Chapter 22

It was a rainy day.

Alicia was in the changing-room with the rest of the Quidditch team. Steve Rowland, the Slytherin Quidditch captain was giving them all one or two advices.

"Look, Steve, I already know what I have to do," Alicia snapped when Steve told her the same thing he had been telling everyone for hours.

They were going to play against Gryffindor.

"I heard they have a new seeker, Steve said, so you have to be careful Alicia."

Beverly was the Gryffindor seeker but she had had an accident in the last match. She was still in the hospital wing.

Alicia nodded. She had been in the Slytherin team since her third year and she had never lost. She always caught the snitch and the school always cheered for her.

Alicia marched into the Quidditch pitch with the rest of the team. The rain blinded her for a moment as she tried to make out the Gryffindor new seeker.

She could hear the Slytherins cry her name behind her.

She blinked and then finally she made out who the Gryffindor seeker was.

It was none other than her boyfriend, Alan Smith.

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"Why didn't you tell me?" Alicia shrieked.

They had lost. For the first time since Alicia had joined the team, the Slytherins had lost.

Alan had caught the snitch before Alicia.

"I didn't think it was necessary!" Alan cried back. Many people turned their heads towards them.

They were walking towards the Slytherin tower. Alan had decided to accompany Alicia but now he was regretting his decision.

Alicia hadn't even bothered to change. The appearance of her boyfriend on the pitch had been like a slap on the face. She had been shocked. She hadn't been able to concentrate and she had failed her own team.

She didn't care about her reputation anymore. Alan had completely ruined it. The famous Alicia Potter had been won over.

"Oh, you're not fooling me, Alan, Alicia screamed at the top of the voice, I know you didn't tell me you were replacing Beverly because you have something at the back of your mind!"

They had arrived in front of the Slytherin common-room. Alicia stopped and wiped the mud of her face.

"I don't understand you, Alicia. What difference would it have made if I had told you?" Alan asked.

For the first time Alicia saw him for what he really was. She had always pictured Alan as the Gryffindor guy who would help her in her difficult task.

But now, as Alan stared her, Alicia felt a shiver of excitement. Alan suddenly seemed so tall and so strong.

"I wouldn't have been so surprised and we wouldn't have lost the match." Alicia said.

Alan smirked and again, Alicia felt the same shiver. Her relationship with Alan had been so boring. At last something was happening between them. It was as if they had both been waiting for it.

Alan bent down and kissed Alicia's lips softly.

"Good night, Alicia." He said simply and walked away.

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Alicia missed Morla. She was in her bed, in the dark, and for the first time she felt empty. There wasn't anyone to confide to.

And Alicia needn't to talk to someone.

She turned around in her bed. Even in the dark she could make out Elisabeth's sleeping body.

Elisabeth had always been there for Alicia, she had always understood, she had never laughed. She was Alicia's best friend.

"Elisa!" Alicia hissed.

Elisabeth opened her eyes and sat up in her bed.

"What?" she groaned, still half-asleep.

"I need to talk to you." Alicia said simply.

Elisabeth groaned once again and covered her face with her hands.

"What for?" she asked.

"You're my best friend and I want to confide in you." Alicia shrugged.

That was odd. Elisabeth looked at Alicia properly. Alicia did not wake up her friend to chat about feelings and things like that. The only times Alicia had woken Elisabeth up in the middle of the night it had been to talk about her projects and her crazy ideas.

"What's wrong?" Elisabeth asked.

Alicia sighed and hesitated for a second. This was harder than what she had thought.

"Alan kissed me after the match."

Elisabeth had to control herself not to laugh. Alicia looked so serious and miserable. Elisabeth had expected to hear something very dramatic but now it turned out all the fuss was about a boy!

"So what? He's kissed you many times before and it didn't shock you!" Elisabeth cried.

"Yes, but this time I felt something," Alicia said.

"You mean the other times you didn't feel anything?" Elisabeth asked a little disgusted. How could Alicia kiss a guy she didn't even like? It was gross.

"No, I didn't. Alan is only a way to success. With his help, people will see that Gryffindor and Slytherin can be friends if they want to."

Elisabeth wasn't shocked. She had lived in the same room as Alicia for over four years and she was used to her strange way of thinking. But her idea was crazy.

"Alicia, Gryffindor and Slytherin will never be friends. They will never forget the old enmity just because you're going out with Alan!" Elisabeth tried to reason with Alicia.

But Alicia was a stubborn girl.

"I never said Alan was the solution, I only said he was going to help. The Slytherins need to get back in contact with the Gryffindors, and not just on the Quidditch pitch or in the classrooms." She said.

"But how can we do that? If Gryffindor and Slytherin were meant to be friends again it would have happened a very long time ago. But both of them have too much pride and none of them will apologize!"

Alicia nodded. Elisabeth was right.

"Gryffindor and Slytherin were friends, and that's all we need to know. If they were friends once, they can be friends again." She said simply.

"You're crazy, Alicia, and your project is impossible!"

Alicia laughed. She had completely forgotten Alan.

"Gryffindor and Slytherin made a mistake in the past but I believe I can mend it." Alicia said and grinned, already looking forward for the next day to come.

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Dear Ali,

I miss you so much. It feels so empty here without you. When are you coming back?

Your mother stopped by at my house today with your little sister Emma. Indirectly it's thanks to her that we've met. If you hadn't been upset about your mother's pregnancy, we wouldn't have met each other on the street and we may not have become friends. I guess that's what people call destiny.

Mitch

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Dear Mitch,

It wasn't destiny, it was just pure coincidence.

I'm not coming till the end of the year. I'm really busy here.

Oh, and by the way Alan says hello. You didn't even ask about him.

Alicia

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Dear Ali,

Alan is a nice guy but I don't really care about him. He's just this young guy who tags along with us at parties. I can't believe you're going out with him. He always reminded me of a fox, and that's not a compliment.

Mitch

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Mitch,

Alan doesn't remind me of a fox at all, I don't see what you mean. Are you by any chance jealous?

My owl Sodapop came back in a very bad mood. What did you give him? I already warned you: you have to give him something tasty or he'll go into one of his moods. You know what he's like!

Ali

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Dear Ali,

Oh yes, I know your owl pretty well by now. He's a really annoying pet. I gave him his favourite cookie today but he still wouldn't let me take your letter.

When I said that Alan reminded me of a fox, I didn't mean physically. You've only met him a few weeks ago. I've known him nearly all my life. He lives near Jason's house, that's why. Alan is not the person he likes to pretend he is. Be careful about that, Ali.

And no, I'm not jealous, I'm simply warning you.

Mitch

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Dear Mitch,

How's Jason by the way? I really don't like that guy, Mitch. You admitted it yourself: he put some weird stuff in my glass.

And I think I know a touch more about Alan than you do.

He's not a muggle. He has everything you haven't and that's why you're jealous.

Alicia

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Alicia,

What does he have that I don't?

Mitch

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Mitch,

I can't tell you.

Alicia

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Alicia,

What is happening to you? You're acting so cold!

Your mother came to chat with my mother again. Emma was here again. She told me you're a hero. What have you done?

Mitch

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Dear Mitch,

I'm sorry I've been so harsh with you but I'm having a difficult time here. My relationship with Alan is a disaster. I feel so bored with him.

Don't listen to my little sister; she doesn't know what she's saying.

Alicia

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Dear Ali,

I'm really sorry about you and Alan. I hope you can fix it.

I've got a girlfriend as well. Her name is Natasha. She's from far the coolest girl I have ever met. We spend every single second together. I'm having such a wonderful time.

She says she'd like to meet you one day. I told her you were a really great girl. Natasha is very fond of Emma as well.

Hope you're well,

Mitch

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Alicia dropped the letter she had been holding. She couldn't believe it.

Mitch had a girlfriend.

Alicia didn't know what to do. She was sitting at the breakfast table in the Great Hall. Her group of Slytherin friends was surrounding her. They were all staring at her, waiting for her to start the conversation.

Alicia looked over Peter's shoulder and spotted Alan walking towards her.

She picked up the letter and folded it carefully.

What was she supposed to do now? Alicia knocked over her cup of hot chocolate as she stood up abruptly.

She pushed her friends out of the way and walked out of the Great Hall as fast as she could. She was very aware of the noise her high heels were doing, they were echoing in the whole room. Alan tried to catch up with Alicia but she was quicker. She closed the door on Alan's nose.

And then she ran. She ran as fast as she could to hide in a shadowy corner.

"Alicia? Where are you? What's wrong?" She could hear Alan's voice calling for her.

Silently Alicia took out the invisibility cloak from her bag and slipped it over her head, making sure it covered all of her body.

All the way to the library, she stayed under the invisibility cloak. She could feel the letter in her pocket at every single movement she made.

Finally she arrived in front of the library door. Nobody was around so Alicia took off the cloak again and hid it back in her bag. She marched into the library casually, as if nothing out of the usual had happened.

She went over to Mrs. Klokworm's desk and asked for a book about magic mirrors.

"Magic mirrors? I'll see what I can find for you, my dear." Mrs Klokworm said. She soon came back with a small pile of old books.

"Thank you." Alicia said taking the books from the librarian's grip.

Alicia found a quiet corner and sat down on the wooden bench. She opened the first book.

The Book of Magic Mirrors

Alicia searched and searched but she found nothing that even resembled the mirror in her attic.

She sighed and threw the book to her side. She opened the next one.

Spells To Change Your Reflection

Alicia read about every single sort of spell to modify your reflection. Some spells could even make your reflection disappear, but Alicia wasn't interested in that. She shut the book loudly and opened the next one.

Magic Mirrors All Over the World

It wasn't the right one either. Alicia looked at the other one.

Trick Mirrors for Muggles

There was still nothing about the mirror in Alicia's attic. And then the thinnest book caught Alicia's attention. It had a picture of a man in the front. At first the man looked totally normal; but looking closer Alicia realised it looked as if the man was in a lot of pain. Alicia read the title of the book.

Victims of the Mirror of Erised

It was horrible. It was enough for Alicia to read the first lines to realise that. She read everything about the effects the mirror had on many wizards in the past. Somehow she kept reading even though she didn't really think this dangerous mirror could have anything to do with the one in her attic.

But then Alicia arrived on the page where the author of the book explained what the mirror really did. It was only one sentence but it made Alicia's blood turn cold.

The Mirror of Erised shows people their deepest desire.

After she had all the information she needed, Alicia took a decision. She had to break up with Alan before things were too late.

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"Alan!" Alicia cried.

Alan was sitting at the Gryffindor table. When Alicia came marching over them, every single student looked up at her. Alicia's eyes crossed Beverly's. Beverly was holding Liam's hand and she looked happy. Alicia realised Beverly had made the right choice: at least she really loved her boyfriend.

Somehow it reassured Alicia to see her cousin sitting there. Seeing Liam and Beverly together reminded Alicia of what true love was.

"What's up?" Alan asked casually.

"I need to talk to you. Privately." Alicia said. She grabbed Alan's hand and dragged him out of the Great Hall.

"Okay, what the hell was that?" Alan asked once they were out of sight.

Alicia said nothing but motioned for him to follow her. They went into an empty classroom. Alicia used a spell to lock the door closed. She didn't want anyone to disturb them.

"Alan, I can't do this anymore." Alicia said sadly. She realised this was not going to be easy.

"What do you mean?" Alan asked frowning.

Alicia approached Alan and took his hand as if it was going to comfort him.

"I don't love you, Alan, and I never really did. I think it's best for both of us if we break up."

Alan pulled his hand out of Alicia's grip and stared. His eyes were wide open as if he couldn't quite believe it.

They didn't say anything for a very long time. The odd thing was that Alan didn't seem to show any disappointment. He only seemed surprised.

"Well, I didn't think you were going to do this so early." He said at last.

"What do you mean?" Alicia asked confused.

Alan smirked.

"I have never loved you either, Alicia. And I know from the beginning why you're really going out with me." He said in a cold voice.

Alicia felt a shiver all over her body and she wondered what was happening to her. She suddenly found Alan very attractive.

"I still don't understand …" Alicia said quietly.

"Why don't you remind people that Godric and Salazar used to be friend?" Alan whispered in Alicia's ear.

Alicia gasped.

"It was you!" she cried in astonishment.

Alan looked quite proud of himself.

"Yes, it was. I knew it was going to intrigue you. And I knew you were going to try to do something about it. I planned the whole thing. It wasn't Jason who put drugs in your glass, it was me." Alan said.

Alicia was horrified. A thousand thoughts flashed in her mind. How could she have been so stupid? She had walked right into Alan's plans.

"But why?" Alicia asked in a high pitched voice. It was all she could think of. She felt so confused.

"I wanted to prove people that you're not that great. I wanted to show them you're not special. I wanted to be able to tell them that you're only a silly conceited girl." Alan explained. He looked so self-satisfied.

Alicia felt so disgusted. She felt so used. Alan had manipulated her so easily!

"You're disgusting," Alicia said.

Alan shrugged. He had what he wanted now. He could scream to the whole school about how he had fooled the famous Alicia Potter.

"But I can't deny I have enjoyed my time with you, Alan grinned even more, you're a very good kisser Alicia. Especially when you're drunk. You have no idea how much fun I had with you at that party."

Alicia spat on the floor angrily.

"You don't deserve to be in Gryffindor!" She cried.

Alan laughed and grabbed Alicia's wrists.

"The hat said I would have done good in Slytherin." He said.

His face was very close to Alicia's. She could feel his breath on her neck.

She shivered as Alan forced her closer to him.

And then Alicia forgot everything. She flung her arms around Alan and started kissing him fiercely.

Alan pushed her up against the wall of the classroom and kissed her back.