The New Chapters of Hogwarts

Chapter 7: Blurting It Out

"Cara, are you ok?" The blonde asked.

They had been sitting on the outskirts of the castle for a good ten minutes now and everytime the boy tried to start up a conversation, he was taken a back by the fierce blush that appeared on the Slytheriness' face. Sure, it was close to Christmas and the air outside was quite nippy, but the way she didn't want to make direct eye contact with him made Narcicuss believe that something deeper caused such a rift between them. But he honestly couldn't think of what it could be.

Like she had done for the last few weeks, Carvera began to open her mouth but as soon as she tried to look into his confused blue orbs, she clamed up. Had he any idea that the nosy, indian girl's advice had brought an epiphany upon the young Potter, Nari might have not been so lost. As Cara had thought on it more and more, she realized that she was indeed developing strong feelings for her best friend. And much to her horror, Parsila was once again correct. They did act like an item. Not only did he jump in and protect Carvera at the drop of a hat, he went the extra mile by holding her hand, smiling at her, and playing with her hair. The mystery surrounding why she didn't mind it in the least had come together like some terrifying yet exciting puzzle. She wasn't a teenager just yet so the girl couldn't pin it on horomones, but something about the way they acted felt so right. And yet, to look into his eyes might make everything come apart. Usually she wouldn't have been so sure, but Carvera was clear on why she couldn't look him in the eyes and talk casually to Narcicuss. Her heart ached with the fear of rejection. It ebbed through her body, mind and soul. And if she looked him directly in the eyes, a glass menagerie of her hopes, feelings and dreams would tumble downwards and shatter on the hard surface of reality. All this worry, and she still did not know how he felt about her.

"Carvera" he called softly and shifted a piece of her silky hair out of her eyes. The small motion had brought the girl out of her deep train of thought. Either by accident or sheer coincidence, Cara looked into the Malfoy's eyes for the first time in weeks. As if what he saw troubled him, he cradled her face with his hand and instantaneously felt heat rush back to her cheeks. She tried to look away but he held her firm. It had been too long since she even glanced up at him and he wasn't about to let it end.

"What's wrong?" he repeated once more "What has happened in the last few weeks that makes you not want to look at me?"

"I can't."

"Why?"

She could do nothing but whisper "I...I'm scared."

He stiffened "Scared? Has someone threatened you?!"

"N-no!" It had been a while since she stuttered like this infront of him, which meant that it must be something big.

"Well, what is it then?!" The suspense showed in his tone and made Cara even more hesitant.

"Th-the person...that I like" she began "I'm afraid that he doesn't like me back."

An unexpected look of fear took over Narcicuss' features. There was someone she had become fond of. But who?! They spent practically every waking minute together.

"Oh." he muttered while trying to keep his cool deminor "And he feels the same?"

"Well, Parsila Banglish said I should wait and see if he asks to court me to the Yule Ball."

The blonde Slytherin couldn't help but snort "And you listened to her?"

Cara blushed and shrugged "She seems to have a lot more social experience than I do."

"Yet she doesn't have a quater of your brains."

She blushed even brighter "I-I'm not that smart."

"You're delussional if you think that." he said coldly. "You're top of all our classes and ace every bloody test that comes your way."

"I...I guess."

He sighed. She was always so down on herself. "So why don't you just ask this idiot instead waiting for him to ask you?"

"I couldn't!"

"Why the hell not?"

"I just can't."

"Is he a jerk?"

"No!"

"Then he's ugly?"

"Looks have nothing to do with it."

"But you like him."

"So?"

"He can't be fugly."

"He's not!"

"Then why not ask?"

"Because..."

"Because?"

"YOU'D OBVIOUSLY REJECT ME!" she blurted without realizing.

Narcicuss' eyes widdened and his mouth gapped. His head spun with a sudden smack of the truth.

She said 'you' didn't she?! I'm not going deaf am I?

"Did...you just say 'you'?"

As soon as he heard her gasp and cup her hands over her mouth, his cheeks became a blaze. She did! Merlin's bloody pants, she was refering to me!!

"I'm sorry!!!! I'm so so sorry! I'll leave you alone now. Just don't yell at me!" she pleaded with a flabberghasted Malfoy.

He shook out of shock and forced himself to look at her. Carvera's eyes were filled with worry and glistened with the threat of tears if he said something wrong. It was a tough spot, the worst of which being that he hadn't really taken time to evaluate the depths of his feelings for this girl.

He finally cleared his throat, "I don't...I mean I can't...Oh bloody hell! I've thought about that kind of stuff but not so much. It might just be what they call a 'crush'. Damn it all if I would know. But I can say that I'm not going to reject you. Whether because I like you as a friend or a...well...you know, I don't know! Point is, I'll go to the Yule Ball with you..."

After his little rant, he had noticed tears fall down her face. Nari thought he had said the wrong things until he found that she had planted her lips on his cheek. That was the fuse lit to the explosion of color now covering his face. He hesitantly looked at her and found her smiling sweetly while wiping the tears from her slightly puffy features.

"Thank you, Nari" she said softly "That means a lot to me. You're...the best!"

Again his face felt hot against the ice cold wind. Weeks of silence had been blown to bits. She had been hiding her feelings for him and it had been interferring in their friendship. But he found himself smiling. They were so young, and so utterly clueless. But no matter what they felt for each other later on, he was just relieved that it was out of the way for now.

"Well" he began as he stood and helped her up "What now?"

"I guess prepare for the Ball." Cara said with that sweet smile still plastered across her features. "It's tomorrow night."

Nari groaned "Do I have to wear a bloody dress robe?"

"It would be rude not to do so."

He grinned slyly "So that means I don't have to, right?"

"Nari..."