy.
"Come on Dominique, I'm probably a better snog than any Hufflepuff could ever be." What? Random voice? Is it in my head or real life? Hm, hard to determine.
Oh, wait, never mind. It's Seb. Amazing how I can't even recognize my own brother's voice.
Dom's fists automatically clenched and she began to grind her teeth in a rather frightening manner. Ooh, SCARY.
"I'm free anytime. I don't mind skipping for you, love," said my dear brother, winking cockily at Dom.
"Alena. Please tell your sibling to back the fuck off or I might explode and rip his head off," threatened Dom venomously. She did, in fact, look ready to explode. Her usually calm blue eyes were flashing dangerously and her strawberry blonde hair was practically crackling. The Veela blood in her enabled her to still look beautiful, of course.
"Uh, Seb, let's go to the Great Hall," I said, beginning to bite my nails nervously. He looked a bit frightened and awed at the same time. I cleared my throat quietly, which evidently brought him out of his trance. He nodded slowly, but, of course, couldn't leave without having the last word.
"I like my women feisty!" he exclaimed, grabbing my hand and dragging me into the Hall.
"Seb, I'm not actually sitting with you! I only said that to get you out of there!" I whispered frantically as he led me towards his friends.
"Come on Alena, I've barely been able to talk to you since we got here. Please sit with us?" he begged. I was about to shake my head no, but then he pulled that stupid puppy dog eyes trick. He had always been able to pull it off, which frustrated me to no end. I was always forced to do what he wanted when he whipped out his big green eyes.
"Fine, I'll sit with you," I mumbled. "But don't think this means you win." He smirked and mouthed "I win" to himself. You're cool, Seb. You're cool.
I sat beside my brother and greeted Fred and Potter (rather unwillingly, I might add). I glanced over at the dinner that the house elves had prepared. House elves sort of freaked me out, but they made damn good food. That's what really matters in the end, after all.
Instead of speaking, I concentrated on my food. I was not good at talking to boys, especially annoying ones. The only reason I befriended Al was because he was Rose and Dom's cousin, and since Scorpius and him were best friends, I also became friends with him.
"So, Alena, are you ready to see our prank in action?" whispered Fred urgently.
"Er, what prank?" I questioned confusedly, frustrated at being interrupted from my eating. Do people not understand the greatness of food? What is this?
"The one we were just talking about," Seb replied, rolling his eyes. Well, no need to get huffy with me. People these days. Maybe I just don't care enough to listen about their stupid pranks. People of higher importance like me don't have time for such petty things.
"We bought some exploding bonbons and charmed them to explode as soon as a Slytherin places one on his/her plate. Oh, and we made the explosions a bit stronger than they usually would be," explained Potter, smirking mischievously. See? He's evil, obviously. Spawn of the devil. No offense to Mr. or Mrs. Potter. Wait, girls can't be devils, can they? Can they? No idea.
See, exploding bonbons are meant to cause a small explosion in your mouth, not explode on your plate, and potentially, explode on your face.
"Oh. Um, nice?" I provide such intelligent and insightful replies.
"You just don't appreciate the beauty of a prank," said Seb, sticking out his tongue at me. Real mature.
"They...they won't get hurt though, will they?" I asked fearfully. All three of them snorted in disbelief.
"Who cares? It's going to be hilarious!" My brother is truly heartless.
"Just for your reassurance, no, it won't hurt them. It's a very minor explosion. The worst that can happen is that hair may get burned slightly at the tips. No big deal. It'll just be hilarious seeing the looks on their faces when their dessert explodes," said Fred, attempting to reassure me.
It didn't work. I expected atleast Potter to feel bad. I mean, that was his brother he was about to prank. Inconsiderate idiot.
"Everyone shut up, the food is disappearing, it's time for dessert," exclaimed Seb excitedly. This is so wrong. I wish I could stop it but I can't draw attention to myself by trying to stop the prank. When people look at me, I stutter and blush. Well, more than I usually do, atleast.
Maybe if I secretly throw a treacle tart at Potter's head, it will provide a distraction? Not that it would be for revenge or anything...
I jumped slightly as the unquestionably loud sound of several Slytherin's bonbons exploding right on their plates sounded throughout the hall. Every house table roared with laughter at the shocked expressions on the Slytherin's faces.
Okay, I'll admit, it was a bit funny because they looked as if they were about to shit their pants from fright. I restrained myself from laughing, however, and stared down at my plate.
I spotted Al sitting towards the end of the table with Scorpius. He looked quite upset and a bit furious. Scorpius was still gaping at his bonbon in shock.
Suddenly, Al stood up and ran out of the hall. Poor kid. Glancing quickly at Seb and his moronic friends practically rolling on the floor laughing, I rushed out of the hall after Al.
***
"Al? Are you in there?" I asked softly, waiting outside of the Slytherin boys' dormitory. The password to the Common Room had remained the same since the last time Rose had asked Al for it.
"...Alena?" he whispered, cracking the door open slightly. He looked weary and kind of dirty from the explosion, with his glasses sort of askew.
"Uh, yeah, it's...it's me." Al opened the door wider to let me in. Slowly, he settled on his bed and gestured for me to sit on it as well.
"I'm fine, Alena. You don't have to check up on me, you know." Yes I do, Al. Because of our brother/sister-like relationship, I am obligated to check up on you whenever you feel hurt/angry/upset. It's in the contract.
"Al, you...you're like a brother to me, and I love you, so of course I have to check up on you. I know you feel upset because James targets your house, but...it's not you he doesn't like, it's the Slytherins in general. Just house rivalry, okay?" I said softly. Al smiled.
"Thanks, Alena. With all the pranks and everything, it sometimes feels like he doesn't love me. I know the pranks are just for "fun", but I'm just tired of James pranking on the Slytherins all the time. We never did anything, he's just discriminating," Al said. "I really appreciate you reassuring me he loves me though, especially since you hate him and everything." What the hell? How does he know I hate his brother? I thought I hid it pretty well. I'm great at keeping secrets. Just saying.
Al smirked at my puzzled expression. What a Slytherin.
"Yeah, I noticed you hate him. You never seem to want to be around him and you ignore him when you can. It makes me really happy sometimes." You're evil too, Al. When someone hates your brother, it makes you happy? Obviously, villainy runs in the family. Well, Lily is definitely not evil. She's probably the sweetest girl I've ever met. Mrs. Potter probably got raped by Voldemort...twice. Because she would never, ever have sexual interactions with that noseless freak willingly.
Except Al looks like an exact copy of Mr. Potter, and James looks quite a bit like him as well. Meh, details.
I chuckled and pushed Al casually. He laughed and poked my arm. Then he rested his head on my shoulder and sighed slowly.
"Uh, so, are...are you alright?" I asked hesitantly.
"Yeah. Thanks," he replied gratefully. Good old Al.
I stroked his hair until his breaths began to come out slow and steady. Unfortunately, I wasn't strong enough to push a (quite built) Quidditch player to the back of his bed, so I gently rested his head at the end of it and kissed him on the cheek timidly.
Aw, he looks so cute sleeping! Like a teddy bear. Well, he's obviously bigger than an average teddy bear, but he just looks so huggable!
"Good night, Al," I whispered.