Fell in Love Without You
Chapter 22: Love
"Oh poor Annabelle"
"So close to Valentines day!"
"Why'd he do it?"
"Don't know"
"Shame... they looked cute together"
I rolled my eyes. The topic of the conversation on everybody's lips was the break up between Fred and Annabelle. It hadn't been public, but everyone saw the aftermath of the crying Annabelle being consoled by Angelina and Alicia.
She'd been crying for four days straight. It was getting a little tiring if you asked me.
"Are you going to come and watch the match, Annabelle?" Alicia asked politely over breakfast. I glanced at the sullen looking girl staring at her toast.
"I don't think so. I think I might just read if that's ok" She pulled her lips into a smile but didn't look up.
My stomach pulled slightly, like I'd swallowed a Chocolate Frog whole. It was guilt. Annabelle was hurt because of me... and I may not like the girl but it still felt rotten that it was my fault.
"You should come Annabelle" I said lightly. "Sit with me in the stands"
She glanced up at me with a slight surprised expression on her face. "Why?"
"Because it's a gorgeous day and it's too good to just sit inside... and Slytherin verses Gryffindor matches are always brilliant" I smiled brightly at her.
"Well... I guess... if you don't mind" She nodded. Then she looked down at her toast.
Angelina and Alicia both shot me proud looks. Roe rolled her eyes and muttered something about me being too nice for my own good. Fred, however, had one eyebrow raised.
"I think I might get some air..." He stretched and stood. He cocked his head to the side slightly and then left.
"I'm going to find Roger to tell him I'll be sitting with you Annabelle... I'll see you outside ok?" I smiled and also stood. I walked over to the Ravenclaw table and found my 'boyfriend'. "Babe I need to talk to you a second" I patted his back lightly. He looked up from his conversation with his friends and smiled.
"Sure" they all made whipping noises and I rolled my eyes. "Mature"
They laughed and I turned, Roger following me.
"What's up?" He asked as we walked.
"I just invited Annabelle to sit with me during the game" I hissed to him.
"Why?" He raised an eyebrow.
"Because I feel guilty that she's hurt because it's all my fault... I'm a homewrecker!" I hissed. I pushed open the Great Hall doors and turned left.
"You're not a homewrecker A.V... They were going to be over soon anyway" Roger put an arm around my shoulders.
"I still feel guilty" I said flatly. "Also I needed a reason to leave the great hall so I could talk to Fred..." I stepped outside the doors and looked around for him. He was sitting on the stone wall, staring out over the forest.
"Right... I'll be leaving then" Roger saluted me and walked away.
I went over to the red-head and tapped his shoulder.
"Why are you being friendly with Annabelle?" He asked without turning around.
"Because I feel bad that she's hurt... it's my fault" I answered the question again.
"You still don't need to be friends with her... do you want her to find out? because really that would hurt her more don't you think?" He turned and glared at me.
I frowned. "Sorry for just being nice... the girl's actual friends are all on the team... she was just going to lock herself away in the tower and read a book" I snapped back.
"I thought you were the one that didn't want to take risks, love? The one that didn't want to get caught?" He scooped my hands up and kissed them.
"I don't, but that doesn't mean a girl should be miserable" I gave him a stern look.
"You don't even like Annabelle" he pointed out.
"Doesn't mean I can't be nice to someone who's upset" I shot back. He smiled and pulled me close.
"This is why I love you" My breath caught in my throat at those words. "You're too nice, too perfect, too amazing..." He kissed me hard and I gasped. He tangled his fingers in my hair and pulled me to stand between his knees. He pulled away to look at me.
"L-love me?" I stammered. He'd never said that before!
"Of course A.V... I've always loved you – you're my best friend... but this is different, this is..."
"I love you too" I smiled, cutting him off. He didn't have to say anything more. He grinned and kissed me again.
"AVERY VANDERBILT!" I heard a shocked voice yell out to me. I jerked back from Fred and turned around. I was busted. So busted. "What the hell is going on!" Roe was stalking over to the both of us, broom over her shoulder and a confused look on her face.
"Hey Roe..." I bit my lip. She stopped in front of us and looked from Fred to me and back again. "I can explain – "
"Thank GOD. I thought I was going to have to drug you and lock you in a broom closet till you were both overcome with sexual frustration that you just went for it" was all she said before hugging me. I glanced at Fred and laughed.
"Of all the reactions anyone could have had... scolding, yelling, laughing... Roe approves" I rolled my eyes.
"You know A.V... I used to think you weren't my sister because we were so different... but lately... I think I see where I get it from" She pulled away and winked at me.
"Get what from?" I frowned.
"Oh you know... getting her own way, beating down the bitch, sneaking around behind peoples backs... it's all very... me" she winked. Then she turned to Fred. "Hurt her I kill you... Grab your broom, we have snakes to beat" She grinned and continued down to the pitch. I turned back to Fred and rubbed my neck.
"You should – "
"Yeah I need to – "
We both laughed and he jumped down off the wall. He kissed me lightly. "See you after the game. I love you"
"See you then" I nodded. He trotted off down the path after my sister, catching up with her and jumping on her back. I laughed and went inside to find Annabelle and Hermione.
Gryffindor vs Slytherin matches were always the best. It was the one place where house rivalries could be fought out without getting into trouble. So of course it was the loudest, noisiest, dirtiest games of the season.
"This is rather exciting" Annabelle nodded to me, watching the people around us laughing and screaming at each other.
"I told you so" I smiled. She smiled back.
"Why are you being so nice to me?" She asked, biting her lip and fiddling with her hands.
"Because... I don't know... it's not easy being heartbroken and alone?" I shrugged. Her face fell and she sighed.
"You really are the nicest person in the world Avery... I've been nothing but bitchy to you and here you are, sitting with me and being nice" She looked like she was about to cry again so I patted her arm.
"Never mind that Annabelle... let's just watch the game and have fun yeah?" I jumped to my feet with the crowd. The match was starting and both teams were hovering in the air, waiting for the whistle.
The game was fast paced and action filled. Twice Alicia was almost pulled off her broom by Flint and I'm sure I saw Roe poke the other chaser in the eye.
It wasn't long before the game was tied and everyone was on the edge of their seats.
"THE GAME IS TIED AT 80-80! IT'S TOUGH AND TENSE DOWN ON THE PITCH AND... WAIT A MINUTE... WHAT IS VANDERBILT DOING?" Lee Jordan exclaimed over the loud speaker. I groaned and Annabelle laughed.
I watched as my sister launched herself off her broom and onto Draco Malfoy's back. Both of them came crashing to the ground where she proceeded pull his hair and pin him to the ground.
"IT APPEARS AS IF VANDERBILT AND MALFOY ARE HAVING A SLIGHT DISAGREEMENT WITH EACH OTHER... ALTHOUGH NOT LIKE IT'S HARD... JUST LAST NIGHT ROE WAS BELTING ME OVER THE HEAD WITH A QUIDDITCH MAGAZINE BECAUSE – "
"JORDAN GET ON WITH IT!" McGonagall yelled at Lee.
"Oh come on Roe... now you're really in trouble" I grumbled and folded my arms.
I watched as Fred and George picked my sister up under her arms and lift her off the blonde. They set her down on her feet about five meters away and laughed. Malfoy got to his feet and yelled something out.
"What is Fred doing?" Annabelle exclaimed as Fred turned around and stalked over to Malfoy. Malfoy said something else and Fred pulled his fist back and punched him in the face. Malfoy, for the second time this year, crumpled to the floor. Fred launched himself on top of Malfoy and continued to punch him. Annabelle squealed so many times you'd think it was him being beaten up.
"Oh he is in SO much trouble..." I muttered.
Madam Hooch blew the whistle and the game was over. Default win to Slytherin because of a fight. Roe, George and Fred were hurried back up to the castle before anyone could even move.
"Why would he do that?" Annabelle gripped my arm tightly. "He's going to get into SO much trouble"
"Never mind him! What about my sister! Malfoy must have said something really bad this time... come on, we might be able to eves-drop" I grabbed her hand and pulled her through the buzzing crowd.
We ran all the way up to the castle and to Umbridge's office. It would be the first place they would be taken to I knew it.
I put a finger to my lips and Annabelle and I pressed our ears against the door.
"HOW DARE you fight like muggles?" Umbridge shrieked. "Miss Vanderbilt, what have you got to say for yourself?"
"Malfoy" My sister spat the word "was bad-mouthing my family... bad mouthing Harry's family... he just pushed me too far" Roe exclaimed. I heard a bang.
"It is up to you to ignore these things and control your temper!" Umbridge shrieked. "Weasley, what about you?"
"Called Rosalie a slut and then bagged out my family" He dead panned. "I don't know about you but my family is important to me"
I winced. Now was not the time to be cheeky.
"Silence Mr Weasley... Expulsion. All three of you will never return to this institution – "
"NO!" I exclaimed. There was silence on the other side and I exchanged a look with Annabelle. The door opened and we almost fell into the room.
"Miss Vanderbilt and Miss Valentine... is there anything I could help you with?" Umbridge smiled meanly down at us.
"Don't expel them Professor" I blurted out. "Give them detention till the end of their schooling, make them clean the toilets with their tooth brushes... just don't expel them" I bit my lip and glanced at my friends.
"And why should I do this?" She raised an eyebrow.
"Because... well... they didn't kill Malfoy did they?" Annabelle spoke up. "They just kind of... hit him a bit" She shrugged.
Umbridge looked from Annabelle to me and then to our friends.
"Lifetime ban from Quidditch" She said that evil grin still on her face.
"WHAT! NO!"
"FUCK THAT!"
"NO – "
"SILENCE!" She shrieked, her face turning purple. Fred, George and Roe fell silent. "Lifetime ban. Have Miss Vanderbilt and Miss Valentine to thank"
We stood awkwardly for a moment before she glanced at us again.
"Get OUT!" She pointed to her door.
The five of us pushed our way out of it and into the corridor.
"Fuck I hate Malfoy" Roe swore and kicked the suit of armour next to her.
"Yeah well, thank me later" I rolled my eyes. She threw me a grateful look.
"Freddy, you could have been expelled" Annabelle said and threw her arms around his neck. I swallowed the jealousy that surfaced in my stomach and stared at the floor. "I could have really lost you"
"Ah...Thanks for saving me" Fred patted her on the back. He tried to push her away but she latched onto his waist. Fred sighed and stopped trying "but I really think something has to be done about her... am I right George?"
"I think you're right Fred" George agreed. He hugged me tightly. "Thanks for saving us though" He muttered. "Mum would have skinned us alive"
"Your mum... what about my mum? There'd be nothing left of Roe to find" I laughed. I pulled away from him and smiled at Fred.
"Thankyou so much A.V..." He smiled. He pulled away from Annabelle finally and wrapped me in a tight hug. "I'm so, so sorry for ignoring you" He said so Annabelle could hear.
"Uhm...Fred can we talk?" Annabelle asked, grasping Fred's hand and pulling him away from me.
"Oh no, you don't" Roe rolled her eyes. "Come on, I need to celebrate the fact that the annoying one saved my butt" She grabbed Annabelle's arm and dragged her away down the corridor before the blonde could protest.
I sighed and looked between the twins.
"So..." I rocked on the balls of my feet.
"It's ok A.V... I know about you two" George chuckled slightly. I didn't have to be told twice before I flew into Fred's arms.
"Why did you have to attack Malfoy!" I exclaimed, slapping his arm a couple of times. He grabbed my wrists, kissed me softly and laughed.
"He insulted Roe, he insulted me and he insulted my mum... no one gets away with that" He shrugged grimly. "As for the old bat in there..." He threw his thumb over his shoulder. "She'll get her what for, you just wait"
"Too right Brother" George agreed. I turned to look at him.
"How long have you known about us?" I asked.
"Ahh... uhm same time as you told Roger I guess" He shrugged and looked at his feet. I raised an eyebrow.
"You told him before that didn't you?"
"He's my brother love, of course I did" Fred kissed me again. "Come on, we better go inform Angelina she needs to find two beaters and a chaser..."
"Oh she's going to have kittens" I laughed. He kissed me once more and we walked back to the common room.
Plea's note:
Whoops, I edited this HOURS ago but forgot to upload. Will you forgive me if I upload a second chapter? ;)