From the End to the Start
Chapter 17
"She said no?" Robert asked Diaval when he told them what had happened between him and Maleficent.
"For now, I think."
Robert patted him on the back. "Tough luck. I thought she liked you."
"I think she does, or at least she's given it some consideration. It's just that she isn't ready for that sort of commitment. We've been friends for years, see. To change the kind of relationship we have would mean to alter our dynamics permanently." Diaval explained.
"This is why I prefer being single, mate. Too many complications! Me, I'm free to have fun with girls without strings attached."
Diaval guffawed. "That would happen if girls are actually interested in you!"
"Oi! I'll have you know girls dig me!"
"I'll need evidence to support that case, my friend."
Robert glared at the sight of Diaval's smirk. "Whatever. I'm more interested in wizard's chess anyway." He said gloomily, arranging the chess pieces on the board in front of him.
"Probably why you're single." Diaval quipped, preparing for the game.
"You said no?"
Maleficent smiled sadly at her usually cheery friend.
"Why? I honestly thought you liked him." Leila set her face on her palm, eyes wide with wonder.
"I just don't think I'm ready for it, I guess. We've been friends for so long, Leila. I don't know what I'd do if I lost him as a friend."
"Just because you're dating him doesn't mean he'd have to stop being your friend!"
"But if- if we do date, then we break up" Maleficent took a deep breath, as if the thought physically pained her, "then the dynamics of our relationship would forever be altered."
The blonde pouted. "Aren't you being extremely pessimistic? I mean, you haven't even given it a shot yet!"
"I'm just being practical. Right now, what I need the most is a friend, not a boyfriend." The normally reticent girl pointed out.
"I suppose." Leila returned to her neglected essay, apparently dropping the subject. Before she fully returned to her work, she added, "Truthfully, though, you guys already act like a couple. Ask anybody else, they'd say the same."
"What do you mean?"
Leila simply smiled as she dipped her quill in ink to begin writing.
"What do you mean, Leila?" Maleficent urged testily. She didn't get an answer except a giggle. Sighing, she went back to her work.
Maleficent saw that everyone in the Great Hall was decked in outdoor garments, ready to spend the day in Hogsmeade on Valentine's Day. She looked out of place, as she was still in her casual robes, which Diaval commented on when breakfast was over and students were milling out.
"You're not going to Hogsmeade?"
"I think I've put off my O.W.L revisions long enough."
"Oh. Well then…" Diaval trailed off, clearly disappointed.
"I'm sorry. Did you want me to go?" Maleficent asked, knowing she was only asking to be polite. Truth be told, she doesn't feel comfortable going out on Valentine's Day with Diaval, despite them agreeing they'd only stay as friends. She felt as if their trip on this particular day would have a different undercurrent, regardless of how much they pretend nothing's changed whatsoever.
He scrutinized her for a moment. "It's alright. Just don't overwork yourself, okay? Don't forget to eat lunch." Diaval replied, comprehension in his tone. This was what she counted on, what she didn't want to lose- his depth of understanding when it came to her.
"Okay. Have fun."
"Won't be the same without you." Diaval mumbled. It was true- ever since their first Hogsmeade trip together, they've never gone to the wizarding town without each other's company. "But I'll try." He gave her a lopsided smile, which she returned, before they parted ways. She felt weird traipsing to the library instead of going with him to Hogsmeade, but she'd give up anything- even their routines and traditions- to keep him as her friend.
Maleficent didn't realize how much work she has left undone until she's worked all day in the library and somehow still almost missed dinner. She rushed to the Great Hall and filled her plate with whatever dishes were nearest to her, scanning the crowd of rowdy students for a glimpse of her best friend. She saw him at the Ravenclaw table, frowning in her direction.
By the time she was finished eating, almost all students have left the Hall to enjoy the hour they have until curfew. Diaval, however, was still at the table, obviously waiting for her. As soon as she stood up to leave, he left and caught up with her.
"You almost missed dinner." Diaval said by way of conversation.
They walked towards the courtyard, where a few students were hanging around.
"Didn't realize how much backlog I had. I've been procrastinating lately." She explained.
"Who are you and what have you done to Maleficent?"
"Oh shush. I've been distracted lately, I guess."
He smirked, a teasing glint in his eyes. "Oh, were you by any chance distracted by me?"
She glared back, which only served to make him laugh. "Wipe that stupid smirk off your face, you arrogant bird."
"Oh, I have something for you." Diaval rummaged the pockets of his robe, pulling out two packages. They sat down in one of the stone benches along the courtyard, and he handed the packages to her.
"I got your usual Scrivenshaft's haul, since you've worn out all your quills." He narrated as she opened the first package, containing 5 quills of her favorite variety (somehow he had noticed she'd almost run out of quills). She set those aside and opened the second one, immediately noticing the Honeydukes logo. "Also, I realized I haven't bought you chocolate since that one time about 2 years ago, was it? So yeah. Happy Valentine's Day, Lefi."
It was her favorite Honeydukes chocolate that he bought- the very same one she cried over all those years ago, when she realized she wanted nothing more in this world than to be his friend, uninhibitedly. Diaval didn't know that, but the emotional resonance was still clear to her.
"Diaval…" The name slipped out of her mouth like a warning, as if with just one move they could break whatever fragile agreement they've settled upon, as if they were walking on a tightrope and they could fall anytime.
Diaval smiled then, the kind of smile that left her heart sore and her body wanting more. "It's just candy, Lef. I've bought you plenty of stuff before, really."
Despite herself, she exclaimed in mock-offense, "Oi, I pay for my own stuff!" which elicited a laugh from the raven-haired boy.
"Yeah okay, maybe not a lot, but a few. All I'm saying is- it's a friendly gift, nothing more." He plucked the chocolate bar out of her hands and peeled the foil away. He broke off a piece and handed her the rest. He gave her a close-lipped smile, savoring the chocolate in his mouth.
She mimicked his actions, realizing for the first time what it really meant whenever they signed their letters to each other with "yours".
A/N: Hello! Managed to squeeze this chapter in between tons of homework and readings. I love and hate med school at the same time.
Anyway, I didn't have time to proofread or edit this or whatever but I do hope you like this all the same.
Next update is whenever I find time again :)) I have an exam next week and lots to do this week so yeah. See you then, hopefully.
Cheers!